19 Jan

CR IP TI ON BS SU

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

PACI to launch English ‘Kuwait Finder’ app this year

Indian minister’s wife’s death ‘unnatural’

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RABI ALAWWAL 18, 1435 AH

Obama clips NSA wings but bulk collection to continue

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Arsenal and Man City stay neck-and-neck at the top

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‘Zionist’ presence leads Kuwait to snub meeting Co-op chief denies selling Israeli spuds

Max 18º Min 07º High Tide 00:48 & 14:43 Low Tide 08:12 & 20:07

By A Saleh and Agencies

KUWAIT: Vintage cars displayed at the Historical, Vintage & Classic Car Museum in Shuwaikh yesterday. — Photos by Joseph Shagra (See Page 3)

Iran envoy shot dead in Yemen SANAA: An Iranian diplomat was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting outside the ambassador’s residence in the Yemeni capital yesterday, the third attack on embassy personnel in recent months, a medic said. A medic at Sanaa’s Modern German Hospital told AFP the diplomat, Ali Asghar Assadi, had been “hit in the shoulder, abdomen and stomach”. “He was taken to the operating theatre then transferred to intensive care but died after an hour and half.” Iran confirmed the death and swiftly condemned what it said was a new kidnap attempt against one of its diplomats in Yemen. In July, embassy staffer Nour-Ahmad Nikbakht was abducted by suspected Al-Qaeda militants, and tribal sources say he remains in captivity.

“Ali Asghar Assadi, the Iranian diplomat who had been injured in the terrorist attack in Sanaa, was martyred,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham told the official IRNA news agency. Earlier, Afkham said “a terrorist group attacked him and attempted to kidnap him but he resisted and the terrorists resorted to shooting”. “The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this incident and will follow up on the case with the Yemeni authorities,” she added in remarks to Iran’s ISNA news agency.

The Yemeni foreign ministry denounced the attack and said that Assadi’s murder was aimed at damaging relations with Iran, the official Saba news agency said. Sanaa and Tehran are “anxious to prevent any attempt to undermine these relations,” a statement said, adding that authorities are determined to bring to justice the attackers. Witnesses said the assailants had opened up with automatic weapons before taking off. A police source told AFP “unidentified assailants in a van fired on the diplomat three times as he was leaving the ambassador’s residence near a shopping centre in Hadda,” the main diplomatic district of Sanaa. — AFP

KUWAIT/ABU DHABI: Kuwait has decided against participating in a regional conference on renewable energy over the presence of an Israeli delegation in the event hosted by the United Arab Emirates, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Reports yesterday indicated that a team led by Israel’s Minister of Energy and Water Silvan Shalom arrived in Abu Dhabi to participate in the fourth assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Kuwait was scheduled to take part in the event as a member of the IRENA, and participate in discussions about energy sustainability in the Middle East held as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. But these plans seem to be canceled now after the Ministry of Electricity and Water in Kuwait announced in a statement yesterday that it had pull out of the meeting. “The decision comes in line with Kuwait’s commitment to boycott all forms of interaction with the Zionist regime,” the statement read.

Separately, the Chairman of the Cooperative Societies Union (CSU) Abdul Aziz Al-Samhan strongly denied the presence of Israeli products in co-ops. “This is a red line and we cannot accept it under any circumstances,” he stressed, expressing regret that some people have been spreading rumors accusing Al-Naseem Co-op of selling potatoes from Israel.

Continued on Page 13

Egypt OKs constitution by 98% 21 killed in Kabul restaurant attack UN, IMF officials among dead KABUL: Survivors of the devastating Taleban suicide attack on a restaurant in Kabul told yesterday of the carnage and bloodshed, as details emerged of 21 people, including 13 foreigners, who died in the assault. Desperate customers hid under tables when one attacker detonated his suicide vest at the fortified entrance to the Taverna du Liban and two other militants stormed inside and opened fire.

Among the dead were two Americans, two British citizens, two Canadians, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) head of mission, and the restaurant’s charismatic Lebanese owner Kamal Hamade, who was killed as he tried to fire back at the attackers.

A female Danish member of the European police mission in Afghanistan and a Russian UN political officer also died in the Friday evening massacre, which was the deadliest attack on foreign civilians since the Taleban were ousted in 2001. The United Nations said that four of its staff had been killed, though it did not release their nationalities. “We heard a big bang and everywhere was dark,” Atiqullah, 27, an assistant chef, told AFP by telephone as he attended a funeral for three of the restaurant’s

guards. “We used a back door to go to the second floor. Our manager went downstairs. We heard some gunshots and later found out that he had been shot dead. “There was blood everywhere, on tables, on chairs.

Apparently, the attackers had shot people from a very close range.”

Interior Minister Omer Daudzai said three police officers responsible for security in the upmarket Wazir Akbar Khan district had been suspended pending an investigation. The Taverna has been a regular dining spot for foreign diplomats, aid workers and Afghan officials and businessmen for several years, and was busy with customers on Friday, the weekly holiday in Afghanistan. Like many restaurants in Kabul, it ran strict security checks, with diners patted down by armed guards and passing through at least two steel doors before gaining entry. Yesterday morning, the Taverna’s battered sign was still in place, hanging over the ruined remains of the entrance door.

Several badly damaged cars remained at the scene.

Among the dead were a Briton and Malaysian working as consultants to the Afghan finance ministry.

Continued on Page 13

CAIRO: Egyptian voters have approved a new constitution by 98.1 percent, the elections chief said yesterday, in what the government declared a popular endorsement of the army’s overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The result of the Tuesday-Wednesday vote had never been in doubt, as Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists boycotted it, but the authorities wanted a large turnout in the first democratic test since the ouster in July. Electoral commission head Nabil Salib said turnout “reached 38.6 percent” of 53 million registered voters, with only 1.9 percent voting “no”.

That turnout proved “that the revolution of June 30 was a popular revolution,” said a senior government official at a

press conference to announce the results. It “refuted the doubts of naysayers,” said Salah el-Din Abdel Sadeq, head of the government’s media arm. The new charter replaces an Islamist-inspired one adopted in a Dec 2012 referendum under Morsi with about two-thirds of the vote and a 33 percent turnout. The military removed Morsi days after millions of protesters began rallying against him on June 30, setting off months of unrest by his followers who decried what they called a “coup”.

Army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the general who led the overthrow, was monitoring the outcome for an indication of support for a possible presidential bid, military officials said.

Continued on Page 13

CAIRO: Egyptians celebrate in Tahrir Square after a new constitution was approved yesterday. — AFP

Stampede kills 18 as Bohra leader buried

MUMBAI: Indian Bohra Muslims take part in the funeral procession of their spiritual leader Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin yesterday. — AFP

MUMBAI: A stampede killed at least 18 people in India’s financial hub Mumbai yesterday when a large crowd gathered to pay their last respects to a Muslim spiritual leader, police said. More than 40 people were injured in the chaos that erupted shortly after midnight local time when the gates were shut to the residence of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, who died aged 102 Friday.

“Organisers had closed the gates. The crowd was so huge that people started suffocating, some fainted and then people began running and falling on each other in a panic,” Mumbai police chief Satyapal Singh told reporters. In reply to a question, Singh confirmed that 18 people died and admitted there was a lapse in crowd control as police and organisers had failed to anticipate the huge turnout of devotees. Singh added that he had ordered a thorough investigation into what led to the predawn disorder in Malabar Hill, a wealthy

part of the city.

Burhanuddin, who was due to celebrate his 103rd birthday in a few weeks, died of a heart attack at his home, a spokesman said. He was a leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, a sect of Shiite Islam.

Stampedes at public events in India are common as large numbers of people pack into congested areas.

Panic can spread quickly and, with few safety regulations in place, the result is often lethal. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters: “I feel very sorry about the tragic incident”, and expressed his condolences for the 18 deaths.

Thousands adorned in white scarves and skullcaps had gathered yesterday on the streets of Mumbai for the funeral procession of Burhanuddin as it headed towards a mausoleum in south Mumbai where the Continued on Page13

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

LOCAL

No agreement preventing Kuwait from suing Dow Authority to make decisions KUWAIT: Kuwait gave no commitments to Dow Chemical that compels the parliament and cabinet to avoid taking any measures against the USbased company, a local daily reported yesterday quoting a Kuwait Petroleum Corporation letter sent last May. State-run Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) announced on May 7, 2013 that it reached a final settlement with Dow Chemical to pay $2.16 billion penalty, awarded by the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on June 2012. Dow Chemical had sued the Kuwaiti government for a unilateral decision made December 2008 to pull out from a $17.4 billion deal signed earlier the same month in order to build a joint venture that was to be known as the ‘K-Dow Petrochemicals’ project. The parliament discussed the issue in a special session last week and ordered a new probe on the matter.

There has been reports that the KPC gave assurances to Dow Chemical that the Kuwaiti government will not take steps against its interests and projects in retaliation to paying the penalty. But a letter quoted by Al-Rai daily yesterday suggests that Kuwait gave no legal com-

mitments as part of negotiations during which a settlement was reached to drop $295 million of interests.

The letter, which was supposedly sent by then Deputy Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Farouk Al-Zanki and dated May 6, 2013, indicates that the KPC would only “use its reasonable best efforts to assure” that neither the government nor parliament take measures against the US firm. The letter does not use legally binding terminology that allows Dow Chemical to sue the government if terms of the agreement were breached, however. “The KPC did not specifically vow that they will not sue Dow Chemical, or that they have authority to make decisions on behalf of the Kuwaiti government”, said observers in the oil sectors who were quoted anonymously in AlRai’s report.

According to the letter, the KPC assured Dow Chemical that it will do its best to ensure that “Dow and its affiliated companies will at all times receive fair and equable treatment by the State of Kuwait and its State-owned entities and instrumentalities”. It also promised to make sure that “Kuwait will not impose any arbitrary or dis-

criminatory fine, levy, surcharge, tax or tax assessment or reassessment against Dow’s business interests or those of its affiliated companies”, and that “Kuwait will not pass any law or legislation or adopt any decree or resolution, and will not amend any existing law or legislation or existing decree or resolution, on terms which apply expressly or uniquely to Dow and are unfavorable to the business interests of Dow, or those of its affiliated companies”.

KPC also vowed to work in order to make sure that “Kuwait will not, through actions expressly or uniquely directed against Dow or any of its affiliated companies, interfere with, harm or impair any of the rights or interests of Dow or those of its affiliated companies, whether in Kuwait or otherwise”.

The parliament agreed last Tuesday to assign the State Audit Bureau to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the case, covering the times when the deal was negotiated, signed, and scrapped, as well as the circumstances which led to the penalty fine’s payment that were seen by several MPs as ‘rushed’. The bureau was given a one-month ultimatum to finish its report.

KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait staff distributed jackets to cleaning and construction workers around Kuwait yesterday. The step came as part of the CBK’s yearly campaign to offer help for outdoor laborers to cope with extreme weather conditions during the summer and winter.

No charges against ‘polite’ baqala thief KUWAIT: A store owner chose not to press charges against a thief who stole only KD 20 from the cash register that contained hundreds of dinars. The man entered the baqala (grocery store), pointed a gun at the cashier and asked him to take the money out of the drawer. The terrified cashier took out nearly KD 200 in cash and over KD 400 worth in phone recharge cards, but the suspect took only a KD 20 bill and told him to put the rest back in the drawer. He then asked for three cigarette packs and left after receiving them. The cashier then told the store owner, who opted against pressing charges. “The cashier says that the suspect said ‘please’ when he asked for the cigarette boxes,” the owner told Al-Anbaa daily. “Even while committing an armed robbery, the man remained polite”. The worker further indicated that the suspect did not seem to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the incident.

KUWAIT: The tent which caught fire in Al-Zahra area yesterday.

Vehicles get stuck in muddy areas

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Kabd firefighters and rescue teams were dispatched Friday night to rescue three vehicles that had got stuck in muddy open areas resulting from heavy rains.

Meanwhile, a fire broke out in a vehicle along Kabd road near the vegetable market roundabout, said security sources. No casualties were reported.

• Another fire broke out in a tent pitched out-

side a house in Zahra, said security sources, noting that the fire was controlled with no casualties.

• An expat, who holds a power of attorney from a ruling family member, recently reported that unidentified robbers had broken into a boat belonging to a sheikha in Bidaa and that 3 chairs, 20 fishing rods and a fire extinguisher were stolen.

• An Asian grocery salesman in Salmiya reported that two robbers had stolen KD 300 in cash after threatening him.

• Another grocer reported that someone bought a KD 20 mobile recharge card and fled without paying for it.

• An Egyptian reported that a bus driver sexually molested his primary school daughter, said security sources, noting that the girl verified her father’s story.

• A bedoon inmate, doing 11 years for drugrelated charges, added another charge to his record by setting fire to waste inside his cell. An arson case was filed.

Suicide threat A woman threatened to kill herself when doctors denied her demands to amputate her injured leg, before police managed to put her under control. The woman was reportedly rushed to Al-Razi Hospital where she complained from constant pain in her injured leg and asked doctors to amputate it. When doctors denied her request, the woman grabbed a syringe and threatened to stab herself in the abdomen, prompting medical staff to call police. After officers managed to calm her down, the woman explained that her leg was injured 15 years ago, and since then she has been taken painkillersbecause treatment is not available in Kuwait while she cannot afford traveling for treatment outside the country. She added that the doctors’ reaction made her consider suicide in order to end her ‘day and night suffering’.

Maid commits suicide A domestic worker committed suicide at her employer’s house according to preliminary investigations. The incident was reported in Sabah Al-Salem as paramedics and police arrived to the scene and found the 30-year-old Ethiopian woman hanging inside her room. The body was transferred to the forensic

department after criminal investigators examined the scene. Investigations are ongoing in the case.

Kidnap and rape Investigations are ongoing in a case involving a woman who said that she was subjected to physical and sexual assault by up to 5 men after she was kidnapped in Jahra. The Asian woman told local police after the incident that she passed by an open yard near a mall in the area when the suspects grabbed her and raped her. The suspects escaped after a passerby approached the scene.

The man helped the victim to the area’s police station where she reported the case.

Sexual harassment Search is on for three young men who harassed a woman at a public place in Hawally before escaping. Police rushed to a mall in the area where pedestrians reported in emergency calls that a woman was surrounded by three men who were harassing her in public. The suspects escaped before police arrived at the scene.

The woman was taken to the area’s police station where she gave descriptions of the suspects who she said had touched her inappropriately while “laughing sarcastically”. Investigations are ongoing.

Forgery case A local company representative faces charges after he collected money from people in order to forge transactions that they used to obtain bank loans illegally.

Employees at a Salmiya bank branch called police after discovering that a document forwarded by a man who applied for a loan was forged. The man denied forgery claims during questioning, and said that he obtained the required papers from a person who said in a newspaper ad that he can help people receive a loan regardless of their pay. The suspect was set up in a trap and placed under arrest.

The man, a Syrian national, confessed during questioning that he offered to forge the minimum salary in the application papers for KD 500. He added that he collected KD 2,000 from forging four transactions. He was remanded in custody pending legal action.

Stage set for Hala February festival KUWAIT: Kuwait’s prime tourism and shopping festival, Hala February is expected to be held between Jan 31 and Feb 24, said chief organiser Walid Al-Jasim.

The event will include a grand opening, poetry recitals and concerts by local Arab pop artists, along with daily draws on valuable prizes, said Al-Jasim.

Great discounts on travel tickets and hotel bookings will also be on offer during

the month-long festival, added Kuwait Tourism Services Company representative Khaled Al-Manea.

The month coincides with the national celebrations of the National Day and Day of Liberation on Feb 25 and 26 respectively.

Kuwait will be looking to benefit from sales during the month when commercial profitability is at its weakest, the event’s chief organiser added.— KUNA

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled leaves Beijing after chairing meeting

KUWAIT: The ‘Butterfly Troupe’ Chinese folklore band performed on stage on Thursday as part of the 20th Qurain Cultural Festival activities. The event was held at the Dasma Theater and attended by Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Cui Jianchun, as well as Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Ali Al-Youha. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

BEIJING: Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah left Beijing yesterday after chairing the GCC delegation to the Third Startegic Dialogue with China.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled was seen off at the airport by Kuwait’s Ambassador to China Mohammad Al-Thuwaikh, Kuwait’s Consul General to Guangzhou Abdulwahab Al-Sager, Kuwait’s Consul General to Hong Kong Khaled Al-Mutairi, and Deputy Director of the West Asia and North Africa Department at the Chinese foreign ministry Wang Kejian.

During the strategic dialogue, the two sides signed an action plan for the years 2014-17 aimed at fostering cooperation in political consultations, education, culture, youth, environment and health.

In a statement following the session of the dialogue, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled,

said China was a “strategic partner” for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and the two sides have common interest in many domains.

“China is a strategic partner for the GCC countries, we have big interests and our trade exchange is big with China,” Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said.

Trade exchange between the two sides reached $150 billion in 2012. The GCC is a major exporter of oil, gas and petrochemical products to China.

In the final statement of the strategic dialogue, China commended the GCC efforts to maintaining peace and security in the region. “China asserted their commitment to the security and stability of the Gulf, as well as their big interests with the GCC countries, and affirmed that they are ready to enhance the relation in all domains,” said Sheikh Sabah AlKhaled. — KUNA

LOCAL

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

KUWAIT: The executive committee of the Arab Inter Parliamentary Union meeting in Kuwait yesterday.

AIPU panel to support Chungong as IPU chief Kuwait hosts meeting KUWAIT: The executive committee of the Arab Inter Parliamentary Union (AIPU) met here yesterday ahead of the Union’s 20th conference hosted by Kuwait, which is to be held tomorrow with lawmakers from Arab parliaments attending. In yesterday’s committee meeting, the recommendation was made to support the representative from Cameroon Martin Chungong for the post of secretary general of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Committee chair Faisal Al-Shayea said that the committee approved the adoption of a work-paper on the relationship between the IPU and the UN, which the IPU plans to discuss in detail in its meeting in Geneva on Jan. 28-29. The work-paper is presented by the UAE. The committee also discussed the AIPU’s

financial standing for 2013 and its budget for 2014 and set the date and place for its next conference. It also set up a subcommittee to formulate the recommendations and the final communique for the Union’s 20th conference.

Yestrday’s meeting was attended by delegations from 17 Arab parliaments and Shura councils with exceptions from Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Comoro Islands, and Mauritania.

Earlier, Abdul Wahid Radi, President of the IPU, accompanied by a delegation, arrived in Kuwait yesterday to take part in the 20th conference of the Arab Parliamentary Union due here today.

The IPU delegation was received at Kuwait International Airport by National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, the

National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Mubarak Al-Khrainej, the head of the accompanying honorary mission Dr. Khalil Abdullah, member Saadoun Hammad and the National Assembly Secretar y General, Allam AlKandari.

Also yesterday, Speaker of the Moroccan Consultative Council Dr. Mohammed Al Sheikh Bidallah arrived in the country.

Speaker Bidallah, who was accompanied by a delegation, was received by Parliament Speaker Al-Ghanim, his deputy, Hammad and Al-Kandari.

Other personalities that arrived today for tomorrow’s event were Speaker of Algerian National People’s Assembly Mohamed AlArabi Ould Khalifa. The same top Kuwaiti legislators welcomed him upon arrival. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Some of the cars displayed at the Historical, Vintage & Classic Car Museum yesterday. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

Kuwait hosts Classic Cars Festival Place where history meets modernity

By Chidi Emmanuel KUWAIT: The Historical, Vintage & Classic Car Museum yesterday organized the “SIRBB Circuit Classic Car Festival” at the SIRBB Circuit at the museum’s premises in Shuwaikh Industrial Area. It was a unique opportunity for fans of classic cars to see the best cars in Kuwait and participate in the festival. The festival featured car displays, a driving competition, a go-karting championship, special photography session, winners’ ceremony and a gala dinner. There was also a special informative classic car question game with giveaway prizes for the winners.

Mustafa Mkhshehad, the General Manager of the museum, expressed his contentment over the interaction of the collectors and classic car enthusiasts in Kuwait. He thanked Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad AlSabah, Abdul Aziz Ishaq (member of the Board of Trustees) and Kuwaiti leaders for their considerable efforts.

“SIRBB today is one of the most important facilities of the museum, and we are intro-

ducing it to our members and the public through these kinds of activities. These festivals and competitions are the right events to inform car owners on the specifications of their cars, history and the right ways to keep them in good condition. This will benefit them and raise the value of classic cars,” the Executive Manager of the Historical, Vintage & Classic Car Museum Zakaria Dashti said.

The Kuwait Historical, Vintage and Classic Car Museum is where history meets modernity. It is a home to more than 50 historic and classic car models. It is Kuwait’s first museum specializing in vintage cars. According to the Head of Committees of Historical Vintage & Classic Cars Museum, Mustafa Ali, the museum is aimed at restoring Kuwait to the pinnacle of the region’s classic car community. “It was established to preserve Kuwait’s historical automotive culture,” he added. The museum is a part of a broad spectrum of activities aimed at depicting Kuwait’s culture and tourism potential. It informs and educates the public about automobile makers and the pioneers in the field.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

LOCAL

Local Spotlight

In my view

Technology and security

Visa rules to change

By Labeed Abdal

Al-Anbaa

By Muna Al-Fuzai

local@kuwaittimes.net

W

N

o one can deny that the world is currently living an era of fast-paced technological advancement. A small pocket device that is connected to the Internet all day long puts the world, literally, in the palm of your hand.

Social media has become so widespread that it plays an influential role in people’s gatherings, whether in discussing general topics, politics, sports, concerts, etc. A simple ‘tweet’ or Facebook message appears on the screen of cell phones of thousands of people around the world the moment they are sent.

The cyberspace has become an open technological world, prompting many governments around the world to recruit tech-savvy young men in order to thwart potential security attacks that were made easier by lack of regulations on Internet activities. The fast-paced advancement of information technology which established a complicated web of worldwide networks require international efforts and treaties to be signed in order to tackle cyber attacks.

Meanwhile, protecting public freedoms and freedom of expression remains a top priority at all times. Therefore, the world must take the technological advancement to its advantage by giving opportunities to young people around the world to continue research and put their skills to good use. I believe that this is a very effective way in protecting national security from technology-inspired threats.

muna@kuwaittimes.net

kuwait digest

Swept under the carpet

By Waleed Al-Ghanim

A

t least three committees were established to investigate suspected foul play which led to squandering of public funds in the case of the K-Dow penalty. The Cabinet formed the first committee on May 2012, and then the Fatwa and Legislations Department formed the second in 2013. This year, the parliament assigned the Audit Bureau to investigate the case from the beginning.

The first committee has so far failed to finish its report despite being formed over a year and a half ago. I personally have no idea what the committee was doing all that time, whether it is even serious about making a clear opinion regarding this crisis, or how active it has been in summoning officials involved for questioning. It is strange that the Cabinet decided last week to ‘urge’ the committee to finish its report as soon as possible. What was the Cabinet doing since May 2012?

What is more strange than that in my opinion is the recent recommendations of the parliament and Cabinet, in which they assigned the Audit Bureau to carry out a com-

prehensive study on the Dow fine and submit its final report within one month. I wonder how MPs and ministers expect the bureau to finish in one month a report that the Cabinet’s committee couldn’t finish in 18 months. Who exactly is fooling who?

I do not understand how the ‘culture of committees’ has become the panacea to solve every problem in Kuwait.

Whenever something comes up, a committee is formed to study it, and then nothing happens. Most recently, ministers formed committees to investigate violations mentioned in annual Audit Bureau reports about the administrative and financial performance of their respective ministries. This could perhaps be another way to ‘sweep issues under the rug’, or waste time so that officials involved in negligence, violations and corruption can escape punishment.

I am confident that the K-Dow issue is eventually going to be overlooked without anyone being brought to justice, the same way the multimillion-dinar deposits case did.

— Al-Qabas

ith the arrival of a new minister of social affairs and labour, most expatriates are following the news of a possible update on visit visas and work permits. This is a very serious issue for them. Lately , the Undersecretary of Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Abdulmohsen Al-Mutairi stated to a local daily that Minister Hind Al-Sabeeh has given new instructions to form a committee to review many decisions related to the labor market of the private sector including issuance of more work permits for expatriate personnel, adding that the ministry is studying the possibilities of increasing the number of exempted sectors for issuing more work permits.

At first look, this seems good news because these kind of regulations affect the lives of many expats and family stability, especially for the ones with kids. I believe in the need to review these decisions regularly, not pending a minster’s call or Assembly request .

We have a problem in balancing the number of expats and citizens in Kuwait, and this is not a matter of surprise as it is common among other Gulf countries. I don’t think this is an obstacle to development if regular reviews and updates of fair regulations are made, plus law enforcement is observed.

The undersecretary also said the work of the committee will last for one month after which its recommendations will be referred to the minister for taking appropriate decisions and implementation. I think considering the review of all regulations of work permits is a good step.

These laws have been set for years, and the change that can now be implemented has to be studied from all aspects taking into consideration people’s rights and giving them enough time to regularize their status I don’t think marginal workers should be part of this.

I believe that any upcoming review has to take into account that decisions will not hold any bias against nationality or work sector. The goal should be to modify, update and change for the best of all .

If it is only a one-month wait, we should not worry for long!

In my view

Iran at crossroads

By Abdulateef Al-Mulhim

U

ndoubtedly Iran is one of those countries which continue to make headlines for one reason or the other. Since the fall of Shah’s regime in 1979, Iran has been in the media spotlight. Interestingly, Iran was behind the establishment of America’s ABC news network program, the Nightline news.

This program went on air few days after the beginning of the Iranian hostage crisis. Fifty-two Americans were held hostage for 444 days after a group of Iranian students took over the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979. That issue consumed all the airtime of major news outlets in the US. ABC anchorman Ted Kopple was seen every night talking about one thing: The hostage crisis.

Iran is a country the size of America’s largest state, Alaska. It has a population of around 80 million people. During Shah’s regime, Iran enjoyed cordial ties with almost all the countries across the globe. After the fall of Shah, Iran changed its name to the Islamic Republic of Iran and Ayatollah Khomeini became the supreme religious leader.

Soon after the revolution, Iran sank into chaos and ironically; it was Iran’s enemy, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, who saved the Iranian revolution when he invaded the western part of Iran. Both countries got engaged in a war that continued for eight years and resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives. The war actually united the Iranians.

In the aftermath of the revolution, the ruling party made clear its intentions to export the Iranian-style revolution to its neighboring countries.

However, somehow the Iran-Iraq war prevented them from striving in that direction. But Iranians tried to use the war to gain influence in the region by touching issues important to Arabs like Palestine. Iran had then declared that it would liberate Palestine via Baghdad.

Since Iran is not an Arab country, Tehran tried to play on the ethnic issues in the Arab world and use the Palestinian cause to elevate its position in the Middle East.

After the conclusion of the war, analysts expected Iran to concentrate on its rehabilitation, as the infrastructure of its oil and gas industries had been destroyed and its nuclear plant was not in working condition. It was also expected to normalize its ties with its neighbors but the Iranians continued to interfere in the internal matters of other countries particularly Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. In the summer of 1984, there was a direct confrontation between

Saudi Arabia and Iran. It was an air-to-air confrontation. The Saudi air force F-15 Eagle shot down two Iranian F-4 Phantoms. Iran stopped direct confrontations but continued its covert efforts to stir trouble in the region. It is mainly due to the Iranian behavior, the country stands isolated in the international community with a few friends like Syria, Venezuela and North Korea on its side. Since 1979, the United States remained Iran’s sworn enemy and Washington froze Iranian assets in the US. Both countries remained engaged in bloody sea battles in the Arabian Gulf and Washington sanctioned Tehran.

A few months ago, the entire region was on a high alert and people were waiting with bated breath for an American attack on Iran for its insistence on continuing with its nuclear ambitions. However, things changed dramatically. America is no longer the Great Satan for Iran. Every Iranian is jubilant.

All these years, they have longed for McDonald’s and Starbucks. On the other hand, American companies can make trillions of dollars if they have access to Iran’s outdated energy infrastructures.

Iran might continue to stoke sectarian tensions in the Gulf region but it is not immune to these issues. Iran has more diverse ethnic groups than any other country in the region. The Iranian population consists of Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Arabs, Balochis, Turkmans, Qashqai, Armenians and many others.

And there are many languages spoken by the Iranian population. And when Iran opens to the world, it will be more exposed to Westerners and Western media. Opening up of Iran to the world will highlight the lives of the Iranians, their social lives, the elections and the economic condition of an average Iranian.

Tehran has a golden opportunity under President Hassan Rowhani to turn a new leaf and improve its ties with its neighbors. Iran has a very rich culture with thousands of years of rich history. It is rich with many natural resources such as oil and gas. Iran has the potential to increase economic trade with its neighbors. Iran is known for its rugs, caviar and saffron. Iran can export these products to the Gulf markets, which will help its crumbling economy.

The ball is now in Iran’s court. It is at a crossroads. It is up to Tehran either to tread a path that will ensure the well being of its people or continue with its dirty tricks to foment unrest in other countries.

In my view

Tunisia offers hope for Arabs

By Rafik Abdessalem

J

an 14 marked the third anniversary of the first dramatic success of the Arab Spring - the sudden downfall of Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia. Three years later, the outcome of the difficult and dangerous test that Arab Spring countries are going through will determine the shape of the region for the coming years, if not decades.

In Egypt, the army toppled the first elected civilian president in the country’s modern history, regaining power behind the veil of a civilian government. In Libya, two years after the removal of Muammar Gaddafi, the country still suffers from the disintegration of state institutions and the rise of violent groups and regional and tribal divisions.

Yemen has sunk into a cycle of tribal and sectarian conflicts, the expansion of AlQaeda and similar groups and a rise in the dangers of division between north and south. Syria has, for its part, fallen into complete chaos between the rule of Bashar AlAssad and armed groups.

Against this dark background, Tunisia, the cradle of the Arab revolutions, offers an exception, providing some hope for the people of a region long suffering from deadly despotism and crippling corruption.

Following the first free elections on Oct 23, 2011, Tunisia embarked on a promising democratic transition under the gaze of the entire world community. These elections were won by the moderate Islamist Ennahdha Party which forged an alliance with two moderate secular parties, the Congress for the Republic and Ettakattol Party.

Concept of partnership However, the spectre of political assassinations soon arose, destabilising the political situation and shrouding it in a stifling crisis. Ennahdha absorbed the shock of the assassination of Chokri Belaid, a far-left politician, through a government reshuffle and relinquishing the foreign, interior and justice ministries to independent ministers.

However, the second political assassination on July 25, 2013 of Mohamed Brahmi, a few weeks after the military coup in Egypt, and the subsequent deepening of political polarisation between the ruling troika parties and the opposition, coupled with the rising security threats from neighbouring Libya, dragged Tunisia into a new political crisis.

Once again, Ennahdha willingly accepted to relinquish power, despite the majori-

ty it still enjoyed in the Assembly - this time in favour of an independent government of technocrats, on the condition that all parties pledge to complete the adoption of the constitution and prepare for the coming elections. After months of uncertainty, Tunisia has resumed its march in the right direction towards completing the transition phase and setting the country on the road to democracy, thus giving great hope in what can be called the emerging Tunisian model.

The principal features of the Tunisian model can be summarised in the concept of partnership in governance between moderate Islamists and secularists. This idea was born out of the climate of repression we had suffered under Ben Ali. As exiled politicised youth in Britain, we evaluated, in long heated discussions with the participation of the leader of Ennahdha Party, Rached Ghannouchi, the repression faced by Islamist movement in the early nineties. One of the main conclusions we came to was that one of the principle factors that contributed to establishing Ben Ali’s dictatorship was his success in dividing the Tunisian political scene into Islamists and secularists and his attempts to co-opt the former against the latter, only to go on to target all groups across the spectrum.

This highlighted the importance of cooperation and political alliances between various political and ideological trends. It must be stressed here that among the factors enabling such cooperation was also the fact that the concept of freedom was among the most deeplyestablished concepts in Ghannouchi’s thought since the 1980s, as he saw religion as synonymous with freedom: Freedom of belief, thought and practice, ideas which matured and became more deeply established through the two decades he spent in London.

Promising foundation The recent resignation of the prime minister and the Ennahdha-led government in favour of an independent technocratic government is contingent on two demands. The first is adopting a new constitution for Tunisia, one that fulfils the aspirations of the revolution for freedom, justice and democracy. Voting on articles of the constitution began on Jan 4 and should be completed soon, and it is indeed a democratic constitution espousing uni-

versal values and freedoms and has been praised by international organisations.

The second is setting a date for the coming elections so as to provide the stability needed to build democratic institutions and rule of law in the face of the danger of terrorism threatening Tunisia, as a result of events in neighbouring Libya and countries to the south. Tunisia possesses a strong and promising foundation for a real democracy in the Arab world, having a relatively high level of education, a significant middle class and a largely homogeneous society devoid of sectarian or ethnic divisions. It also has a neutral military institution with no tradition of interference in politics. Most importantly, it has a moderate democratic Islamist movement alongside moderate secular trends, as opposed to extremist religious and secularist fringes on both sides.

Ennahdha has sacrificed its own interests in power for the sake of Tunisia’s higher interest in establishing a new democracy within a regional context of despotism and return of military rule at the expense of freedom and democracy. If this experiment does succeed, it would represent a final blow to the claims of an “Arab exception”, defying the popular belief among a wide spectrum of politicians, academics and journalists in the US and Europe that the peoples of the Arab world can only be ruled by force.

The success of this emerging democracy is not only in Tunisia’s interest - it is also in Europe’s interest and the West in general, for the existence of a stable democracy in this small Mediterranean country located less than two hundred kilometres from Italy’s shores guarantees the existence of peaceful and secure borders on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Moreover, the success of this experiment in the Arab region would give some moral and political credibility to the West, which is accused by large portions of the region’s people of supporting despotism and dictators at the expense of the values of democracy and human rights. The birth of a Tunisian model can represent a serious challenge to violent groups as well as to the new generation of army generals aspiring to stop the tide of change and take their people back to the era of repression and fear. Tunisia may indeed give hope in the existence of a bright Arab Spring against those who wish to turn it into a severe and sombre Arab winter.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

LOCAL

Kuwaiti Embassy in India holds fundraising bazaar NEW DELHI: In a bid to gather donations for under privileged children and people in India, the Kuwaiti Embassy in New Delhi along with local NGO, the Gunjan Foundation, organized a spring bazaar yesterday.

The event, held inside the embassy, was inaugurated by the wife of the Kuwaiti ambassador to India, Huda Al-Shaye.

The bazaar hosted stalls set up by locals selling Indian and Western clothes, home decorations, jewellery, antiques and footwear. The income generated from the sale, organisers said, would be spent on poor and needy people.

Huda-Al-Shaye said the aim of the carnival was to help the poor and under privileged people in India. She said that she had always been interested in charity work, adding, it provides a chance to serve humanity.

“I always wanted to help the needy and the poor in some way. The NGO Gunjan foundation expressed their interest to help me in charitable work. They arranged the goods and stalls to be put on,” she said.

“We provide them space and other things of use. We bore all the expenses spent on the car-

nival. And our government was also helpful.

They sent some items like clothes and traditional fabrics which we also put on the stalls.”

Al-Shaye said that the income generated from the bumper sale would be utilized to fund education and to help under privileged children.

Such events also cement relations between Kuwait and India on social and cultural levels, she added.

Former Indian Ambassdor to Kuwait and Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Satish Mehta, who was also present on the occasion termed the spring carnival as a great gesture for India by the Kuwaiti Ambassdor and his wife.

He said the carnival supports a good causeproviding education for poor and needy children.

“Kuwait has always been a generous country.

They have supported the causes and development around the world,” he said.

He reiterated the notion that events like these cement relations between the two countries, particulary on the cultural and social spectrums. — KUNA Maryam Aljoaan holding the Kuwaiti flag in Antarctica.

Kuwait a terror funding state in two years?

KUWAIT: Kuwait faces the risk of being labeled a country that supports terrorism unless local antiterror funding efforts are increased within a couple of years, a local daily warned yesterday, quoting government sources. “Such a disastrous decision would be a direct result of the general failure of state departments, not naming the interior and social affairs ministries, in passing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment standards,” said sources from a national committee established last year to fight money laundering and terrorism funding.

According to the sources, deputy president of the committee Nasser Al-Ammar warned govern-

ment officials recently that “Kuwait has been listed among countries whose status will be reevaluated within the upcoming two years”. “Al-Ammar explained that unless efforts are taken to improve the country’s measures against money laundering and terrorism funding, Kuwait has little chance to pass the stricter standards used in the reevaluation process,” said the sources who spoke to Al-Jarida on the condition of anonymity.

To address this issue, the sources said that the government is already studying a proposal to amend the law that regulates the work of nongovernmental organizations “to stipulate 3 years imprisonment for unlicensed fundraising”.

Kuwaiti scientist launches asteroid naming campaign Plan to inspire Arabs to explore our planet BRUSSELS: A Kuwaiti scientist and oceanogrpaher based in Belgium has launched an awareness campaign targeted at the Arab world to name an asteroid. Maryam Aljoaan is the founder and executive director of an NGO called, Lazurd, based in the Belgian city of Ghent.

The aim of the campaign is to inspire young Arabs to explore, understand, and protect our planet, she said in a statement.

“Our asteroid naming campaign is to raise awareness about asteroids and protecting Earth from their impacts. Lazurd is offering a unique opportunity to the Arab world to name an asteroid. I’m looking forward to receive the entries,” she said. Lazurd is partnering with the Minor Planet Center, under the auspices of the International Astronomical Union. Participents must visit the website www.lazurd.org to fill out the form and submit their entries. The due date is March 31, 2014.

Aljoaan explained that Lazurd is the Arabic word for azure, a hue of blue. Azure represents Earth as seen from space. It also appears in shades of the sky, water, and ice. Aljoaan became the first Kuwaiti woman to reach Antarctica after she was selected as a representative of Kuwait Science Club for the Canadian expedition ‘Students on Ice’ in February 2011. She studied in a public high school in Kuwait.

Apart from being a former member of Kuwait Science Club at the Department of Astronomy and Space Sciences, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Earth and Space Sciences, specialising in Oceanography from Jacobs University Bremen in Germany.

She has several field experiences on land and sea including the North Sea, the Antarctic Peninsula and the Southern Ocean.

She also worked as an intern at the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy in Brussels. — KUNA

Minister affirms support for initiatives serving society KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud AlSabah yesterday affirmed his support for efforts and initiatives aimed at serving the Kuwaiti society in various sectors.

Sheikh Salman, during a meeting with students from Florida University, said the Kuwaiti Government is keen on

securing all conditions to enable the youth realise their aspirations. The state, although it enjoys abundant resources, cannot alone face contemporary challenges; it rather needs support of the private sector and grass-root organizations (NGOs) “to establish an ideal society that stays abreast of modernization,” Sheikh Salman pointed out.

The ministry, he said, depends on “creative energy of the civil associations, which is based on the youth to shorten the path of developing the national human resources. Its strategy envisages sound upbringing of the youth to turn into responsible citizens.”

Separately, Sheikh Salman received a delegation of

“Mawaheb” group, a delegation of the national backgammon game, Kuwait Society for Human Rights, latter of which is headed by Chairman Khaled Al-Anjari. The minister affirmed role of the human rights society for portraying a civic image of the state of Kuwait on the continental and international arenas. — KUNA

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

LOCAL

‘Amir proved Kuwait to be a global humanitarian centre’ Donation campaign for Syria begins NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday told the General Assembly that His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah proved last week during the Kuwait II Donor Conference for Syria that his country is a global humanitarian centre.

Hours after returning from Kuwait where he chaired the conference, Ban told the Assembly “His Highness the Amir of Kuwait proved his country to be a global humanitarian centre. His contribution of a half billion dollars set an inspiring tone.”

Ban also said the conference in Kuwait responded to the humanitarian dimension of the Syria crisis which needed $6.5 billion to help over six million Syrians affected by the conflictover six million internally displaced and over two million living as refugees in neighbouring coungries. “Your governments and other partners pledged more than $2.4 billion. These funds will help us give hope to families (and) will contribute to regional stability by helping Syria’s neighbours to cope with the economic, social, political and security difficulties” of hosting millions of refugees,” he said.

He noted that “humanitarian aid can feed a hungry child, which is important enough. But it can also indirectly stop a car bomb by reducing social tensions.”

Prior to visiting Kuwait, Ban also visited Iraq where he met with Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan Governorate.

“The people there depend on our solidarity to survive. But more than supplies and services, they need peace,” he stressed.

On Geneva II Conference on Syria, Ban said “we are intensifying efforts to bring the parties together, in Switzerland next week. In Montreux, we will press them to launch a political process, move to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, and stop the violence.”

The grassroot donation campaign for Syria kick started in Kuwait yesterday, said Chairman of the Board for Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Barges Al-Barges.

Al-Barges said in a press release that it was only natural that such campaign would be launched considering that the ongoing suffering of the Syrians due to the conflict which plagued their country since March 2011.

Al-Barges asked people to donate to the grassroot campaign to ease the suffering of the

KUWAIT: The donation campaign for Syria in progress in Kuwait yesterday.

Syrians, noting that helping the Syrian refugees was a humanitarian obligation that should not be ignored.

Meanwhile, head of public relations and media at KRCS Khaled Al-Zaid said that the

donations would be delivered to Syrian refugees in Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon, noting that donations would be received at KRCS headquarters during day and evening work hours. — KUNA

Parliament majority could force increases KUWAIT: The government has no intentions to reject draft laws that stipulate increases to the rent and child allowances if those were passed by a parliamentary majority, despite being against raises that come with negative economic effects.

Ministers are expected to vote against proposals to increase the housing loan, rent allowance and child allowance during the next session of the parliament. On the other hand, ‘parliament sources’ quoted by Al-Rai yesterday hinted that the government does not have plans to exercise its constitutional right and reject the laws if they were passed. The report further suggests that the cabinet could make its final decision on the issue during its weekly meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, a Civil Ser vice Commission insider warned that approving the increases could “largely affect the state’s treasury and future generations fund”. “A governmental decision to approve the parliamentary proposals would come against technical recommendations made by the World Bank and local specialized bodies”, said the source who spoke to Al-Qabas on the condition of anonymity. He explained for example that the child allowance is connected to the social security and pension systems “and therefore adds a huge financial burden on the state”.

In other news, Al-Rai reported that a proposal to amend the electoral system and potentially opening the way for the opposition to return to the parliament is gaining more support from MPs. MP Dr Ahmad Al-Azmi made the proposal

last August, which stipulates allowing voters to vote for a maximum of two candidates each. Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim has since referred it to the legislative committee, but sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity suggested that several MPs are currently working on ‘moving’ the proposal to be put on the parliament’s agenda.

Al-Azmi had explained that his proposal aims to “tackle vote buying and social disintegration”, in addition to “end the opposition’s boycotting after the Constitutional Court upheld the singlevote system”. Several reports suggested in the past few months that the opposition would consider running again for parliament if the current system was amended inside the National Assembly.

The sources revealed that there are 17 MPs “and counting” who currently support the proposal, whereas it needs a majority in the 50-seat house to pass.

Separately, MP Faisal Al-Rashid could decide the fate of Kuwait’s approval on the Gulf Cooperation Council’s security agreement which highlights the parliament’s foreign affairs committee’s meeting on Jan 28, 2014 which is set to feature the interior, justice and foreign ministers. Al-Rai reported yesterday that panel members Saleh Ashour and Hamdan Al-Azmi oppose the treaty based on the argument that it contains unconstitutional articles, whereas members Kamel Al-Awadhi and Hamad AlHarashani approve it as being ‘a necessary treaty given the unstable regional situation’. Al-Rashid remains the only member who is yet to comment publically on the agreement.

MOH takes part in TB strategy conference KUWAIT: Ministry of Health’s assistant undersecretary for public health affairs, Dr Qais Al-Dowairi leaves today for Geneva to attend the preliminary meeting of the World Health Organization conference due to be held from Jan 20 to 25, said health sources. The sources added that the meeting would be dedicated to discussing TB

treatment strategies, vaccinations, violence against women, getting rid of chickenpox, intensifying efforts to get rid of polio, finding vaccines for delinquent flu, hepatitis international regulations, resistance to antimicrobes, lifelong health, mothers, babies and children nourishment as well as old age health.

NBK staff volunteers join ‘NBK’s Clean and Safe Camping campaign’

KUWAIT: PACI General Director Musaed Al-Asousi pictured with employees and app developers and promoters during the awards presentation ceremony.

PACI to launch English-language ‘Kuwait Finder’ app this year KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) will launch an English-language version of the widely popular Kuwait Finder app this year. The app can can be downloaded and used on Android and Apple devices and provides

information and directions to many locations in Kuwait. Users can search by PACI No. (code placed in every location, home and etc.) or by nearby current location. The app further allows the user to search by area, block, street and more as well

as search by location and share the information through social media.

“Many government institutions in Kuwait have expressed their desire to connect with the Kuwait Finder following its massive success,” explained Musaed Al-Asousi, Director General of the Public Authority for Civil Information. PACI provides information from the Ministry of Electricity and Water, the Municipality, the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior and the Public Institute for Social Securities.

The 2014 version of the Kuwait Finder app, which is currently only available in Arabic, will include information on the location of well known diwaniyas, funeral wakes for men and women and other services. Al-Asousi was speaking at an awards ceremony hosted by PACI to give thanks to the application’s developers, researchers, partners and allies. The Kuwait Finder appli-

cation has received numerous awards, including the 3rd GCC egovernment award in Dubai, for its unique characteristics that include efficiency, easy usage and the availability of geographical information.

Geographic Information System (GIS) Expert Maher Abdulkareem said that the goal of Kuwait Finder is to build a GIS foundation in Kuwait which utilizes PACI’s solid data, infrastructure and security to provide robust services that transmit efficient geographical information to the public.

He asserted that the second version of Kuwait Finder is set to launch in the first quarter of 2014 and will included new services and collaborations with government as well as the private sector. “The 2015 vision further envisions the development of geo statistics and crowd-sourcing information,” he added.

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) staff volunteered to join the annual environmental awareness campaign to help keep Kuwait clean and safe during the winter camping season.

The campaign covers a wide range of camps in different areas in Kuwait as Bnaider, Julaia and Mina Abdullah. It demonstrates NBK’s lasting commitment to the community and encourages awareness to preserve the natural environment.

NBK will distribute more than 200 waste bins and 5000 pamphlets addressing security precautions and safety rules about maintaining the environment during the camping season.

“The environment is one of our most precious resources and as part of our corporate social responsibility program. We at NBK aim to keep the environment safe and clean this camping season,” said Yaqoub AlBaqer, NBK Public Relations Officer.

“We aim to encourage Kuwaits community to adopt sustainable practices for protecting the invironment.”

NBK is an environment-friendly bank

Yaqoub Al-Baqer and has launched a range of initiatives including electricity conservation and paper recycling - aimed at promoting environmental awareness.

NBK volunteers in a group photo.

KUWAIT: The Senyar Diving Team participated in an international study on the whales for the fifth consecutive year. It was the only team from the Arab region to participate in the three-week study which focuses on efforts to protect the endangered species. The Senyar Diving Team is a member of the Kuwait Voluntary Work Center.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

Nuclear missile force poses a headache for US military

India minister wife’s death is ‘unnatural’

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GAZA: Palestinian students jump through burning rings of fire during a graduation ceremony for a military-style training program in Gaza City. Some 13,000 students joined the training, which is aimed at preparing them for “liberating Palestine from Israel”, Hamas officials said. — AFP

With Brotherhood crushed, Egypt sets sights on Hamas Cairo in contact with Fatah, anti-Hamas activists CAIRO: After crushing the Muslim Brotherhood at home, Egypt’s military rulers plan to undermine the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which runs the neighboring Gaza Strip, senior Egyptian security officials said. The aim, which the officials say could take years to pull off, includes working with Hamas’s political rivals Fatah and supporting popular anti-Hamas activities in Gaza, four security and diplomatic officials said. Since it seized power in Egypt last summer, Egypt’s military has squeezed Gaza’s economy by destroying most of the 1,200 tunnels used to smuggle food, cars and weapons to the coastal enclave, which is under an Israeli blockade. Now Cairo is becoming even more ambitious in its drive to eradicate what it says are militant organizations that threaten its national security.

Intelligence operatives, with help from Hamas’s political rivals and activists, plan to undermine the credibility of Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007 after a brief civil war against the Fatah movement led by Westernbacked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

According to the Egyptian officials, Hamas will face growing resistance by activists who will launch protests similar to those in Egypt that have led to the downfall of two presidents since the Arab Spring in 2011. Cairo plans to support such protests in an effort to cripple Hamas.

“Gaza is next,” said one senior security official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. “We cannot get liberated from the terrorism of the Brotherhood in Egypt without ending it in Gaza, which lies on our borders.”

Asked why Egyptian intelligence is not going after Hamas now, another senior security official said: “Their day will come.” Egypt accuses Hamas of backing al Qaeda-linked militant groups which have stepped up attacks against security forces in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula over the past few months.

The attacks have spread to Cairo and other cities.

Both the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas deny accusations of terrorism, and the Brotherhood says it is committed to peaceful activism. The group was ousted from power in

Egypt after the military threw its weight behind street protests last summer. Freely-elected president Mohamed Morsi is now on trial on charges of inciting the murder of protesters during his presidency. Egypt’s military-backed government has cracked down hard on the Brotherhood, arresting almost its entire leadership and thousands of its backers as well as formally declaring it a terrorist organization.

But the situation is very different in Gaza, where Hamas, an offshoot of the Brotherhood, is heavily armed, has years of experience fighting Israel, and moves swiftly to squash dissent. A Hamas official said the comments made to Reuters by Egyptian officials showed Cairo was inciting violence and trying to provoke chaos.

“We reaffirm that Hamas did not and never would intervene in the internal Egyptian affairs,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said. “No one should ever dream to weaken Hamas.”

A lot of anger So far, contacts between Egypt and Fatah have been limited to discussing ways to help Fatah undermine Hamas, said the officials. They declined to name Palestinians involved in those discussions or give details of how many meetings have been held. Hamas keeps Fatah party officials under very close watch in Gaza. A senior Fatah official in the occupied West Bank, where the party is far more powerful, denied any plot to oust Hamas. “There is a lot of anger in Gaza. People are suffering, but protest is not easy. We cannot hope that Hamas will vanish tomorrow,” he said. Hamas has an estimated 20,000 fighters, with another 20,000 in its police and security forces. Despite growing economic hardship in Gaza, the group can still draw on significant support from among the territory’s 1.8 million people.

But Egyptian officials hope to exploit tensions with rival militant groups, even if there are no signs of major splits yet. “We know that Hamas is powerful and armed but we also know that there are other armed groups in Gaza that are not on good terms with Hamas and they could be used

to face Hamas,” another Egyptian security source said. “All people want is to eat, drink and have a decent living, and if a government, armed or not, fails to provide that, then the people will rise against it in the end,” the source said.

The first spark In early January, Cairo publicly hosted the first conference of a new anti-Hamas youth group called Tamarud, or rebel, the same name used by the Egyptian youth movement that led last year’s protests against Morsi. Members of the Palestinian Tamarud stood with the Palestinian flag wrapped around their necks to highlight what they called Hamas’s crimes against activists in Gaza. The event was attended by representatives from Egyptian liberal parties and Fatah. “We support the movement and any peaceful movement against the cruelty of the Islamist group that is part of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood organization,” said Ayman alRaqb, a Fatah official in Cairo in his speech at the conference.

The activists showed video clips of masked gunmen chasing and dragging away protesters, and posted banners showing activists who they said had been tortured by Hamas for their opposition. The Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights last year accused Hamas of orchestrating a fierce crackdown against activists suspected of trying to organize a Tamarud-like protest in November. It said some of those detained were tortured and the mooted rally never materialized.

Hamas has accused Tamarud members of being Israeli agents, but has denied allegations of torture.

Activists in Cairo have called for protests in Gaza on March 21. Egyptian officials hope that future Hamas crackdowns may turn the tide against the movement’s leadership. “Surely, the world will not stand still and allow Hamas to kill Palestinians. Someone will interfere,” said the Egyptian security official. “But so far we are only working on firing the first spark.” But officials also concede that the plan is likely to take years. “The aid Egypt will mainly provide to the anti-Hamas

US Rep Senator to leave Congress, battles cancer Obama hails Coburn as a friend and lawmaker WASHINGTON: Republican US Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, who crossed the aisle in 2005 became friends with a newly elected colleague named Barack Obama, says he will leave office in December, two years before his term ends. He is battling cancer. In a brief statement issued by his office, Coburn, 65, a medical doctor, said: “This decision isn’t about my health, my prognosis or even my hopes and desires.”

Instead, he said: “As a citizen, I am now convinced I can best serve my own children and grandchildren by shifting my focus elsewhere.

In the meantime, I look forward to finishing this year strong.” Obama said in a statement on Friday: “Those of us who have had the privilege of serving with Tom Coburn will be sad to lose him as a colleague here in Washington.” “Tom

and I entered the Senate at the same time, becoming friends after our wives struck up a conversation,” Obama said. “Though we haven’t always agreed politically, we’ve found ways to work together,” Obama said. “The people of Oklahoma have been well-served by this ‘country doctor from Muskogee.’”

In nine years in the Senate, Coburn earned a reputation as a blunt-speaking conservative who waged war against federal waste and denounced what he called a “dysfunctional Washington.” Coburn promised to serve only two terms in the Senate when first elected to the chamber in 2004. He earlier served six years in the House of Representatives. “Our founders saw public service and politics as a calling rather than a career,” Coburn said in his state-

ment on Thursday. “That’s how I saw it when I first ran for office in 1994, and that’s how I still see it today.”

Coburn has been treated for prostate cancer. According to his Senate website, he is a three-time cancer survivor. A special election to fill Coburn’s seat will be held in Oklahoma. The seat is likely to remain in his party’s hands since the state is staunchly Republican. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, responding to Coburn’s decision to leave the Senate early, hailed him as an “extraordinary man and a deeply serious lawmaker.” “Tom Coburn is without question one of the most intelligent, principled, and decent men in modern Senate history,” the Kentucky lawmaker said in a statement. — Reuters

groups will be logistical not financial.

Tamaruds don’t cost much,” one Egyptian security official said.

Gaza tunnels The plan to undermine Hamas reflects renewed confidence among Egypt’s security forces after being sidelined following the fall of long-time president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Senior security officials are now determined to eliminate their Islamist foes for good - inside and outside Egypt. They were angry when Morsi became the first Egyptian president to meet Hamas leaders in the presidential palace. Morsi also sent his prime minister to Gaza on the second day of an Israeli offensive on the enclave in November 2012.

Many Egyptians believe the Brotherhood intended to give part of the Sinai to Hamas.

The Brotherhood has consistently denied the allegation. Morsi’s administration did acknowledge the problem posed by the tunnels under the border between Egypt and Gaza. His national security adviser last year said the government was flooding a number of tunnels he described as illegal.

But the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza was kept open for much of

Morsi’s rule, allowing vital food and goods to flow into Gaza. After Morsi’s overthrow, the army took over command of the Sinai and started destroying hundreds of tunnels. No Hamas official has been allowed to travel into Egypt since then. Last month, Egypt’s public prosecutor accused Hamas of conspiring with Morsi and Iran to stage terrorist attacks in Egypt. “We know Hamas is the Brotherhood and the Brotherhood (members) are terrorists and no country could develop with terrorists in or around it,” the security official said.

Gaza prime minister and Hamas deputy leader Ismail Haniyeh has said repeatedly since July that his group is focused exclusively on confronting arch-foe Israel and has no armed presence in Egypt. “We do not intervene in Egyptian internal affairs,” he told supporters last month. “Egypt cannot do without us and we cannot do without Egypt. This historical, geographic and security link can never be severed.” However, an Egyptian security official, who declined to be named, dismissed his words. “They (Hamas leaders) can say what they want on their role in Sinai. We don’t base our judgment on them, but on intelligence and information.” — Reuters

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

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

Militants strengthen grip on Iraq’s Fallujah Sunni residents resent government, but fear Qaeda BAGHDAD: Al-Qaeda and other insurgent groups have tightened their grip on Fallujah, defying the Shiite-led Iraqi government’s efforts to persuade local tribesmen to expel them from the Sunni Muslim city, residents and officials say. Despite an army siege, fighters and weapons have been flowing into the city, where US troops fought some of their fiercest battles during their 2003-11 occupation of Iraq.

In an embarrassing setback for a state that has around a million men under arms, the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and its tribal allies overran Fallujah and parts of the nearby city Ramadi on Jan 1. Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, seeking a third term in a parliamentary election in April, deployed troops and tanks around the city of 300,000 and funneled weapons to anti-Qaeda tribesmen, but has ruled out a full-scale military assault.

He was quoted by the Washington Post on Thursday as saying that 80 soldiers and police had been killed so far, as well as more than 80 civilians and double that number of insurgents. Ramadi, the provincial capital of the vast western province of Anbar, is mostly back under state control, but Maliki’s calls on local tribesmen to evict the militants from Fallujah, just 50 km west of Baghdad, have so far come to nought.

Instead, scores more ISIL fighters have sneaked into the city along with an array of weaponry ranging from small arms and mortars to Grad missiles and anti-aircraft guns, according to security and local officials, residents and tribal leaders. “Our sources in Fallujah indicate that militant numbers have increased to more than 400 in the last few days and that more anti-aircraft guns were received,” said a senior local official who declined to be named. His figure could not be confirmed.

The weapons and fighters are reaching Fallujah mainly from its southern environs, an area entirely under the sway of tribes hostile to the government, security officials said. “The tribes scattered around Fallujah have zero loyalty to the ce ntral gove rnment,” Sheik h Mohammed Al-Bajari, a tribal leader and negotiator in the city said by phone.

“Now they (the army) are not controlling anything and no roads can be closed,” he

Turkey purges regulators, TV in graft probe backlash ANKARA: Turkey has extended a purge of official bodies to the banking and telecoms regulators and state TV, firing dozens of executives in moves that appear to broaden Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s backlash against a corruption investigation. The authorities have already sacked thousands of police officers, dozens of prosecutors and some state television officials in response to the corruption investigation, which has become the biggest challenge to Erdogan’s 11-year rule. Investigators are believed to have been looking into allegations of corruption at a state-run bank and bribery involving big real estate projects, although details of their charges have not been made public.

The combative prime minister says the investigations, which began a month ago with arrests of high profile figures including the sons of three of his cabinet ministers, are part of an attempted “judicial coup”. His opponents say they fear a purge of official bodies will destroy the independence of the judiciary, police and media. “It’s like reformatting a computer. They are changing the whole system and people in various positions to protect the government,” said Akin Unver, assistant professor of International Relations in Istanbul-based Kadir Has University.

Among dozens of officials dismissed in the latest sackings, Turkish media reported on Saturday that the deputy head of the banking watchdog BDDK and two department heads had been removed. Five department chiefs were fired at the Telecommunications Directorate (TIB), a body that carries out electronic surveillance as well as serving as telecoms regulator, and a dozen people were fired at Turkey’s state channel TRT, including department heads and senior news editors.

A government official said the firings were carried out for “the benefit of the public” and more could come: “Right now we are working on this issue and if we identify cases problematic to the public’s benefit, more dismissals could be considered.” Pictures of money-counting machines and reports of cash stacked in the homes of people linked to the graft probe have caused uproar among the Turkish public. Unver said the aim of the purge at the telecommunications watchdog could be to prevent further videos and pictures being published on the Internet by tightening the government’s grip. “They are seeking a monolithic structure over the Internet,” he said.

Erdogan has suggested the graft inquiry, which has led to the resignation of three cabinet ministers and detention of businessmen close to the government, is an attempt to undermine his rule by Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric with influence among the police and judiciary.—Reuters

said of Fallujah’s southern approaches.

INTIMIDATING REPUTATION ISIL, which is also playing an aggressive role in Syria’s civil war, is greatly outnumbered by armed tribesmen in Fallujah, a symbol of Sunni identity and resistance in Iraq, many of whom lean towards the militants or other insurgent factions. Since the city fell out of government control, various rebel groups have loosely aligned with ISIL

bitter power struggle.

In Fallujah, it distributed leaflets on Thursday announcing a new “Committee for the Promotion of Vir tue and Prevention of Vice” to enforce its strict Islamic code, residents said. That recalled memories of the harsh Islamic courts set up in Fallujah when the city was dominated by an umbrella group known as the Mujahideen Shura Council from late 2005 to 2006. Dozens of youths accused of col-

FALLUJAH: Iraqi youths inspect the damage in the Golan district of the flashpoint city of Fallujah, west of the capital Baghdad, following days of fighting between Iraqi security forces and the jihadist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). — AFP or are asserting their own influence, officials, tribal leaders and residents said.

These include Islamist factions such as the 1920 Revolution Brigades, the Islamic Army, the Mujahedin Army, the Rashidin Army and Ansar Al-Sunna, as well as the Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order, a Baathist militia created by Izzat Al-Duri, a former lieutenant of Iraq’s deposed leader Saddam Hussein. Despite its limited numbers, ISIL dominates by its zeal and fearsome reputation on and off the battlefield, frequently using suicide bombers in Iraq and in Syria - where it has even turned them on rival rebel factions in a

laborating with the US occupation were executed on the orders of these courts.

A leader of that council, Abdullah AlJanabi, who was also prominent in an ISIL precursor called the Islamic State of Iraq, returned to Fallujah two days after its takeover this year. “Blood is on the hands of all policemen. Police buildings were used to torture and to extract confessions ... and must be cleansed,” the Sunni cleric told worshippers at the Saad bin Abi Waqas mosque in northern Fallujah on Friday. “We swear by God almighty and the blood of martyrs that the Safavid army will not enter the city except over

our dead bodies,” he said, in a derogatory reference to the Iraqi army.

About 200 masked militants using looted police vehicles guarded the road leading to the mosque, where worshippers were checked for weapons before Janabi’s sermon at weekly prayers. Many residents ignored a call from Sunni clerics involved in a year-long anti-government protest movement to gather for mass prayers at Al-Furqan mosque in the city centre.

Instead most worshippers prayed at neighborhood mosques where gunmen were absent.

Residents flee Many people in Fallujah loathe Maliki’s government, which they see as oppressive and provocative towards minority Sunnis, but also fear the revival of Islamist militant rule. Last week Fallujah community leaders nominated a new police chief and mayor. The militants responded by blowing up the police chief’s house on Tuesday and briefly kidnapping the mayor. Both men have since fled nor th to Iraqi Kurdistan.

Two days later, they set up checkpoints in several districts and rummaged through people’s wallets in search of identity cards that might reveal links with the security forces or government-backed Sahwa (Awakening) Sunni militias. Fear of ISIL, as well as frequent bombardment by the army, which says it is responding to militant fire, prompted hundreds more families to flee the city in the last few days.

Eliana Nabaa, spokeswoman for the UN mission in Iraq, said more than 14,000 families - at least 80,000 people - had left Fallujah and Ramadi since the crisis erupted in late December.

That figure does not include many displaced people not registered by the government or relief agencies, or those who have fled from Fallujah since Thursday, she said. Negotiations for the peaceful removal of ISIL from Fallujah are continuing, but have yet to bear fruit. “We don’t expect ISIL fighters to respond positively,” said a local official and negotiator, who declined to be named. “They have come to impose their control on the city...so there is no way to drive them away without fighting.”—Reuters

A look at articles in Egypt constitution CAIRO: Egypt’s more than 52 million voters have voted to decide whether to approve the country’s rewritten constitution, which limits the scope of Islamic law and introduces new articles seen as a victory for rights advocates. It also expands the powers of the military in politics. Here is a look at some of the key changes made to the constitution, previously enacted under the government of toppled Islamist President Mohammed Morsi: CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT: In the preamble, the draft states that the charter “continues to build a democratic, modern country with a civilian government.”

The word “civilian,” which in Arabic indicates non-religious and non-military, has stirred anger among ultraconservative Islamists who consider it synonymous with “secularist” when it was initially phrased as “civilian rule.”

Some liberal constituent panel members accuse head of the panel of unilaterally changing “rule” to “government” to appease Islamists without telling them.

ISLAMIC LAW: The new charter retains Article 2, which says the “principles” of Islamic law, or Shariah, are the basis for legislation, a phrase that has been in all Egyptian constitutions since the 1970s. However, it removes a Morsi-era provision that gave a more precise definition for “principles” that could have been used to enact stricter Islamic law. It also deletes a reference to a role for Al-Azhar, the country’s main Islamic institution, in overseeing legislation.

THE MILITARY: A key clause gives the armed forces the right to name the defense minister over the next two presidential terms, an arrangement that places the military above any civilian oversight for eight years and leaves the power of the president uncertain. Rights advocates say that the new charter also fails to ensure any level of transparency for the armed forces’ budget or details of its vast

News

in brief

Indonesian floods, landslides kill 23 JAKARTA: The death toll in days of floods and landslides in Indonesia has climbed to 23, an official said yesterday, as torrential rain pounded the capital.

Families in Jakarta neighborhoods waded through murky chest-high flood waters, clutching their belongings, while others were ferried to safety in rubber dinghies, local TV stations showed. “Five people have died in Jakarta so far from drowning or electrocution in the floods,” National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nurgoho said.

More than 4,300 people in the capital have been displaced by the floods, which also worsened the city’s notorious traffic jams. Meanwhile the death toll rose to 18 late Friday in the northern part of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, which has suffered flash floods and landslides. Two people there are still missing, Nugroho said. The Sulawesi deluge, which ripped more than 100 homes from their foundations, is receding as the downpour there eases, Nugroho said, adding that three-quarters of the 40,000 people initially displaced there have returned to their homes.

Turkey seizes assets of opposition candidate ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities seized the assets of main opposition Republican People’s Party’s candidate for mayor of Istanbul in the run-up to highlycharged local polls in March, media reports said yesterday. Turkey’s Savings Deposit Insurance Fund announced the decision late Friday after Mustafa Sarigul and nine other creditors failed to repay a loan worth $3.5 million (2.6 million euros) dating back to 1998, the Hurriyet newspaper reported. In his first remarks after the decision, Sarigul described the move as a provocation. “This incident is nothing more than the panic-stricken manipulation of state institutions for politics,” he was quoted as saying by Hurriyet. The move comes as the Turkish government is embroiled in a vast corruption scandal ensnaring top businessmen as well as sons of former cabinet ministers. Sarigul is seen as the main rival of incumbent Kadir Topbas, a member of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) who has been nominated to stand for a third term at the helm of Turkey’s largest city in the March 30 vote.

Body found of missing Scottish three-year-old LONDON: Scottish police said yesterday they had found the body of a three-year-old boy who went missing from his bed in Edinburgh, calling off a search involving hundreds of volunteers. Mikaeel Kular, who is of South Asian origin, had last been seen on Wednesday evening when his mother Rosdeep put him to bed at their home to the north of the Scottish capital. Police launched a major ground, air and sea search while more than 200 volunteers helped comb through woodland and the nearby coastline in a desperate bid to find the little boy. Early yesterday morning, however, Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham of Police Scotland announced that Mikaeel’s body had been found shortly before midnight on Friday in Fife, to the north of Edinburgh. One person has been arrested. “As a result of enquiries the body of a young child was recovered in Fife just before midnight. We strongly believe this to be the body of Mikaeel,” he said. “A person has been detained in connection with the recovery of the body and members of Mikaeel’s family have been informed of the recovery. Our thoughts and sympathies are with them at this time.

Flooding death toll rises to 20 in Brazil SAO PAULO: The death toll from last weekend’s flash flooding in the southern Brazilian town of Itaoca has risen to 20, with six people still missing, authorities said Friday. Sao Paulo state’s Civil Defense Department updated the earlier toll of 12 dead.

Some 332 people-or about 10 percent of the town’s population-were left homeless by overflowing waters from the Palmital River following torrential downpours. Four people were injured and some 100 homes damaged. A bridge providing access to Itaoca, located 340 kilometers southwest of Sao Paulo, was also destroyed and state authorities pledged to rebuild it.

CAIRO: An Egyptian policeman fires a tear gas canister during clashes with supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Alf Masskan district in the capital Cairo. — AFP economic empire, which includes interests in construction, road building, bottled water and land reclamation. Civilians can still be tried before military tribunals, a provision introduced in the Morsi-era constitution and a major source of tension between rights groups and the military since the ouster of autocrat Hosni Mubarak in the country’s 2011 revolution.

THE PRESIDENT: The draft gives the president the right to appoint a prime minister and gives parliament two chances to support the president’s choices, or be disbanded. The timeframe for forming a Cabinet is 60 days. For the first time, parliament has the power to remove an elected president and prosecute him over a list of crimes. Lawmakers can withdraw confidence from the president and call for early elections if they have a two-thirds majority and after a public referendum.

FREEDOM OF BELIEF: The draft says the freedom of belief is “absolute.” The 2012 Morsi-era constitution

said freedom of belief was “preserved,” but the freedom of religious practice and the establishment of houses of worship were restricted to “believers in heavenly religions” - Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Calls by rights groups to recognize the followers of any faith were turned down.

POLITICAL PARTIES: The draft prohibits political activity or the establishment of political parties based on religion, dealing a blow to movements like the Muslim Brotherhood, its Freedom and Justice party, and Al-Nour, an ultraconservative Salafi party.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS: The draft ensures equality between men and women, and says the state must take necessary measures to guarantee women have proper representation in legislative councils, hold senior public and administrative posts and are appointed to judicial institutions. It obligates the state to provide protection to women against “any form of violence.”— AP

Mali arrests Islamist judge who ordered amputations, stonings BAMAKO: Mali’s army has arrested a hardline Islamist judge who ordered floggings, amputations and the stoning of women for adultery during a 10-month occupation by rebels linked to Al-Qaeda. Houka Houka Ag Alfousseyni, who held court in the Timbuktu region, was detained on Friday as part of a military operation against armed Islamist groups that are plaguing local communities, the government said in a statement. Alfousseyni was one of the rebel movement’s most influential and well-known figures, and his arrest is part of a government campaign to bring to justice radical Islamist leaders like him. AlQaeda-linked fighters hijacked a rebellion by Tuareg separatists in Mali’s desert north after a 2012 army coup, occupying large swathes of the country and imposing Sharia law. France, saying the Islamist rebellion posed a threat to Western security, launched a massive military intervention in its former colony in January last year, scattering the fighters across Mali and into neighboring countries. But Islamist groups have regrouped in recent months, stepping up their operations. In December, the authorities arrested the former head of the Islamist police in the northern town of Gao who also imposed Sharia law. Both arrested men held their posts only under the rebels.

Iraq threatens to boycott Turkish firms as row rages BAGHDAD: Iraq threatened to boycott Turkish companies and cancel contracts with Turkish firms in an intensifying row over moves to export oil from its northern Kurdish region, in remarks released yesterday.

Oil Minister Abdelkarim Al-Luaybi said the planned export of oil from the three -province autonomous region was a “red line” and one that would increase instability in Iraq, arguing that Turkey was not acting in its interests. Iraqi officials have sum-

moned Turkey’s charge d’affaires to Baghdad over the announcement by the Kurdish region this month that its first shipment of crude oil sent directly to Turkey, without passing via pipelines controlled by the central government, had gone on sale, with more expected to follow.

“The Iraqi government will take a series of measures, including boycotting all Turkish companies and cancelling all current (government) contracts with Turkish companies” if

Ankara allows oil from Kurdistan to be exported to international markets.

“Turkey must look at this case clearly.... It is not in the interests of Turkey to intervene on this subject. “This case, for us as Iraqis, is a red line,” Luaybi said in remarks released by the oil ministry.

The minister’s remarks are just the latest chapter in a long-running tussle between the federal government and the Kurdistan region over natural resources. The Kurdish region this

month gave “public notice of the commencement of the sale of its first shipment of crude oil exported via (the) Kurdistan region’s new pipeline through Turkey to the port of Ceyhan.” The sale of the first two million barrels of crude was expected by the end of this month, with more to follow, the statement said.

Kurdistan, which enjoys a high level of autonomy from Baghdad and has its own security forces, government and flag, has also drawn

Baghdad’s ire for signing contracts with foreign energy firms without its approval. In addition to disputes over natural resources, the long-standing ambition of Kurdish leaders to incorporate other historically Kurdishmajority areas into their autonomous region, against Baghdad’s strong opposition, is another major point of contention. Diplomats and officials say the disputes are one of the biggest long-term threats to Iraq’s stability.—AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

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Obama waxes eloquent, but will NSA reform follow?

WASHINGTON: Rarely has modern politics produced a leader with the eloquence of Barack Obama, when he sets out to define a pressing crisis. But the US president’s critics, and even some supporters, sometimes question if the zeal of his rhetoric will be matched with action.

That contradiction underscored Obama’s long-awaited speech on reining in the National Security Agency (NSA) on Friday, which was in many ways a portrait of his presidency in miniature.

At the end, despite actions Obama has taken or pledged to take, it was still uncertain whether his reforms-including curtailing but not ending bulk phone data collection-were symbolic or significant. “Although we’re heartened by many of the positive steps that the President outlined today, many key questions and reforms were left unaddressed,” said Sascha Meinrath, director of the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute. “Many controversies (were) punted to Congress or to other government officials.”

By calling on lawmakers and key players like the NSA and the Justice Department to join the debate, Obama ensured prolonged wrangling over reform in Washington’s polarized political echo chamber. It remains unclear how much muscle he can or will deploy to drive reform into law. Friday’s speech, like many in the past, revealed Obama’s own

political self image as a reasonable, unifying figure, is intact, despite bitter battles with Republicans and claims he is the most divisive US leader in decades.

Obama portrayed himself as a pragmatist navigating his nation through thorny territory to align the structures of the war on terror to US founding values.

He followed a familiar, methodical formula, in a professorial tone and patching in a lawyerly airing and dismissal of possible counter arguments. Obama, who built a career on rhetoric, often frames set piece speeches with a parable of American history. On Friday, before discussing the work of US spies dedicated to giving advance warning of terrorist attacks, he cited Paul Revere, who warned of approaching enemy British soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Scene set, he turned to the question of the hour: what should America do following massive disclosures of US snooping by fugitive spy Edward Snowden? He sketched the context of the paranoid days after September 11, 2001, when US spies were under huge pressure to stop the next attack. “Yet, in our rush to respond to very real and novel threats, the risks of government overreach-the possibility that we lose some of our core liberties in pursuit of security-became more pronounced,” he said.

His answer to the problem was classic Obama. Caught between intelligence

agencies on one side and civil liberties groups on the other, he suggested a pragmatic, middle course. “Those who are troubled by our existing programs are not interested in a repeat of 9/11, and those who defend these programs are not dismissive of civil liberties,” he said.

Obama intends to curtail certain NSA powers, but will not end the bulk phone data programs entirely.

In a similar vein, Obama announced a military surge to Afghanistan in 2009, but at the same time stipulated a date in 2011 for troops to come home. Even his vaunted health care reform represented a compromise between the hopes of liberal supporters and the kind of plan it was possible-just-to pass. Reaction to Obama’s speech on Friday betrayed uncertainty as to how far reform would go. “While these procedural reforms to the bulk collection of metadata are welcome, they fall far short of ending the program as the President claimed,” said Brett Solomon, Executive Director of Access a grass roots digital rights organization.

“Real reform is needed and it’s needed now.” Typically, Obama used his speech to offer a facsimile of counter arguments to his thesis, and then dismissed them. “We cannot unilaterally disarm our intelligence agencies,” Obama said to those who want bulk collection to end. To those who want no reform, he said: “our

Nuclear missile force poses a headache for US military Missile launch officers ‘cheated’ on proficiency exam WASHINGTON: The “missileers” who oversee America’s land-based nuclear arsenal were once seen as the tip of the spear for the US military during the tense days of the Cold War. But now the crews face questions about their discipline, their professionalism and even the rationale for their job.

Revelations this week that missile launch officers cheated on a proficiency exam-the latest in a stream of embarrassing incidents-has put the spotlight on a force that has posed a recurring headache to commanders for years.

After announcing 34 officers had been suspended over the cheating at Malmstrom base in Montana, Air Force leaders called the scandal “unacceptable” and vowed to rectify the problem. But concerns about declining standards in the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force are nothing new. The trouble began after the demise of the Soviet Union, as the mission gradually received a lower priority and offered a less promising career path. “Since the end of the Cold War, the Air Force level and intensity of concentration on its nuclear mission has declined conspicuously,” a Pentagon review found in 2008.

The report was ordered by former defense secretary Robert Gates who fired the Air Force chief and civilian secretary after accounts of negligent handling of nuclear weapons. At the time, Gates said there were signs of “a degradation of the authority, standards of excellence, and technical competence within the nation’s ICBM force.” Reforms were enacted, but inspections over the past year have turned up fresh problems at the missile sites. In recent months, two senior

commanders have been sacked for misbehavior, including the head of the ICBM force after he went on a drunken bender in a trip to Russia.

In October, officials said missile officers were caught twice failing to close the blast doors on their bunkers, violating a strict security rule. And authorities say crew members are under criminal investigation for illegal drug possession. Air Force officers say the incidents do not add up to a crisis. But critics contend crews on nuclear-armed submarines or bombers do not seem to suffer the same level of disciplinary or performance problems.

‘Pride in the mission’ Over the years, the Air Force has tried to boost the esprit de corps of the crews by introducing special uniforms and badges. And proposals to boost pay for the missile crews have been discussed for more than a decade. While expressing shock at the cheating revelations, General Mark Welsh, the Air Force chief of staff, insisted on Wednesday the nuclear missiles were in safe, extremely competent hands. The four-star general, however, acknowledged morale is not what it was during the Cold War, when working in Strategic Air Command (SAC) carried prestige and a path to promotion. In that era “there was a pride in the mission,” Welsh said. “There was a feeling that the mission was critically important.”

He said the Air Force had to ensure crews understood their jobs remained just as vital, maintaining missiles that officials say serve as a “deterrent” against America’s adversaries. With 450 ICBMs at three bases

in Montana, Nor th Dakota and Wyoming, more than 500 officers manage the weapons around the clock in steel cocoons 100 feet underground, rehearsing launch protocols again and again. A former launch officer, John Noonan, has described the work as often tedious and solitary, except for the occasional “virtual” nuclear war exercise.

“Being a missileer means that your worst enemy is boredom. No battlefield heroism, no medals to be won,” Noonan wrote in Wired magazine’s “Danger Room” blog in 2011. “The duty is seen today as a dull anachronism.” Other missile veterans still see the work as necessar y and argue there is no collapse in morale among the crews. For arms control advocates, the whole enterprise is absurd and the discipline problems are an inevitable byproduct. “There’s no purpose to their mission anymore,” said Joseph Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund, which promotes reducing nuclear weapons stockpiles.

The launch officers “pull 12, 24hour shifts in underground bunkers waiting to push a button they know they’re never going to push,” said Cirincione, an author who also has served as an adviser to President Barack Obama’s administration.

Commanders have said they would support reducing the costly arsenal of land-based nuclear missiles, as weapons aboard submarines are able to reach any target on the globe. But lawmakers whose states host the silos oppose any cutbacks, he said. “This is an outdated command, fielding obsolete weapons...,” he said. “The only mission for the ICBM is to immolate millions of innocent civilians.”—AFP

US immigration reform advocates see new hope WASHINGTON: Immigration reform advocates, who saw their hopes dashed in 2013 for major legislation, are encouraged by stirrings in the Republican-led House of Representatives for taking up the issue.

The Senate last June passed a sweeping immigration bill that would give millions of undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship but the legislation has languished in the House.

Over the past few weeks, however, there have been signs that leaders may soon offer a framework for reform.

House Speaker John Boehner informed his rank-and-file on Jan. 8 that leading House Republicans were preparing to lay out “principles” for immigration legislation, according to Republicans who attended the closed-door meeting.

One Republican leadership aide said a framework for reform could be unveiled as early as next week.

“We’re seeing a shift underway,” said Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, a group that has been pushing for reform. “It’s now becoming clearer that the House Republican leadership...are determined to move forward to floor action.”

But 2013 began on a similarly upbeat note after President Barack Obama cruised to re-election the previous November with the support of more than 70 percent of Hispanic voters who have been clamoring for immigration reforms.

By mid-year the Senate passed a comprehensive, bipartisan, bill setting a tough, 13-year course for

undocumented residents to gain legal status and eventually citizenship. That same June day, Boehner drove a stake through the Senate’s bill, saying his chamber would not consider it and instead would “do our own bill” - one that never materialized on the House floor in 2013.

The senior Republican aide, who asked not to be identified, said the principles to be unveiled could discuss the need for better US border controls and beefing up interior security so that companies cannot easily hire undocumented workers.

Improved procedures for hiring foreign high-tech specialists, as well as unskilled laborers to harvest crops and work on construction projects, also could be put into the mix, the aide said. Perhaps the most challenging principle to be addressed is what do about the 11 million already in the United States, many brought here as children.

The aide said the principles will be guided by two procedural requirements: the House will not pass a comprehensive immigration bill, as the Senate did, and instead will do them “step by step.” And, at no point will the House be drawn into a negotiation with the Senate on the bill it passed last year.

Instead, the aide said, the Senate would have to scrap its bill and debate the individual House bills.

That could make it difficult to ultimately pass legislation. Democrats have warned against settling for half-steps in the fight for immigration reform.

Details matter “Principles are one thing and legislation is another. Once the principles are released, there will be lots of details that will have to be fleshed out,” said Democratic Representative Zoe Lofgren, a former immigration lawyer from California who has worked on reform efforts for decades. Still, Lofgren said in a telephone interview with Reuters, that “it would be premature and a mistake to assume what details” Republicans might include in any bills they advance this year, adding that she is eager to work with them. Angela Kelley, vice president of immigration policy at the liberal Center for American Progress, said, “Based on what we’ve heard, the fact that the undocumented are going to be mentioned in terms of legalizing, instead of just deporting, is a sea change.”

But some veteran Republican aides in Congress note that with the November congressional elections heating up, there could be little time, and incentive, for enacting legislation this year. Republicans hope to gain strength in both the House and Senate as a result of those elections and waiting until 2015 to actually enact immigration reforms might be more advantageous, they noted. In the meantime, immigration reform groups and Democrats in Congress will be awaiting details of legislation, not simply Republicans’ principles.

“Talk is cheap, so show us a bill,” said Lorella Praeli, policy director at United We Dream, an immigrant youth-led organization. —Reuters

system of government is built on the premise that our liberty cannot depend on the good intentions of those in power; it depends upon the law to constrain those in power.”

In another familiar tactic, Obama also targeted multiple constituencies. He praised US spies, the sincerity of civil liberties groups, chided US allies for moaning about American espionage and even

signaled to “Mr Snowden” that he could expect no clemency. And he managed a shot at Russia and China, noting they would not allow debate on spying, before ending his in a typical call to common national purpose and values.

“Together, let us chart a way forward that secures the life of our nation, while preserving the liberties that make our nation worth fighting for.” —AFP

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama speaks about the National Security Agency (NSA) and intelligence agencies surveillance techniques at the US Department of Justice in Washington. —AFP

California declares drought emergency LOS ANGELES: California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency Friday due to what could be the western US state’s worst drought in a century, which has sparked wildfires and hurt farmers. The declaration allows authorities to access federal help to battle the dry spell that has left huge swaths of tinder-dry forest vulnerable to going up in flames. On Thursday, a massive blaze raged just outside Los Angeles, damaging several homes and forcing residents to evacuate the area, where the fire risk had been elevated for weeks.

Brown urged state residents to reduce their water use by at least 20 percent. “I’ve declared this emergency and I’m calling on all Californians to conserve water in every way possible,” he said in a statement. “We can’t make it rain,” he added. “But we can be much better prepared for the terrible consequences that California’s drought now threatens, including dramatical-

ly less water for our farms and communities, and increased fires in both urban and rural areas.”

Brown told reporters in San Francisco that the current conditions were possibly “the worst drought that California has ever seen since records (began) about 100 years ago,” media reports said. The region is suffering its third dry winter in a row, highlighted by the Los Angeles inferno. California and other western US states are routinely hit with wildfires during the summer, but winter blazes, like the ones burning currently, are relatively rare. California’s rivers and reservoirs have reached record lows, with only 20 percent of the normal average supplies of water from melting snowpack, which flows down from mountains like the Sierra Nevada.

“Water years 2012 and 2013 were dry statewide, especially in parts of the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California,” said the state’s Department

of Water Resources (DWR) in its latest drought update. “Water year 2014, which began on October 1st, continues this trend. Precipitation in some areas of the state is tracking at about the driest year of record.” Farmer Mark Fontanilla was among dozens of people who staged a protest outside the state capitol in Sacramento on Thursday, urging Brown to do more.

“You can turn off your taps and minimize your pool and all that, but until we build more dams and increase the water storage, and get these clowns out of office, we’re gonna be importing our food from China,” he told KCRA television. On average, half of California’s rain falls in December, Januar y and February, the DWR noted, lamenting the lack of precipitation but saying it had not yet given up hope of some this winter. “It is still too early, however, to call this water year, and Mother Nature may surprise us,” it said. —AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

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

‘How you dey?’ Nigerian pidgin use ruffles purists’ feathers LAGOS: The chatter is fast-paced and the laughter infectious in the studios of Lagos radio station Wazobia FM. Programs at the station are broadcast only in pidgin-the English-based patois that’s fast becoming Nigeria’s lingua franca. In a country of 170 million, with hundreds of local languages and dialects, pidgin, rather than official Standard English, is the glue that increasingly binds disparate communities. Wazobia FM’s sister stations are now broadcasting to millions from the southern oil city of Port Harcourt, the capital Abuja and even in the northern city of Kano.

“For you to reach the common man easily you must speak in a language that they understand: break it down, give them the broken English or the Pidgin English,” says star presenter Steve Onu. Onu, who’s known as DJ Yaw, presents the ratings-topping breakfast show and with his colleague Nedu effortlessly translates the day’s newspaper headlines from English into pidgin. “Pidgin is

growing and evolving every day. People come in with different languages and they make it up. The language is sweet, it’s an interesting language to speak, it’s humorous,” he said.

Wide roots The largely oral dialect can trace its roots to early European explorers, who began trading with the coastal communities of West Africa as early as the 15th century. Portuguese and later English blended with local languages of the Niger Delta to create a unique linguistic mash-up. “You sabi?” for example, means “do you know?” with “sabi” derived from the Portuguese “saber”, to know. Other examples include “I dey hungry, I wan go chop”-I am hungry, I want to eat something-and “how you dey?”-how are you?

As well as uniting different language communities around a common tongue, pidgin is credited with being the ultimate class leveller, spoken by everyone from taxi drivers to businessmen.

More formal English on the other

hand is seen as the preserve of a welleducated urban elite, complete with its own baggage of colonial repression. But not everyone is pleased to see pidgin soaring and would be more than happy to see it knocked from its perch.

Teachers and academics lament the erosion of Nigeria’s official language and the spread of what they see as “lazy” language habits in the young.

At the private Jomal Comprehensive College in Lagos, English teacher Benedicta Esanjumi sometimes feels she’s fighting against the tide. “Pidgin English breaks the English language too much and it destroys the children’s written English as well as their spoken English,” she said. “Sometimes it feels like we can’t do anything about it but I still believe we can. It’s not a losing battle.”

English is not the only victim of pidgin’s popularity, with the major Nigerian languages of Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba also threatened. The teaching of local languages in Nigerian schools has fallen away in recent decades and is no longer

compulsory in many school curriculums.

“This lack of attention to local languages could lead to the extinction or death of these languages,” said Lere Adeyemi, a linguistics lecturer at the University of Lagos. “In most secondary schools in Nigeria, unlike in the past, local languages have been (optional).

Local languages were made compulsory subjects in the school curriculum before.

But not any more.” One university in southeastern Nigeria, where Igbo is the native tongue, said recently that it plans to make Igbo classes compulsory for all second-year students.

‘Unifying force’ At the federal level, the government says it is promoting indigenous languages but the ministry of education admitted that the policy had not been followed strictly in all schools. “The policy is designed such that the first four years of school age will be taught in the indigenous language of that particular area,” said the ministry’s coordinator for

Nigerian languages, Nneoma Ofor. “For the subsequent years, the school curriculum makes indigenous language a compulsory subject for all but only up to (the third year of secondary school)” after which it becomes optional, she added.

Nigeria’s government has no policy on pidgin, which is viewed as an informal language, said Ofor. But with pidgin now thought to be the most widely spoken language in Nigeria, it’s more a case of accommodating rather than defeating it. “I see Pidgin English as moving towards becoming a national language,” said Chima Anyadike, the head of English at the Obafemi Awolowo University in the southwestern city of Ile-Ife. “It is a viable means of communication in Nigeria. Language has power to unite people. It is a form of language imported from elsewhere but developed locally.” “I look forward to when novels and dramas will be presented in pidgin. It has a mass appeal to Nigerians.”— AFP

Ukraine opposition eyes new rally despite curbs Ukraine leader signs controversial anti-protest law

MOSCOW: A boy plays in snow in front of the Upside Down House at the All-Russia Exhibition Center, Friday, Jan 17, 2014. Its creators say the interior can cause dizziness. —AP

Adoption a hope for CAR children in crisis BANGUI: Two-year-old Mercia clung unsteadily to Pierrette’s dress, a potential candidate for adoption in the orphanage run by the elderly lady as clashes wracked the Central African Republic’s (CAR) capital.

During weeks of inter-religious violence, Pierrette took in children of all ages in Bangui, seeking to provide a safe haven for young victims of conflict in a house lost on a dusty street among tin shacks.

“There is nobody to count on... Parents, save us,” a choir of some 30 children sung for visitors to their makeshift abode. Each of the youngsters came from an urban battleground in which Christian vigilantes took up arms to fight rogue Muslim rebels.

Violence in the highly unstable country has not let up despite the resignation last week of strongman Michel Djotodia under intense regional pressure.

Mercia looked a little lost in the chorus and probably remembered nothing of being held and hugged by Laure, who wants to adopt her and is waiting 5,000 kilometers distant in France. “I was able to see her during a single stay in Bangui last October,” Laure, 37 said by telephone, already speaking of Mercia as “my daughter” in spite of the many obstacles to surmount. The would-be single mother knows that in a strife-prone and very poor country like the CAR, “the procedure will be long.

Perhaps we can hope that she will be here in 2014, but the main thing is that she arrives someday.”

Born of an unknown father and a prostitute who has disappeared, little Mercia was saved from militias who committed atrocities against civilians and sometimes deliberately targeted children, according to the United Nations and aid workers. Every child in Pierrette’s orphanage remains prey to a food crisis that developed in Bangui once the violence erupted in the mainly Christian country after the Muslim Djotodia was brought to power in a coup last March.

Many of her charges also have tragic backgrounds, Pierrette said. “Little Omega, for example. Her father had his throat cut and her mother went mad,” she said, gently stroking the head of another small girl. And

a little boy of three years old had only weighed eight kilos (less than 18 pounds) when she took him in. Behind the house, a small building with humidity dripping down the walls housed several beds for the bigger children. Above one of them hung an empty drip feed.

“One of the children was sick yesterday, I did what I could with what I had, fortunately he’s a little better today,” Pierrette said. In the small courtyard of a tumbledown house, Pierrette does her best to help, but everything is difficult and she has no income and no medicine, without counting the chaos of “the outside world”. During the clashes, stray bullets were fired on to her premises, but there were no casualties.

“When it’s like that, when there’s shooting, there’s nothing we can do but pray with the children,” Pierrette said, still smiling.

Mixing adoption and aid Meanwhile in France, Laure spent her time on the phone and the Internet, gathering contacts among aid workers and journalists in Bangui in the hope of hearing news of her promised daughter. Laure is trying to obtain a visa and to make progress with the complex procedure she has started. But she is a long way from her goal in a country waiting for fresh leadership and where it is extremely hard to carry out the required administrative inquiries for adoptions. “The mixture between adoption and humanitarian aid is never a solution to consider, especially as regards the essential checks (concerning) the actual adoptable children,” warns the Movement for Adoption Without Borders (MASF), in a recent statement.

“It is unfortunately common in situations of conflict or humanitarian emergency to see attempts to adopt engaged in defiance of the most elementary rules of international law of the child,” added the MASF, which has member associations on several continents. Laure has nevertheless clung to her confidence. “I hope to go back in March. I am terribly worried because I know that the lives of these children hang by a thread,” she said.— AFP

Vatican defrocked 400 priests over scandals VATICAN CITY: The Vatican revealed yesterday that some 400 priests were defrocked during the pontificate of now pope emeritus Benedict XVI, following an explosion in claims of child sex abuse by clergymen. “In 2012 there were around 100, while in 2011 there were around 300,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said. But the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) said these disciplinary measures were not enough. “The Pope must start defrocking clerics who cover up sex crimes, not just clerics who commit them. Until that happens, little will change,” SNAP said in a statement.

Starting in Ireland and the United States more than a decade ago, revelations of sex crimes by clergy and subsequent cover-ups by their bishops began emerging around the world and rocked the Roman Catholic Church. Benedict XVI, who resigned last year and was replaced by Pope Francis,

vowed zero tolerance for offending priests and the Vatican has reported receiving thousands of reports of abuse from local dioceses. The Vatican’s doctrinal watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which investigates abuses under Canon Law, does not usually make its work public. A Vatican delegation earlier this week was pushed for the first time to provide answers to the United Nations over its commitment to stamp out abuse by priests in front of the UN’s child rights committee in Geneva. Pope Francis on Thursday said Catholics should feel “shame” for the scandals, but victims’ groups say there is still a lack of transparency and not enough has been done by the Vatican to report abuses to the police. “Catholic officials should help make sure child molesting clerics are criminally prosecuted,” SNAP said. There are around 400,000 Catholic priests in the world. — AFP

KIEV: Pro-EU Ukrainians were reinforcing barricades in Kiev yesterday ahead of a new mass rally, despite President Viktor Yanukovych signing legislation that placed strict curbs on protests, which drew condemnation from the West.

Yanukovych, who has been wrestling with nearly two months of opposition protests, signed off Friday on tough new laws introducing jail time and corrective labor for those occupying public buildings or disseminating slander on the Internet.

But the opposition pushed ahead with plans to hold a fresh rally today, reinforcing their barricades in the capital with barbed wire and planks.

Critics say Yanukovych has followed in the footsteps of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who pushed through similar legislation after returning to the Kremlin for a third term in 2012 following huge protests against his decade-long rule. “There is only one question left after newly signed laws-quo vadis (where are you going) Mr President?” EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule asked Yanukovych on Twitter.

The United States and European Union have called the laws anti-democratic, while the opposition accused the president of seeking to install a “dictatorship”. At the height of the protests last month hundreds of thousands took to the streets after Yanukovych’s decision to ditch key political and trade agreements with the EU under pressure from Russia. The rallies have since dwindled, but the opposition movementled by three political leaders including former world boxing champion Vitali Klitschko maintains a protest camp on Kiev ’s central Independence Square.

Several hundred protesters manning the camp were reinforcing the barricades yesterday.

“We are returning to Stalinism. When these laws are enforced the situation in Ukraine will be worse than in Russia or Belarus,” Leonid Tertichny from the central Cherkasy region said at the protest camp. “But these laws have not intimidated us, they mobilized people. The protests will continue.” Olena Oshchepovska said the new laws meant the government was afraid of its own people. “The authorities are offering us to follow the path of Belarus but we will never agree to that,” said the protester from the west-

KIEV: Pro-EU protesters equipped with makeshift batons and shields coach themselves at Kiev’s central street Khreschatyk early yesterday. —AFP ern city of Rivne.

Increase repression In a fresh sign of tension within the administration, Yanukovych’s office said late Friday his chief of staff, Sergiy Lyovochkin, was standing down and would instead act as an advisor.

Lyovochkin first submitted his resignation after riot police brutally broke up an opposition protest late last year but Yanukovych refused to let him go at the time. Yanukovych’s spokeswoman Darka Chepak may also leave, an official said on condition of anonymity.

“Turmoil in regime in Kiev. Reports of resignations, dismissals and general uncertainty,” Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said on Twitter. “Regime likely to try to increase repression further.” Yanukovych signed the new laws despite requests from Western rights groups and senior officials to veto the bills, which they said were not in line with Ukraine’s international

commitments. US Secretary of State John Kerry called the curbs anti-democratic and wrong, while EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was “deeply concerned”. Ukraine’s opposition fears the tough new laws will be used to break up the opposition movement and prosecute its leaders.

Provisions pushed through parliament on Thursday also introduced the term “foreign agent” to be applied to organizations that receive funding from foreign countries. They also permit the arrest of protesters who wear masks or helmets, among other restrictions. Jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko accused her arch-rival Yanukovych of seeking to establish a “neo-dictatorship”, urging people to mount a strong response. The protests in Ukraine-the largest demonstrations since the pro-democracy Orange Revolution in 2004 - have repeatedly descended into clashes with police in which hundreds have been hurt.— AFP

Scandal-hit French President heads to political stronghold TULLE: President Francois Hollande was to meet supporters in his political stronghold in central France yesterday as he faces pressure to clear up his personal life after revelations of an affair.

Hollande was to give a speech to longtime allies in the region of Correze, as concern mounts over his longtime partner Valerie Trierweiler’s extended stay in hospital. Trierweiler’s employer, Paris Match magazine, said Friday that the 48-yearold’s family were “worried” for her after a week in hospital following the reports of Hollande’s affair with actress Julie Gayet, 41.

Hollande, 59, has said he will clarify the position of France’s de facto First Lady before a trip to Washington next month but has refused any further comment on a scandal that has generated global headlines. Hollande travelled to Correze Saturday morning, in his first trip outside Paris since the revelations. After inaugurating police and fire stations, Hollande was to meet local officials before giving a speech at 1430 GMT expected to focus on rural issues.

There was rare press interest for a trip to regional France, with French and foreign media descending on the small community of Tulle for Hollande’s speech. Closer magazine, which is being sued by Gayet for alleged breach of privacy, reported last week that she had been having secret trysts with the president and published photographs of the pair arriving separately at a borrowed flat near his official residence, the Elysee Palace. The scandal overshadowed a major policy speech by Hollande vowing new economic reforms and raised questions about whether he had misled the public or put his personal security at risk.

Trierweiler, who had been described as suffering from nervous exhaustion and low blood pressure, had been planning to discharge herself from the hospital on Friday and had intended to go to a presidential residence in Versailles to continue her recuperation, Paris Match said. “The family of our colleague are worried,” it added.

“On Friday afternoon, for the first time since she

was hospitalized, her youngest son, who is 16, was not able to visit his mother at the PitieSalpetriere (hospital).” There was no news of her release by mid-day Saturday. Le Point, a highbrow news magazine, reported Friday that Trierweiler admitted herself to hospital after “taking one pill too many” in despair but ruled out a serious suicide attempt.

Gayet seeking damages Hollande meanwhile was reported by Closer to have possibly started his affair with Gayet “two years ago” although it was vague about the exact timing. Closer said Hollande had been introduced to the actress and Socialist activist during campaigning for the 2012 vote. Reports have also emerged that the president entertained Gayet in Tulle during his last visit to the region in July.

Hollande’s failure to visit Trierweiler until Thursday evening had fuelled speculation that he has decided to end the relationship with Trierweiler, for whom he left Segolene Royal, the mother of his four children, in 2005. In its followup story, Closer depicted Hollande’s romance with Gayet as much more than a brief fling, although it offered little in the way of concrete evidence and, unlike last week’s scoop, no pictures to back up its account. The magazine said the couple had also regularly met at another Paris apartment and at Gayet’s loft in eastern Paris.

Closer said on Thursday that Gayet was seeking damages of 50,000 euros ($67,000) on the grounds that the magazine’s first report on the affair represented an illegal breach of her privacy. A trial date has been set for March 6.

Hollande has not denied the magazine’s report and has ruled out any legal action on his own behalf. Public reaction to the scandal has been more muted than would be expected in countries like the United States or Britain. A poll by BVA for i-Tele released Saturday showed 75 percent of respondents agreed that Hollande was

right not to answer questions on his personal life, and 62 percent believed the affair was a private matter of no public concern.— AFP

Francois Hollande

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

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

China’s media accuse Uighur scholar of separatism BEIJING: A state-run newspaper in China accused a recently detained Uighur scholar and government critic of splitting ethnic unity in an editorial yesterday, while his lawyer said he has received no official word about the academic. Ilham Tohti, an economics professor known for his criticism of Beijing’s heavy repression of the Uighur ethnic minority, was taken away by police from his Beijing home on Wednesday.

Lawyer Li Fangping said that police failed to inform the family of Ilham Tohti of his whereabouts and possible charges, as required by China’s law. Li said he believed the professor had been taken to the western region of Xinjiang, home to most of China’s ethnic Uighurs. China has tightened control over Xinjiang, which has been rocked by a series of

riots and attacks on police and other symbols of Chinese power over the past year.

European and American officials have urged China to explain why the scholar was detained.

Xinjiang police could not be reached Saturday.

Beijing police have not responded to repeated requests for comment. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular briefing Thursday that Ilham Tohti “is suspected of violating the law and committing a crime” and that police have placed him under criminal detention.

Li said that authorities briefly detained Ilham Tohti’s mother on Wednesday, but sent her back to Xinjiang while placing the scholar’s wife and two children under watch at their Beijing home. In the Saturday editorial, the state-run newspaper Global

Times said that the professor has openly propagated separatism. The editorial does not speak for the government, but it may offer hints on the official view.

“Ilham Tohti is no ordinary Joe. He has close relationships with the World Uyghur Congress and overseas media,” the editorial said. “He often gives instigative speech in classroom.” The congress is a Germany-based group that seeks greater autonomy for Uighur people. The editorial questioned why Ilham Tohti had been allowed to teach at Minzu University of China. “What has surprised and puzzled us is that given his open speech of separatism, why he could remain standing behind the podium of a university classroom for so long?” it said, adding that “Minzu University of China

should be by no means a place where people like Ilham Tohti can instill extremist thoughts in students.”

It criticized Ilham Tohti for trying to find an excuse for the several Uighurs who rammed a vehicle into a crowd in central Beijing last year. Beijing called them terrorists, but Ilham Tohti warned against jumping to conclusion without adequate evidence and suggested the government reflect on its action.

“Not only must we firmly strike against frontline terrorists but we also must clean up the opinion front that supports terrorism in order to isolate the force exhaustively,” the Global Times said. Li, the lawyer, said that the editorial serves the purpose of government propaganda. — AP

Indian minister wife’s death ‘sudden, unnatural’: Autopsy Pushkar’s body has ‘some physical injuries’

MUMBAI: Indian Bohra Muslims react inside the Saifee Hospital yesterday after a stampede killed at least 18 people as a large crowd gathered to pay their last respects to the Bohra spiritual leader. — AFP

Despite election concerns, US moves ahead with Bangladesh WASHINGTON: Despite forceful criticism of Bangladesh’s election, the United States largely plans to maintain cooperation with a Muslim-majority country it sees as a force for moderation, policymakers say. The United States and European Union voiced disappointment over Bangladesh’s January 5 election, which was marred by deadly violence and an opposition boycott. A US official said Washington had been “relentless” over the past year in pressing Bangladesh’s notoriously bitter political rivals for a fair and competitive election.

But, while the United States said it did not consider the election credible, it also indicated it would still work with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, privately concluding that outsiders had limited ability to ease decades of intense, personal enmity between her and arch-enemy Khaleda Zia. A US official said Washington’s key priority was to encourage new elections but that it would not suspend assistance, which is largely routed through non-governmental groups.

Akramul Qader “I don’t think we advance our strategic interests by curtailing that. You don’t end up punishing anybody but the recipients, who are the people on the ground,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The World Bank, where the United States holds the most voting power, on Thursday approved $410 million to improve basic urban services for some 3.4 million Bangladeshis.

The US official saw hopeful signs despite visible problems, saying the world’s eighth most populous nation has been making progress on US-backed development goals and women’s empowerment and has consistently posted solid economic growth.

The US official contrasted Bangladesh’s treatment of minorities with the wave of religious violence in recent years in Pakistan,

from which Bangladesh won independence in a bloody 1971 war.

“Of the two Muslim-majority countries in South Asia, one has problems that everybody is aware of, and the other over the past 20 years-despite its very difficult circumstances of independencehas achieved... a very pluralistic, democratic tradition,” he said.

Michael Kugelman, an expert on South Asia at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said he thought “the US will essentially hold its nose and hope for the best.” “The US is not going to renounce its relationship with Bangladesh,” he added.

The United States had an interest in maintaining stability in the region as it prepares to withdraw combat troops from Afghanistan and also tries to increase clout in Asia faced with the rise of China, he noted. China has taken an interest in Bangladesh, but Kugelman doubted Dhaka would tilt significantly to Beijing, because Hasina enjoys warm ties with giant neighbor India.

‘Business as usual’ The United States has been more active on raising labor concerns in Bangladesh after a string of factory disasters horrified the world, especially the April collapse of the Rana Plaza complex that killed 1,135 people. The United States responded by suspending Bangladesh’s trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences, although the suspension does not affect ready-made garments-by far the top good in Bangladesh’s $5 billion in annual exports to the United States.

Akramul Qader, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Washington, voiced hope the country would achieve labor reform benchmarks set by the United States in mid-2014. But on relations with the United States, “it’s business as usual,” he said. In the election, Hasina’s government banned the main Islamist party Jamaat-eIslami, which has never polled well but has been allied with Zia’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. A special tribunal has been prosecuting Jamaat leaders, with one of them recently hanged, over crimes during the 1971 war in which Islamists backed Pakistan.

A congressional aide said US policymakers were genuinely concerned about Bangladesh but were heartened by Hasina’s enthusiasm in fighting Islamists, along with the country’s progress on development benchmarks such as expanding childhood education. “I think that’s why you have seen a muted response both here and in the neighborhood,” the aide said on condition of anonymity. “This government has been seen to be cooperative.”— AFP

Taleban claim deadly attack on TV channel

KARACHI: Pakistani private news channel journalists and workers mourn the killing of their colleagues at a hospital following an attack by gunmen. — AFP

KARACHI: The Pakistani Taleban claimed responsibility yesterday for a deadly attack on a private television channel in the southern city of Karachi and threatened further violence against media outlets. A spokesman said in a statement that militants had attacked an Express News van on Friday night, killing three employees, because the station had acted as a “propagandist”.

“We claim the responsibility... The reason of the attack is that in the war of ideologies all media channels including Express News are acting as propagandist and as rival party” Ehsanullah Ehsan said. “We will attack all the media houses that are involved in carrying out propaganda against us” he said. A technician, driver and security guard were killed when gunmen attacked a van belonging to the paper in the western part of the port city late Friday.

The Pakistani Taleban had attacked Express News in December.

“We had not incurred any loss of life so we attacked them again” Ehsan told AFP in a phone call from an undisclosed location.

Media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said last month that Pakistan was among the world’s five deadliest countries for the media in its annual round-up of press freedom violations. Rangers are currently taking part in a joint operation with police in Karachi aimed at cleansing the city of terrorists and other hardcore criminals including hired killers, gun runners and drug peddlers.

Karachi, a city of 18 million people which contributes 42 percent of Pakistan’s GDP, has been plagued by sectarian, ethnic and political violence for years. Also in Karachi on Friday, unknown gunmen shot dead a senior Sunni religious leader and two of his associates. A police spokesman said attackers sprayed bullets at the car of Usman Yar Khan, the provincial deputy chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, a religious party headed by Sami Ul Haq known in the West as “father of the Taleban”. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. — AFP

NEW DELHI: The wife of Indian minister Shashi Tharoor, found dead in a luxury hotel after accusing her husband of being unfaithful, suffered an “unnatural, sudden death”, a doctor who performed an autopsy on her body said yesterday. “More tests” are needed to determine the cause of Sunanda Pushkar’s death and the final results will not be known for two to three days, Sudhir Gupta, one of three doctors who performed the autopsy, told reporters.

He added Pushkar’s body had “some physical injuries”, but it was unclear whether they were related to her death. The body was expected to be cremated later in the day, local media reports said. Tharoor found his wife dead in a luxury hotel room Friday, just two days after she accused him on Twitter and in other media of having an affair with a Pakistani journalist, Mehr Tarar. “There were no signs of any foul play,” Tharoor’s press assistant Abhinav Kumar told reporters. “She seemed to be sleeping in a normal way but later it was found she was dead.” Tharoor was admitted yesterday to the same top government hospital where the autopsy was performed on his wife’s body after complaining of “general chest discomfort”, a hospital spokeswoman told reporters. But his test results were normal and he was released. TV footage showed him leaving the hospital looking ashen.

Pushkar, 52, a Dubai-based entrepreneur before marrying Tharoor in 2010, had been taking medications for various illnesses, including tuberculosis, according to local media. In one of her last tweets, which later appeared to have been removed, she wrote: “Whatever is destined to happen will happen, will go smiling”. Indian social media users called it the first “death by Twitter”, with the drama being played out over the micro-blogging site. The death of Pushkar, described by friends as the “life of any party”, sent shockwaves through New Delhi’s social set.

The couple appeared deeply in love when they wed and were a glamorous pair on the social scene, but the rumor mill had been abuzz for months with talk of marital problems. Indian newspapers splashed the death on their front pages. “Soon after

Twitter war, Sunanda Pushkar found dead in Delhi hotel,” said the tabloid Mail Today in a headline. Events began unfolding late Wednesday when a curious messages appeared on the Twitter account of the suave thrice-married Tharoor, a former high-flying UN diplomat, novelist and key government spokesman.

They showed private exchanges purportedly between the 57-year-old minister (@shashitharoor) and Pakistani journalist Tarar (@mehrtarar), in which she professed her love for him and he said his wife had discovered their relationship. Tharoor, known as “Mr Twitter” with over two million followers, quickly responded by saying his account was “hacked”, but Pushkar spoke to newspapers saying she sent the messages. She also raked up a corruption scandal related to the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament that almost wrecked Tharoor’s career in 2010 and led him to resign from the cabinet.

Both Pushkar and Tharoor had denied any wrongdoing.

Seeking to draw a line under the Twitter row, Tharoor issued a joint statement Thursday in which he blamed unauthorized tweets and distorted media reports for the “unseemly controversy”. The statement said the couple were “happily married”.

Cricket-loving Tharoor and his wife, the mother of an adult son from a former marriage, had been staying at the hotel since Thursday while work was being done to their home. Television anchor Sagarika Ghose said she spoke to Pushkar on Friday, saying she appeared depressed and was sobbing uncontrollably.

The Pakistani journalist whom Pushkar accused of “stalking” her husband strongly denied having a relationship with the former UN diplomat. Reacting to Pushkar’s death, Tarar tweeted: “I’m absolutely shocked. This is too awful for words. So tragic I don’t know what to say. Rest in peace, Sunanda.” Tharoor, a thrice-married father of grown sons, spent three decades in the UN where he was beaten to the post of secretary general by Ban Ki-moon. The author then quit the UN and entered Indian politics in 2008 as a ruling Congress party MP. Tharoor’s son, Ishaan, a journalist at Time magazine, requested “that everyone please respect our family’s privacy”. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

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

Australia vows no more intrusions in Indonesian waters SYDNEY: Australia yesterday vowed there would be no further intrusions into Indonesian waters during its military-led crackdown on people-smuggling boats, after Jakarta demanded operations be suspended following repeated incursions. Australia’s new conservative government, elected in September, has re-introduced a policy of turning back asylum-seeker boats, many of which depart from Indonesian ports, when it is safe to do so.

It admitted on Friday to several inadver tent intrusions into Indonesian waters as part of Operation Sovereign Borders, but said it was sticking to its

policy designed to halt the arrival of asylum-seekers on unauthorized boats.

“We will not again see an inadvertent breach of Indonesia’s territorial waters, we’ve taken steps to ensure that that doesn’t happen again,” Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters in Perth yesterday.

The incursions prompted a furious response from Jakarta, with Indonesia’s Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs saying they “constitute a serious matter in bilateral relations of the two countries”. Jakarta has demanded a suspension of operations and pledged to step up navy patrols along its southern

maritime borders. “We welcome cooperation from Indonesia in patrolling the waters where these people-smuggling boats are being launched,” Bishop said, when asked about the increased Indonesian patrols.

“It is in their interests, it is in our interests to stop this evil trade,” she added. Asylum-seekers arriving on unauthorized boats in Australia are a sensitive issue for both sides, and Canberra’s Operation Sovereign Borders to stop them has been received coolly in Jakarta. Under Australia’s so-called tow-back policy, asylum-seeker boatsoften wooden fishing vessels-can be

pushed back towards Indonesia, a move which Jakarta had previously suggested could infringe its sovereignty.

Asked whether the government would reconsider this element of the policy after the breaches, Bishop said: “We are absolutely committed to stopping the criminal activity of peoplesmugglers. “We are absolutely committed to stopping people making that hazardous journey that has already led to over 1,000 deaths at sea. “We are determined to stop the people-smuggling trade, we are determined to stop the boats and that’s what happening.”

Australia has offered an unqualified

apology for the unintended incursions, but Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said Friday the government’s “stop the boats” policy would remain in place. Morrison said yesterday he had noted the response from Jakarta. But he said: “The Australian government will continue to discuss these matters, including any response Australia may wish to provide, directly and privately with the Indonesian government through the appropriate channels.” The Australian government has refused to detail the incursions, beyond saying they were committed by a vessel or vessels on several occasions.— AFP

World court to shine light on East Timor-Australia spy row Billions of dollars in natural resources at stake

GRAMPIANS: This photo shows a plane dropping fire retardant material over the bushfires in the Grampians in the Australian state of Victoria. — AFP

‘Worst behind us’: Australia fire chief MELBOURNE: The worst of the bushfires in Australia’s state of Victoria appeared to be over yesterday, officials said, as firefighters battling the blazes welcomed cooler conditions after days of extreme heat. Four homes were lost in a fire in the Grampians region, in western Victoria, where a massive 52,000-hectare blaze had threatened townships and prompted the evacuation of holiday spots.

Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said the fires across the state, most of which were sparked by lightning, had burned through 100,000 hectares and 34 blazes were still burning. But he said no emergency warnings were now in place and residents who had evacuated in the Grampians would be able to return home. “I think the worst is behind us,” Lapsley said.

The southeastern state of Victoria endured a scorching heatwave last week, with millions of residents sweltering through up to five days of searing temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

But cooler temperatures arrived late Friday and while a massive fire was still burning out of control in the Grampians National Park in the state’s west, the emergency warning had been downgraded. On Friday the out-of-control blaze was running so hot it was “creating its own weather” with a plume of hot gases, smoke, ash and other debris created by the fire causing lightning strikes which were starting other blazes.

Officials said Friday one woman had died as a result of the fires in the Grampians, but yesterday they said the death could have been the result of a medical condition. “(There’s) only sketchy information at the moment ... but we understand that it wasn’t because of the fire, it was a medical issue,” Country Fire Authority (CFA) deputy chief officer John Haynes told ABC. Victoria State Premier Denis Napthine said changes made since the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009 in which 173 people died and more than 2,000 homes were destroyed had saved lives during the current emergency. “There is no doubt that the improvements that have been made from the lessons learnt from Black Saturday have saved lives this week, there’s no doubt about that,” he told reporters.

Napthine said the message was getting through to people to leave their homes when it was safe. “If the experts are saying this is a dangerous place for you to be then get out of there while it is safe. There is nothing, no house, no property, that is worth losing your life for,” he said. Bushfires are a common feature of the Australian summer and fires are still burning fiercely in neighbouring South Australia state where 12 homes have been destroyed by the flames. Last week’s heatwave has triggered thousands of wildfires since shifting Monday from the west coast, where it sparked an inferno that razed 56 homes and claimed one life. — AFP

Tiananmen rocker Cui Jian not to play Lunar New Year gala BEIJING: Chinese rocker Cui Jian, who inspired the 1989 Tiananmen Square prodemocracy movement, will not perform on state television’s annual new year gala, his manager said yesterday, following a surprise invitation to appear. “Cui Jian will not perform at the Spring Festival Gala,” You You told AFP. “It didn’t work out,” she added, referring queries to the show’s organising committee for any further explanation.

Asked by the Beijing News daily, however, You said the singer had refused to “change the words” of his songs, without specifying who had demanded the changes for the Lunar New Year show.

The announcement in early January that Cui had been invited to perform on CCTV’s annual Spring Festival Gala was greeted with surprise due to the singer’s links to the pro-democracy protests. Cui, dubbed the “father of rock” in China, began recording in the 1980s and his song “Nothing to My Name” became an unofficial anthem for the student protesters in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

The demonstrations were brutally crushed by authorities, killing hundreds or even thousands, and Cui, who had appeared alongside the protesters, was banned from performing large-scale concerts in the mainland. But in more recent years he has played to sizeable audiences at music festivals in the country. He maintains a low-key public persona but recently criticized young people in China for what he described as their indifference to politics. “Most of the young people forget about politics,” he told the South China Morning Post newspaper in December.

“Personally, I want to see rights, freedom of speech, but it’s a boring subject, because everybody thinks it’s dangerous,” he added. The glitzy new year gala is generally known for a mix of patriotic songs, comedy sketches, and elaborate dance routines, and has displayed images glorify-

ing top politicians and Communist Party slogans. Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, was a regular performer on previous shows and state-run media said the 2012 gala had a global audience of one billion people. — AFP

THE HAGUE: Tiny, young East Timor drags its giant neighbor Australia before the United Nations’ top court next week in a cloak-and-dagger case with billions of dollars in natural resources at stake. At the heart of the David and Goliath dispute at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is a controversial oil and gas treaty signed by Dili in 2006, shortly after independence from Indonesia.

East Timor wants judges at the ICJ, which rules on disputes between states, to order Australia to return documents its intelligence services seized last year relating to Dili’s bid to get the treaty torn up. “It’s simple: we’re asking for our documents back. Australia has unlawfully taken documents that are rightfully the property of Timor-Leste,” government spokesman Agio Pereira told AFP ahead of Monday’s hearing.

East Timor gained its independence in 2002 following years of brutal Indonesian occupation but has a sluggish economy that is heavily dependent on oil and gas. Dili wants the key treaty it signed with Canberra in 2006 dividing oil and gas resources ripped up, saying Australia spied on ministers to gain a commercial advantage. Australia allegedly used an aid project refurbishing East Timor’s cabinet offices as a front to plant listening devices in the walls in

order to eavesdrop on deliberations about the treaty in 2004.

The treaty, Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea, or CMATS, set out a 50-50 split of proceeds from the vast maritime energy fields between Australia and East Timor estimated at 26 billion euros ($36 billion). Dili signed such treaties “at fragile and vulnerable times in our young nation’s history,” government spokesman Pereira said. “Now, in 2014, we are acting with a new breadth of information, data and analysis, including information that Australia may have acted in bad faith and in breach of international law.”

Australian media have reported that the lion’s share of Timor Sea oil and gas would be on Timorese territory if the maritime border were defined according to customary rules of the sea.

But first the half-island nation wants the ICJ to order the return of documents seized in November when Australia’s domestic spy agency raided the Canberra offices of East Timor’s lawyer, Bernard Collaery. Collaery is representing East Timor’s government in its bid lodged last year to get the CMATS treaty cancelled at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, housed in the same Palace of Justice in The Hague as the ICJ. While that case is being held behind closed

doors, the ICJ hearings will for the first time shine a very public light on Australia’s alleged skulduggery.

“This is going to be pretty hard on Australia’s image, it’s not exactly glorious for them,” international law expert Olivier Rentelink from The Hague’s Asser Institute said. The premises of a former Australian intelligence agent turned whistleblower in the arbitration case against Canberra were also raided. Australia has largely refused to comment on the proceedings, although Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended the raids as in the national interest.

East Timor Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources Alfredo Pires stressed his country’s generally good relations with Australia but said: “The only avenue we have as a small country is international legislation.” Dili has asked for “provisional measures” until the ICJ rules on the case, including that the documents be handed to the court and that Australia guarantee it will not intercept communications between East Timor and its legal advisers. “Timor Leste is a young country, we had the UN here and everyone teaching us transparency, the rule of law, and then we get one of the great teachers not following the rules,” said Pires. Cases at the ICJ can take years to resolve.— AFP

‘Respect my vote’ - Thailand’s election supporters speak out BANGKOK: Angered by opposition protests seeking to thwart upcoming polls, a burgeoning pro-election movement in Thailand is taking a stand to demand their votes are respected, with candlelight vigils and Facebook campaigns.

Seeking a middle ground in a bitterly divisive political conflict, the kingdom’s newest street activist group aims to challenge anti-government demonstrators who want to install an unelected “people’s council” to run the country.

“We want to vote. We want to vote! - February 2, go to vote!,” several hundred campaigners chanted while holding candles in a park in central Bangkok this week. “Now Thai people don’t listen to one another, so we want them to see the light instead,” said one of the campaign organizers, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted by the demonstrators. “Our intention is to tell the protesters, ‘please stop, because we have suffered enough’,” added the activist, who helped to organise the rally through social media after seeing police officers wounded in the mass opposition demos gripping the city.

Opponents of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have staged more than two months of street protests aimed at forcing her elected government from office and installing an appointed body to oversee loosely defined reforms such as an end to alleged vote buying.

They aim to curb the political dominance of Yingluck’s billionaire brother, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whom they accuse of controlling the government from self-exile.

But a growing number of Thais are starting to speak out to insist that the protests are not in their name.

Several Facebook pages supporting the election and seeking a peaceful solution have been set up, following street violence in which nine people have been killed and hundreds wounded. People have posted photographs of themselves online holding signs which read “Respect My Vote”. The pro-election supporters are mostly Bangkok residents ranging from professors to university students, activists and celebrities, carrying out symbolic activities such as releasing white balloons and wearing white shirts as a sign of neutrality in the country’s colour-coded political conflict.

Making voices heard “The protesters have generalised that all

BANGKOK: Thai anti-government protesters hold placards as they parade during a rally yesterday. — AFP Bangkokians are on their side, but we are the people who have been frustrated and pressured for a long time,” said Patcharee Angkoon-tassaneeyarat, the administrator of one of the proelection Facebook pages. “The protests have gone beyond the limits of our patience. We also want to make our voices heard,” added Patcharee, whose Facebook slogan “ That’s enough” has received more than 40,000 “likes”.

Thailand has been rocked by years of oftenviolent demonstrations by rival protest movements-notably the royalist “Yellow Shirts” and their arch-rivals the “Red Shirts”, who are broadly supportive of Yingluck and her older brother, ousted former premier Thaksin.

The current protesters say Yingluck is a puppet for her brother who controls her two-yearold government from overseas, where he fled in 2008 to avoid going to jail for a corruption conviction.

Protests by the Yellow Shirts helped to eject Thaksin or his allies from power three times, while suppor t from the Red Shir ts swept

Yingluck to power in 2011 following a deadly military crackdown on their pro-Thaksin street protests. The opposition protesters now on the streets are a mixture of former Yellow Shirts, royalists, southerners, urban middle class and other Thaksin opponents. Experts say a “third voice” is now spreading-mainly though social media among people who oppose the protests.

“They are people not only in Bangkok but also in towns in other provinces who have been patient up to now, but one day they just could not stand it anymore,” Puangthong Pawakapan, professor of political science at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University said. Some of those who have dared to speak out in opposition to the anti-government protests have received a hostile response from friends who hold different views. “They asked why didn’t I help the countr y? Why didn’t I blow whistles with them?” law student Amonteera Pratumtong said while holding a flickering candle in her hand. “I told them I can make my own choice.”— AFP

Philippines vows crackdown on online child sex abuse

BEIJING: In this photo, Chinese rock singer Cui Jian performs during his concert. — AP

MANILA: The Philippines yesterday vowed to crack down on online child sex abuse, days after a global police operation dismantled a paedophile ring that streamed live sexual abuse of Filipino children over the Internet. Police in Britain, Australia and the Philippines Thursday said they had jointly cracked a paedophile ring which exploited children as young as six. In some cases the victims’ parents were involved. “We will not countenance any syndicates that will (prey) on our minors and that they will be used... as sexual instruments. That is something that we will really pound the hammer on,” President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters.

“Certainly, actions will be taken to address the situation. This is really a concern for us because

we’ve always said that the youth is (the) future of the nation,” he added. Lacierda conceded that the problem had been “under the radar” but said lawenforcement agencies were now placing greater emphasis on fighting the crime. Authorities are checking tourist establishments to ensure they are not catering to foreign paedophiles, and parents who push their children into abuse will be prosecuted by the government, he warned.

He also said that an anti-cybercrime law-passed in September 2012 but later blocked by the Supreme Court-could have helped the Philippines in its efforts to tackle the crime. The court is still hearing a legal challenge over the law’s provisions on online libel and giving the state the power to shut down websites and monitor online activities.

Lacierda said the law’s provisions were “a ticklish issue” but expressed hope that telecommunications companies and officials could reach an agreement over how to proceed. The head of the national police anti-cybercrime unit said Friday that the Philippines had become a key hub of the billion-dollar global child cybersex industry, with operators aided by widespread poverty and legal loopholes that allow them to remain anonymous.

The unit’s head, Senior Superintendent Gilbert Sosa, said the crime had spread through the help of wireless technology where users cannot be effectively tracked by law enforcers. Sosa said most people who pay to view the activity are from the United States and Europe, taking advantage of widespread poverty in the Philippines.—AFP

NEWS

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He added that the customs department also refuted such allegations, noting that the said potatoes are from Jordan. Samhan also called for stopping what he described as “election maneuvers” and throwing baseless accusations around. “We know that some people put a different label on a product just to have fun at the expense of others,” he fumed, charging that the whole affair was staged. He also promised to investigate the matter to unmask those behind it.

It is the first time Israel has sent a minister to a meeting of IRENA since its foundation in 2009. “Shalom is representing Israel, which is taking part in the meeting like all the other member states of this international agency,” a member of the Israeli delegation said. He declined to comment on whether Shalom hoped to hold any contacts on the sidelines with Gulf Arab officials.

Israel has quietly been seeking the alliance of Gulf monarchies, which like the Jewish state are concerned over Iran’s rising regional power. In May, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed the Jewish state had allocated a budget for a diplomatic mission in one of the Gulf states, without specifying which. The UAE hosted an Israeli delegation for the first time in 2003 for a meeting of the International Monetary Fund. But, unlike fellow Gulf states Oman and Qatar, it has never hosted an Israeli trade office. Both missions have since been closed - that in Oman in 2000, and the Qatar one in 2009.

The Gulf Arab states have conditioned any normalisation of relations with Israel on its acceptance of 2002 peace plan drafted by Saudi Arabia for peace with the Palestinians. Israel’s relations with the UAE have been clouded by the Jan 2010 death in a Dubai hotel of Hamas military commander Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh in what investigators believe was an assassination carried out by Israel’s Mossad spy agency. During its two-day meeting, the IRENA general assembly is to discuss a draft roadmap for achieving a 36 percent share for renewables in the world energy mix by 2030.

He is expected to make up his mind now that the results have been announced, with his backers already calling for a rally on Jan 25 to emphasise their support. Presidential and parliamentary elections have been promised for later this year.

The now-banned Brotherhood, harried by a deadly crackdown since Morsi’s removal, dismissed the referendum as “farce” and called for further protests. It has called rallies for Jan 25, the third anniversary of the 2011 uprising that overthrew veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak. Interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim called for demonstrations the same day to counter an Islamist “plot to spark chaos”, an unusual appeal from the top police official tasked with enforcing a law that restricts protests.

Many who voted said their ballot was also an endorsement of Sisi, seen as a strong man capable of restoring security after the three years of turmoil following former president Hosni Mubarak’s overthrow. Morsi supporters want Sisi tried internationally for crimes against humanity over the deadly crackdown, but the general is adored by his supporters and will face no serious competition if he stands for election. “If General Sisi nominates himself for president his chances will be great,” presidential aide Ahmed Al-Muslimani told the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper in an interview.

In the first test of democracy after Morsi’s overthrow, the run-up to the referendum was marred by arrests of activists who campaigned against the constitution. “There was no real opportunity for those opposed to the government’s roadmap or the proposed constitution to dissent,” said monitoring group Democracy International, which observed the referendum. The group said its monitors witnessed security forces and campaigning material inside polling stations, but there was “no evidence that such problems substantially affected the outcome of this referendum”.

The US administration is closely watching the results of Egypt’s referendum, but has not yet decided whether to unfreeze some $1.5 billion in aid, the State Department said Thursday. — AFP

The American University of Afghanistan said one US victim had recently joined its faculty of political science, and the other was a member of the student affairs staff. “Our latest figure is 21 killed, including 13 foreigners and eight Afghans,” Kabul police chief Mohammad Zahir told AFP. “Five women were among the dead and about five people were injured.” President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack, and called on US-led NATO forces fighting in Afghanistan “to target terrorism” in the country.

The assault was claimed by Taleban militants fighting against the Afghan government and NATO forces. A Taleban spokesman said the attack was to

avenge a US airstrike in Parwan province on Tuesday night that Karzai said killed seven children and one woman. “These invading forces launched a brutal bombardment on civilians... and they have martyred and wounded 30 civilians. This was a revenge attack and we did it well, and we will continue to do so,” Zabihullah Mujahid said. Mujahid said the Taverna du Liban restaurant was “frequented by high-ranking foreigners (who) used to dine with booze and liquor”. All three attackers died in Friday’s assault. “A man came inside shouting and he started shooting,” kebab cook Abdul Majid told AFP while being treated for leg fractures in hospital. “One of my colleagues was shot and fell down. I ran to the roof and threw myself to the neighbouring property.” — AFP

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Continued from Page 1 leader was buried alongside his father.

“People have come from outside India, and more will keep coming. Everyone was very fond of him,” said 62-year-old Mumbai-resident Juzer Lokhandwala, who attended with his family to pay their last respects.

Narendra Modi, leader of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party who has been vilified for deadly anti-Muslim riots in his Gujarat state in 2002, called the incident “unfortunate” on Twitter. “Stampede near

Syedna Sahib’s residence is very unfortunate. Condolences to families of those who lost their lives & prayers with the injured,” Modi tweeted. The spiritual leader, succeeded by his 70-year-old son Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, led the Dawoodi Bohra community for nearly five decades. Burhanuddin had succeeded his father Syedna Taher Saifuddin in 1965. He was honoured with civilian titles such as the Star of Jordan and Order of the Nile by the governments of Jordan and Egypt. — Agencies

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

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Issues

US court muddles outlook for ‘Open Internet’

By Rob Lever

W

ith the “Open Internet” rule struck down by a US court, the future of the online landscape is now murkier than ever. An appeals court in Washington last week ruled unconstitutional a “Net Neutrality” rule that bars broadband Internet providers from discriminating or playing favorites for online services.

Backers of the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet rule say the court decision could lead to a radically different online landscape controlled by Internet firms, but some analysts say it will change little and may even improve consumer choice. The decision “opens the door to a very different future for the Internet,” said David Sohn, an attorney with the digital activist Center for Democracy & Technology. “The rules tried to preserve this innovation that allows cool new services to bubble up at any time.”

Sarah Morris at the New America Foundation said that “without these rules, consumers are at the mercy of their providers and the business arrangements those providers have already said they would implement... business arrangements that could severely limit access to certain content online.” But analysts noted that the court relied on a narrow legal argument, saying Internet providers were not “common carriers,” or regulated utilities. The court also said, however, that the FCC still has a role for some kind of regulation of the carriers as “information services.”

Annemarie Bridy of the University of Idaho College of Law said the FCC still could enforce neutrality if it has “the political will”. Bridy said the FCC would need to separate, for regulatory purposes, the connectivity aspect of the Internet from “the information component.” “By reclassifying the connectivity component as a telecommunications service, the FCC would be operating squarely within the bounds of its statutory authority to impose anti-blocking and non-discrimination obligations on broadband providers,” she said in a blog post.

Scott Cleland, a former White House telecom adviser with the consulting firm Precursor LLC, said the court ruling was “a win-win, because both sides got what they wanted the most”. Cleland said Verizon, which brought the lawsuit and was backed by a number of allies, averted the prospect of heavy regulation, which he said could have meant price controls. “These companies have invested $1 trillion over the past decade under the premise they would not be regulated as a telephone monopoly,” Cleland told AFP. But Cleland argued that big services like Netflix and Google, which use a lot of the bandwidth, “could come in and pay for some of that.. they would get a marketing benefit”. “The sky is not falling,” he said. “The (Internet) companies have said they would not slow, degrade or impair service, and it’s not in their interest to do that. It is in their interest to find additional funders for the huge cost of bandwidth so the consumer doesn’t have to shoulder the entire burden.” Cleland said either side could appeal to the Supreme Court, but that they might prefer to avoid the risk of an adverse decision: “Both sides have a lot to lose by appealing this.”

Everett Ehrlich, a consultant and senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, said the court ruling opens the way to “tiered pricing,” which he said is reasonable and effectively subsidizes the cost of service for many people.

Under this system, the carriers “would post the prices of tiers and websites can decide if they want to buy a better one,” Ehrlich said. The Internet, he said, should not be immune from the same economic forces as other kinds of services. “The idea that everything on the Internet having to travel at the same speed at same terms is like the dress code from the Cultural Revolution,” said Ehrlich. “If you had tiers of service, you could get innovation. Some stuff would be faster than other stuff, but that’s how the world works.”

The former undersecretary of commerce said it’s unlikely carriers would shut out or degrade some services because “consumer insistence would force a balance in the market”. If Internet firms did not offer the same terms to everyone, he said, they could run afoul of antitrust laws or other regulations. Ehrlich said that while big firms like Google would have an advantage under this system, “small firms continually rise up and challenge big firms”. He said the court ruling “opens up some interesting possibilities,” and that the FCC could still have leverage over the carriers because the court confirmed the agency as a “steward” of the Internet. “I think now we can begin a period of experimentation for tiered service,” he told AFP. “The situation is a little vague. Everybody’s trying to figure it out, but the FCC still has a seat at the table.” —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.

What next after Bouteflika hospital visit?

By Lamine Chikhi and Patrick Markey

A

bdelaziz Bouteflika’s second visit to Paris for hospital treatment has reignited speculation the president who oversaw Algeria’s emergence from almost a decade of civil war may be unable to run for reelection in April. Bouteflika, a Western ally against militant Islamists in North Africa who suffered a stroke last year, flew to France on Monday for what state news agency APS called a planned checkup, saying his condition was “progressively” improving. He had been scheduled back on Friday, the first day of the election campaign. But Anis Rahmani, a media owner close to Bouteflika, said on Thursday the president had already returned and one source described his condition as “fine”.

“He is back home 24 hours before the deadline to kick off the campaign. It is a political signal that the president is ready to run a fourth term,” Rahmani, owner and manager of Ennahar TV, told Reuters. The ruling FLN party says Bouteflika, 76, is their only candidate for April’s presidential election, in which he would run for a fourth term and almost certainly win due to the nationalist party’s dominant role. Any potential transition in the major North African energy supplier would come at a delicate time, with neighbouring Egypt and Libya deep in turmoil three years after “Arab Spring” revolts that ousted their long-term leaders. “He simply cannot leave the country now because of all the regional threats,” Rahmani said. “He cannot quit because the opposition is not ready to rule.”

Gauging Algeria’s opaque politics is complicated, observers say, with a cadre of veteran FLN party leaders and army generals known as “Le Pouvoir” or “The Power” in French, ruling behind the scenes since 1962 independence from France. But time is running short: Campaigning starts on Friday, and candidates must register for the April 16-17 election before a constitutional deadline in February.

Conflicting Accounts The Algerian leader, who spent months in a French hospital last year before return-

ing home in July, has been quiet and clues seeping out of the ruling elite and business and political circles provide conflicting accounts. His political opponents say he is too ill to work. Late last year he was visibly tired, two senior security sources said, and his health had deteriorated. But soon afterwards, he was seen in a live appearance receiving his chief of staff. APS said on Thursday his health had shown “marked improvement”.

Should he step aside, a handover from Bouteflika, who befriended Cold War-era icons like Fidel Castro and Yasser Arafat over his long career, is likely to be wellmanaged, analysts say. The FLN party-military elite alliance has vested interests in avoiding instability, they say. While the president is elected, a Bouteflika successor may be chosen through an internal tussle between his inner circle and the DRS military intelligence service, which has played a kingmaker role since the days of civil war in the 1990s.

A source from the business elite close to the government, who asked not be identified, said Bouteflika plans to run and is expected to appoint two vice presidents, a position now being prepared, to help in his campaigning. Analysts say some of that may be political positioning

by Bouteflika’s allies, to guarantee a strong hand in backroom negotiations with military rivals over any succession.

Already, Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal’s name is touted as one potential vice president. A technocrat, Sellal managed most day-to-day governing in Bouteflika’s absence last year and is seen by many as a possible “consensus” handover candidate. Senate chairman Abdelkader Bensalah, former premier Mouloud Hamrouche and Ali Benflis, who is backed by some powerful factions in the FLN, are other names in the ring.

Consolidated Power “A smooth transition is paramount,” said Geoff Porter, director of North Africa Risk Consulting. “Although Algeria’s political elite have their policy differences and back different candidates, they agree that the country cannot risk instability at this junc-

ture.” After his return to Algeria following his stroke and Paris treatment, Bouteflika appeared only a few times in public during convalescence, meeting visiting dignitaries such as the French prime minister. But in the last months of 2013, sources say, Bouteflika moved to solidify his influence by transferring key responsibilities away from the DRS intelligence, to weaken its position, and reshuffling the cabinet to shore up his allies.

Last week, two more top DRS generals in charge of domestic security and counter-terrorism - and one colonel, were sacked, bringing the number of generals retired to four in less than a year, according to one security source. Bouteflika’s allies have also pushed for a constitutional amendment to create the position of vice president - allowing Bouteflika associates to campaign for him in case he is too ill. His backers have a majority in the parliament, but it may be too late to get it drafted and passed.

Rumours are rife, but few details emerged in Algeria or France about the president’s health. In announcing his visit to Val de Grace hospital in Paris for checkups it said were planned last year, APS said: “The president’s health is improving certainly and progressively.” Should Bouteflika become too ill to continue, the current chairman of senate, Bensalah, who heads the second ruling party RND, would take over for as long as 45 days until elections.

“It is ridiculous to speak about Bouteflika running for fourth term. The man is unable to rule, the man is ill, but his inner circle continue to say he can run,” leader of the moderate Islamist party MSP, Abderazak Mokri said. “If he was in Paris only for a checkup, why not do it here in Algeria?”

Beyond Bouteflika If Bouteflika steps down or can no longer run for election, the vast North African country is unlikely to slide into upheaval seen in Egypt, Libya or Tunisia, whose leaders were overthrown in 2011 over economic malaise and repression.

After years of centralized state control over the economy, analysts say Algeria is certainly in need of economic reforms,

and riots and protests over housing, jobs and opportunities occasionally break out in different regions of the country.

But the 1990s war that killed 200,000 people left many Algerians wary of turmoil, and the OPEC country’s huge foreign reserves handed Bouteflika enough of a financial cushion to sooth potential protests over living conditions and jobs.

Algeria’s global security role remains key.

After Bouteflika helped end the war with Islamist fighters, Algeria has evolved into a strong ally in Washington’s campaign against Al-Qaeda style militants in the Maghreb. Foreign oil companies, critical of Algeria’s contract terms, will watch also transition for better incentives, especially after the militant attack on the Amenas gas plant a year ago that killed 40 oil workers.

Bouteflika himself has said it was time over for the old-guard from the independence era, but any successor will likely represent stability rather than generational change, and be backed by the ruling party establishment. Among those who could succeed him and be seen as guardians of that continuity is premier Sellal, who is accepted by both Bouteflika’s wing and military clans of the political elite, analysts say. Senate head Bensalah may also be in the running, though if he takes over temporarily should Bouteflika be unable to govern, he will no longer be eligible for election.

Two other names are Hamrouche, a former premier who many see as an outsider and a reformer, and Benflis, who once ran against Bouteflika and who has strong backing from some influential factions within the ruling party. Eurasia Group North Africa analyst Riccardo Fabiani said it may be too early to predict the outcome of the internal struggles within the rival factions of Algeria’s elite, but no major policy shift should be expected for now. “We expect the presidential faction and the military intelligence to finally agree on a consensus candidate over the next few weeks,” he said. “Regardless of who the next president is, his policy agenda is likely to focus on a gradual process of economic liberalization over the next few years.” —Reuters

Pope looks beyond as reforms take shape

By Jean-Louis De La Vaissiere

P

ope Francis has looked beyond the usual Vatican circles for new cardinals and overhauled the governance of the Vatican bank at the start of a year that heralds key reforms for the Roman Catholic Church.

Even some measures that appear limited in scope, like the curtailment of the honorific “monsignor” title and a cut in costs for sainthood applications, are being seen as signals of a will to overhaul the Vatican. The new cardinals, who will be formally appointed next month, include several from relatively minor dioceses in developing countries and with a reputation as pastoral figures - far from Vatican power games.

The nominations have knocked a few noses out of joint in the Vatican, where becoming a cardinal has previously been seen as an appointment traditionally

associated with particular highplaced posts. “Without starting any revolutions, this choice clearly shows an interesting reasoning,” said Andrea Tornielli, a Vatican expert who knows the pope personally and interviewed him for the La Stampa daily last year. “In all his public comments, in all his reign so far this pope has shown he wants a Church in which the clergy is not seen as a cast apart,” Tornielli said.

Tornielli said the pope has shown particular attention to reforming the clergy, frequently upbraiding priests for not being close enough to their communities and condemning the “shame” of child sex crimes by clerics. In one oft-repeated comment, he said priests should be shepherds “with the smell of their sheep on them”. He has also criticised “smarmy priests who worship Narcissus” and “butterfly priests who live in vanity”. Joseph

Xavier, an Indian priest from the pope’s own Jesuit order and a lecturer in theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, said Francis has shown he “prefers a Church in motion like the people of God”.

The Argentine pope has led by personal example in emphasising that priests should reach out to the needy, washing the feet of prisoners as part of an Easter ritual and baptising the child of a single mother. In just a few months he has also sidelined some of the most powerful conservative figures in the higher echelons of the Church, including Italian cardinal Mauro Piacenza and US cardinal Raymond Burke.

Observers see this as a form of preparation ahead of important decisions he will have to

make later in the year when a council of cardinals he has appointed to advise him issues a list of reform proposals. At the same time, the 77-year-old pontiff has also shown that while he is willing to break with Vatican tradition he will not alter some of the most controversial tenets of Catholic doctrine. This month, he issued his strongest condemnation yet of abortion, calling it “frightful” and a symptom of a “throwaway culture” that placed little value on life.

His critics in the Church have spoken of him as a “populist pope” who has created confusion with his multiple pronouncements on a range of issues and say his words could lead to more lax attitudes. But Tornielli rallied to the pope’s side, saying: “People, ordinary faithful understand and find in the pope a credible witness of faith who lives what he preaches and evangelises by example”. —AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

S P ORTS

Frenzel wins WCup event

Call to axe Anelka— reports

Mulder defends sprint title

SEEFELD: Defending overall champion Eric Frenzel won his second Nordic combined World Cup event in as many days yesterday after beating Johannes Rydzek for a German 1-2 finish.

Frenzel comfortably held on to his lead after the ski jump to win the 10-kilometer cross-country race in 24 minutes, 49.9 seconds.

Rydzek came 26.4 seconds behind after overtaking Norway’s Magnus Moan with the finish in sight.

Moan was 27.6 back in third.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Frenzel, who also won Friday’s sprint competition. “Magnus made up a lot of time in the first (lap) so I was a bit lucky he couldn’t keep up that speed.”

After his 14th career win, Frenzel is in pole position to become the first winner of a Nordic Combined Triple, a new format which adds the results of all three competitions in one weekend with the overall winner earning double World Cup points.

Only the top-30 finishers of Saturday’s event will be allowed to start in the final competition, which consists of one ski jump and a 15K cross-country race. —AP

LONDON: Shirt sponsor Zoopla has warned West Bromwich Albion it will cancel a three million pounds ($4.93 million) deal with the club if Nicolas Anelka plays against Everton in the Premier League tomorrow, British media reported.

Zoopla, a property website company co-owned by Jewish businessman Alex Chesterman, is unhappy the former France striker has been playing despite making an alleged anti-Semitic ‘quenelle’ gesture in the game with West Ham United three weeks ago. Several media reports said yesterday that the sponsor has demanded he is dropped against Everton or else they will immediately cancel their deal.

Anelka is being investigated by the Football Association (FA) for making the gesture after scoring the first of his two goals in a 3-3 draw at West Ham in the league on Dec. 28. The quenelle, invented by French comedian Dieudonne, has drawn widespread condemnation in Anelka’s homeland and from anti-racist and Jewish groups in England who have demanded the player be banned. Anelka, 34, has played in every league game since making the alleged gesture. He promised no repeat but did not apologise for his actions. Zoopla has made no public comment on the issue but Marketing Week magazine quoted company sources over the Albion ultimatum. A spokesman for the club said: “West Bromwich Albion will be making no further comment until the Football Association has concluded its investigation and the club its own internal inquiry into the matter.” —Reuters

NAGANO: Defending champion Michael Mulder of the Netherlands won the men’s 500-meter race at the world sprint speedskating championships yesterday.

Mulder clocked a time of 34.83 seconds to finish 0.36 seconds ahead of Daniel Greig of Australia.

Mirko Giacomo Nenzi of Italy was third with a time of 35.27 seconds. Shani Davis of the United States was 11th with a time of 35.58. Jing Yu of China won the women’s 500 with a time of 37.67, 0.33 seconds ahead of Margot Boer of the Netherlands. Defending champion Heather Richardson of the United States was third with a time of 38.04. The world sprint speed skating championships features 50 of the fastest sprinters in the world competing in the 500 and 1,000 meter races.

Denis Kuzin of Kazakhstan won the men’s 1,000 with a time of 1 minute, 09.37 seconds, edging Davis by 0.07 seconds. Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands was third in 1:09.56.

Hong Zhang of China won the women’s 1,000 event with a time of 1:15.17, edging Boer by 0.14 seconds. Jing Yu of China was third in 1:15.61.

The skaters who start in the inner lane late yesterday will start in the outer lane today to have equal circumstances for everyone. —AP

Rangers clip Red Wings NEW YORK: Mats Zuccarello broke up a scoreless duel between two Olympic goalies when he scored with 5:58 remaining, lifting the New York Rangers to a 1-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.

Zuccarello floated a puck over Detroit’s Jimmy Howard when he drove to the net, putting New York’s 45th shot of the night into the net. That was enough for Henrik Lundqvist to earn his third shutout of the season and 48th in his NHL career.

Lundqvist, who made his sixth straight start, stopped 38 shots. Gustav Nyquist slipped a shot behind him with 44.5 seconds remaining, but Lundqvist reached back to cover the puck just before it crossed the line. Howard made 47 saves.

The Red Wings were shut out for the second straight game, both times 1-0.

Detroit, which hasn’t scored a powerplay goal in six games in 2014, was beaten at Anaheim on Sunday.

The Rangers bounced back from a 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday and completed a 3-1 homestand. New York is 9-3-1 in its past 13 games.

PREDATORS 4, FLYERS 3 Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift Nashville over Philadelphia. Josi beat Flyers goalie Steve Mason for the last of a combined five shootout goals to give the Predators the needed road win as they chase a playoff spot.

Shea Weber scored a go-ahead goal and had two assists in his first game against Philadelphia since the Flyers made him a $110 million, 14-year offer in the summer of 2012. The Predators matched the deal, keeping him in Nashville. They had to be glad they had their captain against the Flyers.

Weber snapped a tie game with a power-play goal early in the third period. Wayne Simmonds tied the game 3all with a power-play goal with 1:24 left in regulation to send the game into OT. Eric Nystrom and David Legwand also scored in regulation for Nashville.

Brayden Schenn and Andrej Meszaros scored for the Flyers.

CANADIENS 5, SENATORS 4 Carey Price made 40 saves and P.K. Subban scored the overtime winner and Montreal defeated Ottawa.

Subban scored 23 seconds into the extra period as his shot trickled through Craig Anderson’s legs. Tomas Plekanec scored twice and Max Pacioretty and David Desharnais also scored for the Canadiens, who defeated the Senators for the first time this season.

Clarke MacArthur, Erik Karlsson, Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris scored for Ottawa. Anderson stopped 18 shots.

Trailing 4-3, the Canadiens caught a break on the tying goal midway through the third. Plekanec broke in alone and while Anderson made the initial save, defenseman Jared Cowen watched as the puck went in off his skate.

ISLANDERS 2, LIGHTNING 1 Frans Nielsen scored the only

shootout goal and assisted on a second-period score by Thomas Vanek in a victory for New York against Tampa Bay. Nielsen snapped a wrist shot between the pads of Ben Bishop moments after Valtteri Filppula rang a shot off the post to the right of Islanders goalie Kevin Poulin at the other end. The Islanders had a sevengame road winning streak snapped Tuesday at Florida.

Tampa Bay’s Martin St. Louis beat Poulin from the right circle to open the scoring on a power play 5:45 into the game, capitalizing on a penalty-killing unit ranked last in the league.

SHARKS 3, PANTHERS 0 Joe Pavelski, Matt Nieto and Joe Thornton scored and Alex Stalock made 24 saves for his first career shutout and San Jose topped Florida.

Tim Thomas made 36 saves for the Panthers. The Sharks, who defeated Washington 2-1 on Tuesday, won consecutive road games for the first time since taking three straight Nov. 12-15.

They beat the Panthers for the first time in five games, dating to the 200809 season. Leading 1-0, the Sharks scored two goals in the third period.

KINGS 4, BLUES 1 Trevor Lewis gave Los Angeles some unexpected offense with two goals early in the third period of the Kings’ victory over St. Louis.

Lewis scored the tiebreaker on a deflection off a Blues player’s skate, then got his second goal of the season on a short-handed wraparound, capitalizing on goalie Jaroslav Halak’s stickhandling goof.

Jonathan Quick had 28 saves as the Kings snapped a five-game road losing streak in the opener of a five-game trip.

TJ Oshie scored his first career goal on a penalty shot in the second period for the Blues, who snapped a fivegame home winning streak. Oshie has 11 goals on the season and has five goals and four assists in his past six home games.

WILD 4, OILERS 1 Jason Pominville had a goal and an assist, Nate Prosser scored for the first time in 68 games, and Minnesota beat new-look Edmonton.

Justin Fontaine and Jason Zucker also scored to help the Wild win for the sixth time in eight games and bounce back after getting shutout on Tuesday.

Jordan Eberle scored his 15th goal for the Oilers, who haven’t won on the road in their past six tries. Edmonton spent most of the second period in the Wild’s zone, but didn’t generate many shots. When the Wild got set up on the other end, Prosser’s slap shot hit Ben Scrivens’ left glove and fluttered in to give Minnesota a 2-1 lead.

AVALANCHE 2, DEVILS 1 Ryan O’Reilly had a goal and scored in the shootout, Semyon Varlamov made 33 saves and Colorado Avalanche beat New Jersey.

Matt Duchene also scored in a

shootout for the Avalanche, who have won three straight. Cory Schneider stopped 37 shots and Andrei Loktionov scored for the Devils, who had their two-game winning streak stopped.

The Avalanche played without center Paul Stastny (leg) and defenseman Cory Sarich (back) for the second straight game. Coach Patrick Roy chose to dress just 11 forwards and go with seven defensemen against the Devils.

COYOTES 1, CANUCKS 0 Mike Smith stopped 28 shots for his first shutout of the season, Antoine Vermette had a power-play goal in the first period, and Phoenix beat Vancouver.

In a game full of penalties and killed power plays, the Coyotes got stellar goaltending and just enough offense while the Canucks continued to struggle on the offense. Phoenix also got a break on a reviewed goal in the third period.

Vancouver lost for the eighth time in nine games as an apparent goal from captain Henrik Sedin near the midpoint of the third was waved off after a replay review.

BRUINS 4, STARS 2 Milan Lucic scored his first goal in 10 games and assisted on another goal to lead Boston over Dallas. All of the scoring came in the final 20:04.

Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead.

Lucic passed from the right corner to David Krejci, whose goal gave Boston a 1-0 lead at 19:56 of the second period. Krejci also had a goal and an assist.

Dallas tied it at 1:18 of the third when Erik Cole tipped Tyler Seguin’s shot past Bruins goalie Chad Johnson.

Boston took a 2-1 lead two minutes later, when Brad Marchand put in his own rebound. Jamie Benn scored at 18:49 to pull Dallas within 3-2, but Boston’s Patrice Bergeron scored into an empty net with 16 seconds left.

JETS 5, FLAMES 2 Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist against his former team to lead Winnipeg over Calgary, handing the Flames their record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice.

Bryan Little and Mark Schieffle also had one goal and one assist and the Jets scored twice in the first period, opened up a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes and cruised to their second consecutive win under new head coach Paul Maurice. Maurice was hired Sunday, the same day that former Jets coach Claude Noel was fired. Winnipeg won 5-1 over Phoenix in Maurice’s debut on Monday.

Dustin Byfuglien and Jacob Trouba also scored for Winnipeg. The Jets won for just the second time in their past eight road games. Mark Giordano and Lance Bouma scored for Calgary, which hits the road for games in Vancouver and San Jose next. —AP

NHL results/standings Columbus 5,Washington 1; Chicago 4,Anaheim.

Anaheim San Jose Los Angeles Vancouver Phoenix Calgary Edmonton

Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF 36 9 5 172 30 12 6 153 29 14 5 124 24 16 9 124 22 16 9 136 16 26 6 107 15 30 5 129

GA 124 117 97 125 143 153 178

PTS 77 66 63 57 53 38 35

Chicago St. Louis Colorado Minnesota Dallas Nashville Winnipeg

Central Division 31 8 11 32 9 5 30 12 5 26 19 5 21 19 7 21 21 7 21 23 5

137 104 118 123 145 146 148

73 69 65 57 49 49 47

181 164 137 122 134 117 138

Boston Tampa Bay Montreal Toronto Ottawa Detroit Florida Buffalo

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division 30 15 2 136 28 15 5 137 27 16 5 123 24 20 5 136 21 18 9 138 20 17 10 118 18 22 7 109 13 27 6 83

104 115 115 149 151 128 144 129

62 61 59 53 51 50 43 32

Metropolitan Division Pittsburgh 34 12 2 156 115 70 Philadelphia 24 19 5 128 136 53 NY Rangers 25 21 3 120 126 53 Washington 22 18 8 141 146 52 New Jersey 20 18 11 113 120 51 Columbus 23 20 4 134 132 50 Carolina 19 18 9 111 130 47 NY Islanders 19 23 7 134 157 45 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).

PHILADELPHIA: Nashville Predators goalie Carter Hutton looks over his shoulder as the shot goes in the net in this file photo. —AP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

S P ORTS

Thunder roll over Warriors OKLAHOMA CITY: Kevin Durant scored a careerhigh 54 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Golden State Warriors 127-121 on Friday night.

Durant made 19 of 28 field goals and 11 of 13 free throws in his third straight game with at least 36 points. Serge Ibaka had 21 points and eight rebounds, Reggie Jackson scored 14 points and Kendrick Perkins added 12 rebounds for the Thunder (30-10), who won for the third time in four games. Oklahoma City shot 58 percent from the field and scored a season-high point total.

Stephen Curry had 37 points and 11 assists and Klay Thompson added 26 points for the Warriors (25-16), who shot 52 percent but simply couldn’t match up with Durant.

HEAT 101, 76ERS 86 LeBron James had 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and the Heat snapped a threegame losing streak. Chris Bosh scored 25 points, Norris Cole and Shane Battier had 13 points apiece, and the Heat avoided their first four-game losing streak since March 2011. The Heat dropped games at New York, Brooklyn and Washington, but had no trouble against the Sixers in this one.

The two-time defending NBA champion Heat led by 25 and atoned for a 114-110 loss to Philadelphia in October. Tony Wroten led the Sixers with 13 points. Spencer Hawes had 10

9.4 seconds remaining as the Lakers snapped a six-game losing streak.

Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 25 points for Boston. Rondo, who was limited to 20 minutes in his first game since tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament on Jan. 25, 2013, had eight points, four assists and two rebounds.

CLIPPERS 109, KNICKS 95 Blake Griffin scored 32 points, Jamal Crawford added 29 and the Clippers opened a seven-game road trip with their fifth straight victory.

DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and 16 rebounds for the Clippers, who dominated the second half to hand the Knicks their third consecutive loss.

Carmelo Anthony had 26 points and 20 rebounds for the Knicks in a disappointing start to an eight-game homestand that matches the longest in franchise history. That doesn’t guarantee any success this season, with the Knicks now 7-13 at Madison Square Garden.

Anthony shot only 4 of 23 from the field but made all 16 free throws in the first 20-20 game by a Knicks player since David Lee on April 2, 2010.

J.R. Smith added 24 points off the bench.

JAZZ 110, PISTONS 89 Trey Burke had 20 points and a career-high 12 assists in his return to Michigan, leading Utah to

OKLAHOMA: Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson (15) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game. —AP points and 10 rebounds. Miami star Dwyane Wade, who missed the first game against the Sixers, scored eight points on his 32nd birthday.

TRAIL BLAZERS 109, SPURS 100 LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 13 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, and Wesley Matthews scored 24 points. Damian Lillard had 21 points and eight assists and Mo Williams added 13 points as Portland snapped San Antonio’s sixgame winning streak. Matthews shot 6 for 7 on 3pointers.

Manu Ginobili had a season-high 29 points, and Boris Diaw and Marco Belinelli added 14 points each for the Spurs. Tim Duncan had 13 points and Tony Parker added 12, but the two combined for just eight points in the second half of a physical and testy matchup between teams vying for the best record in the Western Conference.

LAKERS 107, CELTICS 104 Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo returned from a knee injury and missed a 3-pointer that could have sent the game into overtime, sending the Lakers to the win.

Pau Gasol had 24 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles, and Kendall Marshall finished with 19 points and 14 assists. Ryan Kelly scored 20 points and Wesley Johnson added 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Kelly added a pair of clinching free throws with

the victory. Burke, who was the national player of the year at Michigan last season and led the Wolverines to the Final Four, had plenty of supporters in the crowd at the Palace. He shook off a slow start and outplayed Detroit counterpart Brandon Jennings as the Jazz built a big lead.

Enes Kanter added 18 points for Utah and Marvin Williams scored 17. Rodney Stuckey led the Pistons with 21, but Detroit looked flat for much of the game after a five-day layoff.

The Pistons had a chance to draft Burke with the No. 8 pick last year, but took Kentavious Caldwell-Pope instead.

GRIZZLIES 91, KINGS 90 Mike Conley had 25 points and six assists for Memphis, and then grabbed possession of a jump ball in the final 2 seconds to help the Grizzlies secure their season-high fifth straight win.

Courtney Lee added 17 points for Memphis.

Marc Gasol, in his third game back after missing 23 games with a knee injury, finished with 16 points, and Zach Randolph had 12 points and nine rebounds.

DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Rudy Gay scored 19 points. Isaiah Thomas finished with 14 points and nine assists.

A jump ball between Gay and Tayshaun Prince on the Kings’ end of the court with 1.9 seconds left ended up in Conley’s hands and he dribbled

away as the clock ran out. Memphis trailed 88-81 with about 4 minutes left, but outscored the Kings 10-2 the rest of the way.

MAVERICKS 110, SUNS 107 Rookie Shane Larkin scored a career-high 18 points for Dallas, including two free throws with 11.1 seconds to play.

The Suns had a chance to tie the game after Vince Carter turned it over trying to inbound the ball after a basket by Phoenix with 6.7 seconds left. But P.J. Tucker’s try from the corner rimmed out, and replays showed his foot was on the line so it would have been for two points, anyway.

Monta Ellis scored 24 and Dirk Nowitzki had 21 for the Mavericks, who never trailed. Goran Dragic scored 28 points for Phoenix. Markieff Morris added 23, including 14 in the final quarter, and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Suns have lost four of five.

RAPTORS 94, TIMBERWOLVES 89 Kyle Lowry scored 24 points, Amir Johnson had 19 and the Raptors beat Minnesota for their 10th straight home victor y over the Timberwolves.

DeMar DeRozan shook off a poor shooting performance to score 15 points and Terrence Ross had 16 as the Raptors won their sixth straight home game. It’s their longest home streak since an eight-game run from Jan. 17 to Feb. 10, 2010.

Lowry made a season-high six 3-pointers as the Raptors won for the ninth time in 11 games and posted their 18th victory in 19 meetings with Minnesota.

Kevin Love had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Kevin Mar tin added 18 points for the Timberwolves, who lost their third straight. Jose Barea scored 14 and Nikola Pekovic had 13.

CAVALIERS 117, NUGGETS 109 DENVER (AP) - Kyrie Irving scored 23 points for Cleveland, and Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds. CJ Miles added 19 points for Cleveland, including four free throws down the stretch. Luol Deng scored 18.

The Cavaliers finished their five -game Western Conference road trip with a 3-2 record after winning in Denver for the second time in three years. They led most of the way and held off a late rally by the Nuggets that cut a doubledigit lead to three early in the fourth quarter.

Denver had won its last four home games, but fell to 11-9 at Pepsi Center this season. It had a 38-3 home record last season. The Nuggets attempted a season-high 37 3-pointers, making 14, but struggled from long range down the stretch.

WIZARDS 96, BULLS 93 John Wall had 23 points and 11 assists, helping the Wizards reach .500 for the third time this season.

The Wizards had six players score in double figures in their third straight victory, two of them coming against Chicago. Bradley Beal and Martell Webster had 14 points apiece.

There were 12 lead changes and 11 ties.

Washington took a 92-91 lead on Marcin Gortat’s layup with 4:28 to play.The Bulls were held to just one field goal in the final 5:16. They missed eight of their last nine shots.

Kirk Hinrich led Chicago with 18 points, and D.J. Augustin scored 16. The Bulls had won six of seven, and were trying to reach .500 for the first time since Nov. 27.

BOBCATS 111, MAGIC 101 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Al Jefferson had 30 points and 16 rebounds for Charlotte, and Kemba Walker added 19 points and 10 assists.

The Magic dug out of an 18-point first-half hole and pulled to 78-76 early in the fourth quarter. But the Bobcats shot 16 for 20 on free throws in the final period to help secure the win.

Josh McRober ts and Gerald Henderson added 17 points apiece for Charlotte. Orlando committed 16 turnovers as its season-high losing streak reached 10 games. Arron Afflalo scored 24 points in his return to the Magic lineup, and Tobias Harris and Jameer Nelson each had 18. —AP

Kueng wins Wengen downhill WENGEN: Patrick Kueng gave his home Swiss fans a lot to cheer about by winning the shortened Lauberhorn downhill yesterday.

Kueng clocked 1 minute, 32.66 seconds down a course that had more than a minute of racing and signature features cut off due to strong winds, to earn his second World Cup victory - and first in downhill. Hannes Reichelt of Austria finished second, 0.06 seconds behind, and overall World Cup leader Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway was third, only one more hundredth further back.

“It’s incredible,” said Kueng, who is the fourth different Swiss winner in six years in the country’s signature sports event. “It’s very special for me. I think it’s the best place to win a race.”

Reichelt said he lost crucial time in the bumpy s-turns into the finish area, though praised Kueng as a worthy winner. “(Patrick) was very consistent this season. It was just time until he got the victory,” said Reichelt, adding wryly that he was “getting closer” after placing third last year Bode Miller finished fifth, 0.35 back, after making a big mistake in the same spot that troubled Reichelt.

Miller’s American teammate Jared Goldberg placed 12th with a starting number of 40. Lower-ranked skiers were still coming down.

Kueng joined a Wengen winner’s roll that includes his more heralded teammates Didier Defago (2009), Carlo Janka (2010)

ABU DHABI: Phil Mickelson of the US tees off on the 16th hole during the 2nd round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. —AP

Mickelson surges in Abu Dhabi ABU DHABI: Phil Mickelson surged up the leaderboard with a 9-under 63 to put himself in second place after the third round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, while Rory McIlroy was hit with a two-shot penalty for a rules infraction that dropped him into a tie for fourth.

Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total.

“I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi,” Mickelson said. “The biggest thing for me is that each day as the tournament has progressed I have felt a lot sharper and sharper.”

McIlroy thought he was alone in second place a stroke behind Lee after finishing his round, but tournament officials then ruled that he had taken a drop incorrectly on the second hole and adjusted his score to a double-bogey 7. That gave him a 70 for the round to sit one stroke behind Mickelson and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India (66).

McIlroy had to take relief on the second hole when his ball ended up on a gallery crosswalk and went on to par the hole, but was later told by the caddy of playing partner Ricardo Gonzalez that he had his left foot on the white line marking the drop area, meaning he had not taken “full relief” according to the rules.

Tournament officials reviewed the situation after McIlroy completed his round, with the golfer going back to the spot to show where he stood when he took the shot.

“I didn’t even know my foot was on the line,”

McIlroy said. “We went back to see it again there and see where my divot was, and it was clear that I couldn’t have played the shot with my feet anywhere else. I guess I was so much into the shot I didn’t even realize. ... There’s a lot of stupid rules and this is one of them.” To make matters worse, McIlroy said his drop had actually given him a bad lie and that he would have benefited from dropping again.

“If anything, it was a disadvantage,” McIlroy said. McIlroy had finished the round without a bogey, making his fourth birdie of the day on the 18th.

“To a spectator it may feel like I have been unduly punished, and that’s what it feels like to me, but it’s a rule of the game. I do feel like I have been hard done by but it’s nothing that a fast start tomorrow can’t fix.” Mickelson shot his lowest score since a 63 on the opening day of the Deutsche Bank Championship in September, falling one shot short of the Abu Dhabi course record.

The American birdied four of his opening six holes, eagled the eighth and then also birdied five of his inward holes, including sinking a 50-foot birdie putt at the par-5 last.

That came after he tried to reach the green in two shots but ended up beneath some trees to the left and needed a pitching wedge on his third shot. “(I) gave myself a 45 to 50 footer that you don’t really expect to make too often but I had a good kind of feel on that one and it just rolled right I,” Mickelson said. “But then I was getting a little tired mentally those last few holes and I could tell it was early in the season so I just wasn’t as sharp mentally.” —AP

Red-hot Reed moves ahead LA QUINTA: American Patrick Reed once again flourished in near-perfect scoring conditions as he stretched his lead to two shots in Friday’s second round of the $5.7 million Humana Challenge at La Quinta, California.

One stroke ahead overnight after opening with a nine-under-par 63 on the Arnold Palmer Private course at PGA West, the red-hot Reed followed up with another sizzling 63, this time at La Quinta Country Club. The 23-year-old piled up eight birdies, an eagle at the par-five fifth and a lone bogey in dazzling desert sunshine with barely a hint of wind to post an 18-under total of 126 in the pro-am event being played at three venues.

American journeyman Brendon Todd birdied his final hole for a flawless 63 on the Palmer Private layout, ending the day a stroke in front of compatriot Ryan Palmer, who carded a 65 at La Quinta.

Fellow American Charley Hoffman, the 2007 champion, was a further shot back at 14 under after returning a 66 on the Nicklaus Private course.

Reed, who made up for some wayward driving in Thursday’s opening round with a sizzling putting display, tightened his hold on the tournament after producing much better form off the tee on Friday.

“To start off the day hitting a perfect drive on the first and second holes ... gave me a little bit of extra confidence in that club,” the Texan told reporters. “So I was able to attack and be more aggressive off the tees.

“Whenever you start with hitting a soft sand wedge to four feet on the first and tap in for birdie ... you just carry that momentum straight through.”

Reed is bidding for his second PGA Tour title,

having clinched his first at last year’s Wyndham Championship where he beat rookie sensation Jordan Spieth in a playoff.

“What I’m doing so far is working - 63, 63 - so we’re just going to stick to that game plan, stick to our notes and hopefully close it out,” said Reed.

“My putter is really working. I hit a lot of good putts today, missed a couple, but at the same time I made some. As long as I keep doing that, come Sunday, we’ll see.”

Todd, still seeking his maiden PGA Tour title after playing his rookie season on the U.S. circuit in 2009, said Reed’s sizzling scoring had spurred him on to stay in touch with the lead.

“It just kind of kept me motivated coming in to make as many birdies as I could, distance myself from the pack and get near Patrick,” Todd told Golf Channel “I just have to keep doing what I am doing. I’ve got a good team around me. Just keep working on the same things and gain some more experience out here.”

Keegan Bradley aced the par-three third on the Nicklaus Private course with a seven-iron from 177 yards, his ball pitching on the front portion of the green before curling from right to left and then disappearing into the cup.

Bradley, who clinched his maiden major title at the 2011 PGA Championship, ended up shooting a 66 to sit a distant nine strokes off the pace heading into yesterday’s third round.

American world number six Zach Johnson, who won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii 11 days ago, carded a 68 on the Nicklaus Private course to finish at 11 under. —Reuters

British skaters look to emulate Torvill, Dean

WENGEN: Switzerland’s Patrick Kueng is airborne on his way to win an alpine ski, men’s World Cup downhill. —AP and Beat Feuz (2012).

Kueng, who turned 30 last weekend, is having a breakout season. He won a super-G in Beaver Creek, Colorado, last month for his first career win and has also recorded two fifths - in the Lake Louise, Alberta, super-G; and the Beaver Creek downhill; and was sixth in the downhill in Val Gardena, Italy.

“Hats off to Kueng, he’s been skiing amazing this season. It’s really not

a surprise to the racers,” said Marco Sullivan of the US, who was 16th trailing by 0.99.

The course missed top sections including the signature Hundschopf cliff face jump - that usually favor pure downhill racers, and became more suited to technical, super-G specialists.

Erik Guay of Canada, who won the final training session Thursday, lost control after appearing to hit a bump

midway down and skied off course.

Svindal now leads two-time defending champion Marcel Hirscher by 82 points in the overall standings.

In the downhill rankings, Svindal leads with 360 points, Reichelt is next with 260 and Kueng is third with 221. A slalom is scheduled for Wengen on Sunday, then the men’s circuit heads to Kitzbuehel, Austria, for the famed Hahnenkamm races next weekend. —AP

BUDAPEST: As Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean prepare to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their legendary Bolero routine at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, Britain found themselves back centre stage on the ice dancing podium this week at the European championships with Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland.

Coomes and Buckland, both 24, were not even born when Torvill and Dean won their Olympic gold but their famous compatriots helped to seal their bronze in Budapest on Thursday night.

“We met them at the (London) Olympic Games and there were very nice to us and said they were following our performance which was very encouraging,” explained three-time British champion Buckland. In fact the progress of Coomes and Buckland has been very fast since they placed just 16th at Europeans before the 2010 Vancouver Games - finishing sixth in 2012, fifth in 2013, and now third. Their success this week has been even more impressive as Buckland had just a few months ago undergone an operation to correct a condition known as tachycardia, which caused his heart to beat too fast. A lot of their progress is down to their work with legendary Russian ice dancer Yevgeny Platov, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and contemporary of Torvill and Dean, who trains the couple in New Jersey along with former British ice dancing champion Philip Askew, Coomes’ stepfather.

Amazed by the progress of the British pair, Platov said that the memory of Torvill and Dean would always be strong in ice dancing

Jayne Torvill and close to his heart.

“I don’t think anyone can reach that level, even me and I beat them (Torvill and Dean),” Platov told AFP. “In my heart they will always still be above everyone, not only for their skating but for what they did for the sport, the level they pushed it too,” the 46-year-old said.

“Even after they stopped skating, they never really left it, they were still doing shows.” Torvill and Dean were Britain’s last European champions in 1994, when they won their fourth continental title before taking Olympic bronze later that year in Lillehammer behind winners Platov and his partner Oksana Grishuk. “I’ve met them (Torvill and Dean) a couple of times after the 1994 Olympics. Nick and Penny have met them too and they had some contact during the London Olympics and they have been very encouraging,” said Platov. —AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

S P ORT S

Nadal marches into last 16 Murray, Federer, Azarenka, Sharapova progress

SHARJAH: Pakistani batsman Misbah-ul-Haq plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (left) looks on during third day of the third and final cricket Test match. — AFP

Shehzad hits hundred but Pakistan toil for runs SHARJAH: Opener Ahmed Shehzad scored a maiden century but Pakistan toiled for runs in their bid for a series-levelling win against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test in Sharjah yesterday.

The 22-year-old right-hander made 147 in only his second Test as Pakistan scored 291-6 at close on the third day, still trailing by 137 runs over Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 428-9 declared.

Pakistan lost Sarfraz Ahmed for five, caught behind off spinner Rangana Herath in the last over of the day. Misbah-ul Haq was unbeaten on 36.

With two days remaining and Pakistan lagging well behind they will be hard pressed to enforce a result, with Sri Lanka happy for a noresult affair.

While Pakistan struggled for runs, it was a memorable day for young Shehzad. Shehzad added a quick 56 for the fourth wicket with Misbah but Pakistan’s slow and cautious batting amidst some tight bowling blunted their efforts to get closer to Sri Lanka’s total.

Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series after losing the second Test in Dubai by nine wickets, managed 150 runs in the first two sessions after resuming at 19-0, losing opener Khurram Manzoor (52) and Azhar Ali (eight).

Sri Lanka mostly employed a six-man leg-side field as their bowlers made runs hard to come by, with Pakistan adding only 23 in the first hour’s play.

But Shehzad, who made 55 in the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi, paced up the innings in the last session, helping Pakistan to 122 runs in the two hours but Pakistan lost four wickets.

Shehzad reached his hundred with a couple towards cover off spinner Dilruwan Perera, taking 230 balls to reach the three-figure mark studded with seven fours. His second fifty came off 80 balls. He was finally bowled off a reverse sweep against Herath. Shehzad batted for 339 minutes, hit 12 fours and a six.

Shehzad said he was happy to score a hundred. “It’s my debut series and I made a century, so it’s a kind of dream come true for me,” said Shehzad. “I was surprised with their negative approach although they had 400 runs on board, they had packed the leg side and it made runs hard to come by.” Shehzad hoped Pakistan enforce a result in the match.

“I think we should play two more sessions and equal their score and we will try to come back into the match, we are going for the result in the match, it’s a do-or-die for us.”

Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara said Today’s first hour will be crucial. “I think we played well, if we get a couple of wickets in the morning tomorrow, especially Misbah, then we would be able to do quite well in the Tests,” said Sangakkara. In a slow but steady start Shehzad put on 114 for the opening wicket with Manzoor.

Manzoor fell soon after lunch as he tried to glance a leg-side deliver y from paceman Shaminda Eranga but only managed to snick it to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

He hit four boundaries during his 125-ball innings. Ali, dropped for the first two Tests, battled for 27 deliveries and departed after edging off-spinner Dilruwan Perera to slip for his first Test wicket. Both Manzoor and Ali challenged the umpire’s decisions but ended up wasting both Pakistan’s referrals. Experienced batsman Younis Khan didn’t last long either as he fell caught behind off Herath for 17. Herath had the best figures amongst Sri Lank an bowlers with 3-88. Eranga had 2-53 while Perera took 1-71. — AFP

SCOREBOARD SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates: Scoreboard at close on the third day of the third and final Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka played at Sharjah Stadium yesterday: Sri Lanka 1st innings 428-9 dec (D. Perera 95, A. Mathews 91, K. Sangakkara 52; Junaid Khan 3-81, Mohammad Talha 3-99) Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 19-0) Khurram Manzoor c Prasanna b Eranga 52 Ahmed Shehzad b Herath 147 Azhar Ali c Mathews b Perera 8 Younis Khan c Prasanna b Herath 17 Misbah-ul Haq not out 36 Asad Shafiq lbw b Eranga 18 Sarfraz Ahmed c Prasanna b Herath 5 Extras: (b1, lb6, nb1) 8 Total: (for six wkts; 95.3 overs) 291 To bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Talha, Junaid Khan.

Fall of wickets: 1-114 (Manzoor), 2-149 (Azhar), 3189 (Younis), 4-245 (Shehzad), 5-274 (Shafiq), 6291 (Sarfraz) Bowling: Herath 31.3-8-88-3, Lakmal 21-4-57-0, Perera 17-1-71-1, Eranga 19-5-53-2 (1nb), Mathews 7-3-15-0 Match Situation: Pakistan trail by 137 runs with four wickets remaining in the 1st innings.

Preview

India’s top ranking on line in New Zealand showdown WELLINGTON: India put their top spot in the world one-day international rankings on the line in a five-match series starting in Napier today against a New Zealand side fired up by new-found self-belief. Although New Zealand lie a lowly eighth on the world ladder, the way they cleaned up their series against the West Indies was a confidence booster for a team with a history of not being able to close out a winning situation.

“It was good to wrap it up and take a big step for this team,” captain Brendon McCullum said after New Zealand beat the West Indies 2-0 in the Twenty20s to go with their 2-0 win in the Tests and two-all drawn ODI series. “We talked all week about wanting to close out a series and the way we did it was excellent.” For India to retain their number one ranking they only have to win the series, but a New Zealand win could catapult Australia to the top depending on the outcome of their current series against England.

The difference in status between India and New Zealand was evident when they wrapped up practice. As befitting the global rock stars of cricket, the Indian bags were placed on a trailer and taken to their bus while the lowly-ranked New Zealanders carried their own bags away from the nets.

But, despite the huge difference in rankings between the two sides, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni declares he is not taking New Zealand lightly.

“Especially at home, they’ll know the conditions better than us and for some who have not played here it will be a challenge.”

Although New Zealand have a clutch of quality bowlers, including key wicket takers Mitch McClenaghan and Nathan McCullum and rising speedster Adam Milne who tops 150 kilometres per hour (93 mph), India have a batting depth.

Virat Kohli, Dhoni and Shikhar Dhawan are ranked among the top 10 ODI batsmen and are quick-scoring, near faultless craftsmen.

The 25-year-old Kohli can be a match-winner on his own with an average of 51.54 from his 125 ODIs which include 17 centuries.

Dhoni averages 52.88 and Dhawan a more modest 43.96.

New Zealand’s top batsman, Ross Taylor, averages 38.21 and is ranked down in 16th place. But where New Zealand fancy their chances is batting against bowlers unused to the vagaries of overseas conditions. This was evident in India’s most recent ODIs against South Africa where they lost the first game by 141 runs and the second by 134, figures which New Zealand duly noted.

“The beauty of the New Zealand team at the moment is we’re up for the fight and we’re keen to be in the mix of a challenge,” Nathan McCullum said. The McLean Park pitch for the opening match has a reputation for being batter friendly and favouring the side batting last. — AFP

MELBOURNE: Rafa Nadal beamed with delight after laying down an emphatic marker with a brilliant display of all-court tennis to charge into the last 16 of the Australian Open yesterday.

The Melbourne heatwave may have broken but arch-competitor Nadal was still bathed in sweat after his two-hour 6-1 6-2 6-3 demolition of the talented but errorprone Gael Monfils.

Roger Federer earlier boasted of his fitness, Maria Sharapova felt a bit rusty and Andy Murray berated himself but all three eased into the second week.

Victoria Azarenka remained on course for her third straight title but may find the next hurdle trickier after setting up a fourth round tie against Sloane Stephens, who she beat amid controversy in last year’s semifinals.

While there was relief all round at the cooler temperatures after four days of stifling heat, Milos Raonic and Caroline Wozniacki both felt the stinging burn of an upset.

Nadal never looked in any danger of an early departure, barring a brief injury scare when he jarred his foot early in the second set.

Such was his dominance after he suppressed the Frenchman’s early charge, the Spaniard was at a loss to pick out an element of his game that pleased him most.

“I think I have to say that I played well from everywhere, no?,” he said. “Tonight I think I played a great match ... (but) just one very good day. That makes me feel confident, but I am in the fourth round.

That’s all.”

The top seed will play Kei Nishikori for a place in the quarter-finals after the Japanese ended American interest in the men’s draw with a 7-5 6-1 6-0 win over Donald Young.

Federer looked at his own imperious best as he dismantled Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2 6-2 6-3 to reach the fourth round at a grand slam without giving up a set for the 27th time.

The Swiss is aware that tougher tests lie ahead, starting with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the next round, but was delighted to have rid himself of his back problem.

“I’m just happy not waking up like an old man,” said the 32-year-old, who failed to get to a grand slam final for the first time since 2002 last year.

“It was a tough year last year and now for the last few weeks, I’m feeling much better... I’ve done the hard work and that’s perhaps why I’m playing well. “ Murray’s back problems are more recent and he admitted to feeling a bit of stiffness as he finds his feet again following surgery and four months on the sidelines.

Spaniard Feliciano Lopez gave him a big test in the first set tiebreak but faded after conceding the second and the fourth seed claimed his 14th straight victory over a lefthanded opponent 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-2. “It’s been a good start,” said the Wimbledon champion. “ Today was a big step up for me.

Feliciano is a top 30 player. He’s a tricky opponent to play. So it was a good test for me and I did well.”

Murray next meets Stephane Robert, who prevailed 6-0 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 over fellow lucky loser Martin Klizan - the first time a late replacement has reached the last 16 in Melbourne.

Azarenka humbled Yvonne Meusburger 6-1 6-0 in exactly an hour to set up another meeting with American Stephens, who she beat last year after taking a medical timeout as she struggled to close out their semifinal. “I have great memories of last year.

That’s all I keep for me,” the Belarusian said of the incident which led to her being accused of gamesmanship. “We left it all last year here, and that’s what is important for me.

Sharapova continued to don her distinctive ice jacket at end changes despite the cooler weather as she beat France’s Alize Cornet 6-1 7-6 (7-6).

On the comeback trail after a shoulder problems cut short her 2013 season, the third seed accepted that she had won without playing her best tennis.

“I still feel like in certain situations I am a bit rusty and I’m not closing it out when I have to or maybe going for a little much or overthinking it a bit,” the 2008 Australian Open champion said.

“That will come. I’m not worried about that.” Her boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov took a small step out of her shadow when he reached the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time by edging 11th seed Raonic 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6 (12-10).

The Bulgarian prevailed after an 156minute Margaret Court Arena thriller rounded off by the tensest of tiebreaks which he clinched on his fifth match point.

The 22-year-old has clearly tired of the nickname “Baby Fed”, bestowed upon him because of the similarity of his free-flowing style to that of Federer.

“What can I say?. We have debated that for quite some time and we have said it loud and clear that my name is Grigor.”

Wozniacki was left ruing her failure to convert more than five of her 16 break points in her 4-6 7-5 6-3 defeat at the hands of rising Spanish talent Garbine Muguruza.

“You know, sometimes it happens, you just don’t take your chances,” the 10th-seeded Dane lamented. “I won the first set, was up in the second. I don’t think I did anything particularly wrong.”— Reuters

MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Gael Monfils of France during their third round match at the Australian Open tennis championship. — AP

New Nismo Athletes win at Dubai 24 Hours Nissan DUBAI: The four newest Nismo Athletes, the winners of Nissan PlayStation GT Academy 2013, along with inaugural winner Lucas Ordonez, stormed to the SP2 class victory at the Dubai 24 Hours. This is the first Dubai 24 Hours victory for GT Academy winners.

Dubai was the first international race for European winner Miguel Faisca, German winner Florian Strauss, US winner Nick McMillen and Russian winner Stansislav Aksenov, who have all only been racing for three months so to bring the No.123 Nissan 370Z Nismo across the line first after 24 hours of racing was an incredible achievement.

“We came here to gain racing experience and our goal was to finish the race so it is amazing to win,” said European winner, Miguel Faisca. “We have all learnt a lot as it was a tough race with so many cars. There wasn’t a single lap where you didn’t have to overtake or be overtaken. It was a great pleasure to compete in our first 24 hour race.”

“In the last three years I have finished third, then second and now in first place at the Dubai 24 Hours,” said Ordonez. “It is always a very important event for me and of course for the new winners. This is their first international race so to win it is a dream for them. The fact I have third, second and first is very special for me and I will make sure I line up the trophies at home. As always a big thank you to Nissan, to RJN and everyone involved here.”

The drivers of the Nissan GT Academy Team RJN’s sister car, the No.126 Nissan 370Z Nismo, joined them on the podium, taking third place after fighting back from problems during the night.

Karun Chandhok, James Moffat, Tor Graves and Ashley Oldfield were competing in the ‘international’ car, entered to pose the question of where

GT Academy will go next. That question will be answered soon but now it is time to celebrate a double podium finish in Dubai.

“You need luck in a 24 hour race,” said Chandhok. “We didn’t get our share of the luck but we fought back and took a podium finish. It’s a shame we had a few problems as we were matching the pace of the sister car at the start of the race. The podium is a massive reward for the RJN boys so it was good to get it for them. This event has been an education for me, learning about GT Academy. I have only seen it from the outside before and have read about it in magazines. I hope it will launch in India soon. It’s good to see these guys getting the opportunities that people like me didn’t have. They have been given a golden opportunity and they need to make the most of it.”

“It was great to be the first Aussie to benefit from the Nismo Exchange,” said James Moffat who switched from V8 Supercars to a GT car for this race.

“I’ve always wanted to do a 24 hour race and I’ve definitely got the bug now. A smoother run would have been good but that’s racing. All credit to the team for getting us back out there each time we had a problem. To get two cars on the podium is a great effort so well done to them.”

“The fact that over the years we have finished third, then second and now first in the race is an indication of how the academy keeps improving in every area, from the way that we approach our racing to the way that we prepare our guys for every challenge they face as new drivers,” said Nissan’s Global Director of Motorsport, Darren Cox. “It’s great that we had nine different nationalities of drivers here and they all finished on the podium. It shows the international flavour of Nissan Motorsport and we look forward to seeing which new markets we will move into next.”

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

S P ORT S

Real hammer Betis Ronaldo, Bale on target

ITALY: AS Roma’s forward Mattia Destro (right) vies for the ball with Livorno’s defender Alessandro Lambrughi during the Italian Serie A football match. — AFP

Roma close gap on Juve MILAN: First-half goals from Mattia Destro and Kevin Strootman and a late strike from Adem Ljajic secured a 3-0 win for Roma that sent Livorno back to the bottom of Serie A yesterday.

Roma’s 14th win helped reduce the gap on leaders Juventus to five points although the champions can restore their eight-point cushion with a win at home to Sampdoria in yesterday’s late game.

Livorno, who won promotion from Serie B last season, responded to their struggles in the first half of the campaign by sacking coach Davide Nicola last Monday after the side had taken just a point in their last eight games.

Successor Attilo Perotti, however, failed to come up with a magic formula at the Olympic Stadium, where Roma coach Rudi Garcia felt confident enough of a win to rest a host of regulars.

Striker Francesco Totti, defender Douglas Maicon and midfielder Radja Nainggolan all started on the bench but it took only six minutes for Roma to pull ahead, Destro pouncing on a back-

heel flick from Gervinho to beat Francesco Bardi in the visitors’ net.

Mehdi Benatia then came close to doubling the scoreline but the Moroccan defender’s overhead kick from a corner sailed over. Roma piled on the pressure and when Ljajic and Daniele De Rossi combined, Bardi, celebrating his 22nd birthday, pulled off a great save from point-blank range.

It was only a matter of time before the Livorno net bulged again and although Destro came close, it was Strootman who had the pleasure after he picked up the rebound from the striker’s chip after it had been denied by a Nahuel Valentini clearance.

Gervinho came close again but saw his closerange header from Vasilis Torosidis’s cross go wide while a Destro goal just before half-time was ruled offside. Roma continued to pile on the pressure in the second half but it took until the 78th minute for Ljajic to add his name to the secoresheet with a fine daisycutter after collecting from Radja Nainggolan. — AFP

Preview

Man United in search of old fire at Chelsea LONDON: Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea today represents another opportunity for the woebegone English champions to prove that they still deserve to be considered among the Premier League’s leading lights. With six defeats to their name already this season and leaders Arsenal 11 points above them, United’s title defence seems all but over and they face a battle just to secure Champions League qualification.

David Moyes David Moyes’s men trailed fourth-place Liverpool by five points ahead of the weekend and another setback at Stamford Bridge would further compromise their chances of fulfilling the minimum requirement of a top-four finish.

Their form against supposed title rivals does not augur well, as they have amassed only five points from a possible 21 in the seven games that they have played against the six teams above them in the table. Injuries to strike pair Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have only compounded matters, but for all United’s misfortune, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes it is still too soon to write them off. “We don’t play a team that is 11 points behind the leaders. We play the champions, we play against Manchester United,” Mourinho said.

“This is the way I feel. I’ve been too long in the game, I’ve played dozens and dozens of derbies and classic matches. This is what experience says.

“On many occasions the team that looks to be in the most difficult situation is the team that appears stronger in that match. That’s why I view this game as especially dangerous. I’ve not written United off.” United can at least draw solace from a run of five wins in six league games, but Chelsea’s recent form has been even more impressive. They have climbed to third place in the table, nine points above United, by winning eight of their last 10 matches and will be bidding for a fifth consecutive victory today. The teams played out a terse 0-0 at Old Trafford when they last met in August, but Moyes says it is hard to draw conclusions from that encounter.

“That was a difficult game for both of us that probably came a bit too early in the season,” said the United manager. “We know this is going to be hard because Chelsea are very strong at home.

As you would expect, they have made a strong start to the season. “We are a little bit disappointed at not being in closer contention with the teams at the top, but we are hoping that between now and the end of the season we can do that.

“We want to hang in there and if we could win this game it would make people think we are not that far away.” Victory for United would certainly have a transformative effect on perceptions of Moyes’s side-Mourinho has never lost a home league game with Chelsea and Moyes has never come out on top against the Portuguese.

In the continued absence of Rooney and Van Persie, United will once again turn to Danny Welbeck, who has scored six goals in his last six games, to lead the line.

Chelsea hope that Frank Lampard will recover from a calf injury in time for Sunday’s game but right-back Branislav Ivanovic only returned to training on Friday following a knee problem and is unlikely to feature. Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic could make his second Chelsea debut, having returned to the club from Benfica this week, but Mourinho has already confirmed that he will not start the game. “The coach has to decide, but I am ready,” said the 25-year-old. “I’m in training, I played (for Benfica) on Sunday against Porto, so I don’t have any problems.” United made three visits to Stamford Bridge last season, winning 3-2 in the league in September but going down 5-4 in the League Cup fourth round and 1-0 in an FA Cup quarter-final replay. — AFP

Seedorf promises a more attacking Milan ROME: Clarence Seedorf promised a more attacking style of play for AC Milan on the eve of his first match in charge of the ailing giants at home to Hellas Verona today. The former Dutch international midfielder returned to Milan, where he played for a decade, to take over from Massimiliano Allegri with the team lying 11th in Serie A, 10 points away from the European places.

“For me it’s not a question of one, two or three attackers, it’s about a philosophy of how to play. My plan will be to have lots of players in the opposition area,” Seedorf told a news conference yesterday.

“Milan’s best performances in recent years, for example against Barcelona, took place when we were able to stay in the opponent’s half.

“It is easier to get a result when you play good football. I’ve seen many of the Milan games so far and I think they deserve more points than they cur-

rently have.” If Seedorf wants to get the team firing he will need to get the best out of controversial striker Mario Balotelli.

After a phenomenal start to his career at the club last season, Balotelli has slipped back into old habits and has picked up more cards than his 11 goals in all competitions this term.

Balotelli said on Friday he was “very happy” with Seedorf’s appointment, adding the Dutchman had inspired instant faith from him.

“Mario is a really sweet lad. I knew him a bit before and we all know how much quality he has. I’m here to help him grow. He seems very keen to work with me - I have faith in him,” said the new Milan boss. “I still need to get to know the team and do it as quickly as possible. However with the desire that I have seen I’m convinced that things will start to go much better than before.” — Reuters

MADRID: Real Madrid moved level on points with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga with a 5-0 hammering of bottom-placed Real Betis yesterday.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his fantastic week after lifting the Ballon d’Or on Monday with a thumping long-range drive to open the scoring before Gareth Bale silenced his recent critics with a trademark free-kick to make it 2-0.

Karim Benzema then notched his 100th goal for Madrid in first-half stoppage time as he blasted home after classy play from Luka Modric.

Angel di Maria made it four just after the hour mark with another stunning effort from distance and Alvaro Morata rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.

All three leading clubs are now tied on 50 points, but Barca and Atletico can move back in front when then face Levante and Sevilla respectively today.

Bale had struggled since his return from a calf injury at the beginning of the year with coach Carlo Ancelotti even admitting on Friday that the Welshman could do better.

But the Italian praised the former Spurs man’s display as his side produced their best display of the year to date. “Bale played well, as did the whole team. We played with great quality and concentration throughout the game,” he said.

“Everything went well and therefore we have to be happy. “It was an important opportunity for us to go to the top of the table and we can sleep well tonight.”

It was once again Ronaldo who stole the show early on as he opened the scoring 10 minutes in with a thunderous drive from 25 yards out that flew into the top left-hand corner of Stephan Andersen’s net.

Ronaldo nearly had another memorable goal to add to his collection 10 minutes later as he skipped past two Betis defenders before firing across the face of the goal.

The visitors didn’t have to wait long to double their advantage, though, as Bale did make his mark with a dipping free-kick on 25 minutes that beat the stationary Andersen, although the Danish keeper should have done better.

Ruben Castro missed a wonder ful opportunity to pull a goal back for the hosts when he failed to connect with Leo Baptistao’s fine low cross six minutes before half-time.

Instead, it was Madrid who struck again before the break as Modric continued his fantastic form of late with a wonderful piece of composed play inside the box to tee up Benzema to fire home at the near post.

Andersen redeemed himself somewhat at the start of the second period as he made a fine low save to his right to prevent Ronaldo doubling his tally and also turned away a fiercely struck effort from Benzema.

However, there was nothing the Betis keeper could do to prevent Di Maria making it four as he arrowed a low left-footed drive from 30 yards into the bottom corner.

And Betis’s afternoon was summed up in stoppage time when Morata nipped in to prod past Andersen as the home defence appealed in vain for offside. — AFP

SPAIN: Real Madrid’s forward Alvaro Morata (right) celebrates with Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring during the Spanish League football match against Real Betis. — AFP

Sherwood ready to swing Spurs axe LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has said he will have no qualms about selling players during the transfer window as he targets the goal of a top four finish in the Premier League. The north London club are currently two points adrift of the Champions League places ahead of their trip to struggling Swansea this weekend.

An improved run of four wins and a draw in the last five Premier League matches has raised hopes Sherwood has got Spurs’ season back on track after he was promoted from within following the decision to sack former manager Andre Villas-Boas last month. The change in the dug-out has led to a change in personnel on the pitch and a number of sidelined players including Etienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli and Lewis Holtby have been linked with moves away from the club.

And Sherwood accepted there could be departures before the end of the January transfer window. “As long as they’re the players I don’t want to take us forward, then I’m happy (to sell them),” he said. “We’ve had discussions, but it’s sometimes a case of supply and demand. We’ve got fantastic players here at the club and if we were to lose no one I wouldn’t be shedding any tears.

“But you can only go with a certain amount of players and the pressure’s on because it’s a World Cup year for a lot of these players. It’s important they’re playing.”

Swansea’s recent run of form-they are without a win in seven league games-means Tottenham are expected to return from south Wales with three points on Sunday.

“Our hopes for the season are still alive because we’re getting points and we are closer to the top four, so we are still in a good way,” said Spurs goalkeeper Hugo

Lloris. “It’s always difficult to play against Swansea and we know they’re capable of getting some good results against big teams. “They play some really good football and if we are not focused on the game and if we don’t play at 100 percent, it will be very difficult.” Gylfi Sigurdsson could return to face his former club but centre-back duo Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul are still short of match fitness.

Swansea’s plight-they were just three points above the relegation zone before this weekend’s fixtures-has given growing cause for concern and manager Michael Laudrup said the next seven games would be crucial in determining the course of their season. “It is so tight from our point of view and it depends on what we do in the next seven league games,” Denmark great Laudrup said.

“In the next month-and-a-half, from the game on Sunday until the Crystal Palace game in March, we have four games at home and lots of games against opponents who are also in the bottom half of the table.

“This next month-and-a half is crucial to the rest of the season. If we come out of it well, things will be looking very good, if not we will have to admit we will be in a relegation battle for the rest of the season.”

Laudrup’s efforts to strengthen his squad have been hampered by confusion over whether the club could recall Ki Sungyeung from the South Korean midfielder’s loan spell at relegation-threatened Sunderland. The manager has found his squad stretched in midfield following injuries to Jose Canas and Jonathan De Guzman. “I looked into the possibility of bringing Ki back, but the loan agreement said it should have been done by the end of December, so it’s not a possibility,” Laudrup explained.—AFP

The visiting Swiss Club team

Swiss team held by Kuwait in friendly

By Chidi Emmanuel KUWAIT: The Kuwait gridiron football national team tied with a Swiss club yesterday during a friendly match at Kuwait University Stadium Shuwaikh Campus. It was a thrilling encounter, and the match ended in a draw after the referee decided to end the game. It was part of Kuwait’s preparations for the Asian qualifier ahead of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Cup (Sweden 2015). The next friendly game will be against the South Korea team in Seoul on April 12, 2014.

Kuwait team and Swiss Club team in action.

The guests, Neuchatel Knights American Football Club from Switzerland, received a stunning reception at the airport’s VIP lounge on their arrival by members of the Kuwait gridiron football national family as well as Sheikh Meshal Talal Fahd Al-Sabah, IFAF Asia’s vicechair and member of the KGFF Board of directors. Later, they had a joint practice with the Kuwait U-19 gridiron national team.

The overwhelming turnout yesterday shows that American football is gaining support in Kuwait. It attracted a lot of dignitaries including US Ambassador Matthew Tueller and the Swiss ambassador to Kuwait.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

S P ORTS

Soccer results/standings Arsenal 2 (Cazorla 57, 62) Fulham 0; Crystal Palace 1 (Puncheon 51) Stoke 0; Liverpool 2 (Sturridge 45, Gerrard 53-pen) Aston Villa 2 (Weimann 25, Benteke 36); Manchester City 4 (Dzeko 14, Navas 33, Toure 76, Aguero 79) Cardiff 2 (Noone 29, Campbell 90); Norwich 1 (Bennett 87) Hull 0; Sunderland 2 (Borini 32, Johnson 71) Southampton 2 (Rodriguez 4, Lovren 31); West Ham 1 (Williamson 45-og) Newcastle 3 (Cabaye 16, 90, Remy 33).

Playing today Swansea v Tottenham, Chelsea v Manchester United Playing tomorrow West Brom v Everton English Football League results Championship Barnsley 2 Blackpool 0; Birmingham 0 Yeovil 2; Bournemouth 1 Watford 1; Burnley 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1; Derby 1 Brighton 0; Doncaster 3 Wigan 0; Leeds 0 Leicester 1; Middlesbrough 1 Charlton 0; Millwall 1 Ipswich 0; Nottingham Forest 4 Blackburn 1; QPR 2 Huddersfield 1; Reading 7 Bolton 1.

Division One Bristol City 2 Milton Keynes Dons 2; Carlisle 2 Colchester 4; Crewe 1 Leyton Orient 2; Gillingham 2 Swindon 0; Peterborough 3 Tranmere 0; Port Vale 1 Oldham 0; Preston 1 Coventry 1; Sheffield Utd 2 Bradford 2; Shrewsbury 0 Rotherham 3; Stevenage 0 Notts County 1; Walsall 1 Brentford 1.

Division Two Bury 0 Burton 0; Cheltenham 1 Accrington 2; Fleetwood 2 Hartlepool 0; Portsmouth 1 Mansfield 1; Rochdale 3 Plymouth 0; Scunthorpe 0 AFC Wimbledon 0; Southend 3 Chesterfield 0; Wycombe 0 Oxford 1; York 0 Bristol Rovers 0.

Scottish Premiership results Aberdeen 0 Inverness CT 1 (Williams 22); Celtic 3

(Commons 5, 39-pen, McManus 69-og) Motherwell 0; Hibernian 2 (Collins 63, 89) St Mirren 3 (Williams 5-og, Campbell 24, Thompson 26); Partick 1 (Higginbotham 4) Kilmarnock 1 (Muirhead 90); Ross County 3 (Kiss 42, 74, Arquin 69) Dundee Utd 0; St Johnstone 3 (May 39-pen, 49, 62-pen) Hearts 3 (Carrick 58, Nicholson 89, Wilson 90).

Scottish Football League results Championship Alloa 1 Dumbarton 5; Cowdenbeath 0 Falkirk 2; Livingston 0 Morton 1; Queen of the South 1 Raith 0.

Division One Arbroath 2 Stenhousemuir 1; Ayr 1 Brechin 3; Dunfermline 0 Airdrie 1.

Playing tomorrow Forfar v Rangers Division Two Annan Athletic 0 Clyde 1; Berwick 4 Stirling 0; East Stirling 1 Albion 1; Montrose 2 Peterhead 3; Queen’s Park 2 Elgin City 0.

Spanish League results - 1st update Real Betis 0 Real Madrid 5 (Ronaldo 10, Bale 25, Benzema 45+1, Di Maria 61, Morata 90); Elche 2 (Albacar 19-pen, Marquez 79) Rayo Vallecano 0 Playing later Granada v Osasuna (1900), Espanyol v Celta Vigo (2100) Playing today Getafe v Real Sociedad (1100), Villarreal v Almeria (1600), Levante v Barcelona (1800), Atletico Madrid v Sevilla (2000) Playing tomorrow Athletic Bilbao v Valladolid.

English Premier League table after Saturday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Arsenal Man City Chelsea Liverpool Everton Tottenham Man Utd Newcastle Southampton Aston Villa Hull Norwich Stoke Swansea West Brom Crystal Palace Fulham West Ham Sunderland Cardiff

22 22 21 22 21 21 21 22 22 22 22 22 22 21 21 22 22 22 22 22

16 16 14 13 11 12 11 11 8 6 6 6 5 5 4 6 6 4 4 4

3 2 4 4 8 4 4 3 7 6 5 5 7 6 9 2 1 6 6 6

3 4 3 5 2 5 6 8 7 10 11 11 10 10 8 14 15 12 12 12

English Football League tables Championship Leicester 26 18 3 5 QPR 26 15 7 4 Burnley 26 14 9 3 Derby 26 14 5 7 Nottingham 26 11 11 4 Reading 26 11 8 7 Brighton 26 10 9 7 Blackburn 26 10 7 9 Middlesbrough 26 9 9 8 Ipswich 26 9 9 8 Wigan 25 10 6 9 Leeds 26 10 5 11 Huddersfield 26 9 7 10 Blackpool 26 8 8 10 Watford 25 7 10 8 Bournemouth 26 8 7 11 Birmingham 26 7 8 11 Bolton 26 6 10 10 Sheffield 25 5 11 9 Millwall 26 6 7 13 Charlton 25 5 9 11 Doncaster 26 6 6 14 Yeovil 25 5 5 15 Barnsley 25 4 8 13 Division One Leyton Orient Brentford Wolves Preston Rotherham Peterborough Walsall Port Vale Swindon Milton Dons Coventry Colchester Bradford Gillingham Crawley Town Notts County Oldham Carlisle Shrewsbury Sheffield Utd Tranmere Bristol City Crewe Stevenage Note: Coventry administration

26 17 6 26 17 5 26 15 7 26 13 9 26 12 8 26 13 3 27 11 9 26 12 3 26 11 4 25 10 6 26 12 8 26 8 10 26 7 12 27 9 5 24 7 9 27 8 3 26 7 6 26 7 6 27 6 8 26 6 8 26 6 7 25 4 12 26 6 6 26 6 4 deducted 10

Division Two Scunthorpe 26 Rochdale 26 Burton Albion 26 Southend 26 Chesterfield 25 Fleetwood Town 25 Oxford Utd 25 Newport County 24 Morecambe 27 Dagenham 26 Plymouth 26 Cheltenham 26 York 27 AFC Wimbledon 26 Exeter 25 Hartlepool 26 Mansfield 27 Accrington 26 Bury 26 Wycombe 25 Portsmouth 26 Bristol Rovers 25 Torquay 26 Northampton 25

13 14 13 13 12 14 11 10 10 9 9 8 7 8 9 8 7 7 6 7 6 6 6 5

9 4 7 6 8 2 9 8 7 7 7 9 11 8 5 7 9 8 10 7 10 9 8 7

43 63 40 53 34 26 35 32 29 22 22 18 22 26 23 14 22 22 21 17

47 31 39 50 39 39 30 32 41 37 28 35 35 25 36 32 30 31 32 27 22 22 21 23

19 25 19 28 19 25 24 28 25 29 28 35 36 30 28 31 48 33 36 38

27 16 20 34 26 30 23 32 33 31 26 35 31 33 31 45 32 42 33 50 31 43 38 42

51 50 46 43 41 40 37 36 31 24 23 23 22 21 21 20 19 18 18 18

57 52 51 47 44 41 39 37 36 36 36 35 34 32 31 31 29 28 26 25 24 24 20 20

3 56 24 57 4 45 24 56 4 41 19 52 4 36 27 48 6 45 34 44 10 40 32 42 7 30 24 42 11 37 39 39 11 42 36 37 9 41 36 36 6 55 45 34 8 35 34 34 7 38 32 33 13 35 45 32 8 27 32 30 16 33 39 27 13 27 34 27 13 28 47 27 13 26 35 26 12 26 35 26 13 29 48 25 9 36 39 24 14 25 53 24 16 24 44 22 points for entering

4 8 6 7 5 9 5 6 10 10 10 9 9 10 11 11 11 11 10 11 10 10 12 13

38 41 29 34 37 40 35 34 31 32 23 33 32 27 31 27 27 31 30 30 30 22 27 19

24 31 23 22 22 29 21 27 35 32 29 37 32 29 34 33 36 38 34 34 39 26 40 33

48 46 46 45 44 44 42 38 37 34 34 33 32 32 32 31 30 29 28 28 28 27 26 22

Scottish Premiership table Celtic 21 18 3 0 48 12 57 Aberdeen 23 14 2 7 33 20 44 Motherwell 22 14 1 7 32 28 43 Inverness CT 21 11 4 6 29 19 37 Dundee Utd 23 9 7 7 39 27 34 St Johnstone 22 8 5 9 30 26 29 Hibernian 23 7 7 9 21 23 28 St Mirren 22 6 5 11 23 38 23 Kilmarnock 22 6 4 12 26 35 22 Ross County 22 6 3 13 26 39 21 Partick 22 4 8 10 21 37 20 Hearts 23 3 5 15 18 42 -1 Note: Hearts deducted 15 points for entering administration Scottish Football League tables Championship Dundee 20 12 3 5 Hamilton 20 11 5 4

35 17 39 26 14 38

Falkirk Dumbarton Raith Queen of South Livingston Alloa Cowdenbeath Morton

20 10 21 9 21 8 20 8 21 8 21 8 21 5 21 3

6 4 3 9 6 7 4 8 4 9 4 9 3 13 4 14

32 35 27 29 33 21 27 16

15 36 29 25 34 25 46 40

36 30 30 28 28 28 18 13

Division One Rangers Dunfermline Stranraer Ayr Forfar Brechin Stenhousemuir East Fife Arbroath Airdrie

20 19 21 13 19 10 21 9 19 7 21 7 21 7 20 6 21 5 21 4

1 2 3 5 4 4 4 2 2 3

0 6 6 7 8 10 10 12 14 14

69 45 37 36 31 33 30 17 28 23

8 35 27 38 27 42 43 38 46 45

58 41 33 32 25 25 25 20 17 15

Division Two Peterhead Annan Athletic Clyde Stirling Albion East Stirling Berwick Montrose Elgin Queen’s Park

21 11 20 10 21 10 20 9 21 8 21 8 21 7 21 6 20 6 20 3

6 4 4 6 4 7 4 7 6 7 6 7 5 9 6 9 5 9 4 13

43 40 26 32 29 30 33 28 35 19

27 30 26 33 26 30 28 32 37 46

39 34 34 31 30 30 26 24 23 13

1 5 3 4 8 2 8 8 6 5 7 6 3 9 2 5 5 7 4 4

46 42 41 34 38 34 31 29 23 19 31 22 20 19 18 14 21 17 13 16

12 10 20 20 23 30 27 26 26 24 30 27 29 28 28 24 41 33 34 36

52 47 42 37 32 32 26 26 24 23 22 21 21 21 20 17 17 16 13 13

Italian Serie A table Juventus 19 17 Roma 20 14 Napoli 19 13 Fiorentina 19 11 Inter Milan 19 8 Verona 19 10 Torino 19 6 Parma 19 6 Lazio 19 6 Genoa 19 6 AC Milan 19 5 Sampdoria 19 5 Atalanta 19 6 Cagliari 19 4 Udinese 19 6 Chievo 19 4 Sassuolo 19 4 Bologna 19 3 Catania 19 3 Livorno 20 3

1 1 3 4 3 7 5 5 7 8 7 8 10 6 11 10 10 9 12 13

Cabaye double piles on misery for West Ham West Ham 1

Newcastle 3

LONDON: Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye sent West Ham back into the relegation zone as his double strike inspired a 3-1 defeat at Upton Park yesterday.

Alan Pardew’s team remain in the hunt for a Europa League berth after French midfielder Cabaye struck either side of a Loic Remy goal.

Mike Williamson’s own goal had cut Newcastle’s two-goal lead, but there was no comeback from Sam Allardyce’s side, who slip to third bottom of the table. With England manager Roy Hodgson watching from the directors’ box, Newcastle were first to threaten.

Remy’s persistence almost paid off as the French striker chased Cabaye’s pass into the Hammers penalty area and turned Matt Taylor inside out before seeing his shot deflected behind by Roger Johnson. That effort should have led to a corner, but to Remy’s disbelief a goal-kick was given.

Newcastle didn’t have to wait long to take the lead however as Cabaye struck in the 16th minute. Yoan Gouffran squared the ball across the edge of the area to Cabaye, whose first touch took him past Razvan Rat before he coolly fired beyond Adrian for his sixth goal of the season.

Cabaye turned provider soon after, setting up Gouffran for a scuffed shot that was cleared from close to the goalline by Hammers midfielder Mark Noble.

Newcastle should have made it two when Cabaye picked out Moussa Sissoko breaking into the area. Sissoko had time to take a touch and set himself, but Adrian just got enough on the ball to prevent it sneaking over the line.

West Ham were struggling to keep Newcastle and Pardew’s side deservedly increased their advantage in the 33rd minute. Sissoko whipped in a cross that picked out Remy, who was granted too much space to chest down and poke a close-range finish past Adrian.

UPTON PARK: West Ham United’s English midfielder Matthew Taylor (left) vies with Newcastle United’s French striker Yoan Gouffran during the English Premier League football match. —AFP As jeers rang out from sections of the frustrated Upton Park crowd, Cabaye almost made matters worse for the beleaguered hosts when his skidding low shot forced Adrian to save.

Allardyce’s team earned a lifeline just before half-time when Carlton Cole’s shot was saved by Tim Krul, but the rebounded into Magpies defender Williamson and rolled into his own net.

Cole should have equalised early in the second half when he ran onto Taylor’s pass, only to miscue his effort woefully wide from six yards.

West Ham’s England striker Andy Carroll, who

Bennett clinches late win NORWICH: Ryan Bennett scored his first Norwich 1 goal for Norwich, his late header delivering a valuable 1-0 win over Hull at Carrow Hull 0 Road yesterday to end his club’s six match winless run. Chris Hughton’s side, who started the game two points above the relegation zone, moved up to 12th, level on points with 10th placed Hull after this tense sixth win of the season.

Hull’s £7 million new arrival from Everton, Nikica Jelavic, almost got his new career off to the perfect start in the second minute, hitting a left-footed shot from inside the box against the woodwork.

Norwich, who gave a start to their new loan signing Jonas Gutierrez, had a half decent shout in the 12th minute only for Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s volley to fly wide.

Shortly after Hull manager Steve Bruce was forced into an unscheduled change with injured James Chester replaced by Maynor Figueroa.

It was more of the same after the restart, with lots of effort with no result, until Bennett popped up to break the gridlock with three minutes left on the clock.

The decisive goal came off a corner delivered by Robert Snodgrass, with centre back Bennett heading past Hull keeper Allan McGregor to open his account for the club he joined in 2012. Hull ended the game with 10 men after Tom Huddlestone picked up a red card for a second booking. Norwich hung on for the win, their first at home since November, although Hull went close to snatching an injury-time equaliser with a Curtis Davies header which went wide. —AFP

Matches on TV (Local Timings) English Premier League Swansea v Tottenham 16:30 beIN SPORTS 1 beIN SPORTS 1 HD Chelsea FC v Man United 19:00 beIN SPORTS 1 beIN SPORTS 1 HD Italian League Serie A Udinese v SS Lazio 14:30 beIN SPORTS 3 beIN SPORTS 3 HD Sassuolo v Torino FC 17:00 beIN SPORTS 2 beIN SPORTS 2 HD Genoa CFC v Inter nazionale 17:00 beIN SPORTS 6 beIN SPORTS 6 HD Calciov ACF Fiorentina 17:00 beIN SPORTS 8 beIN SPORTS 8 HD Bologna FC v SSC Napoli 17:00 beIN SPORTS 3 beIN SPORTS 3 HD AC Milan v Hellas Verona FC 22:45 beIN SPORTS 3 beIN SPORTS 3 HD

LONDON: Sunderland’s US striker Jozy Altidore (top) tackles Southampton’s English defender Calum Chambers during the English Premier League football match. —AFP

Southampton held

by Sunderland Sunderland 2

Southampton 2 Spanish League RCD Espanyol v Celta de Vigo 0:00 beIN SPORTS 2 beIN SPORTS 2 HD Getafe CF v Real Sociedad 14:00 beIN SPORTS 2 beIN SPORTS 2 HD Villarreal CF v UD Almeria 19:00 beIN SPORTS 6 beIN SPORTS 6 HD Levante v FC Barcelona 21:00 beIN SPORTS 2 beIN SPORTS 2 HD Atleticov Sevilla FC 23:00 beIN SPORTS 2 beIN SPORTS 2 HD French League Stade Reims v Lyon 16:00 beIN SPORTS 5 beIN SPORTS 5 HD Toulouse FC v AS Monaco FC 19:00 beIN SPORTS 5 beIN SPORTS 5 HD PSG v Nantes 23:00 beIN SPORTS 5 beIN SPORTS 5 HD

made his first appearance last weekend after recovering from a long-term foot injury, came on against his hometown club with 29 minutes remaining. And Carroll had a golden opportunity to mark his return with a priceless equaliser from Stewart Downing’s cross, but he snatched at the chance and volleyed high over the crossbar.

Cabaye made Carroll pay for that miss when he sealed the points in stoppage-time, curling in a free-kick that eluded Adrian’s weak attempted save. —AFP

SUNDERLAND: A 71st-minute goal from the in-form Adam Johnson enabled Sunderland to bely a below-par performance by holding Southampton to a 2-2 draw in the Premier League yesterday.

Seeking to move on from the resignation of chairman Nicola Cortese on Wednesday, Southampton took a fourth-minute lead through Jay Rodriguez at the Stadium of Light. Dejan Lovren made it 2-0 just beyond the half hour, but Fabio Borini reduced the arrears straight away before Johnson smashed home the equaliser mid-way through the second period.

The goal took Johnson’s tally to four goals in two games, following his hat-trick in last weekend’s 4-1 win at Fulham, but it was not enough to take Gus Poyet’s side out of the relegation zone.

Southampton remain ninth, but the point gained in the north-east came at a cost after manager Mauricio Pochettino lost first

Gaston Ramirez and then Lovren to injury in the dying stages. Sunderland were also looking for positive headlines after sacking director of football Roberto De Fanti on Friday, but they had barely touched the ball when Southampton went ahead.

Morgan Schneiderlin’s pass was only halfcleared and Rodriguez showed excellent control to pluck the ball out of the air before arrowing a half-volley into the bottom-left corner from outside the box.

The hosts looked in danger of being swept away as Southampton pressed forward, with Johnson deflecting a Luke Shaw cross against the post and Rickie Lambert shooting wide after a slick one-two with Schneiderlin. Rodriguez squandered an opportunity to add a second goal when he shot straight at Vito Mannone after Lambert robbed Wes Brown, but in the 31st minute the visitors did strike again.

Steven Davis sent an out-swinging corner into the box from the right and Lovren held off Brown to hook an excellent mid-air volley into the bottom-left corner.

Sunderland manager Poyet wore a grim expression on the touchline, but from nowhere his side hit back. Just a minute after Lovren had scored, Johnson curled a cross into the box from the right and Borini chested it down before squeezing a low shot past Artur Boruc.—AFP

Puncheon blasts Palace out of bottom three LONDON: Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis Crystal Palace 1 claimed victory over his former employers after Jason Puncheon earned Crystal Palace a 1-0 sucStoke 0 cess in the Premier League yesterday.

Culpable for a dreadful penalty miss in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, Puncheon scored the game’s only goal to fire Palace off the foot of the table and out of the relegation zone. Palace finished the day two points and two places above the bottom three, with Stoke only two points better off in 13th place after a fifth successive league game without a win.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes had excluded striker Kenwyne Jones following his refusal to play in last weekend’s 5-3 defeat

by Liverpool and he saw his side make an encouraging start to the game at Selhurst Park. Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni had to produce an impressive save to repel a header from Marc Wilson, while Erik Pieters crashed a shot into the sidenetting after steaming upfield from left-back.

Palace, in contrast, looked short on ideas. Oussama Assaidi proved a source of menace on the left, but when he curled an inviting ball into the box in the 35th minute, Jonathan Walters could not make contact. The game needed a goal and in the 51st minute it got one, with Puncheon picking up a loose ball inside the Stoke area and drilling a low shot through the legs of Ryan Shawcross and into the bottom corner.

Hughes introduced Stephen Ireland in place of Glenn Whelan and the visitors almost drew level in the 64th minute when Charlie Adam thrashed a shot narrowly wide.

Peter Crouch also went close with a curling effort that missed the post by inches, but it took a breath-taking triple save from Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland to prevent Palace from adding to their lead in the closing stages. —AFP

Nadal marches into last 16

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

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Real hammer Betis 5-0

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Cabaye double piles on misery for West Ham

Page 19

LONDON: Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud (center) runs with the ball against Fulham’s English midfielder Steve Sidwell (left) during the English Premier League football match. — AFP

Cazorla’s brace keeps Arsenal on top Arsenal 2

Fulham 0

LONDON: Santi Cazorla’s double ensured Arsenal remain at the head of the Premier League table following a 2-0 home victory over struggling Fulham yesterday.

Spain playmaker Cazorla struck twice inside five second half minutes to ensure Arsene Wenger’s side secured a fifth successive league victory.

This was an underwhelming performance from Arsenal but it was enough to keep the

north London club a point clear of secondplaced Manchester City and reinforce the view they will be hard to dislodge from top spot.

Defeat combined with results elsewhere meant Fulham dropped to within one place and one point of the relegation places, although manager Rene Meulensteen will have been heartened by the way his side remained in the game for almost an hour.

Wenger’s side had passed their most recent test of nerve when they won at Aston Villa to reclaim the lead after first Chelsea and then City had enjoyed 24-hour stays at the head of the table.

Wenger insisted before this game, however, the pressure on his side this time around was nothing compared to last year when the Gunners endured a season-long scramble to clinch a top four place.

And on paper, there was little to suggest

Arsenal’s challenge would be hampered by a Fulham side locked in a tense battle for survival.

The Cottagers have shown improved form since Meulensteen took charge, although their lack of consistency was highlighted in the week before this clash when they followed a 4-1 home league defeat to Sunderland with a convincing FA Cup victory over Norwich.

That win had clearly boosted confidence and for almost an hour, the visitors looked capable of claiming a third successive draw at this stadium.

With Brede Hangeland back in central defence for his first league appearance since October, Meulensteen’s side were well organised and rarely troubled by a stuttering Arsenal.

Hangeland showed excellent anticipation to clear off the line after Mesut Ozil had placed a shot beyond keeper Maarten Stekelenburg in the fourth minute.

But otherwise, Fulham were largely untroubled and might have taken an unexpected lead midway through the first half when Wojciech Szczesny tipped Steve Sidwell’s shot onto the crossbar. Jack Wilshere did manage to force a save from Stekelenburg in the 38th minute and the keeper was equally alert to deny Bacary Sagna’s follow up.

But Arsenal’s performance was surprisingly lacklustre and it was clear they would have to step up the tempo if they were to avoid dropping points.

But Arsenal’s passing moves began to gather momentum and they finally made the breakthrough after a sustained period of pressure in the 58th minute, and within five minutes the game was effectively over. Cazorla’s opening goal came after Sagna and Serge Gnabry had both been denied by desperate blocks. But the quality of the build-up play to the Spain mid-

City reach 100 goals MANCHESTER: Record-chasing Manchester City enjoyed a day of milestones yesterday Man City 4 as Edin Dzeko claimed his team’s 100th goal of the season in a 4-2 win over Cardiff City.

The City forward had his opening goal ratified by goal-line technology, in what was Cardiff 2 apparently the first time in Premier League history that the system has been called upon decisively to award a goal.

Despite a swift Cardiff equaliser, Jesus Navas, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero also got on the scoresheet as City took their tally for the season to an impressive 42 goals in 11 home games at the Etihad Stadium.

The result lifted Manuel Pellegrini’s side up to second place in the league table, a point behind leaders Arsenal. City only had to wait 14 minutes to record their 100th goal in all competitions, although it fell far short of the sort of quality that has been the hallmark of their play for much of this campaign.

David Silva controlled a throw-in and appeared to handle the ball in the process before darting past a clumsy challenge from Gary Medel and reaching the byline.

The Spaniard’s pull-back found Dzeko six yards from goal and the Bosnian’s mishit shot just bobbled into the goal before being hacked clear.

An electronic signal sent to referee Neil Swarbrick’s wristwatch confirmed that the ball had crossed the line, with Hawkeye video replays shown in the stadium corroborating his decision.

Cardiff surrounded the official, furious that the handball had not been spotted, but they could have already conceded by then.

Dzeko had a chance blocked after 30 seconds and appealed for a penalty as he tussled with Kevin McNaughton, while the City forward then forced David Marshall into a diving save.

Marshall even had to contend with his own players, saving well to prevent defender Ben Turner turning into his own goal after 10 minutes, before Alvaro Negredo almost turned another Silva pass into the Cardiff goal.

Negredo was booked for a late challenge on Aron Gunnarsson, but the striker was soon back to threatening the opposition goal, steering a superb first-time shot just wide with the outside of his left boot. City goalkeeper Joe Hart had been untroubled, but in the 29th minute he found himself picking the ball out of his net.

Kevin Theophile-Catherine chipped a ball down the right wing and

fielder’s strike highlighted the difference in class. Cazorla gained possession on the left after another frantic clearance, moved inside and kick-started a slick triangle of one-touch passes involving Olivier Giroud and Wilshere before finishing right footed from 12 yards out.

The second was more routine with Hangeland failing to get sufficient distance on a clearing header from Nacho Monreal’s cross, directing the ball only as far as Cazorla, who placed a left foot shot beyond Stekelenburg from 20 yards.

Fulham’s resistance was broken, although it would have been worse for Meulensteen’s side had Stekelenburg not managed to tip Lukas Podolski’s powerful shot onto the post. Darren Bent missed a late chance to halve the deficit but this was ultimately a routine victory for an Arsenal side growing in belief they can finish champions. — AFP

Liverpool rue missed chance Liverpool 2

Aston Villa 2

MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko (right) vies with Cardiff City’s French defender Kevin Theophile-Catherine (left) during the English Premier League football match. — AFP Gunnarsson found Craig Noone with a neat pass inside Martin Demichelis.

The Cardiff man then worked his way, far too easily, past Vincent Kompany before stunning the Etihad into silence by shooting past Hart.

There was no panic from City, however and, within four minutes Navas had restored their lead after Toure sent Dzeko clear with a delicately weighted pass.

The stage appeared set for City to drive home their advantage in the second half, but Cardiff continued to threaten, with Jordon Mutch twice calling Hart into action.

Silva came close at the other end, following some superb footwork in the Cardiff area, but a Noone counter-attack, exploiting a dreadful missed tackle from Demichelis, ended with Hart again coming to City’s rescue.

Finally, after 76 minutes, City earned the breathing space they desperately needed thanks to the marauding Toure, who started the decisive move with a strong tackle deep inside his own half.

The midfielder advanced all the way into the Cardiff area, where he played a one-two with substitute Aguero before burying a 15-yard shot.

Inevitably, Aguero would not be denied as Cardiff finally capitulated. Two minutes later, Toure returned the favour to the Spaniard with a 30-yard pass that Aguero controlled superbly before checking past Steven Caulker and finishing from eight yards.

Fraizer Campbell completed the scoring in injury time when he ghosted past Demichelis to convert a Magnus Wolff Eikrem corner from four yards. — AFP

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Premier League title bid suffered a blow after they drew 2-2 with Aston Villa at Anfield yesterday.

Brendan Rodgers’s side fought back from 2-0 down after Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke had given Villa a deserved two-goal lead. But despite Daniel Sturridge’s 11th goal league goal of the season and a Steven Gerrard penalty, Liverpool could only claim a point.

And with leaders Arsenal victorious earlier in the day, this missed opportunity left Liverpool eight points adrift of top spot and seven behind second-place Manchester City.

Liverpool made one change from the side that claimed a 5-3 win over Stoke City last time out, as Sturridge returned to the starting lineup, with Lucas Leiva dropping to the bench.

Villa manager Paul Lambert handed on-loan Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand a debut, while striker Grant Holt, who has made a temporary switch from Wigan Athletic, was named among the substitutes.

The visitors missed a good opportunity to open the scoring after just 45 seconds when Benteke flicked the ball on for striker partner Gabriel Agbonlahor, who dragged his shot wide. Liverpool’s attacking formation struggled to find rhythm and Villa, without defensive midfielder Lucas to stifle their attacks, went close again in the 16th minute.

A counter-attack saw the ball drop to Ashley Westwood on the edge of the penalty area and Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had to be alert to save his swerving drive.

Villa hit the post moments later when

Westwood’s corner picked out the head of Ciaran Clark and it came as little surprise when the visitors took the lead in the 25th minute.

After a slick move, Agbonlahor escaped down the left flank and cut the ball across goal for Weimann, who evaded three red shirts to finish from close range.

Liverpool registered their first meaningful effort on the half-hour mark when Raheem Sterling cut inside from the right flank and watched his near-post shot palmed away by Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan. However, the hosts’ defenders were caught flat-footed again as Villa doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time with Agbonlahor, this time on the right flank, again the supplier.

Neither Mignolet nor Glen Johnson dealt with his cross, which left Benteke free to guide a header into the vacant net.

Liverpool pulled one back on the stroke of half-time after a neat passing exchange on the edge of the box. Jordan Henderson’s clever flick from Luis Suarez’s pass allowed Sturridge to get clear and lift the ball over Guzan.

Rodgers introduced Lucas for Philippe Coutinho at half-time, which immediately gave Liverpool a more balanced look and they got themselves on level terms from the penalty spot within eight minutes of the restart.

Gerrard’s cross-field pass picked out Suarez inside the box. Guzan appeared to clip the Uruguay striker as he skipped past him and after Suarez went down, referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot.

Gerrard stepped up to take the spot-kick and confidently dispatched it into the bottomright corner of the net, giving Guzan no chance.

Liverpool now looked the more ambitious of the two sides. Henderson’s low drive brought a diving save out of Guzan shortly after the hour, while Sterling drilled a low shot just past the post. Suarez curled a free-kick inches wide of the left-hand post in the 77th minute, but Villa’s defence tightened up in the remainder of the contest and Liverpool were unable to find a way through. — AFP

Business

Fitch downgrades Serbia, sees growth slowing Page 22

Kuwait budget surplus seen at KD12bn in 13/14

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

Page 23

Kuwait bourse performed well in 2013

MENA energy investment needs to reach $525bn by 2016 Page 25 Page 26

NEW DELHI: An Indian laborer rides his tricycle with a child in the back on his way to work in New Delhi yesterday. India’s industrial output shrank by an unexpected 2.1 percent in November and its trade gap widened, official data showed. — AFP

Fitch affirms NBK’s long-term ratings at ‘AA-’ Bank’s outlook stable: Ratings reflect solid balance-sheet KUWAIT: Fitch Ratings, the international credit rating agency, affirmed National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘AA-’, the highest in the Middle East and North Africa, with a Stable Outlook. Fitch also affirmed National Bank of Kuwait International’s (London) Long-term IDR at AA- with a Stable Outlook.

Fitch said that NBK’s ratings reflect its solid balance sheet, with strong asset quality ratios and a sound capital base, and consistent profitability. All these are underpinned by the bank’s dominant domestic franchise. “NBK’s profitability remained strong during 9M13, maintaining its leading market share in its principal business lines”, said Fitch. Fitch expects profits to continue at a similar level in 2014.

The rating agency added that traditionally NBK has a very stable deposit base and

is seen in the region as a ‘safe haven’ for funds in times of volatility.” Fitch stressed that NBK’s capital base is still strong.

The agency pointed out that NBK is the largest bank in Kuwait by assets and has leading shares in most market sectors. The business is split into the main business areas of corporate banking, retail and private banking, investment banking, and international banking. With the consolidation of Boubyan Bank, NBK is now the only bank in Kuwait servicing both the conventional and Islamic banking markets.

NBK enjoys the highest credit ratings by the major international rating agencies: Moody ’s, Standard & Poor ’s and Fitch Ratings. In their latest reports, the three rating agencies affirmed NBK’s credit ratings with a stable outlook. NBK also maintains its position among the 50 safest banks in the world for the eighth time in a row.

Moody’s raises Ireland rating to investment grade DUBLIN: Moody’s raised Ireland’s sovereign debt rating on Friday, pulling it out of junk territory to an investment-grade Baa3 in recognition of the eurozone country’s exit from a huge EU-IMF rescue program. One month after Ireland reclaimed its economic independence, the ratings agency also placed the country on a positive outlook, citing the economy’s growth potential and improved debt outlook.

The one-notch ratings increase from Ba1, which had weighed on Ireland’s ability to raise funds on capital markets, was tied to a recent rise in economic growth.

Moody’s lead analyst for Ireland, Kristin Lindow, said the positive outlook suggested improved sentiment for the cash-strapped euro-zone nation.

“The upgrade reflects the growth potential of the Irish economy which together with the fiscal consolidation, expected to continue over the next few years, will help bring down the very high debt levels,” Lindow said. Moody’s noted that Ireland exited its program of support from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund on December 15 “on schedule, with improved solvency and restored market access.” “Its ability to do so without a precautionary credit line reflects that the

government’s reform agenda stayed largely on track” despite challenging economic conditions inside and outside the country, the agency said.

Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan welcomed the ratings upgrade as proof of the changes made since the global financial storm in 2008 brought the once booming ‘Celtic Tiger’ economy to its knees.

“The decision by Moody’s to upgrade Ireland’s credit rating reflects the significant progress that has been made in stabilizing the public finances, restructuring the banking sector and, most importantly, growing the economy and creating jobs,” he said in a statement. “Ireland is now rated at investment grade by all of the major credit rating agencies, highlighting the major improvement in investor sentiment towards Ireland.” Analysts said this would now increase the possibility of further investment in Ireland. “This is quite a significant move because a lot of investors can only invest in assets which are rated investment-grade by all three of the big three ratings agencies,” said Philip O’Sullivan, chief economist with Investec Ireland.

“Now that this barrier has been lifted I think the results from this should be a further reduction in our country’s borrowing costs,” he said. Dublin

raised 3.75 billion-euros ($5.1 billion) in a 10-year bond auction last week, enjoying huge demand for its first bond issue since exiting the bailout program.

Bond prices surged ahead of the expected move by Moody’s. The 10-year yield fell from 3.28 percent Wednesday to around 3.17 percent late Friday. “Today’s upgrade will have benefits for the economy as a whole by putting downward pressure on the price of credit for companies and organizations in Ireland who are reliant on the financial markets for funding,” Noonan added.

Ireland’s economy was severely battered by a banking crisis and the country’s over-reliance on the construction sector which imploded when the global crisis hit. Dublin turned to the IMF and the EU in November 2010 for an 85 billion euro ($115 billion) lifeline, sparking years of spending cuts and tax rises. On December 15, Ireland returned unaided to the international lending markets-while euro-zone strugglers Greece, Portugal and Cyprus remain locked into the bailout process. Ireland’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1.5 percent in the July-September period compared with the previous three months, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). — AFP

India, Pakistan to boost trade through land route NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan agreed yesterday to allow round-the -clock movement of trucks and containers through their main border crossing, signaling a thaw in relations after a year’s standoff over military tensions on the border. Trade ministers of the two countries meeting in New Delhi also approved a liberalized visa policy for businessmen to help expand two-way trade, which was barely $2.5 billion in 2012/13 fiscal year against a potential $10 billion.

Both sides hope closer integration of Pakistan with India’s giant economy would help lay the ground for a lowering of political tensions between them. “We have agreed that we will open WagahAttari border 24/7 for trade,” Anand Sharma, India’s trade minister told reporters, referring to the main border crossing in Punjab.

The border gates at the moment are open only from dawn to dusk. Pakistan also agreed to provide non-discriminatory market access to Indian companies.

Over the last year there was little move-

ment on trade because of a series of incidents over military control of the line dividing Kashmir between the two countries. Two years ago, the two countries set a goal of taking bilateral trade to $6 billion by 2014, which now seems difficult to attain.

Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan said the country’s central bank had proposed its Indian counterpart grant banking licenses to three Pakistani banks, a move which would be reciprocated by his side. “In the banking sector we are hoping to have some progress, very rapid progress,” he said. Both Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan’s Nawaz Sharif who took power last year are keen to rebuild ties.

Pakistan’s economy grew at 3.6 percent in 2012/13 and the government was forced to borrow $6.7 billion from the International Monetary Fund to avert a default of payments. Sharma said he will lead a business delegation to Pakistan next month.— Reuters

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

BUSINESS

Fitch downgrades Serbia, sees growth slowing IMF warns Slovenia against complacency PARIS/LJUBLJANA: Rating agency Fitch downgraded Serbia by one notch and deeper into speculative rankings on Friday, saying that public finances were worsening and growth slowing.

The rating agency, lowering the rating for longterm debt to “B+” from “BB-” but with a stable outlook, highlighted weak enforcement of tax collection and weak political will to introduce unpopular structural reforms.

Fitch forecast that the public deficit would rise for the fourth year, to 7.1 percent of output in 2014 from 6.5 percent last year, and in 2015 the debt to rise to 70 percent of output from 63 percent now. “Serbia’s economic prospects remain relatively weak with Fitch expecting average growth slightly below 2.0 percent during the next two years,” the agency said, noting that gross domestic product grew by 2.3 percent last year, driven by exports of autos and by a strong performance by agriculture. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Slovenia on Friday against complacency after taking a first step towards fixing its banking system, urging it restructure the corporate and banking sectors.

However, the economy was underpinned by high per-capita income, relatively good “human development”, a term referring to education and health standards, and to an open business environment. Prospects could also be helped by “the recent EU (European Union) decision to open accession talks.” - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Slovenia on Friday against

complacency after taking a first step towards fixing its banking system, urging it restructure the corporate and banking sectors. Fitch Ratings said that the outlook for elections in the first half of this year could improve the environment and that “negotiations between the Serbian authorities and the IMF (International Monetary Fund) to sign a precautionary lending agreement could begin in the first half of 2014.

Meanwhile on Friday, credit-rating agency Standard and Poor’s held its notation for Slovenian debt at “A-/A-2” with a stable outlook, and its rating for Malta at “BBB+/A-2” with a stable outlook.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Slovenia against complacency after taking a first step towards fixing its banking system, urging it restructure the corporate and banking sectors.

“There are now some signs of stabilization of economic activity, coinciding with the gradual improvement in the broader euro area dynamics,” the head of IMF’s mission to Slovenia, Antonio Spilimbergo, said in a statement published along with the mission’s latest report on Slovenia.

He added that Slovenia’s December bank recapitalization reduced uncertainty over the euro-zone country’s economy, but warned “only a restructuring of the corporate and bank sectors...can create the conditions needed for durable economic growth.” The Slovenian government injected last month over 3.0 billion euros ($4.0 billion) into the country’s three

Montenegro launches tender for bankrupt plant PODGORICA, Montenegro: Montenegro yesterday launched a tender to sell the partially state-owned KAP aluminum plant, its biggest industrial employer, which has been declared bankrupt, an official said.

The country hopes to get at least 28 million euros ($38 million) for the Aluminium Company Podgorica (KAP) and its property, the plant’s bankruptcy administrator Veselin Perisic said in a statement.

The tender was to remain open until February 17, he added. A Montenegrin commercial court declared KAP bankrupt last October estimating that the deadline for submitting plans for its restructuring had expired. The application for bankruptcy was made in July by the Montenegrin government, which owns 29.36 percent of the smelter. The co-owner is Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska whose Central European Aluminium Company also holds a 29.36-percent stake and has warned it will demand

international arbitration seeking one billion euros in compensation from Montenegro.

The remaining 41 percent of the plant is in the hands of small shareholders. The aluminum smelter is estimated to owe 360 million euros, mostly to foreign banks, including Deutsche Bank, Hungarian OTP bank and Russian VTB bank. The debt is worth almost nine percent of the Balkan country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In May, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommended that Montenegro shut down the facility. Since July, the company has fired 500 people. But even with the remaining 700 employees, KAP is the biggest industrial employer in the country of some 660,000 people.

Once Montenegro’s biggest exporter, KAP accounted for 4.7 percent of country’s economic output in 2012. The former Yugoslav republic opened membership talks with the European Union in mid-2012. —AFP

Kerry praises Greece for tough economic choices WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry praised the Greek government Friday for making “tough choices” to resolve the country’s economic crisis and said he believed the situation was improving. Kerry welcomed Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos to the State Department, as Greece takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union.

“I want to congratulate Greece on assuming the EU presidency, and we look forward very much to working with them in that role, but also in continuing the path towards economic recovery,” the top US diplomat said. “We know that it has been very, very difficult. Tough decisions had to be made. It is never easy politically. Those choices were made, and I think it is improving.”

Venizelos said the six-month EU presidency was “a great opportunity for Greece to show the face of an ordinary European country, of a country beyond the crisis.”

“Without doubt, the main Greek national problem is the crisis and the national reconstruction after this very tough experience of the recession and... unemployment,” he said.

Greece is heading into 2014 with some optimism following six years of recession, with Greek leaders predicting the economy would need no further aid after it exits its bailout program this year. Athens is eyeing a slight growth in GDP of around 0.6 percent this year but there is strong belief that Greece’s weakened economy will require more EUInternational Monetary Fund assistance. The country is still grappling with massive debt and a fiscal shortfall, which it still needs to address with the EU-IMF creditors. Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras told reporters earlier this month there was a a financing gap of around 11 billion euros ($15 billion) for the second part of 2014 and 2015 to consider. —AFP

largest banks following an EU-supervised asset quality review and stress tests in December. The European Commission also greenlighted the transfer of toxic assets from the three banks to a “bad bank” in order to enable lenders to resume their normal operations before they are privatized by the state.

The IMF report warned Slovenia against “complacency” after the successful recapitalization and added its “overleveraged corporate sector is thwarting economic recovery.” It urged Slovenia to continue with the privatization of state-owned companies and prepare contingency measures in case the planned fiscal consolidation program of spending cuts and tax increases falls short. It added the poor asset quality and funding problems in the banks, the debt overhang in the corporate sector, and large fiscal consolidation needs “cloud the near-term horizon”. The IMF revised up its forecasts for Slovenia’s economy, in recession since 2011, putting the 2013 drop in gross domestic product (GDP) at 1.7 percent instead of the 2.6 percent predicted earlier. It now expects a further 1.1 percent contraction of of GDP in 2014, instead of 1.4 percent. In 2015 Slovenia’s export-orientated economy could start recovering, benefitting from stronger euro area demand, the report said. Earlier on Friday, rating agency Standard and Poor confirmed its longterm A- rating for Slovenia with a “stable” outlook, estimating the state responded adequately to the banking system problems. —AFP

UPS: Last-minute online shopping hurt Q4 profit DALLAS: UPS may be forced to change the way it plans for the holiday season after December shipping problems took a bite out of fourth-quarter earnings.

The company said Friday that it took “extraordinary” steps to meet holiday demand, including hiring 85,000 seasonal employees - 30,000 more than planned.

But the company’s network of brown trucks and planes was overwhelmed by what it termed “an unprecedented level” of online shopping including “a surge of last-minute orders.” Bad weather and a shorter shopping season were also factors, it said in a news release. Company officials declined inter view requests. Analysts said the company will make changes including higher last-minute prices to smooth out the peak caused by the final rush of shopping just before Christmas.

Online shopping is good for UPS, as customers count on delivery companies to get those packages where they are supposed to go on time. But volumes were so high last month that hundreds of thousands of packages didn’t get to their destinations before Christmas - UPS hasn’t disclosed the exact number.

Amazon.com offered shipping-charge refunds and a $20 credit for some customers affected by UPS delays.

On Friday, UPS said that it delivered a record 31 million packages on Dec. 23. That peak, however, came six days later than UPS had planned, and it was 7.5 percent more packages than the company had expected on the busiest day of the season.

Jim Corridore, an analyst with S&P Capital IQ, suggested the company learned a lesson. “We think UPS did a poor job forecasting the holiday season, but we expect improved readiness this year as online shopping continues to grow,” he said in a note to clients.

Online shopping, he added, “is a positive trend, but UPS needs to do a better job capitalizing upon it.”

Kevin Sterling, an analyst with BBT Capital Markets, said UPS had to catch up after icy weather delayed early-December deliveries, only to get slammed by a wave of late online shopping. “I think they’ll push through a peak surcharge - you’ll pay more if your online order is after, say, December 20,” Sterling said in an interview. “They’ve got to change that customer behavior of waiting until the last minute.” —AP

KABUL: An Afghan man sitting in used and recycled iron shop waiting for customers. Economic development is considered a vital weapon to stop the country from sinking back into civil war and to stem Islamist extremism after 100,000 international combat troops pull out. —AFP

UK can afford above-inflation minimum wage rise: Osborne LONDON: Finance minister George Osborne said Britain’s minimum wage could rise by more than inflation, a move that may help him counter an opposition pre-election strategy focused on falling living standards. “Because we’re fixing the economy, because we’re working to our plan, I believe Britain can afford an above-inflation increase in the minimum wage to restore its real value for people,” Osborne told BBC television. As Britain’s political parties start to position themselves for the May 2015 election, the Conservative-led coalition has come under attack from the Labor party, which says Britain is in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis.

Earnings in Britain have lagged behind inflation since the financial crisis, which pushed the country into recession. Osborne told the BBC that the hourly minimum wage would need to rise to 7 pounds ($11.44) by 2015 for workers aged over 21, up from 6.31 pounds now, for its value to return to its level before the financial crisis. A non-governmental panel is due to give a recommendation on this year’s increase in the minimum wage in the coming weeks. The recommendation needs the approval of the government.

The change is due to come into effect in October. Osborne said an increase in the minimum wage would be neutral for public finances, which he is trying to return to surplus before the end of the decade. But some of Britain’s biggest business groups expressed concern at the prospect of a big increase in wages. “We understand the political pressure to tackle this issue, but economic reality must be the driver for any such policy,” said James Sproule, chief economist at the Institute of

George Osborne Directors. He said a rise in the minimum wage should be offset by lower employment taxes for companies. Across the economy as a whole, 3.7 per cent of jobs were paid at or below the minimum wage in April 2011, according to the Low Pay Commission, which recommends its level. Labor said it had called for an above-inflation rise in the minimum wage last year. “George Osborne is flailing around under pressure but he has made no concrete announcement about the level of the minimum wage,” said Chris Leslie, a finance spokesman for Labor. —Reuters

Reliance Industries Q3 profit flat MUMBAI: India’s largest private firm, Reliance Industries, reported nearly flat quarterly net profit, hit by weak margins from refining operations and sliding gas output.

But the performance still beat market expectations. The energy giant, controlled by India’s wealthiest man Mukesh Ambani, said net profit for the third quarter ending December rose 0.20 percent to 55.11 billion rupees ($888 million), from 55.02 billion rupees in the same period a year earlier.

“Reliance’s robust refining configuration enabled it to deliver stable refining profits in the third quarter, against a backdrop of declining regional benchmark margins,” Ambani said in a statement.

Turnover rose 10.5 percent to 1.06 trillion rupees. The earnings exceeded analysts’ expectations that Reliance’s quarterly profit would decline to 52 billion rupees. Analysts have been concerned in recent months about Reliance’s ability to boost gas production from its oil blocks off India’s east coast.

For the April-December period, crude oil pro-

duction from Reliance’s main oil field KG-D6 fell 38 percent year-on-year to 1.45 million barrels of crude oil, the company statement said. Natural gas production slid 51 percent to 135 billion cubic feet (BCF) over levels a year earlier. Reliance has attributed the fall in production to “geological complexity and natural decline in the fields”.

Reliance this month said it plans to repair some shut wells at its main KG-D6 basin in an effort to boost output. The company’s gross refining margins (GRMs) for the third quarter fell by a fifth or 21 percent to $7.6 a barrel from $9.6 a year earlier. In 2011, British energy giant BP paid $7.2 billion to acquire a 30 percent stake in 21 of Reliance’s oil and gas fields. Reliance hopes that BP’s deepwater drilling expertise will give the Indian giant the skills to develop hard-to-exploit reserves and find more oil.

Reliance operates the world’s largest oil-processing complex in Jamnagar, where two adjacent refineries have a combined capacity to process 1.24 million barrels of oil a day. —AFP

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

ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.714 4.610 2.691 2.166 2.868 223.760 36.560 3.641 6.302 8.636 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 75.630 77.927 736.750 753.290 77.237

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.850 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.319 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.323 Tunisian Dinar 172.450 Jordanian Dinar 400.510 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.903 Syrian Lira 2.021 Morocco Dirham 35.438 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 283.500 Euro 387.690 Sterling Pound 466.640 Canadian dollar 259.140 Turkish lira 129.460 Swiss Franc 314.650 Australian Dollar 254.160 US Dollar Buying 282.300 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

GOLD 236.000 120.000 62.000

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

SELL DRAFT 259.13 264.09 318.91 390.71 282.70 470.13 2.78 3.636 4.580 2.165 2.865 2.684 77.04 752.43 40.60 402.35 735.20 78.07 75.52

SELL CASH 256.13 265.09 316.91 391.71 285.700 473.130 2.80 3.906 4.880 2.600 3.400 2.790 77.50 754.50 41.20 408.00 742.50 78.62 75.92

2.980 3.880 86.760 47.215 9.635 128.735

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

0.006395 0.000069 0.220132 0.020507 0.001871 0.009313 0.008375

0.006675 0.000075 0.226132 0.029007 0.002451 0.009493 0.008925

Bahrain Exchange Company

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

Arab 0.743809 0.037433 0.000078 0.000184 0.394722 1.0000000 0.000138 0.022620 0.001196 0.728643 0.076982 0.074790 0.002167 0.168631 0.131857 0.076028 0.001285

0.751809 0.040533 0.000080 0.000244 0.402222 1.0000000 0.000238 0.046620 0.001831 0.734323 0.078195 0.075490 0.002387 0.176631 0.138857 0.077177 0.001365

Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit Chinese Yuan Renminbi Thai Bhat Turkish Lira

COUNTRY Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira

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

Selling Rate 283.250 262.080 464.290 387.030 313.400 747.920 77.095 78.650 76.400 399.185 40.628 2.165 4.612 2.682 3.639 6.274 695.720 3.710

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

SELL CASH Europe 0.007351 0.459576 0.006088 0.047720 0.381009 0.041948 0.084857 0.008099 0.039520 0.307083 0.131857 Australasia 0.246894 0.229003

SELLDRAFT 0.008351 0.468576 0.018088 0.052720 0.388509 0.047148 0.84857 0.018099 0.044520 0.317283 0.138857 0.258394 0.238503

Al Mulla Exchange Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint

America 0.254020 0.278750 0.279250

0.262520 0.283100 0.283100

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

Asia 0.003556 0.045059 0.034386 0.004271 0.000018 0.002647 0.003262 0.000257 0.082949 0.002973 0.002486

0.004156 0.048559 0.037136 0.004672 0.000024 0.002827 0.003262 0.000272 0.088949 0.003143 0.002766

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

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 282.700 388.350 464.800 261.300 4.599 40.600 2.162 3.635 6.332 2.678 752.800 77.000 75.500

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

BUSINESS

Kuwait budget surplus seen at KD12bn in 13/14 NBK ECONOMIC REPORT KUWAIT: Crude oil prices were more or less flat through December, before weakening in early January. The price of Kuwait Export Crude (KEC), for example, averaged $106 per barrel (pb) in the month, unchanged from its endNovember level. However, it slipped to $103 in the first week of the new year.

Similarly, Brent crude averaged a steady $111, then fell to $107 in early January.

The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) - the main US crude benchmark was comparatively volatile, averaging $4 above its end November level, at $98, before falling to $92 in early January.

This volatility was supported by US-specific factors.

The absence of significant price movements in December was not surprising. Major oil market news was reasonably thin on the ground, and traders typically avoid taking large positions at year-end. The drop in prices in early January, however, came on bearish news for fundamentals. US oil product inventories rose more than expectations although some of this could be reversed in subsequent data as the recent US cold snap boosts demand. Meanwhile, protesters at a major Libyan oil facility agreed to lift a blockade which had shutin some 0.3 million barrels per day (mbpd) of crude. On the financial side, the imminent start-up of the US Fed’s ‘tapering’ program boosted the dollar, which typically erodes support for crude in dollar terms.

On average, crude prices held up well through 2013. The price of KEC averaged $105 through the year, down only slightly from a record $109 in 2012. Brent averaged $109, down from $112 a year earlier. Despite moderate growth in oil demand, oil prices were supported by a series of supply outages and disruptions from key producing nations, including Nigeria, Libya, and Iran. This helped partially offset strong growth in non-OPEC supplies.

As a result, global oil inventories likely rose more modestly than in 2012. Note that the price of WTI bucked the softer price trend, rising $4 to $98, helped by the rollout of new US oil infrastructure

that boosted demand for US crude.

Oil demand outlook Analysts’ forecasts for global oil demand growth in 2014 have been revised up over the past month. This comes on the back of improved projections for US oil demand, after consumption in September was reported to register its strongest annual growth in nearly a decade. The International Energy Agency now sees global oil demand growing by 1.2 mbpd in 2014, or 1.3 percent, from 1.1 mbpd (1.2 percent) last month. However, in light of upward revisions to demand estimates for 2013, global demand growth is no longer expected to see an acceleration this year.

Oil supply outlook Crude output of the OPEC-11 (excluding Iraq) dropped by some 587,000 bpd to a two-year low of 27.4 mbpd in November - according to data provided by ‘direct communication’ between OPEC and national sources. Production fell for the fourth consecutive month, and has now fallen by more than 2 mbpd since July. This was mainly due to deepening outages in Libya. The current turmoil has shut in all but 0.2 mbpd of Libyan production, compared to a post-revolution

high of almost 1.6 mbpd last year.

Output declines were also seen in West African producers Angola (111,000 bpd) and Nigeria (86,000 bpd) due to field maintenance and other supply disruptions. Meanwhile, production in Iran rose by some 100 kbpd to 3.3 mbpd (though secondary sources reported a lower figure of 2.7 mbpd). Nevertheless, the sixmonth interim nuclear deal will continue to prevent Iran from increasing exports, implying limited scope for a further rise in production in coming months.

Total OPEC production including Iraq also fell to under 30.5 mbpd, despite a continued recovery in Iraqi output. After plunging to an 18-month low in September, production in Iraq was partially restored in the following two months, reaching 3.1 mbpd in November. However, a combination of security issues, port maintenance and bad weather are expected to have derailed production in December.

Supply disruptions in some OPEC members have so far allowed Saudi Arabia to maintain high output levels. But in 2014, a potential rise in Libyan and Iraqi output - coupled with rising non-OPEC supplies - could force Saudi to make production cuts in order to support oil prices.

Non-OPEC oil supplies are projected

to increase by a significant 1.7-2.0 mbpd in 2014, of which 0.2 mbpd is expected to come from OPEC natural gas liquids (not subject to quotas). If aggregate OPEC output remains at current levels (with cuts in Saudi output offsetting increases by other OPEC producers), the average output level should be lower in 2014. But global supplies could still increase by 1.3-1.6 mbpd, following an estimated increase of 0.8 mbpd in 2013.

Price scenarios Oil market fundamentals are expected to weaken in 2014 as supply exceeds demand once again. However, downward pressure on prices could be limited by supply-side concerns and an improving demand outlook. Using the consensus view of a 1.2 mbpd increase in global oil demand in 2014 and a significant 1.7 mbpd increase in non-OPEC supplies, global inventories could rise by 0.4 mbpd. If OPEC holds output near current levels - resulting in a year-on-year cut in its average output of 0.4 mbpd - the price of KEC would begin to slip slightly in the second half of 2014, but remain supported at near $100.

If, on the other hand, non-OPEC supplies come in at the higher end of expectations, then oil inventories could rise by

a large 0.7 mbpd in 2014. In this case, the price of KEC drops below $100 by mid2014, and below $90 by year-end. OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, would likely cut production in order to prevent such a large drop in oil prices.

Alternatively, if demand growth turns out 0.3 mbpd stronger than expected this year, oil prices could rise sharply. In this scenario, the price of KEC accelerates to $110 in early 2014 and further thereafter.

Budget projections The three scenarios above generate oil prices in the narrow range of $103 to $105 in the current fiscal year. Although this is below last year’s $107, this still indicates another bumper year for government revenues. Indeed, official figures for the first half of FY2013/14 reveal that revenues reached KD 15.8 billion, some KD 2 billion short of the government’s projection for the entire year. If as we expect, spending comes in 5-10 percent below the government’s forecast, this year’s budget surplus could end up between KD 11.8 billion and KD 13.3 billion before allocations to the Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG). This would equate to between 23 percent and 26 percent of 2013 GDP.

Morocco ends subsidies on gasoline, fuel oil Food subsidies remain to avert protests

A General Electric logo is displayed on a kitchen appliances in a H H Gregg store in Cranberry Township. General Electric Co reported quarterly financial results before the market opens on Friday.—AP

GE profits rise 5% in improving economy NEW YORK: US conglomerate General Electric on Friday reported a five percent rise in quarterly earnings following better results in most divisions and record backlog. GE, which operates across energy, aviation, health care and other sectors, said fourth-quarter profits were $4.2 billion on revenues of $40.4 billion, up from the yearago level of $4.0 billion on revenues of $39.2 billion.

The results translated into operating earnings per year share of 53 cents, matching analyst estimates.

GE chief executive Jeff Immelt characterized fourth-quarter results as “strong” in what he called “an an improving but mixed environment.” “We saw good conditions in growth markets, strength in the US, and a mixed environment in Europe,” Immelt said.

“We had strong operating performance for the year and are pleased with our execution in 2013, taking $1.6 billion of cost out, growing margins, reducing the size of

GE Capital, and returning more than $18 billion to shareholders.” GE said its fourthquarter US orders rose eight percent, while European orders rose three percent and “growth market” orders rose 13 percent.

The company’s $244 billion backlog of equipment and services at the end of the quarter was a record, GE said.

GE reported higher revenues in six of seven industrial segments, with the biggest percentage gain in oil and gas with 17 percent to $5.3 billion in the 2013 quarter.

Healthcare was the only segment to see declining revenue. GE reported higher profits in six of seven industrial segments, with the biggest percent gain also coming in oil and gas. The only segment with lower earnings was energy management. Fullyear 2013 earnings were $14.1 billion on revenues of $146.0 billion, up from $13.6 billion on revenues of $146.7 billion. GE shares were up 0.9 percent in pre-market trade. — AFP

Algeria to double gas production in 10 years ALGIERS: Algeria plans to double natural gas production and hike oil output by 50 percent within 10 years helped by major exploration success in 2013, Energy Minister Youcef Yousfi said Thursday. His comments come exactly one year after a bloody assault by armed Islamists at the In Amenas desert gas plant, one of the country’s main upstream facilities, and amid steady decline in Algerian gas production since it peaked in 2005.

“Algeria plans very seriously to double its gas production,” Yousfi told national radio, adding that shale gas would contribute to the ambitious production plan. He put Algeria’s recoverable reserves at between 25 and 30 trillion cubic feet. The minister described drilling results in 2013 as “extremely satisfying,” saying the OPEC country had discovered 550 million tons (4 billion barrels) of oil equivalent from 32

new oil and gas finds, three times the number discovered in 2012. “We are going to see how much we can extract,” he said, but added that the new finds would also allow the country to raise oil production by 50 percent in the coming decade, from 1.2 million barrels per day now. Algeria is the third largest supplier of natural gas to Europe, after Russia and Norway, although production at many of its older fields is in decline. The country relies on foreign firms to maintain production levels at those fields.

But the In Amenas attack last year, in which 38 hostages were killed, has raised questions about the willingness of foreign companies to operate in the North African country. Its oil and gas sector has also been hit by a number of corruption scandals linked to the state-run energy firm Sonatrach, and by lengthy delays in bringing new projects on stream. —AFP

RABAT: Morocco said on Friday it had ended subsidies of gasoline and fuel oil and had started to cut significantly diesel subsidies as part of its drive to repair public finances. But the government, keen to avoid the kind of social unrest that toppled several other North African regimes during the Arab Spring, said it would continue to subsidize wheat, sugar and cooking gas used by poorer Moroccans.

The cash-strapped North African kingdom is under pressure from the I nternational Monetary Fund and the World Bank to cut spending and reform subsidies, taxation and its pension system. The demands are linked to a two-year, $6.2 billion precautionary credit

line agreed by the IMF in 2012 for Morocco.

“Gasoline and fuel oil are no longer among the products subsidized by the government,” the general affairs ministry said in a statement carried by the state news agency MAP. Morocco is the most advanced among North African countries in its reform of public subsidies and already started last year to partially index energy prices to international market levels. On Thursday, nearby Tunisia’s outgoing Islamist-led government announced it had suspended planned oil price hikes after a series of protests and strikes over high living costs.

Morocco said subsidies for diesel would

decline from a level of 2.15 dirhams per litre this month to 0.80 dirham by Oc tober.

Morocco has budgeted for 30 billion dirhams worth of food and energy subsidies for 2014, down from 42 billion last year and more than 53 billion dirhams in 2012.

But the subsidy reductions could hurt the fragile economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism, agriculture and remittances from Moroccans living abroad. Morocco’s main Islamist opposition movement, Justice and Spirituality, urged leftist groups last year to join protests against the subsidy cuts. But so far there has been little sign of widespread public discontent over the measures. — Reuters

Stocks may be vulnerable in earnings blitz WALL STREET WEEKLY OUTLOOK NEW YORK: The initial reads on earnings have been mixed, and yet US stocks are hovering near all-time highs. Next week, investors will see whether the first companies out of the gate were a harbinger of what’s to come. More than 60 S&P 500 companies are scheduled to release results next week, including more than half a dozen Dow components. The reports will give the fullest picture yet of how corporations are faring and whether the market can advance further as Fed stimulus begins to recede.

“Given that equities are fully valued and arguably overvalued, we need earnings and revenue to come through to support the gains we’ve already made,” said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at BMO Private Bank in Chicago.

“There’s a reasonable chance we could see a 10 percent correction in the event we get some high-profile disappointments.”

Earnings for S&P 500 companies are seen rising 7 percent in the quarter, down from the 7.6 percent rate that had been forecast at the start of the year. While the season started with many financial firms, including JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America , topping profit expectations, Intel Corp sounded a sour note, slumping on a weak revenue outlook. General Electric Co sold off despite posting higherthan-expected revenue, suggesting blowout results may be needed to justify elevated valuations.

With 10 percent of the S&P 500 having reported results so far, 50 percent have topped earnings forecasts, well below the historical average of 63 percent, according to Thomson Reuters data. More than 67 percent have beaten revenue

expectations, above the long-term average of 61 percent.

Procter & Gamble, McDonald’s, Microsoft , Johnson & Johnson and Verizon Communications are among the Dow components scheduled to report next week.

Texas Instruments and Starbucks Corp are also on tap. The US stock market will be closed tomorrow for the Martin Luther King Jr holiday.

Business spending BMO’s Ablin said that results from more cyclical groups would be especially important for insight into the strength of the overall economy. “The next leg of the cycle has to be driven by business spending,” he said. “I’m looking for clues that businesses are taking their excess cash flow and spending it, which means tech and industrial reports will be very important, especially any outlooks they offer.”

Another key name will be Netflix Inc, the S&P 500’s biggest gainer in 2013. The online movie renter’s stock nearly quadrupled last year, raising concerns it may follow the same path as another of 2013’s momentum favorites, Best Buy Co Inc . On Thursday, the electronics retailer’s stock suffered its worst daily decline since 2002 after posting weak holiday sales and giving a downbeat margin forecast.

Jonathan Krinsky, chief market technician at MKM Par tners in Greenwich, Connecticut, said the market was “absolutely vulnerable to a pullback on big disappointments,” though the S&P 500 might find support at its 50-day moving average, about 1.7 percent below Friday’s close at 1,838.70.

“If we take that out, that would

be the first time we’ve made a lower low in a while,” he said. “That could push us to retest the December low around 1,770.” In the latest week, the Dow rose 0.1 percent, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2 percent and the Nasdaq climbed 0.6 percent. Both the Dow and S&P 500 are within striking distance of all-time highs. For the year so far, the Dow is down 0.7 percent and the S&P 500 is down 0.5 percent, while the Nasdaq is up 0.5 percent.

The forward price-to-earnings ratio for the S&P 500 is about 15.22, according to Thomson Reuters data, roughly in line with the historic average. While that suggests valuations are not

tremendously stretched, further steep gains may be difficult to come by. “We’re much more likely to fall on negative earnings than we are to rally on strong ones,” said Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Robert W. Baird & Co in Nashville. “There’s much more downside risk than upside at these levels, and that will probably be the case until we work off some of the excess out there.”

Next week will be a light one for economic data, with Thursday’s read on December existing home sales perhaps the biggest report.

Sales are forecast to edge up for the month, according to economists polled by Reuters. — Reuters

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani rubbish collector rides a bicycle carrying items to be recycled along a street in Islamabad yesterday. Pakistan’s central bank estimated economic growth for the current fiscal year of up to four percent, surpassing forecasts by international agencies. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

BUSINESS

KSE stocks bearish amid selling pressure BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last week in the red zone. The price index closed at 7,665.14 points, down by 0.05 percent from the week before closing, the weighted index decreased by 0.65 percent after closing at 451.89 points, whereas the KSX-15 index closed at 1,062.97 points down by 0.81 percent. Furthermore, last week’s average daily turnover increased by 8.76 percent, compared to the preceding week, reaching KD 33.25 million, whereas trading volume average was 424.46 million shares, recording increase of 19.21 percent.

The stock market indices dropped last week affected by the selling pressures performed on most of the traded stocks, especially the small-cap ones, which were subject to profit collection operations and thus had a negative impact on the Price Index and drag it to close in the red zone in most of the weekly sessions.

In addition, the stock market continued to witness speculative operations, which affected the trading direction, and caused the stock market main indices to fluctuate, whereas such operations were concentrated on the smallcap stocks in particular, especially on the Real Estate and Financial Services sectors.

Furthermore, the stock market witnessed some fluctuations and decline during last week, however, the random purchasing and the collection operations were not absent to affect the market three indices, specifically in the last trading session, where the Price Index increased well due to some small-cap stocks activity, and as a result reduced the market weekly losses. Also, the stock market is still living a watch and caution state, waiting for the listed companies announcements for the 2013 annual financial results, which is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Sectors’ indices Six of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the green zone, while the other Six recorded declines. Last week’s highest gainer was the Health Care sector, achieving 1.91 percent growth rate as its index closed at 1,111.62 points. Whereas, in the second place, the Real Estate sector’s index closed at 1,423.74 points recording 1.72 percent increase. The Basic Materials sector came in third as its index achieved 1.03 percent growth, ending the week at 1,177.37 points.

On the other hand, the Consumer Services sector headed the losers list as its index declined by 2.41 percent to end the week’s activity at 1,106.73 points. The Industrials sector was second on the losers’ list, which index declined by 1.23 percent, closing at 1,167.37 points, followed by the Consumer Goods sector, as its index closed at 1,248.95 points at a loss of 0.97 percent.

Sectors’ activity The Financial Services sector dominated total trade volume during last week with 576.62 million shares changing hands, representing 33.96 percent of the total market trading volume. The Real Estate sector was second in terms of trading volume as the sector’s traded shares were 33.53 percent of last week’s total trading volume, with a total of 569.21 million shares.

On the other hand, the Financial Services sector’s stocks were the highest traded in terms of value; with a turnover of KD 40.02 million or 30.09 percent of last week’s total market trading value. The Real Estate sector took the second place as the sector’s last week turnover was KD 33.89 million represented 25.48 percent of the total market trading value. - Prepared by the Studies & Research Department, Bayan Investment Co.

GCC must develop Gulf-wide NCD agendas BOOZ & COMPANY REPORT DUBAI: Rapid economic advances in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have led to the population adopting a sedentary lifestyle. The result is a rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular illnesses, cancer and respiratory diseases. NCDs have become the leading cause of death in the GCC. And, their prevalence which is at epidemic levels - is undermining the societal gains stemming from economic development. In fact, with current prevalence rates, the total direct and indirect cost of the most common NCDs for the GCC will be close to US$36 billion in 2013 - one and a half times official healthcare spending. Given the magnitude of the problem, GCC governments must act rapidly. According to Booz & Company, they must develop national and GCC-wide NCD agendas that will enact short-term and long-term programs before the epidemic imposes a heavy toll on their societies.

By the numbers The truth is, non-communicable diseases have been linked to developed economy lifestyles, namely bad eating habits, high-sugar and fat-heavy diets, and a lack of physical exercise. Increasing wealth has, of course, also had positive public health effects.

However, in the GCC, as elsewhere, these gains to public health and individual well-being are now being offset by the increasing prevalence of NCDs and associated mortality rates.

“The result is that NCDs have become the leading causes of death and disability, thus making the GCC one of the region’s most affected by the global increase in chronic diseases,” said Gabriel Chahine, a Partner with Booz & Company. “This trend is projected to result in NCDs causing over three-quarters of all deaths globally by 2030, up from 63 percent in 2008, with significant cost implications for healthcare systems.”

In effect, the economic burden of NCDs comes in two cost forms, direct and indirect.

“Direct costs are typically those associated with the treatment of patients,” added Jad Bitar, a Partner with Booz & Company. “More significant is the indirect economic penalty that NCDs impose. From a national perspective, NCDs reduce life expectancy, which means less output.”

By developing an econometric model using the Cost of Illness model and the latest available and reli-

Gaby Chahine

Jad Bitar

Pierre Assouad

able statistics, Booz & Company was able to generate estimates for the direct and indirect costs of NCDs in 2013, and forecasts for the expected burden in 2022.

“We calculated that the total direct and indirect cost for the five selected NCDs in 2013 will rise to around $68 billion by 2022,” stated Chahine.

change and have the highest impact on individuals.

Non-modifiable risk factors lie outside the control of the individual and are linked to age, hereditary/genetic conditions and other socio-economic, cultural, and environmental determinants.”

Assouad also added, “GCC countries therefore need to urgently factor NCDs into their long-term health planning and they should aim for a better quality of life for residents, a reduction in unnecessary medical costs and improved productivity.”

An effective strategy With risk factors growing and healthcare budgets already under strain, GCC governments need to sound the alarm within their societies and embark upon national programs to stem the NCD epidemic.

“The goal of national programs that combat NCDs should be to disseminate positive behavioral messages that educate the population about imminent health risks, rather than to simply defensively focus on restraining the growing incidence of chronic diseases,” said Bitar.

FACTS: • Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 29 percent of deaths from NCDs globally.

• Malignant neoplasms cause 13 percent of global NCD deaths.

• Chronic respiratory diseases contribute to 7 percent of global NCD deaths.

• Neuropsychiatric conditions are responsible for 2 percent of NCD deaths worldwide.

• Diabetes mellitus cause 2 percent of NCD deaths around the world.

Tackling the issue To tackle the crippling financial and human costs of NCDs, GCC governments and other stakeholders need to understand the underlying risk factors associated with these illnesses.

“There are two kinds of primary NCD risk factors that are root causes of these illnesses: non-modifiable and modifiable,” said Pierre Assouad, Senior Associate with Booz & Company. “In terms of policy responses, modifiable risk factors are the most amenable to

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

BUSINESS

Kuwait bourse performed well in 2013 Al-Shall Weekly Economic Report

KUWAIT: 2013 ended with a positive outcome. Market liquidity rose to approximately KD 3935.8 million, or 18.0 percent, compared to KD 3334.6 million in 2012. Liquidity of 2013 came second during the past 14 years since 2000. The second half of 2013 liquidity scored about KD 2107.8 million (about KD 1828 million in the first half). The chart shows the local real estate market cycles for 14 years. The real estate market began rising after the year 2000 for three consecutive years until the end of 2003 scoring about KD 2828 million.

Signs of weakness began to emerge in 2004 and continued until the end of 2005 when liquidity scored KD 2,231 million. 2006 achieved clear improvement in market liquidity, even though it was a correction year for the regional capital markets and Kuwait Stock Exchange as well. It continued to improve and its liquidity scored a new record level at KD 4447 million in 2007, the highest level scored during the past 12 years. It soon declined in 2008 and the decline continued in 2009 which scored the second lowest level of liquidity since 2000,

excluding the inflation impact. It once again recovered in 2010 and up to 2013.

Liquidity of private housing activity rose in 2013. Share of the private housing from market liquidity, both agencies and contracts, rose to about KD1944 million, while its relative contribution dropped to about 49.4 percent of market liquidity, with about 55.6 percent share of market liquidity in 2012. Private housing activity rose to about 4.9 percent compared with the year 2012.

Investment housing trading activity rose to about KD 1522 million, with a rise in its contribution to market liquidity to about 38.7 percent in 2013 (35.7 percent of the market liquidity in 2012). The rise in the liquidity of investment housing activity scored 28.0 percent, compared to the year 2012.

The housing activity, both private and investment, captured 88.1 percent of the real estate market liquidity in 2013, leaving about 11.1 percent of the liquidity to the commercial sector (8 percent in 2012) and about 0.8 percent for the warehouses, the same percentage in 2012. The average per transaction value

at the end of 2013, to the private housing, scored about KD 290.7 thousand, up from KD 224.7 thousand in 2012, while the average per transaction value for investment housing activity rose significantly to about KD 838.6 thousand, up from about KD 727.2 thousand. The per transaction value for the commercial sector declined to KD 2.8 million (KD 3.4 million in 2012). The general per deal average in the real estate sector trading rose in 2013 by 35.8 percent.

Oil dependence Kuwait’s economy depends mainly on oil. The degree of this dependence can be determined depending on a number of economic indicators, including the ratio of oil exports to the Kuwaiti exports. In this paragraph we present the historical development of the exports indicators in an attempt to draw some conclusions on the evolution of the Kuwaiti economy, most notably is the wasting of at least three historical opportunities for export diversification and consequently the failure to reduce reliance on oil.

According to available data since 1973, the historical evolution of the role of oil in Kuwaiti exports may be understood through dividing it to a minimum of four cycles. By “cycle” we mean a phase of change in the percentage of oil exports out of total exports from a relatively low percentage to a high one then back to low again. We note that exports data are evaluated in monetary value and not by volume or weight. Therefore, they are influenced not only by the volume of oil and non-oil exports, but by their prices as well. There are at least four historical cycles in Kuwaiti exports. The first is the cycle with the beginning of our data in 1973 (and perhaps earlier) until 1982. During this cycle, Kuwaiti oil exports scored their highest percentage in 1974 at about 96.4 percent of total Kuwaiti exports. Eight years later the percentage dropped to its lowest historical level at 82.7 percent in 1982, a period through which a small cycle occurred and peaked in 1979 at about 94 percent.

The second and the longest cycle extended from 1982 to 1998 and witnessed a new rise in the percentage of oil exports out of total Kuwaiti exports: from the lowest level in 1982 to the highest in 1991, although 1991 data cover the second half of the year only due to the liberation from the Iraqi invasion and the suspension of other exports.

However, their rise to a record level was perhaps influenced by the need for resources for reconstruction. This rise turned into decline after that with a lower percentage of oil exports out of total Kuwaiti exports to about 88.1 percent in 1998, the second lowest level after 1982, according at our data. The third cycle of Kuwaiti oil exports was in the period 1998-2009, which is characterized by not returning to record rates for oil exports neither in terms of rise nor in decline.

The maximum scored rate was 94.9 percent in 2006, ie during the road to the peak of the global and local financial bubble and before it burst in 2008, after which the percentage of oil exports dropped to 90.6 percent in 2009, announcing the end of the third cycle and the beginning of the fourth through which we are living now. This cycle witnessed sustained rise in the oil exports rate scoring the highest rate until now in 2012 at 95.5 percent, approaching the historical record levels of 1974 and 1991.

This comes contrary to the declared goals of the Development Plan approved in February 2010, and which will end by the end of March, 2014.

Wasted opportunities The first three cycles represent wasted opportunities of export diversification; or in other words they emphasize that Kuwait did nothing. We are still in the fourth cycle and we do not seem to utilize it well, particularly the period of rising oil exports which is usually associated with a rise in state revenues and a rise in liquidity in the economy. These resources therefore may be utilized for careful and long term planning to develop productive and alternative sectors to oil, which have a potential for exporting their products. They may turn the periodic drop in the oil exports, share from being a cause for economic crisis to an opportunity to solidify the position of the new productive and exporting sectors, freeing the economy from being reliant on oil, a reliance that made Kuwait occupy a dependent and subordinate position in global the economy, ie the position of raw material exporting country in the first place and the importer of almost everything else. It is a position similar to that of the Banana Republics in Latin America in the 19th and20th centuries, which were specialized predominantly in producing fruits for developed countries without developing any real industries.

Indices of most world markets rose in 2013 compared with 2012. Morgan Stanley Capital International Index (MSCI) for the world rose by 24.1 percent at the end of the year, compared with a rise in the index itself in 2012 by 13.2 percent. The weight of the US market and the extent of its impact are very heavy on the rest of the world markets.

The rise in 2013 included MSCI Index for the USA which rose by 29.9 percent. The index for the two Americas rose by 25.2 percent. However, MSCI index for Europe increased by approximately 21.7 percent.

The same index, excluding the United Kingdom, rose by about 24.6 percent.

The situation in Asia was less active than most US and European markets. MSCI, for Asia/the Pacific, rose by about 9.3 percent, and even less than 2012 which was below 13.6 percent. Global markets index will drop to about -17.8 percent if we exclude the United States from it, which reflects the weight of the US market in the composition of the index.

Graph displays the performance of the continents, according to MSCI indices, until the end of 2013 and its comparison with 2012 performance.

KSE performance vis-a-vis foreign markets Graph number displays the comparative performance of the growth (or decline) of selected indicators from main stock markets (16 financial markets), including Kuwait Stock Exchange, in 2013 without consideration to the exchange rate movement. Compared with 2012, it indicates rise in all the 16 markets. Likewise, KSE index, according to AlShall index, came in position 14, up by 3.8 percent, compared with a decline of about -2.7 percent, to the position before last in 2012. It should be noted that the average rise for all markets listed in the chart scored about 18.2 percent in the end of 2013 vis-a-vis 13.7 percent rise in 2012.

When we analyze the simple averages (not weighted) for the cash yield and P/E indexes for the selected global financial markets, we find that the aver-

scored about KD 15.8222 billion, which is 87.4 percent of the total revenues estimated for the entire fiscal year in the amount of KD 18.0959 billion and a drop by -1.1 percent over the amount of received revenues in the same period of last fiscal year 2012/2013 in the amount of KD 16.0056 billion.

Oil revenues In details, the bulletin estimates actual oil revenues until 30/09/2012 to be about KD 14.971 billion, which is 11.3 percent lower than the estimated oil revenues for the entire current fiscal year in the amount of KD16.8331 billion, which is equal to 94.6 percent of total received revenues. This drop is due to decreasing oil prices on the one hand, while production increased over the 3 million barrels level per day, which is close to the maximum capacity on the other hand. However, the annual average of oil production remains less than that. As such, the received revenues during the first six months of the fiscal year were lower by KD 398.734 million or -2.6 percent, than its amount

age cash yield for these markets scored 2.9 percent (about 3.1 percent at the end of 2012). As for these markets (P/E)) index, it scored about 16.6 times (14.8 times in the end of 2012), which means that the rise in prices is higher than the rise in profitability level. Graph (3) points to the difference in the performance of KSE indexes among the selected global stock markets. The cash yield index came fifth and scored 3 percent, slightly higher than the global markets’ average. KSE P/E index scored 18.7 times which is the fifth highest P/E. This means prices of its shares are high vis-‡-vis their profits and come after the American, Swiss, Spanish and the French markets respectively.

Graph indicates that the average cash yield in the 16 selected developing markets scored 2.6 percent (3 percent in the

in the counterpart period of the preceding FY. An additional amount of KD 851.154 million was received from nonoil revenues during the same period, a monthly average of KD 141.859 million, while the estimated amount in the budget for the entire fiscal year was KD 1.2127 billion.

This means the achieved amount will be higher for the entire fiscal year

by KD 490 million than the estimated figure, assuming the revenue level would continue at the same said monthly average. Expenditures allocations for the entire fiscal year were estimated at KD 21.0026 billion and what has been actually spent - according to the bulletin- until 30/09/2013 scored KD 5.101 billion, a monthly expenses average of KD 850.171 million. We,

end of 2012). Average P/E of the same group scored about 14.2 times (about 15.5 times in 2012).

however, do not recommend relying on these figures because there are expenses which have become due but have not been spent yet; in addition, spending in the late months of the year is usually higher than its spending in the early months. Though the bulletin concludes that the budget surplus in the first six months of the fiscal year scored KD 10.7212 billion, we publish it as is, though we believe the actual budget surplus figure in the end of these six months will be less than the published figure as there are expenses which have become due but have not been spent yet and the monthly spending average will be ascending, which will reduce the surplus the further we go on in the year. It might be less with the issuing of the final account unless there are substantial saving in estimated expenditures.

Sixth position The Kuwaiti market occupied the sixth position among those markets, in terms of the cash yield (the fifth position in the end of 2012). It however ranked second (as higher in P/E), among the sixteen selected markets compared to the first position (the highest) in the end of 2012. Graph indicates that KSE ranked eighth among 12 Middle East financial markets in its index level, according to AlShall index, without adjusting the impact of currency exchange rate against the US dollar.

The growth rate for those markets indexes rose to about 20.3 percent up from 12.3 percent rise in 2012.

UAE (Dubai) market captured the first position, up by 107.7 percent, followed by the Pakistani market which rose by 49.4 percent, then the Saudi market which rose by 25.5 percent. The Kuwait Stock Exchange came eighththe last position among rising marketsby a rise of about 3.8 percent according to AlShall index; it however remains better than 4 other markets which sustained losses. The Turkish came last with a drop by about -13.3 percent.

In its monthly follow up report of the state’s accounts until September 2013, which is published on its website, the Ministry of Finance indicates sustained rise in revenues. Until 30/09/2013 -six months of the current fiscal year 2013/2014- total received revenues

The KSE weekly performance The performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) for the last week was mixed where all indexes showed an increase, the traded value index, the traded volume index, the transactions index showed an increase, while the general index showed a decrease.

AlShall Index (value index) closed at 451.9 points at the closing of last Wednesday, (four trading days because of the Birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)), showing a decrease of about 1 points or about 4.4 percent comparing to last week and a decrease of 2.8 points or about 0.6 percent compared with the end of 2013.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

BUSINESS

BMW Group Middle East posts best-ever sales results for 2013 KUWAIT: BMW Group Middle East has achieved its bestever annual sales result in 2013, with 24,596 BMW and MINI cars sold to customers across 12 Middle East markets.

This was an increase of 15 percent over the previous record year in 2012 (21,314). This is the third consecutive recordbreaking year which reaffirms the company’s position as the most successful premium automotive manufacturer and leader in its premium segment, globally and in the Middle East.

The total number of 24,596 cars sold throughout the year was the highest number of BMW and MINI cars ever sold in one year in the Middle East. Record sales and double digit sales growth were achieved in all GCC markets.

The UAE remained the biggest selling market, accounting for almost half of BMW and MINI regional sales (46 percent). Abu Dhabi continued to be the highest volume selling market, with 15 percent growth, while Dubai witnessed an increase of 10 percent sales growth. Outside of the UAE, Saudi Arabia was the third highest volume selling market,

with 4,228 cars sold, 18 percent growth followed by Kuwait with 3,910 cars sold, a growth of 19 percent; Jordan 18 percent sales growth and Qatar 12 percent with 354 and 1,450 cars sold respectively.

Commenting on the company’s success, Dr Joerg Breuer, Managing Director for BMW Group in the Middle East said: “Our 2013 sales results are testament to the effectiveness of our customer focused strategy. The introduction of new cars and the investments of our importer partners in new customer services have further enhanced customer satisfaction and increased desirability of our brands.”

BMW: High-end models take the lead The BMW 5 Series, the global leader in the executive saloon segment, was also the best-selling BMW model in 2013 with 5,729 cars sold, an increase of 10 percent over 2012 figures. The company’s flagship BMW 7 Series continued to be a favorite with the car remaining a clear leader in the luxury sedan segment as a result of its out-

standing design, comfort and innovative technology features. 4,815 cars were sold, an increase of 16 percent over 2012, which were bolstered throughout the year with a number of new introduction 7 Series models that included features to underline the luxurious appeal and sheer driving pleasure of the flagship model.

Other best-selling BMW models included the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle (3,624 cars sold), the BMW 3 Series (2,659 cars) and X6 Sports Activity Coupe (2,464 cars).

On the sportier side of BMW, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe held a leading position in its premium segment and also secured pole position within the BMW 6 Series model line-up with over 1,400 cars sold to customers. It was immediately a firm favorite for Middle East customers when it was launch in 2012, and has been BMW’s most successful model introduction in the Middle East.

To complement the success of the 6 Series Coupe, BMW introduced the M6 Gran Coupe during 2013 which has

been a strong brand shaper for the company.

MINI: 15% growth for the brand MINI sales climbed 15 percent with the brand breaking the 1,500 car barrier for the first time in the Middle East.

Dubai was the biggest selling market with a sales increase of 11 percent (527 cars sold), while Abu Dhabi saw a growth of 20 percent (300 cars) followed by Lebanon with 183 cars sold, a 17 percent sales increase. During 2013, model sales were led by the MINI Countryman - the first MINI with four doors and optional four-wheel drive - followed by the MINI Hatch. John Cooper Works, the brand’s high performance engine range of vehicles contributed 14 percent to MINI’s overall sales growth in the Middle East.

Globally, the success was echoed with the BMW Group selling more vehicles in 2013 than ever before in the company’s history. A total of 1,963,798 BMW, MINI and RollsRoyce vehicles were sold worldwide, an increase of 6.4 percent from the previous record year of 2012 (1,845,186).

MENA energy investment needs to reach $525 billion by 2016 Arab Oil & Gas Expo in Dubai from March 17 to 19

Honda CRV: A family car with a youthful spirit Ever since its launch last year with a new, clean, and sophisticated design, the Honda CRV set to distinguish itself as a compact utility vehicle with unique capabilities and outstanding features at a reasonable price. Over the years, the Honda CRV gained popularity thanks to its edgy exterior design, and practical, high-quality interior space along with a 2.4-liter i-VTEC engine most renowned for fuel efficiency and 5-speed automatic transmission. That being said, it is no wonder that the Honda CRV been the best-selling compact utility vehicle in its segment for years in the United States.

One of the most prominent standard features of the CRV is Honda’s famed Real-Time All Wheel Drive, the fuel-efficient ECON mode and A/C vents for the rear passengers. Other available features include the intelligent multiinformation display (i-MID), Bluetooth Hands Free Telephone (HFT) system, an AM/FM/CD audio system with USB and iPod inputs, 18inch aluminum wheels, a power sunroof with tilt, a reverse camera and many more features.

Notably, the Honda CRV is offered in three models: the LX, EX and EX-L that are all available in seven vibrant colors.

When it comes to its safety, the Honda CRV

proudly showcases various safety systems including 6 SRS Airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Traction Control System (TCS) and an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD). Thanks to this, the CR-V received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 5Star Overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and a 5-Star rating from Euro NCAP. Alghanim Motors, the sole distributor of Honda automobiles, power products and motorcycles in Kuwait is committed to providing customers with flexible payment solutions, as well as offering comfortable amenities in its new service center located in Shuwaikh. The Alghanim Motors Service Center provides efficient and cost-effective services at all times. The waiting lounge offers customers a wide array of amenities such as an electronic gaming area, digital satellite channels, free wireless Internet access as well as relaxing massage chairs.

Honda’s customers will also enjoy excellent customer service, quality maintenance options and competitive prices on genuine spare parts, all of which are provided t by a team of professional and highly skilled technicians.

DUBAI: With 56 per cent of the world’s oil reserves and 26 per cent of natural gas deposits found in the Middle East, the upcoming Arab Oil and Gas show will create the opportunity for attendees to network with regional and international energy players and gain insights on the region’s energy sector. The 18th edition of the biennial event will be held from March 17 to 19, 2014 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, offering opportunities to international oil & gas experts, executives, and manufacturers to network with their Arab and Middle Eastern counterparts and clients in a dynamic, business-conducive environment.

The 2014 edition of the Arab Oil and Gas show, which is one of the region’s foremost trade exhibitions for the Onshore and Offshore Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries, will showcase the products and technology from across 25 countries. The objective of the event is to promote trade and business alliances, facilitate meetings and the signing of contracts, introduce technical and recruitment teams from the region’s national oil and gas companies and develop sales contacts. Some of the exhibition’s focal areas will include training, professional development, and employment within the energy sector.

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), commented: “A recent report by the Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation (APICORP) states that the energy investment needs in the MENA region from 2012 to 2016 are expected to reach $525 billion, with most of the investments being centered in the Arabian Gulf. After

US labor market firming up, inflation tame: Data

Bernanke likens 2008 fiscal crisis to car crash WASHINGTON: In his final public appearance as chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke took a moment to reflect on the 2008 financial crisis and compared it to surviving a bad car crash.

During an interview at the Brookings Institution, Bernanke recalled some “very intense periods” during the crisis, similar to trying to keep a car from going over a bridge after a collision. The government had just taken over mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Lehman Brothers had collapsed. He recalled some sleepless nights working with others to try and contain the damage. “If you’re in a car wreck or something, you’re mostly involved in trying to avoid going off the bridge. And then, later on, you say, ‘Oh my God!’” Bernanke said.

Bernanke will leave the Fed on Jan 31 after eight years as chairman. His successor, Janet Yellen, will take over on Feb 1.

In his appearance, Bernanke defended the Fed’s efforts during the crisis, which included massive purchases of Treasury bonds to push long-term interest rates lower and forward guidance to investors about how long the Fed plans to keep short-term interest rates near zero.

Critics have warned that those efforts pose

great risks for higher inflation or future financial market turmoil. But Bernanke says there has not been a problem with inflation, which is still running well below the Fed’s 2 percent target.

Should inflation start to be a problem as the economy starts growing at faster rates, the Fed “has all the tools we need to manage interest rates” to keep inflation from getting out of hand, he said.

“Inflation is just not really a significant risk” from the bond purchases, Bernanke said.

Bernanke said the central bank was aware of potential threats to financial market stability from its massive bond holdings and is monitoring markets very closely to spot any signs of trouble. He said this threat was the one “we have spent the most time thinking about and trying to make sure that we can address” should the need arise. But he said any concerns about financial stability did not outweigh the need to keep providing support to the economy.

The Fed announced last month that it would slightly reduce the size of its bond purchases in January from $85 billion per month down to $75 billion. And it said it would likely make further reductions at upcoming meetings, if the economy keeps improving. — AP

WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell for the second consecutive week last week, suggesting a sharp step-down in job growth in December was likely to be temporary. The better labor market tone was also captured by a survey showing an acceleration in manufacturing activity in the Mid-Atlantic region, accompanied by a rise in factory jobs.

“We view the tepid December payroll gain as an aberration and expect job creation to look stronger in January,” said John Ryding, chief economist at RDQ Economics in New York.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits slipped 2,000 to a seasonally adjusted 326,000, the Labor Department said. That compared to economists’ expectations for a fall to 328,000. Job growth slowed sharply in December, with employers adding only 74,000 new positions. Nonfarm payrolls increased 241,000 in November and the retreat last month was blamed on cold weather.

In a separate report, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank said its business activity index rose to 9.4 points this month from 6.4 in December. Any reading above zero indicates manufacturing expansion in the region, which includes factories in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. A gauge of factory jobs surged this month, but workers saw a drop in hours on average. There was a slowdown in new orders.

Even as the economy gathers steam there is little sign of a broad pick-up in prices, keeping inflation pressures muted. In another report, the Labor Department said its Consumer Price Index increased 0.3 percent after being flat in November. In the 12 months to December, consumer prices accelerated 1.5 percent after advancing 1.2 percent in November. The increases were in line with economists’ expectations.—Reuters

30 years of facilitating investment and trade within the region’s industry, the Arab Oil and Gas show has established itself as a key networking and business-to-business event attended by industry experts. With expanding demand for energy across the globe, exhibitors and visitors of the upcoming Arab Oil & Gas Show will benefit from the exponential growth of business in Dubai that is creating new channels and opportunities for trade and business alliances”.

A hands-on Arab Oil & Gas conference with a streamlined focus on the oil and gas sector will be conducted alongside the trade exhibition

and will serve as a gateway for technicians, engineers and engineering graduates to interact and bridge the divide between education and industry. More than 300 exhibitors from over 25 countries are expected to display their products and services at the Arab Oil and Gas show. The exhibition will feature and engage representatives from related industries and business entities such as Laboratory & Instrumentation, Oil & Gas producers, Shipping, Research & Education, Petrochemicals, Refineries, Onshore and Offshore Drilling, Design & Engineering, and Environment & Alternative Energies, to name a few.

Zain launches ‘Win MINI Cooper or $10,000’ weekly draw for smartphone users KUWAIT: Zain, the first telecommunications company in Kuwait, launched yesterday a new weekly draw for technology and smartphone enthusiasts. Upon subscribing to any of Zain’s various smartphones postpaid packages, customers will automatically be registered in the weekly draw to win a MINI Cooper or cash prizes up to $10,000.

Zain customers will qualify to enter the draw upon subscribing to any of the unique smartphone packages offered by the company to its customers, that include the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, Sony XperiaZ1, LG G2, Nokia Lumia 1020,

Galaxy S4 LTE, Galaxy S4 Mini LTE, and the Galaxy Note 3.

This promotional campaign demonstrates Zain’s pivotal role in Kuwait’s telecom sector, sparing no effort in introducing exceptional offerings for technology and smartphone enthusiasts.

To find out more about Zain’s multiple services, offers, and products customers are advised to visit the company’s website www.kw.zain.com, or call the customer contact center on 107, or visit any of the company’s 82 branches located across Kuwait.

Citadel Capital completes EGP 2.628bn in asset purchases, add-on investments CAIRO: Citadel Capital, the leading investment company in Africa and the Middle East with $9.5 billion in investments under control, has completed asset purchases as well as add-on investments worth a combined EGP 2.628 billion.

The acquisitions and add-on investments are part of the firm’s ongoing transformation from a hybrid private equity firm into an investment company that will hold majority stakes in five core industries including energy, transportation, agrifoods, mining and cement.

The firm expects to make a further EGP 132 million in asset purchases in the coming period.

As part of the transformation process, the firm has launched an EGP 3.64 billion capital increase approved by shareholders at an extraordinary

general meeting (EGM) on 20 October 2013.

Notably, shareholders and investors who have sold their stakes in platform companies to Citadel Capital are committed to contribute c.

EGP 2.671 billion to Citadel Capital’s ongoing capital increase as per their contractual obligations. The firm plans to use part of the proceeds of the capital raising to finance payments related to transactions that will see the firm increase its stake in select platform companies.

The share issuance at par value (EGP 5) will, once complete, result in the firm’s paid-in capital rising to EGP 8.0 billion from EGP 4.36 billion.

The firm plans to exit non-core investments over the coming few years as it transforms its business model to become an investment company.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

technology

US bitcoin bonanza: How, where and when to sell?

NEW YORK: US prosecutors in Manhattan are sitting on a multimilliondollar bitcoin gold mine. And it could get much bigger. Federal authorities hauled in 29,655 units of the digital currency worth $27 million at current exchange rates - through an official forfeiture by Bitcoin this week. The bitcoins had belonged to Silk Road, an anonymous online black market that authorities say was a conduit for purchases of drugs and computer hacking services - even a place where assassins may have advertised. It was shuttered after an FBI raid in September, when agents took control of its server and arrested the man they say was its founder in San Francisco.

No one stepped forward to claim these bitcoins, which were found in electronic “wallets” used to store the digital currency. An additional 144,336 bitcoins, worth more than $128 million today, were also discovered, but the government’s claim on them is being disputed

by Ross William Ulbricht, 29, who US authorities say was the founder and main operator of Silk Road. They had been

stashed on his laptop. It all puts authorities in an unusual position, given their concerns about the way in which bitcoins and other digital currencies are used by criminals to circumvent regulations intended to prevent money laundering.

By trading in bitcoins, the government could give the currency some legitimacy.

Bitcoin is essentially software code that defines units of value, which users can move back and forth among themselves. Unlike other virtual money transmitters, its value isn’t pegged to a hard currency like the dollar or the euro; it is determined by the demand for bitcoins.

The US Marshals Service, which is in charge of liquidating such seized assets, will have to decide whether to sell the units on a Bitcoin exchange or find a private buyer, perhaps through an auction.

A spokeswoman for Preet Bharara, the US Attorney for New York’s Southern District, said Friday that the government is still trying to decide what to do with the forfeited bitcoins.

The timing of any sale could make a big difference in the amount the govern-

ment could realize. Bitcoin’s value has fluctuated wildly over the past six months. When Silk Road was seized, the bitcoins found on the server were worth $3.6 million, far below their current $27 million value. Friday’s exchange rate was about $900 per bitcoin, according to the Tokyo-based Bitcoin exchange MtGox. It is unclear whether a large sale of bitcoins by the government could drive down the price. Friday’s volume on MtGox, which is the largest Bitcoin exchange, was 8,656 units.

“If it’s worth $27 million now, is that a high part of the market? A low part of the market? That’s one of the decisions they’re going to have to make,” said Louis Rulli, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. “It would seem to me that they would probably convert those bitcoins into cash relatively quickly.”

Barry Silbert, the founder of one of the first investment funds that lets retail investors gain exposure to Bitcoin, declined to offer an opinion on what the government should do with its stash or how a sale would affect the market.

Marco Santori, a lobbyist for the Bitcoin Foundation, which is Bitcoin’s official trade group, said the group did not have an official position on the matter.

‘This Won’t be Difficult’ Most goods seized by US authorities end up in the hands of the US Marshals, where they are auctioned or, at times, repurposed for government use. But the Marshals aren’t just practiced at unloading forfeited SUVs or houses; they also deal with complex financial instruments, foreign companies and other kinds of obscure assets forfeited by criminals.

“While Bitcoin is a somewhat new form of asset, it’s not unusual for them to have to find out how to liquidate a new asset,” said Jeffrey Alberts, a partner at Pryor Cashman and a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan. “This won’t be difficult for them, whether they do it through an exchange or find a buyer who wants to buy it directly from them.”

Ulbricht was arrested Oct 1 in a San Francisco public library and charged by prosecutors in New York with one count

each of money laundering, computer hacking and drug trafficking. He is being held at a federal detention center in New York without bail. He has not entered a formal plea but has maintained his innocence through statements by his lawyer.

Prosecutors last week asked a judge to grant them a default judgment in the civil forfeiture case they filed after the raid on Silk Road and Ulbricht’s arrest claiming Silk Road’s assets. US District Judge J Paul Oetken signed an order to that effect on Wednesday, giving the government control of the 29,655 Bitcoins from Silk Road’s server but not of the bitcoins - the larger sum - discovered on Ulbricht’s computer.

Those are still in dispute.

The proceeds from any sale would be turned over to an asset forfeiture fund from which the US Justice Department can draw for law enforcement activities. If any money were to come back to prosecutors’ budgets, it would be distributed evenly among US attorneys’ offices, a policy meant to prevent individual offices from unduly seizing assets to pad their budgets. — Reuters

Obama clips NSA wings, but collection to go on Spy taps on friendly world leaders halted

WATERTOWN, Massachusetts: In this Dec 19, 2013 photo, a passerby walks near an entrance to a Target retail store. — AP

Shoppers fret about emails’ authenticity NEW YORK: An email sent to the roughly 70 million Target customers who may have been affected by a pre-Christmas data breach is causing panic among those who fear it could be an attempt to victimize them again. Target says the email, which offers free credit monitoring services to potential victims of the breach, is legitimate. But the company has identified a handful of scammers who are trying to take advantage of the public’s fear and confusion.

Shawn Blakeman, 42, of Raleigh, North Carolina, received Target’s email Friday morning, but he didn’t click on the link it contained “just in case it was some kind of a website that I couldn’t get out of or had a hidden virus,” he says.

Consumers have been on edge since news of the data breach broke last month. And they’ve been warned to be on alert for possible followup attacks that could come in the form of phishing emails, electronic messages designed to implant malicious software on their computers or draw them to websites that prompt them to enter personal information.

So when Target’s email began circulating earlier this week, many recipients questioned its authenticity. The email was especially suspicious to people who say they haven’t set foot in a Target store in years. Jim Reid, 60, of Minneapolis says he was a little nervous about clicking on the link in the email and he questioned whether it was a good idea to send Target even more personal information when they were unable to protect it in the first place. “There’s too much uncertainty,” Reid says. “They keep changing what they’re saying about how many people were affected, about what kinds of information were stolen. It’s obvious that they really don’t know.”

According to Target, hackers stole data related to 40 million credit and debit card accounts and also pilfered personal information, including

email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses and names of as many as 70 million customers. Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder says it’s those 70 million people that Target contacted by email. And while Target believes the theft of the roughly 40 million debit and credit card numbers only affected cards swiped between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, the 70 million people whose personal information was stolen could have last shopped at a Target store months, or even years, ago.

Meanwhile, consumers are right to be wary of emails purportedly sent by Target. Snyder says that in recent weeks the retailer has stopped more than a dozen operations that sought to scam breach victims by way of email, phone calls, and text messages. Target says all of the letters it’s sending to shoppers are posted on the company’s website, along with information about what customers need to do to sign up for Target’s free credit monitoring. Snyder confirmed that the information gathered for the free service won’t be used for marketing purposes.

While shoppers are being offered the option of continuing the monitoring service after a year, they won’t be automatically re-enrolled in the service or receive a bill.

The retail giant wasn’t the only company to get hit with a data breach over the holidays. Last week, Neiman Marcus said thieves stole some of its customers’ payment information and made unauthorized charges over the holidays. The Dallas-based luxury retailer is also offering its customers free credit monitoring for a year and plans to post sign-up instructions on its website by the end of next week. Target’s credit monitoring is being provided by Experian. Company officials wouldn’t disclose details about how many Target customers have signed up for the free services.

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama curtailed the reach of massive US National Security Agency phone surveillance sweeps Friday, but said bulk data collection must go on to protect America from terrorists. In a long-awaited speech designed to quell a furor over the programs exposed by Edward Snowden, Obama also said he had halted spy taps on friendly world leaders and proposed new shields for foreigners caught in US data sweeps. “Given the unique power of the state, it is not enough for leaders to say: trust us, we won’t abuse the data we collect,” Obama said at the US Justice Department.

Obama’s proposals represented a search for common ground between the intelligence community’s resistance to reform and civil liberties advocates who view phone and Internet data trawling as a mass invasion of privacy. They emerged from a prolonged period of reflection by the president and a comprehensive review of the national security apparatus that sprung up hurriedly after the Sept 11 attacks in 2001.

But after charting new guidelines, the president left many of the details of proposed reforms either with Congress, top officials or the NSA itself. “The power of new technologies means that there are fewer and fewer technical constraints on what we can do,” Obama said.

“That places a special obligation on us to ask tough questions about what we should do.”

It is doubtful however that the reassessment would have happened were it not for explosive disclosures by Snowden in one of the greatest security breaches in US history. In the most significant reform, the president committed to ending the NSA’s hoarding of telephone “metadata” detailing the duration and destination of hundreds of millions of calls but not their content.

He did not believe that abuses had occurred or that US spies had been “cavalier” about civil liberties.

But he called for a new approach. “I am therefore ordering a transition that will end the Section 215 bulk metadata program as it currently exists, and establish a mechanism that preserves the capabilities we need without the government holding this bulk meta-data.” Obama called on Attorney General Eric Holder and the NSA to come up suggestions for an alternative way to hold the material within 60 days. Possible alternatives include keeping records with reluctant telecommunications firms, which are currently compelled to turn it over to the NSA, or to deposit it with a third party.

Obama also said that from now on, NSA

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama winks after speaking about the National Security Agency (NSA) and intelligence agencies surveillance techniques at the US Department of Justice on Friday. — AFP agents would need the endorsement of a special intelligence court before accessing data on a specific target. He offered one caveat however: that order would not apply in the case of a genuine national security emergency. The NSA will also now only be permitted to access call data from people at two removes from a suspect in an investigation. Previously it could probe three “hops”. Obama also said that he had already ordered a halt to dozens of phone tap operations targeting friendly foreign leaders. “I have made clear to the intelligence community that unless there is a compelling national security purpose - we will not monitor the communications of heads of state and government of our close friends and allies,” he said.

The move followed an outcry over claims by fugitive contractor Snowden, now exiled in Russia, that US spies snooped on the phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders. But he also took a swipe at the chorus of complaints about US espionage from some allies.

“We will not apologize simply because our services may be more effective,” he said, and noted that rivals like Russia and China would not undertake such an open debate. Obama is also taking the unprecedented step of extending personal protections enjoyed by Americans to foreigners caught in US phone and Internet data sweeps.

EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding welcomed the moves. Obama, who wants Snowden to return home to face trial, only mentioned the US nemesis in passing, saying the damage he had wrought may not be known for years. The reforms got a guarded welcome from privacy advocates, questions about how they would work - and some disappointment they did not go further. “President Obama’s announced solution to the NSA spying controversy is the same unconstitutional program with a new configuration,” said Republican Senator Rand Paul, a prominent libertarian critic of government surveillance overreach.

Steven Hawkins, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA said that privacy still remained under threat. “President Obama’s recognition of the need to safeguard the privacy of people around the world is significant, but insufficient to end serious global concern over mass surveillance, which by its very nature constitutes abuse,” he argued. Battle lines were already being drawn in Congress. “The president’s blueprint was bold and courageous, but it was only a first step,” Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said. “I think he is really in essence passing the torch of reform, providing a broad blueprint which is very robust, but leaving a lot of the details to Congress.” — AFP

Yahoo honeymoon hits reality for Internet sweetheart Mayer SAN FRANCISCO: The axing this week of Yahoo’s second-in-command sent a signal that reality is setting in for Silicon Valley sweetheart Marissa Mayer, who leads the struggling Internet pioneer. Hearts soared when Mayer was wooed away from rival Google in July of 2012 to become the seventh chief of Yahoo in five years. The cultured, stylish and smart veteran engineer promised to bring some of the I nternet giant ’s money-mak ing magic with her in the move from the Googleplex in Mountain View to the Yahoo campus in Sunnyvale.

While Mayer had become a highrank ing Google executive, the Yahoo post was her first time as chief executive. Yahoo’s floundering share price climbed with hopes Mayer would succeed where others failed in re -inventing the once flourishing Internet search firm left to wither in Google’s shadow. One of her first big moves was to handpick a lieutenant to serve as chief operating officer, who makes sure the Yahoo team effec tively hits goals set by Mayer.

But Mayer jettisoned her second-

in-command this week, notifying US regulators in a filing. Chief operating officer Henrique de Castro walked away with a $20 million stock award and other compensation after just 15 months on the job.

“To admit you are wrong is not easy for anyone to do, and something with the magnitude and cost of this mistake had to be a serious soulsearching event for Marissa,” said Creative Strategies analyst Tim Bajarin. “But her fiduciary responsibility is to only have people in the company who are moving the company forward, and if de Castro was not in step she did not have a choice.”

M ayer and de Castro worked together at Google, and she hired him away from the rival with the aim of having him boost Yahoo’s sinking ad revenue. Yahoo ad revenue continued to sag, and de Castro’s dismissal has financial analysts wondering whether the company will disappoint in a quarterly earnings repor t due out Jan 28. “ There is a saying that you can’t recruit anyone out of Google for money; and if you do get someone

out of Google, it is someone who they wanted to leave,” said analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley. “This could indicate there is truth in that saying.” Yahoo shares were down slightly on Friday, with after-market trades slipping to $39.86.

In a sign of fur ther upheaval, reports at freshly launched Re/Code technology news website and elsewhere on Friday indicated Yahoo’s editor-in-chief had quit. Mayer theatrically unveiled Yahoo digital magazines earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as the company dove deeper into being an Internet Age media company. Her CES keynote production included appearances by newly-hired Yahoo Global Anchor Katie Couric and Yahoo Tech vice president David Pogue, a former New York Times reporter. But editor-inchief Jai Singh did not appear.

Announcements included the launches of a Yahoo News digest app for smartphones, and digital magazines. Mayer has been on a buying streak since she took over Yahoo, with the biggest acquisition

the $1.1 billion takeover of blogging platform Tumblr. Mayer has benefitted from a financial cushion afforded Yahoo thanks to an early investment in thriving Chinese ecommerce operation Alibaba. “The Alibaba revenue is like living off a trust fund,” analyst Enderle said.

“Right now, from a financial perspective, she is riding on Alibaba.

But she is not breaking anything.”

Despite many investments, Yahoo last year lost its number two position in the US digital ad market to social net work ing titan Facebook, according to industrytracker eMarketer. Yahoo’s share of global digital ad revenue slid about a half percent to 2.87 percent last year, while Facebook and Google saw their shares rise, eMarketer reported. Both Bajarin and Enderle said that, considering this is Mayer’s first time running a technology firm, early mistakes in judgment were par for the course. “We don’t see trouble in paradise,” Bajarin said. “I’m not sure you can read into this trouble as much as you can that Marissa is making sure everybody is in step.” — AFP

LAS VEGAS: Photo dated Jan 7, 2014 shows Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer speaking during her keynote address at the 2014 International CES. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Why is a stress cardiac MRI essential?

Images Diagnostic Center, GE hold press conference

KUWAIT: Experts from Images Diagnostic Center and General Electric during the press conference on the importance of stress cardiac MRI. — Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: With the aim of spreading awareness about the importance of stress cardiac MRI, Images Diagnostic Center in collaboration with General Electric held a press conference under the theme of “Why Stress Cardiac MRI is essential” during a presentation held by specialized professors from the University of Hospitals Group of Paris where they stressed on the importance of Stress Cardiac MRI, which is a test that creates detailed images of your heart and blood vessels in order to check the blood flow to the heart. It helps doctors study the structure and function of heart muscle, which can lead to uncovering the cause of a patient’s heart failure or in identifying the specific location of tissue damage due to a hear t attack. Being the pioneer in providing the latest services, Images Diagnostic

Center is the only entity that offers the stress cardiac MRI scan in Kuwait, in this context the Vice President of Diagnostic I maging Depar tment, Advanced Technology Company Nidal Farhat commented: “GE Optima 450w along with Cardiac Report Card both offer an advanced and detailed scan of the heart and its functions, it creates both still and moving pictures of the heart and major blood vessels.

Doctors use cardiac MRI to get pictures of the beating heart and to look at its structure and function. These pictures can help doctors decide the best way to treat people who have heart problems”.

During the press conference Dr Yahya Sulaiman, R adiology Consultant at I mages Diagnostic Center pointed out: “ This ser vice comes in assurance from the center in

Comedians have psychotic personality traits: Study LONDON: Having an unusual personality structure could be the secret to making other people laugh, scientists said after research showed that comedians have high levels of psychotic personality traits.

In a study in the British Journal of Psychiatry, researchers analyzed comedians from Australia, Britain and the United States and found they scored significantly higher on four types of psychotic characteristics compared to a control group of people who had non-creative jobs.

The traits included a tendency towards impulsive or anti-social behavior, and a tendency to avoid intimacy. “The creative elements needed to produce humor are strikingly similar to those characterizing the cognitive style of people with psychosis - both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder,” said Gordon Claridge of the University of Oxford’s department of experimental psychology, who led the study. Although the traits in question are known as “psychotic”, Claridge said, they can also represent healthy equivalents of features such as moodiness, social introversion and the tendency to lateral thinking. “Although schizophrenic psychosis itself can be detrimental to humor, in its lesser form it can increase people’s ability to associate odd or unusual things or to think ‘outside the box’,” he said.

“Equally, manic thinking - which is common in people with bipolar disorder -

may help people combine ideas to form new, original and humorous connections.”

The researchers recruited 523 comedians 404 men and 119 women - and asked them to complete an online questionnaire designed to measure psychotic traits in healthy people.

The traits scored were “unusual experiences”, such as belief in telepathy and paranormal events, “cognitive disorganisation” such as difficulty in focusing thoughts, “introvertive anhedonia” reduced ability to feel social and physical pleasure, and “impulsive non-conformity”, or tendency towards impulsive, antisocial behavior. The same questionnaire was also completed by 364 actors - who are also used to performing in front of an audience - as a control group, and the comedians’ and actors’ results were compared to each other as well as a general group of 831 people who had non-creative jobs.

The researchers found that comedians scored significantly higher on all four types of psychotic personality traits compared to the general group. Most striking were their high scores for impulsive nonconformity and introverted personality traits, the researchers said.

The actors scored higher than the general group on three types - but did not display high levels of introverted personality traits. — Reuters

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks on the release of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on the ‘The Health Consequence of Smoking 50 Years of Progress’, on Friday in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. —AP

S Korea on alert after bird flu confirmed SEOUL: South Korea stepped up the culling of poultry and enforced strict quarantine measures yesterday to stop the country’s first outbreak of bird flu in three years from spreading, officials said.

Some 21,000 ducks on a poultry farm in Gochang in North Jeolla Province- 300 kilometres (187 miles) southwest of Seoulwere culled after avian influenza was found there, the agriculture ministry said.

“Testing showed it was confirmed as H5N1 avian flu,” Kwong Jae-Hwan, a senior ministry official, told reporters yesterday.

Ducks were found on Friday to have been infected with a highly pathogenic form of

avian influenza and a tight sanitary cordon has been established around the farm. The culling of 60,000 ducks at nearby farms has also begun and a probe into the deaths of about 1,000 migratory birds in a reser voir in Gochang has been opened, the ministry added. Quarantine measures were also enforced at 24 other farms in four different provinces that were known to have purchased ducks from the Gochang farm.

The last outbreak in South Korea occurred in 2011, when more than six million poultry were culled at more than 280 farms across the country.— AFP

offering cutting edge technologies and high end services in providing healthcare and treatment for all heart patients.”

He also added: “Images Diagnostic Center seeks in providing heart diagnostic procedures and services that are parallel to the international standards which reflect what the center has accomplished in this field on an international level”. By a team of professors and experts a complete presentation was conducted to explain in details the procedure and how safe it is, since it does not use X-rays and patients are not exposed to any radiation, moreover the doctor and the cardiac specialist at “Images” are in constant touch with the patient during the procedure, giving them the chance to give a step by step explanation. Also in case of stress or phobia

from closed areas the patient is given a medicine to relax in order to offer stress free and a pleasant experience as much as possible. Prof. Laurent Macron - specialized in Cardiac I maging in Georges Pompidou, European University Hospital in Paris (APHP) explained that Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI or CMR) is a valuable tool that produces detailed images of the beating heart. This completely noninvasive test helps doctors study the structure and function of heart muscle. It also gives precise assessment to the functions of the ventricles and hear t valves. As well as shunt function, myocardial perfusion, viability and scarring along with vasculature angiography of the pulmonary and systemic, all this with the use of ionizing radiation. The professor also con-

tinued that the initial diagnostic scans for patients are electrocardiogram or echocardiogram, however cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is essential when results are not clear or sufficient and require more detailed diagnose for proper treatment plan.

At last, an explanation about the reasons of why should a patient consider stress cardiac MRI was raised, when alternatives are not sufficient e n o u g h s u c h a s c a rd i a c s t re s s echocardiogram, stress electrocardiogram, nuclear stress test, cardiac catheteriz-ation/angiogram and CT scan of the blood vessels that feed the heart before considering conducting any procedure like revascularization or Aortic and pulmonary angiography for aneurysms/dissection.

S Africa risks ‘spreading’ totally drug-resistant TB Study says patients being discharged while infectious LONDON: Patients with contagious and highly drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) are being routinely discharged from hospitals across South Africa, exposing others in their communities to potentially deadly infections, researchers said on Friday. In a study in the medical journal The Lancet, they said the patients, with strains of TB known as extensively-drug resistant (XDR) and totally drug resistant (TDR) TB, have exhausted all available treatment options and are sent home. “ These patients can survive for months or even years and are contributing to the community-based spread of XDR-TB,” said Keertan Dheda, who led the study at the University of Cape Town’s department of medicine. Tuberculosis infects the lungs and can spread through coughing and sneezing. In recent years, drug-resistant strains have spread around the world, batting off standard antibiotics and posing an increasingly urgent public health threat.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in Eastern Europe, Asia and South Africa, 450,000 people have MDR-TB, and around half of these will fail to respond to existing treatments.

Dheda’s team followed 107 patients with XDR-TB from three provinces in South Africa between March 2008 and August 2012 to establish their fate.

They also took samples from 56 patients and tested them to find out which and how many of 10 firstand second-line anti-TB drugs they were susceptible to. Despite being treated intensively with an average of eight anti-tuberculosis drugs, many of the patients fared poorly, with high rates of treatment failure and death. Five years after treatment initiation, only 12 of the patients had favourable outcomes and 74 percent had died.

Patients of the TB center in Khayelitsha, South Africa, wait to see doctors.

The researchers found that almost two-thirds of the tested patients had resistance to at least eight drugs, and there was one case of totally drug-resistant TB that was not susceptible to any of the 10 drugs tested. More worrisome, Dheda said, was that of the XDR-TB patients discharged into the general community, some 42 percent had failed to get better on treatment and were testing positive for active TB, and of these almost a third were at high risk of transmitting the disease. The patients also survived in the community for an average of 20 months - plenty of time to infect others. When people with lung TB

cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. Another person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.

“Alarmingly, we have shown for the first time that... treatment failure and discharge of such patients into the wider community is occurring systematically on a country-wide level in South Africa,” Dheda said in a statement about the findings. In one case where the researchers followed a genetic trail of transmission, they found that a patient with XDR-TB who was discharged after failing treatment went on to infect his brother, who also eventually died. Dheda said the reason many

TB patients are being sent away from hospitals appeared to be lack of bed space in designated tuberculosis hospitals. “And alternative long-term residential and palliative care facilities are scarce.”

Commenting on the findings in The Lancet, Max O’Donnell from New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the United States said they should serve as an “urgent alarm”. “MDR-TB (multi-drug-resistant TB) in all its forms is an out-ofcontrol problem with potentially vast and devastating consequences for global public health,” he wrote.

“The situation regarding MDR and XDR-TB is bleak.” —Reuters

Taiwan ban on Canadian beef-on-the-bone lifted TAIPEI: Taiwan lifted a ban on imports of Canadian beef-on-the-bone as part of its efforts to promote investment talks with the country and its participation in regional trade blocs. Under the new measure set to take effect in mid-February, imports from Canada of bone-in beef from cows under aged 30 months or younger will be allowed, the economic ministry said. Canadian and US beef imports were initially banned in 2003 in the wake of various mad cow disease scares though Taiwan has steadily lifted restrictions in recent years. Boneless Canadian beef has been able to be imported since 2007.The ministry said it hoped its latest move would help

promote negotiations with Canada on an investment agreement as well as paving the way for Taiwan to join the regional trade bloc, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The announcement also comes as Taiwan and Canada, which do not have official diplomatic relations, are set to sign an agreement to avoid double taxation later this year. The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, the country’s de facto embassy, welcomed the move, saying it “demonstrates clearly Taiwan’s desire to further liberalize their economy and further integrate into the broader regional and global economy”. Taiwan is heavily reliant on beef from abroad with 94 percent of local con-

sumption met by imports, according to the agriculture ministry.

Taiwan in 2007 partially removed a fouryear-old ban on Canadian beef to allow boneless beef imports, despite opposition from consumer rights groups on concerns over mad cow disease. The government also began easing restrictions on US beef imports in similar efforts to promote bilateral trade talks. US imports of boneless beef were allowed in 2006 whilst the ban on bone-in beef was lifted three years later. In 2012, the country also permitted beef containing the controversial additive ractopamine despite strong opposition. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Role of lower-calorie drinks in question Overweight Americans who pick diet drinks eat more food: Study WASHINGTON: Heavy Americans who drink diet beverages rather than those sweetened with sugar appear to eat more, according to a study released that raised questions about the role lower-calorie drinks play in helping people lose weight.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University analyzed data from a US survey of 24,000 people over a period of 10 years. People who were overweight or obese generally consumed the same amount of calories a day no matter what they drank, but those who chose diet drinks got more of those calories from food. Outside experts were quick to caution that it is not clear what role, if any, diet drinks such as low- or nocalorie versions of sodas, sports drinks and teas played for people who ate more.

In the study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, overweight drinkers of diet beverages in the United States ate 1,965 in food calories a day compared to 1,874 calories among heavy people who drank regular sugar-sweetened beverages.

Among obese diet beverage drinkers, those who consumed low-or no-calorie drinks ate 2,058 calories a day in food versus 1,897 food calories for those who had regular drinks, researchers said.

Such differences were statistically significant, they added. Lead author Sara Bleich

said the results, when paired with other research, suggest that artificial sweeteners may affect people’s metabolism or cravings, although more study is needed.

She acknowledged that people could be deciding to eat more since they are saving calories with their diet drinks. “The push to diet soda may not make a lot of sense if you are then also eating more solid food,” Bleich said. “The switch from a sugary beverage to a diet beverage should be coupled with other changes in the diet, particularly reducing snacks.”

Critics said the analysis, based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey between 1999 and 2010, is flawed and that it is too early to say what, if any, role the low-calorie drinks or their artificial sweeteners play in weight loss.

Several researchers noted that the study did not track a set group of people over time and only looked at a 24-hour snapshot of what any individual consumed. The beverage industry, which has long promoted diet drinks as an alternative to full-calorie beverages, defended such alternatives to help manage weight. “Losing or maintaining weight comes down to balancing the total calories consumed with those burned through physical activity,” the American Beverage Association said

EU warns of Bisphenol health threat

in a statement on Thursday.

Low- or no-calories drinks contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose. Many beverage companies are also turning to other alternatives, such as the extract of Stevia.

Kelly Brownell, a professor psychology and neuroscience at Duke University and dean of its Sanford School of Public Policy, said while the study was compelling and there are still many questions about such sweeteners, more data is needed.

“People need to separate the biology from the psychology,” he said. Bonnie Liebman, the director of nutrition at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said while her group may have other questions about artificial sweeteners, “it’s premature to conclude that it’s something going on in your brain.” In the meantime there are other ways to watch your weight, she said: “You’re much better off with water - or coffee or tea, if they’re unsweetened.” — Reuters

BRUSSELS: The EU food safety watchdog warned Friday that exposure levels to Bisphenol A (BPA), already implicated as a health concern for babies, should be cut by a factor of 10. The European Food Safety Authority said a review of recent studies showed “exposure to BPA is likely to adversely affect the kidney and liver, as well as causing effects on the mammary gland.” BPA may also have an effect on the “reproductive, nervous, immune, metabolic and cardiovascular systems, as well as in the development of cancer,” it said. Although this link is not “considered likely at present,” the possibility adds “to the overall uncertainty about the risks of the substance,” it said in a statement. Accordingly, it recommended that the tolerable daily intake of BPA be cut by a factor of 10, on a temporary basis. At the same time, the EFSA said the “health risk for all population groups is low - including for foetuses, infants, young children and adults,” given current exposure levels which are already below its recommendation. The presence of BPA, a synthetic compound found in certain plastics, has sparked a ban on baby feeding bottles. It is also found in cash register receipts and in the linings of food cans. Some studies have suggested it can disrupt hormones and tests on laboratory animals have linked it to brain and nervous system problems, reproductive disorders and obesity.— AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

W H AT ’ S O N

Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain launches (top) Ethical Kuwait, a new venture of Akash Panwar, a cultural enthusiast and event manager in Kuwait.

—Photos by Joseph Shagra

Mr. Greek welcomes Greek spirit and ‘Zorba’ dance at Marina Mall

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himar International Food Company is proud to launch “Mr. Greek”, Canada’s number one Greek restaurant, in Kuwait and celebrate the genuine spirit of Greece with its customers. The grand opening of Mr. Greek was in Marina Mall - Food Court on January 15, 2014.

Mr. Greek is the first restaurant of the Canadian Franchise in Kuwait where you can enjoy the authentic taste of Greek food accompanied by warm ambience

and unique hospitality.

The Master Franchise - Thimar Int’l Food Co - is launching Mr. Greek restaurant chain in Kuwait, in addition to the GCC and Middle East. Thimar Company acquired the license from the Canadian Franchise and started its expansion plan in 2013 starting with the grand opening of Mr. Greek in the Marina Mall. This comes as the first step to let customers have a glimpse of what an enjoyable,

hospitable and appetizing Greek experience looks like.

Ahmad Bajour - CEO and Managing Partner of Thimar Int’l Food Co. - said “We are proud to present Mr. Greek restaurant chain to the public of Kuwait in order for them to enjoy the Greek culinary art while listening to the melodies of “Zorba” dance which was played on the opening day. We welcome all customers to enjoy our healthy, plateful and home-made

food which is made with utmost care and pride”. “Mr. Greek is proud to introduce its authentic Greek cuisine and ambience alongside with the hospitability of the Mediterranean culture to people who enjoy oriental cuisines”, added Bajour. He finally commented “The public in Kuwait appreciate diverse international cuisines, and Mr. Greek is a houseful of delicious plates that will make them eat, feel and live the true Greek experience “.

Kuwait Music Forum fest

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hyagabrahmam Satguru Sri Thyagaraja Aaradhana 2014 - Music festival by Kuwait Music Forum As a part of “Thyagabrahmam Satguru Sri Thyagaraja Aaradhana - 2014” music festival, Kuwait Carnatic Music Forum had organized musical concert in Kuwait. Program Venue is in Indian Community School, Sr. Branch, Salmiya. The events scheduled are: 1. 23rd January, Thursday. 06.30 pm to 9.00 pm, Grand Vocal Concert lead by Smt. Mathangi Sathyamoorthy, Eminent Musician from India who will be supported on Violin by Shri. Karunagapally S Balamurali, Mirudangam by Shri. Perunna G. Harikumar and on Ghatom by Shri. Manjoor Unnikrishnan from India. 2. 24th January, Friday. 09.00 am to 04.45 pm “Sangeethaarchana”

by Carnatic Music Students and Devotees of Kuwait. 24th January, Friday. 05.00pm onwards Ghanaraga Pancharatna Keerthana Aalapanam... lead by Smt. Mathangi Sathyamoorthy along with eminent musicians from Kuwait. Perunna Harikumar - 99536636. Event is open for all and all are welcome.

ASSE-Kuwait Chapter bids farewell to Burugapalli

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s part of recognizing ASSE Members who are leaving Kuwait for good, American Society of Safety Engineers - Kuwait Chapter (ASSE-KC) recognized Amarnath, for his contribution towards the chapter activities. The ceremony was conducted along with the Executive Committee meeting on January 14, 2014 at Hotel Kohinoor

Banquets Hall, Fahaheel, Kuwait.

Amarnath B is working for Chevron/ Joint Operations. He was associated with ASSE Kuwait Chapter since the year 2004. During his association with the Chapter he served as a Secretary for the year 2011-12, Head of ASSE GCC HSE EXCELLENCE AWARD 2013 committee, Volunteered

Professional Development Conference (PDC) organizing committee since 2006 and was the member of Executive committees of ASSE KC in the past. He has also provided OSHA Training & HSE Plan training to members. Fadhel AlAli, Chairman, ASSE Kuwait Chapter along with elected committee members handed over the memento to Amarnath.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy of Australia has announced that Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas in 10 working days through www.immi.gov.au. All other processing of visas and Immigration matters are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre located in Al Banwan Building, 4B, 1st Floor, Al Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street, Kuwait City. Visit. www.vfs-augcc.com for more info. The Embassy of Australia does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visas and immigration matters is conducted by the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: Info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com (VIS), immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Visa Office), Tel: +971 4 205 5900 (VFS), Fax: + 971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). Notary and passport services are available by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the Embassy on 22322422. nnnnnnn

Sheikha Fraiha hosts dinner to honor Iran writer

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heikha Fraiha Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah invited Dr. Taiba Mahrozadah, a consultant of Iran’s Minister of Science, Research and Technology, to a dinner that was attended by Kuwaiti women social activists and diplomats’ spouses in Kuwait. Dr. Mahrozadah is visiting Kuwait to take part in the 20th Qurain Festival activities. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbiim-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah.

Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF GREECE The Embassy of Greece in Kuwait has the pleasure to announce that visa applications must be submitted to Schengen Visa Application Centre (VFS office) located at 12th floor, Al-Naser Tower, Fahad Al-Salem Street, Al-Qibla area, Kuwait City, (Parking at Souk Watia). For information please call 22281046 from 08:30 to 17:00 (Sunday to Thursday). Working hours: Submission from 08:30 to 15:30. Passport collection from 16:00 to 17:00. For visa applications please visit the following website www.mfa.gr/kuwait. nnnnnnn

The Embassy of Russia he Embassy of Russia has launched its official page on Facebook social network which can be found by following address: http://www.facebook.com/RussianEmbassy Kuwait All necessary information about Russia, bilateral relations between Russia and Kuwait and information for those who are going to apply visa can be found there. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We’ll be happy to help you.

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EMBASSY OF US

The US Embassy in Kuwait has new procedures for obtaining appointments and picking up passports after visa issuance.

Beginning August 9, 2013, we now provide an online visa appointment system, live call center, and in-person pick-up facilities in Kuwait.

Please monitor our website and social media for additional information. This new system offers more flexibility for travelers to the US and to meet the increase in demand for visa appointments.

The general application steps on the new visa appointment system are: 1. Go to www.ustraveldocs.com/kw (if this is the first time on ustraveldocs.com, you will need to create a profile to login).

2. Please complete your DS-160 Online Visa Application which is available at ceac.state.gov/genNIV. 3. Please print and take your deposit slip to any Burgan Bank location to pay your visa application fee.

4. Schedule an appointment for your visa interview online at www.ustraveldocs.com/kw or by phone through the Call Center (at +9652227-1673).

5. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please do so 24 hours beforehand, as a courtesy to other applicants. For more information, please visit the US Embassy website - kuwait.usembassy.gov - as it is the best source of information regarding these changes. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF VATICAN The Apostolic Nunciature Embassy of the Holy See, Vatican in Kuwait has moved to a new location in Kuwait City. Please find below the new address: Yarmouk, Block 1, Street 2, Villa No: 1. P.O.Box 29724, Safat 13158, Kuwait. Tel: 965 25337767, Fax: 965 25342066.

Email: nuntiuskuwait@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

TV PROGRAMS 00:25 00:50 01:45 03:25 04:15 05:05 05:30 05:55 06:45 07:35 08:00 08:25 09:15 10:10 11:05 12:00 12:55 13:20 13:50 14:15 14:45 15:15 15:40 16:30 17:30 18:25 18:50 19:20 20:15 21:10 21:40 22:05 23:00 23:55

Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors Animal Cops Houston Mermaids: The Body Found Lions Of Crocodile River Bondi Vet Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors Animal Cops Houston Gator Boys Swamp Brothers Monkey Life Bondi Vet Wild France Growing Up...

Lions Of Crocodile River Animal Cops Philadelphia Monkey Life Swamp Brothers Meet The Sloths Meet The Sloths Outback Rangers Outback Rangers Lions Of Crocodile River My Cat From Hell Wildest Arctic Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors Pandamonium Bondi Vet Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors Hippo: The Wild Feast North America Galapagos

00:00 Eastenders 00:30 Doctors 01:00 Abandoned At Birth 01:50 Life On Mars 02:40 Case Sensitive: The Point Of Rescue 04:15 The Weakest Link 05:00 Balamory 05:20 Charlie And Lola 05:35 The Green Balloon Club 06:00 3rd & Bird 06:10 Poetry Pie 06:15 Balamory 06:35 Charlie And Lola 06:50 The Green Balloon Club 07:15 3rd & Bird 07:25 Poetry Pie 07:30 The Weakest Link 08:15 Last Of The Summer Wine 08:45 Moone Boy 09:15 Eastenders 09:45 Doctors 10:15 Abandoned At Birth 11:05 Tess Of The D’urbervilles 12:00 The Weakest Link 12:45 Last Of The Summer Wine 13:15 Moone Boy 13:40 Eastenders 14:10 Doctors 14:40 Abandoned At Birth 15:30 Tess Of The D’urbervilles 16:25 The Weakest Link 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 Prison, My Family & Me 19:00 One Foot In The Grave 19:30 Absolutely Fabulous 20:00 Stella 20:45 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 21:30 The Office 22:00 The Shadow Line 23:00 The Weakest Link 23:45 Eastenders

00:40 01:10 01:35 02:25 03:10 04:00 04:25 05:10 05:40 06:05 06:30

Cash In The Attic Cash In The Attic Come Dine With Me MasterChef Australia MasterChef Australia The Little Paris Kitchen Fantasy Homes By The Sea Cash In The Attic Cash In The Attic The Little Paris Kitchen Bargain Hunt

07:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 08:00 Bargain Hunt 08:45 Marbella Mansions 09:30 Masterchef: The Professionals 10:20 The Little Paris Kitchen 10:45 Come Dine With Me 11:40 Come Dine With Me 12:30 Gok’s Fashion Fix 13:20 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 14:10 Antiques Roadshow 15:05 Design Star 15:50 Design Star 16:40 Bargain Hunt 17:25 Cash In The Attic 17:55 Cash In The Attic 18:25 Antiques Roadshow 19:20 Marbella Mansions 20:10 Food & Drink 20:35 A Taste Of Greenland 21:30 Come Dine With Me 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 23:15 Bargain Hunt

00:30 Bear Grylls: How To Stay Alive 01:20 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 02:10 River Monsters 03:00 Bush Pilots 03:50 Border Security 04:15 Auction Kings 04:40 American Digger 05:05 How Do They Do It? 05:30 How It’s Made 06:00 Sons Of Guns 07:00 Bush Pilots 07:50 Alaska: The Last Frontier 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 09:30 Border Security 09:55 Auction Kings 10:20 American Digger 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:10 How It’s Made 11:35 Bear Grylls: How To Stay Alive 12:25 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 13:15 River Monsters 14:05 Border Security 14:30 Auction Kings 14:55 American Digger 15:20 Finding Bigfoot 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 17:00 Ultimate Survival 17:50 Dirty Jobs 18:40 Bush Pilots 19:30 Sons Of Guns 20:20 How Do They Do It? 20:45 How It’s Made 21:10 Auction Kings 21:35 American Digger 22:00 You Have Been Warned 22:50 Treehouse Masters 23:40 Mythbusters

00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 01:50 02:15 02:35 03:00 03:20 03:45 04:05 04:30 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 09:35 11:05

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Austin And Ally Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Gravity Falls My Babysitter’s A Vampire Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Disney Mickey Mouse Shorts Geek Charming Jessie

11:25 11:50 12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 17:00 17:20 17:45 18:10 18:30 18:55 19:20 20:05 20:30 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:10 23:35

Wolfblood Suite Life On Deck A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Shake It Up That’s So Raven Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Wolfblood Gravity Falls Jessie Violetta Mako Mermaids Austin And Ally Wolfblood Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Violetta Jessie My Babysitter’s A Vampire Wolfblood Gravity Falls Shake It Up Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:00 Chelsea Lately 00:30 The Dance Scene 00:55 The Dance Scene 01:25 Style Star 01:50 Style Star 02:20 E! Investigates 03:15 Extreme Close-Up 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 04:10 THS 05:05 E!ES 06:00 15 Remarkable Celebrity Body Bouncebacks 07:50 Style Star 08:20 Fashion Police 09:15 Scouted 10:15 Married To Jonas 10:40 Chasing The Saturdays 11:10 The Drama Queen 12:05 Fashion Police 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 13:35 E!ES 14:30 Style Star 15:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 16:00 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 17:00 The Wanted Life 18:00 E! News 19:00 Fashion Police 20:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 21:00 The Drama Queen 22:00 E!ES 22:30 E! News 23:30 Chelsea Lately

00:15 00:40 01:05 01:30 01:55 02:20 02:45 03:10 03:35 04:00 04:25 Feasts 04:50 05:40 06:30 06:50 07:10 08:00 08:25 08:50 09:15 10:05 10:30 11:20 11:45 Feasts

Unique Eats Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Tastiest Places To Chowdown Easy Chinese: San Francisco Charly’s Cake Angels Unwrapped Unwrapped Unwrapped Unique Eats Unique Eats Andy Bates American Street Iron Chef America Chopped Unwrapped Tastiest Places To Chowdown Food Network Challenge Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Roadtrip With G. Garvin Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Iron Chef America Barefoot Contessa Amazing Wedding Cakes Easy Chinese: San Francisco Andy Bates American Street

PRIMAL ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION

What ‘American Hustle,’ ‘12 Years’ need to do

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RUSHMORE ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD 12:10 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 12:35 Grill It! With Bobby Flay 13:00 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 13:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 13:50 Siba’s Table 14:15 Barefoot Contessa 14:40 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 15:05 Food Network Challenge 15:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 16:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:45 Chopped 17:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:25 Symon’s Suppers 18:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:40 Siba’s Table 20:05 Reza’s African Kitchen 20:30 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 20:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 21:20 Chopped 22:10 Food Network Challenge 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:50 Roadtrip With G. Garvin

00:00 Rebuilding Titanic 01:00 Convoy: War For The Atlantic 02:00 Battleground Brothers 03:00 Diggers 03:30 Diggers 04:00 What Would Happen If 04:30 What Would Happen If 05:00 Naked Science 06:00 Untamed Americas 07:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 08:00 Rebuilding Titanic 09:00 Convoy: War For The Atlantic 10:00 Battleground Brothers 11:00 Untamed Americas 12:00 What Would Happen If 12:30 What Would Happen If 13:00 Evolutions 14:00 Untamed Americas 15:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 16:00 Rebuilding Titanic 17:00 Apocalypse: The Second World War 18:00 Battleground Brothers 19:00 Ultimate Survival Alaska 20:00 One Ocean 21:00 Animal Autopsy 22:00 Wild Russia 23:00 Mystery Files 23:30 Mystery Files

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 02:00 Family Guy 02:30 The League 03:00 Raising Hope 03:30 Melissa & Joey 04:00 Arrested Development 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 Arrested Development 06:00 Two And A Half Men 06:30 Friends 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Arrested Development 08:30 Arrested Development 09:00 Raising Hope 09:30 The Crazy Ones 10:00 Trophy Wife 10:30 Friends 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay 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 15:00 Trophy Wife 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 The League 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

21:00 Switched At Birth

00:00 Primal-18 02:00 How I Spent My Summer Vacation-PG15 03:45 Snow White And The Huntsman-PG15 06:00 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider-PG15 08:00 Darkman-PG15 10:00 Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows-PG15 12:15 The Saint-PG15 14:15 Darkman-PG15 16:00 Deadly Hope-PG15 18:00 The Saint-PG15 20:00 Shadow-PG15 22:00 Stone’s War: War Of The Dead-18

00:00 Calendar Girls-PG15 02:00 Revenge Of The Nerds II: Nerds In Paradise-PG15 04:00 Delirious-PG15 06:00 The Money Pit-PG15 08:00 Raising Arizona-PG15 10:00 Smooch-PG15 12:00 Delirious-PG15 14:00 New Year’s Eve-PG15 16:00 Smooch-PG15 18:00 I Don’t Know How She Does It-PG15 20:00 Rushmore-PG15 22:00 Calendar Girls-PG15

00:45 02:45 04:15 07:15 09:00 11:00 12:30 15:30 17:30 19:30 21:30

Beneath Hill 60-PG15 A Christmas Kiss-PG15 Treasure Island-PG15 A Woman-PG15 Beneath Hill 60-PG15 Beastly-PG15 Hindenburg-PG15 Love Takes Wing-PG15 The Wild Hunt-PG15 Summer Coda-PG15 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy-PG15

02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:15 12:00 13:30 15:30 17:30 19:00 PG15 21:00 23:00

Vampire-18 Year Of The Dog-PG15 Dying Young-PG15 The Rainmaker-PG15 Jack The Bear-PG15 StreetDance 2-PG15 Year Of The Dog-PG15 The Crucible-PG15 StreetDance 2-PG15 The Greatest Movie Ever SoldInternal Affairs-18 J. Edgar-18

01:45 03:45 05:45 07:15

50/50-PG15 Saving Grace B. Jones-PG15 Crisis Point-PG15 My Own Love Song-PG15

09:00 11:00 13:00 PG15 15:00 PG15 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00

People Like Us-PG15 Dirty Teacher-PG15 When Love Is Not EnoughMadea’s Big Happy FamilyPeople Like Us-PG15 Rock Of Ages-PG15 The Sessions-R Total Recall-18

01:00 Cash-PG15 03:00 Anna Karenina-PG15 05:15 Hotel Transylvania-PG 07:00 Bernie-PG15 09:00 The Three Stooges-PG15 11:00 A Monster In Paris-PG 13:00 Remember Sunday-PG15 15:00 Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away-PG 17:00 The Three Stooges-PG15 19:00 The Descendants-PG15 21:00 Midnight In Paris-PG15 23:00 Prometheus-PG15

01:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 02:45 A Christmas Story 2-PG 04:15 George Harrison: Living In The Material World-PG15 08:00 True Justice: One Shot, One Life-PG15 10:00 Mission: Impossible III-PG15 12:15 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days-PG 14:00 Ice Road Terror-PG15 16:00 True Justice: One Shot, One Life-PG15 18:00 Oz The Great And Powerful-PG 20:15 Killing Them Softly-18 22:00 Paranormal Activity 4-18

02:00 02:30 03:00 06:00 07:00 11:30 15:30 16:00 21:30 22:00

Futbol Mundial Inside The PGA Tour Live PGA Tour Cricket ODI Series Highlights PGA European Tour PGA Tour Futbol Mundial Live Snooker Masters ICC Cricket 360 Live Snooker Masters

00:00 NFL Gameday 00:30 Live NFL 03:30 Live NHL 06:30 Futbol Mundial 07:00 NFL 09:30 NFL 12:00 NHL 14:00 Top 14 Highlights 14:30 Darts 17:30 Cricket ODI Series Highlights 18:30 Futbol Mundial 19:00 PGA Tour Highlights 20:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 21:00 NFL 23:30 NHL

01:30 Trans World Sport 02:30 FEI Equestrian World 03:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Snooker Masters 12:00 Futbol Mundial 12:30 ICC Cricket 360 13:00 Golfing World 14:00 Amlin Challenge Cup 16:00 FEI Equestrian World 16:30 FEI Equestrian World 17:00 Futbol Mundial 17:30 Golfing World 18:30 ICC Cricket 360 19:00 Amlin Challenge Cup 21:00 Golfing World 22:00 PGA Tour Highlights 23:00 PGA European Tour Highlights

scar nominations are out, and phase two has begun. For frontrunners like “American Hustle,” “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave,” and for contenders hoping to rally, that means no more parties, fewer Q&A screenings, no more wining and dining the voters. But before the phase-two campaigning really has a chance to get rolling, the top nominees will have to make it through what might be the most important two days until Oscar weekend. The Producers Guild of America will follow today.

And by Monday morning, we could very well have a legitimate Oscar frontrunner instead of an uneasy trifecta. Last weekend, which culminated with the Golden Globes on Sunday, was a time to party; this weekend is when we really start to figure out what’s going to happen at the Dolby Theater on March 2.

For one thing, this weekend will be the first time that moviemakers, rather than critics or journalists, are giving the awards. Remember: Three years ago, “The Social Network” had won everything up to this point, including the top Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Awards (both of which went to “12 Years a Slave” this year). But the tide turned in favor of “The King’s Speech” at the Producers Guild Awards and then at SAG a week later, and that film rolled to Oscar gold.

At stake are two coveted awards, SAG’s Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture honor and the PGA’s Darryl F Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures. The SAG ensemble award, as it is known, has been considered an Oscar bellwether since “Shakespeare in Love” and “Crash” won it at a time when they were considered Oscar underdogs. It only goes to the Oscar best-picture winner about half the time, and it favors films with large casts (sorry, “Gravity” - no nomination for you), but it can be a crucial sign of support, as it was last year when “Argo” was the surprise winner.

The PGA is even more important as an Oscar barometer.

The near-6,000-member organization has an extremely good track record predicting Oscar winners, agreeing with the Academy for the last six years in a row and 17 times in the 24-year existence of the awards. More to the point, when the Academy expanded its Best Picture field from five to 10 nominees in 2009, the PGA followed suit - and it also brought in the preferential system to count final ballots in the category, making it the only guild award to share the Academy’s idiosyncratic method of determining a winner. Since it did so, the PGA’s winner has gone on to win the Oscar every year - and the wins for “The Hurt Locker,” “The King’s Speech, “The Artist” and “Argo” were key signs that those films had what it took to forge the consensus needed to win under a preferential count. So for “American Hustle,” “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave,” the weekend looms large.

Here’s the breakdown for the three big contenders: AMERICAN HUSTLE Status: The Hot Newcomer. Backstory: It didn’t start screening until just before Thanksgiving, long after the other two films had established themselves as frontrunners.

And initial reactions were all over the map for David O. Russell’s freewheeling, seriocomic caper film. But “Hustle” has been on a roll lately; and it scored 10 Oscar nominations, including nods in all four acting categories, making Russell the first director to do that with two consecutive movies.

Task: Solidify its support among the actors, but also move beyond that.

Keys: First, it needs to win SAG ensemble, where it’s considered the favorite. Since the film opened so late and SAG voting took place early, Jennifer Lawrence was the only one of its stars to land a nomination - but a win for Lawrence over “12 Years a Slave” star Lupita Nyong’o in the supporting-actress category would be another sign that it has the actors in its corner. Winning PGA will be tougher for a film that is arguably more divisive than its main competition.

But a victory there would be huge, and would immediately catapault the film into the odds-on Oscar favorite.

GRAVITY Status: The Dazzling Blockbuster.

Backstory: From the moment it debuted at the Venice Film Festival, Alfonso Cuaron’s spectacle managed to win over critics who saw it as more than just a thrill ride through Earth orbit. While the film has grossed more than $250 million in the U.S. and $400 million around the world, Cuaron has dominated in best-director awards. His film set a Critics’ Choice Movie Award record on Thursday with seven wins, though it lost the best-picture honor to “12 Years a Slave.”

Task: Win an award that’s not for directing or below-theline crafts.

Keys: With its only nominated actor, Sandra Bullock, in a category all-but-conceded to Cate Blanchett from “Blue Jasmine,” and a cast of two that was far too small to win it an ensemble nomination, “Gravity” has no expectations for the SAG Awards. But the PGA is absolutely crucial, because the producers who vote are thought to favor big, successful movies. It doesn’t always happen like that (“The Hurt Locker” shocked “Avatar” here four years ago), but “Gravity” absolutely needs to win PGA to remain a frontrunner.

12 YEARS A SLAVE Status: The Critical Favorite Backstory: Debuting at Telluride and then Toronto in September, Steve McQueen’s harrowing drama was immediately anointed the frontrunner - and, in some circles, the sure winner. Beset by murmurs that Academy voters might find it a little too hard to handle, it has nonetheless won the vast majority of critics’ awards, including the top prize at the Globes and Critics Choice.

Task: Show that the industry can embrace a tough, brutal film.

Keys: It has a real shot at SAG ensemble, and could definitely use that boost. Nyong’o faces tough competition from Lawrence in the supporting-actress race, and needs to hang onto the frontrunner status she’s had since Telluride.

And PGA, again, is crucial to show that guild voters will look at a dark, unflinching movie and find the humanity (and, McQueen says, love) at its heart.

EVERYBODY ELSE Status: Underdogs.

Backstory: “Captain Phillips,” “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Her,” “Nebraska,” “Philomena” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” are also best-picture nominees, and they’re not going away.

Task: To find signs of weakness in the frontrunners and present themselves as alternatives.

Keys: There’s not much chance that most of the films could do enough on their own to make a move this weekend. The biggest shakeup would happen if “Dallas Buyers Club” manages an upset victory in SAG ensemble on top of wins from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.

Otherwise, the other contenders will have to hope that the two guilds spread the wealth so evenly, and so confusingly, that nobody comes out of the weekend looking like a frontrunner. — Reuters

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2

Classifieds SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) RAZE (DIG) YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) NO FRI RAZE (DIG) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) RAZE (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-2 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) FROZEN (DIG-3D) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

SHARQIA-3 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM

MUHALAB-1 HOMEFRONT (DIG) NO FRI BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) NO FRI YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU) FRI YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU) YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU) MUHALAB-2 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) MR.GO (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) MUHALAB-3 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG-3D) RAZE (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) RAZE (DIG) FANAR-1 JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) FANAR-2 FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) FANAR-3 MR.GO (DIG) ZINDA BHAAG (DIG) (PAKISTANI) YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU) POLICE STORY 2014 (DIG) POLICE STORY 2014 (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-4 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

FANAR-5 RAZE (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) RAZE (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) RAZE (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) RAZE (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-1 JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) HOMEFRONT (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM

MARINA-2 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) MR.GO (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:45 AM

MARINA-3 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) RAZE (DIG) FROZEN (DIG-3D) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) RAZE (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-1 JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG) JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG) JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG) JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG) YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU) YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU) YEVADU (DIG) (TELUGU)

12:45 PM 2:00 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:15 PM

AVENUES-2 MR.GO (DIG) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) MR.GO (DIG) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:30 PM 6:15 PM 9:00 PM 11:45 PM

AVENUES-3 AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG) AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG) AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG) AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG) AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

2:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

AVENUES-4 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

12:30 PM 2:45 PM

AVENUES-5 AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG) AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM

3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:15 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 10:00 PM 2:15 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM 1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG) AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (DIG)

9:45 PM 12:15 AM

360ยบ- 1 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:30 PM 6:15 PM 9:00 PM 11:45 PM

360ยบ- 2 HOMEFRONT (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:30 PM

360ยบ- 3 FROZEN (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) A STRANGER IN PARADISE (DIG) A STRANGER IN PARADISE (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 11:30 PM

AL-KOUT.1 JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG-3D) HOMEFRONT (DIG) JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOUR (DIG-3D) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.2 RAZE (DIG) MR.GO (DIG) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) RAZE (DIG) BEBE (DIG) (ARABIC) RAZE (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.3 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

AL-KOUT.4 POLICE STORY 2013 (DIG) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) VEERAM (DIG) (TAMIL) VEERAM (DIG) (TAMIL) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG)

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-1 FROZEN (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-2 THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) RAZE (DIG) 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) RAZE (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) RAZE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

Required

FOR SALE

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (16/01/2014 TO 22/01/2014)

Toyota jeep Land Cruiser G.X. R model 2012, white metallic color, full options, 8 cylinder engine, sun roof, alloy rim fog lamp. FR + R bumper sensor wooden interior, CD cruise control etc, km done 56,000, dealer maintained (installment possible) cash price KD 12,450, negotiable. Tel: 99194874. (C 4620) 16-1-2014

An Administrative Officer To work for a commercial enterprise with the following conditions:

Good administrative experience & correspondence via emails - Fluent in Arabic and English - Transferable residence. Driving License & car - Work full time Please send a short CV to the following address:

alhudaida@alhudaida.com

WANTED

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation available at New Riggae January end onwards, one spacious furnished bedroom neat and clean available with all facilities, phone, coolplex and Internet upon requestร CA/C building, 1 no common toilet looking for couples without kids or decent executive bachelor nonsmoking and non-drinking.

Location very close to 5th Ring Road, opposite chocolate shop - Dalmatian shop.

Preference for south Indians. Serious persons can contact George: 99072651. (C 4622) 19-1-2014

A DENTAL CENTER Is looking to hire a nurse with 2-3 years experience.

Send your CV: Email: almuhallab_mutairy@hotmail.com Tel: 55370009, 24801040, 24801050.

CHANGE OF NAME I, Gurigunja Mallikarjuna Naidu holder of Indian Passport No. K5294752 residing at Appagaripally, Kadappa, AP. Now I change my name to Gurigunjakunta Mallikarjuna Naidu.

18-1-2014

Prayer timings Fajr:

05:20

Shorook

06:43

Duhr:

11:59

Asr:

14:55

Maghrib:

17:15

Isha:

18:36

No: 16051

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines JAI KAC THY JZR JZR QTR RJA DLH ETH GFA THY UAE ETD JAI MSR CLX QTR FDB KAC THY DHX QTR FDB BAW KAC FDB QTR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC SVA UAE ABY ETD FDB QTR IRA GFA JZR MEA IRC JZR UAE MSR IRC KAC KAC KAC FDB QTR

Arrival Flights on Sunday 19/1/2014 Flt Route 574 MUMBAI 502 BEIRUT 772 ISTANBUL 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 1084 DOHA 642 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 637 DAMMAM 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 764 SABIHA 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 576 COCHIN 612 CAIRO 792 LUXEMBOURG 1076 DOHA 67 DUBAI 544 CAIRO 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 8524 DOHA 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 53 DUBAI 1086 DOHA 206 ISLAMABAD 302 MUMBAI 352 COCHIN 332 TRIVANDRUM 362 COLOMBO 512 RIYADH 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 55 DUBAI 1070 DOHA 603 SHIRAZ 213 BAHRAIN 165 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 6507 SHIRAZ 561 SOHAG 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 6666 AHWAZ 774 RIYADH 382 DELHI 742 DAMMAM 57 DUBAI 1078 DOHA

Time 00:10 00:15 00:45 00:40 00:40 00:55 01:05 01:10 01:45 02:10 02:15 02:35 02:45 02:50 03:10 03:40 03:45 04:00 04:20 05:35 05:40 05:45 05:50 06:40 06:45 07:50 07:50 07:40 07:55 08:10 08:15 08:45 08:15 08:40 09:00 09:20 09:40 09:55 10:35 10:40 11:30 11:55 12:05 12:55 12:50 13:00 13:45 13:30 13:05 13:30 13:50 13:55

SVA KNE GFA KAC SYR QTR UAE ETD RJA JZR SVA ABY GFA AFG UAL KAC KAC KAC JZR RBG QTR FDB KAC GFA OMA KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB JAI AXB ABY MSR KAC DLH ALK FDB KAC MEA ETD UAE GFA QTR FDB JZR KLM JZR AIC FDB UAL JZR PIA

500 472 221 788 341 1072 857 303 640 777 510 127 215 415 982 284 674 542 177 553 1080 63 786 217 647 618 166 562 102 61 572 393 129 606 514 634 229 71 172 402 307 859 219 1074 59 135 417 239 981 61 981 185 205

JEDDAH JEDDAH BAHRAIN JEDDAH LATAKIA DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA JEDDAH RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN KABUL WASHINGTON DC DULLES DHAKA DUBAI CAIRO DUBAI ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI JEDDAH BAHRAIN MUSCAT DOHA PARIS AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA NEW YORK DUBAI MUMBAI KOZHIKODE SHARJAH LUXOR TEHRAN FRANKFURT COLOMBO DUBAI FRANKFURT BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA CHENNAI DUBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI LAHORE

14:30 14:35 15:00 15:10 16:10 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:55 17:15 17:25 17:30 17:45 18:00 18:00 19:25 18:05 18:20 18:15 18:40 18:45 18:45 19:30 19:55 19:00 19:10 19:55 19:35 20:05 20:10 20:15 20:20 20:45 20:45 20:55 21:10 21:15 21:45 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:05 22:05 22:20 22:30 23:00 23:10 23:20 23:55

Airlines 976 AXB UAL JAI DLH ETH THY UAE KAC ETD MSR QTR FDB QTR KAC CLX JZR FDB JAI JZR RJA THY GFA QTR THY FDB BAW QTR KAC SVA KAC ABY UAE KAC ETD KAC FDB KAC QTR GFA KAC IRA KAC JZR MEA KAC IRC JZR MSR UAE KAC FDB

Departure Flights on Sunday 19/1/2014 Flt Route GOA 00:05 490 MANGALORE 981 WASHINGTON 573 MUMBAI 637 FRANKFURT 621 ADDIS ABABA 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 854 DUBAI 381 DELHI 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 1085 DOHA 68 DUBAI 1077 DOHA 283 DHAKA 792 HONG KONG 560 SOHAG 70 DUBAI 575 ABU DHABI 164 DUBAI 643 AMMAN 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 212 BAHRAIN 8525 DOHA, QATAR 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 54 DUBAI 156 LONDON 1087 DOHA 171 FRANKFURT 513 RIYADH 787 JEDDAH 126 SHARJAH 856 DUBAI 117 NEW YORK 302 ABU DHABI 773 RIYADH 56 DUBAI 741 DAMMAM 1071 DOHA 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 602 SHIRAZ 103 LONDON 776 JEDDAH 405 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 6508 SHIRAZ 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO 872 DUBAI 561 AMMAN 58 DUBAI

DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

TimeAIC 00:15 00:55 01:10 02:10 02:45 02:55 03:50 03:50 04:00 04:10 04:15 04:40 05:15 05:30 05:45 06:20 06:30 06:35 06:55 07:05 07:05 07:15 07:15 07:30 08:30 08:45 08:50 09:10 09:15 09:25 09:40 09:55 10:00 10:05 10:05 10:20 10:30 10:55 11:25 11:30 11:35 12:20 12:25 12:55 13:00 13:05 13:45 14:00 14:15 14:30 14:30

IRC QTR KAC KAC KNE GFA SVA KAC KAC JZR SYR ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR AFG JZR RBG JZR UAL FDB QTR GFA FDB OMA ABY KAC JAI AXB MSR DHX FDB ALK MEA ETD GFA KAC FDB UAE KAC KAC KLM QTR KAC JZR FDB KAC KAC

6667 1079 673 617 473 222 503 513 501 238 342 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 415 266 553 134 982 64 1081 218 62 648 120 361 571 3944 619 171 72 230 403 308 220 301 60 860 205 351 417 1075 343 502 62 411 415

AHWAZ DOHA DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN MADINAH TEHRAN BEIRUT AMMAN LATAKIA ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI JEDDAH BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI MUSCAT SHARJAH COLOMBO MUMBAI KOZHIKODE ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN DUBAI COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD KOCHI DAMMAM DOHA CHENNAI LUXOR DUBAI BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR

14:45 14:55 15:05 15:15 15:30 15:45 15:45 16:20 16:30 16:55 17:10 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:45 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:15 19:25 19:40 20:15 20:45 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:45 21:50 21:55 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:15 23:30 23:40 23:55 23:55

34

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

stars CROSSWORD 433

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES Everything points to your taking the initiative today. You may feel that your opinion is not what someone needs to hear and you may consider taking a listening stand for now. You could feel great support for however you want to proceed.

Your interests are inventive, original and high tech. You draw emotional nourishment and a sense of security from ethics, friends and social involvement. With your curiosity, you tend to expand, garnish, glorify or display some very unusual food items. One of those creations of yours has to do with entertaining. You spend much of this afternoon turning old recipes into new and enticing recipes. No noshing please, your figure may be at risk. You have fun putting a few ideas and recipes on the internet—share.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Interactions with others have a significant effect on your progress and success. There is an accent on calendars, scheduling and planning. The areas in which you want to succeed actually depend on how well you communicate. This afternoon, you may find yourself reflecting on your own youth or some event from the past. The young people around you are interested in some volunteer work. You do well in providing them with incentive as well as choices. This evening is a good time for surrounding yourself with friends and young people and for having a good time. You appreciate your particular situation and enjoy support from those around you. You can demonstrate great understanding and sensitivity to others just now.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. Little known Kamarupan languages.

5. Dutch Renaissance scholar and Roman Catholic theologian who attacked the theology of Martin Luther (1466-1536).

12. An inflammatory disease of connective tissue with variable features including fever and weakness and fatigability and joint pains and skin lesions on the face or neck or arms.

15. A nearly horizontal passage from the surface into a mine.

16. Thin flat unleavened cake of baked oatmeal.

17. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

18. Not only so, but.

19. Chief of the Vanir.

20. Affect with wonder.

22. Small evergreen shrub of Pacific coast of North America having edible dark purple grapesize berries.

24. On or toward the lee.

25. Plants with sword-shaped leaves and erect stalks bearing bright-colored flowers composed of three petals and three drooping sepals.

26. Coarsely ground grain in the form of pellets (as for pet food).

28. (computer science) American Standard Code for Information Interchange.

31. A nucleic acid consisting of large molecules shaped like a double helix.

32. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

33. A ballistic missile that is capable of traveling from one continent to another.

37. German dramatist whose works concern people torn between reason and emotion (17771811).

42. (Old Testament) In Judeo-Christian mythology.

44. (in Gnosticism) A divine power or nature emanating from the Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation of the universe.

46. 100 aurar equal 1 krona.

47. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

48. A town in southwest Mississippi on the Mississippi River.

50. Used of a single unit or thing.

51. Arranged like rays or radii.

53. Port city on Atlantic coast.

55. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

58. Apple grown chiefly in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

61. The relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient).

62. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

64. God of love and erotic desire.

68. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

69. Coelenterate genus of order Madreporaria, including staghorn corals.

73. A rotating disk shaped to convert circular into linear motion.

74. A small amount (especially of a drink).

75. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat trimmed off.

76. A bachelor's degree in theology.

77. The compass point midway between northeast and east.

78. Freetail bats.

79. 10 hao equal 1 dong.

DOWN 1. United States baseball player (born in 1931).

2. The content of cognition.

3. The basic unit of money in Iran.

4. A Greek island west of Greece.

5. The longest division of geological time.

6. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar.

7. An island consisting of a circular coral reef surrounding a lagoon.

8. A long monotonous harangue.

9. Produced by a manufacturing process.

10. A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles.

11. Relating to or characteristic of or occurring on the sea or ships.

12. An African river that flows northwest into Lake Chad.

13. An ancient region of west central Italy (southeast of Rome) on the Tyrrhenian Sea. 14. Eliminate from the body.

21. The environmental condition.

23. Being three more than fifty.

27. Immense East Indian fruit resembling breadfruit of.

29. Egyptian statesman who (as President of Egypt) negotiated a peace treaty with Menachem Begin of Israel (1918-1981).

30. Soreness and warmth caused by friction.

34. A historical region of southwestern India on the west coast.

35. Decisively defeated in combat.

36. (nontechnical usage) A tiny piece of anything.

38. An azure blue semiprecious stone.

39. A native or inhabitant of Iran.

40. The region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean.

41. Something considered choice to eat.

43. A constitutional monarchy in southeastern Asia on Borneo and the Malay Peninsula.

45. A state in southeastern United States.

49. Any of various widely distributed beetles.

52. Beat with a cane.

54. In a murderous frenzy as if possessed by a demon.

56. Marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness.

57. (Zen Buddhism) A state of sudden spiritual enlightenment.

59. A projection at the end of a piece of wood that is shaped to fit into a mortise and form a mortise joint.

60. Make less active or intense.

63. (Greek mythology) Daughter of Zeus and Demeter.

65. A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex.

66. A member of the Siouan people formerly living in the Missouri river valley in NE Nebraska.

67. A platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it.

70. An accountant certified by the state.

71. A unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material.

72. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

You become more practical and conservative this year. You take on projects of repair or restructure. As far as family and friends are concerned, your past and present have been excessively consumed with work. You work hard and sometimes overcompensate for the achievements you think you should be gaining. Everyone, including you, would really be happier with a better balance between work and play, family and friends. Ambition, practicality and achievement are admirable. They are means to an end—not ends in themselves. You respect authority and exemplify cooperation and responsibility—you expect the same of others. This evening you are successful in expressing a grateful heart to those you love.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today you concentrate on finishing what you have started. Shouldering your responsibilities with confidence strengthens your resolve and can lead to an earlier relaxed sort of evening. You are called on to make use of your natural abilities and common sense and you are not afraid to say “no,” if it is necessary. There are referrals and as you send others to seek solace or help elsewhere, you will also teach others to achieve, organize, perform research and have more confidence in their own choices. Of course, you never send someone away without some sort of encouragement or referral.

You are able to enjoy and value your own life situation today.

Leo (July 23-August 22) This is the day to work out questions, difficulties or problems around the home front. This may mean some maintenance, repair or a little planting in the garden.

Neighbors or friends may be having a get-together later today—you are invited. There are lots of opportunities for active communications. This is a wonderful time to be with people that you enjoy, and they with you. The exchange of information takes on a great deal of importance to you. Information about education, the best way to avoid road maintenance or updates on group news is fun and socially satisfying. Everyone enjoys being informed and in the know, so to speak.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Your mind is swift and intelligent as usual—you may find yourself amused and wanting to learn new things. You have insight into your emotions and drive and can talk about your feelings with great insight and flexibility. Organizing projects and people is apt to become a topic of special interest—and a challenge—at this time. Opinions are not enough for you now: authority must back these unusual insights or findings and above all they must have practical worth and application. It looks as though you will soon have new responsibilities in the workplace that will help to pay some of those holiday bills. There may be a period of intense study and thought soon to occupy your time. With your new responsibility, you will want to do your best.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) This is a great time to be with friends in a group situation. If you make your money in creating items for others to enjoy, you may hesitate before becoming too involved. Relax; sometimes you just need to get away from the usual and do something different. Once you return to your current project, you will have new ideas and fresh energy. These projects of yours could be in publishing, artistic endeavors or cultural matters. Your creative imagination and disciplined efforts bring you a high level of success with rewards for your hard work. Laughing is more fun with two. Tonight there is time to catch up with a loved one’s interests and share your own experiences of the day. Loved ones are emphasized this evening.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) A new person is in the picture today. You attract people that are headstrong and confident. Consulting and collaboration on your end will set a pattern for success this year. Make a concentrated effort to become more open-minded and flexible. Marriage and partnerships should be lucky this year and today will give you a hint of things to come. With forethought, money problems can be solved easily. Always look forward, not backward—this attitude will bring you many successful results. You will be getting some helpful information to use in health matters today. Weight could be a problem but with careful planning, you will learn to eliminate snacking! Each person is different; do what is best for you. Exercise control in all things.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Signing papers, cleaning up insurance problems and planning future investments are the big actions for this day. Merge your spiritual life into your daily work. You will have a feeling that your stress has been lightened, basically, because your outlook is happier. Listen to your own inner guide and have faith in what you can accomplish. Spring cleaning seems to be contagious and you may be wondering what to do with what is left over. This could be in administrative work as well as organizing in the home. It would be good to conference with others before making decisions on something that is not your possession. Sensible worth and function may not be the only important issues with others. Relax by tinkering with your toys this evening.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) The way things have normally been achieved in the past may not be working just now. It is time to change your style, or perhaps, update your work. There may be an advisor that could help you make a few changes. Philosophy, balance and critical thinking become more and more a part of your mental patterns and the way you communicate. You are an inventive, original, high-tech individual. You have some design plans that are worth discussing with the proper business channels. Practice your presentation on the young people that are around you today—get their feedback. You could be entertaining some friends this evening.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) This is not a great time to get your ideas in focus. However, building the communication lines of trust and business finesse will keep you strong in the working world. Striking a balance between work and personal achievements is an important step at this time. Because you are fair in your judgments, now would be a good time to make yourself available to question and answer sessions. You have great compassion for those in need and find yourself ready to help where you can be helpful. Whether you realize it or not, you have a great deal of psychic awareness when it comes to dealing with others. Psychic awareness is especially strong now through march. If you keep a logbook or notebook of your visions, you may be surprised at the insights you gain.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) You may find the ability to balance your life circumstances better than in the past. You will soon find yourself relying on your own judgment more often than usual. Today you and electronics get along beautifully and you may be in the mood to take pictures. Being more closely involved with another person may well become your highest priority. Marriage, contracts and partnerships are seen as keys to success and happiness and they have plenty of lessons to teach you. You may also be inclined to have a party in your home for some co-workers. You will find this a successful get-together and important to your self-esteem at work and home. Consider taking a creative writing or similar continuing education class from a community college.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 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

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Sabhan

24742838

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Al-Helaly

22434853

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Al-Faiha

22545051

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Hawally

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

lifestyle G O S S I P

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard engaged?

T

he 27-year-old actress was seen sporting a black pearl and diamond ring on her engagement finger earlier this week - which she tried to hide from photographers - and although it was claimed it is just a promise ring, sources close to the low-key couple say they are actually to wed. A friend told Us Weekly magazine: “The proposal happened a while ago. She just didn’t wear the ring.” Another source says it took Amber a while to make up her mind about the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ hunk’s proposal. The close family friend told Celebuzz.com: “It happened on Christmas Eve. Amber really took her time to make up her mind “She turned him down before ... before she said yes. So she waited and was thinking about it for a long time.” Amber and Johnny, 50, first met when they starred together in 2011’s ‘The Rum Diary’ but didn’t get together

until after the breakdown of his 14 year relationship with Vanessa Paradis, with whom he has Lily Rose,14, and Jack, 11. The couple have been notoriously private about their relationship, but made a rare public appearance together on January 11 at the Art of Elysium Gala in Los Angeles.

Amber’s ring has been described as a “large single emerald or princess cut stone in an elaborate platinum setting” by website MailOnline, who also noted when she was spotted wearing it, the sparkler “is yet to be sized correctly and thus had slipped around to the side slightly.”

Kanye West is planning to buy Kim a castle

T

he ‘Bound 2’ rapper believes he has come up with the perfect wedding gift for his fiancee - with who he has seven-month-old daughter North - and has asked his staff to scour Europe for the perfect property. A source told National Enquirer magazine: “Kanye’s insisting he wants to give Kim an actual castle as a wedding present. He’s already got his people searching all over Europe for the perfect storybook property. Kanye keeps telling friends, ‘Nothing is too good for Kim! My wife deserves to be treated like royalty, and that’s just what I’m going to do.” Before the castle, Kanye may please his wife-to-be a little more if he employed a few extra workers to complete work on their $11 million Mediterranean-style five-bedroom mansion in Bel Air, Los Angeles. The property is not set to be ready for them to move into until summer, over a year after renovation work was started. The mansion has reportedly been furnished with six special-edition beds costing $185,000 in addition to $800,000 worth of gold-plated toilets. A source said recently: “They expect the interior to cost twice as much as the property. They’re spending more than a million on a security system alone.”

Gwen Stefani is

having a baby boy

T

he No Doubt singer is expecting a third child with husband Gavin Rossdale, and confirmed yesterday it will be another boy. Posting a picture of herself wearing a crown on Instagram, she captioned it: “I was ready to hand over the crown. but I guess I am still queen of the house. #itsaboy #surroundedbyboys (sic)” Gwen has not said when the baby is due, but many expect it to be within the next few weeks, given the size of her baby bump.

The new arrival will be a younger brother to Kingston, seven, and Zuma, five. The 44-year-old star - who has a successful clothing range, L.A.M.B. , as well as singing in No Doubt - has previously told how she loves motherhood and watching her children grow. She said: “It’s super fun being a mum but it’s not what you think it’s going to be. And it’s really gradual. “At first, your life is totally the same. You have this cute little thing that you get to drive around everywhere and it’s amazing. As they grow it really does start to change your life. Like, ‘Oh, my God, they have school, they have to get through first grade, they have to learn to read.’ “When you have a family of your own it forces you to go into the adult world a little bit more.” In addition to his family with Gwen, Gavin, 48, also has a daughter, Daisy Lowe, 24, from a previous relationship.

Leonardo DiCaprio is obsessed with jackets

T

he ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ actor insists he doesn’t splash out much on clothes, but can’t resist purchasing new coats, even if they are only slightly different to ones already in his wardrobe. Asked his biggest temptation, he said: “Buying jackets. I’m not a fancy car or private plane sort of person. I don’t even have a huge amount of clothes, but if I see a jacket and I already have one like it but the collar’s different or it’s fluffier or softer, I’ve got to have it.”

Leonardo insists he isn’t very extravagant and the most expensive purchase he has ever made was buying a house for his mother. He said: “A house for my mom early on [is the most expensive thing I’ve bought]. Then I bought her a bigger one. I also bought a Warhol, but my mom’s house cost more.” In his latest movie, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, Leonardo plays real-life hedonistic stockbroker Jordan Belfort and as well as spending a lot of time with the reformed party animal, the 39-year-old star also studied YouTube videos of drunk people in order to make his drug-fuelled antics seem as believable as possible. He explained to Britain’s Hello! magazine: “Let me make it plain that I didn’t know about that [being high] from personal experience. But I did talk to Jordan about it. “Plus there’s a thing on YouTube called ‘The Drunkest Guy Ever’ - it’s real footage from a liquor store of a guy that’s so drunk his motor skills are shut down but he’s still fighting as much as he can to get off the floor because the need to get somewhere doesn’t stop.”

Cameron Diaz drinks a litre of water every morning

T

he health conscious star cleans her teeth as soon as she wakes up before gulping an entire bottle of water in one, as she believes it is good for her body. Appearing with US TV’s Dr. Oz, she showed him her water bottle and explained: “This is the best way for me to go poop in the morning. Water wakes you up. “First, I brush my teeth because I don’t want to swallow all the bacteria in my teeth from the night before. So I make sure that’s gone and then...”

Cameron, 41, is currently promoting ‘The Body Book’ which she has written about maintaining a healthy body, and includes a whole chapter on bowel movements, which she insists is a very important topic.

She added: “Let’s talk about poop, baby! Yes, you heard me right. Listen, it’s a natural and necessary part of being human. Now I know that some people don’t like talking about their bowel movements but here’s why I’m talking about it: because your poop is a key indicator of your overall health.” Youthful-looking Cameron has also recently said anybody can have a figure like hers if they learn how to take care of themselves properly. She said: “Everybody can have my body. Everybody can have exactly my body but it is going to look different. It’s about having the internal knowledge of that body and teaming it with the proper nutrition and fitness to have the body you’re supposed to have.”

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

lifestyle G O S S I P

Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerholder still have ‘chemistry’

T

he ‘Vampire Diaries’ stars called off their three-year relationship in May 2013, yet managed to good-naturedly laugh off winning the prize for Best Chemistry at the People’s Choice Awards thanks to their characters Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore’s steamy on-screen romance in the hit TV show. Taking the stage to accept their trophy, Ian enthused: “Wow, this is crazy! Can you believe this is almost five years in the making?” The 25-year-old brunette joked: “You’re right, yeah! But you know what’s funny, Ian, is that at the beginning of the show, Elena actually hated Damon.” Ian retorted, “You were hooking up with my brother!”, referring to Elena’s long-term relationship with Damon’s brother Stefan (Paul Wesley), on the show. There was no certainly no sign of bad blood between the pair, who played up to the audience’s cheers by pretending to feel uncomfortable around each other as they referenced their real-life break-up. Nina continued, “Then we broke up in real life,”

with Ian chiming in, “And yet our characters are still dating on the show”, before she replied, “It’s a good thing it’s not awkward...” The ‘Lost’ hunk then spontaneously planted a smooch on Nina’s cheek as she giggled, “Well, it’s a good thing we have chemistry!” The exes - who are constantly subject to rumors about getting back together - were visibly on very good terms during the ceremony and Ian even shared a special birthday message for Nina on Twitter. He wrote: “Happy Birthday @ninadobrev!!! The world loves you! We all do. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the day, enjoy the year!” Disappointingly for fans of the show, Nina was spotted holding hands with a mystery man as she arrived on the red carpet before the ceremony. Bangshowbiz

Russell Brand ‘really loves’ Jemima Khan

T

he 38-year-old comic - who split from Katy Perry in December 2011 after just 14 months of marriage - says his relationship with the magazine editor is “very different” from anything he has ever experienced and he couldn’t be happier. Appearing with Jemima’s dog on an episode of ‘The Jonathan Ross’ show airing tomorrow he was asked what would happen to the pooch if they split, prompting him to reply: “Don’t say that mate, I really love her. That would hurt my little heart. “I’m going to be really kind in this relationship. I haven’t been out there trying to nail everyone “I’m very, very happy in a relationship that feels very different from anything I’ve experience before. I feel like its grounded in friendship and a sort of love and it’s all well cool and exciting and stuff, but it feels different for me. “She’s a gorgeous, beautiful woman. I’m still superficial. I’ll still only go out with top crumpet.” Russell who has previously battled addictions to heroin, alcohol and sex - has been embracing his spiritual side and things that has helped his life become more positive. He added: “I’ve been meditating and thinking about spiritual stuff and I feel very, very relaxed now. As a result of that I think I’ve magnetised more positive things towards me.”

Daniel Radcliffe is returning to Broadway

Jenny McCarthy

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he ‘Harry Potter’ actor - who made his New York theatre debut in a 2008 production of ‘Equus’ - will join the rest of the London cast of ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ when it transfers to the US on 20 April for a three-month run. The play, which was a sell-out when it ran in the West End last summer, follows disabled teenager Billy’s attempt to become a movie star when a Hollywood production is filmed on an island near his Irish home in the 1930s. In a similar experiment to its British run, The Michael Grandage Company will sell 10,000 tickets for the production at just $27, considerably less than the average price for a Broadway show. ‘Woman in Black’ star Daniel previously spoke of how pleased he was with his Irish accent in the production. He said: “Learning the accent was, is, an ongoing thing. I’m pleased with it to be honest and I think it’s in a really good place. The rest of the cast most of whom are Irish seem pretty happy with it. So I am pleased with it. “It’s definitely going to be something that gets better and better and better the more I do it. “It’s been fun and it’s a fun accent to talk in - the stuff that wouldn’t necessarily be funny in an English accent is for some reason just funnier in an Irish accent.” In 2011, Daniel, 24, made his second appearance on Broadway, in the musical ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’.

wishes she had stayed out of the sun

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he 41-year-old model-and-activist - who has 11-year-old son Evan from her six-year marriage to John Mallory Asher, who she split from in 2005 - learned the hard way about the dangers of staying out in hot weather, and wishes she had paid better attention to her skin, like the porcelain-skinned Australian actress. She said: “I wish I knew when I was younger not to lay out in the sun. Aging, skin cancer. I wish I would have Nicole Kidman-ed it throughout my whole life. “I also wish I would have known to drink more water. And I wish I would have known to wait until I was 35 to get married. I think women really know who they are by the time they are 33. I

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Jessica Simpson doesn’t think love is enough for a relationship

he singer-turned-designer has confirmed that her very first standalone store will open on Dover Street this autumn. She told WWD: “I think the time is now because I know my customer. It will be the first time that the people will really be able to see the brand through my eyes.

“It’s young and cool. There are great galleries in the area.

There’s Dover Street Market directly opposite of us, which is not a bad thing.” Spanning 7,000 sq ft over three floors, the new style emporium will be located at number 36. The superstar has enlisted architect Farshid Moussavi, who worked on the 2012 London Olympic Park, to renovate the building. Victoria explained: “[Farshid] is a woman who loves fashion as well. She has quite a conceptual eye, which I like.

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he fashion mogul, who divorced her first husband Nick Lachey in 2006, and previously dated singer John Mayer and NFL star Tony Romo, thinks her long-term relationship with her fiance Eric Johnson works because she is the yin to his yang. The 33-year-old star told the February issue of Redbook magazine: “I’ve learned that sometimes love is not enough. You can have a soul mate and be madly in love with that person, but it’s not necessarily enough.” Jessica and Eric, who have a 20-month-old daughter, Maxwell, and six-month-old son, Ace, together, are planning to tie the knot later this year and she isn’t worried about their future because they have great communication.

She said: “I think you have to have personalities that mesh well. You have to be the yin to their yang. You also have to be open to figuring things out together and communicating even when it’s the last thing you want to do.”

Victoria Beckham is opening her first store in London

think in your 20s you’re still searching.” Former Playboy star Jenny - who is a regular panelist on TV show ‘The View’- admits she can be intimidating to men on the show because of her forthright personality. She added to America’s OK! magazine: “Yes, I think I intimidate men because I have a strong personality. A lot of times men get insecure around fame. I put them at ease by trying to teach them that fame is frivolous, and that the human spirit is way more important to me.”

We want to make something different without making it overly complicated. I just want it to feel real for me.” The star - who has sons Brooklyn, 14, Romeo, 11, Cruz, eight, and two-year-old daughter Harper with her husband David Beckham - revealed the store will stock all her lines including Victoria Beckham, Victoria Victoria Beckham, denim, accessories and optical. Victoria also said she is putting the focus on the US market this year thanks to her new New York office. She added: “I’m taking my business very seriously... To take it to the next level, I need a team on the ground living and breathing everything here in America.”

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

lifestyle F a s h i o n

Much more than a jacket Giorgio Armani Men’s Collection Fall/Winter 2014-15

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t’s more than a jacket, it’s a concept of style and behaviour. It’s an anatomical study that reworks the emblem of the Armani universe, bringing an evolutionary element to tradition. After the comfortable deconstructed jacket of the ‘70s with its big shoulders, the jacket is now becoming more like the classic cardigan, borrowing from knitwear, with its raglan shoulders and sculpted torso. The result is an athletic male silhouette with a spirit of sobriety. To achieve this, special processes such as rough cutting have been used, as well as thermo adhesives and linings; generally, fabrics with a warm and comfortable feel have been chosen, less rigid and more agile.

The color palette is a traditional range of masculine hues: dark sand, blue and brown, all treated to achieve a flannel effect. In clothing that allows the use of color without it seeming forced, such as jerseys, shirts, waistcoats and trousers, there are Indian-inspired délavé tones such as burgundy, jade green and mauve. Graphic effects are set aside to make way for a more clear and considered look. The shirt, often in white, serves to humanize the overall look, which is also distinctively echoed in the range of accessories, which serve to make this new way of dressing current, young and modern.

Gorilla fur hits Paris runway ashions fade, controversy and celebrities are eternal. This mantra was on full display at Friday’s fall-winter 2014 menswear shows in Paris - with Will Smith at Maison Martin Margiela, rapper Kanye West hobnobbing at Givenchy and a prominent fashionista causing a stir because she wore a real gorilla fur coat. Here are some key moments and tidbits from the day.

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the tight-cuffed, pegged trousers, long coated style popular within the African American, and Italian American communities during the 1940s, and similar to the British Teddy boy. Exaggerated collars and tubular arms mixed up in leather pants or a huge flat velvety knee length coat. But there was a perhaps an over-indulgent use of black.

Kanye West keeps schtum at Givenchy When rapper Kanye West turned up to Givenchy showing his sensitive side in an ontrend knee length rabbit coat, it set off a storm of paparazzi flashes. West, who police say is being investigated for misdemeanor battery in Beverly Hills, came without his partner Kim Kardashian.

Though he refused to talk to the media he was

Fashion is an urban race John Galliano Homme is an aerodynamic man in a competitive world. Galliano designer Bill Gaytten tackled the oversized torso-skinny legs silhouette trend inventively using biomorphic leggings, big puffas in burgundy and black and billowing cycling blousons. Oversized jerseys were aerodynamically curved in a circular shape.

Models present creations for Givenchy during the Fall/Winter 2014-2015 men’s fashion show in Paris on January 17, 2014. —AFP/AP photos

relaxed and smiled as he took his front row seat at the show designed by his close friend Riccardo Tisci. He chatted with Swedish actress and “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” star Noomi Rapace in black before the show began, next to stylist Carine Roitfeld in a luxuriant multicolored fur coat.

Givenchy’s slam dunk In a mock up sports court, ever-creative Tisci mixed up basketball with the Bauhaus to produce a smart but more low-key menswear collection than in previous seasons. From behind a mesh, guests looked on to an empty basketball court with fluorescent piping marking out the lines on the floor. A scoreboard was placed above the entrance where the first models started to walk out. Tisci’s signature street wise-yet-elegant looks took on the design of a basketball and abstracted it in curved lines on baggy, tailored pants, with double pleats in gray and black.

Shirts and thin sweaters too were printed with the curves and lines of basketball court markings. Stoles in muskrat and opossum fur hung down and were banded like towel made to absorb a sportsman’s sweat. But the show’s creative slam dunk was when the sporty patterns morphed into the abstract circular shapes and lines of the early 20th-century Bauhaus movement, which included artists Paul Klee and Vassily Kandinsky. Tisci continues to be one to watch.

But Gaytten didn’t forget the artsy-touches such as the varied palette - what the program notes painstakingly describe as “cider yellow,” ‘’midnight violet” or “dawn blue” - nor the signature Crombie hat. It was a great show with a sleek finish (line). —AP

Real gorilla fur worn in Paris Rabbit, chinchilla, astrakhan, mink and snow fox has all been seen in Paris. But gorilla?

American-born fashion icon and blogger Diane Pernet caused a stir by attending fashion week, incredibly, in a real gorilla fur coat. After a photo of the black ankle-length vintage coat with long, black hair was tweeted on the @AP-Fashion account it went viral Thursday and prompted strong reactions in the media. In an interview with The Associated Press, Pernet she said she was shocked when she woke up to anonymous hate mail. “Maybe I should feel uncomfortable wearing this coat, but I don’t because I know the gorilla’s been dead for 80 years,” said Pernet, a vegetarian. “I’m not into killing animals for vanity’s sake. But I don’t feel politically incorrect wearing a vintage coat. I think you’d call that sustainable fashion,” she added. She added that while she felt fine in Paris wearing the coat that was given to her by a friend, she always avoided wearing it in New York, where people look on the issue more harshly. Gorillas are an endangered species, whose use for fur is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, passed in 1975.

Paris-based American-born French fashion blogger Diane Pernet wears a vintage gorilla fur coat before a men’s fall-winter 2014-2015 fashion collection in Paris.

1930s gangster chic South Korean designer Juun J took the highwaists, pin stripes and broad shoulders of the 1930s and 40s film noir gangster and supersized them. The show’s title was Zootsuit, referring to

Models present creations by British designer John Galliano.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

lifestyle F e a t u r e s

Italian violinist strikes a chord with street kids

These pictures show Italian violinist Sara Michieletto playing violin for street children at a shelter for less fortunate children in Bekasi, on the outskirts of Jakarta. —AFP photos

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leading Italian violinist has swapped gilded concert halls for audiences of street children around the world, using music therapy to help those less fortunate.

Sara Michieletto has performed with top orchestras across Europe during an illustrious career and since 1998 has played in the first violins of the orchestra of the Fenice opera house in Venice. But more recently the 41year-old has played for children across the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, in Indian slums and helping street kids and orphans in Indonesia.

Soothing, classical music helps angry, traumatised youths become “emotionally aware”, she said, helping them to better chan-

nel their anger and frustration. “In the case of children from disadvantaged backgrounds, this is so important because they have faced a lot of difficult things in the past and trauma,” she said. “Music is a very powerful means of conveying emotions.” Since 2010 the violinist has been working with street children in and around the Indonesian capital Jakarta, a seething metropolis of 10 million people where many live in grinding poverty, as well as other parts of the country.

‘We are a lot calmer’ At a recent workshop at a centre for rescued street children on the outskirts of Jakarta, a group of youngsters raced up to

Michieletto and embraced her as she entered with her violin case slung over her shoulder. A small group looked on as she drew the bow over the violin strings, playing a concerto from Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons”. As well as performing for the youngsters, she organises workshops in drama, singing, photography and dance. Among the children at the recent workshop was Suharti, a 14-yearold girl who spent years living on the streets, busking on overcrowded, sweltering trains or buses to make a living. The youngster, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, was rescued and brought to the Kampus Diakonia Modern centre-which has living quarters and a school-along with her younger brother and

sister. “Everything feels very unpleasant when you are on the streets,” she said.

“I always felt ashamed of myself every time I was busking.” But she has found a new, more peaceful life and feels that Michieletto’s music has been a great help to her and the other children. “We used to fight each other in class but since Ms. Sara started coming here, we are a lot calmer and more keen to study,” she said.

Sotar Sinaga, in charge of organising music programmes at the centre, said the music had made a substantial contribution to helping Suharti. “The way she (Suharti) expresses her emotions is much better now-she is no longer mean to her friends,” he said. Michieletto

started playing for underprivileged children in 2004 when she toured schools around the West Bank for several weeks, and in the decade since she has played for thousands of children around the world.

Under a special arrangement with the Fenice Foundation she is able to carry out her charitable work and continue playing with the opera house’s orchestra for a short period each year. And while playing for underprivileged children is a world away from sold-out performances at worldfamous venues, she says it brings her just as much happiness. “When I play for the children, for me it’s like playing in an important concert,” she said. —AFP

Los Historiantes

Book pages are digitized at the National Library of Norway in Oslo. —AFP

Literature goes online for free in Norway

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ost books published in Norway before 2001 are going online for free thanks to an initiative that may have found the formula to reconcile authors with the web. At a time when the publishing world is torn over its relationship to the Internet-which has massively expanded access to books but also threatens royalty revenues-the National Library of Norway is digitising tens of thousands of titles, from masterworks by Nobel laureate Knut Hamsun to the first detective novels by Nordic noir king Jo Nesboe.

The copyright-protected books are available free online-with the consent of the copyright holders-at the website bokhylla.no (“bookshelf” in Norwegian). The site currently features 135,000 works and will eventually reach 250,000, including Norwegian translations of foreign books. National Library head Vigdis Moe Skarstein said the project is the first of its kind to offer free online access to books still under copyright, which in Norway expires 70 years after the author’s death.

“Many national libraries digitise their collections for conservation reasons or even to grant access to them, but those are (older) books that are already in the public domain,” she said. “We thought that, since we had to digitise all our collection in order to preserve it for the next 1,000 years, it was also important to broaden access to it as much as possible.”

The National Library has signed an agreement with Kopinor, an umbrella group representing major authors and publishers through 22 member organisations. For every digitised page that goes online, the library pays a predetermined sum to Kopinor, which will be responsible for distributing the royalties among its members under a system that is still being worked out.

The per-page amount decreases gradually as the collection expands-from 0.36 kroner (0.04 euros, $0.06) last year to 0.33 kroner next year. “A bestseller is treated on an equal footing with a regional almanac from the 1930s,” said Yngve Slettholm, head of Kopinor.

A second life Some measures have been implemented to protect the authors: “Bokhylla” does not feature works published after 2000, access is limited to Internet users in Norway and foreign researchers, and the books cannot be downloaded. An author or publishing house that objects can also request the removal of a book, but relatively few have done so.

Only 3,500 books have been removed from the list, and most of them are not bestselling novels, but rather school and children’s books-two very profitable genres for publishers. Among all the works eligible to appear on “Bokhylla” by household names Stephen King, Ken Follett, John Steinbeck, Jo Nesboe and Kari Fossum, only a few are missing.

So far, sales do not appear to have been affected by the project. Instead, “Bokhylla” often gives a second life to works that are still under copyright but sold out at bookshops, said National Library head Moe Skarstein. “Books are increasingly becoming perishable goods,” she said. “When the novelty effect fades out, they sink into oblivion.”

Eight-five percent of all books available on the site have been accessed by users at some point, proving that digitising does not only benefit major works.

While many countries’ attempts at digital libraries have gotten stuck in complex copyright discussions, Norway has been successful partly due to the limited number of stakeholders-the library and Kopinor-and the near-universal coverage of their agreement, which even includes authors who are not Kopinor members. “In other countries, you need an agreement among all the copyright holders,” said Slettholm, the head of Kopinor. “But it’s hard to find all of them: old authors that nobody knows, publishing houses that closed in the 1960s, every illustrator, every photographer.”“Instead of spending our money on trying to find the copyright holders, we prefer to give it to them,” Moe Skarstein said. —AFP

In letters, JD Salinger bemoans trappings of fame

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n a letter to his college friend, a young JD Salinger writes about yearning for fame. In ensuing correspondence to the same woman and her son over the next four decades, the American author describes how much he loathes his status as a celebrity. In the letters from Salinger to Ruth Smith Maier, a woman he met while attending Ursinus College in Pennsylvania in 1938, the two share stories about parenthood, working as a writer and general banter about popular culture.

The letters, which experts say humanize the notoriously reclusive author as he experiences a range of life-changing events, were acquired by the Harry Ransom Center, a humanities

research library at the University of Texas, and made available to researchers this week. In the earliest correspondence from January 1941, a confident 22-year-old Jerry Salinger writes to Ruthie that he intends to leave his mark as an author.

“Oh, but I’m good,” he says in the singlespaced, typewritten letter. “It will take time to convince the public, but (it) shall be done.” He reminisces about his time and the people at Ursinus, giving a hint of themes that would be a part of his later work. “For every hundred phonies, there is one goodie, and that is a better ratio than I find here in savage hometown New York,” he says. —Reuters

Young people take part in ‘Los Historiantes’ during a tour around the neighborhood of San Antonio Abad in San Salvador, on January 17, 2014 during the celebration of the patron saint. Many of the dancers are young people who keep the tradition alive.

‘Los Historiantes’ is a dance drama brought to the country by the Spaniards 500 years ago, and each representation which lasts about two hours and a half dramatizes an episode of the battles between the Christians and the Moorish. —AFP photos

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard engaged?

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014

Levi, a rat terrier, touches nose with Joy L’Ecuyer during a news conference in New York, Wednesday. The rat terrier is one of three new breeds that will be competing at the 138th Westminster Dog Show starting Feb 10, 2014. — AP/AFP photos

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ong the province of the purebred, the Westminster Kennel Club dog show is opening a doggie door this year to mixed-breed competitors. While Labradoodles, puggles and who-knows-whats won’t be able to vie for the prestigious Best in Show award, they’ll be included in its new agility trial. It’s a notable embrace for the nation’s premier canine event, which also is adding three breeds at next month’s show: the chinook, the Portuguese podengo pequeno and the rat terrier. No mixed-breed dogs have appeared anywhere at Westminster since the 138-year-old event’s early days, organizers said at a news conference Wednesday.

But this year, Alfie the apparently-part-poodle, part-terrier will be among the dogs weaving around poles, walking up a plank and springing over jumps on the agility course. Alfie’s background isn’t rarefied. Owner Irene Palmerini spotted him in a mall pet store, marked down to $99. She wasn’t planning to get a dog, but she felt for the curly-haired, black-and-white puppy and brought him home to Toms River, New Jersey.

He proved to have more energy than even 4-mile (6.5kilometer) daily walks could absorb, and agility training provided an outlet. About seven years later, Palmerini is thrilled that Alfie will be among the mixed-breeds - or “all-

American” dogs in Westminster parlance - going up against purebred competitors at the elite event. “I didn’t breed this dog to do agility. He’s just my pet,” Palmerini said. “(Agility) is just about performance. It doesn’t matter what your dog looks like. It doesn’t matter who their mother or father was.”

The pros and cons of pedigreed and mixed-breed animals have long been a sensitive subject in dogdom; indeed, animal-rights activists have protested Westminster itself. They see dog breeding as an unhealthy exercise in genetic engineering and say it’s insensitive to breed dogs while others languish in shelters. Purebred enthusiasts, meanwhile, consider breeding a way to develop and preserve dogs’ different traits and help people select a compatible pet.

Westminster leaders say the show is a celebration of all dogs, and they’re pleased to make a place for mixedbreeds in a fast-growing canine pursuit. “We’re very excited about the fact that Westminster can play a leadership role in embracing, really, the sport of dogs,” purebred or not, said Westminster President Sean McCarthy.

While mixed-breeds may now have a nose under the tent, Westminster’s main event will still be selecting the Best in Show dog Feb 11 from more than 2,800 entrants in

Papillons run through an obstacle course during a press event at Madison Square Garden January 15, 2014 to promote the first Masters Agility Championship at the 138th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

187 American Kennel Club-recognized breeds and varieties. They include 76 Labrador retrievers, 58 golden retrievers and 52 French bulldogs, but also robust entries from some lesser-seen breeds - such as roughly 30 Tibetan mastiffs, show chairman Thomas Bradley III said.

As for the newcomers, the Portuguese podengo pequeno (pronounced poh-DEHN’-goh peh-KAYN’-yoh) is a compact rabbit hunter. The rat terrier is, well, just what it sounds like. Bred to rid farms of rodents, they’re known as game, versatile and intelligent - “they can think for themselves,” said breeder Robin Lutwinas of Enfield, Connecticut. The chinook, New Hampshire’s official state dog, was developed there as a sled-puller with power, endurance and a companion-dog temperament, said breeder Perry Richards of West Haven, Vermont. “These guys work. And then lie on the couch and watch a football game,” added his wife, Patti. — AP

A poodle maneuvers an obstacle course.

A chinook, one of three new breeds, meets the press.

A poodle attempts to clear the obstacle course within the given time.

A mixed-breed runs an obstacle course.

Surf’s up for Brazil’s dogs!

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Selva jumps from a paddle board off Barra de Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

— AP photos

elva the surfer wore a lime-green life vest, but her colleagues braved the waters without protection. All could at least doggie paddle if they fell off their boards. About a dozen four-legged practitioners of stand-up paddle boarding took to the waves with their human owners off Rio de Janeiro’s Barra Beach, practicing for a second annual competition next month in which canine-human teams race around buoys. Competitors are disqualified if the dog falls into the water. “The idea started when I was on my board and my dog was tied up on the beach. I said to myself, ‘Man he wants to come to the water!’ so I put him on the board and he loved it,” said Marco Sarnelli, the event organizer.

The race on Feb 16 is expected to draw as many as 50 dogs and their owners, from border collies to golden retrievers to mutts. Iracema Braun, a

stand-up paddle teacher who charges just over $100 a month to take dog lovers and their canines out on the waters twice a week, said that it’s “a sport everybody can do. You don’t have to be an athlete to do it ... any dog can do it.”

Brazilian paddle board enthusiasts aren’t the first to take their pets out on the water. Canine paddle board races in California have served as fundraisers for local shelters, and several websites dedicated to the sport include forum sections with readers trading tricks on how to get their dogs hooked on the sport. — AP

Daniella Costa watches her dog Lily ride a wave on a paddle board.