27 Jan

CR IP TI ON BS SU

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Trucks keep plying roads despite rush hour ban

150 FILS

Wawrinka stuns injured Nadal to win Aussie Open

27 20 8 370 kg of drugs seized in big narcotics bust

40 PAGES

NO: 16059

Toy story: Old favourites fight rise of the tablet

Syria to allow women, children to leave besieged Homs

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RABI ALAWWAL 26, 1435 AH

700 kg of hashish confiscated in 6 months

Max 21º Min 09º High Tide 09:25 & 19:33 Low Tide 02:52 & 13:22

By Hanan Al-Saadoun conspiracy theories

Hanging in the well

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

A

fter many years of debates and complaints by young Kuwaitis about the housing problems they face in Kuwait, this year the parliament took the initiative to look into the issue seriously.

After making many promises during the pre-election campaigns, the honorable gentlemen finally decided to fulfill them. So they debated the issue in parliament. But what is the use of this debate? I guess they just aimed to show us that they kept their pre-election promises.

I think that the housing issue needs a complete revamp. We did not ask the MPs to debate increasing the KD 70,000 loan after fulfilling many conditions as help for someone to start building a house. In all honesty, what can KD 70,000 do today? Look at the price of land in Kuwait. Let’s say you want to build a small house. The minimum you need is not less than 300 square meters. Can the government tell me how much is a plot of this size going to cost? How about the cost of building on it? I will also leave this to your imagination.

A minimum of KD 150,000 is needed for a basic house without expensive ceramics or marble. The land of course costs not less than KD 250,000, and I am not exaggerating. So to the KD 250,000 add another KD 150,000. Is the government-provided KD 70,000 enough? What can you do with it? Can you furnish your kitchen or landscape your garden with it?

After all the debating, the MPs come up with the brilliant idea that the housing allowance should be increased from KD 70,000 to KD 100,000. Then of course, somebody smart in the government thought of the following idea - “Why should we give KD 30,000? Instead we will supply construction materials - cement and steel rods for example - for the amount of KD 30,000. Very smart! May I know what is the mechanism of buying the construction materials and which company is going to buy these things and sell them to the public? Somebody is going to make big bucks out of this arrangement.

Imagine if somebody wins the tender to support the nation with construction materials that will be distributed to individuals. How much commission is he going to take from the KD 30,000? Nice and cleancut money-making operation. Bravo parliament!

Do you know what you are doing, guys? There is an Arabic proverb that explains it best: You are throwing everyone who wants to build with the help of the housing allowance in the well without cutting the rope. You keep them hanging. Even if you give them an extra KD 30,000, it will not be enough to build a house. Either you do it properly, for example like they do it in Dubai (I think there is no need for me to shock you about how they actually do it), or cancel it.

KUWAIT: An Egyptian truck driver is seen with drugs seized from his truck at the Abdaly border yesterday. (See Page 5)

KUWAIT: In one of the largest hauls of its kind, 370 kg of drugs were confiscated at Abdaly border post yesterday. A security source said the drugs were seized from an Egyptian trucker coming from Iraq. Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al-Sabah accompanied by Undersecretary Lt Gen Suleiman Al-Fahd visited the Drugs Control General Department and was briefed on the latest bust where 360 kg of hashish and 10 kg of opium were confiscated.

The truck that carried the drugs was raided following a week of surveillance after information was received that a shipment had entered Kuwait from a neighboring country loaded with hashish and opium. The truck was located and a warrant was obtained to search it. A secret compartment was found in the bed of the truck.

Firemen cut open the metal sheeting and found the stash.

Sources said 700 kg of hashish has been confiscated during the past six months, along with 600,000 hallucinatory pills. Sheikh Mohammad and Fahd supervised the opening of the containers containing the drugs, and expressed satisfaction towards the efforts of the criminal security departments in facing such crimes. The minister urged the DCGD to “continue fighting this menace to protect our youth, our most valuable asset”.

Khorafi files to grill Ibrahim MP alleges mismanagement, squandering of public funds

By B Izzak

Egypt calls election a day after carnage CAIRO: Egypt yesterday announced early presidential elections likely to anoint the general who overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, as the country reeled from a weekend of violence that killed dozens of people.

Interim president Adly Mansour announced the poll in a televised address, a day after 49 people died in clashes between Islamist protesters and

police and thousands rallied in Cairo in support of military chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. Sisi was expected to declare his candidacy for the election, scheduled before mid-April, after a show of support including Saturday’s large rally in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

But the weekend clashes and bombings also highlighted the interim Continued on Page 13

CAIRO: A relative mourns as the coffin of one of the victims of clashes between supporters and opponents of Egyptís military is carried away yesterday at the Zeinhom morgue. — AFP

KUWAIT: Less than three weeks after the formation of the new Cabinet, MP Adel Al-Khorafi yesterday filed to grill Minister of Public Works and Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim over alleged mismanagement, squandering of public funds, non-cooperation with the National Assembly and technical and administrative violations. Ibrahim was one of few members of the old Cabinet, along with most members of the ruling family, to be retained in the new lineup despite threats by several MPs to grill him.

Khorafi accused the minister of making sudden and unnecessary changes in some projects that cost the state millions of dinars in addition to delays, and also scrapping some contracts after awarding them. He also accused the minister of providing false and incomplete information to the Assembly about the situation of power and water production, saying part of his statements were designed to scare people.

Khorafi based his grilling on four main issues: Deterioration of services and bad implementation of projects; squandering of public funds; non-cooperation with MPs and technical and administrative violations. On the first issue, he cited the recent problem on most Kuwaiti roads following rains in which the upper layers of many roads became loose and gravel hit thousands of vehicles causing heavy damages. Khorafi claimed that the problem is technical and the minister was alerted by technical studies stating that

KUWAIT: MP Adel Al-Khorafi speaks to the press after filing to grill Minister of Public Works and Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim yesterday.

— Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh the paving method of roads was technically wrong and led to this problem.

He said that one of the reports submitted to the minister came from the Kuwait paving producers’ union which said the materials used in the paving lacked a key ingredient responsible for making the materials cohesive. The union also said that the ministry fails to carry out regular maintenance works on the roads.

Khorafi accused the minister of providing wrong information about the power situation in the country in a bid to scare people. He cited a statement made Continued on Page13

in the

news

HRW slams activist’s jailing, deportation KUWAIT: Human Right Watch yesterday condemned as “shocking” a Kuwaiti court’s five-year jail sentence followed by deportation against an online rights activist for criticising HH the Amir on Twitter. A lower court imposed the sentence on Abdullah Fairouz Abdullah Abd Al-Kareem, 30, on Jan 9 for posting comments on the microblogging website deemed offensive to the Amir. The court also ordered Kareem to be deported after serving the jail term although he has the right to Kuwaiti citizenship. The cour t acknowledged that Kareem had won a final court ruling over his right but he has so far not obtained the citizenship card and thus the court treated him as a foreigner. Under Kuwaiti law, foreign residents are deported by courts if they receive jail sentences for any serious crime. Kareem’s mother is Egyptian and his father Kuwaiti. It is not clear what passport he carried when he won the right to Kuwaiti citizenship.

US Customs passenger facility opens in UAE DUBAI: Passengers travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Washington DC no longer have to wait in long US Customs lines because of a new preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi’s airport. US Embassy spokesman Jeffrey Ladenson told The Associated Press yesterday that the first flight using the US Customs and Border Protection preclearance inspection took off Friday from the UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi to Washington-Dulles airport. The US has preclearance passenger facilities throughout Canada, in four Caribbean locations and Ireland. The new facility in Abu Dhabi is the Middle East’s first.

The agreement has angered some US lawmakers and the Air Line Pilots Association. They say it gives competitive advantage to the UAE’s national carrier, Etihad, over US airlines, which don’t fly between Abu Dhabi and the US.

Bahraini wounded during arrest dies DUBAI: A young Bahraini prisoner died of wounds he suffered during a police operation to detain him on charges of weapons smuggling, the interior ministry said yesterday. However, the Gulf kingdom’s main Shiite political opposition group said the man died on Saturday as a result of torture during his detention. A ministry statement said Fadel Abbas Musalem, 20, had been taken to hospital after being “wounded in the head” on Jan 8 when police tried to arrest him in a Shiite village. It added that police acted in “legitimate defence” when they fired on a car carrying Mussalem and another man when it kept driving towards security forces despite warning shots. The other man was also arrested. But the main Shiite opposition group AlWefaq said Musallem had been tortured “savagely”.

Thousands of people attended his funeral yesterday in Daraz, a Shiite village near Manama, chanting anti-government slogans, witnesses said.

Tata Motors managing director dies after fall NEW DELHI: India’s Tata Motors managing director Karl Slym died yesterday after apparently falling at a hotel in Bangkok where he was attending a board meeting, a company spokeswoman and reports said. Slym, 51, died in a fall, Tata spokeswoman Minari Shah told AFP, but declined to give further details, saying a post mortem examinaKarl Slym tion was likely to be conducted today. According to the Press Trust of India news agency, Slym seemed to have fallen from a high floor of the hotel building. The Economic Times reported that he accidentally lost his balance and fell.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

LOCAL

KUWAIT: Ambassador Jain and diplomats attending the ceremony .

Women and children during the celebration.

Indian embassy celebrates Republic Day

By Sajeev K Peter KUWAIT: Braving the morning chill, Indians from all walks of life including children and women joined the Indian embassy officials yesterday to celebrate India’s 65th Republic Day, one of the most significant days on India’s national calendar.

The Indian Embassy put on a festive look with its premises adorning tri-color balloons. At a spectacular open-air ceremony held on the embassy premises, Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain hoisted the national flag at 9 am commemorating the date and moment when the constitution of India came into effect in 1950. Top diplomats, embassy officials, Indian community members and media persons attended the flaghoisting ceremony that was held in an atmosphere of joy and patriotic passion. This was followed by the singing of national anthem.

Following the flag-hoisting ceremony, Ambassador Jain read out Indian President Pranab Mukerjee’s address to the nation. The ambassador also conveyed his best wishes to His Highness the Amir, His Highness

the Crown Prince and His Highness the Premier as well as the friendly people of Kuwait on the occasion.

The girls’ brass band of the Indian Community School, Salmiya gave a scintillating performance followed by singing of patriotic songs by children from Indian Community School (Amman branch), India International School, Mangaf, Salmiya Indian Model School, Salmiya, Kuwait Indian School, Fahaheel and Indian Educational School (Bhavans), Abbassiya.

Wishing the Indian community members happiness and prosperity on the occasion, the ambassador reiterated that Indians form the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. He urged them to keep the good image of India in their host country and asked them to respect the rules of the land in all aspects.

Indian university Answering a specific question by a journalist, he said, “Already there are many Indian schools here. We would very much like to have an Indian university in Kuwait. However, we have to discuss the matter with the

Kuwait Investment Authority surpasses other sovereign funds

KUWAIT: The ambassador watches as the all-girls brass band from the ICSK, Salmiya performs.

Kuwaiti authorities and work with them on land and other matters.”

He said that the embassy is planning to open another outsourcing center for consular services in Abbassiya in view of the presence of large number of Indian residents there.

Talking about the consular services, he said the embassy is open to all suggestions from the community. “ The embassy is ready to help in

whatever way it can. My doors are always open to suggestions. People can come and discuss with me or they can send messages to me,” he said.

The embassy had arranged an open house reception by serving all those present with parathas/chhole, gulab jamuns, tea, juice and mineral water. Many newspapers in Kuwait, including Kuwait Times, published special supplements to mark the day.

KUWAIT: Kuwait Investment Authority’s average performance in the past few years has ‘largely surpassed’ that of several sovereign wealth funds with similar activities, a local daily reported yesterday.

The KIA manages the government’s local and foreign investments, and is considered one of the largest sovereign funds in the world with an estimated $386 billion in assets according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. It also manages the General Reserve Fund, and the assets of the Future Generations Fund.

Profits and losses of KIA investments are often featured in political debates.

Most recently, MP Riyadh Al-Adasani inquired about allegations that the KIA recently sustained losses in the Future Generations Fund’s investments. “The results of the Future Generation Fund’s portfolio are positive,” read a letter from the KIA in response to the lawmaker.

“Realized or unrealized losses in a single investment does not apply to the rest”.

Meanwhile, KIA denied allegations that its investments in global markets are run through strategies made by portfolio managers ‘who continuously change portfolio weights regardless of whether investments record profits or losses’. “Investments in global stocks or

other assets are run through a strategy prepared by one of the largest consultation houses in the world,” read the letter which was quoted by Al-Jarida daily yesterday. It further indicated that the strategy is reviewed periodically “in accordance with markets’ developments”.

The KIA also assured that investments and shares are evaluated “in accordance with the most commonly used international standards” and reviewed by “investment trustees hired by the KIA”. It also receives financial data reports for reserves from “two of the largest international audit offices in the world”, in accordance with international audit standards.

In other news, Al-Qabas reported yesterday that finance minister Anas AlSaleh appointed former minister Dr Falah Al-Hajraf as a new member in the KIA. Hajraf, who served as Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education from Feb 2012 until Jan 6, 2014, replaces Dr Abdulmuhsen AlMudej who resigned to take over the Minister of Commerce and Industry portfolio in the current Cabinet. There are more than two years remaining in the current KIA board’s term, Al-Qabas reported.

KUWAIT: Health Minister Ali Al-Obaidi inaugurating the conference: “Integration of Psychiatry into Primary Healthcare”.

‘Mental health gaining significance’ KUWAIT: The mental health sector in Kuwait has been undergoing positive changes, thanks to ambitious strategies and clear-cut visions, the health minister said yesterday. Seven primary care centres have been added to the list of public hospitals and the Kuwait Centre for Mental Health which all provide psychiatric services across the country, minister Ali Al-Obaidi said in a speech at the opening ceremony of the conference: “Integration of Psychiatry into Primary Healthcare”.

Primary care provides consultations for patients and arranges any extra specialist care the patient may need.

In most nations with an advanced

healthcare system mental illnesses are addressed at primary healthcare centres, and applying this in Kuwait has decreased the load on the Kuwait Centre for Mental Health, which annually receives over 10,000 appointments, he added.

For her part, chief organizer Dr Maryam Al-Awadhi said that the three-day event aims to shed light on adding mental healthcare services at primary care centres.

The conference is hosting four morning lectures and three evening workshops on the first and second days and another five lectures on the last, during which general practitioners will be trained in mental healthcare, she added. —KUNA

Mideast Aviation Safety Group to meet in Kuwait KUWAIT: Kuwait will host the Third Meeting of the Middle East Regional Aviation Safety Group, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (IACO) today.

The talks will focus on global developments related to aviation safety, including the new edition of the Global Aviation Safety Plan, according to aviation safety chief at the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Faleh Al-Enezi.

They will also review the outcome of

subsidiary body meetings, including the Steering Committee (RSC), the Annual Safet y Repor t Team, the Regional Aviation Safet y Team and the Safet y Support Team.

Future workshops and training cooperation will also be discussed, added the aviation official. The event will be attended by civil aviation officials in the Middle East, international aviation safety body and IACO representatives and experts in the field. — KUNA

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

LOCAL

Trucks ply Kuwait roads despite ‘banned period’ Main cause of traffic jams

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: A dump truck driving on King Abdalaziz Al-Saud road during the banned hours.

KUWAIT: Another truck pictured during the banned hours on the 4th Ring Road. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: All drivers in Kuwait complain of traffic jams, and having trucks on main roads and highways makes the traffic even worse. The Ministry of Interior has regulated traffic by issuing various orders banning trucks on crowded roads. The latest of these orders was issued just a month ago. According to this circular, large trucks including water tankers, construction trucks, trailers, dump trucks and all trucks above 3 tons are not allowed on all highways and main roads till the 7th Ring Road.

This includes the 6th Ring Road on both sides meeting the King Abdulaziz Al-Saud highway till Jahra Road, and the 7th Ring Road on both sides from King Abdulaziz Al-Saud highway till it meets the 6th Ring Road.

The ban is during weekdays from Sunday to Thursday from 6:30 am to 9:00 am, and from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. In addition to the above mentioned roads, trucks are also banned from other busy roads between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm and between 5:30 pm and10:00 pm. These roads include roads leading or surrounding Kuwait City from the 1st Ring Road to Gulf Road, roads surrounding Hawally including the 3rd Ring Road crossing Cairo Street to Maghreb expressway, 4th Ring Road crossing King Abdulaziz highway till it meets King Fahd highway and roads surrounding Salmiya from

Taawon roundabout till Jawazat roundabout, and other roads in Salmiya.

Trucks also are not allowed to park or remain overnight on roads or yards in Kuwait City, residential areas or industrial areas, unless they are temporary parking to load or unload. Some government and small trucks are excluded from this decree.

But motorists still find trucks on the roads included in the order during the banned period.

“Drivers should be satisfied as their numbers are small - before issuing this latest order, the number was in hundreds if not thousands,” Lt Col Nawaf Al-Hayan, PR director of the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior told Kuwait Times.

This reporter witnessed two trailers, more than 15 trucks and three water tankers driving on the 6th Ring Road, Airport Road and the 5th Ring Road in about an hour’s drive only. According to Hayan, these vehicles are violating the law and should be penalized. “Usually, police patrols are present on the roads during rush hours, especially at the beginning and end of work hours in the public sector. If police notice such trucks plying the roads during the prohibited hours, they will stop them, the driver will not be allowed to continue his trip until the timing is over, and will pay a ticket in addition to withdrawal of his driving license and technical documents of the truck,” he explained.

Defense minister honors promoted army officers KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah honored a group of senior army officers promoted to the rank of Major General early yesterday.

The militar y officers were promoted in implementation of an Amiri Decree by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The defense minister, during the promotion ceremony, read the Amiri Decree to the promoted officers, conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahamd Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

The minister congratulated the officers on their promotion, wishing them further progress and success to best serve Kuwait. — KUNA

SMEs need factors besides finance KUWAIT: Providing financial support alone for entrepreneurs and small and mid-sized projects is not enough as these will only be successful if other factors are taken into consideration, suggested an expert.

These factors include “improving the business climate, easing procedures, raising the level of the entrepreneurs’ skills and hosting workshops,” according to Chairman of the Kuwaiti Gulf Group for Administration and Economic Consulting Mustafa Behbehani.

“Hosting events like these is the first step in transforming this vision into a reality,” he said, adding that the event will come out with proposals aimed to develop this sector. “It is important to address the problems these entrepreneurs are facing and to thus provide solutions to them,” he told a press conference on Sunday announcing a local forum for small businesses due in a week.

State bodies should work together with private businesses to support entrepreneurs, he said.

And, the private sector, in turn, should be doing more to take on board the innovations of these small businesses, provide them with training and make use of their skills.—KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labour and State Minister for Planning and Development Hind Al-Subeeh inaugurating the exhibition.

— Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Ministry keen on acquiring tech-based services KUWAIT: The increasing use of IT systems and advanced telecommunications are fundamental factors behind increasing productivity and the national economy, said a minister yesterday. At the opening ceremony of IT and telecommunications exhibition, Infobiz, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour and State Minister for Planning and Development Hind Al-Subeeh stressed the importance of shedding light on the innovations and services for businesses currently being offered by the IT industry.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour is looking to apply e-systems to all of its departments, and Al-Subeeh said she would be taking the opportunity to take a closer look at what was on offer.

According to Director-General of

Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology Abdullateef Al-Suraie, over 20 government bodies are taking part in the event to showcase their own innovations in the field. The exhibition is a platform for vendors and suppliers in the IT Industry to present and demonstrate their latest business solutions aimed at meeting the requirements of government bodies and businesses, said Mansour Al-Moussa, the Chairman of the event’s organisers, management and marketing consultancy firm, Infocenter. The week-long event is also providing individuals and businesses with discounts and special offers on the most up-to-date gadgets and innovations in the PC, smart phone and tablet industry, he added. — KUNA

Imams questioned over ‘offensive’ remarks

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah AlSabah honoring an officer.

KUWAIT: A senior government official urged imams to avoid posting remarks on social media which could instigate sectarianism, and criticized ‘individual practices’ in which offensive posts were made against the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

A local daily had reported that the ministry summoned a number of imams and muezzins in local mosques for questioning over accusations that they addressed topics that could spark sectarian debate in the society on Twitter and other social networks.

In an update, Assistant Undersecretary for Mosques Waleed Al-Shuwaib told Al-Qabas daily that these individuals will be referred to investigations “in order to be held accountable in accordance with the law and regulations”. “The ministry stands firmly against sectarian instigation and practices that harm national unity,” Shuwaib said.

The imam of the Abdullah Al-Otaibi Mosque in Jaber Al-Ali was reportedly suspended after he discussed a problem faced in the place of worship.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

LOCAL kuwait digest

in my view

Rationalization of subsidies

No quick solution

Prices

By Terki Al-Azmi

F

kuwait digest

Convince people on situation

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

D

r Ahmad Al-Khateeb wrote an excellent column recently that provides an expert’s diagnoses to the political situation in Kuwait, although I believe that he went a little bit too far in supporting the argument that the constitution should not be amended.

But who can blame him? His exaggeration is clearly a result of a desire to convince people about the gravity of the mistake that would happen if the political system is shaken and the constitution’s articles replaced entirely instead of being partially amended. I also believe that Dr Al-Khateeb is motivated by honest commitment to deal realistically with the current situation, instead of running towards the unknown.

There is no doubt that the 1962 constitution no longer adapts to the current situations or the democratic developments in general. But the more important question is, have we adapted to this constitution yet? I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again - we are required to apply the constitution instead of amending it. We, the people and the source of all powers, are yet to fully comprehend the constitution and work to apply it correctly.

Since the early years following the constitution’s

A public platform must be prepared, or more clearly, the Kuwaiti citizen must improve himself in order to adapt with the 1962 constitution. After the constitution is fully applied, amending it becomes a necessity and possible reality. issuance, the government has worked to ‘contain’ it and limit its political effect on political situations. During the 1980s, they were joined by religious groups in fighting personal freedoms and blessing the siege on freedom of expression, as well as boosting tribal and sectarian fanaticism. As a result, we became less developed compared to how we were when the constitution was issued.

A public platform must be prepared, or more clearly, the Kuwaiti citizen must improve himself in order to adapt with the 1962 constitution. After the constitution is fully applied, amending it becomes a necessity and possible reality.

Democracy is freedom, justice and equality. The constitution is a social contract that makes it obligatory for everyone to honor these democratic principles. Here, the situation has always been based on eagerness to force the government to concede its traditional powers or adapt with the constitution. But at the same time, the people behind these desires insist on eliminating others, fight freedoms and reject all attempts to modernize the society.

The principles of freedom, justice and equality are binding for all. For people before governments. Once people are ready to accept this, then transferring power to people becomes a natural result. —Al-Qabas

By Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

O

Government

Al-Anbaa

ormer finance minister and Central Bank governor Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah allowed us to know what is in his mind through a recent column that discussed the current financial situation in Kuwait. Of course, Sheikh Salem’s resume speaks for itself. I agree with his position about the need to review subsidies to make sure that the subsidization program is focused on the right people. Kuwait’s subsidization strategy should not ignore figures and percentages that Sheikh Salem mentioned and which pose huge risks to the future generation’s financial situation.

The question that comes to my mind here is this why do we ignore the potential budget deficit scare amid reports that insist that a state budget deficit is a huge possibility as long as Kuwait’s continues spending at the current rate without future planning? Geert Hofstede described the Kuwaiti society in his theory on cultural dimensions of being characterized by ‘weakness in future planning’. Planning comes from strategic thinking, which in turn is mastered by leaders with future visions. These leaders continue to be missing from official posts in Kuwait after they found no opportunities to show what they have got.

Mackenzie Investments said in a report sent to the Kuwaiti government in 2004 that the leadership level in Kuwait is ‘weak’ and ‘flawed’. For a decade, we are still looking for pay increases and making proposals that result in automatic increase in prices. Sheikh Salem mentioned ways to achieve reform from the financial side of the issue. I trust everything that he says given his long experience and leadership skills that make him the ideal model for the leader that the government greatly misses.

Taking into account the relationship between reform and leadership, it puts us in the right direction to cut spending and rationalize subsidies. But this is not going to be an easy task because the mere mention of addressing what is regarded as ‘financial gains’ for citizens is met by criticism from those who meet the characters mentioned in Hofstede’s study. Politics and emotions lead our behavior in Kuwait. Meanwhile, numbers and strategic thinking remain absent.

Subsidization is indeed adopted all over the world, and that brings to mind the US government’s steps during the global economic crisis in 2008. But unlike Kuwait, Western countries respect facts and link subsidization with conditions, which forces the benefiting party to improve productivity and overcome the crisis.

We need action from decision makers to give opportunities to leaders to provide their visions for reform.

After that, an environment for creative action opens horizons for us to create alternative sources of income.

It is the process in which official posts are filled, that led us to the current situation. —Al-Rai

in my view

Syria: Being complicit by indifference

By Jamal Doumani

M

ontreux, an idyllic resort town in Switzerland, was where world leaders began a long-awaited meeting on Syria on Wednesday to show that, well, finally they are taking action after nearly three years of bloodshed, 130,000 dead Syrians and the flight of well over two million refugees to the neighboring countries. However, new revelations about horrific crimes committed by Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, universally recognized as war crimes or crimes against humanity have overshadowed the talks and made it impossible to imagine how the West, the Syrian opposition and the international community could possibly entertain a political accommodation with such a regime.

The revelations, in the form of photos smuggled out of Syria by a defector, suggest that in Assad’s secret jails tens of thousands of political prisoners have been subjected to torture, starvation and execution. The photos, catalogued, numbered and cross-indexed, much in the manner of the meticulous records kept by the Nazis, are said to be gruesome. Consider here the lead sentence about them by the New York Times correspondent filing from Beirut last Wednesday: “Emaciated corpses lie in the sand, their ribs protruding over sunken bellies, their thighs as thin as wrists. Several show signs of strangulation. The images conjure memories of history’s worst atrocities.”

To be sure, since the winter of 2011, Assad’s forces have committed numerous atrocities, including the killing of hundreds of civilians by poison gas, that have made us turn away in nauseated disbelief at the cruelty of it all. But these photos depict crimes against humanity beyond all rational understanding. They are reminiscent, in context of recent times, of the massacre of Srebrenica, when in July 1995 Serbian troops and militias assaulted the predominantly Muslim town during the Bosnian war and slaughtered 8,000 civilian Bosnian Muslims in cold blood, mostly men and boys.

At the time, then UN Secretary-General, expressing the international community’s outrage, described the

killings as “the worst crime on European soil since the Second World War and NATO was moved to launch air strikes. But, wait, over the last three years, the Syrian regime has murdered, exterminated, imprisoned and tortured 8,000 Syrians on a slow weekend.

So when is the US, leader of “the free world” and promoter of the Jeffersonian principles, going to do something meaningful and effective to put a stop to all this?

Alas, not any time real soon. As the Brookings Institution scholar and nationally respected political commentator, Robert Kagan, said soon after the photos were released: “I feel like we’ve had at least one or two Srebrenica moments in Syria already. The White House has completely hardened itself to whatever horrendous news might come out of Syria because the president doesn’t want to get involved.”

In way, these atrocities mock America’s moral resolve, just as they shock the conscience of the world. A team of international lawyers, forensic experts and war crimes prosecutors have already interviewed the defector and determined that his photos are authentic, constituting credible and sufficient evidence to indict Assad and his regime on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Yet, perversely, the man continues to be pampered and his regime tolerated by Washington. The fact of the matter is that, when it comes to Syria at least, President Obama, sadly, has been weak-kneed and indecisive.

Consider, as a case in point, how following the emergence of videos showing vivid images of that chemical weapons attack launched by the Syrian regime that killed hundreds of civilians, he threatened missile attacks - then backtracked.

What will Obama do this time? Perhaps he should recall the words of his own Secretary of State John Kerry who in a speech at the time called Assad a “thug” and warned against inaction, indifference and silence. And let’s add to this the fact that we are all complicit in that, which leaves us inert, indifferent or silent.

in my view

A meaningful milestone

By Rami G Khouri

I

t has been illuminating this week to spend time in Cairo during the constitutional referendum and the run-up to the Jan 25 anniversary of the massive demonstrations that eventually toppled President Hosni Mubarak regime in Egypt three years ago. The ever-changing dynamics in Egypt and across the Arab world paint a volatile picture of a region lurching forward and backward in its people’s determined drive to shape their own political cultures, after over half a century of police state-like governance systems.

Egypt will have a huge impact on developments across the Arab world in the years ahead, but how itself develops will not be clear for a few more years. It is simplistic to note, as many have in the region and abroad, that the “Arab Spring” has turned into a forlorn autumn or even a dark winter. Such hasty and absolutist verdicts reflect deep amateurism, infantlike ignorance and perhaps even some culturalnationalist hostility toward Arabs, in not acknowledging the time-consuming normal trajectory of the kinds of historic, complex transformations that we are experiencing around the region.

Making the transitions from primitive governance or police state systems to pluralistic democracies that safeguard the equal rights of all citizens requires decades at best, and a century and a half in most cases (as in the American and Western European cases).

So, three years is a very short period of time in the very initial phases of our Arab transformations, and it is absolutely normal to witness the wild swings in developments that we are experiencing across our region, including episodic violence alongside intense constitution-writing.

I spent quite a bit of time driving around Cairo to speak with Egyptians and resident foreign observers from different walks of life, but mostly to get a feel for the rhythms of street life and the public arena that ultimately will shape the course of Egypt’s future.

Experiencing my first ever faint whiff of tear gas as we drove near Cairo University while demonstrations were taking place was noteworthy. It mainly showed how life continued apace for millions of Egyptians who simply detoured a few blocks around the university district. Two students were killed that day, and it is likely that many more men and women across the region will lose their lives in the continuing struggles for freedom, dignity, democracy and whatever other desired objectives ordinary Arab men and women

seek as they continue exiting from the dark chamber of their frozen history of the past half century or so.

The most fascinating thing I saw was the graffiti scrawled across walls, advertising billboards, street signs, flower pots, park benches and any other surface that allowed Egyptians to express their political sentiments. This captured for me the two most important historical developments that we can identify at the end of the third year of the Arab transformations: first, the rise of Arab citizens who feel they have socio-economic and political rights and are prepared to speak out, mobilize and take action to achieve those rights; and, second, the birth of a public political sphere in which citizens can express themselves and compete peacefully for the exercise of power.

Citizens writing graffiti capture those two developments quite nicely, and the content of the graffiti is equally telling. The formal public space of Cairo (billboards, advertisement panels, newspapers and magazine covers on the sidewalks) was dominated by admonitions to vote “yes” in the referendum and support the interim government installed by Gen AbdelFattah Sisi and his military colleagues. The walls and other informal spaces reflected many more varied views, including the very common statement “yasqut kul min khan, askar, fulul, ikhwan” (“down with all those who betrayed us; the military, the old guard, and the Muslim Brothers”). Other graffiti called Sisi a killer, or warned that another revolution was imminent.

The military-appointed government tried in places to paint over the graffiti but gave up after every wall it painted white was full of graffiti within 24 hours. So the new public political sphere across Egypt lurches back and forth between popular sentiments that support and oppose all three principal actors who have dominated the power structure in the past few years the old guard of the Mubarak era, the military and the Muslim Brotherhood.

The new element today that Egypt still displays is that those who control the power structure - now it is the second military republic in three years - do not totally control the public sphere, or the minds of all Egyptians. That is a meaningful milestone this third year of the Egyptian and other Arab uprisings that cannot be denominated in seasons of the year, but only in the attitudes of individual citizens who are determined to express themselves politically and in public.

n Jan 22, the long-awaited Geneva 2 conference on Syria opened with great fanfare and equally impressive roster of attendees. The Syrian regime and the opposition were represented at the opening, as well as high delegations from super and lesser powers with a stake in the Syrian conflict.

The opposition, represented by the National Coalition, was the last to announce its participation in the conference, because it was not sure that the regime had agreed to abide by the main principle underlining the Geneva process. According to Geneva I and subsequently Geneva 2, the main outcome should be the formation of a transitional government with full executive and security powers, where Assad and his close associates should have no role. After the National Coalition received assurances that in fact the government had agreed to that underlying principle, it agreed to take part.

However, as soon as the conference started, the regime’s representatives dismissed the opposition as terrorists and failed to announce commitment to Geneva I principles. In typical peremptory fashion, they failed to abide by the time rule or any other rule that the organizers had laid out. The multinational opening of Geneva 2 laid the ground for direct talks between the regime and the opposition, which was scheduled to take place on Jan 24, but did not take place until the following day Jan 25.

It is too early to say with certainty what the conference outcome would be, but it is safe to say that no quick solution is expected given the nature of the Syrian regime and tenacity with which its three supporters: Iran, Russia and Hezbollah have frustrated previous attempts at reaching a solution. There were two developments last week that fed the pessimism many feel about the Geneva talks. The first was the release of a major human rights report chronicling the large-scale, indiscriminate killing of civilians as well as widespread and systematic torture and detention, catalogued in a dizzying array of torture perpetrators and their gruesome techniques, at an industrial scale not seen in decades.

The second was the report that a defector from the same torture establishment was able to smuggle with him out of Syria thousands of photographs and documents further proving the scale of human rights violations committed by the Syrian regime. The cache could provide the smoking gun to trigger prosecution of Syrian officials before the International Criminal Court.

On Jan 21, Human Rights Watch, the New York-based human rights organization, published its annual report, of which the most explosive chapter dealt with Syria.

Over the years, HRW has thoroughly documented the extent of the human rights catastrophe that is Syria.

Since the Syrian uprising started in March 2011, HRW has published several reports and some of their findings were summed up in its report published last week, form-

By now about three million refugees have left their country and another five million forced from their towns and are internally displaced within Syria. Largescale detention and torture have been consistently reported by HRW and other human rights group. ing a powerful punch that spelled out the extent of gross human rights abuses in the country.

The report documented the use of cluster bombs, chemical and other weapons that the regime has used, deliberately, in populated areas, including schools.

Cluster bombs, for example, were used over 200 times during the year in nine out of 14 Syrian provinces, in clear violation of the 2008 United Nations Convention on Cluster Munitions. The report also documented hundreds of summary executions used to terrify whole populations. It also documented how this brutality has succeeded in emptying large swaths of the country of their populations.

By now about three million refugees have left their country and another five million forced from their towns and are internally displaced within Syria. Large-scale detention and torture have been consistently reported

by HRW and other human rights group. The descriptions read as if from a medieval manual employed during the Inquisition. Like their medieval counterparts, Syrian torturers are creative and give their techniques names like proud parents. HRW documented over 20 torture methods carried out by about two dozen security agencies spread out throughout areas under government control.

The second development during last week was the news that a defector from the security establishment had fled Syria with a large cache of photographs and documents detailing the government-supervised carnage. He gathered reportedly 55,000 photographs of nearly 11,000 bodies, proving that the torture, starvation and execution were widespread and systematic, with each case described in minute detail.

Some bodies were thrown in the desert, others into rivers, or showing signs of strangulation. The defector, whose identity has not been revealed yet, is reported to have been a military police photographer. The photographs are being examined by lawyers and human rights experts to serve as a basis for prosecution before the International Criminal Court. In the past, attempts to refer Syrian officials to the ICC were blocked at the Security Council by Russia but experts hope that with these photographs and documents providing incontrovertible evidence that backers of the Syrian regime will find difficult to block future referral of Assad and his henchmen to international prosecutors.

With such a record, can we seriously hope that the Syrian regime would agree to hand over power to the Syrian people?

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

LOCAL

Kuwait faces extremely grave financial risks Govt to rationalize own spending

KUWAIT: Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad AlKhalid Al-Sabah accompanied by Undersecretary Lt Gen Suleiman Al-Fahad visit the Drugs Control General Department where he was briefed on a drug bust in which 370 kg of hashish and opium were confiscated at Abdaly border post. — Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

MoI depts move to Subhan bldg

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The security information department said that some Interior Ministry departments have moved to new premises in Subhan, including the office of Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Undersecretary Lt Gen Suleiman Al-Fahad. The central operations directorate, and directorate general for following the affairs of ministerial councils and committees, the legal affairs department, public relations and moral guidance and security information departments also moved to the new interior ministry building. It said that all departments receive applicants during working hours.

Decisive month for KAC KUWAIT: It seems that February will witness many decisive issues with regards to Kuwait Airways’ future and its operational capabilities. A local daily reported that Airbus Middle East Sales Director Fuad Al-Attar will visit Kuwait next week to sign purchase and leasing contracts with KAC’s Director of the Board and Managing Director Rasha Al-Roumi, following the conclusion of talks that dealt with the technical details in regards to the items of a contract to buy 10 aircraft (A350 XWB). KAC will receive the first airplane by 2020 with the right to buy five more of the same model. The contract includes the purchase of 15 aircraft (A320 neo), with the first airplane scheduled for delivery in 2019, with the right to buy five more of the same model.

Leasing The leasing contract to be signed includes 16 new A330 and A320 aircraft for five years. It also includes four used Airbus A340 free of charge for eight months expected to be delivered in July.

The contract includes nine A330 new aircraft to be delivered one in March, April and May of 2015 and two in June. The rest of the aircraft will follow until 2016. The contract includes the lease of seven A320 aircraft during 2015 and 2016.

Maintenance The total cost of the deal includes many technical issues such as the type of engines and pilot training programs at the Airbus factory, in addition to offering all types of support and back-up during the initial operations period, as well as the currency to be used to make payments. As for the cost of the leased aircraft, it will be calculated monthly for five years, without inclusion of the insurance cost, as well as meeting maintenance needs, major maintenance services, and technical inspection including the C3, C2, C and C4 tests. Maintenance should be done through the company to be agreed upon, while KAC will carry out self maintenance of leased aircraft up to A tests.

Plan and evaluation The IATA team promised the administration it will submit its report on the strategic plan during the five-year interim period before mid-February so that KAC can approve it and send it to Ernst and Young, which promised to submit the reevaluation of KAC assets two weeks after receiving the business plan being prepared by IATA. KD 70 million losses in 2013 KAC is expected to lose KD 70 million in the 2013 financial budget, which is the first that starts on Jan 1 and ends Dec 31, as indicators show its losses until September reached KD 60 million. The plan was to have ticket sales worth KD 128 million with an increase of 27 percent, but sales reached KD 134 million in the local market during 2013, a 5% increase over the targeted plan, which is a good indicator.

Insurance KAC Chairman of the Board and Managing Director Rasha Al-Roumi plans to go to London in March to renew the insurance of KAC’s old fleet for a year starting April 1 with Lloyds.

KUWAIT: Former finance minister Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah highlighted the risk of continued growth in current expenditure on Kuwait’s economy both in the short and long terms in a second newspaper editorial in less than a week. On Wednesday, Sheikh Salem had called for reforms to the state’s subsidization program that includes reducing the list of subsidized items and services in order to maintain the program’s sustainability and avoid an imminent budget deficit.

In a second editorial yesterday, the former longtime Central Bank governor gave detailed explanations for Kuwait’s financial situation in the present time and the projected situation by 2030 in light of current standards. “[Kuwait] faces extremely grave financial risks in the future unless prompt efforts are taken to begin an intact, technical and gradual operation to resolve the currently incorrect financial situation,” he wrote in Al-Watan daily.

Meanwhile, multiple reports suggest that the government plans to embark on effor ts to rationalize government spending in the upcoming fiscal year. The Cabinet on Thursday approved the 2014/2015 draft budget with current spending (subsidies and public sector payroll) taking 86.6

percent or KD 18.78 billion of the total budget and a projected deficit of KD 1.62 billion based on an oil price of $75 per barrel. Oil income is estimated in the budget at KD 18.8 billion, making up 94 percent of total revenues, while nonoil income is projected at KD 1.26 billion according to an official statement released following an extraordinary meeting.

In a bid to reduce spending, Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Sabah reportedly gave orders to decrease expenditure in state departments with the plan to meet rationalization goals while at the same time ensuring that citizens’ financial allocations are not affected.

“The prime minister gave strict instructions during Thursday’s meeting to avoid addressing the financial allocations of citizens, mainly salaries, and instead work on cutting bonuses and extra expenses in a number of state departments,” Al-Rai reported yesterday. According to sources quoted in the report, Sheikh Jaber mentioned “unjustified spending by senior officials” as well as “expanded administrative structures in independent departments” as areas where rationalization can be achieved.

The government is also looking to cut waste in state projects according to an Al-Anbaa report yesterday, which suggested that a ‘national

committee for rationalizing government spending’ launched operations to prepare a plan containing mechanisms to reduce “undeserved expenses” in areas such as projects where extra payments are added as per change orders.

Overspending has been a hot topic in Kuwait for the past few years, and especially since the past few weeks as the parliament debates increases to the children and rent allowances which the government rejects. Yesterday, Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah warned that Kuwait could be affected by the ‘Dutch disease’ if current spending growth rate is based on an average oil price of $100 per barrel. “After calculating the future generations fund’s allocations, the national budget is expected to continue achieving surpluses until the 2015/2016 fiscal year,” he said. “However, the budget will begin recording a deficit starting with 2016/2017 and estimated at KD 893 million, which grows gradually to reach KD 13.25 billion by 2029/2030”.

If that risk becomes a reality, it could force the government to take a number of undesirable options, according to Sheikh Salem. “The first option is devaluation of the dinar, which leads to an extremely dangerous situation when the actual value of incomes is reduced,” he warned. The second option includes

taking money from the future generations fund, but Sheikh Salem warned that “at the current spending rate of nearly KD 21 billion, Kuwait’s entire savings since independence will only cover spending for a few years if oil incomes are excluded”. He further warned that limiting expatriate remittances makes Kuwait an unattractive destination for foreign labor forces, “whom the country can never afford losing”, while a budget deficit could lead to irregular payment of salaries and pensions.

In order to avoid that fate, Sheikh Salem reiterated the need to ‘review and rationalize’ subsidies as well as privatization of government activities “that the private sector can carry out more efficiently”, diversifying sources of income and reviewing prices of public goods and services.

There have been several proposals in recent years in the economic scene about imposing income taxes as well as increasing fees on public services such as energy which remain among the lowest rates globally. In this regard, Annahar quoted ‘highly informed government sources’ who said that the government is mulling a 10 to 15 percent increase in rates of electricity and water, which cost the state KD 3 billion annually to produce.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

LOCAL

KUWAIT: A citizen was killed when his car flipped over under Sabhan cemetery bridge on King Fahad road yesterday. Firemen, paramedics and police were on the scene as the coroner recovered the body. — Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

WFP official praises Kuwait’s pioneering humanitarian role ROME: A senior official of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) hailed the Kuwaiti generous donations to the Syrian people, besides hosting the Second Syrian donors’ conference, noting the Gulf State pioneering role in the field of humanitarian relief.

The WFP Assistant Executive Director, Elisabeth Rasmusson, on Saturday paid a special visit to the Kuwaiti embassy in Italy on the behalf of WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin to express appreciation to Kuwait for its remarkable contribution to alleviating sufferings of Syrian people.

She discussed with the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Italy, Sheikh Ali Al-Khaled AlSabah, the deteriorating humanitarian conditions suffered by millions of people in Syria and neighboring countries, especially women and children, due to the ongoing bloody conflict. Rasmusson expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his generous donation for the Syrian people, valued at $500 million, which reflects the leading role Kuwait plays in

the humanitarian field all over the world.

She added that Kuwait is considered as an important partner of WFP in fighting hunger over the globe, and is exerting all possible efforts in aiding the international body in helping victims of malnutrition.

“We will promote our common goals in meeting Syrian refugees’ urgent food needs, and in feeding the hungry people all over the word,” Rasmusson affirmed.

The Kuwaiti diplomat lauded the energetic and significant leading humanitarian role the WFP is playing since its establishment, especially its efforts in aiding the Syrian people.

His Highness the Amir’s donation to the Syrian people comes out of His Highness’ belief that every human being has the right to live a decent life, and reflects His Highness’ keenness in offering relief to victims of conflicts at all times, he said.

The Kuwaiti people also generously contributed to alleviating the hardships of Syrian people by offering generous donations, the ambassador added. — KUNA

Man survives brutal attack in Fahaheel Foul play in Amghara worker’s death KUWAIT: Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest an armed man who left a pedestrian injured after firing 16 gunshots at him following a failed mugging attempt. Police had reported to a location in Fahaheel in response to emergency calls made around 4:30 am Saturday and reporting gunfire. They found a person bleeding from gunshot wounds on his leg, and was immediately taken to the hospital. The Afghan national told police that a Yukon driver tried to mug him while he was walking towards a mosque near the area’s polyclinic. When the man rejected the suspect’s demands to hand his wallet over, the suspect fired multiple rounds from an AK47 at him and drove away. A medical test revealed that the victim received 11 gunshots on his thigh and both feet, as well as one shot on his right arm. Preliminary investigations indicate that the man was likely under the influence of narcotics at the time of the crime.

Foul play A homicide investigation was opened to determine the circumstances behind the death of a man discovered in Amghara on Saturday.

Police and paramedics arrived to an apartment in the area where workers reported finding their roommate dead. Criminal investigators were called after paramedics pronounced the Indian man dead. Preliminary examinations revealed that the middle-aged man died 5 hours before the emergency call was made, while bruises found on his body prompted police to file a murder case. The body was transported to the forensic department after criminal investigators finished examining the scene. Investigations are ongoing.

KUWAIT: Minister Hind Al-Sabeeh at the OSN’s stand at Infoconnect 2014.

Al-Sabeeh visits OSN stand KUWAIT:Hind Al-Sabeeh, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, and Minister of State for Planning and Development Affairs, visited OSN’s stand at Infoconnect 2014, the largest shopper event for IT and Communication in Kuwait.

Al-Sabeeh was given an overview of OSN, particularly its path-breaking technology OSN Plus HD, the region’s first 3D, HD, internet enabled satellite receiver and recorder, and OSN Play, the region’s first online viewing platform.

Visitors to Infoconnect 2014 will have the opportunity to take advantage of OSN’s latest packages that provide subscribers seamless access to world-class TV entertainment including Western, Arabic, South Asian, and Filipino content.

This year, visitors who subscribe to OSN packages at the exhibition, can take advantage of special offers including free hardware and a complimentary Platinum subscription when signing up for OSN’s Platinum package.

Running until February 1, 2014 at the Kuwait International Fair Ground, INFOCONNECT 2014 will showcase the latest innovations and developments in the IT and communications industry giving attendees access to great promotions and special offers. The OSN stand is located in

Hall 6. OSN is the ultimate destination for the widest choice of brand new premium Western, Arabic, South Asian (Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Malayalam and Tamil) and Filipino entertainment in the Middle East and Africa. OSN is the home of nearly 140 channels filled with great value entertainment, offering viewers in the MENA region exclusive access to the latest blockbuster movies, top rated series, sports, documentaries, news, kid’s entertainment and live talk shows. The movie offering includes over a 100 uncut and uninterrupted movie premieres a month so viewers can watch them the way they were meant to be watched.

OSN boasts the most comprehensive portfolio of exclusive rights from all the major studios including Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM, Universal, HBO and DreamWorks and offers access to the world’s leading television brands including Disney channel, Sky News, Discovery Network and Nat Geo. Launched in August 2013, OSN Pehla brings the best of Bollywood movies and premium cricket, including exclusive telecast rights of international tournaments such as the ICC Cricket World Cup and Indian cricket, through leading sports channels OSN Sports Cricket HD and Ten Cricket.

Suffocation A man was found dead inside a closed room where he spent the night near charcoal which he had left burning for heating, according to the preliminary investigations. Paramedics and police arrived to the scene located in Mishref after a Kuwaiti man reported finding his driver unconscious in his room. The Asian man was pronounced dead and criminal investigators were called. Preliminary tests indicate that the man suffocated and died in his sleep. A case was filed and investigations are pending the autopsy report to confirm the cause and time of death.

Man found dead A man was found dead inside his house in Khaitan, and tests revealed that he died of natural causes. Police obtained a warrant to raid the man’s house after his neighbor reported in an emergency call that he suspected something wrong might have happened to him. The caller explained that the man, a Kuwaiti in his forties who lived alone, neither came out of his house for days, nor did he answer the door when he went to check on him. Criminal investigators were called after paramedics pronounced the man dead on the scene. The body was taken to the forensic department where a preliminary test revealed that he died of natural causes. No evidence of foul play was found on the scene. A case was filed at the Khaitan police station.

Jail fire Eleven inmates at the Central Prison were taken to the Sulaibiya police station to face new charges after they set fire inside their cells. The incident was discovered on Friday night when

prison guards noticed smoke coming out of prison number 2 and solitary confinement cell number 6. After the fire was controlled, police apprehended 11 inmates who admitted of setting blankets ablaze. They were charged with damaging public property and are held pending further investigations.

Worker saved Firefighters saved a worker who became buried under sand while working at a house garden in Mansouriya on Saturday. The Asian man was reportedly working in a hole he dug in the ground when a landslide covered him with sand.

The man was barely able to keep his head above the pile of sand when the homeowner came out, saw him and called police. The man was unharmed in the incident.

Officer questioned A police officer is expected to be questioned regarding his actions which involved setting up traffic checkpoint out of his authorities. The man was reportedly transferred recently to the Saad Al-Abdullah Police Academy after spending years as a senior official in the vehicle inspection division at the Interior Ministry’s General Traffic Department. Despite that, he continued setting up checkpoints at different streets around Kuwait, and even confiscated driver’s licenses and car registrations. His actions were discovered after the drivers went to collect their papers, but were told that thair cards were not available, and it was later discovered that the man had kept them with his possession. According to security sources in knowledge of the case, the officer is being summoned to be questioned on his motives.

Alghanim Industries supports Educators’ Conference KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries (AI) yesterday further reinforced its long term commitment to support education in Kuwait, through its platinum sponsorship of the Fawzia Sultan Education Company (FAWSEC)’s biannual Kuwait International Educators’ Conference.

Omar K. Alghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries, commenting on the company’s sponsorship said: “We are extremely proud to be the platinum sponsor of this year’s FAWSEC Kuwait International Educators’ Conference, which provides critical professional development support for our educators and parents.

This conference will enrich our teachers and support our parents, and therefore directly impact the development and future success of youth in Kuwait.”

He continued: “Ensuring a strong education system is a responsibility that both the public and the private sectors must share. Through our joint efforts, and through development programs such as these, we can ensure thatour young people have the proper preparation to develop and thrive in the workforce of the future.” The Educators’ Conference, held at AlBayan Bilingual School from Jan 24 to 26, offered teachers and parents in Kuwait the unique opportunity to learn about 21st century education from local, regional and international experts. The conference’s workshops and seminars focused on educational best practices, new technologies in the classroom and practical strategies for teaching and parenting chil-

dren. The conference featured 50 presenters leading 58 workshops for educators and 30 workshops for parents. Educators benefited from exposure to a wide range of subjects, including 21st century learning, social and emotional learning, leadership, ‘reach each you teach’ and technology. Parents’ workshops

Omar Alghanim covered topics such as active parenting, how to handle bullying, raising children with learning difficulties, developing your child’s potential, and the challenges of boredom, among others.

Alghanim Industries is one of the largest, privatelyowned companies in the Gulf region. Originally

founded in 1932 by Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim in Kuwait, the company has since grown into a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, employing over 14,000 employees in 30 businesses, and operating in over 40 countries across the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia.

Alghanim Industries is a market leader in almost every major sector of its operations. These sectors include engineering, retail, automotive sales and service, manufacture of insulation and pre-engineered building structures, logistics and warehousing, fast moving consumable goods, food & beverage, oil & gas, office automation, advertising, insurance, consumer credit and travel. This range of business activities has allowed it to develop long-standing relationships with more than 300 global brands, including household names such as AC Delco, American Express, Avis, British Airways, BP, Cathay Pacific, Daewoo, General Motors, Honda, SaintGobain, Toshiba and Whirlpool.

The company has consistently been seen as one of the region’s best employers, winning a number of major awards. Most recently these have included ‘Best Employer in the Middle East’ from Aon Hewitt for 2009/2010, ‘Asia’s Best Employer Brand’ award for 2010/2011 from the Employer Branding Institute and the World HRD Congress, and the ‘Best Corporate Governance - Kuwait’ award in 2012 from World Finance magazine.

EQUATE, Blind Association continue activities

KUWAIT: Customers’ donations result in construction of a mosque in Sri Lanka.

Zain’s Mishary Al -Kharaz SMS Service successful KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, announced yesterday the success of the Sheikh Mishary Al-Kharaz SMS Service on a global scale resulting in the construction of the largest three-floored mosque in Eastern Sri Lanka which also includes a school, student dorm, and an orphanage. The construction of this charitable project was a result of Zain customers’ donations through the Mishary AlKharaz SMS service. The company exclusively launched the SMS service in 2010 to enable customers to receive daily religious information and advice provided by Sheikh Mishary Al-Kharaz as a SMS or MMS message. Customers who subscribed to this service contributed to the build-

ing of the mosque, as the profit of this service is directly donated to build charitable projects.

Zain recognizes and is appreciative of those people who subscribed to the service in order to reach out to the wider world to spread sympathy, good-doings, and heartfelt feelings and support for the less fortunate.

As a leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, Zain continues to be solely dedicated to all aspects of the community and the wider world by encouraging its customers to participate in many humanitarian and charitable initiatives. Zain’s Corporate Social Responsibility strategy has been firmly set to reach out to every segment of the society, and even the world.

KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company and Kuwait Blind Association (KBA) are continuing the activities of the Painting Smiles 2 campaign to support persons with special needs, in particular the blind.

Speaking on the occasion, EQUATE VP for Technical Services and head of EQUATE CSR Program Mohammad Al-Benali said, “ This awareness campaign is launched as a partnership between EQUATE and KBA to highlight the role, needs and the significance of supporting blind individuals in Kuwait. This integrated campaign includes artworks that will be displayed during an exhibition at the conclusion of the campaign. With all proceeds from the exhibition being dedicated to KBA, all artworks are developed by KBA’s members, as well as several children and young individuals, nationals and expats, throughout Kuwait.

EQUATE is pleased to continue sharing with the society to apply ‘Painting Smiles’ as an extension to a previous campaign launched during 2012 in cooperation with the Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospital (KACCH). All of that is due to EQUATE realizing the need to embody its ‘Partners in Success’ tagline with all relevant stakeholders in Kuwait.”

On his part, KBA Chairman Fayez Al-Azmi said, “As KBA is a firm believer in social integration as a cornerstone for the success of any organization, the association has established ties with several economic and social bodies within Kuwait to make its goals a reality. Along

KUWAIT: Kuwait Blind Association Chairman Fayez Al-Azmi with EQUATE officials. those lines, EQUATE has been a major partner in achieving such goals through its unwavering multi-level support to KBA, which has tangibly boosted the social development of visually impaired persons and also the association’s overall activities. This successful partnership with EQUATE is further illustrated through launching the Painting Smiles 2 campaign, which is aimed at highlighting the talents and achievements of blind persons for the benefit of all KBA members.”

With the slogan “Because We Care,” this campaign emphasizes the significance of supporting blind individuals in Kuwait through a

partnership between KBA’s members and all functions at EQUATE to truly make Painting Smiles 2 a reality. Upon the conclusion of the campaign, an exhibition will be held from the 5th to the 8th of February 2014 at 360 Mall.

Since its inception in 1972 as a public society, Kuwait Blind Association (KBA) plays a critical role in supporting blind individuals in the State of Kuwait through various community and cultural activities. In addition to overcoming arising challenges that face blind individuals, KBA also continues to strengthen bonds with relevant Arab and international organizations.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

US mall shooting gunman identified

Deal on women, children in besieged Syrian city Page 8

Page 9

BANI JAMRA: A masked Bahraini anti-government protester runs through a cemetery filled with smoke from tear gas fired by riot police during clashes after the funeral of 19-year-old Fadhil Abbas Muslim, in Bani Jamra, Bahrain, yesterday. The young Bahraini man died after being shot by police earlier this month, authorities and members of the political opposition in the Gulf nation said yesterday, even as they disagreed on the circumstances. — AP

21 dead as boat capsizes off India’s islands NEW DELHI: A tourist boat capsized off India’s remote Andaman and Nicobar islands yesterday, leaving 21 people dead as rescuers continued to search in the dark for those feared still missing, officials said.

The private boat carrying around 43 tourists, thought to be mostly Indians, plus crew sank quickly after taking on water between Ross Island and North Bay near the island’s capital Port Blair, a senior official said.

Anand Prakash, Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, told AFP that 21 people were killed in the tragedy. “By all reports, it (the boat) sank quite quickly and didn’t give passengers much of a chance to get out of there,” he said by phone from the control room of the rescue operation.

“Whether the boat broke open and water poured in, we don’t know,” said Prakash, adding that an investiga-

tion was under way into the cause of the accident. “But the boat was bad.”

Another 20 people have been pulled alive from the water following the accident late Sunday afternoon, Prakash said. Search efforts that include the coast guard, navy and police were ongoing, aided by a helicopter with a spotlight for “two to three” people still feared to be missing, he added.

The Aqua Marine ferrying the passengers between the two popular spots capsized in Port Blair harbour, located in the Andamans, about one kilometre from shore during calm seas, Prakash said.

“Some people could see the boat starting to sink from shore so quite a few boats took off from the harbour to try to help,” he said. Earlier Indian media had reported the accident took place some 25 kilometres

(15 miles) off the coast of Port Blair.

India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed shock over the tragedy and “condoled the loss of lives.”

Singh also said in a statement that he has asked the country’s national agencies to help in the rescue and relief operation.

Those rescued have been taken to a hospital in Port Blair, with “several of them seriously injured”, an official said. “The bodies have also been taken to the same hospital,” the unnamed official told AFP by phone from the town.

The boat was carrying a large group of tourists from Kanchipuram in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, the official said, while local media reported that some were from the country’s financial hub Mumbai.

However authorities were canvassing hotels in Port

China jails prominent activist for four years BEIJING: A court sentenced one of China’s most prominent rights advocates to four years in prison yesterday after he campaigned for the rights of children from rural areas to be educated in cities and for officials to disclose their assets.

Xu Zhiyong’s jailing will send a stark warning to activists that the Chinese Communist Party will crush any challenge to its rule, especially from those who seek to organise campaigns.

It also diminishes hopes for meaningful political change, even as China pledges to embark on economic reforms. Separately, one of China’s most prominent dissidents, Hu Jia, who frequently accuses authorities of infringing civil liberties, said police had summoned him on a charge of “suspicion of causing a disturbance”.

The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court found Xu guilty of “gathering a crowd to disturb public order ”, the court said on its official microblog. Xu was tried on Wednesday.

Xu’s lawyer Zhang Qingfang said he would meet Xu within the next two days to determine whether to lodge an appeal. “He said (in court) that the last remaining dignity of the Chinese legal system has been destroyed,” Zhang told reporters.

“It’s not that we can’t bear this result but that, fundamentally, the guilty conviction is illegal, is unreasonable and unfair.” The United States condemned the move.

“Chinese authorities should release Xu and other political prisoners immediately and live up to their international human rights commitments,” President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, Susan Rice, said via Twitter. She said she was “deeply disappointed” in Xu’s sentence.

There were chaotic scenes outside the court as police shoved and harassed foreign reporters.

Zhang was briefly taken away in a van by police after the hearing. He said police were still tailing him after he was released.

The government has waged a 10-month drive against Xu’s “New Citizens’ Movement”, which advocates working within the system to press for change. Hundreds of citizens have participated in activities related to the movement, rights activists say.

“This is a shameful but sadly predictable verdict. The Chinese authorities have once again opted for the rule of fear over the rule of law,” Roseann Rife, East Asia Research Director at Amnesty International, said in a statement.

“The persecution of those associated with the New Citizens Movement demonstrates how fearful the Chinese leadership are of public calls for change.”

‘Show trials’ Hu, the dissident, said he was prepared to face detention. “It’s because I’ve participated in many street protests,” Hu told Reuters by telephone as police waited outside his door to take him away. “I’ve asked for officials to publicly disclose their assets and have expressed solidarity with those who’ve been arrested. I’ve appealed to many people to watch and promote these street protests.”

Hu was jailed in 2008 for 3 1/2 years on subversion charges for criticising human rights restrictions. Some supporters saw him as a potential recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize before it went to another jailed Chinese dissident, Liu Xiaobo, in 2010.

China has detained at least 20 activists involved in pressing for asset disclosure by officials, although not all are from the New Citizens’ Movement. Two activists stood trial on Thursday

in Beijing and four others will be tried on Monday. Three went on trial in December and face more than 10 years in prison if convicted.

“Instead of ‘putting power’ within a ‘cage of regulations’, as Xi Jinping has promised, the new leadership appears to be more interested in consolidating power,” Brad Adams, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.

“Staging show trials of critics is wholly at odds with Xi’s self-proclaimed reformist agenda.”.

Xu’s verdict is also a rebuff to Western governments who have expressed concern about his case. “We are concerned that today’s conviction is retribution for Xu’s public campaign to expose official corruption and for the peaceful expression of his views,” said Daniel Delk, second secretary for the political section at the US embassy.

Through his online essays and Twitter account, Xu pushed for officials to disclose their assets and also campaigned for the rights of children from rural areas to be educated in cities, where many live with their migrant worker parents.

Xu’s trial is China’s highest-profile proceeding against a dissident since 2009, when Nobel laureate Liu went on trial for subversion after helping organise the “Charter 08” petition urging the overthrow of one-party rule. He was jailed for 11 years.

During Xu’s trial, the court rejected the 68 witnesses the defence had applied to testify. It also barred diplomats from attending. Xu taught law at a Beijing university and ran in a local election. He became prominent over a drive to abolish “custody and repatriation” powers, a form of arbitrary detention used by local governments to sweep homeless and other undesirables from the streets. The government scrapped the system in 2003. — Reuters

Blair to confirm the names of all of the tourists who were on board the boat, the official added.

An investigation by the judicial district magistrate was under way into the cause of the accident, the official said. A list of the dead and injured was expected to be released soon, and helpline numbers have been set up for those concerned about missing relatives and friends. The Andaman and Nicobar islands, comprising some 572 islands, are located between the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Though they are Indian territory, they are at least 1,000 kilometres from the mainland and are closer to the coast of Myanmar.

The sprawling archipelago, badly hit by the 2004 Asian tsunami, is home to rare indigenous tribes and attracts tourists drawn to its unspoilt beauty. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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

Israeli official: Palestine should allow settlers JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that all Jewish settlers should have the right to remain in their homes in a future Palestine, an official in his office said yesterday, offering a novel approach to one of the stickiest issues in Mideast peace talks.

In years of negotiations, it has been assumed that any Jewish settlers not inside Israeli territory under a future peace deal would have to be removed.

But Netanyahu believes there is no reason for a future Palestinian state to be “ethnically cleansed,” the official said.

The comments expanded on Netanyahu’s comments over the weekend in Davos, Switzerland, where he told reporters at the World Economic Forum that he did not intend to uproot any Israelis in a peace deal.

More than 500,000 settlers live in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territories that Israel captured in the 1967 war and

which the Palestinians now hope will be part of their future state. East Jerusalem and the West Bank, known to religious Jews as Judea and Samaria, are parts of the biblical land of Israel. Hard-line Israelis object to ceding either area on both spiritual and security grounds.

Netanyahu already has said he wants to retain major settlement “blocs,” home to the vast majority of settlers, as part of any deal. The Palestinians have signaled they would give up their claims to the lands where the blocs are located under a land swap giving them additional territory from what is now inside Israel.

Forcible eviction But experts believe roughly 100,000 settlers live outside of these blocs, and their fate under any final peace deal is unclear. Many of these settlers likely would evacuate their homes in return for fair compensation. Others, however, are deeply ideological and would resist any

forcible eviction.

The Israeli official said Netanyahu believes there is no reason to uproot them against their will.

“The prime minister believes that in peace, just as Israel has an Arab minority, there is no logical reason why the Palestinian state could not contain a Jewish minority and that Jews living in Judea and Samaria would be given the option to stay,” he said. “It should not be accepted a priori that in peace the Palestinian state must be ethnically cleansed.” The Israeli official spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue remained under discussion and hadn’t been formally accepted as policy by the government. The Palestinians consider settlements built beyond the 1967 borders to be illegal land grabs and rejected the idea of incorporating them in a future state.

“Anyone who says he wants to keep settlers in the Palestinian state is actually

saying that he doesn’t want a Palestinian state,” Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. “No settler will be allowed to stay in the Palestinian state, not even a single one, because settlements are illegal and the presence of the settlers on the occupied lands is illegal.”

Israel is to allow the entry of more building materials into the Gaza Strip, the defence ministry said yesterday, and a UN refugee agency said they should be delivered soon.

“About 1,000 tonnes of cement and building materials will enter the Gaza Strip for storm damage restoration and other projects of UN agencies,” the Israeli defence ministry said in a statement.

Last month a fierce winter storm hit the Palestinian enclave, with strong winds and heavy flooding causing damage to homes and infrastructure.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which cares for Palestinian refugees, said it had been given the go-

ahead for new construction but that the work was unrelated to storm repairs.

“Israel informed UNRWA that it approved the entry of construction materials for six new projects in Gaza,” a residential neighbourhood and five schools, spokesman Ahmad Abu Hassna told AFP. UNRWA said delivery was expected during the coming week.The defence ministry statement said Israeli authorities “spoke with senior officials in the Palestinian Authority” and informed them of the decision. But Raed Fatuh, the Palestinian Authority official in charge of the entry of goods into Gaza, said “the Palestinian side has not been officially informed about this”. Israel in October reinstated an on-off ban on construction materials for Gaza, after troops discovered a sophisticated tunnel running under the Israel-Gaza border, built with the alleged aim of perpetrating Palestinian militant attacks. —Agencies

Deal on women, children in besieged Syrian city Assad has lost legitimacy, can no longer lead Syria

CAIRO: Egyptians walk past military vehicles stationed on the outskirts of Cairo’s Tahrir square yesterday a day after thousands of demonstrators gathered in the capital’s landmark square chanting slogans supporting General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, as police clashed with Islamists and activists elsewhere. Nearly 50 people died in weekend clashes between supporters and opponents of Egypt’s military, as media outlets hailed rallies urging the army chief to run for the presidency. — AFP

Tunisia to vote on new constitution TUNIS: Tunisia’s interim parliament was set to pass a much-delayed new constitution yesterday, after the failure to form a caretaker cabinet showed deep political discord.

The Constituent Assembly’s lawmakers have already vetted the new document line-by-line after painstaking negotiations on issues such as women’s rights and the role of Islam. The resulting fundamental law, which has been in the works for two years, is a compromise between the ruling Islamist Ennahda party and the liberal opposition.

Lawmaker Karima Souid said the parliamentary session during which the new constitution is expected to be approved was postponed from the morning to the afternoon. The vote was now expected to start at 1500 GMT. The charter needs the support of twothirds of the 217 assembly members to pass. But in a sign that Tunisia’s political class remains deeply divided, the technocrat prime minister chosen last month to steer the country to fresh elections announced after missing Saturday’s deadline that he had failed to muster sufficient consensus for a new caretaker cabinet.

Mehdi Jomaa had been expected to submit his line-up to President Moncef Marzouki Saturday afternoon but gave a press conference shortly after midnight to say he would not. “I chose not to do it in order for a consensus to be reached,” he said. “I may be asked again (to form a new cabinet), or it could be somebody else.”

Jomaa, the industry minister in the outgoing government, was tasked with ending the crisis which has gripped Tunisia since the assassination last year of two opposi-

tion MPs by suspected jihadists. Several Tunisian media outlets said the main sticking point in the negotiations for a new government was the identity of the interior minister.

Some opposition groups want the current minister, Lotfi Ben Jeddou, removed because he served in the government led

by Ennahda, which has the largest bloc in parliament. But others, not only Ennahda supporters, argue that a volatile security situation across the North African country means that continuity is needed at the interior ministry.

“We aren’t far from a solution, talks will continue,” Jomaa said. Ennahda’s veteran leader Rachid Ghannouchi hailed the draft charter due to be passed Sunday as a “historic achievement” which he said would enable the establishment of the first democracy in the Arab world.

Under the new constitution, executive power is divided between the prime minister, who will have the dominant role, and the president, who retains important prerogatives notably in defence and foreign affairs. Islam is not mentioned as a source of legislation, although it is recognised as the nation’s religion and the state is committed to “prohibiting any attacks on the sacred,” while freedom of conscience is guaranteed.

Approval of the constitution is seen as a key step in Tunisia’s political transition, more than three years after long-ruling dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted by the first popular uprising of the Arab Spring. The vote, initially announced for Saturday, was pushed back until Sunday to allow lawmakers to reform the rules of the confidence vote.— AFP

GENEVA: Women and children trapped in a Syrian city under government siege will be permitted to leave as soon as yesterday under a deal that marked the first tangible - if limited sign of progress in peace talks.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the mediator brokering the negotiations, acknowledged that the agreement on the city of Homs fell short of his hope to send a humanitarian aid convoy. But, he said, “to bring Syria out of the ditch in which it has fallen will take time.” Homs, one of the first cities to rise against President Bashar Assad, once more came under mortar attacks from the government.

Brahimi defended the pace of the talks, which have yet to touch upon the issue of Assad’s future. “I think being too slow is a better way than going too fast,” he said. “If you run, you may gain one hour and lose one week.” Brahimi said the thorniest topic - a possible transitional government - will not come up until at least today.

“I think this belittles the importance of this conference and the goal that was drawn for it,” said Bouthaina Shaaban, an adviser to Assad.

The Western-backed opposition, made up largely of exiled Syrians, says Assad has lost legitimacy and can no longer lead a country after unleashing the military on largely peaceful protests nearly three years ago.

The government says the rebellion is rife with terrorists and that Assad is the only person able to end the fighting that has killed more than 130,000 people. In the meantime, the homegrown rebellion has become a regional proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, with foreign fighters flooding in on both sides.

Homs was considered a promising place to start the negotiations. The city was one of the first areas that plunged into armed conflict in 2011. Neighborhoods in the old city have been ravaged following repeated government assaults to reclaim control from rebels.

The city had a pre-war population of 1 million, but most residents have since fled. Activists say about 800 families are trapped, without reg-

also cracked down on their employers.

Thousands of migrants have demonstrated against the moves.

Israel has granted asylum to the two Eritreans on the recommendation of the Interior Ministry’s review board, spokeswoman Rivi Cohen said. She declined to elaborate, citing privacy concerns, but said the men’s cases had been considered “for close to a year” and were unrelated to a UN-backed campaign by African migrants to have their refugee claims heard more readily.

Reut Michaeli, a lawyer representing African migrants, said Israel still fell far behind other countries which recognised more than 60 percent of Eritrean asylumseekers as refugees. “The real difference is in the sincerity and the true desire to examine people’s requests for refugee status,” she told Israel’s Army Radio.

Briefing journalists last week, Interior Ministry legal adviser Daniel Solomon said around 2,000 Eritrean and Sudanese migrants had left Israel voluntarily during 2013 with $3,500 cash handouts from the state. He said the ministry was reviewing 1,800 asylum requests.—Reuters

ular access to food, medicine and basic necessities. “The regime is blocking all convoys to Homs and has been doing so for months,” said a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the talks remain sensitive. “The situation in Homs is extremely urgent. Anything the government says to the contrary is false.”

Monzer Akbik, an opposition spokesman, said the coalition was still determined to stay for the political talks set to begin Monday. He accused the government of using “stalling tech-

niques.” Syrian activists, including the Britainbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said some rebel-held districts in Homs came under attack Sunday morning by mortars fired by Syrian government forces.

Heavy fighting also continued Sunday in the Qadam neighborhood on the southern fringe of Damascus, where at least 35 rebels and government troops were killed the previous day, said R ami Abdurrahman, the Observatory’s director. —AP

Egyptian liberal finds enemies on all sides CAIRO: Amr Hamzawy’s liberal politics put him on the wrong side of the Islamists who rose to power after the 2011 uprising. Now his criticism of the army-backed order that replaced them is generating new enemies.

A rare example of a secular critic of the army’s decision to depose Islamist president Mohamed Mursi last July after mass protests against his rule, Hamzawy says Egypt is now witnessing a “fast recovery of authoritarianism”, challenging the government’s depiction of a country on a path to democracy. In an interview on Jan. 21, he said his views have led to him being demonised as a closet Islamist and

Israel grants asylum to Eritreans amid protests JERUSALEM: Israel has granted political asylum to two Eritreans, its Interior Ministry said yesterday, amid protests by thousands of other African migrants who accuse the Jewish state of denying them consideration as refugees.

The ministry said the sanctuary decision was unconnected to censure of Israel, including from the UN refugee agency, of its treatment of some 53,000 Africans who have walked in via Egypt. It has branded the vast majority as illegal job-seekers who must not stay.

Seeing a demographic threat to the Jewish state, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to remove the migrants and Israel has erected a fence along the once-porous Egyptian frontier.

Netanyahu’s government is limited in its deportation options because most of the migrants are from Eritrea, where rights groups say they risk persecution if they return, or Sudan, an enemy with which Israel has no bilateral contacts.

To put pressure on them to go home voluntarily or move elsewhere, Israel has been corralling them in a desert facility and jailing those who refuse to stay there. It has

GENEVA: Syrian senior presidential advisor Buthaina Shaaban speaks to a Syrian TV reporter at the United Nations Offices in Geneva yesterday. Syria’s regime and opposition are expected to discuss prisoner releases on the second day of face-to-face peace talks in Geneva. With no one appearing ready for serious concessions, mediators are focusing on short-term deals to keep the process moving forward, including on localised ceasefires, freer humanitarian access and prisoner exchanges. — AFP

TEL AVIV: Anat Kam an Israeli woman convicted of spying and leaking classified military documents to the media walks out of Neve Tirtza Prison in Ramle, near Tel Aviv, yesterday as she was released after serving 26 months of a four-and-a-half year prison sentence. The former soldier was convicted in October 2011 after pleading guilty to leaking documents used by Haaretz newspaper in a 2008 article which said troops were ordered to carry out targeted killings of Palestinian militants in violation of a supreme court order. — AFP

a “fifth columnist” by a pro-government media campaign he describes as part of a “fascist build up” against opponents of the new order. “This dehumanisation can only lead to massive repression, which is going on,” said Hamzawy, 46. A political scientist, Hamzawy was charged on Jan. 19 with “insulting the judiciary” and could face jail time. He would not comment on the case, stressing respect for the judiciary.

His story illustrates the sharp twists and turns in Egypt’s political journey in the chaotic three years since the historic 2011 uprising that led to President Hosni Mubarak’s downfall. Hamzawy shot to stardom after the uprising, a rare case of a secularist who made an impact on a political landscape dominated by well-organised Islamist groups. He defeated a Muslim Brotherhood member to win a seat in parliament in one of the strongest performances of 2011 legislative elections. His liberal approach drew Islamist scorn even as he tried to build bridges to narrow the divisions that contributed to Mursi’s downfall. He was denounced by the religious right on grounds including the fact his wife is an actress.

But while he called for protests against Mursi last year, he argued his fate should have been decided by a vote, not the army. He says he has been squeezed from public life since making that point on TV on July 3, the day Mursi was toppled.

“I am paying the price of sticking to my principles,” he said. “I am paying the price of being a critic in all phases.” Hamzawy was speaking ahead of a wave of deadly bombings in Cairo targeting policemen over the last few days.

Twelve people were killed during anti-government marches on Saturday while thousands rallied in support of the army-led authorities, underlining Egypt’s volatile political fissures three years after the fall of autocrat President Hosni Mubarak.

Hamzawy also faults the Brotherhood for their recourse to an “undemocratic narrative” during Mursi’s one year in power, when he was either unwilling or unable to build an inclusive administration.

Squeezed out of public eye Hamzawy says he is no longer invited to speak on widely watched nightly talkshows which once hosted him on a near daily basis. The last time he appeared on satellite TV was in August, he said.

Invitations to speak in public have also dried up.

“If you are attacking someone for six or seven months for his opinion, and trying to attack him as a fifth column traitor, people steer clear from you,” said Hamzawy, speaking at his office in the American University in Cairo on the city’s desert outskirts. “This

is part of the fear tactics, the silencing tactics autocracies always play out against their opponents,” he said. The charges brought against Hamzawy stem from his criticism of a court ruling last year that sentenced 43 Americans, Europeans and Egyptians who had worked for international democracy promotion groups, including US-based groups. Two dozen others, including Mursi, are due to go on trial in the same case, accused of insulting the judiciary on a number of different occasions in different contexts.

Many other secular-minded Egyptians took a different view of the army’s move against Mursi, their concern about Brotherhood rule outweighing everything else. Hamzawy said they had given up on democratic ideals.

The main channel for Hamzawy to express his views today is a regular column in the independently-owned Shorouk newspaper. Hamzawy said he was calling for an “awakening among Egyptians” so they understood Egypt is on a path to autocracy reminiscent of the Mubarak era.

“In terms of the grand design, it is very much the same: a centre of power, with everyone else in society expected to say yes or be silenced,” he said. “That is the grand design of autocracy.”

The army-backed government says it is restoring democracy after a revolution against Mursi and the Brotherhood. With lethal attacks on the security forces commonplace since Mursi’s removal, the government says it is in a “war on terror”.

Hamzawy said that the state must act against anyone turning to violence, but criticised what he described as “exceptional measures” against members of the Islamist movement.

‘A country in fear’ “We are seeing a build-up of undemocratic narratives, arguments, dehumanization, defamation, suggesting to Egyptians there are conspiracies against us everywhere: that everyone is conspiring against Egypt, as if nobody is considering any other country in the world,” he said. “A country in fear is not a country that can democratize easily.”

He has spoken out against mass killings of Mursi supporters in the weeks after his downfall, the closure of Islamist-run TV stations, a law that tightly restricts protests and, mostly recently, what he described as repressive articles of a new constitution overwhelmingly approved in a referendum last week. The government bills the referendum, passed by 98 percent of voters on a 38 percent turnout, as a foundation for democracy. Were army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi elected president, as is now widely expected, Hamzawy says the outlook for freedoms will dim further.— Reuters

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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

Firecracker blast blows off driver’s hand in Washington SEATTLE: A powerful firecracker detonated inside a moving vehicle in a Spokane neighborhood and blew off the driver’s hand, with residents rushing to aid the bleeding man, police and neighbors said.

Donald Wilkes, 61, said the blast early Saturday morning rattled his house and woke up everyone inside. When he ran outside, he found the street filled with smoke and a Jeep stopped just against his 6-foot-tall cedar fence.

“I looked around for something that got hit, but there was nothing,” Wilkes

said. “My son reached in to pull the keys out of the ignition and make sure he didn’t go anywhere, and that’s when we saw his hand was missing. It blew it right off at his wrist - they found part of it half a block away.”

Witnesses saw a flash of light from inside the vehicle, a red Jeep with a gray top, as it drove down a residential street, police said. There was initial concern over the driver’s intent.

Wilkes’ son, 30-year-old Nicholas, and another neighbor applied a tourniquet to the man’s left arm. The man was

stocky, estimated at about 28 to 30 years old, and coherent. But he wouldn’t answer questions about what he had been doing, Wilkes said.

“All he did was look at my son and say, ‘Oh God, oh God.’ He looked like he was going to pass out,” Wilkes said. “My main concern was why he was driving around my neighborhood at 1 in the morning with an explosive device.”

The explosion blew out several of the Jeep’s windows, knocked off its dashboard and splattered blood all over the driver’s side door, he said. Police and

medics arrived within minutes and applied further tourniquets, then brought the man to a hospital, where staff credited the first aid with saving his life.

Officers cordoned off streets in the neighborhood and urged Wilkes’ family to leave, but Wilkes, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, said the bedrooms are on the other side of the house so they eventually just went back to bed.

A bomb squad used a robot to find additional explosives in the Jeep and remained on scene until about 7 am

defusing them, Spokane Police spokeswoman Monique Cotton said. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms took over after that and would ultimately decide whether to recommend criminal charges.

Cotton called it an isolated incident and said there was no further threat to the community. Authorities eventually determined the explosion was caused by an M-1000 firecracker, Cotton said. An M-1000 is a cylindrical firework, sometimes sold in boxes promising “maximum blast, super loud.” —AP

Indians a rising force in California politics SACRAMENTO: When Neel Kashkari announced he was running for governor last week, he became the latest Californian of Indian descent to step onto the political stage, the most recent example of a rising trend in one of America’s most ethnically diverse states.

Kashkari is part of a surge of secondgeneration Indians emerging in politics, despite their relatively small population in California. While Sikh Californians have been farming in California’s Central Valley for nearly a century, the last couple of decades have brought a wave of technology workers and entrepreneurs into Silicon Valley, where they have formed a tight-knit, supportive and financially successful community.

Tapping into that donor base will be key to the Republican Kashkari’s campaign, even if many donors will have to cross party lines to support him. The growing roster of candidates and elected officials of Indian descent includes Democrat Ami Bera, a doctor who holds a Sacramento-area congressional seat; Democrat Ro Khanna, who is challenging for another in the San Francisco Bay Area; Vanila Singh, a Republican who recently announced she is entering the same Bay Area race; and Republican Ricky Gill, who attracted millions of dollars from Indian-Americans in the Central Valley before losing a tight congressional race two years ago.

San Francisco attorney Harmeet Dhillon was elected vice -chairwoman of the California Republican Party last year, while Attorney General Kamala Harris, whose mother was from India, is the highest-profile California officeholder with Indian

ancestry.

“It symbolizes the changing face of California,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, a political science professor at the University of California, Riverside and director of the National Asian American Survey. “Even though Latinos are the largest nonwhite group in the state, there’s room for other communities to also break through.”

Population Latinos are about 40 percent of California’s 38 million residents and have a solid record of exercising their political muscle. By comparison, Indians make up less than 2 percent of the population, or about 638,000, according to the 2010 US Census.

There is a long Sikh histor y in the Central Valley, where Kash Gill is mayor of Yuba City and Sonny Dhaliwal is mayor of Lathrop, in San Joaquin County. But many other Indian immigrants are more recent, and it is their US-born children who are now bounding into politics, Ramakrishnan said.

His research has found that compared with other much larger Asian constituencies, Indian-Americans have high levels of voter participation. They also are among the most consistently Democratic-leaning, although a significant portion have no party affiliation. That could create an opening for candidates such as Kashkari, a moderate on social issues who supports abortion rights and gay marriage.

Indian donors backed governors Nikki Haley of North Carolina and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, both of whom are Indian and Republican.—AP

COLUMBIA: Maryland State police officers patrol the Columbia Mall after a fatal shooting on Saturday, in Columbia, Maryland. Three people were killed in a shooting at the popular shopping mall, located about 45 minutes outside Washington, authorities said Saturday. Howard County, Maryland, Police announced the fatalities and urged people inside the Mall “to stay in place.”Police said one of the dead was “located near gun and ammunition.” — AFP

US mall shooting gunman identified Motive surrounding shooting still unknown

CALIFORNIA: In this Sept 20, 2012 file photo, Ricky Gill, the Republican candidate for the 9th Congressional District, right, responds to a question during a news conference with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and Kim Vann, the GOP candidate for the 3rd Congressional District, in Sacramento, Calif. Gill, who eventually lost a tight Congressional race to incumbent, Democrat Rep. Jerry McNerney, is among a growing roster of candidates and elected officials of Indian descent.— AP

Republicans struggle in Georgia’s Senate primary WATKINSVILLE: Seeking promotion to the US Senate, Republican Rep. Jack Kingston avoids a yes-or-no answer when asked if he considers himself a tea party candidate.

Instead, the 11-term congressman offers a lunch crowd at a northeast Georgia community center a plea for a unified GOP that can sell limited-government arguments to a wider audience. Kingston doesn’t mention any of his seven primary opponents. But the subtext is clear in a field that includes Kingston’s House colleagues Paul Broun and Phil Gingrey.

Broun, a physician, has called evolutionary theory “lies from the pit of Hell,” and he’s sponsoring a drawing to give one of his supporters a free AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

Gingrey, an obstetrician, has defended failed 2012 Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin’s controversial comments on rape and abortion.

It’s a free-for-all that highlights the GOP’s internal struggle between arch-conservatives and the business establishment. Some Republicans worry that Democrats could score an upset victory in Georgia’s Senate race in November, as they did in Missouri and handful of other recent Senate and governor’s races, if moderate voters find the Republican nominee too extreme.

“It’s a microcosm of what we’re fighting over nationally,” said Kirk Shook, GOP chairman in Oglethorpe County, about 80 miles east of Atlanta.

Also in the fray: David Perdue, a businessman and cousin of a former Georgia governor; and former Georgia secretary of state Karen Handel. Most observers expect a May 20 primary to produce a July runoff.

Meanwhile, Democratic favorite Michelle Nunn has quietly framed herself as a problem-solver above the rancor she blames for Washington gridlock. Nunn hasn’t sought public office before, but she comes with pedigree and connections. Her father, Sam Nunn, represented Georgia in the Senate for 24 years. For years she has run former President George H.W. Bush’s Points of Light Foundation, giving her a claim to bipartisanship and established relationships with wealthy donors.

Democrats believe that’s a winning strategy in a state where population growth has closed the partisan gap. The winner will succeed Republican Saxby Chambliss, who is retiring. — AP

WASHINGTON: A gunman who opened fire in a shopping mall near Washington, killing two people before taking his own life, was a 19-year-old armed with a shotgun and crude homemade explosives, police said yesterday.

Dario Marcus Aguilar fired six to eight shots from a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun during the attack at the Columbia Mall Saturday, killing two employees of a skateboard shop, Howard Country Police Chief Bill McMahon said.

Police are investigating whether the shooter, who was from the nearby town of College Park, Maryland, had any prior relationship with the victims. “Once we can establish if there is any relationship or not, that will certainly help us to identify the next big question, which is why this happened,” McMahon told reporters.

He said Aguilar “was dropped off at the mall by a cab at about 10:15 on the upper level,” leaving him “very limited” time to move through the mall before first reports of shoot-

ing came one hour later.

Nonetheless, police launched an intensive search of the mall after finding unsophisticated explosive devices in a backpack the shooter was carrying. The search by nearly 20 explosive-detecting canine teams turned up no additional explosives, however, McMahon said.

He described the explosives found as “homemade devices consisting of flash powder and household items. So they were not very sophisticated,” he said. Aguilar, who was not believed to have a criminal record, purchased the shotgun in December in nearby Montgomery County, McMahon said.

Police have identified the victims as Brianna Benlolo, 21, also of College Park, and Tyler Johnson, 25, of Ellicott City, Maryland.

Both were employees of skateboard store Zumiez.

Five injured shooting victims were also treated and released, Howard County General Hospital said Saturday. One had suffered a

gunshot wound to a foot. The mall should be cleared to reopen “no later than Tuesday,” McMahon said. With about 200 stores, and an indoor carousel and play area, the mall is a favorite weekend spot for young families about 45 minutes outside downtown Washington. “It’s more than just an economic entity,” McMahon said. “It really is kind of the main street for Columbia and one of the things Howard County is known for,” McMahon said.

The shooting is the latest in a spate of similar incidents in the United States. The most notorious took place in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012, when 26 people, most of them elementary school children, were shot to death by a 20-year-old who took his own life.

The Newtown attack briefly reignited the US gun control debate, triggered every time there is a major shooting, although attempts to pass tougher laws have made little headway in the US Congress. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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

Kenya security Westgate attack warnings ignored NAIROBI: Warnings by Kenyan security forces of impending attack just days before Somalia’s Shebab gunmen stormed a Nairobi mall killing at least 67 people last year were ignored, parliamentary investigations have found, according to reports. “There was general information on the impending terror attack on all the malls and other strategic Western interests, especially in Nairobi,” the parliamentary report read, quoted

by Kenya’s Sunday Nation newspaper.

Warnings of an attack were made in August and again just 19 days before the September 21 attack on Westgate, when gunmen stormed the

upmarket mall hurling grenades and shooting shoppers and staff, the report notes.

Another security report, issued a year to the day before the Westgate siege began, specifically said the Shebab were planning to attack the partly Israeli-owned complex.

“Another intelligence briefing in February 2013 warned of attacks like those that happened in Mumbai in late 2008, where the operatives storm a building with guns and grenades and probably hold hostages,” the report read, quoted in the newspaper.

“It is unclear what measures were put in place

to prevent the attacks.” omalia’s Islamist Shebab said the attack was a warning to Kenya to pull its troops out of southern Somalia, where they are fighting the Shebab as part of an African Union force. The report is also critical of how various security forces-including police, army and special forces-handled the four-day siege, noting the “poor coordination by the multi-agency forces during the operation”.

It also criticised a “nationwide systemic failure” of the immigration department, with widespread corruption in the issuance of identity cards.

The report, the result of investigations by the

joint parliamentary committee of National Security and Defence and Foreign Relations, is expected to be discussed when parliament reopens next month.

Four men are on trial in Nairobi for allegedly providing logistical support to the attackers. All the gunmen in the Westgate siege-understood to have totalled four, not the dozen that security forces initially reported-are believed to have died during the attack, according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. Western officials have suggested that as many as 94 people could have died in total in the attack. — AFP

Ukrainian oppn defiant after compromise offer New protests as deadly crisis grips coutry

BANGUI: French soldiers taking part in ‘Operation Sangaris’ patrol in the Miskine neighborhood of Bangui, yesterday, following overnight clashes between antiBalaka Christian militiamen and ex-Seleka Muslim militiamen. The Central African Republic’s new prime minister said today his priority will be stopping the massacres and other atrocities that have shaken the country for months. — AFP

New C Africa Republic PM says stopping atrocities is priority BANGUI: The Central African Republic’s new prime minister said yesterday his priority will be stopping the massacres and other atrocities that have shaken the country for months.

Speaking the day after he was named premier by interim president Catherine Samba Panza-herself only in office since Thursday-former banking official Andre Nzapayeke said ending the violence between Christians and Muslims was the key to restoring security and a functioning state.

“I’m going to be speaking with the different groups so that we immediately stop certain... atrocities being carried out in this country. We have to put a stop to all that quickly,” Nzapayeke said in an interview with French radio station RFI. He said he planned to “put a team in place that’s going to deal with the question of national reconciliation”. “We have to tackle that quickly, it will make the security question easier,” said Nzapayeke, whose surname means “God is present” in the Sango language.

After that, he said, the next step would be helping the one million people who have fled the violence to return home.

“There’s a certain number of very clear actions the government is going to tackle starting this week,” he said.

Massacres Nzapayeke, a former secretary general of the African Development Bank and vice president of the Development Bank of Central African States, said the country would seek help from its “friends in the international community” to end the crisis.

Violence between the Christian majority and Muslim minority erupted after mostly Muslim rebel group Seleka overthrew the

government in March last year and installed its leader, Michel Djotodia, as president.

Djotodia failed to rein in a wave of killing, raping and looting by his former fighters, leading to the emergence of Christian vigilante groups known as “antibalaka” (anti-machetes) that are accused of committing atrocities of their own against Muslims, including civilian massacres.

Samba Panza, the country’s first woman leader, was elected by the interim parliament to replace Djotodia after he resigned under international pressure on January 10.

She and Nzapayeke are tasked with forming a government to end the bloodshed, restoring the operations of a state whose coffers are empty and whose employees have gone months without pay, and organising general elections by February 2015.

Violence continued yesterday in the capital, Bangui, where gunshots rang out as looters tried to raid the central business district. Looters and anti-balaka fighters have been regularly pillaging the neighbourhood, whose shops are mostly Muslim-owned-often clashing with young Muslims and ex-Seleka rebels, with the violence spilling over into neighbouring areas.

Shots were also heard overnight in the Miskine district, which is patrolled by troops from the 5,200-strong African Union force MISCA and the 1,600-strong French army contingent backing them.

Outside the capital, warlords control large swathes of the country, a land-locked state among the poorest in the world whose history of coups and rebellions since independence from France in 1960 has kept it mired in poverty and instability despite its mining and agricultural potential. — AFP

South Sudan fighting despite ceasefire JUBA: South Sudan’s government and rebels traded accusations yesterday that each had breached a ceasefire deal by attacking the other, but insisted they were committed to ending weeks of brutal conflict. Both sides insist they were attacked and have responded only in selfdefence. The ceasefire, aimed at stopping six weeks of bitter fighting in which thousands have died, began Friday evening with both sides reporting clashes as the deadline approached.

Up to 10,000 people are believed to have been killed in the fighting pitting forces loyal to President Salva Kiir against a loose coalition of army defectors and ethnic militia nominally headed by sacked vice president Riek Machar, a seasoned guerrilla fighter.

Rebel military spokesman Lul Ruai Koang reported yesterday “clear violations” of the ceasefire, claiming government forces had attacked rebel positions in the northern oil state of Unity and in the volatile eastern Jonglei region.

“In all the government’s offensives, our forces only acted in self-defence,” he said in a statement. The army has dismissed the reports, blaming the rebels for attacking their forces. Both sides insist they are committed to the deal, and the clashes reported since the agreement was signed late Thursday appear to have been localised skirmishes, not large-scale assaults.

Verifying reports from across the vast and remote regions of South Sudan-large areas of which have poor if any telephone networks-is a difficult task. Army spokesman Philip Aguer said he had received no fresh reports of fighting yesterday. But both sides have also said they

doubt the other can fully control the forces on the ground. Information Minister Michael Makuei, speaking on Saturday in Juba after returning from the talks in Ethiopia that hammered out the crucial deal, said the clashes were not unexpected, as the “rebels are indisciplined”.

Scale of suffering ‘alarming’ The fighting has seen waves of brutal revenge attacks, as fighters and ethnic militia use the violence to loot and settle old scores, with the United Nations and rights workers reporting that horrific atrocities have been committed by both sides. Rebel spokesman Koang said government orders to soldiers not to kill civilians was a sign that Kiir was “not in full control of security forces” either.

Ateny Wek Ateny, spokesman of President Salva Kiir, insisted on Saturday they would honour the agreement. “We are definitely going to maintain a ceasefire,” Ateny said, adding that government forces had responded only in self-defence to rebel attacks. “All we hope is that both sides respect the peace deal.”

The ceasefire agreement was signed late Thursday in the Ethiopian capital by representatives of Kiir and rebel delegates loyal to ousted vice president Machar. But many in the country fear that even with a ceasefire deal, the conflict pitting members of Kiir’s Dinka people-the country’s largest group-against Machar’s Nuer tribe is far from over.

The fighting has been marked by atrocities on both sides, with about 700,000 people forced from their homes in the impoverished nation, according to the United Nations. —AFP

KIEV: The Ukrainian opposition vowed to press on with protests yesterday despite an offer of top posts made by President Viktor Yanukovych, as protesters seized another official building in the capital.

Thousands of protesters, some clutching baseball bats and wearing gas masks, were again starting to fill the centre of Kiev for new protests as tensions showed no sign of ending in the deadly crisis gripping the country.

Two months after the protests began over Yanukovych’s decision to back out of a European Union pact, the president offered on Saturday to share leadership with opposition figures Arseniy Yatsenyuk as prime minister and Vitali Klitschko as deputy prime minister in a dramatic compromise bid.

Opposition leaders said they would continue negotiations until other demands are met, in particular that presidential elections due in 2015 be brought forward to this year. One week after clashes first erupted between the opposition and police, protesters scored another victory by taking control of Ukrainian House, a Stalin-era exhibition hall near the protest zone, ousting about 200 interior ministry troops using it as a base. Special forces were allowed to exit through a side entrance early Sunday to cries of “Shame!” from protesters, after an overnight siege in which protesters threw Molotov cocktails as security forces responded with stun grenades.

‘Press centre’ The interior ministry said it had given an order to “withdraw the reserve unit” and essentially accused protesters of attempting to take the troops hostage. “The goal of the protesters was taking the security forces captive and exchanging them for arrested or detained activists,” it said. Protest leaders said the building would now be used as a “press centre” and an additional place to feed and warm protesters.

They said exhibits stored there from the collection of Kiev’s history museum would not be touched, the Interfax news agency reported.

Officials say three people have been killed in the escalating protests in Kiev, raising fears of a wider civil conflict as protests have spread to outlying regions of Ukraine-the former Soviet republic’s worst crisis since independence in 1991. The opposition says six people have died. One of these, a Belarussian national shot dead on Wednesday, was due to be given a funeral at the St Michael Cathedral in Kiev yesterday.

Opposition not impressed with offer Yanukovych’s office said after Saturday’s talks with opposition leaders that the president was

KIEV: Ukrainian protesters hold their flags outside Mikhaylovsky Cathedral as they pay their final respects to Belarussian protester Mikhail Zhiznevsky during a funeral service in Kiev yesterday. Thousands in Kiev mourned a protester shot dead during clashes, as a rebellion against President Viktor Yanukovych’s authority spread despite sweeping concessions offered by the embattled leader. — AFP willing to shuffle his government and consider constitutional changes to reduce presidential power and return to a system where the prime minister has more authority. The president also agreed to send parliament an amnesty bill for arrested protesters and to re-consider draconian anti-protest laws passed this month. Speaking to tens of thousands packed into Kiev’s Independence Square late Saturday, the main opposition leaders were careful to neither accept nor explicitly reject Yanukovych’s proposals.

Proposals “We are not scared of responsibility for the future of Ukraine. We take responsibility and are ready to take the country into the European Union,” Yatsenyuk told the cheering crowd.

Yatsenyuk, the 39-year-old leader of the Fatherland party, later told reporters the opposition was “not over the moon” about the proposals. “We are not refusing the offer but we are not accepting it either,” he said. He later wrote on his

Facebook page that the opposition should be the one dictating terms, not the other way around.

There was little support for the deal among protesters, who simply want Yanukovych to quit.

“We want the authorities to understand that we will stay until victory and most of us see that as the departure of Yanukovych,” said protester Bogdan, 22.

The protests first erupted when Yanukovych refused to sign a key deal with the EU in November, opting for closer ties with former master Russia instead. They have snowballed into anti-government protests against Yanukovych’s four-year rule, which the opposition claims has been riddled with corruption and nepotism.

The authorities have also faced mounting pressure outside Kiev, with protesters storming regional administration offices, not just in the anti-Yanukovych west of the country but also north and east of the capital. — AFP

Madagascar grenade blast mars power handover ANTANANARIVO: A grenade explosion ripped through a Madagascar bus stop, killing a toddler and wounding 37 on Saturday just hours after the island’s newly elected president took the oath.

The blast occurred some 200 hundred metres (yards) from the stadium where Hery Rajaonarimampianina was installed as the island’s first post-coup elected president, a police source said.

Minister of Internal Security Arsene Rakotondrazaka initially said 33 people had been injured and a two-year-old child was killed in the blast in the capital Antananarivo. The outgoing health minister, Olga Ramaroso, later said 38 people had been brought to hospital, including the toddler who subsequently died. The figure of 37 wounded was confirmed by a police spokesman.

After he paid a visit to the injured in an Antananarivo hospital, the president said his government would not tolerate any form of violence. “There is rule of law, there is state authority,” and therefore “we cannot accept such violence,” the president said, vowing that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

A security source told AFP on condition of anonymity that a white man on foot tossed the grenade into a group of people outside the stadium and ran off. The blast occurred a few hours after the inauguration ceremony that was attended by foreign dignitaries including heads of states from Namibia and the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and the Seychelles.

Stability Taking the oath of office, Raja onarimampianina had called for national unity and reached out to his political rivals to help restore stability to the Indian Ocean island.

He won last month’s elections that were aimed at restoring democracy and much-needed foreign aid to the island after a 2009 coup.

The 55-year-old president called for national unity urging political opponents, who he did not mention by name, to “understand that it is not about us but about Madagascar, our collective future and our place.”

ANTANANARIVO: Madagascar’s newly elected President Hery Rajaonarimampianina (C) visits the victims of a grenade explosion in the Anosy district in Antananarivo late on Saturday. A grenade explosion ripped through a Madagascar bus stop, killing a toddler and wounding 37 just hours after the island’s newly elected president took the oath. — AFP The Canadian-educated accountant is backed by the country ’s former strongman Andry Rajoelina who had staged the 2009 coup, toppling Marc Ravalomamana..

The man he defeated in the December 20 presidential run-off, Robinson Jean Louis, was among those present at the inauguration ceremony. Jean Louis, the candidate backed by Ravalomanana, conceded defeat on Friday.

He told reporters that “this time, the opposition will be able to advise the state” instead of “always opposing, disrupting and marching on the streets.” International observers gave the vote their stamp of approval. Donor countries have lauded the democratic transition, but cautioned that normalising relations with Madagascar will depend on the formation of a new government. Rajaonarimampianina pledged not to launch a “witch-hunt” but warned that the era of “the culture of impunity

was over.”

He vowed to mercilessly fight corruption. The World Bank’s representative in Madagascar, Haleh Bridi, praised the president for a “very encouraging speech, full of hope”. The new president has a tough task ahead of kick-starting growth after the nearly five years of political crisis saw poverty increase, leaving nine out of 10 people scraping by on less than $2 a day.

The highly aid-reliant country, whose economy is based largely on textiles and tourism, lost a third of its foreign budget support after the 2009 coup. Despite the turmoil however, as finance minister, Rajaonarimampianina managed to successfully oversee Madagascar’s public purse, maintaining a stable local currency and fuel prices, as donors and investors fled the pariah state. The economy grew 3.1 percent in 2012, lagging well behind most fast-growing African nations. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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

‘Allah’ rings out in Malaysian churches despite ban KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian churches defiantly continued to use the word “Allah” to refer to the Christian God in yesterday’s services despite the Muslim-majority country’s leader saying they must obey rules against it.

Malay-speaking Christians prayed and sang hymns using the Arabic word, a practice they have observed for hundreds of years but now the focus of an increasingly tense religious row in the Southeast Asian nation.

“They all contain the word ‘Allah’,” a pastor at a church near the capital Kuala Lumpur said of the songs sung by his congregation. “(The Malay-language Bible) contains the word ‘Allah’. When we preach we have to read the text.

It’s a really difficult situation,” he added, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the passions surrounding the issue. Under pressure from Muslim conservatives, Prime Minister Najib Razak said on

Friday that Malaysian Christians must heed rules forbidding them from using the word.

Islamist leaders in the country say “Allah”-which also is used by Malay Muslims to refer to their creator-is exclusive to their religion and must not be used by non-Muslims.

Muslim ethnic Malays make up more than 60 percent of the diverse country’s 28 million people.

Malaysia has sizeable ethnic Chinese, Indian and other communities. About 2.6 million people are Christians.

Church leaders have vowed not to back down “Christians in Malaysia have no choice but to use the Malay-language Bibles. To say they cannot use these bibles, it means saying ‘you are not allowed to worship in the language that you want’,” Rev. Hermen Shastri, general secretary of the Council of

Churches of Malaysia, told AFP. The government in 2007 ordered a Malaysian Catholic weekly newspaper to cease use of the word, arguing it could entice Muslims to convert, which is illegal for adherents of Islam in Malaysia.

The newspaper has launched a long-running court challenge, angering Muslim conservatives, who have demanded Christians use alternative Malay words. “Why insist? They have an option.

They don’t really have to use ‘Allah’ to worship,” said Yusri Mohamad, chairman of Muslim rights group Pembela. “This is unnecessary provocation... This is not healthy for Malaysia.”

Muslim conservatives have suggested Christians use other Malay words, such as “Tuhan”, to refer to God. Malaysia has avoided overt religious conflict for decades and is generally seen as a moderate Muslim country. But non-Muslims allege growing intolerance by influential Islamic conservatives. “We

feel angry. It’s unfair,” a Christian church-goer said after Sunday’s service. “It’s no longer peaceful between Christians and Muslims now.” The Malaysian Catholic church argues “Allah” has been used by Christians in the country for hundreds of years and that the word predates Islam’s founding.

Tensions sparked by the issue triggered a spate of attacks in 2010 on places of worship, mostly churches. Najib’s Muslim-dominated government responded in 2011 with a compromise allowing Christians limited use of the word.

But he backed away from that Friday, saying the compromise was subservient to state laws and royal decrees forbidding non-Muslim use of “Allah”.

Those rules have historically been rarely enforced.

But as pressure from Muslim conservatives rose, Islamic authorities cited one such law earlier this month to seize hundreds of Bibles from a Christian group. — AFP

India celebrates Republic Day, president warns on corruption ‘Corruption is a cancer that erodes democracy’

TULLE: In this Sunday, May 6, 2012 file photo then Socialist Party candidate for the presidential election Francois Hollande and his companion Valerie Trierweiler leave after voting in the second round of the presidential election in Tulle, central France. —AP

Trierweiler to visit India despite split with Hollande MUMBAI: Valerie Trierweiler, the ex-partner of French President Francois Hollande, was expected in India later on a charity mission despite Saturday’s announcement that the couple have split, a charity official said.

Trierweiler was going ahead with the trip to promote a French charity, the official said on Sunday, in her first public appearance since it emerged that Hollande was having an affair with a French actress.

She was set to arrive in the financial hub Mumbai for the long-planned two-day trip organised by Action Against Hunger (Action Contre la Faim, ACF), despite no longer being France’s First Lady.

“There is no doubt about her coming,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that the charity was however “working on different assumptions”-meaning her schedule in India may change.

Airport sources in Paris confirmed she boarded her flight and was expected to arrive in Mumbai around midnight yesterday. Hollande, 59, told AFP on Saturday he has split with longstanding partner Trierweiler, 48, after revelations earlier this month in the French press of his affair with actress Julie Gayet.

Trierweiler was hospitalised for a week after news broke of Hollande’s involvement with the 41-year-old Gayet, and she had since then been holed up in a presidential retreat outside Paris.

Trierweiler, who was treated in hospital for a bout of “tiredness” brought on by the scandal, had been invited to India in her official capacity, ACF has said.

Charity dinner The charity is paying for the trip, which is financed mostly by private Indian partners. In Mumbai Trierweiler will visit a hospital where ACF has a feeding project for malnourished children and witness a training programme for medical staff, the charity has said.

She will lunch with the wives of top local

businessmen and attend a charity gala dinner at the city’s luxury Taj Mahal hotel where she is also staying. The dinner has been organised to promote ACF’s local charity partner Fight Hunger Foundation, with Trierweiler the guest of honour and a list of sponsors including Moet and Chandon.

She will be shown around the city by French actress Charlotte Valandrey, who is involved in the cause of promoting organ donations and transplants. The trip is expected to generate intense press interest given the scandal and her refusal so far to speak about it. A press conference is planned for today but Trierweiler herself may not address the media, ACF has said.

Trierweiler visited India in February last year when, accompanied by the president, she visited a shelter for street children in New Delhi and spoke of her desire as First Lady to become a champion of children’s rights.

India at the time decided to treat Trierweiler as if she were Hollande’s wife, resolving a potential protocol headache in the conservative country. Trierweiler is a glamorous, twice-divorced career journalist who has three children of her own and had been Hollande’s partner for the best part of a decade.

Hollande announced his separation from Segolene Royal, a senior member of his Socialist party and a presidential candidate in 2007, just after she lost the election to Nicolas Sarkozy. He then started living openly with Trierweiler. Although she is not married to Hollande, she assumed the role of First Lady at official functions after Hollande’s election in 2012.

She emerged into the spotlight before he was elected president, and warned that she would not be a wallflower, saying in April 2012: “I have character, they cannot muzzle me.” Hollande has not denied an affair with Gayet but has so far steadfastly refused to answer questions about his love life. — AFP

Twelve dead in fresh violence in Xinjiang BEIJING: Chinese police shot dead six people during a “terrorist” attack in the restive western region of Xinjiang and six more died when explosives they were carrying detonated, state media said, as officials accused a prominent academic of aiding militants.

Police came under attack on Friday by a group throwing explosive devices in Xinhe county, the official news agency Xinhua said on Saturday, citing regional authorities, the latest violence to jolt an area with a large Muslim population.

Five suspects were captured and one policeman was slightly wounded, Xinhua said. The Global Times, owned by Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily, said two explosions had occurred in a beauty salon and a grocery market in Xinhe on Friday evening.

Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the main Uighur exile group, the World Uyghur Congress, suggested that the beauty salon was a front for a brothel that had offended Uighurs “as it directly affected the Uighurs’ traditional lifestyles”.

“China has refused to disclose the real reason for the protests by the Uighurs,” Raxit said in an emailed statement. “The forced repression and provocation is the real reason for the confrontation. The Uighurs simply cannot endure the current repressive policities pursued by China.” Xinjiang has been the theatre of numerous incidents of

unrest in recent years, which the government often blames on the separatist East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), although experts and rights groups cast doubt on its existence as a cohesive group.

Around 100 people, including several policemen, have been killed in violence in Xinjiang since last April, according to state media reports. Many rights groups say China has overplayed the threat posed by militants from the large Uighur minority, Muslims who speak a Turkic language, to justify tough controls in energy-rich Xinjiang. The region lies on the borders of ex-Soviet Central Asia, India and Pakistan.

Eleven people believed to be members of a militant group of Uighurs were killed in Kyrgyzstan after illegally crossing into the former Soviet republic from China, Kyrgyz border guards said on Friday.

Police in Xinjiang’s regional capital Urumqi said on Saturday a well-known, Beijing-based Uighur economics professor, Ilham Tohti, was being investigated for promoting Xinjiang’s independence and abetting separatists. Tohti was detained in Beijing last week, prompting concern from both the United States and European Union. Tohti used his classes to laud the attackers in recent militant incidents as “heroes”, “inciting the students to hate the country, hate the government and seek to overthrow it”, Urumqi police said on their official microblog. —Reuters

NEW DELHI: India marked its Republic Day yesterday with a parade of military hardware in the capital, as the president warned the country’s politicians against underestimating public anger over corruption.

Thousands of spectators turned out for the annual military and cultural parade along New Delhi’s ceremonial Rajpath boulevard, along with political leaders and chief guest Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Security was tight in the capital with police and troops sealing off large parts of the city for the 65th Republic Day, which is a national holiday to mark the day the Indian constitution came into force. On the eve of Republic Day, traditionally celebrated with shows of patriotic fervour, President Pranab Mukherjee warned politicians against corruption and false electoral promises ahead of general elections due by May. “Corruption is a cancer that erodes democracy, and weakens the foundations of our state,” Mukherjee said in an annual address aired live on national television. “If Indians are enraged, it is because they are witnessing corruption and waste of national resources. If governments do not remove these flaws, voters will remove governments,” he said on Saturday night.

Before his nomination as president in 2012, Mukherjee was a senior minister in the ruling Congress-led coalition which has been rocked by a series of corruption scandals that was eroded voter support. Mukherjee also took what is seen as a swipe at India’s new political star, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who declared himself an anarchist this month as he protested in the capital to press for police reform.

Kejriwal, a former anti-corruption campaigner who took office less than a month ago, has faced

NEW DELHI: Indian Army rocket and missile launch systems are displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi yesterday. India celebrated its 65th Republic Day with a large military parade in the capital New Delhi and similar events across the country. — AFP savage criticism for the two-day sit-in protest which saw police baton charge his supporters.

“Equally dangerous is the rise of hypocrisy in public life. Those who seek the trust of voters must promise only what is possible. Government isn’t a charity shop,” Mukherjee said. “Populist anarchy can’t be a substitute for governance. False promises lead to disillusionment, which gives birth to rage, and that rage has one legitimate target:

those in power. “Those in politics should understand that every election comes with a warning sign: perform or perish.” Kejriwal is looking to take advantage of a wave of popularity among the poor and middle class at the upcoming elections.

But he has lately come under fire for what his critics say is a failure to make the transition from successful street protestor to administrator as chief minister. — AFP

Thai protesters obstruct vote, one dead in violence BANGKOK: Anti-government demonstrators swarmed dozens of polling stations in Thailand yesterday to stop advance voting for next week’s general elections, chaining gates shut, threatening voters and preventing hundreds of thousands of people from casting ballots.

A protest faction leader was fatally shot in a confrontation near a polling center that also left 11 people wounded, and isolated street brawls broke out in several parts of Bangkok.

The chaos underscored the precariousness of Thailand’s fragile democracy, and the increasing weakness of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s elected administration. Yingluck had called the Feb. 2 vote in a failed bid to ease months of street protests, but police did not disperse the crowds because of longstanding orders to avert violence, which many fear would give the allpowerful army reason to stage a coup.

Although most polling stations in Bangkok and many in the opposition stronghold in the south were forced to close, voting proceeded largely unhindered in the rest of the country. Still, the upheaval proved that demonstrators struggling to overthrow Yingluck have the ability to disrupt the main vote next week, and the country’s electoral commission is unlikely to stand in their way.

The commission, which agrees with protesters that the poll should be delayed, is legally mandated to ensure registered voters are able to cast ballots safely. But yesterday, its members “just sat down and watched this thing collapse around them,” said Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. The commission is supposed to be a neutral body, but critics have accused its members of taking sides. Its top executive has posed for at least one smiling photo with demonstrators, and its officials failed to denounce a violent effort by protesters to disrupt candidate registration in December.

Violations Similarly yesterday, the commission issued no public condemnation of attempts to derail voting. Sunai said members did not call on security forces to defend the ballot.

Analysts say that is because courts and the country’s independent oversight agencies are largely aligned against the current government in collusion with the army, royalists and powerful businessmen. Yingluck is facing several legal cases that could end with her or her party being banished from governing because of alleged corruption or violations of the constitution.

Suthida Sungkhapunthu, a 28-year-old office worker, said she turned back from one polling station after reading news of the day’s mayhem on her phone.

“I saw this coming but I’m still quite disappointed,” she said, calling the protesters “undemocratic” as she watched a mob surrounding her polling station a block away. “It’s my constitutional right” to vote, she said.

The protest movement, known as the People’s Democratic Reform Committee, had pledged not to obstruct the poll, saying its supporters would only stand outside to express their views and urge people not to vote. Protest spokesman Akanat Promphan told The Associated Press that those who had locked the gates of polling stations had “acted on their own,” but he did not criticize them and said the decision to close stations was made by Election Commission officials.

The protesters’ effort, however, appeared to have been widely coordinated. Across Bangkok, demonstrators waving the Thai flag physically blocked electoral officials, ballot boxes and voters from getting inside polling centers. Some did vote, but officials ultimately shut 48 of the city’s 50 voting stations. Eleven more shut in the south, bringing the total number closed to 59 out of 152 nationwide, authorities said.

Scuffles broke out in some areas, and Bangkok’s emergency medical center said at least one person was killed and 11 wounded in a clash near a polling station in southeast Bangkok.

The slain man was Sutin Tharatin, a protest faction leader who was shot in the head by political rivals, according to police.

Corruption Sunai said some protesters had threatened and intimidated would-be voters, and in at least one case had attempted to strangle a man.

“You cannot call this peaceful,” he said. “It’s a sad day for democracy when the right to vote, which is a basic requisite, is assaulted by a political movement that claims to be striving for

reform and people’s empowerment. Everything that happened today shows they are striving for the opposite.”

International Federation for Human Rights president Karim Lahidji also said protesters had gone too far.

“Blocking citizens from exercising their voting rights is a serious violation of Thai laws and international human rights standards,” he said. “The right to peaceful assembly must not infringe on the citizens’ fundamental right to vote.”

The protesters are demanding Yingluck’s government be replaced by a non-elected “people’s council” that would implement anti-corruption reforms before elections. They accuse her of corruption and allege the ruling party has employed its electoral majority to subvert democracy.

Much of their hatred is directed at Yingluck’s family. They say she is a puppet of her billionaire brother Thaksin Shinawatra, an exiled former premier they allege used the family fortune and state funds to influence voters. Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup that provoked a struggle between that in broad terms pits Thailand’s rural north against an urban elite backed by royalists and the south.

About 49 million of the nation’s 64 million people are eligible to cast ballots in February, and 2.16 million applied for early voting. But even before Sunday, there had been increasing doubt that the Feb. 2 poll would go ahead.

Even if it does, Parliament is unlikely to achieve the quorum it needs to convene, which would prevent a new government from being formed. —AP

BANGKOK: A Bangkok resident shows her support to anti-government protesters outside a polling station during an advance voting in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. The demonstrators trying to derail a contentious general election scheduled next week in the country swarmed dozens of polling stations yesterday, chaining doors and gates shut and blocking hundreds of thousands of voters from casting advance ballots in the latest blow to the country’s increasingly embattled government. — AP

NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Egypt calls election a day after carnage Continued from Page 1 government’s precarious grip seven months after Morsi’s overthrow. The violence came as Egypt commemorated the 2011 uprising that overthrew veteran strongman Hosni Mubarak, leading to three years of tumult that many hope Sisi’s election will end. Over Friday and Saturday, six bombs exploded in Cairo and the canal city of Suez, killing six people and wounding dozens in an escalation of a militant campaign Mansour has pledged to eradicate. Separately, 49 people were killed in clashes when police clamped down on protests

by Morsi’s Islamist supporters and anti-military activists, the health ministry said.

As Mansour addressed the nation to announce the early presidential election, relatives of those killed on Saturday assembled outside a Cairo morgue, chanting anti-military slogans. “Down with the military! The people want to topple the regime!” they chanted outside the Zeinhom morgue as they collected the corpses of loved ones. A statement signed by nine Egyptian human rights groups accused the police of using “live ammunition” against demonstrators. Police said the protesters themselves had used weapons. Police in the capital bolstered defences outside their buildings and closed access roads after the weekend bombings that all targeted police facilities.

In his address, Mansour, a judge the military appointed as interim president to replace Morsi, pledged to “uproot (terrorists) and show them no mercy”. The government says a series of polls that started with a constitutional referendum this month and will end in parliamentary elections will restore an elected government by 2015. A parliamentary election had been scheduled ahead of the presidential poll, but Mansour said yesterday he had revised the timetable following many demands.

A presidential election first may allow Sisi, if he

stands, to influence the outcome of parliamentary elections by forming a party that would attract leading candidates. But Sisi, accused by Morsi supporters of carrying out a coup ending the Islamist’s single year in power, still faces a determined opposition and a semi-insurgency.

Hours before Mansour spoke, militants ambushed a bus carrying soldiers in the restive Sinai Peninsula, killing four troops. And an Al-Qaeda-inspired group in the peninsula claimed it had shot down a military helicopter on Saturday, in what the army said was an “accident” that killed five soldiers. The group, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, had earlier claimed responsibility for the bombings in the capital.

The attacks, starting with a car bomb that killed four people outside Cairo police headquarters on Friday morning, underscored the resilience of the Sinai-based militants who had tried to assassinate the police chief in September. Police sealed off several main squares in Cairo on Sunday and used metal barriers to block roads leading to police stations. In December, a car bombing outside a police building north of Cairo killed 15 people, prompting the interim government to blacklist Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement as a terrorist group.

That bombing was also claimed by Ansar Beit al-Maqdis.

The Brotherhood’s blacklisting, despite its condemnation of the attack, was seen as an extension of a crackdown on Morsi supporters that has killed more than a thousand people and jailed thousands more. Police said they arrested at least 1,000 protesters on Saturday alone.

The government and the military now rule out dealing with the Brotherhood, which had won every election following Mubarak’s overthrow in the 2011 popular uprising. The government says the group, which renounced violence decades ago in favour of electoral politics, is linked to the militant attacks, and Morsi himself is facing trial on terrorism-related charges. Morsi’s followers insist that he be reinstated, and have called for further protests in the days ahead. — AFP

Bangladeshi Muslim devotees arrive on overcrowded trains to attend the Biswa Ijtema or World Muslim Congregation at Tongi, some 30 km north of Dhaka yesterday. Muslims joined a prayer on the banks of a river in Bangladesh as the world’s second largest annual Islamic congregation ended yesterday. — AFP

Khorafi files to grill Ibrahim Continued from Page 1 by the minister in the Assembly in which he said that annual increases in power consumption amount to 850 MW and later he claimed that he had saved 1,000 MW, which is a contradiction.

The lawmaker accused the minister of squandering millions in public funds as a result of unnecessary changes to some projects, citing the example of a road project which the minister cancelled after paying over KD 1 million to an engineering office. He also cited the sudden change in the ministry plan regarding construction works on a bridge on Ghazali Road leading to Shuwaikh Port. He said that after asking the contractor to demolish part of the bridge, the ministry changed its mind and asked the contractor to build it again and carry out completely different works, costing public coffers extra millions.

Khorafi also accused the minister of failing to collect electrici-

ty dues from users and companies, contrary to what the minister has claimed. The lawmaker accused the minister of failing to respond to his questions and sometimes providing answers that are too short and lack transparency, “which is proof that the minister does not cooperate with the National Assembly”.

Assembly speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said the grilling request will be listed on the agenda of Feb 4 session and the minister will have the right to debate the grilling in the same session or request a two-week delay, which will be given automatically.

Ghanem also said that he will hold consultations with MPs to discuss the possibility of holding a special session to debate the grilling so that Assembly work is not disrupted. The grilling debate can lead to a no-confidence motion which should be submitted by 10 MPs. A vote on the motion will take place two weeks later and if approved, the minister will be automatically dismissed.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

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Issues

‘Jewish state’ demand bares clashing narratives

By Selim Saheb Ettaba

T

he controversy over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demand that the Palestinians recognise Israel as a Jewish state is rooted in the clashing historical narratives of the decades-old conflict. Palestinians have dismissed the demand, pointing to the fact that they recognised Israel in 1993 at the start of the peace process and insisting it’s not for other nations to define a state’s national or religious character. Israeli President Shimon Peres, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for the 1993 Oslo Accords with the Palestinians, reportedly agrees, and this week was said to have called the request “unnecessary”. But Netanyahu insists the demand gets to the very heart of the conflict, which he says is the refusal of Arabs to accept the right of Jews to a nation-state in the Middle East.

For Israel, the Zionist dream was realised in 1948, but for the Palestinians that year brought the “Nakba”, or catastrophe, when 760,000 fled or were forced out of their homeland. The Palestinians fear that accepting Israel as a “Jewish state” would amount to relinquishing the “right of return” of the refugees - who now number some five million people and undermine the rights of Israel’s sizable Arab minority.

The dispute was thrown into focus last weekend when the UN cultural agency suspended an exhibit tracing 3,500 years of ties between the Jewish people and the Holy Land following a complaint by 22 Arab member states that it would “impact negatively” on US-brokered peace talks relaunched last year.

In Israel, cancellation of the exhibition was seen as an Arab-led attempt to delegitimise the millenia-long Jewish connection to the land. “It would not harm the negotiations.

Negotiations are based on facts, on the truth, which is never harmful,” Netanyahu told his cabinet yesterday. The Palestinians, who view themselves as the descendants of all the various peoples who have dwelled in the Holy Land since ancient times, saw the staging of the exhibit as an attempt to delegitimise their own connection to the land.

And they view the “Jewish state” demand as a departure from the peace talks, which they say are aimed at creating a Palestinian state and ending the occupation of east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip that began in 1967. “We totally reject, on principle, the demand to recognise Israel as a Jewish state,” Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said last Friday in Morocco. “We reject attempts to rub out our historical narrative and to erase our collective memory,” said the Palestinian president, who himself is a refugee from 1948.

‘Obsessive-compulsive behaviour’ Senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath said last week that Israel had succeeded in imposing its view of events on the latest peace talks, which are being steered by US Secretary of State John Kerry. “From the Israeli point of view, recognition of the state of Israel as a Jewish state is equal to cancelling the right of return, based on (UN) Resolution 194,” he said, describing it as “an entirely new requirement”.

According to Tel Aviv daily Israel Hayom, Peres also sees Netanyahu’s position as problematic.

“In conversations held by Peres in the past weeks with senior diplomatic and political figures, he explained that this insistence by Netanyahu was ‘unnecessary,’...since it could derail the peace negotiations,” the paper wrote. “The position of Peres is important and proves that recognition of a Jewish State is not among the final status issues,” chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP, referring to core disputes over borders, Jerusalem and security arrangements.

The question of the 1948 refugees is one of the most thorny issues of the talks, with the Palestinians insisting the matter be resolved on the basis of resolution 194, which defines principles for their “right of return”. “We will never accept the violation of the rights of refugees, which are guaranteed by international law and international resolutions,” Abbas said. Israel opposes the return of the refugees and their descendents, arguing that it would destroy the state’s national and religious character by making Jews a minority.

But writing in Israeli daily Haaretz, leftwing commentator Gideon Levy compared Israel to a neurotic person who constantly has to check whether a door is locked or not. “Israel is exhibiting classic signs of obsessive-compulsive behaviour,” he wrote. “Everything is directed to achieve the goal that was reached long ago... The prime minister invents demands that the Palestinians recognise a locked door.” —AFP

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

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

Egypt elections draw near amid unrest

By Linda Gradstein

I

n a move that is widely perceived as another step toward the swift election of Defense Minister General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as Egypt’s third president since the fall of Hosni Mubarak, interim president Adly Mansour has announced that the presidential election will precede a parliamentary poll. According to a “road map” laid down after the army overthrew former President Mohamed Morsi last summer, parliamentary elections were supposed to be held first. But several political parties said they would not be ready for elections in the spring. The decision comes after a violent weekend that left at least 49 Egyptians dead and more than 1,000 arrested during protests against the army by Morsi supporters. Islamists called for more protests in coming days as Egypt marked the third anniversary of the revolution that overthrew long-time autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak.

In a statement, the “Anti-coup Alliance” called for continued escalation

of what it called “the current revolutionary wave” through 18 days of protests to “regain the revolution”. “Maybe there will be more clashes between the ousted Morsi supporters and the government,” Abdelsatar Hetieta, the Cairo bureau chief for the Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper told The Media Line. “But there will certainly be more repression.” The call for more demonstrations comes as Amnesty International issued a harsh report, charging that the Egyptian authorities are using every resource at their disposal to “quash dissent and trample on human rights.” “In reality, the current state of human rights is abysmal,” Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui wrote in the report. “ The Egyptian government will be judged by its actions, not its words. The authorities must allow peaceful protests and other avenues for lawful dissent.”

The report finds that the human rights situation has deteriorated even further during the past seven months, since the government declared Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood a “terrorist organization.” In

August, more than 500 people were killed when the army broke up a proMorsi encampment. In the three years since millions of Egyptians flooded into Tahrir Square and eventually forced Hosni Mubarak to step down, Egypt has gone through several political transformations.

A temporary government headed by military generals gave way to the election of Morsi in Egypt’s first genuine democratic election. In July, millions of Egyptians demanded that Morsi be removed. He was, and the generals returned to power.

Now, Egypt’s popular defense minister Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi seems poised to become the next president even before announcing that he intends to run. Sisi has become a hero for many Egyptians.

“He is simply adored here - I don’t think there’s another leader except Nasser who has so much support here,” Maye Kassem, a professor of political science told The Media Line, referring to the popular Egyptian nationalist leader who headed Egypt from 1956-1970. “There are even chocolates wrapped with pictures of Sisi

and his picture is shown everywhere.”

She said that Sisi is young and charismatic and offers the best chance for stability in Egypt. Under the previous Islamist government of Morsi, there were shortages of gas and electricity, crime went up, and many Egyptians no longer felt safe. She said that support for the Islamists among the middle class has plummeted. “The majority of Egyptians have never supported an ideology they’ve supported competence,” she said.

“Now we have gas, we have electricity and crime is down. That is what Egyptians want.”

Kassem said that a true transition to democracy will take time, following 30years under Mubarak’s control. However, she said she did not believe that Sisi, if elected as expected, would be an autocratic leader. “People lost their lives in the fight to get rid of Mubarak,” she said. “I don’t think you can go backwards to authoritarianism. I think we are moving in the right direction. Stability must come first, and then democracy. —Media Line

‘Terrace society’ flourishes in Cairo

By Sarah Benhaida

O

n the roof of a oncegrand apartment block overlooking Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Shukri Mahmud’s father built a humble shack, the din, congestion and worst of the notorious pollution in Africa’s biggest metropolis eight floors below. Mahmud’s family and their neighbours are among tens, if not hundreds, of thousands in the burgeoning city that officials say holds at least 18 million people for whom finding affordable housing is a nightmare. They form what best-selling author Alaa El-Aswany called Cairo’s “terrace society,” not a world of fashionable sidewalk cafes but a parallel world of rooftop dwellings.

In his 2002 novel “ The Yacoubian Building”, Aswany evokes the “voices, cries, laughter and coughing, doors shutting and opening, and the aroma of hot water, tea, coffee, charcoal and the muasal of shishas (sweetly flavoured tobacco of hubbly bubblies).”

Such is the world of the terrace society where the Mahmuds live, reached first by an antiquated wood-panelled elevator that opens on to a dark passageway that leads in turn to a maze of rusty iron staircases open to the sky above.

In some cases, as in The Yacoubian Building, poor migrants from the countryside took over small storerooms allocated to each apartment in a building, which were abandoned as better-off residents began moving out to the suburbs. But Mahmud’s father had been a bawab (doorkeeper) in their building and was given a plot on the roof where he could build. “I was born here; I grew up here; I got married here,” said Mahmud, 55, sitting in the living room, its green walls decorated

with photographs of Quranic verses and the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

With a hint of nostalgia, he remembers generations of residents who once lived in the posh apartments below. In those days, it was not just

ing, says Roman Stadnicki, an analyst with Cairo-based CEDEJ, a French research institute.

“Unplanned constructions have become an urban norm in Egypt. Sixty-five percent of urbanised space in Cairo is unplanned,” he said. On the one

ried 30 years ago, and the couple can’t imagine living anywhere else. “Here, we all know each other; we understand each other. I don’t think I could get used to new neighbours in an unfamiliar district,” Mahmud said. Years ago, in an effort to

Shukri Mahmud walks along the rooftop where he lives with his family in Cairo on Jan 9, 2014. —AFP Egyptians, but also Greeks and Britons, especially during the days when Egypt was effectively a British protectorate. Over the years, Mahmud has managed to accumulate some “modern conveniences”. “Each month I pay rent, electricity, water and telephone bills,” he said.

This vertical growth has mushroomed in recent decades as the capital’s population swelled and the state was unable to offer low-cost hous-

hand, sprawling districts that are almost entirely unplanned and illegal have sprung up on the ground, while many people find shelter on rooftops, he said.

No takers for desert townships One gets a feel of what it’s like in the Mahmud’s cramped kitchen, where wife Sayyida is busy preparing lunch for their two teenagers. She joined her husband here when they mar-

relieve the congestion, and make housing affordable, the government created townships in the middle of the desert outside Cairo.

But Mahmud says he couldn’t afford to move 30 km away from where he works. The daily commute to work in central Cairo would cost him a quarter of his wages. The townships have failed to attract buyers, and Stadnickiy says they are “unanimously considered to be a fail-

ure”. There is also a paradox linked to the population explosion - as many as 30-40 percent of housing units in Cairo and the townships lie vacant. Either property owners have bought properties to speculate, while others are simply hesitant to let them out because of the difficulty of evicting unsavoury tenants and of raising rents.

‘Where do we go?’

A few metres from Mahmud’s apartment, hidden behind several satellite dishes and the winch-housings of old elevators, live Gamal Hashem and his brother. The two, now in their sixties, moved here as teenagers, after their father, who was also a bawab in the building, was given his plot on the terrace. “I am the one who built all this,” said Gamal, pointing to the house, its plywood walls painted in white.

The house has a balcony, a spartan kitchen and a small living room with a television and a computer.

The wooden ceiling has rotted from years of humidity, and steady rain drops on this winter’s day left puddles on the floor. In another room, their important papers, books and clothes are piled on a bed, wrapped in waxed cloth. Gamal used to run a small hotel, but says he got kicked out several years ago, a victim of “corruption” under the regime of former president Hosni Mubarak. The two of them are now unemployed and struggle to find odd jobs to keep them afloat.

But despite their hardships, the two brothers can’t imagine staying anywhere else. “Each time a new flat owner arrives, he wants us to leave, but where do we go,” asked Gamal, who pays his rent regularly. “The people I have met here and our relationships are more valuable than all the money in the world.” —AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

S P ORTS

Cook out of ODI tour

Llorente eyes WCup spot

Mata moves to United

LONDON: Captain Alastair Cook will sit out of England’s limited-overs tour of West Indies as the team prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh in March. Cook, who does not play the T20 format for England, will not be part of the squad to the Caribbean during which the visitors will play three ODIs and three T20 matches, starting Feb. 28. Asked if he would be captain against the West Indies, Cook told Sky Sports: “No I won’t be. The Twenty20 guys have got their World Cup in Bangladesh and I think we see it as a great six weeks for them to start building the team. “They’re never together very often and it gives them, and Broady (Stuart Broad) and Gilo (Ashley Giles) time, to really have six weeks together to build for Bangladesh.”

England opener Cook failed to score a fifty in the five matches against Australia after a dismal Ashes series, during which the visitors were whitewashed 5-0.

The 29-year-old had hinted at stepping down as England’s ODI skipper after his side lost the limited overs series against Australia but later said he was “desperate” to continue in his role. England lost the final one-dayer on Sunday in Adelaide to lose the series 4-1.

England’s limited-overs coach Ashley Giles said Broad, who leads England in the T20 format, will be promoted by the selectors for the ODIs in West Indies. —Reuters

ITALY: Juventus striker Fernando Llorente is staking a claim for a place in Spain’s World Cup squad after his red hot form has made him a fixture in the Italian champions front line.

The 28-year-old scored his ninth league goal this season, his fifth in as many games, when he met Stefan Lichtsteiner’s cross with a deft headed finish as 10-man Juve drew 1-1 at Lazio and extended their lead atop Serie A to nine points. “It was a good piece of play because Stefan managed to get a cross in and that’s what we need to do. It’s something that we couldn’t do in the first half,” said Llorente. “I had to move the ball towards a particular part of the goal, which wasn’t very easy.”

Since moving to Turin from Athletic Bilbao in the close season Llorente has established himself as part of Juventus coach Antonio Conte’s first choice attack alongside Argentine Carlos Tevez after a tough start. He rarely featured earlier this season as it took him weeks to get match-fit after being sidelined by Bilbao manager Marcello Bielsa last term after he refused to sign a new deal with the Basque club, which saw him mostly used as a substitute. After a handful of poor displays, there was speculation that Juventus were going to cut their losses and sell the striker in the January transfer window but Conte stood by his signing.

“He’s not played for a year and he’s needed more time to rediscover his best form, the necessary intensity and on field aggression. When you don’t play for a year you lose these things,” Conte said in September.—Reuters

MANCHESTER: Spain playmaker Juan Mata has completed his move from Chelsea to Premier League rivals Manchester United for a club record transfer fee of 37.1 million pounds ($61.22 million).

“I am thrilled to be joining United,” the 25-year-old told the club’s website (www.manutd.com) on Saturday. “I have enjoyed some very happy years at Chelsea but the time has come for a new challenge. United is the perfect place for me and I am excited at the chance I have to be part of the next phase in the club’s history.”

Mata claimed the Player of the Year award in his first two seasons at Chelsea, helping the Londoners win the 2012 Champions League and 2013 Europa League, but has been out of favour this season under manager Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese has preferred Brazilian internationals Oscar and Willian and Belgium winger Eden Hazard in the three creative positions behind the lone striker, leaving the Spaniard short of game time as he seeks a spot in the World Cup squad for Brazil in June.

“Chelsea is a top club and I have many friends there but you cannot turn down the chance to join Manchester United,” said the midfielder who was the darling of the crowd at Stamford Bridge.—Reuters

Ducks blank Kings

LA JOLLA: Tiger Woods tees off on the 2nd hole during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South. —AFP

Woodland takes control as Tiger tumbles at Torrey LA JOLLA: Gary Woodland forged one shot clear at the top of a tight leaderboard in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday, while Tiger Woods crashed out of the tournament with an ugly 79.

American Woodland fired a two-under par round of 70 to move to eight-under 208 for the tournament, one shot clear of countryman Jordan Spieth and Australian Marc Leishman. Overnight leader Spieth, who shot a scintillating 63 on the North Course in round two, found the tougher South Course a different animal with a 75 while Leishman ground out a 72 to be at seven-under.

Americans Pat Perez (72) and Morgan Hoffman (72) are tied for fourth at six-under while South African Rory Sabbatini (69), Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa (69) and Americans Will MacKenzie (70) and Scott Stallings (72) are among those tied for sixth a shot further back. “I played beautifully today. I drove the ball well, really controlled the golf ball into the greens, which is huge,” Woodland said.

“The rough is up, the greens are firm and fast, so it was nice to drive the ball in play and give myself a lot of chances.” Defending champion Woods plunged to new depths when he missed a secondary cut on the PGA Tour for the first time. Though he made the second-round cut by a stroke on Friday after carding a one-under-par 71 on the easier North Course, the world number one was badly out of sorts on a difficult day for scoring as he laboured to a 79 on the brutal South layout. Playing the back nine first, Woods sat one-under on his round through his first eight holes before imploding. He made backto-back double bogeys on the 18th and first holes and then added five straight bogeys for a nine-over stretch of seven holes.

A birdie on the seventh and a chip-in par on the eighth brought a wry smile to his face before he parred the final hole to avoid shooting his first score of 80 or worse in the

United States as a professional. It was still his worst ever score at the event, which he has won a record seven times, and ensured he missed the third-round cut for the leading 70 players and ties.

Woodland rolled along in the opposite direction, with four birdies in his opening 14 holes catapulting him to 10-under and a three-shot cushion at the top.

He traded a bogey on the 15th with a birdie on the 16th but a costly double on his penultimate hole bit heavily into his advantage and left 22 players within four strokes of the lead. “My putting was a little off today, I left myself a lot of testers out there, but I made some early and unfortunately I gave some back at the end,” said Woodland, who is searching for his third win on tour.

“I have a game plan and my job is to execute. The people around me, we put a game plan together and we’re playing very aggressive this week and all I have to do is execute.

“There’s nothing different about Saturday morning or today, I have to go out and play a good round of golf and hopefully it’s enough later yesterday.” Spieth, 20, came back to the field quickly with two bogeys and a double bogey in his first five holes but battled hard from there to remain on track to be the youngest two-time winner on the Tour since 1932. If he can come out on top on Sunday he will enter the top 10 in the world and beat Woods’ mark to two wins by 21 days.

He would also beat Phil Mickelson’s record as the youngest winner in the event by more than two years. Texan Spieth grabbed birdies on the sixth and 11th holes, was rattled once more by back-to-back bogeys on 12 and 13, but birdied 15 to ensure the reigning rookie of the year remained well and truly in the mix. “Only one shot back and a bunched up leaderboard, it’s going to take a good score tomorrow,” Spieth said.

“I’m excited.” —Reuters

Choi in charge in Bahamas PARADISE ISLAND: South Korea’s Choi NaYeon birdied three of her last four holes on Saturday to seize a one-shot third-round lead at the season-opening Bahamas LPGA Classic. The seven-time LPGA Tour winner posted a seven-under par 66 for a 15-under total of 204 and had a one-stroke lead over American Lizette Salas-whose own 66 put her on 205.

“I think the last three rounds I had a really good swing,” Choi said. “I had so many solid shots out there. I missed two greens today. Only two, but I hit a putt from the fringe, so obviously I haven’t chipped the last two rounds.”

Salas will be seeking her first title on Sunday on the Ocean Club course. “I was working really hard during the offseason with my coach. Seeing results this quickly, I’ve been feeling really good about it,” she said. Overnight leader Jessica Korda and playing partner Paula Creamer both eagled the par-five 18th to grab a share of third place on 12-under 207.

Korda carded a 72. Her eagle at the last, where she landed her second shot within two feet, helped counter a double-bogey

at 13. Creamer’s closing eagle helped her overcome a triple bogey from the water at 15. She carded a 71.

Stacy Lewis, the highest-ranked player in the field at number three in the world, carded a 68 and jumped into a share of fifth on 208. She was tied with Amelia Lewis (66) and Monday qualifier Jenny Suh (71). “I actually like where I am and I like that I’m going to get out tomorrow a couple groups early and hopefully can make a couple putts early and then kind of put some pressure on the leaders,” Stacy Lewis said. New Zealand 16-year-old Lydia Ko, playing her first tournament as an LPGA Tour member, carded a 71 that left her in a group of six players on 209. Ko, who turned pro last year after a stellar amateur career, is the secondhighest ranked player in the field at number four in the world.

Both Choi and Salas played without a bogey on Saturday. Salas briefly grabbed sole possession of the lead after her seventh birdie of the day at the 15th. She couldn’t find another birdie however, and Choi notched the last two of her seven birdies at 16 and 18 to gain the lead. —AFP

LOS ANGELES: Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey scored first-period goals, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night in the NHL’s first warm-weather outdoor game.

Jonas Hiller made 36 saves in his 20th career shutout as the league-leading Ducks dominated the landmark meeting of Southern California’s two hockey teams under the stars in Chavez Ravine. Andrew Cogliano added an empty-net goal with 1:29 left to close this unusual chapter in the NHL’s expanded slate of outdoor games.

The league threw a California carnival for the event, filling left field with a beach volleyball court and right field with a fireworks-laden stage where Kiss performed. People in shorts and tank tops played Frisbee and practiced yoga between periods while skateboarders rolled past a ball hockey court featuring youth teams.

Although the temperature was 63 degrees with significant humidity when Wayne Gretzky dropped the first puck, the ice held up fairly well in the night air. The Ducks’ outstanding season also remained solid in their 21st victory in 24 games, while the Kings lost their fifth straight game. The Kings hosted the first official outdoor game west of the Rocky Mountains in recognition of the NHL’s near half-century in Los Angeles and their rivalry with the Ducks, who joined the league two decades ago. The crowd was announced at 54,099.

SABRES 5, BLUE JACKETS 2 Christian Ehrhoff and Marcus Foligno scored short-handed goals to lead Buffalo past Columbus, ending the Blue Jackets’ franchiserecord winning streak at eight.

Ryan Miller was almost flawless in goal for the Sabres, making 38 saves - standing particularly tall on the Blue Jackets’ four fruitless power plays. Matt Ellis, Steve Ott and Cody Hodgson also scored for the Sabres, who had lost five in a row (0-3-2). Ehrhoff added two assists, tying a career high with three points. Hodgson also had an assist.

Derek MacKenzie had a goal and an assist and Mark Letestu also scored for the Blue Jackets, who had tallied at least three goals in each game during the streak.

Sergei Bobrovsky, who came in 9-0-0 with a 1.80 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in his past nine starts, had a forgettable game. He was pulled after giving up three goals - including both of the short-handed tallies.

BLUES 4, ISLANDERS 3, SO Kevin Shattenkirk and Alexander Steen scored shootout goals to lift the St. Louis Blues over the New York Islanders following a puzzling goal reversal call in overtime.

After TJ Oshie tied it for the Blues with 27 seconds left in regulation, Thomas Vanek appeared to score the winner for the Islanders on the power play with 1:15 left in overtime but the play was overturned on review at the NHL offices in Toronto. The puck hit Vanek’s skate blade and dribbled past Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak, but a distinct kicking motion that usually negates goals wasn’t apparent.

Matt Martin had put the Islanders ahead 3-2 midway through the second period, and Vanek and Kyle Okposo also scored in the first for New York. Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for the Blues.

HURRICANES 6, SENATORS 3 Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. It was the third straight win for Carolina, which is 11-0-1 in its last 12 home games against Ottawa.

The result moved the Hurricanes, who had a 4-0 lead in the second period, a point ahead of the Senators in the Eastern Conference standings. Nathan Gerbe added a goal and two assists for the Hurricanes, while Eric Staal, Riley Nash and Tuomo Ruutu scored. Kyle Turris scored his 16th and 17th goals of the season for Ottawa, which also got a goal from Mike Zibanejad. Clarke MacArthur and Eric Gryba each had two assists for the Senators.

BRUINS 6, FLYERS 1 Jarome Iginla and Zdeno Chara each had two goals, Tuukka Rask made 25 saves and the Boston Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers.

Reilly Smith and Patrice Bergeron also had goals for the Bruins. The defending Eastern Conference champions are 3-0-1 since losing five of eight, and trail only Pittsburgh in the conference. Claude Giroux scored a power-play goal for the slumping Flyers, who’ve lost four in a row. They’re 2-5-2 in their last nine games, tumbling from second place in the division to eighth in the East. It’s their worst stretch since a 1-7 start that saw coach Peter Laviolette fired three games into the season.

Steve Mason allowed four goals on 19 shots

LOS ANGELES: Matt Beleskey No. 39 of the Anaheim Ducks falls to the ice in front of Jeff Carter No. 77 of the Los Angeles Kings and Kyle Palmieri No. 21 during the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series. —AFP

and was yanked for the second time in three starts since signing a contract extension last Saturday.

CAPITALS 5, CANADIENS 0 Alex Ovechkin returned from an injury that sidelined him two games to start a four-goal second period as the Washington Capitals ended a seven-game winless run with a victory over the slumping Montreal Canadiens. John Erskine, Jay Beagle and John Carlson also scored in the middle period as the Capitals, who had scored only three goals in their four previous games, dominated the first half of the game and then shut Montreal down. The Canadiens have lost four in a row and five of six.

Casey Wellman, recalled Saturday from AHL Hershey, got his first goal of the season on a feed from Ovechkin on a 2-on-1 counterattack 8:38 into the third period. Washington’s Braden Holtby improved his record against Montreal to 5-0-0 with four shutouts.

LIGHTNING 5, AVALANCHE 2 Tyler Johnson scored three goals to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning past the Colorado Avalanche. With the Lightning leading 3-2, Johnson doubled the advantage with 5:22 remaining and then completed his first career hat trick less than 21/2 minutes later. The rookie center has 16 goals this season.

Mark Barberio and Valtteri Filppula also scored for the Lightning. Martin St. Louis extended his point streak to 10 games with an assist on Johnson’s second goal. John Mitchell and Tyson Barrie scored in the second period for Colorado.

Sami Aittokallio made his first start this season and second of his career filling in for injured Colorado backup Jean-Sebastien Giguere (back). Semyon Varlamov, who made 34 saves in Friday’s 3-2 win at Florida, replaced Aittokallio, who gave up three goals on 18 shots, to start the third period.

JETS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 4 Dustin Byfuglien fired a low shot past Jonathan Bernier 2:44 into overtime to give the

Winnipeg Jets a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto’s Phil Kessel took a pass from James van Riemsdyk and fired a sharp-angled shot past Ondrej Pavelec with 1:33 left in the third period to tie the score.

Mark Scheifele, Zach Bogosian, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little also scored for the Jets, who outshot the Leafs 32-28 through overtime. Little also had an assist, and Andrew Ladd added two.

Dion Phaneuf had a power-play goal for Toronto, Troy Bodie scored his second of the season and Tim Gleason had his first.

STARS 3, PENGUINS 0 Kari Lehtonen made 24 saves for his second shutout in three games to lead the Dallas Stars to past the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sergei Gonchar, Jamie Benn and Rich Peverley had Dallas’ goals, and Lehtonen also had an assist for the second consecutive game.

The Stars have won their last three games by a combined 14-1 margin.

Gonchar had a power-play goal, his second score this season, with just under 5 minutes remaining in the first period against his former team. Dallas has scored with a man advantage in seven consecutive games. Alex Goligoski, another former Penguins player, had an assist when Benn scored to make it 2-0 at 3:14 of the second. Peverley closed the scoring a little more than 7 minutes later.

SHARKS 3, WILD 2 Joe Thornton scored his second goal of the game with 1:30 remaining in overtime to lead San Jose to its sixth straight win. Patrick Marleau also scored as the two longtime Sharks shined one day after signing three-year contract extensions. Antti Niemi made 20 saves and Joe Pavelski and Matt Irwin had two assists apiece. Matt Cooke and Keith Ballard scored for the Wild, who built an early lead on the opener of a four-game road trip but still lost for the ninth time in their past 10 trips to San Jose.

Darcy Kuemper made 29 saves as Minnesota lost for just the fourth time in 12 games this month. —AP

NHL results/standings Carolina 6, Ottawa 3; St. Louis 4, NY Islanders 3 (SO); Boston 6, Philadelphia 1; Washington 5, Montreal 0; Tampa Bay 5, Colorado 2; Buffalo 5, Columbus 2; Winnipeg 5, Toronto 4 (OT); Dallas 3, Pittsburgh 0; Anaheim 3, Los Angeles 0; San Jose 3, Minnesota 2 (OT).

Western Conference Tampa Bay 31 16 5 155 128 67 Pacific Division Toronto 27 21 6 155 168 60 W L OTL GF GA PTS Montreal 27 20 5 128 134 59 Anaheim 39 10 5 182 130 83 Detroit 23 18 10 131 139 56 San Jose 34 12 6 165 125 74 Ottawa 22 20 10 147 165 54 Los Angeles 29 18 6 132 113 64 Florida 20 24 7 122 154 47 Vancouver 26 17 9 130 130 61 Buffalo 14 29 7 97 144 35 Phoenix 24 18 9 147 155 57 Metropolitan Division Calgary 18 27 7 119 165 43 Pittsburgh 36 14 2 168 128 74 Edmonton 15 32 6 135 187 36 NY Rangers 27 23 3 132 135 57 Central Division Chicago 32 9 12 189 146 76 Columbus 26 21 4 150 145 56 St. Louis 35 11 5 177 119 75 Philadelphia 25 22 6 142 158 56 Colorado 32 14 5 149 134 69 Carolina 23 19 9 131 145 55 Minnesota 28 20 6 129 133 62 New Jersey 22 19 11 124 125 55 Dallas 24 20 8 151 153 56 Washington 23 21 8 148 154 54 Nashville 23 22 8 131 158 54 NY Islanders 21 25 8 154 179 50 Winnipeg 24 24 5 149 157 53 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the Eastern Conference standings and are not Atlantic Division included in the loss column (L).

Boston 32 15 3 147 110 67

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

S P ORTS

Broncos making long-awaited return to Super Bowl NEW YORK: The Denver Broncos, one of the National Football League’s mostelite franchises, are back in the Super Bowl for the first time in 15 years.

For a team that became accustomed to success after initially struggling to establish themselves among the game’s best, it has been a long and agonizing wait for their shot at reclaiming the greatest prize in American team sports.

Now, all that stands between them and the Vince Lombardi Trophy is their showdown with the Seattle Seahawks in New Jersey on Feb. 2.

Established in 1960 in the now-defunct American Football League, the Broncos joined the NFL in 1970 when the two leagues merged but failed to make a single playoff in their first 17 seasons. It wasn’t until 1977 that the Broncos made their first appearance in the postseason after adopting a near impenetrable defensive system that became popularly known as the Orange Crush, partly in reference to the team’s colors.

They went on to win their first AFC Championship that same season and advance to the Super Bowl but lost to the Dallas

Cowboys. The Broncos made the playoffs in four of the next seven seasons but had to wait almost a decade for their second appearance in the Super Bowl.

The turning point for the Broncos was the arrival in 1983 of quarterback John Elway, a sublimely talented athlete who had the choice to play in either the NFL or Major League Baseball after being drafted by the New York Yankees.

Elway was initially drafted in the NFL by the Baltimore Colts but refused to play with them and was eventually traded to the Broncos after a complicated and controversial standoff.

With Elway calling the shots, the Broncos quickly became one of the league’s top teams, reaching the Super Bowl in the 1986, 1987 and 1989 seasons. But the ultimate prize frustratingly eluded them as they lost all three of those Super Bowls and had to wait eight more years before making another one.

With Mike Shanahan taking over the role as head coach and Terrell Davis adding some real punch to the offense as the running back, the Broncos finally broke through to win the 32nd Super Bowl in Januar y 1998,

beating the Green Bay Packers 31-24. Davis was named Most Valuable Player, despite missing part of the game because he was suffering from a bad headache.

A year later, the Broncos made it back-to-back championships, confirming the team’s greatness at a time when the NFL was spreading its games to a bigger global television audience.

They beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-19, with future Hall of Famer Elway capping off his brilliant career by picking up the MVP award in his last game for the Broncos before he announced his retirement at age 38. Elway ’s departure triggered an immediate decline in the fortunes of the Broncos although they did make the playoffs four times between 1999 and 2005 without getting to the Super Bowl. Elway was Denver’s automatic pick at quarterback for 16 seasons but in the first 12 seasons after he retired, the Broncos tried 10 different players in the position.

In 2011, Tim Tebow, who won a Heisman Trophy as the top college player, led the Broncos back to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons and developed a cult following among fans.

But Elway, now working as the

Broncos vice president, was unconvinced. During the offseason, Elway signed free agent Peyton Manning to a five-year $96 million deal and traded Tebow the following day.

Although Manning had won a Super Bowl with Indianapolis and was already regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the game, his signing still carried an element of risk. Manning was already 36 years old and had missed the entire previous season because of a neck injury, but it still proved to be a masterstroke. With expectations sky high in the Colorado state capital, Manning led the Broncos to the best record in the AFC and a divisional title in his first season, before a double-overtime loss in the divisional round to the Baltimore Ravens, the eventual Super Bowl champions.

Encouraged, Elway went searching for more talent in the offseason and lured three more Pro Bowl players- - Wes Welker, Shaun Phillips and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie - to the Rocky Mountains.

It proved another instant success as the Broncos went on a record-breaking season, with the most potent offense in the NFL

ENGLEWOOD: Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) stretches with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) during NFL football practice at the team’s training facility. —AP as Manning threw for an unprecedented 55 touchdowns.

As the number one seed in the AFC, the Broncos had a first round bye in the opening week of the playoffs then home field advantage for the remaining rounds. They were wary of last season’s unexpected loss to the

Ravens but there were no problems this time around. In the divisional round, the Broncos held off the San Diego Chargers to win 24-17 then in the conference championship they beat Tom Brady’s New England Patriots 2616. Now only the Super Bowl awaits. —Reuters

Seahawks aim for first Super Bowl title

ADELAIDE: England’s Joe Root plays an unusual shot against Australia during their One Day International cricket match. —AP

Australia edge England in low-scoring thriller ADELAIDE: England wilted under pressure as Australia edged home by five runs in a low-scoring thriller in Adelaide yesterday to win the five-match series 4-1. Set a meagre 218 to win their second match on the tour, England looked on course while Joe Root (55) and Eoin Morgan (39) were at the crease, having added 64 runs for the fourth wicket.

England needed another 64 at that stage with seven wickets in hand but Morgan’s dismissal, while trying to loft James Faulkner over the infield, turned the game in Australia’s favor.

Root also fell to Faulkner two overs later as Australia tightened the screws.

The needless run-out of Tim Bresnan (13), to a direct hit from Glenn Maxwell, complicated things for the visitors and the unfor tunate stumping of R avi Bopara (25) in the penultimate over put paid to England’s hopes.

Bopara was England’s best bet with nine required off the same number of deliveries but the batsman was given out stumped when the ball ricocheted off wicketkeeper Matthew Wade onto the stumps with Bopara’s feet barely in the air.

Watson came on to bowl the last over with England needing eight but

the all-rounder dismissed last man James Tredwell caught behind from the four th deliver y. Mck ay and Nathan Coulter-Nile took three wickets apiece as the visitors were shot out for 212.

Earlier, Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes shared six wickets as Australia struggled for momentum af ter captain Michael Clarke won the toss and opted to bat.

Broad struck early for England as Australia lost four wickets inside the first 20 overs and were forced to consolidate on a sluggish Adelaide Oval pitch.

Clarke (eight) and Shane Watson (zero), rested during the one-day series for their Ashes workload, returned to the team on Sunday but had a forgettable outing with the bat.

It was left to Bailey to resurrect the innings for Australia and he did the repair job first with a 48-run stand with Glenn Maxwell (22) for the fifth wicket and then added 55 for the sixth with Matthew Wade (31). Bailey fell trying to clear Stokes over the infield.

Fa s t b o w l i n g p a r t n e r s J a m e s Faulk ner (27) and Nathan CoulterNile (15) added some quick runs towards the end to take Australia past 200. —Reuters

SCOREBOARD Scoreboard after Australia beat England by five runs in the fifth and final one-day international in Brisbane yesterday.

Australia innings A. Finch b Broad 7 S. Marsh c Cook b Stokes 36 S. Watson c Buttler b Broad 0 M. Clarke b Bresnan 8 G. Bailey c Broad b Stokes 56 G. Maxwell c Buttler b Stokes 22 M. Wade b Broad 31 J. Faulkner c Morgan b Jordan 27 N. Coulter-Nile lbw b Jordan 15 C. McKay not out 1 X. Doherty not out 1 Extras (lb-9, w-4) 13 Total (nine wickets; 50 overs) 217 Fall of wickets: 1-14 2-22 3-43 4-64 5-112 6-167 7176 8-215 Bowling: Broad 10-2-31-3 (1w), Jordan 10-0-37-2 (2w), Bresnan 10-0-51-1, Tredwell 7-0-28-0, Stokes 10-0-43-3 (1w), Bopara 3-0-18-0.

England innings A. Cook c Bailey b Coulter-Nile 39 I. Bell c Finch b Coulter-Nile 14 B. Stokes C Marsh b McKay 0 J. Root c Doherty b Faulkner 55 E. Morgan c Watson b Faulkner 39 R. Bopara st Wade b McKay 25 J. Buttler c McKay b Coulter-Nile 5 T. Bresnan run out 13 S. Broad b McKay 7 C. Jordan not out 4 J. Tredwell c Wade b Watson 0 Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-6) 11 Total (all out; 49.4 overs) 212 Fall of wickets: 1-23 2-29 3-90 4-154 5-157 6-174 7-194 8-204 9-209 Bowling: McKay 10-1-36-3 (4w), Coulter-Nile 101-34-3, Faulkner 10-0-37-2 (1w), Doherty 10-1-400, Watson 6.4-0-35-1 (1w), Maxwell 3-0-25-0 Australia won by five runs.

NEW YORK: The Seattle Seahawks, who hail from the northwest corner of the United States, aim to break into the limelight with their first Super Bowl crown in a Feb. 2 showdown against the Denver Broncos in wintry New Jersey.

Seattle, an expansion team that joined the National Football League in 1976, reached their only previous Super Bowl following the 2005 season but fell 21-10 to the Pittsburgh Steelers under the dome in Detroit with snow falling outside Ford Field.

They lack the star power of the Peyton Manning-led Broncos and are slight underdogs, but that suits the fiercely confident Seahawks, who play with a chip on their shoulders and an electric energy that fuels the NFL’s top defense.

A roster full of undrafted free agents and lateround draft picks has been astutely assembled by exuberant coach Pete Carroll and Seattle general manager John Schneider under the blessing of team owner Paul Allen, the hometown billionaire and co-creator of Microsoft.

“I have never been around such a positive, engaging coach that connects with each player at that level of intensity,” Allen told the Seattle Times about the coach he hired in 2010. “It’s really amazing. Pete really stands out because of his positivity and his ability to connect.”

Of the 53 players on the roster for Seattle’s 23-17 win over West Coast rivals the San Francisco 49ers that put them into the Super Bowl, 21 entered the National Football league as undrafted free agents and 16 were drafted after the third round.

The offense is run by Russell Wilson, the undersized 5-foot-11 (1.80 m) quarterback taken in the third round of the 2012 draft. The face of the NFL’s top-rated defense is cornerback Richard Sherman, drafted in the fifth round in 2011. Allen and Carroll, who handed Schneider the game ball after the victory over the Niners, give a lot of credit to the general manager for finding hidden gems on the second-youngest team ever to reach a Super Bowl. “I call it the golden gut,” Allen said. “Some general managers have that talent for finding guys.”

The Seahawks joined the NFL 37 seasons ago along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an agreement signed by Lloyd W.Nordstrom, representing the department store family as majority partner for a group of Seattle business and community leaders.

The name for the team was chosen after a public contest in which 1,700 nicknames were proposed. Team fortunes took an immediate upswing in 1983 when the AFC club hired former Rams and Bills coach Chuck Knox.

The hard-nosed fundamentalist, who favored a physical running game nicknamed Ground Chuck, led the Seahawks to a 9-7 record good

SEATTLE: In this Jan. 19, 2014, file photo, Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman (25) reaches out to shake hands with San Francisco 49ers’ Michael Crabtree (15) after Sherman tipped a pass in the end zone intended for Crabtree in the final minute of the second half of the NFC championship NFL football game. —AP enough for their first postseason appearance.

Seattle beat Denver and the Miami Dolphins to reach the AFC championship before falling 30-14 to the Los Angeles Raiders.

The following season, the Seahawks went 124 to return to the postseason and they reached the playoffs two more times under Knox but went into decline and failed to advance from 1989 to 1998.

The team was almost relocated by then owner Ken Behring and was briefly in bankruptcy before Allen bought the franchise in 1997.

Two years later Allen hired Mike Holmgren away from the Green Bay Packers, who he led to the Super Bowl title in 1997 and returned them to the title game in 1998, by making him head coach and general manager.

Holmgren stayed 10 seasons and took the Seahawks to the playoffs six times including their trip to the Super Bowl as NFC champions, having switched conferences in 2002.

Seattle outgained the Steelers in the Super Bowl but felt the sting of several controversial plays ruled against them in the 11-point loss.

In fact, four years after the defeat in a rules interpretation session with Seattle media, the head official of the game, Bill Leavy, admitted to making mistakes.

“I kicked two calls in the fourth quarter and I impacted the game, and as an official you never

want to do that,” he said.

“It left me with a lot of sleepless nights, and I think about it constantly. I’ll go to my grave wishing that I’d been better. I know I did my best at that time, but it wasn’t good enough.”

While the Seahawks have not yet achieved Super Bowl honors, they have landed two players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in wide receiver Steve Largent and defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy. Additionally, Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon played two seasons in Seattle toward the end of his career. Other illustrious former players include long-time quarterback Jim Zorn, running backs Curt Warner and Shaun Alexander, their Super Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and tackle Walter Jones.

The Seahawks team that will battle the Broncos relies on the hard running of Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch, following in a franchise tradition set in motion by Warner and Alexander.

This hard-scrabble team has been virtually unbeatable at their noisy home of CenturyLink Field but they should have no trouble getting sky-high for their fight for the Lombardi Trophy at MetLife Stadium. Said defensive end Chris Clemons, who entered the NFL after going undrafted in 2003: “We have a lot of players who were kind of unwanted. You always feel like you have to prove yourself, no matter how long you’ve been around.” —Reuters

Gerrans wins third Tour Down Under title ADELAIDE: Australian Simon Gerrans stayed out of trouble in yesterdy’s final stage to finish ahead of compatriot Cadel Evans and become the first rider to win the Tour Down Under for a third time.

German sprinter Andre Greipel won the 18-lap race around the 4.75km street circuit in Adelaide for his 16th tour stage win.

Going into the last stage, 2006 and 2011 winner Gerrans held a one-second lead over 2011 Tour de France-winner Evans and was five seconds ahead of Italian Diego Ulissi.

The overall standings for the top three remained unchanged after the sixth and final stage of the race in and around Adelaide.

Winning the title with his Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE on the country’s national day made it a special occasion for the 33-year-old rider. “I’ve got my third Tour Down Under win thanks to an outstanding team,” a jubilant Gerrans told reporters. “ This is an Australian team, on

Australia Day, in a WorldTour event, what else could I ask for?” Evans and Ulissi both needed time bonuses to wrest the lead from Gerrans but a three-man breakaway took the extra seconds available at two intermediate sprints during the 85.5km stage.

Orica-GreenEDGE controlled the race superbly as Gerrans pointed out after his victory. “It’s been a hard race for me and my team mates,” Gerrans said. “It’s been difficult to get the Ochre jersey back, what a tough week.

“I was confident in my team mates to take me home safely, which they did today. Until I crossed the line, I suspected that Diego Ulissi would try and do something, but it went all right.”

Evans was happy with his start to the year. “I took my best judgement on the road (so) I have to be satisfied with how it went,” Evans, who rides for the BMC Racing team, said. “We prefer to win, that’s what we’re hard-wired to win. (But) to lose by one second shows that we’re in a good way.”—Reuters

SYDNEY: Simon Gerrans from Australia holds the trophy on the podium after winning the overall race after stage 6 of the 2014 Tour Down Under cycling race. —AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

S P ORTS

Sochi Olympic scene: Busy workers and glitzy venues

Torah Bright

Bright gets cross spot for triple challenge MELBOURNE: Torah Bright will realise her ambition of becoming the first snowboarder to compete in all three events at a Winter Olympics next month after being awarded a spot in the snowboard cross race, the Australian Olympic Committee said yesterday. The 27-yearold Australian had already qualified to defend the halfpipe title she won in Vancouver and compete in the slopestyle, a new event in Sochi where competitors perform tricks through a course of jumps and rails.

Her place in the cross event, where boarders go head-to-head in a race, was dependent on other countries giving up quota places, though, and it was not until the weekend that her spot in the 24-strong field was confirmed.

“I am thrilled and cannot wait to seize my moments in Sochi,” Bright said in a news release. “A year ago I started the journey where I dared myself to qualify for three snowboard events in the Olympics. This is an Olympic journey done my way.

“More than anything it’s about sharing the sport I love with the world. This has been a journey of exploring what is pos-

sible for me on my snowboard and challenging myself like never before. Today I can say that I realised that goal.”

Bright, who comes from Cooma in the foothills of Australia’s Snowy Mountains, was already an X-Games star before winning gold in her second Olympics four years ago.

She initially resisted the idea of competing in all three events when it was suggested by her coach and brother Ben, but embraced it at the start of last year before embarking on an arduous qualification schedule. “I could not have done it without his vision that powered this journey,” Bright said of her brother. “It’s all just snowboarding, so I’ve been enjoying very much. There has been a lot of travel and a lot of events.

“But being on this journey has given me so much joy, that it’s made all the hard work, long days and busy schedule enjoyable and worth it. And as they say, nothing worthwhile is ever easy.”

Bright splits her year between Australia, New Zealand and Park City, Utah, where her sister Rowena competed in alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics. —Reuters

Preview

Sri Lanka seek Test revival in Bangladesh DHAKA: Sri Lanka will look to bounce back after an embarrassing setback last week as Angelo Mathews’ tourists begin a two-Test series against an equally inconsistent Bangladesh from today.

The Islanders were left red-faced when Pakistan chased down 302 in 57.3 overs on a fifth-day pitch to score a series-levelling win in the final Test in Sharjah last Monday.

The drawn series, after securing a nine-wicket win in the previous Test in Dubai, meant Sri Lanka remained in the lower half of the Test rankings at number six, an indicator of poor results in recent years. Since the retirement of world bowling record holder Muttiah Muralitharan in July 2010, Sri Lanka have won just six and lost 12 of their 32 Tests.

The veteran duo of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara remain the batting pillars, while another seasoned campaigner-leftarm spinner Rangana Herath-spearheads the bowling.

Sri Lanka will be relieved the Bangladesh tour was given the goahead despite widespread political violence in the run-up to the opposition-boycotted general elections on January 5.

The tourists have defeated Bangladesh in 13 of their 14 Tests, seven of them by an innings margin. On their previous tour in 2008-09, Sri Lanka won the first Test by 107 runs and the second by 465 runs.

But the Sri Lankan skipper refused to take victory for granted. “We may have won in the past, but we still need to go hard at them,” Mathews told reporters ahead of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka.

“Bangladesh will always be tough to beat at home. They have improved a lot in recent years. We need to play good cricket to win. We are certainly not going to take them lightly.”

Bangladesh promise to provide tougher opposition this time even though they languish at the bottom of

the Test rankings at number 10, lower than unfancied Zimbabwe.

Ever since they gained Test status in 2000, the Tigers have lost 67 of 81 matches, winning just four-two each against Zimbabwe and a depleted West Indies.

Bangladesh endured an uninspiring 2013 in the longer format, the low point being a crushing 335-run defeat

by Zimbabwe in Harare. But they drew two home Tests against New Zealand in October.

All-rounder Shakib-Al Hasan, who leads Bangladesh’s spin attack, hopes sporting wickets that favor both batsmen and bowlers will be prepared for the series.

“The contest is between two Asian teams so a spin-friendly pitch may not help much,” Shakib said. “We now have the experience to play good cricket against any team.”

The hosts have recalled opening batsman Imrul Kayes for the first Test in Dhaka and included new batsman Shamsur Rahman, but the focus will be firmly on all-rounder Sohag Gazi.

The 22-year-old right-hander and off-spinner created a stir during the New Zealand series when he became the first player to score a hundred and take a hat-trick in the same Test match. Sri Lanka will also play three one -day internationals and two Twenty20 matches during the monthlong tour. Bangladesh (from): Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Marshall Ayub, Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Mominul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Imrul Kayes, Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi, Robiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, AlAmin Hossain.

Sri Lanka (from): Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Kithruwan Vithanage, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Ajantha Mendis. —AFP

SOCHI: If you are flying to Sochi for the Winter Games, book a window seat on the right side of the plane. That way you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of how Russia spent $51 billion on gleaming new sports arenas and a cobweb of highways for this southern city on the Black Sea. That’s the Russia that President Vladimir Putin wants you to see.

Russia’s bid to host the 2014 Games, which was championed and overseen in the smallest detail by its powerful leader, is supposed to show Russia as a resurgent economy, capable of turning a semi-obscure seaside resort filled with cheesy bars into an international vacation magnet. All Sochi needs now is some visitors.

All the indoor venues for the Winter Games are tucked into a compact Olympic park next to the Black Sea. The outdoor venues in the mountains are about 45 minutes away on a brand new squeaky-clean train. Athletes, Olympic delegations, journalists and spectators on the day of the event all have free train tickets. Visitors to test events that Sochi hosted last year were pleasantly surprised by the army of young volunteers who spoke good English and were eager to help. Expect to see them inside the Olympic bubble as well as at Sochi’s upgraded airport and train stations.

Olympic Games these days all have stringent security checks and Sochi even more so since an Islamic insurgency is raging just a few hundred miles (kilometers) away. Railway stations are circled by temporary fencing and all visitors reach venues through a security zone where they face an airport-like body search and an examination of their bags. Trains are patrolled by policemen who walk down the aisles throughout the journey. The Olympic venues are all built - some have been operational for a year - but workers are still busy with finishing touches such as landscaping and road paving. Some of their recent work appears makeshift and hasty: palm trees in the middle of a traffic roundabout were clearly withering away with no grass around them, just fake pine needles.

Despite the last-minute labors, Sochi organizing committee head Dmitry Chernyshenko said Friday that all venues have been tested and are ready to go, according to the R-Sport news agency.

Outside the Olympic bubble, many streets in downtown Sochi are still pot-holed and muddy.

A central boardwalk that had almost perfect paving in early December is all dug up - and it seems workers were removing paving stones to put used slabs back in.

Sochi officials have tried to teach locals some

ELISTA: A handout picture taken during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay on January 25, 2014 and released by the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, shows a Kalmyk girl watching the torch relay. —AFP English, but two weeks before the games there were few signs that was working. The city offered language classes for taxi drivers, but none of the ones an AP reporter spoke to went to them or spoke any English.

Beliye Nochi, a legendary Sochi restaurant best known for its khinkali, or Caucasian dumplings, offers an English-language menu with pictures, but the restaurant’s staff members acknowledged they are not very fluent. Manager Svetlana Dzhanayeva said she and several waitresses had attended English classes but lamented that they were too brief. “What can a person learn in three days?” she said.

Vyacheslav Yakubovsky, a waiter at the nearby Grill & Coffee, said his burger shop was more popular with foreigners, attracting about 30 a day. He went to employer-provided English classes and was confident of his language skills.

Back in 2007, Sochi residents may have greeted the news of the upcoming Olympics with jubilation. Years of enduring Russia’s biggest construction project, however, have made them weary. The billions of Olympic-related rubles poured into Sochi meant huge construction trucks have rattled across its streets around the clock for years, caking mud all over the place.

The city is slowly recovering, but its residents still face plenty of challenges. Yelena Yaroslavskaya, a young mother walking with her baby in a central park, said her apartment block has been hit by recurrent power shortages ever since preparations for the games began.

“We still get power shortages all the time,” Yaroslavskaya said. “It’s particularly tough when you have a kid and live on the 14th floor. We’re tired of the Olympics already.”

Russian officials insist that electricity cuts across Sochi are just part of maintenance work as a new grid is being put into operation. Two power stations and dozens of sub-stations have been commissioned in the past year, but things are not getting easier for Sochi residents just yet.

Other residents were more optimistic, saying the city’s massive infrastructure upgrade will be the Winter Games’ best legacy.

“I feel better about it now,” said Irina Kulyabina as she headed off to a management class. “The highways, the fly-overs, they are gorgeous. You just whizz by.”

Kulyabina said she just had a “bout of enthusiasm” about the games that will run from Feb. 723. “I bought the tickets yesterday. My daughter and I are going to see hockey!” she said. —AP

Humphries edges Meyers for World Cup bobsled title KONIGSSEE: Canada’s Kaillie Humphries edged Elana Meyers of the United States by the slimmest of margins yesterday for the overall women’s World Cup bobsled title, while Fabienne Meyer of Switzerland won the last race of the season.

Humphries finished with 1,629 points, one more than Meyers. If Humphries - the Olympic champion and now a two-time overall World Cup winner - was 0.03 seconds slower Sunday, Meyers would have won the title.

Meyer and Tanja Mayer had a two-run time of 1 minute, 44.01 seconds. Meyers and Aja Evans had a stellar second run to climb six spots and finish second, just ahead of Humphries and Heather Moyse.

“That was an unexpected finish to the season,” Meyers said. “I knew it would take solid drives throughout the entire season, and I definitely couldn’t have done it without my teammates, coaches and a great staff. All three pilots finished the season ranked in the top ten, and that’s really incredible for Team USA.” Jazmine Fenlator and Lolo Jones of the U.S. were eighth, two spots ahead of teammates Jamie Greubel and Lauryn Williams. Greubel finished third in the season standings. In the fourman race later yesterday, Steven Holcomb of the US drove to his fourth win of the year.

The defending Olympic four-man champion and his team of Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Langton and Chris Fogt finished two runs in 1:38.54, edging the Swiss sled driven by Beat Hefti by a mere 0.09 seconds. “ Two awesome pushes from my guys,” Holcomb said. “This is Curt’s last (World Cup) race and we wanted to go out with a bang.”

KOENIGSSEE: Canada’s overall world cup winner Kaillie Humphries (right) and Heather Moyse pose with the trophy after the two-woman Bobsled World Cup race. —AP Lyndon Rush of Canada drove to the bronzemedal spot.

Holcomb medaled five times in eight fourman races this season, finishing second to Germany’s Maximilian Arndt for the yearlong points title. Holcomb was the two-man season champion.

The US led the overall standings for the season, winning 28 of the 72 World Cup medals awarded on the bobsled tour, claiming 12 more than any other nation. Holcomb drove to 10 medals to lead the men’s pilots, while Meyers topped all women with seven. —AP

Takanashi suffers second defeat

SLOVENIA: Japan’s Sara Takanashi competes in the women’s Ski Jumping World Cup event in Planica yesterday. —AP

BERLIN: Japanese ski jump star Sara Takanashi suffered a second successive World Cup defeat yesterday delivering a worrying dent to her status as Olympic Games gold medal favorite.

The 17-year-old was beaten into second place by Austria’s Daniela Iraschko-Stolz on the Planica hill in Slovenia, just as she had been 24 hours earlier.

The back-to-back defeats came in the penultimate World Cup meet before the Sochi Olympics get underway on February 7.

Iraschko-Stolz, the 30-year-old 2011 world champion, pulled off the longest jump of the competition of 102.5m to edge out Takanashi by three points with Germany’s Carina Voigt claiming third, just as she had on Saturday.

Takanashi still leads the overall World Cup standings having now broken through the 1000-point barrier.

Next weekend, the World Cup circuit switches to Hinzenbach in Austria for the final two rounds before the Olympics where women’s ski jumping is making its debut.—Reuters

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

S P ORTS

Thunder, Clippers advance PHILADELPHIA: Kevin Durant had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in his return from a shoulder injury to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to their seventh straight win, 103-91 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

Durant was scratched against Boston on Friday with a sprained right shoulder. Against the Sixers, he was one of the first Thunder players to hit the court for pregame warmups. He dunked several times, even hanging on the rim for several seconds after one, and was fit to play.

The 12-win Sixers trimmed Oklahoma City’s lead to four in the third quarter before Durant keyed a 14-5 run to open a comfortable lead.

The NBA’s leading scorer has reached at least 30 points in his last 10 games. Serge Ibaka had 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder. James Anderson led the Sixers with 19 points.

NEW YORK: Mikey Garcia and Juan Carlos Burgos exchange punches during the WBO Junior Lightweight title match at Madison Square Garden. —AFP

Garcia outpoints Burgos NEW YORK: Mikey Garcia retained the WBO junior lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Juan Carlos Burgos on Saturday night at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Garcia (34-0) failed to record a knockout for the sixth time as a professional in a fight that had many booing the lack of action.

He was able to consistently block most of the punches thrown by Burgos (30-2-2) and won for the second time in the 130-pound division by scores of 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110. Garcia won the fight by landing 29 percent (163-of-567) of his punches. He also landed 24 percent of his jabs (81-of339) and 36 percent of power punches (82of-228).

“In the early rounds, I was working on getting the right rhythm, timing and distance,” Garcia said. “Once I got that, I worked on fighting at a good pace. Burgos is a big tough fighter, I expected him to go rounds and it did.”

Garcia fought at the same venue where he won his first championship last January when he won a decision from Orlando Salido for the WBO featherweight title. That fight ended in the eighth round when Garcia had a broken nose but before it concluded he had dominated things by dropping Salido four times. Garcia was methodical early but did enough late to continue his ascent and potentially move closer to an eventual fight with Manny Pacquiao within the next year. Pacquiao will first fight Timothy Bradley on April 12 for the WBO welterweight title.

However, before he could get a date with Pacquiao, Garcia may fight Yuriorkis Gamboa. Gamboa was sitting ringside with promoter 50 cent and some were chanting

his name during lulls in the action.

“I will fight anyone,” Garcia said.

“Gamboa knows what to do - sit down at the table and negotiate.” Burgos went the distance for the third straight time but rarely put a scare into Garcia. The only thing closely resembling a threat came in the second round when Burgos briefly dropped Garcia to one knee.

“He caught me with a left hook,” Garcia said. “I stumbled a little bit but I was all right. I didn’t get hurt but I came back right after that.”

In the third round, Garcia caught Burgos with a right hand that seemed. That seemed to make Burgos less aggressive and cautious of Garcia’s power.

“He probably felt my power and respected that more,” Garcia said. Garcia seemed like he was going to get the knock out in the later rounds when he caught Burgos a few times in the corner with a few jabs and body blows but could not finish it. “He has a lot of ability,” Burgos said. “He’s fast and strong. Luck was not with us today.”

On the undercard, Bryant Jennings (180) recorded his 10th knockout at 2:20 of the 10th round, beating Poland’s Artur Szpilka (16-1) in a non-championship heavyweight bout. Jennings had the faster hands throughout the fight but could not come close to ending the fight until the final round. He nearly finished the fight with a little over a minute left in the final round by landing a hard left hook but the fight continued for another 30 seconds.

It ended when Jennings landed an even harder left shot that hit Szpilka across the face, forcing him to cling to the ropes and prompting referee Mike Ortega to stop the fight. —AP

CLIPPERS 126, RAPTORS 118 Jamal Crawford had a season-high 37 points and 11 assists, and Los Angeles overcame Terrence Ross’ 51 points to beat Toronto.

Ross matched Vince Carter’s franchise record set 14 years ago and nearly doubled his previous career high of 26 points against Portland on Jan. 2, 2013.

The second-year guard shot 10 of 17 from 3point range and 9 for 10 at the free throw line.

But he missed his final foul shot with 4 seconds left, failing to top the 51 points Carter scored in a 103-102 win over Phoenix on Feb. 27, 2000.

Blake Griffin scored 30 points and J.J. Redick had 18 as the Clippers won for the 10th time in 13 games and snapped a four-game skid in Toronto. Los Angeles improved to 8-3 without star guard Chris Paul, sidelined with a separated shoulder. DeMar DeRozan went out with a sprained left foot, and the Raptors lost for the first time in three games.

BULLS 89, BOBCATS 87 DJ Augustin scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and Chicago held off Charlotte to get back above .500.

The former Bobcats point guard shot 4 of 5 from the field in the fourth quarter, making a trio of 3-pointers, to help break open a tight game.

The Bulls (22-21) have won 10 of 13. Joakim Noah had 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Bulls, who have won 10 of their last 11 against the Bobcats. Al Jefferson had 32 points and 13 rebounds for Charlotte, his ninth straight 20-point game.

GRIZZLIES 99, ROCKETS 81 Mike Conley scored 17 points and Zach Randolph had 15 points and 17 rebounds as Memphis beat Houston for the second consecutive night. The Grizzlies won 88-87 in Houston on Friday, then took control of the rematch.

Memphis held the Rockets to 38 percent shooting and built the lead to as many as 27 points before both teams sent in reserves to finish the game. Courtney Lee also had 15 points and Kosta Koufos scored 14, hitting seven of his eight shots from the field. James Harden led the Rockets with 16 points. Dwight Howard had 10 points and 12 rebounds, but Houston’s threegame road winning streak was snapped.

NUGGETS 109, PACERS 96 Wilson Chandler scored a season-high 25 points and Denver snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory over Indiana.

Nate Robinson and Timofey Mozgov each added 15. First-year Nuggets coach Brian Shaw won in his first matchup against Indiana since leaving his job as a Pacers assistant to come to Denver.

JJ Hickson had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Lance Stephenson scored 23 for Indiana.

The Pacers split a road back-to-back set after winning the night before in Sacramento. Paul George added 18 points and David West 16 for the Pacers, who lost for the eighth time in nine trips to Denver.

WASHINGTON: US boxer Lamont Peterson (right) connects a straight right cross against Haitian-born Canadian Dierry Jean during their International Boxing Federation light welterweight title fight at the DC Armory. —AFP

Peterson retains IBF junior welterweight title WASHINGTON: Lamont Peterson retained the IBF junior welterweight title Saturday night, unanimously outpointing previously undefeated Dierry Jean in front of a hometown crowd at the DC Armory.

Peterson (32-2-1) rebounded from a third-round TKO loss to Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse in a non-title fight in May in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jean, from Montreal, dropped to 25-1.

“I knew it was his first championship fight,” Peterson said. “It was his first time on the big stage. I didn’t want him to get confidence, so I got on the gas.”

Peterson, who turned 30 on Friday, won by scores of 118-111, 116-112, and 115-113. There were no knockdowns and neither fighter ever appeared to be in serious trouble, but Peterson landed more and harder punches. “I knew when I looked at him that he was pretty small and I would be physically stronger than him.” Peterson said. “He’s pretty muscular, but I’m a pretty good inside fighter and know how use my leverage, so I wanted to put my body on him and back him up.”

Referring to Peterson’s loss to Matthysse, Jean had said he would be able to take advantage of Peterson’s chin, but the champion withstood Jean’s best punches.

“The difference tonight was just a matter of experience,” said Jean, who was buoyed by a contingent waving Canadian flags behind his corner. “I leave with my head held high. My fans are with me, and I fought a hard fight.” For Peterson, the win was crucial after the crushing loss to Matthysse.

“Every time it seems like I’m set and

I’ve got things flowing, I win championships, there’s always what? Setbacks,” Peterson said. “So I’m built to get through setbacks and show people that you can get up and fix things. You can always come back.”

After an uneventful first round, Peterson scored with a left hook early in the second round, but Jean responded with a flurry late. Two judges gave Jean the second, third and fourth rounds.

“He never hurt me,” Peterson said. “He hit me with a few shots. He never stunned me, he never made my legs weak or anything like that.”

Jean appeared to be tiring in the middle rounds and Peterson landed several punches with him against the ropes in the sixth.

Peterson continued to apply pressure late in the fight, but Jean withstood it. All three judges gave Peterson the final three rounds.

Peterson has his sights set on WBC/WBA junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia.

“He’s considered the number one guy and rightfully so,” Peterson said. “I want to be considered the best 140-pounder before I leave the weight class. I do want to move up to welterweight pretty soon, so the sooner the better.”

Jean, who was born in Haiti and moved to Montreal when he was 10, didn’t begin boxing until he was 18. He turned pro in 2006 and was fighting for just the third time outside of Canada.

The 31-year-old Jean earned the title shot with a fourth-round TKO against Cleotis Pendarvis in an IBF elimination fight in May. —AP

TRAIL BLAZERS 115, TIMBERWOLVES 104 LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points in a showdown with Kevin Love that didn’t live up to expectations, leading Portland over Minnesota.

It was the Trail Blazers’ 33rd win - matching their total from all of last season. Kevin Martin

SAN ANTONIO: San Antonio Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard (2) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game. —AP John Wall banked in a 3-pointer to get within led the Timberwolves with 30 points, while Love 102-101 with 3.6 seconds left, but Hayward finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Aldridge hit a long jumper and drew a foul to made two free throws and Wall missed at the give the Blazers a 100-88 lead midway through buzzer. the fourth quarter. Damian Lillard’s 3-pointer HAWKS 112, BUCKS 87 pushed the lead to 105-88 and Minnesota, comPaul Millsap scored 20 points to lead six ing off a back-to-back, could never catch up. teammates in double figures and key the decisive surge that helped Atlanta rebound from a JAZZ 104, WIZARDS 101 Enes Kanter scored 24 points and Gordon 26-point home loss for the win over Milwaukee.

Millsap scored 14 points during a 24-5 run Hayward hit two free throws with 2.6 seconds left to lift Utah past Washington. Kanter made 11 that bridged the end of the second quarter and of 13 shots and the Jazz overcame a 13-point the start of the third and put Atlanta ahead 73deficit to take control in the fourth quarter and 47 with 8:24 left in the quarter. The margin grew keep the Wizards from moving above the .500 to 96-64 heading into the fourth and Atlanta mark for the first time in more than four years. beat Milwaukee for the eighth time in their last Hayward finished with 16 points, Alec Burks nine games. Reserve Louis Williams added 18 added 15 and Derrick Favors had 11 points and points for the Hawks. Brandon Knight scored 27 14 rebounds. Trevor Ariza led Washington with points for the Bucks, who lost for the 11th time 23 points, including a 3-pointer with 52 seconds in their last 12 games. Ersan Ilyasova and Khris Middleton added 11 apiece. —AP left that drew the Wizards within 101-98.

NBA results/standings Chicago 89, Charlotte 87; LA Clippers 126, Toronto 118; Oklahoma City 103, Philadelphia 91; Memphis 99, Houston 81; Atlanta 112, Milwaukee 87; Denver 109, Indiana 96; Utah 104, Washington 101; Portland 115, Minnesota 104.

Toronto Brooklyn NY Knicks Boston Philadelphia Indiana Chicago Detroit Cleveland Milwaukee Miami Atlanta Washington Charlotte Orlando

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT 22 21 .512 19 22 .463 16 27 .372 15 30 .333 14 30 .318 Central Division 34 9 .791 22 21 .512 17 26 .395 16 27 .372 8 35 .186 Southeast Division 31 12 .721 23 20 .535 21 22 .488 19 27 .413 12 32 .273

GB 2 6 8 8.5

Oklahoma City Portland Denver Minnesota Utah

12 17 18 26

LA Clippers Golden State Phoenix LA Lakers Sacramento

8 10 13.5 19.5

San Antonio Houston Dallas Memphis New Orleans

Western Conference Northwest Division 35 10 .778 33 11 .750 21 21 .500 21 22 .488 15 29 .341 Pacific Division 31 15 .674 26 18 .591 24 18 .571 16 28 .364 15 27 .357 Southwest Division 33 10 .767 29 17 .630 25 20 .556 22 20 .524 17 25 .405

1.5 12.5 13 19.5 4 5 14 14 5.5 9 10.5 15.5

AFC plan Asian Cup expansion to 24 teams OMAN: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) plans to expand the Asian Cup from 16 to 24 teams as part of a raft of changes designed to increase the number of international matches for member nations. The AFC competitions committee made the proposal at a meeting in Oman on Saturday, at which they also announced plans to merge regional preliminary qualification rounds for the World Cup and Asian Cup. “Competitions are the main products of AFC and I am happy that it is in good hands,” AFC president Sheikh Salman bin

Ibrahim Al-Khalifa said in a statement.

“We must market our product and generate income to sustain football across the continent. “I am sure that the changes that happen will have big impact in Asian football and will benefit our member associations. Australia will host the 16th edition of the quadrennial Asian Cup next year with the first expanded tournament likely to take place in 2019. Any proposals made by the AFC competitions committee must first be ratified by the confederation’s executive committee to take effect. There are 47 member nations in the AFC.—Reuters

World Cup protests spark violence in Brazil

DENMARK: France’s centre back Nikola Karabatic (top) vies with Denmark’s left back Henrik Mollgaard Jensen (right) and left back Mikkel Hansen during the menís EHF Euro 2014 Handball Championship final. —AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: Demonstrators and police clashed in Sao Paulo on Saturday during the first in a planned series of anti-World Cup protests across Brazil called by radical activist group Anonymous.

With less than five months before the June 12 kick-off-when the five-time champions and hosts take on Croatia-Brazil is facing the same kind of social rumblings that marred last year’s Confederations Cup dress rehearsal. Anonymous called for protests against football’s fabled event via its Facebook page under the slogan “The Cup will not take place.”

Other activists said “FIFA go home” on Twitter, referring to football’s world governing body, which was likely watching the weekend’s events with some concern.

Brazilians are avid users of social media, a favored tool to organize protests. But turnout was modest.

In the country’s sprawling industrial and financial hub of Sao Paulo, about 2,500 people demonstrated near the Art Museum and on the key Avenida Paulista, chanting and waving signs like “Wake up Brazil, a teacher is worth more than (footballer) Neymar.”

Demonstrators and police clashed, with protesters burning tires and garbage, and some engaging in vandalism targeting banks and other businesses.

Sao Paulo military police said they arrested 128 people. Rio de Janeiro-where huge demonstrations turned violent in July-rallied just about 200 to a demonstration on landmark Copacabana Beach. —AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

S P ORTS

Roma close gap on Juve with win over Verona

GERMANY: Basel’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah runs with the ball In a file picture taken on December 11, 2013. —AFP

Egypt’s Salah sign for Chelsea LONDON: Chelsea have completed the signing of 21-year-old Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah from Swiss side Basel, the Premier League club announced yesterday.

Salah has signed a five-and-a-halfyear contract with the reigning Europa League champions and will wear the number 15 shirt at Stamford Bridge. “I’m very happy to sign for Chelsea, such a big club in the world,” he told the Chelsea website.

“I hope I can make the Chelsea supporters happy and have a good career at the club for many years to come.” Chelsea said on Thursday that they had reached an agreement to sign Salah, subject to the completion of a medical examination and the agreement of personal terms.

Manager Jose Mourinho revealed that the transfer had been completed during a television interview prior to his side’s 10 win at home to Stoke City in the FA Cup fourth round yesterday.

Chelsea have not disclosed how much they have paid Basel to secure Salah’s services, but British media reports claim

the transfer fee was around £11 million ($18 million, 13.2 million euros).

Salah has played against Chelsea four times over the last year, scoring three times, including in Basel’s two Champions League group-phase victories against the London club earlier this season.

Speaking on Friday, Mourinho expressed admiration for the Egypt international, who reportedly rejected overtures from Liverpool in order to move to west London. “I like the fact that he can play the same way our attacking players do, which is players with adaptability, to play right, left, or behind the striker,” Mourinho said.

“He’s young, he’s fast, he’s creative, he’s enthusiastic. When we analysed him, he looks the kind of humble personality on the pitch, ready to work for the team and to work and to adapt himself to a new life.” Confirmation of Salah’s arrival comes less than 24 hours after Spanish attacking midfielder Juan Mata completed his move from Chelsea to Manchester United for a fee of £37.1 million. —AFP

Glasgow giants march on EDINBURGH: The relentless Celtic march on retaining the title continued yesterday as the Glasgow giants sealed their 11th victory in a row with three late goals in a 4-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road.

Victory sent the Hoops 15 points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership as they extended their unbeaten start to the season to 22 games and kept their ninth consecutive clean sheet in the league for the first time since the 1920s.

When Kris Commons scored the opener in the eighth minute a heavy defeat looked inevitable for Hibs, who have with this defeat lost three in a row.

However, the Easter Road outfit are one of only three teams to have take points off the Scottish champions this season in a 1-1 draw in October and they did their best to derail Neil Lennon’s side.

Only a string of fine saves from Fraser Forster to deny Abdellah Zoubir and Sam Stanton kept Celtic in front while James Collins had a first half penalty claim turned down.

A magnificent 77th minute free-kick from Dutchman Virgil van Dijk made it 2-0 before second half substitute Teemu Pukki fired home in the 83rd minute.

Commons then netted from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Pukki had been brought down to score a double for the third consecutive match.

“To come here and win 4-0 probably flattered us but I always thought we would win the game,” Lennon said. “We had to withstand 15-20 minutes of pressure and my goalkeeper had to make a couple of good saves. So it shows we are not going to get everything our own way and you need to dig in but our quality came through.”

Hibernian boss Terry Butcher was despondent in defeat. “I thought we did a lot of things well and had a good spell in the opening part of the second

half,” he said. “We had some good chances and some good opportunities and Forster has made some good saves. We didn’t deserve a 4-0 defeat and I thought we were in the game for a long period of time.”

Forster hasn’t conceded in over 13 hours of domestic football but the English ‘keeper had to be alert early on as Alex Harris drilled a fierce effort just by the post.

However, the in-form Commons only had to wait until the eighth minute to score the opening goal for Celtic for the 12th time this season.

Hibs defenders Michael Nelson and Jordon Forster collided as they both tried to deal with a long, high ball and it broke to Commons who calmly sent a left strike over the advancing Ben Williams. Hibs responded well to their setback and minutes later they had a penalty claim turned down when van Dijk appeared to clip the ankles of Collins in the box.

It was Hibs who again tested Celtic with Forster pulling off two wonder saves to deny Zoubir twice in quick succession.

The keeper made a fingertip save to turn to stop the Hibernian forward’s curling effort dipping into the top corner and, from the resultant corner, he got down well to smartly beat away Abdallah’s Zoubir’s stinging strike from 20 yards.

Forster then made an outstanding save to keep his clean sheet record intact as he stuck up a hand to tip away a fierce strike from Stanton.

Celtic seemed to be toiling but a magnificent free-kick from Van Dijk doubled Celtic’s advantage as the Dutchman curled the set piece into the top corner from 22 yards.

Pukki made sure of the points with a drilled angled shot after he cut into the box from the right. The Finnish striker then earned his side a penalty, which Commons expertly despatched, when Alan Maybury barged into him in the box. —AFP

MILAN: Captain Francesco Totti scored late from the spot to cap a crucial 3-1 win for Roma away to Verona which closed the gap on leaders Juventus to six points yesterday.

Elsewhere, Giampaolo Pazzini scored a late winner for AC Milan in a precious 2-1 win away to Cagliari, while city rivals Inter were held to a scoreless draw at home by basement side Catania.

Livorno boosted their relegation battle with a 3-1 home win over Sassuolo, while at the other end of the table Torino and Parma both moved up one place to sixth and seventh with 1-0 wins over Atalanta and Udinese respectively.

Juventus had to settle for a share of the points in a 1-1 draw away to Lazio on Saturday when goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was sent off and left the champions with 10 men for much of their encounter at the Olympic Stadium. Napoli, in third, were also held 1-1 by visitors Chievo and are 12 points adrift of Juventus.

Totti was quick to underline Roma’s scudetto ambitions when he told Sky Sport Italia: “After Juve’s slip-up yesterday we put pressure on ourselves to take the three points. “I think we’ve fired a warning shot with regard to the championship fight. We’re on a par with Juve.”

Roma landed a blow on Juventus with a 1-0 win over the champions in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup in midweek-a morale boost after they lost 3-0 to the same opponents earlier this month in their Serie A clash. Roma were by far the more creative side against Verona and after spurning several chances made the breakthrough in first-half injury time when Gervinho powered down the left and pulled back for Adem Ljajic to tap home from close range.

Verona levelled minutes after the restart when Emil Hallfredsson finished off the good work of Juan Iturbe to beat Morgan De Sanctis with a powerful drive.

But Roma pulled in front on the hour thanks to a superb Gervinho strike from just inside the area and the game turned permanently in the visitors’ favour when late substitute Totti fired home from the spot to secure Roma’s third consecutive win since the away defeat to Juve earlier this month.

Roma coach Rudi Garcia said that Juventus were not assured of the title by any means.

“Juventus are not unbeatable, but they’re a very strong side.” He added: “The title won’t depend on only us. All we can do is our best.”

Juve coach Antonio Conte admitted on Saturday he was not used to the word ‘defeat’, but praised his 10-man side for the fightback which saw Fernando Llorente level Antonio Candreva’s 27th-minute penalty on the hour mark after Buffon had hauled down striker Miroslav Klose.

“Our winning attitude remained intact even with the setback of our keeper’s sending off,” said Conte.

“I was happy with the team’s reaction, it’s in times like these that their character as men, and not just as players, comes to the fore.”

Milan, meanwhile, repaid Clarence Seedorf’s

ITALY: Hellas Verona’s Brazilian goalkeeper De Andrade Bittencourt Pinheiro Rafael saves a ball during the Serie A football match against AS Roma. —AFP belief in the struggling Serie A giants with two late goals to hand the Dutchman his second win in as many league games.

Having been sent crashing out of the Italian Cup quarter-finals by Udinese in midweek, Milan were staring at a costly league defeat after struggling to level Marco Sau’s 28th minute opener.

However Mario Balotelli launched the fightback with a superb goal from a free kick on 87 minutes and two minutes later Pazzini, who replaced Robinho on the hour, fired home a

tricky volley from a corner.

Now ninth with a five-point deficit to fifthplaced Inter, Milan’s bid for a place in Europe has been given a huge boost and Pazzini, who has lingered on the injury sidelines for much of the past nine months, could not hide his joy.

“After so much time it’s great to score such an important goal,” the striker told Sky Sport Italia.

“Our team can do so much better. Seedorf helps us remain calm and shows faith in us so it’s up to us to repay that on the pitch.”—AFP

Italian Serie A results/standings Verona 1 (Hallfredsson 49) AS Roma 3 (Ljajic 45+1, Gervinho 60, Totti 82); Cagliari 1 (Sau 28) AC Milan 2 (Balotelli 87, Pazzini 89); Inter Milan 0 Catania 0; Livorno 3 (Greco 4, Paulinho 11, Benassi 26) Sassuolo 1 (Berardi 28-pen); Parma 1 (Amauri 35) Udinese 0; Sampdoria 1 (Gabbiadini 61) Bologna 1 (Diamanti 90-pen); Torino 1 (Cerci 60-pen) Atalanta 0.

Playing later Fiorentina v Genoa Played Saturday Napoli 1 (Albiol 88) Chievo 1 (Sardo 18); Lazio 1 (Candreva 27-pen) Juventus 1 (Llorente 60).

Italian Serie A table ahead of yesterday’s late game (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Juventus AS Roma Napoli Fiorentina Inter Milan Torino Parma Verona AC Milan Lazio

21 21 21 20 21 21 21 21 21 21

18 15 13 12 8 8 8 10 7 7

2 5 5 4 9 8 8 2 7 7

1 1 3 4 4 5 5 9 7 7

51 45 44 37 38 34 32 35 34 27

15 11 23 20 24 27 27 34 31 29

56 50 44 40 33 32 32 32 28 28

Genoa Atalanta Sampdoria Cagliari Udinese Chievo Bologna Sassuolo Livorno Catania

20 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21

7 7 5 4 6 4 3 4 4 3

5 3 7 9 2 6 9 5 4 5

8 11 9 8 13 11 9 12 13 13

20 21 25 20 20 16 20 22 19 13

24 30 32 31 32 27 36 46 37 37

26 24 22 21 20 18 18 17 16 14

Huntelaar strikes on Schalke return BERLIN: Striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar marked his return after five months out with a knee injury with the opening goal in Schalke 04’s impressive 30 win at Hamburg yesterday.

Holland’s ‘Hunter’ had been out since August, but needed just 34 minutes to out-jump the Hamburg defence and head home, setting the Royal Blues on the way to a win that lifts them to fifth in the table.

Schalke made sure of the three points with two further goals in just three second-half minutes, and the defeat sees Bert van Marwijk’s Hamburg drop back into the relegation zone.

Peru winger Jefferson Far fan struck the second on 53 minutes, before setting up 18-year-old Max Meyer to fire home three minutes later.

Having taken fifth place from VfL Wolfsburg, Schalke - who face Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League next month — now host Wolves this coming Saturday.

Meanwhile, Eintracht Braunschweig remain bottom of the table after playing out a goalless draw at mid-table Werder Bremen earlier yesterday.

At the other end of the table, Bayern Munich can go 13 points clear at the top with a win in a rearranged fixture at VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s Bayern side extended their record unbeaten run to 42 league matches and made it a record 27 away matches without defeat with a 2-0 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday.

After their three closest challengers collected just one point between them over the weekend, a 24th German league title is now Bayern’s to lose.

Results played into Bayern’s hands as second-placed Bayer Leverkusen suffered their third straight defeat, losing 3-2 at Freiburg.

Sami Hyypia’s side were stunned as the hosts twice came from behind before midfielder Felix Klaus hit the dramatic 90th-minute winner.

The result saw Freiburg climb out of the bottom three after they cancelled out goals by Bayer midfielders Lars Bender and Simon Rolfes.

Borussia Dortmund clawed their way up to third place on goal differ-

ence over Moenchengladbach with a 2-2 draw at home to Augsburg as Lars’s twin brother Sven Bender netted for both sides.

The Dortmund midfielder gave the hosts the lead at the Westfalenstadion after just six minutes, then turned the ball into his own net on 56 minutes for Augsburg’s equaliser.

Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin looked to have spared Bender and Borussia’s blushes with a brilliant free-kick to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes left.

But Augsburg drew level when South Korea’s Ji Dong-Won-who will play for Dortmund next seasonheaded home just two minutes after coming on to leave his side ninth in the table.

The point came at a price for Dortmund though as Poland winger Jakub Blaszczykowski tore cruciate ligaments in his right knee and is expected to miss the next six months.

He is the second Dortmund star sidelined with a long-term knee injury after centre -back Neven Subotic suffered the same fate in November.

Borussia picked up their first point at home after three consecutive defeats in front of their own fans, but have taken just five points from their last seven league games.

They are now 14 points behind Bayern, while sixth-placed Wolfsburg also lost ground as they suffered a 31 defeat at home to near neighbors Hanover 96.

New coach Tayfun Korkut celebrated his first game in charge with Hanover’s first away win of the season after eight straight defeats.

The result put a dampener on Kevin de Bruyne’s debut after the Belgium midfielder became Wolfsburg’s record signing last weekend when he moved from Chelsea.

Nuremberg celebrated a milestone as they became the last team in a major European league to pick up their first win of the season with a 4-0 victory over Hoffenheim.

Eintracht Frankfurt picked up their first home win of the season with a shock 1-0 victory against sixth-placed Hertha Berlin, while Mainz are up to eighth after a 2-1 win at Stuttgart as Japan striker Shinji Okazaki scored for the visitors against his former club. —AFP

GERMANY: Schalke’s Christian Fuchs (left) challenges for the ball with Hamburg’s goalie Jaroslav Drobny, during the German Bundesliga soccer match. —AP

German League results/standings Werder Bremen 0 Eintracht Braunschweig 0; Hamburg 0 Schalke 04 3 (Huntelaar 34, Farfan 53, Meyer 56).

Played Saturday Borussia Dortmund 2 (S Bender 6, Sahin 66) Augsburg 2 (S Bender 56-og, Ji 72); VfB Stuttgart 1 (Abdellaoue 11) Mainz 05 2 (Okazaki 40, Saller 87); VfL Wolfsburg 1 (Olic 35) Hanover 96 3 (Rudnevs 28, Bittencourt 50, 72); Nuremberg 4 (Chandler 23, Drmic 41, 70, Ginczek 49) Hoffenheim 0; Freiburg 3 (Mehmedi 27, Schmid 53, Klaus 90) Bayer Leverkusen 2 (L Bender 5, Rolfes 36); Eintracht Frankfurt 1 (Meier 36) Hertha Berlin 0.

German League table after yesterday’s match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Bayern Munich 17 Bayer Leverkusen 18 Borussia Dortmund 18 Moenchengladbach18 Schalke 04 18 VfL Wolfsburg 18 Hertha Berlin 18 Mainz 05 18 Augsburg 18 Hanover 96 18 Werder Bremen 18 VfB Stuttgart 17 Hoffenheim 18 Eintracht 18 Freiburg 18 Hamburg 18 Nuremberg 18 Braunschweig 18

15 12 10 10 9 9 8 8 7 6 5 5 4 4 4 4 1 3

2 1 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 5 4 6 6 5 4 11 3

0 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 9 8 8 8 8 9 10 6 12

44 34 40 35 35 29 27 27 23 26 22 30 36 21 19 33 21 10

8 19 22 21 28 22 21 32 27 32 37 33 42 29 33 41 33 32

47 37 33 33 31 30 28 27 25 21 20 19 18 18 17 16 14 12

Australia edge England in low-scoring thriller

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

16

Roma close gap on Juve with win over Verona

19

Broncos making long-awaited return to Super Bowl

Page 16

MELBOURNE: Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland (left) holds the trophy with runner-up Rafael Nadal of Spain after his win in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship. — AP

Wawrinka stuns injured Nadal Wins Australian Open MELBOURNE: Stanislas Wawrinka held firm in a match of high drama to defeat an injured Rafa Nadal 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 and win his maiden grand slam title at the Australian Open yesterday.

The eighth seed roared to a two-set lead after top seed Nadal struggled with an apparent back injury sustained early in the second set, but the Swiss was left stunned as his opponent suddenly revived in the third at Rod Laver Arena. Though restricted in his movement, Nadal fought back into the match with a barrage of clean hitting, completely throwing the Swiss off his game who surrendered the third set in a hail of unforced errors. Wawrinka captured a break in the fourth set, surrendered it with a terrible service game, but recovered again to earn a chance to serve for the match.

He stayed cool when it counted, serving strongly and sealing the win with an imperious forehand rocketing down the line.

A relieved Wawrinka raised his hands in the air in celebration and after shaking hands with a gloomy Nadal, went to console the Spaniard at his chair.

“First, Rafa, I’m really sorry for you, I hope your back is okay, you are a great friend and a great champion,” Wawrinka said at the trophy ceremony.

“You did a remarkable comeback last year. For me it’s the best grand slam ever.

“Right now I still don’t know if I’m dreaming. I guess I’ll find out in the morning.”

The 2009 champion Nadal shed tears at the trophy ceremony, overcome by the emotion of a roller-coaster match. “First thing I want to say, is thanks to Stan, we have a great relationship and you really deserve it today, so many congratulations and all the best. “To all the crowd, it’s been an emotional two weeks sorry to finish this way, I tried very, very hard. “Last year was a tough when I wasn’t able to play here, thanks for your support, see you next year.”

The triumph capped a remarkable fortnight for Wawrinka who became the first man in 21 years to beat the top two seeds at a grand slam since Sergi Bruguera pulled off the feat at the French Open in 1993. Five days after ending second seed Novak Djokovic’s three-year reign at Melbourne Park, Wawrinka denied a distraught Nadal from becoming only the third man to have won all four majors at least twice. Though Nadal’s injury clearly affected his game, Wawrinka had been well on top of their match early on and surged 3-1 clear in the first set after an early break.

Without a hint of nerves, Wawrinka blasted two aces before holding to lead 4-1,

leaving the centre court crowd stunned. Wawrinka stumbled when serving for the set to fall behind 0-40 but saved them all, as Nadal’s returning went awry, and took the set with a crosscourt ace.

In all his previous 12 meetings against Nadal, Wawrinka had never won a set.

Breaking that jinx propelled him on. He broke Nadal in the first game of the second to march to a 2-0 lead before the Spaniard suddenly doubled over in pain. He grimaced after a first serve and immediately signalled for a trainer and winced again after belting a forehand into the net from the baseline.

Nadal successfully held serve to trail 2-1 but quickly left the court for a medical time out, leaving Wawrinka to argue with the chair umpire about the lack of disclosure over the injury. Nadal re-emerged after six minutes amid some jeers from the Rod Laver Arena crowd but his movement was clearly restricted and he was unable to generate any pace on his serve.

Wawrinka simply went about his business, marching to a 4-1 lead as Nadal double-faulted repeatedly and struggled to reach wide balls.

Nadal had more treatment on his back from a physio at the change of ends, then underlined his fighting spirit by holding serve to trail 5-2, but Wawrinka went on to serve out the set with an ace. Whether it was painkillers or just pure grit, Nadal showed signs of a revival in the third set as he saved two break points before holding serve with a barrage of sweetly-struck forehands.

A searing forehand winner down the line gave Nadal two break points and astonishingly, the Spaniard broke a flat-footed Wawrinka when the Swiss bunted a bloodless forehand into the net.

As Nadal rallied, his eighth-seeded opponent sunk, spraying shots all over the court with his concentration clearly affected by the sudden momentum switch.

Still restricted in his movements, Nadal began gunning for the lines and his stand-and-deliver approach saw him march to a 5-2 lead.

With Nadal serving for the set at 5-3, Wawrinka had a chance to break back but was unable to flush the tension out and conceded the set when he smashed a forehand into the net. As Nadal battled with his body, Wawrinka continued to battle with his mind as he broke Nadal in the final set and then gave it straight back.

Amid the doubts, the Swiss’s serve never quite deserted him and it carried him to match point before his forehand sealed it to raise thunderous cheers from the terraces. — Reuters

allowed Oscar to break the deadlock in spectacular style.

Eto’o’s smart turn and shot in the second minute suggested this would be a long afternoon for Stoke, who were hoping to repeat their Premier League victory over the Blues in early December.

The visitors’ initial response suggested otherwise, with Peter Crouch heading wide after getting ahead of his marker David Luiz three minutes later.

Stoke struggled to put Cech’s replacement Mark Schwarzer under real pressure, but they matched Chelsea in the midfield areas for long periods.

Chelsea, though, looked capable of capitalising on any Stoke error and should have taken the lead from a breakaway after Marco Arnautovic gave the ball away carelessly inside the home half.

Then, when Erik Pieters was penalised for a tackle from behind on Eto’o, Oscar produced a memorable free-kick that gave Mourinho’s side a 27th-minute lead. Stoke complained angrily that the decision to penalise Pieters was harsh and television replays suggested they had a point.

Their sense of injustice was fuelled when Oscar lifted the free-kick over the wall and into the top-left corner, bending so much that it wrong-footed Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

LONDON: Chelsea were paired with Premier League title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal were pitted against Liverpool in an explosive FA Cup fifthround draw yesterday.

Having managed to avoid each other in the competition’s opening rounds, the top flight’s four leading clubs will now come together in the last 16 on the weekend of February 15-16.

Chelsea’s trip to the Etihad Stadium will follow hot on the heels of their away game at City a week on Monday, but the London club’s manager Jose Mourinho took the draw in his stride.

“No problem. If you want to be the best, you have to play against the best,” he told ITV after his side’s 1-0 success at home to Stoke City in the fourth round yesterday.

“So it’s good for us-good experience, good game, big game, good.” Chelsea and City are considered the biggest challengers to current league leaders Arsenal, but Mourinho suggested that Manuel Pellegrini’s side would approach the tie as favorites. “One team is an ended product, the other team is a team that needs to improve and has a long way to

go,” he said.

Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 when the sides last met in November and the teams are due to face off again at Anfield in the league a week before their encounter in the cup at the Emirates Stadium.

There were two other all-Premier League ties in the draw, with League Cup finalists Sunderland drawn to face Southampton and Everton manager Roberto Martinez handed a tie against his former club Swansea City.

Holders Wigan Athletic, meanwhile, will visit Cardiff City after eliminating Crystal Palace on Saturday. Draw for the fifth round of the English FA Cup, made at Wembley Stadium yesterday (ties to be played the weekend of February 15-16): Manchester City v Chelsea Sheffield United or Fulham v Nottingham Forest or Preston North End Arsenal v Liverpool Brighton and Hove Albion v Hull City Cardiff City v Wigan Athletic Sheffield Wednesday v Charlton Athletic Sunderland v Southampton Everton v Swansea City. — AFP

Fulham survive FA Cup scare

Chelsea see off Stoke LONDON: Oscar helped Chelsea draw a line beneath Juan Mata’s departure with a fine free-kick in a 1-0 win over Stoke City in the FA Cup fourth round yesterday.

The Brazilian had dislodged Mata from his position as Chelsea’s main playmaker, prompting the Spaniard to join Manchester United, and the quality of his goal demonstrated why manager Jose Mourinho rates him so highly.

The Blues failed to add to Oscar’s first-half effort despite hitting the woodwork twice, although it was a largely comfortable victory, with Stoke rarely threatening to score an equaliser and force a replay.

Chelsea’s reward is a mouthwatering fifth round trip to Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Mourinho opted to rest a number of senior players including John Terry and Petr Cech, but his decision to include Samuel Eto’o in his starting line-up raised eyebrows.

The forward scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United seven days previously, but the manager had been expected to rest Eto’o and hand Demba Ba a rare start.

However, Eto’o wasted little time justifying Mourinho’s decision, quickly impressing himself on the Stoke back-line and drawing the foul that

Heavyweights to collide in FA Cup fifth round

LONDON: Chelsea’s Demba Ba (right) fights for the ball with Stoke City’s captain Ryan Shawcross (left) during an English FA Cup 4th round soccer match. — AP Begovic was back in the side after a six-game absence with a broken finger, but no blame could be laid at his door. Having finally broken through Stoke’s defence, Chelsea took control of the remainder of the first half, although Stephen Ireland did provide a scare when he fired a left-foot shot into the side-netting. Oscar should have added a second goal when he broke into Begovic’s area and beat the goalkeeper with a powerful shot that cannoned to safety off the upright. — AFP

SHEFFIELD: Fulham survived an FA Cup scare against third-tier Sheffield United yesterday by battling back to secure a 1-1 draw at a mud-caked Bramall Lane in the fourth round.

Fulham made 11 changes to their starting line-up and League One strugglers United looked set for a repeat of their third-round win over Aston Villa after Chris Porter gave them a 31st-minute lead.

However, the home side had captain Michael Doyle sent off for an off-the-ball incident early in the second period and Hugo Rodallega equalised with 15 minutes remaining to send the tie to a replay.

Heavy rain in northern England made for a muddy, sapping playing surface and the game only went ahead after a late pitch inspection.

There was an early blow for the visitors when John Arne Riise had to go off with an apparent hamstring injury and with half an hour played, United went ahead.

Young centre -back Harr y Maguire made an authoritative burst into the Fulham box before driving in a low cross

that was stabbed home by the opportunistic Porter.

In reply, Rodallega was denied a penalty after tumbling over a challenge from United goalkeeper George Long, while Pajtim Kasami shot narrowly wide early in the second half.

Doyle was shown a straight red card in the 52nd minute for kicking out at Chris David, but the hosts continued to threaten, with Ryan Flynn working Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale and Jose Baxter firing wide. Nigel Clough’s side then had a very strong penalty claim turned down after Flynn was caught by a clumsy challenge from visiting captain Aaron Hughes.

United manager Clough was incensed by referee Andre Marriner’s refusal to award a spot-kick and his mood will have darkened moments later when Rodallega drilled in an equaliser from the edge of the area. Fulham threatened to complete the comeback with seven minutes remaining, but Philippe Senderos saw his glancing header bounce back off the crossbar. — AFP

Business

Emerging markets bid to reassure Davos Page 22

Nissan new launch fuels UK’s car industry revival

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Page 23 NBK awarded ‘Best Trade Finance Bank in Kuwait’

BP back in favor despite oil spill, Russia doubts Page 25

Page 26

BEIJING: A man and a woman making their way with bags along a commercial street in Beijing. A shockwave is looming in China’s multi-trillion dollar “shadow banking” system, with an unprecedented default only days away on a $500 million investment product sold to hundreds of people. — AFP

ABK posts KD35.4m net profits for 2013 Bank achieves KD81.5m operating profits in improved financial results KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait achieved KD81.5 million operating profits and KD35.4 million net profits for the financial year ended 31 December 2013 representing an 18 percent growth in net profits from the previous year. Earnings per share grew by 16 percent to 22 fils. Total assets grew by 7 percent to KD 3.19 billion, customer deposits grew by 6 percent to KD 1.95 billion and shareholders’ equity grew by 5 percent to KD 540.8 million. This growth in performance translated in higher returns on assets of 1.15 percent and on equity of 6.70 percent.

Asset quality and provision coverage ratios improved significantly compared to 2012. Capital Adequacy at 26.93 percent remained strong and robust well above industry levels.

In view of these results the Board of Directors has recommended to the General Assembly a cash dividend of 13 fils per share to be distributed to the shareholders registered in the Bank’s records as on the date of the General Assembly Meeting. Such recommendation shall be subject to the approval of the ABK General Assembly Meeting and the competent regulatory authori-

ties.

Commenting on the Bank’s performance for 2013, Ahmed Yousuf Behbehani, Chairman of the Board, stated the following: These results reflect a solid all-round performance by the Bank with all key business indicators growing despite the challenging macroeconomic conditions. The Bank’s disciplined balance sheet management, income diversification strategies, strong revenue generating capability and profitability metrics have enabled us to deliver these results as we also continued to improve our operating efficiencies, containing spending and holding costs in check.

On provisioning, we continued to remain prudent and conservative in our policies as we built up our precautionary provision coverage while our risk management practices became even more vigilant and focused. We have met with some success during the year as we managed to reduce our non-performing assets and continue our efforts to improve asset quality.

Our strong capital adequacy which is the highest among domestic peers and well ahead of international norms gives us the capacity and

resilience to absorb losses and sufficient capital to expand operations, strengths that give us a strong foundation for growth in the coming years as opportunities arise, some indications of which were already visible in the form of increased credit off take as seen during the latter half of this year with more government projects coming on stream.

Further, we have also maintained our credit ratings at investment grade from international rating agencies Moody’s and Fitch which recognized the Bank’s strong capital position, earnings capacity and resilience, and stable funding and liquidity sources.

Retail franchise Commenting on the Bank’s branches, the Chairman stated the following: Currently the Bank has a retail franchise of 30 branches with 28 branches in Kuwait and 2 in the UAE, one each in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with plans to further expand the network to better serve customers and meet their expectations.

Customer service is of utmost importance to

Dubai shares lead regional losses MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS DUBAI: Shares in Dubai and Abu Dhabi tumbled yesterday, leading a region-wide decline following a sharp sell-off in US and emerging markets on fears of slowing growth in China and reduced support from US monetary policy. Dubai’s bourse, which has been driven to hefty gains by local retail investors, fell 2.2 percent - recording its biggest one - day loss in more than two months as it came off Thursday’s five-year high. Trading volumes were lower than they were during last week’s gains and the market closed well above the day’s low, suggesting buyers are ready to step in on dips.

Neighbouring Abu Dhabi’s measure lost 1.8 percent, also retreating from a five-year high.

Gulf economies are mostly insulated from a pull-back in emerging markets and currency risks there, because of their state budget and current account surpluses, as well as continued government spending on infrastructure projects. “The market was registering higher highs and in a way, this was a good trigger for some profit-taking, which is

healthy,” Rami Sidani, Schroders Middle East head of investment, said of Dubai. Small-cap shares had led gains in recent sessions, increasing the potential for a sharp pullback.

“We are seeing buyers who have been waiting on the side for some correction - this will continue to be the case because the local fundamentals are robust and economies are resilient,” Sidani added.

Saudi In Saudi Arabia, the index fell 0.4 percent, coming off Thursday ’s five -year high.

Petrochemical shares were initially hardest hit but then recovered and the sector’s index closed up 0.3 percent. China is a major market for Saudi petrochemical products, which depend on global demand. “People are taking a little bit of profit off the table and being cautious - but there is an indication liquidity has re-entered the market,” said John Sfakianakis, chief investment strategist at Saudi investment firm MASIC. “There is bullishness in the market and

dips offer opportunities. The China story (suggesting its economy is weakening) is not so well-founded - and even if it slows, I don’t see global growth taking a dive.”

In Qatar, the benchmark slipped 0.4 percent to trim January’s gains to 8.9 percent.

Qatari individuals and institutional investors were net sellers, bourse data showed, while foreign investors were buyers. In Egypt, the benchmark index fell 0.2 percent, retreating from a three-year high after a weekend of violence heightened fears of escalating unrest in coming days.

On Saturday, the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak, clashes between supporters and opponents of the new political order killed 49 people.

“I’m not very optimistic about how things will go over the coming days - the market is due for a correction,” said Islam Batrawy, Cairo-based head of MENA equity sales at NBK Capital. “The official death toll is rising and this is alarming - we’ll probably see further escalation. We might be seeing just the start of this.” — Reuters

us and we continue to invest in technology, develop of new products to satisfy customer needs, and improve our processes to provide better services to our customers.

On the regulatory side we have implemented new policies and processes to comply with the new Corporate Governance regulations issued by the Central Bank of Kuwait and are ready to comply with the new FATCA and Basel III regulations when introduced.

The Chairman stated that the Bank is well placed to capitalize on opportunities as the local economy improves and to take advantage in the UAE of the economic impetus expected following Dubai’s Expo 2020 win. The Bank had also developed appropriate strategies to perpetuate and enhance the Bank’s profitability and value proposition for its shareholders and customers.

In conclusion, he thanked the Bank’s valued customers for their trust and confidence, the management and staff for their hard work and loyalty, the Board of Directors for their guidance and supervision, and shareholders for their continued support and faith.

Ahmed Yousuf Behbehani

Iran eyes revival of key gas sector ASSALUYEH, Iran: Iran is working full throttle to develop its South Pars natural gas field, the world’s largest, amid hopes of sanctions relief and the return of Western oil majors. “We would welcome foreign companies and investors if they want to come back,” said Hamid Reza Massoudi, chief engineer at an unfinished South Pars refinery near the town of Assaluyeh, 920 kilometres (570 miles) south of Tehran.

“They would definitely speed up the progress,” Massoudi said, as work proceeded on the refinery’s structure. Development at the mammoth offshore field has been hobbled for years by sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union, a lack of foreign and domestic investment and technical challenges. Iran struggled to fill the vacuum after the departure of France’s Total, Spain’s Repson and the Royal Dutch Shell, and efforts to continue development through state-

owned and quasi-private companies had mixed success.

But President Hassan Rouhani’s stated ambition to resolve the dispute with the West over Iran’s nuclear drive has raised hopes of relief from financial sanctions and embargoes that have drastically curtailed oil production and vital exports. The diplomatic rapprochement could also spark foreign investment and lead to a return of oil majors to revive ageing oilfields and to South Pars.

Oil ministry officials say four plants in the field are near completion. Among them is Phase 12, one of the largest in South Pars, that once fully operational could produce 81 million cubic metres of gas daily. Its supervisor Alireza Ebadi said the $7.8-billion refinery would begin pre-production at 10 percent “within months”, but the lifting of sanctions would speed up the project. — Reuters

Kuwait inflation slows to 2.7% KUWAIT: Kuwait’s average inflation eased to 2.7 percent in 2013, the lowest level since 2004 and well below market expectations, from 3.3 percent in 2012, according to data for December released by Kuwait’s statistics office yesterday.

Housing costs, which account for 29 percent of consumer expenses, rose 3.6 percent

year-on-year and 2.0 percent month-onmonth in December. Prices of food and beverages, which account for over 18 percent of the basket, grew 2.8 percent on an annual basis and 0.5 percent from the previous month.

Analysts polled by Reuters in September expected average inflation of 3.4 percent in 2013 and 4.0 percent in 2014. — Reuters

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

BUSINESS

Emerging markets bid to reassure Davos

Positive sentiment for global stocks

By Hayder Tawfik KUWAIT: Most of the times investors sentiment about the outlook for stocks reflect their positions either being long or short. For 2014 and beyond most investors are positive and they believe that the bull market in global equities will continue for the next couple of years. This positive sentiment is driven by solid fundamentals either based on the easy monetary policies pursued by central banks or on the growth outlook for company earnings.

We give some credit to this positive outlook sentiment. We think that the markets are robust enough to weather a gradual reduction in the pace of the Federal Reserveís asset purchases as the central bank signaled it will keep interest rates at their current low for the foreseeable future. Investors task becomes more difficult to repeat the stellar performance achieved last year.

This year, we think stocks selection will be more important as the broader stock indices will find it difficult to repeat last yearís excellent performance. We have already seen some signs of big multinationals not meeting investors expectation. One of those that reported result was IBM. Apart from some smaller economies around the world, we can say that the major economies i.e. US and Europe are haven not taken off yet. These economies are in the middle of their current growth cycle and if monetary policy continues to be easy and accommodative then the cycle could carry on for few more years. The optimism among global investors about the markets supported by flow of money into the stock markets throughout last year. We believe that stocks are the assets of choice for this year as the fear of bubble eases in the coming weeks. We think that the winners of last year will continue delivering good earnings growth and investors will be rewarded for sticking

Recent volatility seen ‘temporary’, ‘repricing’ DAVOS: Officials from top emerging market economies, the star performers of recent years, were at pains to reassure the World Economic Forum of their countries’ stability amid turmoil in the currency markets. With the Argentinean peso plunging 14 percent in two sessions of panic selling and the Turkish lira hitting all-time lows amid political chaos, the stability of emerging markets sparked concern among the movers of shakers at the Davos ski resort.

But delegates were urged to look beyond the short-term volatility currently roiling the emerging markets and focus on the positive fundamentals. Turkey’s deputy prime minister Ali Babacan told the forum that despite the lira crashing through the key level of 2.3 to the dollar, this was not due to investors taking fright and pulling out of the country.

Dismissing the recent volatility as “temporary” and “repricing”, he told a packed audience at Davos that “people who are actually investing in Turkey are keeping their money in Turkey.”

“People who have long-term confidence in the country are still there and they have a longterm view, which is impor tant for us.”

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that several Turkish companies were buying euros and dollars for fear of a further decline in the lira amid a corruption scandal that has sparked a deep political crisis.

“Especially the local political events, they think it is better to buy dollars or euros now rather than waiting.” Carlos Ghosn, head of Renault-Nissan, said investors like him also had to take the long-term view and ride out shortterm volatility. “You have to be ready, when you invest in emerging markets, for ups and downs,” he said. “What is important is not the next three months or the crisis of yesterday or the volatility of next week. We invest for the next 20 or 30 years.”

Another top banking official, who declined to be named, told AFP that currency markets were “overreacting” and that the volatility would be “ephemeral”.

with them. For investors who have to be long of the market at all times, we strongly recommend stock picking so they enhance the performance. Being long of the market can be scary at times but having the right stocks in your portfolio or funds can weather the storm. For global investors some small increase to the emerging markets is warranted after the negative performance last year.

We recommend adding the GCC equity market to global portfolio even if it is a small exposure. Some of the GCC markets such as Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia were among the best performers in 2013. Company earnings in the GCC are growing much faster than any other regions and this is a backed buy solid fundamentals.

Some government in the GCC countries has put in place long-termeconomic growth plans that have been proved to be very successful. We think the GCC have learned great lesson from the financial global crises back in 2008 and now they are less likely to be affected again. Investors, corporates and governments support this positive sentiment. Equity markets in the GCC will continue to benefit from increases global investment inflows and in more specific from global emerging market funds.

— Dimah Capital

Tapering fears dismissed The emerging markets also shrugged off

Abu Dhabi lender ADCB Q4 net jumps 40% ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), the UAE’s third largest lender by market value, posted a 40 percent rise in fourth-quarter net profit yesterday, beating analysts’ forecasts, as impairment allowances more than halved.

ADCB, nearly 60-percent owned by the Abu Dhabi government, reported a net profit of 879 million dirhams ($239.5 million) for the three months to December 31, it said in a statement. That compares with a profit of 628 million dirhams in the prior-year period. Five analysts polled by Reuters had estimated an average fourth quarter profit of 783.50 million dirhams for the quarter.

Banks in the United Arab Emirates have reported strong growth in arnings in recent quarters thanks to an overall recovery in the Gulf state’s economy and lower provisions arising from a reduction in problem loans. ADCB is the first major lender in Abu Dhabi to announce 2013

results. Profit for full year 2013 was 3.37 billion dirhams compared with 2.74 billion dirhams in 2012.

Loan impairment allowances-the amount of money set aside to meet loan losses-dropped sharply to 198 million dirhams in the fourth-quarter compared to 402 million dirhams in the year ago period, ADCB said. The bank proposed a dividend of 30 fils per share, a 50 percent increase to what it paid last year, if the 5 fils per share special dividend paid in 2012 was excluded, the statement said.

Loans and advances grew to 131.64 billion dirhams in 2013, up 7 percent over the previous year, while customer deposits advanced 6 percent to 115.42 billion dirhams last year. The lender sold a $500 million three-year floating rate bond in the fourth-quarter last year.

ADCB shares did not trade on the Abu Dhabi bourse yesterday. The stock is up 100 percent in the last one year, according to Thomson Reuters data. —Reuters

DAVOS: Chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Jiang Jianqing, speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos yesterday. —AP fears that their economies would suffer from the US Federal Reserve’s decision to “taper” its $85-billion a month stimulus program.

Last month, the world’s biggest central bank cut this program by $10 billion, prompting worries that investors who had parked this excess liquidity in emerging markets for higher yields would pull it out. But the finance minister of India, whose country was hit especially hard in May when the Fed warned it might begin the “taper ”, told AFP that his economy was well prepared in the event of further withdrawal of stimulus.

“Now I think we have done a lot of preparatory work. There will be some consequences in developing and emerging economies but I think we are better prepared for the taper than when we were surprised in May.” He added: “Fiscal consolidation has taken place, there’s more FDI (foreign direct invest-

ment) flowing into India. We’ve added to our reserves, the rupee is stable and a number of other measures have been taken to bring stability into the capital market.”

Another hot-button topic at this year ’s Davos forum was the slowing growth in China after the world’s second biggest economy registered its weakest rate of expansion in more than a decade.

Li Daokui, a leading Chinese economist and former central bank official, warned: “This year and next year, there will be a struggle, a struggle to maintain a growth rate of 7-7.5 percent, which is the minimum to create the 7.5 million jobs every year China needs.” “The risk of a hard landing in China has not been dispelled yet,” added Nouriel Roubini, the economist who earned the nickname “Dr Doom” for predicting the collapse of the US housing market and global recession in 2008. — AFP

Saudi Emaar says huge port project starts operating DAVOS: Emaar Economic City , a big Saudi real estate firm, has started operations at the country’s first privately owned port and will more than triple investment in the facility over the next five years, the company’s chief executive said. “Shipping lines are redrawing their logistics maps, where they stop and where they go. It will impact every port around the world,” Fahd AlRasheed said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Emaar Economic City, a consortium headed

by Dubai’s Emaar Properties and Saudi investors, is focused on building the King Abdullah Economic City, a special economic zone up Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast from Jeddah.

The zone is projected to be the size of Washington DC when completed, hosting as many as 2 million people and helping to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil into light industry and shipping. The project is important for Saudi economic policy-making because, although it has Saudi government backing, it is being operated by a company with a local stock market listing and a significant private investor base - an effort to involve market discipline in the project and spread wealth generated by it among the broad population.

King Abdullah Economic City’s port, which

began operating on Jan. 6, has the potential to become a global logistics hub, handling trade for the entire region, Rasheed said. “Twenty-five percent of global trade goes through the Red Sea but we’ve never leveraged it in the region.”

A total of 2.5 billion riyals ($665 million) has been invested in the port so far and the amount is expected to rise to 9 billion riyals by 2018, Rasheed said. The port’s annual capacity, now 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units, is expected to rise to 4 million TEUs in two years, 7 million in 2018 and ultimately 20 million.

Meanwhile, an industrial zone attached to King Abdullah Economic City is expected to be completed by 2020. It has so far attracted 70 firms, with factories operational in pharmaceuticals, building materials, car parts, plastics and packaging, Rasheed said. Companies are offered very low rents and soft loans from the government for capital investment.

“We are now at a stage where we are not only inviting big names to locate in King Abdullah Economic City but we also need third-party developers to co-invest with us to develop faster, especially in housing,” Rasheed said.

He added that Emaar Economic City had so far raised $4 billion of capital and attracted an additional $10 billion to the project from other

investors and from sales. “Our cash flow right now is very healthy so we don’t project any need to raise funds.” —Reuters

Emaar confirms new CEO appointment DUBAI: Dubai’s Emaar Properties has appointed a new chief executive, the major real estate developer said yesterday, confirming a Reuters report from last week.

Abdulla Lahej is the new CEO. He joined Emaar as an assistant project manager in 2000 and led flagship projects such as Downtown Dubai, including construction of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower. He replaces long-serving Low Ping, who will remain an advisor to the company’s chairman and founder Mohammed Alabbar, and work with him on his Asian real estate development projects, Emaar said in a stock market filing. Ping left the CEO post towards the end of 2013, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES

Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal transfer Irani Riyal cash Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

2.766 4.544 2.682 2.161 2.827 223.100 36.459 3.634 6.251 8.626 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 75.497 77.790 735.450 751.960 77.101

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.600 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.229 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.321 Tunisian Dinar 174.910 Jordanian Dinar 399.800 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.899 Syrian Lira 2.017 Morocco Dirham 35.375 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 283.000 Euro 389.830 Sterling Pound 469.780 Canadian dollar 257.040 Turkish lira 121.550 Swiss Franc 319.950 Australian Dollar 248.500 US Dollar Buying 281.800 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

GOLD 240.000 121.000 62.500

UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY SELL DRAFT

SELL CASH

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

253.57 262.97 315.94 387.44 283.25 469.23 2.78 3.644 4.611 2.170 2.890 2.693 77.19 753.89 40.68 403.13 736.63 78.22 75.66

250.57 263.97 313.94 388.44 286.25 472.23 2.80 3.914 4.911 2.605 3.425 2.790 77.65 755.96 41.28 408.78 743.93 78.77 76.06

2.985 3.880 86.870 47.290 9.625 127.300

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

0.006547 0.000069 0.218048 0.019833 0.001892 0.009263 0.008309

0.006827 0.000075 0.224048 0.028333 0.002472 0.009443 0.008859

Bahrain Exchange Company

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

Arab 0.744207 0.037172 0.000078 0.000184 0.395934 1.0000000 0.000138 0.024426 0.001197 0.729033 0.077023 0.074830 0.002168 0.170614 0.125818 0.076069 0.001285

0.752207 0.040272 0.000080 0.000244 0.403434 1.0000000 0.000238 0.048426 0.001832 0.734713 0.078236 0.075530 0.002388 0.178614 0.132818 0.077208 0.001365

Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit Chinese Yuan Renminbi Thai Bhat Turkish Lira

CURRENCY

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen

Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

283.600 261.685 466.275 386.095 311.250 748.845 77.190 78.745 76.495 399.680 40.678 2.168 4.607 2.687 3.643 6.276 696.580 3.715

SELL

Europe

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer Selling Rate

BUY 0.007355 0.460783 0.006099 0.048085 0.381751 0.042412 0.081659 0.008106 0.040092 0.310125 0.125818

0.008355 0.469783 0.018099 0.053085 0.389251 0.047612 0.81659 0.018106 0.045092 0.320325 0.132818

Australasia 0.237742 0.227180

0.249242 0.236680

Al Mulla Exchange Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint

America 0.250591 0.278900 0.279400

0.259091 0.283250 0.283250

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

Asia 0.003509 0.045433 0.034388 0.004189 0.000018 0.002688 0.003375 0.000253 0.082330 0.003074 0.002452

0.004109 0.048933 0.037138 0.004590 0.000024 0.002868 0.003375 0.000268 0.088330 0.003244 0.002732

Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

US Dollar 282.400 Euro 389.050 Pound Sterling 468.550 Canadian Dollar 257.400 Indian Rupee 4.530 Egyptian Pound 40.225 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.161 Bangladesh Taka 3.633 Philippines Peso 6.245 Pakistan Rupee 2.682 Bahraini Dinar 752.000 UAE Dirham 76.950 Saudi Riyal 75.450 *Rates are subject to change

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

BUSINESS

Risk aversion supports gold

By Ole Hansen, Saxo Bank’s Head of Commodity Strategy

M

any of the major financial markets went against current trends over the past week resulting in increased volatility and uncertainty about the near-term direction. Worries about an emerging market slowdown heightened risk aversion at a time of year where many investors are still looking for the right trading themes for 2014. This aversion caused the US dollar to weaken, not least driven by JPY buying as overextended short positions were scaled back. Falling emerging market stocks and currencies spread to some of the major stock markets with the S&P 500 falling for a second consecutive week. Bond markets received a boost from this with US 10-year government bond yields falling to a two-month low.

These developments played into the hands of gold investors with both the physical metal and gold mining stocks rallying while growth-dependent commodities such as industrial metals fell. Brent crude also struggled while the US energy sector was somewhat immune to these potential negative developments as the key focus was domestic US issues such as the increased pipeline capacity from the US Midwest to the Gulf of Mexico (WTI Crude positive) together with the very cold wind winter which lent support to heating oil (ULSD) and especially natural gas.

Natural Gas (NGG4) was the best performing commodity for a second week, jumping to almost $5 per term, a level which was tested but not broken during a couple of attempts back in 2010 and 2011. The colder than normal winter weather in the US has increased demand for gas to the extent that inventory levels have dropped to the lowest since 2005 for this particular time of year. Some 2,423 billion cubic feet are currently held in US underground caverns which is 12 percent below the five-year average. Every weekly draw from here until the end of the withdrawal season in late March could take inventory levels down to worrying levels and this has provided the strong support in recent weeks.

Upside momentum remain firm but a sudden change in the weather carries the risk of triggering a significant amount of profit taking.

Nissan new launch fuels UK’s car industry revival Qashqai, a best-selling model in Europe SUNDERLAND, United Kingdom: Japanese carmaker Nissan officially launched production of its new Qashqai model last week, coinciding with a renaissance for Britain’s car manufacturing industry that is set to smash records in the coming years. The secondgeneration version of the car is being built at Nissan’s main European plant in Sunderland, northeastern England, boosting employment at Britain’s biggest car plant.

The Qashqai, designed in Nissan’s London headquarters and originally launched in 2006, is a crossover that combines elements of a sports utility vehicle and a hatchback, and is the Japanese firm’s best-selling car in Europe. “The Nissan Qashqai blazed a trail when we started production in 2006,” Nissan’s chief performance officer Trevor Mann told journalists gathered at a launch event in Sunderland on Wednesday.

“It invented the crossover segment, propelled the Nissan brand in Europe to a new level and helped our plant in Sunderland to set new standards in productivity and quality.” Nissan hand-picked Sunderland in 1984 as the location for the facility, which now makes four different models-the Leaf, the Note, the Juke and the Qashqai-and has produced a total of one million vehicles over the last two years.

Since the Qashqai was launched, around 1.75 million units have rolled off the production line at Sunderland. Nissan, partner of France’s Renault, boasts that the facility now produces one Qashqai every 61 seconds and exports the crossover car to 132 countries across the globe. “ We have sold Qashqais made in

Sunderland to customers from Abu Dhabi to the Congo, from Bermuda to Burkina Faso,” added Mann.

Aiming for record production “Looking ahead, within the next year this

plant, where the total workforce will top 7,000 for the first time. “We have a big factory, it’s competitive, it builds good quality (and) it’s cost effective,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, VP manufacturing for Nissan in the UK. He added: “It has been quite a year for

GATESHEAD: Journalists attend a reception to showcase the latest generation of Nissan’s Qashqai range of crossover cars at the Baltic gallery in Gateshead, northeast England. —AFP new model will take (total) Qashqai production at Sunderland beyond 2.0 million in eight years-and this will be another new record for the UK car industry.” This week’s launch will create another 500 jobs at the

us here in Sunderland. Twelve months ago we were celebrating setting a new production record (for 2012), as we became the first UK car plant ever to make more than 500,000 units in one year.”

Britain’s long-troubled car industry appears to be flourishing once again, with the help of foreign-owned automakers like Japanese pair Nissan and Toyota, and Indian-owned Jaguar Land Rover. Car production in Britain accelerated by 3.1 percent in 2013 to just over 1.5 million vehicles, which was the highest level since 2007, industry data showed this week.

Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) added on Thursday that experts predict that the sector’s annual car output could reach record levels of 2.0 million vehicles by 2017.

That would beat Britain’s long-standing record of 1.92 million cars that was set in 1972 in the nation’s car-making heyday. The SMMT meanwhile forecasts that Britain could be on course to become the second biggest car manufacturer in Europe, behind only Germany.

“By 2017/2018, we may be making more passenger cars in the UK than we’ve ever done before and be second only to Germany in Europe in total car production,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.

New car registrations in Britain jumped last year to 2.265 million, which was also the highest level for six years, according to the SMMT. “2013 demonstrated the value of the UK’s diverse car manufacturing industry, as surging home demand and robust exports outside Europe saw output grow 3.1 percent to over 1.5 million units,” added Hawes.

“UK automotive investment announcements exceeded £2.5 billion in 2013, reinforcing industry analysts’ suggestions that the UK could break all-time car output records within the next four years.” —AFP

Major default looms in China’s huge ‘shadow banking’ system Oil underperforms Brent crude oil (LCOH4) underperformed WTI crude oil which led to the arbitrage between the two global benchmarks dropping back below 10 dollars for the first time since early November. Increase supply from Libya and a potential slowdown in China hurt Brent crude while WTI crude got a boost from the news that TransCanada Corp had opened the southern leg of its Keystone XL pipeline which has a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day. This is expected to alleviate the supply glut at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for WTI crude oil futures contracts traded in New York. Just like natural gas, the demand for heating oil has also been lifted by the very low temperatures currently sweeping across the US eastern seaboard. Once temperatures return to normal, WTI crude oil is expected to weaken again amid ample supply from the continued increase in shale oil production.

Resistance will increase as it approaches $100 with the trend line from the August high at 98.25 and the 200-day moving average at 99 both having the potential to halt the current rally.

Cocoa (CCH4) moved within reach of the highs seen last December after jumping the most in 16 months on Thursday.

Improved economic activity in Europe, (the world’s largest consuming region of chocolate), together with an industry report pointing towards a significant deterioration in global stocks provided support. A leaked report from The International Cocoa Organization showed an annual drop of 17 percent in global stockpiles as of last September and current market expectations point towards a supply deficit in the next two years. This outlook has been underpinning cocoa prices since last summer and further upside potential exists considering the current price of $2,800 per ton is still some 25 percent below the latest peak in 2011.

Stockpiles deplete High Grade Copper (HGH4) dropped for a fourth week in a row after manufacturing activity in China slowed for the first time in six months and regulators stepped up their scrutiny of potential credit risks within certain sectors. The fall was somewhat cushioned by a continued drop in inventories held at warehouses monitored by the London Metal Exchange. Stockpiles there have been falling 20 weeks in a row to the lowest level in a year while potential supply disruptions out of Indonesia also lent support. The price remain range-bound within a $3.15 per pound to 3.40 range, but the worries about demand from China, which consumes 40 percent of global supply, should keep the focus on the downside nearterm.

Gold (XAUUSD) continued to rally and reached a twomonth high following the longest weekly winning streak since September 2012. Gold’s credentials as an alternatively investment resurfaced, not least helped by the simultaneous drop in the US dollar, stocks and bond yields. The stock market weakness which led to buying of bonds had the most significant impact and as a result, the December high at $1268 per ounce was challenged which potentially now could see gold target its 200-day moving average currently at $1,318 per ounce. Total holdings in Exchange Traded Products (ETP) did not lend much support to the rally as it fell by 10 tons to the lowest level since 2009. As the rally was triggered by emerging risk aversion and worries about emerging market slowdown silver became a reluctant follower and it stayed within its established range and resistance at $20.64 was left unchallenged.

SHANGHAI: A shockwave is looming in China’s multi-trillion dollar “shadow banking” system, with an unprecedented default only days away on a $500 million investment product sold to hundreds of people. Staff at China’s biggest bank ICBC pushed the “Credit Equals Gold #1 Trust Product” by promising returns of 10 percent a year, far more than traditional deposits, investors say. But the coal company it was supposed to fund never obtained key licenses for its activities, state media reported, and now the firm that structured it, China Credit Trust, says it may not be able to repay 3.0 billion yuan ($492 million) due on Friday.

The situation is a test case for cleaning up the risky “shadow banking” system in the world’s second-largest economy. Analysts said the government could use a default to send a message about the danger of speculative investments, while showing Beijing’s commitment to reining in the vast pools of capital threatening financial stability.

But at the same time authorities must walk a fine balance between cracking down and preventing protests by angry investors-as well as setting off a chain reaction that sharply tightens credit in an economy where growth is already slowing.

Chinese “shadow banking” is a massive network of lending outside formal channels and beyond the reach of regulators, including activities by online finance platforms, credit guarantee companies and microcredit firms. It was as large as $4.8 trillion in 2012, more than half the country’s gross domestic product, according to an estimate by ratings agency Moody’s.

Guidelines China’s powerful State Council, or cabinet, reportedly issued internal guidelines in December to crack down on the sector. But ratings agency Fitch said in a report: “The reforms may seem like a good beginning, but they have a long way to run.” China Credit Trust sold the investment product from 2010 through branches of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), to around 700 of the bank’s high net worth clients.

The trust channelled the funds to Zhenfu Energy in the country’s mining heartland of Shanxi province. But the company’s owner was detained by authorities in 2012, state media reported, raising questions over the viability of the firm.

“ICBC and China Credit Trust dug a hole, covered it with a straw mat and told us to jump in,” said Gao Yiyang, an investor who spent almost $500,000 of his family’s money on the product.

Al-Tijari announces winners of Najma Account draw KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held the Al-Najma Account Daily draw on 26th January 2014. The draw was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry represented by Ms. Nada Al-Fadallah.

The winners of the Najma Daily Draw are: l Yosri Aziz Attiyaalla — KD 7000, l Mansour Suliman Al-Enezi — KD 7000, l Fawzi Ahmed Al-Sharhan — KD 7000, l Nasser Abdul Kareem Mohammad— KD 7,000, l Moataz Shafiq Abdulaziz - KD 7,000.

The Commercial Bank of Kuwait announces the biggest daily draw in Kuwait with the launch of the new Najma account. Customers of the bank can now enjoy a KD7,000 daily prize which is the highest in the country and another 4 mega prizes during the year worth KD100,000 each on different occasions: The National Day, Eid Al-Fitr, Eid AlAdha and on the 19th of June which is the date of the bank’s establishment.

With a minimum balance of KD500, customers will be eligible for the daily draw provided that the money is in the account one week prior to the daily draw or 2 months prior to the mega draw. In addition, for each KD25 a customer can get one chance for winning instead of KD50.

Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate all lucky winners and also extends appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their effective supervision of the draws which were conducted in an orderly and organized manner.

“It now appears our money was not used for any of the company’s actual operations. It was purely fraud to get our money to fill a huge deficit hole,” he said. In a letter sent to investors earlier this month, a copy of which was seen by AFP, China Credit Trust said: “Currently, there is still uncertainty over whether the trust can be converted to cash before January 31.”

Products sold by China’s roughly 65 trusts offer high returns and big risk, drawing comparisons to the West’s

“junk bonds” of the 1980s. “Some central government-level policymakers could be open to seeing a default, as it would encourage more careful risk assessment,” Goldman Sachs economist Andrew Tilton said in a recent research report.

But he added: “If the realization of significant losses by investors causes others to pull back from funding various forms of shadow banking credit, overall credit conditions could theoretically tighten sharply with consequent damage to growth.” —AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

BUSINESS

UK’s car industry may inspire more balanced recovery LONDON: A bumper year for Britain’s car industry offers some hope the economy will start to grow in a more sustainable way, with a better balance between investment and spending. In 2013, Britain enjoyed its best year of economic growth since the financial crisis, outpacing other advanced nations. But there was a catch. The recovery was driven by consumers spending more and saving less.

A smooth transition to longer-lasting growth, propelled by business investment and exports, is a key hurdle for 2014 according to the Bank of England. The car industry is showing signs of leading the way - but there have been false starts before. Every year since 2010, Britain’s budget watchdog has predicted a rebound in annual business investment but it is still a third lower than before the financial crisis of 2007-2009. It is essential for Britain’s recovery.

“The pace of investment - when it comes will ultimately determine the duration of the current upswing,” BoE policymaker Ian McCafferty said in a speech to businesses last week, adding that many firms were operating close to capacity. A string of surveys show firms are more willing to pump money into their businesses than at any time since the crisis - in the services sector as well as manufacturing.

Rebalancing is often talked about in terms of moving the economy towards manufacturing and away from services. But what the BoE wants is a shift in spending towards investment and away from consumption, rather than between economic sectors. Other positive signs include a growing appetite among banks to lend. And Britain’s stronger economic outlook should encourage firms to invest their large cash reserves.

But, for now, official data on firms increasing investment is thin on the ground.

Cars ahead The exception is the car industry - which benefited from an upturn in demand well before other sectors and saw more than 2.5 billion pounds ($4.16 billion) of new investment in 2013. Britons bought 2.265 million new cars in 2013, the highest number since 2007 and an 11 percent rise on the year that bucked the trend in Germany, where car sales fell 4 percent, and France, where they dropped by 9 percent. One big factor in Britain was probably compensation payments by banks to consumers for mis-sold insurance which were often big enough to be used as a deposit on a new car. Cheap finance deals and record-low rates helped fund the rest.

It helped drive Britain to produce 1.510 million cars in 2013, the highest number since 2007, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Britain is a hub for automakers including Nissan, Toyota, Honda, BMW, General Motors and Tata Group’s Jaguar Land Rover.

German parts maker ElringKlinger has invested 10 million pounds in a new plant in Redcar, northeastern England, to make the light-but-bulky heat shields that protect cars from hot exhaust gases. These will be fitted to

BMW Minis built in Oxford, replacing parts made elsewhere in Europe.

The investment was only feasible thanks to strong domestic demand, said Ian Malcolm, ElringKlinger’s UK managing director. “The growth in vehicle production in the UK is of much greater significance to us, because the product we are starting to supply is much more difficult to ship halfway around the world,” he said.

There are some tentative signs that the growth in automotive investment is being replicated more broadly. Manufacturers plan the biggest increase in investment in 2014 since the start of the financial crisis, surveys show, much of it to replace older equipment.

Companies in the services sector showed the strongest intentions to invest since 2000, according to one survey. And Britain’s economic turnaround means shareholders are more willing for firms to spend their precautionary cash piles, said Ian Stewart, chief economist at accountants Deloitte.

But it is too early to tell if this is just cyclical or marks the start of a longer-term approach to investment. Samuel Tombs, UK economist at Capital Economics, said he expected the rebound in investment to be cyclical due to investors’ pressure for short-term profits.

“The trend before the recession was for business investment to have a smaller share of GDP. Those pressures may still be around even when the economy is back to health,” he said.

Figures from the OECD from 2012 show British gross fixed capital formation was 14 percent below its pre-crisis peak, while U.S. investment was 5 percent below and German investment was 5 percent higher than precrisis levels.

Moving back onshore But British manufacturers and the country’s trade deficit may benefit from the trend in the automotive industry for car makers to source more parts locally, avoiding the risks of long international supply chains and hedging on currencies. This drove Toyota’s decision to buy fuel pipes from the UK factories of Japanese parts maker Futaba Industrial.

“Toyota were quite insistent on producing it in the UK. A lot of large businesses want to localise production back into the UK to mitigate currency risk,” Paul Heard, Futaba’s UK managing director, said. Only a third of the parts in a British-built cars are made in Britain, compared with half elsewhere. Improving this could add 3 billion pounds to economic output, making attracting foreign parts makers a government priority.

Mike Matthews, European managing director for another Japanese parts firm, Nifco, said generous government grants in England “made a huge difference”. However, there is still a danger that consumer demand could falter before investment and exports take up the slack. Euro-zone demand from remains weak. High energy costs and skill shortages are challenges and there is the risk that Britain could leave the European Union something firms such as Ford are campaigning against. — Reuters

World Bank pledges $2bn for Myanmar YANGON: The World Bank announced yesterday a $2 billion development program for Myanmar, including projects to improve access to energy and healthcare in the impoverished former military-ruled nation.

Bank president Jim Yong Kim, on his first visit to the former pariah state, said half of the funds would be used to expand power supplies, in a country where more than 70 percent of the population does not have access to reliable electricity.

“We are increasing our support for the huge reform effort underway in Myanmar because we want to help the government bring benefits to poor people even more quickly,” Kim said in a statement. “Expanding access to electricity in a country like Myanmar can help transform a society-children will be able to study at night, shops will stay open, and health clinics will have lights and energy to power life-saving technology. Electricity helps brings an end to poverty,” he said.

The program also includes $200 million to help Myanmar achieve universal health coverage by 2030, the Bank said, noting that only one in four people in the once-isolated country has access to quality healthcare.

The Washington-based institution closed its Yangon office in 1987 and ceased new lend-

ing after the then-ruling junta stopped making payments on debts worth hundreds of millions of dollars left from previous programs.

Myanmar last year cleared its arrears to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank with the help of a Japanese bridge loan, enabling the two lenders to resume assistance to the country.

President Thein Sein has overseen a series of dramatic reforms since taking office in 2011, including the release of political prisoners and the election of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi to parliament. In response, the West has begun rolling back sanctions and foreign firms are lining up to invest in the country, eyeing its huge natural resources, large population and strategic location between China and India.

The country was once known as the “rice bowl of Asia” because of its agricultural riches. But economic mismanagement during nearly 50 years of direct military rule left the country deeply impoverished. Kim is due to meet former general Thein Sein, other members of the government and opposition and business leaders in the capital Naypyidaw where he will also attend a development forum today. — AFP

YANGON: Jim Yong Kim (center), president of the World Bank Group shakes hands with Myanmar Minister of Health Pe Thet Khin (right) as he arrives at a township hospital on the outskirts of Yangon yesterday. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

BUSINESS

All eyes on China and emerging markets NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT KUWAIT: After a slow start of the year, this week provided all the excitement investors and speculators were missing coming into 2014. Thursday was a surprising day with a major improvement in the UK unemployment rate while on the other side of the continent; the Bank of Canada was making headlines with more dovish than expected statement accompanied with some verbal intervention that weighted on the Loonie.

Thursday went on to surprise with weaker than expected US PMI figures.

However, unlike in other recent risk aversion episodes, tapering concerns did not seem to be the issue causing the weakness of the US dollar. The main reason for the higher performance of the low yielding European currencies and the Yen, was the news out of Asia. Indeed, China’s HSBC PMI coming below 50 at 49.6 disappointed the market who already had dire appetite for Asian risk taking as of late.

Meanwhile in Europe, the latest PMIs were the data highlight, with the eurozone composite rounding off a broadly positive set of services and manufacturing readings. In addition, the Swiss National Bank made the news asking banks to increase the capital amount they are required to have on hand to buffer against housing exposure from 1 percent to 2 percent.

Emerging markets continue to suffer in the beginning of 2014 all the way from China dealing with its own shadow-banking debt, to Turkey with the Turkish Central Bank intervening in the foreign currency market to support the Lira. The intervention of $3 billion in an attempt to shore up its exchange rate which has been under continued pressure ever since the Central Bank refrained from raising benchmark Interest rates on Jan 21st.

All of these factors combined, pushed investors away from Emerging markets and into the “safer” GBP, EUR, CHF and JPY. The Euro closed the week near the high at

1.3678, while the Pound closed at 1.6482

rates even lower than they already are.

Unemployment rate Extended unemployment insurance benefits dropped for 1.32 million individuals on December 28, 2013. According to analysts, if these benefits are not reactivated, the unemployment rate is likely to fall significantly further in January, even beyond what the underlying economic fundamentals imply. If however, Congress retroactively extends benefits another three months, which members are currently contemplating, then the sharp drop in the unemployment rate is likely to be delayed until April. The sharp drop is separate from any downward pressure emanating from improving labor market conditions.

Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, a substantial number of people who had been receiving unemployment insurance and who had been counted in the labor force are likely to drop out when benefits expire

Investors coming back to Europe This news out of Europe continue to impress with the euro-zone composite Purchasing Managers Index rounding off a broadly positive set of services and manufacturing readings. France beat expectations but still clearly acts a drag on the overall euro-zone recovery, while Germany outperformed.

The euro-zone composite came at 53.2

Canada needs a lower dollar Over the past week, the Canadian economy weakness appears to be increasingly on investors’ mind. Given that the gradual dovish shift by the Bank of Canada at the last two meetings was motivated by concerns over low inflation, with household debt and house prices at record levels and mortgage rates creeping up, Canada has been having difficulties attracting new foreign investments.

This week, the decision of the bank of Canada to keep interest rates steady at one percent while reiterating that it expects inflation to remain lower than previously anticipated was expected by market participants. However while a negative in some ways, a lower Canadian Dollar will help give a boost to Canadian exports enough to help expand the economy without the bank having the cut

was the highlight of the week, in what was the largest single bond sale that Spain has ever made, sending many euro-zone periphery bonds markets into multi-year lows. Demand was said to be around EUR40bn and it allowed Spain to cover around 20 percent of its funding plans for 2014. The overall dynamic looks good for Spanish government debt as the IMF also bumped up its estimate of Spanish growth by 3 times, from 0.2 percent to 0.6 percent.

In an unexpected move, the Swiss

beating expectations of 52.5, while the composite PMI reading implied a Q1 GDP growth of 0.3 percent. In addition, the Euro zone current account numbers came above consensus at 27bn, setting a new record surplus, thanks to a pickup in goods exports.

On another front, in an interview from Davos, the head of the IMF Christine Lagarde warned of a potential deflation in Europe while also reiterating her concerns over a weakening global inflation.

National Bank proposed an increase to the amount Swiss Banks were required to hold as a buffer against their positions that are backed by residential property in Switzerland from 1 percent to 2 percent. The SNB have taken measures to slow the rise in housing prices for a while now and despite these attempts, prices have steadily increased to an inflation adjusted level that is just 5 percent lower than the 1989 peak, or bubble, that preceded a burst which seriously maimed the economy.

Spain on track Spain’s success in issuing a Ä10bn bond

UK stellar performance Bank of England Mark Carney suggested

in an interview that the Bank will come up with a new approach next month for signaling when it would be ready to raise interest rates. Additionally, Carney dropped a heavy hint that the MPC would drop its threshold guidance framework based upon the unemployment rate reaching 7 percent. We expect the unemployment rate to drop to the 7 percent level in the data to be published next month, a week after the February Inflation Report.

Lastly, Mr. Carney made clear that it is a decision to be made by the MPC as a whole.

However, he downplayed the possibility of lowering the unemployment threshold to 6.5 percent or below, expressing a reluctance to encourage a focus on just one variable again. He suggested the context for policy has shifted from a need to secure a recovery in demand to making that recovery sustainable.

China: Weak start of year The HSBC China Manufacturing PMI fell to a six-month low of 49.6 in January, weaker than expected and down from 50.5 in December. While China’s Q4 GDP data released early this week surprised to the upside, this latest data suggests a softer start for the New Year. Moreover, it may raise some concerns of a repeat of 2013, when growth faltered in the first half of the year before stabilizing in the second half of the year.

Bank of Japan Governor, Haruhiko Kuroda, dismissed the need for an additional monetary easing measure, as according to him, prices in the nation are headed towards the central bank’s inflation target. He also added that ‘the current policy would continue’ should risks to the BoJ’s price forecast materialize Kuwait Kuwaiti dinar at 0.28215 The USDKWD opened at 0.28285 yesterday morning.

BP back in favor despite oil spill, Russia doubts Shares still down from day before US oil spill LONDON: If you had spent 10 pounds on BP shares on April 19, 2010, you would have just nine pounds now, including dividends. A poor investment, however you cut it, but also a remarkable recovery. A day later an explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico would deal the United States its worst offshore oil spill, and BP would face the wrath of President Barack Obama himself for the death and destruction it caused.

Over the next two months, BP shares lost nearly two thirds of their value as the scale of the disaster threatened to sink the company. Now some investors are sensing a better future than they had dared to hope. The shares are flirting with post-spill highs, and are the second-best performer in the industry’s top five behind Exxon Mobil since the start of the fourth quarter.

This may have something to do with the misfortunes of its peer group - a profit warning at Shell, cost overruns at Chevron, and worries about cashflow and production at Exxon - not to mention a price-enhancing share buyback program put in place last year, but it is still quite a turnaround in sentiment from 2010. Then, the price of credit default swaps on BP bonds showed that even its solvency was in question, and Shell thought it might have to mount a rescue bid.

“It wasn’t so much that we wanted to buy, more we thought the British government might ask us to step in,” recalled Peter Voser, Shell’s chief executive at the time, in a discussion with Reuters last year. Now, in a change of fortunes, Shell has warned investors that it suffered its worst quarter since 2009 at the end of last year albeit with little damage to its share price while BP has reshaped itself.

BP sold $40 billion worth of prime assets to stay afloat - and spent $42.5 billion on the spill clean-up, fines and provisions for future costs. In a note published on Friday downgrading profit forecasts across the sector, analysts at UBS pre-

dict BP’s return on average capital employed (ROACE) this year will be 11 percent - on a par with Shell’s.

BP shed a big chunk of its earning power to pay for the spill, but got prices that now look enviable as the industry cycle turns down. Rivals are now falling over each other to get assets on the block, at the risk of driving prices lower. A leaner, meaner asset base has emerged, too.

Meanwhile, having settled criminal proceedings, and two phases into a three-stage civil trial, an army of lawyers is working to push remaining spill fines and penalties way into the future. Barely a week goes by without a new legal challenge from the British group aimed at keeping a lid on its liabilities.

Explaining a bet it made on BP in a letter to investors last week, US hedge fund manager David Einhorn’s firm Greenlight Capital said investors were overlooking the company’s improved return on capital in its core business and remained too focused on the spill fallout.

Greenlight said it had bought BP stock at an average price of $47.39 a share. It said the company had a net asset value of nearly $70 a share, even assuming it will have to pay out far more than it has provided for. BP’s US-listed stock traded at around $48.60 on Friday.

Deutsche Bank - one of 13 investment banks with a buy or outperform note on the stock, according to ThomsonReuters data, compared with three rating it underperform or sell argues that the net present value of spill litigation has fallen.

“This is not to say that BP’s position in the court trial has improved ... rather... it is likely to be multiple years before additional cash of any magnitude over and above that already agreed flows from the BP balance sheet,” the bank said in a research note.

The note estimated cash outflows from future fines at less than $1 billion a year over

the next decade. That is only about two weeks’ worth of capital spending at current rates.

Russian question But numbers rarely tell the whole story, as analysts discovered to their cost in 2010 when they flagged repeated opportunities to buy BP shares - all the way down from 6 pounds to a low of less than 3 pounds. Some investors and insiders privately question the direction and style of management since former chief executive Tony Hayward resigned, taking responsibility for the spill.

Hayward’s replacement, Bob Dudley, has extracted about $12 billion from the company’s troublesome Russian investment and given some $8 billion of it back to shareholders. But he has yet to prove that the remaining half - which became a 19.75 percent stake in state-controlled Rosneft - is anything more than a high-risk minority holding in a company based in a politically unpredictable country, despite his seat on the board. “Dudley doesn’t seem to have that pally relationship you need with Igor Sechin,” said an industry source who has done business with the Rosneft CEO. The BP CEO himself remains confident of his Russian move. “BP’s strategic investment in Rosneft allows us access to growth opportunities previously unavailable to us in Russia, one of the world’s largest producers of oil and gas combined with unparalleled resource potential,” he said in October last year.

Spill litigation still takes up a lot of management time, too. The outcome of a New Orleans trial under judge Patrick Juneau, conducted under the terms of US maritime law without a jury, is still very much in flux. BP is also banned, due to its criminal conviction for the rig disaster, from bidding for any new US licenses in the Gulf of Mexico. Time will tell, but for some, the company still has a long way to go. —Reuters

‘Land grabbing’ pushes up prices in eastern Germany BERLIN: Land prices in eastern Germany are rising at dizzying rates and local farmers feel they are being squeezed out by foreign investors in a phenomenon known as “land grabbing”.

The price of a hectare of land has risen by 54 percent between 2009 and 2012 in Brandenburg state and by 79 percent in neighboring MecklenburgWestern Pomerania, even if prices remain below those in the west of the country-at least for now.

The rural east of Germany has vast swathes of arable land inherited from communist times, when farming was in the hands of huge collectives, known as LPGs. But today the land is increasingly being snapped up by foreign investors, often with no background or interest in farming, pushing prices up and forcing out locals. For Axel Vogel, head of the environmentalist Green party in the

regional parliament of Brandenburg, the phenomenon in eastern Germany amounts to “farm grabbing”.

Agricultural land is perhaps one of the few natural resources of the region encircling Berlin. Following the collapse of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1989, a state-run agency, the BVVG, was set up to privatize the land.

But critics complain that the land was sold to the highest bidder rather than the families of the local farmers who had owned it prior to communism.

Indeed, in the privatization rush following unification in 1990, the GDR’s massive farming collectives were frequently snapped up by their managers.

And as those managers now reach retirement age, it is only wealthy investors who can afford to pay the high prices, even if there are plenty of small farmers eager to step in. But these

“have neither enough experience or money” to buy that quantity of land, said Willi Lehnert, who represents a group of young farmers campaigning against “land grabbing”. Brandenburg “is being transformed from a villagebased agriculture into one that is nothing more than a financial investment,” complained Reinhard Jung, head of the regional arm of the Bauernbund farmers’ association.

The problem is that the practice is completely legal, he said. The investors include names such as KTG Agrar, a publicly listed agricultural group based in Hamburg, which owns 32,000 hectares in Germany, essentially in the east.

Bauernbund also points the finger at the family-owned Lindhorst group, which specializes in care of the elderly, furniture manufacturer Steinhoff, and the food-canning group Stollenberg, all based in western Germany. None of the

groups responded to enquiries from AFP. Lured by EU subsidies With interest rates at all-time lows, and other investment instruments also in the doldrums, investing in land is attractive. Whether the land is used for production of food crops or feed stock for biofuels, its value is rising. And EU farming subsidies-allotted per hectare are another contributing factor.

“European subsidies encourage ‘land grabbing’, because they’re currently guaranteed for a period of seven years,” complained Bernd Voss, head of the association of small farmers, recently at the Green Week fair in Berlin. Large-scale investors can indeed pocket several million euros in subsidies each year. Calls to limit the aid were not heeded in the recent negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period from 2014-2020. —AFP

DAVOS: Head of the International Monetary Fund Christine Lagarde (right) gestures as she speaks while Governor of the Bank of England Mark J Carney, sits next to her during a session at the World Economic Forum in Davos Saturday. —AP

What we learned at (and about) Davos this year DAVOS: Iran’s charm offensive is working, China and Japan really are not getting on very well and bankers still have a hard time saying sorry. As far as the serious stuff was concerned, those were the main things this reporter took away from the 2014 World Economic Forum (WEF14).

Less important but just as memorable on a debut outing at Davos was the scene just after 2:00 am on Friday morning on a packed dance floor at the Belvedere Hotel.

The tonic for the G&Ts had run out, the Sancerre was running low and there was just enough time for one more song at a bash hosted by the management consultancy McKinsey. As the band slipped smoothly into the O’Jays “Love Train”, the singer growled: “Okay, I know this is a very special song for all you folks out there. This is the McKinsey song.”

Cue an incongruous conga of chartered accountants: who says actuarists don’t know how to let their hair down?

The issue of how a subtly political classic of early 1970s pop soul became the anthem of staff at a corporation more associated with lay-offs than love can be left for another day.

The point is that Davos’s gathering of the ‘global business elite’ can sometimes appear more like a glorified frat party to which a motley collection of roguish uncles has been invited. Only 16 percent of the participants were women this year but the armies of young females working in corporate hospitality or for the WEF itself tends to ensure the gender balance on the dance floor is a bit better.

How much effective brain storming can really get done when the 2,500 participants are averaging 5.5 hours of sleep per night and the likes of Standard Chartered are pushing Singapore Slings on anyone who will have one until the wee small hours? Even when sober, many members of the Davos crowd can seem to be living in a parallel universe.

Among the most picked-up stories to emerge from this year’s meet was a pre-summit report from charity Oxfam which contained the statistic that the world’s 85 richest now own as much as 3.5 billion people who make up the poorest half of the global population.

Growing inequality and its implications did creep on to the agenda for WEF14, but it was a subject you would have been hard pressed to hear a conversation about outside of the conference rooms.

“Personally I come for the buzz but there

might be a bit of business in it as well,” one of the participants, who did not want to be identified but described himself as the owner of a well-known wealth management company, confided. “You meet a lot of people, most of them have got money that needs looking after and in our business, it’s word of mouth recommendations that bring in new customers.”

Rouhani the star Six years on from a banking crisis now widely accepted to have been triggered by a combination of reckless speculation and spectacularly poor regulation, the real incomes of most ordinary people are still falling across the industrialized world. But with the eurozone crisis now fading from memory and most advanced economies picking up steam, there was more evidence of bullish self-congratulation than contrition at this year’s meet.

A session entitled “Rebuilding Trust in Finance” was introduced by Howard Davies, the former head of Britain’s now disbanded Financial Services Authority.

Introducing his panel of bankers and regulators, Davies quipped that as well as asking them what could be done to improve their standing with the public he would also “give them a chance just to say sorry.” How the audience laughed! And, for the record, none of the panellists took him up on the offer.

Davos may not be too good at reflecting the concerns of ordinary people in its agenda, but it is still good at attracting marquee names. Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, was the star turn this year and he will have flown home encouraged by the willingness of Western oil executives to seek him out for private meetings here.

Such behind-the-scenes encounters are supposed to be what Davos is all about, but there are signs that its increasingly high profile is turning it into just another platform for politicians seeking a global audience. Rouhani got to deliver a keynote address and bolstered the cuddly, Twitter-wit image that is helping Iran as it seeks to normalize relations with the United States and other Western powers. But he said little that was really new and it was a similar story from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with the exception of a clumsy analogy between current tensions in East Asia and the situation in Europe on the eve of World War I. —AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

BUSINESS

KUWAIT: (From left) Mohammed Suneer, Sheikh Dawood Salman Al-Sabah, Dr Anvar Ameen, Eng Nezar Al-Oraifan, Ayyoob Kachery and Rashed Aslam.

Grand Hyper Branch in Buraq Mall

Grand Hyper opens its fifth branch in Hawalli An ambitious plan towards several areas of Kuwait KUWAIT: ‘Grand Hyper” Stores Chain, one of the commercial stores chain at the highest regional standards, announced the opening of its fifth branch in Kuwait, in Buraq Mall, Ibn Khaldoun Street, Hawalli Area. This step comes in a context of an ambitious plan for expansion in the Kuwaiti market, based upon the long experience, the parent company “UAE Regency Group” has, which is extended for about two decades. Nezar Abdul Wahab Al-Oraifan, the Acting General Manager of Al-Wafra Real Estate Company, cut the ribbon of the new store of Grand Hyper at Buraq Complex Hawalli.

The opening festival was held in presence of the Chief Patron of GRAND HYPER Kuwait Sheikh Dawood Salman Al-Sabah, Dr Anver Ameen the Managing Director Regency Group, Ayyoob Kachery Regional Director Grand Hyper Kuwait, and a group of businessmen and other eminent personalities, including Yousuf Homoud Al-Nisf, Mohammed Jasim AlSharrah, Khalid Abdullah Al-Wazzan, and some of the in-charges of the company.

Focusing on non-served segments Followed the opening, Sheikh Dawood Salman Al-Sabah, said the attraction of Grand Hyper to the Kuwaiti markets came after a precise economical feasibility studies on the consumer services and major

merchandise showed that there are massive prospects for growth in this sector.

Although there are several major competitors along many years ago, but there are still huge segments in several geographic sites lacking of the integrated shopping services, especially the existing big shopping centers focused in the traditional residential areas; and he added that according to this fact, it had been required to attract specialized as well as competent authorities, and the “Grand Hyper” was selected for the experiences possessed by the parent company “UAE Regency Group” which is considered a main player in this field, whereas it acquires the revenues produced from the commercial centers and shopping centers for about 60% of its total revenues; also, it occupies about 34 different branches in the market of the region and some of the Asian and African markets, that covers about 40,000 square feet. Moreover studies that were carried out on the consumers’ tastes in the markets showed that it holds an advanced ranking to the confidence of customers and consumers, with its quality services and competitive prices at the same time.

Focusing on commercial centers Nezar Abdul Wahab Al-Oraifan, General Manager of Wafra Real Estate

Company said that the company succeeded in devoting itself as one of the most salient companies of real estate development in Kuwait and the Region, based upon an investment strategy as well as clear and conservative one, that is built upon a variety of its real estate portfolios through investing in various projects that serve its trends and achieve a return on investment. Nezar Al-Oraifan added, that the company is looking forward to reinforce this portfolio through several commercial centers, based upon the distinctive revenues that achieve, in order to be one of the most salient investment companies in this sector, enabling it to keep pace with the growth and the high public demand on the merchandise and the main consumer services. He clarified that the existence of GRAND HYPER in Buraq Mall constitutes an added value to the Mall itself as well as to the company, furthermore, it contributes to attract more segments and customers, specially under the anticipated plan by the company, that aims to acquire an significant shares in the hypermarket sector.

Customer expectations Ayyoob Kachery, Regional Director, Grand Hyper Kuwait, said that we are proud and excited to be opening another branch at Buraq Mall in the heart of

Hawalli. All credit goes to Grand Hyper customers and thanking Kuwait Government, Kuwaiti people and the customer for making 3 years of success.

Kachery promised that Grand Hyper will try its best to meet customer’s expectation in the highly competitive market by providing quality product with reasonable pricing. He added that the attention that based upon the studies which were conducted on the market, an unconditional and ambitious plan was approved for expansion started through the presence in Three-dimensional slogan Dr Anver Ameen, the Managing Director of Regency Group, said that today it is a pleasure to announce the opening of our fifth branch in the State of Kuwait within a strategic plan to be existed in several areas, and shifted to one of the most salient players in the sector of the merchandise and the main consumer services and the retail sector, illustrating that the company seeks through this to shift its experience and expertise to the Kuwaiti markets, create an added value to the customers and the sector as well, and provide an integrated services; Dr. Anver added that Grand Hyper’s trends depend on a three-dimensional slogan, being based upon offering more options to the

customers together with adherence to the highest standards of quality, in addition to providing a package of unprecedented competitive prices at the level of Kuwait, while the third element is based upon the best management practices which seek the continuation of keeping pace with the customers’ requirements, referring at the same time that the company seeks to achieve those objectives through benefiting from the best fresh products provided by the farms of the parent company “Regency Group” consequently shifting the experience of shopping in Kuwait to new and unprecedented stages. Dr Anver Ameen stressed on the importance of experiences and cadres who will supervise the new branches, and who possess experiences in the international markets, which ensures managing those branches as per the international standards, besides to adopt a group of new orientations such as customer service. On the other side, the Managing Director said that besides these features, the GRAND HYPER Stores provide a new shopping experience, considering the services added that includes car parking and guarding services, in addition to the interior designs and distribution of sections as per the customers’ needs and requirements along with providing all necessary facilities and conveniences.

NBK awarded ‘Best Trade Finance Bank in Kuwait’ Award for sixth consecutive year

Al-Ghannam Tires closes ‘Win with Falken’ mega promotion Last winner of $7,500 announced KUWAIT: Falken Tires and Al-Ghannam Tires Center together celebrated their 35th anniversary in Kuwait with one of the biggest tire deals of the year 2013. Falken Tires commenced its mega promotion on 14th October 2013 for span of three months which ended on the 14th January 2014. During this promotion thousands of dollars were given across in form of raffle and instant cash prizes to celebrate and mark the 35th anniversary of Falken in Kuwait.

“Win with Falken” promotion was a unique campaign which offered all its customers a definite chance to win prizes in cash. The promotion featured instant cash back to all its buyers’ up to 100 percent on the purchase value and provided them with more chances to win through its three scheduled raffle draws. The last draw was conducted on the 15th January at the Auto1 Tire Superstore Canada Dry Street in the presence of the ministry officials. Notable among the others who attended the draw were Adel Al-Ghannam - Board Member (Kapico Group Holding Co), Suresh - President (Auto1 Global Tire Network), Jaishankar - Vice President (Operations - Al-Ghannam Tires Center Co).

The final draw unveiled Ahmed Ali Aoude, an expatriate engineer from Lebanon to win the final raffle of US$7500. Mr. Ahmed the lucky winner of the grand draw said “I am very glad to be the winner in this draw, for me this is a very good beginning for this new year 2014” He further added “I have been a regular customer at Al-Ghannam Tires Center Co and I admire their approach and service

standards. Having used Falken tires for many years now, I am extremely satisfied with performance of these tires and look forward to use their new products future as well.”

Suresh, President - Auto1 Global Tire Network, present during the grand raffle draw quoted “”Win with Falken” promotion has been a phenomenal success and has received very good response from all our consumers. Al-Ghannam Tires Center, during the last couple of years has been successfully organizing regular consumer campaigns which focus on our flagship brands. These campaigns not only create a fine platform for leading products to connect with our customers but also provide an excellent buying opportunity.”

While the Falken promotion has ended successfully with consumers largely benefiting from this promotion, the excitement with Falken Tire is set to continue in 2014 with the launch of new patterns and expanded line up of Falken products like FK453, FK453CC, Wildpeak HT and STZ05 hitting the Kuwait passenger car/ SUV/ 4x4 tire market by early 2014.

Jaishankar, Vice President (Operations) - AlGhannam Tires Center Co, quoted “We expect the year 2014 to be an important one for Falken Tires in Kuwait. Through expected addition of the much awaited and globally successful new tire range from Falken, we are certain that Falken Tires will improve its market position in the coming years through its reliability and reputation of creating high performance tire products.”

KUWAIT: For the sixth consecutive year, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) was recognized as the “Best Trade Finance Bank in Kuwait in 2014” by Global Finance, the renowned international finance magazine.

NBK was among Global Finance’s annual survey for best trade finance banks along with major global banks. The rankings are based on input from industry analysts, corporate executives and technology experts. Criteria for choosing the winners included transaction volume, market share, scope of global coverage, customer service, competitive pricing and innovative technologies.

“We have selected the banks that are best serving the needs of corporations worldwide as they engage in cross-border trade,” said Global Finance.

“Now more than ever, the avail-

Fawzi Al-Dajani, NBK London, General Manager, receives the “Best Trade Finance Bank in Kuwait 2014” award. ability of trade finance at reasonable prices is crucial to the health of the global economy.”

Fawzi Al-Dajani, NBK London General Manager, received the award on behalf of NBK at a

special ceremony recently held in London.

NBK continues to collectively enjoy the highest ratings from the three international rating agencies; Moody ’s, Fitch

Ratings and Standard and Poor’s. The Bank’s ratings are supported by its high capitalization, prudent lending policies, and its disciplined approach to risk management, in addition to its highly recognized and very stable management team. In 2013, NBK was also named among Global Finance’s list of the 50 safest banks in the world for the eighth consecutive time.

NBK has the widest banking presence with more than 170 branches worldwide. NBK’s international presence spans many of the world’s leading financial centers including London, Paris, Geneva, New York and Singapore, as well as China (Shanghai). Meanwhile, regional coverage extends to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey.

Al-Mazaya Holding arm First Dubai profits soar to KD6.7m KUWAIT: First Dubai Real Estate Development, a subsidiary of Kuwait-based Al-Mazaya Holding Company, saw profit growth of more than 757 percent in 2013 as a result of strong sales and rental performance.

The company, responsible for iconic UAE developments such as the 43 -storey Sky Gardens and the 29m sq. ft. The Villa residences, posted a KD6.7m profit in 2013, compared to KD784 thousand in 2012. Earnings per share of 6.73 fils compared to 0.79 fils twelve months previously.

Engineer Ibrahim Al-Saqabi, vice Chairman of the First Dubai Real Estate Development board of directors said: “We are pleased to announce financial results that support our longstanding claim that the UAE’s real estate market is still full of opportunity for developers and agents prepared to offer genuine quality.

“Today, more than ever before, the UAE’s property buyers are discerning. First Dubai Real Estate Development is known throughout the Gulf as a provider of excellent residen-

tial and business properties, and this reputation underpinned our success in 2013.

“In 2014, we will continue to invest heavily in both our people and our facilities to ensure we continue to push ahead and repay the

Engineer Ibrahim Al-Saqabi

faith of our shareholders.” First Dubai Real Estate Development saw operating revenues in 2013 of KD5.3m, almost doubling the KD2.8m seen in 2012.

2013 was marked by several highlights for the company, including the completion and successful delivery of The Villa project in Dubai Land, and high demand for office space in Business Avenue in Jumeirah Lakes. An occupancy rate of 88 percent was achieved at the Sky Gardens project in Dubai International Financial Centre.

First Dubai Real Estate Development finished 2013 with assets amounting to KD72.6m, compared to 66.4m a year previously. Liabilities were KD13.8m, some KD1.4m less than in 2012.

“We are pleased to see stability returning to the UAE property market. In 2014 we will press ahead with several projects, some of which are currently undergoing feasibility studies. These include Shams Abu Dhabi, located on Al-Reem Island and the Q Point project in Liwan, Dubai,” Engineer Al-Saqabi said.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

technology

Trend-starting Texas dropping algebra II AUSTIN: Policy pop quiz: Does Texas - algebra II = success? The state that started a trend by making high school students tackle algebra II is now abandoning the policy in a move praise by school districts for affording more flexibility. But some policy experts are nervous because nearly 20 states have followed Texas’ lead in requiring the vigorous course. Supporters say fewer course mandates give students more time to focus on vocational training for highpaying jobs that don’t necessarily require a college degree, such as at Toyota’s factory in San Antonio or oil and chemical giant BASF’s facilities on the Gulf Coast.

But critics say Texas - often watched for education policy - is watering down its standards. They note that test scores and graduation rates have improved since the tougher curriculum was adopted in 2006.

“Algebra II is a really, really powerful predictive value on whether kids go to college, but it goes on and on after that: more likely to have a full-time job, have a job with benefits, be healthier,” said Patte Barth, director of the Center for Public Education, a policy group affiliated with the National School Boards Association.

“It’s not just for the college bound.”

Sixteen other states and the District of Columbia now require algebra II for most students, while Minnesota and Connecticut will do so soon. But Texas will join Florida - two of the country’s most populous states - in dropping the requirement when its Board of Education gives final approval to a curriculum overhaul next week. That’s prompting some education groups to keep close tabs on other states because Texas’ classroom policy can have national implications. The state’s heavy reliance on tougher standardized testing under then-Gov. George W. Bush became the model for the federal No Child Left Behind law. Texas’ textbook market is so large that edits made for its classrooms can affect books sold nationwide.

“It’s funny that the banner-turning state would be backing off not so many years later,” said Jennifer Dounay Zinth, a policy analyst at Education Commission of the States. She said her group is watching but hasn’t seen similar moves in other algebra II-requiring states so far. Legislators overwhelmingly approved the change in May, even though Texas’ higher education commissioner, Raymond Paredes, said removing mandates for advanced math and science would leave more students ill-prepared for college and technical careers.

Florida scrapped a similar policy in April.

But unlike Texas, Florida is among 45 states embracing national Common Core standards, meaning its students are expected to master some skills taught in algebra II. About Face Texas’ about-face came after strong pressure from Jobs for Texas, a coalition of 22 industry trade groups that argued the state’s curriculum was too rigid and no longer met the needs of the modern workforce. Coalition spokesman Mike Meroney said that with fewer state-mandated courses, school districts can better work with local employers to build curriculums that prepare high school graduates to move directly into high-paying jobs. “A lot of experts believe that problem solving is not exclusively learned in algebra II,” Meroney

said. “It’s a good healthy debate, but it shouldn’t be a panacea.”

The state had allowed students to avoid taking algebra II under the stricter rules by earning a “minimum diploma,” and about 20 percent of students did so. But lawmakers said it wasn’t enough. The new changes still require algebra II for honors diplomas, which can ensure automatic admission to Texas public universities, or for diploma plans focusing on science, technology, engineering and math courses, or STEM. Vocal critics include powerful lobbying group Texas Association of Business, which accused Texas of dumbing-down curriculum. The Texas Latino Education Coalition said the change could allow students from low-income backgrounds to skate through high school despite having college potential.

But parent and teacher groups supported the change, saying it afforded flexibility to school districts, which can still require algebra II. Stephen Waddell, superintendent in the Dallas suburb of Lewisville, said mandating algebra II was unnecessary because most high schoolers take it anyway. “The only way you are going to get flexibility is not requiring every single thing a student has to take,” Waddell said.

Isabel Hutt credits algebra II for dramatically raising her SAT scores, but the 16year-old admits she wouldn’t be in the class if it weren’t required. She plans to study Spanish and social work in college.

“That would have been a dream come true, if I had stopped after geometry,” said Hutt, an 11th grader at Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio. Chris Witte, who oversees chemical giant BASF’s production facility in Freeport, Texas, said his company offers lucrative jobs for individuals with two-year degrees or focused high school career training. “Is algebra II required for every job out at our site? The answer is no,” Witte said. Witte said the course is beneficial, but he and Texas lawmakers argued the vigorous math course was pushing some students to drop out.

But the Texas Education Agency reported last summer that an all-time high nearly 88 percent of students from the Class of 2012 - graduated on time. It was the fifth consecutive year of improvement.

Students’ scores on college entrance exams also improved. According to data released in March, Texas students’ ACT scores matched the national average of 20.9. And 48 percent, compared to 44 percent nationally, met math benchmarks that included being ready for college-level algebra.

Officials in Washington state recently compared school districts with and without more strenuous requirements and found no correlation between graduation rates and higher standards, said Dounay Zinth, the education policy analyst.

Graduation rates in Indiana also didn’t dip with increased standards, she said. Both states require algebra II, as do Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Nor th Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee and Utah. “There’s a fear that if we set higher standards for all students, more students will drop out,” Dounay Zinth said. “And the data do not bear that out at all.” — AP

FLOWER MOUND, Texas: In this Jan 15, 2014 photo, math teacher Tracy Popescu helps high school junior Carter Buono, 17, with a problem in an algebra II class at Flower Mound High School. — AP

Old kids’ favourites fight rise of tablets Devices increasingly top children’s wish-lists LONDON: The big players in the traditional toy market have come out fighting in Britain as little fingers are increasingly occupied by iPadtype devices at playtime. Previously seen as the preserve of grown-ups, tablets are increasingly top of children’s wish-lists. The best-selling toy in Britain last year was the Furby, the cuddly robotic “pet” that has irritated millions of parents with its constant chatter. But tablet computers designed specifically for kids came close behind, according to the NPD market research group.

With toddlers frequently more nimble on touchscreens than their parents, major players including Samsung are cashing in with tablets designed for the lucrative and techsavvy youth market. At this week’s London Toy Fair, manufacturers of traditional toys insisted they face a bright future - but admitted the rise of tablets means they’re in for a tough fight. “We have to recognise these days that there’s a place for tablets and for technology,” said Jamie Dickinson, marketing manager at Playmobil, the German-based brand that has produced some 2.6 billion plastic figures since 1974.

“When children grow up and go into the adult world, they need to know how to use the technology,” he told AFP as he stood in front of a display of Playmobil figures at London’s Olympia exhibition centre. “But there are lots of other skills that they need to learn, which only traditional toys can give them.” Playmobil is resisting the digital onslaught, with its global sales increasing by 5.3 percent to Ä531 million ($726 million) last year. In the British market, the building sets and action figures markets will enjoy a 10-percent jump in growth this year, NPD predicts, partly thanks to toys linked to the football World Cup in Brazil.

Tablets for two-year-olds Many of the toy firms displaying their wares in London were counting on the support of parents with an instinctive suspicion of the Internet and, by extension, tablets. Metal construction kits by Meccano have been a boys’ favourite since they were invented in England in 1909 - and are “still very popular, especially in the eyes of parents, grandparents and those

LONDON: Alexandra Delage from Lexibook holds a tablet connected wirelessly to a mini camera attached to a helmet during the Toy Fair at the Olympia exhibition centre on Jan 21, 2014.— AFP

who buy gifts”, said Kevin Jones, European marketing director for the brand’s owner Spin Master. “The great thing about traditional toys is that they have longevity. It’s great value for parents,” he told AFP. Lego is another perennial favourite that has diversified its range, partly through movie tieins. The Danish firm saw a 13 percent increase in global revenue in 2013, although Asia accounted for much of the positive figures.

Roland Earl, director general of the British Toy and Hobby Association, played down the threat posed by tablets, arguing that there is plenty of space in the playroom for a variety of games. “We’ve found that the traditional toy market has held up very well over the last ten years,” he told AFP. “In fact, we’ve posted growth in the UK in most years out of the last ten - and the computer game industry has actually suffered in the last year, possibly from less expensive free games that are available on the web.” Tablets have a “novelty value” that may yet pass, he suggested.

Some parents may worry that having these gadgets at such an early age could create a dangerous tendency towards lethargy - but after all, say manufacturers, iPad-loving adults are hardly setting a good example. French maker Lexibook said it now makes tablets aimed at users as young as two. “They want to copy their parents and use a tablet themselves,” said Lexibook CEO Emmanuel Le Cottier. “So we’ve created a range of tablets going from two to 14 years old, with dedicated content for each target age-group.”

He added that Lexibook’s kids’ tablets - like many of their rivals - come with parental control features, including the ability to set a daily time limit on their usage. Nine-year-old Emilie Brun said she prefers playing with her parents’ tablet to traditional toys - but she’s usually ready to move on to something else after a couple of games. “There’s loads of interesting games on the tablet to play when I’m bored in my room,” she told AFP. “But I’m also happy to play ‘teachers’ with my sister.” — AFP

Brompton Bicycle shows how to shift up a gear LONDON: Loan refusal letters and retailers’ rejections frame the walls of the Brompton Bicycle factory, a reminder of the obstacles the firm has overcome to establish itself as the UK’s top bike-maker, selling 45,000 a year around the world. Brompton’s success lies partly in its cool the company cashed in on a trendy ‘Made in Britain’ tag, and the fact that its bikes fold up lends the label a geeky chic as well as popular practicality. But beneath the image lies a carefully-constructed business strategy that reveals not only the level of innovation required for UK manufacturing firms to succeed, but also the number of bumps in the road many of them still face.

Britain’s £1.5 trillion ($2.5 trillion) economy is among the developed world’s fastest-growing thanks to a recovery in consumer spending last year. But its manufacturing sector, a tenth of gross domestic output, has been hollowed out since its post-war boom. From the world’s number two exporter in 1948, the UK fell to No. 8 in 2007 before the financial crisis and fierce competition from countries like China bumped it down further to 11th position in 2012, according to World Trade Organisation figures.

The crisis in the eurozone, destination for around half of Britain’s exports, has held back growth in recent years. But home-grown problems such as a lack of innovation on the factory floor and a shortage of staffing resources are longer-term factors at the core of the country’s manufacturing malaise. “The problem is you can’t get the brains,” Brompton’s managing director Will Butler-Adams told Reuters on a quick tour of his busy factory. “That’s the problem for the UK. We have the capability - we don’t have the engineers.”

When Butler-Adams joined Brompton in 2002 the firm founded by inventor Andrew Ritchie was selling just 6,000 bikes a year, held back by a lack of skilled craftsmen, a disorganised production line and a reluctance to outsource nonessential and time-consuming work. For the

forthright engineering graduate - talked into the job by Brompton chairman Tim Guinness during a coach journey when they met as strangers - it was clear Brompton’s promise could only be met by tapping overseas markets, restructuring its factory floor and training more specialised staff.

Where are the Engineers?

The difficulties experienced by Brompton in finding the right staff - filling one design engineer post took three years and concluded in a protracted visa wrangle to hire a Chinese national - illustrate how a very basic need has become a major headache for UK manufacturing firms. A 2013 survey by the Confederation of British Industry found that almost 41 percent of firms were forecasting a shortage of UK workers with requisite science and engineering skills for the next three years.

The sector suffers an image problem, said Verity O’Keefe, policy adviser at manufacturers lobby group EEF. “There’s a perception issue.

Young people perceive it to be about blue overalls, working on greasy engines and actually it’s a lot more than that,” she said, adding that students are also rejecting engineering apprenticeships in favour of careers in higher-paid sectors such as financial services. The shortage has been exacerbated by a government drive to cut net migration to below 100,000 per year by 2015 - a tactic to win votes from an austerity-weary public worried about their jobs amid high levels of immigration.

This tightening of visa rules - including scrapping a scheme allowing British-educated foreign students to work in the country for up to two years without a sponsor - has reduced the number of non-EU migrants entering Britain by 24 percent over the 2006-2012 period, government data showed. While Brompton has solved some visa problems by appealing directly to the government, it has also worked around the issue by investing in staff training - building a workforce

of home-grown specialist engineering craftspeople. “Foreign students are a good thing, but it can’t be the only thing... We need committed British talent, people who are going to be here for their entire career to support seismic change in the British economy,” Butler-Adams said.

Brompton’s search for staff has got less difficult as its brand has got trendier, attracting fans such as director Guy Ritchie and actor Hugh Jackman. “The majority of small engineering businesses are doing small, clever, innovative things but they are not glamorous, not in the public eye...They won’t have the same advantages that we have,” said Butler-Adams.

1,200 Parts Brompton proudly assembles each of its bikes - which start retailing at about £800 - from 1,200 parts, in its tiny west London factory.

Today it is a scene of organisation and efficiency where uniformed staff work alongside machines in areas designed for optimum production.

Tasks include soldering frames and assembling bike parts, using state-of-the art, bespoke robotics that are also designed to help guard Brompton’s design from copycats. It’s a tight operation that is a far cry from 2002’s production line when “one could easily sweep up two pounds worth of kit” in waste, according to Butler-Adams.

“We’ve been investing heavily in...really producing good, efficient manufacturing processes,” says the 39-year-old, who rides a Brompton model saved from one of the rejection bins. “We outsourced the stuff that was non-core, but the stuff that was core, we lavish love and attention and engineering on.” That investment, he says, is now helping the firm compete with rivals that have not developed their production processes but farmed work out to manufacturers in India and China in order to save money, only to be hit by a rise in staff and production costs as those countries’ economic growth took off. — Reuters

Financial data leads spam hit list KUWAIT: The experts at Kaspersky Lab have summarized spammer activity for 2013: • The proportion of spam in email flows was 69.6 percent in 2013, which is 2.5 percentage points lower than the previous year.

• The percentage of emails with malicious attachments was 3.2 percent - 0.2 percentage points lower than in 2012.

• 32.1 percent of phishing attacks targeted social networks.

• The biggest sources of spam were China (23 percent) and the USA (18 percent).

• By monitoring spam messages in global e-mail traffic and tracking their source, Kaspersky Lab experts were able to identify that 0.13 percent of spam in 2013 was sent via computers and servers based in Kuwait, placing Kuwait in the 49th position worldwide.

• As for the region, Middle East came 6th

in 2013 with more than two-timed drop in its share in comparison with 2012.

The proportion of spam in email traffic continues to fall - in the last three years the share of unsolicited messages has fallen by 10.7 percentage points. It appears that advertisers increasingly prefer the various types of legitimate online advertising that are now available and which generate higher response rates at lower costs than spam can offer.

The criminalization of spam In some spam categories commercial advertising is being gradually displaced by criminal mailings such as spam messages advertising illegal goods or pornography. A typical example is the Travel and Tourism category that used to account for 5-10 percent of all spam traffic. These days, commercial adverts like this are rare, but the experts see numerous malicious emails actively exploiting the subject of travel and leisure.

Fake antivirus vendor messages It is common for IT security experts to recommend that users regularly update their antivirus solutions, and that is something that cybercriminals tried to take advantage of in 2013. In emails that appear to be sent by well-known antivirus vendors such as Kaspersky Lab, McAfee, ESET, Symantec etc., they urged users to update their systems immediately using an attached file. The attachment turned out to contain a Trojan from the infamous ZeuS/Zbot family that is designed to steal sensitive user data, particularly financial info.

Darya Gudkova, Head of Content Analysis at Kaspersky Lab, commented: “For the third year in a row the most prevalent malware spread by email were programs that attempted to steal confidential data, usually logins and passwords for Internet banking systems. At the same time, however, phishing attacks are shifting from bank accounts to social networking and email.

This can be partly explained by the fact that today’s email accounts often give access to a lot of content, including email, social networking, instant messaging, cloud storages and sometimes even a credit card.”

‘Gray’ mailings: Bypassing the spam filters In a bid to reach even greater numbers of users, but wary of spam filters that block unwanted messages, advertisers are resorting to trickery. Part of a mass mailing is sent to subscribers who have agreed to receive adverts, and part is sent to addresses taken from huge databases these companies have purchased - to people who never gave their consent to receive such messages. If the mailings are blocked by spam filters, the advertisers contact the security vendor and try to prove their mailings are legitimate by showing the websites where users sign up and can unsubscribe at any

time. This poses a new challenge for the anti-spam industry and is leading to the development of new technologies based on sender reputations.

Where’s the spam coming from?

Asia accounted for 55.5 percent of the world’s spam in 2013 (an increase of 5.3 percentage points compared to 2012), followed by North America with 19 percent (+ 3.2 points). Eastern Europe’s share almost doubled compared to the previous year, placing the region in third with 13.3 percent. Western Europe remains in fourth place despite a decrease of 2.4 percentage points, while the share of Latin America in fifth place amounted to a threefold drop compared to 2012.

Financial data leads the malicious spam hit list for third year in a row (c) 1997 - 2014 Kaspersky Lab ZAO

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Food in the sky? Highrise farming idea gains ground City of the future will be ‘self-sufficient living organism’ PARIS: Imagine stepping out of your highrise apartment into a sunny, plant-lined corridor, biting into an apple grown in the orchard on the fourth floor as you bid “good morning” to the farmer off to milk his cows on the fifth. You take the lift to your office, passing the rice paddy and one of the many gardens housed in the glass edifice that not only heats and cools itself, but also captures rainwater and recirculates domestic waste as plant food.

No, this is not the setting for a futuristic movie about humans colonizing a new planet. It

AFP at the Paris studio where he plies his trade.

“The city of tomorrow will be dense, green and connected. The goal is to bring agriculture and nature back into the urban core so that by 2050... we have green, sustainable cities where humans live in balance with their environment.”

Each building, he said, must ultimately be a “self-sufficient, mini-power station.” The quest for sustainable urban living has never been more urgent as people continue flocking to cities which encroach ever more onto valuable rural land, gobbling up scarce natural resources and

PARIS: French architect Vincent Callebaut poses as he presents a picture of one of his futuristic projects on “the city of tomorrow”. —AFP is the design of Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut for a 132-floor “urban farm”-the answer, he believes, to a healthier, happier future for the estimated six billion people who will live in cities by 2050. With food, water and energy sources dwindling, the city of the future will have to be a self-sufficient “living organism”, said the 36-year-old designer of avant-garde buildings some critics have dismissed as daft or a blight on the landscape. “We need to invent new ways of living in the future,” Callebaut told

making a disproportionate contribution to pollution and Earth-warming carbon emissions.

Enter Callebaut with his project “Dragonfly”-a design for a massive, twin-towered, “vertical farm” on New York’s Roosevelt Island. From each tower springs a large, glass-and-steel wing, so that the edifice resembles the insect after which it was named. The draft structure includes areas for meat, dairy and egg production, orchards, meadows and rice fields along with offices and flats, gardens and public recreation spaces.

Energy is harvested from the Sun and wind, and hot air is trapped between the building “wings” to provide heating in winter. In summer, cooling is achieved through natural ventilation and transpiration from the abundant plant growth. Plants grow on the exterior shell to filter rain water, which is captured and mixed with liquid waste from the towers, treated organically and used as fertilizer. And at the base of the colossus: A floating market on the East River for the inhabitants to sell their organic produce.

“They made fun of me. They said I created a piece of science fiction,” Callebaut says of his detractors. But as awareness has grown of the plight of our planet, overpopulation and climate change, his ideas have gained traction, and the Dragonfly design has been exhibited at an international fair in China.

No buyers, but rising interest Callebaut has also drafted a concept for a floating city resembling a lily pad that will house refugees forced from their homes by climate change. And he hopes to sell a design for a “farmscraper” in Shenzhen, China that will include housing, offices, leisure space and food gardens. As yet, Callebaut has found no buyers for these big projects. “With the recent economic recession, politicians and government may... have been reluctant to venture into such new, large-scale endeavors that have not been tested before,” Emilia Plotka, a sustainability expert at the Royal Institute of Royal Architects, told AFP of Dragonfly and similar projects.

But she pointed out the concept has inspired other, smaller projects. “Instead of majestically tall bionic towers plonked in riverbeds, vertical farms have been rather more modestly integrated into existing buildings, derelict industrial sites and floating barges,” said Plotka. One example is the Pasona Urban Farm-a nine-storey office building in Tokyo that allows employees to grow their own food in specially reserved green spaces at work. “Whilst the buy-in may not be as noticeable at the moment, it certainly is widespread and growing,” said Plotka of the “vertical farm” movement. “I suspect most other new vertical farms will remain hidden in disused urban spaces or existing business and domestic blocks, which is not bad at all as they will use fewer resources to be set up and enhance their surrounding environments and communities.” —AFP

Family promise gave life to man in 31-year coma MURRIETA: As his 7-year-old son Mikey lay in a hospital bed on life support, the victim of a drunk driver who had smashed into his family’s car, Paul Cortez took the boy’s hand and made a solemn promise to God: If his son survived, no matter in what condition, he and his family would always be there for him. It was a promise the family would keep for 31 years, during a time in which Mikey would grow from little boy to teenager and, finally, into strapping, 150-pound adult. Although he would never emerge from the persistent vegetative state his father had found him in that night, Mikey’s family was not only there for him but also gave him a full life. A life, as it turned out, not all that different from anybody else’s, with cross-country family vacations and visits to Disneyland.

Mikey Cortez’s odyssey began on March 22, 1982, as his father was waiting for his wife, four children and other family members to join him for an outing in the San Diego area. Instead, Paul Cortez got a call telling him to go immediately to three different hospitals. Minutes after his family had left home that afternoon, a drunk driver plowed head-on into their car on a rural two-lane road. Cortez’s oldest son, Duke, was killed, as was his wife’s sister-in-law and her two children. The driver of the other vehicle also died, as did one of his daughters. Authorities said his blood-alcohol level was .22, nearly three times the legal limit.

Among the survivors was Cortez’s wife, his brother-in-law, his daughter and his other two sons. But everyone was badly hurt and there were so many they couldn’t all be taken to the same hospital.

It was at the third stop that he found Mikey, the most badly hurt. Doctors doubted he would make it through the night. Cortez wasn’t sure just what to do at that point. He was a deeply religious man, but he’d never asked God for a favor before. “But he was our son and I didn’t know what else to say,” the stocky, balding man of 64 recalled recently as he sat in the living room of his two-story home with his wife and 86-year-old mother.

“So I prayed. I prayed to God to walk our families through this,” he said in a voice thick with emotion. “To help us.

And he did.” For the next three decades Mikey would live at home with his family, through good times and bad. And there were plenty of both. Two years after the car crash, Cortez’s father was killed in a tractor accident on their 15-acre property. A decade later the dream house he had built for his family on that property burned to the ground.

Day-to-day family life During those years, Mikey was rapidly growing into adulthood, while still unable to get out of bed on his own or feed himself. So his mother got him up and dressed each day and his grandmother, Nellie Cortez, made sure he had plenty to eat. “When he weighed as much as I did, the doctor insisted that we get a

lift,” his mother, Roonie, a petite, sandyhaired woman, recalled with a chuckle.

“Did it get harder?” she said of taking care of him during those years. “No. It just got different. With a brand new baby you can do anything. With a toddler, as he gets older, you have to be more careful, putting up gates and like that. And with Mikey it was similar.” So was day-to-day family life. When the family visited Disneyland, they took Mikey with them, putting a pair of Mickey Mouse ears on his head. When his older brother, Tony, made his high school football and basketball teams, Mikey traveled to every

helped other people survive,” said Tim Basinger, who met him when both were teenagers. “That was Mikey’s purpose and the impact he had on people, working with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and schools, was amazing.”

When the talks took him to Florida one year for a MADD conference, the family turned the visit into a cross-country travel adventure, with stops in Texas and along the East Coast. How much he was aware of the good he was doing isn’t known, but pictures taken over the years show he could still flash that captivating smile from time to time.

This undated handout photo provided by Paul Cortez shows Mikey Cortez (center) sister Angelica and brother Tony. —AP game to watch him play. Austin Miguel Cortez - “but he was always Mikey,” his father quickly adds - was the youngest of the couple’s four children, a status that allowed him the leeway to be the resident mischievous prankster. With a goofy grin that could instantly disarm adults, he stayed out of the trouble other little kids might get into. His kindergarten teacher even told his mother he was the only student she had who could entertain her entire class all by himself.

But at age 7 he could suddenly no longer walk or talk. So his family set out to find another way to get him involved.

They took him to schools where his father gave talks aimed at impressing upon teenage drivers the pain that drunk driving exacts on innocent victims. “Mikey

Minimally conscious state “And he was aware of things going on around him,” Cortez said. “He felt pain and he could feel a tickle when we tickled him.” When a favored uncle would come into his room, he’d perk up and sometimes turn to look at him. Years later, as his older siblings had children of their own, he’d do the same. How much of that is simple reflex as opposed to cognitive behavior has long been debated. Dr. Paul Vespa, who heads UCLA’s Neurointensive Care Unit, says there are some cases in which people who are largely in a vegetative state seem to have some recognition of things. “There are people who are in what’s called a minimally conscious state,” said Vespa.

“They have a lot of impairment, but they

are able to interact a little bit.”

Giving them as close to normal a life experience as possible, as Mikey’s family did, probably does help them, he added.

Mikey did learn how to swallow again and his family was able to remove his feeding tube and give him solid food.

That prompted his doctors to take out his breathing tube in 1984, and for the next 16 years he was able to breathe on his own until a bad bout with pneumonia set him back in his mid-30s. With those little victories came crushing defeats. In the fall of 1993 California was gripped by one of the worst wildfire seasons in its history. Twenty-eight blazes incinerated more than 1,200 structures across the state during a two-week period beginning in late October.

It was about 3 am one October morning when sparks from windwhipped power lines set off a blaze that came racing down a hill toward the Cortez home. With only minutes to get out, Cortez grabbed Mikey and tossed him into the family RV while his other son grabbed a handful of possessions.

Then the family drove straight through a wall of flames to safety.

“When the fire came and they lost everything, some of us here said, ‘OK, Lord, what are you doing?’” recalled Hollie Woods, who teaches at Linfield Christian School in Murrieta, where Mikey’s brother and sister, Angelica, were once students. “But they just kept going and never lost their faith.” They eventually moved to a small, quiet neighborhood of picturesque homes where, on a recent morning, the only sound to be heard is that of a neighbor cutting his grass. The tile-roofed, twostory house had a downstairs bedroom with a private bath that was perfect for Mikey’s room. As time continued to pass, doctors gave up trying to predict how long Mikey might live.

Nothing like family “The first time we were told it was one night,” Roonie Cortez remembers.

“Then it was three days. Then it was maybe a couple of months. Then three to five years. “And then,” she recalls, managing a smile, “they just threw up their hands and said, ‘Who knows?’” After he marked his 38th birthday a year ago, Mikey’s health began to deteriorate.

Eight months ago he was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, and doctors told the family it was time for him to enter a facility where he could undergo kidney dialysis.

The family struck a deal: They would learn how to do dialysis themselves and keep him at home. When Christmas Eve arrived last month he gathered with his family for a holiday portrait. Only this time there was no smile. He looked weary. Two days later, Mikey Cortez died in his bedroom at home, surrounded by his family. He died a day shy of his 39th birthday. Earlier this month, 200 people turned out for his funeral. —AP

ORLANDO: In this photo provided by Great Dane Photos, Roo!, a husky mix, goes over an obstacle during agility competition in Orlando, Fla. —AP

Every dog has its day at Westminster show NEW YORK: When the nation’s foremost dog show added an event open to mixed breeds, owners cheered that ‘everydogs’ were finally having their day. They see the Westminster Kennel Club’s new agility competition, which will allow mutts at the elite event next month for the first time since the 1800s, as a singular chance to showcase what unpedigreed dogs can do.

“It’s great that people see that, ‘Wow, this is a really talented mixed breed that didn’t come from a fancy breeder,’” said Stacey Campbell, a San Francisco dog trainer heading to Westminster with Roo!, a high-energy - see exclamation point - husky mix she adopted from an animal shelter. “I see a lot of great dogs come through shelters, and they would be great candidates for a lot of sports. And sometimes they get overlooked because they’re not purebred dogs,” Campbell said.

Roo! will be one of about 225 agility dogs whizzing through tunnels, around poles and over jumps before the Westminster crowd.

And, if she makes it to the championship, on national TV. Animal-rights advocates call the development a good step, though it isn’t ending their long-standing criticism that the show champions a myopic view of man’s best friend.

‘All-American dogs’ Westminster’s focus is still on the nearly 190 breeds - three of them newly eligible that get to compete toward the best-in-show trophy; more than 90 percent of the agility competitors are purebreds, too. But Westminster representatives have made a point of noting the new opening for mixed breeds, or “all-American dogs,” in showspeak.

“It allows us to really stand behind what we say about Westminster being the show for all the dogs in our lives” while enhancing the 138-year-old event with a growing, fun-towatch sport, said David Frei, the show’s longtime TV host.

Over the years, mixed-breed enthusiasts have nosed around for recognition for their pets, be they carefully crossed goldendoodles or anyone’s-guess mutts. And they haven’t turned only to gag events like “Great American Mutt” shows with categories such as “longest tongue” and “looks most like owner.”

A 36-year-old group called the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America awards titles in various sports and has even had best-inshow-style competitions, where dogs were judged on their overall look, movement and demeanor, said President Kitty Norwood of Redwood, California. Some dog organizations have allowed mixes to compete in obedience, agility and other sports for years, and the prominent American Kennel Club - the governing body for Westminster and many other events - followed suit in 2009. It has since enrolled some 208,000 mixes and dogs

from non recognized breeds as eligible competitors.

Purebreds fuel puppy mills?

One of the nation’s oldest sporting events, the Westminster show had a few mixed breeds in its early days but soon became purebred territory. This year, more than 2,800 pedigreed, primped dogs are set to be judged on how well they fit breed standards that can specify everything from temperament to toe configuration. That has long made Westminster a flashpoint for the purebred-versus-mixed-breed debate.

Proponents say breeds preserve historic traits and help predict whether a puppy will make a good police dog or hiking companion, for instance, facilitating happy pet-owner matches.

Animal-rights activists argue that the desire for purebreds fuels puppy mills, forsakes mixed-breed dogs that need homes and sometimes propagates unhealthy traits. ( The American Veterinary Medical Association hasn’t taken a position on whether mixed breeds or purebreds are generally healthier.) Westminster President Sean McCarthy says the club supports conscientious breeding and is “a big believer in dogs that are well cared for, loved and healthy,” purebred or not. But to critics, the show spotlights a skin-deep appreciation of dogs while downplaying darker sides of breeding, and adding some mixed breeds outside the main event goes only so far.

“It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” says Daphna Nachminovitch, senior vice president for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. But there are better ways to help dogs than “supporting this antiquated entertainment show,” she said. PETA members have protested Westminster, once getting into the show’s center ring with signs in 2011. The group plans to demonstrate outside the show this year.

Matt Bershadker, president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, hopes introducing mixed breeds at Westminster will lead emphasis “away from the aesthetics of dogs to what is special about dogs ... the very, very special connection that people have with dogs.” Irene Palmerini connected with Alfie, a poodle mix, when she spotted him seven years ago in a mall pet shop, seeming eager to get out of his crate. She wasn’t looking for a dog but couldn’t resist him. Nor was she looking to take up canine agility, but he had energy that needed a focus. Now, she’s gearing up to bring Alfie to Westminster, with excitement and a bit of incredulity. “I’m representing everybody who just sits on their couch with their dog,” said Palmerini, of Toms River, New Jersey. “He’s just our pet.” —AP

Bhutan village feels the power of TV PARK CITY: What happens when a remote village in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan gets electricity and television?

“Happiness,” a new documentary by the Frenchman Thomas Balmes, shines a light on the power and risks of the small screen. In 1999, authorities in Bhutanwhich famously measures prosperity by gauging its citizens’ happiness, not GDPdecided, after much reflection, to allow television and the Internet into the tiny landlocked country sandwiched between China and India.

But the village of Laya, which is two days by foot from the nearest road, had to wait more than a decade more before electricity arrived. That’s when Balmeswhose work is partly financed by TV companies and who previously had a hit with a documentary called “Babies”-grasped the rare opportunity to observe the impact of television on a community that had never had it.

“The idea was to make a film about television. And I even thought for a time about coming to make it in the United States,” he told AFP at the annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where the documentary had its release. “I am constantly surprised by how few films there are about screens, whether smartphones, televisions or computers,” he added.

“After hesitating over whether to make the film in a place where an enormous amount of television is watched, it occurred to me that obviously I should go to the opposite end of the scale. What better way to talk about television than by going somewhere where it doesn’t exist?”

The documentary tells the story through the eyes of Peyangki, an eight-year-old who is “practically the only person who

had never left the village. That made him even more of a virgin in terms of experiencing electricity and television,” said Balmes.

Balmes wanted to show the transformative power in the village-both positive and negative-of a medium which is now ubiquitous in the developed world. The filmmaker said he doesn’t have a television set at home. “The huge problem with television, even without talking about what’s on it, is that it becomes an invasive force,” he said.” With ‘Happiness,’ I show... how naturally that is accepted... Today, if you go back to Laya, there isn’t a child who plays bow and arrow in the street.

They’re all in front of the television, and don’t do anything else.

“It’s a complete mystery to me that we ask teachers for certain qualifications to educate our children, but we don’t have the slightest worry about who makes the six or seven hours of television watched daily on average.” His film is visually sumptuous. “I wanted to be a photographer, so images have always been important to me,” he said. “For 25 years... my aim has been to use the specificity of the documentary medium, which is above all about images, and to talk as little as possible.”

“Babies,” which followed one year in the lives of babies around the world, took this to extremes by having no dialogue whatsoever. “I didn’t want to do the same thing with ‘Happiness,’ but there is still the idea of making a film which can be understood without any commentary at all,” Balmes said. “In terms of the images themselves, we used fixed lenses as in cinema, which are rarely used for documentaries. They give a visual feel which is closer to fiction than documentary,” he added. —AFP

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Outdoor-gear expo has luxury for people and dogs SALT LAKE CITY: Wilderness gear is going soft, and not just for people. Dogs are getting their own luxury outdoor items. A trend at the world’s largest outdoor-gear trade show is equipment and apparel that’s also fashionable, easy to use or comfortable from roomy spoon-shaped sleeping bags and pillow-top air mattresses to espresso makers and camp stoves that do double duty boiling water and charging electronic devices. Other vendors offer rugged leashes, life vests and even energy bars just for dogs.

Barebones Inc, maker of a $2,000 safaristyle tent, held a ‘glamping’ festival at last summer’s Outdoor Retailer expo, which featured a wider assortment of luxury gear than the winter show. Glamping stands for glamorous camping, and the Utah company says the 160-pound tent lets people enjoy the outdoors without having to rough it.

With network and cable news anchors sporting jackets by The North Face on camera in the field, manufacturers don’t have to be reminded that backwoods fashion has hit the mainstream.

“We don’t pay for anything like that, but we like it when anyone wears our high-quality products,” said Todd Spaletto, president of The North Face. Peter Metcalf, CEO of Salt Lake City-based Black Diamond Inc., introduced US Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to his company’s “soft” and “sensual” line of jackets and stretch-woven pants as the

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market opened Wednesday.

Jewell was CEO of Recreational Equipment Inc., or REI, for more than a decade before joining President Barack Obama’s cabinet last year. She was wearing a fleecy white REI jacket. The merchandise bazaar for a lifestyle of outdoor adventure brings together 1,000 of the world’s manufacturers and distributors.

Shoppers aren’t allowed inside and no cash sales are conducted. Instead, storekeepers and big retailers are placing orders for next year’s inventory. Suppliers range from industry giants Patagonia Inc. and Mountain Hardwear to tiny Ruffwear, which makes performance dog gear in Bend, Ore. The expo has taken place in Utah since 1996 and pours $40 million into the local economy annually.

A year ago, organizers signed a contract to keep the expo in Salt Lake City through August 2016. The decision suspended a political standoff that had the 4,000-member Outdoor Industry Association threatening to leave over Gov Gary Herbert’s land use policies. Herbert, a Republican, responded by pledging to actively support the $5.8 billion economic sector in Utah with the appointment of an industry executive, Brad Petersen, as his outdoor-recreation chief.

Attendance is up 40 percent since 2006, according to the show’s organizer, Nielsen

Expo Outdoor Group. The twin show in August brings out a larger crowd and is dominated by water sports. Registered dogs are welcome even if the public is not. Nearly a dozen vendors at this week’s show are hawking specialized pooch gear, and dog parties are part of the activity on the show floor.

The dog outfitters say they’re going after a $53 billion pet industry and taking spoils from the big chains like PetSmart Inc and Petco. Kurgo Dog Products, from Salisbury, Mass, makes a jump seat that can restrain a dog inside a moving car. Also on display are rugged leashes, collars, harnesses and booties. Competitors bow to Ruffwear Inc., the leader of the pack. Soon after he started making collapsible water and food bowls in 1994, the company’s founder, Patrick Kruse, was selling 8,000 a month to retailer LL Bean. Now he sells 47 different dog products, including a life jacket.

“We were the first to give dog products an outdoor perspective,” Kruse said. “We’ve had a lot of offers of investment, but we want to grow organically. We never had to borrow money.” TurboPUP, run by a former US Air Force C-130 pilot, says it can’t make enough of its doggy energy bars that can stand in for a full meal and come in a foil package that’s easy to carry.

“We started in a kitchen making 3,000 bars a month,” said Kristina Guerrer, TurboPUP’s CEO. “It’s been crazy.” The main

ingredients include olive oil, egg yolk, juice concentrate and chia seeds, and company bakers from La Pine, Ore, swear they’re good enough for people. The jam-packed expo underscores a thriving corner of the economy. Outdoor-gear sales grew 5 percent annually throughout recent years of recession, analysts said.

The show favors Utah, a place of rugged mountains and canyons and a cottage industry for innovators like Voile Manufacturing, which makes lightweight backcountry skis for $600 a pair. Voile laminates 3,000 skis and snowboards a year at a factory in a Salt Lake City suburb. The winter show highlights such leaps in technology as the ski bindings made by Dynafit. The company’s most popular model weighs just 530 grams, or less than 19 ounces.

Dynafit is out with a new $1,000 pair of bindings, the Beast, that performs as well as a heavier alpine binding in absorbing jolts that could knock a skier’s boot loose from a ski. The company also makes exceptionally lightweight skis and boots. “We’re finally a noun in ski language,” says Eric Henderson, a marketing representative for the company’s North American operations, based in Boulder, Colo. “It’s taken some time - 30 years.” Dynafit, headquartered in Munich, Germany, was bought by one of Europe’s largest outdoor brands, Bolzano, Italy-based Salewa International, in 2003. —AP

SALT LAKE CITY: James Gould holds a puppy wearing the Web Master Harness in the Ruffwear booth at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show. —AP

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

W H AT ’ S O N Announcements Maha Quizzer Middle East ITCAA-Kuwait announces the second edition of Maha Quizzer ME - Kuwait, extension of Maha Quizzer, the annual solo quiz conducted by Karnataka Quiz Association (KQA) simultaneously across several Indian cities. This is a solo open general written quiz contest for participants, irrespective of age, nationality or affiliation.

The quiz is on 31st January 2014, from 2 to 3.30 pm with centers in Salmiya, Ahmadi & J’leeb Shyoukh. Special prizes for ladies and students.

For further details & free online registration log on to http://www.nitcaakuwait.org/mahaquizzer Hurry!!!

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TIES Center - Where cultures meet lecture entitled, “Creative Writing and Storytelling,” By Quade Herman Kilpatrick.

Do you dream of being a writer? Do you want to put pen to paper but don’t know how to start? This six-session creative writing workshop will give you an introduction to the basic elements of writing fiction and creative non-fiction. Class discussions and exercises are designed to kickstart your writing, and develop your own writer’s “voice”. Come prepared to write! A good command of written and spoken English are required to participate in the workshop.

Quade Kilpatrick has a Master’s Degree of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of British Columbia, Canada. She was a writer and editor at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for several years, and has produced radio documentaries and written for over a dozen newspapers and magazines. Her favorite genre is creative non-fiction. She is at work on her first novel.

For more information, please call 25231015/6 or log onto: www.tiescener.net

Kuwait is the launch site of 5th anniversary of Zagato From historical, vintage & classic car museum

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DMCP organizes last clean-up for 2013-14

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ow’s Marine Conservation Program (DMCP) will hold its last clean-up for year 2013-2014 on Friday January 31, 2014 at Sulaibikhat beach, fondly dubbed by volunteers as ‘Mangrove’ beach for its high ecological value as home to mangroves, flamingo, gerboa, several species of lizard and beetle, and many species of migratory bird. This fragile inter-tidal zone running down Sulaibikhat along the bay of Kuwait sees high tidal deposition of terrestrial marine waste, mostly plastic (PET, HDPE and PS/Styrofoam).

Dow’s Marine Conservation Program has worked relentlessly to protect the habitat at Sulaibikhat since April 2011, having conducted a total of 55 clean-ups at this site to date.

In 2013-14, DMCP held eight clean-ups at Sulaibikhat, engaging total 325 volunteers from 12 different volunteer groups and educational institutions including American International School (AIS), Al-Bayan Bilingual School (BBS), Kuwait National English School (KNES), Universal American School (UAS), American University of Kuwait (AUK), Kuwait English School (KES), The I Am Challenge Group, representatives of the US Embassy, Kuwait’s Motorbikers Club, K’S PATH and en.v. One of DMCP’s noteworthy accomplishments is mangrove regrowth along a 20 meters by 5 meters stretch of formerly barren beach which was cleared of close to 2000 kgs topsoil plastic waste by a group of 20 volunteers from American International School and K’S PATH in 2011. By summer 2012, the once-barren stretch had given way to new plant growth which withstood seasons and still flourishes.

To date DMCP has cleared over 14 tons of terrestrial marine waste from Sulaibikhat. In 2013-2014, DMCP cleared 4912 kgs (close to five tons) waste across 518 heavy duty garbage bags from the same stretch as well as Kubbar island across 8 clean-ups conducted over a total of 22 hours. The Friday, January 31 clean-up will be held from 8 am to 10 am and will see the participation of four student volunteer groups from: (1) The American International School, led by their Environmental Club head Prof Elsa Baptista: Total approx 15 students and teachers (2) The Bayan Bilingual School, led by Prof (to be confirmed): Total approx 30 students and teachers (3) The Universal American School, led by their Green Studies/Sustainability/Green Ambassadors head Natalie Moore: Total approx 15 students and teachers (4) The ARTronauts, a group of university students and graduates who create art with a social message, led by their mentor Prof Roma Soni of Box Hill University: Total 15 members, who will create a live art installation using samples of plastic waste found at the beach in Sulaibikhat Other groups lending their support to the clean-up include en.v and K’S PATH. The clean-up operation will be complemented by a photo-exhibit on the beach of beforeafter progress images from site as well as species of flora and fauna documented at this precious ecosystem over the years.

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS

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hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! Let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

—Photos by Joseph Shagra and Yasser Al-Zayyat

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he Historical, Vintage & Classic Car Museum had Dr Andrea Zagato as a special guest to the celebration of the Ninety Fifth Anniversary of ZAGATO Atelier, and also to collaborate with The Historical, Vintage and Classic Car Museum in Kuwait in many projects in the future, especially that Dr Andrea Zagato was on the Judging Committee of Kuwait Concours d’Elegance that was held by the Museum.

On that said, Mustafa Makhseed, the General Manager of the museum:” We are very delighted to collaborate with Zagato, and we hope that his visit will be the start of joint projects with the museum. The museum today had become the spot for automotive enthusiast and expertise in the world, and that is due to the generous support and sponsor of His Highness Sheikh Nasser AlMohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah that gave the museum this high international status, and also due to Abdulaziz Ishag member of the board of trustees of the museum, for his continuing vision to take the museum events and activities to the highest level”.

Added the Executive manager of the Museum Eng Zakaria Dashti:” The visit of Zagato to Kuwait is a very unique opportunity to discuss the ways of collaborating together in future projects and events in a way that will benefit the museum members and automotive enthusiasts in Kuwait. Especially that we have a great friendly relation with Zagato since he was on the Judging

Committee of Kuwait Concours d’Elegance that the Museum organizes, and this great relation continues with this historical visit to Kuwait to celebrate the 95th Anniversary of ZAGATO Atelier establishment”.

A press conference was held for this historical event at the Historical, Vintage & Classic Car Museum in Kuwait, and it was attended by all major media, museum members and clubs and groups of the museum to welcome the gust and meet his in person. Dr Andria said:” our relation with Kuwait and the museum started when I was on the Judging Committee of Kuwait Concours d’Elegance, an event that was well organized and competes with all major international Concours. Following that I had come four times to Kuwait, and I have felt the passion for automotive, for that I choose Kuwait to be the launch of our 95th Anniversary Celebration.” And on the cooperation with the museum he said:” we have discussed so many events and activities that we will do together this year, and we will announce soon” and at the end he thanked all the media and guest for such a great welcome during his visit to Kuwait.

Zagato is President of ZAGATO Atelier that was established by his grandfather Ugo Zagato in Milano, Italy, and it is still today the only automotive design company owned and run by the family that established it.

The company was famous for introducing the aero technology into the automotive manufacturing, be

replacing the heavy body of the cars with lighter ones using sheets of aluminum, this improved the performance of the car, especially racing cars. This gave him special affiliation with elite and leading sport car racing manufactures in the world.

With the same passion, continued Elio Zagato, the eldest son of founder of the company and father to Zagato. Where he presented the automotive world with great and amazing cars that are today one of the rarest cars and most valuable, and that is because he could make an already excellence and beautiful car even more beautiful and complete by adding his own touch.

These are the most sought after cars at Concours d’Elegance all over the world. Elio Zagato was also a key person of design at the motor racing as well, in developing some iconic Winning race cars at Grand Prix and endurance racing such as Le Mans, with car that are today Legends of motor racing and a foundation of today’s racing cars.

And today, and under the leadership of Zagato the creativity continues to flow from this great artistic family, with more unique and special projects approved by manufactures of already great cars to give us rear and unique cars, each one shows a different taste of a true automotive passionate and proud owner, and celebrates 95 years filled with art, creativity and enrichment to the automotive world and human civilization.

OSN to highlight world-class TV technology at INFOCONNECT 2014

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SN, the region’s leading pay-TV network, will once again highlight technological advancements in the television industry at INFOCONNECT 2014, the biggest shopper event for IT & Communication in Kuwait.

Marking its 13th consecutive year of participation, OSN will showcase its pathbreaking technology including OSN Plus HD, the region’s first 3D, HD, internet enabled satellite receiver and recorder, and OSN Play, the region’s first online viewing platform.

Hamad Malik, Chief Marketing Officer, OSN, said: “When it comes to introducing advanced technologies that enhance the television experience, OSN has always been at the forefront, setting new industry trends. INFOCONNECT is a great platform for visitors to engage with our brand and experience OSN’s premium and exclusive content and technology, first hand.

“Kuwait is an extremely important market for OSN and we have seen steady year-

on-year growth and demand for our services. We will continue to invest in bringing unparalleled content and the best viewing experience for our Kuwaiti viewers.”

This year, OSN’s stand features a specially designed home theatre area, allowing customers to experience OSN’s premium content in an exclusive and comfortable environment. Visitors to OSN’s stand can also learn about the latest packages that provide subscribers seamless access to world-class TV entertainment and news including Western, Arabic, South Asian, and Filipino content.

Every year, OSN provides special offers for visitors to INFOCONNECT. This year, visitors who subscribe to any OSN packages at the exhibition, can take advantage of free hardware, while potential subscribers looking to sign up for OSN’s Platinum packages, will receive a complimentary Platinum subscription.

Running from January 26 to February 1, 2014, at the Kuwait International Fair

Ground, INFOCONNECT 2014 will showcase the latest innovations and developments in the IT and communications industry giving

attendees access to great promotions and special offers. The OSN stand is located in Hall 6.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

W H AT ’ S O N

PGA tournament

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friendship football tournament took place in Bayan on Saturday involving over 60 players aged 8 to 12 years from the P.G.A. Everton Centre of Excellence and Don Bosco Football Club. Lots of effort and enthusiasm was displayed along with good teamwork, sportsmanship and plenty of goals to entertain the watching coaches and parents. The under 12 event was followed by the Everton under 14 match with Shaab Boys which ended with honours even. Academy Director Mike Finn congratulated all the players on their fine performances and thanked the Academy sponsors Porsche Centre Kuwait, Behbehani Motors Company along with the match ball sponsors, Sports Direct.

Minyar Salama achieves highest marks in Chemistry

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ew Pakistan International School’s Student Minyar Salama Ali Al-Tabee appeared in Cambridge IGCSE Examination, June 2013 and demonstrated his exceptional skill and performance in the Exam. He achieved the highest standard mark in the world for a single subject award i.e. outstanding Cambridge Learner Award (top in the world) in Chemistry.

Minyar how joined the school in August 2001 in LKG has showed distinctive performance in all his exams reaching to this highest rank of achieving the highest marks in IGSCE Chemistry Exam.

The Director of the School, Mrs Anita Bukharey of New Pakistan International School said that the awards recognized the talent, dedication and commitment of both learner and staff. IGCSE staff highly appreciated his outstanding performance and wished him happy and prosperous future ahead.

Advisory to Indian nationals in Kuwait

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he Embassy of India has been receiving often reports from the members of Indian community residing in Kuwait regarding thefts, robberies assaults and damages to their property etc. All such incidents should be immediately reported to the local police station. In order to extend help the members of our community, please contact us with the following information so that the matter could also be taken up by the Embassy with Kuwaiti authorities:(a) Brief details of the incident; (b) Civil ID of the affected member(s) and their passport details; (c) Contact telephone number and the proof of residence of the person(s) affected; (d) Copy of FIR along with address of the Police station.

2. Please contact either Hend, Ambassador’s office at Telephone No. 22561276, Fax No. 22546958 (E-mail: amb.kuwait@mea.gov.in OR ambss@indembkwt.org) or Balram Kumar Upadhyay, Counsellor (Consular and Chief Welfare Officer) on Telephone No. 22533125, Fax No.22573910 (E-mail: counsellor@indembkwt.org).

VicharBharathi holds Yuva for India TEC partakes in International Tourism Fair in Madrid

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he Touristic Enterprises Company joined Kuwait’s team which participated in the International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur 2014) hosted recently in Madrid, Spain.

Malankara Catholic Community celebrates Nazareth Night 2014.

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icharBharathi Kuwait and Yuva Darsan jointly conducted one day boot camp ‘YUVA FOR INDIA’ on integral youth development for the Indian youth in Kuwait. The camp was held on Friday, 17th January, 2014 at Indian Community School, Khaithan. 182 students of class 8th to 12th from the various Indian schools in Kuwait attended the camp inaugurated by Dr.P.S.Menon by lighting traditional lamp. Five sessions structured with the guidance of camp coordinator Sri.Santhosh Shenoy on relevant subjects were handled by Adv.Jayasooryan(Managing Director, VIAS Civil Service Academy), Smt.Lalitha Premkumar(Vice Principal, Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Kuwait), Ms.Carol Marshal(US Educational Consultant), and Smt. Shilpa Pathak(Clinical Psychologist and Counselor, Salmiya Indian Model School Kuwait).

The interactive sessions coordinated by Smt.Gayatri Ravindran , quiz by Smt.Reshmy Krishnakumar, camp song by Sri.Ashuthosh and team and the music band by students of Indian Central School were highly appreciated by the participants. ‘YUVA FOR INDIA’ patrons Dr. S. Neelamani, Prof.Nandakumar Moorkath, Santa Maria James, Dr.Sreekumar, Krishnakumar Paliath, and Mohankumar addressed the student and parent community at the happy winding session later.

Dr. Roopesh welcomed the gathering and Vibheesh Thikkodi delivered the vote of thanks.

The day concluded with a grand cultural meeting ‘Vivekadarsanam 2014’ marking the curtain down ceremony for the yearlong celebrations of Vichar Bharathi Kuwait commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The func-

tion started with ‘Vivekageetham’ sung by Smt.Ambika Sooryanarayanam, Sree.Ashuthosh and team. The theme of the meeting was ‘Swami Vivekananda and National Renaissance’.

Ajayakumar presented the theme at the meeting presided by Vibheesh Thikkodi. The evening was marked with the thought provoking discourse by Adv.Jayasoooryan and eminences of Kuwait expatriate community, Rajan Daniel, Sathar Kunnil and Albert J. Pulluvila. Official website for Sevadarsan was launched by P.C. Harish (Mathrubhumi, Kuwait). Dr.Roopesh presented the Vichar Bharathi resolution on the occasion. Reshmy Krishnakumar delivered welcome speech and Adv.Sumod extended the word of gratitude at the meeting coordinated by Smt.Smitha Ravindran.

‘Vivekadarsanam 2014’ concluded with ‘Vandematharam’ sung by the students of Bala Darshan Kuwait.

Indian passport, visa fees reduced

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s a goodwill gesture, BLS International Visa Services Company Co (KSCC), which is operating as a sole partner for the Embassy of India in Kuwait to handle Passport and Visa Services, has reduced the Indian Passport processing fee from KD 1.500 to KD 1.000 and Indian Visa processing fee from KD 5.000 to KD 3.000. These rates have been implemented with effect from 17/12/2013.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

TV PROGRAMS

00:50 Untamed & Uncut 01:45 Devoured: Man-Eating Super Snake Returns 02:35 Animal Cops Philadelphia 03:25 Into The Shark Bite 04:15 Wildest Africa 05:05 Man, Cheetah, Wild 05:55 Animal Cops Philadelphia 06:45 Wild Dog Island 07:35 Wildlife SOS 08:00 Monkey Life 08:25 Too Cute!

09:15 Wildest Islands 10:10 Too Cute!

11:05 Wildest Africa 12:00 Animal Cops Phoenix 12:55 Monkey Life 13:20 Swamp Brothers 13:50 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 14:15 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors 14:45 Man, Cheetah, Wild 15:40 Wildest Africa 16:30 My Cat From Hell 17:30 Wildest Islands 18:25 The Really Wild Show 18:50 The Really Wild Show 19:20 Journey Of Life 20:15 Shark Family 21:10 Swamp Brothers 21:35 Swamp Brothers 22:05 Wildest Africa 23:00 Nature’s Newborns 23:30 Nature’s Newborns 23:55 America’s Cutest Pets

00:15 My Family 00:45 Tough Guy Or Chicken?

01:35 Tess Of The D’urbervilles 02:30 Stella 03:15 As Time Goes By 03:45 My Family 04:15 The Weakest Link 05:00 Me Too! 05:20 Nina And The Neurons: In The Lab 05:35 Bobinogs 05:45 Boogie Beebies 06:00 3rd & Bird 06:10 Poetry Pie 06:15 Me Too! 06:35 Nina And The Neurons: In The Lab 06:50 Bobinogs 07:00 Boogie Beebies 07:15 3rd & Bird 07:25 Poetry Pie 07:30 The Weakest Link 08:15 The Impressions Show With Culshaw...

08:45 Blackadder The Third 09:15 Walk On The Wild Side 09:45 Doctors 10:20 Casualty 11:10 Last Man Standing 12:00 The Weakest Link 12:45 The Impressions Show With Culshaw...

13:15 Blackadder The Third 13:45 Walk On The Wild Side 14:15 Doctors 14:45 Casualty 15:35 Last Man Standing 16:25 The Weakest Link 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 Kidnapped 19:00 My Family 19:30 Only Fools And Horses 20:00 New Tricks 20:50 Spooks 21:45 Moone Boy 22:10 Tess Of The D’urbervilles 23:05 The Weakest Link 23:50 Eastenders

00:00 Cash In The Attic 00:45 Fat & Fatter 01:35 Come Dine With Supersized

Me:

03:10 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: London 03:35 Antiques Roadshow 04:25 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 05:10 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 06:30 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 07:15 Gok’s Clothes Roadshow 08:05 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 08:50 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 09:35 Masterchef: The Professionals 10:20 Come Dine With Me: Supersized 11:55 Fat & Fatter 12:45 Gok’s Fashion Fix 13:35 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 14:20 Antiques Roadshow 15:10 Homes Under The Hammer 16:50 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds 17:35 Cash In The Attic 18:25 Antiques Roadshow 19:15 DIY SOS: The Big Build 20:10 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: London 20:40 Come Dine With Me 21:30 Come Dine With Me 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 23:15 Bargain Hunt: Famous Finds

00:05 Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls 07:00 Outback Truckers 07:50 Robson Green’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 08:40 Fast N’ Loud 09:30 Border Security 09:55 Auction Kings 10:20 Baggage Battles 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:10 How It’s Made 11:35 Kings Of Crash 12:25 World’s Top 5 13:15 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 13:40 How It’s Made: Dream Cars 14:05 Border Security 14:30 Auction Kings 14:55 Baggage Battles 15:20 Flying Wild Alaska 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 17:00 Ultimate Survival 17:50 Dirty Jobs 18:40 Man, Cheetah, Wild 19:30 Sons Of Guns 20:20 How Do They Do It? 20:45 How It’s Made 21:10 Auction Kings 21:35 Baggage Battles 22:00 Gold Rush - South America 22:50 Gold Fever 23:40 Ice Cold Gold

00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 01:50 02:15 02:35 03:00 03:20 03:45 04:05 04:30 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:15 10:40 11:05 11:25 11:50

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Jonas Jonas Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Jonas Jonas Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Austin And Ally Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Gravity Falls My Babysitter’s A Vampire Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Shake It Up Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Dog With A Blog Jessie Wolfblood Suite Life On Deck

12:15 12:35 13:00 Movie 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 17:00 17:20 17:45 18:10 18:30 18:55 19:20 20:05 20:30 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:10 23:35

A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Wizards Of Waverly Place The

00:00 01:00 02:00 04:00 07:00 08:00 20:00 21:00 23:00

THS E!ES Live From The Red Carpet E!ES E! News Live From The Red Carpet THS Live From The Red Carpet E!ES

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‘Lone Survivor’ a brutal tribute to Navy SEALs

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00:15 Good Day For It-PG15 02:00 Neverland-PG 05:00 I’ve Loved You So Long-PG15 07:00 The Wild Hunt-PG15 09:00 Good Day For It-PG15 11:00 The Iron Lady-PG15 13:00 Arbitrage-PG15 15:00 Matching Jack-PG15 17:00 Shadow Dancer-PG15 19:00 Summer Coda-PG15 21:00 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen-PG15 23:00 Flight-18

00:45 Hara-Kiri: Death Of A Samurai-18 03:00 The Samaritan-18 05:00 StreetDance 2-PG15 07:00 Project Nim-PG15 09:00 L’ Eleve Ducobu-PG15 11:00 The Darkest Hour-PG15 13:00 We Bought A Zoo-PG 15:00 Here-PG15 17:15 The Darkest Hour-PG15 19:00 Darling Companion-PG15 21:00 Why Did I Get Married Too?PG15 23:00 Martha Marcy May Marlene

01:30 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 PG15 21:00 23:00

Outlaw Country-PG15 Oh Christmas Tree-PG Another Harvest Moon-PG15 Stealing Paradise-PG15 Pitch Perfect-PG15 Perfect Plan-PG15 Flower Girl-PG15 Dating Coach-PG15 Pitch Perfect-PG15 Jeff, Who Lives At HomeTaken 2-PG15 Project X-18

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Interview With A HitmanShark Night-PG15 From Prada To Nada-PG15 Skyfall-PG15 Chimpanzee-PG Charlotte’s Web-PG Shark Night-PG15 Mrs. Miracle-PG15 Chimpanzee-PG Oz The Great And PowerfulRuby Sparks-18 2 Days In New York-18

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arcus Luttrell, the former Navy SEAL whose deadly mission in Afghanistan has been turned into the film “Lone Survivor,” strides into a hotel room for an interview, trailed by his service dog, Mr. Rigby. The tall, hulking, goateed Navy Cross recipient greets a journalist with a rock-hard grip, and nods to director Peter Berg and star Mark Wahlberg, who plays him in the film. This is clearly not what he wants to be doing. Based on Luttrell’s best-selling 2007 memoir, “Lone Survivor” is about a 2005 four-man operation in northeastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province that fell apart when a trio of goat herders stumbled upon the staked-out SEALs. After releasing the civilians and aborting the mission, the SEALs were quickly ambushed by the Taleban in a firefight that tumbled down a rocky gulch, killed Luttrell’s three fellow SEALs, left Luttrell badly injured and, in an attempted rescue, killed 16 more men.

“Lone Survivor,” which opens like a recruitment video with documentary footage of intense SEAL training, is the latest in a series of films that pays tribute to the Navy’s special forces: In messy, uncertain wars, they’re elite practitioners of precision. In the era of the superhero film, the Navy SEALs have inspired filmmakers as the genuine article.

Luttrell would rather not talk about any of it. He went along with “Lone Survivor” and wrote the book at the urging of his superiors. Compared to the actual events, the movie is no traumatic experience for Luttrell. “I went through it in real life, so a movie about it isn’t going to affect me in any way,” says the 38-yearold Texan. Hollywood and the American military are worlds apart. But “Lone Survivor” is a uniquely close collaboration, one in which Berg and Wahlberg (both producers) worked under significant pressure from the families of those who died and active-duty SEALs to faithfully render the soldiers’ lives, in battle and in brotherhood.

“I was at the screening when there were a hundred moms and dads of dead soldiers,” says Berg. “And I was at a screening where there were 500 active members of special operations, including Admiral (William) McRaven. And those are different. Because when those lights come up, those people are going to look you in the eye.”

Over the years, SEALs have been played by the likes of Bruce Willis, Steven Seagal and Demi Moore, and been a mainstay in video games (“Call of Duty,” “Metal Gear Solid”). But the movies, often in close consultation with the military, have come a long way since 1990’s “Navy SEALs,” with Charlie Sheen.

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Engineering Connections Banged Up Abroad Breakout Salvage Code Red What Would Happen If What Would Happen If Prehistoric Predators Salvage Code Red Megacities Engineering Connections Banged Up Abroad Breakout Salvage Code Red Aftermath Prehistoric Predators Salvage Code Red Megacities Megastructures Banged Up Abroad Banged Up Abroad

2012’s “Act of Valor” was acted out by active-duty SEALs and used live-ammo sequences to portray a fictional covert mission. Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” dramatized the most famous SEAL mission, the raid in Abbottabad that killed Osama bin Laden. The recent docudrama “Captain Phillips” recreated the rescue of the kidnapped mariner by SEAL snipers, with Tom Hanks’ most-moving scene improvised with a real-life Naval officer. Such productions, though, have given rise to questions of accuracy and charges of propaganda. US senators, including Dianne Feinstein and John McCain, claimed that too much information was shared with the filmmakers of “Zero Dark Thirty,” and many criticized the film for suggesting torture aided the hunt for bin Laden. “Captain Phillips” showed only a handful of the 19 shots that were fired on the three Somali pirates, and didn’t mention the $30,000 that went missing in the aftermath. Retired Army lieutenant general James B. Vaught argued that “Act of Valor” revealed too much about tactics: “Get the hell out of the media!” he implored.

But the military sees in the movies a chance to shape its image and insure some degree of authenticity in depictions of its service men and women. “Lone Survivor” has largely drawn praise as a brutal ode to Navy SEALs and a faithful depiction of the moral confusion of combat. “For films like ‘Black Hawk Down’ and ‘Lone Survivor,’ the commonality is the notion that this is an important opportunity to set the record straight or at least to portray things as they believe they happened,” says Philip Strub, head of the Defense Department’s Film and Television Liaison Office.

It can make for a thorny mix of fictionalization, artist license and classification issues. Berg consulted frequently with military liaisons and the Navy Office of Information while writing the script. “I read the afteraction reports,” says Berg. “I looked at the autopsies. I went to Iraq. I met all these guys. We just followed the blue print that Luttrell laid out in his book. We never set out to do something non-Hollywood or Hollywood. We just literally told the story.” Says Wahlberg: “Everybody fell in line with what the goals were, what the agenda was and how high the standard was set by not only the SEAL team guys but their families. It was a lot of pressure, but everybody took a lot of pride in the fact that we were taking part in this thing.” When the film, which expands nationally in theaters Friday, premiered at the AFI Festival in November, Wahlberg made emotional comments about actors who brag about military training for a movie. —AP

Classifieds MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 PHILOMENA (DIG) RAZE (DIG) JAI HO (DIG) (HINDI) PHILOMENA (DIG) PHILOMENA (DIG) RAZE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

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MUHALAB-1 PHILOMENA (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) PHILOMENA (DIG) JAI HO (DIG) (HINDI) PHILOMENA (DIG) MUHALAB-2 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) RIDE ALONG (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) RIDE ALONG (DIG) RIDE ALONG (DIG) MUHALAB-3 THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) THU+MON THE NUT JOB (DIG-3D) FRI+SAT THE NUT JOB (DIG-3D) RAZE (DIG) THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) FANAR-1 THE NUT JOB (DIG) THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) THE NUT JOB (DIG) THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-2 HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-3 HOMEFRONT (DIG)

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 9:45 PM 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 1:45 PM 1:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 1:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

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2:00 PM

FOR SALE

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (23/01/2014 TO 29/01/2014) HOMEFRONT (DIG) JAI HO (DIG) (HINDI) JAI HO (DIG) (HINDI) HOMEFRONT (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

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AL-KOUT.1 THE NUT JOB (DIG) THE NUT JOB (DIG) HOMEFRONT (DIG) PHILOMENA (DIG) PHILOMENA (DIG) THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

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Nissan Pathfinder, 2003 model, white, in good condition. Please call 97277135.

Mitsubishi Lancer 2011, GLX, dark grey color, excellent condition, km 53,000.

KD 1,800. Tel: 66729295.

(C 4628) 27-1-2014 2012 Mazda 2, white exterior, beige interior, mileage 52,000, price KD 1,500. Tel: 99748591, 99240654.

(C 4626) 25-1-2014 GMC Acadia, 2012 model, golden color, full options, low mileage 10,000 km.

Phone: 67669382. (C 4623) 22-1-2014 TUITION Learn holy Quran in perfect way, private tuition available for elders & children by Hafiz-e-Quran. Contact: 66725950. (C 4625) 23-1-2014 ACCOMMODATION

AVENUES-2 HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG)

2:15 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:00 PM 11:15 PM

AL-KOUT.3 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) RIDE ALONG (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) RIDE ALONG (DIG) RIDE ALONG (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

AVENUES-3 JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG) JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM

AL-KOUT.4 12 YEARS A SLAVE (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG) HOW I LIVE NOW (DIG)

One spacious furnished bedroom neat and clean available with all facilities, phone, coolplex and

Internet upon request.

Central AC building, 1 no common toilet looking for couples without kids or decent executive bachelor non-smoking and nondrinking. Preference for south Indians. Contact George 99072651. (C 4627) 27-1-2014

of Indian Passport with number J 4440800 issued at Kuwait on 12-01-2011 hereby change my name to Durfishan Fatima Rushda.

My address in India is Dariapur, P.O. Kood, Dist.

Cuttack, Orissa. (C 4629) 27-1-2014 BABY SITTING

CHANGE OF NAME I, Rushda Durfishan Fatima, born on 15-07-1997 holder

Baby sitting, behind Dar AlQuran, Farwaniya. Contact: 66246403.

27-1-2014

No: 16059

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Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines BBC JAI THY QTR JZR JZR GFA THY AFG UAE ETD JAI MSR QTR FDB THY DHX FDB JZR BAW KAC FDB QTR KAC KAC UAE KAC ABY ETD FDB QTR KAC KAC GFA MSC MSC JZR IRC MEA SYR UAE MSR KAC MSR FDB QTR KAC KAC SVA

Arrival Flights on Monday 27/1/2014 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 574 MUMBAI 772 ISTANBUL 1084 DOHA 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 211 BAHRAIN 764 SABIHA 416 JEDDAH 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 576 COCHIN 612 CAIRO 1076 DOHA 67 DUBAI 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 503 LUXOR 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 53 DUBAI 1086 DOHA 206 ISLAMABAD 302 MUMBAI 855 DUBAI 362 COLOMBO 125 SHARJAH 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 55 DUBAI 1070 DOHA 352 COCHIN 344 CHENNAI 213 BAHRAIN 401 ALEXANDRIA 403 ASYUT 165 DUBAI 6521 LAMERD 404 BEIRUT 341 DAMASCUS 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 382 DELHI 579 SOHAG 57 DUBAI 1078 DOHA 546 ALEXANDRIA 672 DUBAI 500 JEDDAH

Time 00:05 00:10 00:45 00:55 00:40 00:40 02:10 02:15 02:20 02:35 02:45 02:50 03:10 03:45 04:00 05:35 05:40 05:50 05:50 06:40 06:45 07:50 07:50 07:40 07:55 08:40 08:45 09:00 09:20 09:40 09:55 09:50 10:40 10:40 10:50 11:15 11:30 11:45 11:55 12:30 12:50 13:00 13:05 13:05 13:50 13:55 14:05 14:00 14:30

KNE GFA KAC NIA OMA KNE KAC QTR UAE ETD RJA JZR SVA ABY GFA MPH KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR RBG MSC QTR FDB KAC KAC GFA OMA FDB JAI ABY AXB DLH ALK MEA ETD UAE KNE GFA QTR FDB AIC JZR JZR PIA TAR JZR

472 221 788 251 645 460 118 1072 857 303 640 777 510 127 215 93 284 786 774 542 674 742 177 553 405 1080 63 618 104 217 647 61 572 129 489 636 229 402 307 859 480 219 1074 59 975 239 135 205 327 185

JEDDAH BAHRAIN JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA MUSCAT RIYADH NEW YORK DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA JEDDAH RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM DHAKA JEDDAH RIYADH CAIRO DUBAI DAMMAM DUBAI ALEXANDRIA SOHAG DOHA DUBAI DOHA LONDON BAHRAIN MUSCAT DUBAI MUMBAI SHARJAH COCHIN FRANKFURT COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI TAIF BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI CHENNAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA BAHRAIN LAHORE TUNIS DUBAI

14:35 15:00 15:10 15:50 15:55 15:55 16:35 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:55 17:15 17:25 17:30 17:50 17:45 18:45 18:45 18:05 19:25 18:20 18:20 18:15 18:30 18:40 18:45 19:00 19:35 19:30 19:55 20:05 20:10 20:20 20:35 20:55 21:10 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:45 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:30 22:20 22:05 23:05 23:15 23:20

Airlines AIC UAL PIA JAI BBC DLH THY AFG UAE KAC ETD MSR QTR FDB QTR KAC FDB JAI JZR THY GFA KAC THY FDB BAW QTR KAC KAC ABY UAE ETD FDB QTR GFA KAC MSC KAC MSC KAC JZR IRC MEA KAC SYR JZR MSR MSR UAE FDB

Departure Flights on Monday 27/1/2014 Flt Route 982 AHMEDABAD 981 WASHINGTON 206 LAHORE 573 MUMBAI 44 CHITTAGONG 635 FRANKFURT 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 416 KABUL 854 DUBAI 381 DELHI 306 ABU DHABI 613 CAIRO 1085 DOHA 68 DUBAI 1077 DOHA 283 DHAKA 70 DUBAI 575 ABU DHABI 164 DUBAI 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 212 BAHRAIN 545 ALEXANDRIA 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 54 DUBAI 156 LONDON 1087 DOHA 787 JEDDAH 671 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 856 DUBAI 302 ABU DHABI 56 DUBAI 1071 DOHA 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 406 SOHAG 165 ROME 404 ASYUT 103 LONDON 776 JEDDAH 6522 LAMERD 405 BEIRUT 785 JEDDAH 342 DAMASCUS 176 DUBAI 580 SOHAG 611 CAIRO 872 DUBAI 58 DUBAI

DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Time 00:05 00:55 01:05 01:10 01:45 02:10 02:55 03:30 03:50 03:50 04:00 04:10 04:15 04:40 05:15 05:15 06:30 06:35 06:55 07:05 07:15 07:15 07:30 08:30 08:45 08:50 09:25 09:30 09:40 09:55 10:05 10:20 10:55 11:25 11:30 11:50 11:50 12:15 12:20 12:25 12:45 12:55 13:00 13:30 13:45 13:50 14:00 14:15 14:30

QTR KAC KAC KAC KAC KNE GFA SVA KNE NIA OMA JZR ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR JZR RBG JZR MPH FDB MSC QTR GFA FDB OMA KAC KAC ABY JAI KAC DLH DHX ALK MEA ETD KNE GFA KAC FDB UAE KAC QTR JZR KAC

1079 673 773 741 617 473 222 501 481 252 646 238 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 266 553 134 93 64 402 1081 218 62 648 331 361 120 571 351 636 171 230 403 308 461 220 301 60 860 205 1075 502 411

DOHA DUBAI RIYADH DAMMAM DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN JEDDAH TAIF ALEXANDRIA MUSCAT AMMAN ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL DUBAI ALEXANDRIA DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI MUSCAT TRIVANDRUM COLOMBO SHARJAH MUMBAI KOCHI DAMMAM BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI RIYADH BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD DOHA LUXOR BANGKOK

14:55 15:05 15:20 15:20 15:30 15:30 15:45 15:45 16:40 16:50 16:55 16:55 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:40 20:15 20:45 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:10 21:10 21:35 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 23:10 23:30 23:55

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 441

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES Although you remain in a quiet mood most of the morning, you jump to the call of any needy voice. This may involve an encouraging word to a family member or a smile for a little child. You always seem able to create a harmony. Communication with those living some distance from you could have you planning entertainment or greeting committees. There could be visiting dignitaries. This is the time to plan your next vacation, possibly a weekend ski trip. If you are not going on a trip soon you will be visiting with someone who is widely traveled. You find yourself busy and active this evening but there is a window of opportunity for a healing to take place, if needed. Allow art to transpose your thoughts this evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) There is great confidence with your professional life. You are quite busy now and you may not be paying attention to your finances. Watch the mail this week and pay attention to the bank statement when it comes; make sure all your areas are covered. You could see some monetary rewards from teaching your hobby if you wish. Your self-image can improve through teaching because there are many people that would like to be taught what you know about your hobby. Just knowing you can succeed in making a home project work will give you quite a lot of security and peace of mind. You have the opportunity to be a tremendous help to a friend this evening, though you may not realize it immediately. Take the time to really listen to this needy individual.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. (informal) Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman.

4. A city in southeastern FRance on the Isere River.

12. A group of African language in the NigerCongo group spoken from the Ivory Coast east to Nigeria.

15. Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object).

16. Acid or granitic glass.

17. Goddess of the dead and queen of the underworld.

18. Any of several small spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Prosopis having small flowers in axillary cylindrical spikes followed by large sugar-rich pods.

20. A licensed medical practitioner.

21. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart.

22. A city in Veneto.

23. Situated in or facing or moving toward the east.

26. A master's degree in business.

27. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfections of the skin.

29. Jordan's port.

32. English financier (1519-1579).

35. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium.

38. The lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle).

42. The United Nations agency concerned with civil aviation.

44. Fiddler crabs.

46. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

48. An impudent or insolent rejoinder.

50. Fudge made with brown sugar and butter and milk and nuts.

53. A rotating disk shaped to convert circular into linear motion.

54. A detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work.

55. The capital and largest city of Yemen.

57. United States author (born 1932).

59. A large Yoruba city in southwestern Nigeria.

61. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

64. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite.

65. East Indian tree bearing a profusion of intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and yielding a yellow dye.

66. The United Nations agency concerned with atomic energy.

67. A republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia.

71. (physics and chemistry) The smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element.

75. A doctor's degree in dental medicine.

78. Small genus of Eurasian aquatic perennial herbs.

79. Towards the side away from the wind.

80. Of or relating to or characteristic of Sparta or its people.

82. A unit of weight used in east Asia approximately equal to 1.3 ounces.

83. (Greek mythology) The winged goddess of the dawn in ancient mythology.

84. Thin usually unleavened johnnycake made of cornmeal.

85. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

DOWN 1. Providing sophisticated amusement by virtue of having artificially (and vulgarly) mannered or banal or sentimental qualities.

2. Evergreen trees and shrubs having oily oneseeded fruits.

3. An anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as guilt about surviving or reliving the trauma in dreams or numbness and lack of involvement with reality or recurrent thoughts and images.

4. An opaque watercolor prepared with gum.

5. A run that is the result of the batter's performance.

6. The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded).

7. A hard malleable ductile silvery metallic element that is resistant to corrosion.

8. The probability of a specified outcome.

9. All the plant and animal life of a particular region.

10. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects.

11. Half the width of an em.

12. Botswanan statesman who was the first president of Botswana (1921-1980).

13. English writer and a central member of the Fabian Society (1858-1943).

14. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves.

19. Having some resemblance.

24. A public promotion of some product or service.

25. The cry made by sheep.

28. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group.

30. Large brownish-green New Zealand parrot.

31. Soft creamy white cheese.

33. A summary that repeats the substance of a longer discussion.

34. Remove from memory or existence.

36. Any of several plants of the genus Manihot having fleshy roots yielding a nutritious starch.

37. An armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force).

39. Indian religious leader who founded Sikhism (1469-1538).

40. Gone by.

41. Large burrowing rodent of South and Central America.

43. Any tropical gymnosperm of the order Cycadales.

45. A person forced to flee from home or country.

47. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing.

49. A device (trade name Aqua-Lung) that lets divers breathe under water.

51. Robber flies.

52. A member of a seafaring group of North American Indians who lived on the Pacific coast of British Columbia and southwestern Alaska.

56. Capital and largest city of Indonesia.

58. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

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

62. Engraving or carving in low relief on a stone (as in a brooch or ring).

63. Yellow-fever mosquitos.

68. A lawman concerned with narcotics violations.

69. Evergreen tree of eastern Asia and Philippines having large leathery leaves and small green-white flowers in compact cymes.

70. A republic in the Middle East in western Asia.

72. An official language of the Republic of South Africa.

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

74. The arch of bone beneath the eye that forms the prominence of the cheek.

76. A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that controls the degree of pigmentation in melanocytes.

77. A corporation's first offer to sell stock to the public.

81. A colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

You can sometimes be restless. You always seem to be in search of something new. Today is no exception. You will be feeling this restlessness from time to time rather intensely. You will also be moving toward a better balance in your life as you pay attention to the little changes that might be needed to create that balance.

When this restless time occurs, you must realize it is a time to take a trip back through the last few days to see what happened to create the imbalance. Perhaps less sleep, worries, anticipation, etc. It is also time to look forward. This may mean a new project, a new sales approach or updating your surroundings in some way. Always involve yourself in at least two interests each day, the creative and the business. Blessing are counted.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) How you feel about yourself is expressed in the way you communicate with others. Today you may try to see if you can keep a steady-as-she-goes type of pace. This is a better time to reflect on your own life and perhaps those close to you. If you are home today, you may want to snuggle in a warm room and read a good book. If you are working, this day will be productive, particularly if you can concentrate on writing or computer related work, etc. Compliment the people in your life—they either teach you lessons or support you in some way. A grateful attitude emits respectfulness and this behavior will take you into many positive places. Your mood is in a healing place today, no matter where you are located. Relax to a different sort of music tonight.

Leo (July 23-August 22) You may have been too busy this week to communicate with family members or confer with the one who matters most in your life. Whatever kept you busy is important but now it is time to dismiss last week and enjoy your family. It is good for them to enjoy you. Laughter lightens the heart and brings hope and a healthy attitude. This is the more important of your communication developments this year and has much to teach you. Tonight is a good time to keep your appointment with a loved one. Open up and let them in on the good things you want to accomplish this year. The recent research you do in the professional realm may be taking a bit more time than usual but it won’t stop you from setting aside time to enjoy these people you love.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) A lucky day! The secret to your financial security is in your attitude and today your attitude and thinking about money is positive. It is the little touches that matter as you go forth to execute your plans. Either you are a newly hired or you have hired some people that have high expectations because you are motivated! It is possible your profession is in the restaurant business. You are determined to give a secret family recipe away every year at this time. Most likely the business you gain at this time will be phenomenal. Your granny had lots of recipes; you also have your inventions.

Money represents power, freedom, prestige and safety. Money in itself is not everything we make it out to be. It is, however, an instrument in life—take care of it.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) You may find it better to write down your thoughts today instead of expressing them verbally. Frustration could be easy to experience if you are trying to change an old habit, or the thinking of another person. Easy does it; just express these thoughts and know that the truth will eventually take hold. Your easygoing manner will be more encouraging than a pushy one. Wisely giving yourself time to think through tough situations, you can become quite convincing in creating a change for the positive. This is a good money day; in fact, beginning now through next week, there will be opportunities to double your investments! Perhaps you will decide to go to las vegas, or you will employ a good financial advisor. Use your common sense to guide you.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You are interested in everything and everyone with very little prejudices to interfere. People pay attention when you make strong statements. You will find that you must gather facts that will back you up on some issue in the workplace today. You are successful in your search to convince, change, put an end to or add to any other big piece of information needing attention now. If you have not noticed, progress comes from outside forces this month. Being in control is an important factor here and learning to share the control will create progress. Before the day is over there will be compliments and encouragement coming your way. This boost gives you lots of energy in making decisions and accomplishing your goals. The evening is fun.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Intuitive insights come and go but today’s forecast is almost too much to resist! Keep track of your intuitive visions for at least one month, perhaps a longer time with a notebook. You may enjoy research into just what makes you tick and what your accomplishments are in the intuitive field. Communicating with others of your own sex is an enjoyable way to learn more about yourself. You may come to the realization that you are happy with just who you are and what you have accomplished. Other people enjoy being with you. This will be a full day on the workload, but with determination, you will complete your tasks and enjoy the fun parts of the day as it comes to you. This evening, a loved one gives you encouragement for whatever you need.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You will have some good news on an increase in money but do not go spending it until you see the green paper in your hands. Professional ethics may be a bit slack for now, perhaps because encouragement to the work force is needed.

The profession you are in will do a turnaround regarding money and production. An increase in money will happen, perhaps not on schedule. You encourage others in their work and are in a good position to communicate. Turn to some form of music today.

Perhaps you play the harmonica or you dance. You may get a phone call this evening from a family member that wants you to be a godparent, or some other responsible duty—find out what this means with regard to your religion and with the family.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Your communication abilities may depend upon your concentration and your concentration will improve as the day advances. Others may interrupt you, or make it difficult for you to express yourself. Your ideas will be supported however, and the more patient you can be, the more interest you will gain to your benefit. Take notes to stay focused. Emotions are sentimental and you may enjoy listening to others express their ideas or experiences. You may feel particularly empathetic with a friend or loved one. Someone may compliment you and enjoy your sense of humor today. This evening is a great time to be with others. There is an opportunity to be more understanding about the plight of others and perhaps you will lend a helping hand.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Are there too many stress factors this morning stop now and analyze the current situation. If it is a problem of interruptions, consider placing a sign on your desk or door that says, in some fun way, that you are not available; then you can get back to your project. You do not look up until you have the current business or project completed and out of the way. Take the afternoon break away from your desk. Perhaps you can stop in at the flower shop around the corner and purchase a flower for your lapel or blouse; bringing a little color into your day. How long has it been since you expressed your talents consider some creative writing class or try your hand at a bit of poetry. You might put your thoughts, story or poem into a tape recorder for transcribing later.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

lifestyle G O S S I P

Heidi Montag’s cosmetic surgeon made her feel very insecure

Cameron Diaz still struggles with junk food

T Has

he ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’ star, who recently released ‘The Body Book’ in a bid to help educate young girls about exercise and nutrition, claims she has to force herself to drive past fast food restaurants every day. The 41year-old beauty told the February issue of Self magazine: “I saw a Taco Bell yesterday - it made my stomach scream. If I had nothing else to do, I would be, like, ‘Three beanand-cheese burritos and give me some nachos with extra cheese sauce!’. But what I’ve learned is that just ‘cause you can chew it and swallow it and poop it out doesn’t mean it’s food.” The actress claims that she isn’t in the best shape of her life at the moment but is glad she developed a love for fitness when she was preparing for a film in 2000. She said: “Until I started training at 27 for ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ I didn’t. I literally quit smoking a month before. “At 27, I wasn’t consciously saying, ‘I’m doing this for when I’m 41.’ But at 41, I’m saying, ‘Thank God I started at 27.’ “ She added: “I’m def-

Britney Spears

got married again?

B

ously married to her sons’ father Kevin Federline for three years until March 2007 and was also briefly married to her childhood friend, Jason Alexander, for 55 hours after they exchanged vows in Las Vegas in January 2004 but their union was quickly annulled. The blonde beauty admitted late last year that she hoped to get married again in the future and have more children.

She said: “I’d like to have more kids, settle down... have kids, maybe twins, and get married. That would be nice.” The singer also opened up about her relationship with David, whom she described as a simple but passionate guy. She said: “I just love that he’s very passionate, he’s funny and sexy and I love him.”

Kaley Cuoco makes her husband a more positive person

ritney Spears has sparked rumors she married David Lucado. The ‘Perfume’ singer, who ended her long-term relationship with her agent turned fiance Jason Trawick in January 2013, was spotted showing off a simple but elegant gold band on her left ring finger at her sons, Sean, eight, and seven-year-old Jayden’s soccer game in Los Angeles on Saturday. The 32-year-old star, who began dating legal researcher David after being introduced by mutual friends at a party early last year and was instantly attracted to him, was eager to show off her new piece of jewelry as she proudly held up her hand for fans and photographers, according to the MailOnline website. Britney was previ-

initely not in the best shape of my life. I had a couple of hernias fixed last summer, so I took six weeks off to rest and heal-and see what happens if I have a liter of olive oil a week. It was sort of an experiment. If I wasn’t cooking, I was eating. It was amazing! I put weight on and loved it. But as soon as I went back to my normal workout and eating, I dropped it. I was, like, ‘Where’s my booty?’ “

T

he former ‘The Hills’ star, who underwent ten surgical procedures in one day in early 2010, including a brow lift, liposuction and two breast enlargements, originally only wanted to tweak her appearance and had no idea how much pain going under the knife would cause her. The 27-year-old star, whose plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan died in a car accident in August 2010, told Barbara Walters on ‘The View’: “I really just went back in to get my nose reset and get a little bit larger of implants because I had been elbowed by a backup dancer in a music video that I was doing and then I went in and was talking to my doctor and he just kind of diagnosed me and was like, ‘You should get a chin reduction, and an eyebrow lift.’ “I didn’t know what an eyebrow lift and a chin reduction was! So once he kind of told me everything that was wrong with me I felt really insecure, and he gave me a really great deal on it all. He didn’t tell me how extensive it was going to be, how severe, how painful, so I had no idea.” Heidi had her breast implants reduced in size last year and now lives a much simpler life with her husband Spencer Pratt after blowing their $10 million fortune. She said: “We just live really humble lives. I cook a lot, I clean our house all the time.” The couple, who live in Los Angeles, hope to have children when their lives are more stable.

Justin Bieber

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yan Sweeting, who married ‘The Big Bang Theory’ actress on New Year’s Eve after a whirlwind six-month romance, instantly knew the blonde beauty was his soul mate and feels like their first blind date never came to an end. The 26year-old professional tennis player told reporters at Delta Airline’s Grammy Weekend party in West Hollywood on Thursday night that his “whole outlook on life” is “a lot more positive” since he got married. He added: “We couldn’t be happier. It’s the best, the best, moments of our lives.”

Asked how he knew Kaley, 28, was the woman for him, Ryan admitted: “I had never really felt that feeling before, really. The second I got here I didn’t want to go home. We spent every minute together, and I still haven’t left from our blind date.” The couple were spotted cozying up to each other as they watched a private performance by ‘Royals’ hitmaker Lorde at the bash. Ryan recently had his wife’s first name and their wedding date tattooed in a heart on his left forearm, while the actress changed her name on Twitter to Kaley Cuoco Sweeting.

Cara Delevingne flirting with Anthony Joshua

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ara Delevingne has reportedly been sending flirty text messages to Olympic champion boxer Anthony Joshua. The 21-year-old model swapped numbers with the 24-year-old heavyweight sportsman after meeting him at a basketball match at London’s O2 Arena last week.

The pair hit it off after posing for a picture together and have been exchanging cheeky messages ever since. A source told The Sun newspaper: “Cara and Anthony hit it off at the game. They chatted and she asked for a picture. They swapped numbers and have had a few texts since. Although with Cara travelling the world and Anthony training hard for his upcoming fight, there’s been no time to meet.” Meanwhile, Cara -

who has been romantically linked to One Direction hunk Harry Styles - previously said she’s never had a long-term boyfriend and finds it hard to find time for romance because she’s so busy. She said last year: “It’s so hard, I’m travelling all the time and the thing about me is that I’m very independent. From the age of 16, Poppy and Chloe (her sisters) have had long-term boyfriends. “The longest-term boyfriend I ever had was when I was five. And I think the first proper boyfriend I had, I got hurt, and after that I was like, ‘What is the point?’

I’ve never been in love, this is the thing.

And how can I get someone to love me if I don’t know who I am? I’m still figuring this out.”

jets off on holiday to Panama

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he ‘Baby’ hitmaker, who was charged with drink driving, resisting arrest and drag racing in Miami, Florida on Thursday was spotted walking topless along the beach and went jet-skiing with friends, including his rumored new flame Chantel Jeffries, in Punta Chame on Saturday morning.

Wearing a pair of bright blue swim shorts, the Canadian star looked relaxed and carefree as he soaked up the sun with the bikini-clad model, who was with him when he was arrested, and two male friends,. Twitter user Robert Menegoni was among the first to reveal Justin’s whereabouts in the early hours of Saturday morning when he tweeted: “Just arrived in Hartford. Slight delay leaving panama due to justin Bieber arriving by surprise. Paparazzi, JB is hiding out in Panama!! (sic)” The singer is allowed to consume alcohol in the Central American country, where the legal drinking age is 18, three years lower than in the US. Other fans also posted pictures on Twitter of Justin arriving and speaking to security at immigration control at Tocumen International Airport near Panama City. The troubled star flew out of Miami on Friday night after refusing to board a private plane that had been organized to take him back to Los Angeles so he could enter rehab after he was released from jail on Thursday. His security team were forced to sneak him out the back of his rented mansion in South Beach due to the huge amount of fans waiting to greet him.

Sharon Osbourne always knew she’d

take Ozzy back

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he couple split briefly last April after the rocker began drinking and abusing prescription drugs again but the ‘Talk’ host insisted she only walked out on their marriage so she didn’t seem “weak” and to teach her spouse a lesson. She said: “You put up this front because it’s what you should do. You feel, ‘This is what I should do. I can’t be seen to be weak. I can’t let somebody disrespect me this much so I have to come out with this.’ “But in my gut, I knew I’m not going anywhere, you know, but I have to give him a hard time because if I don’t it’s going to happen in two weeks again.” Sharon - who has chil-

dren Aimee, 30, Kelly, 29, and Jack, 28, with Ozzy - also admitted to throwing coffee over her husband during showdown talks after they split. In a joint interview on CNN’s ‘Piers Morgan Live’, she said: “Ozzy came around to have a talk at the hotel that I was staying at and I was like, ‘This is divorce, this is it. This is what I want. I want this, this, this, and this. And then it’s over.’ And he goes, ‘You do calling at me.’ “And I was drinking a cappuccino and I went, ‘Whoops’ on his head.” The Black Sabbath frontman has now been sober for over 10 months and he admits he finds each day “hard”, and he avoids temptation by not socializing after gigs. He said: “It’s hard especially when you come off a stage, and you’re doing a great concert.

And that’s where it all starts. “You want the party to continue but what I want to do is get off the stage in the car and go. I don’t socialize with people in the park and gigs, you know, I don’t go there.”

Neil Patrick Harris excited about moving to NYC

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he 40-year-old star and his fiancÈ, theatre actor and chef David Burtka, are heading to the Big Apple when filming on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ finishes, and he can’t wait for his partner to get back up on stage. He said: “We’re very excited. David’s done a lot of theatre, and then I sort of uprooted him to Los Angeles. I’m anxious for him to get to work more.” Neil also believes the move will be good for the couple’s three-year-old twins Harper and Gideon. He added to Us Weekly magazine: “In New York there’s so much for them to see and learn.”

Neil and David - who have been together since 2004 and confirmed their engagement in 2011 - recently bought a $3.6 million 8,000-square-foot townhouse in Harlem, which boasts four bedrooms, two terraces, a backyard and rooftop, as well as a duplex flat underneath which they are expected to incorporate into their new home.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

lifestyle G O S S I P

Malin Akerman admits motherhood isn’t what she expected

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he ‘Trophy Wife’ star, whose rocker husband Roberto Zincone filed for divorce in November after six years of marriage, is still adjusting to life as a single mother but can’t believe how much love she gets from her 21-month-old son, Sebastian. The 35-year-old Swedish-Canadian actress told Magazine.com: “It’s so much fun. I mean, every moment. I get to bring him to work every day. He comes down to set. Everyone on set are like his aunts and uncles. He’s going to be a really social baby.” Asked about motherhood, she said: “It’s like one of those things where it’s everything you expected, but it’s not at all how you expected it. There’s so much love, and in such a crazy way, it’s one of those things where you just keep pinching yourself because they grow so much all the time.” She added: “[There are] so many moments that you didn’t know were going to happen that just excite you that are really small things. All I want to do is hold that baby.” The ‘Couple’s Retreat’ star, who lives in Los Angeles, can see both herself and her estranged husband in their son, who is almost walking. She said: “You keep going, ‘Wow, he looks so much like me,’ or ‘he’s doing this, and that’s so much like his father.’ “The best part about him is that he cracks himself up with so many things. “Literally, I’ll put him in his bed, and all of a sudden, I’ll just hear him laughing in his own bed. He’s kind of amazing. And I’m walking backwards, just watching your feet walk backwards is hysterical to him.”

Scarlett Johansson

is ‘deeply in love’ with her fiance

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he ‘Her’ actress, who was previously married to Ryan Reynolds for two years until 2010 and got engaged to the French journalist Romain Dauriac in August, admits she is “very happy” to be with someone she can always rely on. Asked about their engagement, the 29-year-old star told People magazine: “I’ve never been much of a traditional girl, but I do think it’s a nice period. There’s something old-world nostalgic about it.” She added: “I’m very happy. He’s my buddy. He’s someone I can always rely on.”

The couple plan to take their time to plan their wedding, as they don’t want to “rush through it.” The blonde beauty explained: “Being engaged is an exciting time to enjoy and to really savour.” The ‘Don Jon’ star, who recently moved to Paris with Romain, is already enjoying domestic bliss and loves cooking her beau tasty meals at home. But she said: “I cook, but I’m no pro. I was making a white chicken chilli and I had to let it reduce for a little while, so I was like, ‘Let’s go build a snowman while we wait.’ I got a little carried away ... Three hours later, I was like, ‘Oh no, the chilli!’ I went back inside and the house was covered in smoke. A pro would have not made that mistake. Make sure to check every five minutes if you are reducing something!”

Kim, Kanye want Lady Gaga to sing at their wedding

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he couple - who have a seven-monthold daughter North - are expected to marry in Paris, France in the summer and it is said they are keen to have the ‘Applause’ hitmaker perform at the upcoming nuptials. An insider told The Sun newspaper: “Kim and Kanye met up with Gaga in Paris. “They were desperate to get the star’s involvement, which is why she’s the first person to be asked. “She’s ideal for them because Kanye has always been a fan of her style and performance art. But also, Kim

loves her music, so it’s one they can instantly agree on.” The two stars will have to keep searching for a venue for the wedding though, after they were deemed “not classy” enough to get married at the Palace of Versailles. A source recently added: “Kim and Kanye really wanted to get married at Versailles and were hoping to persuade officials during their visit. “But ultimately it backfired. It was still a firm non. They will now be scouting private estates and chateaux in the region.”

Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman reunite for skiing trip

Tori Spelling’s husband checks into rehab

Soldier proposes to Katherine Jenkins

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K

atherine Jenkins recently received a marriage proposal from a soldier.

The Welsh singer regularly visits British troops abroad to boost morale in war zones and admits one lovestruck fan was so moved by her appearance that he got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. Quizzed whether she had ever been seduced by a soldier, the blushing blonde said: “I must say that in our military they are incredibly well-behaved and well mannered, they would never do that.

However, when I was in Afghanistan, I did get a proposal. I went to meet one of the regiments and I guy got down on his knee and asked me to marry him! “I thought the first time he was joking, and then in the concert that night I remembered his name - I think it’s Rob - and I said, ‘Is Rob in tonight?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I’m here!’ I said, ‘So, Rob asked me to marry him today’, and I thought he would be like, ‘Just joking!’ but then he [hung his head] - he was absolutely serious!” The 33-year-old star - who was awarded an OBE for her services to music

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and the military this January - has pledged to continue supporting British troops for as long as they need because performing for them is so spine-chillingly “special”.

Katherine reminisced: “My best memory is the very first time I went to Iraq in 2005, it was the day before Christmas Eve, and we did a concert in an empty aircraft hangar with 4,000 squaddies sitting on the floor, two back-to-back lorries as our stage. As I was standing there, helicopters were landing - we were in a war zone! “I sang ‘Over The Rainbow’. I was like, ‘How are they going to respond to classical music?’ And when I got to the chorus, they all sung it back to me. And it was that lump in the throat moment where you just think, ‘Gosh this is quite special.’ I have such admiration for our troops, I will go out there for as long as they need me. I think they’re amazing!” Katherine is returning to her musical roots by inking a three-album deal with classical music giant Decca Records, with her next album due for release in autumn 2014.

he former couple, who split in 2003 after five years of marriage, were spotted enjoying some time on the slopes with their daughter Maya, 15, and son, Levon, 12, after they met up at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. An eyewitness said: “They seemed very comfortable. They looked like a normal, happy family. No tension.” A source told UsMagazine.com that the duo, both 43, also had lunch with their children at the Stein Eriksen Lodge. Ethan and Uma have both moved on and had other children since their split.

The ‘Boyhood’ star has two daughters, Clementine, five, and Indiana, three, with his wife Ryan Hawke, whom he married in

2008. Meanwhile, Uma has an 18month-old daughter Rosalind with her on/off boyfriend Arpad Busson. Ethan, who previously claimed he had no business marrying Uma when he was 27 because he was too immature, recently said he doesn’t believe in monogamy but insisted he had no regrets about marrying the blonde beauty after meeting her on the set of ‘Gattaca’ in 1996. He said: “We tried to be as optimistic as we could be: we all want to believe in love and the possibility of love. The older you get, the more you realise how powerful love is. You understand the right ways for emotion to lead your life and the dangerous ways. I don’t regret marrying early.”

ean McDermott, who has four children, Liam, six, Stella, five, Hattie, two, and 15-month-old Finn with the former ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ actress, confirmed he is seeking treatment to address some personal issues, just one month after he was accused of having an affair with a woman at a hotel in Toronto, Canada. The ‘Chopped Canada’ host told People.com: “I am truly sorry for the mistakes I have made and for the pain I’ve caused my family.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and have voluntarily checked myself into a treatment centre to address some health and personal issues. I am grateful to be getting the help I need so I can become the husband and father my family deserves.” The 47 year old is receiving intense treatment but is allowed to leave the facility to visit his children at home in Los Angeles. A source close to the couple said: “Their priority right now is their children.” Along with infidelity rumors, Tori and Dean, who were married in 2006, have been rocked by financial troubles recently, and the 40-year-old actress is said to be privately “devastated.” An insider previously said: “I don’t think she even knows what she’s going to do right now. But no matter what, she’s staying strong for her kids. She’s all about her family. She worships those kids. “I don’t know if she’s strong enough to leave him right now with everything she’s going through and four young kids. She could stay with him or not. God only knows.”

Winfrey spins at party O prah Winfrey threw a spinning party ahead of her 60th birthday. The US chat show queen, who is set to celebrate the milestone next, invited 50 of her close friends to join her for a private spin class at SoulCycle in West Hollywood before they indulged in some tasty sweet treats. A source told People.com: “[There were] no celebs, just her own friends. Oprah was in the best mood. She was smiling and in such a celebratory mood. It seemed like she was having a great time with her friends. “They did a class for 45 minutes, and for about another 45 minutes they all mingled and

enjoyed candy, cupcakes and juice.

They all wore customised T-shirts that said, ‘Happy Birthday Oprah.’“ ‘The Butler’ actress, who wore bright yellow and grey workout gear, clearly enjoyed her early celebration as she posted a short video clip from the bash on her Instagram page, in which she said: “I just had the best birthday experience ever at SoulCycle. Ride, baby, ride, SoulCycle.” The chain of spinning gyms is very popular with celebrities, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Emily Blunt, Bradley Cooper, Katie Holmes, Alec Baldwin, Jonah Hill and Lady Gaga. —Bang Showbiz

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

lifestyle

‘Whiplash,’ ‘Rich Hill’ win top honors at Sundance Film Fest

Damien Chazelle, director of “Whiplash,” celebrates receiving the Audience Award: US Dramatic for the film during the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Jan 25, 2014, in Park City, Utah. — AP photos

Orwa Nyrabia, producer of the Syrian/German film “Return to Homs,” accepts the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary for the film.

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usical drama “Whiplash” and documentary “Rich Hill,” about inhabitants of a poverty-stricken rural US town, took top honors at the Sundance Film Festival awards on Saturday, a key accolade for independent films to find a wider audience. “Whiplash,” the opening night film starring Miles Teller and J K Simmons, enticed audiences with its heart-racing story of a jazz drummer in an obsessive pursuit of perfection in his craft.

The film won both the audience and grand jury awards in the US drama competition.

The awards were a big win for 28-year-old writer-director Damien Chazelle, who won the US fiction short film grand jury prize last year at Sundance with a short version of “Whiplash,” which he then made into a feature film for this year. “I remember my first time here was with a short, and the whole reason we made a short was because of my experiences as a drummer,” Chazelle said. “No one wanted to finance the film because no one wants to make a film about a jazz drummer, surprising,” he added with a laugh.

The film has been snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics for $3 million, and could follow the path of its Sundance predecessors such as 2010’s “Winter’s Bone” and 2012’s “Beasts of the Southern Wild,” which both won the grand jury dramatic prize and subsequently landed Oscar nods. The grand jury US documentary prize went to “Rich Hill,” which explored the lives of three adolescent boys living in the rural Missouri town of Rich Hill, who try to overcome the struggles of poverty.

“This is a small film but it’s got a big heart and we dedicate it to the families of Rich Hill, Missouri, and the families in this film; the three boys and their families who were so brave and so lovely to let us into their lives and to trust us and reveal some stuff that was so tough,” codirector Tracy Droz Tragos said.

The US documentary audience award went to “Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory,” which explores the effect of music on elderly patients suffering from

Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, director and screenwriter of the Ethiopian film “Difret,” accepts the Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic.

the grand jury prize for drama. Syrian-German entry “Return to Homs,” a story of two young men whose lives are turned upside down by the Syrian civil war, landed the grand jury documentary prize.

Spotlight on short film Other notable wins at Saturday’s awards included “Dear White People” filmmaker Justin Simien landing the jury prize for breakthrough talent. The film, a contender in the US drama competition, is a satirical narrative based on the Twitter feed of the same name. “I feel so grateful to be here and have a platform for this film, and these characters and these stories that have been under-served for so long in film,” Simien, a former film publicist, said.

Filmmaker Cutter Hodierne, who like Chazelle won a special jury prize for his short film “Fishing Without Nets” and then returned to Sundance this year with a featurelength version, won the US drama directing award. Both Hodierne and Chazelle’s success show growing attention being placed on Sundance’s shor t film winners.

Filmmakers can use the Sundance boost to gain financing to make feature-length versions of their films.

This year’s short film audience prize, sponsored by video-hosting site YouTube and based on the number of online views the films garnered, went to “Chapel Perilous,” described as a “metaphysical comedy” about a man who is visited by a salesman with nothing to sell. The grand jury prize for short film, handed out earlier in the festival, went to the US short drama jury prize was awarded to “Gregory Go Boom.” — Reuters Malik Vitthal, director and co-writer of “Imperial Dreams,” accepts the Audience Award: Best of NEXT for his film.

Alzheimer’s disease. “This has been an overwhelming experience for me,” director Michael Rossato-Bennett said.

“I just made this film because it moved me, I didn’t realize how big a topic it was.”

The Sundance Film Festival hands out 28 awards at a ceremony broadcast live online, this year hosted by

comedian couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally. The annual Sundance Film Festival, backed by actor-filmmaker Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute, is the top US independent film festival. This year’s edition began on Jan 16 and wraped yesterday. In the world film competition categories, Chilean-French entry “To Kill A Man” picked up

Cutter Hodierne (right) director of “Fishing Without Nets,” is embraced by cast member Abdikani Muktar after winning the Directing Award: Dramatic for his film.

Michael Rossato-Bennett, director of “Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory,” accepts the Audience Award: US Documentary.

Sundance Film Festival Director John Cooper applauds the audience.

Winners US documentary directing: “The Case Against 8” US drama directing; “Fishing Without Nets” US documentary cinematography: “E-Team” US drama cinematography: “Low Down” US documentary editing: “Watchers of the Sky” US documentary, special jury award for use of animation: “Watchers of the Sky” US drama special jury award for intuitive filmmaking: “The Overnighters” US drama special jury award for musical score: “Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter” US drama special jury award for breakthrough talent: “Dear White People” Waldo Salt screenwriting award: “The Skeleton Twins” World cinema grand jury prize, documentary: “Return to Homs,” Syria World cinema grand jury prize, drama: “To Kill A Man,” Chile World cinema audience award, documentary: “The Green Prince,” Germany, Israel World cinema audience award, drama: “Difret,” Ethiopia World cinema documentary directing: “20,000 Days on Earth,” United Kingdom World cinema drama directing: “52 Tuesdays,” Australia World cinema documentary cinematography: “Happiness,” France, Finland World cinema drama cinematography: “Lilting,” United Kingdom World cinema documentary editing: “20,000 Days on Earth,” United Kingdom

Jesse Moss, director of “The Overnighters,” accepts the US Documentary Special Jury Award for Intuitive Filmmaking alongside his wife Amanda, a producer on the film.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

lifestyle

Allison Liddi-Brown (center) poses with 2014 Diversity Award Recipients Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers (right) in the press room.

Producer-director Vince Gilligan (right), winner of the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series for the “Breaking Bad” episode “Felina,” poses with actor Steve Coogan.

Cuaron wins DGA for ‘Gravity,’ gains Oscar edge A

lfonso Cuaron was awarded the top film honor from the Directors Guild of America for “Gravity” on Saturday night. In the recent bustle of Hollywood shows, “Gravity,” David O. Russell’s con caper “American Hustle,” and Steve McQueen’s historical epic “12 Years a Slave” were competing in the tightest three way Oscar race in years. But the win gives Cuaron’s lost-space-saga an edge on the journey to the Academy Awards.

With 10 Oscar nominations, Cuaron’s film is likely to gain the most Academy Awards this year.

“American Hustle” also has 10 nominations, while “12 Years a Slave” has nine. The early momentum of “12 Years a Slave” has begun to deflate following this evening’s upset and the results of the Golden Globes.

McQueen’s film was nominated for seven Globes, but only took home one - best motion picture, drama.

However, it is unlikely “12 Years a Slave” will go home empty-handed on Oscar night, as actress Lupita Nyong’o, who is nominated for the best supporting Oscar, is the likely favorite.

Earning the DGA award makes Cuaron a near shoo-in to win the best director Oscar on March 2.

The Directors Guild recipient nearly always goes on to claim the same prize on Hollywood’s biggest night. In the 65-year history of the DGA awards, the winner has failed to also take home the best director Oscar just seven times. Ben Affleck, who presented Cuaron with his guild award, won the same accolade last year for “Argo” but was denied a best director nomination at the Oscars. However, like many DGA winners, “Argo” went on to win the best-picture prize at the Oscars.

While accepting his trophy, Cuaron recalled looking at satellite images of earth from space. “What you

Mexican film director Alfonso Cuaron, flanked by actor-director Ben Affleck, holds his trophy For outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film “Gravity”. — AP/AFP photos

cannot see from up there is this bizarre experiment of nature that is the human experience,” said Cuaron, a first-time DGA winner. “That experiment is what directors try to sort out with our films. Thankfully, that experience is as diverse as the films as these filmmakers make.” Cuaron also thanked his son and “Gravity” co-writer Jonas Cuaron. Sandra Bullock, the star of “Gravity,” was on-hand to applaud Cuaron for his honor. While introducing the director for his nomination speech, Bullock joked that she could barely understand her Cuaron while shooting “Gravity.”

“I had no idea whether ice meant ice or ice,” she said, pointing to her eye. Later, Cuaron shot back at the actress, saying that actors feel that the universe revolves around. When he looked over at Bullock, she pointed to her ear and mouthed, “I can’t understand you.” Jehane Noujaim won the documentary prize for “The Square,” which was acquired by subscription service Netflix last year and depicts the tumult of the Egyptian Revolution beginning in 2011.

Cuaron wins DGA for ‘Gravity,’ gains Oscar edgeReceiving the loudest applause of the evening were diversity award recipients Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. “We are being given an award for something all of us should be doing anyway,” said Rhimes.

“There is such a lack of lack of people hiring women and minorities that when someone does so on a regular basis they are given an award.

There shouldn’t need to be an award. The lack of diversity in Hollywood is not because of the lack of talent. It’s because of the lack of access. People hire their friends. If it’s been a white boy’s club for 70 years, that’s a lot of white boys hiring one another.

Rock some boats. Something original is what the public is starving for.” Jehane Noujaim won the documentary prize for “ The Square,” which was acquired by subscription service Netflix last year and depicts the tumult of the Egyptian Revolution beginning in 2011.

“I’m very humbled and very grateful,” said Noujaim, whose previous documentaries include “Startup.com” and “Control Room.”“This film is the most deeply personal film I’ve made, watching my country change before me when I never thought change was possible. It redefined my understanding of what was possible.” —AP

Thicke, Lorde perform at Universal Music brunch

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Australian actress Maia Mitchell and Ross Lynch are pictured.

Robin Thicke

niversal Music Group celebrated its domination on the charts with an event featuring its top acts, including Robin Thicke and Lorde.

The music corporation, the parent company to labels like Interscope, Def Jam and Republic Records, held an ultra-exclusive brunch honoring Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge at Lure in Los Angeles. Thicke closed the event with a rich performance of “Dreamworld” and he put the crowd into a party mood when he sang “Blurred Lines,” which is nominated for record of the year at the Grammy Awards.

The 36-year-old crooner told the nearly 300 people in the audience that he has been “signed to Universal since I was 16 years.” “Thanks to everyone for all the hard work and the amazing success,” added Thicke, who has won Grammys for writing songs for Usher and Jennifer Hudson. Lorde, whose “Royals” will Lorde seen at Universal compete with Music Brunch.

“Blurred Lines” for top record, sang her No. 1 hit and new Top 10 hit, “Team,” in her signature black. “Royals” is also nominated for song of the year.

At one point last year, UMG held all 10 spots on the Top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Artists on its labels include Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Katy Perry and Imagine Dragons - nominees for major awards at the Grammys. Eminem, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Drake and Lady Gaga are also signed to UMG. R&B-pop singer Ariana Grande was a vocal powerhouse when she performed two songs, including the multi-platinum success “The Way” and the ballad “Tattooed Heart.” Country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves, a best new artist nominee, impressed, as did Aloe Blacc, the voice behind the Avicii hit “Wake Me Up.” “If it wasn’t for music, I didn’t know what I’d do. I don’t know what you would do either,” Blacc said to laughs from the crowd of music industry workers.

Other performers included Latin dynamo Juanes,

Tessanne Chin

Neon Trees seen at Universal Music Brunch to celebrate the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, on Saturday, Jan 25, 2014, in Hollywood, Calif. — AP photos pop-rock band Neon Trees, gospel singer Tye Tribbett and electronic DJ-producer Zedd, who debuted a new song called “Find You,” featuring Matthew Koma and Miriam Bryant. The event also

featured some of the label’s rising stars, including English rocker Jake Bugg, progressive R&B singer Jhene Aiko, alternative singer BANKS and recent “The Voice” winner Tessanne Chin. — AP

Actress Lisa Rinna (left) and actor Harry Hamlin are seen on the red carpet.

Cuaron wins DGA for ‘Gravity,’ gains Oscar edge

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2014

Super

39 Models present creations by Dutch designer Olcay Gulsen during the SuperTrash show at the Amsterdam Fashion Week in Halfweg near Amsterdam.

— AFP photos

Trash

Show

Hats off for young Nigerians as fashions change

Fedoras, Bowlers and dog ears Internationally, the country’s current most famous hat wearer is President Goodluck Jonathan, who is rarely seen without his black

non was “an aberration of the culture of the Hausa” while lecturer Lere Adeyemi said it “violates the ethos of Nigerian culture”.

Former teacher Benjamin Ofomadu, 76, said for his generation, not to wear a hat with traditional dress was considered “a cultural sacrilege of sort and... irresponsible”. In some cultures, hats are seen as a “mark of respect for your head... your destiny or inner god”, said Adeyemi, who teaches African and Asian cultural studies at the University of Lagos. “If you do not wear a cap on a traditional dress, your dressing is incomplete,” he added. “It simply shows that there is a disconnect between such a person and culture, which is part of our life.

And this is sad.”

Critics blamed television and the creeping influence of foreign or Western culture for the trend, while Adeyemi claimed the dress codes in some jobs were a lingering form of colonialism. Nigeria’s banking sector, for example, requires men to wear a Western-style suit and tie. Horsehair wigs and gowns introduced by the British former rulers are still seen in the legal profession. Young men in

Traditional hats washed and starched being dried in the sun widely worn by males in northern Nigeria. — AFP Fedora, which is widely worn by men in Nigeria’s oil-rich southeast. Elsewhere, the Trilby or Bowler, sometimes adorned with a white feather, is in vogue with men in the Niger Delta, while men from the Hausa ethnic group favour the “habar kada”, which is likened to a crocodile’s mouth.

Many Yoruba men plump for the “gobi”, an embroidered soft cap that can be worn either fully raised or tilted to one side, or the “abeti aja”, whose triangular flaps are folded either side like dog ears.

For Igbo males, only traditional chiefs and monarchs wear the red fez-like hats popular in northern Africa, while others sport headgear similar to the “gobi”. With such a wide variety, it might be thought that any image-conscious young man would be able to find one to suit his own style.

But Ismail Aminu, a 24-year-old student in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, said simply: “I get headaches whenever I put on caps for long. “I use them occasionally or during religious or traditional ceremonies because I see them as a burden on my head. “Caps in this part of Nigeria are heavy because they are mostly knitted and starched.

Using caps among the youths is gradually becoming a thing of the past.”

Creeping Western influences Many older men, for whom hat-wearing is second nature, admit they are baffled and even outraged at the vogue for a bare head. Maiduguri trader Abdulahhi Abubakar, 43, said the phenome-

jeans, t-shirts-and even baseball caps-are meanwhile increasingly seen in places such as Lagos, indicating that outside trends were taking hold.

“They see people in suits and they admire them.

They no longer appreciate caps,” said Ibrahim Musa Babagana, a 52-year-old sociology teacher.

Milliners lament decline Hat-makers in particular say the changing fashion is having an impact on their business. “I used to make at least 12 hats weekly some years ago but I hardly make three a week now due to the fall in the patronage of hats,” said Idris Mapaderun, 55, a former milliner in Lagos. “This has affected badly my financial fortunes and has forced me into farming.” Cost is seen as a factor in decline of hat-wearing, said Abdalla Uba Adamu, a university professor in media and cultural communication. More elaborate hats can cost thousands of naira-a prohibitive sum for many young men. Instead, t-shirts and jeans are preferred as they are viewed as cheaper and easier to maintain in Nigeria’s sticky, tropical climate, he added.

The decline, however, is less marked in the Muslim-majority north, where caps are required for prayers at mosques. But even Aminu said he would reconsider his dislike of hats if he visited the Shehu of Borno, the most prominent Muslim monarch in his state-and for a simple reason. “I don’t want to be seen as the descendant of a slave by the palace courtiers by not wearing a hat,” he said. — AFP

Models wear creations as a part of Sarli Couture’s spring-summer 2014 high fashion collection, unveiled in Rome, Saturday, Jan 25, 2014. — AP photos

Sarli Couture

T

hey are the traditional markers in Nigeria of both ethnic and social identity-and even royalty-but for Raphael Akindele and young men like him, hats are sometimes quite literally a pain. “I just don’t feel smart and comfortable wearing a hat on a ‘buba and sokoto’,” said the 21-yearold, referring to the traditional long robe and trousers worn by many Nigerian men. “Such dressing belongs to the old school,” the computer technician told AFP at a recent Lagos wedding, where his t-shirt and jeans set him apart from other guests in colourful traditional attire. From Trilbies, Homburgs and Panamas to Bowlers and Fedoras, hats were once an essential part of any appropriately dressed Western gentleman’s wardrobe until fashions changed. But in Nigeria, hats of all colours, shapes, sizes and designs are still a regular sight.