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Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

‘Street wars’ trigger water gun sales

Conspiracy Theories

Guns for a good cause

Toy shops make record sales during celebrations

By Nawara Fattahova

A

s part of Kuwait’s National Day celebrations, Gulf Road has become the major battleground of this year’s revelers spraying water and shooting each other with loaded water guns. Spraying foam at cars driving by has been an essential feature of the National and Liberation Days celebrations since 1991 when Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi invasion. The more celebrations were held, the more people started complaining about the misuse of foam which in some cases could cause damage and injuries. Owing to this, the Ministry of Interior banned the use of foam last year. Importing foam could also put a company in trouble.

Fun-seeking individuals, however, have quickly found an alternative to celebrate the holidays. Water guns and water pistols have replaced foam bottles.

Although this year’s parade was free of foam, the streets turned into war zones with troopers of all ages and nationalities spraying water at each other and at passing cars. The increased interest in the “water celebrations” was a boon for the country’s toy shops selling guns at prices ranging from KD 1 to KD 6.

Huge sales “We sell water gun toys all year long but in the past two days, we made record sales,” said Hassan, a salesman at a local toy shop in Salmiya. He explained that he sold more than 100 pieces in two

KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti girl shoots her toy gun during celebrations to mark the 53rd National Day and the 23rd Liberation Day.— Photo by Joseph Shagra

days and said that despite rising demand, he didn’t charge more for the toy guns. Fernandez, a salesman at a shop in Shuwaikh selling toy guns in bulk, explained that location is one of the primary things responsible for a toy shop’s success. “I sold seven cartons of big water guns, which was basically my whole stock. Each carton contains 12 pieces. The price ranges between KD 1626. Now, I only have the small water pistols available, which is not in demand much because they don’t have a big water container”. He pointed out that toy shops in Mubarakiya witnessed the biggest sales.

Mahmoud, a salesman in another wholesale toy shop in Kuwait City, agreed that they had record sales of water guns this year. “Our store sold more than 1,000 cartons, each containing 12 pieces. Medium was the preferred size since it’s cheaper and suits kids more. Our prices ranged between KD 1-9 per piece,” he said, adding that all products are made in China, and the difference in price depends on the size.

Throughout the year, he said, the shop sells small water guns, which are not popular around this time. He also revealed that many of his customers bought the guns in bulk to sell them in the desert.

According to Rida, a salesman in a toy shop located in Sharq, location is not a major factor in sales. He said that despite his shop being located near Gulf Road, this year’s sales weren’t as good as last year’s sales. “This year, we sold less than 100 pieces. Last year, we sold more” he said. Rida also said that many roaming vendors sold their water guns this time and that some people bought their guns at Gulf Road while others used ones they bought last year.

Local Spotlight

Death on the roads

By Muna Al-Fuzai

muna@kuwaittimes.net

A

study by the Institute for Transportation Research at the University of Michigan showed Kuwait stood third in the world over fatalities from road crashes as a percentage of fatalities from other leading causes of death. UAE stood first with 15.9 percent, followed by Qatar with 14.3 percent and Kuwait 7.9 percent. This is considered large for a small country like Kuwait. In fact I think it is a worrying trend and needs a study on how to control this tragedy that takes many lives every day.

In Kuwait, it doesn’t need an expert to see that although we have some large roads and the traffic system is reasonable and acceptable, the human element is key in the large number of accidents and death on the roads. Most road accidents are due to speeding and carelessness of others. Their misfortune leads them to be in the way of those who drive their vehicles like rockets. Some others use their mobiles, engaged in long conservations, forgetting that driving requires their attention.

Sometimes you see pedestrians who try in crazy ways to cross the highways! You wonder if these people have any brains

at all. They seem to be on suicidal missions. The law may punish the driver but it was this person who acted carelessly and must be punished for his mad act.

But, feeling sorry for those who lose their lives on the roads is not enough. Some suggestions have been made to prevent those less than 18 years old to get a driving license until they turn 21, while some have suggested to stop granting expatriates driving licenses. But how do we expect all those people to reach their work and study places while Kuwait lacks decent bus stops or decent means of public transportation like a metro or subway that everyone can use easily and peacefully? I know many expats don’t use taxis because it cost a lots of money and would rather use the bus because it is cheaper although it lacks even a seat to sit on or shades at bus stops during the heat of summer or rain in winter.

So, the bottom line here is that as long as we don’t have any developed and modern methods of public transposition or control on giving driving licenses to people, the situation will fester and roads will keep getting inundated with cars that exceed their normal capacity.

I know that right now there is campaign over unfastened seatbelts and using mobiles while driving, but I have seen many people ignoring it. We need more undercover police to punish those who challenge this law because they put the life of innocents in danger. I believe if no enforcement of law is made, the roads will consume more lives every day. Death on the roads can happen to any one of us. Drive safely.

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

L

ife has many unpredictable turns that human beings cannot control or think about, no matter how creative he or she is. Sometimes you work hard all your life and you do not get much profit.

What gave me this idea are the celebrations. The festivities of our national days see kids and adults carrying plastic guns loaded with water roaming every corner of Kuwait spraying at people, cars and passersby.

Did the sellers of such a simple plastic toy ever thought that they will be selling thousands of guns for a day or two?

God has his own ways of granting things to human beings. I am 100 percent sure all small toy shops that I drive by in Salmiya or any other toy shop never ever dreamt that they will one day run out of their precious plastic water guns for children for two days. The amazing thing is that not only children were using these guns. The craving came to adults too. The funniest thing I saw was a video sent online to me of a few Bangladeshi workers carrying plastic water guns and spraying the cars. The caption under the photo said in broken Arabic: “Look, we are not afraid.”

I think that the water guns got upgraded when a man hired a water tanker to roam the streets - I mean a tanker that supplies water to homes and residential areas. He had big hopes and started spraying water at cars. He was not content with the small children’s guns. He got a water tanker - something more substantive.

That took me back a few years before the removal of Saddam in 2003. From the time between Kuwait’s liberation in 1991 and 2003, people were not very relaxed. There were lingering fears. Especially when Saddam fired two missiles and everyone was scared.

We were taping our windows and doors and were afraid that he might throw a missile at us. I ran to the co-op to buy tapes and they told me that everything was finished. I remember I and the driver going around to every co-op and baqala to get tapes.

Was it possible that overnight these tapes were gone? Did the tape importers ever dreamt that they would get rid of the tapes that had been on their shelves for many years? Of course not. Life is very unpredictable in its many ways. It is also nice that these water guns were sold for a nice cause and for fun, not for threats.

Have a nice weekend!

Bangladeshi workers spray cars with plastic water guns.

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Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Philippine embassy in Kuwait haunted Chaos, disorder as ‘restless spirits’ create hysteria at Philippine embassy shelter

By Ben Garcia

S

everal runaway maids currently housed at the Philippines embassy shelter in Jabriya claim that they were possessed by a dead woman’s ghost. It’s nighttime. The shelter, housing more than 100 runaway maids is full and typically noisy.

But it’s late and the women are readying to sleep, quietly chatting amongst themselves and preparing for bed. Suddenly, a frightening crash and a deep voice erupt from one of the women. Spirits of the dead, so the women claim, crashed the shelter and created chaos and disorder for what seemed like hours.

Philippines embassy officials could not be reached for comment by the production deadline of the newspaper yesterday.

The encounter Faisa claims that the ghost came upon her as she readied for bed. She came from a bathroom after her regular night ceremony when she suddenly felt a chill. “All I can remember was the chilly air coming over my body. Then I saw a lady, a beautiful white lady calling my name,” Faisa told the Friday Times. “She wanted to lead me back toward the bathroom. I followed her, then she showed me crystal clear water in a glass. It looks clear - but seemed like it was boiling. She wanted me to drink it. I didn’t drink it. I told her no. She was laughing at me. Then she disappeared. I walked a few meters, then another lady appeared, she was wearing a black abaya, she was as beautiful as the first one.

She also tried to show me the water in the glass.

Then I heard a crying sound from a boy, he was around five or six years old. I could hear him wailing, crying and asking for help, I wanted to help him, but I don’t know why the woman wearing abaya was laughing at me,” she claimed.

Several of the women in the shelter were involved in the incident, some of them holding on the woman and trying to calm her. At least three or four others also claiming an experience of possession and others claiming to have witnessed the events. “I heard voices asking for help and seeking justice,” said Salima, another alleged victim. “They were crying. I don’t know what they meant. But I think, they were killed, and they’re asking for help,” Salima said.

Buried in the basement Johanna, another who claims possession, said she felt really cold and then harrowing sounds started issuing from her throat. “First, the beautiful white lady brought me to the comfort room. She showed me the glass of water, very clean and clear water,” said Johanna. “I was led at a room inside the embassy, I felt very tired, so, what I felt I think at that time, my soul is the only one accompanying the spirit because I can see my body out of me.

My spirit has accompanied the woman at the embassy ‘s floor tour. She showed me the stairs then led me to the second floor. She told me, a boy was deliberately thrown down from the second floor and died there. The body of the boy according to the spirit was buried in the basement. I don’t know how true it was. Then the spirit brought me to another room of the embassy.

There I saw four bodies of bloodied people; three headless men and a blooded woman. The beautiful woman toured me to another floor of the embassy. I saw two teenage boys, one was naked, enticing to go with him in the room. Another was just staring at us from afar,” she said.

At the same time of Johanna’s episode, another of the shelter’s inhabitants, Maria also claimed

to feel the cold and then to hear voices.

Several other former maids also claimed to have a supernatural experience.

Reza and Marissa, both allegedly saw a Filipina maid who had been killed on the embassy grounds. Reza said the spirit’s name was Susan. “I heard her wailing. She was crying, and she looked like a Filipina. She told me, she was killed there and was unable to tell her parents what happened. She needed help. Then, the next moment, according to other girls, I was laughing and laughing uncontrollably,” Reza said.

Marissa, at that time was sitting at the stairs leading to the second floor of the embassy. “I saw spirits, so quick, then, they saw me crying. I felt that everything in me was numbed. I saw a woman wearing a housemaid uniform, her face was very pale and sad. I saw a man wearing a disdasha. I saw a small boy too. Then, a beautiful woman, I can hear some saying ‘fight, fight against these spirits.”

KUWAIT: A group of Filipina runaway maids who are currently accommodated at the embassy’s shelter are pictured in this photo. Some of them shared the story of “restless spirits.”

Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Kuwait celebrates National, Liberation Days

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti children take part in a parade during celebrations to mark the 53rd National Day and the 23rd Liberation Day. The first date commemorates the creation of Kuwait as a nation in 1961 while Liberation Day marks the end of Iraq’s occupation in 1991. — Photos by Joseph Shagra, Yasser Al-Zayyat and Fouad Al-Shaikh

Fun-seekers flocked to Gulf Road to celebrate Kuwait’s National and Liberation days. Some came wearing masks, others were heavily armed with water pistols.

A young boy waves Kuwait’s old flag during the celebrations.

A Kuwaiti woman gets her hand decorated with traditional henna at a market in downtown Kuwait City. Kuwaiti women traditionally use henna for special occasions such as weddings and national celebrations.

Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

My

job

By Nawara Fattahova

H

ot weather means more fish at sea.

Blowing winds keep fisherman’s boats safely anchored and their nets empty.

That is why for 30-year-old fisherman from India, Morjan, summer is the best time of the year. Morjan has been working in Kuwait for about seven years. However, he has been throwing nets at a very young age. “Fishing is a family thing. My father taught me how to fish. I love my job, and I enjoy doing it. I never dreamt of doing any other thing in life,” he said holding the catch of the day in an icebox.

“I fish with a net together with two other fishermen. After we catch some fish, we place it in an icebox. We then take the catch to the boat owner, who takes part of it, and then sells the rest,” says 30-year-old fisherman Morjan who fishes near the Sharq marina.

“Selling the catch is not part of his daily routine”, although, he says, some other fishermen do that. There are many different fishing locations around the Kuwait’s shores and marinas but for Morjan, the Sharq marina is the best place to fish.

Unpredictable weather Morjan’s job starts at 8:00am. “Every morning I leave with the boat from Sharq heading to ‘Kiyusa Ishan’, which is the best place for fishing,” he says with a smile and adds that his work day ends in the early afternoon. “Usually we return between 3:00-4:00 pm. Today for instance, we came back at 1:30 pm after we filled the big icebox with over 10 kg of fish,” he added.

The weather makes the fisherman’s day unpredictable. “When the weather is hot, it’s better for fishing. Hot days mean more available fish. The summer months, especially June and July, are the best time for fishing.

But when it’s windy, we don’t go for fishing because our boat is small. This may be very dangerous for us,” he said. Although he is fishing daily, yet he never gets bored eating fish. “I prefer Nuweibi and Shaem, and I have Indian recipes to cook them, especially with tomato sauce,” he said. “I prefer fish to any other meat, and I only eat fish and vegetables.

I don’t like chicken or red meat,” Morjan added.

my passion The life of a fisherman ‘I love my job, and I enjoy doing it. I never dreamt of doing any other thing in life.’

Indian fisherman Morjan (right) prepares for the day’s job near the sea shore in Sharq.

If Morjan wasn’t fishing for any reason, then he would be working at the house of his kafeel.

“I have a room at the house of my employer so I don’t sleep on the boat,” he says and explains that some fishermen in Kuwait sleep on the boat for weeks or even more. Their boat, he says, is much bigger. Also they sell the fish they have caught at the fish market where they have a booth,” he pointed out. Fish dishes are the most popular in Kuwait and the GCC region, so there is always demand for fish, and fishermen always have jobs. For some people, it is a hard job to spend long days at sea, but for others throwing the net and waiting patiently for it to move with a catch has become a passion.

Morjan pictured on his fishing boat.

Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Kuwait Embassies in Cyprus (left) and Armenia mark the National and Liberation Days celebrations.

News

in brief Kuwait welcomes ‘resolution 2139’

NEW YORK: Kuwait has welcomed the UNSC resolution 2139 concerning the humanitarian situation in Syria, calling on the international community to carry out its responsibility in protecting Syrian civilians. Kuwait’s endorsement of the resolution, which came about last Saturday, was reflected in a speech by Kuwaiti permanent envoy to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi to the General Assembly. Ambassador AlOtaibi lauded the resolution and stressed that it was the first step in protecting Syrian civilians from the ongoing onslaught.

He called on all involved parties, especially the Syrian regime, to implement the resolution. With over 130,000 dead and millions displaced or seeking refuge, the Syrian people are in need for resolutions to end their suffering, said the Kuwaiti official. Kuwait has contributed around $900 million to relief aid efforts since the crisis in Syria began in March 2013, said Ambassador Al-Otaibi, adding that the donors’ conferences for Syria which were held in Kuwait had mustered over four billion dollars. Ambassador Al-Otaibi thanked the UN and countries neighboring Syria for their efforts in helping the Syrian refugees, hoping that the process to end the Syrian conflict would succeed in finding a political solution.

Kuwait offers kidney dialysis to refugees TRIPOLI: Kuwait Red Crescent Society has launched the second phase of the kidney dialysis campaign for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Dr Musaed Al-Enezi, the society delegate, told KUNA the campaign aims to treat Syrian patients suffering from kidney failure for six months, in coordination with local hospitals and the Lebanese Red Cross. Yousef Boutros, a Red Cross official, praised the Kuwaiti association for launching this humanitarian project, as well as other programs to help the refugees. Number of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon is estimated 930,000.

SACGC promotes Kuwait inventions ABU DHABI: The Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC) participated in the Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2014, displaying and promoting a collection of Kuwaiti inventions. The SACGC section at the Expo included three inventions on air transportation, civil aviation, and military aviation by two Kuwaiti inventors, as well as a collection of the Center’s issuances that showcase its career in supporting Kuwaiti inventors and innovators. Ali Sahmmoh, an inventor, stated that he takes part in the Expo this year with two inventions on developing effective protection for civil and military aircraft engines, expressing at the same time his gratitude to SACGC for supporting national inventions and innovators, as well as its efforts and contributions which helped in taking Kuwaiti inventions to major international forums and occasions. In addition, Adel Abdeen, an inventor, also stated that his participation in the Expo includes an integrated system that has 13 inventions that handle troubles faced by aircrafts of various types during landing processes, affirming that Kuwaiti inventors have many scientific inventions in various scientific areas as marketing would be very vital for these inventions in order to transport these Kuwaiti-made inventions to various countries around the world.

Sheikha values Egypt’s stance during invasion KUWAIT: President of the Kuwait Association for the Ideal Family and Chairperson of Al-Fatat Sport Club Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has praised Egypt for its supportive stance during the Iraqi invasion in 1990. She prayed that the Almighty Allah will restore Egypt’s security and stability. Sheikha Fariha’s praise came during her speech at a ceremony she held last night, entitled “All for love of Kuwait”, in honor of a visiting Egyptian delegation and was attended

by Egyptian Ambassador in Kuwait

Abdulkarim Suleiman, the Ministry of Information Assistant Undersecretary for Broadcasting Affairs Sheikh Fahad Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Dr Sheikha Maymouna Al-Khalifa Al-Athbi Al-Sabah, and a number of famed Egyptian actors.

Sheikha Fariha also congratulated His Highness the Amir, Kuwait government, and people of Kuwait for the national days celebrations, praying to the mighty Allah to perpetuates the grace of safety and security on the country under the

wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah. On his part, Ambassador Suleiman expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir, government, and people of Kuwait for their financial, spiritual, and political support following the events that took place on January 25th and after June 30th, affirming that Kuwaiti government and people respect the will of Egyptian people. — KUNA

US congratulates Kuwait WASHINGTON: The United States of America has congratulated the government and people of Kuwait on the 53rd anniversary of the National Day and 23rd Liberation Day anniversary.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement said, “As we continue to build on decades of close personal ties between the United States and Kuwait, including through the thousands of Kuwaiti students in US schools and the tens of thousands of US citizens living

and working in Kuwait, we are reminded of the importance of the US-Kuwait partnership to both nations’ security and prosperity.”

“We look forward to working with Kuwait into the future as we build on our strong relationship and address the many shared issues we face.

We extend our best wishes to all Kuwaitis for a year of peace and happiness,” the US top diplomat remarked.

Kuwait is celebrating its Independence

or National Day that dates back to 1961 and the Liberation Day, when national and allied forces, led by the US, carried out a major military campaign that drove the occupation Iraqi forces out of the country on February 25, 1991, ending the seven-month occupation. Kuwait and the US are close allies and maintain coordination and cooperation in various spheres including the military and economic sectors. — KUNA

Divers place Kuwaiti Flag at seabed KUWAIT: Kuwaiti divers have installed the National Flag at bed of the Gulf Sea in celebration of the National Days. The divers placed the green-white-black-red flag at the sea bottom close to the Kuwaiti island Garo.

They also put artificial reefs off the island, known of surrounding crystal-clear waters, ideal for scuba diving. Captain Adel AlKhaled, the head of Al-Nakheel Diving Center, told KUNA that installing the National Flag was intended to celebrate the Kuwait’s anniversaries (Kuwait’s 53rd Independence anniversary and the 23rd year of the country Liberation) as well as the 8th anniversary of His Highness the Amir ascending to the top post. Another team has placed close to the same island man-made reefs. Also at a nearby spot, they set up the slogan, “our environment an inseparable part of our dear homeland Kuwait.” — KUNA

KUWAIT: Turkish air force fighter jets fly during celebrations marking Kuwait’s 53rd National Day and the 23rd Liberation Day. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

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Local FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

What’s behind the growth of Kuwait’s informal economy

By Jamie Etheridge

S

ouqs and bazaars are an integral part of the Arab world and in Kuwait, the bazaar mentality - the ideas of mercantilism, entrepreneurship and working for oneself - are deeply rooted. In fact, the country was founded by merchants - risk takers who not only traded goods but who within a few short generations also pioneered what are today some of the leading businesses in Kuwait.

Start ups are as common as cupcakes in the region. But in Kuwait, the growth of an informal economy is taking the country in a decidedly different direction from its GCC neighbors, a trend that could have a lasting impact on Kuwait’s economic future.

The costs of doing business Despite recent government approval of a new law aimed at promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), opening a business here can be a nightmare of wasted time, unnecessary costs and lengthy delays. Kuwait’s labyrinth-like bureaucracy, a growing bribe culture among public officials and a wasta network make it hard, if not nearly impossible, for young entrepreneurs to enter the market.

Unfriendly regulations - like requiring businesses to have a location (and pay rent) before granting licenses - add to the enormous financial burden on starts up and entrepreneurs, further stifling the growth of the local private sector’s SMEs. According to the Kuwait Labor Market Information Systems (LMIS) website, self employed Kuwaitis represented around 2 percent of the total workforce in 1985, less than 1 percent in 2005 and had returned to an upward trend by 2011 with a little more

than 1 percent. Managed by the Central Statistical Bureau, the LMIS also notes that SMEs accounted for around 34 percent of employment in 2002 but that has dropped to 23 percent - a full 10 percentage points nine years later in 2011.

Indeed, in a 2011 report, local investment company, Markaz noted that in comparison with other GCC states, “Kuwait has been a late comer in unlocking the potential role that SMEs can play in its economy.

Kuwaiti private sector and SME contribution to employment lacks luster, whereby approximately 85% of the Kuwaiti workforce is currently employed by the government.” A lengthy domestic political struggle and the 2008 global financial crisis which hit Kuwait especially hard - further eroded the formal economy.

Cupcake culture But it also created a window of opportunity for local entrepreneurs willing to enter the ‘informal economy’. Trends like home cupcake businesses triggered other ideas among locals and expatriates who began to launch start up Instagram shops and pop up markets like the local farmer’s collective, Shakshooka market.

These unlicensed and unregulated businesses offer a rich array of products, services and goods. To give just a few examples, you can now order online or by WhatsApp the following: Fresh baked breads, customized red velvet cupcakes, personal trainers, children’s toys, jewelry, clothes, make up, bike rentals, photocopies, costumes, delivery services, catering, inflatables, bespoke Tshirts, dara’as and bishts, exotic animals and pets, shoes, tuitions and cheat sheets, smoothies and detox drinks, life coaching, preschools, dream interpretation and much

Kuwait tries to readjust demographic imbalance KUWAIT: Informed sources at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor said that the demographic restructuring of the population in Kuwait is expected to start in the beginning of April. The sources added that the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Subaih is preparing a comprehensive plan for the restructuring of the population. According to the most recent news, Al-Subaih has asked various authorities at the ministry to prepare a complete report that includes the number of expats in the country according to their nationalities, education, degree, profession. She has also requested a report on the market demands, Alrai reported.

Kuwait is home to 2.7 million expatriates who account for about 70 percent of the country’s population. Previous reports mentioned various plans that would aim to adjust the country’s demographic imbalance. Earlier report pointed out government’s long term plans to re-organize the entry of expat workforce. A senior government official was quoted as saying that foreign workers permit will be done through a system that sets a specific quota for each expatriate community.

The comprehensive plan is planned to be in coordination with the services ministries. Al-Subaih has requested information about the cost of the expat residents and about the pressure they put on the services extended by the ministries of health, education, and electricity and water, in addition to the municipality. The sources said the category of domestic helpers will not be subjected to any of the upcoming changes because they are not included in any of technical, professional or administrative professions needed, provided that they meet the condition required for resident permits.

more.

Like any country, Kuwait has always had a small, informal economy. From air conditioning repairmen to door-to-door soda sellers there has always been the local seamstresses, the neighborhood baqala and the roaming street vendors.

What’s new today is the sheer number and the growing preference for going the informal route. With the growth of farmer’s markets and single day bazaar events, many young entrepreneurs don’t even need or want a formal license to do business.

“Why should I get a license and pay rent when I can sell my products over Instagram and at events?” seems to be the general consensus.

Some will eventually grow enough to transition into more formal, licensed businesses with brick and mortar premises. But many others may choose to remain lean and rely on casual labor or support from their domestic help to maintain what is often seen as a side income.

Shaping Kuwait’s economic future The impact of informal economies are widely debated. There are both positive and negative consequences. On the negative side, informal businesses lack licensing and regulation and for things like food service this can result in uncertain quality.

Many informal businesses also prefer to remain so in order to avoid taxes - though this is not much of a concern for Kuwait at this point, it could pose a problem longer term as oil revenues slow.

Informal businesses do not have government oversight of labor. Official government statistics fail to account for ‘informal’ businesses since they are not registered.

Informal businesses also are not counted as part of the nation’s GNP and do not figure into the statistics on unemployment and other social and demographic numbers.

On the positive side, participating in the informal economy allows greater ease of entry into the market - anyone can make cupcakes at home. Informal businesses also do not face the costs associated with licensing not to mention the bribes and wasta now regularly needed to pass even standard government paperwork.

It also creates more flexibility in the market and improves market competitiveness as brick and mortar businesses must learn to compete with their informal rivals.

This can, in turn, lower costs as competition heats up.

In total, Kuwait’s private sector is dominated by oil revenues. Non oil revenues accounted for less than 13 percent of Kuwait’s budget in 2013 and private sector businesses across the board benefit from oil revenues in the guise of public sector wages and consumer spending.

The growth of Kuwait’s informal souq does not, then necessarily suggest a real growth in the overall economy but more simply a shifting away from the formal toward the informal as entrepreneurs pursue their ideas by bypassing rather than working with the government.

Crackdowns on illicit business activity, however, is always difficult both politically and economically and could pose longer term problems for the government’s efforts to divert local employment into the private sector. It will also add to the already difficult task the government faces of trying to build a tax base among local companies for the future.

Casino apartment busted 200 grams of heroin confiscated KUWAIT: A doctor, his brother and a sports celebrity were arrested for transforming a flat into a gambling den in Salmiya. Officials stormed into the flat on receiving a tip-off about immoral activities taking place and caught the culprits redhanded. Green tables, similar to those at casinos, were seen at the venue. The arrested culprits were caught socializing with other gamblers including two women and four dealers. A journalist who works with a local newspaper was also pulled up. The total number of those arrested was 20, including the two women. About KD 15,000 and other gambling paraphernalia was confiscated.

Heroin confiscated Narcotics detectives arrested an Indian expat in Mahboula at home and confiscated 200 grams of Shabu and heroin. He said that his supplier was a central prison inmate who informed him where to pick up the stash on being paid. He also revealed that the chosen spot was near a

mosque’s fence in Granada. On reaching the location, detectives noticed a man throwing the drug packets next to the fence and arrested him. When his room was searched, they found 20 grams of heroin and Shabu. He confessed that he works as a mosque guard and the inmate is his partner.

Duo spray hair remover The police arrested two men for spraying others with hair remover during National Day celebrations on Arabian Gulf Street. Both were referred to criminal detectives.

Woman harassed during celebrations A disgruntled man swore at a Kuwaiti woman in her twenties before driving away, apparently peeved that she refused to pay him any attention during National Day celebrations on Arabian Gulf Street.

The victim went to Sharq Police Station and reported that she was with her friend when the man chased her and harassed

her. She noted his license plate number and gave it to the police.

Wife beater questioned Fintas police are questioning an Egyptian man who was accused by his wife of beating her up after he refused to allow her to go out with her sister. The victim told police that she intended to go out for a walk with her sister but her husband stopped her and locked her up. When she revolted, he hit her and she had to escape to her neighbor’s flat to avoid more violence. Police are currently investigating.

Asian worker shot at Public prosecution is investigating the case of a ruling family member who shot at a worker next door before beating him up.

Nuwaiseeb police received a call that an Asian worker was shot at by the neighboring chalet’s owner - who is a ruling family member - before being beaten up.

Charges have been filed and investigations are underway.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Syria army readies to attack rebel bastion

12

Gunmen seize Crimea seat of power

13

2 sailors found dead in Indian submarine

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DOHA: Onlookers gather around the scene of a blast as police rescue teams search the debris in Doha yesterday. —AFP

Blast hits Doha, killing 12 31 wounded in gas explosion at Turkish restaurant DOHA: An apparent gas explosion yesterday at a restaurant near a filling station in the Qatari capital killed 12 people and wounded several more, emergency services officials in the energy-rich Gulf nation said.

Initial indications suggested a burst natural gas tank atop a Turkish restaurant was to blame for the blast, which happened shortly after 10 am near the popular Landmark Mall shopping center in the capital, Doha. The force of the explosion caused the partial collapse of the Istanbul Restaurant and sent shrapnel flying as far as 50 meters (160 feet) away, authorities said.

Officials are treating the explosion as an accident, though it is unclear what ignited the tank.

The 12 people reported killed were all Asian

or Arab, said Maj Gen Saad Al-Khulaifi, who heads the country’s police force. He did not give further details on their identities or nationalities.

He said 31 others were wounded, some seriously. He vowed authorities would conduct a full and transparent investigation. The civil defense director of operations, Hamid Al-Duhaimi, said four people were found dead at the scene and the others died on their way to the hospital.

Alexandra Permuy, 25, a graduate student from Miami who lives nearby, was startled awake by the explosion. “At first I thought it was just thunder ... but when I looked out the window there’s not a cloud in the sky,” Permuy said.

The restaurant had recently opened following renovations and is situated among a strip of eater-

ies that get particularly busy late at night, she said.

Accidental?

A security source said the blast at the Istanbul restaurant was accidental. Another security source at the scene said two Asian children were among the dead.

Preliminary investigations suggested that a gas tank exploded, setting off a fire and causing part of the building to collapse, he told a news conference. But investigations were continuing to discover what caused the gas tank to explode.

“It was a very big blast,” he said. “It blew away cars and the shrapnel scattered 50 or 100 meters away.” Chunks of masonry, metal debris and shattered glass lay outside the restaurant in a

northwestern district of the city. Cars apparently crumpled by the explosion stood nearby.

Hamad Medical Corp, which manages eight hospitals and the national ambulance service, put out a call for blood donations on social media shortly after the blast happened.

Qatar is a small, wealthy Gulf Arab state with abundant reserves of natural gas that will host the 2022 World Cup. The OPEC member state is generally safe, with little violent crime or civil unrest. Concerns have been raised about building safety.

A May 2012 fire in the Villaggio Mall killed 19 people, including 13 children at a daycare center inside. Investigators later blamed faulty wiring for the blaze. —Agencies

Available at The Sultan Centre & Carrefour

International FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Palestinian killed in Israel West Bank raid BIRZEIT, Palestinian Territories: A Palestinian died during an Israeli army raid on his home in the West Bank town of Birzeit yesterday, the military and a Palestinian security source said.

The death came as human rights group Amnesty International slammed Israel’s killing of dozens of Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank over the past three years. “After the army left the house and the town, the body of Motazz Washaha, 22, was found,” the Palestinian source said. The army confirmed the death of a “Palestinian suspected of terror activity.” “After the suspect was called to turn himself in, he barricaded himself inside his house,” it said.

Soldiers responded with “live fire” and recovered an assault rifle, it added.

Neighbors said the dead man was a member of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The army entered Birzeit, north of the West Bank administrative centre of Ramallah, yesterday morning and used “riot dispersal means” to clear stone-throwing Palestinians from their path to the house. The Amnesty report released earlier yesterday accused Israel of “war crimes and other serious violations of international law” against Palestinians. Israel retorted that the London-based watchdog had not taken into account the increasing number of attacks on its forces over the past year

and had not sought comment before the eve of publication.

Israeli human rights group B’Tselem said in December that Israeli forces had killed 27 Palestinians in the West Bank in 2013, three times the figure recorded in the previous year. Amnesty called on Israel to “open independent, impartial, transparent and prompt investigations into all reports of Palestinian civilians killed or seriously injured by the actions of Israeli forces.” Since occupying Gaza and the West Bank, including annexed Arab east Jerusalem, in 1967, “Israeli authorities have signally failed to carry out independent investigations that meet international standards into alleged crimes,” Amnesty said. It

urged the international community, particularly the European Union and the United States, to “suspend all transfers of munitions, weapons and other equipment to Israel” to pressure it to change.

The Israeli military said Amnesty failed to take into account “the substantial increase in Palestinian violence initiated over the past year,” which “saw a sharp increase in rock-hurling incidents, gravely jeopardizing the lives of civilians and military personnel.”

Foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Amnesty published its report “without even bothering to ask for response and comment,” until the eve of publication. — AFP

Syria army readies to attack rebel bastion Assad holding kin of oppn talks team: US

LONDON: A protester wearing tape across her mouth, to signify the silencing of the media, participates in a rally in support of press freedom, and demanding the release of detained journalists in Egypt, in central London, yesterday. The protest, part of a global day of action in support of press freedom, called for all journalists jailed in Egypt to be freed. —AP

German holidaymakers leave Sharm El-Sheikh after Sinai warning FRANKFURT: German tour operators started bringing hundreds of holidaymakers back from Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh Red Sea resort yesterday after Germany’s foreign office advised against travel to the entire Sinai peninsula. German authorities on Wednesday recommended its citizens refrain from travelling to the beach resorts on the peninsula and said those already there should make arrangements with their travel agent to return early.

Alltours said it would bring back 120 holidaymakers in Sharm Al-Sheikh this evening, while TUI Deutschland and Thomas Cook Germany said they were organizing travel back to Germany for its customers there. “We want to bring them back by the weekend. They will be refunded for the days of their trip they did not use,” a Thomas Cook Germany spokesman said.

Another big German tour operator, DER, said it had booked a plane for Friday morning to bring back all 85 guests from its different tour operator brands that were in Sharm AlSheikh. The recent bombing of a coach carrying Korean holidaymakers across the peninsula has led to renewed concerns for tourism in Egypt, an industry which provides a livelihood for millions and the government with much-needed foreign currency.

Germans and Russians are the most numerous visitors to the country, which saw tourism revenue plunge 41 percent to $5.9 billion last year due to the waves of unrest that have disrupted the country since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011.

The advice from Germany was not equivalent to a full warning that would force all tour companies to repatriate German holidaymakers immediately. For German travellers the resorts of Hurghada and Marsa Alam on Egypt’s mainland Red Sea coast, which are not affected by the latest travel advice, are more popular destinations. —Reuters

BEIRUT: Syria’s army is preparing to assault a key rebel bastion near Damascus, a pro-regime newspaper said yesterday, as activists reported heavy shelling and fighting there.

“The Syrian army is preparing to launch a new phase” on the town of Yabrud near the border with Lebanon in its offensive in the Qalamun mountains, Al-Watan reported.

It said troops loyal to President Bashar Al-Assad have seized control of two strategic hills near Yabrud, which has been the target of heavy air raids and tank fire since early February.

“Every day there is progress” by the army, said the newspaper, adding that rebels had been using the two hills as supply routes. Regime forces backed by fighters of Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah launched an offensive in the Qalamun area in November.

They have expelled rebels from several strategic towns, but Yabrudthe largest in the region-has so far remained an opposition stronghold.

Yesterday’s developments come a day after the heaviest death toll in nearly three years among fighters on both sides of the conflict, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It reported fighting between rebels and troops and Hezbollah fighters on the outskirts of Yabrud yesterday. “Last night the shelling was very fierce,” Amer, an activist in the Qalamun area, said via Skype.

Amer said he was confident rebels could defend the town against a ground offensive, but that most residents have fled. Yabrud was once home to some 50,000 people. Last week, the UNHCR said some 13,000 had crossed from Qalamun into Lebanon’s border town of Arsal.

2nd lead The United States meanwhile accused the Syrian government of undermining the Geneva peace talks by rounding up and arresting the rela-

ALEPPO: A Syrian man runs for cover as smoke rises from buildings nearby following a reported bombing attack by government forces on the Hanano district of the northern city of Aleppo yesterday. —AFP

tives of opposition delegates. A second round of UN-led peace talks, dubbed Geneva II, broke down in acrimony earlier this month, threatening international attempts to mediate an end to Syria’s vicious civil war.

International envoys are trying to get the process back on track, but Washington accused Bashar AlAssad’s regime of using strong-arm tactics to intimidate opposition negotiators. “We call on the regime to immediately and unconditionally release all those unfairly arrested,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, expressing Washington’s “outrage.” “The opposition delegation must be permitted to safely and securely work towards the political transition,” she said. The impetus behind the Geneva dialogue came from a joint US-Russian diplomatic initiative, but the rival powers remain

themselves deeply divided over the crisis in Syria.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is due to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Rome next week for their first face-to-face meeting since the last round of talks failed.

But he was critical of Moscow’s stance, accusing the Kremlin of increasing its supply of weapons to Assad’s forces.

“Frankly, Russia is increasing its assistance to Assad,” Kerry said. “I do not find that constructive in the effort to try to get him to change his mind and be able to come to a decision that he needs to negotiate in good faith.”

What Assad “is doing is outrageous, unconscionable, unacceptable, disgraceful, craven, it’s horrendous. And we all know that. Everybody knows that,” Kerry said, in an interview with MSNBC television. — Agencies

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International FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Gunmen seize Crimea seat of power Ukraine warns Russia as Moscow shelters Yanukovych

SIMFEROPOL: Pro-Russian demonstrators wave Russian and Crimea flags and shout slogans during a protest in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Crimea yesterday. Ukraine’s acting interior minister says Interior Ministry troops and police have been put on high alert after dozens of men seized local government and legislature buildings in the Crimea region. (Right) Maidan self defense activists sit atop an armored vehicle as another one holds a Svoboda party flag outside the parliament in Kiev during a rally yesterday. —AFP SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine: Ukraine issued a blunt warning to Russia yesterday after dozens of pro-Kremlin gunmen in combat fatigues seized parliament and government buildings on the volatile Crimean peninsula and Moscow said it was protecting the ousted leader.

The dawn raid came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin stoked fears of Moscow using its military might to sway the outcome of Ukraine’s threemonth standoff by ordering snap combat readiness drills near the border with the ex-Soviet state.

Interim president Oleksandr Turchynov responded by telling a boisterous parliament session that any movement of Russian troops out of their Black Sea bases in Crimea “will be considered as military aggression”.

Ukraine’s bloodiest crisis since its 1991 independence erupted in November when Viktor Yanukovych-deposed as president last weekend-made the shock decision to ditch an historic EU trade deal in favor of closer ties with old master Russia.

Yanukovych broke a five-day silence

by telling Russian news agencies from an undisclosed location he still viewed himself as president of the strategic but now splintered nation that has served as the geopolitical bridge between Russia and the West.

A high-ranking source quoted by the news agencies said the fugitive leader’s request for personal security had been “granted on Russian territory” but provided no other details. Ukraine had appeared to take a decisive swing back toward the European Union by ousting Yanukovych’s entire pro-

Russian team and replacing it with a new brand of younger pro-Western politicians who will steer the nationtorn between a Russified east and proEuropean west-until snap presidential polls are held on May 25.

The 450-seat Verkhovna Rada parliament yesterday confirmed opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko’s top ally Arseniy Yatsenyuk as prime minister by a 371-0 vote.

“Ukraine is being torn apart,” a sombre Yatsenyuk told the session. “But Ukraine sees its future in Europe. We

will be a part of the European Union.”

Russian flag flies in Crimea The Russian tricolor flag was flying over both the Crimean parliament and government buildings in the regional capital Simferopol as supporters of Moscow rule arrived from other parts of the peninsula by car and bus. The Black Sea autonomous region’s prime minister Anatoliy Mohilyov told AFP that up to 50 men with weapons had seized the buildings and were preventing government workers going inside. —AFP

International FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Security issues dominate as Hollande visits Nigeria ABUJA: Security issues threatened to overtake the festivities as President Francois Hollande arrived in Nigeria yesterday for centenary celebrations, as calls mount for French help against Islamist Boko Haram militants. Just hours before Hollande touched down, hundreds of suspected militant fighters laid siege to a town in Adamawa state in northeast Nigeria, destroying scores of homes and businesses with heavy weaponry and explosives.

At least two people were killed in the attack late Wednesday, which destroyed four banks, hundreds of shops, a police station and several government buildings. Hollande, guest of honor for the celebrations to mark 100 years since Nigeria’s unification, arrived in the capital Abuja for a two-day visit, expecting to hold talks on trade and investment with his Nigerian counterpart Goodluck Jonathan.

Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer and is tipped to become the continent’s largest economy in the coming months. But given the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast and France’s recent military interventions against militants in Mali and the Central African Republic, security has been pushed up the agenda.The attack in Adamawa state followed an attack on a secondary school by suspected Boko Haram militants on Tuesday in which 43 people, mostly students, were killed in Yobe state.

Adamawa, Yobe and Borno state have all been under emergency rule since May last year in a bid to curb the violence, which has claimed thousands of lives since 2009.

Regional interests Nigeria-a former British colony whose northern and southern protectorates were formally merged on January 1, 1914 — is not traditionally in France’s sphere of influence. French interests are largely confined to the oil sector, although the country is France’s biggest trading partner in Africa with investments worth 5.9 billion euros ($8 billion), according to French government figures.

But it is surrounded by French-speaking countries, notably its former colonies of Chad, Niger and Cameroon, which have seen an increase in people from Nigeria’s northeast flee across the border to escape the violence. The United Nations said earlier this month that as of the end of January, nearly 12,500 Nigerians had fled east to Cameroon and 8,000 north to Niger because of the continued violence.

Boko Haram fighters are also suspected of having bases in neighboring countries, crossing the porous borders to launch attacks before retreating. Hollande, who ordered French troops in to fight Islamist militants in Mali in January 2013 and still has troops trying to stem religious-linked violence in the CAR, hosted more than 40 African leaders for a summit on the continent’s security in Paris last year.

He was due to address a conference on the theme of “human security, peace and development” in Abuja later Thursday. Nigeria’s government maintains that it is winning the war against Boko Haram, despite the relentless wave of attacks and mounting death toll, but has indicated that French support would be welcome.

Information minister Labaran Maku said on Tuesday that Nigeria needed co-operation from both France and Francophone West African countries “before it becomes a major problem for France, for western interests... in west Africa”.

“It will devastate French interests if we allow this terror to go on,” the minister told AIT television. A French official drew comparisons between Operation Serval in Mali and Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram, adding: “France fully intends to continue and deepen its intelligence dialogue with Nigeria.”

Hollande won plaudits internationally and broad support at home for sending troops into Mali last year to combat Al-Qaeda-linked radicals who had seized control in the country’s northern desert regions.

But he has not enjoyed the same support at home over his deployment of troops to quell sectarian strife in the troubled CAR, particularly since other Western powers are reluctant to match France’s commitments. —AFP

BLANTYRE: People take part in a demonstration with anti Malawi’s President placards yesterday in Blantyre. — AFP

Car bomb kills 11 at tea shop in Somalia Al-Shabab role in attack suspected MOGADISHU: A car bomb blast yesterday in a normally quiet Mogadishu neighborhood blew the facade off a tea shop where intelligence officers are known to congregate, killing at least 11 people, police said. A ball of smoke rose into the sky, as survivors ducked for cover. One man broke his arm when, startled by the blast, he jumped out of a moving car near the attack.

Police Capt Mohammed Hussein said he saw 11 dead bodies. The tea shop is frequented by members of Somalia’s intelligence unit but it wasn’t immediately known how many of the victims were government employees. The AlQaeda-linked group Al-Shabab has increased the frequency of attacks in Somalia’s capital in recent weeks, raising the specter of a return to daily violence.

Last week an Al-Shabab team attacked the presidential palace with two car bombs and seven gunmen. A car bomb exploded near a UN convoy earlier this month. Witnesses said the car bomb sped toward the tea shop before detonating. Broken tea glasses were scattered on the ground amid splatters of blood. “You can’t stop someone who only cares about killing himself,” said Mohamed Abdi, a Somali police officer.

After controlling most of Mogadishu for years, Al-Shabab was pushed out by

MOGADISHU: Somali policemen carry a dead body after a suicide bomber blew himself up near a restaurant in Mogadishu yesterday. A car bomb blast yesterday in a normally quiet Mogadishu neighborhood blew the facade off a tea shop where intelligence officers are known to congregate, killing at least 11 people, police said. —AP African Union forces in August 2011, allowing an era of relative peace to be ushered in. However, Al-Shabab has increased its pace of attacks in recent weeks, including the use of mortar fire attacks, complex suicide team attacks

and even targeted murders.

Gunmen shot dead a health worker giving out polio vaccinations on Wednesday night, the second polio worker killed in the capital this week, police said. — AP

Court clears former German president HANOVER: A German court cleared Christian Wulff yesterday of corruption charges for accepting roughly 700 euros in expenses at a beer festival when he was a state premier, ending the first trial of a former post-war president.

Once tipped as a future chancellor, 54-year-old Wulff served just 20 months as president before resigning in disgrace in 2012 over favors he accepted two years before he was vaulted into the ceremonial post by his conservative ally Angela Merkel. His dramatic fall from grace, followed by the separation from his glamorous wife Bettina, has gripped the nation. German presidents have limited power but are expected to serve as a moral compass and adhere to the highest standards of conduct.

“The accused Wulff is acquitted,” Judge Frank Rosenow told the court, adding there was insufficient evidence to prove that Wulff had

accepted an illegal payments.

The charges stemmed from a 2008 visit to the Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich when Wulff was premier of the state of Lower Saxony and a rising star in Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU). Prosecutors argued that Wulff had allowed film producer David Groenewold to cover some of the costs of his hotel stay and meals, amounting to 719 euros. In exchange, they said, Wulff lobbied German conglomerate Siemens to provide financial support for a Groenewold film.

“I am of course relieved that justice has prevailed,” a smiling Wulff told reporters outside the court in the northern town of Hanover, adding he wanted to look to the future after a difficult two years. He left quickly, saying he had to collect his young son from kindergarten. —Reuters

International FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Merkel urges Britain to stay in EU LONDON: German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Britain yesterday to stay in the EU but played down David Cameron’s hopes that her visit to London would bring major reforms. The British premier rolled out the red carpet in his bid to woo fellow conservative Merkel, who gave a speech to both houses of parliament and was due to have tea with the queen. But Europe’s most powerful politician was cool on Cameron’s desire to change the EU’s treaties ahead of a planned referendum on British membership of the bloc in 2017. Addressing lawmakers in English after delivering much of the speech in German, Merkel said the EU should have as its common goal to be a “model for other regions of the world”.

“In order to maintain this goal we need a strong United Kingdom with a strong voice inside the European Union,” she said. “If we have that we will be able to make the necessary changes for the benefit of us all.” Merkel was due to discuss EU reform and the crisis in Ukraine with Cameron during a lunch meeting at the prime minister’s Downing Street residence.

During their 90-minute talks over lunch, Merkel and Cameron are also expected to address a proposed EU-US trade deal and the identity of the next European Commission chief following Jose Manuel Barroso’s departure in 2015. Cameron hopes to win over voters in Britain’s in-out referendum by securing reforms that would dilute Europe’s influence over domestic policy, but is finding support from fellow EU nations hard to come by.

Cameron has said the vote will be in late 2017, provided he is reelected in 2015.

Disgraced Italian captain boards cruise ship wreck GIGLIO ISLAND, Italy: Italian captain Francesco Schettino yesterday returned on board his stricken Costa Concordia cruise ship, more than two years after leaving it in a hurry as it sank in a tragedy that claimed 32 lives. Wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses, the disgraced captain fought off a media scrum as he arrived in the tiny port on Giglio Island, donned a life jacket and got on a boat that took him out to the vessel. Schettino’s visit was part of a court-ordered inspection in the ongoing trial against him for multiple counts of manslaughter and abandoning ship before all the passengers had been evacuated.

“They want to show that I am weak, just like two years ago. It’s not true! I want to show I’m a gentleman, not a coward,” Schettino, who was dubbed “Captain Coward” by the tabloids, was quoted by Italian media as saying. Schettino claims he fell onto a lifeboat as the ship keeled over on the night of the disaster on January 13, 2012 and then stayed on dry land because he wanted to coordinate the nighttime evacuation from there. In a recorded phone call from that dramatic night, a senior coast guard official was heard shouting at Schettino: “Get back on board, for fuck’s sake!”

With 4,229 people from 70 countries on board, the giant luxury liner crashed into rocks just off Giglio as it attempted a risky “salute” manoeuvre. It capsized near the coast but has since been righted in the biggest-ever salvage operation of its kind and is due to be towed away for scrapping in June.

Schettino returned to the island on Tuesday for the first time since that night and had been hiding from the media glare in a white-painted house on a cobbled side street near the port in a picturesque fishing community that numbers only a few hundred people.

Mixed emotions on Giglio Islanders reacted with mixed emotions to his presence, with some saying they felt sympathy for someone they consider a “scapegoat” for wider blame and others saying he and the ship should get off the island. Sergio Ortelli, the mayor of Giglio, said there was “indifference” to Schettino’s visit and more concern about when the luxury liner would be taken away.

“What marked this island more was when he got off that boat on the night of the accident,” Ortelli said. “When the spotlights are turned on, the pain of this event returns. The relatives of the victims and the people of Giglio need an explanation of what happened.”

But the mayor added: “More than his two-day presence, we are interested in the two-year salvage of the ship, which we hope will finish as soon as possible.”—AFP

‘Between the devil and deep blue sea’ The chancellor said she was aware there were high expectations from her speech to members of the House of Commons and House of the Lords, the first by a German leader since president Richard von Weizsaecker’s address in 1986. But she said she was “caught between the devil and the deep blue sea” in terms of what she could offer.

“I have heard some expect my speech to pave the way for a fundamental reform of European architecture which will satisfy all kinds of alleged or actual British wishes. I am afraid they are in for a disappointment,” she said. But to those in Europe expecting her to say the bloc would not pay any price for British membership, she said “I am afraid these hopes will be dashed too”.

Merkel follows in the footsteps of US President Barack Obama and French ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy in speaking to the twin chambers of parliament at Westminster. Cameron said that during his talks with Merkel they would have “discussions on EU reform and Ukraine”, where a bloody political crisis is increasingly putting Russia and the West at loggerheads. Despite Merkel’s general sympathy towards Cameron’s views and the pair’s good personal relationship-reported to have been bolstered during a Cameron family visit to her country home last year-experts warn that he is unlikely to extract much on the EU. A recent warming in ties between Germany and France-the traditional axis of the EU-also threatens to scupper Cameron’s efforts to extract reforms. Migration is a major issue for Cameron, and in her speech Merkel said free movement within the EU was a “pre-condition” for prosperity and democracy. —AFP

LONDON: Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron shakes hands with Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel at Downing Street in London yesterday. — AP

NATO warns Russia to avoid Crimea escalation Ukraine stokes growing concern in Europe BRUSSELS: NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen yesterday warned Russia not to take any action over Crimea that could stoke tensions or misunderstandings in the Ukraine crisis.

“I’m concerned about developments in Crimea,” Rasmussen said in a tweeted message. “I urge Russia not to take any action that can escalate tension or create misunderstanding,” he said.

Rasmussen’s comments were made as the Ukraine interim government called in Moscow’s representative in Kiev to warn that Russia must respect its territorial integrity after pro-Russian gunmen seized control of government buildings in the Crimea peninsula.

Rasmussen later told a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission that the latest developments in Crimea were “dangerous and irresponsible”. “I urge all parties to step back from confrontation,” he said, calling on the Kiev authorities to lead the country forward in the most inclusive political process possible.

NATO defense ministers on Wednesday agreed a statement which said a sovereign, independent and stable Ukraine was essential to security in Europe. Rasmussen said after the statement that “Ukraine is the most important security issue in Europe today.”

The latest developments have stoked growing concern about Ukraine’s future and the possible wider fallout after the ouster of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Crimea is especially sensitive as the home base for Russia’s Black Sea fleet and tensions there took on a new dimension when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military preparedness checks in western Russia on Wednesday. The interim Ukraine government specifically warned the Russian navy Thursday to keep its troops in their

bases. “Any troop movements will be considered as military aggression,” acting president Oleksandr Turchynov told parliament. In 1997, NATO set up a joint commission with Ukraine to oversee relations and in 2008 agreed that Kiev could eventually be considered for membership of the Cold War-era alliance.

The NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting was put on the agenda of the NATO defence ministers’ gathering at the last moment as the crisis worsened.

Meanwhile in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding reso-

lution calling for urgent EU short-term financial aid to Ukraine as well as a longer-term package to support necessary reforms.

Lawmakers also called on the EU to take the lead in organizing an international donors’ conference to raise funds.

The resolution reiterated that the EU stands ready to sign an association agreement and trade deal with Ukraine as soon as the political crisis is resolved, but said this was not “the final goal in EU-Ukraine cooperation”, meaning that membership of the bloc remained possible later. — AFP

BRUSEELS: Belgium NATO Defense Ministers Chuck Hagel, Anders Fogh Rasmussen NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (left) talks with Ukraine’s acting Defense Minister Oleksandr Oliinyk, right, prior to the start of a meeting of NATO defense ministers and NATO-Ukraine Commission at NATO headquarters in Brussels yesterday. — AP

International FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Obama to launch quest to lift African American men WASHINGTON: Barack Obama will launch a personal quest that will outlast his presidency to help young African American men survive and prosper despite deprived violent inner city environments where many grow up. The US president plans to partner with foundations and businesses on an initiative known as “My Brother’s Keeper” to connect boys and young men to support networks and to equip them with the skills needed to go to college or get good jobs. “For decades, opportunity has disproportionately lagged behind for boys and young men of color particularly in our African American and Hispanic communities,” said Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama’s closest advisors.

The initiative will represent a political full circle of sorts for Obama, as he got his start in politics as a community organizer in African American neighborhoods in Chicago.

He has also spoken and written of his own struggle for identity and against adversity as an African American youth-though he has tended to downplay his race for much of his presidency.

The White House says that 86 percent of black boys and

‘Mein Kampf’ signed

by Hitler up for auction in LA LOS ANGELES: Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” is one of the most racist and heinous screeds in modern history, but officials say two rare early editions signed by him could go for more than $20,000 at an online auction yesterday.

Nate Sanders, owner of Nate D Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles, says he knows he’ll catch a lot of flak for putting the rare 1925 and 1926 books up for bid. He said he understands that. “But it is a piece of history. It is a very rare item.”

Hitler was arrested and jailed for the attempt to seize power. He dictated “Mein Kampf,” two volumes of autobiography and anti-Semitic manifesto, to Rudolf Hess while behind bars to raise money for his criminal defense. Both volumes’ fly-leaves feature Hitler’s signature. Sanders said volumes of “Mein Kampf” from the 1930s are common, but a copy signed by the author is rare.

Sanders is also auctioning off a leather trench coat he said was worn by Albert Speer, a Nazi government minister who took responsibility for the Holocaust at the Nuremberg trials and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the Nazi regime. Selling Nazi memorabilia is prohibited in many European countries that saw the horrors of World War II. — AP

13 exposed to radiation at New Mexico plant ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: Employees who were working at the nation’s underground nuclear waste dump when it started leaking didn’t show signs of external contamination, but officials say biological samples show 13 workers suffered some exposure to radiation. The US Department of Energy and the contractor that runs the Waste Isolation Pilot Project declined to comment further on the preliminary test results announced Wednesday, saying they would discuss the issue at a news conference. “It is important to note that these are initial sample results,” the DOE and Nuclear Waste Partnership, the plant operator, said in a joint statement.

“These employees, both federal and contractor, will be asked to provide additional samples in order to fully determine the extent of any exposure.”

All employees who were working at the southeastern New Mexico plant when the leak occurred late Feb. 14 were checked for contamination before being allowed to leave, the news release said.

But biological samples were also taken to check for possible exposure from inhaling radioactive particles.

Elevated radiation levels have been detected in the air around the plant, but officials have said the readings are too low to constitute a public health threat. The accident is the first-known release of radiation since the dump near Carlsbad began taking plutoniumcontaminated waste from the nation’s nuclear bomb building sites 15 years ago. —AP

82 percent of Hispanic boys fall below reading proficiency levels by the time they are 10 years old. By comparison, 58 percent of white boys are reading below proficiency levels by the same age. A disproportionate number of black and Hispanic men are also in jail, further undermining the structure of family life in their communities and creating a vicious cycle of deprivation. Young minority men are also more than six times as likely to be murdered than their white peers and account for almost half of America’s murder victims each year. Obama spoke with deep emotion about the plight of African American men during a visit to his own Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago last year. He remembered the mistakes he made as a youth, but said that the environment he grew up in, in his native Hawaii, was more forgiving than in many of mainland America’s inner cities, where gun crime is common.

“When I screwed up, the consequences weren’t as high as when kids on the South Side screw up,” Obama told the group of black Chicago youths. “I had more of a safety net.

But these guys are no different than me, and we had that

conversation about what does it take to change.”

The Obama plan will draw commitments from various philanthropic foundations worth $200 million over the next five years, the White House said. In addition, businesses and other groups that sign up to help target early child development, parenting programs, and those stressing literacy and discipline. Foundations due to be represented at yesterday’s announcement include The Atlantic Philanthropies, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The California Endowment and the Ford Foundation. Business leaders taking part will include Joe Echevarria of Deloitte and former basketball star Magic Johnson. Political leaders supporting the effort who will also be at Thursday’s event will include former secretary of state Colin Powell, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg and current Chicago mayor and Obama’s former chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.

Jarrett told reporters that the initiative would not just be a presidential effort but would form part of the social and philanthropic portfolio on which Obama is expected to embark when he leaves office in January 2017. — AFP

Hillary lauds Arizona veto of anti-gay bill Call for greater civic participation CORAL GABLES, Florida: Hillary Rodham Clinton praised Arizona Gov Jan Brewer’s decision to veto a bill that would have allowed people with sincerely held religious beliefs to refuse to serve gays. Speaking Wednesday to thousands of students, faculty and guests at the University of Miami, the former secretary of state and New York senator said Brewer’s rejection of “discriminatory legislation” recognized that “inclusive leadership is really what the 21st century is all about.”

Clinton’s remarks came before an address in which she called for greater civic participation in the country, urging young people to “find ways to make sure the barriers that too often divide us are torn down once and for all.” “It is the work of this century to complete the unfinished business of making sure that every girl and boy, every woman and man, lives in societies that respect their rights no matter who they are,” she said.

Clinton has been traveling the country giving speeches at various trade industry events while considering another presidential campaign. The former first lady expects to make a decision whether to run later this year. In a question-andanswer session, Clinton urged young people to sign up for health insurance under President Barack Obama’s health care law as a key deadline approaches.

“Having access to health insurance, not connected to employment, subsidized as it is under the Affordable Care Act, liberates you to choose what you want to do in your life,” she said.

The White House has set an unofficial goal of 7 million enrollees by the end of March. Nearly 3.3 million people, or less than half the total, had enrolled through the end of January. Unified in their opposition to the law, Republicans have been relentless in focusing on its problems, from complaints of canceled policies to higher insurance premiums and Obama’s unilateral decision to delay for two years the requirement that small businesses cover employees. Clinton urged Americans to “get the facts,” and cited a popular provision in the law that allows young people to stay on their parents’ plans until they turn 26.

“We can still disagree - and we will - but the disagreements will be based on something resembling evidence and it won’t be living in an evidence-free zone where we just argue past each other all the time,” she said. Clinton also weighed in on foreign policy. She said Venezuela “is not being well governed” and is “going backward” under President Nicolas Maduro, but stopped short of endorsing specific actions in response to the countrywide protests that the government says have left at least 15 people dead and 150 injured. She criticized the Maduro government.

“A democracy doesn’t just mean an election,” she said. “A democracy means a free press, protecting the rights of opponents, protecting a free economy, having an independent judiciary.”

On Syria, she said the United States should stay focused on removing chemical weapons from the war-torn country but that “a lot more international pressure is going to have to be brought to finish the job.” The mission to eliminate Syria’s chemical stockpile has said the Assad government has missed at least two deadlines in the past two months to remove chemicals. The United States has accused Damascus of using stalling tactics.

Clinton said she hoped the United States can continue supporting “those forces inside Syria who are not allied with the extremists and are not looking to establish a theocratic ministate but really want to negotiate with (President Barshar) Assad to bring about a peaceful transition.”

Clinton dodged a question about her own future when University of Miami president Donna Shalala, who served in President Bill Clinton’s Cabinet, asked the former first lady what the “TBD” - shorthand for “to be determined” - meant in her Twitter profile. — AP

CORAL GABLES: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former Secretary of State (left) flashes a U symbol as she is seen with Donna E Shalala, President of the University of Miami, during an event on Wednesday. — AFP

17

International FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

2 sailors found dead in Indian submarine 7 airlifted to hospital in latest naval tragedy

SRINAGAR: Indian army soldiers stand alongside an ambulance carrying the bodies of soldiers killed inside an army camp at Safapora some 20 km (12 miles) from Srinagar yesterday. —AFP

Soldier shoots dead five colleagues, self in Kashmir SRINAGAR: A soldier armed with two automatic weapons shot dead five of his colleagues as they slept early yesterday before killing himself in restive Indian Kashmir, police and the army said.

The soldier, who was on night duty, walked into the barracks where the soldiers were resting and opened fire at a military camp 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the region’s main city of Srinagar. “The soldier ran amok, killing five others before shooting himself dead in the camp in Ganderbal district,” army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Narinder Nahar Joshi said.

Another soldier who was injured in the attack recalled the events to police before being shifted to a military hospital in Srinagar for treatment, local superintendent of police Shahid Mehraj said.

A military inquiry and a separate police probe were under way to determine what sparked the incident at the camp in Safapora village, including whether the soldier was suffering from stress. “We don’t know what triggered this incident, but we are investigating thoroughly so that such an incident is not repeated in future,” Mehraj said, adding police have seized two automatic rifles used by the soldier.

“We are also talking to soldiers who were awake at the time of shooting,” Mehraj said. The killer was a member of a counter-insurgency force called the Rashtriya Rifles posted to the heavily militarized Himalayan region and charged with tracking down suspected militants. Indian forces have since 1989 been fighting some dozen militant groups seeking independence or the merger of the territory with Pakistan. The fighting has left tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, dead. Several similar incidents have occurred in the past in the region, including one in 2011 when an Indian soldier killed four of his comrades after an altercation in a camp in Anantnag district. —AFP

Shiite scholar shot dead in Pakistan KARACHI: Gunmen shot dead a Shiite Muslim scholar in central Karachi as he travelled on a busy road yesterday, police said, in what appeared to be a sectarian attack.

Allama Taqi Hadi Naqvi, a cleric who was also an employee of the government educational board, was targeted as he returned home in a rickshaw.

Pakistan has seen a rise in sectarian violence since a number of deadly clashes between Sunni and Shiite Muslim groups near the capital Islamabad in November.

“He was riding in an auto rickshaw when two riders on a motorcycle shot him,” police officer Afaq Ahmed said.

Hadi died on the spot as two of the bullets hit him in the face, the officer said, adding that the motive appeared to be sectarian. Pakistan is rife with sectarian violence, often perpetrated by Sunni militant groups linked to AlQaeda and the Taleban against Shiites, who make up some 20 percent of the population. —AFP

MUMBAI: Two Indian naval officers were found dead yesterday after they went missing in a submarine fire off Mumbai’s coast, the latest in a string of accidents that have forced the navy’s chief to quit.

Seven other crew members were airlifted to hospital with breathing problems after smoke began to fill the vessel’s living quarters on Wednesday, an accident that comes only six months after another deadly submarine disaster in Mumbai. “The two officers who were earlier declared missing have been located in the (submarine) compartment and after examination by Medical Officers both the officers were declared dead,” said an emailed statement from the defense ministry.

Admiral D K Joshi, the chief of naval staff, announced Wednesday night he was standing down to take “moral responsibility” for the accident on board the Russian-built INS Sindhuratna during exercises.

Last August, 18 sailors were killed when the fully-armed submarine INS Sindhurakshak exploded in flames and sank in a military shipyard in Mumbai.

That disaster was thought to be the Indian Navy’s worst since the sinking of a frigate by a Pakistani submarine during a war with its neighbor in 1971. Various other naval accidents reported in recent months included a submarine running aground in Mumbai’s harbor, fires on a minesweeping vessel and an aircraft carrier, and a collision between a frigate and a fishing boat.

The Indian navy has 14 submarines, but only between seven and nine are operational at any one time because of regular repair and refitting. Defense experts say the navy has an ageing fleet and has struggled with delays in the acquisition of new submarines and poor servicing.

Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters yesterday that outgoing chief

MUMBAI: Chief for Indian Naval Staff, Admiral DK Joshi (left) briefs Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony (center) at the scene as Indian Navy personnel work at the conning tower of the stricken INS Sindhurakshak, after the submarine sank following an explosion at the naval dockyard in Mumbai. —AFP Joshi was “pretty much disturbed about the whole development”. “He requested me to take his resignation with immediate effects,” Antony said.

Stricken submarine docks While a full inquiry is expected to determine the exact cause of the latest accident, the navy said it appeared to have been due to sparks in a sleeping cabin. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, smoke filled a compartment and triggered emergency measures, such as the closure of hatches which isolate sections of the submarine.

The missing pair “might have been left in the cabin or at some other place as various cabins and compartments are isolated as part of the emergency measures”, PTI quoted an unnamed navy offi-

cer as saying on Wednesday. The stricken submarine docked in Mumbai yesterday morning, allowing the navy to ventilate the vessel and step up their search for the missing pair. INS Sindhuratna is a kilo-class submarine which normally operates with a crew of 53 and can sail on its own for 45 days, the navy’s website says. The submarine had only been handed back to the navy in December after undergoing a major refit, according to local reports.

It had been undergoing trials off the Mumbai coast as part of a clearance process for full operations when the incident occurred. Russia is still the biggest military supplier to India, but relations have been strained by major delays and cost overruns with a refurbished aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya. —AFP

Modi signals shift in favor of big retail NEW DELHI: Indian opposition candidate for prime minister Narendra Modi said yesterday the country’s millions of familyowned traders must learn to work with large modern stores and online retailers, in comments that could signal a shift in thinking.

Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opposes a policy to allow foreign supermarkets to open in India, which it says is a threat to millions of grocery stores and traders who are a backbone of the party’s support. Sketching out his economic views ahead of a general election likely to be held in April and May, Modi declined to reiterate that stance or oppose a proposal to allow foreign investment in online shopping, which is growing rapidly in India.

Instead, he said small traders should put an emphasis on the quality of their products to compete better. He said they could enter into contracts with big online retailers to create “virtual trade”. “We should not worry about the challenges

from global trade,” Modi told a meeting of the Confederation of All India Traders.

“The government should not look to curb online trade. We should not worry about these things, our children have taken IT to the world. We’ll have to embrace it.”

Modi also said he favoured introducing a nation-wide goods and services tax (GST), a long-planned reform to usher in a uniform market, cut business costs and boost government revenue. The country’s states have stood in the way of a GST, fearing that they would face revenue losses if the current array of inefficient levies were replaced. Chief minister of Gujarat, one of the country’s most industrialized states, Modi is campaigning on the back of a record of strong growth over more than a decade in office. But until Thursday he had given few details about how he would steer the economy, which has seen growth at its slowest in a decade.

Economic diplomacy The Hindu nationalist leader also

said India needed to cut red tape by reducing the number of laws, and called on the foreign ministry to focus on “economic diplomacy” to improve India’s commercial standing in the world. “Times have changed, the core work of external affairs ministry today is trade and commerce,” he said. In an effort to attract overseas investment and revive the economy, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh threw open the country’s $500-billion retail industry to foreign investors late in 2012.

That allowed companies such as Wal-Mart Stores and TESCO Plc to own majority stakes in Indian chains for the first time, pending approval by individual states.

This month, the newly elected BJP government of the western state of Rajasthan became the second state government to roll back the policy. Fewer than half of India’s 28 states have agreed to implement the policy. —Reuters

International FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

US envoy urges China to respect human rights Washington concerned about fate of scholar

BANGKOK: A supporter “Red Shirts” of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra shout slogans during a demonstration after shutting down the gates of the headquarters of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Bangkok yesterday. — AFP

Embattled Thai PM misses graft hearing BANGKOK: Thailand’s premier skipped an anti-corruption panel hearing yesterday into negligence charges that could lead to her ousting, as her government turned to the UN for help resolving a deadly political crisis. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is fighting for her political survival as pressure mounts on several fronts-in mass protests on the streets, in the courts and from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The backdrop is a longstanding struggle between a royalist establishment-backed by the judiciary and the militaryand Yingluck’s billionaire family which has strong support in the northern half of Thailand. The prime minister’s critics welcome the graft probe as a long-overdue attempt to hold the government to account, but to her supporters it is part of an attempted power grab.

Yingluck, who has protested her innocence, sent her legal team to acknowledge the allegations linked to a flagship rice farm subsidy scheme, as she toured her political stronghold in northern Thailand. The NACC, which filed charges against Yingluck earlier this month, says she ignored warnings that the rice scheme was fostering corruption and causing financial losses.

She now has 15 days to submit her defense. If found guilty by the NACC she faces an impeachment vote in the upper house and a possible five-year ban from politics, as well as potential imprisonment by the courts on criminal charges. It is unclear how long the commission will take to reach a conclusion.

“It is important that we hear all the facts from both sides,” said NACC official Vichai Vivatsaevee. “We do not have a ruling in mind.” The legal moves comes amid a spike in political violence, often targeting protesters, that has left 22 people dead and hundreds wounded in recent weeks.

One of Yingluck’s deputy prime ministers said yesterday he would appeal to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to try to broker an end to the crisis. “There is no neutral person in Thailand, no one credible” to act as a mediator, Surapong Tovichakchaikul told reporters, a day after Ban condemned the violence and called for dialogue.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday he was ready to meet Yingluck, but only if she “comes alone” and the talks are broadcast live on national television. Yingluck indicated she would be ready to talk if protesters agree to end their rallies.

Justice or judicial coup?

The premier’s opponents accuse the Shinawatra family of plundering the public coffers to win the votes of rural voters through populist policies such as the rice scheme. But government supporters and some experts see the charges as part of an attempted “judicial coup” by Thaksin’s foes within the royalist establishment, without sending tanks onto the streets.

“These are elaborate plans to overthrow the government without actually staging a physical coup,” said Verapat Pariyawong, a Harvard-educated lawyer and political commentator. Dozens of pro-Yingluck lawmakers in the Senate, the upper house, face possible political bans over a failed attempt to amend the constitution to make the Senate fully elected. — AFP

BEIJING: The outgoing US ambassador to China urged Beijing yesterday to respect the rights of peaceful political activists and said Washington was deeply concerned about the fate of a minority scholar charged with separatism. At his final news conference as ambassador, Gary Locke said that Washington is “very concerned” about the case of Ilham Tohti as well as a recent increase in the arrests of social and legal activists and journalists.

Tohti is an economics professor and outspoken advocate for the Uighur Muslim minority who was arrested on Tuesday after being taken from his home one month ago.

China should value not just the economic welfare of its people, but also their freedom of speech, assembly and religion, Locke said. “We believe that freedom of expression is a universal right and we very much are concerned about the arrest and detentions of people who are engaged in peaceful advocacy,” Locke, accompanied by his wife Mona, told journalists at the US Embassy in eastern Beijing.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Wednesday also expressed deep concern for Tohti and called for his release.

China’s authoritarian communist government brooks no political opposition and routinely rejects such remarks. Beijing says it must take harsh measures against what it calls Islamic radical terrorists fighting for the independence of the northwestern China Uighur homeland of Xinjiang amid an uptick in violent incidents over the past year. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying defended China’s record at a regular briefing Wednesday and accused the country’s critics of political bias.

Chinese citizens enjoy “unprecedented rights and liberty,” Hua said. “We strongly oppose irresponsible comments made by anybody, regardless of which country he comes from.”

A former commerce secretary and twoterm governor of Washington state, Locke, 63, was the first Chinese-American to serve as ambassador to Beijing. Known for his affable, non-confrontational style, Locke placed a high priority on improving embassy efficiency and facilitating bilateral trade during his 2 1/2 years in Beijing at a time when exchanges are growing rapidly.

Locke said the wait for a visa interview by

BEIJING: Outgoing US Ambassador to China Gary Locke speaks during a farewell press conference held at the US embassy in Beijing yesterday. — AFP applicants in China had fallen from up to 100 days to as little as one, while visa applications grew by 75 percent. Almost 220,000 Chinese currently study at American colleges and universities, the most from any country. Locke also oversaw the defusing of two of the most delicate diplomatic episodes between the countries in years.

In February 2012, Wang Lijun, the police chief in the western city of Chongqing, fled to a US consulate in southwest China with information about the killing of a British businessman, setting off China’s biggest political scandal in years. Wang’s flight led to the removal and subsequent sentencing to life imprisonment for corruption of Chongqing’s leader, Bo Xilai, formerly one of China’s most powerful politicians. Just two months later, blind legal activist Chen Guangcheng escaped house arrest and was given shelter in the US Embassy in Beijing, where he remained for six days before being allowed to leave the country with his family to study in New York.

In his comments, Locke also repeated Washington’s calls for restraint in China’s maritime territorial disputes with Japan and its Southeast Asian neighbors. He also urged China to accord foreign journalists

working in the country the same equitable treatment Chinese journalists receive in the West, a reference to Beijing’s denial of visas to reporters from the New York Times and other news outlets. Notably missing from his comments was any reference to Chinese investment barriers, alleged currency manipulation and other economic disputes that had been prominent themes in Locke’s speeches earlier in his term. That appeared to reflect a strengthening US economy and a boom in exports to China that are growing at nearly twice the rate they are to other countries. He said Chinese investment in the US over the past two years exceed that of the previous 11 years combined.

“Mona and I depart China with a spirit of optimism. I believe the trajectory of our two countries’ relationship is positive and indeed will shape the future of the world,” Locke said. Locke, a Democrat, said he had no plans for the immediate future but would stump for American political candidates and eventually return to China in a private capacity to work on business projects. His replacement, former Montana Sen. Max Baucus, was sworn in last week and is expected to arrive within coming weeks. — AP

China to mark Nanjing Massacre, Japan defeat as national days BEIJING: Chinese lawmakers approved national remembrance days yesterday to commemorate the Nanjing Massacre and Japan’s defeat in World War II, state media said, amid bitter disputes over territory and history.

“September 3 was ratified as the victory day and December 13 the national memorial day for massacre victims”, the official Xinhua news agency said, reporting decisions by members of the National People’s Congress, China’s rubberstamp parliament. Japan invaded China in the 1930s and the two countries fought a full-scale war from 1937 to 1945.

China says more than 300,000 people were slaughtered by Japanese troops in a six-week killing spree in the then capital Nanjing, which began on December 13 1937. Some foreign academics put the figure lower. It was unclear what significance the formal “national days” will have, although they are not expected to be public holidays. The Chinese government previously designated as victory day September 3, the day after Japan formally surrendered to the Allies on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay in 1945.

“The approval of the national days has great historical significance and is a

necessity in current circumstances,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said following the decision.

Tokyo and Beijing are embroiled in a series of rows, including a long-running diplomatic spat over disputed islands in the East China Sea. Tensions rose further last month when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Yasukuni shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including convicted war criminals.

Chinese officials often call on Japan to “reflect” on its past, while Tokyo says its neighbors use history as a diplomatic stick to beat it with. — AFP

Business FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014 Qantas to axe 5,000 jobs

Airbus China plant opens door to massive market PAGE 21

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BARCELONA: Sony devices become wet with water at the Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest mobile phone trade show yesterday. — AP

Phone makers eye emerging markets for growth BARCELONA: Here’s the rub for companies: A good part of the key markets they serve already own smartphones and use them to connect various Internet services. How do you grow from there?

Services from Facebook to Firefox are looking to emerging markets for the next few billion people.

They are not only targeting the obvious high-population countries such as India and China, but also see potential in Latin America, Africa and just about everywhere beyond the US, Canada, western Europe and a few Asian nations.

One message has been clear this week at the Mobile World Congress wireless show in Barcelona, Spain: Even as the affluent crave the latest iPhones or Android phones, most of the world can’t afford the hundreds of dollars they cost. So there’s been a push to get mobile devices cheap enough to reach emerging markets without sacrificing so much performance that first-time smartphone owners will give up on the Internet and forgo a second smartphone down the road. It’s a delicate balance.

When Motorola Mobility introduced the low-cost Moto G smartphone last fall, the company emphasized how it was bringing the features of high-end smartphones to a device that starts at just $179.

Even then, it had to sacrifice camera resolution and connectivity to the faster 4G LTE cellular networks.

And $179 is still expensive for many. At the Barcelona show this week, Nokia Corp unveiled the Nokia X series, starting at 89 euros ($122).

“In the growth market... a couple of bucks make a

huge difference,” said Timo Toikkanen, Nokia’s executive vice president for mobile phones. Still too expensive? Try some of the $50 to $70 smartphones based on Firefox OS, a system adapted from the popular Firefox Web browser. Mozilla, the organization behind Firefox, announced a partnership with Chinese chipmaker Spreadtrum Communications Inc. to create a blueprint for any phone maker to make $25 smartphones.

Microsoft Corp, meanwhile, said it was relaxing hardware requirements to keep phone costs down.

For instance, phones no longer need physical camera and control buttons. Those can now be done through software instead. It is also working with Qualcomm Inc on blueprints for any phone maker to quickly design a Windows phone. While global brands such as Apple and Samsung reign in industrialized countries, smaller, regional manufacturers thrive in emerging markets because of lower distribution costs and better tailoring to local needs.

Internet services also see opportunities in finding the next few billions in emerging markets. In fact, getting the smartphone and the connectivity is just the beginning, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during Monday’s keynote. More important, he said, is giving people a reason to connect: basic financial services, access to health care information and educational materials. He sees Facebook as the “on ramp” to all those services.

In many ways, emerging markets provide unmatched opportunities. Apple has insisted on

making premium smartphones. Even last fall’s iPhone 5c was just $100 cheaper, at $549, than the more-advanced iPhone 5s. That’s way beyond the reach of many people in poorer countries.

“They are focusing on the premium segment,” Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing told The Associated Press. “Their market has become mature, saturated.

So now, if you want to further grow, you must focus on those emerging markets, particular those poor people.” He said Lenovo releases 40 or 50 smartphones a year to meet the diversity of needs in those markets.

Making cheap phones available will help companies expand in developed countries, too. Even in the US, not everyone wants or can afford a high-end smartphone, Sony Mobile President Kunimasa Suzuki said in an interview. But emerging markets also pose challenges unfamiliar in the industrialized world. The easy one to solve is to support two SIM cards in the same phone. Pricing and plans vary so much in emerging markets that it’s common for people to use different carriers for different circumstances. The Moto G, the Nokia X and Sony’s new Xperia M2 phone support that, and Microsoft will enable that in Windows Phone this spring.

More challenging is dealing with expensive data connections, something Zuckerberg posed as a bigger barrier than smartphone affordability. Chris Weasler, whose role at Facebook is to improve access to Internet services around the world, said he has met many smartphone owners who forgo data

services and use the devices instead as mobile computers and cameras.

Local wireless carriers will need to better educate their customers on the value of connectivity, he said, while app developers need to tweak their services to work on slower, less reliable networks. He said Facebook learned that when a team went to Africa and couldn’t use Facebook’s Android app because it pulled too much data.

Firefox phones have FM radio tuners built in so owners won’t waste data connection on streaming services, while another emerging system, Ubuntu, tries to make sure it has apps that work well offline.

To address the lack of credit cards in emerging markets, Nokia replaced Android’s card-based app store with one that permits billing directly to mobile operators. Ultimately, companies need to figure out what to sacrifice to bring costs down. Forget high-resolution video or a giant screen, such as the 5.1-inch display on the Samsung Galaxy S5 that was announced Monday. Not only are those features expensive, they require faster processors and longer battery life, adding to expenses.

Cellular connectivity through 4G is also something often dropped, as many emerging markets are lucky just to have the slower 3G. But what’s good enough?

Leo Li, CEO of Spreadtrum, said phones using his company’s blueprints work as good as Apple’s iPhone 4. But that’s a 4-year-old phone. Nonetheless, he said performance is better than the basic phones that firsttimers are upgrading from. —AP

Business FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Qantas to axe 5,000 jobs Qantas posts $210m half-year loss SYDNEY: Struggling Australian carrier Qantas yesterday said it will axe 5,000 jobs, defer aircraft deliveries and freeze growth at Asian offshoot Jetstar in a major shake-up after deep first-half losses, warning of more pain to come. The airline, battling record fuel costs and fierce competition from subsidized rivals, posted an interim net loss of Aus$235 million (US$210 million) in the six months to December 31 as it faces some of its toughest conditions ever.

Underlying loss before tax-the airline’s preferred measure of financial performance-came in at Aus$252 million, a figure chief executive Alan Joyce called “unacceptable and unsustainable”.

“Hard decisions will be necessary to overcome the challenges we face and build a stronger business,” said Joyce, who will take a 36 percent wage cut as the company works to slash costs by Aus$2 billion over three years. Qantas shares closed nine percent lower at Aus$1.15.5. Part of the restructure will see 5,000 full-time positions lost from the carrier’s 32,000-strong workforce by 2017 with a wage freeze across the network until it returns to profit.

“I regret the need for these wideranging job losses, but we will do everything we can to make the process easier for employees who leave the business,” said Irish-born Joyce. “At the end of this transformation, Qantas will remain an employer of more than 27,000 people, the vast majority based in Australia-and we will be a better and more competitive company.” Unions said workers were being punished for poor management. “Qantas management has today outlined a demolition job, but failed to follow through with a strategy for how it will grow the business and serve the national interest,” said Nathan Safe, president of the influential Australian and International Pilots Association. The carrier flagged “significant changes” to its fleet and network and a reduction in capital expenditure of Aus$1 billion across the next two financial years. This will see the sale or deferred delivery of

SYDNEY: Qantas staff walk through the terminal of Sydney domestic airport yesterday. — AFP 50 aircraft, including the eight remaining Airbus A380s it has on order.

‘Tough decisions’ ahead Qantas will also axe its Perth-toSingapore route and suspend new growth plans for Jetstar. “When it comes to Jetstar in Asia, we need to take the right decisions in accord with current market circumstances and our balance sheet,” said Joyce. “In Singapore, growth has been suspended by the Jetstar Asia board until such time as conditions improve.” Following an interim profit warning in December, Moody’s and S&P both downgraded Qantas’ credit rating to “junk” status, increasing its financing costs and restricting access for investors who do not put their money in lowerrated companies.

Qantas has since been working to convince the government it deserves a debt guarantee, while lobbying Canberra to relax the Qantas Sale Act, which limits foreign ownership in the airline to 49 percent. Joyce argues that the cap, which restricts access to capital, is hurting Qantas’ ability to compete,

particularly against domestic rival Virgin Australia-majority-owned by statebacked Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and Etihad.

Australia’s conservative government said this week it was drafting laws to allow Qantas to be majority foreign-controlled and for a single foreign shareholder to own more than 25 percent.

But the legislation is unlikely to pass through the upper house Senate with Labor and the Greens opposing majority overseas ownership, while remaining open to an assistance package.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott called it “a very troubling day” for Qantas but suggested a debt guarantee could pose problems. “The difficulty is this-what we do for one business, in fairness, we have to make available to all businesses,” he told parliament when asked about the issue. Joyce warned of more difficult decisions ahead. “We must defer growth and cut back where we can, so that we can invest where we need to. We have already made tough decisions and nobody should doubt that there are more ahead,” he said. — AFP

RBS bank losses soar in 2013 LONDON: Royal Bank of Scotland’s losses soared to almost £9.0 billion last year on legal charges and the creation of a ‘bad bank’, but the state-rescued firm still paid millions in bonuses. Net losses widened 49 percent to £8.995 billion ($15.0 billion, 10.9 billion euros) in 2013, RBS said in a results statement as it unveiled major new restructuring plans that will result in yet more job losses. That compared with a loss after tax of £6.055 billion in 2012. The Edinburgh-based bank, which is 81-percent state-owned after the world’s biggest bailout during the global financial crisis, added it will slash its cost base by another £5.3 billion in the coming years and warned of more “inevitable” job cuts.

“Reducing costs and divesting businesses in the bank will inevitably result in reduced staff levels,” chief executive Ross McEwan said in the results statement. Media reports had suggested last week that RBS was seeking a jobs cull totaling at least 30,000, but no specific numbers were given yesterday. The loss-making bank meanwhile agreed to a staff bonus pool of £576 million, down 15 percent from 2012. RBS was rocked last year by a £3.8-billion provision for a string of scandal-related charges and a £4.8-billion hit for the creation of an internal “bad bank” unit called RBS Capital Resolution. The provisions include costs to meet US action over mortgage-backed financial products and compensation for the mis-selling in Britain of insurance covering credit products such as consumer loans. It has taken a hit also from mis-selling interest rate hedging products, known as swaps, to small businesses. RBS, which has additionally been fined over its role in the Libor interest-rate rigging scandal, has been dragged into an worldwide probe over alleged manipulation of foreign exchange trading along with other banks. On Wednesday, RBS said its pre-tax losses surged to £8.24 billion in 2013, while revenues fell 12 percent to £19.44 billion.

McEwan to shrink bank further McEwan yesterday outlined a plan to shrink the bank’s seven divisions to just three, and simplify its services and products for retail customers. “We will move from a bank with seven divisions and seven support departments to a bank with three customer businesses-personal, commercial, and corporate,” he said. And he pledged to transform RBS into a more UK-focused bank, with British assets set to increase from 60 percent to 80 percent of the business.

“This bank has had an extraordinary five years,” McEwan said in a separate letter to shareholders. “Cleaning up a £2.2-trillion balance sheet whilst addressing the many failings of the past has carried a very heavy cost, which shows in our results. “Even by recent standards, 2013 was a difficult year. Regulatory fines, wide-ranging customer complaints, technology problems and public questioning of our integrity all weighed heavily, and bring into sharp focus the job we have at hand.” —AFP

Credit Suisse ‘regrets’ misconduct WASHINGTON: The head of Credit Suisse expressed regret Wednesday that his bank helped US clients hide billions of dollars from the tax man, but blamed the wrongdoing on a small band of rogue employees. Chief executive Brady Dougan conceded that the bank, Switzerland’s second largest, undertook elaborate efforts to gain new, secret American clients.

“Credit Suisse’s management team regrets very deeply that despite the industry-leading compliance measures we put in place, we have some Swiss-based private bankers who appear to have violated US law,” Dougan, the first American to lead a major Swiss bank, told US lawmakers.

“While I am extremely dismayed by the conduct, Mr Chairman, I also believe that leadership requires facing up to the past, and taking responsibility for what our employees did.” An internal probe found no evidence that Credit Suisse management was aware of the problems, the bank said. “Credit Suisse acknowledges that misconduct, centered on a small group of Swiss-

based private bankers, previously occurred at our bank,” Credit Suisse said in a statement to a US Senate panel that led a years-long investigation of “Swiss bank secrecy.”

A damning Senate report found that the bank at its peak in 2006 had more than 22,000 US customers with Swiss accounts whose assets stood as high as $12 billion. No one has stood trial, and the bank has not been held accountable, according to the report. Analysts say Credit Suisse could face fines of up to $2.0 billion, which would dwarf the $196 million fine regulators imposed last week for providing unregistered brokerage and investment advisory services to US clients.

Secret wooing of clients Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the subcommittee that led the two-year investigation, took Credit Suisse to task for failing to live up to promises of transparency after a similar 2008 investigation. “It’s five years later, and the sad truth is that the era of bank secrecy is not over,”

Levin said. He demanded that the bankers “turn over the names of the people you aided and abetted in tax evasion,” noting that so far, they had given only 238 names.

Among the practices revealed by the Senate, several Swiss bankers were sent to the United States to secretly find new clients, leaving no paper trail, at events like golf tournaments sponsored by the bank. Levin said former Credit Suisse clients were taken to meetings in Zurich on remote-controlled buttonless elevators, received bank statements hidden inside magazines, and were issued secret US credit cards allowing them to draw on their Swiss accounts.

“We should have caught it,” Dougan said, but he insisted the offenders consisted of just 10 to 15 bankers. Dougan testified alongside HansUlrich Meister, who heads Credit Suisse’s private banking division; Robert Shafir, running the bank’s US business; and chief council Romeo Cerutti. Meister said his bank shared “absolutely the same goal” as US authorities in ending secretive accounts.

Swiss laws shield banks Levin countered that banks continued to hide behind Switzerland’s secrecy laws, and that US authorities have yet to make arrests in the case. Department of Justice officials have denied inactivity on the issue. “Just because we can’t disclose what we’re doing doesn’t mean we’re not actively pursuing these cases,” Deputy Attorney General James Cole told the hearing.

The goal is to gather evidence and build a strong criminal case against banks and bankers implicated in tax evasion schemes, he said, adding that more than 43,000 taxpayers have now reported previously secret accounts and paid over $6 billion in back taxes, interests and penalties. From 2008 to 2011, after a tax-evasion scandal at Swiss bank UBS, which ended up paying $780 million in fines, Credit Suisse began phasing out its evasive practices, asking clients to close their accounts or declare them. By late 2013, the number of Swiss accounts held by US clients at Credit Suisse fell by 85 percent, the report said. —AFP

21

Business FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Noting tech needs, mining companies seek graphite

Airbus China plant opens door to massive market

ANCHORAGE: Tear apart an electric car’s rechargeable battery and you’ll find a mineral normally associated with No. 2 pencils. It’s graphite. And experts say the promise of expanded uses for “pencil lead” in lithium-ion batteries - used in cars, cellphones and tablet computers - as well as a decrease in supply from China has helped touch off the largest wave of mining projects in decades.

“There’s an awful lot of exploration. Lots of companies looking for graphite,” said Don Hains, an expert in industrial minerals. The US imports all of its natural graphite, but mining companies are searching locations from Alaska to Alabama, optimistic about future demand. From technological to industrial, the mineral’s products comprise a $13 billion industry, and firms see opportunity in producing high-purity, largeflake graphite for “lithium-ion batteries and other new renewable energy forms,” said Hains, a specialist with Watts, Griffis and McOuat Limited, a geological and mining consultant firm in Toronto.

China, meanwhile, appears to have eased its grip on world production, creating an opening that hasn’t existed since the mid-’90s, mining companies say. China accounted for 750 million metric tons out of a global total of 1.1 billion metric tons in 2012, the most recent year records were available, according to the US Geological Survey. But Chinese output that year was down 50 million metric tons from 2011 as the government closed mines for environmental issues and resource protection, according to the USGS. Also, the growth of China’s steel industry has boosted its domestic demand for industrial-grade graphite, used in foundries for its heat-resistant proprieties, leading to a new graphite export tax, experts say. The developments contributed to a sharp rise in the price of large-flake graphite, peaking at $3,000 per ton in early 2012. The price has since dropped back to about $1,300 per ton, but economic optimism has remained.

“There’s certainly more than 200, and at one point there were over 300 companies, or individual projects, being looked at around the world,” Hains said. In Alaska, a claim north of Nome on the slopes of the Kiglauik Mountains is being explored by Vancouver, British Columbia-based Graphite One Resources. The site, Graphite Creek, “is definitely a world-class deposit,” said Dean Besserer, vice president of exploration.

A recent development has company officials particularly hopeful. Last month, they announced an increase in the amount of high-grade graphite they expect to be able to pull from the site. There are 285 million metric tons in a continuous 3-mile stretch near the surface of the mountain, officials said. They expect an active mine would be sustainable for the next 20 years.

Several other companies are searching in the U.S. USA Graphite is exploring properties in Nevada. Graphite Corp. and Alabama Graphite Corp. are exploring in Alabama. And Graphite Corp. also has a prospect in Montana. Far more firms are searching in Canada.

The last time the industry saw this much activity in North America was two decades ago, during a perceived supply shortage. Exploration also increased in Australia and Africa, but China responded by supplying a flood of graphite without increasing the price. “Basically, the Chinese bought the market,” Hains said.

This time around, explorers such as Graphite One are confident they can find a niche supplying battery makers - especially if China continues to take measures that restrict exports.

Mining companies see potential for growth in electric cars.

Nissan spokesman Brian Brockman has said there are 57 pounds of graphite in the lithium-ion battery of each Leaf.

Hains, however, remains skeptical of a surge solely from such vehicles. Automakers sold about 97,000 battery electric vehicles in 2013, less than 1 percent of the 15.5 million vehicles sold in the US, according to the Electric Drive Transportation Association.

Batteries for renewable power sources, such as those that store solar and wind energy, may be a more important use, Hains said. Also, the USGS says energy companies are developing large-scale, fuel cell projects that could one day consume as much graphite as all other uses combined. For any new operation, consistent sales will depend on providing specific properties to specific buyers, Hains said. “You can’t just say you have graphite for sale and expect everybody will come knocking at your door,” he said. —AP

Market share in China jumps from 25 to 50% TIANJIN: In a series of vast hangars, dozens of Chinese technicians swarm over fuselages of Airbus A320 planes, foot soldiers in the battle to dominate what will become the world’s largest aircraft market. The nearly completed aircraft at the Airbus assembly plant in the northern city of Tianjin, an hour outside Beijing, are resplendent in the livery of their Chinese airline buyers. Since it opened in 2008, the plant has effectively acted as a showcase for Airbus’s wares and given the European manufacturer an advantage as it competes with US arch-rival Boeing to dominate Chinese aircraft sales, Airbus officials said.

Early controversy over technology transfer, the safety of the aircraft assembled at the plant and comparatively lower salaries of Chinese workers appears to be forgotten.

Now negotiations to extend the joint venture beyond its original 10-year shelf-life are entering the final stages. “The Tianjin site is an expensive investment, but you have to have a global vision and look at what it brings us,” said Eric Chen, president of Airbus China.

“Since we decided to set up here, our market share in China has gone from 25 to 50 percent,” he told journalists on a visit to the plant, the only Airbus assembly plant outside Europe. Some 20 percent of the worldwide production of Airbus already goes to China. For now, it still lags Boeing in terms of final deliveries in the country, sending 133 aircraft to clients last year — 10 fewer than the US firm.

But its 1,000th Chinese delivery took place on December 23, 28 years after the first in 1985. Now it is aiming to achieve its second 1,000 deliveries by 2020. It is a conservative goal given the boom in Chinese air traffic, Chen said. According to Boeing’s projections, the Chinese civil aviation fleet will triple over the next 20 years. Airbus only started winning large Chinese orders after

the memorandum of understanding for the Tianjin plant was agreed in 2005, Chen said.

“This is what has made the difference” in the fight against Boeing, he added. Around 160 medium-range A320 aircraft have so far been assembled in Tianjin, which now produces four of them a month, and there are plans to adapt it to produce the more fuelefficient A320neo aircraft in the future.

When it opened it had 133 foreign employ-

1.5 billion euros ($2.05 billion) for last year, up 22.0 percent. The company said it took orders worth 218.7 billion euros with its global order book now worth a record 686.7 billion euros.

Airbus has a 51 percent share in the joint venture and a consortium of Chinese investors including state-owned aircraft manufacturer AVIC holds 49 percent. The deal was originally agreed to extend till

TIANJIN: This picture shows an Airbus A320 fuselage being assembled at the Airbus assembly plant. —AFP ees, a figure that now stands at 32.

Will Horton, a senior analyst for CAPA Centre of Aviation in Hong Kong, said it was a mutually beneficial relationship. “Airbus is growing its share of the Chinese market, and China rightfully sees pride and value in having a local assembly line,” he told AFP. “Local final assembly means more of the aircraft’s value is kept in China.” On Wednesday, Airbus reported net profit of

2016. “Discussions are underway to renew and significantly deepen this partnership,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said this week after visiting the plant. Chen told AFP he was “confident” a deal would be reached in time for signature when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits France in late March. But some aspects were still being negotiated, he said, declining to give details. —AP

Apple asks Chinese court to overturn patent ruling BEIJING: US technology giant Apple yesterday asked a Beijing court to strike down a patent ruling by state authorities, as it fights an intellectual property battle with a Chinese firm. Shanghai-based Zhizhen Network Technology has sued Apple for allegedly infringing its Chinese patent with the “intelligent personal assistant” Siri. Apple representatives had asked China’s patent review board, which operates under the State Intellectual Property Office, to declare Zhizhen’s original patent invalid.

The body rejected the request, and Apple went to Beijing’s Number One Intermediate People’s Court seeking a judicial review. “Our side firmly believe that the ruling by the defendant was based on incorrect facts and laws that were inappropriately referred to,” Apple said in its presentation to the court.

“We appeal to the court to revoke the defendant’s ruling No. 21307,” it said. Its lawyers told the hearing that Zhizhen’s

technology was not original enough or innovative enough to deserve a patent.

The proceedings ended yesterday afternoon and the chief of the five-judge panel said the court would send the parties its decision at a later date.

Outside court, Zhizhen’s president said there was “nothing new” in Apple’s arguments, adding he was not afraid of taking on the US giant. “Those whose feet are bare do not fear those who wear shoes,” Zhu Pinpin said, using a Chinese saying meaning that those who own little have nothing to lose. Siri, which responds to a user’s commands through voice recognition software, made its formal debut with the release of the iPhone 4S in 2011.

Zhizhen says its earlier “Xiao i Robot” product works in a similar way and has wide applications. Zhizhen’s lawyer Yuan Yang complained about the US firm’s legal tactics. “It is a consistent strategy of Apple to tirelessly try to make

your patent invalid and protract cases as long as possible to pressure you to give in,” he told AFP. Zhizhen appeared only as a third party at the proceedings, which were between Apple and the patent review board, he added. Lawyers for Apple and the patent review board declined to comment to AFP. The case is the latest dispute to involve Apple in China, where its products are popular but where it has sometimes been embroiled in controversy.

Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook said in January last year that he expected China to become his company’s largest market. Apple in 2012 paid $60 million to settle a separate legal dispute with a Chinese firm over the iPad trademark. Last year, Apple was subjected to a barrage of criticism from staterun media over warranty policies that only ended after it published a Chineselanguage letter of apology from Cook on its website. —AFP

22

Business FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Programs to redistribute income good for growth WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund came out Wednesday in support of the fight against income inequality, with Fund economists saying income redistribution efforts can strengthen economic growth. Plunging into a debate over the gap between rich and poor that is fueling political battles from the United States to Brazil to Thailand, economists from the Fund said there is already general agreement that inequality can fuel economic and political instability.

But do policies to redistribute income help or hurt growth? asked economists Jonathan Ostry, Andrew Berg and Charalambos Tsangarides.The answer, they said, is a net gain, even if there is an initial cost to an economy from taxes and transfers which aim to close an income gap. “While considerable controversy surrounds these issues, we should not jump to the conclusion that the treatment for inequality may be worse for growth

than the disease itself,” they said in a research paper, “Redistribution, Inequality, and Growth”, and an accompanying blog comment. “Equalityenhancing interventions could actually help growth.” The trio cited the benefits of taxes on activities of the wealthy that could hurt an economy, like excessive financial speculation, and payments to the poor to support their children going to school.

Much of the thinking has been that, even if a large wealth gap is bad, that the cures of taxes and wealth transfers to correct the problem usually hamper growth.

“Many argue that redistribution undermines growth, and even that efforts to redistribute to address high inequality are the source of the correlation between inequality and low growth,” they said. “If this is right, then taxes and transfers may be precisely the wrong remedy: a cure that may be worse than the disease itself.”

But the authors said that experience across a number of countries has provided “remarkably little evidence” for that conclusion. Indeed, they said, “faster and more durable growth seems to have followed the associated reduction in inequality.” “The average redistribution, and the associated reduction in inequality, seem to be robustly associated with higher and more durable growth.”The authors are cautious to avoid saying the effects of redistribution are positive in every case or situation, and note that extreme efforts can have a bad outcome.

But overall, they argue that redistribution programs should be not be excluded from policy out of fear they would hold back an economy.”It would still be a mistake to focus on growth and let inequality take care of itself, if only because the resulting growth may be low and unsustainable. “Inequality and unsustainable growth may be two sides of the same coin.” —AFP

Lego bricks build up profits BILLUND: Toy maker Lego posted rising annual profits and revenue yesterday and said it would set up global management hubs to attract more foreign talent to the group’s management. “I’m very excited that it’s the ninth consecutive year of organic growth,” chief executive Joergen Vig Knudstorp said at a press conference at the family-owned company’s headquarters in Billund, Denmark. Net profit in 2013 rose 9.0 percent to 6.12 billion kroner (820 million euros, $1.12 billion). Sales grew by 10 percent to 25.38 billion kroner, marking a quadrupling in just 10 years.

The Friends collection, launched in late 2012 and aimed at girls between the ages of five and nine, and last year’s hugely successful Legends of Chima, where animal tribes battle for world dominance, added the most to sales growth. But old-time favorites like Lego City and Duplo were also among the top sellers.

“The large US, British and Central and Northern European markets achieved healthy single digit growth rates, whereas markets like France, Spain, Russia and China grew double digits,” Lego said. The results did not include any sales boost from the blockbuster Lego movie, which was released earlier this month, after the end of the group’s fiscal year. —AFP

This combination of file photos show (left) the first class section of an Emirates airlines Airbus A380 at the new Concourse A of Dubai airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2013, and (right) Allegiant Air flight attendant Chris Killian preparing his passengers for the Laredo, Tex, bound flight before it pushes back from the terminal at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, in 2013. —AP

Latest airline perk: Safe distance from the masses NEW YORK: On flights from San Francisco to Hong Kong, first-class passengers can enjoy a Mesclun salad with king crab or a grilled USDA prime beef tenderloin, stretch out in a 3-footwide seat that converts to a bed and wash it all down with a pre-slumber Krug “Grande Cuvee” Brut Champagne. Yet some of the most cherished new international first-class perks have nothing to do with meals, drinks or seats. Global airlines are increasingly rewarding wealthy fliers with something more intangible: physical distance between them and everyone else.

The idea is to provide an exclusive experience - inaccessible, even invisible, to the masses in coach. It’s one way that a gap between the world’s wealthiest 1 percent and everyone else has widened. Many top-paying international passengers, having put down roughly $15,000 for a ticket, now check in at secluded facilities and are driven in luxury cars directly to planes.

Others can savor the same premier privileges by redeeming 125,000 or more frequent flier miles for a trip of a lifetime.

When Emirates Airline opened a new concourse at its home airport in Dubai last year, it made sure to keep coach passengers separate from those in business and first class. The top floor of the building is a lounge for premium passengers with direct boarding to the upstairs of Emirates’ fleet of double-decker Airbus A380s.

Those in coach wait one story below and board to the lower level or the plane.

London’s Heathrow Airport took a private suite area designed for the royal family and heads of state and in July opened it to any passenger flying business or first class who’s willing to pay an extra $2,500. “First class has become a way for a traveler to have an almost private jetlike experience,” says Henry Harteveldt, an airline analyst with Hudson Crossing. Airlines “will

do everything but sing a lullaby.”

The front of the plane has always been plusher than the back. But in recent years airlines have put a greater focus on catering to the most affluent fliers’ desire for new levels of privacy. There’s a lot of money on the line. At big carriers like American Airlines, about 70 percent of revenue comes from the top 20 percent of its customers.

The special treatment now starts at check-in.

American and United Airlines have both developed private rooms, located in discreet corners of their terminals in New York, Chicago and elsewhere, that allow for a speedy check-in. Boarding passes in hand, travelers exit through hidden doors leading to the front of security lines.

Some foreign airlines have gone further.

Lufthansa offers first-class passengers a separate terminal in Frankfurt. There’s a restaurant, cigar lounge and dedicated immigration officers. For those who choose to shower or take a

bath, the private restrooms come with their own rubber ducky - an exclusive plastic souvenir for the international jet set. When it’s time to board, passengers are driven across the tarmac to their plane in a Mercedes Benz S-Class or Porsche Cayenne.

“That sort of exclusivity plays to the ego of people who are in a position to spend that much money on airline flight,” says Tim Winship, publisher of travel advice site FrequentFlier.com. At Heathrow’s private suites, designed for up to six people, fliers pass swiftly and privately through their own immigration and security screening. While they’re waiting, hors d’oeuvres and Champagne are provided.

Steak, sushi or other meals can be delivered from airport restaurants. When it comes time to actually fly, passengers are driven to their plane in a BMW 7 Series sedan and escorted to their seat. —AP

Tr a v e l FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

No buddy?

Go at it solo!

Don’t let being single stand in the way of you and an amazing vacation

T

here’s nothing more relaxing and rejuvenating than taking a vacation.

However, when you’re single, the thought of going to an exotic island (or just a state over) can seem overwhelming, daunting and a little lonely. It doesn’t have to be that way, though! Don’t let your marital status get in the way of you and a beautiful beach, exciting city or foreign adventure. Pack your bags and head out solo to one of these four hot spots for the vacation of a lifetime.

Whether you are newly single or have been on your own for a while, a vacation away will give you the perfect opportunity to get to know yourself. If you’re still a little hesitant, read Eat Pray Love for inspiration! After reading that, a few days alone in a new place should sound more exhilarating than terrifying! Be sure to do ample research on your destination to find out how safe it is for single travelers, how easy it is to get around and if there are plenty of activities.

Costa Rica Unlike many of the other hot spots in the Caribbean and South America, Costa Rica is not a huge honeymoon destination, so you will be less likely to run into couple after couple. What makes this country such a great place for the solo adventurer is the abundance of things to do, like hiking, zip-lining, white-water rafting and beach activities like tanning, snorkeling and swimming.

Singles Travel International, one of the top singles travel companies, recommends hiking the Manuel Antonio National Park, which is made up of lush rainforests and streams, so bring your camera to snap photos of the unique wildlife. They also recommend Tamarindo Beach to grab some surf lessons (or catch a wave if you already know how to

surf), get some sun or even zip-line through the neighboring rainforest!

In addition to relaxing, Costa Rica also provides great volunteer activities, like teaching English or helping with some of the endangered wildlife (such as sea turtles). If you’re in the mood for luxury, stay at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica. This resort has a world-class golf course, spa, four restaurants and a tennis court. Rates start at $445 a night. For a more budget-friendly singles resort, check out La Posada Private Jungle Bungalows, which borders the Manuel Antonio National Park and has a luxurious swimming pool overlooking the lush gardens.

New York City There’s probably no better place on Earth for a single gal than New York City. This concrete jungle is the perfect place to travel solo, since it’s pretty hard to feel alone in a city that’s home to more than eight million people. In addition to the large population, there are always things to do in New York City to stay busy, from eating at a world renowned restaurant (try Le Bernardin) to catching a Broadway Show (check out the new show Ghost) to climbing up the Empire State Building to shopping on 5th Avenue to exploring the up-and-coming neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Harlem. New York is a highly walkable city with a reliable public transportation system, so you can save your pennies on cab fare.

If money is no issue, stay at the famous Plaza hotel. This luxurious hotel has 282 rooms, including 102 beautiful suites. In addition to this, they have 24-hour butler service, in-room iPads for every guest and world-class dining and spa. Rates begin at $600 a night.

For a more budget-friendly option, check out the Union Square Inn, voted one of the best budget-friendly hotels in the city by NY Magazine. This artsy hotel has a very European feel, and the rooms are simple but boast a higher square footage than most New York City hotels. Rates begin at $109.

Ireland If you’re having a rough time, head over and grab some luck of the Irish! Sarah Schlichter, editor of IndependentTravel.com,

recommends Ireland because of “how friendly the Irish are. It’s very easy to meet people, and it’s also very safe.” Although the Irish accents and friendly demeanor are enough for many people to head over to this beautiful country, there are also so many things to do that will make it almost impossible for you to leave.

One of the most popular tours in Ireland is the Gray Line Wicklow Mountains, Valleys and Lakes tour, which takes you through the Wicklow mountains, the valleys at Glendalough and the breathtaking Blessington Lakes. In addition, you will also see big sights like the Dublin Castle.

Independent Traveler also recommends checking out the Dublin Writers Museum, which celebrates authors, including Frank McCourt, James Joyce and Oscar Wilde.

For an authentic Irish experience, check out the Gaelic Games at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin. For lodging, check out an Irish B&B. Bed and breakfasts tend to be great options for solo travelers (especially in Ireland) since the owners and other guests are very welcoming. Choose from one of the 2,000 bed and breakfasts in Ireland here, some starting as low as $70 a night.

Australia Although the eight-hour flight may feel lonely, you’ll instantly feel welcomed and engaged as soon as you step off the plane.

According to Schlichter, the Australians have a great sense of independence, and there are thousands of solo travelers who frequent the great Down Under every year, so no one will blink an eye if you’re alone. While you’re in the vast and beautiful country of Australia, Singles Travel International recommends you snorkel or scuba the Great Barrier Reef (the largest underwater ecosystem in the world), hike the Blue Mountains in Sydney and visit the stunning Sydney Opera House.

For a great way to meet other travelers, check out one of Gray Line’s tours in the Outback. They range from wildlife tours to city tours, so there’s something for everyone!

SmarterTravel.com recommends staying in one of Australia’s plentiful hostels. There are three hostel networks to choose from, YHA, Nomads and VIP Backpackers, and hostels start at just $9 a night. The great thing about staying in a hostel when you’re traveling alone is that you have a greater chance to meet other people (since most rooms hold up to four people), and there are common rooms and dining halls that make it easy to mingle.

Don’t let being single stand in the way of you and an amazing vacation. Head out solo and make some incredible memories!

— www.sheknows.com

Tr a v e l FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Traveling alone T

here are so many excuses not to travel - no time, not enough money, fear of the unknown - but letting those anti-travel sentiments get in the way of seeing the world means you’re missing out. We’re not suggesting you spend your life savings on a trip around the world or take weeks off work to see a new place, but giving yourself the opportunity to experience new places, cultures and people is a great way to get more out of life. If you’re still not convinced to take a trip, we’ve put together a list of the top five reasons to travel. Bon voyage!

W

hether your travels take you around the world or just on a cross-country road trip, as a woman traveling alone you need to be extra careful. Here are some tips to keep you safe and prepared for anything.

Know yourself When planning a vacation, choose the kind of activities you’d like to do first. Then, pick a destination. If you want to shop, head to a major city like London or Paris. If you’re looking for adventure, get set to see Africa or the desert. Once you’ve picked your destination, work out a budget and start searching for hotels and resorts from there.

pack-this will help you pack appropriately.

Some cultures have different views on what is appropriate dress for women. To stay safe and out of trouble, this is something you must look in to.

Keep in touch Whether you are traveling abroad or taking a cross-country road trip, keep in touch. Let someone at home know when you’re leaving and when to expect you back-and if you decide to change your travel plans at the last minute, let them know.

Find cheap flights, accommodations Online travel sites are starting to take over.

From TripAdvisor to Expedia, finding cheap flights and hotels has never been easier.

What’s more, because many sites rely on user ratings and feedback, you’ll get a good idea of what to expect from a specific company or destination.

Research, research, research Wherever you decide to go, make sure you do your research-customs, languages, and religions differ around the world, and you definitely do not want to offend anyone or land yourself in any trouble.

Carry enough cash Do not assume that everywhere accepts credit or debit cards. Cash is king and can often get you out of a tough bind. That said, carrying too much money can be problematic, too. Consider taking a couple hundred dollars in cash, and then using your ATM card to withdraw currency as needed.

Leave the plastic at home Only bring one or two credit cards with you. Credit cards and bankcards can be a hassle if stolen abroad because it can be difficult getting in touch with your bank to stop any charges. Leave all your other wallet cluttershopping club cards, gift cards, membership cards-at home.

Make copies Keep photocopies of your passport, driver’s license and credit cards. Always keep the originals with you, but tuck away copies in case anything is lost or stolen. (You might even want to leave a set of copies with a trusted friend or relative back home, in case you’re left with nothing at all.)

Pack accordingly Do yourself a favor and check the customs of the country you are visiting before you

Why travel now?

Leave a trail Leave a copy of your itinerary with a family member or friend back home. This way if something happens, they know where you can be found. (This is especially important if you are going somewhere with bad weather conditions or political problems.)

Get travel insurance Hopefully nothing happens to you on your vacation, but you must be prepared. If for some reason you need to go the hospital or for a doctor’s visit, make sure you have insuranceotherwise you can expect a large bill or inadequate medical attention.

Don’t wear flashy jewelry If you are wearing eye-catching jewels, all you are doing is attracting attention... from the wrong type of people. You may as well wear a shirt that says, “Steal from me, I have money.”

Dress casually Dressing too flashy in brand names will draw unwanted attention, which can lead to being followed and attacked or robbed.

Remember, you are on vacation in an unfamiliar place, and your goal should be to blend in.

Steer clear of unmarked taxicabs Getting into an unmarked car is extremely dangerous. You don’t want your family back home to be informed that you have gone missing while on vacation. So do yourself a favor and stick to public transportation and marked taxis.

Talk to your doctor No matter where you’re traveling, it’s important to talk to your doctor before you leave. From vaccinations to refills on prescriptions, your healthcare provider will be able to tell you what to look out for health-wise, whether any region-specific vaccinations are needed (such as those for Yellow Fever or Dengue) and what types of medication you may need (like Neosporin or Tylenol, and even anti-malarial drugs).

To get a fresh perspective How often do you travel for leisure?

Several times per year. Once a year. Once every two years or so. Less than once every couple years. Never. One of the best and most rewarding aspects of travel is its ability to provide you with a fresh perspective. It can be so easy to get into a routine - or worse, a rut - that we forget there’s an entire world out there just waiting to be discovered. Laundry, cooking, cleaning, shopping - not to mention going to work and coming home (likely through traffic) - keep us fused to a certain mindset, which is: Not much changes. Even if you’re happy in your job and don’t really mind folding all that laundry, taking a trip can mean opening your eyes and giving you a totally new lease on life.

Why it’s important: Whether you go one state over or halfway around the world, what you experience outside your daily routine will help you see that there is much more to life than what’s on your todo list.

To recharge Day-to-day life can wear you down.

There’s so much to do that time passes in a blink of an eye, and by the time dinner time rolls around all you want to do is lie on the couch, feet up and television on.

While there’s nothing wrong with a little downtime, if you really want to recharge, why not get away from it all? When you’re away there’s so much more to think about than whether or not you left dirty dishes in the sink, if your boss is going to give you that raise you asked for or if that colleague is going to actually put in any work on that project you’re (allegedly) doing together. The stress of daily life is replaced with thoughts of where you want to sightsee, what you’re going to eat, whether to hit the beach and what kind of souvenirs to take home.

Why it’s important: Being away gives your brain a chance to recharge and reboot in a way that just can’t happen as easily at home.

To see something new It’s a big world out there, and while there’s no way to see it all, just experiencing a small sampling of what’s outside of your own town, city or state can open your eyes to all the interesting and wonderful things there are to see and do. You may be madly in love with where you live (which is great) but if you get out there to explore, you never know what treasures you might find. From new foods and customs to great people and places you never imagined you’d see, traveling is full of surprises.

Why it’s important: Any new experience you have can only help you become

a better person and enrich your life in myriad ways.

To challenge yourself This is probably one of the most important reasons to book a trip. Challenging yourself is never easy - that’s why they call it a challenge - but pushing past your lingering reservations about going abroad can be very good for you. Travel is challenging for a number of reasons - everything from not knowing the language to eating unfamiliar foods and even getting lost can keep you on your toes and pull you out of your comfort zone (and let you realize you can rise to the occasion). Life is too short to skip out on great experiences just because it could prove difficult in some way.

Why it’s important: Going out of your

comfort zone and challenging yourself will help you grow as a person, gain confidence and push past emotional and physical limitations that may be holding you back in other areas of your life.

To learn Travel is a great way to learn about yourself and others, not to mention get a crash course in totally new ways of doing things. You can pick up new languages, try new and interesting foods, learn about other cultures and gain insight into new customs you’ve never seen or taken part in. You may think that learning stopped the minute you left school, but you should never stop learning, no matter how old you are, and traveling gives you a great opportunity to soak up knowledge from other cultures, people and places.

Why it’s important: The more you learn, the better you’ll feel about yourself and the more fun and enriched your life will be.

Opinion FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Home no longer sweet Disdain for fallen Yanukovich common across Ukraine in which he urged them to keep business moving: “Today many are asking what is next? My answer is continue to live and work honestly.

Our goal is a strong, independent and united Ukraine. Today I specially stress - ‘a whole and united Ukraine’.” Yanukovich critics long accused him of being a political pawn for big business, serving the interests of tycoons from the Donbass who helped him climb the ladder of power.

When he lost power, he lost his value. “It’s pure business thinking,” said Sergiy Shtukarin, head of a Donetsk-based civil rights organisation, the Center for Political Studies. “The oligarchs and the party followed his lead because that gave them most benefits. “If the new authorities in Kiev let them be, the oligarchs will go on doing their business. That is what they want - to prevent any protests, any ferment, keep people at home, keep the status quo.”

By Gabriela Baczynska

I

n Viktor Yanukovich’s party headquarters in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, a stain on the wall marks where a framed picture of the ousted president used to hang. It is not only the photograph that has gone since Ukraine’s parliament stripped Yanukovich of his powers on Saturday. So has the support he once enjoyed in his home region, his power base as he moved from minor Soviet bureaucracy into local politics in the 1990s and rose to become the governor of the coalmining region around Donetsk, prime minister and eventually Ukraine’s president - at the second attempt - in 2010.

Easterners turning against a president accused of shooting demonstrators and of lavish self-enrichment may notch down the tension over his fall between the east and west of the country, which world leaders fear could start pulling Ukraine apart. But Russian-speakers, a powerful electoral force in the big, eastern, industrial cities, remain wary of new leaders promoting Ukrainian nationalism and ties to the European Union.

Nikolay Zagoruyko, leader of the Party of the Regions group in the regional parliament in Donetsk, makes no apology for his long support of Yanukovich - nor for turning against him now. “He was a good governor, prime minister and president,” Zaguruyko told Reuters at his party office. “I worked actively in his 2010 election campaign. I never regretted that. I was sure I made the right choice all along the way, until Jan 19.” That was the day when violent clashes began in Kiev between riot police and protesters. Several deaths ensued, culminating in bloodshed a week ago that killed over 80 people. Though he has known Yanukovich since the 1980s, Zagoruyko has no hesitation in saying: “Of course he is guilty”. “He was the president,” he said. “The guilt for what happened lies with Yanukovich.”

The 63-year-old Yanukovich was indicted by his opponents for “mass murder” over the police shooting of demonstrators. He is now on the run, with the national parliament resolving to refer him to the International Criminal Court at The Hague. Having left Kiev by helicopter on Friday, he was prevented from flying out of the country from Donetsk and was last seen on Sunday on the Russian-speaking Crimea peninsula. Some Ukrainians believe he may now be hiding in Donetsk or the surrounding Donbass coal and steel region, where he was born and worked as an electrician after a troubled childhood and lengthy spells in jail for assault and petty theft. The area was the bedrock of his election victory over Yulia Tymoshenko, then the darling of the Ukrainianspeaking west.

But many of his most loyal political allies distanced themselves from their former patron as he found himself condemned by Moscow for failing to end the protests and by his backers among wealthy business “oligarchs” over the bloodshed. His attempt to concentrate power and wealth among relatives and close friends may have fatally narrowed his support base. Like other Ukrainians, some former loyalists say they were shocked by the gaudy opulence of Yanukovich’s residence outside Kiev, its chandeliers, statues and ostrich farm now thrown open to public view. Talk of corruption and cronyism also offends.

Andrey Shishatsky, governor of Donetsk region and a senior figure in the Party of

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich looks down at his glasses before signing an agreement in Kiev in this Feb 21, 2014 file photo. — AFP Regions, said he accepted Yanukovich’s dismissal by parliament and that the ousted president was responsible for the bloodshed, the worst upheaval in Ukraine since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. “We have to face the truth,” Shishatsky told a conference in Donetsk this week. “Very many mistakes were made, including tragic ones that led to people dying.”

Business Moves on There seemed a chance the east might stand by its man when regional leaders meeting in Kharkiv backed a resolution on Saturday challenging the authority of the national parliament. But thousands of anti-Yanukovich protesters on the streets outside forced them to back down. Only in Crimea is there a significant movement among ethnic Russians against rule from Kiev and for a takeover by Moscow. Many Party of the Regions officials have urged national unity and oppose military intervention from Russia.

Ihor Todorov, a professor at Donetsk National University, said that makes good business sense: “Any split of the country would in fact be trouble for Donbass businessmen,” he said. “Who would recognise any separate ‘East Ukraine’ apart from Russia? That would mean trade sanctions. “Local elites want to have carte blanche in the region, as they always have, and they will be ready to officially declare their alle-

giance to the new power in Kiev in return for that.”

Donetsk is home to Ukraine’s richest man Rinat Akhmetov, who bankrolled Yanukovich and his party. His imprint is visible all over the city of a million, a grimy patchwork of Soviet apartment blocks, mines and factories on the banks of the Don. Akhmetov’s involvement includes a luxury hotel and the new Donbass Arena, home to UEFA Cup-winning football club Shakhtar. Through System Capital Management (SCM), he controls more than 100 companies, from mining to telecoms to grocery stores.

On Feb 18, as violence escalated, the billionaire issued a pointed public statement saying that the loss of human lives in Kiev was “an unacceptable price for political mistakes”. As party leaders have disavowed Yanukovich, Akhmetov’s SCM is also coming to terms with the change of guard: “It is very clear, the path that Ukraine is on. There is a new government in place, a new interim president,” investor relations director Jock Mendoza-Wilson told Reuters. “I don’t think there is a future in the return of the previous government.” MendozaWilson said SCM needed political stability and Ukraine’s acute economic troubles needed addressing. SCM’s main foreign trading partner is the European Union, followed by former Soviet republics including Russia, he said.

Akhmetov issued a statement to employees

Eyes on Russia Shtukarin also said Yanukovich had tried after taking office to reduce the influence on him of Akhmetov and others in the Donbass, seeking to amass wealth within an inner circle of relatives and friends that came to be known as “The Family”. That may also have narrowed his support base, both among the rich and powerful and among ordinary voters who backed him in 2010, as his adversaries took to the streets in November. Zagoruyko echoed these comments, saying that even though Yanukovich did take many of his Donbass aides to Kiev, local party officials had long complained of a lack of access to him.

Yanukovich’s drive last year to sign trade and political agreements with the European Union - which he reversed under Russian pressure, triggering the Kiev protests - had been resisted in the Donbass. There, businesses feared losing out to Western firms if restrictions on EU imports were lifted. Many still look east, to Russia for trade and culture. This week, people are still keeping overnight vigil’s on Donetsk’s main square to protect its giant statue of Lenin, after similar monuments to the founder of the Soviet state were toppled last week by Ukrainians resentful of Moscow.

“Lenin is part of our history, our ties with Russia,” said Olga, a 25-year-old economist standing below the statue, who feared there could be job losses from free trade with the EU. “I have friends living in the EU who say we will end up in serious trouble if we move towards the West. Our economy is just not competitive enough.” Yet after Yanukovich’s policy zigzag and failure to find a strategy to see off the protests, she lost faith in him. “It’s clear we are better off making friends with Russia. But there’s no point in Yanukovich anymore. He failed us, he proved weak,” she said. “I am for stability, peace and order.”

Nakhro Ali Mokhammad, an Iraqi Ukrainian who said he worked with Yanukovich on business management books in the 1990s, had also given up on him. Back in Donetsk after visiting the Kiev protest camp, he said: “Protest in Ukraine was inevitable sooner or later given what Yanukovich’s rule was like.” But he warned that if the West wanted Ukrainians not to turn to other pro-Russian leaders, it must send money, fast, and open up visa-free travel: “This is geopolitics. Now the Ukrainian people have risen up, the EU must do its bit,” he said.

“But if Brussels just talks, it’s Russia who benefits.” — Reuters

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

www.kuwaittimes.net

A model wears a creation for Manish Arora's ready-towear fall/winter 2014-2015 fashion collection presented in Paris, yesterday.—AP

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C a re e r FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Why should we hire you?

What are the most common interview questions?

A

What questions should I ask my interviewer?

M

ost interviewers will give you an opportunity to ask questions after they’ve finished grilling you, so be prepared to make the most of it. Try to concentrate on issues that are important to you and combine an interest in the company with an interest in the job.

With a wide variety of interview styles and structures, there’s every possibility that everything you want or need to know about the job will have been covered over the course of the interview.

There is always more information available though and if you don’t have at least five questions prepared, you’ll come across as passive rather than curious and interested.

Regarding role specific questions, look through the job description to see if there are any areas that you would like more information about. Here are some good examples of the questions you could ask about the role: l Why has the position become available? l What are the main objectives and responsibilities of the

l l

l

l l

l l

position?

How does the company expect these objectives to be met?

What are the measures used to judge how successful I am in the role?

What obstacles are commonly encountered in reaching these objectives?

What is the desired time frame for reaching the objectives?

What can I expect from you in terms of development and support?

What aspirations do you have for me at the company?

Where will the job fit into the team structure?

Good interview preparation should have given you an insight into what it’s like to work for a company, but it’s good to get answers straight from the horse’s mouth in case you’ve misinterpreted anything. These questions are a good place to start: l What’s the best thing about working at your company? l What is the main thing the organization expects from its employees? l How do you build good relationships within teams?

What is the turnover of staff like throughout the company? l Are there any plans for expansion? l How would you describe the company culture and management style?

To show your interest and knowledge of the industry the company operates in, it’s also a good idea to have a question ready regarding a current event or issue in the market. For example, “How do you think the recent merger between your two main competitors will affect the future of the industry?” l

How well your interviewer reacts and answers your questions gives you a great insight into the company. The interview isn’t just for them to see if you’re the right fit for the organisation if you’re confident about your skills and ability to do the job, you should also be making sure they’re the right fit for you.

Generally, it’s not a good idea to ask about pay or benefits, as this can make you seem more interested in what the organization can do for you, rather than what you can do for them.

lthough there is no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. Here’s a list of the most common questions and a guide to the kind of answers your interviewer wants to hear.

Tell me about yourself - This is usually the opening question and, as first impressions are key, one of the most important. Keep your answer to under five minutes, beginning with an overview of your highest qualification then running through the jobs you’ve held so far in your career.

You can follow the same structure of your CV, giving examples of achievements and the skills you’ve picked up along the way. Don’t go into too much detail - your interviewer will probably take notes and ask for you to expand on any areas where they’d like more information. If you’re interviewing for your first job since leaving education, focus on the areas of your studies you most enjoyed and how that has led to you wanting this particular role.

What are your strengths? - Pick the three biggest attributes that you think will get you the job and give examples of how you have used these strengths in a work situation. They could be tangible skills, such as proficiency in a particular computer language, or intangible skills such as good man-management. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the job description. There is usually a section listing candidate requirements, which should give you an idea of what they are looking for.

What are your weaknesses? - The dreaded question, which is best handled by picking something that you have made positive steps to redress. For example, if your IT ability is not at the level it could be, state it as a weakness but tell the interviewer about training courses or time spent outside work hours you have used to improve your skills. Your initiative could actually be perceived as a strength. On no accounts say “I don’t have any weaknesses”, your interviewer won’t believe you, or “I have a tendency to work too hard”, which is seen as avoiding the question.

Why should we hire you? or What can you do for us that other candidates can’t? - What makes you special and where do your major strengths lie? You should be able to find out what they are looking for from the job description. “I have a unique combination of strong technical skills and the ability to build long-term customer relationships” is a good opening sentence, which can then lead onto a more specific example of something you have done so far in your career. State your biggest achievement and the benefit it made to the business, then finish with “Given the opportunity, I could bring this success to your company.”

What are your goals? or Where do you see yourself in five years time? - It’s best to talk about both short-term and long-term goals. Talk about the kind of job you’d eventually like to do and the various steps you will need to get there, relating this in some way back to the position you’re interviewing for. Show the employer you have ambition, and that you have the determination to make the most of every job you have to get where you want to be.

Why do you want to work here? - The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you’ve given this some thought. If you’ve prepared for the interview properly, you should have a good inside knowledge of the company’s values, mission statement, development plans and products. Use this information to describe how your goals and ambition matches their company ethos and how you would relish the opportunity to work for them. Never utter the phrase “I just need a job.”

What are three positive things your last boss would say about you? - This is a great time to brag about yourself through someone else’s words. Try to include one thing that shows your ability to do the job, one thing that shows your commitment to the work, and one thing that shows you are a good person to have in a team. For example, “My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can always rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor.”

What salary are you seeking? - You can prepare for this by knowing the value of someone with your skills. Try not to give any specific numbers in the heat of the moment - it could put you in a poor position when negotiating later on. Your interviewer will understand if you don’t want to discuss this until you are offered the job. If they have provided a guideline salary with the job description, you could mention this and say it’s around the same area you’re looking for.

If you were an animal, which one would you want to be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer ‘a bunny’, you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer ‘a lion’, you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality will it take to get the job done?

You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job, and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company. www.career-advice.monster.uk

Food FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

It’s time to be shellfish!

Looking to add more shrimp to your diet? Try these fast,

easy recipes.

Pasta with shrimp and spinach

Spiced Shrimp With Beans

Ingredients 3/4 pound penne 2 tablespoons olive oil 3/4 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp 2 cloves garlic, sliced 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper kosher salt 2 cups baby spinach 2 ounces Feta, crumbled (1/2 cup) 1/4 cup halved kalamata olives

Ingredients 1 cup couscous kosher salt and pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp 1 shallot, chopped 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika 1 15.5-ounce can white beans, rinsed 1/4 cup white vinegar 2 tablespoons chopped parsley Directions 1. Place the couscous in a large bowl. Add 1 cup very hot tap water and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes; fluff with a fork.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add the shrimp, shallot, coriander, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until the shrimp are opaque, 4 to 6 minutes; transfer to a plate.

3. Add the beans, vinegar, and 1/2 cup water to the skillet and cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Serve with the shrimp and couscous. Top with the parsley.

Directions 1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain and return it to the pot.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp, garlic, crushed red pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until the shrimp are opaque, 4 to 6 minutes.

3. Toss the shrimp with the pasta, spinach, Feta, and olives.

Shrimp and Broccoli Tempura Ingredients 1 8-ounce package soba noodles 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 8 cups canola oil 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups seltzer 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp 3 cups broccoli florets 2 scallions, sliced Directions 1. Cook the soba noodles according to the package directions; rinse under cold water. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lime juice, sugar, and 1/4 cup water; set aside.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until the temperature reg-

isters 360∞ F on a deep-fry thermometer.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, seltzer, and baking soda. In batches, dip the shrimp and broccoli in the batter and fry in the oil until golden, 4 to 5 minutes.

4. Serve the shrimp and broccoli on the noodles with the soy-lime dipping sauce. Top with the scallions.

Health FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Stick out your chest with pride!

Your chest program is due for an update. Get deeper, wider, and stronger with these science-based exercise tips!

By Alex Savva

L

et me guess: Your chest routine consists of four sets of flat bench, incline dumbbell presses, and flat flyes. If so, well, you have plenty of company. It’s the same Monday program countless lifters have been following for years without modification. And that’s because it works-to a point. If you’ve hit a training plateau, or if you just can’t remember the last time you shook things up, consider bringing some new stimuli into your chest training. Working the chest muscles with a variety of exercises and angles is the best approach, and these five movements do the job and then some.

Your chest is composed of two muscle groups: the large pectoralis major, and the smaller pectoralis minor underneath. The flat, thick pec major originates in a broad sweep along the anterior surface of the clavicle, down the sternum, and from the cartilage of the ribs. It inserts into a much smaller area, the intertubular groove at the top of the humerus (upper arm).

The narrow, triangular pec minor originates from the upper and outer surfaces of three ribs and inserts into the coracoid process, a bony protrusion next to the shoulder joint. The pec major is responsible for a number of actions involving the humerus, such as lifting the arm from the side (adduction), from the front (flexion), or turning it in an arm-wrestling motion (internal rotation). The pec minor has one major function, which is to stabilize the scapula.

The most popular exercises to add resistance to these basic movements include the bench press, dumbbell press, dumbbell flye, cable crossover, and the push-up. But they’re by no means the only options. Let’s take chest training a step farther and look at more advanced techniques to shock your muscles into growth.

Must-do movements 180-DEGREE TWISTING DUMBBELL BENCH PRESS If you’re like me and have suffered a torn pec while benching, you’ll agree that the barbell bench press is not ideal for everyone.

I also find that my shoulders take over when I’m doing the flat and incline bench, so I prefer to use the dumbbell chest press instead. But I don’t just do any chest press. I add a twist-literally-in order to utilize the benefits of a supine or reverse grip. A study performed in my home town of Toronto determined that when subjects used a supinated grip during an isometric hold of the flat bench press, it resulted in increased activity for the upper portion of the pectoralis major as compared to a regular pronated grip.1 EXECUTION 1. Lie back on a bench holding two dumbbells with a standard grip (palms forward) and arms extended over your chest.

2. Slowly lower the dumbbells to your outer chest, then press and rotate 180 degrees as you push back up to starting position. You should have a supine grip with your pinkies inward

and palms facing your face at the top of the movement. Hold this peak contraction for 2 seconds before lowering into the next rep.

3. Keep your shoulders back and down during the press to maximize pec involvement and minimize delt takeover.

CLOSE-GRIP WEIGHTED PUSH-UP The push-up is a great exercise, but you have to do it a certain way in order to maximize chest activity. Try using the close-grip weighted push-up as a finishing move after you’re done trashing your chest with the weights. The narrow hand position brings out the inner pecs and the added weight across the back elevates this from an everyday move to a pec destroyer.

Back in 2005, researchers at the Mayo Clinic tested 11 men and 29 women to determine the effect of three different hand positions when performing the push-up: shoulder-width, wider, and narrower. The study showed the EMG activity in the pectoralis major was greatest during push-ups with a narrow hand position.

EXECUTION CLOSE-GRIP WEIGHTED PUSH-UP 1. Start in a push-up position with your hands about six inches apart. Add resistance by wearing a weighted vest or have a training partner place a weight or sandbag on your back.

2. Slowly lower your chest to the ground and press back up until you fully extend your elbows.

CABLE CROSSOVER Cable work is a great addition to free weights. It provides constant tension throughout the range of motion. But can it match the same level of muscle activation? Perhaps so, according to a

recent study sponsored by the American Council on Exercise that investigated the EMG activity of nine common chest exercises. A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin found that the bent-forward cable crossover produced nearly the same pectoralis major stimulation as the barbell bench press, which was rated the highest.

The beauty of the cable crossover is that you can adjust the pulleys to any height you want, which is why I recommend cable crossover 21s. You get the benefit of high, mid-level, and low crossovers in one triset, attacking your chest from all angles.

Remember to keep the arms and body stationary so that you perform the exercise from the shoulders. This will help maximize the stretch and contraction of the chest during each rep.

EXECUTION LOW CABLE CROSSOVER 1. Starting with the cables in the lowest position, grab the handles and move into a staggered stance with one foot forward and one foot back. Lean forward slightly from the hip. This is your base position for all three movements.

2. With the handles out at your sides and an underhand grip, squeeze the cables up and in to eye level using a scooping motion. Perform 7 reps in this position.

MID CABLE CROSSOVER 3. Move the cables to chest height, grab the handles, and get into the base position.

4. Push the handles out and in front of your chest with the palms facing each other.

5. Resist the weight as you open up in a wide arc. Pause when you feel a light stretch in your chest, then squeeze back to the center with the elbows slightly bent and locked in place.

Perform 7 reps in this position.

HIGH CABLE CROSSOVER 6. Move the cables just above your head, grab the handles, and move back into the base position.

7. Press the handles down and in front of your upper abdominals with palms facing inward.

8. Open your arms back and up until you feel a good stretch across the pecs, pause, and then squeeze back in and under your chest. Perform your last 7 reps in this position.

KETTLEBELL FLYE Kettlebells are harder to grip than dumbbells, which makes you work harder for each rep. Using kettlebells for chest flyes will cause your pecs to recruit more muscle fibers to fight the weight hanging below your palms. Start with kettlebells that are 10 pounds lighter than what you would use on a standard dumbbell flye. If you find yourself bending your elbows during the lowering phase, choose a lighter weight to ensure proper form. You want this to be a full-range flye, not a half-flye, half-press.

EXECUTION 1. Hold the kettlebells over your chest as you did in the press,

Health FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

but turn your palms to face each other.

2. Using a wide arc from the shoulders, lower your arms with elbows slightly bent until you feel a good stretch across the chest. Pause and contract the pecs against the extra resistance that the kettlebells provide at the bottom range.

3. Squeeze your pecs as you bring your arms back up in a wide hugging motion. Keep your shoulders back and squeeze your pecs together at the top of the motion.

FORWARD-LEANING DIP The dip is no joke. It’s a tough compound exercise that makes great use of your bodyweight. However, dips are usually performed in an upright position to target the triceps. By simply adding a forward lean to this already-effective exercise, you’ll stimulate more chest activity.

You can attempt to do this on your own, but if you really want to get the proper angle you’ll need a training partner to help you get into the right position. You can easily make it more challenging by adding weight via chains or a belt.

A word of caution for people with any shoulder issues: Start with a small range of motion and listen to your body to determine how deep you can go. I always advise getting a full range of motion, but not at the risk of injury.

EXECUTION 1. Place your hands on the bars and push yourself up until your elbows are locked. Cross your legs back with your knees bent, core tight, and hamstrings and glutes braced.

2. Have your training partner hold and pull your legs back until you’re in a forward leaning position, using just enough assistance to get you into the right angle. Your body should be at approximately a 30-degree angle to the ground.

3. Lower yourself until your shoulders are lower than your elbows, or you feel a good stretch across the chest. Listen to your body and don’t push through shoulder pain.

4. Push yourself up by extending your elbows to 180 degrees for a full range of motion. Visualize the pec squeeze as you drive up. www.bodybuilding.com

For most hot-blooded males, summer is synonymous with chilling by the pool or at the beach, and checking out girls in bikinis. Don’t forget, however, that this also means that the ladies will be checking you out. So before you whip off that shirt, make sure your chest is worthy of female adulation by incorporating some of the following exercises into your workout routine.

If you’re looking to bulk up, try doing 3 to 4 sets of 5 to 8 reps using as much weight as you can lift; if you’re looking to tone up, do 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps, with slightly lighter weights.

and elbows slightly bent. Contract your chest muscles, bringing your arms down below your chest and back to the starting position.

Number 10 Peck deck Whether you’re new to bodybuilding or you haven’t worked out in a while, the peck deck is a great place to start. Just have a seat, adjust the weight stack, get into position, contract your chest muscles as you press the pads together, and go back to the starting position. This machine works your inner pectoral muscles.

Number 3 Dumbbell press Lie down on a flat bench, take one dumbbell in each hand, bend your elbows so that your hands are by your shoulders with your palms facing your feet, and use your chest muscles to press the weights up and back down. For variety, you can try these with a slight incline in the bench, which places more emphasis on your upper chest, or on a decline, which places more emphasis on your lower chest.

Number 9 Cable press Adjust two pulleys to shoulder height and adjust the weight stacks. Stand at the midway point between them, with your feet shoulder-width apart and one foot in front of the other.

With your elbows raised to your sides, grip one pulley in each hand and, keeping your palms facing down and your arms at shoulder height, press the handles forward, making sure to avoid locking your elbows at the end of the motion. Then bring them back to the starting position. This exercise works the upper chest.

Number 8 Cable flyes Standing between two pulleys adjusted to shoulder height, grip the pulleys with your palms facing forward and, keeping a slight bend in your elbows, bring your palms together in front of you, contracting your chest muscles as you go, and return to the starting position. This works your upper chest.

Number 7 Pushups Get into pushup position, with your weight evenly distributed between your toes and your hands - and your legs, hips and back in a straight line - and lower and raise your body by bending your elbows, making sure that your arm angle is 90∞ at the bottom of the movement.

If you want a greater challenge, try doing decline pushups with your feet raised on a bench or a stability ball, which places greater strain on your chest muscles. Or try diamond pushups, with your hands together.

Number 6 Chest dips Hold yourself up on a dip bar and, making sure to keep your head down and your legs straight beneath you, lower yourself by bending your elbows, and come back up to the starting position. Make sure to keep the movement in your chest and not in your triceps, as you are working the former.

Check out the top five ways to get great pecs...

Number 5 Cable crossovers Standing between two pulleys - adjusted to slightly above shoulder height - grip the pulleys, with palms facing forward

Number 4 Dumbbell flyes With your back against a horizontal bench, take one dumbbell in each hand, and extend your arms straight ahead of you with your palms facing each other. Making sure not to lock your elbows, open your arms, and bring them back to the starting position. This works both your inner and upper chest.

Number 2 Flat flyes Lying on a flat bench, take one dumbbell in each hand and bend your elbows so that your hands are by your shoulders with your palms facing in. Extend your arms straight up and lower the weights by your sides, keeping a slight bend in your elbows, and go back to the starting position. This works both your inner and upper chest.

Number 1 Bench press Lie down on a flat bench - making sure not to arch your back - and grip the barbell with your hands shoulder-width apart, palms facing your feet, and press the barbell straight up and back down. If you do this on an incline, you will place more emphasis on your upper chest, whereas a decline places more emphasis on your lower chest. nice chest If you want a great chest by summertime, my advice to you would be to pick four of these exercises - making sure that you work all parts of your chest - and do 3 to 4 sets of 8 to 12 reps of each once or twice per week, for 4 to 6 weeks, and then repeat this process with four different exercises. Until next time, happy lifting.

— www.askmen.com

Books FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Review

The Invention of News isn’t breaking news at all

By Jeremy Paxman

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hat is news? To judge from the daily newspapers and TV bulletins we can discard my favorite definition - that it is something that someone somewhere doesn’t want us to know. Most of the time, powerful people do want us to know what’s in the news. Astonishing events that burst into our consciousness with the impact of the attack on the Twin Towers are very rare indeed. Most of the rest is just regurgitated announcement, speech or advertisement. Sometimes, the press release has scarcely been rewritten.

Maybe that’s why so many people don’t seem to be paying much attention any more.

It is the genuinely unexpected that keeps us listening, afraid we might miss something.

As Andrew Pettegree, a distinguished historian, demonstrates in The Invention of News, very few of us can resist the urge to learn. It’s an ancient hunger. He credits the first proper newspaper to a German stationer in 1605, and the first front-page illustration - an artist’s impression of a battle in the 30 years’ war - to a publication in Holland. The reformation, Pettegree suggests, was Europe’s first massmedia news event.

Reporters in rehab (now often posing as professors of media studies) have endlessly tried to define precisely what constitutes this thing “news”. Plainly, an event does not have to be new to be news. In one of Newsnight’s more troubled phases we used to joke that our slogan ought to be “if it’s news, it’s news to us”. But, rather than endure yet another turgid thesis on the subject (isn’t it striking that the study of a medium built on impact should have given rise to such notably unreadable literature?), we should be satisfied perhaps to define news as something that makes you think “well, I never knew that”. By this definition, what is unusual is the unusual or unexpected.

Events have always happened One newspaper tycoon after another has got rich by alarming us with tales of neighborhood cannibals, killer diets and secret Liberal Democrat tax plans. Just let us not make the mistake of thinking that what we are offered is a realistic depiction of the world. Almost as soon as the country had achieved the goal of widespread literacy, men emerged who intuitively understood that we would pay to be reassured by having our flesh made to creep.

But the appetite for reliable intelligence about what was happening elsewhere existed long before printing had even been invented.

Apparently, in the 11th century two remote mid-Wales monasteries would exchange messengers every three years. They stayed for a week, bringing monks up to date with the latest - and not so latest - gossip.

The Invention of News is a misleading title, of course. For events have always happened.

What Pettegree is referring to is the reporting of events. It is a game in which life or death is determined by speed and trustworthiness. In 1900 Reuters in London knew about the relief of Mafeking long before the military commander in South Africa was even aware of what had happened. Nowadays, no one enjoys a beat for much more than an instant or two.

Technology has eliminated time-delay and now enables us to be virtually present at any event, almost anywhere. Enjoying lives of greater comfort and safety than ever before, we can be regaled in our own sitting rooms with mayhem or misery from most corners of

the globe. But the more news there is, the less anyone really needs it. The result, too often, is paralysis - information overload. What are we to do with it all?

Thanks be, Alain de Botton has come among us again, as he does so often when we’re perplexed. Anxious about whether you understand art? What’s religion about? How can you be happy? Fear not, De Botton can tell you, quickly and easily. Not since Moses went up a mountain and came down carrying a couple of slabs of granite reducing life to 10 commandments has anyone been able to reduce the complex enigmas of existence down to simple injunctions. The man has a solution for everything.

Obvious blindspots And now he has turned his elegantly groomed brain to the news, which, he tells us early on, “now occupies a position of power at least equal to that formerly enjoyed by faiths”.

This is a claim to get mere mortals scratching

our heads. Admittedly Huw Edwards can come across like some evangelical preacher on a wet Sunday morning in Merthyr Tydfil, and indeed, most of the earnest prophets of news claim merely to be passing on a greater truth. But the plain fact is the news is nothing like religion. It does not propose the existence of a supernatural being. It does not lay down rules for life. When it comes to it, news is just some things that have happened, as chosen by some not-very-interesting people running newspapers and television.

These people have rather predictable tastes and rather obvious blindspots. But they’re worried. Which makes them shout a bit too wildly: after all, their jobs are on the line. The other day the Daily Telegraph ran a picture story showing how a boulder had rolled down a mountainside in Italy, adding “incredibly... no one was injured”. Incredibly?

It reads better than “unsurprisingly, since there was no one in its path”, I suppose. And was it Liz Hurley or Thora Hird who denied she had had an affair with Bill Clinton? The madder everything gets, the less anyone needs to read any of it.

So on the torrent comes: 24-hour news channels on radio and TV, and websites, too, each one trying to make a little knowledge go slightly further than its rivals, the whole enterprise judged for the few minutes when a channel may, perhaps, claim to have something that no one else has got. The rest of the time the machines clank away noisily but not necessarily to any great purpose. It matters not very much whether anything important has happened, the TV and radio bulletins will make their self-important appearance at the designated hour and at the designated length. The newsreaders’ ponderous sobriety demands our attention. But why should we give it?

Alain de Botton’s solution to this very 21stcentury problem is to prescribe a new role for news. The News: A User’s Manual is a nicely produced little tract, rather resembling an old

Everyman edition. And De Botton is on to something. Perhaps it is time to question the nostrum that many of us have lived by, that the healthy democracy is the well-informed democracy, that knowledge sets you free. The sheer ubiquity of news must have an effect on us, and it cries out for some proper analysis.

But unfortunately, this is not it.

Noisy, self-important carousel De Botton thinks the news ought to have a higher purpose than merely what is new.

Flogging away at an attempt to draw an analogy between news and religion, his book is larded with much use of the word “should”, as if the job of those in the editorial priesthood is really not to ask what is new and significant, but rather what is going to make our readers and viewers better people. He even joins the crusade - begun by Martyn Lewis, author of Dogs in the News and that other unjustifiably neglected masterpiece, Cats in the News - for more “Good News”. I fear De Botton the Sage rather misses the point. There is nothing so silly as a very clever man, and his prescription is as fruitful as arguing that a prawn should be a giraffe.

Andrew Pettegree’s The Invention of News has attracted less attention than The News: A User’s Manual, partly because he is a professor of history rather than a sleek metropolitan know-it-all. De Botton’s cure for the indifference that afflicts so many of us when confronted with tidings of some awful human tragedy far away is for the news to be less preoccupied with accuracy and more with advocacy. Fine if De Botton is the advocate-inchief. But just supposing that George Galloway, David Icke or Abu Hamza got the job?

If you have ever wondered how this noisy, self-important carousel got going, Pettegree’s book will tell you. But rest assured, there is a lot more shouting to come. My advice? Find a good novel and go to bed. www.theguardian.com

Lifestyle FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Spider-Man stars to lead Earth Hour event

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(From left) Mackenna Millet, 21, Nathan Flanagan-Frankl, 21, Tayo Amos, 21, Jean Paul Isaacs, 22, Zaineb Abdul-Nabi, 22, and Bryson Kemp, 19, pose together backstage during rehearsals for the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, Wednesday. — AP

Film students, not models, prep for Oscar stage

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ryson Kemp looks camera ready in his tuxedo. Bound for the Oscars, the 19-year-old is the picture of elegance. Until he turns around and reveals rows of safety pins snaking down his pant legs and up the back of his jacket. The college student is being fitted for a custom tux for his first trip to the Academy Awards. It has to be perfect, because Kemp will definitely be on stage. He’s a member of Team Oscar: six aspiring young filmmakers from colleges across the country who will be handing Oscar statuettes to the stars presenting them Sunday night. Students are replacing the traditional trophy models for the second consecutive year.

“I feel so lucky and so honored,” said Kemp, back in his street clothes while a fellow Team Oscar member got the safety-pin treatment. “And the other five winners... they’re crazy good.”

Chosen from more than 2,000 submissions, the winning three men and three women represent different schools and filmmaking disciplines. Besides Kemp, a composer studying at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania who dreams of scoring movies, the other students whose one-minute video entries won them an unforgettable Oscar experience are: director-producer Tayo Amos of Stanford University, director Nathan Flanagan-Frankl of Orange, Calif’s Chapman University, cinematographer Zaineb Abdul-Nabi of the University of Michigan, writer-director Jean Paul Isaacs of Rutgers University in New Jersey, and animator-editor Mackenna Millet of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif.

Diversity and interests Amos thinks the winners were chosen for “diversity - not only of background and geography but also interests.” “I hope they picked me because they saw my passion for directing and big-picture productions,” the 21-year-old said. Returning Oscar producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron decided last year to replace the leggy models-for-hire that typically carry trophies on Oscar night with students seeking to work in the entertainment industry.

“They are so wide-eyed, and that’s the reason that we initiated the program,” Meron said. “We thought: Why not hopefully continue this amazing legacy - and these are the people to do it with to open the doors and have everybody on stage be significant? To experience what the show means from that level, from an unjaded level, is what it’s all about.” The students began their Team Oscar adventure Monday night. Tuesday included a trip to Disney Animation Studios, where the students met the Oscar-nominated directors of “Frozen,” a visit to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ vast archive at the Margaret Herrick Library in Beverly Hills, Calif, and a private fitting for Oscar-worthy formalwear.

he stars of the movie “Amazing Spider-Man 2” will lead this year’s global Earth Hour lights-out event on March 29 which is being coordinated in Singapore, organizers WWF said yesterday. “Spider-Man will join the film’s stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx in the event, helping to switch off the lights across Singapore’s signature Marina Bay skyline,” the environmental campaign group said in a statement. WWF has named the movie superhero as ambassador for the Earth Hour global campaign to turn the spotlight on climate change. An unnamed person will play Spider-Man at the ceremony.

WWF Singapore spokesman Sourav Roy said Spider-Man can help inspire more people to join the movement. “He comes with his message in the movie that with great power comes great responsibility, and we are trying to tell everybody through him that everybody can be a superhero and do his or her bit to bring about a change for the planet,” Roy told AFP. During Earth Hour landmarks across the world-including the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower and the Kremlin-will switch off their lights for 60 minutes at 8:30 pm local time on the appointed day.

Earth Hour covered more than 150 countries in 2013. “I’m proud Spider-Man is the first superhero ambassador for Earth Hour,” Garfield, the actor who plays the role in the movie, said in a video message on the Earth Hour website. Foxx, who plays the villain Electro, said: “Earth Hour isn’t just about lights off. It’s about people across the world coming together throughout the year to join forces to improve the planet.”

WWF Singapore chief executive Elaine Tan said that while the city-state may not have endangered local wildlife, its location makes it a hotspot for animal trafficking. On January 16 Singapore customs officials seized more than $1.5 million worth of smuggled black rhinoceros horns at Changi Airport. “We are trying to tell people that look, there is trade happening and we need to be on our guard. We should stop the buying so we can stop the killing,” Tan told AFP. — AFP

Star-struck fear Isaacs, who already won a contest to have a short film play at the Cannes Film Festival, said his experience with Team Oscar will “fuel my inspiration and provide me with indescribable confidence and spirit that one day I could come back on my own merit.” “Just to be a part of this environment is awesome,” the 22-year-old said.

Millet said, “Seeing my dad so proud has one of the best parts.”

The students have been excitedly considering all the stars they’ll meet this week from their rarified position backstage.

Flanagan-Frankl and Millet say they’re most eager to meet Oscar presenter, nominee and past winner Jennifer Lawrence. “I would definitely be star-struck, but it’s just how you handle it,” Flanagan-Frankl said. “I definitely would want to play it cool as best I can.” Amos said if she meets supporting actress nominee Lupita Nyong’o, “I would cry.” “I won’t be composed at all,” she said. Kemp hopes to meet 49-time nominee John Williams, up this year for his score for “The Book Thief.” “He’s my idol,” Kemp said.

“It would be such an honor. If I had a tenth of his success, I’d be the happiest guy alive.”— AP

Perry, Lee and Poitier feted at Essence event

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File photo shows Tyler Perry speaking on stage at the 45th NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. — AP

his is historic!” a photographer yelled as he surveyed the image before him - Sidney Poitier in the center, Spike Lee to his right, Tyler Perry to his left and more than two dozen other black men in Hollywood, from Blair Underwood to Omar Epps, huddled tight around the legend, posing with a purpose. “We made it!” shouted out one participant, as the men broke out into knowing laughter. It was a night of many emotions as Essence magazine, known for celebrating black women, held its first ceremony honoring the achievements of African-American men in Hollywood in the days leading up to Sunday’s Oscar ceremony. Poitier gave a moving tribute to the future and the past, Lee delivered a strong rebuke to what he called Hollywood’s exclusionary policies and Perry - who owns his own studio - implored blacks to break out on their own instead of waiting for an open

door from the industry.

“If they close the door then break a hole in the freaking window,” said Perry to applause. “Find another way. there is more than one path.” The Wednesday event, held at Perry’s tony mansion, was conceived to mark what has been a stellar year for black filmmakers in cinema, and the black men behind those achievements: Malcolm Lee directed the box-office hit “The Best Man,” Steve McQueen’s “12 Years A Slave” is up for nine Academy Awards; and Forest Whitaker executive produced the acclaimed “Fruitvale Station” and starred in the box-office smash “The Butler.” All were lauded for their success at “Black Men in Hollywood” dinner, which singled out Spike Lee, Malcolm Lee (who is also Spike’s cousin), Perry and Poitier, who received the legend award.—AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

McCartney honored at NME awards

Former Beatles Paul McCartney waves as he leaves the Pavillon Populaire venue in Montpellier, southern France. —AFP

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eatles legend Paul McCartney received a standing ovation at the NME awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, where he accepted the influential British magazine’s special prize honoring his 50-year-career. On receiving the magazine’s “songwriters’ songwriter” award at the annual show, the 71-year-old admitted to guests at the O2 Academy Brixton that he could not explain how he had written some of the most famous pop songs of all time.

“The great thing about songwriting is that you don’t know how you do it, so you can’t talk about it,” he said as he picked up the award from Blur and Gorillaz star Damon Albarn. The Beatles played at the magazine’s annual show in 1963 and topped the bill in 1964 as Beatlemania swept the UK. Young pretenders Arctic Monkeys picked up where they left off at last week’s Brit Awards, winning five prizes including best album for “AM”. Pop princess Lily Allen capped her return from “retirement” by winning the best solo artist award, but suggested fellow nominees David Bowie and Jake Bugg were more deserving of the accolade. Allen was also on stage to present New York rocker Debbie Harry and her band Blondie with the “Godlike genius” award.

Scottish band Belle & Sebastian won the outstanding contribution to music prize before aiming a playful jibe at David Bowie’s plea for Scotland to stay part of the UK. “England stay with us-at least just for a night,” joked guitarist Stevie Jackson. “And if we do leave you, let’s stay friends.”— AFP

Soundgarden signs on to iTunes Festival at SXSW File photo shows Chris Cornell of Soundgarden during the band’s concert at the Wiltern in Los Angeles. —AP

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oundgarden will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its landmark album “Superunknown” at South By Southwest. The Seattle grunge rockers will play “Superunknown” front to back for the first time March 13 when they headline the third night of the iTunes Festival in Austin, Texas.

Soundgarden members Chris Cornell, Matt Cameron, Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd recently announced plans for a multi-

disc reissue of “Superunknown” on June 3 with preorders available March 11. The multiplatinum album included the Grammy Award-winning hits “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman” and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, eventually selling more than 5 million copies in the US. The iTunes Festival features five nights of performances during the annual SXSW music conference. Other performers include Coldplay and Keith Urban. — AP

‘Frozen’ album reclaims top spot for fifth time on Billboard 200

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he soundtrack for Disney’s hit animated film “Frozen” reclaimed the top spot on the weekly Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday, becoming the first soundtrack in 15 years to notch more than five weeks at No. 1 on the chart. The “Frozen” soundtrack, which features the Oscar-nominated song “Let It Go,” sold another 89,000 copies last week, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan. Since its release in November, the album has sold more than 1.1 million copies and topped Billboard 200 for five non-consecutive weeks.

The Walt Disney Co animated movie about two Nordic princess sisters continues

to perform strongly, nearing $1 billion at the worldwide box office.

The last film soundtrack to spend more than five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 was 1998’s “Titanic,” which featured Celine Dion’s hit “My Heart Will Go On” and held the top spot for 16 consecutive weeks, Billboard said. The “Frozen” album pushed last week’s chart-topper, country singer Eric Church’s “The Outsiders” to No. 2 with sales of 74,000 copies.

Two new entries cracked the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart this week. Country artist Cole Swindell landed at No. 3 with his latest self-titled record, while rock group

Issues came in at No. 9 with its self-titled album. Overall album sales for the week ending Feb 23 totaled 4.8 million units, Billboard said, down 12 percent from the comparable week in 2013. — Reuters

YouTube ordered to take down anti-Muslim film A

US appeals court ordered YouTube on Wednesday to take down an anti-Muslim film that sparked violent riots in parts of the Middle East and death threats to the actors. The decision by a divided threejudge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reinstated a lawsuit filed against YouTube by an actress who appeared briefly in the 2012 video that led to rioting and deaths because of its negative portrayal of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

YouTube resisted calls by President Barack Obama and other world leaders to take down the video, arguing that to do so amounted to unwarranted government censorship and would violate the Google-owned company’s free speech protections. Besides, the company argued that the filmmakers and not the actors of “Innocence of Muslims” owned the copyright and only they could remove it from YouTube.

And typically, that’s the case with the vast majority of clips posted on YouTube - and Hollywood in general that don’t violate decency laws and policies. But the 9th Circuit said Wednesday that this case was far from typical and that the actress, Cindy Lee Garcia, retained a copyright claim that YouTube must respect. That’s because she believed she was acting in a different production than the one that ultimately appeared online.

“Had Ms Garcia known the true nature of the propaganda film the producers were planning, she would never had agreed to appear in the movie,” said Cris Armenta, Garcia’s attorney. Google argues that the actress had no claim to the film because filmmaker Mark Basseley Youssef wrote the dialogue, managed the entire production and dubbed over Garcia’s dialogue during postproduction editing. Writing for the court, Chief Judge Alex Kozinski said the ruling was not a blanket order giving copyright protection to every actor, but that in this case, Garcia’s performance was worthy of copyright protection. “We need not and do not decide whether every actor has a copyright in his performance within a movie,” the judge wrote. “It suffices for now to hold that, while the matter is fairly debatable, Garcia is likely to prevail.”

Judge N Randy Smith dissented, arguing that Garcia’s five-second appearance gave her no ownership claims.

“Her brief appearance in the film, even if a valuable contribution to the film, does not make her an author,” Smith wrote. “Indeed, it is difficult to understand how she can be considered an ‘inventive or master mind’ of her performance under these facts.”

Youssef, the filmmaker, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for check fraud in 2010 and barred from accessing the Internet without court approval. He was returned

to prison in 2012 for violating terms of his probation and was released on probation in September 2013. Garcia was paid $500 to appear for five seconds in a film she was told was called “Desert Warrior” that she thought had nothing to do with religion or radical Islam. When the clip was released, her lines were dubbed to have her character asking Muhammad if he was a child molester.

“This is a troubling case,” Kozinski wrote. “Garcia was duped into providing an artistic performance that was used in a way she never could have foreseen. Her unwitting and unwilling inclusion in Innocence of Muslims led to serious threats against her life. It’s disappointing, though perhaps not surprising, that Garcia needed to sue in order to protect herself and her rights.” For Google, the ruling represents a nettlesome issue if allowed to stand. The company fears that bit players and extras appearing in popular clips will now be emboldened to send takedown notices to YouTube unless settlements can be reached with the filmmakers. Google Inc, which has removed the clip, said it will appeal the decision to a special 11-judge panel of the appeals court.

The next move after that would be to ask the US Supreme Court to review the case. “We strongly disagree with this ruling and will fight it,” said Google spokeswoman Abbi Tatton. — AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Feared lost, original art of Wolverine debut found

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A nominee for Queen of the Carnival of Santa Cruz, on the main stage, shows off her outfit under the watchful eyes of the jury in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on February 26, 2014. The dresses are more than five meters high and over 80 kilos in weight. The over one-month-long event began on January 31 and finishes on March 8 with orchestras playing Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms throughout the festivities that range from elections for the Carnival Queen, the Junior Queen and the Senior Queen, children and adult murgas (satirical street bands), comparsas (dance groups) to performances on the streets. — AFP

Hipsters drive New York beard transplant boom

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he unkempt, hairy hipster look is driving a plastic surgery boom in New York, where baby-faced young men are flocking to doctors for beard transplants that can cost a whopping $8,000. Facial surgeons with private practices in Manhattan and Florida say they have seen a phenomenal increase in demand in the last five years, and hipsters are leading the way. No longer the preserve of fishermen or aging academics, beards are the signature look of urbane men in their 20s and 30s who consider themselves witty, creative and politically progressive.

New York surgeons can perform up to three or four procedures a week for $2,000 to more than $8,000 depending on how much hair needs to be transplanted from scalp to cheek. Danny Higuera, 26, owns a construction company. He had a beard transplant over a Brad Pitt

year ago and says he is “thrilled” with the results.

He grew up admiring his father’s beard but could only muster “little patches” here and there. So he forked out $8,000 on a transplant with Manhattan surgeon Jeffrey Epstein. “There are people that like long hair, short hair, I just wanted a nice beard,” he told AFP. “I like that rugged look, that five o’clock shadow.” Although he wouldn’t always define himself a hipster, he does when it comes to facial hair. “To a certain degree I do consider myself a hipster,” Higuera said. “I think it’s very trendy to have a beard-to do things with your beard.”

he original art for the first appearance of Wolverine - a ferocious fighting mutant with a penchant for cigars will be auctioned in May in a sale to benefit the Hero Initiative, the group that strives to aid comic book creators in times of financial need. Heritage Auctions said Wednesday that the artwork drawn by Herb Trimpe 40 years ago for “The Incredible Hulk” No. 180 was long thought lost until the person he gave it to back in 1983 contacted them about selling it.

Todd Hignite, Heritage’s vice president, said he was astounded to see the full-page art in such pristine condition. “I went out and met with the owner and it wasn’t until I was there and actually saw it that I fully believed it. It’s a pretty amazing thing.” The owner, who asked not to be identified, received the art as a gift from Trimpe after he and his family had visited. A comic collector, he brought some issues drawn by Trimpe, hoping for an autograph.

Trimpe obliged. As they left, the artist told him to wait.

“He ran back upstairs to his studio and he came with this page of artwork in his hands,” Hignite said of ink, graphite and blue drawing. On it was inscribed “Ben - Best Wishes Herb Trimpe.” As Wolverine’s appeal and popularity grew first in Marvel Entertainment’s comics, then on animated TV shows and, finally, as played by Hugh Jackman in the ongoing X-Men film franchise - issues featuring the character jumped in value. So, too, has original art.

“He’s aware that the market for comic art has gone up to such an incredible amount,” Hignite said of the piece. “He was just kind of nervous having the artwork.” Original art for other significant characters like Superman and SpiderMan have commanded prices well into six figures. The issue, written by Len Wein and called “And the Wind Howls Wendigo” is valued at $400 in near-mint condition while issue 181, which is the first, full Wolverine story, is valued at $1,800 in near mint condition, per the 43rd Overstreet Comic Price Guide.—AP

Fashions change Ten years ago film stars were clean-shaven, but red carpets today are full of the bearded-Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ben Affleck, to name just a few. Epstein says the chief look-alike request is Pitt and mustachioed actor Tom Selleck is number two, but believes most patients just love the scraggy look. “Thirty to 35 percent are those guys aged 26 to 40 that sort of fit into that category of hipster. It’s not a clear term, but probably the single biggest group are these guys,” Epstein said.

Uber-trendy parts of Brooklyn may be New York’s hipster hub but doctors say patients fly in from across the United States, Britain or even Australia. They say the boom is fueled not just by changing fashion, but rising awareness and social acceptance of hair transplants, and improved techniques that result in pretty impressive beards. Facial hair has for centuries been a sign of virility and masculinity in many cultures across the world. But some men can’t grow facial hair for genetic reasons or lasered their face in their 20s and later realized it was a mistake.

‘Guys streaming in’ Yael Halaas, a doctor whose practice is just off Park Avenue, agreed that demand had increased over the last three to four years.

“These guys kept just streaming in complaining either they can’t grow much of a beard at all or that they have patchy areas that weren’t filing in properly,” she told AFP. “A lot of them tend to be in their 20s and 30s, they tend to be hip New Yorkers definitely with an eye for aesthetic detail-they may work in the visual arts or performing arts,” she said. Halaas says she sees four to five patients a week for facial hair transplants. “A decade ago I would say it was maybe 10 a year,” she said. —AFP This image released by Heritage Auctions shows original artwork that was used in the Marvel Comics’ ‘The Incredible Hulk’ issue #150. — AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Paris:

Jessica Alba’s main street high fashion

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he first full day of Paris’ frenzied readyto-wear shows mixed up iconic fashion veterans like Dries Van Noten with a whole new sort of fashion player: H&M. It may be a tricky ride ahead for the main street shop, which is now attempting to walk the snooty high fashion runway. Yet the company, which has still not been allowed on the official Fashion Week calendar, put on a buzzy show-spectacle replete with strobe lights, plasma screens and Jessica Alba which may go some way in shutting up the detractors - at least until next season. Here are the highlights of the day.

Damir Doma

Jessica Alba earns millions but shops for $20 Alba may earn millions every time she does a movie, but it doesn’t stop her counting her pennies. The Sin City actress turned up at Wednesday’s show in a white H&M lace dress with black tights, hugging model Miranda Kerr for the cameras. “Yes, I’m wearing H&M. It feels very romantic, sort of gothic. Red lips and black tights throw off the romantic lacing. Mixing high and low that’s how I dress,” Alba told the Associated Press. “I love shopping at H&M and I can always find great pieces, if I need a great blazer or a pencil skirt,” said the multimillionaire, momentarily forgetting she can afford a stylist.

H&M’s creative advisor speaks on fashion socialism She’s been one of the most influential figures in fashion, but H&M head designer for over 20 years Margareta van den Bosch still wasn’t allowed to finish her drink ahead of the H&M show that channeled the knee high boots, center partings and khaki shades of the 70s. Bosch, who happened to sit next to an Associated Press writer during the highoctane presentation, was H&M chief designer for over 20 years and pivotal in the com-

Jessica Alba poses prior to the H&M ready-towear fall/winter 2014-2015 fashion collection presented in Paris, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014. — AP/AFP photos

Models present creations as part of H&M’s ready-to-wear fall/winter 2014-2015 fashion collection presented in Paris. pany’s high-profile collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney and Versace.

But Bosch remains down-to-earth, and doesn’t forget her roots. This, despite the endless paparazzi flashbulbs that snap before her. “I like fashion. I was a designer myself for 22 years when I started in ‘87 as head of design, and the vision was that we would make nice clothes at good value for money - something for all people. Fashion for everybody,” she told The Associated Press. But how does she answer the high fashion snoots that say lesser quality clothes have no place on Paris’ esteemed runways?

“I really admire people that do things by hand and fantastic hand craft - but I think we can all exist. There must be a place for us all.

Not everybody can pay for that haute couture, and they also deserve some fashion,” she said.

Arty-farty Damir Doma gave classical tailoring a frayed, grungy edge with a splash of art. The Croatian-born designer was inspired by contemporary artist Gerhard Richter with a collection of mottled ochre jacquards. And some beautiful back column dresses sported the German painter’s famed stripes. But the most on-trend part of the strong show were the turtle necks above horizontal, truncated shoulders. Watch this space - we may see more of this to come this week. Guy Laroche’s designer Marcel Morongiu also went arty-farty, but with less success. He

channeled the palette of Russian-born French artist Serge Poliakoff for a chocolate brown and muted anthracite color wheel. Then, elsewhere, the collection borrowed from French painter Pierre Soulage’s black on black in the shimmering collection composed mainly of shirts and dresses.

But some designers should just forget the high-art references and let the clothes talk. This show was really about bold sexuality. Frills on dresses came in oversized curvaceous volumes - stabbing out like a shield next to shiny, kinky leather jackets that were a tad obvious at points. While sheer silk tops with embroideries, described as “trompe l’oeil,” were plainly just made to titillate.

Rochas debutant makes demicouture Change is underfoot at Rochas, the old French house that is famed to have been first to put pockets on skirts.

Alessandro Dell’Acqua showed his debut collection, following predecessor Marco Zanini’s departure for Schiaparelli - and the new man certainly paid homage to Rochas’ couture style. The huge volume that’s made the house such a hit in recent years was present on off-kilter trapeze silhouettes, often on fastidiously embroidered gowns. But there was more than a dash of eccentricity: Full skirts with unusually loose waists swaggered down the catwalk, while some even sported second A-line skirt underneath with buttoned up princess coats adding a prudish modesty. It was a strange collection - known as “demicouture:” not quite ready-to-wear, not quite couture.

But somehow it worked. — AP

Lifestyle FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Rochas

Models present creations by Gareth Pugh during the 2014/2015 autumn/winter collection fashion show.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Kuwait

SHARQIA-1 POMPEII (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

SHARQIA-2 THE LEGO MOVIE (DIG-3D) NON-STOP (DIG) ROBOCOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-3 WER (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) WER (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) WER (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) WER (DIG)

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

MUHALAB-1 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) THE LEGO MOVIE (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) NO THU+FRI+MON BHIMAVARAM BULLODU (DIG) (Telugu) THU+FRI+MON KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 5:15 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

MUHALAB-2 WER (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) WER (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) WER (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

MUHALAB-3 POMPEII (DIG-3D) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) POMPEII (DIG-3D) NON-STOP (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM

FANAR-1 PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) WINTER’S TALE (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG)

12:45 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-2 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG)

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-3 WER (DIG) ROBOCOP (DIG) GUNDAY (DIG) (HINDI) WER (DIG) WER (DIG) WER (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:45 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

FANAR-4 NON-STOP (DIG) THE LEGO MOVIE (DIG-3D) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-5 POMPEII (DIG) CODE RED (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) THE MONUMENTS MEN (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

FOR SALE

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (27/02/2014 TO 05/03/2014) MARINA-1 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) WER (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) WER (DIG) WER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

THE MOVIE (DIG) OGGY AND THE COCKROACHES: THE MOVIE (DIG) OGGY AND THE COCKROACHES: THE MOVIE (DIG) AMERICAN HUSTLE (DIG) AMERICAN HUSTLE (DIG) WER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:45 PM 1:15 AM

MARINA-2 ROBOCOP (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

AL-KOUT.1 POMPEII (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

MARINA-3 POMPEII (DIG-3D) NON-STOP (DIG) POMPEII (DIG-3D) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AL-KOUT.2 PATRICK (DIG) KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.3 NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) THE MONUMENTS MEN (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AL-KOUT.4 WER (DIG) WER (DIG) WER (DIG) CODE RED (DIG) WER (DIG) WER (DIG) WER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

AVENUES-1 OGGY AND THE COCKROACHES: THE MOVIE (DIG) OGGY AND THE COCKROACHES: THE MOVIE (DIG) OGGY AND THE COCKROACHES: THE MOVIE (DIG) ROBOCOP (DIG) ROBOCOP (DIG) ROBOCOP (DIG) AVENUES-2 THE MONUMENTS MEN (DIG) AMERICAN HUSTLE (DIG) THE MONUMENTS MEN (DIG) THE MONUMENTS MEN (DIG) THE MONUMENTS MEN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM 2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-3 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

AVENUES-4 NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-5 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) POMPEII (DIG-3D) NO THU Special Show “3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG)” THU 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) POMPEII (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED 360º- 1 PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED 360º- 2 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED 360º- 3 OGGY AND THE COCKROACHES:

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM 2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

BAIRAQ-1 THE LEGO MOVIE (DIG-3D) POMPEII (DIG-3D) WER (DIG) POMPEII (DIG-3D) WER (DIG) WER (DIG)

Hyundai Azera 2008. Full options, sun roof, navigation, leather seats. KD. 2500/negotiable. Call: 65860200

lounge chairs coffee tables, desk and office chair TV 42” LCD dining table and four chairs side board bookcase, chopping block mobile. Ph: 94400865. (C 4647) 18-2-2014

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:30 PM

BAIRAQ-2 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) THE LEGO MOVIE (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) PATRICK (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:15 AM

BAIRAQ-3 NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) KHOUTAT GIMI (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

Toyota Yaris, model 2013, mileage 3,500 white exterior, price KD 2,550. Phone: 99240654. (C 4649) 19-2-2014 Nissan Pathfinder 2003 model, good condition. Call 97277135.

Cooker with bottle and regulator, washing machine, tumble dryer condenser, microwave mirror four door wardrobe, queen size bed mattress as new, sofa and

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

Clinics Rabiya

24732263

Rawdha

22517733

Adailiya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Khaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

112 Prayer timings

6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM

AJIAL.1 THEGIDI (DIG) (Tamil) THEGIDI (DIG) (Tamil)

7:00 PM 10:00 PM

AJIAL.2 BHIMAVARAM BULLODU (DIG) (Telugu) 6:45 PM BHIMAVARAM BULLODU (DIG) (Telugu) 9:45 PM

It is notified for the information that my original qualifying examination certificate of main secondary examination of year 2010-2012 and roll no.

8106150 issued by CBSE, India has been actually lost.

Name of candidate: Mohamed Muzammil, Abu Halifa, Block-1, Street-1, Building 1, Flat 25, Kuwait.

Mob: 66823168. (C 4651) 23-2-2014

Hospitals

PLAZA BHIMAVARAM BULLODU (DIG) (Telugu) 6:30 PM BHIMAVARAM BULLODU (DIG) (Telugu) 9:30 PM LAILA PATRICK (DIG) NON-STOP (DIG) 3 DAYS TO KILL (DIG)

LOST

Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

04:56 06:15 12:01 15:19 17:46 19:03

Te c h n o l o g y FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

WhatsApp with that?

WhatsApp tips and tricks you should know

W

hen Instagram was bought by Facebook for $1 billion, the media went nuts. But that was nothing compared to what Facebook bought WhatsApp for - a whooping $19 billion. This breaking news came in days after Viber was reported to have been bought by Japanese online retailer, Rakutenfor a fraction of the price tag: $900 million. And to think that we were scratching our heads over Snapchat turning down Facebook’s $3 billion offer. That’s a lot of zeros.

WhatsApp, one of the most popular mobile messaging app, faced fierce competition from the likes of WeChat (which is huge in China and the Asia pacific region) and Line (which has its own theme park) but held its ground with its many features that ensure users have a secure, dependable and practical messaging experience. With that in mind, here are a few tips, tricks and apps to get more out of WhatsApp. 1. Hide ‘Last Seen’ timestamp By default, WhatsApp shows a “last seen” timestamp, telling other users the last time you were on WhatsApp. Some of you may want to disable this timestamp, for privacy reasons. You can disable this timestamp on both iOS and Android. If you’re an iOS user, you’re in luck, since all you need to do is go into Settings > Chat Settings > Advanced and set Last Seen Timestamp to Off. If you’re an Android user, you won’t have access to this setting from the app itself. Instead, you’re going to have to rely on a third party app such as Hide WhatsApp Status.

The app disables your WiFi and data connection when you open WhatsApp. Once you exit the app, your WiFi and data connections are reactivated, WhatsApp will sync, and your messages will be sent.

2. Backup and restore WhatsApp chats WhatsApp makes automatic backups of your chats, but you can also make a manual backup. On iOS, it’s Settings > Chat Settings > Chat Backup, then tap Back Up Now. On Android, just go into Settings > Chat settings and tap Backup conversations to create a backup. This won’t backup your media, so you’ll need to use a file manager to copy the media folders in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media. There’s no way to restore chats directly from WhatsApp, so if you want to restore a backup you’re going to have to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. When you start WhatsApp after the reinstall, you should be prompted to restore your most recent backup. Just follow the procedure and your chats should all be back.

3. Lock your WhatsApp Everyone, at some point or another, has probably had to deal with friends or family taking a sneak peek at their WhatsApp messages. Thankfully, if you’re using WhatsApp on Android or BlackBerry, there are apps that can help secure your WhatsApp from prying eyes. If you’re using Android, there’s WhatsApp Lock, while BlackBerry users will want to check out Lock for WhatsApp. Basically, both of these apps work similarly:

when you use them, WhatsApp will be protected by a PIN (in the case of WhatsLock) or a password (in the case of Lock for WhatsApp). Either way, once you have things set up, the people around you shouldn’t be able to take a sneak peek at your WhatsApp any longer.

4. Create shortcuts for important contacts Want to speed up your WhatsApp communication? How about creating a shortcut to your favorite WhatsApp contact or group straight from your homescreen? On Android, this is as simple as long pressing on the group or contact you want to create a shortcut for. When the menu pops up, just tap on Add conversation shortcut. This will create a shortcut to the contact or group you have chosen right on your homescreen. This behavior isn’t available on WhatsApp for iOS, but you can use a third-party app such as1TapWA to have similar functionality on your iPhone. Since it’s an app, 1TapWA also has some extra features such as an image editor and an action scheduler.

5. Stop WhatsApp images from appearing in gallery or Camera Roll Having WhatsApp images in your Gallery or Camera Roll can be very annoying; maybe the images are somewhat private, or you just don’t like having these images clutter up your Gallery or Camera Roll. You can fix this on both iOS and Android. On iOS, it’s pretty simple; just go to Settings > Privacy > Photos and then turn the WhatsApp switch off. On Android, you have to create a .nomedia file in WhatsApp’s images or video directories. To do this, you need a file explorer such as ES File Explorer. Navigate to the images or video folders. Tap the New button in the lower left, pick File and create a file named .nomedia. This will stop the Gallery from scanning the folder.

6. Change your WhatsApp phone number If you’ve changed phone numbers but kept the same phone, you don’t need to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp just to change numbers. There’s a setting within WhatsApp that will let you migrate your WhatsApp account to a different phone number. Go to Settings > Account > Change number. Enter your old phone number in the top field and then your new phone number in the bottom field. Then press Done. Verify your new phone number, and all your chat history, groups and so on will be migrated to the new number.

7. Install WhatsApp on an Android tablet WhatsApp is built for phones and is intelligent enough to know when you’re trying to run it on a tablet, but there are ways around this. Firstly, you need to grab the latest version of the WhatsApp .apk. Visit the official site with Chrome or Firefox and request the desktop version of the site, which will allow you to download the .apk directly. Then download SRT AppGuard.

Install both. Run AppGuard first. Select WhatsApp from the Dashboard then press Monitor. Once AppGuard is done setting

up the monitoring, scroll down and disable read phone status and identity underPhone calls. WhatsApp should now run on your tablet. To activate WhatsApp, you can just use your landline and have WhatsApp call you with the three-digit verification code.

8. WhatsApp chat heads on Android One of the best things about Facebook Messenger is its chat heads functionality.

We’ve talked about bringing chat heads features to SMS before, but now you can also have chat heads for your WhatsApp conversations too, using WhatsApp Chat Heads. As the name suggests, the app works alongside WhatsApp to add chat heads for your conversations. The chat heads are somewhat customizable, and you can have specific LED colors, notification sounds and chat head colors for each of your contacts.

One thing to be aware of, though, is that the app requires root access. Plus, it’s also still in beta, so you may encounter some small issues here and there.

9. Get messaging statistics on Android This will definitely interest you if you’re a statistics geek, or simply someone who’s interested in finding out you and your friends’ WhatsApp habits. WhatStat provides information for metrics such as your top friends, friends’ and groups’ most active times of the day as well as message distribution for both one-on-one and group chats. WhatStat presents all this information in easy-tounderstand visualizations that will make perfect sense to anyone. No more having to pay specific attention to who initiates conversations or what a good time to message someone is; WhatStat will do that all for you.

10. Get WhatsApp notifications on desktop If you’ve ever missed a WhatsApp message while working on your desktop, you’ll know how annoying it can be. If you’re using Android, there are a few ways to make sure that you never miss a WhatsApp message again. You can use Pushbullet, which includes notification mirroring alongside a lot of other features, but if all you want is notifications on your computer, check out Desktop Notifications. — www.hongkiat.com

Stars

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Aries (March 21-April 19)

You may be feeling tired and a bit wrung out today, Aries.

Although you're a workaholic by nature, even you are forced to admit that this is a day to stay in bed. Give yourself these few hours to regroup and recoup your energy. You'll need to be operating at peak form for all the work that's likely to hit your desk next week.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

There could be a missing person very much on your mind these days. Is it possible that the relationship is over and you're the last one to know? Don't let your insecurities get the better of you, Taurus. It's likely that your friend merely needs some time alone to sort out some big life issues. He or she will seek out your warmth and friendship again soon.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Misinformation is likely to spread like wildfire today, causing a lot of unnecessary upset either among your neighbors at home or your colleagues at work. Don't accept at face value any gossip or rumor you hear, Gemini. Check the accuracy of the information yourself. If it does turn out to be false, as is likely, you'll feel sorry if you've had any part in perpetuating it.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

You're finally setting in motion some longstanding goals of yours, Cancer. Good for you! But even though everything is in place and you're ready to go, it's possible that you'll receive notice today of some delay in your plans. The frustration feels unbearable. But when you step back and look at the bigger picture, you'll see that ultimately this delay is in your best interests.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Beware lawyers, bankers, and stockbrokers today, Leo. One of them is likely to try and mislead you with some inaccurate information. While it might be in his or her best interests for you to take this information at face value, it certainly isn't in yours! Do your own research and get all the facts before making the financial investments recommended to you.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

A family member or other loved one may not be telling you the truth. In this person's defense, he or she likely thinks they're protecting you by shielding you from the truth. This is a time for you to trust your instincts, Virgo. If you're told something that simply doesn't ring true, check the information yourself rather than accept it at face value.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

You have an active mind and an even more active imagination, Libra. Today you risk short-circuiting your brain as you struggle to keep up with all the ideas and information swirling inside your head. Take a few minutes to do a mental inventory. Write down everything you're thinking right now so you can free some space in your brain for other issues. A long walk or jog would help soothe your mind.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

If a family member is in a bad mood but not confessing why, it's up to you to step in and help. He or she is carrying that big black cloud around, casting shadows everywhere they go. Do what you can to snap your relative out of it, although take care not to force the issue too harshly. Counseling might be in order, and this may not be your area of expertise!

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

If a friend or colleague seems to be in trouble, you may not want to interfere for fear of being too intimate. But this isn't a time to hold back, Sagittarius. It's likely that this person really does need your help. Your intervention will be much appreciated and possibly even rewarded. Be sure to get some rest tonight. You're emotionally and physically drained.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Your career may be sidetracked by petty gossip, rumor, and office politics. It's likely that someone is pushing forward his or her agenda without any thought or concern for its impact on others. Do what you can to put a stop to such shenanigans, Capricorn. There are times when it's appropriate to be the whistleblower, and this is one of them.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Some bad news about your financial situation may not really be as bad as it first appears. Even so, it throws you for a loop.

Double-check the information before spiraling into a panic, Aquarius. It may be that a computer made an error or a bank clerk messed up. You may have to unravel some paperwork, but it will be a relief to have it resolved.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

In an unpleasant situation, your inclination is to protect your loved ones from the truth. This would be a mistake, Pisces. Even though you're acting out of love, your family members deserve to know the truth even if it hurts. You can't shield them from the realities of the outside world. Most people, even the young, prefer to know the facts.

COUNTRY CODES 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 Republic 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 Somalia 00252 South Africa 0027 South Korea 0082 Spain 0034 Sri Lanka 0094 Sudan 00249 Suriname 00597 Swaziland 00268 Sweden 0046 Switzerland 0041 Syria 00963 Taiwan 00886 Tanzania 00255 Thailand 0066 Toga 00228 Tonga 00676 Tokelau 00690 Trinidad 001868 Tunisia 00216 Turkey 0090 Tuvalu 00688 Uganda 00256 Ukraine 00380 United Arab Emirates00976

L e i s u re

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Word Search

C R O S S W O R D 4 7 2

Challenging Mage Challenging Mazes zy zrazyzadz zooz z

Maze z

ACROSS 1. A linear unit (1/6 inch) used in printing.

5. Alternatively, a member of the family Nymphaeaceae.

12. United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters.

15. The sixth month of the civil year.

16. Of or relating to Aram or to its inhabitants or their culture or their language.

17. Used of a single unit or thing.

18. A military officer appointed from enlisted personnel.

20. Small and light boat.

21. A woman religious.

22. Considerate and solicitous care.

23. Destruction of heart tissue resulting from obstruction of the blood supply to the heart muscle.

24. European freshwater game fish with a thick spindle-shaped body.

26. Any plant of the genus Episcia.

29. (of snakes and eels) Naturally footless.

31. (botany) Of or relating to or resembling a calyx.

33. The money risked on a gamble.

34. A state in northwestern United States on the Pacific.

35. A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

36. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

38. African mahogany trees.

42. A port in southern Sweden.

44. A unit of absorbed ionizing radiation equal to 100 ergs per gram of irradiated material.

46. (used of persons or the military) Characterized by having or bearing arms.

47. Fish-eating bird of warm inland waters having a long flexible neck and slender sharp-pointed bill.

49. Austrian chemist who did research on carotenoids and vitamins (1900-1967).

51. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots.

52. A brittle silver-white metalloid element that is related to selenium and sulfur.

53. Annual to perennial herbs of the Mediterranean region.

56. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium.

60. Morally bad or wrong.

61. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC).

63. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

65. A town and port in northwestern Israel in the eastern Mediterranean.

69. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar.

71. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

73. (biology) Shed at an early stage of development.

74. A large mountain system in south-central Europe.

78. A short erect tail.

79. An strong upward air current.

81. An adult male person (as opposed to a woman).

82. The emotion of hate.

83. High level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement.

84. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

Daily SuDoku

DOWN 1. The noise made by a short puff of steam (as from an engine).

2. A material effigy that is worshipped as a god.

3. A notation cancelling a previous sharp or flat.

4. Electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field.

5. A loose shirt or tunic.

6. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

7. Formed like a bacillus.

8. A member of the Siouan people formerly living in the Missouri river valley in NE Nebraska.

9. A list of dishes available at a restaurant.

10. African tree having an exceedingly thick trunk and fruit that resembles a gourd and has an edible pulp called monkey bread.

11. Used of a single unit or thing.

12. A gland in which gametes (sex cells) are produced.

13. Frogs, toads, tree toads.

14. United States tennis player (born in Czechoslovakia) who won several singles championships.

19. The 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.

25. A blind god.

27. Of or relating to pyemia.

28. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

30. Large dark brown North American arboreal carnivorous mammal.

32. A genus of orb-weaving spiders including common garden spiders and barn spiders.

37. Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning).

39. Type genus of the Amiidae.

40. Not only so, but.

41. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

43. A gonadotropic hormone that is secreted by the anterior pituitary.

45. A Kwa language spoken by the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria.

48. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States.

50. Violent and needless disturbance.

54. An island in Antigua and Barbuda.

55. Bottle that has a narrow neck.

57. A member of the dominant Hindu military caste in northern India.

58. A light touch or stroke.

59. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

62. Overly eager speed (and possible carelessness).

64. Remote and separate physically or socially.

66. Botswanan statesman who was the first president of Botswana (1921-1980).

67. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

68. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

70. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

72. (Old Testament) The eldest son of Isaac who would have inherited the Covenant that God made with Abraham and that Abraham passed on to Isaac.

75. Type genus of the Muridae.

76. Select as an alternative.

77. Goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment.

80. A radioactive element of the alkali-metal group discovered as a disintegration product of actinium.

Yesterdayʼs Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

42

Sports FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Future of multibillion Sochi investment unclear SOCHI: As the Olympic circus packs up and flies away from Russia, the Black Sea city of Sochi is looking anxiously toward the future. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are leaving impressed by the shiny stadiums and hotels, smooth highways and new trains that have transformed a jaded Soviet-era resort into a modern tourist destination.

It has all cost $51 billion, but will it be enough to keep the tourist dollar - or ruble - flooding into Sochi?

Sochi “definitely has a future”, IOC President Thomas Bach said on Sunday.

He listed all the international events that Sochi will be hosting in coming months the G8 summit, a Formula One race and World Cup matches in 2018 - and expressed hope that Sochi’s legacy will live on.

“What happened here, this transformation really is amazing, and now it will be important to secure the legacy of these games,” Bach said. Ordinary Russians were also impressed. “We were in the mountain cluster yesterday and we were pleasantly surprised: It looks like a European ski resort,” said Irina Mislivets from Togliatti. “I would love to come back.”

On the Black Sea north of Georgia, Sochi was a tired seaside resort tailored exclusively for Russians who either could not afford to vacation abroad or were

reluctant to leave the country.

Former leader Josef Stalin had a Dacha here and President Vladimir Putin has a holiday home in the area, but lack of investment meant the town was gradually crumbling. The Olympics brought in billions in investment and international attention to Sochi while rattling trucks and cement mixers have rumbled through the area day and night for more than five years. In this time, Krasnaya Polyana, a small mountain village, has been transformed into a Swiss-style ski resort with brand-new lifts and international hotels.

Sochi’s mountains will definitely see an increase in visitors in the coming year because of the Olympic publicity, says Vladimir Kantorovich, first vice president of the Russian Association of Tour Operators, but its future will only be clear once the first full season is over. “Ski slopes which are good for sports are not necessarily always good for recreation. You need to go to find out yourself,” he said. “How things will go afterwards will depend on prices and conditions.”

Russia built 14 venues for the games with total capacity of 145,000 people.

Plans for how to use the venues are changing all the time. Organizers were originally thinking about converting the Iceberg arena into a cycling track. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak announced

on Saturday, however, that authorities have been persuaded to turn it into “an international center for ice shows.” Some of the venues can be taken apart and moved to other cities. The Audit Chamber, the government’s auditing agency, raised concerns about the future of the Olympic venues. Chairman Sergei Stepashin quoted expert estimates that maintaining the venues would cost Russia at least 60 billion rubles a year ($2 billion).

Long-term prospects Kozak dismissed Stepashin’s estimate, saying that it will cost “at least 10 times less.” Olympic spectators and organizers say Krasnaya Polyana is a potential magnet for tourists. But industry experts are cautious about its long-term prospects.

Russian fans at the Olympic Park this weekend were optimistic about Sochi’s future, but all of them complained about prices, saying they are too high compared to other eastern or central European destinations.

“We see that Sochi has changed for the better,” Mikhail Savrasov from Latvia, said.

“I hope the prices will go down.”

Ski resorts in the area reported strong sales in December and January before they were closed for the Olympics, and they say they will adjust prices once life in Sochi gets back to normal.

“From what we’ve seen so far the interest is huge,” said Alexander Belokobylsky, director of Rosa Khutor resort up in Krasnaya Polyana. The company is now looking forward to the next season to see how well they can do when the games are over. “A certain price adjustment will definitely come,” Belokobylsky said: “If we see that our prices are too high and we don’t get visitors we will adjust.”

Business and the travel industry experts, however, don’t hold out much hope for Sochi as an international destination despite the breath-taking mountains and new hotels.

Unlike most European resorts, Sochi is hard to get to. There are few direct flights to Europe from Sochi, and airport fees at the Sochi Adler airport are too high for low-cost airlines to fly here. And Europeans need to apply for a visa if they want to come to Russia.

“Europeans can travel to most places in the world visa-free: Why would they want to come here if they need to get a visa?” asks Kantorovich. Belokobylsky of Rosa Khutor recalls praise and admiration he has heard from foreign officials and journalists in the past weeks, but says that getting them to come back here will be difficult. “We need direct flights,” he said.

“But these are things we cannot influence.” —AP

Woods, Scott, Mickelson contest in Honda Classic Scott returns after a six-week break PALM BEACH GARDENS: Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy will play in the same tournament for the first time this year when they contest the Honda Classic starting in south Florida yesterday.

The $6 million PGA Tour event used to be the weak link on the four-stop PGA Tour Florida swing, but no longer as a confluence of factors has brought the game’s four biggest global stars together in Palm Beach Gardens.

Woods and McIlroy both now live locally, while Scott and Mickelson opted to skip the World Golf Championships Match Play event in Arizona last week (as

did Woods), and instead will use this week as the springboard for their preparation for the Masters in April.

“Once we get to Florida, we’re all thinking our way to Augusta,” Woods told reporters at Palm Beach National on Wednesday.

He has played only two events this year, struggling by his own high standards both times, but he has at least three more tournaments to find his competitive legs before the first major of the year at Augusta National.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how well I was hitting it today,” said Woods, whose form has prompted former British

PALM BEACH GARDENS: Tiger Woods plays a shot during the first round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa yesterday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. —AFP

Open champion Ian Baker-Finch to suggest that the 14 times major champion stop worrying about swing intricacies and instead focus on finding his rhythm.

Woods suggested he is doing that to some extent.

“We’re just working on the same things,” Woods said of himself and coach Sean Foley. “He’s doing a lot of video and he’s looking at it. I’m not really looking at it. I know what I need to do, the feels that are associated with certain parts of the video and I’m just focused on that. He focuses on a more technical level.

“He comes up with a game plan of what I need to work on and then I go off and work on it. I’ve always done it in the past and it’s worked pretty well for me.”

Masters champion Scott, meanwhile, returns to competition after a six-week break. Since curtailing his schedule, the Australian has been a regular contender in the majors, and he says the less-ismore theory is working.

Testing ground “The last couple of years has been planned well and executed well. It’s obvious what I’m trying to peak for,” Scott said.

“I’m trying to give myself enough time to peak. What a great field this week. It’s going to be a true test.

Scott said the layout would provide a worthy challenge.

“With a tough golf course like this I think everyone is trying to measure themselves up and see where they’re at and how much work needs to be put in,” he said. —Reuters

SINGAPORE: Ryu So-yeon of South Korea lines up a putt during round one of the 2014 HSBC Women’s Champions golf tournament in Singapore yesterday. The Women’s Champions tournament takes place from February 27 to March 2. —AFP

Webb survives scare to lead in Singapore SINGAPORE: Australian veteran Karrie Webb survived some palpitations over her scorecard as she shot a fine six-underpar 66 to seize a one-stroke lead at the star-studded HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore yesterday.

Webb, disqualified from this month’s Australian Ladies Masters for signing for an incorrect score, emerged from the scorer’s tent but then hurried straight back inside, fearing she had forgotten to sign her card.

However, all was well and the 39-year-old had correctly signed for a first round of six birdies and no bogeys, enough for a one-shot lead over Caroline Hedwall and Paula Creamer.

“I just had trouble getting out of the scorer tent since then,” admitted Webb, referring to the incident in Australia’s Gold Coast when she owned up to signing for a 74 instead of a 75.

“So I walked out and couldn’t remember if I signed my card, which would have been too late anyway. But before I did an interview and said how happy I was to shoot 66, I wanted to make sure I had signed my card.”

Webb made a flying start of four birdies over the first six holes, extending a rich run of form which includes her last-day charge to victory two weeks ago at the Women’s Australian Open. —AFP

43

Sports FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Hansen scores as Canucks blank Blues NHL results/standings Results from the NHL games on Wednesday (home team in CAPS). Buffalo 5, Boston 4 (Ot); Detroit 2, Montreal 1 (Ot); Los Angeles 6, Colorado 4; Vancouver 1, St. Louis 0.

VANCOUVER: Derek Roy No 12 of the St Louis Blues trips Dan Hamhuis No 2 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on Wednesday in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. —AFP VANCOUVER: Jannik Hansen scored the game’s only goal and Eddie Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Vancouver Canucks blanked the St Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams Wednesday night. The Canucks ended their losing streak at seven games while moving into sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference. The Blues dropped their third straight decision to Vancouver this season.

Hansen broke a scoreless deadlock at 11:13 of the third period. He took a backhand stretch pass from Tom Sestito from deep in the Vancouver zone just past center ice, raced in on a breakaway and beat Jaroslav Halak with a high shot.

It was Hansen’s first goal in just over a month, a span of eight games, after he last scored Jan. 26 against Phoenix. The Canucks outshot the Blues 35-20, but Lack had no shortage of challenges. Vancouver was blanked on four power plays while St. Louis failed to score on three. Lack drew the start after backstopping the Canucks to a pair of wins over St. Louis earlier this season.

The Canucks played with the added aggression coach John Tortorella has been seeking as they outshot the Blues 14-6 in the first period. But the hosts could not beat a steady Halak, who was relatively fresh after playing just two games for Slovakia in the Olympics. Lack made some difficult saves, including one on a slap shot by Brendan Morrow with just under eight minutes left. The Canucks averted a dangerous chance when St. Louis defenseman Roman Polak slid the puck off the goal post and a few players crashed into the net, knocking it off its moorings.

The Blues rallied early in the second period, prompting Tortorella to call a timeout. But Lack stopped Kevin Shattenkirk twice with the second chance coming on a power play. The Vancouver goaltender also denied Blues captain David Backes on a one-timer during a delayed penalty and Alex Steen on a deflection, and got his pad on a shot by T.J. Oshie before defenseman Alex Edler blocked the puck as he attempted to put in the rebound. After the save, fans chanted “Eddie! Eddie!”

Halak was sharp in the late going of the second as he thwarted Chris Higgins on a rebound and denied Daniel Sedin as he drove to the net and shot. Notes: Olympians from both teams were honored in a pregame ceremony. Blues defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo drew loud cheers from the crowd when they were saluted, along with Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis and goaltender Roberto Luongo, for helping Canada win the gold medal. ... Tortorella worked his first home game since receiving a six-game suspension for storming the Calgary Flames’ dressing room area Jan. 18. ... Canucks captain Henrik Sedin returned to action after suffering an undisclosed injury before the Olympics. He missed the past two practices while tending to a personal matter in Sweden, but returned Wednesday in time for the game. Defenseman Kevin Bieksa returned after missing five games before the Olympic break with a foot injury. ... Vancouver center Ryan

Kesler sat out with a hand injury suffered while playing for the US in the Olympics. Canucks defensemen Chris Tanev (thumb) and Andrew Alberts (concussion) remained out. ... Blues defenseman Jordan Leopold missed the game due to an ankle injury. He was replaced by Carlo Colaiacovo.

Sabres 5, Bruins 4 (OT) Matt D’Agostini scored 22 seconds into overtime to give the Buffalo Sabres a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.

D’Agostini raced past Boston captain Zdeno Chara on a partial breakaway and beat Bruins goalie Chad Johnson with a backhand deke on the winning goal. He scored unassisted. His game-winner came after Sabres left winger Matt Moulson had tied the score at 4-4 with 52.3 seconds remaining in regulation.

Zemgus Girgensons, defenseman Tyler Myers and Brian Flynn also scored for the Sabres (17-34-8). Chris Kelly, Zdeno Chara and left wingers Brad Marchand and Milan Lucic scored for the Bruins (37-16-5), who erased a two-goal deficit in the second period only to falter late.

Red Wings 2, Canadiens 1 (OT) Detroit right winger Gustav Nyqvist scored 4:32 into overtime to give the Red Wings a 2-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens. Nyqvist scored his 15th goal of the season into an open left side with 27.3 seconds left in the extra period after Detroit blew a 1-0 lead late in regulation.

Montreal right winger Brian Gionta scored the tying goal with 28.7 seconds remaining in the third, ending a shutout bid for Jimmy Howard, who finished with 19 saves.

Detroit’s Todd Bertuzzi scored his first goal since Dec. 10 in the first.

He was a healthy scratch in Detroit’s eight games prior to the Olympic break after recording one point in 18 games subsequent to his previous goal.

Detroit (27-20-12), which lost its final game before the break following a 3-0-1 run, won the first two of four games against its new Atlantic Division rival and closed to within five points of Montreal (32-21-7).

Kings 6, Avalanche 4 Anze Kopitar scored twice while fellow center Jeff Carter had a goal and an assist as the Los Angeles Kings rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche.

Defenseman Robyn Regher and center Jarret Stoll also had goals for the Kings (32-22-6), who started their playoff push with a much-needed win. The Kings stumbled into the Olympic break after going 2-8-1 before the Games and they trailed 4-2 against Colorado in the second before storming back with four unanswered scores.

Ryan O’Reilly netted his 22nd goal of the season among four goalscorers for the Avalanche (37-17-5), who entered the Olympic break on 79 points. —Agencies

WESTERN CONFERENCE PACIFIC DIVISION W L OTL GF 1. Anaheim 41 14 5 196 2. San Jose 37 16 6 175 3. Los Angeles 32 22 6 145 4. Vancouver 28 24 9 147 5. Phoenix 27 21 10 163 6. Calgary 22 29 7 137 7. Edmonton 20 33 7 153

GA 147 142 132 160 169 179 199

PTS 87 80 70 65 64 51 47

1. St. Louis 2. Chicago 3. Colorado 4. Minnesota 5. Dallas 6. Winnipeg 7. Nashville

CENTRAL DIVISION 39 13 6 196 35 11 14 207 37 17 5 178 31 21 7 145 27 21 10 164 28 26 6 168 25 24 10 146

136 163 159 147 164 175 180

84 84 79 69 64 62 60

1. Boston 2. Tampa Bay 3. Montreal 4. Toronto 5. Detroit 6. Ottawa 7. Florida 8. Buffalo

EASTERN CONFERENCE ATLANTIC DIVISION 37 16 5 180 33 20 5 168 32 21 7 149 32 22 6 178 27 20 12 153 26 22 11 169 22 29 7 139 17 34 8 118

130 145 144 182 164 191 183 178

79 71 71 70 66 63 51 42

METROPOLITAN DIVISION 40 15 3 186 32 24 3 155 30 23 6 162 29 24 5 170 27 23 9 171 26 23 9 146 24 22 13 135 22 30 8 164

138 146 167 161 175 161 146 200

83 67 66 63 63 61 61 52

1. Pittsburgh 2. NY Rangers 3. Philadelphia 4. Columbus 5. Washington 6. Carolina 7. New Jersey 8. NY Islanders

Stade looks to get better of Galthie PARIS: Stade Francais will look to put pressure on Top 14 leaders Clermont when they visit Montpellier and one of their former head coaches Fabien Galthie today.

After several years in the doldrums, both on and off the pitch as financial problems bit deep, Stade look to be re-emerging as genuine title contenders under the stewardship of Argentinian Gonzalo Quesada.

They are currently second in the table, four points behind Clermont, who play away at Bordeaux tomorrow. Having won five French championships from 1998 to 2007, the last thanks to Galthie, when owned by flamboyant radio mogul Max Guazzini, Stade have not threatened the likes of Toulouse, Toulon or Clermont in recent years.

However, Quesada has blended a potent mix of older players, such as France captain Pascal Pape and Italian counterpart Sergio Parisse-who misses the trip to Montpellier-with young ones such as Jules Plisson and Hugo Bonneval, both capped in this season’s Six Nations for the first time.

Stade will travel on the back of a last-minute win over relegation-threatened Oyonnax last weekend, a familiar feature of their play this season as they have competed until the final whistle where in previous years they tended to drop their heads in tight matches and fallen away.

“We have our feet on the ground but we are marching with our heads held high,” said Quesada, who has been credited also for his excellent personal touch with the players. Montpellier, who have become regular title contenders under Galthie, reaching the final in 2011, will welcome them having had their three-match winning run brought to a juddering halt by Clermont last Saturday. —AFP

Sports FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Belinelli, balanced Spurs beat Pistons 120-110 SAN ANTONIO: Marco Belinelli had 20 points to lead eight San Antonio players in double figures, and the Spurs worked through a lethargic start to beat the Detroit Pistons 120-110 on Wednesday night. Kawhi Leonard had 15 points in his return from a 14-game absence due to a broken finger. Manu Ginobili scored 16 points, Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter had 13 apiece, Boris Diaw added 12, Patty Mills 11 and Cory Joseph 10. Josh Smith scored 24 points for Detroit, which has lost three straight.

Will Bynum added 18 points, Rodney Stuckey 17 and Andre Drummond had 16 points and 17 rebounds. San Antonio (41-16) got off to a sloppy start despite having two practices during a five-day break following its annual Rodeo Road Trip that lasted nearly a month.

The Spurs had 11 turnovers in the opening half, leading to 13 points and some pointed coaching by Gregg Popovich. “What the heck are you guys doing?” Popovich screamed during a timeout following consecutive turnovers. In the second half, San Antonio returned to the crisp ball movement that became a staple of its early victories. The Spurs had 10 assists in the third quarter while shooting 12 for 19 from the field.

Leonard had the initial assist of the quarter, leaping over a fallen defender to throw a bounce pass that Duncan gathered for a running slam ahead of Smith. San Antonio went on a 17-6 run beginning midway through the third to take an 85-75 lead with 2 minutes left in the quarter.

Belinelli had seven points in the run and Ginobili added five points and assisted on two of Belinelli’s baskets. Belinelli returned the favor later, drawing Kyle Singler away defensively on a fast break and dishing to Ginobili for an open layup that gave San Antonio a 111-99 lead with 3:36 remaining in the game. Leonard missed his first two tries from the field, coming up a foot short on a 16-foot attempt from the right corner on the game’s opening shot. He was credited with a follow of a missed free throw that Drummond appeared to tip in.

Leonard followed with a 3-pointer and threw down a righthanded dunk on Smith off an alley-oop pass from Joseph.

Leonard grabbed the brace on his right hand after the dunk, but quickly rose to race back on defense.

Cleveland 114, Oklahoma City 104 Kyrie Irving scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to help the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Oklahoma City 114-104 Wednesday night, giving the Thunder their third straight loss since the All-Star break. Jarrett Jack scored 21 points, Spencer Hawes had 19 and Tristan Thompson added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Cleveland shot 14 for 21 from the field in the fourth quarter against the Western Conference-leading Thunder.

Kevin Durant had 28 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, Russell Westbrook had 24 points and nine assists, and Serge Ibaka added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder.

Oklahoma City is 0-3 since Westbrook returned from his latest knee surgery.

Clippers 101, Rockets 93 Blake Griffin had 23 points and 16 rebounds and reserve Darren Collison scored seven of his 19 points in the final 2:09 to lift Los Angeles past Houston. The Clippers won for the sixth time in eight games, converting 20 Houston turnovers into 30 points. DeAndre Jordan had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his 30th double-double. His previous career high was 12 last season.

Jamal Crawford, who had a season-high seven 3-pointers Monday night in a win at New Orleans, was 1 for 6 behind the arc against the Rockets and left the game for good with 13 seconds remaining in the first half because of a left calf strain. He had eight points in 15 minutes. Dwight Howard had 23 points and 11 rebounds, and James Harden added 18 points for the Rockets.

Bulls 103, Warriors 83 Taj Gibson scored 21 points, Carlos Boozer added 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Chicago used a big third-quarter run to win for the seventh time in eight games by pounding Golden State. Jimmy Butler scored 16 points after missing two games with bruised ribs, Mike Dunleavy Jr. added 15, and Joakim Noah grabbed 17 rebounds for the Bulls.

They also dominated on the glass 56-41, forced 16 turnovers and held All-Star Stephen Curry in check while bringing Golden State’s four-game win streak to an emphatic end.

Jordan Crawford scored 16 points for the Warriors and David Lee came off the bench to get 11 points in 20 minutes after being hospitalized with a stomach flu and missing two games, but Curry tied a season low with five points on 2-of-10 shooting.

OKLAHOMA CITY: Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Wednesday. Cleveland won 114-104. — AP Mavericks 108, Pelicans 89 Dirk Nowitzki shook off an early shoulder issue to finish with 18 points in Dallas’ victory and New Orleans All-Star Anthony Davis was knocked out of the game with a similar problem.

Nowitzki went to the locker room 31 seconds into the game holding his left shoulder but emerged a short time later and returned to the game. He even had a spin move and finished with a left -handed finger roll in the first half. Davis, the Pelicans’ leading scorer and rebounder, was holding his sprained left shoulder on his way to play defense and didn’t return after leaving the game during a New Orleans timeout with 4:13 left in the first half.

The Mavericks (36-23) are a season-high 13 games over .500 after their fourth straight win, and the Pelicans stayed winless since the All-Star break at 0-5. Eric Gordon led New Orleans with 19 points, and Brian Roberts had 17. Monta Ellis led Dallas with 23 points, seven assists and four steals, while Vince Carter scored 17.

Trail Blazers 124, Nets 80 Will Barton had a season-high 20 points and career-high 11 rebounds, providing a spark off the bench for short-handed Portland in its rout of Brooklyn. The Blazers won their fourth straight game despite missing forward LaMarcus Aldridge. The team’s top scorer and rebounder has been out five games with a left groin sprain. Jason Collins, who became the NBA’s first openly gay player when he signed a 10-day contract with the Nets on Sunday, entered the game without fan reaction and played a pair of scoreless stretches in the fourth quarter. Mo Williams scored 21 points and Nicolas Batum had 19 to lead seven Portland players in double figures. Deron Williams had 12 points for the Nets, who had their lowest point total this season.

Jazz 109, Suns 86 Gordon Hayward had 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lead a balanced offense and Utah cruised to victory over slumping Phoenix. Richard Jefferson scored 17 points, Diante Garrett had a career-high 15 and the Jazz had seven players in double figures. The Jazz shot 57.5 percent from the field, the highest mark of any Phoenix opponent this season. Gerald Green had 17 points and rookie Archie Goodwin matched his careerbest with 16 for the Suns. Playing their only road game in a ninegame stretch, the Suns have been looking to improve their playoff position. However, with a third straight loss, Phoenix leads

Memphis by just one-half game for the eighth and final Western Conference berth.

Grizzlies 108, Lakers 103 Courtney Lee scored 18 points, Marc Gasol had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Memphis weathered Los Angeles’ late 3-point shooting display. Tony Allen added 17 points, James Johnson 14 and Zach Randolph 13 for Memphis.

Jodie Meeks led the Lakers with 19 points, Wesley Johnson added 18 and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers were 7 of 11 on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and Jordan Farmar’s 3 from 29 feet with about 15 seconds left pulled Los Angeles to 106-103. However, Lee’s two free throws closed the scoring.

Celtics 115, Hawks 104 Jerryd Bayless scored a season-high 29 points in a rare start, and Rajon Rondo added 22 points and 11 assists to help Boston break a five-game losing streak with a victory over slumping Atlanta. Six players scored in double figures for Boston. Rondo’s double-double was his second straight and fifth overall since he returned from a knee injury on Jan. 17. Jeff Teague had 26 points and DeMarre Carroll scored 24 off the bench for Atlanta, which lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

Back home after an 0-4 West Coast trip, the Celtics had only nine healthy players after a sore toe forced rookie Kelly Olynyk to the bench alongside regular starters Jared Sullinger and Avery Bradley. The Hawks were missing five injured players, including starters Al Horford and Paul Millsap.

Magic 101, 76ers 90 Jameer Nelson scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Nik Vucevic had 21 points and 13 rebounds to help Orlando snap a 16-game road losing streak. Nelson added 12 assists for the Magic, who last won on the road at Chicago on Dec. 16.

Victor Oladipo added 17 points, and Maurice Harkless and Tobias Harris scored 13 apiece. Thaddeus Young had 19 points for the Sixers, who lost their 12th straight overall and 11th in a row at home. Tony Wroten scored 15 points, Eric Maynor 13 and Henry Sims 10 for Philadelphia, which bought out the contract of Danny Granger earlier Wednesday. The 76ers finished 011 in February. — Agencies

Sports FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Relegation battle adds spice to the North derby HAMBURG: The battle to avoid relegation will add extra spice when Werder Bremen and Hamburg SV, northern Germany’s two most popular clubs, meet for the 100th time in the Bundesliga tomorrow (1430 GMT).

Hamburg are the only ever-present in the Bundesliga’s 51-year history while hosts Bremen have missed only one season, following their relegation in 1980, yet both teams find themselves in danger of tumbling down to Bundesliga 2. Their ‘Nordderby’ has produced some memorable clashes in the past and reached its height in the 2008-09 season when the sides met four times within the space of three weeks.

The faced each other twice in a UEFA Cup semi-final, which Bremen won on away goals after a win apiece, once in a German Cup semi-final, which Bremen won on penalties, and once in a Bundesliga game which Bremen also won. This time, however, things are rather different, with seven-times German champions Hamburg lying 16th in the table, the relegation playoff place, and fourtimes champions Bremen only three points and two

places above them. Bremen, who find themselves in a relegation battle for the second season in a row, have not won a league game since returning from the winter break on Jan. 26, although they have drawn their last two.

Hamburg plunged down the table after a catastrophic run of seven successive defeats under Dutchman Bert van Marwijk, who was eventually sacked. Despite bouncing back to beat Hamburg SV 3-0 in their first game under Mirko Slomka last Saturday, they remain perilously positioned. “We must play with controlled aggression,” Werder’s sporting director Thomas Eichin told Sky. “With a three-pointer for Bremen, the world will be in order.”

Key battle Honours have been shared almost evenly over the years with 31 wins for Hamburg, 35 for Bremen and 33 draws. Both teams have scored 148 goals in the fixture.

“We know what this game means, for us, the club and the whole city,” Hamburg goalkeeper Rene Adler said.

There is another key relegation clash on Sunday (1630)

when Eintracht Frankfurt, who have 22 points and are above Bremen on goal difference, host Stuttgart, who are 15th on 19 points after losing their last seven league games.

With so many traditional clubs involved, the bottom of the table is providing more excitement that the top, where Bayern Munich have moved 19 points clear and are threatening to wrap up the title race before the end of March. Bayern, who have dropped only four points all season in their 22 league games, host a Schalke 04 (Saturday, 1730) team who have been left battered and bruised after a 6-1 home defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Bayern, who won 4-0 at Schalke earlier in the season, will be aiming for their 15th consecutive league win and their 48th without defeat. Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen (43 points) are at home to midtable Mainz 05 (Saturday, 1430) while Borussia Dortmund, third on 42 points, host improving Nuremberg (Saturday, 1430). — Reuters

Real Madrid looking to bury Atletico’s title challenge

SINGAPORE: A general view of the under construction National Stadium in Singapore yesterday. Singapore’s state-of-the-art new National Stadium will host international football and an Asia-Pacific Super rugby team after it opens as part of the billion-dollar Sports Hub project in June, officials said yesterday. — AFP

Singapore’s new Sports Hub unveils rugby, tennis events SINGAPORE: Sports fans can look forward to international rugby and women’s tennis - along with Asian soccer, swimming and badminton events once the new Singapore Sports Hub has its soft launch in April and opens fully in June.

Other attractions announced yesterday included concerts by Lionel Ritchie in April, Taylor Swift in June and Taiwanese star Jay Chou in November. (www.sportshub.com.sg) The new complex, featuring the 55,000-seat National Stadium and a variety of other facilities, gives Singapore the economy of scale to host large sporting events and concerts as the Southeast Asian city-state markets itself as a worldclass leisure and lifestyle destination.

Philippe Delavaud, chief executive of SportsHub Pte Ltd, said more events will be confirmed as promoters look at the new stadium and the existing 13,000seat Indoor Stadium, which has become part of the complex.

The Women’s Tennis Association championships will be held at Indoor Stadium in October and ASEAN Football Championship matches at National Stadium late in the year.

“We are continuously improving the

lineup,” Delavaud, a former chief executive of Stade de France, told reporters.

“Our strategy, it’s not to create a stadium for specific types of events. It’s really to offer a portfolio of events.” Sports Hub, east of the downtown core on a plot the size of 70 football fields, is still a construction site.

But the organisers insist everything will be ready in time for the April launch and two events in June - the rugby World Club 10s in the big stadium and the Southeast Asia swimming championships at the aquatic centre.

The complex - for public use and training by Singapore’s national athletes - also has a number of arenas and courts, plus commercial space and a water sports area in Kallang Basin. Low Teo Ping, president of the Singapore Rugby Union, said he could not yet reveal the teams lined up for the World Club 10s - a hybrid of the sevens and 15s games - but they will come from “the northern and southern hemispheres, from right across the world”. “We’ve just put in our expression of interest to host the Rugby Sevens Series that will begin next year,” he said.

“We’ve also put in our expression of interest to bid for the Rugby World Cup in 2018.”—Reuters

MADRID: Real Madrid can bury Atletico’s hopes of winning La Liga with a third straight victory against their city neighbours on Sunday that would leave the capital’s second club trailing by six points.

Atletico stunned their bitter local rivals 2-1 at Real’s own Bernabeu stadium in last season’s King’s Cup final and followed up with a 1-0 success at the same venue in La Liga at the end of September. However, Real have greatly improved as the season has progressed and they dumped holders Atletico out of this term’s Cup 5-0 on aggregate in their two-legged semi-final this month.

Unbeaten in 27 matches in all competitions, Real are in ominous form before Sunday’s trip across town to Atletico’s Calderon stadium and will be buoyed by their 61 success at German side Schalke 04 in the Champions League on Wednesday. They took over from Barcelona, who host promoted Almeria on Sunday, at the top of La Liga last weekend when both Barca and Atletico suffered surprise defeats.

Real have 63 points with 13 games left, with Barca, chasing a fifth title in six years, and Atletico on 60.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, who took over from Jose Mourinho at the end of last term, has eliminated the defensive lapses that cost his team earlier in the season.

With Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in a three-pronged attack, the Italian has one of the most lethal forward lines in football and each scored twice in Wednesday’s romp in Gelsenkirchen.

“We have a lot of potential up front,” midfielder Xabi Alonso, whose composure and passing ability help Real

control their opponents, told reporters after the Schalke game. “We create a lot of chances and it’s good news that the three forwards are fired up,” added the Spain international. “Sunday’s game is very important for us and it is going to be very tough.

“We are confident but we know that each match is a different story. If we don’t go out with the same focus as today any team is capable of giving us a scare.”

Genuine challenge Atletico, who are also through to the last 16 of the Champions League, are mounting a genuine challenge for the La Liga title for the first time since they won a league and Cup double in 1996. Diego Simeone, a former Argentina midfielder, was part of that team and has transformed the club since he took over as coach at the end of 2011, leading them to a Europa League triumph in 2012 and the Cup success last season.

However, last weekend’s shock 3-0 reverse at Osasuna, when Simeone left a number of key players out of his starting lineup, suggested they may not have a deep enough squad to cope with a gruelling calendar. Fullback Juanfran said the team are keen to put last week’s stumble behind them and reignite their title challenge.

“We are keen to prepare the match well and if we beat Madrid things will be different,” he said on Atletico’s website (www.clubatleticodemadrid.com). “We are playing at our stadium, where we are unbeaten (in La Liga this season) and I am convinced we will play a good match and win,” he added. — Reuters

SEOUL: Under-20 national soccer players wear new uniforms for South Korea’s national soccer team for 2014 World Cup during a press unveiling in Seoul, yesterday. South Korea will face Russia, Belgium and Algeria in 2014 Brazil World Cup. — AP

Sports FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Japan are no World Cup underdogs, says coach TOKYO: Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said yesterday his squad can match Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece in their World Cup group, despite their underdog status in the global pecking order.

“I am confident we can go head-to-head with any of them if we perform to the best of our abilities,” the Italian tactician said as he announced his squad for a friendly against New Zealand in Tokyo next Wednesday.

“About gaps with other teams in the group, I feel there are not so big gaps. I’d rather say there are none.”

Zaccheroni called up the usual suspects for the 23-man squad including Keisuke Honda, who has yet to show a spark in AC Milan’s midfield after moving from CSKA Moscow in January, and Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa who has mostly warmed the bench under David Moyes.

Inter Milan’s Yuto Nagatomo is expected to play left back for Japan as usual.

But Schalke defender Atsuto Uchida and Nuremberg midfielder Makoto Hasebe were dropped due to injuries.

The Blue Samurai, four-time Asian champions, will play Cyprus at home on May 27 in their only other warm-up match before the World Cup months of June and July.

Zaccheroni said New Zealand, who failed to qualify for

Brazil but impressed at South Africa 2010 with three draws at the group stage, are “ideal opponents” at this point.

“They are physically strong and it will be an important game in our preparations.”

Japan’s opponents in World Cup Group C are all ranked higher in the FIFA table. Colombia stand fifth against Greece (12), Ivory Coast (23) and Japan (50).

“It is not an easy group but it is well balanced,” Zaccheroni said. “At the moment, Colombia seem somewhat ahead as they have wealth of talented players, many of them playing abroad.”

“They are capable of mixing quality with accuracy and speed of play. I have the impression that they are a great team.” Ivory Coast have the potential to become “the eye of the storm”, said Zaccheroni, who took over the Blue Samurai after they reached the last 16 at South Africa 2010.

He said the West African nation are accustomed to the hot weather they’ll encounter in Brazil. “But they seem to have ups and downs at times.”

“Greece are a difficult side to play,” Zaccheroni said, explaining that the former European champions “play a kind of football which cancels out the strengths of opponents”. “They are highly accurate on the counterat-

tack and they are united in defence,” he said. Zaccheroni believed Japan, known for their well organised play that they frequently fail to convert into goals, may not feel there is such a gap with group opponents “if we play our own brand of football”.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege/BEL), Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Reds) Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo) Defenders: Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata) Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka) Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata) Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan/ITA) Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo) Maya Yoshida (Southampton/ENG) Hiroki Sakai (Hannover/GER) Gotoku Sakai (Stuttgart/GER) Midfielders: Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka) Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima) Hajime Hosogai (Hertha Berlin/GER) Keisuke Honda (AC Milan/ITA) Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United/ENG) Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremberg/GER) Manabu Saito (Yokohama Marinos) Hotaru Yamaguchi (Cerezo Osaka) Forwards: Shinji Okazaki (Mainz/GER) Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka) Masato Kudo (Kashiwa Reysol) Yuya Osako (TSV 1860 Munich/GER). —AFP

Defoe retained by England as Shaw gets first call-up LONDON: England manager Roy Hodgson yesterday awarded 18-yearold Southampton left-back Luke Shaw his first senior call-up for next week’s friendly match against Denmark at Wembley Stadium.

Shaw, an England Under-21 international, is one of three left-backs named in the 30-man squad alongside Chelsea’s Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines of Everton.

“Everyone who’s watched him play recently will not deny that he deserves a place in a large squad list. He’s been playing extremely well,” Hodgson said of Shaw. “It’s a position where we’re very well off, but he’s a player who wants to compete with the other two for a place on the plane to Brazil and I thought it

was the right time to bring him in and give him a chance to show us what he can do.”

Striker Jermain Defoe retained his place in the squad despite his imminent move from Tottenham Hotspur to Toronto FC, while Cardiff City centreback Steven Caulker came in for injured Everton man Phil Jagielka.

There was a recall for winger Raheem Sterling, following some excellent recent displays for Liverpool, but Sunderland winger Adam Johnson and Everton midfielder Gareth Barry were overlooked despite each advancing strong cases for call-ups in recent weeks.

However, Hodgson said that it was not too late for players not selected, including West Ham United striker Andy

LONDON: England international soccer team manager Roy Hodgson speaks about the England squad for the upcoming international against Denmark during the press conference at Wembley Stadium, London yesterday. Jermain Defoe retained his place in the England squad for the friendly against Denmark on Wednesday March 5, 2014, despite his impending move to Canada. Defoe, who has scored 19 goals in 55 England games, has appeared in only two Tottenham games in two months as he prepares to head to Toronto FC for the start of the Major League Soccer season next month. —AP

Carroll, to force their way into his plans for the World Cup. “This is the 30 I’ve chosen today and I’ll stand by it, but but it’s not a definitive squad,” he told a press conference.

“Andy Carroll has hardly played, but we’ll keep an eye on him. Johnson of course we know, but with the competition at the moment (in wide areas) I decided not to include him in the squad.

“Gareth Barry has not been with us for these past two years, but I know him and I’d not be averse to calling him up if there was a place in the team.”

England’s friendly against Denmark next Wednesday will be Hodgson’s last opportunity to assess the players at his disposal before he names his squad for the World Cup in Brazil, which begins on June 12.

England 30-man squad to play Denmark in friendly game at Wembley Stadium on March 5, announced by manager Roy Hodgson on Thursday: Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic/SCO), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City) Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City/WAL), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC/CAN), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United). —AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: Denis Stracqualursi of Ecuador’s Emelec, left, heads the ball against Victor Caceres of Brazil’s Flamengo during a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday. —AP

English soccer bid farewell to Finney PRESTON: English soccer bade farewell yesterday to former Preston North End and England winger Tom Finney, who died this month aged 91.

Thousands lined the streets of Preston in north-west England and applauded his cortege as it passed Deepdale stadium, home of his only club.

The city came to a standstill for his funeral and the service at Preston Minster was attended by 600 mourners, including Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Armfield and Tommy Docherty.

Docherty, who played more than 300 games for Preston, told the congregation that Finney was “the greatest player I have ever seen. When I see Lionel Messi on the television playing for Barcelona I think maybe you could be as good as Tom. “He was quiet and modest but he was amazing, he had two great feet and made ordinary players on his team look good and I should know.”

Finney, who was knighted in 1998 for services to football, scored 30 goals for England in 76 internationals and played 569 matches for Preston from 1946 until he retired in 1960.

Preston born and bred, Finney never won a major honour but was the first player to win England’s Footballer of the Year award twice, in 1954 and 1957.

The vicar of Preston, Father Timothy Lipscomb, said in his address: “We remember his loyalty, his humility, his respect for local traditions and his self-effacing nature.”

England and Denmark players will wear black armbands and fans will be asked to celebrate Finney’s life with a minute’s applause before next week’s friendly international at Wembley.

The armbands and applause will also be a mark of respect for former Denmark coach Richard Moeller Nielsen who died this month aged 76. —Reuters

Sports FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

Akmal’s fighting ton helps Pakistan down Afghanistan

HYDERABAD: In this Sept 20, 2011 file photo, then Auckland player Lou Vincent plays a shot during the Champions League Twenty20 cricket qualifying match between Somerset and Auckland in Hyderabad, India.

Former New Zealand test cricketer Vincent has pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to report an approach from a illegal bookmaker while playing in the Bangladesh Premier League. — AP

Vincent found guilty of match fixing charge DHAKA: Former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent has pleaded guilty to not reporting an approach by a bookmaker while playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) last year.

The 35-year-old Vincent is one of three former New Zealand cricketers under investigation by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for alleged match-fixing.

Vincent, who retired from all cricket last year, had failed to report the approach to the ICC while playing for the Khulna Royal Bengals in the domestic Twenty20 competition in January last year.

“I confirm I rejected this approach at the time,” Vincent said in a statement carried by New Zealand media on Thursday.

“There is no allegation or suggestion anything untoward occurred beyond the approach itself.

“I also express I have no involvement in any of the matches, or matters, involving the other parties, which were the subject of recent hearings and investigation in Bangladesh.

“Unfortunately, I am unable to comment any further on this matter, as it is subject to an ongoing judicial process.

“I am also continuing to co-operate with the ICC in respect of other inquiries, they are making, which also restricts my ability to comment any further.”

The two other New Zealand cricketers being investigated have been named by local media but New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has declined to confirm their identities.

The three have been probed as part of a wider investigation into alleged match-fixing in the BPL. An anti-corruption tribunal found the managing director of BPL champions Dhaka Gladiators, Shihab Jishan Chowdury, guilty of a charge for being “a party to an effort to fix a match against Chittagong”.

The tribunal dropped charges against six other Dhaka players and officials, including Kent cricketer Darren Stevens, who was found not guilty of a charge of failing to report an illegal approach by a bookmaker.

The tribunal said it would set a hearing date for the sanction against Chowdury after releasing the “full reasons” of the judgement within two weeks.

In a joint statement, the ICC and Bangladesh Cricket Board said they were “surprised and obviously disappointed with the outcome” of the tribunal hearing and held out the possibility of appealing the judgement.

Former Bangladesh captain and Dhaka batsman Mohammad Ashraful is also expected to be sanctioned within the next two weeks after confessing to match-fixing charges last year. — Reuters

DHAKA: Umar Akmal hit a fighting hundred to help Pakistan overcome early wobbles against Afghanistan to win their crucial Asia Cup match by 72 runs in Dhaka yesterday.

Pakistan owed their recovery to Akmal’s 89-ball 102 not out, which lifted them from a precarious 1176 to 248-8 in 50 overs before they wrapped up their rivals for 176 in 47.2 overs.

Afghanistan, playing their inaugural match in the five-nation tournament, impressed despite the defeat-but their lack of experience stopped them from causing an upset. Chasing a daunting target, the Afghans were 139-2 in the 36th over before losing their last eight wickets for 37 runs as Mohammad Hafeez (3-29) and Saeed Ajmal (2-25) gave Pakistan a win with a bonus point.

Asghar Stanikzai (40) and Nawroz Mangal (35) shared a 74run partnership for the third wicket but they failed to match the required net run-rate which climbed on them, undoing their run-chase. Shahid Afridi dismissed Stanikzai to break the partnership before Mangal ran himself out to spark a collapse.

Noor Ali Zadran had given Afghanistan a solid start with a 63ball 44 with seven fours, before he fell victim to Ajmal’s dot balls.

Hafeez had Najibullah Zadran (one) and Samiullah Shinwari (14) to complete the win. Earlier, it was Akmal who saved Pakistan’s blushes with a dominating second oneday century-his first in five years.

In all he hit seven boundaries and three sixes, helping Pakistan to put on 59 runs in the last five overs.

Akmal, let off at 28, led the fightback through a 60-run seventh wicket stand with Anwar Ali (21) to lift Pakistan’s innings.

Pakistan began fluently with a stand of 55 between Ahmed Shehzad (50), who hit seven boundaries in his 74-ball innings, and Sharjeel Khan (25).

But once spinner Hamza Hotak (1-22) had provided the breakthrough by dismissing Khan, Afghanistan grabbed six wickets in the space of 62 runs.

Hafeez fell for ten, Misbah-ul Haq was run out for nought without facing a ball, Sohaib Maqsood went for 13 and Shahid Afridi for six. Misbah, the world’s highest run scorer in one-day cricket last year, was the dismissal which jolted Pakistan badly. But Akmal held the innings together to ensure Pakistan reached a respectable total. Mirwais Ashraf, Shinwari and Dawlat Zadran took two wickets apiece. India, who beat Bangladesh by six wickets, will face Sri Lanka on Friday. Sri Lanka won the tournament’s opener by 12 runs against Pakistan on Tuesday. — AFP

SCOREBOARD FATULLAH: Scoreboard after Pakistan defeated Afghanistan by 72 runs in the Asia Cup at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium yesterday: Pakistan S Khan c NA Zadran b Hotak 25 A Shehzad b Shenwari 50 M Hafeez c Nabi b Ashraf 10 Maqsood c Stanikzai b Shenwari 13 Misbah-ul-Haq run out 0 Umar Akmal not out 102 Shahid Afridi b D Zadran 6 Anwar Ali c Mangal b Ashraf 21 Umar Gul b D Zadran 15 Saeed Ajmal not out 1 Extras: (2lb, 2w, 1nb) 5 TOTAL: (for 8 wickets) 248 Overs: 50.

Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-78, 3-89, 4-89, 5108, 6-117, 7-177, 8-217 Did not bat: Junaid Khan.

Bowling: Shapoor Zadran 9-1-42-0 (1w), Dawlat Zadran 10-0-73-2 (1nb), Mohammad Nabi 8-0 46-0, Hamza Hotak 8-1-22-1, Mirwais Ashraf 8-1-29-2, Samiullah Shenwari 7-0-34-2 (1w) Afghanistan M Shahzad c Akmal b Gul

9

Noor Ali Zadran lbw b Ajmal 44 A Stanikzai c Hafeez b Afridi 40 Nawroz Mangal run out 35 Mohammad Nabi lbw b Gul 15 Najibullah Zadran b Hafeez 1 S Shenwari b Hafeez 14 Mirwais Ashraf run out 4 Dawlat Zadran b Ajmal 0 S Zadran c Ajmal b Hafeez 1 Hamza Hotak not out 0 Extras: (8b, 5w) 13 TOTAL: (all out) 176 Overs: 47.2.

Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-65, 3-139, 4-140, 5151, 6-159, 7-172, 8-172, 9-175, 10-176.

Bowling: Umar Gul 9-0-44-2, Junaid Khan 4-0-23-0, Anwar Ali 6-1-16-0, Shahid Afridi 10-0-31-1, Saeed Ajmal 9-1-25-2 (2w), Mohammad Hafeez 9.2-0-29-3 (3w).

Toss: Afghanistan.

Result: Pakistan won by 72 runs.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, New Zealand, and Johan Cloete, South Africa.

TV umpire: CK Nandan, India. Match referee: Chris Broad, England. — AP

FATULLAH: Pakistani batsman Anwar Ali (L) attempts to complete his run as Afghan wicketkeeper Mohammad Shehzad (R) jumps to catch a ball during the third match of the Asia Cup one-day cricket tournament between Pakistan and Afghanistan at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah, on the outskirts of Dhaka, yesterday. — AFP

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

www.kuwaittimes.net

FATULLAH: Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal, left, and Anwar Ali celebrate the dismissal of Afghanistan’s Nawroz Mangal during the Asia Cup one-day international cricket tournament between them in Fatullah, near Dhaka, Bangladesh, yesterday. Pakistan won by 72 runs. — AP

Pakistan down Afghanistan Page 47