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MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 RABI AL-AWWAL 13, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Russia Syrian army At least 160 Kuwait Times new tourist advances in killed as infographic: hotspot for Aleppo, loses Nigeria church NBA Power Kuwaitis Palmyra to IS collapses Rankings 4Amir tells8 new11 Assembly18 Min 06º spending cuts inevitable Max 17º High Tide 10:55 & 22:01 Ghanem reelected speaker, Kandari deputy • Opposition shut out Low Tide 04:25 & 16:18 40 PAGES NO: 17078 150 FILS

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah pose for a group photo with members of the new National Assembly yesterday. — Amiri Diwan

By B Izzak Islamist MP Jamaan Al-Harbash, by a sin- gle vote. All the three losing opposition KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- MPs strongly lashed out at the govern- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah told the new ment for siding with their opponents. National Assembly’s inaugural session In his speech, the Amir said that the that cuts in public spending are sharp fall in oil revenues has created a “inevitable” and require sacrifices to face huge deficit in the state budget and that the sharp slide in oil revenues. there is no other option but to take effec- Meanwhile, former pro-government tive measures to rectify the shortfall. “I speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem was am confident that the Assembly and all reelected in a stunning fashion by secur- citizens are aware that cutting public

SEE PAGES 2 & 3 ing 48 votes against a combined 17 votes spending has become inevitable through for his two opposition competitors - MPs well-studied measures,” the Amir said. Abdullah Al-Roumi and Shuaib Al- A majority of the lawmakers who won Muwaizri. in the Nov 26 election have vowed to Surprisingly, Ghanem obtained more reject any government austerity meas- votes in this Assembly with a strong ures that could impose new financial opposition presence compared to the 38 burdens on Kuwaiti citizens. The previous votes he obtained in the previous Assembly was dissolved over a dispute Assembly, which was described as a rub- between the government and the berstamp of the government. The gov- Assembly for raising petrol prices. As a Newly-elected Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem speaks ernment also scored another win when result, the Assembly was dissolved and Mr Bader Al-Kharafi (second right), Mr Ali Thunayan Al-Ghanem (center) and after his election during the opening session of the Essa Al-Kandari was elected deputy snap elections were called. Sheikh Meshary Al-Afasy (second left) applaud the election of Marzouq Al- Assembly. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat speaker, defeating his opposition rival, Continued on Page 13 Ghanem as speaker. Cairo church bombing kills 25 Kuwait, Amir condemn attack CAIRO: A bomb blast tore through a of Egypt’s population, have been previous- church near Cairo’s Coptic cathedral dur- ly targeted in attacks. At least 31 people Gulf states take ing a service yesterday, killing at least 25 were also wounded in the blast, the health people in the deadliest attack in recent ministry said, as the attack drew condem- shine off cushy memory on Egypt’s Christian minority. nation from political and religious leaders There was no immediate claim of responsi- and led President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to government jobs bility for the bombing but Coptic declare three days of national mourning. Christians, who make up about 10 percent Continued on Page 13 DOHA: Ahmed, a Qatari civil servant, used to arrive at his office at a government ministry in Doha late ISTANBUL: Turkish police officers carry the coffins of comrades during a funeral in the morning and leave for home after lunch, col- ceremony at Istanbul’s police headquarters yesterday, a day after twin bombings lecting a monthly salary of 40,000 rials ($11,000) killed 38 people near a football stadium. — AFP and a generous housing and travel allowance. But last month a government official made a surprise spot check on the ministry’s offices and found Turkey defiant as Kurdish dozens of employees absent. “Punctuality is a duty,” said a letter Ahmed received from the minis- group claims twin blasts ter’s office. “Qatar expects the best of its citizens.” For a country whose tiny population is the Kuwait, Amir condemn bombings world’s wealthiest per capita and which sits upon ISTANBUL: A defiant President Recep Most of the dead were police officers, its largest natural gas reserves, increasing the pro- Tayyip Erdogan yesterday vowed to fight who accounted for 30 of the victims. ductivity of its 90,000 public employees might terror “to the end” as a Kurdish militant Seven civilians also died, along with one seem like a needless task. But it is part of a trend group claimed twin attacks that ripped person whose identity was unclear, offi- across the Gulf as economies there try to lessen through Istanbul, killing 38 people, mostly cials said. Around 150 people were the burden of costly public sectors. Gulf states police. The bloodshed, which took place wounded in the blasts. The carnage have for decades used their energy wealth to pro- late on Saturday, saw a car bomb explod- prompted a sharp response from vide millions of citizens with cushy government ing outside the home stadium of football Erdogan, who vowed Ankara would “fight jobs, part of a social contract that rewards educa- CAIRO: Protesters shout slogans as they gather outside the Saint Peter and Saint giants Besiktas and less than a minute lat- the scourge of terrorism right to the end”. tional attainment with employment for life.“ Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in the Abbasiya neighborhood after it was targeted er, a suicide attacker blew himself up by a Continued on Page 13 group of police at a nearby park. Continued on Page 13 by an explosion yesterday. — AFP LOCAL MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

KUWAIT: Marzouq Al-Ghanem is congratulated after being elected Marzouq Al-Ghanem shakes his father Ali Thunaiyan Al-Ghanem’s A general view of the first regular session of the National Assembly’s 15th Legislative Term. Speaker of the National Assembly. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat hand after being elected as speaker.

Kuwait Times Deputy Editor-in-Chief Dr Ziad Al-Alyan MP Shuwaib Al-Muwaizri speaks during the session. MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari reacts during the session. US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman (center) (center) attends the session. attends the opening session.

MP Safaa Al-Hashem arrives to attend the opening Deputy Speaker Essa Al-Kandari (left) and MP MP Abdullah Al-Roumi (top right) gestures during the Top police and army officials attend the session. session. Talal Al-Sahli attend the session. session. Amir congratulates Ghanem, Kandari Harshani calls for applying constitution

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad and 2009, and also in 2012, Ghanem was Speaker of the cables to the Deputy Speaker. immediate economic reforms to achieve development, Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent yesterday a cable of congratula- 2013 parliament. and the importance of full cooperation between the leg- tions to Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem for being elected His Highness the Amir also sent a congratulatory cable Fighting corruption islative and executive authorities to provide better condi- Parliament Speaker, wishing him all the best. His Highness Sunday to MP Essa Al-Kandari. In the cable, His Highness In a speech before the speaker’s election, the National tions for citizens and protect the law. the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- the Amir expressed his most congratulations to Kandari Assembly’s senior MP Hamad Al-Harshani said that apply- Harshani affirmed the important role played by the two Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber for being elected as Deputy Speaker of the National ing the laws and terms of the Kuwaiti constitution and authorities in determining Kuwait’s international policy Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables. Assembly. punishing those who violate the law are vital to create sta- and develop cooperation with the Gulf countries. He not- Born in 1968, Ghanem earned a BA in mechanical engi- His Highness also wished the new Deputy Speaker all bility in the country. ed that the current assembly will exert huge efforts to face neering and held the post of Boubyan Petrochemicals the best of luck on his mission to contribute to serving Fighting corruption is a must to overcome the current the regional economic and security challenges that may chairman. He was also a board member at the Egypt the country and boosting its status on regional and unstable economic conditions in Kuwait, said Harshani in affect Kuwait. Meanwhile, he spoke of unresolved issues Kuwait Holding Company, the Building Materials international levels. Meanwhile, His Highness the Crown a speech at the National Assembly’s first ordinary session facing Kuwaitis including health services, developing edu- Company and Global Telecom. Elected MP in 2006, 2008 Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister sent similar of the 15th legislative term. He also stressed the need for cation and housing requests. — KUNA Profiles of the new Cabinet’s members

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and chief of 2002 and 2007 before occupying the univer- Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- operations at Kuwait Petroleum International. sity general secretariat post in 2016. Sabah has formed the 34th government of • Faleh Al-Azb, the minister of justice, had • Mohammad Al-Jabri, the minister of the State of Kuwait since 1962 and the sixth served in the investigations department at awqaf and Islamic affairs, born in 1974, since he has occupied the premiership post the interior ministry and as an advisor at the served at Kuwait Airways, became parliament in December 2011. The following are profiles ministry of foreign affairs. member in December 2012 and 2013. He is of the newly-formed cabinet including the • Mohammad Al-Fares, born in 1966, also a member of the current parliament (the premier. served in key posts at Kuwait University in National Assembly). — KUNA • Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, born in 1942, has occupied a number of positions since 1968, serving as supervisor of administrative and financial affairs at the Amiri Diwan, direc- Full list of the parliament tor of a State department and assistant undersecretary for financial and administra- committees’ members tive affairs. On March 19, 1979, he was appointed • Financial and Economic Affairs Safaa Al-Hashem Hawally Governor. Later, he was named Al- Committee Adnan Abdulsamad Ahmadi Governor, before serving as minister Saleh Ashour Awdah Al-Awdah of social affairs and labor and minister of Khalaf Dumaitheer Adel Al-Damkhi information as well as advisor at His Highness Marzouq Al-Khalifa Abdullah Al-Roumi the Amir Bureau. Ahmad Al-Fadhl Mohammad Al-Huwailah On February 9, 2006, Sheikh Jaber Al- Safaa Al-Hashem Mubarak was named first deputy premier, Mohammad Al-Mutair • Public Utilities Committee minister of interior and defense. He retained Abdulwahab Al-Babtain Mohammad Al-Hadiya the same posts in two cabinets, formed on Nasser Al-Dossari July 11, 2006, and March 25, 2007. • Legal and Legislative Committee Abdullah Fahhad Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak, in a cabinet Mohammad Al-Dallal Khalil Al-Saleh reshuffle on October 28, 2007, became the Al-Humaidi Al-Subaie Majed Al-Mutairi first deputy premier and minister of defense. Mubarak Al-Hajraf Rakan Al-Nasef He served in the same positions in the subse- Mohammad Hayef Thamer Al-Dhafiri quent governments formed in May 2008, Khaled Al-Shatti January 2009, May 2009 and May 2011. In Abdukarim Al-Kandari • Foreign Relations Committee November 2011, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah casts his vote during the speaker’s election yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Waleed Al-Tabtabaei Hamad Al-Harashani was selected to serve as premier. He was re- Yousef Al-Fadhalah appointed to the premiership post in • Interior and Defense Committee Ali Al-Deqbasi February 2012, July 2012, December 2012, defense, was named Hawally Governor in 2012, he served as the minister of state for Salah Khorshid Al-Humaidi Al-Subaie July 2013 and January 2014. 1991, minister of interior in 1996, as well as cabinet affairs. He kept the same jobs in 2013 Nasser Al-Dossari Askar Al-Enezi • Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- in the cabinets of 1998, 1999 and 2001. He and 2014. Askar Al-Enezi Sabah, the First Deputy Prime Minister and was re-named for the same service in 2012 • Dr Hind Subaih Al-Subaih, the minister Saud Al-Shuwaier • Health and Labour Committee Foreign Minister, born in 1953. He joined the and 2014. of social affairs and labor, began climbing Majed Al-Mutairi Talal Al-Jallal foreign ministry in 1978 as a diplomatic • Anas Al-Saleh, the deputy premier and the echelon in 2007 as the assistance under- Yousef Al-Fadhalah attache, serving in the Arab affairs depart- finance minister, born in 1972, had served in secretary at the civil service commission. • Complaints Committee Humoud Al-Khudair ment (1978-1983) and with the permanent key positions in several private business com- She was chosen as the minister of social Adel Al-Damkhi Saad Al-Khanfour Kuwaiti mission at the UN (1983-1989). He panies before he was named in 2012 as min- affairs and labor in January 2014. Mubarak Al-Hajraf Khaled Al-Otaibi worked as the deputy director of the Arab ister of commerce and industry. He retained • Yasser Abul, the minister of state for Saadoun Hammad homeland department at the foreign ministry the post in the cabinets of December 2012 housing affairs, born in 1973. He was named Saud Al-Shuwaier • Educational Affairs Committee (1989-1992), in addition to several other sen- and July 2013. He was chosen to serve as the to the key post in January 2014. Hamdan Al-Azmi Mohammad Al-Huwailah ior posts till assuming the foreign minister’s deputy premier and finance minister in • Jamal Al-Harbi, the minister of health, Omar Al-Tabtabaei post in 2011. He retained the position in the January 2014 and acting oil minister in born in 1961, was named as the assistant • Public Funds Protection Committee Jamaan Al-Harbash years later. November 2015. undersecretary for medical services in Abdulwahab Al-Babtain Khalil Abul • Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, the • Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- June 2013. Shuwaib Al-Muwaizri Awdah Al-Awdah deputy premier and interior minister, was Mubarak Al-Sabah, the minister of state for • Abdul-Rahman Al-Mutawa, the minister Omar Al-Tabtabaei named chief of staff on March 4, 2012, cabinet affairs, born in 1971, started his of public works, had served as the deputy Khaled Al-Shatti • Priority Issues Committee deputy premier and minister of defense in career as a political researcher at the cabinet director general for construction at the Public Talal Al-Jallal Salah Khorshid July 2013 and remained in the same service general secretariat. Later, he occupied a Authority for Applied Education and Training. Thamer Al-Dhafiri as of January 2014. number of ranking positions until he was • Essam Al-Marzouq, the minister of oil, • Budgets Committee Osama Al-Shahin • Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad picked as the minister of information in electricity and water. He had served as chair- Riyadh Al-Adasani Al-Sabah, the deputy premier and minister of February 2012. In the cabinet of December man of the Kuwaiti bourse, board member at LOCAL MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah delivers his speech after he inaugurated the first regular session of the National Assembly’s 15th Legislative Term yesterday. — AmirPhotos by Yasser Al-Zayyat urges further caution, vigilance to defeat challenges

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah This will be a part of a comprehensive eco- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday called nomic reform program, in which the private for further caution and vigilance against sector plays a vital and effective role. All par- endeavors targeting the nation’s unity. His ties will be committed to the program, and the Highness the Amir inaugurated yesterday the government will provide its tools and opera- first regular session of the National Assembly’s tional and timing details, His Highness the 15th Legislative Term. Amir said. Citizens will be apprised of their role Addressing the parliament session, His in the program, and what it can achieve for Highness the Amir referred to the surround- them and the future generations, with their ing hazards, which he has repeatedly warned positive participation and the responsibilities against, and the colossal challenges that hin- they will have to assume. His Highness the der the efforts aiming to protect the nation Amir stressed that he is confident that and its security and stability, satisfy citizens Kuwaitis’ love and allegiance to the nation, and maintain their dignity, as well as securing and their readiness for sacrifice, are by no a dignified future for them and the future means less than their ancestors. generations. His Highness the Amir underscored the sig- nificance of identifying state priorities, amid Growing challenges the current regional and international condi- His Highness the Amir said it is worrying tions, fateful risks and the potential and that the dangers have been escalating, and unthinkable sudden developments, in light of the challenges are growing, as “brutal terror- the fact that million becoming homeless, and ism has found its way to our peaceful and safe the ongoing plans of tampering and sabotage. nation, seeking to ignite sedition and break All have to realize that this is no time for the national unity”. His Highness the Amir political luxury, or making gains at the highlighted the remarkable efforts and the expense of Kuwait’s higher interests, His “watchful eyes” that have preserved the Highness the Amir said. “If it is our destiny to nation’s security and have not allowed more bear national responsibility amidst the critical terror crimes to take place. conditions the region is experiencing, we However, caution and vigilance remain a remain on our fixed constants on dealing with public national duty, His Highness the Amir our (regional) sphere and the world, with the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah waves as he arrives to the parliament’s main hall along said, urging “citizens, my brothers and my Arab and Islamic dimensions of these (conso- with His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. sons” to assume their responsibility, namely nants), as well as their regional and interna- rejecting the heinous attempts for and disuni- tional frameworks,” His Highness the Amir said. appreciation the historical role that Saudi paying more attention and showing further isfaction with the outcome of the November ty.” His Highness the Amir pointed to the huge This will proceed with commitment to the Arabia has been playing in support of care to youth, listening to them, bringing 26 elections that brought into the parliament decrease of state revenues resulting from the usual moderate approach for the progress and Kuwait’s rights, reiterating the remarkable them up on moderation, immunizing them young ambitious lawmakers who prompt feel- sharp falls of oil prices that have caused a con- good of humanity. role by King Salman to consolidate the GCC against extremism and deviant thinking, ings of hope and optimism and consolidate siderable deficit in the budget, as another sig- march to reinforce security, peace, prosperity educating them on how to accept others’ the energy to “build our dear nation.” nificant challenge. It is inevitable to initiate GCC unity in the region. views and enhancing their spirit of coopera- His Highness the Amir highlighted the con- effective measures to remedy the deficit and Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir said His Highness the Amir told the first session tion and collective work, His Highness the structive role by the media, both official and alleviate its effects, His Highness the Amir said. that it is high time for a new phase of ties of the parliament’s 15th Legislative Term that Amir pointed out. private, which highlighted the democratic among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), sustainable development would remain a practice and encourages people to fulfill their Inevitable change which rises to the level of the challenges, and chief goal for the present and the future, as it Creating jobs national duty. His Highness the Amir told the His Highness the Amir voiced confidence that embodies the common goals and destiny is the “everlasting challenge that determines His Highness the Amir called for opening MPs that the Kuwaiti people have put their that the venerable assembly realizes that of the “brothers.” This new phase will also see the fate of the society and the nation.” the doors of the future wide for youth, as well trust in them, urging the legislators to been reducing expenditure has come to be enhancing the GCC unity to achieve compre- The fact that issues of security and the eco- as creating new job opportunities for the eager not to break the trust and to rise to the “inevitable” through well-studied arrange- hensive development for the people and to nomic and financial reform as well as the unre- dozens of thousands of them who join the level of people’s confidence. His Highness the ments to fix the imbalance of the state budget maintain the sovereignty, security and stabili- lenting confrontation against corruption, does labor market annually. His Highness the Amir Amir urged the MPs to hold Kuwait’s interests and to curb wasting and depletion of national ty of the member states. not at all mean overlooking the ills the nation also stressed the need to improve public above all other personal family, sectorial, tribal resources, directing them toward their correct His Highness the Amir expressed great is suffering from or the chronic diseases weak- services, health, housing and the infrastruc- and class considerations. goals. In the meantime, His Highness the Amir pleasure over the recent visit by Saudi King ening the society, His Highness the Amir said. ture, and above all reviewing and moderniz- Concluding his speech, His Highness the stressed keenness on easing the burden on Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and an accom- This prompts drawing up well-studied long- ing school curricula and teaching methods to Amir emphasized confidence that Kuwait, people with limited income, and caring for panying delegation, to Kuwait, which reflect- term scientific plans to overcome the ills and cope with the developments worldwide. which has overcome tribulations and hard- social justice through regular review of these ed the deep-rooted, time-tested bilateral ties, diseases, and to save the nation and the socie- Earlier in the speech, His Highness the Amir ships through history, will be able to counter measures, amending them in line with the on the level of the leadership and the people. ty from their vicious impact. congratulated the new MPs for gaining the all challenges and dangers, with help of Allah, state revenues. His Highness the Amir recalled with high Such plans will have to be capped with confidence of the Kuwaiti people, voicing sat- and its loyal people. —KUNA PM sets forth guidelines for economic growth Labor city, airport expansion, new hospitals among key PPP projects

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister ment is working on a range of draft economic financial and economic reforms,” he went on. Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah yes- legislations and is looking forward to cooperat- terday briefed the newly-elected MPs on the ing with your honorable Assembly to pass them Human development guidelines on the second economic develop- as early as possible,” he went on. His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak also ment plan (2016-20). In his speech to the first His Highness the Prime Minister thanked His highlighted the need to focus on human devel- regular session of the 15th legislative term of Highness the Amir for renewing his mandate opment through modernization of education in the National Assembly in the presence of His and the trust placed in him and in the new keeping with the needs of economic develop- Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- members of his cabinet at this important junc- ment and leveraging the e-government appli- Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al- ture in the history of Kuwait. He congratulated cations which will impact positively on cutting Mubarak said the plan includes measures to the new MPs on winning the confidence of the the red tape and enhancing transparency. revitalize the economic growth, promote the people who entrusted them with the responsi- Recalling his oath of office before His role of the private sector and attract more for- bility to serve the national interests to realize Highness the Amir, His Highness the Prime eign investment. the aspirations of the citizens. Minister renewed the vow to translate into “Some of the mega projects, listed in the “The government has always been keen on action the vision of His Highness the Amir for economic development plan, will be imple- maintaining a positive relationship with the reviving the economy, meeting the needs of the mented solely by government institutions and National Assembly so as to reach the desired citizens in such areas as education, health and others that will be implemented through pub- targets in all fields in the framework of the rele- housing, and caring for the youth. lic-private partnerships (PPP),” he said. vant provisions of the Constitution, the He noted that all these issues are a top priori- “These include the Khairan power station, Assembly’s statutes, and the sound parliamen- ty for both executive and legislative authorities. the waste treatment plants, the labor city in tary practices,” he affirmed. He voiced hope that the Assembly will assume south Jahra, the south Mutlaa’ city, the expan- “In keeping with Article 98 of the its supervisory role, fair accountability and sions of Kuwait International Airport, the new Constitution, the government is bound to pres- absolute transparency in backing the govern- university, and a number of hospitals. “The ent to your honorable Assembly its detailed ment to reach the common goal of serving “our planned projects in the oil industry include Al- agenda for the coming years soon after finaliz- dear homeland.” Zour Refinery and the subsidiary plants, and the ing the document. The envisaged agenda aims On the regional political, security and eco- environment-friendly fuel project,” His Highness to address the main challenges and the issues nomic developments, His Highness Sheikh Jaber the Prime Minister said. of common concern for the public through a Al-Mubarak said the complicated changes radical approach. We now face the big chal- require that the government and the Assembly Competitive edge lenges of putting Kuwait on par with the combine forces to implement the wise instruc- “Besides these high-value-added projects advanced economies on international rating tions of His Highness the Amir, who warned KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah that will enhance the country’s competitive indices, restructuring the state budget, diversi- against such serious threats, in order to maintain delivers his speech during yesterday’s parliament session. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat edge in the petrochemical industry, the govern- fying the productive base, and activating the the security and stability of the country. — KUNA LOCAL MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

In Brief

Amir offers condolences Amir expresses sorrow FM receives Spanish to UAE’s President on Pakistan’s plane crash counterpart’s letter His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- KUWAIT: KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- KUWAIT: Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condo- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has cabled Pakistani Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad lences yesterday to President of the UAE Sheikh President Mamnoon Hussain expressing condo- Al-Sabah yesterday received a letter from Spanish Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, expressing his deep- lences over deadly crash of the Pakistani airlines Minister of Foreign Affairs and International est sympathies over the death of Sheikh Hamdan plane that was flying to Islamabad. His Highness Cooperation Alfonso Dastis Quecedo. The letter is bin Rashid bin Hamdan bin Mohammad Al- the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber related to close relations between Kuwait and Spain Nahyan. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister in all fields and the latest regional and international Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah developments. — KUNA Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak addressed a cable containing identical sentiments Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent cables of similar senti- of solace to the Pakistani president. —KUNA ments to the President of the UAE. — KUNA Photo of the day

KUWAIT: The Central Bank of Kuwait’s building in Sharq overlooking the Gulf. — KUNA photo

Kuwait to partake in Russia: New tourist Harvard training program next month hotspot for Kuwaitis KUWAIT: Kuwait will par- take in Harvard University’s Russia has emerged as a new “Leading Strategy Execution MOSCOW: tourist destination for Kuwaiti and Gulf citizens, in Financial services” train- ing program for bank exec- after the ninth most populous nation attracted utives in the Gulf countries, some 32 million visitors in 2015. In March, Governor of the Central Russia opened a national tourist office in Bank of Kuwait (CBK), Kuwait, an endeavor intended to lure Arab and Mohammad Al-Hashel has Gulf tourists to a country whose tourism indus- announced. try has grown exponentially and is home to 22 Improving the perform- United Nations Educational, Scientific and ance of the national bank- Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World ing and financial sector Heritage Sites, in addition to a diverse land- cadres is a top priority for scape. Speaking yesterday, Deputy President of the CBK and Kuwaiti banks, the Russian Tourism Agency Sergei Korneev Hashel, also Chairman of underscored his country as a new global Kuwait Institute for Banking tourist hotspot, citing substantial growth in Studies (KIBS), said in a Mohammad Al-Hashel Moscow’s tourism industry, adding that the press statement Saturday. country has managed to earn around $13-20 He underscored that these cadres are playing an instrumental billion in tourism revenue. role in achieving sustainable development for the banking and Moreover, he noted that Russia is keen on financial sectors in Kuwait and other Gulf countries. welcoming Gulf and Arab tourists in the near For the eighth year in a row KIBS and Harvard present this future, amid expectations of a 25 percent executive development program for banking and finance execu- growth in the tourism industry by the year tives in the GCC region and some Middle East countries, he said, 2025. He also added that the tourism industry adding that this year’s edition would be held in Muscat during accounts for three percent of total investments the period January 28 to February 2, 2017. He stated that this in the country and has managed to provide program is designed for upper middle executives of levels such some four million jobs. as department heads. Meanwhile, head of the Russian national The first program was organized in 2009-10 in Kuwait exclu- tourist office in Kuwait Basel Al-Osoud said that sively for the KIBS member banks. After the success of that pro- Russia possesses all of the qualities and attrib- gram, and with Harvard Business School and GCC banking insti- utes needed to transform the nation into a full- tutes showing interest in a GCC level event, the program was fledged tourist destination, noting that the extended to cover all GCC countries and several Middle Eastern Kremlin has undertaken a series of infrastruc- countries, he pointed out. ture reforms to usher in an influx of tourists. The program is held every year in one of the GCC countries. On tourist locations, he said that the coun- Tshe 2016’s edition was held in Qatar and the coming would be try is home to religious and cultural sites, in held in Oman. He estimated that the number of banking execu- tives who partook in the previous seven editions at 311. addition to gardens and other locations that Harvard Business School Executive Education programs will beguile visitors, noting that around half a adhere to the school’s high standards, thus ensuring that partici- million Kuwaiti tourists venture into new parts pants and their organizations receive the same quality of learn- of the world every year. ing experience for which the school is so well known, he Speaking on touristic ties between Russia stressed. and Kuwait, he foreboded that relations will He added that participants will receive a Harvard Business ameliorate, saying that Russia is a suitable des- School certificate, verifying that they have completed the pro- tination for Kuwaitis during summer season, gram. He underlined eagerness to continue fruitful cooperation given the fact that temperatures remain mod- between Kuwaiti and GCC banking institutions to make the best erate at around 25 degrees Celsius. use of similar programs and initiatives for training and expertise On efforts to cater to Arab and Muslim visi- exchange. tors, he revealed that a number of touristic He expressed appreciation of the Kuwaiti and Gulf banks and companies have provided a wide range of financial institutions for their keenness to effectively participate ‘Halal’ food, adding that they have also incor- in this distinguished program, and wished them all success to porated the use of Arabic language into their materialize the objectives of their participation. — KUNA programs to make visitors from that region feel more at home. — KUNA LOCAL MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

Legalese Passport issues By-elections to fill Municipal

By Attorney Fajer Ahmed Council’s vacant seats soon

egally, we don’t own our passports - they are not our property, but are actually the property of the countries that issued them. By A Saleh interest rates on these bonds were not set so far. warned some companies listed on the stock LPassports are extremely important because they are official docu- Notably, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister exchange for not filing their reports on governance ments issued by governments to certify our identity and entitle us to KUWAIT: By-elections to fill the Municipal Council’s Anas Al-Saleh has given the green light to the process requirements, said informed sources, noting that the the right to travel. five seats that became vacant when members resigned by issuing a decision that Kuwait will borrow through concerned companies had made some inquiries Unfortunately, some employers in Kuwait and the region continue to to run for parliament will take place soon, Chairman issuing international bonds in foreign currencies to about governance. hold their employees’ passports. Why do companies still do this? There Muhalhel Al-Khaled said yesterday. He further urged cover the deficit and diversify the sources of national are regulations that impose fines on companies that do not adhere to members of the Cabinet and parliament to amend the income. According to the decision, the total value of Transport authority the law and hold employees’ passports, yet the issue continues to grow elections laws in order to add new areas to their corre- the debts will not exceed KD 2.9 billion during the fis- The Public Authority for Roads and Transportation’s in Kuwait. I have written extensively about the matter, but I continue to sponding constituencies before the by-elections. cal year 2016-2017. According to IMF statistics, Kuwait Chairman Soud Al-Nakki stressed that future projects get emails on a daily basis about the issue, so I decided to write about ranks seventh worldwide in terms of its general debt will only be offered through the authority, adding that the importance of keeping your passport with you as an employee and 15 offers ratio compared to its GDP which was below 10.6 per- it will be responsible for qualifying bidders and offer- what games companies play in order to keep the passports. The finance ministry’s general debt committee cent in 2015 while it was 19.4 percent in UAE, 20.6 per- ing tenders without referring to the Central Tender received 15 offers from international banks and finan- cent in Oman, 35.8 percent in Qatar, 63.3 percent in Committee (CTC). Nakki explained that the process will Complaint cial establishments to take part in issuing government Bahrain and only 5.8 percent in Saudi Arabia. not be done randomly and that it is coordinated with Question: My employer has my passport - what can I do? I heard I bonds to cover the budget deficit of $ 10 billion during the Fatwa and Legislation Department in order to be need to file a complaint at the Shuoon (Ministry of Social Affairs and the first quarter of 2017. The committee will study the Governance subjected to both internal monitoring and external Labor). Is this true? Where do I go? offers to select the most suitable ones though the The Capital Market Authority (CMA) yesterday one through the State Audit Bureau. Fajer: Yes, you need to file a complaint at the Shuoon. It has one office in every governorate in Kuwait. Every employee has a file in a cer- tain governorate, so you need to find out which Shuoon office your file is under. Your best option would be to go to the Shuoon in your work- Challenges against place’s area or where your company’s head office is located. So for example, let’s say you work in an oil company, so you should probably go to Ahmadi’s Shuoon. election results increase Once you get there, you need to file a complaint stating that your passport has been taken and not returned. The Shuoon does take this By Meshaal Al-Enezi campaign staff members, and claimed that the issue seriously and although the procedure may be complicated and results were miscounted. may take a long time, at least the people that work at the Shuoon have KUWAIT: The total number of contests against the been very compassionate and caring towards employees. If you are election results rose to 30 yesterday, the last day of Car on fire finding it difficult to file a complaint, I suggest you hire a lawyer. They the window granted to candidates to file com- Four Arab expats escaped death when their vehi- are very efficient at doing the job, because unfortunately from experi- plaints at the constitutional court. Former MPs cle burst into flames yesterday on the Fifth Ring Sheikh Khaled Suleiman Al-Fahad ence, I can tell you that some companies play games stating that they Bader Al-Dahoum and Fares Al-Otaibi were among Road. Security sources said firemen rushed to the Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah do not have the passport or accuse the employee of lying. those who filed the contests. On his Twitter scene and controlled the blaze. No injuries were If you file a complaint, expect that this may cause the HR depart- account, Otaibi stressed that he filed a plea moti- reported. Meanwhile, an investigation was opened ment or your employer to be aggressive towards you. I am saying this vated by the persistence of his constituents and to determine the cause of the fire. Police banned from from experience. I have seen employees go through a rough time and be treated badly because they asked for their right to keep their pass- giving unauthorized ports. It’s really sad to see that employers still treat their staff this way, even though the Kuwaiti government has rewritten many resolutions in Kuwait lauds non-OPEC media statements order to give the employees more rights. By Hanan Al-Saadoun Residency output cut decision KUWAIT: A decision to ban Interior Ministry officers from Question: Is it true that if my passport is with my employer, they can making unauthorized publication and to maintain the secre- cancel my residency? VIENNA: Kuwait Ambassador to Austria and “Today’s decision opened a new chapter in the cy of work was issued under the instructions of the Deputy Fajer: Yes, they can cancel your residency at the Shuoon if they have Permanent Delegate to the UN Office in Vienna fruitful cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC Prime Minister Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- your passport. They can also extend your residency if they wish to do so. Sadeq Maarafi welcomed the decision of the non- countries in the short and long run,” Marrafi said, Sabah and Undersecretary Lieutenant General Suleiman Al- This has also caused many problems for my clients - some of them were OPEC countries to cut their oil output by 558,000 expecting the global market to respond soon to such Fahad yesterday. The decision stipulates that members of the looking forward to leaving the company, yet their employers renewed barrels per day (bpd). decisions by the marker oil producers. police force, whether uniformed or civil, are not allowed to: their residency for another year. “This historic decision will have a positive impact On the OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting, - Write, give statements, publish any opinions, research or I know it is very difficult for you to refuse to give your employer your on the global market as it will help end the glut in oil the Kuwaiti diplomat said the meeting was co- columns, give interviews or publish anything on social media passport and it is a very tough situation to be in, but I highly advise that until after obtaining permission. should you have to give your passport to your employer, get a signed supplies,” he said in statements Saturday night fol- chaired by Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada - - Give any information related to crimes to any media out- document stating that they have your passport. Also, do the same lowing the OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting. President of the OPEC Conference and Minister of let until obtaining special permission from the relations and when they give it back. If they ask for your passport because they want “The decision, to take effect on January 1 for a Energy and Industry of Qatar, and Alexander Novak - security information department. to renew your residency, for example, get them to give you that in writ- renewable six-month period, will ensure fair prices Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. It gath- - Providing the media with any pictures, papers or data ing as well. I hope the above has helped, and my apologies for repeat- for both producers and consumers. “The implemen- ered representatives of 11 non-OPEC countries and about their work, except through the relations and security ing certain topics, but there are many concerns regarding these topics. tation of today’s decision and the OPEC decision on agreed to add Russia and Oman to the membership information department. If you have any topic suggestions, please do forward them to me. November 30 to cut its output by 1.2 million bpd will of the OPEC ministerial committee. The committee is - Inviting media members to accompany them while car- For any legal questions, queries or if you need legal assistance, email be overseen by a ministerial committee chaired by expected to meet soon under the chairmanship of rying out security missions, which should maintain complete [email protected] Kuwait and including Algeria, Oman, Russia and Kuwait’s newly-appointed Minister of Oil Essam secrecy. Venezuela.” Abdulmohsen Al-Marzouq, he added. MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 From the Arabic press

Al-Anbaa Crime Report Page 158 Walking woman By Dr Nermin Al-Houti arrested

ouls Exchange Kisses’ by novelist Mohammad KUWAIT: Traffic department sent a woman who was walk- Bassam Al-Husseini ends with page 158, which ing on Taawon Road, telling motorists she can predict the Sis partially incomplete. The reader can either future. The woman who was stopping cars was end the story assuming the main character’s death or approached by a patrol, she told them she has a message leave it to one’s imagination. The novel revolves Education from Allah and knows all what is being planned for the around our main character, a highly educated girl coming years including earthquakes and calamities in who suffers leukemia, and during her treatment, she 2017. She was sent to criminal detectives for questioning. platonically falls in love with her doctor who does not know about her feelings for him. As the story progresses, the doctor realizes his Bedoon mows down Egyptians patient’s love for reading and suggests her to write A bedoon rammed three Egyptians with his car following about self-recovery. During the treatment, three a dispute between them over a financial matter. All three females suffering from cancer are murdered while Egyptian men were taken to hospital for treatment. The being under treatment. These crimes attract the suspect fled the scene. Police are investigating. attention of our main character and she starts work- ing towards identifying the culprit with the help of Reckless drivers busted the media. Soon, the culprit is identified. The culprit Police raided an empty lot in Sulaibiya area where youth had become a nurse after her daughter died of can- were ‘drifting’. Upon arriving at the lot, several youth in var- cer. She assumes that killing cancer patients is a way ious vehicles dispersed and those remaining were arrested. Drifting, or driving cars in a reckless manner to demon- strate skills or daring is a common practice among youth in Through the novel, the Arabian Peninsula and is a regular cause of youth Husseini gave a scientific Al-Jarida deaths in the region. cultural and literal dose Armed man in chalets area Al-Anbaa Ahmadi police responded to a call from a woman who to the readers reported that a man was threatening her with a firearm in the chalets’ areas in southern Kuwait. Police found Municipality donkeys the woman in a hysterical state as the suspect escaped. to aid them by ending their suffering. Later, the con- Detectives are investigating. dition of our main character worsens, and she discov- By Dr Saleh Al-Ojairi ers that the doctor is married and has a family, but believes that love is the meeting of souls without the Drugs found he Municipality Department was established in shading the master under the soaring sun or rain. Such An Egyptian man who works as a medical representative body knowing about it. 1930 and the services it provided included garbage spoiled donkeys, namely those of the municipality, used Through the novel, Husseini gave a scientific cul- was sent to the Drugs Control General Department for pos- Tcollection and transporting it using locally made to bray a lot, making very loud noises. They also used to sessing illicit pills, heroin and shabu. A security source said tural and literal dose to the readers as he explained wooden carts drawn by donkeys. Each cart was operated kick each other all the time. They used to be restless when a patrol stopped the suspect, he immediately said “I every detail very innovatively. For example, Ricin, by a garbage collector. because of the ‘luxury’, comfort which was used in the killing, was explained through am a representative and the pills with me are not illicit.” The During those days, the and abundant food they man was searched and drugs were found along with drug the characters as part of their conversation. Husseini municipal donkeys were very enjoyed. also used things such as palm reading, through They used to be restless paraphernalia. In another case, an Indian man was arrested spoiled and lived a ‘comfort- On the other hand, other in Farwaniya in possession of 10 grams of heroin. which he wanted to prove that no matter how able’ life at special ranches, because of the ‘luxury’, donkeys used in transporting advanced a man gets, when he loses hope, he seeks where workers cleaned and fed heavy loads such as gypsum, for mysterious ways to revive that lost hope. them. They also had limited comfort and abundant clay, mud and water were very Sorceress busted Novelist Mohammad Al-Husseini made a clear working hours. I still remember ‘underprivileged’ and were hun- An Ethiopian woman admitted that she attempted to change in the art of writing, through the maturity of reading the municipality’s food they enjoyed gry most of the time. They were prevent the marriage of her sponsor’s daughter the characters. His writing definitely made the reader statement of annual expenses less fortunate. They had scarred because she hates her. A security sources said a citizen experience the events in the novel in a realistic way. and revenues issued in 1936. backs resulting from their heavy went to Abdallah Al-Mubarak police station and told Husseini created a process of coalescence between The statement included the cost of feeding donkeys, pur- loads and worked monotonously and constantly without them she caught her maid shredding her daughters the reader and the words ‘souls exchange kisses’. “Our chasing fodder and paying donkey attendants’ salaries. breaks, except on Eid days when they were dyed with clothes, then as she turned the mattress in the room, mother is our life’s main asset, if she goes away, our Some other spoiled donkeys used to be ridden by henna and rented out to children who wanted to ride she found strange objects. The maid said she hates the lives turn into a city of asylums,” said Husseini. well-off people, and each of them had a special worker to them for fun, paying the owner a baiza per ride! girl and attempted to prevent her marriage through — Translated by Kuwait Times — Translated by Kuwait Times take care of it and lead it while carrying the master and sorcery. —Translated from the Arabic press KFH offers Whaly Boats to voluntary foundation

KUWAIT: The Environmental Voluntary Foundation has aquatic world and the safety of the marine environment. received a number of Whaly Boats from Kuwait Finance KFH is keen on supporting programs that serve the House (KFH) as part of the bank’s endeavors to optimally community and spread awareness among people in assume the social responsibility and support the efforts of efforts to keep the environment safe, healthy and clean. Kuwait Dive Team. The bank organized many events for children in collabo- KFH participates in several environmental awareness ration with schools and the Ministry of Education to raise activities and events in collaboration with the concerned their awareness of the importance of the environment. authorities such as the Environmental Voluntary KFH attaches great importance to the environmental Foundation and Kuwait Dive Team. The Whaly Boats help in issues in Kuwait, and calls for boosting the synergy lifting waste and neglected materials, not to mention assist among all respective authorities to keep Kuwait clean in the protection and rehabilitation mission of Kuwait’s and pollution free.

VIVA sponsors CAN’s Marathon

KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most devel- conclusion, VIVA has been recognized by organizers, oped telecom operator, announced its sponsorship of and VIVA’s representative Hessah Al-Sabea received the Marathon organized by Cancer Aware Nation, under the trophy. the slogan “Our steps are prevention”, to foster the Since its inception in 2006 under the patronage of His awareness about the cancer disease. The Marathon was Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the held on Saturday 10 December 2016 which started from Amir of the State of Kuwait, CAN organized several activi- Yacht Club and ended at the Green Island. ties, which reflected positive impact about the danger of On this occasion, Ayman Salem Al-Mutairi, Senior the cancer disease and its prevention methods. Corporate Communications at VIVA commented: “This VIVA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities event that combines between health and sport meets can be reviewed on the company’s website at our CSR plans, as VIVA always keen to support different https://www.viva.com.kw/csr . This offers a description of activities that aim to serve the society and spread the each CSR initiative that VIVA has supported, or taken on awareness among its members.” After the marathon’s since its inception.

KUWAIT: Fireman Fahad Al-Furaih returned home recently from Germany where he spent six months for treatment. Furaih had suffered an amputated leg while on duty. He was received by Kuwait Fire Services Directorate (KFSD) officials including Director General Lieutenant General Khalid Al-Mikrad, Deputy Director General for Fighting Affairs Major General Jamal Al-Blaihees, Deputy Director for Prevention Affairs Brigadier Khalid Al-Fahad and Sheikh Duaij Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 S Korea prosecutors Gentiloni named as Italy’s new prime minister charge two senior ex-Park officials Page 10 Page 12

DOUMA: A Syrian youth cleans a room at a makeshift hospital following a reported government airstrike on the rebel-held town of Douma. —AFP Syria army advances in Aleppo IS recaptures Palmyra after army withdraws forces

ALEPPO: Syria’s army pushed forward in areas in the city’s north and centre. An esti- soldiers fighting off an IS offensive on Palmyra, Washington on the terms of a ceasefire in the Syria’s opposition since the start of the coun- Aleppo yesterday as thousands fled rebel-held mated 120,000 people have poured out of the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site in city after a full rebel withdrawal, but there has try’s civil war in 2011. “We’re now past the areas but its forces lost ground to the south east Aleppo since late November, according to central Syria. But the jihadists launched a fresh been no sign of an agreement so far. point where the opposition has any hope of where the Islamic State group recaptured the the Britain-based monitor. State news agency attack yesterday, the Observatory said, recap- pulling things back,” said Yezid Sayigh, a sen- ancient city of Palmyra. After a sudden with- SANA said at least 4,000 people had fled rebel turing all of Palmyra after Syrian armed forces ‘Yes to peace’ ior associate at the Carnegie Middle East drawal by regime forces, IS jihadists made a districts in just hours yesterday and were tak- pulled out. Pope Francis yesterday made a heartfelt Center in Beirut. Assad “will have in effect bro- lightning-fast advance across Palmyra, spark- en by bus to temporary shelters. Heavy bom- “Despite the ongoing air raids, IS retook all call for an end to violence in Aleppo and ken the back of the armed opposition... and ing new worries for its remaining ancient bardment on the east could be heard through of Palmyra after the Syrian army withdrew across war-ravaged Syria. “I appeal to all to the idea that the regime can be overcome treasures. Forces loyal to President Bashar Al- the night, rattling windows across the city in south of the city,” said Observatory head Rami choose civilization: no to destruction, yes to militarily will be finally put to rest.” After meet- Assad have been focused since mid-November the west, an AFP correspondent said. Abdel Rahman. The IS-linked Amaq news peace, yes to the people of Aleppo and ings in Paris on Saturday, Western and Arab on second city Aleppo, where they have retak- agency also reported that IS regained “full Syria,” he said. At least 413 civilians have powers called for talks between the regime en about 85 percent of the one-time rebel Army withdraws from Palmyra control” of the city yesterday after taking the been killed in east Aleppo since the and opposition to end the war. bastion in the city’s east. US and Russian officials were expected to citadel, which overlooks Palmyra from a strate- November 15 start of the offensive, accord- US Secretary of State John Kerry, who Yesterday, they pounded the shrinking continue talks in Geneva yesterday on trying gic hilltop. ing to the Observatory, and 139 killed in called the regime’s bombings of Aleppo “war rebel enclave in Aleppo’s southeast with to reach a ceasefire in Aleppo, but a week of Capturing Palmyra from IS in May was con- rebel rocket fire on the city’s west. crimes”, said the time was ripe for a return to artillery and air strikes, seizing a large part of intense diplomatic efforts have failed to stem sidered a major symbolic victory for Assad’s With such heavy fighting, the retaking of negotiations. Now that the rebels “are about the Maadi district, a monitor said. The Syrian the fighting. Backing from Moscow, which forces-and for its Russian ally. Russia has come Aleppo by Assad’s forces appears to only be a to lose Aleppo, conceivably... I think the best Observatory for Human Rights said more than launched an air war in support of Assad last under severe criticism in the West for its contin- matter of time. “It looks now as if sadly Aleppo thing they can do is get to the table and 10,000 people had fled the remaining rebel- year, has been crucial in the Syrian army’s abili- ued political and military support for Damascus will fall,” British Defense Secretary Michael negotiate. Because they can still win a politi- held districts since midnight, heading to gov- ty to make gains across the country. as the regime pursues its all-out assault on east Fallon told BBC television yesterday. The loss cal settlement that honors the fight and all ernment-run west Aleppo and newly retaken Russian raids overnight bolstered Syrian Aleppo. Moscow says it is consulting with of east Aleppo will deal the biggest blow to they’ve invested,” Kerry said. —AFP British FM’s ‘proxy wars’ comment misread: Saudi

RIYADH: The press took out of context comments ments reflected his “personal position”. Bahrain summit to form a “strategic partnership” to by Britain’s foreign secretary about “proxy wars” “There are no mixed messages that we are get- foster defense and other ties. Sunni-majority Saudi waged by longtime ally Saudi Arabia, the Saudi for- ting from Britain,” Jubeir said, noting that Saudi- Arabia and Shiite-dominated Iran support opposite eign minister said yesterday, deeming the matter British ties go back more than a century. “We don’t sides of the war in Syria and also in Yemen, where closed. In a video reported last week, Boris Johnson have any doubt in where Britain stands, and Britain Riyadh has since March last year led a coalition at a conference in Rome accused Saudi Arabia and has no doubt in where we stand,” he said as bombing campaign against Iran-backed Houthi its regional rival Iran of “puppeteering” and “playing Johnson sounded agreement. “I believe that the rebels. On Saturday, Tehran summoned the British proxy wars”. matter is closed,” the Saudi minister said. Johnson ambassador to protest against “interference” by A video of his comments was posted on the thanked Jubeir for his comments. A former mayor May, over comments she made at the GCC summit. Guardian website. “I have no doubt that his com- of London less than six months into his ministerial She said her country would help “push back against ments as reported in the press were misconstrued,” job, Johnson is a colorful and captivating speaker Iran’s aggressive regional actions”. In a joint state- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told reporters who has made a series of diplomatic blunders. ment, GCC states and Britain said that they “oppose at a joint news conference with Johnson in Riyadh. and will work together to counter Iran’s destabiliz- “If you look at the actual video of what was said, it ‘Positive things’ ing activities”. was not as implied in the press,” Jubeir said. Asked at the press conference if he would apolo- Iran and Britain reopened their respective The British minister was on an official visit to gize, Johnson said he was “here to emphasize the embassies in 2015 following an international the kingdom, during which he met King Salman. friendship” between the two countries. But he agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program in The Guardian report came on Thursday, a day added: “We believe in a candor in our relationship”, exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Johnson yes- after British Prime Minister Theresa May attended emphasizing the word “candor”. “And now, if you terday echoed May’s comments supporting the a summit with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and don’t mind, is the time for us to talk about the posi- agreement with Iran, while also cautioning that the RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir (R) and British other Gulf states in Bahrain. Downing Street had tive things that we’re doing together,” Johnson con- world needs to be “clear-eyed” and vigilant about Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson (L) to pull Johnson back into line, saying the com- tinued. May and the Gulf leaders agreed at their Iran’s role in the region. —AFP arrive for a joint press conference. —AFP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Trump eyes accomplished executive for State

WASHINGTON: President-elect Donald Trump has obstacles, and in 2013 Putin bestowed the Order of more difficult and hostile regions for oil and gas. While the revolutionary gains from shale frack- found an accomplished American executive in Rex Friendship on Tillerson. ing have poised the US to supply far more of its Tillerson, but one whose longstanding support for In 2006, Tillerson won the battle to succeed for- Hands-off approach own energy, Tillerson has said it would be a mis- free trade, international law and an expansive US mer Exxon CEO Lee Raymond. Under the Texan’s “Energy made in America is not as important as take to step back. “The question you have to ask is, presence in the Middle East largely doesn’t fit with leadership, oil prices broke records and Exxon’s energy simply made wherever it is most economic,” ‘Well then, who steps into that void,’” he said, sug- what Trump has pitched to supporters. profits helped make it the most valuable public he said in 2007 in a speech to the Council on gesting it would be a “large consuming country” A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, Tillerson came to company in the world, with a security force total- Foreign Relations. “We are free-market, free-trade such as China. Exxon Mobile Corp as a production engineer ing thousands of employees, direct channels with advocates,” he said in another speech to the group While his predecessor was a firm skeptic about straight out of the University of Texas at Austin in governments worldwide and a strong aversion to five years later, declaring that the greatest boon for the link between fossil fuel combustion and cli- 1975 and never left. Groomed for an executive American sanctions or limitations on where it American energy security would be support for oil mate change, Tillerson has softened the company’s position, Tillerson came up in the rough-and-tum- could operate. production and trading worldwide. position on the issue, even if he’s unconvinced by ble world of oil production, holding posts in the Tillerson has used Exxon’s enormous profits to While Tillerson advocates for a hands-off the most dire predictions of the consequences. At company’s central United States, Yemen and explore new regions for oil and gas and to invest in approach to markets, he’s backed continued an industry conference in 2007, Tillerson acknowl- Russian operations. new acquisitions like XTO Resources, a company American engagement in the Middle East. After edged Earth’s climate is changing, the average His nomination as the country’s top diplomat that had helped pioneer drilling for natural gas in the Iraq war, Exxon agreed to develop a large proj- temperature is rising and greenhouse gas emis- would be the nascent Trump administration’s most formations of shale in the United States. But over ect in still-unstable southern Iraq at terms that less sions are increasing. He also noted that climate concrete outreach yet to Russian President the years oil has become more difficult and expen- favorable to Exxon than most deals. In 2011, remains a complex area of scientific study. Vladimir Putin. Success in Russia required aligning sive to find as large, easy-to-tap reservoirs in stable Tillerson announced an expansive relationship Exxon remains under fire for its past efforts to the company’s interests with those of the Russian countries were slowly depleted. Exxon and other with Russia’s Rosneft that will spend years and bil- undercut climate change - even as recently government, mettle and good relations with Putin. giant oil corporations found it ever more difficult lions of dollars developing technology to explore exposed internal documents show the company’s Exxon steadily expanded its Russian business even to replace the oil they sold every day with new and produce oil and gas in icy waters in the own scientists recognized climate change’s legiti- as its rivals faced expropriation and regulatory resources, and they were forced to look in every Russian Arctic. macy as early as the 1970s. — AP Fearing trump policies, foreign dreamers advised to end travel ‘We wouldn’t want to expose them to an uncertain situation’

NEW YORK: Immigrants who were brought to the US ille- pants in the program “that if they are outside of the United to the U.S. to program participants if Trump eliminated the gally as children, but were protected from deportation by States as of January 20, 2017, there is no assurance they will protection. US Citizenship and Immigration Services President Barrack Obama, are being warned by some advo- be allowed to return to the US.” Trump can rescind the prom- records said that as of Dec. 31, 2015, about 22,340 people cates to make sure they are not traveling abroad when ised protection right away through an “operational memo” in the DACA program were approved for the “parole” that Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan 20. Some because Obama implemented it through one, said William allows them to travel outside the US. Trump called the pro- advocates, lawyers and universities are concerned that Stock, president of the American Immigration Lawyers gram an “illegal amnesty” during his campaign. Tatyana Trump might immediately rescind an Obama program that Association. He said the program’s participants should not Kleyn, an associate professor at City College who organized had allowed these young immigrants to work and travel for consider traveling overseas unless they absolutely need to. the upcoming Mexico trip, said interest in it actually surged humanitarian, educational or employment purposes. That US Customs and Border Protection spokesman Anthony among students after the presidential election. “So right could lead, they fear, to some people traveling abroad Bucci said his agency “cannot speculate” when he was now our bus fits 18 and we are bringing 20,” she said. “It being barred from re-entering the US. asked how long would it take for CBP officers to deny entry feels like a last chance.” —AP “We are recommending all travel be completed by or before Jan 20 in the event laws or procedures experience a drastic change,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. “We wouldn’t want to expose them to an uncertain situa- BATON ROUGE: President-elect Donald Trump speaks tion should they not be allowed back to the US.” at a “Get Out The Vote” rally to stump for Republican Trump made illegal immigration the cornerstone of his senate candidate, Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy, campaign, promising to build a wall along the Mexican and other congressional candidates. — AP border and deport millions of people living in the country illegally. His actual plans, though, have yet to be revealed. Republicans reject Recently, he has said he wants to focus on people who have committed crimes. During a recent Time magazine interview, Trump expressed sympathy for the 741,000 peo- reports that Russia ple in Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals pro- gram, which started in 2012. helped Trump win “We’re going to work something out that’s going to make people happy and proud,” Trump said. “They got WASHINGTON: Republicans on Saturday rejected reports brought here at a very young age, they’ve worked here, of a secret CIA assessment finding that Russia sought to tip they’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. the US presidential election in Donald Trump’s favor, as a Some have wonderful jobs. And they’re in never-never Democratic Senate leader called for an investigation. “The land because they don’t know what’s going to happen.” intelligence is wrong,” Republican National Committee Advocates are still being cautious. spokesman Sean Spicer told CNN. “It didn’t happen.” He was referring to a New York Times report saying US ‘It’s nerve-wracking’ intelligence agencies had “high confidence” that Russian Nancy Lopez-Ramirez, a 20-year-old student born in hackers infiltrated the Republican National Committee’s Mexico who is planning a trip there as part of a City computer systems as well as those of Democratic Party College of New York class, said she is glad the group is organizations, but released information stolen only from returning by Jan 15. “My mom is like ‘I am concerned with the Democrats. News about the CIA report, first reported by you not coming back, I want you to be able to come back,’” The Washington Post on Friday, drew an extraordinary she said. “It is nerve-wracking but I think that at the end it rebuke from the president-elect’s camp. “These are the is going to be worth it,” said the political-science student, same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of who was brought to the US when she was 4. mass destruction,” Trump’s transition team said, launching a City College, part of the City University of New York, is broadside against the spy agency. one of the institutions advising students in the DACA pro- Trump said the election was over and that it’s “now time gram to return before Inauguration Day. So is California SAN FRANCISCO: In this Thursday, Nov 10, 2016, file photo, high school students protest in opposition of Donald to move on and ‘Make America Great Again.’” However State University, which told administrators to tell partici- Trump’s presidential election victory. — AP Senator Chuck Schumer, set to become Democratic minori- ty leader in January, called for a congressional probe into the matter. “That any country could be meddling in our elections should shake both political parties to their core,” he said Saturday. “It’s imperative that our intelligence com- Republicans sweep Louisiana munity turns over any relevant information so that Congress can conduct a full investigation.” The debate simmered as US media reported that ExxonMobil President and CEO Rex Tillerson-a businessman runoffs, 2016 elections end with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin-is Trump’s likely pick for secretary of state. Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Foreign Relations BATON ROUGE: The 2016 campaign sea- No stone unturned Committee, slammed the idea of Tillerson as top diplomat son has finally ended, with Louisiana’s Trump and Vice President-elect Mike as “alarming and absurd.” “With Rex Tillerson as our runoff election cementing Republican Pence both traveled to Louisiana to rally for Secretary of State, the Trump administration would be guar- control of the US Senate. The GOP also is Kennedy, and despite Campbell’s slim anteeing Russia has a willing accomplice in the president’s holding onto the two U.S. House seats chances, he did get donations from around cabinet guiding our nation’s foreign policy,” he said in a that were undecided going into the the country, aimed at bolstering resistance statement. And Republican Senator John McCain said on state’s runoff election. Republican state to the Trump presidency. “We worked as CNN Saturday that Tillerson’s ties to Putin were “a matter of Treasurer John Kennedy’s victory hard as possible. We left no stone concern to me.” “I’d have to examine it,” he said, adding: Saturday gives the GOP a 52-48 edge in unturned,” Campbell said in his concession “Vladimir Putin is a thug, bully and a murderer, and any- the Senate starting in January. His runoff speech. “I make no excuses. We did every- body else who describes him as anything else is lying.” campaign focused on his support for thing humanly possible.” President-elect Donald Trump and oppo- The results keep Louisiana with one ‘Help Trump get elected’ sition to the Affordable Care Act. Democratic representative among its six The reports of Russian interference in the White House Voters also chose Republican Clay congressman and two senators. The vote follow President Barack Obama’s order for a review of Higgins, a former sheriff’s captain known Senate seat was open because Republican all cyberattacks that took place during the 2016 election as the “Cajun John Wayne,” in the 3rd David Vitter decided against running for a cycle. According to The Post, individuals with connections District representing southwest and third term after losing the governor’s race to Moscow provided anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks with south central Louisiana. Republican state last year. Both Kennedy and Campbell emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Mike Johnson won the 4th District, have been involved in Louisiana politics Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign chief, and covering northwest Louisiana. Kennedy for decades. others. WikiLeaks steadily released those emails in the entered as the front-runner and never Kennedy, an Oxford-educated lawyer months before the election, damaging Clinton’s White relinquished the position, even when the from south Louisiana, is in his fifth term as House run. “It is the assessment of the intelligence commu- BATON ROUGE: Louisiana state treasurer John Kennedy hugs his wife Becky after field swelled to two dozen contenders in treasurer, and has repeatedly been in the nity that Russia’s goal here was to favor one candidate over addressing supporters at his election watch party, after being elected to the senate seat November. In the runoff, he defeated headlines while clashing with Louisiana’s the other, to help Trump get elected,” a US official briefed on vacated by Sen. David Vitter, R-La. — AP Democrat Foster Campbell, a state utility governors over state finances. He sprinkled an intelligence presentation to key senators told the news- regulator who was such a long-shot that campaign speeches with examples of gov- paper. “That’s the consensus view.” national Democratic organizations gave ernment-financed contracts he considered CIA agents told the lawmakers it was “quite clear” that elect- him little help. outrageous, like money “to study the effects ing Trump was Russia’s goal, according to officials who spoke Algerian jailed over It was Kennedy’s third U.S. Senate run of Swedish massage on bunny rabbits.” to the Post. Russian hackers did not limit their hits to the since 2004 and this time he won in a Campbell, a cattle farmer and populist Democrats, The New York Times reported. “We now have high Facebook poem dies landslide, taking 61 percent to Campbell’s former state senator from north Louisiana confidence that they hacked the D.N.C. and the R.N.C., and 39 percent in the low-turnout election. who railed against “Big Oil,” talked openly conspicuously released no documents” from the Republican ALGIERS: A British-Algerian journalist died The 42-year-old blogger and freelance “With 52 seats in the U.S. Senate, we are about man-made climate change and organization, one senior administration official told The Times. yesterday three months into a hunger journalist who ran a website from London excited for Republicans to confirm a con- argued for increasing the minimum wage. strike to protest a two-year jail term for where he lived was charged with “offend- servative Supreme Court justice and Though a Democrat, he opposed abortion Question marks offending Algeria’s president in a poem ing” President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and begin working with President-elect and ran as supportive of gun rights. Two The CIA’s assessment falls short of a formal US assessment posted online, his lawyer said. “I can con- “defaming a public authority” in the poem Trump to pass an agenda of change for House seats were open because produced by all 17 intelligence agencies, The Post said. firm the death of the journalist Mohamed which he shared on Facebook. A court in the American people,” a statement from Republicans Charles Boustany and John Intelligence agents cannot prove that Russian officials direct- Tamalt in Bab el-Oued hospital after a Algiers sentenced him two years in prison Republican National Committee co-chair Fleming unsuccessfully sought the Senate ed the identified individuals to give WikiLeaks the hacked hunger strike of more than three months on July 11 and fined him 200,000 dinars Sharon Day said. Kennedy declared that seat instead of re-election. Democratic emails. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has and a three-month coma,” Amine Sidhoum ($1,800), and an appeals court upheld the he represents change in Washington. The 3rd District race’s presumed front- denied links with Russia’s government. California Republican said on Facebook. ruling a month later. “I believe that our future can be better runner had been Scott Angelle, a Republican Congressman Devin Nunes, chair of the House Intelligence The prison service, in a statement said Human Rights Watch had urged than our present, but not if we keep going member of the Public Service Commission Committee and a member of the Trump transition team, said Tamalt had died of a lung infection for Algerian authorities to release him in in the direction the Washington insiders and well-known public official for nearly 30 have taken us the last eight years,” he said. he “does not believe the evidence shows that the Russians which he was receiving treatment since it August when he was reportedly in critical years. But Higgins - who made attention- “That’s about to change, folks.” Louisiana’s interfered in the elections in order to help Trump,” a was detected on December 4. Tamalt, a condition. “The Algerian authorities should grabbing Crime Stoppers videos as a sheriff’s open primary system pits all candidates spokesman told AFP. However Adam Schiff, the top dual national, launched the hunger strike quash the case against Tamalt and send the captain - capitalized on disenchantment against each other and sends the top two Democrat on the same committee, said “the integrity of our in protest after his arrest near his parents’ message that free speech will be respected with career politicians to trounce Angelle vote-getters into a runoff when no one elections is hindered” when Trump and his transition team house in the capital Algiers on June 27. in Algeria,” it said at the time. — AFP with only a fraction of his money and a “minimize or dismiss the intelligence assessments.” — AFP gets more than 50 percent. bare-bones organization. — AP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Paolo Gentiloni named as Italy’s new prime minister ‘Urgent need for a fully functioning government’

ROME: Paolo Gentiloni was named yesterday as can help a country as beautiful and difficult as ner-take-all system for the Chamber of Italy’s new prime minister following reformist Italy.” Five Star, Italy’s biggest opposition party, Deputies. Gentiloni had taken over as foreign leader Matteo Renzi’s resignation in the wake of and the far-right Northern League are demand- minister in October 2014, replacing Federica a crushing referendum defeat. Gentiloni, who ing a vote as early as possible. But Mattarella, Mogherini who is currently serving as EU for- served as foreign minister under Renzi, was who enjoys extensive executive powers during eign policy chief. asked by President Sergio Mattarella to form a government crises, has ruled that the current He is a longstanding friend and soulmate of new centre-left government that will guide Italy electoral laws must be revised first. Renzi’s and cynics will say that the silver-haired, to elections due by February 2018. Theoretically that could happen quickly but grey-suited politician’s primary qualification for A close ally of the outgoing premier, the process of harmonizing the rules governing the job is that he poses no threat to the former Gentiloni now has to put together his own gov- elections to the two houses of parliament, the premier’s comeback plans. Gentiloni’s first tricky ernment team ahead of a parliamentary Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, could task as prime minister is likely to be overseeing a approval vote expected on Wednesday. In a brief also drag on for months. As things stand, the rescue of troubled bank Monte dei Paschi di statement, Gentiloni said there was an “urgent lower house would be elected by a system Siena (BMPS). BUCHAREST: A Romanian woman casts her ballot at a polling station in Bucharest need for a fully functioning government” to under which the largest party is guaranteed a A state-funded salvage operation is seen as during parliamentary elections. — AFP address a series of pressing international, eco- majority of seats while the Senate would be inevitable following the European Central Bank’s nomic and social issues. voted in under a proportional representation refusal on Friday to allow more time for a private Romanian left seeks comeback Chief among those is a looming crisis in the system. Most observers agree that this is a bailout. Under EU rules, state funds can be troubled banking sector and ongoing relief recipe for chaos. injected into troubled banks only if private credi- one year after nightclub fire efforts after a series of deadly earthquakes tors accept losses. In the case of BMPS, this could between August and October. Mattarella turned Small investors’ fury hit many small investors who hold the bank’s BUCHAREST: Romanians voted yesterday tragedy prompted a push to clean Romania to Gentiloni after opposition parties rebuffed The situation could be simplified at the junior bonds. Imposing losses at smaller banks in parliamentary elections that are forecast up. The National Anti-Corruption overtures about a possible national unity gov- end of January, when the constitutional court is last year caused outrage in Italy and damaged to see the corruption-tainted left stage a Directorate (DNA) has been highly active ernment. The president rejected opposition due to rule on the legitimacy of the new win- Renzi’s standing. — AFP remarkable comeback, a year after a deadly and visible, bringing ministers, senators, demands for an immediate election. nightclub fire forced them from office. Mass lawmakers and other public officials to jus- “Not by choice but out of a sense of responsi- protests after the fire on October 30, 2015 tice. A recent survey suggested that 95 per- bility I will be forming a government based on that claimed 64 lives-and which was cent of Romanians want tackling corrup- the outgoing majority,” Gentiloni said. Renzi, blamed on corruption-forced premier tion to be a priority for the next govern- who had been in power for two years and 10 Victor Ponta and his Social Democrats ment But there are worries this will not months, resigned last week after voters over- (PSD) to resign. But now, 13 months later, happen if the PSD returns to power. The whelmingly rejected a package of constitutional the PSD is expected to be in pole position clean-up has “disproportionately hit the reforms on which he had staked his future. The to return to power, with pre-election opin- Romanian left,” said Tsveta Petrova from risk populist Five Star Movement, which has led calls ion polls suggesting it will come first with consultancy Eurasia Group. “As a result, for immediate elections, said it would boycott around 40 percent of the vote. should a left-led coalition come to power, it Wednesday’s vote because the new government It remains to be seen if it can form a will try to slow down this campaign.” would have no legitimacy. “This government is majority government, however. Much will not even worthy of a vote against it,” said Giulia depend on which of the smaller parties Promises, Grillo, head of the Five Star group in the Senate. make it into parliament. The rival centre- But the PSD is still forecast to become right National Liberal Party (PNL) and the the largest party, thanks to solid support Puppet premier? Save Romania Union (USR, newly created among older Romanians and in rural areas Gentiloni, 62, is very close to Renzi and will by a mathematician-turned-activist, are of the southeastern European nation of 20 be seen by the opposition as a puppet premier seen garnering a combined 35-40 percent. million people. However, 27 years after the keeping the seat warm for former boss, who is The European Union’s second-poorest summary execution of Dictator Nicolae planning a comeback at the next elections, country has been run for the past year by a Ceausescu and the end of Communism, whenever they are. In a statement on his caretaker government under technocrat voter apathy is rife, with turnout forecast to Facebook page, Renzi, 41, admitted it had been Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos, 47, a former be as low as 40 percent. a wrench to leave office and vowed to pursue his European commissioner. Both sides, while trading insults and reform agenda. The PNL and the USR have said they generally avoiding serious political discus- “It was painful to pack the cartons yesterday would support Ciolos staying on. He is sion during the campaign, have pledged evening, I’m not ashamed to say: I’m not a robot,” happy to do so but wants to remain an spectacular hikes in wages and pensions as he wrote. “Only those who try to change things ROME: Paolo Gentiloni, left, leaves the Italian lower Chamber yesterday. — AP independent, vowing continued budget- well as tax cuts. Such promises, however ary discipline. But the PSD wants to install unaffordable, go down well in a nation instead party head Liviu Dragnea, 54, as where more than half of rural households premier. However, Dragnea is serving a have no running water and one in four Mexico army faces grueling suspended sentence for electoral fraud, people lives in poverty. Three million peo- which legally bars him from office, while ple have emigrated. President Klaus Iohannis, 57, has refused to At the same time, however, the nation- appoint anyone with legal problems as alist and anti-EU rhetoric seen in other battle against opium poppies premier. This would also exclude a come- countries in the region like Hungary and back by Ponta, 44, currently on trial-in fact Poland has been largely, if not entirely, IN THE SIERRA MADRE OCCIDENTAL MOUN- plant new seeds to replace what they just lost. It Opium poppies are mostly grown in the he was already in the dock as prime minis- absent. “Change has to start with all of TAIN RANGE: The soldiers ripped the opium takes only three months for poppies to grow. “It’s southern state of Guerrero and the Golden ter-for alleged tax evasion and money us,” voter Livia Gheorghe, a student, told poppies with their hands and tossed them in tiresome to see so many poppies every day,” the Triangle-which straddles the states of Sinaloa, laundering, charges he denies. AFP. “So I am going to vote and I hope four bonfires, clearing a hill in Mexico’s lush fresh-faced, 24-year-old commander said as he Durango and Chihuahua. Farmers in the Golden that my vote counts and that the political northwestern mountains in less than two hours. trekked back toward the unit’s tent camp. Triangle started to grow more poppies than mar- Bent officials class finally changes, too.” “All the current But their work in the heart of the country’s As Mexico marks on Sunday 10 years since the ijuana since several US states began to legalize The inferno inside the Colectiv club was politicians should go,” said Florin, an “Golden Triangle,” a tri-state region of heroin and government deployed troops to crack down on pot consumption in 2012, Cruz said. Cartels used blamed on bent officials turning a blind eye engineer. Polling stations for Romania’s marijuana production, was far from over. drug cartels, the army faces an uphill battle in its to pay the farmers around $60 per kilo of mari- to a lack of fire precautions. Poor medical 18.8 million registered voters close at After the troops destroyed the 0.5-hectare four-decade-old struggle to eradicate a growing juana, but the price has now dropped by half, he care exacerbated the death toll. For many 1900 GMT, with exit polls and projections field on Thursday, Lieutenant Juan Pablo opium poppy production. The poppies are grown said. The price of a kilo of opium gum has Romanians it was the final straw, and the expected afterwards. — AFP Hernandez Zempoaltecatl pointed to another by local farmers, who extract opium gum from jumped from around $980-$1200 to $1,765. The one on a steep hill past a row of pine trees, and bulbs and sell it to gangs such as the Sinaloa drug half-hectare field destroyed by Hernandez’s unit more down the Sierra Madre Occidental moun- cartel, which transforms the raw material into could have produced half a kilo of brownish tain range. His 18-man unit has destroyed 39 heroin. “Every time we destroy a field ... the locals gum, enough to make three kilos of heroin. The Jammeh to contest fields amounting to 15 hectares since they set come back to plant after our personnel has left farmers slice the bulbs with a razor blade, allow- up camp two weeks ago following a day-and-a- the area,” said Colonel Cipriano Cruz Quiroz, chief ing the sticky gum to trickle out overnight to be half trek up hills infested with snakes and ven- of staff of a special narcotics eradication unit collected the next day. The raw material is then election in court omous spiders. based in Badiraguato, Sinaloa state. “They don’t sold in a sort of “market day,” Cruz said. Hernandez estimates that his unit faces 20 see us in a good light but they tolerate us. They In June, Mexico’s government and the United BANJUL: Gambia’s incumbent head of have an extra day in lieu. His lawyers more days of grueling work to clear the remote have their work and we have ours. They plant and Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) state Yahya Jammeh will contest in court might also argue he has 10 days after the area while spending chilly nights in small tents we destroy,” said Cruz, whose base is in the home- released the first estimate of opium poppy culti- the election victory handed to opposition recount declaration, according to legal in the wild. But once they’ve destroyed all the town of imprisoned Sinaloa cartel kingpin vation, with aerial and satellite images finding candidate Adama Barrow, his party has experts. The Supreme Court has not sat in bulbs, Hernandez expects farmers to quickly Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. 24,800 hectares across Mexico between 2014- said. In a shock rejection of his defeat at more than a year, so judges will have to 2015. A second analysis is underway to make a the polls, Jammeh cited in a speech be appointed before they can consider year-on-year comparison. But army figures show broadcast late Friday “unacceptable the president’s legal complaint, potential- poppy eradication nationwide increased from errors” by election authorities. He was ly delaying Barrow’s inauguration. 14,613 hectares in 2013 to 26,249 in 2015. It referring to a readjustment of the votes Jammeh, a devout Muslim who seized stood at 19,848 hectares in the first 11 months of counted in the December 1 presidential power in 1994 in the former British this year. In the Golden Triangle, 9,078 hectares election. colony, warned Gambians not to take to were destroyed in 2015 and 6,145 this year, far Jammeh’s declaration was “a prelude the streets to protest his decision, raising more than marijuana. to a petition that the (ruling) APRC Party is concerns from rights groups. “President A US Drug Enforcement Administration in the process of filing before the Jammeh’s rejection of the election results report says heroin seizures more than doubled Supreme Court of the Gambia against a and his statement that he will not tolerate to 2,524 kilos at the US-Mexico border between fraud decision of the IEC (Independent protest risks leading to instability and 2010-2015. The government has stepped up Electoral Commission),” his party said in a possible repression,” said Sabrina Mahtani, eradication efforts, increasing fumigation flights statement released late Saturday. Amnesty International’s West Africa in the Golden Triangle to four missions in 2016, Jammeh had said Friday that he had Researcher. Latest official figures gave each lasting 20 to 25 days, compared to three previously accepted the electoral results Barrow 43.29 percent of the votes in the operations last year. “believing that the Independent Electoral presidential election, while Jammeh took The region’s special unit was created in July Commission was independent and hon- 39.64 percent. 2014 to focus solely on plant eradication. est and reliable”, but would now “reject The turnout was 59 percent. Those fig- Reconnaissance flights or satellite images spot the results in totality.” Jammeh’s swift con- ures reflect the correction issued Monday the fields. When fumigation flights are not avail- cession of defeat on December 2 had by election authorities, showing a slim- able, soldiers do the work by hand. stunned observers and led to celebrations mer-than-thought victory for Barrow, of Small teams like the one led by Lieutenant in the country. just over 19,000 votes. Barrow on Saturday Hernandez spend three months in the moun- Constitutionally Jammeh has 10 days called on Jammeh to drop his challenge, tains looking for marijuana or opium poppies. after the election result is declared to file while the UN, US and other foreign author- They set up 10 tents between trees, braving a complaint, but that deadline-December ities lambasted Jammeh and urged chilly nights and spending the day destroying 12 — is a bank holiday, meaning he may Gambians to keep the peace. — AFP SINALOA: A Mexican soldier pulls up poppy flowers as part of the army’s struggle to eradicate plants. But they never arrest growers, who either growing opium production, in the community of Surutato. — AFP flee or deny owning the fields. — AFP Macedonia votes hope to end political crisis SKOPJE: Macedonians were voting yesterday in an the economy. Electoral officials said turnout was “doom or life” and pledged to stop an exodus of leading to an agreement giving the minority group early general election in a bid to end a deep politi- 9.59 percent three hours after polling stations young people from the former Yugoslav republic, more rights. cal crisis that has roiled the small Balkan country opened at 7:00am (0600 GMT), similar to the one in which remains one of Europe’s poorest countries. for nearly two years. The vote was called as part of the last parliamentary elections held two years ago. ‘Under pressure’ a European Union-brokered deal between The scandal led Nikola Gruevski of the national- Unpredictable Macedonia aspires to join both the EU and Macedonia’s four main political parties after a mass ist VMRO-DPMNE party to step down, after nearly Although critics describe 46-year-old Gruevski NATO but accession has been blocked by Athens surveillance scandal erupted in February 2015 and 10 years in power, to pave the way for a snap elec- as a corrupt authoritarian who has clamped down owing to a dispute over the country’s name-Greece sparked rival street protests. tion. Yesterday’s vote, which was twice delayed on democracy and media freedom, his party has a northern region also called Macedonia. The According to electoral officials, voting at 3,490 owing to opposition and international concerns of topped opinion plls ahead of the election. There latest EU progress report on Macedonia said polling stations was going on smoothly and with- fraud, pitches the ex-PM against his nemesis, Social also remained a substantial number of undecided democracy and rule of law had been “constantly out major incidents. In order to ensure credibility, a Democrat Zoran Zaev. It was Zaev who released voters, who could swing the result in the country of challenged” in particular by “state capture”, mean- voter photo appears next to the name on voter tapes last year that appeared to show the govern- two million people. ing the considerable influence of private interests lists, a State Electoral Commission member told ment wiretapping thousands of people, including “This election is one of the most unpredictable on decisions of the state. AFP. On a sunny day in Skopje, the elderly were journalists and religious officials, as well as corrup- to take place in Macedonia,” Zaneta Trajkoska, Analysts however suggest Europe has pushed among the first to cast their ballots along with tion at the highest level. director at the Institute of Communication Studies, aside concerns because of Gruevski’s role as a “gate- young couples with children at a polling station in Gruevski denied the claims and accused Zaev of told AFP. “Whoever wins the election will have keeper” in the refugee crisis, in which hundreds of the city centre. planning a coup with foreign support. “Zoran Zaev huge challenges and issues to solve.” A handful of thousands of migrants have entered landlocked “I expect this agony to end,” after the elections, underestimates the citizens of Macedonia... He ethnic Albanian political groups are vying to Macedonia from Greece on their way to western 55-year old Zoran Milevski said, referring to the underestimates everyone with his games,” the defi- become the junior partner in the new ruling coali- Europe. The refugee wave has put added pressure on political crisis. “Whoever wins I hope will bring back ant former premier told a flag-waving crowd of tion, in a country where a quarter of the popula- the already strained budget in Macedonia, where the stability,” he told AFP at a school-turned-polling sta- supporters in a Skopje suburb on Thursday night. tion is Albanian. Albanian insurgents fought average net wage is around 360 euros a month and tion, adding that new government should focus on Zaev has pitched the vote as a choice between Macedonian forces in an uprising 15 years ago, unemployment stands at nearly 24 percent. —AFP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 INTERNATIONAL 30 dead as Kenya tanker explodes

NAIROBI: More than 30 people died when from among the wreckage of charred cars a tanker carrying flammable materials strewn across the highway. crashed into other vehicles and burst into flames outside the town of Naivasha in ‘Like a horror movie’ Kenya late on Saturday, officials said. “At “It’s a terrible incident, people are 5:00 am the death toll was 33 but the burnt, some in their cars and others as search is still on,” Pius Masai of Kenya’s they tried to escape,” said a police officer National Disaster Unit said yesterday. on the scene. George Rono was driving on He added that rescuers were continuing the highway when he saw the tanker crash to comb the area for bodies. Masai said the into other vehicles. “We survived by luck accident involved “over 11 vehicles burnt” because we saw it happen,” Rono said. “We when the tanker rammed into others on heard vehicles hooting simultaneously, the road and caught fire. Kenya’s Red Cross then a loud burst that was followed by fire, said the driver lost control of the tanker that’s when I swerved my car and jumped which then crashed into other vehicles and out, when fire started spreading, but lucki- “burst into flames”. A passenger minibus ly it didn’t get to where we were.” and a police truck were among the vehi- Rono’s passenger, who did not want to cles gutted by the ferocious flames. be named, described the intensity of the The dead include 11 officers of the blaze. “The fire was so huge you couldn’t General Service Unit, a paramilitary move closer until the fire brigade came police force. In a statement issued by and helped put it out. All the vehicles Kenya’s State House, President Uhuru around here were burning,” he said. Some Kenyatta said “the tanker responsible for survivors were treated on the scene by the deaths should not have been on that civilians and the Red Cross while others particular road at that hour” and called were taken to hospital. Corpses were put in for a full investigation into a “tragic body bags and loaded into pick-up trucks. breach” of the rules restricting the move- “It is like a horror movie,” said Jane ment of large trucks on certain roads and Muthoni, a shopkeeper who works close to at certain times. the scene of the accident and rushed there UYO: In this image made from video taken on Saturday, Dec 10, 2016, local people survey the scene after a church roof collapsed. — AP The accident occurred at Karai at the to try to help people escape their cars. “It bottom of a long slope on the busy will haunt me for a long time, imagining Nairobi-Nakuru highway, the main cross- that huge fire where people were burning, country road leading from Kenya’s capital and now I have seen some seated in their Nigerian church collapses, to the west of the country and on to vehicles dead,” she said. Uganda. Police and witnesses said the The busy highway is notorious for dead- truck with Ugandan registration plates was ly accidents. In 2009 more than 100 people 160 dead: Hospital director travelling fast when it hit a speed bump were killed and 200 injured on the same and then lost control. road after a petrol tanker overturned and At least 50 people injured in the acci- local people gathered to collect the leak- dent have been admitted to a private hos- ing fuel when a fire ignited. Given the scale Cameras being seized, Journalists told to leave pital in Naivasha. Witnesses described a of Saturday’s disaster it is expected that LAGOS: Metal girders and the roof of a crowded see that the church had disappeared, he said. bodies before he was told to stop counting on fireball engulfing the vehicles with passen- the death toll may rise. The accident comes church collapsed onto worshippers in southern Eyibio and three others managed to drag 10 Saturday night. gers inside. After firefighters put out the as Kenya is in the throes of a nationwide Nigeria, killing at least 160 people with the toll wounded people from an overflow area for of Journalists at the scene charge that church flames, rescue workers collected bodies doctors’ strike. — AFP likely to rise, a hospital director said yesterday. worshippers just outside the collapsed church officials are trying to prevent them from doc- Mortuaries in the city of Uyo are overflowing but they did not enter the main structure umenting the tragedy, trying to seize cameras from Saturday’s tragedy, medical director Etete because a construction worker among them and forcing some to leave the area. The gov- Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital warned of the danger of a further collapse. The ernor’s spokesman, Ekerete Udoh, said the told The Associated Press. The Reigners Bible worker called his boss at Julius Berger construc- state government will hold an inquiry to Church International was still under construction tion company, who sent a crane to help lift investigate if anyone compromised building and workers had been rushing to finish it in time debris off bodies. standards. Buildings collapse often in Nigeria for Saturday’s ceremony to ordain founder Akan While they waited for the crane, Eyibio tried because of endemic corruption with contrac- Weeks as a bishop, congregants said. to help a man whose legs were trapped under a tors using sub-standard materials and bribing Hundreds of people, including Akwa Ibom steel girder. “I rushed to my car, got out the tire inspectors to ignore shoddy work or a lack of state Gov Udom Emmanuel, were inside when jack and used that to get the beam off his legs,” building permits. metal girders crashed onto worshippers and the he said. “We managed to get him out but we saw In 2014, 116 people died when a multi-story corrugated iron roof caved in, they said. others dying all around us,” Eyibio, 27, said. “I’m guesthouse of the Synagogue Church of All Emmanuel and Weeks, who preaches that God so traumatized I could not sleep last night for Nations collapsed in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest will make his followers rich, escaped unhurt. the horrors repeating themselves in my mind.” city. Most victims were visiting South African Screaming survivors were streaming out and followers of the megachurch’s influential there were cries from injured victims when com- Coverage compromised founder T. B. Joshua. Two structural engineers, puter program analyst Ukeme Eyibio rushed to Many uncounted victims are in private mor- Joshua and church trustees have been accused the scene. tuaries scattered across Uyo, youth leader Edikan of criminal negligence and involuntary “There were trapped bodies, parts of bodies, Peters said. He said some people are secretly tak- manslaughter after a coroner found the build- blood all over the place and people’s handbags ing the bodies of relatives to their homes ing collapsed from structural failures caused by and shoes scattered,” Eyibio said in a telephone because mortuaries are overcrowded and some design and detailing errors. But Lagos state NAIROBI: Kenyan Vice President William Ruto (2nd-R) visits the crash site of a truck interview. He had parked his car outside the do not have refrigeration. A crane is being used government efforts to bring them to court have that rammed into several vehicles before bursting into flames near Karai on the busy complex to make a phone call, heard a deafen- to lift debris believed to be hiding the bodies of been foiled by repeated legal challenges that Naivasha highway. — AFP ing explosion he thought was a bomb only to more victims, said Peters. Peter said he tallied 90 have delayed a trial. — AP Frozen: No Christmas cheer for Ukrainian children learn to the echoes of shelling migrants on Belgrade streets MARINKA: Two long bells mean children stacks of sandbags to make sure that no must pack their blankets and clothing one gets hurt by stray shrapnel. And the BELGRADE: Inside an abandoned Belgrade head towards two fuming barrels filled with he has an uncle who has financed his odyssey. and run into a bomb shelter at this dilapi- entrance is guarded by military police- warehouse, its walls blackened with smoke, sev- heated water to wash up. dated school on the frontline of Ukraine’s men wearing body armor and carrying eral dozen youngsters huddle together under ‘We are stuck here’ smoldering war. The drills in the govern- machineguns. The kids are forced to stay blankets in a bid to fend off the freezing temper- 7,000-euro journey It is not possible to verify whether their sto- ment-held town of Marinka that was once inside until the fighting that periodically atures as the Serbian winter sets in. Most have The young men, some of whom are still ries that could enable them to obtain refugee home to 10,000 people have been held breaks out stops. left home and family in Pakistan and teenagers, refuse to go to one of the 13 official status are true. Afridi says that in Pakistan he monthly since the conflict broke out with Many families fled Marinka after the Afghanistan to seek safety or work in Europe, reception centers which accommodate some took part in polio vaccination campaigns that pro-Russian insurgents in April 2014. June 2015 attacks — never to return. but have found themselves caught in stateless 5,300 people, according to the Serbian refugee displeased the Taleban. Hashim Zia-Ulhaq, trav- And sometimes there has been actual Mokraya herself went to five different limbo as successive European nations have agency. Serbia lies on the so-called Balkan route elling with his two younger brothers from east- shelling. One rebel assault on the town schools across government-held parts of slammed shut their doors. that has been taken by hundreds of thousands ern Afghanistan, claims that back home he was killed 20 people in June last year. “In the Ukraine after the fighting broke out. She “We are waiting for Christmas Day. Maybe of migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa accused of having worked for a road construc- early days, I used to get frightened when returned to Marinka in September and they will open the borders,” says Waseem Afridi, since 2015. The route was effectively shut down tion company cooperating with Westerners. every shot was fired,” 15-year-old Tanya now attends half-empty classes taught a 23-year-old Pakistani stuck in this frigid cul-de- in March, but migrants have continued to cross In any event the 25-year-old feels he had no Mokraya told AFP. “I would cry and be only by teachers who are willing to brave sac on the path to the European Union. About the region in smaller numbers, often brought other choice but to leave. “If I had a solution to unable to sleep. But now I am used to it. I the conflict. “I am sad that the school has 1,000 migrants are sleeping rough in downtown there by traffickers. my problems, would I have left my wife, my four- often walk home from school to the become kind of boring and there are so Belgrade, the UN refugee agency says, many set- Mohamed Darwich, from eastern year-old son, my mother and my father?” Unlike sound of automatic gunfire,” the 10th- few children. But it is good that it is open tling in the warehouse squeezed between the Afghanistan, said he does not want to go to a Afridi he is not counting on Christmas goodwill. grader said. at all,” Mokraya said. central railway station and a luxury apartment reception centre because the authorities “will “Europe is not what it used to be. They were not construction site on the Sava river bank. send us back to Bulgaria where again we will treating refugees like this,” he says. Military outpost ‘Furious with army’ During the night they brave temperatures have to pay money” to smugglers. Darwich, who “The attacks in France and Belgium made Three hundred children used to “Last month the school came under falling below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees said he is 17, started his journey a year ago. It things worse.... We are stuck here.” Wrapped in a attend the Marinka school before fire. All the floors were hit and more than Fahrenheit). “It is getting colder every day,” says cost him 7,000 euros ($7,380) obtained from the blanket, Mohamed Khan, a 23-year-old Pakistani Ukraine was hurled into its worst military 40 windows were shattered,” Ukrainian Afridi who comes from Pakistan’s tribal areas sale of his family’s land. Others finance their student speaking perfect English, is angry. crisis since World War II. The building military spokesman Oleksandr Kindsfater bordering Afghanistan. The acrid air inside the journey by selling livestock or shops. “Europeans can say that they are for human itself looks more like a well-fortified mili- told AFP. “It is not the first time the rebels warehouse irritates eyes and throat. For heat, the Some have tried to cross illegally into Croatia rights. But, where are human rights when it is tary outpost than a school. The doors are have targeted this school. It comes under migrants burn whatever they can find. The lucky or Hungary, which unlike Serbia are EU member minus five, minus seven, minus 10” degrees pockmarked with bullet holes while the constant fire.” Kindsfater accuses the ones put carpets on the glacial concrete, while states. “They caught us near the border. They Celsius? Khan asked. He refuses to explain why walls are covered with posters warning rebels of launching strikes to keep the others use cardboard. Those who get up from beat us and sent us back,” claims Ihsan Ullah, a he left Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan. about landmines that litter the sur- locals fearful and angry that the their blankets, tired-looking, try to warm up with 15-year-old Afghan. Ullah says Serbs treat them “Nobody leaves his country without a reason,” he rounding fields. Ukrainian army has been unable to pro- a hot tea and eat some bread. Those first up better. His desired destination is London where simply says. — AFP The windows are protected with tect them. —AFP 2 suicide bombers die in blasts near market in Nigerian city MAIDUGURI: Two suicide bombers died lodged insurgents from towns and villages when they exploded yesterday in a crowded this year, Boko Haram has been attacking area near a market in Nigeria’s northeastern soft targets. Suicide bombings and attacks city of Maiduguri, injuring 17 people, rescue on military camps continue, though Nigeria’s officials said. Survivor Abubakar Musa said government claims it has the insurgents on he also saw among the victims the bodies of the run. President Muhammadu Buhari soldiers, who were guarding a nearby elec- declared the Islamic uprising “technically tric power installation. defeated” a year ago. On Friday, he vowed A male and female suicide bomber deto- Nigeria’s military is working “at slamming the nated themselves minutes apart, final nail in the coffin of Boko Haram.” spokesman Sani Datti of the National The seven-year insurgency has killed Emergency Management Agency said of the more than 20,000 people, forced 2.6 million attack blamed on the Boko Haram Islamic from their homes and created a massive extremist group. humanitarian crisis. Boko Haram, which has It birthplace is Maiduguri. The blasts one branch allied to the Islamic State occurred near Maiduguri’s Monday Market, group, wants to install an Islamic state in just weeks after the state government Nigeria, West Africa’s oil giant of 170 million ordered the reopening of all roads leading people divided almost equally between a to the market. They have been closed for mainly Christian south and predominantly nearly two years over security concerns fol- Muslim north. lowing previous bombings at the market that killed dozens of people. More blasts in Somalia On Friday, two women suicide bombers In other news, more than 20 people were exploded in a market at Madagali, 150 kilo- killed yesterday in a suicide truck bombing meters southeast of Maiduguri, killing 57 in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police said, people and wounding 177 including 120 in a fresh strike claimed by the Al-Qaeda- BELGRADE: Mohamed Darwich, a 17-year old migrant from Afghanistan, poses in a makeshift shelter at an abandoned warehouse. — AFP children. Since Nigeria’s military has dis- linked Shabaab group. —Agencies MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 INTERNATIONAL Kyrgyzstan votes in divisive constitutional referendum BISHKEK: Citizens in ex-Soviet time the country is putting constitution- mentary or presidential approval to “between a man and a woman” rather works as an engineer in the capital Kyrgyzstan went to the polls yesterday to al changes to a vote. appoint and dismiss ministers. than “two persons” as previously. Bishkek said he would vote in favour of vote on a raft of amendments to the con- “Past changes to the basic law have Atambayev has repeatedly denied accu- Kyrgyzstan has come under fire from the the amendments yesterday. stitution promoted by the country’s shown that our politicians and their sations he will drop down into the West since 2014 for considering an LGBT “I support the amendments and I sup- leader, several of which have been lawyers do not know how to make strengthened premier’s role when his propaganda bill echoing one passed in port Atambayev. In five years he has slammed by rights groups. The Central reforms,” Zainidin Kurmanov, a political single six-year term ends next year. A by- key ally Russia, but the law has not pro- shown he doesn’t steal. His family aren’t Election Commission said that polls had analyst and former parliamentary speak- law created when the constitution was gressed beyond the draft stage. in government positions. These changes opened across the Central Asian country er told AFP. “There is no certainty that last amended in 2010 said the existing Another amendment rights groups will bring more stability,” Osmonov told at 0200 GMT for a vote analysts say is anything worthwhile will emerge from constitution should remain until 2020 have railed against removes the govern- AFP. A 47-year-old taxi driver Zhomart likely to see the changes passed. these amendments,” he said. In October, but parliament and the judiciary ment’s obligation to consider the opin- Bolotbekov told AFP he would not be Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous majority- two parties exited the coalition govern- endorsed the vote. ions of international rights bodies voting, however. “It seems elections is all Muslim republic of six million, is the ment headed by Kyrgyz President regarding citizens’ complaints of rights we do, but they don’t change anything. most democratic of the so-called “stans” Almazbek Atambayev’s Social LGBT propaganda violations. Critics have argued the gov- Why should I go?” Kyrgyzstan is one of but also the most politically volatile. In Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan in oppo- Other amendments that appear to ernment has not explained the changes the two poorest countries to emerge just 25 years of independence the coun- sition to the proposed changes. threaten individual rights have drawn to the public, but backing from pro-gov- from the former Soviet Union with a try has experienced two revolutions If passed, the country’s prime minister criticism at home and abroad. One high- ernment media and the absence of an strong dependence on cash transfers unseating presidents in 2005 and 2010 will gain new powers over budget-relat- lighted by the Council of Europe’s Venice effective ‘no’ campaign means they are sent home by hundreds of thousands of and ethnic violence. This is the seventh ed legislation and will not need parlia- Commission defines marriage as likely to pass. Bolot Osmonov, 58, who Kyrgyz working in Russia. —AFP S Korea prosecutors charge two senior ex-Park officials North may take advantage of political turmoil SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors indicted a former whose father ruled the country for 18 years after sentiment was undermined. “Amid so much glob- senior presidential aide and a former vice minister, seizing power in a coup in 1961, has been al uncertainty, this political situation is further an official said yesterday, as part of their investiga- accused of colluding with a friend and a former weighing on the economy and a downturn in tion of a corruption scandal that has led to President aide, both of whom prosecutors indicted earlier, sentiment could be another problem,” Finance Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in parliament. to pressure big businesses to donate to founda- Minister Yoo Il-ho told a news conference. Friday’s overwhelming parliamentary vote to tions set up to back her policy initiatives. remove Park from office puts her fate in the hands Park, who is serving a single five-year term Protests of nine judges of the Constitutional Court, which that was to end in February 2018, has denied The two former officials whose charges were has 180 days to decide whether to uphold the wrongdoing but apologized for carelessness in reported by a prosecution official yesterday motion or, by rejecting it, reinstate Park to office. her ties with her friend, Choi Soon-sil. Prosecutors included a former senior economic aide, Cho Park’s powers have been suspended and yesterday again characterized Park as a co-con- Won-dong, accused of colluding with the presi- assumed by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who spirator, although she has immunity from prose- dent in trying to pressure a South Korean con- has ordered a high state of military alert for any cution as long as she remains in office. They made glomerate, CJ Group, to dismiss a group vice attempt by rival North Korea to take advantage of a similar assertion on Nov 20. chairman. Cho told a parliamentary hearing on This undated photo released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency the political turmoil. If the Constitutional Court affirms the parlia- Wednesday he had found the arm-twisting wrong (KCNA) yesterday shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (front C) during a combat Park’s deputy national security advisor, Cho mentary vote, Park would become the first demo- but he had to deliver the president’s message to drill of the service personnel of the special operation battalion of the Korean Tae-yong, spoke by telephone with his US coun- cratically elected leader of Asia’s fourth-biggest the conglomerate. People’s Army Unit 525. — AFP terpart, Avril Haines, who said the US government economy to be forced from office. South Korea’s The chairman of food-to-entertainment con- looked forward to working with Hwang, the presi- finance minister warned yesterday that the glomerate CJ Group, Sohn Kyung-shik, told a N Korea army drill targets dential Blue House said in a statement. Park, impeachment could weigh on the economy if separate hearing that Cho had met him and asked the group to remove the vice chairman South’s presidential office from her position. The second newly charged person was a former vice culture minister, Kim SEOUL: South Korea warned yesterday of quences if confronted by the North. “If the Chong, indicted for suspected abuse of power “fatal” consequences for Pyongyang’s lead- enemy conducts a provocation based on its and coercion for exerting influence over a state- ership if provoked into conflict, after North rash judgment, we will strongly and firmly run firm to make a contract with a sports man- Korean leader Kim Jong-Un oversaw a mili- retaliate with a fatal blow against the North agement company controlled by the president’s tary drill simulating an attack on Seoul’s Korean leadership,” the defense ministry’s friend, Yonhap and other outlets reported. A presidential Blue House. Kim watched with joint chiefs of staff said in a statement. spokesman in the presidential Blue House binoculars as North Korea’s special opera- There are growing concerns of fresh provo- declined to comment. tion forces conducted an exercise aimed at cations by Pyongyang following Friday’s The scandal blew up in October and has “destroying specified targets of the enemy”, impeachment of South Korean President drawn large street protests in Seoul for the past including the Blue House, the North’s KCNA Park Geun-Hye which has left the country seven Saturdays, with the crowds calling for Park news agency said. without a recognized leader. to step down immediately. A candle-lit rally on The ruling Workers’ Party newspaper Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn, who Saturday drew a smaller crowd of about 120,000 Rodong Sinmun also carried a two-page has temporarily taken on the role and at its peak, police said, although organizers put report on the drill, showing pictures of a authority of acting president, held an emer- the total number of participants at 800,000. building resembling the Blue House being gency cabinet meeting and ordered the North Korean state media has been scathing in overrun by North Korean troops and set military to be extra vigilant against the its coverage of the scandal. Yesterday, it said ablaze. One photo showed Kim roaring North. North Korea has conducted two North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a spe- with laughter as he watched the simulated nuclear tests already this year and multiple cial operations drill targeting the South. Pictures attack. “Well done, the enemy troops will missile launches in its push for a weapon in the North’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper have no space to hide themselves, far from capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to showed what appeared to be a mockup of South taking any counteraction,” state-run KCNA the US mainland. The UN Security Council Korea’s presidential Blue House as a target. The quoted Kim as saying. slapped its toughest sanctions yet on the United States, which has about 28,500 troops sta- No date was given for the military exer- North last month over its fifth nuclear test tioned in South Korea, was in close contact with cise in yesterday’s report. The South Korean in September, capping the North’s annual SEOUL: Protesters march toward the presidential house during a rally against impeached South Korea and remained a strong ally, the military “strongly condemned” the drill, coal exports-its top external revenue President Park Geun-hye. — AP White House said late on Friday. —Reuters warning there would be fatal conse- source. — AFP Indonesia nabs woman, others in thwarted Jakarta bomb plot JAKARTA: Indonesian police said schools. Police said two men were national monument and near the they safely detonated a bomb on the arrested after dropping the 27-year- palace, with the intention of causing outskirts of the capital after arresting old woman at the boarding house a lot of casualties,” said Habib, the a female would-be suicide bomber with the pressure cooker bomb. A analyst. Police said those arrested and other suspected Islamic mili- fourth suspect, a man, was arrested are suspected to be part of a mili- tants who were allegedly planning in Solo, said Jakarta police tant network responsible for a to attack the presidential palace this spokesman Argo Yuwono. The bomb bomb-making lab raided last month weekend. The thwarted plot is likely potentially could have caused dam- in West Java province that was oper- to cause particular concern in age within a wide area, Yuwono said. ating under the direction of Bahrun Indonesia because of the possibility People living within a 300-meter Naim, an Indonesian fighting with that women with militant network (yard) radius of the boarding house the Islamic State group in Syria. associations are now being recruited were evacuated during the police He was linked to the attack in into more active roles, including operation on Saturday. January in Jakarta that killed eight plotting and carrying out attacks. Police believe the militants were people, including the attackers, and “This marks a new chapter of ter- planning to bomb a presidential several unsuccessful attacks in rorism in Indonesia, where the sui- guard-changing ceremony on Indonesia since then. Those arrested cide bombing was to be carried out Sunday that is a tourist attraction in in last month’s raid planned to bomb by a woman,” terrorism analyst Jakarta, Fana said. The woman’s will, targets in Jakarta, including the par- NEW DELHI: Indian children’s right activist and Nobel Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi (C) gestures towards children at Ridwan Habib said in an interview which was retrieved by police after liament and the Myanmar Embassy. an event in New Delhi yesterday. — AFP with Indonesian TV. Umar Surya the group stopped at a post office to Muslim-majority Indonesia has car- Fana, the police chief of Bekasi, a mail it to her family, stated her desire ried out a sustained crackdown on Jakarta satellite city, said the mili- to take part in “amaliyah,” an Arabic militants since the 2002 bombings Overseas casinos clean up tants were followed by a police term used by extremist groups for on the tourist island of Bali by al- counterterrorism squad as they attacks or suicide bombings. Qaida-affiliated radicals that killed drove to Jakarta from Solo in central “They deliberately chose the tar- 202 people. But a new threat has despite China’s cash curbs Java. The city is known for its radical get on a Sunday, when many fami- emerged in the past several years mosques and Islamic boarding lies are hanging out around the from IS sympathizers. — AP SAIPAN: For evidence of the odds stacked against China’s have more than halved since then, as high rollers from the battle to stop the flight of cash battering its currency and mainland gave it a wide berth. But whacking the mole in draining its reserves, look no further than the tiny Pacific Macau has made it pop up elsewhere, where China’s writ island of Saipan, which has hit the jackpot with a flood of doesn’t run; in Saipan, the Philippines, Cambodia and Chinese money at its new casino. Australia. Thousands of miles from the Chinese mainland, the US- Manila’s Solaire casino registered a 61 percent increase administered island of 50,000 people is festooned with in VIP turnover in the third quarter, while the number of signs written in Chinese and stuffed with Chinese super- junket operators bringing in foreign high rollers has more markets, restaurants and karaoke parlors serving the than doubled. Half of its VIP gamblers come from China. 200,000 Chinese visitors that arrived this year. Private jets NagaCorp in Phnom Penh has seen a 13 percent increase in bring big spenders so free with their cash - and $100 mil- Chinese visitors in the first half of 2016, with VIP turnover lion credit lines - that the modest Best Sunshine casino, up 11 percent for the first nine months. owned by Hong-Kong listed Imperial Pacific, wildly outper- forms the top casinos in Macau, the world’s biggest gam- House wins bling hub. Best Sunshine’s 16 VIP tables can turn over $3.9 China has fought to suppress the demand, detaining billion a month, while the world’s biggest, the Venetian marketing employees from Australia’s Crown Resorts in Macao, manages about $2.5 billion per month on 102 VIP October for “gambling offences”, and arresting South tables, and the MGM around $2.9 billion on 161. “Never Korean casino managers last year for “enticing” Chinese to have I dealt with so much money in 36 years in casinos,” gamble overseas. “We have always asked that Chinese citi- said one executive working in the casino, who could not be zens leaving the borders respect the laws and rules of rele- named due to company policy. vant countries, and not get involved in gambling or gam- Back in Beijing, policymakers are trying to keep that ble themselves,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu money on the mainland. Capital outflows, both legal and Kang told a daily news briefing in Beijing. But the casinos illegal, have dragged the yuan to eight-year lows this year, are getting ready for more. prompting China to eat through more than a fifth of its for- NagaCorp is building additional facilities and a luxury eign currency reserves since mid-2014 and impose a series retail complex, while Solaire, where VIPs play in opulent of measures to stem the outflows. ocean-front rooms, is also unrolling new amenities to lure Such measures, plus an anti-corruption crackdown that VIPs. Imperial is spending $3 billion to build a 14-storey began in early 2014, has dealt a blow to Macau, the self- resort in Saipan after winning a 40-year exclusive monop- governing Chinese territory linked by a thread to the main- oly license. Its towering bamboo scaffolding already dwarfs BEKASI: Officers stand guard around a house after it was raided by police. — AP land province of Guangdong. Macau’s gaming revenues the low-rise local buildings. — Reuters NEWS MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

Turkey defiant as Kurdish group claims... Gulf states take shine off cushy...

Continued from Page 1 gathered outside the stadium to lay flowers, many holding Continued from Page 1 Lured by a generous salary and his own office over- Turkish flags and shouting “Down with the PKK!” and “Our looking the Arabian Gulf, 26-year-old Ahmed, who They should know that they will not get away with it ... homeland is indivisible!” “They won’t be able to divide But high-paying public sector jobs that demand lit- declined to give his second name, joined Qatar’s min- They will pay a heavier price.” Turkey, they won’t be able to break it into pieces,” one man tle of workers have led to bureaucratic inertia and an istry of transport last year after graduating from Qatar HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah told AFP, who gave his name only as Muhammad. But absenteeism culture that governments turned a blind University. On his first day, Ahmed said, he was sur- yesterday sent a cable of condolences to Turkish President there was also anger. “God curse the PKK!” said one woman eye to during the Gulf’s boom years. In 2011 a Kuwait prised to find colleagues without clear responsibilities Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the terrorist blasts. In his cable, mourner in her 50s. government report found that half the country’s state carrying documents from one office to another. “Many the Amir prayed for the dead and wished swift recovery to Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said the employees were absent from work between January workers, even managers, were engaged in watching those injured in the attack. HH the Amir stressed Kuwait’s attack had targeted police. “Experts say at least 300-400 and March, costing the country’s treasury more than television or sleeping,” he said. strong condemnation of such a criminal act that targeted kilogrammes of explosives had been used. There was a pit KD 10.5 million ($35 million). One colleague advised him to get to know the “tea innocent people and violated all heavenly religions and where the car detonated,” he said on CNN Turk television. Since oil prices plunged in 2014, however, Gulf boys” - Nepali waiters who deliver tea to offices - so he human values, voicing support of all measures taken by Forensic experts were yesterday collecting evidence at monarchies have curbed subsidies and laid off staff as could find out when his boss had left and do the same. Turkey to respond to such terrorist acts that aim to under- both the stadium and the park, an AFP correspondent they try to trim budget deficits and build economies Other skiving tactics included leaving a jacket on the mine its security and stability. said, while municipal workers could be seen clearing up less reliant on hydrocarbons. In the wealthier Gulf back of his chair so a casual observer would assume he The Amir also reiterated Kuwait’s rejection of all forms the area and replacing road signs damaged in the stadium Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Kuwait, Qatar, was first to arrive at the office and programming and manifestations of terrorism, while backing the interna- blast. Thirteen people have been detained over the blasts. and the United Arab Emirates, where populations are emails to send themselves in the afternoon so man- tional community’s fight against terrorism. HH the Crown Footage broadcast shortly after the attack showed a car small, more than 75 percent of employed nationals agers thought he was still at work. But superiors start- Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH outside the stadium engulfed in flames, as well as wrecked work in the public sector, according to the IMF. The ed to clamp down on those evading work, Ahmed the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah also police vehicles, with witnesses saying the force of the ratio is also high in oil-giant Saudi Arabia - which said, after Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s sent the Turkish president similar cables. blasts shattered windows in nearby homes. “I heard two racked up a record budget deficit of nearly $100 bil- emir, called on Nov 1 for Qataris to move off social wel- The Kuwaiti government also sharply condemned the explosions in less than one minute, followed by the sound lion last year - while in Oman, about 50 percent of fare and “into action” in the face of low energy prices. explosions. An official source at the foreign ministry said in of gunshots,” one witness told AFP on condition of employed nationals work in the public sector. Bahrain After Arab spring protests in 2011, rich Gulf states a statement that Kuwait stands by Turkey and supports its anonymity. The stadium is located on the shores of the has the lowest proportion of nationals working in the spent billions of dollars raising salaries and investing measures to preserve its security and stability. The source Bosphorus, close to the Ottoman-era Dolmabahce palace public sector, at 35 percent. in subsidies and infrastructure. Wars and social tur- reiterated Kuwait’s unshakable and principled position that houses the premier’s office. It is also about a kilometer In one of the most dramatic efforts to shake gov- moil spurred efforts in countries like Saudi Arabia to against all forms and manifestations of terrorism and vio- from the busy Taksim Square, a magnet for tourists. ernment agencies out of their slumber, the ruler of boost employment of their citizens and crack down lence. The source also voiced sincere condolences to Besiktas is one of Istanbul’s most popular football clubs, Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on illegal hiring of foreign workers. But today austeri- Turkey’s government and people over the victims of the and its fans are known for their anti-establishment views. carried out an early morning spot check on the city ty is unnerving citizens for whom affluence and stellar bombings, and wished swift recovery to the injured. They famously played a big role in the 2013 protests state’s management in August, found empty desks, growth are the norm. Reforms are proving sensitive - The attacks were claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom against Erdogan, who was prime minister at the time. In a and sacked nine senior officials. Pictures of Sheikh politically consequential even - and there are fears Falcons (TAK), which is seen as a radical offshoot of the statement, Besiktas vowed to “stand firm against the vile Mohammed wandering the sparsely populated offices that further cuts to sumptuous welfare states could outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). “A revenge squad attackers who will never achieve their goal.” of the Land Department were widely published in heighten public anger. from TAK carried out simultaneous attacks outside Istanbul The twin attacks drew international condolences and local newspapers. In May oil workers in Kuwait went on strike against Vodafone Arena stadium and Macka park at around 10:30 condemnation, with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg Qatar, in an apparent effort to codify the responsi- a proposed overhaul of the public sector payroll sys- pm local time (1930 GMT),” said a statement posted on denouncing the bloodshed as “horrific” and the US bilities of government employees and get them work- tem. An election last month filled the country’s parlia- TAK’s website. “Turkish people are not the direct target of embassy in Turkey tweeting: “Our hearts and prayers are ing harder, last month passed a law that raised pay for ment with opposition lawmakers opposed to wage TAK,” it said, accusing the government of “fascism” against with the people of #Istanbul tonight.” German Chancellor workers who have achieved higher levels of education cuts and taxes. Omani medics from state-funded col- the Kurdish people. Angela Merkel spoke with Erdogan by phone, with the two and enforced a merit-based promotion scheme. The leges in November held a two-week strike after their The group has claimed three major attacks in Turkey agreeing to step up anti-terror cooperation. “The chancel- nation’s young emir has warned citizens that the state salaries were cut. Ending the legacy of public sectors this year: two in Ankara - one on Feb 17 that left 28 dead, lor asked the president to convey her sympathies to the “can no longer provide for everything” and local news- being an engine of job creation, analysts say, is vital to and another on March 13 that killed 34 - as well as a car victims’ loved ones and offered help, if needed, to care for paper editorials mock lazy civil servants referred to avoid rising unemployment in years ahead if oil rev- bombing in Istanbul on June 7 which claimed 11 lives. those who were injured,” spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer jokingly by Qataris as “people of the couch”. enues decline again and nationals are still not work- Turkish officials had earlier said initial findings pointed to said in a statement. “The chancellor and the president Neighboring Saudi Arabia in September scaled back ing in the private sector. But Gulf youth may still the PKK which has waged a bloody campaign against the agreed to intensify their cooperation in fighting terrorism,” financial perks for public sector employees in one of expect to be entitled to a share of the national wealth Turkish state since 1984. she added, without providing details. whether in the form of public sector jobs with high In a ceremony for five of the victims at the city’s police Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also con- the most drastic measures yet by the oil-rich kingdom headquarters, Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim demned the bombings but said he expected Turkey to to save money at a time of low oil prices. wages or breaks from future taxes. — Reuters met with the families, looking on silently as the flag- reciprocate when the Jewish state also came under draped coffins were brought in. “Sooner or later we will attack. “Israel condemns all terrorism in Turkey and have our revenge,” Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told expects that Turkey will condemn all terrorist attacks in the mourners. “The arm of the law is long”. Erdogan later Israel,” he said. The two countries recently normalized ties Cairo church bombing kills 25 chaired an emergency meeting of cabinet ministers in after a bitter six-year diplomatic row over a Gaza-bound Continued from Page 1 church was stained with blood, broken glass everywhere, Istanbul to discuss the situation. On the streets, people flotilla.— Agencies everyone screaming, torn clothes,” she said. The bombing hit around 10:00 am at the Saint Peter Gebrail Ebeid, who has been headed to services when and Saint Paul Church, which is adjacent to Saint Mark’s the bombing took place, accused Egypt’s government of Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic pope Tawadros II. A not doing enough to protect the Christian community. Amir tells new Assembly spending cuts... bomb made of 12 kilos of TNT appeared to have been “This is the government’s responsibility. The explosion behind the explosion, security officials said. The blast happened inside the church,” said Ebeid. “Where were the Continued from Page 1 and the eventual winner Kandari. But Hammad later shattered the church’s glass windows and scattered pews security forces? They’re filling the streets now, but it’s too withdrew and alleged that there was a secret deal through the main prayer hall, scorching its marble pillars. late,” he said. Several dozen people gathered outside to The Amir said the measures must be accompanied by between the government and the Islamic Constitutional Bloodstains could be seen on the floor, where shoes and protest after the bombing, chanting for the resignation of steps to stop squandering of public funds and exhaust- Movement (ICM) to elect Harbash, who strongly denied other belongings lay scattered. Egypt’s interior minister. They briefly scuffled with police ing national resources and direct them towards the right the allegation. In the first voting, Harbash received 32 HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- as they tried to push through the cordon. places. He however called for sparing low-income people votes against Kandari’s 31, and because no one secured Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences yesterday to It was the worst attack on the Coptic Christian com- from financial measures and for taking social justice into an absolute majority of votes, which is 33, the voting was Sisi, expressing his deepest sympathies for the victims of munity since a 2011 suicide bombing killed more than 20 account. repeated, and this time the result was reversed and the blast. The Amir voiced Kuwait’s vehement condemna- worshippers outside a church in the coastal city of The Amir said he would not have liked to ask Kuwaitis Kandari was declared the winner. In the second round of tion of such criminal acts that threaten Egypt’s security Alexandria. “This latest attack should be a wake-up call to to surrender something they have always enjoyed, but voting, the winner needed only a simple majority to win, and stability, and wished those wounded in the attack a the authorities that their actions to prevent attacks on he added that he is confident that Kuwaitis, like their according to the Assembly’s internal charter. speedy recovery. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- Coptic Christians have long been inadequate,” Amnesty ancestors, are ready to sacrifice. Sheikh Sabah also Almost the same thing happened in electing the sec- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister International said in a statement. warned against the growing dangers and terrorism retary. MPs Safa Al-Hashem, the only female in the house, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah sent cables of similar Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar rushed to the around Kuwait and urged caution. The Amir also recalled Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Oudah Al-Oudah contested for sentiments to the Egyptian president. area after the blast and Prime Minister Sherif Ismail called that national unity can safeguard Kuwait against dangers. the post. No one secured an absolute majority in the first The Kuwaiti government also voiced vehement con- on security services to quickly find those responsible. “The After his impressive victory, Ghanem extended a hand round, and in the second, Oudah came first and won. demnation of the “terrorist” blast. An official source at the nation’s Muslim and Christian citizens stand together of cooperation to all sides in the Assembly. But Roumi Hashem then blasted the government for not siding with foreign ministry said in a statement that such “terrorist” against this black terrorism,” Ismail said in the statement. strongly lashed out at the government, while Muwaizri her to elect the first Kuwaiti woman as part of the three acts would never undermine Egypt’s resolve to fight ter- Sisi condemned what he described as “the abhorrent ter- urged the speaker to forget the practices of the previous persons who sit on the Assembly’s podium, which would rorism resolutely. The source reiterated that Kuwait stands rorist attack”, saying in a statement: “Egypt will only Assembly. After the result, social media was full of sarcas- have been a highly positive point for Kuwait internation- by Egypt in its fight against terrorism, and supports all its emerge stronger and more unified from these events.” The tic comments about the new opposition group, as 27 ally. However, the opposition won the last position avail- security measures to preserve its security and stability. president also called the pope to offer his condolences. MPs had met and decided to vote against Ghanem, but able, which is the observer of the house. Islamist MP The source offered heartfelt condolences to Egypt’s lead- Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the head of Egypt’s top Sunni only a few did so. Nayef Al-Merdas won the post after two other con- ership, government and people over the victims of the Muslim authority Al-Azhar, said the “vile terrorist explo- Online activists said they were severely disappointed tenders withdrew from the race. church explosion, and wished swift recovery to those sion” was “a great crime against all Egyptians”. The church by the turn of events and how some lawmakers won on Meanwhile, 10 MPs submitted two separate amend- injured in the blast. that was targeted “is deeply loved by many Coptic faithful the pledge of voting against Ghanem, but then failed to ments to the nationality law, which call for preventing “I was leaving the church and then I heard a loud in Cairo and it has a regular parish presence,” said Bishop fulfill their promises. The result also cast a thick cloud of revoking citizenships without a final court ruling. The explosion and there was a lot of smoke and people start- Angaelos, the General Bishop for the Coptic Church in doubt over how cohesive the opposition MPs are and amendments also ban the government from deporting ed running and screaming,” Jackline Abdel Shahid, one of Britain. He said services had been held in the church on whether they will remain united on all issues. any person after revoking his citizenship without a final the survivors of the blast, told AFP at the scene. “The Sunday morning, while Saint Mark’s Cathedral was being In the election of deputy speaker, MP Saadoun court ruling. The Assembly then elected members of its ambulances started coming, and they kept bringing out renovated. “It’s an easier target because its entrance is Hammad first said he wanted to contest against Harbash committees. body parts. The floor was covered in blood, and the whole outside the precincts” of the cathedral. — Agencies MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 ANALYSIS

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Focus South Korea crisis: What’ll North do?

hese are euphoric but anxious days for South Korea, as the heady impeachment of a deeply Tunpopular president leaves the country without a recognized leader at a time of military tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea. And with Pyongyang smarting from a fresh round of UN sanctions and never shy about embarking on a dangerous game of brinkmanship, the one thing the country doesn’t want to display is vulnerability. But so considerable are the powers vested in the executive in South Korea that Friday’s impeachment stripping them away from President Park Geun-Hye inevitably leaves a sizeable vacuum that must seem all too tempting to provocateurs in Pyongyang. It’s a con- cern that was swiftly addressed by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn, the unelected former prosecutor who has temporarily taken on the role and authority of act- ing president. Assad still far from regaining his state At an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday, Hwang said he had instructed the military to be extra vigilant to any move by the North to exploit the current hen President Bashar Al-Assad sectarian dimensions that will resonate for crumble, rendering the country a failed Damascus University in the early 1980s, situation. “The government is carrying out all measures turns from the wreckage of Aleppo generations; the uprising identifies itself state and a danger to the world for decades long before the death of an elder brother necessary to prevent any government vacuum and ease Wto assert his authority across a frac- with the Sunni Muslim majority, and the to come. Convincing enough allies - includ- put him in line to succeed his father as the people’s anxiety,” Hwang said. “Up until now ... no tured Syria, it will be as a figure who is virtu- state led by a minority Alawite draws on ing Moscow and Tehran - to see him in that president. “He was like any other person: special development from North Korea has been report- ally unassailable by rebels, but still faces the backing of Shiite Islamists. Worst of all, light has been Assad’s “political master- Very humble, very nice, very modest ed. But all civil servants should work with a sense of ten- great challenges in restoring the power of nearly six years of war have killed hundreds piece”, said Rolf Holmboe, research fellow because he was not supposed to be presi- sion for the time being,” he added. his state. The expected fall of Aleppo would of thousands of Syrians, displaced around at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and dent,” he said. Assad’s early years as presi- mean rebels have almost no chance of oust- 11 million, of whom nearly half have fled a former Danish ambassador to Syria. dent after succeeding his father in 2000 ‘Vegetable president’ ing Assad, but their revolt has left him in the country, and laid waste to much of the But to his detractors, Assad is the man raised hopes of political and economic North Korean state media, which has issued highly hock to foreign allies, resigned to the loss of infrastructure needed to resurrect a shat- who burned Syria rather than allowing reforms, but they mostly faltered, some- personal attacks on Park in the past, has clearly enjoyed swathes of his country for the time being tered economy. power to slip from his grasp, a dictator thing that was blamed at the time on an witnessing her downfall and the attendant political and with tough pockets of resistance still to In rebuilding, Assad will also have to whose prisons are wallowing in the blood old guard of security chiefs. chaos. On Saturday, the ruling Workers’ Party newspaper crush. “Certainly it is not the end of the war contend with Western sanctions on much of his opponents and whose cities lie Rodong Sinmun called the impeached Park a “vegetable ... But when you take Aleppo, you control 90 of his government and with isolation from ruined by the bombs of his military. In Raqqa written off for now president”, and said her continued refusal to resign was percent of the fertile areas of Syria, the some of his main previous trading partners Assad’s swift use of force against protest- The president and his allies have the act of “an old witch and psychopath without equal”. regions that hold the cities and markets, the - the European Union, Turkey, Gulf monar- ers in 2011 and his deployment of artillery focused their campaign on the populous, But is ridicule likely to lead to provocation? Most populated regions,” said a senior pro- chies and Jordan. The Gulf states in particu- and air power against Syrian towns and fertile, west of his country and few people analysts believe the North will resist the temptation and Damascus official in the region. lar may also continue to fund insurgents. cities, critics see his reliance on the exam- expect him to lavish limited military adopt a wait-and-see strategy - not only towards the sit- However, the battlefield victories that “Syria has suffered such wounds that there ple of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled resources on quickly retaking the eastern uation in the South, but also towards Washington and seem - for now - to have secured Assad’s will always be, in my expectation, a day of from 1970-2000. deserts or Euphrates valley area from the incoming administration of US president-elect rule have been won in large part not by his reckoning,” said Nikolaos Van Dam, a former Hafez’s crushing of an Islamist insur- Islamic State. The senior pro-Damascus offi- Donald Trump. North Korea has a tendency to try and own depleted military, but by Russian war- Dutch diplomat and author of a book gency that began in 1976, culminating with cial said that Assad had for now written off test new US presidents, but Trump is such an unknown planes and a shock force of foreign Shiite about Syrian history and politics, speaking the massacre of thousands in the city of Raqqa, which has become the de facto quantity - especially on foreign policy - that it might militias backed by Iran. Assad will rely on about the future of Assad’s state. Hama in 1982, set the template for his son’s Syrian capital of Islamic State, often referred choose to hold off for a while. Moscow and Tehran to take back more ter- response to the Arab Spring protests in to by the Arabic term Daesh, regarding the “It’ll want to spend time feeling out the policy direc- ritory, and to hold and secure it, meaning Indispensable 2011 and the subsequent war. “They have jihadist group as Washington’s problem to tions of the Trump administration,” said Yang Moo-Jin, a he will have to balance his own ambitions To his supporters, Assad is the one, no other solutions and that’s it. They imple- fix. “The regime forgot about Raqqa a long professor at the University of North Korean Studies in with theirs. At the same time, as the insur- indispensable figure standing between his mented the same manual. They took it time ago and made it the responsibility of Seoul. “In the meantime, it’s unlikely to stage a fresh gents lose ground and as the jihadists country and absolute chaos, the resolute from the drawer and implemented it,” said the Americans. Let those alarmed by Daesh nuclear test which might set Trump on a hardline course among them grow more dominant, con- leader of a war against foreign-backed Ayman Abdel Nour, a former friend and go and remove it,” the official said. Still, early on,” Yang said. ventional warfare may give way to an era of jihadists who wish to slaughter minorities pro-reform political appointee of Assad Assad himself signalled in a December tele- guerrilla attacks and suicide bombings and launch attacks on other states. Without who left Syria in 2007. vision interview that in the end he intend- Enough test data within areas held by the government. him, they say, what remains of the Syrian For Abdel Nour, Assad at war was a far ed to restore Damascus’ sway across the North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests already Aggravating this, the war has taken on armed forces and security services will cry from the man he first knew at country. —Reuters this year, and multiple missile launches in its push for a weapon capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the US mainland. “North Korea’s weapons testing timeline is primarily driven by its ambitions to increase military Fall of Aleppo will be pivotal moment capabilities, and the recent tests give its scientists and engineers much technical data to work with,” said Leif- Eric Easley, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for he fall of Aleppo will be a pivotal moment in Syria’s ‘Snowball effect’ two possibilities, he said. “One is (that) the regime turns east Policy Studies in Seoul. “So Pyongyang may wait to see war, boosting regime hopes of regaining control over One likely target is Eastern Ghouta, a key rebel enclave and starts pushing towards Raqqa to demonstrate its useful- if a pro-engagement politician emerges from South Tthe entire country and dealing a probable knockout east of Damascus. Douma, the largest town there, “does not ness to the West and Russia as a key partner against IS.” Korea’s political tumult,” Easley said. blow to rebels. Analysts say the virtually inevitable regime want to meet the same fate as east Aleppo”, Balanche said. Otherwise it could focus on securing Aleppo, “bottling the Park took a hard line with Pyongyang throughout victory in Syria’s second city will give the government of The regime may also move to seize Al-Bab, an IS-held town opposition up in Idlib province and then chipping away at her presidency, refusing to offer any concessions unless President Bashar Al-Assad a comfortable upper hand. on a key route between Aleppo and the border with Turkey. the edges”, Sayigh said. the North made a tangible commitment to denu- “Aleppo is the real turning point of the war. It’s the equiva- Turkish forces and their rebel allies have advanced towards Joshua Landis, director of the Center of Middle East clearization. In a shock move, she even closed down lent of Stalingrad,” Syria expert Fabrice Balanche said, refer- the town, but Damascus cannot afford to lose that race. “It’s Studies at the University of Oklahoma, said a victory in the Kaesong joint industrial zone - a rare North-South ring to the Soviet Union’s bloody victory in the Russian city too close to Aleppo and it would open the way for rebels to Aleppo would “likely have a snowball effect and build cooperative project that had survived previous cross- that changed the course of World War II. head towards Raqqa,” Balanche said. regime capabilities and morale”. “Once Syrian militias believe border crises. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un “knows “Without Aleppo, (Assad) was a half-president,” said Sayigh said the regime may now work on securing the that the rebellion’s days are counted, they will likely be more exactly what he is doing,” said Koh Yu-Hwan, a political Balanche, an analyst at the Washington Institute for Near entire western length of the country from the northern bor- inclined to negotiate ways to surrender that provide protec- science Professor at Dongguk University. “There is no East Policy. But “with this victory, he can present himself as der with Turkey to Jordan in the south. Beyond that there are tion to their fighters and dependents.” — AFP reason for him to stage provocative acts and change the president of the whole of Syria”. Rebels seized eastern the atmosphere in the South in favour of conserva- Aleppo in mid-2012, just over a year after anti-government tives,” Koh said. protests broke out nationwide. East Aleppo became a pow- The North is also preparing for a series of key erful symbol of resistance for Syria’s opposition, with a local Where next for Syria? anniversaries, including the 75th and 105th birthdays of administration that endured years of fierce bombardment late leaders Kim Jong-Il and Kim Il-Sung in February and a suffocating government siege that began in July this hile seizing control of Aleppo will not end the been in since the war began in 2011, taking control of and April respectively, as well as the 85th anniversary of year. But when the government launched an all-out assault Syrian war, Bashar Al-Assad’s regime and its Aleppo would still leave large parts of the country the army’s founding on April 25. In the past, such dates in mid-November, backed by intense artillery fire, the war- WRussian and Iranian allies have more control now beyond its control. Extremists from Fateh al-Sham, the have been marked by strategic weapons’ tests, but Yang weary eastern districts all but collapsed. Regime troops and than at any time since the conflict began, experts say. The former Al-Qaeda affiliate previously known as Al-Nusra predicted that Pyongyang would avoid being overly allied militia now control at least 85 percent of the one-time United States, European powers and Gulf states gathered Front, and the Islamic State group - as well as US-backed confrontational. “I think the festive mood will favor sta- rebel stronghold. “The myth of a moderate rebellion in Saturday for talks with opposition representatives in an Kurdish militias in the north - retain control of many bility over disturbance,” he said. Aleppo capable of representing a political and military alter- increasingly desperate bid to find a way to end the nearly areas. “What sort of peace is it if it’s only the peace of native to the regime - it’s over,” Balanche said. six-year-old war. But their powerlessness was palpable. The cemeteries?” Ayrault asked. How long? meeting ended with US Secretary of State John Kerry The problem is that the political uncertainty in South ‘Break opposition’s back’ pleading with the regime, Russia and Iran to show “a little Fruitless meetings Korea could carry on for much longer than Pyongyang Yezid Sayigh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle grace” and end the “indiscriminate” bombing of Aleppo, Russian and American officials will meet again in is willing to wait. Park’s impeachment has to be East Center in Beirut, told AFP a regime victory in Aleppo which looks set to fall into the hands of Assad’s forces soon. Geneva to discuss the fighting, but even Kerry admitted approved by the Constitutional Court - a process that would “tip the balance” in its favor. “We’re now past the Retreating rebels now control only a pocket of Syria’s his expectations of those talks were “constrained”. “I could take six months. If it confirms her ouster then a point where the opposition has any hope of pulling things second city, whose fate is seen as pivotal to the outcome know people are tired of these meetings, I’m tired of presidential election must be held, but that could take back,” he said. Recapturing Aleppo holds tremendous polit- of the conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people. these meetings,” he told reporters before the Paris gath- another 60 days. — AFP ical importance for the government, which saw the rival Calls from Western leaders to stop the fighting and diplo- ering. “But what am I supposed to do? Go home and opposition-run authorities in the city’s east as a major chal- macy at the UN have amounted to nothing with Assad have a nice weekend in Massachusetts, while people lenge to its legitimacy. It would also ring the death knell for and Russian President Vladimir Putin seemingly intent on are dying? Sit there in Washington and do nothing?” the armed uprising. Assad “will have in effect broken the pushing their advantage. “The idea of the operation is to Analysts say the timeframe and conditions of talks will All articles appearing on these pages back of the armed opposition... and the idea that the do what was done in Chechnya... crush the rebellion and be set in Damascus and Moscow, whose armies are in the are the personal opinion of the writers. regime can be overcome militarily will be finally put to show them that they can do nothing against Russian ascendency despite allegations of war crimes and mount- rest”, Sayigh said. forces,” said Moscow-based analyst Pavel Felgenhauer. ing civilian deaths. “Aleppo is a critical turning point,” Kuwait Times takes no responsibility After losing Aleppo, rebels will be largely confined to The West appears resigned to the fall of Aleppo and to Robin Wright, a researcher at the United States Institute for views expressed therein. Kuwait northwest Idlib and scattered pockets in Damascus and the idea that the regime will have control of the west of of Peace, told US National Public Radio (NPR). “Assad Daraa provinces, with little hope for support from their the country, from Aleppo to Damascus and the central looks ever stronger.” Times invites readers to voice their Turkish, Western or Gulf backers. Kurdish forces will hold province of Homs and the coastal Latakia province. “The opinions. Please send submissions via parts of northern and northeast Syria, and the Islamic State partition of Syria is happening,” French Foreign Minister Assad or Extremists? jihadist group will have to defend territory in the north and Jean-Marc Ayrault conceded. A European diplomat, Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East email to: [email protected] or east. In turn, Assad’s regime will fully control Syria’s three speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was a “de Studies, also called Aleppo “a major turning point” that via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, main cities - Aleppo, Damascus and Homs. facto division of Syria”. “The Russians are to the West and left the West and other countries which oppose Assad It will hold almost all of the country’s main population the Western powers of the anti-jihadist coalition are to with few options. Once the city falls, the largest remain- Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to centers, many of its airports and the border with Lebanon. the East,” he said. ing rebel bastion will be Idlib province, controlled by a edit any submission as necessary. But analysts say the government will not stop there. “The In Paris, the Western countries stressed that although coalition dominated by extremists from a former Al- end of the rebellion in Aleppo will free up around 30,000 the Assad regime was in the strongest position it had Qaeda affiliate. — AFP troops to launch new offensives,” Balanche said. MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 SPORTS

Ronaldo declared 20m Tokyo starts construction UK’s Yafai wins WBA euros in Swiss banks of main Olympic stadium super-flyweight title TOKYO: Construction of the main stadium for the Tokyo 2020 MANCHESTER: Khalid Yafai became Britain’s 13th reigning world champion MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo declared income of over 225 million euros in 2015, Olympics officially started yesterday, more than a year after the by winning the WBA super-flyweight title on Saturday, beating Luis including 20 million euros held in 22 Swiss bank accounts, a Spanish newspaper original blueprints were torn up following public outcry over sky- Concepcion of Panama by a unanimous points decision. The reported yesterday as the Real Madrid star battles accusations of tax rocketing costs. The stadium is due to be completed by the end judges called the fight 120-108, 119-108 and 117-110 in evasion. The Portuguese international earned 203.7 million euros of November 2019, five months behind schedule. “I believe, after favor of Yafai, who knocked down Concepcion in the outside of Spain and 23.5 million inside the country, according four years, many athletes will challenge their physical limits at 10th round and made the cleaner punches overall. to a copy of his 2015 tax return obtained by daily newspaper El this stadium and empower spectators and the society,” Prime Concepcion arrived in Britain as the champion, but Mundo. The figures match the details of the player’s income Minister Shinzo Abe said at a ceremony to mark the start of was stripped of the title after failing to make published Thursday by the player’s management company building work. Japan approved the new stadium plans in weight and wasn’t fighting to regain it. It was one Gestifute, which argued they show Ronaldo was in compliance September after Abe scrapped the initial design by the late Iraqi- of two world title fights on a packed card at with Spain’s tax authority. But El Mundo provided a more British architect Zaha Hadid as costs soared beyond $2 billion. Manchester Arena, with the heavyweight contest detailed breakdown of his finances. It said he had 20 million The 149 billion yen ($1.29 billion) price tag for architect Kengo between IBF champion Anthony Joshua and Eric euros in Swiss banks-the vast majority, more than 17 million Kuma’s proposal comes in just under the cap for the contractors, Molina the other. In another heavyweight fight, euros, in three accounts at Swiss private bank Mirabaud. led by construction giant Taisei Corp. The new venue is being Dillian Whyte beat fellow Briton Dereck Chisora on a The rest of his money in the country was held in built on the site of the former national stadium which was used split decision following an evenly matched slugfest 19 accounts in regional Swiss bank St. Galler for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Concerns that ballooning costs that acted as an eliminator for the WBC title, current- Kantonalbank. The player had just 33,452 euros could hit a staggering $30 billion-four times the initial estimate ly held by Deontay Wilder. Both fighters were out on in five bank accounts in his native Portugal, and almost triple that of the 2012 London Olympics — have their feet by the end, though neither was knocked the newspaper added. —AFP forced organisers to rethink plans for several venues.— AFP down despite some huge shots.— AP Holloway takes interim featherweight title

TORONTO: Max Holloway scored a knock- see my potential. The whole world will see out over Anthony Pettis 4:50 into the third my potential.” Olivier “The Quebec Kid” round for the interim featherweight cham- Aubin-Mercier was the first Canadian to pionship in the co-main event at UFC 206 emerge victorious, defeating Drew Dober on Saturday night. in a lightweight bout. The Montreal native It was the first time a UFC belt was on forced Dober into submission with rear- the line for just one fighter. It became an naked choke, causing the referee to stop interim featherweight title bout for the fight at 2:57 of the second round. Holloway when Pettis failed to make “I’m still at the point where I can weight on Friday, coming in 3 pounds over improve,” Aubin-Mercier said. “(Dober) was the 145-pound limit. Pettis was fined 20 a really tough opponent, my toughest percent of his purse as a result. During his opponent so far, so I got a little emotional post-fight interview in the octagon, Pettis after the win.” In her UFC debut, Viviane said he broke his right hand with his first Pereira beat Valerie “Trouble” Letourneau punch in the first round. of Montreal by split decision (29-28, 28-29, Earlier, Cub Swanson won a unanimous 29-28) in the lone women’s strawweight decision over Dooho Choi (30-27, 29-28, bout on the card. Letourneau, who fell to 30-27) in an entertaining featherweight 3-3 in UFC, was initially supposed to fight bout. Emil Meek got the main card started Poliana Botelho, but Botelho was dropped by defeating Lethbridge, Alberta, native from the card in October. Jordan Mein by unanimous decision (29- Rustam Khabilov beat Bolton, Ontario, 28) in his UFC debut. Toronto’s Misha native Jason Saggo by unanimous deci- Cirkunov forced Nikita Krylov to tap out at sion, 30-27, in the first of two lightweight 4:38 of the first round with a guillotine bouts on the evening. John “The Bull” choke. Cirkunov improved to 4-0 in UFC Makdessi didn’t fare much better in the and moved into the top 10 at the light second lightweight bout. Makdessi, of heavyweight level. Montreal, was knocked out by a spinning “I definitely belong in the top 10,” heel kick to the chin from Lando Vannata. Cirkunov said. “I’m on an eight-fight win In a bantamweight bout, Mitch Gagnon streak since I dropped my coach. I’d like to of Sudbury, Ontario, fell to Matthew fight Mauricio Shogun Rua. If I fight a big Lopez in a unanimous decision (29-28, name like that, more than just Toronto will 29-28, 29-27). — AP

MANCHESTER: Britain’s IBF Heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, left, fights American Eric Molina in Manchester, England, Saturday. — AP An odd, shortened World Cup luge stop winds down in Canada Joshua retains IBF title, WHISTLER: Those competing in World Cup and teammate Fennell was maybe the luge races Saturday night got only one run biggest casuality. Fennell used to race for instead of the customary two, because Canada, knows the Whistler track well and sets up bout with Klitschko delays in getting the sleds to the track this weekend was a legitimate chance for forced some schedule changes. him to collect some critical World Cup MANCHESTER: Anthony Joshua had just out- Tucker West of the US apparently didn’t points that could have gotten his first year classed Eric Molina to retain the IBF world mind. West won the men’s World Cup race with the Americans rolling. heavyweight title when the undefeated British for the second straight weekend, finishing Instead, he got nothing. No points, and boxer was finally given a proper fight. Crawford cruises to win in 50.109 seconds for his third career victo- now probably no chance of qualifying for ry on the circuit. Wolfgang Kindl of Austria the world championships later this season. Wladimir Klitschko strode into the ring at was second in 50.153 seconds, and Andi “I’m feeling angry, frustrated, upset,” Manchester Arena, shook hands with Joshua, over Molina in eighth Langenhan of Germany was third in 50.243 Fennell said. “I don’t think it’s the right deci- and the announcement many boxing fans seconds. “He is on top of the world,” USA sion. Zero World Cup points is huge for me.” wanted was made. Joshua vs. Klitschko, OMAHA: Champion Terence Crawford easi- Pacquiao, I want the belts.” Molina showed Luge women’s racer Summer Britcher said Fennell had his sled with him in Whistler Wembley Stadium in London, April 29. ly defended his WBO and WBC belts by determination and big heart but he was no of West, as he draped himself in an all week, while many sliders didn’t get Maybe then, the boxing world will get to stopping brawler John Molina in the eighth match for the quick hands and smooth American flag on the podium after the race. theirs until Friday night - a truck involved in find out how good Joshua really is. Molina cer- round of their junior welterweight title footwork of Crawford who was the heavy “You can see it.” West’s win capped a the shipping of sleds from last weekend’s tainly wasn’t in his league in Saturday’s fight, fight on Saturday. favourite coming into the fight at strange World Cup week in Whistler, where World Cup in Lake Placid, New York got with the American knocked down by a straight Crawford dominated the fight from the CenturyLink Center arena. Crawford pinned most athletes waited around all week and stuck in a snowstorm and it took several right from Joshua midway through third round opening bell landing precision head shots a defenceless Molina in the corner, then were unable to train while their sleds were days to get the sleds rerouted and on the before the referee stepped in to end the fight. and bruising body blows through the first landed three straight right hands before move again. But since so many sliders did stuck in transit because of a snowstorm. There was just under a minute left in the seven rounds then taking out the chal- the referee stepped in and stopped the “This was a crazy week,” West said. not have equipment, Fennell and others lenger with a series of rights late in the slaughter as the challenger slumped to the West didn’t get on the Whistler ice for who had their sleds were told to keep them round. Joshua was the aggressor throughout eighth round. canvas. practice until Saturday. John Fennell didn’t off the ice. and it was always a matter of when he would even get that. Fennell, like all other athletes “This was my best chance to do well this unload on Molina to collect his 18th straight “I showed everything in this fight,” said Crawford started 2016 with an impres- who rely on Nations Cup qualifying races to season and show coaches and the organi- win since turning professional after winning an Crawford, who improved to 30-0. sive fifth-round knockout of Henry Lundy get a chance at being in the World Cup zation what I’m capable of, and it was a Olympic gold medal at the London Games in “Give credit to John Molina because he in February and followed it up five months field, couldn’t get on the track at the waste of time, effort and money,” Fennell 2012. “I was slow and patient and that’s all I came to fight.” later with two knockdowns while cruising Whistler Sliding Center this week. Shipping said. “I’m walking away empty-handed.” needed to do,” Joshua said. The WBA had The 29-year-old Crawford was rarely to a one-sided decision over Viktor Postol problems meant most competitors plan- Canada’s Alex Gough walked away in a already sanctioned a fight between Joshua and tested in his third fight of 2016 in front of to unify the titles in Las Vegas. ning to race in Whistler didn’t have their very different mood. Gough won the Klitschko for the spring, but it was left to his hometown fans as he landed 109 The 33-year-old Molina dropped to 29- sleds until Friday night, leading to a very women’s race Saturday night on her home Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn, to announce punches through eight rounds compared 7. He earned a shot at the titles by upset- condensed World Cup schedule - with all track, finishing the single-heat competition the date and location from the center of the to just 22 for Molina. The 2014 fighter of ting former champion Ruslan training and races being squeezed into in 38.796 seconds. Germans took second ring. Molina was still getting treated by his cor- the year said he wants his next fight to be Provodnikov in June. But Molina did not Saturday. and third, with Natalie Geisenberger finish- ner. “Do you want to see a big fight?” Klitschko against Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao. come close to making the 140-pound ing in 38.848 and Tatjana Huefner in 38.850. “I would love to fight Pacquiao, but it is a weight for his title shot so he would have asked the crowd. “Do you want to see a fight BIGGEST CASUALITY For the US, Emily Sweeney was fourth, business. Right now I want to fight anyone been denied the belts if he had done the where two Olympic champions are involved? To make that happen, Nations Cup runs Erin Hamlin sixth and Britcher took sev- with a title. I want them belts. “If I can’t get impossible and won. —AFP were canceled. That meant a lot of sliders enth. “This was a very interesting week,” Do you want to see a fight AJ vs. WK? “You got were in Whistler this week for nothing. “I Sweeney said. In doubles, Toni Eggert and it.” In a sign of the respect between the two feel terrible for all of the athletes who have Sascha Benecken of Germany prevailed in fighters, who have been sparring partners in traveled to Whistler who will receive no 38.542 seconds. the past, Klitschko turned to Joshua and said: “I time on the ice and will only be allowed to Fellow Germans Tobias Wendl and love you, you are awesome.” be spectators,” USA Luge veteran Chris Tobias Arlt were second in 38.570, and After nearly a decade of ruling the heavy- Mazdzer said. Mazdzer didn’t like the move Peter Penz and Georg Fischler of Austria weight division, Klitschko lost his IBF, WBO and by International Luge Federation officials, were third in 38.642. —AP WBA belts with a surprise defeat to Tyson Fury in November 2015. The Ukrainian boxer hasn’t fought since, with a rematch against Fury post- poned twice. When Klitschko gets in the ring with Joshua, it will end an 18-month wait to get a chance to restore his reputation. “This guy wants his belt back,” Joshua said, pointing to Klitschko. “Let the best man win.” The 34-year-old Molina has lost both his shots at a world title, having also been knocked out by WBC champion Deontay Wilder last year. He fought defensively and never threatened Joshua, whose left jab rocked back the American in the first round. Joshua dominated the second round without finding the big shot, but it wasn’t long in coming. A straight right from Joshua sent Molina to the canvas near his corner. Molina got to his feet but was being hit by a flurry of punches when the referee called a stop in another anti- climactic finish to a Joshua fight. Joshua hasn’t been taken beyond seven rounds in a profes- OMAHA: Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford is declared winner over John Molina Jr. after a WBO jun- sional bout. “We move on,” said Joshua, who ior welterweight boxing bout at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb., Saturday. WHISTLER: Natalie Geisenberger of Germany races down the track during a women’s defended his IBF belt for the second time. “This Crawford won by TKO in the eighth round. — AP World Cup Luge event, Saturday in Whistler, British Columbia. —AP is not the end of the story.” — AP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 SPORTS

Venerable Istanbul football side with opposition streak

ISTANBUL: Besiktas football club of claimed the bombings. “Terrorists... gurated the brand new waterfront stadi- became football but like most Turkish this was due to fears Erdogan could be Istanbul, is one of Turkey’s oldest sports attacked our heroic security forces who um on the Bosphorus and the team has clubs it proudly remains a multi-sports booed by fans at a match. organisations with an impassioned fan ensure that both our fans and played to packed stands ever since. club. The club’s famously leftist and anti- The club won the Super Lig title last base known for their opposition to the Bursaspor’s supporters are safe. We will Besiktas in 2013 played for the last establishment fan club Carsi are seen as season with its star player Mario Gomez authorities. stand firm against the vile attackers who time at their old stadium in the same natural foes of Erdogan and like to chant of Germany who was top scorer in the Twenty nine people, mainly police will never achieve their goal,” the club historic location on the shores of the slogans against his rule. Super Lig. officers, were killed on Saturday in dou- said in a statement. Bosphorus just above the Ottoman-era Carsi members played a key role in But Gomez shattered fans by leaving ble attacks outside its stadium that fol- The club said that among those killed Dolmabahce Palace. 2013 protests against Erdogan over the in the close season, saying he could not lowed the club’s home Super Lig match was Vefa Karakurdu, a senior police offi- That stadium-which was named after development of an Istanbul park that carry on due to the political situation in against Bursaspor in the brand new cer in charge of security at games who the second president of modern Turkey represented one of the biggest chal- the wake of the failed July 15 coup. Vodafone Arena opened earlier this year. was a member of its congress, and Tunc Ismet Inonu-was knocked down and the lenges to the Turkish strongman. Luminaries from the past of Besiktas Besiktas won the match 2-1, boosting Uncu who worked at its official mer- over 40,000 capacity Vodafone Arena Thirty five members of the group including English former manager its title hopes to make the club joint chandise shop. built in its place. were put on trial on widely-ridiculed Gordon Milne, 79, who guided the club leaders with local rivals Basaksehir. But The attacks took place around the charges of trying to stage a coup but all in a stellar period from 1987-1994, and now the night of December 10, 2016 will perimeter of the gleaming new stadium OPPOSITION STREAK were acquitted in late December 2015. taking consecutive titles in 1990, 1991 be remembered not for football but for a that is the pride and joy of the club’s fans The club was founded as a gymnas- To the amusement of fans, the April 4 and 1992. The club’s fans are also known tragedy that will forever leave a mark on who call their beloved side the Kara tics club under the Ottoman Empire in opening of the stadium did not take for their irreverent humour including the club’s history, which goes back to Kartal (Black Eagle). Turkish President 1903 and its full name is still Besiktas place at a game but at a ceremony in slogans like “it’s not about you and me, the Ottoman Empire. So far no-one has Recep Tayyip Erdogan had in April inau- Gymnastics Club (BJK). Its focus rapidly front of almost empty stands. Some said it’s Besiktas!”. — AFP

Emotional Brazel scores win of career at Hong Kong Open

HONG KONG: Unheralded Australian Sam winner, called the victory “life-changing” for Brazel wept yesterday after clinching the Brazel, adding: “You beauty!” Cabrera Bello, Hong Kong Open in thrilling style with a who has not won on the European Tour birdie at the final hole, sealing by far the since the 2012 Dubai Desert Classic, had to biggest victory of his career. The world settle for second place, finishing with a number 480 defeated Spanish Ryder Cup round of 268. Australia’s Andrew Dodt and star Rafa Cabrera Bello-ranked 447 places England’s Tommy Fleetwood were tied above him-on the 18th after Brazel agonis- third on 11 under par at 269. ingly missed a birdie on the 17th. The first prize cheque of $333,330 more Brazel, 37, whose partner died suddenly than trebled Brazel’s earnings for the sea- from bacterial meningitis in 2009, cried as son on the Asian Tour, and until Sunday the he dedicated the improbable victory to his highlight of his career was fourth place at family, saying: “This is for you guys.” the World Classic Championship in Asked if he had a message for his loved Singapore last year. Brazel had been tied at ones, his voice again cracked as he added: 12 under par with Cabrera Bello going into “I’d just say thanks for the support over the last hole, but a stunning second shot many years. “It’s been a bit of a tough ride.” from the fairway saw the Australian within Brazel had never won a four-round tour- 15 feet of the flag. nament before yesterday, and until he The Spaniard was also on to the green in gained his Asian Tour card in 2013 was two shots but could not make the putt, grinding out results on lower-level circuits while Brazel sunk his to thunderous cheers. such as the Queensland Sunshine Tour in Brazel said he had been a “nervous wreck” Australia. He admitted he was still in shock on the back nine as a host of players jock- from his giant-killing total of 267, which eyed for the leadership. also saw off a challenge from US Masters But his nerves did not appear to affect champion Danny Willett, who had held the his play, with three consecutive birdies on lead at one point but ended in sixth place holes 11, 12 and 13, seeing him move into on 271. “I certainly didn’t expect to be in the lead-and a remarkable tee shot on the MARSEILLE: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, left, celebrates his gold medal with Shoma Uno of Japan with bronze medal after the Men Skating Program here this afternoon but I’m thoroughly par-three 12th which rolled to within a foot during ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Marseille, southern France, Saturday. — AP impressed that I am!” he said as he faced of the hole was possibly the pick of the the media. “I was supposed to be taking a bunch. 9.30 flight back to Australia tonight but I Elsewhere, defending champion Justin Hanyu, Medvedeva retain don’t think I’ll be making that!” Rose, who was struggling with a bad back, He had earlier said winning the $2 mil- was never in contention and ended the lion Hong Kong Open would “mean the week with at two under par 278. world” to him-and his fellow Australian And US Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed, titles despite flaws golfers including Scott Hend mobbed him who came third last year, admitted he had on the final green to douse him in cham- had a “rough” time, ending at just one pagne. Hend, the Asian Tour Order of Merit under par on 279. — AFP MARSEILLE: Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu became the first skater to win four straight men’s Grand Prix Final titles on Saturday as Russian teenager Canada’s ‘Marathon Man’ Evgenia Medvedeva defended her women’s crown. Olympic champion Hanyu took gold despite a fall which saw the 22-year-old place achieves Afghan ambition just third in the free skating final in Marseille. BAMIYAN: Crossing the finish line of American Nathan Chen landed four quadruple Afghanistan’s Bamiyan marathon, hand in RECORD BREAKER jumps in his free skate to move up from fifth to hand with a young female runner from the Parnell, known in Canada as the ‘Marathon silver medal position with Japan’s Shoma Uno country, Canada’s famed ‘Marathon Man’, Man’, sees the sport as a form of meditation taking a second consecutive bronze. Martin Parnell felt a double victory. and admits he struggles when he’s unable to The three men’s favourites-Hanyu, Spaniard Just a year earlier he had been diagnosed run. “One of the hardest times was after I was Javier Fernandez and Canadian Patrick Chan-all with blood clot on the brain. Doctors put him diagosed with the clot. I had double vision had bad tumbles during the elite six-skater com- in a coma to save his life, and it was unclear if and had to sit on my sofa. It was five months petition. “I don’t know what happened today. I he would ever run again. But while convalesc- before I could start running again,” he was feeling a little tired, every jump was hard,” ing, he stumbled across news of the first explains. It hasn’t always been his passion, the said Hanyu who scored 293.90 points in total, Afghan woman to run a marathon. Inspired, retired mining engineer came to the sport late over ten points ahead of Chen (282.85), who put he made a promise to himself. in life. Parnell says: “When I started in 2002 it the US men back on the podium for the first “I said... if I get better and I can run again, certainly filled a gap that was left after the time since 2009, with Uno scoring 282.51. and I can run marathons again, I will come to death of my wife, Wendy, due to cancer. If I Reigning two-time world champion Afghanistan and run that marathon to sup- hadn’t found running maybe I would have Fernandez (268.77) and former three-time world port those women that are free to run and are turned to something less healthy like alcohol champion Chan (266.75) saw their challenges helping to change things,” he told AFP. or drugs.” Instead he channelled his energy collapse to fourth and fifth respectively. He was one of a handful of foreigners tak- into sporting challenges, running renowned American Adam Rippon finished sixth. Chen, 17, HONG KONG: Hong Kong Open golf tournament winner Sam Brazel of Australia, left, ing part in the second edition of the ancient marathons around the world before taking on gave a remarkable performance with the top and Asian Tour’s Order of Merit winner Scott Hend of Australia pose with their tro- city’s marathon in the country’s central high- more gruelling endeavours such as the score of 197.55 points for his free skate to phies in Hong Kong, yesterday. Brazel birdied the 18th hole to narrowly edge Rafa lands: a loop that starts and ends at the base Canadian Death Race (125 kilometres) and the Polovtsian Dances-ten points better than Hanyu Cabrera Bello of Spain to capture the Hong Kong Open yesterday, his first title on the of the world famous Buddha caves. Lost Souls (160 kilometres). achieved for his skate to Hope and Legacy by European Tour. —AP The route, at an altitude of almost 3,000 He is also in the Guinness World Record Joe Hisaishi. But Hanyu nevertheless held his metres, passes dusty villages and is set against books after taking part in the longest games top place from the short programme to become a backdrop of dusky-pink cliffs; sheep and of netball (61 hours), lacrosse (24 hours) and the second man to win four titles after Russian donkeys amble freely across the landscape. five-a-side soccer (42 hours). Yevgeny Plushenko, but first to win four in a row. Bamiyan is a rare oasis of tranquility, which His antics are all in aid of charity. After a Saracens run riot “The programme is on the theme of hope and has largely been spared the wrenching con- trip through Africa, he began working with legacy and this is like my life, or my skating life,” flict that afflicts the rest of the country. NGO Right to Play, which aims to improve the explained former world champion Hanyu. “Some The marathon, where both sexes compete lives of children through sport. in European Cup people hate me, lots of people love me, so some- together in public, has become a symbol of “A football match in Sudan, a ping-pong times I am sad and sometimes I am happy. These freedom for Afghan women. For Kubra and game in Ethiopia, in five minutes you’re sur- PARIS: Defending champions Saracens There was more French heartbreak two halves are what the programme shows.” romped to a six-try, 50-3 win over English when last season’s losing finalists Racing 92 others like her — 15 women took part in total rounded by 100 smiling kids. I realised sport including six from Afghanistan-just the act of could be important for them,” he explains. rivals Sale on Saturday to take a huge step went down to a 23-14 defeat by Glasgow. ‘REALLY HUGE’ running in public is controversial, widely seen In 2010, he ran 250 marathons-covering closer to the European Cup quarter-finals. Earlier Medvedeva narrowly missed out on an as a subversive act. some 10,000 kilometres (2,600 miles) — in a Boosted by the return from international DEMOLITION historic all-time score to win her second Parnell says he advised her to set aside her year, and raising $185,000 for charity. duty of England stars Jamie George, Owen Racing, featuring a glut of internationals women’s title as Canadians Tessa Virtue and nerves about taking part and focus on the Parnell sees it as everyone’s responsibility Farrell, Mako Vunipola, George Kruis and including ex-All Black playmaker Dan Scott Moir made a winning return by claiming road ahead, ten minutes at a time. And while to do what they can to help those less fortu- powerful lock Maro Itoje, Saracens claimed Carter, currently sit last in Pool 1 with no the ice dancing crown. The 17-year-old it was not his first race after recovering-he nate. “I believe that in life you don’t have to do their third win in three games. points Munster are atop the pool after Medvedeva earned 227.66 points, just a point off competed in Calgary in May-it is one he won’t a lot but you must do something,” he explains. The bonus point triumph allowed them handing Leicester a record European loss, the record total of 228.6 set by South Korean star forget. “My best memory is holding hands “You must make a difference in the lives of to open a 10-point lead in Pool 3 although running out 38-0 victors at their near- Kim Yu-na six years ago. Japan’s Satoko with Kubra as we ran across the line at 6 hours the children or in the lives of other people. Do three-time champions Toulon can close the impregnable Thomond Park ground. Miyahara scored 218.33 for second place with 52 minutes,” the 60-year-old recalls. something to make a difference.”—AFP gap when they face Scarlets on Sunday. Racing took the lead against Glasgow Anna Pogorilaya of Russia taking third place with George, Marcelo Bosch, Sean Maitland through Juan Imhoff, but the Scottish side 216.47. Medvedeva was far from perfect with an (two), Chris Wyles and Richard Barrington then took over through two tries from Alex error on a triple flip at the start of her routine to all scored tries for while Farrell added 13 Dunbar and Ali Price, with Finn Russell kick- the music of Alexandre Desplat depriving her of points with the boot before Alex Lozowski ing 13 points before Carter pulled back a the record score. “I expected more from myself. I took over kicking duties. converted try near the death. wanted to do more and I could have done more,” A sole Alan MacGinty penalty accounted Munster’s demolition of Leicester was said Medvedeva. for all of Sale’s points. Saracens director of thanks to tries from Simon Zebo, Jaco Taute But the world champion nevertheless fin- rugby Mark McCall later backed Farrell to (2) and a penalty try, New Zealander Tyler ished nearly 10 points ahead of 18-year-old skipper England in the Six Nations should Bleyendaal hitting four penalties and three Miyahara thanks to her incredible performance Northampton’s Dylan Hartley be banned conversions. in Friday’s short programme where her 79.21 following his red card in Friday’s defeat to A see-saw first-half in Ulster’s home of points eclipsed Mao Asada’s record 78.66 two Leinster. Belfast was witness to two ambitious teams years ago. There were four Russians in the six- “Owen is ready. He’s one of those players willing to run everything saw the lead skater field with Maria Sotskova finishing fifth who leads in every way because he leads change hands seven times. and Elena Radionova sixth. Canada’s Kaetlyn from the front,” McCall said. “Some of his Clermont’s Fijian No 8 Peceli Yato Osmond was fourth. Virtue and Moir, the 2010 defending in the second quarter was out of opened the scoring, Ulster’s Luke Marshall Olympic champions, have come back strong this world. He leads through his actions, splitting the defence for a straight run-in after two seasons off, winning the only title to but also through his messages and com- and then Ian Henderson crossing after a have eluded them in their long career. munication with the team.” Ruan Pienaar cross-kick as Ulster roared The Canadians scored 197.22 points to take BAMIYA: This file photograph taken on November 4, 2016 shows Afghan and internation- Ulster edged Clermont 39-32 in a nine- back. But slick hands saw South African- gold ahead of two-time world champion ice al marathon runners taking part in a marathon on a course that took participants past try thriller as Munster and Glasgow also born France full-back Scott Spedding go dancers Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume the destroyed Buddha statues in Bamiyan province. Crossing the finish line of sent out markers. The result saw Ulster go over before Paddy Jackson gathered his Cizeron of France (192.81) alongside whom they Afghanistan’s Bamiyan marathon, hand in hand with a young female runner from the second in Pool 5 on nine points, three own grubber to hand the advantage back train in Montreal. “For us this title is really huge,” country, Canada’s famed ‘Marathon Man’, Martin Parnell felt a double victory. Just a year behind leaders Clermont, who picked up to the Irish province at the end of an said Moir of a championship where they took sil- earlier he had been diagnosed with blood clot on the brain. — AFP two bonus points despite the defeat. enthralling first 40 minutes, 22-18.—AFP ver four times. — AFP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 SPORTS

Pakistan coach Arthur plots demise of former team Australia

MELBOURNE: The merry-go-round of He was less than two years into the Arthur said he felt no extra motivation in craved but was never afforded. Arthur would have noted with interest coaching jobs in international cricket post when his tenure began to unravel beating the home side. Three years on, Arthur faces an how South Africa were able to humble inevitably leads to awkward reunions during the 2013 tour of India where “We just want to win every test series Australian team emerging from another Australia 2-1 on home pitches, without but few could be more thorny than Michael Clarke’s team were white- we play,” the 48-year-old told local crisis but with head coach Lehmann giv- pace spearhead Dale Steyn and regular Mickey Arthur’s encounter with his old washed 4-0. media in Brisbane. en the chance to right the ship. captain AB de Villiers. team Australia. Four players were stood down for a But he was aggrieved by the dis- He would have recognised the criti- Three years after being sacked as the test during the infamous ‘homework- missal and the blow smarted for years. A CHANGED PERSONNEL cism that rained down on the Australian side’s head coach, the South African will gate’ scandal and months later, opening leak of his testimony during his legal Arthur may have intimate knowledge team from pundits and former players hope to guide Pakistan to a break- batsman David Warner punched challenge against Cricket Australia of the Australian system, but the person- and washed away chairman of selectors through test series win Down Under, England’s Joe Root at a bar on a boozy painted the team as dysfunctional and nel have changed. Rod Marsh and a string of under-per- with the first match starting in Brisbane night out during the Champions Trophy riven by a personality clash between Of the team he coached to a fourth forming players. on Thursday. tournament in London. captain Clarke and vice captain Shane consecutive test loss in India in 2013, Most familiar to Arthur, however, may Coaches rarely get to choose the With team discipline appearing in Watson. only captain Steve Smith, wicketkeeper be Australia’s ability to regenerate and manner of their exit but Arthur’s dis- complete disarray, Arthur was dismissed He later described his coaching envi- Matthew Wade, Warner and spinner come roaring out of the abyss. Within a missal was especially acrimonious, and three weeks before the Ashes and ronment as “suffocating” in a book last Nathan Lyon are likely to face Pakistan at year of his sacking, Australia white- the trigger for a high-profile severance replaced by Darren Lehmann, who year and said Lehmann was the ultimate the Gabba. washed England 5-0, enjoyed a rare claim against his former employers remains Australia’s coach. benefactor of his dismissal, given the While coaching Pakistan to a 2-0 test series win in South Africa and re-cap- Cricket Australia. A resident of Perth for over six years, autonomy that Arthur said he personally series loss in New Zealand last month, tured the top ranking in tests.—Reuters

Pacioretty has four goals as Canadiens crush Avalanche

MONTREAL: Max Pacioretty had four the Hurricanes. Cam Ward made 16 goals and Brian Flynn scored twice during saves. a six-goal first period as the Montreal Canadiens routed the Colorado Avalanche KINGS 4, SENATORS 1 10-1 in the NHL on Saturday. Flynn, Trevor Lewis had a goal and an assist, Pacioretty and Artturi Lehkonen each and Jeff Carter and Alec Martinez scored scored against Calvin Pickard in the open- on the same power play early in the first ing 7:12, and then Pacioretty, Paul Byron period of Los Angeles’ victory over and Flynn each had a goal among the first Ottawa. Peter Budaj made 19 saves and four shots on Semyon Varlamov. Pacioretty earned an assist, and Marian Gaborik completed his hat trick in the second peri- scored his first goal since Feb. 12 to cap od and added another in the third to give the Kings’ final home game before a three- the captain seven goals in his last four week, nine-game stint on the road until games. Alexander Radulov and Jeff Petry New Year’s Eve. Mike Condon stopped 15 also scored for Montreal, which has shown shots, and Zack Smith scored for Ottawa, no drop-off without injured scoring leader which has lost four of six. The Senators and first-line center Alex Galchenyuk. struggled to beat Budaj, the longtime Montreal outshot the Avalanche 36 -16. Montreal goalie, in the second stop of Montreal’s six-goal first period was its first their swing through California. Veteran since Dec. 17, 1992 against the Quebec forward Chris Neil played his 1,000th Nordiques in an 8-3 win. game for Ottawa, joining Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips as the only FLYERS 4, STARS 2 Senators to reach the mark. Brayden Schenn scored three power- play goals to lead Philadelphia to its FLAMES 6, JETS 2 eighth straight victory. Jakub Voracek Dougie Hamilton scored twice during a added an empty-netter and also had three four-goal second period and added an assists for the Flyers, who matched assist to lead streaking Calgary over Montreal for the longest winning streak in Winnipeg. The Flames vaulted into first the NHL this season. Philadelphia last won place in the Pacific Division with their sixth eight straight games from Jan. 6-19, 2002. consecutive victory - the team’s longest Devin Shore had both goals for the Stars. winning streak since last December. Mikael Steve Mason made 21 saves for his sev- Backlund had a goal and two assists, while enth straight win. Kari Lehtonen made 18 Sam Bennett, Lance Bouma and Sean saves for the Stars, falling to 1-11-3 against Monahan also scored for Calgary. Chad MUMBAI: England’s batsman Joe Root, right, bats on the fourth day of the fourth cricket test match between India and England in Mumbai, Philadelphia. Johnson made 26 saves. Nikolaj Ehlers and India, yesterday. —AP Jacob Trouba had the goals for the Jets, BLUE JACKETS 6, ISLANDERS 2 who have lost three in a row. Michael Jack Johnson, Cam Atkinson and Seth Hutchinson turned aside 25 of 29 shots in Jones each had a goal and an assist and 40 minutes before giving way to Connor India close in on victory Columbus beat New York for its sixth Hellebuyck, who made six saves. straight win. Josh Anderson, Brandon Saad and Lukas Sedlak also scored for MAPLE LEAFS 4, BRUINS 1 Columbus and Sergei Bobrovsky had 25 Auston Matthews and Zach Hyman after Kohli’s 3rd double ton saves. Josh Bailey and John Tavares scored scored in the second period, Frederik for New York, which had earned a point in Andersen made 32 saves and Toronto beat MUMBAI: India captain Virat Kohli struck a a season-high five straight games (4-0-1). Boston. James van Riemsdyk scored in the sublime double century before his bowlers SCOREBOARD Jaroslav Halak made 32 saves until he was third for Toronto, which was 0-2-1 in its last picked up six England wickets to put the hosts pulled after the Blue Jackets scored four three games. Connor Brown added an on course for a series-clinching victory in the Scoreboard at stumps on the fourth day in the fourth Test between India and England yesterday in Mumbai, India. consecutive goals in the third period. empty-netter and Andersen improved to fourth and penultimate test at the Wankhede 6-0-0 in his career against Boston. Brad Stadium yesterday. PENGUINS 4, LIGHTNING 3 Marchand had the Bruins’ goal, and Tuukka Trailing 2-0 in the series, England needed a England 1st innings 400 (K. Jennings 112, J. Buttler 76, 2); M. Ali 53-5-174-2; A. Rashid 55.3-5-192-4; J. Ball 18-5- Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby both Rask stopped 16 shots. Former Bruins win in Mumbai to keep alive the series but the M. Ali 50; R. Ashwin 6-112, R. Jadeja 4-109) 47-1(w-1); B. Stokes 10-2-32-0; J. Root 10-2-31-2. scored their second goals on third-period defenseman Matt Hunwick had two assists. tourists now require something extraordinary India 1st innings (Overnight: 451-7) L. Rahul b Ali 24 England 2nd innings power plays, helping Pittsburgh rally to to even save the match following Kohli’s bat- beat Tampa Bay. It was the first meeting PANTHERS 4, CANUCKS 2 M. Vijay c&b Rashid 136 A. Cook lbw b Jadeja 18 ting masterclass. C. Pujara b Ball 47 K. Jennings lbw b B. Kumar 0 between the teams since the Stanley Cup Aaron Ekblad gave Florida a three-goal India piled on 631 in their first innings on champion Penguins beat Tampa Bay in a lead early in the third period and it held V. Kohli c Anderson b Woakes 235 J. Root lbw b Yadav 77 the fourth day, a lead of 231 runs over England, K. Nair lbw b Ali 13 M. Ali c Vijay b Jadeja 0 seven-game Eastern Conference final last on against Vancouver. The Panthers got after Kohli’s third double century of the year. P. Patel c Bairstow b Root 15 J. Bairstow not out 50 season. Pittsburgh, which won its fifth their first home win under interim coach The touring side were 182 for six in their sec- R. Ashwin c Jennings b Root 0 B. Stokes c Vijay b R. Ashwin 18 straight game, got three assists each from Tom Rowe. Aleksander Barkov had a goal ond innings at stumps, still trailing by 49. R. Jadeja c Buttler b Rashid 25 J. Ball c P. Patel b R. Ashwin 2 Phil Kessel and Kris Letang. The Penguins and an assist, and Vincent Trocheck and Jonny Bairstow was unbeaten on 50 with J. Yadav st Bairstow b Rashid 104 Extras (b-13 lb-2 nb-2) 17 are 6-6-1 when trailing after two Derek MacKenzie also scored for Florida. nightwatchman Jake Ball falling for two in the B. Kumar c Woakes b Rashid 9 Total (for 6 wickets, 47.3 overs) 182 U. Yadav not out 7 Fall of wickets: 1-1 K. Jennings, 2-43 A. Cook, 3-49 M. Ali, periods.Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Drouin had Roberto Luongo made 37 saves, and last over before the close. the first of his two goals shortly after get- Jaromir Jagr recorded an assist and now Extras (b-5 lb-8 w-3) 16 4-141 J. Root, 5-180 B. Stokes, 6-182 J. Ball. Paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed Total (all out, 182.3 overs) 631 To bat: C. Woakes, A. Rashid, J. Anderson, J. Buttler ting cut by a high stick. Valtteri Filppula has 1,883 points, four behind Mark first-innings centurion Keaton Jennings for a also scored for the Lightning, who are 1-6- Messier for second on the NHL career list. Fall of wickets: 1-39 L. Rahul, 2-146 C. Pujara, 3-262 M. Bowling: B. Kumar 4-1-11-1; U. Yadav 3-0-10-0; R. Jadeja golden duck and left-arm spinner Ravindra Vijay, 4-279 K. Nair, 5-305 P. Patel, 6-307 R. Ashwin, 7-364 18-3-58-2(nb-1); R. Ashwin 16.3-1-49-2; J. Yadav 6-0-39- 1 over their last eight games. Daniel Sedin and Jack Skille scored in the Jadeja sent back England captain Alastair Cook R. Jadeja, 8-605 J. Yadav, 9-615 V. Kohli, 10-631 B. Kumar 1(nb-1). third period for the Canucks. Jacob for 18 and Moeen Ali for nought to leave Bowling: J. Anderson 20-5-63-0; C. Woakes 16-2-79-1(w- SHARKS 4, HURRICANES 3 Markstrom stopped 38 shots. England tottering at 49-3 at tea. Joe Root and Logan Couture and Kevin Labanc Bairstow hit brisk fifties during their stand of scored less than 2 minutes apart in the COYOTES 4, PREDATORS 1 92 for the fourth wicket before the former fell second period and San Jose bounced Alex Goligoski and Lauren Dauphin leg before to off-spinner Jayant Yadav for 77. back from consecutive losses by beat- scored 1:57 apart in the first period and The wickets of Ben Stokes, who made 18, Ronaldo awaits fourth ing Carolina. Patrick Marleau scored 12 Arizona beat Nashville. Brendan Perlini and Ball to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin seconds into the game and Paul Martin added his first career goal, Martin Hanzal towards the end further dampened England’s added his first goal of the season for also scored and Mike Smith made 42 hopes of saving the match. Ballon d’Or coronation the Sharks, who had allowed late saves for the Coyotes, who were 0-3-3 Bairstow was given out by umpire Bruce tiebreaking goals in their previous two since their last win against at Edmonton Oxenford first on 32 and then on 37 but the games. Backup goalie Aaron Dell made on Nov. 27. Arizona scored four goals for PARIS: Come 8 pm (1900 GMT) today, what bumper 227.2 million euros ($240 million). England wicketkeeper managed to overturn looks to be a poorly kept secret will officially “You believe I am worried? He who owes 30 saves to earn his third win in four the first time since Nov. 8 after totaling the decisions both times on review. starts this season. Lee Stempniak and four in its previous four games. Roman be out-Cristiano Ronaldo will bag his fourth nothing, fears nothing,” Ronaldo told broad- Derek Ryan scored power-play goals Josi scored and Pekka Rinne made 30 Ballon d’Or as the world’s top footballer. caster RTP. KOHLI DOUBLE The Real Madrid and Portugal star won An international consortium of media and Joakim Nordstrom added a short- saves for the Predators, who have lost Earlier, the 28-year-old Kohli was out for a handed tally but it wasn’t enough for four of five (1-3-1). —AP the Champions League for the second time in organisations has claimed the superstar hid career-best 235 and added 241 for the eighth three seasons and third time overall after one 150 million euros from image rights in the wicket, the highest for India, with Yadav, who title with Manchester United in 2008. British Virgin Islands. scored 104, his maiden test hundred. Kohli, He then led Portugal to their first major This year marks the end of six years of NHL results/standings who was on 147 overnight, and Yadav contin- title at Euro 2016 — albeit he went off early joint awards by founders France Football and ued to torment the England bowlers who went through injury in the win over France. FIFA, which will revert to bestowing a “Best” San Jose 4, Carolina 3; Calgary 6, Winnipeg 2; Arizona 4, Nashville 1; Toronto 4, Boston 1; Montreal 10, wicketless in the first session after India As has been the case for almost a decade accolade of its own on January 9 to both Colorado 1; Pittsburgh 4, Tampa Bay 3; Florida 4, Vancouver 2; Columbus 6, NY Islanders 2; Los Angeles resumed on 451 for seven. The right-handed now, the 31-year-old’s main rival will be male and female players. 4, Ottawa 1; Philadelphia 4, Dallas 2. batsman has now scored a double hundred in Lionel Messi of Barcelona-but the Argentine The Ballon d’Or will henceforth be decid- all three series India have played in 2016 — in Western Conference Ottawa 16 10 2 69 73 34 maestro has had by his own exalted stan- ed by a vote of 173 journalists while national West Indies, against New Zealand and now Central Division dards a less than stellar year both for club team captains and managers will no longer Boston 15 12 2 69 70 32 against England. Kohli, who has already WLOTLGFGAPTS and country with the top prizes eluding him have a say. Argentina and Barcelona star Tampa Bay 14 13 2 81 81 30 scored 640 runs in the series at an average of Chicago 17 8 4 78 69 38 on both fronts. Messi landed a record fifth crown last year. A Florida 13 12 4 70 77 30 128, drove Ball for a straight four on the fifth St. Louis 16 8 4 78 76 36 Ronaldo was spotted midweek in training win will lift Ronaldo to within one award of delivery of the day to get past 150, signalling Minnesota 14 8 4 72 55 32 Detroit 13 12 3 70 76 29 having dyed his hair gold in advance and for Messi’s record haul of five. Ronaldo first won another harrowing session for the England Winnipeg 13 15 3 80 93 29 Toronto 11 10 5 78 81 27 his club coach, there can only be one man for the award in 2008 after Premier League and bowlers. Kohli, who hit 25 fours and a six in his Nashville 12 11 4 78 78 28 Buffalo 10 11 6 56 7226 the crown this year. Champions League triumphs with knock, got past his 200 with a single to mid- Dallas 11 12 6 74 93 28 “For me there is no debate. The Ballon will Manchester United. wicket off leg-spinner Adil Rashid but his cele- Colorado 10 15 1 57 85 21 be for him,” Zinedine Zidane said after his tal- But it was only in 2013 he added his sec- Metropolitan Division bration was quite muted compared to when he isman’s hattrick saw off Atletico Madrid last ond and he made it a hattrick the following Pittsburgh 18 7 3 97 84 39 completed his hundred on Saturday. Pacific Division month to underpin their domination in La year. The first Ballon d’Or was won by Stanley He raised both his hands while completing Calgary 16 13 2 81 86 34 NY Rangers 19 9 1 100 70 39 Liga. “He showed it last season and he shows Matthews, at the time with Blackpool, who the run and took off his helmet before San Jose 16 11 1 68 61 33 Columbus 17 5 4 87 56 38 it again and again. We expect a lot of him but beat Alfredo Di Stefano for the inaugural title acknowledging the applause from the size- Anaheim 14 9 5 76 74 33 Philadelphia 17 10 3 100 94 37 he stands above everyone.” in 1956. Up to 1994 only European players able Sunday crowd at the ground, overlook- Edmonton 14 11 5 90 83 33 Despite such effusive praise, Ronaldo, rest- were eligible. The first non-European to win it Washington 16 7 3 69 59 35 ing the Arabian Sea. Kohli accelerated after Los Angeles 14 11 2 71 70 30 ed at the weekend ahead of the Club World was the following year, AC Milan’s Liberian New Jersey 12 9 6 69 77 30 the fall of Yadav and was out caught at the Vancouver 12 14 2 67 83 26 Cup in Japan, has had some negative head- star George Weah. Carolina 11 11 6 69 76 28 cover boundary off Chris Woakes. Yadav, Arizona 9 13 5 62 83 23 lines-not least pertaining to accusations of From 2007 it honoured the world’s best NY Islanders 11 11 5 71 81 27 whose previous highest score was 55, hit 15 tax evasion. player, with FIFA under former president boundaries in his knock and looked in dis- Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point Denying any wrongdoing, he responded Sepp Blatter entering into a deal with France comfort only against a couple of short deliv- Atlantic Division in the standings and are not included in the loss by publishing his financial records on Football in 2010 to merge the Ballon d’Or eries from the England fast bowlers. Rashid Montreal 19 6 3 91 62 41 Thursday-showing last year he earned a with FIFA’s best world player honour. —AFP column (L) finished with four wickets. — Reuters MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 SPORTS

KUWAIT TIMES NBA POWER RANKINGS

By Ahmad Jabr

KUWAIT: In addition to its usual coverage of NBA news, Kuwait Times introduces a new feature this year: the NBA Power Rankings. It is a weekly list ranking each team based on its performance during the week. The actual record for each team (put between brackets, for games played as of yesterday) does play a role in the assessment process but is not the main factor for deciding each team’s ranking, thus making it different from league standings. This week’s rat- ings saw changes in the top ten as two Western Conference teams are making unlikely strong pushes in December.

1- Golden State Warriors (20 - 4) Last week: such games combined, and no other player 1 - The Warriors nearly lost their top spot in has more than one (per ESPN Stats and this week’s ranking following their loss to the Information). Grizzlies Saturday night after they struggled with shooting and passing, but it is hard to 16- Indiana Pacers (12 - 12) Last week: 16 - overlook their commanding performance in Paul George poured in 37 points and led his the previous few days. In Monday’s rout of team to victory over the Trail Blazers on Indiana, Klay Thompson scored 60 points in 29 Saturday, outscoring fellow All-Star Damian minutes, and was on pace to score a 100 Lillard in the process. The Pacers need his according to Elias Sports Bureau’s research. shooting touch when they host the Hornets tonight. 2- Toronto Raptors (17 - 7) Last week: 3 - The Raptors won nine of their last 10 games, and 17- Atlanta Hawks (12 - 12) Last week: 19 - led the NBA in offensive rating, net rating and Dennis Schroder scored a career-high 33 and three-point percentage during that span (they led Atlanta to overcame a 20-point halftime lead the league in offense overall). After beat- deficit to beat the Bucks 114-110 on Friday, ing the Celtics on Friday, they set their sights and that two nights after Dwight Howard and on possibly taking the lead in the Eastern Paul Millsap helped the Hawks snap their sea- Conference’s standings with a relatively easy son-high seven-game losing streak. schedule ahead. 18- Portland Trail Blazers (12 - 13) Last 3- Cleveland Cavaliers (17 - 5) Last week: 4 - week: 15 - The Blazers enter Monday ranked Following his team’s win against the Hornets sixth in the league in offensive rating and 26th Saturday night, LeBron James became the in defensive rating. Currently on a three-game only player in NBA history with 27,000 points, losing streak, it is hard to imagine that their 7,000 assists and 7,000 rebounds, and the only offense will be enough to achieve wins in a forward ever to reach the 7,000 assists’ mark. tough stretch ahead that features matches We’re not done talking about LeBron’s acco- against the Clippers, Thunder and Warriors. lades yet: he also climbed to ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list last week. 19- Washington Wizards (9 - 13) Last week: 4- San Antonio Spurs (19 - 5) Last week: 2 - 26 - John Wall criticized his team after his 52 All good things come to an end, including the points were not enough to beat the Magic on Spurs’ undefeated record on the road. After Tuesday, and the Wizards responded by beat- calling his team out following its loss to the ing the Nuggets and Bucks the following two CLEVELAND: Cleveland Cavaliers’ J.R. Smith (5) drives around Charlotte Hornets’ Marco Belinelli (21) during the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday, Coach Gregg games. More importantly, their defense has first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, in Cleveland. — AP Popovich’s squad responded by scoring 130 improved to fourth best in the league during points to defeat the Nets two nights later. that two-game span.

5- Houston Rockets (17 - 7) Last week: 6 - 20- Los Angeles Lakers (10 - 15) Last week: James explodes for 44 pts Not only did the Rockets overcome Russell 17 - Reserve guard Lou Williams’ 137 points of Westbrook’s seventh straight triple-double to the bench in the Lakers’ last four games is the beat the Thunder on Friday, but they also most ever scored by a bench player in a four- as Cavs topple Hornets cruised past the Mavs one night later for their game span. Still the Lakers are struggling to sixth straight win. Hot shooting from the figure out a way to end their five-game losing three-point line remains the key factor behind streak entering last night’s game against the CLEVELAND: LeBron James scored 26 points after sitting out a game with Houston’s wins this season. Knicks. 17 of his season-high 44 points in the CLIPPERS 133, PELICANS 105 an injured finger, and Trey Lyles added fourth quarter and reached another Chris Paul had 20 points and a sea- 14 points and five rebounds for the 6- Memphis Grizzlies (17 - 8) Last week: 8 - 21- Denver Nuggets (9 - 15) Last week: 24 - career milestone as the Cleveland son-high 20 assists, and Los Angeles Jazz. Utah had 22 turnovers but won Not even the streaking Warriors could stop the As rookie Jamal Murray continues to develop, Cavaliers won their fourth straight, beat New Orleans with its highest for the eighth time in 10 games. Rudy Grizzlies, who dominated on both ends of the it’s worth noting another bench player’s per- 116 -105 over the Charlotte Hornets in offensive output of the season. It was Gay scored 20 points and DeMarcus floor to beat Golden State on Saturday. But formance. Wilson Chandler leads the Nuggets the NBA on Saturday. James did it all, the first 20-20 game of Paul’s career, Cousins had 16 points and 10 their six-game (and counting) winning streak in scoring at 18.0 points per game despite adding 10 assists and nine rebounds and he became the first player since at rebounds for the Kings, who lost for seems in jeopardy with two back-to-back starting only two games this season. He has in 43 minutes. He took over in the least 1977-78 - when turnovers were the seventh time in nine games. games against the Cavs tomorrow and averaged 16.8 points off the bench, third in fourth, scoring 13 straight during one first recorded for individual players - Wednesday. the NBA behind Lou Williams and Eric Gordon stretch to help the Cavs hold on. to have 20 points, 20 assists and no WIZARDS 110, BUCKS 105 (per ESPN Stats and Information). James, who moved into ninth place turnovers, according to the Elias John Wall had 24 points and 11 7- Los Angeles Clippers (17 - 7) Last week: 5 on the career scoring list Friday, Sports Bureau. The Clippers shot a assists, Bradley Beal scored 20 and - The Clippers needed that big win Saturday 22- Sacramento Kings (8 - 15) Last week: 21 recorded his 7,000th assist in the first season-best 57.4 percent and made a Washington used a late 11-0 run to against the Pelicans - who were playing with- - The Kings have lost six of its last ten games, a half, becoming the first frontcourt season-high 17 3-pointers on 36 beat Milwaukee. Kelly Oubre Jr. added out star Anthony Davis - to offset their previ- span during which their defense has player in NBA history to reach the attempts to end a two-game skid. a career-high 19 points for the ous two ugly losses to the Warriors and Pacers. improved but their offense remains bad. They plateau. James is the only player with Jamal Crawford scored 22 points and Wizards, who have won three of four. Good news is that they don’t have to face a could not even capitalize on Utah’s 22 27,000 points and 7,000 assists. DeAndre Jordan had 19 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo led team with a winning record until December turnovers and beat the Jazz on Saturday. Cleveland shot a season-best 58 per- nine rebounds for Los Angeles, which Milwaukee with 28 points and 13 22 against the Spurs. cent from the field and beat Charlotte won for the third time in eight games rebounds. His two free throws gave 23- Orlando Magic (10 - 15) Last week: 20 - for the sixth straight time at home. after opening 14-2. The Pelicans, play- the Bucks a 100-95 lead with 4:28 left, 8- Oklahoma City Thunder (14 - 9) Last In their win over the Wizards on Tuesday, the Kemba Walker scored 24 to pace the ing without a resting Anthony Davis, but the Wizards rallied while week: 7 - Russell Westbrook’s seventh straight Magic’s entire starting lineup was outscored Hornets, playing the first of five con- lost their fifth straight. New Orleans Milwaukee went cold. Wall scored triple-double recorded on Friday is the longest by Washington’s John Wall, who scored 52 secutive road games. gave up its season high in points and nine points in the fourth quarter. The since Michael Jordan’s similar streak in 1989, compared to 51 by Orlando’s starting five. fell to 2-9 away from home. Bucks, who committed 20 turnovers, but it was still not enough for the Thunder to Their current three-game losing streak came GRIZZLIES 110, WARRIORS 89 have lost three of four. beat the Rockets and extend their winning after three straight wins, which seems to be a Marc Gasol and Tony Allen scored ROCKETS 109, MAVERICKS 87 streak to seven. trend, one that is symbolic of their roller-coast- 19 points each, and Memphis rolled James Harden had 18 points, 16 NUGGETS 121, MAGIC 113 er season so far. over Golden State for its sixth straight assists and nine rebounds as Houston Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points, 9- Chicago Bulls (13 - 10) Last week: 9 - The win. The Grizzlies led by as many as 30 beat Dallas for its sixth straight victo- and Kenneth Faried had 19 points and Bulls ended a three-game losing straight with 24- Miami Heat (7 - 17) Last week: 22 - points in the second half - the biggest ry. Eric Gordon added 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench to help a confidence-boosting win against the Spurs Miami enters tonight’s game against the advantage for any Warriors opponent Trevor Ariza scored 17 to give the Denver defeat Orlando. Jusuf Nurkic on Thursday, and further boosted their confi- Wizards on a five-game losing streak, and this season. Seven Memphis players Rockets their first six-game winning added 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting dence by beating the Heat on Saturday have lost seven of its last ten. Their defense finished in double figures. Kevin streak since Oct. 28 to Nov. 6, 2014. and grabbed eight rebounds for the although it came in the form of a tough victo- dropped to 25th in the league during that Durant led Golden State with 21 Patrick Beverley scored all 15 of his Nuggets, who lost their previous two ry over Dwayne Wade’s former team. span, which is problematic considering that points, and Stephen Curry added 17. points in the fourth quarter. Wesley games. Will Barton scored 16. The they’re facing high-scoring teams (Pacers and Curry and backcourt mate Klay Matthews had 26 points to lead the Nuggets outscored short-handed 10- Utah Jazz (15 - 10) Last week: 11 - The Clippers) after tonight’s match. Thompson (eight points) were a com- Mavericks. Orlando 64-34 in the paint. Magic cen- Jazz enter Wednesday’s game against the bined 8 of 28 from the field, including ter Nikola Vucevic did not suit up Thunder winning eight of their last ten games, 25- Phoenix Suns (7 - 16) Last week: 27 - The 3 of 14 outside the arc. Golden State’s SPURS 130, NETS 101 because of an injury. Evan Fournier and ranking in the top ten in offensive, defen- Suns, who rank in the bottom ten in offensive, four-game winning streak ended. The Kawhi Leonard had 30 points in led Orlando with 24 points. Serge sive and net ratings in the league during that defensive and net ratings, got something to Warriors had won 16 of 17, the lone three quarters and San Antonio Ibaka had 22 points and four blocked- span. With his 26 points in Utah’s win over the celebrate after ending their three-game losing loss in that stretch coming in double rebounded from its first road loss of shots. Kings on Saturday, Gordon Hayward became streak in Friday’s win over the Lakers behind overtime to Houston on Dec. 1. the season with a home romp over the first Jazz player with 10 straight 20-point 30 points from Eric Bledsoe, who celebrated Brooklyn. Five other San Antonio play- PACERS 118, TRAIL BLAZERS 111 games since Karl Malone in 2001-02 (per Elias his birthday on that day. BULLS 105, HEAT 100 ers scored in double figures, led by 16 Paul George scored a season-high Sports and Information). Jimmy Butler scored 31 points, points from Patty Mills. The Spurs set 37 points and Indiana rallied past 26- New Orleans Pelicans (7 - 17) Last week: Dwyane Wade added 28 against his season highs for points, points in a Portland after trailing by 20. George 11- Boston Celtics (3 - 10) Last week: 10 - 23 - The Pelicans opted to rest Anthony Davis former team and Chicago held off quarter, points in a half, assists and 3- made five 3-pointers and Thaddeus The Celtics survived a bomb threat - which against the Clippers on Saturday, and every- struggling Miami. Butler scored pointers in winning their 14th straight Young hit six 3s while putting up 24 turned out to be a hoax - in their flight to body sat and watched LA’s guard Chris Paul Chicago’s final 10 points to help the at home over the Nets. San Antonio points and nine rebounds. Myles Oklahoma City on Saturday, but could not sur- make history by becoming the first player to Bulls come out on top after Miami also matched its largest margin of vic- Turner added 14 points for the Pacers, vive the Raptors’ offense one night earlier in a have 20 points, 20 assists and no turnovers pulled within one. Wade keyed a big tory, set in a season-opening win over who had lost five straight regular-sea- game in which they sorely missed their injured since turnovers were first recorded for individ- third-quarter run in his second game Golden State. The Spurs led by as son games to Portland. C.J. McCollum guard Isaiah Thomas; who was already ruled uals in 1977-78 (per Elias Sports Bureau). against the Heat, and the Bulls hung many as 38 three days after what drained a career-high seven 3s and out of last night’s game against the Thunder. on after handing San Antonio its first coach Gregg Popovich deemed a poor had a season-best 34 points for the 27- Minnesota Timberwolves (6 - 17) Last road loss two nights earlier. Goran effort in a 95-91 defeat at Chicago. Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard scored 33 12- Charlotte Hornets (14 - 10) Last week: week: 25 - The Wolves lost to the Pistons on Dragic led Miami with 21 points and points, including five 3s. George 12 - Marvin Williams’ return to the lineup Friday following earlier losses to the Raptors 11 assists. An energetic Hassan JAZZ 104, KINGS 84 scored 13 straight points in the fourth invigorated the Hornets, but it was Nicolas and Spurs, prompting guard Ricky Rubio to Whiteside added 20 points after being Rudy Gobert had 17 points, 14 quarter for Indiana. He was fouled on Batum’s impressive play that keyed his team’s proclaim that his team, which lost eight of its benched for part of Friday’s blowout rebounds and a season-high six the go-ahead basket with 4:36 victories against the Mavs, Pistons and Magic last ten games, plays with ‘no heart’ and ‘no loss in Cleveland. Tyler Johnson blocks, helping Utah overcome a remaining and completed the three- last week. LeBron James was too much desire’. scored 15, but the Heat dropped their flood of turnovers to beat point play to give the Pacers a 108- though on Saturday, carrying his team to vic- fifth straight. Sacramento. Gordon Hayward scored 105 lead. — AP tory with 44 points. 28- Brooklyn Nets (6 - 16) Last week: 28 - The Nets suffered an onslaught from the 13- New York Knicks (13 - 10) Last week: 18 Spurs on Saturday in the first game since the NBA results/standings - Carmelo Anthony is not letting his issues Rockets matched their four-year $37 million with President Phil Jackson distract him; on offer sheet to forward Donatas Motiejunas. LA Clippers 133, New Orleans 105; Utah 104, Sacramento 84; San Antonio 130, Brooklyn 101; Chicago 105, Miami 100; Memphis 110, Golden the contrary, it seems to be rejuvenating him State 89; Houston 109, Dallas 87; Cleveland 116, Charlotte 105; Washington 110, Milwaukee 105; Denver 121, Orlando 113; Indiana 118, as he scored 33 points to lead the Knicks to a 29- Dallas Mavericks (5 - 18) Last week: 29 - Portland 111. victory in Sacramento on Friday. They’ve won Mavs’ owner Mark Cuban (who still thinks Eastern Conference Western Conference five of their last six games entering last night’s Russell Westbrook is not a superstar) said Atlantic Division Northwest Division game against the Lakers. Saturday that his team would only consider W L PCT GB Oklahoma City 14 9 .609 - trading its top-five projected first round pick Toronto 16 7 .696 - Utah 15 10 .600 - Boston 13 10 .565 3 Portland 12 13 .480 3 14- Milwaukee Bucks (11 - 11) Last week: 13 in this summer’s draft in exchange for a top- NY Knicks 13 10 .565 3 - Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only player in five player in the entire league. It is unlikely Denver 9 15 .375 5.5 Brooklyn 6 16 .273 9.5 Minnesota 6 17 .261 8 the NBA who is leading his team in scoring, that the Mavs will trade out of what is promis- Philadelphia 5 18 .217 11 Pacific Division Central Division assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. The last ing to be one of the deepest drafts in recent Golden State 20 4 .833 - Cleveland 17 5 .773 - player to do that for an entire season was memory, however. LA Clippers 17 7 .708 3 LeBron James for the 2008-09 Cleveland Chicago 13 10 .565 4.5 Detroit 13 12 .520 5.5 LA Lakers 10 15 .400 10.5 Cavaliers (per Elias Sports and Information). 30- Philadelphia 76ers (5 - 18) Last week: Indiana 12 12 .500 6 Sacramento 8 15 .348 11.5 30 - Friday’s win against the Pelicans ended Milwaukee 11 11 .500 6 Phoenix 7 16 .304 12.5 15- Detroit Pistons (13 - 12) Last week: 14 - the 76ers’ eight-game losing streak and its Southeast Division Southwest Division In Friday’s win in Minnesota, center Andre franchise record-tying 23-game road losing Charlotte 14 10 .583 - San Antonio 19 5 .792 - Drummond scored 22 points and grabbed 22 streak. Their defense has only slightly Atlanta 12 12 .500 2 Houston 17 7 .708 2 Washington 9 13 .409 4 Memphis 17 8 .680 2.5 rebounds; his third 20-20 game this season. In improved, as they entered Monday ranking Orlando 10 15 .400 4.5 New Orleans 7 17 .292 12 comparison, the rest of the league has four 21st in the league in defensive rating. Miami 7 17 .292 7 Dallas 5 18 .217 13.5 MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 SPORTS

Sounders beat Toronto FC on penalties to win MLS Cup

TORONTO: The Seattle Sounders claimed fans it was a crushing result to a contest their first Major League Soccer Cup by they had dominated for 120 minutes but beating Toronto FC 5-4 on penalties after could not breach a Seattle defence that their title game ended 0-0 after extra-time had conceded just three goals in five play- on Saturday. off matches. After Toronto’s Justin Morrow hit the “They always had numbers around the crossbar, Seattle defender Roman Torres goal and in the box,” lamented Toronto coolly hammered home the decider as the coach Greg Vanney. “Whenever we got into Sounders finally celebrated victory follow- those areas there were times we just could- ing seven seasons of near misses. n’t get that final pass to someone who With zero shots on goal after 120 min- could finish. utes it looked as if the Sounders, who have “The few times we hit the goal Frei picks reached the playoffs in each of their eight things out.” It was perfect ice hockey years in the league, would come up short weather at BMO Field, which in three weeks yet again but found the target when it mat- will host the NHL’s Centennial Classic out- tered most. door game, but the bone-chilling tempera- Brad Evans, Andreas Ivanshitz, Joevin tures did little to cool down a fired up Jones and Nicolas Lodeiro also scored in capacity crowd of close to 36,000. the shootout for Seattle while Sounders Toronto made a lively start and enjoyed goalkeeper capped an evening of spectac- the run of play in a scrappy opening half. ular saves by denying Morrow and Toronto The Reds’ best scoring chance came early captain Michael Bradley. when Altidore squeezed a shot from inside Frei, who spent five seasons with TFC, the area that sliced by the post and a div- returned to torment his former team mates ing Frei in the second minute. earning MLS Cup most valuable player After the break it was Sebastian honours after shutting out a high-powered Giovinco, the other half of Toronto’s strike Toronto attack that had produced 17 goals partnership, finally finding space down the in five playoff contests. left wing coming close when he ripped a The Seattle keeper’s biggest save, how- shot that just missed the near post. ever, did not come in the shootout but Toronto nearly ended the drama with an deep into extra time when the Swiss dove injury time winner when Bradley sent in a across the net at full stretch and with his corner that Frei narrowly punched clear left hand tipped away a looping header just before a diving Altidore could get his LONDON: Chelsea’s Ngolo Kante, second right, competes for the ball with West Bromwich Albion’s Darren Fletcher, second left, during the from Jozy Altidore. head on the ball. English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge in London, yesterday. —AP “It looked like it was going to go in and But it was Frei’s save on Altidore in the then all of a sudden here comes this paw 108th minute that Vanney believes robbed and he gets a hold of it,” praised Sounders his team of a title. “That was one of the coach Brian Schmetzer. great saves that I have seen in a big Costa gem sends Chelsea “It was a tremendous save but there moment because that goal to me ends the were a couple of other times I thought the game,” said Vanney. “We win if we do that. ball might have gone in.” For TFC and their He saved the game for them.” — Reuters back to the top of EPL

Mertens hits hat-trick LONDON: Diego Costa fired Chelsea back to the Despite his reputation for costly errors, David dends in the 76th minute, with a helping hand top of the Premier League as the Spain striker’s Luiz has been the model of consistency since from Albion defender McAuley. late winner clinched a hard-fought 1-0 victory returning to Chelsea this season, but the Brazil When Fabregas played a hopeful ball down as Napoli rout Cagliari against West Bromwich Albion yesterday. defender reverted to his old bad habits when he the right flank, McAuley was in position to snuff Antonio Conte’s side had been knocked out allowed Salomon Rondon to brush him off the out any danger, but he was too casual and Costa MILAN: Dries Mertens hit a hat-trick and Sarri’s men were about to change that in of first place by Arsenal on Saturday, but they ball, presenting the burly Albion striker with a showed why Conte dubbed him a “real warrior” Marek Hamsik and Piotr Zielinski scored clinical fashion. Just after the half-hour reopened a three point lead over the Gunners clear path into the penalty area. this week as he took full advantage. one apiece as five star Napoli romped to a Mertens turned quickly in the area to fire a thanks to Costa’s superb finish in the closing Muscling McAuley off the ball, Costa was sud- 5-0 win at Cagliari to close to within five pinpoint shot past Storari and into the far stages at Stamford Bridge. Costa’s 12th league REAL WARRIOR denly clean through but there was still work to points of Juventus. Champions Juventus bottom corner. The visitors suffered a blow goal in his last 15 appearances gave Chelsea a Fortunately for Luiz, Rondon was unable to be down and the Spaniard was up to the task as can take their lead over Roma and AC Milan when Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly ninth successive league win for the first time hit the target and the centre-back was quick to he curled a fine finish into the far corner to send to seven points with a win in the Turin der- limped off injured with an apparent knee since 2007. hold up his hand in contrition. Chelsea back to the top. — AFP by at Torino later. In the meantime, the Old injury. The west Londoners have scored 23 goals Caught in Albion’s defensive web, it was Lady’s title rivals are closing in. Both Lazio, But Napoli doubled their lead before the and conceded just two in that blistering streak, almost half an hour before Chelsea untangled who secured a 2-1 win at Sampdoria on interval when Hamsik slotted home from raising hopes of a Premier League title in Conte’s themselves long enough to manage their first Saturday, and Napoli are now five points off close range after Insigne had nodded a first season in charge. shot when N’Golo Kante’s scuffed effort deflect- Matches on TV the pace and Roma and AC Milan will aim Callejon cross on to the bar. It was the While this was far from Chelsea’s best effort ed off team-mate Pedro before drifting just (Local Timings) to reduce their four-point gaps to the Slovak’s 105th goal for Napoli and leaves under the Italian, their refusal to be denied by a wide. It didn’t help Chelsea’s cause that Eden champions when they play today. Fresh him 10 short of tying Diego Maradona’s stubborn opponent suggests they have the Hazard took a bruising challenge from Gareth Spanish League Primera Div from securing top spot in their Champions club record of 115. required character and class to last the pace in McAuley that left the Belgium midfielder nursing League qualifying group and sweeping Storari did well to parry Callejon’s first- the title race. his wound before gingerly returning to fray. Inter Milan aside last week, Napoli made a timer from an Insigne pass shortly after the Conte made one change from last weekend’s Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster was finally Villarreal v Madrid 22:45 impressive win against title rivals Manchester called into action in the 41st minute when he confident start with Jose Callejon, Zielinski restart but couldn’t stop Zielinski’s rocket beIN SPORTS 3 HD and then Mertens testing Marco Storari in from distance on 51 minutes. City as Serbia midfielder Nemanja Matic plunged to his right to keep out Luiz’s free-kick. the Cagliari net in the opening 11 minutes. Cagliari’s heads dropped and a clinical replaced Cesc Fabregas despite the Spaniard’s With Chelsea still labouring to make the Cagliari had dropped points in only two Mertens capitalised with a brace of goals in influential performance at Eastlands. breakthrough after half-time, Luiz’s free-kicks Italian Calcio League Serie A of their seven home fixtures, but Maurizio three second-half minutes. — AFP It was 38 years since Albion had left the were the only source of menace for Foster, who Bridge with three points, but Tony Pulis’s side saved another of the Brazilian’s efforts after it arrived in confident mood after winning three of deflected off Hazard. Fiorentina v Sassuolo 21:00 their last four matches. Whether he was affected by the injury or not, beIN SPORTS 4 HD While Chelsea monopolised possession in the Hazard was well below his best, leaving Chelsea early stages, they couldn’t break down Albion’s short of invention in the final third and hindered well-drilled rearguard and it was the visitors who by their insistence on playing sideways rather Roma v Milan 23:00 threatened first when Chris Brunt won a tackle than penetrating behind the Albion defence. beIN SPORTS 4 HD with Marcos Alonso before drilling a powerful Conte sent on Willian and Fabregas in a bid to strike wide. spark Chelsea into life and the changes paid divi- Real deal as Mexicans set date with Madrid

OSAKA: Silvio Romero struck twice as Mexican more sloppy defending from the Africans. spirit,” said Kashima coach Masatada Ishii. “But side Club America beat Asian champions Kashima, fresh from clinching their eighth J- we settled down in the second half, found a nice Jeonbuk Motors 2-1 yesterday to set up a dream League crown last weekend, will face South balance and scored two good goals. It was Club World Cup semi-final with Real Madrid. American Libertadores Cup holders Atletico important to stay calm and we will have to be Local favourites Kashima Antlers salvaged Nacional of Colombia in the competition’s first just as patient against Nacional.” some pride for Asia, however, when the semi-final on Wednesday. Spanish giants Real are scheduled to arrive in Japanese title holders toppled South Africa’s “We struggled at the start to deal with their Japan early today morning local time. — AFP Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 in the day’s second quarter-final in Osaka. CAGLIARI: Napoli’s Croatian defender Ivan Strinic (R) fights for the ball with Cagliari’s In the early kickoff, Kim Bo-kyung swept Italian midfielder Daniele Dessena during the Italian Serie A football match Cagliari Korean powerhouse Jeonbuk in front after 23 Calcio vs SSC Napoli at the Sant’Elia Stadium in Cagliari yesterday. — AFP minutes before Romero pounced twice to send the CONCACAF representatives through to the last four. “The players showed character, attitude and heart,” America coach Ricardo la Volpe told Falcao scores hat-trick reporters. “We made some changes and tweaked the system a bit in the second half and got the goals. “We passed a test today and we will play for rampant Monaco Real Madrid with no fear,” he added. “We will have to work twice as hard but everyone expects PARIS: Radamel Falcao netted a hat-trick too and I think Lyon are also going to come us to lose so there will be no pressure on us.” as Monaco crushed 10-man Bordeaux 4-0 back. It’s much more competitive and that Romero equalised with a clinical header just to go provisionally top of the Ligue 1 table is good for France. before the hour mark and the Argentine striker on Saturday. Djibril Sidibe got the opener “Our attackers have more quality and volleyed home the winner via a slight deflection and Falcao found the net in fortunate fash- are making the difference. Our aim is just to off Jeonbuk forward Kim Shin-Wook after 74 ion to double the principality club’s lead keep progressing, that is the mentality.” minutes as the K-League side wilted under the inside five minutes at the Matmut Monaco have often struggled in Bordeaux mounting pressure. Club America, who also beat Atlantique. down the years but they stunned their Jeonbuk in the quarter-finals of the FIFA tourna- Falcao added two more goals in the sec- hosts by opening the scoring inside 80 sec- ment 10 years ago, will face European champi- ond half, including one from the penalty onds as Bernardo Silva set up France full- ons Real Madrid, led by talisman Cristiano spot, while Bordeaux ended a wretched back Sidibe to find the net with a low finish Ronaldo, in Yokohama on Thursday. The hulking evening a man down after the sending-off across goalkeeper Jerome Prior. Kim Shin-Wook, instantly recognisable with his of Adam Ounas. Europe’s top scorers, It was 2-0 soon after when Prior tried to peppermint green mohican, was a constant Monaco have now scored 53 goals in just palm out a low cross from Valere Germain menace but well shackled by markers in a tense 17 league games, only four fewer than they but the ball ricocheted off Falcao and into finish as the Mexicans clung on for the win. managed in the whole of last season. the net. Any hopes Bordeaux harboured of Kashima, who came from behind to beat As a result they are now top of the table, a comeback in the second half were nipped part-timers Auckland City 2-1 in the tourna- above Cote d’Azur rivals Nice on goal differ- in the bud as Monaco made it 3-0 on the ment’s curtain raiser on Thursday, were gifted ence, with defending champions Paris breakaway in the 50th minute. their opening goal by Sundowns goalkeeper Saint-Germain four points back in third Thomas Lemar’s long ball found Denis Onyango in the 63rd minute. position. PSG, who have run away with the Germain and he squared for Falcao, who Latching on to a knock-down from Shoma title in recent seasons, are at home to Nice took a touch before stabbing home. Doi, Yasushi Endo scuffed his left-foot shot in a huge game later at the Parc des The Colombian was handed the chance which somehow squeezed under Onyango, bob- Princes. “It was a great evening,” said to complete his hat-trick from the penalty bling out of his despairing grasp and over the Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim. spot just after the hour mark when Nicolas line almost in slow motion. Substitute Mu OSAKA: Club America forward Silvio Romero (2nd L) reacts after scoring a goal during “This year I think the league is more Pallois petulantly threw Silva to the ground Kanazaki killed the game off by smashing home the Club World Cup football match between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Club America in Osaka evenly balanced. Monaco are better, Nice inside the box.— AFP from close range with two minutes left after yesterday. — AFP Joshua retains Costa gem sends IBF title, sets up Chelsea back to bout with15 Klitschko the top19 of EPL MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

Pacioretty has four goals as Canadiens crush Avalanche Page 17

MANCHESTER: Manchester United’s Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic vies with Tottenham Hotspur’s Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen (right) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford yesterday. — AFP Mkhitaryan tames Spurs to stop rot

weeks.” Mourinho’s team remain 13 points below lead- tive game and we need to take positive things from into action again shortly after, dropping to his right and ers Chelsea, but closed to within three points of fifth- that,” Pochettino said. saving from Ibrahimovic. Man United 1 place Spurs and six of Manchester City, who occupy the At the other end, Son Heung-Min cut in from the fourth and final Champions League berth. United once Pogba smacks bar right and let fly with a left-foot effort that de Gea had to again failed to convert their dominance into goals, but Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld made his tip over, but the spring was in United’s step as the unlike in their recent 1-1 draws against Arsenal, West Tottenham 0 first start in eight weeks after a knee injury and he and teams went off at half-time. Their failure to take their Ham United and Everton, they were not made to pay. his defensive colleagues quickly found themselves chances left them vulnerable to the threat of a counter- “After so many matches playing well but not winning, under examination. It took United less than two min- punch, however, and there were nervous moments ear- MANCHESTER: Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored his first we needed more the points than the performance,” utes to carve Spurs open, Zlatan Ibrahimovic teeing up ly in the second half as Tottenham went on the attack. Premier League goal for Manchester United and was lat- Mourinho said. “But I knew against Tottenham it’s diffi- Paul Pogba for a left-foot shot that was parried by his De Gea boxed away a shot from Eriksen before Victor er stretchered off as Jose Mourinho’s side claimed a cult to get a result without playing well. But we played France team-mate Hugo Lloris. Mkhitaryan saw an effort Wanyama gave the hosts a big let-off, completely mis- timely 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. very well.” Initially kept on the sidelines by Mourinho fol- blocked by Jan Vertonghen, Herrera gave Lloris some cuing his header after Eriksen’s free-kick found him Mkhitaryan converted Ander Herrera’s through ball just lowing his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, Mkhitaryan catching practice with a dipping volley and Michael unmarked six yards from goal. before the half hour to end a frustrating run of four suc- has become something of a lucky charm for the Carrick whistled a shot over from range. Seeking to soothe the home fans’ frayed nerves, cessive home draws and give United just a second win in Portuguese, who will be relieved the injury is not grave. United goalkeeper David de Gea had to deal with a Pogba took it upon himself to try to extend United’s nine league matches. It was the Armenian playmaker’s Defeat curbed Spurs’ recent revival, which had seen zippy free-kick from Christian Eriksen, but the hosts lead. The France midfielder left the Spurs crossbar shud- second goal in two games, after he opened his account them beat Swansea City 5-0 and secure a Europa looked the more likely scorers and duly went ahead in dering with an arcing 25-yard free-kick and then stung for the club against Zorya Luhansk on Thursday. League place with a 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow. the 29th minute. Harry Kane played the ball straight to Lloris’s palms with a crisp shot following a one-two with He exited on a stretcher after turning his ankle in a Mauricio Pochettino’s side remain without an away Herrera, whose inviting pass between the Spurs centre- Herrera. De Gea had to claw away another Eriksen free- late challenge by Danny Rose, but Mourinho said: “We league win since Sept 24. “It was a disappointing result, backs freed Mkhitaryan to run through and smash a ris- kick, but despite Mkhitaryan’s premature 84th-minute don’t think it’s a serious injury. Maximum a couple of but if we analyse the game I think it was a very competi- ing shot past Lloris. The Spurs goalkeeper was called exit, United saw the game out. — AFP West Ham goalkeeper Boufal brings relief to Saints both of whom are injured. Jordan Rhodes almost made light of their absence imme- gifts Liverpool point Southampton 1 diately ghosting in with not a Saints defender in sight and firing a shot on target Bournemouth were apparent once again. only for Fraser Forster to save. The hosts Antonio found space too easily as he sprinted worked their way into the game after early Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 2 between center-backs Dejan Lovren and Joel Boro dominance and Jay Rodriguez forced Matip to collect Winston Reid’s long ball over the Victor Valdes into a smart save just after the top, but Karius turned aside the shot at his near SOUTHAMPTON: A superb goal by record quarter of an hour mark. post. Karius was then caught out as West Ham signing Sofiane Boufal secured Middlesbrough were denied by some West Ham 2 drew level in the 27th minute, getting a hand to Southampton a much-needed 1-0 win over stoical Southampton defending 10 minutes Payet’s free-kick as it was floated over the wall, Middlesbrough in their Premier League before the break as Viktor Fischer rounded but failing to stop it. That equalizer affected match yesterday. Moroccan international Forster but his shot was blocked on the line LIVERPOOL: Divock Origi scored for the fourth Liverpool’s rhythm, despite half-chances for Boufal - bought from French Ligue 1 side and the follow up by Uruguayan Christhian consecutive match to save a point for frail Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino soon Lille in August for a reported £16 million Stuani was also stopped on the goal-line. Liverpool as they were frustrated in their afterwards, and they went behind six minutes ($20 million) - struck early in the second- Saints took advantage by taking the lead attempts to stay in touch with Premier League before half time to another soft goal. half to give Saints just their second win in early in the second-half. Boufal, who was an leaders Chelsea yesterday. Jurgen Klopp’s side This time Havard Nordtveit’s long diagonal seven matches and provide some succor injury doubt prior to the game, scoring took an early lead through Adam Lallana’s stylish pass out of defense flicked off Henderson to for exiting the Europa League last Thursday. LIVERPOOL: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane and with a superb left-footed effort from the finish, but weaknesses at the back allowed wrong-foot Matip, who was caught on his heels They move on to 20 points, eight clear of edge of the area rounding off a move Dimitri Payet’s free-kick and a neat finish by as Antonio ran into the space behind him to flick West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna (back) the relegation zone whilst Middlesbrough involving five players. Michail Antonio to give West Ham a surprise the ball beyond Karius - who was caught in no- jump for a high ball during their English remain very much mired in a battle for sur- Middlesbrough were lacking in inven- half-time lead at Anfield. Loris Karius, the man’s land - and in. Liverpool could have been Premier League football match at Anfield vival as they are just three points clear of tion and ideas and it was the hosts who Liverpool goalkeeper, was arguably at fault for level by the interval but Firmino glanced wide yesterday. — AP the bottom three. Boufal’s goal made up for came closest to scoring again, veteran Payet’s goal, but then saw Hammers counterpart from Georginio Wijnaldum’s cross and then penalty area. the absence of Charlie Austin, who has Darren Randolph make a mistake for Origi’s Lallana had a penalty appeal rejected after tum- Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis Wijnaldum had another good chance just accounted for nearly half their goals this equalizer by failing to hold Sadio Mane’s cross. bling with Payet’s arm across his chest. being picked out by Cuco Martina, but his after the hour mark after being played into space season but was ruled out with a shoulder The 2-2 draw did at least lift West Ham out of Referee Mark Clattenburg gave only a corner header went over the bar. Rodriguez went down the left, but placed his effort beyond the injury. Certainly spectators would not have the relegation zone, although it extended their and from it Matip nodded Henderson’s delivery even closer with another header but Adam far post. Henderson then bent a fine 25-yard shot been expecting a goal feast in the two sides’ run without a Premier League victory to six on to the face of the crossbar. Klopp’s team were towards the top corner midway through the sec- Clayton reacted brilliantly to clear it off the first Premier League meeting since 2005 as matches. It looked like being a gloomy day for though level within three minutes of the restart. ond half, only for Randolph to deny him with line. Rodriguez may have been unlucky they had each found the net only 13 times Slaven Bilic’s side when they conceded a well- Mane spun to cross from the left, Randolph lost magnificent flying save. Bilic brought on former there but he was guilty of a complete apiece before Sunday’s match. worked goal in the first five minutes, as Mane his balance and the ball as he stretched to try to Liverpool striker Andy Carroll with just under howler in time added on as Nathan crossed from the left and Lallana took a touch to gather, and Origi turned it in via the post. Spirits half-an-hour to play. The home side finished the Boro were also missing two of their Redmond did brilliantly to square the ball control before steering a shot past Randolph. Yet restored, Liverpool almost regained the lead stronger, though, with full-back Nathaniel Clyne most impressive performers from last across the goal line but Rodriguez man- even in the early stages Liverpool’s defensive within moments, as Wijnaldum steered a shot blazing over after Lallana’s clever back-heeled Monday’s 1-0 win over fellow strugglers aged to somehow spoon it over from a frailties that marked last weekend’s 4-3 defeat at just wide on the turn from the edge of the flick from Mane’s low cross. — AFP Hull, Gaston Ramirez and Alvaro Negredo, yard out. — AFP Saudi, Qatar stocks gain after oil deal Page 22 Markets await Fed’s interest rate decision Business Page 25 MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 Gulf Bank holds session on UK property RSM International holds ‘Economy Watch Forum’ investment trends Page 26 Page 23

TEHRAN: Farhad Parvaresh (left), Chairman and Managing Director of Iran Air, and Fletcher Barkdull, Boeing regional director, sign an agreement in the presence of Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi (center), Minister of Roads and Urban Development, in the capital Tehran yesterday. —AFP Iran inks deal to buy 80 Boeing planes Tehran seeks to revamp ageing fleet

TEHRAN: Iran Air finalized a contract to buy 80 renewed sanctions, Boeing emphasized the 1979, according to the Flight Safety Sanctions pressure order to cement the nuclear deal. Iranian lead- planes from Boeing, the US aerospace firm employment opportunities of the deal. Foundation. Following initial agreements earlier in the ers have reacted angrily to news that confirmed yesterday, as it seeks to renew its “Today’s agreement will support tens of “With the signing of this contract, the first year, the Boeing and Airbus deals were given Washington will renew its existing sanctions in ageing fleet despite sanctions. thousands of US jobs directly associated with important step has been taken for the mod- final approval by the US government in the coming days, saying it is a breach of the Boeing said the contract-Iran’s first deal production and delivery of the 777-300ERs ernization of the country’s aviation fleet,” September. Washington lifted some of its sanc- deal, while Trump has vowed to rip up the with a US aviation firm since the 1979 Islamic and nearly 100,000 US jobs in the US aero- Transport Minister Abbas Akhoundi was quot- tions on Iran under a nuclear deal that came accord entirely. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani revolution-was worth $16.6 billion (15.7 billion space value stream for the full course of deliv- ed as saying. The first Boeings are due to arrive into force in January, but many restrictions have has faced a barrage of criticism at home after euros). “Fifty of the planes are 737 and the oth- eries,” the company said in a statement. Many in 2018 and Iran Air is also due to finalize the remained in place that mean companies trad- the deal failed to attract the level of foreign er 30 are the long haul 777 that will be deliv- US lawmakers have opposed the deal, accus- purchase of 100 planes from European firm ing with Tehran must receive explicit approval investment he promised-mostly because global ered to Iran Air in a period of 10 years,” said ing Iran Air of helping to transport troops and Airbus. from the US Treasury. banks remain wary of doing business with the Farhad Parvaresh, chief executive of the weapons to conflict zones around the region. “Our goal is to increase our ability to com- That includes European firms like Airbus country. The supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali national carrier, who signed the contract with The lack of new planes and parts has taken pete in the aviation industry to be able to get who manufacture some of their parts in the Khamenei, has questioned the focus on pur- Boeing officials in Tehran. With the incoming a severe toll on Iran’s carriers over the years, back our share in the transport industry in the United States. chasing billion-dollar fleets of aircraft. administration of US president-elect Donald earning it one of the worst safety records in region and the world,” said Akhoundi, referring Pressure has been mounting on those in Iran “Suppose we modernize our air fleet. Okay, Trump expected to take a tough line on Iran the world with close to 1,700 people dying in a to the fact that Iran was a regional hub for air and the United States who want to see it’s a very important and necessary move. But is and American lawmakers recently voting for string of civilian and military air disasters since transport before the revolution. increased trade between the two countries in it the priority?” Khamenei said in June. —AFP

Qatar to merge Qatargas, RasGas Non-OPEC oil states agree

DOHA: Qatar will merge state- “Of course as an outcome of the savings. “It’s one business that Qatargas, will take around 12 to cuts in ‘historic’ deal owned liquefied natural gas pro- this cost reduction will be real- will do the same thing. Putting it months to complete and will ducers Qatargas and RasGas Co ized, it will make us more com- all (in) one place gives you a begin before the end of this year. VIENNA: Eleven countries agreed on non-member producer states to lower Ltd, the chief executive of Qatar petitive in the market,” he said, much bigger advantage in mar- Once the new structure is in Saturday to cut their oil output, team- their output by 600,000 bpd. Petroleum (QP) said yesterday, in adding that the move would save keting.” place, some areas of the business ing up with the OPEC cartel in an Saturday’s deal approves cuts totalling the Gulf state’s latest reaction to “hundreds of millions of dollars”, The transition, which will result could see job cuts, although the exceptional bid to end the world’s glut 558,000 bpd. Russia had already sig- lower energy prices. The more- without giving a timeframe for in a single company called operational side of the plants will of crude and reverse a dramatic fall in nalled it would provide half of that than-two-year slump in oil prices not be affected, Kaabi said. income. production cut in the first half of 2017. has forced Gulf countries to A Doha-based energy analyst Russia and 10 other non-OPEC The other countries which will con- reduce state spending and con- said the move was in line with states will reduce their production by tribute cuts are Mexico, Kazakhstan, sider consolidations as a way to QP’s recent cost cutting but also more than half a million barrels per Malaysia, Oman, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, cut costs: among the biggest had other benefits. “Arguably the day (bpd), OPEC announced. The deal Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, South Sudan being Abu Dhabi’s merging of reasons for having two firms - to will take effect from the start of 2017 and Brunei. Mubadala and International deal with western and eastern and last for six months, though it may “This is a truly historic event, the Petroleum Development Co. markets and also to encourage be extended depending on market first time that so many oil-producing While Qatar is more focused some competition during the roll- conditions. countries are meeting in one room, to on gas than oil, it too has been out phase of LNG facilities - are “I am happy to announce that a his- accomplish what we’ve done,” Russian forced into reorganisations, with no longer relevant,” he said. toric agreement has been reached,” Energy Minister Alexander Novak told QP already going through a Qatargas is the largest LNG- said Qatar’s Energy Minister a press conference. “In the room we process that reduced staffing and producing company in the world, Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, whose had more than half of the global oil” earmarked a number of assets for with an annual output capacity of country holds the OPEC rotating presi- production, he enthused. divestment. The tie-up of 42 million tons a year, according dency of the Organization of the In a statement following the meet- Qatargas and RasGas, Qatar’s to its website. While QP owns a Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). ing OPEC said the other oil giants were number one and two LNG pro- majority stake, global energy The cut will contribute to OPEC’s own working “to achieve oil market stability ducers respectively, has been firms including Total, Mitsui & Co initiative to ease a saturated market in the interest of all oil producers and talked about for a number of and ConocoPhillips also possess and end a price slump that has brutally consumers.” years stretching back before the small stakeholdings. RasGas has a affected the economies of many oil A monitoring committee, compris- oil price reduction. At a news DOHA: In this Saturday, April 4, 2009 file photo a gas produc- production capacity of about 37 producers. On November 30 its mem- ing three OPEC and two non-OPEC conference, QP CEO Saad Al- tion facility is seen in at Ras Laffan, Qatar. Qatar is merging its million tons a year, according to bers announced a slash in output by members, will now be set up. Sada said Kaabi said that behind the two government-backed liquefied natural gas companies, its website. It is a 70/30 percent 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) begin- OPEC would continue its efforts to per- announcement was an element streamlining distribution of the fuel as the OPEC nation weath- joint venture between QP and ning in January, to 32.5 million bpd. suade non-OPEC producers to join the of wanting to cut costs. ers a slump in energy prices. —AP Exxon Mobil. —Reuters Under that deal, OPEC sought for reduction effort. —AFP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 BUSINESS Saudi, Qatar gain after deal with non-OPEC oil producers

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS DUBAI: Stock markets in Saudi Arabia ($144.6 million) to raise the efficien- early November, although trading vol- and Qatar posted broad-based gains cy of operations at its methanol ume was modest. Mesaieed yesterday after OPEC and non-OPEC plant in Jubail. Petrochemical gained 3.7 percent and oil producers a day earlier reached Construction firm Khodari jumped oil drilling rig provider Gulf their first deal since 2001 to curtail oil by its 10 percent daily limit in very International Services surged 2.5 per- output jointly in a drive to prop up heavy trade to 12.95 riyals, nearing cent, while Qatar Commercial Bank prices. It is not clear whether oil major technical resistance on its May jumped 4.1 percent. Bourses in the prices can rise much further in peak of 13.10 riyals. United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and response to the deal, and many fund The stock has been buoyed in Egypt were shut to mark the birthday managers think Saudi petrochemical recent days by signs that the govern- of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). shares are to a large extent now fairly ment is making long-delayed pay- valued after their rebound in the past ments on its debts to the construction SAUDI ARABIA six weeks. sector, which could help Khodari * The index rose 1.1 percent to Nevertheless, the oil producers’ directly and also indirectly by improv- 7,198 points. deal supported fresh buying of stocks ing liquidity in the economy and help- and the main Saudi index added 1.1 ing some stalled projects go ahead. QATAR percent to 7,198 points, its highest Higher oil prices may make it easier * The index added 1.3 percent to close this year, in heavy trade. for the government to find money for 10,188 points. The Saudi petrochemical index those payments. surged 2.4 percent as higher oil prices Some insurance sector stocks KUWAIT could boost profit margins. Saudi favoured by local retail speculators * The index rose 0.4 percent to International Petrochemical Co also surged, with Wafa Insurance up 5,612 points. (Sipchem) gained 4.0 percent after 6.4 percent. In Qatar, the index added ATHENS: Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in saying an affiliate had signed a con- 1.3 percent at 10,188 points, climbing OMAN Athens on Saturday. —AP tract with South Korea’s eTEC E&C for above technical resistance on the 200- * The index gained 0.5 percent to Greek PM eyes recovery as work costing 542.6 million riyals day average for the first time since 5,696 points. —Reuters lawmakers approve budget DEWA gets finance for 2017 a milestone year in taking country out of crisis: PM $3.4bn coal power plant

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Without access to QE, the country run a primary surplus, after debt serv- DUBAI: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has In mezzanine finance, holders are only able to Tsipras yesterday said the country was will not be able to make a planned icing, of 3.5 percent of gross domestic closed the financing package that will back the claim against the company if it defaults, once on the verge of economic recovery as return to debt markets by early product (GDP), beyond 2018. Athens construction of a 2,400 megawatt coal-fired power creditors with senior debt have been repaid. The lawmakers approved a new round of 2018, according to the Greek finance has flatly refused to consider further plant in the emirate, according to a statement cash is being provided by lenders including pay cuts and tax hikes for 2017. “(Next ministry. austerity measures beyond 2018. from one of the developers yesterday. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Bank of year) will be a milestone in taking the The Hassyan plant will be developed through a China, First Gulf Bank and Standard Chartered, country out of crisis, and this is the ‘Living nightmare’ Surprise move joint venture, with the Dubai utility firm holding a ACWA added. first budget of optimism, growth and The conservative New Democracy Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos 51 percent stake and the rest split between The coal plant is part of the emirate’s strategy recovery,” Tsipras told parliament. party, which has a double-digit lead in on Saturday said Greece counter-pro- China’s Harbin Electric and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA to broaden its energy sources: by 2030, it is target- The PM said he was confident that the polls, says Tsipras-who won two posed a primary surplus of 2.5 per- Power. The financing package is divided between ing around 7 percent of its electricity production a crucial EU-IMF reforms audit could elections in 2015 on a promise to cent, and a further 1.0 percent in tax a senior secured loan and secured mezzanine from coal, as well as 25 percent from solar, 7 per- conclude despite certain “absurd” combat austerity-was in reality breaks for small and medium busi- financing, ACWA said. It did not specify exactly cent from nuclear power and 61 percent from gas. demands. Tsipras predicted an agree- opposed to reforms. “You’re the living nesses. Tsakalotos on Saturday also how much of the project’s $3.4 billion cost would Phase one of the coal plant is to be operational ment if all sides show political good- nightmare of productive Greeks... the praised Eurogroup chief Jeroen be covered by the package but previously, officials in March 2020, with all four 600 MW stages that will, and a return to debt markets ear- only thing you know is to levy taxes,” Dijsselbloem, a frequent critic of the ly next year, but he refused to adopt said New Democracy leader Kyriakos Tsipras administration, as a man of had indicated around 80 percent would be provid- make up the scheme to be completed by March labour market reforms “contrary to the Mitsotakis. “This budget is proof you principle. ed by commercial bank loans. 2023, according to ACWA’s statement. —Reuters European model”. In the ongoing have no plan to take the country out “He may be harsh some times, but talks, the country’s international credi- of the crisis,” he said, claiming that the he keeps his word,” the minister told tors-fellow EU states and the leftist-led government had a track financial newspaper Agora. Tsipras on International Monetary Fund-have record of “torpedoing” privatization Thursday made a surprise move, Sadara to supply feedstock controversially called for legislation to projects and scaring away investors. announcing a one-off payout to 1.6 make crippling strikes less likely while “The sooner you leave, the better for million low-tier pensioners, and a sales also making layoffs easy. the country,” said Mitsotakis. tax break for islands sheltering thou- to Saudi Rufayah Chemicals The new budget approved by 152 But Tsipras insisted he was not sands of migrants. The European out of the 298 lawmakers present going anywhere. “We have a four-year Commission said it was “not made KHOBAR: Sadara Chemical, a $20 diversified products near its petro- year of products including hydrocar- levies around one billion euros ($1.07 mandate that we will see through... to aware of all the details of the billion petrochemical joint venture chemical facilities. Aramco is build- bon resin, isoprene, pure DCPD, aro- billion) in extra taxes on cars, fixed the final day,” the 42-year-old PM said. announcement before they were between national oil giant Saudi ing its Rabigh PlusTech Park at matic solvents, premium wash oils telephone service, pay television, fuel, Last week, eurozone lenders made” and would need to study the Aramco and Dow Chemical, has PetroRabigh, a joint venture with and other products. Sadara said in tobacco, coffee, beer and other items. approved short-term relief measures 617-million-euro package “before com- signed a 20-year agreement with Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical on the August it started its facility on the Public spending on salaries and pen- to help Greece manage repayment on menting any further or acting further”. Saudi Rufayah Chemicals Co (RCC), Red Sea coast. Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia, the first sions will also be cut by 5.7 billion its huge public debt, which will reach Tsipras’ critics at home immediately Sadara said yesterday. Under the Sadara did not give a value for the mixed-feed cracker in the six-nation euros next year. 315 billion euros this year, according denounced it as an electoral ploy, but deal, RCC, a Saudi downstream firm supply agreement in a statement. Gulf Cooperation Council, which can Tsipras needs to stay on good to the latest EU data. the government insisted this was not will use the aromatics concentrate The complex, due to be on stream in process both ethane and naphtha. terms with EU-IMF creditors to con- But Germany, facing public bailout the case. “Europe owes a debt to clude the reforms audit early next fatigue and federal elections next (these islanders), the Greek state owes (Pygas) and Pyoil supplied by December 2020 and developed by The Sadara complex, comprising year. Greece hopes that a deal will year, has led a hardline stance among them its support,” Tsipras said in his Sadara for its new chemical com- RCC, is expected to have a total 26 integrated facilities, is the largest finally persuade the European Central eurozone lenders to force Greece to announcement, with officials noting plex planned for the PlasChem Park investment of about $500 million. petrochemical facility to be built in a Bank (ECB) to include Greek sovereign adopt austerity reforms well beyond that the money would come out of 1.0 in Jubail. RCC plans to produce 12 down- single phase. All facilities are sched- debt in its asset purchase program, the end of its present bailout in 2018. billion euros of tax surplus raised in Saudi Arabia is trying to develop stream products with production uled to be commissioned by the end known as quantitative easing, or QE. Hardline EU states also want Greece to 2016. —AFP its downstream industry to produce capacity exceeding 350,000 tons per of 2017. —Reuters Oman to cut oil by Spain plans $528m in environmental taxes

45,000 bpd after MADRID: Spain wants to raise 500 mil- another 350 million euros ($369 million). nomic growth.” Spain’s deficit soared to lion euros ($528 million) from new envi- The plan also includes measures to crack 11.2 percent in 2009 during its economic non-OPEC meeting ronmental taxes as part of a package of down on tax fraud, streamline govern- crisis. Its economy, which grew 3.3 per- fiscal measures to meet the European ment administrations and eliminate cent through the first three quarters of MUSCAT: Omani Minister of Oil and Gas Dr pants at the meeting were 12 oil exporting Union’s budget deficit goals. The new some tax breaks for businesses. Spain 2016, is now one of the fastest growing Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Rumhy said yes- countries Azerbaijan, Oman, Mexico, environmental taxes are part of the says its revised budgetary plan should in the 28-nation European Union. Spain’s terday that his country will cut oil output Sudan, South Sudan, Bahrain, Malaysia, revised budgetary plan Spain has sub- generate 7.5 billion euros ($7.9 billion) tourism sector was especially strong this by 45,000 barrels per day following the Equatorial Guinea, Bolivia, Kazakhstan and decision by the non-OPEC countries to cut Russia. mitted to the European Commission. The as tries to reduce its deficit from an year, after deadly attacks in Turkey and their oil output by 558,000. “Oman sup- The parties to the negotiations also plan says the new taxes will target a expected 4.6 percent of GDP this year to elsewhere. ports such agreement and is ready to com- agreed to form a special group to monitor reduction in greenhouse gases. an EU-agreed 3.1 percent in 2017 to The budget will have to pass a vote in mit to previous announced quota by about the observance of the agreement both by Spain’s plan also includes previously avoid sanctions. the Spanish parliament, where Spain’s 3-4 percent to the total of oil production. the OPEC and non-OPEC countries. The announced tax hikes on tobacco, alco- Even with the increased revenue, conservative government, headed by The decision, to take effect on January 1 group would consist of three OPEC mem- for a renewable six-month period, will bers and two non-OPEC countries, Russian holic beverages and a new tax on soft Spain says to meet Brussels’ target it is Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, rules in a ensure fair prices for both producers and Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak said at drinks that together it says will raise also counting on continued “strong eco- minority. —AP consumers. Among the non-OPEC partici- the press conference Yesterday. —KUNA EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Sterling Pound 390.150 Nepalese Rupees 3.825 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037316 0.040066 Canadian dollar 230.510 Malaysian Ringgit 70.120 Indian Rupee 0.000244 0.005500 Turkish lira 88.230 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 ASIAN COUNTRIES Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.775 Swiss Franc 302.970 Japanese Yen 0.002589 0.002769 Japanese Yen 2.697 Thai Bhat 9.580 Australian Dollar 229.350 Kenyan Shilling 0.002990 0.002990 Indian Rupees 4.497 Turkish Lira 89.310 US Dollar Buying 304.800 Korean Won 0.000251 0.000266 Pakistani Rupees 2.919 Malaysian Ringgit 0.064993 0.070993 Srilankan Rupees 2.065 GOLD Bahrain Exchange Company Nepalese Rupee 0.002837 0.003007 Nepali Rupees 2.812 20 Gram 241.07 Pakistan Rupee 0.002659 0.002949 Singapore Dollar 216.870 10 Gram 123.46 Philippine Peso 0.006097 0.006397 Hongkong Dollar 39.459 CURRENCY BUY SELL 5 Gram 62.57 Sierra Leone 0.000052 0.000058 Bangladesh Taka 3.846 Europe Singapore Dollar 0.209376 0.219376 Philippine Peso 6.169 British Pound 0.380067 0.390067 South African Rand 0.016313 0.024813 Thai Baht 8.626 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Czech Korune 0.004093 0.016093 Danish Krone 0.039950 0.044950 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001640 0.002220 Euro 0. 321998 0.330998 Taiwan 0.009453 0.009633 GCC COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Norwegian Krone 0.032262 0.037462 Thai Baht 0.008245 0.008795 Saudi Riyal 81.654 US Dollar 305.900 Romanian Leu 0.072657 0.072657 Qatari Riyal 84.101 Canadian Dolla 232.870 Slovakia 0.009157 0.019157 Arab ani Riyal 795.218 Sterling Pound 386.170 Swedish Krona 0.029383 0.034383 Bahraini Dinar 0.804171 0.812671 Bahraini Dinar 813.070 Euro 324.785 Swiss Franc 0.296080 0.307080 Egyptian Pound 0.015613 0.024866 UAE Dirham 83.356 Swiss Frank 302.350 Turkish Lira 0.083891 0.094191 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 Bahrain Dinar 810.915 Iraqi Dinar 0.000180 0.000240 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 83.680 Jordanian Dinar 0.426047 0.435047 Egyptian Pound - Cash 23.900 Australasia Qatari Riyals 84.900 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 17.399 Australian Dollar 0.218700 0.230700 Saudi Riyals 82.500 Lebanese Pound 0.000152 0.000252 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.229 New Zealand Dollar 0.21155 0.220655 Jordanian Dinar 432.620 Moroccan Dirhams 0.020100 0.044100 Tunisian Dinar 133.920 Egyptian Pound 17.263 America Nigerian Naira 0.000400 0.001035 Jordanian Dinar 431.200 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.062 Canadian Dollar 0.224493 0.233493 Omani Riyal 0.787475 0.793155 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.040 Indian Rupees 4.539 Georgina Lari 0.138049 0.138049 Qatar Riyal 0.083143 0.084593 Syrian Lira 2.182 Pakistani Rupees 2.918 US Dollars 0.301550 0.306250 Saudi Riyal 0.080420 0.081720 Morocco Dirham 30.909 Bangladesh Taka 3.879 US Dollars Mint 0.302050 0.306250 Syrian Pound 0.001296 0.001516 Philippines Pesso 6.143 Tunisian Dinar 0.130383 0.138383 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 167.990 Asia Turkish Lira 0.083891 0.094191 US Dollar Transfer 306.000 Japanese Yen 3.650 Bangladesh Taka 0.003373 0.003957 UAE Dirhams 0.081793 0.083493 Euro 324.670 Syrian Pound 2.435 Chinese Yuan 0.042953 0.046453 Yemeni Riyal 0.001012 0.001092 MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 BUSINESS

KUWAIT: Delegates attend the priority banking event. Positive outlook for US in 2017

By Haider Tawfik that their money is on the US economy. KUWAIT: Meshari Shehab, Assistant General Manager Priority Banking during the presentation. Frustrated people in the western t seems that November 2016, was a world had enough of slow economic turning point for the US, politically growth and high unemployment and Gulf Bank holds session on UK Iand economically. The financial mar- have taken their anger out on the politi- ket liked the result of the cians. This has happened US election even though in Canada, UK, the property investment trends they were nervous before Eurozone now in the US. the election. At present, The global market Seminar in partnership with Blueprint Holding Co, Knight Frank the outlook for the US urgently needs new pro economy appears much economic growth policies KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held an exclusive session on Gulf Bank to provide the bank’s clients unique about taxation regulations and procedures brighter than a few and practical measures. the British property investment trends and tax integral consulting services across fields of applied in UK, as well as the Comprehensive months ago. This is in Donald Trump has prom- regulations for 2017 for its “Priority Banking” international experience. The cooperation Real Estate Services Knight Frank offer in UK and absolute and relevant to ised his voters that he will clients, in collaboration Blue Print and with includes organizing lectures and informative other European Cities, through their local repre- some other Western and do exactly what the econ- Knight Frank LLP, one of the leading residential seminars specializing in the British real estate sentative in Kuwait Blue Print Holding emerging economies. omy urgently needs. and commercial property consultancy based in market, accompanied by consultations related Company. The event provided an unparalleled Thanks to the change Clever politicians have London. The event took place on 6 November to legal or tax affairs, management of real estate platform to learn about the potential invest- in the US administration been reacting to people’s 2016 at Sheraton Hotel, Kuwait. investment, management of property including ment opportunities in the UK, and beyond. led by the newly-elected demands for economic Gulf Bank Assistant General Manager - buying, selling, leasing, and an array of other With Gulf Bank Priority Banking, customers president. The whole developments growth and employment, and they are Priority Banking Meshari Shehab, and Gulf Bank services offered by the company in collabora- enjoy a personalized and preferential treatment were very surprise to most of us and responding by saying that they are lis- Assistant General Manager - Investment, tion with Knight Frank. coupled with a suite of Banking and investment very few of us predicted the election tening and they will deliver people’s Consumer Banking, Tarek Al-Saleh welcomed During the session, Knight Frank’s profes- products and services designed to meet their outcome and the reaction of the finan- demands. Investors and the financial the attendees. They emphasized that through sional team of experts presented Gulf Bank’s pri- financial goals. cial markets. Could this be the start of market have already shifted gear and such private knowledge-oriented events that ority customers with an insightful overview of A dedicated Relationship Manager is the reversal of low interest rates, end of they will not reverse as they will allow Gulf Bank strives to create beneficial platforms the Global property market. The main segment assigned to manage customers banking Quantitative Easing, low inflation, low the politicians, time and space to carry for its customers, through which it can update of the seminar was focused on the UK property requirements in the comfort of dedicated pri- bond yields etc. The early signs are out on what they have promised. The them on International economic and invest- market, how it has performed post Brexit, what vate floors. In addition, they will receive a telling us that the new normal that start- big move in stocks, the dollar bond ment topics, and support them in making bet- measurements the UK government undertook branded ATM card that recognizes their status ed back in 2008 ha some to an end. This yields and inflation outlook is not easy ter informed decisions, thus, enhancing their to overcome the economic slowdown, and how across Gulf Bank Network, premium credit could only happen if politicians deliver to reverse as billions of dollars have overall business status. the market is expected to perform in the next cards with exclusive privileges, discounted fees what they promised. already shifted into new investment Engineer Meshaal Al-Melhem, CEO of Blue coming years. and waivers on banking transactions and The strong rally in global stocks and, strategies. The message that was sent to Print, confirmed that the session comes within Gulf Bank’s Priority Banking clients got the added value benefits through our premium dollar and the big rise in yields on gov- US politicians back in November are the framework of the start of cooperation with opportunity to discuss and have an overview partner merchants. ernment bonds, show that investors likely to be repeated elsewhere around have accepted the likelihood of higher the world. growth and higher inflation in the com- The rest of the world should benefit ing months. However, this may not from Donald Trump’s presidency and apply to other economies. As the risk of particularly the emerging markets. high inflation and weak currency could That is because he is more focused on threaten Eurozone and emerging economic growth in the US. A dou- economies. At present US economy is bling of US economic growth should growing moderately with no risk of benefit the rest of the world tremen- inflation. Investors have already decided dously. — @rasameel Burgan Bank announces winners of Yawmi account

KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday chances to win higher rewards, entitling one the names of the lucky winners of its Yawmi lucky customer to win KD 125,000 every account draw, each taking home a prize of three months. The Yawmi Account offers dai- KD 5,000. ly and quarterly draws, the quarterly draw The lucky winners for the daily draws took requires customers to maintain a minimum home a cash-prize of KD 5,000 each, and amount of KD 500 in their account for 2 they are: months prior to draw date. Additionally, 1. Fares Thani Kasar Eyadah every KD 10 in the account, will entitle cus- 2. Sheikh Nawal Mohammed Al-Jaber Al- tomers to one chance of winning. If the Sabah account balance is KD 500 and above, the 3. Fatemah Sulaiman Naser Al-Oraifan account holder will be qualified for both the 4. Anant Devidas Kapadiya quarterly and daily draws. In addition to the daily draw, Burgan Bank Burgan Bank encourages everyone to also offers a quarterly draw with more open a Yawmi account and/or increase their deposit to maximize their chances to becom- KUWAIT: Gulf Bank’s Priority Banking team along with representatives of Blueprint Holding and Knight Frank. ing a winner. The more customers deposit, the higher the chances they receive of winning. For more information on opening a Yawmi account or about the new quarterly Fed to jack up China faces battle over draw, customers are urged to visit their near- est Burgan Bank branch and receive all the rates as Trump market economy status details, or simply call the bank’s Call Center at 1804080 where customer service repre- economy looms BEIJING: China’s battle for recognition as a experts say China will have to start a sentatives will be delighted to assist with market economy that would help it avoid lengthy legal battle at the WTO against its any questions on the Yawmi account or any WASHINGTON: There is little room for doubt that the penalties from key trade partners has been trade partners in order to get recognition of the bank’s products and services. US Federal Reserve will raise the benchmark interest thwarted, as a key clause in Beijing’s deal to of its new status. rate in the coming week for only the second time in a join the WTO expired yesterday. decade. With unemployment at a nine-year low, jobs As China marks the 15th anniversary of Protectionism in disguise Al Tijari announces winners being created at an average of 180,000 per month, the its accession to the WTO, the United States, In a vitriolic commentary, the official economy growing at better than three percent in the European Union and Japan are maintaining Xinhua news agency said that “China would of Al-Najma Account draw most recent quarter and some signs of a pickup in tough rules that protect them from cheap automatically move to market economy inflation, the writing is on the wall. Chinese products flooding their markets. status” on December 11. “The refusal is KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held 1ST quarteR — KD 100 000, Some members of the Federal Open Market An outraged Beijing said the failure of its nothing short of covert protectionism, the Al-Najma Account daily draw yesterday. 2ND quarter — KD 150 000, Committee, which sets the key federal funds rate, the major trade partners to grant China market which runs against the trend of globaliza- The draw was held under the supervision 3RD quarter— KD 200 000, basis for mortgage and lending rates, have even cau- economy status on December 11 as prom- tion and poisons the recovery of the global of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry 4TH quarter — KD 250 000. tioned that failing to raise rates in December could ised was an example of “covert protection- economy,” it said Friday, denouncing represented by Abdulaziz Ashkanani. With Al-Najma you have more chances harm the central bank’s credibility, given expectations ism” and “double standard” by the West. “another double-standard applied by the to win greater prizes set by policymakers in recent months. Beijing highly covets market economy West against China”. The winners of the Al-Najma daily draw are: ● Each KD 25 kept in your account gives “All the necessary and sufficient conditions are status, which would make it more difficult But for Washington, the granting of mar- Ameenah Abdullah Al-Kandari, KD 7000, you one chance to win there,” Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s for other countries to launch anti-dumping ket economy status is not automatic and Waleed Yousef Al-Zaabi, KD 7000, ● Each KD 25 kept in your account for Analytics, told AFP. cases against it. Dumping is when a coun- other anti-dumping clauses of the acces- Heirs of Mohammed Hassan Al-Zaid, KD 7000, one week will give you a chance to enter With a rate hike assumed, the question remains try prices its exports below what it would sion agreement “remain intact”. “The United Fawziaih Abedulkareem Al-Hasawi, KD 7000. the daily draw. whether Wednesday’s move will be the first in a series. charge for the same product in its home States remains concerned about serious Al-Najma awards are now brighter and ● Each KD 25 kept in your account for 3 That was what central bankers thought was going market. When China joined the WTO on imbalances in China’s State-directed econ- bigger than ever months will give you chance to enter the to happen a year ago, when they announced the start December 11, 2001 it was written into the omy, such as widespread production over- With the revamped Al-Najma account, quarterly draw. of the “normalization” of interest rates after keeping terms of the deal that member states could capacity, including in the steel and alu- all your dreams will be turned to reality. On Additional features them at zero in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. treat it as a non-market economy, allowing minum industries, and significant State top of offering the highest daily prize in ● ATM card them to impose heavy anti-dumping duties ownership in many industries and sectors,” Kuwait for KD 7,000, now our Mega prize ● Issue a credit card against your ‘Normalization’ under Trump? on the basis that its low prices did not according to a statement by the draws got bigger to reach KD 250,000. account But the Fed’s efforts to turn the page on monetary reflect market reality. Department of Commerce. The new prizes scheme for Al-Najma ● Obtain all CBK banking services stimulus with gradual tightening quickly went off track, China was told all that would change by “China has not made the reforms nec- account, daily draw to win KD 7000. You deserve to win! Open an account despite forecasts for up to four rate hikes in 2016. the end of 2016 when it would be upgrad- essary to operate on market principles.” Quarterly draws to win great prizes that now with just KD 500 and you will enter all Seven times this year, the FOMC declined to raise ed to market economy status. But rather Washington will therefore continue to rates, impeded by poor US economic data, Britain’s would start from KD 100,000 to KD 250,000 draws. than enjoying this trade advantage, Beijing apply “alternative” methods for calculating shock June vote to exit the European Union, and continues to face a climate of mistrust dumping margins, added the DoC. above all by fears of interrupting a fragile recovery. towards its exports, with critics arguing the That is unlikely to change under a And analysts said there were no guarantees 2017 country has not done enough to qualify for Donald Trump administration after the would see the beginning of a tightening cycle either, given uncertainties in geopolitics and the yet-to-be- the designation. president-elect threatened to impose 45 determined policies of President-elect Donald Trump, “China will take steps to defend its rights percent punitive tariffs to protect American who shocked the world last month by winning the US if (WTO) members continue this old prac- jobs. The position is also supported by the election while offering proposals scant on specifics. tice of anti-dumping regulation against Alliance for American Manufacturing A Wall Street Journal poll of economists this week Chinese products after the expiration date” (AAM), who say China’s trade surplus has put the Federal funds rate at an average of 1.26 per- of the accession agreement clause, China’s cost 3.2 million jobs in the US since Beijing cent by December 2017, implying four rate increases. commerce ministry spokesman Shen joined the WTO. “It is no coincidence that A Reuters poll projects three rate increases. Danyang was quoted as saying by state economic pain played such a central role media on Friday. International trade this election season. — AFP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 BUSINESS Market ‘paradigm shift’ may be under way: BIS

LONDON: Financial markets have been remark- such moves remain self-contained and do not order. And make no mistake: bond yields are still tion victory last month. wasn’t so severe as investors had already ably resilient to rising bond yields and sudden threaten market functioning or the soundness unusually low from a long-term perspective,” The surge of 20 basis points in US bond withdrawn “massive” amounts from EM shift in outlook following last month’s shock US of financial institutions, they are not a source of Borio said. The BIS, often referred to as the “cen- yields the day after the election was the funds between 2013 and 2015, while loans election result, but the sheer scale of uncertain- much concern: we may need to get used to tral banks’ central bank”, acts as a forum for the largest since the “taper tantrum” market in recent years had generally been taken ties ahead means the adjustment will be them,” said Claudio Borio, Head of the Monetary world’s major monetary authorities. Its commen- sell-off in 2013, and greater than all but 1 out over long maturities and at fixed rates. “bumpy”, the BIS said yesterday. and Economic Department at the BIS. taries on global markets and economics give an percent of one-day moves in the last quar- Still, nearly 10 percent of dollar-denomi- While the resilience to recent market swings “It is as if market participants, for once, had insight into policymakers’ thinking. ter century, the BIS said. Yet US stocks are nated corporate debt in EM comes due following the US election and Brexit vote have taken the lead in anticipating and charting the Bond yields have risen sharply since the mid- chalking up record highs, market volatility next year, meaning firms must either pay been welcome, investors should be braced for future, breaking free from their dependence on dle of the year. The benchmark 10-year US is anchored at historic lows and corporate back $120 billion or refinance it at a higher further bouts of extreme volatilty and “flash central banks’ every word and deed,” Borio said. Treasury yield has jumped 100 basis points since spreads have remained relatively tight. and rising cost, according to the BIS. crash” episodes like the one that hit sterling in This suggests investors may finally be learn- July’s multi-decade low, with a growing number Liquidity has been “adequate”, according Dollar funding costs and money market October, the Bank for International ing to stand on their own two feet after years of of investors saying the 35-year bull run in bonds to the BIS. spreads rose sharply in the latest quarter as Settlements said. relying on central bank stimulus, signaling a is now over. That rise has come against the polit- This all points to investors anticipating investors adjusted to new US money mar- “We do not quite fully understand the cause potential “paradigm shift” for markets, he said. ical shocks of Britain’s vote in late June to leave stronger growth resulting from easier US ket rules that took effect in October. Short- of such unusual price moves ... but as long as “But the jury is still out, and caution is in the European Union and Donald Trump’s elec- fiscal policy, lower taxes and looser regula- term dollar funding from money market tion, particularly in the financial sector, the funds shrank by some 70 percent. But BIS said. Banks will generally benefit from unlike 2008 when widening spreads tight- higher rates and a steeper yield curve, and ened financial conditions and torpedoed the recent surge in US bank stocks is “a banks’ creditworthiness, this was a regula- telling sign of a brighter perceived out- tion-driven move that had “limited” look,” the BIS said. But higher yields and a spillover effects on broader financial mar- stronger dollar also pose risks, especially to kets. Borrowers simply raised cash else- emerging markets, even though some EM where, the BIS said. Meanwhile, the BIS also equity and credit markets held up better said that new data show that banks in than they did at the time of the taper China are the 10th largest lenders in the tantrum in 2013. international banking market and banks in The starting point for emerging markets Russia the 23rd largest. — Reuters

HUNTINGTON: Blake Hancock, of Marion, Ind., poses outside his union’s meeting hall in Huntington, Indiaba. Hancock works at the United Technologies Electronic Controls factory in Huntington along with his mother and his aunt. — AP Workers at endangered Indiana plant feel forgotten by Trump

HUNTINGTON, Indiana: A full parking lot Cutting deals and 50-hour workweeks belie the anxiety at Government leaders have long been the United Technologies-owned factory involved in cutting deals with corporations, outside a small northeastern Indiana city, according to Scott Paul, president of the where Mike Harmon and co-workers won- American Alliance for Manufacturing. der whether they aren’t just stockpiling “It is a fact of life in the real world. parts for when the company sends their 700 Governors engage in economic develop- jobs to Mexico. ment on a regular basis, usually they are try- Their situation has gained scant atten- ing to attract jobs,” he said. “Countries do tion compared to the sister Carrier Corp fac- the same thing every day.” tory two hours away in Indianapolis, which Some Huntington workers are upset became a rallying cause against plant clo- over the tax incentives for a company that sures during the presidential campaign and also owns Pratt & Whitney - a big supplier of where President-elect Donald Trump inter- fighter jet engines that relies in part on US vened to stem some - not all - job losses. military contracts. “I don’t think they look at us, being from Bob Breedlove, a 60-year-old who’s a small town ...” said Harmon, a 44-year-old worked at the plant for a decade, voted for Huntington native who’s worked at the fac- Trump and still thinks he’s the right person, tory for seven years. “The whole time during even though he’s “not crazy about this the campaign he talked Indianapolis, deal.” “My tax dollars are going to save Indianapolis, Indianapolis, never heard one them, but they aren’t going to help save word about Huntington.” my job,” Breedlove said. “I know how much It’s a perceived slight that stings in a money this company makes, they don’t county where 72 percent voted for Trump need our help to stay in business and and manufacturing makes up about one- make a profit.” fifth of all jobs. On Dec 1, Trump and Vice Manufacturing jobs are a valuable part President-elect/Indiana Gov. Mike Pence of Huntington County’s economy, with touted Trump’s role in Carrier deciding to average annual pay topping $57,000 in reverse about 800 planned job cuts at the 2015, according to the Indiana Business Indianapolis plant - a move that also pro- Research Center. That’s nearly 50 percent vides United Technologies $7 million in more than the county’s overall average state incentives. Neither they nor company earnings. The United Technologies factory, CEO Greg Hayes mentioned the Huntington which draws employees from several near- plant or discussed the some 500 Carrier by communities, is seen as stable employ- jobs still being lost. ment. Tucked along a bypass of the 17,000- Employees at the United Technologies person city and surrounded by miles of Electronic Controls factory in Huntington farmland, it recently seemed to be the say they’ve been working mostly seven busiest of the 10 or so businesses in an days a week since late October, making industrial park. control panels for the furnace, air condition- Rouie Hawkins met her husband, Ford, at ing and refrigeration industries. Leaders of the factory. They’re both still there but have their union believe the company is doing so a Plan B: He’s making plans to start a used- ahead of the factory’s layoffs expected to car business and she’s weighing whether to start in April and continue into 2018. take advantage of the union’s severance But Connecticut-based United agreement for reimbursement toward up to Technologies said in a statement that its four years of college. plans haven’t changed. It declined a request “I’ll be 50 soon and I worry about even if to interview a company executive. Hayes I go back to school, then I’ll be in my mid has cited a belief that the Trump adminis- 50s when I finish a degree and who’s going tration will cut corporate taxes and stem to want to hire me,” Hawkins said. business regulations. Harmon, whose wife also works at the Nationwide, the US Labor Department factory, said it’s his third factory closing. He’s has issued over 1,600 approvals for layoffs worried he won’t find anything close to the or plant closings since 2015 as a result of $17 an hour United Technologies provides. shifting production overseas or competi- The couple has two children in college and tion from imports, according to the two in high school and is doing what he American Alliance of Manufacturing. called “major couponing” and cutting back Indiana has one of the nation’s most manu- on non-necessities. “I’ve told my family that facturing-dependent economies even ‘You’ve got DirectTV right now. Next year at though it has lost 144,000 such jobs, or 22 this time, you may have antenna TV,’” percent, since 2000. Harmon said. “Our main thing right now is Trump has warned he’ll impose a 35 per- banking money so that we can try to sur- cent tariff on goods imported by compa- vive when we are let go.” nies that outsource production, and a week At a downtown diner, Lori Guy explained ago on Twitter ripped plans by Milwaukee- that her vote for Trump already is paying based Rexnord to close a 300-worker off, even if it didn’t help her town. “I’m sure Indianapolis bearings factory in another if there was a way, he would have saved production shift to Mexico. more jobs,” said Guy, who works at an apart- But it isn’t clear whether Trump intends ment complex where many United to keep personally intervening in corporate Technologies staffers live. decisions. Three days after the Carrier facto- Blake Hancock, his mother and his aunt ry trip, Pence told ABC’s “This Week” that all work at the plant. While he’s grateful for Trump will “make those decisions on a day- the jobs that are staying in Indiana, the 25- by-day basis in the course of the transition, year-old believes Trump was trying to buff in the course of the administration.” up his image, not protect workers. —AP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 BUSINESS Markets await Fed’s interest rate decision NBK MONEY MARKETS REPORT

KUWAIT: Last week started with the Italian be extremely sensitive in a time where the dependence on exports. The pair closed the Europe & UK pointing to another good quarter and strong referendum result yielding the opposite Federal Reserve prepares itself to raise interest week at 115.40. The European Central Bank said in a press end to the year for the all-important service impact to what most investors would have rates next week. release that its Governing Council decided to sector. This can be attributed in part to the expected. The ECB by Thursday added to the On the currency front, the euro initially rose US manufacturing keep its interest rates unchanged, in line with fact that the UK is yet to trigger Article 50, confusion by announcing a €20 billion reduc- following the European Central Bank press The US ISM non-manufacturing index expectations. The council also decided to main- meaning that nothing has changed yet, while tion in asset purchases to €60 billion a month release, as investors thought that the ECB was climbed more than expected in November tain its asset purchase program at the current the fall in sterling has heightened the UK’s from April 2017at the same time extending reducing its quantitative easing program. from 54.8 to 57.2. The increase was driven by monthly pace of €80 billion until the end of international competitiveness. the program to December 2017. The market However, markets quickly realized that the net business activity, employment and deliveries. March 2017. However, the program will be On a different front, UK manufacturing pro- quickly realized it was a clever way of keeping result of the bank’s decisions was negative for This is the highest level in 13 months. Overall, reduced to €60 billion starting from April 2017, duction fell by 0.9 percent on the month to a dovish tone even if scaling back, especially the currency, since extending the easing pro- ISM non-manufacturing survey brought a pos- and its running period will be extended to October 2016, following an increase of 0.6 per- as they made it quite clear that they could gram to December is more than the six month itive surprise and suggests that the services December 2017. The press release did not rule cent in the earlier month. The drops were increase it at any point to respond to events. extension that markets expected. This quickly sector is growing at a comfortable pace. Taken out the possibility of lengthening the program’s broad-based across the sector, with the largest Moreover, Draghi’s press conference was as forced the Euro down against its major coun- together with the ISM manufacturing survey period further. The extension would add a total downward pressure coming from pharmaceu- dovish that the euro remained near the lows terparts. Its needless to say that the Union released last week, which was also better than of 540 billion Euros to its current 1.7 billion- ticals, which fell by 3.6 percent. of the year. He also said that ECB staff eco- state will be closely linked to a chain of politi- expected, the composite level of ISM manu- euro stimulus, making the size of the program Manufacturing month on same month a year nomic forecasts for euro area inflation averag- cal events in Europe in 2017. Elections in facturing and non-manufacturing is consistent double what the ECB initially announced it in ago decreased by 0.4 percent in October 2016. ing 1.7 percent in 2019 were “not really” close Netherlands, Germany, and France might with GDP growth being above 2 percent year- January 2015. By extending bond purchases The largest downward contribution came to their mandate of just under 2 percent. open up the chance for the populist senti- over-year. but reducing the monthly pace, the ECB may from pharmaceuticals, which fell by 9.4 per- Simultaneously during the week, three Fed ment that is taking a hold of Europe to have a be trying to preserve its extraordinary mone- cent. There were some increases partially off- speakers, New York Fed President William stronger foothold in the political scene. US trade deficit tary stimulus as political risks cloud the outlook setting the decreases, with the largest upward Dudley and his Chicago and St. Louis counter- The Euro currency opened the week at The US trade deficit recorded its biggest for the euro area’s recovery. contribution coming from other manufactur- parts Charles Evans and James Bullard said at 1.0672against the US Dollar and managed to expand in more than one and a half years in ing, increasing by 10.4 percent. separate events that they were close to reach a short lived high at 1.0872. The pair- October as exports of soybeans and other Europe PMI achieving their dual mandate of full employ- closed the week near the lows of 1.0565. products fell, suggesting trade would be a The rate of eurozone economic expansion RBA keeps rate unchanged ment and 2 percent inflation which in turn accelerated to its highest in the year to date The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to leaves little doubt about the outcome of the during November. Although still well in leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.5 percent, next FOMC meeting. Dudley said that US elec- expansionary category, the eurozone services noting that “taking account of the available tion of Donald Trump has created consider- and composite PMI reflected marginal soften- information, and having eased monetary poli- able uncertainty over the policies he will pur- ing. Eurozone Services PMI dropped slightly to cy earlier in the year, the Board judged that sue. Consequently, it was too soon for the 53.8 from 54.1 in October. The figure came holding the stance of policy unchanged at this Federal Reserve to judge whether its plan for marginally weaker than market expectations. meeting would be consistent with sustainable gradual interest rate hikes needs adjusting. On other hand, German service providers growth in the economy and achieving the All eyes turn this coming week to the US enjoyed a further month of solid output inflation target over time.” The RBA noted that, Federal Reserve on Wednesday. Fed futures growth, with the latest increase the most commodity prices have risen over the course prices showed a 97 percent probability of an marked in six months. Increased activity was of this year, reflecting both stronger demand interest rate hike by the end of this week. driven by new business wins which continued and cut backs in supply in some countries. The Moreover, markets are pricing in over 50 per- to expand strongly. With business outstanding higher commodity prices have supported a cent chance of another hike by June 2017. rising for the first time since June, companies rise in Australia’s terms of trade, although they However the probability could change in were encouraged to raise their workforce remain much lower than they have been in response to what policies Donald Trump numbers further during the month. Germany recent years. The higher prices are providing a would push next year once in office. Services PMI Business Activity rose from boost to national income. As mentioned earlier, the political risk In October’s 54.2 to a six-month high of 55.1 in Chinese consumer price index increased by Europe continues to increase with Italians November and thereby signaled stronger 2.3 percent year over year in November, slight- massively rejecting the need of constitutional growth of business activity. ly above the market expectations of 2.2 per- reforms. As a result Italian Prime Minister cent and the fastest pace since April. Food Matteo Renzi resigned following the defeat. Germany factory orders prices climbed 4 percent year over year and The rejection of the people could potentially Germany factory orders grew at the fastest non-food prices 1.8 percent. The Producer threaten the country’s unstable banking sys- pace in more than two years in October, indi- Price Index climbed by 3.3 percent y/y, the tem. The “No” vote had overwhelming won the cating strong economic activity at the end of highest since October 2011, thanks to high referendum with nearly 60 percent of Italian this year. In details, factory orders grew 4.9 commodities prices. The consensus estimate voters rejecting Renzi’s constitutional reforms. percent month to month in October, reversing was for an increase of 2.2 percent. Producer It is now up to the Italian President to decide a 0.3 percent drop in September. In conclu- price deflation has been abating all year as the the next move. He could piece together a gov- The Sterling Pound opened the week at drag on growth in the fourth quarter. Trade sion, manufacturing has gained momentum in economy continued to absorb spare capacity. ernment out of the current Parliament or call 1.2725 and reached a low of 1.2545 against deficit expanded to $42.6 billion in October autumn, which suggests that in the fourth Producer prices first turned marginally posi- for a general election. The populist Five Star USD. However, the Pound recovered as hopes from $36.2 billion in previous month. Higher quarter German economy is growing at a con- tive in September and have remained on the Movement had demanded a snap election, that the UK Government might seek a soft imports due to rising domestic demand also siderably quicker pace than in the previous right side of growth ever since. which polls indicate it would win, and contin- “Brexit” whereby the UK pays to remain in the contributed to the widening of the deficit. quarters. ue to pledge to hold a referendum on Italy’s single market once it has left the European When adjusted for inflation, the deficit rose to Japanese GDP dropped EU membership. Union. The currency managed to close the $60.3 billion from $54.2 billion in September. UK services Gross domestic product came at 0.3 per- Moreover, financial markets have seen the week at 1.2578. The number of job openings was little UK services sector activity showed an unex- cent in the September quarter of this year, just outcome of the referendum as a big negative In Asia, the USDJPY managed to reach a changed at 5.5 million on the last business pected improvement and surprised markets half of the 0.6 percent growth rate expected threat for the European Union causing more high of 115.44on speculation the Japanese day of October, dropped from 5.6 million in to the upside in the month of November. The by market. The GDP Deflator fell 0.2 percent, uncertainty to the country’s banking industry. economy would face pressure from US previous month. The job openings rate was services PMI accelerated its pace of expansion also two times worse than forecasts, which Indeed, the first victim was revealed this week President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to with- 3.7 percent in October. However, the unem- to 55.2 in November from 54.5 in previous had promised a drop by just 0.1 percent. As for being Italy’s oldest bank moving in a down- draw the US from any multinational trade ployment claims came at 258,000, a decrease month. The rebound marked the highest lev- positive news, the seasonally adjusted current ward spiral after the ECB has rejected its deal and on potential implementation of pro- of 10,000 from the previous week’s unrevised els in ten-months, highlighting the underlying account widened from ¥1.48 trillion to ¥1.93 request for more time to raise capital. tectionist policies. Although expectations level of 268,000. The 4-week moving average strength of the economy at a time of huge trillion in October, exceeding the median fore- Following Britain’s vote to leave the Trump will increase fiscal spending and set was 252,500, an increase of 1,000 from the political uncertainty. Certainly the economy cast. European Union in June and Donald Trump’s US growth on a higher gear were seen as a previous week’s unrevised average of has held up much better than expected in the Kuwait victory in last month’s US presidential election benefit to Japan, concerns around trade poli- 251,500. This marks 92 consecutive weeks of wake of the Brexit referendum outcome. The Kuwaiti dinar at 0.30540 and now Italy rejecting political and economic cy under the incoming administration high- initial claims below 300,000, the longest UK data continue to surprise to the upside, The USDKWD opened at 0.30540 yesterday reforms, the global political arena continues to lighted the world third largest economy’s streak since 1970. and this services PMI reading is no exception, morning. Banking on change: Tech ‘Zombie banks’ give startups target financial services

SAN FRANCISCO: It may not be much longer before analyst Rajesh Kandaswamy. But even in that scenario, Ukraine nightmares bank branches join video-rental stores and record he predicts “many of the ideas coming out of fintech shops as relics of a bygone era. Silicon Valley is pres- will survive in one way or another, which will be bene- KIEV: Ukraine’s central bank keeps trying to shut them down new loan. “While good progress has been made, the authori- suring banks to change their ways or risk becoming ficial for consumers.” but they keep surviving: ‘zombie banks’ are roiling the ties need some more time to implement policies to ensure the latest industry overtaken by technology. About $850 billion in consumer banking revenue in impoverished country’s financial system through the help of medium-term fiscal sustainability... safeguard financial sta- Hundreds of startups are offering easier and cheaper the US alone is at stake. Fintech captured just 1 per- allegedly crooked courts. bility, and tackle corruption,” the IMF team said on ways to save, borrow, spend and invest. They are cent of that last year, according to a Citibank study. By The former Soviet republic-labelled the continent’s most November 11. doing it by shifting the battleground to smartphone 2023, though, Citibank expects fintech to control 17 corrupt state by the European Court of Auditors on Ukraine’s economy is on course to grow by about one apps and websites, which function as digital offices percent of a $1.2 trillion market. Wednesday-needs financial aid from the International percent this year after having contracted by about 17 per- that are accessible around the clock with minimal Emboldened by predictions like that, fintechnolo- Monetary Fund to help stabilize its path out of a dire two- cent in 2014-15. Much of that nosedive was attributed to a staffing, and by lowering fees. gists tend to be brash, like many of the entrepreneurs year recession. collapse in production and a flight for safety by foreign Given how much customers dislike it, the financial who have successfully reshaped other industries. But one of the IMF’s main demands for more lending investors frightened by the 31-month pro-Russian separatist services industry seems ripe for “disruption,” as Silicon under its $17.5-billion (16.2-billion-euro) program is for conflict in the east that has claimed nearly 10,000 lives. Valley likes to call industry upheaval. These financial A big, bold approach Ukraine to shutter troubled banks whose assets are smaller technology, or “fintech,” startups may also soon get fur- “During the next 10 years, we are going to create an than their bad loans and therefore need government help to Biggest bank’s bad loans ther validation from a key banking regulator. international company that will be like nothing the stay open. That is what the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Yet there could be an even larger threat looming: the Comptroller of the Currency Thomas Curry last week financial services industry has ever seen,” boasts Baiju has been trying to do-with varying success. country’s biggest lender might just be headed under. announced plans for a special national bank charter Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood, a stock brokerage PrivatBank accounts for one in three bank accounts in that would allow fintechs to offer their products with- that does not charge any commissions for its more ‘Nothing but garbage’ Ukraine and even has branches in the Baltic states. The bank out having to get regulatory approval state to state. than 1 million customers to buy and sell shares. To A somewhat exacerbated director of the NBU’s legal is owned by Igor Kolomoyskiy-a politically powerful billion- Part of Curry’s motivation lies in his belief that fintech make money, Robinhood recently introduced a $10 department said that owners targeted by Ukraine’s main aire who became an early target of Ukrainian President Petro can help consumers who either don’t want or can’t monthly service that allows trading when the stock financial institution keep finding ways to stay afloat. Oleg Poroshenko’s uphill fight against corruption. afford to establish accounts with traditional banks. market is closed and offers higher borrowing limits. Zamorsky said nine banks ordered to cease operations by The problem for the tycoon is that his bank has been At this point, the fintech sector hasn’t proven it At Affirm, an online lender, CEO Max Levchin is the NBU were resurrected by the courts by early December. rumored to be the target for a state takeover because of can be a viable or trustworthy alternative to tradition- attempting to reshape finance for a second time after An earlier central bank stress test found that 28 of 39 Ukraine’s need to fill its coffers. It has also been the subject al banks and stock brokerages. Few of the startups making his first big splash in Silicon Valley as a co- lenders checked lacked the required cash on hand to survive of local media reports that it issued loans to select insiders have ever posted a profit, and one of the biggest, the founder of PayPal, a digital payment service born in another potential economic crisis. “The justice system is that may never be repaid.That talk alone saw the value of Lending Club, is trying to recover from a breakdown the 1990s. being used by bank owners that have been removed from PrivatBank’s bonds fall by nearly 50 percent in late that triggered the resignation of CEO Renaud Helped by his pedigree, Levchin has raised $525 the financial system for their own personal gain,” the NBU’s November. The NBU wants Kolomoyskiy to refinance his Laplanche earlier this year. The Justice Department is million to back Affirm’s focus on consumers who do Zamorsky said in a statement issued on Wednesday. bank with billions of dollars if he wants to keep it. investigating the events that led to Laplanche’s not like or cannot get credit cards. Instead of provid- “This, in turn, scuttles our efforts to make the Ukrainian Kiev’s International Institute of Business chief Oleksandr abrupt departure. ing a revolving line of credit with high interest rates banking system healthy and to clean up the sector from Savchenko told the Kyiv Post English-language weekly that “The disruption in banking is coming later than that compound, Affirm has developed its own formula zombie banks and banks that are nothing but garbage.” Ukraine’s banking system would be left in tatters were other areas because of the complexity of the regula- to identify borrowers able to repay loans in equal He added that the disputed court rulings created a threat PrivatBank to close. tions and the amount of trust required,” Laplanche installments in time frames ranging from three to Ukraine’s entire financial sector and were a danger to peo- “Other banks would not be getting their loans back from said in an interview earlier this year, while he was still months to one year. ple who put their life savings in such banks. There was no PrivatBank, a series of bankruptcies would begin, and there CEO. “Trusting you with my savings is not like book- Affirm also refuses to charge fees for late pay- immediate response from the nine lenders mentioned by would be panic,” Savchenko was quoted as saying. ing a trip online.” ments, to further distinguish itself from banks and Zamorsky or the courts involved. “Re-launching the system would take around one or Banks, meanwhile, have demonstrated their other credit card issuers. But the IMF concluded its latest mission to Kiev last two months; the loss to GDP would be around two to three resiliency and resourcefulness. With the help of taxpay- “I just don’t think you can run a business by screw- month without agreeing the terms or the timeframe for a percent.” — AFP er-backed bailouts, the industry has survived a finan- ing your customers these days,” Levchin says. “I would cial crisis of its own making, and now appears to be like to think we are returning to what lenders are sup- tackling the fintech threat. They are closing branches, posed to do.” laying off workers, pouring money into their own tech- Some shareholders unhappy over terms of Sky bid nology departments and even buying or teaming up Customers still aren’t totally sold with fintech startups. Although many consumers rarely expect big banks LONDON: Some shareholders are unhappy about the not the conclusion,” Alastair Gunn, a fund manager at to act in their best interests, they typically consider terms of a preliminary deal struck by Rupert Murdoch’s Jupiter Asset Management was quoted as saying by the Taking the threat seriously them to be a safer place to keep money because of Twenty-First Century Fox to take over British pay-TV Sky, Sunday Telegraph Newspaper. The firm was not immedi- “Whenever I talk to big banks, they ask, ‘What are their long histories in business, says Forrester’s Berdak. the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported. On Friday, ately available for comment when contacted by Reuters the disruptors doing? Which of their ideas can I copy?’” Like the big traditional banks, most digital-only banks Murdoch’s Fox proposed 10.75 pounds ($13.52) a share in yesterday. An unnamed shareholder was quoted by the says Forrester Research analyst Oliwia Berdak. also offer government-backed insurance on deposits, cash, backed by Sky’s independent directors, in its second paper as saying: “Our initial reaction is one of serious disap- A recent survey of the financial services industry by but Berdak says that is not enough to overcome linger- attempt to buy the 61 percent of the firm which it does not pointment that they have rolled over like this.” Analysts at the research firm Gartner Inc. found that 70 percent of ing doubts about their long-term prospects. currently own. Citi characterised the offer as a “low-ball bid,” citing a fair respondents considered fintech startups to be a bigger Lending Club, for instance, has been operating But some shareholders are disappointed that the inde- value assessment of 13.50 pounds per share. threat than their traditional rivals. under a cloud since revealing that paperwork for $3 pendent directors have not pushed to better the $14 bil- People familiar with the matter have told Reuters that Fox With their guard up, the much bigger banks are million in loans had been falsified under Laplanche’s lion bid which would give Fox control of a pay-TV network had pounced after Britain’s vote to leave the European Union more likely to drive many of the fintech startups out of leadership. Laplanche declined to comment about cir- spanning 22 million households in Britain, Ireland, Austria, in June sent the pound down about 14 percent against the business if they don’t acquire them first, says Gartner cumstances surrounding his resignation. —AP Germany and Italy. It “ought to be the start of the process, US dollar and Sky’s share price tumbling. — Reuters MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 business

Infiniti poised to unleash Q50 Red Sport 400 potential with world first audio visual display Increased brain activity expressed through symphony

KUWAIT: Building on the foundation of the Comprising producers, composers, engineers, Launched under the banner of study launched in November, INFINITI Middle sound designers and creative, they specialize in ‘UnleashYourPotential’ INFINITI Middle East in East yesterday announced the next phase to original music composition. collaboration with Emotiv Inc. sought to demon- bring the brain data obtained by their customers “Once we had the song locked the obvious strate how the changes in brain activity when to life in a way never been done before. next step was to select a delivery mechanism to driving the powerful sports sedan can affect their “Now that customers have driven the vehicle, our audience and what better an iconic back- enjoyment, excitement, engagement and focus. we challenged ourselves to interpret this data in drop than The Dubai Fountain - the world’s Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered a manner that would provide our audience a tru- tallest performing fountain by Emaar,” added in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 ly unique experience,” said Juergen Schmitz, Schmitz. countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in Managing Director, INFINITI Middle East. “We Working with Emaar, INFINITI Middle East will 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is cur- identified music as this medium, as it is both a choreograph a special performance of The rently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan, universally expressive tool and an integral part Dubai Fountain, in the heart of Downtown the United States, United Kingdom and China. of the Arabian culture.” Dubai, spanning four days that will be synced Infiniti plans to also expand manufacturing into With all of the data being analyzed by with the song created by the brain data. Mexico by 2017. Infiniti design studios are locat- Emotiv Inc to deliver on the quantifiable analy- “The visual interpretation of this song ed in Atsugi-Shi, near Yokohama, London, San sis, INFINITI Middle East selected Yessian Music through The Dubai Fountain epitomizes the Diego and Beijing. as a producer to take these brain waves and excitement of driving the Q50 Red Sport 400 Infiniti is in the middle of a major product convert them into a harmonious melody that and we are sure that our audience will feel this offensive. The brand has been widely acclaimed pays homage to the Middle Eastern heritage too. There are few additional elements that will for its iconic design and innovative driver-assis- with distinct notes. help to further bring this display to life which tance technologies. Yessian Music is an independently owned will be communicated to everyone in the next From the 2016 season, Infiniti is a technical music and sound design company with studios fortnight,” added Francesca Ciaudano, Deputy partner of the Renault Sport Formula One team, in New York, Detroit, Los Angeles and Hamburg. General Manager, Marketing & PR. contributing its expertise in hybrid performance. RSM International holds ‘Economy Watch Forum’

KUWAIT: RSM Albazie & Co, a member of the GCC projects did not witness funding issues; and Brexit could potentially empower similar sixth largest network of independent audit, tax however,with the decline in oil prices,GCC right-wing parties across the Globe. The risk of and consulting firms ‘RSM International’, governments are forced to realign capital large economies cutting down on global trade recently held an Economy Watch workshop in spending plans.” tie-ups has seen a significant increase - a step in collaboration with Bordier & Cie Private Grégoire Bordier and Yama Maroofi gave an the reverse direction. Decelerating China, stag- Bankers; a Swiss independent private bank introduction on the tradition of Swiss private nant Japan, US’ atypical economic cycle and founded by the Bordier family as an unlimited banking through the history of the Bordier fami- EU’s political woes all add up to a very unique liability partnership in 1844 in Geneva, at JW ly starting with Ami Bordier who founded the situation for investors and portfolio managers; Marriott in Kuwait. The workshop addressed family bank in 1844 as an unlimited partnership. an economic situation which has almost no recent world economy developments and The partners then bore unlimited personal lia- precedent in history”, said Tarolli. investment opportunities featuring Mr. bility on their personal fortune for all the com- He went on toexplain that in Europe, withflat Grégoire Bordier - Senior Partner of Bordier & mitments entered into by the bank and this corporate profits, tepid economic growth, and a Cie, Gianluca Tarolli -Market Economist at remains unchanged to this day. This distinctive fragile banking system, the market is vulnerable Bordier & Cie and Yama KabirMaroofi - Head of aspect has always ensured a complete align- to a range of political risks in the coming Middle-East at Bordier & Cie. ment of interest between the bank and its months that could derail the region’s weak The workshop was attended by senior level clients and to concentrate on the clients’ long- recovery. The global trend towards more fiscal executives of various corporations, investment term goals rather than on the short-term targets easing, taking over the baton from monetary decision makers and High Net Worth of external shareholders. easing which has reached its limits, will not take Individuals (HNWIs). Commencing the Gianluca Tarolli focused on where to find place in Europe next year due to the busy elec- Economy Watch workshop, Dr Shuaib A Shuaib value in the global financial markets. “Due to toral calendar, which will prevent any coordinat- - Chairman at RSM Albazie & Co focused on the geopolitical risk in the region, local investors ed economic policy. providing an overview of macroeconomic are looking at USA and Europe and other safe Addressing family businesses’ investments, indicators in Kuwait as well as an understand- havens which are in itself witnessing extreme Tarolli said, “family business will react in func- ing to the size and importance of the projects changes in monetary policies. Political risk is no tion of investment opportunities that will vary market in Kuwait. Dr Shuaib said: “Historically, longer considered a tail-event. Trump’s triumph from a sector of activity to another. The precise- ness of the tax rate cut timing, both on corpo- rate profits and personal revenues will be cru- cial to determine their investments. In fact, they will give back some margins and hence prof- itability to sustain the current fading investment cycle: to invest, corporates need profits.” “For GCC investors, investments in the US and USD will continue to make sense. As mar- kets are currently anticipating additional growth and inflation, they are pushing interest rate upwards, lifting up the currency. We expect this trend to continue for some months, and that’s why floating rates bonds are to be favoured. Keeping some cash may allow to clip in higher yield in the fixed income area early next year. On the equity front, the disadvan- tages of higher financing costs and stronger currency, on top of the global political uncer- tainty, are not priced in. We think there will be (Left to right) Fouad Al-Hourani, Dr Shuaib Shuaib and Gregoire. some disappointment in the next couple of quarters that could allow us to come back into the market at a better level. Globally speaking, we find US assets quite expensive and are wait- ing on the side lines for better entry points”. Since its foundation in 1844 in Geneva, Bordier & Ciebecame an international group with offices in three major continents, still owned and managed by the fifth generation of its founders. The bank focuses solely on manag- ing and safeguarding the wealth of its private clients by forging long-term relationships built on trust while delivering personalized services that meet the highest standards. RSM Albazie& Co. strives to monitor develop- ments in the financial and economic world to provide its clients with the best in-class advisory services. The firm will continue hosting similar events that in turn would help guide the busi- ness community in Kuwait. Established in 1963, RSM Albazie & Co. is considered to be among the oldest accounting and advisory firms in Economy Watch Forum attendees. Kuwait, with more than 50 years of experience. technology MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 Social network Gab draws ‘alt-right’

NEW YORK: Squeezed out of Twitter “Gabbers”, Richard Spencer, heads the board, announced last month that it authoritarian governments persecuting specific users. Sanduja points to the and other social media websites crack- white supremacist National Policy would crack down on “toxic users” in an their own people, politically incorrect startup founders’ backgrounds as a ing down on hate speech, far-right Institute, whose account Twitter has effort to curb some incendiary com- citizens engaging in peaceful and civil reflection of diversity. activists are finding a home on a new suspended. Spencer, whose “Hail ments from supporters of President- discourse or whistleblowers in estab- He is a Canadian Hindu with roots in platform that promises never to censor Trump” comments were seen as evoca- elect Donald Trump. “We have identi- lishment institutions seeking a safe India. The other co-founders include content. Launched in August, Gab has tive of the Nazi era, joined the Twitter fied hundreds of the most toxic users refuge, Gab will always be there for Ekrem Buyukkaya, a Muslim of Kurdish become known as a safe haven for the exile along with Milo Yiannopoulos, and are taking action against them, them and the people.” origin, and Andrew Torba, the chief “alt-right” movement dominated by the accused of fomenting a social media ranging from warnings to timeouts to executive who calls himself a “Christian white supremacists who are helping campaign against the African-American permanent bans,” Reddit chief Steve Overtly racist conservative”. However, that kind of fuel America’s deepening polarization. actress Leslie Jones. Huffman wrote. Although the platform’s terms pro- symbolism does little to mollify the con- The social network currently has Gab meanwhile pledges no censor- hibit calls for violence or “terrorism”, cerns of those worried that services 100,000 members and another 200,000 Rising Acrimony ing or filtering, allowing users to post many messages on the site are overtly such as Gab keep users inside “filter on its waiting list, according to the com- Gab’s appearance follows the launch messages of 300 characters, compared racist or anti-Semitic. That reflects the bubbles” that reinforce their own ideas pany. “All are welcome to speak freely,” two years ago of another free-speech to Twitter’s 140-character limit. belief of Gab’s founders “that free and block out other viewpoints. spokesman Utsav Sanduja says. labeled platform, Voat, which has had Headquartered in the Caribbean island speech is a fundamental right, one that “The service that they have created is Gab is unable to accommodate all limited success. But the new site comes Anguilla, Gab is “bootstrapped,” or self- is absolute and cannot be vitiated in an echo chamber for extremely conser- those who want to join, he adds, amid escalating tensions and acrimony financed, with some donations from the any way,” Sanduja says. That means “a vative opinions,” says Lauren Copeland, because it is still in its test phase. The over politics in social media. Some say “Gab community”. Despite its user base, free exchange of ideas” on the site associate director of the Community social network’s rise comes amid the new guidelines for major platforms Gab denies having a political agenda. “without proscription”. Instead of cen- Research Institute at Baldwin Wallace Twitter’s suspension of political activists represent an effort to curb harassment “Gab is for everyone and our mission is soring content, Gab enables its users to University. “It may be open to every- for purportedly promoting racist and and hate, others call it censorship. to challenge censorship on a global filter their news feeds by blocking mes- body, but it certainly doesn’t appeal to harassing comments. One of the new Reddit, an online news and messaging scale,” Sanduja says. “Whether it is from sages with certain keywords or from everybody.” — AFP Japan launching ‘space junk’ collector experimenting to pull junk out of orbit

TOKYO: Japan launched a cargo ship Friday bound for the International Space Station, car- rying a ‘space junk’ collector that was made with the help of a fishnet company. The vessel, dubbed “Kounotori” (stork in Japanese), blast- ed off from the southern island of Tanegashima just before 10:27 pm local time (1327 GMT) attached to an H-IIB rocket. Scientists at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are experimenting with a tether to pull junk out of orbit around Earth, clearing up tonnes of space clutter NEW YORK: In this April 30, 2015, file photo, Apple CEO Tim Cook responds to a ques- including cast-off equipment from old satel- tion during a news conference at IBM Watson headquarters. —AP lites and pieces of rocket. The launch was suc- cessful as “the satellite was removed from the Apple chief Tim Cook picked to rocket” and put into the planned orbit about 15 minutes after the liftoff, JAXA spokesman give MIT commencement speech Nobuyoshi Fujimoto on Tanegashima told AFP. More than 50 years of human space explo- CAMBRIDGE: The Massachusetts Institute will resonate with its graduates. Cook has ration since the Soviet-launched Sputnik satel- of Technology has chosen Apple CEO Tim led Apple Inc. since 2011. He has degrees lite in 1957 has produced this hazardous belt Cook to deliver its 2017 commencement from Auburn University and Duke of orbiting debris. There are estimated to be address. University. more than 100 million pieces in orbit, posing a MIT made the announcement on its He says his Cupertino, California-based growing threat to future space exploration, website Thursday. It says Cook will head- company is proud to have many MIT gradu- scientists say. Researchers are using a so- line the June 9 ceremony. It calls Cook an ates on its team and he looks forward to called electrodynamic tether made from thin advocate for equality and a champion of giving the speech. MIT’s 2016 speaker was wires of stainless steel and aluminum. the environment. MIT President L. Rafael “Jason Bourne” actor Matt Damon, who fol- The idea is that one end of the strip will be Reif says Cook’s brilliance as a business lowed US Chief Technology Officer Megan attached to debris which can damage working leader and his passion for important issues Smith. —AP equipment-there are hundreds of collisions every year. The electricity generated by the tether as it swings through the Earth’s mag- What to know before buying netic field is expected to have a slowing effect on the space junk, which should, scientists a drone this Christmas: ICAO say, pull it into a lower and lower orbit. Eventually the detritus will enter the MONTREAL: UN aviation officials cau- leave a gift of a drone under the Christmas Earth’s atmosphere, burning up harmlessly tioned anyone Friday who might want to tree this season, to learn how to safely long before it has a chance to crash to the operate it first. “Drones can pose a serious planet’s surface. JAXA worked on the project threat to manned flights and people and with Japanese fishnet manufacturer Nitto property on the ground,” the International Seimo to develop the cord, which has been Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) said in a about 10 years in the making. “The tether statement. uses our fishnet plaiting technology, but it In reaction to their growing popularity, was really tough to intertwine the very thin the UN agency put out basic information materials,” company engineer Katsuya Suzuki on its website explaining what pilots of the told AFP. “The length of the tether this time is unmanned aerial vehicles need to know 700 meter (2,300 feet), but eventually it’s before chasing Santa’s sled. going to need to be 5,000 to 10,000 meter- In a list of tips and facts for recreational long to slow down the targeted space junk,” users titled “Ten things to know before buy- he added. ing a drone this Christmas,” it said a drone Previous experiments using a tether have weighing more than 25 kilograms (55 been done in recent years. Another pounds) requires a permit to operate it. spokesman for the space agency has said it The ICAO also urges reading the user hopes to put the junk collection system into manual, keeping the drone within eyesight more regular use by the middle of the next and 50 meters (55 yards) away from people, decade. “If we are successful in this trial, the property or vehicles. As well, it warned next step will be another test attaching one pilots against flying it more than 150 tip of the tether to a targeted object,” he meters off the ground and to keep it at added. The cargo ship launched Friday is also least eight kilometers (five miles) away carrying other materials for the ISS including ANEGASHIMA SPACE CENTER, Japan: This July 6, 2016 picture shows the HTV6, an unmanned LOS ANGELES: A competitor untangles from an airport. And, it said, drones used batteries and drinking water for the astro- cargo spacecraft, “Kounotori”, or “stork” in Japanese, being assembled at the Tanegashima his drone from a safety net after it for commercial purposes may require the nauts living there. —AFP Space Center in Tanegashima island, Kagoshima prefecture. —AFP crashed while maneuvering an obstacle remote pilot to be licensed. Finally, “Always course during the International Drone remember that you are now a remote pilot Expo in Los Angeles, California on and are responsible for flying safely and Sandberg: False December 10, 2016. —AP avoiding collisions.” —AFP stories on Facebook Pebble discontinuing didn’t sway election NEW YORK: Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg says she smartwatches doesn’t think misinformation spread on the social media platform swayed the election in favor of President-elect after its sale to Fitbit Donald Trump. But she said Thursday during an interview on NBC’s PALO ALTO, California: Pioneering smart- Pebble’s first smartwatch was launched in “Today” show that the company is looking at ways to label watch maker Pebble is no longer manufac- 2012, three years before the Apple Watch. fake news and “doing the things we can do to make it clear- turing or selling any of its devices after the The company had raised more than $10 er what’s a hoax on Facebook.” bulk of the company was bought by Fitbit. million for the project through a Kickstarter Sandberg says Facebook takes misinformation seriously, Palo Alto, California-based Pebble says campaign. It raised more than $20 million “but there’s a lot more work to do.” its devices will continue to work as normal through the site for an updated version of The comments come after Facebook CEO Mark for now but might lose functionality in the the watch last year. Pebble founder Eric Zuckerberg outlined steps the Menlo Park, California- future. San Francisco-based Fitbit Migicovsky calls the sale “bittersweet.” He based company is taking to address the issue. Those steps announced the deal to acquire Pebble on says many Pebble employees will be join- Taken from an airplane window, The Eiffel Tower and the Tour Montparnasse, included creating stronger detection of fake news stories Wednesday. Terms weren’t disclosed. ing Fitbit. —AP center left, emerge from a haze as Paris suffers a pollution spike, Thursday, Dec and making it easier to report them.—AP 8, 2016. —AP France gives boost to electric vehicles amid pollution peaks

PARIS: The French government has cial vehicles or taxis for electric ones, announced an anti-pollution plan, includ- starting next month. The measure has ing a financial boost to buy electric vehi- been in effect for private buyers since cles, as Paris and other cities in the coun- last year. try are emerging from a particularly Royal also said she will ask to exempt severe episode of air pollution. electric vehicles from highway tolls. A Environment Minister Segolene Royal 1,000-euro bonus will be given when buy- said Saturday professionals will get a ing electric scooters. Paris faced its worse WASHINGTON: In this June 22, 2016, file photo, PALO ALTO, California: In this Feb 12, 2013, file photo, Eric Migicovsky, CEO of bonus of up to 10,000 euros ($10,600) if winter pollution in a decade over the past Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg Pebble, displays his company’s smart watch.—AP they scrap their old diesel light commer- week.—AP speaks at the American Enterprise Institute.—AP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Surgeon General sounding alarm on teens’ use of e-cigarettes

WASHINGTON: The US surgeon general is calling tar generated by regular cigarettes. Vaping was announcement being released with the report. e-cigarettes an emerging public health threat to first pushed as safer for current smokers. There’s It’s already illegal to sell e-cigarettes to the nation’s youth. no scientific consensus on the risks or advan- minors. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug In a report released Thursday, Surgeon tages of vaping, including how it affects the like- Administration issued new rules that, for the first General Vivek Murthy acknowledged a need for lihood of someone either picking up regular time, will require makers of nicotine-emitting more research into the health effects of “vaping,” tobacco products or kicking the habit. devices to begin submitting their ingredients for but said e-cigarettes aren’t harmless and too Federal figures show that last year, 16 percent regulators to review. The vaping industry argues many teens are using them. “My concern is e-cig- of high school students reported at least some the regulations will wipe out small companies in arettes have the potential to create a whole new use of e-cigarettes - even some who say they’ve favor of more harmful products, and likely will generation of kids who are addicted to nicotine,” never smoked a conventional cigarette. While not lobby the incoming Trump administration to Murthy told The Associated Press. “If that leads to all contain nicotine, Murthy’s report says e-ciga- undo the rules. the use of other tobacco-related products, then rettes are the most commonly used tobacco- Murthy’s report calls on parents and health we are going to be moving backward instead of related product among youth. workers to make concerns about e-cigarettes forward.” Nicotine is bad for a developing brain no mat- clear to young people. He said local officials WASHINGTON: In this Feb 4, 2014, photo, US Battery-powered e-cigarettes turn liquid nico- ter how it’s exposed, Murthy said. “Your kids are should take action, too, such as including e-ciga- Surgeon General appointee Vivek Murthy tine into an inhalable vapor without the harmful not an experiment,” he says in a public service rettes in indoor smoke-free policies. — AP appears on Capitol Hill. — AP

Four more Zika cases, likely homegrown, found in Texas

DALLAS: Four more cases of Zika that is especially dangerous to pregnant were likely transmitted by mosquito bites women because it can cause severe birth in Texas have been found in the same defects, including babies born with neighborhood where the state’s first such unusually small heads. None of the people case was discovered, state health officials with homegrown Zika cases in Texas is said Friday. pregnant, officials said. The Texas Department of State Health Officials have gone door-to-door in the Services said the new cases were found woman’s neighborhood to offer testing, during tests conducted after the first education about the illness and how to homegrown infection, announced on Nov. prevent mosquito bites, and tips on how 28, was found in a woman who lives in to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, Brownsville, a town along the Mexico bor- such as removing standing water. der. Health officials said tests are ongoing The four people who were later diag- in the neighborhood but no other Zika nosed live close to the woman’s home and cases have been found. Dr John reported becoming ill between Nov. 29 Hellerstedt, the state health commission- and Dec. 1. Health officials believe they er, said colder weather and mosquito-con- acquired the infections in the area before trol efforts have decreased mosquito mosquito control efforts intensified fol- activity in the area, but he warned that lowing the initial case, department South Texas’ mild winters mean mosquito spokesman Chris Van Deusen said. populations can quickly rebound during Florida is the only other state in the US short periods of warmer weather. with locally spread Zika. On Friday, offi- Van Deusen also noted Zika could be cials there said the popular tourist desti- introduced by a traveler from an area with nation of South Beach was cleared of an outbreak. “Zika is something we’re active transmission, though the virus going to need to be watching for the fore- remains a risk in Miami-Dade County. seeable future. It’s still circulating and it Zika is primarily transmitted to humans will be,” Van Deusen said. by mosquitoes that have previously bitten The locally transmitted Florida cases an infected person, though sexual trans- were detected over the summer. Until ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast: In this photo taken on Tuesday, Nov 22, 2016, a vendor pours a drink for clients from a plastic sachets containing alcohol mission can also occur. Most infected peo- then, all US cases had been connected to in the city. — AP ple don’t have symptoms, but for those people traveling to countries with out- who do, it’s usually a mild illness with breaks, mostly in Latin America and the Ivory Coast is latest to crack fever, rash and joint pain. But the disease Caribbean. — AP down on alcohol sachets

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast: Each morning at dawn, Marie Vianny Maurice Yameogo, the WHO’s Ivory an Ivorian organization that campaigns against taxi driver Rene Kouame stops by his neighbor- Coast representative. drinking and drug use by students. The official hood bar in Abidjan for a potent pick-me-up: Tracking the sales of alcohol sachets, many drinking age in Ivory Coast is 21, but it is rarely Two plastic sachets of “Che Guevara,” a drink of containing spirits distilled from palm wine, is dif- enforced, and teenage drinking is common. spiced rum and a host of chemicals that costs ficult because they are often produced outside Vendors are worried they will take a huge hit 100 CFA francs, or about 15 US cents. regulated markets. The sachets are typically if the ban on sachets is enforced, as many With an alcohol by volume figure of 43 per- mass-produced in West Africa, with colorful drinkers go for sachets and nothing else. “The cent, the 2-ounce sachets are about as intoxicat- packaging. The drink “Amour Profond,” or “Deep government needs to have pity on us,” said Adjo ing as a typical 16-ounce beer, but consumers Love,” shows a man standing behind a bare- Abega, the owner of a bar in Abidjan’s Port- say that’s just one of their virtues. Kouame shouldered woman, whispering into her ear. Bouet district. claimed they give him a jolt of energy other The sachets are not necessarily more potent Drinkers generally acknowledge the health drinks can’t match - just what he needs to face a than other drinks available. Palm wine-based tra- risks posed by alcohol sachets, but some criti- long day of hectic traffic, run-ins with police and ditional drinks such as koutoukou, which are cized the government for cracking down on testy fare negotiations. “It inspires me. It gives similarly cheap, can have alcohol by volume their favorite vice while permitting other health me a bit of courage to confront the challenges rates of more than 50 percent. But sachets are hazards such as cigarettes. of life,” he said. more likely to contain toxic chemicals such as Desire N’Guessan, an unemployed 26-year- From now on, however, Ivory Coast’s govern- methanol, or wood alcohol, Yameogo said. And old, began drinking sachets when he was a ment wants Kouame to get his courage else- the packaging often boasts of health and other teenager. He said he relies on them to ward off HOUSTON: In this Feb 10, 2016, photo, Darryl Nevins, sprays a backyard to where. Last month, officials announced a ban benefits that Yameogo said have no basis in sci- illness and for motivation to keep looking for control mosquitoes. — AP on alcohol sachets, citing their health risks and ence. Some are said to provide cures for mal- work. “When you are not able to overcome your the need to combat alcoholism, especially adies such as hemorrhoids, while others are timidity, it can be difficult to operate in your among youth. reputed to function as appetite-suppressants or neighborhood,” N’Guessan said. aphrodisiacs. If the government makes good on the ban, Lost and found: Japan tags Half-dozen bans or partial bans Moreover, the small sachets are easy to hide, he warned, Ivorian children could turn to drugs. The measure is one of more than a half-dozen making them especially tempting for school- He also predicted marches and protests. But dementia sufferers with barcodes bans or partial bans on alcohol sachets in effect children, according to the Ivorian government Kouame, the taxi driver, was less worried. In the in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World and the WHO. “It’s something that’s accessible to absence of alcohol sachets, he said he would TOKYO: A Japanese city has introduced elderly person becomes disorientated, Health Organization. Other countries with bans everyone. You can buy a sachet, put it in your switch up his morning routine by drinking glass- a novel way to keep track of senior citi- police will find the local city hall, its tele- include Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, pocket and just walk around like that,” said es of palm wine instead, adding: “Man can adapt zens with dementia who are prone to phone number and the wearer’s ID all Burundi, Congo and South Sudan, said Jean- Patrick Gbodou, president of School Anti-Drug, to anything.” — AP getting lost-tagging their fingers and embedded in the QR code. toes with scan-able barcodes. The chips remain attached for an A company in Iruma, north of Tokyo, average of two weeks-even if they get developed tiny nail stickers, each of wet-the official said, citing recent trials. New CDC data understate which carries a unique identity number Japan is grappling with a rapidly ageing to help concerned families find missing population with senior citizens expected loved ones, according to the city’s social to make up a whopping 40 percent of accidental shooting deaths of kids welfare office. the population around 2060. The adhesive QR-coded seals for Last month, Japanese police started IOWA CITY: Government statistics released this 2015 - 83 percent higher than what the Centers such deaths are so rare that voluntary education nails-part of a free service launched this offering noodle discounts at local restau- week claiming that 77 minors in the US were for Disease Control reported. - not additional laws or regulations - are needed. month and a first in Japan-measure just rants to elderly citizens who agreed to killed by unintentional gun discharges last year Advocates for stricter laws and new technolo- CDC officials have acknowledged that their one centimeter (0.4 inches) in size. hand in their driving licenses. significantly understate the scope of an endur- gy meant to keep guns away from children statistics are low because they rely on how coro- “Being able to attach the seals on nails is The offer followed a series of deadly ing public health problem. argue that many of the deaths are preventable, ners classify the fatalities on death certificates. a great advantage,” a city worker told accidents involving elderly drivers-a A review of shootings nationwide by The and the undercount is significant because it can Some coroners rule deaths in which one child AFP. “There are already ID stickers for growing problem in a country where 4.8 Associated Press and USA TODAY Network found skew the public policy debate. Lobbyists for the unintentionally shoots another as a homicide - clothes or shoes but dementia patients million people aged 75 or older hold a that at least 141 deaths of minors were attrib- firearms industry, including the National Rifle rather than an accidental discharge - because are not always wearing those items.” If an license. — AFP uted to unintentional or accidental shootings in Association, cite the CDC statistics to argue that they fit the definition of being killed by another. They also can classify them as undetermined if the intent is unclear - for example, if it’s not cer- tain whether a minor committed suicide or acci- dentally shot himself. AP and USA TODAY Network counted fatal shootings that were declared accidental or unin- tentional by investigating agencies. The media organizations’ review did not include deaths where guns were fired on purpose, such as cases of stray bullets or celebratory gunfire.

Undercount The undercount for 2015 is in line with, but more significant than, the one observed for 2014, when the CDC missed one-third of the 113 deaths documented by the media outlets. The CDC data, released Thursday, does track a trend identified in the media organizations’ review in which deaths of all minors are most common among 3-year-olds, who typically pick up unsecured, loaded guns in their homes and fire back at themselves. The data also shows IRUMA, Japan : This picture taken on December 5, 2016 shows a city another spike in deaths among 15- to 17-year- officer displaying a QR code on his fingernail near the Iruma city hall in olds, who are more likely to be shot by another ATLANTA: In this June 28, 2016 file photo, Mark Rosenberg, the former director of the CDC’s Iruma, Saitama prefecture, a western suburb of Tokyo. —AFP National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, poses for a photo outside his home. —AP teen playing with a gun. —AP MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 HEALTH & SCIENCE Spain: Suspects in ill child charity scam spent $633,000

BARCELONA: A Spanish couple arrested for 11-year-old daughter, Nadia Nerea, who they said the father in jail without the right to bail. The moth- ed” the seriousness of his daughter’s illness to gen- allegedly exploiting the rare illness of their daughter suffered from the rare disease trichothiodystrophy. er was released. The couple’s lawyer, Alberto Martin, erate interest in her case and asked for forgiveness in a charity scam spent almost 600,000 Euros The judge in the court in the northern Catalan told Spanish media his clients denied any wrongdo- from people who had made donations. ($633,000) of donations on a ritzy lifestyle, accord- town of Seu D’Urgell, where the couple who were ing to the judge. Police searching the family’s home Last weekend, the couple posted a statement on ing to Spanish police. arrested Wednesday lived, said police investigations found “a massive amount of clothes and electronic their charity’s Facebook page saying they would Court documents issued by the investigating indicated either they had misrepresented the seri- goods” and a collection of watches worth around return all the money they had received. Besides judge on Friday said that Fernando Blanco and ousness of their daughter’s illness or had invented it ‚Ǩ60,000 ($63,000). The police investigation indi- using social media, the couple had held events and Magarita Garau spent nearly two-thirds of the over altogether. The judge ordered the girl to be cates the couple spent money raised for their made media appearances asking for help to pay for 900,000 Euros ($950,000) they received in charitable removed from her parents’ custody and placed in daughter’s care on regular expenditures at super- their daughter’s medical costs. donations on personal expenses, including their care of an aunt. “The couple under investigation markets, hardware stores, shopping malls, vaca- The US National Institute for Health says trichoth- rent, a car, travel and a collection of luxury watches. appears to have turned charity into their way of life,” tions, hotels, restaurants and elsewhere. iodystrophy is a rare genetic disease whose severity The couple raised that money since 2009, when the judge wrote. Prior to his arrest, Blanco said in a recent tele- can span from brittle hair in mild cases to intellectu- they established a charity in the name of their now After questioning both parents, the judge kept vised interview that he and his wife had “exaggerat- al disabilities and even death. — AP Giraffes, rarer than elephants, US life expectancy falls, as put on extinction watch list WASHINGTON: The giraffe, the tallest land criticized the IUCN for not putting enough many kinds of death increase animal, is now at risk of extinction, biolo- species on the threat list. “This is dangerous.” gists say. Because the giraffe population Fennessy blamed shrinking living space has shrunk nearly 40 percent in just 30 as the main culprit in the declining giraffe Japan reports highest at nearly 84 years years, scientists put it on the official watch population, worsened by poaching and dis- list of threatened and endangered species ease. People are moving into giraffe areas NEW YORK: A decades-long trend of rising life worldwide, calling it “vulnerable.” That’s two especially in central and eastern Africa. expectancy in the US could be ending: It steps up the danger ladder from its previ- Giraffe numbers are plunging most in cen- declined last year and it is no better than it was ous designation of being a species of least tral and eastern Africa and are being offset four years ago. In most of the years since World concern. In 1985, there were between by increases in southern Africa, he said. War II, life expectancy in the US has inched up, 151,000 and 163,000 giraffes but in 2015 This has fragmented giraffe populations, thanks to medical advances, public health cam- the number was down to 97,562, according making them shrink in size with wild paigns and better nutrition and education. to the International Union for the giraffes gone from seven countries - But last year it slipped, an exceedingly rare Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Guinea, Malawi, event in a year that did not include a major dis- At a biodiversity meeting Wednesday in Mauritania, Nigeria and Senegal, said ease outbreak. Other one-year declines occurred Mexico, the IUCN increased the threat level Kumpel of the Zoological Society of in 1993, when the nation was in the throes of the for 35 species and lowered the threat level London. AIDS epidemic, and 1980, the result of an espe- for seven species on its “Red List” of threat- The IUCN says 860 plant and animal cially nasty flu season. In 2015, rates for 8 of the ened species, considered by scientists the species are extinct, and another 68 are 10 leading causes of death rose. Even more trou- official list of what animals and plants are in extinct in the wild. Nearly 13,000 are bling to health experts: the US seems to be set- danger of disappearing. endangered or critically endangered. The tling into a trend of no improvement at all. “With The giraffe is the only mammal whose next level is vulnerable, where giraffes were four years, you’re starting to see some indication status changed on the list this year. placed, followed by near threatened and of something a little more ominous,” said S. Jay Scientists blame habitat loss. While every- least concerned. Olshansky, a University of Illinois-Chicago public one worries about elephants, Earth has four The status of two snake species wors- health researcher. times as many pachyderms as giraffes, said ened. The ornate ground snake, which lives An American born in 2015 is expected to live Julian Fennessy and Noelle Kumpel, co- on the tiny island of Saint Lucia, deteriorat- 78 years and 91/2 months, on average, accord- chairs of the specialty group of biologists ed from endangered to critically endan- ing to preliminary data released Thursday by the that put the giraffe on the IUCN Red List. gered. The Lacepede’s ground snake of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An They both called what’s happening to Martinique, which was already critically American born in 2014 could expect to live giraffes a “silent extinction.” endangered, is now considered possibly about month longer, and even an American “Everyone assumes giraffes are every- extinct, pending confirmation, as is the born in 2012 would have been expected to live where,” said Fennessy, co-director of the trondo mainty, a river fish in Madagascar. slightly longer. In 1950, life expectancy was just Giraffe Conservation Foundation. But But there is also good news for some over 68 years. they’re not, Fennessy said. Until recently, species. The Victoria stonebasher, a fresh- biologists hadn’t done a good job assess- water fish in Africa, went from being con- Highest life expectancy ing giraffes’ numbers and where they can sidered endangered to least concerned The United States ranks below dozens of oth- be found, and they have been lumped into with a stable population. And an African er high-income countries in life expectancy, one broad species instead of nine separate plant, the acmadenia candida, which was according to the World Bank. It is highest in subspecies. declared extinct, has been rediscovered Japan, at nearly 84 years. “There’s a strong tendency to think that and is now considered endangered. The CDC report is based mainly on 2015 familiar species (such as giraffes, chimps, Another freshwater fish, ptychochromoides death certificates. There were more than 2.7 etc.) must be OK because they are familiar itasy, which hadn’t been seen since the million deaths, or about 86,000 more than the and we see them in zoos,” said Duke 1960s, has been rediscovered in small num- previous year. The increase in raw numbers University conservation biologist Stuart bers in Africa’s Sakay River and is now con- partly reflects the nation’s growing and aging Pimm, who wasn’t part of the work and has sidered critically endangered. —AP population. It was led by an unusual upturn in the death rate from the nation’s leading killer, heart dis- ease. Death rates also increased for chronic lower lung disease, accidental injuries, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, kidney disease and suicide. The only clear drop was in cancer, the nation’s No. 2 killer. Experts aren’t sure what’s behind the stall. Some, like Olshansky, suspect obesity, an underlying factor in some of the largest causes of death, particularly heart dis- ease. But there’s also the impact of rising drug overdoses and suicides, he noted. Drug over- falling by more than two months, to 76 years ing sharply for poorer people - particularly white dose deaths soared 11 percent to more than and 3-1/2 months in 2015. It fell by about one people - in rural areas but not wealthier and 52,000 last year, the most ever, driven by month for women, to 81 years and 2-1/2 more highly educated and people on the coasts. increases in deaths from heroin, prescription months, the CDC said. “The troubling trends are most pronounced for painkillers and other so-called opioids. Death rates increased for black men, white the people who are the most disadvantaged,” “There are a lot of things happening at the men, white women, and slightly for Hispanic said Jennifer Karas Montez, a Syracuse University same time,” he said. Some years the CDC later men and women. But they did not change for researcher who studies adult death patterns. revises its life expectancy estimate after doing black women. The new CDC report did not offer “But if we don’t know why life expectancy is additional analysis, including for its 2014 esti- a geographic breakdown of 2015 deaths, or decreasing for some groups, we can’t be confi- NAIROBI: A giraffe bends over to take food pellets from Kenyan visitors at the Giraffe mate. analysis of death based on education or income. dent that it won’t start declining for others,” she Centre in Karen, on the outskirts on Wednesday, Dec 7, 2016. —AP Average life expectancy declined for men, But other research has shown death rates are ris- said. — AP WHAT’S ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

ACK’s Gaith: Equipping students with communication, leadership and teamwork skills

By Ben Garcia years of hard work and perseverance. used oil, green villas, delivery robots, solar energy, etc. and petroleum engineering. It is really very important to Projects include utilizing local waste materials in con- Dr Mohamed Gaith, Associate Dean, School of equip the students with communication skills, leadership he Australian College of Kuwait’s (ACK) School of crete form, construction management study for private vil- Engineering, assured parents that the students have and teamwork,” he said. ACK students successfully pro- Engineering yesterday held its fifth Fall/Semester las, restaurant complexes, reconstruction of pavements, already acquired soft and hard engineering skills, knowl- duced 32 unique projects. “Our students have worked very T2016 students’ graduation projects’ exhibition at recycled asphalt pavements, reduction of paper consump- edge and concepts necessary to perform well when they hard to reach this level and utilized the accumulated engi- Movenpick Hotel. The projects presented by students at tion, reduction of electricity usage, water recovery at leave ACK and join the workforce. “In these projects, you’ll neering skills and available educational tools to broaden ACK have always been special, as they are the result of mosques, water recovery at car wash facilities, recycling find the work of students from civil, electrical, mechanical their knowledge about subjects,” Gaith said.

NCCAL, IWG organize ‘Kuwait in the eyes of diplomats’

By Faten Omar placed Kuwait on their geographical maps. welcomed after arriving in Kuwait, he saw that anniversary of the diplomatic ties. Adding that France was one of the first coun- Kuwaiti people are aware of Egyptian history, He said that the relationship with Kuwait is n celebration of Kuwait as the Capital of tries to recognize Kuwait’s independence, it tradition, culture, and art. Egyptian ambassador old and rooted since last century when it hosted Islamic Culture for 2016, The National knows the importance of the development of added that his knowledge of Kuwait did not Sheikh Mubarak Al-Kabeer crews warships of ICouncil for Culture, Arts and Letters and the diplomatic relations with the State, as they establish when he become an ambassador but the Russian Imperial Fleet, which was visiting International Women’s Group Kuwait, organ- invested in Kuwait in August 1961 following its long time ago, “I know Kuwait since I was addict- Kuwaiti beaches on its way to the Far East in ized a panel discussion entitled “Kuwait in the independence. Nakhle pointed out that Kuwait ed to reading Al-Arabi magazine and enjoyed its 1900 and in 1903. eyes of diplomats” on Wednesday at the Kuwait is keen to promote its cultural work with the versions, world of knowledge and its distin- He explained that the Russian political lead- National Library auditorium. The Amiri Diwan’s French by organizing various exhibitions, cultur- guished newspapers.” ership is continuing to develop and strengthen Advisor Mohammad Abu Al-Hasan welcomed al events, hosting academics and artists refer- The Russian Ambassador to Kuwait Alexey relations between the two countries, particu- the ambassadors for the panel discussion. He ring to the keenness of the French Embassy in Solomatin said that Kuwait was the first country larly through the visits that contributed to the said, “I served Kuwait as its ambassador in 6 turn, on the development of this joint work. He in the Arabian Gulf to establish diplomatic rela- enrichment since the nineties, when the Emir countries, and I know how hard it is to be serv- added that there are upcoming projects such as tions with Russia. That’s why there is much more of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- ing your country and to emerge with the com- a hospital for cancer treatment, which is sched- respect and desire to cooperate with Kuwait Sabah, was a guest in Moscow in order to coor- munity, like these ambassadors did.” uled to open soon. About visa, he explained and exchange visits. We are expecting a propos- dinate the positions of the exchange between French Ambassador to Kuwait, Christian that France is continuing its efforts in facilitating al from Russia to set up a joint committee with the two countries towards the most important Nakhle said that the diwaniya, which includes this process, pointing out that last year, nearly Atef said that the diwaniya was a new experi- the government of Kuwait. Meetings covering issues on the regional and international busi- all spectrums of the Kuwaiti people from all 60 thousand Kuwaiti citizens got the French ence. He added that diwaniyas distinguish economic, technical, cultural, scientific and edu- ness. Kuwait signed six agreements and mem- ages and cultures, played an important role to visa. He praised the role of Kuwaiti women in all between various components of Kuwaiti society cation fields, he said. Solomatin said, he took up oranda of understanding between the two his knowledge of Kuwait. He stressed that his areas and their struggle for access to political and among the guests from various countries of his duties as a Russian ambassador to Kuwait in countries in oil and gas, transportation, direct country’s relationship with Kuwait is old and rights and equality with man. the world who contribute towards develop- the spring of 2013 when the two friendly coun- investment, military cooperation, technical and rooted which began when French geographers The Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Yasser ment. He pointed out that he personally felt tries at the time were celebrating the fiftieth cultural field. WHAT’S ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

ALARGAN extends support to INJAZ for 11th consecutive year

LARGAN International Real Estate to is interlinked with our wellbeing vision for our Company announced that it has renewed communities. We believe in the importance of Aits support to the non-profit youth edu- sustainable development to support an eco- cation organization INJAZ Kuwait for the 11th nomically and socially viable urban environ- consecutive year, committing to the knowledge ment. In reaching our aim, we also need to and skills development of university and high invest and share our knowledge with younger school students as part of its responsibility to generations to whom we will pass on the torch engage future professionals who will drive of building a sustainable society.” Kuwait’s growth. Launching the 2016/2017 academic year, Over the previous 10 years, the Company has ALARGAN hosted students from the American supported and volunteered in four of INJAZ’s key Creativity Academy Girls’ Campus in the Career programs, namely the Job Shadow, Career Success, Success program. Company engineers present- Entrepreneurship Masterclass and Innovation ed fundamentals in engineering and design, Camp, which are all educational programs on and focused on the necessity of developing entrepreneurial and leadership skills aimed at green buildings. The program concluded with a inspiring and educating future generations. tour of ALARGAN’s headquarters, the only build- ALARGAN team members volunteer in deliv- ing in Kuwait to be accredited Platinum ranking, ering these programs at the company’s head- the highest ranking, in the Leadership in Energy quarters in Kuwait. In the 2015/2016 academic & Environmental Design (LEED) program award- year, the number of ALARGAN volunteers ed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). increased to 26, including the Company’s CEO Al-Meshaan added: “It is never too early to and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors introduce our young students into the chal- Engineer Khaled Al-Meshaan, and Chief lenges we see today and share the solutions we Business Development Officer Meshaan Al- are bringing each day. We have a responsibility Meshaan. During the same year, the Company towards providing them with a world where hosted over 136 students from Kuwait they can grow, and a world they can sustain as University, the Australian College of Kuwait, the well. We hope to have inspired many of these New English School, and the Canadian Bilingual young ambitious students into a career in engi- School. neering and sustainable development in the Khaled Al-Meshaan said: “Our business mot- near future.”

The Palms Beach Hotel & Spa Inaugurates the Beauty Lounge, the First of Its Kind in Kuwait In the presence of Lebanese pop singer Rola Saad

he Palms Beach Hotel & Spa launched she’s always in search for a solution or tech- ing women a flawless look for every occasion. cellulite treatment, as well as the best nails, to take care of their skin and hair at home. the most luxurious Beauty Lounge, the nique that provides her with everything she The team of stylists and expert artists are avail- hair and facial care. That’s not all! The lounge also embraces a Tfirst of its kind in Kuwait, in the presence needs to have beautiful hair, skin, face, and able to offer outstanding services that help Besides, the lounge services include scalp deluxe spa for women to relax and unwind in of VIP guests, media delegates as well as the nails. In addition to paying more attention to women look and feel their best, as well as to care for dry hair, hair loss, and cleansing water utmost privacy while enjoying the Moroccan Lebanese pop singer Rola Saad. The Beauty her entire charming, elegant look by shopping help them shop for the appropriate pieces treatment, in addition to obesity and body baths and soothing massages. What’s more? Lounge Owner, Ghosoun Al-Khaled expressed the latest fashion trends. Keeping this in mind, from the latest fashion trends that are avail- contouring treatments by the use of latest Brides-to-be can get pampered before their her delight for the great response achieved the luxurious Beauty Lounge was launched able in the atelier featuring a large collection machinery like the solarium for tanning and big day with the exceptional bridal package. from ladies and their satisfaction, especially aiming to indulge women in a luxurious expe- of evening and wedding wardrobes, which are the collagen to rejuvenate body cells under The Beauty Lounge is the number one desti- when they were the first to witness the mag- rience and give her the perfect look. handmade and designed to reveal women’s the supervision of qualified experts. The nation for every woman who is looking to nificent look of Rola Saad and her makeup The Beauty Lounge offers a comprehensive fine taste. Not forgetting the beauty center Beauty Lounge also offers a wide range of enhance her natural beauty and build her con- done by the lounge experts. Every woman range of services that are provided by interna- where women can indulge in total relaxation high-quality cosmetics and skin care products fidence, because definitely every woman wants to look great and feel good, that’s why tional experts from Lebanon and Europe, giv- to achieve a radiant soft smooth healthy skin, from renowned top brands, enabling women defines her own beauty. Kerala govt considers rehabilitation project for Gulf returnees

By Sajeev K Peter “These legal cells can be attached to ment and its immediate impact on the respective Indian embassies in Kerala, he said, the state will witness he Kerala government will soon these countries,” he said. a dip of 40 percent of its revenues convene a meeting of the Similarly, the Kerala government this year following the currency crisis. Tmembers of non-resident is also working on a mechanism to “All sectors are reeling from its Keralites affairs (NORKA) department simplify the procedure of repatria- impact, be it agriculture or small and other concerned officials in order tion of the bodies of Keralites who industry. Tax collection has been seri- to expand the welfare schemes for pass die abroad. ously affected. There is a moratorium non-resident Keralites and introduce Talking about the proposed proj- on loan. Cooperative sector is the more incentives to them, said ect initiated by the Kerala govern- worst affected by the ill-conceived Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the general ment to rehabilitate Gulf returnees, policy of the central government and secretary of the ruling Communist Balakrishnan said, the government is the Supreme Court has intervened in Party of India -Marxist (CPI-M), Kerala. still formulating a viable project for this matter,” he said. He called on the “The Kerala government is plan- the rehabilitation of the Gulf central government to announce a ning to reform the Pravasi Welfare returnees in consultations with vari- package for state governments to Board with the introduction of more ous Malayali organizations in the tide over the crisis situation. attractive incentives and benefits for Gulf. NORKA-ROOTS has already Reacting to a report that Kerala non-resident Keralites,” he said started registration of Keralites who Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan was addressing a meet-the-press pro- return from overseas for implemen- prevented by Madhya Pradesh state gram prior to an interactive session tation of various welfare schemes police from attending a conference with Indian community leaders in and formulating policies for their in Bhopal, Balakrishnan said, ‘it is a Farwaniya on Saturday. rehabilitation. despicable act that reflects the vehe- Balakrishnan, who arrived in Balakrishnan said the Left ment intolerance of the BJP govern- Kuwait to attend a Renaissance Democratic Front government in ment in the state. It is for the first Conference’ organized by Kerala Art Kerala has launched a ‘Green Kerala time in the history of India that a Lovers’ Association’s (KALA), Kuwait, Mission’ on December 8, which is a chief minister was prevented from said the state government is propos- multidimensional development involvement from grassroots level,” objective is to provide quality edu- will provide houses to all these peo- attending a function in another state. ing to establish legal cells in Gulf project focusing on sanitation, he said. cation to all. We will create 44,000 ple in a span of five years,” he said. It is a blatant violation of the federal countries with the help of the central water conservation, environmental He said the government will smart classrooms in two years’ time,” system and Chief Minister Shivraj government in order to provide legal protection and paddy cultivation. identify 1,000 schools in the state in he said. Balakrishnan admitted that Currency ban Singh Chouhan has failed in dis- assistance to Keralites who are facing “We conceive this mission as a peo- order to develop them into schools around 450,000 people in Kerala are Talking about the grave issue of charging his constitutional obliga- legal cases in their resident countries. ple’s initiative with their active of international standards. “Our homeless. “The state government currency ban by the central govern- tion,” he said. MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 TV PROGRAMS

13:05 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars 22:10 Magic Of Science 15:40 The Incredible Dr. Pol 13:30 Storage Hunters UK 22:35 Magic Of Science 16:35 Safari Brothers 13:55 The Liquidator 23:00 Invent It Rich 17:30 Jobs That Bite! 14:20 Edge Of Alaska 23:50 Redesign My Brain 18:25 Dangerous Encounters 15:10 Gold Divers 19:20 Baby Animals In The Wild 00:15 Youʼre Next 00:50 Gator Boys 16:00 Deadliest Catch 20:10 The Incredible Dr. Pol 02:00 The Gauntlet 01:45 Mountain Monsters 16:50 Fat Nʼ Furious: Rolling 21:00 Safari Brothers 03:45 Jesse Stone: Lost In 02:40 Mutant Planet Thunder 21:50 Jobs That Bite! Paradise 05:15 Wild Animal Repo 17:40 Wheeler Dealers 22:40 Dangerous Encounters 05:30 Taken 3 06:02 Mutant Planet 18:30 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars 23:30 Built For The Kill 07:30 Reign Of Fire 06:49 River Monsters (Best Of 18:55 How Do They Do It? 09:30 Hidalgo Series 1-5) 19:20 Diamond River Hunters 00:10 Hank Zipzer 12:00 The Last Survivors 07:36 Swamp Brothers 20:10 Storage Hunters UK 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 13:45 Taken 3 08:00 Swamp Brothers 20:35 The Liquidator 01:00 Violetta 15:45 Reign Of Fire 08:25 Too Cute! Pint-Sized 21:00 Gold Rush 01:45 The Hive 17:30 Hidalgo 09:15 Life On Earth: A New 21:50 Deadliest Catch 01:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 20:00 Faster Prehistory 22:40 Catching Monsters Teenage Witch 22:00 Dead Drop 23:30 Fat Nʼ Furious: Rolling 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A 10:10 Wild Animal Repo 00:10 Continent 7: Antarctica 11:05 Tanked Thunder Teenage Witch 02:40 Hank Zipzer 01:00 Mars 12:00 Too Cute! Pint-Sized 02:00 Startalk 12:55 Bondi Vet 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 03:30 Violetta 02:55 Do Or Die 13:50 Life On Earth: A New 03:20 Do Or Die Prehistory 04:15 The Hive 00:00 A Fantastic Fear Of 04:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A 03:50 Continent 7: Antarctica 14:45 Gator Boys 04:45 Big, Bigger, Biggest Everything 15:40 Wild Animal Repo Teenage Witch 02:00 Confessions Of A Shopaholic 0:00 The Universe: Ancient 04:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A 05:40 Megacities 16:35 Tanked 06:35 Startalk 04:00 Big Ass Spider! 17:30 My Wild Affair: The Elephant Mysteries Solved Teenage Witch 06:00 A Lot Like Love 01:00 Americaʼs Book Of Secrets 05:10 Hank Zipzer 07:30 Mars Who Loved Too Much 08:25 Nazi Megastructures 08:00 The Out Of Towners 18:25 River Monsters 02:00 In Search Of Aliens 05:35 Binny And The Ghost 10:00 Big Ass Spider! 03:00 Your Bleeped Up Brain 06:00 Violetta 09:20 Big, Bigger, Biggest 19:20 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 10:15 The Border 12:00 Confessions Of A Shopaholic 20:15 Tanked 03:50 The Universe: Ancient 06:45 The Hive 14:00 The Butcherʼs Wife Mysteries Solved 06:50 Mouk 11:10 Big Fix Alaska 21:10 The Real Lion Queen 12:05 Taiwan: Island Of Fish 16:00 The Out Of Towners 22:05 Wild Animal Repo 04:40 The Universe: Ancient 07:00 Dog With A Blog 18:00 Just Married Mysteries Solved 07:25 Dog With A Blog 13:00 Nazi Megastructures 23:00 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 14:00 Mars 20:00 Ghostbusters 05:30 The Universe: Ancient 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 22:00 Shanghai Noon Mysteries Solved 07:55 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 15:00 Startalk 06:20 Americaʼs Book Of Secrets And Cat Noir 16:00 The Border 07:10 The Universe 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 17:00 Big Fix Alaska 08:00 Americaʼs Book Of Secrets 08:45 Star Darlings 18:00 Dirty Rotten Survival 09:00 In Search Of Aliens 08:50 Liv And Maddie 19:00 Continent 7: Antarctica 20:00 The Border 00:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder 10:00 Your Bleeped Up Brain 09:15 Jessie 11:00 The Universe: Ancient 09:40 Jessie 20:50 Big Fix Alaska Casebook 21:40 Dirty Rotten Survival 02:00 One Fine Day 01:00 The Haunting Of... Mysteries Solved 10:05 Jessie 04:00 Tracks 12:00 The Universe: Ancient 10:30 High School Musical 22:30 Continent 7: Antarctica 02:00 My Haunted House 23:20 Megacities 06:00 A Perfect Day 03:00 Robbie Coltraneʼs Critical Mysteries Solved 12:10 Austin & Ally 08:00 Escobar: Paradise Lost Evidence 13:00 The Universe: Ancient 12:35 Austin & Ally 10:30 One Fine Day 04:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder Mysteries Solved 13:00 Liv And Maddie 12:30 Foreverland Casebook 14:00 Americaʼs Book Of Secrets 13:25 Liv And Maddie 14:30 Iʼll Follow You Down 05:00 The Haunting Of... 15:00 In Search Of Aliens 13:50 Shake It Up 16:30 Escobar: Paradise Lost 16:00 Your Bleeped Up Brain 14:15 Shake It Up 06:00 My Haunted House 00:00 Mad Dogs 19:00 Mystic River 07:00 Fred Dinenage: Murder 17:00 The Universe: Ancient 14:40 Dog With A Blog 21:15 The Fisher King Mysteries Solved 15:05 Dog With A Blog 01:00 Notorious Casebook 02:00 The Catch 23:30 Arlington Road 08:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 18:00 The Universe: Ancient 15:30 Good Luck Charlie Mysteries Solved 15:55 Good Luck Charlie 03:00 Mistresses 09:00 Homicide Hunter 04:00 Stitchers 10:00 It Takes A Killer 19:00 Ancient Aliens 16:20 Girl Meets World 20:00 Missing In Alaska 16:45 Girl Meets World 05:00 Good Morning America - 10:30 It Takes A Killer Weekend 11:00 Monster In My Family 21:00 Ancient Impossible 17:10 Elena Of Avalor 22:00 Patton 360 17:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 06:00 Lie To Me 01:45 Pawn Sacrifice 12:00 Monster In My Family 07:00 Drop Dead Diva 13:00 Monster In My Family 23:00 Monster Quest And Cat Noir 03:45 Love, Rosie 18:00 The Next Step 08:00 Castle 05:30 Everest 14:00 Monster In My Family 09:00 Stitchers 15:00 The First 48 18:25 Descendants Wicked World 07:30 Jackie & Ryan 18:30 Liv And Maddie 10:00 The Catch 09:00 Love, Rosie 16:00 Gangs Of Britain... 11:00 This Is Us 17:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 18:55 Star Darlings 10:45 Fast & Furious 7 19:00 Hannah Montana 12:00 Shark Tank 13:00 4 Minute Mile 18:00 I Killed My BFF 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 19:25 Disney Mickey Mouse 14:45 A Birderʼs Guide To 19:30 Austin & Ally 14:00 Drop Dead Diva Everything 20:00 Homicide Hunter FAST & FURIOUS 7 ON OSN MOVIES HD 15:00 Live Good Morning America 21:00 It Takes A Killer 19:55 Descendants Wicked World 16:30 The Finest Hours 20:00 Backstage 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 18:30 Bridge Of Spies 21:30 It Takes A Killer 18:00 Castle 22:00 The First 48 00:40 Forbidden: Dying For Love 20:25 Tsum Tsum Shorts 20:00 PJ Masks 06:00 Shipping Wars 09:45 The Shelbourne 21:00 Insurgent 20:30 Elena Of Avalor 20:30 Sofia The First 06:25 Shipping Wars 10:35 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 19:00 Once Upon A Time 23:00 Avengers: Age Of Ultron 23:00 Britainʼs Darkest Taboos 01:30 Paranormal Lockdown 20:00 Notorious 02:20 The Haunted 20:55 Best Friends Whenever 21:00 Jake And The Never Land 06:50 American Pickers Spaces 03:10 Six Degrees Of Murder 21:20 Jessie Pirates 07:40 Pawn Stars 11:25 Carnival Eats 04:00 Suspicion 21:45 Jessie 22:00 PJ Masks 08:05 Pawn Stars 12:15 Maverick Chef 04:48 Love The Way You Lie 22:10 Jessie 22:30 PJ Masks 08:30 Storage Wars Texas 12:40 Maximum Foodie 08:00 Iʼd Kill For You 22:35 H2O: Just Add Water 23:00 The Adventures Of The 08:55 Leepu And Pitbull 13:05 Top Tables, Top Cities 08:50 I Almost Got Away With It 23:00 Binny And The Ghost Disney Fairies 09:45 Leepu And Pitbull 01:00 Virus Attack The First 09:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 23:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A 23:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 10:35 Shipping Wars 14:00 Eat Street 00:00 Superstore 00:30 Prototype This Antivirus Hall Teenage Witch 11:00 Shipping Wars 14:30 Cruise Ship Diaries 00:30 Cougar Town 01:20 Prototype This 02:45 Bamse And The City Of 10:30 Love The Way You Lie 23:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 11:25 Hoard Hunters 15:25 Miguelʼs Tropical Kitchen 01:00 Cougar Town 02:10 Dirty Jobs Thieves 11:20 Blood Relatives Teenage Witch 12:15 Shark Wranglers 15:50 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 01:30 Veep 03:00 Dirty Jobs 04:15 Cher Ami 12:10 I Am Homicide 13:05 Ice Road Truckers Spaces 02:00 Veep 03:50 Ultimate Survival 06:00 Blackie And Kanuto 13:00 Iʼd Kill For You 13:55 Pawn Stars 16:45 Places We Go 02:30 Insecure 04:40 Ultimate Survival 14:20 Pawn Stars 17:40 Carnival Eats 03:00 Last Man Standing 07:45 Egon And Donci 05:30 Ultimate Survival 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 06:00 Supa Strikas 14:45 Pawn Stars Australia 18:35 Maverick Chef 03:30 The Simpsons 09:30 Yellowbird 06:20 How Itʼs Made 14:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 06:25 Supa Strikas 15:10 Pawn Stars Australia 19:05 Eat Street 04:00 Cooper Barrettʼs Guide To 11:15 Marco Macaco 06:40 How Itʼs Made Hall 06:50 Counterfeit Cat 15:35 Pawn Stars 19:30 Miguelʼs Tropical Kitchen Surviving 12:45 Bamse And The City Of 07:00 Kenny The Shark 15:30 Beauty Queen Murders 00:00 Doc McStuffins 07:00 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 16:00 American Pickers 20:00 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring Thieves 07:25 Awesome Adventures 16:20 Blood Relatives 00:30 Minnieʼs Bow-Toons 07:15 K.C. Undercover 16:50 Storage Wars Spaces Jimmy Fallon 14:30 Daddy Iʼm A Zombie 07:50 Bad Dog 17:10 Momsters: When Moms Go 00:35 Zou 07:40 Atomic Puppet 17:15 Storage Wars 20:50 Places We Go 05:30 10 Items Or Less 16:15 Ploddy Police Car On The 08:40 How Itʼs Made Bad 00:50 Loopdidoo 08:10 Lab Rats Elite Force 17:40 Swamp People 21:40 Carnival Eats 06:00 The Grinder Case 09:05 How Itʼs Made 17:35 Momsters: When Moms Go 01:05 Art Attack 08:35 Danger Mouse 18:30 Hoard Hunters 22:30 Maverick Chef 06:30 Men At Work 18:00 Yellowbird 09:30 Prototype This Bad 01:30 Henry Hugglemonster 09:00 Lab Rats 19:20 American Pickers 22:55 Maximum Foodie 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 20:00 Columbus In The Last 20:10 Pawn Stars 23:20 Top Tables, Top Cities 08:00 Cooper Barrettʼs Guide To Journey 20:35 Pawn Stars 23:45 Top Tables, Top Cities Surviving 22:00 Daddy Iʼm A Zombie 21:00 Ozzy & Jackʼs World Detour 08:30 10 Items Or Less 21:50 Aussie Pickers 09:00 Last Man Standing 22:40 Billion Dollar Wreck 09:30 Wrecked 23:30 Ozzy & Jackʼs World Detour 10:00 Dr. Ken Nat Geo People HD 10:30 Men At Work 00:10 Fish Of The Day 00:20 Worldʼs Deadliest 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 00:35 Fish Of The Day Jimmy Fallon 01:00 Strange Magic 01:00 My Sri Lanka With Peter 01:10 Caught In The Act 03:00 Doctor Proctorʼs Fart Powder 02:00 Worldʼs Deadliest 12:00 The Grinder Kuruvita 12:30 Better With You 05:00 Hotel For Dogs 01:25 Croatiaʼs Finest 02:50 Wild Case Files 07:00 Asterix: The Mansions Of The 03:45 Baby Animals In The Wild 13:00 10 Items Or Less 01:50 Croatiaʼs Finest 13:30 Men At Work Gods 02:15 Home Strange Home 04:40 The Incredible Dr. Pol 09:00 Hotel For Dogs 05:35 Worldʼs Deadliest 14:00 The Simpsons 03:05 The Best Job In The World 14:30 Wrecked 10:45 Max 03:30 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of 06:30 Wild Case Files 12:45 Doctor Proctorʼs Fart Powder 07:25 Baby Animals In The Wild 15:00 Dr. Ken Australia 15:30 Cougar Town 14:15 The Incredible Adventures Of 03:55 Cesar Millan: Doggie 08:20 The Incredible Dr. Pol Professor Branestawm 09:15 Unlikely Animal Friends 16:00 Cougar Town Nightmares 16:30 The Grinder 15:15 Capture The Flag 04:45 The Food Files 10:10 Jobs That Bite! 17:00 Jem And The Holograms 11:05 The Rise Of Black Wolf 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:10 The Game Chef 18:00 Last Man Standing 19:00 Monsterville: The Cabinet Of 05:35 The Game Chef 12:00 Built For The Kill Souls 12:55 Surviving The Serengeti 18:30 The Simpsons 06:00 Food Loverʼs Guide To The 19:00 Angie Tribeca 21:00 Justice League: Throne Of Planet 13:50 Wild Case Files Atlantis 14:45 Baby Animals In The Wild 19:30 Dr. Ken \20:30 Superstore 22:30 Capture The Flag

00:10 Sunday Night At The Palladium 01:00 Emmerdale 02:00 Coronation Street 02:30 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 03:25 Together 03:55 Ginoʼs Hidden Italy 04:20 Paul OʼGrady: For The Love Of Dogs 05:15 The Doctor Blake Mysteries REIGN OF FIRE ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 06:10 Sunday Night At The Palladium 07:05 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 10:20 Mythbusters 18:00 Iʼd Kill For You 01:45 Calimero 09:25 Lab Rats 08:00 Together 11:10 Dirty Jobs 18:50 I Almost Got Away With It 02:00 Zou 09:50 Kirby Buckets 08:35 Ginoʼs Hidden Italy 12:00 Bad Dog 19:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 02:15 Loopdidoo 10:20 Kirby Buckets 09:00 Paul OʼGrady: For The Love Of 12:50 Ultimate Survival Hall 02:30 Art Attack 10:45 Gravity Falls Dogs 13:40 How Itʼs Made 20:30 Beauty Queen Murders 03:00 Calimero 11:10 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty 09:55 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 14:30 Dirty Jobs 21:20 Blood Relatives 03:15 Zou Much Everything 10:55 Sunday Night At The Palladium 15:20 Mythbusters 22:10 Dead On Arrival 03:30 Loopdidoo 11:35 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty 11:50 The Chase: Celebrity Specials 16:10 Kenny The Shark 23:00 Killer Instinct With Chris 03:45 Art Attack Much Everything 12:45 Emmerdale 16:35 Awesome Adventures Hansen 04:10 Henry Hugglemonster 12:00 Counterfeit Cat 13:15 Coronation Street 17:00 Donʼt Drive Here 23:50 Las Vegas Law 04:25 Calimero 12:30 K.C. Undercover 14:15 Tonight At The London Palladium 17:50 Pick A Puppy 04:45 Loopdidoo 12:55 K.C. Undercover 15:10 Catchphrase 18:15 Pick A Puppy 05:00 Art Attack 13:20 Star Wars Freemaker 16:00 Broadchurch 18:40 What Could Possibly Go 05:25 Henry Hugglemonster Adventures 16:55 Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... Wrong? 05:35 Calimero 13:45 Lab Rats 17:50 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 19:30 How Itʼs Made 05:50 Zou 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 18:45 Emmerdale 06:00 Loopdidoo 19:55 How Itʼs Made 00:40 Prototype This 14:15 Lab Rats 19:15 Coronation Street 06:15 Art Attack 20:20 Mythbusters 01:30 Prototype This 14:40 Counterfeit Cat 20:10 Catchphrase 06:35 Henry Hugglemonster 21:10 Donʼt Drive Here 02:20 Prototype This 14:50 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 21:00 Broadchurch 06:50 Calimero 22:00 Pick A Puppy 03:10 Prototype This 15:05 K.C. Undercover 21:55 Autopsy: The Last Hours Of... 07:00 Zou 22:25 Pick A Puppy 04:00 Mythbusters 15:30 Atomic Puppet 22:50 Emmerdale 07:20 Loopdidoo 22:50 Untamed & Uncut 04:48 Mythbusters 15:55 Lab Rats 23:15 Coronation Street 07:35 Art Attack 23:40 Ultimate Survival 05:36 Mythbusters 16:25 Danger Mouse 08:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 06:24 Mythbusters 16:50 Future-Worm! 08:30 Sheriff Callieʼs Wild West 07:12 Mythbusters 17:15 Lab Rats: Sink Or Swim 09:00 Goldie & Bear 08:00 How Do They Do It? 18:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 09:30 The Lion Guard 08:26 Prototype This 18:10 Supa Strikas 10:00 The Lion Guard 09:14 Mythbusters 18:35 Supa Strikas 10:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:10 Eat Street 10:02 Outrageous Acts Of Psych 19:00 Star Wars Freemaker 11:00 Sofia The First 00:35 Top Tables, Top Cities 00:20 Wheeler Dealers 10:26 Outrageous Acts Of Psych Adventures 11:30 The Lion Guard 01:00 Maximum Foodie 01:10 Racing Extinction 10:50 How Do They Do It? 19:25 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty 12:00 Doc McStuffins 01:25 Top Tables, Top Cities 02:50 Free Ride 11:14 Food Factory Much Everything 12:30 Little Mermaid 01:50 Top Tables, Top Cities 03:40 Fat Nʼ Furious: Rolling 11:38 Mythbusters 13:00 Sofia The First 02:15 Eat Street Thunder 12:26 Prototype This 13:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:40 Meat v Veg 04:30 The Liquidator 13:14 Mythbusters 14:00 Jake And The Never Land 03:05 Raw Travel 05:00 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars 14:02 How Do They Do It? Pirates 03:30 Raw Travel 05:30 How Do They Do It? 14:26 Food Factory 14:30 Doc McStuffins 03:55 The Shelbourne 06:00 Deadliest Catch 14:50 Outrageous Acts Of Psych 15:00 The Lion Guard 00:20 Pawn Stars Australia 04:20 The Shelbourne 06:50 Wheeler Dealers 15:14 Outrageous Acts Of Psych 15:30 Sofia The First 00:45 Pawn Stars Australia 04:45 George Clarkeʼs Amazing 07:40 Fat Nʼ Furious: Rolling 15:38 Mythbusters 16:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 01:10 American Restoration Spaces Thunder 16:26 Prototype This 16:30 Doc McStuffins 02:00 Storage Wars 05:35 Carnival Eats 08:30 Gold Divers 17:14 Mythbusters 17:00 The Lion Guard 02:25 Storage Wars 06:00 Carnival Eats 09:20 The Liquidator 18:02 Outrageous Acts Of Psych 17:30 PJ Masks 02:50 Counting Cars 06:25 Maverick Chef 09:45 How Itʼs Made: Dream Cars 18:26 Outrageous Acts Of Psych 18:00 The Adventures Of The 03:15 Counting Cars 06:50 Maximum Foodie 10:10 How Do They Do It? 18:50 Prototype This Disney Fairies 03:40 Shipping Wars 07:15 Top Tables, Top Cities 10:35 Fast Nʼ Loud: Demolition 19:40 Mythbusters 18:30 Goldie & Bear 04:05 Shipping Wars 07:40 Top Tables, Top Cities Theatre 20:30 Invent It Rich 19:00 Jake And The Never Land 04:30 Pawn Stars 08:05 Eat Street 11:25 Sacred Steel Bikes 21:20 How Do They Do It? Pirates 05:00 Britainʼs Bloody Crown: War 08:30 Meat v Veg 12:15 Street Outlaws 21:45 Food Factory 19:30 Little Mermaid Of The Roses 08:55 Raw Travel STRANGE MAGIC ON OSN MOVIES FAMILY HD Classifieds

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

ACCOMMODATION KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (01/12/2016 TO 07/12/2016) Sharing room with Balcony available from January SHARQIA-1 I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 2:15 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 4:45 PM 2017, with Pakistani family TAHT AL TARABEZA 11:45 AM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 4:45 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 7:00 PM for couple family or ladies DEAR ZINDAGI -Hindi 2:00 PM ALLIED 7:15 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 9:15 PM health workers. Farwaniya TROLLS 5:00 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 9:45 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 11:30 PM backside, Crown Plaza, Area TAHT AL TARABEZA 7:00 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 2:15 AM 6, Street 3. Contact: TAHT AL TARABEZA 9:30 PM AVENUES-2 TAHT AL TARABEZA 12:05 AM FANAR-3 FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 11:30 AM 99552706. (C 5246) DEAR ZINDAGI -Hindi 1:00 PM FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 2:15 PM 12-12-2016 SHARQIA-2 LION 1:30 PM TROLLS -3D -4DX 5:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:30 PM LION 4:00 PM FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 7:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 2:30 PM KAHAANI 2: DURGA RANI SINGH - Hindi 6:30 PM FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 9:45 PM FOR SALE UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 4:30 PM DEAR ZINDAGI -Hindi 9:00 PM FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 12:30 AM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 6:30 PM LION 12:05 AM For sell new white faux fur UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 8:30 PM AVENUES-3 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 10:30 PM FANAR-4 ITALIAN RACE 12:30 PM (artificial) coat size M and UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:30 AM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 2:45 PM pre owned like new black UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 2:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 5:15 PM leather coat size M made in SHARQIA-3 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 4:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 7:45 PM Turkey Tel. No: 55020291 LION 12:15 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 6:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 10:15 PM 12-12-2016 LION 2:45 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 8:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 12:45 AM ALLIED 5:15 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 10:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 7:30 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:45 AM 360º- 1 PRAYER TIMINGS ITALIAN RACE 9:45 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 1:00 PM LION 12:15 AM FANAR-5 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS-3D 3:00 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 12:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 5:00 PM MUHALAB-1 TAHT AL TARABEZA 2:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS-3D 7:00 PM DEAR ZINDAGI -Hindi 12:45 PM TROLLS 2:30 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 9:00 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 1:30 PM TROLLS 4:30 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 11:00 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 3:45 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 6:30 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 1:00 AM DEAR ZINDAGI -Hindi 6:15 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 9:00 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 9:15 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 11:30 PM 360º- 2 TAHT AL TARABEZA 11:30 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 1:15 PM MARINA-1 I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 3:30 PM MUHALAB-2 ALLIED 12:15 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 5:45 PM ALLIED 11:45 AM DEAR ZINDAGI -Hindi 2:30 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 8:00 PM ARRIVAL 2:15 PM TROLLS 5:30 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 10:15 PM TROLLS 4:45 PM LION 7:30 PM I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER 12:30 AM Fajr: 05:08 ARRIVAL 7:00 PM ALLIED 10:00 PM Shorook 06:33 ALLIED 9:30 PM LION 12:30 AM 360º- 3 ARRIVAL 11:45 PM ARRIVAL 11:45 AM Duhr: 11:42 MARINA-2 ALLIED 2:15 PM Asr: 14:32 MUHALAB-3 ARRIVAL 11:30 AM ARRIVAL 4:45 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:00 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 2:15 PM AANANDAM -Malayalam 7:15 PM Maghrib: 16:51 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 2:00 PM ARRIVAL 4:30 PM ALLIED 9:45 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 4:00 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 7:00 PM ARRIVAL 12:15 AM Isha: 18:13 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 6:00 PM TAHT AL TARABEZA 9:30 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 8:00 PM ARRIVAL 12:05 AM AL-KOUT.1 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 10:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:45 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:05 AM MARINA-3 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 2:45 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 4:45 PM FANAR-1 UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 2:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 6:45 PM 112 ITALIAN RACE 11:45 AM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 4:15 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 8:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 2:15 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 6:15 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 10:45 PM ITALIAN RACE 4:45 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 8:15 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:45 AM Automated ITALIAN RACE 7:30 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 10:15 PM enquiry about ITALIAN RACE 10:00 PM UNDERWORLD: BLOOD WARS 12:15 AM AL-KOUT.2 ITALIAN RACE 12:30 AM LION 12:30 PM the Civil ID card is AVENUES-1 ALLIED 3:00 PM FANAR-2 ARRIVAL 12:00 PM LION 5:15 PM ALLIED 11:30 AM LAF WA DAWARAN 2:30 PM ITALIAN RACE 7:45 PM 1889988

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

Arrival Flights on Monday 12/12/2016 KAC 614 Bahrain 13:30 Departure Flights on Monday 12/12/2016 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 564 Amman 13:40 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 776 Riyadh 00:20 FEG 931 Alexandria 13:55 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KNE 231 Riyadh 13:55 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 KAC 693 Muscat 14:30 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KAC 672 Dubai 14:00 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 KNE 382 Taif 14:50 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:50 FEG 932 Alexandria 14:55 KAC 102 London 00:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 BBC 044 Dhaka 01:30 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KAC 742 Dammam 01:00 KAC 414 Bangkok 14:35 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:25 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:15 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 KAC 542 Cairo 14:45 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:55 PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 15:20 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 DLH 635 Doha 01:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:35 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:05 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 KAC 619 Doha 16:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:50 KKK 6505 Istanbul 03:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 16:15 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 154 Istanbul 15:55 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 KAC 357 Kochi 16:20 BRZ 193 TBS 02:30 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:30 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 FDB 051 Dubai 16:25 QTR 1077 Doha 04:40 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 FDB 069 Dubai 03:05 KAC 788 Jeddah 16:30 MSC 502 Alexandria 05:05 SAW 706 Damascus 16:55 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 16:35 CEB 0019 Manila 05:20 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 BRZ 194 TBS 05:30 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 CEB 0018 Manila 03:15 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 QTR 1087 Doha 05:50 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 FDB 052 Dubai 17:25 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 KAC 358 Kochi 03:30 FEG 954 Asyut 06:00 KAC 363 Colombo 17:40 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:45 KAC 784 Jeddah 03:55 JZR 560 Sohag 06:05 KAC 343 Chennai 17:40 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 MSC 501 Alexandria 04:05 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 QTR 073 Doha 17:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 KAC 153 Istanbul 06:50 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 KAC 284 Dhaka 04:55 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 502 Beirut 18:45 FEG 933 Sohag 05:00 KAC 165 Rome 06:55 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 503 Luxor 05:10 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 KAC 353 BLR 18:15 KAC 354 BLR 05:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 KAC 541 Cairo 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:45 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 KAC 620 Doha 19:50 KAC 163 Paris 07:25 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 384 Delhi 06:05 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 KAC 773 Riyadh 07:30 FDB 064 Dubai 19:05 KAC 364 Colombo 06:05 KNE 381 Taif 19:55 KAC 173 Munich 07:35 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:20 KAC 166 Rome 19:55 KAC 563 Amman 08:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 694 Muscat 20:00 BAW 156 London 08:40 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 07:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:10 FDB 054 Dubai 08:55 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 KAC 743 Dammam 09:00 KAC 383 Delhi 20:30 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 174 Munich 20:45 KAC 117 New York 09:00 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:45 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 KAC 775 Riyadh 20:45 KAC 382 Delhi 08:45 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:55 KAC 101 London 09:35 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 FDB 5053 Dubai 21:00 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:00 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 OMA 648 Muscat 21:10 KAC 352 Kochi 09:10 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 KAC 501 Beirut 10:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:25 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 161 Geneva 10:10 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 21:30 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 KAC 613 Bahrain 10:10 QTR 1089 Doha 21:35 IRA 667 Esfahan 10:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 DLH 634 Doha 21:35 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 KAC 787 Jeddah 10:40 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:55 KAC 774 Riyadh 11:05 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:10 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 IRA 666 Esfahan 11:00 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 JZR 241 Amman 22:45 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 KAC 164 Paris 22:55 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 JZR 528 Asyut 22:25 KAC 744 Dammam 12:10 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 12:05 FDB 5054 Dubai 22:30 FEG 953 Asyut 12:35 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 JZR 561 Sohag 12:40 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:50 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:10 KAC 381 Delhi 22:45 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 BBC 143 Dhaka 23:55 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:45 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 KAC 162 Geneva 23:55 FEG 934 Sohag 13:35 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 stars34 MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

CROSSWORD 1458 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) Those around you are going to find it very easy to understand exactly what You are able to captivate and spellbind the audience today. A birthday you mean when you speak. You should find it a good time to read a romantic novel or to party, a teaching lesson, a story-reading class or whatever you have gotten yourself into take in a movie. You may decide to read a book to a young person, even though the will certainly result in positive returns for your effort. The audience is appreciative and young person is not present. A tape recorder can come in very handy for playing back you may decide this activity is something you would like to add as a repeat from time to another day. This method would also be fun when creating a story of your own. A typist time. Note that this activity was a voluntary activity and there was no paycheck. Having could listen to your recording and type the story into a manuscript to submit to a pub- faith in yourself will assure your success in other areas of your life. The experience today is lisher. You may be quite eloquent in speaking or communicating. Knowing how you feel a good practice and a worthy one! You are ready, willing and able to accept new emo- about life should make the telling of some true story fun and captivating. Picture albums, tional experiences. This could mark a time when your life path changes. You and a mate hot tea and a bicycle ride for two end this weekend with a smile. open up to better communication at this time.

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

You should be feeling quite healthy and natural today. Everything points Your close friend may have a business dinner to go to next week and to your taking the initiative in some group endeavor. You may have a job that is part- wants to ask your loved one to go with him or her. A bit of diplomacy, however, goes a time, perhaps as a tour guide. You could be giving assistance to newcomers in a reli- long way. You might smile and offer to help with a little money for an escort service. As it gious group. Whatever the case, you really are involved in conversations that involve turns out, someone you and your friend know will be able to go to the dinner and will memories of the past, as well as places of interest from your travels or from reading. The also appreciate the invitation. The result of this situation may leave you feeling very opti- elderly love to talk about these things and there are much laughter and fun conversa- mistic for the next few days. You enjoy experiencing life each busy day and you seem to tions in your part of the world today. Taking chances on the emotional level just seems be able to cram a large amount of activity into each day. If you have a way to visit an somehow natural to you. Common sense keeps you financially in check when it comes exercise club, diving into a warm pool, or a hot tub may be just what you need. You may to a bit of shopping this afternoon. Do not loan or borrow money this month. be quite pleased with the results of today’s busy activities.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You may be put in control of people today. Orientation, controlling a One way to measure your life-progress is whether you have the same crowd and organizing people are just part of what you do well. You problems now as you did the year before. Although you may still have some of the habits that get you into some of the situations that cause you problems, you 7. Eel-shaped vertebrate without jaws or encourage others to ask questions and this eases any frustrations for them at a later date. ACROSS You encourage and instruct and could be a good part of a team that enlists the public in have learned how to detect and diminish the onset and duration of the difficulties. Your 1. A Chadic language spoken south of paired appendages including the education, military or any new beginnings of a number of professions. This group you progress toward your personal goals is praiseworthy. You have, however, been neglect- Lake Chad. cyclostomes and some extinct forms. are leading today will probably be full of young people. Listening to some of the young ing your creative talents lately. This afternoon you make it a point to spend time with 5. A member of an Indian people formerly 8. Influential German idealist philosopher people in this country may be like listening to the sages of the ages. Anything is possible loved ones. Paint or photograph the sunset. You may also find that this creative project living along the Gulf coast of Louisiana (1724-1804). and ideas for investments in the future may be apparent. By the end of this day, you will would make a thoughtful gift to someone special. You appreciate your life, your talents, and Texas. 9. A constellation in the southern hemi- find that you will be looking for more opportunities like this day offers. your opportunities and your friends-including loved ones. 12. A health resort near a spring or at the sphere near Telescopium and Norma. seaside. 10. A tricycle (usually propelled by ped- 15. The act of scanning. alling). ) 16. With sweetening added. 11. Extinct small mostly diurnal lower pri- Cancer (June 21-July 22 Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. Aromatic bulb used as seasoning. mates that fed on leaves and fruit. You set life examples for your family and friends. Today, however, you will The emotions that you have or the way that you feel should be very clear. 18. (prefix) Within. 12. Of or relating to Saudi Arabia or its want to leave the door open to some beneficial changes. A family meeting It’s a great time to understand your own situation, just how you feel about 19. A Dravidian language spoken in south- people. is the perfect time for decisions regarding the way that money is spent or the introduc- yourself. Things seem to be working together on the outside to help you develop peace- ern India. 13. Rice cooked in well-seasoned broth tion of budgeting or entertaining requirements. You join the family in making group fully on the inside-or it could be the other way around. Whatever the case, your energies 20. (Norse mythology) One of the Aesir with onions or celery and usually poultry decisions about who is responsible for which decorations. You will be guiding or helping are peaceful and others take their guidance from your presence. You seem to truly known for his beauty and skill with bow or game or shellfish and sometimes toma- along the way but you will be pleased at the amount of cooperation and interest that understand anything of a theoretical nature and know just how to present or communi- and skis. toes. you have ignited. You teach commonsense thinking when scheduling comes into play. cate this to others. You could be performing or enjoying a performance of some type this afternoon. Keeping up-to-date with the way entertainment trends develop can be a lot 21. A ductile gray metallic element of the 14. A narrow street with walls on both You may also discover it is a relief to be able to share the responsibility of making deci- sions. An open mind and a positive attitude equal success. of fun for you-as well as a study in humanity. Your outlook on life is very optimistic. lanthanide series. sides. 22. A hard brittle gray polyvalent metallic 23. The compass point that is one point element that resembles iron but is not east (clockwise) of due north. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) magnetic. 26. An agency of the United Nations affili- Leo (July 23-August 22) 24. Any of various long-tailed rodents sim- ated with the World Bank. You could be looking to add a little color to your life, allowing your unique A powerful need to nurture is a bigger than usual component in your life ilar to but larger than a mouse. 27. Elected Vice President and became the and unusual qualities to surface. It may surprise you to know that someone close to you now. You could be feeling the need to care for others or to have them care for you, possibly on a public as opposed to a private level. You have needs and you sense 25. Large family of bark-boring or wood- 10th President of the United States when understands you better than you thought and he or she is supportive. You could estab- the needs of others. Being able to piece the two together well is what will make for posi- boring short-beaked beetles. Harrison died (1790-1862). lish some new solutions or stumble on to something very inventive. Allowing your cre- tive results. Accepting praise for your tastes or belongings helps to make your day even a ative and intuitive talent to evolve can bring you many nice surprises. You just somehow 30. English physicist who studied the den- 28. Chinese tree cultivated especially in bit more pleasant. You may not have any problem in valuing your own life situation know that anything is possible if you can picture the end result. You are not afraid to sity of gases and discovered argon. Philippines and India for its edible fruit. today. This could be the perfect time to think and study. You could find yourself enjoying take risks at the deepest emotional level. Optimism and faith are the two guiding words. 32. An informal term for a father. 29. A public promotion of some product a long conversation, writing a letter or making a special phone call. Long-distance con- Allow yourself the luxury of exploring your feelings helps in understanding. Make an 33. In a competent capable manner. or service. versations can be productive. Study for a class is easy this evening. 34. The blood group whose red cells carry 31. A promontory in northern Morocco outline of the steps needed to get where you want to go. both the A and B antigens. opposite the Rock of Gibraltar. 39. Neckwear consisting of a long narrow 35. Capital and largest city of Iraq. piece of material worn (mostly by men) 36. A fabric woven with fibers from the Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) under a collar and tied in knot at the front. flax plant. You could find yourself in or around the activities that come with a parade 40. (astronomy) An indistinct surface fea- 37. Place in a line or arrange so as to be Your attitude seems at peace-others only hope to become as evolved as you appear to be. You take problems as valued lessons, rather than obstacles. You seem or some other similar high-energy activity. The positive and magical looks on the faces of ture of Mars once thought to be a system parallel. children delight everyone present for the experience. The air is crisp and people are talk- 38. Disposed to avoid notice. to find a deep appreciation for responsibilities. Nurturing is a larger than usual compo- of channels. nent in your life and as you care for others they, in turn will care for you. Managing and ing, laughing and pointing to all sorts of eye-catching fantasies. You help to teach others 45. Nonstandard usage adv 1. 41. Essential oil or perfume obtained from directing others wherever you find yourself seems to be your specialty. If the kids in your through your actions and today you might have volunteered to help a wheelchair rider 48. Evergreen trees and shrubs. flowers. family seem to be sports oriented, you might be the first to step in and help them with or handicapped person see this event. Your friends or family members may have decided 50. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of 42. Set down according to a plan. the techniques of any number of sports. You may even decide that a video of the game they liked your idea and joined to help you share the day with others. There is much to the alkali metal group. 43. Scarabaeid beetle considered divine they like the most can be studied and critiqued. Later, this afternoon your private life has learn from those less fortunate. Creative energy this evening may open a door to poetry, 51. A nearly horizontal passage from the by ancient Egyptians. moved into the direction of music or a religious group gathering. musical lyrics, advertising jingle, etc., etc. surface into a mine. 44. A genus of Cichlidae. 52. (chemistry) Having a valence of two or 46. (prosody) Of or consisting of iambs. having two valences. 47. A ductile silvery-white ductile ferro- Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 54. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. magnetic trivalent metallic element of the 56. (the feminine of raja) A Hindu princess rare earth group. or the wife of a raja. 49. A motorized wheeled vehicle used for 57. Someone who works (or provides camping or other recreational activities. workers) during a strike. 53. Supernatural half-man and half-bird 61. A government tax on imports or vehicle or bearer of Vishnu. exports. 55. An informal term for a father. 67. Give an education to. 58. A group of Plains Indians formerly liv- 70. Type genus of the family Arcidae. ing in what is now North and South 71. A condition (mostly in boys) character- Dakota and Nebraska and Kansas and ized by behavioral and learning disorders. Arkansas and Louisiana and Oklahoma 72. Large genus of tropical American trees and Texas. that yield a bast fiber used for cordage 59. Many times at short intervals. and bark used in tanning. 60. A bowl-shaped vessel. 75. Relating to or characteristic of or 62. The front of the head from the fore- occurring in the air. head to the chin and ear to ear. 76. Extinct flightless bird of New Zealand. 63. A member of the Shoshonean people 77. The activity of converting from plain of northeastern Arizona. text into code. 64. (British) Traditional jazz as revived in 78. An insecticide that is also toxic to ani- the 1950s. mals and humans. 65. Harsh or corrosive in tone. 66. Tasting sour like a lemon. 68. (computer science) A coding system DOWN 1. One thousandth of a second. that incorporates extra parity bits in order 2. An inflammatory disease involving the to detect errors. sebaceous glands of the skin. 69. Alternative names for the body of a 3. An interest followed with exaggerated human being. 73. An artificial language for international zeal. use that rejects rejects all existing words 4. Deviation from the normal or common and is based instead on an abstract analy- order or form or rule. sis of ideas. 5. Inquire about. 74. A soft white precious univalent metal- 6. A member of a nomadic Berber people lic element having the highest electrical of the Sahara. and thermal conductivity of any metal.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 information

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Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Shaab 22518752 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Sharq 22465401 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Jabriya 25316254 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Bayan 25388462 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Sabah 24810221 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 New Jahra 24575755 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 South Jahra 24775066 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tome 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 North Jleeb 24311795 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Hungary 0036 Togo 00228 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam India 0091 Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Head, Division of Cardiology Internists, Chest & Heart Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Zambia 00260 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lesotho 00266 lifestyle MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 MUSIC & MOVIES

Chinese director Zang Qi Wu receives his award from Hungarian director Afghanistan actress Fereshteh Hosseini holds her trophy after receiving Island’s actor Blaher Hinriksson (right) and Denmark’s actor Baldur Bela Tarr during the awards ceremony of the 14th edition of the Marrakech the best actress award. Einarsson hold their trophy after receiving the best actor award. International Film festival in Marrakech. — AFP photos Chinese directors win top prizes at Marrakesh film festival wo Chinese filmmakers won the top peted in the annual festival but the top prize long worked alongside acclaimed Chinese Prize at the festival was awarded to “Mister shared the best actor award for their roles in awards at the Marrakesh film festival this was Saturday handed to “The Donor” a drama director Zhang Yimou but “The Donor” was his Universo” a film co-directed by Italian Tizza the Icelandic movie “Heartstone” of director Tweekend, with Zang Qiwu’s “The Donor” about a poor father forced to sell his kidney to first work as a director and portrayed the Covi and Austrian Rainer Frimmel. Best actress Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson. Hungarian on the controversial issue of organ transplants look after his family. Both Zang and Wang, seen tragedies that come with organ transplants. award went to Fereshteh Hosseini for her per- director Bela Tarr presided over the jury at taking the coveted Golden Star. The best direc- as up and rising filmmakers, had also taken the “Knife in the Clear Water”, also Wang’s first formance in the film “Parting” of Afghan direc- this year’s festival, which paid a special trib- tor award went to China’s Wang Xuebo for two main prizes at the Busan International Film feature film, tells the story of a farmer and the tor Navid Mahmoudi. ute to Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami “Knife in the Clear Water”. Fourteen films com- Festival in South Korea in October. Zang has realities of life in a mountain village. The Jury Baldur Einarsson and Blaer Hinriksson who died in July. — AFP Arab film industry execs to launch first regional film awards in Dubai he Arab film industry is start- ing up its first unified motion Tpicture association and launching the Arab Film Awards, its version of the Oscars. The potentially game changing initia- tive, still in early stages, was announced yesterday by a group of prominent Arab producers and industry execs during the 13th edi- tion of the Dubai Film Festival, the world’s leading Arab cinema plat- form, which is among early sup- porters of the prizes. Plans are underway for the first edition of the Arab Film Awards to The cast of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at the World Premiere at The Pantages Theatre on Isaiah Crews, left, and Terry Crews jump as they arrive at the world premiere of take place in Dubai in March 2018, Saturday, in Hollywood, CA, where Nissan debuted their new Star Wars Limited Edition Nissan “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”. with statuettes to be handed out Rogue. —AP photos in 19 categories. The nascent enti- ty behind the initiative is a non- profit called the Arab Film Institute which will be headquartered in ‘Rogue One’ premiere brings Dubai. The goal is to have at least 500 members next year, said Lebanese producer Paul Baboudjian, a former executive director of funding org. Screen the Force back to Hollywood Institute Beirut, who conceived and got the ball rolling on what is ans cheered wildly Saturday as the “I feel honored to be part of this family, scores of fans who lined up to catch a $2 billion to become 2015’s biggest release, intended to become the Arab star-studded world premiere of the and by that I mean the fans, not just the glimpse of the “Rogue One” cast, several in the most successful Disney motion picture rough equivalent of the European Fhotly anticipated “Rogue One: A Star filmmakers,” British actor Riz Ahmed, who the outfits of their favorite characters. and the third-highest grossing movie of all Film Academy, or the Academy of Wars Story” continued the space saga after stars as pilot Bodhi Rook, told AFP ahead of time. Pundits expect “Rogue One” to open Motion Picture Arts and Sciences the last episode shattered box office the screening. “They are what keep this ‘Awesome’ at $130-$150 million, some way behind the in the US. “Being a witness and records. The $200 million spin-off is expect- alive. And it’s them that we’re all looking to, “My husband is a collector. He owns $248 million debut weekend for “The Force active member of the bright and ed to be the hottest ticket of 2016, record- to gauge how we’ve done. I really feel 65,000 pieces. Jyn Erso is a great female Awakens,” and end up with a final global rich Arab film scene, I felt we need- ing the second-highest first day of domes- proud of the film, and I hope they connect character. I love that they have incorporat- total around $1.4 billion. ed to bring together all this energy tic pre-sales ever, behind last year’s “The with it too.” Set just before “A New Hope”- ed female characters with great leadership,” The premiere will be followed by a glob- and exchange experiences and Force Awakens.” Police cordoned off the the original 1977 film-Gareth Edwards’s said Anne Jenkins, 48, of Kansas City. al rollout taking in 11 countries beginning ideas as well as offer wider oppor- area around the Pantages Theater in “Rogue One” stars Felicity Jones as rebel “Rogue One” is part of an attempt to revi- on Wednesday before the film gets a wide tunities in a fast-changing world to Hollywood hosting almost 3,000 guests, Jyn Erso alongside Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, talize the franchise since Disney bought US release on Friday. our film community,” Baboudjian setting up metal detectors and deploying Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Jiang Wen Lucasfilm in 2012, when it was still reeling “This is what the prequels should have said at a packed presser. The initial scores of officers and sniffer dogs. and Forest Whitaker. from grim reviews for the much-maligned been all along,” TV host and film critic Scott nucleus on the board of the insti- Jyn-a delinquent with a string of convic- 1999-2005 prequel trilogy. The idea was to Mantz told AFP after the screening. “I tute behind the first pan-Arab film tions for forgery, assault and theft-is bring out a sequel trilogy with a movie thought it was awesome. I thought it was prizes includes prominent recruited by the Rebel Alliance for a mis- every other year-starting with “The Force clever the way they tied the original ‘Star Egyptian indie producer and sion to destroy a planet-sized weapon of Awakens” in 2015 — and intersperse those Wars’ in with this... I actually felt like this screenwriter Mohamed Hefzy mass destruction recently named the releases with an “anthology trilogy” of one- was a more entertaining and rewarding (“Clash”); Tunisia’s top arthouse Death Star. Mikkelsen told AFP it felt “surre- off, standalone movies in the even years. ‘Star Wars’ experience than ‘The Force producer Dora Bouchoucha al” to be part of the iconic saga, having J.J. Abrams’s “The Force Awakens,” made Awakens.’” — AFP (“Hedi”); the head of Jordan’s Royal grown up with the original trilogy. Film Commission George David; “People will be surprised that we did a Moroccan filmmaker and producer grittier film than the former ones, and more Nabil Ayouch (“Much Loved”); Al character driven,” he said. Zain Al Sabah, who is Undersecretary of Kuwait’s ‘Perfect film’ Ministry of State for Youth Affairs As well as the cast and crew, celebrities and also a film producer; and including actors Michael Douglas and Jawaheer Abdulla Al Qassimi, who Christian Bale, as well as maverick filmmak- is director of - Director of the UAE’s er Kevin Smith, walked the red carpet Funn, Media Arts for Youth org. ahead of the screening. The intergalactic Dylan Michael Douglas, and the Sharjah Children tale of good versus evil, friendship, loyalty from left, Michael International Film Festival. and love created a defining moment in the Douglas and Carys Zeta Aside from launching the first history of popular culture, and launched Douglas arrive at the pan-Arab film nods, the Arab Film one of the biggest movie franchises ever. world premiere of “Rogue Institute will seek to become a The original “Star Wars” (1977) and its 1980 One: A Star Wars Story”. forum for the region’s film industry sequel “The Empire Strikes Back” turned to try and collectively tackle stum- Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark bling blocks such as distribution Hamill-who play its heroes Han Solo, impediments caused by different Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker-into varieties of Arabic in different Hollywood’s biggest stars. countries, and collectively address “I love ‘Star Wars’ because it’s a gateway the lack of a real pan-Arab star sys- drug, but ‘Empire’ is a perfect film, a top five tem. “We currently work in silos,” movie of my lifetime,” “Chasing Amy” and said Hefzy. “More interaction is “Clerks” director Smith, 46, told AFP. necessary,” he noted. Excitement around the “Rogue One” pre- “We are a single market; we miere had been building for days as the need to build this market and this environs of the Pantages were closed to traf- has not been happening,” said fic to make way for a huge marquee and a Algerian director and producer full size model of an X-Wing fighter, parked Salem Brahimi (“Let Them Come”). in the street. Earlier in the day parody Asked about potential rifts that “Rogue Won: A Culture War” posters could arise within the org. Brahimi appeared at bus shelters and benches said: “we are going to be messy! around Hollywood, featuring President-elect We are going to quarrel, we are Donald Trump as the hero of the piece. going to learn as we go, we know Earlier in the week a #DumpStarWars that. But even if we make mistakes, hashtag began trending on Twitter after we will achieve more than we are one user made the claim-strongly denied achieving right now, which is by Disney-that the movie had been reshot nothing.” — Reuters Jaime King arrives at the world premiere of “Rogue to include an anti-Trump message. The One: A Star Wars Story”. campaign appeared not to have reached Characters from “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” appear at the film’s world premiere. lifestyle MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 AWARDS ‘Toni Erdmann’ sweeps European Film Awards, winning 5 awards

Actors, directors and producers of the film “Toni Erdmann” (from left) Dutch actress Hadewych Minis, producer Michel Merkt, producer Jonas Dornbach, German actress Sandra Hueller, German director Maren Ade, Austrian actor Peter Simonischek, producer Janine Jackowski and German actor Trystan Puetter pose with their trophies they received in the category “European Film 2016” during the 29th European Film Awards at the National Forum of Music in Wroclaw, Poland. — AFP he German-Austrian drama “Toni Erdmann,” written and directed by Maren Ade, swept this year’s TEuropean Film Awards, winning five awards, includ- ing for best film, director and screenwriter. “Toni Erdmann” also won best actress for Sandra Hueller and best actor for Peter Simonischek. The 29th European Film Awards took place Saturday in the Western Polish city of Wroclaw. The show was peppered with political commentary by presenters, with a focus on the plight of refugees and Russia. Maria Alyokhina from the punk rock group Pussy Riot, whose members have been imprisoned for criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s, appealed for the release of Oleg Sentsov, a Ukrainian director carrying out a 20-year prison term in Russia on terrorism charges seen as political- ly motivated. — AP

Danish camerawoman Camilla Hjelm Knudsen poses with her trophy she received in the category “European Cinematographer 2016 - Prix Carlo di Palma”. (From left) Director Claude Barras and producers Pauline Gygax, Kate Merkt and Michel Merkt pose for a photo during the 29th European Film Awards.

German actress Sandra Hueller poses with her trophy she received in the category “European Actress 2016” Irish actor for her role in Pierce the film “Toni Brosnan pos- Erdmann”. es with his trophy he received in Italian director Gianfranco Rosi poses with his trophy the category he received in the category “European Documentary “European German director Maren Ade poses 2016” for his film “Fire at Sea”. Achievement with her trophy after she was awarded in World the European Director Award for her Cinema”. film “Toni Erdmann. List of winners European Film: “Toni Erdmann” (Maren Ade, Germany, Austria) European Director: Maren Ade (“Toni Erdmann,” Germany, Austria) European Actor: Peter Simonischek (“Toni Erdmann”) European Actress: Sandra H¸ller (“Toni Erdmann”) Polish director Malgorzata Szumowska poses with her tro- European Screenwriter: phy she received in the category “Audience Award”. Maren Ade (“Toni Erdmann”) European Documentary: “Fire At Sea” (Gianfranco Rosi, Italy, France) European Animated Feature: “My Life as a Zucchini” (Claude Barras, France, Barbara Switzerland) Kreuzer poses European Comedy: with her “A Man Called Ove” (Hannes Holm, Sweden, Norway) trophy she Fipresci Prize - European Discovery: received in the “The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli M?ki” (Juho category Kuosmanen, Finland, Sweden, Germany). Alice Normington poses with her tro- “European Hair “European Achievement in World Cinema” Austrian actor Peter Simonischek poses with his trophy he received in phy she received in the category & Make-Up Pierce Brosnan — Reuters the category “European Actor 2016” for his role in the film “Toni “European Production Designer 2016”. Artist”. Erdmann”. lifestyle MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 FEATURES

Antananarivo residents playing bocce (Petanque) at the city’s club, in Antananarivo. — AFP photos

t’s not even midday in the middle of the “Petanque is very, very important. It’s every- Madagascar is like football in Brazil,” said Beryl work week, but already the clacking of steel thing to us,” says Andry Maminirina, who built Razafindrainony, president of Madagascar’s Iballs colliding on a makeshift pitch rings the field next to the majestic Lake Anosy three petanque federation. “At first it was just a out in Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo. years ago. leisure activity, but the 1999 victory really Curious bystanders watch as players swing Across the lake, at the foot of a hill where popularised it across the country.” their arms, releasing the balls in gentle arcs ‘Antananarivo’ is spelled out like the But at TBC, many players mentioned whilst avoiding a large tree root protruding Hollywood sign, several games are well under rumours of “corruption” at the highest levels of from the square pitch. This is petanque, a form way at the Tana Bowls Club (TBC). Tree roots the sport. Madasgacar’s slew of silver medals of boules or bowling beloved across the are not a problem here, and about a hundred sparked allegations of match fixing and that Indian Ocean island nation. And with players-men and women, young and old-fill the island’s team was throwing finals for bribes Madagascar recently crowned world champi- the well-maintained fields. Originating in the worth thousands of euros (dollars) — an astro- ons, the country’s passion for the sport has south of France, the goal of petanque is for nomical amount in a country where the aver- reached fever pitch-at any time of the day. players to toss their balls as close as possible age salary is just 45 euros a month. This year, the national team was housed in a top secret location, their cellphones confis- cated and all communication with their fami- lies cut off. “There will always be ill-intentioned people to cause trouble with our players,” said Razafindrainony. “The players feel motivated and I don’t think they would be influenced by any sum of money. But the suspicion was still to a smaller wooden ball called a ‘cochonnet’ they’re usually very expensive,” said Michel there and so to avoid all that we decided to (piglet) or jack. When the French colonised Ranarivelo, another amateur player. remove them from society.” Madagascar, they brought petanque with Whether the suspicions were fair or not, them. “I played petanque for the first time in ‘Like football in Brazil’ the move worked. When France-the undis- 1964 when I was in the French army,” said Clet Petanque fever was soaring when in late puted champ since 2001 — was knocked out Ramamonjisoa, 75, an amateur player. November the world championship was just a in the semi-final, Madagascar grabbed the But getting hold of the necessary equip- week away-and Madagascar was the host opportunity to take back their crown. In a ment to train with is a challenge. Players rely country. It would be the island’s first time host- final more akin to a football match, the crowd on second-hand balls sent over by family ing a championship in any sport, ever. whooping and cheering, Madagascar crushed members that have emigrated to Europe. “We Madagascar has no more than 20 professional Benin 13-5. Seventeen years after the title don’t have much opportunity to get equip- petanque players, but in 1999 it took gold and that started petanque fever in Madagascar, ment here-even just the balls, you can’t get has racked up an impressive list of second the island’s enthusiasm for the sport is them in Madagascar. If you do find a pair, places since then. “Petanque here in greater than ever. — AFP Acolytes of Pina Bausch keep her dance in motion

Picture shows Australian dancer Josephine Ann Endicott, former assistant Australian dancer Josephine Ann Endicott, former assistant to German A visitor looking on a picture wall with photographs from the unique hold- to German choreographer Pina Bausch. — AFP photos choreographer Pina Bausch, giving a dance workshop to visitors at the ings of the Pina Bausch Archives, at the “Pina Bausch and the Tanztheater” reconstructed “Lichtburg” practice space. exhibition. he dance company that legendary Brennscheidt, who had brought her son to them in half-empty ones,” the Tanztheater’s performers, with their deep bond to the com- Bavarian state ballet and the National English German choreographer Pina Bausch, rehearse a piece from Bausch’s 1982 work Mechthild Grossmann told feminist magazine pany, can pass on their roles to others-a Ballet in recent years. And Bausch deputy, Twho died in 2009, built into one of the “Nelken” (Carnations). Emma in 2010. “In Bochum, in 1978, we had to demanding task for such an intangible art Endicott, has branched out even further by world’s most acclaimed is doing its utmost to The exhibition recreates the “Lichtburg”, a stop the show. People were standing and form. Bausch would set dancers in motion staging the dance “Kontakthof” with a group foster her moving legacy. Beloved of fellow former cinema in the western industrial city of throwing things onto the stage.” Bausch’s per- with hints-”full moon”, “desire”, or “at the of teenagers and over-65s. Perhaps the great- artists and seen as a visionary by her peers in Wuppertal that Bausch turned into the head- sonal style was a stark contrast to the classical beginning”-before combining their responses est challenge for the troupe now is to begin the dance world, Bausch mixed dance and quarters of her dance revolution. “Somehow forms that dominated the world of choreogra- into a whole. “When you’ve found what you’re creating something new, rather than just theatre to produce a tumult of emotions, free she’s still there in us. I feel her aura around us. phy at the time. looking for, you know it,” she once said. remaining in their founder’s shadow as a living from traditional constraints, that often divided It’s overpowering,” said Australian Jo Ann She employed exaggerated expressions “Everything had to be reinvented from monument. audiences. “I’m not interested in how people Endicott, 66, who became the choreographer’s and scenery to explore the human condition scratch,” said Grossmann. “Just don’t sing like a For that, they need a new artistic director- move, but in what moves them,” she said assistant after being one of the star dancers of with a mixture of mischief, sarcasm, joy and singer, just don’t act like an actor, just don’t but as Endicott says, “you can’t bring a copy of shortly before her death from cancer. the Tanztheater. despair. Beyond the choreography’s energy, dance like a dancer.” Pina, that’s the most ridiculous thing you Now her life’s work is being honored with a the Tanztheater survivors strive to communi- could do.” The three pieces offered by the Berlin exhibition, “Pina Bausch and the ‘Reinvented from scratch’ cate Bausch’s humor and sensitivity to audi- Disciples’ task Tanztheater at the end of 2015 met with Tanztheater”, where members of the company By the time Bausch passed away her popu- ences that may not be steeped in the world of Since Bausch’s death, her company has mixed receptions. Now, the faithful who will offer up to five workshops a day to curious larity was such that her company had to take modern dance. There’s no doubt that the cho- stepped up the effort of passing on her works Bausch left behind have pinned their hopes visitors and dance lovers until January 7. “I to the stage that very same night to satisfy reographer made history with her work, and to the younger generation within their own on Adolphe Binder, a Romanian without dance couldn’t have imagined that you could express demand. Things had been very different when the earth, fields of carnations, waterfalls and ranks and to other professional dancers. The training who will have to convince sceptics yourself without difficult technique, and that it she began her work in the 1970s. “We would animals that inhabited her stages have choreographer’s disciples have communicated that she can rekindle the magic in Wuppertal could be so much fun,” said 38-year-old Kerstin begin our shows in packed rooms and end inspired many who came later. But only the their secrets to the Paris Opera Ballet, the when she takes the reins in May. — AFP lifestyle MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 FEATURES

Iranian archeologist Mohammed Naserifard displays ancient engravings in the hills outside the town of Khomein An ancient engraving of a hunter is seen in the hills outside the town of Khomein in central Iran. in central Iran. — AFP photos The ibex code Deciphering Iran’s ancient rock art

Ancient engravings of animals are seen in the hills outside the town of Ancient engravings of ibex deer are seen in the hills outside the town of Iranian archeologist Mohammed Naserifard displays ancient engravings in Khomein in central Iran. Khomein. the hills outside the town of Khomein.

n Iranian archaeologist has ago, putting them among the oldest treasure.” He estimates he has since Naserifard has done all this diligent spent years in an almost single rock art on the planet. But getting travelled more than 700,000 kilome- work, but he needs access to the big Ahanded quest across the coun- definitive data has been all but impossi- ters (450,000 miles) across two dozen labs. Hopefully, people can now come try’s hills and desert plains to uncover ble for Iranian archaeologists. Iranian provinces, unearthing some to help him.” ancient rock art that could be among “Sanctions have deprived us of the 50,000 ancient paintings and engrav- The Khomein hills are typical of the oldest in the world. technology,” Naserifard told AFP. “We ings. Naserifard now teaches at a local rock art locations around the world-a Now he hopes that renewed ties hope with the situation improving now, university, and his discoveries have once-fertile riverside spot that sup- with the West after years of interna- we can soon bring this technology to been catalogued by the Bradshaw ported sizeable settlements. As in tional isolation could help decipher its Iran and gain more accurate and scien- Foundation, a Swiss NGO specializing other places around the world, the mysteries. Despite its rough beauty, it tific information on these engravings.” in rock art, bringing them internation- artists were fixated by a single image: is hard to imagine that the desolate, al attention. “His work is really impor- in Iran, pictures of the ibex deer rock-strewn landscape outside the ‘Finding a treasure’ tant-there have been these blank account for more than 90 percent of town of Khomein in central Iran con- The sanctions imposed by world spots on the map that we are finally the ancient engravings catalogued by ceals any treasures. But Dr powers prior to last year’s nuclear deal starting to fill in,” said Genevieve von Naserifard. Mohammed Naserifard scrambles up meant Iranian scientists were cut off Petzinger, a Canadian cave art expert The Kozo hunters of South Africa a hillside, and waits eagerly at the top, from their global colleagues, deprived and author of “The First Signs: obsessively drew and redrew a big- his walking stick pointing out the long of modern lab equipment and the lat- Unlocking the Mysteries of the World’s horned sheep that looks surprisingly curled horns of a 4,000-year-old ibex est research, and faced severe funding Oldest Symbols”. The engravings similar. “We don’t know why they deer scratched into a flat stone. shortages. Added to that was the fact could even date back to when picked a favorite motif and ran with it, Over the next few hours, he leads that rock art has never been a priority humans made their first forays out of but we see the same pattern in very AFP on a journey through valleys and in Iran, where pre-Islamic history can Africa, she said. different places,” said Peter Robinson up steep slopes, revealing dozens be a controversial subject. It has been of the Bradshaw Foundation. He said more images of ancient hunters, tribal left instead to Naserifard’s personal ‘Eerie similarities’ the ibex may have been part of an ori- dances, deities and beasts. Despite determination. Having read about the Naserifard’s discoveries support gin myth, or perhaps the engravings their potential world-historical impor- subject in a German magazine, he the growing evidence that humans were an attempt to summon magical tance, they have been seen by just a hunted everywhere for examples. may have started to develop a com- hunting powers or encourage the handful of people. All are thousands Then one day in 2002, in the hills mon art tradition before leaving deer to multiply. of years old, but some of the mark- outside Khomein, he got lucky. “We Africa, which might explain why the “The similarities across time and ings-such as a line of cup-marks that were on a picnic and all my friends same themes and shapes have turned Ancient engravings are seen in the hills outside the town of Khomein. space can be eerie. We see examples may have been used in religious cere- were taking an afternoon nap. I went up in sites as far-flung as California, east and west,” said von Petzinger. in Iran, along with broader archaeo- in which Ice Age art didn’t vary across monies-could be much older. wandering and observing the rocks in Spain and South Africa. “Iran could be New methods such as uranium dat- logical work to put the findings in 30,000 years,” said Robinson. “But one Dutch enthusiasts who visited the the valley and I found a rock full of a really important part of the puzzle. It ing-which enables scientists to date context. thing that seems clear is this innate area with Naserifard in 2008 dated the shapes,” he recalled. “I was so excited! is a very strategic location-humans samples even older than is possible “These new methods are very human characteristic to want to mark cup marks to more than 40,000 years Finding these works was like finding a migrated through there heading both with carbon dating-are now needed expensive,” said von Petzinger. “Dr a wall, to graffiti.” — AFP

An unknown artist calling himself “Anonymouse” takes pictures of a mini restaurant and deli-shop for mice he has created in central Malmo, Sweden. ‘Anonymouse’ opens miniature restaurant for rodents in Sweden

n art group named ‘Anonymouse’ exquisite attention to detail that has has opened a new chain of minia- humans coming back for more. Ature restaurants designed to specifi- The street art creations have become cally cater for mice in Sweden. The quaint something of a Banksy for rodents; the 70cm x 30cm (about 25◊12 inch) stores, anonymous ‘Anonymouse MMX’ crew located in the Swedish city of Malmo, offer behind the installations has yet to reveal everything a modern-day mouse would itself. “It’s just too darn charming to imag- need, including a wide selection of nuts ine a world ... [in which] mice live parallel to and cheeses, to notices about upcoming us, but just slightly out of sight,” said a rep- mouse events. resentative for the art group - which has no While the mice are surely thrilled with affiliation to the Anonymouse.org website - An unknown artist calling himself “Anonymouse” has created a mini restaurant and deli-shop for mice in central Malmo, Sweden. — AFP photos the giant step in rodent evolution, it’s the to the HuffPost.-www.rt.com The ibex code: Deciphering Iran’s ancient rock art

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 39

Lebanese Muslim Sufi men perform with sabres during a ritual ceremony to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), known in Arabic as “Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi”, yesterday in the southern city of Sidon. — AFP photos

Lebanese Muslim Sufi men play music during a ritual ceremony to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

A Lebanese Muslim A Lebanese Muslim Sufi young man poses with Sufi child plays music a spike pierced into his cheek.

A Lebanese Muslim Sufi young man has a spike pierced into A Lebanese Muslim Sufi man performs a traditional A Lebanese Muslim Sufi child plays music during a ritual ceremony to commemo- his cheek during a ritual ceremony. dance during a ritual ceremony. rate the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

nly about 1,200 Christians remain in Orthodox community. “I want to make it visu- In the run up to Christmas - celebrated on birthplace. “We have applied for permits and if heads of the three Gaza churches to build Gaza-only a tiny fraction of the popula- al, I want to make people see it, not only to be Jan. 7 in the Orthodox church - Jeldha is busy we get them I intend to travel with my family,” stronger relations. Jeldha acknowledged that Otion in a territory run by Hamas kept as texts in church.” making pieces as gifts for friends and relatives. said Jeldha, who is determined to remain in the economy was suffering, with the blockade Islamists-but artist Naser Jeldha is doing what As he works, steel-rimmed spectacles While he has been an artist for 35 years, he Gaza despite the departure of many Christians imposed by Israel and Egypt, a move to pres- he can to preserve its Christian heritage perched on his nose, Jeldha listens to does not display his works or offer them for over the last decade in the face of rising eco- sure Hamas, limiting trade, driving up costs through art. In his studio in the heart of old Byzantine prayer music that echoes softly sale. Instead, he presents them as gifts at wed- nomic hardship. While Gaza’s Christians gener- and causing despair. Despite that, Jeldha, Gaza, not far from a 5th century Orthodox around the studio, creating an atmosphere dings or events on the Christian calendar. He ally enjoy good relations with their Muslim whose white front door is adorned with a small church, Jeldha spends his days carving reli- from another era. The walls are covered in his does, however, have plans for a public showing neighbours, there have been isolated attacks cross painted in blue, said he would never gious figurines, chiselling low-relief carvings of pictures, with more laid out on the arms of soon. In the next two weeks, he is also hoping by hardline Salafist groups on Christian tombs leave. “I have lived in this neighborhood for 54 Biblical scenes and painting portraits of Jesus chairs and sofas, and others propped on a 150- he will be one of about 800 Christians granted and symbols. Hamas, the Islamist movement years. I have brotherly and wonderful relations (PBUH), Mary Magdalene and the saints. “My year-old Russian piano in the corner. As well as a permit by Israel to leave Gaza and travel to that has ruled Gaza since 2006, is keen to with Muslims,” said the father of four. “Gaza is message is about my religion,” said the grey- painting and sculpture, Jeldha plays the accor- Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, ensure the Christian community feels safe and beautiful and I will not leave it...I do not feel I bearded 57-year-old, a member of the Greek dion, piano and guitar. to attend prayer services in Jesus’s(PBUH), protected. Its leaders occasionally visit the am a stranger here.” — Reuters