Min 03º Max 23º High Tide 01:14 & 15:01 Low Tide SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 RABI ALTHANI 4, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net 08:48 & 20:57 32 PAGES NO: 16412 150 FILS

King Abdullah laid to rest

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia buried King Abdullah yesterday as foreign leaders gathered in the capital for the from the editor’s desk funeral of the ruler of the world’s top oil exporter and the spiritual home of Islam. Abdullah, a cautious reformer who led his kingdom through a turbulent decade in a region shaken by the Arab Spring uprisings and extremism, died early yesterday aged about 90. He was replaced by his half-brother Salman, who moved quickly to consolidate his hold on power and vowed to maintain a steady course for the conserva- A great loss tive kingdom. King Salman joined Gulf rulers and leaders including HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister By Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan Nawaz Sharif for a funeral service at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah mosque. Abdullah’s shrouded body was borne on a simple bier by members of the royal family wearing traditional red-and-white [email protected] checked shemagh headgear. The body was quickly moved to nearby Al-Oud public cemetery where it was buried in an unmarked grave. Citizens were invited to pledge allegiance to Salman at the royal palace. Another of the late monarch’s half-brothers, Muqrin, was named crown prince. In his first he loss of a towering figure such as public statement as the new ruler, 79-year-old King Salman vowed to “remain, with God’s His Highness King Abdullah bin strength, attached to the straight path that this state has walked since its establish- TAbdulaziz Al-Saud will be felt across ment”. He called in televised remarks for “unity and solidarity” among Muslims and the Arab and Islamic world, and the news vowed to work in “the defence of the causes of our nation”. Moving quickly to clear of his demise was received with much sad- uncertainty over the transition to the next generation, Salman named the interior ness. His death is not only a great loss for minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, as second in line to the throne. He also Saudi Arabia, but also for the rest of us in appointed one of his own sons, Prince Mohammed, as defence minister. the Gulf, who looked up to him as a father The rapidity of the decisions startled Saudis, used to a delay of up to figure. The late king continued the devel- several months before top appointments following the deaths of their opment of the country and took major monarchs. The choice of Prince Mohammed was seen by some as a steps towards its future generations. reflection of his strong record in counter-terrorism in his role as interi- However, his contributions reached far or minister. In a country with a young population, many Saudis will beyond his kingdom, as he was a man be unable to recall a time before King Abdullah’s rule, both as known for his generosity and loyalty. monarch from 2005 and as de facto regent for a decade The achievements I would like to high- before that. light the most are those in education. Under Abdullah, who took the throne in 2005, Saudi King Abdullah’s reign saw the develop- Arabia has been a key ally of Washington in the Arab ment of over 28 universities and various world, most recently joining the US-led coalition car- educational research centers. These vast rying out air strikes against the Islamic State group educational facilities will surely pave the in Syria and Iraq. US President Barack Obama future of Saudi Arabia, led by his epony- was quick to pay tribute to Abdullah as a “val- mous university that has spared no ued” ally. expense and effort to develop the sci- As the top producer in the ences in the country. Organisation of Petroleum Exporting King Abdullah was adamant on the Countries, Saudi Arabia has been the driv- education of the Saudi youth, to the ing force behind the cartel’s refusal to slash extent that he nearly quadrupled the output to support oil prices, which have fall- number of Saudi students studying en by more than 50 percent since June. But abroad on government grants. He wanted prices surged yesterday, amid uncertainty over them to experience different cultures and whether the new king would maintain that policy. broaden their minds to ensure that these Saudi Arabia is home to Islam’s holiest sites, leaders of the future are progressive in Makkah and Madinah, and its role as a spiritual their outlook and help the kingdom reach leader for Sunni Muslims has seen it vying for influ- greater heights. ence with Shiite-dominated Iran. Tehran nonetheless King Abdullah’s name will always be offered its condolences, saying Foreign Minister remembered in Kuwait for his courageous Mohammad Javad Zarif would travel to Riyadh to stance against Saddam’s invasion of the take part in official ceremonies today. state in 1990. King Abdullah was the Behind his thick, jet-black moustache and goatee, crown prince at the time, and so great was Abdullah had a shrewd grasp of regional politics. Wary of the rising influence of Islamist movements, Saudi his outrage and eagerness to stand with Arabia has been a generous supporter of Egyptian Kuwait that he was ready to push Saudi leader Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi since the army’s ouster of Arabia into a lone, suicidal war against Iraq Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt if the international community was not declared seven days of official mourning for Abdullah. willing to take action. Saudi Arabia has also played a key role in supporting In recent years, the late king was a opposition to Iran-backed President Bashar Al-Assad of bedrock of stability in a volatile region, Syria, allowing US troops to use its territory to train rebel with his firm stances on political issues fighters. and forward thinking on social matters. A Salman is widely expected to follow closely in simple man with simple tastes, King Abdullah’s footsteps, in foreign and energy policy as well Abdullah devoted his life in serving his as in making moderate reforms to the deeply conservative people and Arab and Muslim causes. He kingdom. Abdullah pushed through cautious changes greatly expanded pilgrimage sites in the while in power, challenging conservatives with moves such kingdom, eradicated the scourge of terror- as including women in the Shura Council, an advisory body. ism and encouraged citizens, especially He promoted the kingdom’s economic development and women, to effectively contribute to the oversaw its accession to the World Trade Organization, tap- society. ping into the country’s massive oil wealth to build new cities, King Abdullah has departed this world, universities and high-speed railways.— Agencies but he has left behind a legacy that is inspiring and lasting. SEE PAGES 2, 3, 4 & 12 CONDOLENCES Kuwait Times management and staff convey their deepest condolences to Al-Saud family and the Saudi people on the sad demise of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 OBITUARY King Abdullah a gradual modernizer New King Salman reassures on succession, policy is changes looked minute to the outside world. But in a kingdom where ultraconservative HMuslim clerics long have held a lock on all aspects of society, King Abdullah’s incremental reforms echoed mightily. When Abdullah took the unprecedent- ed step of opening a new university where men and women could mix in classrooms, part of his gradual campaign to modernize Saudi Arabia, grumbling arose among the hardliners who form the bedrock of the powerful religious establishment. One sheikh dared to openly say that the mingling of genders at the king’s university was “a great sin and a great evil”. Abdullah sent a tough signal: He fired the critic from the state-run body of clerics who set the rules for Saudi life. A picture dated on Jan 29, 1985 in Paris, shows King A picture taken on Feb 11, 2007 shows Russian As one of the world’s largest oil exporters, Saudi A picture taken on July 30, 2010 shows King Abdullah receiving an honor from Lebanese Abdullah, then crown prince, is welcomed by Elysee President Vladimir Putin and Saudi King Abdullah Arabia is governed by a mix of tribal traditions and per- presidential palace general secretary Jean-Louis during an official welcoming ceremony at the airport haps the world’s strictest interpretation of Islam. Its royal President Michel Sleiman at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut. Bianco (left), upon his arrival for a meeting. in Riyadh. family prefers to act quietly in the background, shies away from direct confrontation, avoids putting itself on the line and prefers slow-paced change to radical reform. But King Abdullah, who died yesterday at the age of 90 after nearly two decades in power, acted at times with unusual forcefulness for a Saudi monarch. At home, the results were reforms, including advancements for women, that were startling - for the kingdom at least - and a heavy crackdown against Al-Qaeda militants. Abroad, his methods translated into a powerful asser- tion of Saudi Arabia’s influence around the Middle East. Backed by the kingdom’s top ally, the United States, the king was aggressive in trying to put up a bulwark against the spreading power of Saudi Arabia’s top rival, mainly Shiite Iran, thus shaping the Arab world along A picture taken on June 3, 2009 shows US A picture taken on March 20, 2001 shows then A picture dated Oct 30, 2007 shows King Abdullah new lines - an anti-Iran camp and a pro-Iran camp. President Barack Obama shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah walking with with Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of According to a leaked US diplomatic memo, Abdullah Saudi King Abdullah after he was presented with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat prior Edinburgh before a State Banquet at Buckingham urged Washington in 2008 to consider military action the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit during a bilat- to their meeting in Jeddah. Palace in London. eral meeting in Riyadh. against Iran to “cut off the head of the snake” because of Prince Salman, was announced king after Abdullah’s stations started playing music, forbidden for decades. its nuclear advances. Another memo spoke of how of character, honesty, and trust,” it said. “He expects good-faith consultations, not surprises.” death. Salman, at 79, served as defense minister since Book fairs opened their doors to women writers and Abdullah angrily berated Iran’s foreign minister in pri- 2011. King Salman pledged continuity in energy and banned books. vate that “Persians” had no business meddling in “Arab” King Abdullah was born in Riyadh in 1924 to King Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia. foreign policies yesterday and then quickly moved to His most substantive moves chipped away at the affairs. appoint younger men as his heirs, settling the succes- overwhelming restrictions on women in the kingdom. He pushed Gulf allies into taking increasingly vocal Abdullah’s mother was from a powerful Bedouin tribe known as the Shammar. His strict upbringing was exem- sion for years to come by naming a deputy crown prince Abdullah for the first time gave women seats on the stands against Iran and sought to isolate Syria because from his dynasty’s next generation. Shura Council, an unelected body that advises the king of its alliance with Tehran. In Syria, Abdullah stepped plified by the three days he spent in prison as a young man as punishment by his father for not giving up his Prince Muqrin was elevated from deputy crown and government. He promised women would be able to indirectly into the civil war that emerged after 2011. He prince to crown prince, placing him next in line to the vote and run in 2015 elections for municipal councils, the supported and armed rebels battling to overthrow seat for a visitor, a violation of Bedouin hospitality. Tall and heavyset, Abdullah felt more at home in the throne after Salman. Muqrin, who once oversaw the only elections held in the country. Two Saudi female ath- President Bashar Al-Assad and pressed the Obama kingdom’s intelligence agency, is the youngest of Abdul- letes competed in the Olympics for the first time in 2012, administration to do the same. Iran’s allies Hezbollah Najd, the kingdom’s desert heartland, riding his favorite stallions and hunting with falcons. Even as Saudi Arabia Aziz’s sons at 69. Salman, in his first official decree as and a small handful of women were granted licenses to and Iraqi Shiite militias rushed to back Assad, and the king, named Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin work as lawyers during his rule. resulting conflict has left hundreds of thousands dead was transformed by oil money, Abdullah never appeared comfortable with the trappings of hyper- Nayef as deputy crown prince, making him second-in- One of his most ambitious projects was a Western-style and driven millions of Syrians from their homes. line to the throne. Mohammed, the interior minister, is university that bears his name: King Abdullah University of Across the multiple conflicts, Sunni-Shiite hatreds wealth embraced some of his relatives. Abdullah rose to be appointed head of Saudi Arabia’s National Guard. He the first grandson of King Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud to be Science and Technology, or KAUST. Men and women can around the region took on a life of their own, fueling named as a future heir. The decision helps alleviate share classrooms and study together inside the campus Sunni militancy. Syria’s war helped give birth to the was selected as crown prince in 1982 on the day his half- brother Fahd ascended to the throne. uncertainty over which of Abdul-Aziz’s hundreds of grounds, a major departure in a country where even small Islamic State group, which burst out to take over large grandsons would ascend to the throne. talk between the sexes in public can bring a warning from parts of Syria and Iraq. The growing militancy prompted In 1995, he became the kingdom’s de facto leader after King Fahd was incapacitated by a stroke. During the morality police. But there were limits in how far he Abdullah to commit Saudi airpower to a US-led coalition Opening Up would go, given that the royal family’s legitimacy is tightly fighting the extremists. that time he led national dialogue talks that brought together the country’s various factions, tribes and sects His reign opened up small splashes of variety in the bound up in its alliance with clerics of the hard-line kingdom. Shortly after he came to power, color and glit- Wahhabi interpretation of Islam, which enforces the Iron-Willed to discuss their needs and review their complaints. He took the throne formally in Aug 2005 after Fahd’s death. ter slowly crept to the all-black abayas women must strictest segregation of genders in the world and allows In other countries, King Abdullah was an iron-willed wear in public. The country’s stuffy government-run TV public beheadings and floggings. — Agencies defender of the status quo, standing against any pres- His immediate successor, his half-brother Crown sure from the street to change the autocratic Sunni Arab fraternity of monarchs, emirs and sheikhs who rule the Gulf region from Kuwait to Oman. He also rushed to the aid of Egypt’s military-backed government when it over- threw that country’s Islamist president. He sent Saudi troops to lead a Gulf military force into Bahrain in March 2011 to help the tiny island nation’s monarchy crush Shiite-led protests for greater rights. Abdullah also used a mix of largesse and intimidation at home to quell rumblings for change - announcing a more than $90 billion package of incentives, jobs and services in early 2011 while unleashing riot police to crush scattered street demonstrations, particularly by the Shiite minority in the east. “You could call Abdullah A picture taken on March 22, 1997 at Islamabad A picture taken on Oct 30, 2007 shows King A picture dated April 7, 2010 shows Saudi King sort of the leader of the anti-Arab Spring,” said Ehsan airport shows King Abdullah, then crown prince, Abdullah of Saudi Arabia reviewing the Guard of Abdullah shaking hands with former US president Ahrari, a political analyst in Alexandria, Virginia, who fol- welcomed by Pakistanís President Farooq Leghari Honour with BritainÅfs Prince Philip during a Bill Clinton upon his arrival for a meeting in lows Mideast affairs. Abdullah ultimately strengthened (right) prior to a summit. state visit. Riyadh. the Saudi alliance with the United States with close cooperation against Al-Qaeda and against Iran. US President Barack Obama said of the king shortly after his death that “he was always candid and had the courage of his convictions.” The statement by the presi- dent added that Abdullah’s “steadfast and passionate belief in the importance of the US-Saudi relationship” would be part of the king’s legacy. And when there were policy differences with the US, Abdullah made them clear. He resisted Washington’s pressure to warm to Iraq’s US-backed Shiite prime minister, Nouri Al-Maliki, seeing him as a mere tool of Iran. He was frustrated with US failure to push ahead the Israeli-Arab peace process, particularly after he won Arab acceptance for his broad plan offering Israel peace with all Arab nations if it with- drew from Arab lands occupied in 1967. “Once the king has lost trust in a counterpart, his per- sonal antipathy can become a serious obstacle to bilat- A picture May 25, 2010 shows German Chancellor In this June 3, 2003 photo (from left), King Abdullah II of Jordan, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, US eral relations,” noted a 2010 US Embassy briefing for Angela Merkel standing next to King Abdullah President George W Bush, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. “Reflecting his during a welcoming ceremony on her behalf at and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas stand together for a group photo after their meeting Bedouin roots, he judges his counterparts on the basis the Royal Palace in the Red Sea port of Jeddah. in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

A picture taken on June 21, 2007 shows French In this March 11, 2009 photo, King Abdullah In this Sept 15, 1998 photo, then Crown Prince A picture taken on Oct 20, 1987 in Washington shows President Nicolas Sarkozy shaking hands with speaks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Abdullah presents British Prime Minister Tony Blair then Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah listening to then Saudi King Abdullah prior to a meeting at the (left) and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in the with the highest of Saudi honours, the order of King US President George Bush upon his arrival in the Elysee Palace in Paris. Saudi capital Riyadh. Abdul Aziz ribbon, at 10 Downing Street, London. United States. — AP/AFP photos SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 OBITUARY

Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman (right) talks with Kuwait’s Amir HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Mourners pray by the body of King Abdullah during his funeral at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Al-Sabah during the funeral of King Abdullah at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh yes- Mosque in Riyadh yesterday. terday. Amir mourns death of King Abdullah

KUWAIT/RIYADH: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah expressed much sadness and sorrow over the passing away of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. “The world has lost a great man, and the Arab and Muslim worlds have lost one of their prominent leaders who devoted his life to serving his nation, people and both Arab and Muslim nations, and struggled to promote Arab and Muslim integration, maintain unity and decry differences, strife and extremism,” the Amir said. The Amir commended the late Saudi king as a wise and farsight- ed leader who could address the crises in both Arab and Muslim worlds. The late king effectively contributed to the resolution of many international and humanitarian issues, and advocated inter- faith dialogue purposed to promote peace and coexistence. The Amir said Kuwait, leadership and people alike, will recall with all pride and appreciation the great position and historic and brave support of the late Saudi King Abdullah and his late brother King Fahd during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, not to mention the Saudi people’s support for Kuwaiti citizens. Sheikh Sabah also commended developmental achievements made during the late king’s tenure, and appreciated his great servic- es to Islam and Muslims, primarily expansion projects at the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, which made it very easy for Muslims to perform hajj and umrah. HH the Amir prayed to Allah the Almighty to bless the soul of the late king with mercy in paradise and to bring solace to the Saudi royal family and people. His Highness the Amir wished wellbeing and success for the new King Salman bin Abdulaziz in continuing the kingdom’s progress. HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and an accompanying delegation also attended in Riyadh the funeral serv- ice of King Abdullah. The Amir and the accompanying delegation offered condolences to King Salman, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister Muqrin and the Saudi royal family. Mourners gather around the grave of Saudi King Abdullah at the Al-Oud cemetery in Riyadh yesterday. — AP/AFP photos Cable of Condolences Sheikh Sabah earlier sent a cable of condolences to King Salman, in which he expressed his and Kuwaiti people’s deep sorrow on the death of late King Abdullah and sent sincere condolences to King Kuwait declares 3 days of mourning Salman, his brothers, the Saudi royal family and the whole Saudi people. “With the death of late King Abdullah, the world has lost one of its great men and the Gulf, Arab and Muslim nations lost an out- Festivities cancelled standing leader and strong symbol who dedicated his life to serve his country and people and to defend the causes of his country, KUWAIT: Kuwait has declared three days of of the weekend. following demise of King Abdullah. The higher mourning - Friday, Saturday and Sunday - over The organizing committee of the Fifth committee of Hala February has decided to Arab and Muslim nations,” the Amir said, adding that the late Saudi the death of Saudi King Abdullah yesterday, National Heritage Festival announced yesterday cancel all musical and poetry events, plays and king “was a living example of wisdom, sagaciousness and devotion”. said Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh suspension of all of its activities and events due other entertainment activities, member of the The Amir noted that he has lost with the death of King Abdullah Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. to the passing of Saudi King Abdullah. The sus- committee and chairman of the Hala February a dear brother, a close friend and a companion with him he shared In this regard and upon directives of HH the pension period is three days, said a statement Media Committee Waleed Al-Saqubi told KUNA. burdens and responsibilities. Sheikh Sabah stated that the Saudi Amir the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has by the committee, noting that activities would He explained that people who bought tickets kingdom achieved a comprehensive renaissance under late king announced all government ministries and resume on Monday. Moreover, organizers of the for the events that were cancelled would get Abdullah. He added that the Kuwaiti leadership and people would departments would be closed in sympathy on Qurain cultural festival announced suspension their money back. Ticket holders can come to always remember with a sense of pride the great and supportive Sunday, Jan 25, 2015, the third day of mourn- of their activities for the same reason. the Hala February theater between Jan 26 and stances of the late king towards Kuwait, especially his stances during ing. The Union of Kuwaiti Banks also announced Meanwhile, the Hala February 2015 festival Feb 9 for the refund, he said. However, Saqubi the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, his care of Kuwaitis who fled to the that local banks will not be open for business yesterday announced the cancellation of the said Hala February would continue with its mar- Kingdom during that period and the Saudi Arabia’s massive contri- tomorrow. Friday and Saturday are already part remaining musical and entertainment events keting and promotion activities. — KUNA butions to the Kuwait liberation operation. — KUNA CONDOLENCES

Dr. Ziad, Abd Al-Rahman and Saleh Al-Alyan convey their deepest condolences to Al-Saud family and the Saudi people on the sad demise of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud LOCAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 Saudi King Abdullah: great Arab, Muslim leader

KUWAIT: As the world continues to mourn the great Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the late leader left a tremendous legacy that was based on wisdom and keen interest in serving Arabs and Muslims worldwide. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki Al-Saud was born in Riyadh City in 1924. The late King began his career as head of the Saudi National Guard in 1963, taking charge of what was known as the great development in the Kingdom’s military apparatus. In 1975 King Abdullah also became second Deputy Prime Minister while in 1982, the late leader was also appointed as Crown Prince. During his reign as leader of the nation in 2005, King Abdullah took on the responsibility to carry out the legacy left by his predecessors, leading the Kingdom into new grounds within all domains.

Peace initiative Chiefly amongst his achievements was the Arab peace initiative, which he presented to the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002 before becoming King. The initiative aimed at finding a just solution to the Palestinian cause with an independent state for the long estranged Palestinian people. King Abdullah also focused on reconciliation amongst Palestinians, launching several initiatives in such regards. The late King also had strong views regarding the situation in Syria, calling more than once to the end of bloodshed there. As for Egypt, King Abdullah took some strong political and economic steps to KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah end the situation of discomfort and instability. is greeted by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- On global terrorism, the Saud King always stood Sabah upon returning home after taking part in the late Saudi King against heinous acts conducted in the name of Abdullah bin Abdulazizís funeral. — KUNA Islam and advocated for peace and understanding Amir returns home throughout the world. — KUNA The late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki Al-Saud

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah and other ministers. King Salman bin Abdulaziz: Sabah and his accompanying delega- HH the Amir was accompanied by tion have returned home after taking Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al- part in the funeral of the late Saudi Sabah, Sheikh Faisal Al-Saud Al-Sabah, experienced man of state King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Deputy Chairman of the National HH the Amir was received at the Guard Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al- airport by HH the Crown Prince Jaber Al-Sabah, HH Sheikh Nasser Al- RIYADH: The new Saudi King Salman bin 1954 when was assigned as deputy governor of Prime Minister whilst keeping his Defense Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, HH Abdulaziz Al-Saud is well known throughout the Riyadh province and then the governor until he Ministry post. King Salman was also known for Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al- Kingdom as an experienced statesman and the resigned from the post in 1960. However, he chairing numerous charitable posts in the 1950s Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and man who will fill the gap left by the late 91-year- returned to the governorís post in 1963 on orders and 1960s. Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs old King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud who from the then King Saud bin Abdulaziz. The current swift transition in the leadership and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and Chief ascended the throne in 2005. In 2011, a royal decree was issued assigning came as a result of the 2006 allegiance system set Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and of His Highness the Amir’s Office King Salman bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud him as Defense Minister and by 2012 he assumed by late King Abdullah; thus, allowing King Salman Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad. — KUNA was born in 1935. His political career began in the responsibility of Crown Prince and Deputy to resume his post in leading the nation. — KUNA Kuwaiti officials mourn Saudi King’s demise Late King’s ‘solid, principled positions’ appreciated

Minister of Information and Minister of State First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- Undersecretary at the Kuwaiti Foreign Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah Ministry Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud was a man of of the Arab and Islamic nation. He recalled Foreign Ministry Khaled Suleiman Al-Jarallah Abdulaziz Al-Saud was a great loss for the Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- decisions as well as action and his death is a the heroic stance of late King Abddullah said that Saudi Arabia will overcome obsta- Arab and Islamic nation. Hamad Al-Sabah on Friday expressed the loss to us all. Speaking to KUNA, Sheikh against the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in the ear- cles and persevere despite the gap left by the In a statement issued by KUNA, Sheikh sadness and sorrow of the Kuwaiti govern- Mohammad Al-Abdullah affirmed that the ly hours of August 2, 1990. “For such brave death of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Mubarak Al-Duaij said that King Abdullah bin ment and people over the death of the great Kuwaiti leadership and people share the stance, the name of King Abdullah would last Al-Saud. Speaking to Al-Arabiya news chan- Abdulaziz was a strong individual and out- Arab and Islamic leader, the Custodian of the emotions of sorrow and sadness with the long in the minds of all Kuwaitis”, Ghanem nel, Jarallah said that the swift transition in standing statesman who stood for the rights Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Saudi people, adding that the late King was noted. leadership that occurred after the death of of the Arab and Muslim world both on the Abdulaziz. amongst the important leaders of the Arab the Saudi King was natural and normal, regional and international arenas. During his In a statement to KUNA, Sheikh Sabah Al- and Muslim world. The Kuwaiti Minister said A great individual affirming that however great the loss was, reign which began in 2005, King Abdullah Khaled offered heartfelt condolences to the that King Abdullah did not hesitate in In the meantime, Minister of Information Saudi Arabia will continue to be a strong managed to further develop Saudi Arabia Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the death of defending Arab and Muslim causes through- and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh actor within the regional and international and history will remember his accomplish- the Saudi King, recalling the late King’s great out his career and noted that with his death, Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah scenes. The new King Salman bin Abdulaziz ments for years to come, said the KUNA and noble positions that reflected his broth- every Arab and Muslim has lost a great said that the Arab and Muslim world have Al-Saud is the man who will continue the Director. erly sentiments, political wisdom and ability leader. lost a great man and individual in the death strong legacy left by his predecessors and The late Saudi Monarch was the one to manage many crises which the Arab world responsible for launching the Arab peace ini- underwent during his tenure. tiative plan for the Middle East during the He said the Kuwaiti people still remember, Arab summit which was held in Beirut in with all respect and appreciation, the solid 2003, said Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij, noting and principled positions of the late Saudi that King Abdullah also had his mark in rec- King during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait when onciliation plans throughout the region. he was still crown prince, as he worked with The Kuwaiti official also noted that the other GCC, Arab and Muslim leaders to liber- Kuwaiti people will never forget King ate the State of Kuwait. Abdullah’s stance during the Iraqi invasion in Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled appreciated the 1990, noting that the Saudi efforts then late King’s distinguished positions regarding played an integral part in liberating Kuwait. the GCC affairs, which were in the interest of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij expressed his deep- the GCC member states and contributed to est condolences to the Saudi people over the their stability, security and territorial integrity death of the great leader. in spite of the “stormy events” which hit some Arab neighbors. Constructive efforts He pointed to Arab and international Meanwhile, the Arab Gulf Cooperation appreciation for the late King’s stances, main- Council (GCC) and the Organization of Islamic ly great support for the Palestinian issue and Cooperation (OIC) separately mourned the recent Arab events, especially the situation in late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Syria. Arab, Muslim and world countries and KUNA Chairman of the Board and Director GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif bin OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani The GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif their peoples cannot forget the late King’s General Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al- Rashid Al-Zayani bin Rashid Al-Zayani offered his condolences, noble positions and humanitarian projects Ibrahim Al-Sabah lauding the deceased “great role” in support- based on the values of Islam and humanitari- ing Islamic, Arab and GCC march. He said in a an and ethical principles, as well as his van- Extraordinary statesman of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al- will lead the nation strongly into the future, statement that the deceased held a great guard role and initiatives in the region and Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem Saud. said Jarallah. position in the hearts of GCC people for the world, the Kuwaiti foreign minister noted. expressed meanwhile his profound sorrow Sheikh Salman lauded the efforts of the On Kuwaiti-Saudi relations, Jarallah said constructive efforts he had landed in the This role and such initiatives would remain over the demise of King Abdullah Bin Saudi King both on the regional and interna- that Kuwaitis will forever remember the Saudi back up of GCC march. engraved in the minds of countries and peo- Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia and tional levels, affirming that during his life, stance during the invasion and liberation of On his part, OIC Secretary General Iyad ples for years and decades to come, and the Arab and Islamic nation lost a great King Abdullah effortlessly served his country Kuwait, affirming that the Saudi monarchy Ameen Madani expressed deep sorrow and would be shining marks of political and leader and extraordinary statesman who as well as the Arab and Muslim nations. The and people were among the first that stood sincere condolences to the Royal Family humanitarian history, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled devoted his life to sincere work for the unity Kuwaiti people wish to express their deepest with Kuwait during crisis. and to the Saudi leadership, government added. of all Muslims,” Ghanem, also chairman of the condolences to their brethren in Saudi Arabia and people on the demise of the late Arab Parliament Union, said in a statement. both the leadership and people over this Great loss Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Man of action Ghanem said it was hard to name and great loss, Sheikh Salman said. Also, Chairman of the Board and Director Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. The OIC Secretary Meanwhile, Minister of State for Cabinet remember the enormous achievements and General of Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) General highlighted King Abdullah’s efforts Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- courageous stances the late King Abdullah Strong nation Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah and contributions in supporting the Islamic Mubarak Al-Sabah said that Saudi King had undertaken in the service of the causes On his part, Undersecretary at the Kuwaiti said that the death of King Abdullah bin nation. — KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 Firearms collecting law amendments discussed Government committed to sports achievement: minister

KUWAIT: The parliament’s interior and talks its plans and projects which are cur- defense committee discussed Thursday rently underway. The ministry had briefed amendments to the firearms collecting law. the parliament on the huge support offered Head of the committee MP Adbullah Al- by the government for this purpose accord- Ma’youf told the press that the committee’s ing to the directions of His Highness the meeting touched on amendments pro- Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and posed by the Ministry of Interior in the last His Highness the Prime Minister. In turn, the session of parliament. lawmakers presented their own proposals. One amendment focused on increasing the penalty concerning illegal firearms pos- Asian Cup session to five years in prison and a fine of During the talks, the committee raised the issue of the recent below par form of the national football team which saw the side knocked out of the extremely locally popular Gulf Cup and the Asian Cup con- secutively in the group stages. This notion was shared by the ministry officials, who said that it does not compliment or match the historic reputation and achievements of the side. Additionally, Sheikh Salman said that the ministry would use all tools at its disposal, in line with the rule of law, to take any action deemed necessary, be it through financial or administrative means, to help football regain its former glory days. Kuwaiti sports accomplishments on the regional, continental and international lev- els are not limited to the sport of football ISTANBUL: Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and members of the Kuwaiti delegation attending the final session of the conference. — KUNA but extend to many others, he said, adding that current government support would increase after the adoption of a national Speaker leaves Istanbul MP Adbullah Al-Ma’youf two to five-year strategy. around KD 5,000 or either ruling, said the Accountability mechanism MP, noting that dealing and trading in ille- For his part, committee head lawmaker following PUIC conference gal weapons and firarms will lead to penal- Abdullah Al-Mayouf commended the min- ties of seven years imprisonment and a fine istry plans, however, he expressed concern of KD 50, 000 or either one. He added that over the ministry’s accountability mecha- Kuwaiti MPs offer condolences over Saudi King’s death warrants will be issued by the Minister of nism. The parliamentary committee was Interior or public prosecution with no expecting the Public Authority for Youth inspection carried out without these war- and Sports’ to outline steps that can hold ISTANBUL: Kuwaiti National Assembly (parlia- cause, terrorism, condemnation of recent car- several Arab and Muslim parliament deputies on rants. those he viewed were accountable, includ- ment) Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem and his toons against the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be the sidelines of the gathering. ing Kuwait Football Association (KFA) for its accompanying delegation have left here after Upon Him) and increase in the trade exchange of Athletic potentials mismanagement, and club boards, “who are attending the 10th session of the conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) National dialogue Meanwhile, Information Minister and not carrying out their responsibilities in the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of member states, they told KUNA. Earlier on Thursday, the speaker hailed the State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh holding KFA accountable,” he said. Islamic Cooperation (PUIC), held in Istanbul They reiterated support for the Palestinian final statement of the conference for calling on Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah “However, we did not receive a clear between January 17 and 22. people, rejected Islamophobia and denounced “belligerent” parties in Yemen to implement the pledged the government’s commitment to response on this matter,” he added. This par- In pre-departure remarks, Kuwaiti members the use of violence and terrorism in response to outcomes of the national dialogue, including the supporting all sports and harnessing athlet- ticular issue is expected to be postponed to of parliament on Friday commended the final blasphemy, Kuwaiti members of parliament said. peace and national partnership agreement, to ic potentials in Kuwait. a later meeting between the two sides, communique of the conference which conclud- The conferees also called on the UN to adopt a bring their country out of the current turmoil. After meeting with the parliament’s aimed at “reaching a solution that satisfies ed earlier on Thursday. The conferees came up clear-cut resolution incriminating blasphemy The conferees called on the OIC member youth and sports committee, he said the the public and sports on the national level,” with a set of resolutions and recommendations against religions and prophets in order to ensure states to scale up the moral and material support Ministry of Youth Affairs had outlined at the he concluded. — KUNA on several major issues, primarily the Palestinian peaceful coexistence, they demanded. to Yemen in order to maintain the country’s uni- ty, security and stability, Ghanem said, noting Gulf Initiative that all conferees expressed profound concern Acting speaker reacts to On Yemen, the gathering urged all warring over the situation in Sanaa. parties there to commit to the Gulf Initiative and All delegations of the OIC member states its executive mechanism as well as the outcomes offered mutual concessions in order to create controversy over banned daily of the national dialogue, while reaffirming sup- consensus on the topics of the agenda of the port for Yemen’s security, stability and territorial conference which coincided with delicate condi- KUWAIT: Acting Speaker of the National Assembly Mubarak Al- integrity, they said. The Kuwaiti members of par- tions in the Islamic world, he pointed out. They Khurainej on Thursday regretted the accusations leveled against liament spoke highly of Kuwait’s key role in sent a clear message to the West about the His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- bringing divergent views among countries clos- defamatory cartoons against Prophet Hamad Al-Sabah and National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al- er. They also offered sincere and heartfelt condo- Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) while con- Ghanem against the backdrop of the withdrawal of the license of a lences to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the demning the terrorist acts. local daily. death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud The OIC parliamentarians agreed to use the “It’s unacceptable for anybody whether under dome of Abdullah Al-Salem (parliament) hall or elsewhere to make any earlier yesterday. parliamentary channels to bring the viewpoints offending comments or level ungrounded accusations against oth- The Parliamentary Union of the Organization of their countries closer to each other and er citizens or state officials,” he told reporters. of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States address the internal problems of the OIC mem- Reaffirming trust in the integrity of the judiciary, Khurainej (PUIC) announced the launch of its “secretaries ber states through an objective and viable per- called on anybody who might have documents or evidence for general association”. spective, he went on to say. their accusations in this regard to present them to the Public During his stay in Istanbul to attend the 10th On the activities of the Kuwaiti parliamentary Prosecution. He urged drawing a line between objective criticism, session of the conference of the Parliamentary delegation, he said they held meetings with rep- which is most welcome as a basic feature of democracy, and Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation resentatives of the Gulf and Arab groups of groundless slander which stems from personal stances. —KUNA (PUIC), Kuwaiti National Assembly (parliament) states, noting that Kuwait is the chair of the Arab Acting Speaker Mubarak Al-Khurainej Speaker Marzouq Ghanem held meetings with Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU). — KUNA Kuwaiti humanitarian aid plane arrives in Beirut

BEIRUT: A Kuwaiti military plane carrying humanitarian and relief aid for Syrian refugees arrived in the Lebanese capital Thursday. The aid contains 30 tons of dates, clothes, blankets, and cleaning products, Kuwait Red Crescent Society’s (KRCS) envoy in Lebanon Dr Musaed Al-Enezi told KUNA, noting that it is part of a support program by the Kuwaiti people to help Syrian refugees in Lebanon, in coordina- tion with KRCS. The relief aid items would be distributed by the Kuwaiti aid team, in coordination with Lebanese Red Cross, to refugees who suffered freezing tempera- tures and blizzards that hit Lebanon recently, Al-Enezi added. He also confirmed that the Kuwaiti aid Al-Sabah and the Kuwaiti political leader- ate their suffering after the majority of comes under directions of His Highness ship to meet needs of Syrian refugees in them was victimized by recent stormy and the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Lebanon as much as possible and to allevi- freezing weather in the country. — KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2014 Drug dealer shows remorse

KUWAIT: “Leave me and I will repent” is what an ex-convict morphine, said security sources. The public prosecution had drug dealer said to detectives in Mubarak Al-Kabeer when charged the suspect of injecting his girlfriend with an over- they arrested him and found 20 gm of heroin on him. The man dose of drugs that led to her death. The suspect denied inten- was still taken in police’s custody and referred to the proper tionally killing the victim, and stressed that he had known her authorities for further action. for three years and that he also used the same syringe that was fatal to her. He added that she fainted and he tried reviv- Husband accused of theft ing her but failed, so he put her in a vehicle he had stolen to A citizen discovered that KD 7,000 was withdrawn from her get rid of the body. However, the Indonesian embassy lawyer bank account over a period of time, and was surprised that it insisted on contesting the verdict. was her husband who had done so. Police are summoning the husband for questioning. Warehouse fire A fodder warehouse was destroyed in Wafra when a huge Student held with drugs fire broke out in it, said security sources. No casualties were A student who arrived from the US was behaving strange- reported. ly. When his luggage was searched, two bags of marijuana and 11 hashish joints were found. He was sent to concerned Drunks in custody authorities. A lieutenant colonel at Rumaithiya police station rejected many attempts to cover up a case where four citizens, a man KUWAIT: Interior Ministry’s Undersecretary Lieutenant General Suleiman Al-Fahad honored a number of distin- Jail fire and three women, had been arrested for drinking and guished officers from the General Traffic Department recently. Major General Abdullah Al-Mohanna, the ministry’s Prison inmates and firemen suffered smoke inhalation attempting to force a police patrol off the road, said security Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs, attended the honoring. when an inmate in solitary confinement stared a fire in his cell sources. after burning a blanket, foam mattress and garbage. Case papers indicate that a police patrol noticed that the four suspects were laughing and driving their luxury vehicle Smoke inhalation too close to the patrol, trying to force it off the road. Stopping Man admits faking Salmiya and south Salmiya fire centers put out a fire in a them, they all reeked of liquor and laughed hysterically. A Salmiya building and three persons, including a handicapped backup force had to be summoned when they refused to man, suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital. leave the vehicle. But the moment they arrived at the station, stabbing report Investigations are underway to determine the cause of fire. the officer in charge received many calls to release them. Drugs den Fake cop detained Narcotics officers put an end to the activities of a citizen After receiving several reports about break-ins of cars and her Arab husband who had turned their home into a parked at the Jahra Hospital parking lot and theft of valuables drugs den. The woman and her husband were arrested with in them, Jahra detectives arrested a citizen with a fake police 250 gm of hashish and 2,500 Captagon tablets, following tips ID, another from MoH, a police siren and light, a rifle and gun, about the woman’s activities. They were sent to concerned an electric stunner, six wallets, 15 mobile phones, 5 ATM cards authorities. and 16 watches. A case was filed. Bootleggers arrested Attempted murder Attempts by two Indians to sell 592 bottles of locally made A citizen reported that a citizen he knows deliberately hit liquor were thwarted by Farwaniya security, as they were his vehicle from behind several times, stepped out and point- arrested in front of their residence where the liquor was ed a gun in his face, threatening to kill him, before passersby found. gathered, scaring him away, said security sources. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress. — Al-Rai Father charges son A financial dispute between a man and his father, led the son to threaten his father if he did not return the money he took from him. The father told police that his son threatened New diesel to kill him. The son is allegedly suffering from psychological problems. Police are investigating. pricing? Juveniles questioned A GCC national reported he was stabbed by three juveniles KUWAIT: A high-ranking official said a committee in Taima, Jahra, said security sources. On summoning the reviewing various types of subsidies decided to three suspects, they said they fought with the victim because reduce the price of diesel and kerosene to 110 fils he had been driving his vehicle recklessly outside their house. per litre instead of 170 fils. A case was filed and further investigations are in progress. He said the committee met on Thursday and took the decision, which will be in effect by the start GF killer sentenced of February, and the price will be adjusted on a The criminal court sentenced a citizen to five years with monthly basis. — Al-Anbaa labor for killing his Indonesian girlfriend with an overdose of

By Hanan Al-Saadoun by several persons is untrue, and that he made up the story. Police are investigating to find his motives. Investigations KUWAIT: A Lebanese man confessed that a complaint he revealed that he cut himself and caused the wounds, and made to police claiming that he was robbed and stabbed stabbed himself with a knife he bought in Hawally. Kuwait, Algeria discuss bilateral cultural issues

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al- Sabah met Thursday with Algeria’s President of the Arabic Language Higher Council (CSLA) Azzedine Mihoubi. During the meeting, the two sides dis- cussed ways to improve cultural ties between the two countries, the informa- tion ministry said in a press statement. Mihoubi, an ex-Minister of Information, presented an invitation to the Kuwaiti Minister to take part at the forthcoming event “Constantine Capital of Arab Culture 2015”, set to be held on Aril 16th. The meeting was attended by Algerian Ambassador Khamis Erif, Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Letters (NCCAL) Ali Al-Youha, and the Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah with Algeria’s Ministry’s Acting Undersecretary Faisal Al- President of the Arabic Language Higher Council (CSLA) Azzedine Metlaqem. — KUNA Mihoubi. — KUNA

The Fire Service Directorate organized an honoring ceremony for those who passed the basic fire course from PIC Company. Director of the firemen preparation center and acting director of planning and development depart- ment Col Jamal Al-Bulaihees distributed certificates to 13 PIC firemen. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

Court OKs stripping binational jihadist of French nationality Mubarak’s sons leave prison pending retrial Page 9 Page 8

ADEN: Yemeni armed supporters of the separatist Southern Movement gather outside a police station yesterday in the southern city of Aden after the President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi announced his resignation. — AFP Yemen thrown into turmoil as president resigns US pulls more staff from Yemen embassy amid deepening crisis

SANAA: Yemen drifted deeper into political limbo yesterday Meanwhile, US has pulled more staff out of its embassy in “The United States is troubled by reports of President Hadi standoff between the Houthi movement and Hadi, who had after President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi resigned in exasper- Yemen, US officials said as Washington scrambled to cope and his cabinet’s resignation,” State Department spokes- been held in his residence. Yesterday, Reuters witnesses said ation at a Houthi rebel takeover of the country, a move that with the collapse of a government that had been a key ally in woman Jen Psaki said in a statement. “At this time, it is critical five all-terrain vehicles belonging to the special forces were appeared to catch the Iran-backed group off balance. Hadi, a the fight against Al-Qaeda. The scaling down of its presence that all sides avoid violence.” The Yemeni parliament is sched- parked outside Hadi’s compound. Houthi fighters were not former general, blamed the Houthis’ control of the capital in Yemen is the first sign that the latest turmoil there will uled to meet on Sunday to discuss Hadi’s resignation and can visible inside. Sanaa for impeding his attempt to steer Yemen toward stabili- affect US operations in a ountryc that President Barack accept or reject it. Under the constitution, parliamentary Sultan Al-Atwani, one of Hadi’s advisers, told Reuters he ty after years of secessionist and tribal unrest, deepening Obama hailed just four months ago as a model for “success- speaker Yahya Al-Ra’i, who comes from Saleh’s General had resigned after pressure and threats from the Houthis. poverty and US drone strikes on Islamist militants. ful” counter-terrorism partnerships. People’s Congress party, takes office for an interim period Late on Thursday, Houthi fighters took up positions around His resignation on Thursday startled the Arabian Peninsula The US diplomatic contingent in Sanaa was drawn down while new elections are organized. the parliament building, residents said. In the southern city of country of 25 million, where the Shiite Muslim Houthis due to the deteriorating security situation in the Yemeni capi- Aden, three soldiers and two armed men were killed in an emerged as the dominant faction by seizing Sanaa in tal, the officials said. They insisted there were no plans to No official Houthi position attack by unidentified gunmen on armored vehicles in the September and dictating terms to a humiliated Hadi, whom close the embassy, which could been seen as erosion of US Some Houthi officials have welcomed Hadi’s resignation early hours of yesterday, local officials told Reuters. Three they had held as a virtual prisoner at his home residence resolve in counter-terrorism operations in the volatile Arab but the group said an official position had yet to be taken. It explosions were heard in the port city during the attack, clashes with security guards this week. Chanting “we are the country. However, current and former US officials say the urged the army to uphold its responsibilities and called on which was followed by the clashes, said one of the officials, revolution”, a small group of activists gathered at Change chaos engulfing Yemen has already threatened the adminis- Houthi fighters to be on alert. Witness said Houthi fighters who declined to be identified. Square, the focus of 2011 pro-democracy protests which tration’s strategy against a powerful local Al-Qaeda branch. were seen surrounding the homes of a number of senior offi- The departure of Hadi, a southerner, has caused anger in forced long-ruling President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down Word of the withdrawal of more US personnel came on cials from Bahah’s government, including the defense minis- Aden, where officials reacted by telling security officers to under a Gulf power transfer deal. the day that Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi ter, in Sanaa. A senior Yemeni official said the Houthis had obey only orders issued in Aden, an implicit snub to institu- “We’re here in rejection of the events that are happening. stepped down, throwing the country deeper into chaos days proposed the creation an interim presidential council to run tions in the north, where Sanaa is. Earlier in the week, Aden We came out to build a state and our demand is still to have a after Iran-backed Houthi rebels battled their way into his the majority Sunni Muslim country, but an alliance of parties closed its docks briefly in protest against Houthi militia state,” said activist Farida Al-Yareemi. “We went out against Ali presidential palace. The crisis marks another setback for US rejected the idea. attacks on state institutions in Sanaa, calling them an “aggres- Abdullah Saleh and he had all the weapons.” Washington, Middle East policy when Obama is already struggling with Hadi, who led a United Nations-backed attempt to make sive coup on the president personally and on the political which has relied on Hadi’s cooperation to stage the drone unsteady partners in a campaign against Islamic State mili- political reforms and bury the autocracy and graft of the process as a whole”. Hadi’s decision marked an abrupt turn- strikes on the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda, said it was con- tants who have seized swathes of Iraq and Syria. At the same past, stood down shortly after Bahah offered his govern- around from Wednesday, when he said he was ready to cerned by the departures of the president and Prime Minister time, Washington seeks to limit Iranian influence in the ment’s resignation, saying it did not want to be dragged into accept Houthi demands for a bigger stake in constitutional Khaled Bahah, who also quit on Thursday. region. “an unconstructive political maze”. This was a reference to a and political arrangements. — Agencies India clears cows, dogs, dust for Obama’s Taj Mahal trip

AGRA: As he scrubs the road to India’s Taj Mahal on his knees for guests arrive. Suresh Chand, who is in charge of the clean-up, said less than five dollars a day, Ramjeet beams with pride at the stray dogs-a common sight in any Indian city-have been rounded thought of US President Barack Obama admiring his handiwork. up, and more than two tons of rubbish pulled from the nearby “If everything is clean then he will be impressed,” said the aching polluted Yamuna river in just two days. Another official said cows man as he took a rest with another 10 kilometers (six miles) of and buffaloes roaming the streets also “would have to go”. “When road still to be scoured by him and his co-workers. “It’s hard on the a guest comes to our house then we have to do something better knees and back,” admitted the cleaner, who is being paid just 300 than the normal,” said Chand, Agra municipal council’s chief engi- rupees (around $4.80) a day for his part in a massive makeover. neer. Ramjeet, who does not have a last name, is one of 600 cleaners Inside the Taj complex, a dozen barefoot women were busy mobilized in the city of Agra ahead of Tuesday’s visit by the US trimming lawn edges with trowels. “Obama, Obama,” one lady, president and First Lady Michelle Obama to the world’s most who has worked at the Taj for more than two decades and earns famous temple of love. 100 rupees a day, said with a grin. Some 3,000 police are on duty Apart from cleaning white lines on the roads, authorities have and will conduct boat patrols of the river, said Agra police senior been rounding up stray dogs, clearing cows from the streets, and superintendent Rajesh Modak. Tourists will be turned away while have ordered a lockdown around the complex. “There are a lot of the Obamas are touring the Taj, built by Mughal emperor Shah spit stains and such that need to be washed away. The streets Jahan as a tomb for his beloved empress who died during child- need to be spick and span,” said India’s former chief achaeologist birth in 1631. Locals teeming the alleys around the Taj-which took KK Mohammed, who has guided world leaders around the white 20,000 laborers 16 years to build-said they have been ordered to marbled mausoleum. “You cannot have a VVVIP of the world stay indoors. come to the Taj Mahal and let him see that,” Mohammed said. The spruce-up, which comes after Modi himself launched a national ‘Like a curfew’ clean-up campaign last October, reflects a wider determination to Not everyone is happy about the lockdown, with some saying ensure the Obamas get to see India at its finest. it has made them feel like criminals. “You can’t go outside, you can’t go onto the roof, you can’t go outside to the bathroom-it’s Lick of paint like a curfew,” grumbled Anil Kumar Sonkar, who runs a sweet In the capital Delhi, workers have been coating buildings and shop a stone’s throw from the Taj. “We should be open for busi- bollards with fresh paint ahead of the Obamas’ attendance at a ness and Obama should be allowed to come and sample my military parade on Monday. But the frenzy has been most intense world-famous petha,” said Sonkar of the sweet made from sugar in Agra, no stranger to hosting heads of state or royalty such as and pumpkin. A similar shutdown occurred during US president Britain’s late Princess Diana. The Obamas’ visit will be covered by a Bill Clinton’s visit in 2000, prompting him to ask officials if he was massive press pack and organizers want to ensure a picture-per- visiting a ghost town, according to locals. “We were (then) round- fect backdrop. ed up and made to stand in a line and Mr Clinton came past in his Pradeep Bhatnagar, chairman of the Taj Trapezium Zone, a car and shook our hands,” said Sunehri Lal, as he watched children buffer region around the monument, said ongoing beautification play in a rubbish heap. “If Obama did something like that, it would AGRA: An Indian child runs past a dog in a slum area close to the Taj Mahal in Agra, ahead of US President work has been halted for 10 days to allow dust to settle before the be overwhelming.” — AFP Barack Obama’s visit. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

Election, politicians a turn-off for Lagos’ young voters

LAGOS: Nigeria’s politicians are out courting young money isn’t enough,” said Akin Adeyemi, a 46-year-old street lined with luxury shops selling made-to-mea- voters but many of them are too preoccupied with try- electrician, who spends five hours a day in traffic as he sure Italian suits and gleaming Porsches, Morgan ing to eke out a living to pay much attention to next can’t afford to live closer to his place of work. Ekezie is also too busy to talk politics or Boko Haram. month’s election. Mobolaji Adebiyi says she’s just too “Everything’s expensive. I’m working and by the 10th The coffee-shop worker is just 23 but gives the busy-and doesn’t see how she can affect anything, of the month, the salary is gone. And I have no elec- impression that he has already seen a few things in life even the raging Boko Haram insurgency in the far tricity and water,” he added. Despite the talk of since leaving his hometown of Makurdi in central northeast. “I don’t vote,” the 22-year-old told AFP Nigeria’s many problems, the one getting the most Nigeria. He dreams of working in fashion but for the between mouthfuls of pounded yam at an open-air international attention-the Boko Haram insurgency-is time being makes coffee in an upmarket cafe from workers’ cafe located on wasteland between two hardly mentioned at all. The Islamist militant group’s 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Home is a hut shared with a friend office blocks. “I leave that to others. I have much to do.” campaign of violence has devastated Nigeria’s far who works as a security guard. He earns 30,000 naira a Posters seem to be plastered on every wall of northeast, 1,500 kilometers (nearly 1,000 miles) away month, saving most of it to pay for his university fees. Nigeria’s biggest city and financial capital at the from Lagos, with deadly attacks on almost a daily “Once you’re in Lagos, if you don’t hustle, you don’t moment, urging people to vote at the February 14 basis. “It’s not that we don’t care. But there’s nothing put food on the table. It’s the spirit of Lagos. You have presidential and parliamentary poll. Some show we can do about it,” says Mobolaji, shrugging her to keep fighting,” he says, making a capuccino. Jonathan and parliamentary candidates for his shoulders. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Others feature his Role models main rival Muhammadu Buhari and hopefuls from his ‘Keep fighting’ Morgan and Mobolaji’s role models may be suc- All Progressives Congress (APC). Lagos and the sur- Lagos, a megacity home to some 20 million peo- cessful Nigerians but they’re not politicians. The rounding state of the same name is an established ple, is a sprawling urban patchwork of chaotic, over- young barista listens to 2face Idibia on a loop. 2face APC stronghold and seen as a key battleground in crowded suburbs dotted with modern tower blocks. sings about women and success. Morgan’s all-time next month’s election. But fellow diners eating with Workers live cheek-by-jowl with an emerging middle hero, though, is Mike Adenuga, the country’s second- Mobolaji-some of them construction workers, others class and petro-dollar billionaires. For the majority life richest man, who made his money in telecoms and oil. senior managers or civil servants-prefer to talk about is tough: 37.5 percent of Nigerians under 25 don’t “He’s a self-made man,” says Morgan, impressed. For their daily problems than power politics. have a job, according to the government, and Mobolaji, it’s Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade, bet- Mobolaji knows she’s been lucky to be taken on. Her ter known to her fans by her nickname “Omosexy” and Daily problems job as a building supervisor earns her 45,000 naira who featured in Time magazine’s 100 most influential Talk jumps from corruption, lack of access to edu- ($230, 200 euros) a month. Her father works in the people list in 2013. Ask her what she dreams about LAGOS: A sign writer tries to arrange campaign cation, or the high cost of living at a time when the same sector. “Keep fighting”, “hustle” and “work hard” and she lets out a sigh. “You can dream. I have dreams. advertising leading candidates, vying for guber- country’s main source of revenue, oil, is falling and the to get on are popular refrains in sub-Saharan Africa’s But here, you never know what’s going to happen,” natorial seat, in Lagos. — AFP currency is struggling. “We’re working hard and the most populous city. A few roads away, on a potholed she says. — AFP Mubarak’s sons leave prison pending retrial Bomb explodes outside presidential palace in Cairo

CAIRO: Two sons of Egypt’s ousted leader Hosni Mubarak seen as symbols of his era’s corruption were freed from prison yesterday pending a graft retrial, state media reported. Alaa and Gamal Mubarak left jail early yesterday after a court ordered their release because they had served the maximum pretrial detention, the state-owned Al- Ahram newspaper reported on its website Mubarak, who was unseated in Egypt’s 2011 uprising, was convicted by a lower court on cor- ruption charges with his two sons last year, with DOHUK: Displaced Iraqi children from the Yazidi community, who fled violence between Alaa and Gamal receiving four-year sentences. Islamic State (IS) group jihadists and Peshmerga fighters in the northern Iraqi town of Their charges included embezzling at least $16 Sinjar, play in the snow at Dawodiya camp for internally displaced people in the Kurdish million (14 million euros) earmarked for the main- city of Dohuk, in Iraq’s northern autonomous Kurdistan region. — AFP tenance of presidential palaces. The retrial of the former leader and his two sons was ordered this Iraq’s displaced Yazidis hunker month and their lawyer Farid Al-Deeb said at the time that the elder Mubarak, who is in a military down as northern winter bites hospital, would also be a free man. But state media reported there had been no DOHUK: Last summer, tens of thousands of across the region, and vast quantities of heaters, orders yet for his release and there have been no Yazidis faced searing heat as they fled a murder- plastic sheeting and blankets distributed. “From signs of the 86-year-old leaving the hospital. ous jihadist onslaught in northern Iraq, but October, temperatures started dropping and Ahram reported that Alaa, 54, and Gamal, 51, many survivors are now shivering in the snow. people were seriously worried,” said Eric Besse, were transported from jail to a police station in They first took precarious refuge on the barren who coordinates the activities of Action Against northern Cairo before being freed. They are both heights of nearby Mount Sinjar, but most of Hunger in the Dohuk region. “But by and large, facing a separate trial for stock market manipula- them eventually made their way further afield the humanitarian community has responded to tion. In the last decade of Mubarak’s 30-year reign, to safety in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region. expectations,’ he said. “I have heard of some cas- Gamal in particular was seen as the likely succes- Sherzad Hussein lives in the Dawdia camp, in es in which children died... but the cold has not sor of his father and headed the powerful policies committee of the now dissolved National the Kurdish province of Dohuk and is one of the killed large numbers of people.” Amshi Hussein CAIRO: A file picture shows Alaa Mubarak (center), son of ousted Egyptian president Hosni few to have housing units. Qassem fled her village with her husband and Democratic Party. The release of the Mubaraks presents a dilem- Mubarak, arriving to a courtroom during his verdict hearing in Cairo. Mubarak’s sons, Alaa and “The snow that fell a few days ago has melt- their six children in August just before IS fight- Gamal (not in picture), were freed from prison yesterday pending a corruption retrial. - AFP ed a bit but it’s still freezing at night,” said ers swept in. ma for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former Sherzad Hussein, puffing clouds of warm breath In the initial panic, her husband went back army chief whom opponents accuse of reviving into the frigid air as he energetically shoveled to the village to fetch identity cards but was Mubarak-era practices. His prime minister, announcement on Thursday, several dozen presidential palace in Cairo on Thursday, police slabs of ice from the roof of his prefabricated wounded by mortar fire and later executed by Ibrahim Mahlab, was a senior member of the Islamists tried to hold a protest in central Cairo sources said. An unknown assailant on a motor- shelter. Just having a roof puts the young man IS fighters. “We got some help from other peo- National Democratic Party. Sisi took power after but police dispersed them, an interior ministry bike threw the bomb in front of the main in a minority among those displaced from the ple who were fleeing and stayed nine days on ousting Egypt’s first post-revolution leader- official said. Morsi, a leader of the Islamist opposi- entrance of the Al-Qubba palace before fleeing, Sinjar area when fighters from the Islamic State that mountain, with absolutely nothing,” said Islamist president Mohamed Morsi-in 2013 and tion under Mubarak, is on trial over violence dur- the sources said. There has been a wave of vio- (IS) group launched a renewed drive in the Qassem, 30. Her children-some of them bare- won an election with massive support last year. ing the 2011 uprising in which protesters torched lence in Egypt since Islamist president north in August. foot-huddled around her legs on the threshold But he has faced accusations of being even more police stations across the country. Critics say such Mohammed Morsi was toppled by the military in Most of the 500,000 displaced people in of their new prefabricated home. “Then we authoritarian than Mubarak, unleashing a crack- charges-pinning the blame of police violence dur- July 2013 and a crackdown was launched on his Dohuk live in tent camps or are scattered in walked with everybody to Syria and then back down on Morsi supporters that has killed at least ing the revolt on Islamists-are a revision of history supporters, leaving more than 1,400 people hotels, flats, schools and unfinished buildings, into Iraq. That took several days too and it was 1,400 people. that tars the uprising as a plot by Islamists and dead. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the depending on what they can afford. When the so hot. So the conditions here are better, of The release of the Mubaraks so close to the foreign powers against Egypt. man who toppled Morsi, is currently attending Yazidis fled up Mount Sinjar to escape IS in course. But the main problem now is the January 25 anniversary of the 2011 revolt risks In another development, a police officer was the World Economic Forum in Davos, August, they suffered through blistering heat cold.”— AFP antagonizing government critics. After the court’s injured when a small bomb exploded outside the Switzerland.— Agencies that often reached 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) in a dramatic siege that captured world attention. Temperatures now Obama’s veto threats are clues drop below freezing. The few hundred families still on the mountain live in rudimentary camps, What issues roil Washington? filled mostly with women and children, because the men are fighting alongside Kurdish security WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama has a Of all the legislation subject to an Obama forces against IS a few miles away. telling hit list. The veto threats that he’s issued veto threat, a bipartisan effort to impose new “Life is very hard here. When the winter over the last three weeks are a microcosm of sanctions on Iran to discourage its nuclear pro- started, we had nothing to wear, and very American politics, representing the roiling gram may have the best chance of mustering basic food,” said Hassan Hisn Semmo, shelter- issues of the day, the power struggle playing the two-thirds vote needed to override a presi- ing from pouring rain under a tent where out between Congress and the White House, dential veto. A vote on that could come as early young men are busy making tea for a funeral and even the pique between the president and as next month. Many of the other bills don’t gathering. “We need kerosene because it’s so GOP congressional leaders. Obama, who stand a chance. And Republicans know that cold, and we also have a problem with water. vetoed just two minor bills over the past six going in. Still, it’s smart for Republicans to put Our women have to walk a long way for the years, has been tossing out veto threats like forward their ideas to show a clear contrast water,” the elderly man said, wrapped in a coat confetti since Republicans took full control of with the president, says Dan Holler, communi- stitched together from pieces of one of the Congress. cations director for the conservative Heritage blankets airdropped onto Mount Sinjar. The In addition to delivering eight formal veto Action for America. Holler said it’s also impor- mountain that saved so many Yazidi lives last notices on specific bills under consideration, tant to understand that any major legislation year is not a hospitable place, but it holds spe- RAS BAALBEK: Lebanese army Special Forces patrol in armored personnel carriers near the area the president has sounded broader warnings that has a chance of being enacted is going to cial significance in the community’s culture where militants ambushed Lebanese soldiers, in Ras Baalbek town, eastern Lebanon. — AP that he’ll block legislative efforts that jeopard- be negotiated with the White House behind and is home to several of its holiest shrines. ize his health care law, roll back rules governing the scenes. Syria air strike on rebel Wall Street, reverse his immigration actions or “By necessity that will be quiet,” says Holler, Major humanitarian effort impose new sanctions on Iran. There’s a little bit “because pretty much every single member of “If we leave, who will protect our mountain? of everything in Obama’s veto threats: the cul- the Republican Party ran against Obama and It was here for us; we have to be here for it too. I area kills more than 30 ture wars (abortion), energy policy (Keystone everything he’s done over the past six years. had a nice home in the village but I would not XL oil pipeline), social matters (Obamacare), for- Their constituents would understandably be lose my life for it. For this mountain, I am ready BEIRUT: A Syrian air strike killed more than 30 people buildings were damaged. Reuters could not immediately eign policy (Iran), economic angst (financial upset if they are working hand in glove with to die,” Semmo said. The conditions are a little in a rebel-held area near Damascus yesterday, the verify the reports. An employee at the information min- regulation), even wonky details of governance the administration.” Both sides appear to be better in some camps such as Dawdia, but the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring istry in Damascus said there would be no one to answer (rule-making processes). The list lays bare two “frontloading” their agendas with confronta- lack of medical care and other shortages mean group and opposition activists said. Syrian government questions until Saturday. The United Nations says competing visions of the proper role of govern- tional matters to help set the stage for the 2016 that the displaced’s fight for survival isn’t over officials were not immediately available to comment 200,000 people have been killed in Syria’s civil war, which ment. elections, with the real work to find compro- yet. on the reported attack in Hamoria, a district in the started after security forces cracked down on pro- And while there’s plenty of political strategy mises to come later, says William Galston, a for- “There are power cuts, kerosene for the Eastern Ghouta area that has been besieged by securi- democracy protests in 2011. behind what Obama has chosen to single out mer Clinton administration official. heaters is in short supply and we don’t always ty forces. The opposition Syrian Media Organization Meanwhile, Lebanese army helicopter gunships and for a potential veto, he’s also “really expressing “The question, then, is what does Phase 2 have enough clothes on our backs,” said Nayef posted footage on YouTube of several bodies lying on a artillery pounded positions of Syria based militants yes- what his values are and what he believes in,” says look like?” says Galston. After Obama vetoes Khalaf Hussein, 42. As he spoke, he showed cold blood-stained floor, some of them children with blast terday after they attacked troops on the outskirts of a James Thurber, director of the Center for GOP proposals and the Republicans fail to over- burns on his three-year-old nephew’s skin, one wounds. northeastern village, the Lebanese army and officials Congressional and Presidential Studies at ride him, “that’s when the 2015 game begins.” of nine siblings he is looking after since their Other bodies lay under white shrouds or jackets and a said. The morning attack triggered heavy fighting on the American University. Likewise, Thurber says, for Obama might want to pay more attention to father died of a heart attack during the August caption said more than 30 people had been killed. The tense border area leaving casualties on both side, a mili- all the political positioning going on among timing if he wants to improve his working rela- congressional Republicans, they’ve advanced tions with congressional leaders. His first two violence and their mother of leukaemia this Observatory, which monitors the war in Syria, said 32 tary official said. He declined to offer specifics. Earlier yes- any number of bills in the face of certain veto veto threats were issued while the new month. Humanitarian agencies and local people had been killed, including six children, in what it terday, an army statement said troops repelled the because they believe in them. “It’s not just a Congress still was being sworn in, prompting authorities have spent months preparing for described as a massacre. The opposition grassroots Local attackers on the outskirts of the northeastern Lebanese chess game,” says Thurber. Game or not, the plenty of grousing from Republicans. “He could the cold, and disaster was largely averted as Coordination Committees said on its Facebook page that village of Ras Baalbek. It was not immediately clear which the strike hit a public square where people were leaving Syria-based militants carried out the attack, but members odds of winning are in Obama’s favor. Presidents have waited a few hours,” said House Speaker freezing temperatures set in on parts of Iraqi have prevailed on 96 percent of their more than John Boehner. “Maybe he could have waited a Kurdistan. a mosque after Friday prayers. Another opposition group, of the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and the Islamic State the Shaam News Network, published a video on its group have launched several such attacks in recent 2,500 vetoes over the years, with Congress able few days. We were taking our oath of office Special “winterized” tents built on concrete to muster the votes to override the presidents’ when they were issuing veto threats. Come slabs for better insulation have been set up Facebook page showing what it said was the aftermath months, targeting border positions of the Lebanese army of a blast in an open square. Bodies lay on the road and and the Shiite Lebanese Hezbollah group. —Agencies objections just 4 percent of the time. on.”—AP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

A promising life in France given up for jihad

SCHILTIGHEIM: He had a promising graphic designer For Lymand, who took him under his wing, prepped him poor, but because it takes them into certain walks of life, job, plans to be a wedding videographer and was a star for a full-time job and helped him through housing and such as prisons. It also makes people vulnerable to sportsman in his French town. So how did Youssoup personal difficulties, the video was a shock. “I can’t watch recruiters.” Nassoulkhanov end up in an Islamic State group video it-it still hurts me,” he said, welling up. There are few clues The Paris attacks confirmed the stereotype: all three praising the Paris attacks? The streets of Schiltigheim in to what drove Nassoulkhanov’s radicalization. assailants were from deprived housing projects and bro- the Alsace region of eastern France are not a terrorist He was frustrated at supporting his whole family and ken homes. But examples still abound of people like breeding ground. Although the town has never quite had fought with his father. There were rumors of a girl- Nassoulkhanov who give up promising futures to join a recovered from the shuttering of factories in the 1980s, friend not accepted by the tight-knit Chechen communi- bloodthirsty global jihad. Dounia Bouzar, who runs an and a fifth of the population remains unemployed, it still ty. One Muslim colleague says Nassoulkhanov spent anti-radicalisation centre in Paris, says extremists are con- has a quaint feel and is just 10 minutes from the charm- longer and longer hours at the mosque, sometimes four sciously targeting a wider cross-section of society. “They ing, busy centre of Strasbourg. Until he disappeared last or five a day during Ramadan. But if he had radical offer different types of dreams and utopias. They try to summer, the polite, hard-working 20-year-old working in thoughts, they were well hidden. He was highly skilled at reach young people who might be in the second year of the graphics department of the town hall didn’t ring any “Street Workout”, a strenuous form of gymnastics and studying political science or medicine-from stable, loving warning bells. “We talked, we joked around, he was a acrobatics, and practiced almost daily with youngsters middle-class families.” Experts have long since realised good kid. He had no hatred for France or the French or from many different backgrounds in parks around the that chasing a definitive profile for a terrorist is a fool’s non-Muslims,” said Yann Lymand, who worked next to town. errand. “Radicalisation research has stagnated,” said Nassoulkhanov for over a year. He says the person he He was good enough to compete in national champi- Hegghammer. “We’ve come to the end of what we can knew is impossible to square with the bearded, onships and appear in a TV news feature on the sport last do with the available information and there are no clear Kalashnikov-wielding Nassoulkhanov in last week’s video year. He also loved video and filmed weddings for the conclusions.” for the Islamic State group in Syria, praising the jihadists Chechen community-often travelling to Paris to do so. A lack of data makes divining any specific psychologi- who killed 17 people in Paris this month. “There will be He was excited about plans to set up his own wedding cal trait almost impossible. There is a wide range of fac- more and more of these operations in the whole of video business. Then last summer, he just disappeared. An undated TV image from a video post on the tors that can push someone into violent jihad, and two Europe, God willing,” says Nassoulkhanov in the video. internet shows a young man presented as people with the same disposition can go in radically dif- “To those brothers who can’t come to Islamic State terri- Poverty makes terrorists Youssoup Nassoulkhanov, a Russian from the ferent directions. “Some are action-seekers, some are try- tory, do whatever you can. Kill them, slit their throats, Nassoulkhanov’s story is a reminder that jihadists Chechen region who lived in Schiltigheim eastern ing to get clear answers to things, some just enjoy sub- burn their cars, burn their houses,” he says. come from all walks of life, but his case is still relatively France, commenting on the recent Paris attacks cultures,” said Hegghammer. The result is very little warn- rare. A study by German intelligence, leaked last year, from an undisclosed location in Syria. - AFP ing when a relative or friend suddenly disappears and ‘It still hurts’ showed the vast majority who have left Germany to fight job. Two-thirds had a criminal record. “The median ter- then crops up in a video from Syria. “It’s not like Youssoup Nassoulkhanov, a Russian from the Chechen region in Syria were uneducated and unemployed. Of nearly rorist in Europe isn’t doing well in life,” said Thomas didn’t have anything in his life,” said Lymand, back in who moved to France when he was 15, had worked at 400 jihadists investigated, only a quarter had finished Hegghammer, a Norwegian expert on jihadists. “Poverty Schiltigheim. “To see him like that in the video, it was the local council since May 2013 on a trainee program. school and two percent university. Barely one in 10 had a makes terrorists not because they are angry at being impossible for me to believe.”— AFP

Court OKs stripping binational jihadist of French nationality France ups its fight against extremism

PARIS: France’s top legal body ruled yesterday that The ruling comes as France still reels from the party debate on bringing back the offence of stripping a binational convicted jihadist of his French January 7-9 attacks in Paris that left 17 people “national disgrace”-used after World War II against nationality was lawful, just as the country ups its fight dead, sending shockwaves around the world and collaborators with the Nazi regime and abolished against extremism. The ruling by the Constitutional prompting raids on suspected Islamist cells in in 1951. Less severe than treason, and allowing Council comes after the government announced a neighboring Belgium and Germany. On authorities to strip citizens of some rights, Valls said series of anti-terror measures in the wake of the dead- Wednesday, the government unveiled a raft of that reviving the offence would be a strong symbol ly Paris attacks earlier this month and mulls whether measures to curb radicalization and better monitor of “the consequences of... committing a terrorist DONETSK: Passengers killed when a trolley bus was damaged by a mortar shell are seen to use this move more widely. Ahmed Sahnouni, a jihadists. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the act.” And for binationals, he said the government inside a bus in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Jan 22, 2015. A new peace initiative Moroccan naturalized by France in 2003, was convict- attacks had raised “a legitimate question” as to would be watching Friday’s ruling closely. The for Ukraine began taking shape as mortar shells rained down Thursday on the center of ed and handed a seven-year prison term in March what should be done about those who attack a Constitutional Council’s decision also comes at a the main rebel-held city in the east, killing at least 13 people at a bus stop. — AP 2013 for being part of a terrorist organization and was country where they were born or that gave them time of serious diplomatic crisis between France stripped of his citizenship in May last year. citizenship. Where foreign jihadists are concerned, and Morocco over torture complaints filed against Born in Casablanca in 1970, he was convicted Valls said 28 people had been expelled from France top Moroccan officials last year. Since then, bilater- Ukraine rebels vow to conquer for having overseen recruitment networks of aspir- over the past three years. al judicial relations have been cut and anti-terror- ing jihadists to Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and the For those who are French, he proposed a cross ism cooperation frozen. — AFP more territory in war-torn east Sahel region of North Africa, raising funds for them and overseeing the operational coordination of DONETSK: Pro-Russian rebels yesterday vowed Sporadic shelling echoed across the rebel volunteers once on the ground. Under French law, to conquer more territory in eastern Ukraine stronghold yesterday, and Ukraine’s National Clashes erupt in India Kashmir authorities can strip people of their naturalized citi- and ruled out peace talks after Kiev retreated Security and Defense Council chief Oleksandr zenship if they are convicted of “terror acts”-but from a long-disputed airport, casting aside Turchynov said “Russian terrorist groups” had only if they have another nationality to fall back on. over Charlie Hebdo’s cartoon Europe’s latest push for a truce. The defiant launched a mass new offensive. He accused The measure has been used eight times since 1973. comments from Donetsk rebel chief Alexander Russia of “trying not only to establish control The law also states that a person’s nationality can SRINAGAR: Government forces in Indian-con- a Jan 7 attack on the magazine’s Paris office that Zakharchenko came as Ukraine renewed allega- over the occupied territories, but to destroy the be removed anytime during a 15-year period after trolled Kashmir fired warning shots and tear gas killed 12 people. Many Muslims believe their tions of Russian army units fighting with rebels national identity and independence of Ukraine.” being naturalized, or 15 years after being convicted yesterday to disperse Muslim protesters angry at faith forbids depictions of the prophet. The across the frontline dividing the war-torn coun- “Russian terrorist groups have essentially violat- for terror acts-up from 10 years previously. the publication of a caricature of Prophet region has witnessed several protests against try’s industrial east. Western nations have ed all prior ceasefire agreements... and are Muhammad in the latest issue of French satirical the latest cartoon, but yesterday’s shutdown was branded rebel attacks in recent days as a land today assuming active offensive operations,” ‘More French than others?’ weekly Charlie Hebdo. Protests broke out in the the first major reaction in Kashmir since the Paris grab in violation of a September truce, while Turchynov told a televised government meet- Sahnouni’s lawyer Nurettin Meseci had argued main city of Srinagar after Friday prayers with attacks. Washington’s UN envoy dismissed Russian ing. “We are talking about active units of the that the law creates inequalities between those worshippers carrying placards reading “Down “By encouraging and allowing the reproduc- peace efforts as nothing more than a Moscow Russian armed forces.” The fighting came after a who are French by birth and those who are natural- with Charlie” and chanting slogans against the tion of the highly provocative and insulting cari- “occupation plan.” wave of violence on Thursday, including a trol- ized. “Are there French people who are more Indian rule and in favor of Islam. Security fired catures of our beloved prophet, the West has Moscow has strongly denied sending troops leybus shelling that killed eight people near French than others?” he asked in court. “If legisla- shots and tear gas in at least at three places, contemptuously disregarded sensitivities of the and weapons to help the rebels who now con- Donetsk’s city centre, far from the front line, tors believe that the fight against terrorism while the protesters hurled rocks at them, police Muslim world,” wrote Hassan Zainagairee, a trol swathes of eastern Ukraine, and accuses the underlining the increasing danger facing civil- involves stripping nationalities, they are wrong.” He said. Similar protests were also reported in sev- columnist in Greater Kashmir, the region’s largest West of orchestrating the downfall of the coun- ians. An earlier toll of 13 dead was reduced by also argued the move aimed to expel his client to eral towns and villages in the disputed English daily. Kashmir is divided between India try’s Russian-backed president last year. The officials. Moscow and Kiev traded bitter blame Morocco, “where he risks being sentenced to 20 Himalayan region. and Pakistan, and both claim it in its entirety rebel leader in Donetsk, an insurgent strong- over the tragedy, which occurred on the bloodi- years in prison.” Adding to this, Meseci said that There were no immediate reports of any since British colonialists left in 1947. Since 1989, hold and main industrial region in the heavily- est day in the conflict since an increasingly irrel- increasing the time period during which a person injuries. Police overnight detained a top pro- several rebel groups have been fighting to win Russified east of the ex-Soviet republic, said he evant September truce, with more than 40 peo- can be stripped of their nationality from 10 to 15 independence leader, Mohammed Yasin Malik, Kashmir’s independence or have the Indian-con- would no longer pursue peace negotiations. ple reported killed. Rebels also captured about years was “disproportionate.” But the Constitutional who called the strike and protests against the trolled portion merge with Pakistan. More than “Our side will no longer push for any more truce 20 soldiers and paraded them in front of jeering Council ruled that the seriousness of the fight magazine’s latest issue, which shows a drawing 68,000 people, mainly civilians, have died in the talks,” Zakharchenko said. “We are going to locals at the scene of the bus shelling, where against extremism justified the move and did not of a tearful Prophet Muhammad holding a sign “I armed uprising and subsequent Indian military advance to the very border of Donetsk the handcuffed men were targeted with snow- “violate the principle of equality.” am Charlie” in French. It was published following crackdown. — AP province.” balls and glass. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

US, Cuba begin reconciliation with smiles and rifts

HAVANA: Hours into historic US-Cuba talks in but that countries with deep differences “can live Havana, a Cuban official came out to boast about together.” She reiterated Havana’s demand that the “relaxed” atmosphere at the meeting between Washington tear down an embargo that the regime the old Cold War adversaries. “Look at my face. I blames for its economic troubles, but which only the think it reflects the spirit in which we are talking at US Congress can end. the moment,” Gustavo Machin, the Cuban delega- tion’s spokesman, told reporters with a smile under No embassies, an obstacle his thick mustache. It was a stark change from the The two sides agreed to hold more talks in the days of recriminations between communist Cuba future in order to reopen their embassies, a step that and the United States, when Havana slammed analysts say is important in order to open a regular “Yankee imperialism” and Washington regularly con- channel of communication. The broader goal of nor- demned the Castro regime. malizing relations will take more time. “What’s impor- The mere presence of the highest-ranking US tant for now is to establish diplomatic relations official to visit the sunbaked Caribbean island since because it has been a big obstacle,” said Jason the Cold War marked a turnaround after five Marczak, Latin America analyst at the Atlantic Council decades of glacial relations. After barely speaking think tank in Washington. “With diplomatic relations, face-to-face since the 1960s, the United States and we will have an official channel to chat about more Cuba took big steps toward normalizing ties, even important things for both countries,” he said. Vidal though the talks highlighted enduring rifts between said Cuba could not open an embassy in Washington the nations. Old disagreements about migration and as long as it remains on a blacklist of state sponsors of human rights resurfaced on Wednesday and terrorism. The embargo, she added, has blocked the Thursday. And both sides acknowledged that nor- HAVANA: The Director of the North American Department of Cuba’s Foreign Ministry, Josefina Vidal consulate from accessing banking services for its malizing relations will be a long and complex delivers a speech at Convention Palace in Havana during a press conference at the end of the second operations. endeavor. day of closed-door talks between Cuba and the United States, on January 22, 2015. - AFP Obama has called on Congress to lift the embargo But US officials spoke of “productive” and “posi- and used executive powers to ease some travel and tive” discussions, while the Cuban side commended said Piccone, a foreign policy advisory in former Tougher questions came up, with Roberta trade restrictions. He has also given the State the “constructive” and “respectful” nature of the talks. president Bill Clinton’s administration. Jacobson, the top US State Department official for Department six months to review whether Cuba In the end, however, no major announcements were Latin America, pressing Cuba over human rights. “We should remain on the terror list. To be removed, Cuba made and no dates were set for the reopening of ‘We can live together’ have ... to overcome more than 50 years of a relation- must not have sponsored terror in the past six embassies. “The fact that they were meeting in and It was the first get-together since US President ship that was not based on confidence or trust,” months and promise to not do it in the future, of itself is what matters,” Ted Piccone, a Latin Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro Jacobson said. The Cuban delegation responded with Piccone said. The Congress then has 45 days to over- American expert at the Brookings Institution think announced in December their intention to normalize its own statement accusing the United States of com- ride the decision. “The process is technically easy,” tank in Washington said. “It’s important because it ties. After being estranged all these years, the two mitting a host of human rights abuses. The Cuban for- Piccone said. “But politically it will be an opportunity signals that we are in a new era, we are going to sides had lots to talk about, like how to upgrade their eign ministry’s US affairs director, Josefina Vidal, said for opponents of the normalization process to say have direct talks regarding a whole basket of issues,” “interests sections” into embassies with ambassadors. her government “has never responded to pressures” that Cuba is not cooperating.”— AFP NY Assembly Speaker charged with fraud

NEW YORK: New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one Preet Bharara told reporters. At a brief court appearance on of the state’s most powerful politicians for more than two Thursday afternoon, a judge released Silver on a $200,000 decades, was charged on Thursday with pocketing $4 million bond. His next court date is scheduled for Feb 23. Asked for a from bribery and kickback schemes. Silver, a Democrat who comment outside the courtroom, he said, “I am confident that has served as the highest-ranking state assemblyman since after a full hearing and due process I will be vindicated for 1994, was accused in a federal criminal complaint in New York, these charges.” as authorities moved to seize $3.8 million in proceeds tied to Despite some calls for Silver’s resignation, Albany the alleged corruption. Democrats emerged from a private meeting on Thursday to The 70-year-old Silver, a licensed lawyer who represents declare their support for him, with Assembly Majority Leader Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is known as one of Albany’s Joseph Morelle saying the members “overwhelmingly” stood three most powerful men, alongside Governor Andrew behind Silver. Cuomo has not commented on the arrest, but Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos. He has been said in an interview with the New York Daily News that it was a leading voice in years of negotiations over state budgets “a bad reflection on government,” adding that he didn’t know and key legislation. The Assembly canceled its Thursday ses- enough to form a judgment about the case. Another promi- sion following Silver’s arrest, less than two weeks after the nent Democrat, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, said he did new legislative session opened. Silver would lose his seat if not think Silver should step down, citing his “due process convicted of any of five felony counts and faces a maximum of rights.” “In my experience with Shelly Silver, I’ve seen integrity 20 years of prison on each count. and public service,” de Blasio told reporters, according to a He became the latest addition to a long line of New York transcript released by his office. In 2013, Cuomo launched an politicians implicated in corruption scandals. At least 30 New anticorruption panel called the Moreland Commission to York politicians have faced legal or ethics charges since 2000. probe wrongdoing in the state’s capital. But he abruptly shut “As today’s charges make clear, the show-me-the-money cul- the commission down in March, drawing criticism from BUENOS AIRES: People hold placards that read “Justice” during a rally in front of the headquarters of the AMIA ture of Albany has been perpetuated and promoted at the Bharara, whose office took possession of its files to continue (Argentine Israelite Mutual Association), in Buenos Aires to protest against the death of Argentine public prosecutor very top of the political food chain,” Manhattan US Attorney any investigations. —Reuters Alberto Nisman, who was found shot dead earlier, just days after accusing President Cristina Kirchner of obstructing a probe into a 1994 Jewish center bombing that killed 85 people and injured another 300.— AFP Town once run by polygamist leader Jeffs is sharply divided Spies, lies, death: plot HILDALE: As polygamist leader Warren earth. Women and girls wearing prairie ical offshoot of mainstream Mormonism thickens in Argentina Jeffs awaited his fate in a Texas prison, he dresses with up-do hairstyles can be seen whose members believe polygamy brings sent an order to his followers on the Utah- around town, pumping gas and driving exaltation in heaven. Arizona border: Build me a new com- tractors. They often run and hide when Polygamy is a legacy of the early teach- Doubts mount over ‘suicide hypothesis’ pound. Hundreds of men worked around they see outsiders. Men drive trucks with ings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- the clock for three months to construct a windows tinted so dark you can’t tell who day Saints, but the mainstream church BUENOS AIRES: Alberto Nisman was working hard to pre- Jmelnitzky, said at an event in front of the center that was mammoth, two-story edifice with dozens is inside. Though he’s been in jail in Utah or abandoned the practice in 1890 and now pare for a congressional hearing on his claim that bombed in 1994. “Once more a family has been destroyed - of rooms. It was encircled by a 15-foot wall Texas continually since 2006, Jeffs is strictly prohibits it. Uncertainty hovers over Argentina’s president tried to whitewash Iran’s alleged two girls are without a father, a mother will always cry for of special white cement. The carpets were believed to still rule the FLDS through let- everybody, followers and defectors alike, involvement in a bombing that killed 85 people, a make- her son.” turquoise, just as he liked. At the time, in ters and phone calls from prison. One of because the homes they live in that used or-break day in his career as prosecutor. In the spotlight 2010, Jeffs believed God would allow him his brothers, Lyle Jeffs, is here and makes to be controlled by a church trust have since leveling his hefty accusations last week, Nisman Borrowed gun to return to live with his wives and children sure Jeffs’ commandments are carried out. been in the hands of Utah officials since needed to make a convincing case, based on a decade of Instead of vowing to shed light on the matter, in a village of 7,700 at the foot of pictur- To his followers, roughly estimated to be 2005. A state judge recently created a work with spy agencies around the world. Fernandez and her government have been on the defen- esque red rock cliffs. But that never hap- about 6,000, he is a prophet who speaks board that will soon begin the messy task So he put in the extra hours at his Buenos Aires apart- sive, trying to refute Nisman’s claims against her - that she pened. for God and can do no wrong. of sorting out who gets deeds to more ment on Saturday. Friends described him as upbeat and wanted to block his investigation in order to normalize Nearly four years after Jeffs was sen- determined ahead of his appearance and he was schedul- relations with Iran and get access to its oil. Argentine tenced to life for sexually assaulting under- ing interviews with journalists for the coming days. He also courts have accused a group of Iranians of planting the age girls he considered brides, his com- reportedly wrote up a list of groceries he would ask his bomb at the community center but Iran has always denied pound is being converted into a bed and maid to buy on Monday. But Nisman, 51, never made it to any involvement in the attack. Some have suggested breakfast - a symbol of the changes over- Monday. He was killed by a bullet to the head and his body Nisman may have killed himself after realizing his report taking the community he once led. Today, found on the floor of his bathroom on Sunday night. was based on false evidence. It was met last week with crit- the sister cities of Hildale, Utah, and Officials initially said he apparently committed suicide icism that it relied too heavily on hearsay. New findings Colorado City, Arizona, are split between with a 22 caliber gun borrowed from a distant colleague, over the past few days have cast doubt over Nisman’s state loyalists who still believe Jeffs is a victim of and a source close to the judicial investigation who visited of mind. Friends and colleagues say he appeared upbeat. religious persecution and defectors who the scene said there was so much blood that no one could When one asked him via Whatsapp on Saturday afternoon are embracing government efforts to pull have left it without leaving a trace. But from day one, most how he was getting on, his response was a photo of piles the town into modern society. Argentines, including his family and friends, refused to of documents and highlighters. Jeffs’ compound is being converted by believe Nisman committed suicide. The timing was too sus- To a journalist for Clarin newspaper, Nicolas Winaski, he his former bodyguard, Willie Jessop, who picious, the circumstances too mysterious, and they say he wrote “Everything will be known, Nicolas, you will see”, say- for years defended the Fundamentalist was simply not that kind of man. “No one believes the sui- ing that he was “calm” and adding a smiley face to his mes- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, cide hypothesis,” said one person on Nisman’s investigative sage. But that same day, Nisman asked to borrow a gun or FLDS. In defiance of some of Jeffs’ rules, team, who declined to be named for fear of repercussions from a colleague, apparently saying he needed it for self- he now flies the American flag, keeps the and preferred not to use his cellphone, believing it was protection even though media reports say he already had gate open and has torn down part of the tapped. guns registered in his name. The borrowed gun was the wall - all meant as clear signals that there is “He was very convinced of his ideas and prepared to see one found by his body. The case keeps taking new twists. life after Jeffs in this divided place 300 them through. He had received threats all his life and it While the security ministry originally said it found Nisman’s miles south of Salt Lake City. never intimidated him,” he said. President Cristina flat locked from the inside, suggesting he was alone, the Down the block from the compound, Fernandez has come around to that view, too, saying on locksmith who forced entrance into the flat said the door kids can be heard on the playground at a Thursday that she was “convinced” it was not a suicide. was merely pulled shut with the keys in the lock. public school that opened this fall for the People had led him astray in his investigation in order to The prosecutor probing the case has called for patience. first time in 13 years. Around the corner UTAH: Girls stand in a playground in Colorado City, Ariz. The sister cities of smear her name and then “needed him dead”, she said. She She is waiting to talk with Nisman’s doctors and see the stand abandoned houses where the state Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, once run by polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, did not, however, say who ordered his death and no arrests results of toxicological and psychopathological checks, and recently evicted Jeffs followers who are split between loyalists who still believe he is a victim of religious persecu- have been made. The case has convulsed Argentina and said she would not be influenced by the president’s com- refused to pay $100-a-month occupancy tion and defectors who are embracing government efforts to pull the town into set off a storm of conspiracy theories, many pointing at ments. “She is free to have an opinion like any citizen,” fees. Twenty-four other families are receiv- modern society. — AP Fernandez herself, Argentine intelligence services, or Iran, Viviana Fein said. “I am focused on my investigation, on ing deeds to their homes - a first for a com- or all three. what I will achieve and discover along with the judge munity where nearly all the houses have “To have it exposed that the leader was than 700 homes in the community esti- working with me.” Argentines say they have already waited belonged to sect leaders since 1942. engaged in such horrific, immoral acts was mated to be worth more than $100 mil- Questions abound more than 20 years for answers to the 1994 bombing and Still, those small changes are overshad- a really dark place not only for me and my lion. Why would Nisman kill himself on the eve of the hear- they fear justice won’t be done for Nisman either. owed by indications that Jeffs’ flock family but the entire community,” said Sect leaders have been moving people ing in Congress after dedicating years to investigating the Whatever the outcome of the investigation is, the crisis remains large and loyal. The Hildale and Jessop, who left in 2011. “That’s why you from home to home for years, said Katie 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos has hurt the leftist Fernandez. While thousands of protest- Colorado City town councils are filled with see such a fractured situation as people try Cox, a longtime resident and member of Aires and believing he was on the cusp of proving a cover- ers gathered outside her residence this week, some shout- Jeffs loyalists. The 190 children at the to come to grips with what he’s in prison the community’s housing board. Cox was up at the highest levels of government? If Nisman was so ing “murderer”, more sober critics have attacked her han- Hildale public school are only a fraction of for. It’s easier for people to put it under reli- one of two dozen people recently given much under threat as to warrant the police assigning him dling of the matter. So far, she has limited her response to the town’s estimated 1,200 school-aged gious persecution than the reality of why deeds to their houses. She said granting 10 bodyguards, why was none of them in the building at rambling Facebook posts. Nisman’s death has raised serious kids. Many sect members still follow Jeffs’ he’s actually in there.” Doran Jessop, a home ownership has offered hope that the time? doubts among Argentines about the intelligence service, edict not to send their children to class. member of the FLDS and the Hildale City sect leaders will be unable to control peo- When they could not contact him all of Sunday, why did the justice system and politics. Many have taken to social Towering brick walls with no-trespassing Council, said Jeffs is in prison for advocat- ple by way of their houses. “It’s a symbol of they wait for his mother to arrive with a spare key in the media to complain about the state of their country. Jose signs surround many of homes that ing the principles of Christ. Asked about freedom. It’s a symbol that we are part of evening rather than force the door open? “The causes of Mujica, the outspoken president of the small, neighboring resemble small motels. “Zion” signs hang the sexual assault convictions, he said if this United States,” said Cox. “For so long, it the death are not clear ... and clarification is today an country of Uruguay, said he felt sorry for Argentina and that above dozens of front doors in a nod to Jeffs has “done anything like that, it was seemed like we had our own little Soviet imperative of maximum priority for all of Argentine socie- its justice system needs to clear up the case to maintain “the the religion’s belief in creating a heaven on directed toward the Lord.” The sect is a rad- Union here.”—AP ty,” the president of the Jewish Association AMIA, Leonardo minimal confidence our societies need”. — Reuters INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 Park names new PM amid falling support

SEOUL: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye yes- a row withdrew their nominations amid disputes tial chief of staff Kim Ki-Choon, who faces a storm of Park has denied the allegations, but yesterday’s terday appointed a new prime minister in an appar- over their allegedly tainted past. As a result, Chung criticism over a reported power struggle among statement nevertheless said that the official roles of ent bid to bolster her sagging approval ratings, hit has served in the post throughout. “I will do my presidential aides that has gripped the headlines for the three aides will now be curtailed. by a scandal involving her aides. Park named Lee utmost to help turn around the slowing economy,” months, with allegations they wielded undue influ- The president’s support base has also been Wan-Koo, parliamentary floor leader of the ruling Lee told journalists after being named the new pre- ence. Park’s approval rating has fallen sharply this undermined by a recent public backlash against Saenuri Party, to replace Chung Hong-Won as prime mier, which though the top cabinet member month, plunging from 43 percent on January 9 to an changes in tax codes that apparently resulted in minister, the presidential Blue House said in a press remains a largely ceremonial role in South Korea’s all-time low of 34 percent on Thursday, posing a more levies on the middle class. She faces mount- statement. The outgoing prime minister tendered political system where the president has outsized growing threat to the government’s drive to resusci- ing attacks that her government has idled away his resignation last year, holding himself responsible power. His nomination requires parliamentary tate the country’s sluggish economy. The decline in two years of its five-year term as the country is for the mishandling of a ferry disaster that claimed approval, but that is likely to be a matter of formality her popularity accelerated after she rejected calls dogged by a slowing economy, growing gaps more than 300 lives in April. as the ruling party has a comfortable majority in the from critics to dismiss three long-time aides accused between the rich and the poor, high youth unem- But while Park tried to replace Chung last year, National Assembly. of monopolizing access to the president and inter- ployment and lingering tensions with nuclear- she was unable to do so because two candidates in Park yesterday retained her embattled presiden- fering with government personnel changes. armed North Korea. — AFP Philippines blast kills 1, injures 48

ZAMBOANGA: One person was killed and included the bombing of a ferry in Manila in 48 others injured yesterday as a parked car 2004 in which more than 100 people died, exploded in the southern Philippines, with and repeated kidnappings of foreigners in the local authorities blaming the blast on the southern Philippines who are usually Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic militants. Witnesses ransomed off for huge amounts. told police a parked car went up in flames Many foreign governments warn their and was torn to pieces in a powerful mid- citizens against travelling to the southern afternoon blast that shattered glass panels Philippine areas, including Zamboanga, in a commercial section on Zamboanga which are regarded as strongholds for the city’s outskirts. Abu Sayyaf and other Islamic militants. The “There was a suspected bomb in the car,” Abu Sayyaf claims it is fighting to establish Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro, an independent Islamic homeland in the the city police chief, told reporters. The Muslim populated south of the mainly explosion occurred in front of a pub and Catholic Philippines. The Zamboanga city across the street from a bus terminal, he jail warden, Julius Arro, told reporters that said. No group has claimed responsibility prison authorities foiled an attempt by for the blast and the lone fatality was not unknown supporters to slip at least one immediately identified, he said. Most of the gun and 100 bullets to Abu Sayyaf other casualties were cut from flying glass detainees on Monday. shards and are being treated at nearby hos- No arrests were made, he added. Since pitals, Casimiro added. Zamboanga city 2002, US troops have been helping train Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco alleged the and advise Filipino troops fighting Abu blast was linked to a plan by the Abu Sayyaf Sayyaf militants, and the group has been armed group to spring 57 comrades mostly contained in recent years. In detained at the city jail. September 2013, Zamboanga was attacked She demanded that the national govern- by another Muslim armed group loyal to ment remove the prisoners from the city former Muslim rebel leader Nur Misuari. and transfer them to a detention facility The attack triggered three weeks of street TOKYO: Muslims offer Friday prayers at Tokyo Camii, the largest mosque in Japan yesterday. The deadline for paying ransom for two Japanese elsewhere so the city would not be targeted battles that left more than 240 people dead hostages held by the Islamic State group passed yesterday with no signs of a breakthrough. — AP by bombings. “This is an SOS call for the 57 and large parts of the city of nearly one mil- inmates to be removed and transferred for lion in smouldering ruins. During the fight- the safety and protection of the city,” ing, in which the rebels also used civilians Japan rules out military Climaco told reporters. The Abu Sayyaf, a as human shields, about 10,000 homes loose band of a few hundred militants were destroyed by fires, forcing 116,000 to founded with seed money from Al Qaeda, flee. Misuari remains at large and faces has been blamed for the worst terror rebellion charges alongside 57 detained strike on Islamic State attacks in Philippine history. These have attackers. — AFP Widodo calls for A mother pleads as Japan hostage deadline passes

TOKYO: Japan’s government considered tion could allow Japan to provide logistical sup- terday, after one captive’s mother made a des- calm after arrest of whether planned legal changes would allow a port for the United States, which is conducting perate plea to save her son’s life. Japan had military strike on Islamic State militants and con- air strikes against Islamic State. heard nothing from the extremists holding Kenji senior graft fighter cluded it did not, as officials scrambled to seek “We are proceeding with consideration of a Goto, a freelance journalist, or Haruna Yukawa, the release of two Japanese captured in Syria, legal framework to implement support activities the self-employed contractor who he had gone JAKARTA: Indonesian president Joko gations. He was accused of ordering wit- according to a document reviewed by Reuters. necessary to support other militaries in con- to rescue, the chief government spokesman The briefing document was compiled yesterday tributing to Japan’s peace and safety and the said. “There has been no message” from the Widodo urged the national police and nesses to give false evidence during a by Japanese officials at the request of the prime peace and stability of the international commu- Islamic State group since the 72-hour deadline the country’s most powerful anti-graft 2010 constitutional court challenge to a minister’s office, shortly before a deadline to pay nity,” said the reply, without mentioning Islamic expired at 2:50 pm (0550 GMT) yesterday, agency to avoid “friction” after the arrest local election result, Sompie added. “We ransom for the release of the two men. There State. The top government spokesman, however, Yoshihide Suga told reporters. of a prominent corruption fighter have enough strong evidence of his sus- was no immediate word on their fate after the said the government was not considering “The situation remains very severe, but the sparked an outcry yesterday. The shock pected involvement in the case,” he said. 0550 GMT deadline passed. whether collective self-defense would apply to government is making its utmost efforts, asking arrest of Bambang Widjojanto, deputy Sompie insisted the investigation was The capture of two Japanese citizens in Syria the fight against Islamic State. At a news confer- for cooperation from many countries and heads chief at the Corruption Eradication focused on Widjojanto and unrelated to represented an “unacceptable act of terror,” the ence, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga of ethnic groups.” Reporters waiting for any Commission (KPK), comes about a week the KPK, an institution that has butted document said. But it concluded the situation also said the government was not preparing a announcement on the two men’s fate said Prime after the agency accused a high-ranking heads with police in the past. The KPK did not meet the legal conditions for the dis- position paper on the subject. Minister Shinzo Abe looked tired and drawn as police general of corruption, postponing this month launched a corruption inves- patch of Japanese forces. Japan’s pacifist consti- The document reviewed by Reuters reaffirms he rushed from one commitment to the next. his appointment as the country’s new tigation into three-star general Budi tution bans its troops fighting overseas, among Japan’s intent to press ahead with “non-military” Hours earlier, Junko Ishido launched an emo- police chief. Hundreds of activists gath- Gunawan, who just days earlier had been other restrictions on the military. However, Abe humanitarian aid for countries affected by tional appeal for mercy for Goto, her son. “I say ered for a noisy protest outside the KPK named the sole pick for national police is trying to ease curbs on exercising the right of Islamic State, a position restated by Abe and oth- to you people of the Islamic State, Kenji is not headquarters in Jakarta, claiming chief by Widodo. collective self-defense, or militarily aiding an ally er top officials during the hostage crisis. Abe your enemy. Please release him,” she said. “Kenji Widjojanto’s arrest for allegedly interfer- The president refused to revoke under attack, in a reinterpretation of the consti- announced $200 million in such aid on Saturday was always saying ‘I hope to save lives of chil- ing in a legal case was police acting out Gunawan’s nomination, but later post- tution that must now be passed into law. in Cairo. On Tuesday, Islamic State released a dren on battlefields’. He was reporting war from of revenge. poned his appointment until the KPK The document, in the form of potential ques- video showing the captives, Kenji Goto and a neutral position.” Indonesia’s millions of social media investigation was complete. At the tions the Abe government could face and Haruna Yukawa, and demanding the same The high drama in Tokyo comes three days users called on Widodo, who made com- protest outside KPK headquarters, answers to them, reflects the views of various amount for their release. The document does after the sudden release by the Islamic State bating corruption a cornerstone of his demonstrators were adamant government agencies including the foreign and not refer to Islamic State’s ransom demand or group of a video in which Goto and Yukawa, defense ministries. However, it avoided a direct any possible response. apparently kneeling in the desert, are threat- leadership, to speak out with Widjojanto’s arrest was retaliation for the answer on whether Japan’s Self-Defense Forces ened with execution by a British-accented man. #WhereAreYouJokowi just trailing Gunawan case.”The arrest was symbolic had the military capacity to respond to a Mother pleads “You now have 72 hours to pressure your gov- #SaveKPK as the top mentions on Twitter. of what is happening. The police are try- hostage crisis like the current one. The docu- Meanwhile, the deadline set by Islamist mili- ernment into making a wise decision by paying The president, speaking after meeting ing to kill the KPK,” 26-year-old lawyer ment also posed the question of whether legal tants threatening to kill two Japanese men the $200 million to save the lives of your citi- with the KPK chairman and deputy Veronica Koman said. Widjojanto was changes being pursued by the Abe administra- unless they were given $200 million passed yes- zens,” he said. — Agencies police chief, urged both parties to act widely seen as a clean figure in a nation objectively. “As head of state I also asked that has seen more than its share of the national police and KPK not to let high-profile graft cases. Anti-corruption friction occur when performing their group Transparency International ranked Ousted Thai PM banned from duties,” Widodo told reporters. Earlier Indonesia 107th out of 175 countries in national police spokesman Ronny its annual corruption perceptions index Sompie said Widjojanto could face seven last year. A number one ranking means politics, faces criminal charges years in prison if found guilty of the alle- the least corrupt.— AFP Yingluck could face up to 10 years in jail

BANGKOK: Thai authorities dealt a double blow to building where the military-stacked legislature vot- supporters, who see the courts and NLA as biased ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her ed Yingluck guilty in a separate impeachment case and aligned with an establishment intent on block- powerful family yesterday, banning her from poli- for failing to exercise sufficient oversight of the rice ing the Shinawatra family from politics. “Yingluck’s tics for five years and proceeding with criminal subsidy scheme. case was not dealt with fairly,” said Thanawut charges for negligence that could put her in jail. The retroactive impeachment at the National Wichaidit, a spokesman for the pro-Yingluck United The moves could stoke tension in the politically Legislative Assembly (NLA) carries with it a five- Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. “The divided country still living under martial law after year ban from politics. Yingluck defended the rice intention of these actions is for Yingluck and the the military seized power in May, toppling the rem- scheme and disputed the charges in a hearing at entire Shinawatra family to be eradicated from Thai nants of Yingluck’s government to end months of the NLA on Thursday, but did not appear yesterday. politics. I believe there is an invisible hand behind street protests. The ban and the legal case are the A vote to impeach required a three-fifths majority Yingluck’s impeachment.” Around 150 members of latest twist in 10 years of turbulent politics that the Shinawatra political movement have been have pitted Yingluck and her brother Thaksin, him- banned from politics in the last decade, including self a former prime minister, against the royalist- four who had served as prime ministers. military establishment which sees the Shinawatras as a threat and reviles their populist policies. Army chief airs concern Yingluck will face criminal charges in the Prayuth’s government has urged Yingluck’s sup- Supreme Court and if found guilty faces up to 10 porters to stay out of Bangkok this week over con- years in jail, the Attorney General’s Office said yes- cerns of trouble, although a repeat of the protests terday. The charges against the country’s first that have dogged the country in recent years female premier, who was removed from office for appears unlikely. Authorities have been quick to abuse of power in May days before the coup, con- stifle dissent, and political meetings are banned cern her role in a scheme that paid farmers above under martial law. In a radio broadcast, Army Chief market prices for rice and cost Thailand billions of General Udomdej Sitabutr called on the population dollars. Yingluck vowed to fight the charges. “Thai to respect the NLA vote, and a spokesman for the democracy has died along with the rule of law,” she Ousted Thai prime minister Yingluck junta said it had seen no sign of unrest. “Political said in a statement posted on her Facebook page. Shinawatra gatherings cannot happen as we are still under “I will fight until the end to prove my innocence, among NLA members, who were hand-picked by martial law,” junta spokesman Winthai Suvaree said. no matter what the outcome will be. And most the junta of coup leader and Prime Minister The government also asked Yingluck not to hold a importantly, I want to stand alongside the Thai Prayuth Chan-ocha. Around 100 of the 220 mem- press conference after the verdict yesterday, he JAKARTA: Demonstrators gather outside the headquarters of the Corruption people. Together we must bring Thailand prosperi- bers are former or serving military officers. Prayuth said. Yingluck’s fortunes have been similar to those Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta yesterday to show support for Bambang ty, bring back democracy and truly build justice in said he had not ordered the NLA to vote against of her billionaire brother. Widjojanto, the deputy chief of Indonesia’s most powerful anti-corruption body. The Thai society.” There was no sign of protests on the Yingluck, who remains popular among the rural Both led populist governments toppled in deputy chief of Indonesia’s most powerful anti-corruption body was arrested yester- capital’s busy streets yesterday, as residents poor that handed her a landslide electoral victory coups, despite being elected in landslides, and day over allegations he interfered in a legal case, sparking protests outside the adhered to the junta’s ban on public gatherings. in 2011 and benefited from the rice scheme. both were subjected to legal action and street agency headquarters. — AFP Security was tightened around the parliament The impeachment was expected by Yingluck protests by pro-establishment activists. — Reuters SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues Prince Muqrin close confidant of late king

By Angus McDowall and William Maclean

rince Muqrin, named last year as second in line to the Saudi throne, was a trusted confidant of the late King PAbdullah with a reputation as a liberal. Born on Sept 15, 1945 in Riyadh, Muqrin is the youngest of the 45 sons of Abdulaziz bin Saud, the founder of Saudi Arabia. He graduat- ed from Britain’s Royal Air Force College and served in the Saudi air force until taking on political roles from 1980. He was governor of the northern province of Hail, and then of In this Feb 21, 2007 photo, Saudi King Abdullah, surrounded by Saudi princes, holds his sword as he takes part in the traditional Arda dance, or war dance, during the Janadriyah Madinah in the west. Festival of Heritage and Culture on the outskirts of Riyadh. In 2005, Muqrin was appointed head of Saudi intelligence, a post that helped the prince build a network of international contacts. In 2012, King Abdullah named him as counsellor and special envoy, and the following year appointed him sec- King Salman follows in brother’s footsteps ond deputy prime minister. Diplomats say Muqrin was very close to Abdullah and was frequently entrusted with sensitive By Angus McDowall between quarreling members of the ruling family, putting him followers fired by an austere vision of Islam, setting off a three- assignments. He has been involved in key foreign policy at the centre of the kingdom’s most important power structure. decade campaign of conquest that carved out the modern bor- issues, including in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Yemen, he death on Friday of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah means The governor’s office overlooks Riyadh’s most appealing square. ders of a kingdom founded in 1932. As one of the so-called and is known for his open hostility to Iran, Saudi Arabia’s Salman bin Abdulaziz has become the country’s new ruler Salman was appointed governor of Riyadh province at the age “Sudairi seven” - the brothers born to Ibn Saud by his favourite Shiite-dominated arch rival across the Gulf. In an unprece- and the last to be born before the discovery of oil in the of only 20, in line with a tradition of putting royal family mem- wife Hassa bint Ahmed Al-Sudairi - Salman has been at the cen- dented move, Abdullah named Muqrin as deputy crown T world’s top crude exporter. As king, Salman, thought to be 79, bers in charge of key provinces. He is considered the architect tre of royal power for decades. prince in March 2014, making him second in line to the will have to navigate regional turmoil caused by wars in Iraq of the development of Riyadh from a desert backwater to a His full brothers in a family of more than 30 half-brothers throne behind then-Crown Prince Salman. Analysts say that if and Syria, as well as a bitter rivalry with Shiite power Iran and a modern metropolis, balancing the historic power of the Red include the late King Fahd and Crown Princes Sultan and Nayef, Muqrin becomes king he is likely to press ahead with the lim- lingering threat from an Al-Qaeda wing in neighbouring Sea city of Jeddah. ited economic and social reforms launched by Abdullah in Yemen. His crown prince will be his youngest half brother The governorship “allowed him to serve as a generally very the deeply conservative kingdom. Prince Muqrin, a former intelligence chief who was appointed well respected arbiter of Al-Saud family affairs, as well as over- “Muqrin may mark the start of a more accelerated reform as deputy crown prince in March. seeing the city’s emergence,” said Eleanor Gillespie of the program at home,” said Frederic Wehrey, Gulf expert at the A reputed moderate with a deft understanding of the com- London-based Gulf States Newsletter. “Salman has a reputation Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “There is peting demands of conservative clerics, powerful tribes and an for probity and for being ‘clean’ when it comes to money,” already a great deal of pressure from technocrats and the increasingly youthful population, Salman will also have the final Gillespie said. He has developed solid ties with foreign partners youthful citizenry for the kingdom to modernise domestically say on social and economic reforms started under Abdullah. “It and “is probably Western policy-makers’ favourite choice when if it is going to compete on the global stage,” he said. appeared to me he had a good handle on the delicate balanc- it comes to future kings”, Gillespie said. Salman only took on his “Muqrin is not as conservative (as Salman), but we will see ing act he had to do to move society forward while being first ministerial post - as defence minister - in 2011. how much of a role he will play in the new reign. According to respectful of its traditions and conservative ways,” said Robert Said to be a hard worker who arrives in the office every day Saudi law, the crown prince cannot do more than what he is Jordan who was US ambassador in Riyadh from 2001-03. at 7:00 am sharp, Salman also has a reputation for accessibility, assigned by the king,” said Khalid Al-Dakheel, a political sci- A physically imposing figure, Salman controls one of the holding court three times a week. “He is a man of dialogue who ence professor in Riyadh. “He gives you an impression of a Arab world’s largest media groups. He believes that democracy always preferred to solve problems amicably,” said Anwar Eshki, progressive guy who knows the world very well. When he is ill-suited to the conservative kingdom and advocates caution the director of the Jeddah-based Middle East Institute for was governor of Medina he made reforms and he is into cul- on social and cultural reform, according to a 2007 US diplomatic Strategic Studies. “He prefers moderation” in internal and for- ture and music,” said Jamal Khashoggi, head of a television cable released by WikiLeaks. For nearly 50 years Salman was eign policy and “follows in the steps of Abdullah”, who was a news channel owned by another prince. “He’s bilingual and governor of Riyadh Province, a role that involved working close- keen reformer, said Eshki. Salman is also in charge of the many an avid reader of The Economist. It’s his favourite magazine,” ly with both conservative traditionalists and liberal technocrats young princes in the royal family, who “respect and fear him”, he added. as he oversaw the development of the Saudi capital from a Eshki said. Muqrin’s naming as deputy crown prince was opposed by small desert town to a major metropolis. In a meeting with the US ambassador in March 2007, some members of the royal family, with a quarter of the However, when two elder full-brothers, crown princes Sultan described in a cable released by WikiLeaks, Salman said the members of the Council of Allegiance that decides on succes- and Nayef died within a year of each other, Salman was social and cultural reforms instigated by King Abdullah had to sion issues reportedly voting against him. Muqrin’s mother Saudi King Salman appointed first defence minister and then heir apparent. The move slowly for fear of a conservative backlash. He also argued was Yemeni and he would set a precedent if he accedes to defence portfolio involved running the kingdom’s top-spend- against the introduction of democracy in the kingdom, citing the throne by becoming the first king born to a non-Saudi ing ministry, which used massive arms purchases to bolster ties regional and tribal divisions, and told the ambassador that a and former interior minister Prince Ahmed. Salman was born in mother. Twice married and the father of 15 children, Muqrin with allies such as the United States, Britain and France. He has solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was necessary for 1936 in Riyadh, then a mud-brick oasis town deep in the interi- presides over several associations and social organisations, been part of the inner circle of the Al-Saud ruling family, which Middle East stability. or of a new kingdom that had not yet discovered oil, depending like many other royals. Muqrin is known for his modesty, and founded and still dominates the desert kingdom in alliance Jordan said Prince Salman had initially refused to believe instead on revenue from pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah, date interest in agriculture and astronomy. He is also a staunch with conservative religious clerics, for decades. Saudis participated in the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on the United farming and camel herding. supporter of developing e-government services in the ultra- In a royal family that bases its right to rule on its guardian- States, but his attitude changed in the face of increasingly solid Yet one son, Prince Sultan bin Salman, became the first Arab conservative kingdom. ship of Islam’s holiest sites in Makkah and Madinah, Salman is evidence that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis. “He doesn’t astronaut, flying on the US space shuttle Discovery in 1985. A 2009 US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks reputed to be devout and relatively outward-looking. “He’s blindly accept everything the United States says, but at the Prince Sultan is now the kingdom’s tourism minister while described Muqrin as having the confidence of the king, who intelligent, political, in touch with the conservative base but same time he understands the importance of the relationship, another son, Prince Abdulaziz, is the deputy oil minister. In his had “given him the lead on Saudi efforts to resolve conflicts in also quite modern-minded,” said a former diplomat in Riyadh which goes beyond oil,” Jordan said. five decades administering Riyadh and its surroundings, Salman Afghanistan and Pakistan” and sent him to build ties with interviewed about the kingdom’s succession process. oversaw the development of the capital from a large desert Syria. Prince Muqrin trained as a military pilot at Cranwell, a Royal Power town into a metropolis of 4.6 million people. Prince Salman was British Royal Air Force base, and is described by diplomats as Riyadh Governor With his strong, bearded features, Salman is the prince who taught in the “princes’ school” set up in Ibn Saud’s palace by the outgoing and gregarious. He served for nearly 20 years as As governor of Riyadh from 1962 until 2011, Salman had is said to resemble his father, King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, more imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah, signalling the impor- governor of Hail province before being promoted to the post more to do with foreign governments than many senior royals. closely than do any of his brothers. Ibn Saud recaptured his tance that Ibn Saud attached to the centrality of pure Islamic of governor of Madinah province in 1999. — Agencies The role also meant he was responsible for arbitrating disputes family’s old stronghold of Riyadh in 1902 with a small group of belief in the kingdom he created. — Agencies Prince Mohammed marks kingdom’s generational shift

By Angus McDowall who are more receptive to ideas of reform. But he is good at mak- important portfolios such as foreign affairs, intelligence and ing everybody think he is in their camp. That’s what makes a suc- defence. But while his promotion to minister pleased some allies, audi Arabia’s Interior Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, cessful politician,” said Jamal Khashoggi, general manager of Al- such as the United States with whose security forces he worked a close friend of the United States and a scourge of Islamist Arab News, when Prince Mohammed was appointed in 2012. closely, it also worried some Saudis who fear his security-con- Smilitants, will be the country’s first king from the third gener- scious approach will impinge on civil liberties. ation of its ruling dynasty. King Salman moved swiftly to appoint Select Group The prince, a son of the late Crown Prince Nayef who had Mohammed Deputy Crown Prince on Friday, hours after he took Prince Mohammed is now the youngest member of the select served as Interior Minister since 1975 until his sudden death from the throne following the death of King Abdullah. The decision group of princes at the top of government who control the most a heart attack in 2012, has come to be closely identified with the appeared to settle for many years to come tough decisions over formidable structure his father created. During his two years in the kingdom’s future succession. charge of the ministry, the government’s tolerance for dissent has By sending an assassin to try to kill Prince Mohammed when shown no sign of loosening as a steady stream of activists have he was Saudi security chief in 2009, Al-Qaeda paid him the com- been detained and imprisoned on charges that include talking to pliment of treating him as one of its most dangerous enemies. The foreign media. prince narrowly survived that attack, in which a militant But unlike the late Nayef, who was widely regarded as an approached him claiming he wanted to defect before detonating instinctively conservative man who took policy cues from the a bomb concealed under his clothes, and was named Interior country’s powerful clergy, Prince Mohammed was educated in the Minister in Nov 2012. The 55-year-old is now firmly established as United States, receiving a degree in political science in 1981. An the most powerful member of his generation in the ruling al-Saud old friend of the interior minister described him as being a fan of family, and even before he becomes king will be one of the most Hollywood action films and a gun enthusiast, who built a private important figures in the world’s top oil exporter. shooting range at his palace. Saudi Crown Prince Muqrin He is the first grandson of Saudi Arabia’s first monarch, King Whatever his personal views, however, Prince Mohammed has Abdulaziz, or Ibn Saud, to join the line of succession. Abdulaziz followed his father’s example of keeping close ties with conserva- established the kingdom in 1932 and ruled until his death in 1953, tives, a group often seen in Saudi ruling circles as posing the a period in which Saudi Arabia assumed growing geo-political biggest potential threat to the government. Religious conserva- All articles appearing on these pages importance because of its huge oil resources, developed with US tives were behind uprisings in 1927 and 1979 and backed the are the personal opinion of the writ- partners. Mohammed remains in his position as Interior Minister, Islamist sahwa protest movement of the 1990s, while the most yesterday’s decree said. A March 2009 US embassy cable released recent serious challenge to Saudi rule came from al Qaeda last ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- by WikiLeaks described Prince Mohammed as already being the decade. The prince’s friend says his office is still staffed by ultra- ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait de facto interior minister and said he was “held in high regard by conservative men. In a ruling family where big policies are devel- Times invites readers to voice their Saudi King Abdullah ... and well respected by the Saudi populace”. oped through consensus, Prince Mohammed’s views may shape Yet despite his constant contacts with Western - particularly foreign policy too. opinions. Please send submissions via American - officials and a prominent media presence through his US embassy cables released by WikiLeaks show him to be email to: [email protected] or security role, Prince Mohammed remains something of an somewhat hawkish on Iran, consulting American officials on how via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, unknown quantity. Diplomats and Saudi analysts and academics best to protect key infrastructure “when at war with Iran”. are uncertain what positions he holds on the big long-term issue However, his focus on the risk of creating a new wave of domestic Kuwait. The editor reserves the right facing the kingdom: Reconciling social change and a young pop- militants helped shape a Saudi policy on Syria that included more to edit any submission as necessary. ulation with conservative traditions and an oil-dependent econo- government aid to the opposition while discouraging private citi- my. “I would assume he’s from the second generation of princes Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed zens from becoming donors or rebels. — Reuters Egypt’s growth to be ‘easily north of 4%’ in 2014-15: FM Page 14

Business Greek reforms in balance as voters ponder left-wing turn SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 Page 15 ECB unleashes Turkish CB chief sees further fall in inflation aggressive effort to revive economy Page 16 Page 16

DAVOS: (From left) International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Professor in Economics and Business Michael Spence and Unilever CEO Paul Polman shakes hands after their session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting yesterday in Davos. — AFP New Saudi king to focus on jobs, reforms Naimi to stay as oil minister, stability the theme’

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s new king is expected to in oil prices in order to safeguard market decade, and a small cut in inflation-adjusted introduce new ones that have been on hold push such reforms; as governor of Riyadh focus economic policy on creating jobs and share. terms. But he said heavy state spending would because of their complexity and political sen- Province for over 40 years, he worked with multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects to Emad Mostaque, strategist at Ecstrat, an continue on job creation, education to achieve sitivity.For example, the kingdom has been technocrats and traditionalists to engineer the prevent falling oil prices from undermining emerging markets consultancy, said King a competitive workforce, upgrading the opening up to more competition in some sec- development of the capital from a desert town business confidence. Salman would face pressure to ensure public healthcare system, and massive projects such tors such as aviation, and moving towards into a major city. King Salman took the throne in the early support with state sector wage increases and as the $22.5 billion plan to build a metro rail making its legal system faster and more trans- But as crown price, Salman already played a hours of yesterday after the death of his broth- other populist steps. “These may well include system in Riyadh by 2019. parent in handling commercial cases. It will major role in running the economy over the er King Abdullah. The world’s top oil exporter expensive measures such as free housing for Many of these projects are central to the begin opening its stock market to direct for- past several years, so policy bears his imprint. relies on hydrocarbons for 90 percent of its young married couples and a potential con- long-term challenges which King Salman will eign investment this year. Few economists expect him to abandon his state revenues, but oil’s slide is slashing that sumer debt jubilee, where the government face: curbing rampant growth in domestic oil Authorities have so far largely held off on gradual, consensual approach to reform. income. The government has projected a takes over payments,” he said. consumption so that it doesn’t eat up supplies other reforms, such as cutting huge energy “Stability and continued progress will likely record $38.7 billion budget deficit for 2015 Other economists and businessmen think available for export, and diversifying the econ- subsidies to reduce waste and ease the bur- be the theme,” said Monica Malik, chief econo- and if Brent crude stays around $50 a barrel, Saudi Arabia, facing the risk of years of cheap omy beyond energy so that Saudi Arabia can den on state finances. They have been consid- mist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. Financial the shortfall will be much bigger. oil ahead, no longer has the leeway to throw survive when its crude runs out decades from ering for years whether to tax undeveloped markets are likely to be pleased by the way in King Salman was quick to keep veteran Oil money at problems in the way it once did. now. “The leadership knows it has to address land, in order to force more land into the mar- which the succession occurred. “The stock Minister Ali Al-Naimi in a message aimed at John Sfakianakis, regional director of asset these issues to ensure the future of the coun- ket and ease a housing shortage. market is likely to take the smooth way in calming a jittery energy market mindful of manager Ashmore in Riyadh, said the country try. There is already a consensus on this in the One possible social reform, allowing Saudi which the succession was handled as very Naimi’s powerful role within the OPEC group could not endlessly keep lifting expenditure in government,” Sfakianakis said. women to drive, could give a major boost to positive,” Sfakianakis said. of oil-exporting countries. an environment of much lower oil income. the economy by making it easier for women to Financial instruments used by foreign The 79-year-old Naimi has been a leading He noted that the 2015 state budget, REFORMS work, encouraging car ownership and elimi- investors to hedge against economic risk in figure in the market for two decades and suc- announced last month, envisaged a nominal A tantalizing possibility is that King Salman nating the need to hire hundreds of thou- Saudi Arabia, forward dollar/riyal contracts cessfully argued in November that OPEC spending increase of 0.6 percent from the could now accelerate some economic reforms sands of foreign chauffeurs. and credit default swaps, moved little in the should hold output steady despite a sharp fall 2014 budget plan - the smallest rise in over a that have been proceeding only slowly, and King Salman has the bureaucratic skills to hours after Abdullah’s death. — Reuters Oil prices rise over Easing inflation, growth put pressure on CBs market uncertainty LONDON/BEIJING: Businesses across Asia and Europe prices index fell to the lowest since the global financial have slashed prices at the start of the year to drum up crisis, reflecting a tumble in oil prices that is spreading trade, surveys showed yesterday, a day after the disinflationary pressure throughout the globe. LONDON: Oil prices rose yesterday after the death of Saudi European Central Bank voted to print money in a bid to Analysts at Nomura saw more downside pressure on Arabia’s King Abdullah added more uncertainty to an oil market revive inflation. Euro-zone firms cut prices at the fastest China’s producer prices, “enhancing our concerns over that has more than halved over the last six months. King Abdullah rate in nearly five years and Chinese factories cut them for deflation”. “This looks like a trend and it will affect core Bin Abdulaziz died early yesterday and his brother Salman became the sixth straight month, while economic growth in South inflation at some stage. So the PBOC will very likely react king of the world’s top oil exporter. Saudi state television said King Korea slowed sharply, raising the prospect of more easing to such deflation concerns,” said Chang Chun Hua, an Salman intended to keep oil minister Ali Al-Naimi in place, suggest- from central banks in Asia. economist at Nomura. ing the country’s oil policy would remain unchanged. The ECB took the policy plunge on Thursday, News out of South Korea made for uncomfortable Harry Tchilinguirian, senior oil strategist at BNP Paribas, said he announcing a government bond-buying program which reading as well. Asia’s fourth-largest economy grew a sea- expected no change in Saudi oil policy. “King Salman was already will pump hundreds of billions of euros in new money sonally adjusted 0.4 percent in the October-December involved in policy making prior to the passing of the king,” he said. into a sagging euro-zone economy. period, less than half the 0.9 percent expansion in the “So from that perspective, if he helped set the agenda, he will With Chinese factory growth stalling for a second third quarter. The Bank of Korea is widely expected to cut maintain that agenda.” month, expectations are high that Beijing will announce interest rates in the first half of this year. In Thailand, the Brent crude futures were trading at $49.30 a barrel by 1040 fresh stimulus measures soon. “2015 is unlikely to be a finance minister urged the central bank to cut rates to GMT, up 78 cents. US WTI crude futures were at $46.70, up 39 cents. particularly fantastic year with regards to global growth,” help the sputtering economy and said he was worried After seeing strong volatility and price falls earlier in January, oil said Peter Dixon, an economist at Commerzbank. that the strength of the baht currency will hurt exports, a markets have moved little this week, with Brent prices range- “There is no doubt that across the world central banks key growth engine. are being a little bit more aggressive. Disinflation has cer- VILNIUS: A cashier inspecting a euro banknote in Australian investors now see a bigger chance of a rate bound between $47.78 and $50.45 a barrel. a supermarket in Vilnius. — AFP The new Saudi king is expected to continue an OPEC policy of tainly changed the monetary prospects.” cut after surprise easing from Canada earlier this week , Markit’s Eurozone Composite Flash Purchasing while India last week cut rates earlier than expected and keeping oil output steady to protect the cartel’s market share from financial crisis in 2009. Falling prices in Britain gave an Managers’ Index (PMI), based on surveys of thousands of hinted at more to come. rival producers. Abdullah’s death comes amid some of the biggest unexpected boost to retailers there in December, with companies and seen as a good growth indicator, sales rising 0.4 percent on the month after surging by 1.6 The lone bright spot in Asia was Japan, where manu- shifts in oil markets in decades. bounced to a five-month high of 52.2 from December’s percent in November, the strongest growth in more than facturers saw a pickup in domestic and overseas orders Oil prices have more than halved since peaking last June as 51.4. That beat the median forecast of 51.8 and marked a decade. this month and hired more staff. soaring supplies clash with cooling demand. Booming US shale the 19th month above the 50 line denoting growth. But Business surveys due later yesterday on US manufac- But even there the central bank is struggling to production has turned the United States from the world’s biggest Markit said it pointed to first-quarter growth of just 0.2 turing may highlight concerns that its economy is the reach its 2 percent inflation target two years into so- oil importer into one of the top producers, pumping out over 9 mil- percent, slightly worse than the 0.3 percent predicted in a only engine driving global growth this year. called ‘Abenomics’ - a mix of aggressive monetary and lion barrels per day. Reuters poll last week. fiscal policy and structural reform aimed at pulling the Data from the Energy Information Administration on Thursday “January’s small rise in the euro zone composite PMI Slow boat from China country out of decades of deflation, a fate other global showed the biggest build in US crude inventory in at least 14 years, suggests that growth remains very slow, confirming that Emerging Asian economies will grow at a lacklustre policymakers are desperate to avoid. “With very low driving Brent and WTI prices apart. To combat soaring output and the ECB’s latest policy support is sorely needed,” said pace this year and next, held back by a slowdown in inflation, or even negative inflation and some slack falling prices, many oil exporters, such as Venezuela, wanted the Jennifer McKeown, senior European economist at Capital China and weak global demand, while cooling inflation remaining, we expect that advanced economy mone- 12-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Economics. The index for prices charged slumped to 46.9, will probably throw open the door for monetary policy tary policy will continue to loosen overall,” analysts at (OPEC) to cut output in order to support prices and revenues. Yet, its lowest since February 2010, and comes after official easing, a Reuters poll showed yesterday. China’s Citi wrote in a note to clients. “ECB QE will probably be led by Saudi Arabia, OPEC announced last November it would keep data showed consumer prices fell 0.2 percent in HSBC/Markit Flash Manufacturing PMI hovered at 49.8 in scaled up further over time. We also expect the BoJ to output steady at 30 million barrels per day. — Reuters December, the first negative print since the depths of the January, little changed from December, but the input expand QE further around mid-year.” — Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 Kuwait crude exports to S Korea up 19.2%

SEOUL: Kuwait’s crude oil exports to South Korea in to 136.55 million barrels (374,000 bpd). Corporation (KPC) signed a long term crude oil supply contract. Our strategic partnership with SK preserves December jumped 19.2 percent from a year earlier to Overall South Korea’s crude oil imports in December contract with SK Group, a deal that extends its strategic and expands Kuwait’s market share of oil supply within 12.81 million barrels, or 413,000 barrels per day (bpd), grew 8.9 percent on the year to 2.61 million bpd. Saudi alliance with the South Korea-based conglomerate. KPC the oil industry in South Korea,” Al-Mudhaf told Kuwait latest data released by the state-run Korea National Oil Arabia remained its top crude supplier, with imports International Marketing Managing Director Nasser Al- News Agency (KUNA) after the signing ceremony. As Corporation showed. from the kingdom rising 1.4 percent from a year earlier Mudhaf signed the contract in the ceremony in Seoul South Korea’s largest refiner, SK Innovation, a family of As South Korea’s No 2 supplier, Kuwait provided 15.8 to 766,000 bpd. The United Arab Emirates ranked third on behalf of KPC, while SK Group was represented by SK Group, operates two refineries with a combined percent of South Korea’s total crude oil imports last with 326,000 bpd, up 3.0 percent, followed by Qatar SK Trading International CEO Harry Kim. capacity of around 1.2 million bpd. It holds about 35 month. In the whole 2014, Kuwaiti shipments to the and Iran. “KPC plans are to extend the longstanding and his- percent of South Korea’s petroleum product market, world’s fifth-largest crude fell 2.3 percent year-on-year On Thursday, state-run Kuwait Petroleum torical relationship with SK by renewing a long term excluding LPGs. — KUNA

Croatia freezes Swiss franc’s rate for a year

ZAGREB: Croatian lawmakers yesterday kunas would reduce Croatia’s international fixed the Swiss franc’s rate for loans for one reserves by 30 percent. year at the level it was before the currency’s Meanwhile, an association of borrowers shocking surge last week, in a bid to help holding loans in Swiss francs called on 60,000 struggling borrowers in Croatia. Croatians to light candles in front of all According to amendments to the banks throughout the Balkan country at the Consumer Loan Act the franc’s rate for pay- weekend for the “victims of the Swiss franc ments of loans was fixed at 6.39 kunas (0.83 and all other loan-shark credits.” euros, $0.93) for a year. The banks were to Switzerland’s central bank last week end- bear the costs estimated by the Croatian ed a three-year bid to artificially hold down Central Bank (HNB) at some 52 million euros. the franc’s value. The sharp rise in the franc The amendments had been proposed by wreaked havoc on global markets and bank- Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic’s centre-left rupted several foreign exchange traders. government. The Croatian Banking Since then Croatia’s kuna currency has fallen Association (HUB) earlier voiced surprise by nearly 20 percent against the Swiss franc. with the government’s decision and warned More than 100,000 people in Croatia took that it “puts the burden on one side only.” out loans denominated in Swiss francs, Some 90 percent of Croatia’s banking sec- almost three-quarters of which were to buy tor is controlled by foreign banks. Milanovic, homes. Some 60,000 of the loans are still who faces parliamentary elections later this outstanding. year, on Wednesday pledged a lasting solu- Swiss franc loans became popular in sev- tion over the issue and said his government eral central European countries in the 2000s would also review possible conversion of when they offered lower interest rates than home loans into Croatia’s kuna currency. local currencies. Croatia joined the But HNB warned that the possible con- European Union in 2013, but has yet to version of home loans in Swiss francs into adopt the euro. — AFP S Korea’s economy slows sharply in Q4

SEOUL: South Korea’s economy slowed deliver a cut by April. In the latest quar- sharply in the final quarter of 2014, with ter, construction investment fell by a sea- growth hovering around six-year lows, sonally adjusted 9.2 percent, the worst knocked by weak government spending since early 1998 as weak tax revenue and global demand and heaping pres- prompted the government to cut invest- sure on the central bank to cut interest ment in construction projects. DAVOS: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center left) meets Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sissi ( center right) on the sideline of the World rates further. Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday. — AP Asia’s fourth-largest economy grew a Markets priced for leasing seasonally adjusted 0.4 percent in the Financial markets showed a relatively October-December period on-quarter, muted reaction as the central bank had Egypt’s growth to be ‘easily central bank estimates showed yesterday already primed investors last week for less than half of the 0.9 percent gain in the poor growth figures. Governor Lee the third quarter. It matched the same Ju-yeol told reporters on Thursday that rate in the third quarter of 2012 and is the central bank was “not pessimistic” north of 4%’ in 2014-15: FM the worst since early 2009. about this year’s economic prospects The weak quarterly growth rate, despite a steep downgrade in its growth Rising confidence and windfall from lower oil prices which was in line with forecast from a forecast. Reuters survey of 16 analysts, comes Analysts largely disagree with Lee’s after the European Central Bank on sunny view. The 1-year treasury bond DAVOS: Egypt can expect economic growth tion and partially early signs of the return of positive outlook by Fitch Ratings. He declined Thursday launched a government bond- yield stayed below the benchmark sev- “easily north of 4 percent” in fiscal year 2014- tourism,” he said. comment on this week’s fall in the official buying program to revive a sagging euro en-day policy interest rate, indicating 15, which ends in June, boosted by rising con- Egypt suffered a severe economic crisis after exchange rate of the Egyptian pound, bringing it zone economy. The ECB joins several oth- investors are pricing in a high chance of fidence and a windfall from lower oil prices, the 2011 uprising that toppled veteran autocrat closer to the black market rate, saying that was er global central banks, including Bank of another rate cut. At a briefing following its finance minister said yesterday. Hani Hosni Mubarak, ushering in a period of turmoil, for the central bank to manage. Canada’s shock rate cut this week, in the GDP release, a senior statistics offi- Dimian also told Reuters in an interview at leading to the election of a Muslim Egypt is holding a major international pump-priming their economies and tak- cial from the central bank pointed to the ing preemptive action to defuse the risk uncertainty facing the trade-reliant the World Economic Forum in Davos that the Brotherhood-led government toppled by the investors’ conference in mid-March to seek sup- of deflation from plunging oil prices. economy, not least from a slowdown in budget deficit for this year would fall to military in July 2013. port for a range of long-term projects from the Although the Bank of Korea has China, South Korea’s biggest export mar- between 10 and 10.5 percent of gross domes- President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led the construction of a second Suez Canal parallel to downplayed the risk of deflation, ana- ket. tic product, down from 12.5 to 12.6 percent in military takeover before having himself elected the existing water, to industrial and agricultural lysts say the central bank is overly opti- The Bank of Korea cut its policy rate in 2013-14. head of state last year, addressed the Davos projects. mistic about the economic outlook and three steps since the current easing cycle “It’s a bit early to give an exact number for forum on Thursday, appealing to global Core inflation was holding steady at 7 per- are predicting another rate cut to began in May 2013, with the most recent growth rates because we’ve only seen first quar- investors to return to Egypt as he consolidates cent, within the government’s single-digit tar- recharge a faltering recovery. December easing coming in October last year to a ter figures. But the signals for Q2 are also posi- stability. Thousands of Brotherhood activists are get range, the medium-term target for the inflation dipped to 0.8 percent, the low- record-matching low of 2.0 percent. It tive. That is why ... we’re revising our growth rate in jail and hundreds have been sentenced to budget deficit was around 8 percent, and est in over 15 years. next reviews policy on Feb. 17. On an from 3.8 percent, which was published in March death after collective trials. domestic debt of 80 to 85 percent of GDP, “If (the ECB move) leads to further eas- annual basis, the economy grew 2.7 per- 2014, and we’re going to be easily north of 4 Dimian said market confidence was gradually down from 97-98 percent today. Dimian added ing in South Korea as well, it would boost cent in the December quarter, compared percent,” Dimian said. “If you look at the boosters returning, as evidenced by the falling costs of the government expected to issue internation- the economy here, too,” said Seo Hyang- with a forecast median rise of 2.8 percent mi, fixed-income analyst at HI Investment and slower than a 3.2 percent increase of that growth, you find that manufacturing is insuring Egyptian debt against default and a al bonds worth $1.5 billion in the next three to & Securities. She expects the BOK to set in the third quarter. — Reuters coming back, telecommunication and construc- recent credit rating upgrade to B+ from B- with a four months. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.610 Philippine Peso 0.006513 0.006793 Nepalese Rupees 3.985 Sierra Leone 0.000065 0.000071 Malaysian Ringgit 82.145 Singapore Dollar 0.217316 0.22316 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.795 South African Rand 0.019417 0.027917 Japanese Yen 2.501 Australian Dollar 232.53 229.53 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001872 0.002452 Indian Rupees 4.790 Thai Bhat 10.000 Canadian Dollar 249.90 250.90 Turkish Lira 125.890 Taiwan 0.009266 0.009446 Pakistani Rupees 2.927 Swiss Franc 293.82 291.82 Thai Baht 0.008688 0.009238 Srilankan Rupees 2.225 Euro 350.75 351.75 Nepali Rupees 2.989 US Dollar 294.90 297.90 Bahrain Exchange Company Arab Singapore Dollar 221.650 Sterling Pound 449.01 451.01 Bahraini Dinar 0.775503 0.783503 Hongkong Dollar 38.024 Japanese Yen 2.53 2.55 Egyptian Pound 0.037942 0.041042 Bangladesh Taka 3.782 Bangladesh Taka 3.778 4.048 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Philippine Peso 6.598 Indian Rupee 4.746 5.046 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000196 0.000256 Thai Baht 9.029 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.227 2.662 Belgian Franc 0.007680 0.008680 Jordanian Dinar 0.411740 0.419240 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Nepali Rupee 2.964 3.499 British Pound 0.439826 0.448826 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Pakistani Rupee 2.926 2.790 Czech Korune 0.004217 0.016217 Lebanese Pound 0.000146 0.000246 UAE Dirhams 80.14 80.60 Danish Krone 0.041799 0.046799 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022600 0.046600 GCC COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 782.70 784.77 Euro 0.33156 0.343156 Nigerian Naira 0.001200 0.001835 Saudi Riyal 78.331 Egyptian Pound 41.12 41.72 Norwegian Krone 0.034404 0.039604 Omani Riyal 0.759694 0.765374 Qatari Riyal 81.022 Jordanian Dinar 419.01 424.66 Romanian Leu 0.084560 0.084560 Qatar Riyal 0.080263 0.081476 Omani Riyal 766.310 Omani Riyal 764.77 772.07 Slovakia 0.008654 0.018654 Saudi Riyal 0.077977 0.078677 Bahraini Dinar 766.310 Qatari Riyal 81.21 81.76 Swedish Krona 0.032042 0.037042 Syrian Pound 0.001748 0.001968 UAE Dirham 81.022 Saudi Riyal 78.55 78.95 Swiss Franc 0.333020 0.343220 Tunisian Dinar 0.151436 0.159436 Turkish Lira 0.126775 0.133775 Turkish Lira 0.126775 0.133775 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 0.079282 0.080431 Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.874 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001331 0.001411 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.572 Australian Dollar 0.233515 0.245015 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.376 New Zealand Dollar 0.219398 0.228898 Tunisian Dinar 154.550 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 294.750 Jordanian Dinar 415.970 America Canadian Dollar 246.295 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.979 Canadian Dollar 0.238581 0.247081 Sterling Pound 447.225 Syrian Lira 2.102 US Dollars 0.290700 0.295400 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Euro 342.455 Morocco Dirham 31.733 US Dollars Mint 0.291200 0.295400 US Dollar 294.250 Swiss Frank 257.785 Euro 348.000 Bahrain Dinar 784.025 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Asia Pound Sterlng 448.650 UAE Dirhams 80.625 US Dollar Transfer 294.800 Bangladesh Taka 0.003485 0.004085 Canadian Dollar 247.700 Qatari Riyals 81.785 Euro 342.850 Chinese Yuan 0.046089 0.049589 Indian Rupee 4.738 Saudi Riyals 78.795 Sterling Pound 448.540 Hong Kong Dollar 0.035924 0.038674 Egyptian Pound 41.135 Jordanian Dinar 416.035 Canadian dollar 245.260 Indian Rupee 0.004420 0.004821 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.222 Egyptian Pound 40.296 Turkish lira 125.770 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.222 Bangladesh Taka 3.770 Swiss Franc 340.420 Japanese Yen 0.002419 0.002599 Indian Rupees 4.781 Philippines Peso 6.590 Australian Dollar 244.090 Kenyan Shilling 0.003266 0.003266 Pakistani Rupees 2.927 Pakistan Rupee 2.928 US Dollar Buying 293.600 Korean Won 0.000262 0.000277 Bangladesh Taka 3.782 Bahraini Dinar 783.450 Malaysian Ringgit 0.079670 0.085670 Philippines Pesso 6.613 UAE Dirham 80.150 GOLD Nepalese Rupee 0.003013 0.003183 Cyprus pound 723.485 Saudi Riyal 78.600 20 gram 238.100 Pakistan Rupee 0.002740 0.003020 10 gram 121.740 Japanese Yen 3.495 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 ECB bazooka fires stock markets higher

LONDON: The European Central Bank’s bond-buy- with $1.1359 late in New York on Thursday. Analysts ing “bazooka” fired global stock markets higher on said the euro could slide further towards dollar parity Friday, but sent the euro diving to a new 11-year as the ECB announcement underscores a growing dollar low. The ECB sparked a global rally Thursday policy divergence with the US Federal Reserve. after launching radical 1.14-trillion-euro ($1.15-tril- The Fed wrapped up its own QE program in lion) bond-buying plans to boost lending and eco- October and is now considering an interest rate nomic growth, while seeking to prevent a danger- hike this year. “The key factor is that the ECB’s ous spiral of falling prices. extension of QE is open ended,” added Equity investors welcomed the bank’s unprece- Stamenkovic. “In other words, if euro area inflation dented quantitative easing (QE) stimulus, under fails to rise in coming months then further purchas- which the ECB-led by President Mario Draghi-will es are likely as it attempts to restore price stability buy up to 60 billion euros of assets per month until over the medium-term. at least September 2016. “Markets are still digesting “By contrast, the Fed looks set to normalize yesterday’s bazooka from Mario Draghi and the monetary policy with a tightening expected in mid- ECB, with yields dropping sharply and equity mar- 2015. Hence the euro looks increasingly likely to kets pushing higher,” said CMC Markets analyst reach (dollar) parity by year-end, if not sooner.” Michael Hewson. “While asset prices surge it The ECB news also weighed on borrowing costs, remains to be seen whether this extra cash will with 10-year French, German, Spanish and Italian make that much difference in the absence of struc- DAVOS: French President Francois Hollande (second right) takes part in a work lunch during the 45th bond rates all striking record low levels. Traders tural reforms.” Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), next to Muriel Penicaud (second left), CEO of meanwhile remain cautious before the Sunday’s In late morning deals, London’s benchmark FTSE Business France yesterday. — AFP general election in Greece. The looming ballot has 100 index of top companies gained 0.35 percent to raised concerns that a victory by the leftist Syriza 6,820.10 points. Frankfurt’s DAX 30 jumped 1.42 Thursday’s bumper gains. Athens equities mean- Draghi launched an aggressive and open-ended party will force euro-zone member Greece to rene- percent to 10,583 points and the CAC 40 in Paris while surged by 5.55 percent, lifted by the stimulus extension of central bank asset purchases... provid- gotiate its bailout with international lenders. won 1.61 percent to 4,626.10 compared with news ahead of Sunday’s snap general election. ing a fillip for risk markets,” said RIA Capital Markets “The potential for political uncertainty in Greece Thursday’s close. In Asia, Hong Kong climbed 1.34 percent, Tokyo analyst Nick Stamenkovic. this Sunday evening will likely provide a further The Madrid stock market added 1.50 percent jumped 1.05 percent, Sydney added 1.51 percent, The euro however tumbled to another 11-year low downside risk for the euro,” cautioned analyst and Milan rose 0.70 percent, also extending while Shanghai rose 0.25 percent. “ECB president at $1.1231 in morning London deals. That compared Jameel Ahmad at trading firm FXTM. — AFP Greek reforms in balance as voters ponder left-wing turn Voters debate spending cuts, new debt deal

ATHENS: Greece yesterday heads into a general “We will not hesitate, we will not be afraid, with the electorate highly polarized, no clear election that could sweep the anti-austerity we will not turn back,” he told the crowd. The victor will emerge on Sunday and a repeat bal- Syriza party to power and determine whether party maintains that Greece’s creditors will lot-as in 2012 — will be required, with dire con- the country remains in the euro-zone. agree to renegotiate the bailout when faced sequences for the economy. After a six-year recession in which the with a leftist government elected with a strong The conservatives of outgoing Prime national output shrank by a quarter, Greeks are popular mandate. Minister Antonis Samaras have painted a being called on to determine whether to stick “As of Monday, we will have a government doomsday scenario in the event of Syriza com- with spending cuts demanded by their interna- with its own program, not the copy of a pro- ing to power. A New Democracy advert warns tional creditors, or demand a new deal on the gram imposed by the Europeans,” the party’s that international creditors would “call Syriza’s country’s huge debts. The election-the second senior economist Giannis Dragasakis told To bluff”, the Greek economy would be starved of in three years-comes with Greece still locked in Vima radio this week. funds, and the country would face a petrol and talks with its EU-IMF creditors for a 7.2-billion- Such talk has sparked concern among offi- medicine shortage. KANDAHAR: Afghan men cook bread at a bakery in Kandahar yesterday. Afghanistan’s euro ($8.3-billion) tranche of bailout loans the cials in the European Union, the European Syriza hit back with sarcasm: “On January 26, economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taleban regime in 2001 largely state needs to stay afloat. Central Bank and the International Monetary an asteroid will pass close to Earth, the sun will because of the infusion of international assistance. — AFP Syriza, who have a steady lead in opinion Fund, who are mindful that Greece benefited rise at 7:34, and banks and shops will open after polls over conservative New Democracy-the from a drastic debt cut just two years ago. IMF 8 am,” a party ad said. party formerly in government-want to redraft chief Christine Lagarde on Monday warned that Tsipras has promised to forge a “common US banks resign themselves the EU-IMF bailout which they say has brought to renegotiate debt carried “consequences” for struggle...with the people and workers of all the nothing but misery for the past five years. They the countries attempting it. European Union to remove the noose of disas- to lower yields for longer intend to erase over 50 percent of Greece’s 318- “Collective endeavors are welcome but at trous austerity.” billion-euro debt, and divert funds that are cur- the same time a debt is a debt and it is a con- The leftists’ main slogan, “Hope is coming”, NEW YORK: US banks, after spending much bank analyst at NAB Research LLC. rently being used to repay state bonds to help tract,” Lagarde told the Irish Times during a visit has struck a chord with thousands of Greeks fed of the last year bracing themselves for higher Bond yields in the United States have fall- the country’s economic recovery instead. The to Dublin. up with austerity. “I feel we have no hope. We bond yields, are now resigning themselves to en in recent months for a series of reasons, leftists also pledge to raise salaries and pen- An ‘impossible trinity’ need help with our debt, from the EU, from at least another few quarters of low rates, including investors’ increasing pessimism sions, halt layoffs and freeze the privatization of But observers note that it is impossible for God, from anybody! We need debt reduction,” executives and analysts said. Banks including about the pace of economic growth in state assets-in other words, abandon key ele- the leftist party to apply its aims without conse- said Yro, a 65-year-old retired woman taking Wells Fargo & Co and PNC Financial Services Europe and China, lowering yields around the ments of reforms demanded by the European quences for the Greek economy. “Staying in the coffee in central Athens. Over 9.8 million voters Group are contemplating steps like investing world and making the United States look rela- Union and the International Monetary Fund. euro, being in power and undoing the bailout will participate in the snap ballot prompted by their extra cash at current low yields or using tively attractive. Concerns about worldwide “The path we have chosen demands deter- programme is an ‘impossible trinity’ for Syriza, in parliament’s failure to elect a president last derivatives that pay off if rates stay low. growth have also increased the appeal of U.S. mination, conviction and resolution for major our view,” investment bankers Morgan Stanley month. Polls have shown that the vast majority “We are seeing more management teams bonds as a safe-haven. confrontation,” the party’s 40-year-old leader said in a note this week. of Greeks want to stay in the euro-zone, and acknowledging the prospect and reality that The 10-year US Treasury yield was 1.87 Alexis Tsipras told a closing rally in Athens on “That’s inconsistent, so one of these three that they would have preferred the formation of we remain in a lower for longer environment,” percent on Thursday, a steep drop from Thursday. has to give,” they said. There is also concern that a unity government to elections. — AFP said Christopher Lee, a portfolio manager September, when it stood at 2.6 percent. who specializes in financial companies at Shifting rates and bond yields can affect Fidelity Investments, which has $1.15 trillion banks in multiple ways. For a big chunk of invested in stocks across the world, in an e- banks’ investment portfolios, falling yields will Reforms must mail. Lee added in a telephone interview that boost banks’ capital levels, which is a positive. “over time, you’ve got to throw the towel in” if And if the Federal Reserve lifts short-term continue after the benefits of rising rates keep failing to rates, banks’ floating-rate loans will generate materialize. more income. Positioning for higher rates has cost the 20 But recent drops in yields are clearly cut- ECB move: Merkel largest US banks somewhere between $2.5 ting into earnings, hurting returns on both billion and $3 billion of income each quarter, bond investments and fixed-rate loans. Banks FLORENCE, Italy: The European Central Bank’s bond-buying roughly 6 percent of their collective profits will not usually compensate for lower bond program must not be used as a justification by euro-zone before taxes, said Marty Mosby, a bank ana- yields by buying riskier securities such as junk governments to slacken economic reforms, German lyst at Vining Sparks. bonds, because they prefer to take credit risk Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday. The ECB Those estimated costs come from banks in their loan books. announced on Thursday it would pump hundreds of billions refraining from investing customer deposits The earnings pressure from low interest of euros in new money into a sagging euro zone economy in longer-term bonds, and holding the funds rates is weighing on bank shares, according despite opposition from Germany’s Bundesbank and wide- instead in cash or short-term investments, to Fidelity’s Lee. The KBW index of bank spread misgivings among politicians in the euro zone’s largest economy. Speaking at a news conference in Florence which offer much lower returns. In addition to stocks was down 9.99 percent since the with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Merkel said she foregone revenue, the strategy is also having beginning of 2015, over five times the 1.77 would not comment on the ECB’s move out of respect for its more tangible costs. In the fourth quarter, percent decline in the S&P 500. Some execu- independence. But she stressed that only government Bank of America Corp marked down a bond tives are planning to act sooner rather than reforms could revive the euro-zone. portfolio that it uses to hedge interest rate later. A scenario where bond yields stay low- “I don’t have the impression that the decision by the risk by around $600 million, leading it to miss er-for-longer “probably emboldens us a little European Central Bank could lead to Italy saying ‘we don’t analysts expectations. bit additionally to convert what’s cash today need to reform anymore’. But I say that this must also apply to BELFORT: General Electric Co CEO Jeffrey R Immelt speaks with workers as he visits the Regions Financial Corp said on Tuesday into over the course of the year,” Wells Fargo everybody-and we will watch this in the coming weeks and General Electric plant in Belfort, eastern France. General Electric Co reported quarterly that its net interest margin, a measure of how finance chief John Shrewsberry told analysts months,” Merkel said. “No central bank in the world will be financial results before the market opened yesterday. —AP profitably it loans out its deposits, would last week. able replace politics; political leaders have to live up to their decline even more in 2015 than it did in 2014 In a shift for how it views its interest-rate responsibilities.” Merkel had encouraging words for Renzi’s if rates stay low this year. Some loans that exposure, PNC, which had previously said it reform efforts in Italy, whose economy has not grown for GE earnings rise despite banks make, including mortgages, carry fixed was giving up $200 million each year by not three years, and Renzi pledged the ECB’s decision would rates, which in the current environment will investing its extra cash, has begun to use prompt him to accelerate reforms rather than slow them. headwinds from low oil generate lower returns for their whole lives derivatives to increase its revenues until it a Speaking before Michelangelo’s masterpiece statue of David for lenders. rate hike finally comes, said Kevin Barker, a in the city where he was mayor before taking power in Italy a FAIRFIELD, Connecticut: General Electric Co increasing profit margins as it works to bank analyst at Compass Point Research & year ago, Renzi said he would “put the turbo” on economic posted higher revenue and net income for reshape itself into a more focused industrial STUCK Trading, LLC. There is another option for other reforms which have been widely criticized as not deep the fourth quarter, but was held back from conglomerate. GE has been shrinking its Almost all major US banks have received banks for boosting profits that does not rely enough. even better results by a sputtering perform- banking division and shedding other opera- far more money from depositors than they on market conditions: trimming costs. Senior He welcomed developments including a more flexible ance from its expanding oil and gas division. tions, while acquiring other industrial compa- can actually lend out, and instead of putting executives at JPMorgan Chase & Co are press- stance on budget policy from the European Commission, a GE reported net income of $5.15 billion, up nies. GE’s results were propelled by a strong all of that extra cash to work by investing in ing their underlings to look at ways to cut planned EU-wide investment program, euro currency depre- from $3.21 billion in the same quarter last performance from its power and water and bonds, many decided to hold off at least expenses more aggressively, a person familiar ciation and the ECB’s newly announced quantitative easing year. Adjusting to remove the effect of one- transportation divisions in the quarter. But some of their investments until yields rose, so with the matter told Reuters on Jan 14. plan. “All these four factors are extremely important for Italy time items, the company reported a 4 percent the company’s recent expansion of its oil and they could earn more. For much of last year, But some bank executives said, even if and what has happened obliges us to do the reforms even gain in net income, to $5.64 billion gas division held it back in the quarter as oil investors expected the Fed to start raising rates stay lower for longer than anticipated, faster,” he said. The two leaders spoke as a small group of pro- The company earned 51 cents per share, prices tumbled and led to a slowdown in rates in 2015. If driven by heightened infla- that making their balance sheets ready today testers dressed up as statues and declared themselves “mon- up from 32 cents a year ago. On an adjusted drilling activity. tion expectations, those rate hikes could lift for higher rates is a form of cheap insurance uments to poverty”. They demonstrated outside the venue basis, the company earned 56 cents a share, a Oil and gas revenue fell 6 percent, though longer-term bond yields. against a scarier scenario. “We’re going to be against Europe’s economic policies and the influence they penny more than analysts surveyed by Zacks the division’s profit rose 1 percent. Orders But as bond prices have risen and yields very patient,” JPMorgan Chief Executive said Brussels and Germany had over southern European Investment Research expected, on average. have fallen 10 percent for the division, GE have fallen in recent weeks, banks’ potential Jamie Dimon told reporters last week. economies. Merkel and Renzi declined to comment on Revenue rose 4 percent to $42 billion in said. GE shares were up 24 cents, or 1 percent, returns have slipped as well. “They’re stuck “There’s far more downside with rapid rates Sunday’s Greek election other than to say they were confi- the period but fell short of the $42.4 billion in trading about two hours before the market waiting for an event that may or may not rising and rising too much than anything else dent the outcome would not lead to serious problems for the expected by analysts, according to Zacks. GE opened yesterday. The stock has decreased happen any time soon,” said Nancy Bush, a for us.” — Reuters currency bloc. — Reuters reported progress in trimming expenses and almost 7 percent in the last 12 months. — AP China’s use of yuan for cross-border business growing

SHANGHAI: China’s use of its own yuan currency for cross-border trade, investment and financing accounted for around 20 percent agency Xinhua said in a commentary Friday that yuan internation- big countries, such as the US, would announce such figures in transactions has increased “notably” to 9.95 trillion yuan ($1.63 tril- of China’s total cross-border payments and receipts last year, the alisation would benefit the entire world. “The international usage another country’s currency, adding that it was also partly an effort lion) last year, the central bank said Friday, without giving a com- People’s Bank of China (PBoC) said in a statement. But while of the RMB is still in its early days, but in the long run it helps diver- to push the yuan’s greater international role. Earlier this month, parative figure. China is seeking to make the yuan-also known as Beijing is looking to promote the yuan, its value is closely con- sify and improve the global reserve system, which is currently Customs only issued trade values in yuan at its quarterly briefing, the renminbi (RMB) — used more internationally in line with its trolled and authorities keep a tight grip on the capital account- dominated by a volatile US dollar,” it said. with the official dollar amount made available later on its website. standing as the world’s second-largest economy. Some analysts investment and financial transactions, rather than those related to China’s commerce ministry said this week it will it will only Transactions organization SWIFT estimates the yuan is the sev- predict the unit will one day rival the US dollar. trade-over concerns that unpredictable inflows or outflows could issue figures for inward and outward foreign investment in yuan, enth most used global payment currency, though with only a 1.59 The combined volume of yuan settlement for cross-border harm the economy and their oversight of it. China’s official news dropping the dollar statistic. Spokesman Shen Danyang said no percent share as of October last year.—AFP BUSINESS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 ECB unleashes aggressive effort to revive economy Bond buying program to make loans, exports cheaper

FRANKFURT: Europe’s ailing economy will get a major dose of stimulus from the European Central Bank - a bond buying program designed to make loans and exports cheaper so compa- nies can hire and expand. Starting in March, the ECB will buy 60 billion euros’ worth of government and corporate bonds each month at least through September A farmer smoking while working in a vegetable field in the suburbs of Hanoi. Vietnam’s 2016. The 1.1 trillion euro program was an economy grew 5.98 percent in 2014, the highest for three years, despite a festering bank- emphatic signal of the ECB’s willingness to do all ing crisis and damaging anti-China riots, authorities said in December. — AFP it can to rejuvenate the economy shared by the 19-nation euro currency alliance. ECB President Mario Draghi pledged Li Ka-shing’s Hutchison says Thursday to extend the bond buying if needed until the bank saw a significant upturn in the in talks to buy Britain’s O2 euro-zone’s excessively low inflation, which threatens to become a downward spiral. Stocks HONG KONG: Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka- Spending spree rallied in Europe and the United States after the Shing’s Hutchison Whampoa said yesterday British telecoms giant BT had said in ECB’s announcement, with the Dow Jones indus- it is in “exclusive negotiations” to buy mobile November that it was in preliminary talks trial average jumping 259 points, or 1.5 percent. phone giant O2 for up to $15.4 billion, in a to buy back O2 — its former domestic The euro’s value, meanwhile, plunged nearly 2 deal that would create Britain’s biggest mobile phone division-from Telefonica. But percent against the dollar to its lowest level in mobile phone group. it then announced in December that it had 11 years in anticipation that the ECB’s bond pur- Hutchison confirmed in a statement that entered exclusive talks with the owners of chases will drive down the currency. A lower-val- it was in talks to buy the company from EE, another British mobile phone operator, Spain’s Telefonica for £9.25 billion, with a in a deal potentially worth £12.5 billion. ued euro would make European exports more President of European Central Bank Mario Draghi speaks during a news conference in deferred further payment of up to £1 billion If the O2 merger with Three goes ahead affordable overseas. Frankfurt. — AP after completion of the deal. it would leave Britain with three mobile The ECB’s purchases will flood the economy It said the deal was subject to due dili- phone networks, down from four, a move with money that the central bank will create - a gence and regulatory approvals, adding: some experts say could lead to price hikes power it wields as the euro’s legal issuer. Its chief “The negotiations may or may not result in owing to a lack of competition. mandate is to maintain price stability. It’s fallen Euro-zone economy picks any transaction.” Shares in Hutchison, which Last week Li’s Cheung Kong well short of its goal of 2 percent annual infla- had been suspended for a short time Friday Infrastructure Holdings (CKI), and its parent tion, considered consistent with a healthy econ- morning as reports swirled over the sale, Cheung Kong Holdings bought Britain’s omy. The current rate is minus 0.2 percent. Fears up in January: Survey ended up 2.95 percent by the close. Eversholt Rail Group for £2.5 billion. have spread that the euro-zone could face Hutchison already owns Britain’s Three Eversholt is one of Britain’s three main rail chronic falling prices, or deflation. Though low BRUSSELS: Euro-zone business activity picked up to ECB stimulus program mobile phone network and the purchase of rolling stock companies, owning around 28 or falling inflation is often welcomed by shop- O2 would create the country’s largest percent of the country’s passenger trains. a five-month high in January, a key survey showed On Thursday, the ECB said it would pump some pers, it reflects sluggish demand and can para- mobile company. The move comes after That deal was CKI’s third investment in yesterday, just the day after the European Central 60 billion euros a month through to late-2016 into Hong Kong investment icon Li-a former the past six months, following the pur- lyze an already weak economy - a problem that Bank announced a 1.0-trillion-euro economic stimu- the economy via a bond purchase program in an plastic-flower seller who is now Asia’s richest chase of a stake in Canadian off-airport car has long afflicted Japan, the world’s third-largest lus package. Analysts said the report was encourag- effort to get it back on track. “Business confidence in man-announced this month a $24 billion park business Park’N Fly in July and the economy. ing as it confirmed a recent modest pick-up but they services has already improved, rising to the highest revamp of his vast business empire, and is acquisition of Australian gas distribution The euro-zone is still working off a crisis cautioned that growth remains weak after the econ- since March of last year, and the additional stimulus the latest in a string of purchases. company Envestra in October. over excessive government debt in countries omy faltered badly in 2014. (from the ECB) should help to underpin a further “Li Ka-shing likes to buy European assets- Hutchison is also looking at merging its like Greece, Portugal and Ireland. The alliance’s Markit Economics said its Composite Purchasing improvement in confidence,” Williamson said. one of the reasons is they are relatively Italian mobile unit with a local competitor, economy has lagged even as the United States Managers Output Index (PMI) for the 19-nation sin- He cautioned however that while lower oil prices cheap,” said Kevin Tam, financial analyst at Bloomberg News reported, citing people and Britain have recovered more robustly from gle currency bloc hit 52.2 points, up from 51.4 in will help household finances, they “will inevitably Hong Kong-based Core Pacific-Yamaichi. familiar with the matter. Li, 86, who is the financial crisis and Great Recession. December. The report showed the manufacturing fuel growing concerns about the threat of deflation.” sector rising to a six-month high of 51 points in Deflation, when prices fall in absolute terms, can The potential acquisition of O2 is part of worth $30.6 billion according to Unemployment is 11.5 percent across the cur- Li’s quest for international diversification Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, announced December from 50.6 in December, with services up play havoc because consumers are likely to put off rency union, and 26 percent in Greece. In the to 52.3 from 51.6. purchases in the hope of buying cheaper in the and steady growth, Tam told AFP. “Buying a a sweeping re-arrangement of his business United States, by contrast, the unemployment telecoms company can generate a stable empire earlier January. Any reading above 50 points shows activity is future. That however only further depresses growing cashflow... The capital expenditure The new structure will see Cheung Kong rate is 5.6 percent. expanding. The euro-zone stagnated in the second demand, forcing companies to cut investment and requirement is not very demanding and Holdings, his flagship firm, take over sepa- Earlier Thursday, the ECB kept its main inter- quarter last year and only managed 0.2 percent jobs, setting up a vicious downward spiral. ECB chief there isn’t much fluctuation. Stability is the rately quoted subsidiary Hutchison est rate unchanged at a record low 0.05 percent. growth in the three months to September, with ana- Mario Draghi stressed Thursday the new key,” he said. Whampoa. The combined entity will be There’s no guarantee that the ECB’s bond buying lysts worried that deflation could tip the economy “Quantitative Easing” or QE policy would remain in Hutchison finance director Frank Sixt said split into two, creating a focused property can succeed without further action by national back into recession. Markit chief economic Chris place “until we see a sustained adjustment in the the deal would probably face anti-trust firm and an international conglomerate, governments in the currency union. Skeptics Williamson said the latest PMI figures marked “a pos- path of inflation.” Jennifer McKeown at Capital scrutiny from the European Commission including interests in telecoms, utilities and have suggested that the bond buying has been itive start to 2015 ... but the rate of expansion Economics said the PMI report “suggests that and would not be closed until mid-2016, ports. robbed of some of its potential effectiveness remains worryingly weak.” growth remains very slow, confirming that the ECB’s according to Bloomberg News. “I like to The revamp is also expected to pave the through delay and that Europe’s problems lie The report suggested the euro-zone was grow- latest policy support is sorely needed.” think that we can move very quickly in any way for Li’s retirement and follows specula- beyond the reach of monetary policy. ing “at a quarterly rate of just 0.2 percent and the The figures were consistent with overall econom- circumstance, but you have to achieve the tion of a handover to his son Victor. News economy both fragile and susceptible to shocks and ic growth of 0.2 percent, McKeown said, noting that “We shouldn’t get carried away with the further setbacks,” Williamson said. while Germany made progress, France, the bloc’s right deal for all sides,” Sixt said. of the restructuring saw shares in both scale,” said Luke Bartholomew, investment man- He added that the deal would mean Cheung Kong and Hutchison-two of Hong “That said, there’s good reason to believe the rate second ranked economy, slipped back. McKeown ager at Aberdeen Asset Management. “It may Hutchison owns the largest mobile operator Kong’s largest firms-rise at their fastest rate of expansion will continue to improve in coming said the ECB program should be positive overall “but in Britain by market share. in more than 15 years. — AFP boost inflation expectations at the margin, but months,” he said, citing signs of a rise in business growth will be slow, doing little to erode the spare will probably only have a small positive effect on confidence while tumbling oil prices should cut capacity in the economy and holding open the risk Europe’s real economy.” “A weaker euro should costs and help boost consumer demand. of a prolonged bout of deflation.” — AFP help exports a little, but it won’t suddenly make European economies much more competitive. That urgently requires structural reforms, which European leaders seem unwilling to push through. “ In Davos, Switzerland, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said before the announcement that “whatever decision the ECB makes, it must not distract from the fact that the actual impulses for growth from sensible conditions must be created, and can be created, by politicians.” The ECB acted after months of excessively low inflation in the euro-zone had discouraged borrowing and spending and kept the economy at risk of reces- sion. The fate of the euro-zone is vital for the global economy in part because Europe is a major trade partner for the United States, Britain, Eastern Europe, and Asia. And European officials have warned that stagnation must end SEOUL: People walk on a shopping street in Seoul yesterday. South Korea’s economy if voters are to maintain their support for the FRANKFURT: A photo taken on January 13, 2014 shows the shadow of three men under the logo of grew at its slowest pace in more than a year in the fourth quarter due to reduced shared currency. the European currency and words reading “Our money” at the European Central Bank (ECB) head- government spending. — AP The US Federal Reserve launched three quarters in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. — AFP rounds of bond purchases that were credited with helping jump-start the US recovery. The Tokyo investors eye Fed Bank of England and the Bank of Japan have Turkish CB chief EnQuest also done bond purchases. Draghi and the ECB governing council made a key concession to sees further fall renegotiates meet, Japanese earnings critics of massive government bond purchases: They said the risk of any losses would stay with in inflation terms of credit TOKYO: A US central bank meeting and the “Finally, ECB president (Mario) Draghi national central banks for 80 percent of the start of Japan’s earnings season will drive made a big decision,” Genzo Kimura, an facilities, cuts capex bonds bought. ISTANBUL: Turkish Central Bank Governor Erdem Tokyo shares next week, analysts said yester- economist at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Draghi has faced opposition from two Basci was quoted yesterday as saying it was high- day, after the ECB’s unprecedented stimulus told Bloomberg News. “Aside from the US, LONDON: Oil and gas producer EnQuest Plc ly likely that inflation and real interest rates helped push the Nikkei to a nearly four per- which will raise rates, various central banks German members on the governing council. said its lenders had agreed to relax terms on would continue to fall, days after delivering a rate cent weekly gain. are changing their policies towards German Bundesbank head Jens Weidmann had its credit facilities and the company cut its cut many economists saw as the start of a moder- Dealers will also watch for the results of immense easing, and that may push other argued that bond purchases could stick German capital spending plan for 2015 as oil prices ate easing cycle. The state-run Anadolu news weekend elections in Greece, where the left- central banks to hold a bias for monetary taxpayers with losses in case of default. And he slump. The company’s shares jumped as much agency (AA) also quoted Basci as saying that the wing Syriza party could win on its pledge to stimulus. It’s positive for risk assets.” complained that the new stimulus would take as 54 percent to 46.25 pence in early trading central bank was planning a “technical step” to redraft the country’s multi-billion interna- Federal Reserve policymakers are meet- on the London Stock Exchange yesterday. A pressure off governments, such as those of reduce euro-denominated deposit rates, after tional bailout package and erase most of its ing from Tuesday, with markets expecting a number of oil and gas producers have slashed France and Italy, to ease regulations on hiring the ECB announced on Thursday it would pump huge debt. The election, which has rekin- mid-year interest rate hike. On the local their capital spending and cut jobs in response and firing and make their economies more busi- hundreds of billions of euros in new money into dled fears Greece could exit the euro-zone, stage, firms including Nintendo, Japan to the 60 percent fall in crude prices since ness- and growth-friendly. a sagging euro-zone economy. comes after the European Central Bank lit a Airlines and Honda are set to report their June. In Davos, Pier Carlo Padoan, Italy’s minister of “Strong and balanced growth rests on a fire under global equities markets by pledg- quarterly earnings next week. Tokyo EnQuest slashed its 2015 total group cash economy and finance, said of the ECB’s program: three-pronged strategy - namely low inflation, ing to inject 1.0 trillion euros ($1.15 trillion) investors will also be looking to a slate of expenditure plan by 40 percent to about $600 “Families and companies that are now trying to low real interest rates and prudent borrowing,” into the bloc’s stagnant economy. Japanese data, due to be released in a week, million. The company said it was working with Basci told Anadolu on the sidelines of the World On Friday, the Nikkei 225 index at the including inflation and factory output fig- reduce their debts can have more confidence contractors for further cost savings. First Energy Economic Forum in Davos. “As for the first two Tokyo Stock Exchange rose 1.05 percent, or ures. and spend more. Companies can invest more.” analyst Stephane Foucaud said the scale of the legs, it is highly likely that inflation and real inter- 182.73 points, to 17,511.75. The benchmark Sony shares jumped 4.85 percent to Draghi cautioned that it would be “a big mis- capex cut was surprising. EnQuest’s lenders est rates will continue to fall.” index gained 3.84 percent over the week. end yesterday at 2,737.0 yen. After markets take” for euro countries to view the ECB’s bond- agreed to relax covenants on the company’s The central bank lowered its main interest The broader Topix index of all first-sec- closed, the company said it is seeking per- buying program as a rationale to increase gov- credit facilities of about $1.2 billion until mid- rate on Tuesday but drew a swift rebuke from tion shares climbed 0.99 percent, or 13.79 mission to delay the release of its earnings ernment spending. 2017. government ministers who said the 50 basis points, to 1,403.22 by the close. It tacked on until next month after a cyberattack at its The company said it expected production to “That would undermine confidence,” he point cut, five months ahead of a general elec- 2.90 percent this week. ECB chief Mario Hollywood film unit compromised “a large rise to about 33,000-36,000 barrels of oil equiva- said. Economists note that government bond tion, was not enough to support economic Draghi’s announcement on Thursday that amount of data”. Toyota rose 1.32 percent lent per day (boepd) this year from provisional yields have already fallen substantially since the growth. Thirteen of 14 economists in a Reuters the central bank would spend 60 billion to 7,685.0 yen, while Uniqlo clothing chain 28,267 boepd in 2014 as output rises from its depths of the euro-zone’s debt crisis in 2012. poll expect further rate cuts by June, some of up euros a month in quantitative easing beat operator Fast Retailing was up 0.89 per- Alma/Galia and Kraken developments in the That means it will be hard to drive bond-market to an additional 100 basis points. “Measured”, one market expectations by 10 billion euros. cent at 42,645.0 yen. Mobile carrier North Sea. EnQuest estimated earnings before borrowing costs down much more. Banks - the of Basci’s favorite terms, will be the watchword, The move came after prices fell in SoftBank soared 4.24 percent to 7,355.0 interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of main source of credit for euro-zone companies - however. The central bank has repeatedly made December, stoking fears the 19-nation euro- yen after announcing it will merge four about $530 million-$580 million and revenue of clear that any rate moves will depend largely on zone is on the brink of a dangerous defla- subsidiaries. On forex markets, the dollar will get more cash. But any economic pickup more than $950 million for 2014. The company’s the pace of inflation and that, broadly, it aims to tionary spiral-a situation blamed for weigh- weakened to 118.32 yen from 118.52 yen depends on whether businesses decide to fur- shares were up 25 percent at 37.43 pence at keep policy tight. — Reuters ing on Japan’s once-soaring economy. in New York. — AFP ther borrow and expand. — AP 1112 GMT. — Reuters SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 HEALTH

FDA panel backs Astellas drug for invasive fungal infections

NEW YORK: A panel of experts on aspergillosis. The panel voted 8-2 with one tions,” Bernie Zeiher, Astellas’ head of glob- Cresemba, was granted Orphan Drug sta- ening fungal infection seen predominant- Thursday voted to recommend that US abstention to recommend the medicine al development and immunology and tus by the FDA, which is given as incentive ly in patients with compromised immune health regulators approve Astellas Pharma to treat invasive mucormycosis. infectious diseases, said in a telephone to develop drugs for rare diseases and systems, such as those with leukemia. Inc’s drug for the treatment of rare, often The Food and Drug Administration, interview. comes with seven years of market exclu- Mucormycosis is a very rare, rapidly pro- fatal invasive fungal infections that can which typically follows the recommenda- In clinical trials, the drug proved at sivity if approved. gressing invasive fungal infection also target patients with blood cancers. The tions of its advisory panels but is not obli- least as safe and effective in reducing mor- The FDA also designated isavuconazo- with high rates of morbidity and mortali- Anti-Infective Drugs advisory committee gated to do so, is expected to make its tality as voriconazole, which Pfizer sells nium as a Qualified Infectious Disease ty. Panelists cited limitations of current panel voted 11-0 that the Japanese drug- approval decision by March 8. under the brand name Vfend, the current Product, which provides for a priority medicines and the need for additional maker had demonstrated sufficient safety “We’re extremely excited and think this standard of care for aspergillosis. The review and a five-year extension of mar- treatment options for the devastating and efficacy to support approval of the medicine will address significant unmet Astellas medicine, which would be sold ket exclusivity in the United States. infections in recommending the Astellas drug, isavuconazonium to treat invasive medical needs in both of these indica- under the proposed brand name Invasive aspergillosis is a rare, life-threat- drug. — Reuters China university ‘expels student over genetic blood disease’

BEIJING: A student in Beijing is suing his infect his fellow classmates. university after he was allegedly expelled But the school expelled him under a for having the rare hereditary blood disease 2003 education ministry rule saying that haemophilia, reports said yesterday, the lat- universities could “refuse the admission of est case in China’s long history of medical students who have serious blood diseases”. discrimination. The student, identified by The student’s lawyer, Wang Qiushi, was the pseudonym Zheng Qing, is suing the quoted as saying that regulation referred to China Institute of Industrial Relations after students who “cannot finish their studies or he was officially expelled earlier this month, cannot take care of themselves”. the government-run Global Times reported. China has a long history of ostracizing He was previously pressured into leaving patients suffering from certain illnesses. the school in September. People with HIV and AIDS have faced dis- The 21-year-old journalism major crimination in the Chinese job market for applied to be excused from mandatory mili- years and foreigners with the virus were tary training on account of his haemophilia, banned from obtaining visas until 2010. In a genetic disorder in which a patient’s December, more than 200 people signed a blood does not clot properly, forcing them petition to expel an HIV-positive eight-year- to have regular transfusions to replace the old boy from their village, prompting a missing clotting protein. The disease is not national debate and highlighting the stig- contagious and Zheng would not be able to ma involved. — AFP Ramping up e-cigarette voltage produces more formaldehyde

WASHINGTON: People who smoke high-volt- authors. “There has never been a cancer study age e-cigarettes have greater exposure to with hemiacetals,” Pankow said in an inter- formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen, than view. Absent such a study, the authors esti- those who keep the voltage low, according to mated the formaldehyde-related cancer risk a study published in the New England Journal associated with e-cigarettes by extrapolating CALIFORNIA: This February 20, 2014 file photo shows people visiting Disneyland in Anaheim. of Medicine on Wednesday. The study, which from data on formaldehyde in cigarettes. critics say is misleading and lacks context, is the latest contribution to a debate on the Low voltage Disneyland measles outbreak safety of e-cigarettes that has so far has yield- They concluded that the life-time risk of ed little long-term data, though most experts developing formaldehyde-related cancer at believe they are less toxic than combustible roughly 1 in 200 for high-voltage e-cigarettes cigarettes. versus 1 in 1,000 for cigarettes - at least five puts California on alert times higher. They found no increased risk for people vaping at a low voltage. Dr Neal LOS ANGELES: California is battling a surge of jump from 173 cases in 2013. An analysis by the mumps, rubella) vaccine. But an anti-vaccination Benowitz, a nicotine expert at the University measles cases clustered around the famous Los Angeles Times last year found that 9.5 per- trend in recent years has emerged, particularly of California, San Francisco, said the study Disneyland theme park, despite the virus being cent of kindergarten children in an Orange in North America, amid fears the MMR vaccine could prove useful to the US Food and Drug all but eliminated in the United States, authori- County school district were exempted from vac- causes autism, despite an array of studies Administration as it prepares to regulate e- ties said Thursday. Fifty-nine cases have been cinations because of personal beliefs. which have contradicted those concerns. “The cigarettes, potentially including limits on recorded since the end of December, the In a Santa Monica and Malibu school district, clear consensus in the scientific community is formaldehyde. California Department of Public Health reported, the rate was 14.8 percent, while statewide it was that there is no association between vaccina- But he questioned the legitimacy of com- urging people to get themselves vaccinated-in 3.1 percent. Authorities said the best protection tion and autism,” the California health depart- paring the effect of formaldehyde delivered the face of a movement against the vaccinations for children remained the MMR (measles, ment said. —AFP in a cigarette to that delivered via hemiacetal, over concerns about links to autism in children. in droplet form, in an e-cigarette. The effect “Of the confirmed cases, 42 have been linked Researchers from Portland State University on organs could be entirely different, he said. to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure took flavored nicotine liquid made by Halo Other critics said that in the real world most Park in Anaheim, California,” the health depart- Cigs, a private company, and tested it in a “vapers” do not push the voltage to the levels ment said. Five of the cases involved Disney personal vaporizer from Innokin. The vaporiz- seen in the study as the taste would become employees. “Initial exposures occurred in er allows consumers to adjust the voltage unpalatable. They also noted that the overall December, but additional confirmed cases visit- from 3.3V to 5.0V. The higher the voltage the health risk of conventional cigarettes, which ed Disney parks while infectious in January,” the greater the nicotine kick, but also the greater contain 7,000 toxins in addition to formalde- department added on its website. Measles is the amount of formaldehyde. hyde, is far greater than any formaldehyde highly contagious and can be spread through E-cigarette liquids typically contain propy- risk associated with e-cigarettes. the air without physical contact. Infection usual- lene glycol, which when heated is known to “Lifelong smokers face a greater than 1 in 2 ly begins with a fever followed by a cough, run- release formaldehyde gas. “Vaping” at high chance of dying from smoking-related dis- ny nose, conjunctivitis and a rash. voltage also produced formaldehyde-con- eases, including a roughly 1 in 10 chance of The health department said the spate of cas- taining compounds known as hemiacetals, dying from lung cancer,” said Jed Rose, director es underscored the need for vaccinations the researchers found. Formaldehyde inhaled of the Center for Smoking Cessation at Duke against the illness. Twenty-eight cases from 34 as a gas been associated with an increased University Medical Center. Pankow conceded for which data was available involved individuals risk of leukemia and nasopharyngeal cancer, that the study could have contained more con- who had not been vaccinated. Measles has been which affects the upper part of the throat text about overall relative risk, but said the officially eradicated from the United States since behind the nose. authors “just wanted to get it out.” They sub- 2000 while remaining widespread in other It is not known exactly where formalde- mitted it to the NEJM in the form of a letter, regions including Europe, Africa and Asia. hyde contained in hemiacetals gets deposit- which a spokeswoman for the journal said was Eradication means the disease is no longer ed in the body or whether it is similarly toxic, peer-reviewed. Pankow said letters tend to be native to the United States. But there were 644 said James Pankow, one of the study’s less detailed than other studies. —Reuters measles cases in the US last year, an enormous CALIFORNIA: People visit Disneyland on January 22, 2015 in Anaheim. — AFP photos technology SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 Hutchison offers $15bn for Telefonica’s UK unit

HONG KONG: Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s flagship company said yesterday it’s offering about $15 billion for the British business of European mobile phone operator Telefonica. Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, which already owns British mobile operator Three, said in a statement that it has been in “exclusive negotiations” with Telefonica SA over the past several weeks for the potential purchase of O2 UK. Hutchison said its offer includes 9.25 billion pounds ($13.9 bil- lion) in cash plus up to another 1 billion pounds ($1.5 billion) in interest payments after the deal is completed, depending on how O2 and Three perform once they are combined. The company cautioned that the deal still needs corporate and regulatory approvals and the talks “may not result in any transaction.” Li is Asia’s richest individual, with a fortune esti- mated by Forbes at about $35 billion. His sprawling ports-to- retail global conglomerate operates in more than 50 coun- DAVOS: Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Board of Facebook DAVOS: Alibaba Group Founder and Executive Chairman Jack Ma gestures as he tries. The deal comes after the 86-year-old Li announced a (left) and Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google (right) attend a panel session at the speaks during a session of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting yester- reorganization of Hutchison into two new listed companies in 45th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, WEF, in Davos on Thursday. — AP day in Davos. — AFP an attempt to increase shareholder value. Telefonica said in a statement to Spanish regulators that the negotiations are expected to last for several weeks while Hutchison conducts a due diligence investigation of O2 UK. Internet will ‘disappear’, Telefonica shares opened 3.3 percent higher on Madrid’s main stock exchange at 13.18 euros ($14.96). — AP Box wraps up IPO Google boss tells Davos at $14 per share Leaders deny rapid pace of technology is killing jobs

to raise $175m DAVOS: Google boss Eric Schmidt predicted yesterday in Europe,” which is suffering from stubbornly high lev- everyone can share and that gives a voice to people that the Internet will soon be so pervasive in every facet els of unemployment. who have historically not had it,” she said. Schmidt, who SAN FRANCISCO: Online storage provider Box has of our lives that it will effectively “disappear” into the The debate about whether technology is destroying said he had recently come back from the reclusive state wrapped up its long-delayed IPO at $14 per share, setting background. Speaking to the business and political elite jobs “has been around for hundreds of years,” said the of North Korea, said he believed that technology forced up a test of investors’ appetite for a rapidly growing tech- at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Schmidt said: Google boss. What is different is the speed of change. potentially despotic and hermetic governments to nology company that hasn’t proven it can make money. “There will be so many sensors, so many devices, that “It’s the same that happened to the people who lost open up as their citizens acquired more knowledge The terms reached late Thursday topped a target range you won’t even sense it, it will be all around you.” their farming jobs when the tractor came... but ulti- about the outside world. of $11 to $13 per share pegged by Box’s bankers last “It will be part of your presence all the time. Imagine mately a globalised solution means more equality for “It is no longer possible for a country to step out of week. you walk into a room and... you are interacting with all everyone.” basic assumptions in banking, communications, morals The pricing increase reflects strong demand for the the things going on in that room.” “A highly personal- and the way people communicate,” the Google boss 12.5 million shares sold in Box Inc.’s initial public offering. ized, highly interactive and very interesting world Everyone has a voice said. A more revealing measure of the interest in the shares emerges.” On the sort of high-level panel only found With one of the main topics at this year’s World “You cannot isolate yourself any more. It simply came yesterday morning when they began trading on among the ski slopes of Davos, a panel bringing togeth- Economic Forum being how to share out the fruits of doesn’t work.” Nevertheless, Sandberg told the assem- the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BOX.” If er the heads of Google, Facebook and Microsoft and global growth, the tech barons stressed that the greater bled elites that even the current pace of change was the stock surges, Box’s bankers are likely to exercise an Vodafone sought to allay fears that the rapid pace of connectivity offered by their companies ultimately only the tip of the iceberg. option to sell nearly 1.9 million more shares. technological advance was killing jobs. “Everyone’s wor- helps reduce inequalities. “Are the spoils of tech being “Today, only 40 percent of people have Internet Box, though, settled for a lower IPO price than what ried about jobs,” admitted Sheryl Sandberg, chief oper- evenly spread? That is an issue that we have to tackle access,” she said, adding: “If we can do all this with 40 the company thought it was worth last March. At that time, an internal appraisal estimated the fair value of ating officer of Facebook. head on,” said Satya Nadella, chief executive of percent, imagine what we can do with 50, 60, 70 per- Box’s stock at $17.85 per share, according to the compa- With so many changes in the technology world, “the Microsoft. cent.” Even two decades into the global spread of the ny’s IPO filings. transformation is happening faster than ever before,” “I’m optimistic, there’s no question. If you are in the Internet, the potential for opening up and growth was Since then, Box continued to lose money while trying she acknowledged. “But tech creates jobs not only in tech business, you have to be optimistic. Ultimately to tremendous, she stressed. “Sixty percent of the to fend off fiercer competition from bigger companies the tech space but outside,” she insisted. Schmidt quot- me, it’s about human capital. Tech empowers humans Internet is in English. If that doesn’t tell you how unin- such as Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Amazon.com ed statistics he said showed that every tech job created to do great things.” Facebook boss Sandberg said the clusive the Internet is, then nothing will,” said the Inc. that also are peddling online storage services. between five and seven jobs in a different area of the Internet in its early forms was “all about anonymity” but tycoon. The World Economic Forum brings together A successful debut by Box in the technology indus- economy. now everyone was sharing everything and everyone some 2,500 of the top movers and shakers in the try’s first big IPO of the new year could encourage other “If there were a single digital market in Europe, 400 was visible. worlds of politics, business and finance for a four-day hot startups to go public, even if they aren’t profitable million new and important new jobs would be created “Now everyone has a voice... now everyone can post, meeting that ends today. — AFP yet. One of the most hotly anticipated IPO candidates is Dropbox, another online storage provider that was val- ued at about $10 billion by investors who participated in In China, VPN its last round of fundraising. Box’s market value stands at a more modest $1.7 bil- internet access lion, based on its IPO pricing. Although it boasts 44,000 corporate and government customers, Box has yet to tools suffer turn a profit in its 10-year history. The IPO raised $175 mil- lion, helping to offset Box’s cumulative losses of $483 mil- further disruptions lion since its founding by college dropout Aaron Levie and his friend, Dylan Smith. Levie, 30, still owns nearly 4.1 BEIJING: Internet services that allow people to freely access million Box shares now worth $57 million and serves as blocked websites and apps from within China have seen more CEO of the Los Altos, California, company. Smith, Box’s severe disruptions this week, said three providers, moves that chief financial officer, owns nearly 1.8 million shares Chinese state media said were justified. worth $25 million. The services affected include popular Virtual Private Investors have shown a willingness to back other Network (VPN) providers Astrill, StrongVPN and Golden Frog, technology companies with a history of uninterrupted which are engaged in a technological arms race to one-up losses. Perhaps the most prominent example is Twitter, China’s highly sophisticated Great Firewall internet censorship the short messaging service that has a market value of system. “This week’s attack on VPNs that affected us and other $24 billion even though the company still hasn’t turned a VPN providers is more sophisticated than what we’ve seen in profit. Twitter’s stock closed Thursday at $39.07, a 50 per- the past,” said Sunday Yokubaitis, president of Golden Frog. cent gain from its IPO price of $26 in November 2013. Chinese internet analysts said internet services should Box is making its stock market debut more than a year observe the network governance of the country “for safety,” after it first filed its plans to go public under a US law that according to the Global Times, an influential tabloid published allows smaller startups to keep their IPO documents con- by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily news- fidential for a short period of time. The wraps came off paper. the IPO filing last March, but the company postponed the A cyber security expert at a government-backed Chinese offering a few months later. think-tank told the Global Times that China’s Great Firewall WASHINGTON: Microsoft’s Lorraine Bardeen demonstrates HoloLens headset as what she “sees” is projected on a screen behind The delay prompted Box to raise $150 million from “has been upgraded for cyberspace sovereignty”, in a rare at an event at the company’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington. With the new HoloLens headset, Microsoft is offering real- two institutional investors six months ago. Many investors acknowledgement in state-run media of the country’s efforts world examples to show how you might use three-dimensional digital images — or holograms — in daily life. —AP still see tremendous potential in Box because it is among to block technical workarounds to the firewall. the leaders in online storage - part of a phenomenon Attacks and blocks on foreign internet services have known as “cloud computing.” The demand to store docu- become increasingly common in China. Censors maintain a Hands-on with Microsoft’s ments, photos and other digital content in remote data tight grip on what can and cannot be published online to centers so the material can be accessed on an Internet eliminate anything seen as a threat to the ruling Communist connected device has been steadily rising as more people Party. VPNs allow individuals and companies to access web- hologram device rely on smartphones and tablets for their computing sites and services that are normally blocked in China, includ- needs. Box specializes in selling online storage to corpo- ing those operated by Google Inc, Facebook Inc and Twitter REDMOND, Washington: Microsoft didn’t use skydivers or WALKING ON MARS rate and government customers, who distribute their Inc. Almost all foreign and many domestic companies in China stunt cyclists to introduce what it hopes will be the next big The most striking demonstration involved a project in accounts to their employees. The company now has 32 use VPNs to conduct business relatively unimpeded by disrup- leap in computing technology. Instead, with its new HoloLens which Microsoft partnered with scientists from NASA’s Jet million total users, some of whom still use a free, bare- tions to web services. The services that have seen disruptions headset, the company is offering real-world examples to show Propulsion Laboratory. They’ve created a vividly realistic, bones version of its service. Box lost $129 million on rev- recently are widely used by individuals, largely affecting how you might use three-dimensional digital images or holo- three-dimensional landscape by knitting together photo- enue of $154 million through the first nine months of its mobile devices. grams - in daily life. graphs and data collected by NASA’s Curiosity rover. current fiscal year ending Jan 31. Levie, the company’s A notice from Astrill this week said that certain VPN proto- And that might be what it takes to get people to buy a When I moved my head, the landscape shifted as if I was leader, is a rising technology star known for his pluck and cols are “blocked in almost real-time” in China. StrongVPN said computer they wear on their face. I got a brief peek at what actually walking on the planet. I peered under a rock outcrop- quirky wit. He is also among the breed of young entrepre- on its blog that some of its servers were not working for users wearing the HoloLens could be like in different scenarios: per- ping. I was joined by a digital avatar, playing the part of a JPL neurs who believe it is better to take risks pursuing differ- in China. Golden Frog, which operates the service VyprVPN, forming a simple home repair, pretending to be a scientist scientist. We spoke and used hand gestures to place digital ent ideas instead of sticking with the status quo. “At times, also reported heightened disruptions in recent past days. studying the surface of Mars and exploring a colorful, animat- markers on different rocks, in an exercise simulating how sci- we may get some things wrong, but we respond quickly Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign ed game that added new dimensions to an unremarkable entists might use the system to direct the rover’s exploration. and ‘fail fast,’” Levie wrote in a letter included in Box’s IPO Ministry, said she had not seen reports related to the VPN dis- room. Microsoft unveiled HoloLens at its headquarters this A more whimsical demonstration involved the Microsoft- filing. “More often, however, our speed affords us an ruptions and was not aware of the specifics. — Reuters week, on the same day the company touted its upcoming owned “Minecraft” game. In a small living room, the HoloLens incredible competitive advantage.” — AP Windows 10 software release. What I saw of the device seems projected three-dimensional structures and animated crea- unfinished, but it shows potential. tures on an actual coffee table. I summoned imaginary tools and blasted a simulated hole in the room’s actual wall - and A CROWDED FIELD: was surprised to see cartoon bats fly out. Apple’s Cook gets Some of the world’s biggest tech companies are working But another exercise brought home how useful the gadget on wearable devices that aim to create realistic, three-dimen- might be. I was guided through the process of installing an sional representations of alien worlds or imaginary creatures. electric light switch. I saw a woman who showed me a series Google’s computerized eyewear, Glass, isn’t technically a of sketches and talked me through each step. She was work- hefty bonus for 2014 virtual-reality device, but it shows the challenges of winning ing in real time in another room, drawing sketches on a tablet consumer acceptance. Google introduced Glass in 2012 with a computer and using Skype to talk with me. I could see the SAN FRANCISCO: Apple CEO Tim Cook got a hefty cash bonus Cook and the company’s other top officers were awarded the Vegas-style stunt that included mountain bikes and skydivers sketches, super-imposed over an actual wall outlet and pro- that brought his total compensation to $9.2 million last year. maximum bonus possible under Apple’s incentive plan, after the landing on the roof of a convention center. Last week, it sus- truding wires, while her face appeared to one side. That’s more than double what he received the previous year, as company’s annual revenue and $52.5 billion in operating profit pended consumer sales after many people balked at the the company enjoyed a surge in sales and profit fueled by the each exceeded the plan’s maximum goals by 7 percent, the filing notion of wearing a digital camera and Internet-connected WHAT’S THE POTENTIAL? popularity of its new, over-sized iPhone 6 models. said. device on their head. Microsoft engineer Alex Kipman said the company has built Cook’s pay for fiscal 2014 included $1.7 million in salary and The Associated Press calculates an executive’s total compen- Meanwhile, Google has invested in a secretive start-up, programming tools so outside developers can use Windows 10 $6.7 million in incentive pay that was awarded by Apple’s board sation by counting salary, bonuses, perks, stock and options Magic Leap, that’s working on virtual reality. Samsung and to create more holographic apps. Kipman called HoloLens “the after he beat the performance goals that directors had set for awarded during the year. Despite his bonus, Apple’s CEO collect- Oculus VR - which Facebook bought for $2 billion last year - next step” in moving “beyond today’s digital borders.” him, according to a regulatory filing Thursday. He also received ed less than the company’s four other top officers, all of whom are developing gaming headsets that essentially block the Meanwhile, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said virtual $774,176 in other compensation, including a 401k contribution, garnered sizable stock awards. The highest paid was Senior Vice wearer’s view and replace it with an imaginary world. Smaller reality will be the next major wave in computing and commu- company-paid insurance premiums and security expenses. President Angela Ahrendts, the former CEO at luxury goods companies have developed headsets for industrial or business nications. Microsoft executives talked about other uses - from Apple reported $182.8 billion in revenue for the fiscal year maker Burberry who was hired in May to run Apple’s retail oper- uses. Microsoft’s HoloLens was built by engineers who created helping a surgeon learn a new operating technique to design- that ended Sept. 27 and $39.5 billion in profit, after seeing ations. Her $73 million pay package included a hiring bonus of the Kinect motion-sensing system for Xbox games. It projects ing objects for 3-D printers. I could also see applications in the record sales last fall. Sales of iPhones rose 21 percent in the com- $33 million in restricted Apple stock grants and another $37 mil- a realistic image on a screen in front of your eyes, but the kitchen, classrooms and retail shops. But it’s not yet clear when pany’s fourth quarter, which made up for a decline in sales of lion in restricted stock grants that Apple said were intended to screen is transparent, so you can still see what’s in front of you. HoloLens will be out, or how much it will cost. While executives iPads. Apple’s annual revenue has increased in each of the last compensate for Burberry stock that she forfeited on leaving her The holograms respond to gestures and spoken commands, showed off a sleek prototype, they used a heavier, clunkier ver- three years. old job.—AP detected by cameras and other sensors in the device. sion for up-close demonstrations.—AP Moss holds court at Vuitton, 21Owens bares all SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

A Palestinian boy climbs a big stone wall yesterday that was painted by local artists at the sea port in Gaza City in an attempt to bring more vibrant colors to the city. — AFP

Wed in a lion’s cage: Murder and magic as Tanzania Circus queen’s active at 103 tackles ‘witchcraft’ killings t was a hyena that killed the boy, but four property — be it cows, be it farms-is to claim adame Rosa appears at the circus apartment doorway in She and her husband once turned up at a top hotel with the baby elderly women got the blame. Villagers this lady is a witch,” said Flavian Bifandimu from sparkling diamonds, red lipstick and a walking frame - primate placed in the hat box. The footman said, “Gosh. Madame’s Islashed them with machetes then set fire to HelpAge, which advocates for the rights of old- Mand sits down beside her leopard skin rug. “That’s hats are pretty heavy,’ said Rosa, chuckling and saying that for the their bodies for casting spells on the wild ani- er people. Mickey,” exclaims the 103-year-old doyenne of Europe’s most month they were at the hotel no one noticed the gorilla in the mal. “They cut her with machetes,” said Sufia “That justifies her death, then automatically famous circus, pointing to all that remains of her former pet. “He room. Shadrack, the daughter of one of the murdered the man will take the property. Simple as that.” died of old age. We had him a long time,” she says nostalgically, The couple’s foul-mouthed parrot, Coco, was equally loved, but women in her small village in Tanzania’s north- Mage Benge, from the small village of Magu, while offering a visitor one of her luxury Swiss chocolates. Soon, less jovial. He lived to 45 and would squawk profanities at Rosa, if ern Mwanza district. “Then they took firewood, was attacked five years ago after she was anecdotes from the matriarch of Paris’ famed Winter Circus come he was ever ignored. “I cannot tell you what he would call me... mattresses, an iron sheet and burned her like accused of using spells to kill her parents. Men pouring out: how she got married in a lion’s den, once entered a (Parrots) are very, very intelligent. He could speak very fluently,” you would cook fish or meat.” hacked her with machetes before leaving her posh hotel carrying a baby primate in a hat box, and helped raise she said. Her stories are fantastical, but photos, pictures and her In Tanzania, hundreds of people are killed for dead. “It was all about my inheritance, cows a parrot known for its foul use of the French language. son bear witness. Take for instance her sea voyage to Latin each year accused of being witches. Like and farmland,” said Benge - adding that had The great Madame Rosa is now considered the big top’s most America with her circus in the 50’s. In scenes reminiscent of “The Shadrack’s mother, many victims are elderly, she been able to use magic, she would have eccentric, and oldest, character. Born Rosa Van Been to a perform- Life of Pi,” she says there was a freak storm, which caused the cap- vulnerable or marginalized - or own property protected herself. Instead, she shows her ing family in Belgium just in time for Christmas in 1910, two years tain to order that the 12 elephants be thrown overboard to save that greedy relatives seize after accusing of scarred face, and says she still sees some of the before the Titanic sank, she went on to find fame and success in the ship from sinking. witchcraft. But while some are killed falsely men who attacked her walking free in her vil- Paris by marrying businessman Joseph Bouglione, whose claim to accused of black magic, others are murdered lage. fame was buying the Winter Circus in 1934. She’s now a French A global star by the “sorcerers” themselves: scores of people “They hurt me badly and made me poor,” celebrity in her own right. Her son, who was aboard, calls it a “miracle” when suddenly the with albinism have been killed and their body she said. “Before I could farm on my own, now I She was close friends with Josephine Baker, the American-born storm subsided and the boat remained afloat with the animals parts cooked up for spells. After UN condemna- am a beggar.” The witchcraft ban does not cov- French dancer, singer and actress. Madame Rosa also rubbed safe. “That was an adventure,” says Madame Rosa. Then there were tion, the government this month promised a er traditional healers who use herbs to help the shoulders with opera diva Maria Callas and actresses Ingrid the celebrities. “So many, so many,” says her son, who remembers crackdown to stem attacks. sick, which two-thirds of Tanzanians use, Bergman and Rita Hayworth - and outlived them all. Madame sitting with stars Bergman and Hayworth who had flown in from However, activists fear promises may prove according to government surveys. In a small Rosa, who now has 54 grandchildren and great grandchildren, Hollywood to attend the circus perform beneath the Eiffel Tower. little more than rhetoric, as previous govern- hut, traditional healer Hana Mazoya warns of survived two world wars and the Nazi occupation. But the matri- Madame Rosa met Callas, who loved the circus, many times, and ment measures have had little or no impact on unscrupulous pretenders. “If you tell the patient arch of the Winter Circus never let the petty trials of the 20th cen- had a close relationship with Baker, who died in 1975. the deep seated beliefs. “I am worried about that they have been bewitched by somebody, tury spoil her zest for life. She married her husband in a lions’ cage “She was a friend. Amazing,” Rosa says, adding that she used to getting older,” said 50-year-old Shadrack, who you just create a conflict between the two, that instead of a church. She remembers advising the pastor against share costume ideas with the black icon that went on to become must walk past the charred wreckage of her is when killings can happen,” said Mazoya, entering the den for fear he’d get eaten by the big cats and not a global star for her ground-breaking banana dance. There’s a mother’s house to visit her grave. “The ones dressed in a beaded crown of long black feath- finish the service. slight sadness when she reminisces over characters in her old sto- who killed my mother, I don’t know how they ers. She divines the future, but says the spirits ries. “They’re all dead. ... They’re all dead,” Rosa repeats several think about me,” she added. “Maybe they will that guide her do not dabble in the dangerous Memory aid times, sighing in front of the portrait of her husband, who died kill me too.” practice of denouncing witches. “My ghosts do Her protective elephant respected the sanctity of this marriage decades ago. not know wizards,” she said. — AFP so much that he once squashed Callas in retribution for getting But now that her huge family includes contortionists, acrobats, Sacrifices to prevent evil too close to her husband after one show. “The elephant practically jugglers, and lion tamers in the popular annual Winter Circus Tanzanian rights groups recorded 765 knocked her over. ... He was jealous,” said Rosa, with a laugh that spectacle, their many theatrical get-togethers stop her dwelling witchcraft related murders in 2013, but warn makes her look decades younger. Laughter, it becomes apparent, on the past. She says the secrets of her eternal youth include hard the real figure is likely far higher. “The huge is this incredible woman’s life-line: the memories and anecdotes work, sleeping very little and deadly animals. “I’ve always, always number of people who have been killed only she’s told a thousand times still make her wrinkled face light up been with lions, with panthers, with wolves, with hyenas,” she includes cases reported,” said Paul Mikongoti with a touching naivety when she remembers a punchline or con- says. “I was never scared.” As the interview concludes, Madame from the Legal and Human Rights Centre. jures up an image that had been sitting for years undusted in her Rosa can’t resist revealing one more secret of her longevity. “Fries,” “There are so many people that we can’t get memory archive. she said, and paused. “I’m Belgian.”— AP the number.”Simply having bloodshot eyes can Nevertheless, she feels the need to bring along to the inter- be a sign of “witchcraft”, something all too com- view her 80-year-old son Emilien as her “memory aid” to help her mon after decades spent cooking over smoky fill in the gaps. Once she gets started, the stories pour out. There fires. was her other “child” - a male gorilla she somehow named Jackie. At least 74 albinos have been murdered since 2000, according to United Nations experts, who say an entire corpse can fetch $75,000 (64,500 euros), a fortune in the impov- erished country. Observers say attacks against albinos are increasing as Tanzania’s October 2015 national elections looms, encouraging political campaigners to turn to witchdoctors for good luck. Beliefs of the east African coun- try’s 49 million people are roughly divided equally between Islam, Christianity and tradi- tional religions. But some 93 percent also believe in witchcraft, by far the highest level recorded in a 19-nation African survey by the PEW Research Center in 2010.

‘All about my inheritance’ While Tanzanian law gives women equal inheritance rights many oppose that, and activists say some relatives use witchcraft as an In this photo taken Sept 8, 2014, Rosa Bouglione speaks in her Photo shows an art piece depicting her and her husband dur- excuse to grab property. “Normally men like to apartment in Paris, France.— AP photos ing their circus days, in her Paris apartment. dominate... but when the sisters start to be a bit Mage Benge poses at her home in the village of Magu in resistant they think the only way to access that Tanzania’s northern Mwanza district, on March 3, 2014. —AFP lifestyle SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 MUSIC & MOVIES ‘Hunger Games: Mockingjay’ becomes highest-grossing film of 2014 in US he Hunger Games: Mockingjay million on Wednesday, edging past - Part 1” shot past “Guardians “Guardians” at $333.17 million at the US “Tof the Galaxy” to become the box office. highest-grossing domestic release of Lionsgate also announced Thursday 2014. It’s the second time in a row that that it will release the Digital HD verison the dystopian franchise has topped the of “Mockingjay-Part 1” on Feb 17 and the Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand versions on March 6. “Mockingjay - Part 1” opens in China on Feb. 8. It has already grossed more than $700 million worldwide, bringing global box office for the three “Hunger Games” films to over $2.2 billion. “The No. 1 theatrical release of 2014 is poised to become one of the biggest home entertainment events of 2015,” said Lionsgate Home Entertainment president Ron Schwartz and Lionsgate president of worldwide television & digital distribution Jim Packer. Unlike most major tentpole releases, the latest “Hunger Games” didn’t get the benefit of a 3D or Imax surcharge. “Mockingjay - Part 1” stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth and was directed by Francis Lawrence. The next and final film in the series hits the- charts. It gives Lionsgate bragging rights aters in November. It may be difficult for Robert Redford, right, founder of the Sundance Institute, addresses the media as John Cooper, left, programming director of the Sundance Film as the studio with the top film in consec- Lionsgate to score a three-peat; this year Festival, and Keri Putnam, executive director of the Sundance Institute, look on during the opening day press conference at the 2015 Sundance utive years-something no one else has brings sequels to “Star Wars” and “The Film Festival. — AP achieved in over a decade. “The Hunger Avengers.” May the odds be ever in their Games: Mockingjay - Part 1” hit $333.2 favor. — Reuters Robert Redford kicks off Sundance Film Fest obert Redford kicks off the Sundance Film showrooms and celebrity hangouts, Redford the festival include Redford’s appearance along- Festival he founded 31 years ago on said he’s gratified by the festival’s continued side George Lucas at a Power of Story panel set RThursday afternoon at the event’s original growth. to stream live on the Sundance website, and home, the 280-seat Egyptian Theatre. A lot has “When it started to happen, I wasn’t prepared James Franco, in his first appearances since “The changed since those humble beginnings - the for it,” he said. “It grew way beyond my imagina- Interview”-Sony hack scandal, has three films in event now takes over Park City and has tion.” More than 12,000 submissions from Park City - two at Sundance and one at the con- stretched into Salt Lake City - but Redford says around the globe were culled to the 118 feature- current, even-more-indie festival, Slamdance. change is what keeps the festival relevant. length documentary and narrative films featured Funny folks Jack Black and Sarah Silverman take Though it has long outgrown its original venue, during the 10-day event this year. “We’re really dramatic turns in feature films, Bobcat Sundance remains true to its mission of show- seeing a lift in the quality (of independent film),” Goldthwait premieres a documentary about casing the work of emerging artists and experi- said festival director John Cooper. “I think the comic Barry Crimmins, and comedian Tig Notaro mental approaches that exist outside the wild ride of the festival is going to be felt by the stars in her own documentary, “Tig.” Hollywood mainstream. audiences.” Other starry offerings include: “Z for “The festival was meant to use change to Redford himself is featured in a film that pre- Zachariah,” in which Margot Robbie believes underline the word diversity, and diversity is miered yesterday, “A Walk in the Woods.” “That she’s the last woman on Earth, until she discov- something I think moves the ball, and that’s was not my idea,” he said, adding that he has not ers Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor; “Sleeping something I think we represent,” Redford said at been involved in film selection for the festival With Other People,” starring Jason Sudeikis and Liz Garbus, right, director of the documentary film “What Happened, Miss Simone,” the festival’s opening-day news conference. since its inception, for fear of appearing self-pro- Alison Brie; the gambling drama “Mississippi poses with singer Nina Simone’s longtime guitarist/musical director Al Schackman at “That comes out of change. As things change, motional. “And I also said at that time, just to Grind,” starring Ryan Reynolds, Alison Brie and the premiere of the film on the opening night of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on the filmmakers here roll with it, and their films make sure, I don’t ever think that anything I do Alfre Woodard; “Lila & Eve” with Jennifer Lopez Thursday. — AP show how change is affecting the life we live should be in the festival. I think that would be and Viola Davis; “Slow West” with Michael and the society that we’re in.” Though he always self-interested and I don’t want to do that,” Fassbender; and the closing-night film, Nina Simone documentary a blasts the “ambush marketers” who take over the Redford said. “So we all agreed on it, until recent- “Grandma,” starring Lily Tomlin. The Sundance powerful portrait of the artist town’s Main Street with gift suites, sponsored ly. John went out of bounds.” Other highlights at Film Festival continues through Feb 1. — AP

hrough archival footage and interviews of Music because of her race. That denial with her family, closest confidants and turned her into an entertainer. She started play- Tcollaborators, Nina Simone comes to life ing in bars to make a living, and the managers again - still enigmatic but more easily under- there required her to sing. Before long, she was stood - in the new documentary “What playing at the Newport Jazz Festival, and, even- Happened, Miss Simone?” which premiered tually, Carnegie Hall. Still, she felt a profound Thursday night at the Sundance Film Festival. A emptiness, reflected in her journal entries classically trained pianist, accidental singer, included in the film. She was lonely and passionate activist and often-lost soul, Simone’s depressed, and her husband and manager, In this Jan 19, 2014 many facets are illuminated in the film by direc- Andrew Stroud, was abusive. file photo, writer and tor Liz Garbus, whose first film played at Simone found purpose in the civil rights director Richard Sundance 16 years ago. movement, and realized she could use her Linklater, right, pos- “This is the film I’ve been practicing to make fame and talents to support the fight for equal- es with cast member all these years,” Garbus said before the screen- ity. “I could sing to help my people,” she says in and daughter Lorelei ing. The film opens with Simone onstage in the film, “and that became the mainstay of my Linklater, at the pre- 1968, just before her self-imposed exile to life.” “What Happened, Miss Simone?” - the title miere of the film Liberia, then goes back to her childhood piano taken from a Maya Angelou quote - tells the In this Jan 28, 2012 file photo, Director Benh Zeitlin, left, holds up actress Quvenzhane Wallis as they accept the “Boyhood” during lessons. She took instantly to piano as a young story of a troubled, gifted and passionate the 2014 Sundance girl, catching the notice of a white teacher who woman who found her voice in music. She was Grand Jury Prize US Dramatic award for the film “Beasts of the Southern Wild” during the 2012 Sundance Film Film Festival, in Park offered to provide lessons. Still known then by fervent about the dignity of African-Americans City, Utah. her given name, Eunice Waymon, she is shown and fought staunchly for equality. Festival Awards Ceremony in Park City, Utah. walking across the train tracks that separated Simone’s songs for justice are just as rele- whites from blacks in her North Carolina home- vant now, the film’s director said. “If we had town to reach the teacher’s home. voices like Nina Simone’s today, speaking the Eunice Waymon dreamed of becoming the pain and the passion of the movement that’s A look at the Academy Awards first black classical pianist in the United States, been building, I think, on the streets in the past and she saw herself at Carnegie Hall - until she six months...” Garbus said, “I think we can all see was denied admittance to the Curtis Institute the place of these songs today.” — AP and the Sundance kids

Rogen responds to n Academy Award nomination is an incompara- ed with the Academy’s expansion of the best picture ble stamp of approval for any film - and for an category from five films to as many as 10. “I think ironi- ‘American Sniper’ comments Aindie feature coming out of the Sundance Film cally what’s happened is now it’s almost like ‘best of Festival, in some cases, it’s a downright miracle. The the fest’ in some ways. This year is a very good exam- eth Rogen responded to the outrage (Inglourious) Basterds.” festival, which kicked off this week in Park City, Utah, ple of that. Every film except for ‘American Sniper’ incited by a series of tweets he wrote Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 revenge fanta- has had a scattered record with the Oscars, but its debuted at a festival,” he said, referring to this year’s Sregarding the film “American Sniper” sy film shows clips from a fake propaganda track record for the night’s top award - best picture - best picture nominees. While the Toronto in a statement issued exclusively to The movie about a skilled Nazi sniper. Online has been steadily improving over the past few years. International Film Festival and Telluride will continue Associated Press on Thursday, saying it was- outlets including Fox News Insider, the Daily This year, “Whiplash” and “Boyhood” - both to be harbingers of major awards contenders from n’t his intent to offend anyone or to say any- Caller and Brietbart concluded that Rogen’s Sundance premieres - are among the eight best pic- major studios, mainstream success for an indie film thing with political implications. The actor intent was to liken Clint Eastwood’s fact- ture nominees. “Boyhood” is considered a favorite to festival is challenging to maintain year after year. “It’ll and filmmaker, fresh off of the whirlwind, based drama about the late Navy SEAL win. Coming on the heels of previous best picture be interesting to see how they follow last year,” said Sony-hack-addled release of his film “The Chris Kyle to “Nazi propaganda.” On nominations for Sundance films like “Precious,” “Beasts Davis. “That actually kind of puts pressure on the film Interview,” was thrown back into the spot- Monday, Rogen went back to Twitter to clar- of the Southern Wild” and “Winter’s Bone” over the festival to keep up with that. If they don’t have two or light Sunday when he tweeted that ify that he “actually liked” Eastwood’s film past few years, the festival has become a breeding three best picture nominees that come out of this “American Sniper kind of reminds me of the and that he wasn’t comparing the two at all. ground for awards candidates. In 2014, for example, year’s lineup, is it a failure for them?”—AP movie that’s showing in the third act of Conservative blogs, however, were not Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash” was programmed as the appeased. Celebrities like Dean Cain and opening night film. Erik Davis, a contributing editor at Kid Rock joined in to publicly criticize movie ticketing site Fandango, believes it’s a ripple effect. “Because filmmakers, studios, producers are Rogen, too. In this Jan 30, 2010 file photo, Director Debra In his statement Thursday, Rogen reiter- seeing a lot of Oscar movies begin to come out of Sundance, I think they’re looking at Sundance as a Granik accepts the Grand Jury Prize for ated that the movie only reminded him of strategy to put the movies that they feel have a Dramatic Film for “Winter’s Bone” on stage at the other “because they both involved plots chance in the Sundance lineup,” said Davis. the Awards Night Ceremony during the 2010 In this Jan 23, about the most lethal of snipers.” He went Davis said he’s seen the quality of the films steadily Sundance Film Festival, in Park City, Utah. on to explain that he would never compare 2010 file pho- increase in the decade since he began attending. “In to, actress the film to Nazi propaganda, and that he all the years I’ve been going to Sundance, I’ve never to the changing landscape of theatrical releases. Jennifer has nothing against Kyle or veterans in gen- seen an opening night film as strong as ‘Whiplash.’ I “Because there are fewer dramas in theatrical release eral. “My grandfather was a veteran,” Rogen feel like the festival was kind of making a statement and one of the few places to see the new and the best Lawrence of said. “My comment about the movie was but at the same time taking a risk by programming of indie dramas is Sundance, then when it comes to the film, not meant to have any political implica- such a strong film right at the start of the festival,” he Oscars, those dramas at Sundance gain even greater “Winter’s tions,” he said. “Any political meaning was said. “Whiplash” in some ways is the ultimate Oscars importance and visibility,” he said. Some movies, Bone,” poses ascribed to my comment by news commen- Cinderella story. What started as a short at the 2013 Tourtellotte said, come to the festival with an eye on for a portrait tary.” Rogen also apologized for any offense festival and premiered in feature form at the 2014 fes- the prize. Others, like a “Whiplash,” for example, bene- during In this Oct 13, 2014 file photo, his tweets might have caused. The actor tival without a distributor lined up 12 months later fit from the fact that there is so much media and Sundance Film actor/writer Seth Rogen poses for a concluded the statement by saying he gets singled out by the Academy as one of the best industry already there. Festival in Park portrait in Los Angeles. — AP hoped that “this clears things up.”— AP pictures of the year. Producer Bob Tourtellotte (“Meth Keith Simanton, managing editor of IMDB, thinks City, Utah. Head”) thinks the focus on festivals has intensified due that there is something bigger going on that all start- —AP photos lifestyle SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 Moss holds court at Vuitton,FASHION Owens bares all

f fashion had a monarchy, she would be its Rick Owens channels a submarine queen. Kate Moss certainly acted like one The program notes say Owens channeled Ifrom her regally-placed seat in the center of an (unnamed) “forgotten black and white Louis Vuitton’s front row in Paris. The 41-year- French movie set in a military submarine” for old model held court in a large fur coat, gig- his strong and fierce collection. Naval pea coats gling and chatting loudly to almost everyone were given a fetishized Owens-style reworking in her vicinity, even ostensibly waving to peo- in black leather or else in brown with aggres- ple on other sides of the venue. sive black markings on oversize lapels. Loose Moss shushed herself at one point, realiz- sleeveless jumpsuits in cable knit beige and ing she was simply being too loud. F1 driver gray had the aggressive appearance of body Lewis Hamilton, singer Bryan Ferry and former armor. The more “conventional” silhouettes R.E.M front man Michael Stipe shared the front were draped or flared at the bottom. This aes- row with the famed superwaif, but not her thetic veered imaginatively off course when attention-grabbing effervescence. Here are sleeve shapes made an appearance at the the tidbits and highlights from Thursday’s fall- waist, and were used as a skirt. The idea of a winter 2015 menswear collections, including submarine was clear at the end in a few burst- show reports for Louis Vuitton, Rick Owens, ing gray metallic coats, with cool segments Dries Van Noten and Issey Miyake. that resembled engineered polished metal.

Issey Miyake’s dandy The dandy, with his billowing silk scarf and devore velvet coats, made an elegant appear- ance at Issey Miyake. The collection’s luxuriant swagger proved a hit for menswear designer Yusuke Takahashi. The inspiration behind Thursday’s show was the late 19th century artist and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, fused with the pioneering Japanese silk tradi- tions of the same period. The result was a nice- ly eccentric display - and one that was more “Western” than we have come to expect from the French-Japanese house. The strongest part of the show was what the program notes called “elegant weekend” - beautifully draped multicolor knit shawls and tasteful color-rich check sweaters in mohair and silk wool. Standout colors included ultramarine, bright red, shocking pink and purple. But it was the velvet looks, in pants and coats, that really stole the show. Velvet is a serious new trend.

Dries Van Noten in segments Dutch master designer Dries Van Noten’s collection was typically varied - but if one thing drew it together it was this: Form. The body Model Kate Moss reacts at the end of the show was segmented into horizontal strips. Be it a for fashion house Louis Vuitton by designer black band across the chest on a pea coat, a Kim Jones during men’s fall-winter 2015/2016 sharp storm flap on a trench coat cutting a line fashion collection. — AP/AFP photos at the waist, or a kilt or Bermuda segmenting the leg at the knee with pants underneath that Louis Vuitton’s drainpipe chic brought the silhouette down to the ankle. It It was a luxuriant yet highly wearable collec- was a study in precise geometry. But the loose, tion from Louis Vuitton’s menswear designer large proportions in the fabrics ensured the Kim Jones, who brought back the drainpipe. collection cut a relaxed vibe. This was also true Thin, Fifties-style pants with large, often con- of the sumptuous, almost huggable fabrics in trasting, turn-ups came alongside cut-out silk, quilted cotton and jersey - delivered in a shoes with huge visible white soles. It would pitch-perfect palette of Prussian blue, indigo, not have looked out of place on Marlon Brando charcoal, russet and burgundy. in the iconic 1954 movie “On the Waterfront.” As ever, looks were rendered in colorful, but Boy Scouts masculine, hues: indigo, cognac, dark brown, German-Iranian designer Boris Bidjan Saberi beige, black, navy and a flash of gold. Louis was sold on solid colors — mostly in orange, Vuitton’s mission statement is one of travel. brown, black and white-with a consistent And here Jones’ travelled to Japan with some three-quarter length to his supple jackets. Calf- incredible statement looks: like one assorted cut pants lent a boyish air to the ware, empha- white denim blouson and pants featuring sized further with rolled-mats slung Boy Scout- Models present creations by Dries Van beautifully bold, round Japanese-style prints. fashion on backs. — AP Noten .

Models present creations by US fashion designer Rick Owens. lifestyle SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 FASHION

Models present creations by Issey Miyake.

Models present creations by US fashion designer Rick Owens.

Models present creations by Boris Bidjan Saberi.

Models present creations by US fashion designer Rick Owens. TV PROGRAMS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

Taylor 13:30 So Random 04:00 Howard The Duck-PG 18:00 Eleanor’s Secret 20:35 Nigellissima 13:55 Liv And Maddie 06:00 Appleseed: Alpha-PG15 20:00 The Happets 21:00 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 14:20 The Adventures Of Disney 07:45 The Grandmaster-PG15 22:00 Back To The Sea 21:25 Celebrity MasterChef Fairies 23:30 Space Dogs 00:00 As Time Goes By 10:00 Iron Man-PG15 22:20 Bargain Hunt 14:55 Jessie 00:30 Eastenders 12:15 Waterworld-PG15 23:05 Come Dine With Me 15:20 I Didn’t Do It 01:00 Doctors 14:30 Police Story-PG15 23:30 The Little Paris Kitchen 15:45 Liv And Maddie 01:30 Being Erica 16:30 Appleseed: Alpha-PG15 23:55 The Planners 16:10 Austin & Ally 02:15 Saxondale 18:15 Escape From L.A.-PG15 16:35 Binny And The Ghost 02:45 Being Eileen 20:00 The Expatriate-PG15 17:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place The 00:00 One Direction: This Is Us-PG 03:15 Call The Midwife 22:00 Stolen-PG15 Movie 02:00 Skyline-PG15 04:00 Rev. 18:30 Wolfblood 04:00 Stolen-PG15 04:30 As Time Goes By 19:05 Gravity Falls 06:00 Despicable Me 2-PG 05:00 Woolly & Tig 00:20 Dive Wars Australia 19:30 Liv And Maddie 08:00 The Great Gatsby-PG15 05:05 The Green Balloon Club 00:00 Men At Work-PG15 01:10 Manhunt 19:55 Austin & Ally 10:30 Death Clique-PG15 05:30 Gigglebiz 02:00 The Little Rascals Save The 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 20:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:15 Stolen-PG15 05:45 Boogie Beebies Day-PG 02:50 Auction Hunters 20:45 Suite Life On Deck 14:00 A Common Man-PG15 06:00 Nina And The Neurons: In 04:00 Gambit-PG15 03:15 The Liquidator 21:10 Hannah Montana 15:30 The Great Gatsby-PG15 The Lab 06:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 03:40 Dallas Car Sharks 21:35 That’s So Raven 18:00 Closed Circuit-PG15 06:15 Woolly & Tig 08:00 Fred 2: Night Of The Living 04:05 How It’s Made 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 20:00 Stand Up Guys-PG15 06:20 The Green Balloon Club Fred-PG 04:30 How It’s Made 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 22:00 2 Guns-18 06:45 Gigglebiz 10:00 Men At Work-PG15 05:00 Dual Survival 22:50 Shake It Up 07:00 Boogie Beebies 12:00 Run For Your Wife-PG15 06:00 Siberian Cut 23:10 Wolfblood 07:15 The Weakest Link 14:00 Gambit-PG15 06:50 Rods N’ Wheels 23:35 Wolfblood 08:00 As Time Goes By 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 16:00 Fred 2: Night Of The Living 08:30 Being Eileen 08:30 Auction Hunters Fred-PG 09:00 Eastenders 08:55 The Liquidator 18:00 Life Happens-PG15 00:00 Live MSNBC Now With Alex 09:30 Doctors 09:20 Dallas Car Sharks 20:00 In A World...-PG15 Wagner 10:00 Being Erica 09:45 How It’s Made 22:00 Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox 01:00 Live MSNBC The Ed Show Story-18 10:45 The Weakest Link 10:10 How It’s Made 00:00 Escape Club 02:00 Live MSNBC Politicsnation 11:30 As Time Goes By 10:35 Get Out Alive With Bear 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 03:00 Live NBC Nightly News 12:00 Being Eileen Grylls 01:25 Keeping Up With The 03:30 ABC World News With David 12:25 Kidnapped 11:25 Dive Wars Australia Kardashians Muir 13:15 Eastenders 12:15 Manhunt 02:20 Giuliana & Bill 04:00 Live MSNBC All In With Chris 13:45 Doctors 13:05 Auction Hunters 03:15 Giuliana & Bill Hayes 05:00 Live MSNBC The Rachel 14:15 Being Erica 13:30 The Liquidator 03:40 Giuliana & Bill 01:00 Everything Must Go-PG15 Maddow Show 15:00 Rev. 13:55 Dallas Car Sharks 04:10 THS 03:00 The Factory-PG15 06:00 Live MSNBC The Last Word 15:30 As Time Goes By 14:20 Outback Truckers 05:05 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 05:00 Temptation: Confessions Of W/ Lawrence O’Donnell 16:00 Being Eileen 15:10 Rods N’ Wheels 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take A Marriage Counselor-PG15 07:00 NBC Nightly News 16:25 The Weakest Link 16:00 Fast N’ Loud Miami 07:00 Christmas Magic-PG15 07:30 ABC World News With David 17:10 Eastenders 16:50 How It’s Made 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 09:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 Muir 17:40 Doctors 17:15 How It’s Made Miami 11:00 Temptation: Confessions Of 07:57 NBC Nightly News 18:10 Being Erica 17:40 Dual Survival 07:50 Style Star A Marriage Counselor-PG15 08:18 ABC World News With David 19:00 Rev. 18:30 Troy 08:20 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 13:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 Muir 19:30 Saxondale 19:20 Dynamo: Top Ten Moments 08:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 15:00 The Last Harbor-PG15 08:39 Live ABC Nightline 20:00 Mad Dogs 20:10 The Liquidator 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 17:00 The Trouble With Bliss-PG15 09:06 MSNBC The Rachel Maddow 20:45 DCI Banks: Aftermath 20:35 Dallas Car Sharks 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 19:00 Safe Haven-PG15 Show 21:30 The Omid Djalili Show 21:00 Troy 11:10 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 21:00 Disconnect-PG15 10:00 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 22:00 Money 21:50 The Big Brain Theory Hamptons 23:00 Side Effects-18 22:50 Waking The Dead 22:40 You Have Been Warned 12:05 House Of DVF Lawrence O’Donnell 23:45 Waking The Dead 23:30 Troy 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 11:00 Live ABC World News Now 13:35 E!ES 11:30 Live ABC World News Now 12:00 Live NBC Early Today 14:30 Style Star 01:30 Silent Victim-PG15 WER ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 12:30 Live ABC America This 15:00 Keeping Up With The 03:30 Robot & Frank-PG15 Morning Kardashians 05:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 10:45 Reza, Spice Prince Of 16:00 Going Deep With David Rees 13:00 Live ABC America This 16:00 Keeping Up With The Thailand 16:30 Going Deep With David Rees 07:00 Life Happens-PG15 00:00 Homes Under The Hammer Morning Kardashians 11:10 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 17:00 Street Genius 09:00 Blackfish-PG15 00:55 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 13:30 Live ABC America This 00:00 Violetta 17:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 11:35 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 17:30 Street Genius 10:30 Snow Falling On Cedars- Taylor 00:00 Unforgettable Morning 00:45 The Hive 17:30 E! News 12:00 Chopped 18:00 Sea Patrol PG15 01:20 Nigellissima 01:00 Good Morning America 14:00 Live ABC America This 00:50 Art Attack 19:00 Live From E! 12:50 Siba’s Table 19:00 Diggers 13:00 The Great Train Robbery-PG 01:45 Home Cooking Made Easy 03:00 Dracula Morning 01:15 Art Attack 19:30 Live From The Red Carpet 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks The 19:30 Diggers 15:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 02:15 Celebrity MasterChef 05:00 Good Morning America 14:30 MSNBC First Look 01:40 Jungle Junction 21:30 Inner Circle Riviera 20:00 Going Deep With David Rees 17:00 For Greater Glory-PG15 03:05 Antiques Roadshow 07:00 Emmerdale 15:00 Live NBC Today Show 01:50 Jungle Junction 22:00 E! News 13:40 Mystery Diners 20:30 Going Deep With David Rees 19:30 The Best Man-PG15 04:00 Come Dine With Me 07:30 Coronation Street 18:57 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 02:05 Jungle Junction 23:30 The Soup 14:05 Guy’s Grocery Games 21:00 Street Genius 21:30 My Piece Of The Pie-PG15 04:25 The Good Cook 09:00 24 Matthews 02:15 Jungle Junction 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 21:30 Street Genius 23:30 Beautiful Creatures-18 04:50 Homes Under The Hammer 10:00 Emmerdale 19:38 MSNBC The Rachel Maddow 02:30 Violetta 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:00 Sea Patrol 05:45 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 10:30 Coronation Street Show 03:10 The Hive 15:45 Farm Kings 23:00 Storm Worlds Taylor 13:00 Unforgettable 20:19 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 03:20 Art Attack 16:35 Chopped 06:10 Nigellissima 14:00 24 Lawrence O’Donnell 03:45 Art Attack 00:05 Chopped 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The 06:35 Home Cooking Made Easy 15:00 Live Good Morning America 01:15 Dead Man Down-PG15 21:00 Live MSNBC Ronan Farrow 04:10 Jungle Junction 00:55 Amazing Wedding Cakes Riviera 07:05 Celebrity MasterChef 18:00 Unforgettable 03:15 Peeples-PG15 Daily 04:20 Jungle Junction 01:45 Reza’s African Kitchen 17:50 Reza, Spice Prince Of 08:00 Antiques Roadshow 19:00 24 05:15 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 22:00 Live MSNBC The Reid Report 04:35 Jungle Junction 02:10 Reza’s African Kitchen Thailand 08:50 Come Dine With Me 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 21:00 Unforgettable 07:00 Epic-PG 23:00 Live MSNBC The Cycle 04:45 Jungle Junction 02:35 Ching’s Restaurant 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 09:15 Homes Under The Hammer Stewart 22:00 Dracula 09:00 Red 2-PG15 05:00 Art Attack Redemption 18:40 Siba’s Table 10:10 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 01:00 Two And A Half Men 23:00 True Detective 11:00 Amour-PG15 05:25 Art Attack 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 19:05 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook Taylor 01:30 Web Therapy 13:15 Ender’s Game-PG15 05:50 Mouk 03:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 19:30 Mystery Diners 10:35 Nigellissima 02:00 Ja’mie: Private School Girl 15:15 The Bag Man-PG15 06:00 Dog With A Blog 04:40 Reza, Spice Prince Of 19:55 Burger Land 11:00 The Roux Legacy 02:30 Louie 17:00 Red 2-PG15 06:25 Liv And Maddie Thailand 20:20 Guy’s Grocery Games 00:15 Resident Evil: Retribution 11:35 Celebrity MasterChef 03:00 Back In The Game 19:00 The Internship-PG15 06:50 So Random 05:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 02:00 Wer 02:00 PGA Tour Highlights 12:25 Antiques Roadshow 03:30 About A Boy 21:00 The Family-PG15 07:15 I Didn’t Do It 05:30 Reza, Spice Prince Of 22:00 Chopped 04:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation 03:00 Hero Indian Super League 13:20 Come Dine With Me 04:00 New Girl 23:00 Rush-18 07:40 Jessie Thailand 22:50 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 06:00 Howard The Duck Highlights 13:45 Homes Under The Hammer 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 08:05 Austin & Ally 05:50 Siba’s Table 23:15 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 08:00 Appleseed: Alpha 05:30 Ryder Cup Official Film 14:35 Nordic Cookery With Tareq Jimmy Fallon 08:30 Binny And The Ghost 06:10 Sweet Genius 23:40 Burger Land 09:45 The Grandmaster 07:00 Top 14 Highlights Taylor 05:30 My Boys 08:55 Suite Life On Deck 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 12:00 Iron Man 07:30 Snooker - The Masters 15:00 Nigellissima 06:00 Last Man Standing 01:00 Top Cat: The Movie 09:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 14:15 Waterworld 11:30 Top 14 Highlights 15:25 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 02:45 Shark Bait 09:45 Hannah Montana 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:30 Police Story 12:00 Hero Indian Super League 16:15 Celebrity MasterChef 08:00 New Girl 04:30 The Swan Princess: A Royal 10:10 That’s So Raven 08:15 Chopped 18:30 Appleseed: Alpha Highlights 17:05 Antiques Roadshow 08:30 My Boys Family Tale 10:35 Girl vs Monster 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 20:15 Escape From L.A. 14:30 PGA Tour Highlights 18:00 Come Dine With Me 12:15 Austin & Ally 09:00 Back In The Game 06:00 Barbie In The Nutcracker 15:30 Futbol Mundial Basics 00:40 The Hungry Sailors 22:00 The Expatriate 18:25 Homes Under The Hammer 12:40 Jessie 09:30 The Simpsons 08:00 Dragon Hunters 16:00 Live Snooker - The Masters 09:30 Farm Kings 01:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 19:15 The Planners 13:05 I Didn’t Do It 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 10:00 Eleanor’s Secret 20:00 Inside The PGA Tour 10:20 Recipes That Rock Of Dogs 20:10 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 11:30 The Great Bear 20:30 European Tour Weekly 02:00 Emmerdale Jimmy Fallon 13:00 Shark Bait 21:00 Trans World Sport 02:25 Emmerdale 12:00 Last Man Standing 00:00 Wer-18 14:30 Back To The Sea 22:00 Live Snooker - The Masters 02:55 Coronation Street 12:30 New Girl 02:00 G.I. Joe: Retaliation-PG15 16:00 Space Dogs 03:25 Midsomer Murders 13:00 My Boys 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries 13:30 The Simpsons 06:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 14:00 About A Boy 07:05 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 14:30 The Simpsons Of Dogs 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 07:30 Midsomer Murders 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 09:20 The Chase Stewart 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries 16:00 Two And A Half Men 11:10 Emmerdale 16:30 Last Man Standing 11:35 Emmerdale 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 12:00 Coronation Street 18:00 Back In The Game 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 18:30 About A Boy 13:25 The Jonathan Ross Show 19:00 Melissa & Joey 14:20 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 19:30 Hot In Cleveland Of Dogs 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries Jimmy Fallon 15:35 The Chase 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 16:30 The Great Fire Stewart 17:25 Chasing Shadows 21:30 Two And A Half Men 18:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 22:00 Brickleberry 19:10 Coronation Street 22:30 The League 19:35 The Chase 23:00 Louie 20:30 The Great Fire 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:25 Chasing Shadows 22:20 Coronation Street 22:50 Emmerdale 23:15 Emmerdale 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries 00:00 White Collar 01:00 Killer Women 02:00 True Blood 03:00 Mistresses 04:00 State Of Affairs 05:00 Criminal Minds 06:00 White Collar 00:00 How Hard Can It Be? 07:00 Necessary Roughness 01:00 Caught In The Act 08:00 C.S.I. 02:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 09:00 Criminal Minds 03:00 Ancient Secrets: China’s Lost 10:00 State Of Affairs Pyramids 11:00 Necessary Roughness 04:00 Chasing UFOs 12:00 Emmerdale 05:00 Space Mysteries 12:30 Coronation Street 06:00 Pirate Patrol 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 Megacities 14:00 C.S.I. 08:00 How Hard Can It Be? 15:00 White Collar 09:00 Caught In The Act 16:00 Emmerdale 10:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 16:30 Coronation Street 11:00 Storm Worlds 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 Dangerous Encounters 18:00 C.S.I. 13:00 Street Monkeys 20:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 14:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 21:00 Top Gear (UK) 15:00 Diggers 22:00 Legends THE EXPATRIATE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 15:30 Diggers 23:00 Mistresses LIFE HAPPENS ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

Lu&Lu Hypermarket launches Incredible India promotion

Lu&Lu Hypermarket, the regional retail-heavyweight, inaugurated the ‘Incredible India’ promotion on Thursday, 22 January, at their Al-Rai outlet with the cutting a giant Desi Laddu, weighing a record 125kg. A large crowd of shoppers, well-wishers and onlookers were on hand to witness the unique inaugural event that saw the giant laddu being cut and distributed to the crowd by the regional management of Lu&Lu Hypermarket. The Incredible India promotion, featuring a variety of items specially sourced from India, is ongoing at the hypermarket until Saturday, 31 January. KKMA to establish early detection centers for lifestyle diseases

he Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA), the largest Good Heart Community social welfare organization of Indians announced estab- Clinic - a KKMA Initiative Tlishment of Early Detection Centers for preventing heart Good Heart Community Clinic will be unique diagnostic diseases and promoting quality life among under privileged facility with state of the art computerized lab, TMT, Echo Color community in the State of Kerala and Karnataka in India. The Doppler and ultrasound to prevent heart disease and heart AGC attended by nearly 300 delegates representing 16 branch- attacks. Total Cost of establishing such one Center is approxi- es and its 14 thousand membership unanimously elected fol- mately KD 20,000. The Center will be managed by KKMA on lowing office bearers for the coming two years. zero profit basis and shall provide free of cost treatment for the Ibrahim Kunnil, a well known social worker and the current deserving needy poor patients. working president of KKMA was elected as the President of the strongest association while K Basheer retained the position of General Secretary. K Siddikh will remain as Chief Patron. Sageer Trikarpur is the new Patron and PK Akbar Siddique is the new Chairman of the Association. Other members of the man- agement team are NA Muneer, Abdul Fatah Thayyil (Vice ICSK distributes prizes Chairmen), Mohammadali Matra (CFO), Sayed Rafiq (Finance Controller), AP Abdul Salam, BM Iqbal, Hamza Payyanur, KC Rafeek (working presidents) and Muneer Kodi (Treasurer). to raffle winners The Management Committee of KKMA also includes C Firose, Basheer Melady, SM Basheer, KC Abdul Gafoor, AV he Indian Community School Kuwait held away by the Secretary to the Board of Trustees Mustafa, HA Gafoor, OM Shafi, Abdul Rasheed Zam Zam, KC prize distribution on 20th January, 2015 for Vijay Karayil. The second prize winner got 20gms Abdul Kareem, OP Sharafudheen (as Vice Presidents); H Tthe winners of the mega raffle draw held on gold. The prize was given away by Sherin Thomas Alikutty Haji (Organizing Secretary), Muneer Thuruthi (Admin the occasion of 12th mega carnival. The mega Mani, carnival convener. The 3rd prize winner was Secretary), KH Mohammed, PA Naser, Shahid Siddique, Nawaz carnival was a grand event held on 16th January, lucky with a gold chain. Rajesh Nair C, Principal Mohammed, PP Faisal, Shaheed Lebba, Hameed Mulki, 2015 and the mega raffle draw was conducted for ICSK Amman and principal coordinator for the Shamseer Naser, PT Abdul Aziz, Abdul Latheef Edayoor, PA the raffle coupons sold earlier. 60 lucky winners carnival, gave away the same. For the complete Abdullah, Muneer Kuniya, PK Kuttyali, and VK Gafoor as secre- were declared. The winner of the 1st prize Bindhu list of prize winners, visit the website www.icsk- taries. RV Abdul Hameed Moulavi, will continue as consultation Joseph won 50gms gold and the prize was given kw.com. committee advisor.

ITCAA-Kuwait announces the Third edition of MahaQuizzer ME test centers in Salmiya Indian Model School (SIMS), Fahaheel Al MahaQuizzer registration - Kuwait, extension of MahaQuizzer, the annual solo quiz con- Watanieh Indian Private School (DPS), Ahmadi and United Indian Nducted by Karnataka Quiz Association (KQA) simultaneously School (UIS), J’leeb Shyoukh. Special prizes for ladies and students. across several Indian cities. This is a solo open general written quiz For further details and free online registration log on to http://nit- extended for two days contest for participants, irrespective of age, nationality or affiliation. caakuwait.org/wp/?page_id=1021 Free Online Registration closes on The quiz is on 30th January 2015, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm with 25th January 2015.

Kalabhavan Kuwait holds Annual Day

alabhavan Kuwait Annual Day - “Kalabhavan cased their talents through Indian and Western In connection with the Annual Day, Kalabhavan Fest’14” was celebrated in the Indian dance, classical music, light music, instrumental conducted Chitrahar drawing Contest’14 for all the KEmbassy Auditorium, Kuwait on 9th Jan recitals and an art exhibition where the drawings children in Kuwait on 12th and 13th Dec 2014 at 2015 and was inaugurated by Shiv Sagar, the and paintings of our students were exhibited. The United Indian School, Abbasiya and at Indian Second Secretary of Indian Embassy in the pres- show received wide acclaim and appreciation. Public School, Salmiya wherein 600 students par- ence of the Director of Kalabhavan R Gopakumar, Kalabhavan brings you the spirit of Indian culture, ticipated in the competition and 16 students won Usha R Bhat, Josen P Joseph and teachers of the tempo of Indian and western performing arts the prizes in 3 categories. The winners’ trophies Kalabhavan. and the esoteric sounds of Indian and Western were distributed on the occasion of Kalabhavan More than 300 students of Kalabhavan show- Musical Instruments. Fest’14. SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015 information

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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 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 Firdous 24892674 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. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Soor Center Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 stars26 SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

CROSSWORD 794 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) There is concern now about the future of many different types of busi- There is a chance of completing work early and getting an hour’s start to nesses. Your emotions may be intensified and this could cloud your logi- the upcoming weekend. You may discover new ways to conduct your cal reasoning. You may not be very objective; however, if you relax and think for a business that would eliminate a few steps. Perhaps you could write these new ways short while about any upcoming decisions, you can conquer any worries about your down to reference later. On the way home this afternoon you may decide to behave in own profession. Keep notes on your ideas of how to help with business dilemmas; you the opposite way of what is usual for you. If you are always in a hurry when you talk will be pleased with the end results. There is a yearning to broaden your horizons and with some of your co-workers or neighbors, now is the time to slow down, etc. move in new directions with your career. There is always room for improvement with- Anything you do now to clear the path in reaching your goals for this year is a big plus in your company and whatever you decide, the company for which you work would for the future. This is a harmonious time. You may see the family circle increase in benefit from your growth. This evening you may choose to spend some time socializ- numbers through plans for marriage or a new birth announcement. You gain a great ing with friends. sense of belonging.

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

You can turn a difficult task into something quite simple. You lead the Your inner resources and emotions are accented. Expect a sense of sup- way on a project-others will follow. However, you could be a bit impulsive and port and good will from those around you. Perhaps you feel this is really restless-concentration may be hard to come by this afternoon. Avoid making you-how you feel and are. This is a time during which you discover new and different important decisions too quickly and watch your words before they come out all reasons or ways to enjoy and appreciate life. A kind of mini-revolution may find you over everyone. Respect, position and achievement are central goals for you as a altering your value system-allowing you to like new things. There may even be a new new phase begins in your life. Creating a structure to empower and maintain your approach to love and compassion. You may be able to bring a group together with ideals and principles becomes a high priority-an article of faith. Try to keep some words or ideas that transport others. This evening you are brave and you express your sense of reality in your interactions with friends this afternoon. This is an excellent love for someone without embarrassment. Take a drive in the country, surround your- time to listen to others and get to know someone better. In family life . . . Be com- self with beauty-poetry is possible. Movies, books and all forms of escape could prove pletely present. very enjoyable.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Your communication skills are sharp. If you are in business for yourself, Communicating and getting your message across to others is at a high redesign or add color to your advertisement. Send out your advertise- just now. Your timing for business consulting should be perfect and ment or pass around your advertisement to a new area or a new group of people. If those around you should find you most spontaneous. This is not a good time, howev- you are working for someone else, be sure to let them know you have ideas. On a er, to make any concrete decisions about a relationship or business deal. There could be a collision of powerful energies spilling into your life in unpredictable ways. ACROSS 82. Liquorice-flavored usually colorless sweet more mundane level, it is an excellent day to talk on the phone. Others may drain away your energy, making it a difficult time to initiate new projects. Try to keep the Careful-the decisions and actions now will have effects later and you will want the 1. A nucleic acid that transmits genetic informa- liqueur made from aniseed. interruptions at a low level. This afternoon you have an opportunity to help a friend or results to be positive. This afternoon, weather permitting, you and your friends can tion from DNA to the cytoplasm. 83. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit juice. family member. Protective instincts may be activated so as to appease any discord in engage in some pleasant outdoor activities. There is a wonderful relief of stress now. 4. Filled or abounding with clouds. the home. You are good at making your surroundings as pleasant as possible and You should have some grand times this evening with your companions. You feel the power of love. 12. Light informal conversation for social occa- DOWN people enjoy being around you. sions. 1. A bar or bars of rolled steel making a track 15. A river in north central Switzerland that runs along which vehicles can roll. northeast into the Rhine. 2. Greek mythology. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Any of several shrubs or small evergreen 3. Of or relating to or involving an area. Cancer (June 21-July 22) trees having solitary white or pink or reddish 4. South American wood sorrel cultivated for its No one is too old to learn and that may be the slogan for today. With the You display an urge to be recognized by co-workers for your hard work. flowers. edible tubers. many new technological toys out now, you are glad you have been moving There is a possibility that during this time, work as a whole will come under 17. A benevolent aspect of Devi. 5. Immunogen consisting of a suspension of along to learn with the crowd. This day may present an opportunity for you to teach examination and you definitely need to feel secure in the professional realm. With your some new hi-tech equipment to a prospective buyer that has never used the equipment sense of humor and a little planning, you may be able to create a mutual admiration soci- 18. A medicinal drug used to evoke vomiting weakened or dead pathogenic cells injected ety as you brag on the people you work with. You will add a positive relief to the day. If (especially in cases of drug overdose or poi- in order to stimulate the production of anti- you sell. You may actually find yourself having a great deal of fun teaching and could end up selling quite a lot of merchandise. People that learn from you are grateful and you are not surrounded by interesting people this afternoon, tonight is a good time to soning). bodies. although you do not always accept gifts, you might be happy to have a coupon for free step out with friends for a little social time. This also marks a time when you enjoy good 19. The form of theological rationalism that 6. The square of a body of any size of type. pizza or some similar payback for your time. This particular day you will have long-time relations with family members and your financial position may improve because of your believes in God on the basis of reason with- 7. (British) A member of the military police. customers as you give your business card to them and a hand shake as well. attention to your work. Now is a good time to express your love to a special someone. out reference to revelation. 8. Shop where dry cleaning is done. 20. The elementary stages of any subject (usual- 9. Surveying instrument consisting of the upper ly plural). movable part of a theodolite including the Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 21. A unit of length of thread or yarn. telescope and its attachments. Leo (July 23-August 22) 22. Any tropical gymnosperm of the order 10. A female person who has the same parents You must be very careful in the way that you spend your money. It is best You could be asked to experiment with new methods or ways of work- Cycadales. as another person. not to buy something just because a neighbor, best friend or child has ing; strangely enough, you may have dreams about changing some- 23. Of or relating to or derived from or contain- 11. An alloy of copper and zinc (and sometimes something you think you might like. In the workplace you will find good conditions and thing on the home front. This could just mean that the time is right to set aside some communication among co-workers, particularly with the opposite sex. This tends to be a old ideas and put forth the effort to stretch outside the realm of your usual daily ing boron. arsenic) used to imitate gold in cheap jewel- progress. Medical breakthroughs will be helpful to you or a loved one in the near 25. Highly seasoned fatty sausage of pork and ry and for gilding. productive day in practical affairs. You should enjoy great success and attention through your profession. Being in the spotlight is common to you during this time. Engaging in future and you will have a lot to do with revealing or supporting the use of the break- beef usually dried. 12. Drought-tolerant herb grown for forage and social activities brings favorable results for you. Meeting new people is most encourag- through. Changes on the home front could just be in planting a vegetable garden and 28. A genus of tropical American plants have for its seed which yield a gum used as a ing now-network. Just about anything you do should be both rewarding and enjoyable. this will take much of your time unless you allocate a section to the care of other sword-shaped leaves and a fleshy com- thickening agent or sizing material. Take time to be appreciative to a friend or loved one this evening. household members. Tonight is just for you: pictures, happy thoughts, happy people and a celebration of life! pound fruits composed of the fruits of sever- 13. An area in which something acts or operates al flowers (such as pineapples). or has power or control. 30. A hard gray lustrous metallic element that is 14. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single highly corrosion-resistant. ovary having one or many seeds within a Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 31. A decree that prohibits something. fleshy wall or pericarp. 32. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling). 24. Port city on southern Honshu on Osaka Bay. You can get a great deal closer to your ambitions and goals now-especial- Keeping company with others is most rewarding at this time and the 33. Hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases. 26. Lower in esteem. ly when you look back to see how far you have come. Today is kind of like a booster shot more friends around the better. Your presence can be helping them as because you will see that there are very few feet to run before reaching the completion much as their presence is helping you. Co-worker friends may want to join you in 37. (informal) `johnny' was applied as a nick- 27. A printed impression that is blurred or dou- of your goals. Although the day is already crowded with things to do, places to go and your escapades this evening and you enjoy the attention. Careful-for the next few name for Confederate soldiers by the Federal bled. people to see . . . You will eagerly move in the direction of achievement. You have all the days you may show an interest more in cultural or literary affairs regarding the soldiers in the American Civil War. 29. Horny projecting mouth of a bird. support you need. Success in relationships is just as important at this time and your abili- spending of money than with just merely collecting material goods. Decisions and 40. Bottle that has a narrow neck. 34. Genus of erect herbs of the Middle East hav- ty to attract the right person is strong. Of course, if you need to put the romance back actions make for ripples and you are wise to think before you speak. You should open 41. (Greek mythology) The winged goddess of ing showy flowers. into your marriage or communicate your feelings to a lover, then . . . Do so now. Perhaps up to relatives about some of your new ideas-it’s a good time for emotional support. everyone will be eating together at the same time and place this evening? If you do not let your high spirits get too far ahead of the discipline, you can make the dawn in ancient mythology. 35. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the dreams come true. 45. A radioactive element of the actinide series. alkali metal group. 46. Either of two large African antelopes of the 36. (Irish) God of love and beauty. genus Taurotragus having short spirally 38. One of the two branches of the Finno-Ugric Word Search twisted horns in both sexes. family of languages. Yesterday’s Solution 49. Someone who engages in arbitrage (who 39. A region of Malaysia in northeastern Borneo. purchases securities in one market for imme- 42. A European river. diate resale in another in the hope of profit- 43. The syllable naming the first (tonic) note of ing from the price differential). any major scale in solmization. 50. Towards the side away from the wind. 44. Mentally or physically infirm with age. 52. At or constituting a border or edge. 47. A public promotion of some product or serv- 53. Loss of the ability to swallow. ice. 56. The battle in 202 BC in which Scipio decisive- 48. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann. ly defeated Hannibal at the end of the sec- 51. Proceed or issue forth, as from a source. ond Punic War. 54. The representation of what is perceived. 58. Liquid excretory product. 55. Little known Kamarupan languages. 60. German organist and contrapuntist (1685- 57. Any culture medium that uses agar as the 1750). gelling agent. 61. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in 59. Cause to arise. Turkey). 62. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 63. Australian clover fern. River. 65. A nation in northern North America. 64. The recipient of funds or other benefits. 69. A pen for cattle. 66. Report or maintain. 73. Evergreen Indian shrub with vivid yellow 67. A primeval personification of air and breath. flowers whose bark is used in tanning. 68. Having or denoting a low vocal or instru- 74. American poet (born in England) (1907- mental range. 1973). 70. A Hindu prince or king in India. 76. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from 71. In bed. aba cloth. 72. Being or occurring at an advanced period of 77. A serve that strikes the net before falling into time or after a usual or expected time. the receiver's court. 75. An audiotape recording of sound. 78. A commercial browser. 79. A light strong gray lustrous corrosion-resist- 80. Of the blackest black. ant metallic element used in strong light- 81. A strong emotion. weight alloys (as for airplane parts). Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution Classifieds

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

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

Arrival Flights on Saturday 24/1/2015 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 741 Dammam 11:45 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 MSC 403 Sohag 22:45 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 742 Dammam 14:45 JZR 157 Dubai 23:05 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KLM 413 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 JZR 175 Dubai 14:45 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 SYR 342 Damascus 13:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KNE 470 Jeddah 14:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 OMA 645 Muscat 14:55 AGY 684 Sohag 23:15 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 14:55 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 IZG 4166 Mashhad 14:05 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 384 Dhaka 15:15 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 DLH 637 Dammam 01:15 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:40 Departure Flights on Saturday 24/1/2015 IAW 158 Al Najaf 14:20 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 324 Al Najaf 14:25 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 AGY 685 Sohag 14:40 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JZR 562 Sohag 00:05 IZG 4168 Mashhad 14:40 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 IRC 527 Mashhad 14:55 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 JZR 553 Alexandria 02:45 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 KLM 413 Amsterdam 01:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:00 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 KAC 203 Lahore 02:00 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 257 Beirut 16:30 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:30 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 ETH 3718 BRU 02:30 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 IRM 1180 Mashhad 17:00 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 KNE 471 Jeddah 15:50 KAC 546 Alexandria 04:10 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 OMA 646 Muscat 16:00 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:05 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 IZG 4161 Mashhad 17:45 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 KAC 503 Beirut 16:15 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 JZR 325 Al Najaf 17:50 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:20 BAW 157 London 06:40 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 KAC 416 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 06:45 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:35 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 18:00 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 118 New York 18:30 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 JZR 326 Al Najaf 05:55 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 CLX 856 Luxembourg 18:50 JZR 328 Al Najaf 06:05 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 IRM 1187 Tehran 18:15 JZR 327 Al Najaf 09:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:45 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 329 Al Najaf 09:30 IRA 669 Mashhad 19:50 JZR 240 Amman 07:15 JZR 156 Dubai 18:30 IAW 157A Al Najaf 09:35 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:55 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 IRM 1186 Tehran 09:40 KAC 104 London 19:55 JZR 778 Jeddah 07:55 IZG 4162 Mashhad 18:45 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 614 Bahrain 20:00 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 BAW 156 London 08:45 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 JZR 256 Beirut 09:05 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 SVA 505 Jeddah 19:30 KAC 204 Lahore 11:25 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 KNE 474 Jeddah 20:25 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 ABY 123 Sharjah 20:35 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:50 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:50 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 SYR 341 Damascus 12:00 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:05 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 CLX 856 Hong Kong 20:20 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 FDB 8057 Dubai 21:05 JZR 174 Dubai 10:10 IRA 666 Esfahan 20:50 JZR 241 Amman 12:55 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 IZG 4165 Mashhad 13:05 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:30 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:05 IAW 157 Al Najaf 13:20 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:35 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 IAW 158A Al Najaf 10:35 KNE 475 Jeddah 21:10 AGY 680 Alexandria 13:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 IRM 1181 Mashhad 10:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 IZG 4167 Mashhad 13:40 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 ABY 124 Sharjah 21:15 IRC 526 Mashhad 13:50 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 SPORTS

Putnam sets Humana pace Cellino resigns at Leeds Ferrero hints at Eto’o arrival CALIFORNIA: The “light switch” clicked for journeyman Michael Putnam as he LONDON: Massimo Cellino announced yesterday that he has stepped MILAN: Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has hinted that Samuel Eto’o piled up nine birdies in his last 12 holes to seize a one-shot lead in Thursday’s down as chairman of fallen English giants Leeds United, but said that he could finally complete his move to the Serie A side after two weeks of negotia- opening round of the $5.7 million Humana Challenge at La Quinta in California. would return to the club in April. tions with Premier League club Everton. Still seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour, the 31-year-old American fired a The Italian businessman, 58, was disqualified as an owner and director Eto’o has been tipped to join the Genoa-based side since Everton manager sparkling nine-under-par 63 in ideal scoring conditions on the Jack Nicklaus of the club by the English Football League in December due to a tax con- Roberto Martinez indicated the Cameroonian striker would be allowed to Private course at PGA West, one of three venues hosting the pro-am event. viction in Sardinia last year. leave Goodison Park. Putnam covered his back nine in a sizzling seven-under 29 to finish a picture- But that conviction will be spent under British law in April, which will Ferrero unveiled four new signings on Friday including Colombian striker perfect day a stroke in front of compatriots Blake Adams, John Peterson, Scott enable Cellino to return to Elland Road. “It is with great sadness and frus- Luis Muriel from Udinese, but the flamboyant film producer hinted he could Pinckney and 2012 champion Mark Wilson, and Italian Francesco tration that I have to take this step, however I abide by the Football add Eto’o to his winter transfer haul within the next 24 hours. “Today I have brought you four pearls and maybe tomorrow Molinari. Holder Patrick Reed, who won the Hyundai Tournament of League’s decision to temporarily disqualify me from this great football club there will be another,” said Ferrero referring to Eto’o. Eto’o is Champions in Hawaii 10 days ago, launched his title defence with a and will return in April in good health and good spirits,” Cellino said in a said to be keen for a return to Italy where he enjoyed huge 65 while twice former winner Phil Mickelson, playing his first com- statement. “I have done my best for a club and fans that I hold close to my petitive round since late September, carded a 71. success with Inter Milan during his spell with the club in heart and it is now financially much stronger than it has been for a long 2009-2011, including winning the treble of league, Cup and “It was like a light switch,” Putnam told Golf Channel about time. “It will continue to thrive and I am sincerely looking forward to the transformation in his game from the seventh hole onwards. “I Champions League in 2010 under former coach Jose returning very soon.” Leeds said that board member Andrew Umbers Mourinho. Sampdoria are 10 points behind leaders Juventus said I needed to make some birdies, so I did. “I played decently would take over as chairman during Cellino’s absence. solid before that, just made a few mistakes to make bogeys, ahead of the defending champions’ home game against Three-time English champions Leeds are currently two places above but I just lit it up coming in.” Putnam, a three-times Verona on Sunday and level with Napoli in the third the relegation zone in the second-tier Championship. champion on the lower-tier Web.com Tour who has and last Champions League qualifying place. never finished better than fourth in a PGA Tour They are also under a transfer embargo for breaching the Football Reports in Italy yesterday said the 33-year-old is event, was not planning to dwell on his opening League’s financial fair play rules and so cannot pay transfer fees for players expected to undergo a medical at the northern round for long. —Reuters in the ongoing January window. — AFP Italian city today. —AFP Bulls charge past Spurs

CHICAGO: Derrick Rose scored 22 points and the struggling Chicago Bulls beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-81 on Thursday night. The Bulls came away with a much-needed win after dropping six of eight and handed the defending champions their most lopsided loss of the sea- son. The Central division leaders broke this one open in the third quarter, outscoring the Spurs 31-20, and snapped San Antonio’s four-game win streak. Rose, who called out his team after Monday’s loss at Cleveland, backed it up by going hard to the rim and hitting 9 of 16 shots. He led six Bulls in double figures. Pau Gasol added 12 points and 17 rebounds after being voted to his fifth All-Star game and first as a starter. The Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard scored all of his team-leading 16 points in the first half.

JAZZ 101, BUCKS 99 Gordon Hayward scored 13 of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Utah Jazz held on for the win as the Bucks missed their last five shots in the closing minute. The Jazz appeared to be in control after a 15- 3 run, taking a 101-92 lead on two free throws by Hayward with 2:35 remaining. But the Bucks pulled within the final score on Jared Dudley’s 3- pointer from the top right with 1:29 left. The Bucks had a final opportunity when an officials review awarded them the ball out of bounds under the basket with 7.1 seconds left. Brandon Knight missed a jumper with two sec- onds left and Zaza Pachulia missed the tip-in at the buzzer.

CELTICS 90, TRAIL BLAZERS 89 Evan Turner hit a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds left and the Boston Celtics overcame the short- handed Portland Trail Blazers. Avery Bradley had 18 points to lead the Celtics, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Jared Sullinger added 17 points and nine rebounds. Damian Lillard had 21 points and seven assists to lead the Blazers, who have lost five of their last six as they struggle with injuries to their front line. The Blazers were hit before the game with the news that three-time All Star LaMarcus Aldridge had torn a ligament in his left thumb and would need surgery. The 6-foot-11 power forward is expected to miss from six to eight weeks.

AUSTRIA: Dominik Paris, of Italy, winner of an alpine ski, menís World Cup super-G, CLIPPERS 123, NETS 84 celebrates on the podium. — AP LOS ANGELES: Blake Griffin scored 22 of his 24 points in the first half, when the Clippers led Italy’s Paris wins super-G by 33 points, and Los Angeles went on to its largest victory ever over the Brooklyn Nets. KITZBUEHEL: Dominik Paris revealed his veteran Didier Defago, came in 10th at JJ Redick and Jamal Crawford added 17 depth of understanding of the infamous 0.85sec. One of the big pre-race favorites, points each, DeAndre Jordan had 14 points and Hahnenkamm mountain in winning yester- Kjetil Jansrud, finished seventh in 1:10.77, 12 rebounds, and Chris Paul had a season-high day’s super-G race in Kitzbuehel, his fourth the Norwegian having topped both down- 17 assists for the Clippers, who have won nine of victory on the World Cup circuit. hill training runs in the week. their last 12 and three in a row. With Kevin The 25-year-old Italian won the presti- Paris is one a number of racers who will Garnett resting, the Nets were led by Mason gious downhill here in 2013 and displayed compete in a later slalom, the joint results Plumlee with 16 points. Darius Morris and a faultless line down the tricky bottom going to the super combined title. A num- Jerome Jordan had 11 points each, and Jordan third of the course to clock 1min 09.99sec. ber of slalom specialists will fancy their had 11 rebounds. They have lost nine of 11. Austrian duo Matthias Mayer, the cur- chances of hauling themselves up the The Clippers put the game away in the first CHIACAGO: San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) shoots between Chicago Bulls for- rent Olympic downhill champion, and leaderboard when the racers take to the half, when they shot 66 percent and Jordan had ward Pau Gasol (16) and Taj Gibson as Derrick Rose (1) watches during the second half of an Georg Streitberger completed the podium, piste from 1545 GMT. Best placed is already secured his double-double. — AP NBA basketball game. — AP at 0.06 and 0.34sec respectively. Frenchman Alexis Pinturault, 25th in the “I really didn’t think of winning today in super-G but only 1.47sec off Paris. as much as I wasn’t perfect in the upper Importantly, Pinturault has a slender NBA results/standings part,” Paris said. advance on main rivals Natko Zrncic-Dim of “Going into the traverse, where you Croatia and a 1.31sec lead on Austria’s have to be tactical, and then the dip to the Marcel Hirscher. The super-G was held up Chicago 104, San Antonio 81; Utah 101, Milwaukee 99; Boston 90, Portland 89; La Clippers 123, Brooklyn 84. finish line both went well.” Paris added: “To after the main racers had come down for a Eastern Conference Indiana 15 29 .341 13 Minnesota 7 34 .171 22.5 win twice in Kitzbuehel is fantastic. The first helicopter evacuation of Switzerland’s Marc Atlantic Division Southeast Division Pacific Division victory remains the stand-out moment of Gisin, who suffered a heavy fall on the test- W L PCT GB Atlanta 35 8 .814 - Golden State 34 6 .850 - my career. ing, icy course. Toronto 27 15 .643 - Washington 29 14 .674 6 LA Clippers 29 14 .674 6.5 “Yesterday in the second downhill train- Racers touched 123km/h in one of the Brooklyn 18 25 .419 9.5 Miami 18 24 .429 16.5 Phoenix 26 18 .591 10 ing session, I felt good arriving down the most prestigious speed events in one of Boston 14 26 .350 12 Charlotte 18 25 .419 17 Sacramento 16 26 .381 19 bottom. And then I had confidence on a the circuit’s most iconic locations and Philadelphia 8 34 .190 19 Orlando 15 30 .333 21 LA Lakers 12 31 .279 23.5 snow that seemed similar to that when I there have been some extremely grue- NY Knicks 7 36 .163 20.5 Western Conference Southwest Division had my first win here.” some crashes in the past, notably Swiss Central Division Northwest Division Memphis 30 12 .714 - Reigning world champion Ted Ligety racer Daniel Albrecht in 2009 and Austrian Chicago 28 16 .636 - Portland 31 13 .705 - Dallas 30 13 .698 0.5 was first out of the hut down the 2.1-kilo- Hans Grugger in 2011. Today sees the 75th Cleveland 23 20 .535 4.5 Oklahoma City22 20 .524 8 Houston 29 14 .674 1.5 metre-long Streifalm piste, but missed a running of the downhill, which made its Milwaukee 21 21 .500 6 Denver 18 24 .429 12 San Antonio 27 17 .614 4 gate after going wide on the last bend. debut in 1931, with the two-legged slalom Detroit 17 26 .395 10.5 Utah 15 28 .349 15.5 New Orleans 21 21 .500 9 Last year’s winner of the super-G, Swiss tomorrow. — AFP How Pats ball boy became America’s most wanted

CHICAGO: The most wanted rule-breaker in America young staffer waiting to be sacrificed. He’s the ball boy were approved by the referees without asking Belichick the case, the mystery will be solved any day now. Those today is a New England Patriots ball boy. So whether you the Patriots are sure to single out as the mastermind or Brady for permission? guys, after all, never get anything wrong. think “Deflategate” is a big deal or not, consider this: If the behind it all. You can imagine him, texting his parents. Well, Brady apparently likes his footballs on the soft Remember how quickly they found the Ray Rice video- allegations are true, the fall guy won’t be the quarterback “Won’t see you for dinner tonight - or maybe ever. We side, particularly in rainy conditions like those from tape? Or how they took care of bounty accusations in married to a supermodel or the multimillionaire coach. got caught. Somebody’s got to take the fall. Can you tell Sunday’s AFC title game 45-7 victory over the Colts. So if New Orleans without a hiccup? Just like the last time the Patriots were caught cheat- Dad and write a note to school and explain I won’t be the reports are correct, and if the NFL found 11 of the 12 OK, so the game was over Sunday, and they still ing, a more expendable member of the family will take back?” He probably thought catching passes from Tom Patriots’ footballs were under-inflated, the only thing haven’t finished examining 12 footballs. But now the blame. Last time, that was Matt Walsh, the only guy Brady would be all fun and games. But when there’s trou- Belichick would be mad about - at least at first - is how Commissioner Roger Goodell is on the case, and he’s fired after “Spygate,” when the Patriots videotaped other ble, the Patriots circle the wagons. Ball boys don’t get the kid got that 12th ball wrong. known for getting rid of a crisis quickly and efficiently, teams’ coaches to steal hand signals. Coach Bill Belichick invited inside. The best he can hope for at this point is a Belichick and Brady likely were careful enough never just as he has handled every crisis this season. Or not. said he interpreted the rules wrongly, claimed he couldn’t new identity. to ask anyone directly to take air out of balls. Maybe they Now imagine the ball boy’s mother promising to go pick video staffer Walsh out of a lineup, paid his fine and Think about it: Where else have you seen a bunch of learned about buffers from the Corleones, too. Maybe all the way up the food chain if necessary to get her son - continued coaching as if nothing had happened. guys with lots of rings kissing the boss and each other as that wish was relayed through nothing more damning whom we’ll call Dave - out of trouble. “But first, David, tell Now, the Patriots are accused of deflating footballs to much as the Patriots do? Like the Corleones, it’s just busi- than winks and nods. me where your baby pictures are. One of the guys from make them easier to throw and catch. Once again, the ness, from owner Robert Kraft on down. Ball boys are But plausible deniability won’t fly in in this case. They the news trucks parked on the lawn is asking.” organization has gone hush-hush from top to bottom, expendable, and when the Patriots blame one - as knew the rules, and if opponents thought the footballs “That’s the last thing, mom. Don’t call me David any- including how the footballs are handled. But somewhere, Southern Cal did when the Trojans were caught doing the they were intercepting seemed flat, what are the chances more. My new name is Drew.” “Drew.” “Drew Bledsoe. locked inside a janitor’s closet somewhere deep in the same thing in 2012 - take it with an industrial-sized dose the Patriots didn’t? Coach Belichick told me nobody would remember that bowels of Gillette Stadium, there’s probably another of salt. Would a ball boy deflate balls illegally after they Never fear. Now that the NFL’s crack security team is on name.” — AP SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 SPORTS Leinster seeks to save Ireland’s honor in Europe

PARIS: Three-time champions Leinster will look to English side on home turf. “As the season has qualify for the last eight of the European progressed, Wasps seem to be getting better Champions Cup this weekend and avoid Ireland and better. We’re certainly going to have to lift suffering the ignominy of being without a team in our game and take it to them at the weekend,” the knockout stages for the first time in 17 years. said Bent. “We know they’re going to be tough Ulster and two-time champions Munster fell by up front. We’ve just got to sort that out straight- the wayside last weekend leaving just Leinster in away. We’ll just be looking for a really good start contention. But they face a daunting trip to in- and to get points on the board early.” form English side Wasps in the final round of pool Wasps head coach Dai Young is looking for- matches. Their hosts also entertain hopes of ward to the clash but has urged his players to reaching the last eight as victory over fellow forget the win at Harlequins and finish off the Premiership side Harlequins last weekend left job against the Irish powerhouses. them just two points adrift of Leinster in Pool 2. “We’ve just got to back it up now, as we’ve Defeat for the Irish side would not be cata- given ourselves a real chance, and if we don’t strophic as a losing bonus point would still guar- back it up, beating Harlequins won’t have count- antee them one of the three allocated places in ed for anything,” said the 47-year-old former the quarter-finals for the best runners-up. Wales prop. “We’ve got a huge battle ahead of However, the players are not travelling to us against Leinster, who have had such success Coventry for the match with that in mind as tes- and a strong tradition in Europe, but we’re look- tified to by prop Michael Bent, who was part of ing forward to welcoming them to the Ricoh the team that destroyed Castres 50-8 last Arena next Saturday and I’m sure it’s going to be Saturday. a fantastic occasion and the boys are already “Wasps have different threats that we’ve got really excited about it.” Another top of the table to address,” Bent told the Leinster team website. decider on Saturday features Northampton at “It’s going to be quite a tough battle up front, so home to big-spending French side Racing-Metro we need to prepare for that. I think we just do with both sides locked on 19 points in Pool 5. our preparation right like we did last week, and “In order not to have to count on what other a couple of minor tweaks and a few areas that teams do, we will do what we need to at we want to improve on, and go from there,” Northampton,” said Racing-Metro coach Laurent added the 28-year-old New Zealand-born front Travers. “We are the only unbeaten side in the rower, who is a full Irish international having competition, and we are going to try and stay qualified through his Irish grandmother. that way, which will ensure we get a home quar- Leinster, though, will have to achieve some- ter-final.” Tomorrow, in-form English side Bath thing that only Harlequins back in October man- look to back up their impressive away win at aged-when Wasps were still playing their home four-time European champions Toulouse when games in Wycombe before their move to they host Glasgow, who thrashed them in the Coventry in December-and that is beat the first meeting. —AP HOBART: Australia’s Steven Smith raises his bat after scoring a century during the one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Australia and England. — AFP Smith guides Australian chase

HOBART: Steve Smith’s incredible summer con- tinued when he produced an unbeaten century SCOREBOARD to guide Australia to a three-wicket victory over England in a tri-series one-day international in Hobart yesterday. Promoted to the captaincy HOBART, Australia: Scoreboard in the one-day international between Australia and England in with regular skipper George Bailey suspended Hobart yesterday: for a second slow over rate breach in 12 months, Australia England Smith’s unbeaten 102 enabled Australia to chase A. Finch b Ali 32 M. Ali c sub (Doherty) b Faulkner 46 down England’s imposing total of 303 for eight. S. Marsh c Bell b Finn 45 I. Bell c Starc b Sandhu 141 Australia, also missing the rested David S. Smith not out 102 J. Taylor c Faulkner b Henriques 5 Warner and Shane Watson, made 304 for seven C. White lbw Finn 0 J. Root c Finch b Cummins 69 to win with just one ball to spare and remain G. Maxwell c Root b Ali 37 E. Morgan c Haddin b Sandhu 0 undefeated in the competition, guaranteeing J. Buttler run out 25 themselves a berth in tomorrow’s final. J. Faulkner c Bell b Woakes 35 B. Haddin c Bell b Woakes 42 R. Bopara b Starc 7 Ian Bell’s brilliant 141 set up the England C. Woakes run out 0 M. Henriques run out 4 total, which appeared to be enough for much of S. Broad not out 0 M. Starc not out 1 the game. England was still in pole position Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 5) 10 when Brad Haddin strode to the wicket for Extras (lb3, w3) 6 Total (for eight wickets, 50 overs) 303 Australia with the home side at 216 for five. Total (7 wickets, 49.5 overs) 304 Fall of wickets: 1-113 (Ali), 2-132 (Taylor), 3-253 Another 88 runs were needed from 76 balls, Fall of wicket: 1-76 (Finch) 2-92 (Marsh), 3-92 (Bell), 4-254 (Morgan), 5-275 (Root), 6-303 but Haddin’s 42 off 29 balls as part of a quickfire (White), 4-161 (Maxwell), 5-216 (Faulkner), 6- (Bopara), 7-303 (Buttler), 8-303 (Woakes) 71-run stand turned the game. 297 (Haddin), 7-302 (Henriques) Bowling: Starc 10-0-60-1, Cummins 10-0-74-1, Smith, who hit four centuries in Australia’s Bowling: Woakes 9.5-0-58-2, Anderson 10-0- Sandhu 10-0-49-2, Maxwell 3-0-22-0, Faulkner four-Test series against India that finished earlier 56-0, Broad 9-0-61-0, Ali 10-0-50-2, Finn 10-0- 10-0-59-1, Henriques 7-0-34-1 in the month, faced 95 balls, hitting six fours and 65-2, Bopara 1-0-11-0. Australia won by three wickets. one six. He paid tribute to the efforts of Haddin and conceded his own confidence was sky high. “It’s nice to get a few runs again tonight and get wickets with more than 10 overs remaining. runs shy of becoming only the second the boys over the line,” Smith said. “I’ll never for- However, England bounced back with an Englishman to pass 5,000 one-day international get this summer. “I’ve really enjoyed it, I’ve just impressive nine-wicket win over India in runs. In his 153rd one-day international, he got to try and keep going and score runs while Brisbane on Tuesday and carried that form into passed that mark in the third over, and later I’m going well. “I thought Haddin really took the Friday’s innings. After being sent in to bat, went on to overtake Paul Collingwood as pressure off me in the end today.” England got off to a great start through Bell and England’s highest-ever runs scorer in the format England captain Eoin Morgan said his team fellow opener Moeen Ali. Bell, who was unbeat- as he neared his century. didn’t make enough in the latter stages of their en on 88 against India, made his fourth one-day His opening partnership of 113 with Ali, who innings. “We played good cricket in stages,” he international century before being caught by scored 46, set up the English innings.It ended in said. “Ian Bell was magnificent but the last 10 Starc from the bowling of rookie paceman bizarre fashion, however, with Australia complet- overs let us down a little bit.”Credit to Australia Gurinder Sandhu, who finished with figures of 2- ing a team hat-trick in the last three balls. Two for how they bowled at the death.” 49. He faced 125 balls, hitting 15 fours and one batsmen, Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler, were run ASPEN: Yiwei Zhang, of China, competes in the snowboard superpipe men’s elimination When the two sides previously met earlier in six, and passed two significant milestones dur- out while Ravi Bopara was bowled by Mitchell round under a waxing crescent moon on Thursday during the winter X Games. — AP the tournament, England was beaten by four ing the innings. Bell started the innings just five Starc. — AFP Ronchi, Elliott record stand sets up New Zealand win DUNEDIN: A record batting blitz by Luke them out for under 200 but things went Ronchi and Grant Elliott set New Zealand wrong for us,” he admitted. Sri Lanka had up for an overwhelming 108-run win their own century-maker in Tillakaratne over Sri Lanka in their fifth one-day inter- Dilshan and looked to be in with a national in Dunedin yesterday. chance as long as he was at the crease. In a stunning display of power hitting, But when Dilshan fell for 116 it Ronchi (170 not out) and Elliott (104 not sparked a spectacular collapse in which out) bludgeoned an unbeaten 267 to lift Sri Lanka lost eight wickets for just 41 New Zealand from 93-5 to 360-5 in their runs in eight overs. 50 overs in a world record sixth-wicket The end came with more than six stand. “It was an incredible batting per- overs remaining as, for the second game formance by Luke and Grant,” said New in a row, Sri Lanka showed little fight in Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. the lower order to let New Zealand go 3- “After being 90-odd for five, getting us 1 up in the series. through to that total was something not In the fourth ODI in Nelson on witnessed too often. Sri Lanka skipper Tuesday, their last six wickets were whit- Lahiru Thirimanne said the partnership tled out for just 31 runs. Faced with a made a mockery of their game plan on a daunting target of 361 to win in green wicket. “We thought we could get Dunedin, Sri Lanka confidently pro-

SCOREBOARD

DUNEDIN, New Zealand: Final scoreboard in the fifth one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at University Oval in Dunedin yesterday:

New Zealand K. Sangakkara c N. McCullum b Elliott 9 M. Guptill c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 0 M. Jayawardene b Boult 30 B. McCullum lbw Kulasekara 25 N. Kulasekara c Ronchi b Boult 3 K. Williamson c Sangakkara b Perera 26 J. Mendis b Boult 18 R. Taylor c Karunaratne b Thirimanne 20 D. Chandimal c Ronchi b McClenaghan0 G. Elliott not out 104 T. Perera c Williamson b Boult 0 NEW ZEALAND: Sri Lanka’s Prasanna Jayawardene is bowled out during the fifth One-Day International cricket match against New C. Anderson lbw Thirimanne 8 D. Karunaratne c McCullum b Southee 12 Zealand. — AFP L Ronchi not out 170 S. Senanayake not out 3 Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7 gressed to 93 before losing their first wicket five innings in an unflustered display until he Enter Ronchi to partner Elliott and they S. Lakmal b Southee 0 Total (for 5 wickets, 50 overs) 360 when stand-in captain Thirimanne was mistimed a drive on a slower delivery and was mounted an aggressive assault on the Sri Extras (b 4, lb 2, wd 10) 16 removed for 45. well held by Nathan McCullum at extra cover. Lankan attack. Ronchi whacked his 170 from Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Guptill), 2-51 Total (for 10 wickets, 43.4 overs) 252 After Kumar Sangakkara went cheaply for Boult was New Zealand’s chief destroyer with 99 balls, smacking nine sixes and 14 fours (McCullum), 3-60 (Williamson), 4-82 Fall of wickets: 1-93 (Thirimanne), 2-141 nine, Mahela Jayawardene (30) joined Dilshan four for 44 while McClenaghan, Elliott and Tim while setting several milestones along the (Taylor), 5-93 (Anderson) (Sangakkara), 3-211 (Jayawardene), 4-215 to lift the momentum as the tourists reached Southee took two wickets each. way. In addition to the world-record partner- Bowling: Kulasekara 10-0-71-2 (1w), Lakmal (Dilshan), 5-224 (Kulasekara), 6-233 211 in the 36th over. But the game turned Thirimanne, deputising for skipper Angelo ship with Elliott, his unbeaten 170 was his 10-0-93-0, Perera 10-0-49-1 (2w), (Chandimal), 7-234 (Perera), 8-245 (Mendis), when strike bowler Trent Boult was brought Mathews who sat out the game with a slight maiden ODI century and the highest ODI Thirimanne 7-0-36-2 (3w), Senanayake 7-0- 9-252-Karunaratne), 10-252 (Lakmal). back into the attack with immediate success calf strain, won the toss and sent New Zealand score by a number seven batsman. Elliott, 58-0, Mendis 2-0-21-0, Dilshan 4-0-31-0 Bowling: Southee 7.4-0-42-2 (1w), Boult 10- bowling Jayawardene to start the slide. to bat with immediate reward. who took 96 balls for his 104 — his second 0-44-4 (2w), N. McCullum 4-0-21-0, Four balls later Mitchell McClenaghan On a green-tinged seaming wicket, Martin century-showed more restraint at the crease, Sri Lanka McClenaghan 8-0-56-2 (1w), Elliott 9-0-42-2 claimed the prized wicket of Dilshan and the Guptill was gone first ball and the rest of the and like Ronchi he offered few chances. L. Thirimanne c Taylor b Elliott 45 (1w), Anderson 5-0-41-0 (1w) T. Dilshan c N. McCullum b McClenaghan 116 Sri Lankan fight was over. Dilshan had posted New Zealand top order followed quickly as Thirimanne had the best figures for Sri Lanka Result: New Zealand won by 108 runs. his 20th ODI century and the third in his past the hosts fell to 93-5. with two for 36 off seven overs. — AFP SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 SPORTS Resources limited but Nations Cup a triumph

MONGOMO: Tunisia had to bathe in their hotel swim- pen,” said a senior Confederation of African Football that the pictures are beamed to broadcasters world- nearby Ebibeyin, Tunisia have drawn a short straw in a ming pool and Ghana moaned about lengthy bus trips official who did not want to be identified. wide. “Having playable pitches and making sure that hotel where the power often cuts and there was no to training but the first week of an African Nations Cup The pitches were replaced in both Mongomo and the television signal gets out were the two most water for several days. “We all got in a small pool to expected to burst at the seams can be seen as a some- Ebibeyin with imported Spanish grass overseen by important factors,” the official added. bath after two days without water,” said winger Wahbi thing of triumph. English experts, exposing the tournament to the risk The biggest triumph, however, has been the lively Khazri. Equatorial Guinea was the only country pre- The sparse resources of Equatorial Guinea, one of that they would not have enough time to be properly crowds-a capacity turn out at three of the four venues- pared to step in and replace Morocco after CAF Africa’s smallest countries, have been stretched to the bedded in and would come apart under the pressure which is in marked contrast to many recent previous stripped them of the right to host the tournament. limit by the 16-team tournament which was originally of two matches a day. tournaments. In-stadium facilities have been knocked Morocco wanted it postponed for fears travelling supposed to be hosted in Morocco. together at the last minute by a bevy of foreign workers fans would bring the deadly Ebola virus into the coun- The switch left organisers with 64 days to set up a TREPIDATION but proven effective. A force of 350 policemen from try but an angry CAF rejected the request as alarmist. tournament which is the showpiece of African sport There have been occasions when a massive chunk Angola run security at the stadiums and buses have Measures against Ebola have been strictly and interest in which extends well beyond the conti- of grass has come apart but the field has largely held been sent from neighbouring Gabon to help transport enforced on arrival in Equatorial Guinea and at the nent. In the absence of a local organising committee, a firm. “It is a bit spongy under foot but it plays well,” said the teams. There is a good road and air network between stadium in Ebibeyin, which sits on the border with team from the Confederation of African Football has South Africa coach Ephraim Mashaba. the four venues but the contrast in facilities is stark. Cameroon and Gabon. been in place for the two last months to oversee rapid “We have watched in much trepidation how the On Thursday spectators patiently queued up to upgrades and installations to ensure the show goes fields have held and been praying that there is no rain,” SHORT STRAW have their temperature measured and be given a disin- ahead. “It has been nothing short of a miracle but we added the CAF official. Television broadcast trucks Ghana and South Africa are staying in the palatial fectant to rub on their hands before being allowed into have the political will from the country to make it hap- were sent by boat from Spain and Portugal to ensure splendour of a five star hotel built in Mongomo but in the ground. —Reuters Crunch time for Roma, Milan

MILAN: The Serie A ambitions of Milan, meanwhile, can ill afford to Roma and Milan face the acid test drop points against Lazio a week as the second half of the season after a shock 1-0 home defeat to begins with champions and lead- Atalanta blew a hole in their ers Juventus looking unstoppable Champions League qualifying in their quest for a fourth consecu- hopes. tive league title. Success as a coach is not com- Roma travel to a resurgent ing easily for Filippo Inzaghi, one of Fiorentina tomorrow desperate not Milan’s most prolific strikers in his to lose more ground in the race for day, having seen his side whistled a first scudetto since 2001, having off the park at the San Siro last dropped five points behind Juve week. following a second consecutive Ahead of meeting a Lazio side draw last week, away to Palermo. desperate to make amends for last Since the departure of striker week’s 1-0 home reverse to Napoli, Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Milan sit 20 points behind Juve and Nations a fortnight ago, Rudi seven behind Napoli in the third Garcia’s title challengers have and last Champions League quali- lacked the bite usually provided by fying spot. the feisty Ivorian, and Juventus Inzaghi and defender Philippe have capitalised. Juventus are Mexes have both launched a rally- unbeaten since a 1-0 away reverse ing call: “It’s down to me to turn the to Genoa in October and host whistles into applause. We simply struggling Chievo in Turin looking have to roll up our sleeves and do to make it three wins on the trot. more.” Garcia insists Roma’s absences “We need a good result against are not a problem, telling La Lazio and to play well to try and Gazzetta dello Sport: “We have a restore confidence,” said Mexes. SPAIN: (Left to right) Real Madrid’s French forward Karim Benzema, Real Madrid’s French defender Raphael Varane, Real Madrid’s Brazilian defender Marcelo, large and quality-packed squad, so City rivals Inter are also 20 points Real Madrid’s Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao and Real Madrid’s Welsh forward Gareth Bale play during a training session.— AFP the absences are not too much of a off the pace but host Torino at the problem for us.” San Siro confident of a win after a Juventus striker Fernando stirring 2-0 Italian Cup victory over Cordoba eye Real Madrid Llorente insisted to Sky Sport: Sampdoria. “Roma are a great team, we know Swiss international Xherdan they want to win the scudetto and Shaqiri scored his maiden Inter we can’t allow ourselves to ease goal on his full debut, earning the scalp after 44-year wait off.”But cracks have begun to praise of coach Roberto Mancini, appear in Garcia’s side, and although the Italian said he is still Fiorentina are expected to push waiting for a more “compact” Inter MADRID: Cordoba play host to Real Madrid today for the for the rest of the season under the orders of French legend need of the points to consolidate third spot when they host Roma all the way in Florence. Roma to do more damage. “Shaqiri’s class first time in 44 years hoping to continue a fine start to Zinedine Zidane. Pepe’s continued absence through injury neighbors Rayo Vallecano to the Calderon late today. owed their midweek qualification and personality was clear for all to 2015. The Andalusians started the new year firmly rooted in means another Frenchman Rafael Varane will maintain his Los Rojiblancos’ chances of retaining their title look slim for the quarter-finals of the Italian see. I’m happy that he and (Lukas) the relegation zone following a 5-0 drubbing at the hands place alongside Sergio Ramos in defence as Carlo Ancelotti as they sit four points off city rivals Real having also played Cup to a dubious late penalty Podolski had such a good game,” of Barcelona after which boss Miroslav Djukic slammed his is expected to name the same side that beat Getafe 3-0 last a game more. And the fine form showed by Sevilla, Valencia which gave them a 2-1 last 16 win said Mancini. “I think we can do players’ lack of fight. However, the Serbian has got the reac- weekend. and Villarreal in the first half of the season means tion he wanted with a run of seven points from nine lifting Elche will also have their sights set on an unlikely giant- Champions League football is by no means assured for over furious Empoli. even better though. Once the team them up to 14th. killing when they host Barcelona at the Martinez Valero. Diego Simeone’s men. Fiorentina, meanwhile, had is more compact they’ll be able to “It is not a different week, we just need to work hard A 0-0 draw between the sides in the penultimate game The game of the weekend sees two of those Champions Mario Gomez and Juan Cuadrado play with even more quality.” and do everything we can to get something positive from of the campaign last season damaged Barca’s title chal- League hopefuls go head-to-head as Valencia host Sevilla to thank for a 3-1 win over Atalanta Elsewhere, Napoli-who the game,” Algerian forward Nabil Ghilas said on Thursday. lenge as they lost out on the last day of the season to on Sunday night. Sevilla hold a one point advantage over at the same stage of the competi- squeezed into the last 16 of the “I hope that Real Madrid will attack a lot and we can try Atletico Madrid. However, the Catalans gained some meas- Los Che in fourth and have a game in hand, but Valencia tion, when Micah Richards made a Italian Cup beating Udinese on to take advantage on the counter-attack. “The fans are ure of revenge with a 9-0 aggregate thrashing of Elche in have already proven their ability to deliver on the big occa- notable contribution as part of a penalties on Thursday-host Genoa always with us no matter who the opponent is. I love the the Cup earlier this month, which included a 4-0 away win sion at Mestalla this season with wins over both the Madrid solid Viola back four. on Monday looking to tighten their fans, what ever the result they support us.” without any of Barca’s star names. giants.Villarreal have the chance to put the pressure on Fiorentina have climbed to sixth grip on third spot although Madrid have enjoyed a free midweek having been Lionel Messi scored for the sixth time in his last four Valencia and Sevilla 24 hours earlier should they extend in the table and Cuadrado-a Sampdoria, one place further adrift dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Atletico Madrid in the games as Barca edged the first leg of their Copa del Rey their 16-game unbeaten run stretching back to November reported target for Premier League due to inferior goal difference, host round of 16 and added teenage sensation Martin quarter-final, first leg against Atletico in midweek. when Levante visit El Madrigal. giants Chelsea-insisted: “I’m 100% Palermo looking to stretch their Odegaard to their star-laden squad. The Argentine is sure to start, but Luis Enrique may be Meanwhile, David Moyes goes in search of just his third available and we’ll work hard to unbeaten record at home this sea- However, the 16-year-old Norwegian is expected to tempted into making a few changes with Wednesday’s sec- La Liga win in charge of Real Sociedad when they host prepare for the match.” Struggling son. — AFP only feature for the club’s reserve side, Real Madrid Castilla, ond leg at the Vicente Calderon in mind. Atletico are in high-flying Eibar in a Basque derby. — AFP KASF cancels shooting GP opening ceremony

By Abdellatif Sharaa Al-Otaibi, on behalf of members of the mast inside Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Arab shooting federations, members of the Shooting Complex, to coincide with the KUWAIT: President of Kuwait and Arab board of Kuwait Shooting Sport Club and the country’s official mourning. Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Al-Khalaf Al- Higher Organizing Committee of HH the Amir Meanwhile, all delegations participating in Otaibi announced the cancellation of the Grand Prix extended condolences to the HH the Amir Grand Prix will arrive today as opening ceremony of HH the Amir 4th brothers in Saudi Arabia on the death of a the official training will start tomorrow with International Shooting Grand Prix, which was Muslim and Arab leader, who has a special the participation of 59 countries. The Higher to be held tomorrow, because of the death of status in the hearts of the two nations. Al- Organizing Committee completed its prepa- the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Otaibi said that the shooting club decided to rations, hours before the tournament goes Abdullah bin Abdelaziz. cancel all celebrations, and put flags at have into full swing, as the number of shooters will reach 526 competing in 14 events, with 10 more events for juniors. The HOC was keen on receiving some del- egations who held their training camps at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex, including the federations of Oman, Morocco, and Uzbekistan. Moroccan shooter Yasmina Misfiwi said Morocco is keen on participating in HH Grand Prix since its launch. She said the tournament is among the best because of the competing champions and Olympians. Yasmina said the Moroccan team could not hold training camps because of bad weather there. Yasmina lauded the organization of the events, adding that the shooting club officials Fuhaid Al-Daihani in action during practice. are professional at organizing such major events, and they have one of the best facili- ties around the world. Meanwhile, Moroccan trap shooter Suleiman Raeesi said their team has nine shooters, eight trap and one double trap. He said the tournament allows gaining new experience for all shooters as the best are available and participating. He thanked the state of Kuwait for the hospitality and thanked HH the Amir and Kuwait people. Oman shooter Salem Suleiman Al- Humaidhi said HH the Amir Grand Prix is con- sidered the best launch of the international season, and that the Omani team is always keen to participate in all its events both shot- gun and airgun. HE said the Omani team held a training camp at KSSC, in preparation for the tourna- ment. He said that Kuwait is one of the best countries in organizing major events with a large number of participants. He thanked chairman and members of the higher organ- izing committee for the best reception and Moroccan shooters A Kazakh shooter takes aim during a practice session. hospitality. SPORTS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015 The lure of LA for the NFL — mirage or ‘must do’?

LOS ANGELES: Like a shimmering desert mirage, Rams announced plans to build an NFL venue in David Carter, executive director of the USC “Stan Kroenke seems to be developing a coher- the prospect of a National Football League (NFL) suburban Los Angeles, the first time an existing (University of Southern California) Sports Business ent plan for potentially moving a professional team team returning to the Los Angeles area has tanta- team owner has controlled a site in the area that is Institute, agreed. “Los Angeles already has a well- to L.A.,” said Durbin. “In the past, the plans have lised fans in Southern California for two decades large enough for a modern stadium and parking. known and regarded identity as a so-called ‘Big involved developing a new team or building a stadi- without coming to fruition. Whether or not this latest proposal proves to be League’ city,” Carter told Reuters. “So while the addi- um in hopes of luring a team to LA. Since the Rams left Los Angeles for St. Louis and successful, perhaps the most burning question to tion of an NFL team would reinforce this, it isn’t “Even AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), who the Raiders moved back to Oakland, both departing be asked is: does Los Angeles, the world’s entertain- required to maintain the city as a global hub.” had a seemingly endless stream of money to throw before the start of the 1995 season, there have been ment capital that already boasts two successful col- at this, couldn’t get the job done. One of many chal- more than a dozen proposals for the NFL to return lege football teams, really need the NFL? LA SUPER BOWL DROUGHT lenges remains working with LA’s City Council and to the nation’s second-largest market. “Los Angeles has never needed an NFL team,” A Super Bowl has never been played in a region the taxes in LA County ... rather daunting.” Each and every time, though, the follow-through Daniel Durbin, Director of the USC Annenberg that lacked an NFL franchise and the league’s show- In early 2011, AEG announced a $700-million has been lacking as bold promises, high hopes and Institute of Sports, Media and Society, told Reuters. piece was last staged in the Los Angeles area in deal for the naming rights to a potential football plenty of behind-the-scenes intrigue have given “LA has lost none of its international cache over 1993 when the Dallas Cowboys routed the Buffalo stadium in downtown Los Angeles-Farmers Field. way to missed deadlines and abandoned plans. the last 20 years in spite of losing two NFL teams Bills 52-17 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Last October, the LA City Council extended AEG’s With the Super Bowl set to be played between almost at once. LA remains the media capital of the Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s announcement on deadline by six months to attract an NFL team. the defending champion Seattle Seahawks and New world. Jan. 5 that he has teamed up with Stockbridge “The city has routinely been used as a threat to England Patriots in Glendale, Arizona on Feb. 1, “The NFL has always needed LA far more than LA Capital Group, which owns the 238-acre (96- negotiate a favorable deal (for other teams),” Carter speculation about an NFL team possibly moving to has ever needed the NFL. LA will always have the hectare) Hollywood Park site in Inglewood, to build said in an opinion piece for the USC Sports Business Los Angeles has escalated in recent weeks. eyes of the world on it, whether or not it has an NFL an 80,000-seat football stadium could be an NFL Institute. “Los Angeles needs to remain wary of get- Earlier this month, the owner of the St. Louis team.” game changer. ting played.”— Reuters FIFA: New sponsors ready to replace old

LONDON: FIFA have rejected suggestions that major few years, is still a name sponsors want to be associat- sponsors were cutting their ties with the organisation ed with. Damian Collins, the British MP and the guid- because it was a “toxic brand”, saying yesterday that ing light behind the pressure group New FIFA Now they were in advanced negotiations with new spon- which was launched in Brussels on Wednesday, said sors eager to replace the old. he believed sponsors were cutting ties as a result of Britain’s Daily Telegraph revealed on Friday that the scandals and controversies that continually sur- three major sponsors, Continental, Castrol and round FIFA. Johnson & Johnson, were not renewing their con- “FIFA is a toxic brand,” Collins was quoted as saying tracts with world soccer’s governing body. Emirates in the Daily Telegraph. “I think that’s why companies Airlines and Sony announced last year that they were who care about their reputation don’t want to be con- also severing their ties with FIFA. sidered with it.” Sponsors bring in at least $1.5 billion But FIFA’s marketing director Thierry Weil told in revenue over each four-year cycle. Castrol had been Reuters on Friday that those companies contracts a World Cup sponsor since 2008, Continental Tyres with FIFA were always due to expire at the end of last since 2010 and Johnson & Johnson signed a deal for a year and new ones were negotiating to take their single cycle in 2011. place. “Rotations at the end of a sponsorship cycle are Meanwhile the sportswear company SKINS, whose commonplace in the sports industry and have contin- chairman Jamie Fuller was a delegate at the launch of uously occurred since the commercialisation of the New FIFA Now, launched a light-hearted “non-spon- FIFA World Cup began,” Weil said. sorship” relationship with the governing body. In a “It is natural that as brands’ strategies evolve they statement yesterday the company said: “The non- reassess their sponsorship properties. The contracts multi-million pound, announcement allows the com- were always planned to run until the end of 2014. pany to highlight unshared brand values and con- “As in previous FIFA World Cup cycles, we are now firms SKINS’ contempt for an organisation which has in advanced negotiations with a number of compa- been constantly shrouded in allegations of corruption nies related to sponsorship agreements in all three of and controversy, yet is potentially preparing to re- our categories. elect its President Sepp Blatter for an unprecedented fifth term in office. TOXIC BRAND “This anti-FIFA stance is intended to be fun and But not everyone is convinced that FIFA, who have engaging but it carries a very serious message in sup- been buffeted by one crisis after another over the last port of newfifanow.org.”— Reuters

MONGOMO: Ghanaís forward Asamoah Gyan heads the ball in front of Algeriaís forward Ishak Belfodil (back) during the 2015 African Cup of Nations Group C football match. — AFP Gyan the hero as Ghana beat Algeria Muhammed Aamer

Banned Aamer set MONGOMO: The returning Asamoah Gyan struck a dramatic the first half in particular a scrappy affair marred by crunching stoppage-time winner as Ghana kickstarted their Africa Cup of challenges. Andre Ayew was caught above the ankle from one Nations campaign with a 1-0 Group C victory against Algeria in high tackle, while Algeria star Yacine Brahimi was himself the for first-class return Mongomo yesterday. victim of a bruising interception in midfield. Gyan missed his side’s opening 2-1 defeat to Senegal on The Black Stars sought to take the game to their opponents KARACHI: Disgraced Pakistan paceman to relax certain conditions of Aamer’s ban last Monday after contracting a mild bout of malaria, but he was after the restart, and Jordan Ayew dribbled into the box from Mohammad Aamer could return to first-class year. A final decision on Aamer’s appeal will be brought back into the starting line-up by coach Avram Grant the left only for his final shot to lack power and cause Rais cricket as early as next month after a relaxation of taken in ICC Board meeting in Dubai next week. A for a must-win encounter against the Algerians and snatched Mbolhi in goal few problems. Harrison Afful then dug out a the conditions of his ban for spot-fixing, an official PCB spokesman confirmed Aamer’s potential all three points in the second minute of injury time. cross from the right which was headed across goal and wide by said yesterday. return. “It is most likely that Aamer will get His goal lit up what had been a dire contest on a bobbly sur- Gyan at the near post, before Jordan Ayew flicked a driven ball Aamer, 22, was banned for five years along reprieve to play domestic cricket,” said the face and allowed Ghana to move level with Algeria and Senegal from his brother Andre just over from close range. with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif in a spot spokesman Agha Akber. on three points in the group before the Lions of Teranga face Meanwhile, Algeria took 66 minutes to really threaten, fixing case in England in 2010, and the trio were PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan last week said pointless South Africa later. Sofiane Feghouli breaking into the Ghana box from the left and jailed by a UK court in 2011. Aamer will be monitored in first-class cricket Along with the return of talisman Gyan, the only other drilling a shot across goal, only for the ball to flash wide of the The paceman was interviewed in Lahore Friday before returning to international cricket. change for the Black Stars at kick-off saw Afriyie Acquah come far post. by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the His five year ban expires in August this year. into the midfield. Both sides made changes in an effort to find the break- governing body revised the players’ code of con- PCB has said that since the other two banned For Algeria, meanwhile, Madjid Bougherra came into the through in the closing stages, although Ghana coach Grant duct in November last year, adding a provision players-Butt and Asif- took time to plead guilty that allows a banned player to play in domestic and have not completed a mandatory rehabilita- centre of the defence and took the captain’s armband, while opted to leave the clearly tiring Gyan on. games a certain period prior to the end of the tion, their cases will not be taken up with the ICC. Ishak Belfodil was rewarded for an impressive showing from the And Gyan rewarded his coach with the winner right at the ban. Before the ban Aamer was described as cricket’s bench in the win against South Africa with a start at the death, latching onto a hopeful long ball downfield from The change of rules prompted the Pakistan “hottest property” by legendary Pakistan pace- expense of Islam Slimani, who had a foot problem. Wakasu Mubarak and outpacing Carl Medjani before firing Cricket Board (PCB) to file an appeal with the ICC man Imran Khan. — AFP Nevertheless, this was not a game for attacking players, with across Mbolhi and into the net from a tight angle. —AFP Rock dents Loeb’s hopes

GAP: Sebastien Loeb saw his hopes of an eighth Monte Carlo Rally title dented yesterday when his Citroen suf- fered a broken rear suspension following a collision with a rock on the icy surface. Nine-time world champion Loeb, who had led overnight as well as at the midway stage on Friday, was understood to have lost around six minutes after the accident on the day’s final run. That allowed two-time defending world champion Sebastien Ogier to overturn a 41sec deficit to snatch the overnight lead. The Volkswagen driver now has a 1min 45.4sec advantage over teammate Jari-Matti Latvala with another Volkswagen pilot Andreas Mikkelsen in third spot. Loeb is racing in the world championship for the first time in 15 months and his run for Citroen in Monte Carlo is his only scheduled appearance of the 2015 season. The 40-year-old triumphed in the wintry FRANCE : French’s driver Sebastien Loeb steers his Citroen DS 3, during the shakedown of the 83rd Monte-Carlo Rally, first round of the 2015 World Rally Championship conditions of the Principality seven times between (WRC). — AFP 2003 and 2013. — AFP Smith guides Cordoba eye Australian chase Real Madrid scalp after 29 44-year30 wait SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2015

Gyan the hero as Ghana beat Algeria Page 31

AUSTRALIA : Ismail Al Hammadi (center) of United Arab Emirates hugs Ismail Ahmed after his penalty goal during the quarter-final football match against Japan at the AFC Asian Cup. —AFP UAE, Iraq win in night of upsets

SYDNEY: The United Arab Emirates shocked hold- 1-1 after extra-time, puts Mahdi Ali’s men into a show my respect and humble attitude to ask him Morteza Pouraliganji-but the defender then conced- against the four-time champions. Japan, looking leg- ers Japan and Iraq sent their arch-rivals Iran crash- semi-final against hosts Australia in Newcastle. how we understand this decision, you tell me.” ed a penalty by clattering into Yaser Kasim, which gy in their fourth game with an unchanged starting ing out as a stunning night of upsets turned the Iraq will play South Korea as they bid to repeat Dhurgham Ismael dispatched. Iraq seemed to have it line-up, pressed without reward until the 81st minute, Asian Cup on its head yesterday. their astonishing 2007 win and bring joy to their ‘PANENKA’ DOUBLE won, but Iranian substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad when substitute Gaku Shibasaki rifled in the equaliser. A double-header of quarter-finals ended in two homeland, where thousands of fans blasted cele- There was no sign of the fireworks to come dramatically headed in at the death of extra-time to The Blue Samurai almost snatched the winner when penalty shoot-outs in Canberra and Sydney, with bratory gunfire yesterday. when talented young striker Sardar Azmoun nod- force penalties. Both sides missed their first kicks but Shibasaki’s free kick flashed wide, but the UAE hung UAE and Iraq surviving moments of intense drama Iraq outlasted Iran 7-6 on penalties after a ded Iran in front on 24 minutes. then scored six each, including Mahmoud’s brilliant on to force the sudden death shoot-out. to come out on top. match of scarcely believable drama ended 1-1 on But sparks flew when Pooladi was cautioned for “panenka”, before Iran’s Vahid Amiry hit the post and And while Abdulrahman chipped the second Their stars shone with UAE wizard Omar 90 minutes and 3-3 after the extra periods. simulation, and then sent off when Williams realised Salam Shakir smashed the winner. “panenka” of the night, Japanese stars Honda and Abdulrahman and Iraq’s Younis Mahmoud, hero of Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz was incensed at it was his second yellow. A furious Queiroz, fined The later kick-off in Sydney got off to a sombre Kagawa both missed before Ismail Ahmed thumped their 2007 title run, both slotting outrageous Mehrdad Pooladi’s first-half sending-off when he $3,000 for criticising Williams after Iran’s win against start with the UAE wearing black armbands to make the crucial kick home. “I am very proud of my team’s “panenka” penalties in the shoot-outs. received a second yellow card from referee Williams Bahrain, had to be held back as the teams and offi- the death of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, and Ali performance,” said Japan’s coach Javier Aguirre, who is But Japan’s leading lights Keisuke Honda and for simulation. “Can he (Williams) sleep tonight? It’s cials came off at half-time. Andthe dismissal turned Mabkhout refused to celebrate when he opened the battling a match-fixing claim from his time working in Shinji Kagawa had a night to forget, and 10-man just a question,” said Queiroz, who had to be out to be critical as Iraq levelled through Ahmed scoring in the seventh minute. Mabkhout walked Spain. “We gave everything we had over 120 minutes. Iran were left cursing Australian referee Ben restrained by his players after the dismissal. Yaseen to force extra-time, and then went ahead via away with his arms by his sides when he blasted When the game goes to penalties, it is a 50 percent Williams.UAE’s 5-4 win on penalties, after it finished “If it’s necessary I put my knees to the ground to the head of captain Mahmoud. Iran levelled through home a fierce volley to give his side a shock lead chance of winning.” — AFP Federer toppled as Nadal powers on

MELBOURNE: Rafa Nadal restored a semblance of order to a streetfighter to triumph 6-4 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(5), notching his not going to be very simple today,” he said. “Even in prac- the Australian Open yesterday after Italian Andreas Seppi first win against the Swiss master at the 11th attempt. With tice I still felt the same way. I was just hoping it was one of sent shockwaves through the tournament by toppling the terraces shrieking through the decisive tiebreaker, those feelings you sometimes have and it’s totally not true Roger Federer in one of the greatest Melbourne Park Seppi was superb in the nerve-jangling clinches, and the and you just come out and you play a routine match. Yeah, upsets in recent memory. lunging forehand passing shot that sealed his finest win it was a mistake.” If Sharapova had any hang-ups from her Under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, third seed Nadal will feature on highlight reels for years to come. second-round scare against Alexandra Panova, she con- charged into the fourth round with a demolition of Dudi “It was for sure one of the important shots of my life,” cealed them well during a 6-1 6-1 rout of Kazakh Zarina Sela, all but banishing memories of his painful five-setter the unshaven Italian told reporters. “Against Roger, I never Diyas. Her boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov had watched the against Tim Smyczek two days before. Federer, a four-time went close. I never had the chance. To have this win in my Panova match with his heart in his mouth. Australian Open winner, faces a more lasting agony after career, it’s for sure something big.” Having lived dangerous- Yesterday, it was Sharapova’s turn for nail-biting on the his 11-year run to the Melbourne semi-finals was sensation- ly against Italian Simone Bolelli in the previous round, sec- sidelines as the young Bulgarian contender was dragged ally ended on his centre court domain. ond seed Federer revealed dark premonitions had circled into a five-set dog-fight by Marcos Baghdatis. A 30-year-old battler on a 23-match losing streak his mind as early as Thursday. The big-hearted Cypriot, a famous finalist in 2006, rode against top-10 opponents, 46th-ranked Seppi scrapped like “I felt for some reason yesterday and this morning it was rowdy support from Melbourne’s ethnic Greek fans on Showcourt Three but lost the battle of fitness 4-6 6-3 3-6 6- 3 6-3. Federer’s loss tore open the bottom half of the draw, opening the door for ‘Big Four’ contenders and upstarts like Dimitrov to challenge the establishment. Nadal, on the comeback trail after injury and illness wiped out the last half of his 2014, showed no signs of the cramping that blighted his previous match against Smyczek as he roared past Israeli Sela 6-1 6-0 7-5. “I feel I was very lucky to be through because at 2-1 (on Wednesday) I thought I was going to be on the plane to Mallorca,” Nadal said courtside. “In terms of injuries, I feel free. No pain. In terms of ten- nis. You need to play matches.” Briton Andy Murray also appeared near peak condition in trouncing Portuguese Joao Sousa 6-1 6-1 7-5 at Hisense Arena. But he will have to face his Wimbledon nemesis for a place in the quarter- finals. Dimitrov, who ended Murray’s title defence at his home grand slam, will be the sixth-seeded Scot’s first real test. Another young player expected to rock the tennis order, Canadian seventh seed Genie Bouchard continued her ominous form with a 7-5 6-0 win over Caroline Garcia. Third seed Simona Halep and China’s Peng Shuai, tak- ing on the mantle of retired champion Li Na, also advanced. Australia’s dreams of a first men’s champion in nearly 40 years remain alive, with young talents Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic reaching the last 16, the first AUSTRALIA: Russia’s Maria Sharapova serves during her women’s singles match against Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas time for two locals since Lleyton Hewitt and Mark AUSTRALIA: Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves in his men’s singles match on day five on day five of the 2015 Australian Open.— AFP Philippousis in 2004. — Reuters of the 2015 Australian Open tennis tournament. —AFP