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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014 MUHARRAM 6, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Pro-government MPs wantreturn of longer detention

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Maayouf questions education minister on bedoon kidsBy B Izzak

KUWAIT: Five MPs yesterday proposed the reinstatement oflonger detention periods that existed before 2012 to enableinvestigators and prosecutors to do their job in the best wayto prosecute criminals. The five lawmakers, Abdullah Al-Maayouf, Nabeel Al-Fadhl, Khalil Abul, Abdullah Al-Tameemiand Adel Al-Khorafi, submitted a draft law calling for abolish-ing a law passed by the 2012 opposition-dominated NationalAssembly to reduce detention periods.

That law cut detention at police stations from four days tojust 48 hours and detention by the public prosecution from21 days to just 10 days, which can be extended only by ajudge. But the five lawmakers said that investigators were notbeing able to do their job properly because of the short timeavailable to them and proposed the return of the longerdetention. The return of the old periods requires National

Assembly panels to approve their proposal in addition topassing it through the Assembly and its acceptance by thegovernment. All the five lawmakers who made the proposalare pro-government.

The opposition had placed cutting detention periods atthe top of its priorities and accomplished it at the start of the2012 Assembly, which was elected in February and wasscrapped by the constitutional court in June.

Meanwhile, activists said that opposition activist Ayyad Al-Harbi, who serving a two-year sentence, has begun a hungerstrike in protest against ill-treatment by prison authorities.Activists claimed that Harbi was tortured and assaulted bysome officers and his hands and legs were placed in cuffs as apunishment. Harbi’s lawyer Mohammad Al-Humaidi said onTwitter that he had learned of the harassment of his clientand that he was preparing to take legal action.

Continued on Page 13

RIYADH: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Saudi King Abdullah binAbdulaziz Al-Saud on Tuesday. The meeting was held in a brotherly atmosphere reflecting the historicrelations between the leadership and people of Kuwait with Saudi Arabia. — KUNA (See Page 2)

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s sprawling and congested capital isin a race against time to complete its $22.5 billion metrosystem within four years, a senior official said yesterday.Abdullah Allohaidan told AFP in an interview that the railand bus development - whose construction is changingthe face of Riyadh - is the largest such project under way inthe Middle East “and I think in the whole world”.Construction began a year ago but has accelerated in thelast few weeks, with road closures, digging equipment andhard-hatted workers taking over the city’s business core, tothe frustration of drivers facing detours and lane-closures.“I think the biggest challenge we are facing is the durationof the project,” said Allohaidan, assistant to the metrodirector.

Plans call for construction to be completed by the endof 2018. “Usually the duration for those projects is muchlonger,” he said in front of colour-coded maps showing the

metro’s six lines that will cover 176 km, supported by a busnetwork of 1,150 km. But with the population of Riyadhprojected to reach 8.2 million by 2030, up from the current5.7 million, “definitely we need a transportation system”, hesaid. “Ninety percent of the people here are using cars.”

Saudi Arabia is the top oil exporter in the OPEC carteland its economy has been one of the best performing inthe Group of 20 leading nations, according to theInternational Monetary Fund. Three foreign consortiumsare building the metro, with France’s Alstom, Canada’sBombardier and Germany’s Siemens among the majorparticipants. The city’s existing public transportation sys-tem includes beaten-up minibuses carrying immigrantworkers. The buses, which cough their way past office tow-ers in the business district, would look more at home inAfrica.

Continued on Page 13

$22.5bn Riyadh metro a ‘race against time’

LUSAKA: Zambia’s President MichaelSata - nicknamed “King Cobra” for hissharp rhetoric - has died, officialssaid yesterday, making his vice-presi-dent Africa’s first white head of statein decades. Sata, 77, died Tuesdaywhile undergoing treatment inLondon’s private King Edward VIIhospital for an unspecified illness,the Zambian government said.Officials had long denied Sata wassick, even prosecuting journalistswho questioned his long “workingvacations” to Israel and elsewhere.

Some Zambians responded to thenews by asking why he died in anupscale foreign hospital andexpressed anger over governmentsecrecy, including claims he wasgoing to London for a check-up.

“They were cheating,” said MundiaAkapelwa, a young mother visitingLusaka’s Soweto market. “They knewwell that he was going to seek med-ical attention. You can hide sicknessbut you can’t hide death. Now thewhole world knows that the man has

died in hospital.”In the hours following Sata’s

demise it was unclear who wouldlead the country, or his PatrioticFront party, which has been accusedof creeping authoritarianism.

Continued on Page 13

Scott becomes Africa’s firstwhite president in decades

Zambia’s ‘King Cobra’ Sata dies

Michael Sata Guy Scott

L O C A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

KUWAIT/RIYADH: His Highness the AmirSheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahreceived yesterday at Bayan Palace HH theCrown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-JaberAl-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker MarzouqAli Al-Ghanim, HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and HH thePrime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

HH the Amir, with the presence of HH theCrown Prince and Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim, also received the visiting Speaker ofShura Council of Oman Khalid bin Hilal AlMawali and his accompanying delegation.

Separately, HH the Amir received Chairmanof the Arab and International Relations CouncilMohammad Al-Sager and board members onthe occasion of the convention of the fourthmeeting of the council’s board of trustees inKuwait. HH Sheikh Sabah also received the vis-iting Iraqi Vice-President Iyad Allawi and FirstDeputy Chairman of the Arab InternationalRelations Council, as well as former Qatariprime minister and Arab InternationalRelations Council board member Hamad bin

Jassem Al-Thani on the occasion of their visitto Kuwait. The meetings were also attended byDeputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs SheikhAli Jarrah Al-Sabah.

HH the Amir also met with the visitingChairman of the Board of Trustees of the ArabFamily Organization (AFO) Jamal Al-Bah andSaif Salem Rashed Al-Shamsi. During themeeting, they presented HH the Amir with anAFO-related book.

HH Sheikh Sabah had returned homeTuesday night after paying a brotherly visit toSaudi Arabia, where he held summit talks withSaudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The meeting was held in a brotherlyatmosphere reflecting the historic relationsbetween the leadership and people of Kuwaitwith Saudi Arabia. HH the Amir and KingAbdullah discussed ways of boosting themarch of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)in all domains, as well as regional and interna-tional issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended by CrownPrince, Deputy Prime Minister and DefenseMinister Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,

Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, DeputyCrown Prince, Second Deputy Premier andKing’s Special Envoy Prince Muqren binAbdulaziz and other officials. HH the Amir alsoattended a dinner banquet held in his honorby Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz.

Upon his return, His Highness thanked theSaudi King for the warm reception and hospi-tality during his visit. In a cable to the SaudiMonarch, HH the Amir said this warm recep-tion reflected deep-rooted relations betweenthe two countries and people. HH SheikhSabah, expressing pleasure for the meetingwith the Saudi Monarch, wished KingAbdullah lasting good health and that theSaudi people enjoy sustainable prosperity.

HH the Amir was accompanied by an offi-cial delegation including Sheikh Sabah KhaledAl-Sabah, the Director of the Office of HH theAmir Ahmad Al-Fahad, Amiri Chief of ProtocolsSheikh Khaled Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-NasserAl-Sabah, Amiri Diwan Secretary for Media andCultural Affairs Yousef Al-Roumi and Kuwait’sAmbassador to Saudi Arabia Sheikh ThamerJaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. — KUNA

HH the Amir with Arab and International Relations Council board membersPrince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud sees HH the Amir off in theSaudi capital.

KUWAIT: HH the Crown Prince greets HH the Amir upon his arrivalback home. — KUNA photos

Amir receives top state, Arab officialsSheikh Sabah, King Abdullah discuss ways of boosting GCC march

HH the Amir receives a copy of the book presented by AFO Chairman Jamal Al-Bah

KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister with Omani speaker Khalid bin Hilal Al-Mawali. — KUNA

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime MinisterSheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabahreceived at Bayan Palace yesterdayChairman of Arab and InternationalRelations Council (AIRC) Mohammad JassimAl-Saqer. The meeting was attended byAssistant Undersecretary for Local Affairs inthe Diwan of HH the Prime Minister SheikhKhalid Mohammed Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.

Meanwhile, HH Sheikh Jaber met the vis-iting Speaker of Shura Council of OmanKhalid bin Hilal Al-Mawali and his accompa-nying delegation. The meeting was attend-ed by Secretary-General of the NationalAssembly Allam Al-Kandari and undersecre-tary for local affairs department at thePremier’s Diwan Sheikh Khaled MohammadAl-Khaled Al-Sabah. — KUNA

Premier receives AIRCchairman, Omani speaker

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister andForeign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-HamadAl-Sabah met with the visiting Palestinian chiefpeace negotiator Dr Saeb Erekat yesterday. Thetwo officials discussed Kuwaiti-Palestinian rela-tions and means of promoting them. The talksalso tackled the latest developments in thePalestinian territories.

The meeting was attended by Director ofArab world department AmbassadorAbdulhameed Ali Al-Failikawi and a number ofofficials from the Foreign Ministry.

Erekat took part in a seminar the night beforewhich discussed the Palestinian new strategyafter the collapse of peace negotiations withIsrael and the deterioration of instability in theregion. During the lecture, he urged for allowingvisitors from Arab countries to Jerusalem with-out stigmatizing them as seekers of “normalizingrelations with Israel.”

Erekat highlighted Kuwait’s ongoing supportto the Palestinian cause which was madestronger after Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled visited Al-Aqsa Mosque recently.

Palestinian stateMeanwhile, Erekat laid out a new plan, which

will be in effect next month, to establish an inde-pendent Palestinian state by 2017. The plan willhelp to break the stalemate of these negotia-

tions to pave the way for announcing the estab-lishment of two states based on the boundariesthat existed before the 1967 border line.

A statehood resolution is overdue forPalestine especially since it gained a non-Member Observer State status in the UnitedNations, he said, hoping that the United Stateswould not oppose to any unilateral movestowards statehood. The first step of implement-

ing the plan will mainly count on the PalestinianLiberation Organization (PLO) to be the onlylegitimate representative of the Palestinian peo-ple. The next move will be holding elections forPalestinian National Council.

The seminar was part of a Palestinian culturalactivities organized by National Council forCulture, Arts and Letters, in collaboration withthe Palestinian embassy. — KUNA

Foreign Minister meets ErekatChief Palestinian negotiator lays out statehood plan

KUWAIT: Saeb Erekat speaks during the lecture. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh

KUWAIT: Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah with Iranian Ambassador Ali Reza Enayati. (Right) Sheikh Nasser with South Korea’s Ambassador ShinBoonam. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-AhmadAl-Sabah received Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Ali Reza Enayati yester-day. In the meeting, both sides discussed issues of common interest and

had cordial discussions. Also, Sheikh Nasser Al-Sabah received SouthKorea’s Ambassador to Kuwait Shin Boonam and discussed ways ofstrengthening cooperation between the two countries. — KUNA

Amiri Diwan Minister receives envoys

BAKU: Kuwait ’s Minister of Information,Minister of State for Youth Affairs SheikhSalman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabahmet yesterday with Azeri President Ilham Aliyev.The meeting was held on sidelines of the FirstGlobal Forum on Youth Policies, held in the cap-ital Baku. Sheikh Salman Sabah told KUNA thathe conveyed greetings of His Highness the AmirSheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahwishing the Muslim country greater prosperityand advancement. Talks between the two sidestackled bilateral relations and ways of develop-ing them in various fields. Minister SheikhSalman Sabah expressed his pride that

Azerbaijan, as an Islamic state, hosted thisimportant forum on youth policies, and praisedthe development it achieved in various fields.The meeting was attended by Kuwait ’sAmbassador to Azerbaijan Saud Abdulaziz Al-Roumi, the third secretary Imad Al-Kandari andthe diplomatic attache, Abdullah Al-Hubaida.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani Minister of Youthand Sports Azad Rahimov touted the impor-tance of holding the First Global Forum onYouth Policies in Baku.

He said in a statement to KUNA that the lasttime a forum similar to the one being held nowin Baku was 15 years ago in the city of Lisbon,

giving today’s forum an added significance.There has to be a platform where the youth

of the world can congregate to toss aroundideas seminal to their lifestyles and aspirations,said the minister, noting that numerous coun-tries have shown apathy regarding youthissues, despite the ringing of alarm bells by theUN for many years, urging all countries toaddress problems of their youths.

UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon hasexpressed his delight for the convening of theforum in Baku, where youth-oriented issues willbe discussed and recommendations will bereached. — KUNA

Info Minister meets Azeri President

NEW YORK/ BERLIN: Kuwait expresseddeep concern towards the political tur-moil in Yemen that is affecting the fellowArab country’s security and economicwelfare, said a senior Kuwaiti diplomatlate Tuesday.

Kuwaiti permanent envoy to the UN,Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi, said in aletter to the UNSC leadership that theinternational community should getinvolved and support Yemen in its cur-rent predicament, helping the govern-

ment there to seek peaceful transition ofpower and solidifying notions of nation-al unity and stability.

Otaibi called for supporting the GulfCooperation Council (GCC) initiativesconcerning Yemen and also stressed theimportance of backing up UNSC resolu-tions connected with the matter.

Syrian refugeesMeanwhile, Aziz Al-Daihani, perma-

nent representative to the Arab League,said that Kuwait’s participation in aninternational conference on plight ofSyrian refugees in neighboring countriesreflects its keenness to alleviating suffer-

ing of refugees.Speaking to KUNA on sidelines of the

conference which began Tuesday,Daihani said that Kuwait has alwaysbeen helping the Syrian people “whosesuffering represents a humanitariancatastrophe following the murder ofthousands of people and displacementof millions.” He further noted that Kuwaithosted two conferences to help theSyrian people, and has pledged $800million during the two meetings. He saidKuwait Fund for Arab EconomicDevelopment (KFAED) has been execut-ing $50 million worth of projects for theSyrian refugees in neighboring coun-tries: Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.

Food securityMeanwhile, Kuwait urged the need

for the international community to movein a coordinated and sustained mannerto tackle hunger and achieve therequirements of food security.

This came in a statement delivered bythe Third Secretary of Kuwait’s perma-nent UN delegation Osama Al-Jassar atthe Economic Committee, amid talks onagricultural development and food secu-rity. Kuwait continues to support inter-national efforts for enabling developingand underdeveloped nations reach sus-tainable and agricultural development inorder to achieve food security, he said.

Since it was founded, the KuwaitFund for Arab Economic Developmenthas contributed more than $18 billionthrough 931 development projects toover 100 countries. Some $1.9 billion ofthese were focused on the developmentof the agricultural sector. Separately onclimate change, Kuwait called on theinternational community to do more totackle its negative effects through “seri-ous national strategies” based on inter-national conventions. — KUNA

Kuwait worries aboutYemen situation: Diplomat

Mansour Al-Otaibi

L O C A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: Occupy Central Movement,the continuing struggle and protestby students in the economic hub ofthe world - Hong Kong - is illegal andhas no basis to continue, said CuiJianchun, Ambassador of China toKuwait. The ambassador, who spokewith local reporters at the ChineseEmbassy yesterday, said there is abasic law that governs Hong Kong’sgovernment and it must be respect-ed at all time. “Hong Kong is China’sadministrative region and its affairsfully fall within China’s domesticaffairs,” Cui warned, adding no for-eign government, institution or per-son has the right to interfere as thecentral government of Beijing is per-forming its duty well to protect itspeople in accordance with the lawand safeguarding the rule of law andsocial order of Hong Kong.

Cui said after British rule ended in1997, Hong Kong has been runningits affairs under the watchful eye ofChina and it has its own constitutionand basic law. “Contrasting thedemands of the students, the basiclaw in Hong Kong said that the HongKong executive must be nominatedby the 1,200-member nominationcommittee mandated by the basiclaw in Hong Kong and this was notinvented by the Hong Kong authori-ties or the Chinese authorities. Therule of law must be respected andobserved by everyone in Hong Kongand we will not allow anyone to dis-tract us because it will definitely set abad example for other Chineseregions demanding secession frommainland China. We want to managethe problem properly, observing therights of every citizen and people,”said Cui.

He said the Hong Kong people areangry because their daily life hasbeen disrupted but dialoguebetween the government and stu-dent protesters is ongoing and hasbeen very positive in the last fewdays. “There is no single country inthe world ruled by the street protest-ers. We have rules to follow and wesubscribe to the one-China policyand two systems and they beingobserved thoroughly. It is clear thatthe committee has been mandatedby the law to select 2 to 3 candidates

in order to be elected as HK execu-tive. The 2-3 nominees will be chosenby the entire Hong Kong populationif they are registered voters. The1,200-member nomination commit-tee is from various sectors and HongKong people are well-represented.The Occupy Central wants to nomi-nate the 2-3 representatives to beelected by the people. Well, that isnot what the basic law says,” Cuiexplained.

According to Cui, the studentsand Hong Kong government are cur-rently engaged in productive dia-logue and that everyone is aware ofthe consequences. The ambassadorstressed the rule of law will beobserved as reiterated during theFourth Plenary Session of the 18th

Central Committee of the CommunistParty of China which was held on Oct20-23 in Beijing. “The general target isto form a system serving the socialistrule of law with Chinese characteris-tics and build a country under thesocialist rule of law,” he added. “Chinawill ensure the leadership of CPC inthe socialist rule of law with Chinesecharacteristics,” he mentioned.

The major tasks are to improve thesocialist system of laws with Chinesecharacteristics in which the constitu-tion is taken as the core to strengthenthe implementation of the constitu-tion, to promote administration bylaw, to speed up building a law-abid-ing government, to safeguard thejudicial justice system, to improve

judicial credibility, to promote thepublic awareness of the rule of lawand to speed up the rule of law.

Strong cooperationWith regards to bilateral relations

between two countries, Cui saidKuwait and China are trying theirbest to further enhance their alreadystrong cooperation in all fronts.“Kuwait is being considered by Chinaas a very important partner in theregion. Since June, we have high-lev-el delegations and exchanges of vis-its from officials of both countries.The Xinhua News Agency visitedKuwait and next year KUNA will visitChina. There is cooperation in educa-tion wherein universities will alsoengage in exchange visits. We are try-

ing to arrange the visit of two highestofficials of our lands and we hope itwill happen next year. The Kuwaitiprime minister has already visitedChina and it resulted in many accom-plishments most importantly thesigning of ten major agreementsfrom banking, relaxing visa proce-dures for diplomats, Kuwaiti fundprojects, oil supply, the Silk Roadprojects and refinery among others,”he said.

In the battle against IS, Cui men-tioned their absolute support andcooperation with the internationalcommunity to defeat terrorism. “Weare supporting the effort being madeby the international community todefeat terrorism. The common enemy

of the world today is terrorism and itposes a serious threat to internation-al security and development. Theinternational community should car-ry out extensive cooperation to joint-ly combat terrorism in accordancewith the charter of the UnitedNations and other universally recog-nized international law and norms.China maintains our policy to stayvigilant against the development ofinternational terrorism and crackdown on any attempt of terrorism tospread, instigate and sell terroristideas, recruits and finance theirattacks, with the use of Internet andmodern communications technolo-gies,” he added.

Combating EbolaOn helping combating the Ebola

outbreak, Cui said they have alreadysent about 200 experts and medicalworkers to stricken West Africancountries for much-needed humani-tarian assistance. “We have a total of234 million yuan in assistance givento West Africa in the form of preven-tion and medical treatment, includ-ing food and cash,” he mentioned. “Althese measures are well-received bythe international community andlauded by West African states, the UNand WHO. Yesterday, Premier LiKeqiang announced at the summit ofthe Asia-Europe Meeting that Chinawill provide a fourth batch of assis-tance amounting to at least 100 mil-lion yuan. We also prepared 60 ambu-lances, 100 motorbikes, 10,000 kitsfor disease prevention and nursing aswell as 150,000 sets of personal pro-tective equipment,” he added. Chinais also preparing a donation of about$6 million to UN’s Ebola ResponseMulti-Partner Trust Fund to supportefforts made by the UN.

Cui also announced hosting onNov 5-11 the APEC Economic LeadersWeek including the concluding sen-ior officials’ meeting on Nov 5-6 andAPEC Ministerial Meeting on Nov 7-8and the 26th APEC Economic LeadersMeeting on Nov 10-11. During themeeting, China will also host theAPEC CEO Summit, APEC BusinessAdvisory Council and Dialogue withLeaders and Leaders’ SpousePrograms. This year’s APEC theme is“Shaping the Future through Asia-Pacific Partnership”.

Occupy Central Movement is illegal,no basis to continue: Ambassador

Chinese Embassy addresses bilateral relations, Ebola and IS

KUWAIT: Ambassador Cui Jianchun speaks at the press conferenceyesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

CAIRO: President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi during his interview with KUNA ChairmanSheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Sabah — KUNA

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi said yesterday in an interview withKuwait News Agency Board Chairman andDirector General Sheikh Mubarak Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah that Egyptian nationalsecurity is closely linked to the security ofthe Arab Gulf region.

President Al-Sisi has underscored theclose link between Egyptian and Arab Gulfsecurity during the interview, said EgyptianPresidential Spokesman Alaa Youssef in apress briefing on the main points tackled inthe interview, which will be aired in full byKUNA on Saturday. Youssef noted that thePresident has laid it bare that any leniencyin protecting Arab Gulf region security isconsidered a leniency in maintainingEgyptian security as Egypt and the Gulfregion share the same destiny and future.

He pointed out that President Al-Sisi’sinterview with KUNA focused on theprospects of Kuwaiti-Egyptian relations andefforts exerted to enhance Egyptian-Gulfcooperation in different domains.

It also tackled the political and economicdevelopments in Egypt and the challengesfacing Egyptian economy, the governmentefforts to attract foreign investments and themega national projects that the governmentis implementing currently, said Youssef. Hestated that the interview touched uponEgypt’s relations with the world after 30June, 2013, events and the ouster of formerpresident Mohammad Morsi as well asEgypt’s vision on terrorism fighting. The pres-ident also clarified to KUNA Egypt’s stance ofthe recent developments in several Arabcountries, he said. — KUNA

Egypt’s national securitylinked to Gulf’s: Sisi

Egyptian president meets KUNA chief

KUWAIT: A specialized committee at theMunicipality Council agreed to a propos-al to tear down Dasman Palace and haveit rebuilt as a presentable headquartersfor the nation’s ruler, the committeechairman told reporters yesterday.

Dasman Palace is a historic building ofgreat emotional content to manyKuwaitis, having survived decades ofevents experienced by generations of

Kuwaitis, said the chairman Manea Al-Ajmi. He stressed that the palace hasbeen a landmark location in the heart ofKuwait city and should be preserved inthat location for its historic significance,provided it is updated and put to practi-cal use. Once completed, the palacecould be under the supervision of theCabinet or the Kuwait Municipality, hepointed out. — KUNA

Historic DasmanPalace to be rebuilt

KUWAIT: On Saturday, November 1, 2014, the US Embassyin Kuwait will sponsor an educational fair at the MarinaHotel, Salmiya from 6:00-9:00 pm. The fair provides achance for Kuwaiti students to meet with representativesfrom more than 15 accredited US colleges and universities,who will help Kuwaiti students explore higher educationopportunities in the United States. US Ambassador toKuwait Douglas Silliman will open the fair.

The following schools will be represented at the fair: StCloud State University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, SaintLouis University, University of Alabama, Rutgers- The StateUniversity of New Jersey, Columbia University, NorthernArizona University, University of Missouri, MiddleTennessee State University, Case Western ReserveUniversity. Bentley University, State University of New York-University at Buffalo, Willamette University. West Virginia

University, University of Oklahoma and AmericanConsortium of Universities: West Chester University ofPennsylvania, University of North Carolina Greensboro, andValparaiso University.

EducationUSA advisers and U.S. Embassy consular offi-cers will be present at the fair to address students’ ques-tions related to studying in the U.S. and the student visaprocess. U.S. Embassy youth alumni will also be present toshare their experiences in Embassy-sponsored youth pro-grams in Kuwait.

For more information on the fair, visit the linkhttp://www.facebook.com/useembassyq8. More informa-tion about studying in the U.S. is available on the followinglink:

http://www.educationusa.state.gov/.Visit us online at kuwait.usembassy.gov

Embassy hosts USUniversity Fair in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Cancer Awareness Nation (CAN) launched acampaign Tuesday to raise awareness about healthy life-style aimed at preventing colon and rectum cancer.

The two-month campaign aims at raising awarenessamong the public about the healthy life-style throughholding workshops and lectures in NGOs, authorities,schools, companies and banks with the ultimate objec-tive of reducing cancer types including colon and rec-tum, said Dr Khaled Al-Saleh, CAN campaign deputychief. The campaign, he said in a statement at thelaunch, seeks healthy life-style based on healthy dietand physical exercises.

He added that 30 percent of cancer cases could havebeen prevented if patients were adopting healthyhabits. Saleh said number of colon and rectum cases inKuwait has increased five-folds in the past 33 years.

Thabet Al-Muhanna, Governor of the CapitalGovernorate, said all health systems called for healthylife-style. He said media should play greater role to edu-cate people about the benefits of healthy diet coupledwith exercises.

The CAN campaign has been launched in YarmoukArea, which was chosen by the World HealthOrganization (WHO) as a model healthy area. — KUNA

CAN launches colon, rectumcancer awareness campaign

Kuwait, Omanmull further cooperationKUWAIT: National Assembly SpeakerMarzouq Al-Ghanim received yesterdaythe visiting Speaker of Shura Council ofOman Khalid bin Hilal Al-Mawali and hisaccompanying delegation.

Ghanim and Mawali held talks on theways of strengthening cooperationbetween the two countries as well ascoordinating efforts in the internationalforums.

In a statement by General Secretariatof National Assembly, Mawali referred tothe visit’s positive outcomes, commend-ing his meeting earlier in the day withHis Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

In a related development, Ghanimheld a lunch banquet in honor of Mawaliand the delegation accompanying him.The Omani speaker has left Kuwait, end-ing up a three-day official visit to thecountry. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Marzouq Al-Ghanim receives his Omani counterpart Khalid AlMawali yesterday. — KUNA

Sheikh Mohammed and KFSD officials in a group photo.

L O C A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

CrimeR e p o r t

Fugitive nabbed at checkpoint

Security men arrested a wanted man at a checkpoint inMahboula. The arrest was made when the man left his carand started running, so policemen chased and caughthim. Hashish, shabu and 15 Captagon tablets were foundon him. He was also found wanted on rape charges.

Visa violatorsarrested

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: Detectives carried out a campaign in Fahaheelindustrial area that resulted in the arrest of 64 visa violatorswho were sent to concerned authorities for further action.

Beggar caught

Jahra police arrested a Yemeni beggar who harassedworshippers at a Jahra mosque, claiming he was a Gulfnational facing financial difficulties.

Building janitormugged

KUWAIT: Three suspects armed with axes attacked a build-ing janitor in Maidan Hawally and took KD 320, mobilephones and keys that belong to a Jordanian and stole hercar. The janitor told police he was attacked in his room andthreatened to be killed if he did not give what he had.Detectives are investigating.

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) held apresentation at their workshop complex in Rai yesterday ofThermo-man, showing flames engulfing a figure wearingfirefighting gear that included 122 sensitive parts to meas-

ure second and third degree burns in a 1,000 degreesCelsius fire for 8 seconds. New vehicles and equipmentswere also displayed at the event.

Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, StateMinister for Cabinet Affairs, assured the KFSD is ready forthe rainy season by readying new and modern equipmentthat is able to deal with floods and disasters. “They have allcomponents to deal with accidents, and they already havetested it during many previous accidents. The governmentis always supporting the brave firefighters,” he pointed out.

Deputy General Director for HR Development andFighting Department Brigadier Khalid Al-Mikrad said thatKFSD is focusing on human resources and provides highestprotection for them during their work. “We provide fire-fighters with the best equipments and vehicles to ensuretheir safety. Today we present Thermo-man that tests thequality of firefighting gear to ensure their high standardand compatibility with safety and security measures,” henoted. “The Thermo-man creates the same drastic condi-tions that the firefighters face during their work. This testshould show the resistance efficiency ratio of the firefight-ing gear to ensure avoiding any weakness or shortfalls inthese uniforms in order to provide top protection accord-ing to international standards,” added Mikrad.

“The Thermo-man is a very expensive machine, so KFSDhasn’t purchased it. It is available in Dubai, and we willrequire from companies that are supplying us with fire-fighting gear to test their products with this machine first.We have always bought the best quality suits to ensure thesafety of our firefighters,” he added.

Raising awarenessThe problems facing the firefighters are mainly not

caused by the quality of their suits -it’s the incorrect way ofwearing them. Sometimes when the weather is hot, theydon’t wear helmets or gloves, or they open a part of thejacket, which is dangerous. “We also aim to make all fire-fighters aware to stick to instructions properly while wear-ing their outfits,” explained Mikrad.

PR and Media Director Colonel Khalil Al-Amir stressedthe importance of searching for the latest equipment inthe prevention field. “Prevention is the main pillar in avoid-ing accidents. The KFSD is dealing with the best companiesto provide the latest equipment for the firefighters.Cooperation with Sadan Company is an example, as theyprovided Thermo-man,” he stated.

General Manager of Sadan Naser Burisly said that thecompany is keen to provide the latest technology in thefirefighting field. “There are only three Thermo-mansaround the world, and it’s one of the best machines to eval-uate tests of the ratio of burn injuries caused by fire. Thisstrengthens the ability of evaluating the dangers of certainwork and helps in preserving the highest safety and pro-tection levels,” he noted.

KFSD seeks to ensure firemen’s safety Thermo-man to the rescue!

Angry, armed driver

A citizen lost his temper when another honked behindhim, so he got out of his car with a shotgun and firedat the motorist, injuring his hand in the process beforeescaping. Detectives are working to arrest the suspect.

Drug possession

Ahmadi patrols sent three citizens to the narcotics authori-ties after being caught with 11 heroin envelopes and para-phernalia. One of the arrested is wanted to serve a four-year jail sentence on a felony.

Property damage

A citizen accused a woman he knows of deliberatelydamaging his car because of previous disputes. Hesaid the woman trailed until she got the opportunityin the parking lot of a Jahra co-op branch, and dam-aged his car. Police are investigating.

Ruptured eardrum

A citizen was charged with attacking and severely injuringan Asian whose eardrum ruptured because of a car accident.

Twitter insult

A former MP accused three persons of insulting him onTwitter. The former MP told Surra police about what hap-pened and detectives are investigating. —Al-Rai

KUWAIT: Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah watches the Thermo-man testing display. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

The Thermo-man suit before the test.

CrimeR e p o r t

Beggar in Abaya caught

Jahra police arrested an Indian expat for beggingwhile dressed in an Abaya and pretending to be anArab in Saad Al-Abdullah. She had collected KD 10 intwo hours. Jahra security director Maj Gen Ibrahim Al-Tarra ordered her deportation.

Foul play

Hawally prosecutor decided to consider the death of anIndian woman by hanging as a suspected felony untilreceiving the medical report from the criminal evidence.Her husband has been detained. Separately, the body of aPakistani was found with his hands and legs tied and anapparent injury to the head. Detectives are working toidentify the murderer.

Alcohol busted

An Ahmadi security campaign resulted in the confisca-tion of 36 locally-made liquor bottles. Five traffic cita-tions were issued.

Police station fire

Security sources said the heavily-guarded Sulaibiya policestation caught fire for unknown reasons. Fire engines werecalled to deal with the blaze.

The drugs found with the fugitive

KUWAIT: A security meeting took placeyesterday at the Interior Ministry with a

high ranking British delegation. Themeeting was chaired by Dr Fahad Al-

Dousary, Director General of CriminalEvidence Maj Gen, Maj Gen AsaadAbdulrahman, Director General ofLegal Affairs Department, and severalofficers from the special security sector- Aircraft Protection Department. Themeeting discussed cooperation in allsecurity fields.

In other news, Maj Gen Dr Eid AbuSaleeb, Assistant Undersecretary forBack-up Services Affairs, inspected sev-eral Interior Ministry buildings underconstruction in Ahmadi governorate.

Meanwhile, a committee preparingfor the meeting of interior ministries’undersecretaries in Gulf CooperationCouncil (GCC) countries, to be held onnext month in Kuwait, held a meetingyesterday to discuss preparations toreceive the GCC officials.

Interior, UK delegation hold talks

KUWAIT: Interior Ministry officials during the meeting with the UKdelegation.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior is keepingpace with modern technology to facilitateservices for citizens and residents, DeputyPrime Minister and Interior Minister SheikhMohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabahsaid yesterday.

Continuous modernization is basic forupgrading efficiency of security work, SheikhMohammad Al-Khaled said in a press state-ment following his inauguration of the sec-ond phase of the smart apparatuses systemproject. The Minister highlighted the greatprogress realized at the Ministry’s GeneralDepartment of Information System, whichmatches world achievements on the securityand information levels.

He also said that the information technolo-gy and communications sector shouldershuge burden of developing and supportingthe security strategy to combat crime with itssocial and economic dimensions. —KUNA

‘Interior keeps pace with modern technology’

KUWAIT: Sheikh Mohammad checks ministry applications ona tablet at the inauguration yesterday. —KUNA

KUWAIT: The Borhani Islamic Bohra center inKuwait held an event recently to commemo-rate the martyrdom of the grandson ofProphet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Al-Hussein. The event was attended by mem-bers of the Bohra community in Kuwait who,

listened to a speech by the Bohra Sultan’sgrandson, Abdu Tayyeb Qossai Wajeehuddin.

In his speech, Wajeehuddin reviewed thelegacy of the great Prophet (PBUH) and thesacrifices of his grandson. He also urged allBohra community members to cling to

Islam and fully respect Kuwaiti laws. In addi-tion, Wajeehuddin reviewed his grandfa-ther’s contributions and traits and wishedthe new Sultan and His Highness the Amirof Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabahall the best.

Bohra center commemorates Imam Al-Hussein

KUWAIT: Wajeehuddin speaks at the event. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

Public Prosecution delegation held

talks in OmanMUSCAT: A Kuwait Public Prosecution delegation met yes-terday with Head of Administrative Court Justice MajedAbdullah Al-Alawi. During the meeting, Al-Alawi welcomedthe Kuwaiti delegation and made a presentation to the dele-gation members about the court’s jurisdiction and mecha-nism of work. The Kuwait delegation held a separate meet-ing with Deputy Head of the Supreme Court who briefedthem about the jurisdiction of various Omani courts. Thetwo meetings have also tackled means to bolster bilateraljudicial cooperation between Kuwait and Oman. —KUNA

Home tents allowedKUWAIT: MP Madhi Al-Hajri said Kuwait Municipalityagreed to allow erecting tents in front of homes duringcamping season only. Al-Hajri said that CommunicationsMinister, State Minister for Municipality Affairs Essa Al-Kandary told him that he agrees to have tents in front ofhomes during camping period. —Al-Rai

A general view of people in attendance.

L O C A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

KUWAIT: Kuwait ranks 86th among 189 states, and the 8th atthe Arab level, with respect of easy business, according to theWorld Bank’s “ease of doing business index.”

This classification came in the WB’s annual report in 2015,said Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Director-General of the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority(KDIPA), in an interview with KUNA, adding that Kuwait recorded63.11 points near the highest performance level index. This isslightly higher than the rating of the 2014, registered at 63.05.Also by comparison, Singapore recorded approximately 8.27points, retaining the top status at the level of easy businesses.

The World Bank makes the assessment in this respect on thebasis of ranking the targeted countries between the level zeroand 100. Sheikh Meshaal stated in his remarks to KUNA that“start of the improvement in Kuwait’s (business) status, as men-tioned in the report between early June 2013 and end of May,

came as a result expansion of electronic applications and install-ment of electronic means for making transactions, thus shorten-ing duration of some procedures by diverse proportions.”

Updated legislationsHe also indicated that Kuwait has succeeded in elevating lev-

el of its rating also due to upgrading and amending relevant leg-islations by the concerned government authorities that aremembers in the permanent committee for improving the busi-ness environment.

Elaborating, the KDIPA chairman noted that Kuwait’s status, inthe 2015 report, was negatively affected with hiking the mini-mum capital and fees on commercial permits. “These two mat-ters will be tackled in an appropriate manner and according tothe best practices,” he affirmed.

The KDIPA was established, according to a Cabinet resolution

in December 2013, with the members comprising the ministriesof commerce, industry, justice, power and water and the munici-pality. Its formation was in response to drop of Kuwait’s rating to101 from among 185 states, in the WB’s 2013 report, and to 104among 189 countries in the 2014 report.

Sheikh Meshaal added that the permanent committeefocused its efforts, this year, on dealing with practical measuresconcerning companies’ founding, construction permits’ transac-tions, securing power and property registration, noting that ithad to get involved in these intensive tasks due to the limitedduration of time since the commission’s start of its works earlyApril till end of May, 2014, the date set by the WB group fordelivering required documents, needed for the assessment.

He indicated that the commission would deal with someproblems at this level and prepared for the next assessment duefor 2016. — KUNA

By Sajeev K Peter

KUWAIT: Kuwait Kerala Islahi Center (KKIC) is organizing amajor conference titled ‘Wisdom Global Islamic Mission’ onFriday and Saturday (Oct 31 and Nov 1) at the Grand Mosque.

Kuwait’s Minister of Oil Ali Al-Omair, Kerala’s Minister forAgriculture K P Mohan, Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain, FormerKerala minister M P Veerendra Kumar, Kerala PradeshCongress Committee General Secretary P Sidheeq, AwqafAssistant Undersecretary Sheikh Dawood Al-Asoosi, IslamicHeritage Committee Chairman Sheikh Tareq Al-Eissa andIndian Continental Committee Chairman Sheikh Falah Al-Mutairi will deliver lectures and presentations on a widerange of topics.

In addition to the top array of dignitaries, scholars fromIndia, the UAE and Kuwait will also attend the conference invarious sessions.

“‘Wisdom Global Islamic Mission’ is a new endeavor forspreading the message of Islam to maximum people world-wide, integrating and mobilizing the academic, intellectualand the cultural resources,” said KKIC president P NAbdullatheef Madani during a press conference. “The confer-ence is also expected to mobilize the scientific and technolog-ical expertise of Muslims to facilitate the creation of a thriving,dynamic, proactive and inclusive community,” he added.

On the second day, the Islamic Students Conference -ISCON2014 for teenage students of Indian schools in Kuwaitwill be held that will mainly focus on students’ moral, intellec-tual and social development. This is the third students’ confer-ence successfully organized by KKIC in coordination withKISM. It is a day-long workshop for teenage students of Indianschools focusing on their mental, moral, social and education-al development.

The scholars who participate in the sessions are MujahidBalussery, Faizulla Madani (Karnataka), Arshad Khan (Dubai),

Prof Haris Bin Saleem, Prof Sabir Nawas, Kunji MuhammedParapur and P N Abdullatheef Madani.

‘Wisdom Global Mission’ is a five-phase project includingadvance education, relief for the poor people and their devel-opment, dissemination of true Islamic message from its realsources, interaction with other religious scholars etc, addedMadani.

He informed that the first level of wisdom root was inaugu-rated in Calicut, Kerala by Saudi Prince Sheikh Faisal bin AbdulAzeez. “Wisdom intends to propagate this invaluable message

to the whole humanity irrespective of caste, color, creed andreligious barriers. It also focuses on peace and tranquilityamong the whole community in India and the rest of theworld,” he said.

In addition to KKIC president PN Abdullatheef Madani,General Secretary TP Abdul Azeez and chief coordinator ofWisdom Global Islamic Mission Sabir Nawas also addressedthe conference. Others who attended the conference includedSakeer Koyilandi, AM Abdussamad, Sunash Shukoor, TPAnvar and Aslam Kapad.

Kuwait 86th in easy business assessmentWB annual report ranks 189 states

‘Wisdom Global Islamic Mission’ to be held at Grand MosqueKKIC hosts conference to spread message of Islam

Sheikh Dr Meshaal Al-Sabah

The senior officials at the press conference.

KUWAIT: KAMCO organized a breast can-cer awareness lecture for its employeesduring the month of October, in line withthe international recognition of this healthissue in this time period. The lecture wastitled ‘How can I protect myself from breastcancer?’

KAMCO welcomed Dr Faisal Al-Terkait,MBBS, MRCP, CCT, a medical oncology con-sultant at the Kuwait Cancer ControlCenter, to conduct the lecture that coveredimportant topics in the field of breast can-cer that women need to be aware of tosave their own life or someone else’s. Dr

Terkait emphasized on early detectioncheckups and ways to prevent breast can-cer through healthy diet and exercise.

Sana Al-Hadlaq, Senior Vice President ofthe Marketing and Client RelationshipDepartment at KAMCO said, “We arepleased to witness high attendance to thisinitiative, and an active interactionbetween the attendees and the lecturer. Aspart of KAMCO’s corporate social responsi-bility program, we will continue to supportand focus on health, education and theenvironment in order to mark a positiveimpact in our society.”

KAMCO organizes breastcancer awareness lecture

Dr Faisal Al-Terkait is awarded after the lecture.

KUWAIT: Chairperson of the KuwaitSociety for the Ideal Family Sheikha FarihaAl-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah urged stateand social institutions concerned with theyoung generation to play due role toenhance the sense of national belonging.

Overlooking pushing the youth to bearmed with science and encouragingthem to get involved in the labor market,opens the door wide for them to violence,

crime, drugs and the like, Sheikha Farihasaid in a press statement yesterday.

She underlined the necessity of caringfor the young since early age, providingthem with a safe environment, and lateron, with the proper jobs to participate inbuilding the nation.

Sheikha Fariha also called for protect-ing young people against insidiousthoughts through awareness campaignsand conferences in which they take part.Caring for the expectations of the youngpeople and addressing their problemsand the obstacles facing them is neces-sary so as not to fall prey to bodies work-ing against Kuwait interests.

The Chairperson of the Ideal Familycalled on the state institutions and theprivate sector to adopt and supportexpectations of the Kuwaiti youth, open-ing the door for them to express theirconcerns and hopes, as well as removingall obstacles that might face their future.

She also appealed to parents to avertfamily violence, regarded as a major rea-son for the spread of violence and extrem-ism among youth. Fathers have also tomonitor their children’s use of the internetto safeguard them against ideas andbehaviors that are strange to the Kuwaitiintegrated society. — KUNA

Calls for enhancingyouth national belonging

Sheikha Fariha Al-Sabah

L O C A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

By Labeed Abdal

local@kuwaittimes.net

E-security and education quality

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) coun-tries plan to discuss the latest technologies andissues pertaining with e-security, such as cloud

computing and large data storage protection, as well asthe need to establish international cooperation againstcyber attacks. This is an important step in an electronicworld. The discussions will tackle the urgent need to pre-cisely deal with the latest technologies on e-security,especially that this field affects economic developmentand national security.

Both the public and private sectors need to under-stand the importance of e-security and the challengesbrought by the shortage of protection measures.Governments and parliaments are required to activatepartnership between the public and private sectors toput data safety as a priority in order to tackle these chal-lenges. In Kuwait, we need a strong electronic infrastruc-

ture based on a strong protection system against hack-ers’ attacks. Another topic I would like to address is theEuropean Union’s announcement of reinforcing the useof new technologies in higher education at memberstates, and focusing more on digital learning. This con-firms people’s need of high scientific levels in order toguarantee quality production.

The step that Europe takes to face the challenges ofincreased numbers of students, especially with increas-ing migration, drives countries to enhance the quality ofeducation, and subsequently efficiency as well. Focusingon realistic and scientific steps by using the best thatnew technologies have to offer in education is a stepthat reflects a long-term vision. Europe remains a protec-tor of the initiative in defending human rights, educa-tion, inventions and human achievements. Other coun-tries are required to keep up, as laziness can never betaken as a road towards victory.

In my view

Both the public and privatesectors need to understand the

importance of e-security and thechallenges brought by the short-

age of protection measures.

Secretary General of Hashd, former MP Musallam Al-Barrak, has strange ideas and despite this attractsinterest and support from many. The latest of Abu

Humoud’s ideas is social isolation that he and his follow-ers are trying to impose against the regime and its sup-porters. Kuwait’s people are lazy, and that is why theyinvented diwaniyas and late-night events. The diwaniyaswith their current formation and purposes are not aKuwaiti tradition as many believe - rather it is a moderntradition that came along by the wealth and unemploy-ment made available by oil.

The diwaniyas were originally for the nokhathas(skippers). They meet in them with sailors and hostedstrangers or those from faraway places, while seniormerchants used it on certain occasions and Eids only,not like now - open 24 hours because of unemployment.Kuwaitis used to work from six to six, from sunrise tosunset, and that is why no one other than skippers hadthe opportunity to go to diwaniyas, because night wastime for sleeping for those who worked hard during theday. Unemployment and availability of oil did not inventthe diwaniya gathering only, but also created greetingsand well-wishing during happy events, visiting the sick,

dinner buffets and finally visiting the cemetery and con-dolences.

Barrak, along with some youth, are calling for boy-cotting these contemporary phenomena that wasfounded by unemployment and encouraged by theavailability of wealth that comes without effort or workthat requires rest and saving energy. This is the first timeBarrak has acted progressively in a way that agrees withtoday’s societies. Boycotting diwaniyas and condolencegatherings that occupy the time of most state officials isa progressive call that serves the hard-working society.Yet, can the secretary general of Hashd, or even others,confront these phenomena and convince Kuwaitis toget rid of them?!

I doubt this very much. These phenomena are theproduction of the wealth and unemployment society,and it is not easy to get rid of or boycott them, besidesnot having an alternative. Frankly, if Musallam Al-Barrakand his group boycott diwaniyas and other events, wherewill they go and how will they spend their time, whilebeing lazier than people, because the Kuwait society isintertwined. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas

Where will you go?

kuwait digest

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

Irecently had the honor of accompanying the social sciences col-lege dean, colleague Dr Hanan Al-Hajri, and a group of politicalscience students to visit KAC’s board director Rasha Al-Roumi to

thank her and KAC crew for contributing in supporting the scientif-ic section students’ trip to the UN headquarters in New York.

With her humbleness and spontaneity, Roumi did not hide herconcern of attempts to delay the process of developing GCC’s old-est airline and the endless problems, bad reputation and consider-able losses the carrier has been suffering. She said that things hadgone as bad like losing passengers’ trust and falling back behind tothe tail of GCC aviation service providers’ list as well as the numberand condition of planes its fleet includes to cover flights world-wide.

Roumi’s feeling that such hindrances were deliberately put inher way merely because she is a woman who should not be the‘savior’ of this floundering project where many men had failedmight be true. However, I do not find this the only success obstaclein working for the government in Kuwait. The real problem at KACand many governmental sectors stems from conflict of interestsamongst corruption icons in the absence of hope to impose apolitical-wise ‘red-eye policy’. Reform and fighting corruption hasbecome a personal effort and individual risk facing endless hin-drances, troubles and slander that end up victimizing ‘reformists’themselves and forcing them to quit public service.

I do hope that Roumi, with her genuine Kuwaiti personality andpatriotism, would fight these ‘high waves’ the way her martyredhusband fought the occupation troops, recording one of Kuwait’srare heroism stories. We do agree that KAC needs a modern fleetthat befits the history of this establishment and echo the state’spotentials. The sums spent on its losses and temporary solutions ofits problems are not less than those needed for the revolutionaryreforms led by Roumi, who should know for sure that the entireKuwaiti people would surely and strongly support and back her toregain KAC’s status, especially if she adopts transparency and directtransactions without using brokers or middlemen, focusing on get-ting more benefits for the Kuwaiti side in future plane leasing orpurchase deals and getting rid of merchants readily awaiting todevour it.

Developing the Kuwait Airways fleet will not be the magicwand taking it to its previous golden age which closely dependson success in reforming the civil aviation sector, building a new air-port that befits Kuwait and launching more destinations openingup to the whole world. These are state requirements that are farbeyond the capabilities of Mrs Roumi and her administrative andtechnical staffs. Taking into consideration that Roumi or any otherofficial should be held accountable in case of failing to do theirjobs, let us leave her be fly up high in the skies of development andreform! — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida

Up, up and away KAC!kuwait digest

By Dr Hassan Abdullah Jouhar

The Palestinian government says that closed cir-cuit cameras will monitor the thousands of tonsof cement that will be needed to rebuild homes

in the Gaza Strip that were destroyed or damaged dur-ing the summer’s fighting between Israel and Hamasin Gaza. A Palestinian security source said that thecameras have been installed and the purpose is toensure that Hamas will not be able to rebuild the net-work of tunnels that were built under Gaza includingsome that were meant to be used to attack Israel. Israeldestroyed about 30 tunnels during the fighting withHamas, which left more than 2100 Palestinians and 70Israelis dead.

Israel allowed 600 tons of cement to enter Gaza lastweek during the visit of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. The international community recently donate$5.4 billion for Gaza reconstruction. Speaking to theSecurity Council this week Ban said donors should paytheir pledges quickly so that reconstruction can beginbefore the winter’s rains begin in earnest.

“Nothing could have prepared me for what I wit-nessed in Gaza. I saw mile after mile of wholesaledestruction,” Ban said.

The UN says that more than 100,000 residents ofGaza remain homeless with over 50,000 still living inUN-run school buildings. Many Gazans still do nothave clean drinking water, and electricity is often onfor just six hours each day.

“The clock is ticking. $414million is immediately need-ed for humanitarian relief,$1.2 billion for early recoveryneeds and $2.4 billion forreconstruction efforts,” Bansaid.

UN official James Rawleyhas confirmed the set up ofcameras “to help ensure thesecurity of vendor facilitiesand the safeguarding of theirown supplies,” but says “party affiliation is not part ofthe mechanism, which is based on humanitarian andreconstruction needs.” He said that someone whosehome was destroyed will be required to present hisPalestinian ID to an approved vendor in Gaza whencollecting his/her materials, but did not specify what‘approved’ meant.

‘Terrible’ situationGaza based journalist Mohammed Faiad says the

winter rain has already begun, and people do not wantto spend winter without a roof over their heads. “Manypeople are without homes. There are no homes to rent.And it takes more than one month to build a home. Idon’t know what these people are going to do,” hesaid.

Rawley describes the current situation as “terrible”.“There are tens of thousands of people in Gaza who

need to get to access to construction materials ASAP,”Rawley said. The first shipments of materials havecrossed into Gaza but we still need a number of weeksto fully set up the mechanism.”

Last week, a trilateral mechanism was announced at

the donor conference in Cairo. Israel, the PalestinianAuthority and the United Nations agreed to facilitatethe movement of necessary building materials intoGaza.

The materials are only allowed through the check-point that the Palestinians call Karem Abu Salem cross-ing and the Israelis call Karem Shalom Crossing. It wassent to designated warehouses where it is being helduntil the reconstruction begins.

“The merchants of those stores will screen familymembers, taking their name and why they want thesupplies and if they pass they can get it,” thePalestinian security source said. “This is to make sure itdoes not go to Hamas or Islamic Jihad to make tun-nels.”

Donors moneyA timetable has not been set but Palestinian

observers have said that rebuilding Gaza depends onthe donors transferring the money immediately to thePA. It also depends on Israel and its willingness to facil-itate the movement of the cement and keep the cross-ings open.

“Will donor pledges be forthcoming? Will the cease-fire in Gaza hold up? Will further steps be taken tostrengthen the (Palestinian) government of nationalconsensus in Gaza? Will other aspects of the blockade

progressively be loosenedthereby improving the econ-omy (and purchasing power)in Gaza?” asked Rawley.

Officials from thePalestinian Authority sayIsrael must not stop materialsgoing into Gaza.

“Israel must commit tocalm. Gaza is a part ofPalestine and the crossingsmust be opened,” PalestinianPrime Minister Rami

Hamdallah recently told Ramallah reporters in a jointnews conference alongside UN Secretary General BanKi-moon.

Gaza based political and security analyst Hani AlBasoos says the rebuilding process is going slowly andmore supplies are needed. “Each day, Gaza needs 3000tons of cement to keep the process of rebuilding Gazastable,” he said.

The UN says that beyond the immediate effects ofthe war, Gaza has a long-standing deficit in energy,housing and water.

“The devastation in Gaza is truly immense andunder the best of circumstances will take a number ofyears to rebuild,” Rawley said.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian security source in Gazasays the trilateral mechanism will not be able to stopHamas or other similar groups from buying material onthe black market, something the UN is aware of.

“This mechanism only monitors the materials enter-ing as part of the formal market. This concern does,however, underpin the need for governance to be fullyrestored in Gaza, including the rule of law.”

—The Media Line

Cameras to monitor Gaza reconstruction

in my view

By Abdullah Erakat

Al-A

nba

Trading accusations

Unemployment and availability of oil did not

invent the diwaniya gather-ing only, but also created

greetings and well-wishingduring happy events

“Nothing could have prepared me for what I

witnessed in Gaza. I sawmile after mile of wholesale

destruction,” Ban said.

SANLIURFA, Turkey: Crowds of flag-waving Kurds greetedIraqi peshmerga fighters travelling through Turkey yesterdayto join opposition rebels reinforcing the Syrian town ofKobane against an attack by the Islamic State jihadist group.Flashing victory signs, the fighters armed with machineguns,heavy artillery and rocket launchers received a euphoric wel-come from Turkish Kurds who lined the road shouting “Longlive peshmerga!” Another group of several dozen peshmergaflew into the Turkish city of Sanliurfa from Iraq. Escorted by

Turkish armoured vehicles, they boarded buses and headedtoward the border to wait for the overland convoy.

Separately, dozens of opposition rebel fighters with theFree Syrian Army (FSA) crossed from Turkey to Kobane, offi-cials said, to help Kurdish militia who have faced an onslaughtby IS jihadists for weeks. The town has become a symbol ofthe battle against IS, an extremist Sunni Muslim group thathas seized swathes of Syria and Iraq, committing atrocitiesand declaring an Islamic “caliphate”.

In Iraq, IS militants execut-ed more than 40 members ofa tribe that recently foughtagainst them in the troubledprovince of Anbar, a localleader and other sources saidyesterday. Images postedonline of the purported after-math showed more than 30men in civilian clothes lyingin the middle of a blood-stained street as young menand children look on. The vic-tims are barefoot and manyare blindfolded, their handsbound behind their backs.The authenticity of theimages could not be inde-pendently verified. Iraqi secu-rity forces, Shiite militias andsome Sunni tribesmen arefighting to push IS back, buthave made only limited localprogress so far.

Under heavy pressurefrom the United States,Turkey announced last weekit would allow fighters fromIraq’s autonomous Kurdishprovince to travel through itsterritory to join the fight forKobane in Syria. Iraqi Kurdishofficials said up to 200 fight-ers would be sent. The town’sKurdish defenders have beenhelped by weapon drops andintensified US-led air strikesagainst jihadists but untilnow they have received littlein the way of reinforcement.

Turkey has been wary ofgiving support to the Kurdishmilitias in Kobane because oftheir links to insurgents insoutheast Turkey, pushingfor Syrian rebel reinforce-ments instead. A localTurkish official told AFP thata group of 150 FSA fightershad entered Kobane fromTurkey overnight, although asenior Syrian Kurdish official,Newaf Khalil, gave a lowerfigure of 50. Khalil said theywere equipped with lightarms and machineguns. “Thepeshmerga will arrive soon,”he said. — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

Netanyahu lashes outat harsh US criticism

Page 9

Erdogan unveils Turkey’s new presidential palacePage 8

KOSLANDA, Sri Lanka: Around 100 people wereburied alive in a tea-growing region of Sri Lanka yes-terday as mudslides triggered by monsoon rainswashed away their homes on a plantation, disasterofficials said. One witness spoke of hearing a noise likethunder as part of a mountainside collapsed onto theestate, burying some of the workers’ homes in ninemetres of mud and debris. “What I gathered is thatabout 100 people have been buried alive,” DisasterManagement Minister Mahinda Amaraweera told AFPafter visiting the site in the eastern Koslanda region.“There is no chance they could have survived,” said theminister, as other officials said 16 people were con-firmed dead.

Hundreds of soldiers, who initially used their handsto dig for survivors, had switched to operating excava-tors by evening but hopes had faded of finding any-one else still alive. “Anyone buried under the mud hasa very slim chance of surviving,” Disaster ManagementCenter spokesman Sarath Kumara told AFP. The annualmonsoon brings vital rains for irrigation and electricitygeneration but also causes frequent loss of life anddamage to property.

The minister said the search and rescue mission ledby troops had now turned into a recovery operation,which they hope to resume at first light today. He saidusing heavy machinery also had to be done carefullybecause the surrounding hills were unstable. “Initiallywe estimated the missing number at 300, but most ofthem were at school or work,” the minister said. “Wehave already started relief operations to provide themwith shelter and food. Even the office where recordswere kept had been damaged,” the minister said.

The region’s top military official, Major GeneralMano Perera, said 302 people, including 75 school-children, whose homes were destroyed in the mud-slide were being looked after at two schools in thesame area. The mudslide hit at a time when most peo-ple were at work and children were already in school,leaving the elderly and the very young at home. Themilitary officer said about 500 troops had been

deployed in the area to carry out the search for vic-tims.

Kumara said 16 bodies have so far been recoveredfrom the disaster around 200 km east of the capitalColombo. “We have reports of 140 houses gettingwashed away in the mudslides,” Kumara added. Part ofa mountain appeared to have collapsed onto the clus-ter of homes belonging to the tea plantation workersand their families below, leaving no trace of them, anAFP photographer at the scene said.

Homes Washed AwayShopkeeper Kandasamy Prabhakaran, 34, said he

heard a noise like thunder and then saw houses beingwashed away by tonnes of mud. “Right before my eyesI could see houses crumbling and getting washeddownhill,” Prabhakaran said. “It all happened veryquickly.” President Mahinda Rajapakse ordered troopsto deploy heavy equipment to speed up the rescueefforts, his office said. Military sources said theyexpected more heavy machinery to reach the site, butdamage to roads as well as heavy rain and mist wereslowing them down.

Sections of several national highways have alsobeen washed away by the rains and a train was stuckafter a mountain slope crashed onto a railway line. Thelandslide began at about 7.45 am (0215 GMT) and last-ed about 10 minutes, Perera said, adding “some hous-es have been buried in 30 feet of mud.” Authoritieshave begun checking on the number of people whowere in their homes when tragedy struck. Kumara saidthe mudslide struck after schools opened and teaplantation workers were supposed to be at work, butbad weather may have prompted some to stay home.

The area is prone to mudslides and residents hadbeen repeatedly warned to move to safer areas asmonsoon rains lashed the region, the DisasterManagement Center said. Thirteen people were killedin mudslides in and around Colombo in June. Cyclonicwinds that accompanied the monsoon in June lastyear killed 54 people, mostly fishermen. — AFP

100 buried alive in Lanka mudslidePart of mountainside collapses onto tea estate

KOSLANDA, Sri Lanka: Residents walk through the site of a landslide caused by heavy monsoon rains in this village in central SriLanka yesterday. — AFP

Peshmerga, FSA poised to join fight against IS

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

AL-JANIYA: Abbas Yusef points wistfully towards hisolive trees, which are bearing their annual fruit. Yetagain, the 70-year-old Palestinian farmer will beunable to make the autumn harvest. Yusef ’s olivegroves lie on land either side of an Israeli settlement inthe northern occupied West Bank. For years, he hasbeen denied access by the army, and the settlers haveploughed it, uprooting many of his trees. For the 1,400residents of Al-Janiya - Yusef’s village - attacks by set-tlers who have uprooted trees and burnt Palestinianfarmland have become a daily occurrence, he says.

“Each time I try to get to my olive groves, an Israelisoldier tells me I can’t go, because it’s been designateda ‘closed military zone’,” Yusef says. “My father plantedthose trees, seed by seed, and I toiled over the land,”he sighs, pointing to one section of his land, nowfarmed by settlers. This year, for the first time since2000, Yusef was allowed access to his land, but only fortwo days - not nearly enough time to gather all theolives during the harvest that begins in early October.When he got there, he found 400 of his trees had beenuprooted. UN figures show that since the start of theyear, around 7,500 trees have been damaged oruprooted across the West Bank.

‘Now it’s My Land’Arik Ascherman, president of Israeli rights group

Rabbis for Human Rights, says Yusef ’s experience iscommon and in danger of becoming the norm in theWest Bank. “They start by preventing Palestinians fromaccessing their land, then they cultivate it themselves,and then they say ‘Now it’s my land’,” he explains. SinceIsrael took over the West Bank in 1967, 135 Jewish set-tlements have been built there as well as around 100unauthorised “wildcat” outposts, which are consideredillegal under Israeli law, UN figures show. All settle-

ments built on occupied territory are illegal underinternational law.

Figures compiled by the Yesha Settlers Councilshow there are some 380,000 Israelis living in the WestBank - a number which has more than tripled in thetwo decades since the Oslo peace accords were signedin 1993. The attacks against olive groves, which make

up half of all cultivated Palestinian farmland, threatena crucial source of livelihood. Olive farming and oliveoil production bring in around a quarter of Palestinianagricultural revenue, according to the UN’s tophumanitarian official for the occupied territories,James Rawley. The harvest is increasingly threatenedby both settlement building and by Israel’s vast sepa-

ration barrier - in some parts an eight-metre-high con-crete wall - whose construction began in 2002. Some85 percent of the barrier’s route runs inside the WestBank, rather than along the internationally recognisedGreen Line, cutting off Palestinians from 30 percent oftheir land, according to a UN spokeswoman.

For Ahmed Diwan, a farmer who lives in Biddu vil-lage east of Ramallah, the problem is not limited toolives. He says he has also missed the grape harvest,the almonds, the apples and vine leaves - “a symbol ofPalestinian cuisine” - due to a lack of access to hisland. Diwan holds out little hope for this year’s oliveharvest as he packs his farming equipment into hiscar. “We’re only allowed access to our olive groves twodays this year. We can’t maintain the trees or harvestin that time!”

End of an Era? Israel has granted access to farmers for a total of 37

days so far this year, the UN says. Even those who dohave limited access to their farmland are subjected toviolent attacks by settlers, who are often armed. So farthis year, 88 attacks have been recorded and 142 farm-ers injured, according to the UN. The elderly Yusef wasone of the victims. “About 50 settlers turned up. Wewere four farmers, people of around my age. We wereno match for them,” he recalls. “In the end it was theIsraeli soldiers who got us out to protect us from thesettlers.”

The violence is making “entire villages” which hadbeen self-sufficient for decades dependent on interna-tional aid, the UN says. A disillusioned younger genera-tion is turning away from the age-old family tradition.“Farming is finished. The young people don’t want towork on the land. They’re scared of being killed by set-tlers,” Yusef says. — AFP

Denied land access, Palestinians miss olive harvest

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yes-terday unveiled a new presidential palace on the out-skirts of Ankara, denounced by ecologists as an envi-ronmental blight and by the opposition as evidence ofhis autocratic tendencies. Erdogan hosted his first offi-cial event at the new palace, a ceremony congratulat-ing dignitaries on the annual republic day marking thefoundation of modern Turkey in 1923 out of the ruins ofthe Ottoman Empire. The complex, located in theBestepe (Five Hills) area, has become known as the AkSaray - the White Palace.

An immense project - built at a reported cost of$350 million - has an area of 200,000 sq m, 1,000 roomsand architecture that is supposed to marry modernismand the traditions of the mediaeval Seljuk dynasty.Erdogan cancelled an evening reception that was to beheld yesterday evening at the palace because of a min-ing disaster in the southern Karaman province that hasleft 18 miners trapped. “It would not be appropriate tohold this reception at such a time,” Erdogan toldreporters in televised comments inside the palace,before heading to the scene of the disaster. Accordingto Turkish media reports, invitations for the receptionhad been sent out to 2,500 couples.

The palace will become the new home of theTurkish presidency, marking an historic break with theCankaya presidential palace in downtown Ankara. TheCankaya has been the seat of the Turkish presidentever since the modern republic’s founder MustafaKemal Ataturk became president and for many hasbeen a symbol of Turkey’s modern history as a progres-sive secular state. From Ataturk to Erdogan, it has beenthe home of 12 Turkish presidents. The move to thenew palace is a vivid symbol of what Erdogan touts ashis drive towards a “new Turkey”. But for the opposi-tion, the new palace marks another betrayal byErdogan of Turkey’s secular heritage bequeathed byAtaturk who based the republic on a strict separationof religion and state.

‘We Could Have Gone to Mars’The opposition accuses Erdogan, who became

president in August after over a decade as prime min-ister, of imposing a gradual Islamisation and ridingroughshod over Turkey’s democracy. For them,Erdogan has rubbed more salt into the wound byopening the palace on republic day, the dearest of allTurkish holidays for secularists. Umut Oran, a deputyfor the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP)ridiculed the extravagance of the palace, saying thatwith the same funds Turkey could have sent threesatellites to Mars. “What could have been done withthat money?” he asked according to the Dogan newsagency, claiming the presidency’s budget was threetimes that of the British royal family. The Bestepe com-plex had initially been envisaged for the Turkish primeminister but in the end Prime Minister Ahmet

Davutoglu and his staff will move into the Cankaya.The name of the palace, Ak Saray, is also a play on thename of the ruling Justice and Development Party(AKP) which is known to its followers as the AK Party.The post of president has been a largely ceremonialrole in recent years. But Erdogan has vowed to wieldreal power, something he has clearly done in his firstweeks in office. The new complex is also controversialamong environmental activists because hundreds oftrees were cut down to make way for it, even though itwas one of the best preserved green spaces in the city.Furthermore, the palace has been built on land whereAtaturk created a forest farm that was then donated tothe state. Erdogan in March defied a court order halt-ing the construction. According to Turkish media, thedesign of one of the offices is based on the WhiteHouse’s oval office.

Last-Ditch EffortsMeanwhile, hopes were fading of finding alive the

18 coalminers trapped when their shaft was engulfedby water, as rescue workers made last-ditch efforts tofind survivors. Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said divershad entered the flooded mine but visibility was poorand they were unable to go more than a few metresdeep for their own safety. “Every moment that goes by

is bad for our (trapped) workers. Time is workingagainst us. With every passing minute, our hopes arereduced,” he said in comments broadcast by Turkishtelevision. He said an estimated 10-12 tonnes of waterhad filled the shaft at the privately-owned mine in thevillage of Pamuklu. In a poignant development,Turkish media reported that the wife of one of thetrapped miners, named as Huseyin Gultekin, had givenbirth to his baby son on Tuesday. Erdogan insistedthere was still a chance of finding the miners alive. “Ourexpectations and our hopes have not been lost. Ourfriends and ministers are continuing to work and makeefforts there,” he said in comments broadcast by statetelevision. The 18 miners were believed to be trappedin a flooded shaft more than 300 m underground.Rescue workers have been seeking to reduce the waterlevels by pumping out the water with a gigantic pipe.But the levels had continued to rise until finally start-ing to fall in the night. Yildiz confirmed late Tuesdaythere had been no contact with any of the trappedminers. A special water pump truck known as anAhtapot (Octopus) that had been despatched to thescene by the Istanbul authorities tipped over on itsway there, leaving three of its crew injured. The reasonfor the road accident was unclear and another similartruck was later sent to the scene. —AFP

Erdogan unveils Turkey’s new presidential palace

Hopes fade for 18 trapped coalminers

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan poses inside the new Ak Saray presidentialpalace on the outskirts of the capital yesterday. — AFP

MOGADISHU: (From left) UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, Somalia’s President HassanSheikh Mohamud and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim give a joint press conferenceyesterday. — AFP

MOGADISHU: UN chief Ban Ki-moon warnedyesterday that Somalia r isks returning tofamine without urgent aid, as he visited thewar-torn country three years since more than250,000 people died of hunger. Ban, along withWorld Bank chief Jim Yong Kim, met SomaliPresident Hassan Sheikh Mohamud inside thefortified airport zone in Mogadishu, guardedby troops from the 22,000-strong UN-backedAfrican Union force. But Ban, who was dressedin a suit and not the bullet-proof jacket hewore on his last visit during the famine in 2011,said Somalia had sti l l made “remarkableprogress” since he had last been there.

“Over three million Somalis are in need ofhumanitarian assistance and unfortunately thatnumber is growing,” Ban told reporters. “I urgedonors to step up contributions to avert anoth-er famine in Somalia.” The United Nations saysit has just over a third of the cash it needs, hav-ing received $318 million of the $933 million ithas appealed for. “Slowly but surely, Somalia iswaking from a long nightmare,” Ban said, butadding he was “very concerned” about thehumanitarian crisis and the shortfall in funding.

Al-Qaeda-affiliated Shebab insurgents havein recent months lost swathes of territory andtowns to the AU force and Somali governmenttroops, and their leader was killed in a US air

strike in September, but they still remain apotent threat. Security remains a concern inSomalia, with the government due to hold areferendum on a new constitution next yearahead of general elections in 2016. This year,the Shebab have launched attacks in the heartof Mogadishu, including brazen commandoraids on the presidential palace and parlia-ment. Ban, who said the Shebab’s power “isdeclining but it is not gone”, did not travel intothe city itself, but remained inside the airport’sconcrete blast walls, manned by AU machinegunners.

Political Tensions The United Nations says over one million

Somalis are in conditions close to famine, whileover one million have fled their homes due tofighting or hunger inside the country, andanother million are living as refugees in theregion. Some 218,000 children under five areacutely malnourished, a rise of seven percentsince the beginning of the year, the UN Officefor the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA) has warned. Despite Shebab fighterspulling out of several towns, OCHA said in itslatest report that AU and Somali “military gainsare yet to translate into predictable humanitari-an access”. —AFP

Egypt working on Gaza buffer TUNIS: Islamist party Ennahda, dominant inTunisian politics since the 2011 revolution, haswon praise for its grace in conceding defeat inlandmark parliamentary elections, as thecountry awaited preliminary results yesterday.Just hours after polling stations closed Sunday,Ennahda acknowledged that it had been beat-en into second place by secular rival NidaaTounes. Ennahda, which steered the NorthAfrican nation through the aftermath of therevolution, congratulated Nidaa Tounes forbecoming the largest party in the first parlia-ment to be elected since then.

The movement called on its supporters tocelebrate “democracy,” and hundreds of themrallied outside its Tunis headquarters despitethe defeat. “We consider Tunisia has tri-umphed and that Ennahda has triumphed byleading the country to this stage,” saidAbdelhamid Jelassi, national coordinator forthe movement whose slogan was “consensus”throughout the campaign.

Independent analyst Selim Kharrat, saidthis has made Ennahda look like “a very sleek,very democratic party, which congratulates itsopponent, which hands over power,” alsoreferring to January, when Ennahda gave wayto a government of technocrats to defuse apolitical crisis. Ennahda, which won Tunisia’sfirst free elections three years ago after thetoppling of longtime president Zine El AbidineBen Ali, had previously been accused of work-ing to Islamize society away from its traditionalsecularism.

Tunisia’s economy has also been in the dol-drums during its tenure, and two prominentfigures were assassinated last year by suspect-ed jihadists, triggering the political crisis thatEnnahda resolved by handing over power.

Analyst Slaheddine Jourchi said the evolutioncan be traced back to the Egyptian army’souster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi inJuly 2013 and the bloody repression that fol-lowed. “What happened in Egypt shook themup” and led to an easing of strains with NidaaTounes, which includes representatives of theousted Ben Ali regime whom Ennahda had ini-tially wanted to ban from running for election,he said.

Analyst Kharrat said this showed Ennahda’s“extraordinary pragmatism and capacity toadapt” to political developments. With neitherof the two top parties expected to win an out-right majority, political horse-trading hasbegun ahead of the announcement of results.

Grand Coalition Election organisers have until today to

announce the final outcome. Projections sug-gest that Nidaa Tounes will win around 80 ofthe 217 seats in parliament, against around 70for Ennahda. Under Tunisia’s electoral system,a party that gains the largest number of votesbut falls short of an outright majority is given amandate to form a coalition government.Tunisian newspapers yesterday predicted agrand coalition. “The best scenario would be aNidaa Tounes-Ennahda coalition guaranteeinga stable government for the next five years,”said the French-language daily La Presse.Foreign observers have praised Tunisia’s “free”election, in a vote that has raised hopes of apeaceful transition in the birthplace of theArab Spring. However, poverty and unemploy-ment, which were key factors that sparked theanti-Ben Ali revolt, remain unresolved. Theelection was fought on the axis of the econo-my and security. — AFP

Islamists win plaudits as Tunisia awaits results

AL-JANIYA: Seventy-year old Palestinian farmer Abbas Yusef explains to United Nations officials andforeign supporters of Palestinian rights on Tuesday the restricted access to his olive groves on landeither side of an Israeli settlement. — AFP

CAIRO: Egypt began setting up a buffer zone along itsborder with the Palestinian Gaza Strip yesterday to pre-vent militant infiltration and arms smuggling followinga wave of deadly attacks. The move, which will seeabout 800 homes demolished, comes in the wake of asuicide bombing in the Sinai Peninsula Friday thatkilled at least 30 soldiers. A senior official in northernSinai said the creation of the buffer with the Palestinianterritory was “vital for national security and stability”.

The authorities want to establish a 500-m widebuffer along about 10 km of the border with Gaza,according to officials. Witnesses in the border town ofRafah reported seeing dozens of families leaving, alongwith trucks loaded with furniture. And bulldozers werereported to have begun destroying several long-aban-doned houses along the frontier. The authorities previ-ously said the families affected would be compensated,but not all residents are convinced.

“We are for national and border security, but not atthe cost of our homes and interests,” said Wissam Al-Agha, a doctor in Rafah, whose house and land fall inthe area demarcated for the zone. North Sinai GovernorAbdel Fattah Harhur said emergency assistance will beprovided to everyone, with families receiving 900Egyptian pounds ($125) to cover rent for three months.He added, in remarks to reporters, that they will alsoreceive monetary compensation for their properties.

An analyst said the buffer marks a shift in Egypt’sstrategy to confront militant attacks. “It is an operationto isolate terrorists in an area empty of people, in turnfacilitating targeting of terrorists and also reducingcivilian casualties,” said Eman Ragad, an expert onregional security at Ahram Centre for Political andStrategic Studies. “But we are not sure whether this area

is a stronghold of terrorists or just an operational base.”Egypt suspects Palestinian militants of aiding jihadistattacks that have increased since the army oustedIslamist president Mohamed Morsi last year. The mili-tary has also stepped up the destruction of tunnelswith Gaza that it says are used to smuggle arms, food

and money by Palestinian Hamas militant group. Thearmy says it has destroyed more than 1,600 such tun-nels since Morsi’s ouster. “Families whose houseshave openings to these tunnels will not be compen-sated,” governor Harhur told private television chan-nel CBC Extra. —AFP

RAFAH: Smoke rises after the Egyptian army demolished houses on the Egyptian side of thisborder town with Gaza yesterday. — AP

Ban calls for urgent aid to avert Somalia famine

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

ROCKFORD, Michigan: In this Aug 6, 2013 file photo, the 12 Schwandt broth-ers pose for a photo in their home. Clockwise from bottom left are Tyler, 21,holding Tucker, 2 days, Vinny, 10, Drew, 16, Zach, 17, Charlie, 3, Calvin, 8,Brandon, 14, Luke, 19 months, Gabe, 6, Wesley, 5 and Tommy, 11. —AP

JERUSALEM: Israel’s prime minister said yester-day that recent verbal attacks against him fromthe United States were merely because he was“defending Israel” and vowed to carry on with hispolicies despite the vitriolic rhetoric. BenjaminNetanyahu’s remarks to parliament followed areport in The Atlantic this week in which uniden-tified US officials lambasted the Israeli premierfor his settlement policies and for underminingAmerican peace efforts. The officials deridedNetanyahu as cowardly and recalcitrant, amongother insults.

The report reverberated throughout Israelwith some coming to prime minister’s defensewhile others pointing to them as an indication ofjust how bad relations between the two closeallies have gotten under Netanyahu’s watch.Netanyahu responded that those who attackhim do so only because he defends Israel, andstressed that he was “not prepared to make con-cessions that will endanger our state”. “Oursupreme interests, with security and the unity ofJerusalem first and foremost, are not among thetop concerns of those anonymous elements thatare attacking us and me personally,” he said.

There have been growing concerns of a newcrisis in Israeli-US relations after US officials saidthe Obama administration last week refusedIsraeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon’s requeststo meet several top national security aides. Therejection followed negative comments Yaalonmade about Secretary of State John Kerry. TheObama administration has long has a tense rela-tionship with Netanyahu for his close relation-ship with the Republican Party and for what isoften perceived as a lecturing tone toward thepresident. Netanyahu, meanwhile, has been sus-picious of US efforts to reach a diplomatic agree-ment over Iran’s nuclear program that fails toremove the threat of it acquiring a bomb.

Even within Netanyahu’s coalition there arethose, like Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who havevocally expressed worry over the crisis with theUnited States and said it must be resolvedbefore it endangers Israeli interests. Among thegreatest concerns are that the US may withholdits vast military aid to Israel and stop protectingit from diplomatic attacks at the United Nations.Economics Minister Naftali Bennett called on theUS to “distance itself from the rude remarks andreject them outright,” adding that such abusenot only targeted the prime minister but allIsraelis.

However, opposition leader Isaac Herzogplaced the blame on Netanyahu, accusing himof playing “political games” with the Americanadministration. “Netanyahu acts like a politicalpyromaniac and has brought relations with the

United States to an unprecedented nadir,” hetold Israel’s Channel 2 online.

Barkat ‘Storms’ AqsaMeanwhile, Jerusalem’s Israeli mayor visited

the Al-Aqsa mosque compound Tuesday, anger-ing Islamic authorities, but police said the daypassed in “relative calm” after weeks of tensionat the flashpoint shrine. The diplomatic frontwas heating up, however, with the UN SecurityCouncil to hold an emergency meeting yester-day to discuss Israel’s plans to build moreJewish settlements in Arab east Jerusalem.Mayor Nir Barkat toured the Al-Aqsa compound

with a police escort, after weeks of intermittentclashes triggered by reports Israel is consideringallowing Jews to pray at the sprawling site inthe Old City.

Barkat “visited the Temple Mount togetherwith the chief of police responsible for the areato assess the current situation and gain a deeperunderstanding of the issues and challenges atthe site,” a statement said, using the Jewish termfor the compound. The Islamic Waqf, the bodywhich oversees the site, decried the visit. It was“merely for publicity and its political nature ischaracteristic of” Barkat, Azzam Al-Khatib, headof the Waqf, told AFP.

In a statement, the Al-Aqsa Foundation con-demned what it described as the “storming” ofthe compound by Barkat. “This does not give anylegitimacy to considering Al-Aqsa part of thejurisdiction of the Jerusalem (Israeli) municipali-ty, and does not erase the eternal Islamic charac-ter of the mosque,” said the foundation, an off-shoot of a radical branch of Israel’s IslamicMovement religious advocacy group. Tensionsoften erupt at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound,which is both the third-holiest location in Islamand the most sacred place in Judaism. Aprovocative visit by then-opposition leader ArielSharon to the compound in 2000 sparked the

outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada, afive-year uprising that left hundreds dead.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli troops shotand wounded four Palestinians in a clash in thenorthern village of Yabad, the Israeli army andPalestinian medical officials said. An armyspokeswoman said a patrol entered the villageto stop stone-throwing at Israeli vehicles andcame under attack from Palestinians hurlingrocks and flares. They used live fire after theirattackers failed to respond to warnings and non-lethal means, she said. Palestinian medical offi-cials said none of the four were in life-threaten-ing condition. —Agencies

Netanyahu lashes outat harsh US criticism

Jerusalem mayor’s Aqsa visit sparks anger

JERUSALEM: Israeli security forces secure an excavator after Israel ordered the demo-lition of Palestinian sheds in the annexed Arab east Jerusalem neighbourhood ofSilwan yesterday. —AFP

ROCKFORD, Michigan: A western Michigan cou-ple with 12 sons is expecting baby No. 13, and eventhough they’re sticking to their tradition of notfinding out in advance whether they’re having aboy or girl, they said they’d be shocked if theirstreak is broken. Jay and Kateri Schwandt’s baby isdue May 9, The Grand Rapids Press reported. Eventhough they expect it will be another boy, the cou-ple said they would welcome either into the family.“If we were to have a girl, I think we would go intoshock,” Kateri Schwandt said. “It would probably bedisbelief.”

If he had a choice, Jay Schwandt said he wouldlove to have a girl, but they’re just “hoping for ahealthy baby”. Still, he would like to see the effect ofadding a girl to the mix in a household with 12boys. “I’ve experienced all the boy stuff,” he said. “Aslong as we are having all these children, it would bereally neat to experience the other side.”

The couple welcomed their twelfth son, Tucker,to the world on Aug 4, 2013. Their oldest son isnow 22 years old. “The stuff that goes on in thishouse is all-boy - roughhousing and wrestling,” JaySchwandt said. “If there was a little girl in there, Iassume it would be different.” Kateri Schwandt,after being the sole female in the family for morethan two decades, said she would lean toward hav-ing one more boy. “A little girl would be neat tohave in the house, but a little boy kind of takes thepressure off,” she said. “We know what we aredoing. Why change things up?”

The Schwandts, who live Rockford, which isnorth of Grand Rapids, consider themselves devoutRoman Catholics and don’t believe in using birthcontrol. Kateri Schwandt comes from a family of 14kids. She said she is feeling well. “I love being preg-nant,” she said. “I’ve spent half of my life being preg-nant. It’s very neat and very special.” —AP

Boy or girl? Family with 12 sons awaits baby 13

Mexico cops scour dump for studentsMEXICO CITY: Mexicanauthorities scoured a mas-sive garbage dumpTuesday, searching for theremains of 43 students whohave been missing for morethan a month. Investigatingprosecutors suspect theopen-air dump, surroundedby mountains in theGuerrero state town ofCocula, could be where cor-rupt local police deliveredthe captured students tohitmen linked to the localGuerreros Unidos drug ring.“That is why experts arelooking for remains careful-ly here. Bones already havebeen found, but expertshave to look at whetherthey are human or fromother animals,” a federalgovernment source close tothe investigation told AFP.

The searchers, about 15of them, were clad in whitesuits with air filters on theirmouths, and were workingwith sniffer dogs. Theypainstakingly designated asearch area with smallorange markers, but therewas no definite sign of anyhuman bodies. Gettingthere was not easy. Theyclimbed rocky trails dottedwith small homes, goatsand donkeys, to reach thedump for the town of about15,000 people. Scores ofbodies have been found inunmarked graves in thesearch for the missing stu-dents, laying bare theextent of the rampantkillings in the region, whichlaw enforcement officialsblame on ongoing drugviolence.

It was not clear whetherthe bodies in a grave in thetown of Cocula were thoseof the missing students,who vanished onSeptember 26 in the nearbytown of Iguala, after theirbuses were attacked bypolice. The mayor of Iguala,some 130 km southwest ofMexico City, and his wife,who are suspected ofordering the students’abduction, are currently onthe run. Around 40 munici-pal officers also have beenarrested in connection tothe disappearances. —AFP

WASHINGTON: The United States said Tuesday itwill boost security at government buildings follow-ing threats from Islamist groups. The “preciseactions” and “precise locations” were not specifiedin the statement by Secretary of HomelandSecurity Jeh Johnson, who said they would vary,shift and “be continually reevaluated”. “The reasonsfor this action are self-evident,” Johnson said, citing“continued public calls by terrorist organizationsfor attacks on the homeland and elsewhere” as wellas the two attacks last week in Canada and else-where. Johnson called it “a precautionary step, tosafeguard US government personnel and facilities,and the visitors to those facilities” in the capitaland other major cities, as well as other locationsaround the country. The Federal Protective Serviceoversees security at more than 9,500 federal facili-ties, Johnson said, which see some 1.4 million visi-tors and occupants daily.

On Thursday, in an attack branded a “terroristact” by police, a self-radicalized Muslim convertcharged officers with a hatchet in a busy shop-ping area of New York City, striking two before hewas shot dead by the two other officers, whowere uninjured. The attacker, Zale Thompson, 32,appeared to have acted alone and was not affili-ated to a particular group, but police said he hadlooked at websites about groups such as Al-

Qaeda and Islamic State.Earlier last week, two attacks in Canada killed

two soldiers. In one, a soldier was fatally shotwhile standing watch at the War Memorial inOttawa. His attacker, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, thenstormed into parliament and exchanged fire withpolice before being shot dead, himself.

In the other, 25-year-old Martin Couture-Rouleau, who had been on a watch list of sus-pected extremists, used his car as a weapon torun over two soldiers in a parking lot, killing oneof them before being shot dead by police. Bothassailants were converts to Islam with allegedextremists views, police have said.

The two attacks in Canada came as itdeployed fighter jets to join US-led air strikes onthe Islamic State group in Iraq. Canada is a mem-ber of the alliance Washington has forged ofWestern and Arab nations to combat IS, whichseized large parts of Syria and Iraq in recentmonths, declaring an Islamic “caliphate” and com-mitting widespread atrocities. The group hascalled for foreign fighters to join them and pro-moted attacks by disaffected Muslims on Westerntargets. “Given world events, prudence dictates aheightened vigilance in the protection of US gov-ernment installations and our personnel,”Johnson said. —AFP

US boosts security at government buildings

PRENZLAU, Germany: “There’s no such thingas a good wage here, not at an east Germancompany.” Twenty-five years since the fall of theBerlin Wall, those words bite in the frosty air ofPrenzlau, a town in eastern Germany thatencapsulates the ongoing, albeit narrowing,east-west divide.

The man who utters them is ThomasMielsch, who has just come out of the town’slabour agency. The lorry driver grew up inPrenzlau, a 90-minute drive from Berlin. Thecapital of Uckermark, a rural region in thenortheastern state of Brandenburg, Prenzlauhas the highest unemployment in the country— 14.7 percent in September, more than dou-ble the nationwide rate of 6.5 percent.

“I’d move at the drop of a hat, but my wifewon’t,” laughs the 46-year-old. Laid off by his

previous employer, an east German-basedtransport firm that paid him a monthly wage of1,580 euros (around $2,000) after tax for a 60-hour week, Thomas has just got a job with aDanish company.“I’ll take home twice as muchfor the same work. I’d also earn a lot more if Iworked for a company based in westernGermany,” he says. The lure of higher pay ishard to resist-”around a third” of his friendswork in the west, only coming home to theirfamilies at the weekend.

East-west divide persists A quarter of a century after then chancellor

Helmut Kohl promised “flourishing landscapes”in the five states that made up the formerGerman Democratic Republic (GDR), the marketeconomy has long supplanted the five-year

planning of communism. Over the course ofthose 25 years, the west has pumped “between1.5 and 2.0 trillion euros” into unification, esti-mates Thomas Lenk, professor of public financeat Leipzig University. All wage earners inGermany pay a so-called “solidarity tax”, a 5.5percent surcharge introduced in 1991 to helprebuild the dilapidated and bankrupt east. Thetax has been extended several times and is cur-rently due to run until 2019. Thanks to the levy,the pot-holed roads of Prenzlau and elsewherein the former GDR are now safely resurfacedand the crumbling buildings refurbished.

But the gap between east and west stillexists. According to the latest official data,unemployment in the five former eastern statesstood at 9.7 percent in September, comparedwith 6.0 percent in the west. Ten years ago, the

jobless rate in east Germany had stood at 18.4percent, twice the rate in the west. Householdincome in the west is around one-third higherthan in the east, and personal wealth is almostdouble. And the east’s gross national product(GNP) is only two-thirds that of the west.

‘Sick man of Europe’ heals Yet Germany need not hang its head. Once

dubbed the “sick man of Europe”, the countryhas become the region’s economic engine.

“The process still isn’t over yet, that’s clear,”but “there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” saidMichael Burda, economist at Berlin’s HumboldtUniversity. The causes of the disparity and theweaknesses of the former GDR’s economy arewell-documented. Transnational companiesstayed in the west with its better working con-

ditions and higher salaries, allowing them tohold on to a more skilled workforce.

Prenzlau has no jobs for bankers or IT devel-opers. The positions on offer at the labor officetend to be in agriculture, health care or tourism.But it is not like that everywhere in the east.

Berlin, dubbed “poor but sexy” by its outgo-ing mayor, may still be dragging its feet, butother regions such as Saxony are much moreinnovative. In fact, there is now a north-southdivide in Germany, with southern states such asBavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg the mosteconomically dynamic. That divide is increas-ingly noticeable in eastern Germany, said econ-omist Burda. Some experts also say that theinequality between east and west is less signifi-cant than the disparity between cities and ruralareas across Germany. —AFP

25 years on, Germany’s east-west divide still palpable

LONDON/EDINBURGH: Prime MinisterDavid Cameron rejected yesterday a pro-posal by the Scottish National Party (SNP)that the United Kingdom should only quitthe European Union after a future referen-dum if a majority in each of its four con-stituent parts vote to do so. Cameron haspromised a referendum in 2017 on theUK’s continued EU membership if hisConservative Party, which has grownincreasingly Eurosceptical, wins a 2015national election.

Incoming SNP leader Nicola Sturgeonsaid earlier on Wednesday the UnitedKingdom’s EU exit should only go ahead if

approved by a majority in Scotland, Walesand Northern Ireland as well as in England,home to 85 percent of the UK population.

“We are one United Kingdom. There willbe one in/out referendum (for the EU) andthat will be decided on a majority of thosewho vote. That is how the rules shouldwork,” Cameron told the UK parliament inresponse to Sturgeon’s proposal.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Irelandhave varying degrees of autonomy but theBritish government in London controls for-eign policy and is not legally required toconsult the regional administrations overissues such as EU membership.

Cameron has adopted an increasinglycritical stance on the EU as he tries to fendoff an electoral challenge from the UnitedKingdom Independence Party (UKIP),which wants to quit the bloc. He says hewants Britain to stay in a reformed EU.

Scots, who last month rejected inde-pendence in a historic referendum, aremore likely to back EU membership thanthe English, polls show. The SNP has saidthe UK’s exit from the 28-nation bloc couldput Scottish independence back on theagenda.

In a speech on Wednesday evening,Sturgeon is due to flesh out her proposal,

which seeks to protect Scotland, with justfive million of the UK’s 64 million people,from being forced to leave the EU againstits own wishes. “This proposal transformsthe terms of the UK debate on Europe -which so far has been all about theWestminster parties dancing to UKIP’stune,” she will say in Edinburgh, accordingto advance extracts from her speech.

“Family of nations”“It puts into practice what Westminster

leaders told us was the case during the(Scottish) referendum campaign - that theUK is a family of nations, with each mem-ber of the family enjoying equal status,”Sturgeon will say. A study carried out byDurham University and the University ofEast Anglia last week showed thatEngland, where Cameron’s Conservativesdraw the bulk of their support, would voteto leave the EU, while Scotland would voteto remain.

Cameron made several emotionalappeals for Scotland to remain in theUnited Kingdom during the referendumcampaign. But he angered Scots when hesuggested that new powers for theScottish parliament, promised ahead ofthe vote, should be tied to the idea thatlaws which only affect England shouldonly be voted on by English lawmakers.

His political focus since the Scottish ref-erendum has been on tackling the UKIPthreat. He has already lost one lawmaker,who defected to UKIP and won a subse-quent by-election earlier in October. Asecond defection to UKIP by aConservative lawmaker has triggeredanother by-election on Nov 20.

The SNP, which is broadly pro-EU, says areferendum on Britain’s EU membershipwill create much more investment uncer-tainty than the Scottish independencevote did.

Paul Cairney of Stirling University said areferendum in which Britain as a wholevoted to leave the EU while Scots voted tostay in would trigger a new UK constitu-tional crisis and demands for a newScottish independence referendum. “Idon’t think anyone would want somethingso important to be triggered in such a cri-sis-like way, so this (proposal by Sturgeon)seems like a pragmatic way to ward offthat possibility,” Cairney said. —Reuters

Cameron rejects Scottish proposal on EU referendumScottish Nationalists fret over possible UK exit from EU

LONDON: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (right) meets with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani (secondleft) and his brother Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (L) at Buckingham Palace in London yesterday. —AFP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

Newsi n b r i e f

Jonathan to collect nomination form

ABUJA: Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan will todaycollect a nomination form to be the ruling party candidatein presidential elections set for February next year, thepresidency said yesterday, the first official confirmation ofhis widely expected plan to seek another term. “PresidentJonathan thanks all Nigerians, members of the PDP, friends,associates who in sincere appreciation of the achievementsof the administration in the last four years have been urg-ing him to seek a second term in office,” the statement bypresidential spokesman Reuben Abati added.

Italian sex abuse priest hangs himself in sacristy

ROME: An Italian priest who admitted to sexuallyabusing a young teenage girl hanged himself in thesacristy-the cleric’s changing room in his church-thediocese of Santa Croce in northern Italy said yesterday.The priest, 48, who belonged to the Slovenian commu-nity in Trieste, had been accused of committing “graveacts” years earlier with a then 13-year-old girl. He con-fessed to his bishop Giampaolo Crepaldi that thereports were true and asked for two days to prepare aletter asking for the forgiveness of God, the Churchand the victim. But when Crepaldi arrived Tuesdayafternoon to officially strip him of his priestly dutiesand inform him an enquiry would be launched into hisactions, he found the priest hanging in the sacristy.

Bosnia jails former Serb soldiers for wartime killings

SARAJEVO: A Bosnian court said yesterday it had sentencedtwo former ethnic Serb soldiers to 20 years in jail each forexecuting 48 Muslim civilians during the 1990s war here.“Predrag Milisavljevic and Milos Pantelic were found guiltyof taking part in the expulsion of Muslim population fromVisegrad and execution of (Muslim) male civilians betweenApril and June 1992,” a judge said in a statement. JudgeVesna Jesenkovic found the two men guilty notably of tak-ing part in the execution of 48 Muslim males of military agewho were separated from a convoy of refugees leavingVisegrad, in eastern Bosnia. The crime took place on 15 June1992. “Those people were taken above the Paklenik ravinewhere they were shot dead by several members of BosnianSerb police and military, including Milisavljevic and Pantelic,”she said. Ferid Spahic, who managed to flee the executionsite, was a witness during the trial. Between April and June1992, Serb forces have killed in Visegrad and in the sur-rounding area more than 1,500 civilians, according to thenational missing people institute.

Marriage proposed for men caught with prostitutes

SAINT PETERSBURG: A fine, prison... or a shotgunwedding: one Russian lawmaker has come up with anovel proposal to punish men caught paying for sex.Olga Galkina, a local legislator in Russia’s second citySaint Petersburg, has put forward a bill to curb prosti-tution that would see punters given the option to tiethe knot if they get busted. “If it is adopted, clients ofprostitutes will have the choice between paying a fineof 100,000 rubles ($2,300, 1,800 euros) or serving 15days in prison,” Galkina said. “They can though avoidgoing to jail if they agree to marry the prostitute.” Butlocal media said the “populist” bill has little chance ofgetting passed. Currently there is no punishment for aman caught paying for sex in Russia.

LONDON: Britain’s border and immigrationsystem is a “mess”, lawmakers said yesterdayin a report which will increase pressure onPrime Minister David Cameron’s govern-ment to take a tougher line on migrantsahead of next year’s national election.Opinion polls show immigration is a majorconcern for voters and it has fueled the riseof the UK Independence Party, which mayscupper Cameron’s chances of staying inpower after the May election by splitting theright-wing vote. UKIP backs stronger immi-gration curbs and Britain’s exit from theEuropean Union.

In a damning report, parliament’s PublicAccounts Committee said the governmentcould not track people through the systemor check whether those refused the right tostay in Britain had actually left the country.The government has also failed to tackle along-standing backlog of tens of thousandsof asylum applications and the number ofnew cases awaiting a decision is increasing,it said.

“The pressure is on and the Home Office(interior ministry) must take urgent steps tosort out this immigration mess,” said opposi-tion Labor party lawmaker Margaret Hodge,chair of the committee.

At the end of the 2013-14 financial yearthere were more than 175,000 peoplewhose applications to stay in Britain hadbeen rejected, the report said.

“It is deeply worrying that the HomeOffice is not tracking those people ... toensure that they are removed from the UK,”said Hodge. “The department should, as amatter of urgency, take more steps to identi-fy people who remain in the UK illegally andspeed up their removal.”

A YouGov poll published on Wednesdayshowed 57 percent of voters consideredimmigration the most important issue fac-

ing the country, with the economy comingsecond on 49 percent.

The political debate in Britain aroundimmigration has become increasingly heat-ed as Cameron and other party leaders havehardened their stances on the issue inresponse to the rise in popularity of UKIP.

Losing control Nick Boles, a government minister and

member of Cameron’s Conservatives, saidBritons felt parliament had lost control overimmigration and might never regain controldue to EU rules on free movement withinthe 28-nation bloc. “The difficulty that hasarisen is this sense that we don’t have thatcontrol and, bluntly, they’re right. It’s true,” hesaid in an interview with Total Politics maga-zine.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon spokeon Sunday of some British towns being“swamped” by migrants. On Monday heapologized for his use of emotive languagebut said the thrust of his remarks aboutimmigration was correct. The mayor of thenorthern French port town of Calais, fromwhere migrants often attempt to cross theEnglish Channel to Britain, urged London onTuesday to overhaul its generous welfaresystem and lax identity controls, saying theymade it a magnet for illegal immigrants.

The new report said outsourcing groupCapita had been hired in 2012 to check therecords of more than 250,000 people whoshould have been removed from Britain andby the end of last year it was unable to tracemore than 50,000 of them.

The committee, made up of lawmakersfrom Labor, the Conservatives and theirjunior coalition partner the LiberalDemocrats, said it was “disturbing” that thegovernment did not know where thesepeople were. —Reuters

In blow to Cameron, lawmakers slam UK’s immigration ‘mess’

KANO, Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haramgunmen killed several people in a village inNigeria’s far northeast, a local administratorsaid yesterday, in the latest attack since asupposed ceasefire was announced.Heavily armed fighters in all-terrain vehi-cles stormed the town of Kukawa, some180 kilometers (112 miles) from the Bornostate capital, Maiduguri, and opened fire onpolice and a local market.

Kukawa, near Lake Chad, has beenrepeatedly targeted by Boko Haram, forc-ing Nigeria’s state-run oil company to aban-don prospecting and drilling. The latestattack happened on Monday and was slowto emerge because telecommunications inBorno have been largely destroyed by fiveyears of violence.

“They (the gunmen) killed several peo-ple, especially around the market, wheretraders had gone for commercial activities,”the Kukawa local government chairman

Modu Musa said. “They burnt the wholemarket, the police station, governmentlodge, dozens of vehicles and most housesin the town in indiscriminate rocket andbomb attacks.”

Police officers in Kukawa initially inter-cepted the insurgents on the outskirts ofthe town and engaged them in a fight butwere forced to retreat because of the gun-men’s superior firepower.

Hundreds of residents fled to Maiduguri,joining tens of thousands of others whohave abandoned their homes and liveli-hoods as a result of sustained attacks inBorno and two neighboring states.Nigeria’s government earlier this monthannounced that they had secured a cease-fire deal with Boko Haram and agreementto release 219 schoolgirls abducted fromtheir Borno school in mid-April.

But violence-and further kidnappings-have continued unabated. —AFP

Several killed in suspected Boko Haram attack: Official

SEVATOPOL: A girl walks past a huge flowerbed during the Chrysanthemumball flower festival in central Sevastopol yesterday. —AFP

PARIS: French President Francois Hollande (left)accompanies French Prime Minister Manuel Vallsleaving the Elysee presidential palace in Paris yes-terday after the weekly cabinet meeting. —AFP

Bling-bling revelationshit powerful French

union chiefPARIS: One of France’s most powerful unions spent 130,000 euros($165,000) to renovate a flat for its boss-who did however agree to dowithout a home cinema and wine cellar, a newspaper revealed yester-day. Thierry Lepaon was last year elected secretary general of the CGTunion, one of France’s largest and a constant thorn in the side of compa-nies and the government.

But the former boilermaker lived in Calvados in the north of Francewhich meant he needed an apartment in or near the French capital. Theunion-which confirmed the renovations took place without disclosingthe cost-found a flat next to the leafy Bois de Vincennes just outsideParis, the satirical investigative weekly Le Canard Enchaine reported. As itneeded renovating, the CGT forked out 130,000 euros ($165,000) for the120 square-metre flat, although the bill would have been much higher ifLepaon had kept plans for a home cinema and wine cellar, it said. —AFP

I N T E R N AT I O N A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

NEW DELHI: India’s government handed over the names ofmore than 600 Indians with foreign bank accounts to theSupreme Court yesterday after public outrage over rampanttax evasion.

The court, which ordered the government to release thelist, has given the names to an investigative team that thegovernment set up in June to find the illegal funds that taxdodgers have parked overseas. The court set a deadline ofMarch 31 next year for the team to complete its probe andbegin legal action against tax evaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he wants to prosecutetax dodgers and bring money stashed in tax havens back intothe country but little progress has been made since his land-slide election victory earlier this year. Attorney General MukulRohatgi said 627 people are named on the list. They all hadaccounts with a Geneva branch of HSBC, information that was

disclosed in 2011 by an employee of the bank and passed toIndia but not acted on by the previous government. They arelikely a tiny fraction of Indians with foreign bank accounts.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, India’s equivalent ofthe FBI, said in 2012 that $500 billion was held by Indians intax havens overseas. Funds are stashed in tax havens such asLiechtenstein, British Virgin Islands, Switzerland, Mauritius,Jersey and the Isle of Man.

India has a flourishing “black money” economy that func-tions parallel to the legal economy. Undeclared income isused to fund election campaigns and buy land or real estatein order to avoid paying property taxes. On Monday, the gov-ernment disclosed the names of seven people who it said hadillegal accounts abroad. That led to widespread outrage,prompting the court to step in and order the government toreveal all the names that it had.

The government told the court that it was committed todisclosing the names of people holding money abroad ille-gally. In an affidavit, the government said that since everyaccount held by an Indian in a foreign country may not beillegal, it would investigate the accounts before disclosing thenames of account holders.

India’s anti-corruption crusader Arvind Kejriwal said thespecial investigative team should carry out its probe in a rig-orous and timely manner and that government action againsttax evaders must be uniform. “Our information is that the gov-ernment is acting in a selective manner by letting off someoffenders, conducting raids on some, and asking others topay taxes and penalties,” Kejriwal, the head of the CommonMan Party, or Aam Aadmi, told reporters. “This shouldn’t hap-pen. Government should take strictest action against all taxoffenders.” — AP

NEW DELHI: India’s Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, center, addresses the media outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi yesterday. — AP

India govt submits 600 names with foreign accounts to SC

India to probe Indians with huge foreign assets

DHAKA: A Bangladesh court yesterday sentenced todeath the leader of the country’s largest Islamist partyfor war crimes, a long-awaited verdict that triggeredviolent protests by his supporters.

The war crimes tribunal found Motiur RahmanNizami, head of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, guilty ofmass murder, rape and looting during Bangladesh’swar of independence against Pakistan in 1971.

Head judge Enayetur Rahim sentenced Nizami to“hang by the neck until his death” for orchestrating thekilling of doctors, intellectuals and others during the con-flict as head of a ruthless militia. “It’s a historic verdict,”chief prosecutor Haider Ali told reporters outside thepacked and heavily guarded court in Dhaka. Ali saidNizami, Jamaat’s leader since 2000 and a minister in a for-mer Jamaat-allied government, led the notorious Al-Badr militia “which took part in many heinous crimes”.Security was tightened across Bangladesh before the rul-ing after similar judgements against several of Nizami’ssenior lieutenants plunged the country into one of itsworst crises last year.

Jamaat supporters took to the streets in cities andtowns to protest against the latest sentence, clashingwith police and border guards, but it was quiet in thecapital. Around 1,000 Jamaat activists hurled smallbombs at officers who fired rubber bullets and tear gas inresponse in the northwestern town of Shibganj, policeinspector Abdus Sabur Khan said, adding that about adozen people were injured. Police also fired rubber bul-lets and tear gas in the northeastern city of Sylhet to dis-perse demonstrators, while smaller clashes and protestswere reported in more than a dozen other towns andcities.

Jamaat, more than a dozen of whose leaders are beingtried for war crimes, called a three-day nationwide strikestarting Thursday, saying it was “stunned” by the verdict.

Junior home minister Asaduzzaman Khan said “allsorts of security measures” had been taken acrossBangladesh including the deployment of extra police,amid fears the sentence could unleash a new round ofbloodletting. Tens of thousands of Jamaat supportersfought with police and more than 500 people died in theearlier unrest and in subsequent political violence aheadof disputed polls in January.

Death hit list Nizami at the time of the war was leader of the Islami

Chhatra Sangha, what was then the student wing ofJamaat. Prosecutors say he turned it into the Al-Badr pro-Pakistani militia which killed professors, writers, doctorsand journalists.

The aim was to make the fledgling nation an “intellec-tual cripple”, prosecutor Mohammad Ali said before theverdict. “When it was clear Pakistan was losing the war, asthe chief commander of Al-Badr he ordered a ‘hit list’based on which top intellectuals were abducted andkilled,” he said.

Nizami is already on death row after being sentencedto hang in January for trafficking weapons and trying toship them to a rebel group in northeast India. Nizami’sdefence lawyer vowed to appeal the sentence in theSupreme Court, saying his client was being pursued aspart of a government witch-hunt against its opponents.

“It’s an unacceptable judgement. The court ruledbeyond its jurisdiction. There was no evidence that any-one saw him killing,” lawyer Tajul Islam said. Law ministerSyed Anisul Haque said “the government is satisfied” withthe sentence, and he would push to have Nizami’s likelyappeal hearing heard quickly. Since it was established byPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2010, theInternational Crimes Tribunal has sentenced around adozen opposition leaders for war crimes. —AFP

Top BangladeshIslamist leader

sentenced to death

DHAKA: Activists and former freedom fighters whofought against Pakistan in the 1971 war demonstratefollowing the sentencing against Jamaat-e-Islami partyleader Motiur Rahman Nizami outside the InternationalCrimes Tribunal court in Dhaka yesterday.—AFP

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s highest court yes-terday dismissed a constitutional challengeagainst an archaic law criminalizing sexbetween men, striking a fresh blow to thecity-state’s growing gay-rightsmovement.The Court of Appeal upheld rul-ings by lower courts that it was up toParliament to repeal the provision in thepenal code, known as Section 377A. “Whilstwe understand the deeply held personalfeelings of the appellants, there is nothingthat this court can do to assist them,” judgesAndrew Phang, Belinda Ang and Woo Bih Lisaid in a written verdict. “Their remedy lies, ifat all, in the legislative sphere,” the judgessaid.

The ruling addressed two separate chal-lenges to the law. One was by Tan Eng Hong,who was arrested after being caught with amale partner in a public toilet cubicle in2010, while the other was filed by a gay cou-ple. The judges said they only considered“legal arguments” and not “extra-legal con-siderations and matters of social policywhich were outside the remit of the court”.

According to the judges, examples ofextra-legal arguments put forward by theappellants’ lawyers included that Section377A represented “the tyranny of the major-ity” and that the sexual conduct of theirclients caused no harm to others.

Huge step backward?However judges said such arguments

were not for the courts to consider In a

statement, Tan’s lawyer M Ravi said the judg-ment was a “huge step backwards forhuman rights in Singapore”.

Ravi added that it was “disturbing” that“the Supreme Court has now thrown thisissue back to Parliament, when otherCommonwealth countries have struckdown this legislation as discriminatory and(an) absurd relic of the colonial past”.Section 377A, first introduced in 1938 byBritish colonial administrators, carries a max-imum penalty of two years in jail for homo-sexual acts.

The law states: “Any male person who, inpublic or private, commits, or abets thecommission of, or procures or attempts toprocure the commission by any male personof, any act of gross indecency with anothermale person, shall be punished with impris-onment for a term which may extend to 2years.” Although Section 377A is not activelyenforced, the government has said it shouldstay on the books because mostSingaporeans are conservative and do notaccept homosexuality.

A scientific survey conducted byresearchers at the Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity in 2010 and published last yearfound Singaporeans’ views towards homo-sexuality gradually becoming more positivecompared to attitudes in 2005. The studyfound religion a major factor determiningattitudes towards homosexuals, withMuslims and Christians being the most neg-ative. —AFP

Wife raises concerns over Myanmar reporter’s death

YANGON: The wife of a reporter shot byMyanmar soldiers while in army custodydenounced yesterday the military’s ver-sion of the killing, as the United Statesvoiced “serious concern” over the inci-dent. At an emotional press conference inYangon, Thandar angrily dismissed anarmy statement on the shooting, whichsaid that her husband was a member of arebel group in the volatile eastern borderregion where he was arrested in earlyOctober.

“My husband was never a member ofan armed group. His friends and every-one who knows him knows that he was avery gentle person. He was never in afight,” she told reporters of her husbandAung Naing, who was also known as ParGyi. Aung Naing was gunned down as hetried to flee detention in the town ofKyaikmaraw in the southeastern state ofMon on October 4, according to a state-ment last week from the military.

The US embassy in Yangon said it hadraised “serious concern” with theMyanmar government over the killing. Itsstatement came just days beforePresident Barack Obama is due to visitthe once-cloistered nation as it hosts amajor regional conference in November.“We call on the government to conduct acredible and transparent investigationinto the circumstances surrounding hisdeath, and to hold the perpetratorsaccountable,” a US official said.

Thandar, who goes by only one name,said her husband was a freelance journal-ist covering unrest in the border region,where fighting between troops andrebels has flared in recent weeks.

“I do not want any other citizen to go

through what Par Gyi went through,” shesaid.

She added that she was working tohave her husband’s body exhumed tocheck his injuries and get a better under-standing of the circumstances of hisdeath, but was awaiting permission fromlocal police.

Aung Naing had previous long-stand-ing connections to the democracy move-ment, including acting as a security guardfor opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyiduring mass protests in 1988 against thethen-junta government, which were bru-tally crushed by the military.

Last week the US-based Committee toProtect Journalists said Aung Naing wasthought to have worked for several localnews titles. But the interim MyanmarPress Council was unable to confirm hisstatus as a reporter. Reporters were regu-larly detained under the former junta,which passed long jail sentences on jour-nalists while choking off information withsome of the world’s most draconian cen-sorship rules.

Reforms implemented by the currentregime, including freeing most politicalprisoners and lifting pre-publicationpress scrutiny, have been praised by theinternational community as the countryopens up.

But the jailing of several journaliststhis year has raised fears that Myanmarcould be backsliding on media freedoms.Ko Ko Gyi, a prominent rights campaignerwith the Generation 88 movement, urgedthe military to respond to concerns aboutthe death swiftly and transparently. “Webelieve there will be no reconciliation ifthey hide the truth,” he said. — AFP

YANGON: Thandar (center) arrives at 88 Generation students office prior to a pressconference about her late husband Aung Naing, in Yangon yesterday. — AFP

PUSHKAR: A camel herder is seen at the annual cattle fair in Pushkar, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, yesterday. Pushkar, located onthe banks of Pushkar Lake, is a popular Hindu pilgrimage spot that is also frequented by foreign tourists who come to the town for the annualcattle fair and camel races. —AP

Singapore’s top court upholds anti-gay law

I N T E R N AT ION A LTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

PYONGYANG: North Korean and Japanese officials heldtheir second and final day of talks yesterday to assessprogress in an investigation of the fates of Japanese citi-zens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and ‘80s.The abduction issue has long been a major obstacle inthe frosty ties between the two nations, which have noformal diplomatic relations. While the two sides havemet in third countries, it’s the first time in a decade thatthey are having official talks in North Korea.

“We strongly requested that the investigation beconducted promptly, and that they inform us of theresults as soon as possible,” Junichi Ihara, the foreign

ministry official heading the Japanese delegation, saidafter the first day of talks in Pyongyang on Tuesday. “Wealso emphasized ... that the abduction issue is the mostimportant task for Japan.” After years of denial, NorthKorea acknowledged in an unprecedented 2002 sum-mit between former North Korean leader Kim Jong Iland then-Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumithat its agents had kidnapped 13 Japanese, mainly totrain spies in Japanese language and culture. It allowedfive of them to return to Japan that year, but said theothers had died. Japan thinks at least some of them maystill be alive, and believes hundreds more may also have

been abducted. In what was seen as a significant break-through after years of stalemate, North Korea agreed inMay to launch a new probe into the abductions. Inexchange, Japan agreed to ease some unilateral sanc-tions on North Korea, though it continues to enforcesanctions backed by the United Nations over NorthKorea’s nuclear and long-range missile programs.

Progress in North Korea’s re-investigation has beenslower than Tokyo had hoped. In September, Ihara andhis North Korean counterpart, Song Il Ho, held a meet-ing in the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang. Japanwas hoping then to receive a preliminary report on the

investigation, but was told instead that officials shouldcome to Pyongyang to meet the special investigationcommittee if it wanted specifics.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has promisednot to relent until all of the abductees are returned toJapan or accounted for. That could prove to be a verycomplicated and sensitive matter since estimates of thenumber of abductees range from the 17 that theJapanese government officially acknowledges to morethan 800 that Japanese police list as cases of missingpersons in which abductions by North Korea cannot beruled out. — AP

Japan, North Korea in 2nd day of abduction talks

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre right) and former Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda (centre left), chairman of the BoaoForum for Asia, gather for a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. — AFP

HONG KONG: A senior Hong Kong lawmakerwas expelled from a prestigious Chinese govern-ment body yesterday, in a sign that Beijing willnot tolerate dissent from loyalists over pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomouscity. James Tien had his “qualifications revoked”as a member of the Chinese People’s PoliticalConsultative Conference (CPPCC), the state-runChina News Service said. The prominent busi-nessman and politician had criticized HongKong’s embattled leader Leung Chun-ying forfailing to put an end to more than a month ofpro-democracy protests-an unusual move for apro-Beijing lawmaker.

The CPPCC voted to pass the “decision onrevoking Tian Beijun’s membership in the 12thChinese People’s Political ConsultativeConference”, the government body said, usingTien’s name in Mandarin and without providingfurther details. In a brief statement Tien said heaccepted the CPPCC ruling and would resign asleader of Hong Kong’s pro-business Liberal Party.

“I just remembered I am a lawmaker in HongKong, neglecting my role as a CPPCC member.Maybe that was inappropriate,” Tien said of hiscomments about Leung. But he insisted later hewould not withdraw his comments. “I see no rea-son for me to retract my statement or change myposition... I speak from the bottom of my heartanyway,” Tien told a press conference.

Demonstrators have staged street rallies androad blockades for more than a month, callingfor free leadership elections for the former Britishcolony in 2017. The demonstrations present themost concerted challenge to Beijing’s authoritysince the bloody 1989 Tiananmen protests. Tien’syounger brother Michael, another Hong Konglawmaker, said before the announcement thathis brother was being punished for perceiveddisloyalty to Leung. “The decision is definitelybased on my brother’s comments about CY(Leung Chun-ying),” Michael Tien said.

James Tien said last week that Leung shouldconsider resigning for failing to halt the protests.

“Residents are ignoring court injunctions (to dis-perse) and pan-democrats are being uncoopera-tive. How is he going to govern?” Tien said onFriday, according to the South China MorningPost. Despite hailing from Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing camp, the 67-year-old politician is nostranger to ruffling political feathers. In 2003 he

withdrew his party’s support for a government-backed national security bill amid large streetprotests, leading to the legislation’s collapse andthe eventual resignation of Hong Kong’s then-leader Tung Chee-hwa.

UnpopularHe backed Leung’s opponent Henry Tang in

the 2012 race to be the city’s chief executive.Leung increasingly unpopular Leung’s popularityhas taken a nosedive since the protests beganlast month. A poll this week by the ChineseUniversity of Hong Kong showed he now has a38.6 voter approval rating on a 0 to 100 approvalscale-his lowest since taking office in July 2012,when he scored 53.9.

A hate figure among protesters, who are call-ing for him to resign, Leung stirred fresh angerlast week when he said that open elections werenot feasible because they would result in thecity’s poor dominating politics. The demonstra-tions were sparked by China’s decision that allcandidates running for the top Hong Kong postin 2017 must be vetted by a loyalist committee, adecision which the protesters say will result inthe election of a pro-Beijing stooge.

China has refused to budge in the face of therallies and has publicly thrown its full supportbehind the Hong Kong administration. Tien’sbrother said the central government had littletolerance for dissent at such a crucial time.

“President Xi (Jinping) himself has openlyannounced and had asked for all the support.The timing is crucial,” said Michael Tien, addingthat Beijing leaders expect the city’s establish-ment politicians to support Leung “wholeheart-edly”. “If there is any change at this moment(within the city leadership), the Occupy move-ment is going to turn into a severe, ugly crisis...they need CY Leung to stay here and resolve thecrisis,” he said, referring to the protests known asOccupy Central. The CPPCC is a discussion bodythat is part of the Communist party-controlledgovernmental structure. — AFP

China punishes lawmaker for criticizing HK leaderAction suggests Beijing won’t tolerate dissent

HONG KONG: Hong Kong lawmaker JamesTien speaks to the media during a press con-ference in Hong Kong yesterday. A seniorHong Kong lawmaker was expelled from aprestigious Chinese government body, in asign that Beijing will not tolerate dissentfrom loyalists over pro-democracy protests inthe semi-autonomous city. — AFP

UNITED NATIONS: A UN human rights inves-tigator said Tuesday that he was surprised andgratified that North Korean officials raised thepossibility of allowing him to visit their coun-try, but the prospect of such a trip remainsdeeply uncertain because of demands theNorth Koreans made in exchange.

Marzuki Darusman said North Korea isinsisting that a proposed UN resolution drop arecommendation that the North be consid-ered for referral to the International CriminalCourt over its human rights record. The specialinvestigator said he conveyed this message tothe European Union and Japan, which draftedthe resolution, but that he would not beinvolved in any further discussions betweenthe parties.

Darusman met with four North Korean offi-cials on Monday, the first such encounter sincethe office of special rapporteur for humanrights in North Korea was created 10 years ago.He said he was surprised when the officialsmentioned the possibility of a visit, whichwould be a breakthrough in internationalefforts to have a firsthand look at the way thedeeply impoverished but nuclear-armed coun-try treats its citizens. He said the North Koreansalso floated the possibility of a visit by the UNhigh commissioner for human rights. “It’s quitea big jump for North Korea,” Darusman said ata news conference. “It’s a very pragmatic stepthey are taking.”

But Darusman said the North Koreansmade clear they want mention of the ICCdropped from the resolution “so that theywould be in a position to issue an invitation.”The nonbinding resolution, which could beintroduced to the UN General Assembly nextmonth, would urge the Security Council toconsider referring North Korea’s situation tothe ICC, as well as press for targeted sanctions.It doesn’t name names but a UN commissionof inquiry warned leader Kim Jong Un in a let-ter earlier this year that he may be heldaccountable for orchestrating widespreadcrimes against civilians.

Darusman said the North Koreans wereupset about the mention of Kim because “ittouches on the sanctity” of the leader. An EUspokesperson did not discount the possibilityof addressing the North’s concerns. “Theobjective of this text is to bring change to thehuman rights situation in the country, by

which we mean real improvements on theground,” the spokesperson said. “It is with thisobjective in mind that the EU and its co-spon-sors will look at any proposals made by theDPRK.” A Japanese official said the govern-ment in Tokyo has been made aware of themessage conveyed by Daruman “but I cannotpredict whether the resolution will be modi-fied or not.” The official said “our policy is fornow unchanged” and Japan would continueseeking support from UN members for theresolution. The officials both spoke on condi-tion of anonymity because they were notauthorized to speak on private discussions byname. Darusman, who has been special rap-porteur since 2010, said it is “out of question”for the resolution to drop calls for officials tobe held accountable for human rights atroci-ties but he spoke of the possibility of “refor-mulating” the language. When asked whetherthat could mean dropping direct mention ofthe ICC he said, “It depends on how you for-mulate that.”

DefensiveThe North has been on the defensive since

the UN commission of inquiry released aharshly critical report accusing the regime ofrunning political prison camps with up to120,000 people and sponsoring abductions ofSouth Koreans, Japanese and others.

That report recommended that the North’ssituation be referred to the ICC, somethingDaruman backed in the annual report he pre-sented Monday to the General Assembly’scommission on human rights. Even if theSecurity Council were to take up the matter,China would likely veto any resolution thatincluded a referral of its North Korean ally tothe ICC. But the North Koreans have engagedin an unusually public diplomatic blitz to stopthe idea from even reaching a vote.

Choe Myong Nam, a North Korean foreignministry official in charge of human rightsissues, told The Associated Press on Mondaythat no date has been fixed for a visit fromDarusman, but his country is looking for a“new and objective report” on North Korea’shuman rights situation. “Previous reports hehas prepared have been based on rumors andfabrications, as well as distortions,” he said.Phones rang unanswered Tuesday at NorthKorea’s UN Mission. — AP

UN investigator cautious on N Korea engagement

PYONGYANG: Junichi Ihara (left), director general of the Asia and Oceania AffairsBureau of Japan’s Foreign Ministry, speaks during a press conference at YanggakdoHotel in Pyongyang yesterday. The second and final day of talks was underway yes-terday between North Korean and Japanese officials assessing progress into aninvestigation of the fates of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970sand ‘80s. — AP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has followed upon two fuel subsidy cuts in the past yearwith a proposal for a tiered subsidy systemthat skeptics say will be hard to executeand looks more like an attempt to placatevoters griping about living costs. In recentyears, Malaysia has shielded its citizensfrom the full brunt of surging crude oilprices with fuel subsidies of around 24 bil-lion ringgit ($7.34 billion) annually. That hasexacerbated the government’s budgetdeficit, one of the region’s biggest as a pro-portion of gross domestic product.

To shore up its finances, Malaysia cutthe subsidies in September 2013 and thenagain this month. That raised the price ofpetrol and diesel, stirring public debate oninflation and living costs. The subject isgrowing ever more tender as Malaysiaheads towards implementing a 6 percentgoods and services tax in April next year.Economists say a window has opened upfor Southeast Asia to consider dismantlingsubsidies as global crude prices sink tomulti-year lows. But instead of biting thebullet and pledging more market-orientedfuel prices, Malaysia earlier this week pro-posed tweaking its subsidy system.

Second Finance Minister Ahmad HusniHanadzlah said on Monday that the gov-ernment is considering implementing athree-tier fuel subsidy mechanism nextyear under which some of the populationwill be fully subsidized and some not at all,depending on how much people earn a

month. Critics of Prime Minister NajibRazak’s economic stewardship say it is atactic to ensure that the majority of societycontinues to be subsidized, especially poorbut politically important states such asSabah. “The whole idea of subsidies is youtarget the lower income, and the sad thingis subsidies are also a reward program,” saidJames Chin, a professor of political scienceat the Malaysian campus of Australia’sMonash University. Under the proposedtiered mechanism, individuals earning lessthan 5,000 ringgit a month will be eligiblefor a full subsidy. Those earning between5,000 and 10,000 ringgit would get a partialsubsidy and those earning more than thatwould get nothing.

But the median monthly salary forMalaysia’s 9.3 million workers stood at1,500 ringgit last year, according to a gov-ernment report published in August. Thatsuggests at least half of the population willcontinue to get fuel subsidies. “The highthresholds and low median income sug-gest that this scheme will not materiallyreduce the fuel subsidy bill,” said Chua HakBin, a Singapore-based economist at Bankof America Corp.

“There is also considerable scope forcheating, such as asking friends or family tofill up petrol, and difficulties in enforce-ment.” A direct fuel price hike would bemore effective, with some of the fiscal sav-ings then re-packaged as handouts to thepoor, Chua said. —Reuters

Critics slam Malaysia’s tiered fuel subsidy plan

BEIJING: Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani haspledged to help China fight Islamist militants, asenior Chinese official said on Tuesday, after Ghanimet President Xi Jinping in Beijing on his first visitabroad since his September inauguration. China,which is connected to Afghanistan by the narrow,almost impassable Wakhan Corridor, says militantsseeking to set up a separate state called EastTurkistan in its western Xinjiang region are holedup along the ungoverned Afghan-Pakistani border.

Leaders in Beijing, who have been bracing formore responsibility in Afghanistan as the bulk ofUS-led troops pull out, worry that ethnic Uighurseparatists from Xinjiang will take advantage if thecountry again descends into chaos.

“In the area of security, President Ghaniexpressed the readiness and staunch support fromthe Afghan side in China’s fight against EastTurkistan Islamic Movement terrorist forces,” KongXuanyou, director general of the Foreign Ministry’sAsian Affairs Department, told journalists afterGhani and Xi met.

The two sides said in a joint statement Chinawould give 2 bill ion yuan ($327 million) toAfghanistan through to 2017, with 500 millionyuan of that in 2014 and 1.5 billion yuan over thenext three years. China also will help train 3,000Afghan professionals over the next five years.

China says it does not seek to replace thedeparted Western troops in Afghanistan but haspromised to play a “huge” commercial role in help-ing rebuild the country. Up to now, China’s com-mitment to Afghan reconstruction since the fall ofthe hardline Islamist Taleban regime in 2001 has

been about $250 million and its security supporthas been mostly limited to counter-narcotics train-ing. Xi has repeatedly urged Central Asian coun-tries to step up the fight against religious militancy,which the Chinese government says helped incite aspate of attacks in Xinjiang and across China in

which hundreds of people have been killed in thepast two years. Experts, however, dispute the influ-ence of foreign militant groups in China, and arguethat economic marginalization of Muslim Uighurs,who call Xinjiang home, is one of the main causesof violence there. —Reuters

China says Afghanistan will help Beijing fight militants

KARO: Indonesia President Joko Widodo, popularly known as “Jokowi” (center) and his wife Irianaare greeted by villagers during his visit at a temporary shelter for people who are affected by theeruption of Mount Sinabung, in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, yesterday. Mount Sinabung,among about 130 active volcanoes in the country, has sporadically erupted since 2010 after beingdormant for 400 years, forcing thousands of people to remain in evacuation centers. —AP

N E W STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

Continued from Page 1

In another development, MP Maayouf asked the newEducation Minister Bader Al-Essa about the problem ofstateless children who are barred from attending schooland whose relatives have been organizing a sit in out-side the education ministry. According to activists,around 600 bedoon children were barred from schoolbecause their fathers do not carry the required ID issued

from the central bedoon agency. Maayouf asked aboutthe ministry’s mechanism of dealing with the issue and ifa committee has been formed to study the problem.

Separately, the new foreign relations committee yes-terday elected MP Hamad Al-Harashani as head of thepanel and MP Madhi Al-Hajeri as its rapporteur. The legaland legislative committee also elected MP Mubarak Al-Harees as its chairman and MP Abdulhameed Dashti asrapporteur.

Pro-government MPs want return of...

Continued from Page 1

Large American-model cars rule the city’s multi-laneroads where thousands of people die every year. SomeRiyadh residents think the metro will appeal more toRiyadh’s foreign workers, while Saudis would be reluctantriders. Allohaidan says he can understand that perception,because the system will be something new to the king-dom. But he believes people, “especially Saudis”, will use it.The network will have a capacity of about three millionpassengers per day, and will even offer home pickups totransfer commuters living far from the nearest bus stop.

In ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia men and women arestrictly segregated. Restaurants are divided into “family

sections” and areas for single men. In the Riyadh Metrooffices, a two-metre train model shows that the railwaycarriages will be split in a similar way, with the addition of afirst-class compartment. In the world’s only country wherewomen are not allowed to drive, the transport system willprovide them mobility, but Allohaidan said planners hopethe metro will also attract the large under-20 population.

Civic authorities are looking at how to encourage theuse of public transportation, while research is also beingdone about possible restrictions on the use of cars. About40 percent of the metro will be underground and half willuse viaducts in what is the biggest infrastructure project inRiyadh’s history. “This is a world-class metro,” Allohaidansaid. “We are rebuilding the city.” — AFP

$22.5bn Riyadh metro a ‘race against time’Continued from Page 1

Sata had named Defence Minister Edgar Lungu as actingpresident before he left for Britain, despite doubts about theconstitutionality of that move. But it later emerged that vice-President Guy Scott, 70, will take the reins until elections areheld within 90 days.

Scott - whose parents came from Scotland - becomes thefirst white president of an African nation since FW de Klerkruled apartheid South Africa more than 20 years ago. But heis not eligible to stand in upcoming elections, thanks to aconstitutional rule barring presidential candidates whoseparents were born outside Zambia, a former British colony. Inan address to the nation Scott vowed to uphold the constitu-tion and announced a period of mourning. “We will miss ourbeloved president and comrade,” he said.

Scott is a lively character who has caused diplomatic con-troversy in the past, describing South Africans as “backward”in an interview with Britain’s Guardian newspaper last year. “Ilike a lot of South Africans but they really think they’re thebees’ knees and actually they’ve been the cause of so muchtrouble in this part of the world,” he said. “He is a black man ina white man’s skin,” said Nathan Phiri, a bus driver. “The veryfact we accepted him as vice-president shows that we con-sider him as one of us.”

Sata was elected in 2011 to preside over his landlocked,southern African nation of 15 million people. It was a tri-umphant post for a man who rose from sweeping Londonrailway stations, through to being a policeman and tradeunionist. Once in power, though, he proved to be an authori-tarian populist who inveighed against political foes, themedia and sometimes even allies, earning him his snakysobriquet. His admirers saw him more as a no-nonsense manof action.

Sata had not been seen in public since returning from theUN General Assembly last month, where he failed to make ascheduled speech. Even before Sata’s death, analysts had saida power struggle for Zambia’s top job was already well underway within the Patriotic Front. They now face a divisive pri-mary battle, before a possible general election challengefrom former president Rupiah Banda, who is facing graftcharges, has hinted at a possible return to active politics. “Iam legally eligible to stand,” he told AFP early this month, cit-ing calls from his supporters to return to the political fray.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Sata“played a commanding role in the public life of his countryover three decades”. African leaders also paid rich tributes.Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta hailed him as an “outstand-ing son of Africa”. “He was gifted with unique, admirable abili-ties and strong values,” Kenyatta said in a statement. SouthAfrica’s ruling ANC said: “Zambia has lost not only a presidentwho prioritised the poor, but also led the Zambian govern-ment at a time when the continent is working to reclaim itsplace in the global governance and economy.”

Scott stands out as the only white politician in a govern-ment of a country whose population of whites is less thanone percent. He described his elevation to the country’s topjob as a “bit of a shock to the system”.

The colourful interim president is known for his undiplo-matic candour, once branding South Africans as “backward”and the Indian city of Jaipur “a terrible dump.” “I hate SouthAfricans. I dislike South Africa for the same reason that LatinAmericans dislike the United States, I think. It’s just too bigand too unsubtle,” he told London’s Guardian newspaper lastyear. In an interview with the same newspaper he said thatSata once asked him “what would you be if you weren’twhite?” “I said, ‘The president?’ That shut him up,” Scottrecalled. — Agencies

Scott becomes Africa’s first white...

RIYADH: Abdullah Allohaidan, assistant of the director of the Riyadh Metro, points to a metro project map atthe company’s operation building in the Saudi capital yesterday. — AFP

A pair of horses stands together in a pasture near Illinois Route 8 east of Elmwood, Illinois as the sun sets on Tuesday. — AFP

By Deb Riechmann and Bassem Mroue

Al-Qaeda is using US-led coalition airstrikes in Syria as areason to extend olive branches to the renegade IslamicState group, saying the two should stop feuding and

join forces to attack Western targets - a reunification that intelli-gence analysts say would allow Al-Qaeda to capitalize on theyounger group’s ruthless advance across the region. Analystsare closely watching Al-Qaeda’s repeated overtures, and while afull reconciliation is not expected soon - if ever - there is evi-dence the two groups have curtailed their infighting and arecooperating on the Syrian battlefield, according to activists onthe ground, US officials and experts who monitor jihadi mes-sages.

Al-Qaeda is saying, “Let’s just have a truce in Syria,” said TomJoscelyn, who tracks terror groups for the Long War Journal.“That is what’s underway now. ... What we have seen is thatlocal commanders are entering into local truces. There are defi-nitely areas where the two groups are not fighting.” The IslamicState group has seized about a third of Iraq and Syrian territoryand is terrorizing civilians to impose a strict interpretation ofIslamic law. Their advances led to airstrikes by the United Statesand a coalition of Western and Persian Gulf nations in both Iraqand Syria. IS was kicked out of Al-Qaeda in May after disobeyingits leader, Ayman Al-Zawahiri. So far, IS has not publiclyresponded to Al-Qaeda’s calls to reunite - the most recent onOct 17 from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based offshoot that denounced the airstrikes and called on rivalmilitant groups to stop their infighting and together train theirsights on the West. Reconciling with Al-Qaeda senior leadershipwould let IS benefit from Al-Qaeda’s broad, international net-work but would also leave it restrained in carrying out its ownattacks. For its side, Al-Qaeda would get a boost from theIslamic State group’s newfound popularity, which has providedan influx of new recruits and money. The Treasury Departmentsaid last week that IS has earned about $1 million a day fromselling oil on the black market.

One school of thought is that if the two groups continue tospend time and resources fighting each other, it diminishes theterror threat to the West. Experts tracking terrorist networks say,however, that continued infighting also could incite a competi-

tion over who would be the first to launch a new attack againstthe West. Jihadi groups across the world recently have rushedto proclaim a new allegiance to IS, either out of fear or becausethey want to be with the winning team. But Joseclyn notes thatthey are all “B-listers”, not mainline Al-Qaeda affiliates. “TheIslamic State is the strongest jihadist group in Iraq and Syria, butthe evidence thus far says that Al-Qaeda is much strongereverywhere else,” he said.

The British-based Syrian Observatory forHuman Rights, which has a networkof activists around Syria, also saidthat Islamic State and NusraFront, Al-Qaeda’s affiliate inSyria, have stopped fight-ing in parts of the coun-try since the airstrikesbegan there Sept 23.Rami Abdurrahman,director of theObservatory, said thatin the Qalamounregion borderingLebanon, the twogroups have been coop-erating for some time -even before the strikes.Moreover,Abdurrahman says, hun-dreds of fighters havedefected from NusraFront and joined theIslamic State group.“Tens of fighters leftNusra over the pastdays,” he said, citingincreased sympathy forthe group because ofthe airstrikes. “Theybelieve that they arebeing attacked by whatthey call the infidel crusad-

er enemy” - the United States - and should not be fightingagainst each other.

An activist in the central Syrian province of Hama who is incontact with rebels in Aleppo and Idlib in northern Syria saidhundreds of militants have defected from Nusra Front as well asan ultraconservative group that had fought for months along-side Nusra Front against the Islamic State. The activist, BassilDarwish, also said infighting stopped after the US said inAugust that it would launch airstrikes. Asked if the plans for

airstrikes by the US-led coalition led to this undeclaredtruce, he said, “Yes, this is the main reason.”

Rita Katz, the director and co-founder of theSITE Intelligence Group, which analyzes inter-

national terrorists’ messages, said she sees noevidence that the infighting has stoppedand cited fighting between the groupsabout 10 days ago in Aleppo. “I cannotbelieve that at this stage IS or Nusra aresaying they are not fighting,” she said.

Meantime, Al-Qaeda is worried aboutthe Islamic State group’s success in recruit-ing young jihadis - so much so that a pro-Al-Qaeda cleric from Saudi Arabia wentonline last week to chastise militant com-manders, including ones affiliated with Al-Qaeda, for not doing more to stem the tideof recruits heading to IS. AbdullahMuhammad Al-Muhaysini denounced IS forkilling Muslims and for declaring a

caliphate, or Islamic empire, “withoutconsultation” among all Muslims. He

said he planned to visit all the top jiha-di leaders in Syria to again try to unifythe groups.

Experts and intelligence officialssay that’s unlikely. Sen Angus King, aMaine independent who sits on the

Senate Intelligence and ArmedServices committees, said it was “likely”

the two groups cooperate, at least tacti-cally. But, he added, “they certainly don’t

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A N A L Y S I STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

By Crina Boros

Latin American cities have the most dangerous trans-port systems for women with about six in every 10women physically harassed, while New York City is

safest, according to a Thomson Reuters Foundation surveyof some of the world’s largest cities. The poll of 15 of theworld’s largest capitals and New York, the most populous UScity, found Bogota in Colombia ranked as having the mostunsafe public transport, with women scared to travel afterdark, followed by Mexico City, Lima, then Delhi.

The survey of more than 6,550 women and genderexperts ranked Moscow as the worst European capital, com-ing ninth in the list, with women lacking confidence thatauthorities would investigate reports of abuse. Paris came11th due to little confidence that other passengers wouldhelp a woman in trouble. New York was rated the best of the16 cities by women and experts asked their views onwomen’s safety on trains and buses in their cities, followedby Tokyo, the world’s largest capital with 38 million people,then Beijing and London.

The survey, conducted online by pollster YouGov andwith the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s own investigationwith specialists in each city, was released on Wednesday asstudies repeatedly show a link between safe transport andwomen’s economic empowerment and ability to work andstudy. Mary Crass, head of policy at the InternationalTransport Forum, an OECD think-tank, said it was worryingthat women were scared to use public transport in somemajor cities and the poll highlighted the need for moreaction.

“When there is not frequent, reliable, accessible trans-port, this can affect women and anyone’s ability to accessopportunity and notably employment in urban areas, whichcan make a big difference for women in particular,” she toldthe Thomson Reuters Foundation. “(Women) tend to bemore reliant on public transport ... particularly in lowincome or middle-income countries, in emergingeconomies.”

Travelling at NightThe survey, conducted as a rising number of cities ramp

up efforts to tackle sexual harassment on public transport,asked women as well as gender and city planning expertsfrom 15 of the United Nations list of 20 largest capitals sixquestions about their perception of safety on public trans-

port. Polling could not be conducted in five of the largestcapitals - Cairo, Dhaka, Kinshasa, Tehran and Baghdad - dueto conflict or YouGov and its polling partners being unableto guarantee the necessary online sample of women.

But 10 experts in Cairo, the world’s fifth largest capital,questioned by the Thomson Reuters Foundation gave rat-ings for their transport system which would have put theEgyptian capital among the five worst cities in the survey.After the Latin American cities and Delhi, the fifth worst inthe list was Jakarta, followed by Buenos Aires, Kuala Lumpur,Bangkok, Moscow, Manila, Paris and Seoul. The six questionsfocused on overall perception about safety on public trans-port, whether it was safe after dark, how at risk women wereof verbal or physical abuse, and confidence in the authoritiesdealing with reports of abuse or public help.

Bogota, a city of 9.6 million people by United Nations fig-ures that has no city train system but a network of red buses,came out worst when it came to overall safety and travellingafter dark. “Buses aren’t safe. You can get your bag or cellphone stolen and be harassed. When the bus is so packedit’s easy for men to rub up against you and grope you,” saidPaula Reyes, a supermarket cashier in Bogota. “There’s a totallack of respect for women here.”

Bogota, the world’s 16th largest capital, was ranked asthe most unsafe city for women to travel alone at night, fol-lowed by Delhi, the second largest capital with 25 millionpeople. The gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old femalestudent on a bus late at night in Delhi in December 2012horrified the city and prompted calls for action to improvesafety for women.

Violence in MexicoMexico City, the third largest capital with 21 million peo-

ple, fared worst when women were asked if they were at riskof verbal or physical abuse on public transport. More thansix out of 10 women in Mexico City, 64 percent, polled onlineby YouGov said they had been groped or experienced sometype of physical harassment on public transport. “Violenceagainst women and girls is one of the country’s structuralproblems with elevated levels of impunity,” UN Women’sMexico representative Ana Guezmes Garcia said.

By contrast only three out of 10 women surveyed in NewYork said they had suffered any kind of verbal or physicalharassment while using the city’s extensive subway systemand buses. “I’ve been living in New York for six years. I ridethe subway and take the bus occasionally .. and I’ve never

been harassed, not that I can remember,” said New York cityworker Sarah Williams, 34.

Women in Moscow ranked the Russian capital as worstwhen it came to confidence in authorities investigatingharassment. Seoul in South Korea ranked 12th in the overallsurvey but fared worst when women were asked how confi-dent they were that other passengers would assist a womanin trouble. Ji-hye Lee, a 23-year-old reporter with the KoreaTimes newspaper, was not surprised by the poll findings andsaid Korean men and women alike would blame the womanbeing harassed. “Women feel like they should avoid trouble,and they feel they’re responsible if there is trouble,” said Lee,adding the subway at night is often full of drunks. “A lot ofmy friends would say why were you taking public trans-portation at night anyway?”

New York came top for safety, having transformed its sub-way and bus system in the past 25 years. MetropolitanTransit Authority figures released this year showed subwayusage at 1.7 billion in the past year, the highest in 60 years.The city was hailed for its growing network of CCTV securitycameras on streets and transit lines, interactive Help Pointcommunications kiosks, and obvious police presence. “I loveNew York City transportation. It might be the safest place inNew York. There are cameras everywhere. I always felt safe,even late at night,” said Francesca, a filmmaker and studentat Hunter College, who declined to give her last name.

Tokyo was rated second for safety, which experts attrib-uted to a raft of measures taken in the city in recent years tocombat groping of women in often overcrowded buses andtrains. Tokyo was one of the first major capitals to introducewomen-only trains in 2000, colour-coding these areas inpink with well-displayed signs and transit police to enforcerules. Women-only sections on public transport are now alsofound in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Delhi, Cairo and Manilaamong others, while other cities, including London, aremulling this option, introducing CCTV on platforms andimproving lighting.

The index on public transport for women was based onYouGov responses from almost 6,300 women from the 16cities and a Thomson Reuters Foundation survey of at leastnine experts in each city including women’s rights activists,gender studies academics, urban planning architects andlawyers. The responses were compiled into an index by theThomson Reuters StarMine Quantitative Research Team,experts at creating analytics and quantitative models fromlarge amounts of data. —Reuters

For women commuters, Latam worst, NYC best

Italians and Americans score worst when it comesto correctly assessing basic facts of modern life,such as what proportion of the population are

immigrants or Muslims and what percentage ofteenage girls get pregnant. Swedes and Germans dobest, although even they consistently get thingswrong, according to a survey of 14 industrialisedcountries released yesterday. The analysis by marketresearch organisation Ipsos MORI shows how far per-ceptions stray from reality across a range of issues aspeople struggle to get a precise handle on aspects ofsociety that are seen as risks or worries.

Levels of immigration - a hot-button topic in manydeveloped countries - are overestimated everywherebut the United States veers further from reality thanmost, with an average guess that 32 percent of thepopulation are immigrants when the reality is 13 per-cent. Italy fares even worse, with an average guess of30 percent against a real figure of only seven percent.Italians are also spectacularly bad at estimating thenumber of old people in the country, believing that 48percent are over 65 years old. In reality, the over-65smake up a fifth of the population - a relatively high fig-ure but no higher than in Germany and considerablylower than in Japan.

Teenage pregnancy is another issue where peopleeverywhere get the sums badly wrong, reflecting thedifficulty of assessing occurrences that are relativelyrare. Americans think 24 percent of girls aged 15 to 19give birth each year, when the real figure is just 3 per-cent, and even the sensible Swedes are badly out,believing the annual teenage pregnancy rate is 8 per-cent compared to the actual 0.7 percent. “People arejust not very good at maths and they find it particular-ly hard to make estimates about very large numbers orvery small numbers,” said Bobby Duffy, global directorof the Ipsos Social Research Institute. “It seems peopleremember vivid anecdotes about things, regardless ofwhether they are describing something very rare.”

Health experts have bemoaned similar perceptionproblems in the current Ebola outbreak, where publicalarm over a handful of cases in the United States is atodds with the real risks. This topic was not covered inthe survey, which was conducted in August amongmore than 11,000 people across the 14 countries.

Religious DividesEstimating religious groupings in society is another

area where perception is seriously out of kilter withreality. Like other controversial topics, it is a subjectwhere media coverage is likely to play a role in exag-gerating misconceptions. People hugely overestimatethe proportion of Muslims living in their country, withthe French putting the figure at 31 percent, when thereal figure is 8 percent. The British guess at 21 percent(real figure 5 percent) and Americans estimate 15 per-cent (real figure 1 percent). Even in countries such asHungary, Poland, South Korea and Japan, where fewerthan one percent of the population is Muslim, peopleput the figure at four to seven percent.

By contrast, majority-Christian countries tend tounderestimate how many people count themselves asChristian. The ramifications of widespread ignoranceabout basic measures of what is happening in societyare unclear but they could potentially influencebehaviour and undermine rational political debate. If,as the survey found, people routinely underestimatethe proportion of the population that votes in elec-tions, there may be a persistent downward drift in vot-er turnout.

Similarly, if people are not accurately assessing theimpact of policies in areas such as immigration, thenaction by governments may not influence the politicaldebate as expected. Much of the disconnect may bedown to “emotional innumeracy” when answering,according to Duffy, who believes people may be send-ing a message about what is worrying them as muchas trying to reply to the questions correctly. “Causeand effect can run both ways, with our concern lead-ing to our misperceptions as much as our mispercep-tions creating our concern,” he said. —Reuters

By Ben Hirschler

Issues

Italy, US come bottom in

modern life

Qaeda still offers olive branch to IS

PITTSBURGH: Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosbyscored two of four second-period goals and thePittsburgh Penguins netted seven straight in an 8-3rout of the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.Trailing 3-1, the Penguins rallied behind Malkin. Heextended his point streak to eight games with a pow-er-play goal, his fourth of the year. Crosby scored hissixth and seventh goals, Patric Hornqvist netted hisfifth and Pascal Dupuis scored in his third straightgame, also on the power play. Steve Downie, BlakeComeau and Craig Adams also had goals forPittsburgh, which defeated New Jersey for the ninthtime in 11 home games.

Pittsburgh’s top-ranked power play scored threetimes, the fifth time in eight games it produced multi-ple goals. Dainius Zubrus scored his second of the sea-son nine seconds into the game, but the Devils wereunable to win for the fifth time in six road games.

SENATORS 5, BLUE JACKETS 2Clarke MacArthur had two goals and an assist as

the Senators beat Columbus in the Blue Jackets’ firstgame since star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky wassidelined by a broken finger.

Erik Karlsson added a goal and assist for Ottawa,which scored three times in the third period whilestopping a two-game slide. Zach Smith and AlexChiasson also scored, Kyle Turris had two assists andRobin Lehner had 36 saves. David Savard and CamAtkinson scored for injury-riddled Columbus, whichhas lost three in a row. Center Artem Anisimov wentdown after taking a shoulder in the second periodthat sent his helmet into the air and left him facedown on the ice.

FLYERS 3, KINGS 2Brayden Schenn scored 2:36 into overtime, helping

the Flyers end the Kings’ six-game win streak. Schennbeat Jonathan Quick on a breakaway. He was creditedwith the goal after a brief replay review, sending theFlyers to their third straight win.

Former Flyers captain Mike Richards scored thetying goal in the third period. Tyler Toffoli also scoredfor the Kings. Michael Raffl and Chris VandeVeldescored in regulation for the Flyers. The Flyers outshotthe Kings 41-39 in regulation.

WILD 4, BRUINS 3Marco Scandella scored with 5:53 remaining as the

Wild rallied for three goals in the third period to beatthe Bruins 4-3. One night after allowing five goals inthe third period and blowing a 3-0 lead in New Yorkagainst the Rangers, the Wild were at the oppositeend of a surprising comeback in Boston.

The Wild trailed 3-1 entering the third, then cameout firing on Boston goalie Tuukka Rask in the third.Zach Parise scored for Minnesota with 15:39 remain-ing and Justin Fontaine tied it just 2:13 later. The Wildcontinued peppering Rask with shots and Scandellabeat him with high slapshot from the point for the go-ahead goal.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, SABRES 0The Maple Leafs set a franchise record for fewest

shots allowed in a game, and scored three times in thethird period of a victory over the Sabres. JonathanBernier made just 10 saves in his eighth career NHLshutout. The Leafs’ previous record for shots againstwas 13, which happened three previous times, mostrecently in a 9-2 victory over the New York Rangers in2006. The shot total also was the lowest in franchisehistory for the Sabres. Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdykand Jake Gardiner scored in an impressive third-peri-od flurry for Toronto.

JETS 4, ISLANDERS 3Andrew Ladd scored his second goal of the night

3:31 into the third period as the Jets rallied to beat theIslanders in a back-and-forth encounter. Ladd put arebound of Bryan Little’s shot into the open right sideto put the Jets back in front. After trailing early, theJets scored three times in the second period - two dur-ing a long power play after Nikolay Kulemin was eject-ed for boarding Mark Stuart - but couldn’t hold a two-goal lead.

John Tavares and Mikhail Grabovski got theIslanders even at 3 in the second, and Brock Nelsonstaked New York to a 1-0 lead in the first. JaroslavHalak stopped 26 shots. Defensemen Paul Postma andJacob Trouba also scored, and Little had three assistsfor the Jets, who began a four-game trip. OndrejPavelec made 18 saves.

LIGHTNING 7, COYOTES 3Nikita Kucherov had his first career NHL hat trick

and Tyler Johnson had four assists as the Lightningbeat the Coyotes. Kucherov got his third goal fromslot off a pass from Johnson at 8:23 of the third thatmade it 5-2. Brian Boyle had two goals, and ValtteriFilppula and Matt Carle also scored for the Lightning.Johnson extended his point streak to seven games.Arizona got goals from Shane Doan, Martin Erat andBJ Crombeen. Shortly after Radko Gudas had a shothit the post, Kucherov re-directed the defenseman’snext try from the blue line past Mike Smith to putTampa Bay up 1-0 7:46 into the game. After Filppulascored with 7:42 left in the first, Kucherov gave TampaBay a 3-0 lead on a backhand rebound at 3:20 of thesecond.

BLUES 4, STARS 3Vladimir Tarasenko scored 1:28 into overtime to

complete a hat trick as the Blues defeated the Stars.Three times Dallas took one-goal leads in regulationplay, and three times the Blues tied the score. The firsttwo tying goals came within 37 seconds of Starsscores.

St. Louis had a 4-on-3 power play after Dallas’ TylerSeguin went off for high sticking 14 seconds intoovertime. Tarasenko took a pass from Alex Pietrangeloat the top of the right faceoff circle and fired the puck

past Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen.Tarasenko also had an assist on Jori Lehtera’s sec-

ond-period goal. Dallas’ goals were by Jamie Oleksiak,Seguin and Trevor Daley. It was Oleksiak’s first careergoal. Daley’s was his fourth this season on the powerplay. St. Louis goalie Brian Elliott made 25 saves.Lehtonen had 23.

DUCKS 1, BLACKHAWKS 0John Gibson made 37 saves and Devante Smith-

Pelly scored on a short-handed breakaway, leadingthe surging Ducks to a victory over the Blackhawks.

Smith-Pelly grabbed a loose puck when Chicagodefenseman Brent Seabrook fell while retrieving apass at the Anaheim blue line, and he beat rookiegoaltender Scott Darling between the legs on a back-hand after skating the length of the ice. Smith-Pelly’sthird goal came with 8:28 left in regulation, and with 2seconds remaining on Chicago’s power play. Gibsongot his first shutout of the season as Anaheim won forthe eighth time in nine games.

SHARKS 3, AVALANCHE 2Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski scored in the

shootout to help San Jose beat Colorado. Antti Niemistopped 31 shots and both Avalanche players in theshootout. Logan Couture and Brett Burns scored inregulation for the Sharks.

Semyon Varlamov made a season-high 49 saves,and Alex Tanguay and Gabriel Landeskog scored inregulation for the Avalanche, who have one win infour home games this season.

Marleau and Pavelski came through as the first two

shooters to put the pressure on Colorado in theshootout. Niemi stopped Tanguay and then made aglove save on Matt Duchene to end the game. SanJose had a 41-17 shots advantage heading into thethird period.

CANADIENS 2, FLAMES 1PA Parenteau scored the deciding shootout goal to

lead Montreal over Calgary. Tom Gilbert scored in thesecond period for the Canadiens, who had lost theirprevious seven games in Calgary. Montreal alsobounced back from a 3-0 loss at Edmonton onMonday night. Mark Giordano scored the lone goal forthe Flames. Carey Price made 37 saves and three morein the shootout for Montreal. Calgary goalie JonasHiller, who finished with 18 stops, had won his lastthree games.

CANUCKS 4, HURRICANES 1Ryan Miller made 29 saves in his 300th career vic-

tory as Vancouver beat winless Carolina. BradRichardson scored twice to help the Canucks (6-3-0)win for the third time in four games. The Hurricanes(0-6-2) are the only NHL team without a victory thisseason. Carolina is winless in seven games atVancouver since October 1999. Linden Vey and JannikHansen also scored for the Canucks. Henrik Sedin andRadim Vrbata extended their point streaks to fivegames. Richardson scored his second goal into anempty net in the final minute. Jiri Tlusty scored for theHurricanes on an assist from captain Eric Staal, whoreturned after missing five games with an upper-bodyinjury. — AP

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

BUENOS AIRES: Former Argentine soccer star Diego Maradona on Tuesdaywithdrew a theft complaint against his ex-girlfriend, after a video surfacedthat allegedly showed him hitting her, news reports said.

“I spoke to Diego and he withdrew the complaint,” the former girlfriend,Rocio Oliva, told Argentine television. Maradona in March had accused Olivain Dubai of stealing jewelry and other valuable items. Oliva, 22, had a turbu-

lent relationship with 53-year-old Maradona, who lives inDubai and works as a sports promoter. Argentine televi-sion channels have released a short video supposedlyshot by Oliva in a room in Maradona’s home. In the blur-ry footage, Oliva can be heard saying “Stop, stop” as if she

is trying to stop an attack. Maradona has said he hadknocked the phone from her hands but denies hit-

ting Oliva, a female footballer.Oliva said she was not responsible for the

video being released and instead blamed anunnamed “nephew” of Maradona. The couplehad been a staple of Argentina’s tabloid andcelebrity press. — AFP

ODESHOG: Former Elfsborg managerand Sweden midfielder Klas Ingesson,who played a major role in the team’sthird-place finish at the 1994 World Cup,has died of cancer at the age of 46, theclub announced yesterday.

“IF Elfsborg has a very sad announce-ment to make. Klas Ingesson has passedaway this morning,” the club said in astatement posted on its website(www.elfsborg.se).

“Our thoughts are foremost with hiswife and children, who were with him tothe end at home in Odeshog.” As a playerIngesson represented a string of clubsincluding IFK Gothenburg in Sweden,Sheffield Wednesday in England and theItalian trio of Bolgona, Bari and Lecce.

Capped 57 times for Sweden and adriving force in the side that beatBulgaria 4-0 to claim third place at theWorld Cup in United States, Ingesson

was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in2009. Following treatment he was ableto take over Elfsborg’s under-21 side inOctober 2010, eventually being appoint-ed manager of the senior team inSeptember 2013.

But Ingesson’s managerial career wasinterrupted by the return of the cancerand he spent a period coaching from thedugout in a wheelchair before announc-ing his decision to step down from therole at the end of the current season.

“If I’m going to be involved, I have toplay a full part,” Ingesson said whileannouncing his decision. “This year Ihave been there on and off and othershave had to bear the burden. That won’twork in the long run.”

Known affectionately in Sweden as‘the Lumberjack from Odeshog’,Ingesson is survived by his wife Veronicaand two sons. — Reuters

Ingesson dies of cancer

PARIS: Milos Raonic was a relieved man after spending overeight minutes searching for a suitable toilet before battlingback to beat American Jack Sock in the Paris Masters secondround yesterday.

Sock had levelled the match by winning the second setbefore Raonic’s long comfort break, which prompt-ed the Bercy crowd to boo the Canadian whenhe returned to court.

“Whoever the escort who took me was,took me into a bathroom that had no seatson the toilet,” the seventh-seeded Raonic,who won 6-3 5-7 7-6(4) explained.

“So I didn’t want to squat, so I kept say-ing, ‘let’s go to another one’, and we endedup going to the locker room.” Raonic still hasa chance of qualifying for next month’s ATPWorld Tour finals in London, for which fourspots are up for grabs in Paris. —Reuters

Raonic intoilet hiccup

Theft complaint withdrawn

Western ConferencePacific Division

W L OTLGF GA PTSAnaheim 8 2 0 31 19 16 Los Angeles 6 1 2 24 15 14 San Jose 6 4 1 35 30 13 Vancouver 6 3 0 31 27 12 Calgary 5 4 2 27 24 12 Edmonton 4 4 1 26 32 9 Arizona 3 4 1 21 32 7

Central DivisionNashville 5 1 2 19 16 12 Chicago 5 3 1 22 15 11 Dallas 4 2 3 32 33 11 Minnesota 5 3 0 27 14 10 St. Louis 4 3 1 20 18 9 Winnipeg 4 5 0 19 24 8 Colorado 2 4 4 22 32 8

Eastern ConferenceAtlantic Division

Montreal 8 2 0 27 26 16 Tampa Bay 6 3 1 34 26 13 Ottawa 5 2 1 22 17 11 Detroit 4 2 2 18 17 10 Boston 5 6 0 29 28 10 Toronto 4 4 1 25 25 9 Florida 2 2 3 10 16 7 Buffalo 2 8 0 11 33 4

Metropolitan DivisionNY Islanders 6 3 0 35 31 12 Pittsburgh 5 2 1 33 22 11 Washington 4 2 2 25 19 10 Philadelphia 4 3 2 29 32 10 NY Rangers 5 4 0 27 30 10 New Jersey 4 3 2 28 33 10 Columbus 4 5 0 25 30 8 Carolina 0 6 2 15 33 2 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth onepoint in the standings and are not included inthe loss column (L).

NHL results/standings

Minnesota 4, Boston 3; Winnipeg 4, NY Islanders 3; Philadelphia 3, Los Angeles 2 (OT); Pittsburgh8, New Jersey 3; Ottawa 5, Columbus 2; Toronto 4, Buffalo 0; Tampa Bay 7, Arizona 3; Anaheim 1,Chicago 0; St. Louis 4, Dallas 3 (OT); San Jose 3, Colorado 2 (SO); Montreal 2, Calgary 1 (SO);

MELBOURNE: Cadel Evans’ final race as a pro-fessional cyclist bears his name, runs throughhis home-town and has his finger-prints onthe design, but the former Tour de Francewinner is not giving himself much hope ofwinning it.

The 37-year-old Australian, whoannounced his retirement plan in September,has instead set himself a tougher task of con-trolling his emotions when he crosses the fin-ish line at the Feb. 1 ‘Cadel Evans Great OceanRoad Race’. “I’m just hoping that it doesn’tbring about tears,” the Team BMC rider told apacked media conference in Melbourne onTuesday. “It’s going to be hard to pin on anumber for the last time and race for the lasttime and come into the last kilometre for thelast time. “It could be difficult, that’s for sure,but at the same time I really have giveneverything I have for the sport.” Evansbecame his country’s first Tour de France win-ner in 2011, a feat rated by Australians amongthe achievements of the most hallowednational sporting icons like Don Bradman incricket and tennis great Rod Laver.

Well before Evans decided to pull the pinon his career, government officials in hishome state of Victoria had planned a race inhis honour which would take in his home-town of Barwon Heads while boostingtourism for the coastal region, an hour’s drivefrom Melbourne.

The result is a 174-kilometre (108 miles)course which travels through hilly country-side and coastal roads on a looping circuitfrom the port city of Geelong.

With the race dovetailing onto the UCI Procircuit’s Tour Down Under, Evans said a num-ber of professional teams had already signedup, and he expected stiff competition on acourse unsuited to him. “Easier said thatdone,” he said of his prospects of victory. “Idesigned a course, but I didn’t design it in my

favor. “It doesn’t seem to make sense but withthe longevity of the event in mind... that’s theway we’ve come to make the course.

“One thing when the race is in your nameall the competitors are watching you morethan any other because they all know I willwant to win and that doesn’t play very well ina cycling competition for your chances towin.” Evans will also compete in Australia’snational road cycling championship inJanuary before competing in the Tour DownUnder in an extended farewell for home fans.

An amiable but intense competitor, the2009 world champion spoke of his retirementwith a tinge of regret but felt comfortable hehad made the right call after being disap-pointed with his eighth-placed finish at theGiro d’Italia.

“(I’m feeling) a little bit relieved, a little bitsad but probably most of all looking forwardto starting a new chapter in my life,” Evanssaid. “A couple more Grand Tour wins wouldhave gone down well, a couple more Classicswins would have gone down well but mymain thing was to go into the sport, giveeverything I can and see how far I could gowith things. “There (at the Tour of Italy) whenthe result didn’t come with everything inplace, I also could accept for myself thatmaybe I’m not capable of winning a GrandTour any more and therefore that makes itpretty easy.

“If I can’t win it, I don’t necessarily want tobe in it.” Living in Switzerland for most of theyear with his family, Evans also ruled out serv-ing Australia-or any outfit-as a full-timecoach, but said he could see himself acting asa mentor for the country’s up-and-comingriders on a consultancy basis.

“That’s something we’re looking into atthis point, but most of all, I don’t think there’sthat many riders who would want to becoached by me,” he quipped. — Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR: A resurgent SergioGarcia goes toe-to-toe with US Ryder Cupsensation Patrick Reed at the CIMB Classicbeginning today, as reigning FedExCupchampion Billy Horschel looks to lift hisgame to an even higher level in theMalaysian event.

Garcia, who will be paired with Reed, isenjoying some of his best form in years at34. The Spaniard has won once in 2014,finished second to world number oneRory McIlroy in the Open Championshipin July, and played solidly in Europe’srecent Ryder Cup victory as he returnedto the world top 10.

Along with England’s Lee Westwood,Garcia and the 24-year-old Reed comprisethe premier trio for the first two roundswhen they tee off together at the KualaLumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC).“It’s going to be fun to be able to playwith both of them,” said Garcia, the high-est-ranked player in the field at worldnumber four. “Obviously I’m quite friendlywith Lee, so it should be good fun to beable to play with both, and hopefully we’llbe playing well.” Reed was a revelation inthe Ryder Cup where, along with fellowyoung playing partner Jordan Spieth, hewas a rare bright spot for the UnitedStates in another humbling loss toEurope. Horschel, 27, has also emerged asone of golf’s hottest young talents, clinch-ing the season-long FedExCup crown andits whopping $14 million payday inSeptember. The American said he won’t

just “sit back and enjoy” that windfall butis aiming for his first Major win this yearand to defend the FedExCup title.

“I’m always thinking about the nextlevel,” he said. Co-sanctioned by the PGATour and Asian Tour, the CIMB Classicoffers the winner $1.26 million and 500FedExCup points.

Last year’s winner, Ryan Moore of theUnited States, is back to defend, as com-patriot Jason Dufner continues his come-back. Dufner, the 2013 PGA Champion,took nearly three months off due to aneck injury but showed little rust in asteady showing during his return lastweek at the ISPS Handa PerthInternational. Other contenders includeSouth African Major winners CharlSchwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, andHideki Matsuyama of Japan, the top-ranked Asian player in the world at 21st.

All competitors will need to be wary ofthe steamy local conditions, saidWestwood, who won the 2014 MalaysianOpen at KLGCC.

“To play on the KLGCC you have to beable to manage your body well and stayhydrated all the time because of the heat,”he said. The tournament offered a spon-sor’s exemption to 16-year-old GuanTianlang of China, who caused a sensationby qualifying for an invitation to the 2013Masters. Then only 14, Guan was theyoungest player ever to compete atAugusta National, and made the cut, buthas yet to match that performance. — AFP

Penguins keep Devils at bay

COLUMBUS: Zack Smith No. 15 of the Ottawa Senators is congratulated by his teammates afterscoring a goal during the second period. — AFP

FRANCE: (From left) Germany’s Marcel Kittel, France’s Blel Kadri, France’s TonyGallopin, Norway’s Alexander Kristoff, Tour de France 2014’s winner Italy’s VincenzoNibali, France’s Thibaut Pinot, France’s Jean-Christophe Peraud and Australia’s CadelEvans pose during the presentation of the official route of the 2015 Tour de Francecycling race. — AFP

Evans plays down hopes of winning send-off in Australia

Garcia and Reed to face off in Malaysia

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

DUBAI: Pakistani bowler Yasir Shah (top left) delivers the ball during day five of the First Test against Australia at Dubai International Stadium inthis file photo. — AP

DUBAI: Pakistan coach Waqar Younis haswarned his team to beware a backlashfrom a wounded Australia in the secondand final Test in Abu Dhabi startingtoday.

Pakistan thrashed the Australians by221 runs in Dubai on Sunday, with theirspinners rattling through the visitors’batsmen on a slow pitch.

The defeat cost the tourists theirchance of regaining the top test rankingfrom South Africa, while giving a rawPakistan outfit a timely dose of beliefafter recent struggles.

Waqar, however, said he expected theAbu Dhabi clash to be a true test of thehosts’ mettle. “We have won the first testbut it’s a long way to go, the second testwill be tough,” the former test pacemantold reporters on Tuesday.

“We all know that Australia are verypositive about their cricket and they feelhurt, they will bounce back, I am sure,and we have to be prepared for that.”

Pakistan can seal their first series winover Australia in 20 years, and also lifttheir ranking from sixth to a respectablethird. “To come into (the) top three is abig thing,” said Waqar, a member of the1994 side that beat Australia at home.

“But besides coming into the topthree, consistency is more important forme because we have always been unpre-dictable, sometimes up and then down,so we need to give consistent perform-ances. “It’s necessary that if we give agood performance then we must have afollow through so that people have con-fidence in us as a side. “We have provedin the first test that we have got the tal-ent and the potential. “So if we apply

ourselves then results will come.”

MORE INTENTThe 42-year-old coach can only have

been buoyed by the performances of hisrookie slow bowling duo of debutantlegspinner Yasir Shah and left-armerZulfiqar Babar.

The pair took 14 out of 20 wickets onoffer, including nine in the fourth inningsas Australia were skittled for 216 whenchasing 438.

Australia coach Darren Lehmannbemoaned his team’s inability to pick thedeliveries that didn’t turn. Australianmedia suggested number three batsmanAlex Doolan’s spot might be vulnerable toPhillip Hughes after his struggles inDubai, but captain Michael Clarke saidthe only change they would considerwould be to bring a third paceman,depending on the pitch.

That would give a chance to eitherleft-arm seamer Mitchell Starc or work-horse Ben Hilfenhaus to join Peter Siddleand Mitchell Johnson in the pace attack,and mean no repeat for the two special-ist spinners in Nathan Lyon and StevenO’Keefe. Where Pakistan’s spinners plun-dered Australia, both Lyon and O’Keefe,who made his test debut in Dubai, werefeasted upon by the hosts’ batsmen, andneither would feel very secure aboutholding their place. Clarke said Australiawould be go for broke for a win, even if itmeant risking another demoralising loss.“Drawing the second test againstPakistan is not an option for us,” Clarkewrote in a column published in News Ltdmedia yesterday. “We’ll look to bat withmore intent this time around.” — Reuters

KANSAS CITY: The Kansas City Royals got aninspired outing from pitcher Yordano Venturaand woke from their hitting slumber to routthe San Francisco Giants 10-0 and send theWorld Series to a decisive Game Seven onTuesday.

After a 162-game regular season and threerounds of postseason, the Major LeagueBaseball championship will come down toone game with the Giants chasing a third titlein five years and the Royals looking to end a29-year drought.

The Royals entered the contest trailing thebest-of-seven-series 3-2 and had not scored arun in 15 innings. But Kansas City battersrediscovered their groove in the secondinning of Game Six, exploding for seven runson eight hits to chase Giants starter JakePeavy after just 1-1/3 innings and set thestage for a comprehensive rout. “Guysstepped up in a big way tonight. We felt wejust had to get it done, find any way possibleto get on base and drive in runs,” said Royalsoutfielder Lorenzo Cain, who contributed apair of hits and three RBIs to the Kansas cause.

Before the end of the third inning everymember of the Royals starting line up had atleast one hit with Mike Moustakas leading thehit parade with a double and a home run.

In contrast, San Francisco bats went quietwith inspired Royals rookie Yordano Venturapitching seven shutout innings. The 23-year-old Dominican fireballer sported hand-writtentributes on his cap, glove and shoes to honorcompatriot Oscar Taveras, the St. LouisCardinals outfielder who was killed in a caraccident on Sunday.

The grieving Ventura was brilliant, allowingjust three hits in a game in which the Royalsfaced possible elimination. “I want to thankthe Lord for giving me this opportunity, andthis game was dedicated to Oscar Taveras, mygood friend,” the 23-year-old Ventura, whocarried a Dominican flag into the interviewroom, said through a translator.

“It’s a little emotional for us.” Royals manag-er Ned Yost said it was a special effort. “Yougot a 23-year-old kid in the biggest game thisstadium has seen in 29 years and our backsagainst the wall and he goes out there incomplete command of his emotions ... andthrows seven shutout innings,” Yost toldreporters.

“You can’t get in a bigger stage then hewas on tonight and to perform the way thathe did tonight was just special.” Moustakassparked the second inning burst with a dou-ble down the right field line that cashed in

Alex Gordon with the game’s first run.Nori Aoki singled to left driving in a second

run and leaving the bases loaded to bringPeavy’s night to a quick end. The right-handersurrendered five runs on six hits.

The pitching change did nothing to slowdown the rampaging Royals, Cain welcomingreliever Yusmeiro Petit with a bases-loadedbloop to center field that scored two moreruns. Eric Hosmer added to the assault with ahigh-hopping bouncer over the shortstop’shead that went for a two-run double beforeBilly Butler capped off the big inning with abooming RBI double to whip the capacitycrowd into a frenzy.

“When you get an inning like that going infront of your home crowd it’s pretty cool to bea part of,” Gordon said. “The dugout was rock-ing and the fans were, too.”

The Royals, however, were not yet done.Cain added an RBI double in the bottom ofthe third, Alcides Escobar fired another run-scoring double in the fifth and Moustakascracked a solo home run in the seventh.

Moustakas said the team got a definiteboost from the home crowd. “Twenty-nineyears for these people has been a long time,”the third baseman said. “We’re excited to givethis city something to cheer about.” — Reuters

Pakistan warnedto brace for

Australia backlash

Royals rout Giants toForce Game Seven

KANSAS CITY: The Kansas City Royals celebrate after defeating the San Francisco Giants by a score of 10-0 to win Game Six of the 2014 WorldSeries at Kauffman Stadium. — AFP

CAPE TOWN: Heyneke Meyer has urged hisplayers to use South Africa’s NorthernHemisphere tour to book themselves a ticket tonext year’s World Cup in England.

Meyer selected a bloated 36-man squad earli-er this week for matches against Ireland,England, Italy and Wales on consecutive week-ends starting Nov. 8.

South Africa then have only a shortenedRugby Championship in July and August to pre-pare for September and October’s World Cup sowith opportunities to impress dwindling, now isthe moment for those on the fringes of selec-tion. “Before next year’s World Cup there are onlyfour test matches, as there are no incomingtours. This is the last opportunity we have to

look at every single player,” he told reporters inJohannesburg yesterday. “There are a lot of guyswho are really unlucky not to be here, at least 10more could have been chosen.” Meyer will needthe full depth of his squad for the Wales game inCardiff on Nov. 29 when the Springboks will beunable to use any of their overseas-based play-ers as the match falls outside of the internationalwindow. The Bok coach believes their schedulewill be a worthy test in conditions obviously sim-ilar to those they will face at the World Cup.

“This is probably the toughest tour we havefaced to the Northern Hemisphere. I trulybelieve Ireland is an unbelievable team, theywere unlucky not to beat the All Blacks last year,”Meyer said. “They’ve got a great coaching staff, a

lot of in-form players and their defence is great.They’ve got a good kicking game in those condi-tions. “England are a tough team to play. In thelast four games, we’ve won three by a few pointsand drawn one. They will always be tough.”Although Meyer says four wins is the obvioustarget, he is “realistic” about his side’s chances.

“We’ve lost to lesser teams in the past, so Italywill be tough, and Wales will be a tough chal-lenge with a new-look side. I’m confident, butrealistic as well. It will be tough to win all four.

“It’s our goal, but we’re going to have to bebetter than in the Rugby Championship if we aregoing to win all four.”

The squad is schedule to depart for Dublin,via London, on Saturday. — Reuters

KANSAS CITY: The San Francisco Giantsand the Kansas City Royals-who are bat-tling for this year’s World Series title-haverosters featuring whites, blacks, Latinosand Asians.

But multi-cultural squads were notalways the norm. Just down the highwayfrom where the Major League Baseballchampion will be crowned this week, theNegro Leagues Baseball Museum tells adifferent story-one of segregation andstruggle.

While some black players-like JackieRobinson, who broke the color barrier in1947 with the then-Brooklyn Dodgers-rose to the sport’s highest heights, oth-ers never made it to the big leagues. Thesegregation policy began as early as the1880s, when Cap Anson, an influentialwhite star of the time, refused to play an1883 exhibition for Chicago against aToledo squad featuring black catcherMoses Fleetwood Walker.

From there, a “gentlemen’s agree-ment” emerged, under which elite all-

white teams did not sign African-American talent.

Frustrated by the unofficial ban, blackplayers moved to form their ownleagues. The games attracted hugecrowds in their heyday.

‘WORLD-CLASS PLAYERS’ Andrew “Rube” Foster pulled together

the first all-black circuit during theRoaring 20s in Kansas City, a major hubof the Negro Leagues into the early1960s. League teams withstood theGreat Depression of the 1930s thanks toregional tours, at times playing in townsin the American south and Midwestwhere some people would not sell foodto blacks or refuel their buses. Playerseven had to pitch tents because theywere refused lodging.

Teams flourished again in the 1940s,when soldiers of all races fought side-by-side in World War II and helped drivecross-cultural understanding that wouldbring integration in US sports and, later,racial integration in US society.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum-located near jazz clubs where playersrelaxed after games-opened in 1997.Former star Buck O’Neil helped createthe heritage display before his death in2006 at age 94. “All the players I playedagainst were world-class players,” O’Neilsays in a museum video. “The level wasas good as anyone was playing.”

FIRST HOMER AT JINGU Negro League played at night using

portable lights from 1930 — five yearsbefore the technology was first used byMajor League teams.

And before US Major League All-Starteams toured Japan in the 1930s, thePhiladelphia Royal Giants traveled to thecountry in 1927. Negro League catcherBiz Mackey even hit the first home run atTokyo’s then-new Jingu Stadium, accord-ing to a museum display.

For every Major League legend suchas Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig of the NewYork Yankees, there was a Negro Leaguestar like Josh Gibson or James “CoolPapa” Bell of the Homestead Grays whonever had the chance to competeagainst them. In all, more than 2,600players competed in the Negro Leagues.Some followed Robinson into the MajorLeagues, such as Leroy “Satchel” Paige,Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, a formerIndianapolis Clowns standout whowould break Ruth’s all-time home runrecord with his 715th in 1974. — AFP

Negro League museum tells of segregation tale

LONDON: Former Scotland skipperAlastair Kellock will captain theBarbarians against Australia atTwickenham on Saturday, it wasannounced yesterday.

Kellock, 33, was omitted from theScotland squad for the Novemberinternationals, but will now lead outthe famous invitational team againstMichael Cheika’s Australia.

“You grow up watching thesematches and to be invited to be part ofit is a big honour,” said Glasgow lockKellock, in a press release issued by theBarbarians’ media officer.

“It’s something so many fantasticplayers have done before and when(Barbarians coach) John Kirwan askedme to be the skipper, that has justadded to the privilege.”

Former Australia wing NickCummins has been selected to line upagainst his former team-mates, whileNew Zealand’s Colin Slade will start atfly-half. After facing the Wallabies onSaturday, the Barbarians will concludetheir two-match series with a gameagainst Leicester Tigers on Tuesday.Barbarians team to play Australia atTwickenham.—AFP

Kellock to captain Barbarians

ATLANTA: In this April 8, 1999 file photo,baseball great Hank Aaron waves to thecrowd during a ceremony that unveiledthe Hank Aaron Award on the 25thanniversary of his historic 755th homerun before the start of the AtlantaBraves and Philadelphia Phillies game atTurner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. — AFP

Meyer urges Springboks to nail down World Cup spots

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

Photo of the day

Kyle Jameson competes in the Qualification Round for Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, Utah, USA. — www.redbull.com

PARIS: Andy Murray turned in a clinical perform-ance yesterday as he joined Stan Wawrinka,David Ferrer and Milos Raonic in the next roundof the Paris Masters.

The two-time Grand Slam winner, who wasabsent last year afer undergoing back surgery,overcame the challenge of French world number28 Julien Benneteau and advanced to the last16, 6-3, 6-4.

The 27-year-old Scot will now meet eitherBulgarian Grigor Dimitrov or Pablo Cuevas ofUruguay for a place in the quarter-finals.

If Murray, who won his third tournament ofthe season at Valencia on Sunday, wins his nextmatch he will guarantee qualification for theWorld Tour Finals in London for the seventhstraight year. Murray dictated play with pinpointaccuracy and although Benneteau put up somesecond set resistence the result was never indoubt. Also yesterday, world number four StanWawrinka snapped a three-game losing streakas he qualified for the third round with a 6-4, 7-6(8/6) victory over Dominic Thiem.

The Swiss 29-year-old came through a tightmatch in 1hr 36min against the Austrian to booka meeting with big-serving South African KevinAnderson. “I’m trying to find my confidence, Ihave some victories but I know that my level ofgame is there. What I still miss is winning match-es,” said Wawrinka, who won his first Grand Slamat the Australian Open in January and admittedhe was somewhat surprised by his recent riseinto the top five. “I’m so happy, I didn’t think Iwould be able to be ranked so high, but I hadups and downs. In the summer I didn’t play verywell and I had bad moments, although I did wellin the US Open. “I wouldn’t change anything andI know I have a good level of game. I knowthings can change quickly; I can lose first roundand I can also go very far in a tournament, so theimportant thing is really to concentrate onimproving my level.” Former champion andfourth seed David Ferrer also advanced as hesubdued the talents of rising Belgian star DavidGoffin 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 to set up an all-Spanish thirdround tie against Fernando Verdasco.

Earlier on the third day of the penultimatetournament of the season, Canada’s MilosRaonic kept alive his chances of qualifying forthe World Tour Finals with a tough three-set winover American qualifier Jack Sock.

The number seven seed needs to win thetournament in Paris to guarantee his place in theelite eight-man field to take part in the seasonfinale, which begins in London on November 9.

He scraped through against world number 44Sock, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/4) in just over two hours.Awaiting Raonic in the third round will beRoberto Bautista-Agut, who knocked outFrenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-2. Later oncentre court, world number two Roger Federermakes his much-anticipated debut in his secondround match against another Frenchman,

Jeremy Chardy. Federer comes to the French capital less than

500 points behind Novak Djokovic in the race forthe season-ending world number one spot.

There are a maximum 1,000 points on offer atBercy for the champion while the World TourFinals offer 1,500 points. Federer can also closeground or overtake the Serb, who won his sec-ond round match over Philipp Kohlschreiber onTuesday, when he plays the Davis Cup final forSwitzerland against France, starting onNovember 21 in Lille. Japanese sixth seed KeiNishikori will take on Spanish veteran TommyRobredo later in the day while Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils are in actionagainst Austrian Jurgen Melzer and AmericanJohn Isner respectively. — AFP

Murray on brink of World Tour Finals

FRANCE: Britain’s Andy Murray returns the ball to France’s Julien Benneteau during the second-round match of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament. — AFP

ABUJA: FIFA has given Nigeria one last chanceto avoid a “lengthy” ban that would prevent thereigning champion from defending its title atnext year’s African Cup of Nations.

FIFA wants a court order nullifying recentNigeria Football Federation elections to berescinded by midday Friday Nigerian time,regarding it as government interference in foot-ball, which isn’t allowed under the world body’srules. FIFA said in a statement to The AssociatedPress that Nigeria has until the deadline to provethe court order has been withdrawn and theelected NFF leadership is able to work “withoutany hindrance.” If Nigeria doesn’t comply, FIFAsaid it will be banned from international footballat least until FIFA’s Congress in Zurich on May28-29 next year.

That would mean Nigeria is thrown out of theongoing African Cup qualifying campaign aheadof the start of the finals in January. None ofNigeria’s national or club teams would be able toplay in international tournaments under a FIFAsuspension. Nigeria’s football federation hasbeen in turmoil for months and it has beenwarned repeatedly.

The country - which made the last 16 of theWorld Cup in Brazil - was already suspendedfrom internationals for nine days in July afterprevious NFF President Aminu Maigari wasdetained by security forces on his return fromthe World Cup and ousted from office. A newleadership was then installed in government-backed elections that were not recognized byFIFA. Maigari was reinstated and oversaw properelections on Sept. 30, when Amaju Pinnick wasvoted in as new NFF president.

But FIFA said the Nigerian government isinterfering again after “persons claiming to havebeen legitimately elected previously went to

occupy the offices of the NFF.”“We also have been informed that security

forces prevented the (new) NFF President fromtravelling to Namibia where he was supposed torepresent the NFF at the final match of theAfrican Women’s Championship,” FIFA said.

Nigeria is also the African women’s championafter winning the title last weekend, but wasnearly prevented from playing in that gamebecause of the federation problems, the NFF

said. The African women’s final only went aheadafter Confederation of African Football PresidentIssa Hayatou, who is also a FIFA vice president,pleaded with his FIFA colleagues to give Nigeriaone more chance, according to the NFF.According to the federation, Hayatou also metwith Nigeria sports minister Tammy Danagogoat the African women’s championship inNamibia and told the minister that “FIFA and CAFhave had it up to their neck with Nigeria.” — AP

FIFA gives Nigeria last chance to avoid ban

BRAZIL: In this Monday, June 30, 2014 file photo, Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike (center) looksup as his team form a huddle before the start of the second half during the World Cup round of16 soccer match. — AP

BANGKOK: A Thai consortium are in talks over a40 million pounds ($64.5 million) takeover ofEnglish second tier strugglers Bolton Wanderersafter being approached by the cash-strappedclub, local media reported yesterday.

Bolton, however, denied they had been insale discussions with anyone from Thailand. BEC-Tero, an entertainment conglomerate that runstelevision and radio stations in south east Asiaas well as concerts and sports events, and localsports media giant Siam Sport Syndicate havejoined hands for the bid, said the Nation news-paper.

Bolton finished sixth in the Premier Leaguein 2005 and qualified for European competitionbut have fallen on hard times of late and nowfind themselves in 22nd place in the 24-teamsecond flight with huge debts.

BEC director Bryan Marcar said the club,based in north west England and owned byEddie Davies through the holding companyBurnden Leisure, remained an attractiveprospect. “I must admit I have a close relation-ship with the club’s president. The club has plen-ty of property and, most importantly, they havetheir own stadium, hotel and football academy,”he was quoted as saying by the daily.

“In terms of their financial status they madeprofits between 2004 and 2006 but sufferedlosses since then, with their debt now standing

at 150 million pounds. However, the club is will-ing to address this situation.

“They’re quite ready in almost every aspect.That will help us benefit in many ways especiallywhen it comes to Thai players playing inEngland.”

GARTSIDE DENIALBolton chairman Phil Gartside confirmed the

club had talked to different parties about a salebut said no discussions had taken place withanyone from Thailand. “We have spoken to sev-eral parties who have expressed interest ininvesting in the club but these quotes fromThailand come as a complete surprise to me,” hetold the Bolton News.

“Other than what has appeared this morningit is business as usual here.” Marcar, whodeclined an interview request from Reuters, saidhe and Siam Sport executives Pongsak Pholananand Wiluck Lohtong would travel to England tolook into the books and discuss the deal furtherwith Bolton officials, the report added.

The consortium could become the third Thaiowners of an English soccer club, after PremierLeague side Leicester City and second tierReading. The firm, which Marcar owns jointlywith Broadcaster BEC World Pcl, also owns for-mer Thai Premier League champions BEC TeroSasana. —Reuters

Thailand media giants eye Bolton takeover

SYDNEY: A Saudi prince has offered Al-Hilal players and team officials a bonus of$26,000 each if they can beat Australianclub Western Sydney Wanderers and winthe Asian Champions League this week-end. The 13-times Saudi and twice Asianchampions lost the first leg 1-0 in Sydneylast weekend but will be in for a bumperpayday if they can overturn the deficit atthe King Fahd Stadium on Saturday.Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud, who is worth $21.5 billion accordingto Forbes, made the offer of 100,000 Riyals(about $26,650) a man in a tweet justbefore last Saturday’s first leg kicked off.The Saudi royal also said he would be pay-ing for free entry for all fans of the club forSaturday’s second leg in Riyadh, where acrowd in excess of 65,000 is expected.

Fourteen Wanderers fans have travelledfrom Australia for the match.

According to the prince’s website(www.alwaleed.com.sa), the Al-Hilal play-ers received bonuses of 20,000 Riyals forreaching the ACL quarter-finals andanother of 40,000 Riyals for winning thefirst leg of their ACL semi-final against AlAin 3-0. He flew them to the Emirati cityfor the second leg in his private jet andgifts the already wealthy club 2.5 millionRiyals per season.

In 2007, Al-Hilal signed a sponsorshipdeal with Saudi Arabian mobile operatorMobily worth 200 million Riyals ($53.31million) over five years. Wanderers, by con-trast, must work within a salary cap ofA$2.55 million ($2.26 million) this seasonunder A-League rules. — Reuters

Al-Hilal offered bumper payday for Asian title

LONDON: Leading European clubs want FIFA tohold the Qatar World Cup in April 2022, BayernMunich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummeniggesaid in a British newspaper interview publishedyesterday. A task force set up by world governingbody FIFA will meet in Zurich next week to inves-tigate the feasibility of moving the tournamentfrom its traditional mid-year slot, amid fearsabout soaring summer temperatures in Qatar.

FIFA and its European counterpart UEFA wantthe tournament to be staged during theNorthern Hemisphere winter, but Rummenigge,who chairs the European Club Association (ECA),thinks it should take place in the spring.

“At the moment, there are two proposals onthe table: the FIFA proposal in November and theUEFA proposal in January,” Rummenigge told TheTimes. “Our proposal is a bit different. We willpublish that in the next few days. “We have madesome research .. . and the outcome of thisresearch is that the best option would be to startthe World Cup at the end of April, finishing inMay. “It’s still hot, but it would be something like35 degrees (Celsius) maximum. If you then playin the evening, let’s say 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm,then 9:30 pm (in Qatar) is 7:30 pm in centralEurope, 6:30 pm in the UK.

“From all points of view, that’s no problem.We will bring this option to the table to discussat the FIFA task force on November 3.”

Speaking earlier this month, Rummeniggewarned that European clubs will not foot the billif the 2022 World Cup is moved to a differenttime of year. “If now there is a strong wish (tomove the 2022 World Cup) from various stake-holders like FIFA, UEFA, FIFPro and so on, we areready to discuss, but under one condition: thatthere is no damage for club football,” he told theLeaders Sport Business Summit in London.“Because if we have a change from summer toNovember or to January, then they will be affect-ing our business, our calendar. And the bill at theend can’t be paid by the clubs. We are not readyto pay such a bill.”

Meanwhile, world football boss Sepp Blatteron Tuesday opposed any boycott of the 2018World Cup in Russia and backed the huge prepa-rations undertaken by President Vladimir Putin’sgovernment for the mega event. “A boycott willnever give any positive effect,” the FIFA president

told the R-Sport news agency in commentstranslated into Russian. “We trust the country, itsgovernment,” added Blatter who was in theRussian capital to attend the official launch ofthe 2018 logo. “FIFA unconditionally supportsthe staging of the World Cup by Russia,” he stat-ed. Diplomatic sources said last month thatEuropean nations were discussing a possibleboycott of the World Cup because of the conflictin eastern Ukraine.

Some politicians in Britain, Germany and theUnited States have called on FIFA to withdrawthe World Cup from Russia. “When we receive let-ters from North America (asking for the WorldCup to withdrawn), we tell them that this is foot-ball,” Blatter said.

“Russia is the world’s biggest country. Youknow, Russia is in the eye of the internationalmedia. Football can not only unite Russia butshow the whole world that it is stronger than anyprotest movement.” He compared the situationwith Russia’s hosting of the Winter Olympics inthe Black Sea resort of Sochi this year, whenWestern leaders stayed away. “There was thesame situation ahead of Sochi, but neither dur-ing nor after the Games, has there been a singleword against these Games.”

WORLD CUP LOGOMeanwhile, the 2018 World Cup logo was

simultaneously presented to the public on a liveRussian TV late chat show and also as a part of alight show projection on the facade of Russia’shistoric Bolshoi Theatre.

The logo, which was unveiled by the Russiancosmonaut Maxim Surayev in a live broadcast-ing from the international space station 400 kilo-metres above

Earth, represented the ball surrounded by theelements of the traditional Russian decor in theshape of the World Cup trophy. The TV show wasalso attended by FIFA secretary general JeromeValcke, Russia’s sports minister Vitaly Mutko andItaly’s former football great Fabio Cannavaro.“Today is the World Cup’s kick-off as we intro-duce the event’s official logo,” Blatter said at theceremony. “I’m confident that the World Cuphere will be a success.” “Of course I already sawthe logo and I liked it very much. This is the sym-bol of the country, its heart and soul.” —AFP

MOSCOW: The official logo for the 2018 FIFA World Cup is presented on the facade of theBolshoi Theatre in Moscow. FIFA President Sepp Blatter has revealed the logo for the2018 World Cup in Russia - with the help of a crew of cosmonauts. The logo depicts theWorld Cup trophy in red and blue, colors from the Russian flag, with gold trim. — AP

Rummenigge calls for April World Cup in 2022

S P O RT STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

LONDON: Swansea City’s Welsh defender Neil Taylor (center) vies for the ball with Liverpool’s Italian striker Fabio Borini (left) in the League Cupfourth round football match. —AFP

MANCHESTER: Mario Balotelli sparked a dra-matic fightback by Liverpool and Chelsea need-ed a late own goal to edge past plucky fourth-tier opposition as the two Premier League giantssqueezed into the League Cup quarterfinals.

Late goals settled four of the five last-16matches on Tuesday — and two were scored atAnfield as Liverpool came from behind to beatSwansea 2-1.

Balotelli, criticized in recent weeks for a stringof below-par displays, inspired the comeback bycoming off the bench to score an 86th-minuteequalizer before Dejan Lovren headed in thewinner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

“Finally!” Balotelli said on Twitter after scoringhis first goal in six weeks and only his second forLiverpool since joining from AC Milan in August.

A patched-up Chelsea lineup looked likebeing taken to extra time by Shrewsbury, a team71 places below it in English football’s pyramid,only for Jermaine Grandison to head into hisown net after 81 minutes to seal a 2-1 win forthe Premier League leaders.

Didier Drogba had given Chelsea the lead inthe 48th, with the 36-year-old striker scoring forthe third straight game and just two days afternetting at Manchester United in the PremierLeague. “It was a difficult pitch and difficultweather,” said Drogba, one of four Chelseastarters who also began the 1-1 draw againstUnited. “They were a fantastic team and oppo-nent — they showed why they deserve to behere tonight.” West Bromwich Albion’s decisionto field a virtual reserve team against second-tierBournemouth backfired in a 2-1 loss for theupset of the round.

Derby and Sheffield United, who play in thesecond and third tiers respectively, alsoadvanced on Tuesday. Manchester City andTottenham are among those looking to reachthe last eight yesterday. Balotelli started on thebench against Swansea but was thrown on byLiverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in the 79thminute after Marvin Emnes volleyed the visitorsinto the lead. Within seven minutes, Balotelliguided home a cross from Fabio Borini to equal-ize. Swansea defender Federico Fernandez was

shown a red card in the second minute of injurytime for a foul on Philippe Coutinho, who pro-vided the cross from a free kick that Lovrenheaded in at the back post for a last-gasp win-ner. Chelsea remained unbeaten in all competi-tions this season — and reached the last eight ofthe League Cup for the fourth straight season —but only after surviving a scare against the low-est-ranked team left in the competition.

Drogba has starred in the absence of injuredfellow strikers Loic Remy and Diego Costa, scor-ing against Maribor in the Champions Leaguelast week, at Old Trafford on Sunday and againagainst Shrewsbury when he swept home a left-footed finish from Mohamed Salah’s pass.

Shrewsbury equalized in the 77th minutethrough Andy Mangan but was on level termsfor just four minutes, as substitute Willian’s teas-ing cross was diverted in by Grandison.

“I was ready for extra time,” Chelsea managerJose Mourinho said. There was late drama, too,at Bournemouth, which reached the quarterfi-nals for the first time thanks to Callum Wilson’s86th-minute strike. West Brom had equalizedjust a minute earlier from an own goal. By scor-ing five times in 20 minutes, Derby came from 2-0 down to beat Fulham 5-2 away in a matchbetween two League Championship teams.Sheffield United beat fellow third-tier side MKDons 2-1. —AP

Premier League giantssqueeze into q-finals

League Cup

SHREWSBURY: Shrewsbury’s Scottish midfielder Jack Grimmer (right) vies with Chelsea’sBrazilian defender Filipe Luis during the English League Cup round four football match. —AFP

MILAN: Inter Milan president ErickThohir was subjected to a fresh attackafter an Italian columnist with theHuffington Post labelled him a “a fat littleIndonesian”, reports said yesterday.

Thohir, who owns DC United in MajorLeague Soccer, took over the Serie Agiants last year after acquiring a 70 per-cent share from former presidentMassimo Moratti.

Moratti recently gave up his post ashonorary president, prompting an out-pouring of tributes for his contributionduring 18 memorable years at the club.Simultaneously, Thohir, the first Asian toeffectively own an Italian club, has facedscrutiny after a little less than a year atthe helm. The president of Serie A high-flyers Sampdoria, Massimo Ferrero, wasforced to issue an apology to Thohir lastweek after hitting out: “It’s not right thatMoratti was treated like this. I am verysad for him. I told him: kick out thatFilipino....”

Evelina Christillin, the former presi-dent of the organising committee for the2006 Torino Olympics, appeared to pro-voke Thohir in a column for theHuffington Post earlier this week whichquestioned the Indonesian’s true finan-cial power.

“What is there left at Inter withoutMoratti?” Christillin wrote in her blog,reproduced in several media reportsthroughout Italy including Wednesday’sLa Gazzetta dello Sport.

“A fat little Indonesian who, at the endof the day, has taken over from Morattiand has the majority of the shares but noone knows if he has the financial clout ornot.”

The blog appeared to take on anovertly offensive tone when she referredto Thohir as a ‘cicciobello a mandorla’ -which loosely translates as a ‘slant-eyedbaby doll’.

‘Ciccio’, in Italian, means chubby orplump. A ‘cicciobello’ is an Italian make ofdoll while ‘occhi a mandorla’ (almond-shaped eyes) is a widely-used term todescribe someone of Asian appearance,although it can have racist undertones.

She added: “The slant-eyed baby dollcan do what he wants, he (Moratti) is nolonger there.” Italian society in generalhas often been accused of being inher-ently racist.

In 2008 comments by then presidentof Italy Silvio Berlusconi hit the headlinesworldwide when he called the presidentof the United States, Barack Obama,“young, handsome and tanned.”

Several black footballers who playedin Italy ’s top flight, including MarioBalotelli and Kevin Prince Boateng, havebeen subjected to overtly racist insults inrecent seasons. Film producer Ferrero,who took over Genoa-based clubSampdoria at the end of last season,made his gaffe Sunday in an interviewwith Rai Sport after being asked aboutMoratti’s recent decision to resign ashonorary president.

Sampdoria later released a statementwhich cited Ferrero as saying: “I wouldlike to sincerely underline I did not meanany disrespect to Thohir, the directors ofInter or the people of the Philippines,who I have always had a great relation-ship with. “I was trying to praise Morattiand all he has contributed to Inter andItalian football for 20 years.” — AFP

LONDON: Some Chelsea fans thought man-ager Jose Mourinho had taken leave of hissenses when he decided to bring the age-ing Didier Drogba back to the club in theclose season.

There was a feeling that the 36-year-oldIvorian was well past his best and thatreturning to Stamford Bridge might tarnishthe legacy he left after a dazzling first spellwith the Londoners.

Drogba has, however, well and trulysilenced the doubters in the last week, scor-ing three goals in three games and provinga more than capable understudy for theinjured Diego Costa and Loic Remy.

“His character is bigger than his body,”Mourinho told reporters after the centreforward grabbed the opening goal inTuesday’s 2-1 League Cup fourth-round vic-tory at Shrewsbury Town.

“What he did today maybe was becauseof his character and not because of hisbody. Let’s see the reaction after this butthis is what makes players special.

“If I was a kid player and I played withthis guy on my side, what more could I wishfor? For the kids it must be a privilege andthey have to learn by example-the examplethe older guys gave today.”

Drogba left Chelsea two and a half yearsago after helping them win the ChampionsLeague for the first time. He joined theBlues from Olympique Marseille in 2004 andscored 157 goals in 342 appearances in hisfirst spell, hoovering up three PremierLeague titles, four FA Cups and two LeagueCups. Drogba was on target from the penal-ty spot in the 6-0 romp against Slovenians

Maribor in the Champions League last weekand also struck with a trademark header inthe 1-1 draw at Manchester United in thePremier League on Sunday.

SENIOR SERVICEPremier League leaders Chelsea rested

several first-choice players at fourth tierShrewsbury and Mourinho said it was thesenior professionals who carried his teamthrough to the quarter-finals.

“The message I want is the messageDidier, Filipe Luis, Oscar and Gary Cahillgave-doing something they shouldn’t beallowed to do but they did, which is playtwo football matches in 48 hours,” said themanager. “They were fantastic. I had peoplelike Petr Cech and John Obi Mikel, peoplewith lots of years at the club, who wouldprefer to start the game at Old Trafford.They didn’t and they came here today andgave a fantastic example.

“After that there are the young boys andthey have to follow the spirit and the pro-fessionalism of the others,” addedMourinho.

The Portuguese seemed to indicate hewas less than satisfied with the perform-ance of his younger players at Shrewsbury.“I expect people that have not been playinga lot to raise their level and create prob-lems,” said Mourinho. “I love problems ofchoice but it’s easy to choose my team forSaturday.” Next up for Chelsea, who have afour-point lead at the top of the PremierLeague, is a home derby against secondfrom bottom Queens Park Rangers at theweekend. — Reuters Chelsea’s Ivorian striker Didier Drogba —AFP

Mourinho: Drogba is proving why he is the Special One

‘Fat’ Inter chief Thohir faces fresh provocation

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund bounced backafter slumping to their fourth straightBundesliga defeat against Hanover 96 atthe weekend, cruising past second tier StPauli 3-0 on Tuesday to reach the GermanCup third round.

Ciro Immobile, under-fire for his lack ofgoals this season, tapped the visitors infront after 33 minutes before Marco Reusrifled in the second goal after a cut-back bythe Italian a minute before the break. Apartfrom two early chances for the hosts, thesecond half was a subdued affair withDortmund focused on holding on to theirlead rather than adding to their goal tally.

They made it 3-0 when a bad clearanceby keeper Philipp Tschauner fell straight toShinji Kagawa and the Japanese made nomistake as he gave his side a boost of selfbelief ahead of Saturday’s league gamewith Bayern Munich.

“It was important to advance after thefew weeks we have had,” Dortmund captainMats Hummels told ARD television. “It is a

matter of confidence for us but we can getit back.”

Dortmund, last season’s Bundesliga andGerman Cup runners-up, have suffered sixdefeats in nine games to slide to fourthfrom bottom in the table.

Werder Bremen coach Viktor Skripnikmade a winning start as his new club easedpast third tier Chemnitz 2-0. UkrainianSkripnik replaced the sacked Robin Dutt onSaturday, with the former championsanchored in last place in the league.

Fin Bartels put them ahead in the firsthalf and Franco Di Santo drilled in the sec-ond goal after a fine through ball fromClemens Fritz after the interval.

Hanover were handed a surprise 2-0defeat at relegation-threatened seconddivision club Aalen and Hertha Berlinfared even worse, crashing out to thirdtier Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 on penaltiesafter a goalless 120 minutes. HoldersBayern are in action late yesterday againstHamburg SV. — Reuters

Dortmund cruisein German Cup

HAMBURG: St.Pauli’s Marc Rzatkowski (left) and Dortmund’s midfielder KevinGrosskreutz vie for the ball during the German Cup. — AFP

17Murray on brink of WorldTour Finals

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 201418

Premier Leaguegiants squeezeinto q-finals

Negro League museum tells of segregation tale Page 16

SAN ANTONIO: Spurs Tony Parker (center) of France, is pressured by Dallas Mavericks Jameer Nelson (left) and Dallas Mavericks Monta Ellis (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game. — AP

LOS ANGELES: The San Antonio Spurs picked upright where they left off, collecting their champi-onship rings before beginning their title defenceTuesday with a 101-100 victory over the DallasMavericks.

The Spurs, despite their superb record in ringceremony games, needed every minute of thecontest to hold off their Texas-state rivals, whogave them their most difficult challenge of lastyear’s playoffs. “We moved the ball much better inthe second half,” said Spurs guard Manu Ginobili,who came off the bench to score 20 points in oneof three opening-night NBA contests.

“The defence was great. Tony had a couple ofbig baskets and it was a very close game. Anythingcould have happened.” The Spurs rolled to theirfifth NBA title in June by dismantling the LeBronJames-led Miami Heat. But first they had to get

past the Mavericks in an epic seven-game series inthe Western Conference semi-finals.

Tuesday’s three-game set to start the 2014-15regular season also saw Anthony Davis fall oneblock shy of a triple-double as the New OrleansPelicans pulled away from the Orlando Magic for a101-84 home win.

In the late game, Houston spoiled the return ofKobe Bryant, who only played in a handful ofgames last season, as the Rockets embarrassed theLos Angeles Lakers 108-90 at Staples Center arena.San Antonio received their championship rings ina pre-game ceremony which also included raisingtheir fifth championship banner in franchise histo-ry. The Spurs are now 5-0 in games where theyreceived their championship rings.

“The ring ceremony got me emotional,” saidGinobili. “This is a great start. I can’t complain.”

Parker scored the go ahead three-pointer withunder a minute left. Ginobili also had six assists offthe bench and Tim Duncan totalled 14 points and13 rebounds for San Antonio.

Monta Ellis led Dallas with 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting and Dirk Nowitzki added 18 pointswith six rebounds in the loss. San Antonio returnedalmost everyone from last year’s team but theyhad to play the season-opener without NBA finalsMVP Kawhi Leonard, who is sidelined by a righteye infection. Tiago Splitter also sat with a calfinjury and Australian Patty Mills will miss the firstfew months after shoulder surgery.

“Overall, we did a pretty good job playing with-out Kawhi, Tiago and Patty. Three guys who arevery important to our team,” said Parker. “It was abig win for us.” The game also marked the coach-ing debut of San Antonio assistant coach Becky

Hammond. She became the second female in NBAhistory to work on an NBA coaching staff.

San Antonio has now won 10 straight regular-season games over the Mavericks, including eightstraight at home.

RANDLE BREAKS LEGJames Harden scored a game-high 32 points in

just three quarters for the Rockets in the win.Terrence Jones finished with a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double for Houston who havewon four straight against the Lakers.

Dwight Howard had 13 points with 11rebounds for the Rockets. Howard also missednine free throws on 16 attempts and committedfive fouls. Bryant, who played just six games lastseason because of Achilles and knee injuries, ledthe struggling Lakers with 19 points on six-of-17

shooting. Bryant and Howard exchanged words inthe fourth quarter which resulted in double tech-nical fouls. The former Laker teammates bumpednear the Rockets’ basket and then Howard deliv-ered an elbow to Bryant’s jaw. The playersexchanged words with Bryant telling Howard hewas “soft”.

“He elbowed me in the face and I am going tolet him know I don’t like that,” Bryant said. CarlosBoozer finished with 17 points with sevenrebounds and former Rocket Jeremy Lin addedseven points in their Lakers’ debuts. Lin shot justone-of-five and had a team-high four turnovers.The Lakers played their first regular-season gameunder new coach Byron Scott but lost rookie for-ward Julius Randle, who suffered a broken rightleg midway through the fourth quarter in his NBAdebut. — AFP

Spurs edge Mavs in NBA opener

KABUL: They have lost limbs to landmines andbeen disabled by mortar shrapnel, butAfghanistan’s wheelchair women basketball play-ers refuse to call themselves victims.

Clashing wheelchairs, hooting supporters andballs swishing through hoops brought a drabgrey court in downtown Kabul alive yesterday, inthe final of the country’s third annual competi-tion organised by the International Committee ofthe Red Cross (ICRC).

At the end of the forty minutes of play, thescoreline read Mazar-i-Sharif 26, Kabul 9 — butfor many of the athletes who took part it was alsoa personal triumph over years of adversity.

Mariam Samimi, a member of the winningside, was just six when she stepped on undeto-nated ordnance in her native northern provinceof Balkh, blowing off her toes.

It was 1996 and the height of Afghanistan’scivil war, when prosthetics and good medicaltreatment were in short supply. Now a trainedsocial worker as well as a competitive athlete, the23-year-old said she wanted others to know thata disability does not mean having to give up onyour dreams.

“Don’t be disheartened, always have courage,and do not say I can’t do it. Be confident all thetime, don’t feel that you are disabled and (that) Ishould be at home,” she said.

Afghanistan has been at war since 1979 whenthe Soviet Union invaded to prop up the commu-nist government. After the Soviets withdrew in1989, a civil war began. The hardline Taliban

seized power in 1996 but were ousted in 2001 bya US-led coalition.

The Taliban have waged a guerrilla war eversince against Afghan and foreign troops. Thecountry is one of the world’s most heavily minednations, with dozens of people still killed ormaimed every month. It is also one of just threecountries where polio is still a problem, due tothe disruption of health services and Talibanopposition to vaccination.

Nineteen-year-old Kamila Rahimi, whohelped her side to victory with five goals, hasbeen unable to walk since she was a toddler dueto the disease. When she’s on the court, it doesn’tmatter. “I feel very happy to be playing basketballbecause I like the company of my teammates.When I laugh, they laugh with me, when I cry,they cry with me,” she said.

In the final Kabul took an early lead but werecomfortably beaten in the end by a more pol-ished Mazar side, as several players were forcedto give up on their hijabs while whizzing aroundthe court. The best players from the two-daytournament, which included the western city ofHerat, will go on to play for the national team,said Alberto Cairo, head of the ICRC orthopaedicprogramme in Afghanistan. Twenty-three-year-old Aziza Ahmadi, who was paralysed in her leftfoot when shrapnel from a mortar attack on herKabul home hit her 18 years ago, said she hopedto make the grade. “My dream is to go to play inEuropean countries like Italy, Germany andFrance,” she said with a smile. — AFP

Wheelchair basketball gives new hope to disabled Afghan women

JEDDAH: As the NBA season kicked offin America, a group of Saudi womenand girls will be pursuing their ownhoop dreams. Women’s basketball isgaining in popularity in a kingdom rifewith public restrictions on femalemovement and activity. With the helpof some US-trained coaches, femaleenthusiasts are using basketball topush for greater rights for women onand off the courts in Saudi Arabia. “Weare an activist team,” said LinaAlmaeena, who started the firstwomen’s basketball team here 11 yearsago. That led to the creation of JeddahUnited in 2006, the first sports club inSaudi Arabia to include women. “Wetook it upon ourselves to really pro-mote the sport at a time when it was abig time taboo ... when there was aself-imposed censorship on women’ssports.”

For the players, basketball is notmerely a sport but an act of defiance ina country where female access to exer-cise is outright shunned by ultracon-servatives; physical education is stillnot on the curriculum for girls in Saudipublic schools. Women are bound by

strict rules when it comes to theirattire, so they cannot be seen by menwhile jogging in sweat pants, muchless wearing fitted or revealing shorts.Most women in Saudi Arabia covertheir hair and face with a veil known asthe niqab and all women are requiredto wear a loose black dress known asthe abaya in public.

Nevertheless, Saudi women’s bas-ketball is on the rise, and women fromthe ultraconservative kingdom areeven playing in other Arab countries.Hadeer Sadagah, 20, started playingeight years ago with Almaeena atJiddah United. She now plays at thecollegiate level for the University ofSharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

“I wouldn’t be the person I amtoday without the sport and the team,”she said. “It made me be more active insociety, school and in studies. It mademe more social. It made me confident.”

At a recent afternoon basketballpractice in Jeddah, girls as young asfour years jumped, took shots and ranon open-air basketball courts behindgated concrete walls. Boys played innearby courts. The children and their

coaches stopped for daily prayers.Almaeena says basketball is

becoming popular among Saudi girlsbecause it offers the camaraderie of ateam sport. Basketball is also seen asmore societally acceptable since girlscan practice in loose, conservativeclothes, and the sport can be playedindoors and outdoors.

From its humble beginning atJeddah United, the sport has growninto a network of teams in differentcities. No formal league exists butwomen’s teams play in privately organ-ized tournaments against a handful ofother private schools, universities andclub teams across the kingdom.

Despite the growth, women’s bas-ketball in Saudi Arabia still faces a host

of logistical obstacles due to the king-dom’s strict gender-segregation rules.Women’s teams are not part of thekingdom’s federation that overseessports, and women often struggle tofind facilities to train and are notallowed to attend matches in stadiums.In Jeddah, the older female playerspractice and play in a female-only gym.They only play tournaments in front ofother women, and even their malecoaches do not attend games.

It wasn’t until 2012 that SaudiArabia sent its first female athletes tothe Olympics - exactly two of them.And two years later for the 2014Asian Games, the kingdom revertedto its tradition of sending an all-maledelegation. —AP

Basketball morethan just a gamefor Saudi women

SAUDI ARABIA: In this May 12, 2014, photo, Saudi and expatriate girlspractice basketball at a private sports club in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. — AP

BusinessTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

Palestinian telecom firm unbowed by Gaza war

Page 22

Global consumer confidence improves, India most bullish

Page 23Air Arabia marks11th anniversary

Page 26IMF calls for sweeping reforms in GCC

Page 25

LONDON: OPEC Secretary General Abdalla Salem El-Badri (center) speaks during the Oil and Money conference in London, yesterday. — AFP

LONDON: OPEC’s oil production is unlikely to changemuch in 2015 and there is no need to panic at the crudeprice drop, OPEC’s secretary general said yesterday, addingto indications the exporter group is in no hurry to cut out-put. Abdullah al-Badri also said output of higher-cost oilsupplies such as shale would be curbed if oil remained ataround $85 a barrel, while the Organization of thePetroleum Exporting Countries enjoys lower costs and willsee higher demand for its crude in the longer term.

Oil’s drop below the $100-mark, the level many OPECmembers had endorsed, has raised the question ofwhether OPEC will cut supply when it meets in November.Badri said OPEC’s output was unlikely to change much nextyear, adding to signs a decision to cut in November isunlikely.

“I don’t think 2015 will be far away from 2014 in termsof production,” Badri told reporters in London at the annu-al Oil & Money conference. “There is nothing wrong with

the market.”Brent crude has dropped more than a quarter from

above $115 per barrel in June as abundant supplies ofhigh-quality oil such as US shale have overwhelmeddemand in many markets, filling stocks worldwide. Butlower prices pose a threat to supply outside OPEC. WhileOPEC’s oil production costs are low, as much as half ofshale output would be under threat if prices remain at cur-rent levels, Badri said.

“If prices stay at $85, we will see a lot of investment, alot of oil, going out of the market,” he told the conference.“About 65 percent of the producers, they have high costs.Not OPEC.” Badri did not predict the outcome of OPEC’smeeting on Nov 27, saying the decision was up to thegroup’s oil ministers, and appealed for calm over thedecline in prices.

“We do not see much change in the fundamentals.Demand is still growing, supply is also growing. OPEC is

reviewing the situation,” he said. “The most important thingis we should not panic,” he said. “Unfortunately, everybodyis panicking. We really need to sit, and think and see howthis will develop.”

He dismissed suggestions that OPEC countries, in set-ting lower official selling prices for their crude oil, haveembarked on a price war to preserve market share.

Price floor Badri declined to specify a level at which oil prices

might find a floor, saying OPEC did not have a price targetbut would instead leave that to the market. “OPEC’s aver-age price will still be $100 at the end of this year so we arefine for 2014,” he said. “The fundamentals do not reflect thislow price.”

“OPEC does not have a price target. We must let themarket settle down.” Brent was trading around $87.30 by1430 GMT after reaching a four-year low of $82.60 two

weeks ago.Badri said last month that he expected OPEC to lower its

oil output target when it meets in Vienna, which would beits first formal output cut since the 2008 financial crisis.OPEC has a production target of 30 million barrels per day(bpd) and Badri suggested last month that this should becut to around 29.5 million bpd. Since then, OPEC membersIran and Kuwait have said a cut in output at the meetingwas unlikely. Top producer Saudi Arabia has yet to com-ment publicly.

Badri reiterated that supplies from rival producers, suchas shale oil, were not a threat to OPEC long-term and saidOPEC had to be ready to pump far more in future.

“In the longer term, OPEC must be ready to produce.Around 2018-2020, US tight oil will slow down,” he said. “By2040, OPEC must be ready to produce 40 million bpd of oil,and 50 million bpd of liquids, that’s crude and natural gasliquids.” — Reuters

Don’t panic over price plunge: OPEC chiefBadri sees little output change in 2015

DUBAI: Most stock markets in the Middle East rose yesterday on theback of generally positive third-quarter earnings, but bourses inDubai and Saudi Arabia, which had outperformed the region earlierin the week, pulled back on profit-taking. Abu Dhabi’s index rose 1.1percent, largely on the back of First Gulf Bank, which jumped 3.1 per-cent. The lender beat analysts’ estimates this week with a 20 percentincrease in third-quarter net profit.

Shares in National Bank of Abu Dhabi edged up 0.7 percent after itreported a 32 percent rise in third-quarter net profit, slightly ahead ofestimates. The lender made 1.37 billion dirhams ($373 million) in thequarter, while analysts polled by Reuters had forecast 1.30 billiondirhams.

Qatar’s benchmark added 0.9 percent in a broad rally. Propertydeveloper Ezdan Holding, which this week posted a 41 percent jumpin nine-month profit, dominated trading and edged up 0.5 percent.

Egypt’s bourse also continued to rally and jumped 2.4 percent asmost blue chips gained. However, shares in Sidi Kerir Petrochemicalsfell 2.3 percent after it reported a 26 percent drop in nine-month netprofit.

Dubai’s index closed 0.1 percent down after going up as much as1.4 percent during the session. Lender Emirates NBD, whose sharesoften move sharply because of limited liquidity, was the main drag,falling 2.0 percent. Developer Union Properties, which rose earlier inthe session, closed 0.6 percent down while Emaar Properties andDeyaar gave up all gains and were flat. “It’s just profit-taking,” saidSanyalak Manibhandu, manager of research at NBAD Securities inAbu Dhabi. “There was a bit of a relief rally earlier in the week and Ithink people are just booking profits now.”

Dubai had outperformed the region, gaining 8.3 percent betweenOct. 19, when markets began to recover, and Tuesday’s close. SaudiArabia’s bourse which was the second-best performer in the sameperiod, rising 6.5 percent; it also pulled back yesterday and closed 0.8percent down.

One of the major drags was Saudi Basic Industries (SABIC) , whichthis week posted a 4.5 percent decrease in third-quarter profit onSunday, missing analysts’ estimates. — Reuters

Dubai and Saudibourses pull back

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS

WASHINGTON: After six years of pump-priming a weak economy, the FederalReserve is expected to take a big step back toward “normal” monetary policyyesterday by ending its asset-purchase operations. But with the global econo-my frail and low inflation a danger, the Fed is hardly about to tighten the floodof cheap dollars that has propped up growth after the Great Recession.

The Fed has made clear it will not sell off the $3.5 trillion worth of Treasurybonds and mortgage securities it has accumulated since 2008 in quantitativeeasing (QE) programs, even though a key goal-bringing down unemploy-ment-has been reached.

Moreover, the policy-making Federal Open Market Committee will stick toits plan to hold its benchmark federal funds interest rate at the zero level wellinto next year.

The FOMC has signaled for months its plan to close out the third version ofthe asset purchase operations, QE3, at the end of its two-day meeting thisweek, with the announcement expected around 2:00 pm (1800 GMT). Whilesome analysts think the decision could be held off until December, that wouldlikely serve a more symbolic purpose.

Last December the Fed was pumping $85 billion a month into the econo-my via asset purchases to hold down long-term interest rates, to promotelending and investment.

That has been steadily tapered to just $15 billion in October, and econo-mists say that after six years the impact of QE is less and less-except for help-ing pump up prices of stocks and other financial assets. The Fed’s principal aimfor the policy was to help bring down the unemployment rate, which peakedat 10.0 percent in October 2009 and fell steadily to 5.9 percent last month.

With jobs growth now running at a firm clip, the Fed’s focus has turned toinflation, which remains well below its 2.0 percent target. “The decline in theinflation expectations will undoubtedly take the center stage of FOMC discus-sions,” said BBVA in a client note.

“The focus of the committee’s discussion is expected to progress beyondthe timing to end QE3. Whether the FOMC ends its $15 billion large-scalemonthly asset purchases in October or December would likely be considereda minor concern.”

Crucial then is what the FOMC signals for the path of the fed funds rate.The committee has repeatedly stated that the first hike from the 0-0.25 per-cent level, where the rate has stood since the end of 2008, will come only “aconsiderable time” after it ends QE.

Now that the asset purchases are ending, how it adapts that signal will beclosely watched. The current expectation is for an initial rate rise in mid-2015.But, as Fed Chair Janet Yellen repeatedly emphasizes, that depends on whatthe data says about the strength of economic growth. — AFP

Fed to keep watch on inflation

DUBAI: Dubai’s Emaar Properties , thebuilder of the world’s tallest tower,reported a 21 percent rise in third-quarter net profit yesterday. The risecame despite a fall in revenue stem-ming from a second successive quar-terly drop in home sales as the emi-rate’s property market showed furthersigns that recent rampant pricegrowth was abating.

The developer, in which the gov-ernment has a 31.2 percent stake, didnot provide an explanation for theprofit rise. It made a net profit of 701million dirhams ($191 million) for thethree months to Sept. 30, it said in astatement. That compared with a prof-it of 581 million dirhams in the year-earlier period. The earnings missed anestimate by brokerage SICO Bahrain,which had forecast Emaar’s quarterlyprofit would be 762.4 million dirhams.

The profit increase came despiterevenue in the quarter dropping to1.98 billion dirhams from 2.35 billiondirhams a year ago. Homes salesslowed for a second quarter this yearwith Emaar selling units worth 1.5 bil-lion dirhams in the period, down from2.7 billion dirhams in the correspon-ding period in 2013, according toReuters calculations.

Speculative buying and new proj-ect announcements have pushed uphome prices, making them unafford-able to many and thus slowing sales,raising fears of another property mar-ket bubble.

Price rises had been among thesteepest in the world in 2013 and thefirst half of this year, although datapublished at the end of the third quar-ter showed growth was slowing, lead-ing to the International MonetaryFund to this week moderate warningsfrom earlier in the year.

Emaar ’s chairman MohamedAlabbar last week welcomed talk of aslowdown in the emirate’s propertymarket and vowed to keep supplyingnew homes to help hold prices at “areasonable level”.

The developer, which built BurjKhalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallesttower, announced a series of new proj-ects this year including a new 6 millionsquare metre waterfront project atThe Lagoons with Dubai Holding onMonday. Emaar’s third-quarter operat-ing profit was 758 million dirhams, butits net profit was lower due to thecompany taking an impairment of 57million dirhams relating to mortgageaffiliate Amlak. — Reuters

Emaar Properties Q3 profit rises despite revenue drop

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

EXCHANGE RATES

Bahrain Exchange Company

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

ASIAN COUNTRIESJapanese Yen 2.686Indian Rupees 4.748Pakistani Rupees 2.815Srilankan Rupees 2.216Nepali Rupees 2.965Singapore Dollar 228.210Hongkong Dollar 37.392Bangladesh Taka 3.742Philippine Peso 6.484Thai Baht 8.968Irani Riyal transfer 1167.970Irani Riyal cash 141.525

GCC COUNTRIESSaudi Riyal 77.419Qatari Riyal 79.772Omani Riyal 754.060Bahraini Dinar 770.900UAE Dirham 79.054

ARAB COUNTRIESEgyptian Pound - Cash 41.053Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.481Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.354Tunisian Dinar 162.450Jordanian Dinar 409.560Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.947Syrian Lira 2.068Morocco Dirham 33.805

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIESUS Dollar Transfer 290.050Euro 369.810Sterling Pound 468.510Canadian dollar 259.550Turkish lira 129.980Swiss Franc 306.610Australian Dollar 256.980US Dollar Buying 288.850

GOLDTola 1 141.530Tola 2 278.310Tola 5 689.800

COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFTBelgian Franc 0.007549 0.008549British Pound 0.459969 0.468969Czech Korune 0.005286 0.017286Danish Krone 0.045384 0.050384Euro 0.362706 0.370796Norwegian Krone 0.040024 0.045224Romanian Leu 0.083039 0.083039Slovakia 0.008433 0.018433Swedish Krona 0.036038 0.041038Swiss Franc 0.298707 0.308907Turkish Lira 0.127545 0.134545

AustralasiaAustralian Dollar 0.247091 0.258591New Zealand Dollar 0.221747 0.231247AmericaCanadian Dollar 0.252888 0.261388US Dollars 0.285950 0.290650US Dollars Mint 0.286450 0.290650

AsiaBangladesh Taka 0.003334 0.003934Chinese Yuan 0.045818 0.049318Hong Kong Dollar 0.035301 0.038051Indian Rupee 0.004489 0.004890Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026Japanese Yen 0.002601 0.002781Kenyan Shilling 0.003237 0.003237Korean Won 0.000265 0.000280Malaysian Ringgit 0.085306 0.091306Nepalese Rupee 0.002964 0.003134Pakistan Rupee 0.002794 0.003074Philippine Peso 0.006354 0.006634

Sierra Leone 0.000063 0.000069Singapore Dollar 0.224048 0.230048South African Rand 0.020434 0.028934Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001901 0.002481Taiwan 0.009415 0.009595Thai Baht 0.008628 0.009178

ArabBahraini Dinar 0.762905 0.770905Egyptian Pound 0.038882 0.041982Iranian Riyal 0.000080 0.000081Iraqi Dinar 0.000187 0.000247Jordanian Dinar 0.405009 0.412509Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000Lebanese Pound 0.000141 0.000241Moroccan Dirhams 0.023634 0.047634Nigerian Naira 0.001171 0.001806Omani Riyal 0.747351 0.753031Qatar Riyal 0.078959 0.080072Saudi Riyal 0.076710 0.077410Syrian Pound 0.001718 0.001938Tunisian Dinar 0.157556 0.165556Turkish Lira 0.127545 0.134545UAE Dirhams 0.077988 0.079137Yemeni Riyal 0.001309 0.001389

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Australian Dollar 232.68 229.68Canadian Dollar 262.37 263.37Swiss Franc 309.88 307.88Euro 371.39 372.39US Dollar 290.25 293.25Sterling Pound 469.73 472.73Japanese Yen 2.73 2.75Bangladesh Taka 3.743 4.013Indian Rupee 4.731 5.031Sri Lankan Rupee 2.216 2.651Nepali Rupee 2.960 3.495Pakistani Rupee 2.815 2.790UAE Dirhams 78.87 79.34Bahraini Dinar 770.38 772.45Egyptian Pound 40.48 41.08Jordanian Dinar 411.94 417.59Omani Riyal 752.74 760.04Qatari Riyal 79.93 80.48Saudi Riyal 77.32 77.72

Rate for Transfer Selling RateUS Dollar 290.100Canadian Dollar 260.860Sterling Pound 467.065Euro 368.770Swiss Frank 304.875Bahrain Dinar 771.365UAE Dirhams 78.880Qatari Riyals 80.480Saudi Riyals 77.435Jordanian Dinar 409.330Egyptian Pound 40.477Sri Lankan Rupees 2.216Indian Rupees 4.738Pakistani Rupees 2.817Bangladesh Taka 3.743Philippines Pesso 6.470Cyprus pound 711.815Japanese Yen 3.675

Syrian Pound 2.765Nepalese Rupees 3.955Malaysian Ringgit 89.225Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.795Thai Bhat 9.930Turkish Lira 129.925

PARIS: French pharmaceuticals group Sanofi chief executive officer Christopher Viehbacher deliveringa speech during a shareholders meeting in Paris. —AFP

Al Mulla Exchange

Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000)US Dollar 289.500Euro 369.150Pound Sterlng 469.000Canadian Dollar 259.700Indian Rupee 4.730Egyptian Pound 40.463Sri Lankan Rupee 2.211Bangladesh Taka 3.737Philippines Peso 6.468Pakistan Rupee 2.813Bahraini Dinar 770.750UAE Dirham 78.850Saudi Riyal 77.300*Rates are subject to change

B U S I N E S S

UAE’s Amanat Holdings says IPO fully covered

DUBAI: United Arab Emirates-based Amanat Holdings, ahealthcare and education start-up, said its 1.375 billiondirham ($374 million) initial public offer of shares had beenfully covered within a week since subscriptions opened.Amanat is the latest of several UAE companies to go publicthis year, taking advantage of a strengthening economyand improving investor sentiment after a five-year absenceof major IPOS in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. On Oct 20 it beganoffering for sale 55 percent of the company at 1 dirham ashare to retail and institutional investors. The offer period isdue to end on Nov 4. “Investors have chosen to participateearly, demonstrating their confidence in Amanat’s ability tocapitalize on the investment opportunities which exist inthe region’s education and healthcare sectors,” Amanatchairman Faisal Bin Juma Belhoul said in a statement yes-terday. Amanat intends to use 70 percent of the funds fromthe IPO to invest in healthcare and education, expecting tobuy stakes in three to six companies over the next 12-24months, Belhoul said previously. The company’s IPO fol-lows the $1.58 billion flotation this month of Emaar MallsGroup, which drew orders worth more than $47 billion.

Kuwaiti oil barrel drops 19 cents, reaches $81.04

KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti oil barrel dropped 19cents on Tuesday, reaching $81.04 compared to $81.23per barrel on Monday, said Kuwait PetroleumCorporation (KPC) yesterday. International oil marketswere affected by continuous negative reports on the USeconomy, the largest country in energy consumption,showing a drop in the demand on consumers’ durablegoods during last September. Meanwhile, the interna-tional markets are awaiting the reports of the US EnergyInformation Administration (EIA) on the rate of reservesin the USA, set to be released later today. Experts areexpecting an increase in the reserves’ rates, leading to adrop in oil prices. Crude oil contracts for Decemberdelivery were traded at $81.76pb in New York MercatileExchange (NYMEX), while Brent crude oil was traded at$86.33pb for December delivery as well.

Newsi n b r i e f

Battersea gets $754m Islamic financing

DUBAI: London’s Battersea Power Station redevelopment projecthas secured a sharia-compliant syndicated loan of 467 millionpounds ($754 million), a step towards developing Britain as anIslamic finance centre. The loan, one of the largest Islamic transac-tions ever conducted in the British market, is part of a 1.35 billionpound financing package for the second and third phases of theproject, Malaysia’s Maybank Islamic Bank said yesterday. MaybankIslamic provided 200 million pounds of the Islamic loan while therest was split between Malaysia’s CIMB Bank and Standard CharteredBank. Details of the loan were not revealed. The deal could encour-age other corporations in Britain to seek sharia-compliant financing,said Muzaffar Hisham, Islamic banking chief executive at MaybankIslamic. “We hope this opens the floodgates...This shows how theadvancement of cross-border transactions is very important.”Owners of the firm behind the 10 billion pound redevelopment ofthe site on the south bank of the Thames include Malaysian institu-tions Employees Provident Fund, SP Setia and Sime Darby. Seekingto attract more Islamic financial business, Britain issued in June itsfirst sovereign sukuk (Islamic bond), worth 200 million pounds.

Etihad, Alitalia offerconcessions for EU nod

BRUSSELS: Etihad Airways and struggling Italian carrierAlitalia have offered concessions in a bid to win EuropeanUnion antitrust approval for the Abu Dhabi airline’s planto acquire 49 percent of Alitalia. The EuropeanCommission said on its website that it would decide byNov. 17 whether to clear the deal. It did not providedetails of the concessions, in line with its usual policy. Theairlines have offered to give up some airport slots on theRome-Belgrade route to facilitate rivals, a person familiarwith the matter said yesterday. The carriers are likely tosecure EU approval with minor concessions, a sourcewith knowledge of the matter told Reuters in September.In previous airline deals, the EU authority has demandedthat airlines give up airport slots, facilitate rivals’ access toconnecting traffic or open up their frequent flyer pro-grams to ease competition concerns. State-owned Etihadhas minority stakes in Air Berlin , Air Seychelles, VirginAustralia, Aer Lingus , Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is inthe process of buying stakes in Alitalia and Swiss-basedEtihad Regional. Alitalia’s 1.76-billion-euro ($2.24 billion)rescue plan also involves existing shareholders includingstate-owned Poste Italiane.

DUBAI: Palestinian telecoms operator Paltel expects gainsfrom its financial investments this year to offset the $30 mil-lion of losses caused by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza in thesummer, its chief executive told Reuters. An estimated20,000 Gazan homes were badly damaged or destroyed inthe 50-day war that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians,mostly civilians.

The conflict also destroyed dozens of mobile telecomsbase stations as well as much of the enclave’s fixed-line net-work which most Gazans rely upon to access the web.

“Our network in many areas was materially destroyed,especially the landline network in the eastern part of Gaza,”said Ammar Aker, CEO of Paltel, whose $30 million of lossesequate to nearly a quarter of the company’s 2013 net profit.“Infrastructure was being bombarded, employees were atrisk, electricity was cut off and we had to supply many net-work locations with diesel.”

Aker said mobile telecoms traffic was now back to nor-mal levels but that it would be much more difficult to repairthe fixed-line network in the impoverished enclave, which ishome to about 1.8 million Palestinians.

The CEO said he expected Paltel’s equities investments in

both telecom and non-telecom stocks to bolster its profitthis year. “I still think we will be able to maintain last year’s(profit) figure or maybe have some minor growth, regardlessof the Gaza War,” he said. Paltel, or PalestineTelecommunications Co, had 158.8 million Jordanian dinars($224.29 million) of investments at the end of 2013, abouttwo-thirds of which were abroad. These include 25.3 percentof Jordan’s V-Tel, which has stakes in 10 telecom firms world-wide and posted a 49 percent rise in revenue last year to93.7 million dinars. Paltel’s 2013 net profit was 91.83 millionJordanian dinars, up from 82.13 million dinars a year earlier.

DamagePaltel’s 2.63 million mobile subscribers at the end of

2013 gave it a 78 percent market share in the Palestinianterritories of Gaza and the West Bank. It derived about 30percent of its revenue from Gaza before the conflict. Akersaid Israel’s offensive had caused Paltel more than $30 mil-lion of losses. This included $10 million of network dam-age, $15 million in lost revenue - present and future - plusabout $7 million in free credit to subscribers and humani-tarian aid.

Paltel has rebuilt 24 Gaza mobile base stations. “TheIsraeli army let us send some equipment in to fix the cellularnetwork, but for the fixed network it’s difficult unless there’sa big plan for rebuilding Gaza,” said Aker. Paltel’s fixed-linenetwork is especially important to the company due toIsrael’s longstanding refusal to grant the firm -and rivalWataniya Mobile, part of Qatar’s Ooredoo — spectrum tolaunch 3G and 4G services that would allow for mobileInternet in the Palestinian territories.

Consequently, about 58 percent of Palestinian house-holds have Paltel ADSL - or copper phone line - Internetconnections. The Palestinian operators use 2.5G networks,which provides only for texts, calls and very basic Internetfunctions.

“Israeli operators cover all of the West Bank through the(Israeli) settlements and they started gaining market sharebecause they can provide 3G and 4G services,” said Aker.

Paltel houses its core infrastructure abroad, includingin Jordan and Britain since 2005, due to import restric-tions imposed by Israel. “Making a local phone call is actu-ally as if you’re making an international call - it’s not easy,”said Aker. —Reuters

Palestinian telecom firm unbowed by Gaza warConflict caused Paltel $30 million of losses

PARIS: French drugmaker Sanofi, one of thecountry’s largest companies, fired its chiefexecutive yesterday after a row over hismanagement style, sending the pharmaceu-tical giant’s shares sharply lower. Sanofistock dropped more than five percent onthe opening bell of the Paris stock marketafter losing more than 10 percent the daybefore over disappointing earnings.

The 54-year-old Christopher Viehbacher,who holds dual Canadian and Germannationality, had been chief executive sinceDecember 2008 but had recently becomeembroiled in a boardroom row.

He piloted the group through a periodwhen it lost its exclusive rights to severalimportant drugs and refocused the businesson activities with strong potential, andnotably the acquisition of US biotechnologygroup Genzyme. A matter-of-fact companystatement hinted at boardroom battles. Thefirm needs a manager committed to “focus-ing on execution with a close and confidentcooperation with the board,” Sanofi said.

The firm appointed chairman Serge

Weinberg as a temporary replacement.Weinberg told reporters the decision to sackViehbacher was taken “unanimously” due tothe chief executive’s “management style”,denying however that it was a personalissue.

He cited as an example of poor manage-ment-board relations the case of a projectlast year to sell old Sanofi drugs that theboard found out about only through themedia.

The slide in stock pushed Sanofi’s marketcapitalization below that of Total, which alsolost its chief executive earlier this monthwhen Christophe de Margerie died in aplane crash in Moscow.

The chairman of BNP Paribas steppeddown last month and the heads of energygiants EDF and Areva have all recently left,marking a major shake-up of the French cor-porate landscape.

Nationality ‘not a factor’ Viehbacher had come under fire for

choosing to base himself in Boston in the

United States to run the group. Mediareports suggested the board was also con-cerned that the group’s core activities wereshifting away from France towards theUnited States.

Weinberg said this “was not the reason”for his ousting and also denied Viehbacher’snationality had anything to do with the deci-sion, saying it was “completely non-sensical”to suggest there was a problem with a for-eigner running a top French company.

“Nationality was not a factor,” insistedWeinberg. In his six years at the helm of thepharmaceutical giant, Viehbacher embarkedon a severe cost-cutting drive and inSeptember 2012 launched a plan to slash900 jobs by the end of next year, puttinghim on a collision course with unions.

And Weinberg said Viehbacher’s depar-ture did not herald a “change in strategy” forthe group, recalling that the firm’s directionhad been set before Viehbacher evenarrived at Sanofi. The new CEO also saidthere was “no particular concern” about thegroup’s finances. —AFP

Etisalat Q3 profit rises lessthan expected

DUBAI: Abu Dhabi-listed Etisalat reported a 22 percent risein third-quarter net profit yesterday, missing analyst esti-mates despite rising domestic income, lower taxes and thefirm’s takeover of Maroc Telecom bolstering its bottom line.The United Arab Emirates’ former telecom monopoly,which operates in 19 countries across the Middle East,Africa and Asia, made a net profit of 2.22 billion dirhams($598.97 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, it said.

This compares with a profit of 1.83 billion dirhams in theyear-earlier period. Analysts polled by Reuters on averageforecast Etisalat, the Gulf’s No.2 telecom operator by mar-ket value, would make a quarterly profit of 2.65 billiondirhams. Quarterly revenue was 13.2 billion dirhams, upfrom 9.59 billion dirhams a year earlier. Domestic third-quarter revenue rose 10 percent to 6.8 billion dirhams,while 48 percent of group revenue came from its interna-tional units, up from 35 percent in the year-ago period.

This follows Etisalat’s purchase of a 53 percent stake inMaroc Telecom for 4.14 billion euros in May. Formermonopoly Maroc Telecom also has operations in Gabon,Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Mali. Etisalat’s internationaloperations will account for at least 50 percent of group rev-enue in the future, Etisalat chief executive Ahmad Julfarsaid in a statement.

“Africa remains an important strategic region for ourbusiness,” he said. Third-quarter revenue from its Africancluster was 3.7 billion dirhams, up more than 400 percentfrom a year ago following its consolidation of MarocTelecom. Etisalat paid an effective royalty-or tax rate-of 44percent on its third-quarter net profit, down from 50 per-cent a year ago due to changes in the way the governmentcalculates this fee. —Reuters

Sanofi sacks CEO over management row

Qatar’s Tasweeq toslash condensate

exports in 2016SINGAPORE: Qatar’s state oil marketer Tasweeq expects tocut deodorized field condensate (DFC) exports in 2016 by30 percent from current levels as domestic consumptionncreases after a new splitter comes online, a senior compa-ny official said.

Qatari condensate exports have already been facingcompetition from US light oil shipments but its new146,000 barrels-per-day splitter, set to start up in late 2016,should help the Gulf state soak up some of its DFC suppliesat home. Tasweeq will cut DFC exports to 350,000 barrelsper day (bpd) from the current levels of 500,000 bpd whenthe splitter is ready, Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, marketing directorof condensate at Tasweeq, said at an industry conferenceyesterday. —Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

TOKYO: A cyclist passes before a share prices board in Tokyo yesterday. Japan’sshare prices rose 224.00 points to close at 15,553.91 points, following stronggains on Wall Street and as the weaker yen lifted exporter shares. —AFP

B U S I N E S S

LONDON: Consumer confidence in the UnitedStates jumped in the third quar ter andimproved globally, although people were moreoptimistic about job prospects than their per-sonal finances, a survey showed yesterday.India remained the most bullish consumer mar-ket, while Italy became the most pessimistic,according to the survey by global informationand insights company Nielsen.

The survey showed that concerns about theeconomy and job prospects had eased globallyfrom the second quarter, but in North Americaand Europe that had been replaced by risingworries about war and terrorism. Europeancountries generally were the most pessimistic,reflecting the conflict in Ukraine, falteringgrowth and the risk of deflation in the eurozone. Britain and Germany, however, saw con-sumer confidence improve.

The Nielsen Global Consumer ConfidenceIndex rose 1 point in the third quarter to 98,according to the survey, conducted betweenAug 13 and Sept 5. The index has been steadilyrising since the first quarter of 2012 and the lat-est reading headed closer to the 100 mark thatsignals optimism among consumers.

US consumers were the seventh most

upbeat globally, with their score rising 4 pointsto 108 as optimism about job prospects contin-ued to surge. Americans were also slightly moreupbeat about the outlook for their personalfinances than they were in the second quarter,unlike Europeans, who were more pessimistic,reflecting persistently low wage growth.

US consumers confident“US consumers are now feeling far more

confident than in previous years of the recov-ery due to consistently good job market trends,reflected in steady payroll growth and fallingunemployment over the course of 2014,” saidLouise Keely, a senior vice president at Nielsen.

“They are also benefiting from lower gaso-line prices and a gradually improving housingmarket. In the coming months, as we start tosee more people re-entering the workforce andmeaningful wage growth, this is likely to trans-late into broad-based gains in consumerspending.” Australia saw the biggest increase inconfidence from the previous quarter, by 12points, followed by Slovenia with a 9-pointincrease and Thailand with 8 points.

Chile posted the sharpest drop in confi-dence, by 7 points, fo l lowed by the

Philippines with a 5-point decline and 4-pointdecreases for Italy and Ukraine. The Nielsensurvey was conducted online and coveredmore than 30,000 consumers across 60 mar-kets. — Reuters

Global consumer confidence improves, India most bullish

Nielsen survey: Italy most pessimistic market

RICHMOND: Sam Abed talks with a customer at the Mediterranean Bakery and Deli in Richmond, Virginia. —AP

Top 10 index Bottom 10 index readings readings

India 126 (-2) Finland 64 (-3)Indonesia 125 (+2) France 59 (-1)Philippines 115 (-5) Slovenia 58 (+9)Thailand 113 (+8) Ukraine 57 (-4)UAE 112 (+3) Hungary/Greece 56 (0,+1)China 111 (0) Portugal 53 (+5)United States 108 (+4) S. Korea 52 (-1)Hong Kong 107 (+4) Serbia 51 (0)Saudi Arabia 105 (+3) Croatia 49 (-1)Denmark 104 (-2) Italy 47 (-4)

Global consumer confidence average98 (+1)Germany 97 (+1)UK 93 (+3)Japan 77 (+4)Australia 97 (+12)TOKYO: Japan’s September factory produc-

tion posted its biggest rise in eight months,official data showed yesterday, but thenews failed to dispel doubts about thestrength of the wider economy following arecent string of weak figures. Industrial pro-duction rose 2.7 percent on-month, revers-ing a drop of 1.9 percent in August, theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industrysaid.

That reading beat the median marketforecast of a 2.2 percent rise and is thehighest rise since a 3.9 percent expansionin January. However, the quarterly datawere less rosy with output from Japan’s fac-tories shrinking 1.9 percent in July-September from the previous quarter, asmakers of cars and home appliances triedto bring down their inventories after anApril sales tax rise hit consumer spending.

The quarterly output drop followed a3.8 percent fall in April-June, when theworld’s number three economy suffered itsbiggest contraction since the 2011 quake-tsunami disaster.

Industrial output had grown at itsfastest rate in more than two years inJanuary as it caught up with strongerdemand, before losing steam in the follow-ing months.

Retail sales also got a boost ahead of theApril 1 sales tax rise-Japan’s first in 17 years-as shoppers made a last-minute dash tobuy staples and big-ticket items such ascars and refrigerators before prices wentup. The industry ministry remained cau-tious despite the monthly upturn in manu-facturing activity. “Industrial production

fluctuates indecisively,” it said in a monthlyreport, a more upbeat assessment than itsAugust report, when the ministry said pro-duction “has weakened”.

A survey of manufacturers released withthe data showed that they expected facto-ry production to edge down 0.1 percenton-month in October and then pick up 1.0percent in November.

“The surge in manufacturing output inSeptember suggests that the sector hasfinally turned the corner, but a strongrecovery is not on the cards,” MarcelThieliant, Japan economist at CapitalEconomics, said in a note.

Despite the lackluster production, how-ever, Japan is likely to manage to post smallgrowth in the third quarter as activity inother parts of the economy such as theretail sector “seems to have picked up”, hesaid. “Overall, we still expect GDP toincrease by around 0.5 percent quarter-on-quarter in Q3,” following a drop of 1.8 per-cent in the second quarter, he said.

Third-quarter GDP data due out onNovember 17 will be closely watched for cluesas to how Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s econo-my growth blitz, known as “Abenomics”, isfaring.

The data will be a key factor in whetherAbe decides to raise the sales tax again to10 percent next year-seen as crucial toJapan paying down a massive nationaldebt. The GDP data could also influencethe Bank of Japan’s monetary policy, whichhas been aimed at stoking inflation, butwhich has had an adverse impact on pri-vate consumption. —AFP

Japan factory output posts surprise jump

PARIS: Total’s flags seen at half mast in front of French oil major Total head-quarters at La Defense business district, outside Paris. French energy firmTotal, reeling under the death of its chief in a plane crash, said yesterday thatits net profits had fallen in the third quarter due to a slump in the productionof hydrocarbons. —AFP

PARIS: French energy firm Total, recovering fromthe death of its chief in a plane crash, reported aprofit fall in the third quarter yesterday because ofdeclining oil and gas production. Net profit fell by6.0 percent between July and September to $3.4billion (2.67 billion euros), compared to the samequarter last year.

The group warned that it was yet to feel thenegative effects of falling oil prices but stood bycost-cutting and increased output targets.Turnover also declined by 2.0 percent to $60.36 bil-lion, a statement said. Profit excluding changes ininventories fell by 2 percent to $3.56 billion.

Hydrocarbon production fell 8.0 percent duringthe third quarter, partly due to the loss of conces-sions in the United Arab Emirates.

Results improve “The results are better than the last quarter,”

said finance director Patrick de La Chevardiere.Total’s chief executive Christophe de Margerie diedlast week when his private jet crashed in Russia. Hewas largely credited with the group’s internationalexpansion and had focused on raising production,in particular through operations in Russia.

Total is the fifth-biggest quoted oil and gasgroup in the world by market value, and is one ofthe biggest companies on the French CAC 40 stockindex. On Tuesday, British oil major BP reported a63.0-percent fall in net profit for the quarter to$1.29 billion. It blamed that on the fall of the priceof oil and the value of the ruble.

Yesterday, Norwegian energy group Statoil saidit had switched into a quarterly loss equivalent to558 million euros because of asset depreciationsbut also the fall in the oil price.

Total has not been badly set back so far by the

plunge of oil prices in recent months, but acknowl-edged that this could yet undermine results in thefourth quarter. Total recommended an increase inthe dividend with a payment for the third quarterrising to 0.61 euros per share from 0.59 euros in thesecond quarter.

The price of Total shares rose by 1.29 percent to46.08 in morning trading yesterday. So far this yearthey were showing a gain of 3.44 percent. Thegroup said that its upstream activities had held upwell despite weak oil prices. The refining and chem-ical downstream divisions had also done well,Chevardiere said.

Total, in common with many oil companies, hassuffered from weak refining conditions in Europe inrecent years.

Sanctions crimp Russian financing European refining margins nearly tripled in the

quarter to $29.9 per ton from $10.4 during thesame period of last year and $10.9 in the secondquarter of this year. But production of hydrocar-bons fell again, to 2.12 million barrels of oil equiva-lent per day, a decline of 8.0 percent.

Total held that it was reversing this trend.Chevardiere also noted than on a quarterly basis, asopposed to a 12-month basis, production had risenby 3.0 percent, boosted by advanced productionfrom the CLOV field off Nigeria. Production shouldbe close to 2.2 million barrels per day at the end ofthis year, he said, standing by a target of 2.3 millionbarrels per day in 2015.

The new chief executive, Patrick Pouyanne,would apply the new strategy of strict cost controlsthroughout the group to achieve total savings of$2.0 billion per year in 2017, and to reduce invest-ment to $25.0 billion in that year. —AFP

Total focuses on costs, oil output to stop profit slip

Heathrow Airportups 2014 passengertraffic outlook

LONDON: Heathrow Airport, the world’s third busiest airport,slightly raised its outlook for 2014 passengers numbers andsaid it wasn’t seeing any impact on travel from the Ebola crisisin west Africa. Airline and travel stocks have suffered falls inrecent months over fears that the Ebola crisis will lead to a dropoff in air travel, as happened with the SARS outbreak in 2003.

Heathrow, which is owned by Spain’s Ferrovial and otherpartners including Qatar Holding and China Investment Corp,said on Wednesday that it expects 73.4 million passengers in2014, 0.8 percent higher than its previous forecast, and 1.5 per-cent higher than last year. Asked if the airport was seeing anyimpact from the Ebola outbreak which has killed nearly 5,000people in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, Heathrow chiefexecutive John Holland-Kaye said in a telephone interview:“No, not at all.”

Earlier this month, Britain started screening some passen-gers arriving at Heathrow based on their recent travel history.Heathrow no longer has any direct flights to the affected areasafter British Airways suspended connections to Liberia andSierra Leone in August. The increase in forecast annual passen-ger numbers was driven by bigger aircraft flying more full andnew flights to cities like Manila, Mexico City and Bogot·. The air-port, Britain’s biggest, is seeking to build a new runway as itscurrent two are operating at 98 percent capacity but airportexpansion in crowded south-east England is the subject of along-running political tussle.

Holland-Kaye also said he was confident that expansion atHeathrow was increasingly being seen as a politically-deliver-able option, despite a general election looming in May 2015. Atthe last election in 2010, the incoming coalition governmentdropped plans for expansion at Heathrow.

“There’s building support up and down the country fromorganizations large and small and from local people, and MPs,for expansion at Heathrow,” the chief executive said. A govern-ment-appointed commission is due to make a recommenda-tion on where to expand London’s airports next year, from ashort-list comprised of two options at Heathrow and one atGatwick, an airport to the south of London. —Reuters

BRUSSELS: Ukraine and Russia begin new gascrisis talks yesterday, but wrangling overUkraine’s upfront cash payments threatens topush a deal out of reach, even as tempera-tures have fallen below zero in Kiev. Russianstate utility Gazprom halted supplies to Kievin June because of Ukraine’s unpaid gas bill,which Moscow says is around $4.5 billion.

For months, the cut-off has had littleimpact. But pressure is mounting for a deal aspeak winter demand looms and EuropeanEnergy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger,who has been mediating the talks, prepares toleave office at the end of the week.

The two sides came close in September,but then differences gaped wide last weekover Kiev’s ability to pay. Oettinger toldGerman television yesterday there was a 50percent chance of a breakthrough in the talks,which begin in the afternoon in Brussels. If hecannot broker a solution, it will be down to hissuccessor, who takes office on Nov. 1.

Weekend elections returned a pro-Westernparliament in Kiev, potentially stoking ten-sions with Moscow, although Russia’s EUenvoy, Vladimir Chizhov, said the mood couldbe more relaxed now the vote has takenplace. “During the last rounds of talks, let’s notconceal it, the pre-election situation had itsinfluence on Ukrainian side,” Chizhov toldRussian agency RIA Novosti. The only unre-solved problem, he said, was where to get themoney from for winter supplies.

Not just about the money Ukraine’s Naftogaz has set aside $3.1 bil-

lion in a special escrow account to pay off achunk of its debt to Gazprom, but Russia isalso demanding prepayment for winter sup-

plies before it is willing to turn the taps backon. Kiev says it is working to raise more mon-ey from all possible sources of financing,including the European Union. The executiveEuropean Commission is consideringUkraine’s request last week for a further loanof 2 billion euros.

But Kiev also says money alone may not beenough. “I have an impression that the Russianside doesn’t want to agree,” Ukrainian FinanceMinister Oleksander Shlapak told reporters inKiev on Tuesday. Analysts also said it could bevery hard to come up with enough assurancesto satisfy Russia. Ukraine at the same time ispushing for written guarantees that any agree-ment on price will be lasting.

For all sides, there is much at stakeRussia provides around one third of the

European Union’s gas, roughly half of which isshipped via Ukraine. Ukraine in turn relies onRussia for around 50 percent of its own gasand despite storage has a winter shortfall ofaround 3 billion to 4 billion cubic metres(bcm), depending on the weather. For Russia,the gas sector contributes approximately afifth of the national budget.

Economic sanctions on Russia, which EUofficials at a closed-door meeting on Tuesdaydecided to leave unchanged for now, are sap-ping an already weak economy. But Moscowcould well be willing to endure much morehardship for political ends. “Economic factorsare generally not given precedence whennational security concerns are at stake,”Pasquale De Micco, a national expert from theEuropean Parliament’s policy department,said in a research paper on Europe’s gas sup-ply options. —Reuters

BERLIN: The finance ministers of around 50 countriesmeet in Berlin yesterday to sign a deal they hope willput an end to banking secrecy and aid the worldwidefight against tax fraud and evasion.

“Banking secrecy, in its old form, is obsolete,”German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble saidin an interview in the mass-circulation daily Bildyesterday.

Banking secrecy is “no longer appropriate at a timewhen people can transfer their money all over theworld at the press of a button via the Internet,” saidSchaeuble, who is hosting the two-day meeting of theGlobal Forum on Transparency and Exchange ofInformation for Tax Purposes in the German capital.The forum, set up under the auspices of the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment (OECD) and the European Union, bringstogether representatives of more than 120 countries.

The finance ministers are scheduled to sign onWednesday a Multilateral Competent AuthorityAgreement, which will designate which institution ineach country is responsible for transferring tax data toother member states. The OECD estimates that “vastamounts of money are kept offshore and go untaxed.Offshore tax evasion is a serious problem for jurisdic-tions all over the world.”

Economist Gabriel Zucman, a specialist in fiscalfraud, has calculated that around 5.8 trillion euros ($7.4trillion) is stashed away in tax havens, deprivingauthorities all over the world of around 130 billioneuros in revenue each year. In the past, tax havens andcountries such as Switzerland have used bankingsecrecy laws to refuse to disclose information on off-shore bank accounts held by foreigners to the corre-sponding national tax authorities.

But an international movement to end banking

secrecy has gathered momentum in recent years, par-ticularly following the enactment in the United Statesof its 2010 Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act or FAT-CA. FATCA obliges foreign banks to report to the USInternal Revenue Service (IRS) on the offshore holdingsof US clients in excess of 50,000 euros.

The move prompted five European countries-Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain-to call fora generalized automatic exchange of informationin 2011.

And following months of talks, amid fierce resist-ance in countries such as Luxembourg and Austria,where banks continue to uphold banking secrecy, theEU finally came up with an accord two weeks ago.Under that deal, the 28 member states pledged toimplement an automatic data exchange from 2017,with the exception of Austria, which for technical rea-sons will not sign up until 2018. —AFP

Ukraine, Russia try again to forge gas deal

Tax summit aims to say goodbye to banking secrecy

Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index in the third quarter, 2014

(change from Q2 survey in brackets):

B U S I N E S STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

LONDON: World stocks rose yesterday, lifted by strong corporateearnings and investor optimism that the US Federal Reservewon’t raise interest rates for some time, even as it is expected toofficially wind down its bond-buying stimulus program.

Europe’s main indices followed the overnight lead from WallStreet and Asia, although the third-quarter earnings reports outof Europe weren’t quite as solid as those from the United States.

The dollar was under light selling pressure and major govern-ment bond yields were marginally lower, as currency and fixedincome markets anticipated a soothing message from the Fedwhen it ends its two-day policy meeting later in the day.Germany’s DAX was up almost 1 percent in early trade, Britain’sFTSE was up half a percent, and France’s CAC 40 up a third of onepercent.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan

gained 1.1 percent and Japan’s Nikkei share average climbed 1.5percent. “Markets are banking on the prospect that the FederalReserve will do everything in its power to anchor interest rateexpectations at, or below, current levels,” said Michael Hewson,chief strategist at CMC Markets in London.

“Any attempt to alter the (policy statement’s) language in any-thing other than a dovish fashion could well see markets takefright,” he said. The Fed is widely expected to announce it will endits two-year-old stimulus program known as quantitative easingthree, as the US economy continues to gather momentum. TheFed started buying bonds as far back as late 2008. Still, Fed offi-cials have also stressed they are in no hurry to take policy tight-ening a step further by raising rates from near zero levels due tosubdued inflation and the poor quality of a recovery in labormarkets.

US earningsUpbeat US earnings so far have also eased worries that corpo-

rate profits might be squeezed by sluggish global growth. With245 companies in the S&P 500 having reported earnings so far forthe third quarter, 73.5 percent have beat analyst expectations,according to Thomson Reuters. Over the past four quarters, 67percent of companies have beat estimates.

The picture in Europe isn’t quite so rosy. About a third of com-panies listed on the STOXX Europe 600 benchmark index havereported results so far this earnings season, with 67 percent ofthem meeting or beating profit forecasts, and 59 percent meet-ing or beating revenue forecasts, according to Thomson ReutersStarmine data. Yesterday, Germany’s largest lender DeutscheBank announced a third-quarter net loss, and French oil majorTotal said net adjusted profit fell 2 percent. In other European cor-

porate news, shares in French pharma group Sanofi slumped 5percent after the company’s board said it had decided to oustchief executive Chris Viehbacher.

In currency trading, the dollar was down 0.2 percent againstthe Japanese yen at 107.90 yen and the euro was little changedat $1.2730, close to Tuesday’s one-week high of $1.2765.

The yield on benchmark 10-year US Treasury bonds was downa basis point at 2.275 percent, as was the German Bund yield at0.87 percent. Italian government borrowing costs fell moresteeply, prompting a similar move across peripheral euro-zonebond markets, after the European Commission gave a tentativethumbs-up to Rome’s 2015 budget. Italy, like France, has beencampaigning for Brussels to afford it greater fiscal flexibility inorder to nurture fragile economic growth, although their originalbudget proposals had to be tweaked.—Reuters

Shares rise as investors bank on Fed

Oil rises above $86 ahead of Fed view

LONDON: Brent crude oil extended gains above $86 a barrel yesterdayas traders anticipated the end of quantitative easing in the United Statedwould squeeze the dollar. The Federal Reserve is widely expected to endits two-year-old bond-buying stimulus program, and to keep interestrates low, in a statement due at 1800 GMT yesterday.

“We’re likely to see a slightly weaker dollar today, if the Fed is asdovish as expected, and that will support oil prices in the short term,”said Michael Hewson, chief analyst at CMC Markets in London.

A weaker greenback makes it easier for global consumers to buy dol-lar-denominated commodities such as oil, boosting demand. Brentcrude for December was up 30 cents at $86.33 a barrel by 0930 GMT,after settling up 20 cents on Tuesday. Front-month US crude was up 45cents at $81.87 a barrel.

Prices also gained support from buoyant stock markets in Europe andAsia, after US stocks ended more than 1 percent higher on Tuesday. USconsumer confidence rose in October to its highest level since October2007 as views on the job market improved, according to a private sectorreport released on Tuesday.

“The US consumer confidence data points to a potential increase indemand for oil,” said Hewson. US stocks of gasoline and distillate fell by3.7 million barrels and 3 million barrels respectively, three times morethan analysts’ expectations, data by industry group American PetroleumInstitute (API) showed on Tuesday.

US crude inventories rose 3.2 million barrels last week, slightly belowanalysts’ expectation of a 3.4 million barrel increase. Crude inventorieshave risen for the past three weeks, typical in the approach to winter,when demand increases.

US oil refining capacity is forecast to increase this week due to areduction in planned outages as the maintenance season draws to aclose, data from research company IIR showed yesterday.

Investors awaited data on oil stocks from the US government’sEnergy Information Administration at 1030 EDT (1430 GMT). Severalmajor banks have cut their price forecasts for Brent and US crude nextyear in the past two weeks, but weeks of losses have brought the pricesinto the range of these revised forecasts. — Reuters

B U S I N E S STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

KUWAIT: In its latest regional eco-nomic outlook on MENA Region,IMF has indicated that despite set-backs, an uneven global econom-ic recovery continues. Accordingto the IMF, the growth forecast forthe world economy has beenrevised downward to 3.3 percentthis year, 0.4 percentage pointlower than in the April 2014 WorldEconomic Outlook largely due toweaker-than-expected globalactivity in the 1H-2014.

Economic developments inthe MENA Region continue toreflect the diversity of conditionsprevailing across the region. Mosthigh-income oil exporters, prima-rily in the GCC, continue to recordsteady growth and solid economicand financial fundamentals, albeitwith medium-term challengesthat need to be addressed. In thenon-GCC countries, improving thepolitical and business environ-ment, addressing infrastructurebottlenecks, and enhancingaccess to finance are importantprerequisites for raising invest-ment, productivity, and sustainedgrowth.

GDP growth in the GCC regionis expected to improve in 2014 toreach 4.4 percent after seeinghealthy growth of 4.1 percent in2013 as per IMF estimated figures.Growth remains steady in most ofthe GCC countries on the strengthof public spending on infrastruc-ture and private sector creditexpansion in many countries.Despite the regional issues, inaddition to the huge drop in oilprices, IMF upgraded its GDPgrowth forecast for Saudi Arabia,the region’s largest economy toreach 4.6 percent in 2014 com-pared to the previous estimates of4.1 percent for the same year inMay 2014. The outlook of Qatar

economy upgraded from agrowth rate of 5.9 percent esti-mated in May-14 to 6.5 percent inOctober for 2014, the highestGrowth among its peers in theGCC Region. The IMF estimatesKuwait’s growth rate to be 1.4 per-cent a sharp decline from the Mayestimate of 2.6 percent.

MENA regionAccording to IMF, Economic

developments in the MENA coun-tries continue to reflect the diversi-ty of conditions prevailing acrossthe region. Most high-income oilexporters, primarily in the GCC,continue to record steady growthand solid economic and financialfundamentals, albeit with medium-term challenges that need to beaddressed. In contrast, other coun-tries — Iraq, Libya, and Syria — aremired in conflicts. And yet othercountries, mostly oil importers, aremaking continued but unevenprogress in advancing their eco-nomic agendas, often in tandemwith political transitions and amidstdifficult social conditions. In mostof these countries, without exten-sive economic and structuralreforms, economic prospects forthe medium term remain insuffi-cient to reduce high unemploy-ment and improve living standards.Economic activity in the MENA oil-importing countries has remainedlackluster this year at about 3 per-cent, but growth is expected topick up to 4 percent in 2015 (broad-ly unchanged from the May 2014Update).

GCC economies need reformsIn the GCC economies, the

need is to strengthen their fiscalpositions by using the currentperiod of economic strength tosave more of their oil windfall. IMF

has suggested that most oilexporters also need to adapt theireconomic model for more sus-tained, inclusive, and diversifiedgrowth. The country’s financial fis-cal model has been dependent onthe growth of government spend-ing supported by increases in oilprices. Transitioning to a morediversified, private sector-drivenmodel requires significant reform.In the GCC countries, the businessenvironment is generally favorableand infrastructure gaps are small.So the reform priorities shouldcenter on improving the quality ofeducation and its relevance for pri-vate sector needs; reducing distor-tions that lead to reliance on for-eign labor, thereby increasing pri-vate sector job opportunities fornationals; and encouraging effi-cient production of tradablegoods and services rather thanactivity in non-tradable sectorswith low productivity growth.

We believe that the inflation sit-uation in the GCC economies willcontinue to be benign as reflectedfrom the IMF data and projection.However, any further decline in oilprices will have an effect on theirfiscal balance and current accountbalance. Although the current oilprices (above $80 per barrel) areabove the breakeven prices ofmost countries, however the highexpenditures especially the cur-rent expenditure can be a cause ofconcern in future if the oil pricesremain depressed or if the oilexporters take production cuts.What GCC requires is more diversi-fication of their economies whichthey are looking at seriouslythrough various projects andusing oil surplus to spur the non-oil sector which is being seen inthe strong growth in the non-oilsector in these economies albeit

on a lower base and scale. In the GCC, the business envi-

ronment is favorable by interna-tional standards, infrastructuregaps are small, and the efficiencyof high capital spending is compa-rable with that in other countries.However, IMF suggests some moremeasure to build on the progresswhich includes improving educa-tion quality, restraining growth inpublic wage bills and incentivizing

GCC men and women to seek pri-vate sector jobs, reducing distor-tions that lead to excessivereliance on foreign labor, graduallyreducing energy subsidies andreorienting incentives toward trad-able sectors. It will also help intackling another challenge thatthe GCC region faces which is tocreate jobs for the young popula-tion which will be joining theworkforce in the near future.

Oil price decline a major risk factor

Oil prices needs to be watchedout for as higher-than-expected oilsupply from other regions (for exam-ple, the United States) or lower globaloil demand, owing to weaker globaleconomic growth, could also furtherease oil markets. As per IMF, oil prices,as well as regional security conditions,are also important sources of risk foractivity in the non-oil economy.

IMF calls for sweeping reforms in GCCKAMCO Investment Research Report

FRANKFURT: Europe’s battered financial sector is show-ing further signs of healing as conditions for bank loansease and demand for loans picks up, a key ECB surveyshowed yesterday.

Just a few days after the European Central Bank gavemost euro-zone banks a clean bill of health, its quarterlybank lending survey showed that banks are easing creditstandards for customers across all loan categories. Inaddition, demand for loans is also increasing, the ECBwrote.

“According to the October bank lending survey (BLS),credit standards for all loan categories eased in the thirdquarter of 2014,” the report said. Looking ahead, banksexpect credit standards to continue to ease in the fourthquarter, and loan demand also to continue to pick up,the ECB continued.

The survey’s findings should provide some encour-agement to the ECB, since the chronic weakness of cred-it activity in the euro area has been blamed for theabsence of any noticeable recovery in the 18 countriesthat share the single currency. The ECB complains thatits ultra-easy monetary policy has not been feedingthrough into the real economy, because banks are notpassing the money on in loans, particularly to the smalland mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are the region’seconomic backbone.

In an attempt to address this, the bank has cut itsinterest rates to new all-time lows and also unveiled aseries of programs to pump liquidity into the economy.

For example, it is making cheap funding available tobanks via its TLTRO or targeted long-term refinancingoperation program in the hope the banks will lend thecash on to businesses. Separately, in a bid to restore con-fidence in the banking sector, the ECB conducted a year-long audit-the most in-depth and stringent so far-of 130euro-zone banks.

The results were published on Sunday and showedthat four out of five banks passed the test.

Lending conditions still tight The lending survey pre-dates those audit results, but

analysts were cautiously positive about the results of thelatest bank lending survey, even if hurdles remain. Thedata “provided further evidence of a slow improvementin euro-zone credit conditions,” said Capital Economicseconomist Jessica Hinds. Nevertheless, “lending stan-dards are still tight and the faltering economic recovery

may discourage banks from easing them further,” shewarned. The ECB survey confirmed this interpretation.

“Banks’ risk perceptions concerning firms’ businessoutlook and macroeconomic uncertainty had a slightnet tightening impact on credit standards for loans toenterprises... this was consistent with the recent cooling-off in economic recovery including in core euro areacountries,” the survey found. So “if the euro-zone econo-my fails to pick up towards the end of the yea r, thenthere is a clear risk that banks may not loosen standardsas much as they currently anticipate,” said Hinds atCapital Economics.

Bayern LB economist Johannes Mayr said the lending

survey data “support the picture of a gradual stabiliza-tion of credit activity.”

Nevertheless, “we remain skeptical and see the struc-tural economic weakness in France and Italy as a brakingeffect on credit and economic growth.”

Tom Rogers of EY euro-zone Forecast said the survey“offers some encouragement that the freeze in banklending will continue to thaw, albeit very gradually andunevenly across economies.”

The rebound in loan demand “suggests that the ECB’sefforts to push more liquidity into banks in the comingmonths should help fuel a recovery in investmentspending from 2015 and beyond,” he said. —AFP

ECB says banking sector continuing to heal, slowly

Demand for bank loans pick up

LONDON: BP Group Chief Executive Bob Dudley addresses delegates duringthe Oil and Money conference in central London yesterday. —AFP

LONDON: Gold steadied near $1,230 anounce yesterday as investors awaited guid-ance from the US Federal Reserve, widelyexpecting it to reaffirm willingness to wait foran extended period before raising interestrates. The Fed, which wraps up a two-day poli-cy meeting later yesterday, is widely expectedto end its two-year-old bond-buying stimulus,known as quantitative easing, as the US econ-omy gathers momentum.

Fed officials have also stressed, however,that they are in no hurry to take tightening astep further by raising rates from near zero lev-els, citing subdued inflation and the poor qual-ity of a recovery in labor markets. Gold hasbenefited from the low interest rates andincreased liquidity that have dominated cen-tral bank policy in the years after the 2008financial crisis.

Keeping US interest rates lower for a longerperiod bodes well for a non-interest bearingasset such as gold. Spot gold was unchangedat $1,228.00 an ounce by 1045 GMT after edg-ing higher on Tuesday. The metal reached asix-week high of $1,245 last week.

US gold futures were down $2.50 an ounceat $1,227.00. “This should be the end of QE, butif some wording is used by the Fed that theeconomic recovery doesn’t justify removal ofits monetary stimulus and they have ... to leavethe door open to reinstating some measuresin the future, then that could be interpreted asfairly positive for gold,” Mitsubishi Corp strate-

gist Jonathan Butler said. “As long as the eco-nomic picture still looks fairly unclear, the Fedwill adopt a reasonably cautious stance.” Thedollar was unchanged against a basket of lead-ing currencies, having slipped in the previoussession after weak economic data, which givesthe US central bank reason to hold off fromtightening its monetary policy. Demand forUS-made capital goods fell the most in eightmonths in September, while the housing sec-tor also remained largely soft.

China threat Weakness in demand from China, the

world’s biggest consumer of gold, remains akey threat to any price upside. “To me the mostimportant thing is that Chinese buyers havebeen absent for most of this year, and that has-n’t supported the price of gold,” said VictorThianpiriya, an analyst at Australia and NewZealand Banking Group.

In 2013, China imported a record1,158.162 tons of gold from Hong Kong, themain conduit for gold into the mainland,spurred by a 28 percent drop in global prices.But demand has since waned with goldprices largely steady this year. “Tactically, westill view gold rallies as short-lived and favorapproaching gold from the short side.Support is still resilient around $1,180. Weexpect physical demand to increase instrength on approach of this level,” StandardBank said in a note. —Reuters

Gold steadies as investors expect cautious Fed stance

LONDON: British lenders approved the fewestmortgages in more than a year last month,adding to signs that previously rapid growth inBritain’s housing market and the broader econo-my is slowing.

The Bank of England said yesterday that mort-gage approvals for house purchase fell to 61,267in September from 64,054 in August-a biggerdrop than economists had expected and the low-est total since July 2013. Earlier this year BoEGovernor Mark Carney said a potential build-upin household debt due to rising house pricespose the biggest domestic threat to Britain’s eco-nomic recovery. But now the housing marketseems to be slowing faster than the BoE hadbeen banking on. Its forecast in August thatmortgage approvals would average 75,000 amonth in the last three months of 2014 looksimplausible, economists say.

“As well as the downside risk from euro areaweakness, these data confirm housing activity isanother area where the BoE’s August forecastsare now starting to look too optimistic,” said SamHill, an economist at RBC. On Tuesday night, BoEdeputy governor Jon Cunliffe became the latest

in a series of policymakers to say a rise in interestrates was less pressing than before, due to weakinflation, low pay growth and signs of a slow-down overseas.

Earlier yesterday the Confederation of BritishIndustry said that private-sector growth had fall-en to its lowest since March, as the pace ofexpansion returned to more normal rates after aperiod of catching up over the past year. Britaineconomy still looks set to be the fastest-expand-ing major advanced economy this year, withgrowth of more than 3 percent, but for next yearthe CBI said quarterly growth rates of 0.6-0.7 per-cent looked more likely.

Cooling the market The BoE and other regulators have taken a

series of steps this year to cool Britain’s housingmarket, which until recently was showing annualprice growth of more than 10 percent, and twicethat in London. Since April, lenders have beenrequired to make more detailed checks on bor-rowers’ ability to pay back loans, and later the BoElimited how many mortgages banks can issue athigh multiples of a borrower’s income. —Reuters

UK lenders cut back on new mortgages

KUWAIT: In his interview with CNBC, CésarGonz·lez-Bueno, the Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Gulf Bank, commented thatsince he joined Gulf Bank last March, hehas formed a very positive impression onthe Bank’s financial position which, heconfirmed, has completely recovered fromthe repercussions of 2008 crisis.

Gonz·lez-Bueno said that the efforts byGulf Bank to achieve a successful recoverysince 2008 makes him look to the futurewith both confidence and determination.He added that the ratio of Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) have decreasedthis year from 6.3 percent to 5.1 percentwhile the total NPL coverage reached 238percent. The excess General Provisionshave increased from KD158 million toKD201 million, a growth of 27.2 percentduring 2014.

The Bank’s loans have grown by 13 per-cent and the capital adequacy is at 16.6percent against the regulatory ratio of 12percent.

Commenting on these results,Gonz·lez-Bueno said: “This is an excellentachievement. I have never seen such ahigh coverage ratio, even in InternationalStandards. This ensures that the Bank canface any unforeseen situation in the futurewith confidence.”

Gonz·lez-Bueno indicated that GulfBank’s share of the Kuwaiti market is closeto 15 percent, and is growing steadilythrough Gulf Bank’s consistent efforts topioneer product innovation and services.

He said: “We have been the very first inlaunching the famous Al-Danah Account,and we have made remarkable progressthis year in Retail Banking, where we haveseen 25 percent growth.

In terms of corporate banking and proj-ects, I believe Gulf Bank is ready to accom-modate future growth, which I hope willtake place soon enhanced by the State’sdevelopmental projects. We are fullyready and prepared to participate in thefinancing of these projects.”

Gonz·lez-Bueno ended by saying: “I feelmost fortunate to have joined the GulfBank team and I have great confidence forthe future. Settling in Kuwait has beenvery easy and the Kuwaiti people are oneof the most hospitable and warm people Ihave come across in the world.”

B U S I N E S STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

KUWAIT: Pure fascination and breathtak-ing dynamics - the new Mercedes-AMG C63 sets benchmarks. The high-tech drive,the signature AMG handling and the highlevel of individuality in equipment choicesguarantee an utterly unique driving experi-ence. The top model in the C-Class line-upis driven by a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engineclosely related to the power unit that pro-vides breathtaking propulsion in theMercedes-AMG GT. The power spectrumranges from 350 kW (476 hp) in the C 63 to375 kW (510 hp) in the C 63 S. The extensiverange of standard equipment includes theAMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspensionwith electronically controlled shockabsorbers and the AMG DYNAMIC SELECTdrive programmes.

As a sports saloon and high-perfor-mance estate car the new Mercedes-AMGC 63 offers compelling engine data withexceptionally low consumption figures,outstanding longitudinal and lateraldynamics and a high level of everydayusability.

The V8 top model in the C-Class is avail-able in a choice of four variants - the saloonand the estate are both offered as theMercedes-AMG C 63 S and C 63, with the C63 S set up for even more dynamic han-dling and performance.

“We are also marking the beginning of anew era with the new nomenclature. Thesuccessor to the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG,which has been incredibly successfulworldwide, will now be called theMercedes-AMG C 63,” says Tobias Moers,CEO of Mercedes-AMG. “At 40,000 units, the204 C 63 AMG was the bestselling AMGmodel. We will now add to this success withthe new Mercedes-AMG C 63. Be it in drive,handling or equipment, the Mercedes-

AMG C 63 sets new benchmarks and willfurther strengthen our brand promise‘Driving Performance’. AMG customers canlook forward to an exceptionally dynamicdriving experience.”

New V8 biturbo closely related to theengine in the Mercedes-AMG GT

The C 63 is at the forefront of the com-petitive field. The new high-performancevehicles are the only ones in the segmentto be equipped with an eight-cylinderbiturbo engine. The result is sporty powerdelivery and a highly emotional enginesound - a signature of the AMG brand. The

C 63 S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in4.0 seconds and the C 63 in 4.1 seconds(Estate: 4.1 and 4.2 seconds respectively),with the top speed electronically limited at250 km/h.

Impressive efficiency improvement isrooted in the new drive package. TheM177 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine, thenewest member of the BlueDIRECTengine family. The innovative eight-cylin-der is notable for its outstanding powerdelivery, targeted lightweight design, highefficiency and environmental compatibili-ty. It also fulfils the highest standards in

terms of noise and vibration comfort.

Variable dynamics - the AMG SPEED-SHIFT MCT 7-speed sport transmission

A large part of the direct and sportycharacter of the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 isattributable to the transmission. The AMGSPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sport transmis-sion offers a compelling mix of tailor-made

dynamics and exceptional variability. TheMCT transmission was extensively redevel-oped for application in the C 63 and is noweven faster in its reaction times.

Be it automatic or triggered at the steer-ing wheel paddle by the driver, a manualup or down-shift is noticeably faster. Thetransmission is now significantly morespontaneous in the “Sport +” and manualmodes in particular.

One look at the drive programs shows

the high variability of the AMG SPEEDSHIFTMCT 7-speed sport transmission. The avail-able choices are “Controlled Efficiency”,“Sport” and “Sport +” and “Race”. The driverchooses from the various drive programswith the aid of the AMG DYNAMIC SELECTswitch. The “temporary M” function, activat-ed by using the paddles, delivers a furtherincrease in dynamics.

The AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive pro-grams influence the characteristics of the C63. The C 63 S exclusively features the“Race” program, which enables a maximumlevel of individualisation, the “Individual”drive program also allows extensive self-configuration.

Stunning interior designEvery detail in the interior of the C 63

contributes to a stunning overall effect. The

careful choice of select, first-class materials,their sumptuous tactile qualities and theirprecision craftsmanship deliver a sense ofquality that is seldom seen even in highervehicle classes. Like the exterior, the morepowerful C 63 S is distinguished from the C63 on the inside by a number of designdetails.

The dashboard is finished in black ARTI-CO man-made leather, with the premiumlook-and-feel further enhanced by stitchingin crystal grey, the wing-like trim element inaluminium and the AMG-exclusive, IWC-design analogue clock (depending onequipment choice). Next to the touchpad isthe AMG DYNAMIC SELECT switch as wellas a number of AMG-specific controls, suchas the button for the 3-stage RIDE CON-TROL sport suspension, the 3-stage ESP(r)and the optional button for the perform-ance exhaust system with flap control.

Highest safety levelsThe C-Class features many of the new

and extensively enhanced assistance sys-tems that celebrated their world premieresjust a few months ago in the S and E-Class.Standard equipment on-board the C 63includes enhanced drowsiness warningsystem ATTENTION ASSIST and COLLISIONPREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, which helps toavoid rear-end collisions. The assistancesystems increase both comfort and safety.

Mercedes-Benz calls this “IntelligentDrive”. The predecessor to the new C-Classalready demonstrated impressive results interms of passive safety. The new modelexceeds these and sets new benchmarks.

The Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S willbe available in February 2015. Pricing startsfrom US$88,000 for the C63 and US$97,000for the C63 S.

The new Mercedes-AMG C 63 sets benchmarks

SHARJAH: Air Arabia, the first andlargest low-cost carrier (LCC) in theMiddle East and North Africa, yesterdaymarked its eleventh year of successfuloperations with its first flight to Tiblisi,Georgia. Tibilsi, the capital and largestcity of Georgia is Air Arabia’s 100th glob-al destination.

Since it was established in 2003, AirArabia has recorded impressive and sus-tained growth in terms of destinations,

passenger volume and profitability. Ineleven years, the airline has expandedoperations from five destinations withjust a pair aircraft, to 100 destinationsspread across the Middle East and NorthAfrica, Europe and Indian Subcontinent,served by a fleet of 40 aircraft today.Marking the occasion, Adel Ali, the air-line’s Group Chief Executive Officer, stat-ed, “Air Arabia has been a vanguard inthe UAE aviation sector -we have creat-

ed opportunities for more people totravel by introducing a new pricing seg-ment to popular or untapped destina-tions. Our first flight to Tibilisi, the socialand economic centre of Georgia epito-mises this philosophy.” “We have wit-nessed unprecedented growth in thepast ten years, and as we continue ourjourney in to the second decade, we aimto fulfil our mission of providing valuefor money services and greater connec-

tivity across our award-winning routenetwork,” added Ali.

Air Arabia, the first publicly listed air-line in the Arab world and the largestairline by market value, today carryingmillions of passengers across100 desti-nations from four operational hubs inthe UAE, Morocco and Egypt. The inau-gural flight was received by officials fromthe Georgian Government, Civil Aviationand press.

Air Arabia will fly twice weekly to Tbilisifrom its primary Sharjah InternationalAirport hub on Tuesdays and Fridays at

13:00, arriving at Tbilisi International Airportat 16:30 that afternoon. Return flights willdepart Tbilisi on the same days at 17:10 andarrive in Sharjah at 20:20.

Air Arabia marks 11th anniversaryFirst flight to 100th global destination Tbilisi

CNBC interviews Gulf Bank’s CEO, César Gonz·lez-Bueno

K U WA I T: Nat ional Bank of Kuwait(NBK ) announces the winner forOc tober ’s KD 125,000 Al -Jawharamonthly prize, Moayyad Ibrahim Al-Awadhi. The draw was held under thesupervision of the Ministry of Tradeand Industry. The winner’s name wasannounced live on Marina FM.

NBK re - launched Al -Jawharaaccount of fer ing customers morechances to win bigger prizes; KD 5,000week ly, KD 125,000 monthly and agrand prize of KD 250,000 quarterlydraw.

Al-Jawhara account offers numerousbenefits to NBK customers. Not only isit an interest-free account with regulardeposit and withdrawal privileges, butalso entitles account holders to enterthe weekly, monthly and quarterly Al-Jawhara draws. Each KD 50 in an Al-Jawhara account entitles the customerto one chance in any of the draws.

All prizes are automatically creditedto the winners’ accounts the day afterthe draw. The more money held in yourAl-Jawhara account, the greater your

chances of winning. A l -Jawharaaccounts are available to both Kuwaitisand expats and can be opened at anyone of NBK’s branches around Kuwait.

Moayyad Ibrahim Al-Awadhi wins KD 125,000 in NBK’s

Al Jawhara draw for October

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait,yesterday announced it will start offering the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6Plus smartphones today across its branches in Kuwait. The devices rep-resent the biggest advancement in iPhone history and will bring Zaincustomers, who love and enjoy Apple devices, an unparalleled telecom-munications experience over a nationwide 4G LTE network.

One of Zain’s main priorities is to place customers at the forefront ofenjoyable experiences and provide them with appealing products andservice offerings, reinforcing the company’s position as a leader in theKuwaiti telecommunications market. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plusfeature stunning 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch Retina HD displays, and are bothpacked with cutting-edge technologies encased in an all-new dramati-

cally thin and seamless design that is comfortable to hold and easy touse.

Both models offer marked many improvements to previous iPhoneversions, and include the Apple-designed A8 chip with second genera-tion 64-bit desktop-class architecture for blazing fast performance andpower efficiency; advanced iSight and FaceTime HD cameras; and ultra-fast wireless technologies.

The new iPhones also include iOS 8, the most significant releasesince the Apple App Store launched. The iOS 8features a simpler, fasterand more intuitive user experience with new Messages and Photosdetails, predictive typing for Apple’s QuickType keyboard and FamilySharing. The iOS 8 also includes the new Health app, giving you a clear

overview of your health and fitness data, and iCloud Drive, which allowsusers to store files and access them from anywhere.

On the occasion of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus’s availability in themarket, Omar Al-Omar, Zain Kuwait’s Chief Executive Officer, comment-ed, “A great number of our customers are devoted iPhone users who arekeen to enjoy what the latest technology has to offer, and Zain’s strate-gic relationship with Apple allows us to provide such iconic devices tothem in a timely fashion, soon after they are released globally.”

Al-Omar continued, “Our commitment to our customers is unyield-ing as we strive to meet their needs and expectations with the latestdevices available in the world, supported by the biggest network inKuwait.”

KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries is proud to announce thelaunch of the innovative lineup of 2014 Lenovo smartphonesin Kuwait, including the flagship Vibe X2 and other excitingmobile models. The new range of Lenovo products will beavailable starting November, and can be purchased at any X-cite store by Alghanim Electronics and onlineat xcite.com. Lenovo smartphones aredesigned to fit every style, budget and per-sonality, whether they are top-end users, styl-ish trendsetters, multimedia enthusiasts orconscious spenders.

Headlining the brand new lineup of thesleek Lenovo smartphones is the Vibe X2,which, despite its lightweight and slim size,packs a wealth of exciting features anddesign elementsthat make it a must-own forany smartphone fans and collectors outthere. Multilayered color design and smartlycrafted to fit any person’s lifestyle, the Vibe X2comes packing a MediaTek’s 4G LTETrue8Core processor, enabling it to display ahost of multimedia experiences without sacrificing batterylife or performance. Photography fans and selfie takers willparticularly appreciate Vibe X2’s advanced camera and simpli-

fied UI; it features multiple shooting modes, beautificationfeatures, gesture and voice control and anti-distortion com-ponents. Additionally, thanks to its fast 4G speed, users caneasily upload and share their favorite photos and videosonline as well as enjoy browsing pages, watching videos,

gaming with others, reading web contentand chatting with friends, all displayed viaVibe X2’s breathtaking and vibrant full HDscreen. As for customers juggling betweenwork and personal life, the dual SIM card willhelp organize and maintain their daily sched-ule, chaos-free.

The Vibe X2 is only but a small part ofLenovo’s commercial strategy to expand inthe GCC market, targeting high-end con-sumers and conscious spenders alike. “Withthe continued expansion of 4G networks inthe region, and a strong push towardssmart cities and connectivity, there is a nat-ural consumer need for smartphones at alllevels,” said Shashank Sharma, Director of

the Mobile Business Group at Lenovo Middle East andAfrica. He adds, “Lenovo fans have been asking us to bringour products to the market, and we’re happy to finally be

able to provide consumers with our flagship smartphones”.X-cite has the largest network of retail electronic stores

in Kuwait and the Middle East. It offers a convenient,dynamic and modern shopping experience that aims toadd joyous, entertaining moments to shoppers’ time spentin the store. With its engaging and easy-to-use productdisplay that encourages customers to get hands-on withthe product of their choice, X-cite’s shopping experience isfurther enhanced with its Easy Credit program, a highlyskilled and multi-lingual team of sales professionals andthe latest and newest electronic devices and gadgets inthe market. X-cite by Alghanim Electronics has branches in17 locations situated in strategic areas across Kuwait aswell as an online store, www.x-cite.com, a website thatparallels X-cite’s unmatched in-store experience as it pro-vides customers with valuable offers on quality brands.Customers can also enjoy many of X-cite’s convenient serv-ices including Easy Credit, shopping at any of X-cite’sselect stores that are open 24-hours, extended warrantyprograms in addition to their new damage warranty pro-gram, free delivery and installation services and X-cite’sbilingual online store, www.x-cite.com, that enables cus-tomers to buy any electronic device or gadget they wantat any time and any place.

Alghanim Industries brings exciting new 2014 Lenovo smartphones to Kuwait

Zain begins offering iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in Kuwait

Adel Ali, the airline’s Group Chief Executive Officer

t e c hnolo g yTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO: Having difficulty managingchronic disease? Now there’s an app for that.Vida, a new startup founded by Google Inc’s for-mer commerce chief, aims to help patients gethealthy, reduce stress levels and lose weightthrough online “health coaches.”

Many mobile health apps focus on fitness.Vida, started by Stephanie Tilenius, a formerGoogle and eBay executive, claims to help tacklechronic diseases, which account for more thanthree-quarters of US health-care spending,according to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention.

“People don’t know how to manage theseconditions,” Tilenius said in an interview withReuters. Tilenius said she started the companyafter witnessing her father struggling with hishealth, while existing coaching tools were tooexpensive, she added.

For $15 a week, patients can ask questions,and receive medication reminders and healthadvice from Vida’s team of coaches includingnurses, medical assistants, nutritionists and doc-tors. To ensure high-quality care, Tilenius said

the company only accepted and trained 1 per-cent of people who applied to be a coach, whoare paid on an hourly basis.

Doctors and other caregivers can requestaccess to the app to monitor progress over time.Tilenius has made previous forays into health-care. She co-founded an online pharmacy start-up called PlanetRx in the 1990s but did notreturn to the health sector until recently. The“timing is right,” she said.

Apple Inc, Google Inc and other Silicon Valleytech giants are currently exploring opportunitiesin the relatively untapped field of healthcare.

Capital funding for digital health systems inthe first half of 2014 reached $2.3 billion, morethan the total for all of the previous year, accord-ing to a study by Rock Health, which providesstartups in the sector with funding and support.

Vida, which is available on Apple’s iOS 8 oper-ating system, is integrated with the iPhone mak-er’s HealthKit service, so it can pull in patient-generated data from a variety of wearables andmobile medical devices, such as glucometers. Anapp for Google Android phones will be released

in the coming months.Vida is also developing a database of clinical

trials and disease prevention programs for users.Those include Dr. Mark Hyman’s The Blood SugarSoluton, a treatment program for diabetics andthose at risk of contracting the disease.

The startup is now partnering with major U.S.hospitals, like the MD Anderson Cancer Centerand Duke University Hospital, which are usingthe app to deliver remote care to chronically illpatients. She said the company is testing itsproduct with employers, but declined to providedetails as those pilots are ongoing. “A lot of dif-ferent vendors have been trying to solve thisproblem, but Vida can drive behavior change,”said Jennifer Fonstad of Aspect Ventures, an ear-ly investor in the startup. Fonstad said employ-ers are “highly motivated” to adopt tools thatcan help workers stay healthy and productive.Vida recently raised $5 million in startup fundingfrom venture firms including Khosla Ventures,Aspect Ventures and Signia Venture Partners, aswell as individuals like Yahoo co-founder JerryYang. — Reuters

Former Google exec’s app aims to tackle chronic illness

CALIFORNIA: This Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 file photo shows Google’s headquarters in Mountain View. — AP

SEOUL: South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc.said yesterday its third-quarter profitjumped 87 percent over a year earlier assmartphone sales set a record high.

LG Electronics said its July-Septembernet income reached 202.6 billion won($193 million) on sales of 14.9 trillionwon. Operating income more than dou-bled from a year earlier to 461.3 billionwon.

LG said the improved earningsstemmed from the recovery of its hand-set business. Its 167 billion won profitexceeded that from televisions, LG’s oth-er mainstay business.

The company’s smartphone ship-ments increased 40 percent from a yearearlier to a record 16.8 million units, as itsflagship G3 smartphone and mid-tier Lseries smartphone drove sales. The com-pany said it will continue its “two track”strategy, trying to lure consumers inadvanced countries with the high-end Gseries and expand L series models forconsumers in emerging markets.

LG’s mobile communications busi-ness remained profitable for a secondstraight quarter after three quarters of

losses. The improvement in LG’s smart-phone business comes as its hometownrival Samsung Electronics Co. is suffer-ing a rapid decline in profit from itsmobile division. Samsung Electronics,which is scheduled to report third-quar-ter earnings today, will post around 2trillion won in profit from its mobilecommunications business, less than onethird of its profit a year earlier, accord-ing to analysts.

South Korean handset makers are fac-ing a setback in the domestic marketafter the government this month put aceiling on handset subsidies. The move ismeant to offer buyers more certaintyabout prices but has dented sales. LGsaid demand for new smartphones inSouth Korea will stay subdued.

LG’s Home Entertainment division,which sells televisions, recorded 131 bil-lion won in operating income. The com-pany said shipments of ultra-HD televi-sions, which pack four-times more pixelsthan standard HD TVs, increased in coun-tries except in China and South America.Shares of LG Electronics rose 4 percent inSeoul after earnings release. — AP

LG profit surges on smartphone sales

SEOUL: A man uses his mobile phone near a banner advertising LG Electronics’ G3smartphone in front of a mobile phone shop in Seoul. — AP

YouTube explorespaid, ad-free video service

SAN FRANCISCO: YouTube, the popular onlinevideo service owned by Google Inc, is planning tooffer a paid, ad-free version, the head of the sitesaid.

The move would represent a significant changefor the world’s No. 1 online video website, whosefree videos, often accompanied by short commer-cials, attract more than 1 billion users a month.

“There are going to be cases where people aregoing to say ‘I don’t want to see the ads or I wantto have a different kind of experience’,” SusanWojcicki, a Google senior vice president whoheads the YouTube business, said at theCode/Mobile technology conference in Half MoonBay, California late on Monday. Wojcicki, whobecame the head of YouTube in February afterseveral years overseeing Google’s multibillion-dol-lar advertising business, said a paid video servicewas “near-term” but provided few details, includ-ing how much a subscription would cost.

In May 2013, YouTube launched a pilot programthat allowed individual content creators to chargeconsumers a subscription fee to access a particular“channel” of videos. Wojcicki on Monday describeda broader subscription service in which consumerswould pay to access an ad-free version ofYouTube’s vast collection of videos.

“We’re early in that process. But if you look atmedia over time, most of them have both ads andsubscription,” he said. — Reuters

DUBAI: EMC Corporation(NYSE:EMC) announced immediateavailability of its EMC EnterpriseHybrid Cloud Solution that inte-grates hardware, software and serv-ices from EMC and VMware to unitethe strengths of private and publiccloud.

The EMC Enterprise Hybrid CloudSolution enables IT-as-a-service(ITaaS) in as little as 28 days.Organizations no longer will have tomake tradeoffs between the speedand agility of public cloud servicesand the control and security of pri-vate cloud infrastructure.

As IT organizations race to keeppace with the demands of the mod-ern and rapidly changing business,they need to leverage both privatecloud because it is trusted, con-trolled and reliable, and public cloudbecause it’s simple, low cost andflexible.

The EMC Enterprise Hybrid CloudSolution enables customers todeploy a hybrid cloud that incorpo-rates the best of both public and pri-vate clouds.

The EMC Enterprise Hybrid CloudSolution is designed to be simple,automated and on-demand and fea-tures a number of valuable benefitsincluding:• Solution designed to be imple-

mented in 28 days or less with

EMC Professional Services• Access to a full service catalog of

automated data services• Integration with public cloud

services built on VMware vCloudAir, Microsoft Azure, AWS and oth-er EMC-powered cloud serviceproviders

• EMC Enterprise Hybrid CloudSolution can be built on VCEVblock Systems and VSPEX foraccelerated deployment

• EMC’s gold standard level ofCustomer Service to provideworld-class supportEMC has invested thousands of

engineering hours to build anEnterprise Hybrid Cloud Solutionthat accelerates the customer’s timeto value. Key engineering aspectsinclude:

In 2015, EMC plans to offer theEMC Enterprise Hybrid CloudSolution built with either Microsoftor OpenStack technology. EMC’ssolution for the Microsoft CloudPlatform will be designed to enablecustomers to easily integrate theiron-premises EMC storage solutionsand Windows Server Hyper-V infra-structure with Microsoft Azure, inorder to flexibly deploy and manageapplications and workloads acrosshybrid environments. EMC alsounveiled new Professional Servicesto remove cloud complexity.

SAN FRANCISCO: A Silicon Valley startup is hoping an upcoming transi-tion to smarter credit and debit cards will persuade millions of US mer-chants to buy savvier payment terminals for their stores, too.

That’s the point of Poynt, a versatile terminal built to take advantageof rules requiring stores to be equipped to handle payment cards withcomputer chips by October 2015 to avoid financial liability for fraudulenttransactions. The chip-based cards are considered to be more securethan the ones with magnetic stripes that have been the US standard fordecades.

US merchants are expected to spend $6.75 billion replacing their pay-ment terminals to comply with the chip-based requirements, based onestimates by financial consulting firm Javelin Strategy & Research. Manyof the replacement terminals are already being made by long-timeindustry leaders such as VeriFone Systems Inc. and First Data Corp.

The shift is also expected to spur more innovation from opportunisticnewcomers such as Poynt, the Palo Alto, California, startup behind thenew terminal with the same name. Although Poynt’s terminal won’t beavailable until early next year, Wednesday marked the first day that mer-chants could pre-order the $299 machine.

“We are going to be a category changer, not just another payment-terminal company,” pledged Poynt CEO Osama Bedier, who played a pio-neering role in digital payments at eBay Inc.’s PayPal. He defected fromPayPal over eBay’s protests to join Google Inc., where he helped createthe Google Wallet payment service in 2011. Wallet still hasn’t proven tobe as revolutionary as Google envisioned.

Poynt is concentrating its initial marketing efforts on neighborhoodmerchants with annual sales ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. Tobroaden the terminal’s appeal, Poynt payment-processing extendsbeyond chip-based cards.

Poynt can also process sales through the wireless chip technologypowering systems such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet on smartphones,as well as payments made through Bluetooth signals or a QR reader. It

will also be accommodate customers still carrying around cards withmagnetic stripes.

The terminal features a 7-inch screen that resembles a tablet comput-er on one side for merchants to ring up sales and a wallet-sized, 4-inchscreen on the other side for customers to navigate. Poynt’s Android soft-ware is also set up to get regular updates and install apps for customerloyalty programs, accounting and customer management. Poynt is beingbacked by investments from Matrix Partners, Google’s venture capitalarm and Webb Investment Network, a fund created by former eBay exec-utive and current Visa Inc. board member Maynard Webb. The amount oftheir Poynt investment isn’t being disclosed. — AP

EMC redefines Hybrid Cloud for the Enterprise

Startup tries to ‘Poynt’ stores in new direction

SAN FRANCISCO: This product image provided by Poynt showsthe new Poynt ‘smart’ payment terminal. Poynt is hoping anupcoming transition to smarter credit and debit cards will per-suade millions of US merchants to buy savvier payment terminalsfor their stores, too. — AP

BUDAPEST: Tens of thousands of protestersmarched Tuesday against a plan by theHungarian government to tax Internet usefrom 2015.

The rally, the second in three days object-ing to the scheme, was also a sign of growingdiscontent among mostly younger citizensagainst Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s policiescentralizing power and increasing the role ofthe state to the detriment of private enter-prise.

Speakers outside the Economy Ministrycalled on Orban to withdraw the plan toforce Internet service providers to pay 700forints ($2.89, 2.27 euros) per individual sub-scriber and 5,000 forints per business sub-scriber every month. There are concerns thatthe tax will not be absorbed by the serviceproviders, as the government claims.

“The ideal amount of the Internet tax isnot 700 or 5,000 forints but exactly zero,”Internet entrepreneur Zsolt Varady told thecrowd, which was estimated by local mediaat between 35,000 and 40,000 people andchanted a slew of anti-government slogans.

Initially, the tax was set to be 150 forintsper gigabyte of Internet traffic, but Fideszsaid it would set a cap on the levy. The gov-ernment, which announced the proposal lastweek before any consultations with industry

groups or even Fidesz lawmakers, gave sev-eral explanations for the measure - it wasmeant to complement a tax on telephonecalls, as people were increasingly using theInternet to make calls; it would take a biteout of the telecommunications companies’allegedly large profits; and the new revenueswould help improve Internet access in ruralareas.

Ryan Heath, spokesman for EU DigitalCommissioner Neelie Kroes, said the planwas “bad in principle” and could hinder eco-nomic growth.

“Hungary is below the EU average in virtu-ally every single digital indicator and the dig-ital part of the economy is probably the mainthing keeping Europe out of recession rightnow,” Heath told reporters in Brussels. “Sotaxing that ... is a particularly bad idea.”

The EU Commission also fears Hungary’splan would be copied by others. “If Hungarybecomes a precedent in this instance, it canbecome a problem in a lot of other memberstates and can be a problem for Europe’swider economic growth,” Heath said.

Protesters vowed to continue the rallies,which were also held in several otherHungarian cities and at some Hungarianembassies in EU countries, until the govern-ment withdraws the tax plan. — AP

Thousands in Hungary march against Internet tax

BUDAPEST: Demonstrators light up their mobile phones as they march through ElizabethBridge across River Danube, during a protest against an internet tax planned to be intro-duced by the Hungarian government. — AP

H E A LT H & S C I E N C ETHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

NEW YORK: Charles Cooper of the African Advisory Council of The Bronx,speaks as Amadou Drame, 11, second from left, with his father, OusmaneDrame, and brother Pape Drame, 13, right, listen to him respond to ques-tions during a news interview Tuesday, in New York. —AP

ATLANTIC: The owners of a com-mercial supply ship that explodedmoments after liftoff promised tofind the cause of the failed deliverymission to the International SpaceStation and warned residents tonot touch any debris they mightstumble across from the craft,which was carrying hazardousmaterials.

Crews planned to hit theground at daybreak yesterday tosearch for pieces of Orbital

Sciences Corp.’s Antares rocket andCygnus cargo module, which blewup Tuesday night just momentsafter lifting off from NASA’s launchcomplex at Wallops Island, Virginia,said Bill Wrobel, director of thefacility.

The cargo ship was carrying5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) ofexperiments and equipment forNASA, as well as prepackagedmeals and freeze-dried Marylandcrabcakes for a Baltimore-bornastronaut who’s been in orbit forfive months. All of the lost materi-als will be replaced and flown tothe 260-mile (418-kilometer)-highspace station, NASA space stationprogram manager Mike Suffredinisaid. He said astronauts at the sta-

tion currently have enough sup-plies to last until spring.

The accident could draw scruti-ny to the space agency’s growingreliance on private US companiesin the post-shuttle era. NASA ispaying bil l ions of dollars toVirginia-based Orbital Sciences andthe California-based SpaceX com-pany to make station deliveries,and it’s counting on SpaceX andBoeing to start flying US astronautsto the orbiting lab as early as 2017.

It was the fourth Cygnus bound forthe orbiting lab; the first flew justover a year ago. SpaceX is sched-uled to launch another Dragonsupply ship from Cape Canaveral,Florida, in December.

Near-flawlessUntil Tuesday, all of the supply

missions by Orbital Sciences andSpaceX had been near-flawless.President Barack Obama has longchampioned this commercial spaceeffort. He was in Wisconsin for acampaign rally and was keptinformed.

Orbital Sciences’ executive vicepresident Frank Culbertson saidthe company carried insurance onthe mission, which he valued at

more than $200 million, not count-ing repair costs. The explosion hitOrbital Science’s stock, which fellmore than 15 percent in after-hours trading.

By coincidence, the RussianSpace Agency was proceedingwith its own supply runWednesday, planned well beforethe US mishap. John Logdson, for-mer space policy director atGeorge Washington University,said the explosion was unlikely to

be a major setback to NASA’s com-mercial space plans. But he noted itcould derail Orbital Sciences for awhile given the company has justone launch pad and the accidentoccurred right above it.

At a news conference Tuesdaynight, Culbertson and others saideveryone at the launch site hadbeen accounted for and the dam-age appeared to be limited to thefacilities.

He noted that the cargo modulewas carrying hazardous materialsand warned residents to avoid anycontact with debris. “Certainlydon’t go souvenir hunting alongthe beach,” he said. Things beganto go wrong 10 to 12 seconds intothe flight and it was all over in 20

seconds when what was left of therocket came crashing down,Culbertson said. He said hebelieves the range -safety staff senta destruct signal before it hit theground, but was not certain at thispoint.

This was the second launchattempt for the mission. Mondayevening’s try was thwarted by astray sailboat in the rocket’s dangerzone. The restrictions are in case ofjust such an accident that occurredTuesday.

Back on trackCulbertson said the top priority

will be repairing the launch pad “asquickly and safely as possible.” “Wewill not fly until we understand theroot cause,” he said, adding that itwas too early to guess how long itmight take to make the rocketrepairs and fix the launch pad. Itwill take a few weeks, alone, toassess the damage and extent ofpotential repairs.

Culbertson also stressed that itwas too soon to know whether theRussian-built engines, modified forthe Antares and extensively tested,were to blame. “We will understandwhat happened - hopefully soon -and we’ll get things back on track,”Culbertson assured his devastatedteam. “We’ve all seen this happen inour business before, and we’ve allseen the teams recover from this,and we will do the same.”

The Wallops facility is small com-pared to NASA’s major centers likethose in Florida, Texas andCalifornia, but vaulted into the pub-lic spotlight in September 2013with a NASA moonshot and the firstCygnus launch to the space station.

Michelle Murphy, an innkeeperat the Garden and Sea Inn, NewChurch, Virginia, where launchesare visible across a bay about 16miles away, saw the explosion.

“It was scary. Everything rattled,”she said. “There were two explo-sions. The first one we were readyfor. The second one we weren’t. Itshook the inn, like an earthquake. Itwas extremely intense.”

Among the instruments thatwere lost from the cargo module: ameteor tracker and 32 miniresearch satellites, along withnumerous experiments compiledby schoolchildren. The twoAmericans, three Russians and oneGerman on the orbiting space sta-tion were watching a live videofeed from Mission Control and sawthe whole thing unfold, Suffredinisaid. —AP

Supply rocket headed to space station explodes

Residents warned not to touch any debris

WALLOPS ISLAND: People who came to watch the launch walk away after an unmanned rocketowned by Orbital Sciences Corporation exploded (background) yesterday just seconds after lift-off from Wallops Island, Virginia, on what was to be a resupply mission to the InternationalSpace Station. —AFP

HARTFORD: The father of a Connecticutthird-grader filed a federal lawsuit Tuesdaysaying his daughter has been unfairly barredfrom school amid fears she may have beenexposed to the Ebola virus while in Africa.

Ikeoluwa Opayemi and her family, wholive in Milford, visited Nigeria for a familywedding from Oct. 2-13, according to thelawsuit filed in US District Court in NewHaven. When the girl tried to return to theMeadowside Elementary School, she wastold by Dr. Dennis McBride, the school dis-trict’s health director, that she would have tostay home until Nov. 3 “due to concern fromcertain parents and teachers that she couldtransmit Ebola to other children,” accordingto the lawsuit. The virus has a three-weekincubation period.

Messages seeking comment were leftTuesday for McBride and SchoolSuperintendent Elizabeth Feser. AndrewDoba, a spokesman for Gov. Dannel P.Malloy, said the decision did not come fromthe state’s health commissioner, who hasbeen given the power to quarantine anyoneshe feels may pose an Ebola risk.

“This was a decision by the town’s publichealth official,” he said. “The state did notplay a role in making this determination,and this family is not under any quarantineorders.” The family did not travel to any ofthe three West African nations associatedwith the current Ebola outbreak - Guinea,Sierra Leone or Liberia.

There have been no diagnosed cases ofEbola in Nigeria since Aug. 31, according tothe lawsuit. The lawsuit is seeking damagesunder the Americans with Disabilities Act,asserting that Ikeoluwa is being discriminat-ed against because of a “perceived impair-ment.”

“Based on the best available objectiveand medical evidence, Ikeoluwa Opayemidid not have Ebola, had not experienced anysymptoms associated with Ebola, and,according to an examination by her pediatri-cian, her health is fine and there is no reasonwhy she should not be permitted to go toschool,” attorney Gary Phelan wrote in thelawsuit.

Ikeoluwa’s father, Stephen Opayemi, vol-unteered to have the family screened forEbola, or have the school nurse monitor hertemperature. He said he was instead told byFeser during a meeting with school officialsthat if Ikeoluwa tried to go to MeadowsideElementary on Oct. 20, she would order herto be removed from the school by thepolice. “Dr. McBride stated that although therisk of infection with Ikeoluwa might beminor, the primary reason for his decisionthat she be quarantined at home for 21 dayswas due to the rumors, panic and climate atMeadowside Elementary School,” accordingto the lawsuit.

Stephen Opayemi is seeking an orderallowing his daughter to return to schooland unspecified monetary damages. —AP

Connecticut family sues over school’s Ebola fears

BISMARCK: The Nor th DakotaSupreme Court on Tuesday upheld astate law that limits the use of drugsto perform abortions, a move abor-tion-rights supporters say will endthe use of medications to perform theprocedure.

The state’s high court, in a 103-page ruling, reversed a ruling by adistrict judge last year that foundthe 2011 law violates the state con-stitution.

“Beginning tomorrow morning,there wil l not be any medicationabortions in North Dakota,” said DavidBrown, an attorney for the Center forReproductive Rights, which is helpingNorth Dakotaa’s sole abortion clinic inFargo with its legal challenges.

At least four justices on the five-member state Supreme Court mustagree to f ind a Nor th Dakota lawunconstitutional. Two - Chief JusticeGerald VandeWalle and Justice DaleSandstrom - found the law was withinthe bounds of the state constitution.VandeWalle also said the law wasconstitutional under the USConstitution.

“The effect of the separate opin-ions in this case is that (the law) is notdeclared unconstitutional by a suffi-cient majority,” the ruling said.

Brown said he was still mullingthe opinion and did not k now

whether the case would be elevatedto federal cour t . Nor th DakotaAttorney General Wayne Stenehjemapplauded Tuesday ’s ru l ing.Stenehjem said the state would waitto see what action, if any, the clinicand its attorneys would take.

Medication abortions at the RedRiver Women’s Clinic involve the use ofa combination of two drugs, mifepris-tone and misoprostol.

The Federal Food and DrugAdministration has approved the mar-keting of mifepristone - commonlyknown as RU-486- as a drug for end-ing pregnancies. It is used in combina-tion with misoprostol, a treatment forstomach ulcers that is not labeled asan abortion-inducing drug.

The North Dakota law maintainsthat the use of any drug to cause anabortion must meet “the protocoltested and authorized” by the FDAand outl ined on the drug’s label,meaning misoprostol can’t be used.

Red River Clinic director TammiKromenaker has told The AssociatedPress that about 20 percent of the1,300 abortions it performs annuallyare done with drugs and not surgi-cally.

Attorneys for the clinic have saidthat abortion drugs used by the clinicare widely accepted by the medicalcommunity. —AP

North Dakota court bans use of drug in abortions

FORT KENT: A nurse who was confined againsther will at a New Jersey hospital after returningfrom West Africa where she treated Ebolapatients said yesterday that she’s prepared togo to court if the state of Maine tries to quaran-tine her.

Kaci Hickox spoke to NBC’s “Today” show andABC’s “Good Morning America” from Fort Kent,where her boyfriend is a senior nursing student.She said she has so far abided by the state’s vol-untary quarantine. She had no contact withanyone Tuesday and will have no human con-tact again, she said.

“I don’t plan on sticking to the guidelines,”Hickox said on “Today.” “I remain appalled bythese home quarantine policies that have beenforced upon me even though I am in perfectlygood health.”

Her lawyer told The Associated Press yester-day that Hickox isn’t willing to cooperate fur-ther unless the state lifts “all or most of therestrictions.”

Hickox, who volunteered in Africa withDoctors Without Borders, was the first personforced into New Jersey’s mandatory quarantinefor people arriving at Newark LibertyInternational Airport from three West Africancountries.

Hickox, who spent the weekend in a quaran-tine tent, said she never had Ebola symptomsand tested negative in a preliminary evaluation,and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and New

York Gov. Andrew Cuomo were sharply criti-cized for ordering mandatory quarantines.

“I am not going to sit around and be bulliedby politicians and forced to stay in my home

when I am not a risk to the American public,”she said.

On Tuesday, Department of Health andHuman Services Commissioner Mary Mayhewsaid her department and the attorney general’soffice were prepared to take legal steps tolegally enforce the state’s voluntary quarantineif someone declines to cooperate.

“We do not want to have to legally enforcein-home quarantine,” she said. “We’re confidentthat selfless health workers who were braveenough to care for Ebola patients in a foreigncountry will be willing to take reasonable stepsto protect residents of their own country.”

One of Hickox’s lawyers, Norman Siegel, saidthe quarantine can’t be voluntary if she’s beingcoerced by the state. He said she returnedTuesday evening to Fort Kent and has a statetrooper stationed outside her home.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage canceled his cam-paign events Wednesday to deal with the situa-tion, his office said. Siegel said he remainshopeful the state will ease its restrictions. If not,then the state would have to go to court, andSiegel would challenge the state’s action, hesaid.

“Our position is very simple. There’s no justi-fication for the state of Maine to quarantine her.She has no symptoms and therefore she’s notcontagious. And she’s not at a risk to the publicor the health and welfare of people in the stateof Maine,” he said. —AP

Nurse: I’m prepared to fight Maine quarantine

NEW JERSEY: This undated image provid-ed by University of Texas at Arlingtonshows Kaci Hickox. In a telephone inter-view with CNN, Hickox, the nurse quar-antined at a New Jersey hospital becauseshe had contact with Ebola patients inWest Africa, said the process of keepingher isolated is “inhumane.” —AP

ACCRA: Yaa Kyerewaa cuts a lonely figurebeside a pile of animal parts: the jaws of agiant rodent, the hooves of wild pigs, snails.This bush meat was once considered a delica-cy and fetched premium prices. But Ebola hasfrightened away customers and Kyerewaahasn’t sold anything in days. Accra’s busyAgbogbloshie market used to have severalbush meat vendors but now she is the onlyone. The 53-year-old says her earnings frombush meat keep her four children in schooland she laments the sudden loss of businessas public health officials warn that bush meatmay be contaminated with the dreaded Ebolavirus.

“Bush meat is healthy. I usually eat it as aspecial food on Sundays,” she said. “We havebeen consuming for years only for it to bemade unpopular by these needless rumors

flying around. No one wants to buy our prod-ucts now. It is sad.”

Many restaurants in Ghana’s capital nolonger serve bush meat, of which a largerodent known as a “grasscutter” was the mostpopular offering. Hunters trap them in thewild or rear them at home for their meat,which is said to taste like chicken.

Health experts believe the initial cases inmany Ebola outbreaks start from people eat-ing or handling Ebola-infected animals. Thenthey spread it to other people through con-tact with bodily fluids. Fruit bats, as well asprimates such as chimpanzees, are frequentlycited as potential reservoirs of the Ebola virus- animals many Africans hunt for their meat.

Human infections in Africa have beenlinked to hunting, butchering and processingmeat from infected animals, although none

from eating cooked bush meat, according tothe US Centers for Disease Control andPrevention.

Periodic outbreaksEbola first appeared in 1976 in Congo and

has caused periodic outbreaks there and inother African countries. This is West Africa’sfirst outbreak - and the most deadly ever - andthe World Health Organization warns it couldget worse before the situation improves. Morethan 4,500 people, mostly in Guinea, SierraLeone and Liberia, have died.

While stemming human-to-human trans-mission is the main focus for governmentsand international health agencies, Africancommunities that hunt wild animals for theirmeat “risk future spill over from species thatcan carry the virus,” including fruit bats, some

primates, and small antelopes called duikers,the Food and Agriculture Organization warns.Hunting animals that are sick or behavingstrangely, or collecting dead animals for sale,is risky, the UN agency says. Despite the dan-gers, bush meat is a source of protein formany West Africans, and for some it is a spe-cial treat. The soup of a roasted fruit bat, forexample, is highly sought after.

Kyerewaa said she once had clients fromall walks of life. That has changed with Ebolasweeping through West Africa and health offi-cials stepping up campaigns to educate thepublic about how to avoid catching it. “I amthe only surviving bush meat seller in thismarket,” said Kyerewaa, who said she hasbeen a bush meat trader for years. “I can’t stopcoming because I have to look for ways tosupport myself and my family.”

At her stall the parts of the great cane rat -smoked and salted for preservation - fetch asmuch as $30. That’s out of reach for many inGhana, where many live on less than $2 a day.Rebecca Ackwonu, a Ghana Health ServiceCommission official, said it’s hard to enforceany kind of bush meat ban in a country wheremany people grew up on it.

“We have advised our people to suspendeating bush meat in the meantime because ofthe risks,” she said.Some have heeded the call.Theodor Semi, who operates a popular down-town restaurant called Semi’s Place, said hewon’t serve bush meat until all of West Africais declared free of Ebola.

“It has affected business, of course,” hesaid. “It has become slow because mostGhanaians l ike bush meat , especia l lygrasscutter.” —AP

Ebola puts Ghana’s bush meat traders out of work

H E A LT H & S C I E N C ETHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

WASHINGTON: Conservationists said yesterday theyhave brought giant tortoises found on the Galapagosisland of Espanola back from the brink of extinction,gaining a foothold strong enough to allow humansto leave the reptiles alone.

Numbering just 15 some five decades ago, thetortoises, which can live as long as two centuries,now number about 1,000 and can sustain them-selves, according to a study published in the scientif-ic journal PLOS ONE.

“We saved a species from the brink of extinctionand now can step back out of the process. The tor-toises can care for themselves,” said James Gibbs, avertebrate conservation biology professor at theState University of New York (SUNY) College ofEnvironmental Science and Forestry who led thestudy.

Located in the Pacific about 600 miles (1,000 km)

west of Ecuador, the Galapagos archipelago is hometo an array of unusual creatures that helped inspireCharles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selec-tion following his 1835 visit.

EspaÒola giant Galapagos tortoises, their scientif-ic name is Chelonoidis hoodensis, measure 3 feet (1meter) long with a saddle-backed shell.

They live up to 150 or 200 years, eating grassesand leaves during the wet season and cactus duringthe dry season on an arid, low, rocky island measur-ing only 23 square miles (60 square km). Gibbs saidthe population numbered perhaps 5,000 to 10,000tortoises before the arrival of people.

“The tortoises were hunted by buccaneers,whalers and other sea goers throughout the 18thand 19th centuries,” added Linda Cayot, a herpetolo-gist who is science advisor to the GalapagosConservancy group.

“They collected them live, stacked them in theirholds, and had fresh meat on their long voyages.Tortoises can live up to a year without food or water,so a natural source of fresh meat,” she said.

Gibbs said the tortoises had been given up asextinct by the time the islands were protected as anational park in 1959. In the 1960s, only 14 tortoiseswere found on Espanola, 12 females and two males.They were all taken into captivity and a third malewas found in the San Diego Zoo. From those 15 tor-toises, the population was rebuilt through a breedingprogram in captivity before they were reintroducedto the island.

“Nobody knew how to breed tortoises in captivityand the best zoos around the world had failed. TheGalapagos National Park figured it out and actuallybecame exceedingly effective at it,” Gibbs said.

The success story of the Espanola subspecies

comes in sharp contrast to the closely related tortoisefound on the Galapagos island of Pinta. In 2012, amale dubbed Lonesome George died in captivity asconservationists tried in vain to find a way to breedhim. He was the last of his subspecies.

Even though the human threat was eliminated byprotecting the Espanola tortoise, the reptile stillfaced a formidable foe in goats that inhabited theisland for 90 years before being removed in the1970s.

Introduced to the island by humans, the goatsmowed down just about everything in their path,including most of the cactuses the tortoises thriveon.

Unlike the grassy place it once was, the island nowis covered with woody vegetation unsuited for tor-toises. Gibbs said it could take hundreds of years forcactuses to reach previous levels. —Reuters

Giant tortoises rally from near extinction on Galapagos island

LONDON: Cases of tuberculosis are set accelerateworldwide unless action is taken to curb diabetes,a chronic condition that weakens the immune sys-tem and triples the risk a person will develop thelung disease, health experts warned yesterday.

Tuberculosis (TB), which killed an estimated 1.5million people last year according to the WorldHealth Organization (WHO), is caused by bacteriathat lie dormant in many people.

However, diabetics TB become sick from latentTB infection far more often than other peoplebecause their immune systems are compromised-a fact that could unleash an epidemic of co-infec-tion as diabetes rates soar along with growingobesity.

It is not the first time that the world has beenconfronted with such co-infection. The HIV/AIDSpandemic, which destroyed the immune systemsof millions, lead to a quadrupling of TB rates inmany countries in Africa.

Now doctors fear a re-run of that scenario asdiabetes takes hold around the world, including inmany poorer countries.

The big worry is that six of the top 10 countriesprojected to have the greatest numbers of diabet-ics by 2035 — China, India, Brazil, Indonesia,Pakistan, and Russia-are classified as high TB bur-den countries by the WHO.

Anthony Harries of the International UnionAgainst Tuberculosis and Lung Disease toldReuters he was most concerned about India andChina, since India has the world’s highest TB rate,followed by China, while for diabetes China hasthe most cases, followed by India.

“We want to raise an alarm that we don’t watchhistory repeat itself with TB-diabetes,” he said.Diabetes affected 382 million people in 2013 andwill increase to a projected 592 million by 2035,according to the International DiabetesFederation.

ObesityMost of the cases will be of Type 2 diabetes, the

kind that is linked to obesity and is driven by theadoption of Western diets and more sedentarylifestyles.

“If we don’t act now to head this off, we’regoing to experience a co-epidemic of TB-diabetesthat will impact millions and sap public health sys-tems of precious resources. The key is to preventthis from happening,” Anil Kapur of the WorldDiabetes Foundation said.

While diabetes is not as great a co-infectionthreat as HIV, the virus that causes AIDS raisesthe risk of TB by thirty fold, there are about 10times as many cases of diabetes in the world aspeople living with HIV, so the overall impact issimilar.

A joint report from Harries’ and Kapur’s groupspresented at an international lung conference inBarcelona sets out the case for internationalaction against the looming co-epidemic.

The report challenges the conventionalapproach of tackling independently infectiousdiseases, like TB, and chronic non-communica-

ble diseases, like TB.Fighting the threat will need a clear strategy

of screening both diabetes patients for TB andTB patients for diabetes, as well as providingtreatments for both diseases, the report says.Such “bi-directional” screening is at presentpatchy. —Reuters

Experts sound alarm as diabetes fuels cases of TB

China, India have most cases of both diseases

MIAMI: The source of a sick tortoise’s dis-comfort became clear after a southFlorida veterinarian took an X-ray: Theanimal had swallowed a turtle pendant.

Dr. Don Harris said the 15-pound maleAfrican spurred tortoise named Lola had-n’t pooped for a month and began actingsick over the weekend. Lola’s ownerbrought him to the Avian & Exotic AnimalMedical Center in Miami, which Harris co-owns.

After an X-ray, Harris spotted the small,turtle-shaped object inside his patient.Lola’s owner told Harris she didn’t recog-nize the pendant, but Harris said tortoisesgraze like cattle. They eat grass, plantsand other vegetation, sometimes con-suming rocks and other objects as well.Harris is keeping Lola at his clinic, tryingto get the pendant to pass. If that fails,surgery may follow. —AP

X-ray shows sick tortoise swallowed turtle pendant

MIAMI: Dr Don Harris holds a 15-pound male African spurred tortoise namedLola who had swallowed a turtle pendant, being cared for at the Avian &Exotic Animal Medical Center in Miami. Lola’s owner told Harris she didn’t rec-ognize the pendant, but Harris said tortoises graze like cattle. They eat grass,plants and other vegetation, sometimes consuming rocks and other objectsas well. —AP Photos

MIAMI: Photo provided by Dr Don Harrisof the Avian & Exotic Animal MedicalCenter in Miami shows an X-ray of a 15-pound male African spurred tortoisenamed Lola who had swallowed a turtlependant.

PARIS: Drink lots of milk to strengthen yourbones and boost your health, doctors say. But astudy in The BMJ medical journal yesterday saidSwedes with a high intake of cow’s milk diedyounger-and women suffered more fractures.

The findings may warrant questions aboutrecommendations for milk consumption,although further research is needed, its authorssaid, as the association may be purely coinciden-tal. A Swedish team used data taken from 61,000women aged 39-74 and monitored for about 20years, and more than 45,000 men aged 45-79 fol-lowed for 11 years. The volunteers gave detailsabout diet and lifestyle, body weight, smokinghabits, exercise frequency, education level andmarital status. By the end of this long study peri-od, 25,500 of the group had died and 22,000 hadsuffered a fracture.

Higher milk intake was not accompanied by alower risk of fractures but “may be associatedwith a higher rate of death”, the study said.

Among the women, 180 per 1,000 in thegroup which drank three glasses of milk or morea day died during a 10-year period, compared tothe group average, independent of milk con-sumption, of 126 per 1,000.

Among those who drank a glass or less perday, the rate was 110 per 1,000, co-author KarlMichaelsson of Uppsala University told AFP. Thefigures for hip fracture was 42 out of 1,000women who drank a lot of milk, 35 per 1,000 onaverage, and 31 per 1,000 of women who drankthe least milk.

“Women who consumed three glasses ormore per day had a 90 percent higher risk ofdeath, 60 percent higher risk of hip fracture and15 percent higher risk of any fracture comparedto those who drank less than a glass,” saidMichaelsson.

For men, the difference in death rate was lesspronounced: 207 per 1,000 among the three-glasses-a-day group over 10 years, 189 per 1,000on average, and 182 per 1,000 among low con-

sumers. There was no difference in fracture rates.“The higher risk of mortality was evident with

all types of milk: full-fat, half-fat and skimmedmilk,” Michaelsson added-and started from a dai-ly intake of about two glasses of milk.

At a lower consumption of half a glass to oneglass per day, “there was a tendency of slightlyreduced hip fracture risk” compared to zerointake, but the same was not true for mortalityrisk. The team found that fermented milk prod-ucts like cheese or yoghurt were associated withlower mortality and fracture rates, particularly inwomen. One reason, the authors speculated, isthat milk, but not cheese, is high in D-galactose,a type of sugar that in animal studies was shownto hasten ageing and shorten lifespan.

Caution The researchers said it was impossible to

draw any conclusions or make recommenda-tions on milk consumption until further work iscarried out.

The results may not apply to people of otherethnic origins with different levels of lactose tol-erance, they said. Milk also has different nutrientlevels that depend on factors like food fortifica-tion and cow diet. And the results could beskewed by a phenomenon called “reverse causa-tion” osteoporosis sufferers at high risk of a bonebreak increase their milk intake, which then getsblamed when they suffer a fracture.

In a comment, Mary Schooling of the CityUniversity of New York School of Public Healthsaid “the role of milk in mortality needs to beestablished definitively now” as consumptionwould rise with economic development.

Other experts noted shortcomings in thestudy, including that milk consumption was self-reported, often a flaw in dietary research.

Nor did the authors define the type of physi-cal activity the men and women did-whether itwas weight-bearing and therefore bone-strengthening, or not. —AFP

Can you drink too much milk? Study raises questions

W H AT ’ S ONTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

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Bashayer Adnan Al-Marhoon celebrated her graduation from GUST Universitywith an accounting degree, with her family and friends. The graduation ceremo-ny was attended by her parents and brother.

The Sultan Center (TSC) held an Employee Open Day forits staff as part of its ongoing social activity program forassociates; TSC Together. The event held at

Entertainment City, was attended by company employees,families, friends and TSC management; where all experiencedan unforgettable day of entertainment and relaxation. ThisTSC’s initiative stems from its commitment to motivate itsworkforce by acknowledging their hard work and dedication

to the company. This event enables all employees to cometogether and enjoy a day out away from the office to socializerelax and reinforce friendships. The open day was filled withcontests, games and a raffle draw in which fabulous prizescould be won from electronics and sports gear to householdappliances. Staff were delighted to join in the celebration.According to Antoinette Sullivan, Human Resource Director,“We would like to thank all the associates for their support

and service which has made us today a leading organization”.Adding: “We, at TSC, take pride in our working environmentwhich is marked with the high teamwork spirit, trust, integrity,commitment, innovation and collaboration. All of these fac-tors have made us the institution everyone is aiming to join.We are delighted that our associated and families were able toattend this event and share a day out while enjoying a varietyof activities”.

TSC holds Employee Open Day

W H AT ’ S ONTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014X

For Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, nur-turing the special skills and talents ofits employees is a crucial par t of

human resource management. Not onlydoes this result in fulfilled employees thatare passionate, it also creates a happierworkplace. From singing and dancing, tocarving and cooking, the habit of nurtur-ing employee talents in the company’sMiddle East properties, has resulted in afew interesting stories. At MovenpickResort & Spa Tala Bay in Jordan, there’ssome musical entertainment while guestsare being served, courtesy of the ‘SingingWaiters’. Filipinos Alfredo Matias, IrenioDela Cruz, Jocelyn Catubig and DindoOlayvar are entertaining guests twice-weekly at Najel and Casalingo restaurants,by performing Bop and Bossa Nova songs,often inviting guests to join in the fun.Elsewhere at Movenpick Beach Resort AlKhobar in Saudi Arabia, Rem Bahadur andSuraj Manandar from Nepal, sing in fourlanguages to the sound of piano and gui-tar. ‘The Singing Duo’ is a hit at many of theresort’s special events.

Orange trees flourish in the gardens ofMovenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea in Jordan,which is where Executive Chef Jihad Omarlikes to go for a stroll. After picking some ofthe ripest, sweetest oranges, he then pre-pares a home-made orange marmaladewhich is served to guests for breakfast.

Equally enticing and worthy of an exhibi-tion, are the edible art sculptures that AjithPerera creates at Movenpick Resort &Residences Aqaba, in Jordan. The award-winning Sri Lankan kitchen artist carvesflowers from vegetables and fruits, makesice statues and transforms chocolate intoshapes that amaze guests at the resort.Zemri Dauti likes to talk, but not only in hisnative Macedonian mother tongue. Thechief concierge of Movenpick Tower & SuitesDoha in Qatar can read, write and speak in11 languages, the others being English,Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Serbian, Albanian,Norwegian, Croatian, Slovenian andSwedish. He started learning these lan-guages in 1997 when he wanted to becomean official government translator.

A vision to make sure that guests at thepools of Movenpick Resort & Spa Tala Baycould be served as quickly as possible,resulted in the ‘roller-skating waiters’ - whohappen to have a lot of fun while working.Kenyans Eric Nganga, Peter Mwirigi andSteve Oduor have turned their passion intoa workable profession, ensuring speedyservice and some interesting photo oppor-tunities for guests along the way. A success-ful global brand that has been present in theMiddle East for over 20 years, MovenpickHotels & Resorts is committed to deliveringa personalised, relaxed and enjoyable guestexperience.

Costa Coffee celebrated the opening of itsnew flagship store under AlghanimIndustries on Tuesday the 28th of October

at the new Miral Mall Complex in Mangaf. Seniorexecutives from Alghanim Industries and SheikhTalal Al Ali Al Sabah the mall owner were in atten-dance amongst other VIP clientele and loyal cus-tomers.

The large 200M2 store is designed in CostaCoffee’s new Metropolitan style showcasing a

new color palette, materials focused dÈcor, and aspectacular sea view. The store is a large depar-ture from the previous aesthetics of Costa Coffeeoutlets and is indicative of managements’ inten-tion to revamp and grow the business in Kuwait.

To mark the occasion Costa Coffee offeredguests a chance to try something a little differentin store; a taste of camel milk in their CostaCoffee favorites. The Costa Camel Milk Coolerswere launched in the UAE market last year as a

healthy alternative to traditional cow’s milk. Thisevent marks the camel milk concepts first evertasting preview in Kuwait. For a trial period CostaCoffee Miral Mall will be offering camel milk asoption for drinks through the end of October.

Costa Coffee currently operates in 36 loca-tions across Kuwait, including recent openings atthe Sahara Resort Golf Club, Kuwait InternationalAirport, and kiosk rollouts within The SultanCenters in Kuwait.

Costa Coffee offers camel milk to guests for new Miral flagship opening

Multitalented and multicultural: The many skills ofemployees working at Movenpick Hotels & Resorts

T V PR O G R A M STHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

ONG BAK 3 ON OSN MOVIES ACTION

DOWN PERISCOPE ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD

IRON MAN 3 ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION

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00:00 Golfing World01:00 ICC Cricket 36001:30 Top 14 Highlights02:00 The Rugby Championship04:00 World Match Racing Tour05:00 World Match Racing Tour06:00 World Match Racing Tour07:00 Golfing World08:00 NRL Premiership10:00 Trans World Sport11:00 Golfing World12:00 The Rugby Championship14:00 Golfing World15:00 World Match Racing Tour16:00 Currie Cup 18:00 Golfing World19:00 NRL Full time 19:30 Futbol Mundial20:00 Top 14 Highlights20:30 ICC Cricket 360

00:00 The Chronicles Of Riddick02:00 Cloverfield04:00 The People Under The Stairs06:00 Terminal Velocity08:00 Deep Rising10:00 Ong Bak 312:00 The Chronicles Of Riddick14:00 Hudson Hawk16:00 Deep Rising18:00 Cloverfield20:00 Ong Bak 322:00 Daylight

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00:45 After The Attack01:35 Animal Cops Houston02:25 Wildest Africa03:15 Too Cute!04:05 My Cat From Hell04:55 Jaws Comes Home05:45 After The Attack06:35 Animal Airport07:00 Meerkat Manor07:25 Dogs 10108:15 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild08:45 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild09:10 Pandamonium10:05 Call Of The Wildman10:30 Call Of The Wildman11:00 Wildest Africa11:55 Meerkat Manor12:20 Animal Airport12:50 Too Cute!13:45 My Cat From Hell14:40 Wildest Africa15:30 Dogs 10116:30 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild17:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild17:25 Extreme Animals18:20 Call Of The Wildman18:45 Call Of The Wildman19:15 Bondi Vet20:10 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors20:40 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors21:05 Wildest Africa22:00 Bondi Vet22:55 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors23:25 Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Warriors23:50 Shark Girl

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00:10 Hoarding: Buried Alive01:00 Alaskan Women Looking ForLove01:50 Breaking Amish: Los Angeles02:40 I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant03:05 Secretly Pregnant03:55 Long Island Medium04:20 Say Yes To The Dress04:45 Say Yes To The Dress05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras06:00 Oprah: Behind The Scenes07:00 Driving Me Crazy07:50 The Next Great Baker08:40 Ballroom Blitz09:30 Toddlers & Tiaras10:20 Say Yes To The Dress10:45 Say Yes To The Dress11:10 Cake Boss11:35 17 Kids And Counting12:00 Little People, Big World12:25 Oprah: Behind The Scenes13:15 Oprah’s Master Class14:05 Oprah’s Next Chapter14:55 Something Borrowed,Something New15:20 Cake Boss15:45 Driving Me Crazy16:35 Toddlers & Tiaras17:25 Say Yes To The Dress17:50 Say Yes To The Dress18:15 17 Kids And Counting18:40 Little People, Big World19:10 Oprah: Behind The Scenes20:05 Something Borrowed,Something New20:30 Cake Boss21:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive21:55 My Naked Secret22:20 My Naked Secret22:50 Long Island Medium23:15 Secretly Pregnant

01:00 Faces In The Crowd-PG1503:00 Beautiful Creatures-PG1505:15 Everything Must Go-PG1507:15 Pop Star-PG1509:00 Hyde Park On Hudson-PG1511:00 Everything Must Go-PG1513:00 Beautiful Creatures-PG1515:15 Love And Honor-PG1517:00 Hyde Park On Hudson-PG1519:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle-PG1521:00 All Is Lost-PG1523:00 Texas Killing Fields-PG15

00:15 DCI Banks01:00 My Hero01:30 Eastenders02:00 Doctors02:30 The Inspector LynleyMysteries03:15 Friday Night Dinner03:40 Silent Witness04:30 My Hero05:00 Me Too!05:20 Boogie Beebies05:35 Teletubbies06:00 Nina And The Neurons06:15 Me Too!06:35 Boogie Beebies06:50 Teletubbies07:15 The Weakest Link08:00 My Hero08:30 Lead Balloon09:00 Eastenders09:30 Doctors10:00 The Inspector LynleyMysteries10:50 Call The Midwife11:40 My Hero12:10 Lead Balloon12:40 Walk On The Wild Side13:10 Eastenders13:40 Doctors14:10 The Inspector LynleyMysteries15:00 Call The Midwife15:55 My Hero16:25 The Weakest Link17:10 Eastenders17:40 Doctors18:10 The Inspector LynleyMysteries19:00 One Foot In The Grave19:30 As Time Goes By20:00 Call The Midwife20:55 Stella21:40 Big School22:10 Last Tango In Halifax23:05 The Weakest Link23:50 As Time Goes By

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00:20 Come Dine With Me01:05 Antiques Roadshow

01:50 Jungle Junction02:05 Jungle Junction02:15 Jungle Junction02:30 Violetta03:15 The Hive03:20 Art Attack03:45 Art Attack04:10 Jungle Junction04:20 Jungle Junction04:35 Jungle Junction04:45 Jungle Junction05:00 Art Attack05:25 Art Attack05:50 Mouk06:00 Jessie06:25 Liv And Maddie06:45 Dog With A Blog07:10 I Didn’t Do It07:35 Sabrina: Secrets Of ATeenage Witch07:55 Win, Lose Or Draw08:20 Suite Life On Deck08:45 A.N.T. Farm09:05 A.N.T. Farm09:30 Sonny With A Chance09:55 Sonny With A Chance10:15 Suite Life On Deck10:40 Suite Life On Deck11:05 That’s So Raven11:25 That’s So Raven11:50 A.N.T. Farm12:15 A.N.T. Farm12:35 Good Luck Charlie13:00 Good Luck Charlie13:25 Jessie13:45 Jessie14:10 Austin & Ally14:35 Win, Lose Or Draw15:00 Mako Mermaids15:25 I Didn’t Do It15:50 Liv And Maddie16:10 Violetta17:00 Dog With A Blog17:20 Jessie17:45 Sabrina: Secrets Of ATeenage Witch18:10 I Didn’t Do It18:30 Win, Lose Or Draw18:55 Liv And Maddie19:20 Violetta20:05 Liv And Maddie20:30 Liv And Maddie20:50 Liv And Maddie21:15 Liv And Maddie21:40 Liv And Maddie22:00 Good Luck Charlie22:25 A.N.T. Farm22:50 Shake It Up23:10 Wolfblood23:35 Wolfblood

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00:00 The Do-Deca Pentathlon-PG1502:00 It’s A Disaster-PG1504:00 Romy And Michelle’s HighSchool Reunion-PG1506:00 Three Men And A Little Lady-PG08:00 Fun Size-PG1510:00 Down Periscope-PG1512:00 Blades Of Glory-PG1514:00 Barbershop-PG1516:00 Beauty Shop-PG1518:00 What About Bob?-PG20:00 Uptown Girls-PG1522:00 Life Happens-PG15

20:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills20:30 Giuliana & Bill21:30 Giuliana & Bill22:30 Fashion Police23:30 Escape Club

02:00 Antiques Roadshow02:50 Bargain Hunt03:35 Homes Under The Hammer04:25 Food & Drink04:55 Come Dine With Me05:40 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again06:10 Antiques Roadshow07:00 Antiques Roadshow07:50 Bargain Hunt08:35 Homes Under The Hammer09:30 Food & Drink09:55 Come Dine With Me10:45 Antiques Roadshow11:35 Antiques Roadshow12:30 Bargain Hunt13:15 Homes Under The Hammer14:05 Food & Drink14:30 Come Dine With Me15:20 Antiques Roadshow16:10 Antiques Roadshow17:05 Simply Italian17:30 Bargain Hunt18:15 Homes Under The Hammer19:10 Food & Drink19:35 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh AndEasy Food20:00 Nordic Cookery With TareqTaylor20:25 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again20:50 Bargain Hunt21:35 Bargain Hunt22:20 Bargain Hunt23:00 Homes Under The Hammer23:55 Food & Drink

00:00 Wilfred00:30 The Daily Show With JonStewart01:00 Last Week Tonight With JohnOliver02:00 Hello Ladies04:30 The Tonight Show StarringJimmy Fallon07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers11:00 The Tonight Show StarringJimmy Fallon15:30 The Daily Show With JonStewart16:00 The Colbert Report17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers18:30 Baby Daddy19:00 Young & Hungry20:00 The Tonight Show StarringJimmy Fallon

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Arrival Flights on Thursday 30/10/2014Airlines Flt Route TimeJAI 574 Mumbai 00:10JZR 239 Amman 00:25JZR 267 Beirut 00:30JZR 539 Cairo 00:40KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40THY 772 Istanbul 00:45FDB 069 Dubai 00:55QTR 1084 Doha 01:00RJA 642 Amman 01:05KAC 546 Alexandria 01:10DLH 637 Dammam 01:15SAI 441 Lahore 01:30PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35THY 764 Istanbul 02:15GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30MSC 403 Sohag 02:30UAE 853 Dubai 02:35JZR 553 Alexandria 02:45JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50FDB 067 Dubai 02:55MSR 612 Cairo 03:10ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20QTR 1076 Doha 03:45MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05JZR 503 Luxor 05:25THY 770 Istanbul 05:35DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40BAW 157 London 06:40JZR 563 Sohag 06:45KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10TAR 327 Tunis 07:45FDB 053 Dubai 07:45QTR 1086 Doha 07:50IRA 673 Ahwaz 07:50SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55KAC 352 Kochi 08:10IRA 667 Esfahan 08:10KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20KAC 382 Delhi 08:20KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30UAE 855 Dubai 08:40KAC 362 Colombo 08:45KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20FDB 055 Dubai 09:40QTR 1070 Doha 10:00GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40IZG 4161 Mashhad 11:10RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15MSC 405 Sohag 11:25JZR 165 Dubai 11:30JZR 561 Sohag 11:45TBZ 5483 Mashhad 11:50MEA 404 Beirut 11:55SYR 341 Damascus 12:00UAE 871 Dubai 12:50JZR 241 Amman 12:55QTR 8646 Doha 12:55MSR 610 Cairo 13:00KAC 672 Dubai 13:55NCR 604 OAI 14:00QTR 1078 Doha 14:05AGY 680 Alexandria 14:15THY 766 Istanbul 14:20KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30FDB 057 Dubai 14:30MPH 951 Amsterdam 14:35KAC 538 Sohag 14:50KNE 470 Jeddah 14:55OMA 645 Muscat 15:00GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10JZR 175 Dubai 15:20UAE 857 Dubai 15:45ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00FDB 051 Dubai 16:00JZR 535 Cairo 16:10JZR 779 Jeddah 16:10NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15KAC 562 Amman 16:20ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55RJA 640 Amman 16:55UAL 982 IAD 17:05SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30FDB 075 Dubai 17:45JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55UAE 875 Dubai 18:00JZR 177 Dubai 18:20KAC 118 New York 18:30FDB 063 Dubai 18:40ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45KAC 104 London 18:45QTR 1080 Doha 18:50KAC 618 Doha 19:15KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15KAC 542 Cairo 19:25KAC 674 Dubai 19:25GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:45KAC 502 Beirut 19:50KAC 742 Dammam 20:00KAC 614 Bahrain 20:00MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05JAI 572 Mumbai 20:05JZR 189 Dubai 20:15OMA 647 Muscat 20:20FDB 061 Dubai 20:20ABY 123 Sharjah 20:35DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:50ALK 229 Colombo 21:10MEA 402 Beirut 21:20ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30FDB 073 Dubai 21:35GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45QTR 1074 Doha 21:55KNE 480 Taif 22:00JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:15ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15UAL 981 Bahrain 22:25FDB 059 Dubai 22:30AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30JZR 157 Dubai 23:05BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10JZR 185 Dubai 23:15AGY 684 Sohag 23:20FDB 071 Dubai 23:45

Departure Flights on Thursday 30/10/2014Airlines Flt Route TimeAIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05JZR 562 Sohag 00:05BBC 044 Dhaka 00:35FDB 072 Dubai 00:45JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:55DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15SAI 442 Lahore 02:30THY 773 Istanbul 02:55PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25MSC 404 Sohag 03:30UAE 854 Dubai 03:50FDB 068 Dubai 03:55ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05MSR 613 Cairo 04:10KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10QTR 1085 Doha 04:30MSC 406 Sohag 05:05JZR 560 Sohag 05:10QTR 1077 Doha 05:15FDB 070 Dubai 06:30JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35THY 765 Istanbul 06:55JZR 164 Dubai 06:55RJA 643 Amman 07:05GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15JZR 240 Amman 07:15THY 771 Istanbul 07:30KAC 537 Sohag 08:20FDB 054 Dubai 08:25TAR 327 Dubai/Tunis 08:35BAW 156 London 08:45IRA 672 Ahwaz 08:50QTR 1087 Doha 08:50SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55IRA 668 Mashhad 09:10JZR 534 Cairo 09:15KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25KAC 671 Dubai 09:25ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40KAC 101 London/New York 09:50UAE 856 Dubai 09:55ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20KAC 561 Amman 10:25JZR 778 Jeddah 10:30FDB 056 Dubai 10:35JZR 174 Dubai 10:45QTR 1071 Doha 11:00KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55KAC 501 Beirut 12:00KAC 541 Cairo 12:05IZG 4162 Mashhad 12:10JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25TBZ 5484 Mashhad 12:50MEA 405 Beirut 12:55SYR 342 Damascus 13:00KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00JZR 176 Dubai 13:45MSR 611 Cairo 14:00UAE 872 Dubai 14:15QTR 8647 Doha 14:25KAC 617 Doha 15:00KAC 673 Dubai 15:00QTR 1079 Doha 15:05FDB 058 Dubai 15:10AGY 685 Sohag 15:15THY 767 Istanbul 15:20KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20JZR 188 Dubai 15:40GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45KNE 471 Jeddah 15:50KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50SVA 505 Jeddah 16:00OMA 646 Muscat 16:00MPH 951 Dubai/SIN 16:05KAC 613 Bahrain 16:10ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25KNE 481 Taif 16:50NCR 604 Dubai 17:00KAC 741 Dammam 17:00JZR 266 Beirut 17:05NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15FDB 052 Dubai 17:25UAE 858 Dubai 17:45JZR 538 Cairo 17:45ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50RJA 641 Amman 17:55SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15UAL 982 Bahrain 18:20GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20FDB 076 Dubai 18:25JZR 156 Dubai 18:30JZR 184 Dubai 18:40JZR 238 Amman 18:50JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10ABY 121 Sharjah 19:20UAE 876 Dubai 19:40QTR 1081 Doha 19:50FDB 064 Dubai 19:55AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30KAC 361 Colombo 20:50KAC 343 Chennai 20:55JAI 571 Mumbai 21:05MSR 619 Alexandria 21:05JZR 554 Alexandria 21:05KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10ABY 124 Sharjah 21:15KAC 351 Kochi 21:15FDB 062 Dubai 21:20OMA 648 Muscat 21:20DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50KAC 381 Delhi 22:00ALK 230 Colombo 22:10ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15MEA 403 Beirut 22:20KAC 203 Lahore 22:20FDB 074 Dubai 22:30GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00QTR 1075 Doha 23:05KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15KAC 543 Cairo 23:20KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30FDB 060 Dubai 23:55

DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

112

SHARQIA-1JOHN WICK (DIG) 1:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 3:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 5:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 7:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 9:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 11:30 PM

SHARQIA-2FURY (DIG) 1:45 PMTHE BOXTROLLS(DIG) 4:15 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 6:15 PMFURY (DIG) 8:15 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 10:45 PMFURY (DIG) 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-3 Seats-225JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 1:00 PMWOLVES (DIG) 4:00 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 6:00 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 9:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 12:15 AM

MUHALAB-1THE EQUALIZER (DIG) 1:15 PMTHE EQUALIZER (DIG) 3:45 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 6:15 PMFURY (DIG) 9:15 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 11:45 PM

MUHALAB-2BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 12:45 PMTHE BOXTROLLS(DIG) 3:00 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 5:00 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 7:00 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 10:15 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 12:15 AM

MUHALAB-3JOHN WICK (DIG) 1:30 PMFURY (DIG) 3:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 6:00 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 8:00 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 10:00 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 12:30 AM

FANAR-2BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 12:45 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 2:45 PMFURY (DIG) 5:45 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 8:15 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 11:15 PM

FANAR-3FURY (DIG) 1:15 PMFURY (DIG) 3:45 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 6:15 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 9:30 PMFURY (DIG) 12:45 AM

MARINA-1THE EQUALIZER (DIG) 1:00 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 3:30 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 6:45 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 9:45 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 12:45 AM

MARINA-2BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 2:00 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 4:00 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 6:00 PM

JOHN WICK (DIG) 8:00 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 10:00 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 12:05 AM

MARINA-3JOHN WICK (DIG) 12:45 PMTHE BOXTROLLS(DIG) 2:45 PMFURY (DIG) 4:45 PMWOLVES (DIG) 7:15 PMFURY (DIG) 9:15 PMFURY (DIG) 11:45 PM

AVENUES-1BELLE AND SEBASTIAN(DIG) 12:30 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 2:45 PMBELLE AND SEBASTIAN(DIG) 4:45 PMKNIGHT OF THE DEAD (DIG) 7:00 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 9:00 PMBEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) 12:45 AM

AVENUES-2WOLVES (DIG) 2:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 4:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 6:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 8:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 10:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 12:15 AM

AVENUES-3HAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 12:45 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 4:00 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 7:15 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 10:30 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 10:30 PM

360º- 1HAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 2:00 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 5:15 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 8:30 PMHAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) 11:45 PMNO SUN+TUE+WED

360º- 2JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 1:30 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 4:30 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 7:30 PMJAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) 10:30 PM

360º- 3WOLVES (DIG) 1:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 3:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 5:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 7:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 9:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 11:15 PMWOLVES (DIG) 1:15 AM

AL-KOUT.1JOHN WICK (DIG) 1:30 PMTHE BOXTROLLS(DIG) 3:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 5:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 7:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 9:30 PMJOHN WICK (DIG) 11:30 PM

AL-KOUT.2FURY (DIG) 2:15 PMTHE EQUALIZER (DIG) 4:45 PMFURY (DIG) 7:15 PMFURY (DIG) 10:00 PMFURY (DIG) 12:30 AM

ACCOMMODATION

SITUATION WANTED FOR SALE

Looking for room withinan apartment for a couple.Preferably with attachedbathroom and C/A in thevicinity of Hawally. Contact:99745402. (C 4792)28-10-2014

Pajero model 1996, colorred passing till Sept 10,2015, used by lady (auto-matic). Call 55056044.28-10-2014

Looking for job, driver,knowledge of Kuwaitiareas, have Kuwaiti validlicense. Call: 66347485. (C 4793)30-10-2014

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TOWEDNESDAY (30/10/2014 TO 05/11/2014)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

You feel a love of order and law-an appreciation for responsibilities andduty. Problems are valued for the lessons, rather than obstacles. Your

career direction will get encouragement and life’s troubles should find uncomplicatedsolutions. This just may be the time to take risks and dare to be unconventional. Youwill prosper through new insights. You could find that you are appreciated for yourability to act and get things done. Your speech can be most persuasive. The energiesat this time are working in your favor and you are open to the learning process. Now isthe time to move toward your goals. You take care to recycle and set examples forothers. You respect the earth and help others to do the same, ensuring a positivefuture for your children.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

STAR TRACK

The way you deal with necessities and obligations-health and work inparticular-is in a state of transformation. Your job situation may change radically.Improvements are in the works. Environmental contaminants connected with yourwork can be a problem. You will be pleased with your new accomplishments, duringwhich insights and a breakthrough in organization are in order. Things are happening,and your career or path depends upon your own objective, which is strong at thistime. You are able to use good common sense to feel the trends and make the rightmoves. You can progress by taking action. There is a revolution-new ideas and ways todo and use things become clear. You are in touch and in harmony with others. Youhave good support.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

There are possibilities that you will run into a snag with a person orbecome blocked in a situation this morning. Quietly and respectfully

stating your opinion may not be the answer in this situation. The problem could be aphysical illness of another person and letting this difficulty slide may be the wiserchoice. In-depth discussions and probing conversations find you at your mental bestthis afternoon. You may get the feeling that this has turned out to be a very fortunateday. You are feeling successful and able to cope with whatever comes across yourpath. You may find yourself very talkative tonight. You may even find that a boardgame or some trivia game brings back old and fond memories. Sentimentalism ispresent this evening.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Although you could overdo and find yourself feeling cross, you can patyourself on the back for learning how to rise above the negative. Business

levels out later today and yet, another rush on business products may be planned.Perhaps there are decorations to be sold, wedding dresses on special or cars at a low cost .. . Your expertise is fine-tuned and you could sell ice to an eskimo. Enjoy this busy time butplan your meals wisely and have snacks that are full of protein. You are encouraged in yourcareer advancement as well as your personal progress-you encourage others. You will ben-efit from analytical insights, getting to the heart of things, penetrating. This evening findtime to relax-perhaps a bicycle ride or a massage. Laughter is contagious-laugh a little.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

There is a push to complete your work. Travel opportunities are availableall month. This is a great time, when anything is possible. One of the key

elements during this time involves your sense of direction. You may want to seriouslyreview your career path. Higher education or philosophical and perhaps religious con-tacts could have a part in making good things happen. Partnerships, personal relation-ships or the social scene in general is very important during this time and can have avery decided influence on your career. You may find that a more impersonal attitude isthe key. Use the recycling facilities in your hometown; pay attention to waste andexcess. These small steps will improve the quality of life for yourself and others.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

Your career or life path, the way you make your living or get throughlife, is quite unique. There are opportunities now, to reach beyond your current situa-tion and to expand your horizons. Your approach to any problem is always originaland you could invent things or discover new places or develop new ways of doingthings. Communications, computers and the whole electronic revolution are perfectcareer choices for you. Close personal relationships are likely to undergo some test-ing. Now is good for cementing your ties to others. Make sure these relationships arerock-solid, because if they are not, they are apt to crack under stress. Fairness with andresponsibility to the other people in your life is emphasized today.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)

This is a rewarding day. Others may seek you out for your advice regard-ing very personal issues at this time. You have a prolific mood-altering

way of interacting with others and today you may find depressed conversations easyto manipulate into a most positive outlook. You might consider writing a series onhow one might survive or excel in the workplace. You are more talented than you giveyourself credit for and you can help many people with an upbeat, matter-of-fact typeof thinking. You will find opportunities to cut through the red tape and get at what isbeneath and behind the most difficult situations with just the simplest of questions.Recognition comes from higher-ups. A loved one does for you, what you do for oth-ers-encouraging.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

It is easy to see what you value and care about as you go throughyour day. You appreciate your co-workers and are respectful to the

public. Today you may have to exert a little special attention on a customer that isalways right and can be rather rude. You know just what to do to appease the beast. . . So to speak. This is a good day for picking out furniture and if you are selling it,you will do extremely well. At break time you enjoy conversing with co-workersthat have the same interest in books, hobby or other pastime enjoyment. Peoplewant to do nice things for you; let them. Keep that savings account intact until atleast the middle of December. Hugs and gifts are enjoyed all day long. Surpriseshappen! Happy birthday!

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

This is an easy, calm day that you should find running in a smooth man-ner. Ideas and interaction with authority figures or older people may be

in the forecast sometime during the day. Working with, rather than against the flow,should be easy to do. Others may find you especially witty and perhaps, a bit eccen-tric. You may have insights regarding your living situation or in life circumstances gen-erally. You will have the opportunity to speak up for your team, group or departmentand your co-workers value you for these unique qualities. You can expect pleasant sur-prises today, along with some extra support. The path of success is available for what-ever direction you want to take. Co-workers want to talk after work but make surethere is no gossip.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

You have the mind of a lawyer as you quickly size up a problem and comeup with a solution. Using your mind to negotiate obstacles and handle

dilemmas is a great talent and you enjoy the challenges. Today some missing person orspecial item is lost and found due to your special talents. You may be considering a livingin accounting, politics, police or psychology. A part-time job that would help you in yourhopes of completing a formal education would not take as long as you think. At this time,people can get an education over the internet. Perhaps you would need communicationwith a professor or a trip to the university but you will find the educational opportunitiesare more flexible and affordable than in the past. A budget would be good.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)

Do not take chances or risks just now. Be satisfied with the ordinary andthe usual. Someone may try to tell you an untruth today but your mind

cuts right through all the window dressing and gets right down to the quick. Beforeanyone knows it, you have the heart of a matter out front for everyone to see. Youwould make a great investigator-either in scientific research or undercover work-itmakes no difference. Your ability to get to the point is all but phenomenal. You mayhave some hectic emotional energy just now. It is easy to see what you value and careabout these days. Your sense of appreciation is sharpened and in high focus. If you areshopping today, it is better to compare prices than to purchase an item that you maynot like later.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Important financial decisions require more information than you realize.It’s important to gather all the facts necessary to give you a realistic idea

of whatever subject is at hand. You have a large imagination when it comes tofinances-choosing possessions and the material world. A growing sense of idealismaffects your productivity and material concerns. You may work to establish somecooperative, communal goals. Social relationships are a special focus. Travel and ani-mated discussions play a part in this and could be less than satisfying in somerespects. There is a chance to understand those around you and to have a special timewith someone you love. General good feeling and a sense of support and harmonymake this a happy time.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

CROSSWORD 709

ACROSS1. A solution containing a phosphate buffer.4. Of a vivid red to reddish-orange color.12. The part of the nervous system of verte-

brates that controls involuntary actions ofthe smooth muscles and heart and glands.

15. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) thatwas responsible for research into atomicenergy and its peacetime uses in the UnitedStates.

16. Rule against.17. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac

insects.18. Annual or perennial herbs with large leaves

that resemble the leaves of cabbages.20. Ions are accelerated along a linear path by

voltage differences on electrodes along thepath.

21. Title for a civil or military leader (especially inTurkey).

22. A city in northern India.23. A shoe carved from a single block of wood.25. State in northeastern India.27. (astronomy) A measure of time defined by

Earth's orbital motion.30. Conforming to an ultimate standard of per-

fection or excellence.33. Traveling by foot.36. A narrow way or road.40. A mild comatose state.42. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali

earth group.43. (botany) Of or relating to the axil.44. A member of the Siouan people living in the

Yazoo river valley in Mississippi.45. French composer noted for his experimen-

talism and rejection of romanticism (1866-1925).

47. One related on the father's side.50. The supreme commander of a fleet.52. A large group of islands in the south Pacific

including Melanesia and Micronesia andPolynesia (and sometimes Australasia andthe Malay Archipelago).

53. (informal) Informed about the latest trends.54. The use of nuclear magnetic resonance of

protons to produce proton density images.55. A Mid-Atlantic state.56. The airforce of Great Britain.57. A white metallic element that burns with a

brilliant light.59. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle

where driver sits.61. A state in midwestern United States.63. A small flat triangular bone in front of the

knee that protects the knee joint.66. Soreness and warmth caused by friction.69. A detested person.72. East Indian cereal grass whose seed yield a

somewhat bitter flour, a staple in the Orient.75. An Arabic speaking person who lives in

Arabia or North Africa.76. An officer who acts as military assistant to a

more senior officer.77. One of several resident of a dwelling (espe-

cially someone confined to a prison or hos-pital).

78. Someone who works (or provides workers)during a strike.

79. Showing or causing joy and pleasure.

80. Feeling mild pleasurable excitement.81. A river in north central Switzerland that runs

northeast into the Rhine.

DOWN1. Large burrowing rodent of South and Central

America.2. A large mass of ice floating at sea.3. A mark left by the healing of injured tissue.4. Nut of any of several trees of the genus

Corylus.5. United States composer noted for his innova-

tive use of polytonality (1874-1954).6. A colorless odorless gaseous element that

give a red glow in a vacuum tube.7. Agency of the United States government

charged with mediating disputes betweenmanagement and labor.

8. (music) A short recitative that is melodic butis not an aria.

9. The act of hitting a baseball lightly withoutswinging the bat.

10. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike partof an organism.

11. A summary that repeats the substance of alonger discussion.

12. By bad luck.13. Kamarupan languages spoken in northeast-

ern India and western Burma.14. A fraudulent business scheme.19. New Zealand conifer.24. Of or relating to the ancient Aramaic lan-

guages.26. Highly seasoned fatty sausage of pork and

beef usually dried.28. Considerate and solicitous care.29. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet.31. Mar or spoil the appearance of.32. Give expression or emotion to, in a stage or

movie role.34. Salt pork from the back of a hog carcass.35. A religious belief of African origin involving

witchcraft and sorcery.37. Fear resulting from the awareness of danger.38. A syllabic script used in writing Sanskrit and

Hindi.39. A genus of Scolopacidae.41. Become bony.46. The striking of one body against another.48. Having low density.49. Complacently or inanely foolish.51. (euphemistic) "he is deceased".58. A genus of tropical American plants have

sword-shaped leaves and a fleshy com-pound fruits composed of the fruits of sev-eral flowers (such as pineapples).

60. The dialect of Malay used as the nationallanguage of the Republic of Indonesia or ofMalaysia.

62. (Irish) Chief god of the Tuatha De Danann.64. Related on the mother's side.65. Type genus of the Percidae.67. Precipitation of ice pellets when there are

strong rising air currents.68. Something causes misery or death.70. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was

formed by an explosion.71. A French abbot.73. A case for containing a set of articles.74. A benevolent aspect of Devi.

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Daily SuDoku

informat ionTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558

Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622

Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967

Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638

Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241

OphthalmologistsDr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426

General PractitionersDr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501

UrologistsDr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427

For labor-related inquiries and complaints:

Call MSAL hotline 128

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

Kaizen center 25716707

Rawda 22517733

Adaliya 22517144

Khaldiya 24848075

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

GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE

Plastic Surgeons

Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700

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

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272

Dr. Salem soso 22618787

General Surgeons

Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart

Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3

Paediatricians

Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282

Dermatology

Dr. Mohammed Salam Bern University 23845955

Dentists

Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226

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

Neurologists

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

Endocrinologist

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 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 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 25339667

Consultant Cardiologist

Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

Soor CenterTel: 2290-1677Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.comwww.soorcenter.com

Psychologists/Psychotherapists

PRIVATE CLINICS

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Kaizen center25716707

Noor Clinic23845955

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Wales (UK) 0044

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Yugoslavia 00381

Zambia 00260

Zimbabwe 00263

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

l if e s t y l eG O S S I P

The 35-year-old star wants to beknown as an actress rather than theperson who tied the knot with the

Hollywood actor - who she divorced in July2012 after six years of marriage - andadmits she is “ready for new challenges” inher life. She said: “I don’t want thatmoment in my life to define me, to be whoI am. “I don’t want that to be what I’mknown as. I was an actor before, an actorduring and an actor now. “I don’t have anyfear now, I don’t have a lot of rules formyself, and I don’t take myself that serious-ly.” The former couple have eight-year-olddaughter Suri together and while theraven-haired beauty loves to have playfultickle fights with the youngster, she also

tries to instil some good manners into thelittle one. Katie added to PEOPLE magazine:“[Suri] means everything to me. I’m learn-ing every day, and I have been since theminute I became a mom. “My patience hasgrown, but between 4 and 6 pm ... I mean,wow. Between tickle fights and glitter art, Itry to throw in some manners along theway.” In August, Katie was reported to haveswapped New York for California when shesplashed out $3.8 million on a Los Angelesmansion in a bid to boost her Hollywoodacting career. The move was also thoughtto be beneficial for Suri because the pair’snew abode is situated in an affluent cul-de-sac populated by many children the sameage as the youngster.

Katie Holmes ready for new challenges

The 33-year-old socialite recently paid $13,000for miniature Pomeranian pup Prince butsince she introduced the adorable mutt to

her other canine friends they have not been happywith the preferential treatment he has been get-ting as top dog. Exclusively speaking to theMailOnline, she revealed: “They are jealous becauseI am taking Prince everywhere these days. PeterPan is especially upset because I used to take himeverywhere. He was the top dog. So there are somesad feelings there. Prince is just the new one, so heis getting the most attention.” Although she is total-ly besotted with Prince, Paris insists she is still giv-ing the rest of her pet pack - which includesChihuahua Tinkerbell, her most famous dog - lotsof love and attention. The DJ said: “I give them allattention, I am good to all of them, so they reallydon’t feel that bad. I think Peter Pan might wantsome more trips out, so I will work that in.” Pariseven claims her love for her dogs is what stops herfrom re-locating from Los Angeles to London for anextended stay in the UK capital. She admitted: “Ilove London, it’s my favourite city. I have so manyfriends there and I really like the atmosphere. But Iwould never move to England because I love mydogs so much. I just couldn’t leave them. At heart Iam a California girl.”

Paris Hilton’s new dog has made

her six other pooches jealous

Kris Jenner wants to find love ona new reality show

The ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ matriarch -who has been romantically linked with ‘Bachelor’contestant Ben Flajnik and Justin Bieber’s tour man-

ager Corey Gamble since splitting from husband BruceJenner last year - reportedly wants to step apart from herfamous family and has been pitching a new programmeto TV bosses. A source told National Enquirer magazine:“She’s already pitching the matchmaking idea. “She hopesto steal the limelight from her famous daughters with thelaunch of her own reality show.” Kris, 58, who recently filedfor divorce from Bruce, 65, reportedly sees her single sta-tus as the perfect new way to “make money”. The sourcecontinued: “Kris has always been able to separate her per-sonal feelings from business, if it presented the possibilityto promote the family and make money. “Her divorce is aperfect opportunity to do both.” Though she is interestedin finding love on screen, away from the spotlight, Kris issaid to have been getting to know Corey slowly. Therumoured new couple were spotted leaving a sushirestaurant in Malibu, California on Monday night and theduo also watched Kris’ son-in-law, Kanye West, perform atthe Life is Beautiful music festival in Las Vegas last Friday(24.10.14) before celebrating her daughter KimKardashian West’s 34th birthday at Tao Las Vegas.

Sandra Bullockgave medical attention

to a collapsed extra

The 50-year-old star was quick to help out when one ofthe extras in her new movie ‘Our Brand is Crisis’ slumpedto the ground on Sunday, so the brunette made sure she

was comfortable by fanning her and giving her water until theemergency services arrived. According to gossip websiteTMZ, the fallen woman was thought to have suffered heatstroke and was taken in an ambulance to a nearby hospital inNew Orleans, where the motion picture is being filmed. BillyBob Thornton was also spotted watching on as Sandra got towork on the extra. Following the incident, eyewitnessesreported seeing a lack of action on the movie set on Mondaybut the cast and crew were back shooting the film on Tuesday.Sandra is thought to be portraying a retired political consult-ant in the comedy/drama movie, which is about the Americanpolitical campaign strategies used in the 2002 Bolivian presi-dential election. The actress’ helpful antics on the set of themovie is not her only recent brush with medicine after sheportrayed medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone in 2013 film‘Gravity’, which won seven Academy Awards earlier this year.

The 32-year-old pop star wants to make her ‘Piece ofMe’ show on the spooky holiday a memorable oneand has promised an unforgettable experience to

the person who impresses the most with their outfit. Shewrote on Twitter: “What’s a Halloween party w/o a cos-tume contest? Saved 2 VIP seats @ #PieceOfMe on Fri forwhoever comes best dressed!” The ‘Gimme More’ singeralso included a link to her official websiteBritneySpears.com with full details of how to enter thecompetition at the residency gig, which takes place at thePlanet Hollywood Resort and Casino. The post read: “Are

you celebrating Halloween with Britney at ‘Piece Of Me’?Come to the show dressed in your best Britney costumeto win 2 upgraded VIP seats! “Tweet a picture of yourselfin costume at The Axis Theater at Planet Hollywood Resortusing #Britneyween to enter. If you’re selected, you and aguest will enjoy the show from a VIP table in the frontrow! “Must already have ‘Piece Of Me’ tickets to enter, andpictures must be taken inside The Axis Theater with thehashtag #Britneyween. Only Britney Spears costumes willbe considered for contest entry. “ At the moment, Britneyis due to continue her residency until February 2015.

Britney Spears to give away VIP tickets to the fan who wears best Halloween costume

The troubled ‘Easy’ A actress’ affairs willagain be looked after by her mother andfather Lynn and Rick Bynes after they

went to court and told the judge their daugh-ter has been spending “alarming amounts” ofmoney on gifts of jewellery for strangers. Theworried couple detailed how Amanda hasbeen blowing her savings, explaining her networth is currently $5,747,703.36, of which $2.8million is in property. They also said her onlyincome is from rental property, and she made$144,768 last year. In their legal documents,which have been obtained by TMZ, Amanda’sparents say she is a “substantial risk” to herselfand others, explaining her recent erraticbehaviour, including shoplifting and an arrest

for driving under the influence (DUI) lastmonth. News of the conservatorship comeafter doctors treating the ‘She’s the Man’ star,who was committed to a psychiatric treat-ment facility in Pasadena, California 17 daysago, secretly convinced a judge on Monday toextend her involuntary hold for another 30days because the 28-year-old actress is still“very ill” and unable to take care of herself.Amanda spent five months in a treatmentfacility in July 2013 when she was placedunder involuntary psychiatric hold. She wasreleased in December and appeared to begetting her life back on track until a conserva-torship giving her mother control of her affairscame to an end last month.

Amanda Bynes’ parents have obtained

another conservatorship

The 38-year-old actor was catapultedto global fame playing a modernversion of the fictional detective in

the BBC series and his portrayal has leftfans speculating as to whether the sleuthis “asexual”. Speaking in the new issue of

ELLE UK, Benedict insists his alter ego hasto avoid erotic acts because relationshipswould get in the way of his investigations.Pontificating on whether Sherlock wouldbe good in bed, he said: “He’s asexual for apurpose. Not because he doesn’t have asex drive, but because it’s suppressed to

do his work. Cold showers, looking at a lotof dead bodies ... that’ll do it for you.”Benedict - who was shot by photogra-pher Mark Horn for ELLE UK - is currentlyin a relationship with Sophie Hunter buthe admits the dating game has becomemore complicated since he becamefamous. Speaking about dating as acelebrity, he said: “It’s a really double-edged sword. You know, you discoverwhy people find you attractive - in a rela-tionship or a tryst - and if it’s just to have ago on you or try you out, then I can smellthat a mile off.” With his career at a highwith roles in films such as ‘Star Trek IntoDarkness’, ‘The Imitation Game’ and ‘12Years a Slave’ as well as Sherlock,Benedict has started to turn his attentionto having a family. He said: “I can imag-ine I’ll look back at this point in my lifeand think: ‘Wow that was really extraordi-nary.’ But at the same time I hope I’mlooking back and going, ‘Oh, that was themoment I got on with life and realisedthings beyond myself.’ Without usingwords like ‘marriage’. ‘children’ and ‘family’- although I have just used those words -put it this way, I hope I’ve got other peo-ple to look back with me at that point. Ihope I’m surrounded by family.” The fullinterview with Benedict Cumberbatchappears in the December issue of ELLEUK, which is on sale on October 30 as aprint and digital edition.

Benedict Cumberbatch says Sherlock Holmes doesn’t have sex

The ‘Bridget Jones’ Diary’ star, whohas offloaded a number of otherproperties in her portfolio in

recent years, has listed her four-bed-room Egypt Lane farmhouse in EastHampton, New York after lovingly reno-vating it to keep its important historicalfeatures intact. The blonde beauty pur-chased the house, which was built in1900, in April 2003 for $2.15 million.The property, which sits on 0.91 of anacre, boasts a two-car garage with loftarea, flagstone-style slate walkways andshaded terraces, mature gardens and anewly-installed heated swimming pool,according to Variety.com. Renee alsoput her Connecticut farmhouse on themarket in July for the second time inthree years. The large four-bedroomcolonial home first went up for sale in2011, but failed to sell and Renee re-listed it for $1.6 million over the sum-mer. The 45-year-old actress sold aseries of apartments on New York’sUpper East Side to fellow actress Lelee

Sobieski and husband Adam Kimmel in2011 for $7.4 million, and her Bel Airmansion to Debra Messing for $7 mil-lion in 2003.

Renee Zellweger puts home on the

market for $4.45 million

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

l if e s t y l eG O S S I P

The ‘Black Widow ’ hitmaker says theScottish DJ, who she split from in Juneafter more than a year of dating, was “the

right guy at the wrong time,” and admits she“couldn’t do” another long-distance relation-ship. The 23-year-old star told the Decemberissue of Cosmopolitan magazine: “There’s onlyso much you can do when you don’t see eachother. I really admire people who have long-dis-

tance relationships. It’s an incredible achieve-ment. I couldn’t do it.” The blonde beauty andher 30-year-old ex-boyfriend became embroiledin a bitter public feud shortly after their splitwhen he reportedly banned her from singinghis song, ‘I Will Never Let You Down,’ at the 2014Teen Choice Awards, but she doesn’t regrettheir romance. She said: “It was the right guy atthe wrong time.” She added: “I was about to

start a tour, and he was also all over the place.”Meanwhile, the ‘R.I.P’ hitmaker, who is nowrumoured to be dating fashion designer TommyHilfiger’s rapper son Ricky Hil, 24, regularly tellsherself she is “f**king sexy” in front of the mirrorto boost her confidence. She said: “You have tocome to terms with loving your body. Standnaked in front of the mirror and say, ‘I’m sexy.’That’s where it starts.”

Rita Ora blames her busy schedule for her

split from Calvin HarrisThe 39-year-old comedian - who wasmarried to Katy Perry for 14 monthsuntil December 2011 - has confirmed

he is single at the moment but is keen toexperiment more with his sexuality and beless of a “tedious” heterosexual. Speakingto Absolute Radio’s Geoff Lloyd, he said:“I’m single. Well, you’ve got to go into rela-tionships with the right attitude. All rela-tionships, I’m always positive about them.“I wish I was bisexual. That’s one of thethings about me where I’ve got a very tra-ditional moral code. I’m tedious with myheterosexuality.” Russell’s comments comeafter he previously revealed he once had asexual encounter with a man in a pub toi-let. Speaking in a podcast interview, whichwas unearthed last year, he said: “I thought,‘I think of myself as heterosexual but per-haps that’s ‘cause of the environment that Igrew up in where homosexuality may havebeen difficult for me to express.” He alsoexplained in the podcast that he hadpicked the guy up in London’s Soho bywalking around the area and asking if any-

one wanted to engage in a sex act withhim. The ‘Rock of Ages’ actor added: “Itrawled around Soho ... going [to] variousgay bars, gay gyms trying to pick people upwith a film crew.” However, earlier this yearRussell caused controversy with gay rightscampaigners when he branded a collectionof Cambridge University students “HarryPotter poofs” during a talk at the educationestablishment. While trying to get the 800-strong crowd to be quiet, he said: “Shut upyou Harry Potter poofs.” But his remark didnot go down well with president of the uni-versity’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender (LGBT) group CUSU LGBT+, whosaid the star had been “plain offensive”.Charlie Bell said: “It’s unacceptable. Theword gay, or similar, is used as a jokey insultin schools and workplaces across the coun-try, and has been shown time and again tointimidate and upset gay people.“Someone in a prominent media positionlike Brand should be standing up to kickthis kind of bullying, which is what it is, outof Britain, not further justify its use.”

The 24-year-old singer - who was just 17 whenshe released her first album - admits some-times it can be hard to deal with the pres-

sures of finding success so young. She said: “I’malways, like, one half step away from crying, at anypoint.” The ‘Shake It Off’ hitmaker finds the bestway to deal with her success is to spend time withher friends. And one new pal she has made is ‘Girls’

creator Lena Dunham, who she has quicklybecome “best friends” with after initially thinkingthe actress was mocking her. She explained in aninterview with talk show host David Letterman: “IGoogled her and I saw her quoting my lyrics and Ithought, she has to be doing that ironically, shehas to be making fun of me...I have this big losercomplex from school. “Then we met in person...and

we’ve been best friends ever since.” Taylor has pre-viously dated the likes of Harry Styles and JakeGyllenhaal and admitted she is happy to be singleand not “shopping” for a new boyfriend becauseshe hasn’t been with any “lousy” men in some time.She said: “I haven’t had any lousy boyfriends in thelast year and a half. “I’m just not looking around forthem, at them, I’m not shopping.”

Taylor Swift is ‘always’ close to tears

The former glamour model - who forgaveKieran Hayler after discovering his affairswith her friends Jane Pountney and Chrissy

Thomas earlier this year - has moved out of theSussex home she shared with the part-time strip-per as she couldn’t stop thinking about him hav-ing sex with her pals in the property. She toldOK! magazine: “I left my stress at the old housewith all the memories of Jane Pountney andKieran in there, so I was glad to leave. I hate theold house, there are so many bad memories ofKieran cheating. “I wanted to get out of thehouse because I hate walking in the kitchen andknowing they’d been in there together. I wasfinding things like that hard.” The 36-year-old star- who has two-month-old Bunny, and 14-month-old Jett, with Kieran, as well as 12-year-oldHarvey, Junior, nine, and Princess Tiaamii, seven,from previous relationships - is now looking for-ward to having a “fresh start” after buying an 11-bedroom mansion which boasts its own swim-ming pool, stables and tennis court. Katie addedthat she “absolutely loves” her new family homeand is looking forward to settling down therewith Kieran and the kids following the cheating“hiccup”. She said: “I absolutely love it. It’s sohomely and amazing. I know we’ve got loads ofwork to do on it, but it’s great. It’s like a fresh startand a new beginning for us. “It’s just a new start.But like I’ve always said, Kieran and I have alwaysgot on with each other. I will never really under-stand why he cheated, but we’re are the same aswe were. Our relationship has always been goodapart from that hiccup.”

Katie Price sells her home to rid herself of painful memories

Russell Brand wishes he was bisexual

The ‘Bridesmaids’ actress was work-ing at a dry cleaners on a quietstreet in Santa Monica when she

first moved to Hollywood to pursue amovie career and she’s revealed how anarmed robber threatened her and stoleher bag. Speaking about the transition ofmoving to the film capital of the world,she said: “I worked at Starbucks, I workedat the Y in Santa Monica and I worked ata dry cleaners on like 3rd and Wilshere,where I was actually held up. “Yeah, at

three o’clock in the afternoon, onWilshere Avenue and 3rd, which is likesunny and bright and people are outwalking.” The 44-year-old comedienneadmits she didn’t quite understand whatwas happening when she first saw theburglar, and confessed she couldn’t stopcrying when she realised he’d stolen all ofher cosmetics. Speaking on ‘JimmyKimmel Live!’, she added: “I walked in andthere was a guy behind the register and Iwas like, ‘Oh, that’s weird. I wonder ... hashe lost his ticket?’ And then I see a gunand I was like, ‘Oh my God! “And Icouldn’t ... Everything that you shouldsay or do did not happen and he had mybackpack which was like my life. That’smy keys, my make-up. “I was like, ‘I can’treplace mascara’, I didn’t have any moneyand I just kept crying going, ‘You have mybag that has my make-up in it, you havemy bag’. And he was like, ‘Shut up, shutthe blank up’.” However, Melissa claimsthe perpetrator was caught and foundguilty. She added: “I went to courtenough times and finally put him in jail.”

Melissa McCarthy robbed at gunpoint

The 17-year-old reality TV star, whofirst sparked speculation she’d hadinjections to boost the size of her

pout in April after showing off noticeablyfuller lips on Instagram, thinks there aremore important things to talk about and iseager to move on. The ‘Keeping Up withthe Kardashians’ star hit back at her criticson Twitter on Monday night, writing: “Howlong are we gonna talk about this lip thinglmao. Let’s get a our lives together guysand talk about some important s**t. Justtalk about something new at least. I’m

bored.” Kylie, who is reportedly dating rap-per Tyga, 24, previously admitted she was“insulted” by allegations she’s had cosmeticsurgery. She tweeted: “These plastic sur-gery rumours hurt my feelings to be honestand are kinda insulting. Just in case anyoneforgot.. I’m 16.” The brunette beauty’s olderhalf-sister Kim Kardashian West, 34, has alsobeen the subject of nose and lip jobrumours in the past, but previously said: “Iguess it’s a compliment to my makeupartist that he does such a good job con-touring my nose that it appears smaller.”

Kylie Jenner ‘bored’ of rumours

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

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The little apartment building was graceful once.Maybe even beautiful. There is an elegance in thearched windows now covered with grime. It’s there

in the ornamental pillars, coated with paint so faded thatit’s hard to say if the building is yellow or white. It’s there inthe wide windows kept open through the endless hotmonths, bringing in the breeze from the nearby YangonRiver. The building whispers of a past. Of solid middle-class lives. Of a cosmopolitan, colonial city that was once agreat Asian crossroad, the capital of a country once calledBurma. But that was a long time ago.

These days, in the late afternoons when the breezestarts to pick up, two old friends carry out plastic chairs tosit in front of a building now battered by time and mon-soons and history. They talk about the neighborhood andtheir children. They worry about money. U Tin Win hasspent 67 years in the building on 41st Street, moving inwhen he was 6 years old. His friend Round Namar isn’tsure how long it’s been. Sixty-five years? Seventy? “All Iknow,” Namar says, shrugging, “is my mother told me I wasborn here.” All those years, the two have lived next door toone another, in narrow ground-floor apartments each alittle bigger than a shipping container.

From here, they watched the birth of an independentBurma, the first coup d’etat and the rise of the military jun-tas. They watched as generals turned Burma into a pover-ty-battered international pariah, and as 2010 semi-demo-cratic elections nudged a few generals aside. In the pastcouple years they have seen construction cranes blossomacross this city, long known as Rangoon, a place whichhad seemed frozen into a crumbling echo of British colo-nial life. They have also watched the building’s residentschange around them. Today, there’s the strutting youngprint-shop manager and the sweatshop workers who look

as young as 11. There’s the housewife, the barelyemployed physicist and the hotel laundress who camefrom the countryside, riding a bus for 12 hours in search ofsomething more than grinding farm work. Some are closefriends. Many barely recognize one another.

This is the story of one apartment building, two stair-wells, 12 tiny apartments and the 60 or so people who livein them. In many ways, it is little different from hundredsof other buildings scattered across Yangon. But listenclosely enough in these apartments, and you can hear thestory of a country caught at a historical precipice, waver-ing between a decades-long era of brutal military rule andthe promise of some vague new golden age.

On 41st Street, it is a moment so complicated thateven the most basic questions are confounding.

NeighborhoodsThe handsome young man leans over a small desk on

the building’s ground floor, absently surfing the Web asprinting presses clatter around him.

Aung Phyo Win has a life that many young Burmesewould envy. He goes to dance clubs at expensive Yangonhotels and spends much of his time at work playing onthe computer. He races cars with his friends in the city’sstreets. He is 28 and dreams of promoting hip-hop shows.His family, by the building’s standards, is well off. Someown cars. They come to 41st Street only to work, living innicer neighborhoods.

He believes fiercely in the new Myanmar.His country is democratic, he’ll tell you. Look at the

elections of 2010 and the new political parties. Look at theprotests. Small protests are now regular occurrences infront of Yangon’s city hall, with a couple dozen people rail-ing against illegal land seizures or high electricity rates.

Just a few years ago, those protests would have been metwith arrests or even gunfire.

Yes, Aung acknowledges, the army could end theprotests anytime it wants. It still wields immense power.“They just don’t want the bad publicity overseas,” he says.

As he talks, an elderly employee who sweeps thepress-shop floor sits transfixed in front of a television.She’s watching “Psycho” on cable TV, the sound turned uploud. Janet Leigh is screaming.

Yes, he acknowledges again, some people are still toofrightened to talk politics. Not him, though. The youngmen who go clubbing with him offer Myanmar-style pro-tection. “I don’t worry,” he says. “I’m friends with the sons ofgenerals.” But one after another, his neighbors in thebuilding turn conversations away from anything politicalor ask that their names not be used. Many still talk aboutpolitics in whispers, and only with their closest friends.

“The generals, they still control everything,” said oneresident, an older man. “There is democracy the worldover today. But Burma?” He paused, and shrugged.“Maybe someday.”

So much in Myanmar’s history has been about fear.During the five decades of junta rule, tens of thou-

sands of people were imprisoned for political crimes.Torture was commonplace. Activists disappeared intoprisons, reappearing years later as twitching shadows.Foreign journalists were effectively barred. Protests werecrushed. For three generations, children were taught notto speak about anything sensitive. Informants, they weretold, were everywhere.

But the junta was also increasingly desperate for inter-national respect and an end to crippling trade sanctions.Quiet discussions about democratic changes led to therelease of the Nobel-winning pro-democracy activistAung San Suu Kyi, and then to the carefully orchestrated2010 elections, when former General Thein Sein was elect-ed president. Four years later, the country’s political cul-ture can appear upended.

Those protests are now regular occurrences, and a wel-ter of independent newspapers have opened. Oppositionparties are growing. While some political prisoners still sitin Myanmar’s jails, hundreds have been freed. The junta’sformer spymaster, once a deeply feared man known asthe Prince of Darkness, now runs a small Yangon artgallery and cafe where cappuccino sells for $2.50 a cup.

But despite all that, the military-backed party remainsin control and the army has the constitutional right to dis-solve Parliament. A mysterious circle of current and retiredgenerals is widely thought to weigh in on all importantgovernment decisions. While press freedoms are theoreti-cally protected, journalists are regularly harassed by theauthorities and sometimes arrested. Reporters alsoacknowledge avoiding certain topics, including thewealth of the generals and the often-raucous behavior oftheir sons and grandsons. The confusion is evident on 41stStreet. Most often, it is evident in what is left unsaid. Evenbetween friends. “We come out here to talk about every-day things,” says Namar, her voice rising nervously, as sheand Win sit in front of the building late one afternoon. “Wedon’t talk about politics.”

Her extended family, 11 people crowded into an apart-ment carved into closet-sized rooms, is among the build-ing’s poorest. They depend on what she and two daugh-ters earn selling snacks on the street, and a son-in-law’swork as a mechanic. They have almost nothing, but shewill not risk losing any of it with some stray political com-ment. When Namar isn’t around to get nervous, though,Win sometimes wades into questionable territory.

He’s a cheerful dandy, a former neighborhood playboywho dons a clean shirt and carefully oils his comboverbefore his afternoon gossip sessions. He married late inlife, and he flirts with passing women as his muchyounger wife rolls her eyes. Talking politics one afternoon,he points to the narrow but well-paved road that runs in

front of the apartment. For decades it was little more thana swath of potholes and pitted cement.

But just before the 2010 elections, the military-backedUSDP party came through the neighborhood, announc-ing they would fix it. The repair may have improved hisneighborhood, but he sees it as a betrayal.

“They did it for the votes,” he growls, and spits out afinal word. He makes it sound like a curse: “Elections.”

Best bakeryThe oldest residents of 41st Street can remember back

to World War II, and hearing their parents whisper aboutthe Japanese soldiers who then occupied the city. Theyremember the return of the British near the war’s end, andthe celebrations at independence in 1948.

What they don’t remember are many Burmese.Rangoon was then barely one-quarter ethnic Burmese.

The city’s top hotel was run by Armenians; the best bakerywas German. The city had Jews from Baghdad and teaktraders from Azerbaijan. The British were at the top of thesocial pyramid, but the city’s largest populations wereChinese and Indian. The British, long accustomed toIndians from their largest colony, brought thousands totake low- and mid-level jobs in Burma’s bureaucracy, andto work in British companies. Chinese immigrants domi-nated the business world.

The Burmese were shunted aside, their anger quietlyfestering. In those days, 41st Street was the heart ofRangoon’s Indian Quarter, where middle-class immigrantbusinessmen and civil servants lived in apartment build-ings that often echoed the Edwardian extravagance of theBritish colonials. Inside, though, families often followedtraditions that stretched back centuries.

“We lived in the old ways,” says Fawrile. She’s about 68,and sits in a chair with her legs pulled beneath her. Shehas only one name. Her father was a wealthy trader in tim-ber and spices, a modern man with a business empire,extensive real estate holdings and armies of servants. Butas a Muslim woman, she was rarely allowed to leave thehouse. “I didn’t even know what was going on out there,”she says. The rise of the junta upended that world.

Bitterness against the Indians and Chinese was oftenencouraged by military governments looking for scape-goats for the country’s slide into poverty. Starting in the1960s, thousands of Indians were expelled from the coun-try or, like Fawrile’s father, had their businesses national-ized. Anti-Chinese riots shook the city starting in 1967.

Today, Fawrile lives with her nephew, a taxi driver, inthe family’s last apartment, a top-floor place where thebreeze blows through a thin curtain and a grand-nephewsleeps on a mat on a lazy morning, wearing pajamas thatsay “Dog-Ass Tired.”

The building, like Fawrile’s family, is far from what itonce was. With each decade, gentility gave way a littlemore. The sprawling apartments were divided, and oftendivided again. Poor Chinese moved to the neighborhood,then poor Burmese. The 137 steps leading to the top floorbecame worn, grass sprouted from the rooftop. Withevery monsoon, more leaks opened in the roof.

These days, there’s a tangled mix of ethnicities inside.At times, the building it has witnessed profound toler-ance, like when Namar’s family hid U Tin Win’s duringwaves of anti-Chinese violence.

But the building, like Myanmar itself, is no happy melt-ing pot. The country’s divisions are byzantine, producingeverything from jingoistic political parties to ethnicarmies. Now, years of ethnic distrust are being magnifiedin Yangon by the city’s growth, as poor villagers flood infrom the countryside in search of work.

RefugeesOn 41st Street, that distrust echoes.Ma Yi Win came to Yangon three years ago, moving

into a tiny top-floor apartment with her husband and tworoommates. All are ethnic Burmese, refugees from ruralvillages. “We don’t know the neighbors,” says Win, a smallfriendly woman worn by exhaustion. “And the wholestreet is full of Indians, so I don’t want to be friends withthem.”

• Number of ATMs in Myanmar in 2010: 0• Number of ATMS in Myanmar in early 2014: 450.

In Ma Yi Win’s apartment, the linoleum floor is wornaway. Buckets catch leaks from the ceiling. On one wall,earlier renters have written a message in English: “I wishyou were here with me, just this moment.” Taped to anoth-er wall is a glossy poster showing a mansion with animpossibly green lawn.

Her husband, a thin man given to long silences, lights acigarette. They dreamed for years of escaping the drudg-ery of home, where a year of work brought just a few hun-dred dollars at harvest time.

“Where I come from, in my village, there’s only farm-ing,” she says. “If you want to do anything else, then you

have to leave.” A few years ago that began to change. The2010 elections marked a watershed in Myanmar.Sanctions fell away and tourists poured in.

The city, where for decades nothing seemed tochange, began stumbling into the global economy.Yangon now has a Ford dealership and a 10-story-tallCoke billboard. It has jetlagged American executivesspilling from the airport, dreaming of a vast untappedmarket. It has sketchy businessmen who build sprawlingmansions and high walls.

But on 41st Street, the newcomers’ dreams are farmore modest. A job. A salary. Maybe some savings.

Ma Yi Win found work at the laundry of a nearby hotelcatering to businessmen with limited expense accounts.The hours are long, but she earns about $100 a month, anenormous salary back in the plains.

The city both thrills her and frightens her. It has every-thing: wealth and poverty, gangsters and holy men. It hasthose Indians who make her nervous.

“When I was young, back in the village, I didn’t knowabout anything,” she says. Pride fills her words: “Now Iknow about so much.” Such talk is common among thebuilding’s newcomers, most of them recent arrivals fromthe poorest parts of Myanmar. They don’t hope for much,but they still see the city as a way to get ahead.

The older families, though, are often lost in happiermemories. They barely see the new buildings and the newcars. Their dreams are of somewhere else. If not for them-selves, then for their children.

“Our smart young people want to go abroad. To

Singapore, or Malaysia,” says U Cho Win, a gray-haired resi-dent on the second floor. “They know what life is like here.”He talks in careful sentences and keeps his eyeglasses on achain around his neck. His laugh is bitter. His parents weregovernment servants, middle-class people who expectedhim to move up in the world. Once, long ago, he hopedhis physics degree would earn him a place in academia, ormaybe work as a scientist.

But he graduated from college in the 1970s, whenBurma’s economy barely functioned at all. He spentalmost a decade unemployed before becoming a tutor forhigh-school students. Today, he and his wife survive on hisearnings as a freelance tour guide, and her $100 monthlysalary as a middle-school teacher.

Their son is 21, a seaman’s apprentice on a cargo ship.Last they heard he was in Panama. Life, they say, is betterout there. They don’t want him to come back.

So much has changed in Myanmar. So much has not.Every few months, change also comes to 41st Street.

Aung Phyo Win, the print-shop manager, left his job aftera series of family arguments. The gold workshop movedaway. Ma Yi Win and her roommates, the rural emigres, aregone. They didn’t tell their neighbors where they went.

But when the hot weather comes, Win and Namar canstill be found out front, often sitting there deep into thenight, talking to one another or to people passing by.Sometimes, they just sit silently.

There are only a couple streetlights on 41st Street, andthose rarely work. So at night, the only light outside iswhat spills from the apartments. But the two friends don’tmind the darkness. The street is quieter then. More likethe old days. And now when they do go inside, there iselectricity most of the time. They can change for bed with-out lighting a lantern. They can watch TV long into thenight. Just a few years ago, they couldn’t depend on that.It’s hard to see that as an accomplishment, they say, but itis something. It’s one tiny change in a new Myanmar, acountry shuffling awkwardly away from its own uneasyhistory, one building at a time. — AP

Myanmar’s building whispers of a past of solid middle-class ‘It’s the dawn of democracy’

In this Nov 1, 2013 photo, a resident peeps in to morning street-market from a second-floor window of a little apartmentbuilding at 41st street, Yangon, Myanmar. — AP photos

In this Nov. 1, 2013 photo, U Tin Win, center, and his wife watch the morning street market from their tiny apartment ofthe 41st Street apartments building, in Yangon, Myanmar.

In this Aug. 26, 2014 photo, workers maneuver in the tinyspace of Sein Win Press, an apartment that turned in to aprinting press in the little apartment building on 41st Street,Yangon, Myanmar.

In this Nov. 1, 2013 photo, Yi Win applies thanaka, a distinc-tive cosmetic face-paste widely used by Burmese women fora smoother skin, as she prepares to leave for work at the liv-ing room of their tiny apartment in a little apartment build-ing on 41st Street in Yangon, Myanmar.

In this Oct 31, 2013 photo, a woman, in the background, one ofRound Namar’s daughters, cooks a meal as Namar’s daughter-in-law rocks a hammock with her daughter in the living room oftheir tiny apartment in a little apartment building on 41st Streetin Yangon, Myanmar.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

l if e s t y l e

South Korean gambling drama “Tazza: The HiddenCard” is long on flashy visuals and short on story-telling discipline. Centered on a talented young

hustler working his way into the big-time, this follow-upto 2006’s popular “Tazza: The High Rollers” hit the jack-pot during its local release in early September withmore than 4 million admissions, but has registered lessimpressive averages in limited North American andHong Kong release since Sept. 26. Aside from keepingtrack of an overstuffed plot, the biggest challenge foroffshore audiences will be understanding hwatu, theKorean card game around which the life of every char-acter revolves. While there are some clever scams andstings as sideline attractions, many viewers are likely tobe scratching their heads during major setpieces.“Tazza” rolls into Japanese cinemas on Jan. 23. Pic has acurious dual personality. In many respects it resemblesa slick “Ocean’s Eleven”-style yarn about clever crooksplanning an elaborate heist; running parallel to this is amuch more brutal gambling-related drama in the moldof “Casino.” Abrasive cutting between the escapist-likeelements and the scenes of heavy-duty violence make itplay like a videogame. Without any recap of events in“Tazza: The High Rollers,” this second film based ongraphic novels written by Kim Se-yeong and illustratedby Huh Young-man plunges headlong into the story ofyoung cardsharp Han Dae-gil (Choi Seung-hyun, akarap artist TOP from K-pop outfit Big Bang). First seen as aboy with gambling smarts way beyond his years, Dae-gil eventually leaves his small-town home and sweet-heart, Mina (Shin Sae-kyeong), for an illegal gamblingden in Seoul run by Chief Seo (Oh Jung-se).

With best buddy Jjari (Lee Dong-hwi) by his side, it’snot long before Dae-gil becomes a star at Seo’s houseand temporarily forgets about Mina when sexy cardplayer Ms. Woo (Honey Lee) starts making amorousmoves he can’t resist. It turns out Ms. Woo has beenmarked all along by Seo as the target for a big hit, withDae-gil entrusted to ensure she loses heavily. So beginsa frantic series of double- and triple-crosses, as Seo’screw sells Dae-gil out, leaving him owing a small for-tune to ruthless gang boss Jang Dong-shik (Gwak Do-won). Complicating matters further is the reappearanceof Mina, who’s been sold into prostitution by Jang aspart of debt settlement arrangements. In the film’smost satisfying segments, Dae-gil becomes the protegeof Go Gwang-ryeol (Yoo Hai-jin), a family friend andgambling guru (also the sole character with a connec-tion to the first film) who sets the younger man straightand helps him raise the money to free Mina. Followingsome nice scenes in which Dae-gil reconnects with histrue love, the pic ramps up again with the trio settingup a complicated plan to bring down Jang.

While there are some terrific visuals and few snazzyscenes in which Dae-gil and company enlist theateractors to help ensnare Jang, “Tazza: The Hidden Card”spends too much time on tangential story details thatdon’t contribute much to the plot. As one hwatu scenemelds into another, it becomes clear, to the possibleconcern of audiences wanting to root wholeheartedlyfor Dae-gil, Mina and Go, that winning and losing aredetermined less by card-playing skill and more by whois the most clever and cunning cheat. In a life-and-death grand finale that brings legendary gamblerAgwi (Kim Yoon-suk) into play, bizarre conditions areimposed to prevent all possible cheating opportuni-ties. Even still, underhanded tactics prevail, and manyviewers will feel reluctant to join in the victory celebra-tions as a result.—Reuters

‘Tazza: The

Hidden Card’

The Japanese mother of a 6-year-old British brat is allowedfour days with him on her ex’s family yacht before losingvisiting rights forever in Leonardo Guerra Seragnoli’s styl-

ish but over-calculated debut, “Last Summer.” Enigmaticallywithholding vital info-why was she considered an unfit moth-er? — makes identification difficult, which begins as a deliber-ate ploy but backfires partly due to the airlessness of it all, notto mention the boy’s entitled obnoxiousness and the crew’sone-note hostility. Co-scripted with Italo comic artist Igort, incollaboration with the international bestselling Japanese novel-ist Banana Yoshimoto, the pic will spark interest thanks to thelatter’s contribution, though beyond fests, “Last Summer” willstruggle to produce heat.

The intriguing internationality of it all should generate press:Star Rinko Kikuchi (“Babel”) mixes with a cast of Dutch, Danishand British actors mostly speaking English, guided by an Italodirector partly educated in the States. Guerra Seragnoli wantsto play off this clash of cultures, very much positioning Kikuchi’scharacter as the untrustworthy outsider who turns into themain object of identification, but that, too, is essentially a cliche,and the script brings little else to the table.

At least the start upends expectations, offering the promiseof a more intriguing work than is ultimately delivered. Eva(Laura Sofia Bach) climbs out of a crystalline sea onto a sleekyacht, sits down next to Alex (Yorick van Wageningen, “The Girlwith the Dragon Tattoo”), and, via body language and glances,engages in a power struggle of sorts that wordlessly revealsheaps about their relationship (unfortunately never further

developed). Auds assume the two are the owners of this super-luxury craft, but no: He’s the captain and she’s the chief steward,uncomfortably awaiting the arrival of their boss’ former daugh-ter-in-law, Naomi (Kikuchi).

Everyone is tense when Naomi arrives: It’s been at leastthree years since she was onboard, and the crew, presumablytold to treat her with suspicion, are all new to her. Then her son,Ken (Ken Brady), boards, coddled by steward/babysitterRebecca (Lucy Griffiths) and ignoring his mother. A tense powerstruggle ensues, in which the crew ensure that Naomi and Kenare never alone together, and Naomi tries desperately to con-nect with her son, knowing that after their four days togethershe’ll lose visitation rights.

The architecture of the yacht-coldly sleek, flashily rich-allowsGuerra Seragnoli to play with the isolating spaces of the boat,whose interiors invariably see Naomi separated from the others,reflective of her pariah status. She, like the viewer, rather tooconveniently overhears conversations among the crew thatmake clear her former in-laws’ distrust, communicated to thestaff, yet the script never explains why she lost custody. At onemoment she tells Ken she made bad decisions in her life, but ofwhat kind? Everyone behaves as if she tried to murder the kid,though that’s a highly improbable conclusion. Gradually,Naomi starts to win Ken over once she escapes the confines ofthe yacht. First on deck and then on the tender, the formerlysupercilious child relaxes in his mother’s company, even reply-ing to her in Japanese (slightly problematic, as it remainsunclear how long they’ve been apart). As a theoretical exercise,

this separation of inside-outside is an intriguing concept andcertainly could have been used to powerful effect, but the less-than-forthcoming script, coupled with the artificially height-ened level of tension, hinders identification in all but a fewscenes. Playing with silence isn’t the problem; it’s more thegeneral lack of character development whenever there’s a con-versation. In addition, a running subtheme involving pieces offabric Naomi carefully guards seems to be fraught with mean-ing, yet when the purpose is revealed, its pseudo-poeticism fallsflat. Far better a closeup of her dry-brushing her teeth withKen’s toothbrush, as the one way of getting close to her child.

Kikuchi is allowed a degree of naturalness in her perform-ance that is denied the others, whose every look and glare isoverloaded with significance; Eva doesn’t simply turn, she jerksher head and body with military precision. As the only sympa-thetic character, despite an implication that puts her on a parwith Medea, Naomi/Kikuchi provides the sole source of oxygenin this stiflingly artificial vacuum.

Visually, “Last Summer” begins almost like a perfume ad,all bright sun and gloss, and while the lensing brings some-thing more substantial than mere surface shine, its hermeti-cism has a deadening effect. Shooting took place along theshores of Puglia, in a particularly uninteresting bit of coast-line that at least has the advantage of not distracting fromthe narrative. — Reuters

Film Reviews

Seragnoli’s stylish but over-calculated debut‘Last Summer’

Actors from left, Steven Mackintosh, Celyn Jones, Elijah Wood, Shirley Henderson, Maimie McCoy and Kevin Eldon pose for photographs atthe UK premiere of the film Set Fire to the Stars at the Ham Yard Hotel in central London, Tuesday.

Japanese actor Shota Sometani walks on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the 27th TokyoInternational Film Festival in Tokyo. The 22-year-old, who has acted since age 7, has earned a reputationfor serious acting in dozens of ambitious Japanese movies. And his gentle air is not superficial technique,but the drive to be a true actor. — AP photos

In this image released by Open Road Films, Jake Gyllenhaal, left, and Rene Russo appear in a scene from the film, “Nightcrawler.” — AP

Inspiration for a play can come from anywhere.For Sarah Ruhl’s latest, it came from some-where close. So close it was in her house all

along: It was the baby sitter.Ruhl, the twice-Pulitzer Prize-nominated play-

wright, works from her Brooklyn home and spentmany days caring for her three children with helpfrom her Tibetan Buddhist nanny, Yangzom.“She’s really one of the most patient, kind peopleI’ve ever met. So watching her example, Ithought, ‘Hmm. Maybe there’s something to thiswhole Tibetan Buddhist practice.’”

Cue the long hours of research, reading anddiscussion. What finally emerged is the play “TheOldest Boy,” another quirky, poetic and ambitiousentry in the playwright’s resume.

Like much of Ruhl’s work, it mixes comedyand drama, the sacred and mundane, and a joltof magic. “The Oldest Boy,” which opens nextmonth at Lincoln Center, marks the first timeshe’s used puppets in her work and delved intoBuddhism. Celia Keenan-Bolger stars as the

mother of a toddler who is believed to be thereincarnation of a high Buddhist teacher. His par-ents must decide whether he should begin spiri-tual training far away or stay home.

Among the questions Ruhl is exploring:What’s the difference between love and attach-ment? How is your child yours? How is it notyours? How does it belong to the world? Shethinks the issues cross cultural barriers.

“I’m hoping that’s the part that’s more univer-sal and doesn’t seem in any way exotic, eventhough some of the religious aspects will seemexotic to a nonreligious audience,” she says.Andre Bishop, the artistic director of LincolnCenter Theater, commissioned the play. It’s theirthird collaboration after “The Clean House” and“In the Next Room, or the vibrator play.”

“Her plays are both serious and often ratherfantastical in their landscape, in their design, andvery witty and funny,” says Bishop. “I think in allher plays, she conjures up a special world, but it’sa world that is made open and accessible to an

audience.”Ruhl is also celebrating the publication of

“100 Essays I Don’t Have Time to Write,” a collec-tion of small compositions - some no longer thana word, most just 1 1/2 pages - filled with herthoughts on playwriting and motherhood.

She reveals that the sound of crickets chirp-ing makes her sad, that ceilings onstage makeher suspicious and that plays need not be tidy.One essay - the entire thing - is simply, “I admireminimalism.”

Ruhl, who has an older daughter and toddlertwins, pecked away at the essays over five yearsin the tiny moments between child caredemands and housekeeping chores. She says shedid it for pure mental survival.

“I was hoping to convince myself that I wasstill a thinking person when I had no sleep andmany children. It really was a way to keep writ-ing,” she says. “In a funny way the essays were aplace holder for a play I couldn’t write because Iwas too insane.”

Now that Ruhl has a play and a book comingout at the same time, she’s taken the semesteroff from teaching at Yale. But she’s sure teachingis in her future, as well as more plays and morepoetry writing. “I think I go a little batty when Idon’t work,” she says. “Certainly not working isn’tgood for me.

Maybe I should address that. Even when thekids were really little, I had to be writing some-thing.”

Mark Kennedy is athttp://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

Online: http://www.lct.org

Sarah Ruhl on her new play and book of essays

This image released by the John D. andCatherine T. MacArthur Foundation

shows Pulitzer Prize-nominated play-wright Sarah Ruhl. Ruhl’s latest play,

“The Oldest Boy,” opens next month atLincoln Center and marks the first time

she’s used puppets in her work. — AP

38Myanmar’s building

whispers of a past ofsolid middle-class

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014

A woman walks next to a sculpture by artist Harrie Fasher titled ‘Which way forward?’ overlooking Sydney’s coastline. 16 countries prepared their works for the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition by the coastal path between Sydney’s iconic BondiBeach and Tamarama Beach, that runs till November 9. — AFP

Marvel announces new wave of superhero movies

Marvel Studios has announced its new phase ofsuperhero movies, including new films featuringBlack Panther, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, and

the Inhumans during a fan event in Hollywood on Tuesdaythat easily rivaled many of its Comic-Con presentations inSan Diego.

The superhero powerhouse also revealed that the third“Avengers” will be broken up into two films, called“Avengers: Infinity War,” set for May 4, 2018 and wrap up onMay 3, 2019.

That double-pic strategy has paid off for other film fran-chises, including “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” and is beingembraced by the final installments of “The Hunger Games.”

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed plansreported first by Variety that the third “Captain America”would launch the Civil War storyline from the comicbooksand pit Chris Evans’ Captain America against Robert DowneyJr.’s Iron Man.

However, Marvel had some more news up its sleeve withthe casting of Chadwick Boseman (“42”) as T’Challa, other-wise known as superhero Black Panther, with the characterplaying a large role in “Captain America: Civil War.” Boseman

recently played James Brown in the music biopic “Get OnUp.”

Boseman appeared onstage alongside “Captain America:Civil War” stars Evans and Downey inside Disney’s El CapitanTheater.

Marvel later introduced concept art for Black Panther’sdesign for the films, including a standalone movie dated forNov. 3, 2017. The hour-long presentation, for which fansstarted lining up at 3 a.m. on Tuesday morning, was packedwith updates on Marvel’s upcoming release slate, whosedates were previously announced, but hadn’t yet had a filmto fill their slots.

“Captain Marvel” will be Marvel’s first film to star a femalecharacter. In this case, the character is Carol Danvers, a mem-ber of the United States Air Force who has gone by a varietyof names in the comicbooks, including Ms. Marvel. She gainssuperpowers after her genes are fused with that of the alienrace, the Kree.

“This film has been in the works almost as long as ‘DoctorStrange’ or ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ before it came out, andone of the key things was figuring out what we wanted todo with it,” Feige said. “Her adventures are very earthbound,but her powers are based in the cosmic realm.”

With “Inhumans,” about a 7,000-year old group ofhumans that were experimented on and given powers bythe Kree, Marvel has a new set of heroes to introduce. Thefilm will be Marvel’s 20th.

“November 3, 2018 will introduce dozens of charactersinto the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” Feige said. “We really dobelieve the Inhumans can be a franchise or a series of fran-chises unto themselves. They have dozens of powers and anamazing social structure. We wanted to continue to refinewhat that universe is about.”

The third “Thor” installment will be called “Thor:Ragnarok,” with the subtitle meaning “the end of all things,”according to Feige, who added that the film, that stars ChrisHemsworth, “is a very important movie for us in Phase 3. Weplan on taking Thor to another level. It picks up where weleave Thor in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and impacts every-thing that comes after.”

The two films that will make up the third “Avengers” willdeal a battle against supervillain Thanos that’s been estab-lished through Marvel’s movies so far. The character had alarger role in this summer’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

“We’ve always had a plan since Nick Fury broke into TonyStark’s house and told him he’s part of a bigger universe,”Feige said. “‘Avengers: Infinity War Part 1’ is the beginning ofthe culmination of everything that has come before.”

If Marvel’s presentation looked like one of its Comic-Conpresentations, that wasn’t accidental.”We wanted to do thisat Comic-Con this year,” Feige said, but had to change itsplans after it still needed to work out the Civil War plot, findits Black Panther and see if “Guardians of the Galaxy” wouldfind an audience.

“We really do want the fans to be on the front lines of asmuch of the information as possible,” he said to a packedtheater. “We called you and you came.” As for the casting ofBenedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, or the hiring of“Captain America: The Winter Soldier” directors Joe andAnthony Russo for the third “Avengers” films, Feige wouldn’tcomment. “Anything that wasn’t revealed today is either nottrue at all or still rumor until it’s worked out,” he said. “Whenwe have information to reveal, we reveal it. Sometimes it’son a random Tuesday at 11 am”

Marvel Release Dates Through 2019:The Avengers: Age of Ultron-May 1, 2015Ant-Man-July 17, 2015Captain America: Civil War-May 6, 2016Doctor Strange-Nov. 4, 2016

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 — May 5, 2017Thor: Ragnarok-July 28, 2017Black Panther-Nov. 3, 2017The Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 — May 4, 2018Captain Marvel - July 6, 2018Inhumans-Nov. 2, 2018The Avengers: Infinity War Part II-May 3, 2019. — Reuters

Actor Chris Evans onstage during Marvel Studios fanevent.

Actors Robert Downey Jr (L) and Chris Evans onstage during Marvel Studios fan event at The El Capitan Theatre in LosAngeles, California. — AFP photos