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THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 JAMADA ALTHANI 25, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

20 Westminster ‘terror attack’; Min 16º UK Parliament on lockdown Max 27º High Tide 09:14 & 18:59 4 killed in car rampage Police officer stabbed catastrophic injuries Low Tide • • 02:12 & 15:25 40 PAGES NO: 17176 150 FILS Food Bank to support over 5,700 families: Al-Kharafi Kuwait Food Bank announces charitable activities KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Food ered by the program. They can use the coupon to Bank announced in a press obtain basic foodstuffs. He noted that the project will conference its program of support 5,700 families in Kuwait. charitable activities for Continued on Page 15 2017. During the press conference, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, Vice Chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors, said that the LONDON: Emergency services staff provide medical attention close to the Houses of Parliament in London yes- bank aims to providing terday. London police say they are treating a gun and knife incident at Britain’s Parliament “as a terrorist inci- Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi the needy inside Kuwait dent until we know otherwise.” — AP with food and to spread awareness about the impor- LONDON: Four people, including an armed police offi- described as catastrophic. Around the same time yester- tance of reducing food waste. He added that the idea cer and a man believed to be the attacker, have died in day, a knife-wielding attacker stabbed a police officer of the bank was inspired by similar ideas already a terrorist incident near the UK’s Houses of Parliament, and was shot on the grounds outside Britain’s implemented in other Arabic and Islamic countries. It Scotland Yard has said. A woman was among several Parliament, sending the compound into lockdown. is a charity project with the goal of ensuring that all pedestrians struck by a car on Westminster bridge, Authorities said they were treating the attacks as a ter- members of society have access to nutritious food. KUWAIT: Deputy Chairman of the Board Meshal Al- before it crashed into railings. A vehicle mowed down rorist incident. The threat level for international terror- Kharafi revealed that the bank will distribute food Ansari (left) and Salem Al-Hamar are pictured during pedestrians on London’s Westminster Bridge, killing at ism in the UK was already listed as severe. coupons worth KD 25 for every family in need -cov- the press conference. least one woman and leaving others with injuries Continued on Page 15 LOCAL THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Amir thanks Turkish President Erdogan for warm hospitality Kuwait, Turkey sign agreement for Syrian refugees

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah mark visit, the Turkish President bestowed Kuwait and Turkey signed a vast array of Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday upon His Highness the Amir the ‘Order of the agreements and memorandums of under- addressed a cable to Turkish President Recep State of Turkey,’ which is the most prestigious standing (MoUs) to ratchet up cooperation Tayyip Erdogan, after concluding his official decoration awarded to foreign nationals. between both nations. visit to the friendly Republic of Turkey. In the The gesture was met with great apprecia- cable, His Highness the Amir expressed deep tion and delight by His Highness the Amir, Syrian refugees gratitude to the warm hospitality accorded to who described it as a testament to historical A trio of deals were sealed on a grant him and his delegation during the visit to the ties between Kuwait and Turkey. His Highness presented by Kuwait Fund for Arab nation, thus depicting the good ties between the Amir said that it reflected a mutual desire Economic Development (KFAED) for a the two friendly countries and peoples. He for closer bilateral ties. In return, His Highness response plan to the Syrian refugee crisis in expressed deep gratitude to President the Amir presented the Turkish President with the Turkish provinces of Gaziantep, Kilis and Erdogan and satisfaction for paying the visit to Kuwait’s ‘Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer.’ Sanliurfa, as the agreements were signed by the friendly country; a mission that would con- Official talks were held between His KFAED Director General Abdulwahab Al- tribute to cementing the bilateral relations Highness the Amir and the Turkish president Bader and the respective mayors of the and mutual cooperation between the two on historic firm relations between Kuwait and three Turkish provinces. friendly countries. His Highness the Amir Turkey and ways of promoting and developing Kuwait’s Major General Abdulrahman Al- Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad expressed good wish- existing partnership in all domains for the Hadhoud and Turkish General Othman Arbash es to President Erdogan, the republic and common interest of both countries, in addi- were the signatories of a memorandum of friendly Turkish people, wishing Turkey further tion to efforts to bolster cooperation in various understanding (MoU) for bilateral military progress and prosperity. fields. They also discussed major issues of cooperation. Another MoU for Kuwaiti-Turkish mutual interest and exchanged views on the cooperation on Islamic affairs was signed by Historic relations latest regional and international develop- Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Based on historic relations between Kuwait ments. The talks were held in a friendly atmos- Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- and Turkey and mutual interest in pursuing phere that reflected mutual understanding Hamad Al-Sabah and President of the Turkish bilateral high-level visits, His Highness the and friendship between both nations’ leader- Presidency of Religious Affairs Mehmet Amir paid a state visit to Turkey on March 20 at ships. In presence of His Highness the Amir Gormez. An agreement for bilateral touristic the invitation of Turkish President, the Amiri Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and cooperation was signed by Kuwait’s Deputy Diwan said in a statement. During the land- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh and Ankara’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Nabi Avci. During official talks, His Highness the Amir renewed his invitation to the Turkish leader to visit Kuwait in order to attend the launching ceremony of a new passenger terminal carried out by a Turkish company. The Turkish leader vowed to positively comply with a Kuwaiti request to grant Kuwaiti visitors’ visa-free entry in the near future.

Economic cooperation Both sides agreed to boost bilateral eco- nomic and investment cooperation, given that two-way trade exchange is estimated at nearly $1.2 billion. Politically, they agreed to contin- ue supporting all ongoing efforts to maintain regional and international security and stabili- ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan bids farewell to His Highness the Amir ty and to resolutely fight terrorism and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday. — Amiri Diwan photos extremism. In this context, the State of Kuwait a symbol of the strong relations and mutual On the sidelines of the visit, Kuwaiti Deputy greatly appreciated Turkey’s hosting of Syrian confidence between the two countries. Premier and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh refugees and its keenness on alleviating their Erdogan also described the UN 2014 honoring met with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister for humanitarian sufferings and woes. The of His Highness the Amir as a “Humanitarian Economic Affairs Mehmet Simsek, and dis- Turkish leader highly commended His Leader” and Kuwait as a “Humanitarian Center,” cussed a possible industrial-trade zone to KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is welcomed by Highness the Amir’s eagerness to promote as a well-deserved honor, referring to the serve the Turkish private sector. A meeting His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah upon his return friendship ties between Kuwait and Turkey to huge aid Kuwait has been offering to Syrian was also held between the defense ministers back to Kuwait. cover all fields, saying these friendship ties are refugees and the needy around the globe. of both countries. — KUNA LOCAL THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 23,902 citizens waiting for government jobs

By A Saleh

KUWAIT: Recent Civil Service Commission (CSC) statistics showed that 23,902 citizens are regis- tered on the waiting list for recruitment in the public sector, including 17,975 females and 5,927 males. It showed that only 15 out of 4,558 females and eight out of 2,537 males were directly nominated for a job without having to wait for their turn. Statistics also showed the presence of 12,066 vacancies in state depart- ments including 10 for PhD holders, 21 for Master’s degree holders, 6,560 for BA degree Former MP Musllam Al-Barrak holders and 2,853 for two-year diploma holders. Official statistics released last year had shown Opposition leader that nearly 58 percent of unemployed Kuwaitis refuse to work in the private sector, preferring to wait until a public sector job becomes available. awaits April release Almost 87 percent of Kuwait’s national labor force works in the public sector, according to the 2015 Labor Force Survey published by Kuwait’s By Meshaal Al-Enezi Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Central Statistical Bureau (CSB). “This ruling is without the slightest The public sector remains the most attractive KUWAIT: The private sector remains an unattractive destination for Kuwaiti jobseekers despite KUWAIT: MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa said that doubt political,” Barrak reportedly said at employer for a variety of reasons: shorter work- government efforts to encourage citizens to work there. he visited former MP Musllam Al-Barrak the time in response to the verdict. “I thank ing hours, often less demanding work, all public yesterday at the central prison and found God that I am not interested in wealth or holidays, benefits and perks not always available in Saudi Arabia, adding that according to most The website explained that 65 suspects were him in a very good health and high spirits. power and I will always uphold my dignity in the private sector and security since locals recent statistics, 5,139 suspects belonging to 32 detained this month including 37 Saudis, 16 He also noted that Barrak extends greet- both inside the prison and outside.” Barrack cannot be fired except in extreme circum- countries, including 4,298 Saudis, have so far Turks, four Yemenis, one from each of Syria, ings to the people of Kuwait saying that he recently survived an attack by a fellow pris- stances. Unemployment among Kuwaitis been arrested in relation to terrorism. Statistics Nigeria, Egypt, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and would meet them soon. Barrack, a promi- oner. The man, a Syrian national, later com- reached 4.7 percent in 2015 according to the showed that Yemenis came second with 272 Kuwait in addition to one unidentified suspect. nent opposition figure and ex member of mitted suicide, according to authorities. statistics. detainees followed by 220 Syrians, 76 Pakistanis, parliament, was sentenced in 2015 to two The former lawmaker is scheduled to be 53 Egyptians, 29 Sudanese, 19 Indian, 19 Turkish Delayed wages years in prison for insulting HH the Amir released in April. Kuwaiti arrested in Saudi and 17 Chad detainees. In addition, the statistics Upon direct instructions from Health Minister For the first time since terrorist acts started in showed that detainees included 16 Jordanians, Dr Jamal Al-Harbi, Jahra Health Zone Director Dr Saudi Arabia, a Kuwaiti and a Nepalese suspects 11 Bahrainis, eight Afghanis, 11 Iranians and Ahmad Al-Husseiny announced opening a wide- were detained in Saudi Arabia over security cas- Somalis, four Iraqis, four Bangladeshis, four scale investigation to determine the reason of es, said the Saudi Interior ministry’s website, not- Nigerians, three Ethiopians, three from the delaying the wages of bedoons working in med- ing that the two suspects were respectively Philippines, three Lebanese, three Americans, ical registration. Husseiny added that minister arrested less than two weeks ago. The website two Qataris, two Mauritanians, two Emiratis, two Harbi was keen that all facilities be made to pay explained that no Kuwaitis or Nepalese suspects Moroccans and one from Angola, Algeria, China, bedoon wages on time and follow faster systems were arrested since the terrorist acts commenced Kuwait, Burkina Faso, Canada and Nepal each. to submit their payrolls to avoid any further delay. Stiff penalties for Kuwait assures meat commodity price consumers about safety manipulators KUWAIT: All meat imports reaching the inspection regime conducted by a specific domestic market are subjected to thorough task force of the Ministry of Agriculture, KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry and very careful examination to ensure the Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA). The facts A photo circulated on social media yesterday allegedly showing meat confiscated will enforce stiff penalties against traders who lift or products are safe for consumption, a munici- are that among 11,000 employees, only 33 are from the restaurant yesterday. manipulate with commodities’ prices, the minister pal official affirmed yesterday. The depart- being investigated. Out of 4,837 establish- warned yesterday. ment of imported food is very keen on exam- ments subject to federal inspection, only 21 ‘Famous’ restaurant closed The department will take stringent measures ining the imports, said Khalaf Al-Mutairi, in are allegedly involved in irregularities. The against any merchant who raises the prices in an charge of the services sector at Kuwait objective of the investigation is not the agri- for commercial fraud unjustifiable manner, warned Khaled Al-Roudhan, Municipality. Samples are forwarded to the culture and livestock defense system in the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Acting Ministry of Health to ensure that the imported place, whose rigor is widely recognized, but a Minister of State for Youth Affairs, in a statement to stocks are fit for human consumption, he few conduct deviations. By Hanan Al-Saadoun so he was detained to be sent to the affirmed in a statement to Kuwait News Foreign embassies were assured that all forensics department. Detective suspect- journalists at the parliament headquarters. The law prohibits manipulation or unjustified Agency (KUNA). exporting plants remain open to inspections KUWAIT: Consumer protection officers at ed a man in a military uniform who was Such procedures are applied on the import- by importing countries and to the monitoring the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in an abnormal condition, and asked for raises of the good’s prices, the minister said. He also disclosed that his department has already taken ed stocks regardless of the country of origin. of activities under the national control system, discovered a famous restaurant located in his ID. The officer did not like being treat- Some Asian nations have recently halted meat one of the most respected in the world. MAPA an area in Hawally Governorate that sold ed like that, and advanced to assault the “proper measures” against the meat companies based on the “document divulged by the media imports from Brazil, where the police reportedly will fully cooperate with the current investi- frozen meat to consumer as being fresh, detective both physically and verbally. A searched premises of 30 meat companies amid gations in order to determine eventual mis- implying an illegal deal.” which is a violation of consumer protec- patrol arrived and police arrested the claims about exports of spoilt stocks. Brazil conduct within the agriculture and livestock tion regulations. Nearly 500 kilograms of military officer. “I have personally forwarded that document to exports beef and poultry products to more than defense system. The Federal Government meet were found inside the restaurant. Honoring the consumers’ protection apparatus and have tak- 150 countries. Main importers from the Latin manifests its confidence in the quality of the Furthermore, inspectors discovered that Director General of Kuwait Fire en the necessary measures in this respect,” he American nation are Saudi Arabia, China, national product, which has been approved the restaurants served meals weighing Services Directorate (KFSD) Lt General affirmed. The ministry declared on Saturday that Singapore, Japan, Russia, Holland and Italy. by consumers in highly demanding markets less than advertised, which is considered Khalid Al-Mikrad decorated Deputy upon instructions by His Highness the Prime The Brazilian embassy in Kuwait released a around the world in terms of inspection and commercial fraud. The restaurant was Director General for Human Resources Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- statement to the press yesterday, quoting defense systems. MAPA has a strict inspection closed pending further legal procedures. development Affairs Maj Gen Khalid Al- Sabah a meeting was held for the relevant authori- statements the Brazilian President Michel service for products of animal origin. Tarkeet and Deputy Director General for ties to investigate monopolization in the local live- Temer regarding the investigation being held The high standard of excellence opened Domestic violence Fighting Affairs Maj Gen Jamal Al- stock market and ensure its stability as well as sta- in Brazil on export meat producers. “I have the doors of Brazilian meat to over 150 A citizen who works for a sensitive Bulaihias with the international knight bility of the prices. convened a ministerial meeting over the countries, with permanent auditing, monitor- department lodged a complaint against medal, which was granted to them by The minister has instructed the apparatus to weekend, in order to assess the safety of ing and risk assessment. In addition to the national and international consumers with national controls, products are also subject to her husband, accusing him of physical the International Organization for Civil investigate the reported deal among meat regard to the quality of the meat produced in local inspection on reaching their destina- assault. She submitted a medical report Protection, and the International importers to stop importing the livestock during a certain period in an attempt to artificially the country,” the statement reads. tions. In 2016 alone, 853,000 items of products to support her claims. Organization for Medals. Meanwhile, “The government has decided to speed up of animal origin from Brazil were sent to for- Mikrad also received a delegation from inflate prices. Minister Roudhan has also ordered the relevant divisions in his department to check the audit process in the 21 establishments cit- eign markets and only 184 were considered, Officer arrested the National Fire Protection Association ed in the Federal Police investigation. Three of by importers, out of compliance, often An army officer in uniform beat a (NFPA) that is visiting Kuwait headed by the available fresh and frozen meat in the market regularly. —KUNA these establishments have already been sus- because of non-sanitary issues, such as label- Farwaniya detective while he was drunk, CEO Jim Pauley. pended and all 21 will be placed under special ing and completion of certificates.” New wedding halls for Ahmadi

By Meshaal Al-Enezi

KUWAIT: Ahmadi area will get five new wedding halls, announced the Ahmadi committee at the Municipal Council yesterday. Wedding halls will be built in Mangaf and Dhaher in addition to Al-Waha, North West Jahra and Bloc 93, Jahra. The committee chairman, Adel Al-Mai’ noted that the committee also discussed the Jahra committee meeting agenda to avoid delaying transactions due to the resignation of five members who took part in the 2016 parliamentary elections. Further, Mai’ said that the committee approved plans to build a new mosque in Wafra, approved an Interior Ministry request to expand the Central Prison and develop a new extension of the Sixth Ring Road to be located between the customs bridge and Al-Ghazali intersection. In addition, Mai’ said that the committee also approved a request made by the defense ministry to expand Ali Al- Salem Air Base and the Special Forces Brigade 25. Kuwait inks KD 6 million deals for public works

KUWAIT: Minister of Public Works Abdulrahman Al- Mutawaa signed yesterday two contracts for roads and public square maintenance in Doha and Sulaibikhat at KD 6.268 million. The ministry said in a statement one of the contracts, worth KD 2.73 million, stipulates maintaining roads and squares in the two districts. The work also includes park- ing lots, sewage pipes and sidewalks. The other one, valued at KD 4.195 million, includes maintaining roads and public plazas in Hawally, as well as building roads, parking lots, sewage pipes and side- walks in Al-Salam neighborhood. — KUNA THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 LOCAL

UNWTO, ministries take part KFH honors Abdulrazzaq for earning place in Guinness World Records in Youth and Tourism Forum KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Relations and Media, Yousef Abdullah initiator, Jet Ski world champion Yousef Al-Ruwaieh and the PR team received KUWAIT: The first Kuwaiti Youth and Tourism Al-Abdulrazzaq earned himself a place Al-Abdulrazzaq at KFH headquarters. Forum is expected to attract considerable local, in the Guinness World Records for Ruwaieh congratulated him on the first Arab and international participants, including achieving the world championship title of its kind achievement, emphasizing officials responsible for tourism and investment three times. KFH’s strategic partnership KFH’s commitments towards supporting in small and medium enterprises and issues con- with Abdulrazzaq reiterates the ongoing the youth and the society as part of the cerning the youth issues, the forum’s organizing commitment of the bank towards sup- bank’s social responsibility. committee said in a statement. The event is due porting the sport and the athletes who He added that KFH spares no efforts to be held under auspices of Minister of State for hoist Kuwait’s flag high in several inter- in putting Kuwaiti National teams and Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of national competitions. individual athletes at the forefront of its Information Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdulla Al- Abdulrazzaq hailed KFH’s support priorities and pledges to continue Sabah on the 27th and 28th of March, 2017 at and sponsorship which resonated signif- motivating them to achieve further Kuwait Regency Hotel. icantly in achieving further Kuwaiti titles for the country. It is worth noting The forum would be held in collaboration achievements in the international that the Union International between the information ministry’s tourism sec- forums, indicating such achievements Motonautique (UIM), officially declared tor and Leaders Group, which serves as the would put more responsibility in the Abdulrazzaq a Guinness World Record Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah Dr Mohammad Al-Zuhair next competitions. Holder. This achievement was listed United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Al-Sabah (UNWTO) representative in Kuwait, the commit- Executive Manager Group Public under the name of Kuwait. tee said in a statement. The fact that UNWTO is Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Head of the Scientific Research’s (KISR) Director Dr Samira Al- taking part in the ongoing preparations for the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Sayyed Omar, as well as Dr Munther Al-Ansari, forum reflects the growing role played by the Dr Mohammad Al-Zuhair, Kuwait Institute for Hassan Al-Qena’e and many others. youth in the tourism and hospitality business, it indicated. The committee also pointed that young people Organization focuses on anti-racism in GCC countries have recently achieved remark- able successes in creating and starting local and KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Human Line Organization Elimination of Racial Discrimination’ which foreign tourism projects. This brings great hopes said yesterday that it was eager to organize was celebrated on March 21. He added that that young entrepreneurs would be able to specialized workshops in Kuwait for human the organization has published several inter- achieve dreams, after reviewing similar regional rights, equality, and anti-racism. During an national reports which focused on human and international youth experiences in the field, interactive workshop on equality without dis- rights in Kuwait and it’s about to deliver a especially since the event features participation of crimination, the Secretary General of the new one related to women. He pointed out Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah, Undersecretary of the Human Line Organization Taher Al-Baghli that several events were going to be Ministry of Youth Affairs. said that the organization is willing to devel- launched focusing on social, labor, and Notably, the forum’s activities include several op its programs for human rights on a regular human rights awareness in the upcoming sessions, lectures and workshops. The list of basis. Baghli added that the Human Line months. The Human Line Organization is a speakers includes the Interior Ministry’s Organization has organized this workshop to human rights body has that has no political Assistant Undersecretary for Citizenship, coincide with ‘The International Day for the or religious affiliation. — KUNA Passports and Residency Affairs Major General KFH’s Yousef Abdullah Al-Ruwaieh honors Yousef Abdulrazzaq. Kuwait Airways celebrates Mother’s Day

KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways rolled out the red- carpet treatment for all mothers travelling with the official national carrier of the State of Kuwait on Mother’s Day this year, with dedicated counter set aside at its check-in area, as well as an Instagram-based competi- tion - named ‘Thank you, Mom!,’ which invit- ed people to post messages of thanks to their mothers. For mothers travelling on 21 March - Mother’s Day, as observed in the Arab world - Kuwait Airways set up a dedicated counter at its Kuwait International Airport check-in Zone- 1. At these counters giveaways in the form of chocolates and discount vouchers for the on- board duty free were handed out as well hav- ing an area at the airport for children to write messages to their mothers along with a Polaroid picture to cherish and honor those most special of women in our lives. The Instagram-based ‘Thank you, Mom!’ competition, running for the two days leading up to Mother’s Day, invited people to share their thoughts and praise for their mothers. The post with the highest number of “Likes”, per day, was entered as a finalist. On Mother’s day, the two posts were put to the vote by Kuwait Airways’ Instagram followers, with the winner deemed to be the one with the most “Likes”, by 4pm local (Kuwaiti) time. The overall winner, with 66.2 per cent of the votes was “@Arabaviation.” As the winner of the competi- tion, Instagram follower “@Arabaviation” won two business class return tickets for one per- son and their mother to travel to Dubai, up to or before the end of May 2017. small tribute to the most influential women in “Mothers are the bedrock of any family and Commenting on the Instagram competition everyone’s lives. As a working mom myself, I Kuwait Airways is humbled in our celebration and activities conducted at Kuwait airport, on know that even the simplest form of recogni- of the billions of mothers, worldwide, whose 21 March, Rasha Al-Roumi, Chairperson and tion of what we do - and what our mothers unconditional love and maternal wisdom CEO of Kuwait Airways, said: “This Mother’s before us have done and continue to do - goes undoubtedly makes the world a better place Day, Kuwait Airways wanted to pay our own a long way.” to live in,” Roumi added. Ooredoo participates in Taste of Kuwait

KUWAIT: Ooredoo, the fastest network in graphed copies of books written by the chefs, mitment to participating in events that enrich Kuwait, proudly sponsored Taste of Kuwait, the and they were given the opportunity to ask customers’ lives and experiences from all seg- biggest food festival in Kuwait, which took them questions. As part of its efforts to fulfill ments of society, noting that the Kuwaiti place over the span of three days last week in the passions of its customers, Ooredoo restaurateur segment is growing and enjoys a Boulevard Mall in Salmiya. The sponsorship extended an invitation to its Nukhba clients. good reputation in the region. comes to reiterate Ooredoo’s commitment The program included a variety of activities Ooredoo’s Nojoom Rewards Program is towards the community and is tandem with its targeting different segments and age groups, Kuwait’s only program which gives cus- core values of caring, connecting and chal- such as live cooking shows and lectures about tomers points for every KD spent on using lenging, which aim to enrich people’s lives. culinary arts. The program also included activi- Ooredoo’s services. The points can then be Through its designated tent for members of ties and cooking demonstrations for children, redeemed with vouchers from any of its Nojoom Reward Program, Ooredoo gave in addition to special cooking shows for peo- Ooredoo’s partners, which include promi- visitors the opportunity to meet and greet a ple suffering from diabetes and obesity. The nent retailers, hotels, airline companies, spas, number of renowned chefs locally and inter- festival saw hundreds of participating restau- restaurants and many more premium service nationally, such as Adlah Al-Sharhan, Jenny rants and cafes from local and international providers. Ooredoo customers can easily Morris, Annabel Karmel, and Dean markets offering a variety of cuisines. sign up to Nojoom by sending a text mes- Brettschneider. Visitors were able to get auto- Ooredoo stressed in a statement its com- sage with the letter R to 129. LOCAL THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

Head of Lulua production Producer Producer company Sheikha Intisar Dawoud Al-Shoail Ahmad Al-Khodari Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Kuwaiti cinema: Old legacy, future hopes

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti cinema has developed the cinematic capital of the Gulf. throughout the years releasing different short films and long features that told the Professional training story of different aspects of life in old and Sheikha Intisar said she had launched a modern Kuwait. Kuwait was a center professional training course for cinematic KUWAIT: Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah attends the ceremony. —KUNA where different cultures met and mingled production, decor, and music, aiming to since the old times and as people of differ- develop the skills of youth in the field. ent backgrounds continued to move into Kuwaiti movies are now attracting large Prominent businessman Sharekh donates the country, they introduced their own art numbers of Gulf viewers. She added that and culture that added to the Kuwaiti cin- the recent two movies ‘Habib Al-Ardh’ and thousands of books to national library ema experience. ‘Al-Ater’ had been playing for weeks in cin- The first movie titled ‘Sons of Sinbad’ emas. Producer Dawoud Al-Shoail said the KUWAIT: The National Library of Kuwait ber of short stories and a novel as part of emerged in 1939 by an Australian tourist, Kuwaiti cinema lacks a strong infrastruc- (NLK) held a ceremony to receive the dona- his work in literature, said Abduljaleel. telling the story of pearl diving in Kuwait. ture, which is a necessity for development. tion of around 6,000 books from Sharekh thanked Sheikh Ali Al-Sabah for This was followed by the production of Kuwaiti movies in general have weak cine- Mohammad Al-Sharekh’s library late patronizing the event, hoping his donation another movie ‘Kuwait Between the Past matic narration of the story, as they sound Tuesday evening. Speaking to reporters on of books would further enrich NLK’s collec- and Present’ in 1946, by Mohammad more like a TV series, he explained. He the sidelines of a ceremony, Deputy tion of literature and history. The library Qabazard, who was the first Kuwaiti pro- advised producers to pay more attention to Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Al- received yesterday the largest part of books ducer to own a cinematic camera in the their script and allow it to be presented in Jarrah Al-Sabah said granting this amount of Al-Sharekh’s library in the first phase and early 30s. the best picture possible. He also called on of Al-Sharekh’s books reflects the generosi- two more batches with thousands of books The importance of cinema grew in the government to give facilitations in per- ty of Kuwaiti people. will be granted to the library later, he noted. Kuwait as the Ministry of Education, mits for movie productions and provide Speaking at the event, Director General The number of books at NLK reached Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and specialized funds for the matter. of NLK Kamil Al-Abduljaleel, thanked Al- 403,000 books, he stated. Mohammad Al-Sharekh Ministry of Information have established Meanwhile, producer Ahmad Al-Khodari Sharekh’s library for its support to the departments specialized in producing also agreed on the difficulty of receiving a national library. He said the NLK is working educational movies and other types of production permit in Kuwait. He said it is a on developing its work scheme through documentaries. long complicated process that producers modern information technology systems Kuwait builds academy and social media. The turning point in Kuwaiti cinema was have to endure every time. He noted that Mohammad Al-Sharekh is a successful the movie ‘Bas Ya Bahar’ by producer the cinematic field look promising these businessman, philanthropist, and writer, for gifted citizens Khaled Al-Siddeeq in 1972. It told the story days, speaking of the ‘Adasa Festival’ for who has always supported the library. He of the dangers Kuwaitis faced when diving audio and visual art, launched by the KUWAIT: Kuwait’s top leaders keenly back the Amir, had exerted intensive efforts for worked at and developed the Industrial for pearls back in the day. The movie saw Ministry of State for Youth Affairs earlier skilled and bright citizens and establishment establishing the new academy (for boys). Bank of Kuwait and he was appointed as some regional and international success, this month. of Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Minster Fares has disclosed that his depart- chairman of the board in 1973. Sharkeh’s however, Kuwaiti cinema still lacked a real Khodari also mentioned the upcoming Creativity is a tangible proof of this high-level ment “has been taking steady steps for open- library has donated its full collection of regional and international fan base. Kuwait’s first film festival on March 24, approach, says the Minister of Education. ing the counterpart academy for girls in the 5,400 books on banking, economy, and Dr Mohammad Al-Fares, also the Minister next academic year,” in addition to expanding Currently, there are a number of Kuwaiti organized by the National Council for industry to NLK, Abduljaleel said, adding of Higher Education, has re-affirmed the par- the academies in the country’s governorates. figures who are eagerly exerting efforts to Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL). Speaking that the new donated library will be ticular concern of the gifted nationals in a Also speaking at the ceremony was develop the cinematic field in the country. about his movie ‘The Unmissing Part’ which launched in the near time. Sharekh believed statement to journalists after inaugurating Barrak Al-Sabeeh, the Chairman of Sabah Speaking about such aspect, head of Lulua won 11 international awards within one in the importance of developing the use of the Academy of Giftedness, on behalf of His Al-Ahmad center, who affirmed the acade- production company Sheikha Intisar Salem year, the producer said the successful story the Arabic language, launching a number of Highness the Prime Minister. He indicated my’s objective of providing scientific, social Al-Ali Al-Sabah noted that she got into the was written by young Kuwaiti narrator educational computer programs for youth that Kuwait Foundation for Advancement and psychological care for the gifted citi- cinema field with a view to make Kuwait Mohammad Al-Muhaiteeb. — KUNA in the early 80s. He also published a num- Sciences, namely its chairman His Highness zens. —KUNA THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) The Father of the Nation achievements in other fields were many. Indeed, several were the roles he had played with distinc- tion, at one time or another. He was one of the greatest legal luminaries the sub continent had produced during the first half of the century, a great constitutionalist, a distinguished parliamentarian, a top-notch politician, an indefatigable free- dom-fighter, a dynamic Muslim leader, a political strategist and, above all one of the greatest nation-builders of modern times. What, however, makes him so remarkable is the fact that while similar other leaders assumed the leadership of tra- ditionally well-defined nations and espoused their cause, or led them to freedom, he created a nation out of an inchoate and down-trodden minority and established a cultural and national home for it. And all that he did within the short span of time of a decade. For over three decades before the successful culmination in 1947, of the Muslim struggle for freedom in the South- Asian subcontinent, Jinnah led the Indian Muslims, as their most prominent leader – the Quaid-e-Azam. He fought, relentlessly and inexorably, for the inherent rights of the Muslims for an honorable existence in the subcontinent. He Pakistan - Kuwait Relations guided their affairs, gave expression to their aspirations, lent coherence and direction to their legitimate goals and cher- he fraternal ties between Pakistan and Kuwait are The warmth and goodwill between the leadership of ished dreams, and formulated these into concrete demands. rooted deeply in the multiple commonalities of the two countries can be seen from the warm welcome And, above all, he strived all the while to get these demands Tshared history, traditions, common religion and cul- and hospitality extended by the leadership of Kuwait to he Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali conceded by both the ruling British and the numerous ture. The two countries have always stood by each other in Pakistan’s Prime Minister His Excellency Muhammad Nawaz Jinnah’s achievement as the founder of Pakistan domi- Hindus, the dominant segment of India’s population. times of crises. Sharif and the accompanying high level delegation. Tnates everything else he did in his long and illustrious Indeed, his life story constitutes, as it were, the story of the The two countries share identical views on various The Prime Minister reiterated the immense importance public life spanning some 42 years. Yet, by any standard, his rebirth of the Muslims of the subcontinent and their spectac- regional and international issues and have been closely that Pakistan attaches to relations with Kuwait. The visit was an eventful life, his personality multidimensional and his ular rise to nationhood. cooperating at the United Nations, the Organization of provided an opportunity to both sides to review and give Islamic Conference and other international forums. fresh directions to further strengthen our close ties.

Ambassador’s Message

t gives me great pleasure to building a stable and prosperous Pakistan. extend warmest felicitations The government is also committed to the Prime Ito all Pakistanis living in Minister’s vision of a “peaceful neighbourhood”. Peace Kuwait on the auspicious occa- and stability is returning to Pakistan thanks to the heroic sion of Pakistan Day. sacrifices made by our brave armed forces and the peo- Seventy seven years ago, on ple of Pakistan. 23rd March 1940, the Muslims Pakistan attaches great importance to our ties with of the Sub-continent, through the brotherly country of Kuwait. The recent visit to adopting the famous Lahore Kuwait by the Prime Minister and the warm welcome Resolution, pledged to have a accorded by the Kuwaiti leadership is a manifestation of homeland of their own. This day our fraternal ties. The visit provided a good opportunity His Excellency is remembered as a golden to review our entire bilateral relations. It is hoped that Ghulam Dastgir chapter in Pakistan’s glorious the positive decisions taken would start to bear fruit. history. It ended the long period The leadership of the two brotherly countries are of uncertainty and struggle of the Muslims of the Sub- determined to convert the huge reservoir of mutual Continent for achieving their inalienable rights and right good will into a strong partnership through expanding to define their future in their own homeland. cooperation in all fields. Freedom is indeed the greatest gift of Almighty that Overseas Pakistanis, including the patriotic Pakistani comes with great responsibilities. Pakistan Day is his- community in Kuwait, also have to play an important toric because it was this day, seventy seven years ago role in this endeavour. Every one of them has to do their that our forefathers’ realized that Muslims needed an best to promote Pakistan’s interests in every way possi- independent country. ble, from projecting a good image of Pakistan to mobi- Today it gives us great satisfaction that, by the grace lizing trade and investment. of Almighty Allah, Pakistan has emerged victorious and While thanking Allah Almighty for His infinite favours stronger out of many challenges that it faced for in the shape of citizenship of a free nation, with our des- decades. tiny in our own hands, let us humbly pray for the unity, The government of Pakistan, under the dynamic security, progress and prosperity of Pakistan. leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is engaged in efforts to rid Pakistan of militancy and ter- rorism and realize the dream of the founding fathers of Pakistan Zindabad! The Struggle for Pakistan

he story of the struggle for Pakistan is unique among oth- protect the rights of the Muslims as a community. The Report’s er independence movements in the sense that it relied constitutional provisions virtually relegated them to remain Tmore on mass public support through democratic mobili- permanently under the government of an unalterable Hindu sation, peaceful negotiations and consensus building rather majority. than armed opposition and use of violent means. Jinnah put forward his counter proposals to the Nehru From the time Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah took Report, in an attempt to give a workable shape to the constitu- over the reins of Pakistan movement, the entire struggle was tional scheme for the independence of the subcontinent. His waged within the legal framework in vogue, so much so, that proposals known as the historic “Fourteen Points” mainly envis- the Quaid-e-Azam earned the distinction of being a leader who aged: a federal constitution, a uniform measure of provincial never spent even a single day in jail. autonomy, an adequate representation of minorities in all elect- Earlier, Muslims had played a lead role in the 1857 War of ed bodies, including the legislatures; a system of separate elec- Independence and therefore suffered suppression under the torates, not less than one-third representation of Muslims in British colonial rule. They also did not reconcile with the Parliament in accordance with the Muslim population, a guaran- supremacy of the British and thus remained at a disadvantage tee of religious freedom to all communities, an assured share for as compared to the majority Hindu community that had better Muslims in the services and safeguards for the protection and adjusted to the changed environment and dominated com- promotion of Muslim culture. However, the Congress rejected merce and services under the British. By the late nineteenth Jinnah’s “Fourteen Points”. His disappointment was acute and it century, the condition of Muslims in the subcontinent had sunk was shared by Muslims throughout the subcontinent. so low in the political, economic and social spheres of life that Muslim suspicions of the Congress further deepened in they were unable to compete with the Hindu majority. An 1937 when elections to the provincial legislatures were held important first response to change this predicament was the and led to the formation of Congress ministries in 7 out of the reformist movement of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan who founded the 11 provinces. The Congress rule was seen as discriminatory and Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh to encourage insensitive to Muslims and their distinctive culture. The Muslims to receive modern education. Congress flag flew on public buildings; Bande Matram, a song The other towering figure who emerged on the political from an anti-Muslim novel, was made the national anthem; scene around the turn of the century was Muhammad Iqbal, a Hindi replaced Urdu; Muslim representation in the public serv- poet and philosopher, who wished to make progress an integral ices was reduced. The Congress rule produced a deep sense of principle of life of Muslims. He was of the view that the spiritual insecurity and resentment among Muslims. force of Islam bound the Muslims of South Asia together into Finally, on 23 March 1940, at the Muslim League session in one nation. Lahore, the historic “Pakistan Resolution” was adopted which Politically, the Muslim concerns about their rights led to the gave a clear direction towards independence and a homeland founding of the All India Muslim League in 1906. The immedi- for Muslims, spurring political awareness and action among the ate cause that precipitated this development was the Muslim Muslims of Bengal, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and the North reaction to Hindu agitation over the partition of Bengal into a West Frontier. They rallied around Jinnah, whom they reverently Muslim majority province of East Bengal and Hindu majority called the Quaid-e-Azam (the Great Leader). province of West Bengal that was later annulled by the British Congress reaction to the Muslim demand for a homeland disregarding interests of Bengali Muslims. The formation of the was strongly negative. When negotiations between the League League proved to be one of the most vital steps towards mobi- and the Congress failed to arrive at an agreed modus operandi, lization of the Muslims of the subcontinent, as the party prima- the British government decided to hold general elections in rily focused on safeguarding Muslim interests such as separate January 1946. The League emerged vindicated as the represen- electorates and assured representation for minorities in the tative of the Muslim voice by winning all the Muslim seats in the central and provincial legislatures. The League also played a Central Assembly. broader role such as in reflecting the sentiments of the Muslims In June 1947, the British announced the ‘Partition Plan’ based over the Balkan war (1912) which was regarded by the Muslims largely on the principle of majority Muslim areas constituting of the subcontinent as an attempt by the European powers to Pakistan. On 11 August 1947, the Quaid-e-Azam inaugurated the drive Turkey out of Europe. Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. On 14 August 1947, the last By 1909 following the Minto-Morley reforms, even though British Viceroy Mountbatten arrived in Karachi and formally pro- the possibility of the British leaving the subcontinent still claimed the transfer of sovereignty to the new state. On the same seemed remote, the demand for constitutional self-govern- day, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as the ment had gained ground. In 1913, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a first Governor General of Pakistan. prominent political leader and barrister, (who later became Young Pakistan faced daunting challenges of nation building known as the “Quaid-e-Azam” or “the great leader”) was per- with no resources and absence of industry and infrastructure suaded to join the Muslim League. One of the significant compounded by massive influx of refugees and the early con- achievements of Jinnah, after joining the League, was to secure frontation with India on Kashmir, which should have been a part an agreement between the Muslim League and the Congress of Pakistan in accordance with the partition plan and the mani- on a scheme of constitutional reforms leading to self govern- fest wishes of the Kashmiri people. The Kashmiris still await ment, known as the Lukhnow Pact (1916). It earned him the implementation of UN resolutions for a plebiscite to determine title of “Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity” and demonstrated their future. Despite these tribulations, hard work and dedication his willingness to work with Hindu leaders in the vital interest of helped the new country to steady itself. securing an end to alien subjugation. Today, Pakistan is a strong, stable, democratic and economi- An All Parties Conference met in 1928 to draft a constitution cally vibrant Asian and Muslim country, vigorously pursuing the for India. The drafting sub-committee headed by Motilal Nehru, aspirations of its people and the vision of its founding fathers for published the Nehru Report after the Conference which came building a prosperous modern society committed to promoting as a shock to the Muslims since it provided no safeguards to peace and progress in the world. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 IT’S FESTIVAL TIME Silk Route Festival

estival on the Roof of the world where natural environs, landscape, privileged location in the Fhighest mountains of the world, breathtaking spectacles of sheer scenic beauty, wildlife and nature, awe-inspiring snow peaks, glittering glaciers, serene valleys of lush green foliage and fruits, gleaming and scintillating streams of unpolluted water, rich diversi- ty of people, culture, folklore, arts, crafts and her- itage, await you. Shandur Polo Festival Passion for Polo will be the highest on the world’s highest Polo ground. Every year, Shandur (3,734 meters) invites visitors to experience a traditional polo tourna- ment between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit from 7th to 9th July. The festival also includes folk music, folk dance, traditional sports and a camping village is be set up on the Pass. Polo is an equestrian sport with its origin embedded in Central Asia dating back to 6th century BC. At first it was a training game for cavalry units for the King’s guards or other elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen who played polo with as many as 100 players to a side, it was a miniature battle. It became a Persian national game in the 6th century AD. From Persia, the game spread to Arabia, then to Tibet, China and Japan. In groups of dancers that perform all over the festival China, in the year 910, death of a favourite relative in a grounds, inviting visitors to join in, and in the game prompted Emperor Apao-Chi to order beheading evening, arranges music concerts from all parts of of all players! Pakistan. Documentation of the festival is carried out Polo was introduced in South Asia, by the Muslim by Lok Virsa's researchers, who interview all the arti- conquerors in the 13th century. English word ‘Polo” is in sans and artists. fact a Balti word meaning, “ball”. In ancient times, there Participants come from all over Pakistan. You would was no limit to the number of players and no time limit. be able to feel and experience the variety in tastes, cul- Whichever team scored nine goals first, became the tures and heritage of Pakistan all under one roof. One winner. Today, there are six players to each side, but this may find different pavilions displaying the crafts of their is by no means a rule in local polo games. The game respective provinces. The Kashmir pavilion may display lasts for one hour with a ten-minute break. major crafts from Azad Jammu and Kashmir like Gilgit, Chitral and Skardu have always played the Embroidered shawls, Namda and Gabba (floor rungs game of polo closest to its original form. In the past, and wall hangings), wood works, basketry, metal crafts local Rajas, Mirs and Mehtars were the patrons of the and jewellery etc. game. At times, more than 50% of the annual budget of The Punjab Pavilion may host traditional food items their principalities was spent on supporting the game. along with singing and listening pleasures of Punjab folk songs. Punjabi style handicrafts also manage to Lok Virsa – Folk Festival catch viewer attention. The largest cultural activity in Pakistan is the annual From the Balochistan pavilion one may expect to get National Folk Festival (Lok Mela), held in October each depictions of nomadic balochi life styles and traditional year. Over the past two decades, this festival has taken artisans displaying their skills of various Baloch crafts. on an international flavour and more than 20 different Leather embroidery crafts and crafts using date leaves countries have sent their artisans and performers to are also prime choices of interest in this pavilion. Apart participate in the festival. Nationally, the festival has from this one may expect to get a taste of Balochi folk which was traditionally done on tomb stones is also ald the spring. Basant is not only a kite flying event, but become a thing of pride for artisans and performers, songs and their all famous dish called "Sajji". shown in a diversified fashion which can be used on a cultural festival of traditional food, dresses, dances who come on their own to participate. Most important The Sindh pavilion may offer depcitions of Sindh life planters, table tops and wall hangings. Along with this and music. of all, the Provinces of Pakistan and Azad Jammu & style, village scenes and working men and women. Pathan dancers perform their famous "Khattack Dance" Kashmir put up beautifully decorated pavilions and visi- Artisans preparing different crafts and their traditional and offer their traditional "Chappli Kebab" for your eat- tors have the unique opportunity to see an assortment folk songs and instruments. "Ajrak" a traditionally made Folk Heritage Festival ing pleasures. Held annually at Islamabad during the month of of Pakistan's traditionally rich culture in the federal capi- shawl is by far the most highlighted attraction of this October, this colorful festival features cultural groups tal of Islamabad for an exciting ten days. pavilion. from all over Pakistan exhibiting their handicrafts, folk An exhibition of artisans at work under the banner The N.W.F.P Pavilion features the pushtoon culture, Basant – Kite Flying Festival With the advent of spring, skies of Lahore are dances and music. Pavilions reflecting the life styles of of the Heritage Museum forms the core of this festival. customs, crafts and cuisine. Glittering metal crafts of resplendent with all types and sizes of kites. The different regions are on display besides various other The Research & Media Centre of Lok Virsa arranges Brass and Copper are displayed in a great variety along with stalls of traditonally made baskets. Stone carving Lahorites participate in kite flying competitions to her- interesting events. . THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

Belgium falls silent South Korea begins raising sunken ferry one year after Brussels attacks Page 13 Page 11

WASHINGTON: Ministerial meeting of the Coalition against ISIS. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson speaks during the opening of a meeting of the coalition to defeat the Islamic State group at the State Department in Washington, DC, yesterday. —AFP Coalition gathers to hear Trump’s IS plan

WASHINGTON: Ministers from the 68-nation resources for post-conflict stabilization-a pro- anti-IS fight and develop a comprehensive the military may now lean toward actions Mosul from the IS group’s so-called caliphate. US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State posal that has raised eyebrows. European plan to “totally obliterate” the group. with a greater likelihood of civilian deaths, By February 19 they had cleared the East bank group meet in Washington yesterday to hear diplomats said they expect Washington to As a candidate Trump frequently such as a botched January raid in Yemen that of the Tigris and had begun to push into more about US President Donald Trump’s reaffirm its commitment to a longer-term plan bemoaned how long then President Barack killed a Navy SEAL and multiple women and jihadist strongholds on the West. They have suf- plan to destroy the jihadists’ remaining to secure the region after a battlefield victory. Obama was taking to get the job done-and children. The Pentagon is also investigating fered heavy casualties but continue to progress. strongholds in Iraq and Syria. Trump has claimed to have a secret plan to finish IS. He allegations that a strike it launched on a sus- Meanwhile, the jihadists’ “capital” in Syria is ordered his generals to craft an accelerated Killing Daesh never offered details and so far has largely pected Al-Qaeda target near a mosque in increasingly isolated, but planning for its recap- strategy to “eradicate” the group’s so-called Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi was stuck with Obama’s strategy, which centers northern Syria killed dozens of civilians. Last ture has been complicated by the diplomatic caliphate, and allied partners are keen to in Washington just ahead of the talks, and on US-led or guided forces carrying out con- month, the Pentagon gave Trump an initial and political situation in the country. learn more at the day-long ministerial-level said victory against IS was within sight if tinual surveillance and strikes on jihadist tar- draft of its revised anti-IS plan. Pentagon The Pentagon is backing an alliance of discussion. allies stick together. “We are proving that gets, while training and equipping local spokesman Jeff Davis said the document local Kurdish and Arab militias to take the The meeting at the State Department also Daesh can be killed, can be eliminated,” Abadi forces to conduct ground combat and hold would “inform” yesterday’s diplomatic discus- city, but Turkey has its own rebel force in the allows Trump’s discreet secretary of state, Rex told an invited audience at the US Institute seized terrain. Trump has made some sions, and feedback from coalition partners region and Russia is backing Bashar al-Assad’s Tillerson, to emerge from the shadows and for Peace, using the group’s Arabic acronym. notable tweaks, including granting com- would be integrated. regime. The United States does not want to stamp his authority on the diplomatic side of “We shouldn’t lose focus, we shouldn’t give manders broader authority to make battle- commit too many of its own troops to the the joint effort. But Trump’s plan to slash 28 Daesh a second chance.” Shortly after taking field decisions. Heavy casualties fight-despite plans to more than double its percent from the State Department’s budget office in late January, Trump gave the Military officers had complained of micro- On October 17 last year, coalition-backed own 850-strong contingent in the country for diplomacy and foreign aid suggests fewer Pentagon 30 days to review progress in the management under Obama, but critics worry Iraqi troops launched an offensive to retake and add artillery units.—AFP IS shells recaptured areas in west Mosul

MOSUL: Islamic State militants July 2014 after the militants had troops with RPGs manned rooftops. shelled areas recaptured by Iraqi seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. “We are clearing streets and build- forces in western Mosul, hitting As many as 600,000 civilians ings of booby-traps and roadside civilians fleeing the fighting early remain in the western sector of bombs,” a federal police officer said. yesterday as troops edged their way Mosul, complicating the battle. On another front, Counter Terrorism through the narrow, dangerous Thousands escape daily to camps or Service forces advanced in Yabsaat streets of the Old City. Heavy mortar areas in the government-controlled district and the old industrial area in fire killed at least five civilians and east. Baghdadi and other leaders are the west of the city, Maan al-Saadi, a wounded more than 20 in Mosul believed to have left Mosul, but CTS officer told state television. Jadida and Rifak districts - areas that Islamic State fighters are countering Losing Mosul would be a sym- the militants had recently lost to with snipers hiding among the pop- bolic blow for Islamic State whose Federal Police and Rapid Response ulation, car bombs and armored sui- forces are also coming under attack brigades, military officials said. cide trucks smashing into Iraqi posi- in the Syrian city of Raqqa across The battle for Mosul, Islamic tions around the Old City. “Daesh the border. Aid agencies are rush- State’s last stronghold in Iraq, is shelled liberated, populated areas to ing to cope with surging numbers entering its sixth month with Iraq distract our troops. They have of displaced from the west, build- forces backed by a US-led coalition wounded dozens,” a federal police ing new camps and supplying food air strikes and advisers now control- spokesman said. and water. The number displaced ling the east of the city and more At federal police frontlines near from both sides of Mosul since the than half of the west. Fighting is the Old City, forces blocked off start of the offensive has reached focused on capturing the strategic Al roads with earthen barricades to 355,000, according to government Nuri mosque in the Old City, where stop suicide car bombers reaching figures. US officials estimate Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al- their troops. Tanks and rocket teams around 2,000 fighters remain inside MOSUL: Iraqi men carry a woman who was injured by a mortar shell fired by Islamic State (IS) group Baghdadi declared his caliphate in stood guard at barricades while the city. —Reuters jihadists on civilians, in Al-Risala neighborhood yesterday. —AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Scorched earth: If IS can’t have it, no one can

CAIRO: As Islamic State loses ground in caliphate’s soldiers had beaten them to Iraq and Syria, the Sunni militant group the punch and destroyed the wells and which once held territory amounting to refineries completely so that their ene- a third of those countries is turning to mies could not gain from them and so sabotage to ensure its enemies cannot that their economic crisis goes on for benefit from its losses. As the Syrian the longest time possible.” army and allied militias advanced under heavy Russian air cover on the ancient Mass destruction policy city of Palmyra three weeks ago, Islamic Islamic State, which declared a State leaders ordered fighters to caliphate across large parts of Iraq and destroy oil and gas fields. Syria in 2014, has lost much territory “It is the duty of mujahideen today to and many fighters as it comes under expand operations targeting economic attack from a US-backed Iraqi offensive assets of the infidel regimes in order to in Iraq and three separate ground forces deprive crusader and apostate govern- in Syria. Iraqi troops have recaptured ments of resources,” an article in the most of Mosul, the largest city to be tak- group’s online weekly magazine al- en by the group and the base from Nabaa said. The strategy poses a double which its leader proclaimed the challenge to Baghdad and Damascus, caliphate. In Syria, the group has lost depriving their governments of income Palmyra and its main stronghold, and making it harder to provide services Raqqa, is surrounded. and gain popular support in devastated As well as destroying resources areas recaptured from the militants. before they pull out, the militants have The March 2 article said operations stepped up insurgent attacks in areas by Islamic State in the area around beyond their control, especially in Iraq. Palmyra “prove the massive effect that “Any harm to the economic interests of strikes aimed at the infidels’ economy these two governments will weaken have, confusing them and drawing them, be it an electricity tower in them ... into battles they are not ready Diyala, an oil well in Kirkuk, a telecom- NIGERIA: In this file photo, people stand behind burnt out cars following a suicide bomb attacked in Maiduguri, Nigeria. —AP for.” It’s not just oil wells the group has munications network in Baghdad, or a targeted. Twice in the last two years it tourist area in Erbil,” the article in Al- has taken over Palmyra, about 200 km Nabaa said. northeast of Damascus, and both times It said those attacks would further Three killed as suicide blasts destroyed priceless antiquities before stretch the group’s enemies by forcing being driven out. them to defend economic interests, A Syrian antiquities official said earlier weakening their readiness for the bat- rock migrant camp in Nigeria this month that he had seen serious tles to come. Islamic State has caused damage to the Tetrapylon, a square about $30 billion in damage to Iraqi Islamist group continue to target IDP’s stone platform with matching structures infrastructure since 2014, an adviser to of four columns positioned at each cor- the Iraqi government on infrastructure ner. Only four of the 16 columns were said. “Daesh has used a mass destruc- KANO, Nigeria: At least four suicide bomb ple (IDPs) and there have been several Yesterday’s blasts were the latest blamed on blasts rocked a camp for migrants fleeing Boko attempted suicide bomb attacks near the suicide bombers, who continue to pose a threat still standing. In their earlier occupation tion policy on factories and buildings Haram insurgents in restive northeastern Muna camp, which is not fenced off and is easi- to civilians despite military claims of success of the city, the militants ruined a 1,800- with the aim of causing as much eco- Nigeria yesterday, killing at least three people ly accessible. Aid workers said last week that against Boko Haram. Four people were killed on year-old monumental arch and the near- nomic harm to Iraq as possible,” said and wounding 20, officials said. The blasts trig- the camp residents are facing a severe lack of Saturday when suicide bombers blew them- ly 2,000-year-old Temple of Baalshamin. Jaafar al-Ibrahimi, using an Arabic gered fires which burned down tents in the water, compounding widespread food short- selves up in a village near the city. The Borno However, the article in al-Nabaa suggest- acronym for the group. vast Muna camp on the outskirts of the city of ages and security fears. state capital of Maiduguri is the birthplace of ed Islamic State sees the destruction of “Over 90 percent of infrastructure that Maiduguri, camp coordinator Tijjani Lumani Boko Haram, a radical Islamist group that has tangible economic assets as a greater has come under their hands was said. “There were four explosions inside the Camp vulnerable killed over 20,000 people and forced 2.6 million weapon against the government of destroyed. Daesh burned all oil wells in camp. The bombers struck at different locations “The camp is vulnerable and this worries from their homes since taking up arms against President Bashar al-Assad, who is from the Qayyarah field south of Mosul.” They around 4.30 am.” everyone of us in the camp which is the last set- the Nigerian government in 2009. Syria’s Alawite minority. also destroyed sugar and cement facto- The emergency services put the number of tlement on the outskirts of the city from the The violence has triggered a dire humanitari- bombings at five. “A total of five suicide bombers, north,” said Lumani. “We are the first settlement an crisis in northeast Nigeria and the wider Lake “In the first days of the second con- ries and transported the equipment to all male adults, were involved in the incidents, one reaches on entering the city. And the fact Chad region, which has also been hit by the con- quest of Palmyra, where fighters Syria, he said. In Syria, the militants killing three persons,” Abdulkadir Ibrahim of the that several suicide attacks have occurred near flict. Nigerian troops, with the help of regional secured the city and other vast areas to destroyed over 65 percent of the Hayan National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) the camp in recent months adds to our unease,” forces from Cameroon, Chad and Niger, as well the west that include the Alawite gas plant, the country’s oil minister told in the region said. he said. “We are vulnerable to Boko Haram. They as Benin, have since early 2015 managed to claw regime’s last petrol resources ... the the state news agency. The Hayan field, in He said 20 people were wounded and taken can strike in the camp at anytime. All the suicide back most of the territory lost to Boko Haram in Alawite regime and its allies rushed to Homs province where Palmyra is located, to hospital. Muna camp is home to tens of bombers who attacked the Muna garage just 2014. Boko Haram’s elusive leader Abubakar the depth of the desert to reclaim produced 3 million cubic meters of natu- thousands of people who have fled the Boko across the road from the camp and surrounding Shekau made his first appearance in months ear- them,” Islamic State wrote. “But the ral gas per day.—Reuters Haram insurgency. The Islamist group has con- areas came in through the city gate only hun- lier this month, claiming responsibility for a tinued to target the internally displaced peo- dreds of meters from the camp,” he said. spate of suicide bombings. —AFP Somaliland drought: A kind of nightmare

LONDON: Prolonged drought in said earlier this month. Somaliland, a the drought is not only a humanitarian Somaliland has killed between 65 and northern region of Somalia that oper- disaster but threatens the social fabric 80 percent of the semi-autonomous ates autonomously after declaring of society,” said Michael Higgins of region’s livestock, creating conditions independence, says it faces a particu- Independent Diplomat, a non-profit that are “the worst time in our lives” larly difficult time as its political sta- advisory group that works with and could threaten regional security, tus - it is not recognized as an inde- Somaliland’s government to improve says the region’s environment minis- pendent nation - makes accessing aid its diplomatic efforts. ter. With 70 percent of Somaliland’s more difficult. That “could in turn disrupt security economy built around livestock, “you “We are not getting bilateral or in the entire Horn of Africa region can imagine the desperation of the multilateral funds because we are not where Somaliland is acting as a buffer people, the desperation of the gov- recognized,” Bandare said. “We are and bulwark against Islamic militants ernment,” said Shukri Ismail Bandare, just working with the resources we such as al Shabaab,” Higgins said. the minister of rural development have. It’s a drop in the ocean.” Some Bandare said her government had lit- and environment. “low” levels of international assis- tle money to spend on emergency “Pastoralists say this is the worst we tance are arriving, she said, but wors- aid. “Our resources are limited,” the have seen, a kind of nightmare,” she ening drought has led to widespread minister said. “We spend a lot of mon- said. “They have 400 or 500 goats and migration in Somaliland, with herders ey on peace and security because then just 20 left. They have lost practi- flocking to the few remaining places there are so many dynamics surround- cally everything. I don’t know how with water. Those villages and cities in ing this country.” they are still sane.” Previous droughts turn are now overwhelmed by “thou- Fortunately, “a lot of people under- have hit one area of Somaliland, but sands and thousands” of migrants, stand the situation we are in, so we “now it’s five regions of the country. the minister said. “What they have is are optimistic” about receiving help, We’ve never seen it before”, she said in practically exhausted because of the she said. The drought already has a telephone interview from Hargeisa, pressure,” she said. forced Somaliland’s government to the capital, with the Thomson Reuters use money it had allocated for infra- Foundation. Security risks structure and development spend Across the Horn of Africa, millions Experts fear growing migration and on relief food and water, Bandare have been hit by severe El Nino-relat- other social and financial stresses in said. “We were in a development ed drought. In Somalia, 5.5 million Somaliland could undermine its role in stage, doing all kinds of infrastruc- people need assistance to survive preventing the spread of Islamic mili- ture and really taking the country over the next six months, UN tant groups in the Horn of Africa. “The forward,” she said. “But now we are Secretary General AntÛnio Guterres displacement and dislocation due to in an emergency.” —Reuters Afghanistan wants more US help in fight against Taleban, IS

WASHINGTON: Afghanistan wants capabilities, and reconnaissance and follow up on six-nation talks held in the United States to send more forces intelligence support. The attack was mid-February involving China, to help meet shortfalls in the battle launched by IS with the Taliban. Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Iran. against the Taliban and the Islamic “We stand confident that the new He said he did not think the Taliban State group, the nation’s top diplomat US administration under President would be invited. In congressional said Tuesday. Foreign Minister Trump will remain strategically testimony last month, Nicholson said Salahuddin Rabbani welcomed a engaged and continue its support,” Russia has been publicly legitimizing recent call by US Gen. John Nicholson, Rabbani said at the Atlantic Council the Taliban and seeking to undermine the top American commander in think tank ahead of a gathering in the United States and NATO in Afghanistan, for a few thousand more Washington of the US-led coalition Afghanistan. troops from the US or other coalition against IS. He described Nicholson’s Rabbani said Russia and Iran partners to help break the stalemate call as “an appropriate decision con- have both told Kabul they have in the war-torn country. sidering the prevailing security chal- been in contact with the Taliban The Trump administration has not lenges still facing us.” In a sign of how to encourage a return to the yet said if it will send more forces in major powers are vying for influence negotiating table. They deny pro- response to Nicholson’s comments. in the region, Rabbani said Russia is viding the Taliban material sup- Some 8,400 US troops are currently planning a 12-nation conference on port. Rabbani said terrorism and deployed in Afghanistan, performing Afghanistan. extremism must be combated counterterrorism operations against The former Soviet Union engaged through cooperation among gov- insurgents and training the Afghan in a disastrous decade-long occupa- ernments. army. The war is in its 16th year. Citing tion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. He said the Taliban wouldn’t a deadly attack this month on a mili- Rabbani said the US had been invited seek peace unless Pakistan tary hospital in Kabul, Rabbani said but didn’t know if it would attend. cracked down on “terrorist safe Afghanistan needs US help in address- The State Department said it hasn’t havens” on its soil - a long-run- ing “military shortfalls,” through yet decided on its participation. ning source of bitterness between increased training, ground and air Rabbani said the discussions would the neighboring countries.—AP INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Italy nabs mobster linked to Germany massacre

ROME: Italian police yesterday captured a notorious tracked him down to a building which had no fewer Two-decade feud has surpassed Sicily’s Cosa Nostra and the Naples- Calabrian mobster wanted over a 2007 mafia mas- than four concealed bunkers in it. The feud between the Nirta-Strangio and Pelle- based Camorra in influence thanks to its control of sacre in which six people died in the German city of Inside the fourth one they searched, on the top Vottari clans reportedly began with an egg-throwing Europe’s cocaine trade. The organization is made up Duisburg. Santo Vottari, 45, was captured in a tiny floor of the building, they found a trapdoor leading prank in 1991. Reprisals escalated after the killing, on of numerous village and family-based clans based hideout in a flat at Benestare, near the southern to another bolthole, where they found Vottari Christmas Day, 2006, of Maria Strangio, the wife of in the rural, mountainous and under-developed Italian city of Reggio-Calabria. The Calabria region is squashed into a space just big enough to hold some- clan leader Giovanni Nirta. The feud was blamed for “toe” of Italy’s boot. home to the ‘Ndrangheta organized crime syndicate, one hiding out for a few hours. “I’d like to congratu- at least 16 deaths in total, with the killings in The name ‘Ndrangheta comes from the Greek for now considered Italy’s most powerful mafia group. late the police... for bringing one of Italy’s most want- Germany bringing it to international attention. courage or loyalty and the organization’s secretive Vottari was convicted in absentia in 2009 of being ed and dangerous men to justice,” Minniti said. Giovanni Strangio was convicted in 2011 of being culture and brutal enforcement of codes of silence one of the heads of an ‘Ndrangheta clan whose feud Vottari was one of 31 people sentenced to prison the mastermind and one of the authors of the have made it very difficult to penetrate. But author- with local rivals culminated in the Duisburg killings. terms in 2009 in connection with the Duisburg Duisburg killings. ities claimed a major breakthrough last year when He was given a prison term of 10 years and eight killings, which happened after a vendetta between He was sentenced to life in prison. Seven others they captured Ernesto Fazzalari, whom they months, two years after he went on the run. Interior two clans based in the same village, San Luca, spi- were given life sentences linked to the feud at the described as the last senior ‘Ndrangheta fugitive Minister Marco Minniti praised the police team that raled out of control. same trial. Notoriously ruthless, the ‘Ndrangheta still at large. — AFP Closer US-Russia ties uncertain as Tillerson plans trip

WASHINGTON: With Russia-tinged investi- FBI Director James Comey said the bureau is gations swirling around his administration, investigating whether Trump campaign asso- President Donald Trump has yet to fulfill a ciates coordinated with Russian officials as campaign pledge of closer cooperation Moscow sought to sway the US presidential with Moscow. A planned trip by Secretary election. Several congressional committees of State Rex Tillerson to Russia could test if are also investigating, ensuring the allega- detente proves anything more than talk. In tions of Russian meddling - and questions a move alarming US allies, Tillerson plans to about Trump campaign collusion - stay in the skip a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in spotlight for months to come. Trump has Belgium next month, according to US offi- denied any collaboration between his cam- cials. The top American diplomat almost paign and Russia. always attends such gatherings, and As a candidate, he spoke frequently of Tillerson will follow up his absence in his admiration for Russian President Brussels by traveling to Russia’s capital Vladimir Putin and said improving relations shortly afterward. with the traditional US adversary would be positive. He argued that Russia shared America’s goal of defeating IS extremists. That’s about as far as the new relationship has gone. “Tillerson will need to publicly outline what he hopes to accomplish when he visits Moscow and what is the basis for US policy toward Russia,” said Heather Conley at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, after signing a bill to increase Obsolete NATO NASA’s budget. — AP The prospect of Washington and Moscow teaming up, given Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine, has sent chills through Trump signs NASA bill, ponders much of Europe. Candidate Trump exacer- WASHINGTON: In this file photo, Secre- bated concerns by calling NATO “obsolete” tary of State Rex Tillerson is seen in the and suggesting the US might not defend sending Congress to space Cabinet Room of the White House in allies if they aren’t paying enough for their Washington. — AP collective defense. As president, Trump has insisted the US is fully committed to NATO. WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump back to the space exploration measure sponsored the agency. It supports use of the International The juxtaposition of the trips - one taken Few are convinced. Western diplomats and signed legislation Tuesday adding human explo- by Cruz and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. The new law Space Station through at least 2024, along with and one avoided - has reinforced concerns some US lawmakers expressed alarm ration of Mars to NASA’s mission. Could sending authorizes $19.5 billion in spending for the private sector companies partnering with NASA about America’s commitment to NATO, Tuesday with Tillerson’s decision to skip Congress into space be next? Flanked at an Oval National Aeronautics and Space Administration to deliver cargo and experiments, among other which Trump has repeatedly fueled by the upcoming NATO meeting and travel Office bill-signing ceremony by astronauts and for the budget year that began Oct 1. steps. After signing the bill, Trump invited several dressing down allies as deadbeats who shortly afterward to Russia. Some lawmakers, Trump observed that being an astro- Cruz said the authorization bill is the first for lawmakers to comment, starting with Cruz. When aren’t paying enough for their own defense Europeans see the decision as a U-turn naut is a “pretty tough job.” He said he wasn’t the space agency in seven years, and he called it Trump invited Vice President Mike Pence to and who take US help for granted. Trump from Vice President Mike Pence’s pledges sure he’d want it and, among lawmakers he put a “terrific” achievement. Trump last week sent speak, he suggested that Nelson be allowed to will take part in a meeting of NATO heads of about safeguarding the alliance in Munich the question to, Sen. Ted Cruz said he wouldn’t Congress a budget proposal that seeks $19.1 bil- say a few words. Nelson traveled into space when state in Brussels on May 25, the White House last month. While other NATO countries want to be a space traveler, either. But Cruz, R- lion in spending authorization for the agency he was in the House. announced Tuesday. Spokesman Sean send their foreign ministers - who include Texas, offered up a tantalizing suggestion. “You next year. “For almost six decades, NASA’s work “He’s a Democrat. I wasn’t going to let him Spicer said the president looks forward to an ex-prime minister, top parliamentarians could send Congress to space,” he said to laugh- has inspired millions and millions of Americans speak,” Trump quipped, to laughter. Nelson ulti- discussing “issues critical to the alliance, and several former defense chiefs - to ter, including from the president. to imagine distant worlds and a better future mately got a chance to briefly praise his bill. especially allied responsibility-sharing and Brussels, the US will dispatch Tom Shannon, Trump, who faces a crucial House vote later right here on earth,” Trump said. “I’m delighted to Pence also announced that Trump plans to re- NATO’s role in the fight against terrorism.” a career diplomat serving as the State this week on legislation long promised by sign this bill. It’s been a long time since a bill like launch the National Space Council, with Pence As far as the US-Russia relationship, Department’s No. 3 official. Republicans to overhaul the Obama-era this has been signed, reaffirming our commit- as chairman, to coordinate US space policy. The Trump has yet to make any major steps as (The No. 2 slot of deputy secretary is Affordable Care Act health law, readily agreed. ment to the core mission of NASA: human space council was authorized by law in 1988, near the president to bring the two nations closer among dozens of unfilled posts.) “We’ll take The health care bill is facing resistance from some exploration, space science and technology.” end of the Reagan administration, but ceased to together. As a candidate, Trump opened the care of the representation. This is some- conservative members of the party. “What a great The measure amends current law to add operate soon after Bill Clinton took office in door to potentially rolling back the sanc- thing to be worked out, no problem,” idea that could be,” Trump said, before turning human exploration of the red planet as a goal for January 1993.— AP tions imposed on Russia after its annexation Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters of Ukraine’s Crimea region in 2014, a move Tuesday. The State Department wouldn’t Democrats and Republicans in Congress provide details Tuesday about the purpose oppose. But as president, Trump has tamped of Tillerson’s trip to Russia or whom he Supreme Court nominee on down such suggestions as long as Russia would meet there. Spokesman Mark Toner fails to live up to its various commitments to said Tillerson’s schedule would not allow end the fighting in Ukraine. him to attend the NATO meeting, saying Trump: No man above the law the US proposed alternative dates. Same goals He didn’t elaborate, but Trump is expect- His administration also has resisted ed to host Chinese President Xi Jinping for a WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s Russia’s calls to join forces against the highly anticipated meeting around the Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, stated Islamic State group in Syria, where the for- same time. In any case, Tillerson is meeting repeatedly at his confirmation hearing Tuesday mer Cold War foes have long backed with almost every NATO country’s foreign that “no man is above the law,” as senators grilled opposing sides in a civil war. The Pentagon minister in Washington this week, officials him on his willingness to take on the nation’s is continuing only what it calls US-Russian said. Yet that gathering is focused on fight- commander in chief. Though he largely steered “deconfliction” contacts, designed to ing the Islamic State, not on NATO’s key con- clear of political landmines, Gorsuch suggested ensure their forces don’t accidentally col- cern: Russia. Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, it was “disheartening” and “demoralizing” when lide on Syria’s crowded battlefield and con- the No. 2-ranked House Democrat, said Trump dismissed as a “so-called judge” James tested skies. But Trump’s biggest roadblock Tillerson was sending a “dangerous signal to Robart, who ruled against the White House trav- to a new Russia approach may be the politi- our allies and adversaries.” “Vladimir Putin’s el ban in federal court. cal realities at home. Russia has not done anything to merit such The hearing unfolded along partisan lines in In a remarkable public disclosure Monday, engagement,” Hoyer said. — AP the second day of questioning, with Democrats dubious that the silver-haired, 49-year-old judge will protect civil liberties and social progress. If N Korea fails in confirmed, Gorsuch-a federal appeals judge for the past decade-would fill the seat left vacant by conservative Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016 in the middle of the presidential election new missile test campaign. Since that time, the court has been SEOUL: A new North Korean missile test engine-which can be easily repurposed for operating with eight justices, and Democrats are failed yesterday, the South and US said, two use in missiles. still bitter over Republicans’ refusal to even con- weeks after Pyongyang launched four rock- Seoul said that experiment showed sider Barack Obama’s nominee. Pressed by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy ets in what it called a drill for an attack on “meaningful progress” in the North’s missile WASHIGNTON: In this photo, Neil M. Gorsuch testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on whether the president could operate with American bases in Japan. The nuclear- capabilities. The developments come as on his nomination to be an associate justice of the US Supreme Court during a hearing in the impunity on matters such as national security, armed North is under several sets of United Seoul and Washington hold large-scale Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. — AFP Nations sanctions over its atomic and bal- annual joint military exercises that always torture or surveillance, Gorsuch each time listic missile programs. It is on a quest to infuriate Pyongyang, which sees them as a replied, “Senator, no man is above the law.” the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v Wade decision tries and all refugees. Asked about the presi- develop a long-range missile capable of rehearsal for invasion. Analysts’ opinions “Nobody is above the law in this country, and will be at risk if Gorsuch is confirmed, tipping the dent’s words, Gorsuch said: “when anyone criti- hitting the US mainland with an atomic are varied on how advanced the North’s that includes the president of the United States,” court’s balance toward conservatives. Gorsuch cizes the honesty or integrity, the motives of a warhead, and staged two nuclear tests and missile technologies are but many agree he added. When asked if he was a surrogate for appeared to bristle when Republican Senator federal judge, I find that disheartening. I find multiple missile launches last year. that Pyongyang has made significant Trump or certain interest groups, Gorsuch Lindsey Graham asked whether Trump had that demoralizing because I know the truth.” The North fired one missile from an air progress in recent years. responded simply, “No.” “I have no difficulty rul- urged him to overturn Roe v Wade when the Pressed by Democratic Senator Richard base in the eastern port of Wonsan yester- Sunday’s engine test was apparently ing for or against any party, based on what the two met in person after his nomination. He Blumenthal if he included the president in his day morning, but the launch “is believed to timed to coincide with a recent Asia trip by laws and facts in the particular case require,” he denied that Trump had ever asked him that, statement, Gorsuch replied: “Anyone is anyone.” have failed”, Seoul’s defense ministry said in new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, said earlier in the hearing. “I’m heartened by the then added: “I would have walked out the door. White House spokesman Sean Spicer denied a statement, adding it was analyzing what who warned that regional tensions had support I have received from people who recog- It’s not what judges do.” that Gorsuch was referring to Trump, saying in a type of missile was involved. The US mili- reached a “dangerous level”. Washington nize that there’s no such thing as a Republican A Colorado native with an Ivy League educa- tweet that “he spoke broadly and never men- tary said the missile exploded shortly after would drop the “failed” approach of “strate- judge or Democratic judge. We just have judges tion, Gorsuch-the youngest nominee for a gen- tioned any person.” launch. “US Pacific Command detected gic patience” with Pyongyang, Tillerson in this country.” eration-follows a strict interpretation of the US what we assess was a failed North Korean said, warning that US military action was an Constitution known as originalism, and defends Lifetime appointment missile launch attempt... in the vicinity of “option on the table” if necessary-a sharp Out the door so-called traditional family values. He is known Some Democrats are demanding a 60-vote Kalma. A missile appears to have exploded divergence from China’s insistence on a Democrats are intent on pushing Gorsuch to for his ability to write incisive rulings and for his threshold for Gorsuch’s confirmation, which they within seconds of launch,” said spokesman diplomatic approach to its neighbor, which expand on his approach to hot-button issues David Benham. it has long protected. traditionalist views, both of which have fueled have permission to do under Senate rules. But such as abortion, same-sex marriage and the comparisons with Scalia. Trump announced his other Democrats, especially those from states Earlier this month Pyongyang launched Beijing said it had “taken note” of right to bear arms. But in keeping with tradition, a flight of four ballistic missiles, with three reports of the failed missile launch and that pick of Gorsuch in late January, just 11 days into that voted for Trump, may be unwilling to force Gorsuch was steadfast in declining to reveal his his presidency. But the Republican president has the issue and Republican majority has expressed landing provocatively close to Japan in the US was considering more sanctions, personal views on landmark Supreme Court what the North described as practice for provoked controversy by attacking judges, who confidence that Gorsuch will be confirmed. With and urged “relevant parties” to show decisions or speculate on how he would rule in attacks on US military bases in Japan. On restraint. “The Korean nuclear issue has are traditionally seen as being outside the realm Supreme Court justices serving lifetime appoint- certain hypothetical situations, since that would Sunday, its leader Kim Jong-Un personally very complex dynamics and background,” of politics. ments, Gorsuch could potentially sit on the high mar his impartiality for deciding future cases. oversaw and hailed a “successful” test of foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Last month, Trump lashed out at the Seattle- court for three decades or even longer. The hear- what Pyongyang said was a new rocket Chunying told reporters. — AFP Progressives in the United States fear that a based judge who froze the president’s first ban ings in the Senate Judiciary Committee contin- woman’s right to an abortion as guaranteed by on travelers from seven majority-Muslim coun- ued yesterday. — AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 INTERNATIONAL S Africa arrests three over break-in at top judge’s office

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s police scathing ruling against the ANC govern- stolen equipment had not been recov- ing other computers and valuables party have accused Intelligence Minister chief said yesterday three men had been ment over welfare payments. ered. The suspects were due to appear behind. Phahlane told journalists that David Mahlobo as having a hand in the arrested over a mysterious weekend The computers containing sensitive in court yesterday. the arrested men appeared to be “just break-in. President Jacob Zuma’s govern- break-in at the offices of the country’s information about 250 judges were Mogoeng’s welfare ruling slammed criminals.” “The outcry and outrage of ment has been hit by multiple corrup- top judge, where 15 computers were stolen on Saturday during a burglary at the “extraordinary conduct” of ministers, citizens over this incident is justified tion scandals and court setbacks. The stolen. The crime caused a public and Mogoeng’s offices in Johannesburg. saying they had shown no interest in because brazen criminals targeted the African National Congress, which led the political storm with the opposition call- Police chief Khomotso Phahlane said solving a contractual dispute that put at office of the highest judicial officer in struggle against apartheid, came to ing it a attack on the judicial system, as the suspects were arrested over the risk payments to millions of South our country.” power in 1994 under Nelson Mandela the theft occurred hours after the past few days in Mamelodi, a township Africa’s poorest citizens. The burglars Senior opposition Democratic but has lost support in recent years, suf- Constitutional Court headed by Chief outside the capital Pretoria.He said reportedly only took computers from Alliance lawmaker John Steenhuisen and fering its worst election results in local Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng delivered a more arrests were expected and the the human resources department, leav- the radical Economic Freedom Fighters polls last year.—AFP Belgium falls silent one year after Brussels attacks Families of victims respond attacks with dignity

BRUSSELS: Belgium fell silent yesterday also my birthday-nothing to celebrate, a year ago, Belgium’s king and queen led a station and emergency vehicles set off to mark the first anniversary of the Islamic and yet love triumphs,” Kristin Verellen, moment’s silence before an airport official their sirens. EU leaders including the State suicide attacks in Brussels that killed whose 58-year-old partner Johan died in read out the names of the dead. bloc’s president Donald Tusk and 32 people, on a day of emotional cere- the metro attack, told the crowd at Musician Eddy Van Calster played a European Commission chief Jean-Claude monies designed to show that the heart Maalbeek. Premier Michel said Belgium, rock ballad in tribute to his sister Juncker attended the opening of the new of Europe is still beating. A somber King which faced accusations after the bomb- Fabienne Van Steenkiste, a check-in memorial to the victims, which consists PARIS: Outgoing French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux, right, shakes hands Philippe and Queen Mathilde, along with ings of being a “failed state” for not stop- counter agent who was among those of two pieces of curved steel punctured with his successor in office Matthias Fekl during a handover ceremony at the Prime Minister Charles Michel, led cere- ping the terror cell despite several killed. At Maalbeek, there was another with holes to look like shrapnel. Interior Ministry in Paris yesterday. —AFP monies at Zavantem airport and chances, stood strong one year on. moment of quiet at 9.11 am, the time Later, children from schools in Maalbeek metro station to commemo- “Today we remember the victims of that Ibrahim’s brother Khalid El Bakraoui Molenbeek, the largely Muslim area rate the victims at the exact moments the the attacks. We all remain united,” Michel detonated his bomb on a crowded train where many of the attackers hailed from, French minister resigns over bombers struck. The king said Belgium tweeted. The ceremonies began at exactly and killed another 16 people. The king will meet victims of the attacks in a show had stayed united after the attacks, and 7.58 am (0658 GMT) when suicide laid a wreath before a subway wall of solidarity. There will also be peace probe into daughters’ jobs told families of the victims they had bombers Ibrahim El Bakraoui and Najim scrawled with anguished messages from marches through Brussels while the city’s responded to the “deadly madness” of the Laachraoui struck in the departure hall of loved ones and stamped with a red heart. most famous landmark-the Manneken PARIS: French Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux doing a full-time internship in Belgium while attacks with “dignity”. Zavantem Airport on March 22, 2016, Shortly afterwards the applause rang Pis statue of a little boy-will be dressed up resigned Tuesday a few hours after prosecu- the other was studying in an intensive class. Watched by relatives and survivors, killing 16 people. With hundreds of people out on metro trains across the capital, in a fireman’s outfit to hail the efforts of tors opened an investigation into a report that Le Roux’s daughters, now 23 and 20, allegedly the royals also unveiled a new stainless gathered under a clear sky just like that of while cars honked their horns outside the rescue services. —AFP he hired his two daughters for a series of tem- started working as parliamentary aides for steel memorial near the European porary parliamentary jobs, starting when they their father over short vacation contracts Union’s headquarters to the dead and the were 15 and 16 years old. President Francois when they were 15 and 16 and Le Roux was a more than 320 wounded in Belgium’s Hollande said he had accepted Le Roux’s resig- lawmaker in the French National Assembly. worst ever peacetime attacks. “It is the nation after a meeting with Prime Minister “These temporary and official contracts, in responsibility of each and every one of us Bernard Cazeneuve at the Elysee Palace. He accordance with the legal rules of the to make our society more humane and named the country’s low-profile trade and National Assembly, all corresponded, of more just,” King Philippe said in a speech tourism minister, Matthias Fekl, as the new course, to work actually carried out,” Le Roux, a at the memorial. “And above all, let us interior minister. member of the Socialist Party, insisted as he dare to be tender.” France’s national financial prosecutor’s announced his resignation from Bobigny, a In an act of defiance and solidarity, office opened a preliminary investigation suburb outside Paris. trams and buses ground to a halt across Tuesday after TMC television reported Monday A similar scandal around employing family the Belgian capital and commuters and night that Le Roux employed his daughters as members has deeply damaged conservative public transport workers applauded dur- parliamentary assistants for a total salary Francois Fillon’s presidential bid. Fillon was ing a “minute of noise”. A year on from the amount of 55,000 euros ($59,000) over 24 handed preliminary charges last week for attacks led by an Islamic State cell that short contracts. The office said the preliminary allegedly using taxpayers’ money to pay fami- was also responsible for the November investigation into the facts disclosed in the TV ly members - his wife and two children - for 2015 Paris attacks, Belgium remains on program is being led by the French police jobs that may not have existed. Left-wing high alert with troops patrolling the agency charged with fighting corruption and politicians pointed out that Le Roux resigned streets and warnings of fresh risks. financial and tax wrongdoing. While it is legal as soon as the preliminary investigation had in France for politicians to hire family mem- been launched, while Fillon decided to keep Love triumphs bers, the TMC report suggests that Le Roux’s campaigning although he has been handed But relatives of the victims called for daughters did not perform all of the work. serious charges, including misuse of public solidarity. “I would like to speak for all BRUSSELS: Belgium’s King Philippe, center left, lays a wreath on a memorial during a one-year During some of their contracts as parlia- funds, receiving money from a misuse of pub- those affected by the blind violence from anniversary service in Brussels yesterday. —AP mentary aides, one of the daughters was lic funds and company assets. —AP up close and afar. The 22nd of March is French voters adrift as unconventional election looms

PARIS: One month before the French cast their first votes half of likely voters say they could still change their minds. for president, mainstream parties are battling for relevance As Pascal Perrineau, head of political research at Sciences Po as anti-establishment candidates such as Marine Le Pen university, put it: “The French are not happy with the cast of come to the fore. The far-right Le Pen shares pole position characters.” in the run-up to the April 23 first round with Emmanuel Macron, who professes to be neither left nor right. Threat of jihadist attacks Polls show that Macron, 39, would rout the 48-year-old A re-election bid by former right-wing president Nicolas Le Pen in the decisive run-off on May 7 if the election were Sarkozy was thwarted by voters’ desire for change, but his held today. Both have tapped into a deep vein of discontent Socialist successor Francois Hollande’s failure to deliver has over politics as usual after successive governments, both made him one of France’s most unpopular presidents ever. left and right, have failed to lift France out of its economic Voters are angry over a sluggish economy, fearful over the torpor or mend its social divides. impact of globalization and mindful of the ever-present threat of new jihadist violence. An attack at Paris’ Orly air- port at the weekend was a stark reminder of the threat, with a man shot dead after he tried to grab a female sol- dier’s rifle. Hollande said it provided the latest justification for the state of emergency first imposed after the deadly November 2015 attacks in Paris. Since then, the measures giving police extended powers of search and arrest have been renewed several times-each time raising red flags over civil liberties. The climate of fear has stoked debate over the place of France’s large Muslim community in soci- ety, crystallised by a controversy last summer over the body-concealing burkini swimsuit. Hollande, who decided in December not to seek re-elec- tion, leaves the traditional left deeply divided between those committed to Socialist ideals and party pragmatists, said pollster Bruno Jeanbart. In their January primary the party failed to pick a compromise candidate, instead set- tling on Benoit Hamon, 51, who represents those who “remain attached to idealism”, said Jeanbart, of the PARIS: French presidential candidate for the En Marche Opinionway polling institute. Hard-left candidate Jean-Luc movement Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during Melenchon, in fifth place in the polls, has rejected an an exceptional gathering of mayors of France and the alliance with Hamon, further dimming hopes that the left presidents of inter-municipal associations at the can rebuild a viable political force. Maison de la Radio in Paris yesterday. —AFP On the right, deep legal woes have upended the candida- cy of Francois Fillon, previously the hands-down favorite to win in May. Fillon, 63, was the surprise winner of the “The French are wondering whether politicians still have rightwing Republicans party’s primary after campaigning on any power over the course of events,” political consultant his probity. He was charged last week with misuse of public Stephane Rozes said. Only 17 percent of voters questioned funds over payments totaling 680,000 euros to his Welsh- in an Ipsos poll last month gave high marks to France’s born wife Penelope between 1986 and 2013, the most glar- democratic system. Millions remain undecided and nearly ing of several scandals dogging the candidate. —AFP Germany to clear gays convicted under Nazi-era law

BERLIN: The German government yes- and ruined lives,” Justice Minister Heiko the living must still make an individual terday approved plans to quash the con- Maas said in a statement. “The few vic- application to have their names cleared. It victions of 50,000 men sentenced for tims who are still alive today deserve to also failed to provide compensation. homosexuality under a Nazi-era law finally have justice.” The measure fol- which remained in force after the war, lows Britain’s so-called “Turing Law” Contrary to nature and offer compensation. The measure approved in October, which offered Germany’s Article 175 outlawed “sexu- marks a triumph for activists after a pardons to thousands of men convicted al acts contrary to nature... be it between decades-long struggle to clear the of homosexuality before its decriminal- people of the male gender or between names of gay men who lived with a crim- ization in 1967. people and animals”. Sex between women inal record under Article 175 of the penal The legislation was named after World was not explicitly illegal. Although the law code. An estimated 5,000 of those found War II hero Alan Turing who was prose- dated from 1871, it was rarely enforced guilty are still alive. cuted under the law in 1952 and forced until the Nazis came to power, and in The legislation was passed by to undergo chemical castration treat- 1935 they toughened the legislation to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet and ment. He committed suicide two years carry a sentence of 10 years of forced will soon head to parliament, where her later at the age of 41. However the British labor. More than 42,000 men were con- ruling right-left coalition enjoys a large measure, unlike Germany’s, only auto- victed during the Third Reich, and sent to majority. “Article 175 destroyed careers matically pardoned dead people while prison or concentration camps. —AFP

INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Butcher shops razed amid crackdown on beef in India NEW DELHI: Indian police said yesterday penalties for the slaughter of cows, which is they were not ruling out arson after fire already illegal in most Indian states. He was gutted three butcher shops in Uttar chosen to lead Uttar Pradesh after Prime Pradesh state, where a firebrand Hindu Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing leader has taken office promising a crack- Bharatiya Janata Party swept state polls down on slaughterhouses. The meat indus- earlier this month, in part on a pledge to try is a magnet for religious violence in clampdown on slaughterhouses. India, where Hindus consider cows sacred Since the thumping election victory, and accusations of beef being sold by dozens of butcher shops deemed illegal by Muslims can trigger violent mob reprisals. the government have been sealed off Police were investigating the “mysterious” across the state in what authorities say is a overnight blaze that reduced the three crackdown on unlicensed traders. Most butcher shops to ashes in Hathras district, butcher shops are run by Muslims and cow local police chief Dilip Kumar said. slaughter is a flashpoint issue. A 50-year-old “We are not ruling out anything,” he said. Muslim man was dragged from his home in JINDO: In this photo provided by South Korean Maritime Ministry, two barges attempt to salvage the sunken Sewol ferry in waters off Jindo, The fire comes just days after a hardline 2015 and beaten to death by roughly 100 South Korea, yesterday.—AP Hindu priest-turned-politician took control people over rumors he ate beef. Police later of Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state with a said it was mutton. India has witnessed a bloody history of violence between Hindus rise in vigilantism by Hindu extremists since and Muslims. Yogi Adityanath is known for Modi-whose right-wing party is strongly his polarizing and inflammatory speeches aligned to Hindu nationalist groups-was South Korea begins against Muslims, and has railed for harsher voted to power in 2014.—AFP raising sunken ferry Families of worst maritime tragedy demand recovery DONGGEOCHADO: Salvage operators began rais- 1.5 kilometers away. Yellow ribbons-a symbol for The ministry then decided to go ahead with the full ing South Korea’s sunken Sewol ferry yesterday, the victims of the deadly disaster-hang on nearby lifting, it said in a statement. The operation is officials said, nearly three years after the disaster trees, their color faded by the course of time. In a expected to take three days. The disaster and its killed more than 300 people and dealt a crippling tense atmosphere, one victim’s father nervously aftermath gripped South Korea and overshadowed blow to now-ousted president Park Geun-Hye. watched through binoculars, trying to get a the presidency of Park, who stayed at her residence Emotional parents of victims-the vast majority of glimpse of the operation. “We will not clear the for seven hours in the crucial initial phase of the the dead in the country’s worst-ever maritime camp even when the Sewol is raised,” he said, sinking. She has never specified what she was tragedy were schoolchildren-urged people to pray declining to be named. “You never know what you doing, sparking wild rumors including a tryst and INDIA: In this photograph, Indian Muslim butchers and traders with family members for a successful recovery. will find beneath the sunken ferry.” Some 50 cosmetic surgery. gather outside a closed illegal slaughter house at Naini in Allahabad.—AFP The vessel was lying more than 40 meters bereaved family members were watching the pro- A permanent Sewol protest site targeting her below the waves off southwestern South Korea ceedings out at sea, he added. was subsequently set up in the centre of Seoul, and the operation, originally scheduled for last Two enormous barges were positioned on with effigies of the head of state on display along- year, had been pushed back several times because either side of the 6,825-tonne ship and air bags side pictures of dead schoolchildren. Negligence Indian cops blame rats of adverse weather. It is thought that nine bodies inserted for the salvage effort, which is being led over the sinking was one of the grounds for which still unaccounted for may be trapped inside the by a Chinese consortium. Beams were installed by parliament impeached Park in December, although for missing marijuana sunken ship, and raising the ferry intact has been a digging through the seabed underneath the the constitutional court ruled that it was not an key demand of the victims’ families. wreck, which was lying on its side, and cables impeachable offence when it upheld her dismissal MUMBAI: Indian police came up with a Panhekar said illegal stashes of “I am a mother who just really misses her attached to bring it painstakingly towards the sur- on other charges earlier this month. novel explanation for a missing haul of cannabis and bootleg liquor had been daughter. Please pray for us so we can go home face. Once two-thirds of it is exposed, a semi-sub- Donggeochado island has a population of only marijuana on yesterday-rats. A senior offi- piling up in the warehouse over the last with Eun-Hwa,” said Lee Keum-Hui, one of a hand- mersible will be positioned underneath to raise it around 300, but the once-a-day ferry to it was cer blamed the furry rodents for the disap- decade as officers cracked down on ful of relatives who have been living in makeshift out of the water and transport it to the port of packed with reporters yesterday and at least one pearance of a haul of drugs from a ware- smugglers. They are not allowed to homes at Paengmok, the closest port to the wreck, Mokpo to carry out investigations and search for outside broadcast truck. house at Nagpur railway station in the destroy seized narcotics without a court since the accident. “We will be grateful if you pray the missing. Investigations into the disaster, in which 304 western state of Maharashtra. “Rats are a order, he claimed. Panhekar said the mar- with us so that the last remaining victims can people died, concluded it was largely man-made- huge menace here, they keep nibbling at ijuana was being kept in plastic bags and return to their families,” she said, breaking down. Willful negligence the cumulative result of an illegal redesign, an plastic wrappers containing marijuana and there was evidence some had gone miss- Other bereaved family members have been main- A senior official from the maritime ministry said overloaded cargo bay, inexperienced crew and a alcohol bottles,” Abhay Panhekar, a senior ing-although he wasn’t sure how much taining a vigil at a camp on a hilltop on it took three hours to raise the wreck one meter off questionable relationship between the ship opera- inspector at India’s railway police, said. exactly.—AFP Donggeochado, the nearest island to the site, just the seabed in what was initially a feasibility test. tors and state regulators—AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 ANALYSIS

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Focus Le Pen finds a fertile ground in south France

By Thibauld Malterre

ar-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has won over voters in many parts of France, and on Fthe southern Riviera coast there is little doubt in many minds that she can become president in May. The 48-year-old daughter of the National Front’s pugna- cious founder Jean-Marie Le Pen has surged to the top of the poll ratings since conservative Francois Fillon lost his frontrunner status in a morass of scandals. “This time it’s for real, we’re going to win. We’ve had Brexit, Donald Trump was elected and Francois Fillon has had his scandals... the planets are lining up,” said Florent Laptop, tablet bans on flights: What we know Erard, 27, head of the FN’s youth wing in the Var, the region between the cities of Marseille and Nice. The Var is the FN’s heartland-the party scored By Dario Thuburn Saudi Arabia; Mohammed V International in Emirates and Etihad Airways, Kuwait Department of Homeland Security, how- nearly 45 percent here in the 2015 regional elections, Casablanca, Morocco; Kuwait International; Airways,Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, ever, said extremists were seeking “innova- compared with 28 percent in the rest of the country. ritain and the United States have Queen Alia International in Amman, Qatar Airways, Saudi Airlines and Turkish tive methods” to attack jets. It cited an In towns like Saint-Raphael, between the palm trees, announced bans on laptops and Jordan. The British ban affects all the air- Airlines. The British ban affects six British incident in Somalia in February last year in yachts and glasses of rose wine, Le Pen is preaching Btablet computers from the cabin on ports in six countries-Egypt, Jordan, airlines, including charters-British Airways, which the Shabaab insurgent group said it to the converted. The biggest threat to her taking her flights from several Middle East and North Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Turkey. EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook had managed to place a bomb in a plane anti-immigration and anti-European Union message African nations. The restrictions are differ- and Thomson. It also impacts eight foreign leaving Mogadishu for Djibouti. The to the Elysee Palace now appears to be Emmanuel ent in the two countries and only Britain Banned devices carriers, including Egyptair, Royal device exploded shortly after takeoff, rip- Macron, the 39-year-old former investment banker specified the maximum size of device Britain said it would be banning Jordanian, Tunis Air and Turkish Airlines. ping a hole in the plane’s side, but killed who is pitching to the centre ground. Polls that cur- allowed — 16 by 9.3 centimeters (6.3 by 3.7 “phones, laptops or tablets larger than a only the suspected bomber before the air- rently show the centrist Macron would beat her in inches). Canadian and French officials are normal-sized mobile or smartphone” from Timing of bans craft landed safely. the May 7 runoff vote are hotly disputed by Le Pen’s considering whether to impose similar direct inbound flights from the countries Airlines in the United States have been American authorities also cited the supporters. measures, but Germany, Australia and New named. It specified that the ban would given 96 hours, from 3:00 am (0700 GMT) downing of a Russian airliner in Egypt in “Macron has no chance. The French people know Zealand said they are not currently mulling apply to devices bigger than 16 centime- on Tuesday, to inform travelers. Officials 2015, as well as attacks at airports in where he comes from-he’s the candidate of the world a ban. Here is what we know so far: ters in length, 9.3 cm wide and 1.5 cm were not able to say when the order would Brussels and Istanbul. A government of finance while Marine is the people’s choice,” said thick-smaller than some e-readers like end. The British ban should come into source in London only said Britain was Jean-Marc Micallef, 55, in his business suit and tie. He Airports affected Kindles. The United States said its ban effect “in the coming days,” a Downing “privy to the same intelligence” as the and other supporters gathered last week for a cam- The US ban applies to flights from 10 air- applied to all electronic devices larger than Street spokesman told the domestic Press United States. British Transport Minister paign rally in Saint-Raphael, where Le Pen was treated ports in eight countries. The airports affect- an average-sized mobile phone, including Association news agency yesterday. But no Chris Grayling said: “We face a constant- as the president-in-waiting. The FN’s traditional rallying ed are: Ataturk in Istanbul, Turkey; Cairo game consoles. actual start date was given. ly evolving threat from terrorism and cry of “This is our land” rang out in a hall awash with International in Egypt; Dubai and Abu must respond accordingly.” CNN quoted red, white and blue French flags. Apart from the hard- Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; Hamad Affected airlines Why impose bans? a US official as saying the ban was core of her supporters, others had come out of curiosi- International in Doha, Qatar; King Since US airlines do not have direct Officials in both Britain and the United believed to be related to a threat posed ty many disillusioned by both the rightwing opposi- Abdulaziz International in Jeddah, Saudi flights from the airports affected, its ban States would not give any details on what by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, tion and the Socialist government. Arabia; King Khalid International in Riyadh, affects nine non-US airlines: EgyptAir, exactly prompted the bans. The US known as AQAP. —AFP

‘Can’t be worse’ “The FN has never governed (nationally), we don’t know what it’s going to produce. Perhaps it won’t be better but it can’t be worse than what we’ve got now,” a 45-year-old man who gave his name as Philippe said. Betty, an energetic 68-year-old red-head, said she used to back conservative former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is still dogged by legal cases five years after leav- ing office. “I am disgusted by politics. What else is there, apart from Marine? I’m a Gaul,” she said, using the nickname of those who consider themselves to be “native French” rather than descendants of more recent waves of immigration. Betty was keen to stress that she is no extremist. “I’m a moderate,” she said. “Look around you, there are no skinheads here, just people from all walks of life.” Le Pen has gone to great lengths to eliminate the openly racist and anti-Semitic fringe of her party, although critics point out that her remarks attacking Islam still receive the loudest cheers at her rallies. “The FN electorate today is far more open than a few years ago,” insisted Frederic Boccaletti, the FN’s head in the Var. “There are manual workers, office workers and people who have had trouble in their lives, but there are also professionals and heads of companies.”

‘We just want equality’ The FN’s popularity in the south of France has its roots in the party’s beginnings in the early 1970s as a refuge for paramilitaries who opposed Algeria’s inde- pendence from France, granted a decade earlier. When LONDON: A combination of pictures shows a pair of male ducks as they fight in Downing Street in central London yesterday before British Prime Minister they left Algeria, many made their home in southern Theresa May left to attend Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs). Britain said it will begin leaving the European Union on March 29, setting an historic and France. They found a common cause with apologists uncharted course to become the first country to withdraw from the bloc. —AFP for the wartime Vichy regime’s collaboration with Nazi Germany and ultra-conservative Catholics. At the pic- turesque port of Brusc, Le Pen had come to shake the hands of the market traders, and her pledges to cut Is there life after 60 for the EU? taxes she says penalize small businesses received a warm welcome. By Alix Rijckaert tinued to exist for hundreds of years after it had sort of ‘Muddling through’ Yoan Jenais, a 19-year-old who runs a clothing stall, died politically,” he added. In Rome on Saturday, EU lead- The last decade has in particular brought one setback after was delighted to have shaken hands with the candi- s the EU turns 60 amid a divorce from Britain and ers are set to endorse a “multispeed” Europe that allows another. Following the 2007-8 financial crisis, growth has date. He said he was Le Pen’s kind of voter. “I didn’t other mid-life crises, the question is increasingly some countries to push ahead with cooperation while remained sluggish and unemployment high. The euro-zone have a job so I have just set up my own company,” he Anot how it can bounce back, but how it can sur- others lag behind, but which some call a slow disintegra- debt crisis almost forced Greece out and German-led austerity said. “But with all the taxes we have to pay, we can’t vive. Today’s European Union is the product of efforts led tion. After years of burying their heads in the sand, has caused a legacy of bitterness. Europe has also failed to keep the money we earn. It goes to the state.” And he by France and Germany in the wake of World War II to European leaders have finally acknowledged they face an halt the carnage in Syria and the conflict in Ukraine, both was not afraid to speak his mind. “I’m not racist, but bring peace to a continent that had seen centuries of war. existential crisis. sources of tension with Russia, while a series of Islamist terror when I see our parents working like dogs only to end But the political and economic union ushered in by the New European Parliament chief Antonio Tajani said this attacks have transformed the security environment. up with nothing at the end of the month, while unem- March 1957 Treaty of Rome that leaders will celebrate this week that the “European project has never seemed so far A wave of 1.4 million asylum seekers in 2015 and 2016, ployed Arabs are walking around with iPhones... We week is in many ways less united than ever. Divisions away from the people as it does today”. But what makes largely sparked by the Syria war, has meanwhile shattered the don’t want to be better than other people, we just abound over migration, populism and the economy, com- today’s crises different from those that the organization EU’s facade of solidarity as Eastern Europe blamed Germany’s want equality.” —AFP bined with worries about its place in the world and life formerly known as the European Economic Community open-door policy for the influx. “Never before have I seen after Brexit. faced in its early years? In the 1960s there was the ‘empty such fragmentation and also such little convergence in our chair crisis’ when France under General de Gaulle blocked union,” European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said ‘Holy Roman Empire’ decision making, and de Gaulle’s repeated ‘non’ to Britain last year. Many in Brussels hope that unity in the face of Brexit All articles appearing on these pages are While the mantra of EU founding father Jean Monnet joining. Then the oil crisis in the 1970s and repeated refer- negotiations, and clarity after key elections in France and the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait was that Europe would be forged in crisis, fears are now endums on the treaties all posed major challenges. Germany, will help to focus minds by the end of 2017. that it may be fatally weakened. “This mantra, you couldn’t Still, Europe managed to emerge triumphant from the But they are already divided over what comes next. Some Times takes no responsibility for views hear it any more during the last years in the Brussels bub- Cold War and then rapidly expanded in the early 2000s. It want to push ahead with defense, especially amid insecurity expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites ble,” said Stefan Lehne, visiting solar at Carnegie Europe. has also pushed through with major projects like the euro over new US President Donald Trump’s commitment, or the readers to voice their opinions. Please send “There is not just one big crisis but a multiplicity of very and the Schengen passport-free area-but increasingly ten- economy, while others in the former Soviet east want to ease submissions via email to: opinion@kuwait- severe and complicated challenges, and I think this sions over these big achievements are what is driving the off on integration. But most will still want to keep the changes things,” Lehne said. Lehne said it was more likely EU apart. “The crises we face today fundamentally call into advances that the last 60 years have brought, said Hendrik times.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 the EU would eventually cease to be in its current form, question the point of the European project,” said Frederic Vos, a professor at the University of Ghent. “It is not the most Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right becoming an “ever looser union” instead of an ever closer Allemand of Luxembourg University. “Clearly peace is still efficient and not the most beautiful way to escape from a to edit any submission as necessary. one, as the EU’s treaties famously envisaged. the frontispiece, but apart from that, what kind of social swamp-but you can escape a swamp by muddling through “I think sometimes of the Holy Roman Empire that con- and economic model do we want in Europe?” and that’s the way the EU operates,” he said. —AFP NEWS THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

ALEPPO: Photo shows a general view of destruction at the Syrian town of Suran in the countryside of the central province of Hama, which was taken by rebel forces after an offensive started the day prior. — AFP US-led coalition airstrike kills 33 civilians

BEIRUT: A US-led coalition strike is reported to have killed being used as a temporary shelter for displaced families, President Donald Trump in February. Earlier this month, the nine air strikes pounded rebel positions, the Observatory 33 civilians in northern Syria ahead of the meeting of top about 30 kilometers west of IS-held Raqa city. “We can now coalition said its campaign in Syria and Iraq had uninten- said. Damascus has witnessed heavy fighting since Sunday, officials in Washington which focused on defeating the confirm that 33 people were killed, and they were displaced tionally killed at least 220 civilians, but monitors say the real when the opposition fighters made their largest incursion Islamic State group. Rebels and jihadists pressed offensives civilians from Raqa, Aleppo and Homs,” said Observatory number is far higher. In addition to bombing raids by the yet into the capital’s east. Yesterday, AFP correspondents in inside the capital Damascus and the central province of head Rami Abdel Rahman. “They’re still pulling bodies out coalition, Russia is carrying out strikes in support of its ally the city could hear warplanes buzzing overhead and inter- Hama, just a day before new UN-brokered peace talks open of the rubble until now. Only two people were pulled out Assad and Turkey has provided air cover for rebel groups in mittent mortar fire throughout the morning, as several sol- in Geneva. Years of diplomatic efforts have failed to end alive,” Abdel Rahman said. the north. Control of war-ravaged Syria is divided between diers were seen loading ammunition into machine guns. Syria’s raging six-year conflict, which began with protests “Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently,” an activist group myriad armed groups-rebels, jihadists, Kurdish militia and The Damascus offensive is being led by the Tahrir Al- against President Bashar Al-Assad. that publishes news from IS-held territory in Syria, blamed Syrian government forces. Sham alliance, dominated by the jihadist Fateh Al-Sham The war has killed more than 320,000 people, sparked a the coalition for the strike. “The school that was targeted This week, rebels and allied jihadists launched two sur- Front that was once linked to Al-Qaeda. Tahrir Al-Sham and major refugee crisis, and dragged in world powers includ- hosts nearly 50 displaced families,” it said. The US-led coali- prise offensives on government positions in Damascus and allied rebels launched a fresh assault on Tuesday in the cen- ing the US-led air coalition bombing Syria’s jihadists since tion is backing twin offensives to defeat IS in Raqa-the central Hama province, opposition groups and the tral province of Hama, overrunning the key town of Suran 2014. A reported coalition strike in the northern province of Syrian heart of the group’s so-called “Islamic caliphate”-and Observatory said. In Damascus, anti-regime factions are and several other government positions. “They have seized Raqa early Tuesday has killed 33 civilians, according to the Mosul in neighboring Iraq. Top officials from the 68-nation battling to link up territory they hold in the eastern district several new villages today as well as old army depots,” Abdel Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. alliance are set to meet in Washington to hear more about a of Jobar with their encircled forces in the Qabun neighbor- Rahman said. “They are continuing to advance despite The monitor said yesterday that the strike hit a school revised plan drafted by the Pentagon and presented to US hood to the north. Clashes continued yesterday as at least heavy Russian and Syrian air strikes” yesterday. — AFP Westminster ‘terror attack’; UK Parliament... Assembly to debate Continued from Page 1 “The first stream was around 30 people and the second stream was 70 people. It looked like they were running for their Yesterday was the anniversary of suicide bombings in the lives.” Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts said he saw a man in Brussels airport and subway that killed 32 people, and the latest black attack a police officer outside Parliament before being shot ‘Nationality Law’ events echoed recent vehicle attacks in Berlin and Nice, France. two or three times as he tried to storm into the House of There was no immediate claim of responsibility and it was not Commons. “He had something in his hand, it looked like a stick of clear if there was more than one attacker. London Police some sort, and he was challenged by a couple of policemen in Commander BJ Harrington said a full counter-terrorism investiga- yellow jackets,” Letts told the BBC. “And one of the yellow-jacket- MPs visit jail over reported suicide incident tion was underway. ed policemen fell down and we could see the man in black mov- The incident in London unfolded within sight of some of the ing his arm in a way that suggested he was stabbing or striking By B Izzak insulting the Amir in public. Several opposition lawmak- city’s most famous tourist sites, including the London Eye, a large the yellow-jacketed policeman.” ers have demanded additional protection measures for Ferris wheel with pods that have views over the capital. It Lett said the other officer ran to get help and the man in black KUWAIT: The National Assembly is expected to debate Barrak following the assault and after the reported sui- stopped rotating and footage showed the pods full as viewers ran toward the entrance. “As this attacker was running towards key amendments to the Nationality Law that allows cide of his assailant. watched police and medical crews on the bridge, which has at its the entrance two plain-clothed guys with guns shouted at him those who have their citizenship revoked in any way to Member of the committee MP Jamaan Al-Harbash north end Big Ben and Parliament, two iconic symbols. “The what sounded like a warning, he ignored it and they shot two or challenge the action in court, a lawmaker said yester- said the delegation obtained important information whole length of the bridge there were people on the ground,” three times and he fell,” he said. As lawmakers were voting inside day. Head of the Priority Issues Panel MP Thamer Al- about the death of an inmate after meeting various Richard Tice, a witness, told Sky News. Parliament, they reported hearing the sound of gunshots. Dhafiri said the proposed amendments to the 1959 sides in the prison. Harbash said that the visit was the The London Ambulance Service said it had treated at least 10 Journalists there said they were told to stay in their offices. Press Nationality Law will be debated among a host of other second to the jail, adding that in the first visit MPs people on the bridge. Colleen Anderson of St Thomas’ Hospital Association news agency reported that two people were seen important issues. demanded that prisoners convicted on drug charges said a female pedestrian died and around a dozen people were lying within the grounds of Parliament. These include the economic reform package includ- should not be sent to wards where prisoners with lower hurt. “There were some with minor injuries, some catastrophic. Prime Minister Theresa May was at Parliament when the inci- ing hikes in prices, the issue of Khour Abdullah water- crimes are jailed. Some had injuries they could walk away from or who have life- dent began, but her office says she is safe. British security has changing injuries,” she said. Rick Longley told the Press thwarted some 13 terror plots over the past four years, but the way between Kuwait and Iraq, a debate on unemploy- Association that he heard a bang and saw a car plow into pedes- UK has largely been spared major international terror attacks ment and others, Dhafiri said. National Assembly com- Public Funds Committee trians and come to a crashing stop. such as the ones seen in Belgium and France. Last year, a far-right mittees had approved proposals stipulating to allow The public funds protection committee yesterday Images from the scene showed pedestrians sprawled on the supporter shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox, who had cam- Kuwaitis who lose their citizenship by government completed its report on companies where the govern- ground, with blood streaming from a woman surrounded by a paigned for the UK to remain in the European Union. action will be allowed to challenge the action in court. ment holds over a 50-percent stake. It also submitted scattering of postcards. “They were just laying there and then the Prior to that, an attacker stabbed three people at a train station At present, citizenship is considered a sovereign issue another report on the outcome of its investigation on whole crowd just surged around the corner by the gates just oppo- in east London in response to the Royal Air Force’s bombing of the that courts cannot handle. The Assembly is scheduled why a majority of cases received by the Anti-Corruption site Big Ben,” he said. “A guy came past my right shoulder with a big Islamic State group in Syria. The most gruesome recent attack to hold its regular sessions on March 28 and 29. Authority had been shelved. The committee discussed knife and just started plunging it into the policeman. I have never occurred in 2013 when two Muslim converts of Nigerian descent yesterday a report on violations committed by a private seen anything like that. I just can’t believe what I just saw.” attacked Lee Rigby, a British Army soldier who was walking down Death of an inmate company on public ports. At Parliament, a body was seen lying in the yard. It wasn’t the street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then In the meantime, members of the National Assembly Minister of Commerce and Industry and State clear if it was the attacker. Dennis Burns, who was just entering used a cleaver to hack him to death as bystanders watched in hor- Human Rights Committee yesterday visited the central Minister for Youth Khaled Al-Roudhan said yesterday he Parliament for a meeting, told the Press Association he heard a ror. The worst peace time attack on Britain this century was on July jail to investigate the death of an inmate accused of a believes that the sanctions on local sports by the radio message saying an officer had been stabbed. Police and 7, 2005, when four Al-Qaeda-inspired bombers blew themselves drugs offense. The man was reported to have hanged International Olympic Committee and FIFA will be lifted security rushed outside as he was going in. “When I got inside I up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52. Three of himself to death in his cell in the central prison barely a soon. The minister said that they are taking the right was wondering what the hell was going on and I saw dozens of the bombers were British-born, all of Pakistani descent; the other few weeks after he attempted to assault jailed opposi- path in resolving the sports crisis and have reached an panicked people running down the street,” he said. emigrated from Jamaica. — Agencies tion leader and former MP Mussallam Al-Barrak. Barrak advanced stage. The Assembly sports committee has is expected to be freed next month after completing a approved a number of amendments to the sports laws two-year jail term. He was sentenced to on charges of in order to meet demands by IOC and FIFA. Food Bank to support over 5,700 families... Continued from Page 1 ances for families in need. Ansari mentioned that the aim of the food bank is to spread awareness in society about He also noted a second project, which the bank is the importance of healthy food and nutrition and food currently developing, will distribute water to workers security and the blessing of food from Allah. and pedestrians especially during the summer in The press conference, held in Kuwait City, was Kuwait. attended by civil society organizations, representatives Kharafi also highlighted that the Kuwait Food Bank from the media and other interested parties. The Kuwait is working on developing an important third project - Food Bank works in cooperation with local and interna- to provide job training for breadwinners to prepare tional organizations to provide support for needy fami- them for the Kuwait job market. Deputy Chairman of lies in Kuwait. The Kuwait Food Bank will set up a booth the Board Meshal Al-Ansari thanked Al-Kharafi for the at 360 Mall to receive donations, noted Salem Al-Hamar. charitable initiative and welcomed its establishment in The booth will be set up from today until 25 March. A 2016. Al-Ansari noted that the bank will provide iftar similar booth will be set up in the Avenues mall from 30 feasts for lower income fasters during the upcoming March until 1 April, 2017. Ramadan and will provide sacrificial sheep to families Prominent Kuwaiti businessman Bader Al-Kharafi in need during the Eid. established the Kuwait Food Bank in order to reduce The Kuwait Food Bank will accept zakat and donations food waste and help families in need by providing to cover the cost of its charitable activities. Ansari also them with basic foodstuffs and other items. And it LONDON: In this image taken from video, police officers gather around a car adjacent to Houses of Parliament mentioned that the bank would provide care for orphans aims to become a leader in charitable works both in London yesterday after the House of Commons sitting was suspended as witnesses reported sounds like in Kuwait and help through donations of electrical appli- locally and regionally. gunfire outside. — AP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 SPORTS

Ex-WWE wrestlers to brawl in Pakistan as security improves

KARACHI: More than two dozen pro many as 25 wrestlers of international year to persuade fighters to come to 2009 halted visits by top-level cricket While Mixed Martial Arts and other wrestlers will be ready to rumble in repute to come to fight in Pakistan for Pakistan, which has been largely desert- teams. But Shah cited a boost from the true combat sports have taken off world- Pakistan this summer as security the first time ever,” Pro Wrestling ed by international sports stars during its recently completed Pakistan Super wide, including in Asia, WWE-style improves, including former fighters from Entertainment director Imran Hussain fight against militancy lasting more than League (PSL), a domestic cricket tourna- wrestling entertainment has largely major US conglomerate World Wrestling Shah told AFP. Without disclosing a decade. “Security was the paramount ment. Its final was successfully held in failed to gain a regional foothold aside Entertainment (WWE), organisers said names, he said they came from countries issue for the agents who negotiated with Lahore this month, with foreign crick- from an established circuit in Japan. yesterday. Pakistani firm Pro Wrestling including the US, Canada, Ireland, us, but we positively convinced them of eters taking part. But in recent years fledgling wrestling Entertainment said the fighters would France, the UK and Algeria. “Most of the improved security environment in “The holding of the PSL has helped a schools, national federations and ama- take to the ring in the cities of Karachi, them have fought under the aegis of Pakistan,” Shah said. lot in transforming the negative percep- teur tournaments have mushroomed, Lahore and Islamabad starting in May. WWE and are big names,” he said. A militant attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket tion of our country to the international mainly in Singapore, Malaysia and “We have signed contracts with as The Pakistani firm had worked for a team in the Pakistani city of Lahore in community,” Shah said. Thailand. —AFP

Bottas out to make the most of dream chance at Mercedes

MELBOURNE: Valtteri Bottas is deter- I’m not thinking about it too much,” he mined to make the most of his “dream” added. “Obviously, it’s the only thing I opportunity after being ushered into the want, but I always want to focus on my job Mercedes seat left vacant by the sudden and work as a team and if we do our work retirement of Formula One champion Nico perfectly, if I do my job perfectly, it’s possi- Rosberg at the end of last season. ble. “But yeah, definitely, the goal for me is The Finn has proved his pace over 77 to start a season in a good way and get the races with Williams but knows he will be results early on and continue from there.” stepping up into the big leagues when he Bottas has already been welcomed with starts his first race for the reigning con- open arms by fellow Mercedes driver Lewis structors’ champions at this week’s Hamilton but the Briton’s history with for- Australian Grand Prix. mer team mates, including Rosberg, sug- “It’s a great challenge for everyone, but I gests the bonhomie would not last long if think especially for me,” Bottas told the Finn was a genuine title contender. reporters in Melbourne. As the winner of 10 of the 21 races in “This team has been winning the last 2016, including the last four, Hamilton is three years and it’s kind of a dream come the clear championship favourite this sea- true for me to be in a team like this. So, it’s a son and expectations are high that he will big year ahead.” win the Australian Grand Prix for the third Expectations are indeed high at time on Sunday. Mercedes, and if Bottas fails to at least sup- Bottas showed off one skill advantage port the team’s charge for a fourth succes- that he almost certainly has over his team sive constructors’ title with regular podi- mate when he took to the ice hockey rink ums and points there will be no shortage of with players from Melbourne Ice and drivers waiting to replace him for 2018. Melbourne Mustangs on Tuesday. Although he finished fourth in the driv- And the 27-year-old made clear he MELBOURNE: A file photo taken on March 15, 2015, shows Mercedes British driver Lewis Hamilton spraying champagne after winning the ers’ championship in 2014 and has accumu- would not be moving over to let Hamilton Formula One Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Lewis Hamilton bids for a third race win in his Mercedes Silver Arrows with rivals Ferrari and lated nine podiums and 411 points over his through if he got in front of the triple world Red Bull expected to close the gap in the season-opening Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne on 26 March. — AFP career, Bottas has never won a race. champion on the Albert Park track. Melbourne has thrown up a few surpris- “I think Mercedes doesn’t have number es but Bottas is not banking on breaking one or number two driver and that’s pretty MOTOR RACING his duck at Albert Park, however much he much up to me to perform,” he said. “That would love to. is to perform on the track on the level “That would be the perfect way to start where the car should be. We’re all good and Hamilton looks for fast a season and my career with Mercedes, but I know I can do it.” —Reuters

ATHLETICS start to new F1 season

Jamaican duo charged with MELBOURNE: Lewis Hamilton will look to put but also put greater physical demands on the Barcelona, with Kimi Raikkonen fastest ahead of his stamp on the new Formula One season at drivers. team-mate Sebastien Vettel. anti-doping rule violation this week’s Australian Grand Prix, as he seeks to Ferrari last won at Albert Park in 2007 regain the world title following the shock retire- ‘RADICAL CHANGE’ through Raikkonen, who went on to win the KINGSTON: Commonwealth Games 400 suspension. Jamaica’s Spencer won gold ment of reigning champion Nico Rosberg. “Having spoken to the drivers, these championship that year-the last time the Italian metres hurdles champion Kaliese at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Ten years after his F1 debut at Albert Park, machines are violent-just like Formula One cars team lifted the drivers title. Spencer and world championship relay in 2014 and was also a world champi- Hamilton arrives at the downtown circuit as the should be,” said Mercedes chief Toto Wolff. leading light of a sport now under new manage- “The target with these new regulations was FIGHT TO THE FINISH medallist Riker Hylton have been charged onship silver medallist in the 4x400m ment and featuring wider and faster cars. to make this generation of F1 cars the quickest “It’s impossible to predict anything,” said with breaching anti-doping rules, relay in Berlin in 2009. Hamilton, 32, was beaten to last year’s title by in the history of the sport. “And looking at the Ferrari’s Vettel, a four-time champion with Red Jamaican athletics officials confirmed on She did not respond to Reuters’ phone Mercedes team-mate Rosberg, who quit the results from testing, we’re well on the way to Bull from 2010-2013. “Even the tests in Barcelona Tuesday. calls or text requests for comment. sport five days later citing the intense pressures achieving that. It’s something that’s never been only give a basic idea where you stand. “It is only “We have been advised by JADCO Hylton, who won a 4x400m bronze at the of competing. done before and that’s a radical change.” in the first race that you will know how well you (Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission) that 2011 World Championships in Daegu, This year, Hamilton will be face renewed com- Hamilton and Rosberg had a fractious rela- and the others have worked over the winter. We athletes Kaliese Spencer and Riker Hylton told Reuters on Tuesday that he had been petition from Ferrari and Red Bull, who are tionship in the Mercedes garage, but Wolff said will only get real clarity after three or four races.” have been referred to the Independent notified of his provisional suspension by expected to close the gap on dominant the Briton and Bottas were “in a great place”. Daniel Ricciardo, attempting to become the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel for a hear- JADCO. He said the anti-doping body Mercedes, as well his new team-mate Valtteri “They have a respectful and friendly relationship first Australian F1 world champion since Alan ing to be conducted in accordance with claimed he had declined to provide a Bottas of Finland. from what we’ve seen in our team briefings so Jones in 1980, believes Red Bull can loosen Article 8 of the JADCO Anti-doping Rules sample for testing last year at the Hamilton is revelling in the new generation of far,” he added. Mercedes’ grip on the titles. 2015,” the Jamaica Athletics Stadium East field. quicker cars, which coincides with American Bottas is yet to win a race but he is confident But Ricciardo, who finished third behind Administrative Association (JAAA) said in Hylton, however, said that he had not group Liberty Media’s takeover and the exit of of improving on his best finish of fifth around Rosberg and Hamilton in last year’s standings, a statement. “Both athletes are alleged to been properly informed that he had been long-time ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone. the Melbourne circuit, for his former team said it would be tough to win in Melbourne. have violated article 2.3 of the said rules selected for testing and only found out “I’m finding the car is much more physical to Williams in 2014. “Can we be the quickest? I think we can. Will which speaks to ‘Evading, refusing or fail- that he had been accused of declining to drive than in the past,” said Hamilton, who is “It’s a big challenge and I’ll definitely need to it be by Melbourne? Probably not,” he said. “We ing to submit to sample collection’.” provide a sample after he had left the sta- seeking his fourth world title after victories in prove myself to a lot of people and my team that haven’t quite been the fastest in testing so I Under World Anti-Doping Agency dium. “Honestly they (JADCO) never did 2008, 2014 and 2015. I deserve the place,” Bottas said. “But I see it very would say we’re not the quickest as we stand (WADA) rules, “evading, refusing or failing their job properly because they were sup- “It’s so much faster in the corners. The force positively. It’s a great opportunity for my career here today.” to submit to sample collection” is one of posed to make the person know that you you feel on your body and on your neck is much to fight for the wins and even for the champi- But he added that Mercedes would have a higher. I’ve got bruises and bumps where I’ve onship.” While the Silver Arrows have dominated “target on them”. 10 possible ways that athletes or their were selected to be drug tested and they never really had them before.” F1, winning the drivers and constructors titles “If we can get close to them and get a few support staff can be charged with an did not let me know that,” Hylton said. An overhaul of technical regulations has ush- over the last three years, pre-season testing wins and somehow end up in a championship anti-doping doping rule violation. JADCO has not responded to Reuters’ ered in wider cars with broader tyres, which are pointed to other teams pushing hard. fight towards the end of the season then that’s The maximum penalty is a four-year requests for comment. — Reuters expected to be noisier and provide faster racing, Ferrari topped the timesheets at testing in what I want.” — AFP South Korea’s Olympic ringers sing their way onto the team

MOSCOW: To earn a place on South these Korean fans who wanted to take ing with Olympic drug tests, there are Korea’s team for next year’s Olympics, pictures and get autographs,” he said. calls for the country to be banned from you may need to brush up on your “It was all a little overwhelming.” next year’s Pyeongchang Games. singing. A rendition of the national Although Gamelin and Min live and Lapshin portrays the scandal as politi- anthem in front of immigration offi- train in the United States, he’s learning cally motivated against Russia. cials is a daunting but necessary hur- Korean at college and hopes to move “I hope that everything will be fine dle faced by the many foreign-born to the Asian country as a coach in the and no one will be suspended,” he said. athletes seeking to represent the future. The last Winter Olympic host “Politics shouldn’t be mixed with home team at the Pyeongchang country, Russia, also recruited many sport.” The South Korean Olympic com- Games. foreigners ahead of the 2014 Sochi mittee said biathlon officials in the Alexander Gamelin, an ice dancer Games. Then the focus was firmly on country looked into its four new from Boston, has the anthem memo- winning. Naturalized foreigners had a Russian-born biathletes by checking rized and is reading up on Korean cul- role in seven of the 13 gold medals International Biathlon Union records, ture and history ahead of his immigra- which took Russia to the top of the which showed that none of the four tion interview. The aim is to become a medals table, including team events. had ever tested positive. However, all naturalized citizen, then a South One of them, South Korean speed- four competed at elite level during a Korean Olympian. skater Viktor Ahn - formerly Ahn Hyun- time when investigations have found “He’s smart. He catches on pretty Soo - left with three golds. Biathlete drug use in Russia was rife. For Lapshin quick,” said Gamelin’s dance partner, Timofei Lapshin said he’s now known or former world junior luge champion California-born South Korean citizen as “the Russian Viktor Ahn” after mak- Aileen Frisch, South Korea offers a sec- Yura Min. “Honestly, I think Alex does ing the switch in reverse. Lapshin is a ond chance for stalled careers. For know more than I do at this point.” talented athlete, with a smattering of journeyman hockey player Matt Without much of a winter sports podium finishes on the World Cup cir- Dalton, it’s been an even wilder ride. tradition besides speedskating and cuit, but struggled to make the highly- Dalton was in Russia during the last women’s figure skating, South Korea is competitive Russian team. After a Olympics - not in Sochi, but playing for eager to use foreign talent to flesh out super-fast naturalization process - he a club in the industrial city of its Olympic roster. said the first enquiries were made only Nizhnekamsk. He was a backup goal- That means Canadian veterans on in September - he now holds a South tender for the Boston Bruins, but never the hockey team, a German in luge Korean passport. played a minute in the NHL, so and Russians in biathlon. Since 2011, “I only know a few words (of Olympic glory wasn’t even on his radar. 20 athletes have been naturalized, Korean) here and there, but I’ll try to Now, after three seasons in the South according to the Justice Ministry. Not learn it and hope soon I’ll be able to Korean league, he’s set to be a starting all will compete at the Olympics and speak,” said Lapshin, who has spent goaltender at the Olympics. Home fans GANGNEUNG: In this Feb. 16, 2017, photo, Yura Min few have hopes of a medal, but they’ll only about two months in his new will know him by the nickname Halla and Alexander Gamelin perform in the Ice Dance Short PYEONGCHANG: In this Sunday, March 5, 2017 photo, give South Korean fans someone to country because of training and com- Sung - “protector of the castle.” Dance program at the ISU Four Continents Figure Naturalized biathlete Timofei Lapshin competes during cheer for in unfamiliar sports. petitions elsewhere. “I would have never thought it was Skating Championships in Gangneung, South Korea. the men’s 4x7.5 km relay competition for the Biathlon And when Koreans cheer their own, possible in a million years,” Dalton said. Gamelin, an ice dancer from Boston, has the anthem World Cup at the Alpensia Biathlon Centre in they really cheer, as Gamelin found POLITICS SHOULDN’T “(In Russia) I got to see how the coun- memorized and is brushing up on Korean culture and Pyeongchang, South Korea. Biathlete Lapshin said he’s when competing in February on the BE MIXED WITH SPORT try rallies around the Olympics ... To be history ahead of his immigration interview. The aim is now known as “the Russian Viktor Ahn” after making Olympic ice. With Russia mired in doping scan- able to be a part of something like that to become a naturalized citizen, then a South Korean the switch in reverse. — AP “Yura and I were mobbed by all dals, including allegations of tamper- now is pretty special.” — AP Olympian. —AP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 SPORTS

Puerto Rico in scarce supply of hair dye amid baseball fever

SAN JUAN: Pharmacies and beauty in the capital of San Juan. “We have run university students to professionals “Anything for my island!” he said as unite the team, and then the people of stores across Puerto Rico are running out of the product in most of our have embraced a trend that has he lifted his arm to cheer the team. Puerto Rico, they started dying their out of hair dye as a growing number of stores.” sparked the rallying cry of “Team Rodriguez then sent a picture of his hair, too,” pitcher Edwin Diaz said. “I saw men go blond in support of the island’s Copper blond, platinum blond, gold- Rubio!” or “Team Blond” in Spanish. dyed hair to his mechanic, who that there were some students that baseball players who bleached their en blond - all shades of blond (even Among them is civil engineer responded with a selfie taken under- were suspended from school. I think hair as a bonding ritual ahead of the burnt orange) are turning heads in a US Christian Rodriguez, who dyed his neath a car of him smiling with a they shouldn’t be doing that because it World Baseball Classic. territory where the majority of men beard Saturday after visiting four differ- bleached beard. just means that we have united our What began as a joke among team have thick, dark hair and are now get- ent pharmacies to find the product he Puerto Rico’s undefeated run to the nation. We didn’t think it was going to members playing in California has ting teased about looking like Ken dolls. needed. At first, he didn’t dye his hair as championship has boosted the spirit of be this huge, but we were able to spread across the island in a trend that Those who are bald have opted to dye well because he thought it would be an island mired in a decade-long reces- accomplish that.” spiked Tuesday just hours after Puerto their beards or goatees in a nod to too much at church on Sunday. But he sion that faces a rocky recovery amid Puerto Ricans are not the only ones Rico beat the Netherlands in 11 innings Puerto Rico coach Carlos Delgado. noticed six male churchgoers had dyed looming austerity measures for its gov- going blond. A large number of to reach the championship game unde- “We have been able to unite our their hair blond and decided to take the ernment. Even young students have Dominicans who lost bets to their feated in the tournament, which is held country with our blond hair,” said star plunge Tuesday, calling a hair stylist been sporting blond do’s, prompting Puerto Rican friends after their team every four years. Puerto Rico will play Carlos Correa, who hit a two-run homer friend to help him go platinum. public schools to suspend them until was defeated are declaring their soli- Wednesday night in the final against and scored the winning run against the Rodriguez complained of an intense the island’s education secretary darity to their fellow Caribbean natives the United States, which defeated Netherlands. “That’s what we want as burning sensation during the two-hour stepped in and said in a letter made by seeking hair dye as well, Rios said. Japan. “Ever since they began winning, players to unite our country, our peo- process and sent pictures to his wife, public Tuesday that they should be “A whole bunch of them have come this has not stopped,” said Myrna Rios, a ple, and give them the best.” who responded with the emoticon of a allowed to dye their hair during the through,” she said with a laugh. “This manager at a Sally Beauty Supply store Men ranging from news anchors to monkey with its eyes covered. tournament. “We wanted to do this to has united the island.” —AP

NY Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius out for six weeks

NEW YORK: New York Yankees shortstop Herrera had two hits and drove in two runs Didi Gregorius is expected to miss the first and Freddy Galvis homered. Minnesota month of the regular season after straining starter Kyle Gibson gave up one in five his right shoulder while away at the World innings. Baseball Classic. Yankees general manager Brian PIRATES 5, RAYS 4 Cashman said Tuesday that Gregorius is John Jaso and Jacob Stallings homered likely to be sidelined six weeks. Opening for Pittsburgh. Chad Kuhl gave up three day for the Yankees is April 2 at Tampa Bay. runs in five innings. Alex Cobb allowed Gregorius was hurt when he turned a dou- three runs and struck out five over 5 1/3 ble play for the Netherlands on Saturday in innings for Tampa Bay. Steven Souza Jr. and an exhibition game against Arizona in Patrick Leonard homered. preparation for the WBC semifinals. “It’s someone we’re going to miss,” man- BLUE JAYS 5, ORIOLES 2 ager Joe Girardi said before Tuesday’s game Aaron Sanchez walked four while giving against Boston in Tampa, Florida. “Guys are up one run over 3 1/3 innings for Toronto. going to have to step up.” The 27-year-old Ubaldo Jimenez gave up four runs on five Gregorius hit .276 with 20 home runs and hits and three walks in four innings. He has 70 RBIs last season. allowed 10 earned runs in 10 innings over The Yankees have backup shortstops his last three starts for Baltimore. Chris Ronald Torreyes and Ruben Tejada in camp, Davis hit his first homer of the spring. along with utilityman Tyler Wade and top prospect Gleyber Torres. Cashman said ANGELS 9, REDS 1 Torres won’t be in the mix at the start, and Angels starter J.C. Ramirez allowed one the prized youngster was reassigned to run on four hits and struck out six over five Double-A Trenton in minor league camp innings. Cincinnati starter Cody Reed threw LOS ANGELES: Norichika Aoki #7 of team Japan turns away from an inside pitch in the eighth inning against team United States during Game 2 Tuesday night. 5 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out five of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday in Los Angeles, California. — AFP Second baseman Starlin Castro will like- with one hit and two walks. ly get some time at shortstop over the final BASEBALL week and a half of spring training. GIANTS 5, PADRES 3 Madison Bumgarner pitched two score- BARRY’S BONDING less innings and struck out three for San Barry Bonds is returning to the San Francisco. Nick Hundley hit two homers Francisco Giants as a special adviser. The and drove in four runs. Hunter Pence went US hands Japan first home run champion was scheduled to help 0 for 2 and is hitting .118 this spring. San coach at spring training beginning Diego’s Trevor Cahill struck out seven over Wednesday in Scottsdale, Arizona. He will five innings, allowing one run on one hit. work with the minor league teams, too. loss to reach WBC final Bonds spent last season as Miami’s hit- DIAMONDBACKS 4, ROYALS 2 ting coach before being fired. He will Peter O’Brien hit his spring training- work with Giants chief executive Larry leading seventh homer and Jorge Soler LOS ANGELES: Adam Jones delivered the game- “It rained. It was the same for both teams.” who plays professionally for the New York Mets- Baer. “San Francisco has always been my also connected for Kansas City. Robbie Ray winning RBI in the eighth inning as the US top- “The team that makes mistakes will lose.” The US will toe the rubber for Puerto Rico. “I am looking home and the Giants will always be my gave up two runs on four hits over five pled Japan 2-1 Tuesday to reach their first World will go with pitching ace Marcus Stroman in forward to tomorrow,” said McCutchen. “It is a family,” Bonds said. innings while striking out six for Arizona. Baseball Classic final, where they will face unde- Wednesday’s final, while Seth Lugo-a 27-year-old first so I am just happy to be part of it.” — AFP Around the Grapefruit and Cactus Gregor Blanco and Nick Ahmed each feated Puerto Rico. Leagues: tripled and Chris Herrmann homered. The Americans made the final by knocking off a Japanese team accustomed to success, as CRICKET RED SOX 4, YANKEES 2 DODGERS 5, BREWERS 4 they had a perfect 6-0 record and were looking Chris Sale struck out 10 Yankees in six Matt Garza gave up six hits, struck out to win their third title in just four tournaments. innings, giving Boston’s new ace 20 strike- five and gave up one run in 3 2/3 innings. “It means a heck of a lot,” said outfielder Call for calm as India outs with just Manny Pina hit a three-run homer for Andrew McCutchen. “We got a group of guys on one walk in 16 innings this spring. He Milwaukee. Hyun-Jin Ryu threw four score- this team who have dedicated this time to be allowed four hits, including Matt Holliday’s less innings, giving up one hit and striking able to try and win. Sacrifices had to be made tour ‘toxicity’ grows fourth homer, a two-run shot that came in out two. He also hit an RBI single. Ryu, who and there are no egos when that door opens.” Sale’s last inning. Mike Miller hit his first has made just one major league start since “Everybody’s a superstar on this team. But some- NEW DELHI: A leading Indian commentator third Test in Ranchi as Australia batted out the homer and prospect Sam Travis added an Sept. 12, 2014, has allowed just five hits one’s going to have to hit seventh and someone’s has hit out at the “toxicity” blighting the series fifth day for a draw and allrounder Glenn RBI single off New York starter Bryan and one run in nine innings this spring. going to have to hit eighth.” The USA will need to against Australia, and called for both sides to Maxwell was accused of mocking Kohli’s Mitchell, who allowed seven hits and struck beat another undefeated team Wednesday to show restraint before the winner-takes-all final shoulder injury. Now the Daily Telegraph out seven in 4 1/3 innings. RANGERS 4, WHITE SOX 3 claim their first WBC title: Puerto Rico steam- Test begins Saturday. newspaper says Kohli is behaving like a bully Chicago announced a $25 million, six- rolled through the opposition in the first two Harsha Bhogle fears that the glorification of and accused the Indian cricket board and NATIONALS 3, BRAVES 1 year contract for Tim Anderson earlier in rounds, before eliminating the Netherlands 4-3 in aggressive on-field behaviour by media on match officials of letting him get away it. Gio Gonzalez gave up one run on three the day and the 23-year-old shortstop cele- 11 innings in the other semifinal on Monday. both sides and passions boiling over could “Kohli has become the Donald Trump of hits and one walk over 4 1/3 innings and After getting on the board first in the fourth on a brated with an RBI triple in his first at-bat. harm Test cricket’s reputation with the series world sport,” Ben Horne wrote in his column in has a 1.10 ERA this spring. Ryan rainy evening at Dodger Stadium, the US had to He scored on Jose Abreu’s sacrifice fly. on a knife-edge at 1-1. The latest barbs have the Daily Telegraph. Zimmerman went 2 for 4, extending his hit bide their time against a strong Japanese pitch- James Shields scattered three hits over six seen India skipper Virat Kohli dubbed “the “The Indian captain is a law unto himself streak to six games. He is hitting .625 over ing staff until Jones was able to give them the shutout innings for the White Sox and Donald Trump of sport” in one Australian with no one - not even the ICC or his own that stretch after going 0 for 17 in his first lead by scoring Brandon Crawford from third struck out six. Texas ace Cole Hamels newspaper and former Test bowler Geoff board - holding him accountable for his con- nine appearances. base. Crawford roared home when Japanese allowed two runs - one earned - and three Lawson accusing Kohli of acting like “your tinual perpetuation of fake news.” third baseman Nobuhiro Matsuda bobbled worst behaved player”. India’s newspapers Horne was referring to Kohli’s assertion, ASTROS 2, MARLINS 1 hits in four innings. He struck out five and Jones’ hot shot. By the time he regained posses- walked none. fired back with the Hindustan Times accusing without offering evidence, that Smith’s look Mike Fiers struck out five over four sion the only option left was to throw to first for Australian media of a relentless “hate cam- up to the dressing room for guidance in scoreless innings for Houston. Yuli Gurriel the single out. Japan’s lone run came off a 376- ATHLETICS 8, MARINERS 5 paign” throughout the series. “Friends in Bangalore over whether to review an lbw deci- and prospect Derek Fisher homered. Jose foot solo homer to right field by Ryosuke Kikuchi Australia tell me they are perturbed by the sion was not a one-off. Altuve, who hit .286 in seven games for Oakland tagged Seattle starter Chris which tied the game 1-1 in the sixth. Heston for seven hits, five of them doubles, toxicity this series has generated. Cricket The ICC brought Smith and Kohli together Venezuela at the World Baseball Classic, lovers in India saying so too,” Bhogle said on for a clear-the-air meeting after that Test, went 1 for 4 and is hitting .100 (2 for 20) and six runs in the third inning. Trevor SOGGY INFIELD Plouffe, Yonder Alonso and Bruce Maxwell Twitter. “If we have to use toxicity and divisive- where Smith claimed the incident was a “brain this spring. Wei-Yin Chen struck out six and Tuesday’s game was played for the most part ness to spread our game, we are using a short- fade”. And Lawson slated the Indian skipper walked none while allowing three hits and each finished with two hits and two RBIs for in a steady rain that made for a soggy infield and the A’s. Robinson Cano, one of four term approach that can only be harmful,” for not displaying enough maturity. two runs over five innings for Miami. cooler than normal southern California tempera- “As a leader and as a captain of a cricket Mariners to return from the WBC, had two added the veteran Indian TV cricket analyst. “I tures. Japan had won both the 2006 and 2009 am particularly perturbed by the fact that team where you’ve got lots of responsibilities, hits and three RBIs. Shawn O’Malley, com- PHILLIES 9, TWINS 5 tournaments and finished third in 2013. The some of us in the media are promoting this you’ve got to show more gravitas and respon- peting for a utility position, underwent an Aaron Altherr led off Philadelphia’s six- match-up showcased players from the USA’s divisiveness and taking sides to spread ill-will.” sibility than this. These sorts of actions are appendectomy Tuesday night. —AP run ninth inning with a homer. Odubel MLB against Japanese stars from the Nippon Tensions have been ramped up since Kohli those of your worst behaved player,” he told Professional League, as just one of the Japan stopped just short of accusing Australian cap- Fox Sports. Bhogle said it was time the media players, Norichika Aoki, plays in MLB. tain Steve Smith of cheating in the aftermath stopped fanning the flames before lasting Japanese starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano of the second Test in Bangalore, which India damage was done to Test cricket. was stellar striking out six, allowing just one run won to level the series at 1-1. “A lot of us entered this profession because and three hits in six innings of work. US starter we love sport and had the opportunity to Tanner Roark pitched four innings, allowed one RANCOUR INFLAMED talk/write about it. We didn’t enter to spread run on two hits and struck out just one batter. The rancour was inflamed in the drawn toxicity,” he tweeted. — AFP “Arm felt good, nice and loose,” said Roark. “The conditions on the mound started to get a little hairy. “If it rained even harder and we have a rain delay, you can’t control that. You’ve got to stay within yourself and stay focused.”

SOMETHING TO PROVE The US is without its best pitcher Clayton Kershaw, as well as MLB MVPs center fielder Mike Trout and third baseman Kris Bryant, who all decided to skip the tournament. Roark said the players that did commit to play felt they have something to prove. “It’s a chip, yes I guess you could say that,” he said. “But we just go out there and do our stuff and not let things get inside our heads.” McCutchen singled to left field to score the first run in the fourth inning. He drove in Christian Yelich, who reached second on a hit earlier in the inning. Both US runs came off misplayed ground balls by Japanese players but manager Hiroki RANCHI: This file photograph taken on March 20, 2017, shows Indian captain Virat Kohli Kokubo wasn’t blaming his players or the poor (R) as he adjusts the field during the fifth day of the third cricket Test match between weather. “Honestly, there were some mistakes India and Australia. — AFP Didi Gregorius and then a run was scored,” he said. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 SPORTS

E Timor revokes passports of nine Brazil-born players

KUALA LUMPUR: East Timor has able to register in any competition ments for 12 Brazil-born players. players had seen the tiny nation, with a born players following the complaint revoked the passports of nine Brazil- under East Timor, the AFC said. The forgery involved birth or bap- population of around 1.2 million peo- and suffered heavy losses in subse- born players on its national team fol- A further enquiry on the status of tismal certificates showing that one or ple, shoot up the rankings from the quent matches to UAE (8-0), Saudi lowing revelations they had submitted the passports of “a number of other both of the players’ parents were born football wilderness. Ranked 205 global- Arabia (10-0) and Palestine (7-0). falsified documents, Asia’s football gov- players” was also carried out, it said in East Timor, which made them eligible ly in 2011, the football minnows They started fielding Brazil-born erning body said yesterday. without saying what action had been to play for the country. jumped to their best ever ranking of players again in the Asian Cup qualifiers The Asian Football Confederation taken following the probe. Nine of the 12 players had partici- 170 in 2015. in June 2016 against Malaysia. (AFC) said it received information from AFC’s disciplinary committee in pated in 29 matches under the AFC and Palestine in October 2015 lodged a Days later, the AFC in conjunction East Timor’s justice ministry through January banned East Timor from the seven tournaments under the world complaint with FIFA after East Timor with FIFA opened an investigation into Dili’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur that the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after uncovering a football governing body FIFA between fielded seven Brazil-born players in a 1- the eligibility of certain footballers. passports have been declared “null and scandal in which the country’s football 2012 and 2016, according to the AFC. 1 draw, but no action was taken. East Timor has a current world ranking void”. The nine players will no longer be association submitted forged docu- The influx of naturalised Brazilian East Timor stopped fielding Brazil- of 194. — AFP Liverpool mourn ‘Boot Room’ great Moran LONDON: Liverpool greats past and pres- and four European Cups. ent paid tribute to former captain, coach He was twice called upon to become and caretaker manager Ronnie Moran on caretaker manager, following Dalglish’s res- Monday following his death aged 83. ignation in 1991 and then during Graeme “RIP Ronnie Moran,” former captain Souness’s recovery from major heart sur- Steven Gerrard wrote on Instagram. gery in 1992. A regular visitor to Anfield “Gave me some great advice over the and the club’s Melwood training ground, years. The reason our club has a he was diagnosed with vascular dementia fantastic history is because of people last year. “Liverpool Football Club is deeply like him. My thoughts are with his family at saddened by the passing of Ronnie Moran,” this sad time.” Moran spent his entire play- the club said in a statement. ing career at Liverpool between 1952 and “Ronnie is fondly remembered for his 49 1968, making 379 appearances, and served years of service to Liverpool, during which as a coach under managers including Bill time he represented the club with distinc- Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny tion as a player, coach, physio, reserve- Dalglish. Known as ‘Bugsy’, he had two team coach, assistant manager and care- spells as caretaker manager taker manager. during the early 1990s and “The thoughts of everyone had spent 49 years at the at Liverpool Football Club are club by the time he retired in with Ronnie’s wife Joyce, his 1998. children, family and many Ian Rush, Liverpool’s all- friends.” time leading scorer, tweeted: Former Liverpool manager “It’s a sad day in Football! RIP Roy Evans, who worked with Mr. Liverpool #RonnieMoran Moran for many years, said he you will be greatly missed!” was “one of the greats of Moran’s son, Paul, announced Liverpool”. on Twitter that he had died Current Liverpool captain on Monday following “a short Jordan Henderson wrote on illness”. Instagram: “The reason being Born locally in Crosby, Ronnie Moran captain of Liverpool Football Moran joined Liverpool on a Club is such a huge honour is part-time basis in 1949 and became an because legendary figures like Ronnie ever-present at left-back under Shankly, Moran held it before I did. “I know I speak winning two league titles and the FA Cup. for all of the current players when I say that Shankly then invited Moran to join we are all deeply saddened by Ronnie’s BUFFALO: Mark Streit #32 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a shot as Jack Eichel #15 of the Buffalo Sabres defends during the third period at the Liverpool’s coaching staff and he became a passing. KeyBank Center on Tuesday in Buffalo, New York. The Penguins beat the Sabres 3-1. — AFP member of the fabled Anfield Boot Room, “The greatest tribute we can pay to him the name given to the club’s coaching unit. is to give everything we’ve got for His time on the back-room staff coincid- Liverpool Football Club just as he did each NHL ed with the greatest period in the club’s and every single day during the 49 years he history as Liverpool won 11 league titles spent here.”— AFP ‘Toothless’ Crosby leads China seek to lift fading campaign against S Korea Penguins into playoffs NEW YORK: Nick Bonino scored with 5:29 remaining to CHANGSHA: China coach Marcello Lippi Syria (five points), who are forced to play lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-1 win over the has sought to bolster player confidence their home games in Malaysia due to the NHL results/standings Buffalo Sabres. Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary also ahead of a do-or-die World Cup qualifying security situation in their country, will host scored for Pittsburgh, which clinched a playoff berth clash with South Korea today as the Italian a third-placed Uzbekistan side (nine points) Winnipeg 3, Philadelphia 2; Detroit 2, Montreal 1 (OT); Arizona 5, Tampa Bay 3; Carolina 4, Florida 3; Ottawa 3, Boston for the 11th consecutive season. Matt Murray made 29 attempts to encourage his squad to display poised to capitalise on any errors by the 2; Pittsburgh 3, Buffalo 1; New Jersey 4, NY Rangers 2 (OT); Washington 4, Calgary 2. saves. Sam Reinhart scored for Buffalo. Robin Lehner more self-belief. two teams above them. made 31 saves and was terrific throughout. Lehner Western Conference Ottawa 40 24 8 191 187 88 China have picked up just two points in In Group B, the United Arab Emirates stopped three breakaways in the first two periods. Central Division Boston 38 29 6 209 195 82 five games to sit bottom of Group A in AFC will seek to complete home-and-away wins WLOTLGFGAPTS Toronto 33 23 15 216 210 81 third round qualifying and defeat against over five-time World Cup qualifiers Japan in Chicago 47 20 6 222 183 100 CAPITALS 4, FLAMES 2 Tampa Bay 34 29 9 197 202 77 Uli Stielike’s side in Changsha’s Helong Al Ain as coach Mahdi Ali attempts to keep Minnesota 44 22 6 235 180 94 T.J. Oshie scored his 30th goal of the season as Florida 31 30 11 183 208 73 Stadium would all but end any hope of a his country’s quest for a second appear- St. Louis 39 28 5 201 195 83 Washington used a second-period shooting barrage Nashville 36 25 11 212 202 83 Buffalo 30 32 12 183 214 72 top-three spot for Lippi’s side. ance at the finals on track. to wear down streaking Calgary, ending Brian Winnipeg 33 33 7 220 232 73 Detroit 29 32 11 180 213 69 “Tomorrow’s game is the most impor- The UAE won their opening game of the Elliott’s winning run at 11 straight. Alexander Dallas 29 33 10 196 233 68 Metropolitan Division tant and our mentality is crucial,” the 68- third phase of qualifying against Japan in Colorado 20 49 3 140 238 43 Ovechkin, Kevin Shattenkirk and Evgeny Kuznetsov Washington 47 17 8 232 161 102 year-old former Guangzhou Evergrande Saitama last year but Ali stressed that result Pacific Division also scored for the Capitals. Troy Brouwer and Sean Pittsburgh 46 17 9 252 199 101 coach, who took over the job after Gao counted for nothing against Vahid San Jose 42 24 7 198 169 91 Monahan scored for the Flames. Senators 3, Bruins 2 Columbus 47 18 6 228 164 100 Hongbo stepped down in October, told Halilhodzic’s side, who will be without Edmonton 39 24 9 209 186 87 Craig Anderson made 34 saves and Kyle Turris Anaheim 38 23 11 186 178 87 NY Rangers 45 24 4 233 193 94 reporters. “I have repeated that very often injured captain Makoto Hasebe. scored his second goal of the game 4:04 into the Calgary 41 28 4 203 197 86 NY Islanders 33 26 12 210 218 78 to the players since day one and they have “Football doesn’t believe in history... third period, allowing Ottawa to end a four-game Los Angeles 34 31 7 175 181 75 Carolina 31 27 13 186 206 75 to forget about all the pressure and fear. what happened in the previous game is in Vancouver 29 34 9 166 211 67 losing streak with an important victory over Boston. Philadelphia 33 31 8 188 216 74 “They are defending the honour of 1.4 the past,” he said. “Football knows only one Arizona 27 37 9 178 233 63 Tom Pyatt also scored for the Senators. David Krejci New Jersey 27 33 12 168 211 66 billion Chinese people. Once they put on language: how prepared you are, how Eastern Conference and Torey Krug scored for the Bruins, who got both Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the the jersey, they have to give their best. We strong you are on the pitch, how much Atlantic Division goals on the power play. Montreal 41 23 9 200 182 91 standings and are not included in the loss column (L) are worse than no one in Asia as long as effort you give in the game. they play at their true level.” “And I think we always play our football, DEVILS 3, RANGERS 2 (OT) China, who have struggled for goals, are always try to work hard, whether in training game losing skid. Martin Hanzal and Charlie Coyle scored twice as the Blackhawks erased a three-goal Joe Blandisi scored with 54.6 seconds remaining eight points behind second-placed South or on the pitch. And that makes the differ- just 15 seconds apart. Matt Dumba also scored, and deficit in the third period. Marian Hossa and Richard in overtime to give New Jersey a victory over New Korea and nine adrift of leaders Iran as the ence in the team.” Devan Dubnyk had 21 saves for the Wild. David Panik also scored for the Blackhawks. York at Prudential Center. John Quenneville collect- top two teams advance to next year’s finals Just two points cover the top four teams Schlemko and Patrick Marleau had second-period ed his first NHL goal and Taylor Hall also scored for in Russia with a playoff spot available for in the group, with the UAE in fourth on goals, and Martin Jones had 24 saves, but the Sharks BLUES 4, AVALANCHE 2 the Devils. Cory Schneider made 38 saves. Oscar the third-place finishers. nine points from their five games, just a lost to the Wild for the second time this month and Magnus Paajarvi scored the tie-breaking goal Lindberg and Rick Nash scored for the Rangers. point behind leaders Saudi Arabia, who the third time this season. early in the third period, Jordan Schwartz added to ONE LANGUAGE take on last-placed Thailand (one point). the lead later in the frame and St Louis stayed hot COYOTES 5, LIGHTNING 3 “If we want to keep our dream of quali- The Japanese are in second, level on 10 CANUCKS 5, BLACKHAWKS 4 (OT) with a win over Colorado. Patrik Berglund scored Tampa Bay lost its third straight as it struggles to fying for the next year’s World Cup alive, we points with the Saudis, while Australia Brandon Sutter scored a pair of goals in regula- twice and Jake Allen had 26 saves for the Blues, who stay in the wild-card mix, falling to Arizona. Radim have to win three points tomorrow and my occupy third, also on nine points. tion and Daniel Sedin scored with 2:48 to go in over- have won eight of their last nine. John Mitchell had a Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored in the third players and I both know that,” added Lippi, Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos will be time to lift Vancouver over Chicago. Henrik Sedin goal and an assist, Mark Barberio also scored and period, while Connor Murphy, Christian Fischer and who led Italy to World Cup glory in 2006. aiming to maintain their drive for a fourth and Reid Boucher also scored as the Canucks Calvin Pickard finished with 25 saves for the Christian Dvorak also scored for the Coyotes, who Iran travel to Doha to take on 2022 consecutive World Cup appearance when snapped a six-game winless streak. Ryan Hartman Avalanche. — Reuters ended a three-game losing streak. Victor Hedman, World Cup hosts Qatar (four points), who they play Iraq (three points) in Tehran, Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov scored are in fifth place, with Carlos Queiroz’s side where the Iraqis have been forced to play for the Lightning. aiming to maintain their unbeaten run in their home games due to security con- the campaign. cerns. — Reuters HURRICANES 4, PANTHERS 3 Shirley Cruz: Costa Rican Jeff Skinner scored the go-ahead goal, his second of the game, with 3:55 left in the third period as dynamo and PSG star Carolina defeated Florida at the BB&T Center. Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho also scored for the PARIS: Costa Rican Shirley Cruz never thought That heart belongs to Costa Rica, where she Hurricanes. The Panthers got goals from Aleksander she would earn a living from football. But learned to play the game and which she hopes Barkov, Reilly Smith and Keith Yandle. today she will lead out Paris Saint-Germain for to represent in the 2019 World Cup hosted by their Champions League quarter-final against her adopted country France. RED WINGS 2, CANADIENS 1 (OT) Bayern Munich. “In Costa Rica football is just a She arrived in France alone, aged 20, after Anthony Mantha scored the game-winner with way of getting an education,” she told AFP in scouts recruited her and offered her a contract less than a minute to go in overtime to lift Detroit the French capital, where PSG fans are haunt- to play for Lyon, France’s most successful over Montreal at the Bell Centre. Justin Abdelkader ed by the 6-1 humiliation of the men’s side at women’s team. “It was hard. The Latino her- scored in regulation for the Red Wings. Artturi Barcelona in the Champions League earlier itage means we are family-orientated,” she Lehkonen replied for the Canadiens. Jimmy Howard this month. “What happens is you go to the said. But there was no looking back, and no stopped 35 shots for Detroit while Al Montoya made United States, attend college for four years (on regrets. “I grew as a person and as a player,” she 34 saves for the Canadiens. a sports scholarship), so you can get yourself a said. The football scout who brought her to decent career at the end of it all. Lyon had spotted her at a youth tournament in JETS 3, FLYERS 2 “I never thought I would end up being paid Canada and opened her eyes to opportunities Michael Hutchinson stopped 24 shots as to play the game.” Cruz, 31, a national hero in Europe. “Until that moment I didn’t know Winnipeg edged Philadelphia. Mark Scheifele and back home whose face adorns a postage professional football existed,” she said. Blake Wheeler each had a goal and two assists, while stamp, is small and slight and looks anything Born in the capital San Jose in a poor part Mathieu Perreault had a goal and an assist for the but the midfield dynamo she is for club and of town, Cruz found herself transplanted to Jets. Jordan Weal and Matt Read scored for the country. Lyon in 2006, joining a club embarking on the Flyers, and Steve Mason made 30 saves. But it is what’s inside you that counts, she path that would lead them to dominate says. “I have got the heart of a sports person women’s football in Europe. It was a good WILD 3, SHARKS 2 match and before long the midfielder was the CHANGSHA: South Korean players train during a practice session ahead of a World and you have to to get to this level,” she said, Two Wild goals within seconds of each other fulcrum of the team that won the Champions Cup football qualifying match between China and South Korea in Changsha, China’s adding with a grin in respect of her muscular snapped a second-period 1-1 tie and helped physique: “Look at my legs, you can see.” League in 2011 and 2012.—AFP central Hunan province on Tuesday. — AFP Minnesota beat San Jose to end a season-worst five- S Korea’s Olympic US hands Japan ringers sing their first loss to way onto the team reach WBC final

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 162017 17

Liverpool mourn ‘Boot Room’ great Moran Page 18

TORONTO: Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) shoots as Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) and Bulls forward Paul Zipser (16) defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Tuesday. — AP

BASKETBALL DeRozan’s 42 points helps Raptors gore Bulls

TORONTO: DeMar DeRozan had 42 points, and and T.J. Warren scored 12 for the Suns. NETS 98, PISTONS 96 the Toronto Raptors ended an 11-game losing Brook Lopez made a jumper as time expired NBA results/standings streak against the Chicago Bulls by rallying for a WARRIORS 112, MAVERICKS 97 to give Brooklyn the win. The Pistons, fighting for wild 122-120 overtime win on Tuesday. DeRozan Klay Thompson had 23 points with five 3- a playoff spot, wiped out a double-digit deficit in shot 17 of 38 from the floor and also collected the fourth quarter to tie it at 96 on Tobias Harris’ San Antonio 100, Minnesota 93; Golden State 112, Dallas 87; New Orleans 95, Memphis 82; Brooklyn 98, Detroit 96; Miami pointers and Golden State earned its 28th road 112, Phoenix 97; Toronto 122, Chicago 120 (OT). eight assists. Cory Joseph had 19 points for the win this season, beating Dallas in a matchup of follow shot with 2.4 seconds left. Lopez then Raptors, and Serge Ibaka scored 16 before he was the Curry brothers. Stephen Curry, two-time MVP took the inbounds pass moving left, dribbled Eastern Conference Western Conference ejected for his role in a memorable fight with and the older of the brothers, had 17 points and toward the baseline and shot the jumper as it Atlantic Division Northwest Division Robin Lopez during the third quarter. Jimmy nine assists for the defending NBA champion appeared he might lose control of the ball, mak- WL PCTGB Utah 43 28 .606 - Butler had 37 points for the Bulls, and Rajon Warriors. The Warriors, who have a league-high ing the shot to cap a 29-point night. Harris had Boston 45 26 .634 - Oklahoma City 40 30 .571 2.5 Rondo finished with 24. It was Chicago’s first loss 57 wins overall this season, are the first team 24 points for the Pistons, who dropped a game Toronto 42 29 .592 3 Denver 33 37 .471 9.5 to Toronto since Dec 31, 2013. Following a Butler ever with 28 road wins in three consecutive sea- back of Miami for the eighth and final playoff NY Knicks 27 43 .386 17.5 Portland 32 38 .457 10.5 3-pointer with 3:58 remaining in the third quarter, spot in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia 26 44 .371 18.5 Minnesota 28 42 .400 14.5 sons. They have a record 90 wins away from Brooklyn 14 56 .200 30.5 giving Chicago a 16-point lead, Lopez swatted Pacific Division home during that span. Seth Curry, who was Central Division Golden State 57 14 .803 - the ball out of the hand of Ibaka. The two squared undrafted in 2013 and just this year became a BUCKS 93, TRAIL BLAZERS 90 Cleveland 46 23 .667 - up in the middle of a crowd and Lopez swung starter with the Mavericks, had 10 points on 4-of- Khris Middleton scored 26 points, and Indiana 36 34 .514 10.5 LA Clippers 43 29 .597 14.5 Sacramento 27 43 .386 29.5 and missed Ibaka, who returned in kind, barely 12 shooting. He is now 0-6 in NBA games against Milwaukee held off Portland for the victory. Milwaukee 35 35 .500 11.5 Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 points for the Phoenix 22 49 .310 35 connecting with the head of the center. Lopez his brother, half of those losses coming as Detroit 34 37 .479 13 and Ibaka were ejected following a long review Bucks (35-35), who have won nine of 11 as they Chicago 33 38 .465 14 LA Lakers 20 51 .282 37 Golden State swept the season series. period. Chicago forward Nikola Mirotic and jostle for playoff positon in the Eastern Southeast Division Southwest Division Raptors assistant coach Jamaal Magloire received Conference. They are a half-game ahead of Washington 42 28 .600 - San Antonio 54 16 .771 - SPURS 100, TIMBERWOLVES 93 offsetting technical fouls after getting into a Miami for the seventh spot. Portland (32-38) had Atlanta 37 33 .529 5 Houston 49 22 .690 5.5 shoving match following the melee. Kawhi Leonard scored 20 of his 22 points in won three in a row and eight of 10. It dropped to Miami 35 36 .493 7.5 Memphis 40 31 .563 14.5 the second half, helping San Antonio to the road Charlotte 31 39 .443 11 Dallas 30 40 .429 24 a full game back of idle Denver for the final post- Orlando 26 45 .366 16.5 HEAT 112, SUNS 97 win. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26 points for the season berth in the West. New Orleans 30 41 .423 24.5 Hassan Whiteside had 23 points and 14 Spurs, who remained three games behind rebounds before leaving late with a cut on his Golden State for the top seed in the Western PELICANS 95, GRIZZLIES 82 crowd-pleasing alley-oop dunk. Davis added 19 young son on the bench. The Clippers have won right hand, and the Heat cruised to the win. Conference. San Antonio scored 35 points off of DeMarcus Cousins enjoyed his most prolific points and 13 rebounds for the Pelicans, who 17 of the last 19 meetings against the Lakers. They Tyler Johnson scored 17 for Miami (35-36), 23 turnovers by Minnesota and held off a fourth- performance yet with New Orleans, finishing with won for the fifth time in six games while snap- cruised in this one, and the younger Chris Paul got which had seven players in double figures. quarter rally from the Wolves. Karl-Anthony 41 points and 17 rebounds. Cousins hit five 3- ping Memphis’ four-game winning streak. Mike to sit on his dad’s lap on the bench during the Goran Dragic scored 16, Josh Richardson had 14 Towns had 25 points and 14 rebounds for the pointers, tying a career high. He made five shots Conley 16 scored points for Memphis, while fourth quarter. Eight Clippers scored in double fig- and Willie Reed added 12. Marquese Chriss Timberwolves, who have lost four straight games inside while being fouled for three-point plays JaMychal Green and Troy Daniels each scored 12. ures, including J.J. Redick with 24 points and scored 24 for Phoenix (22-49), which lost its fifth to fade from playoff contention in the West. and had the jubilant home crowd chanting his Austin Rivers with 17. The Clippers hit 15 of 33 3- straight and used only an eight-player rotation Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points and Shabazz nickname, “Boogie.” Cousins, who was acquired in CLIPPERS 133, LAKERS 109 pointers, and their starters sat out the entire fourth until the final minutes. Leandro Barbosa scored Muhammad scored 16 of his 18 points in the sec- a February trade with Sacramento, also blocked Clippers star Chris Paul scored 27 points quarter for the second consecutive game. Brandon 13, Alex Len had 12 points and 11 rebounds, ond quarter for Minnesota. three shots and assisted on Anthony Davis’ before watching the end of a blowout with his Ingram led the Lakers with 21 points. —AP UEFA considers squad limits, transfer market changes

LISBON: UEFA will consider introducing squad limits er hoarding and excessive concentration of talent However, he did not offer any concrete proposals and changes to the transfer system to prevent within a few teams,” said Ceferin. as to how this could be done, saying instead that European teams hoarding players and stem the grow- “We do need to assess whether the transfer mar- UEFA needed to “assess and understand the current ing gap between rich and poor clubs, its president ket as it operates today is the best we can do? We situation and some potential trends. Aleksander Ceferin said yesterday. cannot be afraid to touch it.” Ceferin did not give any “UEFA has a duty to protect the whole of football The Slovenian lawyer, elected as the head of further details on what he meant by luxury taxes, but and not just the elite and not just within our com- European soccer’s governing body last September, added that UEFA could work with global soccer body petitions,” he added. A month before Ceferin’s elec- told a conference in Lisbon that UEFA needed to FIFA to change the transfer market or do so via its tion, UEFA announced changes to its flagship address a “decrease in competitive balance” within own licensing regulations. Champions League competition, giving more European club football. places to teams from Europe’s biggest four leagues- The last few years have seen the increasing domi- ENTIRE PYRAMID Spain, England, Germany and Italy - and cutting nance of a few elite clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona Referring to the difference between the biggest those allocated to the rest. and Bayern Munich. Europe’s smaller leagues com- clubs and the rest, he said: “We cannot allow the He did not specifically refer to this in his speech, plain that big teams cream off their players at a young greatness of some to overshadow and drown out the though Ceferin has previously said he would not age, only to immediately send them on loan else- least of us. “If we allow gaps to become too great we attempt to reverse the changes which will apply to where, while the likes of Ajax Amsterdam and Benfica, will be neglecting those who have little opportunity. the 2018-21 cycle. He added that UEFA would set up SHANGHAI: Bayern Munich’s chief executive officer Karl Heinz Rummenigge cuts the rib- once major powers, have effectively become feeder “We face a threat that the bottom becomes unsta- a new division entitled “Protection of the Game” to bon during the officially opening ceremony of Bayern’s first China office in Shanghai on clubs. “We do have to examine new mechanisms like ble because the rest of the world is focused on the tackle doping, corruption violence and match-fixing. Tuesday. Germany’s Bayern Munich becomes the first Bundesliga club to open an office in luxury taxes and in particular sporting criteria like top and our policies must reflect the stance that we “UEFA will soon have an “army” of people to fight Shanghai. — AFP squad limitations and fair transfer rules, to avoid play- value the entire pyramid.” this,” he said. — Reuters

India tries to fix new Iran trade payments Page 22

‘Drinks and women’ Business threatens Euro chief THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Page 23 Farm heartland lobbies to steer Trump from trade war Children fueling Myanmar’s economic boom Page 25 Page 23

LONDON: Chef Mohammed Faizul Haque uses lemon juice to make flames as he demonstrates how to give a smokey flavour to dishes such as Kuchi Chilli Chicken at the Taste of India curry restaurant. — AP photos Naan starter: Restaurants feel betrayed by Brexit Indian eateries in UK rapidly losing staff, closing down

LONDON: Mohammed-Faizul Haque makes it all where chicken tikka masala is as much the The hospitality industry is particularly wor- May has taken a tough stance on immigration far refused to relax the rules for migrants from look so easy. To a pan full of sizzling chicken he national dish as fish and chips. In addition to a ried. An analysis from the Oxford Migration after anger about high arrival numbers fueled non-EU countries. adds a ladle of orangey base sauce and then chef shortage, Britain’s 12,000 curry restaurants Observatory shows some 89,000 people from last year’s vote to leave the EU. While exiting the “Leaving the European Union allows Britain to lemon, sending flames shooting up. He reaches are struggling with competition from prepared many of the EU’s new entrant countries in the bloc will allow Britain to eventually limit take control of our immigration system,” the to a line of vessels for pinches of cumin, corian- supermarket meals, high delivery costs, and ris- east are working in food and beverage services. European immigration, the government has so Home office said in a statement. “We are working der, salt, chili and garlic, the feel of the ingredi- ing food prices from a lower pound. across government to identify and develop ents between his fingers as his only measure. Though casually called Indian food, most cur- options to shape our future system to ensure the After the demonstration, he sends a plate of Balti ry houses are run by Bangladeshi immigrants best possible outcome for the British people.” The kuchi chili chicken upstairs to the dining room at and their offspring who fused South Asian fla- rules now require migrants from outside the EU the Taste of India in London. Haque’s deft touch vors with British tastes to create a new cuisine to have a job paying some 35,000 pounds isn’t easy to replicate - and that’s a problem for worth an estimated 4.5 billion pounds ($5.6 bil- ($43,600) a year- more than many nurses make in Britain’s curry houses, which are shutting down lion) to the economy annually. Britain. Curry houses, which mostly sell food at at a rate of two a week, in part because there For example, the humble papadum isn’t tradi- reasonable prices, can’t meet that standard. aren’t enough chefs and kitchen staff. tionally served as a starter, said Enam Ali, owner Curry restaurant owners, who as an industry of Le Raj in Epsom. It became an appetizer when Trouble communicating backed the campaign to leave the European restaurants tried to accommodate Britons accus- The curry owners have in recent years filled Union after assurances it would lead to more tomed to being served bread when they sat the gap by hiring Eastern Europeans, particularly visas for South Asian cooks, feel betrayed. They’re down. The onion bhaji was adapted from onion Poles and Romanians. Between 5,000 and 6,000 angry that they helped deliver the vote to Leave rings. What is at stake, Ali says, is not the heritage curry house workers are East Europeans out of a only to have the government fail to deliver on of Bangladesh, but the heritage of Britain. “I’ve total 150,000. These workers sometimes have promises to help save their industry. Rather than given my life in the curry industry and I can see had trouble communicating with chefs, who easing the shortage, Brexit is likely to make the with my own eyes that it is disappearing,” Ali said. found themselves learning the Romanian words situation worse by cutting off the flow of East “I really feel the government should intervene for green pepper and onion. And many of the European workers who have increasingly filled before it is too late.” workers had never even seen a curry, unlike earli- the gaps in recent years. The unease of the curry houses is replicated er migrants from South Asia who often aspired “What’s happening since Brexit is even more in ways large and small across Britain, as Prime to open curry houses of their own. restaurants are closing; we can’t get people from Minister Theresa May prepares to start the legal But the Eastern Europeans didn’t balk at long anywhere,” said Oli Khan, the senior vice presi- process of leaving the EU next week. High-tech hours chopping vegetables and washing dishes. dent of the Bangladesh Caterers Association UK companies in search of engineers, farmers in Take Aga Pozniak, a qualified teacher form Lodz and a celebrity chef. “Curry houses are in danger.” need of fruit pickers and builders looking for LONDON: Polish engaged couple Pawel Bednarek, a builder, and Aga Pozniak, who teach- in central Poland. Though she now serves cus- Brexit is just the latest problem to hit the construction workers have all raised concerns es training courses for adults, pose for photographs outside where they work part-time to tomers in front of house at Taste of India, she South Asian restaurant industry in a country about possible staff shortages. supplement their incomes, at the Taste of India curry restaurant. started out as a kitchen assistant. — AFP Saudi king’s Asia tour trumpets Women-only pink taxis Aramco’s moves downstream to hit Pakistani streets LAHORE: Women in Pakistan’s commercial hub transportation one of the main obstacles, accord- Karachi are set to ride taxis driven by women in an ing to a study by the International Labour SINGAPORE: Saudi King Salman’s lavish Russia and, more recently, US shale drillers, Aramco’s competitive position in Southeast initiative to protect female customers from the Organisation. tour of Asia, arriving in each country on a have ramped up output and eroded its grip Asia,” said Ihsan Buhulaiga, a Saudi econo- sexual harassment they commonly face when Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, minister for transport golden escalator with 400 tons of luggage, on market share. One indication of a shift in mist. The Malaysian investment also allows travelling around the teeming city. From today, in Sindh province where Karachi is located, had a hardnosed marketing mission - to Saudi strategy came on the first leg of the the Saudis to join the hub of refineries in women will be able to call the cab service- called acknowledged that women faced hostility and cement the kingdom’s place as leading oil tour in Kuala Lumpur. Aramco signed a deal and around Singapore that help determine Pink Taxi-by phone, a mobile app, SMS or simply harassment when using public transport. “Having supplier to the world’s biggest consumer to take a $7 billion investment, in a joint fuel prices in the region. by hailing one on the street, said Ambreen Sheikh, a mode of public transport catering to them alone region. The string of deals inked on his venture with Malaysia’s state oil company Price agency S&P Global Platts assesses who is launching the service with her husband can solve many of their transport issues,” he said three-week tour to Malaysia, Indonesia, Petronas in a refinery and petrochemical dozens of fuel products during a set time Zahid Sheikh. on Pakistani television. But Zebunnisa Burki, a Karachi-based journalist, said many women in the Japan and China also point to a fresh strate- project known as RAPID (Refinery and every day, based on deliveries in and out of “Our pilots (drivers) wear a pink scarf and black coat as their uniform. They include housewives, city cannot afford to take taxis. gy, one to increase Saudi leverage over Petrochemical Integrated Development). this region. Platts calls it Market-on-Close, but young women and students,” Sheikh told the “Women-focused transport initiatives are refined product and petrochemical markets, traders dub it “the window”, and it influences Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone after the important in that they serve a growing demo- known as the downstream sector. ‘The window’ pricing of oil products worth billions of dol- soft launch of the service. Commuting in the swel- graphic of mobile women,” she said by email. “I do “Our strategy is about growth in the Under construction in Malaysia’s south- lars each day. While crude and fuel products tering city of 20 million is often an ordeal for feel, though, that such ventures will still not cater downstream,” said Amin Nasser, chief execu- ern Johor state, RAPID is just across a narrow by many companies flow in and out of the women. A report by Karachi’s Urban Resource to a large number of working women who go out tive officer of state oil company Aramco, told strait from Singapore, Asia’s oil trading hub. pricing region, known as FOB Straits. But the Center found most female commuters experience to work daily ... since such women will not be able Reuters on Sunday. “The growth in that sec- Some 70 percent of the oil for the project, only refineries now in this price region are some form of sexual harassment while using pub- to afford relatively pricey fares in these private tor is very important, and anything integrat- set to start in 2019, will come from Saudi operated by US Exxon, Anglo-Dutch Royal lic transport. cabs.” Sheikh said the Pink Taxi service would be ed between refining, petrochemical, with Arabia, giving the kingdom a key outlet for Dutch Shell, and Singapore Petroleum Corp extended to the cities of Lahore and Islamabad in marketing and distribution, is of interest to its crude in Asia, the world’s fastest growing (SPC), owned by PetroChina. ‘Think thrice’ the next three to four months, followed by other us.” Saudi Arabia’s main influence on oil market. It is one of Aramco’s largest new “When you control refining capacity Noor Jehan, a newly recruited Pink Taxi driver, parts of the country. That would be welcomed by markets has been via the Organization of refinery projects outside the kingdom. with the capability to deliver petroleum first worked as a maid and then as a driver for her Kainat Chaudhry, a content writer with an IT firm the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Aramco also recently made a deal with products into the window, you have access female employer. She said there was a need for in Lahore who uses auto rickshaws or taxis to get of which it is the de-facto leader. Indonesia’s Pertamina over a $5 billion to a physical outlet which also plays a key such a service as most women “think thrice” to work. “A woman cannot sit in a taxi driven by a But OPEC’s ability to control prices by expansion of the country’s largest oil refin- role in daily price discovery,” said John before getting in a vehicle driven by a man. The male driver and start a casual conversation with- majority of women in conservative Pakistan do out the fear of it being mistaken for some sort of turning the oil pumping spigots on and off ery, for which Aramco will supply the crude. Driscoll, director of consultancy JTD Energy not participate in the workforce, with a lack of safe inclination towards him,” she said. — Reuters has waned as non-OPEC producers like “The investments are intended to enhance in Singapore. — Reuters THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 BUSINESS India tries to fix new Iran trade payments Trump denouncing agreement between Iran and major powers

NEW DELHI: India is exploring setting up a new which Iran prefers because the currency is readi- removed some U.S. measures remain, and that, payments mechanism for trade with Iran, after ly convertible - they have not given the all-clear along with the hard line promised by the new its old sanctions workaround broke down, as for trade in the opposite direction to be settled administration in Washington, has left the coun- state banks remain fearful of handling payments in other currencies, leaving exporters stuck. try still largely shut out of the global financial from Tehran in case the United States imposes a “We are working on a mechanism through system as banks steer clear of its business. fresh financial embargo. euros and looking for a common correspon- As tensions grow, New Delhi and Tehran are US President Donald Trump has denounced dent bank in Europe to act as an intermediary considering reverting to the old rupee mecha- an agreement between Iran and major powers for India and Iran,” said R.K. Takkar, chairman of nism that was viewed as a safe bet because UCO on its nuclear program as a bad deal, and his UCO Bank. “The euro payment system has not has no U.S. exposure that could lead it to fall foul administration has put Tehran “on notice” after yet crystallised,” he said, adding the govern- of any new sanctions. Iran has agreed in princi- BERLIN: German Interior minister Thomas de Maiziere and German Economy the test-firing of a ballistic missile. Under previ- ment was working to find a solution. The ple to accept some oil payments in rupees to and Energy Minister Brigitte Zypries talk as they arrive for the weekly cabi- ous Western sanctions, India had devised a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said some Iranian fund imports from India worth an estimated $2.5 billion a year, a senior commerce ministry official net meeting at the Chancellery yesterday. —AFP told Reuters. No timeline has been fixed as yet to imple- ment the new mechanism, however, as both German wages rise for third sides await the outcome of Iran’s presidential election in May and seek clarity on the Trump year in a row in 2016: Data administration’s approach towards Tehran, he said. The payment woes have hit the revenues of FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German workers year, employees with below-average Indian exporters as they struggle to complete enjoyed a strong increase in wages for the monthly earnings received above-average deals struck when the rupee account was flush third year in a row in 2016, official data nominal increases,” Destatis commented. with funds. Several containers from India are showed yesterday, in news likely to be wel- Untrained workers, the “marginally held up at Iranian ports, exporters said. “Our comed by the European Central Bank. Real employed” earning less than 450 euros clients are threatening to cancel orders and pro- wage growth stood at 1.8 percent last year, ($486) per month, and employees in the cure from China,” said Jayanti Goela at Gas Lab the federal statistics authority Destatis said hospitality sector saw their wages rise Asia, a Delhi-based exporter that had won an in a statement, confirming preliminary faster than other groups. order to supply gas storage tanks to Tehran. results released in February. Growing wages in Europe’s largest econ- India’s major exports to Iran include food, chemi- That was slower than the record 2.4 per- omy will be welcome news for the ECB. cals, engineering products, garments and drugs. cent increase recorded in 2015 and the 1.9 Paying workers more should boost con- percent rise the year before. To give a sumer spending, powering the eurozone Chabahar port clearer picture of the development in economy and driving inflation towards the The reticence of Indian banks with US expo- workers’ purchasing power, the statisti- ECB’s target of just below 2.0 percent, mon- sure has also slowed work on the Iranian port of cians calculate the real wage growth figure etary policymakers believe. Higher salaries Chabahar and a $1.6 billion rail link backed by by subtracting inflation-at 0.5 percent over are “the linchpin of a self-sustained New Delhi that would bypass arch-rival Pakistan the whole year-from the nominal increase increase in inflation,” ECB President Mario and counter China’s growing influence in the in salaries of 2.3 percent. Draghi told journalists at a press confer- region. One official involved in the Chabahar Rising inflation towards the end of the ence in early March. Economic growth in project said contractors, concerned about get- year meant that real wage growth slowed Germany has become increasingly depend- TEHRAN: A handout picture released on March 20, 2017 by the office of Iranian ting paid, were now reluctant to supply equip- in the fourth quarter to just 1.1 percent, ent on consumption at home, even as the President Hassan Rouhani shows him addressing the nation on the occasion of ment and materials for the Arabian Sea port after a peak of 2.7 percent between country’s traditionally strong export sector Nowruz, the Persian New Year. —AFP whose completion is planned for 2018. January and March. “As in the previous remains in robust health. —AFP “If Trump imposes more sanctions on Iran, we barter-like scheme acceptable to Washington banks had applied to open branches in India, may have to wind up most of our plans,” the offi- that allowed it to make some oil payments to but gave no indication when it might approve cial said. Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told Tehran in rupees through a small state bank, settlement of trade with Iran in currencies oth- parliament recently that Iran had yet to ratify a UCO Bank. er than the rupee. trilateral pact to set up the transit corridor to Indian companies were then able to receive Afghanistan that was signed on a visit last year payments for goods exported to Iran using the Tensions grow by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. oil money held in non-convertible rupee bal- “Due to the geopolitical situation around “The government is still in a wait-and-watch ances at UCO, maintaining a trade lifeline Iran, and international sanctions-related meas- mode and closely monitoring Trump’s between two countries with long historical ties. ures, correspondent banking relationships are approach towards Iran,” said a senior official But since sanctions were partly lifted early last difficult,” the central bank said in a written reply who joined Modi on his trip to Iran. India, Iran’s year the rupee account has been run down by to questions submitted by Reuters. “The Reserve top oil client after China, boosted exports to more than 90 percent to just 20 billion rupees Bank has facilitated payment for Indian Tehran during sanctions as Western nations ($305 million) because Indian refiners have exporters by permitting special arrangements boycotted it. Yet India has lost out since the resumed paying for Iranian oil in euros. for rupee-based settlements.” lifting of sanctions, with its exports to Iran Whilst the federal government and central Although European Union and United declining to $2.4 billion in 2016 from $3.2 bil- bank have approved oil payments in euros - Nations sanctions against Iran have been lion in the previous year. —Reuters Turkish Cypriots push private AMSTERDAM: Donut brand Dunkin’ Donuts prepares for the opening of sector despite trade embargo the first store in Amsterdam, yesterday. The Dunkin’ Donuts store will open today, seventeen years after the last brandstore closed in the Netherlands. —AFP FAMAGUSTA: With its pristine floor tiles ence on Ankara, which finances more Boosting the autonomy tourism revenues topped a fifth of gov- and colorful storefronts, Famagusta’s than a third of its budget. “People have “This helped us, given the size of the ernment income. Luxury hotels and new City Mall symbolizes efforts by the understood that if you are... so much investment,” Hasan Sari, the mall’s gen- casinos have mushroomed along the Afghanistan housing project northern part of divided Cyprus to financially dependent on another eral manager, told AFP. Standing out- island’s north coast, attracting both for- encourage investment despite a economy, it has other implications, side one of the mall’s 45 stores, he said eign tourists and local visitors. underlines China’s new role decades-long trade embargo. Like many both economical and political,” he said. he wanted to encourage Turkish The territory’s student population projects in the Mediterranean island’s Keen to boost the private sector, in Cypriots to shop locally rather than tak- has also tripled since 2009 — some KABUL: Afghan authorities expect work on within two to three months, we’ll be able to Turkish-occupied north, the mall’s back- recent years the government has ing trips abroad to do so. “The idea was 80,000 foreign students now attend its the first phase of a multimillion dollar hous- finalise procurement and start,” he said. ers received tax breaks from a govern- offered investors cheap loans and tax to bring together in one place every- universities. But the embargo remains a ing project financed by China to begin within China is investing heavily in the region, ment keen to boost the economy and breaks aimed at spurring investment. thing that interests a family, to encour- major brake on economic develop- months, as Beijing continues to raise its with the $57 billion China-Pakistan Economic become less dependent on Turkey. “In 2009... there wasn’t any pro- age them to consume here and nurture ment. It stands little chance of being development profile in the region. The proj- Corridor (CPEC) project to link its landlocked The breakaway Turkish Republic of gram, any support, nothing related to our economy,” he said. lifted until Greek Cypriots and Turkish ect, originally announced in 2015 during a northwest to the Arabian Sea and projects Northern Cyprus, on land Turkey occu- supporting small and medium enter- But for other key sectors such as Cypriots reach a peace deal. Cyprus visit to Kabul by Chinese Vice President Li such as the massive Mes Aynak copper mine pied in 1974 when it invaded after a prises, shopkeepers, no financial pro- tourism and higher education to attract President Nicos Anastasiades, who will Yuanchao, is expected to see construction of in Afghanistan. Although it has been very coup that sought to unify the island gram, nothing,” the minister for the investment, they must overcome the meet United Nations head Antonio 10,000 housing units for Afghan civil servants cautious about taking an active security role with Greece, is cut off from trade with economy and energy, Sunat Atun, told Turkish Cypriots’ isolation. “The govern- Guterres yesterday, said he would con- after the project was cleared by both govern- in Afghanistan, it has promised to help build Europe. Self-declared in 1983, covering AFP. He said the government began ment has been giving a lot of incen- vey “the absolute will of Greek Cypriot ments last week. up the economy which has been shattered by a third of the island’s land mass and offering interest-free loans to manu- tives,” said Besim. “They include renting side to continue a dialogue” after peace The first phase will see 1,400 units built decades of war. home to just 300,000 people, it has no facturers and later expanded the pro- land to investors with no charges, talks collapsed in February. But Besim near the old Darulaman palace in the capital While the housing project counts as devel- direct air or sea links with any country gram to other sectors. “We give them exempting them from taxes and fund- said the authorities in the north could Kabul, with China agreeing to provide 500 mil- opment aid and has no direct links to invest- except Turkey. some time and space to ensure they ing opportunities given by the develop- still take interim measures to support lion yuan ($73 million) in finance. Two further ments like Mes Aynak, which has been hit by All of its imports, exports and even will start to have some returns,” Atun ment bank.” the economy. “This government should phases are expected to follow, depending on wrangling over contractual issues, it under- the post must pass through its neigh- said. The Tarimer family, whose “Universities are being given subsi- continue paying attention to fiscal dis- successful implementation of the first stage. lines Beijing’s growing profile as a major player bour to the north. Mustafa Besim, a Elektrokur firm invested some $21 mil- dies to invite international organisa- cipline,” he said. “Turkish Cypriots are “So far, the project is the largest Chinese-sup- in the region. “For donors what is important is professor at Famagusta’s Eastern lion (20 million euros) in the City Mall, tions, to get a reputation.” Officials say now trying to be more autonomous ported project in Afghanistan,” Hamid Jalil, a visibility so that people can see their assis- Mediterranean University, said the ter- took advantage of a tax break on con- the strategy is bearing fruit. In 2016, and to generate revenues that are deputy minister at the Ministry of Urban tance and housing is one of the most visible ritory was keen to reduce its depend- struction materials. more than a million visitors came, and enough for their expenditures.” —AFP Development told Reuters. “We hope that projects,” Jalil said. —Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Canadian dollar 229.400 Nepalese Rupees 3.915 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037297 0.040047 Turkish lira 84.440 Malaysian Ringgit 69.695 Indian Rupee 0.004095 0.004783 Swiss Franc 309.160 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.640 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 ASIAN COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 235.500 Japanese Yen 0.002655 0.002835 Japanese Yen 2.737 Thai Bhat 9.755 US Dollar Buying 304.250 Turkish Lira 84.755 Kenyan Shilling 0.003050 0.003050 Indian Rupees 4.664 Korean Won 0.000262 0.000277 Pakistani Rupees 2.914 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.065144 0.071144 Srilankan Rupees 2.012 20 Gram 254.450 Bahrain Exchange Company Nepalese Rupee 0.002957 0.003127 Nepali Rupees 2.920 10 Gram 130.140 Pakistan Rupee 0.002665 0.002955 Singapore Dollar 218.960 5 Gram 65.920 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 0.005986 0.006286 Hongkong Dollar 39.327 Sierra Leone 0.000068 0.000074 Bangladesh Taka 3.805 Europe British Pound 0.374328 0.384328 Singapore Dollar 0.212928 0.222928 Philippine Peso 6.082 South African Rand 0.018091 0.026591 Thai Baht 8.822 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Czech Korune 0.004206 0.016206 Danish Krone 0.040366 0.045336 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001646 0.002228 Euro 0. 324252 0.333252 Taiwan 0.009778 0.009958 GCC COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Thai Baht 0.008468 0.009018 Saudi Riyal 81.508 Norwegian Krone 0.032050 0.037250 US Dollar 305.400 Romanian Leu 0.084653 0.084653 Qatari Riyal 83.949 Canadian Dolla 229.135 Arab Omani Riyal 793.789 Slovakia 0.009148 0.019148 Sterling Pound 380.170 Swedish Krona 0.030662 0.035662 Bahraini Dinar 0.803641 0.812141 Bahraini Dinar 811.610 Euro 329.750 Egyptian Pound 0.014981 0.020889 UAE Dirham 83.218 Swiss Franc 0.300620 0.311620 Swiss Frank 306.505 Turkish Lira 0.078618 0.088918 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 Bahrain Dinar 809.590 Iraqi Dinar 0.000197 0.000257 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 83.540 Australasia Jordanian Dinar 0.425155 0.434155 Egyptian Pound - Cash 19.300 Qatari Riyals 84.760 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.812 Australian Dollar 0.225743 0.237743 Saudi Riyals 82.365 New Zealand Dollar 0.208605 0.218105 Lebanese Pound 0.000157 0.000257 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.227 Jordanian Dinar 431.915 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020079 0.044079 Tunisian Dinar 133.510 Egyptian Pound 16.964 America Nigerian Naira 0.001265 0.001900 Jordanian Dinar 430.300 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.010 Omani Riyal 0.786956 0.792636 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.036 Canadian Dollar 0.222868 0.231868 Indian Rupees 4.663 Georgina Lari 0.137958 0.137958 Qatar Riyal 0.083088 0.084538 Syrian Lira 2.178 Pakistani Rupees 2.912 Saudi Riyal 0.080367 0.081667 Morocco Dirham 31.073 US Dollars 0.301350 0.305750 Bangladesh Taka 3.836 US Dollars Mint 0.301850 0.305750 Syrian Pound 0.001295 0.001515 Philippines Pesso 6.084 Tunisian Dinar 0.131353 0.139353 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 167.715 Turkish Lira 0.078618 0.088918 US Dollar Transfer 305.450 Asia Japanese Yen 3.710 Bangladesh Taka 0.003462 0.004046 UAE Dirhams 0.081738 0.083438 Euro 331.730 Syrian Pound 2.425 Yemeni Riyal 0.000993 0.001073 Sterling Pound 382.730 Chinese Yuan 0.042860 0.046360 THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 BUSINESS Swiss watch exports drop ahead of Basel trade fair

ZURICH: The world’s biggest watch fair will open in and even on the verge of a rebound after two years of ever, rose 6.7 percent year-on-year in February. That were some indications the market was stabilising. Switzerland this week, even as slumping exports of deep crisis. represents some much-needed good news for the Exports to China gradually inched back into positive luxury Swiss timepieces appear to dash hopes of a Citigroup analyst Thomas Chauvet described industry-China was the main driver of several years of terrain during the second half of 2016, and a number market rebound. Global exports of Swiss watches slid Tuesday’s export numbers as a “reality check”. He said euphoric growth for Swiss watches, with Chinese of markets around the world put on a healthy glow 10 percent in February to 1.5 billion Swiss francs ($1.5 the figures showed there was “no underlying consumers’ thirst for luxury goods sparking a produc- during the holiday season at the end of the year. billion, 1.4 billion euros), the Federation of the Swiss improvement” in the industry, despite a more “upbeat tion boom. But the market suffered a severe hit after Watch makers themselves have also been making Watch Industry (FHS) said Tuesday. mood” from senior watch executives, and a more Beijing in 2013 began cracking down on corruption increasingly soothing sounds about the health of the The news cast a shadow over the looming optimistic tone from the FHS in its January release. by banning extravagant gifts like expensive watches market and justifying production hikes. Swatch Baselworld trade fair, which opens its doors to the Exports to Hong Kong, the biggest market for Swiss to public officials. Group chief Nick Hayek told reporters last week that media yesterday and to the public a day later. The watches, slumped 12.1 percent last month. And And since then the storm clouds have multiplied, he was now aiming for “healthy growth”, driven par- giant gathering in the northern Swiss city of Basel is exports to the United States, the second biggest mar- with the pro-democracy Umbrella protests in Hong ticularly by China’s growing middle class, which he the highlight of the year for watch and jewellery mak- ket, plunged 26.2 percent. Kong also chipping away at sales, followed by a range said once again appeared hungry for consumption. ers, with hoards of retailers looking to fill their show- of deadly terrorist attacks in European cities frighten- With uncertainty abound, Baselworld, which each cases with pricey bling. Investors had been hoping Beijing changes ing off luxury-seeking Asian tourists. In 2016, Swiss year draws around 1,500 exhibitors and some this year’s 45th edition would open on a more posi- Most European markets also fell, and sales to watch exports shrank 9.9 percent, after contracting 150,000 visitors, should help gauge the actual state of tive note amid signs that the market was stabilising Japan tumbled 17.3 percent. Exports to China, how- 3.3 percent a year earlier. But in recent months, there the luxury watch market. — AFP

Britain’s Labor challenges bankers in their territory

LONDON: Britain’s Labor party, which has Small but rich made a long journey leftwards since Tony For most of the 20th century, official Blair was leader, is looking to gain political Labor policy was to abolish the area’s momentum in an unlikely place: The heart right to govern itself but that ended after of London’s financial district. Labor is fight- Blair became leader and dropped the ing to break the City of London’s centuries- pledge in 1996. He pulled the party old policy of independence from party poli- towards the centre and pursued business- tics and end the grip of bankers on Britain’s friendly policies as prime minister from most peculiar local government, hoping for 1997 till 2007. Since then, the Labor lead- its best ever performance in elections there ership has swung back to the left. The par- this week. ty’s finance spokesman John McDonnell “The aim is to shift policy in a more pro- has called in the past for the abolition of gressive direction,” said Peter Kenyon, who the City’s local government and for its is running the party’s campaign in the tiny assets to be shared. district, nicknamed ‘the Square Mile’. “The Under its current leader, veteran social- aim is to see if an ancient institution can be ist Jeremy Corbyn, Labor lags far behind used for the common good,” said Kenyon, the Conservatives in national opinion polls who worked as a political and financial but it has high hopes for today, when it is journalist for Reuters until the early 1990s. fielding eight candidates for the lower The City of London, is the oldest, contin- house of the two-chamber council. Labor uous representative local government in began contesting the City’s elections after the world, running the area that is home to the onset of the global financial crisis. The the Bank of England and St Paul’s Cathedral party failed to take any seats in 2009 or for at least a thousand years. It is also very four years later, but won its first seat in a rich, unlike most conventional British coun- by-election three years ago. cils which are struggling to make ends Unlike other elections where Labor meet following deep cuts in funding from competes with rival parties, it will be up the Conservative-ruled central government. against independent candidates includ- Britain’s main opposition party, which cur- ing bankers, lawyers, accountants and a rently has just one member of council, film producer. The City of London is the wants to use more of the City’s wealth to smallest, but richest local authority in spend on areas such as social housing and Britain, according to an analysis by MOSCOW: People walk past a caricature picture of US President Donald Trump on sale in a shopping mall. — AP tackling air pollution rather than promoting Reuters. It is an autonomous fiefdom gov- financial services. erned separately from greater London, The City is older even than the British with its eight million inhabitants. Farm heartland lobbies to steer parliament. Some of its powers, such as The area has about 5 billion pounds spending from the vast pool of cash built ($6.2 billion) in reserves, making it six up over the centuries, exist outside of par- times wealthier than Britain’s largest local liamentary control because they predate government in Birmingham, even though Trump from Mexico trade war the creation of the modern nation state. the City of London’s population is 145 The local authority officially declares its job times smaller, an analysis by Reuters Retaliatory tariffs could hit over $3bn in exports is to reinforce the importance of financial show. The City wants to fend off the entry services to the British economy and to pro- of party politics, arguing that it will make mote those services around the world. it harder to make long-term decisions in GARNER, Iowa/MEXICO CITY: Farmers in the US to cut regulatory burdens for businesses. terms with Mexico. United States went from run- Elections in the City, held every four the interests of Europe’s biggest financial agricultural heartland that helped elect Donald Now he and others who farm the flat, rich ning a small trade surplus with Mexico in the years, are unlike any other in Britain services hub. Trump are now pushing his administration to land around Garner, Iowa, worry about trade. early 1990s to a $63 billion deficit in 2016. because banks and other companies based A spokesman for the City of London avoid a trade dispute with Mexico, fearing retal- Schmidt gets about half of his income from there get to vote on behalf of their employ- says the wealth it has built up over cen- iatory tariffs that could hit over $3 billion in US hogs, earning $4-5 for each of the 425 pigs he Impact of trade disputes ees. Depending on the size of their staff, turies benefits Britain as a whole. This exports. The value of exports at risk is based on a sells per week, usually to a Tyson Foods pack- Besides pork, cheese was also a top target in they get up to 79 votes each. The remaining includes spending on the arts, education Reuters analysis of a tariff list which Mexico used ing plant in nearby Perry, Iowa. Tariffs from the trucking dispute in which Mexico retaliated voters are the borough’s 7,400 residents, and conservation. William Taylor, Labour’s in a trucking dispute six years ago and which Mexico could depress US wholesale prices and with tariffs against rules that banned its trucks who are vastly outnumbered by the several first elected councilor in the area, is step- Mexican officials have said could serve as a mod- wipe out his profits, Schmidt said. “It would be from US roads. Some $200 million in current hundred thousand workers who pour each ping down after the elections but the par- el if President Trump sets new barriers to devastating.” annual exports of cheese would be targeted if weekday morning into the City, and leave ty is guaranteed at least one seat - one Mexican goods. the tariff list were revived, according to the IHS again in the evening to their homes else- Labour candidate has no challenger and Pork producers contacted Trump’s transition In the crosshairs database, which the US government uses to where in London and beyond. will be elected unopposed. — Reuter team soon after the Nov. 8 election to stress that In December, after fears of a trade dispute measure the impact of trade disputes. The full tariff-free access to Mexico has made it their top fueled a deep peso slump, Mexico started map- tariff list would apply to $3.25 billion in current export market by volume, said John Weber, pres- ping out US states that are most reliant on its US exports. John Holevoet, the director of gov- ident of the National Pork Producers Council. market, replicating the strategy it used in the ernment affairs at Wisconsin’s Dairy Business The council has sent the administration multiple trucking dispute, said two senior Mexican offi- Association, said he has attended multiple meet- letters, including one signed in January by 133 cials. Mexican officials also prepared briefs, seen ings with Wisconsin federal lawmakers this year agricultural organizations, and is arranging for by Reuters, on Mexico’s own risks in a dispute, where risks of Mexican trade were discussed. several hog farmers to fly to Washington next including losing much of its cost advantage in Weber of the pork producers group said he month to talk to officials. building cars, such as the Ford Fusion made in believed the Trump administration “gets it” “We just keep pounding them on how critical Hermosillo, Mexico. when it comes to the vulnerability of US farm trade is to us,” said Weber, who fears Mexico Reuters could not verify a complete list of exports. Republican Congressman Steve King, could revive the list of mostly agricultural prod- products and states Mexico considered target- who represents Iowa’s agriculture-focused ucts it successfully used to push Washington ing this time around. But the country’s foreign fourth district, also pointed out that Iowa’s role into letting Mexican truckers on US highways in minister said last month tariffs could target as the first state to hold presidential primaries 2011. Pork products topped that list and, if Iowa, which raises a third of US hogs and helps keep farm interests in Washington’s view. revived, the tariffs would apply to over $800 mil- exports about a quarter of its pork production, But King told Reuters he was worried the lion of annual pork exports, according to data $100 million of which went to Mexico last year. White House is still not taking trade risks seri- compiled by IHS Markit’s Global Trade Atlas. The minister also said tariffs could aim at ously enough. A possible 20 percent tax on “We’ll be the first to take the hit,” Weber said. Wisconsin, the center of US cheese production, Mexican imports, which White House The lobbying effort by US businesses which and has singled out Texas for its “notable” trade spokesman Sean Spicer has said could also rely on the Mexican market shows how Mexico surplus with Mexico. All three states voted for pay for Trump’s proposed border wall, would can press its case in Washington despite having Trump in the 2016 election, with the president cause a trade war, he said. King said he has an economy 1/17 the size of America’s and rely- taking Iowa and Wisconsin by slim margins. been in contact with the White House on the LONDON: A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament’s ing on the US market for nearly 80 percent if its Trump has accused Mexico of destroying US matter but has yet to secure a one-on-one Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain’s Leader of the opposition Labour exports. In Iowa, where pigs outnumber people jobs and has vowed to leave the 1994 North meeting with the president. “I’m making sure party, Jeremy Corbyn as he speaks during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) in the seven to one, hog and grain farmer Jamie American Free Trade Agreement with Canada that here in Washington they know what this House of Commons yesterday. — AFP Schmidt voted for Trump in part on his promise and Mexico if he cannot renegotiate better means.” — Reuters Club Med ‘drinks and women’ slander threatens Euro chief

BRUSSELS: Eurogroup chief Jeroen the countries in crisis,” he was quoted as say- The row was a top story on Italian news bul- Dijsselbloem faced calls to quit yesterday as a ing. “For me, as a social democrat, I think that letins yesterday as commentators rounded on row escalated over his comments that south- solidarity is extremely important. But whose a politician already regarded with suspicion ern European countries blew their money on who benefit also have duties,” he added. “I because of what are seen as his hawkish views “drinks and women”. “The sooner he goes the can’t spend all my money on drinks and on the application of EU budget rules to Italy. better,” former Italian Prime Minister Matteo women and then ask for help.” Corriere della Sera daily said Djisselbloem’s Renzi said in comments that underlined how Dijsselbloem refused to apologise late comments should cost him his role. Dijsselbloem’s gaffe has exposed simmering Tuesday. “No, certainly not,” he told a “One would have thought that in north-south tensions within the European European Parliament lawmaker during a hear- Amsterdam they know a thing or two about Union’s single currency zone. ing when asked if he would say sorry. But he pubs and brothels, even spending their loose “He has missed a perfect opportunity to faced mounting criticism in Europe. Manfred change in their coffee shops,” the broadsheet shut up,” Renzi said in a post on a Facebook Weber, the head of the largest group in the said in a reference to the Netherlands’ legal page that reflected criticism of the Dutch parliament, the centre-right European cannabis cafes. La Stampa also mocked the finance minister from across the EU’s so-called People’s Party, tweeted yesterday: “Eurozone Dutch politician’s use of what it termed tired Club Med group of countries. Dijsselbloem’s is about responsibility, solidarity but also old stereotypes. Noting that he had refused to influential position as leader of his colleagues respect. No room for stereotypes. apologies, the Turin daily said Djisselbloem in the 19-country eurozone was already up in @J_Dijsselbloem.” “then pulled on his clogs and went back to his the air after his party lost out in elections last marvelous windmill in a field of tulips.” BRUSSELS: Eurogroup President and Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem is pic- week. And he has lost significant backing ‘Clogs, Tulips and Windmills’ Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto tured ahead of a Eurogroup finance ministers meeting at the European Council. — AFP from political allies on the centre-left as a “I truly wonder how someone with these Santos Silva said in Washington Tuesday that result of an interview that appeared in views can still be head of the Eurogroup,” said Dijssebloem’s remarks were “absolutely unac- heavy losses in the Netherlands’ general elec- praise for steering the eurozone through the Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Gianni Pittella, the head of the Socialist group ceptable” and that he was “not fit to remain tion. But his mandate as head of the Eurogroup Cyprus and Greek debt crises, but there have newspaper on Monday. in the European Parliament, branding his head of the Eurogroup”. Dijsselbloem is set to lasts until January 2018 and EU rules do not long been tensions in the single currency area “During the euro crisis, the countries of the remarks “shameful” and “discriminatory lose his job as Dutch finance minister in the specify that the person holding the position between austerity-pushing northern countries north of the eurozone showed solidarity with towards the countries of southern Europe”. coming months after his Labor party suffered must actually be a finance minister. He has won and the debt-hit south. — AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 BUSINESS Asia markets sink with fears for Trump agenda

HONG KONG: Asian markets tumbled yester- to it in its current form. Analysts say the inexpe- Trumponomics are going to be delayed,” Greg petering out, the dollar has taken a severe The key cause for investors’ concern is day, tracking a US and European sell-off as the rienced Trump is spending too much political McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, hit. It extended Tuesday’s losses against Thursday’s vote in Congress on the Trump-fuelled surge in equities went into capital on the issue, and if he cannot push it said in a note. “The impact of this is that the tax the yen but held its ground against the replacement for Obamacare, with many reverse on fears about the prospects for his through a Republican-controlled Capitol Hill, and infrastructure policy and implementation pound and euro. Republicans opposed to it in its current plans to fire up the world’s top economy. The then his other plans-particularly infrastructure the market has been aching for looks set to be However, the South Korean won form. “After two months in office, markets dollar also struggled to recover against its major spending, tax cuts and deregulation-could be delayed. This is a sign that investors are losing jumped 0.3 percent, Australia’s dollar ral- want proof not just promises, fearful that rivals and suffered fresh losses against high- in trouble. Such promises were a key factor in faith in Trumponomics.” lied 0.9 percent and the Indonesian rupiah the healthcare reform Trump is using to yielding units as the euphoria of the post-elec- the global markets rally. The president travelled Tokyo ended more than two percent lower was 0.2 percent higher. The Mexican peso, put his stamp on the presidency could tion period faded. up Pennsylvania Avenue Tuesday to warn the as the dollar sank to its lowest level against the which after Trump’s win hit regular record delay the tax cuts and infrastructure After hitting multiple records this month, party it could lose its majority if it fails to push yen since November, while Hong Kong shed 1.4 lows, was more than one percent up. “The spending markets desire so much more,” Wall Street’s main indexes suffered their worst through his bill. percent in the afternoon and Shanghai closed dollar positions accumulated in the said analyst Mike van Dulken at trader losses since Donald Trump’s win, dragging down 0.5 percent. Sydney was 1.6 percent low- buildup and immediate aftermath of the Accendo Markets. Europe down with them, as dealers fret about ‘Ugly sea of red’ er, Singapore shed 1.2 percent and Seoul US election look to have been fully Promises of infrastructure spending, tax his agenda. The key cause for concern is today’s “There is an ugly sea of red across global mar- slipped 0.5 percent. Wellington, Taipei, Manila unwound,” Bank of America strategists led cuts and deregulation were a key factor in vote in Congress on the replacement for kets this morning as traders finally succumb to and Jakarta also suffered hefty losses. With by Myria Kyriacou wrote in a research note, the global markets rally. The president Obamacare, with many Republicans opposed their fears that the positive benefits of expectations of economy-friendly measures according to Bloomberg News. travelled up Pennsylvania Avenue Tuesday to warn the party it could lose its majority EU stock markets slide if it fails to push through his bill. If the Meanwhile, European markets sank Trump administration fails to secure sup- yesterday, tracking a US and Asian sell- port for his bill, analysts say that health off as the Trump-fuelled surge stumbled reform would likely not take place until on doubts over his ability to fire up the October, meaning economic reforms world’s biggest economy. The dollar also could be delayed until the end of this year struggled to recover losses against its at the earliest. major rivals as the euphoria of the US In London yesterday, the banking sec- post-election period faded. After hitting tor bore heavy losses with Barclays down multiple records this month, Wall Street’s 3.1 percent, Standard Chartered shedding main indices suffered their worst losses 2.9 percent and Royal Bank of Scotland since Donald Trump’s November election losing 2.1 percent. Miners also took a triumph, dragging Europe and Asia bashing, with BHP Billiton down 2.1 per- down with them as dealers fretted about cent and Rio Tinto dropping 2.2 percent in his agenda. value. “Financials and commodities have London stocks shed 0.8 percent in mid- been the winners since the US election- morning trade, with top faller Kingfisher and these are the sectors under most pres- slumping 5.5 percent as the home- sure now as concerns rise that the Trump improvements chain’s annual results trade has gone too far, too fast, without missed market expectations. In the euro- seeing the relevant policy changes to sup- zone, Paris dropped 0.7 percent and port market expectations,” said Interactive Frankfurt lost 0.6 percent. Investor analyst Rebecca O’Keeffe. —AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 BUSINESS Chinese supermarkets pull Brazil meat from shelves as fears grow

BEIJING: Some of China’s largest food suppliers have Brazilian beef accounts for less than 10 percent of revealed only isolated incidents of sanitary problems, and branded Brazilian beef is less prominent in pulled Brazilian beef and poultry from their shelves Sun Art’s beef supply, she said. the reaction by Chinese retailers suggests that the supermarkets than Australian beef. in the first concrete sign that a deepening scandal Wal-Mart has also removed Brazilian meat products probe could have far-reaching repercussions for the Importers are expected to wait a few more days over Brazil’s meat processing industry is hitting busi- from its stores, a person familiar with the matter said. world’s top meat exporter. Chinese consumers before seeking out alternative supplies, which will ness in its top export market. The moves by Sun Art He declined to be quoted because of the sensitivity of appeared largely unconcerned or unaware of the likely be more costly than Brazil’s. “It’s a 45-day lead- Retail Group, China’s biggest hypermarket chain, and the matter. Germany’s Metro has withdrawn Brazilian scandal in Brazil, with few people commenting on time to get any product here. What if they lift the ban the Chinese arms of global retail giants Wal-Mart chicken legs and wings from its Chinese stores, said a the issue on the country’s vibrant social media net- by the end of the week?” said an industry source who Stores Inc and Metro AG come days after China tem- manager, who declined to be named as he was not works. But the country has been hit by its own safety declined to be identified. Hong Kong, the second- porarily suspended Brazilian meat imports. allowed to speak to media. The retailer, with 84 stores scandals in the past, making retailers sensitive to any biggest buyer of Brazilian meat last year, has also Safety fears over Brazilian meat have grown since in China, does not sell Brazilian beef. JD.com, one of potential risks. issued a ban on imports, following similar steps by police accused inspectors in the world’s biggest China’s biggest online retailers, said in an emailed “We removed the product already on March 20,” Japan, Canada, Mexico and Switzerland. exporter of beef and poultry of taking bribes to allow statement it had also removed all listings for imported said Sun Art’s spokeswoman, noting it was ahead of Major Hong Kong supermarket chain PARKnSHOP sales of rotten and salmonella-tainted meats. A Brazilian meat and is reviewing orders in process. the Chinese government’s first official comment on said it had removed Brazilian pork, beef and chicken spokeswoman for Sun Art Retail, which operates 400 the issue. Brazil is the top supplier of beef to China, from shelves. “To cater for the needs of customers, Chinese hypermarkets, said yesterday the chain had Far-reaching repercussions accounting for about 31 percent of its imports in the we will increase the supply of meat and poultry prod- removed beef supplied by top Brazilian exporters While Brazilian officials sought late on Tuesday to first half of last year. ucts from other countries,” it said in a statement, BRF SA and JBS SA from its shelves from Monday. reassure consumers that the investigation had Much of it is used in canteens and foodservice without elaborating. — Reuters Japan’s trade surplus hits multi-year high

TOKYO: Japan’s trade surplus hit a multi- ing it with other countries he says are tak- year high in February, government data ing “advantage” of the United States. But showed yesterday, as exports to China Takuji Okubo, chief economist and princi- rebounded after a Lunar New Year lull. The pal at Japan Macro Advisors, said Trump’s value of Japan’s total shipments abroad talk was unlikely to translate into measures rose 11.3 percent, the most in two years, on that would seriously hurt Japan-US trade. strong demand for vehicle components “I think this talk about the rise of protec- and electronic parts, while imports grew tionism, I think there’s a lot of hot air,” he 1.2 percent. told Bloomberg News before the trade data That resulted in a trade surplus of 813.4 was released. “For now there’s no obvious billion yen ($7.3 billion), reversing a January threat to the global economy, so I think it’s deficit and more than tripling the 235.5 bil- reasonable to expect moderate growth in lion yen surplus a year ago. The latest figures global trade.” Japan has been struggling to marked Japan’s highest monthly trade sur- reverse a years-long deflationary spiral of plus in nearly seven years. falling prices and lackluster growth. The export surge was largely due to the The country had slipped into a long Chinese New Year falling earlier than usual spell of trade deficits after the 2011 this year, resulting in a February rebound. Fukushima nuclear disaster prompted a Japan’s exports to China tend to fall during move to thermal power generation and the holiday as many businesses close. Exports pricey fossil fuel imports. Falling oil prices to China soared 28.2 percent from the same have taken pressure off Japan’s trade bal- month a year ago, creating Japan’s first trade ance, and exports are seen as a bright light surplus with China in five years. for the world’s number three economy. But Japan also posted its first trade surplus Japan’s trade surplus is likely to decline in with the US in three months in February. the coming months, said Marcel Thieliant at The figures come at a sensitive time for research house Capital Economics, as ener- Japan-US trade relations. US President gy prices rebound and the yen is expected Donald Trump has accused Japan of to weaken-making dollar-priced imports devaluing the yen to boost exports, group- more expensive. — AFP Indonesia port corruption disrupting coal shipments

JAKARTA/SINGAPORE: Indonesia is crack- Extra fees to load coal YANGON: This photo taken on February 22, 2017 shows 14-year-old San Min Hteik (R) babysitting his sister at their home in the Myaung Dakar ing down on corruption and widespread East Kalimantan Police spokesman Ade industrial zone in Hmawbi Township. — AFP graft at some of its top coal export hubs, Yaya Suryana told Reuters that authorities disrupting shipments to destinations across were targeting stevedores that were asking ‘I want my family to eat’: Children Asia. Indonesia is the world’s top exporter coal companies in the Mahakam area to of thermal coal, still the main feedstock for pay extra fees to load ships. One coal min- global power generation. Interruptions to ing company had been asked by steve- fueling Myanmar’s economic boom coal’s output and shipment can impact dores to pay 3 billion rupiah ($225,000) per seaborne prices of the fuel as well as month in illegal fees based on tonnage, wholesale electricity markets. Suryana said, adding that such fees had The investigations that began on Friday been charged on shipments since last year Foreign investors pile into the country are targeting port operations along the and that police estimated Komura had large anchorage area off Samarinda in East amassed several hundred billion rupiah HMAWBI: Fourteen-year-old San Min Hteik had cessing plant in the Myaung Dagar industrial in Myanmar who used fake documents to circum- Kalimantan, officials said yesterday, delay- from the illegal charges. worked at the steel factory for less than a week zone as a settlement for his injury. vent the law and land a factory job at age 12, ing ships waiting to load new supplies from Komura chairman Jaffar Abdul Gaffar told when his hand got caught in a machine, a casual- His mother Tin Tin Htay said they took the washing and ironing clothes for eight hours a day. the region’s mines. Police initially raided local media outlet tempo.co that 6.1 billion ty of the economic boom driving more children money to pay for his medical bills and to make But the owners cut her shifts in half once they four port facilities, including the Samudra rupiah confiscated by police in the raid on into Myanmar’s factories. Two of his fingers were sure his two siblings could stay in school. “When found out her real age. “I want to work full-time Sejahtera Stevedores Cooperative (Komura) the cooperative was for wages and not from lost after the rod-cutter sliced them down to the we were given the cash I felt sad, as if we were like before,” said the now 14-year-old, who asked office, a Transportation Ministry statement illegal fees. “I just took it out of the bank,” bone and weeks later doctors are still unsure buying my son’s hand with this money,” she said. AFP use a different name to protect her identity. said, based on allegations of “blackmail, cor- Gaffar said, according to tempo.co. whether they will be able to save the others. AFP journalists were unable to enter the 999 Iron “I can work a full day because I am healthy but ruption, money laundering, and thuggery”. Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi He is one of thousands of young factory processing plant when they visited. An employ- the law doesn’t allow me.” Ei Thae also started “We are cracking down on patterns said in the ministry statement he had asked workers fuelling Myanmar’s rapid growth as for- ee reached by phone they said no one was avail- working aged 12 for a factory that supplies gar- linked to illegal fees,” Transportation police “not to hesitate in cracking down on eign investors pile into the country after the end able to comment. San Win, a local union leader ments for Swedish clothes retailer H&M. Ministry spokesman J. A. Barata told all forms of illegal fees.” The crackdown fol- of half a century of military-governed isolation. who helped negotiate San Min Hteik’s settle- “I left this factory to search for a new job, but I Reuters. Almost 30 large dry-bulk ships are lows coal shipment disruptions that occurred With one in five kids aged 10-17 in work, impov- ment, said many parents push their children into could not find any as I was underage and had to waiting offshore Samarinda to load coal, last month, when authorities put up road erished Myanmar is one of the worst countries in work to help support the family. “We have no come back,” said the now 15-year-old. “I want to according to shipping data in Thomson blocks in investigations that prevented work- the world for child labour. Many support their stomach to ask them not to send their children go to back to school but it’s not possible, so I still Reuters Eikon. The data shows that some of ers from accessing ports. Indonesian Coal families sweeping shop floors, serving in tea to work. They have their difficulties,” he said. work. My dream is to be a clothes designer.” the ships have been waiting to load coal Mining Association chairman Pandu Sjahrir shops or working as domestic helpers. A spokeswoman for H&M said the company since late February. The office of the steve- told Reuters that several coal producers had Others labor in the increasing number of for- ‘Totally accepted’ was working with suppliers and industry experts to dores’ cooperative did not answer calls reported shipping and logistics delays result- eign-owned factories that has made Myanmar Legally children can start working at 14 in ensure young workers are employed according to seeking comment. ing from the investigations. — Reuters one of the fastest-expanding economies in the Myanmar, although they are meant to be restrict- the law and treated with “respect”. The Myanmar region, with growth expected to average about ed to four hours a day and are barred from haz- Garment Manufacturers Association last week dis- seven percent in the coming years. “I cannot do ardous industries. But experts say there is little puted allegations child labor is rife in the sector. China’s Alibaba to set up what I want to do, so I feel depressed,” San Min awareness of the laws and many children are Selim Benaissa from the International Labour Hteik told AFP, staring at his bandaged hand sent to work even younger in a country where Organisation said children working outside facto- inside his home in Hmawbi township outside one in four people live below the poverty line. ries often end up in more dangerous jobs, such as logistics hub in Malaysia the commercial capital Yangon. The issue is problematic for reputation-con- rubbish collecting or sex work. “Children will work “I want my family to have a decent standard scious Western companies looking to take advan- anyway... this is something that is totally accepted, KUALA LUMPUR: Alibaba and Malaysia nesses but they control only less than 40 per- of living. I want my family to be able to eat tage of Myanmar’s cheap labour-the minimum even by the children,” he said. “Removing children announced yesterday that they will set up a cent” of economic output. enough... to be able to wear the same clothes as wage is equivalent to around 33 cents an hour, from a workplace without appropriate support and logistics and e-commerce hub in the Southeast “I think 90 percent of small businesses other people.” He was paid 2.5 million kyat below Thailand, Cambodia, China and Indonesia. follow up may push them to more exploitative or Asian country to boost small and medium- could produce at least 80 percent of the ($1,800) by the Chinese-owned 999 Iron pro- Zinmar is just one of many young girls and boys hazardous forms of child labor.” — AFP sized companies, a first for the internet giant GDP... if we have more small businesses, that outside China. The hub will be located near means we have more jobs.” Kuala Lumpur International Airport as part of a Najib said at the event with Ma that “the “digital free trade zone” formally launched by only sector that can give double-digit HK leader must cooperate Alibaba’s founder Jack Ma and Malaysian Prime growth is the digital economy.” Alibaba is Minister Najib Razak in the capital. China’s dominant player in online com- The facility will act as a warehouse and merce, with its Taobao platform estimated to with China, says Li Ka-shing centralised customs clearance for Malaysia hold more than 90 percent of the consumer- and the region, Alibaba said in a statement. to-consumer market, while its Tmall platform Officials refused to divulge investment figures, is believed to have over half of business-to- HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka- phase,” he told reporters. Current leader Leung but an Alibaba spokeswoman said the facility consumer transactions. The company, often shing said yesterday he would vote for the can- Chun-ying, seen as a puppet of Beijing, has would be operational at the end of 2019. Ma, compared to US giants Amazon and eBay, didate who is willing to cooperate with Chinese served a turbulent term marked by running bat- who in November became the Malaysian gov- has expanded outside its core e-commerce authorities in the city’s upcoming leadership tles between protesters and police, and the ernment’s “digital economy” adviser, said “97 business, in sectors ranging from sports to vote. Li, 88, was speaking after his flagship CK emergence of an independence movement. percent of business in Malaysia are small busi- entertainment. — AFP Hutchison Holdings posted a net profit of HK$33.01 billion (US$4.25 billion) for 2016, six Choking up percent up year-on-year, despite global eco- At one point Li appeared to choke up as he nomic and political uncertainty. said Hong Kong needed to improve but later But questions at the results press conference said it was a cold that had caused him pause. “I centred on Li’s preference ahead of Sunday’s love Hong Kong... today our GDP has fallen to vote for Hong Kong’s next chief executive, the around two percent, why can’t we do better?” he first since mass rallies in 2014 calling for fully said, comparing it to the growth he saw after he free elections failed to bring about change. Li arrived in the former British colony in the 1940s and his two sons are members of the election from mainland China. committee of 1,194 mainly pro-establishment “If you talk about one man one vote, we had representatives of special interest groups who it, China had given it to us,” he continued. The will select the city leader. Pro-democracy Beijing-backed proposal which sparked 2014’s activists reject the vote as a farce and unrepre- “Umbrella Movement” promised a public vote sentative of the Hong Kong people. HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka- for the city’s leader in 2017, but said candidates “Whoever is able to communicate and cooper- shing, 88, speaks at a press conference in must be vetted. It was dismissed as “fake democ- ate with the country well, and has the trust of the Hong Kong yesterday, after his flagship CK racy” by opponents and was voted down in central government, I will vote for that person,” Li Hutchison Holdings posted a net profit of 2015. CK Hutchison Holdings controls assets in said. Former deputy leader Carrie Lam is seen as 4.25 billion USD for 2016, six percent up year- telecoms, utilities, ports and other industries in Beijing’s favorite for the job, but is intensely dis- on-year. — AFP over 50 countries. In early 2015 Li announced a liked by the pro-democracy camp, having pro- choice and the public’s clear favorite in opinion sweeping reorganization of his businesses, say- moted a Beijing-backed political reform package polls. Li said Hong Kong needed a period of sta- ing he wanted to secure stability in future. When KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak (L) and China’s Alibaba Group rejected as a sham by opponents. bility. “Regarding Hong Kong’s future, these asked yesterday about a succession, Li said founder and executive chairman Jack Ma (R) poses for pictures after the launching of Her main rival is ex-finance chief John Tsang, (next) five years cannot be a repeat of the past “there is no problem” without indicating the country’s Digital-Free Trade Zone. — AFP perceived as a more moderate establishment five years. We hope that there will be a new whether he will retire. — AFP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 BUSINESS

Nissan signs actor Margot Robbie as its first electric vehicle ambassador

DUBAI: Actor Margot Robbie has been into society. Margot Robbie put the radical time for electric vehicles. More people are electric vehicles, and with mass adoption just towards cleaner, safer cities.” The Nissan revealed as Nissan’s new electric vehicle three-seater through its paces around the choosing to go electric, leading the way to a around the corner, it is more important than BladeGliderwas recently on display at the 87th (EV) ambassador by racing the carmaker’s closed Monaco street circuit before racing more sustainable future and the Nissan ever that we showcase all of the benefits of Geneva International Motor Show. Developed radical all-electric BladeGlider sports car another BladeGlider. BladeGlider hints at the future of smarter per- driving an electric car - from energy efficiency, from a concept car first debuted in 2013, the around the world-famous Monaco Grand The pair of 272PS performance cars raced formance cars.” As the manufacturer of the to sustainability, from handling to perform- all-electric sports car is a precursor to a suite of Prix circuit, at midnight. through the iconic Tunnel and diced with each world’s best-selling electric vehicle, the LEAF, ance. Having Margot on board will support us future technologies that will combine The prototype 190km/h Nissan BladeGlider, other along Massenet before finishing in the Nissan is also revolutionizing the way energy in spreading news of the personal and societal Intelligent Mobility, environmentally friendly which hits 100km/h in less than five seconds, glamour of Casino Square. In the film, the is generated and utilized with products like its benefits of electric vehicles to more people impact and sports-car driving capabilities. challenges the conventional thinking of what Suicide Squad and The Wolf of Wall Street star intelligent xStorage Home unit and vehicle-to- than ever before. Monte Carlo provided the perfect location for an all-electric sports car could look like in the is also seen demonstrating the drifting grid technology, which harness the power of Dunsmore added: “Nissan’s Electrify the Nissan to reveal its exciting new partnership future. Showcasing all the fun and excitement prowess of Nissan BladeGlider around one of battery technology from electric vehicles. World movement recognizes the importance with Margot Robbie. Monaco has a rich her- of pure electric vehicles, the prototype is part the most famous corners in the world of Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric of us all working together to achieve positive itage in street racing and an ambitious sus- of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility vision of how motorsport - the iconic Fairmont Hairpin. Vehicles for Nissan Europe: “The electric revo- change in our communities. We want to tainable strategy to decrease carbon emis- cars should be driven, powered and integrated Margot Robbie said: “It’s a really exciting lution is happening. As the global leader in inspire people to take meaningful steps sions by 50 percent by 2030. Splashed prices from Japan at Al-Rai showroom tomorrow

KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Company (AABC), the authorized dealer of Nissan vehicles in the State of Kuwait is open tomorrow Friday 24th of March 2017 because that’s how the Japanese serve their customers when giving them an offer this month. In keeping with current demand for people’s favorite designs, Nissan Al-Babtain Al-Rai Showroom welcomes customers tomorrow with special Japanese prices. The offers include the Altima starting from KD 5,199, Maxima starting from KD 7, 350, X-trail starting from KD 5,999, Pathfinder starting from KD 7,750 and the Patrol Platinum FES starting from KD 16,450. Influenced by the brand’s roots and owing to its strong heritage of masterful leadership, the brand continues to exceed customer expecta- tions by presenting innovative opportunities to own the most universally admired brand in Kuwait. The ‘way of the warrior’ serves as a unique philosophy for Nissan Al-Babtain to excel ABK wins ‘best retail bank’ award with a competitive edge and drive more cus- creativity and immeasurable design concepts Nissan Al Babtain urges everyone to speedily tomers to be part of a lasting legacy. Hence why that preserve brand integrity and steer its cus- take advantage of the special prices. Visit Nissan in Kuwait from the Asian banker Nissan Al-Babtain welcomes all their customers tomers towards enjoying a premium experience Al-Babtain Al-Rai showroom tomorrow and tomorrow in their Al-Rai showroom. on every level. Intended for the people of Kuwait appreciate the world of difference of driving KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) lines the long-term and consistent Nissan Al Babtain is known for its persistent to maximize on this window of opportunity, inside of a globally esteemed brand. recently won the prestigious Best Retail progress the Bank has made in making Bank in Kuwait award from The Asian banking simpler for its customers, while Banker for the second year in a row. The keeping focus firmly on service quality Roma fear displacement as award, which is sought after in the banking and product choice. This award is a reflec- industry, is given each year by one of Asia’s tion of the hard work of the whole ABK most highly regarded financial research team and is an endorsement which we are organizations and follows a stringent eval- all very proud to receive.” Romania’s cities modernize uation, benchmarking process and assess- During the past two years ABK has ment by an independent international focused on enhancing services to its cus- expert panel. The award was received by tomers through investment in technology, BUCHAREST: On a freezing night last month, Elena Roma discrimination ing inside were “illegal”. However several families Mr Stewart Lockie, General Manager of innovative products and customer service Nicolae and her family, including her 18-month-old Human rights groups including Amnesty interviewed said the Romanian state assigned them Retail Banking at ABK, who represented refinements under the umbrella of ‘Simpler grandson, were given two hours to leave their home. International and the European Roma Rights Centre rooms in the building decades ago. The Sfintilor ABK at the International Excellence in Retail Banking’, creating a retail banking model Nicolae, 56, had lived in two rooms of a 19th century say Roma people, Europe’s largest ethnic minority, are address is printed on their identity documents and house on Sfintilor street in the historic centre of Awards ceremony held on the 17th March, which offers customers superior conven- particularly vulnerable to housing discrimination in they paid monthly rent to the housing authority for Bucharest for over 20 years, paying rent to the Romania. Romania is home to up to 2.5 million Roma many years. 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. ience, speed and security. The Bank is com- Bucharest housing authority until the house was in a population of about 19 million but about 90 per- Before 1989, the communist state re-located Roma Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Lockie mitted to continuing to build on the suc- deemed unsafe in 2005 and formal contracts ended. cent of these Roma families live in extreme poverty families from the outskirts of Bucharest into the city, said: “At ABK we are extremely proud of cess it has achieved to date and setting But when a wall cracked in the dilapidated house, and are targets of racism, according to the World Bank. closer to factories and schools and often placing them this achievement. Winning ‘Best Retail new benchmarks for retail banking cus- Bucharest authorities evicted the eight Roma families In recent years, local media has reported many cas- in older houses. After the fall of communism, the state Bank’ for a second consecutive year under- tomer service in the region. living there immediately with the building declared es of controversial evictions. In 2010, the Cluj munici- continued to rent the buildings to Roma families but ‘unfit for habitation’. pality in western Romania evacuated 20 families from maintenance work stopped. In the rush, Nicolae only packed a few clothes the city centre to a cluster of containers 300 meters When a fire broke out in Nicolae’s building 12 years Express Service for Ford before the building was sealed and the evicted fami- from the main garbage dump. The families’ continuing ago, the state housing authority declared the property lies spent more than a week sleeping on the street campaign to return to the city uses the slogan “Roma unsafe and refused to renew rental contracts but tol- customers from Alghanim outside, not wanting to go into shelters for the home- are not trash”. erated the families staying there. Since the evacuation less and with no other housing available. For Romania Two years later, the Baia Mare municipality in the last month, the Mayor of Bucharest has placed the Auto with up-to 30% discount is facing an acute shortage of social housing, with north moved 80 Roma families from the city to an old building on a priority list for municipally funded inner city gentrification and return of private proper- chemical factory. Some children fell ill from contact restoration but it is not known if this will be for hous- KUWAIT: In line with its mission to pro- its dedication to service excellence. ties seized during Communist years squeezing out with leftover substances. Between 2014 and 2015, 20 ing or another purpose. A property a few doors down vide excellent service for all Ford owners Should there be a need to carry out low-income tenants. Roma families set up a tent camp outside their old has been renovated and is advertised for use as a lux- in Kuwait, Alghanim Auto encourages repairs, Ford owners will enjoyup-to30% This has raised fears of creating favelas or shanty- home when they were evicted after a property on ury business centre. A spokesman for the municipality Ford owners to take advantage of the discount on Ford & Motorcraft genuine towns in the country with Roma families seen as par- Vulturilor street in central Bucharest was re-privatized. told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that the build- current express service offer before the spare parts on top of the free inspection, ticularly vulnerable. Living on the street in the cold, In a report in 2015, Philip Alston, the United Nations ings will be renovated but the families were told to end of the month, an exceptional oppor- making this offer irresistible for all Ford took its toll on Nicolae’s family and her husband was Human Rights Council Special Reporter on extreme look for social housing elsewhere. hospitalized with pneumonia. “We worked our entire poverty and human rights, wrote that too often evic- The evicted families, the spokesman said, are tunity to perform express service starting owners who have been waiting to have lives to fix our homes and now they throw us out like tions of Roma have taken place with little advance being offered support to apply for social housing in from 7 KD, in addition to a free 31-point their car serviced and maintained. In addi- dogs. Actually, people don’t even leave dogs out in notice and in an “abusive fashion”. This results either in other parts of the city. “I notice the subtle intention of checkup and up-to 30% discount on Ford tion to these great savings, customers can this weather,” Nicolae told the Thomson Reuters homelessness or re-location to sites distant from jobs, authorities to push poor people to the peripheries of & Motorcraft genuine spare parts. Ford also expect to have all their maintenance Foundation. schools, hospitals and other facilities and reinforces Bucharest or even beyond,” said Irina Zamfirescu of owners are invited to bring their cars to needs fulfilled in a timely and professional “discriminatory residential segregation”, he said. the human rights group Active Watch. “There are no the Service and Spare Parts Center for an manner by a team of qualified Ford- No social housing The Bucharest municipality, which owns Nicolae’s integrated social services to support these families, early checkup to make sure that their trained technicians and specialists. Like many cities in Romania, Bucharest with 1.9 building, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation all but they are being abandoned - literally - (pushed) into Ford vehicle is in tip-top mechanical con- The new Alghanim Auto Service and million people does not have enough housing for low- one of the 43 people - 21 adults and 22 children - liv- the streets.” — Reuters dition, particularly when it comes to criti- Spare Parts Center is fitted with advanced income residents, with only 200 units of public hous- cal components like the braking system, equipment to ensure the completion of all ing in the district where Sfintilor is located despite suspension and the steering system. maintenance services in an efficient man- hundreds of requests each year. According to data Bags carry Hermes to a record profit To ensure the optimum performance ner from the first time, expertly performed from the district’s local authority, five of the people of their Ford vehicle and guarantee their by Ford-trained technicians using Ford and evacuated from Sfintilor were on a waiting list for PARIS: A jump in sales of its trademark leather tained pace of deliveries and production, gain- peace of mind, customers are encour- Motorcraft genuine spare parts, for guar- social housing - some for more than 20 years. bags helped Hermes push its annual profits last ing from the capacities of the three new sites” in aged to visit Alghanim Auto Service and anteed quality and peace of mind. For Campaigners say the allocation of housing favors peo- year above one billion euros for the first time France, the company said in its earnings state- Spare Parts Center to take advantage of added convenience, customers looking to ple with higher education and stable incomes who are ever, results released yesterday showed. The ment. Perfume sales also grew, climbing by nine this exclusive service offer that entails a perform routine maintenance are encour- more likely to pay their rent rather than poor families French luxury goods maker said its 2016 net percent. Apparel sales were flat and watch sales free, comprehensive 31-point checkup aged to do so at the Express Service bays, with many children who are more in need of cheap profit hit 1.1 billion euros ($1.2 billion), a 13 per- slowed by three percent. Sales rose in all geo- performed by a highly qualified team of which offer oil and filter change, tire rota- accommodation. cent jump from the previous year but slightly graphical regions. The operating margin rose to In 2001 Romanian authorities embarked on a pro- Ford-trained technicians who use the lat- tion, brake and battery replacement. less than the consensus forecast of analysts sur- 32.6 percent of sales, another record, but much gram to return buildings seized and nationalized by veyed by the financial data company Factset. of the 0.8 point gain was due to the favorable est diagnostics tools and servicing equip- It is also worth mentioning that the communist regime that ran the country until 1989 ment. The 31-point checkup covers the Alghanim Auto is the only importer author- to their original owners. But campaigners say the pro- The company said in February that sales had impact of foreign currency hedges. most important mechanical and electrical ized by Ford Motor Company to import gram has caused more evictions of families assigned hit a record 5.2 billion euros. “New records were While Hermes “entered 2017 on a solid foot- components related to a car’s operation Ford and Motorcraft products in Kuwait. low cost housing previously under state ownership attained, which proves the solid performance of ing” the firm is “cautious faced with the global and safety, including fluid levels, oils, fil- Ford and Lincoln customers can get imme- which has added to the housing crisis. Adrian Hermes this past year,” Hermes chief executive uncertainties that surround us in this very uncer- ters, brake parts, electrical switches, tires diate access to original Ford and Motorcraft Dohotaru, a housing rights activist turned parliamen- Axel Dumas said during a conference call. The tain world,” said Dumas. Nevertheless, Hermes and leak checks, as well as a thorough parts as well as Ford Manufacturer warran- tarian, said less than half of 80,000 applications to re- firm attributed the record performance to a 14 targets an increase in sales at constant exchange examination of the suspension, lighting, ty and Extended Service Plan (ESP) contract privatise homes have been finalised to date so the sit- percent jump in its leather goods and saddlery rates. It signalled it would continue to follow its battery and cooling and exhaust systems. maintenance and repairs, in addition to uation was likely to get worse without government unit, which includes its famous bags including current strategy of keeping control over the cre- The service promotion doesn’t end maintenance and body shop repair servic- action. “Thousands of people are being evacuated iconic models such as the Birkin. Recent invest- ative process and know-how, as well as its com- there, however, as Alghanim Auto is also es by Ford-trained and certified technicians yearly and there will be more,” he warned. “Accessible ment in new workshops helped Hermes meet munication strategy. It announced a dividend extending special discounts on Ford & at the dedicated Alghanim Auto Ford serv- housing must become a political priority. Otherwise, the growing demand for its leather goods. payment of 3.75 euros per share, up from 3.35 Motorcraft genuine spare parts as part of ice center. what we see today is just the beginning of the “Development was supported by the sus- euros last year. — AFP ‘favelization’ of Romania.” technology THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

Digital Shadows announces Alex Seton as VP Business and Corporate Development

DUBAI: Digital Shadows, the industry Alliances at network security analytics Alastair Paterson, CEO and Co-Founder partner eco-systems, we expect Digital leader in external digital risk manage- pioneer Solera Networks, Alex devel- of Digital Shadows. ‘I am confident he Shadows customers to benefit in even ment, announced the appointment of oped the industry’s first Advanced will help us to drive the build out of a greater terms through streamlined work- Alex Seton as Vice President of Business Threat Protection eco-system with a robust global partner eco-system by flows and increased product availability,” and Corporate Development to further highly successful partnering approach developing industry differentiating tech- said Doug Cahill, Senior Analyst, accelerate industry adoption of Digital evidenced by success for customers, nology partnerships and global strategic Enterprise Strategy Group. Shadows solutions through an innova- strategic partners and investors alike. commercial partnerships. Digital Shadows finished 2016 with its tive partner eco-system, investment and Alex also served as VP Corporate “Today’s digital economy indexed on third consecutive year of triple-digit rev- go-to-market approach. Development at Blue Coat Systems and the use of digital technologies requires enue growth, and experienced signifi- With over 24 years of experience, Alex held executive roles Cisco LANDesk, and that organizations gain situational cant customer expansion in both the is well known in the cyber security Novell ‘We are delighted to welcome awareness into their digital footprint to United States and Europe, across verticals industry for identifying and delivering Alex to join the Digital Shadows family understand their external risk exposure such as financial services, pharmaceuti- compelling product solutions and strate- and help us build a world-class global and enable threat mitigation actions. cals, retail, and technology. The company gic partnerships resulting in increased business development strategy to fur- Such a holistic approach requires collab- expanded rapidly, reaching 100 employ- customer value and company accelera- ther protect customers around the globe oration and integrations. Through Alex’s ees in the second half of 2016 and open- tion. As founding VP of Business with our unique offering and further industry knowledge, experience and ing a new office in Dallas to add to the Alex Seton, VP Business and Corporate Development, Channels, and Strategic accelerate our market penetration, said past success in developing strategic sites in San Francisco and London. Development, Digital Shadows

ManageEngine to advance Business IT alignment with help from Zoho

DUBAI: ManageEngine, the real-time IT Taken together, the suite provides every- management company, yesterday thing an IT department needs to affordably announced its strategy for advancing the manage all of its IT operations, from net- state of IT management and aligning IT with works and servers to applications, service business objectives. Parent company Zoho desk, Active Directory, security, desktops, Corporation plays a key role in the plans as and mobile devices. ManageEngine will integrate Zoho’s cloud- In its efforts to improve IT managea- based business apps with the industry’s bility, ManageEngine has already begun broadest suite of IT management software. contextually integrating many of its ManageEngine will continue to evolve its applications, sharing data across applica- applications based on lessons gained from tions and enabling IT pros to perform rel- managing the Zoho Cloud, one of the evant functions of one application from largest public clouds in the world, and will the UI of another. To date, such contextu- continue to work on the contextual integra- al integrations have been created for its tion of the ManageEngine suite. desk, desktop, mobile device, and opera- Relentless advances in cloud comput- tions management solutions. The ing, mobility and other technologies are expanded ManageEngine-Zoho relation- creating new opportunities and chal- ship promises to push IT-business align- lenges for end-user organizations. ment to new levels. However, IT teams are often hamstrung by The IT community has already caught a multi-vendor IT management solutions glimpse of this alignment in the form of that are functionally disconnected from Analytics Plus, ManageEngine’s self-service each other and isolated from the rest of IT analytics platform that is powered by the organization. In turn, IT teams and Zoho’s business technology. Later this business units grow further out of sync as month, the company will roll out a solution IT teams take longer to act on new oppor- that unites one of its IT management appli- tunities while business productivity and cations with customer account manage- continuity suffer, leaving business units to ment and billing apps from Zoho. Going watch opportunities slip away. forward, the two companies will deliver “The future of IT is the intersection of other integrations to help organizations technology and business,” said Raj Sabhlok, tightly align their IT operations and busi- president of ManageEngine. “Most IT deci- ness strategies. Meanwhile, IT teams can sions are being made at the line of business leverage Zoho Creator, the low-code app or are being influenced at the line of busi- development platform, to rapidly build and SINGAPORE: This photograph shows workers under the care of the Transient Workers Count Too welfare group show off their new 3G phones ness. IT teams need a suite of integrated launch custom, mobile-ready apps. and the 2G phones they swapped them for, at a restaurant in Singapore. — AFP tools that can help them work at that level, To signal closer affinity with Zoho, and we are uniquely qualified to deliver ManageEngine has refreshed its website that suite. Zoho is the operating system for and logo. The new website touts the com- Needy expat workers get phones business and lives at the line of business. pany’s work in “Bringing IT together,” Working even more closely with Zoho puts emphasizing its ability to manage any ManageEngine where we need to be - help- company’s entire IT environment and, as Singapore moves to scrap 2G ing to develop, deploy, manage and secure going forward, align their IT and business. these critical business applications.” The website has also been updated and streamlined to improve usability. In addi- New phones help expats reach their families Bringing IT Together tion, the ManageEngine logo has been ManageEngine has built more than 90 IT updated with a new crest that includes the SINGAPORE: A Singapore migrant welfare which have been collected would be given to Ahamed Mohammad Faruk, 30, who has been management applications and free tools. red, green, blue and yellow colors of Zoho. group has started distributing 3G-enabled other migrant welfare groups for distribution. jobless for eight months after his employer mobile phones to cash-strapped foreign work- The group had urged the public to donate withheld his salary, was among those who got ers days before the city-state shuts down its 2G used 3G handsets or money to buy phones a phone. He had been wondering how his network. Telecom operators in the highly for the workers. three-year-old daughter has grown since he wired island will end second-generation serv- Singapore, with one of the world’s highest left for Singapore two years ago with just a few ices on April 1, forcing thousands still relying it mobile penetration rates, is re-allocating pictures of her. His old 2G phone could only be to upgrade their handsets or become a casual- scarce radio frequency spectrum to meet surg- used for calls and texting. ty of technology’s relentless advance. Migrants ing consumer demand for high-speed data. “I am excited to see her (recent) pictures,” a group Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) But some 132,300 people in the city-state were smiling Ahamed said after getting a touch- said the first batch of handsets was given to 50 still using 2G phones as of December, official screen phone that can send and receive multi- jobless foreign workers late Tuesday. data showed. “Phones are a lot more important media and browse the internet. Japan, South The laborers are out of work due to wage to these workers than to all of us who have Korea and US telecom giant AT&T have already disputes or workplace injury. Many rely on access to computers. It’s their only link to their shut down their 2G networks and Australia is cheap 2G handsets to keep in touch with family... a very important social lifeline for set to stop the service in September. But glob- loved ones back home while awaiting a reso- them,” TWC2 treasurer Alex Au said. ally, 2G is not set to vanish, even as the num- lution to their problems. TWC2 said it would There are almost 1.4 million foreign workers ber of smartphones is projected to soar from hand out 120 more handsets next week, in labor-scarce Singapore, many in the con- four billion last year to some six billion by Raj Sabhlok, President ManageEngine, left, and Nirmal Manoharan, Regional while some of the remaining 80 phones struction and marine industries. Bangladeshi 2020, according to IHS Markit data. —AFP Director of sales ManageEngine.

One in four Wi-Fi hotspots just waiting to be hacked Airline passengers hit the device doldrums NEW YORK: As the indignities of modern air travel go, bid laptop computers, tablets, Kindles, some gaming “It might seem trivial to a lot of people, but what you DUBAI: After analyzing information on more than 31 million Wi- the latest ban on laptops and tablets on some interna- devices, cameras and other electronics larger than a get from these parts of the world are usually business Fi hotspots around the world, Kaspersky Lab has found that tional flights falls somewhere between having to take off smartphone in carry-on baggage. The US government travelers,” said Akdenizli, an associate professor of com- every fourth (28 percent) is unsecured and poses a risk to users’ your ratty shoes at the security checkpoint and having cited unspecified threats as the reason for the ban. The munications at the Doha, Qatar, campus of Northwestern personal data. That means all the traffic transmitted over those your baby food and milk tested for bomb residue. It’s yet UK government instituted a similar ban; neither govern- University. “It’s not just about watching movies, but also networks, including personal messages, passwords, documents another inconvenience in the name of security for weary ment’s restrictions affect US-based airlines. being able to get some work done.” Of course, others and much more, can be easily intercepted and used by attackers. travelers, especially those from or passing through the On the positive side, items people can still carry into may well revel in the prospect of a few hours of lap- According to Kaspersky Security Network, 25 percent of the 10 mostly Middle Eastern and North African countries the airline cabin include smartphones, overstuffed duffel top-free time, stretched out in their luxurious middle world’s Wi-Fi networks have no encryption or password protec- covered by new US and British policies. bags, winter coats, tiny bottles of hand lotion, Tupperware coach seats instead of hunched over Excel spread- tion of any kind. In other words, the information they transmit While it’s not quite as disruptive as an outright ban containers full of tuna salad, earplugs, nose hair trimmers, sheets. It wasn’t so long ago that such this was the is completely open and can be read by third parties. Another 3 on smartphones - much less a travel ban based on and babies. For now, at least - tomorrow could bring a norm for air travelers. And there still are a few ways to percent of hotspots use WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) to nationality - the laptop limitation loomed large for some new unspecified threat and with it a new ban. make do without those laptops, tablets and portable encrypt data. This unreliable protocol can be “cracked” within people as they prepared to travel. “Why are only Middle DVD players. Sort of. minutes using tools that are freely available on the Internet. Eastern airlines subject to this ban?” asked Kelsey Lost productivity The rest of the nearly three-quarters of Wi-Fi hotspots use a Norman, a doctoral student who plans to fly home Other travelers, especially of the dutiful business vari- Awkward workarounds more reliable form of encryption based on the family of Wi-Fi Friday to Los Angeles from Beirut - and expects to have ety, worried that laptops in checked bags could be If you’re someone who insists on working, it’s possi- Protected Access (WPA) protocols. The effort required to hack to check her laptop, a Kindle tablet and her DSLR cam- stolen, damaged or compromised - and that in the ble to take import documents into Google Docs and these networks depends on the settings, including the strength era. “Overall this policy is inconvenient, discriminatory, meantime, they wouldn’t be able to get any work done. thumb away on your smartphone’s keyboard, at least so of the password. For instance, if it’s a weak or publicly accessi- and continues to hurt America’s rapidly deteriorating Some tried rerouting flights to avoid the affected air- long as you remember to save them to your phone ble password (e.g., on display in a cafe), a criminal will also be reputation globally.” ports, but this is not easy. Banu Akdenizli, a native of before you take off. But features can be limited with able to decrypt any transmitted traffic. Turkey, said having to fly 17 hours without her laptop some apps; Microsoft’s Office app, for instance, only lets It’s worth noting that the top 20 countries with the high- Ban logic will cost her precious time to work and prepare for a you open one document at a time. Such apps are OK for est percentage of non-encrypted Wi-Fi hotspots includes The US Department of Homeland Security rules for- conference. simple proofreading and minor editing, but probably many popular tourist destinations - Thailand, France, Israel, won’t do if you’re working on your novel. the US and so on. Travelers are among the most vulnerable Among other things, the text is tiny when fitting a full because the nearest available Wi-Fi hotspot is often the only page on a phone’s screen, though there’s a button to way for them to stay connected. At the same time, another temporarily reformat text for the smaller display. study suggests only 52 percent of Internet users in the UAE Catching up on email or cleaning out your inbox could are concerned about their data being intercepted during a be another way to pass time without your laptop, espe- Wi-Fi session. cially if you shell out for in-flight Wi-Fi. If you can resist “We advise all users to remain vigilant when connecting to the urge to work, you can download shows from Netflix Wi-Fi. Don’t use hotspots without passwords and don’t use or Amazon onto your phone for offline viewing - though public hotspots to perform high-risk activities such as online again, you have to remember to do this before your banking or shopping, logging on to sites or for transferring flight. And you might want to stick with comedies or TV confidential information. If that sort of traffic is intercepted by shows rather than epics designed for big screens. a third party, it could result in serious losses, including financial losses. And of course, we strongly recommend using addition- At least it’s not phones al measures to protect traffic, such as VPN (Virtual Private For most of us, laptops and other gadgets play mere Network) technology,” explains Denis Legezo, Antivirus Expert supporting roles compared to our extra limb, our one and at Kaspersky Lab. only - the smartphone. We go to sleep with it and look at The flagship solutions Kaspersky Internet Security and it the first thing in the morning. Had the ban included Kaspersky Total Security now integrate the new Secure smartphones, passengers might now be agitating for the Connection feature that encrypts all data sent and received return of zeppelin travel. Last fall, Samsung asked users of over a communication channel. Depending on the user set- its fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 to “power down and stop tings, Secure Connection can be run automatically when using the device” when getting on a plane. (The phone attempting to connect to an unsecured network, or when per- was later banned, and then recalled.) People followed the forming potentially vulnerable operations online. FRANKFURT: In this file photo, a new Qatar Airways Airbus A350 approaches the gate at the airport in directions but found clever workarounds, such as borrow- Frankfurt, Germany. — AP ing non-Note 7 phones from friends. —AP THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE

When will you get Alzheimer’s? New gene test may tell

MIAMI: International researchers said Tuesday most common form of dementia, affecting Desikan, clinical instructor at the University of predict the risk of Alzheimer’s in other ethnici- they have found a way to assess a person’s some 47 million people worldwide, and has no California San Francisco Department of ties, including African Americans or Latinos. genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease cure and no effective treatments. Most people Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. “That is, if “This limitation is an unfortunate product of by a given age, a tool that could lead to better with the disease begin to show symptoms in you don’t already have dementia, what is your available genetic studies,” said co-author Chun diagnosis and treatment. The report in the their 60s, but rarer cases of early onset yearly risk for AD onset, based on your age and Chieh Fan, a doctor in the department of cogni- journal PLOS Medicine was based on genetic Alzheimer’s can begin as early as the 30s. genetic information.” More research is needed tive science at the University of California, San data from more than 70,000 Alzheimer’s “For any given individual, for a given age and before the test can be made available to the Diego. “To have good predictive performance, patients and elderly people without the dis- genetic information, we can calculate your ‘per- public. Also, researchers noted that their data- the genetic risk score requires a large amount of ease participating in several major global stud- sonalized’ annualized risk for developing bases mainly included people of European data to train, but currently only European ies on dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the Alzheimer’s disease (AD),” said co-author Rahul descent, and therefore they could not accurately cohorts have reached this critical mass.” — AFP

Migrants at risk of drug resistant TB in Europe PARIS: In the late 19th century, an estimat- others might want to avoid a positive diag- ed one in seven Europeans was dying of nosis for fear of being deported. “The situ- tuberculosis, then known as “consumption” ation in Europe is such that governments for its slow, remorseless wasting of the are now tightening up in terms of who is human body. Now, after decades of low TB able to access free statutory health servic- rates thanks to antibiotics and strong pub- es,” Sally Hargreaves of the International lic health systems, the continent is threat- Health Unit at Imperial College London, ened by a new and different form of the told AFP. In 2015 alone, Europe received a lung disease-one which cannot easily be million migrants from war-torn countries cured with existing drugs. And the people in Africa and the Middle East. most at risk, experts say, are migrants and “There’s very little evidence to suggest refugees who often find themselves in that migrants pose a major threat to the densely-populated, unsanitary, disease- general population of a country they go to favorable conditions similar to those in health terms,” Nicholas Beeching of the blamed for Europe’s Victorian era “Great ESCMID’s Study Group on Infections in White Plague”. Travellers and Migrants told AFP. “Although rare in European countries, “Nevertheless, of course it presents a the risks posed by the current migrant cri- challenge because we want to identify peo- sis makes MDR-TB (multi- drug-resistant ple with MDR-TB and make sure that they tuberculosis) an important and urgent get appropriate treatment and also make health priority,” the European Society of sure it doesn’t spread within their own com- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious munity... and the general community.” Diseases (ESCMID) said in a recent state- ment. And it warned there was a “human Pre-antibiotic era rights obligation” to improve the diagnosis, In 2015, about half-a-million people treatment and prevention of drug-resistant worldwide developed MDR-TB and the tuburculosis in migrants. Infections on even more resistant strain XDR-TB, accord- European soil were mainly among migrants ing to the World Health Organization. One ANTANANARIVO: People stand beside 20 liter jerrycans waiting to be filled at a public fountain during a period when the public themselves, and public health experts in five were in the WHO’s European region, water supply has been cut off, in the Isotry district of Antananarivo, Madagascar. — AFP photos stress they should be viewed as a vulnera- which comprises 53 countries including ble group in need of help-not disease from hard-hit eastern Europe and Russia. spreaders. A hundred percent of MDR-TB Treatment was successful in under half of Water carriers in Madagascar cases in Austria, the Netherlands and MDR-TB patients and less than a third for Norway were diagnosed in migrants and XDR-TB-a rate which “approximates that... refugees, said the ESCMID, and around 90 seen in the pre-antimicrobial era,” the jour- bear brunt of global crisis percent in Britain, France, Italy and nal Clinical Microbiology and Infection Germany. This represented just over 1,400 warned in its March edition. “If drug resist- cases in 12 countries in 2014. ance increases substantially, TB elimination ‘We lose 14,000 children each year to diarrhea’ will become more difficult if not impossi- Access denied ble, to achieve.” TB, an infection of the ANTANANARIVO: As usual, they get up before home is a luxury only few can afford. After a long households have a water supply in their house,” Some migrants may arrive already sick lungs that can be deadly if untreated, dawn and, one by one, place their cans in a neat wait, Razafinirina fills her two 20-litre (five-US said senior district official Jean Marc with MDR-TB, others with a latent, unob- killed some 1.8 million people worldwide row at the base of the water pump, ready for gallon) cans at the unreliable water pump and Randriamanga. “Everyone else must get their served infection. Some may catch these in 2015 and infected 10.4 million. another long day of waiting and carrying. For descends into the maze of cobbled streets of the water from the pump because there are no dangerous germs on overcrowded refugee It remains the top infectious killer the water carriers of Antananarivo, the capital of Andranomanalina Isotry district of the city. wells here.” boats or in work or migrant camps. worldwide-particularly in Asia, Africa Madagascar, distributing water is a daily physical Carrying the heavy cans, she delivers them to “Migrants are among the most susceptible and Eastern Europe, which also has the struggle that has been worsened by regional shops, businesses and homes. Some days she Water is life groups to tuberculosis,” Michel Kazatchkine, most MDR-TB cases. MDR-TB does not drought and climate change. “Today I arrived will make 20 trips to the public pump and back- Even at the pump, a small fee must be paid the UN secretary-general’s special envoy on respond to the two most potent TB here at 5:00 am. It is now 8:30 am and I have only carrying a total of 800 litres of water, and leaving for water, further weighing on the scant HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, drugs-isoniazid and rifampin, and XDR- been able to fill two cans,” Olivia Hanitriniaina her no time to linger with her customers before resources of local people. “The price is still told AFP. “Most of them acquire a disease TB to an even longer list. “While anyone Razafinirina, 24, told AFP, ahead of World Water rushing back to join the long line. On a good expensive, considering the purchasing power of in the host country,” he said. Drug-resistant can contract TB, the disease thrives Day on Wednesday. “Water is life. People need day, Razafinirina will earn just about $1.20 (1.30 people here,” said Randriamanga. The money TB strains are more difficult and expensive among people living in poverty, commu- water every day, if there is none everyone suf- euro) in local currency. goes to the Madagascan utilities company and to treat. Symptoms are not immediately nities and groups that are marginalized fers.” For the last 10 years, Razafinirina has been “It just allows me to buy something to eat, the local water association, which are jointly visible, and the disease can spread easily and other vulnerable populations,” the heaving water through the slums of the city. some rice to cook. There is no other work,” she responsible for maintaining the supply network from one person to another via coughing, WHO says in a message for World TB Day Across the poverty-stricken and undeveloped said. Despite such dire pay, water carriers play a and each pump. “In total, 134 people use this sneezing, or simply talking. But many cas- on Friday-migrants and refugees among island of Madagascar, drinking tap water at crucial role in Madagascar. “Only 10 percent of connection,” said Sabine Raharimalala, head of es may never be spotted, as European them. “Addressing the health needs of the local Tsimialonjafy water users association. countries do not have a standardized the disadvantaged, the marginalized, Despite the pumps and the daily exertions of the approach to screening. those out of reach of the health system, water carriers, Madagascar is one of the world’s Migrants may be refused access to will mean improving access to health worst countries for rural access to clean water. treatment or may not know how to, and services for everyone.” — AFP A WaterAid report released to mark World Water Day said that Papua New Guinea, Madagascar and Mozambique are at the bottom of the table. In Papua New Guinea, 67 percent of rural people live without access to clean water, in Madagascar it is 65 percent and Mozambique 63 percent. All three are among the nations most vulnerable to climate change and that are least ready to adapt, the report said. “It is largely due to lack of funding provided for the needs of drinking water,” WaterAid’s Lovy Rasolofomanana told AFP, saying about $9 million is spent each year when $200 million is required to achieve “universal access”. “We lose 14,000 children each year to diarrhea,” he said, revealing the grim toll of the island’s extreme poverty. “Lack of water causes so much illness due to poor sanitation.” Severe drought over recent years has also left Madagascar in a food crisis, with nearly a million people hungry and in urgent need of food aid in the south of the island alone, according to the World Food ANTANANARIVO: A man waits for his jerrycan to be filled at a public fountain during a period Program. Back at the water pump in Antananarivo, when the public water supply has been cut off, in the Isotry district of Antananarivo, the flow slowed to a tickle as the supply network Madagascar. struggled to cope. A can left in line at 10:00 am LIMA: This file photo shows a medical doctor checking an X-ray film at a public clinic will not be full until 3:00 pm. — AFP of a poor district in Lima. — AFP For Ugandan children, hunger Solar boreholes, irrigated crops and HIV make a deadly mix throw lifeline to Kenyan herders

KATAKWI, Uganda: Seven-year-old Esther Agutti weighs weren’t yet being distributed in his village. “We have GARISSA, Kenya: At the only borehole with water for longer incur the bulk of those expenses. They still use the 7 kilos - a third of the weight of the average child her been to the county offices and officials there have prom- miles around, the troughs are under siege in Saretho vil- generator at night but recoup some of the money by levy- age. She has been in hospital in Katakwi, eastern ised us that there will be food relief coming though they lage as hundreds of camels, cattle, sheep and goats await ing fees. “We charge 10 shillings for every camel, four Uganda, for three days. She was painfully thin when she are not sure of when,” he said. “I am struggling to get their turn. On the other side of the solar-powered well, shillings per cow, and one shilling for every goat and was admitted and had diarrhoea and vomiting, said some food for the family from the garden. It’s not women and children fetch water for household use, load- sheep,” said Ibrahim. According to Red Cross project officer Loyce Akelo, a senior doctor. Esther’s family, who are enough because of the drought.” In December, Uganda’s ing 20-litre jerry cans onto donkeys or dragging them off Saidi Katana, around 65 solar panels were installed for the farmers, have been hit hard by the drought that has President Yoweri Museveni announced he was redirect- home. On a single day, thousands of livestock drink here, project. “This enables the borehole to pump 32 cubic scorched East Africa. They have had to ration the little ing funds budgeted for roads to provide relief food to while hundreds of people collect water. Two years ago, the metres of water per hour, which is a lot and ensures that food they have to survive - but this is particularly danger- areas affected by drought and hunger.DYING scene would have been different. Without the solar-pow- the residents of Saretho never lack water,” said Katana. ous for Esther, who, like her parents, is HIV-positive. A poor rainy season has led to extensive drought ered pump they have now, the villagers found the local Esther is receiving anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment - which across East Africa, destroying crops and killing livestock. boreholes difficult and costly to operate. Fruit & veg slows the development of HIV and holds off its progres- Uganda’s neighbour Kenya has already declared a But since the Kenya Red Cross installed a solar system Elsewhere in the county, a group of former pastoralists sion into AIDS. But crucial to the proper functioning of national disaster, with the Red Cross estimating 2.7 mil- in 2014, they no longer have problems getting water. The have taken to growing fruit and vegetables. Its chairman these drugs is good nutrition, doctors say. lion people are in need of food aid as a result of lack of village of Saretho, which lies between the eastern town of Mathar Shale said he hasn’t kept livestock since he started “The hospital has received 232 children, more than rains. In Uganda, the worst affected districts are in the Garissa and Dadaab, is home to around 6,000 people and planting bananas, tomatoes and cabbages. “I can earn half of all the children on HIV medication in the district. north and east, where district authorities have warned the local water supply is more than enough for them - 70,000 shillings ($680) in a good month,” he said. Shale is They lack food and have been malnourished since the the drought may disrupt ARV treatment as HIV-positive even as swathes of the country are suffering from a one of 40 farmers working a 20-acre plot set up as a farm start of this year,” Akelo told the Thomson Reuters children and their elder relatives are hungry and unable drought emergency. The borehole also serves thousands by the Kenya Red Cross in Garissa’s Balambala constituency Foundation in Katakwi. “It is important that someone to take the drugs. Walter Elakas, a district head in of other livestock that flock from neighboring areas. Abdi in 2014. The aid agency plans to start more farms along the with HIV first takes a meal before taking on drugs.” Poor Katakwi, said parents of HIV-positive children are strug- Ibrahim, a former chief of Saretho and chair of the bore- Tana River, which offers a steady water supply, to improve nutrition can affect the absorption of the drugs in the gling to give their children a meal before midday. hole committee, said the pump was previously powered local people’s livelihoods. “People in Garissa depend most- body or leave the body less able to tolerate the medica- David Tumwesigye, an official at the Ministry of by a diesel generator - but it often malfunctioned, espe- ly on their cattle... which can perish during drought. Small- tion. Akelo said the hospital is giving Esther meals to Gender Labour and Social Development, said in a news cially in the heat. scale irrigation is an option we have given the people of help her take her drugs but the arrangement is just tem- conference last month 11.7 million Ugandan children are “During droughts... we didn’t pump water often and Subar,” said Katana. The Red Cross installed a pump to porary and she will soon be sent home. on the verge of dying of hunger and pneumonia due to most people used to drive their cattle for many kilometres,” bring water from the river to the farm, where it is distrib- Esther’s father, Moses Agutti, said the family was hop- lack of food and proper housing: That means about six in he said. To operate and repair the generator was costly for uted to crops via furrows dug in the earth. In the past, ing to receive government food handouts but they 10 children are starving. — Reuters villagers who had to pay for fuel and sometimes a mechan- Shale would lose his livestock to drought and had nothing ic, said Ibrahim. The solar power system means they no to fall back on. — Reuters THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Prof Ljiljana talks about The Roche cervical cancer dermatology treatments prevention portfolio

Question: What are the non-surgical skin rejuvena- pain free, homogeneous ervical cancer is highly preventable when detected early. CINtec PLUS Cytology and CINtec Histology Both the CINtec tion and dermatology treatments that would prolong heating to multiple tissue Advanced diagnostic tools available today can improve PLUS Cytology test and the CINtec Histology test have exten- the younger look without surgery? depths, heat the underly- Cthe ability to detect cervical cancer early to prevent sive clinical evidence to support their application in the man- Answer: Implementation of skin protection and anti- ing tissue and stimulate the development and progression of the disease. The Roche agement and diagnosis of women at risk of developing cervical aging treatment regimens should begin as early as pos- body’s natural collagen Diagnostics cervical cancer portfolio supports laboratories and cancer. CINtec PLUS Cytology has been validated as a triage sible and continue throughout life to counteract the synthesis and production, healthcare providers in their efforts to provide optimum test and has shown utility for primary screening of young effects of intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging before cos- induces fibroblast prolifera- screening and testing to protect women from cervical cancer women in many clinical studies. The large pan-European metic surgery is required. Non-surgical, anti-aging pro- tion, improved circulation and overtreatment. Furthermore, Roche Diagnostics cervical PALMS clinical study in over 27,000 women demonstrated the cedures for rejuvenation, lifting, revolumizing and and lymphatic drainage, cancer portfolio is unique in that it helps along the continuum value of CINtec PLUS Cytology as a triage test for women with recontouring are: Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, and induces lipolysis. of care enabling physicians to screen and diagnose patients abnormal Pap cytology results, and as a primary screening tool injectable dermal fillers, bio-rejuvenation with skin Q: What is effective and make better treatment decisions. for women less than 30 years of age. Other studies have boosters or super-skin-boosters, chemical peels, treatment for leg and demonstrated the use and long-term safety of CINtec PLUS mesotherapy and various skin resurfacing methods, facial vein? Screening women to identify those at highest Cytology in managing women who test positive for HPV but Professor Ljiljana including dermabrasion, and laser resurfacings. Last but A: Although sclerother- risk of developing cervical cancer have a normal Pap result. Finally, there is increasing evidence not the least, non-surgical, cutting-edge procedures, py remains the corner- Medenica Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the known cause of almost that CINtec PLUS Cytology is better than Pap cytology at triag- platelet rich plasma (PRP) and PDO Thread Facelift are stone of leg vein treatment all cervical cancers. Prevention strategies now look at screening ing patients who have positive HPV primary screening results. able to do much more and people have much less rea- it can be associated with side effects including ulcera- for the presence of HPV as an adjunct or precursor to Pap cytol- The CINtec Histology test detects expression of the p16 bio- son to seek out cosmetic surgery. tion and allergic reaction. As such, interest in laser treat- ogy testing in order to improve the assessment of a patient’s marker protein on slides from cervical biopsies. Over 100 publi- Q: PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma): what is this tech- ment of leg veins remains high with practitioners and individual risk of developing cervical cancer in initial testing. cations, medical society recommendations, as well as a major nique used for and how could it help in preventing patients alike. The cobas(r) HPV Test is the only FDA-approved and CE-marked Pan-European clinical study and the recently completed CER- the aging process? Treating facial redness - telangiectasia and flushing HPV test for first-line primary HPV screening. It is also approved TAIN study support the scientific and medical value of the A: Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma (A-PRP) injections caused by rosacea is generally more difficult than treat- for co-testing along with a Pap test, and for follow-up of abnor- CINtec Histology test for use in cervical biopsy specimens. procedure is simple, safe and natural. PRP use regenera- ing papules and pustules caused by the condition. mal Pap test results when atypical squamous cells of undeter- CINtec Histology improves the ability of pathologists to accu- tive and healing properties of platelets. Platelets have Brimonidine tartrate (Mirvaso) is a relatively new, promis- mined significance are found (ASC-US triage). The test simulta- rately and reproducibly diagnose cervical disease when used in ability to locally release growth factors that’s initiate the ing topical medication for telangiectatic rosacea. Laser neously determines a pooled result for 12 high-risk genotypes conjunction with standard diagnostic H&E tests CINtec process of skin regeneration. therapymay help reduce the redness that comes from and provides individual results for the highest risk genotypes: Histology can help identify lesions that were previously missed To prepare PRP after the taking a patient’s blood, enlarged facial blood vessels. HPV 16 and HPV 18. using H&E staining alone. Many professional societies recom- sample is spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets Lasers specifically developed for treatment of vascu- The molecular-based cobas HPV Test provides these three mend the use of the p16 INK4a biomarker in addition to H&E from other blood components. After being centrifuged, lar lesions are based on the principles of selective pho- results from just one sample using a single test. A woman posi- diagnosis, and these recommendations have subsequently the platelet concentration and therefore growth factor tothermolysis. The heat from the lasers damages the tive for high-risk HPV will need to be managed according to been adopted into guidelines by the World Health concentration in PRP can be three to five times greater dilated veins and causes them to shrink so they’re no recommended clinical guidelines. A woman who tests negative Organisation. than would usually be present in the blood. Activated longer visible (with minimal scarring or damage to the for high-risk HPV can be confidently reassured that she is at • CINtec histology not approved for use in the United States. platelets with numerous highly concentrated growth fac- surrounding area).Vascular malformations associated very low risk to develop cervical disease. tors in PRP are then injected into the skin, release growth with smaller more superficial blood vessels respond bet- factors that recruit and increase the proliferation of ter to treatment than deeper larger vessels (more often Managing women who are at risk of cervical disease reparative cells. PRP stimulate the fibroblasts, increases arising in older individuals). It is therefore best to begin HPV infections are very common and most are cleared by the production of collagen, and stimulates stem cell dif- treatment early. the immune system, hence only some HPV-positive women ferentiation and proliferation and triggers angiogenesis. Q: Beside hair’s removal, what other treatments have or will develop pre-cancer or cancer. It is therefore impor- We use PRP for facial, neck, dÈcolletÈ and hand rejuve- the lasers are used for? tant to distinguish who is at greatest risk for disease and who nation (improve texture, density and luminosity of the A: Beside unwonted hair removal, in the last 20 would benefit most from colposcopy (a procedure that closely skin), fine wrinkles correction, deep wrinkles reduction years major advances in laser technology has revolu- examines the cervix and is the first intervention to manage a (the concept is not to fill the wrinkles but to stimulate tionized their use in the treatment of many skin condi- patient) from those who are safe to monitor or return to rou- their filing from inside),post-acne scars, hypertrophic tions and congenital defects, including: vascular lesions tine screening. scars, keloids and stretch marks reduction and under the (varicose veins, port-wine stains, facial telangiectasia, As part of its cervical cancer portfolio, Roche offers an eye hallow treatment (improved brightness; skin around hemangiomas, pyogenic granulomas), pigmented advanced biomarker test called CINtec PLUS Cytology that the eyes recovers its tonicity and fading of dark circles). By lesions (freckles and birthmarks, blue naevi, naevi, helps determine if an HPV infection likely to transform into pre- PRP injections we can treat different acute and chronic Becker nevus), tattoos, scars, stretch marks reduction cancer or cancer is present. CINtec PLUS Cytology is a fully- types of hair loss such as acute and chronic androgenetic and/or removal. Skin resurfacing and rejuvenation automated immunocytochemistry assay and the only test that alopecia (AGA) in women, early AGA in man, acute diffuse (facial wrinkles, sun-damaged skin of the face, neck, uses dual-biomarker technology to simultaneously detect p16 alopecia (Telogen effluvium); patchy alopecia (Alopecia dÈcolletÈ, hands; and vaginal rejuvenation) can be INK4a and Ki-67, biomarkers associated with precancerous cer- areata) and postpartum alopecia. Vitality, color and achieved too by lasers. vical disease, to provide a strong indicator of the presence of brightness of hair are enhanced; their loss is slowed and, Q: With the summer approaching, what are the transforming HPV infection. in a second phase, their growth is activated. advices you give to prevent, black spots and preserve Q: Mesotherapy: beside the role of mesotherapy skin from aging? Diagnosing women with high-grade cervical lesions in lightning skin, it’s as well used for different skin A: Simple guidelines to protect you from the sun are Women identified at risk of having cervical disease that and hair problem, can you elaborate? as follows: undergo colposcopy may have a tissue biopsy taken to confirm A: Mesotherapy involves multiple intradermal or sub- Avoid outdoor activities during the middle of the day the presence of high-grade disease in order to determine the cutaneous injections of a mixture of compounds (plant (during the hours of 10 am to 4 pm), when the sun is next steps in patient treatment. CINtec Histology is a fully-auto- extracts, homeopathic agents, pharmaceuticals, amino strongest. Cover up when outside - wear a hat, long- mated immunohistochemistry assay that detects the p16INK4a acids, minerals, coenzyme Q10, cytokines, peptides, sleeved shirts and long pants when out in the sun. biomarker in cervical biopsy preparations and is used in con- nucleic acids, glutathione, and other bioactive sub- Choose tightly woven materials for greater protection junction with the standard Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain stances) in minute doses, using very fine gauge needles. from the sun’s rays. Sunscreens should be applied daily - preparation to confirm if high-grade disease is present. CINtec Skin acts as a natural time-release system when drugs more often when outdoors. Apply a broad- spectrum Histology increases a pathologist’s diagnostic accuracy and can are injected by mesotherapy. sunscreens, with SPF 50+ printed on the label, liberally, identify lesions that were previously missed using H&E staining Beside the role of in lightening the skin, mesotherapy 30 minutes before going outdoors. The sunscreen should alone. The World Health Organization adopted guidance by (Mesoglow, MesoLift , Mesobotox) is an ideal rejuvena- always be reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavi- professional organizations in the US recommending the use of tion procedure for mature, dehydrated, dry or wrinkled ly. Beware of reflective surfaces! Sand, water and con- p16INK4a for diagnosing cervical disease, making CINtec skin with lack of radiance and plumpness. Different types crete can reflect more than half the sun’s rays onto your Histology part of the global standard of care of diagnosing of hair loss in women and men are also indication for skin. Sitting in the shade does not guarantee protection women potentially afflicted with cervical disease. mesotherapy (Mesohair or Mesoplasty).With mesothera- from sunburn. Avoid tanning booths! UV light emitted by py procedure for Body Sculpting - Body Contouring we tanning booths causes sunburn and premature aging, Science that creates certainty can treat undesired localized facial and/or body fat and and increases your risk of developing skin cancer. All tests that are part of the Roche cervical cancer portfolio cellulitis by Injection Lipolysis or flaccidity of arms and Q: Ladies tend to keep their younger look despite have been clinically validated in rigorous studies. A landmark inner thighs, and stretch marks by different firming progressing in age. What is your advice that they can trial, with over 47,000 women 21 years of age or greater receiv- Mesosculpt cocktails. follow to fulfill this wish? ing routine cervical cancer screening, clinically validated the Q: Body contouring Treatment - can you tell us A: Youthful skin appearance can be preserved to cobas HPV Test. This prospective cervical cancer screening trial, about this technology? some degree with less-invasive options, mitigating the published under the name ATHENA (Addressing THE Need for A: Venus Concept is a non-invasive, non-surgical need for cosmetic surgery. This is accomplished by com- Advanced HPV Diagnostics) in multiple reports in leading sci- treatment for body contouring. It is safe, painless treat- bining available aging prevention and anti-aging treat- entific journals, evaluated the clinical use of HPV DNA testing ments for all skin types, which provides circumferential ment options such as: daily sun protection (broad- spec- with 16/18 genotyping. fat reduction, cellulite reduction and skin tightening. The trum sunscreens, with SPF 50+ printed on the label), use Other studies on the cobas HPV Test have been published Venus Legacy is device which utilize 4D technology, of topical antioxidants, (vitamin C and E creams), topical including two successful European efforts to validate the test combining Multi-Polar Radio Frequency (RF), Pulsed anti-aging products (retinoid, kinetin, and moisturizers) under the widely accepted European HPV testing criteria. Electro Magnetic Fields (PEMF) and VariPulse technology and regular-interval anti-aging rejuvenation treatments Based on the strength of the ATHENA data, the cobas HPV test (VP), with RealTime Thermal Feedback. This hand-held ((e.g., Botox, fillers, skin boosters, super skin boosters, was approved in April 2011 by the FDA to triage abnormal Pap device sends a combination of energies below the sur- chemical peels, PRP, mesotherapy and nonablative light- test results and to be used with the Pap as a co-testing tool. The face of the skin. The Radio Frequency (RF) delivers fast, based treatments). FDA approved the test as a stand-alone primary HPV screening tool for women aged 25 years and older in April 2014. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

The Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Yasser Atef poses with the Egyptian artists. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Artist Sherif Ismail Kuwait hosts Egyptian arts show

By Faten Omar

s part of the activities of the Egyptian cultural week, the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters A(NCCAL) and the Office of the Egyptian Cultural Attache in Kuwait held an exhibition entitled ‘Egyptian Visions 2’ on Tuesday at the Museum of Modern Art in Kuwait City. More than 20 Egyptian artists residing in Kuwait participated in the event. Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Yasser Atef expressed his pride and admiration for the artworks of Egyptian artists displayed at the exhibition. “For thousands of years, Egyptian artists dazzled the whole world with their artistic works and creativity,” he said. The ambassador praised NCCAL’s efforts in Kuwait, and the role it plays in promoting Arab and Islamic culture. “I hope people will enjoy the achievements made by the Egyptian artists,” he said. “This exhibition was met with sat- isfaction expressed by those interested in culture and arts among the Kuwaiti people, Egyptians in Kuwait, or people from other communities.” Sherif Ismail, an Egyptian artist and photographer, told Kuwait Times that this is his first time to participate with Ismail’s painting ‘Egyptian Faces.’ Ismail’s second painting. the exhibition that is sponsored by the Embassy of Egypt. “I am participating with three paintings that describe the recent developments in Egypt,” he said. “I started with a painting that describes the situation where we live now and the case of concern and expectations for the future that people have. The second painting describes the Egyptian boat, which represents stability. The last painting is about how the media deliberately starts a fight between two people hosted in a TV show, in order to serve a hidden agenda that the media organization has.” Ismail explained a new method he used in making the first painting, titled ‘Egyptian Faces.’ “It mixes between digi- tal and regular painting,” he said, explaining that he started drawing the painting on a tablet device, then printed it out and completed the painting by hand before coloring it. Egyptian Cultural Attache in Kuwait Dr Nabeel Bahgat attended the event, in addition to a number of ambassa- dors and a group of artists and art enthusiasts. The exhi- bition includes artworks of a group of Egyptian artists, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, handicrafts and ornaments. Ismail’s third painting. Artist Mohammad Abdulkareem BSK holds art expo

By Ben Garcia

n art exhibition was organized last Tuesday at the British School of Kuwait A(BSK) in Salwa. Madam Vera Al- Mutawa, Founder and Director of BSK, and Karlfried Bergner, Ambassador of Germany to Kuwait, inaugurated the exhibition titled ‘Art Design Technology.’ The one-day event was organized to showcase the best of BSK stu- dents’ artworks. Most of the art displayed will be kept in the school’s premises after the exhibition. “It is a display of artworks made by stu- dents from Reception to Year 13 stages,” said Laura Stoney, art and design teacher. “It fea- tures different artworks made by our students, including paintings, printed material, sculp- tures, and drawings. They are stuff that our students are proud of.” Zahrah Foy, another art teacher, noted that arts brings out the best out of students. “We have amazing kids from BSK who really have the talent,” she said. “This is the venue we cre- ated for them to showcase their prowess in art and designs. They work hard and care about their abilities. The exhibit also encourages more of students to bring out their talents.”

Burgan Bank invites ‘BuBa’ Kids Customers to ‘Smurfs - The Lost Village’ at Grand Cinemas

urgan Bank announced its latest exclusive offer with Grand Cinemas, to invite its ‘BuBa’ Kids cus- Btomers to watch ‘Smurfs - The Lost Village” movie at Grand Cinemas- Al-Hamra Luxury Centre, on Thursday of March 30, 2017 for free at 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Each BuBa customer will be entitled to two free tickets. To avail those tickets, customers need to visit the box office at Al- Hamra Luxury Center. This offer comes as part of the bank’s wide and exclu- sive range of valuable privileges and benefits that are specially designated for its BuBa customers. Burgan Bank strives to offer its customer-base with best-in-class serv- ices along with benefits that suits their needs, and yester- day’s announcement is a clear indication of that. Customers are among the bank’s main priorities and by partnering with Grand Cinemas, Kuwait’s newest and most luxurious movie theater; the bank continues to reinforce its position as a leading financial institution that meets its individual customer aspirations. This step for- ward marks a new era for Burgan Bank and Grand Cinemas conjoint customer service, which falls in the strategies of both firms to keep pioneering the entertain- ment industry and upgrading their clientele’s service to the highest of levels. WHAT’S ON THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 Exhibition expresses views of ‘48 Palestinians

By Faten Omar

ix Palestinian artists hailing from lands occupied in 1948 participated in an exhi- Sbition entitled ‘Third Identity,’ which was hosted by the Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) yesterday. The participating artists rep- resent different generations, and used differ- ent techniques of painting and architecture. Most of the works were inspired by the artists’ sense of belonging to the Palestinian territo- ries. Some works showcase the Palestinian right of return, while others depict the forgot- ten history of old places. “This is the first exhibition in the Middle East that features Palestinian artists who reside in Palestine and hail from lands occu- pied in 1948,” Rima Al-Khaldi, the wife of the Rima Al-Khaldi, the wife of the Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait, and Guests pose for a group photo at the Iranian exhibition. Palestinian Ambassador to Kuwait, told other guests tour the Palestinian exhibition. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat reporters during a tour at the exhibition. She added that this exhibition is the best way to make the Palestinians’ voice heard around the whole world. “The message is about how Palestinians love life and feel alive,” she said. “Palestine is full of creative people who promote the Palestinian cause through their artworks.” Most of the artist hail from Jaffa and Haifa, Khaldi noted. “Every artist expressed his idea in his own way, whether through paintings or sculptures. I was amazed by one artist who used rice sacks which were sent as food aid to Palestinian people.” This exhibition aims to shed light on Palestinians from lands occupied in 1948, and help integrate them within the regional Arab culture. The six Palestinian artists who partici- Artworks from the Iranian exhibition. A painting from the Palestinian exhibition. pated are Abed Abedi, Asad Azzi, Ibrahim Noubani, Michael Hallak, Nisrin Abu Baker and Samah Shihadi. CAP also hosted an Iranian exhibition titled ‘Appointment with Metal,’ which showcased a number of artworks by artist Navid Joob Chiha. “The Iranian exhibition was for only one artist who expressed the meaning of life through metal,” said Masha Azimi from the Iranian embassy. Azimi pointed out that Iranian artists pos- sesses many ways to understand the real func- tions of art and its relation with the world around them, and use their skill to impress the audience. “We have difficulties to bring Iranian artists into Kuwait with regards to visa issues, but I am trying my best to show Kuwait the beauty of Iran’s art where I am an art collector myself,” she added. A painting from the Palestinian exhibition. A painting from the Palestinian exhibition. Action launches new corporate identity, appoints new CEO

ction Global Communications has announced the strong and measurable results among target audiences. tion services are now an integral part of our core client launch of the agency’s new fresh and simple cor- Since 2002, Action Kuwait has provided integrated PR services.” While Action maintains in-market communica- Aporate identity which reflects the company’s services that to this day continue to make it a trusted tions practitioners in all its operational markets, the strategic transformation - now being led by its new CEO, partner for local and multinational brands such as Group is focusing on core regional hubs in Dubai, Russia, Chris Christodoulou, who has taken over from the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, Fouad Al- Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Belgium and Algeria. Moving for- Group’s founder Tony Christodoulou. Ghanim and Sons Automotive Company, Etihad Airways, ward, the Group will further boost its hubs with regional A visionary regional communications network Mastercard and more. digital experts and creative talent to provide localized established 45 years ago, Action has always focused on “The launch of the new corporate identity represents strategies and develop inspirational campaigns. emerging markets and is now the leading independent exciting times for Action and comes at special time for “We work with many multi-national companies and it communications network in Russia, CIS, the Baltics, the team here at Action Kuwait as we celebrate an is clear that the advantage of having local offices and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East and North important milestone of 15 years in operation,” Amna Al- local experts on the ground can never be underestimat- Africa. The past few years have seen a rapid improve- Jarery, Action Kuwait Country Manager, said. “The new ed,” said Chris. “There is incredible diversity across our ment in digital technologies in these regions, which brand logo emphasizes the fresh energy of the network core markets and at the heart of what we do is provide Chris Christodoulou Amna Al-Jarery has been reflected in the way that PR services are now and that perfectly aligns with the fully-integrated servic- consultation to clients operating in culturally diverse executed, with digital now playing a greater role than es we provide.” regions to ensure that their PR activities deliver success- ever before. The new brand has been designed with a simple and kets is a surge in technological development and digital ful and meaningful results. With our talented teams This is particularly evident in Kuwait, where Action modern motif to represent the effective and efficient communications. This is also impacting the way we exe- around the network, our promise to clients is to bring Kuwait this year celebrates its 15th anniversary. During communications results that Action delivers across more cute strategic communications, with more clients than authentic, relevant insights to companies and help them its time in operation, the agency has become a market than 40 countries, and to recognize the addition of the ever before not only wanting digital PR services, but to create meaningful connections with their audiences leader in the country thanks to a team of digital experts, dedicated Action Digital brand to the Group’s services. requiring digital to play a much larger role in their com- to become credible voices that build trust. While we with international experience and local knowledge, on Chris Christodoulou, CEO of Action Global ommunica- panies’ outreach to customers and stakeholders. “As part have already had 45 years of success, we are enjoying hand to facilitate clients with the perfect mix of on and tions, says: “While Action’s long history has been rooted of our new brand and the recent introduction of Action the evolution of PR and we believe that with Action, offline channels of communication needed to achieve in traditional PR, what we are seeing in emerging mar- Digital to our offering, our bespoke digital communica- there is so much more to come.”

Mother’s Day dining at Crowne Plaza Kuwait’s Al-Thuraya City

n the occasion of Mother’s Day, Crowne Plaza al and international delicacies tomorrow (Friday, Kuwait’ Al-Thuraya City pays tribute to moth- March 24, 2017). The brunch will showcase some of Oers with a special brunch celebration. Treat the the finest Arabic dishes and signature dishes from family to a memorable Friday brunch at Silk restau- Asian and international cuisines. For dessert, enjoy rant, the hotel’s finest restaurant, which includes a the tempting selection of Arabic and European pas- healthy food corner, signature dishes, live cooking tries. To make the day special for all the mothers we stations and more. Our expert chef Mario has custom are offering an exclusive price of KD 18.950 for two designed the menu to suite your taste. adults and 8.500 for two kids. Enjoy a family style dining experience with region-

NBK sponsors Flare sports festival

he National Bank of Kuwait Manager, Abdulmohsen Al-Rushaid. (NBK) sponsored the Flare “NBK always strives to empower Tsports festival. The festival was youth to realize their potentials, organized by flare fitness at Gulf providing different supportive University for Science and opportunities.” Technology (GUST). The sponsor- Rushaid added “NBK has always ship comes in line with NBK’s vital considered supporting youth an role it plays in supporting all stu- essential part of its social and phil- dents and youths. This sponsorship anthropic outreach which comes in aims to spread physical awareness line with the bank’s commitment to and attract youth to participate in encourage a merit-based educa- sporting events. tional system that promotes the “NBK’s sponsorship and support best and the brightest the country to this sports event comes in line has to offer.” Abdulmohsen Al-Rushaid with the bank’s customary and The Flare sports festival included ongoing spirit of corporate citizen- two sports challenges and Gallery for like rounds depends on the strength, ship as well as the vital role it plays Kuwaiti Youth Project. The competi- flexibility and endurance, which con- in supporting youth and students,” tions in this festival comprised a tributes to raise the spirit of positive said NBK Public Relations Executive range of physical challenges looks competition among student circles. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 TV PROGRAMS

07:00 Dick 'n' Dom Go Wild 07:15 Calimero 21:10 Danger Mouse 17:50 Home Fires 07:25 Awesome Adventures 07:30 Loopdidoo 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 18:45 Emmerdale 07:50 Bondi Vet 07:45 Henry Hugglemonster 21:45 Marvel's Avengers Assemble 19:15 Coronation Street 08:40 How It's Made 08:00 Minnie's Bow-Toons 22:10 Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man vs 19:45 Coronation Street 09:05 How It's Made 08:05 Sheriff Callie's Wild West The Sinister 6 20:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 00:00 Sanitarium 09:30 Prototype This 08:15 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 22:35 Boyster 21:00 Don't Tell The Bride 02:00 Alien Outpost 10:20 Mythbusters 08:30 Miles From Tomorrow 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA 22:00 5 Star Family Reunion 04:00 Close Range 11:10 Bondi Vet 08:45 Goldie & Bear 22:50 Emmerdale 06:00 San Andreas 12:00 Ultimate Survival 08:55 The Lion Guard 23:15 Coronation Street 08:00 Dragon Blade 12:50 How It's Made 09:20 PJ Masks 23:40 Coronation Street 10:15 Echo Effect 13:15 How It's Made 09:35 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 12:00 Close Range 13:40 Dirty Jobs 09:50 Doc McStuffins 14:00 San Andreas 14:30 Dick 'n' Dom Go Wild 10:00 Goldie & Bear 00:05 Mariah's World 16:00 The Machine 14:55 Awesome Adventures 10:15 PJ Masks 00:55 Mariah's World 18:00 Metro 15:20 Mythbusters 10:30 Minnie's Bow-Toons 01:50 E! News 20:00 Terminator Genisys 16:10 Prototype This 10:35 The Lion Guard 02:50 Hollywood & Football 00:00 The Universe 22:15 Machete 17:00 Strip The Cosmos 11:00 Sofia The First 03:45 Hollywood & Football 01:00 WWII: Europe's Secret Army 17:50 NASA's Unexplained Files 11:30 Doc McStuffins 04:40 Hollywood & Football 02:00 Cities Of The Underworld 18:40 What Happened Next? 11:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 03:00 America's Book Of Secrets 19:05 What Happened Next? 12:20 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 06:00 LA Clippers Dance Squad 03:50 Ancient Aliens 19:30 How It's Made 12:50 Loopdidoo 06:55 E! News 04:40 Ancient Top 10 19:55 How It's Made 13:05 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 07:10 Hollywood Medium With Tyler 05:30 The Universe 00:50 Devoured: Man-Eating Super 20:20 Mythbusters 13:30 Gummi Bears Henry 06:20 WWII: Europe's Secret Army Snake Returns 21:10 Strip The Cosmos 13:55 Zou 08:10 E! News 07:10 The Universe 01:45 Bondi Vet 22:00 NASA's Unexplained Files 14:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:10 Rob & Chyna 08:00 Cities Of The Underworld 02:40 Restoration Wild 22:50 What Happened Next? 14:35 PJ Masks 10:05 Rob & Chyna 09:00 America's Book Of Secrets 03:35 Tanked 23:15 What Happened Next? 15:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 11:00 Rob & Chyna 10:00 Ancient Aliens 04:25 Escape To Chimp Eden 23:40 Ultimate Survival 15:30 The Lion Guard 12:00 E! News 11:00 Ancient Top 10 04:50 Stranger Among Bears 15:55 Unbungalievable 12:15 Rob & Chyna 12:00 The Universe 05:15 Gator Boys 16:00 Sofia The First 13:10 Mariah's World 13:00 WWII: Europe's Secret Army 06:02 Devoured: Man-Eating Super 16:30 Doc McStuffins 14:05 Mariah's World 14:00 Cities Of The Underworld Snake Returns 16:55 Goldie & Bear 15:00 E! News 15:00 America's Book Of Secrets 06:49 Insane Pools: Off The Deep End 17:20 The Lion Guard 15:15 Mariah's World 16:00 Ancient Aliens 07:36 Call Of The Wildman 17:50 PJ Masks 16:10 Mariah's World 17:00 Ancient Top 10 08:00 Call Of The Wildman 00:10 Hank Zipzer 18:15 Sofia The First 17:05 Mariah's World 18:00 The Universe 08:25 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 18:40 Doc McStuffins 18:05 Celebrity Style Story 19:00 WWII: Europe's Secret Army 09:15 Restoration Wild 01:00 Violetta 19:05 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 18:30 Celebrity Style Story 20:00 Cities Of The Underworld 10:10 Escape To Chimp Eden 01:45 The Hive 19:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:00 E! News 21:00 America's Book Of Secrets 10:35 Stranger Among Bears 01:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 20:00 Sofia The First 20:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 22:00 Ancient Aliens 11:05 Tanked Witch 20:30 Sofia The First 21:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 23:00 Million Dollar Genius 12:00 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 21:00 Unbungalievable 22:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 12:55 Bondi Vet Witch 21:05 Goldie & Bear 23:00 E! News 13:50 Restoration Wild 02:40 Hank Zipzer 21:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:15 So Cosmo 14:45 Gator Boys 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 22:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 15:40 Escape To Chimp Eden 03:30 Violetta 22:25 Gummi Bears 16:05 Stranger Among Bears 04:15 The Hive 22:55 Minnie's Bow-Toons 16:35 Tanked 04:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 23:00 The Lion Guard 00:20 Britain's Bloodiest Dynasty 17:30 In Search Of The Giant Anaconda Witch 23:30 The Lion Guard 01:10 Counting Cars CAS & DYLAN ON OSN MOVIES HD 18:25 Gangland Killers 04:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 23:55 PJ Masks 00:00 Food Network Star 01:35 Car Hunters 06:00 Trash 19:20 Life At Vet University Witch 01:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 02:00 Forged In Fire 19:05 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 08:00 We Are Many 20:15 Tanked 05:10 Hank Zipzer 01:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 02:50 Storage Wars 19:30 Maximum Foodie 10:00 Still Alice 21:10 Stranger Among Bears 05:35 Binny And The Ghost 02:00 Man Fire Food 03:15 American Pickers 20:00 Confucius Was A Foodie 12:00 Grand Central 22:05 Gangland Killers 06:00 Violetta 02:30 Man Fire Food 04:05 Pawn Stars 20:55 Top Chef Top Table: Seoul 13:45 Ordinary People 23:00 Life At Vet University 06:45 The Hive 03:00 Chopped 04:30 Pawn Stars 21:20 Raw Travel 16:00 The Water Diviner 23:55 Gator Boys 06:50 The 7D 04:00 Guy's Grocery Games 05:00 Mountain Men 21:45 Raw Travel 18:00 A Little Chaos 07:00 Jessie 00:20 Street Outlaws 05:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 06:00 American Restoration 22:10 Restoration Man 20:00 Serena 07:25 Jessie 01:10 Made By Destruction 05:30 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 06:50 Shipping Wars 23:00 The Best Job In The World 22:00 Closer 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 01:35 Made By Destruction 06:00 The Kitchen 07:15 Shipping Wars 23:25 Dog Whisperer 23:45 The Dark Half 07:55 The Zhuzhus 02:00 You Have Been Warned 07:00 The Pioneer Woman 07:40 Counting Cars 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 02:50 Impossible Engineering 07:30 The Pioneer Woman 08:05 Car Hunters 00:05 Eastenders 08:45 Bunk'd 03:40 Fast N' Loud 08:00 Siba's Table 08:30 Pawn Stars 00:40 Poldark 09:10 Stuck In The Middle 04:30 Storage Hunters 08:30 Siba's Table 08:55 Pawn Stars 01:35 Last Tango In Halifax 09:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 05:00 How Do They Do It? 09:00 The Pioneer Woman 09:20 Storage Wars 09:30 The Pioneer Woman 09:45 Storage Wars 00:10 Living Free With Kimi Werner 10:00 The Kitchen 10:10 American Pickers 01:00 Years Of Living Dangerously 01:00 The Nutcracker Sweet 11:00 The Pioneer Woman 11:00 Alone 02:00 Mystery Of The Himilayan 02:45 Ploddy Police Car On The Case 11:30 The Pioneer Woman 11:50 Time Team Mummies 04:15 Marco Macaco 12:00 Siba's Table 12:40 Swamp People 02:55 Chilean Miners: Buried Alive 06:00 The Olsen Gang In Deep Trouble 12:30 Siba's Table 13:30 Ax Men 03:50 Living Free With Kimi Werner 07:30 Worms 13:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 14:20 Mountain Men 04:45 Ancient X-Files 09:00 Barnyard 13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 15:10 Shipping Wars 05:40 Yukon Gold 10:45 The Nutcracker Sweet 14:00 Chopped 15:35 Shipping Wars 06:35 Science Of Stupid 12:30 Ploddy Police Car On The Case 15:00 The Kitchen 16:00 Counting Cars 07:00 Science Of Stupid 14:00 Pet Pals In Windland 16:00 The Pioneer Woman 16:25 Counting Cars 07:30 Ultimate Airport Dubai 16:00 Barnyard 16:30 The Pioneer Woman 16:50 Pawn Stars 08:25 Mega Factories: Supercars 18:00 Alpha Dogz: Pups United 17:00 Chopped 17:15 Pawn Stars 09:20 Ancient X-Files 20:00 True Story Of Puss'n Boots 18:00 Iron Chef America 17:40 Forged In Fire 10:15 Hitler's G.I. Death Camp 21:45 Pet Pals In Windland 19:00 Tia Mowry At Home 18:30 Counting Cars 11:10 Japan's Secret Weapon 23:15 Worms 19:30 Tia Mowry At Home 18:55 Car Hunters 12:05 Locked Up Abroad 20:00 Dinner At Tiffani's 19:20 Mountain Men 13:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 20:30 Dinner At Tiffani's 20:10 American Pickers 14:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 21:00 Rev Run's Sunday Suppers 21:00 Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels 15:00 Science Of Stupid 21:30 Rev Run's Sunday Suppers 21:50 Search For The Lost Giants 15:30 Science Of Stupid 00:45 Hustle And Flow 22:00 Guy's Grocery Games 22:40 Hunting Hitler 16:00 Apocalypse: The Rise Of Hitler 02:45 Mortdecai 23:00 Tia Mowry At Home 23:30 American Pickers 17:00 Apocalypse: The Rise Of Hitler 05:00 Finding Forrester 23:30 Tia Mowry At Home 18:00 Locked Up Abroad 07:30 Just Married 19:00 Science Of Stupid 09:30 Cas & Dylan 19:30 Science Of Stupid 11:30 Jurassic World 20:00 Apocalypse: The Rise Of Hitler 13:45 The Ladykillers 20:50 Apocalypse: The Rise Of Hitler 15:30 The Guardian 00:15 Bangkok Airport 21:40 Locked Up Abroad 18:00 Everest 00:10 The Chase 01:05 The Best Job In The World 22:30 Science Of Stupid 20:15 X-Men: The Last Stand 01:00 Emmerdale 01:30 Dog Whisperer 22:55 Science Of Stupid 22:00 A Night At The Roxbury 01:30 Coronation Street 02:20 Cool Spaces 23:20 Yukon Gold 23:30 There's Something About Mary 02:00 Coronation Street 03:10 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia CLOSE RANGE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 02:30 The Jonathan Ross Show 03:35 Maximum Foodie 03:25 Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army And 04:00 Confucius Was A Foodie 02:30 DCI Banks 10:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 05:30 How Do They Do It? Me 04:50 Wineroads 03:20 DCI Banks 10:25 A.N.T. Farm 06:00 Outback Truckers 03:55 Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army And 05:20 Raw Travel 00:20 Africa's Blood River 00:40 Mythbusters 04:05 Doctors 10:50 A.N.T. Farm 06:50 Street Outlaws Me 05:45 Raw Travel 01:10 Dangerous Encounters 01:30 How Do They Do It? 04:35 Eastenders 11:15 Good Luck Charlie 07:40 Fast N' Loud 04:25 Paul O'grady's Favourite Fairy 06:15 Andy And Ben Eat The World 02:00 World's Deadliest Snakes 01:55 Food Factory 05:05 New Tricks 11:40 Good Luck Charlie 08:30 The Island With Bear Grylls: USA Tales 06:40 Andy And Ben Eat The World 02:50 Baby Animals In The Wild 02:20 Strip The Cosmos 06:00 Doctors 12:05 Shake It Up 09:20 Storage Hunters 05:15 Home Fires 07:10 The Best Job In The World 03:45 Zoo Confidential 03:10 Strangest Weather On Earth 06:30 Eastenders 12:30 Shake It Up 09:45 How Do They Do It? 06:10 The Chase 07:35 Dog Whisperer 04:40 Unlikely Animal Friends 04:00 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 07:00 Holby City 12:55 Disney Mickey Mouse 10:10 How Do They Do It? 07:05 The Jonathan Ross Show 08:30 Cool Spaces 05:35 World's Deadliest Snakes 04:48 Mythbusters 07:55 Father Brown 13:00 Welcome To The Ronks 10:35 Made By Destruction 08:00 Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army And 09:25 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 06:30 Baby Animals In The Wild 05:36 How Do They Do It? 08:40 Doctor Who 13:15 Gravity Falls 11:00 Made By Destruction Me 09:55 Maximum Foodie 07:25 Zoo Confidential 06:00 Food Factory 09:35 New Tricks 13:40 Hank Zipzer 11:25 You Have Been Warned 08:30 Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army And 10:20 Confucius Was A Foodie 08:20 Unlikely Animal Friends 06:24 Strip The Cosmos 10:30 Doctors 14:05 Star Darlings 12:15 Impossible Engineering Me 11:15 Wineroads 09:15 Safari Brothers 07:12 Strangest Weather On Earth 11:00 Eastenders 14:10 Austin & Ally 13:05 How Do They Do It? 09:00 Paul O'grady's Favourite Fairy 11:45 Raw Travel 10:10 Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER 08:00 How Do They Do It? 11:35 Father Brown 14:35 Jessie 13:30 Storage Hunters Tales 12:10 Raw Travel 11:05 Wild Australia 08:26 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 12:25 Doctor Who 15:00 Bunk'd 13:55 Storage Hunters 10:00 Home Fires 12:40 The Best Job In The World 12:00 Alaska Fish Wars 09:14 Mythbusters 13:20 New Tricks 15:25 Kirby Buckets 14:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 10:55 The Chase 13:05 Dog Whisperer 12:55 Amazonia's Giant Jaws 10:02 Strangest Weather On Earth 14:15 Doctors 15:50 Sunny Bunnies 15:10 The Island With Bear Grylls: USA 11:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 14:00 Cool Spaces 13:50 World's Wildest Encounters 10:50 How Do They Do It? 14:45 Eastenders 15:55 The Zhuzhus 16:00 Outback Truckers 12:45 Emmerdale 14:55 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 14:45 Dr Oakley: Yukon Vet 11:14 Food Factory 15:20 Father Brown 16:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug And 16:50 Fast N' Loud 13:15 Coronation Street 15:25 Maximum Foodie 15:40 Unlikely Animal Friends 11:38 Sport Science 16:10 Doctor Who Cat Noir 17:40 Street Outlaws 13:45 Coronation Street 15:50 Confucius Was A Foodie 16:35 Safari Brothers 12:26 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 17:05 New Tricks 16:45 Elena Of Avalor 18:30 How Do They Do It? 14:15 The Chase 16:45 Top Chef Top Table: Seoul 17:30 Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER 13:14 Mythbusters 18:00 Doctors 17:10 Stuck In The Middle 18:55 How Do They Do It? 15:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 17:15 Raw Travel 18:25 World's Weirdest 14:02 How Do They Do It? 18:30 Eastenders 17:35 Descendants Wicked World 19:20 The Island With Bear Grylls: USA 16:00 Don't Tell The Bride 17:40 Raw Travel 19:20 Dr Oakley: Yukon Vet 14:26 Food Factory 19:05 Father Brown 17:40 Girl Meets World 20:10 Storage Hunters 17:00 5 Star Family Reunion 18:10 Restoration Man 20:10 Unlikely Animal Friends 14:50 Strangest Weather On Earth 20:00 Holby City 18:05 Bizaardvark 20:35 Storage Hunters 21:00 Safari Brothers 15:38 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 21:00 Mum 18:30 Bunk'd 21:00 What On Earth? 21:50 Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER 16:26 Strip The Cosmos 21:30 Uncle 18:55 Best Friends Whenever 21:50 Treasure Quest: Snake Island 22:40 World's Weirdest 17:14 Mythbusters 22:00 The Detectorists 19:20 Disney Mickey Mouse 22:40 The Wheel: Survival Games 23:30 Alaska Fish Wars 18:02 Strangest Weather On Earth 22:30 The Detectorists 19:25 The Next Step 23:30 Fast N' Loud 01:00 Atlantis: The Lost Empire 18:50 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 23:00 Stag 19:50 Austin & Ally 19:40 Mythbusters 23:55 Doctors 20:15 Star Darlings 20:30 Food Factory USA 20:20 Shake It Up 20:55 Food Factory USA 20:45 Backstage 21:20 How Do They Do It? 21:10 Liv And Maddie 21:45 Food Factory 21:35 Cracke 06:00 Gravity Falls 03:00 Get Santa 22:10 How The Earth Works 21:40 Dog With A Blog 06:25 Counterfeit Cat 05:00 The Unbeatables 23:00 Food Factory USA 00:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 22:05 Best Friends Whenever 06:50 Atomic Puppet 07:00 Mars Needs Moms 23:25 Food Factory USA Camera 22:30 Jessie 07:15 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 09:00 Pooh's Heffalump Halloween 23:50 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 01:00 My Haunted House 22:55 Tsum Tsum Shorts 07:25 Danger Mouse Movie 02:00 Paranormal State 23:00 Kirby Buckets 07:40 Supa Strikas 10:15 Step Dogs 02:30 Paranormal State 23:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 08:10 K.C. Undercover 11:45 The Unbeatables 03:00 My Crazy Ex Witch 08:35 Star Wars Freemaker Adventures 13:45 Pooh's Heffalump Halloween 04:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 23:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 09:00 Lab Rats Movie 00:20 An Hour To Save Your Life Camera Witch 09:25 Lab Rats 05:00 My Haunted House 09:50 Danger Mouse 15:00 The Shaggy Dog 01:10 Botched Up Bodies 06:00 Paranormal State 10:20 Supa Strikas 17:00 The Muppets 02:00 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 07:00 Crime Stories 10:45 Supa Strikas 19:00 Atlantis: Milo's Return 02:25 Say Yes To The Dress: 09:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder Casebook 11:10 Counterfeit Cat 20:45 Return To Oz Bridesmaids 10:00 Homicide Hunter 11:35 Pair Of Kings 22:45 The Shaggy Dog 02:50 Love At First Swipe 03:15 Cake Boss 11:00 Crime Stories 00:20 Henry Hugglemonster 12:00 Pair Of Kings 03:35 Oprah: Where Are They Now? 16:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder Casebook 00:35 The Hive 12:30 Future-Worm! 04:20 Little People, Big World 17:00 Homicide Hunter 00:45 Loopdidoo 12:55 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 04:45 Little People, Big World 18:00 Gangs Of Britain... 01:00 Henry Hugglemonster 13:20 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 19:00 It Takes A Killer 01:15 Calimero 13:45 Atomic Puppet 02:00 Cheech & Chong's The Corsican 06:00 Dare To Wear 19:30 It Takes A Killer 01:30 Art Attack 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse Brothers 06:50 Cake Boss 20:00 The First 48 01:55 Zou 14:15 Counterfeit Cat 04:00 The Butcher's Wife 07:15 Cake Boss 21:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder Casebook 02:05 Loopdidoo 14:40 Supa Strikas 06:00 Valentine's Day 07:40 Little Miss Atlanta 22:00 Crime Stories 02:20 Henry Hugglemonster 15:05 Lab Rats 08:00 Cheech & Chong's The Corsican 08:30 Little People, Big World 23:00 Homicide Hunter 02:35 Calimero 15:30 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much Brothers 08:55 Little People, Big World 02:50 Zou Everything 10:00 The Butcher's Wife 09:20 Kate Plus 8 03:05 Art Attack 15:55 Right Now Kapow 12:00 Valentine's Day 10:10 Love At First Swipe 03:30 The Hive 16:25 K.C. Undercover 14:00 Baby's Day Out 10:35 Cake Boss 03:40 Loopdidoo 16:50 Future-Worm! 16:00 Liberal Arts 11:00 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 03:55 Henry Hugglemonster 17:15 Gravity Falls 18:00 After The Ball 11:25 Say Yes To The Dress: 00:30 Prototype This 04:10 Art Attack 17:40 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 20:00 Gentlemen Broncos Bridesmaids 01:20 Zoltan The Wolfman 04:35 Loopdidoo 18:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 22:00 Hit By Lightning 11:50 Dare To Wear 02:10 Finding Bigfoot 04:50 Calimero 18:10 Mighty Med 12:40 Oprah: Where Are They Now? 03:00 What Happened Next? 05:05 Art Attack 18:35 Right Now Kapow 13:30 Toddlers & Tiaras: Coach Wars 03:25 What Happened Next? 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 19:00 Atomic Puppet 14:20 Too Ugly For Love? 03:50 Ultimate Survival 05:45 Zou 19:25 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 15:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 04:40 How It's Made 06:00 Art Attack Everything 16:00 Little People, Big World 05:05 How It's Made 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 19:55 K.C. Undercover 00:00 Heaven's Gate 16:25 Little People, Big World 05:30 Dirty Jobs 06:45 Loopdidoo 20:20 Kickin' It 03:45 The Wave 16:50 Kate Plus 8 06:20 Mythbusters 07:00 Zou 20:45 Mighty Med LIBERAL ARTS ON MOVIES COMEDY HD Classifieds

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (23/03/2017 TO 29/03/2017)

SHARQIA-1 MUHALAB-3 LIFE 4:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 4:00 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 1:15 PM COLLIDE 11:45 AM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 7:00 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 4:00 PM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 1:30 PM COLLIDE 2:00 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 9:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:00 PM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 3:30 PM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 4:00 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 11:00 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 7:00 PM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 5:15 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 1:45 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 12:45 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 10:00 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 7:15 PM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 5:45 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 10:00 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 9:45 PM COLLIDE 7:30 PM MARINA-1 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:45 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 12:05 AM COLLIDE 9:30 PM POWER RANGERS 12:00 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 9:45 PM POWER RANGERS 2:30 PM 360º- 1 66110593 or 24313908. SHARQIA-2 COLLIDE 12:30 AM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 1:30 PM POWER RANGERS 12:00 PM ACCOMMODATION (C 5286) 19-3-2017 COLLIDE 11:30 AM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 3:15 PM POWER RANGERS 2:30 PM FANAR-1 BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 5:00 PM POWER RANGERS 5:00 PM LIFE 1:30 PM Partition for rent shuon, CHANGE OF NAME LIFE 3:45 PM POWER RANGERS 11:30 AM POWER RANGERS 6:45 PM POWER RANGERS 7:30 PM Hawally, Tunist st. Only for POWER RANGERS 9:15 PM Premier Show “Smurfs: The Lost Village” 7:30 PM Filipino. Ph: 55195488. KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 2:00 PM POWER RANGERS 2:00 PM I, Shaik Mushtaaq s/o Shaik COLLIDE 6:00 PM POWER RANGERS 4:30 PM POWER RANGERS 11:45 PM POWER RANGERS 10:00 PM (C 5287) Yousuf holder of Indian COLLIDE 8:00 PM POWER RANGERS 7:00 PM POWER RANGERS 12:30 AM Passport No. G3955355 Civil ID COLLIDE 10:00 PM LIFE 9:30 PM MARINA-2 Accommodation available for No. 276030802124 has COLLIDE 12:05 AM POWER RANGERS 11:45 PM COLLIDE 11:45 AM 360º- 2 a Catholic bachelor at changed my name to Shaik KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 10:00 PM COLLIDE 1:45 PM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 11:45 AM Abbassiya near Unique store Mukthar Ahmed herein after in No. 2, opp Best Bakers from 1st COLLIDE 1:00 AM FANAR-2 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3:45 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 1:30 PM all my dealings and docu- of April 2017. Contact: KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:15 PM COLLIDE 6:15 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 3:45 PM ments. (C 5289) 22-3-2017 SHARQIA-3 BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 1:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 8:15 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 6:00 PM SLEEPLESS 11:45 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3:45 PM COLLIDE 10:45 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 8:15 PM POWER RANGERS 1:45 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 3:45 PM COLLIDE 12:45 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 10:30 PM POWER RANGERS 4:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 6:45 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 12:45 AM 112 KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 4:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 9:45 PM MARINA-3 POWER RANGERS 7:15 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 9:45 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 1:00 PM 360º- 3 KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 7:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:45 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 3:15 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 11:30 AM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 10:15 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 5:30 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 1:30 PM Automated enquiry LIFE 10:15 PM FANAR-3 LIFE 7:45 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 3:30 PM SLEEPLESS 1:15 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 11:45 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 10:00 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 5:30 PM LIFE 12:30 AM BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 2:15 PM LIFE 12:15 AM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 7:30 PM about the BARBIE VIDEO GAME HERO 4:00 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 9:30 PM MUHALAB-1 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 5:45 PM AVENUES-1 THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 11:30 PM Civil ID card is SLEEPLESS 11:30 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 8:15 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 1:00 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 1:15 AM POWER RANGERS 1:30 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 10:30 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 3:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 4:00 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 12:45 AM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 5:00 PM AL-KOUT.1 1889988 KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 4:00 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 7:00 PM POWER RANGERS 12:30 PM POWER RANGERS 7:00 PM FANAR-4 THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 9:00 PM POWER RANGERS 3:00 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 7:00 PM COLLIDE 11:30 AM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 11:00 PM POWER RANGERS 5:30 PM PRAYER TIMINGS POWER RANGERS 10:00 PM COLLIDE 1:30 PM THE WINDMILL MASSACRE 1:00 AM COLLIDE 8:00 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 10:00 PM COLLIDE 3:45 PM COLLIDE 10:00 PM SLEEPLESS 1:00 AM LIFE 5:45 PM AVENUES-2 COLLIDE 12:05 AM Fajr: 04:30 COLLIDE 8:00 PM POWER RANGERS-2D-4DX 12:00 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 10:00 PM MUHALAB-2 COLLIDE 10:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D-4DX 2:30 PM COLLIDE 1:00 AM Shorook: 05:49 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 12:30 PM COLLIDE 12:15 AM POWER RANGERS-2D-4DX 5:00 PM Duhr: 11:55 LIFE 2:45 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 10:00 PM POWER RANGERS-2D-4DX 7:30 PM AL-KOUT.2 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 5:00 PM COLLIDE 1:00 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D-4DX 10:00 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 12:15 PM Asr: 15:23 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 7:15 PM POWER RANGERS-2D-4DX 12:30 AM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 2:30 PM LIFE 9:45 PM FANAR-5 SLEEPLESS 4:45 PM Maghrib: 18:01 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 6:45 PM KATAMARAYUDU - Telugu 9:45 PM LIFE 12:15 PM AVENUES-3 Isha: 19:18 AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 12:30 AM LIFE 2:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:30 PM AKHER DEEK FE MASR -Arabic 9:00 PM

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Arrival Flights on Thursday 23/3/2017 KAC 564 Amman 13:40 Departure Flights on Thursday 23/3/2017 FDB 076 Dubai 14:05 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 788 Jeddah 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:20 FEG 931 Alexandria 13:55 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KNE 231 Riyadh 13:55 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 KAC 561 Amman 14:20 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 PIA 240 Sialkot 00:40 KAC 521 Al Najaf 14:45 KAC 102 London 00:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 KNE 382 Taif 14:50 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 BBC 044 Dhaka 01:30 FEG 932 Alexandria 14:55 MSC 411 Asyut 01:00 KAC 692 Muscat 14:30 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:35 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 414 Bangkok 14:35 MSC 412 Asyut 01:55 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:15 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 KAC 672 Dubai 14:50 THY 773 Istanbul 02:25 PAL 669 Manila 15:20 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 DLH 635 Doha 01:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:55 QTR 1079 Doha 15:40 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 FDB 8053 Dubai 15:15 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:35 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:50 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 FDB 8054 Dubai 16:05 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 KAC 154 Istanbul 15:55 KKK 6505 Istanbul 03:55 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 KAC 357 Kochi 16:20 KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 542 Cairo 16:05 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:30 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 FDB 069 Dubai 03:05 KNE 531 Jeddah 16:05 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 SAW 706 Damascus 16:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:10 KAC 167 Paris 04:25 KNE 532 Jeddah 16:55 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 QTR 1077 Doha 04:40 KAC 675 Dubai 7:00 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KAC 546 Cairo 03:55 FDB 051 Dubai 16:25 MSC 502 Alexandria 05:05 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 16:35 QTR 1087 Doha 05:50 FDB 052 Dubai 17:25 MSC 501 Alexandria 04:05 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 JZR 560 Sohag 06:05 KAC 615 Bahrain 17:35 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 KAC 118 New York 17:00 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 JZR 503 Luxor 05:10 JZR 787 Riyadh 17:00 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 343 Chennai 17:40 JZR 529 Asyut 05:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KAC 153 Istanbul 06:50 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 354 BLR 05:20 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KAC 165 Rome 06:55 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:45 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:45 NIA 251 Alexandria 17:55 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JZR 238 Amman 07:10 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 364 Colombo 06:05 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 KAC 353 BLR 18:15 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:20 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 KAC 787 Jeddah 07:45 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 06:25 KAC 522 Al Najaf 18:25 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 18:30 BAW 157 London 06:40 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 563 Amman 08:00 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 QTR 8511 Doha 07:00 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 KAC 411 Bangkok 08:20 NIA 252 Alexandria 18:55 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 07:00 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 BAW 156 London 08:40 JZR 554 Alexandria 18:55 KAC 204 Lahore 07:15 KAC 502 Beirut 19:30 KAC 541 Cairo 08:40 FDB 064 Dubai 19:05 FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 FDB 054 Dubai 08:55 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:15 KAC 284 Dhaka 07:35 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 QTR 8512 Doha 09:00 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 KAC 691 Muscat 09:00 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 168 Paris 19:55 KAC 743 Dammam 09:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 166 Rome 19:55 KAC 117 New York 09:00 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 KAC 382 Delhi 08:45 KNE 381 Taif 19:55 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 KAC 562 Amman 20:00 KAC 101 London 09:35 KAC 383 Delhi 20:30 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:10 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 361 Colombo 20:35 KAC 352 Kochi 09:10 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 KAC 775 Riyadh 20:45 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:45 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:05 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:50 KAC 613 Bahrain 10:10 OMA 648 Muscat 21:10 AVV 653 Sohag 10:10 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:30 KAC 619 Doha 21:20 IRA 673 Ahwaz 10:10 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:15 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 QTR 1089 Doha 21:35 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 DLH 634 Doha 21:35 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 IRA 672 Ahwaz 11:10 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 AVV 654 Asyut 11:10 KAC 351 Kochi 22:00 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:00 FDK 801 Damascus 11:45 KAC 676 Dubai 21:45 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 KAC 501 Beirut 11:55 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 KAC 744 Dammam 12:10 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:05 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 KAC 286 Dhaka 12:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:05 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 12:05 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 JZR 561 Sohag 12:40 NIA 151 Cairo 22:10 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 KAC 381 Delhi 22:45 JZR 239 Amman 12:45 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:45 FDK 802 Damascus 12:45 KAC 1543 Cairo 22:45 FDB 075 Dubai 12:50 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JZR 241 Amman 22:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:05 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:45 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 KAC 155 Istanbul 13:50 NIA 152 Cairo 23:10 KAC 614 Bahrain 13:30 KAC 156 Istanbul 23:25 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 stars34 THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

CROSSWORD 1556 STAR TRACK

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

The last thing you probably want today is to stay inside and tend to You may enjoy probing into your inner self as well as some good solid paperwork. However, if you complete some unfinished business, you will gossip. You value your darker, more secretive areas and do not mind working through be able to get out among the public and do a little networking, particularly if you are some sensitive problems. You could be susceptible to jealousy. However, you are good trying to sell a product or gain the attention of a new prospect for your business. at keeping your emotions in check. Maintaining your objectivity is the best course of Unusual places for a vacation may occupy your mind later this afternoon and it would action at this time. Remember, fear and love are the only true feelings; anything else is be fun to create some fantastic plans for the near future. You may have such fun ideas a symptom of one or the other. This is good day to think through your decisions. You for a vacation that other people will want to do what you do. Now; considering your will find a way around almost any obstacle and are in control and able to guide your- enjoyment of the out-of-doors, there may be some outdoor sports competition or just a self with ease. Your sense of inner direction is good and should lead to a few positive challenge to experience the things in your life that you have never done, one by one. opportunities. This evening you may enjoy a romantic book or movie.

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

This is definitely a good day. You have initiated many projects over the Easy does it today! You may find yourself having different opinions from past few months and have enjoyed much of the pleasure. Now it is time to take stock a co-worker regarding matters already discussed in a meeting. Once away from the and see what you have created. Do you realize that you are the determiner of every- meeting place, the things discussed stay in your mind, not on your lips. If you did not thing that happens to you optimism is the word for today. Oscar wilde wrote, "between care for the outcome, there will be a new opportunity to change things soon. You the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut, must have patience. This is a very good day for job-related events. You may shine in the pessimist, the hole." talk and ideas run smoothly and easily today. Ideas are flowing your particular job or find that promotion or practical insights come without too and you can chat continually. Your love life is energized this afternoon! For the next much of a wait. You could represent your company or communicate about your skills. three weeks you will be developing better harmony. Your artistic talents will begin to Lovers, children and other people you love are emphasized now. You enjoy the out- show more and more each day as you learn to trust in your own creative abilities. of-doors this evening. Try something a little different for the evening meal tonight.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Good practical job-related thoughts and ideas are available to you this Problems and obstacles that have previously been confounding should day. You work hard all day to accomplish twice as much as the average find easy explanations under your keen examination. This is a good time to present workaholic. You communicate with feeling and strength. You may gather some yourself to others in business propositions or to request a raise in income. You may extreme insights. Later today, you can step back and reflect on the past and contem- also be asserting a greater need for independence in a relationship now. Do not let ACROSS DOWN plate your next move. You have a heightened sensitivity to others and you may find your dreams run wild-run a reality check once in a while. A repair problem on the your own physical attractiveness has improved as well. Investments are ripe for the 1. The act of slowing down or falling behind. 1. Capital and largest city and economic center home front, car or home, may need some tender loving care-repair work. You might taking over the next few days. Becoming involved in community activities this 4. An expressway in a German-speaking coun- of Peru. save some money by investing some time in a class or in doing some apprentice work evening improves your popularity. There may be an opportunity to become involved try. 2. Harsh or corrosive in tone. with a carpenter, plumber or mechanic. Your romantic life will improve quickly as you with a foster care program, or an animal rights program. This is a rewarding day. lend a listening ear and positive feedback to that special someone you love. 12. The month following February and preced- 3. A Russian prison camp for political prisoners. ing April. 4. Apoapsis in solar orbit. 15. A hospital unit staffed and equipped to 5. The act of using. provide intensive care. 6. A one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Widely distributed genus of herbs or Cancer (June 21-July 22) shrubs with glandular compound leaves Rome. While the working energies may seem a bit slow-your own energies are and spicate or racemose purple or white 7. Toward the mouth or oral region. This is a time where you could see your family expanding, either through 8. United States writer of poems and plays high. Whether you are a man or a woman, you are in the mood to change your style or marriage, or the birth of a new relative. Likely you will find yourself involved in intel- flowers. looks. Perhaps this means a splash of color in your wardrobe or a different haircut. You about racial conflict (born in 1934). lectual pursuits at home, to the point of beginning a home-based business. You could 17. A benevolent aspect of Devi. may feel like breaking away from the usual routine. One of your life lessons is the also find benefits in the skills of a family member. Compromise is paramount in your 18. A unit of length equal to one thousandth 9. Surveying instrument consisting of the appreciation of self, with the ability to appraise yourself honestly. Where you once had life today. You can successfully undertake original projects at this time. Your energies of an inch. upper movable part of a theodolite a hunger for reassurance, you will now feel centered and at peace. When frustrations are high and you have plenty of energy and the right attitude to complete most any 19. Sudanese sorghums having white seeds. including the telescope and its attach- do occur, you can go back to this time and remember this feeling of peace. You may job you begin. Close relationships take on more emotional depth, power and impor- 20. The seventh month of the civil year. ments. begin to create some new goals for yourself and make plans and decisions with regard tance. You may worry excessively, about home life and domestic security at this time. 21. A condensed but memorable saying 10. A very light colorless element that is one of to your own life situation. There is a sense of satisfaction and completeness now. Make some simple changes now that will make you feel more secure. embodying some important fact of expe- the six inert gasses. rience that is taken as true by many peo- 11. Smaller of two tall fast-running flightless ple. birds similar to ostriches but three-toed. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 23. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. Leo (July 23-August 22) 12. Wine from muscat grapes. 24. The 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet. 13. A woman hired to suckle a child of some- Personal affairs, paperwork, income records or insurance records may Conditions in the workplace continue to improve. You keep your work- 25. Offering fun and gaiety. place environmentally friendly and this may be hard for some of your co-workers to 27. Small New Zealand broadleaf evergreen one else. grab your attention today. You have a loved one that has been extremely quiet recently 14. (the feminine of raja) A Hindu princess or and may continue to be this way a few more days. Never fear, your loved one is appre- understand. Eventually, some of the things you do mysteriously become accepted tree often cultivated in warm regions as practice. Smile, you are finally getting a very important message across to others on the wife of a raja. ciative of you and will express this truth. Your love of home and family may conflict an ornamental. with your job or with authorities. You may tend to discount career opportunities being environmentally friendly. People look to you for the best information on prod- 30. A gonadotropic hormone that is secreted 22. Light informal conversation for social occa- momentarily. You are more likely to conform your ways just now. You will find yourself ucts to purchase for the office. Everything conspires to reveal you at your most elegant, by the anterior pituitary. sions. more cautious, moderate in disposition and better organized than ever before. You particularly in social situations this evening. Speaking of social situations, you will want 32. Top part of an apron. 26. The blood group whose red cells carry make new purchases today that have perhaps, been preplanned. Even though you to be prepared to jump from work to a social gathering this evening. Whatever the 34. A material effigy that is worshipped as a both the A and B antigens. may not be able to completely pay for these items now, you will pay for them soon. case, there are some enjoyable times ahead. Look for ways to share your talents. god. 28. Seed of a pea plant. 37. An association of countries in the western 29. The basic unit of money in Papua New hemisphere. Guinea. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 39. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali 31. Any of several Orthodox Jewish sects who earth group. reject modern secular culture and many of Wherever you extend your interests, you will find success. Assert your- Professional advice regarding finances will encourage you in the direc- 40. An accessory or adjoining anatomical parts whom do not recognize the spiritual self today as new ventures will also prove successful. There could be a depressing tion you want to take. There could be a desire to secure your own feel- or appendages (especially of the embryo). influence in your surroundings; however, by maintaining your optimistic mood you ings about yourself through another person. You may not realize when someone con- 42. A Buddhist who has attained nirvana. authority of the modern state of Israel. will sustain yourself and encourage others. You may have strained relations with a fides in you that they really do not want your answer. This person may only want a lis- 45. A form of entertainment that enacts a story 33. A strip of land projecting into a body of woman-regardless of your gender. Shrug off guilt and pessimism-they are unhealthy. tening ear-give it. You may try to increase your power of attraction during this time- by a sequence of images giving the illu- water. Dealings with the opposite sex may not be easy just now, though you should empha- consciously or subconsciously. You may be inclined to pay attention to a young person sion of continuous movement. 35. Any North American shrubby perennial size the positive aspects of any relationship at this time. You influence many people today, especially his or her energy. Be wise in your actions; someone is watching. A 48. 100 halers equal 1 koruna. herb of the genus Heliopsis having large with your attitude-keep moving with the flow. A young person depends on your stalemate may occur in a business proposition today, but you must decide your posi- 49. Distinguished from Bovidae by the male's yellow daisylike flowers. advice this evening. You can act as a mentor to this young person. tion and firmly maintain it. At home you are quick-witted, which also calls for patience. having solid deciduous antlers. 36. Long-winged web-footed aquatic bird of 50. A benign epithelial tumor of glandular ori- the gull family. gin. 38. (physics) A deformation of an object in Word Search Yesterday’s Solution 53. A Loloish language. which parallel planes remain parallel but 54. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. are shifted in a direction parallel to them- 55. A heavy brittle diamagnetic trivalent selves. metallic element (resembles arsenic and antimony chemically). 41. An Indian tree of the family Combretaceae 56. Not openly expressed. that is a source of timber and gum. 58. English theoretical physicist who applied 43. A large fleet. relativity theory to quantum mechanics 44. The bill in a restaurant. and predicted the existence of antimatter 46. Any plant of the genus Inula. and the positron (1902-1984). 47. An argument opposed to a proposal. 60. A colloid that has a continuous liquid 51. Someone who believes and helps to phase in which a solid is suspended in a spread the doctrine of another. liquid. 52. French composer of operas (1842-1912). 62. A guided missile fired from shipboard 57. A strategically located monarchy on the against an airborne target. southern and eastern coasts of the 63. An official prosecutor for a judicial district. Arabian Peninsula. 64. Infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice. 59. A bottle with a stopper. 66. A town and port in northwestern Israel in the eastern Mediterranean. 61. Order by virtue of superior authority. 70. An imaginary elephant that appears in a 65. God of wealth and love. series of French books for children. 67. A Bantu language spoken by the Kamba 73. A state in the Rocky Mountains. people in Kenya. 74. Dyed with henna. 68. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 76. Title for a civil or military leader (especially skewer usually with vegetables. in Turkey). 69. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 77. City in central Iran. River. 80. A master's degree in business. 71. Title for a civil or military leader (especially 81. A bachelor's degree in theology. in Turkey). 82. Bearing numerous leaves. 72. Being or befitting or characteristic of an 83. A decree that prohibits something. infant. 84. Grass mowed and cured for use as fodder. 75. A quantity of no importance. 85. Order of mammals having few or no teeth 78. Surface layer of ground containing a matt including. 86. A loose sleeveless outer garment made of grass and grass roots. from aba cloth. 79. An audiotape recording of sound.

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Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 DAAYY: ::HHGQHVGD\  99DDOLG )URP  $0 7R  30 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Expected WeWeather for the Next 24 Hours Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 %< '$$<< &ORXGV ZLOO LQFUHDVH  JUDGXDOO\  ZLWWKK PRGHUDWH IIUUHVKHQLQJ  DW WLPHV VRXWWKK HDVWHUO\ ZLQG ZLWK VSHHHGRI Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 NPK FDXVLQJ UDLVLQJ GXVW RYHU RSHQ DUHDV Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 %< 1,*+7 3DUUWWO\ FORXG\ WR FORXG\ ZLWK PRGHUDWH WR IIUUHVK VRXWK HDVWHUO\ ZLQGQ ZLWK VSHHG RI    NPPK ZLWK D Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 FKDQFHIIRRU VFDWWHUHG  UDLQ Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 :($7$7+(5:$:$51,1* 1R&XUUHQW ::DDUQLQJV China 0086 Norway 0047 Shaab 22518752 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 STTAAATTION 0$;(;33 0,1 5(& 6)& &+$57    87& Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 .8::$$,7 &,7<  ƒ&  ƒ& Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 .8::$$,7 $,5325577  ƒ&  ƒ& Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 $%'$//<<  ƒ&  ƒ& Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Sharq 22465401 %8%<<$$$11  ƒ&  ƒ& Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 -$+55$$  ƒ&  ƒ& Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Jabriya 25316254 ))$$,/$.$ ,6/$$11'  ƒ&  ƒ& Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 6$/0,<<$$+  ƒ&  ƒ& Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 $+0$',  ƒ&  ƒ& Bayan 25388462 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 18::$$,6,%  ƒ&  ƒ& Mishref 25381200 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 ::$$)5$  ƒ&  ƒ& Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 6$/0<  ƒ&  ƒ& Sabah 24810221 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 4 DAAYYS FORECAST Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Temperatures Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 DAAYY DAATTE WEAATTHER Wind Direction Wind Speed MAX. MIN. Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 7KXXUUVGD\  &ORXG\  ƒ&  ƒ&6(      NPK Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 South Jahra 24775066 )ULGD\  8QVWDEOH ƒ&  ƒ& 6(      NPK Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tome 00239 North Jahra 24775992 6DWWXXUGDD\\  3DUWO\ FORXGG\\  VFDWWWWHUHG UDLQ  ƒ&  ƒ& 1:95%      NPK Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 6XQGD\  6XXQQQ\VFDDWWWHUHG  FORXGV  ƒ&  ƒ& 1(1      NPK North Jleeb 24311795 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 PRAAYYER TIMES RECORDED YESTERDAAYY AATT KUWWAAIT AIRPORT France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Fajr  MAX. Temp.  °C Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 Sunrise  MIN. Temp.  °C French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Zuhr  MAX. RH  % Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 Asr  MIN. RH  % N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Sunset  MAX. Wind 6(  km/h Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Isha TOTTAALL RAINFFAALLL IN 24 HR.  mm Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Hungary 0036 Togo 00228 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Rheumatologists: Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Head, Division of Cardiology Internists, Chest & Heart Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lesotho 00266 lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

GOSSIP Gwyneth Paltrow vows never to eat octopus

wyneth Paltrow has vowed never to eat octopus "They can escape from sea world and s**t by unscrewing impact of heavy metals and parasites on our bodies. "I because they're too clever. The 44-year-old actress drains and going out to sea. #tangent (sic)." However, the think they're two of the biggest culprits in terms of why we Ghas revealed she had to stop ordering the cuisine blonde beauty's beliefs swiftly led others to pose questions feel bad. I'm knee-deep in figuring out ways to clear them because she believes the eight-legged sea creatures are about other delicacies they can or cannot eat. And when from the body, looking at all sorts of potentially weird more intelligent than human beings as they have more asked whether the same principle applies to calamari, the modalities." Although the entrepreneur believes she has a neurons in their brains, and when she discovered the fact 'Shallow Hal' star - who has 12-year-old daughter Apple "pretty healthy" diet, she likes to give into her cravings and she was left completely "freaked out" at the thought of and 10-year-old son Moses with her ex-husband Chris indulge in treats. She explained: "I have a pretty healthy eating them. Speaking about her change in diet with her Martin - replied: "Do I need to stop eating calamari? "No. diet, so when I'm eating processed foods and not watching colleagues, which was shared on her health and lifestyle Squid is the dumb cousin, apparently. (sic)." Gwyneth is my alcohol intake, I feel it. "But at the same time, you want brand Goop's Instagram account and has since been known for experimenting with various skincare methods deliciousness, you want a fun life - pleasure." reported on PEOPLE, the founder of the company said: and foods, and she has recently revealed she had to con- "They have more neurons in their brains than we do. I had sume goat's milk for eight days to make herself feel better. to stop eating them because I was so freaked out by it. Speaking previously, she said: "I'm really interested in the Jennifer Hudson loves heart shaped accessories

ennifer Hudson's "favorite" accessories will leave them behind when she performs are necklaces with heart charms. The on stage. She said: "The only time I'm with- J35-year-old singer has revealed she has out one is when I'm onstage, but an energy "always" been attracted to love hearts, and stone is always the last thing I touch before her obsession with the shape has led her to walking out to perform. I really believe they wear jewelry with the form attached to the help you when you need them most. I fig- product or intricately etched into her pos- ure that everything I do comes from the sessions. Speaking about her fashion heart, so why not carry hearts too? "I feel obsession in the April issue of InStyle mag- closest to [my] jade stone, which is associat- azine, the brunette beauty said: "I've always ed with peace. It's the one I have with me Kate Hudson 'adores' loved hearts. My favorite necklaces have most often. But there's actually a pretty heart charms on them, and the base of my crazy story behind that stone, because [in mic stand is shaped like one." The 'The 2011] it disappeared for a while. I was in Michael Kors Voice UK' judge has revealed her fascina- New York City recording my 'I Remember tion with heart-shaped products started six Me' album, and I had that stone with me ate Hudson "adores" fashion designer 'Fools Gold' star - who co-founded her ath- years ago when she first discovered energy the entire time. The night before the album Michael Kors. The 37-year-old actress leisure line Fabletics in 2013 - has admitted stones modeled in her preferred outline, release party, I put it on my nightstand - Khas known the 57-year-old creative aside from the designer brand she also has a which she started to collect to help her and when I woke up the next morning, it mastermind - who set up his eponymous in penchant for food and enjoys sampling new "stay centered". She explained: "Six years was gone. My team and I searched all over 1981 - for "years" and has admitted not only cuisines when she is travelling. She is she in awe of him, but she is also in love explained: "Anyone who follows me knows I ago, I discovered heart-shaped energy and flipped the hotel room inside out, but with his creations, because she finds them love food and I'm literally up for anything. I'm stones and began keeping them with me to it was just nowhere to be found. "Two years "so appealing". Speaking about the mogul in lucky to travel the world and food experi- stay centered. I'm extremely sensitive to the later, I was back in New York to record my an interview with Harper's Bazaar Singapore ences are my favorite thing about travelling." energies of my surroundings and the peo- 'JHUD' album. My assistant and I were walk- magazine, the blonde beauty said: "We've Meanwhile, the Californian entrepreneur has ple around me. I can walk into a venue and ing near the same recording studio, and he known each other for years. I adore him. revealed 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' will sense if a show is going to go well. Now, suddenly stopped and said, 'Jennifer, look.' I Michael loves women and the female form. forever hold a "special place" in her heart. even in the craziest moments, I'm able to looked down, and I saw the same exact His clothes are so appealing because he cele- Kate - who has sons Ryder, 13, and five-year- channel my most peaceful state by holding heart-shaped stone sitting in the street, not brates both in his designs." And the American old Bingham - explained:" That movie will a stone. I have about 20 of them total, and I far from where I'd lost it. It was beaten up, star - who is the daughter of 71-year-old always hold a special place in me. So many always take a few with me everywhere I go, and it had obviously been in the rain and actress Goldie Hawn and her former partner people love it, and that's the reason why we from the recording studio to the red car- run over by cars." Bill Hudson - has admitted when she poses in make movies." "Whether it's romantic or not, I pet." Although the 'Spotlight' hitmaker car- front of the camera for campaigns and pho- love comedy-period." ries a gem around with her at all times, she toshoots she is worried she won't come across as an "honest" person. She said: "I fear not being honest in front of the camera." The Ghostbusters live-action and animated film in the works roducer Ivan Reitman has confirmed there is both a 'Ghostbusters' live- action and animated film in the works. The 70-year-old filmmaker - who Pproduced the two original 'Ghostbusters' movies in 1984 and 1989 - has revealed there are several plans to expand the blockbuster sci-fi franchise with the live adaptation and animated features being just the tip of the iceberg for what they have in store. Reitman told website iO9: "We jumped into an ani- mated film [after the last movie] and we are developing [a] live-action film. I want to bring all these stories together as a universe that makes sense within itself. Part of my job right now is to do that." It's not known if the new movies Fleur East listens to Michael will be a sequel to the 2016 all-female version - which starred Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones - or whether Sony and James Blunt no Ghost Corps will finally cast Chris Pratt and Channing Tatum in an entirely new Jackson every day for inspiration film. In 2015, Reitman and director Dan Aykroyd revealed they were planning on expanding the franchise further, including a movie featuring 'Magic Mike longer chasing success leur East's biggest inspiration is Company. WE Day was created by activists XXL' star Tatum. At the time, Reitman said: "We want to expand the Michael Jackson and she listens to and brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger 'Ghostbusters' universe in ways that will include different films, TV shows, mer- Fthe late King of Pop's music every who began WE as a non-profit Facebook chandise, all things that are part of modern filmed entertainment. "This is a ames Blunt had to "get over" trying to chase the success of his first day to motivate her. The former 'X Factor' page aimed at helping young people all branded entertainment, a scary supernatural premise mixed with comedy. album. The 43-year-old singer's debut album 'Back to Bedlam' runner-up's favorite artist of all time is the over the world have a positive impact on Paul Feig's film will be the first version of that, shooting in June to come out in Jachieved worldwide success when it was released in 2004, selling 11 'Thriller' hitmaker and as well as playing their communities and society as a whole. July 2016. He's got four of the funniest women in the world, and there will be million copies and topping the UK album chart whilst reaching the second his classics constantly she also studies his And the 'Sax' singer was thrilled to be other surprises to come." Tatum was, at the time, linked to producing and fea- spot in the US. However, the 'You're Beautiful' hitmaker has admitted his live performances and pioneering dance involved in the event as she believes there turing as a protagonist in one of the films and 'Mission: Impossible 5' subsequent releases - 2007's 'All The Lost Souls', 2010's 'Some Kind of moves each day to get ideas for her own is nothing more important than educat- scriptwriter Drew Pearce was also rumored to be part of the project after a Trouble', and 2013's 'Moon Landing' - haven't been as popular, and he stage shows. Speaking to BANG Showbiz ing and inspiring children and teenagers. series of Sony emails leaked last year. Ivan said: "The second film has a wonder- found it difficult learning to remove himself from the fear of "public reac- as she arrived to take part in the WE Day Fleur said: "WE Day is important because I ful idea that builds on that. Drew will start writing and the hope is to be ready tion". He said: "My first album hit big. In America, my subsequent albums event at The SSE Wembley Arena in love children and anything to do with for the Russo Brothers' next window next summer to shoot, with the movie didn't really hit big. And so you're always thinking about, I suppose, the London yesterday morning, she said: "As a youth, they're our future leaders so it's coming out the following year. It's just the beginning of what I hope will be a public reaction ... They're always in the room, slightly. So it's been nice to performer Michael Jackson is a huge important to install some positive mes- lot of wonderful movies." "My primary focus will be to build the Ghostbusters just get over that. Yeah ... I just had to get over it." And the 'Goodbye My inspiration; even today I still listen to him sages and do positive things in the com- into the universe it always promised it might become. The original film is Lover' musician has now managed to do just that, as he says his upcoming and watch his performances on YouTube." munity. In this new generation it's a lot beloved, as is the cast, and we hope to create films we will continue to love." Although Michael - who passed away in about yourself, social media has made it a fifth studio venture 'The Afterlove' was written "with a certain kind of con- June 2009 at the age of 50 - is a major lot about yourself so it's good that we are fidence" which didn't have "an audience in mind". He said of his new influence on her music, Fleur's mother is a helping encourage people in the commu- album: "I just wanted to do something not with an audience in mind any- major influence on her life in general nity to help others so that's a positive more. Just something for myself. It just allowed me to write songs with a because she's such a "resilient and deter- thing. My message to the kids is take from certain kind of confidence, rather than a kind of apology." James says his mined" person. She added: "I think in my this that we need to help each other, as a newest record - which is set for release on Friday - is "a whole new thing" life my mother is a big influence. She is human race it's important to stand and he's "really enjoying" where he is with his music career. He told someone who is very resilient, deter- together and do positive things and actu- Billboard.com's Pop Shop Podcast: "I've had four albums in the past and it mined, no matter what knocks her down ally it makes you a much richer person feels like there was kind of a different music career. This [new album] feels she just gets back up, she's just so positive when you do something positive for other like a whole new thing. After my last tour, I went to Australia for a while and she taught me to live that way so people when you see you can affect and I came back and said, 'You know what? I'm back in the music business she's a huge inspiration." Fleur, 29, was change in other people's lives." in a way that I haven't been before, in a way that I'm really enjoying it.'" attending WE Day to perform her version of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk' with the Living The Dream Dance Danny Boyle has become a worse director anny Boyle thinks he's become a "worse" direc- skills you pick up, but I don't think they necessarily going to do? I don't know! "I think it helped having the tor as he's got older and more experienced. The make you a better film director... "I remember on actors, and the memories of the actors from the first D'T2: Trainspotting' filmmaker has learned a lot 'Shallow Grave', the one before 'Trainspotting', making it time, but I tried to recreate that feeling of, 'Here we go, about the technical aspects of putting together a movie up, like, 'Why don't we do that? OK, let's do that!' what should we do?' on the day, as much as possible, over the years and thinks that has made him take a "Whereas now, you'd go, 'Well, I'm not sure that's a good rather than plan. "A film has a tendency to plan, plan, more cautious approach as he's aware of the conse- idea, because of all the consequences that'll happen.' and execute, rather than discover. "When you're doing quences of his decisions. He explained: "This is genuine- So, it's very, very interesting." And the 60-year-old direc- character drama, the discovery is the character work, ly what I believe-is that you get better as a director in tor admitted he felt conflicted when making 'T2' as to but when you're doing entertainment films-and these theory, right? You don't, actually, not as a film director. whether he should embrace the skills he has learned or are entertainment, really, they're not serious art movies You actually get worse, I think. "There's something adopt the "innocence" he still had when working on the about characters; they're fun and enjoyable and you about when you really are in awe of it, and you don't first 'Trainspotting' in 1996. He added to Vulture: "[With want to include as many people as possible-the tenden- know what to do, and it's terrifying and amazing. You 'T2', the question was] do you direct it with all of your cy is to plan, and I tried not to do that." never get that feeling again, because you learn, techni- supposed present skills, or do you try and recreate that — Bang Showbiz cally, how it works. "If you're a conscious human being, innocence, that naÔvetÈ, that feeling of awe in the face you're picking up, like, "Oh, this is how it works, is it, and of making a movie? "You know, I've watched them for if I do that, that happens, does it?" There's a series of so many years, and now I get to make one! What am I THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 lifestyle

MUSIC & MOVIES Chuck Berry in rock 'n' roll style in posthumous song

ays after he died at age 90, a new song wooing a girl at a school dance. "I was bright in to feature a sequel of some kind to "Johnny B. came out yesterday from Chuck Berry school but my future looked dim / 'Cause the big Goode"-the track listing includes a track called Ddriven by the sort of rollicking guitar riffs boys wouldn't let me party with them," sings "Lady B. Goode." Released in 1958, "Johnny B. that created rock 'n' roll. "Big Boys" is the first Berry, showing little of his advanced age. Berry Goode" recreated the quintessentially American song from the rock pioneer's "Chuck," his first had announced the album in October to cele- rags-to-riches tale for the new rock generation, studio album in nearly 40 years. His label said brate his 90th birthday, stunning the music with a poor boy finding fame by dint of his gui- the album will come out on June 16. The first sin- world as he had kept to himself for the past few tar. The song so represented rock 'n' roll that the gle starts with a signature Chuck Berry guitar decades other than keeping a regular gig in his US space program placed it on the golden solo with echoes of his legendary hit "Johnny B. native St Louis. Berry's label Dualtone said that record of the Voyager mission to introduce the Goode"-an electric bolt of energy that seamless- Berry found "a great sense of joy and satisfac- genre to potentially inquisitive extraterrestrials. ly marries blues and country music. Over a rock- tion" in his life's final few years as he wrote and Berry died on Saturday at his home outside St. abilly piano, "Big Boys" heads into a classic rock recorded "Chuck." Louis where an emergency team found him 'n' roll time signature before closing with a solo "While our hearts are very heavy at this time, unresponsive. — AFP contributed a much younger guitar great-Tom we know that Chuck had no greater wish than to Morello of Rage Against the Machine fame. see this album released to the world, and we Lyrically the song returns to Berry's favorite know of no better way to celebrate and remem- This file photo shows legendary US singer and composer Chuck Berry, one of the pio- theme of youthful freedom-if from a 1950s con- ber his 90 years of life than through his music," neers of rock-and-roll, performing at a concert in Montevideo. — AFP text. Berry sings of seeking fun as a teenager and the label said in a statement. "Chuck" looks set Wyclef Jean handcuffed by LA police in 'mistaken identity'

yclef Jean, the Grammy-winning ex-mem- Twitter. "I was asked by the police to Put my hands ber of the Fugees, said he was "appalled" up. Then I was told do not move. I was instantly Wafter being handcuffed and questioned hand cuffed before being asked to identify myself," by police in Los Angeles. Haitian-born Jean, 47, he wrote. "Nor was I told why I was being cuffed. In came to the United States as a child with his family the process I said my name and told them they and grew up largely in New Jersey. That is where have wrong person." But "they proceeded to ignore the rapper-singer played with a group that evolved me and I was treated like a criminal until other into the Fugees-a pun on the word "refugees." In police showed up and pointed out they had wrong the 1990s, the Fugees took home three Grammys, person," Jean added. and are known for hits like "Killing Me Softly" and "As someone who has law enforcers in my fam- "Guantanamera." ily, I was appalled by this behavior of the LAPD." Now a successful producer and actor as well, While Jean used the abbreviation for the Los Jean won a Grammy for producing "Supernatural," Angeles Police Department, he was in fact by Santana. And he rapped alongside Colombian detained by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's pop star Shakira in uber-popular "Hips Don't Lie." Department. "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's After alleged "furtive movements" by the world- Department is apologetic for any inconvenience This file photo shows young Afghan singer Zulala Hashemi (right) alongside competitor This file photo shows Wyclef Jean appears at the Sayed Jamal Mubarez as they perform during the television music competition ‘Afghan famous musician, Jean was detained, and hand- Diesel Black Gold fashion show in New York. — AP this process caused Mr Jean," it said in a state- cuffed, for six minutes until it became clear the ment. "We are grateful we were able to appre- Star’ in Kabul. — AFP police were on the wrong track. "I am sure no Apparently, the confusion stemmed from simi- hend the robbery suspects and that no one was father wants his sons or daughters to see him in larity between the car in which Jean was traveling, seriously injured." — AFP Handcuffs especially if he is innocent," Jean said and another that was used in a crime elsewhere. Afghanistan music fans on Twitter. The star seemed stunned in his comments on hail trailblazing talent show

usic fans in conservative Afghanistan the finals. I want to give this award to her-she yesterday hailed the groundbreaking deserves it," he said. A woman came in third 'Gong Show' creator Rarities by late Mfinale of a popular television singing place in 2008 but since then no female singer competition, in which the first woman to has gone beyond seventh or eighth position. reach the last round lost to another avant- The 12-week competition was watched by stars to come garde competitor. "Afghan Star", an adapta- millions of viewers and fans on social media Chuck Barris dies at 87 tion of "American Idol", has become a huge yesterday said the final had been ground- hit in a nation where the Taliban regime once breaking, no matter who won. "Mubarez is a confined women to their homes and banned great talent. He sings for justice, pain and out for Record music and cinema. But since its launch in misery of people," wrote Facebook user 2005, four years after the fall of the Taliban, it Hussain Gulzar. has also suffered a backlash from mullahs for "By giving the award to Zulala, Mubarez Store Day the way it features unveiled women singing said no to the face of all those who are and dancing. against women and national unity," wrote are music from three stars who Zulala Hashemi, 18, burst into tears as the another user, Nasima Sadat. Mubarez, the died last year-Prince, David Bowie result-decided by public vote-was announced sole breadwinner of his family, shut down his and Leonard Cohen-will come out during the final aired Tuesday. Her rival Sayed hair salon in the northern city of Mazar-i- R Jamal Mubarez, a 23-year-old from the perse- Sharif for three months to take part in the next month for the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day, the celebration of cuted Hazara minority who became the first show, borrowing $8 from his neighbours for vinyl's rebirth. Launched in 2007 by rap artist to win the contest, was gallant in the bus ride to Kabul. "Rap is a new thing in struggling US shops in hopes of stirring victory. As Hashemi took refuge in the arms Afghanistan, people don't know it yet, but I interest, Record Store Day has grown of her biggest supporter, Afghan pop star will continue to rap till it fits in society," said quickly as well as internationally as vinyl Aryana Sayeed, Mubarez dismissed his own Mubarez, who raps about poverty, injustice, finds a renewed audience among collec- achievement to praise the young woman. "I women and even expensive marriages. tors. Some 350 limited-edition works will am very happy I won the first position, but Zulala Hashemi is a native of the eastern city go on sale for the celebration on April would have been happier if Zulala had come of Jalalabad, a stronghold of Taleban and 22, organizers announced Tuesday. An first, because the women here live with a lot Islamic State insurgents. "I want to convey a original tribute album to Cohen, "Like a of restrictions," he told an audience sprinkled message to Afghan women: they must claim Drunk in a Midnight Choir," will raise with celebrities as he accepted his award. their rights and explore their talents," she told File photo shows Chuck Barris, the man In this Nov 28, 1980 file photo, Chuck Barris, host of the money for a cancer charity. Mubarez then turned to Zulala and, to AFP ahead of the final. — AFP behind TV’s ‘The Dating Game,’ poses in the television's "Gong Show," and Robin Altman leave the The album features covers of Cohen wild cheers from the audience, handed her lobby of his apartment in New York. Pierre Hotel in New York. — AP photos songs by artists including Joseph Arthur, the award. "I'm proud Zulala has made it to the rich-voiced indie singer and painter, huck Barris, whose game show empire included films. He directed and starred in "The Gong Show and psychedelic folk rocker Avi Buffalo. "The Dating Game," "The Newlywed Game" and Movie," a thundering failure that stayed in theaters only Reissues from Prince-himself an avid Cthat infamous factory of cheese, "The Gong a week. Afterward, a distraught Barris checked into a record collector who frequented the Show," died at 87. Barris died of natural causes Tuesday New York hotel and wrote his autobiography, Electric Fetus store in Minneapolis-will afternoon at his home in Palisades, New York, accord- "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," in two months. In include 12-inch maxi-singles of six songs ing to publicist Paul Shefrin, who announced the death it, he claimed to have been a CIA assassin. including "Pop Life" and "Sign o' The on behalf of Barris' family. Barris made game show his- The book (and the 2002 film based on it, directed by Times." Twelve-inch maxi-singles are tory right off the bat, in 1966, with "The Dating Game," George Clooney) were widely dismissed by disbelievers known for their high audio quality as the hosted by Jim Lange. The gimmick: a young female who said the creator of some of television's most low- same amount of vinyl that ordinarily questions three males, hidden from her view, to deter- brow game shows had allowed his imagination to run covers one side of an album goes to a mine which would be the best date. Sometimes the wild when he claimed to have spent his spare time single song. Among the Record Store process was switched, with a male questioning three traveling the world, quietly rubbing out enemies of the Day releases announced ahead of females. But in all cases the questions were designed United States. "It sounds like he has been standing too Tuesday are two albums by Bowie by the show's writers to elicit sexy answers. close to the gong all those years," quipped CIA including a three-LP live work from 1974 Celebrities and future celebrities who appeared as spokesman Tom Crispell. "Chuck Barris has never been called "Cracked Actor." contestants included Michael Jackson, Arnold employed by the CIA and the allegation that he was a Pink Floyd said Monday it will put out In this file photo, Chance the Rapper per- for the first time an early 15-minute ver- In this file photo, Lorde performs at the Schwarzenegger, Steve Martin and a pre-"Charlie's hired assassin is absurd," Crispell added. forms at the Clive Davis and The Recording 42nd annual American Music Awards at Angels" Farrah Fawcett, introduced as "an accom- sion of "Interstellar Overdrive," recorded Academy Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly in 1966 before the legendary band had a Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles. plished artist and sculptress" with a dream to open her Born in Philadelphia Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. — AP photos own gallery. After the show became a hit on both day- Barris, who offered no corroboration of his claims, record deal. In classical music, label time and nighttime TV, the Barris machine accelerated. was unmoved. "Have you ever heard the CIA acknowl- Warner Classics will put out the first vinyl New products included "The Newlywed Game," "The edge someone was an assassin?" he once asked. edition of cello virtuoso Rostropovich's Parent Game," "The Family Game" and even "The Game Seeking escape from the Hollywood rat race, he moved world premiere of Shostakovich's Cello Chance the Rapper to play Lollapalooza Game." At one point Barris was supplying the television to a villa in the south of France in the 1980s with his Concerto No. 2, performed in 1967 with networks with 27 hours of entertainment a week, most- girlfriend and future second wife, Robin Altman, and the composer in attendance. in Chicago hometown ly in five-days-a-week daytime game shows. The grin- made only infrequent returns to his old haunts over the The vinyl features an X-ray image of a bone and pelvis-a reference to bootleg ning, curly-haired Barris became a familiar face as cre- next two decades. Back in the news in 2002 to help rammy-winning artist Chance the ator and host of "The Gong Show," which aired from publicize "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," Barris said records in the Soviet era that were made illicitly on hospitals' leftover X-ray paper. Rapper is planning a return to his 1976 to 1980. his shows were a forerunner to today's popular reality hometown of Chicago this summer to TV series. Born in Philadelphia in 1929, Charles Barris In one of the more unusual releases, folk G star Iron and Wine took inspiration from headline the Lollapalooza music festival. Country musician was left destitute, along with his sister and their moth- Other headliners announced yesterday morn- Patterned after the Major Bowes Amateur Hour er, when his dentist father died of a stroke. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by hiding five golden tickets in his 1,200- ing on Lollapalooza's website include The show that was a radio hit in the 1930s, the program fea- After graduating from the Drexel Institute of Killers, Lorde, Arcade Fire, Muse and blink- tured performers who had peculiar talents and, often, Technology in 1953, he took a series of jobs, including issue run of "Archive Series Volume No. 3." The golden ticket will be a lifetime 182. The four-day festival will run Aug. 3-6 in no talent at all. When the latter appeared on the show, book salesman and fight promoter. After being Chicago's lakefront Grant Park. Barris would strike an oversize gong, the show's equiva- dropped from a low-level job at NBC, he found work at pass to his concerts, he told a Record Store Day news conference in New York. Lollapalooza called Chance the Rapper's lent of vaudeville's hook. The victims would then be ABC, where he persuaded his bosses to let him open a headlining act a "hero's homecoming." He'll mercilessly berated by the manic Barris, with a hat Hollywood office, from which he launched his game- "So if you buy 400 records, you might get one," he said. Vinyl sales in the top the festival's Saturday lineup. Muse and often yanked down over his eyes and ears, and a crew show empire. He also had success in the music world. Lorde will play today. The Killers will head- of second-tier celebrities. Occasionally, someone would He wrote the 1962 hit record "Palisades Park," which United States and several European countries have reached levels not seen line Friday and Arcade Fire will close the fes- actually launch a successful career through the show. was recorded by Freddy Cannon. Barris's first marriage, tival on Sunday. Lollapalooza celebrated its One example was the late country musician BoxCar to Lynn Levy, ended in divorce. Their daughter, Della, since the 1980s, but the sector remains a sliver in a music market in which CD 25th anniversary last year when it expanded Willie, who was a 1977 "Gong Show" winner. died of a drug overdose in 1998. He married his third from three to four days. It's been held in He called himself "The King of Daytime Television," wife, Mary, in 2000. — AP sales are declining and streaming is soaring. — AFP Chicago since 2005. The more than 170-act In this file photo, Matt Bellamy of Muse but to critics he was "The King of Schlock" or "The lineup also includes main-stay artists like Baron of Bad Taste." As "The Gong Show" and Barris' performs at the KROQ Weenie Roast at Spoon, Ryan Adams, Foster the People and the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in other series were slipping, he sold his company for a Wiz Khalifa. — AP reported $100 million in 1980 and decided to go into Irvine, Calif. lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

FEATURES

Models present creations from ACUOD by CHANU from their Autumn/Winter 2017 collection during Tokyo Fashion Week in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP Brexit zip it, says Korean designer on Tokyo catwalk ritain's impending divorce from the European black leather versions with giant zips across the tion. But just a 'love and peace' kind of thing would Union helped inspire perhaps the least likely mouth. Heavy and looped over each ear, each model be boring so I wanted to express peace with a rebel- Bcultural response: a Korean designer's fashion wore a mask that could be zipped up or zipped apart lious spirit," he added. The show kicked off with a show on the other side of the planet in Tokyo. In at the mouth, plastering each face in an almost men- performance by beatboxer Kairi and a freestyle unisex brand ACUOD by CHANU's mission to sweep acing metallic grin and obscuring much of their fea- dance from Gendai and won loud cheers from the away gender boundaries, the Japanese-trained tures. Zips, Lee said, "connect different cultures and normally reticent Japanese fashion audience in what Chanwoo Lee gave the zip a starring role yesterday open a new world". He dubbed the show "Break was standing-room only. Lee only made his Tokyo in his fall/winter 2017 collection on day three of Down Walls, Zip Up Difference" that bizarrely turned Fashion Week runway debut last season in October fashion week. It was a veritable zip fest: zips on hats, out to be about EU secessionist movements just days 2016 but ACUOD by CHANU has already won a slew snaking from buttocks to crotch, on sleeves, and up after Britain announced it will trigger its exit next of awards for its blend of mens and womenswear, the back and down the front of jackets making it week from the European Union. "Today there are sporty and semi-formal street cool. "I want my brand possible for the wearer to customize each garment many political movements such as EU secession in to be a street brand that people can even wear at to their own desire. the world, but basically I think that we're all the same weddings," Lee said professing a distaste for formal With surgical masks ubiquitous on the streets of humans," said Lee, speaking to reporters in fluent suits. "I'll never wear one as long I live." — AFP Tokyo, offering protection from viruses or solace Japanese after the show. from a "bad face day," Lee dressed his models in "I wanted to express peace through my collec- Virtual reality brings home horror of hospital attacks

These handout photos released by Doctors Without Borders (Medecins sans Frontieres - MSF) shows a TV grab of the production of a virtual reality film on the attacks of a hospital, created by MSF in a bid to counter surging numbers of attacks on medical facilities and medical workers in conflict zones in places like Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. — AFP photos

octors and nurses bustle round a patient with a bro- were debriefed by MSF staff afterwards to help determine footage, you don't see the bombs fall, but you see the lion people in northeastern Afghanistan still remain with- ken leg, when suddenly there is an explosion, dark- the effectiveness of the tool before it is presented to politi- shockwave, the panic and the distress of people there," out access to high-quality surgery care, MSF said. "These Dness and panicked screams. Now imagine that cians and other decision-makers starting on World Girard said, also describing how patients and medical attacks are creating a considerable number of direct and patient is you. That is the experience the MSF medical char- Humanitarian Day in August. workers in these settings seem to be "transformed into indirect victims," Delfosse said, warning that "many people ity is aiming for with a new virtual reality film it is testing "MSF asked me to create a traumatizing experience," ghosts moving through darkened hallways filled with are simply dying from a lack of care... which is unaccept- and planning to get before decision makers, military com- explained Romain Girard, director of the 360-degree film, smoke and dust." "That was really the feeling I was aiming able." MSF hopes the VR film will help make clear to people manders and soldiers on the ground. The Doctors Without which lasts just around two and a half minutes, but which for," he said. in charge the devastating consequences of attacking med- Borders group, known by the French acronym MSF, is when you are behind the goggles feels much longer. The ical facilities. "I hope one day someone will remember this launching the film in a bid to counter surging numbers of VR film was created in Geneva, but inspired by media and Many indirect victims (VR) experience and maybe think: 'If I shift my decision, I attacks on medical facilities and medical workers in conflict surveillance footage from a real attacks on hospitals, MSF meanwhile stresses that for every medical worker could really save lives,'" Girard said. — AFP zones in places like Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. including the deadly US bombing of an MSF hospital in the killed or injured in attacks, many more people are deprived "This kind of tool, the 360-degree (VR film), could be northern Afghan city of Kunduz in October 2015 that killed of the care they would have provided and die or suffer as a very, very useful in sensitizing fighter jet pilots for 42 people, including 14 of the charity's staff. "In that result. Following the Kunduz attack, for instance, one mil- instance" to what is at stake, explained Francois Delfosse, who heads an MSF project on hospital attacks and protec- tion of medical missions. And indeed, once you slip on the VR headset and large headphones, you are there, in the middle of a bustling trauma ward, looking down at your outstretched broken leg and waiting for one of the doctors to tend to you. When the explosion hits, you are stuck in the middle of a darkened corridor, unable to move as bloodied people run screaming past and staff pound fran- tically on the chest of a person stretched out on the floor in front of you. If you turn your head, you can see more peo- ple running, including an older man, his face caked with dirt and blood, holding what looks like a lifeless baby.

Powerless "There was this sense of powerlessness," explained Irene Raciti, of the Red Cross, who volunteered to help test the MSF film on the sidelines of a film festival in Geneva last week focused on human rights. Sitting in a secluded room with the headset and earphones on, Raciti twisted and turned her head in different directions, at one point gasp- ing and clutching her hands nervously together. "I was injured, so I couldn't move, and people were running around me, people needed help, and I was powerless," she told AFP after the experience. She and other test subjects lifestyle THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017

FEATURE

People walk past a street art mural on the facade of a house in Fanzara near A man takes a photo of a street art mural on the facade of a house in Fanzara A man walks past a street art mural on the facade of a house in Fanzara near Castellon de la Plana. — AFP photos near Castellon de la Plana. Castellon de la Plana. Street art revives divided Spanish village

anzara is a small Spanish country village whose hand- nearby river. The mural of the robots chasing cats is near a ful of mostly elderly residents were once so bitterly small street, which has been taken over by stray felines. Fdivided that their allegiance to one camp or the other "The original goal of mural art is just that: to reach people, determined which bar they frequented. So heated became take art out of museums," says Lopez. the local tussle over plans to build a toxic waste dump that it aroused old Civil War-era rivalry and prompted neighbors to cross the street to avoid one another. But, today in A street art mural is pictured on the facade of a house in Fanzara near Castellon de la Fanzara, the bad blood is almost forgotten and the village Plana. has been revived-thanks to street artists from around the world. Tourists now flock to admire giant murals created by invited urban artists on the sides of buildings in the village, which has become an open-air art gallery. To the chimes of the village bell and dogs barking in the distance, Fanzara, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the eastern port city of Valencia, has become a living canvas for colorful artwork. A three-wall picture depicts a robot with long, thin arms chasing cats, while another nearby mural features a creature with large white eyes holding a tiny planet in its hand. "We looked for an arts and culture project that everyone could take part in and that would re-establish good relations among villagers," said former municipal councilor Javier Lopez, one of the project's architects. For years, residents of Fanzara -- 70 percent of them pensioners-had been at loggerheads over the waste incinerator proposal. It was defeated in the end and the right-wing municipal council promoting the proj- ect was swept from power in 2011 elections. But locals say tensions remained long after the plan was 'Seeing the change in people' Youths paint a wall in the People look at a street art mural on the facade of a house in Fanzara near Castellon de la dropped, with supporters drinking in the village's "upper Since 2015 more than 2,300 children have taken a guid- local sports centre dur- Plana. bar", while opponents, who were concerned about the ed tour of the works, helping to invigorate the life of the ing a visit to Fanzara. incinerator's environmental impact, preferred the "lower village that is home to just 18 schoolchildren. Fanzara now bar". "We would know what side you were on depending has 105 works and many residents have embraced the fes- on which bar you went to," said Marc Zapata, a 22-year-old tival. More than 200 artists from around the globe have firefighter seated at a table in the "upper bar". The feud already applied to take part in its next edition, from July 6 even stoked old divisions between left- and right-wing to 9. "Life is good and peaceful here. There is a pharmacy, a families dating back to Spain's bloody 1936-39 Civil War. doctor, a butcher's shop, a bakery... and now with MIAU, it is international," said resident Elisa Edo. "You open up a lot Gain trust with all these people who come from elsewhere" to look at So in 2014 the village's new municipal council came up the works, the 64-year-old added. For the second edition with the idea to invite local residents and street artists to of the festival in 2015, several locals even put up the visit- create one giant mural. It turned into a street art festival, ing street artists in their homes under a program dubbed with 21 artists descending on Fanzara a few months later "Adopt an Artist". who ended up decorating dozens of grey walls encour- "What I liked the most was seeing the change in peo- aged by enthusiastic locals. Some could be seen hoisted ple," said Lopez. The street art gallery still has some on cranes as they painted the walls. Three years later, detractors, though. "We have lost the intimacy that is typ- Fanzara's annual festival, known as the Unfinished ical of a village," said Sara Martinez, 21, as she sat at the Museum of Urban Art (MIAU), has joined the circuit of "upper bar". She complained that, during the festival, street art events, including prestigious festivals in artists "paint until nightfall. We hear all the time the 'bip Copenhagen and New York. Initially many villagers had bip ' of the cranes." Fanzara's Socialist mayor Ana Romero been reluctant to hand over the wall space. But the artists said, however: "The village is better." "I think the oppo- gradually gained their trust by working closely with them nents are a minority." — AFP and designing works that reflect village life. A Spanish visual artist, who goes by the name of Students and their teacher walk past a street art mural on the facade of a house in Hombre Lopez, depicted residents' faces on pebbles at a Fanzara.

A man walks past a street art mural displaying crushed cars in Fanzara. A man points to a street art mural on the facade of a house in Fanzara.

A woman walks past a street art mural on the facade of a Youths walk through a tunnel decorated with a street art mural painting in Fanzara. People look at a street art mural on the facade of a house in Fanzara. house in Fanzara. Afghanistan music fans hail trailblazing talent show

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 37

Christian clergymen and other guests attend a ceremony next to the Edicule surrounding the Tomb of Jesus Tourists and worshippers wait to access the newly restored Edicule following a ceremony at the Church of (where his body is believed to have been laid) at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ. yesterday. — AFP photos Newly restored shrine at Jesus's tomb unveiled

he newly restored shrine surrounding what is believed to 'The color of hope' no longer necessary. "The deformations of the holy edicule are Whether the site is indeed the place of Jesus's burial has long be Jesus's tomb was unveiled at a ceremony in Jerusalem Centuries of candle smoke and visiting pilgrims had left the addressed and the structural integrity is assured," Moropoulou been a matter of dispute. Some Christians believe he was buried Tyesterday following months of delicate work. Religious shrine discolored and almost black. Parts of it were also com- said. Samuel Aghoyan, the superior of the Armenian Church at in the Garden Tomb, outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City, leaders opened the ceremony at the Church of the Holy ing loose, with warnings that it was structurally unsound and the Sepulchre which co-financed the project, said that after the but Moropoulou said their findings supported the Sepulchre as Sepulchre, built at the site where Christians believe Jesus was posed a risk to the millions of pilgrims who visit the site every renovation the edicule looked "like a brand new building". the location. Asked if the slabs supported the argument that crucified and buried. They stood in front of the 19th-century year. Following a $3.7 million (3.4 million euro) renovation led Jesus was buried there, she said it was "not a matter of an argu- edicule surrounding the tomb as hymns were sung. by the church's three main Christian denominations, the tomb Dramatic moment ment". "It is a matter of revealing a tomb which is alive and Dignitaries including Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been painstakingly restored to its former glory-including a In October, perhaps the most dramatic moment in the ren- which is influencing us working here and all the world." The work were in attendance. Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III warm reddish-yellow coloring. "Before this the monument was ovation occurred when the cave thought to be the tomb of is not the end of plans to renovate the church. Aghoyan said of Jerusalem, in his address to the ceremony, called the black," chief renovator Antonia Moropoulou told AFP. "This is Jesus was opened for the first time in centuries. Marble slabs they have "tentative" plans to fix the basement of the edicule as restoration "not only a gift to our Holy Land but to the whole the actual color of the monument, the color of hope." were removed to allow for the chamber's reinforcement. They well as the "entire floor of the church". Such work would require world." "For the first time in over two centuries, this sacred Unlike other parts of the church, which were renovated found a top slab dating from the era of the Crusades, indicat- around $6 million. The Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman edicule has been restored," he said, referring to the shrine between the 1960s and 1990s, the edicule had been neglect- ing that the tomb had not been opened for 700 years, Catholic denominations share custody of the church, but dis- built in 1810 surrounding the tomb. The shrine is a key part ed. Moropoulou said that restorers had systematically disman- Moropoulou said. Underneath they found another from the era putes between the three have led to renovations being delayed of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City. tled, cleaned and renovated almost all of the edicule, including of Constantine the Great, the emperor who began the Roman for decades. Aghoyan admitted there were tensions between The church is located in Israeli-occupied east Jerusalem, the columns and upper and inner domes. A window has been empire's transition to Christianity in the fourth century AD. the churches at times. "We are not in love with each but we love which the Palestinians see as the capital of their future state, installed to allow pilgrims to see the bare stone of the ancient "When we opened the slabs we discovered within the inter- each other," he said with a smile. — AFP and the shrine was briefly closed by Israeli authorities in burial cave for the first time. The new structural integrity nal masonry all the layers of history-from Constantinian to 2015 over security fears. means a protective cage installed 70 years ago by the British is Byzantine, to Crusaders to Renaissance," Moropoulou said.