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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 RABI ALTHANI 23, 1437 AH www.kuwaittimes.net MP wants Hala Castro in Top chef’s Guardiola Feb concerts historic suicide casts to take canceled, fears visit to pall over new over at ‘punishment’3 France10 Michelin36 stars Man19 City Subsidy cuts looming as Min 02º Max 19º govt, Assembly to meet High Tide 05:53 & 17:43 Minister reassures MPs will be consulted Low Tide 00:01 & 11:25 40 PAGES NO: 16774 150 FILS Amir in London for Syria donors’ meet By B Izzak Gunvor completes KUWAIT: The issue of cutting subsidies on commodities and services will take the driver’s seat in Assembly-gov- acquisition of Q8 ernment discussions next week as all looks set for a Rotterdam refinery decision to raise the prices of petrol, electricity and water. State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh LONDON/DUBAI: Swiss trader Gunvor Group has com- Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah reiterated that the pleted the acquisition of its third European refinery from government will not take any measures on the issue Kuwait Petroleum International (Q8), it said yesterday. before consulting the Assembly. The value of the deal was not disclosed. Gunvor said the Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem said the Assembly 88,000 barrels per day KP Europoort would be renamed bureau will meet with the Supreme Planning Council’s Gunvor Petroleum Rotterdam and would be linked to its economic committee on Sunday, instead of tomorrow, two other refineries in Antwerp, Belgium and Ingolstadt, to discuss “rationalizing” subsidies on public services. Germany. The meeting will discuss planned government meas- The refinery will continue to operate in line with ures to deal with the budget deficit due to the drop in Gunvor’s integration and optimization strategies, Q8 said oil prices, Ghanem said. The Assembly will then discuss in a statement to KUNA, adding that the company will, the issue on Feb 9 in an open meeting. as part of the deal, will maintain a research and develop- The speaker said that the plan to deal with the deficit ment center in Rotterdam. The refinery consists of sever- is based on a comprehensive vision that can be imple- al units for refining crude oil, a gasoline production facili- mented, adding that the Assembly will not accept ty and a lube oil plant, the statement said, adding that it harming low-income people under any future arrange- produces a large range of oil products for a wide variety ments. Asked about proposals made by MPs about of markets, within and beyond Europe. financial costs, Ghanem said that the concerned Gunvor also said it would maintain running the refin- Assembly committees will study those proposals and ery. The refinery’s union had previously told Reuters Gunvor planned to close one crude distillation unit at the Assembly will take the final decision on them. The the plant which would mean cutting 25 percent of the speaker said that the plan is to tackle legislation related refinery’s roughly 350-strong workforce. “The Rotterdam to the judiciary in the month of March, adding that the refinery will enhance Gunvor’s existing refining opera- Assembly is expected to debate a draft law on the tions, particularly through synergies with our Antwerp multibillion-dinar Silk City project. facility, while complementing our global trading activi- Meanwhile, a number of MPs yesterday criticized MP ties,” said Gunvor Chief Investment Officer Gia Mai said. Saleh Ashour for threatening that nine MPs could resign The move to buy a third refinery marks a major turn- over alleged discrimination. MP Faisal Al-Kandari said around for the Swiss trading house since its deep links LONDON: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is welcomed as he arrives at Heathrow that Kuwaitis have lived together without any discrimi- with Moscow nearly brought it to collapse over 18 Airport yesterday to head the Kuwaiti delegation to the 4th international donors’ conference to support nation and those who want to resign can do so and oth- months ago. — Agencies Syria and the region. — KUNA ers will replace them. Continued on Page 13 13 students drown off India beach

MUMBAI: A college picnic to the beach “A total of 155 students from Pune turned into a tragedy yesterday when at went to Murud main beach and some of UK allows genetic least thirteen students drowned off India’s them went swimming around 3.30 pm west coast after they went swimming, (1000 GMT) this afternoon,” assistant modification of police and officials said. The tragedy was inspector of Raigad police Arvind Patil the latest drowning incident in India, told AFP. “Thirteen students are dead due human embryos where many people are unable to swim to drowning. The victims were all aged and lax safety standards mean beaches between 19 and 23,” Patil said, adding LONDON: Britain yesterday granted its first are often without lifeguards. Dozens of that 10 women and three had men died. research license to genetically modify human students from Pune city were on an excur- The victims were enrolled at Abeda embryos to a project that aims to give hope to sion to Murud beach in the Raigad district Inamdar College, an arts, science and women struggling to conceive, raising ethical con- of the western Indian state of Maharashtra commerce institute in Pune. cerns about “designer babies”. The decision makes when disaster struck on Monday. Continued on Page 13 Britain one of the first countries in the world to grant this type of authorization on one of science’s new frontiers and follows months of deliberation by the British embryology regulator. LESBOS, Greece: This Jan 25, 2016 image shows Chinese artist and activist Ai The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Weiwei posing as he lies face down on the beach on this Greek island. — AP Authority (HFEA) said it had approved an applica- tion from Dr Kathy Niakan of the Francis Crick Institute for a new laboratory research license “to Chinese artist imitates include gene editing of embryos”. Researchers explained that the embryos used will be spare photo of dead toddler ones donated by women receiving In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment who do not need NEW DELHI: Chinese artist and activist Ai posed last week on a pebbly beach them. Any modified embryos have to be Ai Weiwei has recreated the famous on Lesbos island for the picture for one destroyed within 14 days and cannot be implant- image of a 3-year-old Syrian child who of India’s largest English-language news ed in a woman. The research will examine drowned in Turkey last year by staging a magazines, India Today. Rohit Chawla, embryos in their first few days. photo of himself lying face down on a the magazine’s photographer and visual “Dr Niakan’s proposed research is important for beach in Greece. The photograph last director, traveled to Lesbos to take the understanding how a healthy human embryo year of the child lying on a Turkish picture. The photograph was displayed develops and will enhance our understanding of beach triggered international outrage at an art fair in New Delhi over the IVF success rates,” said Paul Nurse, director of the as people saw the helpless toddler as weekend and many visitors took pic- Crick Institute. the devastating human face of the tures of it. Contined on Page 13 MURUD, India: People gather on the beach after more than a dozen college stu- refugee crisis in Europe. Continued on Page 13 dents were swept away on the Arabian Sea coast yesterday. — AP KAC to charge Uganda women stunned to for additional be duped by other women check-in bags KAMPALA: At first, Sarah Nakintu was to seek employment. But when Nakintu KUWAIT: Effective from February, pas- grateful to her friend for alerting her to was met at Dubai airport by a Ugandan sengers flying Economy Class on Kuwait job opportunities in marketing and retail woman going by the name Jane Saad, she Airways will only be entitled to check in in Dubai. Nakintu, a 27-year-old woman was told to hand over her passport and one piece of baggage not exceeding 23 from the Ugandan capital Kampala, trust- then informed she would be working as a kg in weight for free on all flights to all ed her friend, who had worked in the sex escort. destinations except the US. Passengers United Arab Emirates and seemed suc- “From the start I was terrified and tried flying to the US will be allowed two cessful with plenty of money. She fol- to protest but she threatened us and said pieces of baggage of 23 kg each. Any lowed her friend’s instructions. Present a there were no alternatives as she had excess baggage will incur charges of KD valid passport to the recruiter who would invested a lot of money in our trip,” 35 for one additional bag, KD 60 for two organize airline tickets and a visa. Once Nakintu told the Thomson Reuters bags and KD 100 for three additional the documents were in order, Nakintu Foundation. “Slowly we resigned and start- bags. All additional baggage should also paid the recommended “token of thanks” ed following her instructions.” Nakintu is not exceed 23 kg in weight. to her friend - $200 in cash. just one of thousands of women every First Class passengers will be allowed Nakintu (who requested her real name year to be trafficked into sex slavery, with two pieces of baggage of 32 kg each, not be used) was advised to only keep her the Australia-based anti-slavery campaign while Business Class passengers will be boarding pass to Kigali, Rwanda, in sight group Walk Free estimating there are 36 allowed two bags of 23 kg each for all and hide her connecting pass to Dubai as million people trapped in modern-day destinations. Infants will be allowed one immigration officials stop migrants who slavery around the world. An Emirati man inspects a houbara bustard hunted by a falcon yesterday at the Al-Marzoon bypassed government recruiting agencies Continued on Page 13 bag of 10 kg. hunting reserve, 60 km south of Madinat Zayed. — AFP LOCAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 Interview with Laurence Tubiana

KUWAIT: The following are scripts from an and we have to deal with more limited ele- interview conducted by the French ments, but we need to define the negotiat- Embassy in Kuwait with Laurence Tubiana, ing team agenda. Consultations will start Special Representative for the 2015 Paris by the end of February and the first round Climate Conference, on the COP21 of the non-official negotiations organized Conference: by Japan and Brazil will start as usual in Question: How do you assess the Paris Tokyo by then and we will then start set- climate conference and the COP21 treaty? ting the Marrakesh and the APA agendas. Tubiana: The agreement includes many According to the French presidential elements. It sets a clear framework on view, which is due to be very active, a work- reducing emissions, rehabilitation, funding, ing pattern ought to be created now, as transparency and periodic reviews and long as we have exchanged political capi- assessment starting in 2018. Our mission tals and more trust amongst peoples. We now is to resume communications with all need to advance faster while prioritizing a negotiating teams and governments to number of issues such as what to start with make sure we share the same interpreta- in 2016 and in 2017 while taking into con- tion of the agreement, which is no less sideration that a very significant phase will important than the agreement itself, and to start in 2018 when commitments will be continue working with the Paris spirit. first reviewed. At that time, we will encour- Question: Do you have any concerns age and attract countries that can and are that the enthusiasm might fade after sign- capable of taking more ambitious and ing the agreement on concluding COP21? complementary measures. Tubiana: This is not likely to happen Question: Laurent Fabius wishes to KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets Imam of the Grand Mosque in because many steps have been set to take make Dec 12, 2016 historically remarkable. Makkah Sheikh Dr Khalid Bin Ali Al-Ghamdi.— KUNA place by 2020. We must decide what is to One year from the agreement, will that be be included in the international assessment the first assessment date? of the progress achieved. We must negoti- Tubiana: The minister’s idea is to main- ate these tangible points as soon as possi- tain that date and then look into approvals Crown Prince meets Imam ble. Therefore, we must resume high-level and whether we are far from actual execu- political efforts. Laurent Fabius’ presidency tion. In France, we ought to pass a bill on of COP21 is due to end in Nov 2016 and he the agreement before summer and the of Makkah’s Grand Mosque will have many chances to keep the torch question is knowing whether the project lit. Negotiators are now putting the final will be referred to the parliament at the touches on the agenda with full collabora- same time or will it need more European KUWAIT: His Highness the Deputy Amir and Al-Malek Al-Sabah. Protocol Chief at His Kandari. Ghanem also received Chairman of tion with Morocco, where COP22 is due to coordination. Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Highness the Crown Prince’s Diwan Sheikh Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Sheikh Mubarak be held. Non-official meetings continue to Question: How can Kuwait contribute be held to prepare the Marrakesh agenda to this agreement? Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yes- Mubarak Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al- Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah, who gave him a in a good way. Tubiana: Kuwait has launched several terday Minister of Justice and Minister of Sabah attended both meetings. Later, His copy of a book marking the 10th anniversary Question: A team entrusted with exe- projects like Al-Shaqaya project, for Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sane, Highness received President of the National of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- cuting the Paris agreement will be formed instance. Launched in 2011 by the Kuwait accompanied by the Imam of the Grand Security Apparatus Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s assumption of in May. Will this team follow the same Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), Al- Mosque in Makkah Sheikh Dr Khalid Bin Ali Al- Al-Salem Al-Sabah. power titled “Sabah Al-Ahmad.. A Decade of working pattern the Durban program Shaqaya project aims at developing the use Ghamdi and his accompanying delegation. Also yesterday, Speaker of the National Achievements.” Meanwhile, Ghanem received (ADP) followed? of renewable energy in Kuwait as a special Meanwhile, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Assembly Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem received Central Bank Governor Dr Mohammad Al- Tubiana: Some actions will definitely plant for renewable energy would be built received Saudi Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen Sheikh Dr Khalid Al-Ghamdi on the occasion Hashel, who presented to him an engraved resemble the Durban platform but it is to the west to cover 15 percent of Kuwait’s bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of Ha’il and of his visit to the country. The meeting was commemorative award on the occasion of the important to follow a different working needs of energy. Al-Shaqaya project will his accompanying delegation, as well as attended by MPs Faisal Al-Kandari and the 10th anniversary of His Highness the Amir’s pattern that is more confident, active and reduce burning oil causing more pollution, Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Faisal Al-Humoud parliament’s Secretary General Allam Al- ascension. — KUNA productive. We had to negotiate a more and thus will reduce CO2 emissions by 5 binding agreement over the past few years million tons. Writer celebrates Amir’s anniversary

By Nawara Fattahova lion, which came after the first grant of KD 200 for each citizen,” he noted during the KUWAIT: Writer Abdullah Buwair celebrat- event. ed the 10th anniversary of HH the Amir “Despite the unstable situation of the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s region during the past few years that nega- reign on Sunday evening at the Crowne tively affected some Arab countries, HH the Plaza Hotel. During this celebration, he dis- Amir ruled the country successfully and tributed the English version of his book ‘HH didn’t give a chance for those who wanted the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad, Leader to harm the country. Furthermore HH the of Humanitarian Work’. He also announced Amir also engaged in many diplomatic his preparations to publish a new book, efforts in consolidating relations between ‘Speeches of HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad’. Arab and Gulf countries. Also, Kuwait Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, opened a new page in relations with Iraq President of the Kuwait Society for the Ideal which appears to resolve various issues Family, President of the Girl’s Club, goodwill including borders, compensations and ambassador and sister of HH the Amir, investment between the two countries,” attended the event. “We are proud to cele- Buwair said. KFH’s PR team are pictured with the Minister of Information. brate the 10th anniversary of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Donations being in power as HH the Amir has KFH participates in Heritage these years were also sent donations full of achievements to various coun- and giving, not only tries. “In 2007, dur- for Kuwait but also ing the OPEC sum- Village opening ceremony for many other mit held in Saudi countries, so he was Arabia, HH the Amir KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) participat- mid-March. The Kuwait national heritage festival encompasses all fundamental elements of her- chosen as the Sheikh Sabah Al- ed in the opening ceremony of the Sabah Al- will be held for the fifth consecutive time which itage and entertainment; traditionally-designed Humanitarian Ahmad announced Ahmad Heritage Village in Al-Salmi area. The makes the village a perfect destination for visitors. gates, bazaars, family tents, local and internation- Leader for his con- Kuwait’s donation opening ceremony kick-started in the presence of The events coincide with the celebration of al restaurants, cafes, GCC pavilions, old souks, tinuous support for of $150 million for His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Kuwait’s national days, and the anniversary of lake, competitions and sports. KFH is keen on humanitarian works finance scientific Al-Jaber Al-Sabah accompanied by His Highness naming the Amir as ‘Humanitarian Leader’. sponsoring and supporting what contributes in for the United research related to the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah Al-Ahmad Heritage Village is viewed as achieving development and prosperity, be it in Nations to protect energy, environ- Jaber Al-Sabah, the Speaker of National Assembly, one of the top tourist destinations in Kuwait. It developing the infrastructure or assuming the lives and relieve suf- ment and climate the Prime Minister and a number of Ministers. bears the heritage of old values in revelation of social responsibility in all fields, education, envi- fering,” she said. change. In May The events in the village will continue until the new age. It is located on a wide area and ronment, health youth and sports. “This expresses 2008, Kuwait estab- the active role of lished the ‘Decent Kuwait that sup- Iman Ereiqat, Chief of Mission at IOM Life Fund’ due to ports human eco- Kuwait speaks at the event. the price hike of Kuwait reiterates support to Palestinian cause nomic and social foodstuff and ener- development as Kuwait is a part of the gy internationally, with a capital of $100 KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Aziz world community and nobody can deny its million. In 2009, HH the Amir launched the Al-Daihani reiterated firm support to the Palestinian role. This international recognition of ‘Support Small and Intermediate cause, which represents an “essential principle in Kuwait came after the great role of HH the Enterprises’ initiative with a value of $2 bil- Kuwait’s foreign policy.” Kuwait has embraced the Amir and his continuous humanitarian lion, as he ordered to grant $500 million to Palestinian cause and struggle since the beginning, as work that strengthens the leading role of launch this initiative. These are a few of the the Palestinian revolution started its drive from Kuwait, Kuwait in helping poor countries when fac- many other donations and grants including ing disasters and to help them develop. We the Syrian Donors’ Conference. So HH the Ambassador Daihani said during a reception held consider this honor is a medal of merit for Amir was honored as the Humanitarian recently at the Palestinian embassy in Kuwait to mark every Kuwaiti,” added Sheikha Fariha. Leader due to these achievements,” the International Day for 1948 Arab Rights. stressed Buwair. He reminisced the year 1936 when Kuwaitis formed a Generosity Iman Ereiqat, Chief of Mission at IOM committee to support the Palestinian people through The organizer of this event and author, Kuwait, spoke about HH the Amir Sheikh collecting donations and sending them to the fighters Buwair, stated that this celebration and Jan Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the there back then. 29 is not a normal day, as on this day in support that he provided for the United “Again, and after the Palestinian exodus in 1948, 2006, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Nations and other humanitarian work. Kuwaiti official and popular sympathy with their became the ruler of Kuwait. “The Al Sabah Businessman Jawad Bukhamseen also brethren manifested when Kuwait became home for ruling family is known for its generosity. addressed a speech on HH the Amir and KUWAIT: Assistant Foreign Minister for Palestinian Ambassador Rami Tahboub many Palestinians, including the Palestinian Liberation During the reign of various rulers, many some of his achievements inside and out- Arab Affairs Aziz Al-Daihani speaks at speaks. Organization (PLO), which headquartered in Kuwait Amiri grants were given to the nation, yet side Kuwait. After awarding the partici- the ceremony. — KUNA photos since 1964,” Daihani said.—KUNA he gave the biggest grant in Kuwait history pants the attendees were invited to a din- to all citizens of a total value of KD 1.2 bil- ner banquet.

KUWAIT: (From left) Mustafa Behbehani, Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Jawad Bukhamseen and Abdullah Buwair attend a ceremony held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of HH the Amir’s assumption to power. — Photos by Joseph Shagra TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 LOCAL Lawmaker wants Hala February concerts canceled, fears ‘divine punishment’ Eight families still live in Sawaber

By A Saleh and Meshaal Al-Enezi The finance ministry’s assistant under- Former MP fined secretary for expropriation affairs Fahd Al- A court yesterday fined former MP KUWAIT: MP Ahmad Mutee’ Al-Azmi urged Sho’la announced that eight Kuwaiti fami- Abdulrahman Al-Anjari KD 2,000 in a case Information Minister Sheikh Salman Al- lies still inhabited the Sawaber residential filed against him for slandering His Humoud Al-Sabah to call off Hala February complex because they had lost their apart- Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al- concerts because of the religious and ments’ deeds and that the issuance of alter- Sabah, who had sued him over a tweet on moral violations committed during them. native deeds was in progress pending the Dow Chemical issue. He justified his call by showing respect to expropriating those apartments. “The feelings of Muslims in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Cabinet’s instructions mandate evicting the Voters’ registration postponed Syria, Iraq and other places. “We fear that complex by March 31 and those who refuse Well-informed sources at the elections Almighty Allah will punish us for hosting eviction will be evicted by the Public department said that registration and trans- such concerts in a conservative country like Authority for Housing Welfare,” he fer of voters this year would be postponed Kuwait,” he underlined, referring to recent explained, noting that 40 citizens had until concluding the by-elections in the videos showing what he described as “acts already been given replacement apart- third electoral constituency. The sources of corruption.” “Unfortunately, this is hap- ments in the West Sulaibikhat project. added that the date of resuming registra- pening at a time when thousands of Sho’la added that KD 130 million had been tions would be declared later by the MoI. Muslims are suffering from hunger, injus- allocated for purchasing the Sawaber tice and killings in Syria, Iraq, Myanmar and apartments, of which 450 had already been e-cigarettes other places,” he said, reminding of how the bought so far. He explained that Sawaber A citizen was arrested on attempting information ministry suspended such con- apartment prices have varied on a yearly to smuggle 43 electronic cigarettes at MP Ahmad Al-Azmi certs when the Syrian ‘revolution’ started. basis compared to when the process start- Nuwaiseeb land border exit, said security ed in 2012, when a unit cost KD 226,000, sources, noting that custom inspectors items and referred him to relevant Sawaber complex while it now costs KD 256,000. foiled his attempt, confiscated the seized authorities. Academics call for developing education for knowledge economy Jobs conference concludes first-day sessions Injuries KUWAIT: Eminent academics called on Monday for evolv- national economy, he said, indicating that this move faces expanding technology had deprived a large number of ing all levels of education in the country to be a leading many challenges on national and Arab levels. personnel of their jobs. reported in factor for knowledge-based economy. Speaking at the last He called for increasing the budget of scientific research session of the national conference on modern state jobs as it is very low in Kuwait and Arab countries, stressing the Basic factors from an economic point of view, Dr Adel Al-Huseinan, Vice need to reform knowledge institutions, mainly the area of Further, Amani Al-Baddah, Director of International accidents President of Kuwait University for Planning, said efforts scientific research and educational system. Relations at Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of directed to education should focus on providing knowl- Sciences (KFAS), underscored Kuwait’s strategic location, edge to students. This goal should be achieved through an available human and financial resources; basic factors for By Hanan Al-Saadoun optimal use of available infrastructure of education to cov- pressing ahead with the knowledge-based economy. er all levels of education, he added. UN Development Program Resident Representative KUWAIT: Farwaniya firemen dealt with several traffic Dr Bibi Al-Ajmi stressed on the importance of listing cur- Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun stressed the UN readiness to pro- accidents reported yesterday, including a collision on ricula coping with a perspective of knowledge-based vide support for Kuwait so as to promote its efforts in Ghazali Road where a person was trapped in his vehicle. economy to move to a creative education, indicating that development and knowledge-based economy through Firefighters cut the vehicle open to help the driver out there are programs focusing on knowledge-based econo- certain programs. She said the UNDP is a strategic partner before handing him over to paramedics. Meanwhile, my. at the conference which sheds light on the importance of Kuwait Fire Services Directorate’s (KFSD) operations Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council knowledge economy in achieving sustainable develop- received a call about a vehicle which flipped over on for Planning and Development (SCPD) Khaled Mahdi said ment. She added that the event will focus on government Sixth Ring Road. Firemen managed to free several peo- Kuwait’s development plan embraces the promotion of the efforts seeking to create jobs for youth within the frame- ple who were trapped inside their vehicles. An unidenti- effective role by knowledge-based economy. work of the concept of knowledge economy. fied number of persons were sent to the nearest medical This can be notched up by means of encouraging inno- On his part, Trevor Liu, CEO of Huawei Technologies in facility with various injuries. vation, buttressing creativity, change and development, as Kuwait, said that knowledge-based economy based on part of a societal culture, Mahdi said, addressing the con- information technology is built through joint innovations Explosives found ference on functions of a modern state through the per- and open partnerships. Huawei has expanded its branches Security authorities found explosives in a boat near spective of the knowledge-based economy. The SCPD chief for the first time in 16 years in external markets and man- Fintas beach yesterday. A civil ID was also found next called for setting out blueprints and programs of action for aged to make success that helped it be an international to the explosives. The ID was sent to Fintas police sta- addressing the major challenges the State is facing for the technological company which provides services to a third tion. time being, considering the country’s decision-making KUWAIT: Minister Hind Al-Subaih speaks at the confer- of the world’s population, he added. This move was made process as “complicated”. ence. — KUNA by setting up open partnerships across the globe through innovation and competition, he noted. Privatization The State of Kuwait provides several privileges as it has News Director-General of the Arab Planning Institute Bader Legislations a strategic location, a political democratic regime, skilled In brief Malallah said in the meantime that it is necessary to pro- Meanwhile, MP Khalil Abdullah said that the National workers, an infrastructure and information technology, he mote and consolidate the concept of privatization and Assembly has enacted a set of legislations aimed at boost- said, indicating that all these privileges contribute to pro- governance in the diverse sectors of the State. The ing knowledge-based economy at the national level and is moting the State’s knowledge-based economy. Huawei will Ongoing security campaigns economies of developing countries need a quantum shift ready to examine any new ones the government may for- continue cooperation with the Kuwaiti Government reduce crimes: Official in order to keep abreast of the global economy, he said, ward to it. He said “the initiative in this regard is in the gov- through providing technologies which can meet the State’s KUWAIT: Ministry of Interior’s Undersecretary pointing out that developing countries suffer a deep gap ernment hands because it possesses the apparatuses and needs, he stressed. Lieutenant General Sulaiman Al-Fahad said yesterday between economy and knowledge. specialized authorities for forwarding bills on knowledge that security campaigns that have been going on lately Malallah further indicated that knowledge-based econ- economy.” The Parliament is ready to discuss and endorse Re-organized jobs lead to reduction of crime rates and some negative omy would be listed in development plans through pro- any bill intended to bolster the national economy, particu- Earlier yesterday, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, phenomena in the country. He added that enforcing grams focusing on evolving national economy and larly in the realm of knowledge and technological econo- and Minister of State for Planning and Development Affairs the law is everyone’s responsibility, with no exceptions, enhancing growth in the country. He added that the event my, he added. Hind Al-Subaih said Kuwait’s jobs sector must be re-orga- and should come along with right legal procedures for discusses a key issue represented in searching for alterna- Khong Ming, CEO of the Singaporean systems institute, nized to follow up with the developments in the modern arrests. Lately, MoI has been conducting a wide-scale tives for activating national economy amid the current eco- said that his country, due to shortage of natural resources, world. security campaign, by increasing checkpoints and secu- nomic phase which has many challenges and difficulties. was compelled in the 80s to shift to the knowledge-based The country can re-organize jobs by following a draft rity patrols all over the country, arresting thousands of Kuwait’s institutions and bodies, specialized in knowl- economy, with focus on overhauling teaching and technol- law called (Economic Activities Law), which allows national law offenders and fugitives, which had a huge impact edge-based economy, are available, but they need ogy sectors. economic bodies to be independent on financial and and relief for everyone in the country. —KUNA improvement in their performance, and further coopera- Ming added during the session, chaired by Advisor of administrative levels, while also granting them the right of tion and coordination, he said. Kuwait Foundation for the the Amiri Diwan Dr Yousef Al-Ibrahim, that concentration self-financing, Al-Subaih, representing His Highness the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Kuwait University, Kuwait on teaching ensures progress of internal investments, par- Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the con- Institute for Scientific Research and Arab Planning Institute ticularly in engineering and advanced technologies. ference, said. The two-day conference aims at introducing Bedoons’ rights guaranteed are key institutions in the area of knowledge-based econo- Singapore, in the 80s, had only 1,800 technology experts, the country into the field of knowledge economy, which is KUWAIT: The rights of education and treatment are my, he noted. thus a special plan was mapped out to develop the sector, part of Kuwait’s development plan, said the minister. guaranteed to all segments of illegal residents in He said that these institutions, through partnership and in the early 90s, the figure reached some 150,000. Subaih, meanwhile, stressed the importance of invest- Kuwait, “regardless of lack of some of their papers or based on knowledge-based economy, will work on pro- Yousef Shahid of the World Bank said global economic ing in knowledge to develop the administrative and techni- files,” Yousef Saleh Al-Fadalah, the Executive moting scientific research and improving the country’s challenges compelled nations to focus on developing cal side of jobs, by creating partnership with the private sec- Chairman of the Central Agency for Remedying economy through knowledge and the localization of tech- internal trade, noting necessity to stimulate private enter- tor as well as foreign investors. Knowledge economy focuses Illegal Residents Status said yesterday. Fadalah said nology. Producing knowledge and turning it into a com- prise in productive sectors, in shadow of technological on turning leading ideas and research into vital products in a statement following a meeting with a visiting modity in the country needs paying much attention to changes. He also called for increasing research for invest- that can contribute to the country’s GDP and support the US Human Rights Watch delegation, which included these institutions and enhancing the use of information in ment in new innovations. However he cautioned that budget, she added. — KUNA Joe Stark, deputy director of the Middle East divi- sion at Human Rights Watch and Yemen and Kuwait Researcher, Middle East and North Africa Division, Belkis Wille. Fadalah added that he explained efforts to implement road map and techniques to address Cabinet condemns mosque the living conditions of illegal residents. — KUNA

Cold weather at nights attack in Saudi Arabia KUWAIT: Kuwait Civil Aviation’s Meteorologist Essa Ramadan expected a decrease in the effect of the Siberian high pressure in the upcoming days with con- tinuation of cold weather at night until Thursday. The light to moderate Northwesterly wind movement will Jail sentences approved for building system violators continue until today and will be active on Wednesday evening and Thursday, while the temperatures will rise KUWAIT: The Cabinet yesterday reiterated Kuwait’s con- Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic back to normal rate during the weekend, Ramadan said. demnation of a recent attack targeting a mosque in the Donors conference Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Madani. During the past few days, Kuwait witnessed a severe east of Saudi Arabia, which left a number of innocent At the onset of the meeting, the ministers were cold front, where temperatures recorded below zero for people dead or wounded, terming it as a ‘terrorist act.’ apprised of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Building system three days. The lowest was three degrees below zero in The cabinet’s condemnation came during its custom- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s departure to the UK to Locally, the cabinet approved a draft law revising the border area of Al-Salmi and some of the western ary weekly meeting held in the cabinet’s hall at the attend the fourth international donors conference on Law No. 5/2005 aiming to revise some articles pertinent areas in the country. — KUNA Kuwait International Airport under chairmanship of His Syria. to the regulation of the work of the Kuwait Municipality Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- His Highness the Amir is accompanied by First and Municipal Council, and punishing violators of the Hamad Al-Sabah. Four people were killed on Friday Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs building system by sentencing them to a term ranging Schools’ medical records when a suicide bomber attacked a mosque in Saudi Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy between six months and seven years in jail, fining them KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health announced yester- Arabia’s eastern governorate of Al-Ahsa. Another 18 Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Acting or facing other penalties. day a uniform e-medical record system would be people were injured in Friday’s attack, the Saudi Interior Minister of Oil Anas Al-Saleh, and several senior officials. It also consented to a bill revising Article 16 of Law applied at school clinics involving, public, private Ministry announced in a statement. The Cabinet hoped that the conference would come up No. 106/2013 regarding money laundering and financ- and special education schools in the coming few The Cabinet reaffirmed Kuwait’s denunciation of with fruitful steps that could effectively help the Syrian ing of terrorism, and another draft law amending the days. The move will be initially put in place at such terrorist acts that run counter to all heavenly reli- people and alleviate their bitter sufferings and woes. agreement on the protection of nuclear materials. Farwaniya schools, and then schools at other educa- gions and humanitarian values and norms, Minister of The ministers were also apprised of a letter received The ministers further approved recommendations tional areas will follow suit as per a definite time- State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of by His Highness the Amir from UN Secretary-General on a draft decree amending the bylaws of Law No. frame, Assistant Undersecretary of the Health Electricity and Water Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- Ban Ki-moon, who appreciated His Highness the Amir 116/2014 on partnership between the public and Ministry for Technical Affairs Qais Al-Dweiri said in a Mubarak Al-Sabah said in a press statement following and government of Kuwait for efforts in the field of cli- private sectors, together with another draft decree press statement. The Ministry’s School Health the meeting. It also offered condolence and sorrow to mate change, and invited His Highness the Amir to endorsing a trade cooperation agreement between Department has already completed all necessary the Saudi leadership and people over the victims of this attend the signing ceremony of the Paris Agreement on Kuwait and Iraq and a Kuwaiti-Estonian agreement requirements for all grades at six educational areas, human tragedy, wishing the injured swift recovery, he climate change due at the UN headquarters next April. on visa-exemption for holders of diplomatic pass- he added.—KUNA said. His Highness the Amir was sent another letter from ports. — KUNA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 LOCAL

Ooredoo Kuwait’s General Manager and CEO, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Thani with Minister Al Thani at the Hala February 2016 Carnival with Ooredoo of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud Al-Sabah.

Mijbil Alayoub and Dr Hamad Al Nuaimi Firemen at Hala February 2016 Carnival with Ooredoo Hala February 2016 Carnival Attracts Thousands of Participants Al Thani: We seek key role in Kuwait’s national celebrations

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, a member of the Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al- ally as part of Hala February Festival, which activities. live, interviewed a number of Ooredoo repre- international Ooredoo group, participated in Sabah. Ooredoo Kuwait’s General Manager have always attracted citizens and residents Kuwaiti national flags strung up all over the sentatives, who talked about the Hala Hala February’s 2016 street carnival, which was and CEO, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdullah Al alike. Folks have enjoyed a special day and carnival’s location, covering the entrances and February festival activities and the company’s held on Gulf Road next to Kuwait Towers on Thani attended the carnival along with com- many shows,” said Sheikh Mohammad bin exits in the area. Through its designated efforts to take part in national celebrations. Friday. The event attracted thousands of revel- pany’s’ executives and department heads. Abdullah Al Thani. booth, Ooredoo was able to communicate Ahmad Al-Moussaoui, the renowned host ers who enjoyed the national celebrations. “We have sought and will continue to seek The annual carnival is one of the festival’s with visitors, offering them its latest services of “Alo February” daily radio show, interacted This year’s carnival was attended by taking key role in Kuwait’s national celebra- most attractive events. This year, the carnival and answering their enquiries about products. with visitors through competitions and games. Minister of Information and Minister of State tions. As partners, it was our pleasure to see had special international performances, as Ooredoo also presented gifts to all visitors. Ooredoo presented many prizes to winners, for Youth Affairs, Sheikh Salman Al-Homoud people of Kuwait actively participating in this well as a gliding show, a parade of govern- On the sidelines of the event, Kuwait filling the air with more joy, fun and entertain- Al-Sabah, and Minister of State for Cabinet year’s Hala February carnival, organized annu- ment vehicles, and many other entertaining Television, which broadcasted these activities ment.

Participants celebrating LOCAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 Annual surgeons conference, symposium underway Organized by Surgery College at Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialties

KUWAIT: Kuwait Times Deputy Editor-in-Chief Dr Ziad Al-Alyan (left) and Central Circles Company’s team are seen A general view of the audience. at the conference. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: The 14th Annual Surgeons international experts. He said KIMS will specialties such as obesity, neck tumors, colon, GI of general surgery and its delicate specialties, from Italy, Dr Raad Al-Mahdi from Oman, Dr Conference and the third symposium of the adopt the recommendations and scientific tract, emergencies and other means of advanced adding that the organization committee took Richardo Cohen from Brazil and Dr Sandro Rizoli Kuwait Surgery Society opened Sunday, papers the conference will come out with in surgeries. He said that many duties that are given to clear steps that agrees with those concerned from Canada. organized by the Surgery College at Kuwait order to enhance the performance of doctors aim to develop the medical surgical per- with surgery such as medical students, fellows He said the conference discussed surgeries Institute for Medical Specialties, with the Kuwaiti doctors, adding that the conference formance in a way that goes with the most recent and board doctors as well as consultants. He said of obesity and the surgical solutions for compli- participation of international, Arab and Gulf will bring all what is new in the field of sur- advances as well as the developmental plans. the conference will host Dr Abe Fingehut from cations such as gastric stabling, bypass and the experts in various surgical fields. The confer- gery through hosting world renowned France, Alain Saber, Lawrence Sandz, Natan precautionary measures that lead to the best ence and symposium will discuss the field experts in this field besides training stu- Continuous education Zundel from the US, Dr Ali Khamas from UAE, Dr results and identifying reconstructive surgical dents of the Kuwaiti board. Meanwhile, President of Kuwait Surgeons Amer Al-Darzi from Bahrain, Dr Fahim Basyouni, alternatives. Surgical workshops were held on Society and head of the conference Mousa Hassan Shaker, Mohammad Hiqqi from Egypt the sidelines of the conference that were New generation Khorsheed said the conference has sought since and Dr Hisham Muhanna from UK. The confer- broadcast to several hospitals in Kuwait, by Hadi stressed the importance of having its start 14 years ago to instill a nucleus for con- ence will also host Dr Mohammad Al-Kawari from international surgeons and the participation of these experts train doctors who are members tinuous medical education program in the field Qatar, Dr Paolo Miccoli, and Marco Anselmino Kuwait board doctors. —KUNA of local specialties’ programs in order to form a new generation of Kuwaiti surgeons who have the experience of approved internation- al systems. He said KIMS is now receiving applications for 2016-1017, as all interviews and admission tests must be over within two weeks, adding that the institute will accept between 150-170 doctors in various programs and specialties. About scholarship programs KIMS offers, Hadi said scholarships are continuing, and there will be fixed seats to send doctors, adding that Canada’s Ottawa University was contacted to designate 10 seats for Kuwaiti doctors in the general surgery, internal, Speakers seen at the 14th annual gyn/obs, pediatrics, ENT, orthopedic, anesthe- Surgeons Conference and the third sym- sia, urology and dermatology specialties. Hadi posium of the Kuwait Surgery Society said the institute was keen to include new scholarship programs in blood diseases in of extreme obesity, neck tumors, upper GI, children, leukemia and some children’s deli- colon, rectum and anus, as well as surgeries cate specialties as well as internal medicine of abdomen wall such as hernia, weak mus- within its work. He added that the National cles and accident surgeries, in order to Assembly will soon discuss the mechanism of develop the health system in the country. including those programs. KIMS Secretary General Dr Ibrahim Hadi In his opening speech, Dr Hadi spoke said KIMS is keen on developing health about the importance of consolidating efforts services in Kuwait by enhancing doctors’ to reform and develop basic systems with levels and train them by an elite group of regards to general surgery and its delicate

Officials visit Central Circles Company’s booth.

Kuwaiti neurosurgery consultant Dr Yousef Al-Awadhi (center) is honored.

Officials listen to a demonstration given by a representative of a participating company. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Qabas Report

Two questioned for Stop squandering beating own mother By Qais Al-Usta KUWAIT: A citizen in her sixties told Salam police that she was insulted and beaten by her two sons in the presence of Democracy in the their father. The mother said her ex-husband, the father, ll Kuwaitis are in agreement that squan- defended her. The woman presented a medical report, and Middle East dering must be stopped, but this squan- police authorities are investigating. Adering is present in more than one place. Some measures that are not in the right place, such as the announcement by the Civil Service Husband, wife trade charges Commission to stop masters and PhD scholar- A woman who works for health ministry, and her hus- ships, or halting training courses outside the band who works for defense ministry, traded charges at Salam police station. The wife said she was beaten country, without showing the amount of money by her husband, but he said this was untrue and that such measures will save. his wife caused the marks on her body to get him in If you want to stop squandering, you should trouble. He argued that he was the victim as he was look into touristic treatments abroad, provided insulted and threatened by her, and showed them a the decision will not affect the treatment of can- text message as evidence. cer, heart and liver patients. Furniture spending of some officials costs the state huge amounts Unidentified person of money, just because colors do not agree with the mood of this official or his office manager. State security men are looking for an unidentified person, Al-Anbaa who may be abnormal, following information from a citi- Freezing the decision of authorities that were zen who saw a man carrying a bag in Mangaf while created lately, because those authorities will screaming “Daesh... Daesh.” Meanwhile, explosives experts require buildings, logistics services and appoint- went on alert after suspecting sticks similar to explosive Educational System does not ments of undersecretaries and managers, with- ones, then later found they were copper rolls. out getting into discussions on the feasibility of allow skipping stages: Minister those newly created authorities, and adding them to the documentary cycle such as the Drone ‘Brilliant boy’ sent to Jordan to develop his skills financial auditors authority. Add to this board A citizen was sent to concerned authorities after being members’ rewards, and those equal to them and seen flying a remote controlled drone equipped with a KUWAIT: Minister of Education and grades upwards,” Essa remarked. benefits for relatives and friends in the chalet - camera over the Interior Ministry’s building. State Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa said Abdullah had responded to several Masters, PhD everyone knows this story. What I did not under- security was informed. that Kuwait’s educational system does questions the minster asked to check stand until now is the KD 250 travel allowance not allow high-achieving students to his general knowledge, answering scholarships skip school stages, similar to other them correctly. suspended for officials, bearing in mind that their move- Development plan shows countries. The minister made his state- Speaking on the occasion, Dr ment does not include remote areas. ments to reporters after receiving a Jowayyan said that the minster prom- All this and other things all people know are KUWAIT: Education Ministry has 2nd grade student who speaks Arabic, ised to take care of Abdullah, adding presence of corruption decided to stop all scholastic scholar- to reduce the budget deficit and the squander- French and English. that contacts had been already made ships and leaves for Masters’ degrees ing in it, instead of looking into what the simple KUWAIT: There is a clear admission in the 2017-2018 The talent of Abdullah Rashid Al- with a specialized center in Jordan so and PhDs for the next academic year citizens get, as if they are applying the popular development plan that there is corruption in the country. Marri from Al-Fawares Primary School, that Abdullah could join it and devel- 2016/ 2017. Education Ministry The government administration faces some challenges, in Farwaniya, was discovered by the op his talents and skills through a spe- saying “they envy the poor man for dying on Undersecretary Dr Haitham Al-Athary that were reflected in the drop in the relative ranking of special education manager Dr cialized program. Friday”! said the decision to stop scholarships Kuwait in the effectiveness of policies, and this is the result Kholoud Al-Jowayyan, who invited A last word: The Civil Service Commission is was taken for more studies to find of the drop in some sub-indicators making up the guide. him and his father to the minister’s Old schools the extent of benefit the ministry has headed by a team that has been there for three Government system burdens indicators, as Kuwait took office. Essa expressed great admiration In other news, the Municipal gotten from it during the past years. decades, and despite this, holidays are given in the 125th rank in 2015 out of 140 countries, due to the bur- of the boy’s talent, and stressed that Council finally decided that all schools Athary said when the study is a wrong way, and cadres burden the state with den of governmental rules and regulations, administrative his wit surpasses his age. “The ministry established earlier to the council’s complete, the ministry will concen- problems in the investment environment and the works cares for brilliant students and works decision issued on May 9, 1983 on unlimited problems and contribute to danger- trate on the specialties that the edu- related to the length of the documentary cycle, as well as on developing their talents in a way banning the construction of private ous social discrimination. If you want to save cational field needs, especially sci- inflated employment in government. that benefits them and their country,” schools in private and ideal residential and stop squandering, you should give some ence and natural science such as Decision making transparency indicator: Kuwait ranked Essa underlined, pointing out that this areas, would be exempted from clo- mathematics, physics, chemistry officials rest, who have become a burden on the 96th in 2015 out of 140 due to corruption, weak trans- was the first time he had ever seen a sure. The decision came in reference to and others that contribute to the government apparatus. parency and accountability and lack of objective evalua- pupil with such high IQ at this very violations committed by some private development of the educational Was the message delivered? I hope so. tion of government leaderships, according to their contri- early age. “Abdullah’s IQ qualifies him schools located in residential areas process and scientific research in the Translated by Kuwait Times bution to implementing projects of development plans for higher grades but our educational allocated for construction of citizens’ — ministry.—Al-Qabas according to the time schedule for them. —Al-Qabas system does not allow skipping houses only. —Al-Anbaa, Al-Rai KIB sponsors Al-Sidra Association’s activities KUWAIT: Kuwait International Bank (KIB) how to cope with the disease, as well as pro- announced its sponsorship of the activities moting the physical, mental and emotional and initiatives of Al-Sidra Association for well-being of the female patients. Also giving Psychological Care of Cancer Patients that them a chance to meet other survivors who offers psychological care for cancer patients have been through similar experiences to and their relatives throughout the stages of learn from one another and communicate the disease, as part of its preeminent CSR with the healthcare professionals for psycho- program that aims at supporting the civil logical support. society organizations and their health, med- Driven by its humanitarian and national ical and awareness raising services. commitment that aims at raising the know- The Manager of the Corporate how of the community’s members to culti- Communications Unit at KIB, Nawaf Najia, vate their potential for more progress, KIB stated “The sponsorship of Al-Sidra activities strives to adopt a comprehensive develop- is within a series of initiatives adopted by the ment plan that takes in various social initia- bank to support the civil society institutions. tives; such as cultural, educational, sports, Whereas the bank’s recent sponsorship of health, youth and others. Warba Bank honors 2015 the association’s activities attempts to sup- On the other hand, Sheikha Azza Jaber Al- port its mission of creating a positive envi- Ali Al-Sabah, Chairperson of Al-Sidra ronment for patients to cope with the possi- Association for Psychological Care of Cancer ble side effects and reinforce the success of Patients and all the staff of Sidra Centre have distinguished employees their treatment through organizing various expressed their gratitude for KIB participat- educational seminars and workshops.” ing in accomplishing the Associations goals Najia praised the association’s role in tai- that focus on enhancing the psychological KUWAIT: Having as its fundamental of our employees whom we have ensure they can deliver superior an opening speech by the MC, fol- loring programs and services like educating statues of cancer patients as this may posi- principle and conviction that the always viewed as the essential ele- services to our customers in line lowed by a short video of various patients and providing them with informa- tively reflect on the treatment of the patient. workforce is part and parcel of the ment in the successful progress of with standards of quality and excel- achievements and the awards tion that helps them understand cancer, its As a result its ability to provide and have pos- Bank’s success and high achieve- the Bank since its inception in 2010 lence”. handouts to winners who gathered treatment and the mental and physical chal- itive reinforcement on the society. ment, Warba Bank - the fastest and, thus, we are always keen on Jassar congratulated the win- in the ceremony to receive their lenges that the patient might go through. In Consequently their ability to take and give growing bank in Kuwait, which pro- encouraging and motivating them ners for their outstanding achieve- recognition awards and certificates addition to providing adequate advice about with the society. vides a wide spectrum of Shariah for their strong efforts to drive ments and their realization of the of appreciation from Warba Bank compliant banking and investment more positive results that add to tasks and goals entrusted to them, CEO. Photos were taken to com- - held its annual Employee Warba Bank’s success records so we which reflected their commitment memorate the occasion. Excellence Awards on January 27th all can achieve distinction and to the bank and their contribution In addition to the awards and to at the exquisite seaside venue greatness with the Bank. Today, the to improving the work environ- engage the audience; the evening Sheikhah Salwa Sabah Al-Ahmad efforts of our employees have been ment that resulted in raising morale also included some competitions Hall at the Marina Hotel to recog- fruitful and are realized in the and the spirit of competitiveness at and games revolved around the nize and reward high achievers of growth that the Bank has achieved the Bank. bank’s latest services and products its various Group departments for in its operational revenues and resulted in prizes being awarded to their outstanding efforts and their financing portfolio.” Competent talent winners. Following these recre- exemplary contributions to the Jassar added, “we will not spare Jassar emphasized that Warba ational activities, the evening was Bank’s success. any effort in supporting our Bank will continue to recruit com- concluded by raffle draws, prizes employees to help them become petent Kuwaiti talent - a pivotal and a dinner. Valued efforts more creative and great in order to principle in the Bank development Warba Bank continues its strate- Highlighting the occasion, reach this noble goal, god willing. strategy. He also stressed the Bank’s gy to develop and reward its work- Warba Bank Vice Chairman and We are keen on positive invest- commitment to strengthen local force; in line with its fundamental CEO Jassar Dakheel Al-Jassar, ments in our employees and work- expertise from its leadership and belief that its employees are its addressed the employees and said, force and will implement trainings rewarding them adequately. partners in success and the basis of “we at Warba Bank value the efforts in the Islamic banking industry to The evening commenced with its continued distinction. Landlines to be privatized KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Information Technology and Telecommunications plans to privatize the communication sector at the Ministry of Communication, including the needed infrastructure, landlines, long distance cables and telephone exchange centers, Board chairman and CEO Salem Al-Othaina. Othainah added that landlines are no longer run by governments anywhere in the world. Further, Othainah said that all executive, administrative and technical preparations have been done to allow launching the authority as soon as possible to be the sole executor of all the measures to be taken by telecom providing companies. Othainah added that the telecom authority would, from now on, take all responsibilities of the ministry and other relevant authorities concerning information technology and telecommunications as per law number 37/2014 that was amended by law number 98/2015 with the aim of developing the service and protecting subscribers’ KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait distributed gifts to construction and cleaning workers, as part of the fifth edition of their annual cam- interests. —Al-Jarida paign that involves helping laborers cope with harsh weather conditions. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Cuban president makes Iran grabs over $100 billion in assets under nuclear deal historic trip to France

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GENEVA: Overview of the Syria peace talks at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday. — AP Syria peace talks struggle to get off ground UN rights chief sounds war crimes warning

GENEVA: The UN special envoy for Syria future of Assad-backed by Iran and Russia- issue is which rebel groups will be involved faced an uphill task in Geneva yesterday to was left until later to resolve. But the Saudi- in the talks, although all sides agree on the get talks to end the brutal civil war off the backed HNC is refusing to play ball unless exclusion of IS and Al-Nusra Front, Al- ground, as the opposition hesitated to join Assad’s regime first allows humanitarian Qaeda’s Syrian branch. negotiations with the regime. The urgency access to besieged towns, stops bombard- to find a solution to the four-year war was ing civilians and releases prisoners. War crimes warning brought home Sunday when multiple A Western diplomat said that on Meanwhile, UN human rights chief said explosions killed 71 people near a revered Sunday UN envoy Staffan de Mistura made yesterday those committing crimes against Shiite shrine outside the capital Damascus, proposals to a mistrustful HNC in talks in a humanity in Syria’s brutal war should not according to a Britain-based monitor. The Geneva hotel, but that they were still hesi- be let off under any deal, as peace talks blasts were claimed by Islamic State, the tating. “We only came to Geneva after writ- struggled in Geneva. “We do have a princi- extremist group that is running swathes of ten commitments on the fact that there pled position in the United Nations that no Syria and Iraq which has launched attacks would be serious progress on the humani- amnesties should be considered for those worldwide, including in Paris in November tarian issues,” HNC spokeswoman Basma suspected of having committed crimes when 130 people were murdered. Kodmani told reporters on Sunday. “We are against humanity or war crimes,” UN rights EU foreign policy chief Federica here for political negotiations but we can- chief Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein told reporters Mogherini said the new atrocity in Syria not start those until we have those ges- in Geneva. The Geneva talks represent the was “clearly aimed to disrupt the attempts tures,” she said. But Damascus’s chief nego- biggest push to date to chart a way out of to start a political process”. The deaths tiator Bashar Al-Jaafari-who met de Mistura the tangled almost five-year-old Syrian war added to the more than 260,000 people to on Friday-on Sunday called the opposition that has killed more than 260,000 people have perished since 2011 in a highly com- “not serious”. “We do not know who is the and forced millions from their homes. plex conflict sucking in a host of outside other side. They don’t even have a final list,” The urgency to find a solution was powers-and on different sides. Half the the tall and stern Syrian ambassador to the brought home Sunday when multiple population has been displaced, seeking UN told a packed news conference. explosions killed 71 people near a revered refuge in neighboring countries or risking Shiite shrine outside the capital their lives to make it to Europe, creating a Kerry appeal Damascus, according to a Britain-based major political headache there. US Secretary of State John Kerry urged monitor. The blasts were claimed by Present in Geneva are the main opposi- on Sunday both sides “to make the most of Islamic State, the extremist group that is tion umbrella group the High Negotiation this moment” in an online statement running swathes of Syria and Iraq and Committee (HNC) and representatives of broadcast from Washington. Kerry urged which has launched attacks worldwide, President Bashar Al-Assad. Under an ambi- the opposition to drop their preconditions, including in Paris in November when 130 tious roadmap agreed in November in but also had hard words for their foes, people were murdered. UN envoy Staffan Vienna by all the outside powers accusing Assad’s forces of deliberately de Mistura’s aim is to coax the warring embroiled in the war, the “proximity talks”- starving besieged towns. He described the sides into six months of indirect “proximity so not face-to-face-are due to last six talks in Geneva as being at a “pivotal talks” as part of an ambitious roadmap months. The plan envisions elections with- phase” and said the HNC represented an agreed by the many outside powers in 18 months, but the key question of the “inclusive opposition.” Another thorny embroiled in the war. — Agencies UK mother gets six years for joining Islamic State

LONDON: A mother who took her ism in posts on Twitter before leaving Turkey for a beach holiday. Instead, toddler to Syria and joined the Islamic Britain. “You were well aware that the she crossed the border into Syria and State (IS) group was sentenced to six future which you had subjected your went to IS stronghold Raqa. “I left to years in prison yesterday after becom- son to was very likely to be indoctri- build us all a house in heaven, Allah ing the first British woman to be con- nation and thereafter life as a terrorist promised us heaven if we sacrifice our victed after returning home. Tareena fighter,” Judge Melbourne Inman said. worldly life,” she wrote in a message to Shakil, 26, was found guilty by a court The court heard that Shakil was a relative. “I’m not coming back.” In in Birmingham, central England of IS radicalized online and in October Raqa, she was kept in a large house membership and encouraging terror- 2014 told her family she was going to with other single women and posed with her son for a selfie while wearing a black balaclava branded with the IS Indian train runs over symbol. Other pictures found on her phone teenager taking selfie showed her posing with an AK-47 assault rifle and a handgun. However, CHENNAI: An Indian teenager was ing to local media reports. The accident Shakil found life under IS rules too struck and killed after he tried to take a comes just weeks after police in the strict. In January 2015, after repeated- photo of himself in front of an oncom- western city of Mumbai moved to crack ing train, police said yesterday, in the down on dangerous selfies after a man ly looking up “I want to leave ISIS” on latest deadly accident involving selfies. drowned trying to save a girl who fell the Internet, she and her son travelled The passenger train ran over the boy into the sea snapping one. Police identi- by road to the Turkish border. They shortly after he stepped onto railway fied 16 dangerous selfie spots in ran one kilometre (about half a mile) tracks to snap the picture in the south- Mumbai and have asked the local coun- to escape into Turkey, dodging a ern city of Chennai, while walking home cil to erect warning signs and deploy three-man IS patrol before handing with friends on Sunday evening. “It was lifeguards. themselves in to the Turkish military, a freak accident. More youngsters are In May last year a Russian woman she told the court. now addicted to taking selfies,” railway accidentally shot herself in the head She was arrested when police police officer S Ramuthai from the with a pistol while posing for a selfie boarded her flight home at Chennai suburb of Tambaram told AFP. with the weapon. And US investigators London’s Heathrow Airport last The boy, reportedly aged 16, who last February said a pilot’s repeated had spent the day at the zoo, had snapping of selfie photos caused a small February. During her trial, Shakil walked in front of the train, waiting for it plane to crash, killing both people on claimed she only travelled to Syria to get closer to take the photo, accord- board. — AFP because she wanted to live under sharia law. — AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 S Sudan troops suffocated 50 people in a container

ADDIS ABABA: South Sudan government river barges. There was no immediate News troops killed some 50 people by stuffing response from South Sudan’s army, but in brief them into a shipping container in baking spokesmen have rejected a long list of previ- heat, ceasefire monitors have said in a ous reports detailing accusations of atroci- report noting the latest atrocities in two ties. Last month, a UN panel of experts said S African court jails men years of war. Despite an August peace deal, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and rebel for immigrant’s murder fighting continues, and the conflict now chief Riek Machar should face sanctions for JOHANNESBURG: Two South African men were yesterday involves multiple militia forces who pay little their role in the war. JMEC chief Festus jailed for killing a Mozambican street vendor in an attack heed to paper peace deals, driven by local Mogae, a former Botswana president captured in graphic photographs during a wave of anti- agendas or revenge attacks. The report, by appointed to the role by regional bloc IGAD, immigrant violence last year. The images, taken by a press the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation warned that efforts to force through a unity photographer, showed Emmanuel Sithole being stabbed Commission (JMEC), was submitted to the government had stalled after Kiir nearly to death with a small knife in Alexandra township, north- African Union (AU) summit and made public tripled the number of regional states, under- ern Johannesburg. Johannesburg magistrate Lucas van der late Sunday. mining a fundamental pillar of the power- Schyff jailed the main accused Mthinto Bhengu for 17 The atrocity, titled “concerning the killing sharing deal. years, and his co-accused Sifundo Mzimela for 10 years. of civilians in Unity State”, was one of several “The government’s action has led to an Their underage accomplice received a five-year suspended listed as examples of ceasefire violations car- impasse,” Mogae said, in an appeal to the AU. term and was released under supervision. In handing ried out by forces on both sides. “About 50 “Given the fragility of the security situation in down the sentences, Van der Schyff said Bhengu was a people suffocated in a container on about South Sudan, the renewed risk of conflict, danger to society and did not show real remorse. Bhengu 22 October. The investigation was protract- and continued insecurity affecting the was identified as the man wielding the knife in pictures ed. Attribution of responsibility: humanitarian relief effort, emphatic, stern that caused a national outcry amid a spate of deadly Government Forces,” the report read. In measures should be taken by the African attacks against immigrants in townships. Sithole died of his South Sudan, metal containers are often YIDA, South Sudan: A bus departs from Ajuong Thok refugee camp in South Sudan, Union... rhetoric alone can only do so much,” wounds in hospital. The magistrate described the murder used as makeshift prison cells. Temperatures less than 100 kms away from the border with Sudan. The bus will travel to Yida, the Mogae said. Both the government and rebel as “senseless, brutal and unnecessary”. Attacks against in the northern battleground state of Unity last village in South Sudan, before eventually crossing the border. Sudan ordered sides have been accused of perpetrating eth- immigrants often flare up across South Africa, where poor regularly top 40 degrees Celsius (100 the reopening of the country’s contested borders with South Sudan. Relations nic massacres, recruiting and killing children locals accuse them of taking their jobs. degrees Fahrenheit). between Juba and Khartoum had been tense since South Sudan’s secession split in and carrying out widespread rape, torture Other crimes listed include rape and 2011 under a peace deal that ended a bloody 22-year civil war, with disputes over and forced displacement of populations to murder, and the capture and looting of UN several areas along the border. — AFP “cleanse” areas of their opponents. — AFP Saudi man executed; 56 executions in 2016 RIYADH: Saudi authorities yesterday executed a national for murdering a compatriot, bringing to 56 Iran grabs over $100 billion the number of convicts put to death in the kingdom this year. Ahmed Al-Harbi was found guilty of stabbing and shooting Fahed Al-Balawi in a dispute, the interior ministry said in a statement carried by state news in assets under nuclear deal agency SPA. He was executed in the northern city of Tabuk. Most executions in Saudi Arabia are done by beheading with a sword. Last year the kingdom exe- cuted 153 people, mostly for drug trafficking or mur- UN chief urges compromise, realism between Saudis and Iran der, according to an AFP tally. On a single day last month it put 47 people to death for “terrorism”, includ- TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday it now has ing influential Shiite cleric Nimr Al-Nimr. Amnesty access to more than $100 billion worth of International says the number of executions in Saudi frozen overseas assets following the imple- Arabia in 2015 was the highest for two decades. The mentation of a landmark nuclear deal with kingdom practices a strict Islamic legal code under world powers. Government spokesman which murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said much of and apostasy are all punishable by death. the money had been piling up in banks in China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey since international sanctions were tight- ened in 2012 over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency meanwhile quoted central bank official Nasser Hakimi as saying nine Iranian banks are now reconnected to SWIFT, a Belgian- based cooperative that handles wire trans- fers between financial institutions. No for- eign banks operate in Iran, and ATMs in Iran are not yet linked to the global system. The historic agreement brought about the lift- ing of international sanctions last month after the UN certified that Iran has met all its commitments to curbing its nuclear activities under last summer’s accord. “These assets ($100 billion) have fully been released and we can use them,” Nobakht said in comments posted on the website of state-run Press TV. He said much KABUL: Afghan security personnel gather as victims of the money belongs to CBI and the coun- are treated at the site of a suicide car bomb next to a try’s National Development Fund. He said police base in Kabul yesterday. — AFP Iran will not bring all the money back Taleban suicide bomber because it can be spent on purchasing goods. Iran expects an economic break- kills 9 near police base through after the lifting of sanctions, which KABUL: A Taleban suicide bomber struck a police base in will allow it to access overseas assets and central Kabul yesterday, killing at least nine people just sell crude oil more freely. Mohsen Jalalpour, days before a fresh round of international talks aimed at the head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, TEHRAN: Schoolgirls hold national flag in front of a giant board as Iranians mark the start of 10 days of celebrations for the 7th3 reviving dialogue with the Islamist group. Scores of people said on state TV Monday that Iranian busi- anniversary of the Islamic revolution yesterday at the Behesht-e Zahra (Zahra’s Paradise) cemetery in southern Tehran. — AFP were also wounded in the bombing at the entrance of the nessmen are already able to open letters of visit to the sultanate of Oman, which bor- landmark nuclear deal with world powers will up to last year’s landmark nuclear deal and, base, which left several bodies and charred debris strewn credit for transactions in other countries. ders Saudi Arabia and shares control of lead to “increasingly responsible behavior in more recently, negotiations aimed at resolv- around the area. The attack comes amid the Taleban’s approaches to the Persian Gulf with Iran. the region.” Long-simmering tensions between ing the civil war in neighboring Yemen. It has unprecedented winter offensive despite a renewed push to Saudis and Iran “I hope that both Iran and Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia and Iran escalated last month also helped secure the release of a number of restart formal peace talks. The interior ministry initially Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary despite mistrust and difficulties, will bring real- after Saudi authorities executed a prominent captives held by Yemeni rebels. Ban praised reported the attack as a suicide car bomb, but later said the General Ban Ki-moon has used a stopover ism, responsibility and compromise to their Shiite cleric, sparking protests in Iran. Oman for its “unique role of bringing people attacker appeared to be on foot and detonated himself in a in the Middle East yesterday to urge Saudi dealings, and to the region,” Ban said during an Oman has long maintained contacts with together ... facilitating dialogue and finding queue of people waiting to get inside the base. “Ten peo- Arabia and Iran to compromise and interact address to Oman’s National Defense College, its powerful neighbors, and frequently acts as common ground.” His visit included talks with ple were reported killed and 20 others were wounded in a responsibly, seeking to calm a flare-up in according to a text of his remarks provided by a discreet mediator to some of the region’s senior Omani officials including Yusuf bin suicide attack in Deh Mazang square of Kabul city,” deputy tensions between the two regional rivals. the UN. He also expressed hope that last thornier disputes. It hosted secret talks Alawi, the minister responsible for foreign interior minister Mohammad Ayoub Salangi said on Ban made the comments during a two-day month’s lifting of sanctions on Iran following its between Washington and Tehran in the lead- affairs. — Agencies Twitter. “Most of the victims were civilians.” Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid reported a death toll of nine, adding that as many as 12 people including a woman were wounded. The health ministry said some of those wound- Iran’s former president criticizes ed were hit in the chest by flying shrapnel and are in criti- cal condition. hardliners for eliminating rivals Armed robbers target paramedics in S Africa JOHANNESBURG: Paramedics on duty were robbed at DUBAI: Former Iranian President Akbar gunpoint in two major cities in South Africa in recent days, raising concerns about the safety of emergency Hashemi Rafsanjani yesterday criticized responders in a country with a high crime rate. Two the disqualification of reformist candi- paramedics from ER24, a medical care group, were dates by hardliners from national elec- robbed Friday night in the Khayelitsha area of Cape tions next month, deepening a dispute Town after going to a home to help a person reported between the two factions. The Guardian to be ill, the group said in a statement. One of the Council, a vetting body made up of cler- paramedics said a gunman “jumped into the back of ics and jurists, excluded thousands of the ambulance and held a firearm to the front of his parliamentary hopefuls and four-fifths of forehead while demanding his cellphone,” ER24 said. In the candidates for the body that will a separate incident, authorities in Johannesburg said a choose Iran’s next Supreme Leader. The gunman robbed three municipal paramedics who move was a setback to moderate were treating a patient in an ambulance early President Hassan Rouhani and his pow- Thursday. Paramedics are “quite an easy target” erful ally Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, was because they often rush into potentially risky areas at president between 1989 and 1997. night, ER24 spokesman Russell Meiring said Monday. Among those excluded was Hassan Paramedics are working with police to get escorts for Khomeini, grandson of the Islamic some assignments, and are also appealing to the pub- Republic’s first Supreme Leader, lic to keep them safe by reporting any suspicious activ- Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who has ity, Meiring said. Also Thursday, an ER24 ambulance close ties to reformists. was broken into and vandalized in Durban on South “They disqualified the grandson of Africa’s east coast. Imam Khomeini, who is the most similar person to his grandfather,” Rafsanjani Egyptian students stand said, according to ISNA news agency, at a trial for insulting Islam ceremony commemorating the anniver- CAIRO: An Egyptian lawyer says three Coptic Christian sary of Khomeini’s return to Tehran from students face charges of insulting Islam and will stand tri- France during the 1979 revolution. “Who al this week after appearing in a video mocking Muslim decided you are qualified to judge the prayers. Maher Naguib, a lawyer from the southern city of others? Who gave you the right to take TEHRAN: Iranian soldiers walk past giant boards displaying pictures of the late founder of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Minya said yesterday that the students, all in high school, all the guns, have all the Friday prayer Khomeini, as Iranians mark the start of 10 days of celebrations for the 37th anniversary of the Islamic revolution yesterday. — AFP will stand trial on Thursday. The students’ teacher, also a platform and run state television?” he Rafsanjani, 78, was Friday prayer leader to take place on Feb. 26. won a landslide election in 2013 on a Christian, was tried separately over the same charges. He added, referring to hardliners. in Tehran but was dismissed from the Iran’s success in winning an end to pledge of easing Iran’s isolation abroad fled the town and was sentenced to three-years imprison- Rafsanjani’s comments indirectly tar- position when he backed the opposition international sanctions in exchange for and repression at home. But hardliners ment in absentia last year. Naguib said he will appeal. The get Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali students appeared in a video pretending to pray and movement whose protests were crushed curbing its disputed nuclear program is now fear that voters, hoping living stan- reciting Quranic verses. Christians make up 10 percent of Khamenei, who is commander-in-chief of after the last, disputed election in 2009. expected to intensify a power struggle dards can rise with sanctions out of the Egypt’s population. Egypt has witnessed a surge in blas- the armed forces and who appoints the The Guardian Council disqualified him within an elite split into conservative and way, will reward pro-Rouhani candidates phemy charges in recent months at a time when head of state television, the Friday prayer from the next presidential election. moderate-reformist factions. Khamenei in the elections, with the vote for the President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi vowed to modernize reli- leaders around the country and half of Elections to the 290-seat parliament and grudgingly allowed Rouhani to negotiate Assembly of Experts in particular crucial gious discourse. the members of the Guardian Council. 88-member Assembly of Experts are due the nuclear deal after the moderate cleric in shaping Iran’s future path. — Reuters INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

With inmates back in jail, focus turns to how they escaped

SANTA ANA: With all three violent rappel four stories to the ground. the inmates after the escape. custody for violent felonies. A woman Nayeri - who both were born in Iran - inmates who escaped from a California jail Their escape triggered an intense The three did not know each other who taught English at the jail, and is exchanged letters and had a relationship back in custody, authorities are beginning manhunt. On Friday, of the inmates, 43- before being housed in the Orange accused of giving Nayeri a paper copy of a that was closer than it should have been, to examine how they carried out the jail- year-old Bac Duong, surrendered after County jail. They were awaiting trial on Google Earth map that showed an aerial but stopped short of calling it romantic. break and what they did during their walking into an auto repair shop in charges including murder, attempted view of the entire jail compound, is also in Nayeri is a former Marine who grew up in week on the run. Orange County Sheriff Santa Ana just a few miles from the jail. murder, torture and kidnapping. Duong custody. the Fresno area, and authorities say it’s Sandra Hutchens vowed over the week- The last two escapees, Hossein Nayeri, and Tieu have ties to street gangs that Nooshafarin Ravaghi, a 44-year-old unclear why as an English speaker he was end to fix the security lapses that allowed 37, and Jonathan Tieu, 20, were arrested operate in the shadows of Orange children’s book author, was arrested in her class that teaches English as a sec- the escape. Early on Jan 22, the men Saturday after a civilian flagged down County’s thriving Vietnamese community. Thursday and booked on suspicion of ond language. Built in 1968, the jail that sawed, crawled and climbed their way out officers near San Francisco’s Golden While behind bars, the three were housed being an accessory to a felony. She is housed the men holds about 900 inmates. of the maximum-security Central Men’s Gate Park and pointed out a parked van together in a large jail module that held being held pending a court appearance It was the first breakout from the facility in Jail and used a rope made of bedsheets to that looked like one believed stolen by 65 other men, about half of whom were in set for Monday. Authorities say she and nearly 30 years.—AP

Israel blocks non-residents from Ramallah after attack

RAMALLAH: Israel blocked non-residents ‘Only the people’ from Ramallah yesterday after a checkpoint A large number of Palestinians, aid shooting wounded three soldiers, keeping workers and diplomats commute to commuters out of the West Bank city where Ramallah for work or other reasons on a the Palestinian Authority is based. The daily basis. While diplomats were not unusual move also applied to foreigners, directly impacted, “the travel restriction on although United Nations officials, interna- Palestinians is having an effect in terms of tional NGOs and diplomatic staff were our ability to engage”, one Western diplo- being allowed in, diplomatic and UN mat said. “A number of meetings have been sources said. Palestinians seeking to leave called off because Palestinian interlocutors Ramallah were also undergoing security have not been able to get to the meeting checks, leading to frustration in lengthy site.” Palestinians queuing to leave queues. “In accordance with situation Ramallah said they considered the measure assessments following yesterday’s shooting to be punishment for Sunday’s attack. attack in Beit El, security measures have One woman in her 30s waiting in a taxi been taken in the area and only residents gave her name as Aline and said she was of Ramallah are allowed to enter the city,” a missing a court date in Nablus in the north- military spokeswoman said. ern West Bank. “The question is until when Sunday’s attack saw a Palestinian who this will happen?” she asked. “Every time had worked as a guard for the attorney someone has a gun and goes to shoot the general’s office in Ramallah open fire at a Israeli army? Neither the (Palestinian) presi- checkpoint outside the city, wounding dent is harmed or anyone else. Only the three Israeli soldiers before being shot people are harmed.” Violence since October dead. It was the latest in four months of has killed 25 Israelis, as well as an American Palestinian knife, gun and car-ramming and an Eritrean, according to an AFP count. attacks targeting Israelis. Most of the At the same time, 161 Palestinians have attacks have been stabbings, though been killed by Israeli forces, most while car- shootings have occasionally occurred. The rying out attacks but others during clashes military spokeswoman said yesterday a and demonstrations. The checkpoint shoot- decision on when to lift the measure would ing was one of two attacks on Sunday. depend on security assessments, with Israel Later in the day, an attempted car-ramming seeking to halt the wave of attacks. occurred at a military checkpoint in the It was not clear when the last time such West Bank north of Jerusalem, with the a move had been taken by Israel, though attacker shot and taken to hospital for heavy restrictions were put in place during treatment, Israel’s military said. No Israelis the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, were reported wounded. between 2000 and 2005. Sunday’s shooting Yesterday morning, a 17-year-old marked at least the second time a Palestinian was shot dead after trying to Palestinian security officer had been impli- stab soldiers near the Jewish settlement of cated in an attack in the current wave of Salit in the West Bank, Israel’s army said. violence. The checkpoint where it occurred, Salit is near Israeli territory, not far from Tel regularly used by diplomats, journalists and Aviv. Some analysts say Palestinian frustra- ABIDJAN: People attend a live broadcast of the trial of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo in front of the International Criminal Court humanitarian workers, was closed yester- tion with Israel’s occupation of the West (ICC) in The Hague. — AFP day morning, an AFP journalist reported. A Bank, the complete lack of progress in number of other roads connecting peace efforts and their own fractured lead- Ramallah with the northern West Bank ership have helped feed the unrest. Israel were also closed or restricted, although blames incitement by Palestinian leaders France aided Ouattara checkpoints near Jerusalem were open. and media as a main cause of the violence. Later in the day, it appeared that enforce- Many of the attackers have been young ment of the measure varied between loca- people, including teenagers, who appear to tions. have been acting on their own.— AFP to take ‘power by force’

Gbagbo’s defense lawyers blast Ivorian president

THE HAGUE: Defense lawyers for fallen Nicolas Sarkozy “had shown unwavering sup- ing the entire crisis,” he said. Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo yesterday port for his friend Ouattara,” defense lawyer “A fleet of French military aircraft delivered accused his bitter rival President Alassane Jennifer Naouri told the court. Gbagbo heavy weapons to pro-Ouattara combatants Ouattara of seizing power by force aided by became the first ex-head of state to go on trial in the north of Cote d’Ivoire in February and former colonial ruler France after disputed at the ICC and Chief Prosecutor Fatou March 2011, once again breaking the UN 2010 elections. In an opening statement on Bensouda painted a vivid picture of the tur- embargo,” he said, using Ivory Coast’s French the third day of Gbagbo’s landmark trial on moil saying “the Ivory Coast descended into name. If the two men are convicted, the maxi- charges of crimes against humanity, defense chaos and was the theatre of unspeakable mum penalty is usually up to 30 years in lawyer Emmanuel Altit sought to unmask violence.” prison. Judges can impose a life sentence what he called a deliberate “smear campaign” She alleged on Thursday that Gbagbo, aid- “when justified by the extreme gravity of the against his client. “Ouattara and his support- ed by the military, police and a youth militia crime”, according to the court’s guiding ers wanted to seize power by force and the group organised by Ble Goude, had clung to statute. Prosecutors are focusing on four spe- battle of Abidjan was, simply put, the very power by “all means necessary”. But Altit cific incidents in the orgy of violence in the implementation of this strategy,” defence countered Monday that there had been a world’s top cocoa producer, once held up as a lawyer Emmanuel Altit told the International deliberate campaign to make Gbagbo “out to beacon of democracy in a troubled continent. Criminal Court (ICC). be some of kind demon” and “paint Ouattara One incident is the shelling of a market in Gbagbo and his co-accused Charles Ble as the good guy.” the northern Abobo suburb on March 17, Goude, a firebrand militia leader, have denied “This is nothing more than a political nar- 2011 when pro-Gbagbo forces are alleged to four charges of crimes against humanity after rative that has been heated up and re-served.” have killed 40 people and injured 60 others. EIN SINYA, Palestinian Territories: An Israeli soldier checks the vehicles of 3,000 people were killed following a disputed Gbagbo lawyer Agathe Bahi Baroan added Altit recalled how the incident had been loud- Palestinians on their way out of the West Bank village of Ein Sinya, northern Ivory Coast vote. Their highly-anticipated trial that Gbagbo was “not a despot.” “All his life he Ramallah yesterday. —AFP opened on Thursday at the court based in The fought to defend democracy in the Ivory ly condemned at the United Nations. But it led Hague and is set to last three to four years. Coast,” she said. to a “ground offensive which had been pre- Gbagbo declared himself the winner of the pared well in advance, craftily, sneakily, by Kadyrov issues video of oppn vote in late 2010, but major powers including ‘Crafty plotters, schemers’ French forces,” he said. And he regretted that France and the United States, as well as the “Perhaps someone wants us to forget” no French witnesses had been called by the leader in sniper’s crosshairs United Nations, backed Ouattara, who had alleged abuses committed by pro-Ouattara prosecution, saying only they “have the infor- snatched a narrow victory. forces, Altit said, adding that even before the mation needed to get” to the truth of what The row triggered a bitter standoff that elections Ouattara had been recruiting mer- happened. The ICC is accused by some African MOSCOW: One of Russian President Vladimir once served as prime minister under Putin saw Gbagbo holed up in the fortified presi- cenaries in neighboring Burkina Faso, where leaders of unfairly targeting them. On Sunday, Putin’s most loyal allies has stirred fear among only to become one of his biggest critics in dential palace and Abidjan-the country’s main preparations for the assault on Abidjan were during an African Union summit, several con- Kremlin critics by releasing a video showing opposition, said he hoped the Russian presi- city and commercial capital-turned into a war made. “The plans for military action had been tinental heads of state backed a Kenyan pro- opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov in the dent would speak out against Kadyrov. The posal to pull out of the ICC on the ground that crosshairs of a sniper’s rifle. The video, Kremlin said it had not seen the video but zone. “France did not want peace to be nego- drawn up by the plotters and schemers ... in it is biased.—AFP released on social media by Ramzan Kadyrov, would look into it. “I assess Kadyrov’s move as tiated,” Altit said. Then French president cooperation with French military leaders dur- the Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya, fol- incitement to murder a state or civil society lows weeks of increasingly hostile rhetoric leader,” Kasyanov, who is chairman of the towards the liberal opposition from the for- opposition PARNAS party, told the Ekho mer rebel fighter, who has called Putin’s Moskvy radio station. “It’s a straightforward opponents “enemies of the people” who criminal offence.”—Reuters deserve to be tried for sabo- tage. The video, which Kasyanov, a former prime minister, said he regarded as “incitement to murder”, was issued weeks before the first anniversary of the murder of Boris Nemtsov, another prominent liberal opposi- tion leader. Police have charged a group of Chechen men with that killing, one of whom Kadyrov praised for his patriotism after the mur- der. But Nemtsov’s allies say the mastermind has not been found and that a cov- er-up is underway. They want Kadyrov ques- tioned. Kadyrov, 39, has said the idea that he is a suspect in the Nemtsov killing is nonsense. Kasyanov, who TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 INTERNATIONAL

Snowden, Colombia, Greek islanders among Nobel Peace Prize tips

OSLO: Former US spy agency contractor member Norway, would be a huge snub for opened their homes and hearts”. But it could Edward Snowden, peace negotiators in President Barack Obama, the 2009 Nobel lau- be difficult to identify Greek winners under Colombia or Greek islanders helping Syrian reate. Asle Sveen, an historian and expert on the plans set out by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish refugees were among tips for the 2016 Nobel the prize, said he reckoned the “obvious founder of the prize. The award can be split Peace Prize at the deadline for nominations choice” for 2016 would be to honour up to three ways, to individuals or organiza- yesterday. Nobel watchers also speculated Colombia’s government and FARC rebel tions. that negotiators of an accord over Iran’s group - if they succeed in peace talks Sveen said other candidates may include nuclear program could be in the running launched in 2012 to end five decades of war. Russian human rights groups such as after a surprise award last year to a coalition He noted Norway’s government had been Memorial, nominated by Norwegian Prime of Tunisian democracy campaigners, the involved in organizing peace talks, perhaps Minister Erna Solberg before she took office National Dialogue Quartet. swaying the five-member Norwegian Nobel in 2013. “Huge numbers of nominations are “2016 may finally be Edward Snowden’s committee which is appointed by parliament. still coming in,” said Olav Njoelstad, Director of year ... His leaks are now having a positive Feb. 1 is the annual deadline for nominations. the Norwegian Nobel Institute. The commit- effect,” Kristian Berg Harpviken, head of the Harpviken placed Colombian peace nego- tee will have its first meeting on Feb 29 and Peace Research Institute, Oslo said, putting tiators third on his list, behind US Energy announce the winner in October. Thousands him top of his list of candidates. Harpviken Secretary Ernest Moniz and Ali Akbar Salehi, of people, including members of all national said many nations were now reforming laws head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, for parliaments, former laureates and university to restrict intelligence gathering, helping their role in negotiating a deal last year to lim- rectors, can make nominations. Last year human rights, in the wake of Snowden’s leaks it Iran’s nuclear program. That accord led to a there were 273 nominees. Harpviken said a in 2013 of details of the US government’s sur- lifting of sanctions by major powers on US nominator, whom he did not identify, had veillance programs. Tehran last month. Other candidates include proposed US Republican presidential front- Washington has filed espionage charges Greek islanders who have helped Syrian and runner Donald Trump for his “vigorous peace against Snowden, who has been granted asy- other refugees - a campaign by grassroots through strength ideology”. He did not list lum in Russia. An award of the $930,000 prize group Avaaz has collected 635,000 online sig- Trump among those with a chance of win- Edward Snowden to Snowden, by a Nobel committee in NATO natures for a prize to islanders who “have ning. —Reuters Britain, EU hold crucial talks on the ‘Brexit’ deal EU struggling with biggest influx of migrants since WWII

BRUSSELS: European Union and British comes as the EU is struggling with the give him time to call a referendum on under a rule that would require countries diplomats held “intensive” talks in Brussels biggest influx of migrants since World Britain’s membership of the EU this June, to show their welfare system was under yesterday in a race against time to seal a War II, and the ongoing fallout over the the first since 1975. Although he has set a strain. According to government sources, deal on changes to Britain’s membership euro-zone debt crisis. “Intensive work in deadline of the end of 2017 to hold a ref- Cameron is prepared to accept the “emer- of the crisis-ridden bloc by the end of the next 24 (hours) crucial,” Tusk wrote on erendum, he is keen to push a vote gency brake” in place of a previously pro- day. British Prime Minister David Twitter on Sunday night. “Only one basket through before any new flare up in the posed four-year curb on EU migrants Cameron and EU President Donald Tusk is really ‘closed’,” an EU source said. migration crisis and before British claiming benefits. Other countries had failed to reach an agreement over dinner “Negotiations continue.” Failure to reach eurosceptics, particularly in his own party, objected strongly that this was discrimi- in London on Sunday and so decided on an agreement on Monday will mean that become even more unruly. His main goal natory and could require change to the a 24-hour extension for further discussion Tusk is likely unable to issue a draft pro- is to exclude EU migrants from benefits EU’s founding treaties, a very difficult pro- in a bid to reach an accord by the self- posal for other EU leaders this week, in such as income top-ups for low-paid cedure. “The prime minister intends to imposed deadline. But with only one of time for a full deal at an EU summit workers until they have paid into the leave Tusk in no doubt that he will not do the four policy areas or baskets demand- Brussels on February 18-19. British system, under a so-called “emer- a deal at any price,” a senior British gov- ed by Cameron having been agreed so gency brake” system. Downing Street ernment source said. But underlining the far, according to EU officials, the negotia- ‘Significant breakthrough’ insisted there had been a “significant challenges ahead, Paris warned London PARIS: French President Francois Hollande (right) welcomes Cuban tions to keep Britain in the 28-nation bloc Cameron, whose Conservative party breakthrough” on Sunday, with the that it would block a separate proposal to promise to be difficult. has long been split by the issue of Europe, European Commission having agreed the protect EU countries like Britain that are President Raul Castro upon his arrival yesterday at the Elysee Presidential The turmoil over Britain’s membership had hoped for a deal at the summit to brake could be applied immediately not part of the euro single currency. “To Palace in Paris. —AFP French officials, any provisions giving non-euro countries power to indefinitely Cuban president makes stall euro-zone votes are unacceptable,” the Financial Times reported, saying France would reject any “backdoor veto” historic trip to France for the City of London finance hub. PARIS: Cuba’s President Raul Castro began Hollande urged an end to the block- Anti-EU sentiment an official state visit to France yesterday, ade, which was imposed in 1962, on his The other areas-ensuring greater eco- his first ever to Europe, which is being seen Havana visit. Trade delegations have been nomic competitiveness in the EU and giv- as a key step in rebuilding his island flocking to Cuba, hoping to cash in on its ing Britain guarantees against further nation’s ties with the West. The Cuban highly trained workforce and natural European integration-are seen as easier leader was welcomed under the Arc de assets such as its sun-drenched Caribbean to agree on. Without a deal in February, Triomphe in Paris before being driven beaches, a draw for tourists. Cuba, mean- the next EU summit is in March, but that down a virtually deserted Champs-Elysees while, needs to tap new sources of would likely not leave time for Britain to avenue, decked out in Cuban flags. Police income as its main ally and financial arrange the referendum in June, with the severely restricted access to spectators, backer, Venezuela, is mired in economic next available dates not until September and just a few groups of supporters of the and political crisis. Trade between the or even next year. Cameron, who was re- Cuban regime were present. two countries currently adds up to a mod- elected in May, insists he is willing to hold Castro, 84, is on his first official trip to est $195 million (180 million euros), which out for as long as it takes to secure the the European Union since taking over is “not in line with our ambitions,” France’s right package of reforms, if necessary from his elder brother Fidel in 2006, and minister of state for foreign trade delaying the referendum until September spent the weekend in the French capital Matthias Fekl told L’Humanite newspaper. or even next year. The number of on a private visit. France has led the way European job seekers has become a hot in welcoming Cuba back into the diplo- Debt write-off political issue in Britain and key driver of matic fold since it restored relations last The French trip is the first by a Cuban anti-EU sentiment-a phenomenon year with the United States after they head of state since Fidel Castro visited increasingly seen across the bloc. Opinion were broken off for more than half a cen- then president Francois Mitterrand in polls are largely split on whether Britons tury. French President Francois Hollande, 1995. Castro will also attend a state din- BRUSSELS: The British (right) and EU flags flap in the wind outside of EU headquarters in would vote to leave the EU in a so-called who was to hold talks with Castro later, ner before meeting various French offi- Brussels. —AP “Brexit”. —AFP has described the visit as “a new stage in cials on Tuesday. France recently engi- the strengthening of relations between neered an agreement among the Paris the two countries”. It builds on Hollande’s Club of international creditors to write off own state visit to Cuba last May, the first $8.5 billion of Cuba’s debt. It could now Cologne on edge after sex by a head of state from the West in more agree to further debt relief, potentially than half a century. widening Cuba’s access to international Castro is the second former pariah to financial markets. be welcomed to Paris in a matter of days, France is also taking a leading role in assaults, beefs up security after Hollande hosted Iranian President strengthening Cuba’s political ties with Hassan Rouhani last week. “This visit is Europe as a whole. Human rights important for Cuba’s image,” said Eduardo remains a sensitive issue, with interna- BERLIN: Cologne is on high alert ahead of its but adding that “sexual overtures are strictly pro- attempted his assault on the one-year anniver- Perera, an international relations expert at tional authorities accusing the Castros giant carnival festivities since a shocking spate of hibited. Women and men must always consent sary of the jihadist attack on satirical weekly Havana University. “It will undeniably of repressing and harassing their politi- sexual assaults, with German authorities anxious to the ‘buetzen’. No means no!” Charlie Hebdo in Paris. He had lived at an asy- make Cuba shine on the international cal opponents. A diplomatic source in to prevent a repeat of the rampage and ward off lum-seeker shelter in Recklinghausen, said stage.” Havana hopes the visit will allow Paris said human rights “will be dis- potential jihadist attacks. Police in the western ‘Don’t dress up as jihadists’ German police, who however found that he was Cuba to “widen and diversify its relations cussed” during the talks. Hollande faced German city have been struggling to restore But a repeat of the New Year debacle was not not linked to any Islamist networks. with France in all possible areas-politics, criticism from rights groups after meet- public confidence after it emerged that hun- the only threat. Security forces are also battling Underlining the nervousness surrounding economics, trade, finance, investment, cul- ing with Fidel Castro last year. There dreds of women were groped and robbed in a to prevent a possible terror attack, with potential threats, Cologne’s police chief Juergen ture and cooperation,” said Rogelio Sierra, were also demonstrations against mob of mostly North African and Arab men dur- Germany’s domestic intelligence chief Hans- Mathies “strongly discouraged” revelers from Cuban deputy foreign minister. Although Rouhani’s visit last week, although ing New Year’s celebrations. Georg Maassen reiterating in a report that the “dressing up as jihadists or from carrying Washington has yet to lift its trade embar- Hollande hailed a “new relationship” Around 1,000 complaints have been filed over situation remained serious after the Paris jihadist weapons that you are unable to tell whether go on Cuba, US and European businesses after sealing a slew of lucrative trade the crime spree that has also ignited an intense atrocities in November. they are real or not”. Authorities were apparently are jockeying for a place in the market as deals drawn up after nuclear sanctions debate about Germany’s ability to integrate 1.1 The wider area around Cologne in North not taking any chances, and had even issued a the island’s economy gradually opens up. on Iran were lifted. —AFP million asylum seekers it took in last year. The Rhine-Westphalia state is home to Germany’s public alert after a man of “Middle Eastern carnival festivities kick off on Thursday with biggest concentration of radical Islamists. It is appearance” bought chemicals that could be street parties-a week-long binge of beer, song also where the man who tried to attack a Paris used to make improvised explosives in a hard- and dance by revelers in fancy dress-and run police station on January 7 lived. The attacker, ware store. That eventually turned out to be a Al-Qaeda militants seize through Ash Wednesday on February 10. In the identified as Tarek Belgacem by Tunisian authori- case of a drug-making home factory rather than run-up to carnival, German authorities are deter- ties, was shot dead by French police as he explosives. —AFP southern Yemeni town mined to put on a good show. Some 2,500 police officers have been called in to patrol the streets, SANAA: Al-Qaeda’s Yemeni branch seized allies still control the capital, Sanaa, and three times as many as last year, as the security another town yesterday, setting up check- much of the north. The Al-Qaeda affiliate budget reached 360,000 euros ($390,000). points at its entrances and besieging gov- has clashed with the Houthis, but the areas Closed-circuit television cameras have been ernment buildings before dawn after days it has captured are under the govern- installed and bans imposed on known petty of fighting with southern separatists, offi- ment’s nominal control. An Islamic State thieves, including suspected pickpockets who cials said. The capture of Azzan marks the affiliate has also emerged in recent took part in the crime spree on New Year’s Eve. A latest advance for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian months, carrying out a series of attacks on “security point” for women will be set up in the Peninsula, or AQAP, which has exploited Shiites and government officials. city, to be staffed by social workers and psychol- the chaos of Yemen’s civil war to expand its Azzan, with a population of 50,000, is at ogists and the local judicial system geared up to reach. The security officials spoke on con- a crossroads between Aden and the oil accelerate the processing of any potential dition of anonymity because they are not and gas-rich Hadramawt province, of offenders during the festivities. As doubts sur- authorized to brief reporters. The group which Mukalla is the capital. Officials and faced over the cultural differences of the mostly captured the southern port city of Mukalla witnesses say Al-Qaeda has a presence Muslim newcomers, carnival’s organizers have last year and has seized a number of towns inside Aden as well, where it has set up even printed a leaflet in both Arabic and English as it has moved west toward Yemen’s sec- training camps and smuggling operations explaining the party to newcomers, including ond city of Aden, where the internationally in the city’s port. Washington has long whether alcohol was a must. backed government is based. viewed AQAP as the global network’s most “While many Cologne locals drink beer or oth- Yemen’s conflict pits a loose array of dangerous branch. It has been linked to er alcoholic beverages during carnival, it is of government-allied forces against the Shiite several attempted attacks on the US course not compulsory. You can have fun, sing Houthi rebels and troops loyal to a former homeland and claimed responsibility for and dance just as easily without alcohol,” accord- president. A Saudi-led and US-backed the attack on a satirical French magazine’s ing to the flyer. The neighboring city of Bonn was coalition have intervened on the govern- Paris offices a year ago, which killed 12 more explicit in its advice to refugees, explaining COLOGNE: File photo shows carnival revelers celebrating the launch of the so-called ment’s side, but the Houthis and their people. —AP that the word “buetzen” means “kissing some- “Fifth Season”, the carnival season in Cologne, western Germany. —AFP body on the cheek, one of our carnival customs”, ACCESS over 10,000 top jobs daily NETWORK with professional peers SHARE leading career content

Security Supervisor Directional Driller Supervisors Senior Auditor/ External Senior Project Director - Mudon Ahlia Real Estate Baker Hughes Auditor - PKF Bourseli & Co. Construction - Michael Page Company - Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait International Limited - Kuwait

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Reception Manager Pest Control Sales Manager Civil Supervisor/ Foreman with Senior Developer / Product Hilton A to Z Services D/L - Four Square Facility Manager UAE UAE Management L.L.C - UAE q care - UAE

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Sales Manager Facilities Manager Head of Contracts Project Manager Dhofar Global Tr Co LLC Capstone Qatar Qatar Museums Consolidated Engineering Qatar Qatar Qatar Construction Company - Qatar

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www.bayt.com Register Upload your CV Apply INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 China: US island sail-by is ‘dangerous, irresponsible’

BEIJING: China yesterday condemned Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei as “dangerous and irresponsible” the and Taiwan all have rival claims. Beijing weekend transit of a US warship within has asserted its claims by rapidly build- 12 nautical miles of a disputed island in ing artificial islands in another South the South China Sea. Tensions have China Sea island chain, the Spratlys, rais- mounted in the Sea over Beijing’s con- ing tensions in the region. Port facilities, struction of artificial islands. The airstrips and military buildings have Pentagon said the guided missile gone up on the man-made islands, destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur made the prompting US warnings that it would “innocent passage” Saturday off Triton assert its rights to “fly, sail and operate Island in the Paracel island chain, which wherever international law allows”. is claimed by China, Taiwan and While the United States takes no Vietnam. position on the various claims to the The US action was “highly dangerous islands, it does not recognize any and irresponsible”, Beijing’s foreign min- claimant’s right to territorial waters. In istry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular October the US Navy sent a guided mis- press briefing, adding it “gravely harmed sile destroyer within 12 nautical miles of the peace and stability of the relevant one of the Spratlys to press home the region” in the pursuit of “American naval point. The US has said that China’s con- hegemony”. A commentary by the offi- struction has led to militarization of the cial Xinhua news service said the sail-by region, and threatens free access to its “violated both Chinese and internation- waters and airspace. China denies the al law”. claims, saying the facilities are mainly “It is advisable for Washington to for civilian and defensive purposes. “The contribute more to regional peace and US flexing of military muscle under the cooperation, rather than making waves banner of ‘freedom of navigation’, its in the South China Sea and then point- manufacturing of tensions, these are ing a finger at others on trumped-up precisely the greatest causes currently charges,” it said. China claims virtually all pushing forward militarisation in the of the South China Sea, while the South China Sea”, Lu said.—AFP NEW DELHI: Policemen try to stop Indian students as they march towards the office of Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or the National Volunteers Association’s office during a protest against the death of 26-year-old doctoral student Rohith Vemula in New Tough road ahead for Delhi, India. —AP Myanmar’s San Suu Kyi Delhi police under fire NAYPYIDAW: Aung San Suu Kyi’s party has several of the country’s major ethnic armed taken an unprecedented public mandate groups, but heavy fighting continues, par- into parliament. But popularity and power ticularly in Kachin and Shan states. As a Video of demo violence goes viral are only the beginning for the Nobel laure- member of the ethnic majority Bamar, Suu ate and her hundreds of new MPs, many of Kyi has sometimes been viewed with suspi- NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal throughout India in recent weeks over scholar caste, was among a group suspended by the whom have no experience of public office. cion by these groups. But the NLD won accused the city’s police yesterday of terrorizing Rohit Vemula’s death, a highly emotional case University of Hyderabad after they were accused Here are a few of their main challenges: handsomely in ethnic states and Suu Kyi protesters after video footage of them belting that some have blamed on caste discrimination. of assaulting the head of the BJP’s student wing Picking a president Suu Kyi’s party can form has pledged to work towards a federal sys- university students with sticks at a peaceful Vemula, a member of India’s lowest Dalit social there-a charge they denied. —AFP a government, but who will lead it? The tem. She also must tackle the scourge of demonstration went viral. Delhi University stu- Nobel laureate is barred from the presiden- anti-Muslim sentiment that has fomented dents staged a protest in the Indian capital last cy by a clause in the junta-drafted constitu- since an explosion of unrest in Rakhine weekend over the death of a young Dalit scholar tion because her children are British. state in 2012 between Buddhists and who committed suicide after he was suspended China to execute 2 men Many believe it was scripted specifically minority Rohingya communities. Tens of from a campus in the country’s south. Video of to block her path to power. She has said thousands of Muslim Rohingya are still the protest held outside the headquarters of a she will rule “above” a puppet president, trapped in bleak displacement camps and right-wing Hindu outfit shows police hovering for killing British monk who will replace outgoing President Thein the next government faces pressure from around the placard-waving and chanting stu- BEIJING: China has sentenced two men to the facility in rolling Scottish hills in 1967. He Sein in late March. If she does, that position the international community to find a solu- dents before suddenly beating them with wood- death for stabbing to death a British monk had the title of Rinpoche, an honorific given is not covered in the constitution and could tion for them. But they will be wary of en sticks and their fists. The students are heard rile the powerful military who have ceded enraging Rakhine Buddhists, who largely screaming and running away as police chase who founded Europe’s first Tibetan to the most respected teachers in Tibetan some powers but retain 25 percent of seats see the Rohingya as illegal immigrants them, with some grabbing protesters by the hair monastery over a financial dispute, state Buddhism, and his monastery said at the in parliament-and with them an effective from neighboring Bangladesh. and pinning them to the ground. media said. Akong Tulku Rinpoche, co- time of his killing that he had been “assassi- veto on major charter change. “There was no provocation from the side of founder of Scotland’s Samye Ling monastery, nated”. The institution was a pilgrimage site Economic development the protesters. It was a small group, non-violent was found dead with multiple stab wounds for artists and musicians including Leonard Military still in play Myanmar’s economy has surged under and unarmed. The police could have easily man- at his home in the southwestern city of Cohen as well as senior Tibetan monks Given the presidency issue, Suu Kyi may reforms by Thein Sein’s government. aged such a small crowd without using brute Chengdu in 2013. A court in the city sen- including the Dalai Lama. need to sweeten up an army which held Foreign investment swept in as most force,” photographer Vikas Kumar, who covered tenced two men, named in Chinese as Despite fleeing China, Akong had main- her prisoner for some 15 years. Observers Western sanctions were lifted. Mobile the protest, said on the Catch News website. Tudeng Gusang and Tsering Banjue, to death tained a relationship with authorities in say good relations between Suu Kyi and phones are now ubiquitous, car imports are Police have ordered an inquiry into the violence for the murders of Akong and two other men, Beijing, regularly returning to Tibetan the military will be crucial to get anything rising fast and several special economic which sparked outrage on social media Monday, while an accomplice was sentenced to three regions. Many Tibetans say that China done. That is because the military’s politi- zones are in the pipeline. The economy while the video was being played repeatedly on years in jail, the state-run China News Service represses their religious freedom and culture. cal powers are not limited to parliament. grew at 8.5 percent in the 2014/15 fiscal India’s TV news channels. “We have ordered an reported late Sunday. It cited authorities as Beijing says it has brought massive invest- The 2008 constitution that was scripted year, but the World Bank expects this to inquiry into the incident and are analyzing the saying that Gusang, who had worked at the ment to the relatively undeveloped region. under ex-dictator Than Shwe hands the moderate to 6.5 percent this year. But video,” police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said. Scottish monastery and Banjue had stabbed Rights groups say China executes more peo- army chief control over three key min- poverty is still a problem for huge swathes Kejriwal claimed officers were being manipulated Akong, his nephew and a driver to death in a ple than the rest of the world combined, istries: home affairs, defense and border of a country that relies on agriculture. With by his arch rival, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya dispute over a 2.7 million yuan ($410,000) though the annual number sentenced to affairs. Home affairs is a bureaucratic jug- many of the previous government’s so- Janata Party (BJP), which rules at national level payment. death has declined significantly over the past gernaut and includes the police force and called “quick win” policies already enacted, and is in charge of the city’s police force. The verdict, posted by the court on social decade. Beijing regards the figure as a state the sprawling General Administration the NLD has said it will focus on luring The protest on Saturday was held outside the media, said the murders were “brutal” and secret and does not release it. The British Department (GAD), a vast network that more international investment. Speedy offices of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh forms the backbone of the civil service. development is held back by patchy elec- (RSS), the hardline ideological parent of Prime that the suspects would be “treated severely embassy in Beijing said it was aware of the Beyond this soldiers are also in active com- tricity supply, poor road and rail networks Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP. “Del pol being in accordance with the law”. Britain said in a outcome of the trial, adding: “The British gov- bat as civil wars continue to rage in parts of and an unskilled workforce. Graft is also used by BJP/RSS as their pvt army to terrorize n statement that it communicated its opposi- ernment maintains its longstanding opposi- Myanmar’s ethnic minority borderlands. endemic. Myanmar ranked in joint 147th teach lesson to anyone opposing BJP/RSS. I tion to the death penalty to Beijing. Akong, tion to the death penalty, and has formally place out of 168 in Transparency strongly condemn attack on students,” Kejriwal who was in his early 70s, took British citizen- communicated this to the Chinese govern- Uncertain peace International’s 2015 corruption perception tweeted. Protests have been staged in cities ship after fleeing Tibet in 1959, and founded ment.”— AFP Myanmar’s ethnic minorities have index. There is also the question of febrile fought for greater autonomy for more than relations with China-Myanmar’s biggest 50 years. Thein Sein signed ceasefires with trading partner.— AFP New era dawns as Suu Kyi’s party strides into Myanmar parliament

NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar entered a new political new president will then be chosen by a vote of military has had plenty of time to prepare for the era yesterday as Aung San Suu Kyi’s pro-democ- the combined houses. handover. racy MPs took their seats in parliament, bearing A quasi-civilian government has steered the hopes of a nation subjugated for decades by Great expectations reforms since outright army rule ended in 2011. the military. Wearing pastel orange uniforms, Observers are closely watching Suu Kyi’s rela- The military has appointed “more senior and lawmakers from the National League for tionship with the still-powerful military, which experienced, and probably better prepared” sol- Democracy (NLD) arrived for their first day of holds key ministries as well as the 25 percent diers to parliament, according to Renaud work in the capital Naypyidaw, buoyed by a mas- parliamentary bloc. Suu Kyi may try to persuade Egreteau, an analyst who has studied Myanmar’s sive popular mandate from November’s election. the army to help her change the charter clause legislature. Thein Sein has led the opening up of That poll saw the NLD wrest a majority from the that blocks her path to power, analysts say, the long-isolated country, spurring international army establishment and has spurred hopes of a although it has so far baulked at any attempt to investment with sweeping political reforms. But new political dawn in the long-repressed nation. redraft it. After decades under the military yoke, Myanmar remains blighted by civil wars and eth- Suu Kyi, the centrepiece of Myanmar’s struggle Myanmar’s people queued in their thousands to nic and religious divisions. Poverty rates are high for democracy, entered the cavernous parlia- cast ballots for Suu Kyi and her party last and the bureaucracy is poorly funded and riven ment building without comment. November, throwing their support behind her with corruption. On the streets of Yangon, how- She took a seat alone for the short opening simple campaign message of “change”. With a ever, ordinary people were optimistic about session which saw the lawmakers sworn in and resounding parliamentary majority, her lawmak- what Suu Kyi could achieve. “We have been hop- the appointment of a close ally, Win Myint, as ers are-at least initially-expected to act as a rub- ing for an NLD government for a long time. I feel Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD) chairperson Aung San Suu Kyi lower house speaker. “Today is a day to be proud ber-stamp for her government. While the NLD happy now,” said 22-year-old dentist Kyaw of in Myanmar’s political history and for the majority will need to time to find their feet, the Htet.—AFP democratic transition,” Win Myint said in an acceptance speech. The new government faces a China arrests fourth daunting rebuilding task in one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries, whose economy was crushed by almost half a century of junta rule. Japanese over spying Many NLD MPs are also political novices, unskilled in the business of government. They TOKYO: Japan yesterday denied that it carries diplomatic offices overseas.” Few details have must swiftly adapt to a difficult decision-making out espionage activities abroad as it been released about the detained Japanese. process in a legislature where unelected soldiers announced that Chinese authorities have for- Suga previously announced that three are men occupy 25 percent of all seats. “It’s a historic mally arrested a fourth Japanese citizen on sus- and one is a woman. All were apprehended last moment for the country,” said Myanmar political picion of spying. China and Japan have been year, with news of the formal arrests coming in analyst Khin Zaw Win. taking steps for more than a year to improve stages. The country will now choose a new president relations that remain plagued by tensions over The arrests of the Japanese came after to succeed President Thein Sein, the former gen- the legacy of World War II as well as a maritime China in 2014 detained a Canadian missionary eral who in 2011 launched dramatic political and dispute. Ties, however, remain shaky and the couple for alleged espionage. China said economic reforms which culminated in the elec- Chinese allegations of spying by Japanese Friday that it has charged one of the tion. Suu Kyi herself is barred from the post by a nationals have become a new irritant. Canadians with spying and stealing state military-scripted constitution because she mar- The arrests also come as China has detained secrets. Last month Swedish activist Peter ried and had children with a foreigner. The 70- people of other nationalities on security-relat- Dahlin was held on suspicion of endangering year-old has vowed to sidestep this hurdle by ed suspicions. Yoshihide Suga, Japan’s top gov- national security, apparently caught up in a ruling “above” a proxy president, although she ernment spokesman, said China informed crackdown on human rights lawyers. He was has yet to reveal her choice for the role. While Japan last month that a fourth Japanese had deported last week. China passed a new there is no clear schedule for the selection of been formally arrested after being detained in “national security” law in July that was criti- candidates, it could be within days. Elected Beijing in June. “Japan does not engage in spy- cized by rights groups for the vague wording NAYPYIDAW: A woman carries her baby as she works at brick factory on outskirts of the members of both houses and the military will ing activities in any country,” Suga told of its references to “security”. This raised fears it Naypyidaw yesterday. Myanmar entered a new political era yesterday as Aung San Suu Kyi’s nominate three candidates to replace Thein Sein, reporters. “The government is preparing to could give police wide-ranging discretionary party took their seats in a parliament dominated by pro-democracy MPs who carry the hopes who retains his post until the end of March. The support (those citizens) properly through powers over civil society.—AFP of a nation subjugated for decades by the military. —AFP NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

This handout picture taken and obtained from the Marine Nationale (French Navy) yesterday shows the Panamanian-registered cargo ship ‘Modern Express’ being towed away from France by a tugboat, preventing it from crashing into the country’s picturesque Atlantic coast. The 22 crew of the Modern Express were evacuated by helicopter in dramatic scenes on Jan 26 after an unex- plained breakdown caused the boat to tilt dangerously. — AFP Chinese artist imitates photo of dead... Uganda women stunned to be duped...

Continued from Page 1 decided to withdraw his works from two Danish muse- Continued from Page 1 ing their clients for more money because of medical compli- ums out of deep anger at a new law allowing Denmark cations. Ai has set up a studio on Lesbos where he is work- to seize valuables from migrants. The Chinese artist is Like many others, Nakintu said she had not suspected her Nakintu said new workers were expected to target three ing on several projects with refugee-related themes. famous for works addressing human rights abuses, friend or other women from her own country would trick men in their first month with these schemes and few Lesbos is the main entry point for refugees seeking a official corruption and the collision between Chinese her into sex work and this approach meant she had let her women resisted because this was often the only way they better life in Europe. Ai said last Thursday that he had culture and Western consumerism.— AP guard down. An annual report on human trafficking by the could repay their debt. “We were just desperate,” said US State Department in 2015 commented on the network of Nakintu. Nakintu managed to leave Abu Dhabi in May last Ugandan women coordinating the sending of Ugandan year having been there for just short of a year and having 13 students drown off India beach women for sex exploitation. It listed the top destination paid off most of her debts. She returned to Uganda, devas- countries as Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya. tated by the way she had been tricked and mistreated. Continued from Page 1 accompanied the students on their trip and he had been told On her first day in Dubai, Nakintu was told that she owed Some of her roommates did not hesitate in becoming that there hadn’t been any lifeguards on duty at the time of Saad around $8,000 in recruitment fees that had to be paid recruiters themselves once back home, targeting other P A Inamdar, a trustee at the college, told AFP that the stu- the tragedy. “I don’t think there were lifeguards on the beach. back in instalments as well as costs for accommodation and young women in Uganda tired of limited wages and high dents had been on a picnic to Murud, which had been That is the basic problem,” he said. In a statement, the gover- meals. The cost was high for a newly-arrived immigrant. A unemployment. “Pimping was easy as one would ask friends arranged by the educational institute. “They were on an excur- nor of Maharashtra, C Vidyasagar Rao, expressed his condo- bed in a room housing up to three women typically costs to look for victims and pay that friend $100 for each victim sion and must have gone into the sea against the advice of lences to the families of those who died. “I am deeply Dh1500 ($400). To meet the target income, Saad told her she they brought on board. I refused to do this,” Nakintu said the teachers. They were swept away by the tides,” Inamdar aggrieved and shocked to know about the drowning of 13 had to entertain about 10 men in the first two days. In addi- during an interview in a small shop she now runs in Kampala said. He said that 14 people had drowned, ten women and students... who had gone to the Murud beach in Raigad dis- tion to turning over her passport, Nakintu had to undergo a selling household goods. four men, although police insisted that the death toll was still trict for a picnic,” he said. “My heart goes out to the near and witchcraft ritual during which she swore to hand over her The US State Department lists Uganda as a Tier 2 nation at 13 late yesterday. dear ones of all students who lost their life.” income to her pimps with the threat of death in 10 days if in its annual trafficking report, meaning its government Inamdar said all other students had been accounted for Yesterday’s incident comes a few weeks after a man this order was defied. does not fully comply with the US Trafficking Victims while Patil also said everyone else on the excursion was “safe” drowned off Mumbai trying to save a girl who fell into the sea The US State Department Trafficking in Persons 2014 Protection Act’s minimum standards, but is making signifi- after a massive rescue operation involving the Indian coast- while taking a selfie. The girl and two friends fell off rocks into report noted that sex traffickers had been using voodoo ritu- cant efforts to do so. Moses Binoga, the police commissioner guard and navy. Commander Rahul Sinha, a spokesman for the Arabian Sea while clicking photos of themselves. A passer- als and violence to coerce Ugandan women into trafficking who heads the Uganda National Counter Human Trafficking the navy, said up to 18 students had got into difficulty in the by, 37-year-old Ramesh Walanju, jumped in and helped save schemes. “The pimps were ruthless women who sold our Task Force, said the government has boosted vigilance on all water and that six of them had been rescued and taken to the two friends but was washed away by the choppy waters passports and return tickets to old prostitutes who wanted exit ports to protect vulnerable young women such as hospital. Murud sits on the Konkan coast, which has dozens of and his body was found floating in a nearby creek. The girl is to retire and return to Uganda,” said Nakintu. Nakintu was Nakintu from sex trafficking. Last year, the government beaches popular with locals who prefer it to the international- still missing. In Feb 2014, 29 people died when a passenger moved by Saad to Abu Dhabi where sex workers can earn stopped about 300 young women from exiting the country ly renowned tourist state of Goa. Murud is around 140 km boat capsized in the eastern state of Orissa. A month prior to more as she was deemed a good sale for higher-end clients. after ascertaining that they were being sent abroad specifi- south of Mumbai. that incident, 21 people were killed when a tourist boat cap- There she met another Ugandan woman, identified as cally for the sex trade. Binoga, whom the US State Inamdar said between eight and ten college staff had sized off India’s remote Andaman Islands. — AFP Maydina, who had worked her way up from being a night Department has recognized for his efforts to combat human club prostitute in Abu Dhabi to a pimp married to a high-lev- trafficking, said the government had also prosecuted and el business executive. convicted several traffickers but it was complicated to com- UK allows genetic modification of human... Maydina told Nakintu that the secret of wealth in Abu bat the problem. “The main challenge we have is that Continued from Page 1 medicine” and genome editing “is unquestionably one of the Dhabi’s sex work was white male clients - and to ensure she although we can prosecute traffickers on Ugandan soil we most promising undertakings of science for the sake of all got their phone numbers supposedly for repeat business. A don’t have jurisdiction to prosecute those in the receiving The project, which could start within months, would use humankind”. But the experts warned that genetic editing few days after the first encounter, the worker would call the states,” he said. “Also when we’re prosecuting traffickers we CRISPR-Cas9, a technique allowing scientists to insert, remove required “particular precautions” and raised “serious con- client to say she was pregnant, demanding cash not to have to distinguish between victims coerced into sex trade and correct DNA within a cell. The technique was developed cerns”. There were particular grounds for concerns if the mod- expose his identify or $10,000 to return to Uganda for an and those who agreed to a deal to go to Arab states and by US chemistry professor Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle ifications “introduce hereditary modifications, which could be abortion. The sex workers could then continue the ruse, ask- work as prostitutes.” — Reuters Charpentier of France and could also be used to treat illnesses transmitted to future generations,” they said. like sickle cell diseases, cystic fibrosis and some cancers. But many researchers welcomed the ruling. The project Charpentier told AFP last year the technique was “a little should “assist infertile couples and reduce the anguish of mis- Subsidy cuts looming as govt, Assembly... bit like a Swiss knife that cuts DNA at a precise point and can carriage,” Bruce Whitelaw, professor of animal biotechnology be used to introduce a series of changes in the genome of a at the University of Edinburgh, told the Science Media Continued from Page 1 MP Majed Mousa also criticized Ashour and said if he call or an organism”. In a research paper published in April, Centre. Darren Griffin, professor of genetics at the University wants to quit his Assembly seat, he can do so at any time. But Chinese scientists described how they were able to manipu- of Kent, said the ruling was “a triumph for common sense”. Ashour complained in brief statements that his commu- MP Abdulhameed Dashti came to the defense of Ashour, say- late the genomes of human embryos for the first time using “While it is certain that the prospect of gene editing in nity was not being treated fairly and alleged discrimination ing that what he said was part of his right of freedom of CRISPR-Cas9, raising ethical concerns. human embryos raised a series of ethical issues and chal- in various aspects of life. expression. Dashti said Ashour’s remarks reflect his views on Campaigners criticized yesterday’s decision. “This is the lenges, the problem has been dealt with in a balanced man- The nine MPs had boycotted Jan 27 session in what the presence of discrimination against his community. first step in a well mapped-out process leading to GM babies, ner,” he said. appeared to be a protest against verdicts passed on mem- In another case, liberal MP Rakan Al-Nasef called on the and a future of consumer eugenics,” said David King, director “It is a clear example how the UK leads the world not bers of an Iran-linked cell, two of whom were sentenced Assembly’s public funds defense committee to decide on of the watchdog group Human Genetics Alert. A UNESCO only in the science behind research into early human to death and one was handed a life term. Nineteen of the corruption allegations against the CEO of Kuwait panel of scientists, philosophers, lawyers and ministers last development but also the social science used to regulate year called for a halt to genetic “editing”, warning of the dan- and monitor it,” he added. Sarah Norcross, director of remaining 23 members of the alleged cell were handed Investment Authority (KIA). Nasef said that if sufficient evi- ger of tampering with hereditary traits that could lead to Progress Educational Trust, a charity, said: “This decision by jail terms from two to 15 years while four were acquitted. dence was found against the KIA chief, he should be eugenics. UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee (IBC) the HFEA is a victory for level-headed regulation over The appeals court is scheduled to start hearing their case immediately referred to the public prosecution to launch said gene therapy could be “a watershed in the history of moral panic”. — AFP on Feb 17. an investigation. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 ANALYSIS

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Focus Premier League spends £1bn-plus in cash scramble

By Tom Williams

ear of missing out on the English Premier League’s huge television money bonanza in F2016 has propelled transfer spending beyond £1 billion ($1.43 billion) for the first time. England’s 20 elite clubs have collectively spent more than £1 bil- lion on new players in the season’s two transfer win- dows, financial consultants Deloitte revealed as the mid-season transfer deadline neared yesterday. “We’ve seen Premier League clubs again use the January window to invest significantly in playing tal- ent,” said Dan Jones from Deloitte’s Sports Business Group. “With a day left, the total gross spending this sea- son has already reached £1 billion for the first time. The frequent-flyer US Congress Last January saw £45 million spent by Premier League clubs on the final day of the transfer window and with further spending expected over the coming By Susan Cornwell and Megan Cassella session conducting legislative business for 180 to campaign money by appearing and speaking at the Reuters review found. In each of the last five hours, Premier League gross transfer spending looks 200 days a year. events. Representative Ryan Zinke, a freshman years the House had more pro-forma days than in set to comfortably exceed the £1 billion mark for the nyone seeking a table at Carmine’s Italian In 2015, the first year of a two-year Congress, Republican and former US Navy Seal, said previous Congresses going back to 2002. 2015-16 season.” restaurant near Capitol Hill on a Tuesday or the House of Representatives put in 130 working Congress could use more “team-building” activi- Those days are usually scheduled for Monday English top-flight clubs broke new ground by AWednesday needs to battle a midweek days, the Reuters review found. Compared with ties, but he has not felt the need for more days in or Friday, enabling lawmakers to fly in and out of shelling out £870 million on new talent in the 2015 crush of Congress members and their staff. But the first years of recent Congresses, that number legislative session. Zinke is the only House mem- Washington without missing midweek votes. The close-season transfer window - a rise of four percent Mondays are far quieter - just like the floor of has declined steadily since 2007, when the House ber representing the large, sparsely populated typical House member returns to their district 40 on the previous record, established the previous Congress. There are usually around nine events on worked 153 days - the high since 1998. House state of Montana, and says he needs lots of travel or more times a year, said Brad Fitch of summer. Together they had splurged £130 million on a Monday, compared to as many as 30 on a mid- members typically meet more often in the first time just to see his constituents. “Last week I Congressional Management Foundation, a non- players prior to yesterday’s final day of trading, tip- week day, says Kelly Fitzgerald, Carmine’s director year of a Congress because in the second year they think I put on about 2,500 miles (4,000 km) travel- profit that advises lawmakers on managing their ping Premier League spending into 10-figure territory of special events and catering. have to run for reelection. This year, an election ing around Montana, and I saw about a third of offices. It did a study showing that in 2013, the and further confirming England’s status as football’s The midweek crunch at Carmine’s underscores year, the House calendar foresees 111 working the state,” he said. average House freshman spent $53,170 of tax- financial powerhouse, where 17 of the world’s 30 a trend: Members of the US Congress have been days in Washington, in line with the total in recent Staying in legislative session more does not payer money on travel. richest clubs reside according to the latest data. spending fewer days working in Washington since election years. necessarily equate to getting more work done, These days, fewer lawmakers move their fami- But whereas close-season spending was driven by the late 2000s, according to a Reuters review of The House cancelled its entire schedule last said Don Stewart, spokesman for Senate Majority lies to the capital to live, said John Fortier, direc- the leading clubs - Manchester City twice breaking congressional records going back 18 years. week after a snowstorm hit the East Coast. The Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican. “It’s a mat- tor of the Democracy Project at the Bipartisan their transfer record to sign Raheem Sterling (£44 mil- Lawmakers increasingly try to cram their legisla- Senate’s annual working days have not risen above ter of what you do with the time you are here, not Policy Center, a Washington think tank. Paul Ryan, tive work into the middle of the week in 156 since reaching a peak of 188 in 2009. The just the total time you are here,” he said. The the Wisconsin Republican who has been Speaker lion rising to £49 million) and Kevin De Bruyne (£55 Washington and then rush back home. Their decline in working days in recent years has coin- Republican-led Congress had a relatively produc- of the House since October, sleeps on a cot in his million); Manchester United betting the house on absence from the capital reinforces the effects of a cided with a slide in Americans’ approval rating for tive year in 2015, fixing a funding formula for Washington office during the congressional unheralded French teenager Anthony Martial (£36 deepening partisan divide in recent years that has the legislature as the reputation of a “do-nothing” Medicare doctors, passing a highway bill and workweek and flies home to his family in million rising to £61.5 million) - in January it has been led to high-profile deadlocks over legislation previ- Congress has taken hold. Since fiscal 1997, approving fast-track authority for trade deals. In Wisconsin on the weekend. a different story. ously seen as routine, according to some former Congress has failed every year to enact on time all 2011 and 2013, the total number of bills passed Vin Weber, who was a Republican congress- Sky and BT Sport’s blockbuster £5.14 billion lawmakers and political analysts. of the government appropriations bills needed for by Congress dipped below triple figures to 90 man from Minnesota in the 1980s and 1990s, said domestic TV rights deal kicks in at the start of next Under pressure to spend more time in their a full federal budget, the Congressional Research and 72 respectively. Last year’s Congress man- that in the attempt to juggle all the demands season, with the sale of overseas rights - expected to home constituencies, often fund-raising for cam- Service said. aged to enact 113. Many bills are minor, however, they face at home and in Washington, today’s be confirmed in the coming weeks - set to swell that paigns, members have less time to attend debates More recently, polarized lawmakers often have so the total number does not necessarily corre- lawmakers have set themselves an impossible figure to £8 billion for the period 2016-2019. It means and mingle with other lawmakers. “In any work been unable to find middle ground on pressing spond to productivity. schedule. “They are on planes constantly, back that the cost of relegation has never been higher, and setting, if you don’t know your colleagues, it issues such as immigration, tax reform and gun and forth, all the time,” he said. “There’s no ration- it is the clubs at the wrong end of the Premier League makes it much more difficult to get things done,” safety. As of the end of 2014, about 75 percent of ‘Pro-Forma’ Sessions ality to it at all.” table who have been opening their wallets the most said Dan Glickman, who was a Democratic House major issues were in deadlock, according to a cal- The recent decline in overall working days The rising cost of election campaigns mean eagerly during the mid-season transfer period. member from Kansas for 18 years until the mid- culation by Sarah Binder of the Brookings does not tell the whole story. There has also been lawmakers have to devote more time to fundrais- 1990s and recalls more working days and fuller Institution think tank. a rise in so-called “pro-forma” days when lawmak- ing outside Washington, said Glickman, now a Newcastle Splash Out debates than the current Congress. “...It makes it ers go into session sometimes for just a few min- senior fellow at the Bipartisan Policy Center. As a Newcastle United, third from bottom ahead of the more difficult to build relationships,” said Midweek Squeeze utes or even seconds, for procedural reasons. They congressman, Glickman said, he often went to mid-week fixtures, have been the top spenders, part- Glickman, who was US secretary of agriculture To be sure, members of the House and the are formally counted as sessions of the House and the House floor just to listen to the debate. “If I ing with around £29 million to sign England pair after Congress. He was a member of the Bipartisan Senate, who are paid $174,000 a year, do impor- Senate, but Reuters did not include them in its tal- did that now, I would be guilty of malpractice,” he Policy Center’s Commission on Political Reform, tant work outside of Washington. They meet with ly. Last year the House had 27 pro-forma days, said. “You need to be either in committee doing Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey and Senegal which recommended in 2014 that Congress be in constituents in their home districts and raise none of which lasted more than seven minutes, your work or raising money.” —Reuters midfielder Henri Saivet. They were also reported to have tabled a £21 million bid for unsettled West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino. The Premier League’s other northeast representatives, Battle to honor Nemtsov unfolds near Kremlin Sunderland, have brought in five players, including a £9 million swoop for Tunisian playmaker Wahbi By Andrew Osborn Opposition Star teers have mounted a round-the-clock vigil. Sometimes braving Khazri from Bordeaux. The location, so close to the Kremlin’s terracotta walls and the temperatures of minus 20 Celsius, some have been arrested and Bournemouth broke their transfer record by pay- s the Kremlin clock inched towards midnight and the ice- phantasmagorical onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, packs rare assaulted. “We don’t have any other avenues to express ourselves,” bound river beneath their feet melted, a group of Russians symbolic punch. “We will not allow, in the centre of Russia, in the said Andrei Margulev, who spends 26 hours on the bridge a week. ing around £10 million to Wolverhampton Wanderers silently stood on the bridge where Boris Nemtsov, the very heart of Moscow, next to the Kremlin, for a bridge to be named He was arrested for reciting poetry there in September and fined for former Arsenal youth-team striker Benik Afobe, A Putin critic and opposition leader, was killed nearly a year ago. after a person who always supported the interests of America and 10,000 roubles ($130.93) by a court. while Norwich City, Swansea City and Watford have “This is about remembering,” Boris Kazadayev, 73, part of the spat on the interests of Russia,” SERB, a nationalist group that van- Pro-Kremlin activists have trashed the site at least twice, throw- also been active. “We’ve seen some quite robust small crowd, told Reuters. “If there is no collective memory, the dalised the site at least twice, has complained. In flux due to its reg- ing eggs, smashing tributes, and trying to urinate on the shrine. But activity from the teams at the lower end of the country won’t have a future.” Moments later, a snow plough ular destruction, the makeshift memorial has a few constants: flow- it is the Moscow authorities who have regularly sought to remove Premier League and they are spending relatively mounted the pavement forcing the crowd to the kerb. Two ers, icons, candles, written tributes and portraits. clues that Nemtsov was killed there. They say they want the area to large fees on selected players,” football finance expert trucks then reversed within inches of people’s backs and trapped “I don’t like being shot in the back,” reads one note, a reference stay clean, that the Stalin-era bridge on which amateur German Rob Wilson from Sheffield Hallam University told AFP. them before dumping piles of snow around them. to the fact that Nemtsov was shot from behind. Each day at 23.31, pilot Mathias Rust famously landed a small plane in 1987, is a monu- “There is a pressing need to stay up this year to “Nemtsov Bridge” - activists’ nickname for the spot where the the time Nemtsov was killed, his supporters observe a minute of ment of cultural importance, and that the shrine is illegal. Yuri receive the TV money. It’s also interesting to see some Putin opponent was shot dead on Feb. 27 last year - has become silence. Nemtsov, 55, was killed as he walked home with his girl- Ivankov, head of the city’s bridge maintenance division in a state- of the top teams in the Championship (second tier) the scene of a cat-and-mouse struggle between the authorities friend after dinner. Putin, after his murder, described him as one of ment spoke of “banal vandalism.” His office declined to comment for spending, too. This is also a reaction to the revenues and the liberal opposition who want to honor a man some his fiercest critics. Nemtsov helped found the country’s main anti- this article. Putin said last year he saw no problem with people leav- on offer for promoted teams next season.” Although Russians say the Kremlin would rather forget. Supporters bring Kremlin movements and spoke at opposition rallies. He had ing tributes. He promised to speak to Moscow’s mayor to ensure surprise front-runners Leicester City have bolstered flowers for a makeshift shrine; the authorities sweep the site authored an excoriating report into Putin’s tenure, and shortly people were not prevented from doing so. Activists said the clear- clean; his supporters rebuild. It’s a sequence that has played out before he was killed was working on a report examining the Russian ances became less frequent after Putin’s words but continued their ranks by signing Ghana defender Daniel repeatedly, in all weathers, for at least 300 days. “It is a model of military’s role in Ukraine. Revered by his supporters as an unpreten- nonetheless. When asked about a plaque for Nemtsov, Putin cited a Amartey and 19-year-old English winger Demarai peaceful resistance that is unique for modern Russia,” said Olga tious man of the people, some Russians disliked him, associating rule stating that 10 years must first pass. Nemtsov’s supporters say Gray, the big boys have largely kept their powder dry. Shorina, a Nemtsov ally. “It has become a symbol of the fact that him with the 1990s, a period of food shortages when he was a Putin and Moscow’s mayor could easily bypass that rule as was Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have made low-key there’s a desire for an alternative.” deputy prime minister. “What did he do for Russia?” Valentina done for Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez who had a street named after additions, while United and City have done no busi- Activists say they will continue until a plaque is erected on the Arsentieva, a reader of pro-Kremlin lifenews.ru, wrote the day after him. The mayor’s office did not respond to written questions about ness of note. In the Premier League of 2016, it is fear bridge to honor Nemtsov, a former deputy premier turned tena- his killing. “We were eating animal feed in the 1990s while THEY the proposal. of the void, rather than the pursuit of glory, that is cious opposition leader. The authorities have refused. Some were selling Russia out to the West.” driving spending to new heights. —AFP activists also want the bridge to be renamed after him. That too State TV largely ignored him in recent years. But his profile in the Battle for the Future has been rejected. In a country where the Soviets airbrushed peo- 1990s meant he remained a household name. Within hours of his Nadezhda Prusenkova, a colleague of slain reporter Anna ple out of history but immortalized their heroes by burying them murder, hundreds of Russians flocked to the scene to leave flowers. Politkovskaya at the Novaya Gazeta newspaper, said the way the at the foot of the Kremlin wall or, in Vladimir Lenin’s case placed The authorities downplayed his significance. Putin’s spokesman cast Kremlin was handling the situation was “a test for the authorities All articles appearing on these him in a mausoleum on Red Square, the battle is seen by some as Nemtsov, once spoken of as a contender to succeed Boris Yeltsin as and for society”. “It is a defining moment for self-identification,” she pages are the personal opinion of one for Russians’ memories that could help determine their president, a job Putin got, as “quite an average citizen” who was no said. More than 21,000 people have so far signed an online petition future. political threat. Putin said something similar about reporter Anna supporting a plaque. “Monuments have an importance not only for the writers. Kuwait Times takes no “The authorities are doing everything they can to ensure Politkovskaya after she was murdered on his birthday in 2006. the past but also for the future,” said Alexander Cherkasov, a histori- responsibility for views expressed Russians forget about my father,” Zhanna Nemtsova, 31, told an at human rights group Memorial. “We are choosing from a huge therein. Kuwait Times invites read- Reuters. “Their aim is not only to control the state but also to Battle of the Bridge number of events and people to build our futures looking back at control people’s minds and hearts.” The nearly year-long standoff What looked like a campaign to erase Nemtsov’s memory soon certain reference points.” ers to voice their opinions. Please has had an unexpected consequence: The spot where Nemtsov began. A month after his murder, activists arrived to find that the Ilya Yashin, an opposition politician, said that was why there was send submissions via email to: opin- was murdered has become a unique if modest rallying point for flowers and other tributes had vanished. It is a routine that has been so much official resistance to the idea of commemorating his mur- [email protected] or via snail the liberal opposition in what they say is an otherwise bleak repeated, by conservative estimates, at least 15 times. Some say the dered friend. “Nemtsov as a symbol was and is very dangerous for political landscape. Passers-by stop to look, opposition-minded real number is double that. The first clearance, before the end of the the Putin regime,” said Yashin. “But the more they destroy his memo- mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. Russians gather there to exchange ideas, and the Russian flag 40-day mourning period observed by Russians, caused particular rial, the brighter a symbol he will become.” Meanwhile, the investi- The editor reserves the right to edit can sometimes be seen defiantly flying, visible from Red Square. offence. “Some people told me they felt as if Boris had been killed a gation into his murder has run into the sand with police charging a any submission as necessary. “It’s an island of freedom in a zombified country,” said Sasha second time,” said Olga Lehtonen, 38, who would later protect the group of Chechen men with carrying out the killing for cash. No Chernyavsky, a 29-year-old DJ. site. Since that first clearance, on March 28, around 30 unpaid volun- other motive has been suggested. —Reuters TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 SPORTS

Milan confirm De Jong Finch avoids surgery McGeady set for loan exit, MLS deal looms on injured hamstring switch: Martinez MILAN: Dutch midfielder Nigel De Jong will leave AC Milan with immediate SYDNEY: Australia’s Aaron Finch will not require surgery on his LONDON: Midfielder Aiden McGeady is on the verge of leaving Everton effect after negotiating his exit from the San Siro, the Serie A club announced injured hamstring, the country’s cricket board said yesterday, rais- yesterday. De Jong has made only five appearances for the Rossoneri this sea- on loan for a team in the Championship (second-tier), manager Roberto ing hopes that the captain will be fit for next month’s World Martinez has said. The Ireland winger, who joined Everton from Russian son and was left out of Sinisa Mihajlovic’s squad for a 3-0 derby Twenty20 in India. The opening batsman, who leads Australia in win over city rivals Inter Milan on Sunday. A club statement on side Spartak Moscow in 2014, has made just one appearance the shortest format of the game, injured his left hamstring while for the club this season and is seeking more regular playing Monday, the final day of the winter transfer window in Italy, trying to complete a quick single in the second T20 match against said: “AC Milan announces that Nigel De Jong’s contract with time with one eye on this year’s European Championship. India in Melbourne on Friday. The 29-year-old has a history of ham- McGeady has attracted interest from Sheffield Wednesday, the club has been mutually terminated today. string problems and required surgery after a sustaining a tear Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers and “AC Milan would like to thank the while playing for Mumbai in last year’s Indian Premier League T20 Martinez revealed that Everton had already Dutchman for his determination, com- competition. “Aaron had scans on his injured left hamstring that agreed terms with two clubs. ‘It seems very mitment and professionalism shown confirmed a moderate grade hamstring injury,” Cricket Australia close. Weíve agreed terms with two teams in during his time with the red and black physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement. “This is not a colours. “We wish him all the success possi- recurrence of the previous hamstring injury that required surgery the Championship. It’s just a matter of time ble and all the very best for the next stage of his in April 2015. Although this current injury doesn’t require surgery before one of the deals is clinched,î Martinez told career.” The 31-year-old De Jong, a tough-tackling there is a period of rehabilitation required before he can resume the club’s website (www.evertonfc.com). ‘Aiden midfielder who has played in two World Cup cam- playing. “We are aiming to have Aaron fit for the ICC World T20 in needs to play and it’s a really good opportunity for paigns, joined Milan in 2012 following a three and a half India but will have better idea about his fitness for that tourna- him to do that in a very demanding fixture list for a year spell at Manchester City. He has recently been linked with ment in the coming weeks once we see how he responds to treat- team that can get a really good tempo into Aiden for a move to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy. — AFP ment and a rehabilitation program.” —Reuters the Euros.’ — Reuters Bangladeshi ‘Tiger’ desperate to earn Olympic stripes SINGAPORE: While former world number EMERGING MARKETS one Adam Scott dismisses the value of an Bangladesh’s Olympic record is far from Olympic gold medal, Bangladeshi golfer spectacular since it first sent athletes to the Siddikur Rahman is unequivocal about its 1988 Seoul Games following invites from the importance to the wider world ahead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). sport’s return at the Rio Games later this year. The country of 160 million is frequently The self-taught world number 310, described as the largest to never win an dubbed the ‘Bangladeshi Tiger Woods’ at Olympic medal, with sport too expensive for home, has never competed at one of golf’s most and a low priority for many others. four major championships, meaning the Siddikur, though, is hoping to change that Olympics, should he qualify, would easily and the “village boy” who started playing at stand out as the pinnacle of his career. eight with a homemade iron and was 15 “Wow, yes, It would be very exciting for before he got his hands on an authentic set of me if I can get in,” the 31-year-old told Reuters clubs, could become the first Bangladeshi to during a rain delay at the recent Singapore qualify for an Olympics. Open. “Maybe I could be the first. I hope I will get “Obviously I have a target for that, I just in, let’s see, there is a long way to go. If I can need to play better to get in. It would be a play my own game, I think it won’t be a prob- very good impact for my country to get into lem,” the former child caddy said after he it.” missed the cut in Singapore. The top 15 players in the world rankings Australian Scott, a three-time winner of on July 11 will qualify automatically for the the Singapore title and also the 2013 U.S. Aug. 5-21 Games but only four can come Masters, has been dismissive of the first from any one country. Olympic golf event since the 1904 Games, The remainder of the 60-man field will be describing it as an exhibition that did not determined by the rankings, with a maximum merit a place. of two players from each country that does For Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play not already have two or more players among and win on the Asian Tour, the opportunity is the top 15. Siddikur currently sits 58th on the a welcome one for both him and his peers list, just inside the qualification spots. from other emerging golf markets.— Reuters

SINGAPORE: Song Younghan poses with his trophy after winning the SMBC Singapore Open golf tournament at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Hyo Joo Kim wins LPGA Course yesterday, in Singapore. — AP Tour opener in Bahamas Song edges Spieth to PARADISE ISLAND: Hyo Joo Kim won the with a 4-iron to set up the birdie putt on season-opening Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA the 171-yard 17th. Classic yesterday, relegating Stacy Lewis to She had four birdies on the front nine, yet another second-place finish. Kim making three in a row on Nos. 4-6 and win Singapore Open rebounded from a bogey on the 16th hole adding another on No. 8. The nine-time with a 9-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th Korean LPGA winner parred all three par 5s and closed with a par for a two-stroke vic- on the back nine. The third-ranked Lewis SINGAPORE: South Korea’s Song Young-Han tory over Lewis, 2015 champion Sei Young parred the final three holes after birdieing won the $1.0 million SMBC Singapore Open yes- Kim and Anna Nordqvist. Nos. 13-15. After missing long birdie tries terday, edging out world number one Jordan Walker leads as final round Hyo Joo Kim shot a 7-under 66 at the on 16 and 17, she hit a 3-wood into the Spieth in a nail-biting finish. breezy Ocean Club to finish at 18-under light rough near the right-side front Song shot a one-under-par 70 over the final 274. The 20-year-old South Korean player bunkers on 18, flopped 8 feet past and round to finish the tournament at 12-under 272, goes today at Torrey Pines has three LPGA Tour victories, also winning two-putted for par. one stroke ahead of the American who wrapped the 2014 Evian Championship and 2015 Sei Young Kim had a double bogey on up a 66 yesterday. LA JOLLA: Five-times PGA Tour winner hung in there, but I made a long putt for par Founders Cup. the par-4 ninth, then rallied with four back- China’s Liang Wen-Chong (69) was alone in Jimmy Walker led by one stroke when rain on four, about a 45-footer. Then holed a 15- Needing an eagle to force a playoff, nine birdies. Nordqvist, tied with Charley third place on 274, while Miguel Tabuena (68) of and extremely strong winds forced the sus- footer for par on five. Then got the rain delay. Lewis parred the par-5 18th for a 68. She Hull for the third-round lead, birdied the the Philippines and Japan’s Shintaro Kobayashi pension of play for the day during the final “(I) came back out, started hitting the ball has nine runner-up finishes in a 40-event final two par 5s. (71) were tied fourth on 275. round at the Farmers Insurance Open on a little bit better and kind of got the day victory drought that dates to June 2014. Pornanong Phatlum matched the tour- The final round at the Serapong Golf Course Sunday. Competition will resume on going on 10 with a birdie and kind of got The 11-time tour winner has 22 career sec- nament record with a 65 to tie for fifth with on Sentosa Island was suspended Sunday Monday at 8AM local time (1600 GMT), at some good stuff going from there. Just one ond-place finishes. Paula Creamer (66) and 2013 winner Ilhee because of thunderstorms just as Spieth was lin- which time strong winds are forecast to con- of those freak days where you just got to get Sei Young Kim also shot a 68, and Lee (68) at 15 under. Brittany Lincicome ing up a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th green. tinue blowing at Torrey Pines next to the lucky, I got lucky. I hit some good shots.” Nordqvist had a 69. Hyo Joo Kim made also shot a 65 to join Hull (71) and Min Seo Spieth got his birdie when play resumed Pacific Ocean. Walker was seven-under Searching for an eighth tour win, three straight birdies - holing putts of 18 Kwak (67) at 14 under. Monday morning but Song, playing two groups through 10 holes, while fellow American Snedeker admitted that not making birdie feet on the par-3 12th, 15 feet on the par-4 Megan Khang, playing her first event as behind, refused to buckle and parred his final Brandt Snedeker fired a brilliant 69 in the dif- on the par-five 18th could come back to 13th and 5 feet on the par-4 14th - to open an LPGA Tour member, bogeyed the final three holes to secure the title. It was Song’s first ficult conditions to post the clubhouse lead haunt him. “Hopefully it won’t come back a three-stroke lead. After the bogey on the hole for a 60 to drop into a tie for 11th at 13 career victory after six second-place finishes in at six-under 282. South Korean K.J. Choi was and bite me, but it’s something I’m going to difficult par-4 16th, she hit a slight draw under. —AP Japan and Korea since 2013. also six-under, after 10 holes, while American regret for the next couple of hours here,” he Song became the first Asian to win the Kevin Streelman (13 holes) and Swede lamented after his greenside chip ran long Singapore Open since India’s Jeev Milkha Singh Freddie Jacobson (11 holes) were next at and he could not coax in his putt from the took home the trophy in 2008. The South Korean five-under. Snedeker, the 2012 champion, is fringe. “But to have a chance to win from never relinquished the lead after Friday’s second sitting pretty after making four birdies and where I started today, that’s probably a pret- round when he fired a blistering eight-under 63 just one bogey on a day when the scoring ty good day.” that equalled the course record. average was 78 in the wild weather as winds Walker, meanwhile, is looking for a sixth Spieth was playing in Singapore for the first gusted at times to more than 45 miles per win in the last three seasons. “It played really time, but the co-sanctioned Asian Tour and hour (72 kph). Whether his score holds up tough into the wind, even downwind, it Japan Tour event was no easy ride for the world for victory might depend on whether the played very tough,” he said. “It was tough to number one. Playing in his seventh competition winds abate overnight, or continue to blow putt on the greens and when it’s blowing in nearly four months, the 22-year-old Texan was as forecast. “I couldn’t do it again. I don’t (hard), I think that’s why you see guys mak- plagued by inconsistent form and entered the know how I did it,” Snedeker told reporters. “I ing lots of bogeys. “We’ll go back out tomor- final round trailing the South Korean by five didn’t get off to the best of starts, kind of row and get after it.” —Reuters strokes. Song said Monday he had felt the pres- sure building overnight. “Last night felt like a week,” the 24-year-old said. “I couldn’t eat because the whole night I was thinking about the 16th green. “I ‘hated’ Jordan last night,” he added. “The situation made me very nervous and I just left it to luck and the golfing gods.” It was also a restless night for Spieth as he awaited the cliff-hanger finale. “It was tough to sleep on a putt that you have to come back (to), even though it wasn’t the most challenging putt,” he said. “Still a very nerve-wracking one to hit, know- ing that you have to make it for what you think will be the play-off. I’m really happy I put a good stroke on it.” Despite his less-than-perfect week, the American said he enjoyed playing in the tourna- ment, which returned from a three-year hiatus under a new sponsor. “Overall, great experience and I had a really great time here. I fought hard in the final round but (I) was just a little too far back,” Spieth said.

Selected scores: 272 - Song Young-Han (KOR) 70-63-69-70 273 - Jordan Spieth (USA) 67-70-70-66 274 - Liang Wen-Chong (CHN) 71-67-67-69 275 - Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 69-67-71-68, Shintaro Kobayashi (JPN) 66-69-69-71 276 - Wang Jeung-Hun (KOR) 73-67-67-69, Hideto Tanihara (JPN) 68-67-71-70 PARADISE ISLAND: Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea reacts after being sprayed with Pure 277 - Lee Won-Joon (AUS) 71-69-67-70, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-70-712-67, Brett SAN DIEGO: Jimmy Walker hits out of the sand on the 4th hole during the final round of Silk shave cream after winning the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic at the Ocean Club the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines in San Diego yesterday. —AP Golf Course on Sunday in Paradise Island, Bahamas. — AFP Munson (USA) 71-67-70-69. — AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 SPORTS Lorenzo kicks off MotoGP 2016 test season on top

SEPANG: Reigning MotoGP World Yamaha. a second ahead of everyone,” a beam- fastest, 1.594 seconds off the pace. “We Stoner, 30, rejoins Ducati after a five- Champion Jorge Lorenzo riding a Rossi, the charismatic 36-year-old, ing Lorenzo told reporters. Spain’s Dani still have a (big) job to do, like being year spell with Honda, with whom he Yamaha was fastest on day one as the remains the biggest draw in MotoGP Pedrosa, racing a Honda, was third, able to accelerate out of a corner faster. won the 2011 world championship, four 2016 test season got off to a blistering and is eyeing a 10th world title this year 1.096 seconds slower than the 28-year- I am trying to learn how to ride with the years after his first title. start at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit yester- after losing out in 2015 to team-mate old Lorenzo. Michelin tyres,” he said at the end of the From Malaysia, MotoGP riders will day. Lorenzo amid an ugly rivalry. Italian Danilo Petrucci on a Ducati first of the three days of the test ses- head to Australia for three days at With the track temperature reaching Tyres and electronics are likely to be was fourth, 1.127 seconds slower than sion, which ends tomorrow. Phillip Island from February 17 to 19. 52 degrees Celsius, Lorenzo, chasing a the focus of this year’s season and Lorenzo. Fellow Italian Andrea Iannone Australia’s Casey Stoner, who won After the first two tests, the premier fourth MotoGP world championship Lorenzo said he was pleased with the on another Ducati was fifth at 2:01.912 the first of his two MotoGP world titles class will head to Qatar from the sec- title, overcame the tough conditions to way his new Michelin tyres were per- while Spaniard Hector Barbera, also rid- with Ducati, has returned to the Italian ond to fourth of March for their final clock 2min 00.684sec, 1.033 seconds forming. Michelin has replaced ing for Ducati, was sixth at 2:02.002. team for 2016 as a test rider and is official test. The MotoGP world cham- quicker than his Italian team-mate Bridgestone as MotoGP’s official tyre Honda’s double MotoGP World expected to race in Sepang again on pionship begins in Losail, Qatar, on Valentino Rossi, giving a strong start for supplier from 2016. “I can go fast. I was Champion Marc Marquez was seventh- Tuesday. March 17. —AFP

NASHVILLE: John Scott #28 of the Arizona Coyotes of the Pacific Division All-Stars NASHVILLE: John Scott #28 of the Arizona Coyotes celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period of the Western Conference Semifinal Game poses with his 2016 Honda Pilot as a reward for being named 2016 Honda NHL All- between the Central Division and the Pacific Division as part of the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday in Star Game MVP in the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Final Game between the Eastern Nashville, Tennessee.— AFP Conference and the Western Conference at Bridgestone Arena. — AFP All-Star journeyman Scott steals the show

WASHINGTON: NHL journeyman enforcer taking part, he detailed in an essay on the the Montreal Canadiens, that sent him to his NO GOLDEN TICKET we think a lot of him.” A new event format John Scott, beloved by players and fans but Players Tribune website, citing one who asked current club, the developmental St. John’s “This isn’t ‘Charlie and the Chocolate saw four teams drawn by NHL divisions, unwanted by league officials, had the last him, “Do you think this is something your kids IceCaps in distant Newfoundland. Factory.’ I’m not some random person off with lineups playing 3-on-3 in two 20- laugh Sunday by taking Most Valuable Player would be proud of?” “While I don’t deserve to be an All-Star, I the street and I didn’t win a golden ticket to minute mini games and winners meeting in honors at the NHL All-Star Game. The 33-year- “That’s when they lost me. That was the also don’t think I deserve to be treated like I’ve ‘play hockey with the stars.’” the final. Scott scored twice for the Pacific old Canadian left wing, an unlikely write-in All- moment,” Scott wrote. “Because while I may been by the league throughout this saga,” Scott, a 6-foot-8 (2.03m) and 270 pound in a 9-6 victory over the Central divison to Star voted to the event by fans thanks largely not deserve to be an NHL All-Star, I know I Scott said. “When I’m on the ice or just the (120kg) man-mountain who typically keeps set up a winner-take-all match with the to an internet campaign, scored twice and was deserve to be the judge of what my kids will bench I make my teammates feel safe to do foes from manhandling skilled teammates, Atlantic stars, who beat the Metropolitan hoisted onto the shoulders of his superstar and won’t be proud of me for.” Scott skated what they do best.” has been defying the odds since youth side 4-3. teammates after helping the Pacific division with them on the ice after the game as his So it had to be a bodycheck to the NHL coaches told him he was too big and slow to Pacific right wing Corey Perry, a win the $1 million top prize up for grabs. “This pregnant wife Danielle cried. when commissioner Gary Bettman handed succeed. “To have Johnny play like he did Canadian who plays for Anaheim, scored has been great. You guys have blown me “I’m so amazed,” she said. “At first we didn’t Scott an oversized $1 million check on the ice. and show what kind of player he is, that’s a the only goal while goaltenders Jonathan away,” Scott told fans as they chanted “M-V-P” take it super seriously but when it started to “If the league thought this was an embarrass- great thing,” said Pacific defenseman Brett Quick and John Gibson blanked the Atlantic while every player tapped his stick on the ice come through we were really excited.” NHL ment, pretty much all of the players I’ve Burns, a Canadian backliner for San Jose. division in the 1-0 final. in tribute to an everyman living a career officials apparently feared ridicule to honor a encountered have thought otherwise. And “That was a special moment. That “It was the best possible outcome,” Scott moment. player with a mere five goals in 285 games that didn’t happen because of the internet. I showed a lot of people he has got great said. “Everybody had fun and we ended up NHL officials tried to discourage Scott from with six teams and a recent trade to a seventh, busted my ass to be one of them,” Scott wrote. skill. He just chooses to protect his guys and winning.” — AFP Murray insists he’s Djokovic names his 2016 not far off Djokovic MELBOURNE: Andy Murray insisted he coach-to lose five finals at the same wasn’t far away from matching Novak Grand Slam tournament. goal the Djoker Slam Djokovic despite his fourth defeat to the Murray lost to Roger Federer in the runaway world number one in the 2010 final, and he was also runner-up in MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic has a new goal more questions about whether his Grand Slam are out there fighting each week to get to No. 1 Australian Open final. 2011, 2013, 2015 and now 2016, watch- for the year. He calls it the Djoker Slam. The No. winning days have passed. Last year was the first are very hungry to get to No. 1,” he said. “I want Dad-to-be Murray paid the price for a ing Djokovic lift the winner’s trophy each 1-ranked player has one thing missing from his season since 2004 that Nadal did not win a to enjoy, and I will, but it’s not going to go for slow start as he went down 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 time. fast-growing collection of 11 Grand Slam tro- major title. more than a few days. After that, I’m already (7/3) in a one-sided men’s final Sunday His head-to-head record with the Serb phies. Throughout the tournament, Djokovic was thinking about how can I continue playing well which only underlined the Serb’s moves to 22-9 in Djokovic’s favour, “The French Open. It’s the one I never won,” repeatedly asked about the increasingly wide through the rest of the season at each tourna- supremacy. including 11 of their last 12 matches and Djokovic said early yesterday, after winning his gulf between him at No. 1 and the rest of the ment.” But Murray, before making a dash to their last four Grand Slam meetings, record sixth Australian Open, but already casting players. At his final news conference, Djokovic Returning to the metaphor, how hungry is the airport to fly home to his pregnant going back to Murray’s Wimbledon win an eye toward Paris. “I’ll try to put myself in a answered the question with a metaphor. the wolf for Paris, he was asked. wife, said he felt he remained in touch in 2013. position to get that trophy.” The wolf that is running up the hill is much “Very hungry,” Djokovic smiled. “But the wolf with Djokovic despite their widening Murray and Djokovic, both 28, were Djokovic’s relentless desire for tennis perfec- hungrier than the wolf standing at the top of the needs to eat a lot of different meals to get to head-to-head statistics. born a week apart and have known each tion has pushed him to a brilliant level, one that hill, Djokovic said. “I believe that all the guys that Paris. Paris is a dessert.” —AP “I don’t know how far off I was other since their junior days, and while was too high for Andy Murray who lost Sunday’s tonight. The first set, you know, I wasn’t they are both at the top of men’s tennis it final 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3). The straight-sets win high- there, but the second and third sets I do is the Serb who has accelerated in front. lighted Djokovic’s dominance and Murray’s think were very close,” said the British Djokovic has 11 Grand Slam titles to shortcomings: the No. 2-ranked Murray has now world number two. Murray’s two, 61 career trophies to 35 played five finals in Melbourne and lost them all “I do think I could have played a bit and $97 million in prize money com- - including four to Djokovic. better. I didn’t think I hit my forehand as pared to $44 million for the Scot. It also stamped Djokovic’s imprint on the well as I could have done. When I did in However, it seemed to matter little to tournament, tying him with Roy Emerson for the the third set, that helped me out a lot. “I the Scot, whose first priority was catch- most singles titles in the event’s long history. was able to get myself into the net more. ing the first plane out of Melbourne to be Emerson played in the 1960s and won his I was able to play more offensive tennis reunited with his wife, Kim Sears. Australian titles in the amateur era. then. It has been a tough fortnight for Djokovic’s strong start to the season comes “I mean, most of the matches we Murray, who almost pulled out of the after a year that has been described as one of played in Slams I think have been com- tournament when his father-in-law Nigel the finest in tennis history. He finished 2015 at petitive. Whether that looks the same Sears, Ana Ivanovic’s coach, collapsed at No. 1 for the fourth time in five years. He won from the outside or not, I don’t know.” Rod Laver Arena last week. the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Murray’s latest defeat to Djokovic “I’m proud that I got into this position,” Open. made him only the second man in the Murray said. “Just quite looking forward He reached the final at the French Open, but Open era-after Ivan Lendl, his former to getting home now.” —AFP lost to Stan Wawrinka. It was his third runner-up trophy at Roland Garros. “Each year when I go back I feel like I’m a step closer,” Djokovic said UCI promises tough response during a TV interview after the final. He was asked, if he does win at the French and manage to motorised doping scandal to capture four consecutive major champi- onships, would he give it a name? On the PARIS: International cycling authorities enhancing drugs. It was only with the women’s side, Serena Williams has done it before have promised to step up testing for intervention of outside agencies in the and her feat was called the “Serena Slam.” mechanical doping after an electric 1990s that the culture and effectiveness “Djoker Slam. Not bad, I like that one,” said motor was found in an elite rider’s bike, of testing begin to change, culminating the 28-year-old Serbian, referring to his nick- signalling decisive action after struggling in Lance Armstrong being stripped of his name, the Djoker. “No doubt that I’m playing the for decades to combat illegal drug use. seven Tour de France titles in 2012. best tennis of my life in the last 15 months,” Stewards at the world cyclo-cross Cookson said the UCI was “trialling Djokovic said. “The results are showing that. I’m championships found the motor on new methods” to catch mechanical dop- just trying to keep it up.” Sunday in the bike of Belgian teenager ers, but declined to elaborate. The organ- With his 11th major title, Djokovic is steadily Femke Van den Driessche, the first such isation has previously used X-rays or dis- gaining on Rafael Nadal’s 14 and Roger Federer’s find during a competitive race. mantling bikes to look for the tiny record 17. The so-called Big Four of men’s tennis “We will be testing more bikes, more motors. - Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic - has been often,” International Cycling Union (UCI) They can be hidden in the downtube, looking more lopsided with Djokovic’s winning boss Brian Cookson said following the seat-tube or hub and drive the back record. He now leads the pack with head-to- discovery. “Our message to those choos- wheel to give riders a possible speed head wins over them all - Federer (23-22), Murray (22-9), Nadal (24-23). ing to cheat is that we will catch up with boost of about 4-5 kilometres (2-3 miles) In Melbourne, Djokovic beat Federer in you sooner or later.” per hour for up to an hour. A tiny battery MELBOURNE: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic poses for photos with his Australian Open trophy at straight sets in the semifinals before moving on For decades, cycling authorities did lit- can be activated from an easily disguised Government House in Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. Djokovic defeated Britain’s Andy to Murray. Nadal lost in the first-round, raising tle to combat the use of performance- button on the handlebars.—Reuters Murray in the men’s final at the Australian Open tennis championships on Sunday.— AP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 SPORTS Pakistan’s Ajmal targets World T20 return

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s discarded off- Before being suspended in September spinner Saaed Ajmal says he is hopeful of 2014 for exceeding the 15-degree elbow proving his form in a forthcoming domes- flex limit set by the International Cricket tic league as he targets a return to national Council, Ajmal was ranked the world’s colours in the World Twenty20 this March. number one bowler in ODIs and was The 38-year-old, whose accuracy and almost as impressive in Tests. He famously deceptive doosra helped drive his team to captured 24 wickets in three Tests against victory in the 2009 edition, has struggled England in 2012. “When I made my come- to make an impact since coming back last back against Bangladesh I was lacking February from a five-month ban for chuck- match practice,” he said. “I needed some ing. He took just one wicket in two ODIs time. Now I’ve had some time and I’ve when he last played, against Bangladesh, been able to work on myself. I’ve got my in April, and a paltry 16 wickets at 55 variation back and you will see the results apiece for his English county side in the PSL. “There were several issues. My Worcestershire. arm was falling off too much to the side But speaking on the sidelines of a and I’ve worked on that and straightened launch event for Islamabad United, one of it up. I’ve worked on my main ball and my five teams taking part in the Pakistan doosra as well as my arm ball. Super League (PSL) to be held in the UAE “The variation I got from the revolutions this month, Ajmal said he had worked on I’d put on the ball in the air-I’ve got that technical flaws and rediscovered his old back and you’re going to enjoy watching menace. it.” Despite his optimism, it is unclear how “I’ve gotten a good platform and work- much opportunity Ajmal will get to play as ing on my goals. You are going to see the he competes for a place against teammate Saeed Ajmal of old,” he said. “The World Samuel Badree, the West Indian leg spin- Cup is after this. and I want to perform well ner who is currently the world’s number and make myself available for the team.” one Twenty20 bowler. Ajmal, who was picked as a last minute But with Pakistan’s favoured slow ‘supplementary player’ by the capital’s bowler, leg spinner Yasir Shah, currently team, pointed to better showings in suspended for a doping offence, the door Bangladesh’s T20 league last November as could remain ajar for an improbable come- proof the magic had not deserted him. back. —AFP India rest in-form Kohli for T20 series v Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI: India are resting batting sustained a thumb injury in Australia and mainstay Virat Kohli for the three 20-over missed the Twenty20 series. Left-arm spin- matches against Sri Lanka this month with ner Pawan Negi received his first call-up to an eye on the Twenty20 World Cup on the India squad who play Sri Lanka in the CENTURION: South African bowler Kagiso Rabada (top) celebrates the dismissal England’s batsman Jonny Bairstow (not in picture) during the home soil. first Twenty20 International in Pune on Feb. fourth Test match between England and South Africa at Supersport stadium. — AFP Kohli, the world’s top-ranked Twenty20 9. Ranchi and Visakhapatnam host the oth- batsman, enjoyed a prolific run of form to er matches. help India complete a 3-0 series whitewash Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (cap- in Australia on Sunday. tain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, With Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men kick- Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Suresh SA seek redemption ing off their bid for a second Twenty20 Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, World Cup in six weeks, the team have Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, decided to rest Kohli who was top-scorer in Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, the series in Australia. India recalled Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar after the paceman Pawan Negi. —Reuters in one-day series

BLOEMFONTEIN: South Africa will be keen to Jos Buttler, who hit England’s fastest one-day “Marchant gives us more options with our avenge a Test series defeat when they meet century off 46 balls in the series decider against fast bowlers because there is no Steyn, no England in five one-day internationals, starting Pakistan in Dubai. (Vernon) Philander, no Kyle Abbott,” said at the Mangaung Oval tomorrow. “There are no Other new faces include captain Eoin Domingo, who expressed concern about the soft series or less important series, they are all Morgan, opening batsman Jason Roy and workload of Morne Morkel and new star Kagiso important, particularly coming off a Test series bowlers Reece Topley, Chris Jordan, David Willey Rabada. “The big concern is the fact that Rabada loss,” said South African coach Russell Domingo. and Adil Rashid, who all had some success in and Morkel have played a lot of cricket of late Both teams will be looking to build on recent England’s comfortable win in a warm-up match and have bowled so many overs, we need to good results following disappointing campaigns against South Africa A in Kimberley on Saturday. manage them over the next few days,” said in the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and Domingo. All-rounder David Wiese was added to New Zealand. South Africa showed patchy form RETURN TO FORM the squad yesterday in the World Cup but reached the semi-finals, South Africa’s one-day specialists include where they were beaten by New Zealand. Since hard-hitting left-handed batsmen David Miller SQUADS: then, they have won a home series against the and Rilee Rossouw, all-rounder Farhaan South Africa: AB de Villiers (captain), Kyle Black Caps and an away series in India. England Behardien and leg-spinner Imran Tahir. Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, had a poor World Cup, failing to reach the South African captain AB de Villiers, the Quinton de Kock (wkt), Marchant de Lange, JP knock-out stage after losing all their matches world’s number one-ranked one-day interna- Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, against other Test nations. But they then beat tional batsman, will hope for a return to form Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee New Zealand 3-2 in a home series, lost by the after making three ducks in his last three Test Rossouw, David Wiese. same margin against Australia and beat Pakistan innings against England. England: Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, 3-1 in the United Arab Emirates. South Africa added fast bowler Marchant de Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wkt), Several of England’s leading one-day players Lange to their squad following the injury-forced Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, did not appear in the recent Test series against withdrawal of Dale Steyn and the unavailability Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Reece South Africa, including wicketkeeper-batsman through injury for the first match of Kyle Abbott. Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes. — AFP N Zealand prime triple-spin threat for World T20

WELLINGTON: New Zealand will be hoping “On top of our four genuine pace bowlers Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), to stifle their opponents by taking pace off and Corey (Anderson) as all-rounder, Colin Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, the ball with the inclusion of three frontline (Munro) and Grant (Elliott) are also options Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Colin Munro, spinners in their 15-man squad for next with the ball for us with their change of Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Nathan month’s World Twenty20 in India. pace,” Hesson said. McCullum, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Off-spinner Nathan McCullum, left-armer New Zealand open their campaign Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Mitchell Santner and leggie Ish Sodhi all against the hosts in Nagpur on March 15. IshSodhi. — Reuters found a place in the Kane Williamson-led side for the March 8-April 3 tournament, and the trio can expect to see plenty of action on the host nation’s slow pitches. “With the Indian conditions in mind, the Jasprit Bumrah plan has always been to take three frontline spinners, and all three bring something dif- Unorthodox Bumrah gives Dhoni ferent,” coach Mike Hesson said in a New Zealand Cricket statement yesterday. welcome option at the death “It’s great to have Nathan available again and his experience in the foreign conditions NEW DELHI: By capitalising on his Dhoni, particularly impressed by the will be invaluable. chance selection in Australia, India pace- right-arm bowler’s ability to bowl york- “Both he and Mitch Santner have the abil- man Jasprit Bumrah has afforded his cap- ers. ity to bowl in the first six overs, which gives tain Mahendra Singh Dhoni a rare pleas- “I’ve always said that to be successful Kane a number of options to work with.” ant feeling-of having a settled bowling in the shorter format you have to exe- McCullum has not played for New unit at his disposal. India’s bowling frail- cute the yorkers. “Whether you choose Zealand since August but is also handy with ties were laid bare in the one-day series to bowl it or not that’s up to you, but if the bat, as is Santner, who impressed during in Australia where their inability to you don’t have that option, then defi- the recent limited-overs series at home defend scores around 300 in the first nitely at some point of time, you will be against Pakistan. three ODIs cost them the five-match under pressure.” Left-handed batsman Henry Nicholls, yet series. Bumrah credits Mumbai Indians team to play a T20 for New Zealand, was also A consolation win in the final one- mate and Sri Lankan speedster Lasith rewarded with a spot for his match-winning dayer in Sydney and the 3-0 clean sweep Malinga-also known for an unorthodox 82 against Pakistan in the first ODI. of the subsequent 20-over series have, bowling action-for helping him master “Henry has shown his talent and versatili- however, convinced Dhoni that he now the art and practises yorkers placing a ty with the bat this summer and has also has an attack that can help him land a shoe on the pitch. been used as a wicketkeeper for New second Twenty20 World Cup when the His death bowling in his Sydney ODI Zealand A,” Hesson added. tournament gets underway in India next debut, when he took 2-40 in his 10 overs, Pacemen Tim Southee and Mitchell month. impressed many and barely six weeks McClenaghan, and batsman Ross Taylor And much of his optimism stems from before India begin their Twenty20 World were also included in the squad despite car- the emergence of a 22-year-old Gujarat Cup campaign, Dhoni was satisfied with rying injuries with all three expected to be fast bowler with an awkward action, who the look of his bowling unit. “I don’t have fit for the tournament, NZC added in the would not have made the squad in the to worry about the bowling line-up. statement. first place but for injuries to pacemen There might be one or two changes here New Zealand, who will be aiming to win a Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar or there: we might pick another spinner first limited-overs World Cup, have been Kumar. “The find (of the tour) for me was or maybe get a medium-fast bowler of a drawn with Australia, India, Pakistan and a AUCKLAND: Matin Guptill (L) and Corey Anderson (R) celebrate the wicket of Wahab Riaz of Bumrah. The way he has bowled in the quick, but overall it has been a good set- yet-to-be-confirmed qualifier in Group 2 of Pakistan during the third one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and last three games was really good,” said up.” — Reuters the Super 10 round of the tournament. Pakistan at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday. — AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 SPORTS Afghanistan’s ‘little Messi’ longs to meet idol

KABUL: Kicking a bright yellow football the Taleban insurgency-hit province of old could travel to Spain or meet his idol ‘LITTLE MESSI’ cuted Hazara community, Ahmadi said on a gravel-covered Kabul hilltop, an Ghazni near Kabul. in a third country. Photos of the boy wearing the impro- an opportunity to meet Messi would Afghan boy whose pictures in a plastic The Afghanistan Football Federation Setting up a meeting in Afghanistan, vised Messi jersey-made from grocery bring a glimmer of hope to their lives. Lionel Messi jersey went viral evinced (AFF) yesterday said Messi was in contact in the grip of a fierce Taleban insurgency, bags discarded by their neighbour-has “We live in an area surrounded by Taliban excitement yesterday at the prospect of with them to arrange a meeting with is fraught with security challenges. The touched a chord with football fans and Islamic State jihadists. We face lots of meeting the Barcelona star. Murtaza as soon as possible, though no Spanish embassy in Kabul told AFP it around the world. daily struggles,” he said. “If a poor boy Five-year-old Murtaza Ahmadi shot to date or venue has so far been finalised. would do whatever possible to facilitate And it has earned Murtaza the sobri- like my son manages to meet Messi, it global fame after his brother posted pic- “I want to meet Messi, spend time a meeting in a European destination. quet “little Messi” on social media. will be a proud moment not just for us tures of him dressed in the blue-and- with him, I love the way he plays foot- A source close to Messi’s entourage Murtaza’s father, a poor farmer in but all of Afghanistan.” Sport was rarely white-striped plastic shirt with Messi’s ball,” the boy told AFP during a visit to said they could neither confirm nor deny Ghazni’s Jaghori district, admitted he played under Taliban rule, and the foot- name scrawled in marker pen on Kabul yesterday with his family. the speculation regarding a possible could not afford to buy him a replica jer- ball stadium in Kabul was a notorious Facebook in mid-January. “I love him very, very much,” he said, meeting. “We will work towards making sey. “He insisted many times to buy him a venue for executions, stonings and muti- Murtaza idolises the Argentine soccer his cheeks flushed with excitement. AFF his wishes come true,” the source said, Messi jersey but it is too expensive for lations. Football and cricket are the two star but a jersey of his favourite player is said it was working to see whether Messi adding that a jersey would be sent to the me,” Mohammad Arif Ahmadi told AFP. most popular sports in the war-ravaged beyond the means of his poor family in could visit Afghanistan or the five-year- five-year-old. As members of the historically perse- country. —AFP Barca president maintains silence in Neymar case MADRID: Barcelona president Josep Maria 2015 and July 2014 respectively in a sepa- Bartomeu and his predecessor Sandro rate case in which they and Barcelona as a Rosell refused to testify before a judge yes- club face charges of tax fraud. terday for suspected irregularities in the In that case Bartomeu laid the responsi- transfer of Brazilian star Neymar, insisting blity at Rosell’s door, saying the latter “led on the version of events they had given for the negotiations with the player’s father”. a previous hearing, according to judicial For his part, Rosell - who resigned sources. amidst the scandal over how much Neymar Bartomeu and Rosell were called to give cost the club in January 2014 - insisted the evidence at Spain’s national court in Madrid “contracts were done perfectly.” over a complaint for fraud and corruption The judge has also called representa- brought by Brazilian investment fund DIS, tives and the presidents of Santos when which held 40 percent of Neymar’s sport- the deal took place Odilio Rodriguez and ing rights when he played at Santos before Luis Alvaro de Oliveira, who have requested joining Barca in 2013. to make their declarations in Brazil. Neymar and his parents have been Brazilian authorities have also taken called to give evidence today. “Before say- action freezing $47 million in assets ing nonsense - that we hid this, or hid that - belonging to Neymar over tax evasion alle- they should prove it,” Neymar told Brazilian gations between 2011 and 2013. TV station Globo on Sunday. In another case on Thursday a Brazilian “My father is doing everything to ensure court rejected the player’s appeal against that I can just focus on playing football. He tax fraud when he was still a Santos player, handles the books. But in the moment imposing a fine of $112,000. when you see someone you love suffering, And on Sunday Brazilian magazine Veja it starts to hurt.” reported the Brazilian tax authorities had The deal was originally valued at 57.1 reported the player and his father for tax million euros ($62.1 million) by Barca, 40 evasion and falsifying documents in the tax million of which was paid to the N&N com- declarations of his salary at Santos and his pany owned by the player’s father with signing for Barcelona. Santos receiving just 17.1 million. “There is nothing against us. The trial is However, Spanish judicial authorities an investigation to know what happened in have estimated the number of simultane- Neymar’s transfer,” Neymar’s father told ous deals in the transfer amounted to at Globo. “If we committed any tax error then least 83.3 million. DIS has claimed it was tell us, but to accuse us of tax evasion or cheated of its real share of the benefits of falsifying documents goes beyond the lim- the 23-year-old’s move firstly because part its.” The controversy surrounding the deal of the transfer fee was concealed by hasn’t affected Neymar’s performances on Barcelona and Santos. the field as he helped Barca to a treble of SAINT-ETIENNE: Paris Saint-Germain’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (L) vies with Saint-Etienne’s French midfielder Renaud ohadeC (C) Moreover, they also believe a pre-con- Champions League, La Liga and Copa del and Saint-Etienne’s Senegalese defender Moustapha Bayal Sall (R) during the Ligue1 football match between AS Saint-Etienne and Paris Saint- tract agreement between Neymar and Rey last season. Germain, on Sunday at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France. — AFP Barca impeded other clubs from making Brazil’s golden boy is expected to cap- offers for the player affecting the value of tain his country on home soil at the Rio the transfer fee. Olympics later this year, and his rising sta- DIS received just 6.8 million from the tus was confirmed as he made the three deal - 40 percent of the 17.1 million paid to finalists for the Ballon d’Or to crown the Ibrahimovic blasts PSG Santos. Bartomeu and Rosell ratified what world’s best player for the first time in they had declared to the court in February January. —AFP into record books

Klopp feels squeeze as PARIS: A Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace saw Paris league, not even Lyon when they were domi- tors, who sold 49 percent of their shares to a Saint Germain stretch their lead atop Ligue 1 to nating everything.” Paris now have 63 points mystery Saudi prince and English businessman leaders Leicester loom a massive 24 points on Sunday in a 2-0 away from 23 games after twenty wins and three this week, failed in their bid to move second. win over a spirited Saint Etienne. draws, while in second Monaco have 39 points The hosts took the lead when Julien Feret teed LEICESTER: Jurgen Klopp’s most significant they are an option for us,” Klopp said. “But we Not only was this a club record 13th straight after losing 3-0 to third placed Angers, who up Rony Rodelin to drive in his sixth league challenge as Liverpool manager at the have to decide if it is the right moment or not. win, it also sees the rampaging Paris side equal now have 37, on Saturday. goal of the season. Andy Delort doubled the moment is figuring out how to manage his “Young lads often have waves in their devel- Nantes’ 20-year-old record of 32 league games The hosts threw everything they had at the lead from the penalty spot before half-time to squad in the face of an ever-expanding fix- opment. They have ups and downs, and if you without defeat. PSG have not lost in Ligue 1 champions and drew several key saves from leave Nice in disarray. Bordeaux’s lanky striker ture list. Having played nine games in bring them in at the wrong moment, then it’s since a 3-2 defeat to Bordeaux on March 15 last ‘keeper Kevin Trapp, notably through captain Cheick Diabate, who scored a brace in last January-more than any other Premier League not too good for their development. year. Franck Tabanou. “My players showed great week’s 2-2 draw with Nantes, grabbed another team-Klopp’s side’s trip to leaders Leicester “They have time to develop. That’s the “There’s been a great deal of talk about the courage and we shook them up. But we came two in a 4-0 romp over Rennes. His aerial City today is the first of at least seven match- best thing. They have enough pressure. You record and it helped me motivate the players, up against a good ‘keeper,” added Galtier. strength saw him power home a well placed es in February. don’t need to make that pressure bigger.” One even if they don’t really need that,” PSG coach header to grab the opener on the half hour and That tally will rise to eight if they beat player set to retain his place is central defend- Laurent Blanc said after the game. PERFECT CROSS he then drilled a sharp left-footed snap-shot West Ham United in next week’s FA Cup er Dejan Lovren, who took the opportunity to “I ask a lot from the players, I demand it. And PSG’s Argentine winger Angel di Maria was a past Rennes ‘keeper Benoit Costil just after the fourth-round replay. Saturday’s 0-0 draw build up his match fitness after recovering what I take away tonight as much as the record constant menace with his runs and passes and restart to make it 2-0, setting his side up for a against the Hammers was Liverpool’s 37th fix- from a recent hamstring injury. is the way this team never gives up.” Saint set up Ibrahimovic for a cheeky back-heel shot deservedly clear win. ture of the campaign, and it is mathematically Etienne coach Christophe Galtier had joked by lobbing the static defence. But the opener Surprise package Angers inflicted a 3-0 possible that they could end up playing 69 TAXING FIXTURES FOR LEICESTER before the game that Ibrahimovic must hate his came when Ibrahimovic ran onto a perfectly defeat on Monaco on Saturday to reignite their competitive matches this season. He played his part in a Liverpool clean team so often does he score against them. And weighted Serge Aurier cross to fire home at full unlikely challenge for a Champions League With that in mind, Klopp rested as many of sheet at the weekend; only their third in nine the giant Swede duly clinched his 18th league stretch from the six yard line just after the hour. spot. Cheikh N’Doye deflected in Romain Saiss’s his senior players as he possibly could at the matches. goal of the campaign on the hour with a cer- The clincher came in the closing moments effort after Monaco failed to clear a corner, weekend, making 10 changes to the side who Liverpool are one of only two clubs to tain venom before scoring his 19th, a simple after a sobering exhibition of PSG’s masterful N’Doye doubled the advantage before half- had secured a League Cup final place by over- have beaten Leicester in the league to date, tap in, with the last kick of the game. passing game found the striker unmarked at time as Angers took utter control, before gloss coming Stoke City on penalties at Anfield four so today’s game gives Claudio Ranieri’s men “This team seems unbeatable,” Galtier said. the back post. Earlier Sunday, Caen continued was added to the scoreline in the second peri- days earlier. an opportunity to avenge that defeat in “We’ve never seen anything like it in this their fine season by beating Nice 2-0 as the visi- od by Mohamed Yattara. — AFP Teenager Cameron Brannagan, making December and offer further proof of their only his fourth senior start, took the opportu- title credentials. A 3-0 win against an in-form nity to make a positive impression against Stoke last week answered many of the China firms spend big as Xi dreams of glory West Ham, as did other players with limited doubts about the Foxes, but their next three experience such as fellow midfielders Kevin games will ask more taxing questions. After BEIJING: Chinese football clubs are splashing China-currently languishing in 82nd place in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Stewart and Joao Teixeira and full-back Brad facing Liverpool they will take on Manchester their cash in Europe, as wealthy owners embrace FIFA world rankings-to qualify for, host and ulti- Committee, a Communist-controlled debating Smith. City and then Arsenal, the only other club to President Xi Jinping’s vision of the sleeping mately win a World Cup. chamber. But Klopp has indicated that he will return beat them in a league game in 2015-16. Asian giant becoming a new heavyweight in the The committee last year approved a 50-point Hebei China Fortune are owned by a Beijing- to his tried and trusted senior players to face Defender Christian Fuchs said: “We’ve got sport. plan to put Xi’s sporting ambition into effect, based developer of industrial parks, founded by Leicester. three games against big teams and they are As January’s European transfer window including establishing 50,000 soccer schools billionaire Wang Wenxue, while Shenhua are “Those players are in our squad because important.—AFP began to swing shut on Monday, clubs in the within 10 years, making the game compulsory owned by Greenland Holding Group, a real top two tiers of Chinese football had spent more for some elementary and middle-school stu- estate investment company that focuses on than 200 million euros ($216 million) collectively dents, and separating the Chinese Football high-rise complexes. on players, according to website transfermarkt, Association from government bureaucracy. “When the Chinese government says they are which tracks commercial developments in the Companies and businessmen have since setting their mind to something, it means ‘This is sport. rushed to put money into football. “It’s what how you’re going to get on our good side,” said That was more than 60 percent higher than their president wants,” says Tony Rallis, who bro- David Hornby, sports business director of the the total they lavished in the winter transfer kered a deal to sell Australian international Trent Mailman brand management group in Shanghai. market last year. But critics say that owners are Sainsbury to Jiangsu Suning. Mark Dreyer, a sports blogger in Beijing, com- motivated more by a desire to curry favour with “Why is it any different from the Chinese gov- pares the football gold rush to the flood of mon- political power than by a love for the Beautiful ernment encouraging them to buy Australian ey into China’s notoriously volatile stock market. Game. farms, invest in African countries? To me that’s When “they announced the soccer reforms, Questions have also been asked whether an example of due diligence and proper plan- the very next day there were dozens of people Chinese clubs are paying over the odds for play- ning. “It’s not about individuals, it’s about the registering football clubs,” he said. “Clearly none ers who may be past their best-many of the new broad picture here.” of them had anything to do with the sport, but arrivals are in their late 20s-and if European thought, ‘This is my opportunity, I can get a clubs are seeking to unload overpaid stars on BILLIONAIRE BACKERS piece of the next pie’.” willing buyers. In January, Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder The three highest individual fees in the win- Ramires went to Jiangsu Suning for a Chinese UNCERTAIN TIMES dow so far were all paid by Chinese clubs, trans- Super League record 28 million euros, Hebei But experts say the avalanche of cash is fermarkt’s figures show. “There is one new rea- China Fortune bought Ivorian striker Gervinho unlikely to turn into trophies for the national son for Chinese billionaires to invest in football from AS Roma for 18 million euros, and team-and could even be counter-productive. inside China-to build political capital in uncer- Shanghai Shenhua took Inter Milan’s Colombian Foreigners coming to play in the Chinese tain times,” Rowan Simons, author of a book on international Fredy Guarin for 13 million, accord- Super League often earn millions of dollars, and Chinese football, told AFP. ing to transfermarkt’s figures. Gao Zhaoyu, an expert on Chinese sport at the The spending spree comes after a powerful Suning, a privately-held retail conglomerate University of Lausanne, Switzerland, said club Communist Party committee chaired by Xi that sells appliances at more than 1,600 stores, money that could be spent on training young MOREIRA DE CINEGOS: Benfica’s Brazilian forward Jonas (L) controls the ball next to declared: “Revitalising soccer is a must to build only bought the Jiangsu team in December, and players was instead going into transfer fees and Moreirense’s Serbian goalkeeper Igor Stefanovic to score a goal during the China into a sports powerhouse as part of the subsequently renamed it. salaries-while China’s salary cap only applied to Portuguese league football match Moreirense FC vs SL Benfica at the Comendador Chinese dream.” The company’s billionaire founder, Zhang domestic players, rather than foreigners, and Joaquim de Almeida Freitas stadium in Moreira de Conegos on Sunday. — AFP As vice-president in 2011, Xi said he wanted Jindong, is a member of the government’s owners had ignored it in any case.—AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 SPORTS Dzeko adds to Roma woes ahead of Sassuolo trip

MILAN: Misfiring Bosnian striker Edin injury lay-off. “Dzeko won’t be travelling Iago Falque his only available strikers. likely to be kept on a tight rein on 2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. Dzeko has added to Roma’s injury crisis because he received a knock on Saturday Although Nigerian starlet Umar Sadiq Tuesday night. Spalletti said Sassuolo coach Eusebio after being ruled out of the matchday and it quickly flared up. To play him scored twice during a handful of appear- Sassuolo are enjoying a great season Di Francesco deserved praise for helping squad for their league trip to Sassuolo would be too risky,” said Spalletti yester- ances under Garcia, Spalletti played so far and sit in seventh place, 17 points raise the game’s standard in Italy. today. Roma claimed their first win in five day. down his possible inclusion. behind leaders Napoli but only a handful “He is one of the coaches who has league games with a 3-1 defeat of Totti came off the bench to replace “We only have Sadiq left to us as a of points adrift of the European places. helped improve our level of football,” Frosinone on Saturday, their first under Dzeko 14 minutes into the second half at lone striker. He doesn’t have great tech- Part of that success is down to their added Spalletti. new coach Luciano Spalletti. the weekend but has “a problem with his nique, but he knows how to get in formidable form at home, where they “Sassuolo, Fiorentina, Empoli and But Spalletti, in his second spell at gluteus”, according to Spalletti. “We’re behind the opposition defence,” said suffered their first defeat of the season to Napoli all have coaches who have made Roma following the recent sacking of monitoring his condition, but we’ll let Spalletti. Bologna eight days ago. At their Mapei significant contributions to our game. Rudi Garcia, faces a forwards crisis with the doctors decide if he can play,” he El Shaarawy hit his maiden Roma goal Stadium, Sassuolo have so far beaten “Sassuolo is a really organised club and club captain Francesco Totti ruled as said. It could force Spalletti into some on Saturday with a deft flick that he said Napoli, Lazio and Juventus and drawn everyone knows it. They’ve beaten a lot doubtful after suffering a muscle prob- last-minute tinkering, with on-loan AC was inspired by Sweden striker Zlatan with Fiorentina, and on their travels have of big teams and so they deserve to be lem on his comeback from a lengthy Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy and Ibrahimovic, but the Italy international is beaten Inter Milan and held Roma to a 2- complimented.”— AFP In-form Rooney seeks to keep heat off Van Gaal

LONDON: Wayne Rooney can help ease maintained their form since and sit three the pressure on beleaguered Manchester points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal United manager Louis van Gaal and move after 23 matches. closer to Bobby Charlton’s club scoring Arsenal, without a win in their last three record if he maintains his hot streak against league games, face Southampton at the Stoke City in the Premier League today. Emirates and their long injury list is finally United forgot their league woes on showing signs of shrinking with striker Friday when they won 3-1 at Championship Alexis Sanchez scoring in the 2-1 FA Cup side Derby County in the FA Cup with win over Burnley on Saturday. Rooney’s superb curling shot taking his tal- City, with 13 goals in their last four ly to six in six games and 243 for the club, league and Cup games face relegation- six behind Charlton. threatened Sunderland while Spurs, round- Van Gaal’s team return to league action ing out the top four on 42 points, will seek for the first time since losing 1-0 at home to to extend their 10-match unbeaten league Southampton, lying fifth in the table on 37 away run at Norwich. —Reuters points — 10 adrift of leaders Leicester City and five away from the top four. Leicester will continue their unlikely push for a first-ever title when they face 18- Matches on TV times champions Liverpool at the King (Local Timings) Power. Second-placed Manchester City go to Sunderland, third-placed Arsenal host English Premier League Southampton and fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur visit Norwich City. Arsenal v Southampton 22:45 The spotlight will be on Van Gaal, how- beIN SPORTS 2 HD ever, and Rooney is hoping he can take the Sunderland v Man City 22:45 heat off his Dutch manager when they face beIN SPORTS 3 HD a Stoke side managed by former United beIN SPORTS 2 HD striker Mark Hughes. Leicester v Liverpool 22:45 Stoke have lost all seven Premier League beIN SPORTS 11 HD matches they have played at Old Trafford beIN SPORTS 3 HD and have not won there for almost 40 years. West Ham v Aston Villa 22:45 beIN SPORTS 8 HD MADRID: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, right, heads the ball to score his side’s fifth goal past Espanyol’s Giedrius Arlauskis “Arla” during the CLUB RECORD Norwich City v Tottenham 22:45 Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Sunday. Ronaldo scored a hat- Rooney overtook Charlton’s record of 49 beIN SPORTS 5 HD trick in Real Madrid’s 6-0 victory. —AP goals for England this season and he told beIN SPORTS 11 HD the United website (www.manutd.com) he Man United v Stoke City 23:00 could not help but have one eye on the beIN SPORTS 7 HD Ronaldo hits 35th hat-trick club record now. West Bromwich v Swansea City23:00 “Of course, I’m well aware of it” he said. beIN SPORTS 9 HD “Like the England record, when it was Crystal Palace v Bournemouth 23:00 getting closer, it was coming up every as Real crush Espanyol week, so I’m sure it will now.” Rooney said it beIN SPORTS 13 HD beIN SPORTS 2 HD was unfair to lay all the blame for the MADRID: Prolific Cristiano Ronaldo hit a 35th 19 goals with Barcelona’s Luis Suarez. season.” Valencia manager Gary Neville’s wait for team’s struggles on the manager. Italian Calcio League hat-trick for Real Madrid who swept aside Espanyol’s misery was complete with an own- a first La Liga win continued after a 1-0 home “The players have to take a lot of Espanyol 6-0 in a ruthless attacking display in La goal from Oscar Duarte. defeat by lowly Sporting Gijon. responsibility for performances and results,” Sassuolo Calcio v AS Roma 22:45 Liga on Sunday. Barca are three points clear, on 51 points, Former England and Manchester United he said. beIN SPORTS 4 HD The Portuguese led the way as Real sought to after their 2-1 victory in the top of the table defender Neville, who took on his first head “We have to stand up and take criticism keep in the title chase after an inconsistent sea- clash with Atletico Madrid on Saturday. coaching job at the start of December, has gone when it’s there.” French League son so far that still leaves them in third place, Ronaldo gave his backing to coach Zinedine eight league games without a victory. Leicester have confounded expectations AS Monaco v Bastia 21:00 four points behind leaders Barcelona. Zidane with the side having scored 16 goals in Valencia have slipped to 12th place and have to move to top spot, losing only twice in beIN SPORTS 6 HD Karim Benzema headed in a whipped cross three home games since he took over from Rafa not won in 11 La Liga games in total, including the league all season. Liverpool inflicted from James Rodriguez after seven minutes and Benitez. under previous coach Nuno Espirito Santo, their their last league defeat with a 1-0 win at Montpellier v Olympique 23:00 beIN SPORTS 6 HD then Ronaldo won and struck home a penalty. “Zidane is doing well and you can see the worst run since 1986. Anfield on Boxing Day, but Leicester have A Rodriguez strike was deflected in after 16 results on the pitch,” Ronaldo told reporters. Antonio Sanabria’s 50th-minute penalty gave minutes and Ronaldo showed a sublime touch “Zidane has come with a different idea of Sporting victory. to beat two players and curl a 20 yard shot into work and the atmosphere is better. We are win- Kevin Gameiro, Vicente Iborra and Yevhen the corner before halftime. ning by big margins. Konoplyanka were on target for in-form Sevilla Ronaldo headed in from close range after 82 “We will keeping chasing Barcelona and who moved up to fifth with a 3-1 victory over Milan stun Inter minutes and is now joint top scorer in La Liga on Atletico, and see where we are at the end of the Levante. —Reuters in derby thriller MILAN: Carlos Bacca and M’Baye Niang hit and ended up doing what I did,” he said, “I Guardiola to succeed second half goals as AC Milan ended their don’t agree with a lot of the referee’s deci- long wait to celebrate victory in the city sions tonight, some of them were disas- derby with a crushing 3-0 win over Inter trous. In saying that, we lost 3-0 and so we Milan on Sunday. have some problems to resolve.” Pellegrini at Man City Title-chasing Inter had the chance to With his strikers misfiring, Mancini beat move up to third in Serie A to close the gap Leicester City to sign Sampdoria striker on leaders Napoli to six points. But after a Eder on Friday and the Brazil-born Italy LONDON: Outgoing Bayern Munich coach Manchester City, who currently sit second my contract on the original date in June. bright start, Roberto Mancini’s visitors took international had a bright start in what Pep Guardiola will take over from Manuel in the Premier League behind Leicester, “We extended the contract one year more their foot off the gas to go into the dressing must have been a baptism of fire. Pellegrini at Manchester City on a three-year remain in the running for four trophies this but with the clause that one of the club or me room 1-0 down after Alex’s 35th minute Nearly 78,000 fans were in attendance deal from the end of the season, the English season. Pellegrini guided them to Premier may not use that extended contract. So, I will header. and Eder showed promise early on but club announced yesterday. League and Capital One Cup success in his finish here on the original date, June 30. Inter spurned the chance to pull level 20 notably skewed a flying header wide from a “Manchester City can confirm that in recent first season, but the team failed to defend “There has been a lot of speculation about minutes from the end when second-half Juan Jesus cross. weeks it has commenced and finalised con- their title last season. things, but they (the club) are not doing any- substitute Mauro Icardi hit the post from When Eder set up Marcelo Brozovic on tractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to Pellegrini announced his departure at the thing behind me. I knew this one month ago. I the penalty spot. the edge of the box, Milan ‘keeper Gianluigi become MCFC head coach for the 2016/17 end of a standard press conference to preview don’t think it is good to have speculation It proved the turning point of the game Donnarumma was forced down low at his EPL season onwards,” the club said in a state- Tuesday’s Premier League game at about different things. I prefer to finish (by and Milan, who suffered a 1-0 defeat to far post to save at the second attempt. ment. Sunderland. That was quickly followed by the announcing) today - that is why I have told Inter earlier this season but last won the There were few clear chances in a nerv- “The contract is for three years. These club statement. the press and told the players. ‘Derby della Madonnina’ by three clear ous opening half, although Keisuke Honda negotiations were a re-commencement of Pellegrini said: “Before we finish I will tell “I told the club two weeks ago that I would goals in 2011, doubled their lead on 73 was unlucky when he just failed to make discussions that were curtailed in 2012. “Out you that I talked with the club and I will finish do it.”— AFP minutes when Bacca kneed Niang’s deliv- good contact with a cross in to the six-yard ery past Samir Handanovic from close box. of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the play- range. When the ball fell to the Japan midfield- ers, the club wishes to make its decision pub- Four minutes later, the stadium erupted er moments later, he made no mistake, lic to remove the unnecessary burden of spec- for a fourth time when Niang found the curling a perfect cross over the Inter ulation. roof of the net at the second attempt to defence for Alex to bundle a header into “Manuel, who is fully supportive of the secure the points for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s the net in the 35th minute. decision to make this communication, is men. Mihajlovic admitted Icardi’s penalty Milan suffered a scare early after the entirely focused on achieving his targets for miss had been “decisive”, adding: “It’s the restart when Donnarumma spliced an the season ahead and retains the respect and greatest joy I’ve experienced since I’ve attempted clearance, prompting the ‘keep- commitment of all involved with the leader- coached, because when you win a derby er to clash with Eder as the Italy interna- ship of the club.” like this it enters the history books. tional came in to challenge. Guardiola announced in December that he “I’m happy for the club president (Silvio Penalty claims were waved away, but an would leave current club Bayern Munich in Berlusconi), the players and the fans.” increasingly angry Mancini was sent to the May after three years at the helm, with an Seven-time European champions Milan are stands moments later for dissent. intention to coach in England next season. bidding to qualify for the Champions Inefficient Inter striker Stevan Jovetic was The 45-year-old Guardiola notched up the League next season after a two-year hiatus replaced by Icardi just after the hour, but treble of Champions League, German Cup and although they remain 14 points behind the game soon turned in Milan’s favour and Bundesliga titles in 2013, but in the last leaders Napoli, they are only six points when Donnarumma got down low to stop two seasons, Bayern have exited the behind third-placed Fiorentina, who drew the Argentine’s angled drive from inside Champions League at the semi-final stage. at Genoa earlier Sunday. the area. The ex-Spain international previously Inter have now failed to win their last As the ball bounced up, it came off the coached Barcelona from 2008-12, leading the three games meaning the Nerazzurri, who hand of Alex and a penalty was awarded. Catalan giants to domestic and Champions invested heavily in new players during the Icardi stepped up but saw his strike hit the League glory in a remarkable run of success. summer, are nine points off the pace. right post. The miss left Inter deflated and The much-travelled Pellegrini, 62, signed minutes later Bacca escaped his marker on for City in 2013, becoming the first Chilean to GUILT ADMITTED the edge of the box to knee Niang’s inviting coach in the Premier League as he took over Mancini, who was sent off for showing cross into the net. from Roberto Mancini. HANNOVER: This file photo taken on December 19, 2015 shows outgoing Bayern Munich’s his middle finger to fans who were insult- Inter’s defence was even more absent During his tenure, City have won 64 of the coach Pep Guardiola pior to the German first division Bundesliga football match Hannover 96 ing him, later admitted his guilt. four minutes later when Niang beat 99 games played. The only coach to have won vs FC Bayern Munich in Hannover, central Germany. Pep Guardiola will take over as coach of “I did it to eight fans who were insulting Handanovic at the second attempt after more in his opening 99 Premier League Manchester City on a three-year deal, the English club said yesterday after announcing the me, I admit it. I was being verbally abused picking up his own rebound. —AFP games is Jose Mourinho (73). departure of incumbent Manuel Pellegrini at season’s end. — AFP Song edges Guardiola to Spieth to win succeed Pellegrini Singapore15 Open at19 Man City TUESDAY, FEBRURY 2, 2016 Afghanistan’s ‘little Messi’ longs to meet idol Page 18

NEW YORK: Lance Thomas #42 of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Brandon Rush #4 of the Golden State Warriors defends at Madison Square Garden on Sunday in New York City.—AFP Warriors blow out Knicks 116-95

NEW YORK: Klay Thompson woke the Warriors points, seven rebounds and six assists for the six and dropped to 10-11 on the road. the lowly Phoenix Suns. Dwight Powell had six scorer and still beat a team with 13 straight road loss- from their slowest start of the season with 17 of his Hornets, who wrapped up their four-game road straight points for all his scoring to give the Mavericks es. Dallas did that thanks to a 23-5 run over the final 9 34 points in the second quarter, Draymond Green trip with a decisive win over the Western HEAT 105, HAWKS 87 the lead for good in the fourth quarter. Nowitzki sat minutes and gave up its fewest points in the fourth tied Tom Gola’s franchise record with his ninth Conference’s worst team. Chris Bosh scored 18 points and the Miami Heat out the opener of a back-to-back set and the first of quarter this season, outscoring Phoenix 23-9. Rookie triple-double of the season, and Golden State beat extended their winning streak to four games with a Dallas’ five games in seven nights. The Mavericks guard Devin Booker led the Suns in scoring for the the New York Knicks 116-95 on Sunday night for its TRAIL BLAZERS 96, TIMBERWOLVES 93 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Dwyane Wade and were hoping they could rest their 37-year-old leading third straight game with 19 points.— AP seventh straight victory. Green made all nine shots CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard scored 21 Luol Deng each had 17 points and Amar’e as the Warriors (44-4) wrapped up January at 40 points apiece, and the Portland Trail Blazers handed Stoudemire finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds games over .500 even with a quiet 13 points from the Minnesota Timberwolves their 11th straight for the Heat, who led by as many as 22 and never NBA Results/Standings Stephen Curry. Green finished with 20 points, 10 road loss. Portland extended its winning streak to trailed. It is Miami’s first four-game winning streak in New York 95, Golden State 116; LA Lakers 82, Charlotte 101; Miami 105, Atlanta 87; Orlando 119, Boston 114; Portland 96, rebounds and 10 assists for the Warriors, who were four and improved to 3-0 against the Timberwolves the regular season since March 28 to April 2, 2014. Minnesota 93; Dallas 91, Phoenix 78; LA Clippers 120, Chicago 93. held to a season-low 18 points in the first quarter. this season. Karl-Anthony Towns, a contender for Paul Millsap and Al Horford each scored 17 for They charged back with 64 over the middle two Rookie of the Year, was the first player on the court Atlanta, which has lost three straight. Eastern Conference Western Conference quarters - the Knicks had only 65 total through in double figures and finished with 21 points and Atlantic Division Northwest Division three - and looked back to normal after a sluggish 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves. It was his 25th MAGIC 119, CELTICS 114 WLPCTGB Oklahoma City 36 13 .735 — Saturday in Philadelphia. Carmelo Anthony had 24 double-double, the most of any rookie this season. Evan Fournier scored 24 points and Aaron Toronto 32 15 .681 — Portland 23 26 .469 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks, who lost for Gordon had 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Boston 27 22 .551 6 Utah 21 25 .457 13.5 New York 23 27 .460 10.5 Denver 18 30 .375 17.5 the fifth time in six games. CLIPPERS 120, BULLS 93 Orlando Magic snapped an eight-game losing streak Brooklyn 12 36 .250 20.5 Minnesota 14 35 .286 22 Jamal Crawford scored 12 of his 26 points in the with a win over the Boston Celtics. Rookie Mario Philadelphia 7 41 .146 25.5 Pacific Division HORNETS 101, LAKERS 82 fourth quarter, leading a dominant bench effort for Hezonja scored 17 points, Tobias Harris had 16 and Central Division Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had the second straight game, and the Los Angeles Nikola Vucevic had 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven Cleveland 34 12 .739 — Golden State 44 4 .917 — 19 points and 12 rebounds apiece, and the Clippers defeated the Chicago Bulls for their fourth assists for the Magic. Marcus Smart led Boston with Chicago 26 20 .565 8 LA Clippers 32 16 .667 12 Charlotte Hornets sent the Los Angeles Lakers to consecutive victory. J.J. Redick added 21 points 26 points. Isaiah Thomas added 23 points and Avery Indiana 25 22 .532 9.5 Sacramento 20 27 .426 23.5 their franchise record-tying 10th consecutive and DeAndre Jordan had 17 points and 20 Bradley scored 22. The loss stopped a five-game win Detroit 25 23 .521 10 Phoenix 14 35 .286 30.5 defeat. Kobe Bryant scored 23 points in 23 minutes, rebounds for the Clippers, who improved to 15-3 streak for Boston, which had beaten Orlando 113-94 Milwaukee 20 29 .408 15.5 LA Lakers 9 41 .180 36 but the Lakers matched the 1994 team for the without Blake Griffin. Their four-game streak has two nights earlier. Southeast Division Southwest Division Miami 27 21 .563 — longest skid in the 16-time NBA champion fran- coincided with Griffin being out at least a month San Antonio 39 8 .830 — Atlanta 27 22 .551 0.5 Memphis 28 20 .583 11.5 chise’s proud history. Los Angeles dropped to 9-41, after breaking his right hand while punching the MAVERICKS 91, SUNS 78 Charlotte 23 25 .479 4 Dallas 28 22 .560 12.5 guaranteeing three straight non-winning seasons team’s assistant equipment manager. Jimmy Butler Deron Williams scored 27 points and the Dallas Washington 21 24 .467 4.5 Houston 25 25 .500 15.5 for the first time since 1961. Kemba Walker had 12 scored 23 points for the Bulls, who have lost four of Mavericks won without Dirk Nowitzki, surging past Orlando 21 25 .457 5 New Orleans 18 28 .391 20.5

Infantino may look outside IOC boss kicks off LA Europe for FIFA right-hand man visit with Lakers game LONDON: FIFA presidential run FIFA’s day-to-day adminis- be an European. Why not an candidate Gianni Infantino tration if he wins the election African?,” he told reporters as LOS ANGELES: International Olympic Committee President Thomas said yesterday he would not in Zurich on Feb. 26. Speaking he detailed the 11 key points Bach kicked off a visit to 2024 bid city Los Angeles with a visit to a automatically choose a at London’s Wembley Stadium, he would focus on in office. Lakers basketball game on Sunday. European to be his secretary he gave no specific indication Since FIFA was founded in Bach and other IOC officials are in Los Angeles to meet with the general if he wins the election why he would seek to broaden 1904, it has had 10 secretary city’s candidature committee and visit proposed Games venues, to lead world soccer this FIFA’s power base as he generals-the official who runs month, breaking a pattern launched his action plan for the day-to-day-operations- which include the Staples Center near downtown where the NBA’s dating back more than 100 his first three months in office, and all of them have been Lakers and Clippers play. years. should he win the vote. European. On Sunday night, Bach exchanged greetings with Lakers star Infantino, who appears to But with outgoing presi- Infantino is one of five men Kobe Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold have widespread backing in dent Sepp Blatter banned standing to become only the medalist who will retire at the end of the season at the age of 37. Europe and promised support from soccer, and secretary ninth elected president in On Monday, Bach and his colleagues were to meet with Los from South and Central general Jerome Valcke sacked FIFA’s 112-year-history. The Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Council President Herb Wesson and American countries, hinted he as part of the corruption alle- current incumbent is acting LA 2024 leaders. could appoint an African to gations engulfing the sport, all president Issa Hayatou of They will also visit the University of Southern California, the eyes are on candidates’ reform Cameroon, while FIFA also has University of California at Los Angeles and the Getty Center museum. proposals to clean up soccer an acting secretary general, and keep big money sponsors Markus Kattner, who stepped LA bid officials last week announced they were shelving plans for on side. in to replace Valcke who was a $1 billion athletes village and would instead house athletes on the The 45-year-old Swiss, cur- sacked last month after being UCLA campus in the western neighborhood of Westwood. rently general secretary of implicated in the illegal sale of A media village would be based at USC, near Staples Center and European body UEFA, does World Cup tickets in Brazil in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum which is planned as the main not want FIFA to be seen as 2014. Blatter, who has been venue for the Games. being Euro-centric. “What we banned from soccer for eight Los Angeles, which hosted the Olympics in 1932 and 1984, is want to do is open the doors years pending an appeal, and LONDON: UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino (L) watches as Fabio Capello (C) competing against Paris, Rome and Budapest for the right to stage of the FIFA administration to Valcke are among the highest the Games. The IOC will select the host at a meeting in Peru in the most able people around profile casualties of the corrup- speaks with former Chelsea coach Portugal’s Jose Mourinho after a press conference at the world,” he said. tion and bribery scandal that Wembley stadium in London yesterday. A stellar cast of football figures including Jose September of 2017. “I am convinced the gener- has roiled FIFA since May. Both Mourinho and Luis Figo appeared in support of Gianni Infantino’s FIFA presidential bid at The United States last hosted a summer Olympics in Atlanta in al secretary of FIFA should not deny wrongdoing. —Reuters an event at London’s Wembley Stadium yesterday. —AFP 1996. —AFP US consumer spending softens; savings jump Page 23

Afraid to speak out, Kazakhs usiness let numbers talk for them B Page 25 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 Biggest ‘Kuwait Yacht Kuwait’s consumer sector growth robust Show’ kicks off Page 22 Pages 26

BOSTON: Primer is applied to the midsole of a military tested New Balance 950v2 sneaker under ultraviolet light before the outsole is attached at one of company’s manufacturing facilities in Boston. The Institute for Supply Management, a US trade group of purchasing managers, issued its index of manufacturing activity for January. — AP Factories parched for demand, eye stimulus China PMI dips, US factory momentum remains weak, eurozone slows

LONDON/SYDNEY: January surveys of global A reading below 50 indicates a contraction in A dearth of demand and resulting down- Friday, nowhere near the ECB’s target of close to pected return to growth. Its erratic PMI jumped factory activity released yesterday showed the manufacturing. However, the index remains ward pressure on inflation was why the Bank of but just below 2 percent. Markets got February to a four-month high after slumping to a 28- new year began much as the old one ended - above the 43.1 threshold which is associated Japan felt moved enough to cut interest rates off to a cautious start after a rocky January, as month low in December. with too much capacity chasing too little with a recession. below zero last week. Meanwhile, having failed expectations of more cheap money from some Other countries in the region were not so for- demand. to get inflation anywhere near its target - and of the world’s top central banks were validated tunate. South Korea’s manufacturing index China was again the epicenter of Asian dis- British factories with demand so low - the European Central by the fresh signs of weak global growth. slipped into contraction. Its exports suffered appointment. The official measure of manufac- British factories did enjoy a faster start to the Bank is likely to cut its deposit rate in March, and their sharpest annual fall since August 2009. turing fell to its lowest since mid-2012. The year than expected, but companies cut staff at possibly increase its monthly asset purchases. Asian woes China is South Korea’s largest market, taking weakness also encompassed such bellwethers the fastest rate in three years and export orders “It’s less to do with what is happening with the The official version of China’s PMI survey for about a quarter of its exports. Smartphones, of high-tech trade as South Korea and Taiwan. fell despite a weaker sterling. “It wasn’t the best real economy and more to do with inflation. It’s manufacturing slipped to 49.4 in January from cars, semiconductors and flat-screen displays all Manufacturing growth also slowed in the euro- start to the year, but it wasn’t awful. Markets are more of an inflation story than a growth one,” 49.7 the month before, missing forecasts of 49.6. fell in January, boding ill for the companies that zone at the start of 2016. Incoming orders pricing in a worst-case scenario and we are not Dixon said. Markit’s manufacturing Purchasing The services index also disappointed, challeng- usually prop up the economy. The story was showed no meaningful increase, even though seeing that yet,” said Peter Dixon, an economist Managers’ Index for the euro zone will bolster ing hopes consumption would take over from much the same for another electronics hub, companies cut prices at the deepest rate for a at Commerzbank. those expectations. It sank to 52.3 from industry as the driving force. A private survey, Taiwan, where factory growth slowed amid lack- year. US manufacturing activity appeared to Stock markets, commodities and oil prices December’s 53.2, in line with an earlier flash esti- the Caixin/Markit China Manufacturing PMI, lustre demand. Steep falls in selling prices and stabilize a bit in January, but a recovery is have been battered since the start of the year by mate and above the 50 mark that separates underscored the trend by showing factory activ- input costs also underlined the risks of deflation unlikely in the near term as factories grapple concern the Chinese economy, the world’s sec- growth from contraction. ity shrinking for an 11th month. across the region and the need for yet more with a strong dollar and lower oil prices force ond largest, is struggling. Such concern has January’s weakening came as companies Japan’s results were more encouraging. Its stimulus. “Shipments being this weak means a energy firms to further cut spending. The eroded expectations for how fast the Federal offered steep discounts on their goods. A sub- factory barometer slipped only a tick to 52.3 in recovery in consumption is urgently needed. If Institute for Supply Management said its index Reserve will raise US interest rates, after its first index measuring output prices plummeted to January as exports picked up. The gains in you look at the economy as a whole, this might of national factory activity increased 0.2 per- increase in almost a decade in December. its lowest reading since January 2015. exports relied on a weak yen, hinting at another boost the need for policy easing,” said Lee Sang- centage point to a reading of 48.2 last month, Forecasts for Bank of England tightening have Consumer prices rose just 0.4 percent last reason the BOJ acted so boldly when easing jae, chief economist at Eugene Investment & the fourth straight month of contraction. also been pushed well back. month on a year earlier, official data showed on policy last week. India also recorded an unex- Securities. — Reuters STC takes controlling No decision yet on any stake in Kuwait’s VIVA OPEC, non-OPEC meeting KUWAIT: Saudi Telecom Co (STC) said yes- STC said in a statement posted on the terday it has raised its share in Kuwait Saudi and Kuwaiti stock markets yesterday LONDON/DUBAI: OPEC and non-OPEC and an OPEC source played down talk of an posals from OPEC lynchpin Saudi Arabia on Telcom Co (VIVA) to a controlling stake after that holders of 128.8 million shares, or 25.8 countries have not yet agreed to hold a emergency meeting to stem the decline. managing output and were ready to talk. acquiring 25.8 percent of shares for $425 percent of the company, accepted the offer, meeting to discuss action to support oil China’s manufacturing sector contracted at “We do not expect such a cut will occur million. STC, the largest Arab telecommuni- raising its stake in VIVA to 51.8 percent. VIVA prices, two OPEC delegates said yesterday, the fastest pace since 2012 in January, adding unless global growth weakens sharply from cations firm in terms of capitalization, had is Kuwait’s third mobile operator along with nearly a week after Russian officials said to worries about demand from the world’s current levels, which is not our economists’ held a 26-percent stake in VIVA since its Zain and Qatar-held Ooredoo. It has a cus- establishment in 2008 and was running the tomer base of 2.4 million clients. STC has Moscow should talk to OPEC. second-biggest economy at a time when the forecast,” investment bank Goldman Sachs company. In December, STC made an more than 100 million customers and oper- In addition, a decision on whether to hold market is already weighed down by a large said in a report. optional bid to purchase all other shares for ates in nine countries including Turkey, a standalone gathering of the Organization of supply overhang. OPEC member Iran, which last month was $3.30 each. The offer ended on January 31. South Africa, India and Malaysia. — AFP the Petroleum Exporting Countries as pro- “The weak China PMI (purchasing man- allowed to return fully to markets after years posed by Venezuela has yet to be taken, the agers’ index) is driving down prices because of sanctions, is so far unwilling to participate delegates said, but a number of countries China weighs on the entire commodities sec- in cuts. Partly because of Iran’s return, OPEC have responded coolly to the idea. tor from the demand side of the equation,” production has jumped to 32.60 million bar- Gulf loses steam as oil slips OPEC delegates said last week a gathering said Carsten Fritsch, senior oil analyst at rels per day (bpd), its highest in years, adding of OPEC and non-OPEC oil officials could take Commerzbank in Frankfurt. to a global glut of over 1 million bpd in excess DUBAI: Most Gulf stock markets lost steam yester- 2.5 percent, after slipping 1.6 percent on Sunday place in February or March, perhaps at an Brent April crude futures were down 1.8 of demand, which has pulled down oil prices day as oil prices pulled back although strong when it said it was in talks with creditors after fail- fourth-quarter earnings at two major banks boost- ing to make the first repayment of 650 million expert rather than ministerial level. “It is all in percent, or 64 cents, at $35.35 a barrel at 0905 70 percent since mid-2014. ed Abu Dhabi, while Egypt resumed falling riyals ($173 million) on a 3 billion riyal loan from the hands of the Russians now,” an OPEC dele- GMT. The March Brent contract, which expired BMI Research has cut its oil price outlook because of currency jitters. Bourses in the Gulf had the government. gate said. Last Wednesday, the head of on Friday, settled at $34.74 a barrel. US West for Brent to a 2016 average of $40 per barrel surged over the past few days as an oil price Saudi builders are among the companies Russia’s pipeline monopoly said Russian offi- Texas Intermediate (WTI) was down 2 percent, from $42.5 previously, and said WTI would rebound encouraged investors to return to buy hardest hit by cuts in government spending due cials had decided they should talk to Saudi or 68 cents, at $32.94 a barrel. A senior OPEC average $39.50. “Counteracting oil’s upside beaten-down stocks. This buying quickly dimin- to low oil prices, as well as by rising labor costs. Arabia and other OPEC countries about out- source told a Saudi Arabian newspaper it was momentum in 2016 will be the weakness of ished yesterday as Brent crude slipped 2 percent Abu Dhabi’s index climbed 1.3 percent as First put cuts, remarks that helped spur a rally in oil too early to talk about an emergency meeting the Chinese yuan, lingering concerns over to below $35.50 a barrel. Gulf Bank jumped 3.1 percent. Late on Sunday it The Saudi Arabian index edged down 0.2 per- reported an 11 percent quarterly profit rise to prices. of the Organization of the Petroleum global economic growth and the well-stocked cent as petrochemical stock retreated, with Saudi 1.72 billion dirhams ($468.4 million), well above Meanwhile, oil fell 2 percent yesterday as Exporting Countries. inventories of crude and fuels,” BMI said, Basic Industries down 1.8 percent. Construction analysts’ average forecast of 1.46 billion weak economic data from China, the world’s Oil prices jumped last week after Russian adding that a gradual price rise was expected company Jabal Omar Development Co dropped dirhams. —Reuters largest energy consumer, weighed on prices energy officials said they had received pro- in the second half of the year. — Reuters TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 BUSINESS Dubai airport 2015 traffic up 10.7%, world’s busiest

DUBAI: Dubai International Airport international traffic in 2014. Heathrow remained the world’s busiest for inter- saw 75.0 million passengers pass national passengers in 2015 as traffic through its doors in 2015, up 2.2 per- grew 10.7 percent, boosted by the addi- cent, according to figures on its web- tion of new airlines and routes, the air- site. port’s operator said yesterday. India retained its position as Dubai’s Annual traffic rose to 78 million pas- single largest destination country in Kuwait’s consumer sector growth sengers from 70.5 million in 2014. In 2015 with 10.4 million passengers, up the month of December alone, traffic 17 percent. The airport operator is cur- robust despite some moderation climbed 8.5 percent to 7.05 million peo- rently testing its new $1.2 billion ple. The addition of 12 new passenger Concourse D, which will accommodate destinations from Dubai International foreign airlines that now use Concourse NBK ECONOMIC REPORT lifted traffic through the airport as local C, giving Emirates room to grow. carriers Emirates and flydubai expand- Concourse D is expected to start oper- KUWAIT: Growth in the consumer sector ed. Air Canada , Germany’s Eurowings ating this quarter; Griffiths said the exact remained relatively robust, though the sector and China Southern also began operat- date would depend on the results of a might be showing some signs of moderating. ing in Dubai. public trial set to begin in a few days. Household debt growth remained in the dou- Last year saw regional tensions and Cargo volumes at Dubai ble-digits, with the pace even picking up slightly conflicts in countries including Yemen, International grew 3.4 percent to 2.51 during the last six months. Consumer spending growth has also maintained a robust pace Iraq and Syria, but Dubai Airports Chief million tonnes last year despite the despite a slowdown in household income Executive Paul Griffiths said in a tele- transfer of all pure cargo operations to growth. Meanwhile, further declines in the con- phone interview: “We haven’t seen any the new Dubai World Central airport. sumer confidence index during 4Q15 could impact from regional conflicts.” Dubai December freight volumes rose 5 per- point to some softening in the coming period. initially overtook London’s Heathrow to cent year-on-year to 218,408 tons, the Household debt growth has maintained a become the world’s busiest airport for operator said. robust pace in recent months, with the pace accelerating over the last six months following nearly two years of moderating growth. Growth came in at 12.9% year-on-year (y/y) in November 2015. Personal facilities excluding credit for the last few months. Kuwaitis to slow in 2015 as well. We estimate purchase of securities rose to KD 10.8 billion. Employment growth among Kuwaiti that the aggregate household income of Installment loans, which largely finance home nationals slowed in 2015. More than 16,100 Kuwaitis working in non-military jobs grew by acquisition, remained the only source of growth, new civilian jobs were added over the 12 3.8 percent y/y through 3Q15, based on data having risen by 15.9 percent y/y in November months ending in September 2015, slightly from the Public Institute for Social Security 2015. higher than the 15,700 added during the com- (PIFSS). Growth had peaked at 6.6 percent a Growth in consumer card spending saw a parable period the year before. Still, net year before. The slowdown in household notable pick up in 3Q15 after a period of easing employment growth slipped to 1.3 percent y/y income growth is due to reduced employment growth. The value of point-of-sale (POS) trans- compared to 5.3 percent y/y growth registered during the period and not to slower growth in actions grew by 17.8 percent y/y in 3Q15. a year before. pay. In fact, growth in average pay has been Growth in spending including consumersí ATM Most of the weakness in employment accelerating over the last two years and con- cash withdrawals also picked up to 11.1 percent growth was in the private sector and could be tinued to do so through 3Q15, rising to 2.4 y/y. These figures indicate that consumer the result of the governmentís efforts to percent y/y; still, growth remains well below spending behavior has not been dented so far clamp down on ìphantomî employment. the pace seen in 2011. by the decline in oil prices seen since the mid- Private employment declined by 10 percent Consumer sector growth is likely to remain dle of 2014. y/y, with the loss of around 6,500 jobs over a healthy, though there are some signs that the Despite the robust borrowing and spending 12-month period. The decline in private sector pace could moderate. Employment growth figures, consumer confidence appeared to soft- employment, which is in its third quarter, is among Kuwaitis, combined with strong hous- en during the second half of 2015. The overall likely related to recent efforts by authorities to ing demand, is likely to continue to support ARA confidence index dropped to 95 in go after so-called ìphantomî employees, who household debt growth in the coming period. December 2015, its lowest reading in nearly six seek to obtain the generous government Meanwhile, the drop in private sector employ- DUBAI: An aerial view of Dubai international airport, home to the national years and the second consecutive month it allowances received by private sector workers ment is likely to be temporary, with employ- comes in below 100. The durables goods and carrier Emirates Airways. Dubai International remained the world’s busiest without being genuinely employed. ment expected to be well-supported in the airport last year with a 10.7 percent rise in passenger numbers, its operator employment components were particularly The one-time drop in employment has coming period by steady government hiring weak, recording relatively large declines over the caused growth in household income among and accelerating growth in the private sector. said yesterday. —AFP How Saudi defended its US oil market share

LONDON: Saudi Arabia has successfully on how efficiently and profitably they can cent stake in Texaco’s refining and marketing Administration. Saudi Aramco is hoping to term contracts and protected by destination defended its share of the US oil market even operate as well as problems with equipment operations in the eastern United States and replicate the same sort of strategic down- clauses which limit secondary trading in as rising domestic production from shale and fouling and product quality. Most US refiner- on the Gulf Coast, which was named Star stream integration in China’s fuel market. Aramco crude. Historic ties, downstream inte- growing pipeline imports from Canada have ies have therefore opted to make space for Enterprises (“Saudi Arabia, Texaco join forces” The company’s chairman told reporters gration, strategic marketing relationships and cut seaborne imports from other countries. increasing shale production by cutting the Los Angeles Times, 1988). In 1997, Royal earlier this month that Saudi Aramco is in competitive pricing have all helped Saudi Saudi crude exports to the United States amount of other light crudes they buy from Dutch Shell joined the joint venture, subse- advanced talks to invest in refineries in China Arabia to maintain its share in the U. market, have remained relatively constant at around countries in West Africa and Latin America. quently renamed Motiva. When Chevron and the company is also in talks with CNPC which is important for both commercial and 1.2 million barrels per day since 2009, even as Imports of medium and heavy crudes merged with Texaco in 2001, Texaco’s interest and Sinopec about joint investment opportu- political reasons (“Texas refinery is Saudi tanker arrivals from other countries have from Saudi Arabia and other countries in the combined refining and marketing nities in refining, marketing and petrochemi- foothold in US market”, New York Times, 2013). halved from 6 million to 3 million bpd. The around the Persian Gulf have not been affect- operations was sold to Shell and Saudi cals (“Saudi Aramco in advanced talks to buy The company has also benefited from a Saudis have defended their market share ed to anything like the same extent. Aramco and reorganised as a 50:50 joint ven- China refinery stakes” Reuters, Jan. 20). good dose of luck in that its crude is quite dis- through a combination of luck, strategic rela- ture between them. tinct from shale, a good fortune that has not tionships and skilful marketing, a model the MOTIVA ENTERPRISES Motiva operates three large refineries in COMPETITIVE MARKETING been shared by producers in West Africa. kingdom is now seeking to replicate in fast- Saudi Arabia’s oil exports have also been Louisiana and Texas (Convent, Norco and Port Saudi Aramco has also defended its mar- Saudi Aramco has similar strategic ties to growing fuel markets such as China. protected by the long-standing strategic rela- Arthur) with a combined refining capacity of ket share through skilful and competitive refineries in Japan and South Korea. Now it tionships the country has with refiners and 1.1 million bpd. Motiva also as a network of marketing of crude to independent refiners in wants to build them in China as well to pro- CRUDE OIL QUALITY marketers in the United States. Saudi Aramco, refined product storage terminals across the the United States, including Valero, Phillips 66 tect the company’s long-term future. Saudi Arabia has been fortunate in that which handles the marketing of Saudi eastern United States and markets gasoline, and PBF Energy. The importance of these relationships is the oil produced from shale is not in direct Arabia’s crude, is the successor to the Arabian diesel and other refined products in 26 states Aramco prices competitively via monthly one reason why Saudi officials continue to competition with its own crude exports. American Oil Company, a partnership and the District of Columbia under the Shell adjustments to official selling prices linked to stress their determination to protect their Shale oils are very light with a density of only between Chevron, Texaco, Exxon and Mobil brand as well as through unbranded whole- regional benchmarks designed to protect market share and refuse to cut production to 780-825 kg per cubic metre. The crude Saudi established in the 1930s and 1940s. salers. market share and target sales volumes. The support prices unless rivals follow suit. Russia, Arabia exports to the United States is much Chevron (which later acquired Texaco) and Motiva’s refineries have been optimized to company also stresses its importance as a reli- Iran and Iraq are the most direct competitors heavier, with an average density of around Exxon (which acquired Mobil) remain some of run on the medium-density crude oils Saudi able supplier and strategic partner for refin- for the crude grades that Saudi Arabia mar- 860 kg per cubic meter. the largest importers of Saudi crude into the Arabia exports, and the joint venture remains ers. Unlike some rivals, Aramco does not rely kets so their willingness to match output cuts Refineries are highly selective about the United States, according to customs records. one of the largest importers of Saudi oil, on the spot market to place its oil. as part of any agreement is a priority for the crude they process since it has a big impact In 1988, Saudi Aramco bought a 50 per- according to the US Energy Information Exports are almost all sold to refiners on kingdom. —Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. GOLD Saudi Riyals 81.800 Asia 20 Gram 228.820 Jordanian Dinar 428.525 Bangladesh Taka 0.003518 0.004118 10 Gram 117.330 Egyptian Pound 38.738 Chinese Yuan 0.044657 0.048157 CURRENCY BUY SELL 5 Gram 59.510 ASIAN COUNTRIES Sri Lankan Rupees 2.116 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036967 0.039717 Japanese Yen 2.509 Indian Rupees 4.492 Indian Rupee 0.004203 0.004593 Indian Rupees 4.493 UAE Exchange Centre WLL Pakistani Rupees 2.896 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000017 0.000023 Pakistani Rupees 2.896 Bangladesh Taka 3.869 Japanese Yen 0.002419 0.002599 Srilankan Rupees 2.114 Philippines Pesso 6.365 Kenyan Shilling 0.002964 0.002964 Nepali Rupees 2.807 CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 Cyprus pound 579.405 Korean Won 0.000243 0.000258 Singapore Dollar 214.560 Australian Dollar 201.43 Japanese Yen 3.500 Hongkong Dollar 39.097 Canadian Dollar 220.46 Malaysian Ringgit 0.069426 0.075426 Syrian Pound 2.375 Nepalese Rupee 0.002882 0.003052 Bangladesh Taka 3.872 Swiss Franc 301.85 Nepalese Rupees 3.795 Philippine Peso 6.363 Euro 332.89 Pakistan Rupee 0.002590 0.002870 Malaysian Ringgit 74.415 Thai Baht 8.532 US Dollar 304.15 Philippine Peso 0.006267 0.006547 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.650 Sterling Pound 436.27 Sierra Leone 0.000070 0.000076 Thai Bhat 9.500 Japanese Yen 2.55 Singapore Dollar 0.210151 0.216151 Turkish Lira 102.935 GCC COUNTRIES Bangladesh Taka 3.877 South African Rand 0.013110 0.021610 Saudi Riyal 81.097 Indian Rupee 4.493 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001763 0.002343 Qatari Riyal 83.537 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.114 Taiwan 0.009011 0.009191 Omani Riyal 789.891 Nepali Rupee 2.805 Bahrain Exchange Company Bahraini Dinar 807.630 Pakistani Rupee 2.896 Thai Baht 0.008197 0.008747 UAE Dirham 82.798 UAE Dirhams 0.08277 CURRENCY BUY SELL Bahraini Dinar 0.8083 Europe Arab ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound 0.03874 British Pound 0.426677 0.435677 Bahraini Dinar 0.799344 0.807344 Egyptian Pound - Cash 31.975 Jordanian Dinar 0.4326 Czech Korune 0.004166 0.016166 Egyptian Pound 0.034957 0.039293 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.885 Omani Riyal 0.7898 Danish Krone 0.040065 0.045065 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.419 Qatari Riyal 0.08386 Euro 0.323875 0.331875 Iraqi Dinar 0.000200 0.000260 Tunisian Dinar 149.360 Saudi Riyal 0.08107 Norwegian Krone 0.030983 0.036183 Jordanian Dinar 0.424705 0.432205 Jordanian Dinar 2.609 Romanian Leu 0.071930 0.071930 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.167 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Slovakia 0.009078 0.019078 Syrian Lira 428.370 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Lebanese Pound 0.000151 0.000251 Swedish Krona 0.031387 0.036387 Morocco Dirham 31.015 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021508 0.045508 Swiss Franc 0.290809 0.301009 Nigerian Naira 0.001256 0.001891 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Turkish Lira 0.096997 0.107297 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar 304.200 Omani Riyal 0.783060 0.788740 US Dollar Transfer 303.950 Qatar Riyal 0.082776 0.083989 Canadian Dollar 219.220 Australasia Euro 331.150 Saudi Riyal 0.080167 0.081117 Sterling Pound 431.475 Australian Dollar 0.206853 0.218353 Sterling Pound 434.950 Euro 332.340 Syrian Pound 0.001288 0.001508 Canadian dollar 218.180 New Zealand Dollar 0.190597 0.200097 Swiss Frank 311.775 Tunisian Dinar 0.146059 0.154059 Turkish lira 102.720 America Bahrain Dinar 804.775 Swiss Franc 298.870 Canadian Dollar 0.211777 0.220277 Turkish Lira 0.096997 0.107297 UAE Dirhams 83.065 Australian Dollar 216.410 US Dollars 0.299850 0.304350 UAE Dirhams 0.081773 0.082922 Qatari Riyals 84.280 US Dollar Buying 302.750 US Dollars Mint 0.300350 0.304350 Yemeni Riyal 0.001374 0.001454 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 BUSINESS India’s Jaitley could squeeze business to balance books

NEW DELHI: India’s finance minister target them,” Modi said in a keynote aggressively would hamper Modi’s “Make would give him a free pass if he back- official who, like his colleague, was not wants to present a credible budget this speech last week. in India” drive to attract foreign investors slides a bit on next year’s deficit goal of authorised to speak on the record. To month with realistic targets for tax rev- Those familiar with the budget and boost export industries. 3.5 percent of GDP. Jaitley may set an give one example, the government esti- enues and asset sales, people involved in process said Jaitley may pare tax breaks “If Mr. Modi is talking about Make in economic growth target of 7.5 to 8 per- mates that a tax break on capital depreci- the process say, but businesses may end on capital investment, research and India, it has to be the foreign multina- cent for the fiscal year starting in April, an ation cost it 370 billion rupees ($5.47 bil- up picking up much of the tab. development, and projects in under- tional companies setting up manufactur- official said, while the asset-sale target lion) in revenues in the last fiscal year. Arun Jaitley is staring at a big revenue developed regions. As of now, the gov- ing facilities in India and using it as an could be halved to some 350 billion In some cases companies, particularly shortfall as India again misses an unreal- ernment is not considering raising its export hub like China,” said Rahul Mitra, a rupees ($5.17 billion). those in IT, pharmaceuticals and some istic target for raising cash from selling deficit target. They declined to estimate tax partner at KPMG. “If you want to do manufacturing sectors, get exemptions off state assets, while sliding commodity how much those measures would raise, that you can’t wish away the necessary PUTTING THE BRAKES ON TAX BREAKS of up to 200 percent on the sum invest- prices and exports have dented rev- but one said they would more than offset exemptions for exports.” The corporate income tax breaks ed. That could be scaled back to 60 per- enues. revenue losses from cuts in India’s corpo- The statutory burden of all taxes on make up a relatively small part of $80 bil- cent. Jaitley could also put a “sunset His boss, Prime Minister Narendra rate income tax announced a year ago. the typical Indian company is about 34 lion in business giveaways, the lion’s clause” on tax exemptions where there is Modi, has questioned whether business- Then, Jaitley promised to bring down percent. That’s relatively high by interna- share of which comes from incentives on now no timeline, while allowing others to es should continue to benefit from tax the tax to 25 percent from 30 percent tional standards, but tax breaks bring the customs and excise duties. die a natural death, the sources said. “incentives” worth 624 billion rupees over four years, pruning exemptions as effective rate down to 23 percent. “With unsatisfactory growth in tax A delegation of industrial chambers ($9.2 billion) that he described as subsi- he goes. Businesses have hailed the Getting the balance right will be key receipts, the finance minister doesn’t met Jaitley last month and asked him to dies in all but name. “My aim is not to promised tax cuts but they, and their for Jaitley even though, as a Reuters poll have much choice except to cut most balance cuts in tax exemptions with low- eliminate subsidies, but to rationalize and advisers, say closing loopholes too of economists shows, financial markets corporate tax exemptions,” said another er tax rates. —Reuters US consumer spending softens; savings jump Monthly inflation retreats on weak consumption

WASHINGTON: US consumer spend- ROBUST SAVINGS $717.8 billion in November. That was the largest increase since ing was unchanged in December, but In December, income rose 0.3 per- Higher savings and rising house December 2014. Year-over-year infla- a jump in savings to a three-year cent after a similar gain in November. prices should help to soften the blow tion rates are rising as the weak read- high suggested consumption could Wages and salaries increased 0.2 per- to household wealth from a recent ings during the year drop out of the rebound in the months ahead. The cent after shooting up 0.5 percent in stock market sell-off and drive spend- calculation. Commerce Department said yester- November. Income in 2015 was up ing in early 2016. Excluding food and energy, prices day the unchanged reading in con- 4.5 percent, the largest increase since With consumption soft, inflation were unchanged after rising 0.2 per- sumer spending followed an 2012, after rising 4.4 percent in 2014. retreated in December. A price index cent in November. The so-called core upwardly revised 0.5 percent Income at the disposal of house- for consumer spending slipped 0.1 PCE price index increased 1.4 percent increase in November. Spending on holds after accounting for inflation in percent after ticking up 0.1 percent in in the 12 months through December WASHINGTON: A passenger talks on the phone as American Airlines jets sit long-lasting manufactured goods 2015 recorded its biggest increase November. In the 12 months through after a similar gain in November. Core parked at their gates at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport. —AP such as autos dropped 0.9 percent. since 2006. With income outpacing December, the personal consump- PCE is the Federal Reserve’s preferred Purchases of nondurable goods also spending in December, savings tion expenditures (PCE) price index, inflation measure and remains well declined 0.9 percent. surged to $753.3 billion, the highest however, rose 0.6 percent after below the US central bank’s 2 percent Airlines restore tiny Economists polled by Reuters had level since December 2012, from increasing 0.4 percent in November. target. —Reuters forecast consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of perks to pacify fliers US economic activity, edging up 0.1 percent in December after a previ- NEW YORK: After 15 years of near auster- planes, larger overhead bins and for a ously reported 0.3 percent gain in ity, US airlines are restoring some small long time, nicer first class cabins. Now a November. perks for passengers crammed into bit of that wealth is trickling back to When adjusted for inflation, con- coach. Don’t expect ample legroom or coach. sumer spending edged up 0.1 per- free checked bags. But fliers will find This month, American will start offer- cent after a 0.4 percent gain in November. Consumer spending improved snacks, a larger selection of ing Biscoff cookies or pretzels to passen- increased 3.4 percent in 2015 after free movies and - on a few select routes - gers flying between New York and San advancing 4.2 percent in 2014. That the return of free meals. Francisco or Los Angeles. By April, those data was included in last Friday’s Yesterday, American Airlines became snacks will expand to all other domestic fourth-quarter gross domestic prod- the latest carrier to add something back. routes. In May, American will bring back uct report, which showed consumer It announced the return of free snacks in full meal service for coach passengers spending growth slowed to a 2.2 per- the economy section and more free between Dallas and Hawaii. cent annual rate from the third quar- entertainment options on some aircraft. “We know that we have customers ter’s brisk 3 percent pace. American, which recently merged with who select our airline based on price and Moderate consumer spending, US Airways, hasn’t offered free snacks we’re really excited to offer them a prod- weak export growth and ongoing efforts by businesses to reduce since 2003. US Airways stripped passen- uct that is superior to choosing an ultra- unsold merchandise piled up in gers of snacks in 2008. low cost carrier,” Fernandez says. United warehouses helped restrict econom- Following the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist recently announced the return of free ic growth to a 0.7 percent pace in the attacks and the subsequent recession, US snacks on its flights starting in February. fourth quarter. More cutbacks in airlines removed almost every perk imag- Delta Air Lines - the other big legacy car- investment by energy firms strug- inable on domestic flights. Hot meals dis- rier - never removed snacks, even during gling with lower oil prices also hurt appeared along with legroom, blankets bankruptcy. GDP growth. and pillows. “It was really about survival,” American is also expanding its compli- The dollar slightly pared losses says Fernand Fernandez, vice president of mentary entertainment on domestic against a basket of currencies after NEW YORK: Shoppers carry their shopping bags as they leave the Aeropostale clothing store in global marketing at American. flights with in-seat TVs. Passengers will be the data, while US stock index futures New York’s Times Square. Yesterday, the Commerce Department issued its December report on were trading lower. Prices for shorter- consumer spending, which accounts for roughly 70 percent of US economic activity. —AP When Continental Airlines stopped able to choose from up to 40 movies, 60 dated US Treasuries fell. giving out free cookies and mini bags of TV shows and 300 music albums. Delta pretzels in 2011 - after its merger with has taken a different path, focusing more United Airlines - it said the move would on entertainment that passengers can Egypt to launch agricultural save $2.5 million a year. stream to their own devices. It now offers News Since then, mergers have created four about 67 movies and 138 TV shows for commodities bourse in 2016 in brief mega-carriers that control more than 80 free. percent of the domestic market. They “These are token investments in the CAIRO: Egypt plans to launch an agri- commodities-six agricultural com- started charging $25 for each checked passenger experience that will not cost cultural-focused commodities trading modities, oil and gold-and that this USD stable against suitcase. And more seats have been airlines a lot of money but are small ways exchange, the first of its kind in the small number would help promote Kuwaiti dinar at 0.303 crammed into planes to maximize profits. to make passengers a little bit happier,” Now the industry is making record prof- says Henry Harteveldt, the founder of Middle East, by the end of 2016, high initial volumes, she added. KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Kuwaiti dinar was stable at KD 0.303, the euro was its. travel consultancy Atmosphere Research Supplies Minister Khaled Hanafi said “We aren’t going to simply copy yesterday. Egypt announced plans to and paste other exchanges. This is at KD 0.328 compared to the exchange rates for Sunday, “What has changed ,” Fernandez says, Group. “American and United realized: We said a statement by the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) “is that the airlines have been able to fix don’t let other airlines have an advantage set up a global commodities centre in going to be an Egyptian exchange. yesterday. According to the CBK, the exchange rate of our core business and be able to reinvest on price, why let them have one on pret- 2014, but gave few details at the time. There will be price discovery, and we the Sterling pound went up to reach KD 0.432 while the in our customers.” That means new zels.” —AP Hanafi said that a feasibility study will put prices in Egyptian pounds,” Swiss franc stabilized at KD 0.296. Exchange rate of the had been completed and the next said Mutlaq. Japanese Yen remained the same at KD 0.002. step was to draw up regulations and The exchange will feature spot, establish the electronic infrastructure derivative and futures trading. As Emirates NBD investment Ryanair Q3 profits to connect farmers with traders. part of the exchange’s launch, a banking unit head resigns “We’re going to set up the first com- mobile application will be offered to DUBAI: The chief executive of Emirates NBD Capital, more than double modities exchange in Egypt and the Egyptian farmers that will allow them Mohammad Kamran Wajid, has resigned from the bank to Middle East,” Iman Al-Mutlaq, chief to have their agricultural output pursue other opportunities, a spokesman for Dubai’s largest lender confirmed yesterday. Wajid had been head DUBLIN: Irish no-frills airline Michael O’Leary. executive of Sigma Investments, tracked by the market, electronically which is involved in the project, said. linking their crops to the exchange, of the investment banking arm of Emirates NBD since Ryanair said yesterday that third- “We reacted to this softness by 2012, part of a 17-year career with the bank. An announce- quarter net profit more than dou- running price promotions and dis- The bourse would begin with eight Mutlaq said. —Reuters ment on his successor would be made in due course, the bled on surging passenger num- counted fares to stimulate double spokesman added. bers, and unveiled an 800-million- digit traffic growth.” The company euro ($866-million) share buyback added that a modest dip in aver- program. age fares was offset by lower costs, Iraq’s January oil Earnings after taxation rocketed largely because of tumbling oil exports rise slightly 110 percent to 103 million euros in prices. BAGHDAD: Iraq’s southern oil exports rose slightly in the three months to the end of Looking ahead, Ryanair predict- January to an average of 3.285 million barrels per day December, or third quarter of its ed that fourth-quarter traffic would (bpd), from 3.215 million bpd the previous month, the financial year, compared with 49 grow by 26 percent. That marked oil ministry said yesterday. Production from southern million euros a year earlier, Ryanair an increase of four percentage fields averaged 3.9 million bpd, according to oil ministry said in a results statement. points on its previous forecast. spokesman Asim Jihad, down from a record high the Customer traffic jumped by a Full-year net profits were previous month. All of the exports were from Iraq’s fifth to 25 million people in the expected to sit towards the upper southern ports, he said. For a fourth consecutive month, reporting period. end of a forecast range between Baghdad exported no oil via its northern pipeline to Ceyhan in Turkey. The Dublin-based carrier added 1.175 billion euros and 1.225 bil- it would return 800 million euros lion euros. to investors via a share buyback, Analysts welcomed the quarter- Iran bans state imports and cited its rising profitability and ly results and accompanying share of all foreign wheat improving cashflow. Price promo- buyback. “Ryanair continues to DUBAI: Iran banned state imports of wheat for a year start- tions and heavy discounts offset deliver very strong profit,” said ing on March 20, Tasnim news agency reported yesterday, the impact of weaker demand fol- Davy Stockbrokers in a note to ordering officials to stop registering new purchase orders. lowing last November’s deadly clients, adding that the airline’s “There is no need for wheat imports in coming year. Please Paris attacks. cash generation was “spectacular”. avoid registering any order for wheat (imports) from this “Following a strong first half of The global airline sector has date,” Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture, Mahmoud Hojjati asked Q3, we noted weaker pricing and meanwhile won a massive boost Mohammadreza Nematzadeh, the minister of industry and bookings immediately after the from collapsing oil prices because trade last week in a letter published on Tasnim yesterday. MADRID: Executive chairman of Bankia Jose Ignacio Goirigolzarri gestures terrorist events in Paris and kerosene, or jet fuel, is refined from Iran aims to be self-sufficient in wheat by improving yields as he speaks during a press conference held to announce the bank’s results Brussels,” said chief executive crude. —AFP but will continue to be reliant on imports for maize and annual report in Madrid yesterday. —AFP barley, its agriculture minister said on Jan 28. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 BUSINESS Stocks cautious after rocky China data

LONDON: Markets got February off to a cau- growth from slowing as well. cent- in over a year. Nokia settled a dispute with Korea’s straight month and was now at its weakest tious start yesterday after a rocky January, as That bolstered expectations the European Oil-rich Canada’s dollar fell half a percent Samsung. The terms of the settlement dis- since August 2012. A separate reading from expectations of more cheap money from some Central Bank will cut rates again next month. against its US counterpart after the weak eco- appointed investors. China’s financial magazine Caixin showed a of the world’s top central banks were validated German five-year bond yields fell to record lows nomic data dragged oil prices off overnight minor improvement but also pointed to by fresh signs of weak global growth. of -0.318 percent as debt markets rallied in the highs of as much as $36 a barrel. Fellow oil OPEC debate contraction. Friday’s surprise move by Japan to negative euro zone and elsewhere. exporter Norway’s currency slipped 0.3 percent In Asia, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia- The latest news follows a string of data interest rates sent its bond yields to new lows. “Rate cut speculation looks set to continue versus the euro. The weakness in European Pacific shares outside Japan had edged up indicating that the once-mighty growth Then came data that showed Chinese manufac- after the BOJ went negative,” said Commerzbank stock markets was expected to extend to Wall a modest 0.1 percent, after losing 8 per- rates in the Asian giant are well in the past. turing slowed last month at its fastest pace in rate strategist Rainer Guntermann. Street later. Early futures prices indicated open- cent in January. Australia and Japan led “The manufacturing sector will likely more than three years. Europe saw a steady In currency markets, Japan’s yen started ings around 0.5 percent lower for the S&P 500 regional markets with gains of 0.8 and 2 face a tough year ahead on the back of open, but London, Frankfurt and Paris turned to steady at around 121.20 to the dollar and and Dow Jones Industrials. percent, respectively. Chinese stocks overcapacity, weakening global demand 0.3 to 0.4 percent lower as surveys showed price 131.40 to the euro. Friday’s BoJ move set A rise in the shares of major banks such as slipped 1.5 to 1.7 percent after the weak and the government’s plans to tackle pollu- cutting hadn’t prevented euro zone factory off its biggest one-day fall - roughly 2 per- Bankia was offset by declines for telecoms after data there. tion,” ANZ economists Liu Ligang and Louis January was the Shanghai market’s Lam said in a report. worst month since the 2008 financial crisis Worries about the slowdown in the with more than a 10 percent loss. world’s second biggest economy-and its Yesterday’s economic data from China leaders’ handling of it-were among the key added to worries about the world’s sec- reasons for a rout across global markets in ond-largest economy and increased calls January that wiped trillions of dollars off for more policy easing from China. Growth valuations. slowed in both manufacturing and servic- “The headline number is a disappoint- es in China. ment to the market as output and new “In the short term, the surprise move by orders show no signs of a rebound,” said Japan will be a catalyst for global equities, William Wong, head of sales trading at but it only underlines the weakness of the Shenwan Hongyuan Group in Hong Kong. global economy and we need to see some “Trading this week will remain shallow strong economic data for a sustainable ral- ahead of the Chinese lunar new year holi- ly,” said Cliff Tan, head of global markets day,” he told Bloomberg News. Shanghai research with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. ended 1.8 percent lower and Hong Kong closed down 0.5 percent. Shanghai, HK hit However, Tokyo soared two percent, Shanghai and Hong Kong stocks fell extending a 2.8 percent gain Friday follow- after a gauge of Chinese factory activity hit ing the shock announcement from the Bank a more than three-year low, but the Nikkei of Japan that it would effectively start soared following Japan’s decision to slash charging lenders to park their cash with it. some interest rates to negative. The move-intended to expand lending to In another example of weakness in people and businesses in order to kick-start China’s economy, the official Purchasing the economy and fend off deflation- Managers Index showed its manufacturing spurred a rally across world markets and sector shrank in January for the sixth sent the yen tumbling. —Agencies TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 BUSINESS

Indian mills set to sell 1m ton more sugar as exports head for China

DUBAI: Indian sugar mills have contract- out of the country. smuggling across the country’s southern there will no decrease and no increase,” hectares of cane in the world’s second- ed to sell one million tons of sugar in the Sawhney said many of the current and borders, after huge volumes of cheap Sawhney said. “Uttar Pradesh will most biggest producer. Sawhney said India 2015/2016 season and expect to sign future contracts were with Myanmar, sugar were estimated to have illegally likely compensate for the drop in would meet its target of blending 5 per- deals for another million tons this season where they are expected to be smuggled entered the country in recent months. Maharashtra and Karnataka,” he said. cent ethanol in all gasoline sold this sug- as exports head for China, the president into China, the world’s top importer. Sawhney also said domestic sugar The first back-to-back drought in near- ar year for the first time and surpass it. of an industry body said yesterday. “It will go to China,” he said. “The con- production would reach 26 million tons ly three decades has hit cane plantation in “We can cross 5 percent ethanol “One million tons have been contract- tracts are all through Myanmar and from in the 2015/2016 season, which runs India’s key producing states Maharashtra, blending,” he said. Oil companies have ed and another one million tons will be there its just being taken up country.” The from October to September and would Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. never met the current 5 percent blending contracted,” Tarun Sawhney, president of smuggling of agricultural products along probably see the same figure for the One Indian official previously estimat- target as ethanol derived from molasses, the Indian Sugar Mills Association told a China’s borders with Vietnam and coming 2016/2017 season. India pro- ed that the drop in plantings for the the thick syrup produced by boiling conference in Dubai. Myanmar has long been a problem. duced 28.3 million tons in the 2014/2015 2016/17 season means that acreage down sugarcane juice in sugar refining, Of the total 1 million tons contracted, China’s sugar industry has urged the season. could fall by about a third after a faltering costs more than gasoline without includ- around 700,000 tons have already moved government to tackle a resurgence in “It is too early to tell but most likely monsoon damaged thousands of ing taxes. —Reuters China manufacturing index falls to three-year low Data shows underlining weakness in China economy

BEIJING: Manufacturing activity in the investment and exports of the manufacturing doldrums spread Analysts expect the government China contracted at its fastest pace past to one more oriented from small- and medium-sized to further loosen its monetary pol- in more than three years in January, towards domestic consumer firms to larger ones”. With excess icy by cutting the amount of cash government data showed yester- demand, but the transition is manufacturing overcapacity and a banks must keep in reserve or day, underlining weakness in the proving bumpy, and the growth sluggish property market, authori- even the interest rate to boost world’s second-largest economy. slowdown has alarmed investors ties are pushing for so-called “sup- growth. The official Purchasing Managers’ worldwide. ply side reforms” that focus on “Refraining from further easing Index (PMI), which tracks activity in reducing stockpiles and debt. could risk an even weaker econo- factories and workshops, fell to 49.4, ‘Manufacturing doldrums’ “The domestic economy is yet my, which will then intensify figures from the National Bureau of The private Caixin Purchasing to show signs of a bottoming out depreciation expectation and cap- Statistics (NBS) showed. Managers’ Index, which has a while the capacity reduction ital outflows,” ANZ’s Liu and Lam It was the lowest figure since greater emphasis on smaller firms, moves may add more turbulence said. 49.2 in August 2012, and was came in at 48.4 for January, slight- to economic indicators,” CMB’s Around $1.0 trillion left China below the median forecast of 49.6 Ding Ning, owner of Ezubao, is escorted by policemen in an unknown in a Bloomberg survey of econo- location. —AP mists. PMI readings above 50 sig- nal expanding activity, while any- thing below indicates shrinkage, China company accused of and investors watch the figures closely as the first available indica- fleecing investors of $7.6bn tors of the country’s economic health each month. BEIJING: Police arrested the maverick cash from his home. The Xinhua news Chinese shares closed down as founder of China’s largest online finance agency detailed Ding’s extravagant lifestyle the weak figures weighed on senti- business on suspicion of fleecing 900,000 and the gifts he lavished on a business part- ment, with the benchmark investors of $7.6 billion, in what could be the ner Zhang Min, including a $20 million villa Shanghai Composite Index falling biggest financial fraud in Chinese history. in Singapore and a $1.8 million pink dia- 1.78 percent and the Shenzhen State media outlets reported the arrest of mond ring. Composite Index, which tracks Ding Ning and 20 of his employees late “The truth is that it’s a fraud ... it’s a typical stocks on the country’s second Sunday. State broadcaster CCTV aired pur- Ponzi scheme,” Zhang, the associate, said in exchange, retreating 1.04 percent. ported confessions from two former her aired confession. Despite the vast sums The manufacturing slowdown employees at Ezubao, an Anhui Province cited in the case, Ezubao, which also went “points to weaker growth momen- outfit that rose from obscurity to become by Ezubo on its website, represented just a tum”, said Yao Zhang, China econo- China’s largest online financing platform in sliver of China’s shadow banking industry mist at Nomura Holdings in Hong the span of about 18 months. Ezubao was estimated to be worth $1.5 trillion as of the Kong. “We believe economic the most spectacular player in a booming end of June, according to Chinese banking growth may start to lose steam online investment industry that Chinese regulators. again, after stabilizing a little.” It authorities have been struggling to regulate. Independent economists and party offi- was the sixth consecutive month Firms ranging from established Internet cials alike have warned about the danger of that the official index showed con- companies such as Alibaba to virtually unchecked private lending and the political traction, which Bloomberg said unknown upstarts have flooded into the spillover of a large-scale collapse. was the longest such series on business, promising higher returns than After police shut down Ezubao in record. those at state-run banks, which often offer December, scores of protesters gathered “The manufacturing sector will likely face a tough year ahead on TENGZHOU: Workers sort parts at an electronics company in Tengzhou, in China’s eastern interest rates below inflation. outside a Beijing government building to Shandong province yesterday. Manufacturing activity in China contracted at its fastest level in Ezubao promised investors that borrow- demand their money back. Simmering the back of overcapacity, weaken- ers would pay back loans at interest rates anger on social media also spurred public ing global demand, and govern- more than three years in January, government data showed yesterday underlining weakness in between 9 percent and 14.6 percent, but 95 security officials to phone Internet users to ment’s plans to tackle pollution,” the world’s second-largest economy. —AFP percent of those borrowers were fictional warn them against criticizing the ANZ economists Liu Ligang and entities created by Ezubao, a former compa- Communist Party online. One investor from Louis Lam said in a report. China’s ly up from 48.2 in December, the Liu said. last year, according to Bloomberg ny executive told investigators. Behind the Northeast China who lost close to $80,000 economy, which is a vital driver of Chinese financial magazine said in In the official survey, the new Intelligence. In December alone firm’s rise was 34-year old Ding Ning, an told The Associated Press in December that global expansion, grew 6.9 per- a joint statement issued with data orders sub-index fell to 49.5 from capital outflow from the country Anhui native who dropped out of school at police confiscated her computer and cell cent last year, its weakest rate in a compiler Markit. 50.2 in December, “suggesting was nearly $160 billion, reflecting 17 to work at his mother’s hardware factory, phone after she posted online that she quarter of a century. China’s lead- Liu Dongliang, an analyst with falling demand in the manufactur- growing concern about the econ- where he first gained experience running might file a petition with the central govern- ers-who targeted growth of “about China Merchants Bank (CMB), said ing market”, while that for employ- omy against a backdrop of volatili- online sales, according to media reports. ment. seven percent”-are looking to as the official PMI covers more big ment remained in contraction ter- ty in the foreign exchange and With no technical or financial training, Fu Weigang, a researcher at the Shanghai transform the economy away from companies, it showed that “the ritory at 47.8, the NBS said. stock markets. —AFP Ding launched Ezubao in July 2014 and Institute for Finance and Law, said difficulty opened multiple marketing offices across obtaining financing in a state-dominated China. The venture bought expensive ad banking system has for decades driven spots that aired just before the widely Chinese citizens into underground borrow- Afraid to speak out, Kazakhs viewed nightly CCTV newscast, the state ing and lending, which also gave rise to broadcaster’s flagship program. countless Ponzi schemes. Ezubao appeared to gain Beijing’s impri- But Ezubao was able to take advantage let numbers talk for them matur when the gov.cn government website of an influx of mom-and-pop investors in published an interview with Ding in July dis- recent years using an Internet model, Fu cussing his life as an entrepreneur. The inter- said, effectively pushing small-scale scams view has since been removed from the site. to a countrywide level. “What they were ALMATY: In Kazakhstan, where people worry they atives tell me,” she said, adding that she reserves her SELF-CENSORSHIP State media took a far different tone on doing was nothing new in China,” Fu said. may lose their jobs or be jailed for criticizing the views for “the kitchen”, a reference to the Soviet-era tra- In other countries, people have taken to the Sunday as CCTV aired Ding’s confession and “But how they were doing it online, and the authorities, some have found a new way to express dition of discussing sensitive topics only with one’s fam- streets to protest but in Kazakhstan, demonstra- footage of officials hauling away bags of scale, was unprecedented.” —AP the economic pain they are feeling: A web site whose ily and closest friends. Kazakhstan, ruled by President tions are small and rare, even though the downturn name roughly translates as “Oh My God!” Nursultan Nazarbayev for 26 years, is one of a clutch of has hit hard. Most Kazakhs apply self-censorship in The site, entitled oibai.kz, shows nothing but oil exporting countries whose economies are in crisis public and on online social networks. It is accept- updated rates for the ex-Soviet oil producer’s tenge now the price of crude is so low. Fellow ex-Soviet states able, for instance, to criticize or ridicule the central Russian finance ministry readies currency and the world oil price - both of which have Russia and Azerbaijan are also experiencing hardship, bank head, but not the president. been plummeting - against a gloomy black-and-white and further afield, countries such as Algeria and Nigeria The authorities are keeping a tight lid on any dis- for fight with big oil over tax photo of government buildings. are struggling too. The oil price crash has slashed play of dissent that crosses those invisible lines. The only commentary is a soundtrack of sad piano Kazakhstan’s total exports by more than 40 percent. Nazarbayev, who has been in power since 1989 MOSCOW: Russian oil firms would have to pay under the proposed system, greenfields in music, while sharing a link to the site on social media The Kazakh tenge has lost nearly half of its value and navigated the late 1990s oil crash, warned the more tax on some of their fields under reforms their early stages would benefit: they will pay adds an exclamation mark and an icon of a man in a against the dollar since August when the authorities nation last month against seeking culprits for its being prepared by the finance ministry, which no tax compared to 10 percent of the oil price traditional Kazakh hat, his hands framing his open abandoned their pegged exchange rate policy. economic woes, describing them as a global phe- is seeking to get more revenue into the budg- now under the tax break regime. mouth in shock. “There is so much I would like to say, According to government estimates, economic nomenon and urging Kazakhs to rebuff “provoca- et, according to three officials and a draft of According to Yezhov, fields with no tax but I can’t,” complained one Facebook user, explaining growth slowed to 1.2 percent last year from 4.4 per- tions”. the plans seen by Reuters. The proposal will be breaks are paying around 42 percent of the in private that she fears speaking negatively of the gov- cent a year earlier. But indicators such as electric power Also last month, police said they were looking a test of whether the ministry, which has been oil price in the form of export duty and MET. ernment would jeopardize her employer’s business output point to a contraction, something which has for the source of a widely circulated WhatsApp mes- lobbying for austerity in the face of an eco- But under the new system, a 40 percent and the careers of her relatives. “‘Don’t blabber’, my rel- not been officially registered since 1998. sage urging Kazakhs to stock up on groceries before nomic slump, can stand its ground against the tax will apply to all fields once they become prices jump. And a court in the capital Almaty sen- powerful energy lobby, which argues it needs profitable, whether or not they previously tenced government critics Serikzhan Mambetalin support not higher taxes. enjoyed tax breaks, plus a profit-based tax of and Yermek Narymbayev to two and three years in According to the officials, who belong to 70 percent of positive cash-flow. prison respectively on charges of “inciting hatred” in two different ministries and spoke to Reuters Facebook posts about a banned book. on condition of anonymity, a consequence of ENERGY SECTOR the tax reform would be the de facto cancel- Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose GROCERY BILL lation the tax breaks on some fields. That allies hold leading posts in the energy sector, For ordinary Kazakhs, the economic crisis has could affect all greenfield, or newly devel- had previously promised not to increase tax- mostly meant price increases and the loss of confi- oped, oilfields that currently enjoy various tax es on all economic sectors before 2018. dence in the future. breaks, the sources from the finance ministry In a sign of the pressure on the Russian Recruiter Madina, 39, says summer vacations in and the energy ministry said. According to budget caused by the falling oil price, com- Europe are now out of question for her family of Vygon Consulting, a total of 198 fields, includ- pounded by Western sanctions, Putin’s gov- four. Her typical bill for weekend grocery shopping ing brownfields, or long-operating oil fields, ernment had to change tack last year. has almost doubled to about 14,000 tenge ($38.41) currently benefit from various tax breaks. It de facto increased tax on energy com- since last August, while her commission-based pay Among the greenfields with tax breaks are panies by delaying a promised cut in export is falling, says Madina, adding that some of her cus- those operated by oil majors such as duty, which brought the budget around 200 tomers are downsizing or even shutting down. Surgutneftegaz and Gazpromneft. The can- billion rubles. The finance ministry, custodian State-controlled oil firm KMG EP warned the cellation of the tax breaks on fields is part of a of the battered Russian budget, argues there government in January that without tax breaks its broader reform of the way energy companies is a strong case for getting the energy com- OzenMunaiGas upstream unit would not make are taxed. The main measure will be a profit- panies to pay more still. enough money to keep carrying its “big social bur- based tax in addition to those used now: min- “Amid severe problems in the economy, den” which includes employing 14,000 people. eral extraction tax (MET) and oil export duty. Russian oil companies could be seen as fat The warning has ominous undertones because Oil MET and export duty on oil and oil cats” and there is no need to keep giving in late 2011, OzenMunaiGas workers were among products contributed 6.6 trillion roubles ($87 them tax relief on fields, said one official, who strikers who clashed with police after protests over billion) to the budget in 2014, or 46 percent is not associated with the ministry of finance. pay cuts; at least 11 people died. The only notice- of total revenues. Oil companies have revenues in dollars and able protests over the latest tenge slide involved a The sources could not say how much tax pay most of their costs in rubles, so they have few dozen people in Almaty in January who had would be raised by the new proposal as dis- benefited from the falling currency, as well as SEOUL: A man carries boxes at a traditional market in Seoul yesterday. South Korea’s taken out dollar mortgages and were struggling to cussions are ongoing. Sergey Yezhov, Chief from progressive taxes which fall as a share of exports, the main driver of the national economy, suffered their sharpest drop in more repay them. Several protesters have since been Economist at Vygon Consulting, said that revenue as oil prices drop. —Reuters than six years in January, extending what is now a 13-month losing streak. —AFP fined on charges of hooliganism. —Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

KUWAIT: State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah along with other officials during the inauguration of the fourth edition of the Kuwait Yacht Show yes- terday.—Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Biggest ‘Kuwait Yacht Show’ kicks off Value of vessels totals more than $100 million By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: The biggest and probably the most grandiose ‘Kuwait Yacht Show’ kicked off yesterday at the Marina Crescent under the patronage of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah, represented by State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Al- Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. The value of the vessels in this fourth edition of the show totals more than $100 million. The show is open daily till Thursday, Feb 4, from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm. “We started the annual yacht show in Kuwait in 2013. Last year, we were able to secure membership of the International Federation of Boat Shows Organizers. They has improved a lot, from regis- income from all tickets sold will history and heritage. “Kuwaitis Tarek Aleryan, PR Director grow year after year.” have been very supportive and tration to the display, and the be donated to the Dasman are sea lovers. So they spent of the Dasman Diabetes KYS has grown through the we have certain requirements entire environment is really Diabetes Institute. “The ticket is money on the best boat. They Institute, said, “the institute, support of the marine sector, and standards that we have to world-class.” at only KD 1, and you’ll see the used to visit other countries to which was established by the governmental sector and fulfill in order to be certified by The Kuwait Yacht Show is a boats, from the smallest to the get the best boats, but now KFAS, believes in combining the media. Adel Al-Sumait, the IFBSO, and we delivered high-profile national event, and biggest and expensive. There they are here and it is neces- efforts for the advancement of Ahmad Al-Ameeri, Thunayan that, so we got the member- one that engages all the vari- are displays of accessories too sary to help them decide on research, health, science and Al-Ghanim, Fahad Al-Ghareeb, ship. The IFBSO is monitoring ous entities of Kuwait’s society, and equipment used for the the best options and variety for humanity. We always appreci- Alain Mouarawi, Mohamad our work - it is giving us advice, from private to public, from boat,” Mukadam said. their convenience and benefit. ate when a private entity Karam, Talal Al-Sabih, Essam Al- especially on the standards companies to individuals, from According to Mukadam, We have more than 70 compa- takes the initiative to get Gharabally and many of those necessary for a boat show. So marine to luxury lifestyle and Kuwait is the best place for nies participating in the show, involved in a national cause. who exhibited from the first you’ll see a biggest difference across to the media sector and such a huge yacht show as its and have visitors from Saudi We commend the organizers edition continue to be at the compared to year,” said Sara more. As such, the yacht show coastline is one of the longest Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain and for their efforts and look for- forefront and the backbone of Mukadam, head organizer. “It is giving back to Kuwait. The in the GCC with a rich marine UAE,” she said. ward to seeing the yacht show KYS.

Citi names Elissar Farah NCR appoints New MD to drive Antonios as CEO of Citi UAE financial services business in Gulf DUBAI: Citi recently appointed Elissar of the bank’s business in Sub Saharan Farah Antonios as Chief Executive Officer Africa in addition to Middle East and DUBAI: NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR), yesterday drive our business in the area to a new level of of Citi UAE. Antonios transfers North Africa. He will continue announced a new senior sales executive appoint- success.” from Citi Lebanon where she to be based in Dubai. ment to drive its financial services business In his new role, Wael will be relocating to has been the Bank’s CEO since “The UAE is Citi’s largest 2012. and most diverse franchise in growth in the Saudi and Gulf area. Wael Elaawar, Dubai and will be responsible for driving NCR’s Antonios is a seasoned the Middle East and Africa current managing director for Saudi and North strategy to leverage new growth opportunities banker with extensive experi- regions, and a key market for Gulf, will take up additional responsibilities as for financial services business in Saudi and Gulf ence in Wealth Management. Corporate & Investment managing director for financial services sales in area. She started her career in 1990 Banking as well as Wealth the Gulf, reporting to George Flouros, vice presi- Wael brings with him a wealth of knowledge in London and had served at Management businesses,” dent, MEA sales for NCR Financial Services. and experience in self-service across a number of several global banks with a commented Rehman. “I am “Saudi and Gulf are strategic markets for NCR different industries such as Retail, Travel, focus on Arab private banking confident that Elissar’s leader- MEA growth strategy and this appointment rein- Government as well as Financial. During his 22 clients. She joined Citi in 2005 ship will add material value to forces our commitment to have the best leader- years tenure with NCR, he has held various senior as Head of Private Banking in our clients in the UAE, and ship team on the ground to meet our customers’ sales roles of increasing responsibilities and Abu Dhabi and later across all help the firm develop more needs at all times,” said George Flouros, NCR vice under his leadership NCR introduced a number the UAE before assuming her growth opportunities in the president, MEA sales for Financial Services. “Wael of new innovative solutions in the region such as Lebanon role. country.” has a sound track record of building collabora- the first self-checkout implementation in retail Commenting on her new role, Citi is present in twenty four markets in tive partnerships, understanding market needs stores, the first mobile check-in of the Travel Antonios said: “I am delighted to have the the Middle East and Africa regions. Its and focusing on assisting our esteemed cus- industry in Saudi, the e-Government kiosk proj- opportunity to lead Citi UAE. We have a operations in the UAE include a full spec- tomers by promoting innovative solutions to ect in Saudi Arabia and the first intelligent very strong franchise in the country and trum of wholesale financial services help them address their business problems. I am deposit and interactive services implementations will continue to provide the highest stan- namely Corporate & Investment Banking, confident that, with his solid experience, he will across various financial institutions. dards of products and services to our Capital Markets, Sales & Trading, clients, while fulfilling our role as an active Transactions Services, Private Banking and member of the UAE banking community.” Islamic Banking. Citibank, the consumer Antonios will report to Atiq Rehman, banking arm of Citi, is currently a major Head of Citi’s Middle East and Africa player in the UAE’s credit card market and Gulf Bank’s premium credit Region. Rehman’s responsibilities were a leading provider of Wealth Management recently expanded to include leadership and Consumer Credit services. cards offer exceptional benefits

KUWAIT: As the year 2016 kicks off, Gulf Bank possible, Gulf Bank has created a dedicated web- points in the Gulf Rewards loyalty program, the Etihad Airways boosts announced that its customers can enjoy a multi- page on its website at www.e-gulfbank.com, fastest and most rewarding program in Kuwait. tude of exceptional benefits through its premium where customers can view their points, check These Gulf Rewards points can be redeemed at Abu Dhabi-Cairo credit cards, VISA Infinite and MasterCard World. their balance, redeem points instantly online for any time for free travel and hotel stays world- Customers holding Gulf Bank’s VISA Infinite flights and hotel stays, and benefit from fre- wide. flights to four-a-day and MasterCard World credit cards will be grant- quently advertised special offers. The Gulf Bank ‘Entertainer’ app is available for ed automatic enrollment to the LoungeKey In addition, Gulf Bank had recently launched existing Gulf Bank credit card holders to down- ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways, the national hub. To India, Etihad Airways and its strate- Airport Lounge program, providing customers the “Entertainer’ app, an exciting new addition to load at App Store for iOS/iPhone and the Google airline of the United Arab Emirates, yester- gic equity partner Jet Airways offer more with unlimited complimentary access to over 500 Gulf Rewards. The ‘Entertainer’ app is Kuwait’s Play Store for Android. You can also visit www.e- day announced an increase in capacity than 250 weekly flights across 15 destina- airport lounges worldwide. Gulf Bank’s VISA first geo-locator based mobile application that gulfbank.com to receive an activation code. between Abu Dhabi and Cairo with the tions. Infinite and Mastercard World cardholders can gives customers instant exclusive offers in Gulf Bank’s credit card holders can also enjoy introduction of a fourth daily scheduled Over two million guests have flown on use the LoungeKey mobile app or login to the Kuwait, the UAE, and London. The offers are avail- a wide variety of discounts through its discounts flight, effective 27 March 2016. the Cairo route since its launch in 2004, LoungeKey website to navigate the list of partici- able instantly on your mobile phone and include program, which enables customers to enjoy dis- The route has grown to become one of becoming a key market among the 116 pated lounges. deals at restaurants, hotels, spas, as well as offers counts at over 100 outlets in Kuwait as well as the most popular in Etihad Airways’ net- global destinations served by Etihad Gulf Bank’s VISA Infinite and MasterCard on children’s activities and interests. seasonal discounts and promotions throughout work, building on strong commercial ties Airways. World cardholders can also enjoy the Gulf Points In addition to the ‘Buy 1, Get 1 Free’ offers the year. between the capital cities of the UAE and Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ Chief Program, the fastest rewarding program in from participating retail merchants in Kuwait, the Gulf Bank takes into account the importance Egypt. With a large Egyptian population in Strategy and Planning Officer, said: “Etihad Kuwait. Membership gives customers the benefit UAE, and London, customers can also benefit of safety when travelling for its customers. Gulf the UAE, more flights provide greater Airways is focused on offering guests more of instant points that can be redeemed online for from offers from free hotel nights at participating Bank’s customers will enjoy Free Family Travel options for expatriates travelling back choice. The introduction of a fourth daily each and every transaction made with their cred- international hotels in over 25 countries includ- Insurance and benefit from complimentary travel home for work or holiday. flight to Cairo demonstrates our commit- it cards. Customers can redeem their points to fly ing Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, Indonesia, Egypt, Insurance upon purchasing 100 percent of the air Etihad Airways’ services are convenient- ment to a market that has shown strong free anytime, anywhere, and to stay free in one of and other countries. tickets’ value using their VISA Infinite or ly timed to offer enhanced travel options growth in passenger and freight traffic 300,000 hotels worldwide. Additionally, cus- Customers are able to locate participating MasterCard World credit cards. The Bank’s VISA for business and leisure travellers between since the route was launched almost 12 tomers earn even more points when they use merchants through the geo-locator on their Infinite credit cardholders will benefit from full the UAE and Egypt with greater choice of years ago. “Attracting both commercial and their credit cards for international transactions. mobiles using Google Maps. Through the system coverage of up to USD 1 million for themselves, flights across the day. Additionally, passen- leisure business, the additional flights link- For every KD1 spent, customers will earn 3 points they will receive instant offers at restaurants, their spouse and children. While MasterCard gers travelling between Egypt and the GCC, ing Cairo and Abu Dhabi with connections locally and 5 points internationally. entertainment venues, spas, and kid’s activities. World credit card holders will benefit from free South and North East Asia, and India will beyond will help cater for the growing With Gulf Points Program it is easy for cus- Every time a customer makes a payment transac- travel insurance with coverage of up to USD 2 benefit from increased and better connect- demand on one of our most popular North tomers to use their points. To ensure the tion with a participating Gulf Bank credit card million for travel accidents, travel medical bene- ing options over the airline’s Abu Dhabi African and global routes.”. redemption procedure is as straight forward as through the ‘Entertainer’ app, they will also earn fits, trip inconvenience, and luggage protection. technology TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 Renault opens first China factory French car giant looks to tap into world’s biggest auto market WUHAN, China: French car giant Renault opened its first car factory in China yesterday, the last major manufacturer to set up a plant in the country as it looks to tap into the world’s biggest auto market. The $1.2-billion facility in Wuhan, a carmak- ing hub in the central province of Hubei, is a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng and will have an initial production capacity of 150,000 vehicles a year. China’s total auto sales grew at their weakest pace in three years in 2015, as a slowing economy and a stock market rout slammed into demand. But the country remains “a growth driver for the global auto industry”, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said at the inauguration. The factory was a “first big step” for the development of the Dongfeng-Renault joint venture and for the growth of Renault, he added. China is crucial to foreign auto makers, both as the world’s largest market and a key source of revenue outside Europe and the United States, but until now, WUHAN: Chinese workers stand next to a Kadjar car at the production line of WUHAN: CEO of Renault Carlos Ghosn is guided to his seat during the opening the French firm has largely allowed its Japanese France’s Renault and China’s Dongfeng Group factory in Wuhan, Hubei province ceremony of France’s Renault and China’s Dongfeng Group factory in Wuhan, alliance partner Nissan to take the lead. Renault yesterday. —AFP Hubei province yesterday. —AFP sold a mere 15,850 vehicles in China last year, down 50 percent on 2014, mostly SUVs built in which is spread over a 95-hectare (235-acre) 24.60 million cars were sold in 2015, accord- government crackdown on corruption and al scandal over emissions cheating. South Korea. That gave it a market share of less site and currently employs 2,000 people. At ing to the China Association of Automobile an austerity campaign, launched after Renault’s French rival PSA Peugeot than 0.1 percent. But Ghosn said the country first the Wuhan factory will build Kadjars, Manufacturers (CAAM) up 4.7 percent on the President Xi Jinping took office three years Citroen, which is long established in China was a “core part of Renault’s strategic plan”, and Renault’s latest crossover model, a key sector previous year, but only about a third of the ago. and also has a joint venture with Dongfeng, that its long-term goal was a market share of an for Chinese consumers. near-14-percent growth seen in 2013. The Chinese industry group forecasts with three factories in Wuhan, sells 700,000 ambitious 3.5 percent. “We see this niche exploding in China, Also, the economy, the world’s second sales will still gain around six percent to top units a year in the country. and it’s not going to stop,” said Jacques largest, grew 6.9 percent in 2015, its slowest 26 million units this year. US auto giant Renault will start producing electric vehi- ‘Right product’ Daniel, CEO of the joint venture. “We’re arriv- pace in 25 years. General Motors was the top foreign brand in cles in Wuhan next year, and Ghosn said the Renault and Dongfeng have invested 7.6 ing late, but with the right product.” Car makers responded by slashing prices China last year, delivering a record 3.61 mil- firm was considering developing an “afford- billion yuan (now $1.2 billion) in the plant, But he acknowledged that the current sit- while some even cut production. The market lion vehicles, to beat German rival able” electric car aimed at Chinese and uation in China was challenging. A total of for high-priced luxury cars has been hit by a Volkswagen, which is struggling with a glob- developing world markets. —AFP Virtual agents need to evolve towards Smart virtual intelligence: Turgeon

KUWAIT: Virtual agents need to evolve towards Smart vir- breach, if you think of it. in many cases more difficult to deal with, but when one tual intelligence, delivering big data through real-time Public or national security is clearly different to busi- looks into it, the industry makes it way too easy for people smart analytics, said Jean Turgeon, Avaya’s VP & Chief ness security but all of them impact personal security in to penetrate an internal infrastructure. Just simply look at Technologist, Software Defined Architecture, World Wide some ways. Public security is often related to the trans- various institutions and how easy it is to get into the Sales, during an interview. Excerpts: portation industry such as trains, airports, and highways, building, or once you are in the building how you can eas- Q: Scanners, CCTV, detectors, are all in place to pre- while national security is typically associated with much ily have access to the entire facility, connect via wi-fi or vent crime, loss of lives, etc. What is the advantage of all broader-impact events we see around the world. ports pre-configured for a specific service such as a this data? While business security is related to protecting intellec- phone, video conferencing unit, and so on. A: While various technologies continue to evolve and tual property or customer data, the key is to ensure You should also be implementing stronger multi-fac- are ‘coming online’ today to address specific security or reduced surface exposure (meaning all the entry points tors authentication systems while you leverage the tech- business needs, the real impact on citizens will only be that an attacker can use to enter an environment) to the nology to track people and automate security response seen when analytics allow them to be combined in real- public infrastructure, without losing sight of the number of based on intelligent real data analytics. We have GPS, Wi-Fi time, simultaneously with a layer intelligence over it. attacks originating from within private infrastructures. triangulations, iBeacons, RFID, Video Surveillance Systems Virtual agents need to evolve towards Smart virtual Some necessary steps are: with sophisticated movement, gesture or presence detec- intelligence, delivering big data through real-time smart * Reducing surface exposure: No statically accessible tion, in addition to biometric systems to control access to analytics. services (functionalities that are less used or unnecessary) areas or systems. For instance, somebody going to an ATM machine at * Strong authentication factors (minimum of three) All of these can provide much stronger security imple- KYOTO: An indoor lettuce farm of Spread company at its Kameoka factory in midnight and being captured on a CCTV system is hardly should always be used before extending services to a mentation but yet, the market seems resistant to changes unusual, but if that same individual was to withdraw the human being or a machine. where the legacy IT is holding businesses back for the Kameoka city, Kyoto prefecture. A Japanese firm said on February 1, 2016 it maximum amount from all their accounts, it could be a * Frequent monitoring wrong reasons. The world has moved to the human and would open the world’s first fully automated farm with robots handling almost trigger that there may be something suspicious. Further Take the example of connecting at a hotel - there are device mesh, the infrastructure supporting the connectivi- every step of the process, from watering seedlings to harvesting crops. —AFP analytics can be quickly applied - what if those analytics now solutions to deliver a secure personal Wi-Fi experience ty can’t continue to be based on a legacy client/server now confirm this person has outstanding infractions, has and provide guests with completely isolated zones that architecture. The technology is here today, but too many World’s first ‘robot run’ not paid their loans or has a criminal record? What we want is for the system to be able to notify the police, inform them of the exact location of the individual, farm to open in Japan enable tracking through their mobile device by enabling GPS location overriding settings from the Service TOKYO: A Japanese firm said yesterday it “Seed planting will still be done by peo- Provider’s network, automatically update or create a record would open the world’s first fully automated ple, but the rest of the process, including har- for tracking, and document actions for future analytics. farm with robots handling almost every step vesting, will be done (by industrial robots),” Through this, the technology elements on the city- of the process, from watering seedlings to company official Koji Morisada told AFP. wide network feed in data to a centralized intelligence harvesting crops. The move to robot labor would chop per- centre, which can then look at patterns, trends, and identi- Kyoto-based Spread said the indoor grow sonnel costs by about half and knock energy fy the best approach. Essentially, it’s about bringing it all house will start operating by the middle of expenses down by nearly one third, together to a difference. 2017 and produce 30,000 heads of lettuce a Morisada added. The pesticide-free lettuce Q: Can technology really be deployed to prevent day. It hopes to boost that figure to half a will also have more beta carotene than other human mistakes? million lettuce heads daily within five years. farm-grown lettuce, the company said. A: In some cases it certainly could, as virtual intelli- The farm, measuring about 4,400 square Robot-obsessed Japan has repeatedly gence takes emotions out of the equation. When you have metres (47,300 square feet), will have floor- turned to automated workers to fill labour a sophisticated database generating the best possible out- to-ceiling shelves where the produce is shortages that are projected to get worse as comes based on past experience and lessons learned, grown. the country rapidly ages. —AFP there is definitely a strong possibility of eliminating human error. Imagine a person responding to a critical situation where their stress levels are at the highest, you can easily imagine that they may react quickly to a noise or move- ment in a way that doesn’t generate the desired outcome. Now picture the same scenario, but this time with a robot, which would be directed by a system devised for these situations, with the backing of a wealth of data. This could definitely give us a much better outcome. If you Jean Turgeon, Avaya’s VP & Chief Technologist. apply this to an enterprise under cyber-attack, an automat- ed business workflow could be triggered as the attack is others guests cannot access. This is the type of model we vendors try to continue to convince customers the old way detected, enabling the system to take the necessary action must extrapolate and apply to reduce the risk associated is good enough, it is NOT the case and government, busi- to either redirect, isolate, quarantine, or even stop the with potential cyber-security. nesses and citizens have the right to demand a change. attack - and also possibly notify a government security Q: In many countries, there are a number of social and For instance, why can’t I have a one-click button to agency to also take action. political security issues that come to mind - While there is push at any time on my smart phone to call for help, why Q: How do we define security in today’s threats: Public no magic fix, can you give examples on how technology do governments continue to tolerate service providers not security, business security, national security, personal secu- can be built to solve some of our most pressing issues allowing data services on mobile devices which MUST be rity? What can governments, businesses large and small, (national, social and environment related disasters for used to provide exact location and ability to deliver con- do to proactively manage security? example) tent or enable the smart devices as video inputs for the A: Cyber security impacts everyone in this connected A: Well, as you state there are no magic fix to these on- emergency response team? world. Every time you connect to an infrastructure you going threats but the best way in my view is to continue The same applies to the transportation industry. Why have potential threats - that doesn’t mean we should be to reduce the services exposure to the public internet, is it we let citizens head down a highway when we know paranoid about it, but it is a fact in this hyper-connected while imposing stronger authentication methods - even there is an accident and the highway is fully congested? world. The old approach of relying on perimeter defense to services you want your citizens or customers to use. Why is it we don’t inform the population when a storm is and rule-based security are now inadequate, especially as While at first it may appear to be annoying to some, the nearby through all the mode of communications we have? organizations consider deploying a hybrid cloud model benefits and ability to track individuals or machines trying It is great to use radio or TV for this, but why can’t the gov- with potentially open API’s accessible to partners and cus- to gain access to confidential or corporate information ernment mandate service providers to immediately send tomers to easily integrate with their systems in the new will substantially out-weight the few steps individuals or an SMS to ALL of their subscribers when a critical situation SD-x (Software Defined Everything) world. automated system would have to go through to reduce is on-going? At a personal level, think of all the ways you may be the risk. We need to see changes in this space, some countries connected as you read this article. You could have a range External threats are in fact in my view sometimes easi- are further along but there are still too many organizations KYOTO: A worker checking lettuces at the indoor farm of Spread company in its of devices at hand, and even an access card, a Bluetooth er to prevent: I am not suggesting in any way it is easy, but living in the past and not taking full advantage of the tech- Kameoka factory in Kameoka city. —AFP headset and so many more things that connect near and you typically know where the entry point is and what nology available to them. The status quo is NOT accept- wide. Each of these is potential for a personal security information they are trying to get to. Internal threats are able. Cuba to launch broadband home internet project

HAVANA: Cuba announced on Sunday Odalys RodrÌguez del Toro, ETECSA nies who pay hundreds of dollars a more WiFi spots in Havana alone in 2016, has said he would visit only if he believed night that it is launching broadband director for Havana, told state media that month for Internet links that are a frac- which by itself would double the number his presence would help improve the Internet service in two Havana neighbor- the government would also begin allow- tion of the average speed in other coun- of access points in Cuba. She did not say lives of ordinary Cubans by moving the hoods as a pilot project aimed at bring- ing cafes, bars and restaurants to begin tries. Some Cuban citizens have dial-up how many more were planned for other island toward greater freedom. US ing home access to one of the world’s ordering broadband service. home service or restricted mobile phone cities. The United States has been push- Federal Communications Commission least connected nations. Del Toro offered no timeline for the connections that allow access only to ing Cuba to show that it is improving chairman Tom Wheeler traveled to State telecommunications company pilot project or rollout of broader access state-run email. conditions for its citizens as President Havana this month to meet with Cuban ETECSA said it would allow Cubans in Old and said prices would be announced in General public access to broadband Barack Obama loosens the half-century officials about increasing Cuba’s connec- Havana, the colonial center that is one of the future. Still, any fiber-optic home con- Internet began only last year, with the old US trade embargo on Cuba through a tions to the Internet. Last week, the FCC the island’s main tourist attractions, to nections would be an important mile- opening of dozens of public WiFi spots series of executive actions. gave US companies blanket permission order service through fiber optic connec- stone in Cuba, where broadband home that cost $2 an hour. That is about a tenth Obama hopes to travel to Cuba this to provide voice and data connections to tions operated with Chinese telecom service is currently legal only for diplo- of the average monthly salary in Cuba. year to celebrate his re-establishment of Cuba, doing away the requirement for operator Huawei. mats and employees of foreign compa- Del Toro said ETECSA would open 30 diplomatic relations with the island but special FCC permission. —AP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 HEALTH

Shrimp farmers restock mangrove ‘supermarket’ by going organic

LAEM FA PHA: Surakit Laeaddee walks the farming front, the Thai Department of along the narrow banks of earth dividing his Fisheries is encouraging more environ- organic shrimp and fish ponds, rests under ment-friendly production systems to avoid the shade of a tree he recently planted, and disease and decrease pollution. That points to the lush mangroves marking out includes planting trees to act as a filtration his plot. Too many trees invite birds that system, using natural rather than artificial prey on his seafood stock. But planting just feed, and steering clear of pesticides, fungi- enough, on a fifth of his 10 hectares, cools cides and antibiotics. the ponds and improves soil and water The IUCN is working with shrimp farm- quality, boosting the health, reproduction ers in Thailand, Vietnam and Bangladesh to and survival of his shrimp and fish. restore mangroves and use them sustain- “I hope the community will become ably. With support from the conservation more conscious about the importance of agency, farmers like Surakit are sharing planting trees and looking after the ecosys- best practices with their neighbors and tem in order to raise seafood sustainably across the country. Surakit’s marine shrimp and prevent coastal erosion,” he said, look- farm is among the first to be certified ing toward the Gulf of Thailand, which has organic by the Thai government. Fifteen gnawed away at the shore, bringing the sea other farmers living nearby are on track to ever closer to his home. Since the 1980s, a be certified this year, which would increase boom in shrimp farming has decimated the organic shrimp farming area in the mangroves around the world. The trend has community tenfold, to almost 100 hectares. destroyed a key ecosystem for carbon stor- Organic yields are much lower, but each age, added to emissions of planet-warming shrimp grows much larger. Surakit says he carbon dioxide, and exposed shorelines and raises two to five shrimp per square meter, communities to storm surges and erosion. compared to 20 to 30 per square meter on Now, growing consumer demand for organ- intensive farms. ic and sustainable foods has spurred inter- His organic shrimp sell at a higher price - est in shrimp farms like Surakit’s that may up to $27 per kg, compared to $14 per kg stem mangrove loss and encourage plant- KABUL: An Afghan vendor displays fish for sale along the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Sorubi district of Kabul, for the largest shrimp from an intensive ing in areas long devoid of trees. “A shift Afghanistan yesterday. — AP farm. Furthermore, input costs are lower, from intensive farming to more natural ering above water with buttressed roots to Piriyayota, director of the mangrove Somsak said. A new mixed land-use policy and organic ponds have a longer lifespan farming is more sustainable in the long run,” giant nipa palms. Over half a century, a third resource conservation office. “The issue will allow communities in southern Nakhon than intensively farmed ponds, which often said Supranee Kampongsun, mangroves of that area has been lost, leaving 246,000 today is how do we change that land for Sri Thammarat province to use degraded become so overrun by disease and pollu- and markets project coordinator for the hectares, according to the Department of shrimp back into mangroves,” Somsak said mangroves for income, on the condition tion they are abandoned. The plush JW International Union for Conservation of Marine and Coastal Resources. About in an interview, noting some mangroves that half the area is maintained as man- Marriott Hotel in Bangkok buys shrimp from Nature (IUCN). “It gives marine species natu- 70,000 hectares are used for seafood farms, have been inhabited by communities for groves or converted back to them, he said. Surakit. In Vietnam, where the IUCN piloted ral spawning grounds and improves the mostly shrimp. generations. its mangroves and markets program, more mangrove ecosystem. If individual farmers Similar declines have been documented “We’ve never been strict. The policy has Healthy and sustainable than 700 farmers are certified organic and consider having trees on their land, it will across Asia and Latin America. A 2012 UN- allowed for them to live there, but the Once the leading exporter of shrimp, selling to European markets. “Mangroves contribute to a growth in overall coverage backed study found a fifth of mangroves ecosystem is deteriorating, so we have to Thailand has been hit hard in the past few are a supermarket for humans,” said Somsak in the area.” worldwide had been lost since 1980, mostly solve this problem, yet we have to give years by a deadly disease called early mor- of the mangrove conservation office, for intensive shrimp farms that often them the right to a livelihood as well.” A key tality syndrome that wiped out shrimp describing a food chain from leaves and Land grabs and investors become choked with waste, antibiotics and challenge is sorting out real land ownership populations, as well as by widespread parasites to crabs, fish and humans. “The A 1961 survey along Thailand’s 3,100 km fertilizers. In Thailand, the destruction of from profit-driven land grabbing. “We have reports of migrant labor rights abuses. The main producer is the trees, and everyone coastline tallied 368,000 hectares of man- mangroves for shrimp leveled off about 10 a government policy to reclaim forests - government and seafood industry have else is in the chain of consumers. When grove forests, which include more than 70 years ago, but the government is struggling from investors, but not from poor people. scrambled to bring in measures to clean up humans cut the trees, it’s the end. The food tree species - from typical mangroves hov- to restore the barren lands, said Somsak With shrimp farmers, it’s generally investors,” labor violations in their supply chains. On chain is broken.”— Reuters Mauritania depleted seas highlight the need for fishing transparency Overfishing by foreign boats threatening the way of life

LONDON: Mauritania has some of West Africa’s richest fishing waters yet overfishing by foreign trawlers means that hundreds of pirogues, or wooden canoes used by small-scale fishermen, must go further out to sea to net ever smaller catches. Fishing is an important part of the mostly desert country’s economy, accounting for 7 percent of gross domestic product and providing about 40,000 jobs, according to the World Bank. Last week, Mauritania’s minister for eco- nomic affairs, Sid’Ahmed RaÔss, warned that as LES TROIS-ILETS: A photo shows a billboard reading “You have a guest...” and featur- West Africa’s chronic food insecurity forces ing a picture of a mosquito as part of a campaign to fight against the Zika virus in Les more people to try their hand at fishing, “over- Trois-Ilets, in the French overseas department of Martinique. — AFP fishing by foreign boats is threatening our way of life”. “Other countries in the Sahel show us, WHO mulls declaring global for example, how poverty and unemployment make fertile ground for organized crime and health emergency over Zika terror. Take fisheries away from our people, and they will have little else to lose,” he said in a GENEVA: World Health Organization experts identified among people returning from holi- statement. began emergency talks yesterday on whether day or business abroad. More people could benefit from fisheries in a Zika virus outbreak suspected of causing a Mauritania and elsewhere if there was better surge in serious birth defects in South Resolute action governance of the sector with greater trans- America should be declared a global health In a bid to forge a response to the outbreak, parency over licenses and concessions agree- emergency. The UN health agency warned Chan called Monday’s closed-door meeting of ments, the founder of Transparency KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysia Muslim woman (left) buys fish at Kuala Lumpur’s popular Chow Kit market. — AFP last week that the mosquito-borne virus was the WHO’s emergency committee to deter- International said in an interview. “The benefits “spreading explosively” in the Americas, with mine if Zika should be considered a “public of good governance would be tremendous if only one country does this but also if neighbor- accountability, especially in countries that stifle the region expected to see up to four million health emergency of international concern”. the illegal and unreported fisheries were ing countries, regional countries, global institu- freedom of speech. “Transparency is just one cases this year. The emergency meeting-a global telephone reduced. Many countries could have millions tions participate,” Eigen said, adding that he component,” said Andre Standing, who works The WHO is under pressure to act quickly conference grouping senior WHO officials, rep- hoped Seychelles, Indonesia, Costa Rica and for the Coalition for Fair Fisheries in the fight against Zika, after admitting it resentatives of affected countries, and interna- and millions of tons of fish or (millions of dol- lars in) revenues at their disposal,” Peter Eigen Senegal would set up similar groups by the end Arrangements. “A lot depends on how people was slow to respond to the recent Ebola out- tional experts-began shortly after 1200 GMT. of the year. are able to use that information and whether break that ravaged parts of west Africa. No decision is expected before Tuesday at the told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by tele- Some experts say EITI - a voluntary effort - they can put pressure on governments and Although symptoms of the mosquito-borne earliest. Such consultations are relatively rare, phone from Berlin. virus are relatively mild, it is believed to be underlining the scale of concern felt by the West Africa alone loses at least $1.3 billion a lacks teeth and argue that it has allowed com- companies to change behaviors where needs linked to a surge in cases of microcephaly, a organization. The UN agency will be looking to year from illegal, unreported and unregulated panies with dubious track records on the envi- be,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. devastating condition in which a baby is born take resolute action on Zika after coming in for fishing, according to a 2014 report by the ronment to say they are acting responsibly. However, Eigen said “information transparency with an abnormally small head and brain. stinging criticism over its initially sluggish Africa Progress Panel, which campaigns for sus- They also say revenue transparency does not creates a momentum” which can eventually While it has yet to be definitively proven that response to the devastating west Africa Ebola tainable development in Africa. Widespread always translate into greater government lead to meaningful change. — Reuters the microcephaly cases are caused in some outbreak. Ebola, which has killed more than corruption and few resources for enforcement way by the Zika virus, WHO chief Margaret 11,000 people in west Africa since late 2013, mean huge foreign trawlers often venture into Chan warned last week that a causal relation- was declared a global health emergency in areas near the coast which are reserved for arti- ship was “strongly suspected”. August 2014 and continues to carry that label. sanal fishermen. This allows them to drag off Swan song: Humans Zika is also believed to be linked to a neu- As for Zika, there is currently no treatment tons of catch in waters rich in snapper, sar- rological disorder called Guillain-Barre syn- and the WHO has said it would likely take dines, mackerel and shrimp - putting the liveli- implicated in huge drome. Brazil sounded the alarm in October more than a year to develop a vaccine. The hoods and food security of millions of locals at when a rash of microcephaly cases emerged virus is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti risk. The importance of the world’s oceans was in the northeast. It has since become the mosquito, which also spreads dengue fever recognized last year when the United Nations Australian bird’s demise country worst affected by microcephaly, with and the chikungunya virus. It produces flu- adopted a set of goals aimed at fostering sus- WASHINGTON: The mystery behind the eggshell fragments, some only partially 270 confirmed cases and 3,448 suspected like symptoms including a low-grade fever, tainable development, including one dedicat- cases, up from 147 in 2014. As alarm grows headaches, joint pain and rashes. WHO has so extinction of a huge flightless bird called blackened, discovered at more than 200 ed to the conservation of oceans, seas and Genyornis that flourished in the grasslands sites. The eggs were the size of a cantaloupe, over the surge in number of cases, Colombia, far refrained from issuing travel warnings marine resources. Ecuador, El Salvador, Jamaica and Puerto Rico related to Zika, stressing that the most effec- and woodlands of prehistoric Australia may weighing about 3-1/2 pounds (1.5 kg). “We have warned women to delay conceiving tive form of prevention is getting rid of stag- have been solved, with burned eggshells as conclude that the only explanation is that Poorly governed until the Zika outbreak is brought under con- nant water where mosquitos easily breed, the clue and people as the culprits. humans harvested the giant eggs, built a fire trol. Jitters over Zika have spread far beyond and using personal protection against mos- One way of improving governance is for Scientists said on Friday burn patterns and cooked them, which would not blacken the affected areas to Europe and North quito bites such as using repellant and sleep- more information to be disclosed on the quo- detected on eggshell fragments indicate them, then discarded the fragments in and America, where dozens of cases have been ing under mosquito nets. —AFP tas being sold to foreign fishing firms and how that the humans who first arrived in around their fire as they ate the contents,” licensing agreements are being implemented, Australia roughly 50,000 years ago gathered Miller said. “Wild or natural fires could not China-based startup aims Eigen said. This could lead to wider discussions and cooked the big bird’s eggs, playing hav- produce such patterns. We have no direct on whether companies were fishing outside oc with its reproductive success. evidence that humans hunted the adults, the fishing season, using the proper equip- The study is the first to provide direct evi- but loss of eggs certainly reduced reproduc- to monitor air pollution ment or landing a portion of their catch to dence that these early human inhabitants tive success.” allow locals to benefit from income earned preyed on the remarkable large animals that There has been a long-running debate BEIJING: A China-based startup firm tion from the device to the company, from through processing, he said. “All this will be once thrived in Australia but disappeared over whether people caused the extinction launched a campaign Monday to fund a proj- which it can develop its pollution modeling very helpful in creating peer pressure among after people got there, University of of Australia’s unique collection of large ani- ect which would allow people to monitor air and forecasting capabilities. various actors for better governance ... in a sec- Colorado geological sciences professor mals, also including a 25-feet-long (7.5 pollution locally, and to crowd-source data on But the feature will not be available for tor which is presently very poorly governed,” Gifford Miller said. Genyornis, at almost 7 meters) monitor lizard called Megalania, a the problem in many countries around the Chinese users, the website said, due to govern- Eigen said. A former World Bank manager, feet tall (2 meters) and perhaps 500 pounds nearly rhinoceros-sized wombat called world. Airvisual.com, based in Beijing, has ment regulations preventing individuals from Eigen was also founding chairman of the (225 kg), was much bigger than today’s large Diprotodon, large marsupial predators and designed a personal pollution measuring sharing outdoor air quality information “pub- Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative device that can feed air quality data into a licly”. Air quality information is published on an flightless birds like the ostrich or emu. It pos- 1,000-pound (450-kg) kangaroos. More than (EITI), a pioneering project that sets standards sessed powerful legs, small wings, large 85 percent of Australia’s large mammals, worldwide network, providing up-to-the- hourly basis in many parts of China, but there for companies to publish what they pay for oil, minute information on local conditions as are currently few options for people to moni- claws and a big beak for eating fruit, nuts birds and reptiles disappeared after people gas and minerals and for governments to dis- and maybe small prey. It was a member of a arrived. Some expert blame human hunt- well as three-day forecasts. tor conditions in their home or workplace. close what they receive. The company launched a campaign Although the company is based in China, its family of giant birds called dromornithids, ing, while others blame climate shifts, in Modelled on EITI, a Fisheries Transparency some reaching 10 feet (3 meters) tall and particular continental drying from about Monday on crowdfunding web site devices will be available for sale around the Initiative (FITI) is in the works with Mauritania indiegogo.com to try to fund production of world. The company describes itself as a “social 1,100 pounds (500 kg), that was related to 60,000 to 40,000 years ago. With the new due to announce this week that it has set up a the device called the “Node”, which can track enterprise”. Its goal is not profit but to let peo- ducks, geese and swans. Genyornis van- study, published in the journal Nature levels of CO2 and PM2.5, harmful microscopic ple “help protect themselves and thrive in a group of government officials, industry figures ished around 47,500 years ago, Miller said. Communications, the case for a human role particles that penetrate deep into the lungs. polluted environment”, said company co- and campaigners to promote transparency in The researchers analyzed burned Genyornis becomes stronger, Miller said. — Reuters Users outside China can opt to send informa- founder Yann Boquillod. —AFP fisheries contracts. “This will only work if not TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE Henkel appoints Hans Van Bylen to succeed Kasper Rorsted as CEO Management Board Changes at Henkel

KUWAIT: Henkel announced yesterday by the confidence which is expressed that CEO Kasper Rorsted, who has through this appointment. I am looking decided not to renew his current con- forward to shape the future of our com- tract beyond 2017, will leave the com- pany together with my colleagues at the pany at his own request as of April 30, Management Board and an excellent 2016. He served on the Henkel global team. We have strong brands and Management Board for 11 years, thereof technologies, leading positions in many markets and categories around the world and a strong innovation power. Building on this foundation, together, we will suc- cessfully lead Henkel into the future”, said Hans Van Bylen. Successful company performance under Kasper Rorsted¥s leadership “Kasper Rorsted has achieved a lot for 8 years as CEO. Effective May 1, 2016, Henkel. Under his leadership since 2008, Hans Van Bylen has been appointed as the company has delivered a successful his successor. His successful career at performance in a challenging market Henkel started in 1984 and he serves as environment. Sales and profitability member of the Management Board increased significantly and our top since 2005, responsible for the Beauty brands have been strengthened. This is Care business. also reflected in a significantly increased The appointment to CEO already in market capitalization which has been spring will enable him to leading the more than tripled since Kasper Rorsted NEW DELHI: An Indian Army soldier stands guard as children get their photographs taken in front of the Republic Day Tableau of Indian state of Madhya Pradesh depicting models of white tigers at the Red Fort grounds, in New Delhi. — AP Rubbish piles up in pollution-hit Delhi

India cities get funds to tackle woes from sewage to traffic

NEW DELHI: Rubbish piled up on New Delhi’s salaries. “We have said this repeatedly that we have While India has rapidly urbanized in recent streets yesterday as refuse collectors vowed to push given the dues to the civic agencies,” Sisodia, whose decades, most towns and cities still lack basic infra- ahead with a nearly week-long strike, the latest cri- home has also been targeted with piles of rubbish, structure like running water or stable electricity. sis to hit the world’s most polluted city. Already reel- told reporters. “Now, the civic bodies must give Many feature huge slums housing millions of poor. ing from dangerously high levels of toxic smog, the accounts of what they did with the money and why The cities were selected based on their proposals Indian capital is now grappling with uncollected aren’t the workers getting paid,” he said. There was after more than 15 million Indian citizens weighed garbage that has been mounting in parts of the city no immediate comment from the corporations on in on which problems should be solved first, mark- since January 27. the strike, the second to hit the city in the last year. It ing “a paradigm shift” in having India’s development development of the new strategy which took the helm. I would like to sincerely Sanitation workers yesterday dumped rubbish comes as Delhi has been shrouded in a toxic soup guided by the public, Naidu said. Some sent ideas outside a Delhi government minister’s home, one of during the recent winter months, sparking govern- to city officials via social media. Others entered Henkel will announce at the end of this thank Kasper Rorsted on behalf of all several targeted as part of the protest over unpaid ment action to improve the air quality, which regu- local contests for designing logos or writing essays. year and driving its successful execution. governance committees, employees and salaries. “The Delhi government spends millions on larly exceeds the World Health Organization’s safe Bhubaneswar, the capital of the eastern state of “With the appointment of Hans Van shareholders of Henkel”, Dr Simone advertisements, why can’t it release the funds for limit. A 2014 WHO survey of more than 1,600 cities Orissa, unfurled a 10-kilometer-long (6-mile-long) Bylen as new CEO we have named a Bagel-Trah further said. our salaries,” said Sanjay Gehlot, president of an ranked Delhi as the most polluted, partly because of canvas banner across the city and invited residents strong successor to the CEO position at Kasper Rorsted (53) joined Henkel as umbrella group of 60,000 to 80,000 protesting the 8.5 million vehicles on its roads. to scroll down their suggestions. an early time - as it is common practice member of the Management Board in municipal workers. “Today we dumped garbage “We are big believers in the power of competi- at Henkel. Hans Van Bylenis an excellent 2005. He was appointed as Deputy outside the Delhi tourism minister’s residence in Sewage to traffic tion to spur bottom-up creativity, citizen engage- choice as he has long-standing, interna- Chairman of the Management Board in our symbolic protest and caused roadblocks in oth- Meanwhile, India took a step toward moderniz- ment, and stronger proposals,” said James Anderson tional experience in managing brands 2007 and has been appointed CEO fol- er parts of the city,” he said, adding such protests ing its cities on Thursday by awarding 20 with funds of Bloomberg Philanthropies, which advised the and markets as well as a Management lowing the 2008 Annual General would continue. to solve problems from shoddy sewage treatment government on the program. Board member at Henkel. Meeting. “I would like to thank all col- Using brooms and shovels, Delhi government to snarled traffic. The government eventually plans Some of the proposals mentioned a need for On behalf of our governance commit- leagues at Henkel for their commitment ministers, along with other officials and volunteers to spend $15 billion to remake 100 cities over five better transportation, sewage treatment, security tees and employees I wish Hans Van and dedication as well as the governance from the Aam Aadmi Party, took to the streets at the years, Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu or trash management. Many envisioned funding Bylen all the best and much success in committees for their advice and support weekend to clean up the rubbish. The Delhi govern- said. The first 20 to receive financing include the through public-private partnerships. The his new role”, said Dr Simone Bagel-Trah, over the past years. Together, we have ment has blamed the city’s three municipal corpora- capital of new Delhi, the western cities of Pune, Rajasthani heritage city of Jaipur wants to improve Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board delivered an excellent performance for tions, controlled by its arch rival, the Bharatiya Jaipur and Ahmadabad, and the southern cities of waste management, while New Delhi plans to and the Shareholders’ Committee. The our company”, said Kasper Rorsted. “I am Janata Party (BJP), which rules at the national level, Chennai and Kochi. Since Prime Minister Narendra install underground fiber-optic cables for more successor of Hans Van Bylen as Executive convinced that Henkel will continue to for the crisis. Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Modi first touted his vision for creating so-called Internet connectivity. The traffic-clogged city of Vice President Beauty Care will be excel under the leadership of Hans Van Sisodia reiterated yesterday his accusation that the smart cities across India, there has been little clarity Chennai has plans for improving public transporta- announced in due course. “I am honored Bylen as CEO.” corporations were withholding funds handed over over what “smart” actually means beyond a better tion as well as dealing with disasters like last year’s by the government that were meant for workers’ life for the country’s 400 million city dwellers. devastating floods. — Agencies Drought hits S Africa’s biggest wildlife park

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK: Hippos in South lations. And while the park’s management Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Rainfall in Kruger latory thing,” said Izak Smit, an ecologist for the Kruger as they struggle to find food, according Africa’s biggest wildlife park are increasingly makes water available to animals in some parts is 40 to 50 percent of the average for this time national parks service. to Smit. A drought in the early 1990s reduced grazing during the day rather than staying in of the park, they don’t plan any major interven- of year. Park officials told journalists who Hippos are in particular trouble because Kruger’s buffalo population by more than half rivers and pools as usual, a sign of an intensify- tion to try to save animals from a drought recently visited Kruger park, a major tourist they can’t graze as widely as other animals and to about 14,000, but the buffalo population has ing drought expected to kill some animals in afflicting southern Africa. attraction, that lions and some other predators are very territorial, always returning to the same since rebounded to more than 40,000, accord- the weeks ahead. However, officials in Kruger Buffalos are also expected to suffer heavily if should benefit from the drought by taking spot, he said. Hippos, which tend to graze by ing to park data. “You end up with a stronger National Park described the extremely dry peri- substantial rains don’t arrive soon, according to advantage of weakened prey. “You’ve got win- night and stay in water by day, have been seen genetic pool in the end, with the animals sur- od as a natural way of regulating wildlife popu- authorities in Kruger park, which borders ners and you’ve got losers. This is nature’s regu- grazing during the daytime more often in viving these dry periods,” Smit said. — AP WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

TSC’s Australian Festival Returns From January 27th to February 6th

ollowing the success of last year’s event highlight the large variety of premium-quali- down under theme, bringing food from the and the positive feedback received from ty, direct imports. Our exclusive Australian heart of Australia to the Kuwait community. Fthe community, The Sultan Center (TSC) range is comprised of over 1,000 products is “Bringing you food from the heart of spread amongst a variety of categories: Trip to Australia Australia” to celebrate the Australian Food Wagyu meat, veal, organic lamb and beef, Throughout this festival, shoppers who use Festival from January 27th to February 6th fruits and vegetables, bakery items, dairy their TSC Rewards card and spend KD 10 or across TSC’s Salmiya, Sharq, Hawally, Shaab products, frozen foods, dry foods, beverages, more have an opportunity to enter a draw and Al-Kout locations. confectionary and many more.” Malaeb and win a round trip ticket for two from The Australian Food Festival was inaugu- added: “Addition to importing more than Etihad Airways including an eight day seven- rated under the patronage of the Australia 1,000+ products and in line with TSC’s contin- night stay at a luxury hotel in Australia. TSC Ambassador to Kuwait Warren Hauck, along uous focus on healthy living, we are expand- Reward card holders will also receive triple with TSC’s Group International and Non-Food ing our range to include more organic and the points on any Australian product pur- Commercial Director, Makram Malaeb and gluten free products, not only from Australia chased from TSC participating stores during Commercial Director, Bassam Zantout. but from other global markets as well. the festival. Attendees also included TSC management “Australian produce is fresh, it is clean, and To mark the closing of the event, officials team and members of the Kuwait community. it is some of the best in the world” said from the Australian embassy, management Ambassador Hauck. “I am very pleased that as and media representatives, were invited to a Wide selection part of the celebrations around Australia Day, reception at Jeans Grill, a restaurant known Following the inauguration, attendees we have been able to partner with the Sultan for its wide array of international cuisine and toured the store and had an opportunity to Centre to showcase our products” Hauck local dishes with specially prepared Australian sample a wide selection of Australian food added. dishes served for the occasion. products. According to Makram Malaeb, Attendees expressed their satisfaction and The various theme week events hosted by “Given Australia’s natural resources, it’s no sur- appreciation for the tasting stations and for TSC across the year have been extremely suc- prise that it produces some of the world’s best the extensive selection of products on display cessful and reaffirm TSC’s continued commit- quality agricultural, dairy and meat products. and highlighted throughout the store. The ment to providing its customers quality inter- TSC organizes the Australian Food Festival to store ambience evoked a true Australian national goods.

Emirgan Sutis hosted lunch for journalists

n an Upscale atmosphere filled with glamour honor of journalists and media professionals at delicious Turkish cuisine with the highest stan- ing team, who celebrated with the invited guests Mohammed Nasser Al-Hajiri and sons Company is and originality, the Mohammed Nasser Al- the Turkish Restaurant ‘Emirgan Sutis’ in Menus dards of hospitality. The audience was greeted by the occasion of the release of new and innovative a leading company in food and management of IHajiri and sons Company hosted a lunch in complex- Mangaf. The restaurant is a fine and company officials in addition to the full market- Turkish dishes to the restaurant’s menu. restaurants and cafes in the State of Kuwait. CBSE appoints Dr Binumon as pre-exam counsellor The Center for Continuing

r V Binumon, the Principal of The Indian harnessing stress and stress-related problems. ways is the wisdom to move ahead in life with a Education at AUK Organizes Community School Kuwait, has been The CBSE annual counselling is an outreach pro- healthy competition. When the students are writing a CMA Open Seminar Dappointed as a counsellor for Kuwait region gram which is carefully designed keeping the het- exams, what one writes is not as important as how as part of the CBSE annual pre-examination coun- erogeneity of students’ population and geographi- one writes. The students who are stressed should he Center for Continuing ment accounting domain; and at a cal spread. Multiple modes of communication such have a fear-free environment to produce great Education (CCE) at AUK will be personal Level, it provides profession- as telephonic counselling, Question Answer results in exams. This is the purpose of providing holding a Certified Management als with higher opportunities for columns in newspapers and online counselling one with the pre-exam counselling. Students who T Accountant (CMA) informative session career promotion in the management through CBSE website are used to reach out to have any stress related issues regarding the exami- next Tuesday, February 2nd. The semi- accounting positions, together with more and more examinees during this phase. nations may feel free to contact Dr V Binumon nar is an initiative from CCE to raise higher job packages CBSE Tele-Counselling is offered by Principals between 8:00 pm and 10 pm on all days from 2nd awareness among the professional The CCE CMA program is suited for and trained counsellors from within CBSE affiliated February, 2016 to 20th April, 2016. community about the CMA credential university graduates or working pro- schools located inside and outside India. It is a vol- and professional value at both person- fessionals, with at least two years of untary, free of cost service provided by the counsel- Arab Culture al and corporate levels. professional experience in lors. This year 76 Principals, trained counsellors from The seminar will take place on Management accounting and or CBSE affiliated government and private schools and Diwaniya Tuesday at 1:45pm- 3:15pm at room financial management or in the areas few psychologists will participate in Tele- number B-205 at the AUK campus. The specified by IMA. Counselling and address exam related psychologi- seminar will be open to public and The CMA courses will be delivered cal problems of the students. 60 of them are avail- ain insight into Arab culture through our free weekly diwaniya, where you free of charge. Following the introduc- by Dr Ayman Haddad- Associate selling. This is the 19th consecutive year that CBSE able in India while 16 are located in Nepal, Japan, tory Seminar, CCE will be launching its Professor of Accounting at AUK; Robin will provide psychological counselling services to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Sultnate of Gwill discover and celebrate anything Arab through art, history, language, food, first CMA course, starting February Bhattacharya - CMA, CFA, recipient of students at the time of preparation as well as during Oman, Al Khobar), UAE (Sharjah, Dubai, Ras Al- 9th. Gold Medal Award for attaining the the examinations to overcome exam related stress. Khaimah) and Kuwait. and traditions, past and present. After a 15- minute presentation on a selected topic by The course is designed to prepare world’s highest exam scores; and Yaser The Pre-Examination counselling for students and For the seventh year CBSE has arranged to pro- participants for the CMA (Certified Al-Natour - CMA, CPA parents will begin from the 1st of February and will vide counselling to differently abled children to take local professionals, you will have the chance to apply new skills, ask questions, practice Management Accountant) test, CCE was established in 2004 and, in continue up to 22nd April, 2016. The counselling care of the needs and anxiety of special children. enabling professionals to master addition to offering language courses session will be carried out telephonically and Dr V CBSE experts will answer queries of students Arabic and socialize among friends over refreshments. finance functions and deliver value in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, Binumon can be reached at the mobile number through weekly Question Answer columns to be within their organizations, as well as offers an array of courses and work- 00965 98821027 between 8:00 pm and 10 pm on all published in major national dailies during the Wednesdays at 7pm Wellness Circle: Stress equipping them with a competitive shops aimed to assist in the personal days from 2nd February, 2016 to 20th April, 2016. Dr month of February. Information related to examina- advantage in today’s complex busi- and professional development of indi- V Binumon is trained personnel who has a brilliant tions and techniques to cope with exam related Relax. You deserve it, it’s good for you, and it is easier than you think. You don’t ness environment. viduals and groups within the public record as an Education Counsellor and is empathet- anxiety is also provided at the CBSE website The aim of the CMA program is and private sectors. Course offerings ic to the needs of students. He has undergone www.cbse.nic.in through micro link Helpline. need a spa weekend or a retreat. You will learn a new way of thinking, which will help twofold; at a corporate level, it is are specifically tailored to meet the courses and training in Neuro-Linguistic As challenges are a part of one’s life at different aimed at enhancing the knowledge needs of their clients, whether they Programming and Hypnotherapy as well. stages, one of the challenges during school years is you get rid of stress. Tuesday, Februrary 9 and 23 at 7pm base and professional recognition of are independent groups or corpora- Simultaneous to the counselling session, students learning to handle examination pressure. Therefore, expertise acquired in the manage- tions. and parents shall be instructed on techniques of equipping oneself to form these emotions in simple Villa No 67, Street 413, Block 4, Shuhada WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 Sheraton Kuwait and Four Points by Sheraton Kuwait Wins 14 Medals at Horeca Kuwait 2016

heraton Kuwait and Four Points by Sheraton Moving to the “Plated dessert presentation” and Kuwait participated in Horeca 2016 exhibi- “Chocolate showpiece” each chef competing Stion specializes in the field of food and bev- received bronze medals; in addition to gold medals erage and hotels equipment winning 14 medals, for “Ice carving” and “Fruit and Vegetable carving” including six gold, three silver and five bronze where they showcased their talent as an art signa- medals in addition to the 7 merit certificates in ture. And finally the last merit certificate for the live cooking competition. The contests had over “Cold sandwich competition”. 250 participating chefs from inside and outside Fahed Abushaar - General Manager of Sheraton Kuwait, noting that these contests were evaluat- Kuwait praised the efforts made by the culinary ed by a group of international referees and media team of Sheraton Kuwait and Four Points by specialists in the art of cooking Sheraton Kuwait who have always and its origins. distinguished themselves with Various awards were present- the keenness to provide the high- ed to the contestants where the est standards of quality. Fahed hotel managed to get two gold bestowed the medals and merit medals, one silver and one bronze certificates to the team of cooks in medal in the “Live meat competi- the presence of the departments’ tion” and two gold medals, one heads and many employees bronze medal and a merit certifi- thanking them for their desire cate in the “Competition from bas- and passion to accomplish a great ket” contest. In regards to the “Live work. Abushaar thanked as well traditional mezza” chefs were Chef Frank Noack - Director of awarded with one bronze medal Culinary for his successful team and a merit certificate, for the management and guidance “Cold platter of fish, poultry meat” which have strengthened the they gathered one silver medal presence of Sheraton Kuwait and and two merit certificates in addi- maintained the high level of quali- tion to merit certificates for each ty service; and this is what the “Six plated dinner set menu” and hotel assures through a message “Sushi competition” contests and a extended to fifty years of success silver medal in the “Cold canapes”. and excellence.

HORECA - 2016 Winners Chef Crishan Shanilka Chef Hussein Haydar

Chef Nishad Sasiharan Chef Nuan Sanjeewa

Chef Priyashantha Samparth Chef Raja Solaiyappan The winners celebrating with the team Holiday Inn Salmiya won 15 awards at Horeca Kuwait 2016

oliday Inn Salmiya won 15 able to achieve two golden medals in Showpiece Competitions, and one for Competition. Inn Salmiya celebrated with all their awards in eleven different culi- two different competitions awarded Chef Ranga Gayan in the Three Tier The team of chefs in Holiday Inn talented chefs this great achievement Hnary competitions that were to Chef Nuan Sanjeewa in the Live Decorated Wedding Cake and the last Salmiya also has achieved five Merit which in turn reflects the reasons held during the Horeca Kuwait 2016 Fruits and Vegetables Carving for Chef Sampath Priyashantha in the Certificates in the Bread Creation behind the hotel standing out in hos- exhibition for Hospitality and Food Competition and Chef Priyashantha cold platter competition. competition awarded to both chefs pitality and outside catering fields. For companies as they were competing Samparth in the Cold Canape Another four bronze medals were Ali Gaber and Raja Solaiyappan, Three all types of events either grand or inti- with a number of talented chefs and Competition. awarded to Chef Ranga Gayan in the Tier Decorated Wedding Cake compe- mate, the Holiday Inn team is always participants and evaluated by interna- Also the team of Chefs were able to Single Tier Novelty Cake competition, tition and Single Tier Novelty Cake delighted to bring to your event the tional referees, the event was attend- achieve four silver medals two of Chef Sampath Priyashantha in the Six awarded to chef Nuan Sanjeewa, Chef finest ingredients, highest level of ed by the leading hotels, food compa- them awarded to Chef Nual Sanjeewa Course Dinner Menu Competition and Crishan Shanilka in the Cold Sandwich Hospitality and personalized services nies and suppliers. in the Three Plated Dessert Chef Nishad Sasiharan and Hussein Competition, to ensure your event is an overwhelm- Holiday Inn Salmiya chefs were Presentation and The Chocolate Haydar in the Arabic Live Cooking The management of the Holiday ing success. Chef Ranga Gayan Marina Hotel Kuwait scooped 6 medals at Horeca Kuwait 2016

he talented chefs of Marina Hotel Kuwait scooped six medals at Horeca Kuwait 2016.The Thotel participated in Horeca Kuwait 2016 for the fifth year in a row. This year’s exhibition saw the partici- pation of all the leading hotels, food industries and food companies in Kuwait. A culinary competition was organized for chefs attracting a large number of participants during the event. Marina Hotel chefs participated in this competi- tion with great interest and enthusiasm and won six medals, two of which were gold medals. Talking about their participation in the exhibition, Nabil Hammoud, General Manager of the hotel said: “We consider HORECA to be an important event and hence participate every year; it provides us with a plat- form for future business opportunities. We pride our- selves on the talents of our professional chefs.” Horeca Kuwait, the Hospitality and Food Exhibition, is a comprehensive event covering the hospitality, catering and food industry sectors in Kuwait and the region. The Culinary Art Show, which is part of the exhi- bition, displays the latest culinary concepts and trends, bringing together talented chefs to compete in the dif- ferent food categories. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 TV PROGRAMS

07:40 Jessie 14:20 Coronation Street 08:05 Shake It Up 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 08:55 That’s So Raven 15:35 Pick Me! 09:45 Austin & Ally 16:30 Shetland 10:35 A.N.T. Farm 17:25 Chasing Shadows 00:50 River Monsters 11:25 Jessie 18:20 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 00:15 13 Sins 01:45 Call Of The Wildman 12:20 Hank Zipzer 19:10 Coronation Street 02:15 Call Of The Wildman 02:00 Mama 12:45 Fish Hooks 19:35 Pick Me! 04:00 Guardians Of The Galaxy 02:40 Dinosaurs In The Outback 13:10 Good Luck Charlie 20:30 Shetland 03:35 Tanked 06:15 The Bourne Legacy 13:35 I Didn’t Do It 21:25 Chasing Shadows 08:30 The Hulk 04:25 Gangland Killers 14:00 Dog With A Blog 22:20 Coronation Street 05:15 Gator Boys 11:00 Days Of Thunder 14:30 H2O: Just Add Water 22:50 Emmerdale 13:00 The Marine 4: The Moving 06:02 Treehouse Masters 14:55 Girl Meets World 06:49 Dinosaurs In The Outback Target 15:20 Liv And Maddie 14:45 The Bourne Legacy 07:36 Call Of The Wildman 15:45 Jessie 08:00 Call Of The Wildman 17:00 The Hulk 16:10 Violetta 19:30 Days Of Thunder 08:25 Too Cute! 17:00 The Next Step 09:15 Dinosaurs In The Outback 21:30 The Hunger Games: 17:25 Liv And Maddie Catching Fire 10:10 Treehouse Masters 17:50 Jessie 00:10 Lawless Island 11:05 Tanked 18:15 Austin & Ally 01:00 Taiwan: Island Of Fish 12:00 Too Cute! 18:40 I Didn’t Do It 02:00 Taiwan: Island Of Fish 12:55 Bondi Vet 19:05 H2O: Just Add Water 02:55 Planes That Changed The 13:50 Dinosaurs In The Outback 19:30 Violetta World 14:45 Gator Boys 20:20 The Next Step 03:50 Lawless Island 15:40 Treehouse Masters 20:45 Good Luck Charlie 04:45 Ancient Megastructures 00:00 Mama-18 16:35 Tanked 21:35 H2O: Just Add Water 05:40 Britain’s Greatest Machines 02:00 Guardians Of The Galaxy 17:30 Gangland Killers 22:00 Binny And The Ghost 06:35 Cold Water Gold 04:15 The Bourne Legacy-PG15 18:25 River Monsters 22:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A 07:30 Monster Fish 06:30 The Hulk-PG15 19:20 Bugging Out Teenage Witch 08:25 World’s Creepiest Killers 09:00 Days Of Thunder-PG15 19:50 Bugging Out 22:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 09:20 The Known Universe 11:00 The Marine 4: The Moving 20:15 Tanked Teenage Witch 10:15 Big Fish, Texas Target-PG15 21:10 Gangland Killers 11:10 Air Crash Investigation 12:45 The Bourne Legacy-PG15 22:05 Treehouse Masters 12:05 The Border 15:00 The Hulk-PG15 13:00 Zeb’s River Journey Thailand 17:30 Days Of Thunder-PG15 14:00 Monster Fish 19:30 The Hunger Games: 15:00 Cold Water Gold Catching Fire-PG15 16:00 Big Fish, Texas 22:00 Dragonwolf-18 17:00 Air Crash Investigation 00:20 Misfit Garage 00:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 18:00 Drugs Inc 01:10 Gold Rush 19:00 The Border 02:00 Gold Divers 00:55 The Grace Helbig Show 01:25 Keeping Up With The 20:00 Cold Water Gold 02:50 Catching Monsters 20:50 Air Crash Investigation 03:40 Storage Hunters Kardashians 02:20 E! News 21:40 Drugs Inc 04:05 The Liquidator 22:30 Cosmos: A Spacetime 00:00 Ride Along 04:30 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 03:15 Hollywood Cycle 02:00 Pitch Perfect 04:10 E! Entertainment Special Odyssey Edition 23:20 Britain’s Greatest Machines 04:00 Encino Man 05:00 What Happened Next? 05:05 E! Entertainment Special 06:00 Orange County 05:30 How Stuff Works 06:00 Keeping Up With The 08:00 Streetdance: All Stars 06:00 Siberian Cut Kardashians 10:00 Encino Man 06:50 Cuban Chrome 06:55 Keeping Up With The 12:00 Pitch Perfect 07:40 Misfit Garage Kardashians 14:00 Planet 51 07:50 Style Star 08:30 Storage Hunters 00:00 Marry Me 16:00 Streetdance: All Stars 08:55 The Liquidator 08:20 E! News 18:00 The Love Punch 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 00:30 Mr. Robinson 09:20 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 01:30 South Park 20:00 Cadillac Man Edition 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 22:00 The Starving Games 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 02:00 Man Seeking Woman 09:45 What Happened Next? 02:30 The Big C 10:10 How Stuff Works 12:05 E! News 13:05 House Of DVF 03:00 Last Man Standing 10:35 Gold Rush 03:30 The Goldbergs 11:25 Gold Divers 14:05 Fashion Bloggers 04:00 Men At Work 12:15 Catching Monsters 14:30 Fashion Bloggers 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 13:05 Storage Hunters 15:00 Keeping Up With The Jimmy Fallon 13:30 The Liquidator Kardashians 01:00 My Piece Of The Pie-PG15 05:30 My Big Fat Greek Life 13:55 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 16:00 Keeping Up With The 03:00 Crawl-PG15 06:00 Til Death Edition Kardashians 05:00 Yellow Rock-PG15 14:20 Siberian Cut 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 06:30 Community 07:00 Return To Nim’s Island-PG 15:10 Cuban Chrome 18:00 WAGs 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 09:00 Foreverland-PG15 16:00 Misfit Garage 19:00 WAGs 08:00 Men At Work 11:00 Yellow Rock-PG15 16:50 What Happened Next? 20:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 08:30 My Big Fat Greek Life 13:00 Stone Markers-PG15 17:15 How Stuff Works 21:00 Keeping Up With The 09:00 Last Man Standing 15:00 The Railway Man-PG15 17:40 Running Wild With Bear Kardashians 09:30 The Grinder 17:00 Foreverland-PG15 Grylls... 22:00 Fashion Police 10:00 Melissa & Joey 19:00 Kill The Messenger-PG15 18:30 Dual Survival 23:00 Dash Dolls 10:30 Community 21:00 I Will Follow You Into The 19:20 Troy 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring Dark-PG15 20:10 The Liquidator Jimmy Fallon 23:00 Jamie Marks Is Dead-PG15 20:35 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 12:00 Til Death Edition 12:30 Men At Work 21:00 The Island With Bear Grylls 13:00 Cristela 21:50 Sean Conway - Running 13:30 Community Britain 14:00 The Goldbergs 00:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 01:00 Jodorowsky’s Dune 22:40 River Monsters 14:30 The Grinder 01:00 Staten Island Cakes 03:00 White Bird In A Blizzard 15:00 Melissa & Joey 02:00 Mystery Diners 05:00 The Fold BRICK MANSIONS ON OSN MOVIES HD 03:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 15:30 Mr. Robinson 07:00 Awakenings Quixote 08:55 Randy’s Wedding Rescue 02:05 Henry Hugglemonster 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 16:30 Til Death 09:00 A Beautiful Mind 18:00 The Heart Of The Oak 02:20 Calimero 05:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 11:15 The Fold 09:45 Jon & Kate Plus 8 18:00 Last Man Standing 13:00 Manny 20:00 Daddy I’m A Zombie 10:10 Little People, Big World 02:35 Zou 00:35 Weird Or What? 06:00 Chopped 18:30 The Goldbergs 15:00 Se Puder... Dirija! 22:00 Blackie And Kanuto 02:50 Loopdidoo 01:20 How It’s Made 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 10:35 My Five Wives 19:00 Modern Family 16:45 A Beautiful Mind 23:30 The Adventures Of Don 03:05 Art Attack 02:08 Strangest Weather On Earth 08:00 Chopped 11:25 Cake Boss 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 19:00 Jersey Boys Quixote 0:00 Motive For Murder 03:30 Henry Hugglemonster 02:55 How The Universe Works 09:00 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 11:50 The Autistic Gardener Jimmy Fallon 21:15 What’s Love Got To Do With 01:00 Jack The Ripper 03:45 Calimero 03:42 Mythbusters Special 12:40 Randy To The Rescue 21:00 Mr. Robinson It 02:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 04:00 Zou 04:29 Weird Or What? 10:00 The Kitchen 21:30 The Nightly Show With Larry 23:30 Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life 13:30 Belief 03:00 Motive For Murder 04:15 Loopdidoo 05:16 Strangest Weather On Earth 11:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics Wilmore 14:20 Oprah: Where Are They 04:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 04:30 Art Attack 06:03 How The Universe Works 22:00 South Park Now? 05:00 Jack The Ripper 04:55 Henry Hugglemonster 06:50 Prototype This 12:00 Chopped 22:30 You’re The Worst 00:45 A Fighting Man-PG15 06:00 Killer Kids 05:05 Calimero 07:37 How Do They Do It? 13:00 Guy’s Big Bite 15:10 Jon & Kate Plus 8 23:00 The Big C 02:15 Admission-PG15 07:00 The FBI Files 05:20 Zou 08:23 Weird Or What? 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 15:35 Little People, Big World 04:15 Fatal Instinct-PG15 08:00 The FBI Files 05:30 Loopdidoo 09:08 Mythbusters 15:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 01:00 Isa-PG15 06:00 Next Goal Wins-PG 09:00 Private Crimes 05:45 Art Attack 09:53 Prototype This 16:00 Chopped 16:50 My Five Wives 03:00 A Gift Of Miracles-PG15 08:00 Non-Stop-PG15 09:30 Frenemies 06:10 Henry Hugglemonster 10:38 How It’s Made 17:00 The Kitchen 05:00 Dragonheart 3: The 10:00 In My Dreams-PG15 17:40 Cake Boss 10:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 06:20 Calimero 11:23 Stephen Hawking’s Universe 18:00 Siba’s Table Sorcerer’s Curse-PG15 11:45 Ashes-PG15 18:05 Say Yes To The Dress 11:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 06:35 Zou 12:08 How The Universe Works 18:30 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 07:00 Penguins Of Madagascar 13:30 The Amazing Spider-Man 2- 18:30 Secret Eaters 12:00 Beyond Scared Straight 06:45 Loopdidoo 12:53 Prototype This 19:00 Chopped 00:00 Chicago Fire 09:00 The Last Days On Mars PG15 19:20 My Giant Life 13:00 I Didn’t Do It 07:00 Art Attack 13:38 Weird Or What? 20:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 11:00 High Moon-PG15 16:00 Non-Stop-PG15 14:00 Crime Stories 07:25 Henry Hugglemonster 14:23 How It’s Made 21:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 01:00 Quantico 20:10 Randy To The Rescue 12:45 Get On Up-PG15 18:00 Curve-PG15 15:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 07:35 Calimero 15:10 Mythbusters 22:00 Man v Food 02:00 Rosewood 21:00 An Hour To Save Your Life 15:00 Brick Mansions-PG15 20:00 The Imitation Game-PG15 16:00 Private Crimes 07:50 Zou 15:57 Stephen Hawking’s Universe 23:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 03:00 Allegiance 21:50 The Day I Almost Died 17:00 Before I Go To Sleep-PG15 22:00 Unbroken-PG15 16:30 Frenemies 08:00 Loopdidoo 16:44 How The Universe Works 04:00 Good Morning America 19:00 Hot Pursuit-PG15 22:40 Long Island Medium 17:00 The FBI Files 08:15 Art Attack 17:31 Prototype This 06:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 21:00 Make Your Move-PG15 18:00 Beyond Scared Straight 08:35 Henry Hugglemonster 18:18 Mythbusters 07:00 Royal Pains 23:00 Bad Words-18 19:00 Crime Stories 08:50 Calimero 19:05 Weird Or What? 08:00 American Crime 20:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 09:00 Zou 19:50 Food Factory 21:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 09:20 Loopdidoo 20:40 How The Universe Works 00:10 The Chase 09:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:05 Emmerdale 10:00 Quantico 22:00 Private Crimes 09:35 Art Attack 21:25 How It’s Made 22:30 Frenemies 22:15 Mythbusters 01:30 Coach Trip 11:00 Royal Pains 10:00 Calimero 00:45 Curvy Brides 00:15 China Moon 23:00 Bill Cosby: The Women 10:10 Zou 23:00 Food Factory 02:00 Coronation Street 12:00 Coronation Street 01:10 Curvy Brides 01:55 Intacto 00:30 Dixie And The Zombie Speak 10:25 Loopdidoo 23:45 How The Universe Works 02:30 Murdoch Mysteries 12:30 Coronation Street 03:45 The Sharkfighters 03:25 Vera Rebellion 01:35 Long Island Medium 10:40 Miles From Tomorrow 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:00 Duplex 05:15 Pick Me! 02:00 Egon And Donci 02:00 Body Bizarre 11:05 Sofia The First The Floating 14:00 American Crime 03:30 The Tale Of The Princess 02:50 My Five Wives 06:30 The Man In The Iron Mask Palace 06:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 08:40 Miracles 07:05 Coach Trip 15:00 Live Good Morning America Kaguya 03:40 Secret Eaters 11:45 Jake & The Never Land 10:05 Seven Years In Tibet 07:30 Vera 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 06:00 Echo Planet 04:30 Jon & Kate Plus 8 Pirates 08:00 Cher Ami 12:20 George Washington 12:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:15 California Investigator 09:20 Murdoch Mysteries 18:00 American Crime 05:00 Little People, Big World 10:00 The Heart Of The Oak 13:45 Impromptu 00:00 Jungle Cubs 12:35 Doc McStuffins 00:40 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 10:15 The Chase 19:00 Complications 05:30 Cake Boss 11:30 The Olsen Gang In Deep 15:30 Music Of The Heart 00:25 Aladdin 13:00 Sofia The First 01:30 The Haunted 11:10 Coach Trip 20:00 The Night Shift Trouble 06:00 Say Yes To The Dress 17:35 The Beautiful Country 00:50 Gummi Bears 13:30 Jake & The Never Land 02:20 Ghost Lab 11:35 Pick Me! 21:00 The Night Shift 13:00 Egon And Donci 06:25 Randy To The Rescue 19:35 Puckoon 01:20 Lilo And Stitch Pirates 03:10 House Of Horrors: 12:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 22:00 Supergirl 14:30 Blackie And Kanuto 07:15 Hoarding: Buried Alive 21:00 Dracula 2000 01:45 Cars Toons 14:00 Miles From Tomorrow Kidnapped 13:25 Emmerdale 23:00 The X-Files 16:00 The Adventures Of Don 22:40 Four Rooms 01:50 Zou 14:25 Special Agent Oso 03:35 House Of Horrors: 13:50 Coach Trip 08:05 Extreme I Do’s 14:40 The Hive Kidnapped 14:50 Handy Manny 04:00 California Investigator 15:15 Jungle Junction 04:45 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 15:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 05:30 The Haunted 06:20 Deadly Affairs 16:00 Sofia The First 07:10 True Crime With Aphrodite 16:25 Jake & The Never Land Jones Pirates 08:00 Dr G: Medical Examiner 16:50 Doc McStuffins 08:50 On The Case With Paula 17:15 Zou Zahn 17:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:40 Fatal Encounters 17:55 Loopdidoo 10:30 Murder Shift 18:10 Miles From Tomorrow 11:20 Deadly Affairs 18:35 Jake & The Never Land 12:10 True Crime With Aphrodite Pirates Jones 19:00 Sofia The First 13:00 The Will 19:25 Jungle Cubs 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 19:50 Aladdin 14:40 California Investigator 20:15 Gummi Bears 15:05 Dr G: Medical Examiner 20:40 Jake & The Never Land 15:55 Fatal Encounters Pirates 16:45 On The Case With Paula 21:05 Miles From Tomorrow Zahn 21:30 Sofia The First 17:35 Murder Shift 21:55 Doc McStuffins 18:25 I Almost Got Away With It 22:10 Jake & The Never Land 19:15 The Will Pirates 20:05 Deadly Affairs 22:35 Miles From Tomorrow 20:55 True Crime With Aphrodite 23:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jones 23:30 Sofia The First 21:45 California Investigator 22:10 Who On Earth Did I Marry? 23:00 Deadly Sins 23:50 Deadly Women 00:00 Programmes Start At 7:00am KSA 07:00 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 07:25 K. C. Undercover 00:00 Violetta 07:50 Supa Strikas 00:45 The Hive 08:15 Annedroids 00:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 08:40 Lab Rats Teenage Witch 09:10 Kirby Buckets 01:40 Hank Zipzer 09:35 Wander Over Yonder 02:05 Binny And The Ghost 10:00 Rocket Monkeys 02:30 Violetta 10:25 Ultimate Spider-Man 03:15 The Hive 10:50 Boyster 03:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A 11:45 Pair Of Kings Teenage Witch 12:35 Lab Rats 04:10 Hank Zipzer 13:30 Phineas And Ferb 04:35 Binny And The Ghost 14:20 Kickin’ It 05:00 Violetta 15:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 05:45 The Hive 15:15 Rocket Monkeys 05:50 Mouk 15:40 Wander Over Yonder 06:00 Lolirock 16:05 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 06:25 Sofia The First 16:30 Kirby Buckets 06:50 That’s So Raven 16:55 Gamers Guide To Pretty 07:15 Gravity Falls MAMA ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD Much Everything Classifieds

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016

FOR SALE Kuwait Toyota Yaris 2013 Saloon, KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO dark grey color, excellent WEDNESDAY (28/01/2016 TO 03/02/2016) condition. KD 1950. Mob: 50994848. (C 5123) 2-2-2016 SHARQIA-1 FANAR-2 AVENUES-2 AMERICAN HERO 12:15 PM STANDOFF 12:45 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 12:15 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 2:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 2:45 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 3:15 PM CHANGE OF NAME ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 4:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 4:45 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 6:15 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 6:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 6:45 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 9:15 PM AMERICAN HERO 8:00 PM STANDOFF 8:45 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 12:15 AM I, Abdulla Khan AMERICAN HERO 9:45 PM STANDOFF 10:30 PM Munirudeen, S/o Abdulla AMERICAN HERO 11:30 PM STANDOFF 12:15 AM AVENUES-3 Khan, holder of Indian AMERICAN HERO 1:15 AM AMERICAN HERO 11:45 AM FANAR-3 AMERICAN HERO 1:45 PM Passport No: J5547890, SHARQIA-2 RIDE ALONG 2 12:30 PM D.O.B. 02.12.1965, residing CONCUSSION 12:00 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 2:15 PM AMERICAN HERO 3:45 PM CONCUSSION 2:30 PM RIDE ALONG 2 5:15 PM AMERICAN HERO 5:45 PM at No. 204B, 5th block, 7th CONCUSSION 5:00 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 7:00 PM AMERICAN HERO 7:45 PM street, Bharathwaj Nagar, CONCUSSION 7:30 PM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 10:00 PM AMERICAN HERO 9:45 PM Mudichur, Chennai 600048, CONCUSSION 10:00 PM RIDE ALONG 2 1:00 AM AMERICAN HERO 11:45 PM CONCUSSION 12:30 AM shall henceforth be known FANAR-4 AVENUES-4 as Abdulla Khan Kaleem SHARQIA-3 CONCUSSION 12:15 PM CONCUSSION 12:00 PM Ullah Khan. (C 5124) STANDOFF 11:45 AM CONCUSSION 2:45 PM CONCUSSION 2:45 PM STANDOFF 1:30 PM CONCUSSION 5:15 PM CONCUSSION 5:30 PM 2-2-2016 STANDOFF 3:30 PM CONCUSSION 7:45 PM CONCUSSION 8:15 PM STANDOFF 5:15 PM CONCUSSION 10:15 PM CONCUSSION 12:45 AM CONCUSSION 11:00 PM I, Ameya Makarand THE BOY 7:00 PM Dhongade, holder of Indian STANDOFF 9:00 PM 360º- 1 THE BOY 10:45 PM FANAR-5 Passport No: M1041651, THE BOY 1:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 1:00 PM STANDOFF 12:45 AM THE BOY 3:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 3:15 PM R/o 5, Runanubandh THE 5TH WAVE 5:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 5:30 PM Society, Park Avenue, D.P. MUHALAB-1 THE BOY 7:30 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 7:45 PM EXPOSED 11:45 AM THE 5TH WAVE 9:30 PM DARKNESS DESCENDS 10:00 PM Road, Aundh, Pune 411007, EXPOSED 1:45 PM THE BOY 12:05 AM DARKNESS DESCENDS 12:15 AM Maharashtra, changed my NO FRI+SAT name as Amey Makarand ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 1:45 PM MARINA-1 FRI+SAT 360 º 2 Dhongade. (C 5121) AMERICAN HERO 12:45 PM EXPOSED 12:30 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 3:45 PM THE 5TH WAVE 2:30 PM 1-2-2016 ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 5:45 PM AMERICAN HERO 4:45 PM EXPOSED 2:45 PM EXPOSED 7:45 PM AMERICAN HERO 6:30 PM DARKNESS DESCENDS 5:00 PM EXPOSED 9:45 PM THE 5TH WAVE 8:15 PM EXPOSED 7:15 PM EXPOSED 11:45 PM AMERICAN HERO 10:45 PM EXPOSED 9:30 PM ACCOMMODATION AMERICAN HERO 12:30 AM EXPOSED 11:45 PM MUHALAB-2 Sharing accommodation AMERICAN HERO 1:00 PM MARINA-2 360º- 3 AMERICAN HERO 2:45 PM CONCUSSION 11:45 AM STANDOFF 12:00 PM available for decent execu- SAALA KHADOOS - Hindi 4:30 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 2:15 PM STANDOFF 2:00 PM tive bachelors/ family at AMERICAN HERO 6:45 PM CONCUSSION 4:15 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 4:00 PM Abbassiya. Separate bath- RIDE ALONG 2 8:30 PM CONCUSSION 6:45 PM STANDOFF 6:00 PM AMERICAN HERO 10:30 PM CONCUSSION 9:15 PM STANDOFF 8:00 PM room/ balcony. Near United AMERICAN HERO 12:15 AM CONCUSSION 11:45 PM STANDOFF 10:00 PM Indian School. Contact: STANDOFF 12:05 AM MUHALAB-3 MARINA-3 50903076. (C 5122) CONCUSSION 11:30 AM EXPOSED 11:30 AM 1-2-2016 CONCUSSION 2:00 PM EXPOSED 1:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 CONCUSSION 4:30 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 3:45 PM CONCUSSION 12:00 PM CONCUSSION 7:00 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 5:45 PM CONCUSSION 2:30 PM CONCUSSION 9:30 PM RIDE ALONG 2 8:00 PM CONCUSSION 5:00 PM Prayer timings CONCUSSION 12:05 AM EXPOSED 10:00 PM CONCUSSION 7:30 PM EXPOSED 12:05 AM CONCUSSION 10:00 PM Fajr: 05:16 FANAR-1 CONCUSSION 12:30 AM AMERICAN HERO 12:00 PM AVENUES-1 Shorook 06:37 AMERICAN HERO 2:15 PM RIDE ALONG 2 12:45 PM AL-KOUT.2 AMERICAN HERO 4:15 PM RIDE ALONG 2 2:45 PM RIDE ALONG 2 12:15 PM Duhr: 12:02 RIDE ALONG 2 4:45 PM AMERICAN HERO 6:15 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 2:00 PM Asr: 15:05 THE REVENANT 8:00 PM RIDE ALONG 2 6:45 PM LOST IN THE SUN 8:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 4:00 PM AMERICAN HERO 11:00 PM RIDE ALONG 2 10:45 PM ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP 6:00 PM Maghrib: 17:27 AMERICAN HERO 12:45 AM MIN DAHAR RAGEL - Arabic 8:00 PM RIDE ALONG 2 12:45 AM Isha: 18:46

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 2/2/2016 FBA 831 Al Najaf 14:15 Departure Flights on Tuesday 2/2/2016 JZR 324 Al Najaf 14:25 Airlines Flt Route Time AXB 393 Kozhikode 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 14:55 BBC 143 Dhaka 00:05 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 MSC 415 Sohag 00:05 KAC 672 Dubai 14:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 QTR 1079 Doha 15:10 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:20 KAC 788 Jeddah 14:50 MSC 404 Asyut 00:55 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:55 FBA 832 Al Najaf 15:15 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KNE 472 Jeddah 15:05 MSC 416 Sohag 01:00 AXB 394 Kozhikode 15:20 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:30 BBC 143 Chittagong/Dhaka 01:35 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 THY 772 Istanbul 01:05 NIA 251 Alexandria 15:30 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:35 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 DLH 635 Doha 01:35 KAC 562 Amman 15:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:30 KAC 617 Doha 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:35 KAC 613 Bahrain 15:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 JAD 301 Amman 15:55 KAC 381 Delhi 03:30 KAC 741 Dammam 15:55 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 KNE 473 Jeddah 16:05 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 FDB 051 Dubai 16:30 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 FDB 067 Dubai 03:05 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:40 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 NIA 252 Alexandria 16:30 RJA 644 Amman 03:05 KAC 542 Cairo 16:55 FDB 068 Dubai 04:00 OMA 646 Muscat 16:30 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 JAD 302 Amman 16:40 QTR 1076 Doha 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:15 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:20 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:30 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:25 JZR 325 Al Najaf 17:50 QTR 1077 Doha 05:00 JZR 238 Amman 17:30 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 MSR 614 Cairo 17:50 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:35 JZR 503 Luxor 04:25 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 THY 765 Istanbul 05:15 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 THY 6376 Istanbul 05:05 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JZR 560 Sohag 06:10 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 KAC 502 Beirut 18:00 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 FDB 063 Dubai 18:05 THY 6376 Dubai/Istanbul 06:35 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 FDB 5061 Dubai 06:30 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 680 Muscat 18:25 RJA 645 Amman 07:05 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 06:55 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:30 THY 771 Istanbul 07:05 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 07:15 ABY 123 Sharjah 18:45 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:10 MSR 615 Cairo 18:50 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:20 QTR 1080 Doha 18:55 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:10 QTR 1086 Doha 07:40 KAC 742 Dammam 19:05 FDB 054 Dubai 08:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:20 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KAC 614 Bahrain 19:10 QTR 1087 Doha 08:40 ABY 124 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 302 Mumbai 07:50 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:25 BAW 156 London 08:45 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:50 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:30 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 OMA 641 Muscat 08:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 OMA 642 Muscat 08:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:35 KAC 354 BLR 08:15 KAC 618 Doha 19:35 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 361 Colombo 20:45 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 104 London 19:40 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 KAC 351 Kochi 20:50 KAC 352 Kochi 08:30 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 KAC 513 Tehran 09:45 QTR 1081 Doha 20:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 343 Chennai 21:00 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:50 KAC 541 Cairo 09:55 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 362 Colombo 08:50 KAC 101 London/New York 09:55 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 561 Amman 10:00 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 09:10 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:55 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 QTR 1088 Doha 21:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:25 DLH 634 Doha 21:45 QTR 1070 Doha 09:25 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 KAC 501 Beirut 10:30 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 IRC 6507 Shiraz 10:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:55 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:00 QTR 1089 Doha 22:00 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:10 UAE 873 Dubai 11:05 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 IRC 6508 Shiraz 11:30 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:10 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:00 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 KAC 203 Lahore 22:10 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:05 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 FDB 075 Dubai 12:25 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:25 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 JZR 561 Sohag 12:45 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 KAC 679 Muscat 13:00 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 23:00 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR 239 Amman 23:05 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 QTR 1083 Doha 23:05 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 FDB 076 Dubai 13:10 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 KAC 382 Delhi 13:50 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30 KAC 205 Islamabad 23:10 FDB 057 Dubai 14:10 THY 764 Istanbul 23:50 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:15 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:55 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 FDB 060 Dubai 23:35 KAC 514 Tehran 14:10 MSC 403 Asyut 23:55 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 PIA 240 Sialkot 23:35 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 CROSSWORD 1156 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22)

At this time, you may actively be concerned about the welfare of others in Relations with a spouse or business partner are on solid ground. Mental your business-or people who work under you. Your creative ideas are good-ready to be stimulation from others is most helpful for you right now. It is a good idea to make every applied to any situation. You are buoyed with confidence to succeed at any project you effort to move with gentle action and low tones when communicating with others. A attempt. This is an excellent time to sway others to your cause through speeches or argu- heavy-duty project should have great success when you give it your attention. You may ments-your thinking is most lucid. In addition, this is a good time to lead the way on a experience some negativity during a group discussion this afternoon-patience; this is project, for your originality is unusually heightened. Companionship with others is most short-lived. You will find good results happen when you find extra time to spend with a rewarding. To you dreamers of impossible dreams, you just might make them come true difficult person-listening is a good thing. At home this evening you find enjoyable inter- today. Do not let your high spirits get too far ahead of the discipline and attention to actions with young people. Stability and permanence satisfy a deep emotional need. detail necessary to make any dream a reality. Expressing affection should come easily and is good for your disposition.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

You are realistic about your abilities and expectations for success. Your There is a perfect balance between your career needs and personal needs nature will most likely be very calm, as you take a serious attitude to your life. This is an today. Neither side of you has to struggle with the other. You have a supersensitive excellent time to set aside some time alone and get many things accomplished. You feel awareness of the moods and needs of others, making this an excellent time to run semi- that you are able to handle difficult situations. Good advice is available if you need it. nars or work with groups. This evening there may be offers to expand your talents-learn Something electric is in the air and your charisma shines! Your ability to effectively com- or express yourself in writing, music, poetry, etc. We are always evolving into a new cycle, municate with friends and colleagues is increased. The practical use of your time and pas- learning, moving and encountering new experiences. You may feel as though you are sion will most certainly pay off nicely. This evening is a good time to be with friends or blocked if you do not put forth the effort to go for the whole experience. You are loved ones. You may attract a new love interest-if you are interested. If you are not extremely creative and when given the opportunity to excel in your field of talent-you involved in a love relationship, you could be soon. excel! Trust in your wonderful self! This is an extremely creative period.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Job interviews or proposals for advancement can be positive and possible Someone may try to fool you this morning-careful! On the positive side, it is now. You may experience a great deal of misunderstanding in your profes- a good day to just reflect or help others. On the negative side, there may be a failure to sional life at this time. There may be conflicts about the direction of certain projects or . . . ACROSS DOWN communicate. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Also, it’s important at this time not to let People working under you may not perform to your standards. This may also be a magi- 1. A numbered compartment in a post office 1. Large dark brown North American arbore- personal relationships interfere with your work. You might accomplish more to sit alone cal time for you. The situations of today point to the exact changes you must make to where mail is put to be called for. al carnivorous mammal. as you work. If possible, save the new projects for another day just now. Leisure activities really feel that you are on the right path of your life journey. Opening up to a close friend 4. Realize beforehand. 2. A drama set to music. could be enjoyed after your workday has ended. Playing side by side in a close relation- may help you gain a focus. You may find yourself helping a young person with a project 11. Showing your contempt by derision. 3. An imaginary elephant that appears in a ship or with close friends builds fun memories: fishing, sports, cooking, crafts, etc. Do not or homework this evening. You will be inclined to engage in conversations of a serious series of French books for children. hide beneath a shell-open up to loved ones this evening. Ask questions, become involved matter with loved ones. Relationships are in good shape! 15. A federal agency established to coordi- in their daily concerns. nate programs aimed at reducing pollution 4. A federally chartered savings bank. and protecting the environment. 5. A midwestern state in north central 16. Make sharp or sharper. United States in the Great Lakes region. 17. (prefix) Indicating difference or variation. 6. Common house rats. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 18. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on 7. A mistake in printed matter resulting from Your search to find ways in which to add to the finances is becoming suc- There is much contemplative thinking about your work today. There a skewer usually with vegetables. mechanical failures of some kind. should also be a great deal of communication, which could prove 8. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat cessful. It may be possible that a part-time job opportunity has surfaced. 20. An extended area of land. While in the middle of a project today you will want to put in some effort to not become most beneficial with people of the opposite sex. Problems in the workplace may 21. Adherents of an exclusive system of reli- trimmed off. distracted. If you have a door, close it or push it almost closed and place a note on the door surface-or emotional problems at home may seriously interfere with your concen- gious beliefs and practices. 9. An international organization of European that says, “hard at work; no interruptions please.” this is a feel good day and much will be tration at work. Concentrate on the job at hand first! There are opportunities later 22. A river that rises in northeastern Turkey countries formed after World War II to accomplished! The time is ripe for a sudden and unexpected change in the normal routine to clear away any problems. You will notice some financial growth that has not (near the source of the Euphrates) and flows reduce trade barriers and increase coopera- of family life. You could be planning a move soon, or a family member pitches in to help been previously available. You may, however, have to move quickly in order to secure a tidy profit. generally eastward through Armenia to the tion among its members. you with your extra job. Caspian Sea. 10. The Uralic language spoken by the 24. Of or related to a musical scale. Yeniseian people. 26. A lawman concerned with narcotics vio- 11. Tropical American insectivorous bird Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) lations. having a long sharp bill and iridescent green or bronze plumage. Business dealings may be particularly fruitful today. You may find that many 27. A trivalent metallic element of the rare You should take note not to be controlling with superiors. You will find your- 12. The twelfth month of the civil year. projects come to completion, especially the large ones. Finally, you will be able to work on a earth group. self a magnet to others and may enjoy a group luncheon today. People just flock to you 29. Earlier a god. 13. (Norse mythology) Goddess of old age new project. A co-worker or a customer needs help and you have the appropriate under- and enjoy your company. Interactions with the opposite sex on a professional level may standing and knowledge. Most would not find a volunteer bone in their bodies, too many 30. (Irish) Chief god of the Tuatha De who defeated Thor in a wrestling match. occur often today. All of the world loves a lover and today that is you! What a day to 14. A training program to prepare college other things on the agenda. You however, quickly volunteer to help and lend your expert- Danann. declare your love for someone! This is a great time for new beginnings! Your awareness of ise to the needs of another. Without asking, you will pitch in and solve problems quickly. 34. Salted roe of sturgeon or other large fish. students to be commissioned officers. relationships far outstrips your ego’s needs. Do not waste a day like this by being alone. This is a time when you can expect a little boost; some recognition from those around you 38. A unit of length equal to one thousandth 19. Attribute to a source or cause. You are very congenial-smile! Once you clear away the more base feelings of love, you will is certain. There is plenty of fun to go around . . . Enjoy. In addition, romance is heightened in of an inch. 23. (botany) Of or relating to the axil. turn a relationship into a higher, more meaningful one. Your relationship grows deep. your personal relationships. 39. Flesh of any of various freshwater fishes 25. A purplish dye obtained from orchil of the families Centrarchidae of North lichens. 28. Greek coloratura soprano (born in the America or Cyprinidae of Europe. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 40. (law) A defense by an accused person United States) known for her dramatic inten- purporting to show that he or she could not sity in operatic roles (1923-1977). 31. Tropical American tree bearing a small Keep marching; you must keep moving in order to keep up today. This is This is not a good time to make any concrete decisions about a relationship have committed the crime in question. one of those days when the leads keep coming in to reach the sales quota you have always or business deal. The decisions and actions of today will have long-lasting effects. Think 42. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue. edible fruit with green leathery skin and wanted to make. Hey, the total sales by the end of your day could be expanded if you tape things through and give your answer or thinking on a particular matter later. Your path of 44. The compass point that is midway sweet juicy translucent pulp. your card to the bottom of the products you sell. Your name will be passed around to lots self-development and expression is becoming more and more unusual-setting you apart between north and northeast. 32. Fairly small terrestrial ferns of tropical of people and your customers count will continue to grow. Parental instincts may come to from the crowd and from all that is traditional. This may mean a shift from your normal job 45. Civilians trained as soldiers but not part America. the forefront now and you make every effort to please most anyone. With your additional description-an opportunity to excel. You show a great deal of interest in all family matters, earnings this month you will be able to purchase that large television. You may purchase particularly the general living environment in the home. Further, you may find yourself talk- of the regular army. 33. A sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury. flowers for the table this afternoon. You may even find that you are quite talented at enter- ing or listening to the family members of your household on a one-on-one basis. A new 48. An early French settler in the Maritimes. taining young folks. Future plans are developing. understanding is unfolding. 50. (usually followed by `to') Naturally dis- 35. The 1st letter of the Hebrew alphabet. posed toward. 36. The visual percept of a region. 51. A tax on employees and employers that 37. A place where planes take off and land. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 41. An acute inflammatory disease occurring is used to fund the Social Security system. in the intestines of premature infants. 52. Marked or decorated with stripes. 43. A hormone produced by the anterior 53. (Greek mythology) The Muse of comedy pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal and pastoral poetry. cortex. 55. The district occupied entirely by the city 46. A small bottle that contains a drug (espe- of Washington. cially a sealed sterile container for injection 57. A very poisonous metallic element that by needle). has three allotropic forms. 47. (Hinduism) An ascetic holy man. 58. The fatty flesh of eel. 49. Remove offensive capability from. 59. 10 hao equal 1 dong. 54. (of a ship or plane) Sideways drift. 61. The longer of the two telegraphic signals 56. A high-crowned black cap (usually made used in Morse code. of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey 63. An upright tripod for displaying some- and Iran and the Caucasus. thing (usually an artist's canvas). 60. Port city on southern Honshu on Osaka 68. Danish philologist whose work on Old Bay. Norse pioneered in the field of comparative 62. A member of a seafaring group of North linguistics (1787-1832). American Indians who lived on the Pacific 71. A large number of things or people con- coast of British Columbia and southwestern sidered together. Alaska. 72. Low stingless nettle of Central and South 64. An Arabic speaking person who lives in America having velvety brownish-green Arabia or North Africa. toothed leaves and clusters of small green 65. Being the only one. flowers. 66. A three-tone Chadic language. 74. The basic unit of money in Western 67. Type genus of the Anatidae. Samoa. 69. Someone who works (or provides work- 77. A barrier constructed to contain the flow ers) during a strike. or water or to keep out the sea. 70. God of love and erotic desire. 78. Be obedient to. 73. An edge tool with a heavy bladed head 79. The dead body of an animal especially mounted across a handle. one slaughtered and dressed for food. 75. Date used in reckoning dates before the 80. A loose sleeveless outer garment made supposed year Christ was born. from aba cloth. 76. A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

Yesterday’s Solution

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Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. 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Omer Eltigani (center), a young British Sudanese pharmacist, and his relatives eat the Sudanese ‘Mahshi’ (stuffed Omer Eltigani vegetables) serves that he Sudanese prepared at “Mahshi” his aunt’s (stuffed house in vegetables) Khartoum. that he —AFP photos prepared. In a Khartoum kitchen, a pharmacist serves up a Sudanese rarity: A cookbook

Omer Eltigani prepares Sudanese “Mahshi” (stuffed vegetables), at his Omer Eltigani prepares Sudanese “Mahshi” (stuffed vegetables), at his Omer Eltigani serves Sudanese “Mahshi” (stuffed vegetables) that he aunt’s house. aunt’s house. prepared.

reparing vegetables in a quiet Khartoum Manchester to study pharmacy. “I was living at family recipes, cooking with his two aunts, and Sudan’s cuisine will win it fans around the world. olive oil-in restaurants but they will never try neighborhood, pharmacist Omer Eltigani uni and I really missed my Mum’s food, so I visiting restaurants, markets and museums to “What grows in the area, that definitely shapes the best unless they eat with a family, he says. Phopes not just to serve up the dish an would go home and ask her for recipes that gather background he hopes to include in the what is made here,” he said, heading back to the Eltigani’s aunt Salwa, dressed in bright tradi- aunt is teaching him, but also the first cook- were my favorite things,” the lean, unshaven book. “It’s about placing the food in its context,” kitchen in his aunts’ house. In the troubled tional robes, has been happy to help out, and book to bring Sudanese cuisine to the rest of 31-year-old said, taking a break in the kitchen. Eltigani said. The book will include around 40 Darfur region, the locally grown sorghum grain is thinks the project is “excellent”. the world. Straddling Africa and the Arab “I just got the idea of writing down what I was recipes and is aimed at foreigners and also milled to form assida, a porridge-like lump “It’s a strange thing, something nice,” she world, Sudan’s cooking has not tickled foodies’ taking with me and making it while I was at Sudanese looking to learn more about their served with stews, while groups living along the smiled. With the stuffed vegetables cooked, palates as much as its Ethiopian neighbors or uni.” He learned to cook from scratch, starting country’s cooking. But his insistence on tying Nile eat tilapia and Nile perch caught from the Eltigani carried them on a tin dish to his young Levantine rivals. But with his aunt Salwa watch- with the dish he missed the most the local vari- cooking to Sudan’s turbulent history has made river, marinated and often served with a rocket cousins and aunts sitting round a table in the ing on from the corner of the kitchen in his ant of lamb meatballs popular across the difficulties in finding publishers in Britain, who salad. house’s communal courtyard in the early grandparents’ house as he stuffed courgettes, region, served in a thick Sudanese tomato and would prefer just a book of plain recipes, he said. evening light. They helped themselves to the aubergines and tomatoes, Eltigani said he garlic sauce. He started sharing his recipes with “You can’t really not talk about politics and ‘Made for sharing’ dish in appreciative silence, as Eltigani said he hopes to change this with his cookbook, the cousins, eventually setting up a website and talk about Sudan,” he shrugged. Mixing Arab and The importance of cooking with his family is hopes to finish the book around April. As the country’s first not written in Arabic and aimed found people from all over the world were African influences, Sudan was colonized in the that Sudan’s best food is not to be found in family ate from the shared tin tray, he admit- at foreign diners. interested in trying his recipes. In October, he 19th century by the Ottomans and then by restaurants or at food stalls lining the capital’s ted that his favorite part of Sudanese cooking The project-dubbed Sudanese Kitchen-was decided to dedicate himself to writing the Britain and Egypt jointly until 1956. Its post-inde- streets.” For me Sudanese cooking is from the will be hard to convey in his book. “The dishes originally born of his homesickness. Eltigani, book, quitting his job and travelling to pendence history has been blighted by civil war, home,” Eltigani said after he had finished stuff- made are made for sharing,” he said, wiping his who was born in Dublin, then lived in Khartoum in January for a 10-day research visit. military dictatorship, unrest and poverty. Each ing the vegetables with rice, minced meat, fingers after taking a bite from a stuffed pota- Khartoum until he was seven, when he moved period has affected the way Sudanese people dried coriander and raisins. Foreigners in to dripping with red sauce. “When you’re eat- to Britain. Wherever the family went he had his Politics at the table eat, Eltigani said, a fact he wants to be central to Khartoum can enjoy delicious Nile fish or fuul- ing together you feel like you’re part of a com- mother’s home cooking until he went to From his aunts’ house, he has been collecting his book. But he also hopes the richness of cooked fava beans flavored with cumin and munity.” — AFP Michelin crowns Paris hotels under cloud of top chef’s suicide

rance’s Michelin guide gave the country’s most famous chef a much-prized third Fstar but stripped another of his establish- ments of its top ranking yesterday as the restaurant world reeled after the apparent sui- cide of the “world’s best chef” Benoit Violier. Alain Ducasse, 59, picked up the highest rating for his restaurant at Paris’ swish Plaza Athenee hotel while he lost a star for another of his tables in the French capital at the equally opu- lent Le Meurice hotel. But with the pressure top chefs face high- lighted by the death of French-born Violier on Sunday-just two months after his Swiss restau- rant was named the best in the world-the guide raised eyebrows by stripping a star from another restaurant whose founder had also This file photo taken on March 15, 1984 in Saulieu, central France, shows late French chef killed himself. Bernard Loiseau shot himself Bernard Loiseau in front of his restaurant, as France’s Michelin guide reduced “Le Relais with his hunting rifle in 2003 after another Bernard Loiseau” from three to two stars yesterday. — AFP photos guide, the Gault & Millau, lowered the rating of his renowned establishment in the Burgundy ners in the new Michelin ratings, going rude good health. Paris-long criticized for the region. straight in with two stars for his Grande quality and value for money of its cuisine in Loiseau’s widow Dominique said yesterday Maison restaurant, which opened in Bordeaux comparison to the provinces-has made partic- she was “shocked and disappointed” by the 18 months ago. Ducasse said it had deserved ular progress, he claimed. “Of the 380 tables decision to reduce the Relais Bernard Loiseau three stars. Ellis said the guide’s feared army of that have entered the guide for the first time, to two Michelin stars after 25 years at the top In this Dec 17, 2015 file photo, French Swiss Chef Benoit Violier of the restaurant Hotel de anonymous inspectors notorious for punish- 100 are in Paris. It is proof that the city is more of the table. But the guide’s US-born interna- Ville in Crissier, Switzerland, poses with his trophy for the best restaurant of the World dur- ing the slightest slippage in its exacting stan- than ever a place where chefs want to cook,” tional director Michael Ellis defended his ing the award ceremony of “La Liste” (The List) at the French Foreign Ministry in Paris. dards, had found French gastronomy to be in he said. — AFP inspectors’ judgment. “It was a difficult deci- sion but it is part of the job,” he said. “We made stone’s throw from Ducasse’s Plaza Athenee numerous visits to be absolutely sure.... I hope outpost. But Le Squer told AFP he was not in a the Relais Bernard Loiseau gets the star back mood to celebrate after Violier’s death. “The as soon as possible.” whole gastronomic world is in tears because we lost a great colleague and friend,” he told Ramsay loses out AFP. Ellis praised Ducasse for his “brave deci- Big name British chef Gordon Ramsay’s sion to come up with a style of cooking Trianon restaurant at Versailles was also down- around the idea of ‘naturalness’” at the hotel, graded, dropping to just one star. Police are while he described Le Squer as “a real virtuoso. still investigating the circumstances of Violier’s “Every dish by Christian Le Squer is a real work death near Lausanne in Switzerland. Like of art, a shining example of what French gas- Loiseau, he was found with his hunting rifle by tronomy does best,” he added. his side. Several of France’s greatest chefs have pulled out of the Michelin in the past, claiming Robuchon on the up the pressure it puts on them and their staff While Ducasse has built a global restaurant was too great. Violier retained his three brand on the reputation he has won in France, Michelin stars for the Restaurant de l’Hotel de the British-based World Best Restaurant list Ville at Crissier when its Swiss guide was pub- has been skeptical of his genius. His Plaza lished in November. Athenee restaurant languishes at 47th in its Even so, his death cast a shadow on the rankings, although the alternative French- announcement of the new French guide, the based La Liste-which claims a more scientific biggest day in the country’s gastronomic cal- basis for its ranking system-placed his Monaco endar. The big winners this year were luxury restaurant Louis XV as the world’s 17th best. International director of the Michelin guide book Michael Ellis (center) and the director of Communications and Brands, and Executive hotels in the capital, with chef Christian Le Joel Robuchon, who was La Liste’s highest Committee Member of the Michelin Group, Claire Dorland-Clauzel (3rdR) pose with newly named France’s three-stars, two-stars and one- Squer bringing a third star to the George V, a rated chef overall, was one of the biggest win- star chefs, yesterday in Paris, during the launch of the 2016 France’s Michelin Guide. lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 FEATURES Women’s rock climbing gains foothold in Iran

Iranian female rock climber, Farnaz Esmaeilzadeh, scales a natural cliff in a mountainous area outside the city of Zanjan. — AP photos

Farnaz Esmaeilzadeh, scales a natural cliff in a mountainous area outside the city of Zanjan.

n the mountains of northwestern Iran, Farnaz Esmaeilzadeh clings to a sheer rock face, ignor- Iing the dizzying height and icy wind as she Farnaz searches for the next handhold. The 27-year-old, Esmaeilzadeh, who has been rock climbing since she was 13, has scales a climbing distinguished herself in international competitions gym in the city of despite the barriers she faces as a female athlete in Zanjan. conservative Iran. Gyms in the Islamic Republic, including the facility where she practices on an artificial climbing wall, have separate and limited hours for women. Rock climbers, like other female athletes, must adhere to the country’s conservative dress code by wearing long, loose garments and covering their hair. “For me, climbing rocks is part of life, a symbol of overcoming the barriers of life,” Esmaeilzadeh said. “What I do is to change things that people think are norms. I feel there is no difference between men Farnaz Esmaeilzadeh, warms up in a gym ahead of rock climb- and women.” Some 200 Iranian women compete in ing training session. nationwide rock climbing events, and many more climb recreationally. Up in the mountains, away from the morality police, women and men can climb together. But women are not allowed to work with male coaches, denying them access to the country’s most experienced trainers. Esmaeilzadeh has nevertheless competed in two World Cups held by the International Federation of Sport Climbing and is ranked 21st worldwide in women’s speed climbing. She gives climbing les- sons to other women in order to raise money to take part in international competitions, but she is worried she won’t be able to afford to compete in the IFSC World Championship held in Paris in September. “International championships begin in about three months, and my biggest mental con- cern is whether I can afford to participate at all,” she said. Here is a gallery of images by AP photographer Ebrahim Noroozi of Esmaeilzadeh training at the Farnaz Esmaeilzadeh approaches cliffs in a mountainous area gym and in the mountains outside her hometown outside the city of Zanjan. of Zanjan, Iran. — AP Farnaz Esmaeilzadeh, top left, scales a wall in a rock climbing gym as her mother and her friend support her. Eric Church, Chris Stapleton lead ACM nominations ric Church and Chris Stapleton lead the nomi- nees for the 51st annual Academy of Country EMusic Awards with five nominations each, including male vocalist and album of the year. In nominations announced yesterday, Church earned a first-time nod for entertainer of the year, along with Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan - co- hosting the show with Dierks Bentley - and Miranda In this file photo, Eric Church performs at the 49th annual CMA This file photo taken on January 26, 2014 shows Tony Iommi (left), Ozzy Osbourne Awards at the (center) and Geezer Butler (right) of Black Sabbath posing in the press room after Bridgestone winning Best Metal Performance for ‘God is Dead?’ during the 56th Grammy Awards Arena in at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. — AFP Nashville, Tenn. — AP Black Sabbath postpone the year category for his “Traveller,” as both artist earned a 10th nomination for vocal group of the and co-producer. Chris Young, Thomas Rhett and year, as well as nominations for single record of the Sam Hunt are also nominated for album of the year and video of the year for “Girl Crush.” As a year. Stapleton, 2015’s breakout country artist with group, they also earned a nomination for vocal shows on final tour as Ozzy ill four Grammy nominations, also earned nomina- event of the year for “Smokin’ And Drinkin’” with tions for new male vocalist of the year and vocal Miranda Lambert, while singer Karen Fairchild eavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath States on September 21 in Phoenix, Arizona. event of the year for “Hangover Tonight” with Gary received an individual nomination in the same cat- have postponed two shows on what The British band, whose influential first Allan. Bentley, Aldean and Brett Eldredge also are egory for “Home Alone Tonight” with Luke Bryan. Hthey say will be their final tour after album came out in 1970, has vowed that vying for male vocalist. Lambert, who earned three Eli Young Band, Old Dominion and Rascal Flatts frontman Ozzy Osbourne fell ill. Black the concerts will be the last and called the nominations overall, earned her 10th consecutive all earned nominations for vocal group of the year. Sabbath scrapped plans to play Saturday in tour “The End.” Osbourne, 67, is one of the nod for female vocalist of the year; she’ll compete New singer Chris Janson earned three nominations Edmonton, Alberta and announced that the quintessential figures in heavy metal, against Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, for his work as artist and co-producer on “Buy Me a band would also push back another known for his fascination with the occult Kelsea Ballerini and Jana Kramer. Boat,” up for single record of the year, and for new Canadian show scheduled in Calgary. The and on-stage theatrics. He has gone on to First-time ACM nominee Cam received four male vocalist. Rhett earned his first album of the band said in a statement that it was post- have a successful solo career. Previous nominations, including new female vocalist and year nomination for “Tangled Up,” as well as nods poning the shows as Osbourne suffers efforts for a final tour were clouded by con- video of the year for “Burning House.” The single for his No. 1 hit, “Die a Happy Man,” for single record “extreme sinusitis” and that the concerts cerns over the health of guitarist Tony also earned Cam a dual nomination for artist and of the year and new male vocalist of the year. In the would be rescheduled, with dates to be Iommi, who has suffered lymphoma. Iommi producer in the single record of the year category. vocal duo category, wife and husband duo Joey + announced later. was one of the creators of the heavy metal Lambert. Church also earned nominations for video Singer Chris Young also received four nominations, Rory earned a nomination as Joey Feek is strug- Black Sabbath on January 20 opened a sound, taking the blues as the musical base of the year for “Mr Misunderstood,” and vocal event for his work as artist and co-producer on his latest gling with terminal cancer. Also nominated in that tour in Omaha, Nebraska that will crisscross but tuning his guitar down to a dark minor of the year for “Raise ‘Em Up” with Keith Urban. album, “I’m Comin’ Over,” and for single record of category were Brothers Osborne, Florida Georgia the world before ending back in the United key with intense distortion. — AFP Stapleton earned two nominations for album of the year for the album’s title song. Little Big Town Line, Dan + Shay and Maddie & Tae. —AP lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 FASHION

Muslim Woman Show

Non-professional models present hijabs and dresses during the Muslim Woman show in Dakar, on the eve of World Hijab Day. — AFP photos lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 FEATURES

Doll collector, producer and trader, Mananya Boonmee holding a “luuk thep” (child angel) doll as she offers “Luuk thep” (child angel) dolls sitting on a table as doll collector, producer and trader, Mananya Boonmee (center) prayers during a religious ceremony at the Bangchak Buddhist Temple in Nonthaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok. talks on the phone as she and friends order food at a restaurant after a ceremony. Lucky or Chucky? Thai spirit dolls delight and disturb

Mananya Boonmee holding a “luuk thep” (child angel) doll after a religious Mananya Boonmee (cenyer) holding a “luuk thep” (child angel) doll as she A student and helper holding a “luuk thep” (child angel) doll in a car on the ceremony. makes offerings during a religious ceremony. way to a Buddhist temple.

riving to a Buddhist temple on the “I freak out sometimes when I see them on northern fringes of Bangkok, beauty the train,” admitted Lakkhana Ole, a 31-year-old Dsalon owner Natsuda Jantaptim is run- graphic designer from Bangkok who says she ning through her youngest daughter’s likes and spots dolls increasingly often around the city. A dislikes. “We sleep in the same bed together, poll this week by Bangkok’s Suan Dusit she has her own pillow and blankets,” she told Rajabhat University found two thirds of Thais AFP, her daughter sitting quietly in the front saw the dolls as something positive if it gave passenger seat. “We didn’t switch the air-con on them direction or helped alleviate loneliness. two nights ago because she was cold. In the But the same poll also found that 72 percent of morning, she likes to drink strawberry milk,” she respondents dismissed them as the hocus- added. On first reckoning, it sounds like the pocus of overly superstitious people. everyday observations of a dedicated mother. Except the daughter Natsuda refers to isn’t ‘Damn you, you idiot’ real. Certainly not in the living, breathing flesh “It reflects that society is perverse,” Phra and blood sense. She is a meticulously Buddha Issara, a conservative nationalist monk, groomed plastic doll, part of the latest celebri- famous for his fiery denunciations of commer- ty-fuelled superstitious craze that has swept the cialism with mainstream Thai Buddhism told country-much to the dismay of the kingdom’s AFP. “If you’re lonely... you can just go out and conservative military rulers. Known in Thai as talk to your neighbors, interact more with oth- “luuk thep” (child angels), the pricey dolls, ers, do good things for public, help the blind, which can cost up to $600, were first popu- sweep floors or grow plants,” he added. Asked if larised a little over a year ago by celebrities who he would he bless someone’s doll he replied: claimed dressing up and feeding the dolls had “The only thing they would receive from me is: brought them professional success. ‘Damn you, you idiot.” Believers say the dolls-many of which are Issara’s criticism has been matched by blessed and have sacred scripts drawn on them Thailand’s justice minister, a former general, by a monk-contain the spirit of a real child and and the country’s top police officer, both of must be treated as a living being. The theory whom have publicly fretted that the craze is runs that those who look after their dolls like getting out of control. Phra Ajarn Supachai, a members of the family will see good fortune monk in Nonthaburi’s Bangchak temple has no A collection of “child angel” dolls are displayed at the clothing store of their owner Supavadee Tapmalai. returned to them. As a result, plastic dolls are such qualms. He regularly conducts prayer ses- now taking their seats at restaurant tables, cine- sions for luuk thep dolls and their owners-for a mas and even on airplanes. donation. “People began turning up with the dolls Luck, magic and belief about three years ago,” he told AFP. “Now we Natsuda, 45, lives with her very real 21-year- get around ten people a week.” Natsuda’s friend old daughter. But that has not dimmed her Mae Ning is a regular. Last week she took affection for the doll, auspiciously named ‘Ruay Natsuda to chant prayers as the saffron-robed Jang’ (So Rich). “Since I got ‘Ruay Jang’ my life Supachai anointed all those present, dolls has really changed. For example I won the lot- included, with a stick soaked in sacred water. tery which I had never won before,” she Mae Ning, an avid collector and trader in luuk explained. After praying for help from her doll, thep dolls, believes many Thais are looking for she added, a friend paid back a significant loan comfort in uncertain times. “Some people are after years of fruitless efforts to chase it down. A “child angel” doll is offered food by its stressed about Thailand’s bad economy, its poli- Asked what she would say to those who think A child angel doll sits on owner Supavadee Tapmalai at a Japanese “luuk thep” (child angel) dolls tics, their jobs and finances, so they want some- her credulous she replied: “It’s a personal belief, a chair in Bangkok. restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. sitting on a sofa. thing to attach to,” she explained. I cannot blame those who don’t believe in it but ing good merit. More than 90 percent of Thais and that offerings or the latest lucky charm will the charms helped him solve a murder case. “When people have the dolls, they feel that I believe in what I worship.” identify themselves as Buddhist. But the coun- ward off bad karma. The luuk thep craze appears to have divided they are happy just like they are in another In many ways Thailand’s child angel craze is try’s Buddhism is known for its syncretism, In the late 2000s a style of large amulet Thais. Some see it as a natural extension of their world.”Natsuda, admits many find her attach- simply the latest manifestation of a deeply comfortably blending many animist and Hindu became the latest “must have” item-often sell- merit-making traditions while others deride it ment to Ruay Jang unusual. “But honestly I superstitious society that places enormous traditions into daily worship. Many Thais fer- ing for thousands of dollars each-following the as a commercial ruse and symbol of the dumb- don’t care because what I do doesn’t cause any- emphasis on warding away bad luck and mak- vently believe in good and malevolent spirits- death of a popular police officer who claimed ing down of Buddhism. one trouble,” she said. — AFP

“Luuk thep” (child angel) dolls sitting on a sofa at the house of doll collector, producer and trader, Mananya A student and helper arranging the necklace of a “luuk thep” (child angel) doll at the house of doll collector, pro- Boonmee (not pictured) in Nonthaburi on the outskirts of Bangkok. ducer and trader, Mananya Boonmee (not pictured). Lucky or Chucky? Thai spirit dolls delight and disturb

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 39

A costumed reveler blows bubbles while waiting for the performance of the “Angel flight” or “Flight of the dove” from the bell owert of Saint Mark’s square (Piazza San Marco) to officially launch the Venice Carnival. The 2016 edition of the Venice carnival has for theme “Creatum” and runs until February 9. — AFP WWI ‘spy’ Mata Hari brought to life in new Dutch ballet early a century after she was shot as life. There she quickly reinvented herself as an alleged spy, the story of the “Mata Hari”, an Indonesian word for “Eye of Nworld’s ultimate femme fatale, Mata the Day” and adopted Javanese dancing in Hari, is to be staged for the first time as a an erotic act that often left little to the ballet in her native Netherlands. “Mata Hari” imagination. Fame of her “exotic beauty” will open to an already sold-out premiere quickly spread across Europe and almost at the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam overnight she became a celebrity, who also on February 6, aiming to bring to life raised eyebrows for her many affairs. “She through dance the woman whose name went to Paris and completely reinvented has become synonymous with unbridled herself. That idea is what intrigues me sensuality and ultimately, fatal betrayal. about her,” said Brandsen. “She became Frisian-born Margaretha Geertruida comparable to somebody like Madonna, or Zelle, known by her stage name Mata Hari, Lady Gaga today. She became famous very was executed by a French firing squad on quickly,” he said. October 15, 1917 after being accused of By 1914 however her popularity was spying for Germany during World War I. She waning and she found herself in Berlin was just 41. In the years before the war, her when war broke out. She was recruited by daring exotic striptease act had brought the Germans to spy on France and Britain. her notoriety, fame and adoration and she’s But today it is widely believed she never widely regarded as one of the world’s first- really took the deadly business of spying ever exotic dancers. Her Oriental “sacred seriously, but rather agreed because of the dances” act in pre-war Parisian halls pushed Dutch National Ballet principal dancer Anna Tsygankova performs during the money-and the glamour. After trying to the boundaries of the buttoned-down rehearsal of “Mata Hari”. — AFP photos reach the front to meet a young Russian mores of the late Victorian era and often four years ago-and when Brandsen shared Deep inside the company’s building officer, her lover at the time, Mata Hari was saw her stripping to little more than a his plans with two-time Grammy-nominat- next to the Amstel River, Brandsen and his arrested by a French officer and charged bejeweled brassiere and a silk veil-making ed British composer Tarik O’Regan, it all co-producers are hard at work. Principle with being a double agent. her an overnight sensation in the French came to life. dancer, Russian ballerina Anna Tsygankova, On a cold October morning she was capital and elsewhere in Europe. More than 60 dancers will perform dur- glided effortlessly through rehearsals to shot in the Parisian suburb of Vincennes. ing the two-hour production featuring a which AFP was given special access. “To Her iconic status as the ultimate femme ‘Dramatic ballet’ kaleidoscope of experiences from Mata touch upon her life story is a great oppor- fatale was cemented in 1931 when Swedish Now her story is being told “en pointe” Hari’s life. Much of the ballet is set in Paris, tunity for me to get to know Mata Hari bet- actress Greta Garbo played her in the film for the first time. “I wanted to make a dra- where she kept a string of lovers said to ter,” Tsygankova, who trained at the Bolshoi “Mata Hari”. Brandsen and Tsygankova say matic ballet... and I was looking for a sub- include famous Italian composer Giacomo ballet, told AFP between sessions. “She is they are telling a story of a free-spirited Turkish police from the Istanbul Police Department ject matter to create dance, so there had to Puccini. “Much like Mata Hari had a fast- an enigma to me. Who can say for sure? woman who got caught up in a changing Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Unit, hold-up be a connection with dance,” said Ted paced life, so do we want to tell her story Was she just a dancer? Was she really a spy, world she didn’t understand. On the day of an original painting by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, Brandsen, Dutch National Ballet director in a fast-paced way on stage,” said or perhaps a victim of her circumstances?” her execution, Mata Hari is said to have “Woman Dressing Her Hair”, in Istanbul. — AP and the show’s choreographer. “Mata Hari Brandsen. Richly complementing the declined a blindfold and blew kisses to her was a person who always fascinated me dance, is a wardrobe of more than 300 lav- Exotic dancer executors. “She died with her head held Turkey police and she was Dutch. A lot of people actually ish costumes designed by Francois-Noel After a rancorous divorce from a Dutch high,” Brandsen said. Mata Hari runs from don’t know that,” Brandsen told AFP. The Cherpin-who began working on the officer in the colonial army left Zelle penni- February 6 to 26 at the Dutch National recover stolen idea of creating a major new ballet began designs three years ago. less, she fled to Paris in 1904 to start a new Ballet in Amsterdam. — AFP Picasso in Istanbul

urkish police have recovered an original painting by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso in an undercover Toperation in Istanbul, state-run Anatolia news agency reported on Saturday. The operation targeted alleged art thieves attempting to sell the painting “Woman Dressing Her Hair” which was stolen from a collector in New York, Anatolia said. Turkish police, posing as potential buyers, met the prospective sellers at a hotel and then at a yacht in an Istanbul marina, the report revealed. The suspects are alleged to have initially demanded 8 million dollars for the painting but later settled on 7 million. The officers then arranged a meeting Friday at a cafe, where they arrested two people, Anatolia said, citing police sources. The woman who appears in the 1940 painting is Dora Maar-Picasso’s lover and long- time muse, who is depicted in grotesque fashion, with sunken ribcage, swollen stomach and enormous feet. The painting was sent to Istanbul’s Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University for examination, Anatolia said. — AFP Anna Tsygankova (center), principal dancer of the Dutch National Ballet, has a cos- Anna Tsygankova (right), principal dancer of the Dutch National Ballet, speaks with tume fitted during a rehearsal of “Mata Hari”. artistic director and choreographer Ted Brandsen during a rehearsal of “Mata Hari”.