RABI ALTHANI 1, 1439 AH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 Max 23º 32 Pages 150 Fils Established 1961 Min 07º

ISSUE NO: 17410 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Kuwait amongst world’s Atlanta airport, world’s busiest, High and dry: Pakistan’s Top goalscorer Messi picks 219most charitable countries struggles after power outage 31 penchant for hashish 16 up Pichichi, Stefano awards

Health minister: Statement on fees blown out of proportion

14 MPs to boycott government oath in Assembly

By B Izzak

KUWAIT: New Health Minister Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah yesterday Israeli appeals said that his statement on revising increased medical charges on expatriates was “blown out of proportion”, insisting that he did not say anything about scrapping the decision. The minister said in a court ruling on statement that his statement on Sunday was circulated in a wrong way and showed him as if he said he would consider scrapping the deci- KAC travel ban sion, which went into effect on Oct 1. Sheikh Basel said he specifically mentioned that the decision to BERLIN: An Israeli man appealed hike health charges on expatriates will be reassessed based on a yesterday against a German court’s rul- statement made by the former health minister that the decision will be ing upholding Kuwait Airways’ right to reevaluated three months after implementation. ban him from boarding a flight due to A number of MPs had threatened to grill the minister if he studied his citizenship, a legal decision that the possibility of scrapping the increase in charges on expatriates, triggered sharp criticism from German saying that the decision has already reduced the number of expatriate officials and Jewish groups. The appeal weeks after protests that included the burning of Israeli flags. Merkel’s patients visiting health facilities, making way for Kuwaitis to secure argues that the ruling accepted a racist better health services. The decision sharply raised the cost of medical Kuwaiti law and allowed the airline to spokesman Steffen Seibert said Germany had a historic responsibility services at public hospitals and clinics, in some cases several-fold. override German laws requiring that There were calls by some Kuwaitis to suspend the decision because airlines transport any passenger with to stand by Israel and Jews everywhere. Anti-Semitism remains a sensitive issue many expatriates are unable to afford medical treatment now. valid travel documents, according to the In another development, 14 opposition lawmakers said yesterday Lawfare Project, which filed the appeal. in Germany, one of Israel’s closest allies, they will boycott the new ministers’ oath taking in the National “We cannot allow our laws to be sub- more than 70 years after the end of the Assembly in protest against the jailing of three MPs with connection Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah verted by the state-sponsored racism of Nazi-era Holocaust, in which six million to the 2011 storming of the Assembly building. The lawmakers, all of other nations,” said Nathan Gelbart, the Jews were killed. them from the opposition, will boycott the period when the prime min- German attorney for the group, which The Frankfurt court last month ruled imprisonment. They said that jailing them is against the constitution fights anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli dis- Kuwait Airways had the right to refuse ister and the ministers will start taking the oath in the Assembly to and that putting them behind bars before a final court ruling is a very crimination around the world. He said to carry the Israeli man on a flight to become members, in accordance with the Kuwaiti law. serious precedence. the decision by the Frankfurt district Bangkok that began in Frankfurt and The new Cabinet was sworn in by the Amir last week, but under the Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem accused sides he did not name of court had allowed “anti-Semitic discrim- included a stopover in Kuwait City law, they must take the oath in the Assembly too. The opposition law- trying to make personal gains from the court ruling and trying to dis- ination to be imported into our country since it was abiding by the laws of makers are expected to join the session after the government com- rupt the proceedings of the Assembly, warning that he will not tolerate and helped whitewash and sanitize it.” Kuwait, a country that does not recog- pletes taking the oath. The opposition lawmakers are upset that three them and will take stern action. Ghanem charged they are trying to Kuwait Airways has not commented on nize the state of Israel. It said of their colleagues and dozens of opposition activists have been hand- keep Kuwait indulged in crises without any moral obligations. He said the decision. Germany’s anti-discrimination law ed harsh jail terms and were sent to jail even before the sentences he will not allow any chaos inside the Assembly, adding that he will German Chancellor Angela Merkel applied only in cases of discrimination became final. take action against these elements. The speaker also said that the and other top officials have vowed to on the basis of race, ethnic background Meanwhile, MPs Jamaan Al-Harbash and Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Assembly will resume its sessions today after a long halt since the fight anti-Semitism and xenophobia or religion, not citizenship. who gave themselves up to authorities, issued a joint statement yes- opening session on Oct 24. Sessions may be extended to Thursday in with the full force of the law in recent Continued on Page 11 terday in which they held the speaker and MPs responsible for their order to compensate for the missed sessions.

President Jacob Zuma, whose reign has News in brief ANC elects been plagued by corruption scandals, economic slowdown and growing anger at the once-omnipotent party. US vetoes Jerusalem resolution Ramaphosa Thousands of raucous Ramaphosa supporters sang and chanted in the con- UNITED NATIONS: The United States yesterday as new head ference hall as rival backers of defeated vetoed a draft UN resolution rejecting President candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, after all 14 other Security Council JOHANNESBURG: South African appeared dejected. Ramaphosa won members, including key US allies Britain, France, deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa was 2,440 votes to Dlamini-Zuma’s 2,261. The Italy, Japan and Ukraine backed the measure. The narrowly elected head of the ruling ANC vote was a long and acrimonious process. veto cast by US Ambassador Nikki Haley highlight- party yesterday, winning a bruising race Delegates from around South Africa cast ed Washington’s isolation over Trump’s announce- that exposed rifts within the organization their ballots after repeated delays caused ment that the US embassy will be moved from Tel that led the fight against apartheid. “We by disputes over who was entitled to vote. Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively ignoring Palestinian declare comrade Cyril Ramaphosa the Hundreds of attendees were banned claims on the city. “The United States will not be new president of the African National from the poll, raising the possibility that JOHANNESBURG: South African deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa hugs Minister told by any country where we can put our embassy,” Congress,” an election official told party supporters of Dlamini-Zuma, a former Lindiwe Sisulu after he was announced President of the African National Congress Haley told the council after the veto. delegates in Johannesburg. The victory minister who is Zuma’s ex-wife, could (ANC) yesterday. — AFP puts Ramaphosa in line to succeed Continued on Page 11

Fatalities as US train derails

Lebanese Uber Modi steers LOS ANGELES: “Multiple” people were killed early yesterday when an Amtrak passenger train driver arrested party to state derailed in Washington state near the city of Tacoma, sending cars flying off a bridge and onto a busy interstate, officials said. Pictures from the over killing UK election wins scene showed one train car overturned and crushed NEW DELHI: India’s ruling party yes- on the interstate highway and another dangling embassy worker terday celebrated victory in two state down from the overpass above. The train, which was elections, but saw its majority dip in carrying 78 passengers and five crew, was part of a BEIRUT: Lebanese police yesterday Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong- newly expanded faster rail service along the route arrested a driver with a criminal record hold of Gujarat, where the charismatic linking Seattle and Portland, Oregon - featuring new suspected of killing British embassy leader campaigned aggressively in a locomotives. worker Rebecca Dykes after trying to closely-fought race. The wins in Gujarat rape her, according to officials and the and Himachal Pradesh further cemented national news agency. The Lebanese Modi’s dominance, with his Hindu Unease over Indian stance news agency said the Lebanese man, Rebecca Dykes nationalist party now ruling in roughly Narendra Modi who works as a driver with ride-hailing two-thirds of India’s states ahead of a NEW DELHI: A dozen Arab ambassadors have giant Uber, had confessed to killing the and added that Dykes was found with general election slated for 2019. pared to the 2012 polls. The party also asked India to clarify its position on the US recog- young woman, who was employed at the string tied around her neck. Modi, draped in a garland of flowers, wrested control of the northern nition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, diplomatic UK embassy in Beirut. Dykes was last A second senior security official in thanked voters in Gujarat - his home Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh sources said, after New Delhi’s muted response seen alive at a party in Gemmayzeh, a Lebanon said the suspect was aged 41 state of 60 million people - for backing from the main opposition Congress par- suggested a shift in support for the Palestinian Beirut neighborhood popular with for- and had been arrested on drug-related the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a ty, winning 44 out of 68 seats. The twin cause. The Indian foreign ministry, in a brief state- eign residents, on Friday night and left in charges in the period 2015-17. A sixth consecutive term. “The Gujarat victories extended BJP’s command to 19 ment, said India’s position was consistent and inde- the suspect’s car. spokesman for Uber said in an email: election results are historic. In this day of India’s 29 states. pendent of any third party. The bland statement “He picked her up in Gemmayzeh on “We are horrified by this senseless act of and age, for a party to keep winning for Congress, which has ruled India for made no reference to Jerusalem and prompted crit- Friday night, took her to Achrafieh then violence. Our hearts are with the victim so long is unprecedented,” he told much of its history but was thumped by icism at home that it was insufficient, vague and to the Metn highway and tried to rape and her family. We are working with cheering supporters at the BJP head- Modi’s BJP in the 2014 national poll, now anti-Palestinian. Last week, envoys from Arab states her,” the news agency said, referring to authorities to assist their investigation in quarters in New Delhi. holds just four states in the world’s largest including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait based in an expressway north of Beirut. Her body any way we can.” India’s election commission said the democracy of 1.25 billion. Modi’s chief rival New Delhi met Indian junior foreign minister M J Akbar to brief the government about an Arab was found dumped on the roadside there The Lebanese news agency said the party won 99 seats in the 182-seat Rahul Gandhi, who recently replaced his League meeting on Dec 9 condemning the US deci- early the following evening. A senior suspect was tracked down thanks to Gujarat parliament, more than the mother Sonia at the helm of Congress, said sion. The envoys also sought a more forthright security official had told AFP that stran- security cameras and confessed to majority mark of 92 needed to form he “accepts the verdict of the people”. Indian response. gulation was the likely cause of death Continued on Page 11 government. But it lost 16 seats com- Continued on Page 11 2 Established 1961 Local Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Global institutes affirm uniqueness of Kuwaiti economic status: KCCI Plan to hold an international economic forum in Kuwait

KUWAIT: A number of international financial institutes Kuwait to display the economic and financial opportuni- affirmed the uniqueness of Kuwait’s economic status, said ties in the country. With new laws and decrees, Kuwaiti Chairman of the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and economy will be more receptive for foreign investors, said Industry (KCCI) Ali the KCCI chairman who Mohammad Thunayan Al- affirmed that Kuwait’s top Ghanem yesterday. After authorities were in favor a meeting between His of holding the forum. Highness the Amir Sheikh The event, scheduled Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- Economy ‘more for next year, will be Jaber Al-Sabah and attended by His Highness Minister of Commerce receptive’ for the Amir and will be held and Industry and Minister foreign under his auspices, said of State for Youth Affairs Ghanem. Meanwhile Khaled Al-Roudhan at investors Roudhan said that the Seif Palace, Ghanem said forum, proposed for that most Kuwaiti banks March of next year would as well as economic and be very beneficial for shareholding companies Kuwaiti economy. His have gained regional and international recognition due to Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah has informed us on the their efforts. necessity of transforming Kuwait to a regional and inter- KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Chairman of the Based on this fact, the KCCI, the Ministry of national hub for business and economy, said Roudhan Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Ali Mohammad Thunayan Al-Ghanem, in presence of Commerce and Industry, and foreign investment authori- who affirmed that the forum would be geared toward Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Khaled Al-Roudhan. —KUNA ties are eager to hold an international economic forum in such goal. —KUNA

the program aims to upgrade the skills of the Kuwait and GCC national work- Executive education programs held by Harvard Business School in the GCC Dubai hosts GCC force, of which executives comprise the key component, he said. region adhere to the School’s high standards thus ensuring that participants and The program was conducted for the first time in 2010 as an exclusive their banks and organizations will be provided with the same quality of learning event for the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti banks. After the experience for which the school is so well known, Hashel pointed out. executive education tremendous success of that first program and with the Harvard Business At the end of the program, participants will receive a Harvard Business School showing interest in taking the program to the GCC level, the program School certificate, verifying that they have completed the program. The world- continued to be run on an annual basis since then, alternately in one of the famous Harvard Business School case studies will be the main learning tool in program next month GCC states, he elaborated. Communication with Harvard Business School the program; these case studies are written by the school’s faculty and are used started in 2009 to organize the school’s first custom program in the GCC in numerous universities and executive development centers, he added. KUWAIT: Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Governor and Institute of Banking region, he said, noting that the Harvard Business School is very selective in Development of the talented and qualified nationals in the Central Bank of Studies (IBS) Chairman Mohammad Yousef Al-Hashel said yesterday that the conducting custom programs, especially those beyond its campus in Boston, Kuwait and the Kuwaiti banks will remain a top strategic priority considering ninth version of executive education program for banking and finance execu- Massachusetts. The Governor explained that the title of the forthcoming 2018 the role of executives in developing their organizations, he stressed. tives in the GCC region, and from other Middle Eastern countries, will be held program is ‘Leading Strategy Execution in Financial Services,’ and it consists Collaboration amongst the GCC countries in areas of common interest such as in Dubai on January 27. The six-day program will be co-organized by the IBS of two integrated themes: ‘Strategic Management’ and ‘Leadership’ and will training and development has always been and will remain an item of top and Harvard Business School for the Ninth year in a row, he said in a press be held for six consecutive days from January 27 to February 1, 2018. priority, he concluded. —KUNA Mohammad Al-Hashel release. As one of the strategic developmental projects organized by the IBS, Kuwait amongst most charitable worldwide: Minister KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait built a strong reputation as one of the world’s most charitable countries, Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and KUWAIT: Minister of Justice and Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Fahad Al-Afasi said Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr Fahad Al-Afasi yesterday. Delivering a speech to the delivers a speech during the 24th Awqaf 24th Awqaf forum held under the aus- forum. —KUNA pices of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Nawaf at the event. Sabah, Afasi said that the UN recogni- Meanwhile, Secretary General of the tion of His Highness the Amir as a Awqaf Public Foundation Mohammad ‘Humanitarian Leader,’ and Kuwait as a Al-Jalahma said that Kuwait had proven ‘Global Humanitarian Center’ was a clear itself as a country keen on supporting indication of Kuwait’s strong presence in the needy all over the globe. Building the charitable scene all over the world. relationships through chartable is an He noted that securing a non-perma- integral part of a human being, affirmed nent seat at the UNSC between 2018- Jalahma who expressed that the current 2019 would help Kuwait to further sup- event was held to support all those who port charitable causes all around the are in need of charity and assistance. world. On the current forum, the minister In the meantime, former Bangladesh affirmed that Kuwait is aware of the Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni deliv- importance of providing a helping hand ered a speech during the event in which to the poor and needy all over the globe, she lauded Kuwait’s strong presence stressing that this would help push for within the global charitable scene. The worldwide development. annual Awqaf forum is an indication that Afasi took the change to thank His Kuwait was keen on continuing its chari- Highness the Crown Prince for his table role, said Dr Moni. The two-day generous sponsorship of the event, Aqwaf forum honored during its open- which was reflective of the top author- ing session Dr Waleed Al-Ali and Fahad ity’s keenness to support charitable Al-Hussein who were killed during a efforts. Al-Afasi represented His charity mission in Burkina Faso back in Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh August. —KUNA

well as the poor, affirming that the Kuwait marks two current situation in Yemen had left everyone affected. In coordination years of continued with the legitimate Yemeni govern- ment in Aden, the campaign focused aid for Yemen its efforts in providing water, educa- tion, health, refuge and food. The cam- RIYADH: Since December of 2015, the paign was launched by His Highness ‘Kuwait By Your Side’ campaign had the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- been providing non-stop relief aid and Jaber Al-Sabah as part of various humanitarian support to the Yemeni Kuwaiti groups providing relief aid to people after the war there crippled war-stricken Yemen. the country. The campaign issued a In other news, Kuwait’s Patients report from its headquarters in Aden, Helping Fund (PHF) on Sunday Yemen, recounting two years of launched a clinic at Aden International humanitarian efforts. Despite the Airport in Yemen, which aims to pro- ongoing war as well as the huge natu- vide urgent healthcare to incoming ral and logistic obstacles, the cam- and outgoing travellers. In a statement paign managed to deliver necessities in Riyadh, PHF said the airport in addition to food and water to the expressed gratitude for the initiative, most devastated areas in Yemen. which witnessed the construction of The campaign distributed a sum of the clinic and stocking it up with nec- $100 million worth of relief aid and essary medicine and equipment. The materials in three phases with each Kuwait-established fund has made costing $17, $23, $53 million respec- tangible contributions to healthcare tively. The current chair of the ‘Kuwait facilities in the governorate of Aden, By Your Side’ campaign Raed Ibrahim providing them with equipment and said that the past two years saw the ambulances, mentioned the airport’s campaign aiding well-off Yemenis as director Tareq Abdo. —KUNA Established 1961 3 Local Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Amir meets former ministers, thanks them for their efforts Top state officials receive new, outgoing ambassadors

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Former Deputy Prime Minister and Sabah meets with former Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad and Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammad Al- Sabah meets with former Minister of Health Dr Jamal Al- Al-Sabah. — KUNA Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. Harabi.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday at Seif Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as well. In the meantime, Palace the previous cabinet’s ministers. His Highness His Highness the Crown Prince also met with Health Sheikh Sabah met with former Deputy Prime Minister Minister Sheikh Dr Bassel Humoud Hamad Al-Sabah and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled and chief of Kuwait National Security Bureau (NSB) Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, former Minister of State for Cabinet Sheikh Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Affairs and Acting Minister of Information Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, former Ambassadors Minister of State for Housing Affairs and Minister of In other news, His Highness the Amir and His State of Services Affairs Yaser Abul, former Minister of Highness the Prime Minister have separately received Health Dr Jamal Al-Harbi, former Minister of Public the outgoing Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Jusupbek Works Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa, former Minister of Oil Sharipov on the occasion of ending his tenure in the and Minister of Electricity and Water Essam Al- country. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Marzouq, former Minister of Justice and Minister of Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad State for National Assembly Affairs Falah Al-Azb, as well Al-Sabah received the credentials of France’s new as former Minister of Education and Higher Education ambassador to the State of Kuwait. Dr Mohammad Al-Fares. His Highness the Amir thanked During the reception, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled the ministers for their efforts during their tenures and wished the new ambassador best of luck and more wished them all success in their future endeavors. His developed relations between Kuwait and France. Sheikh Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah Al-Khaled also met with the outgoing Australian His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with the outgoing Ambassador Jaber Al-Sabah also met with the former ministers yes- Ambassador to Kuwait Warren Hauck. During the of Kyrgyzstan Jusupbek Sharipov. terday to thank them for their efforts. reception, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled lauded Hauck’s Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received Sheikh efforts and contributions to the promotion and devel- Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, who presented to him a opment of firm relations between Kuwait and Australia. Office Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah Representative to Kuwait Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun. copy of his book entitled ‘Shariah, Democracy and the The meetings were attended by Deputy Foreign and several senior Foreign Ministry officials. Also yes- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled thanked the UN official for her Kuwaiti Constitution.’ Sheikh Dr Ibrahim later present- Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, Assistant Foreign Minister terday, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled received the outgoing efforts during her stay in Kuwait, wishing her the best ed copies of the book to His Highness the Crown Prince for the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident of luck in her future ventures. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah joins in cutting the cake during the Qatar Embassy’s National Day ceremony. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

embassy in Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al- Qatar embassy Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah also congratulated Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and the Qatari celebrates people on the occasion. For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah National Day underlined the strength of relations between Kuwait and Qatar. Speaking to reporters at the event, Sheikh KUWAIT: Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Sabah Al-Khaled said he was proud of Doha’s achieve- Marzouq Al-Ghanem on Sunday congratulated Qatar ments made on the scale of development along with on its National Day and hoped security and stability various other regional and international accomplish- would be maintained across all Gulf states. During their ments. Qatar’s National Day on December 18 marks the attendance of Qatar’s National Day celebrations at its unification of the state in 1878. — KUNA

Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem attends the ceremony. 4 Established 1961 Local Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: A colorful sunrise reflecting on clouds and water in Jahra Pools Nature Reserve. —KUNA Zain participates in Arab Day of People with Special Needs As part of its social responsibility strategy

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, participated in a special event organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in celebration of the Arab Day of People with Special Needs. The event was held at the Ministry’s Social Care Centers under the patronage and attendance of the Deputy Director of Medical, Psychological, and Social Services at the Public Authority of the Disabled Dr Nadia Abul and in coopera- tion with the National Assembly Speaker’s Committee of people with Special Needs. Every year, Zain is keen on participating in the activities organized by the Social Care Centers as part of its Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility strategy towards people with special needs. The company will spare no efforts to take part in initiatives that celebrate the capa- bilities of people with special needs and their families and raise awareness about their cause within the community. During the event, Zain organized a number of recre- ational activities to share the joys of this day with people with special needs and their families. The company was keen on contributing to making this event a success to cel- ebrate the capabilities of people with special needs and empower them within the society. Zain dedicates a great part of its Corporate Sustainability and Social Responsibility strategy towards KUWAIT: Zain is honored for its participation. people with special needs. The company recently spon- sored the seventh annual RunKuwait charity marathon ized by Al-Kharafi Activity Kids Center and aimed at shed- A scene from the event. organized by Fawzia Sultan Healthcare Network (FSHN) ding light on the distinguished efforts of mothers of chil- and aimed at supporting children with special needs in dren with mental disabilities. The company also regularly initiatives that work towards enhancing the society’s wel- springs from its belief in the importance of having a posi- Kuwait. The company was also the strategic partner of the conducts visits to social care centers during multiple sea- fare. Zain’s long-term cooperation with the Ministry of tive print in the society by sponsoring and launching initia- fifth consecutive edition of the Ideal Mother Award organ- sons all year round. Zain constantly finds ways to shoulder Social Affairs and Labor as well as other public entities tives that cater to various interests of the community.

Gulf Bank is proud to be a gold sponsor of the Fikra Gulf Bank holds Program for the second consecutive year. Fikra Program is an intensive entrepreneurship training program that provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the technical skills training session and business knowledge needed to launch their own busi- nesses such as leadership skills, comprehensive business for Fikra Program plan design, mentorship, financial analysis, media expo- sure, investment opportunities, and others. For this edition, over 350 applications were received KUWAIT: Gulf Bank was pleased to lead a training ses- and filtered to 30, before the actual interviews process. sion for participants of Fikra Program on non-financial Meshari Shehab, Assistant General Manager for Priority analysis, session was conducted recently at Al-Hamra and Wealth Management at Gulf Bank, was on the judg- Business Tower. Omar Al-Muhaisen, Relationship ing panel which then selected 15 business ideas to enter Manager - Business Banking at Gulf Bank, led the training the program. and focused on helping the participants understand tech- Fikra Program is held under the patronage of Khaled niques to conduct analyses of and make informed strate- Al Roudhan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and gic decisions about how to establish their businesses. Minister of State for Youth Affairs and is proudly support- The tools Al-Muhaisen focused on were Porter’s five ed by Ministry of State for Youth Affairs; The National forces and SWOT analysis. Porter five forces are used to Fund for SME Development; Gulf Bank; Al-Hamra Real analyze the competitive environment within an industry, Estate Company; Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial often focusing on external forces, while a SWOT analysis Co; Markaz Financial Center; Lexus Kuwait as a part of Al tends to look more deeply within an organization to ana- Sayer Group; and Grand Cinemas. Fikra Program is man- lyze its internal potential. aged by Cubical Services Business Incubator. Established 1961 5 Local Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Investment authority pays 50 percent of Dhaman Health Insurance Company’s cost Security considerations prevent transferring liabilities to roads authority

By A Saleh day received a memo including the Supreme Judicial Council’s opinion about a proposal made KUWAIT: Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) has by MP Waleed Al-Tabtabai suggesting extending paid around KD 115 million as 50 percent of the the grace period to file a contest before the court cost for the public shareholding company that was of cassation from 30 to 60 days. The council ini- established to build hospitals for expatriates cov- tially accepted the proposal but limited the exten- ered by the health insurance system. This amount sion to 40 days so that defendants and their represents citizens’ share in the Dhaman Health lawyers could have enough time to study the ver- Insurance Company, and is expected to be offered dict and file their contests. The proposal suggests to citizens in an initial public offering in 2018. The amending the first clause of article 153 of decree project will organize health services in Kuwait and law number 38/1980 to define the contest grace mainly targets the benefit of expats who are period in letters to sixty days instead of only using expected to only pay a comprehensive annual the digit ‘60,’ and omitting the phrase ‘effective as insurance fee without paying any extra charges of publication in the official gazette’ to ‘one month when they visits hospitals built and operated by after publication.’ Dhaman. The health insurance company’s opera- tional plan is expected Legislations to start in 2018 by Head of the parlia- launching a number of mentary legislation integrated primary affairs committee MP health care clinics, Special Al-Humaidi Al-Subai’e before launching fur- stressed that the pro- ther primary and sec- services sought posal made on regu- ondary services by lating the appointment 2020. The hospitals for martyrs’ of senior officials will will be located in Al- children help limit favoritism Ahmadi, Al-Jahra, and and deals made in such KUWAIT: Former health minister Dr Jamal Al-Harbi participates in the Dhaman Hospital - Ahmadi Al-Farwaniya, provid- cases. Following the Governorate groundbreaking ceremony, held in November 15, 2017. —KUNA ing surgery, internal committee’s meeting medicine, pediatrics, held yesterday, Subai’e operating rooms, accident and emergency, central said that the committee has rejected a proposal to laboratories and radiology. regulate private tuitions by building special private from various other state department as per the central apparatus for illegal residents’ affairs to schools that will contradict with developing educa- authority’s founding law. Abdulsamad explained discuss the number of non-Kuwaiti martyrs’ fami- Recruitment priority tion. Subai’e added that bedoons’ civil rights were that the roads sector was transferred from the pub- lies registered in the bureau and not registered in MP Saleh Ashour criticized the government for one of the top priority proposals and that the com- lic works ministry to the authority with all its liabili- the apparatus. Discussions in the meeting focused what he described as failure to implement a mittee will discuss it within a fortnight. ties as per a meeting held with the prime minister on finding ways to allow those families to receive decree last January and prioritizes the recruitment on March 23, 2017 with the aim of avoiding contra- health and educational services, she added. of Kuwaiti women’s children in state departments. Roads authority diction of liabilities. He added that the interior min- Speaking during a ceremony held to honor mar- In an inquiry addressing Minister of State for Head of the parliamentary budgets and final istry is yet to transferred some of its liabilities, such tyrs’ creative children, Ameer said that the meet- Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh, Ashour pointed out statements committee Adnan Abdulsamad said that as technical vehicles’ checkup and drivers’ licenses, ings discussed issuing a health card by which mar- that many Arab expats had been appointed in the committee met with officials from the Interior to the authority due to security considerations. tyrs’ families who are not registered with the positions that could be filled by Kuwaiti women’s Ministry, Ministry of Public Works, the Public apparatus could receive medical care. Ameer children. Authority for Roads and Transport, the State Audit Martyrs’ children added that an agreement was made with the Bureau, the auditors apparatus and the Civil The Amiri Diwan undersecretary and director of Interior Ministry to have relevant authorities study Grace period Service Commission to discuss transferring the lia- Al-Shaheed (Martyrs) Bureau Fatima Al-Ameer the files of martyrs during offensive operations The parliamentary legislation committee yester- bilities of the newly-established roads authority said that extensive meetings was held with the pending granting them citizenship.

Court rejects petition News in brief to expel expats from ‘Info’ violations sent public schools to Public Prosecution By Meshaal Al-Enezi KUWAIT: Reports on violations and plunder of KUWAIT: The court of first instance rejected a petition public funds at the Ministry of Information were demanding that enrollment in public schools is made referred to the Public Prosecution, Minister of completely exclusive for Kuwaitis. However, lawyers Information Mohammad Al-Jabri said yesterday. who forwarded the petition have already announced Jabri said that the ministry would be focusing on plans to appeal the verdict. The comprehensive court transparency when it comes to expenditure, had ruled that this case falls out of its jurisdiction. affirming that the ministry would work on meas- Although expatriates are generally not allowed to enroll ures to implement Kuwait’s 2035 vision. Minister their children in public schools, exemptions are made to Al-Jabri added that a ministerial specialized com- those working in certain departments such as the min- mittee would be looking into the parliamentary istries of education and health. interpellations of the previous two ministers to Weather forecast prevent possible violations. —KUNA Meteorologist Essa Ramadhan said that the weather is expected to remain warm and moderate during the day and cool during the night this week. Scattered No deal signed for clouds, dry weather and southeasterly winds are smart driving licenses expected from Thursday onwards following a drop in temperature, he added. KUWAIT: No deal was signed with any compa- ny to start issuing smart driving licenses, the Lawyer acquitted Ministry of Interior said yesterday. The Interior The appeals court exonerated a Kuwaiti lawyer of Ministry’s Public Relations department said that joining Hezbollah. However, the suspect remains in jail as video clips circulating on social media regarding he is serving a five-year sentence for spreading false the deal were false. Currently there is no deal news in which he claimed that a Bangladeshi cleaning with any company to start issuing the smart worker has impersonated a Kuwaiti doctor in a local public hospital. licenses, said the ministry, adding the responsibil- ity of striking a deal lies in the hands of Kuwait’s Allegations General Secretariat for the Supreme Council for Head of the teaching faculty society at Kuwait Planning and Development (SCPD) and the UN University Dr Ibrahim Al-Humoud said that an investi- Development Program (UNDP). The statement gation must be launched into allegations made by a local said that if a deal was signed, the ministry will be newspaper, claiming that an unauthorized Indian maga- only responsible for the technical aspects of issu- zine published papers based on which some of faculty ing the smart driving licenses. —KUNA members were promoted. Addict stabs foe to settle old score KUWAIT: A drugs user stabbed a citizen over an old dispute when he ran into him in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. The victim was taken to Farwaniya Hospital for treatment. Police also discovered that the suspect is wanted to serve four years in jail over a previous case. Meanwhile, Mubarak Al-Kabeer police arrested a citizen who was caught while being under the influence of drugs. Police had headed to the Sabhan Bridge fol- lowing a report about a driver obstructing traffic. The man was found sleeping in his car while drugs were found inside the vehicle as well. The man was arrested and sent to the Drugs Control General Department. In a separate case, a Vietnamese man resisted arrest when caught selling liquor along with a Bangladeshi taxi driver in Farwaniya. When policemen asked a taxi driver to pull over, both the driver and the man accom- panying him attempted to escape on foot, but were caught. Police found bags containing homebrewed liquor inside the vehicle. Both suspects were sent to concerned authorities. —Translated by Kuwait Times InternationalEstablished 1961 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 Militants storm Kabul Rohingya families rescued from slavery in India spy training centre Page 8 Page 7

BENGHAZI, Libya: A Libyan armed forces cadet performs maneuvers during their graduation ceremony at the military academy in eastern Benghazi yesterday. —AFP Mayor of Misrata abducted, killed

Libya strongman says UN-backed mandate has expired TRIPOLI: The mayor of Libya’s third-largest city Misrata Britain’s ambassador to Libya, Peter Millett, said he Sunday that the mandate of the country’s UN-backed gov- their legitimacy, which has been contested from the first has been killed by unidentified assailants who abducted was “deeply saddened by (the) senseless murder” of ernment has run out after what he said was the expiration day they took office,” he said. The United Nations Security him as he returned from an official trip overseas, a security Eshtewi. “He worked hard to serve his people,” Millett of a tattered 2015 political deal. The UN-brokered agree- Council on Thursday insisted the 2015 deal remains the source said yesterday. Mohamad Eshtewi’s body was found said on Twitter. Home to ment signed in Morocco “only viable framework” to prepare for elections next year. dumped in the street after he was kidnapped after leaving some 400,000 people, on December 17, 2015 The UN in September launched a fresh push to agree a the airport in the western coastal city late on Sunday, the Misrata is considered one established Libya’s new accord aimed at bringing stability to Libya, which has source said. The city hospital said it had received the may- of Libya’s safest cities. Its Government of National been in chaos since the 2011 ouster of long-time dictator or’s body bearing gunshot wounds. His brother was with powerful militias played a Accord (GNA) for a one- Muammar Gaddafi. him in the car and was wounded in the attack, the security major role in expelling the year period, renewable One of the main stumbling blocks is the inclusion in any source said. Islamic State group from Eshtewi’s body only once. Despite that potential government of Haftar, whose Libyan National Eshtewi was returning from an official visit to Turkey the coastal city of Sirte deal, Libya has remained Army dominates the country’s east. In a statement on with other members of the city council, who were all last year. In October, four found dumped divided between the Sunday the UN’s special representative to Libya Ghassan elected in 2014 for four years. UN envoy for Libya people were killed in a sui- GNA government in Salame said Libyans were “fed up with violence” and Ghassan Salame on Twitter denounced the killing and cide bombing claimed by in the street Tripoli led by Prime hoped “for a political solution, for reconciliation and for expressed his “profound sadness” at the news. The IS at the main court build- Minister Fayez al-Sarraj harmony”. “I urge all parties to heed their voices and Tripoli-based Government of National Accord deplored a ing in Misrata. Libya has and a rival administration refrain from any actions that could undermine the political “cowardly” and “terrorist act” that killed a “symbol of been wracked by chaos backed by Haftar in the process,” the statement said. The foreign ministers of moderation and tolerance”, vowing that those responsible since the 2011 uprising east. Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt after meeting in Tunis on would be brought to justice. France’s foreign ministry said that toppled and killed longtime dictator Muammar In a televised speech Haftar, who has never recognized Sunday, welcomed the UN Security Council declaration. the killing confirmed “the urgency for a political solution” Gaddafi, with rival authorities and militias vying for con- the GNA’s authority, said the “expiry of the Libyan political They also reaffirmed their rejection of “any outside inter- to the political and security problems plaguing the North trol of the oil-rich country. accord” marked a “historic and dangerous turning point”. ference in Libya” and “any attempt by any Libyan party to African country. Meanwhile, Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar insisted “All bodies resulting from this agreement automatically lose derail the political process” there. — Agencies

Kremlin’s cyber Raising the bar: weapons spark Local brews making fears, fantasies a comeback in Syria MOSCOW: From Donald Trump’s election to Brexit and the Catalan crisis, accusations that the Kremlin is med- DAMASCUS: For years, Abu George’s bar in Damascus’s dling in Western domestic affairs have heightened fears Old City served imported beers under portraits of famous over Russian hackers, trolls and state-controlled media. foreigners Che Guevara and Marilyn Monroe-but the brews While the first accusations against Moscow came follow- on offer now are Syrian-made. When war broke out in 2011, ing a 2016 hack attack on the US Democratic Party’s Syria’s two main breweries halted production, leaving con- servers, they rapidly multiplied after Trump’s election, sumers sipping on foreign, and more expensive, beers. But as revealing a whole range of tools used by the Kremlin to fighting has subsided across much of the country this year, a serve its interests. new pair of local lagers has hit the markets. Fears initially centred on mysterious Russian hackers Tiny pubs line a cramped alleyway in the historic heart of who supposedly worked for Moscow’s security services Syria’s capital, where a group of girls dressed in white distrib- as part of a cyber war but then shifted to a flood of online ute free bottles of “Afamia” to passers-by. Customers at Abu articles and social media posts aiming to explain George’s bar reach out for a few of the brown bottles, embla- Moscow’s position and play up the failings of Western zoned with a blue and gold label proclaiming Afamia to be the democracies. In the latest episode of the saga that is “Beer of Syria”. dominating Trump’s presidency, Russian state television “It’s a lovely initiative,” says Ghassan Salloum, who co- channel RT, accused of broadcasting Kremlin propagan- owns the popular watering hole. “The beer will be well- MOSCOW: People stand at a bus stop next to an official poster announcing next year’s presidential election in received-people want a national brew.” The bearded 61-year- da abroad, complied with Washington demands in Moscow yesterday. — AFP old floats between tables to top up the bowls of salted November to register as a “foreign agent” in the US. peanuts that inevitably accompany chilled ales, as loud music A few weeks earlier, social media giant Twitter drowns out the clinking of beer bottles. “I’ve been here for 20 announced it would stop distributing content sponsored to represent Moscow’s position abroad, especially on tion and even organizing protests. years, since a time when the national beer was really in by RT and linked news agency Sputnik while Facebook topics where Russia and the West clash such as the con- But Mark Galeotti, a security expert and researcher at demand,” Salloum says, and Syrian spirits have continued to and Google promised to do more to fight Moscow’s “dis- flicts in Ukraine and Syria. “Russia spends a lot of money the Institute of International Relations in Prague, wrote in be a favorite. Before 2011, two local brews dominated the information”. Panic has spread across the Western world: on this (information war) and we constantly see more Tablet magazine in June that the Kremlin’s operation in Syrian market: Barada, produced at a brewery outside Madrid is worried about Russian-controlled “manipula- players,” said Russian investigative journalist Andrei 2016 “was about weakening Washington, not deciding Damascus, and Al-Sharq, based in second city Aleppo. tion” of the Catalan crisis, while British analysts see signs Soldatov, editor of Agentura.ru, a website specializing in who would sit in the White House” and aimed to “under- Al-Sharq shuttered its doors as violence in Aleppo esca- of Russian influence in the Brexit vote and concerns are security issues. mine the legitimacy of the American government, its lated. The Barada brewery was ravaged by fighting, with growing in Germany and France over possible interfer- In 2014, Russian media reported on a new, powerful capacity to act”. Syria’s government blaming “extremists” and rebels accusing ence in various polls. Kremlin tool: a “troll factory” in Saint Petersburg. Despite these efforts, Moscow’s ability to influence the army of shelling it. “I was very sad when the war The Kremlin, meanwhile, has dismissed the accusa- Officially called the “Internet Research Agency,” it was Western public opinion remains limited. American offi- destroyed the breweries, so today I’m happy to have Syrian tions as “hysterical” and “Russophobic,” insisting there is reportedly linked to Russian security services and ran cials have said that content coming from Russia and the beer again,” said Elias, a 27-year-old customer at Abu no hard evidence for any of the charges. Russia has thousands of fake accounts on social media in an attempt amounts spent on it were only a small portion of the total George’s. He sipped on a cool Afamia, named after the cele- worked hard to increase its “soft power” following what it brated city of Apamea in central Syria. The Afamia brewery to influence public opinion. According to sources inter- information flow and spending. The Kremlin nevertheless perceived as a defeat in the “media war” during its brief on the eastern edge of Damascus had been all prepped for viewed by the RBK daily newspaper, it was first deployed hugely increased the budget allocated to its cyber cam- production in 2010, but after Syria’s conflict broke out early war with pro-Western Georgia in 2008. These efforts led to influence domestic politics. The trolls, the paper said, paign during the 2016 presidential election. Russia spent the next year, the factory shut down and the lagers never hit to the expansion of Kremlin-controlled media for a for- were then reorientated from 2015 to sow unrest in the $50,000 on Facebook ads during the US election cam- the stores. — AFP eign audience. State broadcaster RT, formerly Russia US. Here they pretended sometimes to belong to one paign compared to the whopping $81 million that Trump Today, and news agency Sputnik were assigned a mission camp and sometimes to another, spreading false informa- and Hillary Clinton spent on their campaigns. — AFP Established 1961 7 International Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Militants storm spy training centre Afghan president forces out powerful ‘King of the North’

KABUL: Militants stormed an intelligence agency training step up their attacks on security installations and centre in Kabul yesterday in an attack claimed by the Islamic mosques. Security in Kabul has been strengthened since State group, triggering an intense gunbattle with Afghan May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the police. Security forces battled the militants, besieged in a city’s diplomatic quarter, killing about 150 people and construction site at the National Directorate of Security wounding around 400 — mostly civilians. No group has (NDS), for hours before killing at least two attackers. “They officially claimed responsibility for that attack, which the were well hidden in buildings under construction. We government blamed on the Taleban-allied Haqqani exploded their VBIED and killed two or three of them,” a Network. source with the NDS said on condition of anonymity, refer- Yesterday’s attack represents another blow to belea- ring to a car bomb that attackers brought to the scene. guered Afghan police and troops. The Taleban have tar- Kabul police spokesman Basir Mujahid said two police offi- geted military installations in recent months, including a cers were injured but there were no civilian casualties. spate of attacks in October that killed around 150 people. During the attack, Afghan forces, already roads to the area were beset by desertions and closed and dozens of corruption, have seen police and intelligence casualties soar to what a officers blocked access to US watchdog has the public. AFP reporters, Security forces described as “shockingly who were held more than high” levels since NATO a kilometer away from the forces officially ended battle militants; KABUL: Afghan National Army (ANA) arrive at the side of an ongoing attack in Kabul. Militants stormed scene, saw ambulances their combat mission in an intelligence agency training facility in Kabul yesterday, triggering intense fighting with police in the and reinforcements head- attackers killed 2014 and began a training latest attack to hit the Afghan capital. —AFP ed towards the site. “I and support role. was going toward my Morale has been fur- school. It (the attack) ther eroded by long-run- ‘King of the North’ leader of the Tajik-dominated Jamiat-e Islami party, had happened suddenly... the ning fears that the mili- In another development, Afghanistan President Ashraf resigned from his post. “President Ashraf Ghani has police arrived in the area tants have insider help- Ghani yesterday announced the resignation of a powerful approved the resignation of the governor of Balkh Mr Atta fast and blocked the roads, not allowing anyone to get to everything from infiltrators in the ranks to corrupt Afghan politician nicknamed “King of the North”, sidelining a rival Mohammad Noor,” the statement said, adding that engi- their homes,” Naweed, a student said. IS claimed respon- forces selling equipment to the Taleban. IS, which has but angering the politician’s party who said he had been neer Mohammad Daud has been appointed to take his sibility for the attack through its propaganda arm. “Two IS expanded its presence in Afghanistan since it first sacked. Atta Mohammad Noor, 54, had been governor of place. Noor was not immediately available to comment. attackers raid the Afghan intelligence centre in Kabul,” the appeared in the region in 2015, has also scaled up its Balkh province since 2004 but had recently been critical of But Jamiat-e Islami in a statement strongly condemned jihadists’ Amaq outlet reported. attacks in Kabul, including those on the country’s Shiite the National Unity Government led by Ghani. Noor has pre- what it called a “decision by the presidency”, branding it The Afghan capital in recent months has become one minority. Last month a suicide attacker blew himself up viously hinted that he may run for the presidency in an elec- “hasty, irresponsible, against the security... and in contra- of the deadliest places in the war-torn country for civil- outside a political gathering in Kabul, killing at least 14 tion in 2019. Ghani has not yet confirmed if he will run again. diction of the principles of the National Unity ians, as the resurgent Taleban and increasingly IS both people in an attack claimed by IS. The president’s office in a statement said Noor, a senior Government”. —Agencies

61 killed as Ethiopia ethnic groups clash ADDIS ABABA: At least 61 people have been killed in clashes between different ethnic groups in Ethiopia’s Oromiya region, officials said, the latest bout of vio- lence to highlight increasing instability in a province racked by bloody protests in 2015 and 2016. From Thursday, 29 ethnic Oromos were killed by ethnic Somali attackers in the region’s Hawi Gudina and Daro Lebu districts, regional spokesman Addisu Arega Kitessa said. The violence triggered revenge attacks by ethnic Oromos in another district, resulting in the killing of 32 Somalis who were being sheltered in the area fol- lowing a previous round of violence. “The region is working to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the spokesman said in a statement. The cause of the latest violence was not known, but it followed protests in Oromiya’s Celenko town where the region’s officials said 16 ethnic Oromos were shot dead on Tuesday by soldiers trying to disperse the crowd. “We do not know who ordered the deployment of the mili- tary. This illegal act should be punished,” said Lema Megersa, the region’s president. The clashes are likely to fuel fears about security in Ethiopia, the region’s biggest economy and a staunch Western ally. Lema’s comments also illustrate growing friction within Ethiopia’s ruling EPRDF coalition, since unrest roiled the Oromiya region in 2015 and 2016, when hun- dreds of people were killed. At that time, the violence forced the government to impose a nine-month state of emergency that was only lifted in August. The unrest was provoked by a development scheme for the capital Addis Ababa that dissidents said amounted to land grabs and turned into broader anti-government demon- strations over political and human rights. It included attacks on businesses, many of them foreign-owned, including farms growing flowers for export. —Reuters

Iran’s death-row inmate confesses to ‘spying for Israel’ TEHRAN: Iranian public television has broadcast images it says show the confession of an academic sentenced to death for spying for Israel during nuclear talks with world powers. In the video aired late Sunday and prepared by Iran’s intelligence min- istry, Ahmadreza Djalali says he worked with a for- eign intelligence agency while studying in Europe. Djalali, an Iranian emergency medicine specialist resi- dent in Sweden, was sentenced to death in the Islamic republic in October for spying for Israel. The academic was a visiting professor at Belgium’s Vrije Universiteit Brussel when he was arrested dur- ing a trip to Iran in April 2016. He was accused of passing information to Israel’s Mossad intelligence service during the negotiations that led to Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers in 2015. Djalali has said he is being punished for refusing to spy for Iran while working in Europe. In the 17-minute video, a narrator speaks over images of a purported “inter- view” with Djalali crosscut with archive footage, accusing him of being a “traitor” and of having been recruited by Mossad. In the footage, Djalali says he gave information to foreign intelligence agents on two Iranian nuclear sci- entists, Majid Shahriari and Masoud Alimohammadi. The two were among five Iranian scientists-four of them involved in the country’s nuclear program-killed in bomb and gun attacks in Tehran between 2010 and 2012. Iran has accused Mossad and the CIA of order- ing the killings. The video comes just days after human rights group Amnesty International said Iran’s Supreme Court had “run roughshod over the rule of law” by confirming Djalali’s death sentence. —AFP 8 Established 1961 Tuesday, December 19, 2017 International Journalists accused of violating colonial-era Official Secrets Act Myanmar authorizes police to proceed with a case

YANGON: Myanmar’s civilian President Htin Kyaw, a close respected. “Your reporters are protected by the rule of the ally of government leader Aung San Suu Kyi, has authorized law,” he said. “All I can say is the government can guaran- the police to proceed with a case against two detained tee the rule of law.” Reuters reporters accused of violating the country’s colo- nial-era Official Secrets Act, a senior government spokesman NLD figures join critics said. Journalists Wa Lone, 31, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 27, were But two senior figures in the NLD yesterday joined the arrested last Tuesday evening after they were invited to dine criticism of how the two men are being treated. Nyan Win, a with police officers on the outskirts of Myanmar’s largest member of the NLD’s central executive committee and one city, Yangon. of Suu Kyi’s defense lawyers during her years of house “The Ministry of Home Affairs has already submitted the arrest under junta rule, said it was “unfair” that the families case to the Office of the President,” Zaw Htay, spokesman for of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were not allowed to contact Aung San Suu Kyi, said by them or be told where phone late on Sunday. He they are being held. He added that the president’s said the police were office had given approval for being “very secretive” the case to go ahead. Zaw and called for “openness”, Htay could not be reached ICJ demands although said the NLD yesterday to clarify whether was unable to do any- Htin Kyaw or Suu Kyi had journalists’ thing about the issue as it been personally involved in was not being kept the decision, or if other offi- whereabouts informed. cials had signed off on the Although an NLD-led president’s behalf. civilian government took Suu Kyi, head of the rul- office in April last year the ing National League for police and home ministry, Democracy (NLD), is which are driving the barred from the presidency under a constitution written by case, remain under the control of the military. Win Htein, the military. But she effectively runs the country in the role another senior figure in the NLD, who was also critical of the BAGAN, Myanmar: Buddhist monk novices prepare to wash their alms vases at the monastery after they walked of “state counselor”. Approval from the president’s office is journalists’ detention, suggested they had probably been set through the streets of Bagan collecting alms from devotees. Buddhist tradition in Myanmar requires everyone to needed before court proceedings can begin in a case up by the police. “In my opinion this is a trap,” he said. “They spend some time in a monastery or nunnery before the age of 18 in what is viewed as an important coming of age brought under the Official Secrets Act. Section 13 of the met with two policemen and then they were arrested some- ritual. Others, however, are there for the long-term, destined for a monastic life.— AFP Act states: “No Court shall take cognizance of any offence where else with the documents.” Asked on Mizzima under this Act unless upon complaint made by order of, or Television what he would do for the detained journalists, of Information said last week that they had “illegally acquired is also proceeding. The authorities have not allowed the under authority from, the President of the Union.” Information Minister Pe Myint said: “When I know all the information with the intention to share it with foreign media”, journalists any contact with their families, a lawyer or A number of governments, including the United States, facts of the current case, I will work to do what I can.” and released a photo of the pair in handcuffs. It said they were Reuters since their arrest. Canada and Britain, and United Nations’ Secretary- Pe Myint is a former editor of the People’s Age in Yangon being investigated under the 1923 Official Secrets Act, which The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) called on General Antonio Guterres, as well as Reuters Editor-in- and was Wa Lone’s boss when the journalist worked at the carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. the authorities to immediately disclose the whereabouts Chief Stephen J. Adler and a host of journalists’ and human paper in his first job as a reporter. The two journalists had The ministry said at the same time that two policemen, of the pair. “All detainees must be allowed prompt access rights’ groups have criticized the arrests as an attack on worked on Reuters coverage of a crisis that has seen an esti- Police Captain Moe Yan Naing and Police Sergeant Khin to a lawyer and to family members,” said Frederick press freedom and called on Myanmar to release the two mated 655,000 Rohingya Muslims flee from a fierce military Maung Lin, had also been arrested under the same act. No Rawski, the ICJ’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director, in a men. Zaw Htay said the journalists’ legal rights were being crackdown on militants in western Rakhine state. The Ministry details have been released on whether a case against them statement yesterday. —Reuters

News in brief Rohingya families 10 killed in stampede rescued from CHITTAGONG: Ten people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede yesterday after tens of thousands of people gathered for a funeral feast in Bangladesh’s south- slavery in India ern city of Chittagong, police said. Police and hospital staff said they feared the death toll could rise. “So far we MUMBAI: Three Rohingya families from Myanmar com- can confirm the death toll of 10 men,” city police chief Iqbal Bahar said, adding it appeared to be an “accident”. prising 13 people were rescued in the northern Indian city “The death toll could rise as 15 people are critically of Agra at the weekend after being enslaved for a year as injured,” said another police official, Mohammad rag pickers, authorities said. The three families came to Alauddin. Police staged baton charges to clear the crowd India after an agent at a refugee camp in Bangladesh who packed community centers for the afternoon feast promised them jobs, but they worked long hours for no commemorating a popular former city mayor. Mohiuddin pay, according to activists who alerted the authorities. Chowdhury, a senior politician of the ruling Awami United Nations officials have warned that refugee camps League party and a three-term mayor of the country’s in Bangladesh are fertile territory for human traffickers and second largest city, died on Friday. He was 73. the scale of a recent influx from Myanmar was putting more people at risk. “The employers had paid these agents money and did Fire in Mumbai kills 12 not pay them any wages saying the amount was being adjusted against the work they were doing,” said Nirmal MUMBAI: Fire tore through a sweet shop in the Indian Gorana, convener of the National Campaign Committee city of Mumbai before dawn yesterday, sparking a build- for Eradication of Bonded Labor, that took part in the res- ing collapse which killed 12 sleeping workers, authorities cue. “They came to India thinking they would find a job said. Four others were injured but some saved their lives and safety ... but they lived in a polythene hut, the rent for by scrambling out seconds before the collapse. Fire which was being deducted from their non-existent wages.” crews and other rescuers saved many trapped workers Officials said no police case against the employer has been but 12 died of their injuries, said Tanaji Kamble, filed with an investigation underway but confirmed the spokesperson for Mumbai’s disaster management cell. refugees were enslaved. “The men collected plastic bottles “The casualties could have been much higher but luckily from garbage piles. They were in a poor state when we some workers managed to escape before the building col- went to rescue them,” said Raju Kumar, a judicial magis- SABRANG: Rohingya Muslim refugees sail a makeshift raft made from jerrycans and bamboo across lapsed,” Kamble added. Authorities are looking into the trate in Agra. the Naf River into Bangladesh at Sabrang, Teknaf district. —AFP cause of the blaze in the store in the suburbs of India’s Almost 870,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh, financial capital. Building disasters are common in Mumbai, including about 660,000 who arrived after Aug. 25, when Rohingya Muslims living in India after fleeing Myanmar vey of Rohingya families in India to see if more people are especially during the monsoon season from late June to Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the over the past decade. Officials said Agra, the home of the trapped in similar situations and have demanded that September. Millions live in cramped dilapidated properties Myanmar army launched a counter-offensive. But their Taj Mahal, is densely populated and it is hard to identify India’s laws against bonded labour be applied in these because of high rental prices and activists say housing influx into India started years before with close to 40,000 the refugees among locals. Activists have called for a sur- cases as well. —Reuters owners and builders often cut corners to save costs.

Philippine deadly storm from certain after Pinera scored a much Billionaire Pinera lower than expected 37 percent in the first MANILA: Rescuers used bulldozers to dig through round of the election held November 19. mountains of mud in the search for more than 40 people returns as Analysts had speculated that Guillier could missing in the eastern Philippines after landslides trig- bolster his 22 percent from that round by gered by a powerful storm which killed at least 31 at the Chile president getting votes from other leftist candidates weekend, authorities said yesterday. Tropical Storm Kai- who were defeated. But in the end, most Tak was heading out to the South China Sea yesterday voters appeared to come down in favor of afternoon after dragging its way across the archipelagic SANTIAGO: Billionaire Sebastian Pinera the experience of Pinera, who is worth nation over the weekend, leaving at least 31 people dead, will return to power as Chile’s president some $2.7 billion and painted himself as a most of them from drowning and landslides, government next year, according to virtually complete safe pair of hands for Latin America’s fifth- officials said. President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman results from a runoff election held Sunday. biggest economy. Harry Roque also said 49 people were still missing. The Electoral authorities said the 68-year-old Voting had taken place under a somber island province of Biliran suffered the brunt of the storm conservative, who previously led the South cloud Sunday, following the deaths of five as the heavy rains caused landslides that buried many American nation from 2010-2014, had 55 people and the disappearance of 18 more homes and destroyed roads and bridges. Rescuers percent of the vote, with 98 percent of bal- in a mudslide in the country’s south. Both searching for survivors on the island were not optimistic. lots counted. His leftist rival Alejandro candidates had projected confidence, with Guillier, a 64-year-old TV presenter turned Pinera stating as he cast his ballot: “I have senator who ran as an independent backed the firm conviction that we are going to Landslide kills 8 miners by outgoing center-left President Michelle win these elections and that better times Bachelet, conceded after receiving 45 per- are going to come for all Chilean house- JAKARTA: A landslide on the slopes of Indonesia’s Mount cent. “We have suffered a tough defeat,” holds.” With no recent reliable voter sur- Merapi volcano on Java Island yesterday killed at least Guillier said. He called for the opposition to veys in the weeks before Sunday’s runoff, eight people mining sand and stones and injured eight, the “defend” reforms started under Bachelet. however, the outcome had been seen as SANTIAGO: Chilean president elect Sebastian Pinera greets President Michelle country’s disaster mitigation agency said. The miners had He said Pinera walked away with “a solid wide open. Marco Moreno, of Central Bachelet (left) upon arrival at his residence in Santiago yesterday. —AFP been digging out sand and stones from a steep cliff when and impeccable triumph.” Pinera will lead University, had called it “the most uncer- the country-the world’s top copper produc- they were engulfed, Disaster Mitigation Agency tain election since the return of democra- er-for four years starting in March 2018. He spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement. cy” after the end of Augusto Pinochet’s Pinera and Guillier also promised to dren. Their presence softened his public will once again take over from Bachelet, who “There could be more miners buried by the landslide, but dictatorship in 1990. expand free university tuition brought in character, according to a member of his was barred by the constitution from running it’s unclear because the number working at the mine is also for re-election. Bachelet and Pinera have under Bachelet-a measure with historical entourage who requested anonymity. As Lower growth unclear,” said Nugroho, noting that despite previous land- tag-teamed the presidency since Bachelet resonance in Chile because paid tuition much as he is known as a demanding busi- Although copper exports, which con- slides in the area the practice had persisted. Heavy equip- first took office in 2006. Since then, they was introduced under Pinochet’s 1973- nessman-who had to divest investments ment had been brought in to help search for victims at the have alternated in power, switching Chile’s tribute greatly to Chile’s wealth, are 1990 rule. For Pinera, the vow was a U- including an airline and a football team for site, about 50 km north of the city of Yogyakarta. In many politics between center-left and center-right increasing thanks to demand from China turn, contradicting an earlier statement he his first mandate-he also has a reputation parts of Indonesia, there is little or no regulation of so- each time. Pinera supporters were gathered and from the burgeoning manufacture of had made that “free things mean less for being cultivated, humorous and full of called traditional mining, resulting in poor safety stan- outside his election headquarters in antici- electric cars, the country is struggling rela- commitment.” ideas. He hasn’t hidden his wealth, even dards. Nugroho said mining had persisted in the area even pation of his victory speech. tive to previous years. Its GDP is forecast The president-elect was often accom- wearing an ostentatious watch in the red of though landslides had occurred there before. Sitting on the to expand a modest 1.4 percent this year, panied by his wife Cecilia Morel while his campaign color. But he has also sought so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia has nearly 130 Uncertain race the slowest pace in eight years. Forecasts campaigning, and also by their four chil- to project an image of someone concerned active volcanoes, more than any other country. The outcome of the runoff had been far suggest it will grow 2.8 percent next year. dren and several of their nine grandchil- about injustice and ordinary people.—AFP

10 Established 1961

Analysis Tuesday, December 19, 2017

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Teacher sought in Zambia: Truants need not apply

Sloppy spelling, frequent truancy and zero interest in education. And that’s just the teachers. When it comes to education, children in Zambia’s most far-flung vil- lages are often sold short, lumbered with unqualified or absentee teachers who hamper their chances of escap- ing poverty for a better life. “When you compare the rural education on offer with urban - well, there is real- ly a very big gap,” said Kennedy Ng’andu who runs a college that trains teachers to work in rural Zambia. “That was the springboard for our college.” Mkushi College is part of a seven-nation initiative that aims to improve shoddy teaching standards and equip graduates with skills that go well beyond sums and spelling. Mkushi graduates can only take rural jobs and learn a multitude of practical skills, readying them to build toilets, paint classrooms, mentor parents - and even teach children, too. Europe far-right popular, but faces hurdles They will, in essence, be community builders. “Training teachers for rural areas is sorely needed. We They may have failed to actually clinch a victory in far-right. Austria’s Kurz opted for the two latter options to Borisov in March entered a coalition with ultra-national- simply don’t have many, as all the new graduates want national elections, but 2017 has nonetheless proven a march his People’s Party to victory. “Kurz has gone very ists. And while France - like Germany and the Netherlands to be in towns. So we need a different kind of teacher - bumper year for Europe’s far-right parties at the ballot far in his ideological rapprochement with the FPOe, a - refuses to rule with the far-right, its opposition veered one who will live in the community,” said Mwansa boxes. Yet with success also come growing divisions, strategy which can work as long as he doesn’t completely distinctly right earlier this month after electing controver- Katunga, director of programs for the Zambian NGO which could mar their future ambitions. Across the conti- trade off his party’s identity,” noted Austrian analyst sial rightwinger Laurent Wauquiez as its leader. that runs the college. nent, eurosceptics peddling anti-migration agendas Part of the international Humana group of charities, have reaped historic election results this year, tapping Opposition ‘in the DNA’ DAPP trains thousands of teachers in Malawi, Angola, into unease about a mass influx of asylum-seekers - However some experts say centrist parties imitating Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique, as many from Muslim-dominated countries. the far-right will only find short-term success. “A sizeable well as running the Zambia program. So far, more than “The far right in Europe is more popular today than part of the electorate of populist radical-right parties are 35,000 teachers have been trained worldwide and the it was at any time in postwar history,” said Dutch Migrant crisis not only motivated by authoritarianism and nativism, but head of the inaugural Zambian college knows firsthand expert Cas Mudde, an associate professor at the also by very strong anti-establishment sentiments, which how a good teacher can change bad lives. “We go to University of Georgia. The first boost to populists came key factor in make them sceptical toward all promises by establishment school to change our life status. Teachers should be in March when the Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party of parties - even authoritarian and nativist one,” said Mudde. fighting shoulder to shoulder with the poor. We need Geert Wilders became the second force in parliament. fuelling rise of In addition, the real challenge for Europe’s national- their passion otherwise these rural places will stay the Then followed the French National Front (FN) of ist parties lies in keeping internal strife at bay. The FN same,” Ng’andu told the Thomson Reuters Foundation Marine Le Pen, which took nearly 34 percent of votes in ultranationalists and AfD have been riven by leadership issues in the in an interview. the May presidential run-off won by Emmanuel aftermath of their ballot success. Similarly, Finland’s Macron. This was double the score Le Pen’s firebrand ultranationalist Finns Party imploded over divisions in No Hogwarts father and FN founder Jean-Marie obtained in the sec- June, barely two years after entering a coalition gov- The young Ng’andu was one of seven children - two ond round in 2002. Thomas Hofer. In neighboring Hungary, the ultra-national- ernment with centrists. “Playing the opponent is in the of whom finished school and both now work. He cycled September saw Germany’s Islamophobic and anti- ist Jobbik party has been outflanked by Prime Minister DNA of populist parties,” said Hofer, the Austrian 30 km to attend class, carrying a week’s worth of food on immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD), founded in Viktor Orban’s hardline anti-immigration stance. expert. “It’s not easy to reconvert that into a govern- his back and sleeping on matting on the hard school floor. 2013, enter the Bundestag - the first far-right party to do Meanwhile Bulgaria’s center-right government of Boiko ment mindset.” —AFP Ng’andu said he lapped up lessons as he envied the so since the end of World War II. Last but not least, teacher his life - “he dressed nicely and drank tea. I want- Austria’s anti-immigration Freedom Party (FPOe) got a ed to be like him.” But many teachers fail to inspire their near-record result of 26 percent in October and on Friday pupils and are holding back one of the world’s fastest became the junior coalition partner in the rightwing gov- growing and poorest populations. “If there is no heart, ernment of leader-in-waiting Sebastian Kurz, 31. Experts that teacher will not deliver,” said the former science point out that far-right contenders don’t need to come teacher. The rural classroom is worst served, he said. first to seriously bruise traditional parties. “The glass is Many teachers have zero qualifications. Though clearly three-quarter full for nationalists right now,” banned, corporal punishment persists, he said, and French analyst Patrick Moreau said. superstition can often trump knowledge in the class- room. As for a sense of calling? “Many teachers nowa- Ostracize, copy or collaborate? days just go to class, get a salary then go home again. The migrant crisis has been a key factor in fuelling the The result is seen in the quality of the education,” he rise of far-right populism. More than 1.5 million people, said. “Another big problem with these rural teachers is many fleeing the civil war in Syria, have landed on they run away. Give all sorts of excuses. ‘Oh, the house Europe’s shores since 2015. Resentment toward these is leaking.’ Lame! They cite witchcraft, say they can’t new arrivals has grown in wealthy nations like Germany sleep at night, that they’re being bewitched. Had and Austria, which have received among the bloc’s strange dreams. Say there is no nearby market so they biggest share of asylum seekers. Observers say far-right can’t do their makeup or get their hair styled. Really discourse seeks to conflate the issue of immigration with not okay.” terror attacks carried out on European soil over the past Numbers are hazy when it comes to attendance, for two years. staff and children alike. Rural pupils might rise at 4 am According to US sociologist Mabel Berenzin, the far to walk 30 km to school; many arrive late, are whipped, right plays on fears relating to “the economy, migration, or give up. The persistent nod off at their desk - earn- and security, which all contribute to a global feeling of ing a fresh beating - as they gather energy for the long insecurity”. Shock events like the 2016 election of US trek home and their evening jobs. Admin is patchy. President Donald Trump and Britain’s decision to leave Ng’andu has visited schools where the wife wields the the EU also revealed voters’ frustration with the political A protester stands with stickers depicting crossed out incoming vice-chancellor of the far-right chalk while the teacher rests, and another with a class establishment. Stemming the populist tide is a major Freedom Party (FPOe) Christian Strache and incoming Austrian Chancellor of the conservative of 90 children taught by one man, all ages together. “It headache for traditional parties, which are forced to People’s Party (OeVP) Sebastian Kurz during a protest near the presidential palace during the inaugu- is not considered a profession,” said Ng’andu of a job decide whether to ostracize, copy or collaborate with the ration of the new Austrian government in Vienna yesterday.— AFP that earns about $250 a month.

C is for Change The government is aware of the poor record and last regional elections in 2015, they were the Catalan dis- ages its own health and social services, as well as environ- promises change. “Our aim is to leave nobody behind,” Deep in mountains, trict that gave the least support to separatist parties, which mental and tourism issues. Aranese, Catalan and Spanish, said Sinazongwe district commissioner, Protacia nevertheless went on to win an absolute majority in the meanwhile, are all taught in schools. Mulenga, who runs a rural province with a population regional parliament. And Bosost, Marques’s village, was “We’re basically a region within a region,” Carlos nearing 200,000. Deep in the southwest of Zambia, Aran Valley resists the municipality which gave the most support to anti-inde- Barrera, head of the Aran government, says in his office in Sinazongwe has the sort of statistics nobody wants. Be pendence groupings. Viella, the local capital. He says he believes that the Aran it longevity or literacy, employment or earnings, the Catalan independence Valley’s future goes hand-in-hand with that of Catalonia. figures make for bleak reading. Which is why education An independent Aran? Some go even further, backing Catalonia’s independence is the best hope. “People shy away. They don’t want to “Here, we know what it’s like to live with borders. And drive with the hope of one day securing independence for be in rural areas. It’s a challenge “ Mulenga told the “This isn’t Catalonia”: Tucked deep in the snowy Pyrenees we don’t want any more,” says Marques, 58. Having grown themselves. “If we were selfishly intelligent, the valley Thomson Reuters Foundation at his district office. mountains, the Aran Valley appears far removed from the up just a couple of kilometres from France, he remembers would grab the opportunity of Catalonia becoming a state City dwellers struggle to sleep under thatch on a secession crisis rocking the rest of the region. Speaking a with bitterness the times he needed to show his passport so that we could become one in the future,” says Alex dust floor, often without sanitation or electricity. Dirt form of the Occitan language like some of their neighbors just to sell wool in neighboring villages on the other side of Moga, Viella’s former mayor. roads turn into impassable mud baths in the rains, in southern France, with a distinct culture, many residents the border. In his village of 1,100 residents, with stone schoolrooms may not exist and the community can be of this Catalan district have firmly resisted calls for inde- houses with black slate roofs and where the Garonne river Economic worries hostile. Locals can be hostile and superstitious - pendence. After crossing the Port de la Bonaigua mountain snakes its way to France, there are only a few posters for Still, there is concern that independence would leave the believing outsiders spell danger - and drive out new- pass into this secluded area under heavy snowfall, the the regional elections on Dec 21, and all are for parties valley isolated again and would cause it to lose the eco- comers with fear tactics or worse. blue, red and yellow separatist flags hanging in other against independence. nomic benefits of the past decades, earned in large part Catalan villages nearby are hardly anywhere. Called by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy after through winter tourism. “I don’t think that the valley would Meet the Head “This isn’t Catalonia, this is different,” Amador Marques, Catalonia’s parliament declared independence on October want to continue as part of an independent Catalonia,” says Mkushi training college, in central Zambia, was a pastry chef who farms in his spare time, says at a small 27, the elections are an attempt to “restore normality” to a Isabel Vivar, 59, in Gausac, a village next to Viella. “Closing opened in 2012 and has put 78 teachers to work. A fur- ranch that rears cows, geese, hens and baby goats. “Older region deeply divided over whether to break from Spain. yourself in, as an area that is already closed in, isn‘t very ther 116 trainees are in the pipeline and there is a deal people, my grandparents and myself have always said that “Here, we’re good the way we are, we don’t mind being appealing.” She and her daughter work in the Baqueira- with the government for the NGO in charge to open we’re Aranese first, then Spanish.” With just 10,000 resi- part of Spain. There is no Catalan feeling,” says Juan Beret ski resort, the area’s main economic driving force. seven more colleges, creating 450 new teachers a year. dents in an area roughly the size of Madrid, Aran lies on the Francisco Pedarros, a 60-year-old butcher. Thanks to the resort, Aran went from having a subsis- Prisca Bwalya, a dynamo from the capital Lusaka, fin- French side of the Pyrenees mountain range, but in 1313 it tence economy to becoming one of Catalonia’s richest dis- ishes her studies this month and can’t wait to take reg- became part of the Kingdom of Aragon, which would later ‘Region within a region’ tricts. King Felipe VI learned to ski on its slopes, and the ister. She has taught at Sunday school for 13 years, has be absorbed into the Spanish monarchy. Much like Catalonia enjoys considerable autonomy area is popular with the Madrid jet set. “We’re very con- the passion of a preacher and all the makings of a The Aranese, who were almost completely cut off from within Spain, so the Aran Valley enjoys autonomy from the cerned,” its commercial director Xavi Ubeira says. “We future super-head. “I was born to be a teacher and I the rest of the country until the middle of the 20th century, rest of Catalonia. In 2015 the Catalan parliament voted the depend on Catalonia but we also depend on Spain and our believe I’m a leader,” said 26-year-old Bwalya.—AFP have observed from afar the crisis between Catalonia’s so-called Aran law which recognizes that the district has main customers come from there, from Madrid. We can’t separatist leaders and Spain’s central government. In the the right “to decide its future”. The Aran government man- disregard one or the other.” —AFP Established 1961 11 News Tuesday, December 19, 2017

People walk along a street decorated for the holidays in downtown Moscow yesterday. —AFP

letter to Kuwaiti officials, saying it was “fundamentally ster,” the official said. Israeli appeals unacceptable to exclude citizens because of their nationali- Lebanese Uber Such crime is rare in the Lebanese capital, a city which ty,” according to the Lawfare Project. is considered generally safe, including for tourists and court ruling... No comment was immediately available from Schmidt’s foreign residents. A senior official had stressed that the office. A foreign ministry spokesman said Germany’s ambas- driver arrested... murder was “not politically motivated”. A picture of the sador to Kuwait had met Kuwaiti officials on Nov 28 to young woman, who worked at the British government’s Continued from Page 1 deliver the letter and discuss the issue. A spate of anti- Department for International Development (DFID), was Semitic acts in Germany in recent weeks, including the Continued from Page 1 on the front pages of many UK papers yesterday. The ruling was sharply criticized by German government burning of Israeli flags, have triggered concern and calls by officials and the Central Council of Jews in Germany, which top officials to put more emphasis on the Holocaust in inte- killing Dykes after she resisted when he sexually The British ambassador in Beirut, Hugo Shorter, said the Kuwaiti law was reminiscent of Nazi policies. Three gration courses for migrants. Rights groups say anti- assaulted her, it said. A senior official in the judiciary said expressed his grief in a statement and messages of sup- German state parliaments in Bavaria, Hesse and North Semitism and violent acts have increased in recent years that she had booked her vehicle using the Uber app, port for her family and colleagues poured in from Rhine-Westphalia, have passed resolutions condemning the amid growing support for far-right political groups and the whose driver identification and rating system is seen by Beirut’s shell-shocked diplomatic and aid community. airline for its policy. Acting Transportation Minister influx of over a million migrants from Syria and other coun- many, especially women, as offering better safety guaran- “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Christian Schmidt also raised concerns about the issue in a tries that are at war with Israel. — Reuters tees than when hailing a cab off the street in Lebanon. Rebecca. We are doing all we can to understand what The driver “tried to rape her and when she resisted he happened,” the family said in a statement passed on by strangled her... took her wallet and threw her in a dump- the Foreign Office. — Agencies ing in the BJP heartland, inviting ridicule from detractors Modi steers who accused him of trying to lure Hindu voters. Congress, a secular party, gained 17 seats this election, taking its deputy since 2014. total to 77. Campaigning in Gujarat took ugly turns as the ANC elects Dlamini-Zuma was head of the African Union com- party to state... battle intensified. Modi, who thundered from the pulpit at mission until earlier this year and a former interior, for- BJP rallies across Gujarat, accused senior Congress fig- eign affairs and health minister. She had four children Continued from Page 1 ures, including a former prime minister, of colluding with Ramaphosa... with Zuma before divorcing in 1998. Allegations swirled India’s archrival Pakistan to meddle in the state vote. A Continued from Page 1 of delegates being targeted with bribes, but ANC “I thank the people of Gujarat and Himachal with all Congress party veteran was suspended after using a Hindi spokesman Khusela Sangoni earlier told reporters that my heart for the love they showed me,” tweeted Rahul, slur to describe Modi as low class, remarks the BJP seized launch legal appeals against the result. “I hope you the process had proceeded “smoothly”. Zuma, who to cast Congress as elitist. the sixth member of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to will cooperate with the new leadership... as we move to could face prosecution for corruption charges, will step head Congress. In declaring victory, BJP chief Amit Shah credited Modi down as party chief at the conference but will remain for prevailing over “family politics” - a thinly-veiled sleight the 2019 elections” Baleka Mbete, party chairwoman, The BJP has ruled Gujarat for 22 years - more than half told delegates. as head of state ahead of the 2019 vote. under Modi as state leader. Some experts had forecast a against Rahul and the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has led The ANC, which has ruled since 1994 when Nelson “I’m bowing out very happy because I think... I made backlash against Modi over unpopular economic reforms Congress for generations. As the results trickled in, BJP my contribution, so I’m very happy,” said Zuma on that hit Gujarati businesses hard, including a controversial supporters danced, threw rose petals and chanted “Long Mandela won the first multiracial vote, could struggle to cash ban and roll out of a national goods and services tax. live Modi” in Delhi. “This (victory) was expected... It is a retain its grip on power in the 2019 election due to Monday as he walked around the vast conference cen- “They have certainly lost a lot of ground, but Congress tremendous victory and Modi has come out as the single falling public support. Ramaphosa, 65, is a former trade ter hosting the event. Soaring unemployment and state should have actually won this election, given the anger in most popular leader,” BJP supporter Sandeep Kapoor told unionist leader who led talks to end white-minority rule corruption have fuelled frustration at the ANC among the state against the BJP,” political commentator Manisha AFP. India’s Sensex plunged in opening trade yesterday in the early 1990s and then became a multi-millionaire millions of poor black South Africans who face dire Priyam told AFP. but recovered throughout the day as results turned in businessman before returning to politics. He is often housing, inadequate education and continuing racial Rahul made frequent stops at temples while campaign- favor of the BJP. — AFP accused of failing to confront Zuma while serving as his inequality. — AFP 12 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Ex-France fly-half Michalak says ending career at season’s end Wasps take revenge, Saracens beaten again

LYON: Former France international fly-half Frederic France eventually lost in the semi-final to England, mark. The hosts had the last word when replacement Michalak said yesterday he would retire from rugby at the meaning Michalak’s ecstatic 40 yard burst and pass for the hooker Tom Cruse powered over after a lineout. Danny end of the season. The 35-year-old, who made 77 appear- winning try against the All Blacks turned out to be the Cipriani converted but Wasps could not add a fourth try to ances for France and currently plays for Top 14 side Lyon, abiding moment of glory for the French. collect a bonus point. said he was no longer confident that he could withstand In Paris, Elliot Daly starred as Wasps gained revenge Despite leaving the Ricoh Arena without even a losing the rigours of top-class rugby. for last week’s thrashing at La Rochelle by beating the bonus point, La Rochelle remain top of Pool 1, two points “After thinking long and hard about an offer from the French side 21-3 on Sunday to boost their European ahead of Ulster, who crushed Harlequins on Friday, and club (to stay), I will end my career at the end of the sea- Champions Cup hopes, while free-falling holders Saracens five clear of third-place Wasps. son,” Michalak said. “I still have that love for the game but were beaten by Clermont. this is a sport where you have to be at 200 percent physi- Wasps throttled French Top 14 leaders La Rochelle in SARACENS LOSE AGAIN cally. “I am 35 and it is getting more and more difficult, so I Coventry to gain some payback for a 20-point loss last Saracens, who were hammered by 32 points at home by said this would be a good year to stop.” Despite his age weekend. “If we can win our two games we have a chance Clermont in a weather-delayed game on Monday, saw Lyon have benefitted from Michalak accelerating their of squeaking through as we have given ourselves a fighting their poor recent form continue with an agonising 24-21 game both this season and last, with his experience and chance,” said Wasps director of rugby Dai Young. loss in the second repeat of last year’s final in less than a class helping them establish their Top 14 status since pro- “We possibly missed out on a bonus point today as we week. The reigning European champions have now lost motion in 2016. controlled the match but seven matches in a row in all competitions. Smarting Michalak began his not the scoreboard and Saracens raced to a 13-0 lead with a try by Ben Spencer career in 2000 at his home didn’t turn our pressure and a conversion and two penalties from Owen Farrell. town club, French power- into points, especially in Morgan Parra responded with six straight penalties to put houses Stade Toulouse the first half.” La Rochelle the home team five points ahead, but Farrell replied with where he played over 600 kicked off the game on three points of his own and Alex Lozowski scored an games over seven years maximum points after unconverted try to put Sarries back in front. and played a key part in I am 35 and it is three consecutive bonus- But in a chaotic and error-filled final 15 minutes, Parra their 2001 French champi- point wins. kicked two more penalties to secure the victory which lift- onship win and two getting more and Last week the French ed the French club five points clear at the head of Pool 2 European Champions side produced a brilliant and dropped Saracens to third. “We didn’t make a good Cups triumphs in 2003 and more difficult attacking display, but on start and they took us by the throat,” said Clermont coach 2005. Michalak is France’s Sunday they were pinned Franck Azema. all-time international top back by a Wasps team “We didn’t panic, we came back into the game by point scorer with 436 and seeking a victory that focusing on simple things.” Ospreys backed up last week- he was part of four Six would keep alive their end’s narrow win over Northampton by running in four Nations winning teams, including three Grand Slams. hopes of advancing. England winger Daly smashed over in tries to claim a 32-15 victory in Swansea to pile more mis- But he will be forever remembered in France for his the corner to give Wasps the lead after 11 minutes. He con- ery onto the English sides. quarter-final substitute appearance in the 2007 World verted the try and did the same after touching down again All seven Premiership clubs were beaten last week, and Cup when he set up the winning try for Yannick Jauzion in in the 47th minute. Munster won 25-16 at Leicester in Sunday’s final match. a landmark defeat of New Zealand in Cardiff. The fly-half’s Wasps never allowed the visitors to develop their The Irish outfit are now four points clear of Racing 92, speed took him away from the All Black players in pursuit attacking game and La Rochelle scored their first and only who beat Castres on Saturday, at the top of Pool 4, with Frederic Michalak before he off-loaded to Jauzion to touch down. points when Brock James kicked a penalty on the hour Leicester rooted to the foot of the table.—AFP

Hellebuyck stops Egypt’s Mohamed 24 shots as Jets Elshorbagy beats blank Blues 4-0

brother to ST LOUIS: Adam Lowry scored the winner for Winnipeg against St. Louis. Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele and Josh win world title Morrissey also had goals and Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 24 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season. Jake Allen stopped 42 shots for the Blues (22-11-2), who MANCHESTER: Mohamed Elshorbagy of shut out the Jets 2-0 on Saturday night despite being out- Egypt predicted a new era for squash after shot, 48-30. beating his younger brother Marwan on Sunday GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5, PANTHERS 2 in the first final between siblings in the men’s Jonathan Marchessault had a goal and two assists, and world championship. Erik Haula scored the game-winner with 8:20 remaining as British-based Mohamed, 26, twice had to the Vegas Golden Knights moved back into a tie for first fend off brilliant comebacks from 24-year-old place in the Pacific Division with a 5-2 victory over the Marwan in their ‘home’ final to win 11-5 9-11 11- Florida Panthers on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena. Nate 7 9-11 11-6 and land his first world title after Schmidt, Colin Miller and James Neal also had goals for narrowly finishing runner-up twice in the last Vegas, which improved to 13-2-1 at home this season. The CHICAGO: Ryan Hartman #38 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck under pressure from Charlie Coyle six years. Golden Knights, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay #3 of the Minnesota Wild at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 4-1. —AFP “We are giving something unique and differ- Lightning share the NHL lead with 13 home wins. Malcolm ent to the sport,” Mohamed said after his 71- Subban stopped 16 shots for the Golden Knights, who minute victory. “Hopefully this is the start of all joined the Los Angeles Kings atop the Pacific Division increased their season-best winning streak to five games. Calgary’s four second-period goals in a win over the great battles between us.” standings. Chicago improved to 10-5-2 on home ice. Matt Dumba Vancouver. Sam Bennett had a goal and three assists, scored the lone goal for the Wild, who have lost back-to- and Mark Jankowski had a goal and two assists for the Mohamed’s success is likely to propel him back games after winning the previous four in a row. Flames. Matthew Tkachuk and Micheal Ferland also back to world number one after a season in BLACKHAWKS 4, WILD 1 Patrick Kane scored the first two goals of the game, and scored, and David Rittich made 16 saves for Calgary, which he has now won five titles, playing 31 FLAMES 6, CANUCKS 1 which snapped a three-game skid. — Reuters matches with one defeat. Chicago held on for a win over Minnesota. Ryan Hartman and Tommy Wingels also scored as the Blackhawks British Columbia-Mark Giordano scored two of The rollercoaster final was watched by the brothers’ parents sitting in the front row. Their Alexandria-based mother Basma, who could barely watch at times, has been ever-pre- sent throughout their careers with roles such as Toyota GAZOO part-time coach on tour, manager and travel agent. racing takes victory After waving his parents onto the court and presenting them with the trophy, Mohamed added: “This victory is for them.” at World Endurance Despite a plethora of talent emerging from Cairo, Mohamed decided to travel to Millfield Championship School in the west of England aged 15 to be trained by former squash great Jonah Barrington. BAHRAIN: Toyota GAZOO Racing has won for the fifth His brother followed two years later and the time in the nine-race 2017 FIA World Endurance pair still live in the region. Championship (WEC) season with an impressive victory in “England has given us so much,” said the Bapco 6 Hours of Bahrain. The #8 TS050 hybrid elec- Mohamed, who had to beat three former cham- tric vehicle (HEV)of Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson, pions - compatriot Ramy Ashour, England’s and Kazuki Nakajima won by more than a lap in a race Nick Matthew and Gregory Gaultier of France - which marked one of the competitor’s final LMP1 appear- in succession to reach the final. ance in WEC. “To play the final in the country where we Victory for the #8 drivers marked the first time since live is a dream come true,” he added. 1990 that a car crew has won five races during a season of The pair had been training together under WEC or its predecessor, the World Sportscar Hadrian Stiff in Bristol but Mohamed’s switch to Championship. Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative, Middle East David Palmer, the former Australian great, paid fighting with them over the last four seasons, and I hope car, with Kamui at the wheel, fell out of contention with and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor the fans have enjoyed it too.” three hours completed. Kamui and the #92 rivalcar made off after a torrid season in which he lost the Corporation, said: “There is no better reason to rejoice An unfortunate contact with a competitor car took the contact at turn one, causing a right rear puncture and world number one ranking to Gaultier. than our region witnessing Toyota GAZOO Racing’s his- #7 TS050 hybrid electric vehicle of Mike Conway, Kamui bodywork damage to the #7. During the week he has taken coaching toric achievement with five wins in a season. Our experi- Kobayashi, and Jose Maria Lopez out of the victory fight During the resulting safety car, the mechanics worked advice from his U.S.-based coach Palmer on the enced and dedicated teams of drivers, engineers, pit crew and they finished fourth. The race began in daylight, and quickly to repair the #7 and return it to the race, having phone in between games. and all other support staff have showcased a phenomenal Sebastien led the Toyota challenge after moving into third lost six minutes. It dropped to fourth place, two laps off Marwan was upbeat despite this first frater- performance to manifest and emphasise Toyota cars’ on the first lap in the #8, with Mike running fourth in the the lead held by Kazuki. nal final defeat. “I’m not going to stop playing unmatched endurance and reliability. The remarkable vic- #7 and both cars putting pressure on other competitor With the four-hour mark approaching, an alternative pit squash until I get that title,” he said. tory of our teams gives us extra motivation to innovate and cars. After 30 minutes, Sebastien took the lead from the #1 strategy gave the #1 rival car a temporary advantage, but Siblings had met before in the women’s world create ‘ever-better cars’ to surpass expectations of our competitor car, and Mike also got past to establish a Anthony, now at the wheel of the #8, was in hot pursuit final when Australia’s Rachael Grinham beat her loyal customers. I cannot thank our fans enough for their Toyota one-two. and his pressure paid off when the leader hit a competitor sister Natalie in 2007. amazing support throughout the series, which helped At the first pit stops, the two TS050 hybrid electric car and pitted for repairs.That left the #8 car with a lead In the first of Sunday’s all-Egyptian finals, tremendously in achieving this decisive victory.” vehicles chose different strategies; Jose Maria took the of more than one minute going into the final two hours, Raneem El Welily denied Nour El Sherbini a Commenting on the team’s achievement, Hisatake wheel of the #7 on new tires while Sebastien stayed in the and Anthony recorded impressive lap times to extend the hat-trick of women’s world titles by winning 3- Murata, Team President, said: “It is fantastic to finish the cockpit of the #8 and only refueled, retaining his lead. advantage, lapping competitor cars in the process. 11 12-10 11-7 11-5 in 43 minutes. season with a victory. I am proud of the team for their After an hour, darkness fell, and the differing tire strate- At the final driver change, the #8 car was comfortably “This is incredible for Egypt,” said twice work to prepare a competitive car for this race and then to gies began to play out. Just before one-third distance, in the lead, so Sebastien took over with a no-risk approach finish the job in the race. At the end of a long season, I runner-up El Welily. “I hope we stay on top of Kazuki took over the #8 with fresh tires and dropped to and safely took the chequered flag for Toyota’s 16th win in want to say thank you to all the competitors, officials, and second, although within a few laps he overtook Jose, on its 48th WEC race. Mike brought the #7 home, after a the world for as long as possible.” — Reuters fans who are part of our WEC family. I also would like to used rubber, for the lead. stop-go penalty for the earlier collision, in fourth, three thank our competitors for being strong. We have enjoyed The team was pushing for a one-two finish until the #7 laps behind. Established 1961 13 Sports Tuesday, December 19, 2017 ‘Exceptional’ Australia claim Ashes as Smith seeks whitewash ‘Credit to the umpires for making the right call on the start of play’

PERTH: Steve Smith praised his “exceptional” team as Australia reclaimed the Ashes with an innings win over England in the third Test in Perth yesterday, and set his sights on a series whitewash. Australia dismissed England for 218 in their second innings after rain delays and a pitch controversy on the final day in Perth to win back the urn in the last Ashes Test to be played at the WACA Ground. That gave the home side an innings-and-41- run win and an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five- match series, having won the opening two Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide. “It’s been an amazing couple of weeks,” said Smith. “What the boys have delivered has been exceptional. England have had their foot in the door in a couple of games and we’ve been able to claw our way back to get back in the game, and then keep the foot on the throat.” Having confirmed his status as the world’s best batsman with a match-winning double cen- tury, Smith added victorious Ashes captain to PERTH: Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (3rd R) holds up the ball after taking his fifth wicket with his ever-expanding resume. the dismissal of England’s Craig Overton in the third Ashes cricket Test match between SCOREBOARD That CV also includes a role in the 5-0 whitewash of England on their last tour to England and Australia in Perth yesterday. — AFP Australia, and Smith said his team would now Scoreboard at close of play on the fifth day in the third Test between Australia seek to repeat that achievement. “It’d be fantas- and England yesterday in Perth, Australia. tic to do that and we’ll talk about Melbourne Australia when they had England 132 for four at on to play the game.” Root agreed with Smith, when we get there,” he said. the conclusion of the fourth day, still 127 runs saying: “Credit to the umpires for making the England 1st innings 403 (D. Malan 140, C. Overton c Khawaja b Hazlewood 12 “Right now, I’m just really satisfied with what behind, but a rain-damaged pitch threatened to right call on the start of play.” “They gave it time we’ve achieved in these first three Test matches. foil the home side. to dry out as when we got to the ground it J. Bairstow 119, M. Stoneman 56; M. S. Broad c Paine b Cummins 0 I’d love to do that again, but we will just take it Showers had caused play to be abandoned wasn’t fit to play on,” he added. Starc -91) J. Anderson not out 1 one step at a time.” England captain Joe Root early on the fourth day and they continued Wickets tumbled quickly for England upon Australia 1st innings 662 for 9 decl (S. Extras (b-6 lb-11 nb-1) 18 said the gap between the sides was not as stark through to yesterday morning, with Australia the delayed resumption, with Jonny Bairstow Smith 239, M. Marsh 181, U. Khawaja Total (all out, 72.5 overs) 218 as the scoreline suggested. needing just six more wickets to win. bowled for 14 by the first delivery he faced for 50; J. Anderson 4-116) Fall of wickets: 1-4 M. Stoneman, 2-29 “It’s bitterly disappointing, one of the most Complicating matters further was a damp the day from Hazlewood, which kept low. frustrating things is we haven’t been blown spot on the pitch, just outside the popping Hazlewood also removed England’s last hope A. Cook, 3-60 J. Root, 4-100 J. Vince, away, we haven’t been completely outplayed,” crease at the southern end of the ground. Dawid Malan-who backed up his first innings England 2nd innings (Overnight: 218- 5-133 J. Bairstow, 6-172 M. Ali, 7-196 he said. “We’ve put up some good performanc- WACA staff worked furiously with leaf blowers century with a fighting 54 before being caught 10) D. Malan, 8-210 C. Overton, 9-211 S. es, just not for long enough. In all three games to try to dry the patch out as more showers behind-to finish with figures of 5-48. A. Cook c&b Hazlewood 14 Broad, 10-218 C. Woakes passed through. Umpires Chris Gaffaney and Malan’s first day heroics, which helped there have been periods we have matched and M. Stoneman c Paine b Hazlewood 3 outplayed the Australians. “These three games Marais Erasmus would not allow play to resume England a dominant position at 368-4 from are not a fair reflection of how we have played until they believed the pitch had been returned which an innings defeat would have appeared J. Vince b Starc 55 Bowling:M. Starc 17-5-44-1; J. and what we are capable of, so we need to do to the same condition as at the end of day four, almost impossible, seemed a distant memory as J. Root c Smith b Lyon 14 Hazlewood 18-6-48-5; M. Marsh 3-1- ourselves justice.” which ended up being after lunch. he trudged from the field. Only seven sides in D. Malan c Paine b Hazlewood 54 14-0; P. Cummins 19.5-4-53-2(nb-1); N. While it was a comfortable win for the home “It was a shame that was some water was Test history have been beaten by an innings J. Bairstow b Hazlewood 14 Lyon 15-4-42-2. side in Perth in the end, there was high drama on able to get through the covers in the first place after scoring 400 in their first innings, and it has M. Ali lbw b Lyon 11 Result: Australia won by an innings and the final day courtesy of yet another WACA at an international venue,” Smith commented. happened to England three times in its last 12 pitch controversy. Victory seemed assured for “The umpires made the right call to get us back matches. — AFP C. Woakes c Paine b Cummins 22 41 runs

would need time to adjust to local condi- Windies pin tions in the opening ODI at Whangarei’s Cobham Oval. He said New Zealand’s new-ball com- Australia’s Big hopes on Gayle bination of Tim Southee and Trent Boult would be aiming for an early break- force for New through. “Our opening bowlers are Bash season set extremely good at swinging the ball, so I think there’s definitely a challenge for for greater heights Zealand ODIs him there,” Ferguson told Radio Sport. “Of course, if he gets going then he’s one of those world-class batters who can go SYDNEY: Australia’s high-octane Big Bash League WELLINGTON: The West Indies will a long time and score lots of runs.” launches its seventh season today with the whiz-bang hope short-form master Chris Gayle can The West Indies, who are ninth in the Twenty20 cricket league looking to build on attendance inspire a misfiring batting line-up in the ODI rankings, will be without batsmen and television ratings successes, with Perth Scorchers one-day international series against Marlon Samuels (finger) and Sunil favourites to win another crown. More than one million New Zealand starting tomorrow. The Ambris (broken arm) as well as bowler people went to BBL matches last season with average tourists meekly surrendered with the bat Alzarri Joseph (back). crowds topping 30,000. While it trails the Indian Premier League (IPL) in as they slumped to a 2-0 Test series The fifth-ranked New Zealanders are overall attendance and financial clout, officials claim it whitewash against the Black Caps, and missing two of their biggest hitters in need a major improvement in the three was the fifth-biggest league in the world last season in Martin Guptill (hamstring) and Colin de terms of people turning up to watch. Big Bash head Kim ODI games. Grandhomme, who pulled out of the Gayle, arriving fresh from a record- McConnie said Cricket Australia had even higher series after the death of his father. expectations for the fast-paced, family-friendly compe- breaking stint in the Bangladesh Premier They will also rest captain Kane League, promises to inject the aggres- tition that sold out 35 matches last year. Williamson and Southee after There will be eight more fixtures, up to 43, and four sion and confidence lacking so far during Wednesday’s first ODI as a busy season new venues around the country. “We believe this is the tour of New Zealand. looms with home matches against going to be one of the most exciting BBL seasons to He smashed a record 18 sixes in an Pakistan, Australia and England. New date,” said McConnie, just two months into her job as unbeaten 146 off 69 balls in the BPL final Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt, first the new BBL chief. “Sport is entertainment. So what to add to the slew of titles he already ODI only), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Doug we’re seeing, even from a cricket purist who loves to holds in the ultra-short form of the game. Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, watch the Big Bash because they love the competition, Afterwards, the 38-year-old told Tom Latham (capt, second and third they also like the entertainment and the fact they can ESPNCricinfo he was “the greatest bats- bring their kids. “They want to be entertained and make ODIs), Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Chris Gayle man of all time”. His self-assessment may Nicholls, Tim Southee (first ODI only), sure they’re getting more for their dollar.” be debatable but New Zealand paceman Ross Taylor, George Worker, Neil Broom In glitzy style, BBL has led the way with LED stumps Lockie Ferguson said the hosts were well (second and third ODIs), Mitchell Jason Mohammed, Shimron Hetmyer, Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley and bails flashing on impact. They also have helmet aware of the threat the left-hander from Santner (second and third ODIs) . Ronsford Beaton, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Nurse, Rovman Powell, Chadwick cameras on batsmen and in recent seasons players have Jamaica poses. Ferguson said Gayle West Indies: Jason Holder (capt), Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Sheldon Walton, Kesrick Williams. — AFP been worn microphones to talk to commentators during play. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen got him- self into trouble last season when he was charged and fined for criticising an umpire’s decision while wearing a are down to these underperforming sen- microphone on-field. ior players, and the absence of one key Senior England EXPLOSIVE HITTERS batsman in particular. Reigning champions Perth Scorchers are hot “England do have a settled side if Ben players have favourites for their fourth crown, while Melbourne Stars, Stokes is around but when he’s not, this featuring polarising batsman Pietersen, are chasing their team came over very weak,” Swann told elusive first title after several years of near misses. The done ‘next the BBC. “The senior guys who you Scorchers have maintained the bulk of their squad from expect to stand up and outshine the last year’s triumphant season and are likely to again rookies have done the exact opposite. contend for glory with coach Justin Langer again at the to nothing’ Joe Root and Alastair Cook have done helm and English allrounder David Willey as their over- next to nothing. The shining lights have seas import. been Rocky (Mark) Stoneman and Brisbane Heat, who finished second in the regular PERTH: Former England spinner Graeme Dawid Malan. competition last season, possesses two explosive hitters Swann was critical of England’s senior “I’m proud of the way some of the with local Chris Lynn, who leads the BBL’s six tally with players who have done “next to nothing” guys have played. Dawid Malan was 94, and retired New Zealand star Brendon McCullum. as Australia regained the Ashes in Perth sensational, James Vince was only dis- The Sydney Sixers, crushed by the Scorchers in last yesterday. missed by the best ball I’ve ever seen in season’s final, again have big-hitting Englishman Jason Australia strolled to victory in the a game. There are positives, I expected Roy as their overseas player along with Test bowlers third test at the WACA, winning by an Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. to be 3-0 down after three games once Graeme Swann innings and 41 runs to take a unassailable Stokes wasn’t coming.” Stokes was omit- Skipper Aaron Finch leads the under-performing 3-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series, ted from England’s touring party follow- Melbourne Renegades, who have boom-hitting West Indian Kieran Pollard on their books. Pollard will miss with England’s batting line-up again put- ing his arrest on suspicion of causing squad, with the former England opener er. I do think they can all play a part in the first seven games of the tournament due to interna- ting up meagre resistance as they were actual bodily harm in an incident outside believing the next Ashes series in the series of 2019 but you don’t see tional commitments and Afghanistan off-spinner bowled out for 218 in their second a Bristol nightclub in September. England may come too soon for some. many fairytales in sport. innings. While rookie Dawid Malan has Mohammad Nabi fills his place. Sydney Thunder have He remains suspended by the England “England have three legends of the “England have to manage the senior former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson backing up made 302 runs in the series, former cap- and Wales Cricket Board pending the game in Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad and core of the side and make sure that if for another season aged 36, while overseas import Jos tain Alastair Cook has struggled with the result of a police investigation. Michael Jimmy Anderson,” Vaughan added. “It they are all to go together in 2019 they Buttler has the three quickest ODI centuries for England, bat in Australia, as has Moeen Ali, and Vaughan also questioned the longevity depends how they manage their retire- are playing well enough to be in the including a 46-ball effort against Pakistan. —AFP Swann believes that England’s troubles of certain members of the England ments. It’s coming sooner rather than lat- team.” — Reuters 14 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, December 19, 2017 James sparks Cleveland Cavaliers to win over Washington Wizards

Pistons forward Bullock saves his best for Orlando

LOS ANGELES: LeBron James registered his fourth NBA result/standings triple-double in five games with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists as the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers beat Indiana 109, Brooklyn 97; Cleveland 106, Washington 99; Detroit the Washington Wizards 106-99 on Sunday night. 114, Orlando 110; Toronto 108, Sacramento 93. Kevin Love led the Cavaliers with 25 points, while Jeff Eastern Conference Green had 15 points. Cleveland has won 18 of 19 games, Atlantic Division including the past five. Little separated the Eastern W L PCT GB Conference contenders for much of the game as the Boston 25 7 .781 - teams were tied at the end of the second and third Toronto 20 8 .714 3 quarters. James’s 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter NY Knicks 16 13 .552 7.5 put the Cavaliers in front for good and sparked an 8-0 Philadelphia 14 14 .500 9 run. Green’s three-point play capped the surge as Brooklyn 11 18 .379 12.5 Cleveland led 95-89 with 6:55 remaining. Bradley Beal Central Division Cleveland 23 8 .742 - Detroit 17 13 .567 5.5 Indiana 17 13 .567 5.5 Milwaukee 15 13 .536 6.5 DeRozan led a Chicago 8 20 .286 13.5 Southeast Division balanced offense Washington 16 14 .533 - Miami 15 14 .517 0.5 Orlando 11 20 .355 5.5 with 21 points Charlotte 10 19 .345 5.5 Atlanta 6 23 .207 9.5 Western Conference Northwest Division Minnesota 17 13 .567 - scored 27 points for the Wizards, who had won two in a Portland 16 13 .552 0.5 row. John Wall had 15 points and 10 rebounds. Denver 16 13 .552 0.5 Washington made 12 3-pointers but finished 9 of 16 on Oklahoma City 14 15 .483 2.5 WASHINGTON: Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers free throws. Utah 14 16 .467 3 on Sunday at Capital One Arena in Washington. —AFP Pacific Division Golden State 23 6 .793 - PISTONS 114, MAGIC 110 LA Clippers 11 17 .393 11.5 Reggie Bullock scored a career-high 20 points, and RAPTORS 108, KINGS 93 PACERS 109, NETS 97 LA Lakers 10 17 .370 12 Detroit held off a late surge by undermanned Orlando. DeMar DeRozan led a balanced offense with 21 Victor Oladipo scored 26 points as Indiana beat Phoenix 10 21 .323 14 Bullock, who was inserted into the starting lineup four points as Toronto defeated Sacramento. The Brooklyn. Oladipo led the Pacers in scoring for the 21st Sacramento 9 20 .310 14 games ago, made 8 of 10 field-goal attempts. His previous Raptors also defeated the Kings last Sunday in time this season and produced his 26th game with at Southwest Division scoring high was 17 points last season, also against the Sacramento. Kyle Lowry scored 16 points and least 20 points. After shooting a combined 35.4 percent Houston 24 4 .857 - Magic. Tobias Harris, Reggie Jackson and Anthony added seven assists and five rebounds for the (17 of 48) in Indiana’s losses to Oklahoma City and San Antonio 20 10 .667 5 Tolliver scored 17 points apiece for the Pistons, who have Raptors, who have won nine of their past 10 games. Detroit, Oladipo went 9 of 14 on Sunday. Five Indiana New Orleans 15 15 .500 10 won three straight following a seven-game losing streak. Garrett Temple and Bogdan Bodganovic each players reached double figures as the Pacers shot 56.6 Memphis 9 21 .300 16 Mario Hezonja scored 28 points to led Orlando, which got scored 18 points for the Kings. percent and won for the fifth time in seven games. Allen Dallas 8 22 .267 17 24 points and 14 rebounds from Nikola Vucevic. Crabbe scored 17 points for the Nets. —Reuters

Suarez, Paulinho Mandanda blunder move Barca 11 helps Lyon beat clear of Real

Marseille 2-0 MADRID: Barcelona opened up an 11-point La Liga lead over Real Madrid ahead of next weekend’s Clasico PARIS: A howler from goalkeeper Steve Mandanda between the Spanish giants as Luis Suarez and Paulinho helped Lyon beat fellow European rivals Marseille 2-0 each scored twice in a 4-0 thrashing of Deportivo la on Sunday and move clear of their opponents in third Coruna on Sunday. place in Ligue 1. Visiting keeper Mandanda gifted Lionel Messi also saw a penalty saved and hit the Nabil Fekir an early opener, before Mariano Diaz woodwork three times as Barca regained their six-point headed in the second shortly after half-time. lead over Atletico Madrid in second place. Real remain The victory gave Lyon a three-point lead over down in fourth, but do have a game in hand on their fourth-placed Marseille and drew them level on points rivals as they missed out on domestic action this week- with second-placed Monaco, nine points adrift of run- end to win the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi on away leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Marseille showed Saturday. plenty of fight but were made to pay for missed “I know people fixate on the difference between us chances as a 12-match unbeaten run in the league was and Real Madrid, but Atletico are just six points brought to an end. “I take full responsibility for this behind,” said Barca boss Ernesto Valverde. “No matter defeat. I should not be conceding that type of goal,” what happens on Saturday, there is still a world of a Mandanda said. “The difference was the two goal- way to go in La Liga.” keepers. Today we saw (Lyon keeper) Anthony Lopes The only drawback for Barca as they extended their be decisive and Steve Mandanda who was not good, unbeaten run in all competitions to 24 games since they which meant that Marseille lost this game.” were beaten by Real on their last visit to the Santiago BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) vies with Deportivo La Coruna’s Brazilian Lyon made a dream start as Fekir put them ahead Bernabeu in the Spanish Super Cup back in August, defender Sidnei (R) during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona against RC Deportivo de la in only the sixth minute with his 12th league goal of the Coruna at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona.— AFP season. But the forward was indebted to France inter- was a muscle injury to Paco Alcacer that will keep the national Mandanda, who somehow contrived to drop a forward out for three weeks. tame free-kick into the corner of his net. Messi paraded his fourth golden boot award-after Marseille almost levelled soon afterwards though, being the leading scorer in Europe last season-before next attempt came off the post and into Paulinho’s path Suarez was upended inside the area. but Lopes pulled off a wonderful reflex save to keep kick-off and could barely believe his luck as he failed to to make it 2-0 before half-time. Suarez thought he had But Martinez was helpless as Paulinho profited from out Adil Rami’s header after the centre-back was left add to his 18 goals already this term. his second of the night moments later when the ball a repeat of his first goal when he rolled into an empty unmarked at a Dimitri Payet corner. Lyon were shaky The Argentine has now hit the woodwork 14 times looked to have crossed the line. net on the rebound after Jordi Alba also hit the frame of at defending set-pieces and were given another let-off this season, but still had a huge role to play in three of However, for the second time in less than a month the goal. as Portuguese defender Rolando headed over when he Barca’s four goals. Only a series of saves from Ruben Barca were foiled by La Liga’s lack of goal-line tech- Earlier, Villarreal bounced back from three straight should have scored. Martinez to deny Messi and Aleix Vidal delayed Barca nology as the goal wasn’t awarded. “I could see clearly defeats as Pablo Fornals grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 Bruno Genesio’s men were living dangerously and until the 29th minute from going in front when Messi from my position after shooting because I was right by win at Celta Vigo. Victory allowed Villarreal to leapfrog needed the best of Lopes again when he got down presented Suarez with an early Christmas present to the goal line,” Suarez told BeIN Sports Spain. back above Girona into sixth after the Catalans had quickly to thwart Lucas Ocampos. tap in from close range. The Uruguayan, though, had to wait just two minutes edged the battle of the high-flying newly-promoted into the second half to net his fourth goal in three sides over Getafe 1-0 thanks to Cristhian Stuani’s early DIAZ STRIKES AGAIN MORE GOAL-LINE CONTROVERSY games by sweeping home Sergi Roberto’s cross. Messi goal. Managerless Las Palmas struck twice in the last But they came out after the break with renewed Messi then smashed against the bar, but the wood- hit the woodwork for a third time and then saw 10 minutes to snatch a 2-2 draw with Espanyol, but vigour and doubled their advantage in the 51st minute. work wasn’t so forgiving for Deportivo when Messi’s Martinez brilliantly save his effort from the spot after remain rooted to the foot of the table. — AFP Fekir’s corner found its way through a crowd of defenders to Diaz, and although the Spaniard’s first attempt was well saved by Mandanda, he met Maxwel Cornet’s cross from the loose ball to head in from people ask that question to us and then you do it to small, medium? I don’t know. “He is an experienced close range. Visiting coach Rudi Garcia threw on the third team and the fourth and to the fifth and to guy who will know not to let it go to difficult limits. Kostas Mitroglou, Maxime Lopez and Morgan Sanson Mourinho won’t the sixth, probably they will disappear. “Probably “But it is an injury of fatigue - everyone in the as Marseille looked for a way back into the game. they want to go on holidays. We don’t want to go on Premier League, especially the ones with more accu- Sanson came close to pulling one back only two min- give up on utes after coming off the bench, but the midfielder’s holidays. We want to play until the last match.” mulation of cups and European cups, are at risk.” fierce drive from the edge of the area crashed into the Mourinho refused to be drawn on the leaked video Meanwhile, West Brom are still without a win in four base of the post. catching City which emerged on social media before United’s victo- games under new boss Alan Pardew despite an Greece striker Mitroglou headed over late on and ry at the Hawthorns, showing City players celebrating improved second-half display against United. And Lopes flew to his left to deny Luiz Gustavo, but Lyon Saturday’s win against Tottenham by taunting United Pardew admitted his own errors after the game. “We closed out their third win in four games. Earlier on WEST BROMWICH: Jose Mourinho insisted over their cautious style of play with the words “park were disappointed in the first half and I think I picked Sunday, Nantes coach Claudio Ranieri was sent to the Manchester United will not give up on the Premier the bus”. “I didn’t see, I didn’t watch,” Mourinho said. the wrong team,” he said. stands for manhandling the fourth official, but an League title race after his side cut Manchester City’s “I am not interested in doing that. “The boys gave me so much at Liverpool, obviously Emiliano Sala penalty still saw the Canaries strengthen lead back to 11 points. Mourinho’s side won 2-1 at “You are the ones to make your evaluations, your I’m getting to know them, but I didn’t think we had their grip on fifth spot with a 1-0 win over Angers. West Bromwich Albion on Sunday with goals from comments. For me, nothing.” United are set to check that energy in the first half that we need against Man Nice are four points behind in sixth after Mario Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard before Gareth on the fitness of captain Antonio Valencia after he United. It was too comfortable for them. “Second half, Balotelli’s eighth goal in as many games saw Lucien Barry replied for the hosts. And Mourinho is limped off with a sore hamstring after 66 minutes at we had some experience in Gareth Barry, I thought he Favre’s men beat Bordeaux 1-0 to make it four wins on adamant United will keep going until the end of the West Brom. The full-back will be assessed ahead of made a big difference when he came on. the spin. PSG maintained their nine-point lead at the season despite their Manchester rivals’ huge lead at the League Cup trip to Bristol City on Wednesday and “And then Chris Brunt came on and suddenly we top of the table with Saturday’s straightforward 4-1 win the top. “I know that the questions are always com- next Saturday’s Premier League game at Leicester. looked threatening from the moment he entered the at Rennes, as Neymar scored two goals and created ing in the same direction and I keep saying the same,” pitch. “It was a lesson for the other players in having another two for Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. Mourinho said. PARDEW ERRORS confidence in what you’re doing. “There are some Monaco made it three straight wins with a 4-0 thrash- “Our last match in the Premier League is Watford “The Valencia injury is what I call a December good managers at the bottom of the league and some ing of struggling Saint-Etienne on Friday. — AFP at Old Trafford, in mid-May, and until then in every injury,” said Mourinho. “It is an injury of the accumu- good squads and we’re not going to make it up play- match we go - every match we will try to win. “If lation of fatigue. It is a muscular one - hamstring. Big, ing like we did in the first half.” —AFP Established 1961 15 Sports Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Suarez and Ronaldo hit top form in time for Clasico Clasico showdown between the two heavyweight clubs

MADRID: Barcelona striker Luis Suarez and Real alive for Real Madrid,” said Ronaldo. “I’m having a Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo were heavily criticised dur- great season. I talk on the pitch, I try to give my best so ing the opening phase of the season but the two for- people enjoy my football.” wards have hit their strides ahead of Saturday’s Clasico In contrast to Madrid, Barcelona are flying. showdown between the two heavyweight clubs. Unbeaten in La Liga and the Champions League, the Ronaldo rifled in the only goal against Brazilian side Catalans made light work of Deportivo in one of their Gremio to help Madrid lift the Club World Cup on best performances of the season. Saturday, while Luis Suarez struck twice as Barcelona Although the team has been carried by Lionel Messi thumped Deportivo La for much of the season, Coruna 4-0 on Sunday, Suarez was a crucial com- stretching their lead at the ponent of this victory, net- top of the table. ting twice, hitting the post When the bitter rivals and being denied his hat- meet at the Santiago Cristiano is trick when his rabona shot Bernabeu, Barcelona will be appeared to cross the line looking to increase their 11 Cristiano and but was not awarded as a point lead on fourth-placed goal. Madrid, who have played you must never “The rabona goal was one match less. Madrid’s clear. It went in. I saw it disappointing start to the doubt him clearly because I was right league season was influ- there,” said Suarez, who, like enced by Ronaldo’s poor Ronaldo, is only thinking form, although he has now turned a corner. about a Clasico victory. “It would give us a boost in the The Portuguese scored just one goal in his first eight competition, although there are other rivals like Atletico league games, but has hit form at the right time, scoring and Valencia,” he added. eight goals in his last seven matches across all competi- After a lean spell of scoring two goals in eight games tions. in all competitions at the start of the season, Suarez “Cristiano is Cristiano and you must never doubt now has six in his last seven. him,” said defender Raphael Varane after the Club The Uruguayan’s fortunes changed after his national World Cup triumph in Abu Dhabi. Ronaldo, who turns team agreed to give him a rest in November, not calling 33 in February, insisted he is responding to criticism him up for the international break. With Messi misfiring with his performances and he is desperate to catch against Deportivo, hitting the woodwork three times ABU DHABI: File photo shows Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) is awarded the 2017 FIFA Barcelona at the top of the table. and missing a penalty, Suarez has come into form at the Club World Cup Silver Ball by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. —AFP “I hope we win that game so that the league is still right time. —Reuters

Klopp sets sights on top Kuwait receives four finish trophy of Gulf BOURNEMOUTH: Jurgen Klopp admits Manchester Cup from Qatar City will be almost impossible to catch at the top of the Premier League, but the Liverpool boss would happily settle for a top-four finish as a lucrative consolation KUWAIT: Kuwait Football Association said yester- prize. Goals from Philippe Coutinho, Mohamed Salah, dayit received the trophy of the Gulf Cup from Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino sent the free-scor- Qatar, the winner of the 22nd tournament, part of ing Reds up to fourth place. They are 18 points behind KFA preparations for the 23rd Gulf Cup, to be held runaway leaders City, but Klopp is happy with his in Kuwait next Friday. KFA Secretary General and team’s current form as they chase a place in next sea- 23rd Gulf Cup Director, Mohammad Khalil, received son’s Champions League. the trophy from Hamad Al-Mannae, chairman of “Can City be caught? I don’t know. I don’t have a competitions committee at Qatar’s football associa- crystal ball. But if they struggle, like maybe nobody tion, KFA said in a statement. Khalil thanked Al- with their quality has struggled before, then someone Mannae for bringing the trophy from Doha. The should be there to use it,” Klopp said. Gulf Cup will begin with a clash between Kuwait and “I don’t see it but if I stopped working hard the Saudi Arabia at Jaber International Stadium. The moment I couldn’t be a league champion, I wouldn’t be game will be followed by an encounter between here. “We have so many things to play for. It’s really Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). hard, really intense in this league, and it’ll be unbeliev- Defending champion, Qatar, will start its matches able the number of points you’ll need at the end of the against Bahrain on Saturday. season to get anything. Meanwhile, President of Kuwait Football “A lot of teams are in good shape, but City are win- Association (KFA) said the higher committee tasked ning all their games.” Liverpool’s win over with organizing the 23rd Gulf Cup was exerting Bournemouth, their fourth consecutive victory on the every possible effort to bring about success for the road, leaves Klopp’s side only four points adrift of tournament, fully backed by His Highness the Amir third-placed Chelsea. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. They now have 34 points from 18 games, largely on Sheikh Ahmad Yusuf Al-Sabah said the committee target to match the 76 points they reached last season members, chaired by Deputy Premier and Minister to finish fourth. of State for Cabinet Affairs Anas Al-Saleh, have been meeting regularly to remove all hurdles facing teams RESPECT FOR SALAH preparing for the Gulf Cup, which would begin on Egypt winger Salah has been a revelation since December 22. The committee’s vice-chairman is arriving from Roma, but Klopp is reluctant to talk up Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Minister of individuals. “He’s got 20 goals but what happens if he BOURNEMOUTH: Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (L) and Liverpool’s English midfielder Adam State for Youth Khaled Al-Roudhan. Sheikh Ahmad, doesn’t score from now on? He didn’t score against Lallana embrace on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and in an interview with Kuwait TV, said Al-Saleh and West Brom, when we needed it more than today,” Liverpool. —AFP Al-Roudhan were facilitating all procedures that Klopp said. would pave way for a successful tournament, which “You always talk about Mo. He knows how much I would conclude on January 5. respect and like him. But I don’t go home and think: Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, whose team are after a match. It was a disappointing watch. Al-Saleh, in a statement earlier, announced that ‘How good is he?’ That’s not how it works. “He’s a very in 16th place and only one point above the relegation “I have to say we were well off it. We looked flat in His Highness the Amir has decided to personally important player for us, like the others. But I’m very zone, said: “There’s not been many times since I’ve every way. Credit to Liverpool because they played bear the costs of the Gulf Cup. Sheikh Ahmad, satisfied with how we played in this game.” been Bournemouth manager that I’ve felt quite like this well but we’re disappointed with ourselves.”— AFP meanwhile, said the GCC countries, Iraq and Yemen sent their approvals to participate in the Gulf Cup two days after His Highness the Amir instructed that Kuwait host the event. Sheikh Ahmad thanked with opponents intent on trying to intimidate them. and City assistant manager Dean Holden said: Parliament Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim and His Red-hot City They proved that point with a 2-0 win at Leicester “Manchester United at home doesn’t happen too Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak earlier this season and will be expected to repeat that often does it? “It’s going to a fantastic night for the Al-Hamad Al-Sabah for visiting the players yester- victory if Guardiola fields a strong team in Tuesday’s whole city of Bristol.” Arsenal eye League Cup day, which had positive impacts. chase League Cup tie following a 4-1 rout of Tottenham on redemption He added that more than 20 TV channels and Saturday that made it 16 successive league victories. For a club with such an illustrious history, the over 3,000 journalists would be in Kuwait to cover Cup glory With the League Cup final scheduled for February League Cup has been barren territory for Arsenal, the Gulf Cup. Sheikh Ahmad said His Highness the 2018, the tournament gives Guardiola his earliest who have won the competition just twice and not Amir would attend the opening game between chance this season to get his hands on the first silver- since 1993. The Gunners, who last made the final in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, which would be held at LONDON: With Manchester City romping away with ware of his City reign. Leicester, three-time League 2011, haven’t been helped by boss Arsene Wenger’s Jaber International Stadium. — KUNA the Premier League title race, this week’s League Cup Cup winners, last made the final in 2000, but their habit of using the League Cup as a proving ground quarter-final action offers Pep Guardiola’s side the boss Claude Puel knows how to mastermind a run in for his club’s emerging youngsters. chance to remain on course for a domestic treble. the competition after leading Southampton to last West Ham’s visit to the Emirates Stadium is unlike- City head to Leicester hoping to reach only the season’s final. ly to be treated so lightly by Wenger, who knows tro- second semi-final of Guardiola’s 18-month reign after United face unfamiliar foe on road to Wembley phies are essential to placate a fanbase frustrated by Matches on TV losing in the FA Cup last four against Arsenal in April. Forced to play second fiddle to their hated neigh- another failed challenge in the league. He might find The League Cup also provides hope of silverware for bours this season, Manchester United need to amass room in the team for 20-year-old Ainsley Maitland- (Local Timings) the teams trailing in City’s wake. as much silverware as possible outside the Premier Niles after the midfielder’s impressive showing during Holders Manchester United travel to Bristol City to League to stop City taking all the bragging rights. Saturday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle. “That’s just the ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP face the only team from outside the top flight still Jose Mourinho’s side, 2-1 winners at West Bromwich start of what’s to come for us,” Maitland-Niles said. Arsenal v West Ham United 22:45 alive in the competition. Arsenal host London rivals Albion in the league on Sunday, lifted the League Cup Chelsea want Cup consolation Aware that City’s dom- beIN SPORTS HD 1 West Ham, while Chelsea take on Bournemouth. last season and the next stop on their road back to inance makes a repeat of last season’s title triumph Leicester City v Manchester City 22:45 beIN SPORTS HD 2 Guardiola learns lesson of Leicester loss Pep Wembley will be an unfamiliar one. unlikely for Chelsea, Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Guardiola’s first experience of Leicester’s frenetic For the first time since 1979, United travel to Courtois has called on his team to sweep up the rest ITALIAN CUP style of play memorably prompted the Spaniard to Ashton Gate to face a Bristol City side who haven’t of the silverware this season. That mission starts at Napoli v Udinese Calcio 23:00 declare he “didn’t coach tackles” after City were beaten the Manchester giants for 39 years. City are home to Bournemouth and, speaking after Saturday’s beIN SPORTS roughed up in a 4-2 defeat at the King Power on the up in the Championship, sitting in third place 1-0 league win over Southampton, Courtois said: “It’s Stadium 12 months ago. Guardiola has heeded the after beating Nottingham Forest for their fourth suc- important to win in the League Cup, to go through to SPANISH LEAGUE Levante v Leganes 23:30 lesson of that chastening experience, assembling a cessive second-tier win on Saturday. the semi-final. “The FA Cup will start in January. We beIN SPORTS HD 3 City side now more than capable of slugging it out A sell-out crowd awaits United in the west country have chances to win and go further.”— AFP Established 1961 Sport

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

‘Exceptional’ Australia claim James sparks Cleveland Cavaliers Klopp sets sights 13Ashes as Smith seeks whitewash 14 to win over Washington Wizards 15 on top four finish

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) poses with the rest of award winners after receiving the Alfredo Diestefano award for the 2017 leading goalscorer ‘Pichichi’ of the Spanish league, in Barcelona yesterday. —AFP Messi picks up Pichichi, Stefano trophy

BARCELONA: Barcelona star Lionel Messi has added The Pichichi trophy, named after the Athletic Alfredo Di Stefano award yesterday, which is won by days after helping Barcelona thrash Deportivo 4-0 in even more trophies to his massive collection after Bilbao striker Rafael ‘Pichichi’ Moreno Aranzadi, is the best player in La Liga. La Liga on Sunday at the Nou Camp. receiving two awards from Spanish sports newspaper awarded by Marca to the top goalscorer of each La Messi was also pictured posing with team-mate The victory has ensured Ernesto Valverde’s side sit Marca yesterday. Liga season. Andres Iniesta, who won Spain’s Most Valuable Player six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid in The Argentine, following the Catalan giants’ 4-0 Messi added to his trophy haul after scoring a award, at the Marca Sports Journal Award ceremony. the Spanish top flight ahead of their highly anticipated victory over Deportivo on Sunday, was pictured cele- remarkable 37 goals in 34 league games last season, The Argentine star and the other award winners clash with arch rivals Real Madrid on Saturday after- brating with the Pichichi award and the Alfredo Di two more than Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez. show off their prizes in Barcelona. The five-time noon. The Catalan giants, having played a game more, Stefano award at a ceremony in Barcelona. Meanwhile, the 30-year-old also picked up the Ballon d’Or winner has enjoyed a successful couple of currently lie 11 points clear of the Bernabeu outfit.

Roger Federer was voted BBC overseas sports per- Farah shock sonality of the year for a record fourth time earlier in the week after an astonishing season during which he winner of picked up two more Grand Slam titles. — AFP BBC award

PARIS: Britain’s four-time Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah was named BBC sports personality of the year for the first time on Sunday, edging out motorcycling champion Jonathan Rea to the award. Farah, 34, suc- cessfully defended his 10,000-metre title at the World Championships in August, although he missed out on another distance double after taking silver in the 5,000m. He retired from the track later that same month to focus on road racing and has said he could run the marathon at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Farah earned BOGOTA: Millonarios players celebrate with the trophy after winning their Colombian Football League final 83,524 votes — 2,957 more than Northern Irishman match against Santa Fe and becoming champions at Nemesio Camacho El Campin stadium in Bogota, Rea, who became the first rider to win three consecu- Colombia. — AFP tive World Superbike titles, while double Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock came third. decisive goal for Millonarios in the 85th minute on Heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, the bookies’ Millonarios win 15th Sunday after Santa Fe had gone into a 2-0 lead with favourite to land the prize, finished fourth in a year that two goals from Wilson Morelo before Andres Cadavid saw the 28-year-old defeat Ukraine’s Wladimir pulled a goal back. Klitschko in an epic world title fight. “It is pretty amaz- Colombian title Millonarios, who celebrate their first title since 2012, ing and hard to think about,” Farah, who was not pres- had won the first leg 1-0. The club now qualify for the ent at the awards ceremony in Liverpool, told those in group phase of the 2018 Copa Libertadores, the South attendance via video link. BOGOTA: Millonarios have won their 15th Colombian American equivalent of the Champions League. They “I didn’t imagine I was ever going to win this but anything can happen. If you work hard you can achieve league title after a 2-2 draw against their Bogota city are now one title away from equalising the record of 16 Mo Farah rivals Santa Fe in a playoff. Henry Rojas scored the won by Medellin-based Atletico Nacional. — AFP your dreams. “I just cannot believe I have won.” Established 1961

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017 Business

Japan’s exports boom, but Atlanta airport, world’s busiest, Zain Group, Cisco blaze innovation 18inflation not following script 19 struggles after major power cut 21 trail to drive network transformation

KUWAIT: Investment Studies Institute (ISI) in collaboration with EY holds a seminar on VAT. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Kuwait poised to introduce VAT Govts in Mideast toying with idea of new taxation methods: Expert

By Faten Omar hottest topics for discussions include VAT, where all is our current understanding that BPT is not likely to the six countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council be approved before 2019,” Chugh pointed out. He stat- KUWAIT: Governments in the Middle East and North (GCC) have signed the master framework for the ed that the Kuwaiti authorities are working on the Africa are experimenting with new taxation methods in agreement for implemen- implementation of an a bid to ratchet up their assets and maintain economic tation of VAT in the economic diversification stability, an international tax expert said yesterday at GCC. “Based on our strategy. This task has the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce. The tax advisory understanding from dis- become quite pressing, service agent at Ernst and Young (EY) Alok Chugh cussions with govern- taking into account the said Kuwait will start preparations to impose value ment officials, the 5 per- ISI holds current financial position added tax (VAT). cent GCC VAT will be of Kuwait. A number of Speaking at a seminar organized by the Investment applicable on goods and seminar on fiscal and regulatory Studies Institute (ISI) in collaboration with EY about services by 2018,” he reforms being imple- VAT, Chugh explained that EY is the tax advisor on said. “The tax registra- taxation mented aim at reducing VAT for GCC states and that the new tax would be in tion number and forms the economic burdens of effect by the beginning of 2018, with educational and were recently updated doing business in banking services and basic foodstuff exempted, adding and the Ministry of Kuwait. The two new that the law is to be referred to parliament today. Finance has set up a Tax regimes: Kuwait direct The GCC unified VAT agreement was published on Development Follow-Up investment promotion April 21, 2017, which forms the basis of national VAT Unit (TDFU) within the Department of Inspection and law and institutionalized public-private partnerships legislation in the six GCC member states. Considering Tax Claims (DIT). Kuwait is also looking to introduce may contribute to this process both in terms of attract- KSA and UAE will implement VAT from January 1, new business profit taxes. Based on our understanding, ing foreign investment into the country and for the 2018, the GCC will witness a new tax landscape. This all Kuwaiti and foreign companies operating in Kuwait diversification of the economy. evolving landscape brings in queries and uncertainties may be subject to 10 percent business profit tax under Director of Union Investment Companies (UIC) in the mind of business owners and new taxpayers the proposed Business Profit Tax (BPT) law. The BPT Fadwa Darwish said the seminar was organized to across Kuwait and abroad, directly and indirectly. is yet to be approved by the Kuwait parliament. shed more light on how VAT would be imposed on Chugh noted that there are some very important However, considering the recent developments in the investment companies and financial establishments Alok Chugh and bold regulatory changes in Kuwait. Some of the GCC relating to the introduction of value added tax, it in Kuwait.

tor,” Purfield said in a statement, predicting GDP would IMF hails Iran expand 4.2 percent in the current fiscal year and that istry data Monday put the shortfall for the first nine growth could rise towards 4.5 percent in subsequent Saudi budget deficit months of 2017 at $32.4 billion, just 61 percent of years with financial reforms. Official statistics in Iran the $52.8 billion deficit projected for the whole year. recovery, calls are often incomplete and released only slowly, and the That was thanks to revenues in the first nine months policy-making process can be opaque, so Iran’s consul- narrows after oil rising to $120 billion, a 23 percent surge compared for bank reform tations with the IMF provide one of the clearest to last year, while public spending remained glimpses into its economy. income recovers unchanged at $152.4 billion. The country’s recovery has been slowed by tensions The revenue boost was mainly due to a 33 per- DUBAI: Iran’s economy is starting to recover more rap- with the United States, where President Donald Trump cent jump in oil income to $82 billion as crude idly from years of international sanctions but the coun- has raised the possibility that sanctions could be reim- try urgently needs to shore up its banks, a senior posed or new sanctions introduced. This has deterred RIYADH: Saudi Arabia appears set to post a lower- prices rebounded to above $60 a barrel thanks to International Monetary Fund official said yesterday. many banks and other foreign companies from operat- than-expected budget deficit this year as oil rev- an output cut by major OPEC and non-OPEC Gross domestic product growth soared to 12.5 per- ing in Iran. enues rebounded and the kingdom kept public producers. cent in the year through last March 20, but that was Purfield said that given such uncertainty and the spending in check, official figures showed yesterday. Non-oil income rose six percent to $38.1 billion, almost entirely due to a leap in oil exports, after most increasing vulnerability of Iran’s financial system, the Faced by a persistent budget shortfall, the but there was a massive third quarter surge of 80 sanctions were removed under a deal with world pow- government urgently needed to restructure and recapi- world’s largest oil exporter has embarked on an percent after the introduction of fees on the ers on Tehran’s nuclear program. Oil exports are no talize banks and credit institutions. ambitious reform program to curb expenditure and dependents of expatriates and duty on cigarettes, longer growing nearly as fast. But the economic “An asset quality review, related-party lending lessen its dependence on crude. power and soft drinks. Riyadh’s reform program has recovery is now beginning to extend to non-oil areas, assessment, and a time-bound action plan to recapital- The kingdom will today announce the financial already cut fuel and power subsidies as the authori- said Catriona Purfield, head of an IMF team which ize banks and address non-performing loans should results for 2017 and next year’s budget, with experts ties seek to contain spending. To further boost held annual consultations with the Iranian government start immediately,” she said, adding that the cost of predicting the Saudi economy has shrunk for the income the kingdom plans to introduce a five-per- this month. recapitalizing banks could be covered with long-term first time since 2009. Slightly rosier finance min- cent value-added tax (VAT) in the new year. — AFP “Growth has begun to broaden to the non-oil sec- government bond issues.—Reuters 18 Established 1961

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Business Japan’s exports boom, but inflation not following script Inflation expectations key to BoJ’s stimulus program TOKYO: Japanese exports accelerated sharply in November, beating a 14.6 percent gain expected by econ- ing it for too long could undermine regional banks’ health. November, yet again pointing to growing momentum in omists in a Reuters poll and accelerating from the prior “The BOJ will likely be forced into cutting its price pro- the world’s third-biggest economy. There was just one month’s 14.0 percent increase, led by a stellar sales to jections once again in its quarterly outlook report in catch: inflation remained stubbornly low and well off the China and Asia. Economists expect brisk Asia-bound ship- January. That will highlight a distance to an exit from the central bank’s 2 percent target. ments of electronics and solid capital investment in BOJ’s monetary stimulus,” said Barclays’ Nagai. The combination of steady growth and benign con- advanced economies will underpin Japan’s export per- The BOJ quarterly “tankan” survey on corporate infla- sumer prices mean the Bank of Japan will lag other major formance in coming months. tion expectations survey showed companies expect con- central banks in exiting crisis-era monetary stimulus, with “The global economic outlook by IMF and OECD sug- sumer prices to rise 0.8 percent a year from now, slightly analysts widely expecting BOJ Governor Haruhiko gests the world economy will remain resilient for the time ahead of their projection for a 0.7 percent increase three Kuroda to keep the liquidity tap wide open at a meeting being, which will provide favorable export conditions,” months ago. The marginal nudge up in expectations under- later this week. said Takeshi Minami, chief economist at Norinchukin scored why inflation is still well off the BOJ’s target, with “Inflation expectation is in a gradual recovery trend, Research Institute.That upbeat outlook was highlighted in firms expecting consumer prices to rise an annual 1.1 per- but a gap between firm economic indicators and weak the BOJ’s tankan survey on business sentiment last week, cent three years from now and 1.1 percent five years price indexes remains wide open,” said Yuichiro Nagai, which showed big manufacturers’ optimism hit an 11-year ahead, unchanged from three months ago, the survey economist at Barclays Securities. high. All of this has helped Japan’s economy score its sec- showed. Indeed, a BOJ survey yesterday showed companies’ ond-longest run of postwar growth. That marked a feather On the external front, the news continued to look up for inflation expectations heightened only a touch in in the cap of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe whose Japan, offering hope that a much-anticipated virtual circle BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda December from three months ago, despite a tight labor ‘Abenomics’ stimulus policies have put the nation on the of private sector-led growth will boost consumption and market and business confidence at over a decade high. cusp of vanquishing nearly two decades of deflation. prices. The value of exports to China, Japan’s largest trad- November to 3.89 trillion yen, the record amount. Exports The persistently low inflation - with core prices running ing partner, rose 25.1 percent year-on-year in November to the United States rose 13.0 percent in the year to at an annual pace of 0.8 percent - was also hard to square Inflation, anyone? to 1.38 trillion yen ($12.24 billion), the highest monthly November, led by cars and excavators, following a 7.1 per- off with the robust performance of Japan Inc., which has Many economists, however, are skeptical that consumer amount on record, led by equipment to manufacture liquid cent gain in the previous month. “The upshot is that net benefited from booming exports thanks to upbeat global price gains will keep up with growth in overall economic crystal displays (LCD). exports should have provided another boost to GDP demand. Separate data from the Ministry of Finance activity. And earlier this month, Kuroda signalled the BOJ Shipments to Asia, which account for more than half of growth in the current quarter,” said Marcel Thieliant, sen- showed exports grew 16.2 percent in the year to may edge away from its crisis-mode stimulus, saying keep- Japan’s exports, grew 20.4 percent in the year to ior Japan economist at Capital Economics. —Reuters

Rohde & Schwarz, Tunisia expects Gulfsat hold demo surge in olive oil production in on UDH-HDR and fillip to economy HD solutions KUWAIT: Within the scope of its strategic partnership BENI HASSEN, Tunisia: Trucks loaded with boxes full of with Gulfsat Communications Company, the well-known olives were queuing at a press plant in this small Tunisian German company Rohde & Schwarz, held at the head- town as the North African country sees a surge in olive oil quarters of Gulfsat a special demonstration attended by a production in a badly-needed boost to its ailing economy. number of the ministry’s senior officials. The demo high- Tunisia, one of the world’s top three olive oil producers, lighted some advanced solutions to the Kuwaiti Ministry of expects olive production to jump by 160 percent to between Information which included UDH-HDR and HD solutions 1.5 million tons and 1.6 million tons in the 2017 season which that enhance High Definition broadcasting services, as well started in November, the agriculture ministry says. as other solutions including VENICE Playout, PRISMON That will translate into up to 280 million tons of olive oil, Multiviewer, AVHE100 Headend, DVB-S2 and DVB-T2 about 80 percent of which will be exported, helping to gen- solutions. Other developed solutions that contribute to erate hard currency needed to stabilize its battered dinar. enhancing satellite broadcasting services were also Tunisia has been in economic crisis since a popular demonstrated at an interactive session that raised the uprising in 2011 ousted autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali. engagement of attendees. The session also evolved a dis- The crisis has deepened as militant attacks took their toll cussion of DVB-T2 solutions. on the tourism industry and weakened the dinar against On this occasion, Mohammed Al-Haj, Chairman and hard currencies. “It will be an exceptional (olive) season CEO of Gulfsat Company, stated that the Company was thanks to much better rainfall than last year,” said Hamdi keen to provide state-of-the-art technological solutions in Khalifa, owner of an olive oil press in Bani Hassen, one of the field of TV broadcasting and re-broadcasting and the main production areas located a two-hour drive south communications designed to enhance the quality of media of the capital Tunis. content for the Kuwaiti recipient in particular. This His workers produce 90 tons of olive oil each day in the press compared to 40 tonnes a year ago, he said. Prices explains why, over a short period of time, Gulfsat succeed- have shot up with 10 liters of oil now selling for 90 dinars. ed in entrenching itself as a key player in this field, particu- Last year’s production had been hit hard by a drought. larly at the Middle East and North Africa level. Gulfsat’s presence, he added, was strengthened by a specialized The production boom has helped ease unemployment in ing an efficient transmission from one point to another of ty to provide all types of customer service at the local and rural areas with farmers complaining that they are strug- technical team whose members possess the right field any audio and visual content and any data at the highest international levels. gling to find enough farm hands. Some 135,000 workers experience and knowledge that enable them to support were needed for this year’s season for up to three months, and manage those technological solutions at the highest levels of quality, thereby enabling it to broadcast the con- Rohde & Schwarz offers a whole portfolio of testing the agriculture ministry said in a statement. “I’m paying levels of professionalism and competence. tent through points strategically located in several conti- and measuring equipment for the various sectors of radio now (workers) 35 dinars a day but its not easy to find Rohde & Schwarz has a long experience in installing nents, in conformity with the highest quality standards. business operations and testing of mobile communication workers,” said Sabri Barki, a farmer who owns 100 olive and operating DVB-T2 networks, having already worked Gulfsat has adopted a strategy through which it has networks. The Group offers T&M equipment specifically trees in the Bani Hassen area. “Prices have gone up.” with several customers and institutions at the regional always sought to keep pace with the latest technological designed for the car, space, military equipment, industrial The olive oil industry relies on 70 million olive trees that level, including the Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Qatar, developments in the fields of satellite broadcasting. This is electronics, research and education. In the field of radio cover around 1.7 million hectares. They provide a living for Jordan and the Emirate of Sharjah. It is currently super- augmented by efforts designed to preserve the intellectual and media, Rohde & Schwarz serves consumer electric at least 500,000 families in the North African country of 11 vising the execution of an HEVC DVB-T2 network that property rights in satellite broadcasting by combatting equipment networks and manufacturers as well as content million. It hopes that rising olive oil exports will help reduce is the first of its kind in the Middle East, in the Sultanate piracy, supported in this regard by a group of exceptional- providers. The group is one of the most prominent leaders its record trade deficit, which hit $4.61 billion in the first of Oman. ly competent personnel with a long experience and in the global market for T&M and transmission equipment nine months of this year. Last month, the agriculture min- Established in 1995, Gulfsat Company is specialized in impressive competence, most of whom have been with the Furthermore, Rohde & Schwarz is active in the area of istry said Tunisia aimed to export about 220,000 tons of providing communication, TV broadcasting and re-broad- company through its various phases of development. enhancing information technology and network security. olive oil this season compared with about 75,000 tons last casting services to TV satellite channels. Within a short For more than 80 years, the name of Rohde & Schwarz Thanks to its satellite network security solutions, the Group season that brought in $320 million. period, Gulfsat gained a strong presence and entrenched has been synonymous with the highest levels of quality, provides industries and government authorities with protec- World olive production is seen rising by 14 percent to itself as a major player in the field, particularly at the accuracy and innovation in all aspects of radio communi- tion against cyber-attacks and spying. The communications 2.9 million tons in the 2017/18 season with Tunisia posting Middle East and North Africa level. The company provides cation. The company is a leading manufacturer of testing, and security solutions provided by Rohde & Schwarz are the highest gain with a 120 percent rise, according to the a sophisticated platform through satellite technologies measurement, communication and broadcasting equip- used in highly sensitive infrastructures. In addition, the com- International Olive Council, an industry body. Top producer capable of offering creative solutions in the field of com- ment. With more than 9300 employees and representa- pany offers detection and surveillance equipment for Spain, which has been hit by a severe drought this year, is munications in the Middle East. Furthermore, Gulfsat owns tives in more than 70 countries worldwide, it has more national and external security as well as communication and expected to post a 15 percent drop in output.—Reuters state-of-the-art advanced technologies capable of effect- than $ 1.9 billion in annual sales and enjoys a massive abili- detection equipment for the armed forces.

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Canadian dollar 237.000 Malaysian Ringgit 75.070 Chinese Yuan 0.044365 0.047865 Turkish lira 80.050 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.220 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036850 0.039600 Swiss Franc 307.910 Thai Bhat 10.295 Indian Rupee 0.004133 0.004774 ASIAN COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 231.190 Turkish Lira 78.790 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Japanese Yen 2.672 US Dollar Buying 301.800 Indian Rupees 4.700 Japanese Yen 0.002618 0.002798 Pakistani Rupees 2.852 GOLD Bahrain Exchange Company Korean Won 0.000268 0.000283 Srilankan Rupees 1.976 20 Gram 249.070 Malaysian Ringgit 0.070263 0.076263 Nepali Rupees 2.941 10 Gram 127.450 Nepalese Rupee 0.003023 0.003193 Singapore Dollar 225.110 5 Gram 64.570 CURRENCY BUY SELL Pakistan Rupee 0.002611 0.002901 Hongkong Dollar 38.817 Europe Philippine Peso 0.005936 0.006236 Bangladesh Taka 3.647 British Pound 0.398806 0.406308 Singapore Dollar 0.219771 0.229771 Czech Korune 0.005910 0.017910 Philippine Peso 6.009 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001698 0.002278 Thai Baht 9.317 Danish Krone 0.043962 0.048962 Taiwan 0.010009 0.010189 Euro 0. 351504 0.359004 Thai Baht 0.008970 0.009520 GCC COUNTRIES Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Georgian Lari 0.134933 0.134933 Saudi Riyal 80.854 US Dollar 302.600 Hungarian 0.001141 0.001331 Canadian Dollar 235.965 Qatari Riyal 83.276 Norwegian Krone 0.032552 0.037752 Arab Sterling Pound 404.655 Omani Riyal 787.420 Romanian Leu 0.064839 0.081689 Bahraini Dinar 0.796799 0.805299 Euro 357.095 Bahraini Dinar 805.100 Russian ruble 0.005167 0.005167 Egyptian Pound 0.014522 0.020240 UAE Dirham 82.550 Swiss Frank 301.335 Iranian Riyal 0.000084 0.000085 Bahrain Dinar 803.125 Slovakia 0.009032 0.019032 Swedish Krona 0.031912 0.036912 Iraqi Dinar 0.000186 0.000246 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 83.600 Swiss Franc 0.299921 0.310921 Jordanian Dinar 0.422684 0.431684 Egyptian Pound - Cash 20.240 Qatari Riyals 83.535 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.986 Saudi Riyals 81.550 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.217 Jordanian Dinar 428.080 Australasia Lebanese Pound 0.000156 0.000256 Tunisian Dinar 123.670 Egyptian Pound 17.098 Australian Dollar 0.223675 0.235675 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022153 0.046153 Jordanian Dinar 427.300 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.977 New Zealand Dollar 0.205877 0.215377 Omani Riyal 0.0780465 0.786245 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.020 Indian Rupees 4.726 Qatar Riyal 0.078923 0.083863 Syrian Lira 0.000 Pakistani Rupees 2.763 America Saudi Riyal 0.079700 0.081000 Morocco Dirham 32.581 Bangladesh Taka 3.670 Canadian Dollar 0.230397 0.239397 Syrian Pound 0.001284 0.001504 Philippines Pesso 5.996 US Dollars 0.298850 0.303270 Tunisian Dinar 0.117368 0.125368 Cyprus pound 18.005 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollars Mint 0.299350 0.303270 Turkish Lira 0.073531 0.083831 US Dollar Transfer 303.000 Japanese Yen 3.685 UAE Dirhams 0.081057 0.082757 Euro 357.990 Syrian Pound 1.590 Asia Nepalese Rupees 2.957 Yemeni Riyal 0.000985 0.001065 Sterling Pound 405.720 Bangladesh Taka 0.003301 0.003885 Established 1961 19 Business Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Atlanta airport, world’s busiest, struggles after major power cut

Electricity out for 11 hours; thousands stranded

WASHINGTON: The world’s busiest airport, in the reporting the electrical disruption. US city of Atlanta, struggled to resume normal opera- Giving an idea of how many people were affected, tions yesterday, facing criticism after a power cut the airport added: “5,000+ meals are being delivered stranded thousands of passengers. to passengers.” The Georgia Power company, in a With electricity out for about 11 hours, some pas- statement, said “power had been restored for all sengers were unable to disembark from their planes essential airport activities including all concourses after landing, while those already inside the terminal and flight operations.” crowded the darkened concourses where even some It described the outage as “very rare.” Although water fountains had reportedly stopped working. the exact cause is not yet known, Georgia Power said “Still on plane for going on 5th hour,” tweeted preliminary investigation suggested that a fire dam- Anthony Foxx, former transportation secretary under aged cables in the backup power system. “No per- president Barack Obama. “Whatever the cause, it feels sonnel or passengers were in danger at any time,” like this one was compounded by confusion and poor the company said. communication.” Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed issued an apology “to US carrier Delta, whose largest hub is in the south- the thousands of passengers whose day has been ern city, said it expected disrupted,” The Atlanta 300 more flight cancella- Journal Constitution tions yesterday, mostly reported on its website. morning arrivals, “to give Photos and videos from the the operation there an Those airport showed people opportunity to more quick- stranded walking or sitting in ly return to normal.” crowded airport corridors, Delta said it had to were not with windows only partial- scrap about 900 flights on ly cutting through the Sunday but expected its amused gloom. Numerous airplanes Atlanta schedule would could be seen parked on return to normal by yester- the airport tarmac. ATLANTA: This picture obtained on the twitter account of Mike Vizdos and taken on Sunday shows passengers day afternoon. A woman said she was waiting in the terminal of the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, Georgia. — AFP Another carrier, Southwest, said it planned on waiting in the security line when “they turned off the operating a regular Atlanta schedule yesterday after it, lights-a few times they went off, and then finally and all other carriers using the airport, were affected they shut off completely.” One passenger, Mike port earlier announced that it “sustained a power Those stranded were not amused. “I haven’t eaten by the power cut. Flightview.com, which tracks air Vizdos, told AFP that he and others got trapped on outage shortly after 1:00 pm today (Sunday).” since 8AM central,” one person tweeted. Others said travel data, listed hundreds of flights as delayed, can- their aircraft because the power went out just as it That led the Federal Aviation Administration to they were waiting on the tarmac: “Atlanta airport celed or diverted during the outage, but yesterday it reached the terminal gate after arriving from Costa place a “ground stop” on flights inbound for doesn’t have power. I’m trapped on the runway, I’m showed an increasing number of scheduled departures Rica. “Sat on the plane for six hours and then Atlanta, meaning they were held at the airports hungry, and slightly buzzed..... Send help!!!” Some as well as arrivals. cleared customs and immigration,” Vizdos said, still from which they were to depart. “The FAA Tower said people were not being permitted to leave the “Power has been restored on all concourses,” the hoping to reach his home in Richmond, Virginia the can operate normally, however, departures are airport, including a mother who tweeted: “My kid is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said following day. delayed because airport equipment in the termi- trapped with the others at the Atlanta airport. No on its Twitter account, about 11 hours after first “There are thousands of stories,” he said. The air- nals is not working,” it said. one is allowed to leave.” —AFP

ThaiBev buys To thwart Amazon, majority stake Kroger and Walmart in Vietnam’s lure shoppers with biggest brewer HANOI: ThaiBev took a majority stake worth $4.8 bil- curbside pickup lion in Vietnam’s largest brewer, Sabeco, at a highly- anticipated auction yesterday for shares of the state- LOS ANGELES: As Amazon.com looks to upend owned beer behemoth. Through its domestic unit the US grocery market with home delivery, some Vietnam Beverage, Thai Beverage was the only compa- veteran supermarket operators are betting on a dif- ny to bid for 343.662 million shares, or a 53.59 percent ferent strategy: curbside pickup. Americans have stake, in the company, the Ministry of Industry and long loved the convenience of drive-through serv- Trade said earlier. An unnamed domestic individual also ice for burgers and coffee. Kroger Co and Walmart bid on 20,000 shares, it added. They were the only two Inc are tweaking that formula for groceries. HO CHI MINH CITY: Members of Sabeco’s management board attend the auction of the brewer’s shares investors listed. at the Ho Chi Minh City stock exchange yesterday. —AFP The companies have invested heavily in online The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange confirmed in systems that allow customers to order ahead from a report after the sale yesterday the sole investors their neighborhood store. Workers pick and pack were “successful” in their bids. Sabeco, the country’s Vietnam Beverage is domestically owned, and it is con- they preferred ThaiBev, I don’t think it was a particular- the products, then run them out to shoppers in the largest brewer which produces the popular Saigon sidered a local company. Analysts said the share price, ly open auction,” he told AFP. parking lot, the grocery version of carry out pizza. Special and 333, announced late last month it would foreign ownership cap and a short time span likely Sabeco shares closed at $13.60 yesterday, down For the retailers, the service is cheaper than deliv- sell off a nearly 54 percent stake in the company for turned off potential international bidders who were giv- slightly from earlier in the day. The much-delayed sale ery, because customers do the driving. For shop- $14.10 per share, and that foreign ownership would be en less than three weeks to conduct due diligence. The comes as Vietnam’s cash-strapped government is seek- pers, it means skipping crowds and queues at their capped at 49 percent. The company is already 10 per- Vietnamese government may have also tapped ThaiBev ing to raise funds by “equitising” hundreds of state- local market, and no worries about missing pack- cent foreign-owned. for the sale, said Kevin Snowball, CEO of PXP Vietnam owned enterprises-its term for privatization-including ages or melted ice cream if they are not at home to The majority of ThaiBev’s recently-established Asset Management in Ho Chi Minh City. “I think that its crown-jewel beer makers. —AFP meet the delivery guy. Tony Sacco, who lives in the Los Angeles beach community of Playa Del Rey, is a regular user of the service at a nearby Ralphs supermarket, owned by Cincinnati-based Kroger. Each pickup costs $6.95, but the time-crunched married father of three says it is worth it. “This is easy. Time is money,” said Sacco, 47, as a worker loaded bags into his SUV on a recent morning. Retaining customers like Sacco is critical for traditional grocery retailers as they battle an array of upstarts bent on turning groceries into the next home-delivery juggernaut. New entrants such as meal-kit company Blue Apron and organic food seller Thrive Market are peeling off coveted slices of their business. Amazon, the nation’s largest online retailer, has amassed an 18 percent share of the $12.6 billion US online gro- cery market mainly through the sale of packaged goods such as pasta and diapers. It is the largest player in a sector that is expected to grow to $41.7 billion by 2022, according to market research firm Packaged Facts. But even mighty Amazon has struggled with the trickiest part of the trade: delivering fresh produce, meat, dairy and other perishables. Its AmazonFresh service started more than a decade ago, but has yet to make a major mark. Amazon is making another run at it with its $13.7 billion purchase of upscale grocery chain Whole Foods earlier this year. Amazon has said little about its plans. But analysts expect it will use Whole Foods’ 450 locations as distribution hubs for home delivery, opening a new front in its campaign to disrupt the $700-billion US grocery industry. Old-line players are responding with some new moves of their own. Kroger and Walmart are exper- imenting with delivery. But they are wagering that pickup is the true sweet spot in the industry’s online evolution. Both are rolling out the service in thousands of their stores. “The way people are going to shop for groceries is going to be curbside, not delivery,” said Jason Goldberg, a senior vice president at digital market- ing firm SapientRazorfish. —Reuters 20 Established 1961 Business Tuesday, December 19, 2017 US tax cut outlook propels stocks NEW YORK: The major US stock indexes hit record earnings improvement from the reform, will be closely highs in a broad rally yesterday as the long-awaited watched,” he said. The dollar index fell 0.2 percent bill to lower taxes looked set to be passed into law against a basket of major currencies, however, with and buoyed by about $11 billion in corporate deal- strategists saying forex traders had adopted more of a making. More US Republican Senators on Sunday said wait-and-see attitude to the bill. they expected Congress to pass the tax bill this week, with a Senate vote set for today and President Donald Portugal in demand Trump expected to sign the bill into law by the end of In fixed income markets, Portuguese bonds were the the week. stand-out performers, with yields hitting their lowest US stocks have enjoyed a near year-long rally, of late since early 2015 after an unprecedented two-notch sov- powered by increasing expectations of the promised tax ereign credit upgrade from Fitch. overhaul, which aims to lower corporate taxes to 21 per- Friday’s shift means the country now holds an invest- cent from 35 percent, coming to fruition. The benchmark ment grade from two of the three major rating agencies S&P 500 has gained about 20 percent so far in 2017, and could soon return to major bond indices. Portugal’s set for its best year since 2013, as investors bet that ten-year bond traded decisively below its Italian equiv- lower taxes could boost corporate profits and trigger alent yesterday. The last time it did so for a sustained share buybacks and higher dividend payouts. period was in early 2010. “The market is going to continue its rally based on “There is very much a shift in the architecture in the the belief that we’re going to see the Congress pass tax European government bond market,” said DZ Bank rates reform,” said Robert Pavlik, Chief Investment Strategist strategist Daniel Lenz. at SlateStone Wealth in New York. “People are a bit Futures of soaring cryptocurrency bitcoin received a wary about how long the rally will last, but earnings lukewarm reception at their launch on the CME Group continue to grow, (the) tax package should help and the exchange late on Sunday. The front-month contract economy is doing well,” Pavlik said. “I’m very positive dropped as much as 6 percent before recovering to about the overall market.” trade up 1.3 percent. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was up 0.9 per- Indian stock markets opened weaker, with the 50- cent, less than 2 percent off a two-year high hit at the share NSE index down almost 2 percent as early trends start of November. showed a close contest in Gujarat. Germany’s DAX index rose 1.6 percent, with the UK’s But stocks reversed the losses later - the 50-share FTSE 100 up 0.4 percent. NSE index was trading up 0.7 percent at 0455 GMT. With little in the way of major economic data this The partially convertible rupee was trading at week, the tax bill was likely to remain in focus for stock 64.32/33 to the dollar versus its previous close of 64.04. market investors, according to Mike van Dulken, head of The rupee had dropped to a low of 64.74 in early trade. research at Accendo Markets. Oil prices rose amid an ongoing North Sea pipeline “Ahead of bill being signed into law, any more updat- outage and as a strike by Nigerian oil workers threat- MUMBAI: An Indian stock dealer trades shares during intra-day trade at a brokerage house in Mumbai yesterday. —AFP ed guidance from US corporates, showing potential ened the country’s crude exports. — Reuters

From worm toilets to solar lamps, social innovations keep women safer MUMBAI: Going from village to village in among the poorest states. India to promote the use of toilets that use Solar mini-grids can improve electricity worms to break down fecal matter, the access in villages more quickly and cheap- team from the Institute for Transformative ly than extending the main grid, the Technologies (ITT) found young girls to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency be their biggest champions. The girls, who Partnership (REEEP) said in a report this came with their mothers, quickly under- month. They are also more environmental- stood the merits of these so-called Tiger ly-friendly - mitigating climate change and Toilets, and were eager to have them improving quality of life, it said. installed in their homes for privacy and safety. Snakebites “We found the family is very influenced Children studied longer and businesses by the girl child’s opinion on these toilets, made more money in villages with mini- and that they are also instrumental in grids, REEEP said, citing the Rockefeller changing the family’s behavior, which is Foundation’s data from Jharkhand, Bihar key to their use and adoption,” said Nupur and Uttar Pradesh, where less than 10 per- Kapoor, head of ITT’s India operations. cent of homes are connected to the main “Young girls are better able to communi- grid. In addition, nearly 87 percent of cate how the toilets address their concerns women said they were less apprehensive of privacy and safety, which older women about their safety after dark, it said. may be shy or ashamed to talk about,” she This is significant, as Uttar Pradesh and said. Bihar accounted for the most number of Hundreds of Tiger Toilets have been assaults, kidnappings and rapes of women installed in rural homes in India. They are last year, according to government data. among several social innovations that are “The lack of electricity creates a multitude benefiting villagers while also empowering of problems for women, ranging from women and making them feel safer, even if snakebites and sexual assaults when going these are not the primary goals. About 60 out, to noxious fumes from kerosene lamps percent of India’s population of 1.25 billion at home,” said Viraj Gada of the Global people does not have access to adequate Off-Grid Lighting Association. sanitation. This has led to open defecation, “Even a small solar lamp improves the which causes tens of thousands of diar- mobility and safety of women, who can rhoeal deaths and millions of cases of also work longer hours and earn an addi- chronic malnutrition every year. It also tional income. This benefits the family, with poses the risk of sexual and physical more spent on children’s education and attack for women and girls when they go healthcare, and better nutrition,” he said. out in the fields to relieve themselves, par- India tops countries including Kenya, ticularly in villages which also lack lighting. Uganda and Ethiopia in sales of solar lamps and home lighting systems, Gada Lighting said. Rural electrification can improve the Solar lamps are particularly suited for safety of women who avoid moving women, as they are largely sold with around after dark for fear of violence. It microfinance initiatives through self-help can also free up time for activities that groups, where women are more empow- generate income by reducing the amount ered to take decisions, he told the of time women spend on domestic chores Thomson Reuters Foundation. Innovations and by lengthening their day, according to such as smokeless stoves that use biomass a report from the International Center for or household water pumps have also Research on Women (ICRW). But when it helped reduce women’s burdens and comes to energy access, women are more improve their health and safety, as they likely to be excluded, said the report need not go long distances to fetch fire- released last week in partnership with The wood or water. Rockefeller Foundation. “Designing appliances with women’s Nearly a fourth of India’s population preferences in mind” is essential to the has no electricity, while many more Indians well-being of the entire family, and having - particularly in rural areas - don’t have women involved in the sale and mainte- reliable access to power. Extending the nance of these appliances increases their main grid to rural areas is a challenge. But adoption by other women, the ICRW falling costs of solar power and Prime report said. In the villages that Kapoor and Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge to sup- her team have visited to talk about Tiger ply power to every citizen by 2019, have Toilets, a toilet for the home does not rank encouraged the spread of solar mini-grids as high on the wishlist as a television or a in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, mobile phone. — AFP

CHENNAI: An Indian laborer paints iron rods at an under-construction site yesterday. — AFP Established 1961 21 Business Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Zain Group, Cisco blaze innovation trail to drive network transformation Collaboration supports next wave of innovation for Zain Group

KUWAIT: Zain Group and Cisco announced new services, and ensuring security,” said improved end user experience that defines yesterday that they have successfully Henri Kassab, Managing Director, the network of the future. Cisco’s technology achieved a key milestone in expanding the International, Wholesale and Roaming, Zain will also help Zain Group optimize network telecommunications operator’s IP/MPLS net- Group. “These are the building blocks of our operations and offer a richer suite of differ- work with cutting edge technologies, setting innovation that support our transformation in entiated services. the groundwork for new opportunities and becoming an integrated digital lifestyle opera- “The capabilities of Cisco’s segment routing, business models to be developed. tor. With the support of Cisco’s leading tech- automation and our best of breed routing As a telecommunications operator serving engines enable Zain Group over 45 million customers across eight coun- to implement a programma- tries in the Middle East and North Africa, Zain ble network that allows them Group’s network infrastructure faces an to rapidly adapt to future increase of expectations and workloads driv- Key milestone customer needs,” said Ali en by the growth of devices and connections. Amer, Managing Director, The annual Cisco Visual Networking Index in expanding Global Service Provider (Cisco VNI) forecast projects a 12-fold Sales, Cisco Middle East and increase in Middle East and Africa mobile Zain Group’s Africa. “By fast tracking their data traffic from 2016 to 2021, a compound network automation, Zain annual growth rate of 65 percent. IP/MPLS Group are future-proofing This unprecedented growth requires serv- their network with an agile, ice providers to transform their networks. Zain network scalable and secure architec- Group is leveraging Cisco advanced segment ture that supports their routing platforms and WAN automation to growth strategy and bring the benefits of distributed intelligence enhances their competitive- KUWAIT: Jihad Khoueiry, Regional Sales Manager, Head of Sales for Zain and centralized control to its network. Cisco’s nology, our future-ready network architecture ness.” Other benefits Zain Group will gain by Group at Cisco shakes hands with Henri Kassab, Managing Director, industry leading innovation around cloud- positions us well to drive tangible business modernizing their global IP/MPLS architec- International, Wholesale and Roaming, Zain Group. scale and automation will deliver next-gener- outcomes and meet the evolving demands of ture include simplified operations, program- ation network capabilities to Zain Group to our customers.” mability, scalability and increased network networked devices per capita, while 75 per- our unrivalled expertise in mass-scale net- enable simplification, scalability and open The deployment is a bold move toward availability. cent of all networked devices will be mobile- working, automation, optical, cable access, innovation that drive business results. network automation and represents a signifi- The Cisco Visual Networking Index (Cisco connected in 2021. video, and mobility. This enables service “The demands of the digital era means that cant step towards a more resilient network VNI) forecasts that by 2021, the Middle East Cisco is leading the disruption in the indus- providers, media and web companies to we must prioritize improving speed and effi- that delivers high bandwidth, enhanced appli- and Africa will have 2.4 billion networked try with our technology innovations in sys- reduce cost and complexity, help secure their ciency, defining a growth strategy based on cation intelligence for 5G, and a significantly devices (up from 1.7 billion in 2016) and 1.4 tems, silicon, optics, services and security, and networks, and grow revenue.

Honda Alghanim partners with INJAZ Kuwait Ithmaar Bank wins in Job Shadow program Best Innovation in Retail Banking and KUWAIT: Following the start of its partnership with the non-profit youth development organization INJAZ Kuwait, Best Islamic Bank awards Honda Alghanim hosted the Job Shadow program in its showroom, training 21 students from the Australian College KUWAIT: Ithmaar Bank, a of Kuwait (ACK) on customer service and the operations Bahrain-based Islamic of the service center and showroom sales. retail bank, received The students, who are majoring in Business awards in two categories, Management, received hands-on training and experience Best Innovation in Retail from the professionals at Honda Alghanim who maintain an Banking (Bahrain) and Best advanced level of service from sales to after-sales follow- Islamic Bank of the Year ing international servicing standards and provide a smooth (Bahrain) at UK-based and unique experience in line with Honda’s customer serv- International Banker’s 2017 ice culture. Banking Awards. Standout With the completion of the first program in its partner- institutions working within ship with INJAZ Kuwait, Honda Alghanim continues to retail, commercial, invest- Ahmed Abdul Rahim commit to supporting the youth in the country, contribut- ment and private banking ing to the promotion of knowledge, professional growth, in the Middle East and skills and career development. Africa compete for the prestigious annual prizes. The two The Job Shadow program also held a brainstorming awards were received on behalf of Ithmaar Bank by Chief session where students developed new innovative ideas on Executive Officer, Ahmed Abdul Rahim, who said that this how to improve the quality of work and service. high level industry recognition is further evidence of the The partnership with INJAZ Kuwait comes as part of soundness of the Bank’s strong customer focus. “In line with our vision to become the region’s premier Honda’s philosophy “Power of Dreams”, which reflects host the rest of the organization’s programs throughout est levels of safety and technology. the belief that dreams should be combined with skill in Islamic retail bank, Ithmaar Bank’s business model is cus- the year and focus on providing participating students Customers can take any of Honda’s wide range of cars tomer-centric with an ongoing objective to exceed expec- order to be achieved. Honda was fond of saying “If you with the opportunity to learn more about entrepreneurship on a test drive by visiting one of the two Honda Alghanim can dream it, you can build it. If you use your imagination tations by offering innovation and a high level of efficien- and acquire the knowledge and skills to prepare them for showrooms located in Al-Rai and Shuwaikh. The Honda cy,” said Abdul Rahim. “We have invested in new technolo- and pair that with sound and innovative engineering, you their future career. Alghanim showroom in Al-Rai area operates from 9 am to can achieve what other people can only dream about.” gies that have reduced waiting times for customers and Honda Alghanim’s commitment to supporting initiatives 10 pm, Saturday to Thursday, and from 9.30 am until 10 turnaround times for financing requests, while implement- The partnership with INJAZ is a means to cultivate that that benefit different segments of the society comes in line pm on Fridays. The Shuwaikh showroom operates from 9 same power of dreams to empower the youth to achieve ing state-of-the-art security systems that maintain the with its commitment to offering the high level of technolo- am to 10 pm. The cars service center waiting lounge offers confidentiality of private information,” he said. their goals. gy and design, giving customers the opportunity to enjoy entertainment and comfort for customers, digital satellite As part of the partnership, Honda Alghanim will also “Winning these awards is evidence that this strategy, a car that meets their lifestyle while maintaining the high- TV, free wireless internet and relaxing massage chairs. which was spelled out by our Board of Directors, led by the Chairman, Prince Amr Al-Faisal, are being translated into a tangible reality,” said Abdul Rahim. “Customers have also recognized these enhancements, rewarding us with contin- ued growth in our core retail banking business,” he said. The Banking Awards honor institutions that have set the bar for industry excellence by driving global economic commerce, creating capital and opportunities for economic growth, and setting benchmarks for technological advance- ment and customer service, while at the same time main- taining high levels of regulatory compliance and corporate governance. Finance Publishing Editor-in-Chief, Simon Brown congratulated Ithmaar Bank on winning the award, wishing the Bank continued success in helping to raise regional banking standards. “A review of Ithmaar Bank’s performance during 2017 is highlighted by the launch of many new and innovative banking products and services, as well as a clear enhance- ment in its speed of delivery. Ongoing improvements of processes and technology have reduced waiting periods, with customers being provided with a range of service delivery channels, including a 24-hour a day, 7 days a week call centre, eBanking and convenient payments solutions, such as EasyPay, Mobile banking and MobiCash. The turn- around time for approval of financing requests is ensured to be the shortest possible, albeit with comprehensive underwriting of risks,” he said. International Banker is the customers, between the ages of 15 - 25, who customer flagship brand of Finance Publishing, one of the world’s Burgan Bank seek to attain a successful future. There is no VIVA covers experience, leading sources of authoritative analysis on finance, inter- KD limit to open an account, and no mini- customer serv- national banking and world affairs. mum balance required to maintain it. ‘More’ with its ice and contin- announces Furthermore, account holders will receive ued expansion free prepaid card and an ATM card which of our network. entitles them to discounts at selected mer- retail expansion Our strategy 3 winners of chants along with an exclusive discount at revolves around China opens major Grand Cinemas Theatres in Al-Hamra Mall relevance and KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-grow- and The Gate Mall. convenience to Youth Account ing and most developed telecom opera- our customers. economic conference tor, announced the continuation of its This specific Abdulrazzaq BEIJING: China opened a major economic planning confer- KUWAIT: Burgan Bank recently announced expansion plan to open new locations achievement is Bader Al-Essa ence yesterday as the country tries to pivot away from its no- the names of the three lucky winners of its mainly in the cooperative societies, to be part of our per- Youth Account quarterly draw. First place closer to its customers. sistent focus on expansion and investment in holds-barred growth model. The annual Central Economic winner, Mariam Eissa Hasan Dashti, took VIVA has recently inaugurated 24 the right areas.” Work Conference gives leaders the opportunity to review home a cash prize of KD 1,000, while sec- new branches in the cooperative soci- He added: “VIVA aims through these past economic policy and plan for 2018. ond and third place winners, Azbi Nayef eties throughout all Kuwait’s gover- new branches to be closer to its cus- The pursuit of high growth propelled China to the number Ahmad Sheshtar and Dhari Majeed Awdh norates and a new branch at Sultan tomers and provide them convenience, two spot on a list of the world’s largest economies, but led to Aldhafeeri, each received a remarkable gift Center at The Promenade Mall in satisfy their needs and requirements and heavy pollution, rampant waste, and a mountain of debt. of an “unlimited access” voucher to Grand Hawally area. All these new branches keep them posted regularly with the lat- President Xi Jinping has indicated the country would move in Cinemas for one year. joined VIVA’s new branch network in est VIVA products and services.” a new direction, telling the Communist Party Congress in Customers transferring their Student Kuwait to cover all residential areas. In addition to our branch services, October that China needs to shift from high growth to high qual- allowances to the bank will automatically be Commenting on this occasion, VIVA’s customer care line at 102 is ity development. Implementing Xi’s new approach will be the enrolled into the draw and with every KD 20 Abdulrazzaq Bader Al-Essa, Corporate ready round the clock and up to public focus of the behind-closed-doors meeting, state news agency in their Youth account they will get one Communications Director at VIVA said: holidays, to provide outstanding service Xinhua said.The ‘three tough battles’ for 2018 will be curbing chance to enter the quarterly draw. “For us at VIVA, we differentiate our- to our valued customers through a team major risks, eradicating poverty and pollution control, Xinhua The Youth Account is designed for young selves by maintaining superior levels of of specialties.” reported, repeating Xi’s directions to the party congress. —AFP 22 Established 1961

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Technology Ooredoo initiates partnership with Al-Zayani for ‘Nukhba’ Exclusive collaboration first of its kind in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Ooredoo, Kuwait’s fastest network, announced one of a kind partnership with a rooted company that their exclusive partnership with Al-Zayani Company, needs no introduction such as Al-Zayani, aspiring for fur- official dealer of Bentley, Bugatti, Ferrari, Maserati and ther cooperation in the near future.” Jaguar cars in Kuwait, which took place last week when Abdulrahim added, “We have seen great similarities in representatives from Al-Zayani officially visited and the type of services that we aspire to offer to our cus- toured Ooredoo’s Nukhba VIP lounge in the head office. tomers through the Nukhba Program that strives to pro- Under this partnership, Ooredoo’s Nukhba customers will vide a VIP experience tailored to a particular kind cus- receive exclusive offers tomer that are looking for and discounts on the lat- quality services that est cars offered exclu- match their extravagant sively by Zayani, aiming lifestyle. In which we to enrich the customers’ Al-Zayani reps found Al-Zayani to be the experience in line with most fitting partner to their expectations, needs visit Ooredoo’s achieve this shared goal of and VIP lifestyle. building a truly luxurious Commenting on the Nukhba VIP and exclusive customer partnership, Jasem experience.” Abdulrahim, Director of lounge Ooredoo offers exclu- VIP and Direct Sales at sive benefits to Nukhba Ooredoo, said: “This customers with the Shamil partnership demonstrates Premium postpaid pack- the company’s commit- age, believing in enriching in the Kuwait Stock Exchange Market - operates a ment to enriching our customers’ experience and offering the customers’ experience. Customers can benefit from number of telecom service providers in the region, them tailored to what they desire, driven by the compa- exclusive offers, as well as getting latest smart phones the second operator. The company today provides such as Ooredoo Algeria, Ooredoo Tunis, Ooredoo ny’s core values of which is aligned with our core values with Nukhba premium packages. mobile, broadband internet and corporate managed Maldives, and Wataniya Palestine. Ooredoo Kuwait is a of caring, connecting and challenging. We are also proud Ooredoo’s operations in Kuwait date back to services tailored to the needs of customers and busi- member of the international Ooredoo Group based in to be the first telecommunication company to initiate this December 1999 when it launched wireless services as nesses. Ooredoo Kuwait -which is an enlisted company Doha, Qatar. Huawei hosts ICT industry leaders at Kuwait Huawei Day

Huawei key player in digital transformation: KDIPA official By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Huawei Technologies Kuwait, a leading The event also served as a platform to announce global Information and Communication Technology the winners of Huawei’s coveted ICT Skill KUWAIT: Mohammed Yacoub, Assistant Director General solutions provider, held Kuwait Huawei Day, a high Competition, a global nation-wide championship for Business Development, Kuwait Direct Investment Public level forum under the theme ‘Leading New ICT: The launched for the very first time in Kuwait this year, in Authority (KDIPA), said that activities of Huawei Road to Digital Transformation’ aiming to raise aware- strategic partnership with KDIPA. Aimed at increasing Technologies are impressive. “It’s ness of the role of ICT in driving digital transforma- the digital fluency of the young technological leaders great to see that Huawei tion across a number of key industries and showcase of tomorrow, the ICT competition enables Kuwait’s Technologies, despite being a for- Huawei’s latest solutions. finest ICT talent to learn about the latest technology eign company, is holding all these Huawei dedicated the day to showcasing the role of innovations and compete globally. Zainab Al useful activities including the ICT innovation, exploration, and openness in creating Baqsamiof Kuwait University, Saad Al Sheetanand Skill Competition, that helps in digi- advanced knowledge-based economies, in line with Khaled Al-Metairiof American University of Middle tal transformation. This is one of the Kuwait’s national development agenda. Industry part- East are the Kuwait’s finalists who will now compete main goals of KDIPA,” he told the ners and business experts joined forces to discuss in the global championship that takes place at Kuwait Times yesterday. Kuwait’s digitization strategy, trends and the future of Huawei’s Headquarters in Shenzhen, China between 23 Information Technology (CAIT);AbdulkarimTaqi, This event gathered many the ICT sector, innovative solutions for Smart and to 27 December 2017. Acting General Manager, Public Authority for experts from the public and private Safe Cities, Agile Network, Cloud Datacenter, the Winners of the Kuwait Finals will also be granted Mohammed Yacoub Industry; Abdulaziz Alduaij, Manager - Information sectors under one roof. “These future of IoT, and best practices for digital transfor- traineeship or employment opportunities with Huawei, Technology, Kuwait National Petroleum Company experts can discuss the future of mation in the government and Oil & Gas sector. as part of its Enterprise Business Group, where they (KNPC), Alaa Ali AliElshimy, Managing Director and technology in Kuwait. Also the programs hosted by Huawei, Commenting on Kuwait Huawei Day, Trevor Liu, will be exposed to a combination of innovative tech- Vice President, Huawei Enterprise Business, Middle served as a model for other companies in terms of transform- Huawei Kuwait CEO said: “Digital transformation is a nologies, including cloud computing, Software- ing and localizing technology,” he added. East Region; Sanjay Kumar Sainani, Vice President, “Such activities and programs encourage young people to government priority and we remain committed to work- Defined Networking (SDN), Big Data, and Internet of Data Center Solution, Huawei Middle East Region; invent in new enterprises. All three programs held by Huawei ing with government authorities to drive this forward, in Things (IoT) and interact with ICT experts from dif- Hazem Mahmoud Mostafa Bazan, VP Channels & including establishing the technology center at the Hamra collaboration with our partners. Digitization will bring ferent industries such as government, oil & gas and Commercial Sales, Enterprise Business, Huawei Tower, holding Seeds program in cooperation with the exciting opportunities, as well as new challenges, to all banking. All competition winners will be rewarded Middle East Region; and Trevor Liu, CEO Huawei Kuwait University, and the ICT Skill Competition, encourage industries and will create new impetus for sustainable with Huawei’s latest laptops and smartphones. Kuwait. young people to be creative and improve their skills. This will growth and enhanced efficiency. Public safety, banking, Kuwait Huawei Day, that took place at Four The event is a first of a series as Huawei remains result in a completely new generation of technology experts,” Oil & Gas, education, government and others are all Seasons Hotel in Kuwait City, brought together senior committed to encouraging further dialogue with explained Mohammed Yacoub. Today, technology is critical beginning to feel the full effects of what it means to be government officials, industry leaders, business industry partners and government stakeholders about to all investments. “Huawei is excelling in all kind of technolo- better connected and smart, so we must continue to har- experts, foreign dignitaries and media representatives, the crucial role of ICT in securing economic growth gies and is motivating the youth. It plays a key role in the ness the power of emerging technologies. Platforms including: Mohammed Yacoub, Assistant Director through advancement of critical industries with the market as a foreign investor in Kuwait,” he concluded. such as these are imperative to unfold areas of potential General for Business Development, KDIPA; Qusai Al- ultimate goal of to enriching societies and achieving partnerships to achieve shared successes.’’ Shatti, Acting Director, Central Agency for Kuwait’s vision of becoming a Smart City. Established 1961 23 Health Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Tiny stem cell companies close in on major heart disease goals This would be considered one of the big advances of this century

NEW YORK: The early hope that stem cell therapy would proved, possibly unsterile cell therapies for everything from hyper-inflammatory reaction to signals that the brain is body. The company believes the therapy reduces inflamma- make the paralyzed walk, the blind see and cure diabetes cancer to lung disease and ALS, prompting a US crackdown under attack during stroke, and promotes healing. The tion, increases blood flow and spurs blood vessel formation have given way to a long list of failures, highlighted by early this past summer. body’s reaction to stroke may also severely deplete the that helps repair the heart muscle. A single dose consists of stem cell champion Geron Corp abandoning the field in 2011. “The market tends to test these companies sometimes to immune system, leading to later complications beyond paral- 150 million highly purified stem cells delivered directly to the But two small companies, Athersys Inc and Mesoblast Ltd, the brink,” said Tom Dobell, who manages a fund for UK- ysis or speech impairment. In the Phase II trial, Multistem heart’s left ventricle by injection or catheter. are beginning final stage trials in hundreds of patients that based M&G Investment Management that specializes in patients had significantly fewer incidents of pneumonia, An ongoing Phase III trial of 600 advanced heart fail- they - along with loyal investors - say could change the supporting promising companies during difficult periods. acute pulmonary distress and other serious complications. ure patients is currently enrolling. Reducing the severity course of devastating stroke and heart failure. Both have “We’re comfortable that the progress that’s going on is That trial, attempting to extend the treatment window to of a patient’s heart failure “would give them back poten- overcome major hurdles to manufacturing stem cell treat- going to be worth it.” M&G is a long-time holder of 48 hours, failed. But researchers were encouraged by tially many years of good quality life,” said Mesoblast ments on a large scale that are off-the-shelf products Mesoblast, with about a 15 percent stake, and Athersys, with patients treated up to 36 hours post stroke. “It’s reason to CEO Silviu Itescu. Independent monitors who oversee derived from healthy donor bone marrow and do not face about 4 percent. Athersys’s experimental Multistem treat- be cautiously optimistic,” said Dr Ken Uchino, a leading and can halt blinded clinical trials for futility gave a green immune system rejection issues. ment was one of the first companies to be designated by the Multistem investigator from Cleveland Clinic. The company light to continue the Mesoblast study in April after a Cleveland-based Athersys, with a market value of about US Food and Drug Administration as a promising cell-based plans to begin a 300-patient Phase III study of Multistem in review of the first 270 treated patients, suggesting the $200 million, demonstrated evidence in a midstage trial that therapy with potential to address unmet needs for serious or early 2018, aiming for US and European approval after reg- therapy might be effective. its therapy may be able to expand the emergency treatment life threatening conditions, potentially easing the approval ulators agreed to protocols for one pivotal trial. A separate US National Institutes of Health-sponsored window for major strokes to up to 36 hours, compared with process. “This reinforces and cements an efficient path forward Phase II study of 159 end-stage heart failure patients about four hours with current drugs, potentially allowing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in a recent inter- for us,” Athersys Chief Executive Gil Van Bokkelen said. A dependent on an implanted pumping assist device com- many more patients to avoid crippling disabilities. view the agency is seeking an approval pathway for legiti- separate 220-patient Multistem trial in Japan for thatmarket pleted enrollment in September, with results expected in Australia’s Mesoblast, with a market value of about $500 mate stem cell therapies “that’s not overly burdensome.” began enrolling patients through partner Healios KK. “Of the the first quarter of 2018. Some 250,000 people in the million, is attempting to alter advanced heart failure, a lead- “The regenerative medicine space has been a tough road many entities in this field, they have been careful and delib- United States alone have been diagnosed with most seri- ing cause of hospitalizations and deaths and an enormous clinically and Athersys is one of the bright, shining stars,” erate in their movement forward” and do not engage in ous class IV heart failure, and only about 9,000 receive a cost burden. said Steven Martin, managing member of Chicago-based “overwrought claims,” said Dr S. Thomas Carmichael, co- transplant or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) each They are among the farthest along in the stem cell indus- Aspire Capital and a long-time holder of Athersys shares. director of UCLA Broad Stem Cell Center, who was not year, Itescu said. If such patients can recover enough to try at a time when Wall Street investors have focused on involved in Multistem trials. again rely on their own heart, said Dr Joseph Woo, a heart potentially big payoffs from immune-system based cancer Reducing the risks Mesoblast’s MPC-150-IM therapy aims to mitigate surgeon at Stanford University and an investigator of the therapies and rare disease treatments. Perception of the Athersys believes Multistem - 1.2 billion cells delivered advanced heart failure, a progressive condition in which the NIH trial, “this would be considered one of the big field has also been hurt by unscrupulous actors selling unap- via simple intravenous drip - dampens the immune system’s heart cannot pump enough blood to efficiently serve the advances of this century.”—Reuters

bamboo in a special cage. Along with local The zoo received nearly 250,000 appli- Baby panda makes schoolchildren, selected media were permit- cations for a lottery to see Xiang Xiang. ted to watch and film the panda through a For avid panda fans who miss out, the zoo press debut at glass shield. will offer a live stream of Xiang Xiang’s The public will get their first chance to daily life from tomorrow for a year. Mum Japan zoo see Xiang Xiang tomorrow, the zoo’s first Shin Shin, which mated with Ri Ri in baby panda exhibition since 1988. “Xiang February, had previously given birth in Xiang has been thriving with the loving nur- 2012 — the zoo’s first panda delivery in 24 TOKYO: A baby panda born six months ago turing by mum Shin Shin,” Tokyo Governor years-only for the cub to die from pneu- made its debut before the cameras in Japan Yuriko Koike said at a ceremony, describing monia six days later. Zookeepers have yesterday, a day before a doting public gets the baby as “a new treasure of Tokyo”. The since given the adult pandas some private an eagerly-awaited glimpse of the cuddly panda cub weighs 12.3 kilos (27 pounds) and space in a bid to create an environment for animal. The panda named Xiang Xiang- is the size of a medium-sized dog, zoo offi- the bashful creatures to mate successfully- derived from the Chinese character for “fra- cials said, adding that it is in good health. In a notoriously difficult process. Until grance” — has sparked a media frenzy order to reduce stress on the panda and recently considered an endangered since its birth on June 12 at Tokyo’s Ueno avoid crowds, the zoo will limit the maximum species, it is estimated that around 2,000 Zoo. Broadcasters aired live footage of the number of visitors to 2,000 a day for a one- giant pandas remain in the wild, in three TOKYO: Baby panda Xiang Xiang plays at its enclosure during a press preview at cub nimbly climbing a tree and chomping on to two-minute slot until the end of January. provinces in central China.—AFP Ueno Zoo in Tokyo yesterday.—AFP 24 Established 1961 What’s On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Jumeirah Group to enter three new markets with extensive global expansion plans for 2018 At least five new hotels including debut properties in Bahrain, Oman and Bali

Jumeirah Royal Saray Jumeirah Muscat Bay Jumeirah Bali

umeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company, l Jumeirah Sa’adiyat Island, Abu Dhabi tinues to strengthen its position as one of the most suc- the most coveted awards were: Jumeirah Group being yesterday announced widespread expansion plans l Jumeirah Bali, Indonesia cessful, UAE home-grown brands on a global scale. Our named Best Employer in UAE by AON; and a number of for 2018 which will see the brand enter three new l Jumeirah Nanjing, China strong performance in 2017 is evidence of our robust awards at the World Travel Awards including Middle J l markets and open further properties in the UAE and Jumeirah Muscat Bay, Oman and forward-looking business strategy and we are confi- East’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand 2017, World’s China. The announcement was made to partners and The news followed Jumeirah Group reporting a strong dent of continuing the success story in new markets in Leading MICE Hotel 2017 for Madinat Jumeirah, World’s stakeholders at its annual Middle East Roadshow held at performance in 2017, with an overall 5 percent increase 2018. We believe that our strength lies in our ability to Best Resort Spa for Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, World’s Burj Al-Arab Jumeirah, Dubai in collaboration with in the number of room nights and 6 percent increase in understand the needs of our guests and in creating Leading Luxury Hotel 2017 for Burj Al-Arab, Indian Emirates, Dubai Parks and Resorts and Royal Caribbean. room revenues compared to the same period last year. bespoke luxury inspired by Arabic hospitality and charm. Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2017 for Jumeirah Jumeirah’s ambitious expansion plans will feature at The hotel group also maintained stable year on year This achievement comes with the support and vision of Vittaveli and Middle East’s Leading Business Hotel 2017 least 5 new luxury hotel openings in addition to the occupancy matching the same period in 2016. The GCC the UAE’s leadership whose continued focus on building for Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa in Kuwait. refurbishment and re-opening of Jumeirah Beach Hotel region accounted for 21 percent of the overall occupancy the tourism and hospitality sector has helped us to deliv- Jumeirah Al-Naseem won the Hot List of the World’s Top ahead of its 21st birthday in late 2018. New properties throughout the year. er business success.” Hotel Openings award of Conde Nast Traveler 2017 and include: Linda Lewis, Vice President Global Sales MEASA and This year also saw Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts Shang-high restaurant at Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel l Jumeirah Royal Saray, Bahrain ASPAC for Jumeirah Group commented: “Jumeirah con- receive more than 75 prestigious accolades. Amongst Shanghai has been awarded a coveted 1 Michelin star.

English Language KGL, AWL celebrated Unit holds professional Thanksgiving with development day US Army personnel awrence Silverman, Ambassador of the United Sates to Kuwait reaffirmed the long standing Lcooperation between Kuwait and the US, and expects this cooperation to grow further in the coming period. On the sidelines of the Thanksgiving Ceremony organized by the American Women’s League and Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL), to honor some members of the US Army in Kuwait for their efforts in defending and protecting Kuwait, the US Ambassador said that the cooperation between two ture of the State of Kuwait in general. KGL thrives to countries aims to achieve security for both Americans develop its business and expand in Kuwait and the Gulf and Kuwaitis through the war against ISIS, and the pre- countries, to support projects aimed at Kuwait’s devel- vention of terrorist financing in Kuwait. He praised the opment, and to create more work opportunities for he English Language Unit at Kuwait University’s Thanksgiving ceremony for gathering families under Kuwaiti nationals. KGL’s corporate social responsibility College of Computer Sciences and Engineering one roof. He noted that families gather for strategy is aimed on focusing all its activities and com- recently held its professional development day. T Thanksgiving, just like they do on a weekly basis in mercial projects to serve the different segments of the Dr Mohammed Etedali, the head of the English Kuwait, is a good tradition. He also praised the humani- Kuwaiti society. In addition, it sponsors many of the Language Unit conducted a training program on tarian activities of the American Women’s League in social, educational and sports activities, environmental, Constructing Effective Language Tests for the English Kuwait, noting that the conference, which was held cultural and health initiatives. This comes from the com- Language Instructors of the College of Computing about a month ago to create awareness about cancer, pany’s belief in the importance of the private sector’s role Sciences and Engineering on November 27, 2017. The has had good results. in serving the society to achieve sustainable develop- program dealt broadly with the construction of lan- KGL’s Chairman Office Manager and Head of ment and to support government efforts and civil society guage tests. During the session, the parameters Communication and Public Relations, Toufic Jawhara, institutions as well as NGOs. In the same context, Nadya involved in test conception and the characteristics of reaffirmed KGL’s keenness, for the third year in a row, to Mayyahi, the president of the American Women’s an effective English language test were explained in support the AWL in Kuwait in organizing the League in Kuwait, thanked all the participants, 200 of detail. The session continued by giving different short military. He also announced the offering, by KGL, of an Thanksgiving dinner with the participation of a large whom were AWL members; she also added that AWL tasks to participants, and a lively interactive session annual scholarship The “KGL Veterans Endowed number of US military personnel, who were spending had organized an awareness campaign about cancer. during which the reliability, validity and practicality of Scholarship” that is offered to US soldiers who served in this very special occasion away from their families and Meanwhile, the Managing Partner of Activate Event a number of test items were discussed. Furthermore, Kuwait to pursue their education at University of the loved ones for the sake of their duty. He also noted the Marketing Company Camille Bacha said that they start- the need for teachers to practically analyze test ques- Pacific in California. For more than 60 years, KGL has strong relationship that KGL has with the US govern- ed organizing this ceremony in 2015 with 100 US sol- tions and take decisions on their relevance in an edu- played a major role in the development of the various ment and with the US army, which are present in the diers attending; in 2016, that number reached 200 US cational setting were stressed. The session ended with sectors it operates in, especially in the field of trans- region since the 1990s, where the company has and still Soldiers only to reach 250 soldiers participating in this a period of questions and answers. portation, logistics, and supply chain management, which is working on several projects and contracts with the US contributed to the development of the economic struc- year’s celebration. Center for Continuing Oriental, Western arts meet in LAPA concert Education receives international recognition

he Center of Continuing Education (CCE) at AUK has obtained international certification from the HR TCertification Institute (HRCI), and accreditation from the Cambridge Assessment International Education in October and November 2017, respectively. Obtaining inter- national recognition comes as part of CCE’s vision to create Heather Rennison (CCE Training Operations partnerships and collaborations that aim at developing Manager) presenting CCE’s international programs. Kuwait’s professional society. Headquartered in the USA, the HRCI, is the premier cre- dentialing organization for the human resources profession, setting the standard for HR mastery and excellence around the globe for over 40 years. The recently acquired HRCI cer- tification authorizes CCE to add to their Career Development courses the HRCI’s Professional in Human Resources International (PHRi), an international exam prepa- ration course for HR professionals. “This American international certification presents the latest development opportunity for modern HR profession- als, who seek a career advancement and professional credi- bility in the organization that they work for,” said Buthaina Al-Khubaizi, Director of CCE. (From Left) Buthaina Al-Khubaizi (CCE Director), The Cambridge Assessment International Education, part Raed Brahedni (Senior Manager - Cambridge Assessment International Education), and Heather of the University of Cambridge, is a non-profit organization riental and Western creative arts were both featured Matilda Charlotte, Hugh Michael and Roman Fredrick. Rennison (CCE Training Operations Manager), during that offers programs and qualifications that set the global in a concert organized at Abdul Hussein Abdul Next, the Arabic heritage band joined Arties in an excep- the certification visit in Kuwait. standard for international education. They also offer Redha Theatre by LOYAC’s Academy of tional performance of brothers Rahbani’s music, led by Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications for O Performance Arts (LAPA) in collaboration with the maestro Yousif Bara. Commenting on the event, LAPA’s teachers and trainers. Through this accreditation, CCE has opment. “The Cambridge International Certificate in National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) music department manager Nisreen Nasr said that a it took added to their Teacher Development courses the Cambridge Teaching and Learning helps teachers and leaders improve and the French Institute in Kuwait. a year to prepare for the event and come up with an idea International Certificate in Teaching and Learning, which the quality of their practice by engaging with international The concert, titled ‘Oriental-Western,’ witnessed out- on how to mix classical western and oriental music. She explores different aspects of educational practice, from best practices and teaching principles to apply new ideas standing performances from LAPA musical band and the added that further cooperation would take place between designing a curriculum to improving the quality of classroom and approaches, develop reflective practice and employ a French Arties band. The concert was attended by officials LAPA and Arties on the one hand, and between NCCAL activity. According to Khubaizi, Cambridge Professional wide range of active learning strategies,” she said. In addi- from LOYAC, the French Institute in Kuwait and NCCAL, and the French institute on the other. Also speaking on the Development Qualifications are internationally recognized as tion to CCE’s diverse signature courses, the two new courses including in-charge of the music and heritage department occasion, the French cultural attache Zilda Wahbe said that a mark of excellence for individual teachers or leaders, help- are now available for registration through the CCE website Reem Al-Ahabash. The concert started with a performance the concert was the result of fruitful cooperation between ing to improve their professional profiles and career devel- www.auk.edu.kw/cce. by Arties band, who played three pieces by Gotai Herman, LOYAC and the French Institute in Kuwait. Established 1961 25 TV Tuesday, December 19, 2017

17:20 Friends And Cat Noir 20:45 Supa Strikas 02:00 Swamp People 03:00 Harvey Beaks 05:15 Six Dance Lessons In Six 17:45 Disaster Date 20:35 Disney The Lodge 21:10 Supa Strikas 02:50 Counting Cars 03:24 Harvey Beaks Weeks 18:10 Ridiculousness Arabia 21:00 Alex & Co. 21:35 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 03:15 American Pickers 03:48 The Loud House 07:05 Down To Earth 18:35 Frankenfood 21:25 Alex & Co. 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 04:05 Time Team 04:12 The Loud House 08:40 Undercover Brother 19:25 Impractical Jokers 21:50 Lolirock 21:45 Lab Rats Elite Force 05:00 Counting Cars 04:36 Breadwinners 10:10 Sneakers 01:00 Taxi 19:50 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 22:15 Lolirock 22:10 Lab Rats Elite Force 05:25 Counting Cars 05:00 Breadwinners 12:15 Six Dance Lessons In Six 02:50 Iron Man 2 20:12 Friends 22:40 Evermoor Chronicles 22:35 Phineas And Ferb 06:00 Ultimate Wheels 05:24 Get Blake Weeks 05:05 Street Fighter 21:00 The Daily Show With Trevor 23:05 Rolling With The Ronks 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am 06:50 American Pickers 05:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 14:05 Down To Earth 06:55 Beyond Redemption Noah 23:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug KSA 07:40 Counting Cars 06:12 SpongeBob SquarePants 15:40 My Bakery In Brooklyn 08:30 Taxi 21:30 Idiotsitter And Cat Noir 08:05 Counting Cars 06:36 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 17:25 Kindergarten Cop 2 10:10 Iron Man 2 22:00 Broad City 23:45 Lolirock 08:30 Pawn Stars 07:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 19:10 Hello Carter 12:20 Street Fighter 22:25 Another Period 08:55 Pawn Stars 07:24 Rabbids Invasion 20:35 Pitch Perfect 2 14:05 The Veil 23:15 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 09:20 Aussie Pickers 07:48 Get Blake 22:30 Joshy 15:40 The Tower 23:40 The Daily Show With Trevor 10:10 Ax Men 08:12 Harvey Beaks 17:45 Iron Man 3 Noah 00:10 Revenge Body With Khloe 11:00 Ultimate Wheels 08:36 Sanjay And Craig 20:00 Shanghai Knights Kardashian 11:50 American Pickers 09:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 22:00 Never Back Down: No 01:00 So Cosmo 12:40 Counting Cars 09:24 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Surrender 00:00 Mickey And The Roadster 01:55 So Cosmo 13:05 Counting Cars 09:48 Henry Danger 23:45 Company Business Racers 02:50 Celebrity Style Story 13:30 Time Team 10:12 Game Shakers 00:55 One True Thing 00:25 Unbungalievable 03:20 Celebrity Style Story 14:20 Swamp People 10:36 Regal Academy 03:05 The Yellow Handkerchief 00:35 Loopdidoo 03:50 So Cosmo 15:10 Alone 11:00 Liar, Liar, Vampire 04:50 Every Thing Will Be Fine 00:30 Destroyed In Seconds 00:55 Henry Hugglemonster 04:40 So Cosmo 16:00 American Pickers 12:12 The Loud House 06:55 Far From Men 00:55 Destroyed In Seconds 01:15 Calimero 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 16:50 Counting Cars 12:36 Rabbids Invasion 08:45 Lawrence Of Arabia 01:20 Tethered 01:30 Art Attack 06:00 EJ NYC 17:15 Counting Cars 13:00 Breadwinners 12:25 The Yellow Handkerchief 02:10 Somebody’s Gotta Do It 01:55 Henry Hugglemonster 06:55 E! News 17:40 Swamp People 13:24 Sanjay And Craig 14:10 Jappeloup 00:50 Untamed & Uncut 03:00 Ultimate Survival 02:05 Loopdidoo 07:10 EJ NYC 18:30 Alone 13:48 Hunter Street 16:25 XV: Beyond The Tryline 01:45 Treehouse Masters 03:50 Destroyed In Seconds 02:20 Henry Hugglemonster 08:10 E! News: Daily Pop 19:20 Mountain Men 14:12 I Am Frankie 18:05 A Country Called Home 02:40 Cats 101 04:15 Destroyed In Seconds 02:35 Calimero 09:10 Hollywood Medium With 20:10 Pawn Stars 14:36 The Thundermans 19:50 Memoria 03:35 Shamwari: A Wild Life 04:40 How It’s Made 02:50 Henry Hugglemonster Tyler Henry 20:35 Pawn Stars 15:00 Rufus 21:20 99 Homes 04:25 Monsters Inside Me 05:05 How It’s Made 03:05 Art Attack 12:00 E! News 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 15:48 Rufus 2 23:20 Electricity 05:15 Alaska Monsters 05:30 North America 03:30 The Hive 12:15 WAGs La 21:50 Forged: Iron & Fire 16:36 The Loud House 06:02 Life On Earth: A New 06:20 Nextworld 03:40 Loopdidoo 13:10 Hollywood Medium With 22:15 Milwaukee Blacksmith 17:00 Sanjay And Craig Prehistory 07:00 Destroyed In Seconds 03:55 Henry Hugglemonster Tyler Henry 22:40 Time Team 17:24 I Am Frankie 06:49 Untamed & Uncut 07:25 Destroyed In Seconds 04:10 Art Attack 14:05 Hollywood Medium With 23:30 Alone 17:48 Hunter Street 07:36 Meet The Penguins 07:50 North America 04:35 Loopdidoo Tyler Henry 18:12 Henry Danger 08:25 Shamwari: A Wild Life 08:40 How It’s Made 04:50 Calimero 15:00 E! News 18:36 Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn 01:20 Simba The King Lion 09:15 Treehouse Masters 09:05 How It’s Made 05:05 Art Attack 15:15 Botched 19:00 School Of Rock 03:25 Elias And The Royal Yacht 10:10 Cats 101 09:30 Nextworld 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 19:00 E! News 19:24 Game Shakers 04:50 The Secret Of Kells 11:05 Life On Earth: A New 10:20 Ultimate Survival 05:45 Henry Hugglemonster 20:00 Keeping Up With The 19:48 The Thundermans 06:20 Louis & Luca And The Snow Prehistory 11:10 React To That 06:00 Art Attack Kardashians 00:45 Miguel’s Feasts 20:12 Ride Machine 12:00 Shamwari: A Wild Life 11:35 React To That 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 21:00 Keeping Up With The 01:10 Food School 20:36 Ride 07:45 Moomin And Midsummer 12:55 Monsters Inside Me 12:00 Kids Do The Craziest Things 06:45 Loopdidoo Kardashians 01:40 Tom’s Istanbul Delight 21:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Madness 13:50 Alaska Monsters 12:25 Kids Do The Craziest Things 07:00 Henry Hugglemonster 22:00 Keeping Up With The 02:05 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 21:24 Sanjay And Craig 09:30 Freddy Frogface 14:45 Cats 101 12:50 How It’s Made 07:15 Calimero Kardashians 02:35 What’s For Sale? 21:48 Rabbids Invasion 11:00 The Wheelers 15:40 Life On Earth: A New 13:15 How It’s Made 07:30 Loopdidoo 23:00 E! News 03:00 What’s For Sale? 22:12 Breadwinners 12:25 Dinofroz The Origin Prehistory 13:40 Nextworld 07:45 Henry Hugglemonster 23:15 WAGs La 03:30 Valentine Warner Eats 22:36 Harvey Beaks 14:00 Simba The King Lion 16:35 Untamed & Uncut 14:30 Destroyed In Seconds 08:00 P-King Duckling Scandinavia 23:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 16:05 Elias And The Royal Yacht 17:30 Treehouse Masters 14:55 Destroyed In Seconds 08:30 Puppy Dog Pals 03:55 David Rocco’s Dolce India 23:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 17:30 An American Tail: Fievel Goes 18:25 North Woods Law 15:20 North America 09:00 Mickey And The Roadster 04:25 Wineroads 23:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles West 19:20 Australia Doesn’t Just Want To 16:10 Ultimate Survival Racers 04:50 Wineroads 18:55 The Wheelers Kill You 17:00 React To That 09:30 Sofia The First 05:20 George Clarke’s Amazing 20:20 The Wish Fish 20:15 Cats 101 17:25 React To That 10:00 The Lion Guard: Return Of Spaces 21:45 Help And Freedom 21:10 Shamwari: A Wild Life 17:50 Kids Do The Craziest Things The Roar 00:00 Restaurant: Impossible 06:15 Carnival Eats 23:25 An American Tail: Fievel Goes 21:38 The Wild Life Of Tim Faulkner 18:15 Kids Do The Craziest Things 10:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 01:00 Mystery Diners 06:40 Stepping Out West 22:05 North Woods Law 18:40 Nextworld 11:00 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 01:30 Mystery Diners 07:10 Tom’s Istanbul Delight 23:00 Australia Doesn’t Just Want To 19:30 How It’s Made 11:30 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 07:35 David Rocco’s Dolce Vita 00:16 Shimmer And Shine Kill You 19:55 How It’s Made 12:00 The Lion Guard 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:05 What’s For Sale? 00:39 Shimmer And Shine 23:55 Life On Earth: A New 20:20 Destroyed In Seconds 12:30 The Lion Guard 03:00 Man Fire Food 08:30 What’s For Sale? 01:02 Max & Ruby Prehistory 20:45 Destroyed In Seconds 13:00 Sofia The First 03:30 Man Fire Food 09:00 Valentine Warner Eats 01:25 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 21:10 React To That 13:30 Sofia The First 04:00 Chopped Junior Scandinavia 01:36 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 00:00 The Big Lebowski 21:35 React To That 14:00 PJ Masks 05:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 09:25 David Rocco’s Dolce India 01:47 The Day Henry Met 02:00 Unbroken 22:00 Kids Do The Craziest Things 14:30 PJ Masks 06:00 Barefoot Contessa 09:55 Wineroads 01:51 The Day Henry Met 04:25 The SpongeBob Movie: 22:25 Kids Do The Craziest Things 15:00 P-King Duckling 06:25 Barefoot Contessa 10:20 Wineroads 01:57 Blaze And The Monster Sponge Out Of Water 22:50 Ultimate Survival 15:30 Goldie & Bear And The Magic 06:50 Bake With Anna Olson 10:50 George Clarke’s Amazing Machines 06:05 Twins 23:40 North America Map 07:15 The Kitchen Spaces 02:20 Blaze And The Monster 08:00 Dreamgirls 00:00 Ss-Gb 15:35 Sofia The First 08:05 The Pioneer Woman 11:45 Carnival Eats Machines 10:10 Mr. Popper’s Penguins 01:00 Death In Paradise 16:00 PJ Masks 08:30 The Pioneer Woman 12:10 Stepping Out 02:42 Zack & Quack 11:50 Miss You Already 02:00 Line Of Duty 16:30 Mickey And The Roadster 08:55 Siba’s Table 12:40 Fish Of The Day 02:53 Kid-E-Cats 13:40 Baby Mama 03:10 Ss-Gb Racers 09:25 Siba’s Table 13:05 Fish Of The Day 02:58 Kid-E-Cats 15:20 Dreamgirls 04:10 Ss-Gb 17:00 Doc McStuffins 09:55 Bake With Anna Olson 13:35 What’s For Sale? 03:03 Shimmer And Shine 17:30 Oleanna 05:10 Casualty 17:30 Vampirina 10:25 Bake With Anna Olson 14:00 What’s For Sale? 03:25 Nella The Princess Knight 19:05 Hot Pursuit 06:00 Doctor Who: The Return Of 00:50 Murder By Numbers 18:00 Mickey’s Pirate Adventure 10:55 The Kitchen 14:30 Valentine Warner Eats 03:38 Paw Patrol 20:35 Ouija Doctor Mysterio 01:45 Casey Anthony: Killer Mom? 19:00 Sofia The First 11:45 Cooking For Real Scandinavia 04:00 Little Charmers 22:10 Boyz In The Hood 07:00 Death In Paradise 02:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 19:30 Mickey And The Roadster 12:10 The Pioneer Woman 14:55 Valentine Warner Eats 04:12 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 07:50 Doctors Hall Racers 12:35 The Pioneer Woman Scandinavia 04:24 Dora The Explorer 08:20 Casualty 03:35 I Speak For The Dead 20:00 The Lion Guard 13:00 Siba’s Table 15:25 India’s Mega Kitchen 04:47 Max & Ruby 09:10 Doctor Who: The Return Of 04:30 Murder By Numbers 20:30 P-King Duckling 13:30 Siba’s Table 16:20 George Clarke’s Amazing 05:09 The Day Henry Met Doctor Mysterio 05:25 The Locator 21:00 Doc McStuffins 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives Spaces 05:15 Nella The Princess Knight 10:10 Death In Paradise 05:50 The Locator 21:30 PJ Masks 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 17:15 Carnival Eats 05:37 Shimmer And Shine 00:40 Mythbusters 11:05 New Tricks 06:20 I Almost Got Away With It 22:00 The Lion Guard: Return Of 15:00 Chopped 17:40 Stepping Out 06:00 Wallykazam! 01:30 How Do They Do It? 12:00 Doctor Who 07:10 American Monster The Roar 16:00 The Kitchen 18:10 Miguel’s Feasts 06:22 Zack & Quack 01:55 Food Factory USA 12:50 Stella 08:00 The Locator 22:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 17:00 Bake With Anna Olson 18:35 Maximum Foodie 06:33 The Day Henry Met 02:20 X-Machines 13:35 Doctor Who: The Return Of 08:25 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 23:00 P-King Duckling 17:30 Bake With Anna Olson 19:05 India’s Mega Kitchen 06:39 Blaze And The Monster 03:10 Strip The Cosmos Doctor Mysterio Hall 23:30 Puppy Dog Pals 18:00 Chopped Junior 20:00 George Clarke’s Amazing Machines 04:00 The Big Brain Theory 14:35 Death In Paradise 09:15 The Locator 19:00 Holiday Baking Championship Spaces 07:00 Rusty Rivets 04:48 Mythbusters 15:30 Doctor Who 09:40 The Locator 20:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 21:00 Carnival Eats 07:13 Paw Patrol 05:36 How Do They Do It? 16:25 Stella 10:10 Evil Online 20:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 21:30 Stepping Out 07:37 Dora The Explorer 06:00 Food Factory USA 17:15 New Tricks 11:05 I Am Homicide 21:00 Man Fire Food 22:00 Miguel’s Feasts 08:00 Nella The Princess Knight 06:24 X-Machines 18:15 Holby City 12:00 Murder Calls 21:30 Man Fire Food 22:25 Maximum Foodie 08:11 Kid-E-Cats 07:12 Strip The Cosmos 19:05 Death In Paradise 12:55 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 22:55 Fish Of The Day 08:16 Kid-E-Cats 08:00 How Do They Do It? 20:00 Five By Five Hall 00:20 Street Outlaws 22:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 23:20 Fish Of The Day 08:22 Bubble Guppies 08:26 The Big Brain Theory 20:10 Silent Witness 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 01:05 Gold Rush 23:00 Chopped 23:50 What’s For Sale? 08:45 Blaze And The Monster 09:14 Mythbusters 21:10 Silent Witness 14:45 American Monster 01:50 Gold Divers Machines 10:02 Strip The Cosmos 22:10 Line Of Duty 15:40 Forbidden: Dying For Love 02:35 Cooper’s Treasure: The Hunt 09:08 Paw Patrol 10:50 How Do They Do It? 23:05 Orphan Black 16:35 Gone For A Secret Fortune 09:31 Shimmer And Shine 11:14 Food Factory USA 23:50 Class 17:30 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 03:20 Misfit Garage 09:54 Nella The Princess Knight 11:38 X-Machines Hall 04:05 Deadliest Catch 10:15 The Day Henry Met 12:26 The Big Brain Theory 18:25 The Locator 04:50 Alaska: The Last Frontier 00:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 10:21 Paw Patrol 13:14 Mythbusters 18:50 The Locator (Season Specials) 01:00 Emmerdale 10:44 Rusty Rivets 14:02 How Do They Do It? 19:20 I Almost Got Away With It 05:35 How Do They Do It? 01:30 Coronation Street 00:10 Dian Fossey: Secrets In The 11:06 Wallykazam! 14:26 Food Factory USA 20:15 American Monster 06:00 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 02:00 Coronation Street Mist 11:30 Bubble Guppies 14:50 Strip The Cosmos 21:10 Forbidden: Dying For Love 06:45 Street Outlaws 02:30 The Chase 01:00 Live Free Or Die 11:53 Team Umizoomi 15:38 The Big Brain Theory 00:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 22:05 Murder Chose Me 07:30 Misfit Garage 03:25 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 02:00 Supercar Megabuild 12:16 Shimmer And Shine 16:26 X-Machines 01:00 Britain’s Darkest Taboos 23:00 Guilty Rich 08:15 Deadliest Catch Of Dogs At Christmas 03:00 Locked Up Abroad 13:02 Max & Ruby 17:14 Mythbusters 02:00 It Takes A Killer 23:55 American Monster 09:00 Container Wars 04:20 Tracey Ullman’s Show 04:00 Dian Fossey: Secrets In The 13:25 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 18:02 Strip The Cosmos 02:30 It Takes A Killer 09:25 How Do They Do It? 04:50 Raised By Wolves Mist 13:46 The Day Henry Met 18:50 The Big Brain Theory 03:00 The Eleven 09:47 How Do They Do It? 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries 05:00 Building Wild 13:51 The Day Henry Met 19:40 Mythbusters 04:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 10:12 Gold Rush 06:10 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 06:00 Route Awakening 13:57 Blaze And The Monster 20:30 How It’s Made 05:00 Britain’s Darkest Taboos 10:57 Gold Divers 07:05 The Chase 06:30 Route Awakening Machines 20:55 How It’s Made 06:00 It Takes A Killer 11:42 Cooper’s Treasure: The Hunt 08:00 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 07:00 Bad Trip 14:42 Zack & Quack 21:20 How Do They Do It? 06:30 It Takes A Killer For A Secret Fortune Of Dogs At Christmas 08:00 Air Crash Investigation 14:53 Kid-E-Cats 21:45 Food Factory USA 07:00 Homicide Hunter 12:25 How Do They Do It? 08:50 Tracey Ullman’s Show 09:00 Building Wild 14:57 Kid-E-Cats 22:10 Strip The Cosmos 08:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 00:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 12:48 Extreme Collectors 09:30 Raised By Wolves 10:00 Yukon Gold 15:03 Shimmer And Shine 23:00 How It’s Made 09:00 It Takes A Killer 00:10 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 13:10 Alaska: The Last Frontier 10:00 Murdoch Mysteries 11:00 Cold Water Gold 15:25 Nella The Princess Knight 23:25 How It’s Made 09:30 It Takes A Killer Witch (Season Specials) 10:55 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 12:00 Brain Games 15:37 Paw Patrol 23:50 The Big Brain Theory 10:00 Homicide Hunter 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 13:55 Deadliest Catch 11:50 The Chase 12:30 How To Win At Everything 16:00 Little Charmers 11:00 Cold Case Files 01:00 Hank Zipzer 14:40 Gold Divers 12:45 Emmerdale 13:00 Bad Trip 16:12 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 12:00 Escaping Polygamy 01:25 Alex & Co. 15:25 Misfit Garage 13:15 Coronation Street 14:00 Science Of Stupid 16:24 Dora The Explorer 13:00 Leah Remini: Scientology And 01:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 16:10 Street Outlaws 14:15 Who’s Doing The Dishes? 14:30 Science Of Stupid 16:46 Max & Ruby The Aftermath 01:50 Evermoor Chronicles 17:00 How Do They Do It? 15:10 The Chase 15:00 Fish Tank Kings 17:08 The Day Henry Met 14:00 It Takes A Killer 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 17:25 How Do They Do It? 16:00 The Royal Good Guys 16:00 Yukon Gold 17:14 Nella The Princess Knight 01:15 Shanghai 14:30 It Takes A Killer Witch 17:50 Extreme Collectors 16:55 The Secret Photos Of The 17:00 Cold Water Gold 17:37 Shimmer And Shine 03:00 House Of D 15:00 Homicide Hunter 02:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 18:20 Container Wars Duke & Duchess Of Windsor 18:00 Air Crash Investigation 17:59 Wallykazam! 04:45 Traffic 16:00 Cold Case Files Witch 18:50 Deadliest Catch 17:50 Murdoch Mysteries 19:00 Seconds From Disaster 18:22 Zack & Quack 07:00 If Only 17:00 The First 48 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 19:40 How Do They Do It? 18:45 Emmerdale 20:00 Yukon Gold 18:33 The Day Henry Met 08:45 Suite Francaise 18:00 It Takes A Killer 03:30 Binny And The Ghost 20:10 How Do They Do It? 19:15 Coronation Street 20:50 Cold Water Gold 18:39 Blaze And The Monster 10:45 The Alamo 18:30 It Takes A Killer 03:55 Hank Zipzer 20:35 How Do They Do It? 20:10 The Chase 21:40 Air Crash Investigation Machines 13:00 What Maisie Knew 19:00 The First 48 04:15 Disney Mickey Mouse 21:00 Madiba 21:00 The Royal Good Guys 22:30 Seconds From Disaster 19:00 Rusty Rivets 14:45 Shanghai 20:00 The First 48 04:20 Hank Zipzer 21:50 Bushcraft Build-Off 21:55 The Secret Photos Of The 23:20 Brain Games 19:12 Paw Patrol 16:30 Employee Of The Month 22:00 Cold Case Files 04:45 Alex & Co. 22:40 Ed Stafford: Left For Dead Duke & Duchess Of Windsor 23:45 How To Win At Everything 19:37 Dora The Explorer 18:15 Noel 23:00 The First 48 05:10 Alex & Co. 23:30 Misfit Garage 22:50 Emmerdale 19:59 Nella The Princess Knight 20:00 Get Low 05:35 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 23:15 Coronation Street 20:10 Kid-E-Cats 21:45 Heartlands Witch 20:16 Kid-E-Cats 23:15 Edmond 06:00 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 20:22 Bubble Guppies Witch 20:45 Blaze And The Monster 00:05 Nightcap 06:25 Binny And The Ghost Machines 00:30 Comedy Central Roast: Justin 06:45 Disney Mickey Mouse 06:00 Disney11 21:08 Paw Patrol Bieber 06:50 Rolling With The Ronks 06:25 Supa Strikas 00:20 Storm Cats 21:31 Shimmer And Shine 02:10 Chappelle’s Show 07:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 06:50 Marvel’s Spider-Man 00:00 Smartest Guy In The Room 01:10 Caught In The Act GPU 21:55 Nella The Princess Knight 02:35 Real Husbands Of Hollywood And Cat Noir 07:15 Right Now Kapow 01:00 Ancient Discoveries Reversions 22:16 The Day Henry Met 00:20 Big & Little 03:00 The Daily Show With Trevor 07:25 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 07:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 02:00 Clash Of Warriors 02:00 Predator Battleground 22:22 Paw Patrol 01:05 Suddenly Rich Noah And Cat Noir 07:45 Walk The Prank 03:00 Brad Meltzer’s Decoded 02:50 Monster Fish 22:44 Rusty Rivets 01:50 Return To Amish 03:25 Tosh.0 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 08:10 Phineas And Ferb 03:50 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate 03:45 Cameramen Who Dare 23:07 Wallykazam! 02:35 The Spouse House 03:50 Chappelle’s Show 07:55 Frozen Northern Lights 08:35 Mech-X4 Evidence 04:40 Animal Fight Club 4.5 23:31 Bubble Guppies 03:20 Little People, Big World 04:15 Kroll Show 08:20 K.C. Undercover 09:00 Marvel’s Spider-Man 04:40 10 Things You Don’t Know 05:35 Predator Battleground 23:54 Team Umizoomi 04:05 Toddlers & Tiaras 04:40 Key And Peele 08:45 Bunk’d 09:25 Lab Rats About... 06:30 Monster Fish 04:50 Dare To Wear 05:05 Important Things With 09:10 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 09:50 Star Wars Freemaker 05:30 Smartest Guy In The Room 07:25 Cameramen Who Dare 05:35 Say Yes To The Dress UK Demitri Martin 09:35 Tangled: The Series Adventures 06:20 Ancient Discoveries 08:20 Animal Fight Club 4.5 06:00 Obsessive Compulsive 05:30 Impractical Jokers 10:00 Adventures In Babysitting 10:20 Gravity Falls 07:10 The Universe 09:15 Savage Kingdom: Uprising Cleaners 05:55 Disaster Date 11:35 Frozen: Magic Of The 10:45 Kid vs. Kat 08:00 Clash Of Warriors 10:10 Deadly Instincts 06:45 Say Yes To The Dress UK 06:20 Ridiculousness Arabia Northern Lights 11:10 Milo Murphy’s Law 09:00 Brad Meltzer’s Decoded 11:05 Secret Life Of Predators 07:07 Say Yes To The Dress UK 06:50 Frankenfood 11:40 Austin & Ally 11:35 Right Now Kapow 10:00 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate 12:00 Fish Tank Kings 07:30 The Spouse House 07:15 Frankenfood 12:05 That’s So Raven 12:00 Lab Rats vs Mighty Med Evidence 12:55 Wildebeeste: Born To Run 00:50 True Heart 08:15 Little People, Big World 07:40 I Live With Models 12:30 That’s So Raven 12:47 Disney Xd F.C 11:00 10 Things You Don’t Know 13:50 Monster Fish 02:25 The Good Dinosaur 09:00 Cake Boss 08:05 Impractical Jokers 12:55 Disney Mickey Mouse 12:55 Pair Of Kings About... 14:45 Cameramen Who Dare 04:00 Zootropolis 09:25 Toddlers & Tiaras 08:30 Disaster Date 13:00 Bunk’d 13:20 Pair Of Kings 12:00 Smartest Guy In The Room 15:40 Animal Fight Club 4.5 05:50 A Simple Wish 10:10 Obsessive Compulsive 08:55 Workaholics 13:25 Tangled: The Series 13:45 Phineas And Ferb 13:00 Ancient Discoveries 16:35 Savage Kingdom: Uprising 07:25 True Heart Cleaners 09:20 Kroll Show 13:50 Jessie 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 14:00 Clash Of Warriors 17:30 Sahara 09:00 Pirates Code: The Adventures 10:55 Too Ugly For Love? 09:45 Key And Peele 14:15 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 14:15 Phineas And Ferb 15:00 Brad Meltzer’s Decoded 18:25 Secret Life Of Predators Of Mickey Matson 11:40 Say Yes To The Dress UK 10:10 Important Things With 14:40 K.C. Undercover 14:40 The Suite Life Of Zack & 16:00 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate 19:20 Cameramen Who Dare 10:35 The Good Dinosaur 12:02 Say Yes To The Dress UK Demitri Martin 15:05 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug Cody Evidence 20:10 Animal Fight Club 4.5 12:10 The Tale Of Despereaux 12:25 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 10:35 I Live With Models And Cat Noir 15:05 The Suite Life Of Zack & 17:00 10 Things You Don’t Know 21:00 Savage Kingdom: Uprising 13:45 Curious George 13:10 Big & Little 11:00 Impractical Jokers 15:30 Bizaardvark Cody About... 21:50 Sahara 15:15 The Kids From 62-F 13:55 Toddlers & Tiaras 11:25 Disaster Date 15:55 Elena Of Avalor 15:30 Gravity Falls 18:00 The Universe 22:40 Secret Life Of Predators 17:05 The Dog Lover 14:40 Little People, Big World 11:50 Ridiculousness Arabia 16:20 Stuck In The Middle 15:55 Gravity Falls 19:00 Ancient Discoveries 23:30 Fish Tank Kings 18:50 The Adventure Club 15:25 Too Ugly For Love? 12:15 Impractical Jokers 16:45 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 16:20 Two More Eggs 20:00 Clash Of Warriors 20:20 The Tale Of Despereaux 16:10 Love At First Swipe 12:40 Frankenfood 17:00 Tangled: The Series 16:25 Lab Rats 21:00 Brad Meltzer’s Decoded 21:55 Curious George 16:35 Cake Boss 13:05 Frankenfood 17:25 K.C. Undercover 16:50 Lab Rats 22:00 Ancient Aliens: The Ultimate 23:25 The Dog Lover 17:00 Meet The Putmans 13:30 Important Things With 17:50 K.C. Undercover 17:15 Kirby Buckets Evidence 17:50 Obsessive Compulsive Demitri Martin 18:15 Descendants Wicked World 17:40 Kirby Buckets 23:00 UFO Files Cleaners 13:55 Friends 18:20 Bunk’d 18:05 Supa Strikas 18:50 Dare To Wear 14:20 Friends 18:45 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 18:30 Marvel’s Ant-Man 00:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 19:40 Say Yes To The Dress UK 14:45 Workaholics 19:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 18:35 Disney11 00:36 Rabbids Invasion 20:10 Cake Boss 15:10 Key And Peele 19:15 Liv And Maddie 19:00 Penn Zero: Part Time Hero 01:00 Rabbids Invasion 20:35 Cake Boss 15:35 Kroll Show 19:40 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 19:25 Penn Zero: Part Time Hero 01:24 Sanjay And Craig 00:10 Scouts Guide To The Zombie 21:00 My Giant Life 16:00 Comedy Central Presents And Cat Noir 19:50 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 01:48 Sanjay And Craig Apocalypse 21:50 Fat Chance Comedy 3alwagef 20:05 Descendants Wicked World 19:55 Walk The Prank 00:21 Ultimate Wheels 02:12 Winx Club 01:50 Nina Forever 22:40 Monsters Inside Me 16:30 Impractical Jokers 20:10 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 20:20 Walk The Prank 01:11 American Pickers 02:36 Winx Club 03:30 K-9 23:30 90 Days To Wed 16:55 Friends 26 Established 1961 Stars Tuesday, December 19, 2017

CROSSWORD 1788 STAR TRACK

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

Work ethics are very important to you and should you choose to take time Taking the novel approach, trying out new ideas and breakthroughs in away from work today, you might allow yourself the time and call it a vacation day. Keep thinking could be what life is all about. You just simply feel like being different, trying out a good attitude about competition and prepare for some extra projects. This is a very something new and unusual. Perhaps you feel that you are too complacent, or are you busy time in your professional life. At home this afternoon, you also enjoy staying busy. getting bored with the status quoadding a little variety to your life will give it a little extra Just whiling the time away is not your bag! It should be a good time to really look at spice and adds interest. You may want to go where no one has gone before, or may just yourself and understand what is really important. Writing efforts can be a spectacular want to travel a less traveled path. Growth comes from allowing yourself to make changes, success. Don’t hesitate if a travel opportunity arises—a journey begun this afternoon can allowing yourself to see things through different eyes, so to speak, and being unafraid of be joyful and romantic. Do something fun with a good friend. You have a good attitude taking a completely unfamiliar path or journey into the unknown. If you are reasonably and this evening you are expressive. prepared, you will be pleased with the outcome.

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

You may find a physical move or some other type of major change is being You may have to use a great deal of diplomacy around others. There may discussed today. This may mean that higher-ups in your workplace are looking for a be some problems with a negotiation, but the event will end positively. You would just love place to relocate the company. You will ponder many questions by analysis and deep, to be out and about and enjoying the company of your friends. Unfortunately, however, penetrating thoughts. This could all be temporary if the company building is in need of you may find yourself working inside four walls. This time will pass—patience. It may be a being refurbished. You could be asked to do some location research at this time. Putting good time to think about the vocational or career decisions you will want to change. This yourself in a position to gather and share more information seems most important to you afternoon you look for a belated gift or two that expresses your gratefulness. Home is at this time. Many obstacles and responsibilities are about to dissolve. Someone close to likely to be a very nice place this evening! This is a great time to spend with loved ones you may come to you for your psychological perceptiveness and comprehension. and family. Nostalgia and domesticity could begin emphasizing a need for security and a Expressing your insights through poetry or song becomes impressive. sense of roots.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)

Watch out—an independent streak seems to be surfacing at this time. On this day, your humor may be overshadowed, but only by your rather Others will admire your unique and rather unusual way of perceiving eccentric behavior. Your independence and unique qualities are appreciat- things. Your sense of humor simply shines and added to your rather eccentric behavior, ed by those around you. Some days are so busy you may feel like you would be right to ACROSS DOWN should set you apart from the crowd. You find the benefits from new insights into your hire some kind of temporary help. You dive in and find shortcuts and schedules and new 1. Characteristic of a mob. 1. A master's degree in library science. living situation or life conditions. Your friends or associates may come to you for help ways to complete the projects of today with a little time for cleanup and thanks to others 4. The face veil worn by Muslim women. 2. An organization of countries formed in today as you have advanced teaching qualities and can patiently instruct those that have for lending a helping hand. Make a note to be available when the others may need your 11. Area around the altar of a church for the 1961 to agree on a common policy for the a hard time understanding some code or technique. This should all go rather smoothly. help. Maybe a good book or movie will take on that more than real dimension after work sale of petroleum. Your more reserved qualities may make others wonder what you have been up to late- this afternoon. Pat yourself on the back and know that the decisions you made today may clergy and choir. have helped the team you worked with, the customer and your own standing. 15. Any of various primates with short tails 3. English monk and scholar (672-735). ly—as you are not always so quiet. Keeping people guessing is a fun pastime for now. or no tail at all. 4. An erratic deflection from an intended 16. A member of the Caddo people who course. formerly lived in the Dakotas west of the 5. (botany) Of some seeds. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Missouri river. 6. (of meat) Full of sinews. 17. A material effigy that is worshipped as a 7. Hormone produced early in pregnancy You may be feeling very good about yourself just now and appreciating You may find yourself working extra hard to get things and people organ- god. by the placenta. your own better qualities. Creative writing projects can be used in the ized. Wanting and needing to feel respected is an emotionally charged issue 18. Having leadership guidance. 8. Arboreal snake of central and southern workplace to introduce better advertising jingles. You may see value in or feel love for an in your life. Achieving things, working especially hard and having a strong ambition are all 19. The pilot who positions his aircraft out- Africa whose bite is often fatal. older person or someone in authority. You seem to appreciate feelings and movement in things that are important this day. A good understanding of those around you can almost general, and could possibly find yourself looking for a little romance. You may just want assure you of a successful outcome. Perhaps you are coaching a sports team or you are side and behind (on the wing of) the leader 9. Brazilian tree with handsomely marked wood. to get out and about and walk or exercise. It’s just a wonderful time to be in the compa- getting paid to take a family member’s wedding pictures. Great feelings and knowing how of a flying formation. ny of others in play or work. A particular job may be just right for someone with your much you are appreciated makes this a very happy time. Some very important matters 20. A beautiful and graceful girl. 10. A historical region of southwestern India on the west coast. credentials. You certainly know how to manage and direct others. Your particular ideas may be on the mind of someone younger than you, and you may be asked to give advice. 21. Someone who works (or provides work- and thoughts are exceptionally good today; they have not gone unnoticed. If you have time, consider taking a gift for the host of a party coming up soon. ers) during a strike. 11. Having two feet. 23. A chronic inflammatory collagen disease 12. Swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue. affecting connective tissue (skin or joints). Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 24. A railroad employee responsible for a 13. Relating to principles of right and wrong. train's brakes. Now is a good time for that one-on-one with a higher-up, or supervisor. You should find yourself in top condition when it comes to any kind of 14. Place in a line or arrange so as to be 26. Again but in a new or different way. This is the time that you can express your desire for a new position within mental activity. You are full of wit and sharp ideas. This could be a time when you find parallel. 28. Breed of large wiry-coated terrier bred the company. Perhaps you could be in management. It’s a period when you can put your some real discoveries in the idea department. Having a clear-cut idea of what the public 22. English monk and scholar (672-735). wants and needs at this time is an important factor when making decisions with regard to in Yorkshire. practical insights into words and convey them to others. Taking care of business is a 25. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked group issues. Expect to make some crystal-clear decisions that affect others. You may 29. Forming viscous or glutinous threads. major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned. You crave organization and on a skewer usually with vegetables. find yourself moving cautiously through some difficulties, blocks or hot spots but the 32. A small cake leavened with yeast. you want to get things accomplished. You aim to have a place for everything and every- 27. A negative. thing in its place. Health and work goals take on greater importance now. You can results will be positive. Someone may not share your point of view or your life situation 33. Extremely exciting as if by alcohol or a 30. (formal) A person who announces demonstrate much understanding of and sensitivity to other’s needs at this time. A may not be exactly as you would like for it to be; however, all will work out just fine in the narcotic. important news. romance in your life becomes more stable. There is a deeper sense of intimacy. end—so relax. Family members enjoy games tonight—togetherness. 36. The mission in San Antonio where in 31. An Indian side dish of yogurt and 1836 Mexican forces under Santa Anna chopped cucumbers and spices. Virgo (August 23-September 22) besieged and massacred American rebels 34. A genus of temperate and arctic ever- Pisces (February 19-March 20) who were fighting to make Texas inde- green trees (see spruce). pendent of Mexico. 35. A law passed by US Congress to pre- Expect some challenges in the workplace from time to time. You find you Extra support comes your way now. You may have the feeling that you are 40. An elaborate song for solo voice. vent employees from being injured or con- are appreciated for your talent in getting things done. It would be appropriate to ask for very much in touch and have a good connection with those around you; 41. Armor plate that protects the chest. tracting diseases in the course of their help. You are disciplined, work hard and are good at getting others to work with and for conversations have never been so interesting. All of the support that you need will be 43. A conspicuous disparity or difference employment. you. You have a fantastic appetite for detail work and can take it all in and still look for there for you. There is very little time to complete unfinished business before the year ends, but you manage to do it. Legal matters are concluded successfully today. Your taste as between two figures. 37. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions more. Willing and able to respond to almost any emergency—you are responsible and 44. A broad flat muscle on either side of the always ready. Being successful in life is easy; you have a built-in sense of how to in art and your creative thinking is heightened. Maybe this is the perfect time to pick out of the Old World. furnishings, colors and so forth—the more elegant things in life—or at least to communi- back. 38. Produced by a manufacturing process. approach and unravel even the most difficult problems. Helpful advice comes from a trusted confidante. You and another family member decide to visit an ill or elderly person cate your ideas with loved ones. Also—this is a wonderful time to be around friends and 46. (Greek mythology) The rarified fluid 39. Affording unobstructed entrance and associates and to work together. Healing is accelerated by your peaceful ways. said to flow in the veins of the Gods. exit. this evening. You will meet with deep and loving acceptance. 50. Tropical American tree grown in south- 42. United States writer (born in Lebanon) ern United States having a whitish pink- (1883-1931). Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution tinged fruit. 45. A crystalline compound found in vanilla 52. An area of sand sloping down to the beans and some balsam resins. water of a sea or lake. 47. United States newspaper publisher 53. A primeval personification of air and (1858-1935). breath. 48. Cracks or fissures in the skin (especially 54. A public promotion of some product or around the mouth or anus). service. 49. (Arthurian legend) The battlefield where 55. Frogs, toads, tree toads. King Arthur was mortally wounded. 57. Leafless East Indian vine. 51. A Dravidian language spoken in south 60. (computer science) A standardized lan- central India. guage for the descriptive markup of docu- 56. A benevolent aspect of Devi. ments. 58. The executive agency that advises the 63. A natural elevation (especially a rocky President on the federal budget. one that juts out into the sea). 59. American professional baseball player 66. A port city in southwestern Iran. who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth 68. Trade name for an oral contraceptive (born in 1934). containing estradiol and norgestrel. 61. Having lost freshness or brilliance of 69. Lacking sufficient water or rainfall. color. 72. A quantity of no importance. 62. Squash bugs. 73. A zodiacal constellation in northern 64. At any time. hemisphere between Cancer and Virgo. 65. A challenge to do something dangerous 74. Made more desirable or valuable or or foolhardy. profitable. 67. An Iranian language spoken in 78. A widely distributed system consisting Afghanistan. of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or 70. Mythical bird of prey having enormous size and strength. colloidal particles etc, except for certain 71. Any of various coarse shrubby plants of white blood cells. the genus Iva with small greenish flowers. 79. Bulky grayish-brown eagle with a short 75. A polyvalent metallic element that wedge-shaped white tail. resembles chromium and tungsten in its 80. A pocket-size case for holding papers properties. and paper money. 76. A heavy precious metallic element. 81. An agency of the United Nations affili- 77. A Mid-Atlantic state. ated with the World Bank.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution 27 Established 1961

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 LifestyleFeatures

Make your gifts stand out with a proper topper

BY NICOLE TSONG showed us a bow that is voluminous, The Seattle Times textured and pretty, yet also simple to make. Wire ribbon gives the bow premade, self-adhesive bow fished out structure, and sheer and silky rib- of a plastic bag just doesn’t impress in bons add texture. You can add the age of Martha Stewart. more ribbons or take some away Although most wrappers are guilty depending on the size of the gift. of slapping on a stiff, awkward bow in “You can manipulate your rib- a last-minute frenzy, making a beauti- bons so many ways using this ful bow is possible even for the least crafty technique,” Conway said. among us. Plan ahead when shopping, picking up rib- Simple bow solutions abound. The easiest bon in addition to your wrapping paper. one is to tie a bow the way you tie shoelaces, Conway recommends investing in at least one then add a novelty ribbon in contrasting colors, roll of pricier wire ribbon to add some struc- like stripes or polka dots, to make your present ture. pop, said Ann Conway, owner of Swee Swee But be a little forgiving, too. Everyone Paperie & Studio in Seattle. Other ideas include thinks his or her bows don’t look good, she adding a small ornament for dimension or even said. Just keep tweaking and practicing, and making a bow out of newspaper by pleating it you’ll soon find yourself making ones worthy accordion-style. of Martha. But for a slightly more ambitious project, we Here, Conway shows step-by-step how enlisted Conway’s gift-wrapping expertise. She to create a bow.

CREATING A BOW Supplies ■ Ribbon to tie around the box ■ Two 11/2-yard-long ribbons or three 1-yard-long ribbons for the bow, including at least one wire ribbon Figuring out how to wrap unwieldy ■ A twist-tie or wire gifts is a time-honored tradition in ■ Scissors households that like to give big. Big as in a plasma-screen TV, big as in a bicy- cle, big as in a canoe. But some of us are new to big, or not so good at it. So we asked some gift-wrapping experts for their help on some cumber- some gifts. For these massive gifts, Andie Wurster, assistant manager at Paper Source in Bellevue, Wash., suggests: ■ Canoe: For the most ambitious, connect several boxes to cover the entire canoe, then wrap it in traditional paper and add a bow. For those with less time, find some cheap fabric in a PHOTOS BY ELLEN BANNER/THE SEATTLE TIMES BY ELLEN BANNER/THE SEATTLE PHOTOS good pattern to cover up the canoe, and Tie a piece of ribbon around the package to Set the ribboned box aside. Cut the two rib- add a bow. cover the seam, knotting it on top. You also bons for the bow into 11/2-yard-long pieces, ■ Dollhouses: For an innovative can do a more traditional criss-cross pat- then match up the ends and hold them in wrap job, find or sew a red Santa bag tern, tying it together on top. one hand. to cover the dollhouse. It might actual- ly disguise the present.

MCT If you’re trying to surprise the recipient, swaddle a recliner in glossy metallic fabric.

Anchor the ribbons in your hand and loop Fold the bow in half to measure the center; ■ Recliner: Swaddle the chair in them evenly two to three times until you run cinch the middle with your fingers. glossy metallic fabric, then add a huge out of ribbon, making sure not to tangle bow. them. The loop for this bow measured 8 If you don’t care about the element inches in length. of surprise, just add a generous bow. Try burlap bows if you can’t find wide ribbon. Ann Conway, of Swee Swee Paperie & Studio in Seattle, offered these addi- tional suggestions: ■ Television: Keep it in the box, and wrap that. For another twist, make the gift into a treasure hunt. Wrap relat- ed items sepa- rately, like popcorn, a DVD, a televi- sion guide and the remote control, mak- ing sure they MCT Secure the center with flexible wire or a Tie the bow to the box with ribbon. open the remote control last. Keep the twist-tie. TV out of sight until the last moment. ■ Sleds: Pop a sled in one of the brown bags sold for leaves and other yard waste. The bags can be found at hardware stores. Let the sled stick out the top with a bow on top. ■ Bicycles: Buy some inexpen- sive fabric in a good pattern, drape it over the bicycle and add a bow. Alternatives: Buy lightweight painter’s canvas at an art store, paint on a bow and wrap the present; or try bubble wrap or paint tarps with large red bows on top. MCT

Fluff the bow, pulling out loops one at a Voila! time and twisting one forward then one back. Repeat. Tweak until the bow looks Bicycles can be covered by pat- right. terned fabric or painter’s canvas. 28 Established 1961 Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Lifestyle Gossip Shinoda rules out Bennington hologram show ike Shinoda has ruled out Linkin Park ever together or individually, this album is certainly a beau- performing with a hologram of Chester tiful way of looking back at the body of work we creat- MBennington. The ‘Numb’ hitmakers were left ed with Chester. “Grief is a non-linear process. It does- devastated when their friend took his own life in July n’t have ‘stages’ that go in order, it has phases that aged 41, and the 40-year-old musician insists it would come and go at random. Some people are having sad be “awful” to take to the stage with a hologram version days, others are having good days, others are having of the singer. In an Instagram Live, he said: “I can’t angry days...add the constant stress and fear of things even wrap my head around the idea of a holographic like the news cycle, and you’ve got some exceptional Chester. I’ve actually heard other people outside the chaos on your hands. “So I’ve tried to make it a point band suggest that, and there’s absolutely no way. I can- to share how I’m doing, mostly on Instagram and some- not deal with that. “I can’t do a hologram Chester; that times Twitter, especially when I feel like I’m making would be the worst. For any of you guys who have lost progress. “Coping with the end of this chapter is obvi- a loved one, best friend, family member, can you imag- ously devastating, but at the same time, it’s also the ine having a hologram of them? Ugh. [It would be] beginning of the next story.” Mike was forced to leave awful. I can’t do it.” Mike also recently admitted he an Instagram Live listening party early because he “doesn’t know what comes next” for Linkin Park - who couldn’t carry on hearing the rocker’s vocals without are also made up of Rob Bourdon, Brad Delson, Dave getting upset. He wrote on Instagram: “I did a listening Farrell and Joe Hahn - following the release of ‘One party on Instagram Live today for the new album. I left More Night Live’ last week, their first record since early, and didn’t really give a reason. To be honest, it Chester’s passing. He told Billboard: “It’s a really nice was because it’s hard for me to listen to Chester’s voice way to showcase what a special experience each night for that long. I’m fine, I just wanted you to know. was. And while I don’t know what comes next for us Thanks for understanding. (sic)

Grimes Smith to perform at teases new first ever Global Awards am Smith and Kasabian will perform at the inaugural 2018 music is Global Awards. Launched this week by radio brand Global, Sthe new ceremony will combine its diverse roster of stations - coming ‘soon’ Capital, Capital XTRA, Heart, Classic FM, Smooth, Radio X, Gold and LBC - to create a platform to recognise the best in music, entertainment and news. The ‘Too Good At Goodbyes’ hitmaker and the indie rock band - fronted by Tom Meighan - have already been confirmed for the event, which will take place on March 1, 2018 at London’s Hammersmith Eventim Apollo. The likes of Rita Ora, Andrea Bocelli and Martin Garrix are also on the star-studded bill. Ashley Tabor OBE, Global’s Founder & Executive President, said: “At Global, we’ve built some of the UK’s biggest radio stations and media brands. “Through their reach, we’re in the privileged position of entertaining and engaging more than half the UK popu- lation every single week. “This means we’re perfectly placed to create the biggest and best music and entertainment awards the And in response to the question, UK has ever seen, supported by Global’s incredible listeners who “When were you happiest?”, he will be voting for some of their favorite artists in popular cate- said: “When I had my first kid and gories.” Recipients of Global Awards will be voted for by both the when I had my first big success with David public and a panel of industry experts, with the full categories and ‘I Gotta Feeling’.” David is also longlists for the public vote being announced on Wednesday. proud of himself for “giving DJ cul- Tickets for the bash go on sale in January 2018 from ture more respect”, something he global.com/awards. Guetta’s calls his “greatest achievement”. However, his career has not been all positive; he admitted that his most song wish embarrassing moment was when he did a live stream to launch one of his albums. David explained: “When I was doing a live stream to launch my Charli XCX unsure about avid Guetta wants his own album. Millions of people were song to be played at his watching and the first audio file did- releasing more albums Dfuneral. The 50-year-old DJ n’t work. I was the biggest DJ in the produced the Black Eyed Peas’ world and I couldn’t even play one harli XCX isn’t sure if she will release any 2009 single ‘I Gotta Feeling’ and record. It was horrible.” And he more albums. The ‘Boys’ singer has just says the track is so special to him, revealed that he takes criticism of Cdropped the mixtape ‘Pop 2’, which fea- that its release was one of the hap- his work badly. The star - who tures Carly Rae Jepsen, Tove Lo, Caroline piest moments of his life and he admits “losing inspiration” is his Polachek, Cupcakke, Mykki Blanco and Jay Park wants it played when he died. When biggest fear - said: “Every time I put and she admitted she prefers the immediacy of a asked by The Guardian ‘What song out a record, I feel like it’s the best. mixtape, over the long drawn-out process of cre- would you like played at your funer- So when a record is not successful ating an album. She told Vulture: “With the al?’, he replied: “I Gotta Feeling”. it’s very painful.” album, I don’t really know when I’m gonna put it out. Or even if I’m gonna put out an album. I just don’t know. And I think that’s what leads me toward making mixtapes. The way that I work and write is so fast, and releasing these mixtapes Stormzy wants is very beneficial to that. I get so frustrated hav- ing to sit on music. I’ve been sitting on music for my album for so long now that people hacked me Stevie Wonder duet and leaked some music. For me to keep on being creative, doing these mixtapes is good. Generally, tormzy wants to collaborate reason why I say no is because I don’t even really tell people when I’m working with Stevie Wonder. The ‘Big she doesn’t do features - and she on it. It just happens. I’ll tell fans the week before For Your Boots’ rapper has needs to keep it like that. “I am the release, and I’ll tell the label two months S before.” And Charli revealed her latest mixtape given up hope on duetting with rooting for her legacy to stay as Adele because she never does phenomenal as possible. “She has- only took two weeks to make. She explained: feature tracks, but he’d love to get n’t got to worry about what her “This one started happening just before I went on into the studio with the 67-year- next album does. “All she has to tour with Halsey when I was in London. Me and old Motown legend. The 24-year- do is go to the studio, lay down [producer] A.G. Cook do so much work together whatever pain or emotion or feel- now and he’s so fast, so we were just like, ‘we ing she’s got and the rest will should do another mixtape.’ We had this studio service itself.” And on who else is session where we made a few ideas, and then we on his wish list, he told the Metro rimes has teased new music is coming went out and partied at this PC Music night. We Chicago, Austin, wherever and cut vocals. At the newspaper: “Stevie Wonder ... “soon”. The 29-year-old pop star - real didn’t do anymore work, but we knew we had same time, I was sending s**t to other artists That would be...” Meanwhile, Gname Claire Boucher - has kept her fans some good ideas and we should probably finish asking them to jump on songs. I guess it was a Stormzy - who has won countless waiting two years for the much-anticipated fol- them. He flew over to New York for these really longer period than No. 1 Angel just because there awards thanks to his critically- low-up to 2015’s ‘Art Angels’, but she has now hectic, mental four or five days where we would are more features. Honestly, I feel really sorry for acclaimed LP ‘Gangs, Signs & revealed she has played new material to her stay in the studio until 4 a.m. It was all being done A.G. He kept killing himself trying to finish this Prayers’ - says the most important record label, and they “really dig it”. Replying to while I was still on tour. In total, it took maybe back in London, staying up for 24 hours for a thing looking forward is ensuring a follower on Twitter over the weekend, she two weeks. I would go into studios in LA, Boston, week. He’s really the hero of this mixtape.” he maintains being at the “top of wrote: “just played label new music they rly dig [his] game”. He said: “I’ve got to it so hopefully smthn soon (sic).” In August, the worry about making music and ‘Venus Fly’ singer said reassured fans that she staying at the top of my game ... was spending “every day” working on her fifth focusing on what my actual trade studio album. The singer/songwriter said at the Robbie Williams couldn’t stay retired is, being a musician and delivering time that she just needed a bit more time for incredible art.” The ‘Blinded By “pure unadulterated creativity”. She wrote on obbie Williams soon realized he’d made a even Dallas ... And in those three years off my brain Your Grace’ star is expected to Instagram: “I kno i’ve been quiet lately - in the mistake when he retired from music more turned to Swiss cheese. A man needs a purpose, sweep up plenty of prizes at studio every day trying to legit make something than a decade ago - because his brain was which is why I came back.” Robbie - who has spent you’ve never heard before. unexplored sonic R 2018’s BRIT Awards. He will turning to “Swiss cheese”. The ‘Let Me Entertain time in rehab on numerous occasions throughout reportedly be joined by the likes landscapes. i need another month or 2 of pure You’ hitmaker decided to call it quits following the his career for alcoholism, substance abuse, depres- of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith at unadulterated creativity at which point i will release of his flop sev- sion and even an addiction to energy drinks the annual ceremony at London’s begin finishing tracks. won’t let u down (sic)” enth studio album Lucozade and Red Bull - has previously credited The O2 in February. A source said Grimes gave the album update in a social media ‘Rudebox’ in 2006, but meeting his wife Ayda Field in 2006 with putting recently: “Show chiefs were des- post announcing she’d been included in Harper’s after spending a lot of him back on track. The pop star launched his career perate to secure Ed, Sam and Bazaar’s Icons list. She posted a short video time sitting on the sofa as a member of Take That and after quitting in 1995 Stormzy as they’re the biggest revealing the news and added the caption: watching bad TV he he joined the boys in 2010 for a new album names in UK music right now. “moving up in the world guys! tomorrow decided he had to come ‘Progress’ and tour. Robbie, 43, is open to rejoining “The combined record and Grimes will be included in the #bazaaricons list! back and did so in 2009 the band - which now tours as a trio, Gary Barlow, old grime star - whose real name streaming figures are insane and (sic)” Meanwhile, the ‘Oblivion’ hitmaker previ- with his LP ‘Reality Howard Donald and Mark Owen following Jason is Michael Omari Owuo, Jr. - the booking is bound to add num- ously insisted being a famous artist is mostly Killed The Video Star’ - Orange’s departure - in the future because he had thinks Adele should carry on not bers on the viewing figures too. down to luck, and even if she wasn’t well-known produced by Trevor so much fun with the guys, even though it is hard having other artists on her tracks “It’s shaping up to be a top night.” she would still be making music. She said: “For Horn. Speaking to The work being part of their all-action shows. Asked if to continue her “phenomenal The 2017 bash, sponsored by anyone who is successful in art, it’s 90 per cent Sun newspaper, he admitted: “Yeah, 2006 hap- he’d return to Take That, he said: “Yeah I would. legacy”. When asked about work- Mastercard, saw Stormzy and Ed luck and chance. “If you’re talented and you’re pened, I went on tour and that just fried my brains Don’t know when that would be. I’m constantly ing with the ‘Hello’ hitmaker - who perform together, with the grime not getting anywhere, you shouldn’t feel bad. It’s and I decided that I retired. I didn’t tell anybody having ideas about my own stuff that I want to fulfil. dedicated ‘Make Me Feel My star joining his pal for a remix of not just hard work and talent. “I’d still be able to because I knew I’d possibly been lying to myself. I It’s a big commitment to re-join the band, go and Love’ to him at her London show the 26-year-old singer’s hit single make records because I own all the equipment took to my home, stayed there and grew a beard, promo the album for months then go on tour - it’s a last year - Stormzy said: “The ‘Shape Of You’. and I have all the skills.” chased UFOs, watched ‘The Real Housewives of whole 18 months out of my life. Last time was the Beverly Hills’, Orange County, New Jersey, Atlanta, perfect storm in the best way. Established 1961 29

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Lifestyle Gossip Kevin Lima has no plans for Enchanted sequel

evin Lima didn’t want there to be an ‘Enchanted’ keep thinking what’s next? What other stories can I tell?” sequel. The 55-year-old filmmaker helmed the The follow up - known as ‘Disenchanted’ - will be set 10 K2007 Disney movie and now, 10 years later, the years after the original and feature Giselle “questioning studio is looking to make a sequel and Amy Adams her happily ever after, and accidentally triggering events reportedly has signed up to reprise her role as Princess that make everyone’s lives turn upside down in both the Giselle. However, Lima has stepped away from the sequel real world and in the animated kingdom of Andalasia”. In and said he thinks his original movie is “complete in and the first movie Gisele rejected Prince Edward (James of itself”. Speaking to Den of Geek, Lima said: “I always Marsden) in order to remain in New York with Robert find that I’m heading off into the world looking for new Phillip (Patrick Dempsey), a divorce lawyer she fell in love adventures. The idea of making a sequel isn’t the most with, and his daughter Morgan. It is not yet clear if intriguing for me. At the same time, I haven’t been able to Dempsey or Marsden will return for the sequel. The even suggest a sequel to them. ‘Enchanted’ feels like a sequel was originally due to be filmed in 2010 and is now movie that’s complete in and of itself. I’m sure if I was set to begin filming in 2017, 10 years on from its original forced to stick my nose to the grindstone I could work release. ‘Rock of Ages’ director Adam Shankman will something out. I don’t have a story that feels compelling, helm the project, while David Stem and David Weiss have though. Nothing’s come to me. I tend not to dwell on it. “I written the script. Spurlock’s film dropped from Sundance

organ Spurlock’s ‘Super cent bystander”. He explained: “As Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!’ I sit around watching hero after Mhas been dropped from hero, man after man, fall at the real- the Sundance Film Festival. The ization of their past indiscretions, I 47-year-old filmmaker’s former don’t sit by and wonder ‘Who will company Warrior Poets have be next?’ I wonder, ‘When will they pulled the documentary movie come for me?’ “You see, I’ve come from the schedule at the upcom- to understand after months of ing event after the screenwriter these revelations, that I am not admitted he is “part of the prob- some innocent bystander, I am also lem” of sexual misconduct. The a part of the problem.” The CNN company said in a statement: presenter admitted he had paid to “Due to Morgan Spurlock step- settle a “verbal” sexual harassment ping down from Warrior Poets, allegation from his former assistant. we, the partners, have decided He admitted: “I would call my that this is not the appropriate female assistant ‘hot pants’ or ‘sex time for Super Size Me 2: Holy pants’ when I was yelling to her Chicken! to premiere at the from the other side of the office. Sundance Film Festival. “Something I thought was funny at “Therefore, we will be removing the time, but then realized I had the documentary from the festi- completely demeaned and belittled val’s slate.” The Sundance her to a place of non-existence. Institute added in a statement: “So, when she decided to quit, she “We fully support these decisions came to me and said if I didn’t pay by the film’s teams. We were sad- her a settlement, she would tell dened to read Morgan Spurlock’s everyone. Being who I was, it was Kidman can’t recent admissions. “We the last thing I wanted, so of empathize deeply with the many course, I paid. “I paid for peace of people affected - especially the mind. I paid for her silence and bear rejection women who were impacted.” Last cooperation. Most of all, I paid so I week, Morgan admitted the cur- could remain who I was.” The rent climate in Hollywood has left Sundance Film Festival 2018 will him wondering about his own take place from January 18-28 in icole Kidman still finds younger. She said: “It blows my past, because he is not an “inno- Park City, Utah. rejection hurtful. The 50- mind actually, because it’s all so Nyear-old actress admits she unexpected. “And it means more has no “control” over her career now. I’m so much more appreciative because it’s entirely reliant on other than I was about success in my people deciding she is right for a twenties. “Because of the roller- Doug Liman crashed wedding to particular project, and even after coaster life I’ve had, with ups and several decades in Hollywood, she downs and contrasts, I know more secure rights for The Bourne Identity still gets upset if casting directors of what life deals you at different are not “interested” in her. She said: times. “But it’s also important not to oug Liman crashed a wedding when try- “Any actor will tell you that as much be attached to the success. That’s ing to secure to film rights to ‘The Bourne Isaac in talks for as we’d love to say we’re in control the kiss of death.” The ‘Killing of a DIdentity’ franchise. The 52-year-old film- of our own destiny, we’re not. “So Sacred Deer’ actress admitted there maker directed the first installment of the Matt much of our time is still spent asking, is a lot of “fear” attached to her Damon franchise back in 2002 and although the ‘Are they interested in me?’ And work but she likes to push through ‘Bourne’ franchise spawned four subsequent The Addams Family most of the time, your agent will say and make bold choices without wor- films, Liman didn’t act as the director but instead no. You learn about rejection early, rying about the consequences. She as executive producer. In a recent interview, scar Isaac is in line to voice a starring role in and it’s personal and it hurts.” But said: “There’s an enormous amount Liman has spoken on the lengths he went to in the new animated movie adaptation of ‘The the ‘Big Little Lies’ star - who has of fear. It’s just whether I can over- order to secure the rights to the book - which OAddams Family’. The ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ kids Isabella, 25, and Conor, 22, with come the fear or push through it. But was written by Robert Ludlum - which included actor will lend his vocal talents to the head of the fami- ex-husband Tom Cruise, and I probably don’t think of conse- crashing a wedding to try and speak to Terry ly, Gomez Addams, if talks with MGM are successful, Sunday, nine, and six-year-old Faith quences. I don’t play things out. I Semel of Warner Bros. Studios. Speaking to Den according to Variety. The studio has just confirmed the with spouse Keith Urban - has had like to jump off the cliff. “I just say to of Geek, Liman said: “I’d loved ‘The Bourne latest big-screen incarnation of the comedy horror clan an incredibly successful 2017, and myself, ‘What is the worst that can Identity’ since high school. After ‘Swingers’ was is going ahead, announcing a release date of October she is much more “appreciative” of happen?’ So people don’t like it, so I a pretty big hit, people were asking me what 11, 2019. Conrad Vernon - director of the Seth Rogen that now than she was when she was fall flat on my face - that’s OK.” movie I want to make. I said ‘The Bourne adult animation ‘Sausage Party’ - is on board to helm Identity’. And Hollywood said, no, what kind of the new Addams Family project from a screenplay by small comedy do you want to make? I really Pamela Pettler, who worked as a writer on Tim Burton’s wanted to make ‘The Bourne Identity’ and ‘The Corpse Bride’. Oscar, 38, made his Hollywood Hollywood was not ready to give me the oppor- breakthrough in the award-winning Coen Brothers’ Fisher’s death almost tunity. I never stopped pursuing the chance to do movie ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ and is now best known for the book myself. I crashed a wedding where his role as X-wing pilot Poe Dameron in the new ‘Star changed The Last Jedi Terry Semel of Warner Bros was because I Wars’ franchise. The new movie will be based on thought Warner Bros had the rights. I was Charles Addams’ original cartoons of ‘The Addams ian Johnson considered said: “That was the very first con- shameless in my pursuit of the rights, and I even- Family’ - a spooky and eccentric family - which were changing ‘Star Wars: The versation I had with Lucasfilm tually found Ludlum’s lawyer and he told me the while I was making ‘The Bourne Identity’ that I published in The New Yorker between 1938 and 1988, Last Jedi’ following the head Kathleen Kennedy after we was making a poor man’s spy movie. “There was R rights were about to revert to Ludlum from when the artist died. ‘The Addams Family’ have shock death of Carrie Fisher. The came back, after New Year’s. I Warner Bros.” Liman arranged to meet him in someone of the set who had the ‘Mission: appeared on the big and small screen several times 44-year-old filmmaker wrote and kind of looked through the Glacier National Park after just becoming a pilot Impossible’ ring tone on his phone, and every over the years, first being made into a hit TV sitcom in directed the eighth installment of footage. That was the very first and buying himself an airplane. After spending a time his phone rang it drove me nuts because I 1964 starring Carolyn Jones and John Astin as Morticia the sci-fi franchise, which sees the question. I felt really strongly that weekend with the spy author, Liman won him was afraid my movie was never going to be as and Gomez Addams. A live-action film titled ‘The return saga legends Fisher and what we have here is so beautiful over and eventually secured the rights to the good as ‘Mission: Impossible’. “It was never Addams Family’ was released in 1991 starring Anjelica Mark Hamill as sister and brother and the way that the character now successful movie franchise. Liman also going to be as good as James Bond. So it was Huston and Raul Julia as Morticia and Gomez, and a develops, the way it’s paid off, and recently spoke about how he was worried he was really surreal afterwards to go and see the next young Christina Ricci as their daughter Wednesday. not only that, the horror of trying making a “poor man’s spy movie” and didn’t James Bond film, and be like, ‘Oh, I did make a Gomez and Morticia Addams live in a haunted mansion to manufacture something that - I think it would be as successful as Tom Cruise’s James Bond film, because now the James Bond with their children Wednesday and Pugsley, Uncle don’t even know what it would ‘Mission: Impossible’. He said: “I felt so insecure film looks like ‘The Bourne Identity’.” Fester, Grandmama, their butler Lurch, a disembodied have been, but something for the hand called Thing, and their hairy Cousin Itt. end of this movie that leaves it in a place where the transition is easi- er, the idea of, ‘Oh God, how would you fake something like that and how would it not be terri- Mark Hamill voices an alien ble? “Given that we have a beauti- ful, complete performance from her that I think audiences deserve in Star Wars: The Last Jedi to see, and I think it will mean a lot for them, that ray of hope from ark Hamill voices an alien in ‘Star Wars: The Last Skywalker, he recently admitted it may have been more fun Leia. For all of those reasons I felt Jedi’ as well as playing Luke Skywalker. The 66- to play Darth Vader or Han Solo, although he likes playing really strongly that we had to let Myear-old actor appears as the Jedi Master in the “bland” Luke because he is the “one centered character” to this fly. Luckily we have a fantastic eighth installment of the popular sci-fi franchise but he also be a contrast to all the other characters in a galaxy far, far storyteller in J.J. Abrams who is lent his voice to a CGI character known as Dobbu Scay. away. He said: “When I first read the screenplay of ‘A New going to figure out a way to bring However, Hamill has refused to give any more details about Hope’, I felt it would be much more fun to play the cynical General Leia Organa and Luke it home in the end, that’s going to his new character because he loves “the mystery of it all”. pirate who’s always making wisecracks or Darth Vader, Skywalker. Last December, Fisher be satisfying, I know he’s going to. Speaking at a post-screening on the movie, Hamill said: “I who has such an interesting role, or C-3PO, who is hilari- died at the age of 60 and although “With this movie I just wanted don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not telling. I like ous. Luke is so bland! He doesn’t have as much color as the she had shot all the scenes for audiences to have this perform- playing the mystery of it all. I said I’d love to do a CGI thing other characters. “But it’s like Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of ‘The Last Jedi’, Johnson admitted ance.” Abrams, 51, directed and and he said sure. And I got to go to the set of the casino Oz’ - there has to be one centered character to provide he was unsure about whether to co-wrote the first film in the new and see in detail 150 extras in jaw-dropping costumes.” contrast to all the other characters around them, even if I change the movie’s plot following trilogy, ‘The Force Awakens’, and Hamill is a veteran voice actor having won numerous plau- would rather play the Cowardly Lion or the Tin Man or her passing as she would no has been brought back to create dits for voicing The Joker in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ even The Wizard than Dorothy. “And Luke makes people longer be able to be part of the final part of the new story fol- and numerous feature length animations based on DC feel at ease. He’s not scary like a pirate. He’s not spectacu- ‘Episode IX’. Speaking to lowing Colin Trevorrow’s depar- Comics stories, including ‘The Killing Joke’. Although Hamill larly talented or super intelligent, he is just an average farm Entertainment Weekly, Johnson ture from the project. shot to fame in the original ‘Star Wars’ trilogy as Luke boy. And that is a nice thing.” 30 Established 1961 Tuesday, December 30, 2017 Lifestyle Music & Movies Mariah Carey Xmas song is most streamed on Spotify

ariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ is Spotify’s most streamed Christmas song of all time. The M46-year-old singer’s 1994 single - which she wrote and produced with Walter Afanasieff - has been streamed globally over 217 million times, and is followed close behind by Wham!’s ‘Last Christmas’ in second place, with Michael Buble’s ‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’ third. Festive hit- releasing machine Buble features five times, with his covers of (From left) Actors ‘White Christmas’ (Featuring Shania Twain), ‘All I Want For Jeremy Strong, Bill Christmas Is You’, ‘Holly Camp, Poker player Jolly Christmas’ and ‘Santa Molly Bloom, Michael Claus Is Coming To Town’ Cena, Jessica also dominating the list. Chastain, Director ‘Mistletoe’ by Justin Aaron Sorkin, and Bieber and Ariana Grande’s Madison McKinley ‘Santa Tell Me’ are also attend “Molly’s Game” popular Yuletide tracks. New York Premiere at Mariah recently said she AMC Loews Lincoln had no idea she’d be able Square in to build an empire around New York City. ‘All I Want For Christmas’. The ‘Hero’ singer has been “surprised” by how well the track has stood the test of time, and how it Chastain on the rise and fall becomes more and more popular each year around the festive period. Asked if she knew the hit would bring her so much success of Hollywood’s ‘poker princess’ and revenue, she said: “Oh my gosh, no no, never, no. I Mariah Carey feel like this is something essica Chastain struggled initially to halt to her dreams and she turned her secrets of the rich and famous. vocal proponents of the #MeToo social small compared to the rest relate to Molly Bloom, the former ski attention to underground poker. The movie, due for release on media campaign against sexual assault, of my catalogue. This song just continues to surprise me.” Mariah Jchampion turned “poker princess” She earned a fortune hosting illegal Christmas Day, does not name or repre- set up after veteran producer Harvey - who has six-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex- hostess to the rich and famous at gambling for Hollywood stars like sent onscreen any specific personalities, Weinstein was brought down by more husband Nick Cannon - loves it when she hears how the song has Hollywood’s most exclusive high stakes Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, as but Bloom’s 2014 memoir shocked and than 100 allegations of misconduct. resonated with her fans. She said: “I’m very thankful that people card tables. It wasn’t until Chastain met well as politicians and Wall Street titans, amused Hollywood with its tales of A-list Sweetly-spoken but iron-willed, the seem to still have an attachment to it. “It makes me feel good Tinseltown’s goddess of gambling as part taking eye-watering stakes from her poker parties. Charmed by Ben Affleck- tenacious graduate of prestigious New when people tell me that it’s part of their lives.” illustrious clientele, fueled by cocaine. ”he’s nice to everyone,” she says-Bloom York performing arts conservatory the At her height, Bloom claimed to be mak- was less impressed by Spider-Man Julliard School says she learns her lines Spotify’s Top 20 Christmas songs globally are as follows: ing $4 million a year, but things fell apart actor Tobey Maguire, describing him as methodically until they flow “like music.” 1.Mariah Carey - ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ when she made the mistake of insisting “the worst tipper, the best player and Chastain says “Molly’s Game” direc- 2.Wham! - ‘Last Christmas’ on a cut of the pot, rather than just mak- the absolute worst loser.” Bloom wrote tor Aaron Sorkin, celebrated for his 3.Michael Buble - ‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’ ing her living from tips, which pushed that the “Seabiscuit” star once told her sharp, back-and-forth dialogue in “The 4.Justin Bieber - ‘Mistletoe’ her activities into the bracket of organ- to “bark like a seal who wants a fish” for West Wing,” “A Social Network” and 5.Ariana Grande - ‘Santa Tell Me’ ized crime. Her dealings also came to the a $1,000 chip. She refused. Dressed “Steve Jobs,” may well be the best 6.Andy Williams - ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’ notice of Mafia mobsters, who began screenwriter in Hollywood. “I studied 7.Band Aid - ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ (1984 Version) demanding their own share, before one the classics-Shakespeare, Chekhov and 8.The Pogues - ‘Fairytale of New York’ (feat. Kirsty MacColl) of her games was raided by FBI agents Ibsen-and he has this way, he has a 9.Bing Crosby - ‘White Christmas’ and all her possessions were seized. rhythm just like Shakespeare had,” said 10.Frank Sinatra - ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ “To understand how she got trapped Chastain. “Aaron’s dialogue is like that. 11.Michael Buble - ‘White Christmas’ (Duet With Shania Twain)

by these people, this was hard and I Be visible, So if you drop the ball on that pace, you 12.Bobby Helms - ‘Jingle Bell Rock’

think I was guilty of some judgment,” “ lose it. So I wanted to be word perfect 13.Michael Buble - ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ California native Chastain told AFP. “We on his script.” At the heart of the 14.Elvis Presley - ‘Blue Christmas’ as a society have fallen to the pattern of to be heard in “Molly’s Game” is the relationship 15.Jose Feliciano - ‘Feliz Navidad’ blaming women for things, the way they “ between Molly and her lawyer Charlie 16.Michael Buble - ‘Holly Jolly Christmas’ look, dismissing them, shaming them for a man’s world Jaffey (Idris Elba), who encourages her 17.Coldplay - ‘Christmas Lights’ revealing their bodies. I absolutely had to cooperate with the police and give up 18.Chris Rea - ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ that judgment before I met her.” her celebrity former clients. “She gives 19.Nat King Cole - ‘The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)’ away piece after piece of who she is and 20.Michael Buble - ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’ Uncompromising she goes to Charlie Jaffey’s office and — Bang Showbiz Chastain, 40, nominated for a best you kind of see this shell of this person: actress Golden Globe for her turn as the ‘They took all my money so they could hostess, said she came to see Bloom as simply in stylish gray pants and a white give it back to me for all this gossip,’” “a creation from this patriarchy” who shirt, her porcelain features a study in said Chastain. did what was necessary to “be visible, to placid composure, Chastain exudes a Bloom stopped cooperating but Actress Jessica Chastain attends “Molly’s be heard” in a man’s world. “It comes personal style that is the antithesis of avoided jail time when she was sen- Gallagher joined by Game” New York Premiere at AMC Loews from her childhood. Her dad made it the brash outfits and thick makeup tenced in 2014 to a year probation after Lincoln Square on December 13, 2017 in clear that he made the rules,” the actress Bloom wears in the film. admitting to being a key player in an ex-Oasis guitarist Bonehead New York City. — AFP photos said in an interview in Beverly Hills. “She illegal $100 million gambling ring. “She of her research into playing Bloom in would have to follow them until she Iron-willed goes, ‘My name is Molly Bloom-this is at Manchester Arena upcoming biopic “Molly’s Game” that she makes her own money. So she goes for The flame-haired actress, who who I am-’ and it’s the first time in the began to understand the high-rolling an industry where she feels she can get already has a Golden Globe for military movie she does that,” said Chastain, iam Gallagher performed impresario’s motivations. Growing up in that liberty.” Valued for her discretion thriller “Zero Dark Thirty” and two explaining Bloom’s change of heart. “I with his former Oasis band- Colorado, Bloom seemed destined to fol- and able to earn millions of dollars a Oscar nominations, made her name in don’t see it as protecting others, I see it Lmate Paul ‘Bonehead’ low her Olympian brother Jeremy into year at her peak, Bloom was privy to 2011 with “The Tree of Life” and “The as, for the first time, protecting herself Arthurs at his hometown show at elite level skiing, until an injury brought a some of the darkest and most valuable Help.” She has been one of the most and her integrity.”-AFP the Manchester Arena on Saturday night. The Britpop group’s former frontman wrapped up his UK headline solo tour, in support of his debut LP ‘As You Were’, by ‘In the Fade’ star bringing out the 52-year-old gui- tarist at Manchester Arena for the Ridley Scott knew he had to encore of ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’, Diane Kruger on ‘Wonderwall’ and an acoustic ren- reshoot All the Money in the World dition of ‘Live Forever’. her real-life agony Bonehead’s appearance was no ir Ridley Scott knew within work” with Scott. The 88-year- doubt a surprise as the night t is the most intense, critically-acclaimed role of her “36 hours” he needed to old actor said: “I really would before the concert, Liam tweeted a career, but Diane Kruger hardly had to act at all to play a reshoot ‘All the Money in have said yes anyway if I hadn’t fan to say the 52-year-old musi- S cian is “too old” for rock ‘n’ roll grief-stricken woman robbed of her family in a bombing. the World’. The 80-year-old read it, because I wanted to I and has bad hearing. In response Kruger was filming “In the Fade”-Fatih Akin’s German thriller filmmaker has helmed the new work with him very much. I did about a woman who seeks revenge on the neo-Nazis who John Paul Getty biopic which read it, and said yes, and boom to a follower who posted, “Get killed her husband and son-when she was told her stepfather original starred Kevin Spacey as we were off to the races.” Arthurs onstage with you again had died. Wolfgang Bieneck-her mother’s longtime partner Getty Oil Company magnate J. John Paul Getty III was just (sic)”, Liam replied: “He’s too old since Kruger’s parents divorced when she was a teenager- Paul Getty. In the past several 16 when he was grabbed during for all this RnR he’s deaf as well had been a crucial part of her life, often pictured with her on weeks, Spacey, 58, has been a night out in the Piazza (sic)” Having Bonehead on stage the red carpet. She chan- accused by multiple men of sex- Farnese in Rome, Italy, on 10 brings the tour full circle as the neled her grief into the role. ual harassment and assault and July 1973 and then kept original Oasis member played ‘Be “I felt like I was drowning as soon as Scott became aware chained in a cave for six Here Now’ with Liam, 45, at his in sorrow and grief. It just of the scandal he came to the months with a ransom note debut solo gig at Manchester’s O2 felt like there was no way decision to drop the actor from demanding $17 million deliv- Ritz venue, a benefit gig held to out, ever,” the German-born his project and recast ered to the family. raise money for the victims of the Liam Gallagher 41-year-old, best known for Christopher Plummer in the role. Initially his grandfather terror attack at Ariana Grande’s blockbusters such as “Troy” Speaking to ‘Entertainment believed that his grandson may concert back in May. well as playing guitar in Oasis, and “Inglourious Basterds,” Tonight’, Scott said: “I knew as have staged the kidnap himself The pair were reunited back in Gem also contributed several told AFP. “In the Fade” was soon as they hit Kevin it was and refused to pay anything, October 2013 when Bonehead songs, including ‘Hung in a Bad filmed chronologically, going to blow wide open and I also fearing if he paid up then joined Liam and his former band Place’ from 2002 album ‘Heathen allowing Kruger to tap into contacted my partners and said, all of his other grandchildren Beady Eye to perform at the ‘A Chemistry’, which was the first her character’s fluctuating ‘We should recast this right would be targets. Night For Jon Brookes’ tribute track not penned by a Gallagher state of mind, and her own now. We shoot right now, we’ll He also ignored the pleas of concert at The Royal Albert Hall, brother to feature on one of the fraught emotions were heightened by visiting grieving rela- be out the same day.’ his own son, John Paul Getty Jr organised by The Charlatans to group’s LPs. tives of real-life murder victims. “I never felt like that tension, Within 36 hours, I knew to free him, and the pleas of pay tribute to their late drummer. those feelings, like I could push them aside at night, or on what I was going to do. Once I John Paul’s mother Gail as she Whilst Liam has occasionally Liam Gallagher’s Manchester weekends,” Kruger said in an interview at the plush Four got his [Plummer] agreement, had divorced his son and had brought out original strummer Arena setlist was as follows: Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills. Kruger’s work as the tattooed, everything else was a matter of refused his money to raise her Bonehead, his estranged brother drug-taking Katja has earned her critical acclaim and the best efficiency. I got a really efficient family alone, however, when and former bandmate Noel has ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’ actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in May. The movie group.” The motion picture tells one of his ears was sent had Bonehead’s replacement Gem ‘Morning Glory’ was nominated for best foreign language film at the Golden the story of his character, oil- through the post to a newspa- Archer performing in his High ‘Greedy Soul’ Globes, and three days later it was named among nine over- man John Paul Getty , who per along with a lock of his hair Flying Birds group. ‘Wall of Glass’ seas films advancing to the next round of voting in the Oscars. refused to pay a ransom after his grandson, John the tycoon eventually paid $2.9 million to free Gem, 51, joined the ‘Supersonic’ ‘Paper Crown’ Paul Getty III, was kidnapped. Fortunately for him. Nine of the kidnappers were eventually rockers in 1999 after Bonehead ‘Bold’ ‘Dream director’ Scott most of the scenes in the thriller film arrested and two were sent to prison. But John quit and had been a member of ‘For What It’s Worth’ Kruger was on the Cannes jury in 2012 when she met involve Getty III’s mother Gail Harris (Michelle Paul - whose son is actor Balthazar Getty - never Beady Eye, which Liam formed ‘Rockin’ Chair’ Akin, an acclaimed German-Turkish auteur known for hits Williams), and Getty’s advisory (Mark Wahlberg) fully recovered from the harrowing ordeal formed with other members of ‘Some Might Say’ such as “Head On” and “Edge of Heaven,” at a beach party. rather than Getty himself. Spacey is said to have becoming an alcoholic and drug addict. He even- Oasis, including Andy Bell and ‘Slide Away’ “He was definitely my dream director, I’d seen all of his worked around eight to 10 days on the movie set. tually died at the age of 54 following a long bat- Chris Sharrock, after Noel, 50, quit ‘D’You Know What I Mean?’ movies. I went up to him and said, ‘If you ever have anything, tle with ill health which began when he took a the band in August 2009 following ‘I’m Outta Time’ please remember me.’ It took five years but he did,” she said. $2.9 million to free him cocktail of Valium, methadone and alcohol in a backstage row with his younger ‘Come Back to Me’ Kruger moved to Hamburg a few months before shooting, Plummer - who is best known for starring as 1981 which caused liver failure and induced a sibling. Beady Eye eventually dis- ‘You Better Run’ contributing to the casting process and meeting two dozen Captain Von Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music’ - stroke which left him a quadriplegic and nearly banded in October 2014 after ‘Universal Gleam’ people who had lost a loved one, mostly families of murder agreed to join the movie because he “wanted to blind. — Bang Showbiz releasing two albums, ‘Different ‘Supersonic’ victims, in special workshops. — AFP Gear, Still Speeding’ and ‘BE’. As ‘Be Here Now’— Bang Showbiz Established 1961 31

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 Lifestyle Features

This file photo shows men belonging to historical groups dressed as centurions walking by Rome’s statue of emperor Augustus to mark the anniversary of the legendary foundation in 753 BC of the eternal city on April 21, 2014. — AFP

This picture shows a Exiled for his sense Pakistani smoker holding a match to a clump of hashish to soften it of humor, poet before mixing it with cigarette tobacco in Ovid has last laugh Peshawar. — AFP photos wo thousand years after being banished from Rome, Ovid has been rehabilitated in a victory for the famous poet Twhose cheek riled one of history’s most powerful emperors. The Rome city council unanimously approved a motion to “repair High and dry: Pakistan’s the serious wrong” suffered by Ovid, best known for his “Metamorphoses” and “Ars Amatoria”, or the Art of Love, who was exiled by the Emperor Augustus to Romania in the year AD 8. The reason for his banishment to the town of Tomis on the Black Sea coast is one of literature’s biggest mysteries, as there are no penchant for hash surviving contemporary sources which give details about it, so all historians have is Ovid’s word. iaz Ali is a deeply religious man: He prays five The poet rather cryptically claims it was due to “carmen et times a day and visits the mosque as frequently error”, or “a poem and a mistake”-the poem being the Ars Nas possible. But he also loves to smoke Amatoria, a subversively witty poem instructing men how to get hashish-lots of it. Despite it being forbidden by his and keep a girlfriend. Augustus is assumed to have been less than faith, the 50 year-old estimates he spends about 30 pleased, having recently passed a series of laws against adultery. percent of his earnings as a cab driver on the habit. His love affair with cannabis began as an occasional puff Scandal in the senate with friends when he was a teenager, but has since “Although the poem doesn’t overtly advocate adultery, it sails morphed into a full-blown addiction for the father-of- quite close to the wind,” Rebecca Armstrong, a Fellow in Classics nine. “It is a sacred plant. A sacred intoxication,” says at Oxford University, told AFP. “It definitely displays an irreverent Ali, who asked to use a pseudonym, after taking a fresh tone towards traditional moral attitudes as well as the emperor rip off a hookah packed with pungent hash in Pakistan’s and his family. “For example, Ovid recommends several of the bustling northwestern town of Peshawar. public monuments built by Augustus and his family as excellent spots to pick up girls,” she said. It is unlikely to have been the poem alone that angered Augustus enough to drive Ovid out, as it was published several years before he was sent away. But after irritating the emperor, experts believe the poet’s mysterious “error” was the last straw. “It’s quite often suggested that it might have been something to do with the scandal sur- rounding Augustus’s granddaughter, Julia, who was exiled in AD 8 for an adulterous affair with a Roman senator,” Armstrong said. The writer hated the “wild frontier” of Tomis and pleaded end- lessly to be allowed to return to Rome-to no avail. This picture shows Maulana Mohammad Tayyab Qureshi (right), the imam of the main Peshawar mosque, teaching ‘Would have been pleased’ with an Islamic book to his son at the mosque in Peshawar. He did not help himself by partly apologizing for the Ars Amatoria in the poem Tristia II, but “making it clear that he believes Augustus to be an unsophisticated reader of poetry and someone who can’t take a joke.” “An interesting strategy for someone hoping to be recalled!” Armstrong said. The decision to revoke Ovid’s exile comes on the 2,000th anniversary of the poet’s death in AD 17. He is not the only famous figure to whom Italy has recently apologized: In 2008 Florence asked forgiveness for persecuting the poet Dante, who fled into exile after he was sentenced to death for his political beliefs. Armstrong said she thought Ovid “would have been pleased” by last week’s council ruling, particularly “by the knowledge that people care who he was and are still reading his poetry so many years later”. And not only has his jocular guide to dating been avenged, he may also have pulled one of the biggest pranks in A Pakistani man smoking hashish in a chillum pipe near history. Most critics are dubious, but “on the basis that there is so a shrine in Peshawar. little evidence available, some have even argued that Ovid was never exiled at all, and that his exile poetry is, rather, a kind of “It’s like a second wife, this addiction,” he sighs. A Pakistani experimental literature”. — AFP While Ali freely acknowledges using hash runs count- smoker putting er to the tenets of Islam, he insists it has its advan- hashish into a tages. “We know that it is haram but it’s an intoxica- chillum pipe tion that doesn’t harm anyone else,” he explains. In before smoking conservative Pakistan, an Islamic republic, the con- in Peshawar. sumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden for Muslims. Any semblance of a sybaritic nightlife takes place at a nonprofit that treats drug addicts in Peshawar. and listen to devotional music while draining tea by home behind closed doors, where the country’s elite Despite its widespread consumption, not all are happy the kettle. Conversations are fluid, only to be inter- have been known to quaff booze. about hash’s prevalence in the so-called “Land of the rupted by hard drags off hash pipes with the occa- But many Pakistanis are surprisingly open to using Pure”. “There is no compromise with hashish,” says sional song performed by one of the devotees. “The cannabis, with the spongy, black hash made from mar- Maulana Mohammad Tayyab Qureshi, the imam of the basic work of hash... it wakes up new corners in your ijuana grown in the country’s tribal belt and neighbor- main Peshawar mosque. According to Qureshi, any- mind,” says Mohammed Amin, 50. ing Afghanistan the preferred variant of the drug. thing that causes intoxication or bodily harm is strictly According to Sayeed Asjid, 27, such shrines are Whereas alcohol is explicitly forbidden in Islamic forbidden in the faith. He chalks up marijuana’s popu- welcome to members of any faith and in Peshawar are scripture, hash seemingly straddles a theological gray larity in Pakistan as a law enforcement issue. Public frequented by high-level bureaucrats, police officers zone, which could explain its popularity in the country. health experts also warn the ubiquitous availability of and members of security agencies. “It’s a deep relax- Even if most observant Muslims in Pakistan scoff at cheap hash in Pakistan’s northwest has been especially ation,” says Asjid of the cannabis high as he exhales the idea of drinking, a prod into their feelings on mari- harmful to impoverished children, who increasingly use clouds of marijuana smoke. But Sufi shrines have been juana often triggers a wry smile followed by a trite the drug to deal with the hardships of poverty and the frequent target over the years by Taleban militants maxim about how good it makes food taste or how trauma from years of militant violence. and sectarian extremists like the Islamic State group, restful sleep can be after a toke. “For children, it’s the drug of choice,” says Dr Khan, who view the mystical sect as heretical. blaming the vicious nexus between the region’s narco- “That was only to spread fear and havoc,” says ‘No compromise on hash’ funded insurgencies and widespread drug use for the Asjid of the attacks, while expressing his faith in the This photo taken at an undisclosed location shows manuscripts, historic let- People have been smoking hash on the subcontinent scourge. Pakistan also remains wholly unequipped to power of the shrine to protect. The herb is not only ters, notes and musical scores of the Aristophile collection, before the collec- for centuries. It predates the arrival of Islam in the handle the problem, with the UN survey saying a enjoyed by free-spirited Sufi mystics. Mehwish, a sin- tion is to be liquidated through a process of hundreds of auctions over at least region, with reference to cannabis appearing in the dearth of treatment clinics and prohibitive costs keeps gle mother of three, says the occasional joint helps the next six years. sacred Hindu Atharva Veda text describing its medici- users from seeking help. manage the stress that comes with the daily grind. nal and ritual uses. According to a 2013 UN survey, “You can use hash when you are alone... then you can France dubs ‘120 Days cannabis was the most widely consumed drug in ‘Wakes up your mind’ think in a relaxed way,” says Mehwish, whose name Pakistan with around four million users, representing But in Islamic shrines salted across the country has been changed on request. Although she admits 3.6 percent of the population-a figure that has drawn others see cannabis as more benign. At the Bari most of her family are unaware of her habit, the 26- of Sodom’ a national skepticism in a country where reliable data can be hard Badshah shrine in the heart of Peshawar, followers of year-old is a firm believer in its benefits. She adds: to come by. “It’s an underestimation,” says Dr Parveen the Sufi sect of Islam gather in a small courtyard “When you feel good and you’re active and it puts a treasure to stop sale Azam Khan, president of the Dost Welfare Foundation, nightly, where they smoke copious amounts of hash smile on your face then nobody minds.” — AFP

he French government stepped in yesterday to declare the manu- script of the Marquis de Sade’s “120 Days of Sodom” a national Ttreasure as it was about to be sold at auction in Paris. Officials ordered that the 18th-century erotic masterpiece be withdrawn from the sale, along with Andre Breton’s “Surrealist Manifestos”, banning their export from France, the Aguttes auction house told AFP. They were part of a vast sale of historic documents owned by the French investment firm Aristophil, which was shut down in scandal two years ago, taking ($1 bil- lion) of its investors’ money with it. “120 Days of Sodom” was expected to go for up to six million euros, while Breton’s highly influential manifestos on modern art were estimated at around four million euros. Sade wrote the controversial work about four rich libertines in search of the ultimate form of sexual gratification on a roll made from bits of parchment he had smuggled into his cell in the Bastille. When the Paris prison was stormed at the beginning of the French revolution on July 14, 1789, the famously dissolute aristocrat was freed, but he was swept out by the mob without his manuscript. Sade believed it had been lost to the loot- ers and wept “tears of blood” over it, but the unfinished manuscript turned up decades later. Even so, the book languished unpublished for more than a century and was banned in Britain until the 1950s. — AFP A Pakistani woman smoking a hashish cigarette in Peshawar. A Pakistani smoker putting hashish into a chillum pipe before smoking in Peshawar. Established 1961 Lifestyle

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2017

An artist draws the Palestinian flag on a wall on the southern Lebanese border with Israel near Fatima’s Gate, in response to the United States’ decision to rec- ognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel.—AFP Nigeria turns the page on literary past

ention Nigerian literature and the first country has changed. “We are looking for an is leading the literary revolution with other local names likely to spring to mind are alternative way to tell African stories, funny, sub- publishers such as Farafina and Bookcraft. In just MChinua Achebe, the author of “Things versive stories,” he said at the launch of over a decade, it has published some 50 books. Bizarre news Fall Apart”, or the venerable Nobel laureate Wole Popoola’s novel. “What’s going on now in The bestseller, “In Dependence”, by Sarah Soyinka. But Africa’s most populous nation has a Nigeria is very fascinating. New voices are com- Ladipo Manyika, has sold 1.7 million copies in new crop of writers whose work is a far cry from ing out after a long period of quiet.” Nigeria and overseas. No genre is excluded from the post-colonial era of their esteemed predeces- The most famous voice to emerge in recent Cassava Republic and it has published books An electrician finds Man distributes business sors. Olumide Popoola’s novel “When We Speak years is the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, from science fiction and crime to homosexuality dinosaur skeleton cards to people questioning Of Nothing”, for example, tells the story of a gay who made her name with “Half of a Yellow Sun” and eroticism. teenager seeking the father he never knew in the (2006) and “Americanah” (2013). Both stories Abubakar Adam Ibrahim’s “Season of An electrician has found him on his height southern oil city of Port Harcourt. have since been translated into dozens of lan- Crimson Blossoms” tells the story of an improb- a dinosaur skeleton. The book, which was published earlier this guages while the first was adapted for cinema in able affair between an ageing widow and a petty The worker was clean- A man has created busi- year, is written in a language mixing African pid- 2013, starring Hollywood actors Thandie Newton drug dealer in the conservative, Muslim-majority ing out a derelict sub- ness cards to distribute gin with London slang, and includes comical and Chiwetel Ejiofor. north. Instead of provoking a scandal, the novel station in Jaspur, India, to people who question descriptions and textspeak. For Emeka won last year the country’s top literary award, when he came across him about his height. A Nwankwo, from Nigerian publisher Cassava ‘Thirst for literature’ the Nigeria Prize for Literature and the author the skeleton of what is male, who is six foot 10 Republic, breaking conventions and expectations Cassava Republic, which was launched in $100,000 (85,000 euros). In another category believed to be the pre- inches, has revealed his about literature is a way of reflecting how the 2006 in Abuja and now has an office in London, entirely is “Longthroat Memoirs: Soups, Sex and historic creature, the height is a regular topic Nigerian Taste Buds”, an eccentric ode to local Mirror Online has of conversation, but cuisine and its supposed aphrodisiac properties. reported. But the find- being asked whether he With evocative chapter headings such as ing has puzzled scientists as the bones are has clothes to fit his “Afang Soup and Hairy Legs” and “Eating Dog”, surrounded by flesh, which has sparked a long frame has started to wear thin on him, the author Yemisi Aribisala reveals the sensual debate among researchers who claim that it which is why he has printed a card with his power of yams and well-cooked fish beloved of is not possible for skin to remain consider- personal details on for those who stop him Nigerians. Others such as Leye Adenle (“Easy ing dinosaurs became extent over 60 million and pose irritating queries. A photograph of Motion Tourist”) take the reader on a heart- years. Speaking about the sighting, Dr the note, which has been shared on Reddit, stopping journey to the beating heart of Parag Madhukar Dhakate - who is a reads: “Yes I am tall. I am 6’ 10” (No I’m not Nigeria’s sprawling megacity, Lagos, and Conservator with the Indian Forest Service - kidding. Yes, That is tall.) “No I do not play encounters with corruption, prostitution and said: “It looks like a dinosaur, but we can’t basketball, I play volleyball. “Yes, seeing the drugs. The literary revival in Nigeria has seen say anything until all the tests are done.” tops of everyone’s head is weird “Yes, the more bookshops springing up in working-class weather is nice up here “this has been a areas and shopping centers across the country. great conversation (sic)”. It is also taking off online. E-book application Pub turns into Okadabooks has some 200,000 users and one Gran decorates Christmas million downloads. “There is a thirst for literature gingerbread house in Nigeria and publishers are now responding,” tree with glittery G-strings said Lola Shoneyin, who organizes the Ake Festival A village pub has been transformed into a every November. The event, held in the southwest- giant gingerbread house to celebrate A woman was left in hysterics after finding ern city of Abeokuta, has become a must for Christmas, although the ornaments are out her grandmother decorates her booklovers, many of them under the age of 30. not edible. The Queen Victoria Inn, in Christmas tree with baubles filled with G- Somerset, has been designed with giant strings. Alex Bermingham, from Ireland, This file photo taken in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria shows Moderator Molara Wood (center) flanked by ‘Anti-intellectual policies’ candy canes, sherbet, lollipops, liquorice helped her grandparent to put the festive authors Ayisha Osori (left) and Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, posing with their books after a discourse on The expansion of literature in Nigeria in the allsorts, the ginger-flavored biscuit, as ornaments on the tree and around the house “Disrupting culture: women in politics” during the Ake Arts and Book festival. — AFP photos 1960s and 70s was driven by British publishers, well as other sweet when she discovered what the items con- said Shoneyin, who is also a poet and writer. But treats to bring a tained. And upon further inspection Alex successive military governments in that time smile to the faces of noticed the circular objects were actually “frustrated the book industry”, stifling creativity guests who enter festively-packaged underwear. She posted with “anti-intellectual policies”, she added. The and even passersby, pictures of the decoration on Twitter, which current challenges faced by Nigerian publishers the Metro newspa- she captioned: “My 74-year-old grand- today are different but no less daunting. Most per has reported. mother bought Christmas baubles in Dunnes printing, for example, is done at low cost in The venue’s land- Stores, which I have just realized upon dec- China or India, although some publishers are lord, Mark Walton, orating her tree that unbeknownst to her starting to bring production back home because came up with the upon purchase, they are in fact, lavender of improved quality. idea after having a glitter G-strings. “She relied with ‘Jesus Al Books are not immune from the huge bootleg few drinks with yer man in the shop must have thought I was industry that affects Nigeria’s entire cultural sec- some friends in January this year. And very kinky sure I bought six of them’. tor from cinema to music. Badly photocopied though the owner decided on the idea Crying. “Wishing everyone a kinky books are hawked on the streets or in markets. month’s in advance of the festive period, Christmas this holiday season. (sic).” Distribution-from transporting books to finding he only put his plan in action recently, reliable points of sale also remains “a challenging which took almost four weeks to install. experience”, said Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, the founder Speaking about the ornate decorations, of Cassava Republic. Mark said: “My electrician - who did the But she views the situation with an unswerving lights - was hanging off the roof for a Nigerian optimism. “A lack of infrastructure can whole day. “We’ve got the lot - giant can- also be an opportunity, as it allows you to think dy canes, sherbet, Quality Street, bubble more creatively and flexibly about how to meet gum, lollipops and even the occasional challenges, rather than being hampered by exist- drumstick and it’s all made out of poly- ing and often outdated structures that struggle to styrene, drain pipes, beach balls - every- This file photo in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria shows author of book “Love Does Not Win Election” Ayisha move with the time and respond to new buying thing. “So no, it’s not edible but it is amaz- Osori (right) signing autographs during the Ake Arts and Book festival. — AFP and consumption patterns,” she said. — AFP ing and it looks fantastic.”