1st Jan 2014

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

www.kuwaittimes.net

SAFAR 29, 1435 AH

New Year welcomed with joy, fireworks Dubai dazzles in global 2014 party

DUBAI: With fireworks, dancing and late-night reverie, millions around the world welcomed 2014, gathering for huge displays of jubilation and unity as the New Year arrived across 24 time zones. Dubai attempted to smash the fireworks world record as it ushered in 2014 with a bang, as a wave of pyrotechnics swept around the globe. The Middle East hub was hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the largest-ever display, pledging to set off more than 400,000 fireworks. Kuwait set the record in 2011 with an epic hour-long blast of 77,282 fireworks.

The glittering fireworks display spanned over 100 km of the Dubai coast, which boasts an archipelago of manmade islands and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower at 830 m high. People crowded in the streets below took pictures on their mobile phones as the salvo lit up the Burj Khalifa. To the strains of Arabic pop music, the five-minute thundering display filled the skies above the United Arab Emirates’ main city. The main displays were based at the luxurious Atlantis hotel and at Palm Jumeirah, one of three palm-shaped islands.

Sydney had the first of the world’s major pyrotechnic shows, with seven tonnes of explosives lighting up Australia’s biggest city. Fireworks shot off the Opera House for the first time in more than 10 years as part of the extravaganza, focused on the Harbour Bridge. “The Opera House was fantastic,” said Murphy Robertson, from Denver in the United States, after watching the Aus$6 million ($5.4 million) show which attracted some 1.5 million people to harbour vantage points. “The thing that really got me was the sparks, the golden curtain of sparks going off the bridge.”

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Traffic chief revises speed limits in 2014

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Interior Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs Maj Gen Abdelfattah Al-Ali has issued an administrative decision in which he outlined speed limits on Kuwait streets as follows: A) Speed limits on expressways and outer roads that link expressways and main roads with the country’s borders are as follows: • Maximum speed for cars: 120 km/h • Minimum speed for cars: 80 km/h • Maximum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 80 km/h • Minimum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 60 km/h B) Speed limit on expressways between Sixth Ring Road and Second Ring Road as follows: • Maximum speed for cars: 100 km/h • Minimum speed for cars: 50 km/h • Maximum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 60 km/h • Minimum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 45 km/h C) Speed limit on expressways between Second Ring Road and First Ring Road are as follows: • Maximum speed for cars: 80 km/h • Minimum speed for cars: 40 km/h D) The speed limit on Fifth Ring Road starting from King Abdulaziz Al-Saud road in the east to Andalus crossroad with Ardiya in the west as follows: • Maximum speed for cars: 100 km/h • Minimum speed for cars: 50 km/h • Maximum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 60 km/h • Minimum speed for trucks and heavy equipment: 40 km/h E) Speed limit on First Ring Road as follows: • Maximum speed for cars: 100 km/h • Minimum speed for cars: 50 km/h • Maximum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 60 km/h • Minimum speed for tucks and heavy vehicles: 40 km/h The second article of the decision stipulated that: A) Speed limit on ring roads from the first to the fourth as follows: • Maximum speed for cars: 80 km/h • Minimum speed for cars: 45 km/h • Maximum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 60 km/h • Minimum speed for trucks and heavy vehicles: 40 km/h B) Speed limit on main roads in inside areas will be as follows: • Maximum speed for cars: 60 km/h C) Speed limit inside residential areas: • Maximum speed for cars: 45 km/h Article 3 of the decision stipulated that the maximum speed on Kuwait City roads is 45 km/h from the east (Engineers Society) until the intersection of west Soor Street (Al-Maqsab intersection), where the maximum speed limit for cars will be 60 km/h.

The fourth article stipulates that as an exception to the rules in articles 1, 2 and 3, the traffic department can set the speed limit either to increase or decrease based on engineering standards, traffic density, type of vehicles, nature of trips on roads and nature of areas the traffic is going through.

The fifth article said that concerned authorities must implement the decision effective 1/1/2014 (today).

Kuwait budget surplus falls as spending soars

DUBAI: Fireworks explode from the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, to celebrate the New Year. — AFP

Freed Palestinians hailed JERUSALEM: Israel freed 26 Palestinian prisoners yesterday as part of US-brokered peace talks ahead of Secretary of State John Kerry’s latest visit to the region.

The release prompted elation among Palestinians, who welcomed the prisoners back into the West Bank and Gaza Strip after they had spent two to three decades in Israeli jails. But as Kerry geared up for his 10th visit since March, an anticipated announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of further settlement construction - designed to appease hardliners looked set again to undermine the talks.

Kerry, expected to arrive today, has been pressing the two sides to agree on a framework for a final peace agreement ahead of an agreed late April target date for the talks to conclude. The prisoners were the third batch of 104 detainees that Netanyahu pledged to release in four stages when the peace talks were revived in July.

All were imprisoned before the 1993 Oslo accords, which officially launched the Middle East peace process.

Palestinians hailed the freed prisoners as heroes imprisoned for fighting against the Israeli occupation, with some welcomed back to Ramallah in the West Bank, others to east Jerusalem and the remainder into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. The 18 men taken to Ramallah were warmly embraced by the Westernbacked Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in his presidential compound before laying flowers on the Continued on Page 15

Max 18º Min 11º High Tide 12:00 & 22:14 Low Tide 06:00 & 17:44

GAZA: Rami Barbakh, a released Palestinian prisoner, is reunited with his mother upon arriving at his home in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. —AFP

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s provisional budget surplus shrank 15 percent in the first six months of the current fiscal year mainly due to a sharp jump in expenditures, the finance ministry said yesterday. The OPEC member posted a preliminary budget windfall of KD 10.7 billion ($37.8 billion) in the period ending Sept 30, compared to KD 12.6 billion in the corresponding period last year, according to figures posted on the ministry website. Kuwait’s fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31.

The main reason for the sharp drop in surplus is a 50 percent jump in spending to KD 5.1 billion by the end of September from KD 3.4 billion a year ago, the official data showed. Revenues remained almost unchanged at KD 15.8 billion compared to KD 16.0 billion a year ago.

Oil income, which makes up around 95 percent of total revenues, dropped slightly from KD 15.4 billion in the 2012-2013 fiscal year to KD 15.0 billion in the current year.

Over the past seven years, projects in the state have been impeded by continued political disputes between the ruling family-controlled government and opposition MPs despite an unprecedented oil windfall due to high prices. But the government has awarded a number Continued on Page15

Beloved singer dragged into Lebanon divisions BEIRUT: Through decades of conflict, there has been one thing all Lebanese could agree on, their adoration of the country’s iconic singer Fairouz, who stood unquestioned above the fray with her anthems to Lebanon and Palestine and songs of love. Now the 78-singer has been dragged into the thick of the country’s bitter political and sectarian divisions after her son said in an interview that she loves the leader of Hezbollah, sparking an uproar among opponents of the Shiite guerrilla group.

Angry critics on Twitter and Facebook and in Lebanese newspapers have sharply said Fairouz should stay out of politics, some even accusing her of treachery while supporters has indignantly replied that she is free to support whomever she chooses.

Fairouz herself has remained silent: Throughout her career, she has never expressed her political opinions and she rarely gives interviews.

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Fairouz

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

LOCAL

Police officer arrested for theft in Farwaniya Four hold officer hostage KUWAIT: A suspended police officer was arrested on charges of theft and mugging which he committed in uniform. The arrest happened following investigations carried out by Farwaniya police over multiple car theft as well as complaints in which pedestrians said they were mugged by a police officer. Detectives eventually identified a Kuwaiti man as a prime suspect after discovering that he sold car parts for cheap prices, and was arrested after investigations revealed that the spare parts were taken from cars reported stolen. Investigations revealed that the man is a suspended police officer, and that he used his uniform, gun and baton to commit his crimes. He was referred to the authorities for further action.

Four in custody Four people were arrested after they briefly held a police officer hostage to demand the release of their relative who was also placed under arrest. The incident took place in Jahra where two police headed to arrest a stateless man on theft charges. While placing the suspect in the

patrol vehicle, the officers were surprised by four suspects who held a policeman at knifepoint. They told the other officer to release their relative in exchange for his partner’s release, to which he complied and the five escaped. The officers called for backup, after which a large unit was moved to place the five stateless men under arrest. Their ages ranged between 17 and 25. They were taken to the authorities to face charges.

Work mishap A construction worker died in a case filed in Salmiya Monday and remains under investigations. Paramedics headed to the scene in response to an emergency call, but pronounced the Syrian man dead on the spot. Medical staff accompanied police to the scene in response to an emergency call reporting that a worker lost balance and fell while working at a high place. The body was taken to the coroner after criminal investigators examined the scene. No evidence of foul play was immediately found at the scene. An investigation was opened to determine the

circumstances behind the incident.

Fatal crash A man died in an accident on Abdali Road and investigations are ongoing to reveal the circumstances behind the accident. The victim, a 28-year-old Pakistani national, was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics who arrived shortly after the accident was reported. Preliminary investigations indicate that the man lost control over his vehicle which lost balance and overturned.

Instagram offenses Police arrested 13 people who promoted illegal activities including sexual services through social media.

According to a security insider with knowledge of the case, the suspects were arrested after being indentified through investigations that followed closing 13 Instagram accounts used to offer sexual and unlicensed massaging services. All detainees were arrested in Hawally, the source said, adding that they include ‘engineers and teachers’.

KUWAIT: The Drugs Control General Department arrested two citizens in possession of 500,000 illicit tablets, 50 gm of shabu, a firearm and a shotgun. The drugs were found in an animal pen, which the suspects had rented to carry out their criminal activities. The duo used a new method in smuggling the drugs by placing them in small candy bags, which they later emptied in larger bags and vacuumed the air from them. The two suspects and the drugs were sent to concerned authorities.— By Hanan Al-Saadoun

News

in brief

Awareness website KUWAIT: The head of MoH’s committee entrusted with boosting public awareness on the MERS coronavirus, Dr Ghalia Al-Mutairi, disclosed that both the health and the education ministries were currently coordinating to establish a joint website to be used as a vehicle to boost public awareness about contagious respiratory diseases. Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of a school nurse awareness day activity organized by the Coronavirus Awareness Committee, Mutairi stressed that both ministries have issued a joint memo with recommendations on how to fight and prevent contagious respiratory disease amongst schoolchildren and staff.

Mail distribution KUWAIT: Communications Ministry will decide soon on awarding the tender of mail distribution, to the company that gave the best offer. The new tender has special importance as plans are to be at par with advanced countries. Sources said the Communications Ministry attracted the best private companies to improve the service, and maintain Kuwait’s reputation at the international mail union.The sources said the ministry studied all offers from private companies and their research papers to win this important tender. They said the contract will be for two years.

Oman residential city SALALAH: Kuwait’s Al-Fanar Group contributed with millions of riyals to establish a residential city in Salalah, the capital of Dhofar province, Oman. A new residential city is being established on 300,000 square meters, said Director General of the Architecture Department of Jawharat Salalah project, Ammar Al-Marhoon, in a statement. The project, located near Salalah port, aims at serving the port, the free zone and the industrial city of Raysut, in addition to cruise ships’ station, he added. Jawharat Salalah city will be one of the creative projects in Dhofar province, he noted, indicating that it includes residential, industrial and entertainment areas, as well as a shopping mall that is close to the road that leads to the heart of Salalah and Muscat. Al-Marhoon noted that the project consists of nine major projects, which are to be implemented through a number of stages.

Charity organizations cannot donate to people inside Syria KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti governments informed local charity organization to avoid involvement in ‘suspicious activities’ of terrorism funding or funding weapon purchase for fighters in Syria, a local daily reported yesterday quoting sources familiar with the news.

The notice came during a meeting Monday between representatives of a number of charity organizations in Kuwait, with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. “The meeting was called to discuss organizing the process of fundraising in Kuwait, including campaigns to collect donations for Syrian refugees”, said sources with knowledge of the meeting.

They added that the charity organizations were told to make sure that their activity is focused solely on sending aid to Syrian refugees outside of Syria.

In other news, Kuwait received a letter sent by the Arab League and contains the Egyptian government’s decision to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, according to sources from the Foreign Ministry.

A decision on that regard pending word from the cabinet, said the sources who spoke to Al-Rai on the condition of anonymity. Egypt had announced plans to ‘activate’ its decision through the Arab League’s counter terrorism treaty, of which Kuwait is a signatory country.

Greek deputy premier visits diplomatic institute KUWAIT: Greece’s Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos paid a visit Monday to Kuwait-based Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute. Pangalos was welcomed at the Institute by its Director General Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Sharekh and his Deputy Abdullah Al-Yahya.

Al-Sharekh made a presentation to the Greek guest about the Institute’s educa-

tional system as well as about the role of diplomacy in achieving Kuwait’s interests.

For his part, Pangalos thanked AlSharekh for the warm welcome.

He also briefed the Institute officials about the Kuwaiti investments in his country, estimated at $500 million, and the economic situation after the global economic and financial crises. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Mahabba Camp in Jlaiah area hosted Jordanian community members in Kuwait, where they spent a day full of activity. Palestinian Dabka troupe performed during the event. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

LOCAL

The make or break year for Kuwait development

By Bader Khaled KUWAIT: 2014 may be the year of Kuwait’s economic revival as the government (finally) gears up to begin implementing the Five Year Development Plan. Approved by parliament in 2013, the $130 billion plan aimed to modernize Kuwait’s aging state infrastructure - especially in the revenue-earning oil sector - and bolster the private sector through a series of joint stock private par tnership initiatives.

Three years in, the majority of the projects remain on the drawing board and implementation of the plan has largely languished due to domestic political turmoil.

The election of a largely progovernment parliament in July 2013 (made possible by the breakdown of the opposition move ment) has helped restore some level of political cooperation. As a consequence, the government has also begun to move forward with the development plan projects.

Three major projects have taken

small but important steps forward in recent weeks.

In early December, the government reached an agreement with a consortium led by French firm GDF Suez for the financing of the $1.8 billion Al Zour North Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP).

The consortium, which owns 40 percent of the project, comprises of GDF SUEZ (17.5 percent), Sumitomo (17.5 percent) and A H Al Sagar & Brothers (5 percent), was selected as successful bidder by Kuwait’s Partnerships Technical Bureau (PTB). It will build a gasfired combined cycle power plant of 1,500 MW and an associated water desalination plant with a capacity of 107 MIGD (486 thousand msq/day). All of the plant’s output will be purchased by the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water under a 40-year long-term Energy Conversion and Water Purchase Agreement (ECWPA). The plant is expected to start commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2016.

At the end of the month, the PTB invited interest in plans for a similar project in Al-Khairan and has also accepted the submission of bids for the $12 billion Clean Fuels Project that aims to overhaul the country’s ageing oil infrastructure. The project is expected to be awarded in the first half of 2014.

Plans are also moving forward with the $2.6 billion Sheik h Jaber Causeway and several other projects including the expansion of the Kuwait International Airport, the completion of the new Kuwait University campus in Shadadiya and several new hospitals and outlying cities.

Though investors in Kuwait remain skeptical, there is growing optimism that the new political climate will allow for greater momentum of awarding of contracts. The early part of 2014 will provide a glimpse of the government’s desire to push forward with not only the development plan but the overall reformation of Kuwait’s economic landscape.

Kuwait to host Syria donors conference, Arab Summit KUWAIT: Kuwait will be hosting two major events in 2014 namely the Second International Humanitarian Donors Conference for Syria to be held on Jan 15 and the Arab League Summit to be held in March, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah AlKhalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

He added during a breakfast held in honor of heads of Kuwaiti diplomatic missions, early yesterday, that the two major events will fulfill their political and humanitarian objectives,

while the Arab summit will be aimed to rally international efforts to support humanitarian relief operations in Syria, besides the goal to reach a peaceful resolution for the bloody conflict in the country.

The foreign minister also highlighted major political events in 2013, and their impact on the region, besides reviewing and evaluating the foreign ministry’s plans regarding these issues. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khalid Sulaiman Al-Jarallah tackled deci-

sions and recommendations of the Heads of Kuwait Diplomatic Missions conference, held last March.

The conference recommended further development and improvement of the ministry’s organizational structure and electronic networks between the ministry and its diplomatic missions abroad which contribute to easy flow of information and reports, he said.

He expressed gratitude to the minister for sponsoring and attending this meeting. — KUNA

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim receiving Kuwaiti medical students in Ajman, Yaqoub Al-Zamil, Khaled Al-Murairi, Abdulaziz AlOteibi, Fahad Al-Subeie, Hayat Al-Mansour and Fahad Al-Dabbous.

Kuwaiti-Egyptian officials discuss media cooperation CAIRO: Kuwait’s ambassador to Egypt Salem al-Zamanan met here yesterday with Egyptian Minister of Information Dr Duriya Sharafiddin.

The ambassador discussed with the minister bilateral cooperation on matters related to the media and information.

He said the two countries expressed interest in mutually developing their information and media sectors in view of the accelerating pace of technology.

He added that the minister showed readiness for the state-run Egyptian TV to cover the festivities the Kuwaiti embassy in Cairo was planning for the celebration of Kuwait’s national day and liberation day in the upcoming month of February.

He praised the depth of relations between the two countries and aspired for continued cooperation in the field of information in the future. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Police Officers Club held the second spring camp for its members. The camp included several contests and prizes were given to children.

— Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receiving at Bayan Palace yesterday Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Plans for speedy execution of housing projects KUWAIT: A high ranking source at the Housing Public Authority said that it will sign a contract with an international consultation office, considered one of the largest engineering consultation offices in the world, the majority of whose capital belongs to the Kuwait government in partnership with German experts. The source said HPA will sign the contract in Jan 2014 after receiving the Audi Bureau’s approval, adding that it will conduct studies related to the speedy execution of housing projects, and give advice on project management. The office will also restructure HPA sectors.

The source said the office will work for two phases - the first will be of three months to determine and diagnose the defects in the housing projects, present the choices in regards to HPA strategy, establish an office to

administer projects and review the current plan of HPA. The second phase will be for two years, during which the scope of work and the necessary time will be determined, along with determining the required experience of the advisory team in addition to bringing in engineers in the field of strategic planning and partnership projects.

Meanwhile former housing minister Bader Al-Humaidi described the use of the international office as escaping from the solution, adding there is no benefit from it. He said there is no problem to start with that needs the experts, and wondered “When the problem is the absence of land and money, what will the international advisor do? Will he resort to magic and produce lands from the sky?”

Al-Humaidi considered the propos-

al of the parliamentary housing committee to use an international advisor as shirking from the problem, especially since lands are available and money is there. He said that there are 32,000 housing units in Khairan city, 22,000 in Mutlaa and 25,000 in Subbiya, and all what is needed is to place these units in a tender to establish the infrastructure and public services within five years. He said the cost will be KD 7.4 billion, and the government must include the private sector in the construction so that the problem does not arise again.

Al-Humaidi said that Subbiya can host 15,000 plots that can be used in solving the problem after providing current residents with a suitable alternative by housing them in low-cost homes, and “this is free consultation without the need of international experts”.

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HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is pictured during the opening of the second ordinary session of the 14th legislative term of the National Assembly on October 29.

MP Ali Al-Rashed celebrates his electoral victory in the parliament elections on July 27. — Photos by Joseph Shagra, Yasser Al-Zayyat and Fouad Al-Shaikh.

Kuwait 2013: Year in Review

The past year has been a bit of a roller coaster for Kuwait - with ups and downs across the economic, political and social spectrums. We celebrate the start of the new year but take a moment to look back over the last twelve months and wish 2013 Bon Voyage. Happy New Year everyone!

The constitutional court ordered the dissolution of Kuwait’s parliament on June 16 and called for fresh elections.

A large falcon auction was held in Kuwait in October, with one select bird going for KD 209,000.

Kuwait celebrates Hala February Festival with a rainbow of colours.

Disabled attending Parliament session on Dec. 13, 2013.

The Holy Month of Ramadan is celebrated with abstaining from food and water from dawn to dusk. The family gathers for the breaking of the fast after sunset.

Kuwait National day air show on Feb 25 demonstrates the skills of Kuwait Air Force who streaked the skyline over Kuwait City in the colours of Kuwait’s flag.

Many were deported during a crackdown of illegal residents from late spring through Ramadan. Thousands were arrested during police raids across Kuwait.

Kuwait’s political opposition coalition holds rallies in the run up to the July parliamentary polls protesting a new electoral law.

Bedoons in Kuwait hold a peaceful protest in Taima in October.

A pro-Syrian protest gathers Kuwaitis in June.

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Kuwait’s new school year started with a bang in early September. Traffic ground to a halt as students and teachers headed back to class.

The Arab African Summit held in Kuwait in November, causing major traffic delays and shutting down parts of the country.

Citizens and residents celebrated Kuwait’s National and Liberation days.

A strong dust storm enveloped Kuwait in April.

Bedoons kept up their protests demanding citizenship in Taima in J ahra.

Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thekra Al-Rasheedi is seen during a parliamentary session.

Residents in Kuwait witnessed a solar eclipse on Nov 3.

Speaker of the House Marzouq Al-Ghanem is seen during the heated debate on housing in Kuwait that was held recently.

For the government it was business as usual. Kuwait’s Premier Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah is seen during one of parliament’s sessions in May.

In a bid to deal with congested roads in Kuwait, Kuwait’s Traffic Department implemented strict rules punishing drivers without valid licenses.

The price of sheep skyrocketed before Eid Al-Adha in October.

Nawaf Al-Fuzai (left) announces in May a grilling request of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mustafa AlShamali. He is seen with then MP Saadoun Al-Otaibi (right).

Piles of dead oysters cover the seashore in Khairan in early November.

Children’s favorite festival, Girgian, held during the middle of Ramadan, was celebrated with loads of sweets and songs.

Kuwait resumed executions in 2013 after a 5-year moratorium.

Raids across Kuwait ended with overcrowded detention centers during the mid year crackdowns.

Heavy rains lashed Kuwait in the start of December flooding the streets and roads across the country.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

LOCAL

KUWAIT: Public Services Department removed leftovers that hindered the project of Jaber Bridge. Inspector Hamad Al-Jarrah who supervised the removal said heavy equipment were used to remove the large leftovers, and the site was cleaned.

—- Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

Kuwait top leaders keen on aiding special needs cases Boosting role of the disabled

AMMAN: The wheelchairs donated by the Kuwait Red Crescent Society to Jordan’s National Red Crescent Society.

KRCS provides Jordanian counterpart with wheelchairs AMMAN: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) presented Jordan’s National Red Crescent Society (JNRCS) yesterday with 30 wheelchairs. KRCS’s envoy Khaled Al-Zaid delivered the wheelchairs to the hospital in the presence of JNRCS’s President Mohammad Al-Hadid.

Kuwait’s aid comes within a framework of cooperation between the two countries, especially in this period of time where Jordan is receiving thousands of Syrian refugees, AlZaid said yesterday.

He stressed on importance of aid provided

by Kuwait to the Syrian refugees and its role in alleviating Jordan’s bearing of the refugees despite the difficult conditions of pressure on the infrastructure, health and education in

the Kingdom.

Al-Zaid praised Jordan’s and JNRCS’s humanitarian role in aiding the Syrian refugees and helping them face their country’s crisis, which has been going on for the last three years.

He also lauded the role of Kuwait’s diplomatic mission in enhancing the KuwaitiJordanian cooperation, as well as facilitating the tasks of the Kuwaiti delegations by providing continuous aid.

For his part, Al-Hadid praised Kuwait’s provision of aid since the beginning of the Syrian crisis as Kuwait in general and KRCS in particular provide continuous humanitarian aid that helps alleviate the Syrian refugees’ suffering. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait devotes special attention to cases of special needs and considers them as an inseparable segment of the Kuwaiti society, affirmed the Minister of Information. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah dedicate special care for this segment of the society, said Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, also the Minister of State for Youth Affairs. They are very much keen on meeting their requirements to bolster their “effective role in the society,” he said.

Sheikh Salman was speaking during a reception of Ayman Abdel-Wahab, the special Olympics managing director of the Middle East and North Africa region for mental impairment.

The minister stressed on necessity of boosting role of the disabled in all civil associations, “integrating them into various forms of human life, securing necessary care for them, particularly for the category of the mentally disabled, for such an approach reflects extent of progress and civilization of peoples from a humane perspective.”

He called for forming an integrated team to examine status of the mentally disabled citizens to overcome difficulties they face and enable them to be creative and distinguished.

For his part, Abdel-Wahab called on the State of Kuwait to aid the mentally impaired citizens and seek to treat them independently from those with physical abnormality. He also urged for

KUWAIT: Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah pictured during a reception of Ayman Abdel-Wahab.

establishing a special club for them.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Al-Jassem, the secretary of “Rehlat Al-Amal” (Journey of Hope) said His Highness the Amir patronization of the 2012 sea adventure reflected His Highness’ personal care for citizens of special challenges.

“Journey of Hope” was a daring experience car-

rying a global humanitarian and heartfelt message for the benefit of those with intellectual disability. Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, a sailing expedition was launched from Kuwait heading towards Washington D.C. and back with the sole purpose of raising awareness of the cause of backing citizens of special challenges.

GCC chief hails Bahrain’s actions against terrorism RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif AlZayani yesterday praised Bahraini security authorities that have recently aborted terrorist operations.

Al-Zayani, in a statement, said recent revelation by the Bahraini security forces of bids to smuggle arms, explosives and wanted persons into the country constituted an emphatic evidence that “the criminal and terrorist bands in collaboration with regional radical sectarian powers are pursuing their criminal plots to shed blood of the innocent and spread panic and violence and chaos in Bahrain.”

NBK family shares New Year’s happy moments with children at hospital KUWAIT: The National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) family paid a visit to NBK Hospital at Sabah Medical district to share New Year’s happy moments with children.

“NBK staff have always devoted a considerable part of their time to comfort children and present them with felicitations and gifts as part of NBK’s corporate social responsibility program”, said NBK Public Relations Manager, Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid.

NBK family celebrating with children.

“Sharing the happy moments of New Year and other similar occasions with children is our pleasure. We are proud that NBK devotes such attention to supporting Kuwait society and providing compassion and support for those in need, including children. NBK’s commitment to shoulder its corporate social responsibility was the basic motive that led NBK to build its children hospital at Sabah Medical district many years ago,” Al-Rushaid added.

The visit to the hospital was emotional and overwhelming for both the children and NBK family.

NBK’s visits to hospitals and care centers reflect the Bank’s high sense of duty and responsibility towards all those in need from different sectors of society. It is a well rooted tradition that has been carried out by NBK each year in its efforts to continuously have an active role in the Kuwait society.

Abdul Mohsen Al-Rushaid

He expressed strong confidence in efficiency and preparedness of the Bahraini security apparatuses in face of acts of crime and terrorism.

Such readiness along with awareness of the Bahraini natives and their adherence to national unity will foil all terrorist bids designed to spread violence and chaos and discords in the peaceful Bahraini society.

The GCC chief affirmed the council strong condemnation of all forms of terrorism aimed at breaching security of the Kingdom of Bahrain as well as the council states’ stand on its side in face of such threats. — KUNA

Age ban not curbing illegal Gulf entry KATHMANDU: In the face of the government ban prohibiting women under the age of 30 to work in the Gulf states, Nepali women below the stipulated age bar continue to fly to these labour destinations through illegal channels.

The government has largely failed to enforce the prohibition. This has made it possible for women below the age of 30 to go to various Gulf states through illegal channels. Achyut Nepal, communications officer at Maiti Nepal, an organisation that fights human trafficking, says women fake their age to get past the departure terminals.

Some, however, get caught, as in the case of around 20 women sent to Maiti Nepal after officials at the Tribhuvan International Airport doubted their age mentioned on their passports. “But since these women have documents to prove their age and have labour permits from the government, there is nothing we can really do,” says Nepal.

The government had barred women under 30 years of age from working in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates as domestic workers in August 2012. The prohibition was enforced to address the growing cases of physical and sexual abuses faced by female migrant workers at the hands of their employers.

Although the government does not have the exact figure of female migrants

working in the Gulf states illegally, reports about exploitation faced by women labourers suggest they are many in number.

Twenty-six women under 30 years of age, who were subject to exploitation by their employers in various Gulf nations, are currently seeking shelter in Pourakhi, an organisation which works for the rights of women migrant labourers.

The instances of female migrant workers getting exploited started after the government in 2010 lifted a 12-yearold employment ban for women in the Gulf.

It got worse over the years, prompting the government to enforce age bar for women willing to go to the Gulf for jobs.

Some say the age bar is an ineffective way to address the situation, arguing that women continue to forge their documents and go to Gulf countries for employment, as most women in the 2030 age bracket need extra money to support their families. The proscription has only but forced women below 30 to use underground avenues to go abroad, say campaigners who want the ban lifted.

Apart from putting women under risk of being trafficked and exploited, the ban also infringes upon the mobility rights of the women, says Pourakhi chairperson Manju Gurung. —- Kantipur.com

S Sudan rebels agree to truce amid clashes Page 8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

Iraq PM seeks to calm tensions

BAGHDAD: Iraqi federal policemen search a car at a checkpoint in the capital yesterday. — AP

Army to leave Anbar after Sunni protest camp razed BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki yesterday announced the army would leave cities in Anbar province, apparently seeking to defuse simmering tension after security forces closed a major Sunni anti-government protest camp. Deadly clashes broke out Monday as security forces tore down the sprawling protest camp near the city of Ramadi, west of Baghdad, and sporadic fighting continued yesterday, leaving a total of at least 14 people dead.

Monday’s removal of the camp near the Anbar provincial capital was a victory of sorts for Maliki, who had long wanted it gone as, according to him, it was being used as a headquarters by Al-Qaeda.

But while the camp’s closure removed a physical sign of deep-seated grievances among Sunni Arabs, it leaves underlying issues unaddressed and is likely to inflame already-widespread anger among the minority community. In a move seemingly aimed at calming tensions, Maliki yesterday announced that the army would leave cities in Anbar, a demand made by MPs who submitted their resignations the previous day. He called on “the armed forces to devote themselves to ... pursuing Al-Qaeda hideouts in the desert of Anbar” and for the army to turn over “the administration of the cities to the hands of the local and federal police,” a statement on his website said.

Maliki praised the closure of the camp, saying that it was moving toward the control of “terrorist groups”, and that it was shut down in cooperation with the local government and tribal and religious leaders. The violence continued in the Ramadi area yesterday, where fighting killed three gunmen and an Iraqi army sniper, while three militants were wounded, police and a doctor said. An AFP journalist in Ramadi reported sporadic clashes in the area, which was under curfew, and said items including food and petrol were in short supply. Security forces killed 10 gunmen on Monday in the Ramadi area during clashes as the protest camp was taken down, while violence also spread to the nearby city of Fallujah. There was also politi-

cal fallout, with 44 MPs, most of them Sunnis, announcing they had submitted their resignations.

MPs demanded army withdraw from cities They called for “the withdrawal of the army from the cities and the release of MP Ahmed Al-Alwani,” a Sunni who was arrested during a deadly raid on Saturday. The raid on Alwani’s house, which sparked clashes that killed his brother, five guards and a security forces member, also raised tensions. While fighting broke out in the Ramadi area as the camp was closed, it was ultimately shut down without the level of deadly violence that accompanied the last major security forces operation at a protest site.

On April 23, security forces moved on a protest camp outside the northern town of Hawijah, triggering clashes that killed dozens of people, sparking a wave of revenge attacks and sending death tolls soaring. The camp on the highway outside Ramadi, where the number of protesters had ranged from hundreds to thousands, included a stage from which speakers could address crowds, a large roofed structure and dozens of tents. Protests broke out in Sunni Arab-majority areas of Iraq late last year after the arrest of guards of then-finance minister Rafa Al-Essawi, an influential Sunni Arab, on terrorism charges.

The arrests were seen by Sunnis as yet another example of the Shiite-led government targeting one of their leaders. The demonstrations tapped into longstanding grievances of Sunni Arabs, who say they are both marginalised by the government and unfairly targeted by security forces. While the government has made some concessions aimed at placating Sunnis, including freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of anti-Qaeda militiamen, underlying issues remain unaddressed. Violence in Iraq has reached a level not seen since 2008, when the country was emerging from a period of brutal sectarian killings. More than 6,800 people have been killed in Iraq violence since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources. — AFP

Another MP quits over Turkey graft scandal ANKARA: Another lawmaker from Turkey’s ruling party resigned on Tuesday over a high-level corruption scandal, further shaking Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s grip on power. Hasan Hami Yildirim had criticised the government for exerting pressure on the judiciary over the graft investigation, which has plunged Turkey into political turmoil just three months ahead of key elections. A string of public figures including high-profile businessmen and the sons of three ministers were detained on Dec 17 over allegations of bribery for construction projects as well as illicit money transfers to sanctions-hit Iran.

Five MPs including a former culture minister have resigned from the AKP since the raids, which the government has suggested were instigated by supporters of an influential USbased Turkish cleric. Erdogan was also forced into a major cabinet reshuffle after the resignation last week of three ministers whose sons were implicated in the probe. The corruption scandal has exposed a seething feud between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and a former ally, influential Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose supporters hold key positions in the police and the judiciary.

The latest resignation has reduced the number of AKP seats in parliament to 320 out of 550. The government is set for a key test in March local elections, which will be followed by an August presidential vote and parliamentary elections in 2015.

“It was not an easy decision,” Yildirim was quoted as saying by the Hurriyet newspaper. “I wish that the views and opinions I expressed were taken into consideration but I saw that if I stayed in the party I would have been subject to more criticism and I could not take that.”

‘Pressure on prosecutor unacceptable’ Yildirim had previously criticised the removal from the probe of Istanbul prosecutor Muammer Akkas who had been set to order a second wave of arrests, reportedly including Erdogan’s son. “Pressure on prosecutor Muammer Akkas is unacceptable. This pressure cannot be legitimised in a state governed by rule of law,” Yildirim said on Twitter. The government removed Akkas from the case last week, accusing him of leaking secret files to the media, with Erdogan describing him as a “disgrace to justice”.

Government spokesman Bulent Arinc announced Monday that plans were in the making for legal action against judges and prosecutors accused of wrongdoing or abuse of power.

Erdogan’s government has already ordered the sacking of dozens of police chiefs linked to Gulen or who oversaw the Dec 17 raids, including the powerful head of the Istanbul force. The row between government and Gulen followers first hit the headlines in November over AKP plans to shut down a network of private schools run by the movement. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

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

Increase in Iraq executions draws international ire BAGHDAD: Iraq’s use of the death penalty has increased despite international condemnation, with some fearing execution rates could rise further as officials seek to appear tough on security ahead of elections. At least 169 people were put to death in 2013, by far the country’s highest such figure since the 2003 US-led invasion, and one that puts it third in the world, behind just China and Iran. Iraqi officials insist capital punishment is both sanctioned by Islam and an effective way to curb violence, despite the fact that this year’s executions have had no visible impact on the worst protracted surge in bloodshed since 2008.

Diplomats and human rights groups calling for a moratorium meanwhile point to major problems with Iraq’s security forces and within the criminal justice system. “What is more disturbing than the fact of the use of the death penalty itself ... is the fact that the utter dys-

function of the criminal justice system means that there is a very high likelihood that the people who are being executed are innocent,” said Erin Evers, Iraq researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch.

“Not just trials, but the entire security system from the moment of arrest right through the trials. It’s both inadequacy of investigations, in terms of lack of professionalism, lack of collection of evidence, to corruption within the security apparatus, and between the security officers and the judiciary.” Those sentenced to death are usually hanged, often in groups. Seven people were put to death in December, bringing the overall number for 2013 to 169, according to an AFP tally. A total of 129 people were executed in 2012.

UN human rights chief Navi Pillay has said that Iraq’s justice system is “not functioning adequately”. And the US State Department said in its 2012 Human Rights

Report that “credible accounts of abuse and torture during arrest and investigation, in pretrial detention, and after conviction, particularly by police and army, were common”. But Iraq’s Justice Minister Hassan AlShammari has insisted that executions are carried out only after an exhaustive legal process.

Iraq’s human rights ministry has also voiced approval, arguing that carrying out the death penalty acts as a deterrent and will help promote human rights in the long term. “The Iraqi government has a fixed and clear stance for implementation of the death penalty against those who are found guilty because it is a deterrent to criminals and terrorists who kill Iraqis every day,” Human Rights Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani said in remarks posted on the ministry website.

He said Iraq still faces “a big challenge in establishing principles of human rights between generations who

grew up with different values, but we hope that these principles will be spread ... gradually, especially after cutting down on terrorism, which has kept the government from spreading those principles.” The rise in executions in 2013 came as Iraq grapples with its worst prolonged period of violence since it emerged from brutal sectarian fighting that peaked in 2006-2007 and left tens of thousands dead. And with elections coming up in April and a litany of concerns facing voters, from poor services to high unemployment, politicians will likely seek to focus attention elsewhere while ministers wanting to project toughness could even up the pace of executions. “Executions seem to be a popular way to appear strong,” said Ahmed Ali, an Iraq research analyst at the Institute for the Study of War. “If it (an increase in executions) does happen, I don’t think a lot of people will be upset about it.” — AFP

Syria misses deadline to remove chemical arms Death toll passes 130,000

CAIRO: A mosque is silhouetted as the sun sets for the last day of 2013 yesterday. — AP

Forces arrest son of Brotherhood leader CAIRO: Egyptian security forces have arrested the son of a Muslim Brotherhood leader on charges of inciting violence, the Interior Ministry said, in the latest move in a crackdown against the group now branded a terrorist organisation.

Anas Beltagi was arrested on Monday with two others in an apartment in Nasr City, the same district where security forces in August broke up protests calling for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader who was ousted by the army in July.

They were found in possession of a shotgun and ammunition, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Beltagi’s father, Mohamed Beltagi, is in jail and facing trial for inciting violence along with other Muslim Brotherhood leaders. Security forces launched a crackdown against the Brotherhood in August, arresting many of their leaders including Morsi and putting them on trial for inciting terrorism and violence. Hundreds have been killed. Since Morsi’s overthrow, security forces have been struggling with some of the worst violence Egypt has seen in decades but the Muslim Brotherhood has denied any links to violence or terrorism.

The military-installed government last week formally listed the group as a terrorist organisation and accused it of carrying out a suicide bomb attack on a police station that killed 16 people. The Brotherhood has denied involvement. The United States expressed concern on Monday about the government’s designation of the Brotherhood as a terrorist group, as well as the ongoing detentions and arrests by security forces. “We remain deeply concerned about all of the politically motivated arrests, detentions,

and charges in Egypt. These actions raise questions about the rule of law being applied impartially and equitably, and do not move Egypt’s transition forward,” US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in Washington.

Also on Monday a Cairo court sentenced 139 Brotherhood members to two years in jail and a fine of 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($720) each for engaging in violent actions, protesting and rioting. Last month Egypt issued a protest law making it illegal to hold demonstrations without the approval of the police. Yesterday, security forces transferred to court 16 pro-Brotherhood students over accusations of protesting without permission, state media said. Authorities also froze the funds of 572 leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, including Pakinam El-Sharkawi, one of Morsi’s top aides, judicial sources said.

Clashes between protesters and security forces also renewed yesterday at Al Azhar University, a main stage of violent protests since the start of its fall semester in September.

Egypt is pushing through with a roadmap to political transition that could see new parliamentary and presidential elections next year. A referendum on a new constitution is due to take place in mid-Januar y. Minister of Social Solidarity Ahmed Al-Borei said in remarks carried by state media yesterday that the “door is open” for members of the Muslim Brotherhood who have not been involved in violence to run for the presidential and parliamentary elections as individual candidates. He also said the Presidency is planning to carry out the presidential contest before parliamentary elections next year, changing a roadmap to democracy that the army outlined in July. — Reuters

DAMASCUS: Syria will miss a Dec 31 deadline for the removal of part of its chemical weapons arsenal for destruction, but international inspectors insisted the overall mission was still on track. The delay came as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 130,000 people had been killed since the conflict began in March 2011, with the overwhelming majority of casualties caused by conventional arms. The prospects for a peace conference scheduled for next month meanwhile appeared to dim further, with a Syrian newspaper reporting that the delivery of invitations to the meeting had been delayed.

Syria had been due to turn over some of the deadliest chemicals in its arsenals to several ships by the end of the year, for delivery to a US boat which will destroy the materials at sea. But a Norwegian frigate and a Danish warship that had been waiting off the Syrian coast returned to port in Cyprus on Monday night as it became clear that the removal mission would not go ahead as scheduled. Lars Hovtun, a spokesman for the Norwegian ship HNoMS Helge Ingstad gave no new date for the mission to escort the dangerous cargo out of Syria. “We are still on high alert to go into Syria,” he said. “We still don’t know exactly when the orders will come.”

The international disarmament mission in Syria had acknowledged on Saturday it was “unlikely” the weapons could be transported to the Latakia port in time for the Dec 31 deadline. But the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons remained positive on Tuesday, saying the overall plan to rid Syria of its chemical arsenal was on track. “An enormous amount of work has been accomplished in three months,” OPCW spokesman Christian Chartier told AFP. “Syria’s chemical arsenal has been completely neutralised, the chemical agents and chemical products are under international control, have been sealed... The effective dismantling of the production and filling plants is on course. All unfilled munitions have been destroyed, so even if the Syrians tried to get their hands on certain chemical products they wouldn’t have the weapons to use them,” Chartier said.

“Their capacity to produce and use chemical weapons has been reduced to zero.”

Chartier said the operation was still on track to meet a deadline to rid Syria of its chemical arsenal by mid-2014. “The most important deadline in our eyes is June 30, and nothing leads us to believe that it

won’t be met,” he said. The failure to meet the December 31 deadline underscored the complexity of the task of eradicating Syria’s vast chemical arsenal in the middle of a civil war.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group that relies on a network of sources inside Syria, said Tuesday that the death toll from nearly three years of war now stood at 130,433 people, including some 46,266 civilians.

The dead also include 29,083 opposition fighters and jihadists, and 52,290 pro-government forces, among them soldiers, Syria militiamen and fighters from Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah movement. The deaths include hundreds killed in an Aug 21 chemical weapons attack outside Damascus, which saw the United States threaten military action against Syria in response.

The threat was headed off by a USRussian deal under which Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention and agreed to turn over its chemical weapons for destruction. Syria’s Prime Minister Wael AlHalqi, addressing parliament yesterday, said the government was complying with

its obligations. “We were able to accomplish what was agreed upon, destroying the chemical production and mixing sites,” he said. “Now we have started collecting these materials so they can be transferred to the Syrian ports and taken to other places and destroyed within a timeframe that Syria has committed to.”

On the diplomatic front, Syria’s AlWatan newspaper quoted a foreign ministry source as saying invitations to the peace conference scheduled for Jan 22 in the Swiss town of Montreux had not been sent. The source said invites were to have been sent by Dec 28, and the delay was “the result of the floundering efforts to form a delegation representing the ‘opposition’.” The key opposition National Coalition has yet to officially announce it is attending the conference, and there are questions about whether staunch regime ally Iran will be invited. In Aleppo city meanwhile, the Observatory said 10 people, including two children, were killed when a regime tank shell hit a bus. The monitoring group said the toll could rise as many of those injured were in critical condition. — AFP

ADRA, Syria: A resident of this industrial city northeast of Damascus holds a Holy Quran as she is evacuated from the city, which is strategically located on the main road to the capital, due to fierce fighting in recent days on Monday. — AFP

S Sudan rebels agree to truce talks amid clashes

JUBA: The United States special envoy to South Sudan Donald Booth speaks to the media as US Ambassador to South Sudan Susan D Page listens yesterday. — AP

JUBA: South Sudan’s government and rebels agreed a ceasefire yesterday, mediators said, though there was no immediate confirmation from either side or sign of an end to ethnic fighting that has ravaged the world’s youngest nation. Less than two hours before the deal was announced, officials said militias loyal to ex Vice President Riek Machar were still fighting in Bor, the main town in the vast, underdeveloped Jonglei state and the site of an ethnic massacre in 1991. “We will retake the part we lost very soon,” Bor’s mayor, Nhial Majak Nhial, told Reuters. A rebel spokesman in neighbouring Unity state said the rebels had taken the town.

The IGAD group of East African countries said both sides had appointed teams to star t negotiations.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr Riek Machar agree on a cessation of hostilities and appoint negotiators to develop a monitored and implemented ceasefire,” it added, without saying when any ceasefire or talks might start.

Western and regional powers have pushed both sides to end the fighting that has already killed at least 1,000 people, cut South Sudan’s oil output and raised fears of a fullblown civil war in the heart a fragile region.

The clashes erupted on Dec 15 with fighting among a group of soldiers in Juba. The violence quickly spread to half of the country’s ten states, cleaving the nation along the ethnic faultline of Machar’s Nuer group and Kiir’s Dinkas. Kiir accused his long-term political rival Machar, who he sacked in July, of starting the fighting in an effort to seize power. Machar denied the charge, but took to the bush and acknowledged leading soldiers battling the government. There have been conflicting reports on whether Machar was in full control of the Nuer “White Army” militia fighting in Bor, though on Tuesday he told the BBC they were part of his forces.

The fighting has revived memories of the factionalism in the 1990s within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement - the group that fought Sudan’s army in the north for two decades. Machar led a splinter faction and fighters loyal to him massacred Dinkas in Bor. Both the government and the rebels earlier said they were sending

teams to start talks in neighbouring Ethiopia, though Machar at the time told the BBC he was not prepared to lay down weapons. The US special envoy to South Sudan, Donald Booth, said the commitment to send negotiators was an “important first step” towards a negotiated settlement.

‘Catastrophic Conditions’ Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Monday east African nations had agreed to move in and defeat Machar if he rejected the ceasefire offer, threatening to turn the fighting into a regional conflict. There was no immediate confirmation of the pact from other nations.

Bor was briefly seized by the rebels early in the conflict before being retaken by government troops after several days of heavy fighting. “The town is still partly in our hands and partly in the hands of the rebels,” Mayor Nhial Majak Nhial told Reuters on Tuesday from the government’s military headquarters inside Bor, 190 km north of Juba by road.

About 70,000 civilians have fled Bor and sought refuge in the town of Awerial in neighbouring Lakes state, with no access to food, clean water or shelter, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said. Others were hiding in swamps. “Living conditions are verging on the catastrophic,” MSF said. Fighting across the country has displaced at least 180,000 people, including 75,000 seeking refuge inside different UN bases, according to UN figures.

The African Union said late on Monday it was dismayed and disappointed by the bloodletting that came two years after South Sudan won independence from its northern neighbour, Sudan.

The AU’s Peace and Security Council said it would “take appropriate measures, including targeted sanctions, against all those who incite violence, including along ethnic lines, continue hostilities (and) undermine the envisaged inclusive dialogue”. South Sudan’s neighbours have given the warring sides until Tuesday to lay down their arms and begin talks, without giving a precise time when the deadline would end. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

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

Kidnapped French priest freed in Cameroon PARIS: A French Roman Catholic priest abducted by Islamic militants in Cameroon was released yesterday after a six-week ordeal. Georges Vandenbeusch, 42, was kidnapped on November 13 by heavily armed men who burst into his parish at night in the far north of the central African country and reportedly took him to neighboring Nigeria.

He was flown to the Cameroon capital Yaounde where he was taken to the French ambassador’s residence. French President Francois Hollande had announced the news in a statement in which he thanked both Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities for helping secure the priest’s release, and particularly Cameroon’s President Paul Biya for his “personal involvement”.

The radical Islamist movement Boko Haram, which has killed thousands of people in attacks against Christians and government targets in northern Nigeria, claimed responsibility for holding the French priest soon after he was kidnapped. The Nigerian army announced on Monday that it had begun a major ground and air offensive against Boko Haram close to Bama, which is near the

porous border with Cameroon.

In the ongoing assault, troops killed 56 Boko Haram fighters, military spokesman Major-General Chris Olukolade said. But Olukolade said yesterday the Nigerian army was not involved in the release of the French priest. “I have not received any briefings on the incident because the military were not involved,” he said. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was also due to fly to Yaounde to greet the priest, and the two were expected to come back to Paris today.

“It’s really, really good news. We were working on this for some time, in close contact with... President Biya who has been extremely active and useful,” Fabius told RTL radio. He added that initial reports indicated Vandenbeusch was in good health. The Vatican welcomed the release and called on the faithful to pray for those still being held around the world. “We hope that all forms of violence, hatred and conflict in the tormented regions of Africa be stamped out, as well as elsewhere in the world,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said. There are still six French people

Fresh violence rocks Bangui BANGUI: Christian militiamen attacked a Central African army base in the capital Bangui yesterday, as French and African soldiers struggled to contain sectarian violence. Vigilantes attacked a military position at the PK-11 crossroads on the northern outskirts of Bangui, General Mahamat Tahir Zaroga said. He said the attack, the second in as many nights by the so-called anti-balaka groups, caused no casualties. Gunfire rang out through the night in Bangui, where 1,600 French troops and around 4,000 African peacekeepers are attempting to curb escalating religious strife. Witnesses holed up in their homes reported exchanges of fire in the central Ben Zvi neighborhood just before dawn.

The vigilantes were formed in response to abuses perpetrated by demobilized rebels from the Seleka coalition that helped Michel Djotodia become the country’s first Muslim head of state after a March 2013 coup. Around 100,000 people displaced by weeks of violence have sought refuge near the main French army base by Bangui airport. The UN children’s agency on Monday warned about “unprecedented” levels of violence against youngsters in the country, saying

at least two children had been beheaded.

“More and more children are being recruited into armed groups, and they are also being directly targeted in atrocious revenge attacks,” said the NICEF representative in Central Africa, Souleymasne Diabate. Several hundred people staged a demonstration Tuesday to protest against attacks they said were carried out by rogue Seleka gunmen in the Don Bosco district of the capital. The mostly Christian families urged France, the former colonial power, to step up its operations to disarm Seleka warlords who have yet to be flushed out of Bangui.

The tit-for-tat violence by Seleka groups and Christian vigilantes is believed to have killed more than 1,000 people this month. Humanitarian groups said last week they needed $152 million to help save lives and ensure the protection of 1.2 million people in the country during the next three months. French forces and the African peacekeeping outfit MISCA received a UN mandate in early December to restore order in the chronically unstable country. The chaos that set in after Djotodia’s coup sparked international fears of a major civil conflict.—AFP

Talks to ease N Ireland tensions break down BELFAST: Marathon talks between the leaders of Northern Ireland’s Catholic and Protestant communities broke down yesterday without agreement to ease tensions that have led to one of the worst years of rioting in the British province for a decade.

The US diplomat chairing the talks said the five largest parties in Northern Ireland failed to reach an agreement during 18 hours of talks that ended shortly before 0500 GMT, the culmination of six months of negotiations. No date was set for the resumption of the talks, which were a response to some of the highest levels of street violence and attacks by militant groups since a peace and power-sharing deal in 1998.

That put an end three decades of sustained sectarian violence in the province between pro-British Protestants and Catholics who generally favor unification with Ireland. “It would have been nice to come out here tonight and say we have all five parties completely signed on to the text. We are not there,” said Richard Haass, the president of the US Council on Foreign Relations think-tank and a former adviser to the President George W Bush on Northern Ireland. He said he hoped that further talks would lead to some parties signing up to the draft agreement and others would

“endorse significant parts of it.”

The text proposes the creation of new institutions to deal with contentious parades and the investigations of crimes committed during three decades of sectarian conflict that began in the late 1960s in which more than 3,600 people died. Haass said the parties had failed to make any significant progress on controversy over the flying of flags in Northern Ireland. Dozens of police were injured during weeks of rioting early this year after a decision to cut the number of days the British flag flies over Belfast city hall, with officers firing plastic bullets and water cannons.

Several bombs have been planted in central Belfast in recent months by Irish militants opposed to the 1998 peace deal, but none has caused serious injury. Sinn Fein, the largest Irish nationalist party in Northern Ireland, said it believed the text proposed by Haass provided the basis for an agreement. The pro-British Democratic Unionist Party, Northern Ireland’s largest party, said it would also consider it, but that it “profoundly disagreed” with some of the language in Haass’ text. Haass said he would return to Washington, but held out the possibility of “a limited role” in the future.—Reuters

Nigerian opposition win despite Islamic uprising DAMATURU: The opposition All Progressives Congress swept every seat in peaceful local government elections in Nigeria’s northeast state of Yobe, officials said, defying Islamic extremists opposed to democracy and the ruling party’s insistence it was too insecure to campaign. The insurgents did strike at the weekend, but at two Christian villages in neighboring Borno state. Witnesses said eight civilians were killed in an attack on a wedding party Saturday night in TashanAlede village, and another four in neighboring Kwajffa on Sunday.

They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. A security official confirmed the attacks but did not have casualty figures. He requested anonymity because he is not allowed to give information to reporters. A member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s People’s Democratic Party said insurgents also attacked Yobe’s second city of Potiskum on Friday, killing seven civilians on the day before the vote.

The Democrats boycotted Saturday’s elections for 178 councilors and 17 chairmen, saying it was not safe to campaign.

They had not been expected to win seats in

the traditional opposition stronghold. The Democrats disputed the Yobe electoral commission’s figures showing nearly 80 percent of 1.2 million registered voters cast ballots.

Some reporters had noted a low turnout and the figure was surprising in a region where tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes by a 4-year-old Islamic uprising.

Gov Ibrahim Gaidam declared late Sunday that peaceful balloting took place “against the wishes of some Abuja politicians who do not know our real problems.”

Abuja is the capital of Africa’s biggest oil producer and seat of the national electoral commission which has declared it cannot conduct 2015 presidential and legislative elections in any area under a state of emergency. Chairman Mohammed Jauro Abdu of the Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission said, “Our elections went on smoothly without any case of violence or breach of peace. This is a pointer and a signal for the government at the center that the state is safe to hold elections even in 2015, insha’Allah (God willing).” He spoke Sunday night when he announced the results. — AP

being held hostage in Mali and Syria, and Hollande reiterated his support for their families, “particularly at this time of festivities.” Vandenbeusch was abducted from his home near the town of Koza in northern Cameroon, about 30 kilometers from the Nigerian border. He was seized by about 15 people who had first gone to the nuns’ house, apparently to look for money, giving him time to warn the embassy. At the time, Hollande had promised everything was being done to find him, but had also warned other French citizens against putting themselves in harm’s way.

The priest had been advised not to stay on in an area designated as a dangerous zone prone to militancy and kidnappings. In February, a Frenchman employed by gas group Suez was kidnapped together with his wife, their four children and his brother while visiting a national park in the same area. They were taken to neighboring Nigeria and also held by Boko Haram, before being released in April. France has always denied paying ransoms for its kidnapped nationals, and Fabius yesterday reiterated the policy.—AFP

YAOUNDE: French Roman Catholic priest Georges Vandenbeusch (left) smiles next to French Ambassador to Cameroon Christine Robichon as he arrives at the French ambassador’s residence in Yaounde yesterday. — AFP

Death toll in Congo attacks rises to 103 ‘Prophet’ says criticism of Kabila prompted violence KINSHASA: A self-proclaimed Congolese ‘prophet’ said yesterday an uprising by his supporters in Kinshasa was prompted by an army assault on his residence after he criticized President Joseph Kabila, something the government denied. Armed youths tried to seize the airport, a military barracks and the state television headquarters in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday before being repulsed by troops, in clashes the government said killed 103 people, including 8 soldiers. Paul Joseph Mukungubila, who calls himself ‘the prophet of the Eternal’ and who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2006, said the attacks were a spontaneous response by his followers to an army assault on his home in the eastern mining town of Lubumbashi.

“I have lost a lot of brothers ... I cannot understand what happened,” Mukungubila told Radio France Internationale, insisting his followers were not carrying arms. “They came with their hands empty ... I am a man of peace,” he said.

Mukungubila’s ‘Ministry for the Restoration starting from Black Africa’ said in a statement published on its Facebook page that Congolese soldiers attacked his residence early on Monday after he published an open letter saying Kabila was a foreigner and should not remain in power.

Government spokesman Lambert Mende strongly denied Mukungubila’s version of events, saying the assailants in Kinshasa were armed with guns and grenades and had launched an unprompted attack on government institutions. Mende said soldiers went to the pastor’s residence in Lubumbashi after he was implicated in the Kinshasa incidents. “We were all shocked. These were young people, some of them very young, who were manipulated into carrying out a suicide mission,” Mende said. “The guru was not as courageous as the young people he used to carry out this attack ... He is a fugitive. He is on the run.”

AIRPORT REOPENS Kinshasa’s Njili international airport had

KINSHASA: Soldiers of the FARDC (Democratic Republic of Congo Army) patrol in a vehicle at the premises of the state broadcaster RTNC near parliament as well as the international airport and the main military base in Kinshasa. —AFP reopened to national and international flights, though 10 planes which were on the runway at the time of the shooting were undergoing a 48hour check, Mende said. Mukungubila has railed against Kabila’s decision to make peace with Tutsi rebels in eastern Congo, saying the president was bowing to pressure from Rwanda.

Like many of Kabila’s critics, Mukungubila brands the president a Rwandan - a sign of the deep resentment felt by many, particularly in the western capital Kinshasa, to having an easternborn, foreign-educated leader. The statement from Mukungubila’s office said his followers in the towns of Kindu and Kisangani had also risen up to attack government positions. Before trans-

mission was shut down at the state television on Monday the attackers shouted slogans in favor of Mukungubila and against Kabila.

Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to emerge from decades of violence and instability, particularly in its east, in which millions of people have died, mostly from hunger and disease. A 21,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) is stationed in the country. Political tension has risen amid speculation that Kabila, who took power in the vast, mineral-rich African nation in 2001 after the assassination of his father, may try to change the constitution and run for a third term in 2016 against a fragmented opposition.— Reuters

Putin vows total destruction of ‘terrorists’ after bombings MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday threatened “terrorists” with total destruction after twin suicide strikes claimed 34 lives and raised alarm over security at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games. A bombing at the main railway station of the southern city of Volgograd killed 18 people on Sunday while a second strike that hit a trolleybus on Monday claimed 16 lives.

The blasts are Russia’s deadliest since a suicide raid on Moscow’s Domodedovo airport that was claimed by Islamic insurgents from the North Caucasus killed 37 people in January 2011. The latest violence has laid bare the unchecked threat posed by insurgents, who have vowed to target civilians in a bid to undermine Putin’s preparations ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony on February 7. “Dear friends,

we bow our heads in front of the victims of the terrible acts of terror. I am sure we will toughly and consistently continue to fight against terrorists until their total destruction”, Putin said in his first public comments on the attacks.

2 NEW YEAR ADDRESSES Putin made the statement in a traditional midnight New Year’s address he recorded during an unannounced visit to Russia’s Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk that is seven hours ahead of Moscow. An earlier prerecorded address that had been broadcast to the inhabitants of Russia’s furthest flung time zones of Magadan and Kamchatka did not mention the Volgograd attacks.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed

MOSCOW: Police officers check visitors at the Red square in central Moscow yesterday as security measures have been increased in the Russian capital following twin blasts in Volgograd. —AFP

that Putin had broken with a longstanding traditional by departing from the traditional New Year’s message that is normally taped in advance at the Kremlin. He told Moscow Echo radio that a “technical glitch” led to Russians receiving two New Year’s addresses from the president-one that mentioned the Volgograd attacks and one that did not. Putin had issued a string of directives on Monday ordering security stepped up at public transit points across the nation and extra police deployed on the streets of Volgograd.

More than 5,000 members of the security forces checked traffic and inspect public transport yesterday in Volgograd, which is 690 kilometers northeast of Sochi. Russia’s Channel 1 television station led its news with images of helmeted paratroopers with automatic rifles bursting into a Volgograd cafe and checking documents of men said to have been from the mostly-Muslim North Caucasus. A local security agency spokesman told the station that officers had arrested 87 people “who resisted police or did not have (their identity) documents”.

SECURITY CLAMPDOWN Russia is already preparing to impose a “limited access” security cordon around Sochi from January 7 that will check all traffic and ban all non-residents’ cars from a wide area around the city. Investigators have opened a criminal probe into a suspected act of terror as well as the illegal carrying of weapons. The chief spokesman for the Investigative Committee-Russia’s equivalent to the US FBI-said the signature of the two bombings suggest that they were plotted by the same group.

The identical makeup of the explosives “confirms the theory that the two attacks are linked.

It is possible that they were prepared in the same place,” Investigative Committee spokesman Vladimir Markin said. The railway station bombing has been provisionally blamed on a young woman from the restive North Caucasus region of Dagestan.— AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

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

Indonesia sharia stronghold bans New Year’s festivities Wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ is haram in Banda Aceh

DHAKA: Bangladeshi policeman looks through the window of a paddywagon carrying detained opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists in Dhaka. —AFP

Bangladesh political violence kills 507 in 2013 DHAKA: A total of 507 people were killed in political violence in Bangladesh in 2013, making it the deadliest year since the country’s independence four decades ago, a human rights group said yesterday. The Ain of Salish Kendra (ASK) said most of the deaths occurred during clashes between security forces and opposition protesters over a controversial war crimes tribunal and changes to the electoral system.

“A total of 507 people died in 848 acts of political violence this year,” ASK acting executive director Nur Khan Liton said.

“Police used excessive power in handling the opposition protests and in many cases they opened fire,” Liton said, adding the group’s findings were based on its own investigations and newspaper reports. The group’s figure is nearly twice the number known to have died in the political violence this year. According to an AFP count based on confirmation by police officials, 278 people have died, many by police shooting.

The report came amid escalating violence across the country ahead of a

January 5 general election. Opposition protesters demand that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina quit and call off the polls. Hasina has vowed to go ahead with the election despite a boycott by all opposition parties and a decision by Western nations not to send monitors for the vote. Yesterday an activist from the Jamaat-e-Islami party, the country’s largest Islamist opposition party, was killed during clashes with police in the border district of Meherpur, a local officer said.

A ruling party supporter was burnt to death late Monday after opposition protesters allegedly set fire to his shop in another remote border district in the northwest, police said. Tension also rose in the capital after the opposition led by two-times former prime minister Khaleda Zia called a non-stop nationwide transport blockade from today to try to scupper the election. Zia has been under de f a c to h o u s e a r re s t s i n ce to d ay w i t h scores of policemen cordoning off her residence. — AFP

New Delhi new chief halves power costs NEW DELHI: As a new year’s gift to the Indian capital, its new chief minister announced yesterday the government will slash power costs by half, fulfilling another top campaign pledge a day after he promised a free supply of water. The Aam Aadmi (“common man”) Party chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, who missed his first day in the office Monday due to an upset stomach, chaired a cabinet meeting yesterday to announce electricity rates would be halved starting January 1, 2014 till March 31, 2014.

“The subsidy will apply to those consuming less than 400 units of power and help 280,000 consumers in Delhi,” Kejriwal said. Kejriwal has asked the national auditor to review alleged financial irregularities by private power distribution companies

by March end, after which the cabinet would take a fresh call on the power rates.

Only two days into his job, the anti-corruption champion implemented two key campaign promises to slash power costs

and supply free water. Not only that, but he also stuck to his word on greater transparency on Monday when he tweeted freely about the “Delhi belly” that had spoiled his first day. Twitter was abuzz when Kejriwal tweeted about his “severe loose motions”, overshadowing his achievement in supplying nearly 700 litres of water per day to consumers in a city of some 16 million. Critics have said giving out free water will encourage wastefulness in a country where water is in short supply.

Kejriwal, whose pledge to fight for India’s “common man” won over voters in New Delhi state polls, had been set to start governing the capital on Monday after being sworn in at the weekend. The Aam Aadmi party, which was born out of an anti-corruption mass movement two years ago, is leading the Delhi government with outside support from the Congress party, which rules nationally but was pushed to a distant third place in the Delhi elections. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian police use water canon to disperse Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists during a protest outside Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi yesterday. BJP activists and supporters held protests outside Rahul Gandhi’s house to demand action against Congress leader and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, over corruption allegations against him. — AFP

Blast kills 3 in NW Pakistan PESHAWAR: An explosion ripped through an auto rickshaw yesterday killing at least three people and wounding four others in the restive northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, officials said. The blast occurred at Chamkani, a suburb of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which borders Afghanistan and has been a target of Taleban suicide attacks and bombings.

“At least three people were killed in an explosion in a rickshaw near a police check point,” local police official Shaukat Ali said.

One of the victims appeared to be of Uzbek origin, Ali said, referring to Central Asian militants among Taleban ranks. “According

to bomb disposal squad’s initial report the explosion may have been caused by the explosives being transported or planted in the rickshaw,” he added.

Ali said that two bodies were reduced to small pieces by the explosion. Senior police official Rahim Shah confirmed the blast and casualties, and said that police were investigating. Pakistan is on the frontlines of the US-led war on Al-Qaeda. Since July 2007, it has also been gripped by a local Talebanled insurgency, concentrated largely in the northwest. It says more than 40,000 people have been killed in Pakistan by Taleban and Al-Qaeda-led militants, who oppose Islamabad’s US alliance.—AFP

BANDA ACEH: Islamic police in Indonesia’s sharia stronghold seized thousands of firecrackers and cardboard trumpets after the city administration banned New Year’s Eve celebrations for the first time, an official said yesterday. The Monday night raid on street stalls and shops selling the items followed a fatwa, or decree, by the clerical Ulema Consultative Assembly that said New Year’s celebrations or wishing someone “Merry Christmas” was “haram” (forbidden) in the city of Banda Aceh.

The Banda Aceh government backed the fatwa by banning New Year’s Eve celebrations in the city. “This public-order operation ahead of New Year’s Eve is to ensure residents are compliant with calls from the government and ulema,” a senior Banda Aceh sharia police official Reza Kamilin said. “There should be no activity whatsoever to celebrate the turn of the year,” Kamilin said. The city ban is not technically legally binding but is being enforced by sharia police, whose role it is to “safeguard” morality.

Banda Aceh is the capital of Aceh provincethe only part of Indonesia that enforces Islamic law, or sharia-where raids to enforce religious law are an everyday occurrence. But this year is the first for any administration in the province to ban New Year’s Eve celebrations, in a sign of growing draconianism that rights groups oppose. Sharia police will also conduct raids on hotels and cafes, which have been warned not to celebrate the day, Kamilin said. “We will dissolve any mass gatherings. If anyone is seen with firecrackers or trumpets, we will confiscate them,” he said.

Other administrations in Aceh were reportedly also banning celebrations, saying Muslims should only celebrate the Islamic New Year. Aceh began implementing sharia law after it was granted special autonomy in 2001. Authorities now regularly cane people caught gambling or drinking alcohol. Indonesia is the world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation, but most practice a moderate form of Islam, and New Year’s Eve festivities are planned all over the country.—AFP

BANDA ACEH: Muslims hold a banner during a protest against Christmas and New Year celebrations in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia. — AP

News

in brief

Strong cyclone hits western Australia SYDNEY: A powerful cyclone lashed Australia’s resources-rich west coast yesterday, bringing torrential rain and gales that ripped up trees and roofs and closed major global iron ore operations. Tropical Cyclone Christine made landfall after midnight as a category three storm out of a maximum five, bringing winds in excess of 170 kilometers per hour and heavy rain that cut power to several towns, brought down trees and damaged homes. Christine weakened to a category two while heading inland, with destructive wind gusts of between 110-130 kilometers per hour. A red alert requiring people to remain indoors was lifted later for coastal towns, though residents of inland settlements Tom Price and Paraburdoo were urged to seek shelter and stay away from doors and windows as the front passed. Some witnesses said it was among the worst storms they had seen. “We haven’t had one that’s been this severe for quite some time,” Karratha resident Margaret Bertling told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. In neighboring Wickham residents described trees torn from the ground or snapped mid-trunk, with outbuildings ripped from their foundations and roofs hanging from buildings. A tree fell on one home, trapping a family inside.

Briton who cut his kids’ throats commits suicide LYON: An Englishman who cut his children’s throats with a kitchen knife in the French city of Lyon in May hanged himself in prison, an official said yesterday. Julian Stevenson killed his children-Mathew, 10, and Carla, five-apparently in a fit of rage over a custody battle with his French ex-wife. He had fled on a pair of roller skates but was found moments later, walking in the street and covered in blood. “He hanged himself on Monday in a sports hall reserved for inmates held in solitary confinement,” a source at the local public prosecutor’s office said. The murder had shocked the local community in suburban Lyon.

CCTV footage of Stevenson hours before the tragedy shows him buying his children sweets, his son and daughter clutching pink balloons. A 48-year-old believed to have had a history of drinking, Stevenson’s visitation rights were curtailed after a violent clash with his ex-wife in 2010.

19,000 Indonesians flee erupting volcano SINABUNG: More than 19,000 people have been displaced by a volcano in Indonesia that has been erupting for months and shot lava into the air nine times overnight, an official said yesterday. Mount Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra sent hot rocks and ash 7,000 meters in the air yesterday morning, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. “Mount Sinabung remains on the highest alert level and we have warned there should be no human activity within a five-kilometer radius of the crater,” Nugroho said. “On Monday night, 19,126 people had fled their homes, and we expect that number to rise,” he said. Police and soldiers were patrolling the danger zone to evacuate people who have chosen to stay in their homes, Nugroho said. Mount Sinabung-one of dozens of active volcanoes in Indonesia which straddles major tectonic fault lines, known as the Ring of Fire-erupted in September for the first time since 2010 and has been rumbling ever since. In August, five people were killed and hundreds evacuated when a volcano on a tiny island in East Nusa Tenggara province erupted.

WikiLeaks Party under fire after Assad’s talks SYDNEY: Whistleblowing group WikiLeaks said yesterday it had no knowledge of - and did not approve a delegation to Syria which met President Bashar Al-Assad and included members of Australia’s WikiLeaks Party. The delegation, aimed at showing solidarity with the Syrian people and opposing Western military intervention, reportedly included WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s father John Shipton, CEO of the political party.

The group met with Assad on December 23, according to a post on the Syrian president’s Twitter feed. The visit triggered a furor when revealed in Australia yesterday, with the centreleft Labor opposition describing it as “extraordinary” and “irresponsible”.

“The Assad regime has been widely criticized and correctly criticized around the world,” said Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen. “For an Australian political party to think it’s sensible to go and have discussions and try and provide some legitimacy, is something I think which they have to explain.”

The WikiLeaks Party was founded by Assange as part of his failed campaign for election to Australia’s parliament this year, but is distinct from the amorphous whistleblowing group.

WikiLeaks distanced itself from the delegation when asked about it yesterday. “Peace brokering a good idea, but obvious meeting would be spun without care. Did not k now or approve,” it said on its official Twitter feed. According to The Australian newspaper, the delegation included Shipton and WikiLeaks national council member Gail Malone, as well as

Sydney university academic Tim Anderson and refugee activist Jamal Daoud.

Shipton announced plans to set up a WikiLeaks Party office in Damascus in a show of solidarity with ordinary Syrians, The Australian said. The WikiLeaks Party said a “formal report from the fact finding delegation will be published once the delegates return to Australia”, in a brief statement on its Twitter feed. In a December 22 website post announcing it would take part in the “solidarity delegation”, the WikiLeaks Party said the visit was to show opposition to violence and Western military intervention.

“The WikiLeaks Party was the first party in Australia to warn of the deadly consequences of any Western military intervention in Syria,” the post said. “It went further by questioning the credibility of the excuses of such intervention based on unsubstantiated reports of the Syrian Army’s use of chemical weapons against Syrian civilians.

“The same excuses”, which turned out to be “no more than fabrications and lies” had been used to justify the US-led war in Iraq, the par ty said.

Disarmament teams returned Scandinavian escort vessels to port Monday after it became apparent that an end- of-year deadline for the removal of Syrian chemical weapons would not be met. The US-Russia deal for Syria to surrender more than 1,000 tons of chemical agents averted USled military strikes after a chemical weapons attack on August 21 near Damascus that the United States says killed 1,400 people.— AFP

Fireworks injure 260 in Philippines MANILA: Philippine authorities said more than 260 people had been injured by fireworks or stray bullets in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve. The victims of early celebrations yesterday included an eight-year-old boy in the central city of Cebu who lost his right hand due to a powerful firecracker and a 40-year-old woman in Manila with an accidental gun wound.

The Health Department said fireworks had injured 253 people while eight others were hit by stray bullets and warned that more injuries or even deaths were expected as the country of 100 million greets the New Year in typically noisy fashion. Spokesman Eric Tayag said they were bracing for “50-80 fireworks related injuries every hour in the 12-hour period” before and after midnight. It is a belief in the mostly Catholic nation that making noise to welcome the New Year drives evil spirits away and ushers in good luck.

But many take it to the extreme by firing guns into the air and letting off powerful firecrackers despite a government ban. Last year, two children were killed

by stray bullets while more than 400 people were injured. The deaths had triggered widespread public calls for stricter gun controls in a country with a thriving black market for guns where unlicensed pistols can be bought for as little as $100. By law shops are only allowed to stocks small fireworks but many still sell large ones that could maim or kill if not handled properly.

And yesterday, last minute customers were rushing to buy their supplies, ignoring government calls for solemn celebrations. “It will not be complete without firecrackers. It’s a family tradition and we can’t stop it just like that,” said Jepy Roxas after buying boxes of power ful firecrackers. Among the favorites are “Judas’ belt”, named after the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ, which consists of a string of triangular crackers that pop like machine gunfire when set off. A longer version, known by the Filipino word for python, is wrapped around lamp posts or trees to be set off minutes before the clock strikes midnight.— AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

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

New Year on ice as weather stalls Antarctic air-sea rescue SYDNEY: An icebound Russian research vessel prepared to ring in the New Year in remote Antarctica yesterday as blizzards hampered a helicopter rescue planned after several icebreaking attempts failed. The MV Akademik Shokalskiy has been stranded 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont d’Urville for a week, hemmed in by impenetrable pack ice that three separate breakers have been unable to breach.

The Australian government’s supply ship Aurora Australis on Monday came within 10 nautical miles of the marooned vessel-which has 74 research scientists, tourists and crew on board-but was forced to turn back by snow showers and freezing winds.

Russia’s foreign ministry said a decision had been reached overnight to evacuate all 52 passengers by a helicopter on board the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long, which remains nearby after its own aborted bid to reach the Akademik Shokalskiy. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which is coordinating operations, said heavy weather continued to block efforts Tuesday.

“This rescue will be a complex operation involving a number of steps and subject to factors such as weather,” AMSA said. “The helicopter is unable to fly in the current weather conditions, and will hold off on the rescue until conditions improve. Weather conditions are unlikely to start improving until tomorrow and decisions related to carrying out the rescue may be made at short notice.” In preparation for a helicopter bid AMSA said a landing site had been marked on the ice beside the Russian ship,

EAST ANTARCTICA: Ben Maddison and Ben Fisk work to place a wind indicator atop an ice feature near the MV Akademik Shokalskiy (left), still stuck in the ice off East Antarctica, as the ship waits for a possible helicopter rescue. — AFP

adding that only passengers and none of the ship’s 22 crew would be evacuated.

“The passengers are expected to be rescued by helicopter in groups of 12 and will be initially transported to the Xue Long,” AMSA said. “The Aurora Australis will then use its barge to transfer all 52

passengers on board their vessel. The barge can take up to 22 people at a time.” Ship’s doctor Andrew Peacock said the passengers were frustrated but “resigned to keep waiting” and trying to keep their spirits high, with a New Year’s party planned in the ship’s bar.

“(We’re) passing the time reading, preparing for a possible helicopter evacuation, continuing ocean studies dropping probes beneath the ice, (watching) movies in the auditorium and working on a new song for New Year’s Eve celebrations which will be a nice dinner and time at the bar,” Peacock said. “We know this is a serious event and we are inconveniencing others. We are not morose or upset, just frustrated and we have no option but to settle in and keep morale high.” The ship is stocked with two weeks’ worth of fresh food and another fortnight of dehydrated rations but Peacock said drinks were running low, with “just enough alcohol left to celebrate” the arrival of 2014.

“We are preparing for evacuation to a dry ship so a few drinks seems reasonable, but we also have to be ready at a moment’s notice for the helicopter arrival so staying sober is important,” he said.

Peacock said passengers had been upset by speculation on social media that they were not on a “serious science-based” expedition or had been negligent in some way, which he said could “not be further from the truth”.

“We were caught as we left to go north en route to home by a new breakout of ice dragged across to this area by strong south-easterly winds. This was a fairly rare event in this specific location,” he said. “ The scientists and passengers are very unhappy about the way this has played out but we can’t be expected to just sit and be sad or unhappy,” he added, defending upbeat photo and video posts from the ship. — AFP

Cambodia leader faces rare challenge to lengthy rule Opposition emboldened by garment workers’ support

KANGWON: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un inspects a ski resort on Masik Pass. — AFP

N Korea’s Kim visits ski resort SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un visited a newly completed ski resort yesterday and ordered officials to open his pet project to the public as soon as possible, state media reported. Kim took a test ride on a ski lift at the Masik Pass Ski Resort, which he said during a visit two weeks ago was “at the centre of the world’s attention”, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. He noted “with great satisfaction” that everything was “impeccable” and gave instructions to serve the people well so that visitors may “keenly feel the loving care of the party”.

Kim, who was educated in Switzerland, told officials to hold the opening ceremony at the earliest possible date, KCNA said. The ski resort was described by KCNA as a “great monumental structure in the era of Songun,” referring to the nation’s “military first” policy. The military played a leading role in the project. Kim was accompanied by top military leaders and, conspicuously, Pak Myong-Chol, a top sports official known to be associated with Kim’s uncle who was executed this month.

Jang Song-Thaek, Kim’s powerful political mentor, was put to death in a shock purge on charges including corruption and plotting to overthrow the state. The purge was the biggest political upheaval since

Kim, aged around 30, took power after the death of his father and longtime ruler, Kim Jong-Il, in December 2011. The Masik Pass Ski Resort made headlines in August when Switzerland blocked a $7.6 million sale of ski lifts to Pyongyang, calling it a “propaganda project” for the impoverished Stalinist regime.

Featuring 110 kilometers of multi-level ski runs, a hotel, heliport and cable cars, the resort has been heavily promoted since Kim visited it in June and called for construction to be completed by the end of the year. The young leader has shown a fondness for expensive, high-profile leisure projects in and around the showpiece capital Pyongyang including a massive new water park, an amusement park and a luxury horseback riding club.

The Munsu Water Park in Pyongyang opened in October to much fanfare, with the 109,000-square meter venue sporting dozens of indoor and outdoor pools, water slides and saunas. Kim in September also watched films at a new “4D” movie theatre built in the newly-renovated Rungna People’s amusement park, state media reported earlier. He was photographed riding a roller coaster in the Rungna amusement park in Pyongyang when it reopened in July 2012 after renovations ordered by Kim. — AFP

108 journalists killed in 2013, Syria ‘deadliest’ BRUSSELS: Some 108 journalists and media professionals were killed around the world doing their jobs this year, with conflict-torn Syria the deadliest country ahead of Iraq, the International Federation of Journalists said yesterday. The death toll is down 10 percent from 2012 but the IFJ said governments still need to do more to “stem the bloodbath in the media”.

“Levels of violence are still unacceptably high and there is an urgent need for governments to protect and enforce journalists’ basic right to life,” it said in a statement. The group issued what is said was a “desperate appeal for governments across the world to end impunity for violence against journalists and media staff ”. The IFJ listed Syria as the most dangerous country with 15 journalist deaths, followed by Iraq on 13, Pakistan, the Philippines and India with 10 each, Somalia seven and Egypt six.

By region, the Asia-Pacific was the worst, accounting for 29 percent of the deaths, and the Middle East and

Arab world 27 percent. The IFJ, which represents more than 600,000 journalists in 134 countries according to its website, said female journalists were facing increased levels of violence. Six were killed in 2013 and many others were the victims of sexual violence and intimidation, it said. Earlier this month, media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders said 71 journalists were killed in 2013, down slightly, but kidnappings rose sharply.

The IFJ figures include media workers such as film crew and presenters.

Separately, the Vienna-based International Press Institute put the number of killed journalists so far this year at least 117, making 2013 the second deadliest year on its Death Watch since it started counting workrelated journalist deaths in 1997. It said the Middle East and North Africa were the deadliest regions, with 38 deaths overall. The worst year was 2012, with 132 journalists killed, 39 of them covering the Syrian conflict, the IPI said. — AFP

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian garment factory workers Then Any and Vong Pov aren’t showing up for work anymore. They make pairs of jeans sold in American stores at prices per pair higher than their $80 monthly income and struggle to make ends meet. It sounds like an all-too familiar story of labor disputes in one of Asia’s poorest countries, but this time it’s different. Their strike has taken on a new significance and is presenting a rare challenge to one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, Prime Minister Hun Sen. The pair are just 18 and have only basic education, but are among 350,000 new and powerful allies of a political opposition seeking a re-run of a July election they say was stolen from them by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Huddled behind barbed wired fences and stared down by riot police outside Hun Sen’s offices are hundreds of factory workers demanding a doubling of wages and threatening to shut down roads and cripple an industry worth $5 billion a year. “I can’t feed myself,” said Then Any, as workers hurled water bottles towards police lines. Vong Pov added: “Factories must give us a raise, otherwise, we will strike continuously.”

Instrumental in courting support of disgruntled workers who make clothes and footwear for brands like Adidas, Gap and Nike is Sam Rainsy, whose once-impotent party reinvented itself this year to tap resentment and present Hun Sen with an unprecedented electoral challenge. Rainsy has led the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), its supporters and now garment workers on rallies and marches of tens of thousands of people in the past two weeks, demanding Hun Sen agree to a new election after he rejected calls for an independent probe into results of the July poll.

Protests of this scale are rarely seen in Cambodia, where despite his authoritarianism, the self-styled “strongman” has steered the country from a failed state to an unprecedented spell of stability and growth after civil war and the horrors of the 1970s Khmer Rouge “killing fields” rein of terror. “This is about the incapability of the ruling CPP, the people want them out,” top CNRP member Yim Sovann told Reuters. “We have no other options other than to demand for the election reforms and another election.”

‘ROBBED OF VOTES’ The CPP won 68 seats in the July election to the CNRP’s 55, according to the National Election Committee, but CNRP says that body is one of many under CPP’s influence and maintains it was cheated out of 2.3 million votes. Hun Sen, 61, has been in power for 28 years and has vowed to rule Cambodia into his seventies. He appeared to have rode through protests that fizzled out a few months ago, but the opposition has returned to the streets with reinforcements from unions representing nearly 500 factories.

The government recently agreed to increase the monthly minimum wage for garment workers from $80 a month to $95, but CNRP says it would push that to $160 if it wins an election.

The protests have put the government in a tight squeeze and many Cambodians worry security forces with a reputation for zero tolerance will crack down harshly. CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said pay rises should be incremental and workers were unaware of the damage they could cause. “They’re strangling themselves,” he said. “When investors close factories, we can’t find hundreds of thousands of jobs for the people. Businesses are worried.

They might say ‘bye bye’.”

The Labor Ministry on Monday threatened six unions with lawsuits and ordered factories to reopen and workers to return by Jan. 2, vowing “serious measures” against non-compliance. Ou Virak, a political analyst and human rights advocate, said the situation was

PHNOM PENH: Leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy (left) greets supporters during a demonstration in Phnom Penh. — AFP

precarious and the government’s strategy was not to cave in, but to cling on and hope protesting workers run out of money. “The ruling party is nervous,” he said. “Will they respond with more concessions? Or with

crackdowns to guarantee their continued rule?” “This is untested territory for the ruling CPP. They know how to fight wars and battles, but not when people are taking to the street in such masses.”— Reuters

Myanmar declares ‘no more political prisoners’ YANGON: Myanmar yesterday declared it would have “no more political prisoners” by year-end after announcing a sweeping amnesty, releasing several inmates as campaigners voiced concern that more dissidents remain behind bars. The country, which had pledged to free all prisoners of conscience by the end of 2013, has held a series of high-profile amnesties as part of dramatic reforms since the end of outright military rule nearly three years ago.

It was unclear whether the amnesty would affect all of about 40 political prisoners listed by campaigners, as well as a further 200 people awaiting trial, mainly for protesting without permission. Myanmar late Monday said it would pardon those imprisoned under controversial legislation, including the Emergency Act used by the junta to imprison opponents as well as laws governing freedom of assembly and the right to protest.

Presidential spokesman Ye Htut said the amnesty, along with a separate pardon for five additional inmates jailed under other legislation, meant “there are no more political prisoners”. “I would like to say that the president has fulfilled his promise given to the people, because there will be no political prisoners at all at the end of 2013,” he said in a post on his Facebook page, without giving further details of the release which began yesterday. Former general Thein Sein has won international plaudits and the lifting of most western sanctions for overseeing political and civil freedoms since becoming president nearly three years ago.

But campaigners sounded a note of caution. “We cannot say at this moment whether there are no more political prisoners. We are waiting and watching,” said Thet Oo, of a group representing former political prisoners in Yangon, adding he hoped more activists would be released in coming days. He said five political prisoners were thought to have been released across the country yesterday.

Around 120 more people awaiting trial-some of whom were being held in prison-were believed to have had cases against them dropped.

Arbitrary imprisonment was a hallmark of nearly half a century under a junta that

denied the existence of political prisoners, even as it imposed harsh punishments on rights activists, journalists, lawyers and performers. Before Myanmar’s reforms, rights groups accused the country of wrongfully imprisoning about 2,000 political detainees.

Most of these have since been freed under previous amnesties, but many political prisoners have suffered repeated arrests for continuing their activities.

Nyan Win, spokesman for Aun San Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy party, welcomed the amnesty and said it would “technically” mean there were no more political prisoners. “We have to say that there are no prisoners under political charges. But we also have to check if there are people remaining in prison under other charges,” he said. Dozens of relatives and friends awaiting news of their loved ones gathered outside Yangon’s notorious Insein prison, where at least nine inmates were freed yesterday. It was unclear how many of them were considered political prisoners.

Peace activists Yan Naing Tun and Aung Min Oo, who were sentenced in recent weeks to eight months in prison for marching to the rebel town of Laiza in strife-torn northern Kachin state, were greeted by jubilant supporters as they walked free from the jail. “I respect the president for keeping his promise,” Yan Naing Tun told reporters. The latest amnesty includes those convicted under the most notorious laws used by the former junta against its critics, including democracy campaigner Suu Kyi-who is now an MP following the dramatic reforms. But while the pardon appears to cover those currently facing charges, it does not extend to people arrested after December 31.

David Mathieson, a researcher with New York-based Human Rights Watch, said the claims could be “bluster” to try to meet the self-imposed release deadline. He called on Myanmar to repeal the controversial laws.

Campaigners fear authorities could continue to arrest critics in the future, potentially creating more political prisoners. Prison authorities said they did not have a timetable for releasing those pardoned, adding it could take time to identify all those affected. — AFP

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

Snowden fuels fear of ‘Big Brother USA’ WASHINGTON: An avalanche of intelligence leaks from former CIA contrac tor Edward Snowden sent shockwaves around the world in 2013, lifting the lid on a vast global spying network and raising fears of a surveillance state. As the year drew to a close, the 30-yearold Snowden remains exiled in Russia, his final port of call following a worldwide game of cat-and-mouse that appeared to come straight from the pages of a spy novel.

A traitor to some, a heroic whistleblower to others: Snowden’s disclosures have shed light on intelligence -gathering methods which shocked many through their sheer scale. Tens of thousands of documents leaked by Snowden to The Guardian newspaper and other media outlets have detailed the nature of the National Security Agency’s (NSA’s) hitherto shadowy activities. The fugitive Snowden, Time’s runner-up behind Pope Francis for its person of the year, told the magazine he hoped the leaks would lead to greater transparency by governments. “ What we recoil most strongly against is not that such surveillance can theoretically occur, but that it was done without a majority of society even being aware it was possible,” he said via email in a rare interview.

Tons of metadata gathered Snowden’s revelations made it clear that metadata and information from millions of emails and phone calls-incidentally, some of it

about American citizens-has been systematically raked in by the NSA. Civil rights groups decried the NSA’s activities as the actions of a Big Brother-like government, trampling on the rights of individuals with little oversight.

The repercussions have been felt far and wide. President Barack Obama in August promised reforms to improve “transparency” while at the same time stating that many of the NSA programs were a necessit y.

Washington has also had to soothe anger amongst its allies, particularly after revelations that the NSA had targeted German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone. Yet according to some analysts, the long-term consequences of the Snowden revelations remain to be seen.

James Lewis, an expert in technology and public policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, questioned whether there would be a fundamental change in the practices of the intelligence community. “You’re not going to see major changes,” said Lewis, estimating that opponents of the programs remained a “noisy minority” of around 20-25 percent of voters. “I think the majority of the American people would rather see programs that are more transparent and have greater oversight in exchange for smaller risk of attack,” he said.

Lewis believes the problem is that “people have never appreciated the difference between collect and read.” “Nobody can sit down and read 70 million emails but you

could get machines to identify those with links to terrorism or proliferation,” he said. One of the programs set up under the 2001 Patriot Act allows for the collection from US phone companies of metadata, such as numbers called and the time and duration of calls. The gathering of such data from ordinar y Americans sparked outrage in the United States and led Congress to try to rein in the NSA. Gordon Adams, an expert on defense and national security at American University, says the NSA was given unprecedented freedom following the September 11, 2001 attacks. “In a climate of fear we basically took the reins off of accountability for the intelligence community,” Adams said. “The reality is the law gave them (NSA) immense running room and they have seized every inch of that running room and then some.” Another NSA program known as PRISM involved gathering up data on the Internet activities of millions of people worldwide using information gleaned from US technology giants such as Apple, M icrosof t, Google and Facebook.

It prompted the companies to issue an appeal to the United States and other governments to reform their surveillance practices. A statement from the companies said Snowden’s revelations “highlighted the urgent need to reform government sur veillance practices worldwide.” “The balance in many countries has tipped too far in favor of the state and

away from the rights of the individual,” the companies said.

US ALLIES ANGERED But the revelations concerning the US intelligence community’s snooping on allies, while embarrassing, were unlikely to do lasting damage, according to K aren Kornbluh of the Council on Foreign Relations think tank .

“International reactions abroad were surprisingly muted because foreign leaders are aware that their security intelligence services engage in similar activities,” Kornbluh said. The bigger threat, Kornbluh said, was “to the health of the I nternet itself,” warning she feared a “Balkanization” of the web. “The revelations may provide a rationale for some foreign governments grappling with ongoing economic as well as privacy concerns to exert more domestic control over data flows,” Kornbluh said.

So far, only one percent of the 58,000 documents provided by Snowden have been disclosed, according to an official from The Guardian. But CSIS analyst Lewis believes the worst may be over for the US government. “My sense is that the broad outlines are so well known that it’s hard for them not to repeat themselves,” Lewis said. “It will be hard to come up with more dramatic revelations. They will be able to release specific details that would do incredible damage to the collection programs but in terms of political effect, it ’s already largely been achieved.” — AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

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Focus

Bloomberg era comes to a close in New York

By Mariano Andrade rash billionaire Michael Bloomberg yesterday concluded 12 years as New York’s mayor, an era marked by major changes in America’s biggest city but also criticism of the growing gap between rich and poor. His Democratic successor Bill de Blasio, who defeated a Republican rival in a landslide in November, has pledged to narrow that divide. Bloomberg gave his final weekly radio address on Sunday - number 601 - thanking New Yorkers for their support of “a relative unknown, an entrepreneur with no government experience who asked for your trust”. He said he had done everything he could to improve life for the more than eight million people in the city he loves.

“Every day over the past 12 years, I’ve awakened thinking about how to make our city stronger and safer, healthier and greener, freer and fairer, more just and compassionate, more innovative and forward-looking, with more opportunity for all,” he said. “On Wednesday morning, I will wake up and smile, knowing that we did everything we could to achieve those goals,” Bloomberg added.

In his final days in office, the 71-year-old mayor toured the city’s five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island) to have a look at the achievements he says he has chalked up since taking office Jan 1, 2002, replacing Rudy Giuliani. As part of the departure ceremonies, a portrait of Bloomberg painted

by Jon Friedman was hung outside the Blue Room at City Hall, alongside those of the other 107 people who have served as the Big Apple’s mayor.

Bloomberg, a Republican who became an independent and backs Democrats on many issues, loves statistics.

He says he fulfilled 89 percent of the 611 promises he made during the election campaigns he won in 2001, 2005 and 2009. He also says he made New York the safest of the major US cities, with the lowest homicide rate in 50 years, dropping from 649 in 2001 to 332 in 2013, according to figures running up to Dec 27. Tourism burgeoned to a record 54.3 million visitors in 2013, life expectancy has risen by two and a half years since 2002 and hundreds of acres of land have been recovered and turned into green areas for people to enjoy.

Bloomberg took office just months after the national trauma of the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks that felled the twin towers of the World Trade Center and stayed busy right up to the end of his term. On Dec 19, the city approved a bill to ban tobacco-free electronic cigarettes in public places like bars, restaurants, parks and beaches, in line with the Bloomberg-backed ban on cigarettes and other tobacco products in what became one of his most fervent personal crusades.

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No stranger to criticism While these measures made New York a trail-blazing city as far as public health is concerned, critics labeled Bloomberg a heavy-handed authoritarian. They cited for instance his attempt to ban jumbo size sugary soft drinks.

The measure was taken to court and defeated. He also drew fire for the police policy known as “stop and frisk”, criticized as discriminatory against Hispanics and blacks.

But more than anything, most New Yorkers lament that the gap between rich and poor has widened during Bloomberg’s years in office.

According to the Coalition for the Homeless, the number of people without a place to call home had risen as of June this year to a record 52,400, including 22,100 children. The number of New Yorkers frequenting soup kitchens now total around 1.4 million. That is one out of every six people in this city of 8.33 million people, according to the New York City Coalition against Hunger.

Bloomberg rejects all of the criticism. He insists he has made New York a city of more opportunity. He notes the nearly four million jobs the city boasted as of the end of this year, which marks a record and an increase of 13 percent compared to 2001.

Love him or hate him, what cannot be denied is that his face has become synonymous with New York at every level and in the collective subconscious. The local band called LCD Soundsystem said “your mild billionaire mayor’s now convinced he’s a king”. This was part of a song called “New York I Love You but You’re Bringing Me Down”. The workaholic Bloomberg has said he will attend the swearing-in today of de Blasio, to be led by former president Bill Clinton.

A day later, Bloomberg will go to Hawaii and then New Zealand. That’s a first for a guy who says he has not taken a single day of vacation since he took over the job.

He says he will later focus a bit on Bloomberg, the financial news service he founded in the 1980s, some philanthropy and an organization that brings together 63 cities working to save the environment, as well as initiatives that favor immigration reform and stricter controls on guns. — AFP

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.

Bahrain impasse risks more instability

By Rania El-Gamal ahraini government and opposition groups are sliding into an increasingly dogged confrontation amid rising fears over violence, with authorities using arrests, raids and strict new laws against activists seeking political reform. Efforts to reconcile the government and opposition groups seeking reform seem ever more hostage to hardliners on both sides, diplomats and analysts say. An example was a July car bombing in the capital: the resulting security crackdown, involving raids, arrests, tough new laws and strict sentencing, boosted the Sunni Muslim monarchy’s control, but mutual mistrust was also deepened.

Many wonder where the climate of recrimination will lead in Baharain, base to the US Fifth Fleet. “The worst scenario is that the crackdown by the authorities will increase and the violent reaction to this crackdown will also increase,” said Sheikh Ali Salman, a Shiite cleric and head of the main opposition Al-Wefaq group, which advocates non-violence. On Monday, the government said it had foiled an attempt to smuggle explosives and arms, some made in Iran and Syria, into the country by boat. It complained of “plans to carry out terrorist acts”.

In government circles, responsibility for security flare-ups is placed squarely with the opposition. Information Minister Sameera Rajab said of Al-Wefaq: “We don’t trust them. They have to work hard to get the trust back.” The strategically vital island has been hit by unrest since large prodemocracy protests in early 2011, becoming a front line in a region-wide tussle for influence between Shiite Iran and Sunni

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Arab states such as Saudi Arabia. The mass disturbances were put down, yet demonstrators drawn mainly from Bahrain’s big Shiite community have continued small protests almost daily, demanding the Sunni ruling family create a constitutional monarchy.

A resumption of the big protests of early 2011 appears unlikely, with Bahrainis apparently weary of political crisis. Yet hopes for a breakthrough now seem feeble. Adel AlAsomi, a member of parliament who is critical of Shiite oppposition groups, said: “Bahrain is a small country that cannot take more. It has been three years of terrorist acts and unplanned steps by the opposition. I hope there is a solution, but until now there are no indications that there can be any solution soon.”

Cycle of Clashes and Clampdown The country’s worst turmoil since the 1990s quickly changed from peaceful demonstrations to an attritional cycle of clashes between mostly Shiite protesters and mainly Sunni security forces in which dozens have died, including some policemen. The violence has added new layers of grievance to the original dispute, in which the opposition accused the ruling family of manipulating sectarian divisions to avoid democracy, while the government charged Wefaq of working for Iran. Hardliners in both camps, the Saudi-backed ruling family and the mainly Shiite opposition, are gaining ground, complicating efforts to end the cycle of protest and clampdown.

A year ago hopes for a breakthrough rose when Crown Prince Salman, seen by some opposition figures as a more moderate figure within the Al Khalifa ruling family, called for a renewal of political talks aban-

doned in 2011. While the two sides remained apart on many big issues, the talks began and some sort of deal appeared possible. Then, on July 17, a car bomb exploded in a carpark outside the Sheikh Isa bin Salman Sunni mosque in Riffa, an area where many members of the ruling family and armed forces live.

There were no casualties. But the blast undermined the Crown Prince’s efforts to push political and economic reforms, instead strengthening hawks inside the Al Khalifa family who see Shiite protests as a threat. “The Crown Prince was hunkered down. He has to be seen to be tough,” said one Western diplomat. “Since then it has been hard going.” Days after the bombing, parliament held an extraordinary session and agreed to strip of their nationality anyone who commits, or calls for, “terrorist crimes”, while the king decreed additional tough new penalties for such offences.

The amendments prescribe a jail sentence on anyone who carries out or attempts a bombing attack. Anyone who puts or carries anything that resembles explosives or firecrackers in public places will also receive prison terms. Protests in Manama were banned and weeks later the government barred opposition members from meeting foreign diplomats without official approval.

Deal or No Deal When a senior Wefaq official and former lawmaker, Khalil Al-Marzouq, was arrested in September and put on trial for inciting terrorism, the opposition pulled out of the talks. The arrest of Marzouq, followed by the charging of Sheikh Salman with insulting the Interior Ministry and “spreading lies” capable of jeopardising national security,

marked a turning point in government rhetoric towards Wefaq. However, by clamping down on the main opposition group, the government risks losing its only credible negotiating partner, said Jane Kinninmont of the British thinktank Chatham House. “There are other influential opposition leaders, some of whom have more influence on the regular street protesters, but the government has so far been unwilling to talk to figures who have tougher demands than Wefaq,” she said.

Despite the pessimism, however, a number of insiders still speculate that a deal may be possible. The specifics of such an agreement remain unclear. In one scenario suggested by analyst Coline Schep from Control Risks, the government could attempt to offer Wefaq junior ministerial posts or changes to electoral districts, which the opposition says under-represent Shiites. In return, it might ask Wefaq to end its boycott of parliamentary elections, started in 2011, and halt street violence, which Schep believes it has only limited power to do if no deep reforms addressing Shiites’ grievances were made.

A former US official said he believed Bahrain’s rulers were ready to offer the opposition a deal. “The opposition can’t get their act together. They are not interested in a compromise. They’ve had chances that they failed to seize,” said the former official.

However, the ruling family has shown no willingness to yield to Wefaq’s bottom-line demands that parliament be given full powers to legislate and form parliaments. The elected assembly’s powers to legislate are neutralized by an appointed chamber and the monarchy dominates the cabinet headed by the same Al-Khalifa prime minister since 1971. — Reuters

Fernandez image wilts in heat wave

By Hugh Bronstein rgentina ends 2013 with a heat wave that has sparked protests over electricity shortages, taking another chunk out of President Cristina Fernandez’s popularity as she faces a rocky final two years in power. The populist leader’s steady loss of political support may force her to relax some long-held policies that have kept investors out of Latin America’s third largest economy. Budding signs of flexibility in dealing with the International Monetary Fund and the Paris Club of creditor nations might eventually make Argentina safer as Fernandez eases her trademark tough stance vis-‡-vis the markets.

With reserves falling, inflation rising and confidence slammed by heavy-handed currency controls, Fernandez was feeling the heat before families in some of Argentina’s most populated areas took to the streets last week, banging pots and pans and shouting for their electricity to be reconnected. As the sweltering Southern Hemisphere summer stresses demand for air conditioning, protesters say the government is not providing the basic services it owes to taxpayers.

The electricity shortages are a consequence of under investment in the country’s distribution network.

The president has cut back her public appearances since undergoing head surgery in October, the same month that her allies got thumped in the mid-term congressional election. The latest poll by local consultancy Management & Fit, taken before the ongoing protests started, showed Fernandez’s popularity at 31 percent and her disapproval rating at 58 percent. She started 2013 with a popularity rating of about 50 percent and 45 percent disapproval.

An exporter of soy, corn and wheat at a time of sky-rocketing global food demand, Argentina is also sitting atop major oil and gas resources. International commodities companies would love to get in on the vast untapped Vaca Muerta shale field in Patagonia, but Argentina has had bad blood with investors since the country’s 2002 default and its 2012 seizure of energy company YPF. As falling central bank reserves weaken the local peso currency, governability could be called into question before Fernandez’s second term is due to end in late 2015. Currently at $30.3 billion, dollar reserves fell 30 percent during 2013.

“Many of her closest allies are starting to abandon her, raising questions about the country’s governability,” said Walter Molano, emerging markets analyst at US-based BCP Securities. “Her main

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task will be to keep the Argentine economy afloat long enough to pass the baton to her successor.” The field of candidates for the 2015 presidential race is wide open. Molano doubts Argentina’s next leader will turn away from populism. He says governments have drained the country’s commodities resources since the 1940s without putting money back into the sector. He expects that trend to continue past 2015.

Sacred Cows Fernandez last month brought in left-leaning academic Axel Kicillof as economy minister. The choice shored up her support in the Campora, the organization of young socialists headed by her son Maximo Kirchner. To balance the appointment she named Chaco Governor Jorge Capitanich, a practical political operator, as cabinet chief. “In sum, it is a cabinet that shows she is very much in charge,” Molano said. “This is key because Argentine presidents who show weakness rarely finish their terms in office.”

In order to avert a deep economic crisis over the two years ahead, Fernandez has signaled willingness to slay several sacred cows enshrined during her first six years in power. Her government is on its way to agreeing with the International Monetary Fund on a new inflation index. Since 2007, the IMF and others have criticized Fernandez’s government for under-reporting consumer price increases.

Inflation has been around 25 percent for several years, according to private estimates, one of the highest rates in the world. The government clocks inflation at less than half that.

The IMF expects Argentina to debut revamped consumer price and gross domestic product indices by the end of March 2014. Markets will pay close attention to any move by Fernandez to settle with holdout investors asking for 100 percent repayment on bonds the country defaulted on in 2002.

Argentina is fighting with holders of defaulted bonds who chose not to go along with restructurings in 2005 and 2010. The 93 percent of holders who participated in the restructurings got returns as low as 25 cents on the dollar.

A deal with the holdouts, long vilified by Fernandez as “vultures” for picking at the bones of Argentina’s 2002 financial crisis, could help the country re-gain access to the global bond market.

Recent steps by Fernandez toward settling Argentina’s debts with the Paris Club of government lenders would also be welcomed by investors chomping at the bit to exploit the Vaca Muerta (Dead Cow) shale formation. Estimated to hold 661 billion barrels of oil and 1,181 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the formation could be one of the biggest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. — Reuters

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

Unrest turns tourist hub Luxor into ghost town LUXOR, Egypt: Tourists once flocked to Luxor for its pharaonic treasures, but as Egypt witnesses sweeping political upheavals, the visitors have simply vanished from this famed temple city. Christmas used to be particularly busy, as tens of thousands of visitors thronged Luxor’s famous temples, but fresh unrest that followed the army’s ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July has virtually stopped tourist arrivals. Egypt’s political unrest first began with the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak and triggered a wave of events that has rocked the tourism industry, which was vital to the country’s economy.

Salah, 51, earned a living showing tourists around Luxor in his horse carriage, but now the fatherof-four, the youngest of whom is just 18 months old, has no customers and his cart has lain idle for months. “Before, I used to earn 2,000 to 3,000 (Egyptian) pounds (up to $420) a month. Today, I am happy if I have 10 pounds in my pocket,” Salah said. Luxor, a city of around 500,000 residents on the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt, is one of the country’s main tourist hubs that has borne the brunt of the upheavals of the past three years.

It is an open-air museum of intricate temples, tombs of pharaonic rulers and landmarks such as the Winter Palace hotel where crime novelist Agatha Christie is said to have written “Death on the Nile”.

Before 2011, it attracted several million tourists annually, drawn by the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, and the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut - scene of a 1997 massacre that killed dozens of foreign tourists. The 1997 attack by radical Islamist militants dented tourism, but in the years leading up to 2011 the industry was on the rise again and Luxor was once again a

LUXOR: An Egyptian man rides his horse cart past the Temple of Luxor in this southern Egyptian city on Dec 21, 2013. — AFP tree, but unfortunately the festive popular destination.

Most families like Salah’s live on period is not promising at all. The earnings from tourism, a sector that bloody government crackdown on makes up over 11 percent of Egypt’s Morsi’s supporters after his ouster gross domestic product and until has left more than 1,000 people recently employed more than four killed in clashes and derailed any million. But the days when about chances of a pick-up in tourist 10,000 tourists arrived daily in Luxor arrivals, with many foreign governhave gone. One could barely walk ments issuing travel warnings for through the crowded streets three Egypt. Although Luxor has been years ago, but now idle guides loiter unaffected by the unrest, local between the towering columns of guides and tourist operators accuse Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood historic structures.

Salah lives in a three -room of scaring away the tourists.

For “stability” to return, Luxor house with a courtyard where his horse is tethered. “I had another residents want Egypt ’s interim horse, but I sold it,” he said, dressed authorities to quickly carry out the in a traditional gallabiya. “ The democratic transition they had choice was between feeding my promised after ousting Morsi. The children or the two horses,” Salah transition envisages a referendum said, adding that among the 340 on a new constitution next month, horse-carriages in Luxor, 20 saw to be followed by parliamentary their animals starve to death. He is and presidential elections in midnot the only one facing difficulties 2014. But Luxor governor Tareq in city. The once thriving tourist Saadeddine is optimistic. “For the hub has become into a vir tual past three months the (hotel) occughost city. The airport is empty and pancy rate was less than one pertaxis wait outside of hotels that cent. Today, it is 18 percent and continues to grow,” he said, adding hardly have any occupants.

In one hotel lobby, about six that 28 of the 255 boats are already employees light up a tall Christmas operating. — AP

Freed Palestinians hailed Continued from Page 1

A massive fireworks display launches from the Taipei101 skyscraper during New Yearís Eve celebrations in Taipei. — AP

Beloved singer dragged into Lebanon...

Continued from Page 1 The storm has brought warnings from politicians that Lebanon’s society itself is fraying - an indication of just how prominent a national symbol Fairouz is. “This surprising campaign is an indication that the country is heading toward destruction,” parliament speaker Nabih Berri, head of a Shiite party allied to Hezbollah, told the As-Safir newspaper. The comments by Fairouz’s son touched off the increasing divisions in the country over Hezbollah. The Syrian- and Iranian-backed group gained prominence and support in Lebanon and around the Arab world for its fight against Israel.

But it has long had opponents in Lebanon, particularly among the Sunni community, because of its domination over the country’s politics and its state-within-astate status, backed by its guerrillas, who are even more powerful than the military. The criticism increased this year when the group sent fighters to back Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad against rebels in that country’s bloody civil war. Since openly joining the war in May, battle-hardened Hezbollah fighters have helped Syrian government forces of capturing wide areas near the capital Damascus as well as the strategic town of Qusair near Lebanon. That has infuriated Sunnis in Lebanon and elsewhere in the region, who largely support the rebels.

In mid-December, Fairouz’s son Ziad Rahbani, a prominent composer and playwright who openly expresses his support for Hezbollah, told a news website linked to the group that his mother loves Hezbollah chief Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah “a lot”. He added that his mother will “will be angry with me as she did last time when I gave a TV interview and revealed some of her personal matters. She boycotted me.” Last year he told the Lebanon-based TV station Al-Mayadeen that his mother’s points of view in politics are “not far from mine”. Later, after the uproar began, Rahbani gave an interview to Lebanon’s pro-Syrian Al-Mayadeen TV, saying Nasrallah and Fairouz are Lebanon’s two most important figures over the past 60 years. He said those who criticize them are indirectly “defending Israel”.

Fairouz, who is Christian, has been an icon Lebanese

of all stripes can agree on, with her music touting love of the country above its divisions. That reputation was enshrined during Lebanon’s bloody 1975-1990 civil war, when she stayed in the country. Love for her extends across the Arab world because of her songs to Jerusalem and the Palestinians, supporting their cause against Israel. But her son’s comments threatened to tarnish her with the same brush as Hezbollah in the eyes of critics.

“If you seriously love Nasrallah, do you know how many .... have been lost in Syria because of the war and Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria,” Nadim Koteich, host of a news show on Lebanon’s Future TV and a sharp critic of Hezbollah, said on his show recently, addressing Fairouz. He also pointed indirectly at assassinations of nearly a dozen anti-Syrian figures in Lebanon since 2005, which some have blamed on Hezbollah, though the group denies any role. “Do you know how many Lebanese were draped in Lebanese flags because of Hezbollah’s policies,” Koteich asked, referring to the flags draped on coffins.

Rahbani’s comments appear to have caused disagreements within his family. His sister, Rima, who is a close aide to Fairouz, wrote on her Facebook page yesterday that no one can speak for their mother and criticized Ziad for pulling Fairouz into “the narrow alleys of Lebanese politics”. Pierre Abi Saab, who heads the cultural section of Lebanon’s daily Al-Akhbar, told AP that Rahbani “said something that is probably true, but he had no right and had no authorization from the family to say it”. He added that Rahbani is “known for saying everything in interviews without any self-censorship”.

Politicians are saying people need to lay off the criticism, given Fairouz’s status. Druze leader Walid Jumblatt issued a statement saying Fairouz should be kept out of controversy, describing her as “symbol of national Lebanese heritage”. Even Nasrallah spoke about the issue in a speech last week marking the assassination of one of his group’s military commanders, though he didn’t specifically name the singer. “We have reached a point in the country when someone says he loves someone this could lead to the country’s destruction,” Nasrallah told hundreds of supporters. “No one is allowed to love.” — AP

Kuwait budget surplus falls as spending...

Continued from Page 1 of megaprojects in the past several months, including a power and water desalination plant and a 36-km causeway, each costing $2.6 billion. The government is also in the process of awarding a number of oil projects estimated to cost around $30 billion.

Kuwait is projecting spending in the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, at 21.0 billion dinars, with revenues at KD 18.1 billion, leaving a deficit of KD 2.9 billion. In the previous 2012/2013 fiscal year, the emirate posted an actual surplus of KD 12.7 billion. Revenues

came in at a record KD 32.0 billion and spending was KD 19.3 billion. Kuwait posted a record surplus of KD 13.2 billion in the 2011/2012 fiscal year. The state has ended the last 14 fiscal years in the black, accumulating more than $300 billion in surpluses.

Thanks to higher than expected income driven by firm oil prices, Kuwait decided for the second year in a row to transfer 25 percent of revenues into the emirate’s sovereign wealth fund, the assets of which are currently estimated at over $400 billion. Kuwait has a native population of 1.2 million in addition to 2.7 million foreigners and pumps about 3.0 million barrels of oil per day. — AFP

grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Abbas pledged to the prisoners and their exuberant families that “there would be no final agreement (with Israel) until all prisoners were in their homes.”

The Islamist Hamas movement ruling Gaza hailed the prisoner release, but reiterated its rejection of the peace talks and slammed the notion that freeing prisoners justified Israeli settlement expansion. “ The release of any prisoner is a gain for our people,” Gaza’s Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniya told a news conference in the besieged Palestinian territory. “But we reject negotiating with the occupation (Israel) and we do not accept that settlements should be expanded in exchange for that.”

Netanyahu meanwhile criticised the heroes’ welcome given to the released prisoners, who had served 19 to 28 years for killing Israeli civilians or soldiers. “While we are prepared to take very painful steps in an effort to try and reach an agreement ... they, along with their highest leadership, are celebrating,” he told a conference in the northern Israeli town of Tiberias. “Murderers are not heroes,” Netanyahu said.

Yesterday’s release was expected to be accompanied by the announcement of new construction plans for Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, includ-

ing east Jerusalem, as the previous two prisoner releases were. Such a move is likely to infuriate the Palestinians and the international community, providing a further challenge for Kerry, whose intense shuttle diplomacy managed to revive the talks after a threeyear hiatus.

The pressure on Netanyahu to make such an announcement comes both from within his own coalition government - the housing minister lives in a West Bank settlement and hardliners oppose any peace talks - and from the Israeli public. Kerry will also have to quell tensions that rose after an Israeli ministerial committee on Sunday gave initial approval to a bill annexing Jordan Valley settlements, a largely symbolic move expected to be shot down by the government.

A poll conducted by Jerusalem’s Hebrew University said yesterday that 63 percent of Israelis and 53 percent of Palestinians supported a two-state solution.

Around 41 percent of some 600 Israeli respondents said the Jewish state should “yield” to any US pressure to accept a two-state solution, but 43 percent were against. The prisoner release, shortly after 0000 GMT, came after an Israeli court rejected a last-minute appeal by victims’ families. The families had especially protested the release of the five east Jerusalem prisoners, which they said contradicted a commitment made

by Netanyahu. — AFP

New Year welcomed with joy, fireworks Continued from Page 1 Kiribati and Samoa in the Pacific were the first to see in the New Year at 1000 GMT yesterday, in a wave of celebrations that will finish on the United States’ remote Howland and Baker Islands at 1200 GMT today. Tonga, located near the international dateline, was one of the first nations to say farewell to 2013, holding a prayer festival that culminated with a bamboo “cannon” fired into the air. In Antarctica, passengers and crew on the Akademik Shokalskiy ship - awaiting rescue after being trapped for a week in ice - rang in the new year with a specially composed song lamenting the “great shame we are still stuck here”.

Closer to the edge of the International Dateline, New Zealand bid farewell to 2013 with fireworks erupting from Auckland’s Sky Tower as cheering crowds danced in the streets of the South Pacific island nation’s largest city.

In Hong Kong, the city’s skyscrapers were lit up by a dazzling eight-minute pyrotechnics show fired from a onekilometre line of barges along Victoria Harbour. An estimated 400,000 revellers packed the shoreline to watch the show. Further down, groups of teenagers gathered with sign boards offering “free hugs” to passersby. “We’re doing it because it’s fun and it makes people happy,” said 16-year-old local Wendy Yip. In Japan, the celebrations were quieter. Small fireworks displays were held across the country. But millions of people turned out to local temples and shrines to greet the new year with contemplation and to pray for peace for relatives. For areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, celebrations were much more muted than usual. In Tacloban, which bore the brunt of the Nov 8 storm, officials planned a midnight fireworks display to try to raise spirits in a region where nearly 8,000 died or are still missing. In the ruined farming village of San Isidro, residents are still grappling with the overpowering stench of death as 1,400 corpses stacked in black body bags lay in a field, more than seven weeks after the tragedy.

Seoul rang in 2014 with a ritual clanging of the city’s 15th-century bronze bell 33 times, reflecting the ancient custom for marking a new year. In Singapore, people flocked to the financial district for fireworks while thou-

sands of white spheres were launched on Marina Bay, holding residents’ wishes for 2014. Jakarta set up 12 city centre stages for performances to showcase the vast archipelago’s kaleidoscope of cultures. But in Indonesia’s sharia stronghold of Banda Aceh, Islamic police seized thousands of firecrackers and cardboard trumpets after the city administration banned New Year’s Eve celebrations for the first time.

In Mumbai, revellers celebrated a court victory over the local police force, which pushed back closing time in bars and restaurants to 5:00 am instead of 1:30 am. In Rio de Janeiro, authorities were predicting that 2.3 million people - a third of them tourists - would crowd Copacabana Beach for fireworks and pop music as Brazil kick off a year that will see them host football’s World Cup. Major spectaculars were to also light Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate and central London when parliament’s Big Ben bell chimes midnight. In Ukraine, anti-government protesters hoped to set their own record for the most people to sing a national anthem at the same time.

Some 300,000 revellers were expected at the ChampsElysees in Paris, while about a million people were to gather in New York to mark the stroke of midnight and the traditional New Year’s Eve ball-drop over Times Square. Cape Town was to have a free concert with fireworks and a 3D tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela, who died on Dec 5. In the Netherlands however, Dutch police arrested 100 youths who pelted firefighters with bottles and fireworks in a central town notorious for its unruly New Year celebrations. One man was killed by fireworks in the small northern town of Medemblik.

China planned light shows at part of the Great Wall near Beijing and at the Bund waterfront in Shanghai. The city of Wuhan in central Hubei province called off its fireworks show and banned fireworks downtown to avoid worsening its smog. Pope Francis used his year-end prayer service of thanksgiving to urge people to ask themselves: Did they spend 2013 to further their own interests or to help others? In his homily, the pontiff asked people to reflect if they used 2013 to make the places where they live more livable and welcoming.

Citing Rome as an example, Francis said the city is full of tourists, but also refugees. — Agencies

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

S P ORTS

Voeckler to debut in Tour Down Under

Fijian international Qera joins Toulouse

Murray, Beckham miss out on knighthoods

SYDNEY: French star Thomas Voeckler will race the Tour Down Under for the first time when his Europcar team debuts in Australia’s leading cycling event in January. Race director Mike Turtur said Voeckler’s climbing abilities make him well suited to the 2014 route in and around Adelaide.

“Having worn the yellow jersey at the Tour de France on two occasions and finishing fourth in 2011, Voeckler is an icon of the sport,” Turtur said. Europcar’s team also includes German Bjorn Thurau, who won the mountains classification at the 2013 Tour de Luxembourg, and former Japanese road race champion Yukiya Arashiro.

Australia’s Cadel Evans, the 2011 Tour de France overall winner, will also be competing in his home tour for the BMC Racing Team.

The six-stage UCI World Tour event takes place in South Australia from January 1926.— AFP

LONDON: Fiji flanker Akapusi Qera has left Gloucester for Top 14 giants Toulouse, the English club announced yesterday. The 29 year- old international, who has been with Gloucester since 2007, was contracted to the end of the season. But Toulouse, who currently lie fifth in the Top 14, made an official approach for Qera and reached a deal with Gloucester on adequate compensation for the time remaining on his contract.

“We are naturally disappointed to lose Q (Qera) at this time. However, on his return from the Autumn internationals, he requested for his own reasons to be released from his contract early,” said Gloucester’s director of rugby Nigel Davies. Qera added: “For personal reasons, I feel the time is right for me to move on from Gloucester Rugby now after the last seven seasons at Kingsholm.

“I would like to thank the club and its supporters for the backing they have given me over the years, and my time at Gloucester will always be close to my heart.”—AFP

LONDON: David Beckham and Andy Murray will have to wait a while longer for a possible knighthood. Both sports stars were left off Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s honors list, a surprise to some who had expected them to be knighted. Murray became the first British man since 1936 to win Wimbledon in July, while Beckham ended his illustrious 20-year football career in May. Both have previously been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

On a low-profile list of sports names, former Football Association chairman David Bernstein and 1969 women’s Wimbledon champion Ann Jones were made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

David Bedford, a former 10,000-meter world record holder who is now race director for the London Marathon, was awarded an OBE for services to athletics and charitable fundraising.—AP

Blackhawks edge Kings

ABU DHABI: Pakistan cricketers Younis Khan (2nd left), Asad Shafiq (2nd right), and bowler Junaid Khan (right) celebrate after the dismissal of Sri Lankan batsman Dimuth Karunaratne during the opening day of their first cricket Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday. —AFP

Junaid keeps Pakistan high in first Test ABU DHABI: Paceman Junaid Khan grabbed five wickets and Bilawal Bhatti finished with three as Pakistan enjoyed the better of the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Junaid claimed his fourth fivewicket haul, taking figures of 5-58, while Bhatti took 3-65 in his first Test as Sri Lank a were bowled out for 204 after Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to bowl first on a greenish Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.

By the close on the opening day Pakistan reached 46-1 with debutant opener Ahmed Shehzad not out on 25.

Fellow opener Khurram Manzoor ran himself out after making 21, leaving Pakistan trailing by 158 runs but with nine firstinnings wickets remaining. Amidst the collapse in the Sri Lankan innings, skipper Angelo Mathews stood out, defying the Pakistan attack for 160 minutes for his 91.

He added an invaluable 61 for the ninth wicket with Shaminda Eranga (14) to lift Sri Lanka from a precarious 124-8.

Mathews hit 15 boundaries during his fighting knock, improving on his previous best of 64 not out against Pakistan at Colombo in 2009 before he was the last man out, stumped off Saeed Ajmal, who finished with 2-32. Junaid said the pitch needed bowlers to keep line and length.

“It’s a good pitch and if you bowl line and length then you get success,” said Junaid, who now has 47 wickets in his 14 Tests. “I have improved a lot after getting good tips from legends like Wasim Ak ram, Waqar Younis and our bowling coach Mohammad Akram.”

Misbah-ul-Haq’s decision to field first had looked unwise as Sri Lankan openers Dimuth Karunaratne (38) and Kaushal

Silva (20) gave their team a sound start, putting on 57 for the first wicket. But, from 66-1, Sri Lanka lost seven wickets for the addition of 101 runs in the afternoon session. Bhatti, making his Test debut, took three wickets off just eight balls after lunch. He had Silva caught at slip off the fourth ball after the resumption and then had the experienced Mahela Jayawardene (5) caught behind in his next over.

A ball earlier, Jayawardene had been caught behind only to see the umpire call it a no-ball. Two balls later, Bhatti had Dinesh Chandimal caught in the slip by Mohammad Hafeez for a duck to leave Sri Lanka struggling at 76-4. It was left to Junaid to do the rest. The left-armer dismissed Sri Lanka’s most reliable batsman, Kumar Sangakkara, caught off an uppish drive at point for 16, and had both Prasanna Jayawardene (5) and Sachitra Senanayake (5) caught behind. He then bowled Rangana Herath for a duck to complete his fourth five-wicket haul-all four have come against Sri Lanka. It was a different story in the first session, however. Karunaratne hit three boundaries in the first three overs, and five in all, before he miscued a drive off Junaid and was smar tly snapped up at gully by Asad Shafiq. Pakistan strove hard for wickets in the first hour and wasted one review when they appealed for a catch behind against Silva off Junaid. Replays showed the batsman had not touched the ball.

Pak istan also gave a Test debut to Shehzad after he had played 40 one-day internationals in the last four years, while spinner Senanayake was given his Test debut for Sri Lanka. The second Test will be played in Dubai (January 8-12) and the third in Sharjah (January 16-20).— AFP

SCOREBOARD

CHICAGO: Chicago reclaimed the overall NHL lead and sent Los Angeles to its first three-game skid of the season by beating the Kings 1-0 on Monday, with goaltender Antti Raanta making 26 saves in his first NHL shutout. In the day’s other games, Philadelphia scored in the final minute then beat Vancouver in a shootout, Ottawa made it rare back-to-back wins by defeating Washington, and Nashville prevailed in a tengoal game against Detroit. Chicago’s Brandon Saad scored the sole goal in the first period for the Blackhawks who relied upon Raanta and their defense for the victory.

Raanta bounced back from one of his worst performances, in which he allowed two late goals in the shootout loss at St Louis on Saturday. The Kings are on their first three-game slide since dropping the opening three games of last season. Philadelphia’s Vinny Lecavalier scored the only goal in the shootout as the Flyers escaped with a 4-3 win over Vancouver.

Lecavalier scored on Philadelphia’s first shootout attempt, and Steve Mason stopped all three shooters as the Flyers earned their third straight win.

Mark Streit, Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn also scored in regulation for Philadelphia, which has not lost at Vancouver since 1989. Tom Sestito, Jannik Hansen and Daniel Sedin scored for the Canucks. Ottawa won a third-straight home game for the first time this season, downing Washington 3-1.

Nashville’s Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist to lead the Predators to a 6-4 victory over Detroit.

PREDATORS 6, RED WINGS 4 Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in Nashville’s victory over Detroit. Fisher has three goals and three assists in Nashville’s past two games. Craig Smith, Nick Spaling, and Roman Josi also scored. Justin Abdelkader, Pavel Datsyuk, Drew Miller, and Patrick Eaves scored for the Red Wings, who have lost two of three. The teams combined for five goals in a back-andforth third period, but Nashville never relinquishing the lead. Wilson put the Predators ahead 1:54 into the game with a wrist shot from the high slot that beat goalie Jimmy Howard on the glove side. It was the first shot on Howard, who had been out with a knee injury since Dec. 10.

SENATORS 3, CAPITALS 1 Kyle Turris’ goal helped Ottawa beat Washington and earn its first winning streak in 51 days. The Senators have won three straight at home for the first time this season. Mika Zibanejad and Clarke MacArthur, with an emptynet goal, also scored for Ottawa (17-18-7). Craig Anderson stopped 34 shots. He made 14 saves in the second period and 11 more in the third. Joel Ward scored the lone goal for the Capitals (2015-5), who have lost back-to-back games. Phillip Grubauer, in his fourth straight start, made 35 saves. With just over two minutes remaining, Anderson made a great glove save on Eric Fehr to preserve the lead.

FLYERS 4, CANUCKS 3, SO Vinny Lecavalier scored the only goal in the shootout for Philadelphia, which rallied to tie the

CHICAGO: Brandon Saad #20 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his first period goal against Martin Jones #31 of the Los Angeles Kings at the United Center on December 30, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. — AFP game in the final minute of regulation and beat Vancouver. The Flyers, who improved to 2-0 on their Western road trip, beat Edmonton in a shootout on Saturday. Lecavalier scored on Philadelphia’s first shootout attempt, and Steve Mason stopped all three shooters as the Flyers (19-16-4) earned their third straight win and sixth in eight games. Mason made 41 saves through overtime. Mark Streit, Claude Giroux

and Brayden Schenn also scored in regulation for the Flyers. Giroux, who added an assist, has a nine-game point streak. Philadelphia hasn’t lost at Vancouver since Dec. 31, 1989. Tom Sestito, Jannik Hansen and Daniel Sedin scored for Vancouver (23-11-7), which lost for the third time in eight games. Eddie Lack, in his third appearance in place of injured No. 1 goalie Roberto Luongo, made 25 saves.—Agencies

NHL results/standings Ottawa 3, Washington 1; Chicago 1, Los Angeles 0; Nashville 6, Detroit 4; Philadelphia 4, Vancouver 3 (SO).

Anaheim San Jose Los Angeles Vancouver Phoenix Calgary Edmonton

W 28 25 25 23 19 14 13

Western Conference Pacific Division L OTL GF 8 5 131 8 6 128 11 4 108 11 7 111 10 9 116 19 6 95 24 4 106

Chicago St. Louis Colorado Dallas Minnesota Winnipeg Nashville

28 26 23 19 20 18 18

Central Division 7 7 158 7 5 137 11 4 109 12 7 112 16 5 96 18 5 111 18 4 95

GA 103 98 80 97 117 122 139

PTS 61 56 54 53 47 34 30

115 92 97 111 107 121 119

63 57 50 45 45 41 40

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Boston 26 11 2 114 81 54 Tampa Bay 23 12 4 110 93 50 Montreal 23 14 3 99 89 49 Detroit 18 14 9 107 117 45 Toronto 20 16 5 115 118 45 Ottawa 17 18 7 118 135 41 Florida 15 20 5 95 128 35 Buffalo 11 24 4 71 110 26 Metropolitan Division Pittsburgh 29 11 1 130 94 59 Washington 20 15 5 122 119 45 Philadelphia 19 16 4 101 110 42 NY Rangers 19 19 2 94 108 40 New Jersey 16 16 8 95 102 40 Columbus 17 18 4 106 112 38 Carolina 14 16 9 91 114 37 NY Islanders 12 21 7 102 135 31 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).

Scoreboard at the close on the first day of the opening test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

Pakistan first innings Khurram Manzoor run out Ahmed Shehzad not out Total (one wicket; 18.1 overs)

21 25 46

Still to bat: Mohammad Hafeez, Younus Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Bilawal Bhatti, Rahat Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan Fall of wicket: 1-46 Bowling: Lakmal 7-2-17-0, Mathews 1-0-6-0, Eranga 5-1-18-0, Herath 5-3-5-0, Senanayake 0.10-0-0 Sri Lanka first innings D. Karunaratne c Shafiq b Junaid

38

K. Silva c Hafeez b Bhatti 20 K. Sangakkara c Shehzad b Junaid 16 M. Jayawardene c Akmal b Bhatti 5 D. Chandimal c Hafeez b Bhatti 0 A. Mathews st Akmal b Ajmal 91 P. Jayawardene c Akmal b Junaid 5 S. Senanayake C Akmal b Junaid 5 R. Herath b Junaid 0 S. Eranga c Akmal b Ajmal 14 S. Lakmal not out 1 Extras (b-4, lb-4, nb-1) 9 Total (all out; 65 overs) 204 Fall of wickets: 1-57 2-67 3-76 4-76 5-82 6-104 7124 8-124 9-185 Bowling: Junaid 20-4-58-5, Rahat 16-3-41-0, Bhatti 15-1-65-3 (1nb), Ajmal 14-3-32-2.

US Olympic speedskating’s hopeful injured at practice KEARNS: Olympic hopeful Theresa CliffRyan was injured Monday when she landed on her head after being struck on the sidelines by a crashing speedskater, likely ending her quest to make the US team for Sochi. Cliff-Ryan sustained a concussion and had several teeth knocked out, according to her coach, Matt Kooreman, who added that she was lucky the injuries weren’t more serious.

The 35-year-old Cliff-Ryan had her back to the ice during an off-day practice session at the Utah Olympic Oval, having completed her workout. Suddenly, Kevin Geminder lost his balance on the front straightaway while going full speed. He slid off the track and right into Cliff-Ryan, flipping her into the air.

She landed face-first on the concrete surface, sending a collective gasp through the

arena before coaches and athletes raced to her side. Trainers rushed to the track within seconds and put her in a neck brace.

Cliff-Ryan was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where she was treated and released. Kooreman said Cliff-Ryan was taken to an oral surgeon to have her teeth repaired and would be re-evaluated again for her concussion and whiplash symptoms.

But it seemed unlikely she would be able to compete in the final two events of the trials, the 1,500 and 5,000 meters.

“It’s really sad,” the coach said. “Thought she had a great shot at winning the 5,000.”

Geminder just missed two-time Olympic gold medalist Shani Davis, who was sitting on a bench getting ready to go on the ice.

Davis ran away as the crashing skater slid by, clearly shaken by the close call.—AP

Schumacher slightly better - but fragile GRENOBLE: French doctors treating Michael Schumacher for brain injuries sustained in a ski fall said the seven-times Formula One world champion was in slightly better condition yesterday after an overnight operation, but that he remained fragile. The 44-year-old German is battling for his life after slamming his head against a rock while skiing off-piste in the French resor t of Meribel on Sunday, an accident which triggered an outpouring of concern among fans around the world.

Doctors treating him at a hospital in the eastern city of Grenoble said his condition had stabilized enough by late Monday to carry out a new operation to treat the effects of internal bleeding within Schumacher’s skull. “The situation is more under control than yesterday but we cannot say he is out of danger,” Jean-Francois Payen, head anaesthetician, told a news conference at the CHU hospital in the eastern French city of Grenoble.

“We have won some time but we must continue an hour-by-hour surveillance... It is premature to speculate on his condition,” he said, adding that Schumacher was still in a critical state and suffering from severe lesions and contusions.

Emmanuel Gay, head of the hospital’s neurosurgery service, said the

operation carried out around 10.00 pm (2100 GMT) on Monday had successfully removed a large hematoma - the medical term for a build-up of blood - from his brain. “It was larger and more accessible (than others) ...

We judged we could remove it without taking any risks,” Gay said.

He said the operation was designed to reduce, within Schumacher’s skull, the pressure on the brain. Doctors said the fact that the retired motor racing champion was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident had at least enabled him to make it to the hospital alive.

Payen said the medical team in Grenoble had discussed the operation with Schumacher’s family. He added that the condition of the motor racing great was still too fragile to consider transferring him to another hospital for the time being.

NEXT DAYS CRUCIAL Schumacher is under the care of Professor Gerard Saillant, a brain and spinal injury expert who is also president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Institute. Saillant said it was still impossible to say how Schumacher’s condition would progress in coming days. “We are a little less worried than yesterday but I’m sure you understand that the situation could change this evening or tomorrow,”

he told the news conference.

Schumacher, who lives in Switzerland with his wife and two children, is the most successful Formula One driver of all times with a record 91 race victories in a career spanning more than two decades.

Schumacher left the sport last year after a less successful threeyear comeback with Mercedes following an earlier retirement from Ferrari at the end of 2006. French authorities have opened an investigation into the accident, which took place as Schumacher was out skiing with his teenage son. Ferrari always used to have an annual Januar y gathering with their drivers in the

Dolomites and Schumacher, a fitness fanatic, impressed with his skiing ability. German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been deeply shocked to learn of his accident, her spokesman said on Monday as expressions of concern poured in from fans, former team-mates and rivals. Former British Formula One driver David Coulthard said he believed Schumacher had not won the full recognition he merited for taking his sport to new heights. “I only hope Michael Schumacher pulls through so that he can see all the nice things people are saying about him,” he wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.— Reuters

GRENOBLE: Resort officials stand in the French Alps ski resort of Meribel by the rocky part between two slopes where German retired Formula One legend Michael Schumacher had an accident. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

S P ORTS

Oregon beat Texas 30-7 in Alamo Bowl Webb’s 4 TD passes tie Holiday Bowl record SAN DIEGO: Davis Webb helped end Texas Tech’s unsightly five-game losing streak while making sure the Red Raiders’ seniors had a great sendoff. The freshman threw for 403 yards and tied a Holiday Bowl record with four touchdown passes, and Texas Tech raced to a 37-23 victory over No 16 Arizona State on Monday night.

Webb tied the record set by BYU’s Jim McMahon in 1980 and matched by Kansas State’s Brian Kavanagh in 1995 and Texas’ Major Applewhite in 2001. “When Coach told me I was going to start, there was nothing but joy,” Webb said. “I told myself that I was going to make sure that I was going to send the seniors out right. We came prepared. We leaned on each other and we showed that today. “It’s pretty exhilarating right now. I’m so proud of this team,” he added.

The Red Raiders (8-5) won for the first time since beating West Virginia on Oct 19. Arizona State (10-4) lost its second straight. Webb completed 28 of 41 passes. He threw touchdown passes of 18 and 21 yards to Jakeem Grant, 1 yard to Rodney Hall and 23 yards to Bradley Marquez, all in the first half. “He’s really battled to separate himself all year,” said firstyear coach Kliff Kingsbury, a former Red Raiders quarterback. “To play that young in this type of arena, D-1, that’s very rare and I think he does a great job handling the pressure coming out here and making things happen,” wide receiver Eric Ward said.

After losing their final five games by an average of 20.6 points, the Red Raiders scored on four of their first five drives to take a 27-6 lead 5 minutes into the second quarter. Kingsbury said the Red Raiders had seen predictions that they’d lose by 22 points. “We saw that all week. We knew what people thought and we knew the type of team we had,” the coach said. “We didn’t get any respect all weekend long,” Ward said. “It was all about Arizona State and their record and this, that and the other. So we used that to fuel the fire.”

Ward said the losing streak “preyed upon us pretty heavily. No one likes losing that much and lose that much on the road. It starts depressing the team a little bit. We just did all we could to prepare for this game. During the bowl practices, the time we had together helped us bond together.” Texas Tech AllAmerica tight end Jace Amaro had eight catches for 112 yards. He set the FBS single-season record for yards receiving by a tight end with 1,352. The Sun Devils, coming off a 38-14 loss to Stanford in the Pac12 championship game, were held 18 points below their average. They dropped to 0-4 in the Holiday Bowl dating to 1985.

“I’m very embarrassed for our program,” coach Todd Graham said. “As coaches we didn’t have our guys prepared to play. They came to play. We didn’t.

Give them credit. I was embarrassed for the fans that showed up today. We didn’t have our players prepared. Zero excuses, but we didn’t have our players prepared to play. It was an ugly game offensively and defensively. We just didn’t play very well. They were the more passionate team today.” While Texas Tech was finding the end zone early on, Arizona State had to settle for field goals of 44 and 31 yards by Zane Gonzalez.

The Sun Devils got their first touchdown when DJ Foster scored on a 20-yard run with 7:52 left in the second quarter to close to 27-13. ASU quarterback Taylor Kelly scored on a 44-yard run early in the third, but Reginald Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown to extend the Red Raiders’ lead to 34-20. Kelly gained 135 yards on 25 carries but threw for only 125 yards, going 16 of 29. He was sacked three times. Foster gained 132 yards on 20 carries. Arizona State’s Richard Smith couldn’t hold onto a 50-yard pass from Kelly as he tripped and tumbled into the end zone with 9:50 left and the Sun Devils trailing by 14.— AP

Teen stuns top seed in Auckland AUCKLAND: Teenager Ana Konjuh announced her WTA arrival in style at the Auckland Classic yesterday, eliminating top seed Roberta Vinci in her debut tour appearance. The Croatian, who turned 16 on Friday, came from behind to stun Vinci 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 and book a place in the second round. “It’s amazing, I can’t believe I just did it,” said Konjuh after capping a breakthrough 2013 which included winning the junior Australian and US Opens. “It was a great match, great experience for me. I just hope I’m going to recover to play tomorrow.” Konjuh, ranked 259, started slowly against the world number 14 but blew the Italian veteran off the court in the second and third sets, showing no sign of nerves.

“I was like ‘don’t even think about winning the match, just play every point like it’s your last and give 100 percent of yourself’-and I did it,” she said.

Earlier, former world number one Ana Ivanovic ground out a scrappy win over American Alison Riske. The Serbian prevailed 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) in just under two hours but looked unconvincing against Riske, who is ranked 41 places below the world number 16. Ivanovic, seeded second in Auckland, had to save four set points in the second set, relying on her serve to get her out of trouble.

The 26-year-old, whose career has stalled since she claimed her sole Grand Slam at the French Open in 2008, admitted nerves got the better of her at times as she face the plucky Riske. “It was a tough first round and I was really happy to get through that second set,” she said. “I think there was a bit of wind and nerves.”Third seed Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium downed Monica Puig of Puerto Rico 6-4, 75 but said she needed to lift her intensity in the next round.

“I was happy with my serve, in the important points it was there,” she said. “The thing I can improve in the next match is to be more aggressive.” Flipkens’ compatriot Yanina Wickmayer, a finalist here last year, crashed out 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 to Czech qualifier Kristyna Pliskova. Fourth seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania capitulated 6-1, 6-4 to Canada’s Sharon Fichman, while Ayumi Morita of Japan ousted Czech sixth seed Lucie Safarova 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.—AFP

SAN ANTONIO: Oregon players celebrate the team’s win over Texas in the Valero Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game on Monday, Dec 30, 2013. Oregon won 30-7. — AP

Kenya’s Rotich retains Sao Paulo road title SAO PAULO: Edwin Kipsang Rotich of Kenya won the 89th edition of the prestigious Sao Paulo international road race yesterday to retain his title. Last year’s men’s race saw an all-Kenyan podium with Rotich besting Joseph Aperumoi and Mark Korir. And Rotich again dominated as he gave the Kenyans their sixth title in the past 11 editions, timing 43min 48sec for the 15km around the streets of central Sao Paulo.

This time he bested Korir by 21sec with Stanley Koech third at 41sec for a second straight Kenyan one-two-three. Rotich’s time was 36sec off the event mark at this distance set in 1995 by five-time winner Paul Tergat. Another Kenyan, Nancy Kipron, took the honors in the women’s race, winning in 51min 58sec to succeed Maurine Jelagat Kipchumba as the Kenyans completed another double triumph. Kipron saw off Ethiopia’s Netsanet Gudeta and Tanzania’s Jackline Juma.

A record 27,500 runners participated in Brazil’s oldest street race as well as what is generally regarded as the main international event in the Latin American athletics calendar. The race attracted a colorful crowd with one fan dressing up as the US president with a giant sash bearing the legend President of USA draped over his shoulder. Another dressed up as World Cup mascot Fuleco while one man wore an Elvis Presley costume. Somewhat incongruously, Globo daily also pictured the runners limbering up just yards (meters) from two homeless people lying sprawled on mattresses. Some locals also help up placards to protest at last week’s decision by a Brazilian Football Confederation tribunal to confirm docked points for local side Portuguesa, which relegated the club and saved outgoing champions Fluminense from the drop. Rotich promised to set a tough pace from the outset as he looked to retain his title and he duly showed the rest a clean pair of heels. Kipron’s win meanwhile gave Kenyan women a fifth straight success. The first Sao Silvestre was held in 1925 - just 48 racers turned up-but women only began competing in 1975.—AFP

Serena wins tough opener in Brisbane

SAO PAULO: Kenyan male runner Edwin Rotich crosses the finish line to win the 89th Sao Silvestre New Year’s eve road race timing 43:48 yesterday. — AFP

Italy stay alive in Hopman Cup PERTH: Italy kept their Hopman Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 win over Australia at the mixed teams tournament yesterday. After the singles matches were split, the Italian pairing of Flavia Pennetta and Andreas Seppi beat Samantha Stosur and Bernard Tomic in the deciding mixed doubles rubber. Italy will need to clean sweep Canada tomorrow and hope Australia do the same to unbeaten Poland to have a chance of advancing to Saturday’s final, while the host nation are out of contention after dropping both their Group A ties. In the women’s singles, 31st-ranked Pennetta continued her dominance of Stosur, beating the former US Open winner and world number 18 in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Pennetta has won all five of their singles encounters and took advantage of the service woes of the Australian. Stosur is regarded as one of the best servers in women’s tennis, but she also has a habit of starting each season slowly. Pennetta broke the Australian’s serve four times, most crucially when Stosur served three double faults in the ninth game of the second set. Not surprisingly, Pennetta was pleased to continue her winning streak against Stosur as she builds towards the Australian Open in

Melbourne next month.

“We always have a good fight and then I always win,” she said of the match.

“Today was a good match for the crowd and for us to be ready for next week (at the Australian Open).” The enigmatic Tomic squared the tie by coming from a set down to beat Seppi, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. At times in the second set the Australian world number 51 looked like he was struggling with his fitness against the 25th-ranked Seppi. However, Tomic said it was just the legacy of a very heavy training regime in recent days, including two hours on the practice court before the clash with Seppi.

“Everything is main focus for playing the best that I can in Australian Open and in Sydney,” he said, referring to the Sydney International played ahead of the Grand Slam event. “So this week is a training week for me. “I’m using every match that I can, playing a little bit tired... I’ve got to push myself. “I know I was feeling a bit tired out there but it’s going to make me stronger for the big one in a few weeks.” The deciding rubber pitted two experienced doubles players against each other in Pennetta and Stosur, but it was the Italians that won the day, 6-3, 6-4.— AFP

BRISBANE: World number one Serena Williams looked rusty in her first competitive match of the season ahead of the Australian Open but battled through to beat Andrea Petkovic 6-4 6-4 at the Brisbane International yesterday. The number one seed won in 98 minutes to reach the quarter-finals but her 36 unforced errors and 55 percent serving accuracy showed how much Williams has to work on with the first grand slam of 2014 less than a fortnight away.

German Petkovic was exactly what the defending champion needed at this point in the season. Ranked 43rd in the world, but a top-10 player before injuries hampered her 2012 campaign, she ensured the five-times Australian Open winner had to fight for every point. “It was an intense match, which was really good for me,” Williams told reporters.

“She’s a good player. She’s been in the top 10 before and she was on her way to being even better.” In their only previous match Petkovic took the American to three sets, on clay in Rome in 2010, and looked capable of doing so again after nullifying an early break and taking a 4-3 lead in the first set. Williams held her serve to love and an easy missed volley into the net gifted the 17-times grand slam winner a break in the next, leading to Petkovic slamming her racket into thigh, floor and bag in turn.

In her first tournament match since the 2013 W TA Championships in October, Williams showed frustration throughout at the extent of her erratic play. There were serves fired in at over 190 kilometers and 35 crunching winners, but even more mistakes. After errant serves she would often practice her ball toss or technique, reinforcing the sessions spent with her father, Richard, in Florida during the off-season.

“I’m a renowned perfectionist - I think I wrote the book on being per fect,” Williams said. “I think it definitely helps

me in a way. “Also, it definitely holds me back at some moments. It’s just important for me to let the part that helps me kind of fill up and then the part that holds me back, just to let that go.”

GLARING ERROR Her most glaring error came in the sixth game of the second set when a looping backhand from Petkovic landed just over the net to set up an easy winner but Williams was fooled by prodigious backspin and wildly missed the ball with a forehand. The crowd at Pat Rafter Arena roared with laughter and even Williams smiled, briefly. Petkovic surrendered a 40-0 lead on serve in the fifth game of the second set, which the world number one ended up taking.

The German saved the first match point on her serve, but a forehand into the net in the following game gave Williams victory. Williams next plays ninth-seed Slovakian Daniele Cibulkova who defeated Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-3 1-6 6-3. Williams’s slated semi-final opponent Maria Sharapova has a bye to the last eight after Australian Ashleigh Barty pulled out with an adductor injury. On the other side of the draw, fourth seed Jelena Jankovic beat Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-3, keeping the Serb on course for a semi-final meeting with defending Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.

In the men’s tournament, home favorite Lleyton Hewitt held off a spirited challenge from young compatriot and qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis. The 17-yearold saved 10 of 12 break points in the first set before succumbing 6-3 and was 5-3 up in the second, only for the veteran to win four straight games to take the match. The twice grand slam winner faces sixth-seed Feliciano Lopez in the third round, after the Spaniard defeated Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan in straight sets.—Reuters

BRISBANE: Serena Williams of the USA plays a shot in her 2nd round match against Andrea Petkovic of Germany at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia yesterday. — AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

S P ORTS

Cameroonian’s death highlights Indonesia crisis Withholding of wages reach ‘catastrophic proportions’ TANGERANG: It was the dream of sporting glory that drew talented Cameroonian striker Salomon Bengondo to Indonesia-but his story ended in poverty, illness and an untimely death, in a country failing to pay its footballers.

The withholding of wages by Indonesian clubs has reached “catastrophic proportions” according to international players’ union FIFPro-and Bengondo is the second foreign player known to have died after going unpaid.

In 2012 Paraguayan striker Diego Mendieta died of a viral infection after he too was unable to afford treatment, following months without wages.

Bengondo arrived in Indonesia in 2005, a promising young footballer who hoped to build a career in Southeast Asia’s biggest nation. “He had every chance, he had great hopes,” his brother Beliby Ferdinand told AFP this week at the modest house that they used to share, near the capital Jakarta. Bengondo died last month at the age of 32, unable to afford hospital treatment for a mystery illness.

His former club, Persipro Bond-U, still owed him large sums of money, according to his brother and Indonesian football officials. Like many African players, Bengondo came to Indonesia in search of a higher salary. While the wages may not be in the same league as European clubs, Indonesian sides are generally better-paying than those in Africa.He had been so incensed at his treatment that he took to the streets to beg in

SPL PREVIEW

Celtic aiming to maintain their miserly defense GLASGOW: Efe Ambrose says Celtic’s current run of tight defensive form is being fuelled by a desire never to suffer a repeat of the six goal thrashing they were handed by Barcelona. The Nigerian international insists the 6-1 Champions League defeat at the Nou Camp in December still hurts but Celtic haven’t let in a goal in four games since that night in Spain and are on a run of six domestic shutouts in a row.

The Hoops haven’t conceded in over eight hours of domestic football-including five consecutive league games-and Ambrose says the painful memory of their Champions League defeat is spurring him and his fellow defenders on. And he said the latest 10 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday, when Celtic moved 11 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, highlights the importance of a strong defense especially when the strikers are not in top form. “It’s important for us not to lose goals. The defense always wants to keep getting better and to keep getting as many clean sheets as we can,” Ambrose said. “But we don’t count them. You have to go out and do your best every time and in games like this, when you only score one goal, keeping a clean sheet gets you the points. “We know that if we can keep a clean sheet it is the most important thing because we always feel we can score a goal.

Sometimes it is only one but it can be two, three or more. “We are just trying to ensure we don’t concede goals. “Since the game against Barcelona it has been in our head that we want to do better in every game.

“We spoke after the match against Barca but it has gone now and we have put it behind us. “We were disappointed with how that game turned out because you never plan for something like that to happen. We were up against a team who could do that to anybody but we could have done better.

“Since then we have worked extra hard to try to do better than we did that night. We have stepped up and defended better.” Next up for Celtic is a clash with Partick Thistle on New Year’s Day at Parkhead.

The Hoops have gone 18 league games unbeaten and will be huge favorites to make it 19 against the Firhill side who are on a run of nine games without a win. However, Ambrose is taking nothing for granted ahead of today’s game. “We know it will be tough but we are ready,” the Nigerian international said. “We just want to keep winning and trying to keep clean sheets.”

Elsewhere today, Dundee United will want to end a run of two consecutive defeats when Aberdeen visit Tannadice, Inverness Caledonian Thistle host Ross County in the Highland derby and second place Motherwell welcome St Johnstone to Fir Park.

Tomorrow, Hibernian host Hearts in the Edinburgh derby. In-form Hibs have won their past two matches while Hearts have yet to claw back the 15 point deduction they received at the beginning of the season for entering administration.— AFP

protest with his African teammates in 2012, apparently with little effect. “The club still did nothing”, Ferdinand, 27, said.

Brendan Schwab of FIFPro warned the issue of Indonesian clubs failing to pay players had reached “literally catastrophic proportions”. “We can’t think of a country in the world of football where the problems of the players are more pronounced or more serious than Indonesia,” Schwab, head of FIFPro’s Asian division said.

It is not just foreign players going unpaid. The Indonesian professional footballers’ association (APPI) says 14 clubs in the country’s two top-tier divisions still owe salaries from the 2012/2013 season. Bengondo played for several clubs and was signed by Persipro, based in Probolinggo in the east of the main island of Java, for the 2011/12 season. The club is in the Premier Division, the second highest level of football in Indonesia.

But according to his brother, Bengondo received only 20 million rupiah (around $1,650) when he started with the club, and nothing afterwards. He was supposed to receive an extra lump sum and 16,625,000 rupiah a month for eight months, according to a copy of his contract seen by AFP. Persipro could not be contacted for comment on Bengondo’s case despite repeated attempts by AFP to get in touch with the club.

Despite the lack of salary, Bengondo

played for the club until the end of the season before returning to the city of Tangerang, outside Jakarta, where he lived with his brother. He was already feeling unwell, suffering from chest pains as well as stomach problems, Ferdinand said.

In Tangerang he continued to train with other Cameroonians and eked out a living playing in occasional matches between villages. Towards the end of November, he began feeling increasingly ill and visited a local hospital and later a clinic where he underwent tests and was given medication to help with his stomach problems.

As his health deteriorated, he would have like to seek treatment at a bigger hospital or even return to Cameroon.

But he did not have the means, his repeated appeals to Persipro to give him the money he was owed having failed, his brother said. He died in the early hours of November 29. His brother said it is still unclear what exactly he was suffering from and he is waiting for the results of an autopsy. Bengondo’s body was flown back to Cameroon earlier this month with funding from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

Ferdinand, also a footballer but currently not signed to any club, said he still hoped to claw back the money from Persipro and then return to Cameroon.

The APPI is also trying to help. PSSI chairman Djohar Arifin Husin said clubs were suffering funding problems as competition for sponsorship was tough

and since 2011 professional teams have been banned from getting local government funding, a vital source of revenue in the past. Attempts to improve players’ rights have also been overlooked in recent years as Indonesian football chiefs struggled to resolve a feud between two rival federations, which spawned two top-tier divisions.

Both sides agreed in March to reunite under the PSSI after world governing body FIFA warned Indonesia could be

banned from international competition.

Despite the distractions, Husin insisted the PSSI is trying to resolve the issue of players going unpaid, saying all clubs had been given a deadline of January 15 to pay outstanding salaries or face being banned from competitions. But such commitments are unlikely to reassure Ferdinand after his bitter experience in the world of Indonesian football.

“Footballers are not respected in this country,” he said.— AFP

Eagles look ahead after a complete turnaround

TEXAS: Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar (89) scores a touchdown against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cary Williams (26) during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas. — AP

South American hooligans run amok ahead of WCup MONTEVIDEO: An increase in football-related violence in South America is tarnishing the image of the game on the continent just months before Brazil hosts the World Cup. Thirty people were killed in football-related attacks in Brazil alone this year-one less than the record 31 in 2012 - while nine died in neighboring Argentina, leading authorities in that country to ban away fans. In early December, a fracas broke out between “torcidas organizadas,” as hooligans are known in Brazil, following a match between Atletico Paranaense and Vasco da Gama. The brawl was broadcast live on television, shocking viewers as bloodied victims were beaten and kicked.

Weeks later in Argentina, two members of the “barras bravas”-or hooligans-of local team Newell’s Old Boys were shot dead by a fan from bit-

TANGERANG: Beliby Ferdinand Bengondo holds a picture of his late brother, Salomon Bengondo. Cameroonian striker Salomon Bengondo arrived in Indonesia in 2005, a promising young footballer who hoped to build a career in Southeast Asia’s biggest nation. But instead of sporting glory, his story ended in tragedy.—AFP

ter rivals Rosario Central. Other fatalities were recorded in Colombia, Paraguay and Peru, with football-related injuries and arrests in Uruguay, Ecuador and Chile. In some countries in the region, hooligans engage in criminal activities and have designated attack groups. In Argentina, the “barras bravas” are even seen as a constituency and protected by politicians.

SOCIAL FRUSTRATIONS For Uruguayan sociologist Leonardo Mendiondo, football serves as a window into South America’s pent up social frustrations. Much of the region has seen fast economic growth in the past years-along with a widening chasm between the haves and the have -nots. Mendiondo, like his Ecuadoran counterpar t Fernando Carrion, said the fans are a product of the violence-marked societies they

live in. Argentina expert Luis Sustas, meanwhile, said hooligans “are not irrational beings or monsters.” Rather, they see membership of a hardcore fan grouping as defining their place in society, creating a sense of belonging, he said.

The “barras bravas” and “torcidas” often recruit their most die -hard members among the young and unemployed and plan attacks that can sometimes pull in peaceful fans on a wave of enthusiasm, according to observers.

“They let off steam created by social pressures through football,” said sociologist Andres Parra from the Central University of Chile. The groups serve as “tribes” to which fans pledge their loyalty, he added. Club managers shoulder most of the blame, he said. “Those in charge of the clubs have been playing with fire in offering tickets and power to the barras bravas.”—AFP

PHILADELPHIA: By the time they reached the locker room after winning the NFC East title and completing a worst-tofirst journey under rookie coach Chip Kelly, the Philadelphia Eagles already were thinking ahead to their playoff opponent. They’ll have plenty of time to reflect on their accomplishments later.

“The way they shifted their focus to the next game just minutes after we won was most impressive to me,” general manager Howie Roseman said Monday night on his radio show. The Eagles went from a win-loss record of 4-12 to 106, a remarkable turnaround after a miserable ending with Andy Reid last year. The makeover started with the hiring of Kelly, the hotshot college coach who needed convincing to leave Oregon.

While most people outside the organization expected this to be a rebuilding season in Philadelphia, players and coaches bought into Kelly’s way right from the start and accelerated the process. “It was evident to me on April 1 when I got here with these guys and got a chance to be with them for the first day that they were kind of the mindset: ‘Whatever it takes, what do you want us to do and where do we got to be and how are we going to do it,’ and that’s a credit to them,” Kelly said.

“You get out of it exactly what you put into it and these guys put in an unbelievable effort and it’s paying off for them on the field.” The Eagles advanced by beating Dallas 24-22 and will host the New Orleans Saints (11-5) on Saturday night in their first playoff game since Michael Vick threw an interception in the end zone in the final minute of a 21-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Jan 9, 2011. Win or lose, it’s been a successful season. But nobody is thinking that way around here.

“That’s not how we are built or wired,” Kelly said. “It’s what’s the next challenge and what’s the next opportunity, and the great thing about where we are right now is if you win, you get to play again.” The Eagles are 21/2-point favorites over New Orleans. A wins sends them to Carolina (12-4) on Jan. 12. But they have to beat Drew Brees and the Saints first. Everyone from Kelly and Roseman to owner Jeffrey Lurie have already called on fans to be loud and make it an uncomfortable environment for the Saints, who were 3-5 on the road.

“I think this is big for the city and for this franchise,” NFL rushing champion LeSean McCoy said. “It’s amazing that this is Coach Kelly’s first year and we made the playoffs.

We’re going in the right direction, but everyone knows that each week is important. We can’t get too hyped about this game. We’re in the playoffs, but we should be in the playoffs. We should be the division champs. Now we have to go out there and get it done Saturday.”

It took some record-setting performances for the Eagles to get this far this fast. McCoy had a franchise-best 1,607 yards rushing and 2,146 yards from scrimmage. Nick Foles had the best TD-interception ratio (13:5-1) in NFL history, the third-highest passer rating (119.2) in league history and the club’s best completion percentage (64.04). The offense set team records for (442), total net yards (6,676), touchdowns (53), and gross yards passing (4,406).—AP

NFL: 5 coaches fired after failing to reach playoffs WASHINGTON: The Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired their coaches Monday after enduring miserable NFL seasons, joining the Cleveland Browns in seeking new direction in 2014. The Browns began the sacking parade on Sunday dumping Rob Chudzinski after one season just hours after Cleveland lost 20-7 to Pittsburgh to conclude a 4-12 campaign. On Monday, the axe fell for Washington’s Mike Shanahan after a 313 season, Detroit’s Jim Schwartz following a 7-9 campaign and Minnesota’s Leslie Frazier after the Vikings went 5-10 with one draw.

The Buccaneers, owned by the same Glazer family that owns English Premier League side Manchester United, went one better, firing both general manager Mark Dominik and coach Greg Schiano after a 4-12 season that began with

eight losses in a row and ended with three defeats in a row. “The results over the past two years have not lived up to our standards and we believe the time has come to find a new direction,” said Buccaneers co-chairman Bryan Glazer.

Dominik had been with the team since 1995 and spent the past five years as general manager, hiring Schiano before the 2012 season. But the Bucs went 11-21 in his tenure. “Mark has been a valued member of our organization for two decades and we respect the passion he showed for the Buccaneers during his time here,” Glazer said. “We thank Greg for his hard work and effort the past two seasons, but we feel these moves are necessary in order to achieve our goals.”

The Redskins lost their final eight games of the season to all-but seal Shanahan’s fate just one year after Washington went 10-6 and captured

the NFC East title. The Redskins were 2440 overall under Shanahan with only one winning season. “Redskins fans deserve a better result,” said Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. “We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs.”

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was benched for the final three games of the season after injury questions nagged him for most of the campaign. Shanahan, who went 138-86 with two Super Bowl titles as coach of the Denver Broncos from 1995-2008 and 812 with the then-Los Angeles Raiders in 1988-89, had one year remaining on a five-year contract. “We didn’t have the speed we had a year ago,” Shanahan said. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

S P ORTS

Terry calls for Chelsea to kick on SOUTHAMPTON: Chelsea captain John Terry believes that his side will head to Southampton today buoyed by having produced their best performance of the season in the victory over Liverpool. Blues manager Jose Mourinho has maintained that his team are in a period of transition, playing down t hei r c h a n ce s of t ak ing t he Premier League title. But Sunday’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge, against one of their main rivals at the head of the table, ensured that Mourinho’s side remained two points off the top. And Terry believes there were signs in the L i ve r p o o l w i n t h a t co n f i r m e d there is more to come from the team.

The centre-back, who clocked up his 600th Chelsea appearance against the Anfield club, said: “I think the first half was the best we’ve played all season, actually; the pressing was spot on, as were the tac tics from the manager.

“Hopefully we can continue that, as it’s been coming. We’ve been playing OK, but feeling like we’ve got a little bit more to give and I thought we did that in this game.”

Terry believes Mourinho has succeeded in forging a togetherness within the squad and continues to draw the best out of the defender and the rest of his senior players.

“The manager has been asking for togetherness from everyone,” Terry said. “Whether you play or you are on the bench, everyone’s got a part to play. When the guys are not playing, it ’s impor tant they maintain their fitness and their sharpness. “The older boys in the squad have still got a lot to give, too. We see that every week. “ There is new talent coming through the squad and one day it will come to an end-we all realize that-but it certainly won’t be for the want of trying from us, trying to keep our place in the team.”

David Luiz will miss the trip to Southampton after collecting a fif t h b o o k ing, wh ile Fran k Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic are likely to be sidelined after picking up injuries against Liverpool. Chelsea will travel with less trepidation than they might have done a few weeks ago, when Southampton were on an excellent run that had taken them into the top four. A run of one win in eight league games has seen t h e m d ro p to n i n t h , b u t Te r r y warned that they still pose a considerable threat, having lost 3-1 at Chelsea on December 1.

“It’s going to be tough because they’re very good at home and it proved a difficult game here when they scored pretty early,” he said.

“They are a good footballing side, very much like Liverpool, who try and play out from the back, so we’re expecting a tough game.

“Man United and Man City have gone on good runs and it’s important over this period that we do the same.” The narrow 2-1 defeat at Everton on Sunday was the latest in a series of frustrations for Mauricio Po c h e t t i n o’s Southampton, who have continued to deliver impressive performances without securing positive results.

But James Ward-Prowse, Saints’ highly-rated young midfielder, believes a top-six finish is still there for the taking. “The beauty of this time of year is that the next game is only around the corner,” he said.

“There will soon be a chance to rectify the result at Everton, starting against Chelsea. “It’s a good place to push on from where we were last year, hopefully to a place in the top six. As long as we keep working hard in training I’m sure that’s a possibility. “The manager told us afterwards to keep doing what we’re doing and the philosophy won’t change. The sky’s the limit for us. “We’ve still got half th e season to come an d we’ll spend each day tr ying to keep improving.”— AFP

LONDON: Chelsea’s English defender John Terry (left) jumps for the ball against Liverpool’s Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on December 29, 2013. Chelsea won the game 2-1.—AFP

Manchester City form gives Pellegrini Christmas cheer

LONDON: Arsenal’s Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey leaves the pitch, injured during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Arsenal at the Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, in east London on December 26, 2013. — AFP

Ozil, Ramsey, Giroud, Gibbs out for Arsenal 4 missing, 5 doubtful for league leaders Matches on TV (Local Timings) ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Swansea v Manchester City 15:45 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD Arsenal v Cardiff City 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Crystal Palace v Norwich City 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +7 Aljazeera Sport 3 HD Fulham v West Ham 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +5 Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Liverpool v Hull City 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +6 Aljazeera Sport 5 HD Southampton v Chelsea 18:00 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD West Bromwich v Newcastle 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +4 Stoke City v Everton 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +1 Man United v Tottenham 20:30 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD WEST ASIAN FEDERATION Kuwait v Jordan 17:30 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD

LONDON: Arsenal will be without midfielders Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, defender Kieran Gibbs and striker Olivier Giroud for the home game with Cardiff City today and have doubts over five other players. Manager Arsene Wenger told reporters yesterday the Premier League leaders had yet to receive a specialist’s report on Ozil’s shoulder injury and that Ramsey would be out for three more weeks with a thigh strain. The pair both missed the 1-0 league win at Newcastle United on Sunday. Giroud, who scored the only goal at Newcastle, will miss out against Cardiff because of an ankle injury and left back Gibbs has a calf problem.

Wenger also said he was uncertain about the fitness of defenders Nacho Monreal and Thomas Vermaelen, midfielders Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere and striker Theo Walcott. Arsenal go into the match with a one-point lead over Manchester City and Wenger said he was proud of the fact his side accumulated more points in 2013 than any other team in the league. “It’s not a trophy but it shows the consistency and the trend for the team,” he said. “If you can manage from January 1 to December 31 to have that trend it means we are going upwards.

“We want to transfer that trend into 2014 and to have a great race for the Premier League title. In 2013 we have been relatively consistent and that makes the belief stronger.” Wenger, who will look to end a nine -year trophy drought in 2014, said he was thoroughly enjoying being around his current squad.

“This team has a remarkable attitude and as a manager for me it is a privilege to manage them as a group of players on the pitch but also off the pitch because they have a classy attitude,” the Frenchman added.—Reuters

SWANSEA: Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes that his side’s profitable December has set them up to regain the Premier League title in 2014. City won six of their seven league games in December, only dropping points in a draw at Southampton, and are now just a point off leaders Arsenal heading into their first game of 2014 at Swansea City today.

The 2012 champions were eighth in the table at one point in November and looking in danger of being cut adrift by their title rivals, only to recover the deficit. “I think it was a fantastic month for us,” Pellegrini said. “In the Premier League, from the last seven we won six. It was very important for us to recover points. Arsenal were six points ahead of us so it is very important to finish the year in the position we wanted to be.

“To recover six points in a month is not easy.

We continue in the Capital One (League) Cup and Champions League also, so I think the first six months of the year (season) was very good for us. Now in the second half we try to continue winning.” Goalkeeper Joe Hart suffered a nasty cut below his eye in City’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, but he will be fit to face Swansea after having six stitches in the wound.

Hart has been in good form since returning to Pellegrini’s starting line-up in the Premier League after a period on the bench following a number of high-profile errors early in the season. “Joe Hart has a cut beneath his eye, but nothing important,” explained Pellegrini. “It is not dangerous and he can play without any risk.

“I hope of course he will be at his best. Everyone

knows why Joe Hart is the first goalkeeper here in England. He played two or three years in a very high performance. He can do it and we hope he will continue in the same way.”

Pablo Zabaleta, Yaya Toure and Alvaro Negredo are all set to return to City’s starting line-up after being rested for the game with Palace, which came soon after their Boxing Day win over Liverpool. “Pablo played against Liverpool on Boxing Day to the limit,” said Pellegrini. “It was a risk to have a massive injury and too near for him to play two games in 44 hours. Toure and Negredo were a little tired and will be fresh for Swansea.” Swansea manager Michael Laudrup is hoping for improvements from his side in the second half of the season after failing to reach his points target for the half-way stage.

The Swans have also had to contend with an energy-sapping Europa League campaign, which has taken its toll on a squad that finished ninth last season. “I thought we could (reach the) turn on 23 points, so we are a couple short of where I expected to be,” said Laudrup, whose side amassed 21 points in their first 19 games.

“But I think we can do better in the second half of the season and we can end up more or less where we did last year. I said before the season that our target is to consolidate the club as a mid-table team.

“If we can do that this season, which has been so complicated with all the European games as well, it would be for me a big success.”

The south Wales club are only five points above the bottom three, but Laudrup believes that

Reds won’t fail Hull test again: Rodgers LIVERPOOL: Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool will not repeat the costly mistakes from their last meeting with Hull when they face the Tigers at Anfield today. Rodgers’s team suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat against Hull at the KC Stadium on December 1 after an error-strewn performance which saw Reds defender Martin Skrtel score an own goal.

But Rodgers remains confident that sloppy display was a one-off and he expects Liverpool to return to winning ways after damaging back-to-back defeats against fellow title contenders Manchester City and Chelsea in their last two matches.

“It’s very simple-we are at home and we expect to win,” Rodgers said. “We were very disappointed in our performance level in the game there. We were nowhere near the standard we would expect, but you have to give credit to Hull-they exposed that on the day. “But we aim to make sure that no matter what squad or team we put out, we don’t make the same mistakes again because home games are vitally important for us. “We know it’s going to be like any other game at this level; a very tough game.

“They’re coming off the back of a 6-0 victory (against Fulham) that doesn’t happen too often when you’re in the Premier League, especially when it’s 0-0 at half-time. It was a terrific result.” Rodgers could welcome back captain Steven Gerrard for the match after he returned to training following a hamstring problem which has kept him on the sidelines since December 7. However, Liverpool will definitely be without midfielder Joe Allen and centre-back Mamadou Sakho who both limped out of their 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

“Joe will probably be a few weeks with an abductor strain,” Rodgers added. “Sakho, we’re just waiting for confirmation on his hamstring strain. Glen Johnson also came off at Chelsea, but that was tactical and wasn’t injury enforced.

“Steven has joined back in training, so we’ll see how he is for Hull, and I would think that probably by the Stoke game on January 12 we’ll have a number of the others who’ll not be too far away.” Striker Daniel Sturridge (ankle), as well as defenders Jose Enrique (knee) and Jon Flanagan (hamstring) are also set to miss the match.

Meanwhile, Hull defender Alex Bruce says in-form teammate Tom Huddlestone deserves a place in England’s World Cup squad. Huddlestone, 27, ended a two-and-a-half-year goal drought in Hull’s 6-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday and the former Tottenham man played a part in three of his side’s other goals. Huddlestone has four England caps but has not appeared for his country since November 2011.

Bruce believes the midfielder, who has featured in every league game for Hull this season, is worthy of a place in England’s squad. “If Roy Hodgson had been there against Fulham, then Tom would be on the plane to Brazil,” Bruce said.—AFP

Manchester City’s manager Manuel Pellegrini there are 11 teams at risk of relegation. “We cannot think we are outside the 11 teams and say this is not about us,” he said. “That would be very, very arrogant to say as a team who have only been in the Premier League for two and a half seasons, and I am not arrogant.”— AFP

Man United, Spurs eye top four as 2014 dawns LONDON: Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to poke sticks in each other’s wheel spokes when they face off in the Premier League’s stand-out New Year’s Day fixture. Both sides have endured trying periods this season, United losing five of their first 15 games and Tottenham sacking manager Andre Villas-Boas, but both have enjoyed improved fortunes in recent weeks.

United have won their last six games in all competitions, while Tottenham are unbeaten in the league under new head coach Tim Sherwood, who has introduced an adventurous 4-4-2 formation.

The two teams remain eight points behind leaders Arsenal, with United ahead of Spurs on goal difference, but results over the festive period enabled them to close to within just three points of the Champions League places.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are only two points ahead, having conceded their grip on top spot and slipped to fifth place following consecutive losses at title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea. United expect to welcome back Wayne Rooney after he missed Saturday’s 1-0 win at Norwich City with a groin injury but Robin van Persie remains sidelined due to a thigh problem. In the Dutchman’s absence, manager David Moyes has urged Danny Welbeck, scorer of four goals in his last four league games, to carry his impressive recent form through to the end of the season.

“He got one goal last year and now he is on seven for this season,” said Moyes.

“It could be better but you have got to say it is going in the right direction. “With the second half of the season to go, he should be certainly looking to score 20 goals.” Spurs held United to a 2-2 draw when the sides last met at White Hart Lane on December 1 and won 3-2 on their last visit to Old Trafford in September 2012. Arsenal finished 2013

in first place after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Newcastle United at the weekend and today they host a Cardiff City side still adjusting to life without sacked manager Malky Mackay.

However, with Manchester City a point behind in second place and Chelsea a point further back in third, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that it is too early to be thinking about the league title. “Look, we believe in ourselves and we are determined to give our best, absolutely, and to turn back on the season at the end and think we have given our best,” he said. Chelsea produced one of their most impressive performances of the season to date in Sunday’s 2-1 win at home to Liverpool and Jose Mourinho’s side will look to keep the pressure on Arsenal when they visit Southampton.

City, meanwhile, can give themselves an early taste of life at the summit if they avoid defeat at Swansea City in the first game of 2014. However, like Wenger, City captain Vincent Kompany has played down the significance of podium placings at this stage of the campaign. “Being top is important but it doesn’t mean too much yet,” said the Belgium centre-back.

“We’ve put ourselves in a nice position for the second half of the season, but ultimately we arrive in January and there’s still not much between all the teams.” Liverpool will be doubly motivated when they welcome Hull City to Anfield, having been beaten 3-1 by Steve Bruce’s side a month ago. Everton capitalized on Liverpool’s loss at Chelsea by stealing into fourth place with a 2-1 win at home to Southampton, but today they visit Stoke City, who have lost only once at home this season. Bottom club Sunderland, meanwhile, will hope to escape from the relegation zone when they host Aston Villa, having closed to within two points of safety following a run of four games without defeat.—AFP

Oregon beat Texas 30-7 in Alamo Bowl

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013

Serena wins tough opener in Brisbane

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Man United, Spurs eye top four as 2014 dawns Page 19

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Clippers’ Jamal Crawford (11) and Phoenix Suns’ PJ Tucker (17) go after the loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Dec 30, 2013. — AP

Heat overwhelm skidding Nuggets 97-94 LeBron celebrates birthday in style DENVER: LeBron James returned from a groin injury to score 26 points on his birthday, and the Miami Heat beat the skidding Denver Nuggets 97-94 Monday night despite losing Dwyane Wade and Norris Cole during the game. James, who turned 29 on Monday, injured his groin Friday during the Heat’s overtime loss at Sacramento. He sat out the following game, a 108-107 win Saturday in Portland, before coming back to help send the Nuggets to their seventh consecutive defeat. Chris Bosh had 17 points and Ray Allen 13, including six in the final 5:08, as Miami won for the ninth time in 11 games. Ty Lawson had 26 points to lead the Nuggets, who lost their second straight to Miami at the Pepsi Center after winning the previous 10 in a row. Cole left midway through the third quarter after taking a fall at the end of a driving layup attempt and hitting his face on the floor. He had come into the game in place of Wade, who didn’t return after halftime because of back spasms, the Heat said on Twitter.

PELICANS 110, TRAIL BLAZERS 108 Tyreke Evans hit a pull-up jumper from 17 feet with 1.2 seconds left to lift New Orleans over Portland. Evans’ big basket came right after Portland’s Damian Lillard, who has hit several game-winners this season, made a contested 3pointer to tie the score at 108. Jrue Holiday scored 15 of his season-high 31 points in the fourth quarter and tied a season high with 13 assists for the Pelicans, who won their fourth in a row at home. Anthony Davis added 27 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Evans had 20 points.

Davis forced LaMarcus Aldridge into a tough shot from the baseline that bounced off the top of the backboard as time ran out. Lillard scored 29 points and Aldridge had 28 for the Trail Blazers (24-7), who lost their second straight.

MAVERICKS 100, TIMBERWOLVES 98 Shawn Marion scored 32 points and hit two huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help Dallas withstand a furious second-half charge from Minnesota. Dirk Nowitzki had 16 points for the Mavericks, who led by 19 late in the first half before the Wolves came back. Kevin Love had 36 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, and his 3pointer 90 seconds into the fourth quarter gave the Wolves an 86-85 lead. They led 90-87 midway through the period, but Marion hit two 3pointers during a 10-0 run to put the Mavericks back in front. Love had a shot to win it on the

Chris Paul had 11 points and seven assists. It was the most lopsided loss of the season for the Clippers, who beat the Suns the previous three times they hosted them - by an average margin of 20 points. Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix’s leading scorer, had seven points and four assists over 31 minutes in his first game against his former team.

WIZARDS 106, PISTONS 99 John Wall scored 29 points and Washington became the latest team to rally past Detroit in the fourth quarter. Washington trailed 87-78 before starting the final period with a 17-4 run.

The Pistons never went back ahead. Brandon Jennings had 15 points and 14 assists for Detroit, which has lost five of six. Trevor Ariza scored 15 points for the Wizards, who also beat Detroit 106-82 on Saturday in Washington.

Bradley Beal scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half for Washington. The Wizards (14-14) are at .500 after 28 games for the first time since finishing the 2007-08 season 43-39, according to STATS. BULLS 95, GRIZZLIES 91 Jimmy Butler scored 14 of his 26 points in the third quarter and Carlos Boozer added 21 points and 10 rebounds in Chicago’s victory over Memphis. Butler shot 6 for 10 from the field and 12 of 14 at the foul line in a team-high 41 minutes. DJ Augustin had 10 points off the bench for the Bulls, including eight in the fourth period LeBron James of the Miami Heat hangs onto as Memphis tried to make a late run. Mike the rim after scoring.

Conley finished with 26 points, nine assists, six last possession, but Marion knocked his shot out rebounds and six steals to lead the Grizzlies. The of bounds. Love thought he was fouled, and Bulls won despite playing again without leading replays appeared to support him. But no whistle scorer Luol Deng, who missed his fifth straight was blown. Marion made 14 of 19 shots and game with a sore left Achilles. also had six rebounds and three assists. He JAZZ 83, BOBCATS 80 topped 30 points for the first time since the Trey Burke beat the shot clock on a driving 2008-09 season. layup with 19 seconds left and scored 21 points to power Utah past Charlotte. Alec Burks added SUNS 107, CLIPPERS 88 Goran Dragic had 26 points and eight assists 14 points, and Derrick Favors and Marvin before sitting out the fourth quarter, Gerald Williams added 13 apiece to carry the Jazz to Green added 21 points off the bench, and their 10th straight win over the Bobcats. Gerald Phoenix ended the year with a rout of Los Henderson had 19 points, none in the fourth Angeles. The Suns have won 10 of their last 12 quarter, and Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker after a 9-9 start under first-year coach Jeff both scored 18 in the Bobcats’ first stop on a Hornacek, and trail the defending Pacific four-game Western Conference swing. The Jazz Division champion Clippers by a half-game for held Charlotte to 37 percent shooting and the top spot. Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford spoiled Jefferson’s return to Utah, where he each scored 15 points for Los Angeles, while spent the last three seasons. — AP

NBA results/standings Washington 106, Detroit 99; Chicago 95, Memphis 91; Dallas 100, Minnesota 98; New Orleans 110, Portland 108; Miami 97, Denver 94; Utah 83, Charlotte 80; Phoenix 107, LA Clippers 88.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Toronto 13 15 .464 Boston 13 17 .433 1 Brooklyn 10 20 .333 4 Philadelphia 9 21 .300 5 NY Knicks 9 21 .300 5 Central Division Indiana 24 5 .828 Detroit 14 19 .424 12 Chicago 12 17 .414 12 Cleveland 10 20 .33314.5 Milwaukee 6 24 .20018.5 Southeast Division Miami 24 7 .774 Atlanta 17 14 .548 7 Washington 14 14 .500 8.5 Charlotte 14 18 .43810.5 Orlando 10 20 .33313.5

Western Conference Northwest Division Oklahoma City 25 5 .833 Portland 24 7 .774 1.5 Minnesota 15 16 .48410.5 Denver 14 16 .467 11 Utah 10 24 .294 17 Pacific Division LA Clippers 21 12 .636 Phoenix 19 11 .633 0.5 Golden State 19 13 .594 1.5 LA Lakers 13 18 .419 7 Sacramento 9 20 .310 10 Southwest Division San Antonio 24 7 .774 Houston 21 12 .636 4 Dallas 18 13 .581 6 New Orleans 14 15 .483 9 Memphis 13 17 .43310.5

Bombings trigger Olympic concerns SOCHI: The suicide bombings in Russia serve as a chilling reminder of what the Winter Olympics represent to terrorists: A high-profile target with more than 2,500 athletes, some of them worldfamous, waving the flags of nearly 90 nations.

So, while many Olympic leaders offered reassurance on the day after two bombings 400 miles from Sochi killed at least 31 people, some of those getting ready to compete in the Games spoke of a different reality. They know their security is never sure thing.

“I am concerned,” said US speedskater Jilleanne Rookard. “I’m scared their security may be involved. I don’t know if I necessarily trust their security forces. But they don’t want a national embarrassment, either. I use that thought to relieve some of my worry. I’m sure they want to save their image and their pride.”

Indeed, the Russians vow the athletes will be safe, even though they will be competing in a city 300 miles away from the roots of an Islamist insurgency that has triggered security concerns for the Games, which start Feb 7.

The country has spent a record $51 billion preparing for its first Winter Games and has promised to make the Games “the safest in Olympic history.” Olympic chief Alexander

Zhukov said the bombings didn’t spark a need for additional security measures because “everything necessary already has been done.”

Swedish hockey player Johan Franzen of the Red Wings sees things a little differently. “I’m sure after this, the security will be higher than they intended from the start,” he said.

The threat of terrorism at the Olympics has been in the forefront since 1972, when members of a Palestinian terrorist group invaded the Olympic village and killed 11 Israeli athletes.

Security rose to a new level at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, which came only five months after the Sept 11 attacks. Improvements in technology, along with ever-present threats of terrorism, have turned security into a top priority for any country hoping to host the Olympics.

Among the security measures Russia has put in place for this year’s games is a requirement that all ticketholders obtain and wear “spectator passes” while attending events. To get a spectator pass, fans have to provide passport and contact information to authorities. On Monday, IOC president Thomas Bach wrote a condolence letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he expressed “our confidence in the Russian authorities to deliver safe and secure games in Sochi.” — AP

Business

Deutsche Telekom’s new CEO faces twin tests Page 24

China market disappoints on double cash crunch

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY1, 2014

Page 25 Mexican sales tax hike seen as boon on US border

Congress letting 55 tax breaks expire at year end Page 26

Page 23

NEW YORK: Traders wear glasses celebrating 2014, while working on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, yesterday. — AP

World stocks hover near six-year highs Global shares enjoy vintage year, seen gaining in 2014 LONDON: World stocks were ending 2013 close to six-year peaks yesterday and benchmark bond yields were poised for their first annual rise since 2009 as investors anticipated a further pick-up in global growth.

Ultra-easy monetary policies and an improving economic outlook have given equities a vintage year in 2013.

Wall Street was on track for its best year since 1997 with a 29 percent gain, while Japan’s Nikkei ended up 56.7 percent and European shares gained 16 percent.

MSCI’s all-country world equity index was up 0.14 percent at 407.57 on Tuesday, having hit its highest since late 2007 at 407.65 on Monday.

The FTSEuro first 300 index of top European shares was up 0.25 percent at 1,315.09 points, on course for its best year since 2009. US stocks futures were flat to slightly positive.

Assets favoured by investors in economic downturns took a beating in 2013, with falling prices driving top-rated US and German bond yields near their highest levels in around two years and gold limping towards its worst annual performance in three decades.

With bets that the economic recovery will continue even as the US central bank steadily trims its bond-buying stimulus and that the euro zone will take more steps towards overcoming its debt crisis, investors look for more of the same in 2014.

Solid Gains “There is almost a complacency about next year and how well it could go,” said Hans Peterson, head of asset allocation at SEB investment management. “There is still abundant liquidity even if the Fed started to taper and that is still the main theme ... Everything looks nice and easy right now.”

Reuters polls show European stocks are expected to hit new highs in 2014, while Chinese, US and other major stock markets are also seen posting solid gains. Gold is expected to remain depressed, while benchmark bond yields are seen rising only slightly, despite investors’ preference for riskier assets, the polls show.

Analysts do not foresee a sharp bond sell-off because inflation in major economies is expected to remain stubbornly low, while the European Central Bank and the Federal Reserve have pledged to keep interest rates low for a prolonged period.

While staying overweight in equities, Didier Duret, chief investment officer at ABN AMRO private banking, said 2014 “will be a good opportunity to ... buy some good quality bonds as yields pick up above 3 percent in the United States and above 2 percent in Germany.”

The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note, which sets the standard for global borrowing costs, has risen to almost 3 percent from 1.75 percent at the start of the year, but it is seen rising to only 3.35 percent in 2014.

Emerging markets have been a noted exception to the rally in equities. MSCI’s EM Index fell 5 percent in 2013 on worries that cuts in global monetary stimulus could expose economic imbalances and as funds return to the rich world.

Russian stocks hit eight-day lows after two deadly attacks in less than 24 hours that raised security fears ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Euro The euro is set to end 2013 close to its highest level in two years against the dollar, but a Reuters poll shows it is expected to reverse its upward trend next year as the continued soft stance of the ECB contrasts with the Fed’s.

Yesterday, the single currency inched down to $1.3776, still up more than 4 percent for the year.

The easing of the euro zone crisis and signs of a pick-up in economic activity even in the bloc’s weakest states have offered strong support to the euro and brought Italian and Spanish debt yields to just over half their crisis peaks.

In recent days, a rise in money market rates due to thin year-end liquidity has given the shared currency extra impetus, but there are some expectations the ECB may react with new long-term liquidity injections into the banking system if that continues in 2014.

“One of the themes for 2014 is likely to be dangerously low inflation,” said Marshall Gittler, head of global FX strategy at IronFX Global. “That’s got to be a worry for the ECB and why they are likely to take more measures to loosen policy in 2014. That’s the direct opposite of what the Fed is doing, which is why I expect the euro to weaken against the dollar.”

The euro was quoted at 144.61 yen, down slightly on the day, having set a five-year high of 145.67 yen last Friday. The dollar was a tad lower at 104.96 yen, but remained on track for its biggest annual gain in 34 years, with the Japanese currency having been bowled over by the Bank of Japan’s money-printing.

In the oil market, Brent crude held above $111 per barrel yesterday supported by slashed Libyan output and violence in South Sudan. US oil futures were down 35 cents at $98.94. Hopes for global growth meant copper traded around four-month highs, while aluminium dipped after climbing to two-month highs last session.

Zinc looked set yesterday to be this year’s best-performing industrial metal. — Reuters

Dubai edges up in thin trade, Kuwait weak DUBAI: Dubai shares edge higher in thin year-end trade and a lack of fresh catalysts, while Kuwait extend declines. Dubai’s index climbs 0.4 percent to 3,345 points, heading for its sixth gain in last seven sessions. The market is also trading at a five-year high after gaining more than 100 percent in 2013.

Shares in contractor Drake and Scull hit a record high, rising 2.1 percent to 1.44 dirhams. The stock could stage a breakout above the previous intraday peak of Dec. 9 at 1.43 dirhams if it closes above that level. Continuing a trend of new projects in the region, the firm on Sunday said it won a $16 million maintenance contract for a project in Mumbai, India, according to a bourse statement.

Trading volumes are thin with small-caps being favoured as many investors are away for holidays and others await earnings and dividends in coming weeks. “I don’t’ think institutional investors will loan up at this time or levels,” says Marwan Shurrab, fund manager and head of trading at Vision Investments.

“They should start channeling funds again in the beginning of January for the results.” Abu Dhabi’s measure is little changed at 4,279 points also a fiveyear high.

In Kuwait, the index retreats 0.4 percent to 7,514 points, aiming for its fourth consecutive loss. It hit a three-and-a-half-month low on Monday as investors extended selling due to disappointment with the government for slow progress of the country’s massive development plan.

Elsewhere, Qatar’s benchmark slips 0.1 percent to 10,354 points. The market heads for its fourth decline in last five sessions as Qatari investors cash out to buy into the country’s first initial public offering since 2010.

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co, a unit of

state-owned energy giant Qatar Petroleum plans to raise 3.2 billion riyal ($880 million). Open only to Qatari citizens, the offer will run from Dec. 31 to Jan. 21, with trading in the shares expected to start in February.

On the last trading session of the year for regional markets, margin calls in UAE could trigger some selling, but ‘window dressing’ in Kuwait may lift the bourse in late trading. Dubai’s measure has outperformed all regional peers in 2013 and is among the world’s top performing equity markets with gains of 105.4 percent.

A recent buying spree, especially in small-caps in Dubai and Abu Dhabi has been on margin, or leveraged trading by retail investors, traders say.

Brokerage firms asking for individuals to reduce leverage to zero, or margin calls, for the year-end could result in many closing positions.

Profit-taking would usually be a good incentive for investors to sell after a strong positive year, but a bullish outlook for 2014 and the dividend season just a few weeks away, is keeping many bets on the table, which could minimize selling pressure.

In Kuwait, the benchmark slipped 0.6 percent on Monday to hit its lowest close since Sept. 10. The market has been on a downtrend since early November as investors, disappointed at the government’s pace of implementing development projects, cut positions.

It could however, pick up yesterday due to a phenomenon specific to Kuwait of ‘window-dressing’, where investors buy shares in late-minute trading to boost the performance of their portfolio for the year. Most regional markets will be closed today for the New Year, but trading will continue as normal on Saudi Arabia’s bourse. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

BUSINESS

Middle East funds most bullish about Egypt equities: Survey Opinion still split on UAE

MATTHEWS: In this file photo, a home is advertised for sale in Matthews, NC. Standard & Poor’s releases S&P/Case-Shiller index of home prices for October yesterday. — AP

US home price gains slow in October from September gains have slowed in recent months, as increases in mortgage rates and home prices have crimped affordability. The partial government shutdown in October also delayed some sales.

Sales of existing homes have fallen from September to November, the National Association of Realtors said earlier this month. Despite the declines, home re-sales should reach 5.1 million in 2013, the best total in seven years, the Realtors forecast. That’s 10 percent higher than 2012. But it is still below the 5.5 million that is consistent with healthier housing markets.

Strong price gains in 2013, fueled in part by a limited supply of homes for sale, may be pricing some buyers out of the market. Prices are up more than 19 percent year over year in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, according to the Case-Shiller index.

Mortgage rates have also risen by roughly a full percentage point since the spring, though they remain low by historical standards. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said last week that the average rate on the 30-year loan is 4.48 percent.

Many economists say the Case-Shiller figures overstate recent price gains because they include foreclosures.

Foreclosed homes usually sell at steep discounts. As the proportion of those sales declines, the index rises more sharply. — AP

WASHINGTON: US home prices rose in October from the previous year at the fastest pace in almost eight years. But price gains slowed in most US cities from September to October, suggesting the increases are leveling off.

The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20city home price index rose 0.2 percent from September to October, down from a 0.7 percent increase from August to September. Monthly price gains slowed in 18 of the 20 cities tracked by the index. And prices declined in nine cities, including Chicago, Denver, and Washington.

For the year, prices are still strong, reflecting big gains in earlier months.

They have risen 13.6 percent over the past 12 months, the fastest since February 2006. “Annual returns have been in double-digit territory since March 2013 and increasing,” said David Blitzer, chairman of the S&P Dow Jones index committee. “However, monthly numbers show we are living on borrowed time and the boom is fading.”

The Case-Shiller index covers roughly half of US homes. It isn’t adjusted for seasonal variations, so the change partly reflects slower buying in the fall. The index measures prices compared with those in January 2000 and creates a three -month moving average. The October figures are the latest available.

The housing market has been recovering since 2012 and has helped drive economic growth over the past year. But the

Saudi royal firm to file complaint against EDF in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi company gave no details on the dispute out of its respect to “confidentiality” of the arbitration procedure it had filed International Chamber of Commerce. During a visit this week to Saudi Arabia, French President Francois Hollande told a joint business gathering that France’s industrial companies can meet Saudi needs.

The French energy giant and nuclear reactor builder Areva, in partnership with Saudi Bin Laden Group, are preparing for a tender as part of Saudi Arabia’s nuclear program. — AFP

RIYADH: Saudi-owned Soroof International will file a complaint against French energy giant EDF, the conglomerate chaired by Prince Bandar bin Abdullah Al-Saud said yesterday. The complaint would be filed in Saudi courts in the coming days to “seek remedies against the offences and harms caused to Soroof International and His highness Prince Bandar,” the company said in a statement emailed to AFP. Soroof cited “the execution by EDF” of an agreement between the two firms to create a joint venture to develop electricity projects

DUBAI: Almost half of a sample of Middle Eastbased fund managers expect to raise equity allocations to Egypt in the next three months, according to the latest monthly Reuters survey of leading fund managers in the region.

None expect to reduce their exposure. The results of the survey of leading fund managers in the region, conducted in the past 10 days, show growing optimism about a recovery of Egypt’s economy despite continued political uncertainty there. Forty-seven percent of 15 managers said they were likely to put more money into Egyptian equities, up from 33 percent in November’s survey. All the other managers expect to keep their Egyptian allocations steady; for the first time since the survey was launched in September, none expect to cut exposure to Egypt. Of the six major Middle Eastern stock markets covered by the survey, funds are in general most bullish about Egypt, the survey results indicated.

As the Egyptian government’s decision to list the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation last week showed, the country is still struggling through a difficult transition back to civilian rule. But most fund managers are assuming a drastic deterioration of public security will be avoided and are focusing instead on signs that billions of dollars worth of aid from Gulf states are starting to revive the Egyptian economy, by allowing the government to assemble large economic stimulus packages.

The main Egyptian stock index is up 24 percent in 2013, having regained levels last seen in January 2011, just before the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak ushered in more than two years of political and economic instability.

The survey was conducted by Trading Middle East, a Reuters forum for market professionals.

Fund managers said they were positive towards regional equities in general heading into 2014.

Despite a looming reduction of monetary stimulus by the US Federal Reserve, which began this month, no managers in the survey said they expected to cut their overall equity allocation to the Middle East in the next three months.

Only 20 percent said they anticipated cutting their overall allocation to fixed income in the region, suggesting most have already positioned for a rise in global interest rates and think the reduction of US stimulus will be gradual and minor.

“The market outlook over the next three months for the Middle East is positive,” said John Sfakianakis, chief investment strategist at Saudi investment firm MASIC. “There are no imminent downside catalysts at the moment, neither in the region nor outside the region as global equities are rallying.”

Mohammed Ali Yasin, managing director at Abu Dhabi’s NBAD Securities, said: “2014 will be a promising year for the UAE, Saudi and Egyptian markets in particular in terms of equity markets, especially Q1 2014 where dividend yields for

many stocks will easily beat cash deposit returns.”

Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding Co, a unit of state-owned energy giant Qatar Petroleum, will conduct a 3.2 billion-riyal ($880 million) initial public offer of its shares next month - Qatar’s first IPO since 2010. Yasin said such IPOs would help Gulf stock markets by kindling investor interest.

However, some fund managers remain cautious about the United Arab Emirates, where the Dubai stock market has soared 105 percent this year on the back of a recovering economy and real estate market.

While 40 percent of managers expect to raise their equity allocation to the UAE, 27 percent expect to reduce it, simply because they think Dubai stocks are almost fully valued for now.

Some fund managers said they intended to switch money among sectors within Gulf stock markets because of valuation issues.

Bader Ghanim Al Ghanim, head of asset management for the Gulf Cooperation Council region at Kuwait’s Global Investment House, said he expected to reduce his exposure to the retail and consumer industries after those stocks surged this year. Instead, he would raise his allocations to financial and petrochemical stocks, where valuations were now better. One stock market which many fund managers continue to spurn is Turkey, where a high-level corruption scandal has this month added to uncertainty over the country’s political stability and its ability to support a sliding currency. — Reuters

China may raise Iran oil imports with new contract concerns about any future sanctions, he said.

Besides the new deal, Iran’s largest trade partner and oil customer China is set to roll over its existing import volumes of about 505,000 bpd. Actual imports from Iran in the first 11 months of this year have been lower at 421,520 bpd, down 0.6 percent on year, according to Chinese customs figures, due to pressure from the Western sanctions. China’s total imports from Iran averaged about 530,500 bpd in the year prior to the sanctions.

Of the total for next year, Zhuhai Zhenrong is set to renew its annual supply deal at around 240,000 bpd, not including any new deal for condensate. “It’s almost done, and the volume will be the same,” said a trading official with direct knowledge of the supply talks. Senior Zhenrong officials may visit Tehran in the coming weeks to put final touches on the 2014 agreement, the official said.

Zhenrong was set up around 1995 to take oil from Tehran in payment for arms Beijing supplied during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. It has been a commercial state-run enterprise since 1998.

BEIJING: China may buy more Iranian oil next year as a state trader is negotiating a new light crude contract that could raise imports from Tehran to levels not seen since tough Western sanctions were imposed in 2012, running the risk of upsetting Washington.

An increase would go against the spirit of November’s breakthrough agreement relaxing some of the stringent measures slapped on Iran two years ago over its nuclear programme.

The November deal between Tehran and the group known as P5+1 made up of the United States and five other global powers paused efforts to reduce Iran’s crude sales but required buyers to hold to “current average amounts” of Iranian oil imports.

That agreement was seen as a reward for a softer diplomatic tone from Tehran that was forced, some US officials and lawmakers say,

by U.S. and EU sanctions that slashed Iran’s oil exports by more than half to about 1 million barrels per day (bpd) and cost it as much as $80 billion in lost revenue.

But industry sources say Chinese state-trader Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, which was sanctioned by Washington in early 2012 for supplying gasoline to Iran, is in talks with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) for a new contract for condensate.

However, it was not clear how much of the light crude would be imported through any new term deal. Zhenrong or others could also continue buying condensate through spot deals. “If they do step up imports from Iran, they are risking more sanctions from the US,” said a trader with a Western trading house that sells to China. “The Chinese government may make some noises if overall imports from Iran rise too much, but not if there is a slight increase.”

Zhenrong, an affiliate of China’s defence authorities in the 1990s, acts largely as an import agent for China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, or Sinopec , whose refineries process Iranian crude.

Zhenrong also buys a small amount for a PetroChina-controlled refinery. The new condensate contract would be through a subsidiary, Tianjin Zhenrong International Energy Corp, for delivery to independent petrochemical plant Dragon Aromatics in southeast China’s Fujian province, the sources said.

Dragon Aromatics since around August has been buying from Zhenrong on a spot basis about 66,000 bpd of condensate produced from Iran’s giant South Pars gas project. A Zhenrong spokesperson declined to comment on any negotiations and whether they ran the risk of putting the company under pressure from Washington.

“More pressure? Do you think they really care?” said a former Zhenrong trader. Zhenrong, with no investments in the United States that could be targeted, has long thought it could be folded into a larger state company as a crude oil desk and probably has few

Unipec The balance of China’s contract volumes from Iran would be going to Sinopec, through its trading vehicle Unipec. Unipec agreed with NIOC early last year to an 8-year oil contract to end2019 to lift around 265,000 bpd, about a quarter of which is condensate, according to a second trading official.

Under US and European sanctions, Sinopec has been lifting below those contractual volumes to win waivers to the US measures every six months, with one official estimating the cut at 11-13 percent. Sinopec has filled the gap mainly with Iraqi and Russian supplies. Waivers for China, India and South Korea were extended in November. China’s waiver, together with November’s diplomatic breakthrough, may have taken some pressure off the US-listed Sinopec, the world’s single largest Iranian oil processor, to make further cuts. “It’s at Sinopec’s discretion to decide whether to perform the contractual volume,” said a second trading official. “But the contract is there, signed through end of 2019.”

A Sinopec spokesperson said he was not aware of the contract and was unable to comment. Since November, Sinopec has loaded slightly above contractual rates following a meeting the previous month between Iran’s deputy oil minister Ali Mojedi and a Sinopec executive in charge of trading, said the second official.

But Sinopec may not risk raising imports significantly higher before more progress is made on easing sanctions on Iran.

“There are still potential risks without signs of sanctions being lifted in a meaningful way,” said a procurement official with a Sinopec refinery. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal transfer Irani Riyal cash

2.694 4.574 2.679 2.161 2.862 224.100 36.485 3.633 6.414 87.653 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

75.470 77.763 735.190 751.690 77.074

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 254.91 268.22 322.04 392.27 282.50 469.52 2.74 3.634 4.569 2.164 2.857 2.685 76.98 751.90 40.75 402.07 734.68 78.01 75.46

SELL CASH 255.000 268.000 323.000 395.000 285.200 473.000 2.800 3.800 4.880 2.600 3.400 2.760 77.300 752.700 41.100 407.100 740.800 78.400 75.700

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lira Morocco Dirham

40.450 40.264 1.320 172.920 399.660 1.899 2.017 35.363

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 282.900 Euro 391.820 Sterling Pound 467.490 Canadian dollar 266.510 Turkish lira 133.440 Swiss Franc 320.390 Australian Dollar 253.760 US Dollar Buying 281.700 GOLD 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

230.000 118.000 60.000

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat

Selling Rate 282.700 269.510 461.550 390.375 319.945 746.465 76.945 78.500 76.255 398.510 40.993 2.160 4.567 2.652 3.632 6.379 694.370 3.745 09.800

Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit Chinese Yuan Renminbi

3.010 3.855 88.370 46.975

Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY SELL CASH Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint

Bangladesh Taka Chinese Yuan Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Korean Won Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso Sierra Leone

SELLDRAFT Europe 0.007353 0.459122 0.006221 0.048186 0.384323 0.042422 0.086970 0.008101 0.039928 0.311793 0.133173

0.008353 0.468122 0.018221 0.053186 0.391823 0.047622 0.86970 0.018101 0.044928 0.321993 0.140173

Australasia 0.244371 0.225968

0.255871 0.235468

America 0.260076 0.278800 0.279300

0.268576 0.283150 0.283150

Asia 0.003557 0.045068 0.034393 0.004342 0.000019 0.002607 0.003267 0.000258 0.082300 0.002974 0.002486 0.006396 0.000062

0.004157 0.048568 0.037143 0.004743 0.000025 0.002787 0.003267 0.000273 0.088300 0.003144 0.002766 0.006676 0.000088

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

0.219977 0.021059 0.001871 0.009322 0.008376 Arab 0.743942 0.037440 0.000078 0.000187 0.394793 1.0000000 0.000138 0.022626 0.001198 0.728773 0.076996 0.074803 0.002168 0.168662 0.133173 0.076041 0.001285

0.225977 0.029559 0.002451 0.009502 0.008926

0.751942 0.040540 0.000080 0.000247 0.402293 1.0000000 0.000238 0.046626 0.001831 0.734453 0.078209 0.075503 0.002388 0.176662 0.140173 0.077190 0.001365

Al Mulla Exchange CurrencyTransfer US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Rate (Per 1000) 282.300 391.050 468.350 266.850 4.575 40.610 2.158 3.632 6.376 2.678 751.850 76.850 75.400

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

BUSINESS

Mexican sales tax hike seen as boon on US border Mexican shoppers spend 4.5 billion a year

MEXICO CITY: In this Dec. 28, 2013 photo, people shop at a local Costco in Mexico City. It’s hard to remember the country before the North American Free Trade Agreement which went into effect 20 years ago on Jan 1. Now, At supermarkets, shoppers are now familiar with everything from cranberries to chai to smoked polish sausages that few had tasted before the treaty tore down trade barriers and tariffs between Mexico, Canada and the United States. — AP

Looking for work, US jobless prod Congress for action WASHINGTON: Four miles from Capitol Hill, Michael Tate looked for a job-any job-as he cringed at prospects of losing unemployment benefits and appealed to US lawmakers who left him and others in the lurch. “I’ve got rent to pay, and it will be a crisis if I don’t find a job. I don’t want to go back out to the street,” a somber Tate told AFP as he emerged from an unemployment center in Washington where every computer screen was taken by a job-seeker.

Tate, a Vietnam war veteran in his 50s, said he has been unemployed since July.

And while the US economy has improved slightly, with the jobless rate now at a fiveyear low of 7.0 percent, millions of Americans are taking longer to find work.

Tate’s jobless benefits, which amount to about $1,400 per month, will end in January unless Congress approves an extension of the federal government’s emergency unemployment compensation.

He will then join the 1.3 million Americans who were cut off from the

extended unemployment benefits just three days after Christmas. The White House warns that by the end of 2014, another 3.6 million people will lose the benefits that kick in beyond the 26 weeks provided by most states. Congress is debating whether to renew the program, which began under the George W. Bush administration as a way to cushion the blow for millions of Americans who lost their jobs in the recession that started in 2008.

A bipartisan bill that extends the insurance for three months will be introduced when lawmakers return to work on January 6, and President Barack Obama has prodded Congress to pass it. But there could be pushback in a divided legislature where lawmakers prepare for mid-term elections next November. The program is costly-the federal government has spent more than $200 billion on it in five years-and some Republicans have argued that extending it is the wrong way to go about reining in government spending.—AFP

CHULA VISTA: Mexican license plates are common in parking lots of shopping malls in US border cities. They will be even more familiar after Mexico raises its federal sales tax in border regions to match the rest of the country, say merchants and shoppers.

The increase to 16 percent from 11 percent, which takes effect today, has sparked large protests on the Mexican side of the border.

Facebook pages with secessionist tones have generated about 200,000 “likes.” Thousands have signed petitions to challenge the tax hike in court.

The Mexican government says the twotiered tax structure, which was introduced decades ago to make border cities competitive, is no longer justified. Others say the increase may backfire by driving more shoppers north of the border, harming the economy and raising less tax revenue than anticipated. “ We don’t compete against the rest of Mexico, we compete against the American economy,” said Juan Manuel Hernandez, president of the Tijuana Business Coordinating Council, an umbrella group of business chambers.

US border regions like California’s Imperial Valley - which has three Wal-Mart Supercenters and only 175,000 residents - have long depended on Mexican shoppers who buy everything from gasoline to groceries. Brandname clothing and electronics are perennial draws for Mexicans seeking products that are more expensive or hard to find south of the border.

Mexican shoppers spend more than $4.5 billion a year in Texas border cities, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Fed economists estimated in March that Mexican border crossers account for 58 percent of retail sales in Laredo and 42 percent in McAllen.

Border businesses Published research is more dated for other border states, but the impact is undeniable.

University of Arizona researchers concluded that Mexican shoppers accounted for 48.6 percent of taxable sales in Santa Cruz County, Ariz., which includes Nogales, from July 2007 through June 2008.

Thomas Fullerton, an economics professor at University of Texas at El Paso, estimates the tax hike will cause Mexican shoppers to spend between 5 percent and 10 percent more on the US side of the border in 2014. Smaller cities like Douglas, Ariz., and Calexico, Calif., are expected to feel it more than San Diego and El Paso, which have more diverse economies.

US businesses will benefit less in later years as Mexicans adjust to higher taxes, said Fullerton, who has studied how changes in the Mexican economy affect retail sales in El Paso.

The tax increase, which the government of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto estimates will raise $1.15 billion a year, is part of a package of fiscal measures that also raises taxes on businesses and top-end wage earners, ends some deductions and introduces a tax on junk food.

Pena Nieto’s administration says border businesses haven’t shared savings from lower sales taxes with consumers. It found consumer goods were 4 percent higher than in the rest of the country and noted that other countries and states within the US don’t allow lower sales taxes for business on their borders.

Hernandez and business leaders from other border states challenged those findings at a meeting with Treasury Secretary Luis Videgaray in Mexico City in October, showing results of their own survey of a basket of consumer goods that found prices in San Diego were 4 percent lower than Tijuana and 37 percent lower than Mexico City. They offered studies predicting dire

economic consequences.

The secretary didn’t argue with the studies, according to Hernandez, but asked what would happen if businesses absorbed the impact or shared the hit with consumers. The discussions went nowhere.

The tax increase spawned Facebook pages with renegade slogans for Mexican border states. “Republic of Baja California” has 140,000 likes, and “Republic of Chihuahua” has 36,000 likes.

About 2,500 shoppers signed a petition the weekend before Christmas at a Tijuana shopping mall to seek an injunction against the tax increase, Hernandez said. The Tijuana business group is leading an effort in Mexican border states to submit tens of thousands of signatures to a federal court in Tijuana in early February.

“It’s necessary to speak up because the border needs to be able to compete,” said Esteban Elias, 44, a Tijuana auto mechanic who signed the petition and buys groceries and clothing in the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista.

Until recently, Elias, like millions living in Mexican border regions, went to the US on a “border crossing card,” which allows quick visits within short distances of the border. Since his card expired, he places orders through others.

Other Mexican shoppers are US citizens or legal residents.

Some speculate that Mexican customs officials will step up inspections on returning shoppers, discouraging cross-border jaunts.

Purchases are duty-free up to $300 a person during the winter holiday season, but many shoppers flout the rules.

Still, US business leaders are geared for a sales bump. “This tax increase gives Mexican nationals an excuse to shop and spend money on the US side,” said Steve Ahlenius, president of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. — AP

Kuwaiti oil prices restore upward rise Al Shall Weekly Economic Report 1. Oil and Public Finance - December 2013 By the end of December 2013, the ninth month of the current fiscal year 2013/2014 will end and oil prices remained firm. Kuwaiti oil prices restored their upward rise above the US$ 100 per barrel level for the sixth consecutive month. The average price for Kuwaiti oil for most of December was about US$ 106.2 per barrel, up by about US$ 2.6 per barrel above November’s average of US$ 103.6 a barrel. Therefore, the average price of Kuwaiti oil in the first nine months of the current fiscal year was about US$ 103.6 a barrel, an increase by about US$ 33.6, or about 48% above the new hypothetical price estimated in the current budget at US$ 70 per barrel. It is, however, lower by about US$ -2.3, -2.2%, below the average price for the first nine months of the past fiscal year 2012/2013, Kuwaiti oil in which it was about US$ 105.9 per barrel.

The average price for the last fiscal year 2012/2013, which ended by the end of March 2013, was about US$ 106.5.

Kuwait is supposed to have achieved oil revenues in the first nine months of the current fiscal year in the amount of about KD 23.7 billion. Assuming other production and prices would continue at their present levels - an assumption which is irrelevant to reality on the part of price and perhaps even production - it is expected that potential oil revenues for the entire current fiscal year would be about KD 31.6 billion, which is higher by about KD 14.7 billion than budget estimates. Adding about KD 1.2 billion in non-oil revenues, total budget revenues for the current fiscal year would be about KD 32.8 billion. Comparing this figure with expenditure allocations of about KD 21 billion, the result is an estimated budget surplus for the fiscal year 2013/2014 of about KD 12 billion. In fact, the figure will be higher when we include savings in budget expenditures relative to the estimated in fiscal year 2013/2014.

2. The Dangerous Mushrooming of Public Authorities, Institutions and Councils The Kuwaiti government is the largest government in the world; it directly employs 76% of its citizens in the labor market and supports all other workers and the unemployed. The government has one civilian or military person, man or woman, for every other citizens not employed by the government. The concentration rate increases to one civil servant per citizen not employed by the government or over the age of 21 years. This rate gets even higher if we deduct the voluntarily retired persons and the unretired elderly, making Kuwait the only country in the world with these rates. For some time, the Kuwaiti public sector has been struck with a cancerous expansion. In order to achieve two goals, both of which are grave mistakes, the government is inclined to bypass the problems of a ministry or a government entity by establishing an authority to do the same work. This is the first error. The second error is that it evades a compelling problem by buying time and establishes an authority to deal with it. Even the Amiri Diwan is complicit. Instead of facing the incompetence and corruption in ministries responsible for completion of the various projects, it joined as a rival in the completion of projects, rather than intervening to deal with the problems and fight corruption in these ministries.

According to preliminary unconfirmed information, there are more than 33 authorities, permanent committees, councils or public institutions of various specialties and mandates. They all have mandates that the government’s huge and costly ministries can perform. The attached table presents an attempt at counting the largest possible number of them for the purpose of pointing out that this proliferation will duplicate the size of the already largest government in the world. One of the reform intentions must begin first by a complete stop of establishing new such bodies. Proposals are circulating about creating three new ones.

The second step requires a fast and sincere effort in two directions: the first is to account for the costs and employment in these bodies, and the second is to evaluate their achievements and their expected outcome in the future. It will probably be found that some are useful, but the majority are hollow.

When the government establishes these bodies, they become fait accompli, a permanent reality, which is neither dissolvable nor melting. A key reason for this is that they are used as a center to buy political allegiances in most of their leadering positions and an employment center that has nothing to do with the need or the goal of their creation. In other words, this disease affected the Kuwait Airways Corporation, which has a clear objective that relates to providing commercial service, reputation and not risk peoples’ lives. We now know what it came to and the same is happening in many other bodies and institutions. The country is administered without an institutional sense, i.e. without any link between cost and productivity, which is the responsibility of the

decision maker who is paid for what s/he does. Therefore, all government services are the most expensive, yet the lowest in quality, and the price is ultimately paid by the citizen, both in the present and, more dangerously, in the future.

3. The Most Important Events in 2013 After positive real growth for the local economy in 2013 by about 8.3%, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that GDP in 2013 will achieve positive, but weak growth of about 0.8% as a result of a mixture of weak oil prices and high production. It also projects that nominal GDP will be about KD 51.7 billion (US$ 186.5 billion). It is expected that positive real growth will continue for the local economy at about 2.6% in 2014.

The average oil production level was about 2.8 million barrels per day during 2013, according to EIU bulletin, while Kuwait’s official quota in OPEC is about 2.22 million barrels per day only.

Thus, the figure needs adjustment after the recent statement of the Minister of Oil that Kuwaiti production is about 3.2 million barrels a day. Kuwaiti oil average price was at its highest at about US$ 111.6 per barrel in February 2013 and it bottomed at about US$ 99.8 per barrel in June 2013.

The average price for 2013 was about US$ 104.7 per barrel (US$ 108.6 per barrel in 2012), a drop by -3.6%.

Expenditure allocations in the current fiscal year 2013/2014 amounted to about KD 21 billion. Revenues were estimated at about KD 18.1 billion, including about KD 1.2 billion from non-oil revenues. Oil revenues were estimated at about KD 16.9 billion, about 93.4% of total revenues. Oil revenues were estimated based on the following criteria: crude oil production quota of about 2.7 million per barrel, estimated price of about US$ 70 per barrel. After deducting production and marketing costs, the hypothetical deficit of the budget would be about KD 2.9 billion.

Market conditions, however, were better than budget estimates; the average price for a barrel of Kuwaiti oil for the three quarters of the current fiscal year, from April to December 2013, was about US$ 103.6 per barrel, an increase by about US$ 33.6 per barrel, or about 48%. This is higher than the hypothetical price estimated for the current budget of about US$ 70 per barrel.

The monthly follow-up report for the state’s fiscal administration indicates that total received revenues (oil and non-oil) until 31/09/2013 were about KD 15.8 billion, while actual expenditure was about KD 5.1 billion for the same period. This leaves about KD 10.7 billion in surplus. But this figure does not reflect reality, as the actual surplus will be more. Oil revenues for the entire current fiscal year will be about KD 31.6 billion. Adding about KD 1.2 billion in non-oil revenues, total revenues will reach about KD 32.8 billion. With expenditures at about KD 21 billion, the surplus is expected to be about KD 12 billion, but for the entire fiscal year.

The actual surplus figure will be in that range, if the price of oil remains at the current average of about US$ 103.6 per barrel in the period from January to March 2013, which is closer to reality, but it will exceed this level by the amount of savings in budget expenditure.

Public -government- debt as of the end of October 2013 was about KD 1.5 billion, a drop by -16.7% below the end of 2012.

Public debt instruments include treasury bonds, the longer in term, with a balance of about KD 1.5 billion (about KD 1.8 billion in the end of 2012) and treasury bills with zero balance (same as the end of 2012). Average interest rates on treasury bonds for one year were 1%. Local banks capture about 98.3% of total public debt instruments. Public debt equals about 2.9% of nominal GDP in 2012, which was about KD 51.3 billion.

Monetary and fiscal policies are still expansionist. The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) kept the discount rate on the Kuwaiti Dinar during 2013 at 2%. Money supply (M2) in the end of October was about KD 32.1 billion, up by 7.9% over the end of 2012. Total credit facilities offered by local banks to residents in the end of October 2013 were about KD 28.8 billion, about 56.8% of total local banks’ assets, up by about KD 2 billion and a growth rate of about 7.5%, compared with the end of 2012. Total deposits at local banks at the end of October 2013 were about KD 35.6 billion, about 70.2% of total local banks’ liabilities, versus about KD 33.4 billion in the end of 2012, a rise by about KD 2.2 billion or a growth rate of about 6.7%. The private sector captured about KD 30.6 billion, about 86% of total deposits. Private sector deposits in KD represented about KD 27.7 billion, or about 90.5%. Private sector deposits in foreign currencies were about KD 3 billion.

Figures of Kuwait’s foreign trade as of the end of the first half of 2013 indicate that exports totaled about KD 15.7 billion, about 95.4% of which were oil exports. On the other hand, imports, excluding military imports, were about KD 3.8 billion. The Balance

of Trade was in surplus at about KD 11.9 billion, or about KD 23.9 billion if calculated for the entire 2013 year, which is less by about -7.7% than its counterpart in 2012 of about KD 25.9 billion.

However, the actual Balance of Trade surplus for 2013 will depend mainly on the movement in oil prices. Therefore, it should be higher than our estimates. Indicators imply it would exceed the KD 25 billion level.

On a regional level, the IMF -in October 2013- expects continued recovery for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies and achievement of positive real growth of about 3.7% in 2013 (about 5.2% in 2012). The lowest among the GCC’s is Kuwait at about 0.8% and the highest are Oman and Qatar at about 5.1%.

On a global level, it is estimated that the global economy will grow positively at about 2.9% in 2013 (about 3.2% in 2012). The reason for the projected weak performance is due to the danger of a relapse because of the two crises of sovereign debt in Europe and in the United States, the low growth rates in the emerging economies and the Arab Spring.

Because the local economy depends on oil for about 95.7% of its exports and about 62.6% of its GDP, it is vulnerable in 2014 to the danger of a global economic relapse, if it occurs. But dangers of this downfall seem abating after Europe’s prudent economic measures and the agreement of the US Congress on the federal budget for the next two years. IMF forecasts of a weak oil market remain with estimated weak growth for the Kuwaiti economy at about 0.8% for 2013 and about 2.6% for 2014, which is a negative indicator after a positive high, and sustained growth of the prior two years.

4. Kuwait Stock Exchange Performance 2013 By the end of 2013, the fifth complete year since the global financial crisis in September 2008 will end. The year’s harvest at KSE was in general positive, but insufficient neither in the level and quality of its gains, nor in judging its recovery relative to the global crisis. The price index of the market closed up by about 27.2%, but it doesn’t reflect real market gains. The weighted index for the same market closed up by about 8.4%, or less than 1/3 the price index gains. Its gains are closer to reality because the rise in market capitalization was about 6.7%, which is the correct comparison measure. When we compare the level achieved by the price and weighted indexes with their levels at the end of 2007 -one year before the crisis- we notice that the price index is still losing in the end of 2013 by about 39.9%, while the weighted index is losing by about 36.7%. In terms of market performance regionally it ranked over six years ahead of only Bahrain’s and Dubai’s markets, both of which passed through their own particular difficulties in addition to those of the global crisis.

The market achieved a rise in its liquidity. Trading value for the year was about 11.2 billion KD, a daily average trading value of about KD 45.5 million (about KD 28.8 million in 2012), and a rise in liquidity average by about 58%. The positive element in market liquidity has been hurt by the deviation of that liquidity towards speculation on small companies. The share of 22 companies whose market capitalization does not exceed 3.3% of the market’s was 45.7% of that liquidity. That was a main reason underlying the delayed recovery of the Kuwaiti market. Its liquidity is still weak in comparison with other markets. Its share still did not exceed 21.6% of GDP and about 36.2% of market capitalization due to refrainment from directing liquidity to heavy-weight companies.

Market capitalization at the end of the year totaled about KD 30.6 billion, adding about KD 1.93 billion without including the value of Warba Bank. The largest addition came from in the banking sector by about KD 697.5 million, followed by the financial services sector by adding about KD 625.3 million. As for listed companies, KFH achieved the highest addition to the market by about KD 714.4 million then Kuwait Projects Holding Company by about KD 387.7 million, then Americana by about KD 313.6 million. On the other hand, Zain achieved the biggest discount on its market capitalization by losing about KD 387.7 million of its value at the beginning of the year, followed by Al-Watanyia telecom which lost KD 292.3 million, then Al-Ahli Bank by about KD 135 million. The banking sector is still dominate in market capitalization by contributing about 46.5% to the total market share, half of which belongs to two banks, namely NBK and KFH. On the other hand the communications sector, the second largest contributor, represents, only a quarter of the banking sector’s value, or about 12.8% of the market capitalization. Although the two sectors possess about 59.3% of market capitalization, their share of liquidity, i.e. trading value, did not exceed 21.2%, while the financial services sector with a contribution of about 10.7% of market capitalization captured 30.8% of market liquidity and the

real estate sector contributed about 8.8% to market capitalization yet it acquired about 27.3% of market liquidity. In the two sectors’ companies lies most of the speculation.

If we accept profits of the first nine months of 2013 as an indicator of profits for the entire year, we note a rise in profits by about 12.3% after excluding the non-reoccurring profits of Al-Ahli United Bank (Bahrain), which were about KD 1251.8 million (about KD 1115 million for the first nine months of 2012), which is good. The number of profitable companies -common to the two years- was 146 companies out of 181 that announced their financial statements, which is another indicator of general recovery. Profitable companies achieved KD 1287 million and about KD 35.2 million were deducted as the share of 35 losers.

The banking sector contributed about 39.3% to market profits and the telecom sector about 17.8% of profit. While eight sectors out of 12 active sectors contributed to supporting market profits, 4 sectors achieved absolute losses. On the companies level, the largest contributor to the market profits NBK and it contributed about KD 198.6 million and Zain contributed about KD 165.6 million. On the other hand, AlImtiaz Investment Group Company achieved the highest losses by about KD 4.3 million and AlIthmar Bank by KD 3.6 million losses.

When we analyze indicators of financial performance for listed companies according to profitability levels until the end of the third quarter, calculated on annual basis according to the table below, we notice improved (decline) in the price to earning ratio (P/E) to about 18.5 times (about 21.6 times at the end of 2012) after excluding the non-reoccurring profits of Al-Ahli United Bank (Bahrain) this is due to smaller rise in share prices compared with a higher rise in profits. The price to book value ratio (P/B) maintained its level at 1.2 times for both years. Return on equities (ROE) rose from 5.4% in 2012 to 6.7% in 2013; likewise, return on total assets (ROA) rose from 1.3% in 2012 to 1.6% in 2013.

Market management and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) are doing well in exerting efforts to counter trading manipulations. It is believed that the number of cases brought to the Capital Markets Prosecution were 47 in 2013. The Prosecution suspended 4 traders for 6 months on 20/06/2013. The CMA applied for establishing the Stock Market Company and all of these efforts are appreciated. However, manipulation in market trading is still continuing, with liquidity deviation forming an intolerable crime. In addition, the official market price index is a main tool of feeding this trading deviation. Unfortunately, it is still kept, despite being a misleading indicator of market performance.

Most indicators of the performance of the global economy indicate it started to reinforce its recovery trend, which implies that 2014 will be better on the economic arena, which is a positive sign. Projections for the local macro-economy point that oil prices might remain robust around US$ 100 per barrel with Kuwait continuing to produce above its official OPEC quota, which will allow the economy to continue its positive nominal growth, its public finance and current account surpluses at their record levels. Companies performance indicates recovery of the Kuwaiti banking sector, the largest in the market, which might reflect positively on improved market assets together with improved debtors position with unnecessary provisions reversed, improving profitability in 2014 and continuing growth in the core banks’ business, i.e. increase in lending rates.

All together, this makes us believe that some control on bogus trading might help the Kuwaiti market make up for its lag in performance behind global and regional markets, since the global crisis and in 2013, and its prices might grow once again by 10-20% during 2014. However, there are many hidden risks, some of which are relevant to the market like continued existence of hazardous trading traps; there is also a governmental administrative incompetence in transforming the macro-economy position to a sustainable development project. Besides, there is a state of political instability, locally and regionally. Therefore, our assessment of a probable market recovery does not represent any advice to invest in it because the potential risks are still high.

5. The Weekly Performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange The performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) for the last week was mixed where all indexes showed a decrease, the traded value index, the traded volume index, the transactions index showed a decrease, while the general index showed an increase.

AlShall Index (value index) closed at 454.7 points at the closing of last Tuesday, (Three trading days because of the New Year holiday), showing an increase of about 1.6 points or about 0.4% comparing to last week and an increase of 16.5 points or about 3.8% compared with the end of 2012.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

BUSINESS

Oil to end 2013 flat as Libya offsets weak demand LONDON: Brent crude oil held above $111 per barrel yesterday supported by slashed Libyan output and violence in South Sudan as the European benchmark looked set to end the year virtually unchanged.

Concerns about supply disruptions in the Middle East and Africa have offset concerns about weak global demand in 2013 after four years of gains in Brent. It has traded in a $22 range from $96.75 to $119.17 a barrel this year.

US oil was on track to end almost 8 percent

higher for 2013, recouping a 7 percent loss last year and giving it gains in four of the past five years.

Brent crude was up 16 cents to $111.37 a barrel by 0945 GMT, after settling 97 cents lower on Monday. US oil was down 27 cents to $99.02 after ending $1.03 lower. “As we move into 2014, markets are once again trying to balance various supply disruptions with some positive news,” a JBC Energy report said.

The spread between Brent crude oil futures

and those for US oil was on course to narrow by around $7 a barrel for the year, Reuters data showed.

Supply Disruptions Growing unrest in key crude exporter Iraq, simmering tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s disputed nuclear programme and outages in OPEC member Libya in recent months have helped support oil prices.

Violence in South Sudan has reduced crude

oil output by about a fifth to 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the world’s youngest country. These factors have offset concerns over a weak demand outlook in industrialised nations and a slowdown in consumption in China, the world’s second-biggest oil consumer. In Libya, militias, tribesmen and civil servants have seized ports and oilfields to press for political or financial demands, slashing output to less than 250,000 bpd from 1.4 million bpd in July.

The Hariga oil port, which officials had said was to open soon, remained shut on Monday in a standoff that began in August.

“In our best case, we estimate Libyan production could return to capacity in May, however we actually believe the country will not produce more than 1 million bpd on a monthly average in 2014,” the JBC Energy report said.

In Iran, a breakthrough deal last month with world powers over a decade-long dispute over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear

programme has helped ease tensions, but its exports have fallen by more than half to 1 million barrels per day (bpd) due to sanctions imposed by the West.

Violence in Iraq has spiked this year as Al Qaeda-linked militants target the government and anyone seen to be supporting it, raising fears of a return to the sectarian conflict of 2006-7 that killed tens of thousands, keeping investors worried about a disruption in shipments from the country.

A drawdown of stockpiles in the United States has helped to ease concerns of a supply glut in the world’s largest oil consumer, boosting US oil in 2013. In the year ahead, investors are watching for further developments in the US Federal Reserve’s scaling back of its monetary stimulus. While the tapering would suggest the world’s biggest economy is gaining steam, it would also reduce the availability of the dollar, weighing on oil and other commodities priced in the currency. — Reuters

KARACHI: Pakistani stockbrokers sit under digital screens showing stock listings during a trading session at the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) in Karachi yesterday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government has struggled to woo investment in the energy sector to boost the economy in 2013, which has averaged growth of about three percent over the past five years, insufficient to significantly improve living standards or fully absorb a growing labour force. — AFP

Deutsche Telekom’s new CEO faces twin tests FRANKFURT: When Deutsche Telekom’s new Chief Executive Tim Hoettges takes office today, a revival of mergers and acquisitions in the sector and a dramatically changing competitive landscape in Germany will pose his biggest challenges.

Having negotiated key deals in the United States and Britain during his fouryear tenure as finance chief and having previously turned around the German fixedline business while under fire from cable rivals, the 51-year-old is no stranger to the territory.

Hoettges will draw on such experience to decide how Deutsche Telekom, Europe’s third-largest telco by sales, should navigate consolidation on both sides of the Atlantic and take on a rejuvenated Vodafone in Germany.

Born in Solingen, a city in the prosperous eastern state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hoettges is said to be straightforward, traditional and intense, unlike his long-time friend and outgoing CEO Rene Obermann, who is known for his easy charm.

“Hoettges is not known for schmoozing corporate colleagues or politicians,” said another banker who worked for him. “He handles such relations in a cool and businesslike way. He is not the kind of person who is buddies with politicians and the rich and beautiful of the world.”

Hoettges treads a more adversarial path.

“Unlike some CEOs, he wants to be contradicted,” said another banker who has worked with him. “He wants an intense discussion and will challenge you, too. He’s also like that in negotiations: clear goals, minimal compromises.”

While he immerses himself in the details, he never forgets the broad strategic lines, the banker added. The piano-playing running enthusiast also has a less severe side than his angular physique and bald pate might suggest, say those who know him. Some recall the riverboat party to celebrate his 50th birthday, when Hoettges donned a wig and moustache to give guests a glimpse of what he looked like in his youth.

He and Obermann became close friends over the past decade as they climbed the ranks of Deutsche Telekom together, even becoming neighbours after building houses on adjacent plots.

Different Hand Bankers and analysts do not expect Hoettges to suddenly alter the strategy set

by Obermann in recent years, which consisted of cleaning up overseas businesses including the money-losing T-Mobile US, while defending its leadership in Germany by investing heavily in the network.

Nevertheless, as telecoms acquisitions gather pace, Hoettges could soon be playing a very different hand to his predecessors’.

In Europe, US telco AT&T has been scouting for acquisitions, and if it bids for Vodafone as some analysts and bankers say it could, Deutsche Telekom and other European groups would be forced to react against a formidable new player.

In the United States, third-placed mobile operator Sprint, which is backed by Japan’s Softbank, has been studying a bid for

Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile US to bulk up.

That T-Mobile US is even of interest to Sprint and has been poaching customers from larger rivals in recent quarters can in part be credited to Hoettges, who was instrumental in negotiating deals and a turnaround for the unit.

It all began when AT&T’s $39 billion bid for T-Mobile in 2011 fell apart because of regulatory opposition. Fortunately, Hoettges and others had insisted on a big break-up fee if the deal with AT&T fell through, which included cash and mobile spectrum worth $6 billion.

The package, especially the spectrum, turned out to be particularly useful to TMobile, enabling its launch of superfast mobile broadband services known as 4G. “Tim knew the technology that the team was negotiating for,” said a banker.

The banker said T-Mobile was now well positioned in the United States in the event of further consolidation. “Hoettges created a cookie jar in the U.S. which will provide cash in case of a disposal or a bargaining chip, however the consolidation trend goes,” the banker said.

Hardball Gervais Pellissier, chief financial officer at Orange, dealt head to head with Hoettges in negotiations to merge their British mobile businesses in 2010.

“He is tough in negotiations but always tries to understand where the other person is coming from,” said Pellissier.

During a testy meeting over whether to kill the Orange and T-Mobile brands in Britain, Hoettges sensed that the two sides were at an impasse and suggested everyone take a break for a beer. “I think he knew everything was about to descend into a fight, so he cut it off. He called me a few hours later and we were able to make progress,” said Pellissier.

The future of that venture, now called EE, will be among the strategic decisions Hottges has to take. The owners have said they will consider floating a minority stake in the operator, Britain’s largest, valued at about 10 billion euros, though they have pushed back the final decision as EE won 4G customers in recent quarters.

Hoettges will also have to keep a close eye on the German market, which generates about half of group operating profit.

Vodafone, which disputes the top mobile spot with Deutsche Telekom, has bought Kabel Deutschland to boost its broadband offering, while third and fourth-placed mobile groups Telefonica Deutschland and KPN’s E-Plus are seeking to merge. Both deals could force operators to adopt new commercial strategies to win customers, and mobile prices have already come down in recent quarters.

Hoettges has shown he can play hard ball. As head of the German fixed business in 2007 he held out during a month-long strike over a plan to outsource some workers. Backing down is not something he takes lightly. One union official said Hoettges reluctantly agreed a deal to raise German wages in 2009 but was never entirely reconciled to the defeat. “It still irritates him even today. He is very persistent.” — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

BUSINESS

China to resume IPOs after year-long freeze SHANGHAI: Five Chinese companies said yesterday that they had received permission to raise a combined 2.1 billion yuan ($347 million) in initial public offerings (IPOs), ending a year-old official freeze on flotations.

In separate statements, the firms announced the nation’s stock regulator had given the green light for their share offers, following a suspension of such approvals in November 2012. The move came after the China Securities Regulatory Commission said last month that IPOs could resume as early as January, under new rules that aim to make the process more market-oriented.

Analysts welcomed the move, saying companies needed to be able to raise cash. “Fund-raising is an indispensable part of the stock market, which will only be revitalised after embracing new companies,” Central China Securities analyst Zhang Gang told AFP. China’s regulator has traditionally decided which firms can launch IPOs and when they go to market, instead of underwriters and the companies themselves, though authorities have pledged reform.

Roughly 50 of the more than 760 firms lining up for share offers are expected to list on China’s two stock exchanges by the end of January, a regulatory official has said. In the first batch of five companies,

only one will list on Shanghai’s main board for blue chips, while four others will target boards aimed at small enterprises and technology firms on the Shenzhen stock exchange in southern China, according to their statements.

The firm which will float on the Shanghai exchange, Suzhou-based Neway Valve Co., aims to raise 839.2 million yuan for investment in production facilities, it said. The pace of new listings on Shanghai’s main board was expected to be slower, analysts said, as regulators fear new issues will drain funds away from existing shares.

“The ChiNext (technology) board will be the main

battlefield, while the pace of IPO resumption on the Shanghai market will likely be slower as the issuance of large-cap shares will put more pressure on market liquidity,” Zhang said. The five firms will probably start roadshows for their IPOs on January 2, the China Business News newspaper reported yesterday.

Despite the threat of share oversupply impacting an already weak market investors shrugged off the announcements, which had been expected since the market regulator flagged the coming move in late November. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed up 0.88 percent yesterday while the Shenzhen index rose 0.33 percent. — AFP

Asian shares up as 2013 draws to close

MUMBAI: Indian pedestrians walk past the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai yesterday. Indian shares, which remained sluggish for most of 2013 amid fears of the country’s slowing economic growth, weak rupee and high trade deficit, reached the highest-ever trading level with the BSE benchmark Sensex hitting 21,321.53 points in ceremonial trade for the Hindu festival of Diwali on November 3. — AFP

Apollo Tyres shares jump as Cooper calls off deal MUMBAI: Shares in India’s Apollo Tyres rose more than 11 percent yesterday morning after a $2.5 billion deal to buy US-based Cooper Tire & Rubber collapsed following months of frustrating negotiations.

US manufacturer Cooper said it was scrapping the deal that would have created the world’s seventh-largest tyre maker after being informed by Apollo that financing for a takeover was no longer available.

“It is time to move our business forward,” Cooper CEO Roy Armes said in a statement late Monday, after acrimonious negotiations that saw the parties end up in court. Shares of Apollo Tyres climbed 11.15 percent to 113.0 rupees on the Bombay Stock Exchange yesterday.

Cooper Tire shares rose 5.40 percent to $24.20 in New York by Monday’s close.

Indian analysts were unhappy about Apollo’s bid, saying it was paying too much for the US company and would be over-

loaded with debt.

Apollo announced in June it would buy the much larger Cooper Tire in a debt-funded deal, but the move was never finalised after it became bogged down in labour problems embroiling Cooper’s US and Chinese operations. The merger agreement was valid up to December 31, after which Apollo could drop the deal.

In its statement, Cooper said the merger failed because Apollo did not live up to its undertakings, and it would pursue legal steps to protect the company. The merger had wound up in a US court over Cooper’s claims that Apollo was delaying the transaction to wrestle down the offer price and was suffering from “buyer’s remorse”.

Apollo successfully denied the allegations but conceded it would be tough at the initial offer price to find lenders to finance the deal due to Cooper’s problems. — AFP

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly rose yesterday on the last day of the year following another record close on Wall Street, but Shanghai was set to be the region’s worst performer over the past 12 months.

While the Dow ended at another all-time high, disappointing US home sales figures sent the dollar lower after it touched a five-year high against the yen.

In holiday-reduced trade Hong Kong added 0.26 percent, or 61.52 points, to close at 23,306.39 — putting on 2.87 percent over the past 12 months.

Sydney was flat, dipping 4.6 points to 5,352, but closed the year more than 15 percent higher.

Wellington eased 0.67 percent, or 31.97 points, to 4,737.01 — but finished the year 16.49 percent stronger.

Shanghai added 0.88 percent, or 18.45 points, to end at 2,115.98. But it finished down 6.75 percent for 2013, making it one of the world’s worst performers.

Taipei eased 0.14 percent, or 11.92 points, to 8,611.51 — leaving the index up 11.85 percent over the past 12 months.

Mumbai rose 0.13 percent or 27.67 points to close at 21,170.68 points, and Kuala Lumpur’s main index lost 5.56 points, or 0.30 percent, to 1,866.96.

Tokyo, Manila, Seoul, Bangkok and Jakarta were closed for the holiday.

While Japan’s Nikkei closed Monday with a 57 percent advance over the year its strongest performance in four decades making it the world’s best performer-Shanghai ended a torrid 2013 that saw it suffer two liquidity crises.

Cash crunch In June and again in December, a cash crunch in China’s financial markets fuelled worries about the economy, which was already suffering a slowdown that had knock-on effects for other nations dependent on Beijing for growth.

Yesterday’s advance followed a pledge by the central bank, the People’s Bank of China, to main-

tain an “appropriate” level of liquidity, while interbank lending rates eased further after the bank released fresh funds into the financial system.

“The central bank showed the attitude that it didn’t want interest rates to stay at unduly high levels by offering short-term liquidity, which eased concerns among financial institutions,” Xie Yaxuan, an economist with China Merchants Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires.

Regional investors took heart from the Dow’s record close on Monday. However, the S&P 500, which has also hit multiple record highs this year, edged down 0.02 percent, while the tech-rich Nasdaq eased 0.06 percent. In forex trade the dollar slipped after data showed US pending

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center on the podium, speaks during a ceremony to wrap up the year’s trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo Monday. ‘Thanks to our efforts, the economy went from minus to positive,’ Abe said. With winter bonuses up by several hundred dollars on average, he said, ‘You have to use that money, keep it moving.’ — AP

China market disappoints on double cash crunch SHANGHAI: A cash shortage among banks made the Chinese stock market one of the world’s worst performing this year, showing how tens of millions of small investors remain at the mercy of government policy.

In June and again in December, a liquidity squeeze sparked worries over China’s broader economy and hit the stock market-but the funding crunches were widely seen as engineered by authorities keen to impose tighter financial discipline over banks.

Combined with a tepid rebound in the economy-the world’s second largest and worries over a resumption of new share offers flooding the market, Shanghai’s stock index closed yesterday down 6.75 percent over the year.

“Instability in the financial system and expectations that authorities would maintain a tight balance in its monetary policy led to some volatility in the market,” said BOC International analyst Shen Jun. In comparison, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index soared 56.7 percent over the year, in New York the broadbased S&P 500 had surged 29.1 percent by Monday-having tapped several record highswhile the CAC 40 in Paris gained 17.4 percent despite the French economy’s woes.

Even the Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong,

which is strongly exposed to the Chinese economy, rounded out the year up 2.87 percent. China’s central bank has shown reluctance to inject extra liquidity into the interbank market as it fends off potential risks to the financial system and clamps down on shadow banking that resulted in excessive credit, analysts said.

The moves have caused spikes in the rates at which banks borrow from each other, with the effects spilling over to the stock market. On June 24 the Shanghai Composite Index tumbled 5.3 percent, the biggest single-day decline since August 2009, after the central People’s Bank of China (PBOC) initially shunned injecting liquidity before eventually relenting.

Similar worries also plagued the market in December, sending the Shanghai index down 6.9 percent over a nine-day losing streak, until the PBOC intervened to add funds. The central bank said yesterday it would maintain an “appropriate” level of liquidity while repeating its embrace of a “prudent” monetary policy, according to a statement on its fourth-quarter meeting.

“The stock market has always been sensitive to each and every move of policymakers,” said Central China Securities analyst Zhang Gang.

Similarly, China’s authorities hold the power to decide which firms can launch initial public offer-

SHANGHAI: Photo taken on December 30, 2013 shows visitors having photos taken with a replica of the famous Wall Street bronze bull on the Bund in China’s financial capital of Shanghai. A cash shortage among banks made the Chinese stock market one of the world’s worst performing this year, showing how tens of millions of small investors remain at the mercy of government policy. — AFP

home sales rose 0.2 percent in November, the first rise in five months but below the 1.5 percent increase projected by analysts.

The dollar bought 104.98 yen from 105.11 yen in New York, after touching 105.41 yen earlier Monday-its strongest since October 2008. The euro fetched 1.3785 against $1.3800 in US trade and 144.74 yen compared with 145.05 yen.

Oil prices were flat. New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, added two cents to $99.31 in midmorning trade. Brent North Sea crude for February rose two cents to $111.23. Gold fetched $1,198.89 at 0700 GMT compared with $1,197.80 late Monday. — AFP

ings (IPOs) and when they go to market, an example of the control the state retains over many parts of the economy.

Window-dressing reforms China’s stock regulator suspended approvals for IPOs for more than one year to alleviate the pressure of an oversupply of shares and prepare for reforms to the listing system.

Yesterday five companies said they had received permission to raise a combined 2.1 billion yuan ($347 million), ending the lengthy freeze. The China Securities Regulatory Commission has said it will give the market a bigger say in the listing mechanism, after Communist authorities pledged at a key meeting in midNovember to let market forces play a more “decisive role” in the economy.

But some market participants are sceptical about reforms, saying the government is loath completely to surrender control and describing the IPO change as window-dressing. “It appeared to be a market-led reform but the substance still implies (government) administration,” said an analyst at a Shanghai brokerage, who declined to be named.

The regulator has announced it will let investors assess the value and risks of IPOs, but stressed that it will retain “oversight” of stock offerings and information disclosure by companies.

The Shanghai broker said the new rules were “like throwing cold water on the market, dealing a heavy blow to those who had overly high expectations towards reforms”. Weakness in the stock market came despite China’s domestic growth of 7.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2013, snapping two quarters of slowing growth.

But recent economic data has sparked worries the rebound might not be sustainable.

Authorities have called for a structural adjustment in the economy, curbing traditional sectors such as resources and manufacturing and giving more support for emerging industries. But analysts say those plans have hit shares that are heavily weighted in the Shanghai index.

“Looking ahead, the main board will likely drift with the macro-economy, with no drastic gains or declines,” said Zhang of Central China Securities.

China’s stock market rose a mere 3.17 percent in 2012, and the weak returns have prompted local investors to seek alternative investment channels, in the face of a lack of choices since they are not allowed to invest directly overseas.

Instead they have sought better returns in property, weakly regulated wealth management products offered by banks-and even the volatile virtual currency Bitcoin. — AFP

Singapore’s 2013 economic growth higher than forecast SINGAPORE: Singapore’e trade-sensitive economy exceeded forecasts to expand 3.7 percent in 2013, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday, as it benefited from a stabilising global economic environment.

In his New Year message emailed to the media, Lee said the growth rate was “better than initially expected”. It topped a previous forecast by him in August of 2.5-3.5 percent growth amid global uncertainties.

“The European and American economies are stabilising,” Lee said. “Asian prospects are still positive, but there are problems and tensions,” he added, referring to the various territorial disputes in the region as well as tensions in the Korean peninsula.

He said the city-state’s economy, seen as a bellwether for the region, is expected to achieve 2.0-4.0 percent growth in 2014.

Its gross domestic product (GDP) stood at Sg$345.6 billion ($273.25 billion) in 2012, according to latest official data.

Singapore’s exports, like those of other Asian countries, had been hurt by slowing demand from the United States and Europe this year, although the situation in those markets has now improved.

In his message, Lee said the government was continuing to tighten the influx

of foreign labour, amid discontent among Singaporeans over the large foreign presence in the tiny city-state of 5.4 million people. Only 3.84 million are citizens and permanent residents. “We are taking a balanced approach, reducing but not cutting off the inflow of foreign workers,” Lee said.

He said foreign workers were still necessary to “keep our economy running and to build critical infrastructure for Singaporeans”.

Authorities have been phasing in various measures to tighten foreign worker inflows, including a new policy announced in September requiring companies to show proof they first tried to recruit local citizens before hiring foreign professional workers.

The city-state however continues to depend heavily on about 700,000 guest workers who are employed in construction and other sectors shunned by Singaporeans. More than 200,000 others work as domestics. The discontent over foreigners-who are accused by Singaporeans of competing with them for jobs, housing, schools and space on public transportspilled into general elections in 2011, when Lee’s long-ruling People’s Action Party garnered its lowest-ever vote count after more than 50 years in power. — AFP

LONDON: Shoppers pass a shop with a sale, on Oxford street in London, Monday. Flood warnings have been issued across Britain, transport and the power network are also affected, as more rain and strong winds are forecast. —AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

BUSINESS

Alfa joins Samena council as first mobile operator member KUWAIT: SAMENA Telecommunications Council has announced that Alfa has become the first mobile operator from Lebanon to join SAMENA Council, a telecom council with 90-plus registered organizations.

Alfa, founded in 1994, is the brand name of the MIC1 mobile network which is owned by the Republic of Lebanon. Alfa was the first Lebanese mobile operator to introduce a GSM network in the country, making mobile services available to the Lebanese in the early 90’s. The operator has been managed by Orascom Telecom Media and

Technology (OTMT) since February 2009. OTMT has been putting its wide expertise and international exposure in the telecom field at the service of Alfa in order to deliver a global and professional solution for the GSM sector in Lebanon. Alfa currently serves over 1.85 million subscribers and its network covers 99% of Lebanon.

Alfa was the first operator to launch 4G LTE services in Lebanon this year after being the first to introduce 3G+ mobile services at the end of 2011. It is worth mentioning that the launching of 3G+ technology as well as the launch of 4G LTE technology were

both milestones for Lebanon’s mobile sector that have put it back on the regional telecom map.

Mr. Bocar BA, CEO of the SAMENA Council appreciated Alfa’s interest in the SAMENA Council and said, “Alfa is the first mobile operator from Lebanon to join the SAMENA Council and this development will nurture the Council’s initiatives including Digitization, convergence of regulation, and sustainable Internet business models in helping build digital economies.”

Chairman and CEO of Alfa, Marwan Hayek, said: “We are proud to join SAMENA Telecommunications Council. Alfa’s operations have been centered on

innovation over the past years. Joining this prestigious council is an opportunity for us to share our growth and impressive development with operators across the SAMENA region as well as further enhance our mutual cooperation. We look forward to this partnership and we do hope it will be for the benefit of both organizations.”

SAMENA Telecommunications Council’s membership platform, since its creation, has generated new approaches for better dealing with telecoms and pertinent regulatory challenges as well as for serving growing customer needs in the market.

Congress letting 55 tax breaks expire at year end

DHL supports ‘Egypt is Warm’ aid campaign KUWAIT: DHL, the world’s leading logistics service provider, successfully delivered 21 tonnes of blankets as part of its support for the “Egypt is Warm” campaign, following the recent cold front, the worst in over a century, to have hit the country.

In aid of those affected, DHL Express shipped the blankets to the many Egyptians in need on the 28th of December. Blankets were donated by individuals and organizations from across the Gulf region to Egyptian embassies and consulates. Participating countries included the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.

DHL organised the collection and delivery of blankets from the Egyptian Embassies in each country to a central hub in Bahrain where the shipment was prepared for delivery to Egypt on board a charter flight that was commissioned especially for this shipment. In total 4,500 KGs of blankets were donated from Kuwait.

Commenting on the campaign, Nour Suliman, CEO, DHL Express Middle East and North Africa, said, “Giving back to the communities in which DHL Express operates continues to shape our business ethos and forms the foundations for our success. As such, we’re proud to be supporting the “Egypt is Warm” initiative, which has seen neighboring communities take swift action to mobilize much needed aid for those affected in Egypt by the difficult winter conditions. Together with the hundreds of individuals and companies that have given generously, DHL is committed to doing all we can and to putting our resources at the disposal of such a noteworthy cause.”

It is expected that the thousands of blankets delivered to Egypt by DHL Express will be handled by Egyptian NGO “Misr Lil Khair” as they were chosen by DHL to distribute the shipment due to their extensive experience in upper Egypt and their ‘know how’ on how to reach the most affected areas across the country.

KABUL: Afghan money changers wait for customers at the currency exchange market in Kabul on Monday. The Afghanistan afghani (AFN) currently stands at 56.40 against the US dollar, and 0.534 against the Pakistani rupee. — AFP

Venezuela says inflation hits 56% but slows year-end CARACAS: Venezuela’s inflation soared to 56.2 percent in 2013 but slowed in the last two months of the year after the socialist government forced stores to cut prices, officials said Monday. The national consumer price index decelerated from 5.1 percent in October to 4.8 percent in November and 2.2 percent in December, the central bank said in a report that was 20 days late.

President Nicolas Maduro said the figures led to annual inflation of 56.2 percent-the highest in Latin America-which he blamed on a “parasitic capitalist economy.”

“If Venezuela was not subjected to this economic war, we would have single-digit inflation, not 56 percent,” Maduro told a news conference. Inflation is nearly three times as high as in 2012, when it hit 20.1 percent.

Maduro ordered appliance stores in November to slash prices, sent troops to enforce the move and threatened to arrest store owners who refused to comply. The national assembly, dominated by his socialist party, then gave him special powers to rule by decree for one year.

Analysts attribute the nation’s high inflation to rigid currency and price controls that were launched in 2003 by late president Hugo Chavez, who died in March this year.

The government has fixed the exchange rate at 6.3 bolivars for $1, fueling a black market where the US currency is obtained at nine times the official rate. The oil-rich country, which is heavily dependent on imports, has been plagued by shortages of basic goods ranging from meat to toilet paper.

The central bank’s report lacked its usual “scarcity” index, a gauge of the country’s chronic shortages.Maduro said authorities found food prices inflated by more than 3,000

percent and that, had it not been for government-subsidized food programs, “there would have been a famine.”

The central bank’s report said food and non-alcoholic drink prices jumped 7.5 percent in November compared to 5.6 percent a month earlier.

Other sectors, however, have eased, with inflation easing in hotels and restaurants as well as alcoholic drinks and clothing. “As has been the case in Venezuelan history, political tension and economic destabilization mixed in the form of a real economic war against the Venezuelan people,” the central bank said.

In November, the central bank warned that growth would be lower in 2013 than the previous forecast of three percent. Maduro vowed that 2014 would be “the year of the establishment of a new internal economic order.”

“A powerful element will be the new law on costs, profits and fair prices,” he said, referring to a decree that sets limits on how much businesses can earn.

Maduro, who regularly accuses the rightwing “bourgeoisie” of being behind Venezuela’s economic woes, called on the opposition to act “without relying on the United States ... without conspiring against our country.”

But he said a Christmas Day meeting with dozens of opposition mayors in the wake of December 8 local elections that reinforced his party turned out to be “positive.”

“We said what we had to say with respect,” said Maduro, whose razor-thin victory in April presidential elections was never recognized by the opposition, which cried fraud. “We must get used to acting with respect to the constitution.”— AFP

WASHINGTON: In an almost annual ritual, Congress is letting a package of 55 popular tax breaks expire at the end of the year, creating uncertainty - once again - for millions of individuals and businesses.

Lawmakers let these tax breaks lapse almost every year, even though they save businesses and individuals billions of dollars.

And almost every year, Congress eventually renews them, retroactively, so taxpayers can claim them by the time they file their tax returns.

No harm, no foul, right? After all, taxpayers filing returns in the spring won’t be hurt because the tax breaks were in effect for 2013.

Taxpayers won’t be hit until 2015, when they file tax returns for next year. Not so far. Trade groups and tax experts complain that Congress is making it impossible for businesses and individuals to plan for the future. What if lawmakers don’t renew the tax break you depend on? Or what if they change it and you’re no longer eligible?

“It’s a totally ridiculous way to run our tax system,” said Rachelle Bernstein, vice president and tax counsel for the National Retail Federation. “It’s impossible to plan when every year this happens, but yet business has gotten used to that.”

Some of the tax breaks are big, including billions in credits for companies that invest in research and development, generous exemptions for financial institutions doing business overseas, and several breaks that let businesses write off capital investments faster.

Others are more obscure, the benefits targeted to film producers, race track owners, makers of electric motorcycles and teachers who buy classroom supplies with their own money. There are tax rebates to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands from a tax on rum imported into the United States, and a credit for expenses related to railroad track maintenance.

A deduction for state and local sales taxes benefits people who live in the nine states without state income taxes. Smaller tax breaks benefit college students and commuters who use public transportation. A series of tax breaks promote renewable energy, including a credit for power companies that produce electricity with windmills.

The annual practice of letting these tax breaks expire is a symptom a divided, dysfunctional Congress that struggles to pass routine legislation, said Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, a senior Democrat on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

Short extension “It’s not fair, it’s very hard, it’s very difficult for a business person, a company, to plan, not just for the short term but to do long-term planning,” Lewis said. “It’s shameful.” With Congress on vacation until January, there is no chance the tax breaks will be renewed before they expire. And there is plenty of precedent for Congress to let them expire for months without addressing them. Most recently, they expired at the end of 2011, and Congress didn’t renew them for the entire year, waiting until New Year’s Day 2013 - just in time for taxpayers to claim them on their 2012 returns.

But Congress only renewed the package though the end of 2013. Why such a short extension? Washington accounting is partly to blame. The two-year extension Congress passed in January cost $76 billion in reduced revenue for the government, according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation.

Making those tax breaks permanent could add $400 billion or more to the deficit over the next decade.

With budget deficits already high, many in Congress are reluctant to vote for a bill that would add so much red ink. So, they do it slowly, one or two years at time. “More cynically, some people say, if you just put it in for a year or two, then that keeps the lobbyists having to come back and wine-and-dine the congressmen to get it extended again, and maybe make some campaign contributions,” said Mark Luscombe, principal tax analyst for CCH, a consulting firm based in Riverwoods, Ill. This year, the package of tax breaks has been caught up in a debate about overhauling the entire tax code. The two top tax writers in Congress - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. - have been pushing to simplify the tax code by reducing tax breaks and using the additional revenue to lower overall tax rates.

But their efforts have yet to bear fruit, leaving both tax reform and the package of temporary breaks in limbo. When asked how businesses should prepare, given the uncertainty, Camp said, “They need to get on board with tax reform, that’s what they need to do.”

WASHINGTON: In this Oct. 29, 2013 file photo, House Ways and Means Committee member Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. In an almost annual ritual, Congress is letting a package of 55 popular tax breaks expire at the end of the year, creating uncertainty — once again — for millions of individuals and businesses. — AP

Further complicating the issue, President Barack Obama has nominated Baucus to become US ambassador to China, meaning he will soon leave the Senate, if he is confirmed by his colleagues. As the Senate wound down its 2013 session, Democratic leaders made a late push to extend many of the tax breaks by asking Republican colleagues to pass a package on the floor of the Senate without debate or amendments.

Republicans objected, saying it wasn’t a serious offer, and the effort failed.

So should taxpayers count on these breaks as they plan their budgets for 2014? “The best thing I would say is, budget accordingly,” said Jackie Perlman, principle tax research analyst at The Tax Institute at H&R Block. “As the saying goes, hope for the best but plan for the worst. Then if you get it, great, that’s a nice perk. But don’t count on it.” — AP

Expiring Tax Breaks Fifty-five temporary tax breaks are expiring at the end of the year. Among the big ones: A tax credit for research and development, benefiting a wide range of industries, including manufacturers, pharmaceutical makers and high tech companies. The tax break saved companies an estimated $6.2 billion in 2013.

• An exemption that allows banks, insurance companies and other financial firms to shield foreign profits from being taxed by the US. The tax break is important to major multinational banks and financial firms, saving them an estimated $9.4 billion in 2013.

•

•

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A tax break that allows profitable companies to write off large capital expenditures immediately - rather than over time - giving some companies huge tax shelters. The tax break, known as bonus depreciation, benefits automakers, utilities and heavy equipment makers. Tax break: $34 billion in 2013, though companies lose future savings because they would have already written off the cost of items.

A tax credit for producing renewable energy, including wind and solar, in plants built before the end of 2013. Tax break: $116 million in 2013, though the savings would grow over time, saving companies more than $12 billion over the next decade as the plants continue to produce energy.

A provision that allows restaurants and retail stores to more quickly write off

the cost of improvements. Tax break: $277 million in 2013.

•

Increased tax rebates to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands from a tax on rum imported into the United States. The US imposes a $13.50 per proof-gallon tax on imported rum, and sends most of the proceeds to the two US territories.

Cost: $199 million in 2013.

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A 50 percent tax credit for expenses related to railroad track maintenance through 2013. Tax break: $232 million in 2013.

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A provision that allows motorsport race tracks to more quickly write off improvement costs. Tax break: $46 million in 2013.

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Enhanced deductions for companies that donate food to the needy, books to public schools or computers to public libraries. Tax break: $218 million in 2013.

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A tax break that allows TV and movie productions to more quickly write off expenses.

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Sexually explicit productions are ineligible. Tax break: $266 million in 2013.

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A tax credit of up to $2,500 for buying electric-powered vehicles was expanded to include electric-powered motorc ycles. Golf car ts, however, were excluded. Tax break: $1 million in 2013. — AP

Zimbabwe to introduce New Year ban on foreign owners HARARE: Zimbabwe will from New Year’s Day ban foreigners from owning a majority stake in a host of businesses from bakeries to beauty salons, a cabinet minister said yesterday. Foreigners will only be allowed to own minority stakes in the affected businesses if they have local partners, and will be given between four and five years to comply with the new law.

“We are saying from January 1, 2014, we will not be issuing foreigners licenses in areas reserved for locals,” indigenization minister Francis Nhema said. “Foreigners who are already operating in those areas reserved for locals should seek indigenous par tners to buy shares,” said N hema.

“Likewise locals are free to seek foreign partners as long as the local retains their majority shareholding.”

The ban will also include estate agencies, grain mills, retail outlets, milk processing plants, transport and valet services. Nhema

said foreign-owned businesses should hand in plans on how they intend to comply. “In some areas, they will be given four years in some areas, five. It all depends on the area and individual circumstances,” he said.

“Wherever there are problems we can always discuss and see how we can help each other.

It ’s all about creating employment and empowering indigenous Zimbabweans.

There is no victimization,” said Nhema.

Zimbabwe brought in indigenization legislation in 2010 that compelled foreign firms including mine owners to cede majority shareholding to local investors. A number of foreign mines have complied with the law, which the government says seeks to empower local blacks who suffered exclusion under British colonial rule. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says the law will benefit businesspeople aligned to veteran President Robert Mugabe and scare potential investors.— AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

technology

Review

New camera phones notable in 2013 NEW YORK: As I look back at the more than 100 tech products we reviewed in 2013, a handful of gadgets and services deserve a second look. It’s become clear that one brand rarely stands out any more in whatever product category you look at. Competition is more intense than ever, which means consumers have more choices than ever. That’s why coming up with a “best of” list for 2013 proved difficult. So instead of a comprehensive list, I’m highlighting five big trends.

These are also areas where further innovations are likely in 2014, so stay tuned.

Better camera phones This was the first year I didn’t mind leaving my pointand-shoot and full-bodied, SLR cameras at home.

Camera phones have gotten good enough to stand in for those stand-alone cameras in many situations. Of the ones I tried, Apple’s iPhone 5S proved to be the best as an all-around camera. It’s good at getting the autofocus right, even for moving objects. A larger sensor and an improved flash compared with previous models mean better shots in low light.

An honorable mention goes to Nokia’s Lumia 1020.

It’s consistently good at night and indoor shots. It combines the small amount of light from multiple pixels into one, resulting in better lighting. It also has manual controls typically absent from camera phones. Given how frequently people use their phones to take photos, expect even more improvements in the coming year.

Personalized technical support It used to be when you couldn’t figure out how a product worked, you called your tech-savvy children.

With Mayday on Amazon’s new Kindle Fire HDX tablets, you no longer need to do that. Instead, just tap the Mayday button, and you’ll be connected to a live customer service representative within seconds, even at 4 am on a weekend.

Amazon’s representatives can help you install apps, connect to Facebook or tackle anything else confounding you. You see them on the screen, but they can only hear you. They have a virtual orange

marker to point you to buttons and menus on the screen. They also can take over your machine remotely and do it for you. As gadgets do more, they also get more complicated to use. As someone who’s constantly asked by friends and family for tech assistance, the Mayday feature is something I would welcome in other products.

Shackle-free phone plans The traditional way of buying phones: Pay $100 or $200 for a phone, and stay locked to your wireless carrier for two more years.

The new way: Buy or bring your own phone. Leave any time.

T-Mobile introduced that concept in March when it split the monthly phone bill into two parts - one for the device, and the other for the voice, text and data services. If you already have a device or have finished paying for it, your overall bill goes down. If you need a phone, you pay its full retail price, spread out into monthly installments. You’re no longer getting a subsidy for signing a contract, but you’re also not paying for it through a higher phone bill.

A few months later, T-Mobile introduced a program that lets you upgrade your phone up to twice a year, rather than every other year. The other national carriers followed with their own contract-free, frequent-upgrade plans. AT&T also lowered its service fees for voice, text and data for those who pay for phones separately. Sprint reduced those fees as well, but only temporarily.

Some people will still find it more cost-effective to buy phones the traditional way, but these contractfree options give consumers more freedom to leave their carrier or change phones frequently. Meanwhile, some phone makers have come out with cheaper phones that do almost as much as the $600-plus ones. Motorola’s Moto G phone is particularly notable, at just $179 - ideal when you pay for your own phone.

Laptops with long-lasting batteries Most laptop owners no doubt have found them-

NY monitor: Apple hindering e-book antitrust work NEW YORK: A lawyer monitoring Apple Inc. compliance with antitrust laws after a judge found it conspired with publishers to raise electronic book prices said in court papers filed Monday that the company is obstructing his work. Attorney Michael Bromwich said in a document filed in Manhattan federal court that he’s been largely cut off from top executives at Apple, which argued earlier this month that his investigation was interfering with its business operations. Bromwich, a former inspector general for the Justice Department, was appointed as an external compliance monitor to review Apple’s antitrust and training policies after US District Judge Denise Cote concluded following a bench trial that Apple disobeyed antitrust laws by trying to raise electronic book prices in 2010. “In my 20 years of doing oversight work, I have never before had the entity over which I was exercising oversight unilaterally dictate who could be interviewed, even in those instances in which I have dealt with very sensitive matter, including highly classified matters of national security,” Bromwich wrote, noting that he had been appointed as a monitor three times before and had conducted scores of investigations in the public and private sector and supervised hundreds of others.

An Apple spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. Bromwich said that in the two months since his October appointment, he and his staff had been permitted 13 hours of substantive interviews or discussions during two visits to California. He said seven of the 11 people he had been permitted to interview were lawyers rather than business people and the interviews had to take place at a remote location in Sunnyvale, California, rather than at the company’s headquarters in

Cupertino, California.

A month after he was told all requested materials would be produced promptly, he said, he had received only 303 pages of documents. He said he was told by an Apple director after his midOctober appointment that executives would “never get over the case” and that they were extremely angry and that many people in the company were fearful. Justice Department lawyers said in court papers filed Monday that it was “remarkable, and wholly unbelievable” that Apple was claiming that one-hour interviews with its board members and senior executives will result in a loss of market share growth and interfere with developing and marketing new products.

Apple said in court papers earlier this month that that the judge’s order as it is being carried out by Bromwich was “flatly unconstitutional and will be reversed on appeal.” Apple lawyers said Bromwich had launched a “broad and amorphous inquisition” and was “conducting a roving investigation that is interfering with Apple’s business operations, risking the public disclosure of privileged and confidential information, and imposing substantial and rapidly escalating costs on Apple that it will never be able to recover it if prevails on its pending appeal.”

“Apple is suffering from Mr Bromwich’s unwarranted inquisition of the company’s high-level executives and board of directors,” they wrote. Bromwich said in his court papers that Apple’s claims “bear no relation whatsoever to the activities we have attempted to conduct.” “The request for limited preliminary background interviews to learn about corporate structure, process, culture, and tone does not convert monitoring into an investigation of any kind, much less into a ‘roving investigation’ or a ‘broad and amorphous inquisition,’” he said. — AP

CHICAGO: In this Tuesday, Oct 15, 2013, file photo, Serkan Ozsarac uses his cell phone camera with girlfriend Beyza Buyuker. —AP selves out of juice at the most inopportune times, whether in the middle of an important business meeting or the start of a super-long flight to Asia or Australia. A new generation of processing chips from Intel makes that far less likely to happen. These chips, known as Haswell, are more efficient at using power.

It’s now possible to go a full waking day on a single charge, with some reasonable breaks for meals and exercise. The 13-inch MacBook Air, for instance, promises up to 12 hours of battery life. I was able to stretch that to more than 14 hours by turning off WiFi, though nine to 11 hours was more common with general Web surfing. On the Windows 8 machines I tested, I was able to get seven to nine hours consistently. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for a Haswell laptop, though prices may start coming down in the New Year.

Internet television A few friends and I dropped cable TV service

this year. I saved more than $100 a month and used some of that to buy a new TV. You might be wondering: Huh? Several options are now available for watching television over the Internet.

Watching on a computer or a tablet seems unsatisfactory. With a streaming device such as Roku, Apple TV or Chromecast or a game console such as the PlayStation 4 or the Xbox One, you can project Internet video to the big screen. You’ll need to subscribe to a handful of services such as Netflix or Hulu Plus.

The downside is you often need to wait at least a day for shows to become available online. That means avoiding spoilers on social networks. It’s also a poor option for live sports. Major League Baseball has a great online service, but typically blocks hometown teams. But it’s money saved to buy the hot gadgets of 2014 - or tickets to a ballgame, plus beer and hot dogs. — AP

Feds announce test sites for drone aircraft LAS VEGAS: Six states were named Monday by federal officials to develop test sites for drones - a critical next step for the burgeoning industry that could one day produce thousands of unmanned aircraft for use by businesses, farmers and researchers.

Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia will host the research sites, providing diverse climates, geography and air traffic environments as the Federal Aviation Administration seeks to safely introduce commercial drones into US airspace.

Members of Congress and other politicians lobbied intensely to bring the work to their states.

Representatives were jubilant about the likelihood that the testing will draw companies interested in cashing in on the fledgling industry. An industrycommissioned study has predicted more than 70,000 jobs would develop in the first three years after Congress loosens drone restrictions on US skies. The same study projects an average salary range for a drone pilot between $85,000 and $115,000.

“This is wonderful news for Nevada that creates a huge opportunity for our economy,” said US Sen Harry Reid, D-Nevada. In New York, Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat, called the announcement a boon for his state. Drones have been mainly used by the military, but governments, businesses, farmers and others are making plans to join the market.

Many universities are starting or expanding curriculum involving drones.

The FAA does not currently allow commercial use of drones, but it is working to develop operational guidelines by the end of 2015, although officials concede the project may take longer than expected. The FAA projects some 7,500 commercial drones could be aloft within five years of getting widespread access to the skies above America.

“Today was an important step,” said attorney Ben Gielow of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, noting the announcement came after months of delays and data gathering. “I think we’re all anxious to get this moving.”

The competition for a test site was robust, with 25 entities in 24 states submitting proposals, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said during a confer-

CALIFORNIA: This Sept 2013 file photo shows The Reaper drone, now known as a Global Hawk, at Edwards Air Force Base. —AP ence call with reporters. At least one of the six sites operators.

The growing use of drones has sparked criticism chosen by the FAA will be up and running within 180 days, while the others are expected to come among conservatives and liberals who fear the creonline in quick succession, he said. However, the ation of a surveillance state in which authorities designation as a test site doesn’t come with a track and scrutinize every move of citizens. “I just don’t like the concept of drones flying over barbefinancial award from the government.

In choosing Alaska, the FAA cited a diverse set cues in New York to see whether you have a Big of test site locations in seven climatic zones. New Gulp in your backyard or whether you are separatYork’s site at Griffiss International Airport will look ing out your recyclables according to the city maninto integrating drones into the congested north- dates,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, referring to a New east airspace. And Nevada offered proximity to mil- York City ban on supersized soft drinks.

Paul has introduced a bill that would prohibit itary aircraft from several bases, Huerta said.

The extent that lobbying influenced the selec- drones from checking for criminal or regulatory viotion of the sites was unclear. “Politics likely always lations without a warrant. Huerta said his agency is plays a role in some level in this, but I couldn’t tell sensitive to privacy concerns involving drones. Test you specifically what the politics were,” said sites must have a written plan for data use and Brendan M. Schulman, part of a New York City- retention, and will be required to conduct an annubased law group focused on drone issues. “Part of al review of privacy practices that involves public the selection ... is an evaluation of the dedication comment. That policy provided little comfort for the and seriousness the sites were showing in pursuing American Civil Liberties Union. “Someday drones will be commonplace in US skies and, before that this.”

The testing will determine whether drones can happens, it’s imperative that Congress enact strong, detect and avoid aircraft and other obstacles, and if nationwide privacy rules,” ACLU attorney Catherine they can operate safety when contact is lost with Crump said in a statement. — AP

Home electricity use in US falling to 2001 levels NEW YORK: The average amount of electricity consumed in US homes has fallen to levels last seen more than a decade ago, back when the smartest device in people’s pockets was a Palm pilot and anyone talking about a tablet was probably an archaeologist or a preacher.

Because of more energy-efficient housing, appliances and gadgets, power usage is on track to decline in 2013 for the third year in a row, to its lowest point since 2001, even though our lives are more electrified. Here’s a look at what has changed since the last time consumption was so low.

NEW YORK: This combination of Associated Press file photos shows, top, a house in Duluth, with triple-paned, south-facing windows that draw heat from the sun, and bottom an undated photo provided by Lowe’s shows weatherstripping being applied to a window.

Better homes In the early 2000s, as energy prices rose, more states adopted or toughened building codes to force builders to better seal homes so heat or air-conditioned air doesn’t seep out so fast. That means newer homes waste less energy. Also, insulated windows and other building technologies have dropped in price, making retrofits of existing homes more affordable. In the wake of the financial crisis, billions of dollars in Recovery Act funding was directed toward home-efficiency programs.

Better gadgets Big appliances such as refrigerators and air condition-

ers have gotten more efficient thanks to federal energy standards that get stricter ever few years as technology evolves. A typical room air conditioner-one of the biggest power hogs in the home-uses 20 percent less electricity per hour of full operation than it did in 2001, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

Central air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, washing machines and dryers also have gotten more efficient. Other devices are using less juice, too. Some 40-inch (1-meter) LED televisions bought today use 80 percent less power than the cathode ray tube televisions of the past. Some use just $8 worth of electricity over a year when used five hours a day-less than a 60-watt incandescent bulb would use.

Those incandescent light bulbs are being replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs that use 70 to 80 percent less power. According to the Energy Department, widespread use of LED bulbs could save output equivalent to that of 44 large power plants by 2027. The move to mobile also is helping. Desktop computers with big CRT monitors are being replaced with laptops, tablet computers and smart phones, and these mobile devices are specifically designed to sip

power to prolong battery life. It costs $1.36 to power an iPad for a year, compared with $28.21 for a desktop computer, according to the Electric Power Research Institute.

On the other hand We are using more devices, and that is offsetting what would otherwise be a more dramatic reduction in power consumption. DVRs spin at all hours of the day, often under more than one television in a home.

Game consoles are getting more sophisticated to process better graphics and connect with other players, and therefore use more power.

More homes have central air conditioners instead of window units. They are more efficient, but people use them more often. Still, Jennifer Amman, the buildings program director at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, says she is encouraged. “It’s great to see this movement, to see the shift in the national numbers,” she says. “I expect we’ll see greater improvement over time. There is so much more that can be done.” The Energy Department predicts average residential electricity use per customer will fall again in 2014, by 1 percent. — AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Indonesia starts nationwide health insurance for poor JAKARTA: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has inaugurated the commencement of a nationwide health insurance scheme for poor people that would take into effect today with initial service for 48 percent of the country’s population, expected to fully cover the whole population by Jan. 2019. “This is a great leap that has been conducted since the independence of Indonesia. With such an enormous service coverage, this institution is apparently unmatched with any insurance agency, “ President Yudhoyono said in his remarks to inaugurate the Social

Insurance Provider Institution (BPJS) for Health held in Bogor Palace, West Java on Tuesday. The event was televised live nationwide.

The president expected that the BPJS for Health must be able to provide swift and high quality health service for the people who were in need of medical treatment through the program.

“Ill people cannot wait. Ease the administration process, everyone must get proper service. Coordinate it with hospitals and works it on professionally,” he said.

The BPJS was the transformation of

PT ASKES, as state-run agency tasked to provide health insurance for workers. In its initial operation, the BPJS for Health would serve 121 million people, or 48 percent of the population. Of that figure, 86.4 come from those living below the poverty line.

Besides those poor people, the BPJS health insurance scheme would also serve the existing members of social insurance scheme for workers (Jamsostek), troops, and members of regional administrations’health insurance scheme program.

President Yudhoyono’s administra-

tion has allocated some 19.93 trillion rupiah (about 1.6 billion U.S. dollars) to finance the program. The allocation would be retrieved from 2014 state budget that has been endorsed by the parliament.

A particular social insurance scheme for workers has been prepared, expected to be launched in 2015.

President Yudhoyono said that government has prepared 12 government regulations and five presidential decrees to support the launch of the program aimed at improving people’s welfare.

Application of the program was man-

dated by Law No. 40/2004 on National Social Insurance System and Law No. 24/2011 on the BPJS. Speaking in the event, Coordinating Minister for Public Welfare Affairs Agung Laksono said 1,700 of 2,300 hospitals eager to join the program have signed the MoU. The cooperation between the BPJS and the hospitals would be coordinated via National Social Insurance System, Agung said.

Earlier on Monday, the president annulled the recently-enacted laws that facilitate medical treatment for senior officials in hospitals overseas. — AFP

Body clock may be to blame when youngsters fight sleep Critical for good health

OAKLAND: Omari Sealey makes a statement for the media on the condition of his niece Jahi McMath on Monday in Oakland. Without another court action, a California hospital could unhook a 13-year-old girl from a breathing machine after she was declared brain dead. —AP

Brain dead girl to remain on ventilator until Jan 7 OAKLAND: A California girl declared brain dead after tonsil surgery will remain on life support for at least another week after a state judge on Monday extended a deadline.

Jahi McMath’s mother, Nailah Winkfield, hailed the decision as an answer to her prayers and a sign that she has been right to keep fighting for the teen, who doctors have said will never recover.

With television cameras clustered outside the hospital, the family maintained a vigil as the deadline approached. When Winkfield heard of the judge’s decision to push back the deadline, she wept and hugged relatives outside the hospital.

“Who wants to know the date and the time their child would die?” Winkfield said. “I don’t care what anyone has to say about what I’m doing. ... I have to do what is right for me and for Jahi.” She said she does not believe her daughter is dead because her heart is still beating. Doctors at Children’s Hospital Oakland want to take her off the machines that are keeping her body functioning. Her family wants to continue life support, saying they have hope she will still pull through.

Shortly before a previous ruling would have allowed doctors to end life support at 5 p.m. Monday, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo ordered the hospital to keep Jahi on a ventilator until Jan. 7 to give the family time to file a petition in state appellate court. Grillo’s ruling Monday is the latest twist in a harrowing legal and medical fight that has reignited a heated debate about when life support should end for a severely brain-damaged person.

Also on Monday, the family’s lawyer filed suit in federal court, requesting that the hospital be compelled to perform a tracheotomy for breathing and to insert a feeding tube procedures that would allow Jahi to be transferred to a facility willing to care for her. The hospital has said it’s unethical to perform surgery on a person who is legally dead.

New order Sam Singer, a hospital spokesman, said it would comply with the judge’s new order but would oppose any efforts by Jahi’s family to convince a court that she is still alive and entitled to the same rights as a living person.

“We are hopeful we will be successful so this tragedy can end,” Singer said.

He also dismissed claims by Jahi’s relatives that she has shown signs of life, saying any muscle activity was an involuntary muscle reflex. The family’s lawyer, Christopher Dolan, said when he called Jahi’s mother at the hospital about the extension of the deadline, she said hospital staff had cleared family members out of a waiting room as doctors pre-

pared to remove Jahi from the ventilator.

“He’s giving us a meaningful opportunity to seek relief and what I consider a stay of execution,” Dolan said of the judge’s ruling. “I feel like I’m a death row lawyer, and it does not feel good.”

The attorney said he knows he has been widely criticized by some for giving the girl’s family a false sense of hope. But he said, “I am fighting for the right of parents to direct the health care of their child and for them to make the choice.”

Heavy bleeding Doctors at Children’s Hospital and an independent pediatric neurologist from Stanford University have concluded Jahi is brain dead.

She underwent a tonsillectomy at the hospital Dec. 9 to treat sleep apnea and other issues. After she awoke from the operation, her family said, she started bleeding heavily and went into cardiac arrest. Then she was declared brain dead three days later.

In a declaration filed with the federal action by Jahi’s family, Dr. Paul Byrne, a pediatrician who has questioned the definition of brain death, said he visited Jahi’s bedside and observed her responding to her grandmother’s voice and touch with a squirming movement. “In my professional opinion, she is not a cadaver,” Byrne said. “Her heart beats thousands of times a day.”

The family’s court filings said the New Beginnings Community Center in Medford, N.Y., is willing to take Jahi and provide 24hour medical care. The facility’s management could not be reached for comment Monday night. Arrangements also have been made, according to the documents, with an air ambulance company for a doctor to accompany Jahi on a private jet from Oakland to Long Island for $27,950.

By Monday night, the family’s fundraising website had raised more than $29,000 for a possible transfer. Dolan said in a phone interview that he has also been in talks with a facility in Arizona because the family would like to keep Jahi as close as possible.

Earlier, Singer, the hospital spokesman, reiterated the position of its doctors. “This is one of the most tragic situations imaginable,” Singer said. “A family has lost their young daughter. But unfortunately, Jahi is deceased.

No amount of hope, prayer or medical procedures will bring her back.” Hospital spokeswoman Cynthia Chiarappa has said officials would have to understand the capabilities of the New York facility before allowing a transfer. The hospital also said it would need to confirm there is lawful transportation included in any transfer plan and there is written permission from the coroner. — AP

Rising demand for dental professionals DALLAS: Dental hygienist ranks second on a CareerCast list of the twelve best jobs in healthcare. To help dental professionals realize this bright future DentalSpots.com, the online dental jobs matching platform, recently provided insider tips on steps to take to build a dental career in 2014.

DentalSpots.com, the one-stop website for dental professionals, recently provided insider tips on steps to take to build a dental career in 2014. The online jobs portal developed the list in response to a CareerCast listing of the twelve best jobs in healthcare, which ranked dental hygienist as second. Reasons cited for the “best job” label are that being a dental hygienist is usually a high demand, low-stress, job; dental offices are comfortable work locations; and job security is high. Dental hygienists usually don’t incur large education expenses, but still earn an annual median salary of about $70,000, with a projected growth of 38% by 2020.

Although Dental Hygienist is the only dental job in the survey, DentalSpots.com added that other jobs in the dental profession have

equally strong prospects. Website developers advise dental hygienists, dental assistants, dentists, and dental front office workers that the first step in building a dental career is connecting with other dental professionals. This helps dental job seekers land the best jobs by connecting with dental employers, and frequently provides insights on how to keep a dental career growing.

The second piece of advice is to build a strong network. The DentalSpots.com network allows dental specialists to connect with general dentists to increase their referral possibilities, and also connects traveling dentists with dental offices to offer their services.

Using the best tools for the job is extremely important to growing a dental career.

DentalSpots.com helps dental practices run more efficiently by matching dental office managers with the best candidates to fill open Texas dental jobs or fill open California dental jobs, filling vacant positions with a patented temporary staffing solution, attracting more patients through ChooseYourDentist.com, and connecting with dental vendors.

WASHINGTON: “Just one more story, please?” “I need a glass of water.” “Mom, I can’t sleep!” When youngsters continually struggle to fall asleep at night, new research suggests maybe their body clock doesn’t match their bedtime. That doesn’t mean tots should be up at all hours. “Just like nutrition and exercise, sleep is critical for good health,” said sleep scientist Monique LeBourgeois of the University of Colorado, Boulder, who is leading the research.

The ultimate goal is to help reset a delayed sleep clock so that young children can settle down more easily, she said. Hint: It seems to have a lot to do with light.

We all have what’s called a circadian rhythm, a master biological clock, that regulates when we become sleepy, and when we’re more alert.

Those patterns vary with age: It’s the reason teenagers are notorious for late nights and difficult-to-wake mornings.

But how does that clock work in preschoolers, who need more sleep than older kids or adults?

A first-of-its-kind study tracked 14 healthy youngsters for six days to begin finding out. The children, ages 21/2 to 3, wore activity monitors on their wrists to detect when they slept. Parents kept diaries about bedtime routines.

Melatonin hormone Then on the last afternoon, researchers visited each home, dimming lights and covering windows. Then, every 30 minutes for six hours leading up to the child’s appointed bedtime, they also coaxed each tot to chew on some dental cotton to provide a sample of saliva.

The reason: To test for levels of a hormone named melatonin that is key to the sleep cycle and also sensitive to light. At some point every evening, people’s melatonin levels surge and a while later, they begin to feel sleepy. Among adults who sleep well, that melatonin rise tends to happen about two hours before whatever is their chosen bedtime.

For preschoolers, the new study found that on average, the melatonin surge occurred around 7:40 pm. The children tended to be tucked in around 8:10 p.m., and most were asleep 30 minutes later, LeBourgeois reported in the journal Mind, Brain and Education.

When melatonin rose earlier in the evening, tots who hit the sack around 8 fell asleep a bit faster. But when the melatonin surge was closer to bedtime, the youngsters were more likely to fuss or make curtain calls after lights-out.

Two children in the study actually were tucked in before their rise in melatonin ever occurred, and it took them up to an hour past bedtime to fall asleep, she said. “We don’t know

COLORADO: University of Colorado student Karlie Johansen collecting a saliva sample from three-year-old Anders Todd, as part of a study of sleep patterns in young children. In an earlier study, researchers reported that if young children continually struggle to fall asleep at night, it might be because their body clock is out of sync with their bedtime. — AP what that sweet spot is yet,” LeBourgeois said, but the data suggest bedtime is easiest if the melatonin surge occurred at least 30 minutes earlier. The study reinforces what doctors have long suspected is one bedtime barrier, said Dr. Jyoti Krishna, a pediatric sleep expert at the Cleveland Clinic. Other factors can disrupt a child’s sleep, too, such as noise, stress or anxiety, or disrupted home routines, he cautioned.

“But this paper reminds us that, hey, there is a time that the body is more ready to sleep than at other times,” Krishna said.

Afternoon nap The National Institutes of Health says preschoolers need 11 to 12 hours of sleep each day; some typically comes from an afternoon nap. Parents don’t have melatonin tests as a guide, so Krishna advises looking for cues when setting a bedtime - yawning, rubbing eyes - and then to adjust that bedtime as the child gets older. “The melatonin onset and our body rhythms change,” Krishna said. “You can’t stick to what worked two years ago with this child, because this child is now a different child.”

About 25 percent of young children experience some type of sleep difficulty, including trouble settling down at bedtime, LeBourgeois

MANILA: Philippines Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag shows surgical equipment used to cut bones, one of the many tools used by doctors when operating on firecracker victims who are rushed to hospitals during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, during a press conference in Manila yesterday. — AFP

said. Harried parents aside, there’s concern that early-in-life bedtime frustration might lead to more persistent sleep trouble.

“Listen to your child’s physiology,” she advised. Some steps that might help: Research shows that in adults, too much light in the evening delays the melatonin surge and subsequent sleepiness. While there’s no data in young children yet, LeBourgeois says dimming the lights about an hour before bedtime makes sense. Avoid electronics near bedtime, because they generate a specific type of light that triggers wakefulness. LeBourgeois was horrified to hear one parent offer a sleepless youngster an iPad to play with as long as the child stayed in the bedroom. And make sure blackout shades aren’t keeping your children from getting enough morning sunlight, she said. Light in the morning also is key to keeping the biological sleep clock on schedule.

Stay tuned: With funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, LeBourgeois has begun a larger study that will track sleep patterns of 40 2-year-olds until they’re 5. She’ll also measure their light exposure, and periodically record their brain waves during sleep, in a bid to better understand the influence of sleep patterns on children’s development. —AP

MANILA: Philippines Department of Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag shows one of the many surgical tools used by doctors when operating on firecracker victims who are rushed to hospitals during the New Year’s Eve celebrations. —AFP

Meat, smoking linked to cancer incidence rates NEW YORK: Using 2008 global cancer rates from the World Health Organization, a new international study has found that certain lifestyle factors - specifically smoking and eating diets high in animal products - have the strongest association with cancer rates.

Publishing their findings in the journal Nutrients, the researchers say the results could impact international food policies.

The investigators looked at cancer rates for 21 different cancers from 157 different countries in 2008 and statistically compared these rates with indices for risk-modifying factors.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provided dietary supply data dating back to 1980. According to the researchers, there is usually a lag of about 20 years between dietary changes and peak cancer rates. Meat, fish and eggs were included in the animal products index, and lung cancer rates were used as an index for smoking and air pollution effects.

Over half of the cancer incidence rates were explained by smoking and animal product indices among the 87 countries, the study

shows. Additionally, alcoholic beverage supply explained a smaller, yet still significant amount of the cancer rates.

National food policies The data showed that diets high in animal products had the strongest association to rates of certain cancers, including breast and prostate. The smoking index was twice as important as the animal product for males, the team notes.

However, for females, the animal product index was twice as important, uncovering a gender difference in risk factors.

The team found that animal products had the strongest correlation among certain cancers, including female breast, kidney, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, testicular and thyroid cancer. Animal products may increase cancer risks, the researchers say, because they promote growth of the body as well as tumors by producing insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I).

They use the Japanese population as an example, noting that older Japanese generations are generally shorter than Westerners, while younger generations are about as tall.

Although the traditional Japanese diet received only 10% of its calories from animal products, Japan has since transitioned to a more Western diet, in which 20% of the calories come from animal products.

Important study The team also notes that rates of cancers common in Western countries have increased significantly in Japan over the past 20-30 years.

Dr Neal Barnard, president of the Physicians Committee and a faculty member of the George Washington University School of Medicine, says: “This is an important study showing strong relationships between meaty diets and cancer risk. There’s a clear-cut lesson there for national food policies.” Other findings from the study reveal that alcoholic beverage supply correlated with colorectal cancer, and added sweeteners were linked to incidence of brain cancer in females, pancreatic and prostate cancer.

Medical News Today recently reported on a study that suggested eating a tomato-rich diet may reduce the risk of breast cancer. —MNT

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

Lung cancer scans urged for some smokers, not all Long-anticipated decision WASHINGTON: Certain current or former heavy smokers should start getting yearly scans for lung cancer to cut their risk of death from the nation’s top cancer killer, government advisers said yesterday - even as they stressed that the tests aren’t for everyone. The long-anticipated decision by the influential US Preventive Services Task Force says these CT scans of the lungs should be offered only to people at especially high risk: those who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years or an equivalent amount, such as two packs a day for 15 years - and who are between the ages of 55 and 80.

That’s roughly 10 million people, but not all of them qualify for screening, said task force vice chairman Dr. Michael LeFevre, a University of Missouri family physician. Even those high-risk people shouldn’t be scanned if they’re not healthy enough to withstand cancer treatment, or if they kicked the habit more than 15 years ago.

Lung cancer kills nearly 160,000 Americans each year. Smoking is the biggest risk factor, and the more and longer people smoke, the higher their

risk. Usually, lung cancer is diagnosed too late for treatment to succeed, but until now there hasn’t been a good means of early detection.

The newly recommended screening could prevent as many as 20,000 deaths a year, LeFevre said - if it’s used correctly.

That estimate assumes good candidates seek the scans. There’s no way to know if people at the highest risk will, or if instead the overly anxious will flood testing centers.

Screen the wrong people, “and we could see more harm than good,” LeFevre cautioned. “There’s a lot of room for what I would call people exploiting the recommendation. I can imagine a street-corner imaging center advertising to invite people in.”

Why not screen younger or lighter smokers? There’s no data to tell whether they’d be helped. Lung cancer is rare before age 50, and the major study that showed screening could save lives enrolled only heavy smokers starting at age 55.

Harm-free screening But screening isn’t harm-free. A sus-

picious scan is far more likely to be a false alarm than a tumor, LeFevre noted.

Yet patients may undergo invasive testing to find out, which in turn can cause complications. Moreover, radiation accumulated from even low-dose CT scans can raise the risk of cancer. And occasionally, screening detects tumors so small and slow-growing that they never would have threatened the person’s life.

While screening clearly can benefit some people, “the best way to avoid lung cancer death is to stop smoking,” LeFevre added.

The task force proposed the screenings last summer but published its final recommendation Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. That clears the way for insurers to begin paying for the scans, which cost between $300 and $500, according to the American Lung Association.

Under the Obama administration’s health care law, cancer screenings that are backed by the task force are supposed to be covered with no copays, although plans have a year to adopt new recommendations. —AP

NASHUA: Dr Steven Birnbaum works with a patient in a CT scanner at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua. A national study suggests the world’s top cancer killer isn’t always as deadly as doctors once thought, finding that more than 18 percent of lung cancers detected in screening scans are likely so slow growing that they’d never cause problems. But the provocative results are unlikely to change how doctors treat lung cancer. —AP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

W H AT ’ S O N

Egyptian Cultural Union at AUK holds its first event

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he Egyptian Cultural Union (ECU) at AUK held its first event aiming to introduce the newly established student club to the AUK and public community. The event included booths representing three of the Egyptian subcultures of Nubia, costal Alexandria and Cairo. Each booth informed the visitors about traditional customs, foods, and attractions related to each subculture. The Nubia booth a Henna (tattoo) lady, the Alexandria booth had local food from the costal cuisine and the Cairo booth had some ancient Egyptian artefacts.

Not far away from the cultural booths, a photo stand was setup for visitors to take photos with friends against a backdrop of the Giza Pyramids and Sultan Hasan’s famous mosque in Cairo.

Complementing the Egyptian experience, the Egyptian folk band (Sharaf) performed the Egyptian famous folk show “Al Tanoora” in a festive atmos-

Entertainment City announces New Year holiday timings

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he Entertainment City welcomes visitors during the New Year holiday on special timings from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, the Touristic Enterprises Company announced in a statement yesterday. The special timings apply to the holiday on Wednesday and Thursday, whereas the facility welcomes visitors during the weekend on regular timings from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Meanwhile, Vice President for the Entertainment City Affairs, Meshari Al-San’ousy, announced that a special program is prepared for the New Year holiday featuring laser shows, DJ displays and competitions.

phere. The day ended by an Egyptian comic play (El Eyal Kebret) performed by the students in open air in a home cinema setting.

The club’s President, Mark Riad, expressed his delight for “seeing the ECU’s members’ effort and time pay off with such a warm and engaging event.”

Dr Mohsen Bagnied, professor of Marketing and Economics at AUK and the club’s Faculty Advisor, said “The event was a great success. I really look forward to further ECU accomplishments during the coming years.” The Egyptian Cultural Union is a student club that aspires to raise awareness about the Egyptian culture among the community in a fun and engaging manner. Through a variety of educational and cultural events, the union aims to instill knowledge about the Egyptian civilization, heritage, cultural diversity, and intellectual contributions to the Arab world.

Kayamkulam NRIs ‘Kudumbasangamam’

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ayamkulam NRIs Kuwait Chapter will hold its annual ‘Kudumbasangamam’ family get-together tomorrow, January 02, 2014, at the Rhythm Auditorium, Abbassiya, at 6.30pm. A variety of cultural programs and games will be staged on this happy occasion to entertain its members and their families. For more details, please contact mobile: 9917095/55110309/67669535.

YMCA Kuwait Christmas Carol

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MCA Kuwait is conducting its 4th Christmas Carol Celebrations tomorrow 2nd January at Indian Community School (Senior), Salmiya from 6.45 pm onwards. Along with the presence of heavenly angels in our hearts, various choir groups in Kuwait will sing glory to the new born King. All are heartily invited. For more information please contact: 97542985, 66321499.

Annual celebration of Kuwait Continental Hotels Group Co

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he management of Kuwait Continental Hotels Co held the usual annual celebration of the hotels’ staff and their families to strengthen the loyalty of them and to highlight their role in advancing & success the work during 2013.

The ceremony was held in Gardenia Hall of Kuwait Continental Hotel, the reception was opened by the hotel general manager, Kamal ElDin Hussein, who explained how the development and expansion witnessed by the hotel during the past sixteen years and the lobby, Gardenia Restaurant and rooms renewal also this year which become a glorious place recently and so on Kamal Hussein thanked and honored the oldest employees of the Hotel Noor Al Hashmi the maintenance manager, Mohamed Kamal finance manager and driver Muhsen.

Kamal Hussein thanked and commended the staff for their efforts during 2013 which was impact on the sales last year with 10% and average occupancy rate of over 80%, despite stiff competition and the emergence of many new Hotels.

Kamal Hussein honored group of staff from all departments as being ideal employees during all year of 2013, before leaving them to enjoy the ceremony, which included some of children’s competitions, staff competition of most beautiful National Dress and the competi-

Kamal El-Din Hussein (5th from right) with staff. tion of the employ of the year 2013 and wonderful magic performed by magician.

Kamal Hussein also honored the companies who shared to present gifts to the staff that also contributed to the success of the celebration at

the end of the ceremony. Kamal Hussein delivered the annual bonus; a month’s salary for all staff of the hotel which was ordered by Fouad Al-Ghanim the CEO.

KNES trip to Italian circus

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he Primary students from Kuwait National English School from Year 3 to Year 6 enjoyed a trip to watch the show at the Italian Circus on the last day of the first term.

Madame Chantal Al Gharabally, school Director from Kuwait National English School and staff who accom-

Clown entertaining the staff and their families.

Embassy of India holiday notice The Embassy of India will be closed on the following dates during the month of January 2014.

1 January 2014, Wednesday - New Year’s Day 14 January 2014, Tuesday - Eid - E - Milad 26 January 2014, Sunday - Republic Day

panied the students appreciated the show. Children were participating and laughing a lot especially at the clown and were amazed by the acrobats and animals. This was a nice way to end up with the term before holidays for Kuwait National English School young students.

Competition for children.

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.

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.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information

World Arabic language day

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o honor World Arabic Language Day, the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Cultural Committee, held an exhibition of student’s projects carrying the same theme. The event was held under the patronage and attendance of Prof.

Donald Bates, GUST President.

The World Arabic Language Day was adopted by the United Nations in 1973, when it was finally approved that the Arabic language be used in the UN and its organizations.

Dr Salah Eddine Arkadan, Assistant Professor and Head of the Cultural Committee, explained the importance and meaning behind this day to all in

attendance and commended the students for their interest and hard work, particularly since GUST one of the few institutions that celebrate this occasion.

The students projects’ ranged between those defining the characteristics of the Arabic language, or defining the literary personalities of poets and writers both old and contemporary as well as some Arabic books and references. The contributions of Kuwaiti authors and poets were apparent and proudly displayed at the exhibition. GUST strives to educate its students in not only the English language with its accredited Foundation Program, but also to keep true to their roots with the growth and honing of their Arabic writing and literary knowledge.

KUDA welcomes ambassador of India

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erala United Districts Association (KUDA) visited the Indian Embassy and welcomed Sunil Jain, the Ambassador of India to Kuwait. Kuda delegation discussed about the prevailing issues such as the safety and security of the Indian Community, Unhygienic conditions due to the continuous overflow of sewage and septic water over Abbassiya streets, increase of house rent by violating the existing contract with tenants, open a new facilitation center for counselor services in Abbassiya, wrapping up of Air India Express services for Kuwait-Mangalore-Cochin Sector, granting permission to Jet Airways to operate Kuwait-Kerala sector and resume the coordination meeting with community leaders in the Embassy. The ambassador assured the delegation that the Embassy will provide all possible assistance to solve the above mentioned issues.

KUDA delegation expressed their gratitude and extended their wholehearted support to Indian Embassy. The delegation included Joy Mundakat (Chairman), Raju Zacharia (Secretary General), Sam. V. Thomas( Treasurer), Vijayan Pilla, Samelkutty, Saji Varghese, M.P.Sen, Geral Jose, George Mathew, Chandramohan and Adv. Lalji Jacob.

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 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:

PLG’s day care service

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he PLG Kindergarten announced offering a day care service starting with the new year, which allows parents to leave their children under professional, comprehensive care between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm every day.

Sponsored by the Kuwait Small Projects Development Company, the PLG Kindergarten provides an Arab and Islamic curricula combined with certified US curricula for children between 1 and 4 years of age.

Greetings Happy 1st happy birthday today to Mohd Ridwan.

Regards from Uppa, Umma, Nisma, and Abubaker.

17th Youth Chorus Christmas celebrations

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elodious carol songs was rendered by the most popular and well-trained carol teams from all the ecumenical churches in Kuwait, United Indian School, Indian Central School and Indian Public School teams on the same stage, at 17th Youth Chorus Christmas celebrations held at United Indian School, auditorium. A huge crowd witnessed it with a joyful heart which was a spectacular function with teams in different colors singing English, Malayalam and Tamil carol songs.

Youth Chorus rendered a new song written and composed by John Abraham, Choir master and President of the association. Choir teams of KTMCC, St Thomas Evanjelical Church, Kuwait City Mar Thoma Church, St Peter’s C.S.I church, St George Universal Syrian Orthodox (reesh) church, St. Gregorious Indian Orthodox Maha edavaka Church, St John’s Tamil C.S.I church, Indian Public School, Indian Central School, United Indian School and Youth Chorus performed on the same dias with different carol songs.

Priests from different congregations and spiritual leaders lead various programs at the event and community leaders from various fields were present to witness the

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.

Write to us Send to What’s On mega event. A team lead by Thomas Chandy MLA, John Abraham, Somu Mathew, Adv. John Thomas, Tony Mathew was leading the program with various committee conveners, Raju Zakarias, Santhosh Eayo, Shibu Pulampallil, Shaji Simon, Abey Koshy , Jogy Jacob, Shiju Othara, Sen M.P, Iype Mathew, Prakash, KJ John , Kessiya Sunny, George Joseph,

Santhosh Oommen, Bipin Mathai, George Henry, Samkutty in joining hands. Philip Varghese, Annie George, KV George, Jocey Benny, MP Sen read the scriptures and Chinnu Maxin and Jojy Jacob compared the whole event.

Pancily Varkey, Country Head, UAExchange was honored on the occasion for his commitment to the society.

upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

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Mulligan on the Coen Brothers: They pushed me to be nastier

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RISE OF THE GUARDIANS ON OSN MOVIES HD Leno 12:00 Two And A Half Men 12:30 Arrested Development 13:00 Arrested Development 13:30 Friends 14:00 Melissa & Joey 14:30 The Crazy Ones 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Two And A Half Men 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Raising Hope 18:30 How To Live With Your Parents 19:00 Guys With Kids 19:30 Community 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 22:30 Family Guy 23:00 Veep 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallo

03:00 06:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 22:00 23:00

05:00 07:30 09:00 10:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

Rescue Me Royal Pains Royal Pains The Ellen DeGeneres Show Bones Franklin & Bash Hannibal Rescue Me

Good Morning America Coronation Street C.S.I. Coronation Street C.S.I. Parenthood Switched At Birth Live Good Morning America C.S.I. Switched At Birth Parenthood C.S.I. Switched At Birth Boardwalk Empire

04:00 Blackthorn-PG15 06:00 Metal Shifters-PG15 08:00 True Justice: Dead DropPG15 09:45 Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows-PG15 12:00 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol-PG15 14:15 True Justice: Dead DropPG15 16:00 Romancing The Stone-PG15 18:00 Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol-PG15 20:15 Imago Mortis-PG15 22:00 Grave Encounters-18

04:00 06:00 PG15 08:00 PG 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 PG15 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:15 PG15 13:00 15:15 16:45 PG15 18:30 21:00 23:00

Waiting For Forever-PG15 A Kiss At Midnight-PG15 The Wild Girl-PG15 Taken Back: Finding HaleyResistance-PG15 Amour-PG15 Little Birds-18 Hesher-18

The Intouchables-PG15 Wish You Were Here-PG15 I’ve Loved You So Long-PG15 We Bought A Zoo-PG When Love Is Not Enough-

Spy Hard-PG15 New Year’s Eve-PG15 A Thousand Words-PG15 Spy Hard-PG15 Today’s Special-PG15 American Cowslip-18 Why Stop Now-PG15

03:00 Sparkle-PG15 05:00 Remember Sunday-PG15 07:00 Hide Away-PG15

10:00 12:00 14:00 18:00 20:00 21:00

NHL WWE SmackDown Darts NHL The Fedex Cup Playoffs Live NHL

Terms Of Endearment-PG15 The Key Man-PG15 When Love Is Not EnoughMemoirs Of A Geisha-18 A Kiss Before Dying-PG15 Cosmopolis-18

03:30 Katy Perry The Movie: Part Of Me-PG 05:15 Rise Of The Guardians-PG 07:00 This Means War-PG15 09:00 Footloose-PG15 11:00 Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away-PG 12:30 The Dark Knight Rises-PG15 15:15 You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger-PG15 17:00 Footloose-PG15 19:00 The Guilt Trip-PG15 21:00 Scary Movie 5-PG15 23:00 The Raven-18

04:30 The Adventures Of Don Quixote 06:00 Eleanor’s Secret 08:00 The Great Bear 09:45 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 11:30 Puss In Boots 13:00 Ice Age: Continental Drift 14:30 The Legend Of Sarila 16:00 Snowflake , The White Gorilla 18:00 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 20:00 Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate 22:00 The Great Bear 23:30 The Legend Of Sarila

04:15 Brave-PG 06:00 Chimpanzee-PG 08:00 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey-PG 10:45 Project Nim-PG15 12:30 The Bourne Legacy-PG15 14:45 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt-PG15 16:15 The Runway-PG15 18:00 Haywire-PG15 20:00 Taken 2-PG15 22:00 London Boulevard-18

New Year’s Eve-PG15 Blame It On The BellboyWho Framed Roger Rabbit-

18:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 18:30 Futbol Mundial 19:00 Cricket ODI Series Highlights 20:00 ICC Cricket 360 20:30 America’s Cup Review Show 21:30 Trans World Sport 22:30 Futbol Mundial 23:00 Live PDC World Darts Championship

03:00 Super Rugby Highlights 03:30 Currie Cup Highlights 04:00 ITM Cup Highlights 04:30 Super League Highlights 05:00 NRL Highlights 05:30 RWC Highlights 06:00 PGA European Tour Weekly 07:00 PDC World Darts Championship 11:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 15:00 Super Rugby Highlights 15:30 Currie Cup Highlights 16:00 ITM Cup Highlights 16:30 Super League Highlights 17:00 The USPGA Championship Official Film

03:00 PRO 12 05:00 PRO 12 07:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 08:00 Top 14 10:00 Pro 12 12:00 Pool Mosconi Cup 16:00 European Tour Weekly 17:00 Seven World Series Highlights 17:30 Pro 12 19:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 20:30 Top 14 22:30 Top 14 Highlights 23:00 European Tour Weekly

03:00 05:45 09:15 10:15 11:30 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00

Ping Pong World Live Cricket Twenty 20 WWE Vintage Collection WWE NXT Live Cricket Twenty 20 NHL WWE Vintage Collection WWE NXT Monster Energy Supercross World Snowboarding

20:30 F1 H2O World Championship Highlights 21:00 European Le Mans Series 22:00 Bellator MMA

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 11:15 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 17:00

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Austin And Ally Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Gravity Falls Mako Mermaids Mako Mermaids Mako Mermaids Mako Mermaids Ratatouille Prank Stars Wolfblood Suite Life On Deck A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Shake It Up That’s So Raven Jessie Good Luck Charlie Mako Mermaids Mako Mermaids Mako Mermaids Mako Mermaids Violetta Teen Beach Movie

he may have a certain girl-next-door appeal that has made her a hot property over the last four years, but Carey Mulligan shreds that image in her first few scenes of Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Inside Llewyn Davis.” As Jean, a Greenwich Village folkie, she drops F-bombs and S-bombs and spews vitriol over Oscar Isaac’s ne’er-do-well Llewyn, whose child she may be carrying.

One scene, set in Washington Square Park, concludes with this delightfully blunt summation: “I should have had you wear double condoms. Well, we shouldn’t have done it in the first place. But if you ever do it again, which as a favor to women everywhere you should not, but if you do, you should be wearing condom on condom. And then wrap it in electrical tape. You should just walk around always inside a great big condom. Because you are shit. You should not be in contact with any living being. Being shit.”

Eight years after making her debut in “Pride & Prejudice,” four years after winning an Oscar nomination for “An Education” and seven months after appearing with Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann’s “ The Great Gatsby,” Mulligan is relishing her small but delicious role in “Llewyn Davis.” She spoke to TheWrap a week after shooting ended on her starring role in Danish director Thomas Vinterberg’s adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel “Far From the Madding Crowd.”

You sing very sweetly in “Inside Llewyn Davis,” but you also have that scorching scene where Jean lays into Llewyn in the park. That was my audition scene, and it was one of the reasons I was desperate to do this movie. It’s so rare to see a female character where they’ve strung more than two sentences together. In most scripts, there’s nothing, no substance to so many female characters-the writing is just so thin. But this was dense and brilliantly written.

There was so much ranting and raving, and I thought it would be so much fun because I’d never gotten to do that onscreen or onstage. Jean was brutal, and we’re really meeting her at the worst point in her year and possibly in her life.

But does she protest too much? Is the attraction to Llewyn still there?

Definitely. What pains her more than anything is that he does know her better than anyone, and she does have a connection with him that she doesn’t have with Justin Timberlake’s character, Jim. Her whole setup with Jim is very staged and convenient and not remotely where her heart is taking her.

The fact that Jean and Llewyn have this brutal relationship speaks to how close they are. And there are glimpses of them having a sort of warmth and affection for each other.

When you auditioned with that scene, did you feel good about it?

It was the most fun audition. I did it on tape when I was in L.A. for a week to promote “Shame,” and I pretty much did in the audition what I did on the day we shot. I just sort of got angrier and angrier and angrier. And the one I sent was definitively the most angry I could possibly be.

But I had no expectation of getting the role. None. It was a complete shock.

Why? Being in a Coen brothers film feels elite. The kind of actors that get to be in their films, you just don’t imagine you’ll ever end up in that group.

What was the experience of being in that group like for you?

I was only there in New York for two weeks. But the days when I went in, you get a shot list, and it’s storyboarded. So you know you’ll be the third shot of the day, and they’ll shoot a mid shot, and that’s it. They don’t shoot coverage, they just shoot what they’re going to use.

I’ve never ever seen that before. I’ve never been in a movie where they haven’t shot every possible angle, unless they’ve run out of time. We had days where we finished at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and went home. That never happens. I guess that happens on Woody Allen films, but I’d never experienced that. I’ve always experienced shoots where you run over by an hour and the crew all hate you. There’s something quite relaxing about knowing I’m not going to be on camera until then, and it’ll be this shot. I just love the way they work.

You sang “New York, New York” in “Shame,” and your husband Marcus Mumford is one of the producers of the “Llewyn Davis” soundtrack album. Did you feel comfortable with the musical side of the film?

No. I was nervous to be singing with [musical director] T Bone Burnett, and for Joel and Ethan. On the plane coming out to LA. to do a week rehearsing the music, I’d seen “Inside the Actors Studio” with George Clooney, where he talked about singing for the Coens for “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

And he talked about this disastrous experience of singing for the first time and seeing their faces fall. I was so hyper-aware of being in the studio and recording my thing and looking up and seeing Joel and Ethan, and they were just staring down at the floor. I was so scared.

And they’re not really known for giving lots of positive feedback.

Yeah, they’re not people who come up and slap you on the back. It’s much more chilled out than that. There’s no trumpets blaring when you’re filming with them. Ethan will sometimes come over and stare off into the distance and think for a second, standing right next to your head. Then he’ll start laughing at something he’s just thought of, and then he’ll give you a note, and you’ll try to work on that. Joel’s much more direct. He’ll come in and say, “Say this, don’t say that, try this...” But I always felt like, I’m being guided by them.

I can do anything, and they’ll guide me in the right direction, rein me in if they need to and fix it if it’s wrong.

Did they need to rein you in?

No, they pushed me to be nastier and scream louder and say more swear words. I was completely relaxed. I didn’t think about my accent, I didn’t think about anything. It was so cathartic, especially coming off “Gatsby.” That was the only really big film that I’d ever done, and I wasn’t used to working in that way. It was also the only film where I’ve played a character who’s meant to be pretty. So that was sort of a bizarre stress and something that I had to think about in a visual way. It was kind of weird for me. So to come off that film and just put on a big black dark wig, no makeup and just sort of march around was great. It was like stomping around in the mud after being in a pretty dress, which was exactly what I wanted to do.

Could you have fun shooting the scene where you sing “500 Miles” with Justin Timberlake and Stark Sands?

Well, that was the first scene we shot. And it was recorded live, and I wasn’t expecting it to be. I thought it would be playback. And I wasn’t meant to sing on my own. We were just about to shoot it, and Joel came over to me said, “You should sing those two lines on your own, because it tells that story better when you look at Oscar.” And I said, “What? On my own? That wasn’t part of the deal. I wasn’t meant to sing on my own.” T Bone had to come and sort of talk me off the ledge.

But “500 Miles” always has a female voice - on the Peter, Paul and Mary version, Mary sings lead. I know. I think they probably always knew I was going to sing alone, but they just didn’t tell me so I didn’t build it up into some terrible nightmare. They just sprung it at the last minute. —AP

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

Kuwait

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (26/12/2013 TO 01/01/2014)

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) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

FANAR-2 FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-3 HOURS (DIG) HOURS (DIG) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) HOURS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:15 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-4 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D)

1:00 PM 3:00 PM

47 RONIN (DIG) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

5:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

FANAR-5 MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 9:00 PM 11:45 PM

MARINA-1 MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 12:05 AM

MARINA-2 JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) HOURS (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

FOR SALE

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 JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:30 PM

(DIG) (DIG) (DIG) (DIG) (DIG) (DIG)

AVENUES-2 FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-3 DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI)

1:30 PM 5:00 PM 8:30 PM 12:05 AM

360º- 1 GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

360º- 2 MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

One year used furniture bedroom set, double coat with custom made special mattress, side table, four door cupboard with mirror.

All KD 95, price negotiable, if interested call 66619705.

(C 4605) 30-12-2013 SITUATION WANTED

mation that my original qualifying examination certificate of mains CBSE Secondary School Examination Grade Sheet cum Certificate of Performance (2010-2012) and roll number 8106218, 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)

Supply and Logistics Management Specialist seeking employment with reputable company in Kuwait. For more information contact at cell # 66282384 or e-mail at gallesps37@hotmail.com (C 4606) 1-1-2014

No: 16034

LOST Wallet, including civil ID, ATM bank card, money and other importance receipt.

Finder kindly contact: 69691224.

1-1-2014 It is notified for the infor-

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines 574 JZR JZR THY QTR DLH ETH GFA THY UAE ETD OMA MSR QTR FDB THY DHX FDB JZR BAW KAC KAC KAC QTR FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY IRM ETD FDB QTR GFA IRA IAW JZR MEA TMA JZR JZR MSC IRM UAE MSR SVA CLX KAC KAC KNE FDB QTR KAC

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 1/1/2014 Flt Route 737 MUMBAI 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 772 ISTANBUL 1084 DOHA 637 DAMMAM 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 764 SABIHA 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 643 MUSCAT 612 CAIRO 1076 DOHA 67 DUBAI 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 529 ASYUT 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 206 ISLAMABAD 302 MUMBAI 1086 DOHA 53 DUBAI 344 CHENNAI 362 COLOMBO 352 COCHIN 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 1186 TEHRAN 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 55 DUBAI 1070 DOHA 213 BAHRAIN 603 SHIRAZ 157 BAGHDAD 165 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 213 BEIRUT 561 SOHAG 359 MASHAD 403 ASYUT 1188 MASHAD 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 9342 JEDDAH 792 LUXEMBOURG 382 DELHI 522 NAJAF 480 TAIF 57 DUBAI 1078 DOHA 672 DUBAI

Time 00:10 00:40 00:40 00:45 00:55 01:10 01:45 02:10 02:15 02:35 02:45 03:05 03:10 03:45 04:00 05:35 05:40 05:50 06:20 06:40 06:45 07:40 07:55 07:50 07:50 08:35 08:45 08:10 08:40 09:00 09:15 09:20 09:40 09:55 10:40 10:45 11:00 11:30 11:55 12:10 12:55 12:55 12:20 12:40 12:50 13:00 13:10 13:15 13:05 13:45 13:15 13:50 13:55 14:00

MSR KAC SVA IRC KNE GFA KAC KNE JAV KAC QTR UAE ETD RJA JZR JZR JZR SVA ABY GFA KAC KAC RBG JZR QTR FDB IYE KAC KAC KAC KAC GFA OMA KAC KAC FDB MSC JAI IRC ABY ETD AXB MSR DLH ALK MEA ETD UAE GFA QTR FDB JAI JZR JZR AIC JZR

575 790 500 6692 472 221 788 462 621 538 1072 857 303 640 787 357 777 510 127 215 542 284 553 177 1080 63 826 786 166 774 618 217 647 674 102 61 405 572 6626 129 919 489 606 634 229 402 307 859 219 1074 59 576 135 239 975 185

SHARM EL SHEIKH MEDINAH JEDDAH MASHAD JEDDAH BAHRAIN JEDDAH MEDINAH AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA SHARM EL SHEIKH DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA RIYADH MASHAD JEDDAH RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN CAIRO DHAKA ALEXANDRIA DUBAI DOHA DUBAI SANAA JEDDAH PARIS RIYADH DOHA BAHRAIN MUSCAT DUBAI NEW YORK DUBAI SOHAG MUMBAI MASHAD SHARJAH ABU DHABI-INTL COCHIN LUXOR FRANKFURT COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI COCHIN BAHRAIN AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA CHENNAI DUBAI

14:15 14:25 14:30 14:35 14:35 15:00 15:10 15:45 15:55 16:05 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:00 17:55 17:55 17:15 17:25 17:30 18:05 18:00 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:45 18:55 18:45 19:10 19:30 19:00 19:30 19:55 19:25 19:35 20:05 20:05 20:10 20:15 20:20 20:25 20:35 20:45 20:55 21:10 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:05 22:20 22:30 23:20

Airlines AIC ETH UAL JAI DLH DLH ETH THY UAE KAC ETD OMA MSR QTR FDB QTR KAC JZR FDB JZR JZR THY GFA THY KAC FDB BAW QTR KAC KAC ABY KAC UAE KAC KAC ETD FDB IRM KAC QTR GFA KAC IRA JZR IAW KAC JZR MEA KAC MSC JZR JZR TMA MSR

Departure Flights on Wednesday 1/1/2014 Flt Route Time 982 AHMEDABAD 00:05 3718 DUBAI 00:30 981 WASHINGTON 00:55 573 MUMBAI 01:10 637 FRANKFURT 02:10 635 FRANKFURT 02:10 621 ADDIS ABABA 02:45 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 02:55 854 DUBAI 03:50 381 DELHI 03:50 306 ABU DHABI 04:00 644 MUSCAT 04:05 613 CAIRO 04:10 1085 DOHA 04:15 68 DUBAI 04:40 1077 DOHA 05:15 283 DHAKA 05:30 560 SOHAG 06:20 70 DUBAI 06:30 358 MASHHAD 06:55 164 DUBAI 06:55 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 07:05 212 BAHRAIN 07:15 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 07:30 537 SHARM EL SHEIKH 08:10 54 DUBAI 08:30 156 LONDON 08:45 1087 DOHA 08:50 787 JEDDAH 09:25 671 DUBAI 09:30 126 SHARJAH 09:40 789 MADINAH 09:45 856 DUBAI 09:55 117 NEW YORK 10:00 521 AL NAJAF 10:05 302 ABU DHABI 10:05 56 DUBAI 10:20 1187 TEHRAN 10:30 175 FRANKFURT 10:45 1071 DOHA 10:55 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 541 CAIRO 11:30 602 MASHHAD 11:45 356 MASHHAD 11:55 158 AL NAJAF 12:00 103 LONDON 12:20 776 JEDDAH 12:25 405 BEIRUT 12:55 785 JEDDAH 13:00 406 SOHAG 13:20 786 RIYADH 13:35 176 DUBAI 13:45 223 AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL 13:45 611 CAIRO 14:00

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

IRM KNE UAE FDB SVA CLX QTR MSR KAC KAC KNE IRC GFA SVA KAC KNE JZR JAV ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR JZR RBG JZR FDB QTR IYE GFA FDB KAC OMA ABY KAC MSC JAI KAC IRC MSR DHX ALK MEA ETD ETD GFA KAC KAC FDB UAE KAC QTR JAI JZR JZR KAC

1189 481 872 58 2343 792 1079 576 673 617 473 6693 222 503 773 463 238 622 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 266 554 134 64 1081 827 218 62 331 648 120 361 404 571 351 6627 619 171 230 403 308 920 220 301 301 60 860 205 1075 575 528 502 415

MASHHAD TAIF DUBAI DUBAI JEDDAH GIALAM DOHA SHARM EL SHEIKH DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH MASHHAD BAHRAIN MADINAH RIYADH MADINAH AMMAN AMMAN ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA RIYAN MUKALLA BAHRAIN DUBAI TRIVANDRUM MUSCAT SHARJAH COLOMBO ASYUT MUMBAI KOCHI MASHHAD ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MUMBAI MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD DOHA ABU DHABI ASYUT LUXOR KUALA LUMPUR

14:05 14:10 14:15 14:30 14:35 14:45 14:55 15:00 15:05 15:30 15:30 15:35 15:45 15:45 16:05 16:35 16:55 17:15 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:25 19:40 19:55 20:15 20:45 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:10 21:15 21:45 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 23:10 23:15 23:25 23:30 23:55

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 416

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES You are mentally very sharp. Consider expanding your mind through furthering your education—make your plans. Open up your belief system, your whole base of knowledge and experience. Time’s a wastin’—let no grass grow between your toes! This is an excellent time to make decisions and take care of any mental work. If you teach, this is a good time to plan an outstanding winter or spring program of study. Things are working with rather than against you now. There are some old traditions that you may have in your past that you will want to reinstate now. This is a high-energy day and much is accomplished. A little shopping in preparation for a day off with friends and family tomorrow and you prepare for the celebrating tonight!

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Fate sends opportunity your way—careful, you could pass this up if you are not paying attention. New information can change your outlook and your life, but you must be on the lookout for it. Money, sensuality and health can be a focus for this—travel may help you to decide the outcome. Gurus and ideologies of one kind or another—religious, political, philosophical and such—may seem to have all the answers at this time. Be very careful whom and what you believe in, as you could be deceived or you might even deceive yourself. The easy answers may seem so wonderful, careful. There is nothing wrong with having your head in the clouds, but it is a mistake to try to live there. A sweet little animal is yours for the asking today.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. One of the most common of the five major classes of immunoglobulins.

4. A case used to carry belongings when traveling.

11. A vigorous blow.

15. A unit of illumination equal to 1 lumen per square meter.

16. Lacking fresh air.

17. Type genus of the family Arcidae.

18. American prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942).

19. Having or denoting a high range.

20. (Islam) The man who leads prayers in a mosque.

21. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion.

23. Steal goods.

25. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice.

26. (Greek mythology) One of the three Graces.

27. A man who is a stupid fool.

30. Wool of the alpaca.

33. Perennial northern temperate plant with toothed leaves and heads of small purplishwhite flowers.

40. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

41. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

42. A second-rate prize fighter.

44. A workplace for the conduct of scientific research.

46. Amount of a charge or payment relative to some basis.

48. The compass point midway between northeast and east.

49. (informal) `johnny' was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War. 50. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

52. A doctor's degree in theology.

53. Alternatively, a member of the family Nymphaeaceae.

55. A genus of Platalea.

58. The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively.

59. The cry made by sheep.

61. The Magadhan language spoken by the Assamese people.

63. A fee charged for exchanging currencies.

66. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States.

67. An association of countries in the western hemisphere.

68. Ratio of the hypotenuse to the opposite side.

71. A unit of information equal to 1024 bytes.

73. United States lawyer and politician who formulated a production code that prescribed the moral content of United states films from 1930 to 1966 (1879-1954).

76. A nucleic acid that transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm.

77. Having accompaniment or companions or escort.

81. An electrically charged particle.

82. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank.

83. Upset and make nauseated.

84. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

85. Intentionally so written (used after a printed word or phrase).

86. A miserly person.

87. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

DOWN 1. Tropical American tree grown in southern United States having a whitish pink-tinged fruit.

2. A Russian prison camp for political prisoners.

3. Of or relating to or resembling an axis of rotation.

4. A vehicle carrying many passengers.

5. A kind of heavy jacket (`windcheater' is a British term).

6. An expression of open-mouthed astonishment.

7. Type genus of the Giraffidae.

8. An anti-TNF compound (trade name Arava) that is given orally.

9. French diplomat who in 1793 tried to draw the United States into the war between France and England (1763-1834).

10. The capital and largest city of Japan.

11. The Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Dali region of Yunnan.

12. A large fleet.

13. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae.

14. Stable gear consisting of either of two curved supports that are attached to the collar of a draft horse and that hold the traces.

22. (combining form) Indicating radiation or radioactivity.

24. Occupied or in the control of.

28. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing.

29. South American armadillo with three bands of bony plates.

31. An archaic or literary name for China.

32. Apathy and inactivity in the practice of virtue (personified as one of the deadly sins).

34. Type genus of the Ranidae.

35. One of the common people.

36. A small constellation in the southern hemisphere near Lupus and Ara in the Milky Way. 37. A small cake leavened with yeast.

38. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

39. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily.

43. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

45. South African term for `boss'.

47. A highly unstable radioactive element (the heaviest of the halogen series).

51. The dynasty that ruled much of Manchuria and northeastern China from 947 to 1125.

54. A slender double-reed instrument.

56. Common black-and-gray Eurasian bird noted for thievery.

57. A woman hired to suckle a child of someone else.

60. God of wisdom or prophesy.

62. (Old Testament) The first of the major Hebrew prophets (8th century BC).

64. A Dravidian language spoken by the Gond people in south central India.

65. (Old Testament) The second patriarch.

69. Having the slant of a bevel.

70. (Sumerian) Sun god.

72. The 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet.

74. A Hindu theistic philosophy.

75. An unforeseen obstacle.

78. Of or relating to or characteristic of Thailand of its people.

79. Remaining after all deductions.

80. A doctor's degree in education.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

Travel in your professional life may be on hold for a bit but this may be a blessing. This day however, may have opportunities for travel. A stay at a lakeside cabin, motel, hotel, etc., may be planned or a call ahead may find an opening just for you and a loved one this next weekend. Whatever the case, today is not such a busy day . . .

You have done your work and now all you need to do is ring up the sales or be available to help a client. Take a step back and jot down a few goals on next year’s calendar. Consider hanging a red pencil from a string near this calendar and check off these goals as time goes by . . . You will really be pleased with yourself by this time next year. New and perhaps unusual ways of appreciating and loving may become possible soon.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You will gladly accept a job or an assignment that could take you off the beaten path. Do not go too far though—you will want to be home in time for the big social you and your family or friends usually enjoy at this time of the year. You should find yourself having a clear vision into your own inner sense of values, how you appreciate and love. This is a good time to examine and ponder what is most important to you. This should be a great time for new goal planning. You may find new wisdom and discovery in organization and perception. Social life is going to increase in the next few days. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. If you have decided to move your residence, you could make that jumpstart now—don’t make any other jumps.

Leo (July 23-August 22) You could be thinking about past loves and fun places from time-to-time today. Pay attention to your chores or work during the day. The afternoon is great for visits and relaxed interaction with co-workers or friends. Ask about recipe favorites and request that each person bring three recipes that their families enjoyed during the holiday season—share. Whether you are a cook or your specialty is some other thing, some of these old family favorites would be wonderful to have in an album for all to enjoy and perhaps make additions to from time to time. At the first of the year you may want to have a party for your co-worker friends and perhaps a little booklet of these recipes would help you start the year out with good connections and new friends, a positive aura.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Any form of legal controversy is best avoided now. It would be far better to settle out of court than to fight to the bitter end. A change of residence is something that has been on your mind lately. You may find this move a possibility during this upcoming weekend. Educational plans need changing, as you may now realize the education you have now does not suit you as well as you would like. Anything connected with publishing, advertising or broadcasting requires reexamination. A change of plans or perspective gives you the upper hand. This is a good time for you—a time you are free to make any sort of change that you might want to try out for yourself. This holiday season also becomes one of the most memorable ones in your life.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) This is a time when you could be contemplating some changes and examining your foundation, responsibilities and basic security. You can get rid of all that is unsound, leaving only that which has been properly determined or solid. Get down to the basics. Meaning, if you are working it would be good to clean out your desk, make a full effort to get rid of the trash and file away folders that are just sitting around. If you are in retail, look around and pick up, put up and create a good presentation. You may find that you are more organized than before, able to reach new levels of self-discipline. Voices fill the air this evening as you and a group of your friends enjoy some fun interactions. Careful with your diet, there is a lot of food to savor. Take little bites.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Missing information is likely when someone is in an extreme hurry—make sure it is not you that is in a hurry! Today seems to be the type of day where everybody works toward getting things completed. Be sure that you get all of the facts and be sure that you understand a situation before you become involved. This may not be the most opportune day for making plans. It could be hard for you to figure out the right move. Go with the flow and enjoy the day for the day’s sake. You will find new opportunities to be surrounded by busy, happy people: shopping, grocery store errands, etc. You enjoy performing simple acts of altruism. Make a donation to an organization to which you feel a kinship; for instance, if you are adopted, perhaps an adoption group, etc.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Seeing that your business is taken care of may be a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned now. You crave organization and practicality and you want to your work to flow smoothly. You do everything you can at this time to make plans for this next workweek. You may arrange your time so that there is room for either additional work or you show how you are ready for an employee upgrade. This afternoon may have you in a quandary when one person seems to put a damper on what you say or think, or in some way manage to restrict your ability to communicate. Hold your tongue; the energy will pass and because you did not persist, new information will bring understanding. This evening is relaxing and fun.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You are very clearheaded and able to view all of the alternative paths and are in a planning mood. Go ahead and make those decisions. You can see the road ahead and will make the right choices. Someone will understand just how you feel and be on your side today; you feel appreciated and valued for your ability to get things accomplished. Along with your humor, others may see your somewhat eccentric nature.

You could conceivably have new insights or breakthroughs concerning your living situation or life circumstances. Tonight you have different ideas about which way to go with some group activity, which may cause some discussion time to occur. It is a super time to be constructive with others and to work together. Home life is a bash!

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Your career may be quite different next year. It is time to enjoy what you have learned and put it into action. All that education, training or experience is paying off.

You are helping others and superiors will soon be reassessing and deciding the best place for you to be working next. You may even have your own office. There always seems to be something new or a new experience just around the corner. Keep moving and making new goals, you are the fortunate one. If you are considering some type of management or investigative work, you are the one that will discover problems and find the answer that could put a problem right in no time, a true benefit. It would be good to count your blessings today. Laughter comes from young people this evening.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Ideas and communications are about topics of interest and concern just now. Getting the facts and making sure that people get your message straight are important parts of your job. This is a time when new information becomes known. You could move into a better paying position within the company for which you work. Keep aware— you are in a learning phase now, and that means adapting to changing circumstances. If possible—you may want to postpone travel plans until the office or workplace gets back to some resemblance of a smooth running organization. Then the powers that be will be most pleased to consider your needs. If you see that this is a good time to travel . . . Pack lightly and carry small bills and plenty of change.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

lifestyle G o s s i p

Eve has got engaged T

he ‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’ hitmaker’s boyfriend, designer and Gumball 3000 founder Maximillion Cooper, proposed to her on Christmas Day, her representative has confirmed to E! News. Eve - whose full name is Eve Jihan Jeffers first hinted at an engagement after posting a picture on Instagram of herself with her family, and a diamond ring was clearly visible on her left hand.

The photo was captioned: “#familytime!!!! Me and my mom and my lil brother Farrod just got to the English country side. “Feel so#blessed to be with my family and sharing my life here. I pray that you bring 2014 in with people you #love. And nothing but #good #energy. (sic)” The couple usually divide

their time between London and the US but have been spending the festive season in Edinburgh, Scotland. Posting pictures of their break on Instagram, Maximillion captioned one: “#EVE #christmas overload! #christmastree#decorations #lights #icicles #presents #edinburgh#happyholidays @thereale (sic)” And on another he wrotte: “My lil’ #scottish #Eve in #edinburgh #boxingday#mulledcider #happyholidays.(sic)” The nuptials will be Eve’s first, while Maximillion - who has been dating the ‘Barbershop’ star for over three years - has four children from a previous marriage.

Osbourne not concerned about 2014

O

zzy Osbourne is taking his life one day at a time. The 65-year-old rocker has had an eventful year amid his relapse into drugs and alcohol, a temporary separation with his wife Sharon and reuniting with Black Sabbath, but he says he doesn’t plan for the future and will take each day as it comes. He said: “I’m 65 years of age and at this point I’m taking one day at a time. I haven’t made any plans. If I can get through to Christmas, I’ll worry about 2014 after that.” Meanwhile, the musician says while he is close to his Black Sabbath bandmates Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi, the group don’t live in each others’ pockets on tour. He explained in an interview with Classic Rock magazine: “We’ve always got on with each other. I mean, I’ve known Tony for 54 years. There are no problems.” We don’t sit around crying about stuff, we just get on and do it. We don’t travel separately, but we don’t hang out in bars and we don’t really have lunch and dinner together because Geezer is a vegetarian. We’re not a band that steps off stage and then has to sit down and talk with one another in order to feel connected.”

Marvin Humes wants

Spears inspired by Timberlake

another baby in 2015

B

T

he JLS singer would love for he and wife Rochelle to have several siblings for their seven-month-old daughter Alaia-Mai, but insists they plan to wait a while before having another child. He said: “I think in two years Rochelle and I will have another. I’ve always said I want to have a big family. Ideally, I’d like four kids.” The ‘Beat Again’ hitmaker also urged his bandmates - who are all in long-term relationships - to think about following in his footsteps and getting married. He said: “Marriage is beautiful.

That’s why I didn’t mess about. We’re not getting any younger!” However, Oritse Williams - who is dating AJ Azari - insisted he doesn’t ever want to tie the knot. He said: “I want kids definitely at some point, but I’m not really into marriage. J.B. sees the value in it, Marvin obviously does, but marriage just isn’t an aspiration of mine. It’s not something I’ve ever dreamt about or wanted to do.” Meanwhile, J.B. Gill is keen to start a family with Chloe Tagney, his girlfriend of five years. He said: “I definitely want children after I get my farm up and running.” And Aston Merrygold - who is dating Sarah Richards - insists he is happy with his life as it is. Asked if he wants children yet, he said: “No! Not at all. I don’t ever think about marriage. I’m fine as I am right now. Life is good.

I’m not in a place to think about marriage.”

Rihanna causes farm chaos

R

ihanna caused chaos helping out on her uncle’s farm. The 25year-old beauty was happy to muck in with feeding pigs and chickens on the family land in Barbados, but when she began “messing around”, several animals escaped and “ran wild”. A source said: “Rihanna was happy to work with the animals but soon she started giggling and messing around. “Unfortunately because she wasn’t paying attention she didn’t realize a couple of the gates were left open. “As a result some of the livestock escaped and ran wild around the farm. “It caused hours of commotion trying to round them up.” And the ‘Diamonds’ hitmaker left her loved ones hysterical with laughter as they witnessed her attempts to recapture some escaped pigs and chickens. The source continued to the Daily Star newspaper: “She even fell over a couple of times and got covered in mud - or possibly worse!” Rihanna eventually got the escaped creatures back into their pens and was quick to celebrate her exploits with her favorite tipple. The source said: “Eventually though she got them all back in their sties and coops.” “And once it was done she celebrated with plenty of rum.”

Khloe in contact with Lamar

K

hloe Kardashian is in “constant contact” with Lamar Odom. The ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ star filed for divorce from the troubled sportsman - who was accused of cheating on her and being addicted to cocaine - earlier this month but is still giving him her support as he tries to stay sober. However, friends of the former couple - who were married for four years - insist they have no plans to get back together. One insider told RadarOnline.com: “Khloe has been in constant contact with Lamar daily since filing for divorce ... she is making sure he is taking care of responsibilities with his DUI, and meeting with his trainer. “It’s definitely a mother-son type of relationship. There will always be a lot of love there between the two, but Khloe has definitely moved on. “There are zero plans for the former couple to reconcile, and both are very amicable right now, which is a good sign for the divorce. It should be quick, and no drama.” Lamar - who recently agreed to plead no contest in a driving under the influence (DUI) charge and was put on probation for three years and rdered to attend an alcohol education class - is “thankful” for Khloe’s friendship. The source said: “Lamar appreciates having Khloe in his life....he is thankful to her for making sure he is taking care of business obligations, and meeting deadlines. The two will always be friends.”

Harding wants to emigrate

ritney Spears is inspired by Justin Timberlake. The ‘Piece of Me’ hitmaker praised her former boyfriend who she dated from 1999 to 2002 - and ‘Grenade’ hitmaler Bruno Mars for being “different and fresh” and encouraging people to enjoy music more. She said: “Bruno Mars is so different and fresh, and Justin Timberlake is, too. It’s inspiring for me, and it makes people eager to listen to music, which helps everyone.” As well as Justin and Bruno, Britney is also inspired by “genius” BeyoncÈ and admires the way she released her self-titled new album without warning earlier this month. She said: “I look up to BeyoncÈ, what she did with her album was genius, really brilliant.” The 32year-old singer also talked about her “cool” friend Miley Cyrus - who was in the audience for her debut Las Vegas show last

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week - admitting she loves spending time with the former ‘Hannah Montana’ star, with who she shares manager Larry Rudolph. She told USA Today newspaper: “She’s cool, she’s fun to be around. You know, she’s got really good energy.” Britney laments the way the music industry has changed in favour of downloads and thinks the ritual of purchasing albums on CD is no longer special. She said: “We’re too smart for our own good. We’re at the point where the simplicity of buying a CD and the specialness has gone. I think it’s a shame. The whole process of buying a record was so special.”

arah Harding is thinking of emigrating. The former Girls Aloud singer - who checked into a rehabilitation facility for three weeks in October 2011 to be treated for an addiction to sleeping pills and alcohol - is dreaming of a new start in a sunnier climate and hopes making a change would bring her “real happiness”. She tweeted: “Before u tiny minds start to judge, no, I’m not drunk but those who seem to know best u will already know I’m struggling to sleep and all I can’t get outta my mind right now is #emigrating #anewstart #Sun #sea #health #family #newadventure and finally REAL #happiness “Think that’s my point made finally. Nite all. (sic)” Sarah - who recently enjoyed a romantic break in Las Vegas with boyfriend Mark Foster - has said she is now “200 per cent better” since her stint in rehab. She previously stated: “I’m 200 percent better in terms of my inner strength and attitude. I’m a lot calmer. I still have my hyper days, but I just take one day at a time. “In the band it was a rollercoaster. And yes, I have learned from my mistakes.” The 32-year-old blonde was in a bad place following the break-up of her relationship to former fiancÈ Tom Crane, but she claims she doesn’t have to restrict her alcohol intake nowadays because it was a “different” time. She explained: “I’m just like any normal person, I have a drink. Back then I was going through a breakup. That was then and this is now and, yes, things are different. “I still like the odd night out with my friends and on tour we had an after-party in London, another in Manchester and one in Dublin, which people set up for us.”

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

lifestyle G o s s i p

Hepburn’s updo tops iconic hairstyles A

udrey Hepburn’s beehive has topped a poll for the most iconic hairstyles. The late actresses’ sophisticated bouffant updo -featured in her role as New York socialite Holly Golightly in 1961 film ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’- topped a list of 50 hairstyles compiled from a poll of 2,000 people in the UK, despite having it’s screen debut half a century ago. Toni & Guy global creative director, Sacha MascoloTarbuck - who conducted the survey for the brand’s 50th anniversary- said: “The image of her with her dark hair piled up while she is holding a cigarette holder is one of the most recognisable film images of all time. The fact that the famous style is still topping these kinds of lists half a

‘one of the greatest actresses’

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to Brazil NYE concert

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ill.i.am insists he never agreed to perform at a New Year’s eve concert in Brazil. The ‘Power’ singer had reportedly cancelled his appearance at Rio De Janerio’s Copacabana New Year’s Eve event on Tuesday but a spokesperson for the Black Eyed Peas star claims he had never officially accepted the invitation and the unauthorized information had been leaked. In a statement released to the Rio Times Online, his manager Polo Molina said: “These staging elements were not confirmed, so no agreement to perform was ever reached. “Regrettably, mention of Will.i.am’s inclusion in the New Year’s Eve show leaked without consent from his team, will.i.am is not contracted or scheduled to perform on New Year’s Eve in Brazil, and apologizes to his fans for confusion caused as a result of the unauthorized and premature external discussion of his involvement.” Will.i.am,38, was reportedly invited to take part in the event - known locally as Cocobana RÈveillon - to celebrate the upcoming release of animated film ‘Rio 2’ in which he voices the Red-crested Cardinal character ‘Pedro’. Despite his absence, party goers from around the world will gather along the shoreline of Copacabana to ring in the new year along with nearly two dozen DJ’s and performers.

icole Scherzinger is set to sign a £3million record deal. ‘The X Factor’ judge, who first shot to fame with the Pussycat Dolls, will release her new solo album with Sony next year and is expected to rake in millions more from a string of commercial jobs.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Nicole was the most popular member of the X Factor panel this year and is the real winner in terms of bankability. “She is set to sign with Sony and can’t wait to get back to her music, which took a back seat during X Factor.”

Nicole also has new multi-million pound deals with fashion range Missguided and Herbal Essences on the cards. It is set to be a big year for the 35-year-old but her biggest decision will be whether to return to the ITV talent show or stay focused on her music career.

The source added: “She’s torn between the two - she loves the show and loves working on it but is conflicted. “She is taking time out at home with her family to decide what move is best to make.” Show bosses are said to be keen to see her back as a mentor, with a new line-up which is expected to include Cheryl Cole. Nicole’s new album will hit the shelves early in the summer and Sony are believed to be announcing further details in the next week. The brunette beauty had a string a solo hits after she Pussycat Dolls split in 2010, including ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ and ‘Right There’.

gets seven-figure film role

to sign £3 million deal

Chloe Grace Moretz

onor, She Got. Hollywood star Angela Lansbury, best known as the clue-collecting super-sleuth in the television series “Murder, She Wrote,” has been made a Dame of the British Empire. The 88-year-old actress was one of more than 1,000 people who were recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year’s Honors List. For the first time since the Order of the British Empire was founded in 1917, most of them were women. Actress Penelope Keith, known to Brits as the snobbish Margot Leadbetter in the 1970s sitcom “The Good Life,”was also made a dame.

Dr Marcus Setchell, the queen’s gynecologist, who oversaw the safe delivery of her and great-grandson Prince George, was made a knight. The twice-yearly royal honors reward hundreds of people for ser vices to their community or national life.

Scherzinger

Will.i.am did not agree

The top 10 iconic hairstyles of the last 50 years according to Toni & Guy 1. Audrey Hepburn - ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ beehive 2. Elvis Presley - Quiff 3. Bob Marley - Dreadlocks 4. Jennifer Aniston - The ‘Rachel’ cut 5. Amy Winehouse - Beehive 6. The Beatles - Mop tops 7. Marilyn Monroe - Blonde curls 8. Farrah Fawcett - Golden flicks 9. Princess Diana - Feathered pageboy cut 10. Brigitte Bardot - Messy bedhead look

‘Murder, She Wrote’ star Lansbury honored

Jason Reitman: Winslet is ason Reitman has praised Kate Winslet as “one of the greatest actresses living today”. The ‘Labor Day’ director decided to wait until the Oscar-winning British actress was ready to make their new drama rather than re-cast the part when Winslet decided she wanted a break from Hollywood. Instead, the director shot ‘Young Adult’, which earned star Charlize Theron an Oscar nomination, while co-star Josh Brolin filmed ‘Men in Black 3’. Reitman recalled: “Kate Winslet is one of the greatest actresses living today, and that there will ever be. If I’ve got a script that Kate Winslet is willing to say yes to, I will wait a year, I will wait five years. “If Kate had said, ‘I don’t want this’, I would have found someone else.

But, for the rest of my life, I get to say I directed Kate Winslet. It’s huge.” The drama features a salacious kitchen-based sex scene and Reitman has likened it to the infamous scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in ‘Ghost’. He told Empire magazine: “I think it’s the dirtiest sex scene I’ll ever shoot. People have been comparing it to the ‘Ghost’ ceramics scene and I like that comparison because that scene was an inch away from being ridiculous but works. I think that’s what we’ve achieved here.”

century since the film was released shows how iconic it really is.” Falling closely behind in second place on the list is Elvis Presley who garnered fame for his iconic quiff hairdo while Bob Marley landed a respectable third place for his signature dreadlocked style. Jennifer Aniston’s layered hairstyle adorned with multiple highlights -which later became known as the ‘Rachel’ during her time on US sitcom ‘Friends’- was awarded fourth place while Amy Winehouse’s voluminous beehive earned her a place at number five.

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hloe Grace Moretz will be paid a seven-figure sum for her latest movie role.

The blonde actress, who is still only 16-years-old, is set to receive $500,000 for her part in upcoming drama ‘If I Stay’, which is being shot in Vancouver, Canada. Documents obtained by gossip website TMZ also reveal producers were required to file legal papers asking permission to hire the actress, as she is still a minor. Moretz is due to earn 15 per cent of the film’s profits but even if it’s a flop she stands to make an additional $1 million as she also gets a cut of the movie’s merchandising. The actress, who recently starred in the remake of horror film ‘Carrie’ opposite Julianne Moore, will play teen musician Mia in ‘If I Stay’, who falls into a coma after a brutal car accident. She is given the choice to die or go back to her life and Moretz will portray her first on-screen relationship in the film alongside ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ actor, Jamie Blackley, who plays her boyfriend Adam. ‘If I Stay’, directed by R.J.Cutler, is based on the best-selling young adult novel by Gayle Forman and also stars Mireille Enos as Mia’s mother. Moretz previously told MTV: “The readers are very serious about me and Adam, and they really need that palpable relationship, and for me, I just want to go in there and create that relationship with Jamie. It’s that young love, and you have to capture that feeling.” If Moretz receives an Oscar nomination for her role, she will get a bonus of $25,000 with an additional $25,000 should she win.

Andy Brown’s skiing trip L

awson’s Andy Brown is celebrating the New Year skiing in France. The frontman of the four-piece boy band - made up by Joel Peat, Adam Pitts and Ryan Fletcher - has jetted off on an action-packed holiday in the French Alps. Speaking ahead of the trip, he told BANG Showbiz: “I’m going to go skiing. Maybe like somewhere in France, I quite like the Alps. There’s always a good vibe out there. I’ll go at New Year, aprËs-ski is great. “I’m quite a good skier. I’ve been skiing quite a few

times. To be fair it’s usually worse because when your better you get a little bit too confident.”

Despite Andy’s confidence on the slopes, bandmate Adam joked about the 25-year-old singer’s welfare. He said: “You are going to break something aren’t you and then we are going to have to cancel next year and I’ll just be sat at home in my pants waiting for you to get better.” The boys also revealed that they are looking forward to getting back to work next year following a festive break.

They said: “We’re going to be writing album two which will be really exciting. I think just getting into the creative process again. We’ve kind of grown quite a lot as a band this year. It’s been a big year for us. I think we’ve learnt a lot and it’s going to be exciting to see how it works out. “ — Bangshowbiz

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

lifestyle F E A T U R E S

This photo provided by RH Baby & Child shows a Restoration Hardware Baby & Child’s Weller and Mason play table that offers a modern take on a traditional kids’ play table. — AP photos

A Restoration Hardware Baby & Child’s Weller and Mason play table that offers a modern take on a traditional kids’ play table.

Right at Home:

Cool but kid-friendly playrooms O

modern wood furniture. Armless upholstered club chairs look smart and are perfect for lounging; find new ones at Overstock.com and vintage ones on Etsy.com.

Or take a cue from Australian designer Anna Williams and use mid-century credenzas for toy storage - check out ThriveFurniture.com and OneKingsLane.com for options at various prices.

Accent with “Mad Men”-era posters or toy ads, and add floor pillows covered in patterns drawn from the era. Soothing hues like umber, avocado, mustard and sky blue keep the energy relaxed.

utfitting a play space for children might consist of nothing more than setting up a few old furniture pieces, plastic storage bins and the extra TV. But some parents want the play space to reflect their design aesthetic.

Does the rest of the home read more Eero Saarinen than Superman? More Verner Panton than Pokemon? Is the vibe less Nickelodeon, more George Nelson? If so, you’ll want to try balancing kid-friendly with cool.

Some options: Mod mad Lots of decor from the ‘60s and ‘70s works well in a play space: mod lamps, modular furniture, pop art, and fun, space-age prints for wallpaper and textiles. Hues popular back then orange, yellow, teal, green, white - add energy to furniture, cushions and rugs.

New York-based designer Amanda Nisbet used a Roy Lichtenstein print and a chrome-

This photo provided by Fab shows a Zig Zag Blue rug. Bold geometric rugs provide punch and pizzazz in a modern play room without being juvenile.

This photo provided by Fab shows a Knitted Pouf Chocolate.

trimmed bubble chair in one of her children’s space projects. Victoria Sanchez, a designer in Washington, DC, used colorful Missoni fabrics to liven up a teen lounge.

Check out Modshop1.com and Designpublic.com for pieces - many of them kid-size - that fit the style.

Hip, retro-style robot, typography and animal patterns designed by New Yorker Nancy Wolff are at AllModern.com. And chocolate, tangerine or red knitted poufs and flat weave rugs with zingy geometric graphics are part of the signature line at Fab.com. For a low-key look that still fits the aesthetic, think smooth-edged Danish

This undated photo provided by AllModern shows Loboloup Robot Wallpaper, designed by New Yorker, Nancy Wolff.

Industrial chic Rooms with an industrial feel - warehousegrade tables and storage, furniture and decorative elements with a rugged look - appeal to many kids, who sense they can let loose in these spaces. And the style’s on trend, so it’s easy to do.

Neutral color palettes mixing whites, grays and browns work for either gender. Look for ceiling lights caged in metal (no worries about errant pillows or Nerf balls), riveted furniture, and repurposed machine-shop elements such as gear pieces, tools and signage. A galvanizediron, locker-style dresser makes great storage.

Powder-coated in crisp red or white, Ikea’s PS metal cabinet adds a pop of color. A magnetized blackboard fits the edgy vibe and lets inspiration fly. Make your own inexpensively with instructions at TheTurquoiseHome.com.

Rugged-looking play tables offer surfaces for messy art and often offer great storage for toys and games. Lumber, flooring and stone yards will often give old pallets away: Lots of ideas for making your own play or coffee table can be found at Home -dzone.co.za.

This photo provided by Fab shows multicolored knitted poufs. tasks and art projects. Ikea’s Kivik sectional can be reconfigured a lot of different ways; it’s hardy, comfy and versatile for a family room.

Display books face forward on wallmounted shelves with a lip, so covers can be easily seen. Or scrounge flea markets for old wooden carpenter’s tool boxes, which are sturdy and shallow. Use games as art by displaying the boxes on floating shelves; old game boards hung on a wall add color and visual punch.

Shoot photos of kids’ favorite toys close-ups, Instagrams and black-and-white look cool - and then mount them in identical frames. Ikea has inexpensive options, and Michaels’ craft stores stock three-packs

Bose Krishnamachary on

art, life

By Sunil Cherian

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ose Krishnamachary, the artistic director of India’s first art biennale - the interactive festival that freed paintings from the wall - has no time left for his own artistic assignments. After the trendsetting 3-month long Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2012, the next edition is scheduled to begin on 12-12-14. Although it has a new curator, Jitish Kallat, Bose, usually a relaxed man, cannot put his busy brush - and mind down. He spoke to Kuwait Times about the struggles, controversies and positive impacts of the biennale.

At JJ, Mumbai “At JJ School of Arts, Mumbai, my alma mater, I was also an activist. I used to conduct symposiums inviting poets, architects, film critics from outside the college. I would meet collectors, creative people and cultural figures at art galleries in the city and would establish contacts That was in the late 80s. As the rank holder, I had a fellowship and did some teaching while doing my masters. The record for the first student-held art exhibition at the college is in my name.

A Restoration Hardware Baby & Child’s Weller and Mason play table that offers a modern take on a traditional kids’ play table.

of LP frames. When the kids set up their own places in a few years, this will be hip art with happy memories. — AP

Beyond biennale:

Exploration location Animals, trees, and sky or earth elements can inspire children to be creative in play spaces, and many contemporary pieces appeal to both kids and adults. At Stardust.com, find the Zuo Modern Phante chair, a version of Eames’ iconic, polypropylene, elephant-shaped chair.

A realistic, cast-resin bear’s head is fun, eclectic wall art. Ocean Sole’s animal sculptures made out of scavenged flip flops would be inspiration for indoor adventures - rhinos, giraffes and lions come in sizes up to about 5 feet long.

Clouds and intergalactic silver orbs are two of the striking mural wallpapers at DesignYourWall.com. Ikea’s Vandring Spar lowpile rug features an Impressionist version of a nature walk, complete with grass and sandy footprints. And a soft gray and white wool rug silhouettes romping deer and a leafy forest at LandofNod.com.

Other ideas: Create inexpensive, customized storage in a playroom by painting or staining ready-made kitchen cabinets. Metal tool carts can be side tables, as well as portable art supply zones or storage stations for small toy parts.

Multipurpose pieces serve the whole family’s needs. Land of Nod’s round coffee table with drawers is user-friendly for TV watching, table games and crafts, with no sharp corners to worry about. Also from the retailer, a farmhousestyle work table with storage on the ends provides space for teens and laptops, grown-up

A Geo rug in pink. Bold geometric rugs provide punch and pizzazz in a modern play room without being juvenile.

Lack of expertise “India doesn’t have the right expertise to promote art and related events. China in 2011 opened 390 museums - something extraordinary in that country. India boasts culture, history, et al, but does not seem to have enough art museums or

curators. There are permanent buildings for the Venice Biennale and follows the PPP (Public-Private Partnership). Sadiat Island in Abu Dhabi, Qatar spent billions for cultural spaces like art museums. We still lack basic infrastructure.

Art and its economic impacts “Google Art Project now has the virtual tour of Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2012.

There have been 17 million hits for this event. In a study conducted by KPMG on the economic impacts of cultural festivals, the Indian biennale has positive spinoffs. Art appreciation courses, discussions, and centers that host them, like Cafe Papaya and Budha gallery in Kochi, and Springr are among the ripple effects of our art fest. People on the street call me biennale! Curator Suman Gopinath told me when she went to the Sharjah Biennial, the taxi driver asked her ‘Did you go to Kochi Biennale?

Controversy “Gauwnju Biennial (South Korea) and Venice Biennale’s cost is 13 million dollars. Kochi is comparatively cheaper. But some of our media people cannot digest spending money on art. Their world is so narrow that they ask why foreign artists should be served drinks using public funds. More painful was when these allegations came from my Mumbai journalist friend. But I brush all that aside. They have shown their colors. Now people have taken up the art festival in its true colors!”

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

lifestyle M U S I C

&

M O V I E S

Vegas’ New Year’s Eve about big names, big bashes L

as Vegas celebrated 2014 with big-name concerts, celebrity-hosted parties and an eight-minute rooftop fireworks display billed as the nation’s largest. John Legend performed at Haze nightclub at Aria, Ne-Yo welcomed the New Year at Pure nightclub at Caesars Palace and Maroon 5 played at Mandalay Bay. Pop star Bruno Mars christened the Cosmopolitan’s new Chelsea Ballroom. The show was broadcasted live on the casino’s 65-foot (20-meter) marquee to ice skaters at a rooftop rink and partyers on the Strip below. Other casinos were touting pricey nightclub bashes with $3,000 bottle service and open bars hosted by reality-TV and music celebrities,

including the original celebutante, Paris Hilton.

More than 330,000 tourists were celebrating to count down the end of the year as law enforcement officers kept the peace and casino bosses watched profits roll in. Many casinos offered up special “New Year’s Eve

everywhere on New Year’s Eve,” Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spokeswoman Heidi Hayes said. Hotel occupancy approached 100 percent yesterday, according to Hayes, who emphasized that beds remained available for anyone contemplating a last-minute trip.

Bruno Mars performs during the 2012 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York.

Maroon 5 performs at IHeartRadio Music Festival, day 2, in Las Vegas, NV.

Eve” events on Monday and advertised the two days before that as the biggest weekend of the year. Yesterday Casinos started the revelry as early as possible.

At Mandalay Bay, the Minus5 Ice Bar started handing out free drink for hourly toasts at 11 am. The winter months are Las Vegas’ slowest, which means casino executives were especially eager to lure as many patrons as possible on New Year’s Eve, a holiday seemingly custom-made to align with Sin City’s boozy, bad-judgment ethos.

“The Las Vegas brand is about freedom, and that means different things to different people.

Adult freedom is on display

Ne-Yo arrives on the red carpet for the world premiere of the feature film “The Best Man Holiday” at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

File photo shows Carmen Zepeda of Corpus Christi, Texas show off her 2013 New Year’s Eve glasses at the Fremont Street Experience Downtown Countdown in Las Vegas. — AP photos fireworks were shot from the experience than the Strip’s overrooftops of seven hotel-casinos, the-top offerings head 15 minfrom the MGM Grand toward the utes north to downtown Las south end of the Strip to the Vegas, where the Fremont Street Stratosphere in the north. Police Experience pedestrian mall was shut down Strip traffic six hours hosting a block party with acts including Blues Traveler and Papa before midnight so that revelers can spill into the 4-mile (6.4-kiloRoach. Virtual fireworks light up meter) stretch of road normally the mall’s blocks-long metal packed with cars. canopy, which boasts the world’s The city’s 2,700 metro police largest video screen. officers were visible on the Strip Las Vegas’ New Year’s Eve fesand blended into the crowd. tivities, dubbed “America’s Party,” About 300 Nevada National have doubled in size since 1990.

Guard troops took up stations Still, the party is far from the around town, on the lookout for world’s largest. The ball drop at possible terrorist threats. Around New York City’s Times Square 2 am, street sweepers moved in draws more than 1 million specJohn Legend arrives at a tators, and some 2 million people and collected about 50 cubic yards (38 cubic meters) of trash. screening of “The Great flock to the shores of Always eager to attend to revelCopacabana beach in Rio de Gatsby” in New York. ers’ every need, a host of casinos Janeiro for music and fireworks.

Rooms upraised three times and restaurants offered a hangSpectators in Sin City was treated the normal price. Those who over brunches for tourists in the to more than eight minutes of were looking for a less costly morning.—AP coordinated pyrotechnics. The

‘Selfie,’ ‘twerk’ top school’s annoying word list A

Michigan university has issued its annual list of annoying words, and those flexible enough to take selfies of themselves twerking should take note.

In addition to “selfie” and “twerking,” there was a strong sense among those who nominated words to this year’s list that the word “hashtag” and term “Mr Mom” had both run their course. “Selfie,” a term that describes a self-taken photo, often from a smartphone, led the way among the more than 2,000 nominations submitted to Lake Superior State University’s 39th annual batch of words to banish due to overuse, overreliance and overall fatigue. Even President Barack Obama got into the act this month when he took a well-publicized selfie with other world leaders in South Africa for Nelson Mandela’s memorial service.

“It’s a lame word. It’s all about me, me, me,” wrote David Kriege of Lake Mills, Wis. “Put the smartphone away. Nobody cares about you.” Since 1975, the list has grown to more than 800 words, many from the worlds of politics, sports and popular maybe too popular - culture. “The list is made up completely from nominations. We don’t just sit around and think of words that bug us,” said Tom Pink, a spokesman for the school in Sault Ste. Marie, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. “ Twerk” or “twerking,” a sexually provocative way of dancing, found a dominant place in parlance due to Miley Cyrus’ per formance at the MT V Video Music Awards. “Time to dance this one off the stage,” said Jim Connelly, of Flagstaff, Ariz.

“Hashtag” refers to a word or phrase with no spaces preceded by the pound sign on the microblogging website Twitter. Others on the banned list include “Twittersphere,” “t-bone,” “Obamacare,” “intellectually/morally bankrupt” and anything “on steroids.”

People also tired of the suffixes “ pocalypse” and “-ageddon” used to make words such as “snow-pocalypse” or “ice-ageddon.”

And enough already with “Mr Mom,” a reference to fathers who take care of kids.

It’s also the name of a 1983 movie starring Michael Keaton, although many stay-athome dads these days don’t like the movie

Beyonce under fire for sampling challenger disaster in song

B Justin Bieber takes a “selfie” with a fan at the premiere of the feature film “Justin Bieber’s Believe” at Regal Cinemas LA. — AP

Miley Cyrus arrives at the grand opening of Britney Spears’ two-year residency “Britney: Piece of Me” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. — AFP

stereotype of a clueless male. “There were almost as many nominations for ‘Mr Mom’ as ‘selfie’ and ‘twerk,’” Pink said. He believes the title got traction again in 2013 due to news stories about the 30th anniversary of the movie. “The phrase should refer only to the film, not to men in the real world,” wrote Pat Byrnes of Chicago.

“It is an insult to the millions of dads who are the primary caregivers for their

children. Would we tolerate calling working women, ‘Mrs Dad?’” “Adversity” and “fan base” - terms often used when discussing sports - got booed. Kyle Melton, of White Lake, Mich., said perspective is needed when referring to a millionaire athlete trying get a first down in football. “Facing adversity is working 50 hours a week and still struggling to feed your kids,” Melton wrote. — AP

Queen guitarist May undergoing cancer tests

Q

ueen guitarist Brian May underwent a scan on Monday as part of a series of urgent tests sparked by fears he could have cancer, the rock star revealed on his website. The 66-year-old suffered agonising back and hip pain earlier in December which left him barely able to stand, and MRI scans revealed “some abnormalities in the bones-things that the report said needed urgent attention”, he wrote. “So around Christmas I’ve been having a succession of blood tests, ultrasounds, and various kinds of scans, to see if they could rule out various kinds of cancer,” he wrote.

One of the scans was due on Monday, he said in the blog posting on brianmay.com dated December 28. May said he was trying to be optimistic, as his doctors had told him that any cancer they might find would likely be treatable with success. “Now, on hearing the ‘C’ word something happens inside you... of course. I’ve seen so many of my dear friends fighting it... and my dad lost his battle at age 66, exactly the age I am now,” he wrote. “So over the last few days I’ve been in various states of unrest.” But in a blog update on Monday, May said he was “overwhelmed by the amazing messages” of support from fans, adding: “I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.” May was a founder member of Queen, the world-famous rock group fronted by Freddie Mercury until the singer died as a result of AIDS in 1991. May penned the hit single “We Will Rock You”. — AFP

A member of the Saturno group gets dressed as Stuart Light Miniums from the computer-animated 3D comedy film ‘Despicable Me’, for a parade in Sumpango, Sacatepequez, 45 km west of Guatemala City. The Saturno group is a club whose members try to preserve the traditions of Sumpango. — AFP photos

eyonce is taking heat from astronauts and family members for sampling audio from the Challenger disaster in a song on her self-titled visual album - prompting a statement from the singer saying the the sample was meant as a “tribute” to the space shuttle crew. “We were disappointed to learn that an audio clip from the day we lost our heroic Challenger crew was used in the song ‘XO,’” Challenger widow June Scobee Rodgers wrote on space agency watchdog website NASAWatch.com.

Rodgers’ husband, Dick Scobee, was commander of the shuttle, which disintegrated shortly after launch on Jan. 28, 1986, killing all seven crew members.

Beyonce’s “XO” opens with the voice of Steve Nesbit, then public affairs officer for NASA who narrated live television coverage of the failed launch, saying: “Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation.

Obviously a major malfunction.”

“The moment included in this song is an emotionally difficult one for the Challenger families, colleagues and friends. We have always chosen to focus not on how our loved ones were lost, but rather on how they lived and how their legacy lives on today,” Rodgers wrote. NASAwatch.com founder Keith Cowing, who formerly worked for the space agency, wrote on the website that he found the use of the clip in poor taste, an unnecessary reminder and exploitation of the tragedy for pop music. “ The song that follows these words about Challenger is certainly catchy - but it has nothing whatsoever to do with Challenger and the sacrifice that their crew made that morning in January 1986,” Cowing wrote. “Instead, the song has to do with the trivial life event of a girl breaking up with her boyfriend. The music video shows them playing at an amusement park. Having this audio included in such a song serves to mock the severity of the events and loss that these final words represent.”

Beyonce issued a statement Monday morning, first obtained by ABC News, explaining the choice to add the Challenger audio: My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster. The song ‘XO’ was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you. The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten. Lyrics of the song include “We don’t have forever/Baby daylight’s wasting/You better kiss me/Before our time is run out.” — Reuters

Vegas’ New Year’s Eve about big names, big bashes

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2014

Actors dressed as the Russian Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his companion Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) take part in a New Year parade in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek. New Year, which was the biggest informal holiday of the year in the former Soviet Union, is also very popular in predominantly Muslim Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan.

An Indian reveler poses on New Year’s Eve in Amritsar.

Photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, Evalena Worthington, in a pirate wench costume, practices her New Year’s Eve descent from the top of a sailing ship’s mast at the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West, Fla. — AP/AFP photos

Fireworks explode over the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House during New Yearís Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia.

Balinese girls in traditional costumes gather during a parade f in Bali island, Indonesia on New Year’s Eve.

At one NYC New Year’s event, 3, 2, 1 ... S h H

ere comes 2014! Three! ... Two! ... Mum. While hundreds of thousands of revelers cheer, shout and yell in the New Year in Times Square, hundreds of New Yorkers will gather not far away to pass the waning hours of 2013 without a word. They’ll be quietly observing a 25-year tradition at Jivamukti Yoga, which opens its doors to people who like to spend New Year’s Eve reflecting, meditating, crafting resolutions, maybe doing a headstand, all in “Auld Lang” silence.

It’s a year-end bash with no pressure to mingle, no need to bring anything, no drunken regrets, and no small talk - or big talk, either. “The only thing that we ask,” Jivamukti Yoga co-founder Sharon Gannon says, “is that you shut up.” If that sounds like a rather muted way to celebrate, participants say it’s a refreshing one - a way to go out but look inward, and end the year on a note of mental tranquility.

Drawing on a long history of silent meditation in yoga, the event certainly isn’t the only venue for people who are less interested in spirits than spirituality on New Year’s Eve. Many churches hold reverent services on Dec 31; the custom holds particular resonance for many black churches, where Watch Night observances commemorate the Dec 31, 1862, services at which congregants awaited word that the Emancipation Proclamation would take effect.

And some yoga and spiritual centers advertise multiday silent New Year events.

That’s regularly the most popular retreat at Yogaville in Buckingham, Virginia, which began the New Year’s sessions about four decades ago and expected 65 people this year for more than four days of yoga, medita-

tion, small tasks and listening to lectures, the Rev. Lakshmi Bartel said. “People who come to Yogaville really want to live better, happier lives ... and New Year’s is the perfect time” to focus on that, she said.

The New York event requires a lesser time and financial commitment - it’s free, while retreats can cost hundreds of dollars or more.

It started in 1988 because students were disappointed that Jivamukti Yoga planned to close for New Year’s, Gannon said. “We wanted

to celebrate New Year’s Eve but didn’t want to do it in a party-down kind of way,” she said.

Now, as many as 1,000 people come to the school on bustling Union Square, about two miles (3.2 kilometers) south of Times Square, for at least part of the evening, and about 500 are usually there at midnight, Gannon said.

After cutting loose for an hour with a band that plays devotional Sanskrit chant music, participants hush up at 9 pm. Even staffers use pencil and paper if they need to commu-

Photo provided by Derek Goodwin, Jivamukti Yoga co-founders David Life and Sharon Gannon address participants at a Silent New Year’s Eve celebration held at the yoga school in New York.

hh!

Photo provided by Derek Goodwin, from left, Jivamukti Yoga teacher Tomo Okabe, MC Yogi, and his wife Amanda Gia participate in a Silent New Year’s Eve celebration at the Jivamukti Yoga in New York. — AP photos nicate. Participants do whatever comes to Jivamukti Yoga event for the first time in 2006, mind - yoga exercises, journal writing, reading when she was pregnant and not up for party- as long as it’s quiet and alcohol-free. When ing. “I was a bit intimidated, initially, by the the clock strikes midnight, the crowd greets idea of meditating for three hours,” she said, the new year with a Sanskrit chant wishing but it turned out to be fun. “It still feels like an universal happiness and freedom, followed by event ... but it’s not overwhelming. It’s both some uplifting remarks from Gannon and co- calm and festive,” said Goldmark, who works in education and now also teaches yoga at founder David Life.

Karin Goldmark generally went to New the school. “All the great stuff about New Year’s parties with friends before trying the Year’s Eve, and no hangover.” — AP