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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 RABI ALAWWAL 16, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Sisi concludes Female suicide China’s Xi Ruthless ‘historic’ bomber strikes proves keen Sharapova visit to in Istanbul, student of brushes aside Kuwait2 killing policeman8 US14 power Shvedova20 Saudi Arabia blames weak Min 07º Max 22º growth for oil ‘tensions’ High Tide 00:05 & 14:20 Low Tide Crown prince speaks on king’s behalf • Crude falls to fresh lows 07:53 & 19:33 40 PAGES NO: 16395 150 FILS

RIYADH: A weak global economy is the main reason for conspiracy theories “tensions” in world oil markets, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said yesterday, in a speech on behalf of ailing King Abdullah. Prince Salman also indirectly touched on the violence ravaging Syria and neighbouring Iraq, say- The world ing Saudi Arabia remains “an oasis of peace” despite tur- moil around it. “You are aware of the urgent tensions taking place in the international oil market, caused by a is changing number of factors, foremost the weak global economic growth,” the prince said in address to the Shura Council, an appointed body that advises the monarch. “This development is not new in the oil market, and the kingdom has in the past dealt with it firmly and wisely,” he said, adding that Saudi Arabia will maintain By Badrya Darwish its “same approach” towards the market. The speech would have been given by King Abdullah, but he has been hospitalised since last week with pneumonia. Global crude prices fell about 50 percent in 2014, mostly since June, and the rout has continued into the [email protected] new year. The benchmark US oil price fell below the psy- chological $50 a barrel level yesterday for a second day. Economic growth remains uncertain in Europe and in many emerging economies including China and Brazil. t was very disappointing that the US vetoed a Along with worries about global demand, analysts have request by Palestine to end the Israeli occupation also blamed a strong dollar and a supply glut for oil’s with a timeframe, despite the blessings of many I price fall. Western countries and the legitimacy of the Saudi Arabia is the major producer among the request. In the meantime, it was former US Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries President George W Bush who said that the (OPEC) cartel, which decided in November to leave Palestinians should have a state. Now when it’s the crude output unchanged, further pressuring prices. Oil time for its backing, it was expected that DC would minister Ali Al-Naimi has been quoted as saying it is not support the idea and will never support it. unfair to expect the cartel to reduce output if non- This is not my issue. The US has been against members, who account for most of the world’s crude Palestine since the creation of Israel. But what is sur- RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Salman gestures during a session at the Shura Council, where he delivered an production, do not follow suit. prising me is the criticism of many people of annual televised speech yesterday that has traditionally been given by King Abdullah, who is in hospital Continued on Page 13 Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for opting to after being diagnosed with pneumonia over the weekend. — AP pursue peaceful and legal steps to help strengthen the global recognition of Palestine. Before, the West and the whole world used to attack the Palestinians as if they are terrorists and want to use violence and Syrian embassy resumes services killing as their only means. But for many years now, the Palestinian Liberation Organization is opting for peaceful and Oil minister says diesel subsidies remain for some legal steps. Two years ago, Palestine applied for and received from the UN General Assembly in an over- By B Izzak in protest against the regime’s massacres of whelming majority recognition as a nonvoting Syrian people. Before its closure, the member state. Thank God the US doesn’t have the Hamas denies Meshaal KUWAIT: Kuwait said yesterday that Syria’s embassy was ransacked by thousands of veto power in the General Assembly. Although this embassy had resumed consular services for Syrian and Kuwaiti activists who stormed was a peaceful effort, they were punished by expelled from Qatar some 140,000 Syrian nationals living in the the building in protest against the Syrian Netanyahu and his government by freezing tax rev- state after closing nearly three years ago. regime. About 40 people were arrested by enues that are due to Palestine. JERUSALEM: The Israeli government Gaza, also told the AP the report was Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled Al- riot police. The embassy is expected to start The Palestinian Authority is not bending and yesterday claimed Qatar had expelled false.In Turkey, the Foreign Ministry said Jarallah said three Syrian diplomats arrived offering its services next week. Syrians in continues to pursue peaceful options and global the leader of the Hamas militant group, it had no information on a Qatari deci- in Kuwait recently and are operating the Kuwait have been unable to renew their recognition through legal means. In late December, in what would be a significant diplo- sion or plans by Meshaal to relocate to embassy. Jarallah however insisted that passports or obtain official documents after they started the process of joining the International matic victory for Israel. Hamas officials Turkey. Kuwait had not closed the Syrian embassy Damascus closed the embassy, citing the Criminal Court (ICC). We hope within 60 days, they denied the claims as “baseless”. The Israel and Hamas, an Islamic militant nor opened it because it was “our Syrian refusal to accredit its envoy. will be recognized as a full member. But again, Israel Israeli Foreign Ministry group sworn to the brothers who closed and opened it for mat- In another issue, Jarallah said that the for- has frozen the $125 million in taxes due to the issued a statement saying it destruction of the Jewish ters relating to the services of their commu- eign ministry was in contact with a number Palestinian Authority and the US has threatened to “welcomes Qatar’s decision state, are bitter enemies. nity”. of embassies regarding the issue of residen- cut $400 million in aid. to expel the head of the The sides fought a 50-day The Damascus mission remained shut cy fines for failing to update passport infor- So what do you want the Palestinians to do, may Hamas political bureau, war last summer that killed from Feb 2012 when Kuwait and other Gulf mation at the immigration department. I know? If they fight, you call them terrorists. If they Khaled Meshaal, to Turkey.” more than 2,100 countries expelled the Syrian ambassadors Continued on Page 13 pursue peaceful means, they are punished and It said the Qatari decision Palestinians in Gaza and 72 starved. They have tried for 70 years to negotiate came after heavy diplomat- people on the Israeli side. If with the Israelis and time and time again nothing ic pressure from Israel. “We the claim is true, the expul- materializes. On the contrary, Israel is confiscating expect the Turkish govern- sion would mark a major more land day by day, building walls to besiege the ment to act responsibly in a setback for Hamas. Palestinian areas and doing its best to stifle the similar way,” it added. Khaled Meshaal In recent years, Hamas Palestinian people. They cannot breathe, much less Hamas officials in both Qatar and has faced growing isolation in the grow and thrive and develop. Gaza angrily dismissed the Israeli region after disputes with its longtime Whether they choose the gun or the courts, the claims. Izzat Rishq, a top aide to sponsors, Syria and Iran, and the down- Palestinians suffer. But at least what gives the Meshaal, said the claim was wrong. fall of its close ally, former Egyptian Palestinians some hope is that there are many other “There is no basis of truth about broth- President Mohamed Morsi, who was countries who are backing them in their peaceful er Khaled Meshaal leaving Doha. We overthrown by the military. Meshaal pursuit of statehood. America is not the whole are in Doha now,” he told AP. Hamas moved to Qatar after the Syrian civil world and one day it might change its position. spokesman Hossam Badran in Qatar war erupted in 2011. Well done, Mr Abbas. and Salah Bardawil, a Hamas official in Continued on Page 13 Prince Ali to stand for FIFA president

AMMAN: FIFA Vice President Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of model of ethics, transparency and good governance.” Jordan declared yesterday he would challenge Sepp FIFA has been steeped in controversy and allegations Blatter to lead football’s world governing body, vowing of corruption since Russia and Qatar’s successful bids to to end years of controversy surrounding the game. If host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Prince Ali, the son of successful, he would be only the second FIFA chief from the late King Hussein of Jordan, had been one of the most outside Europe, and the first ever from the Middle East. “I senior FIFA officials to call for the publication in full of a am seeking the presidency of FIFA because I believe it is report last year into the winning bids. But FIFA’s executive time to shift the focus away from administrative contro- voted to release only an “appropriate”, edited version of versy and back to sport,” the 39-year-old prince said in a top US lawyer Michael Garcia’s report into the alleged cor- statement. “The headlines should be about football, the ruption. beautiful sport, not about FIFA.” Blatter last month ruled out any suggestion that Qatar The prince, who was elected FIFA vice-president for could lose the right to host the tournament. “It would Asia in 2011, aims to prevent Blatter winning a fifth term really need an earthquake, extremely important new ele- in office. Frenchman Jerome Champagne has also ments to go back on this World Cup in Qatar,” he said. Prince Ali declared his candidacy in the May 29 election. Prince Ali Blatter has long been a controversial figure, and FIFA, said he had been encouraged to run after consultations with senior fig- which oversees a multi-billion dollar industry, has never been far from ures in football. “This was not an easy decision. It came after careful con- scandal. The 78-year-old Swiss national succeeded scandal-plagued sideration and many discussions with respected FIFA colleagues over the Brazilian Joao Havelange - the only non-European to have headed FIFA - last few months,” he said. “The message I heard, over and over, was that it in 1998. FIFA and Blatter have sought, without success, to silence critics of is time for a change. The world game deserves a world-class governing the Qatari and Russian bids. body - an International Federation that is a service organisation and a Continued on Page 13

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 LOCAL

Crime Report Policeman reports assault

KUWAIT: A policeman told Fahd Al-Ahmad police that he was beaten by a group of people in the area. Detectives are working on identifying the culprits.

Kids with guns Ahmadi police arrested two juveniles with a firearm. The two were driving in Mangaf without a driving license. They were sent to concerned authorities.

Stolen bus A security source said that police on a routine patrol in Salwa noticed a bus being driven recklessly. The bus was KUWAIT: In this March 7, 2013 file photo, expatriate workers lined up and enter a bus following their arrest during a crackdownon illegal residents at the vegetables market. — KUNA found to be stolen, so they stopped and arrested the driv- er who attempted to escape after attacking a policeman. The driver is a citizen in his forties and was under the influ- One-year-old rescued after mom ence of drugs. Ten narcotic tablets were found on him.

caught in visa crackdown ‘Fake cops’ wanted for robbery Three thieves posed as detectives and robbed a Bangladeshi of KD 10 while standing in front of his sponsor’s house. When he attempted to get By Ben Garcia Abunda (a non-governmental organization helping caught by the police for the same reason and he was his wallet back, they pulled out a knife and Filipinos in trouble in Kuwait that coordinates with the deported. The boy stayed with his parent’s friend for escaped. The victim gave police the license plate KUWAIT: A one-year-old baby girl was surrendered to the embassy). some time until we eventually rescued him. The boy’s number of the car. Police are working on the case. Philippines Embassy extension in Hateen area by a When contacted, Annie Mendoza, Philippine parents were both Filipino and they are now waiting in Bangladeshi driver 10 days after the infant’s mother, who Department of Social Workers and Development head- Manila for their baby,” she said. had been living illegally in Kuwait, was arrested. The Kuwait confirmed that the baby is now in the embassy’s Another case of a baby separated from their parents Drug smuggling foiled child’s father, who is also a Bangladeshi, was deported custody. “Yes, we received the toddler already this after- according to Mendoza is the case of four-year-old baby Kuwait airport customs officers foiled an attempt by two before her birth, also for illegal residency violations. noon (yesterday). I was very emotional to see the baby ‘Mohammad’. His father was Egyptian and a Filipina citizens to enter Kuwait with hashish, marijuana and The baby had been cared for a Bangladeshi taxi driver because she’s just a toddler and she’s already separated mother. “The father was deported too in their country, cocaine. The two who arrived from Lebanon drew the who is a family friend. “I didn’t have anyone to leave the from her mother,” Mendoza said. the mother is now in the Philippines. They are all in our attention of the officers, so they searched them and found baby with in the house so I brought her with me every Philippines Vice Consul Attorney Shiena Tesorero custody. I also have here a seven year old, a 12 year old the drugs. They were sent to concerned authorities. day,” said the taxi driver who asked that his name be with- spoke with the mother, who is in police custody in and a 13 year old child. They are all awaiting formalities held. Fahaheel. Efforts to reunite the two are now underway. and if their papers are ready, they will be reunited with The case came to the attention of the embassy when a “We’ll try to negotiate with the authorities here if they their parents,” she said. Drug possession regular passenger of the taxi noticed the baby. “I’ve seen could entrust (to us) the mother under our custody so Farwaniya police arrested an Asian man for pos- the baby almost every day for a few weeks so I asked the she could be with the toddler. We are trying our best, we Long process sessing and using drugs, as marijuana and heroin driver to whom the baby was and he told me the story,” hope that by tomorrow [Wednesday] the two will be Asked why the process of repatriation is taking so were found with him in Khaitan. He was found explained Bernadette, a Filipina secretary. “I thought reunited once again,” Mendoza mentioned. long to complete. “Because they have the law to follow wanted to serve a six-month jail sentence. He was maybe she was his baby or somebody’s baby so I didn’t here, they cannot send babies out just that. They need to sent to concerned authorities. really mind at first. I just asked the basic questions: how More cases know everything they do is in accordance with the law of old is she, her name but didn’t go in details,” she said. “But Mendoza said this case was just one of many children Kuwait. So please bear with us, we are all for the reunit- then, I noticed the baby was very jolly and laughing with separated with their mother as crackdown continues ing with their respective parents but it has to be dealt Thief at large the driver too much, so I asked a bit about her. That was against residency violators. “We have many cases of chil- based on legal procedure of the land. They are very care- A thief in Hamad Al-Mubarak Street is still worrying resi- when the driver opened up about her. I told him that dren separated with their parents,” admitted Mendoza. ful sending out babies, because according to law of dents as a new theft was reported after he broke into a car maybe I could help him contact the embassy. “In August last year we got a two year old boy from his Kuwait, not one Kuwaiti will be abandoned or neglected. parked in front of a house. While a girl was receiving con- guardian. The boy’s name is ‘Khaled’ and he was separat- The good thing is that they are now safe and they are dolences for the death of her father, the thief broke the Reunite the family ed at first from his mother. She was arrested for violating being cared for by the embassy or by their guardians,” windows of her car and stole its contents. Police are work- Bernadette contacted the ‘Sandigan’ of Ms Ann residency law. After a month or so the father was also Mendoza said. ing on the case. — Al-Rai and Al-Watan

Man killed in Fourth Ring Road crash

By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: A 39-year-old citizen was killed and two girls were injured in a two-car collision on Fourth Ring Road yesterday. Meanwhile, a Saudi national was killed in a collision on Salmy Road, while a Bangladeshi man was taken to hospital in critical condition.

Homicide Farwaniya prosecutor charged a 43-year-old Egyptian with Interior Minister opens killing his compatriot, 50, and asked detectives to carry out inves- tigations. A security source said police received a call about an Egyptian who fell from a high place, so police went to the build- ‘mobile’ operations rooms ing. The Iranian haris (building janitor) told them where his flat was, so they went there and found the suspect, who said he did KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Suleiman Fahad Al-Fahad, Assistant know about the incident. Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al- Undersecretary for Special Security Khaled Al-Sabah opened modern units Affairs Major General Mahmoud Al- Electricity theft of mobile field operations rooms on Dousary, Assistant Undersecretary for A Ministry of Electricity and Water official told Salmy police Sixth Ring Road. The ceremony coincided Traffic Affairs Maj General Adballah Al- about theft and property damage. He said that unidentified per- with the visit Egyptian President Muhanna, Assistant Undersecretary for sons broke several poles and stole copper wires. Abdelfatah Al-Sisi. General Security Major Gen Abdelfattah The Interior Minister was accompa- Al-Ali, Assistant Undersecretary for Daughter charged with theft nied to the site by Interior Ministry Operations Maj General Jamal Al-Sayegh A citizen accused his daughter of stealing a laptop and other Undersecretary Lieutenant General and several field security leaders. things worth KD 5,500, then escaping from the house. A case was filed for investigations.

Commerce seizes counterfeit inks Border alert lowered

KUWAIT: Security authorities lowered to increase security presence and the KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Interior, Assistant Undersecretary for of fake products carrying their brand labels. The an alert on the borders of Kuwait a day frequency of patrols on the borders Industry has confiscated over 436 boxes of repli- international organizations and foreign com- Ministry had recently formed a committee to after it was raised following a suicide along with border surveillance, Al-Qabas ca inks used in photocopiers and printers in sev- merce affairs Sheikh Nimer Al-Sabah said. protect copyrights, in coordination with the attack on a border patrol in Saudi daily reported yesterday. Kuwait also eral stores yesterday. The Ministry’s copyrights Sheikh Nimer also noted that the Ministry has Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Information, Arabia. On Monday, Kuwait issued coordinated with Iraqi counterparts as a department is taking legal measures against executed thorough inspections on ink-selling Ministry of Health, Kuwait’s Municipality and the instructions to keep military intelligence preventive measure following the attack those responsible, and will send the replica inks stores after receiving complaints from owners of customs department, aiming to fight fake and on continuous duty at border points and on Saudi Arabia. to the forensic evidence department at the authentic ink companies, regarding the presence replica products. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Director General of Kuwait Fire Service Directorate Maj Gen Yousuf Al-Ansari opened the fourth meeting of the search and rescue teams’ development committee in GCC countries and Jordan. Ansari lauded the efforts of the teams and their coordination of action during natural disasters, as well as preparing training plans with unified procedures between the countries. The committee was formed in 2013. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 LOCAL Sisi promises less red tape for prospective investors Egyptian president concludes ‘historic visit’ to Kuwait

KUWAIT/CAIRO: Egyptian President Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Stronger relations Abdelfatah Al-Sisi noted in a meeting yester- Speaker Ali Al-Ghanem, Deputy Chairman of Sisi began his visit Monday - his first to day with the Kuwaiti media his country’s pen- the National Guard Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Kuwait since becoming president. The visit chant for encouraging Kuwaiti investments in Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister was seen as a change to boost bilateral rela- Egypt through, among other things, reducing Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, tions and cooperation as Egypt is set to take sharply red tape or any existing impediments First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign over the Arab Summit presidency from Kuwait that might stand in the way of Kuwaiti Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- in March. Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan investors. Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah said in a statement In a meeting with Acting Chairman and Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and several other talks between Sisi and Kuwaiti leaders dealt Director General of Kuwait News Agency ministers and senior officials of the army, with ways of boosting bilateral relations and (KUNA) Abdul-Hameed Malek and editors-in- police and National Guard. cooperation, as well as issues of common chief of Kuwaiti newspapers, President Sisi Before leaving, the Egyptian president said interest. Following the summit talks, HH the stressed that his country had put in place a that he and HH the Amir shared the same Amir decorated Al-Sisi with the Order of special approach or procedure to assist views on “hot issues” in the region, primarily Mubarak Al-Kabeer in appreciation of the investors in concluding their applications for Libya, Syria, Iraq and Yemen. “There were also Egyptian leader and people. investment in Egypt in a matter of days. identical views on economic and investment The Egyptian leader, accompanied by The Egyptian president applauded the dossiers and the attraction of more invest- Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri, Minister of Oil great role played by His Highness the Amir ments to Egypt,” Sisi was quoted by Egypt’s and Mineral Wealth Sherif Ismail, Minister of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in official news agency (MENA) as telling International Cooperation Najlaa Al-Ahwani promoting amity and harmony among Arab reporters accompanying him during his visit and Minister of Investment Ashraf Salman, had states and in filtering out differences among to Kuwait. already started high-level meetings with them. He said the significance of his visit to Kuwaiti officials at the beginning of his two- President Sisi extolled the “firm and his- Kuwait is due to the fact that “Egypt shares day visit. The Egyptian leader, meanwhile, met toric” ties between his country and Kuwait, concerns with other Arab countries which are with President of the Kuwait Chamber of and emphasized the imperative that all Arab in trouble at present”. “Now, we need to stand Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Ali Mohammad countries strive for joint Arab work and coop- united as one group in the context of unifying Thunayan Al-Ghanem, who was accompanied eration. He considered that the stability of Arab ranks in face of risks, and we are able to by KCCI board members. The President’s visit Egypt reflected directly on that of the Arab do so,” Sisi said. He pointed out that his visit to was described following the meeting to be region and underlined the importance of the Kuwait as well as foreign tours in general give “within the framework of efforts exerted by economic conference Egypt was organizing in a message to the outside world that “Egypt Egypt to promote joint Arab action and the March in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh for the has regained its position in the region”. development of relations between the Arab purpose of attracting Arab and foreign invest- countries.” Sisi will also meet with Egyptian ments in his country. ‘Productive’ meeting businessmen in order to strengthen economic The president emphasized the role the President Sisi also received Chairman of the relations between the two countries. media and youth play in Arab societies, saying Arab and International Relations Council First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign the media helped in disseminating stability in Jassim Al-Sager and Board members of the Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled had said Al- the region, and the youth offered energy, Kuwaiti-Egyptian relations council. Following Sisi’s visit to Kuwait would open future knowledge, and enthusiasm as building the meeting, the board members described prospects of bilateral relations, describing it as blocks for a progressive and prosperous Arab their meeting with Sisi as “productive,” as they “very important to complete what the country society. discussed many common matters in the started in both regional and international KUNA’s Acting Director General and realms of trade, security and investment. issues.” Editors-in-Chief of the Kuwaiti newspapers The council’s board members agreed that praised the visit of the Egyptian President as their meeting with the Egyptian President was Brotherly visit KUWAIT: Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi is seen off at the airport by His Highness one that would boost security, peace, and sta- positive and focused on attracting more Meanwhile, two leading Egyptian newspa- the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. bility in the region and lauded the great investment to Egypt from Kuwait and other pers published yesterday stressed the impor- It shed light on the Arab nation’s agreement concerns, Al-Ahram newspaper said. progress Egypt has achieved in the last six Arab countries. “Egypt is a promising country tance of the Egyptian President’s brotherly vis- on a regional plan to face terrorism and The official talks between Sisi and HH the months since President Sisi assumed the reins for investment,” the members expressed, it to Kuwait. Al-Ahram newspaper said that uproots its funding sources. Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- of power. adding that the Egyptian President is working President Sisi’s visit to Kuwait is a historical Sisi greatly appreciates Kuwait’s support of Sabah that took place yesterday were of high on facilitating investment regulations for for- event in the bilateral ties between both coun- June 30th revolution, and later to its “road importance where they contributed to boost- Same views eigners, especially the Kuwaitis. tries, and it reflects the president’s deep con- map” politically and economically, recalling ing bilateral ties at all levels, Al-Gomhoria President Sisi concluded yesterday a two- Meanwhile, Sager pointed out that the cern of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Kuwait’s great role in the reconciliation newspaper said. This visit is a part of a series day official visit to Kuwait where he held talks Kuwaiti-Egyptian relations council was estab- countries’ security, which he considers part of between Egypt and Qatar, it said. of other visits of President Al-Sisi to various with HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- lished to promote bilateral ties and it was sug- the Egyptian national security. Kuwait’s announced its participation in the Arab and African countries, as a step to Jaber Al-Sabah. gested by the Egyptian Minister of Industry Egypt’s bid to fight terrorism through its economic and Arab summits to be held in reflect the return of the Egyptian key role in He was seen off at the airport by HH the and Foreign Trade Munir Abdelnour in his intellectual wisdom tops the President’s agen- Egypt next March, as it considers Egypt a great sustaining the regions’ stability and security, Amir, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- recent visit to the State of Kuwait. da during his current visit, the newspaper said. country which always bears the Arab world’s it added. — KUNA

Egyptian President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi during his meeting with editors-in-chief of Kuwaiti newspapers yesterday. Sisi in a group photo with board members of the Arab and International Relations Council. — KUNA photos

KUWAIT: In celebration of Christmas, a Holy Mass was celebrated at the Armenian Church Kuwait - Salmiya yesterday, attended by Armenian Ambassador to Kuwait Fadey Charchoghlyan and Ambassador of Lebanon to Kuwait Khodr Helweh. The Armenian Church is located in Salmiya since the 1960s. Armenian orthodox celebrate Christmas on January 7 every year, as fifth century AD Christians celebrated Christmas, Baptism and Epiphany on that date. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat NBK sponsors Kuwait University’s Finance Club

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) encourage youths to assume roles and sponsors the Finance Club of the Faculty of obtain the required tools to create an envi- Business Administration in Kuwait ronment ripe for their leadership.” University. NBK Annually promotes a range of edu- NBK is sponsoring the Finance Club cational initiatives as part of its Corporate activities for the whole year including stu- Social Responsibility. In addition to spon- dents’ participation in a training course in soring student’s clubs at the university, NBK London on financial analysis. offers many training programs including “NBK’s sponsorship and support to the NBK Academy, Shabab program and the Finance Club comes in line with the Bank’s Summer Internship Program. commitment to Corporate Social The Finance Club at Kuwait University Responsibility as well as the vital role it is a non-profit club that seeks to serve plays in supporting all students, youths and and help business administration stu- educational initiatives,” said NBK Public dents at the university. The club helps in Relations Manager, Abdul Mohsen Al- advancing the interests of business Rushaid. administration students vocationally and Rushaid added “NBK is committed to academically. It aims at presenting a clear supporting youths and empowering them view of activities through providing lec- to realize their potentials. NBK provides tion and seminars, or participating in career and training opportunities to exhibitions and conventions. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Planning Hind Al-Subaih speaks, as Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governor Ahmad Al- Rujaib and mayors are seen. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Co-ops privatization under Driving blind By Sara Ahmed countries like Egypt or India, roads are so packed that leaving a few hundred consideration: Al-Subaih KUWAIT: Perhaps you are a new driv- feet distance between you and the car er, just learning how to navigate in front isn’t a question of safety but Kuwait’s roads and its often erratic more an invitation for someone to cut Mubarak Al-Kabeer residents explain problems to minister and dangerous traffic. Or maybe you in front. Similarly in Kuwait, it seems never actually took a course in driving that driving in another car’s blind spot By Nawara Fattahova Fintas co-op to build a supermarket in your area, istry is now working on a project of connecting but instead got your license and is fashionable, a way of staying close and then separate from them. After that, you can 10 institutions online, so patrons won’t have to learned from a friend or relative. but not abreast of a potential rival. KUWAIT: Kuwait is studying the idea of privatiz- demand establishing a co-op in the area,” she go personally to all the places, and will only Whatever the case, you are posing a There are ways to avoid the dan- ing co-operative societies, a senior government suggested. need to enter their civil ID number,” stressed danger on the highway. You drive to gers of a blind spot. First off, adjust official said yesterday. The mayor of Qurain complained of having Subaih. the left of the right of my car, hovering your rearview and side view mirrors to If a decision on that regard was made, it will 20 branches neglected and suffering from many She also spoke about future plans. “A long- right exactly in the middle of my blind first be applied on one co-op to see how it problems and shortage of services. He also com- term plan is now being discussed at the parlia- see more of your own blind spot. spot and creating a hazard I can hard- Second, simply be aware that a blind works, said Hind Al-Subaih, Minister of Social plained of have large numbers of ‘bachelors’ in ment and should be approved in April, while the ly avoid. Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Block 4. He also demanded establishing a park first of the two five-year plans was already spot exists and that the driver of the other car may not be paying atten- Planning. “I believe that [the privatization] may and club for children in Qurain. A resident of approved, and the second should be approved Never heard of a blind spot? eliminate corruption, as there won’t be bribes for Qusoor complained of lopsided demography in February. We also are cooperating with tion. Third, always check your blind It’s one of the most dangerous and the manager or board members to sell certain over the presence of huge numbers of expats. schools and universities to spread planning spots by turning your head to look misunderstood aspects of driving. A items, and there will be competition in price, Subaih stated that the ministry formed a awareness, such as asking students to plan what before changing lanes. Fourth, try to blind spot is an area on the sides of which in the end will be in favor of the con- committee with four groups from various public they want to achieve this year. We signed a pro- maintain parity with your neighbor on the vehicle that the driver cannot sumer,” she explained. institutions to discuss this issue. “The committee tocol with the United Nations Development the road. Fifth, drive abreast rather Subaih was invited yesterday by Mubarak Al- will make a study on the actual numbers of each Program to raise planning awareness in min- directly observe without turning his head. Side view and rearview mirrors than having the nose of your car level Kabeer Governor Ahmad Al-Rujaib to meet resi- community and it should be announced next istries, and an international consultant will train with your neighbor’s car doors. dents of the governorate and listen to their com- month, to have a forecast of the population after local achievers to set plans,” explained Subaih. are meant to help but they do not Now go out and try it. Drive on the plaints, suggestions and present and future 20 years and their percentages,” she pointed out. completely eliminate blind spots. plans. Mayors of various areas of the gover- A member from Qurain co-op demanded Developing parks If you’re in heavy traffic, on the Fifth Fifth or Sixth Ring Road in the far right norate and some residents attended the meet- imposing departure permits for expat cashiers She also spoke about plans to develop and Ring Road, for instance, driving the (aka slow) lane. Wait until you see car ing to speak about problems and shortages in or money collectors, especially since some of improve public parks that are under the umbrel- blind spot may be unavoidable. But in passing you in the middle lane. Now their areas. The mayor of Messila demanded them are responsible for huge amounts of KD la of the ministry and adorn them with landscap- many cases, its lack of knowledge and watch it in your rearview and sideview establishing a cooperative in Messila and 40,000 or more. The minister commented that ing and games instead of abandoned buildings. not lack of lane space that leads to mirrors. Now you see and as it Hasaniya as residents in this area have to go the law does not allow this and employers can’t She added that a committee of young people people driving in a blind spot. When approaches, it suddenly disappears. shopping for their groceries in Fintas and other even hold their passports. was formed to check service centers, co-ops, tra- you ride where the driver of the car Now turn your head to the left - just a nearby areas. ditional cafes and parks to improve them under next to you cannot see you, you glance or two. See it right next to you? General problems the supervision of the ministry. Subaih conclud- increase the chances of a sideswipe or That’s a car in your blind spot. If you Co-op license Some attendees spoke about general prob- ed saying that her doors are open to any sugges- accident if the main vehicle tries to had changed lanes just then, you Subaih noted that the law requires having a lems facing needy people who have to frequent- tion and that she will not take any decision change lanes. would have smacked into it. Don’t be before studying it from the view of the con- supermarket in the area in order to get a license ly visit more than 10 institutions to get the Perhaps itis a cultural thing? In invisible. for a co-op. “I suggest you make a deal with paperwork done to receive donations. “The min- sumer and not the decision maker.

KUWAIT: The National Union of Kuwait Students - United States Branch (NUKS - US) honored the Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) for sponsoring the 31st annual NUKS - US conference which took place in San Francisco, California under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Water tankers next?

KUWAIT: Water tankers were scarce tankers against selling water at cerned warning them to refrain from or charging increased prices yester- prices higher than those set by the supplying tankers caught trying to day despite a warning from the gov- ministry, adding that this is a viola- sell at the higher price. They are to ernment that they are not allowed to tion and will be met with legal be banned them from entering raise prices. The water tanker issue action. An average 3000 liter tanker water stations, in case of a complaint follows on the heels of a strike of costs around KD 5.750 and KD 6 but or violation, and may face legal Iranian bakeries in Kuwait after the now some drivers are asking as action. It was not clear, however, government removed subsidies and much as KD 15 per tank. Many peo- what the government is doing to lifted the price of diesel and ple use the water tankers to fill their address the problem as water kerosene. pools or apartment water tanks or to tankers will now have to pay the The Consumer Affairs department water their gardens or farms. higher costs of diesel fuel, which at the Ministry of Electricity and The ministry sent a circular to all went up January 1 from 55 fils per Water warned drivers of fresh water water filing stations and those con- liter to 170 fils per liter. Govt favors monopolists, harms middle class: ICM

By A Saleh MoH, MoI coordinate on Ebola as in various centers to examine med- Health minister Dr Ali Al-Obaidi ical staff dealing with possible cases. KUWAIT: The Islamic Constitutional stressed that the ministry has set spe- On a different issue, Obaidi said that Movement (ICM) yesterday issued a cial policies and methods to fight the ministry suffered from a lack of statement commenting on the fall of Ebola and listing the virus on the list of ambulances, especially along the Salmi oil prices and slammed government dangerous infectious diseases that highway that is served by only four measures in this regard, deeming require special measures and handling ambulances. Responding to an inquiry of cases and those in contact with from MP Saud Al-Huraiji, Obaidi said them as ‘favoring monopolists and them. Responding to a question from that MoH ambulances were equipped harmful to the middle class. The state- MP Kamel Al-Awadhi, Obaidi said that according to international specifica- ment strongly criticized the govern- MoH was coordinating with MoI to sus- tions and said that the ministry plans ment for failing to diversify sources of pend issuing visas to people from to replace old ambulances once the income, especially in view of the affected countries. He added the need- Audit Bureau approves a tender to pur- recent fall of oil prices that was devas- ed lab technology and the faculty of chase 50 new ones. He added that the tating to the national economy. ICM medicine labs were alerted to examine ministry also signed contracts to pur- also stressed that the recent decisions any possible cases round the clock. In chase two air ambulances (helicopters) showed that the government did not addition, Obaidi said that effective to be used within Kuwait in addition to care about people with limited examination devices had been set up a jet to be used for medical evacuation income. at all exits to examine arrivals, as well to and from Kuwait. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 LOCAL

PRICES ... City for all religions

By Labeed Abdal

[email protected]

alestinian President Mahmoud Abbas criticized Israel in a recent speech marking the 50th Panniversary of the Palestinian Revolution, and that for their ongoing settlement construction and Judaization of Jerusalem. He blamed those practices for foiling international initiatives and efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. The Palestinian president further pointed out that the roadblock that the peace process has reached was caused by Israel’s failure to separate between the ter- rorist activity practiced by the Islamic State group, and between Palestinians’ right. Furthermore, Abbas claimed that the ongoing building of illegal settle- ments in occupied territories fuels extremist senti- ments that are on the rise in the region. Abbas then reiterated that Palestine will not accept having their cause marginalized under the pretext of fighting terrorist groups in the region, and argued that achieving peace and restoring Palestinians’ rights are the best way to defeat those groups. Finally, Abbas slammed Israel’s ‘illegitimate deci- sion’ to annex East Jerusalem, saying that the holy city’s fate will determine the dimension of the conflict with the occupying forces. “The Israeli practices in Al-Jarida Jerusalem will turn the conflict into a religious war that burns the region and the whole world,” he warned. First of all, we have to be realistic when discussing this prolonged conflict, and identify the points where kuwait digest the two sides meet, and others where they remain in disagreement on. The Israeli position is not new, and is based on agreements reached with superpowers after Where exactly are we? World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire. And since neither Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin By Mudaffar Abdullah Netanyahu nor United States President Barack Obama would be able to change the Israeli reality, the peace o start with, with the fall in oil prices, some minis- ish’! Even the secret fear expressed by some officials of It is also a mistake when all security forces get mobilized process needs to be built on mutual acceptance to the ters appear calling for cancelling some of the cur- religious parliamentary blocs is no longer justified before the occasion and start threatening, as this give a future, based on achieving regional security. Trent expenses because they are not necessary. It is because the current parliament is very ‘kind’ in this false idea about the real tasks of such forces, while in Meanwhile, the United Nation’s recent assertion of as if they are saying that ‘we have made a mistake now regard. I wished that local media had made a feature fact celebrating the new year has nothing to do with any the Palestinian people’s right of self determination has by such expenditure!’ story about where senior state officials spent their own religious beliefs. It is rather a phenomenon practiced by indeed restored some hope; which has also been Unlike what happened in other capitals, it is really all mankind around the globe driven by their own feel- restored lately with decisions of some European par- strange that the new year’s occasion goes by without ings to assess what they have been through in the previ- liaments - namely in Sweden and France - to recognize seeing any sign of joy and celebration in Kuwait. An ous year and aspire to achieve more happiness and Palestinians’ right of statehood. entire state with all its development plans was incapable An entire state with all its things in the year to come. It is this simple! Yet, this glimmer of hope remains clouded by the of having us listen to live music. Are we in a country that I would like here to stress that if we had had officials recurrent tensions and religious-fueled attacks, which has completely lost all forms of reaction of normal development plans was who think wisely, they would have arranged for organiz- goes against the principles of tolerance and accept- human feelings? ing various recreational activities in various theatres and ance that all Abrahamic religions call for. Jerusalem is a All the state’s assets, including funds, hotels, cinemas, incapable of having us listen yards as the rest of the world does and this would have city of vital importance in Judaism, Christianity and theatres and yards went to sleep on an occasion that has spared security forces of having to appear as comman- Islam, and should always remain a place where all can been known to bring joy and social and human pleas- to live music. Are we in a dos and religious scholars of appearing as preachers practice their religions freely and peacefully. ures over years. This happened because of the same old warning of punishment in hell! practices and warnings of violating religious regulations country that has completely People are fed up with restrictions. I dare one sane by celebrating this particular occasion, though it does official of the current government to announce the mil- not actually belong to a specific religion. Even security lost all forms of reaction of lions spent by Kuwaitis in other GCC states and the num- kuwait digest forces made their own warnings, threatening to raid pri- ber of crimes committed by youth because of the lack of vate celebrations, which looked more like showing off normal human feelings? entertainment in Kuwait. Our distinguished govern- what they are capable of. I have read so many remarks ment, let me tell you a secret. The sound of fireworks Abdulfattah and tweets warning those planning to return home to vacation! launched from the roofs of our houses on new year’s eve Kuwait on the occasion, namely students studying To exaggerate the society’s false idealism actually - the ones we have purchased by our own money - are has gone abroad, and advising them to spend the vacation wher- defames it and helps behavioral and social concepts but the weak side’s means of telling you that we need to ever they are studying in US, UK, Australia or other coun- that develop social hypocrisy spread within the society. have fun within our country! tries because the decision to spend it in Kuwait is ‘fool- It is a mistake to make calls prohibiting the celebration. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida By Waleed Al-Jassim ith these words that we made a little for the col- umn, a citizen began his complaint against the kuwait digest Wstrong return of reckless driving and showing off, and the rest of the words that describe the practices of youth in their cars in some well-known streets and Soaring prices...whom to blame? areas of Kuwait. The caller reminded of the efficiency and ability by Maj Gen Abdulfattah Al-Ali when he was in charge of the traffic sector in the country and felt sorry By Dr Bader Al-Daihani that those days are gone. The caller said: “I visited a friend for dinner in his Jahra iesel subsidies have been annually costing the panies and retail outlets immediately increase their closure, license cancellation, confiscating goods, com- jakhour (animal pen), then the reckless youth began state budget over one billion dinars, which is prices, though companies selling their products locally pletely or partially depriving the violators of the privi- showing off from 10:00 pm until 1:00 am when we left three times as much as the government’s subsi- are exempted from the subsidy cancellation decision leges and facilities it provides. But it is not expected to D after hearing enough of tyres squealing and smoke from dies to social care and almost six times as much as it and the fact that they even get generous government make worthy decisions due to conflicts of interests hot tyres that kept rubbing the earth until they explod- spends on rent allowance given to citizens still waiting facilities and subsidies, not to mention the internation- because some of the major company and factory own- ed, which made the youths happy and proud. Then they for government housing. Moreover, and especially after ers are board members in administrative bodies sup- changed the exploded tyres with a used one worth KD 1 privatizing gas stations in 2004, subsidized diesel has posed to punish violators. Some of them are even mem- only! But this dinar is enough to disturb one neighbor for been stolen and smuggled abroad, leaving the govern- Referral to prosecution bers in the government or the parliament itself. So who ment so far incapable of fighting this crime. is going to blame whom?! According to the government’s financial advisors as the government Therefore, unless public pressure is made, the gov- and International Monetary Fund recommendations, ernment will not prevent price increases nor hold I hope that the state and the government recently decided cancelling diesel, threatened to do would accountable retailers, companies or factories, be them kerosene and aviation fuel subsidies from Jan 1 with those who already increased their prices or those youth ministry in coopera- exemptions to local factories and national aviation take long while people expected to do so once electricity, water and petrol companies pending reduction or cancellation of social prices are increased according to the government’s tion with the Interior subsidies. Since this decision has negative impacts on suffer in their daily life plan. citizens with medium and limited incomes, special com- Referral to prosecution as the government threat- Ministry finds safe and prehensive protection programs should have been set ened to do would take long while people suffer in their before applying the decision in order to make sure ally falling oil prices which reduced raw material prices. daily life. Things may even end up the way it did in pre- quick alternatives in suit- things would not end up overburdening them with Nevertheless, this was their golden opportunity to mul- vious cases - by minor fines that are nothing compared soaring prices and high cost of living. tiply their profits. The question now is: What will the to the profits violating companies and factories have able places for youth who The lack of serious consumer protection programs government do? made. These fines will not compensate people for the and the weakness or absence of government monitor- If it wishes, the government can take immediate losses they have incurred. practice this hobby. ing apparatuses made some local factories, major com- legal measures to stop price increases including facility — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida

10 minutes, which is the approximate time used by each car out of tens of cars. kuwait digest “I left with the rest of my friends, while the pen owner remained until the morning to make sure the animals Sisi in Kuwait remained safe. He could not sleep that night because the youth began celebrating the New Year at an early hour, and kept showing off until the sun rose. They remained By Sami Al-Nisf at this, one car after another, and there were more than 100 cars until 10:30 am, when they exhausted their learned through various sources about how Egyptian Egypt is the strong barrier protecting the whole in other regional Arab countries. excessive energy and their worn tyres and decided to go President Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi grew in a well-off family region from wars and chaos. It is the first linedefending The Arab nation needs the Egyptian leadership to back home and sleep after depriving hundreds of people Ithat is strongly bonded and keen on socializing with Gulf security, especially after some political blocs work on reaching political, not military, solutions to the from it.” all its members. I learned how he is very religious and problems in Syria, Libya, Yemen and the Palestinian I listened to the caller’s complaint and told him: “I can- how he used to wake up all his family members to pray cause, because with its size and influence, it is well-quali- not do anything, and you said it...’Abdulfattah has gone’.” Fajr prayers on time. He was never financially or morally Egypt is the strong barrier fied to do so. The Egyptian Al-Youm Al-Sabe newspaper I hope that the state and youth ministry in coopera- corrupt. recently published an interview with the Muslim tion with the Interior Ministry finds safe and quick alter- During our recent meeting with Sisi, he expressed fear protecting the whole region Brotherhood’s international organization’s secretary gen- natives in suitable places for youth who practice this that the terrorist groups fighting in Egypt would be fight- eral Dr Ibrahim Muneeb in which he admitted that the hobby. I am not in support of suppressing their hobbies. ing on behalf of other mightier powers plotting against from wars and chaos Brotherhood had made a mistake by nominating If they find a suitable place for it, they would practice it Egypt and the whole region. Therefore, I believe that Mohammed Morsi for the Egyptian presidency in 2012 there instead of disturbing people, and as long as he fighting terrorism, Arab-Arab reconciliation and Kuwaiti and that they had politically misinterpreted the Egyptian state does not find an alternative for them, the problem investments in Egypt would be on top of the Kuwaiti- revealed their true intentions and hidden wish to control political arena. This actually proves that the Egyptian will remain hanging and there will only be temporary Egyptian talks, especially with advent of the World GCC states to turn its security into fear, wealth into people were right in rising up against Morsi and support- solutions like those of Maj Gen Abdulfattah Al-Ali. Economic Forum due to be held in Egypt next march. poverty and stability into civil wars the way it happened ing Sisi! — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Watan WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

Guatemala ex-dictator Female suicide bomber hits at heart of Istanbul appears at genocide trial

Page 8 Page 9 Israel military divided over Gaza probes

JERUSALEM: A fierce debate is raging within Israel’s military over the extent to which soldiers should be held legally accountable for their actions during last year’s Gaza war, with commanders increasingly at odds with military lawyers. The dispute has set off a firestorm in Israel, where many say the legal threat would shackle soldiers in any future battle, lower their morale and shat- ter a sacred trust on which Israel’s compulsory military service relies. But with the Palestinians announcing their application last week to the International Criminal Court, the decision to investi- gate becomes all the more pressing: A robust Israeli inquiry into its military’s actions could be essential in thwarting an embarrass- ing and potentially incriminating outside probe. Israel launched the operation in Gaza on July 8 in what it said was a mission to halt relentless rocket fire by Hamas militants. During 50 days of fighting, more than 2,100 Palestinians were killed, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry and the United Nations. On the Israeli side, 66 soldiers and 6 civilians were killed. Israel has defended the operation as an act of self-defense and blamed Hamas for the heavy civilian death toll, saying the militant group used residential areas for cover. But critics have pointed to the heavy Palestinian civilian death toll and ques- tioned whether Israel’s response was proportionate. Israel has also come under fire from critics who say it fails to thoroughly investigate its military operations or prosecute soldiers for abus- es. Israel says it does investigate its actions, although those inquiries rarely lead to criminal punishment. Following a similar operation in Gaza in early 2009, the army convicted a total of four soldiers on various charges, including looting, improper use of a weapon and life-endangering conduct. The most serious sen- NETANYA: Israeli soldiers take part in a military exercise on the seafront of this coastal town north of Tel Aviv yesterday as a winter weather front reached Israel. — AFP tence was a three-and-a-half month prison term. Israel’s outgoing military chief, Lt-Gen Benny Gantz, has explosion on a Gaza beach on July 16 and an attack on a UN general. action. walked a fine line in the debate, trying both to soothe the troops’ school on July 24. Efroni’s perspective, military analysts say, views Still, the threat of criminal investigations has fueled concerns The debate over whether to investigate the soldiers follows a worries and explain the need for inquiries. “Soldiers and com- an internal investigation as preferable to a potential probe by the that soldiers and commanders will increasingly face prosecution. separate inquiry into a commander of the same brigade that manders know they have the full support of the command level,” International Criminal Court. The military did not answer a Critics say that would undermine performance in the field and fought in Rafah, who was suspected of covering up crimes Gantz said last month. “I feel very secure with our support and request seeking comment. dissuade new recruits from joining key combat units. The main alleged to have been committed by his troops, including sexual with the investigations, which are a necessary tool for our contin- The Palestinians are expected to join the court within about bone of contention in the military ranks surrounds the events of misconduct. A group of reservists has appealed to Efroni not to ued improvement.” 60 days. Once that happens, they can submit war crimes claims Aug 1, when a temporary cease-fire was interrupted by the sus- investigate the Rafah incident, calling the possibility “outrageous Israel’s military advocate general, Danny Efroni, is seen as the against Israel. However, if Israel can show the court that it has car- pected capture of an Israeli soldier by Hamas militants. Israel and worrying”. Brig Gen Udi Simhony, a retired military com- leader of the drive to investigate soldiers. Efroni and his legal ried out its own investigation in good faith, it could avoid an out- unleashed a massive barrage of airstrikes and artillery fire aimed mander, warned that investigating the soldiers could lead them team have received more than 100 complaints regarding inci- side probe. “Some in the military say ‘let us investigate, we have at blocking any potential escape routes of the suspected abduc- to lose motivation and conceal evidence from the battlefield to dents from last summer’s war and plan to conduct criminal inves- nothing to hide. The moment we investigate, international law tors, which killed nearly 200 people in the southern Gaza town of protect themselves. “This needs to stop before we see its implica- tigations into at least 10, including the deaths of four boys in an won’t intrude. There will be no international inquiry and no trial Rafah, according to Palestinian rights groups. The Israeli army tions harm us mercilessly,” he wrote on the Walla website, a popu- in The Hague,’” said Ilan Katz, a former military deputy advocate subsequently declared that the Israeli soldier had been killed in lar Israeli news portal. — AP p8_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:39 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Few options for fixing Libya, a major threat to West

PARIS: Verging on full-blown civil war, ritory and oilfields. Hopes for a diplomatic Syria and Iraq, but arguably Libya is the Niger and Chad have called for military mediation, they are supplying arms.” This Libya may pose an even greater threat to solution are fading, say analysts, but the greatest threat,” said Richard Cochrane, a intervention to stem the tide of jihadists, is one area in which Western diplomacy Europe than jihadists in Iraq and Syria, yet stakes are extremely high, particularly for senior analyst at IHS Country Risk in refugees and weapons spilling over their could be effective, pushing these exter- the international community has few southern Europe. London. “The jihadists - who are in the borders. But these hopes are unlikely to nal forces to reduce their military sup- tools to help resolve the crisis. Three Most of the 200,000 migrants who same mould as the Islamic State - have be met. “A NATO-style operation? Let’s port. years after NATO intervened to help over- braved the Mediterranean crossing to got a firm foothold and we’re only not dream,” a French government source throw Muammar Gaddafi regime, two Europe last year came from Libya, the UN expecting that to grow. told AFP, speaking on condition of Back Where it Started rival governments claim his mantle and a said last month, and security risks are “There is nothing stopping fighters anonymity. “We are not going to restart But the harsh reality is that Libya may rash of heavily armed militias fight for ter- multiplying. “The West is distracted with using Libya as a conduit to get to Europe. the idea that we can show up, drop a few be doomed to a prolonged and bloody It is a training ground right on Europe’s bombs and it brings democracy and conflict. “The informal consensus from front door.” Western diplomats have been national unity.” Libyans and their neighbours is that the shuttling frantically between the elected An intervention force would have to Libyans are going to fight until they get government - which has been driven into be massive to make any dent on the tired of fighting,” said Porter. That is refuge in the remote east - and the chaos engulfing Libya. “Anything short something which Algeria - which went Islamist-backed militia alliance that has of a full-scale peacekeeping force would through its own brutal insurgency in the seized most of the capital Tripoli. So far, be highly vulnerable,” said Cochrane. 1990s - knows all too well. Resigned to a UN attempts to bring the two sides to the “They would be stuck in compounds and long period of unrest on its eastern negotiating table have been in vain. repeatedly hit by morale-sapping IED flank, it opposes any international inter- “Even if they get them to talk, they (improvised explosive device) attacks.” vention in Libya, fearing it will only make wouldn’t achieve anything,” said Geoff Making matters worse is the fact that matters worse. The ultimate, tragic irony Porter, head of the US-based North Africa Libya has also become the theatre of a is that Libya may end up right back Risk Consultancy. “Both sides think they proxy war between regional powers. where it started before Gaddafi was top- stand a strong chance of military victory, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab pled and killed in 2011. “There are two each feels they have enduring support Emirates oppose the Islamist militias, possible scenarios for a political solu- from external supporters, and both feel seeing them as the military arm of the tion,” said Porter. “One is that the Libyans they have been done a severe injustice by Muslim Brotherhood that they have tried acquiesce to some kind of federalism - the other party and would be betraying to eradicate in their own countries. sharing power and resources. But the their followers if they backed down.” Qatar, and less overtly Turkey, have other is that a new strongman emerges ZWARA, Libya: Fighters from the Islamist-backed Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia supported the other side. “Regional who can bring the various warring tribes flash the sign for victory after securing the perimeter of the Mellitah Oil and ‘Let’s Not Dream’ powers are acting as spoilers,” said and factions to heel - who would rule in Gas terminal in western Libya yesterday. —AFP Some neighbouring countries such as Cochrane. “Rather than helping with much the way Gaddafi did.” —AFP

Female suicide bomber hits at heart of Istanbul

ISTANBUL: A female suicide bomber blew briefly shut down and some tourists, brav- herself up inside a police station in ing heavy snow, were still walking around Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet district yes- the historic Sultanahmet square. The DHKP- terday, killing one officer and wounding C (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party- another, the city’s governor and Turkish Front) had warned of further strikes after media said. The woman spoke English as last Thursday’s attack, in which a man carry- she entered the building but her nationali- ing an automatic weapon was detained ty and identity were unknown, Governor near the Ottoman-era Dolmabahce Palace. Vasip Sahin told reporters at the scene. The group was also behind a suicide bomb- Turkish media said one of the officers died ing at the US Embassy last year as well as from his wounds. attacks on Turkish police stations. There was no immediate claim of Turkey faces other security threats. responsibility but the bombing comes less Some of the thousands of foreign fighters than a week after far-left group DHKP-C who have joined the ranks of Islamic State said it was behind a grenade attack on militants in neighbouring Syria and Iraq police near the prime minister’s office in have entered via Turkey, raising concern Istanbul. Police sealed off the street where that they could return and strike on Turkish yesterday’s attack happened, across the soil. There have also been clashes in pre- square from the Aya Sofya museum and dominantly Kurdish southeastern Turkey in Blue Mosque and near the Basilica Cistern, recent weeks between members of Kurdish which are among the top tourist destina- Islamist party and youths linked to the out- tions in one of the world’s most visited lawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which cities. has also carried out urban attacks in the Public transport resumed after being past. — Reuters

CAIRO: Grand Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, head of Al-Azhar, the Sunni Muslim world’s premier Islamic institution (left) talks to Coptic Pope Erdogan tells EU: Crack Tawadros II, the 118th pope of the Coptic Church of Egypt, during his visit on the eve of the Egyptian Orthodox Christmas at St Mark’s Cathedral yesterday. — AP down on ‘Islamophobia’

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip added. “Those who shake their finger and Two Egyptian policemen Erdogan yesterday warned the European reprimand Turkey must see that they are deal- Union it should crack down on ing with a new Turkey, big Turkey, with its “Islamophobia” amid rising anti-Muslim economy, democracy and foreign policy.” shot dead outside church protests instead of trying to teach Turkey les- sons about democracy. Erdogan told Turkey’s ‘Stand Firm Against Them’ ambassadors posted abroad in a speech in Erdogan in August moved to the presiden- Ankara that they should pursue an assertive cy after over a decade as prime minister in a Another officer killed dismantling bomb foreign policy to represent strong and self- period during which he worked to earn confident “new Turkey” under his rule. In a Turkey respect as a global Islamic power. “You MINYA, Egypt: Two Egyptian policemen were army’s ousting of President Mohamed Morsi of have occurred in cities, including the capital. new attack on the EU, Erdogan called on the are the envoys of a big state -with its history, shot dead by masked men yesterday as they the Muslim Brotherhood in July 2013, a number Yesterday afternoon, an Egyptian police officer 28-member bloc to “revisit its Turkey policy”, culture, civilisation and victory from the inde- stood guard at a Coptic Christian church in a city of churches and Christian properties were burned was killed while dismantling a homemade bomb accusing Europe of dragging its feet on pendence war,” Erdogan told the Turkish south of Cairo, witnesses and a local security and destroyed in the impoverished south that is near a police station in the Giza governorate, out- Ankara’s decade-old membership bid. ambassadors, referring to the fight against source said. Egypt’s Coptic Christmas falls today home to many Christians. The Brotherhood said side Cairo, security sources said. Three employees “Believe me it is regrettable that the EU is occupying allied forces in the early 1920s. He and security is typically tightened at churches at the time it had nothing to do with attacks on were also wounded when the device, hidden in a trying teach a lesson to Turkey instead of try- said that with a program of reforms, the rul- ahead of the holiday after a string of attacks on Christians and accused the army of cynically flowerpot, exploded near a police station on Al- ing to tackle very serious threats it is facing,” ing Justice and Development Party (AKP) had Christian targets over the past years. Interior using the minority population to justify a fierce Harram Street, a busy avenue leading to the pyra- he said. Erdogan said racist, discriminatory been “tearing down that tight dress tailored Ministry spokesman Hany Abdel Latif was quoted security crackdown. mids. A video posted on the website of Egyptian activities and Islamophobia were on the rise for Turkey and its people, and getting rid of by state newspaper Al-Ahram as saying yester- The most populous Arab nation faces a daily Youm 7 shows the officer dressed in protec- in Europe, complaining that racist organisa- all the shackles one by one”. day’s attack in Minya was not sectarian. “(It) has jihadist insurgency that has killed hundreds tive gear being thrown metres away as the device tions won sympathy in some Western soci- But the president also warned the ambas- nothing to do with any of the holidays of our of soldiers and police since Morsi’s overthrow. explodes in his hands. The jihadist group Ajnad eties with “each passing day”. “The sadors to be “very careful” and “on alert” in the Coptic brothers, it is instead aimed at the security A group of Sinai-based militants has pledged Misr (Soldiers of Egypt) claimed on Twitter that it Islamophobia - which we constantly draw face of what he said was a campaign by forces, to try to undermine their resolve.” allegiance to Islamic State, the Al-Qaeda off- had placed the device, saying it was targeting attention to and warn of - represents a seri- Western media to portray Turkey as a country The country’s Coptic Christians, who make up shoot that controls parts of Iraq and Syria. police officers. Four years of political turmoil since ous threat in Europe. If the issue is not dealt which “did not take its share from democra- about 10 percent of the population of 85 million, Most of the attacks on security forces have the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni with seriously today, and if populism takes cy”. “They (Western media) are not honest, have largely coexisted peacefully with majority been in the Sinai peninsula, which borders Mubarak has battered Egypt’s economy and European politicians captive, the EU and they are not sincere. They come sit and talk Sunni Muslims for centuries. But following the Israel and the Gaza Strip. But some attacks frightened off tourists and investors. — Agencies European values will come into question,” he with us. We give them necessary answers. We said. show them documents but despite all this, His comments came a day after controver- they go their own way,” he said. sial German group PEGIDA rallied thousands “Therefore, I am asking ambassadors to of people in Dresden for a demonstration stand firm against them. You should hit all against what it calls the “Islamisation of the this immoral and false news in its face. You Occident”. Erdogan told the ambassadors should not make any concession,” he added. Turkey needed to see itself as a great country, Erdogan’s comments yesterday coincided amid growing tensions with the EU over the with the detention in southeastern Turkey of crackdown on the opposition. “Turkey is not a Dutch reporter Frederike Geerdink. She was country which anyone can accuse by wag- released after several hours of questioning ging their finger in big arrogance. Those who over tweets allegedly supporting a “terrorist have such habits should abandon them,” he group”. — AFP Iraq says rebuilding of army in early stages

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Defence Minister Khaled be needed to recapture territory and also Al-Obeidi said yesterday that the Iraqi mili- to establish law and order. tary has started rebuilding after its near “Changing some military leaders will be total collapse last summer but that the the first step towards building a strong effort is still in its initial phase. “We are still army and we will make changes in the in the early stages; some of them are entire military pyramid down to the last known to you, and some remain a secret,” soldier,” Obeidi said on the national holiday ISTANBUL: A woman walks under the snow yesterday. Heavy snowfall descended on large parts of Turkey yesterday, snarling road and air traffic Obeidi said in a televised address on the commemorating the 94th anniversary of and leading to closures of schools. — AFP national holiday Armed Forces Day. Prime modern Iraqi military’s founding. Rampant Minister Haider Al-Abadi has sacked several corruption was seen as one of the main dozen commanders and told Obeidi to lead reasons why the Iraqi army failed to stop Chaos as heavy snow hits Turkey a probe into corruption within the Iraqi mil- Islamic State in battle. Many units were itary after Islamic State seized vast swathes short of weapons or had soldiers listed on ISTANBUL: Heavy snowfall descended on large northern parts of the country. parts of Ankara where the snowfall reached 15- of territory from Iraqi security forces last paper who were not actually present in the parts of Turkey yesterday, snarling road and air Turkey’s national flag-carrier Turkish Airlines 20 cm in some areas. Dozens of people were summer. field. Currently, several Iraqi security offi- traffic and leading to closures of schools, reports cancelled 44 international and domestic flights injured in accidents caused by poor weather Since then the hardline militants have cials estimate the number of functioning said. In the northern province of Karabuk, a in and out of Istanbul and some other cities conditions that caused traffic snarl-ups, media been pushed out of several districts around military forces at between seven and nine school bus went off the road and turned over on including the capital Ankara. In mega-city reports said. The snow led to the closure of the Baghdad and near the Iranian border, but divisions. They caution even those divisions to its side in slick conditions caused by snow, Istanbul, the authorities appeared to take every Istanbul-Izmir highway, with hundreds of cars continue to hold large sections of the are not all operating at full strength. The leaving a student dead and 18 others injured, precaution including closing down schools. But being stuck on the road. Authorities have been country. Although Shiite militias, Kurdish Iraqi army had at least 14 divisions on the Dogan news agency reported. The snowfall the snow has so far failed to appear in the city in warning for days that the cold spell would be peshmerga forces and US-led air strikes paper before Islamic State toppled the also seriously disrupted road traffic across Turkey the quantities predicted. Some ferries across the unprecedented, saying the temperatures might have played a leading role in Islamic State’s north’s biggest city of Mosul and soldiers and caused trouble with the electricity network Bosphorus have been cancelled. drop to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius for military reversals, a strong Iraqi army will deserted en masse.—Reuters causing some power cuts, particularly in the Schools have also been shut down in some Istanbul. — AFP WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Guatemala ex-dictator appears at genocide trial

GUATEMALA CITY: Guatemala’s ex-dic- ing medical documents did not indicate scorched-earth policy. tator Efrain Rios Montt was hauled to his health problems were high-risk, the court on a stretcher Monday to attend former leader was brought into court on 200,000 Killed or Disappeared his retrial on genocide charges before a stretcher, his face covered with a Arriving at court in a wheelchair, proceedings were halted by a motion to beige blanket. Rodriguez said he was confident the change judges. The 88-year-old former Dozens of indigenous protesters retrial would clear his name. “I want to ruler, who is accused of ordering the gathered outside to call for a new guilty put an end to this humiliation, this cir- army to massacre 1,771 Ixil Maya verdict, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner cus put together by NGOs that live off Indians during Guatemala’s brutal civil Rigoberta Menchu. They shouted the conflict and international pressure,” war, was brought to court in an ambu- “Genocide!” and “We want justice!” as he told AFP. Human rights activists lance after failing in his bid to be tried in Rios Montt was taken from court. Rios reject the defense’s claims that Rios absentia for health reasons. Montt has been under house arrest in Montt’s poor health prevents him from But two of the judges on the three- an upscale neighborhood in the east of standing, calling them a strategy to judge panel accepted a motion by Rios the capital, where he must be under delay the ruling. “The evidence is over- Montt’s attorneys to replace lead Judge “absolute rest,” according to his lawyer whelming,” said Juan Francisco Soto of Jeannette Valdez, who wrote about the Luis Rosales. He ruled Guatemala from human rights group CALDH, adding that case in a 2004 master’s thesis that the March 1982 to Aug 1983, as the small he would submit more than 800 pieces of defense team said showed bias. Valdez Central American country struggled evidence and the testimony of 120 sur- said she accepted the decision and with a bloody civil war pitting succes- vivors and victims’ relatives. “We already would recuse herself, adding that a new sive rightwing regimes against leftist proved that there was genocide in trial date would be set once her replace- rebels. Guatemala, and we expect another sen- ment had been chosen. Rios Montt and his former intelli- tence,” said Hector Reyes, a lawyer repre- Rios Montt, who ruled Guatemala gence chief, Jose Rodriguez, are senting the victims. Some 200,000 peo- with an iron fist in the early 1980s, was charged with ordering the army to carry ple were killed or vanished without a sentenced in 2013 to 80 years in prison out 15 massacres of Ixil Maya indige- trace in Guatemala’s 1960-1996 civil war, for genocide and war crimes, but the nous people in Quiche in northern according to a 1999 UN-sponsored country’s Constitutional Court threw Guatemala. During the war, indigenous report. More than 90 percent of the out the conviction on procedural Guatemalans were often accused of human rights violations took place GUATEMALA CITY: Guatemala’s former dictator Efrain Rios Montt arrives on a grounds and ordered a retrial. After supporting the rebels. Rodriguez was between 1978 and 1984. Rios Montt’s gurney to court where he faces charges of genocide and crimes against Valdez rejected Rios Montt’s request to acquitted in the initial trial. The pair now lawyers say he was unaware of the army’s humanity on Monday. — AP be excused from attending the trial, say- face a new trial over the dictatorship’s killings of indigenous people. — AFP US charges two over failed Gambia coup

WASHINGTON: US prosecutors on Monday released by the Justice Department, an FBI charged two men with conspiring to over- agent interviewed Faal, who described his throw the government of Gambia in a failed own participation “as a member of a group of coup ostensibly aimed at restoring democra- fighters responsible for the attempted coup.” cy to the small west African nation. US- Faal also identified Njie as one of the coup’s Gambian dual national Papa Faal and US resi- leaders and main financiers, and told the FBI dent Cherno Njie were arrested in the United agent that “Njie was also planning to serve as States after they returned from Gambia, the interim leader of The Gambia upon the where they had traveled to help launch a successful completion of the coup.” December 30 coup attempt against President The men are charged with conspiracy to Yahya Jammeh’s government, according to violate the Neutrality Act, which prohibits US the US Justice Department. Faal, 46, was citizens or residents from taking up arms or expected to make an initial appearance in plotting against a nation at peace with court Monday in his home state of Minnesota, America, and conspiracy to possess a firearm while Njie, 57, living in Texas, was to appear in furtherance of a crime of violence. Last Monday in US District Court in Baltimore, month’s attack was repelled by security Maryland. forces, and at least three suspected attackers “These defendants stand accused of con- died during the fighting, according to uncon- spiring to carry out the violent overthrow of a firmed reports. On Jan 1, strongman Jammeh foreign government, in violation of US law,” - who has ruled Gambia with an iron fist for US Attorney General Eric Holder said in a 20 years - blamed unidentified foreign dissi- statement. “The United States strongly con- dents and “terrorists” for the assault on his demns such conspiracies. With these serious presidential palace. charges, the United States is committed to The criminal complaint details a plot cob- holding them fully responsible for their bled together by men of Gambian origin WASHINGTON: Bicyclists travel past the US Captiol in falling snow as schools and business close due to unexpectedly heavy precipitation yester- actions.” State Department spokeswoman Jen including Faal, who had not lived in Gambia day, the opening day of the 114th Congress. — AFP Psaki stressed that: “US law enforcement for 23 years but agreed to join the movement action in this matter highlights the impor- last August because he grew angry with the tance we place on preventing our citizens way “the president was rigging elections”. Empowered Republicans from taking part in violence of this nature According to Faal, the group had planned to overseas.” ambush Jammeh’s convoy as he toured the According to a criminal complaint country around the Christmas holiday.—AFP take control of Congress Tabloid, prominent Germans condemn anti-Muslim rallies Keystone veto showdown looms WASHINGTON: Republicans determined to Now, Republican leaders intend to push the bill year as a result of the Republican electoral tri- DRESDEN, Germany: Top-selling German past. The number of asylum seekers arriv- upend President Barack Obama’s agenda were through the House late this week, and appear to umph. The party will hold its biggest House tabloid Bild and 50 prominent Germans ing in Germany, many from the Middle taking control of both chambers of Congress yes- be close to having enough votes to clear it majority in nearly 70 years. First, Boehner must called yesterday for an end to what they East, jumped to around 200,000 last year - terday, setting the stage for power struggles that through the Senate as well. be re-elected as speaker. His prospects of getting see as rising xenophobia, a day after thou- four times as many as in 2012. could define the final two years of Obama’s presi- While Obama has not said if he will reject the a new term appeared secure, despite challenges sands of protesters in several German German Chancellor Angela Merkel has dency. The Republicans took control of the measure, White House Press Secretary Josh from at least 10 Republicans, including tea party- cities rallied against Muslim immigration. urged Germans to shun the anti-Muslim Senate in their sweeping election victories in Earnest outlined a series of concerns before backed members. Monday’s rallies, organised by a new grass- protesters, saying their hearts are full of November and expanded their majority in the adding, “I’m not prepared at this point to issue a Many Republican lawmakers dismissed the roots movement called PEGIDA, or hatred and argued that hostility towards House of Representatives. In their sights are veto threat related to that specific piece of legis- challenge as a needless distraction at a moment Patriotic Europeans Against the foreigners has no place in Germany. In Obama’s signature healthcare law, his recent lation.” Despite the looming clashes, Republican when the party should be celebrating its new Islamisation of the West, have become a Cologne, home to a large Muslim popula- executive actions on immigration sparing mil- leaders and the White House have indicated majorities and showing voters it can lead. weekly event in the eastern city of tion, there were 10 times as many counter- lions from deportation and environmental and there is potential for cooperation on issues like Another distraction for the party has been revela- Dresden. Some 18,000 people, the biggest demonstrators as PEGIDA protesters. In business regulations. trade, tax reform and infrastructure spending. tions that the House’s No. 3 Republican, Majority number so far, turned out in Dresden but similarly multi-ethnic Berlin, some 5,000 Obama, meanwhile, has sent a message that The challenge for leaders of both parties will be Whip Steve Scalise, spoke to a white supremacist similar rallies in Berlin and the western city counter-demonstrators swamped around he’s still relevant and infuriated Republicans with facing down pressure from their more ideologi- group 12 years ago. The White House waded into of Cologne were heavily outnumbered by 400 anti-Muslim protesters, local police a series of high-profile presidential moves, cal members. the furor Monday, with Earnest saying it’s up to counter-protesters who accuse PEGIDA of said. Cologne Cathedral and Berlin’s including steps toward normalizing relations Obama might face pressure from his party’s Republicans to decide whether Scalise will retain fanning racism and intolerance. Brandenburg Gate switched off their lights with Cuba. And no matter what the Republican liberal wing if he tries to work out a deal with his job and who the party has in leadership “says Bild published a ‘No to PEGIDA’ appeal to protest against the rallies. Congress passes, Obama retains the power to congressional Republicans to fast track approval a lot about who they are”. on Tuesday, covering the front page and a PEGIDA has nonetheless shaken veto legislation, an action he’s taken only twice in of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that In the Senate, Kentucky Sen Mitch double page spread on page 2 and 3 with Germany’s political establishment which six years. 12 nations are trying to negotiate. Senate liber- McConnell’s ascension yesterday to the post of quotes from the 50 politicians and celebri- some say could help the Eurosceptic party As mandated by the Constitution, Congress als, led by Democratic Sen Elizabeth Warren and Senate majority leader was automatic following ties. “(They) are saying ‘no’ to xenophobia Alternative for Germany (AfD). But the AfD, was to convene at noon yesterday. Republicans, independent Sen Bernie Sanders, have declared his approval by rank-and-file Republicans late and ‘yes’ to diversity and tolerance,” Bild’s dogged by internal power struggle, is split despite some intra-party leadership struggles, opposition to the trans-Pacific trade deal con- last year. McConnell, who had been the Senate deputy editor, Bela Anda, wrote in a com- over how to deal with the movement. are showing their potential to advance their tending it would benefit global corporations at minority leader, faced criticism from tea party mentary. “We should not hand over our Bild’s campaign drew current and former agenda, pointing toward a swift veto showdown the expense of American workers. supporters over his role in brokering a bipartisan streets to hollow rallying cries.” politicians, celebrities and businessmen. with Obama over the long-stalled Keystone XL oil The leader of the House, Speaker John spending deal that ended a government shut- In Dresden, the PEGIDA protesters “(PEGIDA) appeals to hollow prejudices, pipeline from Canada to Texas. The legislation, Boehner, has seen his efforts to forge compro- down in 2013. But he survived a tea party pri- waved Germany’s black, red and gold flag xenophobia and intolerance,” wrote former opposed by environmental groups and many mises thwarted in recent years by lawmakers mary challenge last year and went on to handily and brandished posters bearing slogans Social Democrat Chancellor Helmut rank-and-file Democrats, passed the House but aligned with the conservative tea party move- win re-election to his Kentucky seat in the gener- such as “Against religious fanaticism and Schmidt. “A look at our past and economic died in the Democratic-led Senate late last year. ment. But his hand is considerably stronger this al election. — AP every kind of radicalism”. One poster in sense tells us Germany should not spurn Cologne called for “potatoes rather than refugees and asylum seekers,” he added. doner kebabs”, a swipe at ethnic Turks who Others included Finance Minister at around three million represent Wolfgang Schaeuble, rock star Udo NYC mayor brushes off arrests slowdown Germany’s largest immigrant community. Lindenberg, 76-year old pop star Heino Germany has some of the world’s most lib- and former German soccer captain Oliver NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio Dec 20 when two policemen were shot dead in fall in crime since 1993. “This is breathtaking, the eral asylum rules, partly due to its Nazi Bierhoff. — Reuters described a sharp decline in arrests and court sum- their parked patrol car by an itinerant, suicidal man information we have here.” —Reuters monses in the two weeks since two policemen who said he was seeking to avenge the deaths of were shot dead in an ambush as a few “aberrant” unarmed black men at the hands of white police days, brushing off reports they were signs of a officers. police work slowdown. De Blasio, in his first inter- De Blasio called the many hundreds of police action with journalists in two weeks, joined Police officers who have since turned their backs to him Commissioner William Bratton on Monday to at the policemen’s funerals and other events “disre- announce a continued general decline in serious spectful” to the city. The drop in police activity crime in the city in 2014, which he called a record- since the ambush has continued into a second breaking year. week. The number of arrests across the city was “I certainly don’t think a few very aberrant days down more than half in the week ending Sunday suggest anything compared to what you see over compared with the same week the previous year, the course of a whole year of success,” de Blasio to 2,401 from 5,448, police said, confirming data said when asked whether officers were ignoring first reported in the New York Times on Monday. low-level crimes because of safety fears or in The number of criminal court summonses dropped protest against the mayor. However, both he and more than 90 percent to 347 from 4,077. Bratton said they needed more time before explic- “Am I overly concerned at this particular point?” itly ruling out the possibility the sharp decline in Bratton replied when asked if police were turning a police activity was evidence of widespread insub- blind eye to some crimes. “Talk to me a little later in ordination. the week once I have a clearer idea of the impacts Tensions have risen between the police unions of the demonstrations, the funerals.” De Blasio, who NEW YORK: New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and de Blasio over his first year in office after the has expressed impatience with what he calls “divi- (center), accompanied by New York City Police mayor, a liberal Democrat who campaigned on a sive” news coverage of his problems with his police Commissioner William Bratton (second right) promise of police reform, expressed qualified sym- department, was keen not to dwell on the topic. “I and other ranking NYPD officers, addresses a DRESDEN: Demonstrators wave German national flags during a rally by a mounting pathy for the nationwide protests that began last want to get us back to questions on this presenta- news conference at the New York City Police rightwing populist movement called Pegida on Monday. — AFP summer over police killings. The rift widened on tion,” he said, pointing to charts showing the steep headquarters on Monday. — AP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 Bangladesh’s Khaleda Zia faces murder charge threat

DHAKA: Bangladesh authorities yesterday threat- ened to bring murder charges against besieged opposition leader Khaleda Zia and arrested her deputy over accusations that they incited a nation- wide wave of deadly violence. A day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Zia of trying to trigger anarchy, a minister said her arch rival should expect a murder charge over an arson attack which left three people fight- ing for their lives. The threat, which comes after four activists from Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party were killed in the mounting unrest Monday, was made while the opposition leader remained confined to her offices in Dhaka, barred from leav- ing by police. The three people injured in the alleged BNP attack in Dhaka last week were in an autorickshaw that was firebombed by protestors-a frequent tac- tic of BNP hardliners who are trying to topple the prime minister. “She should prepare for a murder case,” Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said in comments that will do little to ease tensions in the volatile South Asian nation, a year on from Hasina’s controversial re-election. Confined and padlocked in her office in a up market Dhaka district, Zia on Monday called a nationwide non-stop transport blockade in an effort to topple the government and pave the way for inclusive polls. As supporters took to the streets DHAKA: Burning vehicles, set on fire by opposition demonstrators, are pictured during violent protests to clash with officers, police arrested BNP secretary in Dhaka yesterday. (inset) Bangladesh’s main opposition leader and Bangladesh Nationalist Party general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir over a series of vio- (BNP) chairperson Khaleda Zia attends a rally in Dhaka. — AFP lent protests by supporters. “He was arrested on charges of arson, bombings In another sign of the government’s determina- Poisonous relationship managed to scale the walls of her compound, Zia and vandalism,” Shiblee Noman, assistant commis- tion to silence critics, a private television network Hasina and Zia, who have between them ruled accused her rival of trying to cling to power by sioner of Dhaka police, said. Alamgir, the party’s was forced off air and its chairman arrested a day Bangladesh for most of the last three decades, have force in a country that has seen more than a dozen defacto number two, had been holed up in the after broadcasting a speech from London by Zia’s a notoriously poisonous relationship and frequent- coups in its 43-year history. In an address to the national press club since Monday but was arrested exiled son. While police said the detention of the ly exchange insults and barbs about each others’ nation on Monday night, a defiant Hasina laid the as he tried to drive away from the building, accord- ETV chairman was prompted by its airing of families. Ties hit a new low after the BNP and 19 blame for the latest unrest firmly at Zia’s feet. ing to an AFP journalist at the scene. “pornographic” material, a senior editor at the other opposition parties boycotted last year’s elec- “I am urging the BNP leader to stop these bomb Minutes before his arrest, Alamgir had channel dismissed the official explanation as a tions, claiming the contest would be rigged. and grenade attacks, these acts of sabotage, and denounced Hasina’s government and renewed calls smokescreen. Awami League party leader Hasina, who has killings, of arson and damage to property,” Hasina to enforce a nationwide transport blockade. “This Zia’s eldest son Tarique Rahman, who has been been in power since 2009, refused their demands said. Although there were no reports of deadly vio- unelected government .. has turned the country living in exile since 2008, is seen as his mother’s for the polls to be organized by a neutral caretaker lence yesterday, police said they had fired rubber into a prison,” he said. Police have virtually sealed heir apparent. He has become a particular bane of government as with previous elections. Zia has bullets and tear gas at scores of BNP supporters off all the exit gates of the press club in central the government after claiming that Hasina’s father- been a virtual prisoner since Saturday, with the when they tried to mount a transport blockade Dhaka since Monday afternoon after Alamgir spoke who is widely regarded as the hero of Bangladesh’s gates of her compound padlocked and a phalanx outside the capital. Two police officers were injured at a rally of a group of journalists, lawyers and other 1971 independence war from Pakistan-was in fact a of riot police posted outside. during clashes with Islamists, who are part of Zia’s professionals. stooge of Islamabad. In brief comments Monday to reporters who cadre of opposition parties. — AFP Wife of former Indian UN diplomat was ‘murdered’ Delhi police say Tharoor’s wife’s not committed suicide

NEW DELHI: The wife of a former high-flying UN “stunned” to hear his wife’s death was being to replace him as secretary-general in 2008. After diplomat and Indian government minister was treated as murder. “All I want is that a compre- being beaten to the post by Ban Ki-moon, he murdered and did not commit suicide as earlier hensive investigation be conducted and that the then entered Indian politics as a member of par- suspected, Delhi’s police chief said yesterday. unvarnished truth should come out,” said the 58- liament for the southern state of Kerala. Tharoor Sunanda Pushkar was found dead in her five-star year-old. had to resign from his first ministerial post in 2010 hotel room in the capital last January, two days Also an acclaimed author, Tharoor served as after revelations that his then-girlfriend Pushkar after she alleged on Twitter that her husband under-secretary general during Kofi Annan’s lead- had been given a free stake in a new Indian Shashi Tharoor had been having an affair with a ership of the United Nations and was a candidate Premier League cricket team. — AFP Pakistani journalist. Pushkar, married to Tharoor since 2010, had been taking medication for various illnesses and early autopsy results suggested she may have overdosed on anti-depressants and sleeping ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani paramilitary soldier stands guard at the main entrance of National pills. Assembly building as the assembly met yesterday. — AP But speaking to reporters yesterday, Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said new Pakistan legislators approve medical reports had led investigators to register a case of murder “against unknown persons”. military courts for terrorism “We have registered a case of murder,” Bassi said in the capital. “The report given to the Delhi ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s lower house of par- their resignations are pending with the Police by the medical board says that her death liament yesterday approved the establish- speaker. He alleges that last year’s general was unnatural and it was because of poisoning. ment of military courts to hear terrorism- election which brought Sharif back to power “The poison could have been administered related cases, after a Taleban massacre at a was rigged. Apart from the religious parties, orally or could also have injected, so keeping all military-run school in the northwest shocked some moderate political parties and mem- these factors in mind, the case has been regis- the nation. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had bers of the intelligentsia have criticized the tered.” The discovery of Pushkar’s body triggered announced the plan after militants gunned military courts plan. intense speculation that she had committed sui- down 134 children and 16 adults at the The leading English-language newspaper cide after being humiliated by her husband. Her Peshawar school last month. He also ended a Dawn termed it a “sad day” in an editorial yes- death dealt a severe blow to the image of six-year moratorium on the death penalty in terday. Tharoor who was a cabinet minister at the time terror cases, and several people have since It accused political leaders of being unable and remains a member of parliament for the gone to the gallows. Members of the main to defend the country’s constitutional and Congress party which lost elections last May last. NEW DELHI: Former minister of State for External Affairs and Congress Party’s MP Shashi Tharoor opposition joined the ruling party yesterday democratic roots or resist the “generals’ In remarks carried by several media outlets, (right) and his wife Sunanda Pushkar arrive at parliament in New Delhi. The wife of Tharoor was mur- to pass the measure, which now goes to the demands”. “Yes, we need a coherent strategy Tharoor was quoted Thursday as saying he was dered and did not commit suicide as earlier suspected, Delhi’s police chief said yesterday. — AFP upper house. to fight militancy and political and military “The bitter pill of this new law is being leaders to work together. But military courts swallowed for the security of Pakistan,” said are not the answer,” Dawn said. Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, opposition Hunt for suspects Thousands flee homes in leader in the lower house. Soldiers killed The measure was approved after 247 legis- In the country’s largest city Karachi yester- after gang-rape lators-more than a two-thirds majority-voted day, two paramilitary soldiers were killed and Kashmir to escape firing to amend the constitution to allow for mili- a passer-by injured during a raid on a hideout in India govt office tary courts to be set up. Members of the of Taleban militants. SRINAGAR: Thousands of villagers in the on until midnight at numerous places along Jamaat-e-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Police said the raid followed an intelli- Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have the border. “About two dozen Indian forward (Fazal group) abstained. “We were not taken gence report that the insurgents were hiding PATNA: Police have arrested one of five suspects fled their homes because of artillery battles border posts were under attack,” said D into confidence when the amendments were in a house in the Khurramabad neighbor- accused of gang-raping a teenage girl inside a local between Indian and Pakistani soldiers along Parekh of the Border Security Force. being made,” JUI (F) chief Fazalur Rehman hood of Landhi district. “The militants opened government office in eastern India, an officer said the highly militarized border, officials said While New Delhi and Islamabad each told reporters at parliament. fierce gunfire while the paramilitary troops yesterday. The 16-year-old victim was attacked after yesterday. blame the other for starting the violence, bor- “The story of 9/11 is being repeated here,” were raiding the house, killing at least two arriving in eastern Bihar state late Sunday where the Authorities have evacuated more than der residents said both are responsible. “The he said, referring to September 11, 2011 soldiers,” a senior police officer told AFP on gang, including a local administrator’s driver, 6,000 people to relief camps as of yesterday, two governments want to settle their scores attacks on the United States. “After 9/11 condition of anonymity. approached her and offered her a lift to a relative’s nearly a week after the shelling broke out, and we are the ones who always suffer,” said Muslims were being targeted and the same Police officer Akhtar Farooq said seven home. said Shantmanu, a senior official in Indian- Raj Chowdhry, a resident of Bobyia village, thing is being done in the name of constitu- people-two women, two children, two men Instead they took her to a nearby local govern- held Kashmir. About 4,000 other people have speaking from a relief camp. tional amendment. “Some forces are trying to and the owner of the house-were taken into ment office in Muzaffarpur district and raped her. The fled their homes and are staying with rela- Chowdhry said he was worried about his initiate a war between religious and secular custody for further investigation. He said victim, who hails from the eastern state of West tives, he said. At least a dozen people have elderly parents who stayed behind. “My par- forces in the country,” he said. empty shells from 9mm pistols and Bengal, later escaped and filed a police complaint on been killed in the border skirmishes. While ents couldn’t leave as they’re too old. I don’t Members of the party of cricketer-turned- Kalashnikovs and some improvised explosive Monday. “Five men, mostly youths, forcibly dragged there was no shelling reported yesterday, ten- know if they’re all right,” he said. politician Imran Khan were not present as devices were found in the house. — AFP her to a nearby building of the (district) collectorate sions have heightened along the 200-kilome- Some villagers refused to move. “What’s and gang-raped her till early Monday,” Naseem ter (125-mile) border that India and Pakistan the point of leaving the village? This has been Ahmad, a senior district police officer, told AFP. Police share in Kashmir, the Himalayan region going on for decades. I’ve gotten used to it,” Thailand to extradite chief Ranjit Kumar Mishra said that they had “arrested claimed by both countries and divided said Bishen Das, an 80-year old farmer who one accused so far and ... are working to arrest the between them. India and Pakistan have stayed in Baniglad, a village near an Indian Pakistan fugitive other four”. fought two wars over control of Kashmir since border post that came under intense shelling. The case is the latest in a string of violent sex they won independence from Britain in 1947. “By staying here I can at least attend to the convicted of India blast attacks against women in the world’s second most Indian officials have set up about 20 relief hapless cattle caught in a situation where populous country. In another case in neighboring camps where food and medical care is avail- even humans don’t know what to do,” Das BANGKOK: A Pakistani fugitive convicted in house he was renting near the eastern beach Uttar Pradesh state, one of two police officers able to villagers, many of whom fled their said. India over a 1995 bomb attack that killed 16 resort of Pattaya, local commander Suttisak accused of raping a teenage girl was reportedly homes with no belongings. In Washington, State Department spokes- people including a chief minister will be Wantee said. “He has been living illegally in arrested yesterday. Many residents said they fled their homes woman Jen Psaki said Monday that the US is extradited after his capture in Thailand, Thailand for four months,” Suttisak said. A The December 31 incident took place in Badaun as mortar fire began landing in border vil- concerned by the border tensions and authorities said yesterday. Bangkok court approved his extradition to district when the two policemen picked up the 14- lages. “We were very frightened as bullets and encourages dialogue between India and Gurmeet Singh, 37, escaped from a high- India yesterday. Beant Singh was killed by a year-old as she stepped out to relieve herself. Badaun shells were raining from all sides,” said Kamal Pakistan. India says Pakistani troops commit- security Indian jail in 2004 while on trial for Sikh suicide bomber outside the heavily- was thrown into the spotlight last May when two Singh, a construction worker. “We somehow ted more than 550 cease-fire violations in involvement in the assassination of Punjab guarded state secretariat complex in the city teenage girls, who were initially thought to have managed to flee to a safer place,” he said in a 2014, the most since the two nations signed chief minister Beant Singh nearly a decade of Chandigarh along with 15 other people in been gang-raped, were found hanging from a tree. telephone interview. Singh said he and his an accord in 2003. India accuses Pakistan of earlier. In 2007 he was sentenced in his August 1995. Radical Sikh groups had held The incident sparked uproar in India, echoing the family fled from Baniglad village and have sending militants into the Indian-controlled absence to life imprisonment, along with five him responsible for abuses by security forces outrage over the fatal gang-rape of a student on a been staying at a government-run relief shel- part of Kashmir under the cover of the others. Thai police arrested Singh, also known in the suppression of a Sikh nationalist insur- bus in New Delhi in 2012. — AFP ter for four days. artillery. Islamabad says it only gives the mili- as Jagtar Singh or Tara Singh, on Monday at a gency in Punjab in the 1980s. — AFP Paramilitary officials said the shelling went tants moral and diplomatic support. — AP

INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

Strong currents slow search for AirAsia wreckage

PANGKALAN BUN: Strong currents forced Indonesia canceled for the time being. It is not known what to expand the search area for the crashed AirAsia caused the Airbus A320 to crash into the Java Sea 42 plane yesterday, as rough seas and bad weather minutes after takeoff, though Indonesia’s Meteorology, pushed debris and made it difficult to reach suspected Climatology and Geophysics Agency says bad weather chunks of the fuselage on the ocean floor. With only 37 appears to have been a factor. bodies recovered since Flight 8501 crashed Dec. 28, Just before losing contact, the pilot told air traffic there are also concerns that it will become harder to control he was approaching threatening clouds, but find the remaining corpses. was denied permission to climb to a higher altitude “Time is of the essence,” said the National Search because of heavy air traffic. No distress signal was and Rescue Agency’s director of operation, Suryadi B issued. Sonar has identified five large objects that are Supriyadi. “But it seems like it is hard to beat the believed to be pieces of the fuselage on the ocean weather.” floor, but strong currents, silt and mud have kept The search operation will expand by about 185 divers from seeing or reaching the objects. square kilometers (70 square miles), search and rescue No pings have been detected from the plane’s all- chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said. Dozens of new air important cockpit voice and flight data recorders. carriers have popped up in Indonesia in recent years to That’s because high waves have prevented the deploy- meet the industry’s booming demand, but a string of ment of ships that drag ping locators. The batteries in deadly accidents has raised concerns about safety. the pingers on the black boxes are likely to go dead in Experts say poor maintenance, rule-bending and a about 20 more days. shortage of trained personnel are largely to blame. “We are confident that rescuers would be able to Infrastructure has also failed to keep pace with explod- locate them in time,” said Nurcahyo Utomo, an investi- ing demand. The country’s transportation ministry said gator for Indonesia’s National Committee on it was cracking down after it was discovered that Flight Transportation Safety. 8501 did not have a permit to fly between Surabaya, The search for the remaining 125 bodies has been Indonesia, and Singapore on the day of the crash. It exhausting for family members anxiously waiting to suspended two ministry officials and five workers at identify and bury their loved ones. Eight Islamic clerics Surabaya’s main airport yesterday for allowing the flew in a helicopter over the site yesterday and scat- PANGKALAN BUN: Indonesian clerics pray next to a helicopter for the victims of ill-fated AirAsia flight QZ8501 flight. Others are still under investigation. tered rice into the sea, a local tradition, and prayed for in Pangkalan Bun, the town with the nearest airstrip to the site of search operations, yesterday. — AFP All AirAsia flights on that route also have been those who perished. — AP HK leader warns against protests ahead of talks Public consultation on picking new chief to start

HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s leader warned and did not identify the cause of the entire cized by democracy campaigners for failing yesterday against fresh pro-democracy exercise,” said Sin Chung-kai of the to reflect public views. protests before the next step in the city’s con- Democratic Party. “Not only does it support The second round is expected to put for- tentious political reform process, as a new the (Beijing) decision... it also rapes the opin- ward specific proposals on mechanisms to official report on the mass rallies sparked ions of Hong Kong residents.” Student leader select candidates. Meanwhile authorities con- widespread anger. Lester Shum ridiculed the report, likening it to tinue to clamp down on activists. On Monday The government will today launch a sec- a “secondary school newspaper cutting” proj- the justice department made court applica- ond round of public consultation on the ect. “The government was not willing to face tions to formally charge 20 activists for process for electing the city’s next chief exec- the political problem,” he said. obstructing bailiffs clearing one of the protest utive in 2017. Beijing has promised Hong Several lawmakers ripped up copies. The camps, in Mongkok, in November. Student Kong it can vote for its leader for the first report was submitted to China’s Hong Kong protest leader Joshua Wong, 18, said Tuesday time, but insists that candidates be vetted by and Macau Affairs Office, an agency of the he had been summoned to a police station to BEIJING: Costa Rica President Luis GuiHermo Solis Rivera (centre left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (cen- a loyalist committee-a decision which State Council (cabinet). “Everyone should provide “assistance in an investigation” later tre right) prepare to inspect Chinese honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the sparked more than two months of street express their appeals in a peaceful and legal January. People in Beijing yesterday. Luis GuiHermo Solis Rivera is on a visit to China from January 4 to 10. — AFP blockades in protest. way,” a spokesperson said on receiving the Shum said he and other student leaders But Leung Chun-ying, current leader of the report, according to China’s official news had also been asked to attend police stations, semi-autonomous Chinese city, said more agency Xinhua. but had not been told for what offences. protests would not change anything. “If we Dozens of other protest leaders, including really want to implement universal suffrage Police crackdown founder of the Occupy movement Benny Tai, Thai junta vows action if on 2017, we... should not do anything that China’s ruling that candidates must be vet- have also been asked to turn themselves in, threatens the Hong Kong government or the ted was made after Hong Kong’s first round of local media said. central government,” Leung told reporters. public consultation on political changes. The Police have said they would target the Shinawatra aides protest “Coercive actions that are illegal or disrupt report submitted by Hong Kong leaders to “principal instigators” of the mass protests as social order” would not sway authorities in Beijing on that occasion was strongly criti- part of their investigation. — AFP BANGKOK: Thailand’s junta chief yesterday warned the Shinawatra-Yingluck’s older brother who lives in self- Hong Kong or Beijing, he said. Democracy military will “take action” under martial law if protests exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction. campaigners are pessimistic that the consul- occur as a result of impeachment proceedings against “Driving her (Yingluck) out of politics could instigate tation will offer meaningful proposals. “Those ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra. resentment among her political supporters,” said Thai coming from the democratic camp will be On Friday the army-stacked National Legislative academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun, of Kyoto able to enter (the election as candidates), but Assembly (NLA) will begin the impeachment of former University. “Thailand is Thailand and the rule of law can they will never be able to be selected for elec- Prime Minister Yingluck for driving through a costly rice be bent to serve the power interests of the elites.” tion,” pro-democracy lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki subsidy scheme. Thaksin, who was deposed as premier in a 2006 coup, said. “The government will try to create an Thailand’s first female premier, who is due to appear sits at the heart of Thailand’s deep schism. impression that we have a lot of room to dis- at the assembly on Friday, was removed from office by a He is loathed by the Bangkok-centered establish- cuss how candidates of different persuasions court ruling shortly before the military coup in May ment and its supporters among the judiciary and can enter the race, but the nominating com- knocked out the rump of her administration. Observers army, but still enjoys support in the nation’s poor but mittee will still do the gatekeeping,” added say a vote to impeach her-which carries an automatic populous northern half. Shinawatra-led or aligned par- political analyst Ma Ngok. five-year ban from politics-could stir her ‘Red Shirt’ sup- ties have won every election since 2001. In that time porters to protest, ending months of relative calm since they have been battered by two coups and seen three Campaigners’ anger the army grabbed power and imposed martial law on other premiers banned by the kingdom’s intervention- A report on the street protests submitted the kingdom. ist courts. The Shinawatras’ electoral dominance by city leaders to Chinese authorities yester- But junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha, the prime minis- comes as concerns mount over Thailand’s future once day sparked anger. The 220-page report ter, shrugged off any potential revival of the street the reign of revered 87-year-old King Bhumibol gives a day-by-day summary of events during protests which have blistered Thailand’s recent political Adulyadej ends. While popular among Yingluck’s rural the rallies, which saw tens of thousands take history. “There will be no protest, they can’t protest. If voters, the loss-making rice policy galvanized the to the streets at some stages at their height. It they don’t accept the ruling, we will take action, that’s protests against her government that presaged the pledged to truthfully reflect public sentiment it,” he told reporters. “What is the condition of martial coup. The scheme punched a hole in Thai finances and acknowledged there were “divergent law? No political movement,” he said, urging the public and led to huge rice stockpiles as buyers baulked at opinions” over the election process. to allow the NLA to reach its conclusion, which is due the attempt by Yingluck’s administration to fund the But it concluded that the “common aspira- before the end of the month. multi-billion dollar subsidy by hoarding the grain to tion” of citizens and the government was to HONG KONG: Lester Shum, one of the leaders of the Federation of Students, talks to the A successful impeachment needs three fifths of the force up global prices. The junta has said fresh polls abide by Hong Kong’s constitution and media outside the government building in Hong Kong yesterday. Hong Kong leader Leung 250-strong national legislature to vote in favor. are unlikely before 2016 as it seeks to re-write the Beijing’s rulings on political reform. Chun-ying warned against fresh pro-democracy protests ahead of the next step in the city’s Critics say the NLA is driving through a junta-led constitution and enact sweeping reforms aimed at “This report was lazy and lacked emotion contentious political reform process. — AFP agenda to dismantle the power base of Thaksin rooting out corruption. — AFP Shanghai stampede a ‘bloody lesson:’ Mayor Chinese Communist hero Lei

SHANGHAI: The New Year’s Eve crush that killed to the official Xinhua news agency. He did not dent which caused the deaths, a date with spe- Feng not beloved by US cadets 36 people in Shanghai was a “bloody lesson” for say what agencies were carrying out what he cial meaning under traditional Chinese mourn- the city, the mayor of China’s commercial hub described as a “joint investigation”. Yang also ing customs. BEIJING: A former Chinese journalist has the country’s advisory discussion body, the said Tuesday according to official media. ordered an overhaul of emergency plans for han- “We went to the Bund in separate groups, and admitted falling for an April Fool joke which Chinese People’s Political Consultative The comments by mayor Yang Xiong are an dling large crowds, Xinhua said. Some 25 of the someone escorted us there and took us back sparked a decades-long myth in his country Conference (CPPCC), cited it in a 2009 propos- implicit acknowledgement that the events of 36 who died were female, and all but five of the afterwards,” one said. The sister of one victim has that US officer cadets learnt from the example al urging Beijing to apply for UNESCO recogni- December 31 should have been handled differ- total number were aged 25 or under, the told AFP that her family will not hold a funeral of Communist military hero Lei Feng. tion of the “Lei Feng Spirit”. ently. New Year revellers had flocked to the Bund, Shanghai government has said. until the government has explained how the Li Zhurun, a former reporter for China’s “At America’s famous West Point, Lei Feng’s Shanghai’s historic waterfront, but massive over- They included one Malaysian woman and a accident could have happened. official Xinhua news agency who is now a uni- portrait is among five hanging in the hall, and crowding caused people to be trampled, raising woman from Taiwan, it said. The youngest victim Relatives said yesterday that the government versity professor, made the confession on his the academy’s code of student conduct questions over why authorities failed to enforce was a 12-year-old boy and the oldest was 37. The has yet to offer compensation packages to the Sina Weibo microblog. includes his famous quote: ‘Human life is limit- better safety measures. dead included students from three universities in families of the victims. The accident, which has Ever since Communist China’s supreme ed, but serving the people is limitless,’” CPPCC “Although the cause of the incident is still to Shanghai, according to Xinhua. Relatives and tarnished Shanghai’s reputation as China’s most leader Mao Zedong recognised Lei Feng for member Liu Jianglong said, according to the be confirmed by investigation... we must learn friends of the victims visited the site on the Bund international city, is the city’s worst since a fire in his humble heroism, said to include washing Chongqing Morning Post. from the bloody lesson, as well as deeply reflect under the watchful eyes of government-assigned a high-rise residential building killed 58 people his comrades’ uniforms and giving his pay to Lei Feng joined the People’s Liberation on this matter,” Yang told lawmakers, according minders yesterday-the seventh day after the inci- in 2010. — AFP the needy, authorities have encouraged citi- Army in 1960, when it still basked in the glory zens to do good and follow his example. of winning the Chinese civil war just over a While China’s increasingly media-savvy decade earlier. He died aged 22 in August population has come to question the authen- 1962 after a truck driven by a fellow soldier hit ticity of the Lei Feng story, the folk hero a telegraph pole, which fell on him. remains popular in some quarters. Pictures of In his posting on Sunday Li called his him wearing his trademark earflap army hat report “one of the biggest mistakes of my life” have become a pop icon emblazoned on and said he discovered his error when a everything from bags to cups. Chinese magazine ran a 1997 expose on the In his posting, Li said he had been duped issue. “But I still feel that it was not enough, by an unspecified Western news outlet, which and I have always wanted to have the chance reported on April Fool’s Day 1981 that the to cleanse (the rumor) on a wider scale,” he West Point military academy in New York State wrote. In an op-ed a China Daily writer wor- had held up the People’s Liberation Army ried that the fabrication of the West Point tale (PLA) soldier as an example for all students. has “made many question their longstanding “I was young at the time, and I didn’t know belief in (Lei Feng’s) selflessness”. that Western media often invent ‘news’ on “People can hardly accept the fact that April Fool’s Day,” Li wrote. The state-run China what they once believed was a sign of Lei Daily newspaper yesterday identified the Feng’s international renown was just a made- Western outlet as the United Press up story,” wrote Wang Yiqing. International news agency. But it was not clear “However, the Lei Feng spirit should never where Li was based at the time, or who he be a bubble that can burst,” he continued, SHANGHAI: Chinese officials try to control a relative of a New Year’s Eve stampede victim as she grieves at the site of a memorial ceremony for wrote the story for. Over the past three adding: “Maybe the image of Lei Feng... can be people who were killed in the tragic accident in Shanghai yesterday. — AP decades, the West Point myth has become so updated to better resonate with people entrenched in China that even a member of today.” — AFP NEWS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

Bulgarians dive into the icy waters of a lake to catch a cross thrown by an Eastern Orthodox priest in Sofia as part of Epiphany Day celebrations yesterday. — AFP

Hamas denies Meshaal expelled from Qatar Prince Ali to stand for FIFA president Continued from Page 1 Emirates and Saudi Arabia late last year, Qatar agreed to a number of foreign policy directives that are largely Continued from Page 1 He will also lobby for support from the Asian confederation, Facing diplomatic isolation and deep financial prob- believed to be related to its support of Islamist groups whose head is Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, lems, Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007, throughout the region. The details of the Gulf reconcili- Prince Ali is the FIFA vice president for Asia, head of as well as from the United States and Caribbean nations. reluctantly agreed to the formation of a unity govern- ation agreement have not been made public. Jordan’s Football Association and founder of the West Asian “FIFA exists to serve a sport which unites billions of peo- ment led by its rival, President Mahmoud Abbas, last A number of Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood mem- Football Federation. A major general in Jordan’s armed forces, ple from all over the world, people of differing and divergent year. But the group remains in firm control of the sea- bers were forced to leave Qatar last year after the UAE, the prince was educated in the United States and Britain, political, religious and social affiliations, who come together in side territory. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain withdrew ambassadors from where he attended the prestigious military academy their enjoyment of ‘the world’s game’,” the prince said. Ali first Asked about the Hamas denial, an Israeli official said Doha. The three Gulf countries had accused Qatar of Sandhurst. His wife Rym Brahimi is a former CNN journalist. In became Jordanian football president in 1999 before being the government had received “serious and reliable interfering in their domestic affairs and of failing to 2011 he became the youngest member of the FIFA executive elected as the Asian Football Confederation’s FIFA Vice- information” from “official channels” that the expulsion uphold a security pact. Ambassadors were reinstated committee at the age of 35 after rallying Arab support behind President in 2011, surprisingly edging out powerful South him. Korean administrator Chung Mong-joon. order had been granted. The official, speaking on condi- after a deal was reached in November. Prince Ali will need five of FIFA’s 209 member countries to An initial ally of Blatter, relations between the two weak- tion of anonymity because he was not authorized to The following month Al Jazeera’s live channel ded- nominate him as a candidate before a Jan 29 deadline and is ened over the course of Ali’s four-year term as the Jordanian discuss the matter, refused to say whether Qatar had icated to coverage of Egypt was shut down. Egypt believed to have plenty of support, including that of strengthened his ties with Platini, long tipped as a future FIFA delivered the news directly. Israel used to have a diplo- had accused the Qatar-based-and-funded Al-Jazeera European football governing body UEFA president Michel president. “I know Prince Ali well. He has all the credibility matic office in Qatar and still maintains low-level rela- news network of bias against the new government Platini. The Jordanian will be hoping for backing from FIFA’s required to hold high office. We now await his proposals and tions with the country. and of supporting the Brotherhood. The network has European federation, many of whose members have been his program for the future of football,” said Platini in a state- There was no immediate comment from Qatar, a denied the charges and demanded Egypt free three vociferous in their objections to the victorious Qatar 2022 bid. ment. — Agencies wealthy Gulf state that has allowed Meshaal to set up a journalists imprisoned there from its English-lan- base there. Under a deal reached with the United Arab guage channel. — AP Syrian embassy resumes services Saudi Arabia blames weak growth for oil... Continued from Page 1 to provide subsidized fuel to them. Omair said that some Continued from Page 1 Since September, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, KD 200 million is spent on diesel subsidies annually, but and the United Arab Emirates have been taking part in The department has been charging hefty fines from some have used this to smuggle diesel outside the The royal court announced Friday that Abdullah had air strikes against IS jihadists in Syria as part of a US-led expatriates who extended the validity of their passports country. pneumonia but was in stable condition and breathing coalition. Prince Salman said the regional situation without updating the information at the department, The National Assembly is expected to debate the with the aid of a tube. He was admitted to the King “should make us cautious, and I would like to assure considering them as holding expired residency permits. lifting of diesel and kerosene subsidies at its next ses- Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh on Dec 31 for checks. you that your leadership is aware of these challenges Separately, Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair said yesterday sion on Jan 13 after a number of MPs criticized the gov- Prince Salman said he wished that “God will grant the and their consequences,” he said. that the government has exempted a number of compa- ernment’s measure following price rises of a number of king a speedy recovery”. Without naming Iraq and Syria, On Monday, three Saudi border guards, including a nies and factories from the lifting of subsidies on diesel products and services. MP Saud Al-Huraiji said that the he said Saudi Arabia “is facing unprecedented regional top commander, were killed in a rare attack and suicide and kerosene, adding that those who were affected lifting of subsidies was accompanied by a number of challenges that resulted from the severe crises that bombing by “terrorists” on the frontier with Iraq. In a failed to contact the government committee. Omair said shortfalls, especially price rises and exploitation by swept through neighbouring or nearby countries and telephone call with Prince Salman yesterday, Iraqi Prime that the decision was issued on Oct 15 and implement- some merchants and professionals. Huraiji said there that pushed them to the quagmire of civil wars and sec- Minister Haider al-Abadi called for “coordination of ed on Jan 1, leaving enough time for companies to con- was no reason to lift subsidies on kerosene because it is tarian conflicts.” common efforts” between their countries to combat IS, tact the subsidies committee to secure the exemption. consumed only by citizens and bakeries. The lawmaker Jihadists from the Islamic State group have declared the premier’s office said. It said they discussed the dan- He said that Kuwait Petroleum Corp had asked own- called on the government to cancel its decision and a “caliphate” in parts of Syria and Iraq they have seized, ger posed by the jihadist group “not only for Iraq but for ers of factories and companies to submit their docu- activate the consumer protection department to con- where they have been accused of widespread atrocities. the region and the world”. — AFP ments about their needs of diesel or kerosene in a order trol prices. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues Roma baby case highlights their plight in France

By Claire Gallen

he tragic case of a dead Roma baby refused Tburial in a Paris suburb has underscored the plight of the community in France, where supporters say they are a scapegoat for the coun- try’s ills. The affair made headlines around the world, and was all the more poignant because the baby of just two and a half months died the day after Christmas from sudden infant death syn- drome. The local town of Champlan, just south of Mideast conflict enters new phase Paris, refused the family a burial plot, with the mayor reportedly saying that priority should be By Sarah Benhaida far in undermining the Palestinian Authority. “Israel has ey to the PA, with the State Department urging both given to those who pay their taxes - although he a dilemma - we want to have leverage against the sides “to avoid actions that raise tensions”. But later denied this. he Palestinians have moved into uncharted terri- Palestinians, to prevent them from referring (cases) to Washington also said it was “deeply troubled” by the After nearly a whole day of conspicuous silence, tory by bidding to join the International Criminal the ICC,” said Robbie Sabel, a former legal adviser to the Palestinian move to become party to the ICC, describing top politicians then fell over themselves to con- T Court, analysts say, with the decades-old conflict Israeli foreign ministry. “However, we don’t want to it as “counterproductive” and warning it would “only demn the case, with Prime Minister Manuel Valls with Israel now set to play out on the world stage. After undermine them. It’s in our interest that they be in push the parties further apart”. saying it was an “insult” to France. Even far-right years of threats, the Palestinians finally turned to the ICC effective control of the West Bank.” The Palestinians, who became an observer state at leader Marine Le Pen criticised the decision, saying last month after the UN Security Council rejected a reso- Under the 1993 Oslo Accords which established the the UN in 2012, say they will turn to the court to seek it showed a “lack of humanity”. But the president lution setting a deadline for ending Israel’s occupation Palestinian Authority, the two sides agreed to coordi- the prosecution of Israeli officials for alleged war crimes, of the National Commission on Human Rights of their lands. A furious Israel responded by freezing the nate on security issues in the occupied territories. The including during last summer’s 50-day war in Gaza. (CNCDH), Christine Lazerges, said the case was transfer of tax revenues it collects for the Palestinian Palestinians have threatened to halt that cooperation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed “the terrible proof that the Roma are the new leadership and threatening further punitive measures. raising fears of increased security risks to Israel. to put up a vigorous defence of his troops, while offi- scapegoat in France”, which is suffering from high The moves dashed hopes of a return to peace talks Following the ICC move, Israel’s Intelligence Minister cials have warned the Jewish state was ready to counter unemployment and a sluggish economy. that have failed time and again, including in last year’s Yuval Steinitz threatened “severe” steps in response, with its own lawsuits against senior Palestinian officials. In its most recent report on racism in France, aborted bid led by US Secretary of State John Kerry. even referring to a “gradual dissolution” of the PA. But Bitar said both sides seemed to be struggling with the CNCDH already voiced fears over the “triviali- Analysts say the Mideast conflict has moved into a new analysts said such a step would be unlikely. how to adjust to this new phase. The Palestinians, he sation of racist comments about the Roma”. The chapter, with the Palestinians pursuing a fresh strategy said, had demonstrated “amateurism” in going to the European Union believes there are currently 10 to of putting pressure on Israel through the international No ‘Clear Advantage’ Yet UN Security Council “without doing the groundwork in 12 million Roma throughout Europe, making them community. “The peace process born at Oslo is dead “Its dismantling would cause instability and an terms of lobbying and negotiating”, while the Israelis the largest minority on the continent. A nomadic and buried, and we’re now at the start of a new phase,” explosion in the region. The PA is banking on the inter- were “rigid and inflexible” in their reaction. “This new people whose ancestors left India centuries ago, said Karim Bitar, a Middle East analyst based in Paris, national community to put pressure on Israel to avoid chapter, of a power struggle in the international arena, the Roma have long suffered from discrimination referring to the 1993 peace accords. this,” Gaza-based political analyst Naji Sharab said. Even is still in its early stages and it’s not yet clear how it will and are frequently accused of carrying out petty How far Israel will take its response to the ICC bid will the United States, Israel’s key ally, has denounced its play out,” Bitar said. “So far no one appears to have a crime. be a key question, analysts say, as it will fear going too freezing of the transfer of some $127 million in tax mon- clear advantage.” — AFP But experts believe their plight is getting worse in France. The CNCDH report showed that more than 87 percent of people in France believe the Roma are “a group apart” in society, a rise of 21 Xi proves keen student of US power points since 2011. This is much more than other ethnic groups such as people from North Africa By John Kemp the vice-president and even the president himself to cement international relations, adapted to meet their own strategic pri- (46 percent) and Asians (41 percent). Polls also ties, as well as carefully controlled invitations to visit the State orities and resources, seeking to put China at the heart of a show that 85 percent of French people believe i Jinping is China’s first US-style president. Many com- Department, the White House and even the Oval Office itself. web of diplomatic, economic and military influence equal but that Roma often exploit their children and 78 per- Xmentators have noted Xi is the most powerful leader China is developing a similar system. The People’s different to the United States. cent think they basically live off theft and petty since Deng Xiaoping and even Mao Zedong. But a better Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has started to send warships on Xi Who Must be Obeyed crime. comparison might be with the style and powers of the port calls around the world. In 2014, the PLAN paid its first port American president. He wields enormous personal power, in call to Bandar Abbas in Iran, the first time its warships have At home, too, China’s top leader appears to have learned contrast to the more collective leadership style of Hu Jintao entered the Middle East Gulf. In 2015, the PLAN will conduct important lessons from the United States about the impor- ‘Criminality, Deviance, Cruelty’ and Jiang Zemin, has assumed an unprecedented profile joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean with Russia’s navy. tance of very visible and singular presidential leadership. Xi has Tommaso Vitale, a researcher into Roma at the abroad as the country’s chief diplomat and has been heavily On the diplomatic side, lesser partners get a visit from the for- become adept at using the presidential bully pulpit to advo- Paris-based Sciences Po University, said that promoted at home as the responsible face of the party and the eign minister. More important ones get a visit from Premier Li. cate a clear policy direction and agenda in a manner that France’s own economic woes worsened the plight government. And the most important ones get the full treatment with a per- would be instantly recognisable to US presidents from of minorities. “The spectacle of misery in times of Xi is regularly portrayed in the domestic media carrying out sonal visit from the Chinese president. Theodore Roosevelt (who coined the phrase) to Ronald crisis is very sensitive in political terms,” he said, ceremonial functions, inspecting military parades, welcoming Choreography is vitally important and the trips are stage- Reagan. foreign dignitaries, and demanding explanations from lower managed with growing care, harnessing the full resources of Even the anti-corruption campaign and the president’s with most Roma living in makeshift facilities on level officials in the event of disasters and political controver- China’s diplomatic service, domestic and foreign media to con- repeated focus on strengthening the rule of law are clearly the outskirts of towns with little basic amenities. sies such as the stampede in Shanghai at New Year, all the sorts vey carefully controlled messages about China’s aims and designed to centralise political and administrative control as Almost everywhere in Europe, the same question of things that a US president does. the importance of particular countries. well as remove rivals and rebuild the party’s legiti- is being asked, he said. “Is Europe there to send us Xi’s image-makers show the same obsession with control- China’s leaders have developed their macy. Reducing corruption and strengthening Roma or is it there to give us social policies to get ling perceptions of the leader as the West Wing staff of own foreign policy doctrines the rule of law are not about making the polit- out of this crisis?” President Barack Obama, presenting him as a strong, dynamic, around the country’s “peaceful ical system more participative, let alone Eric Fassin, a social scientist at Paris University well-informed and singular leader who takes responsibility for rise”, the “Chinese dream” and democratic. They are primarily focused on all decisions carried out by the party and the government in the “Belt and the Road” to making the party-government system more and author of a book about the Roma, said verbal his name. “He is the first leader to employ a big team to build promote a vision of peace- effective, efficient and stable. attacks on the community had got steadily worse. his public profile. But he also has a flare for it - thanks to his ful economic develop- In many instances during the Hu “But in the case of the Roma baby, for once, we stature, his toughness and his common touch,” the Economist ment with China at the and Jiang years state enterprises, found that we had gone a bit too far,” he said. magazine noted last year. centre - much as the provinces and local administrations Lazarges said the “public debate” in France had to Xi has also cultivated a distinctly presidential approach United States earlier ignored directives from the top change. Successive governments have drawn fire abroad. In 2014, Xi and Premier Li Keqiang - the number two in developed diplomatic leadership with impunity. for demolishing numerous camps and evicting the Chinese hierarchy who combines the functions of vice- doctrines around free Extensive corruption, intra-party president, secretary of state and secretary of the treasury - trade, global finance and factions and weak legal controls families with children, although some in France spent a total of 85 days on high-profile visits to 30 countries individual freedom. meant that the entire party-state have cheered the tough approach. across Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Oceania. White House system was becoming increasingly In August, a French court fined a member of Xinhua, the official news agency, likened this flurry of top-level incumbents like to unresponsive. parliament Ä3,000 for saying that Nazi dictator summits and meetings to a “Chinese whirlwind”. have a doctrine named If President Obama issues an Adolf Hitler “maybe did not kill enough” Roma. Putting top leaders on the international diplomatic circuit after them to sum- executive order from the White Vitale said the only way to start de-stigmatising so much is no accident. “The year 2014 is a bumper harvest for marise their posture House there is a fair chance it will be the Roma was to change their image as an isolated China’s diplomacy,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced and strategy in for- carried out by the federal bureau- proudly to a year-end reception of foreign diplomats in Beijing. eign affairs. Xi has cracy. But under the collective lead- community living in shanty towns on the fringes “Aiming to build a global network of partnerships, we have developed some- ership of Hu and Jiang it was of society. “Without that, nothing is possible. There established partnerships of different types with 64 countries thing similar with his increasingly unclear whether com- will always be a stigma of criminality, deviance and five regional organisations,” Wang told his hearers. “Silk Road Economic mands from top leaders would be and cruelty”. — AFP The foreign minister promised that in 2015 China will con- Belt and 21st Century obeyed. The party-state system was tinue to “actively practice a distinctive diplomatic approach Maritime Silk Road”. Just decaying from within. Xi’s campaigns befitting China’s role as a major country to provide strong sup- as the United States has for more discipline, rule of law, and All articles appearing on these pages port for realising the Chinese dream of national renewal and used free trade agree- against factionalism are a blunt make a new contribution to peace and development of the ments, military assistance, reminder to lesser officials that there are are the personal opinion of the writ- world.” It has often been remarked that the United States’ glob- aid and lending by policy serious consequences for failing to obey ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- al network of alliances (military, diplomatic and economic) is its banks to reward allies and deep- instructions from above. As in foreign policy, ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait biggest asset as a superpower. Now China is determined to en diplomatic relationships, China’s China’s internal reforms are meant to equip it build its own diplomatic network befitting its role as what offi- leaders have been busy doling with the economic, political and military decision- Times invites readers to voice their cials prefer to call a “major country” but which means a super- out trade deals as well as bil- making structure necessary for a modern economic opinions. Please send submissions via power. lions of dollars of loans and and diplomatic superpower. The priority is not transi- email to: [email protected] or investments to selected strategic partners in tioning to democracy but making the existing system via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Diplomatic Whirlwind the hope of winning greater influence and work effectively, enabling it to deal with the challenges For the United States, presidential diplomacy has always support. of running one of the world’s largest economies and Kuwait. The editor reserves the right played a crucial role in nurturing relationships and building President Xi and China’s diplomat- countries, as well as what the foreign minister to edit any submission as necessary. influence abroad. Foreign leaders get carefully graduated visits ic corps seem to be consciously described as increasingly close interactions with the from military commanders, top diplomats, cabinet secretaries, copying the American model of international community. — Reuters p15_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:37 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 SPORTS

Leafs fire head coach Players sick in Perth heat Szukala joins Al Ittihad TORONTO: The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Randy PERTH: Extreme heat in Western Australia led to unhappy players vomiting BUCHAREST: In a refreshingly honest admission, Poland centre back Carlyle in a bid to salvage a season that has started to slip away, the and suffering excessive weight loss during a top of the table A-League Lukasz Szukala says he turned down offers from England and Germany to National Hockey League team said yesterday. clash on Monday, the local players union said. join Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad from Romanian champions Steaua The decision to part ways with Carlyle comes with Toronto having Perth Glory have since requested for later kick-off times after the 2-1 Bucharest because the money was too good to refuse. lost seven of their last nine games and clinging to the final wild-card home loss to Adelaide United was played out in 39 degrees Celsius (102 Szukala, who has played 10 times for Poland since mak- playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Boston Fahrenheit) temperatures which dropped by only four degrees at the end ing his international debut in 2013, signed a two-year con- Bruins. “It’s never an easy decision to make when changing your leader- of the game, local media reported. “Some players have since reported heat tract, starting on July 1 and did not bother with the foot- ship but our team was not trending in the right direction and we felt an illnesses, including excessive weight loss, headaches and vomiting,” baller’s common claim that he was moving for the “chal- immediate change was necessary,” Maple Leafs Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Chief Executive Adam Vivian said in lenge and interest of a new environment.” General Manager David Nonis said in a statement. a statement yesterday. “The PFA will continue to monitor the players’ health “I had offers from Germany and England, but the finan- Assistant coaches Peter Horachek and Steve and will be conducting further discussions with Football Federation cial conditions offered by Al Ittihad were fantastic,” said the Spott will handle coaching duties for the Maple Australia and the clubs. “We will be asking them to share with us the advice 30-year-old, who was voted the best foreign player in Leafs in their next game on Wednesday against in which they were satisfied the players’ health and safety was not compro- the Romanian league in 2014. “It was impossible the visiting Washington Capitals. mised by proceeding with the match at that time.” to turn down their offer.” Szukala became the The Maple Leafs’ coaching job is widely consid- League officials shot down suggestions they had risked player safety by second Steaua player to join Al Ittihad after ered one of the toughest in the 30-team NHL allowing the match to go ahead on the hottest January day in Perth in 20 highly-rated midfielder Lucian Sanmartean years. “We’ve gone to great lengths to take serious medical advice on heat,” given the intense media scrutiny and agreed a one-year deal with the team A-League head Damien de Bohun was quoted as saying by ABC news. “It’s pressure to bring home the franchise’s coached by former Romania boss Victor important to note that the FFA’s standards are more stringent than FIFA’s Piturca.—Reuters first Stanley Cup since 1967.—Reuters standards and it’s based on medical best practice. —Reuters Ryder captain to be named inside six weeks - McGinley

LONDON: The captain of Europe’s 2016 Jose Maria Olazabal and European Tour Ryder Cup team will be decided by the officials. middle of February, according to outgoing skipper Paul McGinley. INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS The Irishman, a member of the five-man “They all did so well and I’d love to see panel that will elect the next skipper, told them all having individual success. I’d like Reuters in an interview at Wentworth Golf as many of them as possible to make the Club on the outskirts of London that the team again in two years’ time.” top players would have a big say in the Justin Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open winner, decision-making process. and Henrik Stenson formed the most suc- “We are pretty far down the road,” said cessful pairing for Europe at Gleneagles the 48-year-old McGinley. “I think within a and McGinley is particularly keen for the maximum of six weeks we’ll have a new 38-year-old Swede to end his long wait for captain in place. a first victory in a major championship. “The wheels will turn on another Ryder “Henrik and Justin were arguably the Cup and we’ll be getting ready for best players at the Ryder Cup and it would Hazeltine in two years’ time.” The bookmak- be a shame if Henrik went through his ers have installed 2011 British Open cham- entire career without winning a major,” said pion Darren Clarke as the odds-on the Irishman who is an ambassador for the favourite to lead the side in Minnesota and specialist bank and asset manager Investec. McGinley said it was important for the pan- “But I have no doubts he will. He has el to canvas the opinions of Europe’s lead- proved himself at the top level, he’s won ing golfers. big tournaments all around the world. “He “You look mainly at who the players has the game, he has the power and he has want when you are looking for the next the mental capacity to win a major champi- captain,” he added. “One thing that’s onship,” said McGinley. “Justin is continually worked in our favour over the years is that improving year on year and he will certain- we have voted in captains that the players ly be a factor as well this year.” McGinley have wanted to play for.” also expects world number one Rory McGinley was lauded by the entire team McIlroy to come out firing on all cylinders for the way he plotted the downfall of Tom when he begins his season at next week’s Watson’s United States side in Scotland in Abu Dhabi Championship alongside the September, Europe’s eighth victory in the second-ranked Stenson and number six last 10 editions of the biennial team event. Rose. The Northern Irishman achieved There is always a twinkle in his eye when back-to-back major wins in 2014, at the his thoughts drift back to that special week British Open and US PGA Championship, at Gleneagles and the Irishman is hoping and McGinley said there were many more the vast majority of his team will be back in victories ahead for McIlroy. “What’s good the side at Hazeltine. about Rory is the great balance he has in “I’m pulling for all my players from his life,” he explained. “He’s had a good win- Gleneagles to do well,” said McGinley who ter off, he’s enjoyed himself and will come is joined on the selection panel by 2010 back fresh and invigorated for a new year captain Colin Montgomerie, 2012 skipper of golf.”—Reuters Terranova clinches

second stage WASHINGTON: Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, goes airborne as he collides with Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) in the first period of an NHL hockey game.—AP CHILECITO: Argentine Orlando Terranova his first Dakar stage, ahead of KTM team- claimed his second stage win of the Dakar mate and reigning champion Marc Coma Rally yesterday, to move third overall in the and overall race leader Joan Barreda Bort of Capitals see off Panthers standings led by Mini teammate Nasser Al- Spain. “I made some little mistakes because Attiyah. it was a little bit dangerous today with Qatari Al-Attiyah, the 2011 champion, many stones and it forced you over the lim- WASHINGTON: Alex Ovechkin had a goal Jackets past the Colorado Avalanche. DUCKS 4, PREDATORS 3 finished fifth in the day’s 542km third stage, it, but overall it was quite good,” said and an assist to help the Washington Savard, whose turnover early in the game Francois Beauchemin scored the tying which included 284km of specials. South Walkner. Capitals beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 on led to a goal for Colorado, was able to get goal with 2:17 left in the third period and Africa’s Giniel de Villiers, picked up his third “It’s my first rally and I hope I can enjoy podium finish in three days, ahead of it.” Overall Honda’s Barreda Bort leads Sunday. Brooks Laich and Karl Alzner added enough on the puck to knock it past Ryan Kesler got the deciding goal in the another Toyota driven by Saudi Arabia’s ahead of Portuguese teammate Paulo second-period goals for Washington, which Semyon Varlamov for the Blue Jackets’ fifth shootout, giving the Anaheim Ducks a vic- Alrahji Zayed, to stay second overall. Goncalves and Walkner. Coma sits fourth at has won 10 straight home games against win in their last six road games. tory over the Nashville Predators. Spaniard Carlos Sainz, winner in 2010, 10min 50sec. “It was really dangerous the Panthers. The Capitals improved to 10- Brandon Dubinsky scored a pair of goals Matt Beleskey and Corey Perry also had finished fourth at 4min 6sec to move up to because we were on river beds with a lot of 1-3 in their past 14 games, and avoided a for the Blue Jackets, and Ryan Johansen and goals in regulation for the league-leading fourth in the overall standings, while fellow stones and broken up tracks all day,” said letdown after their 3-2 victory over Chicago added a goal. Colorado scored its quickest Ducks, and Frederik Andersen made 27 Peugeot veteran Stephane Peterhansel, fin- Barreda Bort. “Now we go to Chile and in the Winter Classic. goal of the season when Jarome Iginla saves. Seth Jones and Craig Smith had pow- ished seventh, nine minutes off the pace, to there will be different stages and a different Braden Holtby made 29 saves for intercepted a wayward pass by Savard in er-play goals in the second period and sit 16th overall at 1hr 12 min. feeling so we will see there.” Today’s stage Washington. Nick Bjugstad had a goal and the Blue Jackets’ zone and wristed a shot Mattias Ekholm also scored for the In the motorbike section, Austria’s runs between Chilecito in Argentina to an assist for Florida. Vincent Trochek and past Curtis McElhinney 30 seconds into the Predators. Backup goalie Carter Hutton Matthias Walkner, was a surprise winner of Copiapo in Chile. —AFP Dylan Olsen also scored. game. Gabriel Landeskog and Cody McLeod stopped 30 shots, but remained winless in also had goals for Colorado. five starts this season - all on the road. HURRICANES 2, BRUINS 1 Eric Staal scored the only goal in the LIGHTNING 4, SENATORS 2 OILERS 5, ISLANDERS 2 shootout to lift Carolina past Boston. Anton Tyler Johnson had two goals and Nikita Matt Hendricks scored a pair of goals and Khudobin got the start in goal for Carolina Kucherov had two assists to lead the Tampa the Edmonton Oilers topped the New York in place of Cam Ward, who played the previ- Bay Lightning past the Ottawa Senators. The Islanders. Jordan Eberle, Derek Roy and ous four games. Khudobin, a former Bruin, Lightning took a 3-2 lead into the third peri- Matt Fraser also scored for the Oilers, who made 19 saves and stopped Reilly Smith, od and increased that to 4-2 at the 7:58 won for just the third time in their last 25 Patrice Bergeron and Torey Krug in the mark on Johnson’s second goal of the game. games. Edmonton, however, improved to 2- shootout. Tuukka Rask made 35 saves for The Lightning also got goals from Victor 0-2 in its last four games since interim head Boston, but couldn’t stop Staal. Hedman, who also had an assist, and Steven coach Todd Nelson took sole possession of Patrick Dwyer opened the scoring for Stamkos. Ben Bishop made 20 saves and the Oilers’ bench, with general manager Carolina with 33.2 seconds left in the first improved to 6-0-2 against his former team. Craig MacTavish moving back upstairs. period. Bergeron tied it for Boston, one-tim- Ottawa got a goal and an assist from Kyle Johnny Boychuk and Brock Nelson scored ing a pass from Brad Marchand past Turris, along with another goal from Mark for the Islanders, whose three-game win- Khudobin in the second period. Stone, but had its two-game winning streak ning streak ended. New York is 7-2-1 in its end. last 10.—AP BLACKHAWKS 5, STARS 4 Patrick Sharp scored 1:17 into overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a win over NHL results/standings Dallas and end the Stars’ four-game winning streak. Sharp drove past Jason Spezza down Western Conference Tampa Bay 25 12 4 134 108 54 the slot, took Duncan Keith’s feed from the Pacific Division Detroit 20 10 9 109 99 49 W L OTL GF GA PTS left point and beat Kari Lehtonen with a Toronto 21 16 3 130 122 45 Anaheim 26 9 6 115 110 58 shot that slipped between the goalie’s body Boston 19 15 6 104 108 44 and his blocker. Vancouver 22 12 3 109 98 47 San Jose 21 14 5 109 105 47 Florida 17 11 9 87 97 43 Chicago’s Brad Richards fooled Lehtonen Los Angeles 19 12 9 112 103 47 Ottawa 16 15 7 102 105 39 with an improbable sharp-angle shot with Calgary 21 16 3 115 105 45 Buffalo 14 23 3 77 136 31 3:57 left in the third period to tie it at 4 and Arizona 15 19 4 92 124 34 Metropolitan Division set up overtime. Edmonton 9 22 9 88 135 27 Pittsburgh 24 10 5 118 94 53 Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Bryan Central Division Bickell scored for the Blackhawks, who Nashville 25 9 4 116 88 54 NY Islanders 26 12 1 121 109 53 came back from four one-goal deficits to Chicago 26 11 2 124 85 54 Washington 20 11 7 112 99 47 win. Erik Cole had two goals and an assist St. Louis 23 13 3 118 99 49 NY Rangers 21 11 4 113 90 46 for the Stars. Jamie Benn and his brother, Winnipeg 20 13 7 103 96 47 Columbus 17 17 3 96 119 37 Dallas 18 14 6 119 124 42 Jordie, also scored for Dallas. Philadelphia 14 18 7 106 120 35 Minnesota 18 15 4 104 106 40 New Jersey 14 20 7 90 117 35 BLUE JACKETS 4, AVALANCHE 3 Colorado 15 16 8 101 117 38 David Savard drove in shot from just Eastern Conference Carolina 12 23 4 77 102 28 Atlantic Division Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the ARGENTINA: Toyota driver Giniel de Villiers of South Africa and co-pilot Dirk Von inside the blue line with 1:01 left in the Montreal 26 11 2 108 89 54 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). Zitzewitz of Germany, race during the second stage of the Dakar Rally 2015. —AP third period, lifting the Columbus Blue p16_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:49 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 SPORTS Elgar guides SA to victory

CAPE TOWN: Dean Elgar guided South the fifth ball of his sixth over. Africa to a series-clinching victory by eight Du Plessis struggled to 14 off 69 balls wickets on the fifth day of the third and before a ball from Benn kicked viciously final Test against the West Indies at and took the shoulder of his bat for Newlands yesterday. Jermaine Blackwood to take a catch run- South Africa won the series by two ning back from gully. matches to nil, with one match finishing in Benn took two for 24 in an unbroken a rain-affected draw. The left-handed Elgar spell of 17 overs. Elgar, who spoiled Benn’s made 60 not out as South Africa reached a figures slightly by hitting him for six, went victory target of 124 shortly before lunch. It to his fifty off 86 balls with six fours and a was tough going for South Africa at the six. start of the day after they resumed on nine The scoring rate accelerated when cap- for one. tain Hashim Amla joined Elgar in an Fast bowler Jerome Taylor and left-arm unbeaten partnership of 73 off 91 balls. spinner Suleiman Benn did not concede a Amla made 38 not out. run until Elgar pulled Taylor for four after 26 South Africa won the first Test in minutes and off the 45th ball of the day. Centurion by an innings and 220 runs. The The tall Benn was particularly difficult to second match in Port Elizabeth was drawn score off, getting turn and bounce from a after more than two days of playing time wearing pitch, with Faf du Plessis com- was lost to rain. pletely tied down. The sides start a three-match Twenty20 Benn, who bowled Alviro Petersen with international series at Newlands on Friday, the last ball of the fourth day, did not give to be followed by five one-day internation- up a run until Du Plessis took a single off als.—AFP SYDNEY: Australia’s Steve Smith pulls the ball against India during their cricket Test match. —AP SCOREBOARD CAPE TOWN: Final scores on the fifth day of the third and final Test between South Africa and the West Indies at Newlands yesterday. Aussies punish India West Indies, first innings, 329 Extras (b8, lb2, nb2) 12 South Africa, first innings, 421 Total (2 wkts, 37.4 overs) 124 SYDNEY: David Warner kissed the ground in 22 Tests overseas and have been successful in was being played against the poignant back- West Indies, second innings, 215 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Petersen), 2-51 (Du Phillip Hughes’s memory to lead an Australian only one of their 10 Tests at the Sydney Cricket drop of the tragic death of Hughes. Warner post- South Africa, second innings (overnight 9-1) Plessis) run spree with an emotional century on the Ground, that sole victory coming 37 years ago. ed his first Test century at the SCG and he, along opening day of the final Test against India yes- “It was a very tough day. It’s very important with Smith, Watson, Brad Haddin and Nathan D. Elgar not out 60 Bowling: Taylor 7-3-20-0, Samuels 3.4-0- 24-0, Benn 17-8-24-2, Holder 5-0-19-0, terday. that we pick ourselves up tonight and try to be Lyon, were all on the field when Hughes was A. Petersen b Benn 0 Gabriel 5-1-27-0 (2nb). The dynamic opener posted his third ton of as fresh as possible tomorrow,” Ashwin said. felled by the short-pitched ball. F. du Plessis c Blackwood b Benn 14 Result: South Africa won by eight wickets the series and 12th in Tests as he honored the “It’s going to be a hard day. If we can keep A plaque honouring the batsman has been H. Amla not out 38 memory of his fallen friend Hughes, who was them down to (a reasonable score) we can get installed outside the home dressing room at the fatally struck by a bouncer at the same Sydney back into it.” Warner batted for 180 minutes with SCG and served as a reminder for the Australian Cricket Ground in November. Upon reaching the 16 fours, pulling Mohammed Shami to the players of their former team-mate. symbolic score of 63 that Hughes had made boundary to bring up his ton off 108 balls with India, with Virat Kohli leading the team after when he was hit, Warner kissed the ground and 16 fours. the sudden Test retirement of Mahendra Singh then looked skywards before clapping in tribute. He was out soon after for 101 off 114 balls, Dhoni, made four changes with Rohit Sharma, Warner scored 101 and shared in an opening caught at slip off a leading edge from spinner Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha and stand of 200 on a benign SCG pitch with veteran Ashwin. “It’s great to get milestones and I’ve Bhuvneshwar Kumar coming into the side. Chris Rogers, who again fell short of a ton in his done my job for the team as well as I can,” The tourists left out opener Shikhar Dhawan fifth consecutive half-century of the series. Warner said. with Lokesh Rahul promoted to open the Skipper Steve Smith and Shane Watson main- “The thing I’m most proud of is putting up a innings, Sharma replacing Cheteshwar Pujara tained Australia’s grip with an unbroken 144-run double-century partnership with Bucky (Rogers). and Saha for Dhoni at wicketkeeper, while stand after winning the toss to put the home It’s our first one and we bat very well together.” Kumar came in for paceman Ishant Sharma. The side at a formidable 348 for two at the close. Rogers, who gave chances on 19 and 90, fol- Australians made only one change with Mitchell Smith, who glided to his half-century off 67 lowed Warner to the pavilion six balls later when Starc replacing injured paceman Mitchell balls for his fifth innings beyond 50 in the series, he was bowled for 95 by Shami. The Sydney Test Johnson.—AFP was unbeaten on 82 with Watson on 61. Watson was dropped by Ravichandran Ashwin at slip off the second-last ball of the day. SCOREBOARD “We got lucky the coin fell our way. At the moment it was a fantastic toss to win, we’re two SYDNEY: Scoreboard at the close on the opening day of the fourth Test between Australia and for 348, fantastic position to be in,” Warner said. India at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday: “There was no swing, there was no sideways Australia 1st innings Total (2 wickets, 90 overs) 348 movement at all, so it was quite challenging for C. Rogers b Shami 95 Fall of wickets: 1-200 (Warner), 2-204 (Rogers) the bowlers. “It’s going to be challenging for us D. Warner c Vijay b Ashwin 101 Bowling: Kumar 20-2-67-0, Yadav 16-1-97-0 to take 10 wickets as well.” S. Watson not out 61 (6w), Shami 16-2-58-1, Ashwin 28-5-88-1, Raina India have already lost the Border-Gavaskar S. Smith not out 82 10-2-35-0 To bat: S. Marsh, J. Burns, B. Haddin, Trophy with Australia holding an unassailable 2- 0 lead following wins in Adelaide and Brisbane. Extras (lb3, w6) 9 R. Harris, M. Starc, N. Lyon, J. Hazlewood. The tourists have won only one of their last Williamson, Watling record smashes Sri Lanka hopes

WELLINGTON: A world record sixth-wicket cricket.” New Zealand declared 13 runs ahead of partnership of 365 by Kane Williamson and B.J. the previous sixth-wicket record of 352 set by Watling, who both posted career bests, Watling with Brendon McCullum in similar Test- slammed the door on Sri Lanka in the second saving circumstances against India a year ago. Test in Wellington yesterday. Williamson’s Then, as now, New Zealand were fighting to unbeaten 242, with Watling not out 142, res- claim the series after winning the first Test. Sri cued New Zealand from a deep hole and car- Lanka squandered several opportunities to ried them to 524-5 declared in their second break the partnership and regain control, and innings. Sri Lanka were left facing a 390-run paid a heavy price for sloppy fielding. CAPE TOWN: South African Dean Elgar reacts after hitting the ball as the team plays final-day target on a ground where the record Williamson offered four chances-dropped by West Indies during the third Test match. —AP for a successful fourth innings chase is 277-3 set Rangana Herath on 29, dropped by Nuwan by Pakistan 11 years ago. Pradeep on 60 and dropped by Prasanna At stumps they were 45-1 with Kaushal Silva Jayawardene on 104 before Jayawardene India pick three spinners on 20 and Dhammika Prasad on one. Dimuth missed a blatant stumping opportunity on 233. Karunaratne was out for 17 four overs before Williamson’s unbeaten 242, the product of the close, the only dismissal of the day. more than 10 hours at the crease, gave the 24- for World Cup With wickets hard to come by on a flat track, year-old his ninth Test century and the seventh and Sri Lanka holding middle-order strength highest score by a New Zealander. MUMBAI: India’s selectors yesterday man Murali Vijay, one of the few Indian led by Kumar Sangakkara, a draw seemed the After cautiously steering New Zealand into a chose three frontline spinners to help players to emerge with credit from the likely outcome. This would give New Zealand commanding position, Williamson opened up Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men defend the Australia Test series with 402 runs in the the two-Test series 1-0. Williamson and Watling towards the end of the innings, scoring 52 of World Cup title in Australia and New first three matches at an average of came together as New Zealand’s last recognised the 79 runs added in the 15 overs before the Zealand from next month. 67.00. batsmen with the score on 159-5, a perilous 24- declaration. In his marathon innings he faced Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was Vijay, 30, played the last of his 14 one- run lead. They methodically ground the Sri 438 deliveries and scored 18 fours, including a joined by left-armers Ravindra Jadeja day internationals in July 2013. Rohit Lankan bowlers into submission over the fol- boundary to midwicket when he danced down and young Akshar Patel in a 15-man Sharma, who hit one-day cricket’s high- lowing eight hours. the wicket to bring up his maiden 200 off squad announced in Mumbai for the est score of 264 against Sri Lanka last Williamson said their focus was on occupy- Rangana Herath. While Williamson steered New showpiece event from February 14 to November, will open the batting with ing the crease to save New Zealand and records Zealand to safety, Watling proved a sound ally were secondary. “We needed to draw on that to at the other end as he brought up his fourth March 29. left-hander Shikhar Dhawan, despite bat as long as we did. That was very much the Test century. He had nine fours and a six in his Jadeja was selected despite being both faring poorly in the Tests. motivating factor. Talk about 100s or 200s, it’s 142. His previous best was 124 in his match-sav- treated for a shoulder injury that forced The squad includes seven batsmen, great to get them but more important to keep ing knock with McCullum against India. As the him out of the ongoing Test series in three spinners and five seamers in Ishant going to put the team in a better position,” he innings progressed the Sri Lankan captain Australia. Patel, 20, has claimed 14 wick- Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, said. Angelo Mathews set defensive fields in hopes ets in nine one-day internationals so far. Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Sri Lanka need a further 345 on the final day the batsmen would make a mistake, but when “Jadeja is doing wonderfully well in all-rounder Stuart Binny. to win. While the odds favour New Zealand, the chances came they were not taken. his recovery process and we are hopeful The same players, along with two Williamson said both sides fancied a result. “We Herath, the leading bowler in the world last he will be fit in 10 days time,” Indian extra new-ball bowlers Dhawal Kulkarni know if we put it in the right areas and bowl the year with 60 wickets at 24.85, finished with fig- cricket board secretary Sanjay Patel told and Mohit Sharma, will take part in the way we know we can, we can create opportuni- ures of one for 154. Sri Lanka’s most successful reporters. one-day tri-series with England and ties, but anyone with someone like Kumar bowler Pradeep had figures of three for 117 The squad includes just four players- Australia starting on January 16. Sangakkara in their team will certainly have after being three for 32 before Watling went to Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and India are drawn in pool B of the World confidence, and it’s set up for a really good day’s the middle.—AFP Ashwin-who were part of the winning Cup alongside Pakistan, South Africa, team in 2011. West Indies, United Arab Emirates, SCOREBOARD The selectors ignored Yuvraj Singh, Ireland and Zimbabwe. The top four in WELLINGTON: Scoreboard at stumps yesterday on day four of the second Test between New the man of the tournament in 2011, who the pool will advance to the quarter- Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve in Wellington: was not in the preliminary 30-man finals. Dhoni’s men begin their campaign squad, but came into reckoning with with a mouth-watering clash against New Zealand 1st innings 221 (K. Williamson 69; 3-79 (Taylor), 4-122 (McCullum), 5-159 (Neesham) centuries in three consecutive first-class arch-rivals Pakistan in Adelaide on N. Pradeep 4-63, S. Lakmal 3-71) Bowling: Lakmal 32-4-89-0 (1w), Pradeep 37-4- Sri Lanka 1st innings 356 (K. Sangakkara 203, D. 117-3 (5nb, 1w), Herath 56-8-154-1, Prasad 28-1- matches. February 15. Chandimal 67; J. Neesham 3-42, D. Bracewell 3-93) 102-1 (1nb, 1w), Mathews 11-3-29-0, Thirimanne Teams are allowed to select players New Zealand 2nd innings (overnight 253-5) 8-1-19-0 (1w) from outside their preliminary pool, but Squad: T. Latham c Jayawardene b Pradeep 35 Sri Lanka 2nd innings the 33-year-old Singh’s absence from the Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Shikhar H. Rutherford c Chandimal b Pradeep 40 D. Karunaratne c Rutherford b Craig 17 one-day team over the past year due to Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, K. Williamson not out 242 K. Silva not out 20 R. Taylor b Herath 0 D. Prasad not out 1 poor form went against him. Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, B. McCullum lbw Prasad 22 Extras (b4, lb2, w1) 7 The nucleus of the squad is the same Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, J. Neesham lbw Pradeep 19 Total (one wicket, 17 overs) 45 which helped India win the Champions Akshar Patel, Ishant Sharma, B. Watling not out 142 Fall of wicket: 1-42 (Karunaratne) NEW ZEALAND: Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne bats Trophy one-day tournament in England Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Extras (b7, lb7, w4, nb6) 24 Bowling: Boult 7-0-21-0, Southee 4-3-4-0, on day four of the second international Test cricket in 2013. Umesh Yadav, Stuart Binny. Coach: Total (five wickets dec, 172 overs) 524 Bracewell 2-0-11-0 (1w), Craig 2-2-0-1, Rutherford match between New Zealand and SriLanka†at the Basin Fall of wickets: 1-75 (Rutherford), 2-78 (Latham), 1-0-2-0, Williamson 1-0-1-0. There was no place for opening bats- Duncan Fletcher. —AFP Reserve. —AFP p17 2_Layout 1 1/6/15 9:50 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 SPORTS

MEMPHIS: Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) drives past New York Knicks forward Quincy Acy (4) in the second half of an NBA basketball game. The Grizzlies beat the Knicks 105-83. —AP Mavs beat Nets, Warriors silence Thunder

NEW YORK: Dirk Nowitzki made a clinch- BULLS 114, ROCKETS 105 in the third quarter, and Memphis sent HORNETS 104, CELTICS 95 ing 3-pointer in overtime that moved him Pau Gasol had 27 points and 14 depleted New York to its record-tying 12th Kemba Walker scored 20 of his 33 points NBA results/standings into seventh place on the NBA’s career scor- rebounds, Jimmy Butler scored 22 and straight loss. in the second half and Cody Zeller finished ing list, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Chicago rallied for its 13th win in 15 games. The Knicks (5-32), who have the NBA’s with a career-high 20 on a perfect shooting Philadelphia 95, Cleveland 92; Charlotte 104, Boston 95; Brooklyn Nets 96-88 on Monday night to Derrick Rose added 19 points, Nikola worst winning percentage, lost for the night, carrying Charlotte over Boston. Dallas 96, Brooklyn 88 (OT); Chicago 114, Houston 105; match their season high with a sixth Mirotic had 17 and the Bulls outscored the 22nd time in 23 games. New York played It was just the second win in seven Memphis 105, NY Knicks 83; Denver 110, Minnesota 101; straight victory. Rockets 19-5 over the final 3:19. Josh Smith without injured starters Carmelo Anthony games for the Hornets, who learned last Washington 92, New Orleans 85; Indiana 105, Utah 101; Monta Ellis scored 19 points and made a led Houston with 21 points. James Harden and Amare Stoudemire. The Knicks were week that leading scorer Al Jefferson will Portland 98, LA Lakers 94; Golden State 117, Oklahoma pair of jumpers early in overtime before scored 20, but the Rockets lost for the also missing J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, be sidelined for about three more weeks consecutive 3-pointers by Chandler fourth time in six games. Butler scored five who were traded to Cleveland. with a left groin injury. City 91; Atlanta 107, LA Clippers 98. Parsons and Nowitzki made it 96-88 with points and took a charge against Harden Reserve forward Quincy Acy led the Zeller went 8 for 8 from the floor, hit all Eastern Conference 34 seconds to play. That gave Nowitzki 15 during the game-ending rally to help the Knicks with 19 points, and Jose Calderon four of his free throws and improved to 6-0 Atlantic Division points for the game and 27,412 in his Bulls wipe out a five-point deficit.Mirotic added 13. The Grizzlies led by 11 at the half against his older brother Tyler, who plays W L PCT GB career, moving him past Moses Malone into also hit a 3 and scored five points during and pulled away in the third quarter. for the Celtics. Tyler Zeller had two points in Toronto 24 10 .706 - the No. 7 spot. that stretch. Courtney Lee scored all 11 of his points in 16 minutes. Walker added five assists and Rajon Rondo shot 1 of 13 for two points the first seven minutes of the period. five rebounds. Jared Sullinger led Boston Brooklyn 16 18 .471 8 but had 14 assists and 10 rebounds for the 76ERS 95, CAVALIERS 92 with 22 points and eight rebounds. The Boston 11 21 .344 12 Mavericks, who have the longest current Tony Wroten scored 20 points and hit TRAIL BLAZERS 98, LAKERS 94 Celtics have dropped three straight and Philadelphia 5 28 .152 18.5 winning streak in the NBA. Tyson Chandler the go-ahead layup with 9.1 seconds left to Damian Lillard scored 39 points and seven of eight. NY Knicks 5 32 .135 20.5 finished with 14 points and 13 boards. lift Philadelphia over short-handed made the go-ahead basket with 36 seconds Brook Lopez had 22 points and 13 Cleveland. remaining as Portland rallied from a 10- NUGGETS 110, TIMBERWOLVES 101 Central Division rebounds for the Nets but faded after an Philadelphia had been 0-14 at home this point deficit in the second half to beat Los Arron Afflalo scored 34 points to help Chicago 25 10 .714 - 18-point first quarter. Jarrett Jack had 20 season. Kevin Love had 28 points and 19 Angeles. Denver hand Minnesota its 12th straight Cleveland 19 16 .543 6 points and 10 assists. rebounds for the Cavaliers, who didn’t have Lillard hit four 3-pointers, and scored 16 loss. JJ Hickson had 16 points and 11 Milwaukee 18 17 .514 7 The Nets were without Deron Williams LeBron James and Kyrie Irving because of points during the fourth quarter to lead the rebounds and the Nuggets shot 55 percent Indiana 14 22 .389 11.5 (sore left side) and Kevin Garnett, who rest- injuries. They lost Dion Waiters and two Trail Blazers (27-8). He has scored at least 39 to cruise past the Timberwolves (5-28), by Detroit 10 23 .303 14 ed on the second night of back-to-back reserves shortly before tipoff because of a points in three of his past nine games. far the worst team in the Western games, and dropped their second straight three-team trade with New York and LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points, and Conference. Jusuf Nurkic scored 14 points Southeast Division after winning three in a row. Oklahoma City. After the Cavaliers blew all reserve center Meyers Leonard had 12 and Ty Lawson added 12 assists for the Atlanta 26 8 .765 - of a 17-point lead, Love made it 92-90 with points and 12 rebounds for Portland. Nuggets, whose reserves outscored Washington 23 11 .676 3 WARRIORS 117, THUNDER 91 a pair of free throws with 1:09 left. Jordan Hill led Los Angeles (11-24) with Minnesota’s 47-10. Miami 15 20 .429 11.5 Harrison Barnes scored a season-high 23 Wroten made one of two free throws, 23 points and 14 rebounds. Five Lakers Gorgui Dieng tied a career high with 22 Orlando 13 24 .351 14.5 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and then scored the go-ahead layup to help the scored in double figures, including Jeremy points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Charlotte 12 24 .333 15 Golden State used a smothering defensive Sixers end their home-losing streak. Lin with 14 points. Kobe Bryant, the Lakers’ Shabazz Muhammad added 19 points and effort to rout Oklahoma City. Michael Carter-Williams had 18 points and leading scorer at 23.6 points per game, six boards for Minnesota. The Western Conference Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry 13 assists for the Sixers. stayed home for a scheduled day of rest. Timberwolves shot just 43 percent and scored 19 points each as the NBA-best have not won since Dec. 10 while playing Northwest Division Warriors (27-5) bottled up Kevin Durant, HAWKS 107, CLIPPERS 98 WIZARDS 92, PELICANS 85 without Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic and Portland 27 8 .771 - Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. Paul Millsap scored 23 points, Jeff John Wall had 15 points and 12 assists, Kevin Martin. Oklahoma City 17 18 .486 10 Golden State held Oklahoma City to 30.6 Teague added 20 and Atlanta pulled away and Washington ended its longest skid of Denver 15 20 .429 12 percent shooting. The Warriors’ whipping from Los Angeles in the fourth quarter to the season at three games with a victory PACERS 105, JAZZ 101 Utah 12 23 .343 15 denied the rejuvenated Thunder (17-18) a earn its seventh straight road victory for over New Orleans. Roy Hibbert scored 22 points to help Minnesota 5 28 .152 21 chance to move above .500 for the first the first time in 21 years. Paul Pierce scored 14 points on 6-of-8 Indiana outlast Utah. Hibbert, who got into time this season. DeMarre Carroll had 17 points and eight shooting for the Wizards, who had five a skirmish with the Lakers’ Carlos Boozer in Pacific Division Westbrook scored 22 points, and Durant rebounds, and Al Horford scored 16 for the players in double figures. Andre Miller a one-point loss at Los Angeles on Sunday, Golden State 27 5 .844 - had 14 points and 10 rebounds on a night East-leading Hawks, who won their fifth in added 12 points, and Marcin Gortat and again played with a fiery edge and repeat- LA Clippers 23 12 .657 5.5 when everything seemed to be a struggle a row and 19th in 21 games. Kris Humphries each had 10. edly went over 7-foot-1 Rudy Gobert for Phoenix 20 16 .556 9 for the Thunder. Durant shot 3 of 16, and Blake Griffin had 26 points and 10 Anthony Davis had 21 points and 10 inside baskets before fouling out in the Sacramento 14 20 .412 14 Westbrook finished 5 for 21 from the floor. rebounds to lead the Clippers, whose rebounds for New Orleans, which led only final minute. LA Lakers 11 24 .314 17.5 But help is on the way for Oklahoma City’s biggest lead of nine came at the start of the once - by a single point in the first 4 min- Derrick Favors had 27 points and 11 All-Star tandem. game. DeAndre Jordan added 15 points utes of the game. rebounds and Gordon Hayward scored 24 Southwest Division The Thunder acquired shooting guard and 16 rebounds, and Chris Paul had 10 Tyreke Evans, playing despite an illness for the Jazz, who were missing starting Memphis 25 9 .735 - Dion Waiters from Cleveland in a three- points and 10 assists before fouling out that kept him out of the team’s point guard Trey Burke (strep throat) and Dallas 26 10 .722 - team trade that was announced during the with 1:50 to play as the team’s three-game shootaround earlier in the day, scored 21 center Enes Kanter (sprained ankle). Houston 23 11 .676 2 game. Oklahoma City sent the Cavaliers a winning streak ended. points. Pelicans guard Eric Gordon, return- The Pacers led 98-90 with a minute San Antonio 21 14 .600 4.5 protected 2015 first-round draft pick and ing from a left shoulder injury, played for remaining, but the Jazz nearly completed a New Orleans 17 17 .500 8 moved reserve Lance Thomas to the New GRIZZLIES 105, KNICKS 83 the first time in 21 games, but scored only furious comeback with a 39-point fourth York Knicks. Mike Conley scored 14 of his 22 points six points in 33 minutes. quarter.—AP Scrabble squabble: Ruling body forced to eat its words SYDNEY: A long-running war of words between an But Hegazi failed to persuade the court to suspension from the association after it found him the state court, asking for the body to be ordered to Australian and the official Scrabble body has finally declare he had never cheated while playing the 77- guilty of bullying competitors, cheating and unpro- say he never cheated. been declared a draw by a state court. year-old game that’s played in 121 countries in 29 fessional conduct. Details of the cheating accusation Despite failing to have the cheating clause added The Victoria state magistrates’ court ruled that languages, Hegazi’s lawyer Robert Frajsman said wre not immediately available. to the court order, Hegazi feels “justified that he did- the local chapter of the Australian Scrabble Players’ told Reuters. Hegazi was also ordered to pay costs of But despite returning to competition once the n’t lie down and cop it (and) stood up for what he Association must overturn a years-old ruling that A$3,000 ($2,440). ban was up, Hegazi maintained he never cheated firmly believed in”, Frajsman added. retired teacher Mohammed A Hegazi had behaved “Who would have thought that Scrabble would and asked the association to overturn its finding. The secretary of the association’s Victorian in a manner “unbecoming” to the popular be a bloodsport?” Frajsman told Reuters by tele- In mediation late last year, the association agreed branch at the time when Hegazi was banned, boardgame. phone. Hegazi had agreed in 2008 to a 12-month to revoke its finding, but Hegazi took the matter to Marjorie Miller, declined comment.—Reuters WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 SPORTS Torres eyes dream homecoming in Madrid derby

MADRID: Fernando Torres was respons- ran out 5-0 winners on aggregate. able for the second highest attendance “The club has been able to build a of the season at the Vicente Calderon on team in which the word team is a Sunday despite the fact there was no strength and that has led to successes,” match to see as 45,000 Atletico Madrid added Torres. “For my part, I have found supporters welcomed ‘El Nino’ home. a path which has given me great satisfac- Torres will be free to make his second tion, but something seemed to be miss- debut for his boyhood club, for whom he ing. scored 82 goals in over 200 appearances “This reunion closes a circle that start- between 2001 and 2007, against their ed when I was just 10 years old wearing closest and bitterest rivals when Real this shirt and now I hope to enjoy it. “I Madrid come to the Calderon for the first will always give my all and more for this leg of their Copa del Rey last 16 tie shirt because it’s what I feel. The fans today. know it is going to be like that.” Real boss “I’m back at home after seven long Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the lift years. I’d been waiting a long time for that Torres’s arrival has given Atletico. this to come true and now my feelings “Without playing Torres has brought are a bit strange. I still don’t believe this enthusiasm to the fans and received is real”, Torres told the club’s website. their love,” said the Italian, who managed However, the 30-year-old is well aware Torres for five months at Chelsea. of the hard work that lies ahead of him if “Torres has quality, experience and in the real reality check is not to be for the this atmosphere, which is his, he will be thousands that attended his presenta- motivated and desperate to do well.” tion on Sunday still in awe of the baby The European champions also have faced assassin they saw leave for reason to be motivated after their 22- England during tougher times for the game winning run was snapped by club. defeat at Valencia on Sunday and As Torres has struggled for form and Ancelotti admitted he is likely to make fitness in recent years at Chelsea and changes at the Calderon. “We are earlier this season in an ill-fated loan focused on a match that will be difficult. spell at AC Milan, Atletico have soared We will continue with the same fight and under his former teammate Diego desire as we have done until now. Simeone. “There could be changes. There are Since the Argentine took charge three some players that haven’t recovered yet, years ago, Atletico have only lost three but we will play our strongest team avail- out of 18 two-legged ties on route to able.” Ancelotti confirmed that Keylor winning the Europa League, the Spanish Navas will start all of his side’s Cup Supercup and the Copa del Rey. games in goal ahead of Iker Casillas and However, one of those defeats came that Gareth Bale will retain his place in to Real in comprehensive fashion in last the side despite criticism of his perform- MADRID: Spanish forward Fernando Torres and his children play wearing the Atletico Madrid jersey during his presentation at the Vicente season’s Cup semi-final as Los Blancos ance at Mestalla. —AFP Calderon stadium. —AP Celtic close Asian Cup wide open gap at the top SYDNEY: With hosts Australia in a state of flux and holders GLASGOW:Celtic closed to within Craig Samson stranded. Commons, Japan engulfed by scandal, the Asian Cup looks to be the one point of Aberdeen at the top linked with a January move to join most wide open in years. Redemption for a humiliating 2014 World Cup beckons of the Scottish Premiership with a former Celtic boss Neil Lennon at should Australia, Japan, South Korea or Iran win Asia’s comfortable 2-0 win over Bolton, soon had a shot deflected showcase tournament, which begins on January 9 when Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. just wide after good work from the Socceroos face Kuwait in Melbourne. The quartet The score didn’t reflect the dom- Scepovic before firing over the bar flopped badly in Brazil as Asia failed to register a single vic- inance of the Hoops who twice hit after weaving his way through the tory for the first time since 1990, a new-look Australia the crossbar through Kris Killie defence. arguably emerging with the most credit. Commons before Emilio Izaguirre A great passing move then saw But coach Ange Postecoglou must find an alchemist’s volleyed the Glasgow giants ahead Nir Bitton and Liam Henderson touch to replace a golden generation of players who quali- with only his third goal for the combine to set up Commons for fied for three successive World Cups-or at the very least, a club. Killie survived a number of another effort from the edge of the quick fix with his side short on firepower in attack. chances for Celtic, while also com- box that crashed off the bar. Much of the responsibility will fall on talisman Tim Cahill, who lit up the World Cup with a stunning volley ing close through Robbie Despite their dominance, Celtic against the Netherlands but will need his supporting cast Muirhead, before Stefan Scepovic were nearly left to rue their missed to step up. added a second in the 71st minute. chances when Josh Magennis “We have to be ruthless,” the former Everton forward It ended a two-game winless run forced a great save out of Craig told the Sydney Morning Herald. “If we are ruthless, teams for the Hoops who will now head Gordon with a powerful header are not going to know what’s hit them.” for a winter break in Gran Canaria from Alexei Eremenko’s free-kick. Australia have added incentive after being upset by after postponing their January 10 The Hoops finally made the Japan in the 2011 final in Doha, but the defending champi- match against St Johnstone. breakthrough in the 36th minute ons will be a tough nut to crack, while 2002 World Cup “I’m very happy with the result with a superb strike from Izaguirre. semifinalists South Korea lurk for the hosts in Group A. and the performance. The attitude The Honduran international got on However, pressure will also be on Japan, whose Mexican and commitment of every player the end of a clipped pass from coach Javier Aguirre is under investigation following claims of match-fixing while he was manager of Spanish club on the pitch was excellent,” Celtic Stefan Johansen to send a wonder- Zaragoza in 2011. manager Ronny Deila said. ful dipping volley past the helpless To what extent the furore unsettles the Blue Samurai “The first half especially was Samson. remains to be seen but Aguirre, who is scheduled to very good. We controlled the Commons was to be denied yet appear in court in Valencia next month, has raised eye- game, created chances and should again just before the break when a brows with his team selection since taking over after the have scored more goals.” Killie Scepovic backheel sent him clear World Cup. “All my attention is focused on winning the manager Allan Johnston felt it in the box but Samson made a Asian Cup,” Aguirre told reporters before flying to Australia. could have been much worse for super save. “I have nothing to hide and understand the media have a his side. “The first half was very dis- The former Scotland internation- job to do, but that is my sole objective.” Failure at the Asian appointing and we never got any- al was foiled once again when Cup could end in the termination of his contract, however, where near anyone and allowed Mark Connolly produced an excel- although the four-time champions will be expected to comfortably negotiate their first-round group, which also Celtic to pass the ball around with- lent defensive header to flick his features Jordan, Iraq and war-torn Palestine. out any pressure. powerful drive, which looked des- Iraq overcame conflict and turmoil to win the Asian Cup “If you allow good players to tined to burst the net, over the in 2007 but Uzbekistan could prove the best of the rest this play and don’t put any pressure on bar. Celtic keeper Gordon had time around, with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar also them then they are always going to been a virtual spectator for most potentially dangerous to the top sides. cause you problems.” Commons, of the match but had to be at full But with no outright tournament favourite, the title making his first start since stretch to tip a wicked strike from could come down to which team has the courage to aban- November 22, was quick to show Muirhead over the bar after he don caution and take risks. the kind of form that saw him earn tried his luck from the edge of the South Korea last lifted the trophy in 1960 — the year last year’s Player of the Year award box. Celtic finally got the second Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, won Olympic boxing with the forward involved in every- goal their play deserved in the gold-and will be hoping that the success of their Under-23 thing. After surviving a couple of 71st minute. Efe Ambrose sent a side in winning last year’s Asian Games rubs off on the sen- ior team, despite their own lack of cutting edge. Iran, led hefty challenges early on, downward header towards goal by former Portugal and Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz, Commons came close to the open- from Johansen’s corner and will also be looking to make an impact after a disappoint- er in the 16th minute as his left- Scepovic stuck out a foot on the ing World Cup, but the three-time Asian champions have BRAZIL: In a file picture taken on June 22, 2014, South Korea’s midfielder Son Heung- foot strike from outside the box line to divert it into the roof of the struggled to fill the void left by the likes of Ali Karimi, Min advances with the ball. Son Heung-Min is one of the players to watch at the clipped the crossbar with keeper net.—AFP Mehdi Mahdavikia and record goalscorer Ali Daei. —AFP Asian Cup. —AFP From minority sport in Australia to Asian Cup

SYDNEY: Football was once sneered at in tries like Greece, who arrived in waves in the “When I was at primary school in the 1970s, Australia as a game played mainly by immi- years following World War II. kids like myself-who decided to kick a soccer ball grants but it will cement its rise from a minority “‘Sheilas’, ‘wogs’ and ‘poofters’ were consid- around their streets and in the schoolyard-were sport to an established pastime when the Asian ered the second-class citizens of the day and if ridiculed, mocked and beaten up,” wrote Nick Cup starts this week. you played soccer, you were considered one of Giannopoulos, star of Australia’s “Wog Boy” In times past, lovers of football could find them,” explained Warren, who died in 2004. comedies, in 2006. themselves insulted and attacked in a country “That’s how soccer was regarded back then “Not a week would go by when some kid where the rugby codes, Australian rules and and, to some extent, still is today.” Debate would come up to us and tell us that if we were cricket dominate the sporting landscape. remains lively over whether the sport should Aussies then we should be playing footy and not But international successes and a vastly retain its formerly preferred name of “soccer”, to that ‘wogball’.” improved domestic scene have been behind avoid clashing with rugby league and Australian Despite ambivalence towards the game, football’s steady ascent in Australia, capped with rules, both proudly known as “football”. Australia reached their first World Cup in 1974, the 16-nation Asian Cup starting on Friday. Football in fact has deep roots in Australia, exiting at the group stage, but they would have Football is now more readily associated with with reports of games as far back as the 1830s, to wait 32 years before making a triumphant stand-out moments like Tim Cahill’s sublime and the first match played under the official return in 2006. strike at last year’s World Cup, or Western Sydney Laws of the Game taking place in Sydney in Goals from Cahill, John Aloisi, Craig Moore Wanderers winning the 2014 AFC Champions 1880. But rugby was then the game of choice in and Harry Kewell took the Socceroos into the League. colonial power Britain, a preference which quarter-finals in Germany, where they were Traditional attitudes to football are summed helped push football in Australia to the margins, undone by a controversial last-gasp penalty up by the title of influential ex-player and broad- despite its early successes. against eventual winners Italy. Despite the cruel caster Johnny Warren’s 2002 book, “Sheilas, So while football flourished across the globe, defeat, it was a campaign that ignited football JAPAN: In this Tuesday, June 4, 2013 photo, Australia’s Tim Cahill listens to the Wogs and Poofters”. there was little being played in Australia until interest in Australia, also spurred on by the res- national anthem before their Asian zone Group B qualifying soccer match for the “Wogs” is a racial insult applied to immi- the post-war migrants arrived from Europe and urrection of the domestic game by Football 2014 World Cup in Saitama.—AP grants, mainly from southern European coun- took root in the country. Federation Australia (FFA).—AFP WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 SPORTS Enrique under threat as Barca crisis spirals

MADRID: Five days of 2015 was all it took lot more recent credit with the fans, having for crisis mode to envelop Barcelona as two won three Champions League and six La club legends Andoni Zubizarreta and Liga titles in the past decade. Carles Puyol left their roles with the Catalan Indeed in the brief period between giants following a shock 1-0 defeat to Zubizarreta’s sacking and Puyol’s resigna- David Moyes’s Real Sociedad at the week- tion, the latter was being touted as the ide- end. al man to step into the role of sporting Yet, worse could still be to come with director with a year to properly learn the rumours of dressing room discontent ropes before having to dive into the trans- between coach Luis Enrique and star play- fer market. ers like Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique Instead, reports in Spain yesterday sug- bringing Enrique’s position under serious gest that Fiorentina’s sporting director threat should they fail to comfortably see Eduardo Macia will be approached for the off Elche in the Copa del Rey in midweek role. and beat La Liga champions Atletico The boardroom unease has spread onto Madrid at home on Sunday. the pitch as Barca failed to capitalise on Zubizarreta’s sacking as the club’s sport- Real Madrid’s first defeat in 23 games on ing director by president Josep Maria Sunday away to Valencia as just hours later Bartomeu on Monday came as little sur- they suffered a third league defeat of the prise. season with Enrique having left nearly 300 Bartomeu is fighting a losing battle to million euros of talent on the bench. see out his mandate until 2016 and needed Messi was among those left on the side- a scapegoat for the one year transfer ban lines after only returning to Spain from his imposed on the club by FIFA for irregulari- Christmas break in Argentina 48 hours ties in the signing of minors, which rules before the match. out any further reinforcements to the play- The four-time World Player of the Year ing squad until next January. then missed an open training session in Anticipating the ban, Zubizarreta was in front of the club’s fans on Monday due to a charge of Barca’s near 160 million euros reported stomach bug. ($191 million, £125 million) splurge on sev- However, the rumour mill churned into en new players over the summer which has overdrive when the Argentine followed so far proved largely unsuccessful. Chelsea’s official account and two of their The most expensive signing in the club’s players Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtois on history, Luis Suarez, has scored just one the social networking site Instagram later league goal, whilst 18 million euro defend- in the day. er Thomas Vermaelen is yet to make his Selling Messi, particularly in the midst of debut for the club after being sidelined a transfer ban, is unthinkable even for a ITALY: AC Milan’s Andrea Poli (center) scores during a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Sassuolo, at the San Siro stadium. —AP until April with a hamstring injury. Barca board on the brink. On the contrary, However, there was widespread shock getting he, Neymar and Suarez playing well when former captain Puyol decided to fol- together on a consistent basis appears to low Zubizarreta out by resigning. The 36- be the Catalans only hope of claiming Roma snatch Udinese win year-old intimated his departure from the some silverware come the end of the sea- Camp Nou may be fleeting, stating that he son. hoped “to grow both personally and pro- Should Enrique fail to provide the nec- MILAN: Title challengers Roma had Davide the referee then what is the point of them hired on Christmas Eve-saw the Sardinians fessionally so that, in the future, I can return essary answers when Diego Simeone’s Astori’s controversial first-half goal to thank for being there?” Elsewhere, AC Milan’s push for a crumble quickly at the Stadio Barbera. home.” Atletico revisit the scene of their title tri- a 1-0 win away to Udinese yesterday that place in Europe stalled after a shock 2-1 home Michel Morganella and Matias Munoz struck Yet, it was another major body blow for umph last season, he may be next to face pulled them level with Juventus at the top of defeat to Sassuolo left Filippo Inzaghi’s men inside the opening 10 minutes and after a beleaguered board to lose an icon with a the brunt of Bartomeu’s blame game.—AFP Italy’s Serie A. seventh but five points behind Lazio in the Cagliari captain Daniele Conti saw red for a sec- Ahead of Juve’s later fixture with Inter Milan, third and final Champions League qualifying ond bookable offence just before the half hour, Roma travelled north without Gervinho, place. Andrea Poli gave Milan a ninth-minute Paulo Dybala struck from the penalty spot to Seydou Keita, Emmanuel Badu and Molla lead but Eusebio De Francesco’s visitors lev- give Palermo a 3-0 half-time lead. Wague-all of whom are on Africa Cup of elled thanks to Nicola Sansone’s 28th minute Dybala completed his brace in the 72nd Prince Ali’s FIFA push Nations duty-as well as injured defender strike before Italy forward Simone Zaza minute and Osvaldo Barreto grabbed a late Leandro Castan. wrapped up the points in the 67th minute. fifth five minutes from the whistle to hand needs AFC support Despite shading the encounter at Udinese’s Gianfranco Zola’s Serie A coaching debut at Cagliari their heaviest defeat of the campaign. Friuli stadium, Rudi Garcia’s men rode their luck former club Cagliari, meanwhile, ended in a Rock bottom Parma claimed only their third in the closing minutes when late substitute painful 5-0 rout at Palermo, whose sixth win of win of the season, their shock 1-0 win over LONDON: With the expected backing of committee. The Bahraini came to power Urby Emanuelson seemed to haul down the campaign moved them up to eighth place. Fiorentina helped by the expulsion of Viola pair European body UEFA, Prince Ali Bin Al- in 2013 with a conclusive election victory Panagiotis Kone in the box, only for the referee Former Cagliari coach Zdenek Zeman was Gonzalo Rodriguez and Stefan Savic in the final Hussein’s hopes of becoming the first after being backed by Kuwaiti Sheikh to waved play on. sacked just before the festive break, but Zola- 11 minutes.—AFP Asian president of FIFA will rest on his Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah-the man Ali Roma’s 12th win of the campaign left them ability to sway support at home in the needs to topple Blatter. in second place on 39 points, with Lazio, 3-0 Asian Football Confederation. UEFA and Sheikh Ahmad is the head of the winners over Sampdoria on Monday, in third a AFC members will account for 100 votes- Olympic Council of Asia and the further nine points adrift. almost half of the total-at the May elec- Association of National Olympic Juventus can restore their three-point cush- tions in Zurich, where the 39-year-old Committees and his support has swayed ion with a win in Turin later Tuesday, a game Jordanian royal will stand against many a sporting election campaign, with Garcia and Roma will be watching in earnest. Jermone Champagne and, barring a International Olympic Committee Frenchman Garcia told Sky Sport: “It’s impor- shock U-turn, incumbent Sepp Blatter. President Thomas Bach among those tant to win when you’re the first to play. We’re Yesterday’s announcement of Ali’s who have won votes after the Kuwaiti’s relaxed, tonight we’ll be in front of the televi- decision to stand followed UEFA backing. When Blatter spoke at the AFC’s sion to see who wins.” President Michel Platini revealing last awards dinner in Manila in December he Roma took the lead in the 17th minute when Astori’s powerful header from Francesco Totti’s month that he did not want to back made a point of reaching out to thank free-kick came off the underside of Orestis either Blatter or Champagne and hoped and praise Sheikh Ahmad in his pre-din- Karnezis’s crossbar and bounced over the keep- another candidate would emerge. ner speech rather than Bahraini Shaikh er’s goalline. And stepped forward the Frenchman’s Salman, who had opened proceedings The goal appeared to be initially ruled out close confidant Prince Ali. The Jordanian by reiterating the AFC’s full support for by the goalline official-Italy uses a goalline offi- royal, who said he had been encouraged Blatter to stand for a fifth term. Asian cial at either end as well as the referee and his to stand by his FIFA colleagues, will be members, and in particular Ali, know two assistants-but, following protests by Roma, able to bank on the support of the 54 Sheikh Ahmad can change that and back was validated by the referee. members associations of a united UEFA, the Jordanian as he has done before. Television replays appeared to show that not who have been critical of Blatter. Ali surprisingly toppled powerful all of the ball had crossed the line, an incident But a successful election will need South Korean Chung Mong-joon for the which is likely to reinforce existing calls for votes from elsewhere, and Blatter has FIFA Vice-Presidency seat but their rela- goalline technology to be introduced into already been assured of the support of tionship is unclear now following Sheikh Italy’s top flight. Africa’s 54 members, Confederation of Salman’s election in 2013. Garcia admitted that the use of goalline African Football general secretary Despite the political powerplays at technology would “end any doubts” but added: Hicham el Amrani said in September. the top, Ali has won plaudits for his four “At the end of the day the match referee is the Asia is the key battle ground. years of vice-presidential work, where he one who decides, he was quite well placed to Despite being the founder and head has increased the number of countries see the ball go over.” of the West Asian Football Federation, competing in the AFC Champions However Udinese coach Andrea and the AFC’s FIFA Vice President, Ali’s League, promoted women’s football in Stramaccioni hit out: “My biggest complaint is about the goalline referees. It’s got nothing to stock in his home continent has dropped Asia and removed the ban on head scarfs do with the score. since taking on the role at the world gov- in the game. “Roma won and we accept the scoreline. But erning body in 2011. The Asian Football Development if the goalline officials, who are put there to ITALY: Cesena’s Ze Eduardo (right) vies for the ball with Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain, during their Ali lost a political power struggle to Project, a non-profit youth commission rule on borderline goals, are simply ignored by Serie A soccer match. —AP AFC President Shaikh Salman bin he founded in 2012 to develop football Ebrahim Al Khalifa last year, with the across the poorest areas of the continent Bahraini forcing through policy to ensure will also have curried favor among some the head of the organisation took the Asian members-and he hopes in all pow- FIFA seat on the all-powerful executive erful Kuwait. —Reuters Reformist Ali not one to blend into FIFA crowd

LONDON: Prince Ali bin Al Hussein became the a statement. “He has all the credibility required Development Project in 2012, a non-profit youngest member of the FIFA executive commit- to hold high office. We now await his proposals scheme aimed at developing grass roots football tee when he was elected to the governing body and his programme for the future of football.” across Asia. He also campaigned successfully to in 2011 but the Jordanian has never been over- Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland, Britain’s FIFA lift the ban on female Islamic players wearing awed by the more established members on soc- vice-president, told Reuters: “I have sat on the headscarves or hijabs in competitions. Blatter cer’s top table. executive committee with him for three and a might still be favourite to win the FIFA election His royal background, military education and half years and I hold him in the highest esteem. in May, but no-one should underestimate Prince a fierce determination “to do the right thing” “If he feels something needs to be said, he Ali’s potential to make an even greater impact marked him out as someone who stood out says it. He comes across to me as being moral this year.—Reuters from the old guard. and open and we now have the fascinating situ- He is also one of the few FIFA executive com- ation of the 209 members of FIFA being able to mittee members who might slip into a pair of make a democratic decision in May.” jeans, pull on a leather jacket and go and watch Ali has campaigned against the secretive Matches on TV his favourites Arsenal in London or eat at a mod- nature of Blatter’s FIFA and was among the first est restaurant and feel completely at home. there to support the publication of Michael (Local Timings) And he could become the youngest FIFA Garcia’s original report into the alleged scandals president since Robert Guerin, became its first surrounding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. Spain Copa del Rey aged 28 in 1904. Those who have followed his He has urged reform in Zurich, and unlike career progression closely over the last four most of the other executive committee mem- years were not surprised by yesterday’s bers, is not afraid to speak to the media to get Villarreal v Sociedad 22:00 announcement that he has decided to challenge his own point of view across and in many ways is beIN SPORTS 1 HD Sepp Blatter for the presidency later this year. above the “party politics” at FIFA House. Softly spoken, and usually with a few days He became president of the Jordan Football Atletico v Real Madrid 23:00 growth on his face, he clearly resembles his late Association when he was 24 in 1999 and likes to beIN SPORTS 2 HD father King Hussein and has some powerful sup- joke, “when I went into the dressing room, I was porters including UEFA president Michel Platini. the same age as most of the players. Thursday Platini, who decided to remain as president of “But there was one major difference,” adds Almeria v Getafe 0:00 the European soccer body and not run for the the royal. “They could play the game a lot better beIN SPORTS 3 HD FIFA office despite saying Blatter’s time at the than me.” Among his achievements, Prince Ali AMMAN: In this Monday, May 26, 2014. file photo Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA top should end, welcomed the announcement. founded the West Asian Football Federation in Valencia v Espanyol 0:00 (left) is greeted by FIFA Vice President, Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein (right) prior “I know Prince Ali well,” the Frenchman said in 2000 and started the Asian Football to their meeting on the first day of Blatter’s regional tour to Jordan. —AP beIN SPORTS 1 HD Terranova clinches Roma snatch second stage Udinese win

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 201515 19 Mavs beat Nets, Warriors silence Thunder Page 17

BRISBANE: MariaSharapova of Russia serves against Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan in the second round of women’s singles match on day three of the Brisbane International tennis tournament. — AFP Sharapova brushes Shvedova aside Serena goes down in Perth BRISBANE: Top seed Maria Sharapova began her 2015 “She lost the first set in her previous match (against shock loss at the hands of big-serving fellow Australian ed five times in her first two services games and yet campaign in ruthless fashion as she brushed aside Sabine Lisicki) 6-0 and ended up winning the match in a Sam Groth. Groth blasted 14 aces and won 89 percent cruised to an emphatic 6-2, 6-1 win over the 18-time Yaroslava Shvedova 6-0, 6-1 in the second round of the tough three-set battle, so you never know,” Sharapova of his first serves to overpower Hewitt 6-3, 6-2 in just 58 Grand Slam singles champion. Brisbane International yesterday. said. minutes. Errors flowed off the Williams racquet during her Sharapova dominated her opponent in every depart- “There were moments where I saved a few important Fifth seed Kevin Anderson was another casualty in match with Bouchard and the 33-year-old said she had- ment as she raced through the first set in just 23 min- break points, which was crucial. That gave me good the men’s draw, with the South African falling to Polish n’t been feeling at her best since arriving in Perth on utes. Shvedova, a qualifier from Kazakhstan, offered confidence towards the end of that second set.” qualifier Lukasz Kubot 7-6 (7/3), 6-4. Saturday. more resistance in the second but was no match for the Sharapova will now play the winner of the clash Seventh seed Alexandr Dolgopolov, a finalist in “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I am so tired, it’s world number two. between seventh seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain Brisbane in 2012, cruised into the second round with a so weird,” she said when asked if she was suffering from Sharapova had not played a competitive match since and Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. 6-2, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq. jet lag. the WTA Finals in October. But there were no signs of Earlier, third-seeded German Angelique Kerber Meanwhile in Perth, world number one Serena “I can’t get my body to move and I feel like I have no rust as she cruised into the quarter-finals.”It certainly felt remained on course for a semi-final showdown against Williams complained of tiredness after being trounced energy.”It is a little frustrating because I know I can play good to start (well) after not playing a match for a cou- Sharapova when she crushed Russian qualifier Daria by Canadian Eugenie Bouchard at the mixed teams 2000 times better.” But Williams said she wasn’t overly ple of months,” Sharapova said. Gavrilova in straight sets. Hopman Cup yesterday. concerned by the issue. “Despite all the training, it’s such a different feeling Kerber needed just 90 minutes to see off Brisbane- Williams was humbled by the sixth-ranked Bouchard “I’m so fit, I can run 10km, I don’t know how to to go out on the court and play in front of a crowd in an based Gavrilova 6-3, 7-5. “I think it’s good to be now in in straight sets as Canada upset the tournament describe it,” she said. “I have to figure it out, hopefully I actual match atmosphere. “I wanted to start off sharp the quarters and have a lot of matches before favourites 2-1. Williams went down one set against can do better in my next match.” Williams certainly and try to do the right things.” Melbourne,” Kerber said. 12th-ranked Flavia Pennetta in her first outing in Perth played with renewed vigour in the later mixed doubles Sharapova broke her opponent five times through- “I think that was my goal, and right now it looks on Monday but was rejuvenated by a mid-match coffee rubber. In beating Williams for the first time, Bouchard out the match, but had to save two break points on her good.” She will now take on Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, a 6- and went on to beat the Italian. rebounded strongly from the disappointment of own serve in the second set. She said this was impor- 3, 6-2 winner over Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic. However, there was to be no coffee-inspired miracle Canada’s opening tie, when she was beaten 6-0, 6-4 by tant in stopping any chance of a Shvedova comeback. Defending men’s champion Lleyton Hewitt suffered a against the sixth-ranked Bouchard, who doubled-fault- the Czech Republic’s in-form Lucie Safarova.—AFP Nadal suffer shock defeat in Qatar Ito advances in Chennai DOHA: Rafael Nadal’s ability to make a quick Earler Berrer commented: “What I’ve learned CHENNAI: recovery from multiple ailments was thrown into from my studies for my sports psychology masters Japan’s number two Tatsuma Lu’s next opponent will be Spaniard doubt yesterday as he lost 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Michael degree is to avoid thinking about these things.” Ito moved into the second round of the Pablo Carreno-Busta, who beat Alejandro Berrer in Qatar. This was a reference to dealing with the pressure of ATP Chennai Open with a straight-sets Gonzalez of Colombia 6-1, 6-3. Swedish This first round match was Nadal’s first match closing out a career-best win against a legend. “In win over Indian wildcard Ramkumar wildcard Elias Ymer moved up by defeat- of the 2015 ATP World Tour and he appeared to the first set it felt like the other matches against Ramanathan yesterday. ing Dutchman Igor Sijsling 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 have had insufficient time to recover from an him,” he added. “Then it became easy to attack The 87th-ranked Ito, playing for the and Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania beat appendectomy, and far too little match practice because it was the only chance I had. first time in the $450,000 season opener qualifier Luca Vanni of Italy 6-1, 2-6, 7-5. over the last two months. Nevertheless, it was a “It’s also my last season and I had nothing to in the southern Indian city, won 6-3, 6-3 Another qualifier Aljaz Bedene of humiliating outcome for one of the most success- lose, and I’m enjoying it here-so why not?” Berrer on the centre court of the Slovenia brushed aside Lukas Lacko of ful players of all time, who won the first set at a had plenty of time to think about answering that Nungambakkam tennis stadium. Slovakia 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 to set up a tough canter, and then found himself quite unable to question, for he broke early in the final set and led “It is good to start the year with a win, second round meeting against second play anywhere near the standard he would have 3-1, sometimes finding angles which perhaps only but I must play a consistent game to go seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain. hoped for. a fellow lefty could manage against Nadal. forward,” said Ito, who next plays fifth Australian Open champion and world Berrer is a 34-year-old qualifier ranked outside The French Open champion almost broke back seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain. number four Stanislas Wawrinka leads the top 100 who is playing the last season of his immediately, but a Hawkeye decision showed his Garcia-Lopez overcame the loss in the the 32-man field which includes a strong career. Nadal has also been suffering from back ground stroke to have landed a millimetre beyond tie-breaker of the first set to edge past Spanish contingent of 14th-ranked QATAR: Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal error-prone qualifier Evgeny Donskoy of Lopez, number 15 Roberto Bautista-Agut and wrist injuries, which reduced his service speed the baseline, and his only real chance after that reacts after losing his tennis match against greatly. came in the final game. Russia 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-3 in two hours. and Garcia-Lopez. Other leading con- Michael Berrer of Germany in Qatar’s Sixth seed Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan also tenders are Belgium’s David Goffin, and Berrer had only taken four games in four sets That saw Berrer slip to 15-40, only to produce ExxonMobil Open yesterday. — AFP off Nadal in their previous two meetings, but two good first serves, and then go break back point breezed through to the next round with Wawrinka’s second round opponent recognised a career-greatest opportunity and in down by delivering a double fault, before attacking challenge for the Australian Open, but may cause a 6-3, 6-4 win over India’s top player Borna Coric of Croatia. patches responded by raising his standards to new the net on each of the last three points and finding questions about what sort of season this is going to Somdev Devvarman. The top four seeds-Wawrinka, Lopez, heights. He was also admirably frank in his assess- Nadal unable to come up with any of those rasping be for him Earlier Novak Djokovic, who succeeded “One is always a bit worried at the Bautista-Agut and Goffin-received a ment. “It’s one of the matches which will stay in my passing shots for which he has become so Nadal as world number one in June, made a satis- start of a season, but I think I played bye in the first round. The champion memory for ever, but let’s be honest it was the first renowned. It not only cost Nadal the title here and factory start with a 6-1, 6-4 win over his Serbian okay,” the 31-year-old Lu said. “I hope I will pocket $73,400 and 250 ranking match for Rafa after injury,” he said. raised doubts about his ability to make any sort of compatriot Dusan Lajovic. — AFP can do well in the other matches.” points. —AFP Kuwait real estate activity remains robust Page 22

Cairo stops subsidies Business to farmers of cotton Page 23 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 A track-ready Lexus poised to make global US home prices coasting upward in November debut at 2015 NAIAS Page 25 Page 26

MANHATTAN: A construction worker clears wood from a platform that spans the Penn Station railroad tracks in midtown Manhattan, in New York. —AP (See Page 25) Euro-zone growth faltered in 2014: Survey Big EU economies choking off growth in region

LONDON: Weakness in the euro- manufacturing and services - rein- economist Chris Williamson said. on the back of expectations that the zone’s major economies, such as forced that picture. Its main index Williamson said he was particular- ECB will back a further stimulus as Oil weighs on Germany and France, risks choking rose to 51.4 points in December ly concerned by the downturns in traders anticipate more of the cur- off the growth emerging in coun- from 51.1 the previous month. France and Italy, as well as the “stut- rency in circulation. On Monday, the bourses, but Saudi tries that were at the forefront of the However, that was down from a pre- tering” performance of Germany, euro fell to a nine-year low against region’s debt crisis, a closely moni- liminary estimate for December of Europe’s economic powerhouse. He the dollar below $1.19. cuts losses tored survey indicated yesterday. In 51.7, with figures above 50 indicat- warned that the recoveries in coun- While anemic economic growth its monthly survey of business activi- ing expansion. tries like Ireland and Spain, which across the euro-zone is a major ty, financial information company Overall, Markit suggests that the are enjoying their best growth spells source of concern for policymakers MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS Markit said the euro-zone ended rate of economic expansion during in years, “are in danger of being at the ECB, it is too-low inflation 2014 on a tepid note despite “signs the fourth quarter was the weakest extinguished by malaise spreading that’s prompting the speculation of DUBAI: Gulf stock markets extended their losses yesterday as Brent of life” in countries like Ireland and since the third quarter of 2013. from the region’s largest economies.” further action. Inflation, at last crude plunged for a second session in a row and the threat of a fresh euro-zone crisis in Greece also prompted investors to sell risky assets Markit estimates that the euro-zone, The weak data will likely add to count, stood at 0.3 percent, far Spain, which were hit hard by the globally. Brent crude touched a fresh 5-1/2-year low at $51.23 a bar- financial crisis. That’s another poten- which now numbers 19 countries calls for more aggressive action from below the ECB’s target of annual rel on oversupply concerns. MSCI’s emerging market index fell 1.0 tial headache for policymakers following Lithuania’s adoption of the the European Central Bank. Its presi- price increases just below 2 percent. percent to a three-week low. across the region. As well as fears euro at the start of January, grew by dent, Mario Draghi, recently hinted Figures Wednesday are expected to Saudi Arabia’s main index dropped as much as 4.0 percent in a that the euro-zone will soon suffer a a quarterly rate of 0.1 percent in the that the bank stands ready to launch show a further decline, with some broad sell-off early in the session, but then pared its losses and bout of deflation, or falling prices, last three months of the year, contin- a full-blown bond-buying program economists predicting an actual closed only 0.6 percent down. The kingdom’s market is heavily which can choke the recovery fur- uing the trend of minimal growth similar to those undertaken by other decline due to sliding oil prices. The weighted towards petrochemicals, whose profit margins will suffer ther, there are renewed concerns since the recession ended in mid- central banks, such as the US Federal benchmark New York rate has fallen from cheaper crude. The sector was the main drag on the bourse as over Greece’s future in the euro- 2013. Reserve and the Bank of England. below $50 for the first time in nearly it fell 1.2 percent. But dozens of stocks closed in the black and zone. In concert, they’ve renewed Many experts think the ECB could six years. Although falling prices Makkah real estate developer Jabal Omar was the main support, pressure on the euro and exacerbat- Recession missed make the announcement at its next may sound good, so-called deflation jumping 2.2 percent after it secured a 4 billion riyal ($1.1 billion) loan ed the fall in oil prices. “The euro-zone will look upon monetary policy meeting on Jan 22. can choke the life out of an econo- to refinance part of an existing facility. The broad market’s recovery Many of the problems con- 2014 as a year in which reces- Although the ECB has cut interest my if consumers put off purchases in followed a speech by King Abdullah - read on his behalf by Crown fronting the euro-zone would be sion was avoided by the narrow- rates to record lows and backed the the hope of future bargains, and Prince Salman on state television - in which the monarch said the world’s top oil exporter would deal “with a firm will” with the chal- helped by economic growth but sur- est of margins, but the weakness purchase of some private-sector companies struggle to remain prof- lenge posed by lower oil prices, although he did not give policy vey after survey shows that prospect of the survey data suggests bonds, it has refrained from a full- itable. Deflation can prove difficult details. Also, a survey of companies showed on Tuesday that growth remains distant. Markit’s so-called there’s no guarantee that a scale bond-buying program - so- to reverse, as evidenced by Japan’s in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector had accelerated slightly in purchasing managers’ index - a renewed downturn will not be called quantitative easing, or QE. The economic stagnation over the past December, driven by an expansion in output, though it remained gauge of business activity across seen in 2015,” Markit’s chief euro has been in retreat for months two decades.—AP weaker than it was in most of 2014. “The rise in December’s whole economy PMIs suggests that, in spite of the plunge in oil prices at the end of last year, economic activity in the Gulf has held up reasonably well,” Jason Tuvey, Middle DIB to test Gulf debt markets post oil fall East economist at London-based Capital Economics, said in a note. The kingdom adopted a large 2015 state budget last month which provides for a marginal increase in spending rather than a cut as DUBAI: Dubai Islamic Bank will reopen the Gulf risen. Dubai’s 3.875 percent January 2023 sukuk been much more disciplined than in other regions.” some retail investors had previously feared. bond market next week with a capital-boosting widened by 77 basis points between the end of A strong deal could accelerate the plans of other sukuk, the region’s first debt offering in two months November and mid-December to 4.483 percent. potential issuers who have been waiting on the UAE, EGYPT as financial markets there wobbled under the The volatility brought a halt to what had been sidelines, a senior Gulf-based banker on the deal Dubai’s bourse led losses in the Gulf, dropping 3.2 percent. Emaar impact of falling oil prices. A successful offering active issuance. The last deal from a Gulf issuer said on condition of anonymity as he is not allowed Properties, the emirate’s largest listed developer, topped trading vol- would not just bolster reserves at DIB, the largest came on Nov 12, when fellow Dubai lender Emirates to speak to the media. ume as it lost 5.8 percent. However, shares in Air Arabia bucked the Islamic bank in the United Arab Emirates, but also NBD completed a $500 million five-year trade. Prior A slew of companies had announced plans last trend and added 1.4 percent after the firm said on Monday it had pave the way for others who may have been waiting to that, there had been 14 deals since Sept 4. year for bond issues including Bank Muscat, Gulf bought a 49 percent stake in Jordan’s Petra Airlines and would to see the fallout from oil prices before coming to Against this backdrop, DIB said yesterday it had Finance House and Etisalat. The transaction is establish a hub in the country. The carrier may also benefit from the the market. picked eight banks to arrange roadshows between important for DIB, after the bank’s Chief Executive sustained drop in oil prices. Benchmark Brent oil has plunged by more than Jan. 8 and 12 in Hong Kong, Singapore, the UAE and Adnan Chilwan said it would need to bolster its cap- Dubai’s non-oil business activity growth also edged up in half from its June peak, hitting a 5-1/2-year low on London. The potential benchmark size dollar sukuk ital reserves to sustain growth. December. But the emirate’s bourse, which unlike Saudi Arabia’s is Tuesday. The slump gathered pace after a Nov. 27 issue will boost the bank’s Tier 1, or core, capital. Strong lending and acquisitions had reduced its open to direct foreign investment, has been hit in recent days by a meeting of OPEC ministers said the group would total capital adequacy ratio - a key indicator of the global pullout from emerging markets. Foreigners from outside the not cut output to support prices. Oil and gas pro- VANGUARD bank’s health - to 15.2 percent on Sept. 30. While Gulf were again net sellers on Tuesday, bourse data showed. duction account for nearly half of economic output Despite the lack of bond deals and higher poten- above the minimum 12 percent set down by the Elsewhere in the Gulf, Abu Dhabi’s index fell 2.7 percent, Kuwait lost in the six Gulf Cooperation Council nations, some tial costs for issuing new debt, the DIB deal should UAE central bank, it was 3 percentage points down 1.5 percent and Oman’s bourse slipped 1.3 percent. Egypt’s market three-quarters of exports, and an even higher ratio find strong local demand if it is priced well, said from the start of 2014. HSBC and Standard dropped 2.4 percent. As an oil importer, Egypt should benefit from of state revenues, raising fears about the effect on Abdul Kadir Hussain, chief executive at Mashreq Chartered are joint structuring banks for the poten- cheaper crude, but its equities are also vulnerable to global emerg- local economies. Capital, the investment unit of Mashreq bank. tial issue, with Al Hilal Bank, Emirates NBD, National ing market flows and Cairo’s government relies heavily on financial Stock markets in Dubai and Saudi Arabia have “We will need stability in oil prices for spreads to Bank of Abu Dhabi, Noor Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank aid from the oil-exporting Gulf states, which could conceivably slipped by 19.4 percent and 11 percent respectively start tightening again. But there is still strong liquid- and DIB’s own investment banking team chosen for shrink if they become more cautious about spending. — Reuters since the OPEC gathering, while debt yields have ity in the market and the widening in this region has the deal. —Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 Kuwait real estate activity remains robust News in brief

NBK ECONOMIC REPORT Kuwait oil barrel down by $3.99 to $47.36pb KUWAIT: Kuwait’s real estate market had one of its of 29 percent y/y. The announcement by one bank KUWAIT: The price of Kuwaiti oil went down by $3.99 best months of 2014 in November, with sales total- that it intended to liquidate one of its real estate Monday to $47.36 per barrel compared to $51.35pb ing KD413 million. Across the three real estate sub- portfolios in December may have contributed to last Friday, said Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) sectors, the residential and commercial sectors per- the slowdown in activity, with many investors likely yesterday. The global oil price dropped tremendously formed more strongly than the investment sector holding off on purchases in November in order to in the beginning of this week’s trading with future in November, which saw a year-on-year (y/y) take part in the following month’s auction. In terms contracts of American crude reaching $50pb for the decline in the value of transactions. In general, of the number of transactions, only 99 were record- first time since April 2009. Brent mix prices also went Kuwait’s real estate market had a good year in ed during the month, a decline of 21 percent y/y. down under $55pb which raised fears of increasing terms of growth with investors seeing it as an alter- The average transaction size also dropped, to KD 1 oil supplies with no demand noticeable for the black native to the stock market in its capacity to deliver million. gold. The new policies to be carried out by Iraq and more stables returns. In the investment sector, whole buildings Saudi Arabia had also affected prices with Baghdad Sales in the residential sector totalled KD178 accounted for 43.5 percent of all transactions. considering increasing exports up to 3.3 million bar- million during the month. This was an increase of Apartment units followed, with 40 percent of all rels pd in January, while Riyadh is planning to lower 26.5 percent y/y. November’s performance was the transactions. The Ahmadi governorate once again the price of its oil exported to European buyers this second best this year after a few months of rela- witnessed the bulk of activity, with 51 percent of all month. OPEC’s meeting last November decided to tively subdued activity attributed to PAHW plot dis- transactions, while the Hawalli governorate tributions and infrastructure developments in areas accounted for 22 percent. The largest transaction, keep production at 30 million barrels per day, a con- such as Abu Fateera and Fintas. The number of however, involved the sale of a building for KD 22 tributing fact to the continuous drop. transactions was also up by 30 percent y/y. The million in Al-Salmiya. average value of residential transactions has In the volatile commercial sector, sales grew remained relatively steady for a number of months more than five-fold over the corresponding month Main currencies stabilize now. in 2013 to reach KD 131 million. The large increase against Kuwaiti dinar Residential activity was, once again, heaviest in is mainly attributed to a single transaction of KD 92 KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the main cur- the Ahmadi governorate, which accounted for 60 million in the Ahmadi governorate. 13 transactions rencies, namely the US dollar, euro, yen, Swiss percent of all residential transactions during in total were recorded in November. franc and the sterling were all stable against November. More specifically, plots in Sabah Al- November also saw two small coastal line trans- the Kuwaiti dinar yesterday, compared to yes- Ahmed Sea City accounted for 47 percent of all actions: a restaurant in Funaitees that was bought terday’s exchange rate. The Central Bank of transactions in the residential sector. The average for KD 175,000 and a plot in Mahboola that was Kuwait said in its daily bulletin that the transaction size in November was KD 300,000, sold for KD 533,000. Coastal line transactions are exchange rate for the US dollar was stable at down 3.3 percent y/y due to the higher volume of unique as they are independently regulated. They KD 0.293 against the KD, while the euro was lower-priced units from Sabah Al-Ahmed Sea City can also include both commercial and residential also stable at KD 0.350, whereas the Sterling coming online. Meanwhile, the Mubarak Al-Kabeer properties. Pound stood at KD 0.448, the Swiss franc was and Hawally governorates accounted for 15 per- The Kuwait Credit Bank (KCB) approved 336 KD 0.291, while the Japanese yen was cent and 8 percent of all transactions, respectively. housing loans worth approximately KD 20.4 million in November, a drop of 41 percent y/y. Again, this unchanged at KD 0.002. Investment sector was largely due to a base and seasonal effect. Meanwhile, in the investment sector, sales of KD Disbursed loans totalled KD 20.3 million, an 104 million were recorded in November, a decrease increase of 30 percent y/y. Bahrain sovereign fund signs $500m loan DUBAI: Bahrain’s Mumtalakat has signed a $500 mil- lion five-year loan with a group of banks and will use Egypt’s Bisco the cash to refinance debt, the sovereign fund said yesterday. Reuters reported on Sunday that Misr to sell Mumtalakat had signed the loan with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, stake to Kellogg Standard Chartered, Arab Banking Corp and National Bank of Bahrain. The loan is structured as a revolving credit facility and was signed towards the end of CAIRO: Shareholders in Egypt’s Bisco Misr have December, Mumtalakat said. One of the smaller sover- agreed to sell a controlling stake to Kellogg as the eign wealth funds in the Gulf region, Mumtalakat had world’s largest breakfast cereal maker emerged as $7.1 billion of assets under management at the end of the likely winner of an $87 million takeover battle September. It holds stakes in 40 firms in the kingdom’s for the cake and biscuit producer. Private equity non-oil sector, including Bahrain Telecommunications firm Abraaj said last week it would withdraw from a Co (Batelco) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). bidding war with Kellogg that had driven up the offer price by over 20 percent, leaving the US group as the only remaining suitor. Shareholders controlling 59.91 percent of the Egypt’s foreign reserves firm’s shares agreed to sell at 89.86 pounds a share, fall to $15.33bn at end-Dec Bisco Misr said in a statement yesterday, for a total CAIRO: Egypt’s foreign currency reserves fell to of just under $87 million. $15.33 billion at the end of December from The tussle over Bisco Misr is part of a flurry of $15.88 billion the previous month, the central mergers and rights issues boosting activity on the bank said yesterday. Foreign reserves fell Cairo bourse, which has struggled to revive sharply after the 2011 uprising that ousted investor confidence in the turmoil that has fol- President Hosni Mubarak but had risen again on lowed the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings. Though the the back of billions of dollars of Gulf Arab aid values are relatively small, along with a takeover that has flooded into Egypt since the army over- battle for Arab Dairy, the Bisco Misr acquisition sug- threw elected Islamist President Mohammad gests growing international interest in the Egyptian Morsi last year. In November, Egypt repaid to market. Qatar a $2.5 billion central bank deposit Kellogg had indicated it was willing to buy 100 received under Morsi, which some traders had percent of Bisco Misr and would only accept a con- warned could have an impact on reserve levels. trolling stake. It scuppered an effort by Abraaj to Reserves stood at about $36 billion before the snap up the Egyptian company for an opening RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani man pushes a bicycle laden with recyclable items at a market in Rawalpindi yesterday. 2011 revolt. gambit of 73.91 pounds a share. Pakistan’s official reserves crossed a historic high of $15.098 billion dollar in December. — AFP Though Kellogg appears almost certain to seal the deal, the regulator last month extended the bidding period to Jan. 11, which means another suitor could yet emerge. Shareholders holding 56 British petrol prices drop to five-year low percent of Bisco Misr agreed in November to sell their shares to Abraaj and a deal seemed likely until LONDON: British petrol prices have fallen to the lowest 117.93 pence per litre, a level not seen since Sept 20, 2010. wholesale prices has not been passed on to consumers, Kellogg entered the fray. level for five years, data published by the government A glut in global oil supplies has caused Brent crude prices with less than half of the drop in crude accounted for by Food is seen as a fast-growing sector in the shows, reflecting the steep decline in crude oil prices. to more than halve in a little more than six months, with early December, even after exchange rates and taxes were most populous Arab nation of 87 million people Prices at the petrol pumps have slumped to an average of motorists now starting to benefit from the decline. taken into consideration. British finance minister George and Bisco Misr is a well-known brand with three 111.06 pence per litre this week, the lowest since the week Around half of the average current petrol price, or 57.95 Osborne, gearing up for a May general election, warned baking facilities in Cairo and Alexandria. — Reuters starting Jan. 11, 2010, according to Britain’s energy min- pence per litre, is a government tax. This explains why petrol retailers in November he would be watching them istry. petrol prices have not fallen as sharply as crude prices. carefully to ensure savings from falling wholesale prices Diesel prices have also fallen to multi-year lows at Consumer groups have complained the slump in were passed on to consumers. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.710 Philippine Peso 0.006498 0.006778 Nepalese Rupees 3.945 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Malaysian Ringgit 87.645 Singapore Dollar 0.217169 0.223169 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH South African Rand 0.019122 0.027622 Japanese Yen 2.460 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.035 Australian Dollar 231.71 228.71 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001859 0.002439 Indian Rupees 4.658 Thai Bhat 9.885 Canadian Dollar 256.71 257.71 Taiwan 0.009080 0.009260 Pakistani Rupees 2.913 Turkish Lira 131.225 Swiss Franc 302.93 300.93 Thai Baht 0.008633 0.009183 Srilankan Rupees 2.227 Euro 362.08 363.08 Nepali Rupees 2.908 US Dollar 293.55 296.55 Arab Singapore Dollar 224.280 Sterling Pound 461.65 464.65 Bahrain Exchange Company Hongkong Dollar 37.933 Bahraini Dinar 0.774574 0.782574 Japanese Yen 2.49 2.51 Bangladesh Taka 3.763 Egyptian Pound 0.039069 0.042169 Bangladesh Taka 3.761 4.031 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 6.605 Iranian Riyal 0.000081 0.000083 Indian Rupee 4.636 4.936 Thai Baht 8.946 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000195 0.000255 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.220 2.655 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Belgian Franc 0.007670 0.008670 Jordanian Dinar 0.411244 0.418744 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Nepali Rupee 2.893 3.428 British Pound 0.442233 0.451233 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Pakistani Rupee 2.918 2.790 Czech Korune 0.004670 0.016670 Lebanese Pound 0.000144 0.000244 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 79.77 80.23 Danish Krone 0.043172 0.048172 Moroccan Dirhams 0.024043 0.048043 Saudi Riyal 78.498 Bahraini Dinar 779.11 781.18 Euro 0.346090 0.354090 Nigerian Naira 0.001198 0.001833 Qatari Riyal 80.871 Egyptian Pound 40.93 41.53 Norwegian Krone 0.034536 0.039736 Omani Riyal 0.758784 0.764464 Omani Riyal 764.880 Jordanian Dinar 417.10 422.75 Romanian Leu 0.078001 0.078001 Qatar Riyal 0.080167 0.081380 Bahraini Dinar 781.850 Omani Riyal 761.26 768.56 Slovakia 0.008637 0.018637 Saudi Riyal 0.077883 0.078583 UAE Dirham 80.166 Qatari Riyal 80.83 81.38 Swedish Krona 0.033101 0.038101 Syrian Pound 0.001746 0.001966 Saudi Riyal 78.19 78.59 Swiss Franc 0.286085 0.296285 Tunisian Dinar 0.153356 0.161356 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.125217 0.132217 Turkish Lira 0.125217 0.132217 Egyptian Pound - Cash 42.250 UAE Dirhams 0.079186 0.080335 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 41.069 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001329 0.001409 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.374 Australian Dollar 0.230848 0.242348 New Zealand Dollar 0.220891 0.230481 Tunisian Dinar 158.880 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 415.430 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 291.750 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.975 America Canadian Dollar 260.085 Syrian Lira 2.098 Canadian Dollar 0.245043 0.253543 Sterling Pound 456.630 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 330.620 US Dollars 0.290350 0.295050 Euro 366.500 US Dollar 293.850 US Dollars Mint 0.290850 0.295050 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 303.035 Euro 356.650 Bahrain Dinar 775.760 US Dollar Transfer 294.250 Asia Pound Sterlng 455.100 UAE Dirhams 79.330 Euro 358.130 Bangladesh Taka 0.003451 0.004051 Canadian Dollar 252.600 Qatari Riyals 80.935 Sterling Pound 459.320 Chinese Yuan 0.045994 0.049494 Indian Rupee 4.650 Saudi Riyals 77.975 Canadian dollar 255.980 Hong Kong Dollar 0.035880 0.038630 Egyptian Pound 41.110 Jordanian Dinar 411.660 Turkish lira 126.180 Indian Rupee 0.004341 0.004742 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.224 Egyptian Pound 40.707 Swiss Franc 300.260 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Bangladesh Taka 3.748 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.225 Australian Dollar 243.640 Japanese Yen 0.002384 0.002564 Philippines Peso 6.535 Indian Rupees 4.716 US Dollar Buying 293.050 Kenyan Shilling 0.003233 0.003233 Pakistan Rupee 2.915 Pakistani Rupees 2.867 Korean Won 0.000257 0.000272 Bahraini Dinar 781.900 Bangladesh Taka 3.759 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.080049 0.086049 Philippines Pesso 6.481 UAE Dirham 79.970 20 gram 238.100 Nepalese Rupee 0.003010 0.003180 Cyprus pound 715.865 Saudi Riyal 78.400 10 gram 121.740 Pakistan Rupee 0.002774 0.003054 5 gram 61.560 Japanese Yen 3.480 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 Rolls-Royce’s shift to smaller, sporty cars spurs sales to record

FRANKFURT: Luxury carmaker Rolls- confident about sales for 2015. Around Royce is upbeat about sales this year after the world, wealth accumulated by high smaller, more sporty cars gained appeal net worth individuals, defined as those with younger customers, resulting in a 13 having investable assets of $1 million or percent jump in deliveries in 2014. more, is expected to reach a record of Chief Executive Torsten Mueller- $64.3 trillion by 2016, 22 percent more Oetvoes said the brand had benefited than in 2013, according to a report by from expanding its model range beyond Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management. the flagship Phantom, which can measure Growth at Rolls has been steady since up to six meters in length and sells for 2003, when the company sold 300 models more than 300,000 pounds ($455,580). of its Phantom, the first car developed by Rolls introduced smaller models such the company under BMW ownership. But as the Ghost II in late 2014 and the Wraith it still lags rival Bentley, owned by Coupe in late 2013, helping lift overall Volkswagen, which has yet to disclose full- deliveries to a record 4,063 last year. Both year sales but which sold 7,786 cars in the models are almost one meter shorter than first nine months of the year and 6,516 in the Phantom. The company is broadening 2013. Rolls says it is not playing the vol- its portfolio to suit a younger market with ume sales game. “BMW gives me an earn- different aspirations, Mueller-Oetvoes ings target, not a volume target,” Mueller- said. In China for example the average Oetvoes said. Asked if Rolls might consid- customer is in his or her late 30s or early er a move toward greater independence, 40s, around 10 to 15 years younger than just as Ferrari is being spun off from Fiat elsewhere. Chrysler, the German executive saw little Rolls is even considering building a appeal in such an idea. “I hope not. I am ATHENS: A street vendor sells chestnuts outside from a branch of the National bank in Athens yesterday. Fears that Greece could end up leaving the sports utility vehicle. A decision about glad to be part of BMW Group because we euro-zone after elections later this month rattled European markets, hammering stock prices. — AFP whether to go ahead will be made this can learn from their vehicle development year, the CEO said. capacities and know-how,” Mueller- Given the company’s product portfolio Oetvoes said. “Developing the next gener- and the growth in its ultra-wealthy clien- ation of fuel-efficient technologies is really Cairo stops subsidies tele, Mueller-Oetvoes said he was quietly expensive.” — Reuters to farmers of cotton Traders say move final blow to Egypt’s ‘white gold’

CAIRO/ABU DHABI: Growers of Egypt’s high quality cotton will no longer receive any state support and have been advised not to plant the crop unless they have contracts to India coal workers go sell it, a move some traders say is a final blow to the long- neglected industry. The market for Egypt’s high quality extra on strike over reforms long staple cotton, once known as the country’s “white gold”, has been shrinking for years. Farmers have turned to more lucrative crops and local textile firms have shifted their focus MUMBAI: Millions of coal miners in India Narendra Modi to revive the ailing econ- to creating low-quality products with cheap raw cotton began a five-day strike yesterday in omy. The government approved an ordi- imports. protest at moves to open up the market nance to allow auctions of coal mines to Agriculture Minister Adel el-Beltagy said yesterday the to private companies, sparking fears of private companies for their own use, as government will no longer pay the subsidy of 350 Egyptian power cuts in the energy-hungry nation. well as permitting commercial mining at pounds per qintar of cotton (160 kg), as much as 40 percent “I can say that a nationwide strike is some point in the future. of the domestic market price in the current season. He said on and this the biggest one since 1977,” The decree came after the Supreme cultivation of Egypt’s long and extra long cotton, which Gurudas Dasgupta, general secretary of Court in September cancelled more than competes with the US Pima variety for high quality fibres, the All India Trade Union Congress 200 permits for coal mines, after declar- was too expensive and Egyptian factories no longer bought (AITUC), told AFP after last-ditch talks to ing the process of awarding them illegal, local cotton because of the availability of far cheaper short avert the stoppage failed. Dasgupta was throwing the sector into turmoil. India cotton. speaking on behalf of the five unions imports vast quantities of coal, despite MUMBAI: A stock dealer watches share prices on his screen at a brokerage house in The liberalization of Egypt’s cotton sector in 1994 exposed which represent the 3.7 million workers sitting on the world’s fifth largest Mumbai yesterday. The BSE 30 share benchmark index - SENSEX plunged over 600 points farmers to volatile global prices and rising fertilizer costs. on the payroll of state-run Coal India, reserves. Coal provides nearly 60 percent in trade in cue with the sink in Asian markets, which were trading lower as investors are Cotton acreage has fallen dramatically since the heyday of which has a near monopoly over produc- of India’s electricity generating needs, starting to worry that the prolonged slump is signaling a weaker global economy. — AFP the 1960s, when Egypt produced cotton from up to 2.2 mil- tion. but the power sector relies heavily on lion feddans (924,000 hectares), helped by fixed state prices. Unions fear that any move to privatize imports of the fuel. One Egyptian cotton trader said planted acreage had the coal industry could lead to job cuts. Blackouts are common across India, dropped last season to around 350,000 feddans. “In almost all countries the cotton crop is supported by some kind of sub- Coal India has been under pressure for especially during peak summer months, Libya pays heavy economic sidy so it is very de-motivating that Egypt is taking away the years to increase production, with the amid surging demand including from a subsidy from its farmers now,” he said. country’s rapid industrialization leading fast-rising middle class. There are also price as fighting takes toll The government will ask spinning and weaving compa- to ever-rising demand. No one from the fears that a lack of power at the height nies to sign contracts with farmers for long staple cotton management of Coal India was immedi- of winter could put lives at risk as tem- CAIRO: The central bank is burning when reserves were $109 billion. The according to their needs, Egypt’s Trade and Industry Minister ately available for comment but reports peratures often drop to below freezing through its foreign reserves and many bank has acknowledged the country’s Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour said. Deputy Agriculture Minister said that unions would be meeting gov- in some parts of northern India. A pro- government services are being cut as economic problems but has spoken Hamdy Aasy told Reuters that removing subsidies would ernment officials within the next 24 longed strike would run the real risk of Libya reels under the effects of a col- only of “maintaining the current value benefit farmers because instead of the government giving hours. triggering outages since many power lapse in oil revenues caused by fac- of the Libyan Dinar exchange rate” and direct support to producers amid price volatility in the global India’s new right-wing government stations are already operating on dan- tional fighting that threatens to tear discussing “how public finance obliga- market, it will help coordinate favorable contracts between pledged in October to open up the coal gerously low supplies, an analyst at an the country apart. With the oil price tions can be met in 2015”. companies purchasing the crop and the farmers. “This will mining industry to private players as part equities house told AFP, requesting plunging and no sign of an end to hos- One problem is that only half of its give (farmers) a profit margin instead of dealing with the free of a raft of reforms by Prime Minister anonymity. — AFP tilities, economic options are few. foreign assets are held in cash or market that goes up and down and endangers them with Experts say the bank, which is strug- bonds in major currencies. The rest are price fluctuations.” gling to remain neutral amid the fight- a mix of somewhat illiquid or exotic According to the state-run statistics agency CAPMAS, cot- ing, might have to devalue the curren- assets-equity stakes in Italian or ton exports in the second quarter of Egypt’s current financial cy sharply to meet the public payroll. Bahraini banks, Chinese bonds or year that began in July were 109,600 metric tons, down near- As the fighting has knocked out deposits in CFA francs, the currency of ly 70 percent from the same quarter in 2013. — Reuters most oilfields and ports, oil exports West Africa-and some investments are have fallen below 300,000 barrels a blocked by legal disputes. Cutting the day, less than one fifth of the 1.6 mil- budget is not a viable option as two- French, German lion barrels Libya was pumping before thirds of the funds are reserved for Muammar Gaddafi fell in 2011. Since salaries for civil servants and subsidies. then, the country has been in turmoil Most adults are on the public payroll, a borrowing rates at as the rebel brigades that helped over- tactic Gaddafi used to buy loyalty, and throw Gaddafi are now fighting each the warring parties will not touch the new all-time lows other for power and are backing two system as their own fighters are on competing governments. state salaries. Alex Warren of advisory PARIS: French and German borrowing rates reached Neither side-the internationally-rec- group Frontier, which runs The Libya new all-time lows yesterday amid fears over the ognized government in the east and a Report website, said both rival parlia- prospect of Greece leaving the euro-zone. As of 0830 rival outfit which seized Tripoli in sum- ments would have to seek loans from GMT, France’s 10-year debt hit 0.772 percent on the sec- mer- has prepared a budget for 2015. Libyan banks or get support from ondary market, while the German 10-year Bund fell to Both seem determined to defeat each abroad. 0.484 percent. other on the battlefield, with oil facili- “There is effectively no more Libyan “Factors causing the recent risk-off mode are unlikely ties, ports and steel plants their tar- state,” he said. “Both seek further loans to fade rapidly,” BNP Paribas analysts said in a note. gets. or bonds from domestic banks that “Greece and the question of QE (stimulus) are keeping The turmoil has cut the value of they respectively control, or look for bond markets nervous,” it said, adding that the anxiety Libya’s currency by 30 percent against patronage from overseas,” he said. is likely to persist through January. the dollar on the black market as oil Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thinni, At the weekend, the Der Spiegel weekly quoted exports are the only means of funding who is holed up in the east, and his German government sources as saying that Berlin sees the budget and an annual import bill rival, Omar Al-Hassi, running Tripoli, a Greek exit from the euro-zone as “almost inevitable” of $30 billion. An employee at a state are trying to show they are solving the should Greece’s radical leftist Syriza party win snap elec- bank in Tripoli said the central bank economic crisis by holding televised tions on January 25. Both Chancellor Angela Merkel and had stopped making dollars available meetings with business leaders. But her finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble have come to months ago. Worse is to come. Husni ordinary people say the state has Bey, head of one of Libya’s biggest pri- stopped providing basic services in consider that Greece’s departure from the single-cur- vate firms, said the central bank might some parts of the country as funding rency bloc would be “manageable”, the magazine said. have to devalue the dinar by 50 per- is frozen or ministries simply halt work. German media saw the Spiegel article as an attempt cent to offset the loss of oil revenues In eastern Libya, state cell phone by Merkel and Schaeuble to put pressure on Greeks and and pay public salaries. Libya had a operator Al-Madar has stopped work- Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras, who has vowed to end aus- budget deficit of around $15 billion at ing while power cuts have become terity policies. the end of November, the bank said, part of daily life. Officials blame a lack The specter of a Greek exit from the euro-zone before oil output fell by half. This year of funds for maintenance or shortages caused major stock markets to tumble on Monday the gap will balloon because oil and of spare parts to fix facilities damaged despite a European Commission declaration that euro- gas exports will fetch just $11.6 billion, by fighting. At Benghazi’s state-run zone membership was irrevocable. said Bey, head of the HB Group, one of hospitals, patients must bring their Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is coming Libya’s biggest importers. own drugs or have blood tests done at under heightened pressure ahead of its January 22 Salaries, wheat and petrol subsidies private laboratories. “There is a big meeting on monetary policy to do more to help prop will alone cost 38 billion dinars ($28 shortage of drugs. We don’t have a up the euro-zone economy amid fears of deflation. If billion), he said. Last year’s budget had budget any more from the ministry of euro area-wide inflation turns negative, the ECB may assumed oil output of more than health,” said a spokesman for have to resort to radical measures such as so-called 600,000 bpd, a level now unattainable Benghazi’s biggest hospital. quantitative easing (QE), the large-scale purchase of as only two ports and offshore fields Petrol has become scarce in sovereign bonds, analysts said. have escaped the fighting. Benghazi and other eastern cities, At times of uncertainty, traders prefer to park money while people queue for bread. Imports in the relatively safe haven of sovereign bonds rather Foreign reserves stopped two months ago due to fight- than play the riskier stock market. Even countries con- As a result, the central bank warned ing. Nor is there money to rebuild sidered more fragile such as Spain and Italy benefit last week it was depleting Libya’s for- infrastructure such as airports or oil from this trend. Spain’s 10-year bond yield dropped to eign reserves. It did not say how much facilities. That will cost $38 billion, said 1.594 percent yesterday from 1.609 percent on Monday, it had got through since last June, Bey. — Reuters while Italy’s stood at 1.826 percent, down from 1.839 percent.— AFP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 Asian shares slump as oil gloom deepens

TOKYO: Asian shares slumped yesterday as sliding oil increased output of US shale oil has exacerbated a increasing speculation that Greece might be kicked out could see further falls depending on the outcome of prices and political uncertainty in Greece forced global supply glut. of the euro-zone if a left-wing party that has vowed to Greek election, or the euro-zone’s reaction to that, investors out of riskier assets and into the safety of gov- “Falls in oil prices are going beyond many people’s end austerity measures and erase a big portion of its rather,” said Daisuke Uno, chief strategist at Sumitomo ernment bonds, while the euro wallowed near nine- expectations. This will put pressure on the earnings of debt wins in Jan. 25 elections, as widely expected. Mitsui Bank. year lows. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares US energy firms,” said Hirokazu Kabeya, senior strate- Developments in Greece, however, have not hit oth- Adding pressure on the ECB to do more, German outside Japan fell 1.4 percent, giving up half of the gist at Daiwa Securities. er periphery euro zone bonds so far, with their yields inflation slowed to its lowest in over five years in gains made since it hit a 10-month low on Dec. 17. US crude crashed below $50 a barrel on Monday stuck near record low levels as investors see limited risk December. The data came just days after ECB President Japan’s Nikkei dropped 3 percent, its largest fall in while benchmark Brent tumbled under $53 after data of a collapse of the monetary union. Part of the reason Mario Draghi said the risks were growing that inflation almost 10 months while South Korean shares fell 1.7 showed Russian oil output at post-Soviet era highs and behind that stability is expectations that the European would stay too low for too long. percent to a 1-1/2-year low. Even high-flying mainland Iraqi oil exports near 35-year peaks. They rebounded Central Bank could start buying government debt to As riskier assets came under pressure, prices of safe Chinese shares pulled back after hitting 5-1/2-year slightly yesterday with US crude last traded at $50.21, shore up the economy as soon as this month. The haven assets such as the yen and government bonds highs earlier in the session. European shares were seen up 17 cents. Brent stood at $53.34 but that did little to prospect of more policy easing from the ECB kept the gained on flight-to-quality bids. The yen strengthened little changed, with many countries on holiday. dispel concerns that current low prices would squeeze euro at bay. The common currency last traded at 0.6 percent to 118.88 to the dollar from a low of Spreadbetters expected Britain’s FTSE and Germany’s many energy producers and hurt many assets with $1.1956 after slipping into the $1.1860 area on 120.745 hit on Friday. The 30-year US bond yield fell to DAX to open almost flat. close links to energy. Monday, reaching depths not seen since early 2006. a 2-1/2-year low of 2.592 percent on Monday and last The slide in oil prices showed little signs of abating The US S&P 500 had its worst day in almost three “The next possible targets for the euro will be stood at 2.601 percent. Gold prices extended gains in the new year, plunging as much as 6 percent on months on Monday, dropping 1.8 percent, with energy around $1.18, the level when the common currency after 1 percent on Monday to trade at $1,206.60 per Monday to hit their lowest since spring 2009, as shares leading the decline. Adding to the gloom was started and around $1.16, its November 2005 low. It ounce. — Reuters

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LONDON: Lloyds Banking Group wants tor said in a consultation paper published Britain’s financial regulator to grant it a in October. waiver from new rules requiring banks to In the consultation paper, the regulator have separate boards of directors for their said it had a “discretionary power to waive retail and investment operations, sources or modify rules...where the application of said. rules would be unduly burdensome or The Bank of England (BOE) is forcing would not achieve the purposes for which banks to establish a boundary around their the rules were made”. Any bank with 25 bil- branch activities to protect taxpayers from lion pounds of UK deposits will need to set any future exposure to the multibillion- up a ring-fenced unit by 2019. At present, pound bailouts required to rescue lenders six lenders would be affected-HSBC, Lloyds, during the 2007-09 financial crisis. Among Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander the requirements will be new boards for UK and the Co-operative Bank. the supposedly safer, ring-fenced entities, Andrew Tyrie, head of an influential par- new staff contracts and separate pension liamentary committee that scrutinizes schemes. Banks will also need to separate Britain’s finance ministry, has warned that their risk-management and IT operations. banks could look to find ways around the By dividing up a bank’s activities, it ring-fence and should face the threat of would make it easier to wind up troubled being broken up if they do. Britain’s biggest sections without the risk of dragging down customer-facing banks-Lloyds and RBS- the healthy parts of the business. The hope to include as much as possible within Financial Times reported late on Monday the ring-fenced entity, whereas those with that Lloyds was seeking an exemption from more risky investment activities, such as the board requirement, arguing that Barclays and HSBC, want fewer of their assets RICHARDSON: A for sale by owner sign sits in front of a home in Richardson, Texas. Real estate data provider CoreLogic reports on November because more than 90 percent of its opera- to be kept within the ring-fence, industry home prices yesterday. —AP tions will sit inside of the ring-fence there is sources have said. Barclays plans to keep its no need for a separate board. Barclaycard credit card division outside of The BOE’s Prudential Regulation the ringfence, the sources said. Barclays and Authority has said it will take a “proportion- HSBC are also expected to set up separate US home prices coasting ate approach” to how the rules are applied. subsidiaries for their IT operations and other “The PRA will consider applications from functions. Banks must submit their plans to firms for modifications of rules,” the regula- the PRA by yesterday.—Reuters upward in November Hedge fund manager Factory orders edge lower

Andurand strikes gold again WASHINGTON: US home values rose at a meas- recession prices by the middle of 2015. Association of Realtors estimates that 2015 sales ured pace in November, a sign that demand But “pockets of weakness” are surfacing in will total 5.3 million. The trade group forecasts by betting on oil crash remains weak as many buyers have been priced some parts of the country, noted Sam Khater, that 4.9 million existing homes were sold in out of the market. Prices increased 5.5 percent deputy chief economist at CoreLogic. In three of 2014, down 3 percent from 5.1 million in 2013. LONDON: Energy hedge fund Andurand predicted at London’s Oil & Money confer- in November compared with 12 months earlier, the states with the highest annualized gains in Analysts say sales of roughly 5.5 million existing Capital returned 38 percent in 2014 betting ence that the market could drop to $50 a real estate provider CoreLogic said yesterday. November - Texas (8.5 percent), Colorado (8.8 homes are common in a healthy real estate mar- on the collapse in oil prices, a source famil- barrel-well below the roughly $85 a barrel That was up slightly from October’s year-over- percent) and North Dakota (7.9 percent) - home ket. iar with the matter said yesterday, emerg- North Sea Brent was trading at the time. year increase of 5.4 percent, which was revised values have “been benefiting from the energy Meanwhile, orders to US factories fell for a ing as one of the biggest winners from the Brent hit a 5-1/2 year low of $51.23 a downward from a previously reported 6.1 per- boom,” Khater said. But as oil prices have more fourth straight month in November, with near halving in crude since June. French barrel yesterday, down by more than 50 cent. than halved from $107 a barrel in June, home demand in a key category that signals business fund manager Pierre Andurand, who made percent from the 2014 high near $115 a The housing market faces an affordability values in these states may see downward pres- investment plans down for a third month. The his name in 2008 by calling the sharp rise barrel. Speaking in December, Andurand crunch. Many potential buyers were sidelined sure, he said. Commerce Department says factory orders and subsequent collapse in oil prices that said wild price swings would continue after by double-digit home price gains in 2013, Prices nudged up just 2.5 percent over the dropped 0.7 percent in November after a similar year at his BlueGold fund, launched the Organization of the Petroleum which eclipsed average wage growth of roughly past 12 months in the Washington, DC metro 0.7 percent fall in October. The November weak- Andurand Capital in 2013. Exporting Countries (OPEC) declined to cut 2 percent. That affordability gap caused sales to area. That slowed growth in surrounding states, ness came from decreases in demand for pri- The London-based fund had $400 mil- production, choosing to compete to hold slide in 2014, restraining price growth in recent with Maryland chalking up a nearly flat 0.1 per- mary metals, industrial machinery and military lion of assets under management at the on to market share rather than trying to months. cent gain and Virginia prices increasingly only aircraft. start of this year, the source said. The return prop up the price. CoreLogic projects that price growth will 1.8 percent. A closely watched category that serves as a of 37.9 percent was net of all management “There needs to be real pain in the oil remain mild as the US real estate market contin- Still, home values increased a solid 9 percent proxy for business investment spending and performance fees. Returns not includ- market before the price can go back up,” ues to recover from the lows reached after the in Michigan and 7.6 percent in California. And dropped 0.5 percent in November, the third ing performance fees were 47.4 percent. Andurand said in December, predicting a Great Recession. Nationwide, home prices falling oil prices correspond with cheaper gaso- straight decline, the longest stretch of weakness Most of the returns came in the last two number of high-cost producers would go remain 12.9 percent below their April 2006 line, which could free up income for Americans in this category since 2012. Economists, howev- months of the year, as Andurand bet on the bankrupt before the US-led surge in shale peak. Over the next 12 months, CoreLogic to spend on homes. Economists also expect that er, remain optimistic that the drop in orders is a sharp drop in crude prices accelerating. supplies slowed enough to balance the expects that home values will rise 4.6 percent. solid hiring over the past year should produce temporary soft patch and a stronger economy The fund was up only slightly for the market. Andurand Capital declined to com- The firm estimates that roughly half the coun- stronger wage growth in 2015, which would with increased consumer spending will trigger a year at the end of October, when Andurand ment yesterday. —Reuters try’s homes will match or surpass their pre- also help with affordability. The National rebound in demand in 2015. —AP China HSBC services PMI touches 3-month high Analysts expect more stimulus as economy cools

BEIJING: China’s services sector grew at its traction in activity on a monthly basis. A sub- showed similar strength, with the services PMI fastest pace in three months in December as index measuring new business cooled slightly rising to 54.1 in December from November’s new orders remained strong, a private survey to 53.9 in December from a 2-1/2 years high of 53.9. That survey focuses more on larger, state- showed, an encouraging sign of strength even 54.2 in November, but remained well in expan- owned firms. as manufacturing activity slows and the proper- sion territory. Hurt by a sagging housing market as well as ty market softens. The robustness in the services The labor market was also buoyant, with the slowing domestic demand and investment, sector contrasted sharply with surveys last week employment sub-index hitting an 18-month China’s economy is expected to grow at its slow- which showed Chinese factories were strug- high as companies expanded. Chinese leaders est pace in 24 years in 2014, with annual growth RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani watch repairer tends to a timepiece at his roadside stall in gling at the end of 2014, suggesting a further suggested last year they could tolerate some- seen at 7.4 percent. With weakness in property Rawalpindi yesterday. Pakistan’s official reserves crossed a historic high of $15.098 loss in economic momentum. what slower economic growth as long as labor and fixed investment expected to persist for billion in December. —AFP Those findings reinforced expectations that markets remained healthy. But services firms much of this year, and bad loans likely to rise, more stimulus measures are on the cards, either were not so optimistic on the outlook. A sub- some economists have urged Beijing to set a in the form of more liquidity injections by the index for business expectations for the year 2015 growth target of 7 percent for 2015, com- central bank, interest rate cuts or reductions in ahead dipped to the lowest level since August pared with 7.5 percent for 2014. US stocks edge higher at the amount of reserves banks must hold to 2014, with many firms saying increasing compe- After saying for months that China doesn’t encourage them to lend. tition was dampening their pricing power. need any big economic stimulus, the central open; oil extends decline “Given the traditional industrial sector is still “The services sector continued to hold up bank unexpectedly cut interest rates in under pressure, more policy loosening is neces- well amidst the manufacturing downturn, pro- November for the first time in more than two NEW YORK: US stocks opened slightly higher should help economic growth by reducing sary,” said Zhou Hao, ANZ economist in viding some counter-weight to the downward years to support growth. It has also loosened yesterday, after a big slump on Monday. The energy costs, however investors worry that Shanghai. “Recent moves by the central bank pressures on the economy,” said Qu Hongbin, some lending restrictions to persuade banks price of oil continued to slide and the yield on the large scale of the downturn could foretell showed they actually kept a relatively loosening chief China economist at HSBC. to make more loans and injected funds into the 10-year Treasury note fell below 2 per- a global economic slowdown. Also, as the policy stance to lift growth, even though they “We continue to believe that there is insuffi- the banking system in an attempt to bring cent. KEEPING SCORE: The Standard & Poor’s price of oil falls, energy companies might cut seem to not want to send a strong easing sig- cient demand in the overall economy and more down high funding costs. Those moves may 500 index gained four points, or 0.2 percent, jobs, put off investment or go out of business. nal.” (policy) easing measures are warranted in the have bought the central bank some time to to 2,025, as of 9:52 a.m. Eastern. The Dow EUROPE’S DAY: Germany’s DAX rose 1.1 The HSBC/Markit Services Purchasing coming months.” see if conditions improve, though many econ- Jones industrial average rose 42 points, or 0.3 percent and France’s CAC-40 rose 0.4 percent. Managers’ Index(PMI) picked up to 53.4 last omists still expect more rate cuts as well as percent, to 17,547. The Nasdaq composite Britain’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.3 percent. month from November’s 53.0, well above the Flagging growth reductions in banks’ required reserve ratios was flat at 4,649. EURO JITTERS: The possibility that Greece’s 50-point level that separates growth from con- A similar official survey released last week (RRR) this year. — Reuters OIL SLIDE: US crude continued to fall, anti-austerity Syriza party might win national dropping $1.11 to $48.94 a barrel on the New elections this month has fed doubts about York Mercantile Exchange. The price of oil has whether the country will stick to terms of its fallen by more than half since trading as high bailout and remain in the euro bloc. as $107 in June. Brent crude, the global Meanwhile, a new survey showed that eco- benchmark, was down 94 cents at $52.16 a nomic growth in the euro-zone was weak at barrel. It plunged $3.31 on Monday. the end of 2014, suggesting that a robust IMPACT: The prolonged slide in oil prices recovery is still a dim prospect.—AP

UK banks years away from end to mis-selling scandal: Ombudsman

LONDON: Britain’s banks will be paying out peak of 12,000 cases a week in late 2012. compensation to customers mis-sold loan “Complaints about PPI are still the main insurance for years to come, having already driver of financial disputes. And although set aside 24 billion pounds ($36.5 billion) to numbers are slowly declining, it will be deal with the issue, the chief financial years before we can truly say this mis-sell- ombudsman said. The Financial ing scandal is over,” Chief Ombudsman Ombudsman Service, which steps in when Caroline Wayman said yesterday. Lloyds banks and their customers can’t reach an Banking Group has set aside 11.3 billion agreement, said it expected to settle pounds for compensation, more than any 250,000 disputes about the mis-selling of other bank. Barclays , Royal Bank of payment protection insurance (PPI) in the Scotland and HSBC have also set aside bil- next financial year. lions of pounds. In its proposed plan and PPI policies were meant to protect bor- budget for the 2015/16 financial year, the rowers in the event of sickness or unem- ombudsman said it would take on 200 new ployment but were often sold to those who staff to deal with new complaints relating would have been ineligible to claim and to PPI and other matters. the resulting compensation bill has made it The ombudsman, which is funded by Britain’s costliest ever consumer scandal. the financial services industry, said it The ombudsman said it was continuing to planned to freeze case fees paid by busi- BANGKOK: An electronic board showing stock movements is seen at a private trading firm in Bangkok yesterday. Tokyo’s Nikkei led an receive around 4,000 complaints about PPI nesses and reduce its cost to the industry Asian share slump following painful losses in New York and Europe, with fears sparked by the global slump in oil prices and the Greek each week, although that is down from a by 13 percent. —Reuters political crisis. — AFP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

A track-ready Lexus poised to make global debut at 2015 NAIAS New model will broaden Lexus brand’s high performance portfolio

KUWAIT: Lexus announced it will be adding a second vehi- Named after the famous Fuji speedway in Japan, the “F” ment. The “F” marque was first introduced with the Lexus IS tive design that follows in the footsteps of the launch of the cle to its growing stable of F brand high performance mod- marque stands for true high performance and takes F in 2008. “RC F” which also made a bold statement with its aggressive els. Last year, the luxury manufacturer launched the RC F, a intense motorsport technology and driving passion to a Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East attitude and sleek look. Lexus has been pushing the bound- V8 powered performance coupe. The newest Lexus F brand level never encountered for the ultimate exhilarating ride. and North Africa Representative Office, TOYOTA Motor aries of performance right from the start and our new Lexus vehicle will make its global premiere at the 2015 North Lexus F vehicles are born of a pure passion for driving with Corporation, said, “The premiere of a new F brand model in F brand vehicle will take this even further to exceed cus- American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on Jan 13, 2015. a unique Lexus perspective on extreme driver engage- 2015 will reveal a unique vehicle with a stunning and emo- tomer expectations.”

ABK announces winner of Final SMS banking draw

KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait conducted their fourth and final weekly draw on their SMS banking promotion, in the Head Office, in the presence and supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry representatives. ABK’s fabulous offer addresses subscribers of SMS banking; they go into a draw and a winner of the iPhone 6 Plus is declared, every week. This fourth week winner was Mr. Abdulkareem Mohammed Ismael from Hawally Branch. Stewart Lockie, GM, Retail Banking stated, “ABK encourages its customers to subscribe to SMS banking, more so from a security viewpoint, it’s a safe means of keeping track of their transactions. This service allows customers to access their account, check account and credit card balance as well as currency exchange rates which implies that customers remain informed of their banking trans- India Education Exhibition 2015 to open on Jan 9 actions at all times.” For further information please visit one of the KUWAIT: The eighth edition of the annual India Education websites, interaction with academic heads and professors Vishwakarma Institute of Technology among others. ABK branches or chat directly with a customer serv- Exhibition is set to take place on Friday (January 9) and in persons is very highly ranked as the best mode of get- Indus Group is a leading business to business media ice officer from Ahli Chat service on our website Saturday (January 10) at the Ramada Hotel in Al-Riggae. ting information about the courses available, fee structure, group and the largest Indian exhibition organizer with www.eahli.com, or call Ahlan Ahli at1899899. The two-day exhibition, which will be open on both days job opportunities and placements. It also helps parents many events in its umbrella for NRIs across the world. The from 11am to 8pm, is expected to showcase the wide rang- and students decide from the various options available in exhibition is being held in Kuwait in association with ing resources, best practice methods and effective training their field of choice. Information on more than 100 courses Response Media & Exhibitions. available at educational establishments in India. which are in demand, scholarships available and other rel- Every year Indus conducts exhibitions across 15 coun- NRI students and parents will get an opportunity to evant material will be on display during the event. tries, drawing tens of thousands of visitors who avail of the interact with leading education experts, practitioners and Manipal University is the co-sponsor of this exhibition counseling available at these events. Visitors are also able academic heads of various institutions across India, and and other leading participants include Anna University, to discuss and compare thousands of educational offer one-on-one counseling for students. It is proven fact Hindustan University, DY Patil University, Datta Meghe resources designed to meet a wide range of educational that in spite of available information in the digital form on Medical University, KJ Somaiya Institutions, CMR University, needs.

Gold climbs to 3-week high as investors seek safety

LONDON: Gold hit a three-week high yesterday as sliding oil prices and concerns over Greece’s future in the euro-zone fuelled risk aversion, prompting investors to seek out bullion as a safe store of value. Spot gold was up 0.5 percent at $1,209.71 an ounce at 1452 GMT, having earlier touched a peak of $1,214.40, its highest since Dec 16. The metal rose 1.3 percent on Monday. US gold futures for February delivery were up $5.80 an ounce at $1,209.80. Gold priced in euros hit its highest since Sept. 2013 at 1,019.15 euros an ounce, benefiting from a 0.3 percent drop in the euro versus the dollar. Investor sentiment was rattled by a drop in oil prices to fresh 5-1/2 year lows, with crude futures extending a 5 percent plunge in the previous session as worries over a global supply glut intensified. Political uncertainty in Greece has also renewed fears of a possible Greek exit from the euro-zone ahead of the country’s elections on Jan 25. That prompted investors to buy assets per- ceived as offering safety, such as US and German government bonds, the Japanese yen and gold, offsetting the negative impact on the metal of a stronger dollar. “People are rushing to gold as a safe haven, along with the dollar - this is one of those times when the dollar and gold strengthen together,” Citi analyst David Wilson said. “There is a lot of risk out there which is supportive, connected to the euro zone, a possible slowdown in China. Gold is coming back as a safe-haven risk hedge.” Holdings in the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Shares, rose 0.25 percent to 710.81 tons on Monday, though they remained near a six-year low. Meanwhile data showed hedge funds and money managers raised their net long positions in gold futures and options for the first time in three weeks in the week to Dec. 30. Premiums on the Shanghai Gold Exchange were $5-$6 an ounce over the global benchmark on Tuesday, seen by dealers as a sign of good demand in top consumer China. Buying in China has increased in recent weeks ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, when gold is bought for gifts, and demand is likely to stay strong until the holiday in February.—Reuters WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 technology Smart gadgets take center stage at CES

LAS VEGAS: Imagine a world in which your garage cent increase from 2014. Although that pales by com- door opens automatically as you pull into the driveway. parison to the $18 billion spent on TVs and displays, The living room lights and heater turn on - perhaps the growth has been swift. oven starts warming up, too. In terms of people smartening up their homes in In the so-called “smart home,” cars, appliances and earnest, though, it will probably be another two years other devices all have sensors and Internet connectivity before devices are cheap and widespread enough for to think and act for themselves, and make your life easi- the typical consumer, says Eduardo Pinheiro, CEO of er. We’re not there just yet, but we’re getting closer. Muzzley, which makes a hub that allows devices to talk The smart-home concept is known in tech circles as to each other. the Internet of Things. Current iterations primarily For now, the smart home is more about possibilities include our ability to control gadgets such as lights and than practice. Many companies exhibiting at CES are security alarms or view data remotely through a smart- laying the foundation for what a smart-home system phone app. At the International CES gadget show in Las will eventually do, hoping to entice consumers to start Vegas this week, manufacturers will promote more thinking about upgrading to smart gadgets. It’s not devices and functionality. Some gadgets will be able to always an easy sell. talk directly with one another, not just to an app. The Consider wearable devices that track fitness and four-day show opens to the public Tuesday. other activities. In many cases, the novelty wears off That garage door? Mercedes-Benz would like peo- quickly, and devices end up in drawers. But what if a ple to imagine their luxury car of the future pulling in wearable device that tracks sleep could tell the cof- all by itself, without a driver behind the wheel, to bring feemaker to start brewing as soon as you awoke? its passengers home. When the coffee’s done, what if the sprinklers on the The carmaker unveiled the sleek concept car that it front lawn automatically turned off so you didn’t get is calling F 015 Monday night when it turned a stage wet walking out the front door to work? inside The Cosmopolitan on the Strip in Las Vegas into “It’s these great benefits that we need to explain,” a scene usually reserved for annual car shows, attract- says BK Yoon, Samsung’s CEO and chief of consumer ing a swell of people on stage afterward wanting a electronics. “We can’t just talk about the Internet of closer look. Things because it’s so impersonal like a bedtime story The car’s futuristic look belies some historic inspira- for robots. We have to show what’s in it for them.” tion in its design. Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes- That includes freeing people from chores to spend LAS VEGAS: A man demonstrates the eGeeTouch Smart Luggage Lock by Digi-Pas at CES Unveiled, a Benz, said the wheels were pushed to the outer edges more time with family, pursue more hobbies and, in media preview event for CES International. The device allows you to unlock luggage with a smart tag or much like a horse carriage, giving ample room inside his case, spend “quality time on the putting green,” he mobile device. — AP for seating rather than wheel wells - in this case four says. to get up.) automatically. modern swivel chairs that can face each other. And Some examples: Lucis Technologies will soon ship a “It’s got to be something people are seeing it can Meanwhile, a smart-home hub called DigitalStrom much like those horse carriages, the passengers inside smart-lighting device called NuBryte that can learn do and want it to do,” says Chris Penrose, AT&T’s senior plans to take cues from Nest. If Nest is trying to cool the car of the future can chat, read a newspaper, or your behavior, such as what time you tend to come vice president for the Internet of Things. “It’s got to down the house, for instance, DigitalStrom will lower even take a nap while their car would ferry them home. Sensors can turn on the night light if you wake make their lives better and be incredibly easy to use.” automated window shades to block out sunlight. home. up to use the bathroom but switch on brighter lights “True consumer value will come when devices work These are the building blocks for an eventual auto- “Mankind has been dreaming of autonomous cars during the day. A coffeemaker from Smarter will soon in concert with one another and in many cases across mated home. Once those building blocks are in place, since the 1950s,” Zeetsche said. He said his company use data from fitness trackers such as Fitbit. manufacturers,” adds Brett Dibkey, a Whirlpool Corp. services can better predict what you want. For exam- has been working to make it a reality, albeit still a con- If you had a bad night of sleep, the coffeemaker will vice president. “The home adapts to the way con- ple, Netflix is already good about recommending cept and not in production yet, since the 1990s. “It’s know to make the java stronger that morning. Other sumers live rather than the other way around.” movies to watch based on your preferences, but it basically a revolution,” he said of the car. products focus on better notifications: a battery for a At CES, Whirlpool will showcase dryers that can run might suggest something different if it could read data The Internet of Things could mean big business for smoke detector to alert you on your phone when the at a slower, energy-saving cycle if you aren’t home and from a wearable device or camera and tell that you’re gadget makers. The Consumer Electronics Association alarm goes off, or a bracelet that vibrates when the thus aren’t in a rush. The dryer integrates with Google with friends, or stressed out, says Shawn Dubravac, projects U.S. sales of smart energy and security sys- baby cries in its crib. (Moms rejoice: the bracelet is Inc.’s Nest smart thermostat, which has sensors to fig- senior director of research with the Consumer tems alone will total $574 million this year, a 23 per- even smart enough to alternate which parent it alerts ure out that no one’s home and then lowers the heat Electronics Association. — AP

Meet the new Nokia 215, Microsoft’s most affordable Internet-ready phone

DUBAI: Microsoft Devices Group on inspiring opportunity to connect the Monday announced the Nokia 215, its next billion people to the Internet for most affordable Internet-ready phone. the first time,” said Jon French, Vice The Nokia 215 is designed to connect President Middle East, Microsoft and introduce first-time mobile phone Mobile Devices. “The Nokia 215 is per- buyers to the Internet and new digital fect for people looking for their first experiences. Available in both Single mobile device, or those wanting to SIM and Dual SIM models, the Nokia upgrade to enjoy affordable digital 215 will expand the reach of Microsoft and social media services, like services at more affordable prices. Facebook and Messenger.” At only $29, the Nokia 215 will allow The Nokia 215 and Nokia 215 Dual more people to access popular Web SIM come in Bright Green, Black and content and digital services, and White, and will roll out first in select enable them to do the following: markets in the Middle East, Africa, Asia • Enjoy online experiences via Opera and Europe in Q1 2015. The Nokia 215 Mini browser, Bing search, MSN is expected to be available for an esti- Weather, Twitter and Facebook. mated retail price of $29• before taxes • Stay in touch with friends and fam- and subsidies. ily using Facebook and Messenger with instant notifications. Device • Connect in new ways with SLAM, Nokia 215 and Nokia 215 Dual SIM which enables content to be shared between devices and callers making Operating system hands-free calls using Bluetooth 3.0 Nokia Series 30+ and Bluetooth audio support for head- Display sets. LAS VEGAS: Roger Lynch, far right, CEO of Sling TV, demonstrates Sling TV, a live television streaming service, at the Dish Network’s news con- 2.4-inch QVGA • Delight in the fresh design, ference at the International CES. — AP durable quality and outstanding bat- Battery tery life - all the features entry-level mobile phone owners have come to BL-5C, 1100 mAh TV makers design for streaming trust and love. Talk time and standby time • Enter the mobile-first world with Talk time: up to 20 hours all the everyday essentials, including Standby time: up to 29 days (Single video to stay relevant SIM), 21 days (Dual SIM) these: LAS VEGAS: Does anyone just watch TV to deliver more 4K streaming video. “It’s And just as TV makers are hopping on • Built-in torchlight Camera anymore? The dramatic shift toward online going to be the first format primarily driven the online train, so are content providers. • Up to 20 hours of talk time VGA camera and mobile viewing is driving television set by streaming,” says Jim Funk, a senior vice Traditional channels are becoming available • Outstanding battery life (up to 29 Connectivity makers to design as much for streaming president at Roku Inc., which makes stream- without the need for a cable or satellite days of standby time for the Single SIM video as for watching broadcast or cable ing TV devices. subscription. Satellite TV provider Dish 900/1800 MHz, Micro USB, 3.5mm AV variant and up to 21 days for the Dual channels. Traditional TV is far from dead, Beyond 4K, Sharp developed an engi- Network Corp. is the latest, offering its Sling connector, Bluetooth 3.0 with SLAM SIM) but these days viewers care less about neering trick to make its high-end set look TV package of channels, including ESPN and and HSP/HFP profile • MP3 playback of up to 50 hours watching shows live and even prefer saving even sharper. Samsung added a nanocrystal CNN, for delivery entirely over the Internet. • FM radio playback of up to 45 certain series to watch all at once in an semiconductor layer to make colors purer The availability of ESPN addresses a Memory evening or weekend of binge-watching. and the screen brighter. LG is pushing major reason people still keep their TV serv- hours Up to 32GB microSD supported Broadcast networks and hundreds of cable organic LED screens with richer colors and ice - live sports. Sony also has an Internet • VGA camera channels share viewer attention with thou- pure black - the kind typically limited to television service expected to debut by the “With our ultra-affordable mobile Dimensions and weight sands of online services, including amateurs smaller displays such as phones because of end of March - PlayStation Vue - and HBO phones and digital services, we see an 116mm x 50mm x 12.9mm. 78.7 grams creating their own series on YouTube. price. and Showtime plan to debut Internet-only Already, Netflix has outbid traditional And Internet connectivity is becoming subscription offerings this year. The pack- channels for hits such as “House of Cards.” standard in sets, the way all TVs are color ages are aimed at the millions of so-called And Dish this week announced it will sell now. LG and Samsung also have ways to cord-cutters or “cord-nevers” that find cable online access to a bundle of channels easily switch video between TV and mobile and satellite bundles too pricey and don’t including live sports network ESPN for just devices, so that if you’re watching a movie subscribe to either, turning instead to Hulu, $20 a month. Online video will account for a on a phone, you can continue it on your TV Google’s YouTube and Amazon. third of all video viewing in 2020, up from as soon as you get home. Lesley H. Stahl, 31, is one potential cus- about 10 percent in 2013, predicts The The Consumer Electronics Association tomer of an Internet-only offering. She and Diffusion Group, a research firm that spe- expects TV sales to increase 2 percent to her husband never considered cable when cializes in Internet video. 251 million units this year. The average they bought a new house in Sunnyvale, So how to keep the television set, that screen size is projected to be 40 inches, up California, figuring they had been mostly focal point of the American living room for from 31 inches in 2007. CEA predicts more watching video online anyway. But Stahl decades, relevant? Design for online video. than 23 million of the units will be 4K TVs says she would be cautious about subscrib- At the International CES gadget show this year, about 2.5 times the shipments in ing to new channels, as she’s used to just this week in Las Vegas, TV makers unveiled 2014. That’s even with the explosion of waiting until Hulu or Amazon gets the new models with 4K resolution, or four viewing on tablets and smartphones. show. She said costs for individual subscrip- times the clarity offered by today’s high def- People tend to use phones and tablets tions add up, and there’s only so much time inition TVs. They are pushing the features while traveling or for shorter video, says Tim to watch. even though not a single TV channel is yet Alessi, head of new product development “There’s not any one TV show I’m so available in 4K. But Internet services such as for home entertainment at LG Electronics addicted to that I’m going to pay extra,” she Netflix, Amazon and M-Go are starting to USA. For a full-length movie, viewers want says. “At a certain point, we’re just spending offer 4K video. to replicate the theater in the home. That’s a whole lot of money.” These Internet offer- Sony on Monday promised to create only done through a big TV set. ings alone won’t accelerate cancellations of more 4K content to watch on those sets. “When I want a full home-entertainment cable or satellite services, says Joel Espelien, Four popular shows from its entertainment experience, especially with my family and senior analyst for The Diffusion Group. But division - “The Goldbergs,” “The Blacklist,” friends, the TV is still the best way to do they might get more people to downgrade “Masters of Sex” and “The Night Shift” - will that,” agrees Tim Baxter, president and chief to lower tiers, he says, and use the savings soon be available in 4K and it’s working operating officer of Samsung Electronics to buy specific channels or services of inter- with partners including Netflix and YouTube America. est. Or a brand-new 4K TV? — AP WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE

MONROVIA: Red cross workers, wearing protective suits, prepare prior to a burial for victims of the Ebola virus on MONROVIA: Red cross workers, wearing masks, carry the body of a person who died from Ebola during a burial January 5, 2015. — AFP photos with relatives of the victims of the virus. CytRx brain cancer Ebola ‘challenge’ will drug shows promise promote unity in west Africa

in trial, shares rise MONROVIA: West Africa’s Ebola epidemic could have a positive side by uniting the region’s countries in their NEW YORK: CytRx Corp said interim data attacking brain tumors,” CytRx Chief response to the “serious challenge,” the acting head of the showed its experimental brain cancer drug Executive Steven Kriegsman said in a state- African Union said. Regional experience in fighting the was effective in preventing the progression ment. deadly virus “should consolidate our solidarity and our of tumors and even shrunk them. The com- The blood-brain barrier is a layer of mem- mutual support,” AU chief Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, the pany’s shares rose up as much as 30 percent branes to prevent toxins and other sub- president of Mauritania, told journalists late Monday in the and were among the top percentage gainers stances from passing from the blood stream Liberian capital Monrovia. The “serious challenge... will help and the most actively traded on the Nasdaq. into tissue. But drug developers have faced countries in the region (to) come out more determined to CytRx’s drug, aldoxorubicin, was tested in a challenges in making a treatment capable of unite through our bilateral relations which have been very mid-stage trial on patients with glioblastoma crossing this barrier to reach cancer cells. strong,” he added on the second leg of a tour of the three multiforme (GBM) whose tumors had pro- CytRx said more detailed data on the trial is worst-hit countries. gressed post surgery and radiation. expected in the first half of 2015. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf thanked the GBM is the most deadly form of brain can- The US Food and Drug Administration chairman of the pan-African body for help with funds, sup- cer and affects more than 12,000 people in had in November placed a hold on enrolling plies and personnel, announcing that “30 African health the United States annually. Aldoxorubicin is new patients in trials, after one patient died. workers (are) working with Liberia against the Ebola dis- an improved version of the chemotherapy CytRx did not disclose the cause of death at ease.” Abdel Aziz was in Monrovia after a swift visit to agent, doxorubicin, without any of the side the time. Aldoxorubicin is also being tested Guinea and he was awaited in neighboring Sierra Leone effects such as gastrointestinal disorders and to treat patients with other forms of cancer yesterday. Together, the three nations account for almost heart muscle damage at higher doses. such as soft tissue sarcoma, small cell lung all of the 7,900 victims of the most virulent outbreak of the The drug belongs to a class of cancer cancer and pancreatic cancer. Ebola virus to date, also the first to hit west Africa. drugs called anthracycline which prevents CytRx shares touched a high of $3.72 yes- The highly contagious disease, first identified in 1976 in cell division by disrupting the structure of terday, boosting its market value by nearly what is today the Democratic Republic of Congo, was cancer cell DNA and destroying them. $50 million to about $207 million. The stock, declared present in southern Guinea in December 2013. “Aldoxorubicin appears to be the first anthra- which traded as high as $8.35 last January, The virus is fatal, but victims can be helped to recovery by cycline to cross the blood-brain barrier in was trading up 16.5 percent at $3.32 yester- swift treatment of early symptoms in quarantine. In his GBM, potentially creating a new approach to day. — Reuters capacity as head of state, Abdel Aziz signed an agreement with Johnson Sirleaf for Mauritania to donate 37 million MONROVIA: Red cross workers, wearing protective suits, carry the body of a person Liberian dollars (336,000 euros, $400,000) to Liberia to help who died from Ebola. combat the virus. — AFP Breaking the law may Flu widespread be a sign of dementia in 43 US states CHICAGO: NEW YORK: Flu is widespread in 43 US states, up from 36 Criminal behavior in older states in the prior week, the US Centers for Disease Control adults, including theft, traffic violations, sex- and Prevention reported on Monday. Six children died from ual advances, trespassing, and public urina- the flu during the last full week in December, bringing the tion, may be a sign of dementia, researchers total flu deaths to 21 this season, the report showed. Last say. There is a subgroup of people, especial- week the CDC reported for the first time that deaths from ly older adults who are first-time offenders, flu and pneumonia reached an epidemic level, comprising who may have a degenerative brain disease 6.8 percent of all deaths. That figure slipped slightly below underlying their criminal behavior, said Dr the epidemic level in this week’s report, the CDC said. Georges Naasan of the Memory and Aging “Last week was the first week that this particular num- Center and Department of Neurology at the ber exceeded the epidemic threshold, but we’ve been in a University of California, San Francisco. flu epidemic for weeks now,” said Dr Michael Jhung, med- He and his coauthors reviewed the med- ical officer in the Centers for Disease Control and ical records of 2,397 patients diagnosed Prevention’s Influenza Division. The statistic is just one of with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of obsessive-compulsive behavior, he said. “It many clues the CDC uses to gauge the severity of flu in the Corn syrup more dementia between 1999 and 2012. They is sometimes hard to wrap our minds United States, which has a widespread outbreak - or an epi- scanned patient notes for entries about around the concept that a specific part of demic - every year. toxic than table criminal behavior using keywords like ‘arrest,’ our brain is not functioning properly, lead- Jhung reviews several factors when determining ‘DUI,’ ‘shoplift’ and ‘violence’ and uncovered ing to behaviors that may range the gamut whether the flu season has started, suggesting the nation is 204 patients, or 8.5 percent, who qualified. of disruptive, detached and sometimes in a period of epidemic. Initially, he considers the percent- age of positive flu tests. When that exceeds 10 percent for 2 Their behaviors were more often an ear- criminal,” Naasan said. sugar in female mice weeks, the season is starting. That happened around mid- ly sign of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) Medical evaluation November this season. NEW YORK: or primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a type Corn syrup was found to be added table sugar, according to the paper. Family and friends can easily take these He also looks at the proportion of patients seeking care more toxic to female mice than table sugar, Male mice given either high-fructose or of language-deteriorating dementia, than for influenza-related illnesses. When that exceeds 2 percent behavior changes personally, but they shortening their lives and cutting their rate sucrose diets showed no differences in lifes- of Alzheimer’s disease. Of the ‘criminal’ of visits, it is another sign of a flu epidemic. This season, flu of reproduction, according to a study by pan or reproduction for reasons that were group, 64 had bvFTD, 24 had PPA, 42 had should understand that it may be the first watchers are keenly focusing on hospital admissions University of Utah researchers published not immediately clear, Potts said. He added Alzheimer’s, and the rest had various other sign of a disease and should request a med- because the current vaccine may not be a good match for online in a scientific journal on Monday. The that it is possible that both forms of sugar are forms of dementia. ical evaluation, he said. “The amoral con- the most common seasonal flu strain circulating in the research, funded by the National Institutes of bad for male mice. Patients with bvFTD or PPA tended to be duct seen in FTD spectrum disorders strikes United States known as influenza A (H3N2) virus. Health and the National Science Foundation, The study suggests humans, especially younger, averaging 59 to 63 years old, com- the examiner as patient’s deliberate choice, Flu seasons dominated by H3N2 tend to have higher is among the first to differentiate between women, could face adverse health effects pared to Alzheimer’s patients, who were an these individuals seem selfish and tempera- overall hospitalization rates and more flu-related deaths, the effects of the fructose-glucose mixture tied to consuming too much corn syrup, average age of 71, when their doctors made mental with little regard for their worried especially among older people and very young children found in corn syrup and sucrose, or table which is found in many processed food notes about criminal behaviors. More than and frustrated family members,” said Dr compared with flu seasons dominated by the H1N1 virus or sugar, said University of Utah biology profes- products, Potts said. Between 13 and 25 per- 6.4 percent of those in the “criminal group” Adonis Sfera, staff psychiatrist at Patton influenza B viruses. In the latest CDC report, flu hospitaliza- sor Wayne Potts, senior author of the paper. cent of Americans are estimated to eat diets with bvFTD exhibited physical or verbal vio- State Hospital in Orange County, California, tions, a key measure of severity, have reached 12.6 per It is to be published in March in the print containing 25 percent or more of calories lence during their illness, compared to 3.4 who was not part of the new research. 100,000 for all ages. Last season, the rate was 5.8 per edition of the Journal of Nutrition. The study from added sugars, according to the paper. percent of those with PPA and two percent “As their behavior looks like mental ill- 100,000 and in 2012, the most recent season dominated by showed that female mice fed a diet which The study on corn syrup struck a sour of those with Alzheimer’s disease, the ness, some of these people end up admit- H2N3, the rate was 8.1 percent. “We are above that now,” contained 25 percent of calories from added note for the Corn Refiners Association, which researchers reported in JAMA Neurology. ted in psychiatric hospitals, while others are Jhung said, suggesting this flu season “is at least as severe fructose and glucose carbohydrates known said the research lacked scientific merit and For four percent of patients with bvFTD, imprisoned or placed in state psychiatric as 2012 was.” — Reuters as monosaccharides that are found in corn misrepresented the effects of consuming violence was one of the first symptoms of hospitals after being diagnosed with anti- syrup died at a rate 1.87 times higher than high-fructose corn syrup. “The physiological their brain disease. Men were considerably social personality disorder,” Sfera told female mice on a diet in which 25 percent of and psychological differences between more likely than women to make sexual Reuters Health by email. calories came from sucrose. humans and rodents are so diverse that you It’s difficult to say how much crime may The mice on the fructose-glucose diet simply cannot compare the two when deter- advances to others and to urinate in public. be due to these types of causes, Naasan produced 26.4 percent fewer offspring than mining the health impact of any food or If patients have a family history of the their counterparts on the diet containing ingredient,” the group said in a statement. neurodegenerative disease, it may be possi- told Reuters Health by email. He and his col- ble to connect new criminal behavior to an leagues did not survey criminal records and underlying problem with the brain, Naasan so they can’t say what percentage of all said. “However, most of these diseases are people who commit crimes have neurologi- ‘sporadic’ meaning that they occur for no cal disorders. identifiable genetic cause and it is difficult Health care providers are not usually to predict,” he said. “In general, an early familiar with FTD, and frequently misdiag- detection of changes in personality, devia- nose it as bipolar disorder or late onset tion from what constituted a ‘norm’ for a schizophrenia, he added. FTD spectrum particular individual, should prompt an disorders can be accurately diagnosed evaluation for possible brain causes.” with so-called PET scans (positron emis- Early signs of bvFTD can include person- sion tomography) and neuropsychological ality changes including disinhibition, lack of testing, “but only if we think of it,” Naasan empathy, loss of motivation or apathy, or said. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Radiation plus hormone therapy saves lives in prostate cancer

MIAMI: Older men with prostate cancer may live the results of two clinical trials that showed combi- “Failure to use effective treatments for older therapy alone.” The study involved 31,541 men with longer if they receive a combination of radiation nation therapy could save lives in younger men. patients with cancer is a health care quality concern prostate cancer, ranging in age from 65 to 85 years. and hormone therapy, but many men do not get Locally advanced prostate cancer occurs when can- in the United States,” said lead author Justin Those aged 76 to 85 and who got the radiation plus the right treatment, US researchers said Monday. cer has spread outside but near the prostate gland, Bekelman, an assistant professor of Radiation hormone therapy saw 49 percent fewer deaths than The dual therapy saved nearly 50 percent more lives making for more aggressive tumors that are prone Oncology, Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the those on hormone therapy alone after seven years among men aged 76 to 85 with locally advanced to metastasize and become fatal, the researchers University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of of follow-up. The younger age bracket, 65 to 75, also prostate cancer, compared to those who received said. Previous research has shown that about 40 Medicine and Abramson Cancer Center. “Radiation benefited from combination therapy, seeing 57 per- hormone therapy alone, said the findings in the percent of men with aggressive prostate cancer are plus hormone therapy is such a treatment for men cent fewer deaths than in those who received just Journal of Clinical Oncology. treated with hormone therapy alone, suggesting with aggressive prostate cancers.” hormone therapy. Bekelman said the combination The study is the first to focus on older men with there is a significant group of people who could He urged patients to talk with their doctors, and therapy has minimal side effects and “is both tolera- locally advanced prostate cancer, and builds upon benefit from radiation therapy. called on physicians to “reduce the use of hormone ble and effective in curing prostate cancer.” — AFP DASH named best Modern standup desks coax overall diet office workers back on their feet NEW YORK: Advocates of workplace wellness ini- tiatives are hoping 2015 will be the year that for fifth year standup desks, historically favored by great minds from Leonardo da Vinci to Virginia Woolf, will reconfigure the modern cubicle. Some 50 to NEW YORK: The DASH diet, rich in veg- came in second in the best overall cate- 70 percent of people spend six or more hours etables, whole grains and low-fat dairy, gory, followed by the Mediterranean diet, each day sitting, according to a 2012 study from has been named the best overall diet for Weight Watchers and the Mayo Clinic the National Health and Nutrition Examination the fifth consecutive year, outpacing Diet, which each tied for third place. Surveys. Fitness experts say office workers are Weight Watchers and the Mediterranean At the opposite end of the scale is the particularly susceptible to what has been diet, US News & World Report said yester- Paleo Diet, which focuses on meat, fish dubbed the sitting disease. day. DASH, which was developed to low- and vegetables, and the four-phase “Researchers have said that sitting is the new er blood pressure without medication, Dukan Diet, tied for last place. “The Paleo smoking,” said Jessica Matthews, exercise physiol- was also chosen by a panel of health Diet never does well in our rankings,” said ogist at Miramar College in San Diego. Prolonged experts as the top diabetes diet and the Haupt, adding both are restrictive eating sitting is associated with an increased risk of dia- best plan for healthy eating. plans. Weight Watchers, based on a point betes, cardiovascular disease and obesity and Weight Watchers retained the No. 1 system assigned to foods, Jenny Craig early mortality. Medical studies show that even spot as the best diet for weight loss, fol- and the Mediterranean Diet, with its people who are active are not immune to health lowed by the HMR (Healthy Management emphasis on vegetables and olive oil, concerns resulting from hours of sitting, she Resources) low-calorie, meal-replace- were deemed the easiest diets to follow. added. The American Council on Exercise (ACE) ment plan; and Jenny Craig, which offers A panel of two dozen experts in diet, has offered its workers the option of standing prepared meals to drop excess pounds. nutrition, obesity, heart disease, diabetes workstations for more than two years. “The DASH diet has been our top diet and food psychology ranked 35 eating “Many people report feeling more energetic. overall for five years now and this is the plans to compile the annual list. They It certainly helps with mental processing,” said Dr fifth year we are evaluating and ranking looked at sample menus and published Cedric X. Bryant, chief science officer at ACE. diets,” said Angela Haupt, senior health medical studies to rate of top diets over- Bryant, who works on a treadmill desk, which is and wellness editor at US News & World all as well as the best for weight loss, dia- attached to a treadmill, said standing helps him “It’s definitely a worldwide thing that’s picking up neither is prolonged standing, which studies Report. betes, heart disease and the easiest to stay alert and focused. He believes the desks are speed,” said the 35-year-old, whose desks have have shown can increase the risk of hardening “Our experts, who rate these diets for follow. “We provide people with all the a reasonable expense. There are various types of been sold as far away as Australia, Germany and arteries and varicose veins. “Start by standing us, say it will end up being very good for facts, comprehensively, in the hope that standup desks, from freestanding workstations Japan. “And I love that you’re always ready. You’re for a half hour or an hour of the workday,” he your waistline, in addition to your high they can make the best decision for to others that are placed on top of a regular desk not half turned off. Leg muscles fired up, core said, giving the body time to adjust. The goal blood pressure, because it is such a com- themselves,” said Haupt. The panel select- or table. activated,” he said, “with less stress on your spine.” is to break up the day to avoid the typical, A study published in the Journal of Physical constant sitting that most do in an office. “It’s mon-sense, balanced diet,” she added in ed the Ornish Diet, which is focused on Prolonged standing an interview. The TLC (Therapeutic fruits, vegetables and grains, as the top Activity and Health showed that over an eight- more of a lifestyle approach: turning the clock Lifestyle Changes) diet, which is heart-healthy diet, along with TLC and California-based Joe Nafziger was a creative hour day standing at a desk burns an additional back to where life used to be before we engi- designed to lower levels of cholesterol, DASH. — Reuters director at an ad agency when he developed 163 calories compared to sitting. neered movement out of our lifestyle,” he theReadyDesk, a $169 adjustable standup desk. Bryant said just as sitting all day isn’t good, added. — Reuters Researchers identify new Whole grains lower heart strain of deadly pig virus in US NEW YORK: US researchers have identified a came to the United States. It was previously new strain of a hog disease that has wiped out found in parts of Asia and Europe. disease risk, but not cancer millions of baby pigs, a sign the virus will keep The impact on hog production from the mutating as producers work to contain it. A emergence of the new strain, which was first MIAMI: People who eat more whole grains are more likely to third strain of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, identified last year, is unclear. It could have live longer and avoid heart disease, but such a diet does not or PEDv, was detected in a Minnesota hog existed in the United States without being affect risk of dying from cancer, said a US study released yester- herd and found to be at least as virulent as an detected since early 2013 or could be a new day. The findings by researchers at Harvard University appear original strain that emerged in the United mutation, experts said. It is unknown whether in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) States in early 2013, said Douglas Marthaler, the third strain even exists outside of the assistant professor of veterinary population Minnesota herd in which it was found, Internal Medicine. Scientists examined the records of more medicine at the University of Minnesota, on Marthaler said. than 74,000 women and nearly 44,000 men from the mid- Monday. Hog producers need to take the same pre- 1980s until 2010. Marthaler, who reported on the strain last cautions to prevent the new strain from They found that the more whole grains people reported eat- month in a journal from the US Centers for spreading as they did for the previous two ing, the lower risk they had of dying, particularly from heart dis- Disease Control and Prevention, believes the strains, including washing trucks and other ease, after adjusting for factors such as age, smoking and body strain is a mutation of the original. A second, equipment. Researchers previously deter- mass index. Every serving (28 grams per day) of whole grains- less-virulent strain had previously been identi- mined that PEDv can spread from pig to pig by such as brown rice, oatmeal, whole wheat bread and pasta-was fied. The original strain may have mutated in contact with manure, which contains the virus. associated with five percent lower mortality, and a nine percent response to increased immunity in herds, It can also be spread from farm to farm on lower risk of dying from heart disease. Marthaler said. It is also the nature of viruses trucks. However, eating more whole grains did not make cancer like PEDv to evolve as they replicate. “The virus “Whether or not exposure to one of the deaths any less likely. “These findings further support current is always changing,” Marthaler said. earlier strains provides protection against this PEDv has killed at least 8 million pigs, strain, I don’t think anybody knows the answer dietary guidelines that recommend increasing whole grain roughly 10 percent of the US hog population, to that question,” said Harry Snelson, a veteri- consumption to facilitate primary and secondary prevention of in the past two years. The pork supply reduc- narian who represents the American chronic disease and also provide promising evidence that sug- tion was largely responsible for pushing prices Association of Swine Veterinarians. PEDv is not gests a diet enriched with whole grains may confer benefits to record highs. It is unknown how the virus, a threat to humans or food safety, according to toward extended life expectancy,” the study said. — AFP which causes extreme diarrhea in piglets, the US Department of Agriculture. — Reuters WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

Teachers training conducted

s part of the one year Golden Jubilee celebra- tions of St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church ASunday School, Kuwait - the largest Sunday School of Malankara Orthodox Church with 1,365 stu- dents and OSSAE, a Teachers Training program was conducted, in which more than 135 teachers from 3 Orthodox parishes participated. The program was divided into three sessions, and the first session was handled by HG (Dr) Joseph Mar Dionysius, Metropolitan of Calcutta Diocese and Director of St Stephens College Zoology Research Centre, Pathanapuram on ‘General Principles of Teaching’. HG’s 34 years of rich experience as a teacher, research guide and environmentalist had a positive influence on the participants, who were enthralled by his advice on the various ways a teacher could be molded, before trying to mould their stu- dents. He further emphasized that the primary responsibility of a teacher shall be to prepare the stu- dents to face the truth and tell the truth, that can transform the society beyond our expectations. The second session was by Prof Mary Mathew, for- mer Vice Principal and Head of Malayalam ACK wraps up 1st Intramural Department of Baselios College, Kottayam on ‘How to take an effective class based on the psychology and age group of students’. She had emphasized the Football Tournament importance of effective inter-action between the teacher and students, that unfortunately is not taking place now. Understanding a student is the key to the he Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) successfully Bank of Kuwait was represented by Bashar Al-Bader - the potential of our students. We always encourage them success of a teacher. Teachers are no longer role mod- concluded its first Intramural Football Tournament at Senior Manager, who was on hand during the closing cere- to participate in sports and health-related activities, which els as in the past, mainly due to their changed attitude Tthe College’s campus. The tournament witnessed the mony to crown the first and second place teams as well as only benefit them in their pursuit of achieving their aca- and life style. participation of 16 teams consisting of ACK students, awarding prizes to the tournament’s best player, best goal demic and non-academic goals. The tournament was Shibu Alex, a highly talented orator and a success- aimed at promoting the spirit of sportsmanship while keeper and top scorer. hailed a success and the College looks forward to hosting ful trainer handled the third session - How to make encouraging students to take up a more active lifestyle. Basel Dana, Manager of the Students Recreational and its second intramural tournament in the near future.” your class memorable to your students’. He gave prac- Official sponsor of the tournament, the Commercial Activities Center at ACK, proudly said: “We truly believe in tical and simple tips to the participants from his own experience that are vital in attracting the attention of the students and make each class interesting to them. Earlier, the inaugural meeting was presided over by the Parish Vicar, Fr Raju Thomas. HG (Dr) Joseph Mar Dionysius, Fr Regi C Varghese, Fr Kurian John, Fr Shaji P Joshua, Fr Shiju John, Kurien Varghese (Headmaster), P C George (Golden Jubilee convener), John P Abraham (Program Jt Convener) spoke on the occasion. Besides St Gregorios Maha Edavaka, teachers from St. Basil and St. Thomas parishes participated in the program. Other programs planned during the one year cele- brations are seminars on career guidance, personality development, public speaking, scholarship to stu- dents, financial assistance to needy children in and outside Kuwait, other charity projects, workshops, family meet, inter-Sunday school competitions, Alumni meet of students from Kuwait and other GCC countries, honoring teachers serving above 25 years and so on. A web portal to enhance Sunday school studies will also be launched shortly, open to all throughout the world. Al Fanar restaurant and cafe now open at Town Center, Jumeirah

he latest branch of Al Fanar Restaurant Each and every detail is noteworthy. desserts work up your appetite with scenes and Cafe has just been launched at Discover the joy of dining under the desert and scents of old Dubai. The service is equally TTown Center in Jumeirah. The hugely tree, or have a lazy lunch at the fishermen’s impeccable and friendly. popular Emirati restaurant first began opera- hut or dine like a pearl merchant. The food is Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe is open for tion at Dubai Festival City Mall followed by its as fabulous as the decor. On the menu are a breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring indoor second outlet in Venetian Village within Ritz tempting array of fresh Emirati breads, appe- and outdoor dining areas with both modern Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal. tizers, soups, salads, main dishes and desserts and traditional Emirati style seating. Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe has success- that have been created using family recipes For reservations Call 04 344 2141 fully established itself as the UAE’s first and handed down generations. Sizzling seafood, For more information about the restau- only restaurant offering traditional Emirati tender grills, aromatic rice and delicious rant visit www.alfanarrestaurant.com cuisine in a themed rustic setting. Hashem Al Marzouqi, Principal, Al Fanar Restaurant and Entertainment City Cafe, said, “Our motivation with Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe is to put the national welcomes visitors identity of the UAE on a plate combining the most authentic flavours with our glorious heritage and culture. Inspired from Dubai’s in spring break various facets in 1960s, it offers diners a unique experience recreated from the age- he Entertainment City will receive visitors during the old traditions of a Bedouin way of life. spring break from January 9 to 24, 2015, Sager Al- Reviving memories of Dubai as a small town TBader, Public Relations and Media Director at the on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, every cor- Touristic Enterprises Company said. He added that the ner has a story to tell at each of our restau- Entertainment City opens from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm every rants. Here, along with glimpses of a bygone day, while Mondays are allocated for female visitors only. era we serve the finest Emirati flavours.” Special programs are arranged for every Friday, Bader said.

Kuwait Continental Hotel’s management hosted a dinner banquet for members of a medical delegation who held a seminar there recently on autism treatment methods. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 Information Minister opens 21st Qurain Cultural Festival

inister of Information and Minister of State for this period are indicative of deep belief of the Kuwaiti Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah opened leaders and people in role of cultural enlightenment in Mon Monday the 21st Qurain Cultural Festival by the promotion of such values as tolerance and good for honoring the recipients of the state orders of merit. all humanity,” he pointed out. Addressing the opening ceremony, he said the festi- He reaffirmed the commitment of the country to val has become an impressing cultural platform that opening new horizons for culture and arts through new gathers notable intelligentsia and creative artists from projects such as the modernization of the National various literary, artistic, social and humanitarian fields. Museum and the National Library and opening of Al- Sheikh Salman, also President of the National Council Salmiya Theater and Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Cultural for Culture, Art and Letters (NCCAL), was speaking on Center. behalf of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Sheikh Salman commended the celebrities who were Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the sponsor of the festival. awarded the state orders in recognition for their out- “It’s a good omen that the festival takes place while standing contributions to the cultural movement of the Kuwait is preparing for the national celebrations mark- country. ing the 54th Independence Day, the 24th Liberation Day The laureates of the 2014 state awards include and the ninth anniversary of His Highness the Amir Ibrahim Al-Shatti, Ahmad Al-Saleh, Suleiman Al-Khulaifi, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s assumption Mai Al-Saad, Yusuf Al-Hashash, Abdullah Al-Turkmani, of office,” he said. Abdullah Al-Aber, Waleed Sarab, Anwar Abdullah, Dr “Kuwait continues contributing to the development Fatma Al-Melhem, Dr Nawaf Al-Jahma, Dr Mohammad humanities as seen in the period between 2001 when Al-Baker, Dr Su’ad Al-Shabo and Dr Ahmad Al-Hassan. Kuwait City was selected as capital of Arab culture, and The ceremony culminated into concert performances, 2014 when the UN named His Highness the Amir as led by maestro Fahad Al-Haddad and featuring lyric KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah honors veteran actor humanitarian leader and Kuwait as humanitarian center. poems of martyr Fayq Abduljalil. The Qurain festival con- Ahmad Al-Saleh during the festival’s inauguration ceremony. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat “The cultural achievements made by Kuwait during tinues until January 24. — KUNA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

09:45 How It’s Made 15:00 Keeping Up With The 03:00 Ancient Secrets: Cathedrals 03:00 Dracula 10:10 How It’s Made Kardashians Decoded 04:00 The Leftovers 10:35 Get Out Alive With Bear 16:00 Keeping Up With The 04:00 Chasing UFOs 05:00 Good Morning America Grylls Kardashians 05:00 Salvage Code Red 07:00 Emmerdale 11:25 Dive Wars Australia 17:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 06:00 Pirate Patrol 07:30 Coronation Street 00:15 As Time Goes By 12:15 Manhunt 17:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 07:00 Megacities 09:00 24 00:45 Eastenders 13:05 Auction Hunters 18:00 E! News 08:00 Knights of Mayhem 10:00 Emmerdale 01:15 Doctors 13:30 The Liquidator 19:00 Live From E! 09:00 Family Guns 10:30 Coronation Street 01:45 Being Erica 13:55 Dukes Of Haggle 19:30 Fashion Bloggers 10:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 13:00 Unforgettable 02:30 Being Erica 14:20 Siberian Cut 20:00 Giuliana & Bill 11:00 The Truth Behind 14:00 24 03:15 Being Eileen 15:10 Car Chasers 21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 12:00 Dangerous Encounters 15:00 Live Good Morning America 03:45 As Time Goes By 16:00 Fast N’ Loud The Hamptons 13:00 Street Monkeys 18:00 Unforgettable 04:15 The Weakest Link 16:50 How It’s Made 22:00 E! News 14:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 19:00 24 05:00 Woolly & Tig 17:15 How It’s Made 23:00 Live From E! 15:00 Diggers 21:00 Unforgettable 05:05 The Green Balloon Club 17:40 Dual Survival 23:30 The Soup 15:30 Diggers 22:00 Dracula 05:30 Gigglebiz 18:30 Troy 16:00 Naked Science 23:00 The Leftovers 05:45 Boogie Beebies 19:20 Magic Of Science 17:00 Street Genius 06:00 Nina And The Neurons: In 19:45 Magic Of Science 17:30 Street Genius The Lab 20:10 The Liquidator 18:00 Sea Patrol 06:15 Woolly & Tig 20:35 Dukes Of Haggle 19:00 Diggers 06:20 The Green Balloon Club 21:00 Troy 19:30 Diggers 00:00 The Marine 3: Homefront 06:45 Gigglebiz 21:50 Dynamo: Top Ten Moments 00:05 Chopped 20:00 Naked Science 02:00 Dead In Tombstone 07:00 Boogie Beebies 22:40 Dynamo: Revealed 00:55 Amazing Wedding Cakes 21:00 Street Genius 04:00 Summoned 07:15 The Weakest Link 23:30 Troy 01:45 Reza’s African Kitchen 21:30 Street Genius 06:00 Ghostbusters II 08:00 As Time Goes By 02:10 Reza’s African Kitchen 22:00 Sea Patrol 08:00 After Earth 08:30 Being Eileen 02:35 Ching’s Restaurant 23:00 The Truth Behind 10:00 Flightplan 09:00 Eastenders Redemption 12:00 Summoned 09:30 Doctors 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 14:00 American Warships 10:00 Being Erica 03:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 16:00 After Earth 10:45 The Weakest Link 04:40 All You Can Meat 18:00 Into The Blue 20:00 Flightplan 11:30 As Time Goes By 00:00 Violetta 05:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 12:00 Being Eileen 22:00 Safe 00:45 The Hive 05:30 Reza’s African Kitchen 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 12:30 Kidnapped 00:50 Art Attack 05:50 Siba’s Table 13:15 Eastenders Stewart 01:15 Art Attack 06:10 Sweet Genius 01:00 Two And A Half Men 13:45 Doctors 01:40 Jungle Junction 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 14:15 Being Erica 01:30 Web Therapy 01:50 Jungle Junction 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 02:00 Ja’mie: Private School Girl 15:00 Rev. 02:05 Jungle Junction 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:30 As Time Goes By 02:30 The Big C 00:00 Dead In Tombstone-18 02:15 Jungle Junction 08:15 Chopped 03:00 Back In The Game 02:00 Summoned-PG15 16:00 Being Eileen 02:30 Violetta 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 16:30 The Weakest Link 03:30 About A Boy 04:00 Ghostbusters II-PG 03:10 The Hive Basics 04:00 New Girl 06:00 After Earth-PG15 17:15 Eastenders 03:20 Art Attack 09:30 Farm Kings 17:45 Doctors 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 08:00 Flightplan-PG15 03:45 Art Attack 10:20 Recipes That Rock Jimmy Fallon 10:00 Summoned-PG15 18:15 Being Erica 04:10 Jungle Junction 10:45 All You Can Meat 19:00 Rev. 05:30 My Boys 12:00 American Warships-PG15 04:20 Jungle Junction 11:10 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 06:00 Til Death 14:00 After Earth-PG15 19:30 Saxondale 04:35 Jungle Junction 11:35 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 20:00 Money 06:30 Welcome To The Family 16:00 Into The Blue-PG15 04:45 Jungle Junction 12:00 Chopped 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 18:00 Flightplan-PG15 20:50 DCI Banks: Aftermath 05:00 Art Attack 12:50 Siba’s Table 21:40 The Omid Djalili Show 08:00 New Girl 20:00 Safe-PG15 05:25 Art Attack 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks The 08:30 My Boys 22:00 Plunkett & Macleane-PG15 22:10 Mad Dogs 05:50 Mouk Riviera 22:55 The Weakest Link 09:00 Back In The Game 06:00 Dog With A Blog 13:40 Mystery Diners 09:30 The Simpsons 06:25 Liv And Maddie 14:05 Guy’s Grocery Games 10:00 Baby Daddy 06:50 So Random 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 10:30 Welcome To The Family 07:15 I Didn’t Do It 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 00:00 Boomerang-PG15 07:40 Jessie 15:45 Farm Kings Jimmy Fallon 02:00 The Hitchhiker’s Guide To 08:05 Austin & Ally 16:35 Chopped 12:00 Til Death The Galaxy-PG15 08:30 Girl Meets World 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The 12:30 New Girl 04:00 All American Christmas 00:00 Homes Under The Hammer 08:55 Suite Life On Deck Riviera 13:00 My Boys Carol-PG15 00:55 Rick Stein’s India 09:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place 17:50 Guy’s Big Bite 13:30 Welcome To The Family 06:00 Syrup-PG15 01:45 Home Cooking Made Easy 09:45 Hannah Montana 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:00 About A Boy 08:00 The Little Rascals Save The 02:10 Celebrity MasterChef 10:10 That’s So Raven 18:40 Siba’s Table 14:30 The Simpsons Day-PG 03:05 Antiques Roadshow 10:35 Cheetah Girls: One World 19:05 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 15:00 Baby Daddy 10:00 Something New-PG15 04:00 Come Dine With Me 12:15 Austin & Ally 19:30 Mystery Diners 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 12:00 Standing Ovation-PG15 04:25 The Good Cook 12:40 Jessie 19:55 Burger Land Stewart 14:00 Three Men And A Baby 04:50 Homes Under The Hammer 13:05 I Didn’t Do It 20:20 Guy’s Grocery Games 16:00 Two And A Half Men 16:00 The Little Rascals Save The 05:45 Rick Stein’s India 13:30 So Random 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 16:30 Til Death Day-PG SAFE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 13:55 Liv And Maddie 22:00 Chopped 06:35 Home Cooking Made Easy 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 18:00 Proof Of Love-PG15 02:00 Live MSNBC Politicsnation 09:30 Super Rugby Final Highlights 14:20 The Adventures Of Disney 22:50 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 17:00 Grand Piano-PG15 07:05 Celebrity MasterChef 18:00 Back In The Game 20:00 Keeping The Faith-PG15 03:00 Live NBC Nightly News 11:00 Hero Indian Super League Fairies 23:15 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 19:00 Empire State-PG15 08:00 Antiques Roadshow 18:30 About A Boy 22:15 The Parole Officer-18 03:30 ABC World News With David Highlights 14:55 Jessie 23:40 Burger Land 21:00 Out Of The Furnace-PG15 08:50 Come Dine With Me 19:00 Melissa & Joey Muir 13:30 Sevens World Series 15:20 I Didn’t Do It 23:00 Lone Survivor-18 09:15 Homes Under The Hammer 19:30 Baby Daddy 04:00 Live MSNBC All In With Chris Highlights 15:45 Liv And Maddie 10:10 Rick Stein’s India 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring Hayes 15:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 16:10 Austin & Ally 11:00 The Roux Legacy Jimmy Fallon 05:00 Live MSNBC The Rachel 15:30 Futbol Mundial 16:35 Girl Meets World 11:35 Celebrity MasterChef 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Maddow Show 16:00 PDC World Darts 17:00 Twitches 01:00 The Impossible-PG15 01:00 Arthur’s Missing Pal 12:25 Antiques Roadshow 00:40 The Hungry Sailors Stewart 06:00 Live MSNBC The Last Word Championship 18:30 Wolfblood 03:00 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 02:45 Casper’s Scare School 13:20 Come Dine With Me 01:30 Celebrity Exposed: Richard 21:30 Two And A Half Men W/ Lawrence O’Donnell 19:00 Inside The PGA Tour 19:05 Gravity Falls 05:00 Stolen Child-PG15 04:30 The Happy Cricket 13:45 Homes Under The Hammer Young Photography 22:00 Brickleberry 07:00 NBC Nightly News 19:30 European Tour Weekly 19:30 Liv And Maddie 07:00 The Impossible-PG15 06:00 Los Campeones De LA 14:35 Rick Stein’s India 02:00 Emmerdale 22:30 The League 07:30 ABC World News With David 20:00 Trans World Sport 19:55 Austin & Ally 09:00 The Sapphires-PG15 Lucha Libre 15:25 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 02:25 Emmerdale 23:00 The Big C Muir 21:00 European Senior Tour 20:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place 11:00 Stolen Child-PG15 08:00 Wheelers 16:10 Celebrity MasterChef 02:55 Coronation Street 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 07:57 NBC Nightly News Highlights 20:45 Suite Life On Deck 13:00 Heaven’s Door-PG 10:00 Blue Elephant 17:05 Antiques Roadshow 03:25 Midsomer Murders 08:18 ABC World News With David 22:00 PGA Tour Year in Review 21:10 Hannah Montana 15:00 Lost Christmas-PG15 11:30 The Adventures Of Rocky 18:00 Come Dine With Me 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries Muir 23:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 21:35 That’s So Raven 17:00 The Sapphires-PG15 And Bullwinkle 18:25 Homes Under The Hammer 06:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 08:39 Live ABC Nightline 23:30 Futbol Mundial 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 19:00 Inescapable-PG15 13:00 Casper’s Scare School 19:15 The Planners 07:05 Celebrity Exposed: Richard 00:00 White Collar 09:06 MSNBC The Rachel 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 21:00 Phantom-PG15 14:30 Barbie Fairytopia 20:10 Nordic Cookery With Tareq Young Photography 01:00 Killer Women Maddow Show 22:50 Shake It Up 23:00 The Frozen Ground-18 16:00 Unstable Fables: The Taylor 07:30 Midsomer Murders 02:00 True Blood 10:00 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 23:10 Wolfblood Goldilocks & The Three Bears 20:35 Nigellissima 09:20 The Chase 03:00 Supernatural Lawrence O’Donnell 18:00 Blue Elephant 21:00 Baking Mad With Eric 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries 04:00 State Of Affairs 11:00 Live ABC World News Now 20:00 Home Alone Lanlard 11:10 Emmerdale 05:00 Criminal Minds 11:30 Live ABC World News Now 22:00 Barbie Fairytopia 21:25 Celebrity MasterChef 11:35 Emmerdale 06:00 White Collar 12:00 Live NBC Early Today 01:00 The Master-R 23:30 Unstable Fables: The 01:00 Pool Mosconi Cup 21:55 Rachel’s Favourite Food For 12:00 Coronation Street 07:00 Helix 12:30 Live ABC America This Living 03:30 Mud-PG15 Goldilocks & The Three Bears 05:00 Futbol Mundial 00:00 Escape Club 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 08:00 C.S.I. Morning 07:00 NFL Road To The Playoffs 22:25 Bargain Hunt 13:25 The Jonathan Ross Show 05:45 Annapolis-PG15 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 09:00 Criminal Minds 07:30 I Am Sam-PG15 13:00 Live ABC America This 08:00 European Senior Tour 23:10 Come Dine With Me 14:20 Celebrity Exposed: Richard 10:00 State Of Affairs Morning 23:35 The Little Paris Kitchen 01:25 Keeping Up With The 09:45 The Fifth Estate-PG15 Highlights Kardashians Young Photography 11:00 Helix 13:30 Live ABC America This 09:00 PGA Tour Year in Review 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 12:00 Goal II: Living The Dream- 02:20 Giuliana & Bill 12:00 Emmerdale PG15 Morning 10:00 Champions Tour Year in 15:35 The Chase 00:00 Fire With Fire-18 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 12:30 Coronation Street 14:00 Mud-PG15 14:00 Live ABC America This Review 16:30 The Great Fire 02:00 47 Ronin-PG15 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 16:15 Eastwood Directs: The Morning 11:00 PDC World Darts 17:25 Chasing Shadows 04:00 The Croods-PG 04:10 E!ES 14:00 C.S.I. Untold Story-PG15 14:30 MSNBC First Look Championship 18:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 06:00 Legendary Amazons-PG15 05:05 E!ES 15:00 White Collar 17:30 The Fifth Estate-PG15 15:00 Live NBC Today Show 16:00 WWE Superstars 19:10 Coronation Street 08:00 Austenland-PG15 00:20 Dive Wars Australia 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take 16:00 Emmerdale 19:45 The Count Of Monte Cristo- 18:57 MSNBC Hardball W/ Chris 17:00 WWE SmackDown 19:35 The Chase 10:00 The Smurfs 2-PG 01:10 Manhunt Miami 16:30 Coronation Street PG15 Matthews 19:00 WWE Vintage 20:30 The Great Fire 12:00 47 Ronin-PG15 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 22:00 The Next Three Days-PG15 19:38 MSNBC The Rachel 20:00 NFL Gameday 02:50 Auction Hunters Miami 21:25 Chasing Shadows 18:00 C.S.I. 14:00 Marvel’s Ultimate Avengers I- Maddow Show 23:30 European Tour Weekly 03:15 The Liquidator 07:50 Style Star 22:20 Coronation Street 20:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter PG 20:19 MSNBC The Last Word W/ 03:40 Dukes Of Haggle 08:20 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 22:50 Emmerdale 21:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 16:00 Austenland-PG15 Lawrence O’Donnell 04:05 How It’s Made 08:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 23:15 Emmerdale 22:00 Legends 18:00 Red Sky-PG15 21:00 Live MSNBC Ronan Farrow 04:30 How It’s Made 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 20:00 About Time-PG15 Daily 01:45 Devil’s Knot-18 22:15 The Best Man Holiday-PG15 05:00 Dual Survival 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 03:45 Last Vegas-PG15 22:00 Live MSNBC The Reid 06:00 Siberian Cut 11:10 Kourtney And Khloe Take 05:30 Free Birds-PG Report 02:30 Live Australia v India Test 06:50 Car Chasers The Hamptons 07:15 The Pretty One-PG15 Series 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 12:05 House Of DVF 09:00 Grand Piano-PG15 10:30 ICC Cricket 360 08:30 Auction Hunters 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 00:00 Knights of Mayhem 11:00 Last Passenger-PG15 00:00 Live MSNBC Now With Alex 11:00 Live Big Bash League T20 08:55 The Liquidator 13:35 E!ES 01:00 Family Guns 00:00 Unforgettable 13:00 Labor Day-PG15 Wagner 01:00 Live Cricket 16:00 Big Bash League T20 09:20 Dukes Of Haggle 14:30 Style Star 02:00 Wild Untamed Brazil 01:00 Good Morning America 15:00 Turbo-PG 01:00 Live MSNBC The Ed Show 09:00 Futbol Mundial 19:30 Ranji Trophy

FIRE WITH FIRE ON OSN MOVIES PREMIERE HD Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (01/01/2015 TO 07/01/2015)

SHARQIA-1 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 5:00 PM UNBROKEN 6:45 PM VICE 12:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:30 PM PERSONAL DVD 7:00 PM VICE 2:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 9:30 PM Special Show “UNBROKEN “ 6:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 4:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:05 AM VICE 9:30 PM INTO THE WOODS 6:30 PM Special Show “VICE “ 9:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 9:00 PM FANAR-5 UNBROKEN 11:30 PM VICE 10:45 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 12:00 PM VICE 12:45 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 1:45 PM AVENUES-6 LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 3:30 PM VICE 1:15 PM SHARQIA-2 LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 5:15 PM VICE 3:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM P.K -HINDI 7:00 PM VICE 5:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:30 PM P.K -HINDI 9:45 PM VICE 7:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 3:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 AM VICE 9:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 5:45 PM VICE 11:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:45 PM MARINA-1 VICE 1:15 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:00 PM VICE 12:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:15 AM INTO THE WOODS 2:45 PM AVENUES-7 VICE 5:30 PM PADDINGTON 1:00 PM SHARQIA-3 INTO THE WOODS 7:45 PM LAGGIES 3:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 11:30 AM VICE 10:15 PM PADDINGTON 5:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 1:15 PM VICE 12:15 AM LAGGIES 7:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 3:00 PM LAGGIES 9:00 PM UNBROKEN 4:45 PM MARINA-2 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 7:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:00 AM UNBROKEN 9:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:05 AM AVENUES-8 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 4:00 PM P.K -HINDI 1:30 PM MUHALAB-1 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 6:15 PM ANNIE 4:15 PM UNBROKEN 12:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:30 PM ANNIE 6:45 PM ANNIE 3:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:30 PM P.K -HINDI 9:15 PM INTO THE WOODS 5:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:45 AM THE WATER DIVINER 12:15 AM UNBROKEN 8:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:45 PM MARINA-3 AVENUES-9 UNBROKEN 12:30 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 11:45 AM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 11:30 AM UNBROKEN 1:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 1:30 PM MUHALAB-2 LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 4:15 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 3:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 12:45 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 6:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST-3D 5:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 2:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:00 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 7:30 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 4:15 PM UNBROKEN 9:45 PM LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST 9:30 PM VICE 6:00 PM UNBROKEN 12:30 AM THE WATER DIVINER 11:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:15 PM VICE 10:00 PM AVENUES-1 AVENUES-10 VICE 12:05 AM INTO THE WOODS 1:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 12:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 3:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 2:15 PM MUHALAB-3 INTO THE WOODS 6:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 4:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:30 AM INTO THE WOODS 8:30 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 6:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 11:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 9:00 PM CHANGE OF NAME THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 4:00 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 11:15 PM AVENUES-2 THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 6:15 PM I, Thiru Sakthivel R NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:15 PM AVENUES-11 . THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 2:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 PM (Hindu) holder of Indian THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:45 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 4:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 2:45 PM Passport No. E6574227, 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 6:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 5:00 PM Subbaiyapillai street, FANAR-1 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 7:15 PM UNBROKEN 11:45 AM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:15 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 9:30 PM Pattukkottai, Thanjavur, UNBROKEN 2:30 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:15 AM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 11:45 PM Tamil Nadu, has been con- UNBROKEN 5:30 PM verted Islam with the name AVENUES-3 360º- 1 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 8:15 PM R. Abdul Nazeer. (C 4901) 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 10:00 PM UNBROKEN 11:45 AM VICE 12:15 PM 7-1-2015 UNBROKEN 11:45 PM UNBROKEN 2:45 PM VICE 2:15 PM UNBROKEN 5:45 PM VICE 4:15 PM FANAR-2 UNBROKEN 8:45 PM VICE 6:15 PM VICE 12:45 PM UNBROKEN 11:45 PM VICE 8:15 PM VICE 2:45 PM VICE 10:15 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 4:45 PM AVENUES-4 VICE 12:15 AM MATRIMONIAL SITUATION VACANT ACCOMMODATION VICE 6:45 PM NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 11:30 AM 360º- 2 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB 8:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 1:30 PM RC Christian VICE 10:45 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 3:45 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 PM boy, aged 29, Required a driver for a Sharing accommodation VICE 1:00 AM Special Show “NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB” 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 3:15 PM native of Chalakkudy, Kuwaiti family. Has a valid available in a flat at Jabriya, 4:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 5:15 PM presently settled in FANAR-3 driving license, has experi- area - 10 near Jabriya Indian THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 6:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 7:15 PM Wyanadu Dist, Kerala, work- INTO THE WOODS 1:00 PM Special Show “LEGEND OF THE NEVER BEAST” 6:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 9:15 PM ence in Kuwait, speaks School for decent working 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 3:45 PM Special Show “VICE “ 6:00 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 11:15 PM ing in Kuwait as Computer English. Tel: 90030691. ladies or couple from INTO THE WOODS 5:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 8:15 PM 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 1:15 AM Engineer, seeking proposals (C 4899) February-2015. Contact: THE WATER DIVINER 8:00 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 10:30 PM from parents of working 360º- 3 99300513. (C 4898) THE WATER DIVINER 10:30 PM THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:45 AM girls in Kuwait. Contact: A well 090 (Kuwaiti Film) 12:45 AM INTO THE WOODS 11:45 AM experienced cook 5-1-2015 AVENUES-5 INTO THE WOODS 2:15 PM [email protected] for a family house in FANAR-4 VICE 12:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 5:00 PM (C 4900) Kuwait. Tel: 90030691. THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 12:30 PM UNBROKEN 2:00 PM INTO THE WOODS 7:30 PM 6-1-2015 (C 4899) THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2 ANGEL OF DEATH 3:00 PM VICE 4:45 PM INTO THE WOODS 10:00 PM 5-1-2014

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 7/1/2015 MSC 1401 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:20 Departure Flights on Wednesday 7/1/2015 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 Airlines Flt Route Time MRJ 4814 Mashhad 14:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 SYR 341 Latakia/KAC 14:30 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 ABY 120 Sharjah 14:20 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 IRC 527 Mashhad 14:30 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 14:55 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 IYE 827 Mukalla/Sanaa 14:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 KAC 203 Lahore 02:00 CLX 792 Hanoi 14:45 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 15:15 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 JZR 175 Dubai 15:20 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 MSC 1402 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:20 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 SYR 342 Damascus/Latakia 15:30 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:30 OMA 644 Muscat 04:15 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 KAC 501 Beirut 16:15 KKK 6507 stanbul 03:20 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 AGY 680 Alexandria 17:05 JZR 560 Sohag 05:10 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 IRM 1180 Mashhad 17:35 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 BAW 157 London 06:40 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 KAC 545 Alexandria 17:30 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 JZR 156 Dubai 17:35 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:40 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 BAW 156 London 08:45 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 AGY 681 Sharm el-Sheikh 18:05 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:50 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 IRM 1187 Tehran 18:45 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:00 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 KAC 117 New York 10:05 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 IRM 1186 Tehran 10:20 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 JZR 552 Alexandria 19:30 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:40 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:30 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:15 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 175 Frankfurt/Geneva 10:40 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 20:30 JZR 174 Dubai 10:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 204 Lahore 11:25 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 JZR 561 Sohag 11:45 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 IRM 1181 Mashhad 11:30 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:40 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:05 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:15 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 12:55 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 KAC 103 London 12:20 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 CLX 792 Luxembourg 13:15 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 IYE 826 Sanaa/Mukalla 13:30 JZR 157 Dubai 22:10 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 IRC 526 Mashhad 13:30 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 ABY 129 Sharjah 13:40 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 ETD 920 Dubai 22:25 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:05 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 34 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 stars

CROSSWORD 777 STAR TRACK

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

Today is an easy, relaxing day if you avoid extremes. You are inclined to You may be reminded of your various responsibilities at this time. You are expect that the world will come to you; do not expect too much. It is important to pay able to cut through the red tape and find exactly what is needed to solve most problems. attention to the way you handle stress. You are more successful in the workplace than In-depth discussions and probing conversations find you at your mental best. Your ana- most when it comes to sharp minds. It is important that you have an awareness of your lytical abilities are at a high point. Lunchtime is a good time to get down to the basics stress level and positive ways to balance it. Begin to develop and increase the time you and take care of some personal business you had set aside. Past obligations may come to are in touch with the spiritual side of yourself. Moneymaking ideas do not interest you your attention. A meeting with someone older or in authority is insightful. Harmony with but substantial ways to increase your income or investments are where you are focused friends and loved ones is the order of the day. A healing between neighbors is possible this afternoon. A friend’s scheme may actually turn you in a direction that will help you to this afternoon. You will enjoy socializing or just spending time with a loved one tonight. increase your savings. You enjoy the family this evening. This is a good time to improve your love life.

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

When a department in your office or store needs to complete an order at a Spend some extra time to study a special problem today. There is much too faster time than usual, you are the one that could be stuck with the how and the when much rushing and the time is not right to move on this special project just yet. Contracts issues. A good plan of action will emerge soon. There is a natural tendency to experience and ventures need to be analyzed carefully, making sure that all signatures, dates and some delays at this time, which may be the cause of some frustration. However, like the addresses are correct. You are very aware of other people and their needs. Your receptivi- little train that climbed the mountain-you can see this day through to the end and walk ty to input from others may encourage them to ask for your help. Doing so should give away with many accomplishments. You may find yourself in deep discussions about the you a great sense of satisfaction. Spiritual matters are highlighted-it is not enough merely world and the progress of different countries or technologies. Taxes, investments and to understand what something is; you need to know what it means. You may decide to other financial ties or obligations may grab your attention as well. Get outside, weather join a choir or take some sort of creative lessons in the evening. This could also involve permitting of course, and enjoy some fresh air this evening. you and another member of your family.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Work moves along well today, although there could be a few delays. This Allow for delays today-exercise patience. Some people do not care for chal- may be an important time to change a delivery company, particularly if this lenges, but if you did not have challenges in your life it would be easy for is one of many times a delay has happened. A massage set up for later in the day will help ACROSS you to become bored. Today you will be able to show off your problem-solving abilities. If 6. The state prevailing during the absence of to alleviate some of the stress you have recently been experiencing. This afternoon you 1. Little known Kamarupan languages. war. you are humble in your attempt to help others, you will make many friends. If you are may find that groups have gathered for ideas on how to help people in need. There is talk 5. Expectorated matter. 7. Located below or beneath something else. looking for the answer to a haunting problem from the past, you will find it now. This can of needing a senior math or reading mentor program; recruiting retirees as volunteers 11. The elementary stages of any subject (usu- 8. An official language of the Republic of be a lucrative time for you, but there are risks as well as rewards. A good example of this would actually be benefiting many. This volunteer work is for helping young people learn might be an investment in the stock market that looks as though it may be on an ally plural). South Africa. the basics or helping the elderly maintain a sharp mind. This volunteer work is within your upswing. You are motivated to give some personal time to a family member this evening. expertise and will fill you with a great deal of satisfaction. 15. An indication of radiant light drawn 9. Not prepared or in a state of readiness. A healing of emotions may take place tonight. Harmony is achieved. around the head of a saint. 10. A unit of weight equivalent to 1000 kilo- 16. Someone who pays rent to use land or a grams. building or a car that is owned by someone 11. A river in north central Switzerland that else. runs northeast into the Rhine. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. A river in north central Switzerland that 12. An imaginary elephant that appears in a A shuffle of desks, equipment or merchandise creates a new look after the holi- runs northeast into the Rhine. series of French books for children. You feel very good about yourself today-others tend to support your self- days but it is also a brain teaser to find the essential props needed for your confidence. If you enjoy your work, this is a good day to expand your horizons. If you con- 18. (usually followed by `to') Having the nec- 13. Baby bed with high sides. work. The process of getting back to the organized state that you prefer is becoming more sider your job little more than drudgery, this is a good time to begin a vacation or to make essary means or skill or know-how or authori- 14. Stalk of a moss capsule. comfortable. There are only a few more details to gather together that will make your work vacation plans. You may find yourself reviewing some sales technique or some old project ty to do something. 20. A law passed by US Congress to prevent routine move along in a reliable fashion. Finally, with your head down or with your feet busy 19. Measuring instrument in which the echo employees from being injured or contracting this afternoon. This is the best time to clear away the debris. You may insist that whatever doing the chores, your day moves along quickly. There are very few interruptions and peo- does not contribute to security and other long-term goals is trivial. Your ambition is inten- of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to diseases in the course of their employment. ple are cooperative. You have plenty of opportunities to help interest people in spending sified. This evening you may enjoy a good movie, book or perhaps a computer game that their money. If you are in the technical field, you will find yourself interested in teaching. detect and locate distant objects. 22. Any wingless blood-sucking parasitic you have not had a chance to investigate. 21. The cry made by sheep. insect noted for ability to leap. 24. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 23. A mug intended for serving beer. from aba cloth. 25. The sodium salt of amobarbital that is Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 26. Essential oil or perfume obtained from used as a barbiturate. Leo (July 23-August 22) flowers. 27. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike You make all the moves and seem to have the last say in situations today. A perfect balance between your career needs and personal needs should 28. Filled to capacity. part of an organism. bring about an inner peace that you rarely get a chance to enjoy. The lighter side of you usu- 30. Conforming to an ultimate standard of 29. Naked freshwater or marine or parasitic This is fun for a while but carries a lot of responsibility. Everything points to your taking the initiative. This is a great time to be with others and to work together. Someone wants ally has to struggle with the more serious side of you. In addition, you have a supersensitive perfection or excellence. protozoa that form temporary pseudopods you for a particular job. You could feel great support from those around you. You are very awareness of the moods and needs of others, making this an excellent time to run seminars 33. Before noon. for feeding and locomotion. aware of other people and their needs. Your receptiveness to the input from others may or work with groups. Do not skip any breaks-take this allotted time to recharge your energy. 34. A resort city in southern Ukraine on the 31. Very hot and finely tapering pepper of encourage them to ask for your help. Doing so should give you a great sense of satisfac- You may find yourself serving to guide someone younger than you in matters of importance Black Sea. special pungency. tion. Spiritual matters are highlighted and it is not enough merely to understand what this afternoon. You could also perceive how to precede with plans and decisions in regard to 37. A Loloish language. 32. A historical region of southwestern India something is-you need to know what it means. You may be able to feel especially kind your life goals. Any problems you encounter should have easy solutions. You socialize with friends this evening. 38. A Loloish language. on the west coast. toward a friend or loved one this afternoon. 40. An outer garment that has sleeves and 35. Long-tailed arboreal mustelid of Central covers the body from shoulder down. and South America. 42. (used of count nouns) Every one consid- 36. (of complexion) Blemished by imperfec- Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) ered individually. tions of the skin. 44. A victory (as in a race or other competi- 39. A kind of danceable music popular among Ambition, practicality and achievement are admirable, but they are means Negotiations and persuasions to change or update an old technical way of tion). black South Africans. to an end-not ends in themselves. It is important that you share the responsibilities to doing things are met with success this morning. This clarity is a bit unusual just now. You do 45. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 41. In bed. complete an old project now. If you can be a bit flexible, you will see successful results not have to draw a picture to get your message over to others-communications are clear. In- skewer usually with vegetables. 43. A protocol (utilizing TCP) to transfer from most anything you try to involve yourself with now. Your focus and self-discipline depth thinking brings success with work of a mental nature. Your intuition will prove valu- are admirable and others may want some advice on how to do what you do. It is time to able in a business meeting after lunch. Work is definitely on the back burner this afternoon, 46. The basic unit of money in Peru. hypertext requests and information between build a solid foundation for yourself. This may mean in the workplace, home or in a volun- although you could be inspired to do something to beautify your home or surroundings. You 48. A Hindu disciple of a swami. servers and browsers. teer organization. Whatever the case, a spirit of cooperation is the most important asset. enjoy being around people in general, but the rapport between you and your significant oth- 50. Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829). 47. Being nine more than ninety. There may be a little scattered energy today but you will come across as very organized. er is especially strong at this time. With this understanding, you both can be nurturing with- 51. An involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomit- 49. Small genus of erect balsam-scented You can relax with friends tonight. out being pushy. ing. herbs. 53. (Norse mythology) One of the Aesir 52. The (prehensile) extremity of the superior known for his beauty and skill with bow and limb. WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution skis. 55. An official prosecutor for a judicial district. 54. A boy or man. 58. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic 56. An ester of adenosine that is converted to element. ATP for energy storage. 59. A Russian river. 57. (Greek mythology) One of the three 60. American professional baseball player Graces. who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth 61. Someone who works (or provides work- (born in 1934). ers) during a strike. 62. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage 67. Situated in or facing or moving toward the is opened and a section of a blood vessel is east. grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery 71. An implement used to propel or steer a to bypass the blocked section of the coronary boat. artery and improve the blood supply to the 75. The law enforcement agency in the Justice heart. Department. 63. An elaborate song for solo voice. 76. Organelle in the cytoplasm of a living cell 64. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agricul- that is composed of ribonucleic acid. ture and patron of scribes and schools. 78. (in Scotland or Ireland) A mountain or tall 65. A material effigy that is worshipped as a hill. god. 79. Title for a civil or military leader (especially 66. (law) A comprehensive term for any pro- in Turkey). ceeding in a court of law whereby an individ- 80. Wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living. ual seeks a legal remedy. 81. Animal reproductive body consisting of an 68. A French abbot. ovum or embryo together with nutritive and 69. A brace that extends from the rear of the protective envelopes. keel to support the rudderpost. 70. The taste experience when a savoury DOWN condiment is taken into the mouth. 1. According to the Old Testament he was a 72. Electronic equipment that provides visual pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel images of varying electrical quantities. (9th century BC). 73. (informal) Informed about the latest 2. A small cake leavened with yeast. trends. 3. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm 74. Any of numerous hairy-bodied insects used in India for writing paper. including social and solitary species. 4. Fish eggs or egg-filled ovary. 77. One million periods per second. 5. The act of sitting or standing astride. Yesterday’s Solution

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GOSSIP

ariah Carey has landed a multimillion dollar deal to perform in Las Affleck Vegas. The “#Beautiful’ singer is in negotiations with Caesars Palace Mfor a performing stint that will reportedly earn her more than the replaces Damon in $30 million Britney Spears is receiving for her two-year residency in the gambling capital of the US, the New York Post newspaper’s Page Six column Manchester-by-the-Sea reports. Once the deal if confirmed, Mariah is expected to take to the stage in Las Vegas before the end of this year. If the deal goes ahead, it seems asey Affleck has replaced Matt Damon in Mariah - who has three-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ‘Manchester-by-the-Sea’. The 39-year-old actor estranged husband Nick Cannon - has had a change of heart as it was Cwill take over the lead role from Matt, 44, in claimed in November she was looking for a “mini residency” outside of the director Kenneth Lonergan’s drama after a scheduling city. A source said: “Mariah doesn’t want to go to Vegas. She put out feelers conflict prevented Matt from starring. Lonergan’s film to the Borgata in Atlantic City and the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut about a tells the story of a Boston plumber who has to mini residency. “She wants a stable, high-paying gig that will keep her close become the guardian of his 16-year-old nephew after to her New York home. Mariah is crossing her fingers that she can figure out his brother tragically dies, however, his attempts to be a way to make money on her own turf.” a carer are hindered by a past secret tragedy. Revealing he is replacing Matt in the movie, Casey - the brother of Ben Affleck - quipped: “(I’m going to be in) ‘Manchester-by-the-Sea’. Matt can’t do it. And, you Vegas residency know, if Matt’s not in it, it’ll be good.” Writer-and- director Lonergan previously worked with Matt on Carey to accept Las the critically acclaimed ‘Margaret’ and his previous films include ‘Analyze This’, ‘The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle’ and ‘You Can Count on Me’. Matt is currently shooting Ridley Scott’s highly-anticipated sci-fi film ‘The Martian’ and is then due to reunite with Paul Greengrass to reprise his role as Jason Bourne for another installment in the Bourne action series. Casey has been busy filming Disney disaster movie ‘The Finest Hours’, which tells the true story of the Pendleton rescue mission which saw the Coast Guard deal with the devastation of two oil tankers in a storm off the coast of Cape Cod in 1952.

Lambert wants to honor Mercury dam Lambert wants to keep Freddie Mercury’s “memory alive” when he performs with Queen. The former A‘American Idol’ star sings with the legendary band live and has won rave reviews for his performances as the group’s frontman. Adam insists he never tries to imitate or replace Freddie - who died in 1991 at the age of 45 - on stage and his minem is being sued for $8 million. The 42-year-old rapper and his record label are the subject of main motivation for singing with Queen is to keep his idol’s

Eminem sued legal action from Raymond Jones, an MC from the group Hotstylz, who has alleged the star has wonderful music alive. The 32-year-old rocker said: “There’s nev- Esampled one of his songs without permission. According to TMZ, the case claims Eminem’s song er going to be another (Freddie), and I’m not replacing him. ‘Rap God’, from his ‘Marshall Mathers LP 2’, features a 25-second clip from Raymond’s track ‘Lookin Boy’ That’s not what I’m doing. I’m trying to keep the memory alive, and he wants to be compensated financially for the unauthorized use. A spokesperson for Eminem has and remind people how amazing he was, without imitating not yet commented on the allegations. In September, ‘Rap God’ made it into the Guinness Book of him. I’m trying to share with the audience how much he World Records for the most words in a hit single, with the six minute, four seconds-long track totting up inspired me.” Queen guitarist Brian May has praised Adam’s 1,560 words. Eminem recently admitted he loves performing live with musicians because he thinks they vocal abilities, and says he is the first singer he has worked with add a new element to his sound. He said: “It’s definitely better, it definitely brings a whole new element since Freddie’s passing who can perform all of their songs. to it. There are more things to do with your hands. It’s a whole different energy, it’s louder, it’s more in Speaking to the new issue of Classic Rock magazine, he your face, it’s more explosive. For me, music is about feeling and energy and all that. “We always try to enthused: “Adam is the first person we’ve encountered who can mess around with the order of things. There are certain songs that just, for some reason or another, they do all the Queen catalogue without blinking. He is a gift from don’t work as good live. You have to go with the ones that work best to perform live. Sometimes we’ll god.” Drummer Roger Taylor is also blown away by Adam’s tal- [also] add ones in we haven’t done in a while.” ent, adding: “(His voice is) one in a billion ... He’s incredibly musical, and we certainly take anything he says quite seriously.” Queen’s concerts still feature Freddie, as they use video record- ings of him singing on certain tracks, and Brian admits it’s important for them to pay tribute to their friend without get- ting too nostalgic. The musician said: “We’ve been on tour in the States with Adam, and Freddie’s already there because of the writing, and the original performances that we model the Kate Moss fronts Matchless’ 115th anniversary campaign ate Moss is the face of Matchless’ 115th anniversary cam- paign. The 40-year-old supermodel has teamed up with the KBritish motorcycle brand for the fourth time to front the label’s celebratory collection marking its foundation in 1899, reports WWD. Kate stars in the campaign - which was shot in a des- olate-looking field in Ibiza - alongside male model ClÈment Chabernaud and can be seen reclining on a motorcycle in iconic studded leather creations from the label’s spring 2015 line, includ- ing the Kate vent waistcoat and a cropped leather jacket called the Miss Kate Blouson. The Croydon-born beauty also had a hand in styling the ads with Ludivine Poiblanc, while famed photographers Aniston doesn’t Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott shot the campaign. The brand’s own- Courtney Love is ers Manuele and Michele Malenotti have chosen the fashion icon to front their campaigns since their Autumn 2013 collection. care about weight gain Managing director Michele said Kate, “epitomizes the Matchless bored of rock ‘n’ roll ennifer Aniston doesn’t care about gaining weight. The ‘Horrible spirit through her energy and status as a Londoner.” Kate also Bosses 2’ actress recently adapted her diet to include carbohy- teamed up with model of the moment Cara Delevingne to front a ourtney Love is bored of rock ‘n’ roll. The hellraising singer realized drate-rich foods and while it’s made losing weight more difficult campaign for Burberry’s latest fragrance, My Burberry, in September she had to walk away from the genre that made her a star while on J for her, she insists she doesn’t care about the extra pounds. She told last year. The adverts were shot by photographer Mario Testino and Cstage in Australia last year when she felt dismayed having to per- InStyle magazine: “I never ate pasta. I’ve been allowing myself a lot featured the supermodel duo sporting the label’s signature trench form her old songs. Recalling the gig, she said: “I got to that part where I’m more in the past few years. Which does make it harder to lose those coats as they posed together under an umbrella. looking down at the set list going, ‘Really, ‘Malibu’ next? Are we halfway done yet?’ And when that happens in rock ‘n’ roll, it’s like, ‘OK, I’ve got to last few pounds. But you have to live. And so what? You go up a size. look at something else. Because I’m not loving this. I’m not in the moment. What’s the big deal?” The 45-year-old star previously opened up about Forget persona, forget who is new and who is old, your mojo is your mojo.” her struggle to get back in shape after portraying Claire Bennett - a car After deciding to turn her back on rock, Courtney was inspired to try crash survivor who manages her chronic pain with illegal drugs - in something completely new which led her to landing a role in Todd the drama ‘Cake’, which is set to be released next month. She said: “It’s Almond’s pop opera ‘Kansas City Choir Boy’. The 50-year-old musician not so easy coming back, let me tell ya! We’ve got a way to go, but it insists the show - which opens at the Prototype Festival in New York on puts you in a different state of mind not to be physical and not take Thursday - has given her a new lease of life because it’s a totally new chal- care of yourself.” Jennifer’s co-star Camille Guaty added that many of lenge for her. Courtney hopes she and Todd can take the production to her friends thought the actress could be pregnant with her and her other cities if it is well received. The former Hole rocker - the widow of fiancÈ Justin Theroux’s first child due to her curvier figure. She said: Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain - said: “It’s baptism by fire, but I’m going to “It’s so funny, because a lot of people were like, ‘Is she pregnant?’ I’d hang in and give it my best ... I’ve never done musical theatre - I really say, ‘No,’ and they’d say, ‘But she looks so dowdy.’ I’m like, ‘This is the wanted to do theatre, but probably I’m not ready to do a play quite yet. role that she’s playing!’ Knowing the story, it’s just a complete transfor- Fortuitously, Todd wrote this thing eight years ago, and I met him and I fell mation.”—Bang Showbiz in love with it ... It’s like putting out a single. If it gets catchy, then we do it in London or something. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. We think it’s really catchy and fabulous.” Cumberbatch doesn’t see Doctor Strange as a risk

enedict Cumberbatch doesn’t think taking on the lead role in ‘Doctor Strange’ is a risk. The 38-year-old actor was recently cast in the role and says he’s confi- Bdent the film will be a success, because of Marvel’s ability to bring lesser- known characters to life. He shared: “I don’t think it’s a risk because of Marvel.”Marvel is a stable of bringing out ordinary comic characters and turning them into screen- like gods. “It’s very different, it’s an Astral Plane. There’s a huge new element to this Marvel universe that’s going to be employed in building this story and this character. “But you know, I’m really excited about it, about working with [director Scott Derrickson] whose imagination is endless, and all the boys and girls at Marvel who know what they’re doing.” Cumberbatch, who confirmed he will begin shooting ‘Doctor Strange’ after appearing on the stage in ‘Hamlet’ and filming for the ‘Sherlock’ Christmas special in 2015, revealed he was never a big fan of comic books as a child. However, he told The Wall Street Journal newspaper: “You can bet your bottom dollar I’m reading them now, avidly.” ‘Doctor Strange’, which is set for release in November 2016, is also expected to feature Morgan Freeman and Bill Nighy. LIFESTYLE37 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 FILMS

‘Birdman,’ ‘Boyhood,’ ‘Imitation Game’ among Producers Guild nominees merican Sniper,” “Birdman,” “Boyhood,” The Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding “Foxcatcher,” “Gone Girl,” “Grand Birdman Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: “A Budapest Hotel,” “The Imitation Producers: Alejandro G. Inarritu, John Lesher, Game,” “Nightcrawler,” “The Theory of James W. Skotchdopole The Big Bang Theory Everything” and “Whiplash” have been nominat- Producers: Faye Oshima Belyeu, Chuck Lorre, ed for the Producers Guild of America’s Darryl F. Boyhood Steve Molaro, Bill Prady Zanuck Award for top feature film. The winner Producers: Richard Linklater, p.g.a., Cathleen will be announced Jan. 24 in the PGA’s 26th Sutherland, p.g.a. Louie Producers: Pamela Adlon, Dave Becky, M. Foxcatcher Blair Breard, Louis C.K., Vernon Chatman, Adam Producers: Megan Ellison, p.g.a., Jon Kilik, Escott, Steven Wright p.g.a., Bennett Miller, p.g.a. Modern Family Gone Girl Producers: Paul Corrigan, Megan Ganz, Producer: Cean Chaffin, p.g.a. Abraham Higginbotham, Ben Karlin, Elaine Ko, Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Morton, The Grand Budapest Hotel Dan O’Shannon, Jeffrey Richman, Chris Smirnoff, Producers: Wes Anderson & Scott Rudin, Brad Walsh, Bill Wrubel, Sally Young, Danny Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales Zuker

The Imitation Game Orange Is the New Black Producers: Nora Grossman, p.g.a., Ido Producers: Mark A. Burley, Sara Hess, Jenji Ostrowsky, p.g.a., Teddy Schwarzman, p.g.a. Kohan, Gary Lennon, Neri Tannenbaum, Michael Hawley, Warren Littlefield, Chad Oakes, Kim Trim, Lisa I. Vinnecour Top Chef Nightcrawler Todd Producers: Doneen Arquines, Daniel Producers: Jennifer Fox, Tony Gilroy Cutforth, Casey Kriley, Jane Lipsitz, Hillary Olsen, The Normal Heart Erica Ross, The Theory of Everything Producers: Jason Blum, Dante Di Loreto, Tara Siener, Shealan Spencer Producers: Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner, Lisa Scott Ferguson, Dede Gardner, Alexis Martin The Voice Bruce, Anthony McCarten Woodall, Producers: Stijn Bakkers, Mark Burnett, John Ryan Murphy, Brad Pitt, Mark Ruffalo De Mol, Chad Hines, Lee Metzger, Audrey annual awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Whiplash The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Morrissey, Century Plaza. The PGA has about 6,000 mem- Producers: Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook, Producers: To Be Determined Jim Roush, Kyra Thompson, Mike Yurchuk, bers. David Lancaster Amanda Zucker “Nightcrawler” was probably the biggest sur- Sherlock prise among the 10 nominees, while “A Most Producers: Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat, Beryl The Award for Outstanding Producer of Live Violent Year,” “Into the Woods,” “Selma,” Vertue, Sue Vertue Entertainment & Talk Television: “Unbroken” and “Wild” were among the notable In late 2014, the Producers Guild of America exclusions. “Gravity” and “12 Years a Slave” announced the Documentary Theatrical Motion The Colbert Report wound up in a dead heat last year as both won Picture, Television Series and Non-Fiction Producers: Meredith Bennett, Tanya the Zanuck award-the first tie in the PGA’s 25- Television Nominations. The following list now Michnevich Bracco, Stephen Colbert, Richard year history for the trophy. The PGA uses the includes complete producer credits. Dahm, Paul Dinello, Barry Julien, Matt Lappin, preferential balloting system employed for the The Award for Outstanding Producer of Emily Lazar, Tom Purcell, Jon Stewart Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures: for the Oscars. Jimmy Kimmel Live The PGA’s Zanuck award has become a The Green Prince Producers: David Craig, Ken Crosby, Doug strong indicator of Oscar sentiment in recent Producers: John Battsek, Simon Chinn, Nadav DeLuca, Gary Greenberg, Erin Irwin, Jimmy years, matching the Oscar for best picture in 18 Schirman Kimmel, Jill Leiderman, Molly McNearney, Tony of its 25 years-including the last seven, with “12 Veep Romero, Jason Schrift, Jennifer Sharron, Seth Years a Slave,” “Argo,” “The Artist,” “The King’s Life Itself Producers: Chris Addison, Simon Blackwell, Weidner, Josh Producers: Garrett Basch, Steve James, Zak Christopher Godsick, Armando Iannucci, Piper Stephanie Laing, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Frank Rich, Weintraub Tony Roche Last Week Tonight With John Oliver Merchants of Doubt The Award for Outstanding Producer of Non- Producers: Tim Carvell, John Oliver, Liz Producers: Robert Kenner, Melissa Robledo Fiction Television:\ Stanton Particle Fever Producers: David E. Kaplan, Mark A. Levinson, 30 for 30 Real Time With Bill Maher Andrea Miller, Carla Solomon Producers: Scott Carter, Sheila Griffiths, Marc The Award for Outstanding Producer of Gurvitz, Dean Johnsen, Bill Maher, Billy Martin, Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures: Virunga Matt Wood Producers: Joanna Natasegara, Orlando von The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Big Hero 6 Einsiedel Producers: Rob Crabbe, Jamie Granet Producer: Roy Conli, p.g.a. The Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Bederman, Katie Hockmeyer, Jim Juvonen, Josh Speech,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Slumdog Millionaire” Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: Lieb, Brian McDonald, Lorne Michaels, Gavin and “No Country for Old Men.” The PGA winner The Book of Life Purcell last diverged from the Oscar best picture in Producers: Brad Booker, p.g.a., Guillermo del Breaking Bad 2006, when “Little Miss Sunshine” won the Toro, p.g.a. Producers: Melissa Bernstein, Sam Catlin, Zanuck while the Academy opted for “The Bryan Cranston, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Departed.” The Boxtrolls Mark Johnson, Stewart Lyons, Michelle The producers branch of AMPAS constitutes Producers: David Bleiman Ichioka, p.g.a., MacLaren, George Mastras, Diane Mercer, about 8% of the AMPAS membership. When the Travis Knight, p.g.a. Thomas Schnauz, Moira Walley-Beckett Academy expanded the best-picture Oscar cate- How to Train Your Dragon 2 gory to 10 nominations, the PGA followed suit Producer: Bonnie Arnold, p.g.a. Downton Abbey with an expansion of the Zanuck nominations The Lego Movie Producers: Julian Fellowes, Nigel Marchant, to 10. The PGA also announced “Big Hero 6,” “The Producer: Dan Lin Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge Book of Life,” “The Boxtrolls,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2” and “The Lego Movie” as nominees Game of Thrones for the animated award. “Frozen” won the trophy Producers: David Benioff, Bernadette last year. Caulfield, Frank Doelger, Chris Newman, Greg Monday’s announcement included the nom- Spence, Carolyn Strauss, D.B. Weiss inees in the longform television category, which Producers: Andy Billman, John Dahl, Erin encompasses both movies of the week and House of Cards Leyden, Connor Schell, Bill Simmons miniseries, with noms going to two FX series- Producers: Dana Brunetti, Joshua Donen, ”American Horror Story: Freak Show” and David Fincher, David Manson, Iain Paterson, Eric American Masters “Fargo”-along with PBS pair “The Roosevelts: An Roth, Kevin Spacey, Beau Willimon Producers: Susan Lacy, Julie Sacks, Junko Intimate History” and “Sherlock.” HBO’s “The Tsunashima Normal Heart” scored the other nomination. The True Detective individual producers have yet to be determined Producers: Richard Brown, Carol Cuddy, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown on “The Roosevelts.” The PGA had previously Steve Golin, Woody Harrelson, Cary Joji Producers: Anthony Bourdain, Christopher The following programs were previously announced nominations in the feature docu- Fukunaga, Collins, Lydia Tenaglia, Sandra Zweig announced in late 2014. They were not vetted mentary, and digital and other TV categories. Matthew McConaughey, Nic Pizzolatto, Scott for producer eligibility this year, but winners in Stephens Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey these categories will be announced at the offi- The nominees are: Producers: Brannon Braga, Mitchell Cannold, cial ceremony on Jan 24.—Reuters The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Jason Clark, Ann Druyan, Livia Hanich, Steve Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: Holtzman, Seth MacFarlane

American Sniper Shark Tank Producers: Bradley Cooper, p.g.a., Clint Producers: Becky Blitz, Mark Burnett, Bill Eastwood, p.g.a., Andrew Lazar, p.g.a., Robert Gaudsmith, Phil Gurin, Yun Lingner, Clay Lorenz, p.g.a., Peter Morgan, p.g.a. The television nominees are: Newbill, Jim Roush, Laura Roush, Max Swedlow The David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding The Award for Outstanding Producer of Producer of Long-Form Television: Competition Television: The Long-Form Television category encom- The Amazing Race passes both movies of the week and miniseries. Producers: Jerry Bruckheimer, Elise Doganieri, Jonathan Littman, Bertram van American Horror Story: Freak Show Munster, Mark Vertullo Producers: Brad Buecker, Dante Di Loreto, Brad Falchuk, Joseph Incaprera, Alexis Martin Dancing With the Stars Woodall, Producers: Ashley Edens Shaffer, Conrad Tim Minear, Ryan Murphy, Jennifer Salt, Green, Joe Sungkur James Wong Project Runway Producers: Jane Cha Cutler, Desiree Gruber, Fargo Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Jonathan Murray, Sara Producers: Adam Bernstein, John Cameron, Rea, Teri Weideman Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Michael Frislev, Noah lifestyle WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015

Music & Movies Bradley Cooper on ‘American Sniper,’ packing on 40 pounds and turning 40

ven if “American Sniper” missed out on Golden Globe nominations, of my favorite films, dealing with the psychology of that character. Jason Midnight Meat Train,” with Ryuhei Kitamura, and was very collaborative in it still emerged as one of the big winners of the holiday season. Hall came with me with this story. I saw it right away as a war movie but the editing room with him. Todd Phillips was like that too with “The EClint Eastwood’s drama about Navy SEAL Chris Kyle has grossed a told as a Western. But everything changed when Chris died and Steven Hangover.” By the time we got to “Limitless,” Ryan Kavanaugh at Relativity stellar $2.2 million since it opened in only four theaters on Christmas, and Spielberg came in and said, “We need to make this movie now.” That’s encouraged me to be part of it in the post-production process, and I the Warner Bros release expands on Jan 16. The Oscar lead actor race is when I fell in love with the guy. It was an incredible experience-the inves- became an executive producer. If a director is open to me helping him or especially overcrowded this year, but as ballots are due on Thursday, vot- tigative process of trying to get inside a human being’s mind and emo- her tell the story, I’ll be there as much as they want. I’m lucky that David ers should take a look-if they haven’t already-at Bradley Cooper’s career- tions. O. Russell enveloped me with both arms and made me his partner. And best performance. It’s a transformation that had Kyle’s widow, Taya, in Clint was the same way. tears the first time she saw the film, and she’s been talking about how Q: Did you and Clint Eastwood talk about framing it as a Western? Cooper captured her husband’s essence. In the last few weeks, many Cooper: Oh yeah. I constantly talked about “Unforgiven.” When Chris actors, including Ben Affleck, Jane Fonda, Julia Roberts and Jonah Hill, says to his son, “It’s a heck of a thing to stop a beating heart,” it was really have also been singing Cooper’s praises. right out of “Unforgiven,” when Will Munny says, “It’s a hell of a thing, To play Kyle, Cooper spent six months working out 4.5 hours a day, killing a man.” At the end of “Unforgiven,” when he goes down to get his but the role went beyond the physical. He practiced a Texas drawl with a friend Ned, there’s this storm outside. In terms of Chris’ last tour, we did dialect coach, learned how to shoot three military sniper rifles and spent this desert storm. He’s almost Will Munny 20 years prior to “Unforgiven.” time with Kyle’s family and friends, who gave him access to his emails and home videos. Cooper, who turns 40 on Monday, had a strong 2014. Q: How much time do you spend in the gym preparing for the He picked up a second consecutive Oscar nomination for “American role? Hustle,” performed the voice of Rocket Raccoon in “The Guardians of the Cooper: In the actual gym? Probably 4 hours a day. Galaxy” and is now on Broadway in “The Elephant Man.” He spoke to Variety over the weekend. Q: Was it similar to your workout for “The A-Team”? Cooper: That was totally different. That was cardiovascular and high Q: “American Sniper” is doing really well in only four theaters. Are reps for bodybuilding. This was weightlifting. There was no cardio. There you surprised by the film’s success? was no toning of muscles. It was just get strong. Bradley Cooper: I’m always surprised when things do well, because you can never bank on that. We were just hoping that awareness was Q: And when you see yourself onscreen? going to be enough for people to see it on Christmas. It was such a com- Cooper : My main thing, after each take, the only thing I would ask petitive market that day-with “Into the Woods,” “Unbroken” and “The anybody, “Hey man, am I too big?” When I watched the first cut of the Hobbit.” We were happy that people came out in droves for “American film, I was so monstrous, I thought any more pounds, it would have been Sniper.” And then the A-plus Cinemascore. I didn’t even know they had farcical. that. Q: Did you feel like you got it right as you were shooting? Q: Actors have been reaching out to you. Cooper: I knew it was working. I felt him. I felt like I had successfully Cooper: I’ve got to say that’s been the most amazing thing. I just entered the world of his, so I would be able to tell the story. If you do all heard from Ed Helms and Jonah Hill. I don’t know Ashton Kutcher that the research, you let yourself be open. I had hours and hours of home well, but he made the effort to contact me to say how he felt about the videos, and all of their email exchanges, and even his workout playlist. I Q: How did your career change after your first Oscar nomination Bradley Cooper work and the movie. I’ve never experienced anything like that. It really basically had a dossier on this man’s life. And I had his children, his par- for “Silver Linings Playbook”? does make me feel like we’re a community and we’re all invested in each ents, his wife and the people who knew him. It was a huge amount of Cooper: You could probably tell me more than I could. I can’t tell you other’s work. information to be digested. Once that all happened, and then I got to the how many times people came up to me after “Sniper,” and said, “Hey man, size, and I felt comfortable in his voice, or my voice as him, and I got com- I didn’t know you could act.” I can’t concern myself with that, or I’ll go Q: You recently screened “American Sniper” at Fort Hamilton mili- fortable with the three sniper rifles that he used, then it was like, “OK, let’s crazy. tary base. What was that like? tell the story.” Cooper: We showed it to veterans. A few years ago, I had the opportu- Q: You’re now starring in “Elephant Man” on Broadway. How do nity to take “Silver Linings Playbook” to Walter Reed (National Military Q: What did you learn from the emails? you feel about your career as you’re about to turn 40? Medical Center). Without us even realizing it, Pat Solatano was a charac- Cooper: Just how fiery their relationship was-how much love there Cooper: I’m the most fulfilled I’ve ever been artistically. Nathan Lane ter that many young males and women could relate to coming back from was, how much lust there was. And how much their relationship is relat- has got it all figured it out. This lifestyle of doing it, being able to show up war. It was a really impactful film at Walter Reed. That was probably the able. How I could relate to it, and I think anybody who could read them and tell a story to 740 strangers every day and sometimes twice a day, best experience I’d ever had showing that movie. could relate to it. It just humanized him in a huge way. and you have the rest of your day free. It’s ideal, and in New York, it’s And so, when we were making “Sniper,” I thought if I could make a absolute heaven. movie that people could relate to in this field, I imagined showing it at Q: Your first producing credit was on 2011’s “Limitless.” Why did Walter Reed, which we’re going to do on Jan 13. We are also going to take you decide to go down that path? Q: Will you do another Broadway play? it to San Antonio, a hospital there, with Chris’ father and brother. That’s Cooper: I started way before. It was when I was doing “Alias.” I used to Cooper: I have to finish this one first. And then I think we’re going to when you really get to experience storytelling and the impact that it get everybody’s dailies. They were video cassettes. I would get back to take it to London for three months this summer. I’ll spend half the year could have. my little apartment that I was renting, a bottom floor of this woman’s doing theater. house in West Hollywood, and I would watch them all day long, and then Q: There have been a handful of movies about the Iraq War, I would go into the editing room. I would only work three days a week, Q: Are you going to do a “Guardians of the Galaxy” sequel? including “The Hurt Locker.” Why did you sign on to produce Chris’ and I was from the East Coast, and I was going to shoot myself living in Cooper: Hell yeah, if they’ll have me. — Reuters story? LA I was just so fascinated by the process of making this show. I did that Cooper: I love the character study. Growing up, “Unforgiven” was one for a year, basically. It was like going to school. Then I went to “The

Scarlett Johansson signs on to star in DreamWorks’ ‘Ghost in the Shell’

ollowing the success of “Lucy,” Scarlett DreamWorks principal Steven Spielberg is Johansson looks ready to take on anoth- a huge fan of the original and has long want- Fer action pic, this one coming from the ed to get this film off the ground. A commit- world of Japanese anime. Johansson is set to ment from a star like Johansson should help star in DreamWorks’ adaptation of the popu- in getting the pic greenlit for production. lar anime pic “Ghost in the Shell.” Deadline Besides Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lawrence, Hollywood had reported that the actress had Johansson is becoming one of the few the offer to star but at the time she was still actresses in town with the clout to get a proj- undecided about taking the role. Sources ect greenlit on her name alone. now say she has agreed to star in the pic. The “Lucy” made $394 million worldwide and story follows the exploits of a member of a Johansson can be seen next in “Avengers: covert ops unit of the Japanese National Age of Ultron,” bowing in May. Johansson has Public Safety Commission that specializes in also done a nice job of balancing action- fighting technology-related crime. heavy tentpoles with serious dramas and Rupert Sanders is on board to direct. Avi comedies. She received rave reviews for Arad and Steven Paul are producing the film Spike Jonze’s “Her” and is a part of the from a script by Bill Wheeler. Mark Sourian is ensemble of the Coen brothers’ next pic “Hail, exec producing. Insiders also tell Variety that Caesar!” She is repped by CAA and LBI Paramount has the option to come on as co- Entertainment. — Reuters Scarlett Johansson Channing Tatum producer and financier and that decision is expected in the coming weeks. Channing Tatum’s X-Men spinoff to hit ‘The Hobbit’ holds on at theaters in 2016 top at N American box office wentieth Century Fox has set Channing Tatum’s X- Men spinoff “Gambit” for Oct 7, 2016. The Gambit Tcharacter, who debuted in 1990, is an expert card- antasy epic “The Hobbit” enjoyed a third week atop the “The Hobbit.” It took in $21.7 million over the weekend, for a about Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete taken captive by the thrower and has the power to manipulate kinetic energy. North American box office while controversial North total of $220.6 million since its release three weeks ago, accord- Japanese during World War II. The movie took $18.2 million. “Gambit,” written by Joshua Zetumer, will be Fox’s eighth X- FKorea comedy “The Interview” earned another $1 million ing to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations. In second place for A newcomer, “The Woman in Black 2” opened in the number Men movie. “X-Men: Apocalypse” debuts on May 27, 2016. in its limited release, figures showed Monday. “The Hobbit: The a second week was Disney’s “Into the Woods”, the star-studded four spot. The horror flick starring Helen McCrory and Jeremy “Gambit” will face off against Warner Bros’ “Live by Night” Battle of the Five Armies,” by Oscar-winning director Peter big-screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical. The Irvine earned $15 million in its debut weekend. Following close and Universal’s “Monster High.” Jackson, is the last of six films adapted from J.R.R Tolkien’s books film took $18.7 million in its second weekend. Third place was behind was “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” the third Fox also announced Monday that it had set or shifted and the third and final installment based on the author’s novel occupied by “Unbroken,” the Angelina Jolie-directed drama movie in the Ben Stiller franchise about a museum security dates for six other films-most notably, moving its next guard trying to keep track of exhibits that come to life. “Planet of the Apes” movie back a year to July 14, 2017. The studio had originally planned to open its ninth “Planet of Popular series the Apes” on July 29, 2016. Instead, Fox has taken the The family comedy earned $14.5 million in its third week in “Fantastic Four” sequel off July 14, 2017, and moved it for- theaters. “Annie,” about the adventures of an orphan girl star- ward six weeks to June 2, 2017. Fox successfully rebooted ring Quvenzhane Wallis in the title role and Jamie Foxx as the the “Apes” franchise in 2011 with “Rise of the Planet of the tycoon who takes her under his wing, brought in $11.3 million, Apes,” which grossed $482 million worldwide. This year’s good enough for sixth place. “The Imitation Game,” about a “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” was even more successful code-cracking mathematician and logician during World War II, with over $700 million. rose to seventh with $7.8 million, beating out “Hunger Games: Fox’s reboot of “Fantastic Four,” directed by Josh Trank Mockingjay, Part 1,” which slipped into eighth place. and starring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and The sequel, one in the hugely popular series starring Jamie Bell, will open on Aug 7. “Mike and Dave Need Jennifer Lawrence, earned $7.6 million this weekend, bringing Wedding Dates,” a comedy to be directed by Jake its total seven week take to a whopping $323.7 million. Szymanski, has been set for July 29, 2016. The script by Rounding out the top 10 were “The Gambler,” starring Mark Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O’Brien focuses on two Wahlberg, which earned $6.3 million, and Disney animated hit brothers posting an online ad for wedding dates. “Big Hero 6,” with $4.8 million. Meanwhile, “The Interview,” play- The studio dated two films for next year’s holiday sea- ing in 581 independent movie houses, after threats from hack- son-vidgame adaptation “Assassin’s Creed,” starring Michael ers who claimed a cyberattack of Sony Studios, which the White Fassbender with Justin Kurzel directing, has been dated for House said was orchestrated by Pyongyang, added $1 million Dec 21, 2016; and P.T. Barnum biopic “The Greatest to its two-week theatrical take. The film has also earned mil- Showman on Earth,” starring Hugh Jackman, will open Dec lions in online rentals and sales, making it what Sony said was 25, 2016. Romance movie “The Mountain Between Us,” star- the studio’s “#1 online film of all time”. — AFP ring Charlie Hunnam and Rosamund Pike, has been set just before Valentines Day on Feb 10, 2017. — Reuters lifestyle WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 Music & Movies

Cameron Diaz and rocker Benji Madden marry

ollywood star Cameron Diaz and rocker Benji his twin brother Joel Madden. A representative for the Madden got married in their Los Angeles home couple told People that the two were married at “an inti- Hon Monday, People magazine reported. Diaz, 42, mate ceremony at their home in Los Angeles.” and Madden, 35, had been dating since May and got Representatives for Diaz and Madden could not imme- engaged shortly before Christmas, People reported. “We diately be reached for comment. — Reuters couldn’t be happier to begin our new journey together surrounded by our closest family and friends,” the cou- ple told the magazine. Diaz, a Golden Globe-nominated actress, most recently starred in the film “Annie,” a reworking of the Tony-winning 1977 Broadway musical of the same name. Madden is best known for performing in the rock Cameron Diaz and bands Good Charlotte and The Madden Brothers with rocker Benji Madden STING UNABLE TO SAVE HIS MUSICAL ‘Saved by the Bell’ actor to stand trial ‘THE LAST SHIP’ ON BROADWAY in stabbing case ting is going down with his ship. Producers said early the box office, attributable in part to its challenging topic Brian Yorkey (“Next to Normal”) and Tony-winner John ustin Diamond, the actor who played Screech yesterday that the Grammy Award-winning singer- and mixed reviews. It earned well during the Christmas and Logan (“Red”) wrote the book, and Tony-winner Joe on the 1990s television series “Saved by the Ssongwriter’s Broadway musical “The Last Ship” will New Year holidays, but all shows enjoyed bumps. A long Mantello (“Wicked”) directed. DBell,” was ordered to stand trial Monday in the close when he leaves the show Jan 24. Sting, who wrote February loomed without tourists to swell the ranks in the Other rock stars have joined shows they helped create, stabbing of a man at a Wisconsin bar on Christmas the songs, jumped into the show in December, playing a audience or Sting to draw New Yorkers. including Green Day’s frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, who Day. Diamond, 37, is charged with felony reckless shipyard foreman, played by Jimmy Nail. While that Sting, born Gordon Sumner, drew on his childhood, made several onstage visits to his show “American Idiot.” endangerment and two misdemeanors stemming improved sales, they didn’t skyrocket. growing up in Newcastle. He was last onstage on But others - including Bono and The Edge from U2 and Trey from the incident in Port Washington, about 25 miles “The Last Ship” is a semiautobiographical story about a Broadway in 1989’s revival of “The Threepenny Opera.” On Anastasio from Phish - chose to stay offstage even after north of Milwaukee. His defense attorney noted that prodigal son who returns to his northern England ship- the eve of joining the cast onstage, the singer acknowl- their shows sprung a leak. — AP none of witnesses reported seeing Diamond stab the building town to reclaim the girl he abandoned when he edged his show faced tough odds: “This was never going man, who wasn’t seriously hurt, but an Ozaukee fled years before. He finds the workers are now unem- to be easy. I didn’t anticipate a shoo-in at all. I expected a County judge ruled there was enough evidence for ployed and entertaining the idea of building one last boat battle because I want to succeed against the odds.” For the case to go to trial. to show off their skill and pride. The show has struggled at “The Last Ship,” Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning lyricist Diamond’s fiancee, Amanda Schutz, told police she shoved a woman who was making rude remarks and antagonizing her and Diamond at The Grand Avenue Saloon, according to a criminal complaint. The women then got into a physical altercation, and two men held Schutz by her hair, Diamond told investigators. During Monday’s hearing, Port Washington police officer Ryan Hurda testified that a man confronted and shoved Diamond as the actor moved toward the fight. The man’s brother “inter- vened when he heard the snap of a knife,” Hurda said. The officer said the brother never saw Diamond stab anyone, and that there was nothing in the bar’s video surveillance that shows Diamond stabbing the man. “No, it’s not distinct, but you see he’s holding some type of object in his right hand,” Hurda testi- fied. Defense attorney Thomas Alberti told the judge that of the half-dozen people interviewed at the bar, no one saw Diamond stab the man during their con- frontation. Hurda was the only witness at the hear- ing. Diamond, who remains free on $10,000 bond, was granted permission to temporarily leave Wisconsin, where he lives, for work. Alberti said In this file photos, Sting appears at the curtain call following his debut performance in Diamond was working as a comedian and had shows Broadway’s “The Last Ship,” in New York. — AP photos scheduled outside the state. — AP

Sony chief thanks Jewel working on revealing supporters after ‘vicious’ cyber attack memoir, to be published this fall ony chief Kazuo Hirai called the devastating hack on the usician and actress Jewel is going back to company “vicious and malicious,” in his first public com- the books. She has a deal with Penguin Sments about the attack that derailed the launch of con- MRandom House imprint Blue Rider Press for a troversial comedy “The Interview.” Speaking Monday at a press memoir scheduled to come out in the fall. Blue Rider event on the eve of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las announced the currently untitled book Monday. In Vegas, Hirai thanked supporters who stood by the company in 1998, Jewel’s “A Night Without Armor” became the the face of the massive cyber assault, including employees rare poetry collection to sell more 1 million copies. and movie-goers who saw the film when it finally hit theaters. Blue Rider says Jewel will reveal a “far more com- “Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom of plicated life” than previously known. She will write association-those are important lifelines of Sony and our about her childhood and career while offering writ- entertainment business,” Hirai said. His comments were his ing advice and insights on being a mother. The singer first public statements about the attack on the Japanese com- was born Jewel Kilcher. The 40-year-old star had one pany’s film and television unit. “We are proud of partners who of the most successful debuts in history with the stood up against extortionist efforts by criminals who 1995 multiplatinum album “Pieces of You.” Her other attacked Sony,” Hirai said. albums include “Spirit” and “This Way.” She has Sony employees, he added, “were victims of one of the appeared in movies including “Walk Hard: The Dewey most vicious and malicious cyber attacks we have known, cer- Cox Story.” — AP tainly in recent history.” “The Interview” is now showing at 580 independent theaters in the US, in addition to online plat- Dustin Diamond forms, according to Hirai. “I want to thank all the partners who made this possible, media who supported the launch, and those who have gone out to see the movie,” Hirai said. “Thank you for being part of that great event,” he added, before end- ing with a quip referring to another Sony Pictures Entertainment film released during the year-end holidays. “Annie is a great movie as well,” he said.

Movie plot to kill Kim Jong-Un ‘Game of Thrones’ to hit IMAX theaters The late-November cyber attack against Sony led to an online leak of employee information, unreleased films and BO and IMAX have struck a deal to make “Game of embarrassing in-house emails. The hackers also mounted Thrones” the first TV series to grace the theatrical dis- threats against Sony over the planned Christmas release of Htributors’ big screens. An exclusive season 5 trailer, as “The Interview,” which depicts a fictional CIA plot to assassi- well as the final two episodes of the fourth season, will get an nate North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Threats by hackers unprecedented run Jan 23-29 at 150 theaters in top markets issued after the cyberattack on Sony Pictures initially prompt- across the US While the visual spectacle of the HBO hit makes ed the movie giant to cancel the film’s Christmas Day release, it a natural for the big-screen treatment, “Thrones” will be digi- after many large US theater chains got cold feet. tally remastered to fit the IMAX format. The comedy, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, even- Fans will be able to purchase tickets to the special event for tually opened on December 25 in more than 300 independent an unspecified price on Imax.com in the coming weeks. “The movie houses that offered to show the film after Sony came cinematic brilliance and grand scope of the series is perfect under fire for pulling it. US investigators have said North for the IMAX format,” said Pamela Levine, chief marketing offi- Korea, which has repeatedly denied involvement, was behind cer at HBO. “We are always looking to provide fans with new the attack, but some experts have raised doubts about the and exciting ways to experience the show and viewing two conclusions of the FBI probe. key episodes, along with the new trailer, on such an impres- US President Barack Obama last week authorized a new sive platform makes for a great event.” layer of sanctions on several Pyongyang institutions and offi- IMAX has indicated previously its intent to branch out cials, in retaliation for the alleged cyber attack on Sony beyond the typical Hollywood fare in search of innovative Pictures. North Korea on Sunday lashed out at the fresh sanc- content distribution opportunities. The company signed a tions, criticizing Washington for refusing a proposed joint groundbreaking pact late last year with Netflix to get a the- investigation. The impoverished but nuclear-armed state was atrical day-and-date component of the upcoming “Crouching already heavily sanctioned following a series of nuclear and Tiger, Hidden Dragon” sequel. missile tests staged in violation of UN resolutions. “IMAX always seeks innovative ways to provide moviegoers Pyongyang, which repeatedly slammed the movie as an a unique and differentiated experience and today’s partner- “act of terror,” praised the hacking attack as a “righteous deed” ship with HBO and ‘Game of Thrones’ achieves just that,” said possibly staged by its sympathizers. The isolated country last IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “This deal also furthers our month suffered several mysterious Internet outages. The efforts to offer exhibitors the opportunity to participate in Obama administration denied comment on whether it was alternative forms of content in a new and exciting way.” The linked to the blackouts. — AFP fifth season of “Thrones” premieres in April.— Reuters Cameron Diaz and rocker Benji Madden marry

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 39

Visitors take photographs on an ice sculptures during the 16th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province. — AFP photos

Strong dollar makes world travel cheaper for Americans

rips in Europe or Asia should be cheaper for Americans mer, which is peak season. this year. Thank a stronger dollar. Since the middle of last Tyear, it has been gaining against the euro, the British When to book a flight pound, the Swiss franc, the Russian ruble, the Indian rupee, the Demand for travel is so strong that most airlines don’t have Japanese yen and other currencies. That means dollars go fur- to cut prices to sell seats. “The summer fares are still very expen- ther in those countries, reducing the price of everything from a sive,” says George Hobica, founder of travel website airfare- hotel room to drinks. watchdog.com. But airlines might cut prices this spring if the “This is one of the best times for Americans to travel in strong dollar discourages Europeans and Asians from flying to years,” says Matt Kepnes, author of “Travel the World on $50 a and from the US. Day” and other travel books.

Why the dollar is strong Other economies are shaky, making their currencies less valuable. Europe is barely growing. Japan is already officially in recession. China’s growth has slowed. Meanwhile, the US econ- omy has been chugging along. Many economists expect that steady US growth will compel the Federal Reserve to raise inter- est rates later this year, making dollar investments more attrac- tive and leading traders to sell other currencies and buy dollars.

What it means Let’s say that in June you had a charming dinner for two in Paris for 75 euros. First, congratulations. Second, it cost $103 then; today it would be $89. Expensive countries may not be cheap, but at least they’re more affordable now.

Best bargains Thanks to the pound’s decline, England is cheaper than it was six months ago. But the euro has slumped more, making most of continental Europe an even better bargain. Travel writer Consider all the options In this Tuesday, Kepnes says Greece is attractive right now because hotels and Hobica recommends checking foreign airlines. He says March 22, 2011 file tour operators have been slashing prices to fill rooms. The same Etihad, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and others sometimes photo, tourists take thing is happening in Portugal and parts of Spain. offer better prices to Europe than US carriers do, although they pictures in front of “Be the contrarian traveler,” Kepnes says. “If you want to go to could include a distant stopover. — AP Rome’s ancient Europe, consider eastern or central Europe, where prices are Colosseum. In this July 22, 2008 file photo, tourists take pictures in front of the Eiffel tower, in generally cheaper,” he says. He recommends going during the Paris. —AP photos “shoulder season” - late spring or early fall - rather than in sum-