10 Foreign Workers Killed in Abu Dhabi Building Fire

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 JAMADA ALAWWAL 3, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Interior Ministry Moms swear by Kristen Stewart Barca slump gears up for health benefits makes history, to stunning national of eating ‘Timbuktu’ wins home defeat celebrations2 placentas28 big38 at Cesars by19 Malaga 10 foreign workers killed Min 15º Max 23º in Abu Dhabi building fire High Tide 01:48 : 14:23 Low Tide Huge blaze guts 79-floor Dubai skyscraper 08:27 & 20:44 40 PAGES NO: 16441 150 FILS ABU DHABI/DUBAI: Ten foreign workers have died in a Interior, defense fire that hit a tyre shop in Abu Dhabi, apparently trap- ping the laborers in a warehouse used illegally for panel tackling accommodation, local media said yesterday. Eight others were injured in the blaze that gutted the two-storey sensitive issues building in the Mussaffah district on Friday, Gulf News daily reported, saying that the makeshift hostel above KUWAIT: The National Assembly, during the current the shop was originally a storage area. 14th legislative term, has devoted special attention Police said the victims were of different nationalities to national security, amid insecurity and instability and that the owner of the building was arrested, the prevailing in some regional and foreign nations. The paper said. An investigation into the cause of the fire is parliament said in a report released yesterday that underway. “The injured were given first aid by medics the National Assembly’s interior and defense affairs and then taken to hospital while police and firefighters committee “has taken seri- began the grizzly task of recovering the 10 bodies,” Abu ous steps to back up state Dhabi-based newspaper The National reported. Fires at action for safeguarding cit- warehouses in industrial zones are common in the izens and expatriates, par- United Arab Emirates and authorities across the Gulf ticularly amid the current nation continue to crack down on illegal accommoda- conditions, thus putting all tion of foreign laborers. The UAE is home to millions of available resources at the foreign workers, mostly from South Asian countries. disposal of the national Meanwhile, hundreds of panicked residents fled one security system.” It further of the tallest towers in Dubai early yesterday as a huge indicated that the commis- fire engulfed the skyscraper, causing extensive damage sion had enacted legisla- to its luxury flats. The inferno gutted the upper part of the 79-storey Torch tower, triggering an evacuation of Abdullah Al-Maayouf tions at this level. The commission groups nearby blocks in the Dubai Marina neighborhood. five members, and is headed during the current term Amateur footage posted online showed fire engulfing by MP Abdullah Al-Maayouf. It includes rapporteur the upper floors of the tower - home to hundreds of Majed Al-Mutairi, in addition to MPs Sultan Al- expatriates - with debris falling onto the road as strong Shemmari, Abdullah Al-Adwani and Askar Al-Enezi. It winds fanned the flames. tackles sensitive affairs concerning the military and Resident Mehdi Ansari told AFP that the fire alarm security sectors, namely the ministries of interior and sounded at around 2 am. “I saw there was fire and defense, the National Guard and the fire department. pieces of the building falling down so I immediately On Jan 27, the commission won parliament took my wife and our baby. We took some important approval of a bill on confiscation of arms and ammu- items and went down,” he said. “When we went to the nition. At a session held on Jan 28h, the Assembly staircase, it was full of smoke. Later the staircase got amended law number 22 (1967), tackling issues relat- busier and smokier, the lights went off and some peo- ed to military service, positions, vacations and ple panicked.” Continued on Page 13 DUBAI: Flames shoot out from the high-rise Torch tower in Dubai’s Marina district early yesterday. — AP Continued on Page 13 Pacquiao, Mayweather to face off

LOS ANGELES: Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao, the only fighter to win world Manny Pacquiao will meet unbeaten titles in eight weight divisions, dedicated American Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Stolen SIM on May 2 in a fight fans have long craved Arena to fans who “willed” it into being. “I between the finest boxers of their gener- am very happy that Floyd Mayweather ation. Unbeaten American Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have keys could made the long-awaited announcement wanted for so many years,” said Pacquiao, on Friday via the social media website who also posted a picture of the contract Shots.com, ending weeks of increasingly on Twitter. “They have waited long be spy tool intense speculation that the showdown enough and they deserve it.” had been set. “What the world has been In Manila, Pacquiao’s business manag- WASHINGTON: It would be another powerful tool in waiting for has arrived. Mayweather vs. er Eric Pineda said they knew in advance the arsenal of US and British spy services: encryption Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal,” of the match but had left it to keys for a large share of the SIM cards used for mobile Mayweather wrote. “I promised the fans Mayweather to make the announce- phones. A report by the investigative news website we would get this done, and we did,” he ment. “We just kept it under wraps,” he The Intercept, citing leaked documents from former added, posting a picture of a signed con- told AFP. National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, tract. Continued on Page 13 SANAA: Protesters hold posters with pictures of former president Abd-Rabbu said the US and British agencies “hacked into” Mansour Hadi during an anti-Houthi demonstration yesterday. — AP European manufacturer Gemalto to gain these keys. The report, if accurate, could allow the NSA and its British counterpart GCHQ to secretly monitor a large portion of global communications over mobile Yemen ex-president devices without using a warrant or wiretap. “This is a huge deal,” said Bruce Schneier, a cryptographer who is chief technology officer at the security Hadi flees to Aden firm Resilient Systems, and a fellow at Harvard’s Berkman Center. “The things that are the most egregious are when the NSA hacks everybody to get a few SANAA/ADEN: Yemen’s former president residence was looted by Houthi militiamen people,” Schneier told AFP. “They’re getting encryption Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi escaped weeks after he left, witnesses said, and at least keys of everybody, including you and me. It’s a of house arrest by the Houthi militia at his three people were seen each taking out a scorched earth policy.” The report suggests the intelli- official residence yesterday and fled to his Kalashnikov assault rifle from the house, gence services could have access to a wider range of home town of Aden, sources close to him but that was denied by Qahoum. The secu- communications than has been previously reported. said. He will make a speech later an Aden rity official in Aden told AFP that Hadi was Other documents have indicated that the NSA can television station, the sources said. Houthi’s staying in a presidential residence in Aden’s monitor email and traditional phone communications. official status since quitting last month in Khormaksar diplomatic district. Greg Nojeim, a lawyer for the Center for Democracy protest at the Houthis overrunning the His aide said Hadi will call on parliament & Technology, a digital rights organization, said the presidential palace and his private resi- to meet in Aden, as powerful tribes in the revelation suggests privacy of people around the dence remains unclear because his resig- provinces of Marib, Jawaf and Baida urged world is at risk. — AFP (See Page 27) nation was never formally accepted by the him to declare Sanaa an “occupied city”, a Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather Jr parliament. tribal source said. He said Hadi “remains the The Houthis, who said they were taken legitimate president and that he resigned unaware by his flight from the capital, have under pressure from Houthis”. But Aden now called an urgent meeting of the cabi- Mayor Abdulaziz bin Habtoor, who is close Pak terror wave sparks rare criticism net in Sanaa’s presidential palace, a govern- to Hadi and met him on arrival, told AFP ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have ment ministers have begun to question ed mentioning Saudi Arabia specifically, it was ment official said. Hadi’s flight to Aden fol- the president does not intend to make a long enjoyed close relations, but Islamabad’s whether support from Saudi Arabia for semi- widely interpreted as a rebuke. lows an agreement between Yemen’s rival speech, adding that he is “sticking to his new-found resolve for fighting the root caus- naries, known as madrassas, is fuelling violent Away from the seminaries, there has also fations on Friday, brokered by the United resignation”. es of extremism has seen the Gulf state come extremism - bringing tension to the relation- been widespread criticism of the decision to Nations, to set up a transitional council that Hadi travelled overland in a convoy of keeps the parliament in place and gives a dozens of vehicles, a top security official in in for rare criticism. The two countries, both ship for the first time. allow Saudi royals to hunt the rare houbara voice to some other groups. Aden said. He passed through Yemen’s with majority Sunni Muslim populations, are Last week the Saudi embassy issued a bustard, prized in the Middle East for its sup- Hadi fled his residence in disguise, third city Taez, which like Aden is outside bound together by shared Islamic religious statement saying that all its donations to sem- posed aphrodisiac properties, in the southern Houthi politburo member Ali Al-Qahoum Houthi control. Hadi is a southerner, ties, financial aid from oil-rich Saudi and inaries had government clearance, after a provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan. Officials was quoted as saying by the local news although he spent nearly three decades in Pakistani military assistance to the kingdom. minister accused the Riyadh government of granted permission to hunt the bird, which is website Al-Akhbar. But it added that it no the north, serving as defence minister and But a Taleban massacre at a school that creating instability across the Muslim world. on the International Union for Conservation longer mattered if the former president vice president before becoming president killed more than 150 people in December, The Pakistani foreign ministry responded by of Nature’s “red list” of threatened species, in remained there or departed. The United in 2012 when veteran strongman Ali mostly children, has led the government to saying that funding by private individuals defiance of a court order, prompting allega- Nations denied reports by two senior polit- Abdullah Saleh was forced from power by crack down on militants and talk of bringing through “informal channels” would also be tions that the government prized its lucrative ical sources in Sanaa that it had helped a bloody year-long uprising. religious seminaries under tighter control. scrutinised closely to try to choke off funding ties to Riyadh over its own wildlife. Hadi travel to Aden as false. Hadi’s Sanaa Continued on Page 13 Now the country’s media and even govern- for terror groups. While the statement avoid- Continued on Page 13 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 LOCAL

Premier congratulates Crown MoI gears up for national Prince on 9th anniversary days celebrations KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- KUWAIT: Ministry of Interior has prehensive media plan conducted Hamad Al-Sabah congratulated His taken all security measures ahead by the supreme security commit- Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh of celebrations of the country’s tee in collaboration with all securi- Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on National Day and Independence ty apparatuses, he noted. the ninth anniversary of taking office. Day, a ministry senior official He added the media plan in “I and my fellow ministers would stressed. carried out under the directions of like to express our most sincere con- “These measures include inten- Deputy Prime Minister and gratulations and felicitations on the sifying security and traffic aware- Interior Minister Sheikh ninth anniversary of Your Highness’ ness campaigns, organized and Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad Al- assumption of the role of Crown supervised by the Security Media Sabah and the ministry’s Prince,” His Highness the premier said Department (SMD),” Director of Undersecretary Lieutenant in a letter. “On this joyful occasion, we the General Department of Public General Suleiman Al-Fahad. would like to express our utmost Relations and Morale Guidance The SMD coordinated with all pride and appreciation of your great Brigadier Adel Al-Hashash said in media outlets and instructed career, which is characterized by years a statement yesterday. radio and TV programs on security of accomplishments and evident The ministry works in collabo- to urge citizens to cooperate with Brigadier Adel Al-Hashash imprints on the national level.” ration with all media outlets to traffic men and policemen to He went to hail the Crown Prince’s His Highness the Crown Prince His Highness the Prime Minister guarantee trouble-free celebra- avoid any violations and maintain ing their vehicles and not to vio- “continuous striving” for the benefit of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Sheikh Jaber Mubarak tions, said Hashash, who is also discipline, Hashash pointed out. late traffic signs. He congratulated Kuwait in the light of the aspirations Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Al-Hamad Al-Sabah the SMD acting director. The SMD He appealed to citizens not to citizens on the national days and of the people and his support of “loy- wise directions of His Highness the global scale. His Highness Sheikh prepared an integrated media use spraying tools and fireworks, hoped the country further alty and constancy” amongst the peo- Amir were also commended, along Jaber Al-Mubarak went on to wish His plan for the celebrations of the calling on youngsters to abide by progress, prosperity and stabili- ple. His encouragement of patriotism with his support of His Highness the Highness the Crown Prince health and national days in line with a com- the legal speed limits when driv- ty.—KUNA and social togetherness under the Amir’s humanitarian efforts on the prosperity.— KUNA Re-elected KJA chairman lauded

KUWAIT: Kuwait Journalist Association (KJA) Chairman of the Board Ahmad Yousuf Behbehani received congratulations for his reelection from Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Chairman and Managing Director Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah, who wished him success under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Similar cables were received from Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Also, KJA received congratulations from First Deputy Chairman of Arab Journalists General Union, Moayad Al-Lami, and from AJGA Secretary General Hatim Zakariya. Ahmad Behbehani

Zain gathers employees to celebrate National Days

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, announced that it organized a special themed internal event to celebrate National holidays with its employees, reconfirming the company’s and employee’s pride in Kuwait’s national identity. The company gathered a large number of its staff in a patriotic and family-oriented atmosphere that witnessed the presence of senior Zain executives. The annual event held at Zain’s headquarters saw the presence of Zain Group CEO Scott Gegenheimer, Zain Kuwait CEO Omar Al-Omar as well as a special guest appearance by Hans Vestberg, CEO of Ericsson, a world leader in communications technology and services, all sharing the joys of the National celebrations with employees. Vestberg visited Kuwait with several members of his senior management team to discuss the future of technology and mutually beneficial strategies going forward. There were several highlights of the many national- themed activities and programs undertaken during the celebrations, including a traditional live performance by a Kuwaiti band. In addition, the activities saw the conclusion of Zain Employees Photography Competition, which gave staff the opportunity to showcase their love of Kuwait through the lenses of their cameras, adding a sense of patriotism amongst them. Zain’s participation in national celebrations was not limited to the internal event only, but extended to redecorat- ing the company’s building with the National flag’s colors, participating in National celebrations with people with special needs, as well as sponsoring the 16th edition of Kuwait’s largest carnival, Hala February. Zain has long considered itself as a key partner of the Kuwaiti society, especially in such National celebrations. The company has achieved many outstanding achieve- ments by supporting many of the various social programs, especially related to Kuwait’s annual celebrations.

KUWAIT: Ahmadi Governorate continues celebrations on the occasion of Kuwait’s National Days, with events held Friday for the third day in a row. Ahmadi’s Stadium and the celebration’s tent hosted the events, which were attended by Ahmadi KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) sponsored a ceremony organized recently by Al-Raja’a Primary School recently to celebrate Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Sheikha Bibi Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, and a Kuwait’s National Days. The step came as part of CBK’s commitment to its social responsibilities, the bank said in a statement. large crowd of celebrators. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 LOCAL In Brief Barrak’s sentence today ‘Bogus’ companies questioned No animal sale By Mish’al Al-Enezi KUWAIT: The Appeals Court releases today its much KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs anticipated verdict against opposition leader Musallam KUWAIT: Informed sources at the Manpower Public and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) denied reports that the Al-Barrak, who is accused of offending His Highness the Authority said that dozens of companies will soon be authority planned to announce a public auction for ani- Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during a public referred to the Interior Ministry’s investigations depart- mals and birds. Recent reports had suggested that the rally. The Popular Action Movement called for a ‘solidari- ment for violating law 6/2010 regarding work in the pri- authority was planning to sell a number of animals and ty stand’ at Barrak’s dewaniya in Andalus this morning vate sector. The ‘bogus’ companies violated provisions birds to the public. Shakir Awad, the authority’s Public in anticipation of the ruling. The lower court had sen- that bar employers from recruiting workers from Relations Department Manager, said yesterday that the tenced Barrak to 5 years in jail, but the Appeals Court abroad or locally, then fail to provide them with the job rumors were ‘incorrect,’ and reiterated that the Public released him on bail pending its ruling. — Al-Aan or it was later revealed that the workers’ services are not Relations Department sends PAAAFR news directly to required. the media to ensure their accuracy. — KUNA Feature Photo

KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait, the Liberation Tower, the Grand Mosque and other key Kuwait City buildings seen during a moderately dusty afternoon yesterday. A heavy sandstorm blanketed Kuwait Friday afternoon, lowering visibility to 200 meters in some areas and suspended flights at Kuwait International Airport. Local meteorologists predict the dusty weather to continue until Tuesday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Diesel depots to ‘ease pressure, save time’

KUWAIT: Kuwait National Petroleum Company’s (KNPC) plan to Diesel prices establish subsidized diesel depots at industrial zones would cer- Kharafi touted the decision to raise diesel prices as a sig- tainly lead to easing pressure on plant owners and saving time, a nificant step towards maintaining the production level of Kuwaiti industrialist said yesterday. Hussein Al-Kharafi, Chairman local factories and achieving economic development in the of Kuwait Industries Union (KIU) said in a statement that the KIU country. For his part, Deputy Chairman of the KNPC for had recently organized a specialized seminar on factory owners’ Planning and Local Marketing Shukry Mahrous said the difficulties in logistical services due to the transfer of diesel from decision to cut subsidy clearly targeted only retail stations. KNPC depots to factories. Due to spending a long time on field Speaking to reporters following the seminar, Mahrous checks for the needs of plants and the large number of inspectors said KNPC would carefully consider all suggestions tabled required for the job, it was agreed with officials participating in by owners of plants and small-sized companies during the the seminar on speeding up procedures for the setting up of seminar, and vowed to wipe out all obstacles they are fac- diesel depots at industrial zones, he said. ing. — KUNA

EQUATE management and government officials in a group photo. EQUATE recognizes government bodies for their national role KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Kuwait’s first and CEO Mohammad Husain said, “Partnership is a term international joint-venture in this industrial sector, recog- used to express integration and interaction between nized a number of governmental bodies in appreciation individuals or organizations. When partnership is for their international role. brought up, our minds immediately think about different The recognition included the Ministry of Interior levels of coordination and exchange to serve the set Undersecretary Lieutenant-General Sulaiman Al-Fahad objective. This celebration is not about casual coopera- who was represented by Assistant Undersecretary for tion with your esteemed bodies, but it is about the high- Special Security Major-General Mahmoud Al-Dosari; est levels of cooperation that truly reflects the partner- Ministry of Health Undersecretary Dr Khaled Al-Sahlawi; ship between government organizations and EQUATE, Public Authority for Industry (PAI) acting Director-General which prides itself on being a national company and part Mohammad Al-Ajmi; Kuwait General Administration of of the Kuwaiti society. This partnership accurately reflects Customs Director-General Khaled Al-Moussa; Ministry of our slogan of ‘Partners in Success’ for our beloved coun- Social Affairs and Labor represented by the Manager of try. Much appreciation and gratitude for your national Government Contracts Department; Environment Public sentiment, your professional dedication, your continuous Authority (EPA) represented by the Manager of Shuaiba support and the partnership you have forged with Office Dr Abdullah Al-Zeidan; and Kuwait Fire Service EQUATE.” Directorate (KFSD) represented by the Director of Public The ceremony was held with the attendance of Relations and Media Colonel Khalil Al-Ameer. EQUATE’s board members, senior management, as well During the appreciation ceremony, EQUATE President as a number of leaders and employees. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 LOCAL

Kuwait Times Photography Competition ‘Kuwait Culture and Heritage’ In cooperation with Al-Anbaa newspaper

KUWAIT: Kuwait Times hopes that its 2015 photography competition provides an opportunity for professional photographers to take rare photos that reflect quick response in docu- menting actions in their surroundings. Capturing movement in photographs is the best skill to match the “Kuwait Heritage and Culture” theme selected for Kuwait Times’ 9th annual photography competition, which takes place from February 15 to April 16 in cooperation with Al-Anbaa newspaper. Adnan Saad, the competition’s organizer and Kuwait Times Deputy General Manager, said photographers of all ages can take part with pictures of the Kuwait environment, sea, sky or surroundings. Each contestant can provide a maximum of five photos, printed on 30x50 cm paper. Photos with texts or proceed through Photoshop or other photo processing software will be automatically disqualified. Only pictures snapped in Kuwait and that carry the photographer’s name are qualified to enter the competition, Saad added. Participants do not have to be professional photographers or use professional cameras to take pictures. Anyone can participate even with cell phone cameras, as long as the picture is taken in a creative way and in high resolution, Saad said. The main objective of the competition is to encourage and improve photography in Kuwait, and showcase the talents of Kuwaitis and expatriates in the field of photography, Saad indicated. The photos must be put in an envelope that has the competition’s coupon fixed on the back. The coupons are printed every day in Kuwait Times and Al-Anbaa. The last day to submit the photos is April 16, 2015. The winners will be awarded during a ceremony at the Holiday Inn Hotel. The competition is sponsored by Burgan Bank, Chevron, Holiday Inn Hotel, Ashraf and Co Ltd, and Al-Yaqza. UNWTO, ministry discuss developing local tourism

KUWAIT: Secretary-General of the various aspects of cooperation for the plexes to become acquainted with the World Tourism Organization of the UN promotion of local tourism, Mansour Kuwait’s activities in this area. (UNWTO) Taleb Al-Rifai visits Kuwait Al-Nazhan, Director of Research and He stated that the organization today to become acquainted with the Tourist Information Department at the had already cooperated with the local tourism activity and discuss ways ministry, said in a statement. tourism sector in the Ministry of to develop it, the Ministry of Nazhan added that the visit of the Commerce through a plan meant to Commerce and Industry announced World Tourism Organization delega- develop this sector, noting that yesterday. Rifai and Regional Director tion will also include holding formal Kuwait is an active member in the of the organization Amro Abdel meetings with government officials World Tourism Organization which is a Ghaffar would discuss with Samira Al- and private sector representatives as UN body and the Executive Agency of Gharib, the ministry’s Assistant well as taking a tour of some of the the United Nations Development Undersecretary for the Tourism Sector, tourist facilities and commercial com- Program. — KUNA Gulf Bank offers discount at Kid’s Puzzle stores KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced that motions in addition to an exception- it is partnering with Kid’s Puzzle to al range of financial products and offer its Priority Banking clients banking services. To take advantage exclusive benefits when they shop of this latest exclusive offer, cus- with their Gulf Bank credit cards at tomers can identify themselves and any of their branches. use their Gulf Bank Visa Infinite, Through this partnership with World MasterCard, Platinum Kid’s Puzzle Stores, Priority Banking MasterCard, and Platinum Visa when clients benefit from a 15% discount making a purchase at any of the Kid’s when shopping for the brands, Dolce Puzzle Stores and enjoy the 15% dis- and Gabbana, Moschino (baby, kid, count. and teen), Aigner, Young Versace and To find out more about Gulf GF Ferre. Their stores are located at Bank’s promotions and offers, cus- The Avenues Mall, Arraya Mall and tomers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 59 Rabi Complex - Salmiya. This offer is branches; contact the Customer valid until 14 December 2015. Contact Center on 1805805, or log Gulf Bank is committed to offer- on to the Bank’s bilingual website at ing its Priority clients with new pro- www.e-gulfbank.com. tec offer Embassies celebrate KUWAIT: Head of Public Relations and Information at Touristic National Days Enterprises Company (TEC) Saqer Al-Bader said starting Friday KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti diplomatic mis- included a pavilion displaying books February 20 until Saturday Feb 28, sion in Bulgaria held a grand reception and documents about Kuwait’s history two persons can enter the grouping dignitaries and diplomats on and modern-time development. He also Entertainment City with one ticket. the occasion of Kuwait’s National Days. hailed the distinguished ties between The Entertainment City receives vis- Kuwait’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Kuwait and Bulgaria. itors from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm, Faisal Al-Adwani, who hosted the emi- Also on the occasion, the ambassa- with Monday designated for female nent personalities to celebrate Kuwait dor expressed congratulations on the visitors only. Bader said a 7D cinema 54th Independence Anniversary and the national occasions to HH the Amir, HH was added to the city, in addition to 24th Liberation Day, stated: “This happy the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- the interactive laser war (Lazer-Tag) occasion comes in light of progress, con- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the and KiDZ-ZONE. struction and prosperity witnessed in Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Meanwhile, Bader said that Kuwait. Celebrating these national occa- Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, as well as to the activities at the main Ice Skating sions depicts the Kuwaiti citizens’ soli- Kuwaiti people, wishing further Rink were stopped so it can be used darity, adherence to freedoms, and our progress, prosperity and stability “for for February 2015 celebrations sovereignty, under the sagacious leader- our beloved homeland.” starting February 25. Stage and ship, represented by His Highness the The gathering included leading fig- Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber ures, namely the Bulgarian deputy par- seating are being arranged, he said. Al-Sabah.” liament speaker, foreign ministry offi- Bader added the minor rink con- The ambassador said his eminent cials, legislators, the mufti, diplomats, tinues to receive visitors from 8:30 guests were entertained with folkloric public figures including renowned Arab am until 10:00 pm for six periods shows, adding that the reception hall personalities.—KUNA per day. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 LOCAL

Local spotlight Experts warn of ‘shabu’ Charity work needs awareness effects on youths ‘Hallucinogens detrimental to human health’ By Muna Al-Fuzai KUWAIT: Experts warned that hallucino- Taking shabu, particularly through gens, namely “shabu” pills, are detrimental injection, creates a false sense of satisfac- to human health and noted prime role of tion, pleasure and tendency for activity parents to protect the youth against “for the drug stimulates the nervous trans- falling prey to addiction. mitter in the brain, dopamine.” Effect of an [email protected] Dr Ayed Al-Humaidan, an international intake of this drug lasts for 4-12 hours; specialist in combating drugs, said that however, long-time addiction damages s Kuwait against terrorism? If the answer is yes, then it is these pills contain highly hazardous sub- brain receptors, prompting the addict to stances such as the chemical stimulants, seek greater amounts of the narcotics, in a time to close the door of suspicions of financing terror- amphetamines, in addition to acetone, hopeless bid to attain ecstasy. ism through tough regulations and laws against any I ammonia, soda and other contaminating Crystal meth causes short and long organization or individual who collects money under the materials used in making pesticides. term problems, such as faster heart beats, guise of charity work without legal permission. Those who Humaidan affirmed that such drugs, hard breathing, shivering and high blood want to work at any place in Kuwait need a work permit, so which eventually lead to addiction, poison pressure. In the long term, the addict suf- I guess any party interested in collecting money in the man’s nervous system and their usage is fers from insomnia, lack of appetite, mal- name of charity work must obtain similar permission and restricted and they are only allowed with nutrition, and prospects of being infected more. special permits. The addiction develops in with some communicable deadly disease, What I mean with the term more is that those involved stages and takes hold of the person when due to usage of needles. in charity work and collecting money must be committed he seeks greater intakes to attain ecstasy to provide evidence on how the money was collected and and false sense of high pleasure. “The final Abuse symptoms ways to send the money, whether through banks or indi- phase is slavery; that is when the addict Greatest effect is seen in the brain, with viduals or exchange services, and to whose accounts, along totally subjugates to the drug,” he warned. the victim tending to be agitated, hostile, with full information about those who will be receiving the Those who are prone to fall victim of depressed, frightened, in addition to other Kuwait distributes aid money such as names and contacts as well as their posi- these harmful pills and drugs include per- problems such as hallucination, memory tions. This information must be given to legal and security sons who lack deterring religious beliefs, loss and social issues. Quitting the habit authorities. attached to bad company, sustain prevail- requires a duration of weeks, during which to Sudanese orphans ing sense of emptiness, are of low level of the addict suffers from great desire for The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor is preparing a education and victims of bad or rough drugs, confusion, disorientation, low ener- new regulation for organizing charitable societies. The new parenting. Family constitutes the “num- gy, agitation, depression, phobia and KHARTOUM: Kuwaiti Ambassador to interest of the two peoples. He thanked the law will organize the work of the 10 main charitable organi- ber-one fortress,” where a coherent family fatigue. Sudan Talal Mansour Al-Hajri, in collabora- Kuwaiti people for supporting orphans and zations and their 93 branches throughout the country. But I protects its members against narcotics. Colonel Adel Al-Hashash, the public tion with Kuwait’s Revival of Islamic needy people across the globe, voicing his don’t think this is enough, because while some of these relations director at the Ministry of Heritage Society (RIHS) and Sudan’s Jamaat gratitude to SRIH for sponsoring orphans. organizations may obey the law and follow rules, I have no Taking control Interior, affirmed that the ministry is Ansar al-Sunnah al-Muhammadiyya, partic- For his part, Acting Chairman of Jamaat doubt that some people will ignore this law and keep col- Dr Abeer Al-Bahwa, the director of the seeking to promote public awareness of ipated yesterday in handing out regular Ansar al-Sunnah Nassar Al-Abd Al-Jaleel lecting money from their diwaniyas and houses using all health enhancement department at the the drugs’ hazards. While stressing keen- payments to Sudanese orphans. said that the regular payment is part of means of communication such as social media, and I don’t Ministry of Health, said shabu (crystal ness on clamping down and penalizing Ambassador Hajri said in a statement financial aid distributed to about 1,000 that this move embodies the values of orphans in Sudan. The total regular pay- know how the law deals with these people. Those who vio- meth) is one form of the drug, metham- narcotics’ dealers, he affirmed vital role of Islam aiming at spreading love among ments for more than 6,000 orphans are esti- late the laws are the threat and are the ones who fuel terror. phetamine, which takes control of the tak- the family to prevent the youngsters er in phases before taking hold of him or from falling prey to such dangerous Muslims and reflecting the solid relations mated at about $145 million and handed The law in Kuwait prohibits people from collecting any between Kuwait and Sudan to achieve out every three months, he added. —KUNA types of donations, as Article 22 of the law limits fundrais- her physically and psychologically. habits. —KUNA ing to registered associations only, and collecting cash inside mosques is strictly prohibited. I am surprised at those who give away money and care less to know who will receive this money and what will they do with it. In recent years, we have seen a rush in demand to raise money in order to fund the so-called mujahideen in Syria - and they are many - and perhaps some money went to IS. In fact, all the money given to them under the name of charity work has contributed to the purchase of weapons or killing humans. I believe that those who participated in the past to provide money to unknown destinations and individuals rather than to well-known organizations, their hands are filthy with the blood of humans and there is no pride in this. The money collected should be sent through United Nations organizations to specific destinations because so far there has been chaos over where the money goes. Good intentions are not enough, especially if the money is sent to an area of conflict, such as Syria today. We need awareness campaigns, and I wish we have active NGOs to work on this. Many government bodies ignore the fact that the fight TRIPOLI: KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer visits a Syrian KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer and staff attend to against terrorism is a collective action and therefore aware- child at a hospital in Tripoli, Lebanon. — KUNA photos patients at the hospital. ness campaigns to alert the public is a shared responsibility.

Crime Report

KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Al-Sayer visits a hospital in Tripoli, Lebanon. KRCS provides dialysis treatment to Syrian refugees Aid distributed to 5,000 displaced families

TRIPOLI/AKKAR: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) the step undertaken by the KRCS, affirming that such initiative affirmed the KRCS commitment to helping the displaced announced yesterday that it launched a dialysis treatment reflected the generosity and compassion of the Kuwaiti people. Syrians amid these hard conditions. The scene after the fire was extinguished. campaign for Syrian refugees in the city of Tripoli. The society Meanwhile, the KRCS distributed humanitarian aid to On his part, Honorary Treasurer of KRCS Saad Al-Nahedh donated equipment to a local hospital to enable Syrian roughly 5,000 displaced Syrian families living in northern said that the society has been exerting effort since the out- refugees to receive dialysis treatment, KRCS Chairman Dr Hilal Lebanon. The aid handed out to the Syrian families included break of the Syrian crisis to meet the needs of the displaced Two Indians killed Al-Sayer said. foodstuff, cleaning materials and fuel, Sayer said. Syrian families as much as possible. The aid is handed out to The dialysis treatment cost remains a burden on the This aid aims at alleviating the sufferings of Syrian refugees, the Syrian refugees across Lebanon under the directions of His in Mahboula fire refugees, therefore, the KRCS is taking care of the situation and especially children, women and elderly, facing hard weather Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, will provide treatment, said KRCS. Local health officials lauded conditions in makeshift shelters across Lebanon, he said. He he added. —KUNA By Hanan Al-Saadoun

KUWAIT: Two Indians lost their lives when a fire broke out in a building in Mahboula on Friday night. The victims were identified as Suresh Babu, 37, a native of Mankada, Malapuuram district of Kerala and Srikumar Kannan Ayathil, 38, a native of the Quilon district of Kerala. Both were working as security staff in an exchange company in Kuwait. According to initial investigations, the apartment caught Job Vacancy fire after a heater exploded due an electrical short-circuit. The men were sleeping when the fire broke out. A leading fuel company is looking for a professional, dynamic candidate for the following post: CAD draftsman Engineer

KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry organized a blood donation campaign recently in cooperation with the Central Blood Bank. Fifty six employees in the ministry’s Criminal Investigations Department participated in the campaign.

Policeman injured ter of Interior Ministry Undersecretary. A policeman was injured when he attempted to control an armed Egyptian national with a knife after learning about a KD 40,000 worth jewelry stolen The suspects arrested with 1kg of heroin. fight in Hawally. The Egyptian man had 89 narcotic pills and Police authorities are investigating the theft of jewelry worth Two arrested with one kg of heroin KD 2,122 on him. He was taken to Nugra police station. KD 40,000 from a citizen’s house in south Surra. The citizen said the thieves got into the house and stole the safe, which Two Indian men were arrested with one kilogram of KFSD asks to return weapons had the jewelry. Hawally detectives are working on the case. heroin in their possession. The Drugs Control General Director General of Fire Services Major General Yousuf Department learnt that an Indian man trades in drugs, Lance corporal, young woman arrested then a warrant was obtained and his residence was Abdallah Al-Ansari asked all those working in the direc- A lance corporal in the Special Forces and a Kuwaiti woman raided. He was found along with another Indian man, torate to hand over their unlicensed weapons and explo- were sent to narcotics authorities for the possession and use while the heroin was found inside. Both admitted that sives. “We as firemen, comply will all laws of the state, of drugs. A police patrol saw the young girl throwing a small the drugs were for trafficking purposes. They were sent and keen on being the first to implement them,” he said, Interested candidate kingly send your bag upon seeing the police, and on checking, drugs were to concerned authorities. adding that KFSD (Kuwait Fire Services Directorate) coor- C.V to this Email: [email protected] dinates with the Interior Ministry after receiving the let- found inside the car. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Watan Report As the teacher, Policeman so is the pupil

turns thief By Dr Shamlan Al-Essa KUWAIT: A Jordanian man reported that at a café, he was approached by a policeman claiming that his motorcycle s soon as the new minister Dr Bader Al-Essa took parked outside the café was to be impounded. The source over at the education ministry, demands that he said that the policeman took the Jordanian national to Ashould modernize and develop education rained Farwaniya police station, despite the latter showing proof on him, forgetting that the change process at the educa- of ownership. The policeman was not convinced and tion ministry may take more than one generation to get threatened to frame the Jordanian to keep him in jail results. longer. A security source said that the policeman then The question is: what is the problem of education in released the Jordanian expat, and offered him a deal so he our country? And how education can be improved, and will not be held liable for any framing. When the Jordanian who should take the responsibility of modernization? All asked about the deal, the policeman told him to sell him agree that the issue of developing and modernizing edu- his bike, which he agreed to. The two went to an office, cation is one of the most important issues if we were seri- made a sale paper. The policeman forced the Jordanian ous towards the success of the development plan and man to sign the paper, then told him “I owe you nothing”, development of the country, because human resource is and escaped. The Jordanian went back to Farwaniya police the backbone of any society’s success to enter the mod- station and filed a complaint, and when Assistant ern era. Undersecretary for General Security Major General We should confirm that school education, before the Abdelfattah Al-Ali was informed about the incident, he university stage, is the foundation of shaping the skills Al-Jarida ordered a trial for the policeman. and capabilities of our children aged 4 to 18 years. So the basis of modernizing education must be directed to this early education stage. Villas raided Does the education ministry concentrate, in its strate- A security source said that three villas used by their gy, on the quality of education or is it the quantity - the owners for holding indecent parties were placed under number of students - more important at the expense of close surveillance by vice detectives, who discovered quality? The quality of education has certain standards that there are well built bodyguards checking names of Oil production: 4 million and can be summarized in the following elements: quali- visitors and compare them with the lists they have. The ty of schools, administration, curricula, scholastic con- source said as preparations were being made in the vil- tent, the nature and quality of the society’s participation. las to receive guests, vice detectives raided them and barrels eyed All countries of the civilized world that made distin- arrested five citizens who rented them and were taken guished leaps in the field of education and became to the office of the vice detectives for further action. KUWAIT: Oil Minister and State Minister for process of seeking assistance from qualified among the advanced countries in modern industry such National Assembly Affairs Ali Al-Omair said the companies in oil fields development, and will as Finland, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and East oil sector is keen on implementing the strategy discuss these ideas with members of the European countries after the fall of communism concen- Wife beaten with regard to developing oil wells, improving finance and economic affairs committee,” trated on the quality of the teacher, because he/she is the production and raising production capacity to Omair said. He added that these ideas are integral part of the education process. And no matter A citizen accused her husband of beating her in reach four million barrels per day by 2020. important to execute the oil sector’s strategy to how much we prepare in the form of advanced curricula Sabah Al-Salem. The woman, who works at the “We will make the National Assembly reach the production capacity’s goal as Oil Minister or excellent books, the important thing is who will deliver social affairs and labor ministry, brought a medical acquainted with our ideas on regulating the planned. —Al-Qabas Ali Al-Omair that. So the quality of the teacher as a sophisticated report stating that she sustained bruises in various human being is the most important element. parts of her body and told police that her husband Where does the problem of the teacher in Kuwait lie? caused them. Investigations are underway. Al-Jarida We say it very clearly and frankly that our problem is in ‘Wanted’ citizens preparing teachers at the college of education in the university or applied institutes. Employee raped living abroad We were supposed to concentrate on who wants to A Filipina accused her sponsor of raping her at enter the field of education to be an outstanding student KUWAIT: Kuwait is facing a problem in extraditing tens of con- What if? in the science subjects, because teaching is not fit for any his Hawally residence. The victim went to Maidan victed citizens who at the moment are living in other countries. Hawally police station and told them that her person. We must insist that whoever wants to be a Statistics issued in this regard showed that there are 214 fugitive teacher must be highly professional and competent. So if sponsor, in a surprise move, compelled her and Kuwaitis living outside the country during the last three years. had sex against her will. Police are investigating. By Hassan Al-Essa we really want to develop education, admittance to the Sources following the issue said GCC countries along with education college should be like that of medicine or Egypt are among the most cooperative countries with Kuwait in engineering, which is admitting outstanding students extradition policy as bilateral agreements exist between these hough history does not know the word ‘if’, it is Policemen turned highway robbers still legitimate to use it. For instance, what if only. countries to exchange the convicted. When the outstanding student gets the education Two policemen attacked a Syrian and stole cigarettes as Arabs did not intervene in Libya - could we Sources said the problem Kuwait faces is with citizens who are T degree, he should go for the masters in education to be they pulled their weapons at him. The Syrian who runs a imagine that IS would behead some poor, miserable in the United Kingdom, as there is no agreement to exchange the qualified to teach in the elementary stage. Grant them grocery store on 7th Ring Road told Ahmadi police that his Egyptian workers like sheep merely because they are offenders wanted between the two countries, something that high salaries and treat them properly because they are injuries were caused by two policemen in a patrol car who encouraged many Kuwaitis to head there. Christians? Would we imagine the daily tragedies the pillars of the education process in the elementary asked him to get in it. They pulled their weapons in his face, The sources said the solution of this issue requires intense Libyan civilians have been going through, wondering stage. beat him before returning to the store and stole cigarettes. domestic coordination between ministries of justice, interior and where the legitimate government is and who has the We made a major mistake in the sixties of last century The source said the two patrolmen escaped after getting foreign affairs to lay down the basis that makes it possible to upper hand in Libya nowadays? Is it situated in when the late Khalid Al-Musad decided to Kuwaitize the what they want. Police authorities are investigating. —Al-Rai cooperate with British authorities in this regard. —Al-Rai Benghazi or in Tripoli? Who will be in power tomor- elementary stage and allowed students from the elemen- row? Is there no end to the forays of ‘Libya Dawn’ or tary stage to join the teachers institute to get a diploma the Zintan people? that qualify them to teach in the most important stage Where is the line separating the moderate Muslim which is the elementary. Modernizing education is a very Brotherhood from radical groups and others who have difficult process that requires a society that is n aware formed alliances that soon fall apart? Do we actually and a serious government administration towards devel- believe that Haftar, who came from the US and who opment and modernization of education if it wants to get had been Gaddafi’s favorite officer until the latter left into the challenges of the 21st century or be at the level him captive in Chad and he was released to settle old of the informatics era. scores with his former leader from the US, would form an army or a gang different from those controlling Libya nowadays? The Foreign Affairs and New Yorker magazines Al-Anbaa reviewed the Libyan tragedy briefly. In its recent issue, Foreign Affairs, which is not leftist nor does it sympa- - A thize with Islamists, and in fact, represents real All Arabs are American politics, said that intervention by France, Britain and the US in Libya was disastrous. The whole Egyptians today region and Syrian rebels wanted to have a no-fly zone similar to that made by the West in Libya, as they told the Washington Post at the time of having illusions By Sami Al-Nisf about having one, but it never happened. It was then that bombing increased in March 2011 until we ow, after the terrible crime committed by the reached the IS phase and you know the rest of the Islamic State (IS) group who brutally behead- tragedy when our countries who supported anti-Assad Ned 21 innocent Egyptians, all Arabs should rebels found out that he could not be toppled or become Egyptians so that Egypt and the whole Arab removed from the scene and that he would still be the world can avenge through mobilizing and deploying best of the two worst choices compared to IS. their armies against those armed militias that want Back to Libya, Gaddafi’s troops that were advancing to tear the Arab nation apart, because we have only against Benghazi rebels did not annihilate opponents one choice nowadays - either terrorism or us - other- as Arab Gulf channels told us. Contrarily, his troops wise what are those armies for? gave withdrawing rebels a chance to retreat into Egypt The beheading scenes filmed by the beach bring without taking revenge on them. Foreign Affairs adds two main questions to mind. The first - what benefit that Gaddafi, who was on the verge of turning 70, was did that crime bring to IS, its followers and support- not at worst Libya’s future and that his son Saif Al- ers except defaming Islam’s image and forcing 90 Islam had been actively working to change the regime million Egyptians to hate, antagonize and fight with gradual reform. Ever since 2010, he had repeated- them? This ugly massacre will never undermine ly stressed that he would not accept ruling Libya with- Egyptians solidarity. It will contrarily boost and out a constitution, the rule of law and honest integral cement it. elections and he meant what he said. He in fact con- The second question that is very clear is that the slaughtering team, its leader, the filming team, cam- vinced his father to release political prisoners before eramen, the director, the sophisticated cameras and that and set an ideal program to fight extremism. the huge winches they used to film the scene did He visited and met many Western thinkers like not arrive to that particular beach from the deserts Robert Putnam, Fukuyama and others. So much could of Levant into the deserts of Libya. So, from which have been said about Libya’s fate and how things have airports had they arrived? turned out in it, or in Mali or Chad when weapons and By this operation, IS continues playing the devas- terrorist gangs seeped into those two countries if it tating role of Al-Qaeda in defaming Islam and creat- wasn’t for the miserable Western interference in Libya ing problems for Muslims with one of the closest that was welcomed and blessed by the French philoso- religious doctrines to Islam - Orthodoxy, which is fol- pher Claude Levy who said: “I wanted to show Muslim lowed by Christian Egyptians. There have always Arabs in Libya how a Jewish person like me can stand been great strong relations between Muslim Arabs up with them and with their rights”! and Orthodox Arabs, Russians, Yugoslavs, Greeks, Back to the ‘if’ thing, let us wonder about regional Cypriots and others. Al-Qaeda worked on destroying countries, their regimes, revolutions and what we are those strong relations with what it did in nowadays experiencing in the form of Assad’s explod- Afghanistan, Chechnya, Kosovo, etc and thus, Qaeda ing barrels or slaughter parties by IS, Nusra Front and and IS followers go on committing crimes against other massacre doers. Could regional states, tribes and Protestants, Catholics, Hindu and Buddhist peoples. sects develop into modern states with the type of his- They also committed similar crimes against fellow toric and cultural heritage they have? What if the West Arab citizens following ancient religions and doc- had not intervened in Libya and Iraq at earlier stages? trines. So, does anybody still suspect both terrorist organizations and their followers have bad motives What if we had not intervened by internationally and intentions? supporting and funding certain revolutions or counter- The best radical solution that would put an end to revolutions in a bid to settle old scores on others’ soil? such incidents and to those behind them is to use What if the West had not intervened in Iraq in 2003 or the Egyptian, GCC and Arab armies to invade Libya, in liberating Kuwait in 1991? Would it have been possi- which is mainly desert where no terrorists can hide. ble to read this article in the newspaper or would you They should all cooperate with Maj Gen Khalifa be reading an article glorifying the legendary leader in Haftar’s troops and the legitimate Libyan govern- Al-Neda newspaper (an Iraqi one) without having to ment and soon these terrorists will disappear, get too involved in inquiries about the truth on the cor- because many of them joined the organization to ruption accusations exchanged in Kuwait - that is IF make money and they would immediately quit if you would still be alive, of course! seriously fought and resisted. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 New Pentagon chief Denmark shooting highlights links between gangs and radicals Carter in Kabul on unannounced visit Page 10 Page 11

DONETSK: Pro-Russian rebels fire artillery toward Ukrainian position at Donetsk Sergey Prokofiev International Airport outskirts the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. — AP West looks impotent as Ukraine ceasefire frays Pro-Russian rebels continue assault on key transport hub

PARIS: The continued fighting in eastern Ukraine has made Friday offering nothing but further calls for the truce to be Endowment for International Peace, said the rebels may be She points to clauses that say Ukraine will only regain a mockery of the West’s latest attempts to negotiate a respected. reluctant to attack a million-strong city of mostly Russian control of its border by the end of the year, and only after ceasefire but may ultimately pave the way for a more speakers. “The more bloody the rebel advance, the more it constitutional reforms that will leave Russia with a power- durable peace, say analysts. It did not take long for the lat- The price of peace? proves right those who say Russia must be stopped,” said ful say over affairs in the east. The other problem is est truce, brokered by France and Germany and signed in Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to deny he is Jarabik. “Putin has already achieved his main goals-he’s tak- whether Kiev-with its economy in freefall and its politicians the Belarusian capital Minsk last week, to look as impotent directly backing the rebels, even as NATO remains adamant en Crimea, he has a frozen conflict in the east. Now he at each other’s throats-is ready for the difficult political as previous deals. With barely a pause, pro-Russian rebels that his special forces, artillery and air defense units are still needs the fighting to stop so that the international pres- negotiations to come. “It’s more and more clear that the continued their assault on the key transport hub of very much active in Ukraine. But some analysts argue the sure on him falls.” Russia has encouraged “frozen conflicts” West isn’t able to mobilize the money that Ukraine needs, Debaltseve, ultimately forcing the Ukrainian military into a battle for Debaltseve was inevitable, with the rebels clearly elsewhere in its neighborhood, for instance in Georgia and and that the government in Kiev can’t pull its act together,” humiliating retreat. seeking more territory and resources to make a viable Moldova where it has fuelled separatist movements just said Jarabik. “This needs to be the focus now. If there’s no “It was a classic case of good intentions paving the way mini-state out of their fiefdom in the east. enough to keep the countries unstable and make them political progress, then there will be a return to fighting.” to hell,” said Ievgen Vorobiov of the Polish Institute of It also had symbolic importance, having been a key unattractive partners for the West. And then there’s the wider geopolitical problem of International Affairs. “(German Chancellor Angela) Merkel focus of military campaigns during the 19th and 20th cen- whether Russia and the West can ever patch up their differ- saw the situation was deteriorating fast and that the turies. France and Germany may have decided to accept Fundamental differences ences after a year in which relations have dive-bombed. United States was talking about supplying arms and esca- the fall of Debaltseve as the price for peace, said Jorg But even if the ceasefire holds, many see the deal as The problem, said Liik, is a basic difference in how they lating the conflict, and felt she needed to act. “But she Forbrig of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, heavily weighted in Russia’s favor. “It puts all the cards in view the world: the West sees a rules-based system, Russia didn’t have a Plan B if the ceasefire failed, and she had a think tank. “They are not naive. Perhaps they think now rebel and Russian hands,” said Kadri Liik of the European sees great powers defending their spheres of interest. nothing to enforce it-neither military power nor more this question is in a sense settled, it could contribute to a Council on Foreign Relations. “The first Minsk accord “What the West wants is a profound change in Russia’s sanctions.” The West has struggled to formulate a response more durable ceasefire,” he said. The question is whether (signed in September) prepared the ground for a frozen behavior, and that will not be easy, particularly since the to the continued fighting. Merkel and French President the rebels will now pressure other areas, notably the port conflict, but the second has handed exactly the sort of West’s track record has been chaotic and unimpressive,” Francois Hollande emerged from a meeting in Paris on city of Mariupol. But Balazs Jarabik, of the Carnegie leverage to Russia that it has been seeking.” she said. — AFP Syria forces execute 10 children of rebels

BEIRUT: Ten children were among at least 48 people killed ate Al-Nusra Front. The heavy fighting claimed the lives of in a Syrian village this week when regime forces executed 129 regime loyalists and 116 rebels, including an Al-Nusra six families of rebel fighters, a monitoring group said yes- commander, according to an Observatory toll. While the terday. Tuesday’s executions took place in the village of ground offensive failed, regime warplanes kept targeting Rityan, north of second city Aleppo, after regime forces rebel areas of Aleppo city and other parts of the country. entered that day during an offensive aimed at cutting rebel Yesterday, eight people-among them two women and supply lines to the Turkish border, the Syrian Observatory two children-were killed when a barrel bomb hit a building for Human Rights said. in an opposition-held area of Aleppo city, once Syria’s com- The Britain-based monitor said that villagers had discov- mercial capital. Five people were also reported killed in ered the bodies when they returned to their homes after rebel shelling of regime-held areas of the city. The air force the regime forces withdrew a day later. Five women and 13 also killed at least seven people in rebel areas east of rebels from the six families were among the dead. “The Damascus yesterday, the Observatory said. According to troops and militiamen knew exactly where they lived the monitoring group, they were the latest of nearly 6,000 thanks to the informers who accompanied them,” people killed across Syria since the UN Security Council Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. “There was passed resolution 2139 on February 22 last year. no resistance except in one house where a rebel opened The Observatory “has documented the killing of 5,812 fire at troops before being executed along with his family,” civilians, including 1,733 children, 969 women and 3,110 he added. men in barrel bombings and (other) air raids” over the past Activist Mamun Abu Omar said some of the bodies had year. The raids have continued despite Resolution 2139, been mutilated. The brief seizure of Rityan was part of an which ordered all sides to end their “indiscriminate abortive army offensive launched this week to try to encir- employment of weapons in populated areas, including cle the rebel-held east of Aleppo and relieve two besieged shelling and aerial bombardment, such as the use of barrel Shiite villages to its north. By Friday all but one of the vil- bombs”. Syria’s conflict began as a peaceful pro-democracy ALEPPO: Syrian Civil Defense workers help free an 80-year-old woman from under the rubble of her home, where lages initially taken by government forces had been recap- revolt but morphed into a civil war that has killed more she spent several hours, following a reported air strike by Syrian government forces in the northern city of Aleppo tured by the rebels, who include fighters of Al-Qaeda affili- than 210,000 people since March 2011. — AFP yesterday. — AFP p8_Layout 1 2/21/15 9:18 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Alwach becomes Baghdad’s first female mayor

BAGHDAD: A woman has been named as on social media and by Baghdad residents mayor of Baghdad for the first time, a gov- as incompetent, the spokesman added. ernment spokesman said yesterday, amid He made headlines in March 2014 when widespread corruption and rampant vio- he described his city, beset by brutal sec- lence. Zekra Alwach, a civil engineer and tarian violence and rife with corruption, as director general of the ministry of higher “more beautiful than New York and Dubai”. education, becomes the first female to be “Aboub is a clown. Abadi should have given such a post in the whole country, sacked him from the start,” said Yasser where international rights groups have Saffar, a Baghdad baker. “All his statements condemned women’s rights abuses. were ridiculous.” Alwach’s appointment is a As mayor-the most important adminis- breakthrough for gender equality in Iraq, trative position in the capital-Alwach will where rights groups say discrimination and deal directly with Prime Minister Haider Al- violence against women is widespread. Abadi and holds has the prerogatives of a According to a UN report last year, at least a cabinet minister. She will begin work today, quarter of Iraqi women aged over 12 are according to a municipal source. “Abadi illiterate and just 14 percent enter the sacked the (former) mayor Naim Aboub and world of work. Baghdad is currently named Dr Zekra Alwach to replace him,” plagued by car bombings and sectarian government spokesman Rafed Juburi said. killings, and militants from the Islamic State Aboub’s removal was not designed as a pun- group have seized much of Anbar province ishment, although he was regularly accused to the west, menacing the capital.— AFP

SIRTE: An image made available by propaganda Islamist media outlet Welayat Tarablos shows members of the Islamic State (IS) militant group Mogadishu hotel suicide parading in a street in Libya’s coastal city of Sirte, which lies 500 kilometers east of the capital, Tripoli. — AFP bombers were Dutch citizens Jihadists in Libya pose a MOGADISHU: Twin suicide bombings at a Mohamed Arte, the minister of transport Mogadishu hotel popular with ministers and minister of port and marine resources and officials were carried out by Dutch were among dozens of injured. Heavy gun- ‘direct threat’ to Europe nationals, Somali intelligence sources said fire followed the two explosions as nervous yesterday, the day after 25 people were security forces searched the hotel com- killed. Somali intelligence believe both sui- pound. “The building was badly hit, the cide bombers-a man and a woman-were explosion was very big,” said police officer Libya - new haven for Islamists Dutch-Somali citizens who infiltrated the Abulrahman Ali. Thick clouds of black Central Hotel close to the presidential smoke were seen pouring from the hotel as MADRID: Jihadists in Libya pose a “direct threat” power and the country’s oil wealth. Recent the country’s breakdown since dictator Muammar palace ahead of the attack. the injured were rushed to hospital. to Europe, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls attacks in Libya claimed by IS have boosted con- Gaddafi was ousted and killed in 2011. Sources within the Somali National Shebab militants quickly claimed said in Madrid yesterday. “I would like to cite the cern that some militias have in fact pledged alle- Hundreds of militias have taken power since Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) responsibility for the attack. “Our fighters question of Libya and the direct threat to our giance to the Sunni Muslim extremists. then, and some of them have militant ideolo- said the man, identified as Ismail Muse, attacked the Central Hotel,” Shebab security of the creation-under our eyes and not gies. A militia coalition known as Libya Dawn has exploded a bomb in a car parked at the spokesman Abdulaziz Abu Musab said, say- far from our borders-of a new haven for the jiha- Islamic State kill dozens taken over Tripoli, where Islamists set up their hotel while the woman, Lula Ahmed Dahir, ing that the aim had been “to kill the apos- di terrorist,” Valls told a gathering of social Meanwhile, Islamic State militants unleashed own parliament and government. Islamic detonated her explosive vest inside the tate officials.” Shebab rebels have staged a democrats, according to a transcript of his suicide bombings Friday in eastern Libya, killing extremist militias controlled the second-largest hotel’s prayer room. The woman “worked string of assaults in their fight to overthrow speech. Valls’ comments come amid growing at least 40 people in what the group said was city of Benghazi until late last year, when army part time in the hotel for up to four the country’s internationally-backed gov- concern that the Islamic State group, which has retaliation for Egyptian airstrikes against the troops began battling them for control. The months,” according to an intelligence ernment. They have targeted hotels, the already seized swathes of Iraq and Syria, has also extremists’ aggressive new branch in North Islamic State group claimed responsibility for report seen by AFP. “Her relationship to the international airport, the presidential established a foothold in Libya. The lawless Africa. The bombings in the town of Qubba, Friday’s suicide bombings in Qubba, but said male attacker... is not yet known but palace known as Villa Somalia, a UN com- North African country has become fertile ground which is controlled by Libya’s internationally rec- there were only two attacks, while the govern- thought to be very close, if not husband,” pound and restaurants. The last most dead- for jihadists following the ouster of dictator ognized government, solidified concerns the ment said there were three. said the report. ly attack targeting government was in Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. extremist group has spread beyond the battle- Army spokesman Mohammed Hegazi said The attack left 25 people dead including December 2009 when Shebab gunmen Analysts have warned that IS is expected to fields of Iraq and Syria and established a foothold one attacker rammed an explosives-packed two MPs, the deputy mayor of Mogadishu, went room-to-room in the Shamo Hotel gain more strength in Libya, and said the inter- less than 500 miles from the southern tip of Italy. ambulance into a gas station where motorists the Prime Minister’s private secretary and killing 25 people, including three minis- national community was running out time to The militants have taken over at least two were lined up. “Imagine a car packed with a large the deputy PM’s chief of staff. Deputy PM ters.—AFP combat its spread there. “The threat of Islamic Libyan coastal cities on the Mediterranean - Sirte amount of explosives striking a gas station; the State in Libya is set to increase exponentially,” and Darna, which is about 30 kilometers from explosion was huge and many of the injured are analyst Mohamed El-Jareh, from the Atlantic Qubba. They released a video Sunday that showed in very bad shape while the victims’ bodies were Council’s Hariri Centre for the Middle East, said the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians who were torn into pieces,” Hegazi said. Two other on Friday. Since Gaddafi was killed, Libya’s belea- abducted in Sirte, and Egypt responded Monday bombers detonated vehicles next to the house guered authorities have been struggling to rein with airstrikes on Darna. The Islamic State group of the parliament speaker and the nearby securi- in powerful armed militias who are battling for has established its presence in Libya by exploiting ty headquarters, he said.—Agencies Iraqis worry they won’t be ready for Mosul operation

WASHINGTON: With the military of thousands of weapons, ammu- Iraqi brigades would be involved rations for the Mosul mission, operation to retake Iraq’s second nition, body armor and other and how Kurdish Peshmerga mili- including using airstrikes to shut largest city from Islamic State mili- equipment to the country. tary would be used, triggered down supply lines the insurgents tants just a few months away, According to a senior defense questions about whether it provid- were using to get equipment or questions persist about whether official, the US sent nearly 1,600 ed any key information to the ene- people in and out of the city. MOGADISHU: Somali rescuers carry away a severely injured civilian from the scene of the struggling Iraqi military will be Hellfire missiles to Iraq last year, and my. The Pentagon doesn’t often Discussion about the operation a twin bombing attack on a hotel in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia. The victim later ready for the fight. Iraqi officials has already delivered 232 more. disclose as much about an opera- also could give a public boost to died. — AP continue to insist they haven’t got- About 10,000 M-16 assault rifles are tion before it takes place, but in the Iraqi forces, underscoring how ten the advanced weapons they due to arrive in the next few weeks, some cases it can be a strategic committed they are to the mission. need for the operation in the along with 23,000 ammunition tactic intended to affect the ene- And it appeared to at least tem- Obama urged to assist US northern city of Mosul, and some magazines. The US also has deliv- my, trigger a reaction or even porarily stifle what had been per- question whether they will be ered thousands of rockets, mortar prompt some militants to flee sistent criticism of the Iraq situa- allies fighting Islamic State ready for a spring offensive. But rounds, tank rounds, .50-caliber before the assault begins. Military tion, including suggestions that the Pentagon insists the US has rounds and 10,000 M-68 combat officials also said none of the infor- the Islamic State had been gaining WASHINGTON: A senior Republican lawmak- killed thousands of civilians while seizing ter- sent tens of thousands of weapons optical sights, a rifle scope com- mation released by US Central ground and momentum. Islamic er has told President Barack Obama she was ritory in Iraq and Syria. and ammunition and more is in the monly used by the US military. Command could be put to any State militants overtook Mosul last prepared to block foreign aid money if the “As Egypt, Jordan, and the Kurds retaliate pipeline. About 250 mine-resistant, operational use by the Islamic June, as the group marched across administration did not provide fighter jets and defend themselves against ISIL’s heinous Hakim Al-Zamili, the head of the armor-protected vehicles will be State militants. large sections of Iraq and Syria, and tanks to Egypt and arms to other regional acts, US security assistance is being held or security and defense committee in delivered in a few weeks, along The operation itself comes as no sending Iraqi forces fleeing. The allies fighting Islamic State militants. In a let- delayed by bureaucratic processes and ill- the Iraqi parliament, told The with sophisticated radio systems surprise to the Islamic State group. military, plagued by corruption, ter to Obama, Kay Granger, chairwoman of advised policy decisions by your administra- low morale and insufficient train- the House of Representatives State and tion,” Granger wrote, using an acronym for Associated Press Friday that “any for the MRAPs and more ammuni- Iraqi leaders have for months Foreign Operations Appropriations subcom- Islamic State. White House spokesman Josh operation would be fruitless” tion rounds, said the official, who made it publicly clear that they ing and equipment, has made little mittee, said Egypt needs F-16 aircraft, M1A1 Earnest said he had not seen Granger’s com- unless the brigades are properly was not authorized to discuss the were planning an operation to progress in regaining its footing Abrams tanks and other weapons that have ments, but welcomed her interest in the prepared and have the weapons matter publicly and spoke on con- retake Mosul and that they were since. At this point, officials esti- been held up since 2013. Granger has the issue. He said the administration has been they need. “I think if these dition of anonymity. eager to get started. In addition, mate there are between 1,000 to power to place holds on foreign aid, including focused on maintaining a strong security rela- weapons are not made available The public discussion of the US officials had already acknowl- 2,000 Islamic State insurgents in general assistance and weapons shipments. tionship with its allies and partners in the soon, the military assault might operation, including how many edged they were beginning prepa- Mosul.—AP Granger urged the administration to give Middle East “for quite some time.” wait beyond spring,” he said. “The Iraqi Kurds tools and training to fight Islamic Granger said she was calling on the White Americans might have their own State and to make providing weapons to House to “immediately release” remaining calculations and estimations, but Jordan a priority, according to the letter, seen weapons and funds to Egypt, provide Jordan we as Iraqis have our own opinion. by Reuters on Friday. Dated Thursday, the let- with weapons it had requested and ensure We are fighting and moving on the ter criticized the administration as Congress is the Kurdish Peshmerga have equipment they ground, so we have better vision about to consider Obama’s request for formal need. “I am prepared to do everything within and April might be too soon.” authority for a military campaign against my power to make sure this occurs, including A US Central Command official Islamic State. Republicans, who took control placing holds on Congressional Notifications provided some details of the battle of the US Congress in January, have pressed (spending plans) and drafting legislation to plan Thursday, saying the coordi- for more robust American military involve- hold your Administration accountable,” nated military mission to retake ment in fighting the militants, who have Granger wrote.— Reuters Mosul will likely begin in April or May and will involve up to 25,000 Iraqi troops. They have cautioned, however, that if the Iraqis aren’t ready, the timing could be delayed. The core of the fighting force will be five of Iraq’s most accomplished brigades, who will go through additional US training before the operation. But Al-Zamili said that while several of Iraq’s units have gone through training recently, “these well-trained brigades cannot get involved in battles without being equipped with advanced and effective weapons that would enable them to penetrate enemy lines.” His comment reflects a common complaint from the Iraqi gov- WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama addresses the General Session of the ernment, both in recent months MOSUL: A Danish trainer tells an Iraqi army trainee (2nd from left) to correct his weapon’s position during 2015 Democratic National Committee (DNC) Winter Meeting in Washington, DC on and throughout much of the Iraq simulated room clearing exercises, as part of multinational efforts in helping combat the Islamic State mili- February 20, 2015. —AFP war. The US, however, has sent tens tant group in Iraq. — AP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Linguistic gap may have contributed to US farmworker slaying

PASCO: A Hispanic immigrant rights will provide guidance on de-escalating process as a Spanish speaker, he said. group said yesterday that cultural and conflicts with those who speak little or linguistic differences may have inflamed no English, Vargas said, adding he Concern by Mexico tensions between police and a Mexican expected to present guidelines to The Mexican government has con- farm laborer shot dead in Washington authorities in coming weeks. Pasco demned the shooting as a dispropor- state last week in a killing that raised Police Chief Bob Metzger said he was tionate use of lethal force. On Friday, questions about use of force. Antonio unaware of the guidelines but said the Mexico sent its consul in Seattle to meet Zambrano-Montes, 35, an out-of-work department “is always open to reviewing with the Franklin County prosecutor orchard worker from Mexico’s anything that can assist us. Anything who briefed him on the investigation. Michoacan state, was shot and killed in that our community wants from us we Earlier the county coroner ordered an the city of Pasco in Washington’s agricul- will give serious consideration.” Police inquest into the slaying. Prosecutors will tural heartland after he pelted police said officers opened fire after then decide whether to pursue charges. with rocks and then fled, in a confronta- Zambrano-Montes ignored commands The officers involved in the shooting tion captured on video. to surrender and a stun gun failed to have been placed on leave. The family of His death sparked protests by subdue him. Zambrano-Montes has also asked for an demonstrators who accused police in Investigators are examining independent autopsy. “It seemed as if it Pasco of overly aggressive tactics in whether Zambrano-Montes spoke was something like a racist act,” Pedro dealing with the Hispanic community English well enough to comply with Farias, Zambrano-Montes’s 32-year-old and who likened the shooting to two officers’ orders, and whether the offi- cousin, said. “They would have thought high-profile police killings of unarmed cers involved gave him commands in about it a bit more if it had been some- PASCO: A protest sign is displayed in front of City Hall in Pasco, Wash, the city black men in Ferguson, Missouri, and in Spanish, said Kennewick Police one ‘American.’ Everyone should be seen where Antonio Zambrano-Montes, an unarmed man who was running away New York City. “He suffered from mental Sergeant Ken Lattin, a spokesman for a the same.” from police at a crowded intersection, was fatally shot by police. —AP illness,” Felix Vargas, chairman of Consejo special unit investigating the incident. The killing marked the fourth fatal Latino, said of Zambrano Montes. “They “He clearly committed a felony, both police shooting in six months in a com- The city’s lone Hispanic city council comment on the guidelines. Pasco set- were screaming at him in a language he the malicious mischief to other vehi- munity of 68,000 residents that is more member, Saul Martinez, did not respond tled a 2012 lawsuit for $100,000 brought didn’t understand. It heightened ten- cles and then assaulting a police offi- than half Hispanic but whose police to interview requests. “The city needs to by a woman who said her face was sions.” Vargas said his group planned to cer,” Lattin said of Zambrano-Montes. force is disproportionately white. study itself psychologically in the case of shoved against a patrol car and her arms work with the American Civil Liberties “But the totality of what occurred is Details of the other shootings were not the police,” said Steven Flores Garcia, a twisted behind her by two officers, one Union and mental health experts to still what we are trying to investigate.” immediately available. Of 60 Pasco 32-year-old apple orchard worker. of whom, Ryan Flanagan, was involved draft guidelines helping police compas- None of the three officers involved, police sergeants and officers, 15 are “Because, for me, they’re missing a psy- in Zambrano-Montes’ death, her lawyer sionately interact with immigrants. one of whom is of Hispanic back- Hispanic and 43 are white, Metzger said. chological element.” The ACLU did not said, adding: She repeatedly denied an The so-called “Zambrano protocol” ground, was “certified” through a city Twelve police officers speak Spanish. immediately respond to request for interpreter and mocked.— Reuters

Huckabee’s challenge: Reaching beyond cultural conservatives WOODSTOCK: Former Arkansas Gov Mike April or May. Huckabee travels the country in a bus Along the way, he’s fine-tuned his pitch adorned with his smiling face and the cover for aggressive foreign policy, economic of his latest book. But the ordained Baptist populism and social-conservative ortho- minister and potential 2016 presidential doxy, a mix designed to attract Republican candidate makes it clear that he’s interest- primary voters as well as independents in a ed in more than best-seller lists. “I think general election. But this time, he’s careful- everyone understands where this is head- ly ordered those priorities. “Running for ed,” Huckabee said after signing books in president for me would not be about metro Atlanta. After all, he joked, he didn’t speaking on cultural issues,” Huckabee said. recently leave his own Fox News Channel “It would be first and foremost about show “because I want to spend Saturdays national security, the absolute warning at home.” about Islamic jihadism and how much of a No, Mike Huckabee wants to spend his threat that poses to us. The second layer time in the Oval Office. The man who won would be some economic sanity, getting the Iowa caucuses and seven other states back to a place where people are working in 2008 has reassembled key players from with jobs that give them an ability to put his first presidential campaign. They’re bread on the table and build a future.” Social issues, Huckabee said, would be a clear third. “I can intelligently articulate the ‘why’ that I feel strongly about certain things,” he said, reaffirming his opposition to abortion rights and same sex marriage. “But I think those issues aren’t the issues you are going to put front and center.” That’s an acknowledgment, perhaps, that Huckabee’s 2008 campaign didn’t reach broadly enough, ultimately giving way to Arizona Sen John McCain despite winning several Southern and Midwestern states where social conservatives and evangelical voters hold strong sway. “You just can’t get put into a box like Huckabee did in 2008,” said Republican pollster Whit Ayres, whose clients include another potential candidate, Florida Sen Marco Rubio. Yet Huckabee maintains that LAS VEGAS: People participate in a candlelight vigil for Tammy Meyers. — AP disparate GOP camps often overlap, and he dismisses the analysis that he was the Former Arkansas Governor evangelical-only candidate in 2008. “Our Road rage? Mistaken identity? Mike Huckabee crowds, our voters, our volunteers - many of them were evangelicals, but they were working at his not-for-profit organization, largely motivated because they thought Questions raised in Vegas case America Takes Action, poised to transition that I was speaking to their reality, that I from exploring a run to a formal campaign. understood who they were, and they didn’t He’s spent months courting potential really feel like anyone else got that,” he said. Mystery surrounds horrific fatal shooting donors and mixing speaking engagements At the least, Huckabee’s strategy reflects an into his book tour. Huckabee, 59, told The effort to reframe a second candidacy while LAS VEGAS: It initially sounded like horrific fatal Tammy Meyers hopped back into the driver’s Meyers said he saw headlights approaching Associated Press he expects to decide in maintaining his obvious strengths.—AP road rage: A Las Vegas mother of four who just seat at about 10:50 p.m. to drive home. their cul-de-sac. The silver car turned onto their finished giving her 15-year-old daughter a driv- That’s when a silver car sped up behind them street. As the silver car approached, Brandon ing lesson followed by a driver they encountered and then pulled alongside, according to the Meyers told police a person leaned out the pas- Cause of US refinery on their way home, shot to death in front of their police report. Kristal told authorities she reached senger window and opened fire. Brandon house. But a police report released Friday gave a over to honk the car horn as her mother kept Meyers fired three shots shot back, police said. more detailed account of the late Feb 12 inci- driving. The silver car cut in front of them, but The silver car backed out of the cul-de-sac and blast ‘still unclear’ dent, and raised new questions about whether Tammy Meyers turned down another street, disappeared. the slaying of 44-year-old Tammy Meyers was according to police. The silver car popped up Brandon Meyers found his mother lying on TORRANCE: It’s still unclear what caused an machinery called the flue gas expander. As truly a case of road rage or a neighborhood dis- again, passing in a bike lane next to the curb and the ground, bleeding from the head, and called explosion at an oil refinery outside Los Angeles, refinery officials were trying to figure out how pute that spiraled out of control. spinning out sideways in front of them, forcing 911. The police report doesn’t name the driver of and there’s no timetable for when gas produc- to repair that problem, another nearby piece of The suspected gunman turned out to be a the Buick to stop, according to the report. Kristal the silver Audi. But authorities have said they are tion will resume, the refinery manager said machinery - a 12-story metal tower called an 19-year-old neighbor, who lived less than a Meyers told police later that a 6-foot-tall man looking for another suspect. Two friends said Friday. The Exxon Mobil refinery is currently not electrostatic precipitator - exploded, causing block away and attended a nearby high school got out and warned: “I’m gonna come back for that Nowsch came to their apartment about 3:30 processing gasoline since Wednesday’s blast, “extensive damage,” Ablett said. with two of Tammy Meyers’ sons in 2011-2012. you and your daughter.” Nowsch is about 5-foot- a.m. and told them that he had been involved in “but we have stocks of gasoline in the refinery “It’s too early to say what happened,” he Meyers’ husband, Robert Meyers, said his wife 3 and 100 pounds. a shooting - unloading several shot at one loca- that we are supplying,” manager Brian Ablett said. “We’re not ruling anything out, and we’re even tried to counsel Erich Milton Nowsch Jr Kristal said her mother hit the gas, sped tion, and 22 shots in a second fusillade, accord- said. Ablett, who made his remarks to reporters not ruling anything in. We will get to the bot- after his father committed suicide five years ago. around the silver car, and headed home. The ing to the police report. Police reported finding before a town hall meeting for concerned resi- tom of this. We need to get to the bottom of Nowsch wasn’t driving, and didn’t tell his friends daughter told police she thought she spotted six .45-caliber bullet casings at the first shooting dents, declined to say how much refined gas this, and we will.” Four contractors suffered he was angry about a traffic encounter. He said the silver car again before they reached home, location, and eight in the cul-de-sac near the was available as backup and whether the refin- minor injuries as they fled. The explosion shook he thought someone was after him, according to where her mother told her to run in and get her Meyers home. They also reported finding three ery was releasing the supplies into the market- the neighborhood and rained white ash on the police report. It wasn’t immediately clear 22-year-old brother, Brandon. Brandon Meyers 9mm casings in the cul-de-sac. place. The refinery in Torrance produces about nearby lawns. The refinery has received 200 to how authorities came to suspect Nowsch in the told police he grabbed his Beretta 9mm hand- Nowsch told his friends he thought the peo- 8 percent of California’s gas. Officials have not 300 calls from community members who had a shooting, but the police report said he was ques- gun, but told his mother she should call 911. He ple in the car in the school parking lot were look- fully assessed the damage to determine when fine white particulate fall on their lawns houses tioned Tuesday, five days after the shooting and said he got in the car when she told him to come ing at him, and said he called a friend with the operations will resume. and cars, Ablett said. three days after Tammy Meyers was taken off life with her or she was going alone. Tammy Meyers silver Audi to come and pick him up, according A section of the refinery critical to the pro- ExxonMobil said the ash was not toxic, but it support. Nowsch was being held at the time in then drove to where the silver car had blocked to the report. Nowsch displayed a handgun and duction of California-grade gasoline was dam- could cause skin irritation on contact. The com- juvenile custody on unspecified unrelated their Buick to show her son, then began heading .45-caliber ammunition to his friends and said he aged in the blast. State safety inspectors pany anticipates payouts for cleaning its neigh- charges. Police said Nowsch told his friends after toward home when they spotted a silver car that started shooting because he thought he saw a ordered the area - called the fluid catalytic bors’ property, but it did not have a dollar fig- the shooting that he was a passenger in a silver sped off, according to the report. gun being pointed at him from the green car, cracker unit - shut down until the refinery can ure. Carol Posner, 60, has lived in a house Audi and saw a gun waved at him from a green They followed for several blocks, passing the according to the report. “Got those kids,” he told prove it’s once more safe, according to the directly across from the refinery for 20 years. car in a middle school parking lot and thought middle school again, before the silver car his friends, according to the report. “They were California Division of Occupational Safety and She said she was just getting out of the shower the occupants were after him. Police said Meyers stopped diagonally in the road and Brandon after me, and I got them.” Nowsch remained Health, or Cal-OHSA. The area where the acci- when the blast shook her house. She ran to the had taken her daughter, Kristal, to the school Meyers told police someone on the passenger jailed Friday pending an initial court appearance dent occurred had been shut down since window and saw a plume of smoke rising into parking lot to practice driving the family’s green side starting shooting. Tammy Meyers backed Monday on suspicion of murder, attempted mur- Monday - two days before the explosion - the air and later saw large flares burning off 1993 Buick Park Avenue sedan. After Kristal tried up and sped toward their home, Brandon der and firing a gun from a vehicle. It wasn’t because of a problem with another piece of emissions. — AP her skills on some nearby residential streets, Meyers told police. As they pulled up, Brandon clear if he had a lawyer.— AP Student spills mercury at rural Nevada school RENO: Environmental cleanup crews planned observation, but no illnesses were reported. because the school bus involved also was trans- to continue work through the weekend at a “Everybody is fine,” said Pat Songer, chief of porting students to those schools, Jensen said. rural northern Nevada school after a student emergency medical services at Humboldt The evacuation was ordered at Winnemucca who brought mercury to his junior high spilled General Hospital in Winnemucca. He told The Junior High shortly after 11 am Thursday after the hazardous substance in hallways and on a Associated Press on Friday that all 14 people authorities determined students who appar- bus carrying children to three other schools. they examined there had been released. ently stepped in the mercury spilled in hall- No one was injured, but at least four children Mercury exposure can lead to cough, vomiting ways spread it throughout the building. had direct contact with the mercury and had and diarrhea and, in serious instances, kidney Officials for the US Environmental Protection to be decontaminated Thursday at problems. A student apparently got the mercu- Agency were assisting in a review of the inci- Winnemucca Junior High, about 170 miles east ry from a relative’s garage and brought it in a dent, Jensen said. School officials said on the of Reno, the Nevada Division of Emergency salt shaker to show his friends, Humboldt district website late Friday that they expected Management said. Emergency crews evacuat- County Schools Superintendent David Jensen the high school to resume classes on Monday, ed the school and decontaminated the feet said. In addition to the junior high, the district but they wouldn’t know until Sunday whether TORRANCE: A vehicle is covered in ash after an explosion in a processing facility at and shoes of 400 more students. About a closed Lowry High School, French Ford Middle any of the other schools would remain the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, Calif. — AP dozen students were taken to the hospital for School and Winnemucca Grammar School closed.—AP p10 2_Layout 1 2/21/15 9:19 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Residents return to ‘ghost town’ seized from Boko Haram

KANO: A “ghost town” of burnt-out troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and “Even my sewing machine, which I so ‘Seeing is believing’ not allow everyone to leave and threat- homes and looted properties greeted Cameroon, which was launched because much looked forward to salvaging, was Boko Haram fighters meanwhile pre- en to kill anyone that attempts to flee,” residents returning to Gamboru in of dawning fears of Boko Haram’s threat gone.” But even though their posses- vented hundreds of residents from leav- Maji Zaram, who escaped from Kitikime northeast Nigeria for the first time since to regional security. Gamboru residents sions were gone, locals said the tour was ing a dozen villages in the nearby Marte to Fotokol, said. Zaram said he pretend- Chadian forces retook it from Boko who hoped to salvage personal effects reassuring. “Seeing is believing. We are district due west from Gamboru, as ed he was going into the bush to gather Haram. Scores of people crossed the firewood but escaped and threw away 300-metre bridge that forms the border his axe. “They (Boko Haram) said we with Cameroon under military escort on must stay with them in good and in bad Friday to survey the ravaged town. Boko times,” he added. “They said we can’t Haram seized Gamboru, in the violence- leave them after partaking in all the wracked Borno state, in August last year, booty they brought to us.” forcing thousands to flee across the Chadian troops this week pushed frontier to the town of Fotokol, on the deep inside Nigerian territory for the other bank of the river in northern first time, bombarding Dikwa, 50 kilo- Cameroon. meters from Gamboru to the southwest, Chadian forces, who have joined the near Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest regional fight to crush the Islamist insur- stronghold. Nigeria’s military also said gency, retook Gamboru earlier this they attacked Sambisa Forest and month, after intense fighting that left Gwoza, where the group’s leader, hundreds of insurgents dead. “We met a Abubakar Shekau, first proclaimed the ghost town strewn with burnt vehicles, existence of an Islamic state inside destroyed buildings and emptied Nigeria last year. Maji Ariye, a Nigerian homes,” Kachalla Moduye said by tele- refugee in Fotokol, said the villagers phone from Fotokol after a two-hour were “reaping what they sow”, as many tour of the town. “Many homes were had decided to stay voluntarily when burnt in the Boko Haram invasion and in Boko Haram moved in. They said they the fighting to reclaim it by Chadian sol- would rather live under Boko Haram diers. Those that were spared were loot- FOTOKOL: Photo shows the blocked El Beid bridge after clashes between Cameroonian troops and Nigeria-based Boko because the militants were bringing in ed by Boko Haram in the five months Haram insurgents in the Cameroonian border town of Fotokol. —AFP free food and other consumables from they stayed in the town.” raids elsewhere, he claimed. “Now that Gamboru has been repeatedly target- were disappointed as they found their now convinced our town has been liber- Chad conducted sweeping aerial and the table has turned against their bene- ed in the bitter conflict, which has left homes empty. “There was nothing in my ated and we hope to come back and ground attacks. The villages affected factors they want to leave,” he said. “I more than 13,000 people dead since house save the three wooden beds and rebuild our lives once Boko Haram is were Kwalaram, Bukar-Mairam, warned several people to leave because 2009 and made more than one million my old cushion chairs. Every other item finally wiped out,” Moduye said. “I’m Abbaganaram, Sidir, Kirta, Jibillaram, when soldiers deployed there would be homeless. It was the first town recap- was stolen,” Fanna Bukar, a mother-of- sure we will return soon to start a new Zannari, Kutukungulla, Baranga, no hiding place for them but they tured in the regional fight-back by three, said. life,” Bukar added. Kitikime, Krenuwa and Jillam. “They will refused to listen.”— AFP

A year after fleeing Ukraine, Yanukovich speaks of return

MOSCOW: Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor on Friday that phone records showed there Yanukovich, who fled to Russia a year ago was evidence of regular conversations after being toppled by months of street between Yanukovich and Russia’s security protests, said he was ready to return to services which revealed a “clear Russian link” Ukraine if the opportunity arose. The pro- to the shootings. “They prepared for the Russian leader was overthrown by the shooting together in advance,” Poroshenko “Maidan” uprising in Kiev against his decision was quoted as saying by Interfax, adding that to back away from a deal that would have tak- a top aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin en the country towards integration with had directed “foreign sniper groups”. Russia Europe and instead tighten economic ties said that suggestions a Kremlin aide was with Russia, Ukraine’s old Soviet master. Just behind some of the sniper killings was “non- weeks after his departure, Moscow annexed sense”. A peace deal was brokered by the Crimea peninsula, a base for Russia’s Black Germany and France this month in a bid to Sea fleet, and pro-Russian separatists seized end the conflict in eastern Ukraine, but a key buildings in the east of the country lead- ceasefire that came into force a week ago has ing to a conflict in which more than 5,000 already been breached. people have been killed. Meanwhile, thousands of pro-Kremlin Interpol has put Yanukovich on the inter- activists took to the streets of central Moscow national wanted list at the behest of Kiev yesterday vowing to prevent a Ukraine-style authorities on charges of embezzlement and uprising in Russia. The rally by the Anti-Maidan financial wrongdoing. But Russia is likely to movement marked one year since scores of turn down any request to extradite him, demonstrators were gunned down in Ukraine’s Interfax news agency said last month, citing a pro-Western uprising that came to be known source familiar with the situation. Yanukovich, as the Maidan protests. “Ukraine’s example has who has denied any involvement in corrup- taught us a lot, and we won’t allow a Maidan in tion, said in a TV interview aired yesterday he our country!” organizers said ahead of the rally regretted that he could not return to his coun- in support of President Vladimir Putin. SNIZHNE: Unmarked military vehicles parked on a road outside the separatist rebel-held eastern Ukrainian town of Snizhne, 80 kilometers from try. “God has left me alive, so it looks like I’m “Putinism forever,” said a hand-made banner Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. — AP needed for something ... As soon as there is a held by an elderly woman, while a column of possibility for me to return, I will return and Cossacks brandished a placard reading “The will do everything I can to make life better in Maidan is a disease. We will treat it.” Separatists building up arms, Ukraine. And today, the main task is to stop After the Kiev uprising ousted Kremlin- the war,” he told Russian First channel. backed president Viktor Yanukovych last February, Russia annexed Crimea from forces in south east Ukraine Shootings Ukraine and has since backed a separatist Yanukovich fled from Kiev by helicopter insurgency in the east of the country. Moscow after three days of shootings in which more police said some 35,000 turned up for yester- than 100 civilians were killed. He later said he day’s event. The marchers, some dressed in Kiev fears rebels may seek to open new front had fled because he feared for his life. He is fatigues, waved Russian flags and many sport- still a hate figure in the capital and parts of ed the black and orange St George ribbon, a KIEV: Pro-Russian separatists are building up forces tary equipment, weapons and fighters in the miners, tractor drivers and farm workers,” he said. central and western Ukraine where he is held symbol of victory over Nazi Germany that and weapons in Ukraine’s south east and the Mariupol area with the aim of a possible offensive He said rebel fighters were observing the Minsk responsible for the shootings. If he did sud- Ukrainian separatists have adopted as their Ukrainian military said yesterday it was braced for on it,” Lysenko told journalists. “They are sending ceasefire agreement worked out by Ukraine, Russia, denly return, it seems likely he would be badge of honor. “Yankee go home and take the possibility of a rebel attack on the port city of out small sabotage groups out almost every night. Germany and France in the Belarusian capital and arrested and put on trial. the Maidan with you,” read a massive banner Mariupol. The Kiev military accused Russia on We can see the activities of the enemy around had pulled back heavy artillery from the Mariupol Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said carried by several people.— Agencies Friday of sending more tanks and troops towards Novoazovsk where military hardware, fighters and area. The United States, which is considering tight- the rebel-held town of Novoazovsk, further east ammunition are being amassed,” he said. One ening sanctions against Russia and arming Kiev, along the Sea of Azov coast from Mariupol, Ukrainian soldier had been killed and 40 others also says it has sighted Russian reinforcements in expanding their presence on what it fears could be had been wounded in attacks in eastern Ukraine by the south east. Denmark shooting spree highlights the next battlefront. the separatists in the past 24 hours, he said. The State Department said Russian support for links between gangs and radicals A rebel attack on Mariupol, a city of half a mil- the rebels was undermining international diploma- lion people and potentially a gateway to Crimea, Rebel base cy and would bring costs on Moscow. Western COPENHAGEN: The shooting spree in because of his temper. “He got into fights which Russia annexed last March, would almost A Reuters media team in Sakhanka, half-way nations have held out hope they can revive the Copenhagen by a radicalized former gang with members of other gangs. So when they certainly kill off a European-brokered ceasefire. The between Mariupol and Novoazovsk, were told by Minsk peace deal, even though the rebels ignored member has highlighted an overlap between wanted to make peace agreements with oth- ceasefire, which came into force last Sunday, has rebels that one of the local roads had been closed it by seizing Debaltseve in one of the worst defeats Islamic extremists and the criminal under- er gangs, they threw him out,” said Aydin Soei, already been badly shaken by the rebel capture on “because of fighting” though no shooting or for Kiev in the 10-month-old war. The heightened world. Danish police say gang members with a social worker who’s been researching Wednesday of Debaltseve, a railway junction in shelling could be heard. Some rebels had formed a tension in Ukraine’s south east came on the first Muslim backgrounds are being radicalized Denmark’s gang scene and who met El- eastern Ukraine, forcing a retreat by thousands of base in a complex of houses in Bezimenne further anniversary of the overthrow of the Moscow- both in prison and outside, and some have Hussein in 2011. Where and when El-Hussein Ukrainian troops in which at least 20 Ukrainian sol- up the coast and there were dozens of well-armed backed Viktor Yanukovich, which triggered Russia’s joined the ranks of foreign fighters in Syria. was radicalized remains unclear. Prison diers were killed. fighters milling around, some of whom looked like annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of pro- “We know that some of the fundamentalist authorities alerted the Danish domestic intel- Mariupol is the biggest city still under govern- Russian military special forces wearing Russian Russia rebellions. More than 5,000 people have groups are fishing in that pond,” said Michael ligence service, PET, last year while he was ment control in the two rebellious eastern army patches and insignia on their uniforms. There been killed in the ensuing conflict. More than 100 Ask, head of Denmark’s National Center of serving time for a stabbing, but the latter said provinces. Novoazovsk, where Kiev said Russia was were no signs of a new influx of tanks and troops in people were shot dead in Kiev in protests before Investigation. there was no reason to believe he was plot- reinforcing, lies 40 km to the east along the coast the region as mentioned by Kiev on Friday. A cou- Yanukovich fled for Russia, exactly a year ago. “Because they know that they have some ting an attack. near the Russian border. Military spokesman Andriy ple of military trucks could be seen on the road While Poroshenko used the solemn occasion on young people who are vulnerable and root- Already before the shootings, Danish Lysenko did not refer specifically to the movement from Novoazovsk to Mariupol and an armored per- Friday night to re-affirm Ukraine’s commitment to less, who lack a sense of belonging, a com- authorities were concerned about gang of Russian tanks and troops but said the sepa- sonnel carrier was parked in a forest near Shyrokine a future in Europe, pro-Kremlin organizations munity.” Born in Denmark to Palestinian par- members crossing over to Islamic extremism. ratists, who Kiev says are supported by Russian also on the coastal road. staged a rally in Moscow to condemn Yanukovich’s ents, Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein had a In July last year, police informed lawmakers weapons and fighters, were conducting sabotage In Bezimenne, one rebel fighter who gave his ousting. Organizers said around 20,000 took to the long history of violence and crime before he that among the scores of people who have and intelligence operations round the clock to test nom de guerre as Boxer denied the Kiev reports of streets in a march to show their support for the went on a rampage last weekend, killing two left Denmark to become foreign fighters in government defenses. more Russian tanks and fighters being sent to the rebels in eastern Ukraine and condemn people and wounding five in attacks on a Syria were at least five known gang members, “The adversary is carrying out a build-up of mili- area. “It’s all a lie. The only people fighting here are Yanukovich’s ousting as illegal.—Reuters free-speech event and a synagogue. and several others with a “peripheral relation” The 22-year-old, who was killed in a to street gangs. “Some of them use it as an shootout with police, had been member of exit strategy,” said Magnus Ranstorp, a terror- “Brothas,” an inner-city immigrant gang in ism expert at the Swedish National Defense Refugees in Niger live under Copenhagen, but was reportedly kicked out College. —AP the shadow of Boko Haram

ZINDER: Aboubacar, usually a worker for a non- The attacks have come as Niger moved to turns all day long to inspect vehicles under a blaz- governmental organization, has now taken on deploy troops to join a burgeoning regional cam- ing sun. Cars, lorries, buses laden with luggage another, more ominous role: watching out for sui- paign against the jihadists, who have taken control piled on top, minibuses and motorbikes are all sys- cide bombers. “We watch everyone,” he said in of swathes of northeastern Nigeria at a cost of tematically searched at a checkpoint marked by a Niger’s second-largest city of Zinder. “Last more than 13,000 lives since 2009. While the simple rope stretched across the tarred road. When Thursday, a man in a turban whom we had never regional response has led to the beginnings of a a boy was hauled roughly out of a minibus, tension seen before came to the mosque. We asked him to fight back, it has also introduced new risks. A soared. People shoved each other and shouted, leave.” His fears reflect the shifting threat of Islamist recent air strike killed at least 36 mourners and since Boko Haram is known for using youngsters in extremist group Boko Haram, which has in recent wounded 27 others at a funeral in Abadan village its attacks. But a nervous policeman said that the weeks carried out attacks across the border from its straddling the border with Nigeria. Some blamed youth had merely been party to a scuffle. The gov- base in northeastern Nigeria as regional forces pur- the attack on Niger’s own military, which declared ernor of the Zinder region, Kalla Moutari, says that sue them. In the southern city of Zinder, the hot, that the aircraft’s “origins remain undetermined”. A rigorous inspections are vital and have already dusty streets have seen a trail of refugees from local elected leader said that the Nigerian army enabled the security forces “to intercept people Niger’s Diffa, about 400 kilometers to the east. was suspected, but Nigeria’s air force denied all who infiltrated the displaced population”. COPENHAGEN: The car containing the body of Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein, the Since February 6, Boko Haram has launched five responsibility. “A few dozen” people suspected of having ties man accused of the two shootings which led to two civilians dead last weekend in bloody attacks in Diffa border territory. Zinder has North of the Nigerian frontier, Zinder is on high with Boko Haram have been arrested around the Copenhagen, is escorted from the Islamic Society’s building in Copenhagen to a so far been spared, but residents and local officials alert. At a main entrance to the town of some town, which has for centuries been a major trading Muslim burial ground in Brondby, west of Copenhagen.— AP fear the violence could further spread. 350,000 inhabitants, teams of police officers take hub on a trans-Saharan route. —AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 INTERNATIONAL US, Latin America worry over Venezuela tensions

CARACAS: The United States and Latin missed the “baseless and false” claims. ment to “stop those acts that lead to a spiral of rejects the statements and meddling actions of 200 people attended a rally called by Machado. American nations voiced concerns Friday over polarization that envelops Venezuelan society.” the United States and Organization of American Protests in recent weeks have been much small- political tensions in Venezuela after the socialist Regional worries But while Insulza said Maduro’s government States.” Ledezma’s arrest led to spontaneous, if er than last year. In late January, the defense government arrested the opposition mayor of The United States condemned Ledezma’s must clarify the allegations against the mayor small, protests, with people banging pots after minister authorized the use of “deadly force” to Caracas in an alleged coup plot. Almost exactly arrest, saying the “systematic intimidation” of and respect due process, he added that “no one his arrest Thursday night. On Friday, fewer than keep public order. —AFP one year after opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez opposition figures appears to be a bid by the could oppose the holding of trials that the was arrested as he led a wave of protests against government to divert attention from the coun- authorities deem necessary.” President Nicolas Maduro, intelligence agents try’s political and economic challenges. burst into Mayor Antonio Ledezma’s office late “Venezuela’s problems cannot be solved by Small protests Thursday and hauled him to jail. A third radical criminalizing legitimate, democratic dissent,” Ledezma was first elected in 2009, but many critic of the government, ousted lawmaker State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said of his powers have been stripped by the central Maria Machado, is under investigation over an in a statement. government over the years. Last week, Ledezma alleged plan to assassinate Maduro, though she The top US diplomat for Latin America, and other opposition figures signed a newspa- remains free. Ledezma, 59, will be held in Ramo Roberta Jacobson, called on Venezuela to free per advertisement calling for a democratic tran- Verde prison, the same jail on the outskirts of opposition leaders “as they have been unjustly sition in Venezuela. Maduro’s popularity has the capital currently housing Lopez, officials said imprisoned, and to improve respect for human plummeted to 20 percent amid a growing in ordering his continued detention. rights.” Chile’s socialist administration of shortage of basic goods, massive lines outside The attorney general’s office earlier said President Michelle Bachelet voiced concern over supermarkets and soaring inflation of almost 70 Ledezma will be booked for his alleged the “polarization in Venezuela, which could be a percent in the recession-hit country. “Arresting involvement in a conspiracy “to organize and significant obstacle to dialogue between the opposition leaders can momentarily divert carry out violent acts against the government.” government and the opposition.” Colombian attention from the economic problems, but it Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on center-right President Juan Manuel Santos said will only get worse,” said Luis Vicente Leon, a the government to produce evidence of the “the latest events worry us” and that he hoped leading Venezuelan political analyst. The secre- supposed conspiracy. “Does Maduro think that Ledezma would have “all the guarantees of due tary general of the MUD opposition coalition, putting everyone in prison is going to get him process.” Jesus Torrealba, said Ledezma’s arrest amounted 50 popularity points or that he’s going to win The UNASUR South American bloc, mean- to a “coup from the state.” CARACAS: Miranda State Governor and Opposition leader Henrique elections?” the two-time presidential candidate while, is planning to hold an extraordinary Maduro confirmed the mayor’s arrest two Capriles gestures during a press conference in Caracas. Capriles speaks asked. Maduro, who has accused the opposi- meeting of foreign ministers on the situation in days after visiting Cuba’s retired leader Fidel about Thursday’s surprise arrest of Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma for tion of trying to topple him several times since Venezuela. Jose Miguel Insulza, secretary gener- Castro, a staunch ally since the days of late presi- allegedly being part of what President Nicolas Maduro says is a US- his April 2013 election, said late Thursday that al of the Organization of American States, said dent Hugo Chavez. Cuba’s foreign ministry said backed plot to overthrow Venezuela’s government. Opponents of the mayor was detained over a coup plot Ledezma’s arrest “has caused alarm” due to the it rebuffs “the economic and media war against Maduro poured into the streets to condemn the arrest. —AP financed by the United States. Washington dis- way he was detained. He called on the govern- the Bolivarian revolution and energetically New Pentagon chief Carter in Kabul on unannounced visit Obama urged to reconsider withdrawal timetable

KABUL: The Pentagon’s new chief, the US commander in Kabul, them in small numbers and aspira- The United States and a Taleban Ashton Carter, flew to Kabul yesterday Campbell, as well as General Lloyd tional,” he said. Carter, who comes to spokesman this week denied there to confer with commanders and Austin, head of US Central Command office with years of experience at the were new plans to hold peace talks in Afghan leaders about the future of the which oversees American forces in the Pentagon, said he had travelled to the Qatar, despite claims by some militant American military presence in Middle East and Central Asia, who country frequently in the past and leaders. Carter planned to speak to Afghanistan. Only days after taking travelled to Kabul to take part in the that he was “familiar with the territory, troops outside of Kabul today after the helm as defense secretary, Carter talks. The Pentagon chief said he had familiar with the mission, familiar with holding talks with Ghani and Chief paid an unannounced visit to a coun- already spoken to Campbell and that many Afghan leaders.” Executive Abdullah Abdullah yester- try where US troops have been he wanted to get a first-hand look at His trip coincides with a concerted day. The United States first launched deployed for more than 13 years but the mission to shape his sense of “how effort by Ghani to promote peace military action in Afghanistan after the are now in a scaled back role. “The reason for this destination, Afghanistan, in my very first week in office as the secretary of defense is because this is still where we have 10,000 American ACAPULCO: A soldier stands guard outside Moises Guevara kindergarten in troops. They come first in my mind, Ciudad Renacimiento neighborhood in Acapulco, Mexico, during a security always,” Carter told reporters aboard his plane before landing in the Afghan operation to protect teachers and students from gangs demanding extor- capital. tion payments. —AFP Carter said he would meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and other leaders as well as top US officers and diplo- Acapulco violent descent mats “so that I can make my own assessment of that progress and my sends soldiers to schools own assessment of the way forward.” Carter’s visit comes as President ACAPULCO: Fresh white paint covers the corrupt police. An eight-month strike by Barack Obama faces a decision about soot from the fire that criminals set in the Acapulco’s municipal police has added to the timetable for a troop drawdown in middle school principal’s office in a rough the city’s chaos. Afghanistan. Under the current plan, Acapulco neighborhood, where gang- Guerrero’s education secretary, the 10,000-strong force is due to drop linked violence interrupted classes for Salvador Martinez Della Rocca, said hiring to roughly 5,000 by the end of 2015 weeks. Outside, four stone-faced Mexican private security for schools would have and then pull out altogether by the soldiers guard the gate, wielding assault been too expensive, so the military was time Obama leaves office in two years. rifles as big as a kindergartner to deter any called in. “It’s an unprecedented event in But the Obama administration has more attacks. The army arrived here and in the history of my country for soldiers to already adjusted the pace of the withdrawal, allowing 1,000 additional more than 100 other schools in the Pacific be guarding schools, but there was no American forces to remain this year. resort’s gang-ridden periphery three weeks other way,” Martinez said. “Organized And the US commander on the ago to counter a rash of murders, kidnap- crime was inside the classrooms. They cor- ground, General John Campbell, has pings and extortion against teachers. rupt children, sell drugs through them, suggested he favors slowing the draw- The unprecedented deployment of get information about teachers, make down further, though the details of KABUL: US Defense Secretary Ash Carter (center left) is greeted with a military honor guard as 1,000 troops to schools and surrounding them do the work of any criminal.” the possible options before Obama he arrives to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, neighborhoods was the only way to con- Martinez plans to add protective walls remain unclear. In testimony before Afghanistan yesterday. —AP vince frightened teachers to return to class- around schools, put up surveillance cam- senators this month before he was rooms, ending a two-month strike over the eras and install panic buttons to alert sworn in at the Pentagon, Carter sig- to complete the campaign in a suc- talks between Kabul and the Taleban, September 11, 2001 attacks, toppling violence that had left 31,000 students police. The troops will remain until the naled he was open to revising the cessful way.” with Pakistan voicing strong support the Taleban regime that had refused homebound since November. “We never gangs are rooted out, he said. Teachers, troop withdrawal schedule if neces- for the initiative. But Carter declined to break ties with Al-Qaeda. A US-led thought it would get to such an extreme parents and students say the military sary. Islamic State presence to offer an assessment of the NATO force eventually swelled to point, to be working with soldiers,” said presence makes them feel safer, but that it Afghan leaders and some lawmak- Asked about the presence of the prospects for possible negotiations. 130,000 troops, but last year the mis- Maria Ines Aparicio, principal of the Escuela should have never come to this. ers have urged Obama to reconsider Islamic State group in Afghanistan, “President Ghani has made that a pri- sion wrapped up its combat opera- Secundaria 100 middle school. Standing Jesus, a 16-year-old student at the the withdrawal timetable, warning Carter played down the threat, saying ority of his and that’s a priority that tions against Taleban insurgents. A next to a burned bookshelf as children in Secundaria 100 middle school, remem- that an early US exit could jeopardize some Taleban insurgents were mak- we support,” he said. “I’ll have a better contingent of 12,500 foreign troops security and discourage international ing an attempt at “rebranding” them- chance to assess that after I’ve heard has remained to back up Afghanistan’s white shirts and plaid pants and skirts wait- bered the panic in the classroom when aid. Carter was due to hold talks with selves. “The reports I’ve seen still have from him.” 350,000 soldiers and police. —AFP ed for the final bell in the courtyard, she shots were heard outside last year. “The lamented that crime fears caused the par- teacher said, ‘keep calm,’” recalled Jesus, a ents of six children to leave this year. tall kid with earphones dangling from his The teachers were already on strike shirt’s collar. “The situation is better now, Brazil president refuses Indonesia when assailants sneaked into the school in because it used to be critical.” A science December and set her office on fire, incin- teacher, Amalio Hernandez Dimas, said erating documents, computers and desks. someone posing as a parent had come up ambassador credentials in protest An ominous note was left with a warning: to him outside a classroom last year and “Don’t close the school.” Aparicio said she threatened to abduct him, saying “If you BRASILIA: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Archer was executed alongside five oth- Rousseff warned then that relations with did not know why her office was attacked. don’t behave, we’re going to take you has refused to accept the credentials of the ers convicted of drugs offenses, including Jakarta would suffer as a result. Indonesia But authorities accuse one of Acapulco’s away.” Another teacher’s car was stolen in Indonesian ambassador to demonstrate her five foreigners, in the first executions carried expressed its “strong protest” at Rousseff’s gangs of setting the fire to scare teachers front of the school. “This is considered a anger at last month’s execution of a Brazilian out under new President Joko Widodo. gesture, recalling its new ambassador in into paying them. The criminals also fired high danger zone,” Hernandez said. citizen for drug smuggling. “We think it is Brazil, Toto Riyanto, the foreign affairs min- bullets at a primary school and set another important that there is an evolution in the istry said. “We deeply regret what Brazil has fire at a technical education facility, author- Fears remain situation in order to clarify the state of done. This case shows immaturity for a head ities say. The National Security Commission While the military deployment has said federal forces captured the gang’s reassured parents and teachers, many say Indonesia’s relations with Brazil,” Rousseff of state,” the ministry’s spokesman alleged leader, Ronaldo Mendoza Matilde, they also need more security in their said as she received the credentials of Arrmanatha Nasir said. The “sudden” refusal, earlier this month in Mexicali, near the US neighborhoods. Ramiro Villa Salas, princi- ambassadors from five other countries. when the new Indonesian ambassador was border. Three henchmen were arrested in pal at the 79 Technical school along a Rousseff said clearance for Indonesia’s repre- already at the Brazilian presidential palace, Acapulco last week. dusty road near the airport, said his facili- sentative would be “held up a little” with was “an act which cannot be accepted by ty had closed on November 27 after an Brasilia and Jakarta at loggerheads over the Indonesia”, the ministry said in a press Unprecedented deployment administrative assistant and her three- impending execution of a second Brazilian, release. It has been a tough year for teachers in year-old daughter were kidnapped as Rodrigo Gularte, 42, on death row since 2004 “As a sovereign and democratic country Acapulco, with 21 of them murdered and they walked home last year. around 10 kidnapped in 2014, said They were later freed, but he said the for smuggling six kilos of cocaine into which has a legal system that is independent Alfredo Miranda, the Guerrero state edu- violence in the area led parents of 25 chil- Indonesia in surf boards. and impartial, no foreign country or any par- cation department’s local representative. dren to remove their kids from the school. Gularte’s family have tried without suc- ty can interfere with law enforcement in Miranda said that criminals left messages “We arrive at 7:00 am and leave at 2:10 cess to obtain clemency for him, saying doc- Indonesia, including in its law enforcement in at schools demanding that teachers fork pm. The issue is the commute home. tors have classed him as paranoid schizo- combating drugs trafficking,” it added. The over their three-month winter bonus. The That’s where we feel afraid,” Villa Salas phrenic, which would normally see him date for Gularte’s execution is unclear. Jakarta assault on teachers is another black eye said. Other teachers and parents are con- transferred to a psychiatric facility. Brazilian said Friday it was delaying the execution of for Acapulco, which has lost its luster of cerned that the presence of soldiers could media reported that a diplomat had passed two Australian drug smugglers by up to a decades ago, when it was a playground attract more trouble. “On the one hand we a written request to the head of the prison month for “technical reasons”, backtracking for Hollywood stars. The city is drawing feel more at peace, but on the other hand fewer foreign tourists, while drug gangs we are nervous at times, that something asking for such a transfer. Jakarta has twice on an earlier pledge to put the pair before have turned it into Mexico’s murder capi- will happen because they are here,” said turned down appeals for clemency. Gularte’s the firing squad by the end of February. tal. Its home state, Guerrero, has been the dressmaker Hugo Estrada, as his 13-year- compatriot Marco Archer was executed by Widodo-an ardent supporter of the death scene of violent protests over the disap- old daughter entered the Tecnica 5 mid- firing squad last month for drug smuggling penalty-has told reporters that carrying out pearance, and presumed massacre, of 43 dle school, which suffered an arson attack despite a personal appeal from Rousseff for capital punishment for drug trafficking is an college students by a gang in league with last year. —AFP mercy. Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff issue of “judicial sovereignty”. —AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 INTERNATIONAL New Sri Lanka government ends US lobbying contracts A sign of improving relations with Washintgon

WASHINGTON: In a sign of improv- Press on Friday. “To my knowledge, ing relations with the US, Sri Lanka all those contracts have been termi- has terminated lobbying contracts nated since the election of the new worth tens of thousands of dollars government.” Vinoda Basnayake of a month that the previous govern- Nelson Mullins Riley and ment had signed to help it win Scarborough LLP said soon after the friends in Washington amid war election, the embassy informed his crimes allegations, the nation’s company that its $35,000 monthly ambassador says. The investment in contract was not being extended. lobbyists to foster political and eco- Nelson Mullins was one of several nomic ties had gathered steam last groups hired to serve Sajin De Vass summer, in the dying months of Gunawardena, a lawmaker who had the administration of then- advised Rajapaksa on foreign affairs. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, but Basnayake said its fees for the last with little apparent benefit, as Sri quarter had been paid in advance. Lanka’s international isolation But Connie Mack, executive deepened over its refusal to credi- vice-president of Levick Strategic bly probe civilian deaths during the Communications LLC, said its client, civil war that ended 2009. But polit- Sri Lanka’s central bank - whose ical change inside Sri Lanka itself chief has been replaced by the new has done the trick. government - was three months or There has been a turnaround in $180,000 in arrears on payments for the US relationship after new the contract it terminated Jan 28. President Maithripala Sirisena won Mack said he planned to meet with Jan 8 elections and promised dem- the Sri Lankan ambassador soon to ocratic reforms and accountability discuss the issue. Kariyawasam, a for human rights violations. Sirisena career diplomat who became was elected in large part because ambassador last July, told the AP he of public dismay over the rising did not know if any payments to cost of living on the South Asian lobbyists were outstanding island, where the monthly per capi- because he did not sign any of the ta GDP is about $540. Rajapaksa contracts. HANOI: A gardener transports kumquat trees on the back of his motorcycle was also widely criticized for nepo- The Obama administration is to sell in Hanoi. —AFP tism and alleged government cor- keen to improve relations with Sri ruption. Washington-based lobby- Lanka, which forged closer ties with Toxic ‘Tet’ kumquats highlight ing groups are often hired by for- China under Rajapaksa. The island eign governments to help win the lies off the coast of southeastern Vietnam’s pesticide problem ear of US officials, lawmakers, India, on sea lanes linking East Asia media and other opinion-makers. and the Middle East. New Sri HANOI: At Lunar New Year, most often reports on banned preservatives Justice Department online records Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Vietnamese families buy a kumquat tree-a being found on imported Chinese pro- show Sri Lanka signed eight con- Samaraweera visited Washington symbol of prosperity-but where once its duce. Last year, Vietnam spent more than tracts with such groups from 2014, this month, winning US support for fruits were candied and enjoyed as a delica- $770 million importing pesticides, official with monthly fees ranging from a delay in the publication of a UN cy, now they are left uneaten as food safety figures show, and experts say much more $5,000 to $75,000. investigation into the war. The scandals batter consumer confidence in is being smuggled over the border illegally “The new government does not report is politically sensitive in Sri local produce. While communist Vietnam from China. At least a third of Vietnamese see a reason or requirement to have BODHGAYA: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (center) Lanka because it could implicate may not make as many global headlines for farmers are not using chemical pesticides lobbying groups at this juncture,” Sri and his wife Jayanthi Sirisena (right) arrive for a visit to the elements of the nation’s military safety lapses as neighboring China, the correctly, according to Ministry of Lankan Ambassador Prasad Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya. —AFP that crushed the resistance of eth- problems facing its consumers are similar- Agriculture research. “Any insecticide can Kariyawasam told The Associated nic Tamil rebels. —AP and many of the harmful pesticides they be dangerous,” farmer Vu Huu Nhung said fear most come from over the border. while spraying chemicals onto his cabbage “Every plant is covered in pesticides now. fields-eschewing a protective mask-in Even the vegetables I buy in the market Dang Xa commune on the outskirt of Hong Kong ‘wishing tree’ draws everyday,” retired teacher Mac Thi Hoa said. Hanoi. Like many Vietnamese who buy “But I think it’s safe enough if you strict- kumquat trees to welcome the new year, ly follow the instructions,” he said, saying tens of thousands of hopefuls Hoa used to cook the small orange fruits he was unsure what his made-in-China with sugar to make a sweet treat. Now she products contained. According to has stopped, fearing for her health. “The Professor Nguyen Van Tuat, deputy direc- HONG KONG: Carnivals and fireworks are Hong family. Everybody is looking for a good sign,” offerings to protective deities and throw up sellers claim they don’t use chemicals on tor of Vietnam’s Agriculture Science Kong’s trademark Chinese Lunar New Year cele- Frank Fung, a 26-year old computer engineer, wishes en route to the final temple in Lam Tsuen, the tree but I don’t believe it,” the 65-year- Institute, over-use of pesticides is already brations-but tens of thousands of people also told AFP after he landed his wish on a tree Lam said. “They would also leave red packets old said, adding she now uses the fruit tree having a “bad impact”-and things are get- travel to a remote village to hurl oranges at a tree branch with one throw. “I wished to have a child (containing money) attached to their wishes- only for decoration. Kumquat growers say ting worse. “Some farmers have increased in hopes of making their wishes come true. In a last year and now I am pregnant!” said Xiao when I was little I opened the red pockets after that to make a profit they need to sell the amount of chemicals they’re using,” he tradition stretching back more than a century, Xiaomei, in her 30s, who works in retail. Children, they left,” Lam said of the fishermen’s offerings. unblemished fruit, and they have to make said, adding this puts both farmers and visitors to the “wishing tree” in Lam Tsuen-a vil- couples and the elderly, with many wearing It is a custom to hand out red packets con- sure their entire orchard ripens just before consumers at risk of chemical poisoning. lage near the city’s northern border-come from bright red for good luck, threw their wishes, taining money-known as lai see to relatives, Lunar New Year-known as the Tet Festival- “The chemicals may also eliminate useful all over the city and mainland China to take part. which cost HK$25 ($3.22). “It’s my first time here, I friends and acquaintances during Chinese new to meet huge demand. insects and could be causing various plant Queues of hopefuls write their wishes on red think it’s wonderful, I think it’s traditional it’s real year. Originally attached to stones, the wishes This is difficult to achieve without the epidemics,” he said. pieces of paper, attach them to oranges and Hong Kong,” said Helen Friel, 27, from Ireland, were fixed to real oranges in the mid-1990s liberal use of insecticides and fertilizers. throw the fruit at a tree in the village square. If who has worked in Hong Kong for three years as before the move to plastic fruit. In the past, wish- “The kumquats won’t look beautiful,” with- Crisis of trust the orange lodges on a branch, the wish will a teacher. “I wished for good health and wealth ing trees had also burned down as joss sticks out the use of chemicals, farmer Nguyen The widespread and largely unregulat- come true-or so the belief goes. A banyan tree for my family.” were used to make offerings as well. The banyan Thi Hang said, even though they make the ed application of harmful chemicals has used for the tradition was replaced with a plastic that was damaged a decade ago is still there- fruit toxic. If you eat the fruits straight off also created a crisis of trust in Vietnam’s replica after an accident in 2005, which saw a ‘Universal to make wishes’ supported by beams. Over the years, the public the tree “it’s not good for your health,” she fruit and vegetable industry, Professor Tuat branch loaded with oranges snap off and injure The tradition was started by Chinese fisher- adopted the fishermen’s tradition of throwing said, adding consumers should wait several said. Consumers “are hesitant-they don’t know where and how to buy safe products, an elderly man and a child. Plastic fruit is now men who would write their wishes onto paper wishes, spurred on by television soap operas weeks and wash the fruit carefully to try and remove chemical residue before con- they’ve lost their trust in (Vietnamese) also used. But that has not put off the crowds of and throw them onto trees at the Lunar New which made it popular in the 1990s, said Lam, suming. Experts say the fact that even a products’ quality,” he added. They also face annual visitors who started flocking to the tree Year, said Luke Lam, organizer of the festival, who adding that the village sees more than 10,000 symbol of prosperity has become a health the risk of widespread bacterial contami- Thursday and will do so for more than a week was born in Lam Tsuen and has lived there most people a day during the Lunar New Year holi- risk, highlights just how widespread the nation, in part due to poor hygiene stan- over the holiday period. of his life. The fishermen would travel from the days. “It’s very universal to make a wish,” Lam issue of chemical contamination has dards throughout the food chain. In “I wished happiness and good health for my city’s southern ports and visit temples to make said. —AFP become in Vietnam. December, Vietnam’s Association of Standards and Consumers Protection said Chemical overload it had found E. coli bacteria on 90 percent Already a major exporter of rice, coffee of vegetables sampled in Hanoi. and seafood, Vietnam is trying to boost Food safety issues are felt particularly fruit and vegetable exports-which were up acutely in Vietnam, where the traditional by 36 percent year-on-year in 2014 to $1.46 diet includes large amounts of raw or light- billion, official figures show. Exported pro- ly cooked vegetables and herbs. Some duce is monitored closely for banned pesti- local companies are seeking to produce cides. Fruit has previously been hit by more organic products, but Vietnam has export bans in key markets like Japan no rigorous certification process or testing prompting improvements. But domestical- and many struggle to find organic fertilizer ly, consumers have to take their chances at and battle cross-contamination issues. Not the markets. The overwhelming majority of everyone is prepared to pay the additional Vietnamese still buy their fresh produce in costs for organic vegetables either. Many, traditional “wet markets”-open-air, informal like retired teacher Hoa, prefer to take their and often unhygienic. chances in the market. “Clean or not, we There are regular food safety scandals have to eat fruit and vegetables every day,” when produce is found to have exceeded she says. “Everyone dies in the end, we’d the permitted Maximum Residue Level rather die with a full stomach than an (MRL) of a pesticide, and state-run media empty one.” —AFP North Korean leader inspects artillery drill

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspect- are defensive in nature, and they have no inten- ed a live-fire artillery drill by his country’s military tions of attacking the North. North Korea told the units near the sea border with the rival South, United States last month that it was willing to believed to be timed ahead of annual US-South impose a temporary moratorium on its nuclear Korean exercises, state media reported yesterday. tests if Washington scraps the military drills with Analysts in Seoul said North Korea was attempting South Korea this year, but the allies have refused to to demonstrate its military capabilities ahead of cancel the exercises. HONG KONG: A woman throws her wish onto the branches of a special tree in the remote village of Lam Tsuen of Hong Kong’s next month’s US-South Korean drills, which North Korea routinely conducts drills in weeks new territories. —AFP Pyongyang has condemned as a rehearsal for an prior to the US-South Korea exercises and they are invasion. The drill, which involved artillery and believed to be a significant burden for a country in anti-ship rockets, was focused on striking and cap- desperate need of cash. Koh Yu-hwan, a professor turing an enemy island, according to the North’s of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University in 130 die as Myanmar troops battle rebels official Korean Central News Agency. The exercise Seoul, said that the North has been reducing the involved the Korean People’s Army’s 4th Corps, number of soldiers in the drills in recent years and NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar’s army yes- dering China. around Laukkai town, where the (MNDAA), who are fighting for which led the 2010 shelling of the South Korean is instead increasingly focusing on showcasing its terday said more than 130 people In the first press conference since conflict has centered, as efforts to regional autonomy, have denied border island of Yeonpyeong that left four South newer weapons in an apparent attempt at control- had died in a deepening battle with clashes began, defense ministry evacuate communities remain ham- attacking the convoy. The conflict, Korean soldiers and civilians dead. Kim expressed ling costs. rebels in the northeast, declaring it spokesman Lieutenant General Mya pered by an attack Tuesday on a the first major unrest in the region “great satisfaction” during the exercise and urged “North Korea considers it important to display would not rest until stability was Htun Oo said the conflict had killed local Red Cross convoy which since 2009, has renewed doubts over his army to be prepared for battle against the US, its military capabilities ahead of the US-South restored to the border area which 61 military and police officers and wounded two aid workers. a government attempt to forge a KCNA said. The official Rodong Sinmun published Korea drills to give its people the impression that it tens of thousands have fled. Fighting around 72 insurgents. “The fighting The spokesman blamed the nationwide ceasefire in a country photos of Kim watching the exercise with binocu- is well-prepared for an invasion attempt,” Koh said. raged in the remote Kokang region is strong... Because of serious fight- attack on the rebels: “Our military peppered with ethnic insurgencies. lars and projectiles being fired from what South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim of Shan state where conflict erupted ing, our helicopters are helping,” he only provides protection to civilian Myanmar’s quasi-civilian govern- appeared to be multiple rocket launchers and oth- Min-seok told reporters early this week that the US on February 9 when insurgent told reporters in the capital convoys... We are going to take action ment has put the ceasefire agree- er weapons. was planning to send a larger number of soldiers attacks on soldiers triggered a mili- Naypyidaw. “We will not retreat until against Kokang rebels’ offence.” The ment at the heart of its reforms as the State media outlets did not disclose the exact than it did last year to the “Key Resolve and Foal tary onslaught, prompting at least we get stability.” He did not provide ethnically Chinese Kokang rebels or nation prepares for a general election time and location of the drill. The US and South Eagle” exercises beginning in early March, but did 30,000 civilians to escape into bor- figures on civilian deaths in and National Democratic Alliance Army later this year. —AFP Korea have repeatedly said that their war games not provide a specific number. —AP NEWS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

A former circus lion named ‘King’ lays sedated as a veterinarian performs dental surgery inside a temporary refuge for the lion on the outskirts of Lima, Peru on Friday. Vets from the Animal Defenders International (ADI) are operating on lions and monkeys rescued from traveling circuses in Peru and Bolivia. According to the vets, King was removed from a circus in Nov 2014 and is unable to chew his food properly because most of his teeth had been pulled out, or partially pulled out by his circus owners. It is illegal to use wild animals in circuses in Peru. — AP Unwelcome mat: White Pacquiao, Mayweather to face off Continued from Page 1 decision over Chris Algieri in Macao last November. Mayweather, 47-0 with 26 knockouts, turns 38 on House counters Bibi visit “He has been training (for) two weeks,” Pineda said, Tuesday and has two more fights in the Showtime deal adding that Pacquiao would leave for the United States that has made him the highest-paid athlete in the world. WASHINGTON: In what is becoming an increasingly nasty primarily at derailing a nuclear deal with Iran, Obama’s signature in the first week of March. “This is his toughest fight,” He is homing in on the iconic 49-0 record of 1950s leg- grudge match, the White House is mulling ways to undercut foreign policy objective. While Netanyahu has long been skepti- Pineda said. end Rocky Marciano, who retired as an undefeated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming trip to cal of the negotiations, his opposition has increased over what he The welterweight world title showdown - heavyweight champion. Washington and blunt his message that a potential nuclear deal sees as Obama’s willingness to make concessions that would Mayweather owns the World Boxing Council and World The fact that Pacquiao is contracted to HBO and with Iran is bad for Israel and the world. There are limits. leave Iran on the brink of being able to build a nuclear weapon. Boxing Association titles and Pacquiao the World Boxing Mayweather to Showtime was another thorny issue, and Administration officials have discarded the idea of President His opposition has intensified as negotiations go into overdrive Organization crown - is sure to be the richest in boxing the rival firms are collaborating on the pay-per-view tele- Barack Obama himself giving an Iran-related address to rebut the with an end-of-March deadline for a framework deal. “I think this history, generating massive pay-per-view revenue. “This cast. “This deal is the product of a lot of hard work,” said two speeches Netanyahu is to deliver during his early March visit. is a bad agreement that is dangerous for the state of Israel, and is the biggest boxing event of all time, we’re confident of Stephen Espinoza, the executive vice president and gen- But other options remain on the table. Among them: A presi- not just for it,” Netanyahu said Thursday. The difference of opinion that,” Ken Hershman, president of HBO Sports said. “We eral manager at Showtime Sports. HBO and Showtime dential interview with a prominent journalist known for coverage over the deal has become unusually rancorous. couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it and help craft it.” have worked together before, teaming up in 2002 for the of the rift between Obama and Netanyahu, multiple Sunday Certainly the bout, more than five years in the making, is fight between then-heavyweight champion Lennox show television appearances by senior national security aides Leaks expected to break records - for gate receipts as well as Lewis, who was with HBO, and former champion Mike and a pointed snub of America’s leading pro-Israel lobby, which is The White House and State Department have both publicly pay-per-view audience and revenue. US media reported Tyson, who was with Showtime. holding its annual meeting while Netanyahu is in Washington, accused Israeli officials of leaking “cherry-picked” details of the that Mayweather will receive 60 percent of the purse Hershman said the Tyson-Lewis bout was a “great according to the officials. negotiations to try to discredit the administration. And, in and stands to make some $120 million, Pacquiao taking roadmap” for Pacquiao-Mayweather. “It showed that this The administration has already ruled out meetings between extraordinary admissions this past week, the administration $80 million. can be done successfully,” he said. Both fighters said after Netanyahu and Obama, saying it would be inappropriate for the acknowledged that the US is withholding sensitive details of the More importantly for fans, it will finally pit the two their most recent victories that their showdown should two to meet so close to Israel’s March 17 elections. But the White talks from Israel, its main Middle East ally, to prevent such leaks. boxers long considered the best “pound-for-pound” happen. In January, the two met unexpectedly at a House is now doubling down on a cold-shoulder strategy, includ- The rebukes have only emboldened the leader of Israel, whose fighters of their generation against each other. Previous Miami Heat NBA game and arranged a meeting at which ing dispatching Cabinet members out of the country and send- country Iran has threatened to annihilate. He has a double-barrel bids to put together a fight between the two - most discussions apparently got serious. Pacquiao said last ing a lower-ranking official than normal to represent the adminis- attack on the Iran talks ready for when he arrives in Washington. notably in late 2009 - had run aground over various week he had agreed to the drug-testing procedures tration at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Not only will he address Congress, he will also deliver similar issues, including division of the purse and a drug testing Mayweather wanted as well as other demands, and he Public Affairs Committee, the officials said. remarks at the AIPAC conference, an event to which administra- protocol. Animosity between Mayweather’s camp and believed an announcement of the fight was imminent. Vice President Joe Biden will be away, his absence behind tions past and present have traditionally sent top foreign policy Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum has also been a stum- A British newspaper reported last Sunday that Netanyahu conspicuous in coverage of the speech to Congress. officials. bling block. Mayweather could announce the bout at the NBA All- Other options were described by officials, who spoke only on But maybe not this year. An AIPAC official said Friday that the After the fight failed to materialize in 2010, some of Star Game in New York. In a brief courtside interview, condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to dis- group has not yet received any reply to its invitation for senior the gloss came off the potential showdown when however, Mayweather denied the deal was done, leaving cuss internal deliberations. Netanyahu’s plan for a March 3 administration figures to attend the meeting that starts March 1. Pacquiao suffered two straight defeats in 2012, a dubi- fans to wonder if talks had stalled again. But no, boxing’s address to a joint meeting of Congress has further strained The official stressed that last-minute RSVPs are not unusual, but ous split-decision loss to Timothy Bradley and a knock- latest “fight of the century” is on. “Floyd should enjoy already tense ties between the US and Israel. Congressional the White House has been signaling for some time that a out loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in his fourth bout being the A-side while he can,” Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Republicans orchestrated Netanyahu’s visit without consulting Cabinet-level guest may not be coming. Instead, the administra- against the Mexican. Since then, however, the Filipino Roach said. “Because on May 2, Manny is going to put the White House or State Department, a move the Obama tion is toying with the idea of sending newly installed Deputy southpaw has won three fights in a row and will take a him on his backside.” The brash “Money” Mayweather was administration blasted as a break in diplomatic protocol. Some Secretary of State Antony Blinken to speak to the conference, record of 57-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts into having none of it. “Manny is going to try to do what 47 Democratic lawmakers say they will boycott the speech. according to officials familiar with internal discussions on the the May 2 fight. before him failed to do, but he won’t be successful,” US officials believe Netanyahu’s trip to Washington is aimed matter. — AP “Pac-Man,” who is 36, won an impressive unanimous Mayweather said. “He will be number 48.” — AFP Interior, defense panel tackling sensitive... Pak terror wave sparks rare criticism Continued from Page 1 campaigns. He confirmed that the military service law would Continued from Page 1 be in fact a loan from Saudi Arabia. be passed, noting its necessity for the youth’s sound upbring- But Najmuddin Sheikh, a former foreign secretary duration of military service. Still on the shelf are draft laws ing and service to the homeland. regarding establishment of a public anti-drug authority and The commission, during the current term, will take deci- Badar Alam, editor of Herald magazine, a respected and ambassador, said the December attack on an army compulsory military service. It has held five meetings from sions regarding the nationalization file, including the issue of Pakistani current affairs monthly, said the recent wave school in Peshawar, which left 153 people dead includ- Oct 28, 2014 to Dec 31, in addition to three sessions with the the illegal residents (bedoons), children of Kuwaiti women of criticism was unprecedented. “Saudi has vast coming 134 children, had opened the door for criticism. committee of legislative and legal affairs examining the arms and female divorcees. “What’s at stake is opening these files mercial and economic interests in Pakistan. There are “This has been triggered by Peshawar and a strong feel- collection law. instead of leaving things as they are,” he added. It will also open questions being asked on this relationship,” he ing that much of the terrorism that is here is being Maayouf acknowledged that the commission members tackle other topics related to security cameras and the higher said. “Before, nobody would ask any questions in any financed by outside countries,” he said. “Countries like had done their best to approve the arms law, which had been authority for drugs and alcohol, Maayouf said, noting that the manner. Now even the Urdu press is asking questions.” Kuwait, UAE and Qatar must also do much more at one of the slogans raised by the MPs during their electoral issue of narcotics has become particularly alarming. — KUNA Donors in Saudi Arabia have long been accused of home to curtail this.” quietly funding terror groups sympathetic to the king- But, he added, any efforts to cut back on foreign dom’s hardline version of Sunni Islam. Leaked diplomat- funding for extremist seminaries must go hand in hand 10 foreign workers killed in Abu Dhabi... ic cables by then-US secretary of State Hillary Clinton in with similar efforts at home. He said this would include 2009 said Saudi Arabian donors were “the most signifi- the state dropping its links with proxy groups that have Continued from Page 1 lower floors where she lived were not affected. Residents of cant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups world- historically been used by the military establishment to neighboring towers were returning to their homes around wide”. The cable cited the Taleban, Al-Qaeda and further strategic goals in Afghanistan and Indian- Civil defence teams cleared the building, which at 336 m 4:30 am, but residents of The Torch were told they would not Pakistan’s Sunni Muslim sectarian militants Lashkar-e- administered Kashmir. “Our fund collection within is one of the world’s tallest residential towers. Dubai police be allowed back into the building until the fire officials gave Jhangvi as examples of where funds were being chan- Pakistan remains unimpeded. If you want more from said there were no fatalities but seven people were treated approval later yesterday. Residents of upper floors that were nelled. abroad you need to do more at home,” he said. at the scene for smoke inhalation. A civil defence depart- most affected were told it would be days before they could Linked to the funding is Saudi Arabia’s long A senior government official, speaking on condition ment statement said the fire began on the 51st floor and return. geostrategic struggle with Iran, the key Shiite Muslim of anonymity, agreed. “We didn’t need the Saudis to swept across the tower’s facade affecting 20 storeys. The Torch is managed by Kingfield Owner Association Major General Rashid Thani Al-Matroushi, director of Management Services, which is arranging temporary shelter power in the region. Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan’s current radicalise us, we have geared ourselves to that,” he said. Dubai civil defence, said firefighters were able to stop the and supplies for affected residents. It said in a statement prime minister, enjoys particularly close ties with the And while the current mood may be critical of Riyadh, fire spreading to nearby buildings. Emergency teams used that everyone inside the tower was successfully evacuated. Saudi royal family, which hosted him during his almost the official said in the long run the relationship was too “strict protocols to break in quickly and reach the source of “All fire safety systems functioned effectively during the inci- decade-long exile from Pakistan following his ouster by important and too beneficial to jeopardise. “There is no the fire,” he was quoted as saying by The National. dent thereby restricting fire damage to the exterior of the then military ruler Pevez Musharraf. And last year the change in policy. Both the Sharif government and the Firefighters battled the blaze for more than two hours, building,” it said. government said it had received a $1.5 billion “gift” from military are very much on board with Saudis. Actual pol- before hundreds of residents of nearby towers were allowed One of the residents of the Torch, Steve Short, 53, of a friendly Muslim nation, widely thought by experts to icy is not likely to change,” he said. — AFP to return to their apartments. Liverpool, England, praised the work of firefighters who Ansari, who lives on the tower’s 27th floor, praised the arrived quickly. He said fire alarms alerted residents to the emergency services for dealing with the blaze. “It was a big blaze and building management sent workers knocking on Yemen ex-president Hadi flees to Aden fire and the wind was making things worse. The fire was out doors to ensure residents got out. Resident R J Morlock, 33, Continued from Page 1 protest. Witnesses said the Houthis were deploying more of control,” said the 30-year-old sound engineer. “Some peo- of Houston, Texas, shot video on his phone that showed security forces in response. ple had to walk down about 50 floors and weren’t in great bright yellow flames reaching what appeared to be several shape,” he added. “The firefighters were outstanding. They stories on two separate parts of the building. He said resi- Hadi has always defended the 1990 union of the north Western countries are worried that unrest in Yemen got there very fast and medics took care of everyone.” dents were nervous coming out but fire crews were able to with the formerly independent south where secessionist could create opportunities for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Traffic in the area was diverted and residents of two other bring the situation under control. “I was really surprised they sentiment has risen sharply. But most troops and militia in Peninsula (AQAP) to plot more attacks against internation- nearby buildings in the Marina district, home to thousands got it under control pretty quickly,” he said. “It looked like it the area have pledged allegiance to Hadi and his support- al targets. Late on Friday a drone destroyed a car carrying of expatriate professionals, were also evacuated, the witness was going to go up.” Dubai Marina is a popular expat neigh- ers hailed his arrival in the former southern capital as a suspected members of AQAP in Shawbwa Province, a bas- said. Many of those standing outside the building were bourhood that has a high concentration of residential tow- game-changer. tion of the militant group in the rugged mountains of dressed in pyjamas, with others in evening dress as they ers. It is also a major tourist attraction. Dubai, known for its Early yesterday, Houthi militiamen opened fire on pro- southern Yemen, killing at least three people, residents returned from the city’s many bars and restaurants on a skyline of hugely varied skyscrapers, has seen fires at towers testers in the central city of Ibb, killing one person and said. The United States has acknowledged it carries out weekend. in the past. In 2012, a huge blaze gutted the 34-storey wounding another, activists said. The crowd had gathered drone strikes against militant targets in Yemen but does One woman, who did not give her name, stood on the Tamweel Tower in the nearby Jumeirah Lake Towers district. in a square to demonstrate against the Houthis’ role in not comment on specific attacks. The strikes, which have street crying, saying she had rushed back fearing for her It was later revealed to have been caused by a cigarette butt overturning the government last month. Following the sometimes killed civilians, have angered many people in belongings after a friend contacted her about the fire. The thrown into a bin. — Agencies shooting, thousands more people took to the streets in the country. — Agencies SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Washington Watch ‘Pitch perfect’

By Dr James J Zogby

must admit that I was somewhat skeptical as I approached last week’s “White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism” I(CVE). I was concerned that it might end up being nothing more than a “box-checking” exercise. I was troubled that it might be perceived as targeting American Muslims and fostering a sense of increased alienation for some, while at the same time feeding the sense of suspicion that could result in a spike in hate crimes against Muslims. I was also wary of the fact that “CVE” had become a hustle for some social entrepreneurs who were set to spawn a “cottage industry” as potentially lucrative and as utterly misdirect- ed, useless, and counterproductive as the enterprise created by the so-called “terrorism experts” of a generation ago. Nevertheless, I went and I participated. There were, to be sure, a few “hustlers” in attendance and there were a few sessions that felt like “box-checking”. And then there were some Muslims who protest- ed the event convinced that any discussion of Muslims would contribute to more discrimination against their community. This, however, was not what defined the summit for me because what I also found at the White House were some remarkable people who were doing some extraordinary things in communities around the US. I had been asked to chair one of the summit’s session and marveled at the conversation that ensued. The room was full of good people - Mexican filmmakers follow in Inarritu’s wake political, business, faith, and community leaders from across the US, Europe, and Africa - all of whom were making a determined effort to By Michael O’Boyle Canacine. But top new talents are not looking studio system with little to show, he wrote, doned. “My films are not trying to be easy on build bridges and promote understanding. As we have found so to make it in Hollywood. directed and shot the film himself in a matter the public, but rather are developing a story many times before, while current challenges may have brought out new wave of Mexican filmmakers is This year will see new films from Gerardo of months, and is now editing. “I feel I had that is not very common and does not fit into the worst in some, it has also created the opportunity to bring good following in the wake of the success of Naranjo and Michel Franco, two of the most something to offer that was lacking in the a genre,” he said. people together to support each other. AAlejandro G Inarritu, bent on breaking notable rebels among Mexico’s growing industry,” he said. “I am giving American Roth is also in one of the lead roles in “600 What ultimately made the day work was the closing address by Hollywood convention and making daring ranks of directors who have cast aside studio actors the chance to do what they should be miles” the debut film from Gabriel Ripstein, President Obama. Playing multiple roles - teacher, analyst, sympa- movies with high-profile actors. Inarritu’s formulas. This new generation grew up in a doing but don’t get the chance to do.” “Viena” who also co-produced “Chronic” with Franco. thetic parent, and inspirational leader - his remarks were “pitch per- “Birdman” garnered nine Academy Awards rapidly globalizing Mexico following the stars Fanning as a young groupie in the thrall “600 Miles” won the coveted best first feature fect”. With the US leading a broad coalition of countries that has nominations including best picture, best opening of the country’s closed economy in of a punk band. “It is her trip to understand award at Berlin in February for Ripstein, the been militarily targeting ISIS, the president was keen to lay out a director and best actor, and follows fellow the 1990s and the end of authoritarian one- that celebrity does not come out of talent in son of Mexican film auteur Arturo Ripstein, strategy to take on the ideology ISIS uses to recruit disaffected Mexican Alfonso Cuaron’s best director win party rule in 2000. Naranjo’s early films, “Miss America,” Naranjo said. who worked as an executive for Hollywood alienated youth. Challenging and defeating IS will, the president last year with space thriller “Gravity,” a first for Bala”, about a beauty queen sucked into the Mexico’s directors have developed sophis- studios for a decade. “It is a question of find- noted, involve more than the coalition’s military might. It will a Latin American filmmaker. violent world of drug traffickers, and “I’m ticated styles of filmmaking that have pushed ing actors who want to work with interesting require challenging their ideology and dismantling their recruit- Inarritu, Cuaron and fellow “Three Amigos” Gonna Explode”, a tale of teen love and rebel- the traditional boundaries of fiction and doc- filmmakers,” Ripstein said. “But we are keep- ment infrastructure. And that was his focus. director Guillermo del Toro began their lion, nabbed the attention of 20th Century umentaries, winning the top honors at the ing control over the projects and don’t have The extremists’ ideology must be discredited. The economic careers in the 1990s when the domestic film Fox. world’s biggest festivals. They are limited by to make concessions.” and political grievances exploited by the terrorists must be industry was practically dead and they left He spent almost four years working on ultra-low budgets, around $2 million, but by Loosely inspired by the botched Fast and addressed. And partnerships must be developed with Muslim Mexico to make the climb to global fame. developing two major Fox films, including a holding to their personal visions, Mexican Furious program where US agents lost communities so that they can be empowered to challenge the “We were very lucky to have the possibility to remake of “Death Wish” with Bruce Willis, but filmmakers are attracting big Hollywood thousands of high-powered guns in Mexico, false and dangerous goals posed by extremists. be fed by European filmmakers, by some quit in frustration with the studio system. “It is actors starved for meatier roles. Michel “600 Miles” tracks a young Mexican on his What the President was making clear was that it is disaffection, American filmmakers ... cinema of the world,” important to recognize the mastery of the Franco, whose bullying-themed “After Lucia” first run as a gun smuggler and stars Roth as anger, or alienation that makes young people susceptible to the Inarritu said. “Mexico is still an incredible older generation,” Naranjo said. “Cuaron, won a top prize at Cannes in 2012, is now a US agent hunting him. With Hollywood ideas of extremists. But while the purveyors of violence can prey off fountain of culture, but cinematically speak- Inarritu, they found a way to protect their editing his first English-language film, balance sheets dependent on blockbuster of discontent, they have nothing real to offer. This must be made ing ... 20 years ago, it was horrible.” projects and that is the hardest thing to do in “Chronic”, starring Tim Roth. franchises, directors are confident they will clear before recruits are seduced and drawn into the extremists’ The trio managed to maintain control over the United States. The industry finds ways to Roth, who sat on the jury that feted be able to keep attracting disaffected talent web. To do this will take the concerted action of communities their iconoclastic film projects within the limit creativity over and over.” Franco in Cannes, was excited to work with to their independent projects. “It’s not the working together. Hollywood system, raising Mexico’s profile as the young director and convinced him to re- same Hollywood that Inarritu and Cuaron The president continued his tough rhetoric against IS and was they made both big blockbusters such as Hollywood Blues write a script that Franco was working on went to,” said Gaz Alazraki, who is directing forceful in his resolve that they be defeated. But the President was Cuaron’s “Gravity” or del Toro’s “Pacific Rim”, But Naranjo’s defiant exit from Hollywood with a male lead. “Chronic” was inspired by Netflix’s first Spanish-language series “Club also clear that in targeting IS and other forms violent extremist ide- and more personal, lower-budget projects grabbed attention and he drew in a group of the woman who cared for Franco’s dying de Cuervos”. “But there are a whole lot of ology, the US and the West, in general, were not at war with Islam, such as Inarritu’s “Birdman”. Mexican film pro- young actors led by Dakota Fanning to star in grandmother, now Roth who plays a nurse great actors who want to make personal since this is exactly how IS and Al-Qaeda want to frame the conflict. duction has surged from 28 films in 2000 to his new independent film “Viena and attending terminally ill patients as he strug- films, so if you can team up with them, it’s He said, “They are desperate for legitimacy. They try to portray 130 last year, according to industry group Fantomes”. After struggling for years in the gles to reconnect with the family he aban- great.” —Reuters themselves as religious leaders - holy warriors in defense of Islam...and they propagate the notion that America is at war with Islam. That’s how they recruit...[but] it is a lie...They are not religious leaders - they’re terrorists. And we are not at war with Islam.” Options narrow for Poroshenko after defeat

Criticism By Richard Balmforth modern Russian weapons that roll across Poroshenko’s main hope seems to be that of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. That is par- Not surprisingly, it was on this last point that the president’s the border with impunity. the threat of further Western sanctions may ticularly so with popular sentiment running critics pounced. For days now, Republicans and several media he loss of the key town of Debaltseve The fall of Debaltseve followed the loss make Putin pause. Poroshenko has in the high on the first anniversary of events analysts, instead of focusing on what the President did say, have to Russian-backed separatists, the lat- of more than 100 Ukrainian lives at Illovaisk meantime said Ukraine will make an appeal which Ukrainians regard as a pivotal been relentless in attacking him for what he didn’t say. Apparently, est in a string of big battlefield last August when Kiev’s troops were encir- for a UN peacekeeping force to monitor the moment in their bid to ditch their Soviet what they wanted the President to say was that this was, in fact, a T defeats for Ukraine, narrows the options for cled and the seizure in January of the air- Ukraine-Russia border. past and become part of Europe. Candles war against “Islamic terror” or “radical Islam”. Said one critic, “you President Poroshenko in his dealings both port complex in Donetsk, a big prize for the But few in Kiev believe that any peace- were lit for the dead in churches, offices and can’t win this war, if you can’t name the enemy”. Senator John with Moscow and with the West. No sooner rebels. With Mariupol the separatists’ next keeping mission - which might be blocked workplaces across Ukraine ahead of a McCain responded to Obama by accusing him of propagating “a did the strategic railway junction fall to the target, Poroshenko sees more territory drift- anyway by Russia - will change much. “One memorial service on Kiev’s Independence big lie”. The most strident attack came from former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, who said, “You’ve got to be able to criticize rebels on Wednesday, with thousands of ing out of Kiev’s control - knowing that win- scenario is the introduction of a peacekeep- Square, where protesters were shot dead. Islam for the parts of Islam that are wrong...what’s wrong with this Ukrainian soldiers withdrawing under fire, ning it back could only come at a high price. ing contingent particularly for control of the man that he can’t stand up and say there’s a part of Islam that’s than separatists re-opened another old Another heavy military defeat would be a border,” said political analyst Olesya Yakhno. Chain Reaction sick?” Answering his own question, Giuliani added that the prob- front, attacking government positions near serious blow to his leadership. “The second is escalation of military action. Yanukovich’s ousting, which Moscow lem with “this man” is that “[he] doesn’t love America...[because] Mariupol, a strategic coastal city in the But his Western supporters in Germany There are no peaceful options left,” Yakhno calls a “fascist“ coup, triggered Russia’s he wasn’t brought up...through love of this country”. south-east. The grim message, it seems, and France are pressing him to give up said. “Poroshenko will continue with some annexation of Crimea and the separatist Not only were their criticisms disgraceful and insulting, Giuliani was: ‘There’s more to come. The break-up of dreams of securing US weapons to seize delicate balancing between the military rebellion, backed by Moscow, which has led and McCain were also dead wrong. The president’s message has Ukraine does not stop here’. back lost territory and press on with the and political options. An adequate political to a conflict in which more than 5,000 peo- been tough enough and smart enough. He has built a coalition All this hit national morale as Ukraine peace deal struck in Minsk, Belarus, last solution, which will help stop this war, has ple have died. Poroshenko, Putin and the that has mobilized most of the Muslim World, involving them as marked the first anniversary of pro-Moscow week. Meanwhile, his adversary, Russia’s to be found.” leaders of Germany and France came out of partners in the fight against violent extremism. The President has president Viktor Yanukovich’s overthrow Vladimir Putin, is making Ukraine more and Poroshenko has little chance of selling peace talks in Belarus on Feb 12 announc- chosen a path designed to isolate and ultimately destroy what he and the killings of 100 people protesting more ungovernable and less of an attractive any compromise at home that accepts self- ing a ceasefire deal. German Chancellor has referred to as a “death cult”. That’s smart and tough. against his policy swerve away from Europe prospect for Europe. Like many in the West, rule for the separatists and tacit acceptance Angela Merkel and French President On the other hand, if McCain and Giuliani had their way, we back to the old master, Russia. What started Francois Hollande still see life in the Minsk would be digging ourselves deeper into the holes dug by the Bush as a popular revolt a year ago against a agreements, which also called for withdraw- Administration. We would be in the midst of a “clash of civilizations”. leader ready to renounce his country’s al of heavy weapons by both sides. And Sarah Palin would be a heart-beat away from the Oval Office. future in Europe seems to be turning into But after Debaltseve, the deal lies in tat- That’s neither smart, nor is it tough. It’s just plain reckless. the break-up of the country. The nightmare ters and Kiev is braced for fresh rebel NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Arab American confronting Poroshenko now is that, while attacks. A significant part of Poroshenko’s Institute Western governments want him to stick to a quandary is that he cannot jeopardise links peace formula worked out at a four-power with the West. The IMF and potential summit, the Kremlin-backed separatists Western donor governments are offering could move on to take Mariupol and even- billions of dollars of aid but only if Ukraine All articles appearing on these tually link up with Crimea, annexed by reforms. Putin appears to want to create as pages are the personal opinion of Russia last March. And would the land-grab much instability as possible in Ukraine, with the writers. Kuwait Times takes no stop there? the east beyond the writ of Kiev, and doom- ing any prospect of the country joining responsibility for views expressed Battlefield Firepower NATO and the European Union. therein. Kuwait Times invites read- The 49-year-old confectionery tycoon, The depressed industrial east has been ers to voice their opinions. Please who took office last June expressing the in a downward spiral for years, with high send submissions via email to: opin- hope that the rebellion in the east would be unemployment and many of its old coal over in weeks, has few good options. The mines collapsed or operating dangerous- [email protected] or via snail humiliation of Debaltseve exposed again ly. Leaving it as a dysfunctional, self-ruling mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. his army’s lack of firepower to defend Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko sings the state anthem with the son of oddity in Ukraine under the protection of The editor reserves the right to edit strategic objectives against a separatist a dead activist during a memorial ceremony marking the first anniversary of Russian-backed forces, but for Kiev to any submission as necessary. army boosted by Russian fighters, directed the killings of demonstrators in the final act of a dramatic uprising around support financially, fits Putin’s strategy by Russian intelligence and armed with Independence Square in Kiev, known as Maidan, on Friday in Kiev. —AFP perfectly. —Reuters p15_Layout 1 2/21/15 9:52 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SPORTS

Inzaghi seeks Milan-style Big clubs eye Falcao Karlovic ousts Johnson ROME: AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi believes his injury-plagued side cannot LONDON: A number of “great clubs” are interested in AS Monaco striker FLORIDA: Big-serving Croatian Ivo Karlovic edged a second set tiebreaker afford to start thinking of European football next season as they attempt to res- Radamel Falcao if Manchester United decide against making his loan move to oust American Steve Johnson 6-2 7-6 in the quarter-finals of the Delray cue their dismal campaign. While a Champions League berth appears to be out permanent, the Ligue 1 side’s vice-president said. Beach Open in Florida on Friday. of sight after a wretched start to 2015, fifth place in Serie A and the chance of The 29-year-old Falcao, who joined United on a season-long loan for six Karlovic raced through the first set in 28 minutes but the second was a Europa League football is still a possibility for 11th-placed Milan. million pounds ($9.2 million), has scored just four goals in 19 appearances much tighter affair as he fended off four break points against the dogged since making the switch to Old Trafford. At a news conference on Saturday, Inzaghi, reflecting on the injuries that seventh seed. Fourth seed Karlovic, who served 17 aces to remain United have the option of paying around 43 million pounds to make the have hampered the club this season, warned: “We can’t be thinking unbroken for the tournament, earned a Saturday semi-final clash move for the Colombian permanent at the end of the season, but with about it (fifth place) right now. We need to take it one game at a Falcao in-and-out of Louis van Gaal’s side his future remains uncertain. with fifth-seeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who beat Lu time and get back to playing Milan-style football.” “I’m not worried for Falcao, he is a world-class striker,” Monaco vice-pres- Yen-hsun of Taiwan 3-6 6-1 6-1. Karlovic and Mannarino are the Rather than “Milan-style football”, though, fans at the San Siro ident Vadim Vasilyev told the BBC. “If Manchester United decide not take highest remaining seeds in the tournament, following the elimi- have had to get used to unaccustomed struggles for one of up the option at the end of the season, we have interest from other great nation of third seed Alexandr Dolgopolov, beaten 2-6 6-3 6-4 by European football’s powerhouses. clubs. So I am really not worried for him at all.” unseeded American Donald Young in a match that stretched near- At the end of last year, Milan were seventh, just two points off With Falcao struggling to recapture his best form in the Premier League, ly two hours. third and a spot in next season’s Champions League qualifying Van Gaal played down the amount of money United had spent on the mis- “It was really cold and it wasn’t easy to move and be round.Now, having managed just five points in seven games firing striker. “If a player costs 95 million pounds or 5,000 pounds it doesn’t aggressive but in the beginning, I was playing really good. in 2015 only bottom club Parma have fared worse-they lie make any difference,” the Dutchman said last month. “You have to prove It might be one of my best sets,” Karlovic told the tourna- 12 points behind third-placed Napoli. —Reuters yourself. We have made this deal and everything is clear.”—Reuters ment website.—Reuters Pervis strikes gold again on home track

FRANCE: Francois Pervis showed he has committed to publishing the report they no equal when it comes to racing over give us and we’re not going to get into a one kilometre as he became the first rid- (soccer govening body) FIFA type situa- er in 14 years to scoop a hat-trick of time tion of arguing about the report,” trial titles at the track cycling world International Cycling Union (UCI) presi- championships on Friday. dent Brian Cookson told reporters at the A day after successfully defending his track cycling world championships. keirin title, Pervis held off his challengers A FIFA report into corruption has by a whisker to pick up his third succes- been subject of much debate surround- sive time trial gold. ing its publication. Cookson assured The 30-year-old, who holds the world there would be no such debate on the record in 56.303, was just above the CIRC report, which could be redacted, one-minute barrier, clocking 1:00.207 to but only for legal reasons. “Unless there beat German Joachim Eilers by 0.087 are legal reasons why names can’t be second. named, then contributions will be Matthew Archibald of New Zealand named,” he said. “I think we should all took the bronze in 1:00.470. Pervis is the prepare ourselves for that ... When you first rider since compatriot Arnaud open a can of worms you find a lot of Tournant, who won four years in a row worms.” from 1998, to win three consecutive With a budget of over $3 million, a time trial titles. With six titles to his three-member panel was set up in name, he is now the third most decorat- January 2014 to look into the ugly past ed Frenchman on the track at the world of cycling, especially-although not only- championships behind Felica Ballanger the 1998-2013 period, which comprises (10) and Daniel Morelon (7). the Festina affair and the Lance “I thought I had a margin of six tenth Armstrong doping scandal. of a second and in the end it’s a margin UCI changed its regulations in order of eight thousandth of a second,” said to “propose reduced sanctions or an LOS ANGELES: Lakers forward Ed Davis (left) and Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez vie for a rebound during the second half of an NBA basket- Pervis, who now only needs the sprint exemption from any sanctions to people ball game. —AP gold to repeat his three-title success who ... admit having breached the anti- from 2014. “I was stuck in the final (250- doping regulation”. metre) lap but thanks to the support of “I don’t think there will be a lot of new the crowd I did not feel the pain.” Pervis revelations because I think we have a Cavaliers dump Wizards is now confident he can retain his sprint pretty good idea of how widespread the title, an achievement he did not think he problem was,” said Cookson. was capable of a few days ago. Cycling, however, is no stranger to WASHINGTON: LeBron James set aside first-half and gave Karl his first victory since a playoff win second game back from a broken bone near his “At the beginning I was only thinking drama, having dealt with drugs scandals foul trouble to finish with 28 points in only 25 with Denver against Golden State on April 30, left eye to help the Mavericks bounce back a about retaining one title but now I’m on involving top names in the sport, includ- minutes Friday night, and Kyrie Irving scored 25 2013. This one was his 1,132nd regular-season night after a blowout loss at Oklahoma City in the right path,” he said when asked if he ing Tour de France winners Armstrong points, helping the surging Cleveland Cavaliers victory, sixth-most in league history and more their return from the All-Star break. James was up for a slam in front of his home and Alberto Contador. overwhelm the Washington Wizards 127-89. than the wayward Kings have in 30 seasons in Harden scored 26 points to lead the Rockets. crowd. “But I don’t think there’s any other Cleveland led by as many as 22 points before Sacramento. Avery Bradley scored 28 points for “I’ve done the treble once, why not sport that has opened itself up to that halftime and as many as 40 after to win for the Boston. TIMBERWOLVES 111, SUNS 109 twice. I’m determined to win the sprint.” level of scrutiny,” said Cookson. The CIRC 15th time in its past 17 games. Kevin Martin scored 28 points and Andrew The sprint title will be decided today. will make recommendations which The 38-point margin was Washington’s BUCKS 89, NUGGETS 81 Wiggins added 20 to lead Minnesota past Russian Artur Ershov won gold in the Cookson believes the UCI should be in a largest loss of the season. The Cavaliers also pro- Khris Middleton scored 15 points, John Phoenix. Ricky Rubio had 10 points, 14 assists men’s points race ahead of Spain’s Eloy position to implement as they cannot be duced the most points by a Washington oppo- Henson added 14 and Milwaukee beat Denver in and eight rebounds for the Wolves in their final Teruel Rovira and German Maximilian legally challenged. nent in a first quarter (35) and first half (65). its first game since tweaking its roster at the NBA home game before the highly anticipated return Beyer, who took silver and bronze “They will make recommendations About the only glaring mistake the Cavs trade deadline. of franchise icon Kevin Garnett. respectively. that will be possible to implement,” said made was Kevin Love’s flubbed attempt at a Michael Carter-Williams, who was acquired Markieff Morris scored 31 points for the Suns, Australian Rebecca Wiasak claimed Cookson, who will pay attention to driving, two-handed dunk - the basketball hit from Philadelphia as part of a three-team deal who have lost six of seven to fall behind gold in the women’s individual pursuit those who may have refused to collabo- the front of the rim. All-Star point guard John that sent Brandon Knight to Phoenix, did not Oklahoma City in the race for the final Western Wall had 18 points and nine assists for play because of a sprained right big toe. Wilson Conference playoff spot. The Suns dressed only by beating American Jennifer Valente rate. Washington. Chandler led Denver with 19 points. 10 players after trading Goran Dragic, Isaiah with another Australian, Amy Cure, tak- “We can probably draw some conclu- Thomas and three others Thursday. ing the bronze ahead of defending sions from lack of contribution. “Equally RAPTORS 105, HAWKS 80 PISTONS 100, BULLS 91 champion Joanna Rowsell of Britain. we may well be in a position to take dis- Lou Williams made seven of 10 3-pointers Andre Drummond had 18 points and 20 MAGIC 95, PELICANS 84 With three gold medals, France top ciplinary action against people who are and scored 26 points and Toronto routed Atlanta rebounds to lead short-handed Detroit past Victor Oladipo scored 22 points, and Nik the medal table while Britain, who domi- named by more than one source as hav- in a matchup of the Eastern Conference’s top Chicago. Greg Monroe and Caron Butler each Vucevic had 18 points and 13 rebounds in nated the last Olympics in London, have ing done something that is against the teams. scored 20 points, and rookie point guard Orlando’s victory over New Orleans. Evan yet to win a title. Meanwhile, cycling regulations.” Armstrong was one of DeMar DeRozan added 21 points for Toronto. Spencer Dinwiddie set career highs with 12 Fournier added 16 points to help the Magic win should be ready to face an uncomfort- those who contributed. The Raptors outscored the Hawks 28-13 in the points and nine assists in his first NBA start. consecutive games for the first time since Jan. able truth when the sport’s Independent “Lance Armstrong always has an third quarter to open a 23-point lead. The Pistons dressed only 10 players, having 14. The Magic are 3-2 under interim coach James Reform Commission (CIRC) publishes its agenda and I don’t want to say any more Williams had four of Toronto’s 15 steals and traded four away Thursday to get Reggie Borrego. Tyreke Evans led New Orleans with 14 report in the coming weeks, said the until we see what he’s said to the com- the Raptors blocked nine shots. Atlanta still has a Jackson and Tayshaun Prince. Jackson was on points and 10 assists. Anthony Davis added 13 president of the governing body. “We’ve mission,” added Cookson. —Reuters 5 1/2-game lead over Toronto in the Eastern Detroit’s bench, cheering wildly, but didn’t get points and 11 rebounds in his return from a right Conference standings, but the Raptors won the clearance in time to play. Prince won’t arrive shoulder injury. season series 3-1. No other team has two wins until late yesterday. Jimmy Butler had 30 points over the Hawks. The Hawks have lost four of sev- for Chicago. JAZZ 92, TRAIL BLAZERS 76 en games following a team-record 19-game win- Gordon Hayward scored 20 points, and Trey ning streak. PACERS 106, 76ERS 95 Burke had 19 points off the bench to help Utah Rodney Stuckey scored a season-high 30 beat Portland. The Jazz used a 39-10 run over HEAT 111, KNICKS 87 points off the bench, C.J. Miles added 17 and the third and fourth quarters to take an 80-59 With Chris Bosh hospitalized in South Florida Indiana beat Philadelphia for its fifth victory in lead. Damian Lillard scored 19 points for for tests and Goran Dragic not yet available, six games. Portland. eight of nine Miami players scored in double fig- Stuckey shot 10 for 16 from the field and 8 for ures and the Heat beat New York. 8 from the free throw line, but his night came to NETS 114, LAKERS 105 Dwyane Wade scored 12 points after a seven- an early end when he landed awkwardly on his Joe Johnson scored 23 points and Brook game absence for a hamstring injury. Rookie left ankle with less than four minutes remaining. Lopez added 22 off the bench, leading the Shabazz Napier scored a season-high 18 points The eighth-year guard was grimacing in pain Brooklyn Nets to a victory over the skidding Los to lead the Heat, adding seven rebounds and six and had to be helped off the floor. Angeles Lakers. assists. Bosh was still getting tested to deter- Luc Mbah a Moute and Jerami Grant led the Deron Williams had 15 assists and 12 points mine the cause of his back and side pain. Coach 76ers with 16 points apiece. Nerlens Noel fin- in his first start since Dec. 19, helping the Nets Erik Spoelstra Spoelstra said it was premature to ished just shy of a triple-double with 12 points, end a three-game slide midway through their comment about the All-Star forward’s condition, nine rebounds and a career-high nine blocks. eight-game road trip. It was the first game back amid speculation that the concern was blood for both teams following the All-Star break. clots had worked their way from his legs to his MAVERICKS 111, ROCKETS 100 Thaddeus Young had eight points in 12 minutes lungs. Devin Harris scored 17 points, Al-Farouq off the bench in his Nets debut after Thursday’s The Heat traded four players Thursday in the Aminu set season highs with 17 points and 12 trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Minnesota - three-team deal that brought Dragic and his rebounds, and balanced Dallas held on to beat where the 2004 NBA MVP and 15-time All-Star brother, Zoran, from Phoenix. They were getting Houston. Rajon Rondo scored 13 points in his spent his first 12 seasons. —AP their physicals Friday and Spoelstra hopes they could be available Saturday at home against New Orleans. NBA results/standings

WARRIORS 110, SPURS 99 Orlando 95, New Orleans 84; Indiana 106, Philadelphia 95; Toronto 105, Atlanta 80; Detroit 100, Chicago 91; Miami 111, Stephen Curry had 25 points and 11 assists, NY Knicks 87; Minnesota 111, Phoenix 109; Cleveland 127, Washington 89; Dallas 111, Houston 100; Milwaukee 89, FRANCE: France’s Francois Pervis competes in the Men’s round of 32 Sprint finals at the Denver 81; Utah 92, Portland 76; Sacramento 109, Boston 101; Golden State 110, San Antonio 99; Brooklyn 114, LA UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, near Paris. —AFP Klay Thompson scored 20 and Golden State Warriors returned from the All-Star break to beat Lakers 105. San Antonio. Eastern Conference Western Conference Curry controlled the game the way he so Atlantic Division Northwest Division often has this season, burnishing his MVP cre- W L PCT GB Portland 36 18 .667 - Toronto 37 17 .685 - Tour of Oman dentials by leading Golden State to big runs at Oklahoma City 29 25 .537 7 Brooklyn 22 31 .415 14.5 Denver 20 34 .370 16 the end of the second and third quarters. Boston 20 32 .385 16 Utah 20 34 .370 16 The Warriors went ahead by 21 points enter- Philadelphia 12 42 .222 25 Minnesota 12 42 .222 24 ing the fourth, and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich NY Knicks 10 44 .185 27 Pacific Division stage scrapped Central Division rested his regulars the final 12 minutes. Aron Golden State 43 9 .827 - Chicago 34 21 .618 - LA Clippers 36 19 .655 8.5 Baynes had 12 points and 10 rebounds for San Cleveland 34 22 .607 0.5 OMAN: The fifth stage of the Tour of Oman felt safety was at risk in the sandstorms and Antonio. Milwaukee 31 23 .574 2.5 Phoenix 29 26 .527 15.5 Sacramento 19 34 .358 24.5 was called off yesterday because of a com- in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Detroit 22 33 .400 12 KINGS 109, CELTICS 101 Indiana 22 33 .400 12 LA Lakers 13 41 .241 31 bination of soaring temperatures and Celsius. The race will now end with today’s Southwest Division DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points and 15 Southeast Division strong winds, organisers said. sixth and final 133-km stage. Spaniard Atlanta 43 12 .782 - Memphis 39 14 .736 - Officials at first decided to shorten the Rafael Valls of the Lampre team is the over- rebounds, Rudy Gay scored 28 points and Washington 33 22 .600 10 Houston 36 18 .667 3.5 151-km stage from Al Sawadi Beach to the all leader ahead of American Tejay van Sacramento beat Boston to make new coach Miami 23 30 .434 19 Dallas 37 20 .649 4 Ministry of Housing. Riders then discussed Garderen (BMC) and Spain’s Alejandro George Karl a winner in his return to the NBA. Charlotte 22 30 .423 19.5 San Antonio 34 21 .618 6 the conditions with the organisers as they Valverde (Movistar).—Reuters The Kings overcame an early 16-point deficit Orlando 18 39 .316 26 New Orleans 27 27 .500 12.5 p16_Layout 1 2/21/15 9:54 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SPORTS

Winners of GulfRun 10 honored

BAHRAIN: GulfRun -Powered by Zain- winners in the presence of their spon- several records being broken in their over the years.” Sawan Co., MotoCare, ProTech, Bespoke hosted a ceremony to award the winners sors. respective classes.” Khaled Al-Fraih of GulfRun X is supported by a wide Automotive, Costa Coffee, and Seven of the 10th GulfRun Race that took place Ahmed Al-Mudhaf of GulfRun said: GulfRun added “GulfRunX marks our range of sponsors: Title sponsorship by Friday; Venue Sponsor: 360 mall; at the Bahrain International Circuit on “GulfRun X celebrates our 10th anniver- 20th overall event promoting safe auto- Zain Telecom, Platinum Sponsors: Participating Dealerships: A. R. Albisher & January 22nd and 23rd, 2015. At the cer- sary organizing motorsport events. The mobile racing in a professional environ- Hydrotek, Jashanmal, Algida and Z. Alkazemi, Fouad Alghanim & Sons emony held on January 31st, 2015, competition has evolved immensely, ment. We are proud to see how our par- Consolidated Contractors Company, Automotive and Ali Alghanim & Sons GulfRun trophies were presented to the with over 70 participants resulting in ticipants have developed tremendously Gold sponsorship by Slider Station, Al- Automotive.

FINAL RACE STANDING : Circuit Championship Street Class 1. F. Al-Mutawaah Nissan 350z 18 Points 2. A. Al-Fahad Mercedes C63 BlackSeries 16 Points 3. M. Al-Ghanim Audi RS6 15 Points Super Class 1. F. Al-Zaid KTM Xbow R 28 Points 2. O. Al-Ibrahim Mercedes SL63 26 Points 3. H. Al-Brhaim Porsche GT3RS 16 Points Unlimited Class 1. S. Haidar Porsche GT2 30 Points 2. A. Al-Otaibi KTM XBow RR 24 Points 3. F. Al-Zaid Lamborghini Huracan 11 Points

Quartermile Drag Competition Street Class 1. A. AlEssa Audi RS6 11.700 2. M. Al-Ghanim Audi RS6 11.747 3. A. Al-Sabah Audi S7 11.861 Super Class 1. T. Al-Musairie Audi R8-V10 12.316 2. A. Assad KTM XBow 12.592 3. O. Al-Ibrahim Mercedes SL63 12.832 Unlimited Class 1. H. Al-Jassim Nissan GTR 10.238 2. N. Al-Sabah Porsche Turbo 11.159 3. B. Al-Rayes Porsche Turbo 11.261

Autocross Competition 1. H. Thiyab Mitsubishi Evo IX 47.811 2. F. Al-Ameeri Toyota GT86 48.884 3. A. Assad KTM XBow 48.980 Fenninger wins giant slalom

MARIBOR: Austria’s recently-crowned world champion Anna Fenninger took full advantage of mishaps to local star Tina Maze and American great Lindsey Vonn to win yesterday’s World Cup giant slalom. Fenninger, 25, the defending overall World Cup champion, was fastest over both legs, beating world silver medallist Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany by seven hundredths of a second. Liechtenstein’s Tina Weirather was third, 0.3sec adrift of the winner. Fenninger’s victory saw her go top of the World Cup giant slalom standings in front of compatriot Eva-Maria Brem, who was only 10th on Saturday-and close the gap on Maze in the race for the overall title to 84 points. Over the first leg, Fenninger was half a second down on Olympic champion Rebensburg, who must have thought her win drought stretching back to December 2012 was about to LOS ANGELES: Retief Goosen of South Africa tees off on the second hole during the sec- come to an end. ond round of the Northern Trust Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. —AP However, Fenninger found the resources necessary to produce a stunning second half of the second leg to deny the German and record the 10th World Cup victory of her career. Goosen moves “I felt that the middle of my second leg run wasn’t good,” said Fenninger. “I benefited from a change of angle to adopt a new rhythm which one shot clear happily was rapid.” Maze and Vonn failed to finish the first leg in different manners. Maze, 31 and who returned PACIFIC PALISADES: South African veter- round going. “The rough is thick in home with two gold medals and a silver from an Retief Goosen, a twice former U.S. places. The greens are definitely becom- the world championships, lost control two gates Open winner, seized a one-shot lead at ing U.S. Open-style. They are getting from the finish. “I wanted to move up a gear,” the Northern Trust Open on Friday in firmer and quicker. Some of these holes, explained Maze. “In fact I thought I was home tough conditions more reminiscent of a if you get away with a par, it’s a good and dry but the turn was too tight.” Vonn fell major championship. On a firm and fast- score.” when she was on course to record the fastest running Riviera Country Club layout Goosen, a seven-times winner on the time. Maze has enjoyed huge success on the where most players struggled to get the PGA Tour who clinched the U.S. Open in Maribor slopes before, from her first podium fin- ball close with approach shots, Goosen 2001 and 2004, has not triumphed on the ish in 2002 to three race wins and three other MARIBOR: Austria’s Anna Fenninger competes during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup giant scrambled well as he eked out a one- circuit since the 2009 Transitions top three places. —AFP slalom event.—AP under-par 70 in the second round. Championship. The 46-year-old ended his day with an DeLaet, still hunting his first PGA Tour unexpected flourish, draining a 30-foot victory after being a runner-up on three birdie putt on his final hole, the par-four occasions, was delighted with his posi- ninth, to post a six-under total of 136. tion heading into the weekend at one of Ko retains share of lead That gave Goosen, who is seeking his his favourite venues. first PGA Tour victory since 2009, a slen- “I played well, I really putted well,” said der one-shot advantage over Americans the 33-year-old from Saskatchewan. “For MELBOURNE: Newly crowned world number after starting her day with a bogey on the first bonuses but that’s probably as good as it gets Ryan Moore (68) and Justin Thomas (69), the first two days, I haven’t been striking one Lydia Ko shot a one-under-par 72 yesterday hole. South Korea’s Amy Yang carded a 70 to be today.” and Canadian Graham DeLaet (67). Burly it quite as well as I expect of myself. But a to retain a share of the lead heading into the outright third, one shot behind the leading pair South Korea’s Jang Ha-na, who had started Argentine Angel Cabrera, like Goosen a hot putter will always keep you in there. final round of the women’s Australian Open, the at six-under while Juliette Granada of Paraguay the day level with Ko and Jutanugarn, fell four double major champion, was alone at “This is one of my favourite courses on third event on this year’s LPGA Tour. and Australia’s Katherine Kirk were a further two shots behind after a 76. Less than three weeks four under after carding a 68. tour and I’m right where I want to be.” The 17-year-old from New Zealand had three shots back. ago, Ko became the youngest golfer to hold top “I didn’t hit the ball as good as I hit it Masters champion Bubba Watson, who birdies and two bogeys to finish at seven-under Both shot rounds of 70 with Granada reeling spot in the world rankings when she tied for sec- yesterday definitely,” Goosen, who has won last year’s Northern Trust Open, was on a hot and humid day at Royal Melbourne. off four birdies in her last 11 holes after making a ond place at the LPGA’s season-opening event in been struggling for full fitness since hav- three strokes off the pace after carding a ing back surgery in August 2012 to repair 69. “You hit in on to the green and you have this double bogey on the par-three fifth and Kirk Florida. a damaged disc, told reporters. The cut fell at three-over 145 with for- humongous break,” Ko told reporters. “It’s tough making five bogeys in six holes on the back nine. Tiger Woods had previously held the record “Today was a little bit of scrambling mer world number ones Ernie Els, Fred in every aspect ... it does feel like a major.” “I’m very happy with it because it’s not easy when he reached number one in 1997 at 21, with everything really but I got it up and Couples and Luke Donald among those Ko finished the round tied with another teen, to make birdies out there and I made six,” Kirk while Shin Ji-yai held the women’s record after down quite a few times, and that kept the failing to advance. —Reuters Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, who also shot 72 said. “I made two long putts and they’re just reaching top spot in 2010 aged 22. —Reuters p17 2.e$S_Layout 1 2/21/15 10:01 PM Page 1

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SPORTS Nadal survives to reach Rio semis

RIO DE JANEIRO: Claycourt king Rafael Nadal battled into the early hours as he reached the semi-finals of the Rio Open after beating Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas yesterday. Nadal, who will bid this season for a tenth Roland Garros crown, came through 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 in two hours and six minutes, after Cuevas was fastest out of the blocks in a contest lasting until 3:20 am (0520 GMT). The late finish infuriated the world number three and defending champion, who complained of having to start a match at just after 1:00 am. “I know it is not the fault of the tournament. It is the fault of the ATP wanting to change a match over (to a different court). “If it were a Grand Slam where you get a day and a half (between matches), then okay,” Nadal said afterwards, reflecting that he would have to be back in action again Saturday evening. “I am going to go off to bed and we’ll see if I have recovered” for a meeting with Italian world number 28 Fabio Fognini. Fognini had kept Nadal waiting to enter the center court fray as he beat Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-4, 6-7 (10/12), 7-6 (11/9) in a three- hour marathon. Nadal had seen off fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta and Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci to set up his meeting with Cuevas, but the Mallorcan’s ring rustiness showed as he conceded the opening set in 44 minutes. After trading early breaks, Cuevas broke in the ninth game and although the challenger spurned a triple set point he closed out the fourth opportunity on 44 minutes. Cuevas sent down six aces but fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Nadal’s wiliness and sheer doggedness reeled him in. Having leveled the contest Nadal wrapped matters up in taking the decider in just 25 minutes. Also advancing was second seeded Spaniard David Ferrer who battled past Argentine Juan Monaco 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in just over two hours on NEWARK: Michal Neuvirth No. 34 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save in this file court at the Jockey Club in hot sunshine. photo. —AFP With temperatures hitting 42 degrees C (108 degrees F), both men made errors before Ferrer finally managed to find top gear as he gradually Rangers see off Sabres wore Monaco down, moving him around the court. BUFFALO: Rick Nash had a goal and Versteeg scored for Chicago. The ninth-ranked Spaniard broke Monaco twice and pocketed the opening set with an ace assist, and Mackenzie Skapski stopped and the Argentine looked out for the count after 24 shots in his NHL debut in the New WILD 4, OILERS 0 dropping serve again at the outset in the sec- York Rangers’ 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Devan Dubnyk stopped all 15 shots ond. Sabres on Friday night. he faced for his sixth shutout of the sea- But the 30-year-old Monaco broke back in the Carl Hagelin, on a breakaway, and son, leading Minnesota past Edmonton. sixth game as he leveled the contest. Mats Zuccarello also scored for New York. The former Oilers goalie now has five That was as good as it got, however, for the The Rangers improved to 8-1-2 in their shutouts in 16 games for Minnesota South American veteran as Ferrer upped his past 11, beat Buffalo for the sixth straight since being acquired in a trade with game thereafter and finished his rival off with a time, and extended their road winning Arizona on Jan. 14. He improved to 5-0 huge serve. streak to a season-best five straight. this season against Edmonton. Ferrer will now face Andreas Haider-Maurer in Skapski gave up a goal on the first shot Justin Fontaine had two goals, and late yesterday’s semis after Haider-Maurer’s 7-6 BRAZIL: Rafael Nadal of Spain, serves to Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay at the quarter-finals of the he faced 14 seconds in, when Matt Nino Niederreiter and Jordan Schroeder (7/4) 1-6, 6-4 win over Brazil’s Joao Souza. —AFP Rio Open tennis tournament in Rio de Janeiro. —AP Moulson converted Torrey Mitchell’s pass also scored for the Wild. They are 10-1-1 into the slot off a faceoff to the right of in their last 12 games. the New York net. Skapski got the nod in place of Cam Talbot, who has gone 5-1-2 DUCKS 6, FLAMES 3 in eight starts since Henrik Lundqvist was Ryan Getzlaf scored a fluke tiebreak- More delight for Halep in Dubai sidelined by a neck injury. ing goal midway through the third period to key Anaheim’s five-goal outburst in DUBAI: Simona Halep, the top-seeded BLUES 5, BRUINS 1 the final 14 minutes. Romanian who looked in danger of a semi-final Vladimir Tarasenko became the Getzlaf’s slap shot from the blue line exit, prodiced a marvellous recovery to reach the youngest St. Louis player to score 30 went over the net and caromed back off final of the Dubai Open, coming from a set down goals in 23 years, getting the last two the end boards, deflecting in off the back to overcome Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki. Halep struck the ball with increasing flair and scores in the Blues’ victory over Bruins. leg of Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller at 8:53 vigour against an opponent who won the title Tarasenko’s 30th of the season capped of the third to put Anaheim up 3-2. and played five semi-finals here, and once she the four-goal second and he got his 31st Francois Beauchemin had tied the score had found her rhythm and timing she proved midway through the third. At 23 years, 65 less than 3 minutes earlier. unstoppable as she accelerated to an impressive days, he’s the team’s youngest 30-goal Andrew Cogliano got the Ducks on 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 win. scorer since Brendan Shanahan got his the scoreboard in the second period, and Former world number one Wozniacki, 30th at 23 years, 63 days in 1991-92. Kyle Palmieri, Jakob Silferberg and responded positively to the stream of fine Petteri Lindbohm, Alex Pietrangelo Hampus Lindholm also scored in the ground strokes which increasingly penetrated and T.J. Oshie scored on the Blues’ first third. John Gibson finished with 25 saves. her mobile defences, trying to take the attack to three shots of the second to chase rookie Matt Stajan, Lance Bouma and Sean her gifted opponent in the final set, and creating goalie Malcolm Subban and cancel Monahan scored for the Flames. some fine rallies. Tuukka Rask’s scheduled night off. But she only briefly seemed likely to stem the Brad Marchand scored for Boston, DEVILS 4, CANUCKS 2 flow against her, when she had Halep 15-40 which lost its sixth in a row and played Mike Cammalleri scored twice in New down in the fifth game. Once the favorite had most of the final two periods without Jersey’s victory over Vancouver. Jordin escaped from that, she hit the ball better, egged David Krejci (lower body). Tootoo and Patrik Elias also scored, on by a surprisingly large and noisy band of sup- defenseman Adam Larsson had three porters AVALANCHE 4, BLACKHAWKS 1 assists and Cory Schneider had 21 saves Wozniacki had struggled hard with a virus all Tyson Barrie had two goals and an against his former teammates to give New week, and probably exceeded expectations in assist, Gabriel Landeskog scored for Jersey points in 12 of its last 14 games (9- surviving so long, later explaining that the “air of the balloon just kind of went off.” the fifth straight game, and Colorado 2-3) at the Prudential Center. Zack Kassian Halep by contrast improved day by day, beat Chicago. Colorado used a pair of scored twice for the Canucks. something bolstered by another tenacious costly interference penalties on recovery, against Ekaterina Makarova, the Chicago to win for just the third time HURRICANES 2, MAPLE LEAFS 1 Russian who was serving for the match against in its last eight games. Brad Stuart Eric Staal had a goal and an assist and her yesterday. added his second goal of the season Carolina beat Toronto to sweep the “At the beginning of the tournament it was a when goaltender Corey Crawford bad- three-game season series. Jordan Staal little bit tough for me, because I came from Fed ly misplayed his dump in from center had the other goal for the Hurricanes. Cup, and there it was a bad week for me,” Halep ice, punctuating a frustrating per- Carolina goalie Cam Ward, playing in his said. formance for the Blackhawks. Semyon 499th NHL game - all for the Hurricanes - “But coming here I had two, three days relax- Varlamov had 27 saves for Colorado, had 23 saves. Brandon Kozun had his ing just and hitting the ball and I found my and Landeskog also had an assist. Kris first NHL goal for the Maple Leafs.—AP rhythm, found my game. Now I’m really happy that I play again a final this year,” she added, apparently a reference to her capture of last NHL results/standings year’s title in Doha, a little further west along the Gulf coast. NY Rangers 3, Buffalo 1; New Jersey 4, Vancouver 2; Carolina 2, Toronto 1; St. Louis 5, Boston 1; She will face a very different type of oppo- Colorado 4, Chicago 1; Anaheim 6, Calgary 3; Minnesota 4, Edmonton 0. nent in Saturday’s final. Instead of the athletic Wozniacki she plays Karolina Pliskova, the tall, Western Conference Tampa Bay 36 18 6 195 160 78 steep-serving 22-year-old from Prague who last Pacific Division Detroit 32 14 10 163 143 74 month became the youngest player currently in WLOTLGFGAPTS Boston 28 21 9 151 154 65 the top 20, and who reached the biggest final of Anaheim 36 16 7 176 167 79 Florida 26 19 12 141 157 64 Vancouver 33 22 3 165 155 69 her career so far with her third outstanding win. Ottawa 23 23 10 159 160 56 Calgary 32 23 4 171 156 68 Having already ousted two seeded players Toronto 23 31 5 163 180 51 San Jose 30 22 8 170 172 68 Pliskova followed it with a nerve-shredding 6-4, Los Angeles27 18 12 159 151 66 Buffalo 17 38 4 109 200 38 5-7, 7-5 victory over Garbine Muguruza, an ele- Arizona 20 31 7 131 194 47 Metropolitan Division gantly gifted 21-year-old from Barcelona, Edmonton 17 33 10 139 203 44 NY Islanders39 19 1 193 165 79 snatching a memorable victory just as her DUBAI: Simona Halep of Romania returns the ball to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during a Central Division NY Rangers 35 16 6 181 142 76 chances seemed to be fading. semi final match of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. —AP Nashville 39 13 6 177 137 84 Washington32 17 10 176 147 74 Pliskova always had the more dangerous the match out at 6-5. options in a tricky wind. But Pliskova has sur- St. Louis 38 16 4 184 142 80 Pittsburgh 32 17 9 163 146 73 serve, and her 13 aces extended her year’s total But Pliskova was prepared to gamble on hit- prised many people including herself. The Czech Chicago 35 19 5 175 138 75 Philadelphia24 23 11 155 170 59 Winnipeg 30 20 10 166 162 70 to 145, the most on the WTA Tour so far this year. ting flat and hard, something which paid off as had arrived so tired at the start of the week she Columbus 26 27 3 149 173 55 Minnesota 30 21 7 162 154 67 But there were phases near the end when it she clawed back four points in a row, and six out even wondered whether she might have to New Jersey 23 26 9 130 157 55 Dallas 27 23 8 181 185 62 seemed that might not be enough. She had to of seven, to close the match out. withdraw. Colorado 25 23 11 154 166 61 Carolina 21 29 7 129 155 49 save two break points at 3-4 in the final set, The outcome went against the trend in the “I was just thinking, okay, I will just go on the Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point holding serve with the help of a video review second half of the final set when Muguruza, who court, try, and maybe I will lose, but I will not be Atlantic Division in the standings and are not included in the loss which showed she had landed another ace, and had beaten three seeds herself, possessed the mad at all,” she said. “But then I won - and I’m Montreal 37 16 5 154 130 79 column (L). slipped to love-40 when she was trying to close more supple and flexible game, giving her more still winning.”—AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

West Indies rout Pakistan

CHRISTCHURCH: A revitalised West Indies cashed in on a sensational Pakistan batting collapse to notch their first victory of the World Cup by 150 runs at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday. The Caribbean cricketers scored 310-6, with 115 runs coming in a swashbuckling final 10 overs involving Lendl Simmons, Andre Russell and Darren Sammy. Pakistan in reply crumbled to their second straight defeat when they were all out for 160, failing to recover after the top four wickets fell in the first four overs for just one run, the worst start in one-day international history. The West Indies, meanwhile, blocked out memories of their shock first up loss to Ireland as six batsmen posted scores of 30 or more. SCOREBOARD Denesh Ramdin top scored with 51, Simmons added 50 to go with his first match century, CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand: Complete scoreboard in the World Cup Pool B match between Pakistan Darren Bravo scored 49, Russell smashed 42 off and the West Indies at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday: 17 balls while Marlon Samuels and Sammy chimed in with 38 and 30 respectively. Bravo was West Indies Ahmed Shehzad c Simmons b Holder 1 unfortunate not to reach what would have been D. Smith c Haris Sohail b Sohail Khan 23 Younis Khan c Ramdin b Taylor 0 his 17th ODI half-century when he was forced to CHRISTCHURCH: West Indies batsman Andre Russell falls to the ground as he plays a shot from C. Gayle c Riaz b Irfan 4 Haris Sohail c sub (Carter) b Taylor 0 the Pakistan bowling during their 2015 Cricket World Cup Group B match. —AFP D. Bravo rtd hurt 49 Misbah-ul-Haq c Gayle b Russell 7 retire hurt with a pulled hamstring. M. Samuels c sub (Yasir Shah) b Haris Sohail 38 Sohaib Maqsood c Benn b Sammy 50 It was the second time he required medical D. Ramdin c sub (Yasir Shah) b Haris Sohail 51 Umar Akmal c Smith b Russell 59 treatment after being dazed earlier in the reputation has averaged a mere 14.42 over 19 World Cup defeat at the hands of the West L. Simmons run out (UmarAkmal) 50 Shahid Afridi c Holder b Benn 28 innings when a powerful throw from Younis innings in the 20 months since his last century. Indies. D. Sammy c Afridi b Riaz 30 Wahab Riaz c Ramdin b Russell 3 Khan hit him on the side of the helmet as he Irfan was guilty of a dropped catch when he Residents of the city organised a symbolic A. Russell not out 42 Sohail Khan c Ramdin b Benn 1 scrambled through for a single. Pakistan’s reply gave Simmons a life on 45 while Shahid Afridi funeral procession, replete with a coffin with Extras (b2, lb6, w14, nb1) 23 Mohammad Irfan not out 2 was in trouble when two wicket fell in their first spilled Bravo on 46 and Samuels on 29. On a several cricket bats placed over it, directing their Total (6 wkts, 50 overs) 310 Extras (lb3, w5, nb1) 9 over. gloomy day for Pakistan, Jamshed played little anger at the Pakistani national team after a poor Did not bat: J Holder, J Taylor, S Benn Total (all out, 39 overs) 160 At four down it was serious and at five for 25 part. start to the tournament that has also seen it Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Gayle), 2-28 (Smith), 3-103 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Jamshed), 2-1 (Younis), 3-1 He left the field after dropping Smith in the defeated by arch-rivals India. (Samuels), 3-152 (Bravo retired hurt), 4-194 (Haris Sohail), 4-1 (Ahmed Shehzad), 5-25 in the 11th it was all but over. When the rout was (Ramdin), 5-259 (Sammy), 6-310 (Simmons) (Misbah), 6-105 (Sohaib Maqsood), 7-139 (Umar complete, Jerome Taylor had figures of three for fifth over and took no further part in the West “This time we were really hoping for Pakistan Bowling: Irfan 10-0-44-1 (1w); Sohail Khan 10-1-73- Akmal), 8-155 (Riaz), 9-157 (Afridi), 10-160 (Sohail 15 and Russell three for 33. Indies innings although he was seen getting to win,” Shama Bibi, one of those taking part, 1 (1nb); Afridi 10-0-48-0 (1w); Haris Sohail 9-0-62-2; Khan) Taylor, Russell and captain Jason Holder had additional batting practice in the nets. told AFP. “We don’t want to watch this anymore.” Riaz 10-0-67-1 (4w); Sohaib Maqsood 1-0-8-0. Bowling: Taylor 7-1-15-3 (2w); Holder 7-2-23-1 steamed in with an aggression that had been But that was to no avail. He was gone without Another demonstrator who gave her name only (1w); Russell 8-2-33-3 (2w); Sammy 8-0-47-1; Benn absent from the West Indies armoury of late. scoring when he lobbed the second ball from as Rafia blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board for Pakistan 9-0-39-2 (1nb); Result: West Indies won by 150 Back-to-back defeats to India and West Indies Taylor to Russell at short midwicket. Taylor fin- what she said were poor selections and politici- Nasir Jamshed c Russell b Taylor 0 runs. have left Pakistan at the bottom of Pool B while ished off the opening over with Younis Khan sation of the game. Cricket fans elsewhere in the the West Indies chances of making the top four caught behind for a duck and in his next over country, meanwhile, staged their own protests to qualify for they play-offs improved consider- dismissed Haris Sohail to have the impressive to show their frustration with the national side. World Cup results and standings ably. While the West Indies batting showed sub- figures of two overs, three wickets and one run. Chasing the West Indies’s first innings total of stance lacking in their recent matches, they were Holder bagged his first wicket of the tourna- 310 runs, Pakistan gave up its first four wickets Pool A assisted by Pakistan having a miserable day in ment when he had Ahmed Shahzad caught in for just one run-the worst start in one-day inter- the gully for one in his first over. national history-before eventually losing by 150 At Brisbane the field compounded by four dropped catches. Dwayne Smith, on 12, was dropped by Nasir runs. Australia v Bangladesh - no result, rain Jamshed off Mohammad Irfan although Irfan MOCK FUNERAL Pakistan, winners of the 1992 World Cup, now was immediately compensated with his next Pakistani cricket fans in the southeastern city sit at the bottom of Pool B and will resume their Pool B delivery which removed Chris Gayle for four. of Multan held a mock funeral for their national faltering campaign against Zimbabwe in At Christchurch The West Indies icon with the “master-blaster” cricket team yesterday after a record-shattering Brisbane on March 1.—AFP West Indies 310-6 (Denesh Ramdin 51, Lendl Simmons 50) v Pakistan 150 all out (Umar Akmal 59, Sohaib Maqsood 50) West Indies won by 150 runs Sri Lanka get chance to find Played won ost tied N/R points run rate Pool A New Zealand 3 3 0 0 0 6 +3.586 form against Afghanistan Australia 2 1 0 0 1 3 +2.220 Bangladesh 2 1 0 0 1 3 +2.100 DUNEDIN: Sri Lanka get the chance to atone for their first up Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.960 loss to New Zealand in the World Cup when they play tourna- Afghanistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -2.100 ment novices Afghanistan in Dunedin today. Scotland 1 0 1 0 0 0 -3.039 It is a game the Sri Lankans-particularly bowling spear- England 2 0 2 0 0 0 -3.952 head Lasith Malinga-need to start feeling comfortable in the battle to sort out the pecking order of the top four in Pool A. Pool B With Australia and New Zealand likely to contest the top India 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.520 two play-off berths, and rankings suggest Sri Lanka are against England for the third and fourth places in a group West Indies 2 1 1 0 0 2 +1.267 that also includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Scotland. South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.240 But Ireland have already proven in Pool B that upsets are Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 2 +0.618 possible with their win over the West Indies, reinforcing for Zimbabwe 2 1 1 0 0 2 -0.495 Sri Lanka that they cannot afford to under-estimate UAE 1 0 1 0 0 0 -0.258 Afghanistan. Pakistan 2 0 2 0 0 0 -2.260 Sri Lanka have had an eight-day break to reflect on their 98-run loss to New Zealand where Malinga had a nightmare return to action after a six-month injury lay off. Unable to find a consistent line and length, he was belted Zimbabwe performance all around Hagley Oval in Christchurch and returned his second worst ODI figures of none for 84 off 10 overs. “We believe he’ll come back strongly in the next few raises hope of progress matches,” Sri Lanka batsman Lahiru Thirimanne said. A bigger concern was the batting collapse-nine wickets fell for 109 — NEW ZEALAND: Almost two decades They’re just looking for more of what and sloppy fielding with Thirimanne estimating they gifted have passed since the glory days of they need to perform.” New Zealand and extra 20-30 runs. Zimbabwe cricket and while the current Only Thirimanne (65) and captain Angleo Mathews (46) crop of players lack the class of their BELATED DEBUT showed confidence at the crease. predecessors, a promising start to their For Zimbabwe to have any hope of The big three-Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene World Cup campaign will raise hopes of advancing from the pool phase, key con- and Tillakaratne Dilshan-lacked conviction and will relish the a quarter-final berth. tributions were needed from experi- opportunity to play themselves in against a less hostile Zimbabwe struggled after being enced batsmen Brendan Taylor, attack. granted test status in 1992 but had Hamilton Masakadza and Craig Ervine as Cup debutants Afghanistan have had only a four-day turn- emerged as a force by the end of the well as all-rounder Sean Williams and around and a flight from Australia since suffering a steep 105- decade with batsmen Grant and Andy skipper Elton Chigumbura. run loss to Bangladesh first up in Canberra. Flower, David Houghton and all- All have played a part so far as the Their reply to Bangladesh’s 267 started disastrously when rounders Heath Streak, Paul Strang and Zimbabweans pushed South Africa hard they were three for three after three overs and ended in the 43rd over, although coach Andy Moles refused to accept it Andy Blignaut driving them forward. before succumbing to a late collapse but was a true reflection of his side’s ability. He was disappointed In one-day cricket, the high point followed that up with an accomplished that his side put in a commendable effort for 35 overs before came with a fifth-place finish at the 1999 chase of a challenging total against UAE concentration levels began to drop. World Cup, missing out on a semi-final in their second match. Masakadza, mak- “Sri Lanka will be a step up, but I think my biggest mes- berth due to an inferior run rate, before ing his World Cup debut almost 14 years sage is you haven’t seen Afghanistan play yet,” Moles said. the early stages of decline set in at the after his first test as a 17-year-old, scored “The issue with associate cricket is at times it’s inconsistency. turn of the millennium. The politicisation a blistering 80 against the Proteas, while When we’re good, we’re very good. “Hopefully come Sri of the sport, including selection policy, Taylor and Ervine shone in key partner- Lanka, they’ll do better. It’s like a teacher with children; we hampered the side’s progress and an ships with Williams (76 not out) as have to educate them every day to get better, and you have exodus of leading players along with a Zimbabwe overhauled UAE with two good days and you have bad days.” If Afghanistan need any suspension of test matches sent the overs to spare. inspiration they only have to look at Sri Lanka’s emergence team into a downward spiral that it is The turnaround in form does not on the world stage. In their first World Cup game, at Old still struggling to arrest. come as a surprise to Chigumbura, who Trafford in 1975, they were all out for 86 in the 38th over Currently 10th in the ODI rankings, felt the conditions in the disappointing against eventual tournament winners the West Indies who Zimbabwe slumped to a 5-0 defeat in a tour of Bangladesh did not suit a side he only took 21 overs to seal a nine-wicket win. Two decades later Sri Lanka were the world champions, beating Australia by one-day series in Bangladesh towards knew were set up to play better New CANBERRA: Afghanistan’s Nawroz Mangal plays at the ball in this file photo. —AP the end of last year and arrived for the Zealand and Australian pitches. seven wickets in the 1996 final at Lahore. —AFP tournament being co-hosted by New “They are good wickets here. They Zealand and Australia short of form and don’t turn much. Our focus since we victories. came here, we have been playing good However, the appointment of 1996 cricket, so we just need to carry on the Akhtar: Misbah a ‘coward’ captain World Cup-winning coach Dav way we are doing and try and forget Whatmore and a morale-boosting about the negative that happened in KARACHI: Former paceman Shoaib Akhtar internationals. management he should be rested. Our fielding warm-up win over Sri Lanka lifted spirits Bangladesh,” he said. labelled captain Misbah-ul-Haq “a coward” and “a Misbah, 40, has been a successful test captain has also been a joke but we need just one good selfish player” after Pakistan were crushed by since taking charge in 2010 and has also led the match to get back on the winning track.” within the camp and the positive Zimbabwe will go into their next 150 runs by West Indies in the World Cup yester- one-day squad since 2011. He batted at number Another former captain Mohammad Yousuf match against a ragged West Indies side momentum was carried forward to their day. “I have not seen a more coward and selfish five against West Indies in Christchurch on called for wholesale changes to be made after opening two fixtures. full of confidence and a victory in that captain than Misbah,” the 39-year-old Akhtar Saturday but made only seven as Pakistan were the World Cup. “The problems ailing our cricket “I got a sense of genuineness to turn fixture will set up a March 7 showdown told the Geo News TV channel. “He is not willing bowled out for 160 to slump to their second will not go away unless we produce better bats- things around, especially from the play- against an in-form Ireland with a likely to bat up the order to protect the other players straight defeat in the competition. Former test men and the management is reshuffled,” Yousuf ers,” Whatmore, who guided Sri Lanka to quarter-final berth on offer to the win- at a time when he needs to show inspiration. captain Ramiz Raja also believes it is time for said. victory 19 years ago, said prior to the ners. “We need to take this momentum “He is happy with his own runs and I don’t senior batsman Younus Khan to step down after Former test spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was also tournament. into the game against the West Indies,” know what coach Waqar Younis wants. He has failing in the opening two World Cup matches. scathing in his criticism. “We went to pieces “I am always an optimist but I am Chigumbura said. “Hopefully we can pol- no game plan or direction for the team,” added “I beg of Younus. Thank you for your services against a West Indies side hit by internal issues going in with my eyes wide open. They ish up our fielding and have a good the man known as the Rawalpindi Express, who to Pakistan cricket but please leave this ODI side so what can we expect from this team in the can play and they are tough enough. game in all departments.” —Reuters won 46 test caps and played in 163 one-day now,” said Ramiz. “I think Younus should tell the remaining games?,” said Saqlain.—Reuters SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SPORTS Stoke snatch late win

attacking line-up featuring Gabriel Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke and Sinclair. Aston Villa 1 Villa seemed energised by Sherwood’s presence and took the lead in the 20th minute when Fabian Delph’s cross picked out Sinclair, who rose to glance a header Stoke 2 into the top corner for his first Premier League goal since August 2012. It was a second goal in successive appearances for Sinclair, signed on loan BIRMINGHAM: Tim Sherwood’s reign as from Manchester City by the much- Aston Villa manager started in painful fash- maligned Lambert, after he also netted in ion as Stoke City snatched a late 2-1 win at the Cup win over Leicester and his latest Villa Park yesterday. effort prompted a fist-jumping jig of Sherwood was in charge for the first delight from Sherwood on the touchline. time following his appointment as succes- But Mark Hughes was furious after sor to the sacked Paul Lambert, but the for- Stoke’s FA Cup fifth-round thrashing at sec- mer Tottenham Hotspur boss was unable ond-tier Blackburn Rovers last weekend to spark an immediate improvement in his and his players mounted a strong response struggling team’s fortunes. to get back in favour with their manager. The hosts had taken the lead through Moses tested Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan Scott Sinclair’s first-half goal, but Mame Diouf equalised just before the break and with a stinging drive and their pressure was Victor Moses ensured Sherwood’s debut rewarded when Senegal forward Diouf would end in frustration when he convert- equalised on the stroke of half-time with a ed a penalty three minutes into stoppage powerful header from Stephen Ireland’s time after Villa defender Ron Vlaar was sent cross. off. Sinclair’s goal had been Villa’s only shot The dispiriting defeat dropped Villa to on target in the first half and Sherwood second bottom of the Premier League and didn’t take long to make a change after a left them without a win in 11 league games lethargic start to the second period. after a woeful run of six successive defeats. Austrian forward Andreas Weimann was Sherwood’s decision to head down from sent on to replace Carles Gil, but it was the stands and deliver a half-time team- Stoke who won in dramatic fashion. Vlaar’s talk, even though he hadn’t officially taken poor touch allowed Moses to steal the ball charge at the time, had inspired an FA Cup and burst into the area, where he was LONDON: Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (right) dribbles past Burnley’s Scott Arfield, during an English Premier League soccer match at the Stamford fifth-round win over Leicester City last hacked down by the Villa defender. That Bridge ground. —AP weekend. He was greeted warmly by the brought a red card for Vlaar and Nigerian Villa faithful as he took his seat on the winger Moses added insult to injury as he bench before kick-off after naming an slotted home the spot-kick.—AFP Miserable week for Chelsea

some of the club’s supporters, who were chanti- only for it to strike Michael Kightly’s hand. The Barca slump to ng a racist song. Burnley midfielder seemed to have his arm Chelsea 1 Both captain John Terry and chairman Bruce stretched out, but Atkinson allowed play to con- Buck asserted the club’s commitment to anti- tinue. Towards the end of the half, then, Costa stunning defeat racism campaigns in their programme notes and surged into the box but was pushed by Michael some Chelsea fans also produced banners Keane. Burnley 1 denouncing racism. Costa probably didn’t help his case by going MADRID: Barcelona’s La Liga title hopes were before the Cameroonian denied Gerard Pique But their attempt to move on was complicat- down easily, although there was a definite shove dealt a huge blow as Malaga stunned the in stoppage time. —AFP ed by reports that police are investigating com- from the defender. The second half continued in Camp Nou with a 1-0 win yesterday. Juanmi plaints that Chelsea supporters were involved in much the same vein, with Chelsea in total con- grabbed the only goal of the game after just LONDON: After a week of controversy off the more racist chanting on their return from the trol, and also having more claims for penalties. seven minutes when he pounced on an error Matches on TV pitch, there was an afternoon of rancour on it at Paris Saint Germain match at St Pancras train sta- Within minutes of the resumption, Filipe Luis by Dani Alves. Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic tion. burst into the box, only to be felled by Kieran Thereafter, the hosts failed to breakdown (Local Timings) was sent off in the Premier League leaders’ 1-1 For 90 minutes at least, Chelsea could focus Trippier. Again, Atkinson shook his head. Chelsea a well-organised Malaga defence, which also draw against Burnley yesterday. on football and Juan Cuadrado offered the first almost made it 2-0 from the resulting corner but frustrated the Catalans in a 0-0 draw earlier in English Premier League Branislav Ivanovic had given Chelsea a first- threat with a looping header that Tom Heaton Ivanovic couldn’t quite get a good enough the season. Tottenham v West Ham 15:00 half lead, but Matic was sent off after the interval tipped over the bar. touch on Costa’s header. beIN SPORTS 1 HD Defeat leaves Barca still a point adrift of and struggling Burnley took advantage to Cuadrado was also instrumental to the home Cuadrado was having a hugely productive Real Madrid at the top of the table, but the beIN SPORTS 11 HD Everton v Leicester 17:05 snatch a shock point thanks to Ben Mee’s header side taking the lead after 14 minutes, even if game and almost scored his first goal. He slid in European champions can extend that advan- beIN SPORTS 1 HD nine minutes from full-time. Ivanovic’s goal was all about Eden Hazard’s sub- for a Hazard cross, only for Mee to just about tage to four points when they travel to Elche beIN SPORTS 11 HD Blues boss Jose Mourinho may feel his side lime assist. divert the ball away. But in the 70th minute on Sunday. Southampton v Liverpool 19:15 were hard done by as they had three penalty Having lost the ball near the by-line, Matic was sent off for serious foul play and after “We’re used to these kind of games. I’d like beIN SPORTS 1 HD appeals turned down by referee Martin Cuadrado did well to win it back, before feeding the midfielder challenged Barnes, who some- it to be an accident but it is becoming habit, beIN SPORTS 11 HD Atkinson, while Matic’s dismissal for retaliation the Belgian. Hazard then danced through the what dangerously left his foot up, catching Matic the opposition close up and we can’t find a was sparked by a nasty tackle from Ashley Burnley defence, beating two players, and on the shin. Spanish League way through,” lamented Barca boss Luis Barnes. squared for Ivanovic, who finished from close The Serbian reacted furiously, confronting Enrique. Deportivo v Celta 0:00 beIN SPORTS 6 HD It was a depressing end to a troubled few range for his sixth goal of the season. Barnes, shoving him to the ground, and “These kind of results are sometimes a beIN SPORTS 14 HD days for Chelsea, who could see their lead at the Atkinson immediately showed the red card. good reminder that other sides have their beIN SPORTS 2 HD top reduced to five points if Manchester City PENALTY CLAIMS It was at that point the game turned, and qualities. You could consider this a deserved Sociedad v Sevilla 14:00 beat Newcastle later yesterday. Chelsea could have been much further ahead Burnley scored a shock equalizer in the 81st defeat.” It is the second time this season Barca beIN SPORTS 2 HD The club’s pre-scheduled “game of equality” by half-time, as Burnley offered virtually no minute when Mee got above the Chelsea back have been shocked at home after a 1-0 beIN SPORTS 14 HD came in the aftermath of the shocking incident threat of their own, but Atkinson waved away line to head home a corner, leaving the home reverse to Celta Vigo in November. Bilbao v Rayo 19:00 on the Paris Metro on Tuesday in which a black two penalty claims. crowd to vent their frustration by booing beIN SPORTS 2 HD However, defeat was all the more of a sur- man was blocked from getting on a train by For the first, Ivanovic powered a shot at goal, Atkinson.—AFP prise as Barca came into the game in fine beIN SPORTS 12 HD Villarreal v SD Eibar 21:00 form having won their last 11 games in all beIN SPORTS 6 HD competitions, scoring 42 goals in the process. beIN SPORTS 14 HD Sunderland rue Their star front three of Lionel Messi, beIN SPORTS 2 HD Neymar and Luis Suarez were kept remark- Elche v Real Madrid 23:00 ably quiet as Malaga became the first side beIN SPORTS 2 HD missed chances since Getafe in 2007/08 to keep Barca score- beIN SPORTS 11 HD in Albion draw less over two games in La Liga. beIN SPORTS 14 HD “They scored and shut up shop. They let us Italian Calcio League SUNDERLAND: use the ball out wide and we tried, but the AC Milan v AC Cesena 17:00 Sunderland final ball wasn’t there and we didn’t create beIN SPORTS 3 HD squandered Sunderland 0 clear-cut chances,” added midfielder Sergio Lazio v Citta 17:00 an opportuni- Busquets. beIN SPORTS 2 HD ty to ease The opener arrived thanks to a huge Verona v AS Roma 17:00 their Premier defensive error as Alves under-hit a backpass beIN SPORTS 10 HD League rele- West Brom 0 to Claudio Bravo and Juanmi nipped in to slot beIN SPORTS 14 HD gation fears home. Barca nearly replied immediately as a beIN SPORTS 2 HD Fiorentina v Torino 22:45 after failing to corner fell to Rafinha Alcantara and his fierce beIN SPORTS 3 HD convert their drive was blocked on his own goal-line by chances in a Weligton. German Bundesliga dour 0-0 home draw with West Bromwich Malaga could even have been further Hamburger v Monchengladbach 17:30 Albion yesterday. ahead at the break, though, had Ricardo beIN SPORTS 4 HD The home side twice felt aggrieved by the Horta made a better contact on two occa- Wolfsburg v Hertha 19:30 officials’ decisions, firstly when West Brom’s sions when he was unmarked inside the Barca beIN SPORTS 4 HD Joleon Lescott was shown only a yellow card area. Messi nearly unlocked the Malaga French League for fouling Danny Graham and then when defence with a lovely in-swinging cross that Guingamp v Montpellier 16:00 Adam Johnson had a goal ruled out for offside. Andres Iniesta could only head into the grate- beIN SPORTS 5 HD Gus Poyet’s side have now won only one of ful arms of Carlos Kameni. beIN SPORTS 13 HD LONDON: Crystal Palace’s English midfielder Jordon Mutch (center) vies with Arsenal’s French their last nine league games, leaving them However, the hosts looked devoid of ideas beIN SPORTS 1 HD striker Olivier Giroud (left) and Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla (right) during the English three points above the bottom three in 16th after the break as it was Malaga who posed Lyonnais v Nantes 19:00 Premier League football match. —AFP place, with Tony Pulis’s West Brom two points the constant threat on the counter-attack, beIN SPORTS 5 HD and two places better off. England manager albeit without creating any clear-cut chances. beIN SPORTS 13 HD Roy Hodgson was in attendance, presumably beIN SPORTS 1 HD Luis Enrique turned to Ivan Rakitic and Arsenal scrape past Palace to cast an eye over West Brom striker Saido Pedro Rodriguez from the bench in the search Stade v Metz 19:00 beIN SPORTS 6 HD Berahino, but he was given cause to regret his for a breakthrough. It was Pedro who had the beIN SPORTS 14 HD run of scoring inside the first 30 minutes to nine choice of game on a cold, dreary afternoon at best chance to level seven minutes from time successive matches. beIN SPORTS 2 HD Crystal Palace 1 the Stadium of Light. when he was played in by Neymar, but the Etienne v Marseille 23:00 Palace left-back Pape Soare took too long to Sunderland were able to recall Lee Spanish international could only fire the ball beIN SPORTS 5 HD make a clearance and was closed down by Danny Cattermole after he missed 10 games with into the side-netting. beIN SPORTS 13 HD Welbeck. Attempting to rectify his error, Soare groin and knee problems, and it was the sort And it wasn’t to be for Barca as a dipping beIN SPORTS 1 HD tripped Welbeck as the England forward charged Arsenal 2 of scrappy, attritional game in which the com- volley from Suarez was clutched by Kameni into the penalty area, and Cazorla calmly convert- bative midfielder usually thrives. There was ed the ensuing spot-kick. early controversy when Graham was brought It was also the 10th time in their 13 home down by Lescott as he raced towards goal, but games this season that Palace have conceded to the home fans’ disapproval, referee Mike LONDON: First-half goals by Santi Cazorla and first, giving their willing but limited team a stiff Jones only showed the former England Olivier Giroud gave Arsenal a 2-1 victory at Crystal task. defender a yellow card. Palace in the Premier League yesterday that end- They swarmed forward and tackled enthusias- West Brom, who recalled captain Darren tically-rather too enthusiastically at times-but ed up closer than expected. Fletcher, were the first team to register a shot Arsenal looked more dangerous, and should have Glenn Murray, the Palace substitute, replied in on target, but James Morrison’s tame shot was done better when Laurent Koscielny headed injury time and almost grabbed an improbable comfortably held by the recalled Costel Giroud’s flick-on wide. point for the South London side when his last- Pantilimon. gasp header rebounded off the post. In reply, Dwight Gayle fired a free-kick inches over the bar after Calum Chambers had felled Jermain Defoe also returned for Sunderland In the end it was not as comfortable a form of after calf trouble, but the hosts had to wait preparation for Wednesday’s Champions League Fraizer Campbell on the left. When Francis until the 37th minute before they threatened, visit of Monaco as it appeared for most of the Coquelin meted out similar treatment to the with John O’Shea stabbing wide from game, but it was good enough to lift Arsene same player, Gayle crashed his kick into the Sebastian Larsson’s deep free-kick. Minutes lat- Wenger’s side to third place. Alan Pardew’s Palace defensive wall. er the home team did have the ball in the net are now 13th and although their unimpressive More subtlety was required, but at least Gayle home record continues to be a concern, they will was trying. Just before half-time he pilfered pos- when Johnson rolled home after gathering take heart from the battling second-half display session from the dozing Koscielny and hit an Ricardo Alvarez’s pass and rounding Ben that almost brought them an unlikely draw. With angled shot that was deflected behind for a cor- Foster, but he was denied by an offside flag. on-loan Yaya Sanogo ineligible to face his parent ner by Mesut Ozil. In the second half, Defoe saw a shot club and former Arsenal striker Marouane The Palace fans-who unfurled a banner attack- blocked by Craig Dawson and Santiago Vergini Chamakh injured, it was no surprise the home ing the recent Premier League television rights headed wide from a corner, but despite the team struggled to make a first-half impression. deal that read: “£5 billion in the trough yet sup- introductions of Connor Wickham and Steven SPAIN: Barcelona’s Neymar (right) fights for the ball against Malaga’s Sergi Darder Arsenal manager Wenger had no such problems, porters still exploited”-were also unhappy about Fletcher, Poyet’s men went home disappoint- (left) during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium. —AP and after eight minutes his side extended their many of the officials’ decisions.—AFP ed.—AFP Cavaliers dump West Indies rout Wizards Pakistan

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 15 18 Barca slump to stunning defeat Page 19

MANCHSTER: Manchester City’s Samir Nasri (right) beats Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara (left) to score during the English Premier League soccer match at the Etihad Stadium. — AP Five-star City demolish Newcastle

who started on the bench, and the return to mid- pass behind the Newcastle back four. Coloccini mist- field of Yaya Toure, whose absence at the African imed a header which allowed Dzeko to time his run to EPL results/standings Man City 5 Cup of Nations had coincided with champions City perfection, take the ball on his chest and bury a text- losing ground at the top of the table. book finish past Krul. Aston Villa 1 (Sinclair 20) Stoke 2 (Diouf 45, Moses 90-pen); Chelsea 1 (Ivanovic 14) Burnley 1 (Mee Yet it was Dzeko who dominated first half pro- The second half promised to be a stroll for the 81); Crystal Palace 1 (Murray 90) Arsenal 2 (Cazorla 8-pen, Giroud 45); Hull 2 (Jelavic 16, N’Doye 89) ceedings, from the moment inside the opening 30 hosts although, within seconds of the restart, QPR 1 (Austin 39); Manchester City 5 (Aguero 2-pen, Nasri 12, Dzeko 21, Silva 51, 53) Newcastle 0; seconds, when he pounced on Vurnon Anita’s Newcastle pieced together their best move of the Sunderland 0 West Brom 0; Swansea 2 (Ki 30, Gomis 73) Manchester United 1 (Herrera 28). Newcastle 0 dreadful first touch, surged into the Newcastle area day, a superb hanging cross from Moussa Sissoko and was promptly brought down by the midfielder which beat Vincent Kompany and found Papiss Playing today Everton v Leicester, Southampton v Liverpool, Tottenham v West Ham. in his desperate attempt to make amends for his Cisse, whose excellent first-time volley brought an error. equally impressive reflex save from Joe Hart. But Chelsea 26 18 6 2 56 22 60 Newcastle 26 8 8 10 31 42 32 Man City 26 16 7 3 56 25 55 Everton 25 6 9 10 31 35 27 MANCHESTER: Manchester City enjoyed the perfect Aguero displayed great poise to calmly roll the ball the Newcastle response was shortlived and two Arsenal 26 14 6 6 49 29 48 Crystal Palace 26 6 9 11 28 37 27 preparation for their Champions League showdown past a stationary Tim Krul as City took an early step Silva goals in as many minutes quickly had the rout Man Utd 26 13 8 5 44 26 47 West Brom 26 6 9 11 24 34 27 with Barcelona as Edin Dzeko inspired a 5-0 demoli- towards recording an 11th consecutive league victory back on course. Southampton 25 14 4 7 38 17 46 Hull 26 6 8 12 25 35 26 tion of Newcastle at Eastlands yesterday. Dzeko against the north-east opponents. After 51 minutes, Aguero carved out the first Tottenham 25 13 4 8 39 34 43 Sunderland 26 4 13 9 22 36 25 Liverpool 25 12 6 7 36 29 42 QPR 26 6 4 16 27 45 22 scored one and had a hand in two others, ensuring Nor did it take long for Dzeko to make a further with a darting, cross-field run that brought him to West Ham 25 10 8 7 36 28 38 Burnley 26 4 10 12 25 44 22 Manuel Pellegrini’s second placed side cut Chelsea’s impact on the game, a sure indication that the arrival the edge of the area where his pass to Nasri was Swansea 26 10 7 9 30 34 37 Aston Villa 26 5 7 14 13 36 22 advantage at the top of the Premier League to five of Bony has had the desired effect of inspiring the helped into the path of Silva, who turned in a sim- Stoke 26 10 6 10 30 34 36 Leicester 25 4 5 16 22 40 17 points following the surprise draw between the lead- Bosnian, who came into the game without a league ple finish from eight yards. ers and struggling Burnley earlier in the day. goal since late September. Barely 90 seconds later, Toure’s long ball forward Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri and David Silva, who Dzeko’s darting 12th minute run down the right found Aguero on the edge of the Newcastle area, netted twice, were also on the scoresheet for rampant took him into the Newcastle area and his threaded with the Argentinian enjoying a slight stroke of Barton sees red as City. And with new striker Wilfried Bony handed a pass to Nasri allowed the Frenchman to skilfully luck as he miscontrolled the ball on his chest into debut by Pellegrini and key personnel showing the wrong-foot Fabricio Coloccini and scoop an unstop- the path of Silva, who drove his shot past Krul from sort of form that has eluded them for much of the pable eight-yard shot into the roof of the net. It was 18 yards. QPR lose at Hull new year, City’s biggest league win of the season will difficult to imagine a way back into the game for the Thereafter, Bony might have marked his debut have been noted by Barca ahead of their visit to visitors and Dzeko was about to make certain of that with a goal, but Krul made up for his dreadful clear- Manchester for the last 16 first leg on Tuesday. with still only 21 minutes on the clock. ance by saving from the striker with an out- produced a slick strike on 16 minutes to The pre-game analysis had centred on Bony, Silva found space in midfield and lofted a sublime stretched leg. —AFP beat ‘keeper Robert Green, and Rangers Hull 2 were pushing for an equaliser when Darnell Furlong, on his QPR debut, fouled Jelavic. Hull’s players reacted with fury and, while a Swansea stun Man United major shoving session ensued, Barton produced his punch on Huddlestone, leaving Swansea came within a whisker of taking the lead Van Gaal introduced Antonia Valencia for Paddy QPR 1 the home number eight bent double and inside a minute when Gomis met Gylfi Sigurdsson’s McNair at the beginning of the second half. Within 90 gasping as referee Anthony Taylor pro- Swansea 2 corner, only to see his crisp header cleared off the line seconds of the restart Phil Jones found himself in the duced a straight red. by Ander Herrera. referee’s notebook for dragging back Routledge on That means Barton has now had seven Nine minutes later, Gomis popped up unmarked halfway. United looked suspect at the back and when LONDON: Controversial QPR midfielder yellows and a red card in his last eight again, but headed over the bar. United offered pre- Shelvey crossed for Ki, the South Korean once again Joey Barton was sent off for a below the Premier League outings while Furlong was cious little in the early stages, despite an equal found himself unmarked in the six-yard box. This belt punch yesterday, before his team booked on his debut. Man United 1 amount of possession, with Robin van Persie off-tar- time, De Gea did just enough to avert the danger. Van slumped to a late 2-1 defeat at relegation Austin then grabbed an equaliser for 10- get from Angel di Maria’s whipped 15th-minute free- Gaal replaced Shaw with Ashley Young on the hour rivals Hull City. man QPR on 39 minutes after latching on kick. Swansea looked the more purposeful of the and United began to look far more decisive in the Close-season signing and Senegal inter- to a Matt Phillips cross from the right wing. SWANSEA: Bafetimbi Gomis scored a fortuitous win- sides, with Gomis proving a genuine thorn in United’s final third. When the ball was worked into the box, national Dame N’Doye headed the 89th- He rose near the penalty spot and headed ner as Swansea City completed their first ever league side. His reverse pass to Neil Taylor helped to set up after another piece of patient build-up, Van Persie hit minute winner for Hull on his 30th birthday low and right past Hull ‘keeper Allan double over Manchester United with a 2-1 home vic- Wayne Routledge, but the midfielder’s shot was the side-netting from eight yards. after a Nikica Jelavic shot opened the scores McGregor to make it 1-1. tory in the Premier League yesterday. Having won 2-1 straight at De Gea. United’s first shot on goal came United have been chastised of late for supposed for the hosts and a Charlie Austin header N’Doye only arrived at Hull during the at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, after 20 minutes. Di Maria’s cross picked out Rooney ‘long-ball’ tactics, but their approach here was neat, had levelled the scores five minutes before winter transfer window from Lokomotiv Swansea recovered from a goal down to repeat the at the near post, but the striker’s tame strike, from a tidy and increasingly menacing.Young twice applied half-time. Moscow, and his winner was his first goal dose at the Liberty Stadium. difficult angle, was comfortably collected by Lukasz the pressure with crosses from the left before Marcos The result leaves QPR, who played for an for his new club on his second appearance. Gomis, who came into the game with only two Fabianski. Rojo headed over from six yards. It was all hands to hour with 10 men, in 17th place on 22 Neither of the two relegation strug- Premier League goals to his name, was trying to get In fact, Fabianski was largely untroubled until the pump for Swansea, whose goal was leading a points, level with next to bottom Aston Villa glers had won two consecutive games out of the way when Jonjo Shelvey took aim from 25 Herrera finished off a slick move to put the visitors charmed life. But out of nothing, and with manager and Burnley, while Hull climb to 15th on 26 this season but both had won last time yards in the 73rd minute. ahead in the 28th minute. Garry Monk poised to bring on Jefferson Montero, points. out, with QPR grabbing a first victory in But the French striker did not duck quickly Luke Shaw’s break, Rooney’s touch and Di Maria’s Shelvey and Gomis combined to win the game. Barton had already been on a Premier eight at Sunderland and Hull beating enough and the ball took a feint touch off him that assist enabled Herrera to beat Fabianski at his far post United lost possession and when Shelvey was afford- League record run of seven yellow cards in Aston Villa 2-0. In 2008 Barton was jailed sent it flying over the desperate lunge of United goal- and claim his fifth goal in a United shirt. ed time and space in which to compose himself, he seven games when he was sent off at Hull’s for six months on charges of common keeper David de Gea. The strike condemned Louis But Swansea were level inside two minutes. Taylor grasped the opportunity by unleashing a thunderbolt KC Stadium in the 33rd minute for punch- assault and affray after CCTV footage van Gaal’s United to their first defeat in 20 matches in and Shelvey combined on the left and when the ball from outside the box. The telling touch, however, ing Hull’s Tom Huddlestone between the caught him punching one man 20 times all competitions, enabling Arsenal to leapfrog them was teased into the penalty area, Ki Sung-yueng came from Gomis, who was credited with the goal legs during a general scrap. before attacking a teenager, who lost into third place with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace. nipped in to beat De Gea with a smart finish. after Shelvey’s celebrations had subsided. — AFP Hull were at that time 1-0 up after Jelavic teeth in the attack. — AFP Obama: No accident economy improving under his watch Page 22

Business Shipping firms, dockers’ union ink tentative deal SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 Page 23 KIPCO announces KD 46.1m net McLaren Super Series continues to break records profit for 2014 Page 26 Page 25

PARIS: Bovine are on display at the Paris International Agricultural Fair at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris yesterday. — AFP Greek PM hails deal but faces tough choices Tsipras says debt bailout will end hated austerity

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said yester- The government pledged to refrain from one-sided day a deal with EU leaders to extend the country’s huge measures that could compromise existing fiscal targets, debt bailout would end hated austerity measures, but and had to abandon plans to use some 11 billion euros his government faced scaling back its leftist agenda. In a in leftover European bank support funds to help restart national address after Greece was given a crucial four- the Greek economy. month extension to its bailout in negotiations late On Tuesday, the hated “troika” of creditors will decide Friday, Tsipras said “this deal cancels out austerity.” whether to proceed with Friday’s agreement, with the But the bailout extension came at the cost of conces- chance that the compromise could be scrapped if they sions including a commitment to spell out reforms with- are not satisfied. in two days. The reforms would be aimed at persuading “If the list of reforms is not agreed, this agreement is its European creditors to extend further loans. Athens dead,” Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis admitted received no immediate loan assistance. after the talks. The government had promised to spend Tsipras however argued that his government had two billion euros this year on poverty relief for thou- foiled a plan by “blind conservative forces” in Greece and sands of families hit by five years of wage cuts and tax abroad to bankrupt the country at the end of the month, hikes. Last week it presented legislation offering debt when its European bailout had been scheduled to forgiveness to low-income citizens owing money to the expire. At the same time, the 40-year-old prime minister state, but Brussels has now demanded to vet such meas- warned that the “real difficulties” lie ahead. He said his ures beforehand. government would now focus on negotiating a new The 19 euro-zone finance ministers reached the reform blueprint with Greece’s creditors by June. agreement at tense talks pitting Greece against an angry The new leftist Greek government, which came to Germany, suspicious that the new government in power last month pledging to end deeply unpopular Athens was looking to ditch its austerity obligations. austerity measures, had asked for six-month loan assis- “The meeting was intense because it was about building tance until it can submit its four-year reform plans. trust between us,” said Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem, after the talks ended with a two-page Greeks ‘yielded’ statement setting out the tough conditions Athens will “From a symbolic and therefore political point of have to fulfil. view, the Greeks yielded on everything,” Daniel Gros, “This trust will be on the basis of the agreements and director of the centre for European policy studies, told changes in the agreements which will have to be ATHENS: A street artist shows fun caricature portraits of various political leaders in the traditional Plaka district of Italy’s La Stampa daily. worked out,” he said. Two previous rounds of talks ended Athens yesterday. Greece’s government starts working on drafting a series of economic reforms it must present to “They can hope to receive nothing now... only to give,” in acrimony with Greece accusing Germany and other the other euro-zone finance ministers on Monday, as part of an agreement reached Friday to extend the country’s Gros said. The government said it had averted threat- hardline EU member states of sabotaging a deal. European loan agreement. —AP ened cuts to pensions and tax hikes, and had persuaded its European creditors to drop unrealistic budget ‘Rendezvous with reality’ demands. Some Greeks yesterday said even this was bet- “Being in government is a rendezvous with reality. Azerbaijan sharply devalues currency ter than nothing. Quite frequently it is not as nice as the dream,” said “The room for negotiation was certainly limited, but German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble, Greece’s BAKU: Azerbaijan’s central bank yesterday sharply percent of its international reserves to defend the this deal is in the right direction and makes us feel harshest critic who has fought the new government’s devalued the energy-rich country’s currency as manat, and reportedly as much as $1 billion so far relieved,” said civil servant Alexandros Mylonas. “This is a demands every step of the way. He added that the deal falling oil prices and economic turmoil in Russia hit this year. On Monday, the central bank moved to very positive development,” added Nikos, a pensioner promised to be a tough sell to government supporters. If hard across the former Soviet Union. abandon its currency peg to the dollar in favour of who declined to give his surname. Athens sticks to its commitments, it stands to receive up The Azerbaijani manat lost 34 percent of its val- a euro-dollar basket. “We could certainly do no worse than where we were to 7.2 billion euros in funds still left in the EU portion of ue against the dollar and 33.8 percent against the The central bank said that “the adjustment of the before,” he said. But the government’s domestic rivals its 240 billion euro bailout ($273 million). Markets react- euro in the cut, with new exchange rates set at 1.05 manat’s rate is also directed at neutralising nega- were not inclined to be generous. The opposition social- ed positively to the deal, with Wall Street surging to fresh manat and 1.195 manat respectively, the central tive effects from the devaluation of national curren- ists said the deal took Greece “kilometres backwards” records as fears of a catastrophic exit by Greece from the bank said. The move “aims at creating additional cies of Azerbaijan’s trading partners.” and accused the government of engaging in “theatrics euro receded. stimuli for economic diversification, boosting com- The plunging value of the Russian ruble and for domestic consumption”. The communist party also European officials said the standoff had in some ways petitiveness and exports,” the regulator said in a falling oil prices affected the national currencies of noted that “regardless of what it is called, the agreement come down to a clash of personalities with Schaeuble statement. many ex-Soviet countries. is essentially a formal extension of the fiscal bailout, furious at the negotiating style of the casual Varoufakis. With oil and gas accounting for 95 percent of the The Georgian lari fell this week to its lowest level under strict supervision...and mainly a continuation of After the talks, a key European official said the country’s exports and 70 percent of state revenues, since 2004. It has lost 22.4 percent of its value anti-popular reforms.” Schaeuble-Varoufakis relationship was still fraught. “The the Azerbaijani economy has been under pressure against the greenback since November-a conse- To win the hard-fought deal, Athens agreed to submit trust just isn’t there. (This time) Varoufakis kept a very from falling oil prices since June. quence of shrinking remittances from Russia and a list of economic and other reforms by Monday. low profile,” the source said. — AFP In December, the central bank spent some eight declining exports. — AFP BUSINESS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Obama: No accident economy Bayt.com weekly report Help your improving under his watch company make GOP critics chided for ‘doom and gloom’ a difference this year WASHINGTON: Taunting Republicans, President Barack Obama on made these policies, made this progress, we were told by our good while Republicans call for fewer regulations and taxes on business Friday said it’s “not an accident” that the economy is improving friends the Republicans that our actions would crush jobs, explode to free more capital that could be used for wage growth. “Businesses cannot be successful when the under his watch and chided GOP critics for “doom and gloom” pre- deficits and destroy the country,” he told the partisan crowd. “If we “If you are serious, if you are really troubled with income society around them fails.” This famous quote dictions that haven’t come true. Obama said he welcomed the were actually to look at the evidence, it’s pretty clear who’s theory inequality,” Obama said, “then you can’t put forward proposals that should be the mantra of all corporations attention Republicans have been giving to the middle class, “but so of how to grow the economy and make sure American people are give more tax breaks to folks who are doing the best.” today. Giving back is a way for companies to far at least the rhetoric has not matched the reality.” prospering, which theory works. We know their ideas don’t work.” While Obama said he was willing to hear Republican ideas for benefit themselves while benefiting the soci- In a speech to the Democratic National Committee’s winter With the economic recovery showing signs of taking hold, helping the middle class, he also argued that the best way for ety. Not only does it have positive results on meeting, Obama gave a rousing defense of his economic policies Democrats and Republicans have turned their attention to improv- Republicans to prove their commitment was by supporting his call your bottom line and the welfare of your and promoted his agenda as the right policy and political prescrip- ing wages for working class Americans. While incomes have for a higher minimum wage. “The shift in rhetoric that they’re community, but it also fill your employees tions for Democrats heading into the 2016 elections. He said the increased modestly recently, they hardly make up for decades of engaging in is good if it actually leads them to take different with a sense of pride and fulfillment. party’s belief in “middle class economics,” including his health care paycheck stagnation. actions,” he said. Following his remarks, Obama was to attend a In this article, the experts at Bayt.com, the law, has spurred economic growth and job creation. Both sides, however, have distinctly different views of how to Democratic fundraiser with 25 supporters paying $33,400 to Middle East’s leading job site, recommend “I just want everybody to remember that at every step as we boost wages. Democrats want increases in the minimum wage, attend. — AP five ways to help your company make a difference this year:

1. Participate in charity events If it’s not within your means to organize a big charity or fundraising event, then why not attend one instead? 95% professionals in the Middle East and North Africa ( MENA) region want to be involved in more charity or community service, according to the Bayt.com’Corporate Social Responsibility: Is Your Company Making an Impact?’ poll.

2. Make use of your expertise Every company specializes in something unique which they can share with the community. Bayt.com specializes in helping job seekers find jobs and recruiters find the best candidates for their jobs. Bayt.com organizes many CV clinics across the MENA region where our CV writing experts and career con- sultants give free career advice to job seekers. Bayt.com also has a unique University Roadshow program where our career advisors meet with alumni and fresh graduates and counsel them in making their career decisions. Modest activities like these can make a huge difference!

3. Give free stuff Your company can certainly spare some resources for its community. At Bayt.com, we provide free CV writing services for job seekers who have been unemployed for more than six months. Every month, we pick two job seekers whom we feel are in the most need of this service. Try thinking of what free goodies you can give away to help those around you and draw a smile on their face.

4. Put aside a part of your budget for charity If companies plan ahead for their social responsibility they will not need to squeeze MIAMI: US Army Veteran Fay Belton picks up job information at the annual Veterans Career and Resource Fair in Miami. The US Labor Department reports on the number of people who applied their budget at year-end for charity, commu- for unemployment benefits for the week ending Feb 14 on Thursday. —AP nity service and other activities. What usually happens is that companies don’t put aside any money for social responsibility while Dollar soars on deciding their budget for the year ahead US jobless claims fall as which usually leads to a shutdown of spur-of- the-moment campaigns by top manage- Venezuela’s new ment. Across the MENA, 95% of professionals labor market improves feel it is important for their company to be currency exchange socially responsible according to the Bayt.com’ Corporate Social Responsibility: Is CARACA: The Venezuelan bolivar opened Thursday at 172 to the dol- WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing new claims Prices for longer-dated US Treasuries traded slightly higher, Your Company Making an Impact?’ lar on the first day of a government-sponsored exchange meant to for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, while the dollar was little changed against a basket of curren- poll.Bayt.com sponsors more than 25 compete with the black market. The opening rate was 27 times the offering fresh evidence that the labor market was gathering cies. US stocks were mixed. Sturdy wage growth has been the orphans in Gaza, and many more around the official rates of 6.3 to the dollar, available only for priority imports like steam. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped missing piece in the jobs recovery, which is showing signs of world, and has an annual budget set aside for food and medicine. The leftist government of President Nicolas 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 283,000 for the week ended rapidly accelerating. this purpose. Maduro earlier this month partially liberalized the country’s system of Feb. 14, the Labor Department said. From unemployment claims to payrolls and job openings, strict currency controls by allowing banks and brokerage houses to “The jobs market has its pedal to the metal. We have the labor market is becoming robust, even as economic 5. Partner with charitable organi- sell dollars at what the market will bear. crossed the dividing line where there are more signs of labor growth has slowed in recent months. zations The amount of dollars that can be bought on the new exchange is shortages now than there is an excess supply of discouraged Weaker demand overseas and cutbacks in capital spending There are many ways by which you can limited, however, and demand for the greenback was undiminished workers pounding the pavement,” said Chris Rupkey, chief by businesses in the oil sector, where profits are under strain partner with charitable organizations. on the black market, where the dollar was trading at 190, up from ear- financial economist at MUFG Union Bank in New York. from lower crude prices and a strong dollar, are curbing Perhaps you could be a key sponsor in one of lier in the week. Economists had forecast jobless claims falling to 293,000 growth. A separate report on Thursday showed factory activity their events or even give them a part of your Despite having the world’s largest oil reserves, Venezuela is beset last week. The labor market also got a boost from Wal-Mart in the US mid-Atlantic region slowed in February to its lowest sales proceeds. Bayt.com gives the option of by widespread shortages, soaring inflation and an economy in a Stores Inc , the largest private sector employer in the United level in a year as companies struggled to get new overseas free job postings and advertising space for deepening recession. The dollar has skyrocketed on the black market States, which said it would spend more than $1 billion this business. charitable organizations to help them hire in recent months with the plunge in oil prices. The partial liberaliza- year to increase pay for about 40 percent of its US workforce. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank said its business new people. The simpler the partnership, the more beneficial it will be for all parties tion was aimed at easing a severe hard currency shortage in a country The retailer’s hourly full-time and part-time workers will activity index fell to 5.2, the lowest since February 2014, from involved. that relies on imports for nearly all its needs.—AFP earn at least $9 an hour, or $1.75 above the current federal a reading of 6.3 in January. A reading above zero indicates minimum wage, starting in April. expansion in the region’s manufacturing.—Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.565 Philippine Peso 0.006589 0.006869 Nepalese Rupees 3.975 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Malaysian Ringgit 83.445 Singapore Dollar 0.215690 0.221690 ASIAN COUNTRIES CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 South African Rand 0.019455 0.027955 Japanese Yen 2.527 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.870 Australian Dollar 227.72 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001885 0.002465 Indian Rupees 4.798 Thai Bhat 10.060 Canadian Dollar 243.15 Taiwan 0.009314 0.009494 Pakistani Rupees 2.918 Turkish Lira 120.790 Swiss Franc 322.91 Thai Baht 0.008748 0.009298 Srilankan Rupees 2.217 Euro 341.15 Nepali Rupees 3.002 US Dollar 296.50 Arab Singapore Dollar 219.200 Sterling Pound 458.91 Bahrain Exchange Company Hongkong Dollar 38.133 Bahraini Dinar 0.780011 0.788011 Japanese Yen 2.53 Bangladesh Taka 3.793 Egyptian Pound 0.035956 0.039056 Bangladesh Taka 3.811 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 6.706 Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Indian Rupee 4.766 Thai Baht 9.101 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000191 0.000251 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.221 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Belgian Franc 0.007726 0.008728 Jordanian Dinar 0.414149 0.421649 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Nepali Rupee 2.980 British Pound 0.450567 0.459567 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Pakistani Rupee 2.930 Czech Korune 0.004264 0.016264 Lebanese Pound 0.000147 0.000247 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 80.57 Danish Krone 0.041466 0.046466 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022000 0.046000 Saudi Riyal 78.811 Bahraini Dinar 786.95 Euro 0.332804 0.340804 Nigerian Naira 0.001210 0.001845 Qatari Riyal 81.270 Egyptian Pound 38.76 Norwegian Krone 0.035168 0.040368 Omani Riyal 0.764111 0.769791 Omani Riyal 768.650 Jordanian Dinar 421.29 Romanian Leu 0.085049 0.085049 Qatar Riyal 0.080730 0.081943 Bahraini Dinar 785.700 Omani Riyal 768.93 Slovakia 0.008733 0.018733 Saudi Riyal 0.078430 0.079130 UAE Dirham 80.561 Qatari Riyal 81.65 Swedish Krona 0.031279 0.036279 Syrian Pound 0.001269 0.001389 Saudi Riyal 78.98 Swiss Franc 0.313438 0.323638 Tunisian Dinar 0.150684 0.158684 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.065 UAE Dirhams 0.079745 0.080894 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.822 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001339 0.001419 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.381 Australian Dollar 0.222280 0.233780 New Zealand Dollar 0.215554 0.225054 Tunisian Dinar 153.610 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 417.130 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 296.250 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.985 America Canadian Dollar 240.710 Syrian Lira 2.108 Canadian Dollar 0.233203 0.241703 Sterling Pound 457.775 Morocco Dirham 31.291 US Dollars 0.292400 0.297100 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Euro 340.055 US Dollars Mint 0.292900 0.297100 US Dollar 295.600 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 275.655 Euro 334.700 Bahrain Dinar 788.025 US Dollar Transfer 295.700 Asia Pound Sterlng 450.800 UAE Dirhams 81.035 Euro 336.800 Bangladesh Taka 0.003508 0.004108 Canadian Dollar 236.700 Qatari Riyals 82.195 Sterling Pound 445.692 Chinese Yuan 0.046133 0.049633 Indian Rupee 4.765 Saudi Riyals 79.190 Canadian dollar 234.870 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036143 0.038893 Egyptian Pound 38.710 Jordanian Dinar 418.150 Turkish lira 121.540 Indian Rupee 0.004462 0.004863 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.219 Egyptian Pound 38.750 Swiss Franc 321.410 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.222 Bangladesh Taka 3.796 Australian Dollar 231.090 Japanese Yen 0.002418 0.002598 Indian Rupees 4.763 Philippines Peso 6.685 US Dollar Buying 294.500 Kenyan Shilling 0.003285 0.003285 Pakistani Rupees 2.923 Pakistan Rupee 2.925 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Bangladesh Taka 3.806 Bahraini Dinar 787.100 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.079324 0.085324 Philippines Pesso 6.692 UAE Dirham 80.450 20 gram 238.100 Nepalese Rupee 0.003031 0.003201 Cyprus pound 727.170 Saudi Riyal 79.000 10 gram 121.740 Pakistan Rupee 0.002698 0.002978 5 gram 61.560 Japanese Yen 3.495 *Rates are subject to change SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 BUSINESS Polish fm worries over deflation, eyes ‘Brexit’ risks

LANCASTER, England: Europe seem to come. But he said higher rates of return growth. But he warned that complacency in contribute to a debate over immigration and role of the non-members of the euro zone increasingly mired in a deep economic on Polish investments were likely to allow it monetary policy could allow expectations of Britain’s place in the bloc before May’s UK within the EU is protected.” slump with little prospect of it easing within to avoid the “secular stagnation” of zero very low inflation or falling prices to bed in. parliamentary elections. But he also said that any future UK gov- a decade, Polish Finance Minister Mateusz interest and very low investment that beck- “We’re worried about inflation, about nomi- The rise of anti-EU party UKIP and ernment should think carefully before Szczurek said on Friday. ons for Europe as it did for Japan over the nal growth,” Szczurek said, adding that the Conservative Prime Minister David restricting Poles’ and other Europeans’ Speaking to Reuters at a Congress of past two decades. real costs of servicing loans for Polish com- Cameron’s promise of a referendum on employment rights. “The message that I Polish Students in Britain, Szczurek said “The level of rates currently suggests we panies, after adding bank margins to falling Britain’s membership if he wins in May would like to get across is that free move- Poland-the EU’s biggest eastern member are in this for the long haul, certainly for a producer prices and 2 percent base rates, threaten to disturb what has been a lucra- ment of labour is a crucial part of the com- and Europe’s most robust economy since generation, certainly more than a decade,” were around 6-7 percent. tive economic relationship for Poland in mon market but not the only one,” Szczurek 2008 — would have to cope with a genera- he said. “Looking at Japan, a big part of the “The question is how high are real inter- those years. said. tion-long story of ultra-low interest rates, slowdown was demographics. But in Japan est rates and how dangerous is that. The cost “(If Britain left the EU) my concern would “The fact that thousands of British firms inflation and growth across the rest of the the growth of public debt was there to com- of funding for companies is quite substan- be more about the broader EU politics and operate in Poland, the fact that City banks continent. pensate - is Europe prepared for that? I don’t tial,” Szczurek said. policy than the immediate economic all trade Polish financial instruments, that He warned Poland’s relatively higher know.” impact,” Szczurek said. is all part of the deal. Once you start interest rates could strengthen the zloty Careful to say that he was not dictating BREXIT RISKS “Forgetting the natural conflict between removing pieces of it, you may wind up sharply, and increase downward pressure on policy to the Polish central bank, he said the Some estimates say that up to 2 million EU net payers and receivers, there are with a far bigger disintegration of the inflation that will make it more difficult for bank was obliged by its charter to back gov- Poles have moved to the United Kingdom things on which Britain and Poland have common market than you initially bar- the central bank to influence growth in years ernment policies aimed at improving since accession to the EU in 2004, helping common cause, like making sure that the gained for.” —Reuters

Accidental exits, vulture funds: What’s at stake in a ‘Grexit’?

ATHENS: The arduous negotiations between would no longer have access to the finan- the EU and Greece over a temporary loan to cial markets. The country, heavily depend- resolve Athens’ bailout crisis has reawakened ent on imports which would soar in price, fears of a “Grexit”, or Greek exit from the single would find itself at the mercy of “vulture currency bloc. funds”, or be forced to ask China or Russia for help, a move which would have Here are in three questions unprecedented geopolitical consequences. some of the issues at stake: But the Greek economy could profit from 1 - Could Greece really exit the euro-zone? the expected rapid depreciation of its cho- The European Commission insists that a coun- sen new currency, as well as boosting try cannot leave the common currency, because exports and tourism. there is no provision for it in the EU’s treaties. So Former French president Valery Giscard once you’re in, you’re in. d’Estaing has said Greece cannot get back “Even if there is no clause” permitting a coun- on its feet while in the euro-zone because try to quit the eurozone, “it is still possible to find of the strength of the euro-and has called a legal construct” which would allow it, according for it to leave on its own in a “friendly exit”. to Janis Emmanouilidis, from the European Policy Centre. Consequences for the euro-zone? Leaving the euro might have to be tied to an Numerous analysts believe a Grexit exit from the European Union. If Athens fails to would be less damaging to the euro-zone fulfil its bailout obligations, the euro-zone and than if Athens had crashed out at the European Central Bank (ECB) have the means height of the debt crisis in 2012, because to push the country out by putting the squeeze since then safety nets such as the European on its lenders and forcing it to introduce a paral- Stability Mechanism have been put in lel currency. place. That drastic measure is not on the cards for Standard & Poor’s ratings agency said now, with the ECB Wednesday extending and Thursday that a Grexit “would not lead to a increasing for two weeks the amount of emer- degree of direct contagion that would gency liquidity available to Greek banks. drive other sovereigns out of the euro”. The Jacques Delors institute in Berlin has It also believes “the financial burden of a warned of two other possible scenarios, in the first Grexit on the remaining 18 euro-zone sov- of which Greece introduces a parallel currency to ereigns would be moderate and absorbed enable it to fulfil its pledges to end austerity and over decades.” ease the burden on the poor. But an exit would still be very costly for But most Greeks are in favor of sticking with those countries holding Greek debt, and a the euro and the radical left ruling party Syriza domino effect cannot be ruled out, accord- LOS ANGELES: Shipping containers stacked beside idle cranes at the Port of Los Angeles in southern California. US West Coast has never hinted it would contemplate such a ing to experts such as US economist Barry dockworkers and port operators have reached a tentative deal on a new labor contract, a source close to the negotiations said dramatic move. In the second scenario, Greece Eichengreen. late, averting a shutdown that would have hit about half the country’s trade. — AFP exits the euro “by accident”, because a failure to “When a Portuguese family or Spanish reach a deal or even just a pause in negotiations businessman sees that euros have been sparks a sudden bank run, forcing the Greek gov- converted into drachmas, they will take ernment to introduce a parallel currency. their cash out of their accounts. That could Shipping firms, dockers’ Greece’s Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has lead to a run on the banks,” he told said the euro-zone is like the Hotel California of Germany’s Die Welt daily. Matthieu Pigasse, the Eagles song, somewhere you can never CEO of investment bankers Lazard-who are leave. advising the Greek government in their union ink tentative deal talks-says the exit of any country, however Consequences for Greece? small, from the euro-zone would mean the Athens would default on its debt and end of the common currency. —AFP Major US ports shutdown averted

LOS ANGELES: US West Coast The union’s steering commit- ‘A huge relief’ tion. Since October, the dockwork- dockworkers and port operators tee, however, was unanimous in The agreement is “a huge relief for ers have steadily slowed the pro- have reached a tentative deal on its support. “After more than nine our economy-particularly the count- cessing of incoming and outgoing a new labor contract, officials said months of negotiations, we are less American workers, farmers and freight at ports that handle about late Friday, averting a shutdown pleased to have reached an businesses that have been affected half of the country’s trade. In that would have hit about half the agreement that is good for work- by the dispute and those facing even response, the port owners have country’s trade. The tentative five- ers and for the industry,” PMA greater disruption and costs with fur- canceled shifts and had multiple- year agreement, details of which president James McKenna and ther delays,” White House press secre- day lockouts to deny the long- were not immediately available, ILWU president Bob McEllrath said tary Josh Earnest said in a statement. shoremen holiday and overtime should free up operations at the in a joint statement. The president called on the two pay. ports, with business “restored to “We are also pleased that our parties to tend to backlogs as they The result has been a backup of full capacity” beginning Saturday ports can now resume full opera- finalize the deal, Earnest added. billions of dollars’ worth of cargo, evening, Labor Secretary Thomas tions.” Perez oversaw four days of The National Retail Federation with heavily laden container ships Perez told a conference call. negotiations in San Francisco hailed the agreement as well, saying lined up outside ports from southern Operations had slowed signifi- between the two parties. “There “it is now time for the parties to California to the border with Canada. cantly since the labor contract were far too many victims across quickly ratify the deal and immedi- Pressure grew on both sides to com- expired in July at key ports for trade the country, and that’s why the ately focus on clearing out the crisis- promise over what has been for with Asia. president sent me here” Perez said level congestion and backlog at the weeks the key remaining issue, the The International Longshore and Friday. The labor secretary had ports.” arbitration system for labor disputes Warehouse Union (ILWU), represent- warned the two sides to strike a “As we welcome today’s news, on the docks. ing 20,000 dockworkers, still must deal for a new dockworker con- we must dedicate ourselves to The ILWU sought more say on approve the deal with the Pacific tract now or see talks move to finding a new way to ensure that who can serve as an arbitrator, amid Maritime Association, representing Washington, which would place this nightmare scenario is not reports that the union claims the ATHENS: Tourists visit the Parthenon Temple at the Acropolis hill in Athens management for all 29 West Coast more federal pressure on the two repeated again,” added the NRF, system has become more biased in yesterday. Greece’s radical left government was at pains to put a positive ports. parties. the world’s largest retail federa- favor of port management. —AFP face on an EU compromise deal that is sharply at odds with its anti-austerity ambitions. —AFP Moody’s downgrades Russia debt to ‘junk’

Hollande: Greece has WASHINGTON: Moody’s cut Russia’s debt rat- potentially another downgrade in the com- and the pro-Moscow rebels. ing by one notch into ‘junk’ territory Friday, saying months. On Friday, the United States, the leader in to stay in euro-zone ing the Ukraine crisis and the fall in oil prices “It seems more likely that Russia will face pressing sanctions on Russia, delivered and the ruble will further undermine Russia’s additional sanctions than that current sanc- some of its harshest criticism yet, accusing PARIS: French President Francois Hollande time, that the vote of the Greeks is heard,” economy. tions are lifted in the coming months. The Moscow of “undermining” the global order stressed on Friday that crisis-hit Greece added Hollande. Just over one month since its last down- associated economic risks are also biased to by supporting the rebels. “We call upon should stay in the 19-nation euro-zone, The talks came as euro-zone finance min- grade of Moscow’s credit rating, Moody’s said the downside,” it said. Russia to honor its commitments immedi- ahead of a crunch meeting in Brussels on the isters were preparing to meet in Brussels Russia “is expected to experience a deep reces- The downgrade followed a week of fight- ately with decisive action before we see issue. “Greece is in the euro-zone. Greece has Friday to consider a take-it-or-leave-it offer sion in 2015 and a continued contraction in ing in Ukraine that appeared to undermine more cities decimated and more lives lost in to stay in the euro-zone,” said Hollande fol- from Athens to extend its European loan pro- 2016. a brand-new truce negotiated between eastern Ukraine,” State Department spokes- lowing talks with German Chancellor Angela gram. “The decline in confidence is likely to con- leaders of Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine woman Jen Psaki said. —AFP Merkel. Merkel said the German position The meeting will be the third in a little strain domestic demand and exacerbate the “since the beginning of the Greek program” over a week as ministers battle to reach a Russian economy’s already chronic underin- had been that Greece remain in the bloc and compromise and prevent a damaging Greek vestment,” it warned. Moody’s cut the rating added that Berlin “would do everything to exit from the single currency bloc. Greece on the country’s bonds by one step to Ba1, German union eyes pay continue along this path.” made the formal request for the loan exten- “speculative” or junk grade. Previously it was “Today’s Eurogroup (meeting of euro- sion on Thursday, offering concessions Baa3. zone finance ministers) is the beginning of a including a return-if not in name-of the hat- breakthrough next week The move also came after Standard & phase of intensive work,” said Merkel. “There ed “troika” of creditors that had audited the Poor’s invoked Moscow’s ire on January 26 by are still a lot of technical questions to solve, a Greek economy during the bailout. FRANKFURT: IG Metall, Germany’s powerful be a result or no result. If not, then we’ll begin lot of decision to be taken. I don’t want to get In substance, the two sides are not all that cutting its rating for the country to junk level. Moody’s said Friday that the government’s fis- metalworkers’ union, is hoping for a break- strike ballots in a number of regions and we’ll into the details, it will be the finance minis- far apart, with new hard-left Greek Prime through in pay talks for the nearly four million call for action,” he said. ters who will deal with the detail today,” Minister Alexis Tsipras willing to press on cal strength “will diminish materially” in the face of continuing capital flight, further lower- workers in the sector next week, its leader said “Employers will have to expect strikes if no added the chancellor. She called for an with reforms, if different from those Friday. deal is reached.” IG Metall is demanding pay ing the country’s access to international capi- “improvement” in the Greek proposals, point- embraced by previous conservative govern- IG Metall chief Detlef Wetzel told the daily rises of 5.5 percent for the nearly four million ing out that the Bundestag lower house of ments. In return, Tsipras wants the euro-zone tal markets. Sueddeutsche Zeitung in an interview that workers in sectors including electronics, the parliament would next week vote on the to agree to short-term funding to buy the Moody’s also said that, although low for union negotiators were readying for key talks auto industry, household electrical goods and Greece program. time necessary to hammer out a new rescue the moment, the risk is rising that the govern- on Monday “where we want to achieve a semi-conductors. Its pay deals are used as a Hollande for his part said he knew of “no deal. With the European portion of the ment could respond to international pressure breakthrough. benchmark for much of German industry. In scenario today” that would lead to Greece bailout soon to expire, Greece’s creditors over its role in the Ukraine crisis by deciding “We’re heading there in the expectation recent weeks, around 700,000 workers in the being catapulted out of the bloc. “We have insist it needs extra financing to stave off to slow payments on its foreign debt. that it can work,” Wetzel said. “We’re now at a sector have staged warning strikes and tem- the responsibility to make sure that the com- default and a “Grexit”-or Greek exit from the Moody’s also attached to its rating a neg- point where it must be clear that there must porary stoppages across the country. —AFP mitments are respected and, at the same euro. —AFP ative outlook, suggesting the country faces SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 BUSINESS KSE trading activity remains subdued

BAYAN WEEKLY MARKET REPORT

KUWAIT: Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) ended last ond place, the Telecommunications sector’s index week with mixed performance. The Price Index closed closed at 633.11 points recording 1.89 percent at 6,640.92 points, down by 0.82 percent from the increase. The Basic Materials sector came in third as week before closing, the Weighted Index increased its index achieved 1.83 percent growth, ending the by 0.71 percent after closing at 453.09 points, where- week at 1,104.20 points. as the KSX-15 Index closed at 1,105.09 points up by On the other hand, the Health Care sector headed 0.93 percent. Furthermore, last week’s average daily the losers list as its index declined by 3.92 percent to turnover decreased by 4.55 percent, compared to the end the week’s activity at 869.70 points. The Real preceding week, reaching KD 22.31 million, whereas Estate sector was second on the losers’ list, which trading volume average was 198.01 million shares, index declined by 3.08 percent, closing at 1,119.08 recording an decrease of 13.40 percent. points, followed by the Financial Services sector, as The stock market indicators closed mixed for the its index closed at 835.60 points at a loss of 1.27 per- second consecutive week, among a continued cent. decline in the trading activity compared to activity of the preceding week, for both the volume and the val- Sectors’ Activity ue, as the purchasing operations that included many The Financial Services sector dominated a total operational and large-cap stocks continued its sup- trade volume of 399.46 million shares changing port to the Weighted and KSX-15 indices, that were hands during last week, representing 40.35 percent able to realize gain in the previous week, whilst the of the total market trading volume. The Real Estate Price Index couldn’t realize gains in light of the profit sector was second in terms of trading volume as the collection operations’ continued control over the sector’s traded shares were 21.91 percent of last small-cap stocks activities, in addition to the effect of week’s total trading volume, with a total of 216.90 the quick speculative operations which were present million shares. during last week. On the other hand, the Telecommunications sec- Also, the stock market initiated the week’s sessions tor’s stocks were the highest traded in terms of value; with varied performance for the three indices, where- with a turnover of K.D 28.56 million or 25.61 percent as the Price Index decreased as a result to the selling of last week’s total market trading value. The Banks and speculation operations executed on the low- sector took the second place as the sector’s last week priced stocks, as the Weighted and KSX-15 indices turnover was K.D 21.40 million represented 23.87 received support from the purchasing power that percent of the total market trading value. —Prepared concentrated on some large-cap stocks, especially by the Studies & Research Department, Bayan the Banks sector. Moreover, decline over controlled Investment Co. the next session, as the three stock market indices recorded limited losses affected by the profit collection operations that included some large-cap and small-cap stocks. On Tuesday and Wednesday sessions, the stock market returned to vary once again, however with different roles, as the Price Index closed in the green zone, with limited total gains, while the Weighted and KSX-15 indices continued its decline affected by the control of the profit collection operations on the large-cap stocks, to lose part of its weekly gains. On Thursday session, the Price Index returned to the red zone once again, to increase its weekly losses, whilst the Weighted and KSX-15 indices were able to compensate its losses of the previous two sessions, to end the last session of the week in the green zone. For the annual performance, the price index ended last week recording 1.61 percent annual gain compared to its closing in 2014, while the weighted index increased by 3.24 percent, and the KSX-15 recorded 4.26 percent growth. Sectors’ Indices Seven of KSE’s sectors ended last week in the green zone, while the other five recorded declines. Last week’s highest gainer was the Consumer Goods sector, achieving 3.09 percent growth rate as its index closed at 1,245.95 points. Whereas, in the sec- Greek deal, dovish Fed push US stocks to new records

WALL STREERT WEEKLY REPORT

NEW YORK: A deal to avert a Greek default helped lift “pretty much at full value,” Wren said, though technol- US stocks to records in a week that also featured a ogy stocks have “more room to run” than other sectors. Walmart wage hike and dovish Federal Reserve meet- Gregori Volokhine, president of Meeschaert Capital ing minutes. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained Markets, was also bullish on tech as the Nasdaq edged 121.09 points (0.67 percent) to 18,140.44, finishing the closer to 5,000. “The Nasdaq is not too expensive,” week at a fresh record. The S&P 500 rose 13.31 (0.63 Volokhine said. “The companies have delivered on percent) to 2,110.30, also a record. their targets and are not overvalued.” The biggest gains were in the tech-rich Nasdaq The week’s biggest corporate story was Wal-Mart Composite Index, which put on 62.63 (1.27 percent) to Stores’ announcement that it plans to hike wages for 4,955.97. 500,000 workers in the US. Uncertainty about Greece hung over Wall Street all Walmart, the largest private single employer in the week as officials from Athens and other euro-zone United States, said salaries for about 40 percent of its countries sparred over conditions of extending the US staff would be lifted to at least $9 per hour in April, Greek bailout. Briefing.com analyst Patrick O’Hare said $1.75 above the federal minimum wage. By February the continued threat of a default depressed trade vol- 1, 2016, US staff will be paid at least $10 an hour. The ume as investors “showed little conviction.” move follows mounting criticism by labor unions and But US stocks surged late Friday after euro-zone other groups that the company’s low wages have ministers agreed to extend Greece’s bailout for four locked workers into poverty and pressured some of months provided Athens spells out key reform com- them to seek public assistance to make ends meet. mitments by Monday. Walmart expects the costs to trim 20 cents per NEW YORK: An entrance to a Wall Street subway station in New York. — AP Stocks were further bolstered by Fed minutes sug- share from earnings this year. Dow component gesting the US central bank would wait longer before Walmart shares lost nearly three percent Thursday fol- raising interest rates.Many members of the Federal lowing the news, although shares rallied somewhat Burgan Bank allows its customers Open Market Committee were more concerned about on Friday. In other news, chemical company DuPont, moving too soon and stifling economic growth, espe- raised the volume in its proxy battle with activist fund to apply online for its products cially given the troubled economies in Europe and Trian Fund Management, hitting out at the activist KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced tomer representative will contact strategy and is part of the cus- Asia, according to minutes from the FOMC’s January fund for launching a campaign “based on misrepre- yesterday the launch of a new the customer and will advise the tomer-centric strategy that pro- 27-28 policy meeting. sentations, inaccurate data and flawed analysis.” online service that will allow cus- applicant on the next steps vides convenience and support to “The meeting minutes were surprisingly dovish,” Chesapeake Energy, a big player in the US shale tomers and non-customers to required for completion. accommodate the everyday said IHS Global Insight in a note that said the chance boom, filed suit against the company’s former chief apply directly online for the Bank’s In addition, the new applica- requirements of customers and of a Fed rate hike as early as June had diminished. executive, Aubrey McClendon, alleging McClendon products and services at their own tion is available in Arabic and non-customers. To find out more Scott Wren, senior equity strategist at Wells Fargo took proprietary information on oil prospects when convenience. This new applica- English, allowing customers to fill about Burgan Bank’s latest promo- Advisors, said the Fed minutes confirmed the central he left the company. McClendon called the suit tion, which is available on the in the form in their preferred lan- tions or any of its products and bank’s caution in raising rates. At the same time, “baseless” and said he would sue Chesapeake for fail- bank’s website, is available for all guage and complete their request services, customers are urged to expectations of tighter monetary policy at some point ure to honor its contractual obligations. The case customers interested in the bank’s without the need to visit any of visit any of the bank’s branches, or in 2015 will challenge stocks, he said. focuses on oilfield data McClendon used to acquire diverse products and services. By the bank’s branches. This initiative contact the call center on “We are in for a year that’s going to feature more drilling prospects for his new venture, American clicking on “Apply Now”, a cus- was designed as part of the bank’s 1804080. volatility than last year,” Wren said. The broad market is Energy Partners. —AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 BUSINESS

KIPCO announces KD 46.1m net profit for 2014 ‘Double digit growth attributed to strong group performance,’ says vice chairman

KUWAIT: KIPCO - the Kuwait Projects KD 166 million ($567 million), an increase of 2 per cent on the KD 14 million ($48 mil- profitability. Throughout the year, our core Company - has announced a net profit of of 26 per cent compared to KD 132 million lion) profit achieved in the same period of sectors - which include banking, media, KD 46.1 million ($157.4 million), or 33 fils ($451 million) in 2013. 2013. real estate and insurance - have posted sig- ($11.3 cents) per share for the year ended KIPCO’s total revenues from continuing Faisal Al-Ayyar, KIPCO’s Vice Chairman, nificant performance growth trends. In the 31 December, 2014 - an increase of 15 per operations in 2014 increased 16 per cent attributed the company’s 2014 results to banking sector, Burgan Bank continued to cent on the KD 40.1 million ($137 million), to KD 598 million ($2billion) compared to the strong performance of Group compa- achieve strong profitability. Also, our or 27.92 fils ($9.5 cents) per share, reported the KD 514 million ($1.76 billion) reported nies in the core business sectors: “In our broadcast company, OSN, remains on the in 2013. in 2013. Shafafiyah Investor’s Forum in 2013, we course of revenue increase, while enhanc- KIPCO’s Board of Directors is recom- KIPCO’s consolidated assets increased promised our shareholders that we will ing overall customer experience with the mending a cash dividend of 25 per cent in 2014 to KD 9.3 billion ($32 billion) from deliver double digit growth. We delivered launch of a number of strategic initiatives (25 fils per share), subject to approval by KD 8.6 billion ($29.4 billion) in 2013. on our promise that year and have contin- and advanced technology. We will contin- the company’s general assembly and regu- KIPCO’s fourth quarter profit (for the three ued the trend in 2014. Our track record in ue to adhere to transparency, and work to latory authorities. months ended December 31, 2014) came delivering strong results means that 2014 achieve greater growth for KIPCO in the Faisal Al-Ayyar, KIPCO’s operating profit in 2014 rose to to KD 14.3 million ($49 million), an increase is KIPCO’s twenty-third consecutive year of coming years.” KIPCO’s Vice Chairman Qalaa Holdings considers sale of Dina Farms, Rashidi El-Mizan

Qalaa Holdings, formerly Citadel Capital, an tial transactions regarding our key invest- African leader in infrastructure and industry, ments in the agrifoods sector; we have a announced yesterday that it has mandated clear duty to shareholders to fully explore EFG Hermes Investment Banking to advise our options in this respect,” said Qalaa on the possibility of full divestiture of Holdings Chairman and Founder Ahmed Qalaa’s remaining key food businesses: Heikal. leading confectioner Rashidi El-Mizan, a sto- Explained Qalaa Co-Founder and ried brand that is Egypt’s market leader in Managing Director Hisham El-Khazindar: halawa and tahini products; and Dina “Any divestiture would achieve the twin aim Farms, the largest private-sector dairy farm of significantly accelerating the deleverag- in Egypt and Africa and the top fresh packing of Qalaa, while simultaneously funding aged milk producer in the country. growth opportunities in core subsidiaries The news comes following a disclosure generally, and in nationally significant ener- issued to the Egyptian Exchange yesterday gy projects specifically, including fuels noting that Qalaa expects to generate c. bunkering and storage project Mashreq in $300 million in proceeds from exits in the the Suez Canal and large-scale power gen- medium term. eration projects by TAQA Arabia.” The packaged foods industry in Egypt Concluded Heikal: “This will hasten our Kuwait’s capital spending has recently seen an uptick in M&A activity. return to profitability, which we would now “In this context, we have been approached anticipate in 2015 as opposed to next year by more than one party interested in poten- as we had originally envisioned.” growth rises despite oil fall US states seek alternatives for highway, bridge funding

NBK ECONOMIC REPORT JEFFERSON CITY, Mo: Touted as one of the first basic framework of everyday life in America. They interstate highways, a 200-mile span of Interstate provide the crucial underpinning of daily com- KUWAIT: Government spending a robust 31 percent to KD 0.9 bil- 70 between suburban St Louis and Kansas City mutes, the trucking industry’s transfer of food, saw healthy growth during the first lion fytd in December and stood at stands as a prime example of the challenges facing computers and other goods from seaports to sub- nine months of fiscal year 2014/15 39 percent of FY14/15’s budgeted the nation’s roads. Built in the 1950s and ‘60s with urban strip malls, and summertime trips to beach (FY14/15) despite the latest decline allocation. This compares to an his- a 20-year-life expectancy, the four-lane highway is towns and mountain getaways. They also are gen- crumbling beneath its surface and clogged with erally an afterthought until they no longer are up in revenues. Government spending toric average of 35 percent by the traffic as it carries more than 30,000 vehicles a day to the task. rose by 9.6 percent to KD 10.6 bil- ninth month, indicating that on many of its rural stretches, requiring more fre- Governors, lawmakers, local elected officials lion fiscal-year-to-date (fytd) in progress on project execution is quent repaving. The cost to rebuild and widen it is and engineers across the country say that is where December compared to the same picking up. Both major compo- estimated at $2 billion to $4 billion - as much as the country has arrived, with a decades-old high- period last year. Spending growth nents of capital spending, ‘trans- five times the projected yearly construction and way infrastructure that is not receiving enough was driven by increases in both cur- portation & equipment’ and ‘pro- maintenance budget of Missouri’s transportation money to match its needs. About 20 percent of the department. nation’s 900,000 miles of interstates and major rent and capital spending. jects, maintenance & land pur- And there is no easy way to pay for it. The state roads are in need of resurfacing or reconstruction, Revenues were down as oil prices chases’, continued to see robust fuel tax hasn’t risen in about 20 years, and voters according to federal data analyzed by the continued to slide late in 2014. growth rates, for the 9-month peri- defeated a 1-cent sales tax for transportation. Gov American Road & Transportation Builders The government’s interim sur- od at 64 percent and 29 percent, Jay Nixon has since floated the idea of hiking the Association. A quarter of its 600,000 bridges are in plus shrank to KD 10.6 billion from respectively. gasoline tax and reviving a previously failed plan such poor condition that they are rated as struc- KD 14.3 billion during the compa- Government revenues main- to turn I-70’s reconstruction over to a private entity turally deficient or are considered to be functional- that could charge tolls estimated at up to $30 per ly obsolete because they have narrow lanes or oth- rable period a year ago. We expect tained their downward trend in car. As legislatures convene across the country, er features not designed for today’s traffic. the government surplus to be December as oil prices hit new lawmakers and governors are confronting similar The funding shortfall has led to rougher roads smaller at around KD 4.1 billion for lows. Total revenues declined by realities in their own states: how to address an requiring more frequent, short-term repairs and the full FY14/15 ending in March 12 percent to KD 21.2 billion fytd, aging network of roads, highways and bridges jammed commuter routes that simply have more 2015. While this would be the due to a decrease in oil revenues. during an era in which federal money for such vehicles than the roads were designed to carry. smallest surplus in six years, but it However, despite the decline, rev- projects has remained stagnant or declined. On Missouri’s I-70, the surface remains relative- Figures compiled by The Associated Press ly smooth, but its weakening foundation means remains sizable at around 8.7 per- enues remain well above the con- show the total amount of money available to the state must pay to repave it more frequently. cent of GDP. servative budget estimates com- states from the Federal Highway Trust Fund has Whenever a lane closes, traffic backs up for miles. Current spending grew by 8 ing in at 106 percent of the full- declined 3.5 percent during the five-year period On one fairly typical recent afternoon, the con- percent through December to KD year official budget projection ending in 2013, the latest year for which numbers gestion forced Tom Crawford to drive his Dodge 9.7 billion fytd. ‘Miscellaneous thanks to higher oil prices earlier were available. During that span, the amount of Durango about 10 miles under the speed limit. expenditures & transfers’, which in the year. inflation-adjusted federal highway money Behind him, two trucks with oversized loads were dropped in all states but Alaska and New York. backing up traffic. In front of him was another long include military salaries and trans- Oil revenues were down13 per- In response, states have tried to devise ways to line of blinking red tail lights. fers to the social security fund, cent y/y against a backdrop of fill the gap. Governors and lawmakers in several “We’ve got trucks and cars that are just bumper grew by 3.7 percent to KD 5.2 bil- lower oil prices and production. states are proposing new taxes, tolls and fees to to bumper - people hitting their brakes,” Crawford, lion fytd. Wages & salaries rose by During the nine months to repair a road system whose historical reliance on president and chief executive of the Missouri 2.6 percent to KD 2.6billion fytd. December, Kuwait’s export crude fuel taxes no longer is providing enough money to Trucking Association, said in a cellphone interview Meanwhile, spending on goods & (KEC) price averaged $93per bar- cover its costs. from the highway. “You’re seeing states all across the country that The increased congestion on I-70 often makes services was up by a solid33 per- rel, 10 percent lower than during are looking to do something, because they realize trips longer for truckers, he said, potentially rais- cent to KD 1.9 billion fytd. the same period last year, while you can’t count on the federal government,” said ing their costs. Calls for greater funding have Capital spending continues to the December average was much Missouri state Rep. Dave Hinson, a Republican been getting louder in state and local govern- witness healthy gains in FY14/15, lower at $57.Production was also who supports the idea of raising the state sales tax ments. This year, transportation funding increases with signs that the pace of spend- down by 3.4 percent to average for road improvements. could be on the agenda in as many as one-third ing is on the rise. Spending rose by 2.86 million barrels per day. Roads, highways and their bridges form the of state legislatures. —AP Gulf Bank announces winners Markaz registers net profit of Al-Danah daily draws KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily prizes and simultaneously encourages them of KD 4.02 million for 2014 draws on February 15, 2015, announcing the to save. Each KD100 gives the customer 1 names of its winners for the week of chance daily which accumulates day by day. February 8th to February 12. The Al-Danah The more money saved and the longer it is BoD recommends cash dividend of 6 fils per share daily draws include draws each working day in the account, the more chances individuals for two prizes of KD1000 per winner. stand to win. Every Al-Danah prize draws will automatically be KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’ volatility of the markets during the year and awards from Euromoney and Global Finance. The winners are: deposited into the winner’s account within announced a net profit of KD 4.02 million for Markaz products continued to perform with Euromoney’s 2014 Award for Excellence rec- (Sunday 8/2): Athary Hamed Mohammed two working days. Open an account and 2014, a net profit of 8 fils per share as com- positive returns. Meanwhile, Markaz’s Assets ognized Markaz for the second consecutive Al-Khatan, Muntaha Mustafa Abo Theel Deposit now to Win Big, Live big, with Al- (Monday 9/2): Khaled Mater Mohammed Danah 2015. Al-Danah also offers a number pared with a net profit of KD 6.23 million (13 Under Management (AUM) continued to year based on demonstrated breadth of Al-Mutairi, Fadel Habib Husain Hasan of unique services including the Al-Danah fils per share) during the same period in 2013. steadily grow; the growth was contributed capabilities and excellence in execution of (Tuesday 10/2): Baqer Al-Sayed Deposit Only ATM card which helps account Markaz return from Management Fee has from most of our investment products’ range, client mandates across debt market transac- Mohammed Baqer Behbahani, Gladys holders deposit their money at their conven- increase by 18 percent, to reach KD 7.58. and was a result of the consistent perform- tions, equity transactions, mergers and Manlangit ience; as well as the Al-Danah calculator to Markaz’s total assets under management ance of our Funds.” acquisitions, and advisory work. (Wednesday 11/2): Basel Abdulkarim, help customers calculate their chances of Najat Salman Mohammed Al-Ansari becoming an Al-Danah winner. (AUM) reach KD1.089 billion (Excluding Manaf Alhajri, CEO of Markaz added: “The In December 2014, Capital Intelligence, (Thursday 12/2): Ali Bader Salim Al- Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah account is open to National Real Estate Portfolio) as of December decline in net earnings compared with last the international rating agency, affirmed the Shimmari, Bashir Mohammed Ali Nasar Kuwaitis and all residents of Kuwait. 31, 2014, with an increase of 11.7 percent year came during the 4th quarter because of rating of Markaz debenture bond at ‘BBB’. The Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah 2015 draw lineup Customers who open an account and/ or compared to the AUM during the same peri- the decline in values in all the regional capi- rating reflects Markaz’s well established fran- includes daily draws (2 winners per working deposit more will enter the draw within two od. tal markets, which was triggered by the chise and its conservative business model, day each receive KD1000). Al-Danah’s 1st days. To take part in the Al-Danah 2015 Markaz Board of Directors recommended a sharp drop in oil prices. These unrealized supported by Markaz’s good liquidity posi- Quarterly draw will be held on 26 March upcoming yearly draw, customers must have (KD200,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000), 2nd an Al-Danah account containing at least KD cash dividend of 6 percent of share par value, losses were partially offset by favorable tion, its low leverage and its improved earn- Quarter - 25 June (KD250,000, KD125,000, 200. To be part of the Al-Danah draws, cus- which is 6 Fils per share to shareholders on results from our real estate and investment ings in both 2013 and for the nine months to and KD25,000), 3rd Quarter - 17 September tomers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 59 branch- record as of the date of the General Assembly. banking activities.” end Q3 2014. The agency classified the out- (KD500,000, KD125,000, and KD25,000). The es, transfer on line, or call the Customer Markaz Chairman, Diraar Y Alghanim, said In 2014, Markaz received “Best Asset look on the rating as ‘Stable’, based on final Al Danah draw for the Million Dinars will Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and “Although Markaz posted positive returns in Manager in Kuwait” award from Global Markaz’s track record of building solid per- be held on 7 January, 2016 whereby the Al- guidance. Customers can also log on to Danah millionaire will be announced along- www.e-gulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to 2014, the performance of GCC stock markets Investor Magazine; it is the fifth consecutive forming funds across asset classes and the side winners of KD250,000 and KD50,000. find out more about Al-Danah and who the adversely affected the growth of our profit. year Markaz wins this award. Markaz also reputation for being the best performing Al-Danah allows customers to win cash winners are. Our diversification policy mitigated the won two “Best Investment Bank in Kuwait” fund manager on a risk-adjusted basis. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 BUSINESS

Groundbreaking McLaren Super Series continues to break records 5,000 units assembled since production commenced in early 2011

cLaren Automotive celebrated the build of Australia. It was joined at the end of the production within the McLaren Technology Centre. Deliveries was, and still is, a groundbreaking supercar and, true produced by McLaren Automotive competitors, how- the 5,000th McLaren supercar. Based on the line by the first production 12C, which has now commenced globally from June, before the state-of- to the values of McLaren, we have continued to devel- ever, this is a key component of the company’s busi- Mgroundbreaking carbon fibre MonoCell chas- become part of the McLaren Heritage Collection.”We the-art McLaren Production Centre opened its doors op and build on this great product into the 650S ness strategy to ensure exclusivity. As such, the sis, the car forms part of the recently announced are truly proud and honoured to be associated with in November, becoming the birthplace of all McLaren which has delighted our customers and won count- Middle East region has a strong 650S order bank, as McLaren Super Series, which is only in its fourth full the McLaren automotive brand as it reached an roadcars. The bespoke facility was designed by Foster less awards across the world,’ said Mike Flewitt, Chief exclusivity is one of the attractions of McLaren owner- year of vehicle production. important milestone in their history,” said Yousuf Al- + Partners, and combines outstanding quality with Executive Officer at McLaren Automotive. ship along with greater power performance and tech- Launched initially with the 12C in 2011, and fol- Qatami, General Manager of Ali Alghanim & Sons highly efficient production methods. It is now a home ‘We have built a solid foundation for the business, nologies than the competition. lowed by the 12C Spider and then 650S, the Super Automotive, the exclusive importer for McLaren, Land to over 500 employees working across the manufac- delivering record numbers year on year, and I look for- The McLaren Super Series forms the core range of Series is now the highest volume carbon fibre super- Rover, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce automobiles in turing and logistics operations. ward to our next production milestone with the addi- McLaren supercar offering and sits above the recently car range ever. This milestone comes shortly after Kuwait. “We therefore extend our heartfelt congratula- In March 2014, the assembly line was updated to tion of the 675LT to the Super Series, and the new announced Sports Series in the model hierarchy. The McLaren announced a third consecutive growth in tions to McLaren Automotive as we look forward to an accommodate the production requirements for the Sports Series later in the year.’ family of models will be soon expanded with the sales, with more than 1,400 Super Series models being even stronger partnership with them in the years to new McLaren 650S in response to strong customer Close to 450 of the 5,000 cars produced so far have recently-announced McLaren 675LT, confirmed for delivered during 2014. come,” he added. demand. been sold or allocated to the Middle East & Africa global reveal at the 2015 International Geneva Motor The 5,000th car, which rolled out from the assem- Production of the 12C began at the start of 2011, ‘McLaren has come a long way in four short years. region, with the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Show in March. The announcement follows an internal bly line in the McLaren Production Centre, is a Volcano with the early models assembled by approximately 30 The completion of the 5,000th vehicle in the Super Saudi Arabia leading the demand. This is a relatively staff ceremony attended by over 1,400 employees at Yellow 650S Spider commissioned for a customer in employees in a designated manufacturing facility Series is a fantastic milestone for the brand. The 12C small number of cars when compared to the numbers the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey. Al-Mazaya Holding, Dumankaya launch Ritim Istanbul project

KUWAIT: Al-Mazaya Holding and added that the Ritim Istanbul project is The joint venture is a result of the part- of Istanbul. studies of investment feasibility and Turkey. Therefore together with Dumankaya Construction announced a promising investment of the strategic nership agreement with Dumankaya. Al-Saqa’abi gave a brief presenta- predictable returns on investment. The Dumankaya we have prepared a wise the launch of Ritim Istanbul project, alliance between Al Mazaya and The investment percentage of Al- tion about Al-Mazaya Holding as a results showed encouraging results to plan to expand our marketing cam- which occupies a prime location in Dumankaya and that the project will Mazaya and its partners in the project dual listed company on Kuwait Stock enter investment, alongside our full paign to include Kuwait, KSA, UAE, the Asian part of Istanbul, on one of add a landmark to the underway proj- is 50%. The project is underway and Exchange and Dubai Financial Market, confidence in our strategic partner Oman and Bahrain, as Mazaya has the busiest and most prosperous ects in Istanbul, due to its strategic progressing in full swing. The first having a capital of $234.6 million and and our outstanding ability to exposure and presence in these mar- neighborhoods on the bridge con- position and its state of the art and phase of the project is completed and exposure to many markets in the GCC exchange experiences to develop the kets through its many operation necting Asian and European sides of splendid designs. Ugur said that the it is scheduled for delivery in 2016”. and Middle East region. The company project to the highest level. offices”. Istanbul. project consists of six towers - three Al-Nafisi added that Al-Mazaya is dedicated to real estate develop- Worth mentioning is that Al- Baris Dumankaya, Vice Chairman of The announcement was made in a residential towers and three office tow- Holding is constantly striving to ments and offers holistic services such Mazaya’s entry in this investment Dumankaya, gave a presentation press conference that was held on ers, in addition to a 22,000 square about Ritim Istanbul project and Wednesday, February 18, 2015. meter shopping mall. explained its components, saying that The press conference was attended Augur added that 45% of the proj- it is situated on a total area of 39,000 by Abdullah Al-Duwaikh Kuwait ect has been sold and marketing works square meters, with a total built up Ambassador to the republic of Turkey, are underway to sell the remaining area of 274,000, comprising of 863 res- Rashid Al Nafisi, Chairman of Al- units inside and outside Istanbul. idential units, varying in size from one, Mazaya Holding, Eng Ibrahim Al- In his Speech, Rashid Al-Nafisi, two and three bedrooms, in addition Saqa’abi, Group CEO,. Jim Yolcu, CEO of Chairman of Al-Mazaya Holding, to 363 office spaces and 147 retail out- Mazaya Turkey and Eng. Salwa Malhas, extended heartfelt thanks and appreci- lets. Chief Business Development and ation to Dumankaya Company and to Baris added that Ritim Istanbul is Marketing Officer at Al-Mazaya the generous Turkish people for their one of the most promising projects, Holding. Representatives of the Turkish hospitality and warm reception. He which is adjacent to the Metro station firm in the press conference were Ugur expressed his optimism about Al- and is located within proximity of six Dumankaya, Chairman of the Board of Mazaya’s presence in the Turkish real universities and five hotels, just 15- Directors of Dumankaya and Baris estate market which bodes well for a minutes’ drive from Sabiha Gokcen Dumankaya, Vice Chairman of successful economy and prosperity, International Airport. The project will Dumankaya. due to its offerings and encouraging house the highest and most beautiful The launch ceremony included a incentives to investors, such as inte- restaurants on the 37th floor with a video presentation about Ritim grated infrastructure, qualified work- stunning view of the Princess Island in Istanbul and a presentation delivered force, free investment climate, low tax- Istanbul. by Eng Ibrahim Al-Saqa’abi, CEO of Al- es and increasing demand from inside select distinctive projects which as project management and market- reflects its low risk strategy which is Baris added that the first phase of Mazaya Holding and Baris Dumankaya, and outside turkey. make a milestone in the real estate ing, real estate portfolio management based on geographical diversification, the project has been completed, while Vice Chairman of Dumankaya. He praised the benefits of invest- development industry. The opportu- and management of third party’s cash flow tables and a diversified the second phase is underway in 2015. The conference was opened by. ment in this huge market, in which the nity to invest in Ritim Istanbul project properties. investment portfolio that includes He praised the technical specifications Ugur Dumankaya, Chairman of the real estate sector accounts for 19.5% of in collaboration with Dumankaya Al-Saqa’abi clarified that Ritim offered for sale projects and income of the project, being the first project in Board of Directors of Dumankaya and the Gross Domestic Product, a truth Real Estate marks the company’s Istanbul is the first project of the generating projects. This project con- Istanbul to feature smart systems. Rashid Al-Nafisi, Chairman of Al- that paves the way for large invest- investment in one of the most spec- strategic alliance agreement signed sists of residential units offered for Baris concluded that the project will Mazaya Holding. ment in this sector. tacular projects that serve residential, between Mazaya Holding and sale, commercial units and office attract a large number of investors and In his speech, Ugur Dumankaya Al-Nafisi added: “Today we unveil commercial and office sectors alike, Dumankaya Real Estate in June 2014. spaces offered for rent. end-users and that Dumankaya will thanked the attendees and expressed Ritim Istanbul, one of the most spec- and is situated in a prime and busy Speaking about the project, Al- He added: “We have full confidence collaborate with Al-Mazaya Holding to his gratitude to Al Mazaya Holding for tacular residential real estate projects, location on the bridge that connects Saqa’abi said: “This joint venture is a in the increasing demand for such market the project in Turkey and joining hands with Dumankaya.. Ugur situated in the Asian part of Istanbul. the European side with the Asian side result of completed and in-depth projects from inside and outside abroad. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 technology

US astronauts prepare spacewalk to lay cable at station

MIAMI: Two US astronauts wearing what NASA assured are “healthy” spacesuits prepared for a spacewalk yesterday to lay cable outside the International Space Station, after an equipment failure briefly delayed the mission. Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and flight engineer Terry Virts were expected to begin at around 1250 GMT the first of several spacewalks aimed at preparing the orbiting outpost for the arrival of US commercial crew capsules, bringing astronauts to low-Earth orbit in the coming years. Initially planned for Friday, the spacewalk was postponed by a day to allow NASA more time to wrap up an investigation into a problem with a piece of equipment inside certain spacesuits. The breakdown in the fan pump separator- which helps control the suit’s temperature-in two of the American spacesuits was part of the same system that failed in 2013 when water flooded the helmet of a spacewalking Italian astronaut, nearly drowning him. In December, when astronauts were doing spacesuit maintenance, they found that the fan pump separator in one suit did not speed up as expected. The same problem with another spacesuit was detected in January. A replace- ment part that was on board the space station was installed in the suit Virts is wearing, and a new spacesuit was shipped to the space station for Wilmore. NASA commentator Rob Navias said early Saturday that both suits are “healthy” and in good working order. The spacewalk will be the 185th in the history of the space station, and is scheduled to last about six and a half In this image from video made available by NASA, astronauts Terry Virts (left) and Barry Wilmore speak next to their spacesuits during an interview hours. — AFP aboard the International Space Station. — AP Stolen SIM card keys could be another powerful spy tool US, British agencies ‘hacked into’ Gemalto WASHINGTON: It would be another powerful tool in the arsenal of US and British spy services: encryption keys for a large share of the SIM cards used for mobile phones. A report by the investigative news website The Intercept, citing leaked documents from former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, said the US and British agencies “hacked into” European manufacturer Gemalto to gain these keys. The report, if accurate, could allow the NSA and its British counterpart GCHQ to secretly monitor a large portion of global communications over mobile devices without using a warrant or wire- SIMFEROPOL: A woman holds a portrait of Vladimir Putin during a rally in support of tap. the Russian president in Crimean city of Simferopol yesterday. — AFP “This is a huge deal,” said Bruce Schneier, a cryptographer who is chief technology officer at the security firm Resilient Systems, and a fellow No, Russia isn’t building a at Harvard’s Berkman Center. “The things that are the most egregious are when the NSA hacks giant new aircraft carrier everybody to get a few people,” Schneier said. “They’re getting encryption keys of everybody, MOSCOW: The Kremlin is preparing blueprints flattop and, deprived of funds and Ukraine’s including you and me. It’s a scorched earth poli- for a huge new aircraft carrier, Russian media assistance, has struggled to keep the vessel in cy.” The report suggests the intelligence services reported in early February, to replace its navy’s working condition. Since the ship was commis- could have access to a wider range of communi- current flattop, the relatively small and aged sioned into frontline service in the early 1990s, cations than has been previously reported. FORT MEADE: A sign stands outside the National Security Administration (NSA) campus in Fort “Admiral Kuznetsov.” Moscow’s new carrier, “Kuznetsov” has deployed just five times. Each Other documents have indicated that the NSA Meade, Md. Britain’s electronic spying agency, in cooperation with the NSA, hacked into the however, is likely to remain a paper concept. A deployment, lasting between three and six can monitor email and traditional phone com- quarter-century after the Soviet Union’s col- months, saw the flattop sail from its home port networks of a Dutch company to steal codes that allow both governments to seamlessly munications. Schneier said the report is credible lapse, Russia lacks the money, expertise and in northern Russia around Europe and into the eavesdrop on mobile phones worldwide, according to the documents given to journalists by and probably indicates other SIM card makers industrial capacity to build aircraft carriers. Mediterranean as a show of force and to Edward Snowden. — AP were hacked as well. “Do we think this is the only A new flattop could boost Moscow’s military demonstrate support for Russia’s allies in the company? Odds are low,” he said. “One of the reasons I’m skeptical is that different privacy of people around the world is at risk. power by providing air cover to warships sailing region, including Syria. David Perry, threat strategist at the security governments have been using other methods to “Almost everyone in the world carries cell far from Russian shores and giving the Kremlin By contrast, the US Navy deploys its carriers firm F-Secure, called the revelations “the biggest grab communications and wireless data which phones and this is an unprecedented mass another option for launching air strikes on dis- once every two years for cruises lasting story on mobile privacy we’ve seen so far.” The are unsecured to begin with,” said Darren Hayes, attack on the privacy of citizens worldwide,” tant enemies. Both are now particular concerns between six and nine months. At any given report is troubling, Perry said, because of the director of cybersecurity at Pace University’s Nojeim said. for the West because President Vladimir Putin’s time, the United States has two or three big car- methods described. “Intelligence services are School of Computer Science and Information “While there is certainly value in targeted sur- Russia has become far more aggressive along its riers and an equal number of small carriers on Systems. “I’m not sure that the US or UK govern- veillance of cell phone communications, this borders. But the Kremlin has failed to maintain station in the world’s hot spots. Russia, however, hacking all the time,” he said. “What concerns me its expensive shipyard facilities and perishable is lucky if its flattop is available for combat for a is that they would go into a factory and spoil the ments would use hackers in the same way that coordinated subversion of the trusted technical worker skills. So it can’t actually complete the few months every few years. US aircraft carriers security at the point of origination.” The NSA did the Chinese or Russians are doing.” security infrastructure of cell phones means the new vessel any time soon. have engaged in almost all America’s conflicts not immediately respond to requests for com- Schneier said more information is needed to US and British governments now have easy The Krylov State Research Center in St. since World War Two. “Kuznetsov” hasn’t ment. Gemalto said in a statement that it takes know exactly what the encryption keys would access to our mobile communications.” John Pirc, Petersburg, which brainstorms most of launched a single combat sortie. the matter “very seriously and will devote all provide, but says it is likely that they would allow co-founder of the Virginia-based security firm Moscow’s warships, is doing the design work for resources necessary to fully investigate” the alle- access to the phone communications rather Bricata, said the report is “plausible” and, if true, the carrier, according to Russia’s TV Zvezda. The ‘Admiral Gorshkov’ gations. It added that the intended target was than the data transfer, so SMS or voice messages could undermine confidence in mobile commu- TV network featured a scale model of the new The carrier is clearly inadequate as a reliable “not Gemalto, per se-it was an attempt to try might be accessed but not Skype or other nications. “If someone had access to the SIM card flattop earlier this month. The model is reveal- instrument of Russian foreign policy. This says as and cast the widest net possible to reach as Internet-based services. “I think the company and put malware on it, that means anyone can ing, however. It underscores the Kremlin’s nar- much about the poor state of Russia’s arms many mobile phones as possible.” should do what Sony did (after being hacked) - get in,” Pirc said. He added that the revelations row chance of ever building the warship. Based industry, military planning and overall economy hire a forensics team,” Schneier said. “We need could end up hurting manufacturers or carriers if on the model planes on the scale ship’s deck, as it does about the ship itself. Eager to improve Unanswered questions details on how this was done and what can be they fail to take steps to correct any security the proposed flattop appears to be huge - at its ability to build reliable flattops, in recent Yet the report leaves many questions unan- done to remedy it.” Greg Nojeim, a lawyer for the weaknesses. “If this turns out to be true, every least as big as the US Navy’s nuclear-powered years Moscow undertook two parallel initiatives. swered, and some experts were cautious about Center for Democracy & Technology, a digital consumer should ask for a new SIM card,” Pirc supercarriers, which can exceed 1,000 feet in Neither worked out as the Kremlin had hoped it jumping to conclusions about the documents. rights organization, said the revelation suggests said. — AFP length. would. First, in 2004, Russia and India struck a deal whereby Moscow would pull a small, Russia’s ‘Kuznetsov’ Soviet-era carrier - the “Admiral Gorshkov” - out US urges Lenovo Group State Dept blocks thousands The United States operates 10 such nuclear of mothballs, rebuild it to enhance its ability to carriers, each with an air wing of 60 or more support jet fighters and sell it to India to replace to remove ‘Superfish’ of ‘hack attacks’ every day planes, plus 10 smaller, non-nuclear amphibious one of New Delhi’s aged British-built carriers or program from laptops assault ships that can launch small numbers of flattops. WASHINGTON: The State Department vertical-landing Harrier attack planes. Russia’s The roughly $1-billion deal was supposed to BOSTON: The US government has advised Lenovo faces thousands of cyber attacks every day, “Kuznetsov” is bigger than the US assault ships be a win-win. India would get a reasonably up- Group Ltd customers to remove “Superfish,” a program a top US official said Friday, refusing to but smaller than the nuclear flattops. When jets to-date carrier for a fraction of the cost of build- pre-installed on some Lenovo laptops, saying it makes confirm that hackers who breached their take off from the deck of “Kuznetsov,” which isn’t ing a new one. (Today, a new large U.S. carrier users vulnerable to cyberattacks. The Department of system in November were reportedly still often, they rarely number more than a dozen. costs as much as $14 billion.) Meanwhile, Homeland Security said in an alert that the program lurking in the network. “We have robust The new carrier that Krylov is reportedly devel- Russia’s defense industry would gain fresh expe- makes users vulnerable to a type of cyberattack known security to protect our computer systems oping would represent a significant upgrade. rience in carrier construction that should prove as SSL spoofing, in which remote attackers can read and our information, which includes access That’s why Moscow probably can’t build this useful when it came time to replace “Kuznetsov.” encrypted web traffic, redirect traffic from official web- to an unclassified, open-net system,” State new ship. But the carrier sale quickly turned into a disaster sites to spoofs, and perform other attacks. “Systems Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. When the Soviet Union launched for both countries. Moscow had underestimat- that came with the software already installed will con- But she acknowledged the attacks on “Kuznetsov” in 1985, it was a major technical ed the deficiencies of its main Sevmash ship- tinue to be vulnerable until corrective actions have an increasing list of public and private accomplishment for the then-superpower. yard on the White Sea. Costs more than dou- been taken,” the agency said. institutions were growing more sophisti- Moscow began assembling “Varyag,” a sister bled when workers fell behind schedule. Adi Pinhas, chief executive of Palo Alto, California- cated. “We deal successfully with thou- ship of “Kuznetsov,” around the same time. It Sevmash finally finished the refurbished flattop based Superfish, said in a statement that his compa- sands of attacks every day, and we deal also started work on a true full-size carrier, as in late 2013 - five years late. ny’s software helps users achieve more relevant search with them in conjunction with other rele- big as anything the United States builds. But the Then on its maiden voyage from Russia to results based on images of products viewed. He said vant government agencies,” Psaki said. The Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991 abruptly halted India, the carrier’s engines broke down, an the vulnerability was “inadvertently” introduced by Wall Street Journal reported that three the carrier program. One emerging problem unsurprising development considering Israel-based Komodia, which built the application months after the November breach forced was logistics. The Krylov design agency is in “Kuznetsov’s” tarnished record. The Indian deal described in the government notice. Komodia CEO the State Department to shut down its Russia, but the Soviet Union’s main carrier- was supposed to reinvigorate Russian ship- Barak Weichselbaum declined comment on the vulner- unclassified email network, the govern- Jen Psaki building shipyard was on the Black Sea in building. Instead it only underscored the ability. Lenovo apologized late on Friday in a statement had not been able to evict the hack- Ukraine, which became an independent coun- industry’s weakness. Russia inked a similar deal ment for “causing these concerns among our users” ers from the system. Sources told the busi- and take a number of steps.” The Journal’s try that year. (It has not been subjected to the with France in 2010 to acquire two French- and said that it was “exploring every action we can” to ness daily that “each time investigators find report comes a week after President Barack recent fighting.) made assault ships for $2 billion. Russian com- address the issues around Superfish, including offering a hacker tool and block it, the intruders Obama led a cybersecurity summit at Ukraine scrapped the big carrier then under panies would contribute to the vessels’ con- tools to remove the software and certificate. tweak it slightly to attempt to sneak past Stanford University and called on Silicon construction and, in 1998, sold the half-com- struction and, at some later date, might build a “We ordered Superfish pre-loads to stop and had defenses.” Valley to put aside distrust of the govern- pleted “Varyag” to China. Beijing spent 13 years few more of the ships on their own. The server connections shut down in January based on The original attack appeared to have ment to become allies in defending cyber- finishing and upgrading “Varyag” to turn it into Mistral-class vessels can carry only helicopters, user complaints about the experience. However, we been linked to the Russian government, space from terrorists, hackers and spies. He China’s first-ever flattop. The rechristened not fixed-wing planes. Still, Russian officials did not know about this potential security vulnerabili- and the hackers had taken State emails also signed an executive order aimed at “Lianoning” now conducts sea trials to help the hoped that co-producing the ships with ty until yesterday (Thursday),” the Lenovo statement related to the crisis in Ukraine, the sources spurring better and faster sharing of cyber Chinese navy prepare for future homebuilt car- France would do what the Indian deal was said. “We recognize that this was our miss, and we will told the Journal. Psaki refused to confirm threats between the private sector and riers and to train a cadre of naval aviators. supposed to - help restore Russia’s ability to do better in the future. — Reuters or reveal any details, adding only “we work government. “This has to be a shared mis- Russia was left with “Kuznetsov” as its sole construct big warships. — Reuters every day to fight back on these attacks sion,” Obama said. — AFP HEALTH & SCIENCE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 UN probes surge of MERS virus cases in Saudi

LONDON: An international team of United MERS is a respiratory disease that causes cough- Chaib said the international team-including Nations human and animal health experts has ing, fever and breathing problems, and can lead experts from the WHO, the United Nations Food flown to Saudi Arabia to investigate a recent to pneumonia and kidney failure. Initial scientific and Agriculture Organization and the Paris- surge in cases of a deadly virus known as Middle studies have linked it to camels and it is known based World Organization for Animal Health- East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS. to have infected close to a thousand people, were talking to scientists and doctors, going to Speaking from Riyadh on Friday, a spokes- killing some 360 of them-the vast majority in hospitals and visiting the government’s MERS woman for the World Health Organization-led Saudi Arabia. command and control centre (CCC). Saudi Arabia team said it was worried by a steep rise in cases has been criticized by WHO and others for mov- of MERS, which has infected some 50 people in Virus kills 40 percent of victims ing too slowly to conduct the types of scientific the Kingdom in February alone-one of the high- First identified in humans in 2012, it is caused study needed to pin down the source of the est monthly rates since it first emerged in by a coronavirus, from the same family as the MERS virus and to establish how it infects people humans in 2102. one that caused a deadly outbreak of SARS and passes from one person to another. “We are all very aware of this surge in cases,” (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in China in Many people sickened by the disease catch it said the WHO’s Fadela Chaib, one of an 11-strong 2003. There is no cure or vaccine for MERS, while in hospital, or after contact with another international MERS expert team due to end a which kills around 40 percent of its victims. The case, and a few also report having direct contact three-day mission. “Although this is still a small WHO said earlier this month it was concerned with camels. “They (the Saudi authorities) are LONDON: A microscopic look at the deadly MERS outbreak compared to last year, we still need to about MERS and its potential to spread interna- making progress, but there is a lot more work to virus. — AFP understand more about what is happening.” tionally. do,” Chaib said. — Reuters Filthy India air cutting 660 million lives short Hidden costs of reliance on fossil fuels

NEW DELHI: India’s filthy air is cutting 660 million lives For the study, published in Economic & Political Weekly, down to a lack of monitoring data in India,” said short by about three years, according to research pub- the authors borrowed from their previous work in China, Guttikunda, who was not involved in the study. “If you lished yesterday that underlines the hidden costs of the where they determined that life expectancy dropped by don’t have enough monitoring information, you don’t country’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels to power its eco- three years for every 100 micrograms of fine particulate know how much is coming out in the first place.” India nomic growth with little regard for the environment. While matter, called PM2.5, above safe levels. PM2.5 is of espe- developed extreme air pollution while relying on burning New Delhi last year earned the dubious title of being the cially great health concern because, with diameters no fossil fuels to grow its economy and pull hundreds of mil- CALIFORNIA: This illustration released by the Centers world’s most polluted city, India’s air pollution problem is greater than 2.5 micrometers, the particles are small lions of people up from poverty. More than 300 million for Disease Control depicts a three-dimensional (3D) extensive, with 13 Indian cities now on the World Health enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. Indians still have no access to electricity, with at least twice computer-generated image of a group of carbapenem- Organization’s list of the 20 most polluted. that number living on less than $2 a day. resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. — AP That nationwide pollution burden is estimated to be System still sparse While India has pledged to grow its clean energy sector, costing more than half of India’s population at least 3.2 The authors note, however, that their estimations may with huge boosts for solar and wind power, it also has Blame game, years of their lives, according to the study, led by Michael be too conservative because they’re based in part on 2012 committed to tripling its coal-fired electricity capacity to Greenstone of the University of Chicago and involving satellite data that tend to underestimate PM2.5 levels. 450 gigawatts by 2030. Yet there still are no regulations for environmental economists from Harvard and Yale universi- Meanwhile, India sets permissible PM2.5 levels at 40 micro- pollutants like sulfur dioxide or mercury emissions, while to follow ties. It estimates that 99.5 percent of India’s 1.2 billion peo- grams per cubic meter, twice the WHO’s safe level. India fuel standards remain far below Western norms and exist- ple are breathing in pollution levels above what the WHO has a sparse system for monitoring air quality, with sensors ing regulations often are ignored. To meet its goal for coal- ‘superbug’ scare deems as safe. “The extent of the problem is actually much installed in only a few cities and almost unheard of in the fired electricity, the Power Ministry says the country will larger than what we normally understand,” said one of the countryside. Yet rural air pollution remains high thanks to double coal production to 1 billion tons within five years, study’s co-authors, Anant Sudarshan, the India director of industrial plants, poor fuel standards, extensive garbage after already approving dozens of new coal plants. That will LOS ANGELES: With an antibiotic-resistant “superbug” out- the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago. “We think of it as an burning and a heavy reliance on diesel for electricity gen- have predictable consequences for the country’s already break connected to its facility, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical urban problem, but the rural dimension has been eration in areas not connected to the power grid. Wind filthy air, experts say. Center stopped short of pointing a finger at the manufactur- ignored.”Added up, those lost years come to a staggering patterns also push the pollution onto the plains below the The coal expansion plans through 2030 will at least er of a medical instrument believed to have spread the dead- 2.1 billion for the entire nation, the study says. While “the Himalayan mountain range. double sulphur dioxide levels, along with those of nitro- ly germs. The maker of the product was careful not to blame conventional definition of growth has ignored the health Sarath Guttikunda of the independent air quality gen oxide and lung-clogging particulate matter, accord- the hospital as it issued new cleaning instructions emphasiz- consequences of air pollution, this study demonstrates research group Urban Emissions called the study a solid ing to a study published in December by Urban Emissions ing meticulous manual sterilization. that air pollution retards growth by causing people to die effort to quantify some of the economic costs of pollution, and the Mumbai-based nonprofit group Conservation Things may not be so polite once lawyers get involved. prematurely,” Greenstone said in a statement. given “what information is available.” “Everything comes Action Trust. — AP Lawsuits are expected to follow the outbreak tied to two deaths and several infections, with the hospital and manufacturer pointing fingers at each other. “That’s exactly the kind of skirmishing you’re going to see,” said John Culhane, co-director of the Family Health Law & Policy Institute at the Widener University School of Law in Delaware. “The bottom line is that the two defendants will be hauled into court, and they’ll be trying to do two things: One, they didn’t do anything wrong; the second thing is to pin the blame on the other defendant.” Two people have died at UCLA, and five others have been infected with the bacteria known as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, after undergoing similar endoscopic procedures to diagnose and treat pancreatic and bile-duct problems between October and January, hospital officials said. More than 170 other patients also may have been exposed. The family of an 18-year-old student in grave condition from the bacteria is considering suing the endoscope’s manufacturer, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, an arm of Japan’s Olympus Corp, attorney Kevin Boyle said. That hard- to-clean medical instrument used on more than half a million people in the US every year has become the focus of the investigation into the outbreak. Olympus emphasized in a statement Thursday that meticulous manual sterilization is needed. The company said it was issuing new instructions and working with federal officials.

Infected by tainted scopes The US Food and Drug Administration warned doctors Thursday that the device’s complex design and tiny parts make complete disinfection extremely difficult. Even when NEW DELHI: A thick blanket of smoke is seen against the setting sun as young rag pickers search for reusable material at a garbage dump. — AP photos cleaning instructions are followed, germs may linger, the FDA said. Between January 2013 and December 2014, the FDA received 75 reports involving 135 patients in the US who may have been infected by tainted scopes. The blame game has played out across the country where some patients are Eating placentas: US moms swear by health benefits believed to have died from infections and hundreds of others have been shocked when notified they could have been WASHINGTON: Health trends come and go, but one post- Alicia Silverstone has tried it and swears by it. And “Mad University of Nevada. Americans are believed to be infected with bacteria or a harmful disease from a medical birth fad is gaining a foothold in the United States among Men” vixen January Jones tried it too, earning her the among the first to eat their own afterbirth, he said, instrument that was intended to help them. In some cases, some new mothers who extol the benefits of eating their nickname “Mad Mom” in some American media. though dried placenta has been long used in Chinese patients who weren’t infected have sued for having to go own placentas. Convinced it helps to boost energy, pro- The trend has even spawned cookbooks and a devot- medicine, prized by healers for its curative qualities. through the unnerving process of being screened over duce healthy milk and ward off postpartum depression, ed army of recipe testers on mommy blogs who write Others have examined the effect in mammals, most of months for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis they may have the practice is catching on among mothers who shun about placenta lasagnas, tacos or chocolate truffles. which eat afterbirth. Psychologist Mark Kristal from the been exposed to. Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer modern medicine for natural care, or Hollywood celebri- Mother of seven Catherine said wanted to try it after giv- University at Buffalo found that mice experience less pain Brendan Lupetin currently represents more than 200 patients ties eager to adopt new-age trends. ing birth to her last child. She chopped her placenta into in the post-birth period if they eat their placenta. But in a class-action suit against a Pennsylvania clinic that he said It is called “placentophagy,” and entails eating the iron- cubes and blended it with almond milk, honey and blue- most studies about human benefits do not meet accept- didn’t properly clean its endoscopes. rich afterbirth in any form: liquid, solid or packed into a berries for an afterbirth smoothie. able scientific standards, Benyshek said. Instead, most evi- pill. The bloody, spongy organ provides the fetus with She opted for a pureed version to “disguise the taste,” dence is anecdotal.“There is a lot of positive feedback “Proving causation is impossible’ nutrients, oxygen and hormones via the umbilical cord she said, adding that she froze leftovers to be enjoyed lat- from women, including women who experienced post- He envisions lots of lawsuits coming from the UCLA out- during the 40-week gestation period. Some midwives er. Placenta being a rare item, some mothers want to partum depression,” he said. Based on a survey of 189 break, with lawyers targeting both the hospital and Olympus promote its nourishing virtues for mothers too. make sure none goes to waste. For others, packing pla- women in 2013 conducted by Benyshek, 98 percent and possibly third parties who may have been responsible “Placenta helps to restore your body with vitamins, centa nutrients into edible treats like chocolate truffles is reported the effects of eating their own placenta as “posi- for maintaining equipment used for cleaning and steriliza- minerals and hormones,” midwife Claudia Booker told AFP. preferable to taking vitamins. “It seemed to be a good tive.” He is planning to release a full study this summer tion. “It looks like someone dropped the ball,” Lupetin said. “Not rejuvenate you so you can go to parties... just idea because I tend to forget to take my vitamins but I based on research from 30 women. “Whether it’s the manufacturer or UCLA, you can almost restore you when you feel like a used machine,” she said, don’t forget that I’m in the mood for chocolate!” mother- guarantee there will be a number of lawsuits.” speaking over her kitchen sink in Washington where she of-three Melissa told AFP. ‘Night-and-day difference’ UCLA said it doesn’t comment on litigation. A spokesman prepares placenta pills. For $270, Booker, a 65-year-old Scientifically proven or not, many are embracing pla- for Olympus didn’t immediately return an email seeking with cropped hair and tattooed ears, processes and pre- Emotional benefits centophagy as an essential post-birth ritual. “The reason comment. Lawrence Muscarella, a health care and steriliza- pares the vascular organ into a course of capsules lasting Booker maintains that the benefits of eating the pla- that I chose to do that it is that there is a history of depres- tion expert, said he’d be surprised if there’s litigation because several weeks. The process of turning placenta into pills is centa are also psychological, helping mothers to stave off sion and one of the purported benefits of course is that it he doesn’t know of any lawsuits tied to outbreaks he has perhaps more familiar to cooks than scientists: she cleans postpartum depression that affects up to 19 percent of helps bounce my hormones,” said Melissa. Fellow mother closely followed at four other US hospitals. Few lawyers have it, presses the blood from it and steams it before placing it women in the United States, according to the Centers for Laura Ransom from Las Vegas, Nevada, said she wished taken on the hospitals because it can cost hundreds of thou- in a dehydrator overnight. The dried placenta is then cut Disease Control and Prevention. she had tried it earlier. She took placenta pills after the sands of dollars to prepare a case, and there’s no guarantee into strips and put in a coffee grinder to turn into a pow- “It is one of the pieces of the puzzle that helps you to birth of her third child and said it helped her manage a of success when it’s hard to prove what caused an infection, der she puts inside small capsules, a technique she decrease the emotional roller coaster of the early postpar- hectic schedule. he said. Doctors rarely list the infection as the cause of death, learned from a Chinese acupuncturist. tum period,” Booker said, the pungent scent of cooked “I did not do this with my first two pregnancies and I and some hospitals have said patients entered their facility blood wafting through her house. It is also believed to can’t express the night-and-day difference of my emo- with the antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a notion he dismisses. Placenta smoothie ease fatigue and anxiety in the tumultuous post-birth tional and physical recovery,” she said.“The pills gave me “Proving causation is impossible,” he said. “You can’t prove There are no scientific studies on the number of new period, she added. But researchers are only starting to energy, curbed my mood swings, actually made me really you didn’t have that organism when you came into the hos- moms partaking in the practice and few on its effects, but conduct comprehensive studies on the practice, which happy, and helped me to handle things in the midst of pital.” Culhane, the law professor, said that if cases do pro- that has not prevented the trend from taking hold in first emerged in the United States in the 1970s, according adding number three to our family after a move and my ceed to court, defendants probably won’t blame the victim some circles, including among A-listers. “Clueless” star to Daniel Benyshek, a medical anthropologist at the husband starting a job.” — AFP for their role, as often happens in negligence cases. In these cases, the patient was probably unconscious. — AP HEALTH & SCIENCE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 Great Lakes frozen for second year

TRAVERSE CITY: For the second consecutive winter, bitter weather threatens to turn the surface of the Great Lakes into a vast, frozen plain. Nearly 81 percent of the lakes’ surface area was covered with ice, the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory reported Friday. That was down slightly from more than 85 percent the previous day - a glitch that probably happened because strong winds broke apart some ice and created open spots detected by satellites, said George Leshkevich, a physical scientist with the lab in Ann Arbor. But with forecasts calling for frigid weather at least through the end of the month, the ice cover may keep expanding, he said. It’s grown rapidly as temperatures have plunged this month, nearly doubling over the past couple of weeks. Records show the lakes’ most widespread freeze was 94.7 percent in 1979. The ice cover topped out at 92.2 percent last March. Significant portions of the lakes typically froze DENVER: In this photograph taken Thursday, Feb 28, 2013, near Parachute, Colorado, the drill rig at a natural gas site stands with mountains in the background on Colorado’s over decades ago, Leshkevich said, but the fre- Western Slope. — AP quency of severe winters has declined since the late 1990s. “Two almost record-setting years back Colorado plans to shrink to back would be very unusual,” he said. One likely explanation for the rapid buildup this month is that 2014’s freeze lasted so long - Lake Superior wasn’t completely ice-free until June - and sum- fossil fuel dependency mer was so mild that the lakes didn’t absorb much heat, he said. “So we started this season with below-water temperatures to begin with.” Social, political pressure to stop climate change The ice blanket reaches across more than 90 percent of Lakes Superior, Huron and Erie, while DENVER: A campaign to get universities to stop investing have agreed to some degree of divestment, along with five 100,000 jobs on the line Lakes Michigan and Ontario are more than in greenhouse gas-producing fuels came deep into energy schools overseas. State employment figures weren’t immediately avail- halfway covered. It has produced some spectacu- country Friday as activists asked the University of Colorado Harvard University, with the nation’s largest college able, but the petroleum and coal industries claim they sup- lar visual images, from ice caves along the Lake to divest from coal and petroleum companies. The universi- endowment at about $36 billion, has resisted. University port a total of about 121,000 jobs. “I think all Coloradans Michigan shoreline to a glacial buildup making it ty’s governing Board of Regents took no action on the President Drew Faust wrote in 2013 that the endowment should find it troubling that a small group of activists are appear that Niagara Falls had frozen in place. But request from a student group called Fossil Free CU, but two shouldn’t be used for political ends. She also cited a “trou- asking the University of Colorado to turn its back on the it’s a headache for the Coast Guard, whose cutters of the nine regents praised the activists for raising the issue bling inconsistency” in boycotting the fossil fuels industry over 100,000 Colorado men, women, and families whose and said they wanted to hear more. while using its energy to carry out the university’s mission. work is supported by the oil and gas industry in this state,” open channels for vessels hauling vital cargo such Colorado is the nation’s No 7 energy state, and its coal, Winning over the University of Colorado also would be diffi- Doug Flanders of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, a as heating oil and road salt. The Detroit-based tug oil and gas industries produce billions of dollars in revenue cult. Despite the school’s liberal reputation, the regents, trade group, said in an email. Bristol Bay has struggled for days to free the and employ thousands. Getting the University of Colorado elected from across the state, have a 5-4 Republican majori- Divestment would be economically and socially unwise, Arthur M Anderson, a freighter stranded about 70 to exclude them from its $2.7 billion investment pool would ty. said Stuart Sanderson, president of the Colorado Mining miles east of Cleveland in ice up to 10 feet thick. be a significant symbolic victory. Fossil Free CU is part of a Democratic Regent Linda Shoemaker told the students Association. The university would lose investment gains The Canadian Coast Guard has dispatched an ice- broader campaign pressing universities, governments, she would support “reasonable and responsible” divest- from a fast-growing sector, and coal provides cheap and breaker to assist. churches and others to divest. The goal isn’t to hurt the ment but cautioned that change would be slow. increasingly cleaner energy to poor nations, he said. The job has taken so much longer than expect- industry’s profits but to apply social pressure to stop cli- Republican Kyle Hybl, the regents’ chairman, said the board “Divestment would be a futile gesture,” Sanderson said. “It ed that the Bristol Bay’s crew ran low on food and mate change driven by burning fossil fuels, said Karthik was still gathering information. The regents control about would also be economic suicide.” Earlier Friday, CU student had to receive a delivery by helicopter, which low- Ganapathy of 350.org, the parent group of the national $1.7 billion worth of investments in the university treasury, Anna Vallad asked the regents not to divest, saying it ered supplies in their rescue basket. Things will Fossil Free campaign. university spokesman Ken McConnellogue said. About $1 wouldn’t deter climate change but would hurt the universi- get even busier in mid-March, when the shipping billion is in the endowment, managed separately by the CU ty’s investments. Moral impact Foundation’s board. Alana Wilson of Fossil Free CU said the dangers of cli- season begins for the lakes’ regular traffic of ves- “It’s about calling attention to the larger unsustainable About 3 or 4 percent of the total pool is invested in ener- mate change linked to fossil fuels are serious and imminent. sels carrying iron ore, coal, grain and other bulk methods” of fossil fuels, he said. “It’s a moral impact, it’s a gy, but that also includes renewables and industry support “Our generation, my generation and subsequent genera- cargo. “We’re probably going to be looking at situ- social impact, and it is a political impact.” One of the cam- companies as well as fossil fuel suppliers, McConnellogue tions, really understand that climate change is our inheri- ations like we had last year, where we had to put paign’s biggest prizes to date is Stanford University in said. Fossil fuel is a powerful economic driver in Colorado. tance,” said Wilson, a PhD student studying the effects of cli- together convoys - lots of vessels together to California, which last year agreed its $21 billion endowment The US Department of Energy ranks the state sixth in the mate change on water supplies. “Those of us who expect to make it through,” Coast Guard spokesman Lorne would no longer invest in coal. 350.org says 18 other US nation in natural gas production, seventh in crude oil and be around to see what the world looks like in half a century, Thomas said. — AP schools - including Colorado’s small Naropa University - 11th in coal, with an overall energy output rank of No 7. we understand the urgency of this crisis,” she said. — AP Animals growing larger as they evolve: Study

WASHINGTON: As animals evolve they tend to get larger over jump.” Body-size increases have occurred since animals first were the largest and most diverse in the early evolutionary record, were mixed. Corals and dinosaurs seemed to confirm the theory, time, researchers concluded in a sweeping study released Friday appeared in the fossil record, some 550 million years ago, accord- according to the researchers. “For reasons that we don’t complete- but birds and insects did not. that tracked thousands of creatures over a half-billion-year period. ing to the study. “We’ve known for some time now that the largest ly understand, the classes with large body size appear to be the As a result, some scientists questioned whether or not the The mean body size of marine animals, for example, increased organisms alive today are larger than the largest organisms that ones that over time have become differentially more diverse,” trend in terrestrial animals was a true evolutionary phenomenon. 150-fold over the past 542 million years, according to the study were alive when life originated or even when animals first Payne said. Payne’s team set about to conduct the most comprehensive-ever published in the US journal Science. evolved,” said Jonathan Payne, a paleobiologist at the same The computer-modelled research reinforces the so-called test of Cope’s theory, compiling a database of more than 17,000 “That’s the size difference between a sea urchin that is about Stanford school who led the research. Cope rule, named after the 19th-century paleontologist who groups, or genera, of marine animals including arthropods and two inches (five centimeters) long versus one that is nearly a foot But it was not known if the average size of animals had determined that biological lineages tended to evolve to larger mollusks spanning the last 542 million years. “Nearly 75 percent of (30 cm) long,” said Noel Heim, a post-doctoral researcher at a lab at changed over time and whether this reflected an evolutionary sizes over time. Edward Cope observed that mammals like horses all of marine genera in the fossil record and nearly 60 percent of all Stanford University’s School of Earth, Energy & Environmental trend in body size, he added. The phenomenon does not apply to grew larger over generations. Scientists had previously tried to the animal genera that ever lived are included in our dataset,” Sciences. “This may not seem like a lot, but it represents a big all animal lineages, but it was particularly evident in those that verify Cope’s theory in other groups of animals but the findings Heim said. — AFP SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 WHAT’S ON

delegation from Purdue University recently visited the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, where they held discussions with management that focused on establishing cooperation in Athe fields of giftedness and creativity. The delegation also visited workshops and held training courses for teachers at the center.

Indonesia participates in KU’s ‘Travel the World’ exhibition

mbassy of Indonesia in Kuwait actively participated in the “Travel the World” exhibition which was organized by Faculty of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University, Khaldiya Campus. The event was inaugurated by the Dean of the Faculty on 9 February 2015 and followed by the reception to each exhibitor’s booth. Indonesia’s booth promoted the touristic destinations and its variety of culture rich- Eness as well as the facility on visa and other related consular matters. The audiences were also informed on scholarship given to Kuwaiti students to study art and culture in Indonesia for 1 year. The students who almost make up all the feature of the audiences of the exhibition paid vigorous attention to Indonesia’s booth which decorated with many interesting traditional art articles.

What’s On - Submission Guidelines

All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone numbers. Articles and photos that fail to meet these requirements will not be published.

Please send them to [email protected] Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital’s PICU department organized a farewell party for Dr Nasser Ansari, who is leaving Kuwait after 7 years of service. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 WHAT’S ON

he Roudha High School for girls organized a gallery and exhibition to celebrate Kuwait’s National Days. The event featured an exhibition including elements from the old Kuwait such as sadu weaving, and Ta photo gallery with pictures chronicling the history of Kuwait.

he school club for students with special needs hosted an event featuring various activities including painting, popular arts and sports, with participation of female students. Muna Al-Furaih, head of the TSchool Activities Department at the Ministry of Education, attended the event. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

22:40 Auction Hunters 07:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 16:00 Live Good Morning America 18:00 Night At The Museum 23:05 Street Outlaws Of Dogs 19:00 Drop Dead Diva 20:00 The Legend Of Secret Pass 23:55 American Muscle 08:00 Who’s Doing The Dishes 20:00 Royal Pains 22:00 Turboosters 08:50 Get Your Act Together 23:30 Top Cat: The Movie 09:55 The Chase 00:50 Gator Boys 10:30 The Chase 01:45 Wild Things With Dominic 11:35 Endeavour Monaghan 13:15 The Jonathan Ross Show 02:40 Tanked 14:05 Sunday Night At The 00:00 The Day 03:35 The Lion Queen 00:00 Violetta Palladium 02:00 The Haunting In Connecticut 00:00 Evil Dead-R 04:25 Wild Things With Dominic 00:45 The Hive 15:00 Harry’s South Pole Heroes 2: Ghosts Of Georgia 02:00 Planet 51-PG Monaghan 00:50 Art Attack 15:55 Get Your Act Together 04:00 Stolen 04:00 Badges Of Fury-PG15 05:15 Roaring With Pride 01:15 Art Attack 17:00 Midsomer Murders 05:45 2 Fast 2 Furious 06:00 Planes-PG 06:02 Call Of The Wildman 01:40 Jungle Junction 18:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 07:45 White House Down 08:00 The Way Way Back-PG15 06:25 Call Of The Wildman 01:50 Jungle Junction Of Dogs 10:00 The Grandmaster 10:00 Tinker Bell And The Pirate 06:49 The Lion Queen 02:05 Jungle Junction 19:00 Sunday Night At The 12:15 Stolen Fairy-FAM 07:36 The Wild Life Of Tim 02:15 Jungle Junction Palladium 14:00 40 Days And Nights 12:00 The Monuments Men-PG15 Faulkner 02:30 Violetta 19:55 Get Your Act Together 15:30 Fantastic Four: Rise Of The 14:00 Ong Bak 3-PG15 08:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 03:10 The Hive 21:00 Midsomer Murders Silver Surfer 16:00 The Way Way Back-PG15 Faulkner 03:20 Art Attack 22:30 Who’s Doing The Dishes 17:15 The Grandmaster 18:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 08:25 Tanked 03:45 Art Attack 23:15 Coronation Street 19:30 White House Down 20:00 Ride Along-PG15 09:15 Tanked 04:10 Jungle Junction 23:40 Coronation Street 21:45 Oblivion 22:00 Sinister-18 10:10 Tanked 04:20 Jungle Junction 11:05 Tanked 04:35 Jungle Junction 12:00 Tanked 04:45 Jungle Junction 12:55 Lions And Giants 05:00 Art Attack 13:50 Roaring With Pride 05:25 Art Attack 00:00 The Haunting In Connecticut 01:00 Live PGA Tour 14:45 Roaring With Pride 05:50 Mouk 04:00 Super Rugby 00:00 Alaska Wing Men 2: Ghosts Of Georgia-18 15:40 Roaring With Pride 06:00 Kim Possible 06:00 ICC Cricket 360 01:00 Inside Combat Rescue 02:00 Stolen-PG15 16:35 Roaring With Pride 06:25 Liv And Maddie 06:30 Live ICC Cricket World Cup 02:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 03:45 2 Fast 2 Furious-PG15 17:30 Roaring With Pride 06:50 Girl Meets World 14:30 Sevens World Series 03:00 Rebuilding Titanic 05:45 White House Down-PG15 18:25 Roaring With Pride 07:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place Highlights 04:00 Mega Breakdown 08:00 The Grandmaster-PG15 19:20 Lions And Giants 07:40 Jessie 15:00 Super Rugby 05:00 Live Free Or Die 10:15 Stolen-PG15 20:15 Megalodon: The New 08:05 Liv And Maddie 17:30 Total Rugby 06:00 Hunter Hunted 12:00 40 Days And Nights-PG15 Evidence 08:30 Binny And The Ghost 18:00 Live Super Rugby 07:00 Breakout 13:30 Fantastic Four: Rise Of The 21:10 The Lion Queen 08:55 I Didn’t Do It 20:00 Live Super Rugby 08:00 Alaska Wing Men Silver Surfer-PG 22:05 Roaring With Pride 09:20 Dog With A Blog 22:00 Super Rugby 23:00 Mermaids: The Body Found 09:45 Girl Meets World 09:00 Inside Combat Rescue 15:15 The Grandmaster-PG15 10:10 Gravity Falls 10:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 17:30 White House Down-PG15 10:35 High School Musical 11:00 Science of Stupid 19:45 Oblivion-PG15 12:15 Dog With A Blog 11:30 Science of Stupid 22:00 R.I.P.D.-PG15 12:40 Wizards Of Waverly Place 12:00 Mad Scientists 23:45 Aliens-18 03:00 Live NHL 13:05 Binny And The Ghost 12:30 Mad Scientists 09:30 Live Super Rugby 13:30 Girl Meets World 13:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 11:40 Live Super Rugby 00:30 My Family 14:00 Perilous Journeys 01:00 Doctors 13:55 I Didn’t Do It 17:00 Live Top 14 14:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A 15:00 Access 360 World Heritage 19:00 Golfing World 01:25 Casualty 16:00 Wild Australia 02:15 Lead Balloon Teenage Witch 00:00 Mr. 3000-PG 21:00 Live PGA Tour 15:00 Dog With A Blog 17:00 Animal Autopsy 02:00 What To Expect When You’re 02:45 Case Sensitive: The Other 18:00 Car SOS Half Lives 15:20 Dog With A Blog Expecting-PG15 15:45 Jessie 19:00 Animal Intervention 04:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 04:15 The Weakest Link 20:00 Wild Australia 16:10 Austin & Ally 06:00 Ghost Dad-PG 00:00 Premier League Darts 05:00 The Green Balloon Club 21:00 Animal Autopsy 16:35 Girl Meets World 08:00 Jesus Henry Christ-PG15 10:00 Live PGA European Tour 05:25 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 22:00 Car SOS 17:00 Liv And Maddie 10:00 Men At Work-PG15 14:00 Golfing World 05:45 Me Too! 23:00 Science of Stupid 17:25 I Didn’t Do It 12:00 Stand Off-PG15 16:00 Live Snooker Welsh Open 06:05 Garth And Bev 23:30 Science of Stupid 06:15 The Green Balloon Club 17:50 Dog With A Blog 14:00 What To Expect When You’re 22:00 Live Snooker Welsh Open 06:40 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 18:15 Good Luck Charlie Expecting-PG15 07:00 Nina And The Neurons: In 18:40 Dog With A Blog 16:00 Jesus Henry Christ-PG15 The Lab 19:05 Dog With A Blog 18:00 All In Good Time-PG15 07:15 The Weakest Link 19:30 Binny And The Ghost 20:00 The Big Wedding-PG15 08:00 Sinbad 19:55 Gravity Falls 22:00 21 & Over-18 00:00 WWE Main Event 20:20 Kim Possible 01:00 NHL 08:45 Hustle 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 20:45 Spooksville 07:00 Monster Jam 09:35 Doctor Who: The Waters Of Stewart 21:10 I Didn’t Do It 08:00 Monster Jam Mars 02:30 The Boondocks 21:35 Gravity Falls 09:00 The World’s Strongest Man 10:35 Gavin & Stacey 03:00 New Girl 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 12:00 NHL 11:05 My Family 03:30 How I Met Your Mother 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 01:00 Kon-Tiki-PG15 14:00 WWE Smackdown 11:35 Sinbad 04:00 Men At Work 22:50 Shake It Up 03:00 Diana-PG15 16:00 WWE Bottomline 12:20 Hustle 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 23:10 Wolfblood 05:00 Now You See Me-PG15 17:00 WWE Superstars 13:10 Casualty Jimmy Fallon THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT 2: GHOSTS OF GEORGIA ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 23:35 Wolfblood 07:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle 18:00 WWE Main Event 14:00 Eastenders 06:00 The Goldbergs 09:00 Jobs-PG15 19:00 NHL 14:30 Eastenders 06:30 Better Off Ted 00:50 Art Attack 11:15 Now You See Me-PG15 21:00 WWE NXT 15:00 Eastenders 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 13:15 Diana-PG15 01:15 Julius Jr. 15:30 Eastenders 08:00 Men At Work 15:15 Magic Journey To Africa 01:25 Calimero 16:00 Moone Boy 09:00 New Girl 17:00 Jobs-PG15 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 16:25 Moone Boy 01:50 Zou 00:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 09:30 Black-Ish 19:15 Parker-PG15 16:50 Gavin & Stacey 02:05 Mouk 00:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 10:30 Better Off Ted 21:15 The Bag Man-PG15 00:40 Magic Of Science 17:25 Sinbad 02:15 Jungle Junction 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 23:00 Generation Um...-18 01:00 Live ICC World Cup: PAK v WI 01:05 Magic Of Science 18:10 Hustle 02:25 Art Attack 01:25 The E! True Hollywood Story Jimmy Fallon 06:30 Live ICC World Cup: IND v SA 01:30 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 19:05 Doctor Who: The End Of 00:40 Deadly Sins 02:50 Julius Jr. 02:20 E! News 12:00 The Goldbergs 09:00 ICC Cricket 360 Time 02:20 Through The Wormhole 01:30 Serial Killers 03:00 Calimero 03:15 Kourtney And Khloe Take 12:30 Men At Work 12:00 ICC World Cup H/L: PAK v WI 20:00 Live At The Apollo 03:10 How Do They Do It? 02:20 Deadly Affairs 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster The Hamptons 13:30 Better Off Ted 18:00 ICC World Cup H/L: AUS v 20:45 Watson & Oliver 03:35 How Do They Do It? 03:10 True CSI 03:25 Zou 04:10 E!ES 14:00 How I Met Your Mother BAN 21:15 Threesome 04:00 Magic Of Science 04:00 Deadly Affairs 03:40 Mouk 05:05 Pop Innovators 14:30 Black-Ish 00:30 Nebraska-PG15 23:00 ICC World Cup H/L: IRE v WI 21:40 Him & Her 04:24 Magic Of Science 04:45 Deadly Sins 03:50 Jungle Junction 06:00 Keeping Up With The 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 02:30 My Last Day Without You 22:10 The Job Lot 04:48 Magic Of Science 05:30 Serial Killers 04:00 Art Attack Kardashians Stewart 04:00 Eastwood Directs: The 22:35 Getting On 05:12 Magic Of Science 06:20 Fatal Encounters 04:25 Julius Jr. 06:55 Keeping Up With The 16:30 The Goldbergs Untold Story-PG15 23:05 The Weakest Link 07:10 Fatal Encounters 04:35 Calimero Kardashians 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:30 Dead Poets Society-PG15 05:36 Magic Of Science 23:50 Sinbad 08:00 Deadly Affairs 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 07:50 Style Star 18:00 Enlisted 07:45 Snow Falling On Cedars 06:00 Magic Of Science 08:50 True Crime With 05:00 Zou 08:20 E! 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News 21:00 The Daily Show Global 18:15 Limitless-PG15 02:25 What Have I Got 08:25 Food Factory 10:55 Who On Earth Did I 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 00:10 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 13:05 Giuliana & Bill Edition 20:00 Captain Phillips-PG15 02:50 What Have I Got 08:50 Food Factory Marry? 06:35 Zou 00:55 Come Dine With Me: South 14:05 Christina Milian Turned Up 22:00 Saturday Night Live 22:30 August: Osage County-PG15 03:15 Little And Looking For Love 09:15 Food Factory 11:20 Who On Earth Did I 06:50 Mouk Africa 14:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 23:00 The Boondocks 04:05 What Not To Wear 09:40 Food Factory Marry? 07:00 Jungle Junction 01:45 Masterchef: The 15:00 Fashion Bloggers 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:00 What Not To Wear 10:05 Food Factory 11:45 Who On Earth Did I 07:10 Art Attack Professionals 15:30 Fashion Bloggers 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 10:30 How Do They Do It? Marry? 07:35 Julius Jr. 02:40 Bargain Hunt 16:00 House Of DVF 06:25 Hoarding: Buried Alive 12:10 The Will: Family Secrets 07:45 Calimero 03:25 Come Dine With Me 17:00 House Of DVF 01:00 The Art Of The Steal-PG15 07:15 Hoarding: Buried Alive 10:55 How Do They Do It? 03:50 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 03:00 Escape From Planet Earth 08:05 Secret Eaters 11:20 How Do They Do It? Revealed 08:00 Jungle Junction 18:00 E! News 13:00 The Will: Family Secrets 04:35 Come Dine With Me: South 00:00 Crisis 05:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle 08:55 Secret Eaters 11:45 How Do They Do It? 08:10 Zou 19:00 THS Revealed Africa 01:00 American Idol 07:00 Labor Day-PG15 09:45 Cake Boss 12:10 How Do They Do It? 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster 20:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 13:50 Nightmare Next Door 05:25 The Hairy Bikers USA 03:00 The Client List 09:00 Mr. Peabody & Sherman 10:35 Sister Wives 12:35 How Do They Do It? 08:35 Julius Jr. The Hamptons 14:40 Deadly Affairs 05:55 Come Dine With Me 04:00 American Idol 10:45 Curious George: Swings Into 11:25 17 Kids And Counting 13:00 How It’s Made 08:50 Mouk 21:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 15:30 Deadly Affairs 06:20 Masterchef: The 05:00 Grey’s Anatomy Spring-FAM 11:50 17 Kids And Counting 09:00 Calimero 21:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 13:25 How It’s Made 16:20 Disappeared Professionals 06:00 Crisis 11:45 Man Of Steel-PG15 12:15 17 Kids And Counting 09:15 Art Attack 22:00 E! News 13:50 How It’s Made 17:10 Real Emergency Calls 07:15 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 07:00 The Night Shift 14:15 Chasing Mavericks-PG15 12:40 17 Kids And Counting 09:40 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 The Soup 14:15 How It’s Made 17:35 Real Emergency Calls 08:00 Masterchef: The 08:00 Unforgettable 16:15 The Croods-PG 13:05 17 Kids And Counting 09:50 Doc McStuffins 23:30 Fashion Police 14:40 How It’s Made 18:00 Stalked: Someone’s Professionals 09:00 American Idol 18:00 The Hobbit: The Desolation 13:30 Brides Of Beverly Hills 10:05 Zou 15:05 How It’s Made Watching 08:50 Masterchef: The 10:00 Grey’s Anatomy Of Smaug-PG 13:55 Brides Of Beverly Hills 10:15 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 15:30 Curiosity: How Will The 18:25 Stalked: Someone’s Professionals 11:00 Once Upon A Time 21:00 What Maisie Knew-PG15 14:20 Oprah’s Master Class 10:30 Minnie’s Bow-Toons World End? Watching 09:20 Masterchef: The 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 23:00 Paranormal Activity: The 15:10 Cake Boss 10:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:50 I Was Murdered Professionals 14:00 Unforgettable Marked Ones-18 15:35 Cake Boss 16:20 Magic Of Science 11:00 Sofia The First 19:15 I Was Murdered 10:10 Masterchef: The 00:40 The Hungry Sailors 15:00 Crisis 16:00 Cake Boss 16:45 Magic Of Science 11:25 Doc McStuffins 19:40 Forensic Detectives Professionals 01:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 18:00 Unforgettable 16:25 Cake Boss 17:10 Magic Of Science 11:50 Calimero 23:00 Who On Earth Did I 11:05 Masterchef: The Of Dogs 19:00 Graceland 16:50 Cake Boss 17:35 Magic Of Science 12:05 Jake And The Never Land Marry? Professionals 02:00 The Chase: Celebrity 20:00 The Blacklist 17:15 Bakery Boss 18:00 Magic Of Science Pirates 23:25 Who On Earth Did I 11:55 Come Dine With Me Specials 21:00 Resurrection 18:05 Oprah’s Master Class 18:25 Magic Of Science 12:30 Jake And The Never Land Marry? 12:20 Come Dine With Me 02:55 Emmerdale 22:00 Salem 18:55 Say Yes To The Dress 18:50 Magic Of Science Pirates 01:00 The Swan Princess: A Royal 23:50 Blood Relatives 13:20 Jake And The Never Land 12:45 Come Dine With Me 03:20 Emmerdale 23:00 The Client List 19:20 Say Yes To The Dress 19:15 Magic Of Science 13:10 Come Dine With Me 03:55 Emmerdale Family Tale Pirates 19:45 Say Yes To The Dress 19:40 Magic Of Science 13:35 Come Dine With Me 04:20 Emmerdale 02:45 Marvel’s Doctor Strange 14:10 Jake And The Never Land 20:10 Say Yes To The Dress 20:05 Magic Of Science 14:00 Antiques Roadshow 04:45 Emmerdale 04:30 Barbie Of Swan Lake 20:35 Say Yes To The Dress Pirates 20:30 Deadliest Space Weather 14:55 Antiques Roadshow 05:00 Coronation Street 06:00 Knight Rusty 21:00 Oprah: Where Are They 14:35 Henry Hugglemonster 15:45 Bargain Hunt 05:25 Coronation Street 08:00 Barbie In The Nutcracker Now? 20:55 NASA’s Unexplained Files 14:45 Zou 16:30 Bargain Hunt 05:50 Coronation Street 09:30 Night At The Museum 21:50 Oprah’s Master Class 21:45 Alien Mysteries 15:00 Jake And The Never Land 17:15 Bargain Hunt 06:15 Coronation Street 11:30 Wizards And Giants 22:40 Extreme Couponing 22:35 Close Encounters 000:10 Zou Pirates 01:00 Good Morning America 18:00 Come Dine With Me: South 06:40 Coronation Street 13:00 Scooby Doo! Stage Fright 23:05 Body Bizarre 23:00 Alien Encounters 00:25 Mouk 15:10 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 05:00 Good Morning America Africa 07:05 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 14:30 Turboosters 23:55 Body Bizarre 23:50 How The Universe Works 00:35 Jungle Junction 15:25 Calimero 18:50 Delicious Iceland Of Dogs 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 16:00 Top Cat: The Movie 15:40 Julius Jr. 19:15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 15:55 Handy Manny 20:05 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 16:05 Justin Time 20:30 The Hairy Bikers: Mums 16:20 Sofia The First Know Best 16:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 21:20 Masterchef: The 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Professionals 17:15 Lilo & Stitch 22:10 Masterchef: The 17:40 Adventures Of The Professionals Gummi Bears 22:40 Masterchef: The 18:05 Chip n Dale Rescue Professionals Rangers 23:35 Masterchef: The 18:30 Ducktales Professionals 18:55 Art Attack 19:20 Sofia The First 19:45 Calimero 20:00 Doc McStuffins 20:10 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 20:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 20:35 Zou 01:10 Overhaulin’ 20:50 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 02:00 Kindig Customs 20:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:50 Fantomworks 21:20 Sofia The First 03:40 Auction Hunters: Pawn Shop 21:45 Adventures Of The Edition Gummi Bears 04:05 The Liquidator 22:10 Chip n Dale Rescue 04:30 Auction Hunters Rangers 05:00 How It’s Made 22:35 Ducktales 05:30 How It’s Made 23:00 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 06:00 The Big Brain Theory 23:05 Art Attack 06:50 You Have Been Warned 23:30 Julius Jr. 07:40 The Carbonaro Effect 23:40 Calimero 08:05 The Carbonaro Effect 23:55 Henry Hugglemonster 08:30 Bear Grylls’ Wild Weekend DISNEY XD 09:20 When Fish Attack 00:00 Programmes Start At 10:10 Survive That! 7:00am KSA 11:00 Kindig Customs 07:00 Dude, That’s My Ghost 11:50 Kindig Customs 07:25 Zeke & Luther 12:40 Kindig Customs 07:50 Star Wars Rebels 13:30 Kindig Customs 08:15 Supa Strikas 14:20 Kindig Customs 08:40 The 7D 15:10 Kindig Customs 09:05 Phineas And Ferb 16:00 Gold Rush 09:30 Supa Strikas 16:50 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 09:55 Supa Strikas 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 10:20 Supa Strikas 18:30 Bear Grylls’ Wild Weekend 10:45 Supa Strikas 19:20 When Fish Attack 11:15 Supa Strikas 20:10 Survive That! 11:40 Supa Strikas 21:00 Auction Hunters 12:05 Supa Strikas 21:25 Auction Hunters 12:30 Supa Strikas 21:50 Auction Hunters 13:00 The 7D 22:15 Auction Hunters SINISTER ON OSN PREMIERE HD Classifieds

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (19/02/2015 TO 25/02/2015)

SHARQIA-1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:30 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 2:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:05 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 4:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:30 PM 360º 2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM DRAGON BLADE 1:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 3:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM FANAR-5 DRAGON BLADE 6:30 PM SONG ONE 12:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM SHARQIA-2 HOUSEBOUND 2:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:15 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 11:45 AM HOUSEBOUND 4:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:30 PM SONG ONE 6:45 PM 360º- 3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 8:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 11:30 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:15 PM SONG ONE 11:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM HOUSEBOUND 6:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM HOUSEBOUND 8:30 PM MARINA-1 HOUSEBOUND 10:45 PM SHARQIA-3 DRAGON BLADE 12:30 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM DRAGON BLADE 3:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 1:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 5:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 DRAGON BLADE 4:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 8:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 6:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 10:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:30 PM MARINA-2 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:45 PM MUHALAB-1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:05 AM DRAGON BLADE 1:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:30 PM AL-KOUT.2 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 11:30 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 2:15 PM FOR SALE REQUIRED DRAGON BLADE 7:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 AM DRAGON BLADE 4:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 7:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 7:00 PM DENON 7.2 AV receiver for DRAGON BLADE 10:00 PM MARINA-3 DRAGON BLADE 9:15 PM sale. Model AVR 3311. RMS DRAGON BLADE 12:30 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 11:30 AM DRAGON BLADE 11:45 PM Urgently required KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:30 PM 125 x 7, HDMI x 7, 3D ready, MUHALAB-2 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 4:00 PM AL-KOUT.3 network ready. iPod/iPhone Electronics or KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 5:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:00 PM socket, brand new condi- KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 7:30 PM SONG ONE 1:30 PM tion, Carton pack. If inter- Electrical Engineer HOUSEBOUND 5:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:30 PM ested, please call 99725095. KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 8:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 PM SONG ONE 6:00 PM with bachelor degree HOUSEBOUND 10:30 PM SONG ONE 8:00 PM (C 4933) KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM AVENUES-1 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM 21-2-2015 YELLOWBIRD 11:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM Fax: 22498677 MUHALAB-3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:15 PM AL-KOUT.4 SITUATION WANTED YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 3:00 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 12:30 PM on 10th August 1982 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:15 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:30 PM (native district: YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:15 PM 12 years experienced pro- YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:00 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:00 PM fessional looking for senior Pudukkottai), residing at YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 AM AVENUES-2 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 6:45 PM position in finance / No. 674, Kummankulam, HOUSEBOUND 12:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:30 PM accounts. Qualification: CFA Pudukkottai Veduthi, FANAR-1 HOUSEBOUND 3:00 PM HOUSEBOUND 10:45 PM Level1/CMA (IMA-USA), Alangudi Post, Pudukkottai- KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM HOUSEBOUND 5:15 PM HOUSEBOUND 1:00 AM BCom. Oracle Financials, 622301, holder of Indian KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:15 PM HOUSEBOUND 7:30 PM Passport No. F6077280, has Plan B (ARABIC) 4:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 9:45 PM BAIRAQ-1 Microsoft Dynamics GP. KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 6:45 PM HOUSEBOUND 12:05 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM Contact: 60320220. converted to Islam with the KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:45 PM (C 4932) name of Abdul Rahman. KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM AVENUES-3 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 4:00 PM 18-2-2014 (C 4931) KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 6:15 PM 18-2-2015 FANAR-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 3:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 8:30 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 6:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME DRAGON BLADE 2:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 8:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 1:00 AM DRAGON BLADE 5:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:15 PM Thiru Ganesan (Hindu), DRAGON BLADE 7:30 PM BAIRAQ-2 son of Thiru Rengaiah, born 112 DRAGON BLADE 10:00 PM AVENUES-4 DRAGON BLADE 11:45 AM DRAGON BLADE 12:30 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:15 PM DRAGON BLADE 2:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 4:45 PM Prayer timings FANAR-3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 5:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 9:45 PM Fajr: 05:02 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 1:45 PM Special Show “KINGSMAN: The Secret Service” 7:45 PM DRAGON BLADE 12:15 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 3:30 PM SUN- 22.02.2015 Shorook 06:21 THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 5:30 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 10:15 PM BAIRAQ-3 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 7:15 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 12:45 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 12:45 PM Duhr: 12:02 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 9:30 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 2:45 PM Asr: 15:16 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:45 PM 360º 1 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:45 PM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 11:30 AM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER 7:00 PM Maghrib: 17:42 FANAR-4 YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 2:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:00 PM THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (3D) 11:45 AM YOUM MALOUSH LASMA (Arabic) 4:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 PM Isha: 18:59

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

Arrival Flights on Sunday 22/2/2015 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 Departure Flights on Sunday 22/2/2015 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 504 Beirut 00:05 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 AGY 681 Alexandria 00:15 IRC 529 Ahwaz 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 IRC 6507 Shiraz 14:50 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 KAC 741 Dammam 14:45 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 KAC 617 Doha 15:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 IRC 6508 Shiraz 15:50 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 16:20 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 KAC 742 Dammam 17:45 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 555 Alexandria 04:25 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 BDR 602 KRT 18:30 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 QTR 8632 Doha 06:25 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 BAW 157 London 06:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 544 Cairo 06:40 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 QTR 8632 Doha 07:55 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 BAW 156 London 08:45 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 JZR 483 Istanbul 19:35 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 502 Beirut 19:50 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 KAC 171 Frankfurt 09:05 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 281 Dhaka 20:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 774 Riyadh 20:00 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 KAC 117 New York 10:05 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:35 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:50 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 SYR 341 Latakia 11:10 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 KLM 417 Amsterdam 22:15 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:50 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 KAC 172 Frankfurt 22:20 KAC 501 Beirut 12:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 SYR 342 Latakia 12:10 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KAC 103 London 12:20 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 IRC 528 Ahwaz 13:15 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 BDR 601 KSL 13:30 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KLM 417 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 PIA 205 Lahore 23:40 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 CROSSWORD 823 STAR TRACK

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

This is not a good time to make any concrete decisions. You should find con- A change of some sort could create some worry today. This could mean a friendly structive ways to release the tremendous energy that you feel at this time. You may decide to neighbor decides to move or perhaps you have a new job that requires you to work today. You reupholster a couch or refinish a piece of wood furniture. Help may be hard to find, so this is a were hoping to putter around the house, but relax; this work is temporary. Bigger and better pay- good time to learn and throw yourself into your work by yourself. Applying this energy con- checks are ahead! You will also experience an easier time working, as you adjust to some changes. structively can bring much praise or even rewards for the result of your abilities. You are invig- Your curiosity, intuition and your desire to achieve will help you be successful. If you are not working orated and encouraged by finding a safe outlet for your energy. Later today there is energy today, you will be helping some friends. You could be impulsive and may find yourself doing things for carefree activities with friends that have often brought you many pleasant memories. you normally would not attempt-careful. This evening, someone may make you an offer that you Reconstructing the past from pictures and school yearbooks will help you prepare for an might not want to refuse-refuse it anyway. Lucky you! upcoming reunion.

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

Your energy is high and your creative mind is busy, ready to be applied to your Your energy is high! You feel vital and in harmony with the universe. Others hobby or any chore that needs tending just now. You are full of confidence in how you will suc- can feel this, so they in turn are drawn to you, making this a successful day for any kind of ceed. Make sure both your expectations and abilities are realistic before diving into something group endeavor. You may decide to secure your surroundings by putting in better locks, you may not want to complete. If you give your best effort, considerable success will follow. changing the batteries in the smoke detector, or adding insulation or new heaters. Companionship is most rewarding; you make a relationship strong. Later, you may spend an Perhaps you will choose a better insurance company. Visitors in your home this after- excessive amount of time working out a budget; you might be too thrifty. Young people are noon send plenty of compliments your way. You may become involved with some fun involved in your evening and this may create a need to supply a solution to many different group activity later today with a lot of give-and-take. This may mean some form of sports. problems-relax. Analyze your thoughts objectively, confiding only in those people you respect. Laugh . . . It is food for the spirit. A lingering hot bath and some of your special music will help to bring a peaceful completion to what has been a very busy day.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) It may be a good thing you are not working today-it could be difficult to The need for emotional security is emphasized, though you should not pressure concentrate just now. You and your friends may get together for a day in a partner into doing things just to please and satisfy you. A little extra energy is available today the snow or a day of sports. There is not only a desire for outdoor, physical activity at this ACROSS DOWN to sort out any relationship problem. Better deal with it or it could make you irritable. You time, but there will most likely be ample opportunity to partake in it. However, you should 1. An internationally recognized distress 1. Someone who works (or provides work- should take the time to clearly express your desires to loved ones. Keeping secrets from a friend be careful about taking any undo risks or performing thrill-seeking stunts at this time. signal in radio code. ers) during a strike. could prove disastrous. Later today is a good time to sit down alone and get many things Giving flowers or some other token of your esteem to a loved one under this energy peri- 4. The shore of a lake. 2. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot accomplished-tax papers, phone calls, letters, etc. Fun conversations can be enjoyed with all the od will bring rich rewards. Now is an extremely creative period in your life and you should 12. (British) A waterproof raincoat made of palm used in India for writing paper. members of your household. Laughter is healing. Take extra care with pets-this may be a very take full advantage of this. If your relationships are less than idyllic, this is probably as rubberized fabric. 3. A city of central China. cold or dry day in your area and warmth as well as water is a necessary item. good a time as any to resolve any difficulties. Your sense of humor is a good thing. 15. A user interface in which you type com- 4. A gonadotropic hormone that is secreted mands instead of choosing them from a by the anterior pituitary. menu or selecting an icon. 5. An associate degree in applied science. 16. Of or relating to or characteristic of the 6. A festival featuring African-American cul- Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) state or island of Hawaii or to the people or ture. culture or language. 7. The sense organ for hearing and equilib- Your energy and optimism go hand in hand today to help you grasp the big picture. The law, religion or getting published is an interest that may occupy your 17. Black tropical American cuckoo. rium. Do not forget, however, that the whole is made up of many parts. Each part must be considered and mind today. Perhaps it is time to assess your goals and what you would like to accomplish 18. By bad luck. 8. Of or relating to the stars or constella- none can be missing. This is a good day for long-range planning; however, flexibility will grease the this year. Could it be that by writing two pages a day you will have a book by the end of 20. A deep orange-red variety of chal- tions. wheels. This is not one of those days to accomplish several things at once. You may want to note the the year consider plans to update or revise your bank accounts, loans or investments. cedony. 9. Being one more than one. necessary chores on your calendar for future reference. You will at least have a reminder that these Obtaining and exchanging information takes on more emotional significance for you now. A common interest in spiritual and mystical values among family members may occur at 22. Obvious and dull. 10. Herb of the Pacific islands grown chores or goals are coming due and you need to pay attention to them. This will help you to stay in throughout the tropics for its edible root touch, on top of and in control of your business and or personal goals. Perhaps a movie, dinner out, this time. You are concerned about the future of a romantic associate now and may give 24. Of or relating to the self. bowling, walk at the mall, etc., are choices that can help create a fun evening. this relationship a great deal of thought. Avoid extravagance. 27. Empty rhetoric or insincere or exagger- and in temperate areas as an ornamental ated talk. for its large glossy leaves. 29. An intensely radioactive metallic ele- 11. Half the width of an em. 12. Cuban poet and revolutionary who ment that occurs in minute amounts in ura- Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) nium ores. fought for Cuban independence from Spain 30. The 22nd letter of the Greek alphabet. (1853-1895). You will enjoy being around people today and the rapport between you and your Somehow, fun seems more important than work at this time, so do not 31. Hypothetical remedy for all ills or dis- 13. (prefix) Opposite or opposing or neu- loved one is especially strong. Now is the time to ask that special favor from someone if you were schedule too many tasks for yourself just now. You simply have a real need for people. You eases. tralizing. too shy to ask before. Just be sincere, you are attentive and understanding. If you are unattached, feel genuine warmth and affection for all of your loved ones, including the kids. If you can- 14. (computer science) A kind of computer you could be viewing the opposite sex with renewed interest. This may be a time that you have not find a party, consider setting one up-careful, you may be tempted to overindulge. It is 34. Fill with high spirits. also a good time to think about beautifying your surroundings. This could mean some- 38. (Old Testament) In Judeo-Christian architecture that has a large number of chosen to help a family member by watching his or her pets or kids. You could find yourself actually enjoying the games that young people can invent. You enjoy good relations with family members. thing as simple as new bed sheets. You do not need to paint the bedroom, however. This mythology. instructions hard coded into the cpu chip. 19. A mountain peak in the Andes in Bolivia Friends and family relationships are strong during this time. Also, love is in full bloom and it’s a good evening, lady luck smiles brightly on you-you may, however, have to move quickly in order 39. The United Nations agency concerned time to fully demonstrate the depth of affections to a special loved one. to secure a tidy profit. There are now opportunities for financial growth that were not pre- with atomic energy. (21,391 feet high). viously available. Write, paint or dance this evening! 40. Being one more than fifty. 21. United States tennis player who was the 42. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of first Black to win United States and English singles championships (1943-1993). Lamaism. Virgo (August 23-September 22) 43. A resident of Laconia. 23. Resinlike substance secreted by certain Pisces (February 19-March 20) lac insects. 46. One of the five major classes of Quiet time today morning is one of the best parts of this day. As you relax and Before you know it several hours have passed and you are still in your night immunoglobulins. 25. United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters. think about your plans for the day or for next week, you may notice that you have more involve- clothes . . . But hey, it is still morning. You have accomplished many things and the think- 47. A loose sleeveless outer garment made ment in activities that have less challenge. Enjoy these less challenging times and know that life ing today may be to have a little, early spring cleaning. At least there is room now to have a from aba cloth. 26. Buffalo fishes. never stays the same . . . There will be new opportunities to grow and learn in the future. The diffi- little space for some green plants to grow and a few flowers to get their start in a container 50. Tall feather palm of northern Brazil with 28. A family of fish in the order Zeomorphi. cult times of the past are fewer and further apart. You could stretch occasionally and learn some- garden. There is just enough sun to share with these new plants and before long, they can hard-shelled nuts yielding valuable oil and 32. (of tempo) Leisurely n. thing new that would challenge your mind and perhaps your body as well. Learn a new sport or be moved out-of-doors. This area would make a wonderful place to read. You are still busy a kind of vegetable ivory. 33. As follows. take a trip with other bicyclists, etc. The number of your friends continue to increase; good for you. organizing and getting things accomplished around your living area as lunchtime draws 51. Any of numerous plants of the genus 35. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising You are either entertained or will entertain this evening-enjoy! near. You find pleasure with your mate or friends as you walk or bicycle after the noon Asclepias having milky juice and pods that solely the razorbill. meal. Tonight is for celebrating. split open releasing seeds with downy tufts. 36. A painful and involuntary muscular con- 54. Radiation lying in the ultraviolet range. traction. 37. Small wildcat of the mountains of 55. A metric unit of volume equal to one WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution Siberia Tibet and Mongolia. thousandth of a liter. 41. An alliance made up of states that had 56. English writer on games (1672-1769). been Soviet Socialist Republics in the Soviet 57. At any time. Union prior to its dissolution in Dec 1991. 59. A watery solution of sugars, salts, and 44. Terminate before completion, as of a minerals that circulates through the vascu- computer process, a mission, etc.. lar system of a plant. 45. A tranquilizer (trade name Navane) used 61. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. to treat schizophrenia. 62. (usually in the plural) A garment extend- 48. A short high tone produced as a signal ing from the waist to the knee or ankle, or warning. covering each leg separately. 49. Someone who advances. 64. Ctenophores lacking tentacles. 52. German mathematician who created 67. A written statement of the grounds of the Klein bottle (1849-1925). complaint made to court law asking for the 53. The act of substituting other food for grievance to be redressed. the mother's milk in the diet of a child or 71. A state in southeastern United States. young mammal. 72. Large genus of terrestrial ferns of tropics 58. Convert ordinary language into code. and subtropics. 60. A state of social isolation. 74. A narrow headband or strip of ribbon 63. A winder around which thread or tape worn as a headband. or film or other flexible materials can be 75. Made from baking chocolate or cocoa wound. powder and milk and sugar. 65. English aristocrat who was the first wife 77. Any of several small ungulate mammals of Prince Charles. of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors 66. State in northeastern India. and feet with hooflike toes. 68. The habitation of wild animals. 78. Term of address for a man. 69. Characterized by lightness and insub- 79. Refer to people that one assumes one's stantiality. interlocutors admire in order to try to 70. An official language of the Republic of impress them. South Africa. 81. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. 73. Thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry 82. Free from liquid or moisture. and Pipturus albidus. 83. Type genus of the Glareolidae. 76. Electronic equipment that provides 84. Thigh of a hog (usually smoked). visual images of varying electrical quanti- ties. 80. Informal terms for a mother. Yesterday’s Solution

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Gossip

Lohanadmits she learnt lessons the ‘the hard way’

he 28-year-old actress, who is trying to get her career back in that place, then they can’t say anything.’ I think it’s just learning and I like on track after a turbulent few years during which she to learn the hard way, clearly.” The ‘Mean Girls’ star claims Hollywood has Tsought treatment in rehab six times and had numerous changed a lot since she first found fame as a child actress. She told the latest legal issues, says she is partially responsible for her party girl reputa- issue of Hunger, We’ve Got Issues magazine: “I’ve been doing this for so long tion. Asked if she thought critics were out to get her in the past, she that it’s different now. We didn’t use to have Twitter and stuff. Now the price said: “Yeah, definitely, but I think I also have to take responsibility for that. I that you pay is that your life is so much more viral. You can’t get away from was putting myself into situations where it was easier for them to do that. It’s it.” But she claims she is ready to lead a more private life. She said: “You have just a process of growing up - that’s what happens when kids are in college no privacy unless you choose to live your life a certain way. “I went away and and no one’s around telling them what’s what, but I chose to live my life in had treatment and tried to be private.” public. And I stepped back from it and I thought, ‘Okay, if I don’t put myself

Reed can’t stop staring at Lilly was engagement ring nicknamed he 26-year-old actress, who got engaged Ian Somerhalder last month after just six months of dat- Ting, thinks her flower-shaped diamond is “the most ‘Monster’ as beautiful thing” she’s ever seen. She said: “It’s so gorgeous, and I’m very lucky for many reasons, but I look at it every a child day and just think, ‘Wow.’ I don’t even know what to say. Is that not the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen in your he Hobbit: The Desolation whole life?” The ‘Twilight Saga’ star, whose divorce from ex- of Smaug’ actress seemed husband Paul McDonald was finalized in late December fol- ‘Tto always be eating as a lowing their split last May, hinted her family was present teenager because she was so active, when the ‘Vampire Diaries’ star, 36, proposed, but is eager to with her ravenous desire for one keep the intimate details a secret. She told PEOPLE.com: food in particular leading to her “You’ve got to keep some things to yourself and have a father giving her the odd moniker. moment. Love is love, and people see it, and they feel it, She confessed: “With puberty my and everyone’s really attracted to that idea. As much as we appetite had finally exploded. I want to expose as much of that as we can, we also just really want to keep some things for us and our family. You don’t became extremely active and physi- have the opportunity to do that very much with what we cal - soccer, weights, ice-skating, do for a living, so we’re going to do our best.” climbing. Dad would call me his Monster because I’d eat half a pound each Saturday.” However, the 35-year-old star - who has three- year-old son Kahekili with boyfriend Norman Kali - admitted she didn’t Arquette worried she might faint at Oscars he ‘Boyhood’ actress is nominated for Best informed about her nomination and claims it took her two Supporting Actress at the prestigious ceremony in days to process the news. She said: “I was at a restaurant TLos Angeles today and admits she is very nervous. and my boyfriend went to the bathroom. When he left, it Asked if she is excited about the event, the 46-year-old star was like I woke up. I grabbed the kid at the table next to Jackman doesn’t said: “It’s the grown-up version of going to Disneyland, like, me and was like, ‘I got nominated! For an Academy Award!’ ‘Look at that big statue! “I just hope I don’t faint.” Patricia, When he got back, the kid and I were jumping and scream- who is dating artist Eric White, was shocked when she was ing.” The ‘CSI: Cyber’ star, who has son Enzo, 26, and daugh- believe in stagnation ter Harlow, 11, from previous relationships, says they are also “excited” about her success. But she added: “They give he 46-year-old actor, who has daughter Ava, nine, me high-fives, which is a lot to get from them.” The actress - and son Oscar, 14, with wife Deborra-Lee Furness, who spent 12 years filming the movie - hopes her family Tadmits he is constantly pushing himself to be a bet- will expand in the next 12 years and already knows the ter actor and in better shape. The ‘Chappie’ star said: “I kind of grandmother she wants to be. She told Us Weekly don’t believe in stagnation. People say they try to maintain magazine: “I may be a grandma, and I’ll babysit with grand- the status quo. But I believe the natural cycle means you’re ma rules, like ‘Let’s stay up all night!’ We’ll watch cartoons!” either advancing and getting closer to something or you’re receding.” The Australian ‘X-Men’ star credits ‘Birdman’ star Michael Keaton, who is nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars for inspiring him to believe he can continue to play Wolverine until he dies. He told Cigar Aficionado magazine: “I always want to be in better shape than I was for the last one. Every time I play Wolverine I want to go further, physically and emotionally. I said to my wife, ‘The moral is that I should never stop playing Wolverine. I’ve got to find a way to keep playing him until I die.’ I know that someday always have the same passion for they’ll recast the role with another actor...I’d be happy if food, and liked the idea of it more the role was eventually recast. It would mean that it had than consuming it. She explained: become iconic.” The ‘Les Miserables’ star, who frequently “As a girl I spent most of my time in stars on Broadway, has avoid getting typecast in a fantasy world and you don’t need Hollywood and says he tries “to get by saying yes to to eat there. I enjoyed seeing all the things.” He added: “I respond to what comes my way. If you candy in ‘Willy Wonka’, reading asked me which plays or musicals I’d like to do, well, I know about the cakes and potions in there are lots of them but what’s next? I have no idea what ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and the it is.” hunger of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’. But actual food didn’t interest me.” And mealtimes followed suit, which drove the ‘Lost’ star’s father “bananas” because he couldn’t stand to see her eating at Duff files for divorce such a sluggish pace. She said: “I was an extremely slow eater. And he 27-year-old star, who separated from the seeking primary physical custody of their little boy. tion and admitted she still loved Mike in because of my father’s ADHD, he former professional ice-hockey player in The 34-year-old retired athlete allegedly drunkenly November. The ‘Younger’ star, who recently moved was frustrated by my slow eating January 2014, reportedly submitted court hit on a waitress and another female diner at to New York City to film the show, also previously and very vocal about it. I sent him T documents to end their marriage on Friday just Mastro’s eatery on January 30th before security said: “We’re uncoupled for now...If there wasn’t a absolutely bananas.” one day after her 34-year-old estranged husband had to put him in a taxi home, according to the chance of getting back [together], we would have was accused of propositioning women at an MailOnline, and sources claim news of the incident filed for divorce” The former couple got married in upscale restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. A marked the last straw for Hilary. The actress previ- August 2010. source told gossip website TMZ.com that the ously insisted their split was amicable and they blonde beauty, who has two-year-old son Luca have frequently been spotted together over the with Mike, cited irreconcilable differences and is past year. She also refused to rule out a reconcilia-

Dakota Johnson splits from boyfriend he ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ actress reportedly amicably end- York City within minutes of each other earlier this month, but Dakota, ed her relationship with the Welsh musician, 26, who she who is the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson, recently hint- Tfirst started dating last summer, in December because ed she was single again. When asked if her boyfriend was a fan of the he couldn’t handle her newfound fame. A source close film, she said: “My hypothetical beloved thinks it’s great. He’s really sup- to the 25-year-old star said: “Sometime over the portive. “I don’t have a lot of time for a relationship. I’m too bustling holidays, they broke up. Her life was getting too sanctimonious and afterwards we go home and there’s no one.” The crazy and it wasn’t something he wanted to brunette beauty also recently admitted she has a lot of turn-offs when be a part of.” But the insider told it comes to men. She said: “I think it’s unsexy when a man chews with UsMagazine.com: “It wasn’t a his mouth open or when a man is rude or wears fedoras. I hate fedoras. bad break.” The duo were spot- Oh God, I can find more things I hate about men than I like. I think it’s ted leaving a hotel in New just a phase!” lifestyle SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Transform yourself this spring with ICONIC SPRING 2015 collection

pdate your spring wardrobe with Iconic Spring 15 The 2015 men collection will showcase three key trends collection for women and men. The women’s collec- that will ensure you look effortlessly stylish this season. Ution focuses on covetable trends and the collection \ Art is big this season and is also a very effective means for men is an embodiment of casual elegance, sophistica- to express and communicate. With the collection being tion and attitude. built upon basics, simplicity is the key in this collection. Memory Road: Some trends are timeless and bring Make a statement with some of the most sought after fab- back memories of the bygone era. Dressed in key shapes rics like jacquards, injection slubs, quilting and bonded like pleated maxi dresses, midi-length skirts, feminine fabrics which seamlessly incorporate art into your daily jumpsuits, easy tunics and relaxed fit blouses embrace the wear. In colors that are striking and elegant like deep reds, grace of the fashion years gone by. Mould your wardrobe ink blue, off-white, gray and black these pieces are evident- into these trends in colors like lagoon, aquamarine, blues ly eye-catching. and distress prints that simply add that charm to your look Botanical Folk: Feel closer to nature this spring. A chic for the season. resort look is a strong feature in this collection as we Super Serpent: Prints are again big this season marry incline towards layering with shirts, jackets, joggers and glamour with snake print and what you have is a collection tees. Vivid colors bring out the animalistic prints like mid- consisting of drape maxi dress, wrap tops, east soft pep- night blue, olive green, mocha and blood berry that are lums and slim pants. Incorporate this exotic print in ele- perfect to create that edgy statement. The floral inspiration gant and classy evening wear in rich colors like maize yel- adds a softer, more playful feel to the range and the neu- low, imperial purple and black. For a more chic and less tral shades like beige and off-white for trousers and shirts edgy feel you can expect the sketchy floral prints to do the give off a smart urban jungle vibe. rounds as well in subtle pastels shades. Cruise to Hawaii: This perennial trend for the season is Elegant Simplicity: This is a very clean sophisticated back with timeless nautical staples. Combining the tradi- line. Relaxed, asymmetrical cuts and shapes are a strong tional nautical palette consisting of colors like tangy red, feature with trapeze maxi, boxy tops, peplum shapes and midnight blue and off-white, the collection forms an inte- drape easy tops with an overall neutral palette with one gral part of a man’s wardrobe. You can find tees, polo strong accent color for that pop. Masculine shapes also necks, chinos and blazers in this range that promises a chic make an appearance in this collection with relaxed fits. It’s and casual look. Some prints are a literal interpretation of all about adopting a slightly masculine silhouette yet the symbols like anchor, ship that may not be ground retaining that feminine charm. Pieces like double -breasted blues, hot corals and aquamarine blues, crystal blues and mesh and piping in a burst of colors like tangerine orange, breaking but have definitely been given a contemporary jumpsuit, box pleated skirts and structured shifts in key ivory. Also look your minimalistic best in simple silhou- mustard, black and ivory. Without the risk of looking too twist. Head over to ICONIC and shop our latest Spring col- hues like wax yellow, black and grey are in trend under ettes with strong color accents and the evergreen polka casual the prints and shapes ensure that you are dressed to lection available at The Avenues and Al Salam Mall- prints like marble illusions and mineral cracks. dots prints. Make sure you are in cruise control in these make a statement. Salmiya. Cruise Cool: This cool trend spills over to the women’s classic yet reinvented styles. Botanical Blooms: Inspired by the 70’s, look like the wear as well and combines glamour with the tradition of Sports Luxe: Embrace the spirit of sports and welcome epitome of grace and femininity in pieces like striped classic nautical stripes. Sail into the high seas in classic col- the fuss-free easy silhouettes that are part of this trend. sequins sweater, low slung sailor pants, pastel peacoats lar dresses, joggers, maxi skirts, playsuits. There is strong Look sporty glam in biker jackets, strappy shift dresses, and midi dresses. Embrace the classic floral prints in a new influx of boxy and structured shapes and boyfriend soft asymmetrical skirts, crop tops and luxe bomber jackets. incarnation in a wave of pastel shades pale blue, mint and jackets which you can spice up with colors like nautical The pieces get a touch of sophistication with the use of neutrals.

Hollywood’s big names at Ford show ollywood took its collective gaze off itself and shift- ed it to fashion Friday night as designer and direc- Htor Tom Ford staged an eye-popping show rivaled by the starry makeup of the audience. In a display of celebrity that gave a hint at what is to come on Sunday’s Oscar red carpet, the staging of Ford’s autumn/winter women swear collection drew superstars from every genre: There was Beyonce and Jay Z, Jennifer Lopez, Anna Wintour, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Elton John, Aaron Rogers with girl- friend Olivia Munn, Magic Johnson, Naomi Campbell and that was just for starters. “It was beautiful and it was so nice that he brought his presentation to Los Angeles because he has so many fans here and he’s about to start his next movie and we’re just thrilled to have him as part of our community,” Reese Witherspoon told The Associated Press after the show. The Oscar-winner, up for another on Sunday for “Wild,” added: “He’s a huge part of Hollywood and it influences fashion, and fashion influences Hollywood so it’s great to have someone of his stature in the fashion world presenting.” Ford, a fashion titan who made his directorial debut in 2009 with the film “A Single Man,” hadn’t done a show in Los Angeles before; he normally shows in London during their fashion week but decided to present in the city he calls home. It was his first show for his own label (he used Emmy Awards to be the chief designer for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent). to feature more While Hollywood celebrities help set the fashion trends, it’s New York, Paris and other cities that are normally the spotlight for the fashion industry. Perhaps that’s why - - besides contenders in comedy, drama the allure of Tom Ford - the show at Milk Studios had such ew rules will expand the number of ing the Primetime Emmy awards show weight with Hollywood heavyweights. Other stars who contenders for top honors in the from a Sunday in late September to a were on hand included Jared Leto, John Legend, Fergie Ncomedy and drama categories in Monday in late August last year, the and husband Josh Duhamel, Angelica Huston, Molly Sims, television’s annual Emmy Awards this year, Television Academy is going back to its late Tracee Ellis Ross, Sofia Vergara and fiancÈ Joe Manganiello organizers said on Friday. The Television September weekend slot with this year’s and Armie Hammer. Academy said it was making numerous awards on Sept. 20. Ford did not disappoint when his moment arrived. The revisions to the awards in order to reflect a The mini-series category will be runway was decorated with pale pink petals, and at one changing television landscape. Both the renamed “limited series,” and will reflect point during the show, they cascaded from the ceilings comedy and drama series categories will any shows that have two or more episodes onto the models walking the runway, which seemed now include seven nominees, up from six running for at least 2-1/2 hours, that tell a gigantic in length. And the clothes wowed. The collection in previous years. “complete, non-recurring story” and will was both funky and elegant, exquisite and bold. There was Comedy series will be defined by shows not continue the story or characters in fol- denim, leopard prints, cap sleeves, crushed velvet and that are 30 minutes or shorter per episode, lowing seasons. This will mean shows such funky prints, as well as elegant gowns with dramatic while drama series will be for shows over as BBC America’s “Luther” and PBS designs and outfits with sheer cutouts. There were fur 30 minutes. That means shows such as Masterpiece’s “Sherlock” will not be eligible Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black” will no in this category, as both feature same char- coats, dresses with fringes, and mixed materials, including longer be considered in the comedy series acters in ongoing seasons. Other changes a skirt blended with blue denim and leopard fur material. category. Producers will be able to petition include splitting the variety series category Miley Cyrus called it beautiful. Naomi Campbell gushed for eligibility in an alternative category, the into Outstanding Variety Talk, to be award- about the mixed material dresses. — AP Television Academy said. ed during the live Primetime Emmy tele- “Our over 17,000 voting members repre- cast, and Outstanding Variety Sketch, sents a dramatically changing television which will be awarded at the separate industry and we want to continue to make Creative Arts Emmy awards. — Reuters Scarlett Johansson, left and journal- sure we honor their creativity in the most ist Romain Dauriac arrive at the Tom relevant and fairways possible,” Bruce Ford Autumn/Winter 2015 Rosenblum, chairman of the Television Womenswear Presentation at Milk Academy, said in a statement. After switch- Studios on Friday. — AP lifestyle SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

The Oscars, live and exclusively on OSN ith the Oscars just around the corner, viewers can see all the action, live andat the same time it airs Win the US, exclusively on OSN, the region’s leading pay-TV network. As the home of blockbuster movies and series, OSN will broadcast the 87th Academy Awards ceremony on OSN Movies Festival HD, on February 23, 2015.It will be the first time that a broadcaster is providing such comprehensive coverage of the ceremony, with over 7 hours of live broadcast including red-carpet arrivals, the red-carpet walk and the awards ceremony. In addition, OSN will also host the massively popular Live from the Red Carpet, with Juliana Rancic, only on E! As the excitement builds for the ceremony, OSN viewers are in for a treat as OSN Movies Festival HD is screening past Oscar nominated and winning titles, every night. Titles will include blockbuster releases like Gravity and 12 Years a Slave, to name a few. Khulud Abu Homos, OSN’s Executive Vice President for programming and creative services said, “This year’s Academy Awards show is guaranteed to be a night of high-wire tension after a year of blockbuster movies in 2014. Critics are likely to be left guessing until the very last moment on who will pick up the coveted best picture award, as epic movie successes like Boyhood, Birdman and American Sniper battle it out. We at OSN are excited to be the region’s first network to bring such a spectacular event to our viewers live and exclusive.” In the running for the award for ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ is Steve Carell for his captivating role as John E du Pont, in the American biographical drama Foxcatcher. The film is based on the tragic events surrounding multimillion- aire wrestling enthusiast, Du Pont in his efforts to train a team for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Foxcatcherwill be screened on OSN Movies Box Office HD from 20th February. Also, hoping to clinch the same award are Bradley Cooper in American Sniper, Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game and Michael Keaton in Birdman. Other nominated movies currently available on OSN include Whiplash, The Judge and Gone Girl, to name a few.

Nominees for Animated Feature pose for photos at 87th Academy Awards - Animated Features at Samuel Goldwyn Theater. — AP Oscar-nominated animators weigh in on ‘Lego Movie’ scar-nominated animators felt like something was in the Academy, and they said, ‘Lego Movie’? It’s a toy according to the Box Office Mojo website was produced for missing at the film academy’s annual celebration of advertisement!’” said Anthony Stacchi, co-director of “The $60 million, has grossed some $468 million since its release Othe best animated films: Their colleagues from “The Boxtrolls.” Tomm Moore, an academy member who direct- a year ago. And, Oscar aside, the movie has done fairly well Lego Movie.” The most popular animated feature of the ed “Song of the Sea,” said: “The only thing I can imagine is on the awards circuit, taking home BAFTA and Producers year failed to earn an Oscar nod. “It’s tough, because we members on the committee all presumed that all of the Guild honors, and making the National Board of Review’s love those guys,” “Big Hero 6” producer Roy Conli said of the members were voting for ‘Lego’ (so they voted for some- list of the year’s best films. film’s directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller. thing else). That’s the only thing I can imagine, ‘because I “The Lego Movie” is up for one Academy Award: for its “And we love their movie,” added “Big Hero” co-director thought it was a great movie.” original song, “Everything is Awesome,” which will be per- Chris Hall. The makers of “Big Hero 6,” “The Boxtrolls,” “How “Big Hero 6” co-director Chris Williams and “How to Train formed by Tegan and Sara at Sunday’s ceremony. So, that’s to Train Your Dragon 2,” “Song of the Sea” and “The Tale of Your Dragon 2” producer Bonnie Arnold said the slight for something. Said Stacchi, “The only thing I hope is that since the Princess Kaguya” gathered at film academy headquar- “Lego” could just come down the year’s slate of quality ani- they didn’t get (a nomination) this time, is that (“Lego” film- ters in Beverly Hills, California, Thursday to discuss their mated features. Some years, there are only enough initial makers Lord and Miller) go out and make another original nominated films. submissions for three features to end up as nominees. This film, not a whole bunch of ‘Lego’ sequels, so they can get in The animation community is relatively small and pretty year, there are five. the running again.” — AP tight. Many nominees said they know or have worked with While virtually all of the night’s attendees asked about “Lego” filmmakers Lord and Miller. So why no nomination the “Lego” snub said they were fans of the film and its cre- for their movie? “I think some people hadn’t seen the film ators, none seemed heartbroken for them. The film, which Oscar protest planned over white nominees Stewart makes history, frican-American civil rights but while there has been some at the time. But Darnell Hunt, head of groups plan to protest outside progress in the decade since, it the UCLA center for African American ASunday’s Oscars show, where remains too little. Critics rounded on studies, and author of “The Hollywood ‘Timbuktu’ wins big every single one of this year’s 20 act- the Academy as soon as the nomina- Diversity Report,” said the Academy is ing nominees is white. However small, tions were announced last month, heading in the wrong direction. the demonstration will revive debate with all-white acting categories for at France’s Cesars about diversity at the Oscars-award- the first time in nearly two decades: Makes no sense ing Academy of Motion Picture Arts the last time was in 2011, and before Hunt, who plans to release an and Sciences, whose voting members that, 1998. update on his diversity report in a couple of weeks, said that 93 percent of the Academy’s members are white, about 70 percent male, while the average age is 63. “In many ways the Academy is falling further and further behind because America is more diverse,” he said. “In about two or three decades, we are going to be majority minority (with minorities making up most of US population) and you are going to have an US actress Kristen Stewart speaks on stage after she won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Academy with 90 something percent award for “Clouds of Sils Maria” during the 40th Cesar Film Awards. — AP white? That makes no sense.” Peter Saphier, a member of the risten Stewart on Friday became the first American ‘Je t’aime Juliette’ Academy since 1978 and former actress to win a Cesar, France’s equivalent of the Stewart has spoken of how working with Binoche, one Universal executive who produced KOscars, while “Timbuktu” won seven awards includ- of France’s leading ladies for three decades, was a privilege “Scarface” (1983), acknowledged that ing best film for its portrayal of northern Mali under and as she mounted the stage in Paris on Friday she shout- the body has some work to do. “There jihadist control. “Twilight” star Stewart received the best ed “I love you Juliette” in French. “Clouds of Sils Maria” should be more diversity within the supporting actress award for her role alongside Juliette marks a return to art house films for Stewart, who made Academy itself,” he told AFP. “They are Binoche in “Clouds of Sils Maria”. Directed by France’s her name as Bella, the love interest of Robert Pattinson’s trying to do something about it. We Olivier Assayas, 24-year-old Stewart plays the personal vampire in the hugely successful five-film “Twilight” series. have an African American president. assistant to a star actress played by Binoche and follows The best actor category saw Pierre Niney beat Gaspard She is doing all she can to increase their intense, sexually-charged relationship. Ulliel in a battle between two portrayals of legendary fash- These two November 11, 2014 file photos show director Ava DuVernay (left) the membership diversity.” The victory for “Timbuktu” could propel it towards ion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The two biopics were and actor David Oyelowo (right) attending the “Selma” first look during the AFI William Smart Jr, president of the greater glory at the Oscars today, where it is nominated for released within months of each other last year. There was FEST 2014 presented by Audi at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. — AFP Southern Christian Leadership the best foreign film award. Abderrahmane Sissako, who more American success when two-time Oscar winner Sean are overwhelmingly white and with Notable snubs included Britain’s Conference, said: “This is unjust, to see also won a Cesar for best director among the film’s haul of Penn-artfully disheveled in a black suit and loosened tie- an average age in their 60s. David Oyelowo, widely tipped for the lack of African Americans in the awards, said he wanted to show the residents of the received a Cesar lifetime achievement award to tumul- “The goal of the protest is to send playing Martin Luther King Jr in presentation. So we’re mad! We’re ancient city struggling to maintain their daily lives in the tuous applause from the audience at the Chatelet theatre. face of the brutal rule of jihadists who seized a large por- Adele Haenel won the best actress award for romantic a message to the Academy, send a “Selma.” The film’s director Ava upset!” He stressed that there are “so tion of Mali’s vast desert in 2012. comedy “Love at First Fight” (“Les Combattants” in French). message to Hollywood, send a mes- DuVernay, was also left out, although many” actors from various ethnics and Most of the film had to be made in Sissako’s native The prize for best foreign film went to Xavier Dolan for sage to the film industry,” said Earl the movie is among eight picture racial groups. “But the process elimi- Mauritania as northern Mali, despite being freed from “Mommy”, the 25-year-old French Canadian director’s fifth Ofari Hutchinson, head of the LA nominees. The Academy has defend- nates them,” Smart said. “There is an jihadist control by a French military intervention, remains feature-length movie. The audacious drama laced with Urban Policy Roundtable group. “And ed itself. Its first African American invisible ceiling over their heads that an extremely dangerous place, especially for foreigners. In wicked humor stars Anne Dorval playing a feisty mother the message is very simple: you don’t president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, said the Academy has put there. We’re call- his acceptance speech, Sissako-who became the first black grappling with a violent, bipolar son. — AFP reflect America, your industry doesn’t shortly after nominations were ing for them to tear down that invisi- African to win the best director Cesar-praised French peo- reflect America. Women, Hispanics, unveiled that they spurred her to ble ceiling.” — AFP ple for taking to the streets in their millions after the African-Americans, people of color accelerate reforms to make the Islamist attacks in Paris last month that left 17 dead. (are) invisible in Hollywood.” Academy more inclusive. “France is a magnificent country because it is able to stand Halle Berry and Denzel Washington “Personally, I would love to see and up to the horror and to the violence,” he said. “There is no were famously lauded as having look forward to (seeing) a greater cul- clash of civilizations. There is a meeting of civilizations,” he made a breakthrough for winning tural diversity among all our nomi- added. best actress and actor Oscars in 2002, nees in all of our categories,” she said lifestyle SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Models wear the creations of designers Sibling, Julien Macdonald and Judy Wu during the 2015 Autumn / Winter London Fashion Week in London. — AFP photos Fifty shades of noir, Aksu goes dark

t’s time to kick off those snow boots and pack the brolly. After bat- before the clothes came out: Air raid sirens pierced the silence and Furry, furry high heels tling sub-zero temperatures at New York Fashion Week, fashion- searchlights lit the room before the first model emerged. Braganza’s Opulent real animal fur coats may be a no-no, but faux Iistas are decamping to London for another whirlwind week of cat- models wore curve-hugging, seductive wool dresses in dark green, fur is definitely enjoying a fashion moment - and the big- walk shows, champagne and parties. The London event, which opens purple burgundy, high-waisted culottes in camel, bomber leather ger, shaggier and quirkier, the better. Bright, cartoonist Friday, features new designs from almost 80 designers, including jackets with fur trim, and luxurious fur coats with big gorilla arms. The faux fur coats in rainbow colors were everywhere this sea- from powerhouses like Burberry and Topshop Unique and young opening number, though, took guests to fashion’s favorite decade son on London’s streets, and at Somerset House, London names Christopher Kane and Erdem. Here are some of the highlights this season: the 1970s. Black flared trousers with a horizontal grey Fashion Week’s headquarters, dozens of men and women from Day 1. stripe, were paired with a black cape coat trimmed with jewels. Also were seen sporting head-turning furry gear. very of the moment were the stiff leather accessories and stiletto Shrimps, a young brand specializing in ‘British humor’ Fergie at Naomi’s bash boots, which - whether he intended or not - brought to mind the and everything faux fur, has been riding the trend with great What’s fashion week without a supermodel? Naomi Campbell popular book and movie “Fifty Shades of Grey.” The thick black leather success. For the coming winter the label has come up with kicked off proceedings in style late Thursday with her Fashion for chokers, complete with large belt-buckle, are not for the faint-heart- more attention-grabbing shaggy coats, stoles and evening Relief show, a charity event that aimed to raise money for efforts to ed. bags - all inspired by Star Trek and the Wizard of Oz’s Emerald combat Ebola. Campbell and her friends sashayed down the runway City, with a good dash of ‘70s style thrown in. wearing pieces donated from designers, including Alexander Bora Aksu does dark and stormy The result is a fun collection dominated by clashing forest McQueen and Stella McCartney, and items were put up for auction. London-based Turkish designer Bora Aksu has ditched the sweet, greens and warm terracotta tones, adorned with embroidered Fellow model Jourdan Dunn was among those sharing the stage, as girly feel of recent seasons for a more moody, grown-up look. Aksu cartoon characters, glitter and crystals. It’s all less Great Gatsby, well as a more unexpected guest: Sarah Ferguson. The former wife of opened with a series of outfits in head-to-toe navy, layering sheer more Saturday night on the town. But it’s the elf-like pointy Prince Andrew, who donned a sleeveless floor-length black evening chiffon skirts and blouses with capes and jackets. The color palette heels, trimmed in teal or mustard fur that really stole the show. gown, grinned like she couldn’t quite believe she was model for a mostly stuck to subdued shades, from grays to faded gold, putty to Look no further for next season’s statement shoe. — AP night. lilac. There was still plenty of romance in his signature frills, crochets, Fifty shades of noir at jean-pierre braganza floral appliques and blowsy, pussy-bow blouses, but they were Jean-Pierre Braganza’s winter collection is all smouldering film paired with more structured tailoring, from hip-length blazers to noir and war-time glamour. The show was invoking the 1940s even shorts and pencil skirts. Stewart makes history, ‘Timbuktu’ wins big at France’s Cesars

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 38

Statues of Oscar remain wrapped in a back lot off Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 19, 2015 as artists oucht up statues amid preparations for the 87th Academy Awards today. Easter Island’s carnival magic seduces tourists

ar from home on Chile’s Easter Island for Carnival festivities, one middle-aged American woman throws Fcaution to the wind. Stripped down to a thong, she lets a local reveler paint her chest. “If someone had told me I would end up walking down the street almost naked, I would never have believed it,” the woman, who only gave her first name Susan, said. Susan is one of a few thousand tourists who joined the Pacific island’s 9,000 residents for Tapati, an exuberant mix of music, dance and traditional sports that takes place for two weeks every February. In the island’s only town Hanga Roa, revelers wait in a long line under the blistering tropical summer sun to take part in a time-honored ritual-a plunge in an old tub filled with clay. A man known as Ale then spreads with his hand this reddish-brown natural paint on the bodies of other locals-and any tourist ready to participate. Then, other lines form in front of tubs filled with white and yellow paint. It’s time for the Rapa Nui-the Polynesian word for both the island and its residents-to paint symbols, inspired by the local Birdman legend, or characters from the long- lost Rongorongo system of writing. Shortly after 5:00 pm, a warrior blows into an enormous shell, signaling the start of the nightly parade, which features colorful floats and dancers in elaborate costumes, not unlike the massive Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro.

Polynesian pride The Tapati festival is at once a test of masculine strength and feminine grace celebrating Polynesian pride. Easter Island is at the southernmost point of the so-called months carving out large wooden statues for the parade horse jaws that make a light sound close to maracas when Polynesian Triangle-a Pacific region with Hawaii and New floats from Eucalyptus trees representing deified ancestors, the teeth hit one another. Some of the Tapati activities Zealand at the other corners. such as the mystical Moai stone giants or the Birdman. reflect a more Latin vibe taken from Chile-the elderly do The UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its nearly One night, a man draped in animal skins leads the way battle to be the accordion king, as young people display 900 massive stone monuments-the Moai, carved by the on his motorcycle, featuring a bull’s skull on the steering their tango skills. But the Polynesian dance competitions Rapa Nui hundreds of years ago. Rival teams are locked in wheel. Behind him, a woman dressed as a mermaid-her are fierce. At the Hanga Vare Vare, the main festival stage in an all-out contest to crown a new Tapati queen, who reigns costume made of all-natural materials including a tail tak- Hanga Roa, dancers sway sensually to the Polynesian drum for a year. Numerous races and other contests take place- en from a tuna caught just that morning-poses on a float rhythms. — AFP Locals and tourists alike participate in the festivities in including reed board surfing, underwater fishing, fruit-car- decorated with huge wooden octopuses. Hanga Roa on Chile’s Easter Island (Rapa Nui) as people rying, a triathlon and horse races-but the nightly parades People originally from the Marquesas Islands in French take part in the two week Tapati Rapa Nui festival. and dance competitions are the highlight. Locals spend Polynesia play large pahu drums, while the Rapa Nui prefer — AFP photos