JAMADA ALAWWAL 15, 1439 AH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018

Max 21º 32 Pages Min 04º 150 Fils Established 1961

ISSUE NO: 17446 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net

Amir visits Azayez farm, Pak killing unleashes rage Far-right figure embraces No Love in Cavaliers’ loss, 2 receives martyrs’ children 9 over extrajudicial murders 11 Islam over ‘moral decline’ 16 Wizards win without Wall

Court delays expat health charges ruling till March 4 Sabeeh wins no-confidence vote by big margin

By B Izzak conspiracy theories KUWAIT: The appeals court yesterday delayed until March 4 a petition filed by a Kuwaiti lawyer calling to Please rain! overturn a ruling by the lower court that considered as legal a hike in health charges for expatriates. The delay came to allow the government to submit its defense in the case filed after the health ministry significantly raised health charges at public hospitals only for expa- triates and excluded citizens. The lower court had rejected the case, saying it was the right of the health By Badrya Darwish ministry to increase charges at its facilities. The new charges took effect in October and saw some charges rise several-fold. Lawyer Hashem Al-Refai said in his challenge to the [email protected] lower court ruling that the court had ignored his argu- ments which said the decision to raise health charges was unconstitutional and violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which calls for equality verybody I meet lately is depressed. This is not among people regardless of nationality or creed. He a once-in-a-blue-moon emotion (like the one also insisted that the decision also violated medical Ewe witnessed yesterday). There are no smiles practice laws and regulations. anymore on the faces of people. I go to the co-op and Refai insisted before the appeals court that the deci- find people are weary and crushed to the maximum of sion is also illegal because raising medical charges their abilities. I walk in the street and see the same. requires a law and not a ministerial decision, based on a Drivers are angry - be they Kuwaitis, expats or law issued by the National Assembly in 1995. KUWAIT: MPs congratulate Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and State Minister for Economic Affairs Hind Al- Japanese tourists. Everyone is in a rush and hurry and Continued on Page 11 Sabeeh after she survived a vote of no-confidence at the National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat everyone looks angry and frustrated. Maybe if you ask someone why are you angry and not paying attention on how you’re driving, they won’t even know! from 0.2 percent previously. Recent data published by the ministry of finance indi- I told myself: Let me take a walk in the park - I’ll Fiscal strengths issued a decision cates that Kuwait’s budget was close to feel better. But the minute I entered the gates, the soil 154,000 illegals in last month allow- balance in the first nine months of FY18, is dry, the trees are drooping, devoid of color and full ing residency vio- mask long-term with revenues at 84 percent of original of dust. The lack of rain has its toll on the city and all of lators to leave the budget allocations, but spending consid- Kuwait; amnesty us. We have nice buildings but they don’t look fresh. country before erably lower, at 63 percent. We have beautiful and architecturally-interesting challenges: Fitch Feb 22, 2018 with- Our forecast incorporates our expecta- won’t be extended high-rises and lovely villas, but our gardens need rain. out paying fines. LONDON: Kuwait’s recent budget out- tion that spending execution will pick up By Hanan Al-Saadoun Our walls need rain and the streets are filthy and dry. Hajeri said the turns and the government’s draft budget significantly in the final quarter of the fis- Leave alone that, people are sick and the air is not ministerial deci- proposal point to the country’s continuing cal year, when a lot of spending typically KUWAIT: Assistant Director General clean. Flu viruses are spreading like mad. Whoever I sion comes eight fiscal and external strengths, which are takes place. It also takes into account esti- of Residency Affairs Major Gen see has the flu, cough or fever. I don’t want to even go years after a simi- reflected in its ‘AA’/Stable sovereign rat- mated investment income of the Kuwait Abdullah Al-Hajeri said there are strict Abdullah Al-Hajeri to the clinic to see the queues. lar amnesty given ing, Fitch Ratings says. Nevertheless, the Investment Authority (KIA) amounting to instructions from the higher leadership The lack of rain is a metaphor for all that Kuwait is by HH the Amir in Feb 2011. He added slow pace of fiscal reform and economic around 13 percent of GDP, which is not to completely end the incidence of res- lacking right now. Is it this year only? When you talk the government is serious about imple- diversification increases long-term risks to included in the 9M data,” Fitch said. idency violators in Kuwait, who num- to businessmen and shop owners, they ask why is menting the law without exception, and Kuwait’s public finances. “Rising oil prices are a key driver of the ber 154,000 people of both genders. there no business? Why business is not good in will crack down on violators as the “We have raised our estimate for outturns. The FY18 budget assumed an oil Deputy Premier and Interior Minister grace period will not be extended. Kuwait anymore? The population is at its peak with Kuwait’s fiscal surplus in FY18 (ending price of $45/bbl, but the price of the Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah Continued on Page 11 expats and Kuwaitis and they all need to buy food, March 31, 2018) to 1.9 percent of GDP, Continued on Page 11 furniture, clothes and cars and pay school fees and rents. Some need to buy necessities, and for many oth- ers, luxuries too. run Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) Nizar So why the dour attitude? Why isn’t there more Kuwait to spend Al-Adsani said the firm plans to carry out confidence and optimism in the market? Everyone I a number of major projects to boost oil talk to doesn’t have faith in the market. People have production to 4.75 million barrels per lost faith. Why is that? There is no shortage in our oil $500bn on oil day by 2040. “To achieve these targets, or in our revenues and income. In fact, Kuwait’s oil KPC plans to spend $114 billion in capital prices have been steadily climbing, even higher than projects by 2040 expenditure over the next five years and those projected in our budget. I know we have a an additional $394 billion beyond that to deficit, but compared to other countries, it’s a trivial By Faten Omar 2040,” Adsani told the Energy Strategy amount, and we have plenty of reserves if we have to Forum in Kuwait City. “KPC has launched tap them. KUWAIT: OPEC member Kuwait plans the 2040 strategy which focuses on So why all the gloomy faces and attitudes and to spend more than half a trillion dollars growth in all its activities that require behaviors? I think people should have more hope and by 2040 to boost its oil and gas output significant funds to finance the mega faith. Yes, maybe Kuwait is going through something and refining capacity, a top executive projects,” he said. of a dark and dry spell, but we have always risen said yesterday. The announcement of the Adsani noted that the energy industry before. And we will rise again, insha’Allah. So be a little huge investments comes despite Kuwait faces complex and diverse challenges, bit more optimistic guys. Maybe it will rain tomorrow, projecting a budget deficit in the next fis- but dealing with it professionally focuses cal year for the fourth year in a row due on the strategy of investment, innovation KUWAIT: Deputy Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Nizar God willing, and bless us all. Al-Adsani speaks during the Petroleum Economist Energy Strategy Forum Have a rainy weekend! to low global oil prices. and cooperation. The chief executive officer of state- Continued on Page 11 yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Trump appeals for unity, talks tough on immigration, to keep Gitmo open WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump appealed Tuesday for national unity and strong borders in his first State of the Union address, calling for “one American family” after a year marred by acrimony, divi- sion and scandal. Delivering his biggest speech of the year, this most polarizing of presidents sought to put the spotlight on a robust economy, while pointedly call- ing on a packed joint session of Congress to enact tough curbs on immigration. “Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differ- KUWAIT: A super blue blood moon is seen during a partial lunar eclipse behind a ences, to seek out common ground, and to summon the WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address minaret yesterday. — KUNA (See Page 32) unity we need to deliver for the people we were elected as US Vice President Mike Pence (left) and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan look on in the chamber of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday. — AFP Continued on Page 11 2 Established 1961 Local Thursday, February 1, 2018 Amir attends luncheon banquet at Azayez farm

KUWAIT: Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah welcomes His (From left) His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His (From left) The Chief of Amiri Protocol and Chamberlain Sheikh Khaled Abdullah Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber at his Azayez Farm in Abdali yesterday. — Amiri Diwan photos Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Al-Sabah and His Highness Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- Mohammad Al-Ahman, His Highness the Prime Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attended a luncheon ban- Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- quet held at Sheikh Ali Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah. First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Sabah’s Azayez Farm in Abdali yesterday. The ban- Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, quet was attended by His Highness Crown Prince Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Sheikh Faisal Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Al-Soud Al-Mohammad, Sheikh Nasser Al- other Al-Sabah family members. — KUNA

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Amiri Diwan Affairs Deputy Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- First Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (center) is seen in attendance. Al-Sabah is seen during the gathering. Mubarak Al-Sabah (center) attends the gathering.

Amir receives martyrs’ overachieving children

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah pose for a group photo with Kuwaiti martyrs’ children. — Amiri Diwan photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday, in presence of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Martyr’s Office Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti martyrs’ sons and daughters who excelled in their studies during 2013- 2014 and 2016-2017 school years. His Highness the Amir lauded the efforts of Kuwaiti students, noting that their hard- work would be beneficial for the future development of the country. Meanwhile, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs called on the students to continue their outstanding academic performance, stressing that knowledge is a valuable tool that would serve Kuwait. His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah greets a Kuwaiti martyrs’ child. Director General of the Office Fatima Al-Amir thanked His Highness the Amir for his encouraging words, saying that such sentiments from the leader of the country could only push students to excel more in their studies and academic ventures. His Highness the Amir and His Highness the Crown Prince were given two presents during their reception. Earlier yesterday, His Highness the Amir received His Highness the Crown Prince, as well as National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem. In other news, His Highness the Crown Prince and his accompanying delegation are set to leave for Saudi Arabia today in order to represent His Highness the Amir in attending the closing ceremony of the second version of King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Riyadh, as per the His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah invitation of Saudi King Salman bin receives a present during the meeting. Abdulaziz Al-Saud. — KUNA Established 1961 3 Local Thursday, February 1, 2018 Kuwait rejects assaults on Yemen’s constitutional institutions: Jarallah 1,000 companies partake in Iraq rebuilding conference

KUWAIT: The State of Kuwait rejects conditions have been stabilized for sake of as part of rebuilding Iraq, will be executed assaults on Yemen’s constitutional institu- contributing to the forecast reconstruction, by the private sector and companies, he tions by illegitimate forces in the brotherly as part of the international community added. As to the conference timetable, he nation, the Deputy Foreign Minister has efforts to rebuild the infrastructure and said January 12 would be devoted for social announced. “The bloody conflict in Yemen, other facilities demolished in the conflict. institutions, the second for the private sec- namely the killing and relocation and dete- tor and the past for declaring financial con- riorating humanitarian conditions suffered 1,000 companies tributions by participating states. The con- by the Yemeni people throughout the past Separately, Jarallah said that Kuwait ference, due to group donor countries, years had prompted the State of Kuwait to anticipates no less than 1,000 companies regional and international organizations, partake in political efforts hosting the war- and businesspersons will partake in Kuwait will be chaired by the European Union, ring parties for three months of con- Iraq, Kuwait, the United Nations and sultations to try and reach a political the World Bank (WB). solution according to the Gulf Initiative and decision issued by the 110 embassies international legitimacy namely res- 110 embassies In other news, Jarallah said that olution 2216,” Khaled Al-Jarallah the Foreign Ministry seeks to pro- said in a statement yesterday. “The promote mote Kuwaiti economic diplomacy State of Kuwait which has not disre- that contributes to local economy garded the humanitarian situation in Kuwaiti and serves the State’s higher inter- Yemen has committed itself to offer est. Speaking to reporters on the humanitarian and relief aid estimat- investments sidelines of an economic symposium Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah ed at $100 million (to be delivered) organized by the Kuwait Chamber via United Nations agencies and of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Ministry to spotlight local investment Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Kuwaiti charities. Moreover, the Jarallah said 110 Kuwaiti embassies prospects. Together with other state agen- Sabah from the French President Emmanuel State of Kuwait has launched devel- have a clear-cut and definite agenda cies, the Foreign Ministry is seeking to Macron, including an invitation to His opment schemes through Kuwait Fund for International Conference for Iraq aiming at promoting Kuwaiti investments open investment vistas both at home and Highness to attend a conference in support Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Reconstruction and Development (KICIRD) around the globe. abroad. of Lebanon scheduled for early April. exceeding $400 million to finance develop- due in the country on February 12-14. There He added that economic diplomacy, During the meeting, the two officials dis- ment projects in brotherly Yemen.” will be broad participation in the confer- established by His Highness the Amir, is French envoy cussed bilateral relations between the two “However, flare-up of the fighting and ence by executives, companies and govern- doing a significant role in the promotion of In the meantime, Jarallah met yesterday countries as well as the developments on conditions’ deterioration have led to cessa- ments, Jarallah said in a statement to jour- Kuwait’s overseas investments. He lauded with the envoy of French President Pierre the regional and international arenas. The tion of these projects’ execution for which nalists on the sidelines of a seminar organ- the KCCI’s historical role and interaction Dokan, who is visiting the country along meeting was attended by a number of for- funds have been earmarked,” he said. The ized by Kuwait Chamber of Industry and with the society and state agencies. Jarallah with his accompanying delegation. During eign ministry senior officials and Charge Deputy Foreign Minister added that Kuwait Commerce. also commended the KCCI’s patronage of the meeting, the envoy delivered a written d’affaires of the Embassy of the French will resume the humanitarian action once A large number of enterprises, envisaged the initiative provided by the Foreign message addressed to His Highness the Republic to the State of Kuwait. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Tareq Al-Qouni visited Kuwait Times yester- day and met with Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan. They discussed matters of mutual concern during the meeting. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Saudi Ambassador congratulates Kuwait on national anniversaries

KUWAIT: Saudi Ambassador to Kuwait regionally and Dr Abdelaziz bin Ibrahim Al-Fayez con- internationally,” gratulated Kuwait on the occasion of Fayez said. the 57th National Day, 27th Liberation The ambas- Day and 12 years since His Highness the sador added Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber that the 12 years Al-Sabah ascended to power, as each of after His these occasions represent clear land- Highness the marks in Kuwait’s modern history. Amir’s ascen- Fayez said in a press statement that sion to power Kuwait’s rulers laid down the pillars of are full of Saudi Ambassador wise ruling since its establishment until achievements Dr Abdelaziz Al-Fayez now with wisdom and ability. His and proved his Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- ability to lead Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah then took Kuwait during this important period of over after them and continued the its history and that of the region, as he march with what Allah blessed him with provided leadership that is able to leadership attributes and with what His face domestic and foreign challenges Highness enjoys of knowledge and while continuing the march of devel- experience accumulated during the opment and construction. years he spent in various posts in Fayez emphasized the strong and Kuwait’s ruling system. historic relations between the Kingdom Ambassador Fayez said the elapsing of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait of 57 years after Kuwait’s independ- during the reigns of both sisterly coun- ence reminds us of the efforts of suc- tries’ rulers who succeeded each other cessive generations of Kuwaitis - both until the reigns of the Custodian of the rulers and citizens - in instilling the pil- Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin lars of the Kuwaiti entity, which became Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Highness the a respected state at the regional and Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber international levels. Al-Sabah, may Allah protect them, and “We see that the anniversary of the their relations increased in strength day glorious Liberation Day reminds us of after day until it became an example the major sacrifices Kuwait’s people that should be followed in relations and martyrs made during the bitter between countries. invasion period. That day represented a Ambassador Fayez concluded his start of a new stage in Kuwait’s contem- statement by congratulating HH the Amir porary history, during which it emerged Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- from the aggression and occupation, Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince and was able to recover in a short peri- Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- od from its effects to continue the Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister march of development and prosperity. It and people on the occasion of these continued its active role with its sisters national days. “I pray to Allah Almighty - the countries of the Arab Gulf to preserve the bounties of security, sta- Cooperation Council - as an active ele- bility and prosperity for Kuwait and its ment in the international society that sister Saudi Arabia and protect them seeks to preserve security and stability from all evils,” he concluded. 4 Established 1961 Local Thursday, February 1, 2018

Photo of the Day

KUWAIT: Children enjoy an afternoon outing with their families. —KUNA photo Kuwait partakes in Arab League meetings on Palestinian cause Kuwait urges comprehensive settlement to Middle East conflict KUWAIT/BRUSSELS: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister complicated efforts for paving the way for a viable and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- settlement to the conflict, the start of which dates back Hamad Al-Sabah partakes in scheduled ministerial to the 1940s. meetings at the Arab League headquarters today to re-examine the Palestinian cause namely the question Comprehensive solution of the holy city of Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Kuwait called for a just, comprehensive Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled will participate in a meet- and definitive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, ing of the Arab Peace Initiative Committee, member- based on the two-state solution and relevant UNSC reso- ship of which includes the State of Kuwait, and a lutions and international references and Arab Peace meeting of the Arab League Ministerial Council, which Initiative. is a follow-up session to be held as part of the council Speaking at the special session of the international extraordinary session held on December 9, 2017. donor group for Palestine in Brussels yesterday, Kuwait’s Arab ministers and officials, during the December ambassador to the EU, Belgium, NATO and Luxembourg, meeting, discussed ideas Jasem Al-Budaiwi urged and proposed plans for the commitment of the facing repercussions of international community the United States’ deci- to the historical, reli- sion to “recognize gious and political status Jerusalem as Israel’s cap- Kuwait calls for of the city of Jerusalem ital” and shift the and the need to ensure American embassy from global support that it is not compro- Tel to the sacred city. mised by any unilateral The two meetings will to UNRWA actions. Further, he convene in light of the called for the condem- mini Arab ministerial nation of Israel’s contin- GAZA CITY: A Palestinian boy pulls his brother as he sits in a wheeled-suitcase as he walks down a meeting, hosted by ued violation of resolu- street in a refugee camp in Gaza City on January 23, 2018. —AFP photos Jordan on January 6, tion 2334 on its illegal 2018, and on basis of the settlement activities. Arab League Council resolution, taken during the Budaiwi urged the international community to December extraordinary session, stipulating that the support the activities of UNRWA as one of the most council would reconvene in a month. important United Nations agencies serving some six The Arab states’ officials had taken the decision to million Palestine refugees, to move away from any consider the council meetings as ‘open’ for assessing ‘politicization’ of its activities and to preserve the ‘the situation’ and seek to reach consensus on future nature of its humanitarian activities. He stressed that steps in the face of Washington’s step, as well as for the State of Kuwait has made every effort to support intensifying efforts to reach a political settlement to the Palestinian cause, which has always been the resolve the Arab-Israeli strife and establish the inde- highest priority of its foreign policy. pendent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its Kuwait is committed to providing UNRWA with capital. annual support of $2 million and is contributing to Kuwait’s delegation to the meetings includes the the Agency’s budget deficit and to meet its emer- State of Kuwait’s Ambassador to Egypt Mohammad gency needs over the past years, the last of which Al-Thuwaikh, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Arab was to provide $5 million to the Agency in the month World Ambassador Aziz Al-Daihani, Deputy Assistant of December. He expressed regret that the work of Foreign Minister for the Deputy Premier Bureau the technical commissions and international agencies, Affairs Ambassador Saleh Al-Loughani, the State of such as the Committee on the Palestinian-Israeli con- Kuwait Permanent Delegate at the Arab League flict, has not achieved the desired goals because of Ahmad Al-Bakr and senior officials at the Ministry of the lack of political will and willingness of one of the Foreign Affairs. parties to this protracted conflict. The Arab Peace Initiative is a 10-sentence plan for an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict, endorsed by the GCC resolutions Arab League in 2002 at the Beirut Summit and re- In other news, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled met yester- endorsed at the 2007 Arab League summit and at the day with visiting GCC Secretary-General Abdul-Latif 2017 Arab League summit. The initiative calls for nor- Al-Zayani. During the meeting, they addressed action malizing relations between the Arab states and Israel, programs and plans for the GCC Secretariat’s sectors in exchange for full withdrawal from the occupied ter- to put in place resolutions taken during the 38th GCC summit held in Kuwait on December 7, 2017, given ritories (including East Jerusalem) and a “just settle- Palestinian schoolgirls pose for a group picture outside their classrooms at a school belonging to the that Kuwait holds the current rotating presidency of ment” to the Palestinian refugee problem based on UN United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza City on January 22, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Several senior Resolution 194. 2018, during a visit by the UNRWA Commissioner General as they hold kites reading in Arabic and officials of the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry were present Israel has rejected the Arab peace plan and English “dignity is priceless.” Washington’s recent decision on Jerusalem has further at the meeting. —KUNA Established 1961 5 Local Thursday, February 1, 2018 Woman, boyfriend sentenced to death in disabled girl’s murder Kuwaitis 79% in public sector, 21% in private sector

By A Saleh Government spending MP Mubarak Al-Harees expressed amazement at KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday sentenced a increasing government spending in the 2018-2019 woman and her boyfriend to death for the first degree budget, because it comes at a time when the govern- murder of her daughter, said legal sources. The mother ment is calling for and confirming its seriousness in and the boyfriend admitted they both beat the disabled rationalization and cutting expenses. Harees added girl to death because they were annoyed by her that the government has been repeatedly making the screams and cries, the same mistakes on set- sources noted. The crimi- ting its budgets. “We nal court also sentenced a have been hearing the former Ministry of Health same since we came to assistant undersecretary the 2013 parliament - to two years in prison Expats make the government with labor over charges of increases spending and forging a degree from up 70% of at the same time fails Egypt for his son. to fulfill citizens’ population needs,” he said, noting 79 percent that the government The Public Authority had refused amending for Civil Information the social security law The Palace of Justice. (PACI) statistics show with regards to early that 79 percent of the retirement, yet it manpower working for the government and 21 percent increased spending in the new budget. “The govern- working for the private sector are citizens. Statistics ment should not have expected stability in oil prices Arab League Roudhan to all ministries and government bodies also showed that citizens form only 30 percent of on setting the budget because they are subject to The Cabinet yesterday urged various ministries and stressed that some of these bodies had been directly Kuwait’s population (1,372,998), while non-Kuwaitis international circumstances beyond our control,” he government bodies to address the Arab League contacting the Arab League Secretariat General, make up 70 percent (3,162,180) of the total population noted, calling for stopping waste without affecting Secretariat General only via the foreign ministry. A let- adding this is a violation of the foreign ministry’s regu- of 4,535,178. citizens’ incomes. ter sent by the Cabinet Secretary General Abdullatif Al- lations and the related Amiri decree.

was in an abnormal condition, while the other claimed his ing and found the fire was caused by a gas cylinder that Three car ID was at home and went to bring it and did not return. exploded in the apartment. A source said nine persons Detectives are investigating. were treated onsite, while four were taken to hospital. KFAED offers inspectors Head injury Under the influence Uzbekistan loan of A citizen was rushed to Adan Hospital after sustaining A Kuwaiti woman in her thirties and a citizen in his injuries on the way to Zour. The citizen and his friend were twenties were taken to the Drugs Control General KD 9 million fight in Jahra busy with the boat, when one of them got inside it, while Department after being found under the influence of drugs. the other drove off. While on the road, the boat fell on the Police noticed the two were in an abnormal condition when KUWAIT: Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development street with the man inside it, and he sustained a head injury. their IDs were being checked, so the car was searched and (KFAED) and the Uzbek government on Tuesday inked an KUWAIT: Jahra vehicle technical inspection department agreement by virtue of which the fund will loan Uzbekistan was the venue of a fight between three inspectors due to Police and paramedics rushed to the site and transferred a liquor bottle was found, along with a light bulb containing the injured man to hospital in a critical condition. a white substance, a small bag of drugs and three other KD nine million (some $30 million). The funds will be used in disputes not related to their jobs. One of them was sus- financing the development of infrastructure in rural areas in pected of being under the influence of drugs, while the oth- liquor bottles. Body found the Central Asian nation, according to a KFAED press er disappeared after he claimed that he wanted to go home release. The project will help provide many job opportunities to bring his ID, but did not return. Two inspectors had a A man was found dead in his vehicle in Waha. The man was Search for thieves noticed by a citizen, who called police, and paramedics con- Jahra prosecutor ordered detectives to arrest two per- to the residents of these areas in the sectors of construction verbal exchange with a colleague, and it escalated to and industry, the statement said. The agreement was signed exchanging blows. One of them then stabbed his colleague firmed he was dead. The deceased is a citizen in his thirties and sons who robbed an Indian man of his car and mobile in there were no signs of foul play. Investigations are underway. Qashaniya, after they threatened him with a knife. The by KFAED Deputy Director General Hisham Al-Woqyan and with a pen, before the rest of the employees broke the fight Uzbek Deputy Minister of Finance. The loan is the ninth one up. The injured inspector went to hospital for treatment, Indian works as a foreman in an engineering company and Nugra fire was near the gate of an oil company in Rawdatain in his offered by KFAED to Uzbekistan. The total value of the pre- then lodged a complaint at Saad Al-Abdullah police station. vious loans amounts to KD 44.9 million in addition to two The other two inspectors were summoned, and one of them Thirteen people suffered burns and suffocations due to pickup truck, when he was surprised by the two thieves. a fire in a Nugra apartment. Policemen rushed to the build- — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Rai and Al-Anbaa technical grants amounting to KD 500,000. —KUNA Established 1961

InternationalTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018 A ferry sinks ‘Brainwashed’ children of Islamist fighters worry Germany in the Pacific Page 7 Page 9

HATAY, Turkey: A Turkish military truck carries a tank as it is dispatched to the border in Hatay, near the Turkey-Syria border yesterday as part of the Turkish cross-border operation ‘Olive Branch’ against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia in Syria. —AFP Turkey ramps up Syria incursion France warns against a full-blown ‘invasion’

AFRIN: Clashes raged between Turkish-backed forces and Turkey and its Syria rebel allies launched Operation man was yelling to anyone who would listen. He had sur- Turkish teen killed Kurdish militia in Syria’s Afrin region yesterday, as wounded Olive Branch against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units vived heavy Turkish bombardment of his neighborhood, but Yesterday, the Turkish army said it destroyed 22 YPG tar- civilians fled intense Turkish air strikes. Turkey and allied (YPG), on January 20. The group has been a key ally of 12 of his family members-including two infant grandchil- gets overnight. Since launching the assault, Turkey and rebel Syrian rebels have pressed on with Operation Olive Branch in Washington in its fight against the Islamic State jihadists dren-had not. “The whole world knows what’s happening allies have captured 11 villages and the strategic Barsaya hill, the Kurdish-controlled Afrin enclave despite mounting inter- but Ankara regards it as an here. Everyone know that according to the Observatory. Barsaya overlooks both the national concern and reports of rising civilian casualties. offshoot of the Kurdistan civilians are dying,” he rebel-held Syrian town of Azaz, and Kilis across the border in Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned Workers Party (PKK), screamed. Turkey. Advancing fighters were facing “fierce resistance from he would have a “real problem” with Turkey’s intervention if which has waged a deadly “A four month old and a YPG fighters holed up in the mountains, in spite of Turkey’s it turned into a full-blown “invasion.” An AFP correspon- insurgency in southeastern nine month old-as if we’re massive firepower,” said Abdel Rahman. The Observatory dent in Afrin heard warplanes flying overhead, and Kurdish Turkey since 1984. Ankara Clashes rage the Daesh of Afrin,” he said, said that 85 YPG fighters and 81 pro-Ankara rebels had been officials said rocket fire on the town wounded 12 civilians. has denied hitting civilians using the Arabic acronym killed in the fighting so far. Turkey says seven of its soldiers The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said heavy bom- in its military operations, in Syria’s for the Islamic State group. have been killed. Yesterday, rockets launched from Syria killed bardment and Turkish air strikes were accompanying but hospitals in Afrin say The Observatory says the a 17-year-old girl and wounded another resident of a Turkish ground fighting around Jandairis and Rajo, two areas to the they are receiving civilian Afrin region Turkish operation has left border town, officials said. The US and France have repeat- west of Afrin near the Turkish border. casualties on a daily basis. 67 civilians dead so far, 20 edly expressed concern over the cross-border offensive, The Britain-based war monitor reported that Turkish- of them children. Turkey which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week backed forces had seized control of the border village of ‘The whole world knows’ strongly rejects the figures, threatened to expand. Erdogan has vowed to “clean up” the Shinkal to the northwest. “Turkish forces dispatched new At region’s main hospi- saying it is doing every- YPG-held city of Manbij east of Afrin, where the US has military reinforcements overnight, including fighters and tal late on Tuesday, a thing it can to avoid civilian troops as part of its operations against IS. In response, French equipment, to Shinkal in an attempt to consolidate their heartbroken family was seen carrying out the body of their casualties. Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said on Tuesday Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Tuesday that if control over several points and support attacking forces,” father, killed in shelling several days earlier. A sobbing that the Turkish army and its rebel allies “have not harmed the operation turned into an “occupation” of parts of Syria, it said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. woman touched her head to the casket. Nearby, an elderly any civilian” during the operation. would be “totally reprehensible”.—AFP

Karrar it is not enough to buy medicine for his Iraqis maimed injuries as well as food for his wife and three children. He says the ointment he needs to rub on his skin to avoid chafing from the prosthe- Bahrain condemns in battle struggle sis “costs $800” and lasts for 10 months. Karrar would like to work, “but with my legs I 2 Shiites to death to survive as can’t even drive a taxi” or carry anything heavy. DUBAI: Bahrain’s criminal court yesterday sentenced two Shiites to death and 19 others to Abu Mehdi Al-Mohandis, second-in-com- life imprisonment in a ruling against a cell convicted of terror attacks. The court sentenced amputees mand in the Hashed, says hospitals run by the a total of 58 people on terrorism charges and stripping citizenship from 47, state news paramilitary unit provide free medical care for agency BNA reported. The ruling is the latest in a series of scores of harsh penalties in the BAGHDAD: Karrar Hassan, 25, is just one of 60,000 fighters and 300,000 civilians. Dhia Western-allied Gulf kingdom for defendants accused of Iranian-backed militancy but who tens of thousands of Iraqi fighters wounded Hussein runs Al-Razi hospital for the Hashed activists say are mostly peaceful opposition members. battling the Islamic State group. Now dis- in Baghdad, where he says 1,450 amputees The defendants were convicted of forming a “terror” cell that carried out a number of abled, he struggles to survive on a $400 have received treatment over the past six attacks, killing at least two policemen and wounding several others, and of smuggling pension. In 2014, he was unemployed and months alone. Iraq has a long history of weapons by boat. It also convicted them of attacking a prison and helping some prisoners joined the Hashed Al-Shaabi, a paramilitary bloody conflict, from the 1980-1988 war with to flee, of travelling to Iraq and Iran for military training and engaging in a gunbattle with coalition dominated by Iran-backed groups its neighbor Iran to the 2003 US-led invasion police. All the convicts are from the Shiite majority in the small Sunni-ruled Gulf kingdom. that fought alongside Iraqi government that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein and to Large quantities of weapons including grenades and light machine-guns were seized from forces against the jihadists. Months later, the later struggle against IS. Each conflict has the group, according to the ruling. Thirty-six members, including the two condemned to during fierce fighting for the city of Fallujah resulted in a heavy toll of casualties, many of death, are already in jail while the rest were sentenced in absentia, including 12 defendants west of Baghdad, his left calf was ripped whom are amputees. Tahssin Ibrahim has been living in Iran and Iraq and one in Germany, a judicial source said. open by a blast and Karrar lost the leg. The making prosthetic limbs in Baghdad for more The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) immediately Hashed sent him for treatment to both Iran than 30 years. condemned the ruling. “Today’s ruling is the latest episode in Bahrain’s travesty of justice, and Lebanon, and he returned with a pros- He says the number of amputees has risen and likely one of the most cruel,” said the director of BIRD, Sayed Ahmed Al-Wadaei. BIRD thesis from the knee down. since the 2003 conflict, and the number of said two women were among those convicted while the fate of two other female defendants This gave him enough mobility to allow a workshops specializing in prostheses and in the case was not immediately known. Twenty-one Bahrainis are now on death row in return to the front. In 2015, Karrar was fighting shops selling medical equipment has “political cases”, 14 of them convicted in 2017, it said. Authorities have cracked down hard in Baiji city, north of the capital, when he was increased tenfold over the past 15 years. Most on dissent since mass street protests in 2011 that demanded an elected prime minister and hit again. This time two bullets shattered his of Ibrahim’s clients are war wounded, and he constitutional monarchy in Bahrain. right knee, putting him out of action once and says many are forced to borrow money to pay for all. Iraq declared victory over IS in for their artificial limbs. The most rudimentary Shiite cleric in hospital December 2017, after a grueling three-year In another development, Bahrain’s Shiite spiritual leader Sheikh Isa Qassim was prosthesis costs around $1,000 in Iraq-more onslaught that also wounded tens of thousands than twice the average monthly wage. Ahmed, returned to hospital yesterday to undergo a new round of surgery, a rights activist said. BAGHDAD: An Iraqi man arranges prosthetic limbs of fighters. The Hashed says it lost 8,000 men 32, was deployed with the federal police to “Sheikh Isa Qassim was admitted today to the Bahrain International Hospital to receive in the war on IS, and 26,000 were wounded. at a workshop in the capital Baghdad. —AFP surgery for a hernia,” Sheikh Maytham Al-Salman from Bahrain Center for Human second city Mosul, one of the jihadists’ main Iraq’s government, which mobilized tens of Rights said. hubs before they were driven out by a fierce thousands of members of the security forces He said authorities had delayed for two weeks before allowing the cleric to visit the hos- offensive that lasted for months. An IS mortar a taxi fare, he said. “The bus is not adapted pital. Qassim, in his late 70s, is suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and heart dis- for the campaign, has not given its own toll. blast tore through his right leg, and Ahmed for handicapped people so I have to take a ease. Rights activists say he underwent a previous round of surgery in early December. The Karrar, a father of three small children, has says his pension of 575,000 Iraqi dinars is taxi,” said the father of four. One doctor who cleric was a leader of Arab Spring-inspired 2011 protests in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, and been left incapacitated. Unemployed and now simply inadequate. spoke to AFP, Ghassan al-Alussi, believes has been under de facto house arrest since a 2016 court order revoking his citizenship. He unable to drive, he spends his days at home Every month, half of this goes towards that the pensions allocated to war veterans was sentenced to a suspended one-year jail term on the charge of “serving foreign inter- trying to figure out how to provide for his “paying for medical treatment”, including are “insufficient”. “Public and health institu- ests”. Located between regional arch-rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is home to a family on a monthly pension of 500,000 Iraqi doctor’s visits and medicine, leaving him tions must do more for amputee fighters Shiite majority that has long complained of political marginalization. —Agencies dinars ($400). This amount represents a bit with just half to buy food for the family. That because they have defended the country,” less than a medium salary in Iraq, but for “is not enough”. A doctor’s visit also means Alussi said. —AFP Established 1961 7 International Thursday, February 1, 2018 South Yemeni separatists pin down government in the de facto capital Fighting leaves 38 people dead

ADEN: Yemeni ministers were holed up in remains at Aden port unable to be released,” Aden’s presidential palace yesterday after sep- the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said via aratist forces seized effective control of the Twitter. southern port city, dealing another blow to the “We are also particularly concerned for country’s embattled government. Pro-separatist those newly displaced in Aden who have fled forces backed by the UAE known as the “secu- other areas in Yemen. More than 40,000 peo- rity belt” fanned out across the city-the coun- ple fled to Aden and nearby governorates since try’s de facto capital-after three days of fight- December and we anticipate more displace- ing that left 38 people dead. The United Arab ment as people continue to flee from hostilities Emirates and Saudi Arabia have backed the in the west coast.” At least 38 people have been beleaguered government of President killed and 222 wounded in Aden since Sunday, Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi since intervening according to the International Committee of the against Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen’s civil war Red Cross. The separatists, who for months in March 2015. have pushed for the reinstatement of South But the Arab allies, whose military coalition Yemen as an independent country, now control was launched to roll back rebel gains and most of the city. Since 2015, Aden had served restore Yemen’s “legitimate” government to as a refuge for tens of thousands of Yemenis power in fleeing con- Sanaa, have flict in their not intervened hometowns to prop up across the Hadi against country, as his separatist Another blow the Saudi- rivals. The backed gov- coalition has to embattled ernment bat- instead urged tled Houthi the separatists government rebels allied to exercise with Iran. A restraint and coalition called on the offensive government to along the Red weigh up the Sea coast has demands of its rivals. While Yemen’s president sent new waves of displaced to the govern- resides in the Saudi capital, the infighting in the ment’s de facto capital in recent weeks. Save anti-Houthi camp has left Prime Minister the Children on Tuesday said it was also sus- Ahmed bin Dagher and a number of senior gov- pending work in Aden out of fear for the safety ernment figures holed up in the Aden presiden- of its staff in what the agency called the “shat- tial palace. A high-ranking military source said tered” former refuge. the separatists had also taken over the bin Dagher’s office chief overnight. Demand for self-rule ADEN: Fighters from the separatist Southern Transitional Council stand at the entrance of a military camp after Separatists, mainly based in Aden, have they took control of the pro-government position in the Dar Saad district, in the north of Aden yesterday. —AFP A refuge ‘shattered’ gained traction since April in their push for The United Nations raised alarm bells yes- self-rule, demanding the reinstatement of South socialist coup which killed thousands in just restore security” in Aden but has not inter- 9,200 Yemenis have been killed since the coalition terday over the impact of the violent standoff Yemen under a self-proclaimed Southern six days and helped pave the way for the 1991 vened on the government’s behalf. intervened in the war three years ago, triggering on more than 40,000 Yemenis recently dis- Transitional Council. Before the fighting broke unification of South and North Yemen. The The UAE-a pillar of the coalition-has close what the UN has called the world’s largest placed to Aden, and now cut off from aid. out, the STC had called on Hadi to make separatists, who enjoy popular support and ties to separatist leader Hani bin Breik while its humanitarian disaster. The coalition’s original mis- “UNHCR emergency aid distributions and changes to his government, accusing it of cor- are backed by some regular troops, have rap- “security belt” force backs the STC. A Yemeni sion of rolling back Houthi gains has expanded to humanitarian assessments planned this week for ruption and mismanagement. idly gained control over all but one district in government source said the coalition had, howev- include fighting jihadist groups that have flour- vulnerable, displaced Yemenis have now been The clashes have sparked fears of a repeat Aden since Sunday. The Saudi-led coalition er, secured guarantees the separatists would not ished during the war, and now keeping the peace postponed and UNHCR humanitarian cargo of South Yemen’s 1986 civil war, a failed said it would take “all necessary steps to storm the presidential palace in Aden. More than between its allies on the ground. —AFP

I happy for what I’ve done. I Texas executes man have asked the Lord to for- give me.” Both of Rayford’s murders were brutal attacks who murdered his that occurred in front of the women’s children. Hall’s girlfriend and wife body was found beaten, strangled and stabbed. Hall’s then 11-year-old son was CHICAGO: The US state of Texas executed an inmate also beaten and stabbed Tuesday for the brutal killing of his girlfriend while he was when he tried to stop the on parole for the murder of his wife. William Rayford lost attack. He survived and was his final appeals just hours prior to his evening execution, a witness in Rayford’s trial. including at the US Supreme Court. The appeals delayed Rayford’s attorneys had the process for a few hours, but the lethal injection was William Rayford asked the US Supreme ultimately carried out and Rayford pronounced dead at Court to halt the execution, 8:48 pm (0248 GMT). The 64-year-old was convicted of alleging the convict, who was black, had insufficient repre- killing his girlfriend Carol Lynn Thomas Hall in 1999, after sentation and that his initial sentencing may have been an argument the two had in her home. At the time, Rayford marred by race-based prejudice. In another appeal, they was on parole, having served eight years of a 23-year sen- claimed recent tests showed Rayford suffered decades- tence for the 1986 murder of his estranged wife Gail Ann long brain damage caused by lead poisoning from bullets Rayford. and bullet fragments lodged in his body, and from contam- His last statement included a request for forgiveness inated water. None of the appeals panned out, as judges from the family of his second victim, according to the rejected them all. The number of executions in the US Texas Department of Criminal Justice. “Please find it in declined to a near-historic low of 23 last year, according to your hearts to forgive me,” Rayford said. “By no means am the Death Penalty Information Center. —AFP

‘Brainwashed’ kids Germany raises of Islamist fighters anti-Semitism worry Germany BERLIN: Germany’s domestic intelligence chief wants the alarm government to review laws restricting the surveillance of minors to guard against the children of Islamist fighters BERLIN: German leaders are increasingly alarmed returning to the country as “sleeper agents” who could carry about a resurgence of anti-Semitism 73 years after the out attacks. Hans-Georg Maassen, head of the BfV agency, Holocaust, stemming from an emboldened far right and told Reuters that security officials were preparing for the an influx of refugees from countries hostile to Israel. return of Islamic State fighters to Germany along with Germany is marking the 1945 liberation of the Nazi potentially “brainwashed” children, although no big wave death camp at Auschwitz with solemn ceremonies, but appeared imminent. also warnings of the need for stronger vigilance. On Nearly 1,000 people are believed to have left Germany to the anniversary on Saturday, Chancellor Angela Merkel join up with the Islamist militants. As the group’s presence in condemned revisionist forces seeking to call into ques- the Middle East crumbles, some are returning with family tion the country’s commitment to atoning for its Nazi past. members. Only a small number of the 290 toddlers and chil- She said fighting anti-Semitism and racism must dren who left Germany or were born in Syria and Iraq had be a “daily task”. “It is inconceivable and shameful returned thus far, Maassen said. Many were likely to still be that no Jewish institution can exist without police in the region, or perhaps moving to areas such as protection, whether it is a school, a kindergarten or a Afghanistan, where Islamic State remains strong. synagogue,” she said. Merkel, who a decade ago He said Germany should review laws restricting surveil- became the first German chancellor to address the lance of minors under the age of 14 to prepare for the Israeli Knesset, has committed to creating a new posi- increased risk of attacks by children as young as nine who tion of commissioner on anti-Semitism under the new grew up in Islamic State schools. “We see that children who government she hopes to form by March. The move grew up with Islamic State were brainwashed in the schools was prompted in part by demonstrations in Berlin in and the kindergartens of the IS,” he said. “They were con- December against the US decision to recognize fronted early with the IS ideology ... learned to fight, and Jerusalem as Israel’s capital which saw some protest- were in some cases forced to participate in the abuse of pris- ers chant anti-Semitic slogans and torch Israeli flags. oners, or even the killing of prisoners.” He said security offi- Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said at the time cials believed such children could later carry out violent that although Berlin opposed the move by US attacks in Germany. “We have to consider that these children President Donald Trump, it strongly condemned the could be living time bombs,” he said. “There is a danger that aggressive rallies in German cities. “One has to be these children come back brainwashed with a mission to carry ashamed when hatred of Jews is put on display so out attacks.” Maassen’s comments were the first specific esti- openly on the streets of German cities,” he said. The mate of the number of children affected, following his initial demonstrations heightened a sense of anxiety warning in October that such children could pose a threat expressed by the Germany’s Jewish community, now after being indoctrinated in battlefield areas. The radicalization more than 200,000 strong, over the arrival since 2015 of minors has been a big topic in Germany given that three of of more than one million predominantly Muslim asy- five Islamist attacks in Germany in 2016 were carried out by lum seekers. —AFP minors, and a 12-year-old boy was also detained after trying to bomb a Christmas market in Ludwigshafen.—Reuters 8 Established 1961 International Thursday, February 1, 2018 Babies in the House: UK’s MPs seek family reforms British lawmakers eye proxy voting LONDON: As Prime Minister Theresa May’s minority gov- of smuggling my baby through the division lobbies under my ernment pushes crucial Brexit legislation through parliament, coat,” she said, saying she received a “horrible, hostile” reac- British MPs cannot afford to miss a vote-even if it means tak- tion. She was doing no such thing-”I was still fat from just ing their babies with them. Darren Jones found himself caring having had my baby. I shouldn’t have been voting at all.” The for his newborn daughter Ophelia when he was called to vote announcement earlier this month by New Zealand Prime this month against a law that would repeal Britain’s member- Minister Jacinda Ardern that she was pregnant shows how ship of the European Union. He took her past the green much times have changed. But she still promised to be “avail- benches of the House of Commons chamber, and through the able” even while taking time off after having the baby. so-called division lobbies where MPs cast their votes. New Zealand is among a number of countries, including “She slept through the whole thing,” the opposition Labor Germany and in Scandinavia, that offers paid parental lawmaker said, adding: leave. This is not yet “Sadly her vote didn’t available in Britain, count.” When MPs were although Harman is called last year to authorize pressing for the change. the government to start the May’s minority There are now more than Brexit process, Conservative 200 women in the 650- MP Chloe Smith broke her government seat Commons, and 17 maternity leave to vote with have had babies since her baby Alastair. pushes crucial 2010, with at least two “Whichever way you look at others currently preg- it, this was a bit of history Brexit legislation nant. Men also want to and it’ll be a privilege to be play a more active role in able to tell our son he was their children’s lives, and there,” she said afterwards. the motion does not dis- She was hesitant about criminate between moth- bringing him into the chamber, but Speaker John Bercow said: ers and fathers. It also includes adoptions. “Don’t be sheepish about it, the little baby is welcome to come in! There’s no problem.” However, there are many who Accused of laziness believe these MPs should not have to bring their babies in for The whips, who enforce party discipline, often allow MPs late-night votes, and are pushing for a change in the rules. to miss votes and debates due to ill-health and for family rea- sons, but the system is informal and in tight votes, can be lim- LONDON: A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament’s Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Accused of hiding baby ited. It is also private, and some MPs with young children Conservative MP Chloe Smith (left) walking to vote in the commons holding her baby. —AFP MPs from across the political divide have joined forces to have been criticized for being “lazy” by their political oppo- call a Commons debate on allowing new parents to vote by nents after missing votes or debates. and equalities committee said. In Spain, lawmakers can cast indicate to the parliamentary authorities an appetite for proxy-asking another MP to vote for them. “It’s quite a small Proxy voting would allow them to publicly register their votes electronically for reasons of parental absence or seri- change. The speaker has already revised sitting hours to change but would have a big impact, and bring the House of position on an issue-particularly important when, with May’s ous sickness. make them a little more family-friendly, and opened a late- Commons up to date,” former Labor minister Harriet Harman fragile Conservative government, every vote is on a knife- There have long been calls for electronic voting in night creche nearby on the site of a popular former bar. told AFP. edge.”When we have such a balanced parliament it means Britain, where Commons votes are already recorded on “The place needs to work around people having families. She had three children in the 1980s while serving as an that MPs have to be here to register their views, and indeed iPads, although there is little sign of reform. This week’s You want people who are having families to be part of the MP-and the atmosphere was very different. “I was accused want to be here,” Maria Miller, chair of parliament’s women motion on “baby leave” is not binding but if passed, would debate,” said Jones.—AFP

News in brief Husband admits Hawaii fires officer Helicopter crashes in US grisly killing that over ‘missile alert’ LOS ANGELES: Three people were killed when a gripped France tour and flight-training helicopter crashed into a WASHINGTON: The administrator of Hawaii’s Emergency house in coastal southern California yesterday, wit- Management Agency has resigned and an officer with a nesses and emergency personnel said. Witnesses BESANCON: A French IT worker on track record of “poor performance” has been fired after described seeing a plume of smoke as the four-seat Tuesday admitted to killing his wife triggering mass panic with a false alert of a ballistic missile Robinson 44 craft plunged to the ground and in a case that has gripped the coun- headed for the Pacific islands, officials said Tuesday. The appeared to clip the roof of one home before skid- try since her charred corpse was Pacific archipelago, already on edge over the threat posed ding along the ground at an intersection and smash- found in a wood in October. The by North Korea, was terrorized by the erroneous alert, ing into another house. A nearby resident told the body of Alexia Daval, a 29-year-old which was sent out by phone to residents and tourists and local ABC7 news channel it “sounded like a train bank employee, was found hidden remained uncorrected for nearly 40 minutes. coming through.” Upon arriving at the scene she under tree branches near their town Another employee of the state agency, which is respon- said she “saw one man out, I’m not sure if he fell out, of Gray-la-Ville in eastern France. sible for notifying the public of threats to their safety, has and there was body parts.” “I put my hand on the Her husband Jonathann Daval, 34, been suspended, Major General Joe Logan, the state adju- back of the helicopter and started praying over had previously insisted that Alexia tant general, told reporters in Hawaii. HEMA administrator them. Because I knew at that point there weren’t had gone jogging on October 28 and Vern Miyagi resigned on Tuesday to take responsibility for any survivors,” she added.—AFP never come back. the January 13 incident, Logan said, and the emergency In the days after her death he warning officer who sent out the alert of an imminent bal- cut a distraught figure, appearing listic missile attack was fired on Friday. GRAY: In this file photo, Alexia Daval’s husband Jonathann Daval walks in tears at a press conference with A state investigative report released on Tuesday said Headscarf protests ‘childish’ behind her portrait during a silent march in Gray in memory of Daval, 29, her parents and leading one of the that the fired employee had been a “source of concern” for whose burnt body was found three days after her disappearance on October running outings organized across 10 years because of his “poor performance.”“He is unable TEHRAN: Iran’s chief prosecutor has played down 28 while she went jogging. —AFP recent protests by women removing their head- the country in her memory. But his to comprehend the situation at hand and has confused real scarves in public, saying they were “trivial” and lawyers told reporters that Daval life events and drills on at least two separate occasions,” “childish” moves possibly incited by foreigners. had finally admitted he killed his that Daval had been charged with his experiencing marital problems. the report said. In a separate report, the Federal “This is a trivial matter and not a matter of concern,” wife, though “he says it was an wife’s murder. Schwerdorffer said Police arrested Daval on Monday Communications Commission (FCC) said the officer Mohammad Jafar Montazeri said in comments car- accident, that he did not want to do Daval maintains that he acted alone- and searched his home after inter- claimed he believed the threat was real and had not heard ried by the ISNA news agency yesterday. “This was it, and that he regrets it”. “He stran- but he added that his client insists he viewing more than 200 people over a phrase stating that it was an exercise. At the same time, a childish move by a young girl taking off her scarf, gled her,” lawyer Randall did not set fire to his wife’s body. the past three months. the report said, the sentence “This is not a drill” was where some are carrying on with their daily lives.” Schwerdorffer told the press, The murder case shocked the cou- Police sources said a neighbor included in the recorded message which prompted the He had been asked about one of at least two woman adding that his client’s motivation ple’s peaceful town, with nearly had reported hearing a car leaving officer to issue the alert. detained this week after standing on pillar boxes in “was not criminal”. 10,000 people turning out for a the couple’s home on the night Mobile phones across the Pacific islands received the busy streets without the mandatory headscarf. “There were some very strong silent march in her memory. before Alexia was reported missing- emergency alert around 8:07 am and it was also transmit- Unprecedented images of at least 11 women tensions in their relationship as a a fact backed up by a tracking device ted by television and radio stations. “In the minutes that protesting the same way have been widely shared couple,” he added. “Alexia had an ‘Marital problems’ on his work car. Traces of tyres followed, panic-stricken citizens called their families to say on social media. —AFP overwhelming personality, so he felt Daval, initially questioned as a matching those of his car were also what they believed were their last words, and some even diminished, stifled. At one point too witness, had told police an argument discovered close to where Alexia’s resorted to jumping into manholes to find shelter,” FCC many words were said, a fit of anger with his wife turned physical on the body was found, Schwerdorffer said. chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement accompanying the Three gunned down proved too much, and he couldn’t day before her disappearance, which A source close to the inquiry also report. The erroneous message came amid tensions with control himself.” Following the he said explained the scratches and said the body was covered in a sheet North Korea, which has tested rockets powerful enough to PHNOM PENH: Three Cambodians patrolling a announcement, local prosecutor bite marks on her hands. Several that was thought to come from the reach the United States, though it is unclear whether they protected forest in the remote east were gunned Edwige Roux-Morizot announced sources told AFP the couple were couple’s home.—AFP are yet able to deliver nuclear payloads. —AFP down after seizing a chainsaw from illegal loggers, authorities said yesterday, in violence highlighting the murky world of the country’s timber trade. A stepped on an explosive device and lost military officer, a park ranger and an employee of Melania braves both legs while deployed in Iraq in 2007; the prominent NGO Wildlife Conservation Society first responders who helped save hurricane were shot dead on Tuesday as they were leaving victims in Louisiana and Texas, and parents Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondulkiri public eye after of children killed by the gang MS-13. province, national police spokesman Kirth Breaking with tradition, the first couple Chantharith said. He said police suspected cheating claim arrived separately to the Capitol, because, Cambodian border forces, who were assigned to according to the first lady’s spokesperson investigate a stolen chainsaw, were responsible for Stephanie Grisham, she was accompanying the killings. “We suspect it was them who fired” on WASHINGTON: First Lady Melania guests. Afterwards, the first lady was seen the group, Kirth Chantharith said, declining to elabo- Trump made a very visible return to the being escorted out of the gallery by a mili- rate further. Authorities are still investigating the inci- public stage Tuesday by attending her hus- tary officer, as Trump spoke with lawmak- dent and searching for suspects, he added. —AFP band’s maiden State of the Union address, ers and administration officials on the her first official appearance since accusa- House floor. It was not immediately clear tions of infidelity surfaced about the presi- whether the Trumps returned together to Vatican rebukes cardinal dent. The enigmatic wife of Donald Trump the White House. emerged publicly for the first time since VATICAN CITY: The Vatican yesterday rebuked a she fed the Washington rumor mill by can- The Melania mystery senior cardinal who said its diplomats were “selling celling her trip to Davos, Switzerland, leav- As the 47-year-old wife of a 71-year- out” Chinese Catholics loyal to the pope as part of ing her husband to attend last week’s old man known for past lewd remarks a deal aimed at normalizing ties with Beijing’s com- World Economic Forum on his own. about women, and whose two past munist government. In a sharply worded statement, Melania’s no-show in Davos came on divorces became public spectacles, the Vatican said it was surprising and regrettable the heels of a bombshell report that Trump Melania Trump is dogged by speculation that some people in the Church were “fostering had a fling with porn star Stormy Daniels in that they lead largely separate lives. confusion and controversy”. It came a day after WASHINGTON: US First Lady Melania Trump looks on as she arrives for the State of the Union 2006, just months after his wife gave birth Speculation flared anew when The Wall address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. —AFP Cardinal Joseph Zen, the outspoken former arch- to their son. But for Trump’s big night in Street Journal reported on January 12 that bishop of Hong Kong, caused a stir with a long Congress, Melania arrived smiling and Trump had paid Daniels $130,000, one post on his Facebook page that was highly critical waving, to warm and extended applause- month before the November 2016 election, lipped smiles and deflecting Kimmel’s former model who once posed nude in her of the Vatican. The statement, which did not name dressed in a crisp cream white pantsuit to keep their adulterous liaison quiet. The questions at every chance. husband’s private jet, and the first foreign- Zen but which official Vatican sources said was that stood in contrast to the black donned porn star was questioned anew about the “I thought this was a talk show, not a born wife of a US president in nearly 200 prompted by the controversy he began, said it was by Democratic lawmakers in solidarity with reports as a guest given star billing horror movie,” she said as Kimmel read years. She spent her first months as first “surprising and regrettable” that some were pro- the victims of sexual harassment. Tuesday on late night ABC talk show from the transcript of a 2011 In Touch mag- lady living in New York, and refused to moting “a presumed difference of thought and Minutes later, her husband took the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” But Daniels, report- azine interview, only recently published and move to the White House until their young action” between Pope Francis and his top aides floor and exchangedwaves with his wife. edly bound by the non-disclosure agree- reportedly about the liaison. As for Melania, son Barron finished the school year. She over China strategy.—Reuters Among Trumps’ guests in the first lady’s ment about the alleged fling, revealed lit- her opinions and goals have remained a makes few public speeches, and is rarely box were a US Marine corporal who tle-laughing awkwardly, flashing tight- mystery to millions of Americans. She is a seen in Washington.—AFP Established 1961 9 International Thursday, February 1, 2018 Pakistani killing sparks rage over extrajudicial murders Bullet-riddled bodies dumped in barren neighborhoods

KARACHI: The killing of a young social media star in Karachi’s Counter Terrorism Department, said the Pakistan’s chaotic port city of Karachi has unleashed fes- encounter involving Mehsud was probably staged. “We tering anger at a rash of alleged extrajudicial murders and have interviewed some militants (purportedly linked with the police accused of orchestrating them. Hundreds of peo- the case) in jail and inspected the scene of crime that ple die each year at the hands of law enforcement officers seemed to be very doubtful,” Abbasi said. “Prima facie, it under pressure to crack down on kidnapping, murder and was a fake encounter.” gang crime in a city routinely ranked among the most dan- Much of the anger following the social media star’s gerous in the world. death has focused on Rao Anwar, senior superintendent of But the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Naqeebullah the Karachi police force. Anwar, who rose through the Mehsud, an aspiring model whose goofy dance videos and force’s battle-hardened ranks in the 1990s, has been airbrushed brown locks accused of spearheading had earned him a large hundreds of killings includ- Facebook following, ing that of Mehsud. Last brought thousands of week a Karachi lawyer filed people onto the streets to City ranked a petition in the Sindh High urge an end to impunity. Court, listing 250 allegedly “We demand that his among most fake encounters involving killer be hanged publicly,” Anwar since 1992. The said Mohammad Khan dangerous police officer has also been Mehsud of a national out- added to a travel ban after cry over his son’s death. in the world trying to flee the country. “We saw people from all He has missed successive the four provinces (of court summonses and is Pakistan) - men and now believed to be on the women, kids, youngsters run, according to a senior and sisters-show solidarity with Naqeebullah”. police official familiar with the case. Mehsud was shot dead along with three other people in what police say was an operation targeting Taleban insur- One option gents on January 3rd. Friends and relatives insist the inter- Yet as anger grows against him, experts warn that the net celebrity had no connection to militancy. They say he campaign is not the work of a few bad cops, but rather the KARACHI: A Pakistani protester holds a photograph of 23-year-old man Naqeebullah Mehsud, during a was the victim of a so-called “encounter killing”-an result of institutional shortcomings in the sprawling and vio- protest in Karachi. The killing of a young social media star in Pakistan’s chaotic port city of Karachi has “encounter” being police shorthand for when a suspect lent megacity. Long before Anwar, bullet-riddled bodies uncorked festering anger over a rash of alleged extrajudicial murders and the powerful police accused of resists arrest. Such deaths have surged in Karachi since were being dumped in barren neighborhoods as police with orchestrating them.—AFP 2013 when paramilitary forces and police launched a mas- little faith in the courts took on dangerous armed political sive “clean up” operation targeting Taleban militants, factions and often heavily-armed insurgents. “The investiga- organized crime networks and armed political muscle. tion procedures are archaic,” said Asad Iqbal Butt, director coincided with a drop in violent crime-with instances of kid- be not the victims,” said Umeed Ali, an auto rickshaw driver In its wake, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan of HRCP. “So they (police) are left with only one option... napping, murder and terrorism all dramatically down. “It is in Karachi. Rehmat Khan, a retired senior police officer, said (HRCP) said there were at least 598 extrajudicial killings in pick a guy, hang him, beat him and if he survives that is his good that crimes and violence have come down in the city as that in developed countries, “encounter” killings were rare. 2014 and an additional 343 the following year. A prelimi- fate and if he dies, just dump him in the bushes.” The rise in police and (paramilitary) Rangers have been killing the ter- “Here it takes place because we are incompetent profession- nary investigation headed by Sanaullah Abbasi, chief of encounter killings accompanying the clean-up offensive has rorists and criminals. But common and innocent people must ally, we look for short cuts.” —AFP

A ferry sinks News in brief in the Pacific Earthquake kills child KABUL: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck north- east Afghanistan yesterday, shaking large parts of the WELLINGTON: More than 80 people were aboard a region and killing a child and injuring several people ferry that sank in the remote Pacific, officials con- in neighboring Pakistan, officials said. The quake, firmed yesterday, as a senior Kiribati lawmaker called which rattled buildings in the Afghan capital and was for an independent inquiry into the vessel’s disappear- also felt in parts of India, struck 270 km (167 miles) ance. A multinational rescue operation is scouring vast northeast of Kabul in the Hindu Kush mountains, at a swathes of ocean for survivors, but only seven people depth of 180 km, the European Mediterranean have been found alive so far and hopes are fading of Seismological Centre said. A baby girl was killed and locating any more. 10 people were injured when roofs of mud-walled Initial estimates of how many people were on the MV houses collapsed in the southwestern Pakistani Butiraoi when it went missing ranged from 35 to more province of Baluchistan, a district deputy chief, than 100, but officials said the numbers were slowly Shabbir Megnal, said. There were no immediate becoming clearer. “Kiribati authorities have confirmed reports of any serious damage or casualties in that about 80 passengers plus crew of likely about five Afghanistan. Large parts of the region are seismical- were on the ferry,” Rescue Coordination Centre NZ said ly active because a tectonic plate, known as the in a statement. The centre said four aircraft from New Indian plate, is pushing north into the Eurasian Zealand, Australia and the United States had helped con- plate.—Reuters duct sweeps in the area where the ferry went missing. It said the search was concentrating on finding a life raft that was launched from the sinking ferry. “The life raft is designed for 25 people but more can ‘Nazi songbook’ fraternity be squeezed in uncomfortably,” it added. Former Kiribati Prime Minister Ieremia Tabai, who represents VIENNA: Austria’s chancellor said yesterday that the island of Nonouti from where the ferry departed on one of the country’s controversial nationalist fraterni- ties would be disbanded after it emerged that it had January 18, slammed the government’s handling of the Boys jump off the deck of the ferry MV Butiraoi, a 17.5-metre wooden catamaran, at an unknown loca- disaster. Tabai said his grief-stricken constituents on printed song texts celebrating the Holocaust and oth- tion. More than 80 people were aboard the MV Butiraoi that sank in the remote Pacific, officials con- er Nazi atrocities. The lyrics in the book produced in the island of 2,000 wanted to know why it took eight firmed yesterday. —AFP days to raise the alarm and how the unseaworthy vessel 1997 by the Germania zu Wiener Neustadt organiza- was allowed to sail in the first place. “This tragedy tion included “Step on the gas, old Germanics, we can demands an independent commission of inquiry,” he Tabai said the vessel was not believed to be carrying returning to Tarawa before the start of a new term. Tabai make it to seven million”, according to media reports. told Radio New Zealand. mandatory safety equipment such as an emergency loca- said the ferry’s loss was a tragedy for Kiribati, a nation of Six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust during “We need to know why it happened and (who is) tor beacon.”The government is responsible because they 33 atolls and reefs with a population of about 110,000, World War II, many of them in gas chambers. Other responsible.” The MV Butiraoi, 17.5-metre (57.4-foot) did not look after the situation well, they should have that lies some 3,460 kilometers (2,150 miles) northeast of songs in the book praised the Waffen SS and Nazi wooden catamaran, set off on a planned two-day voyage ensured that particular vessel should not have sailed in Fiji. “It’s a real sad day for those who lost their loved one. paratroopers behind war crimes committed in to Betio, the largest township of Kiribati’s capital, South the first place,” he said. For my village two or three people that I personally Greece. The scandal took on a political dimension Tarawa. Local authorities said it ran aground and under- He said the ferry was a free inter-island service that know, that live next door in my village, were on that boat because until recently the vice-chairman of the fra- went repairs to its propeller shaft before it left Nonouti. was carrying a large number of high-school students and perished.”—AFP ternity was Udo Landbauer, a candidate for the far- right Freedom Party (FPOe) in local elections in Lower Austria state last Sunday. —AFP Taleban active Daring Himalayan Islamic academic detained in 70 percent rescue spotlights PARIS: Prominent Swiss academic Tariq Ramadan, a professor of Islamic studies at the University of of Afghanistan the ‘Ice Warriors’ Oxford, has been taken into custody by French police following accusations of rape, a judicial source said WARSAW: The daring Polish rescue of a stranded French WASHINGTON: The Taleban are yesterday. The source said a preliminary investigation mountaineer in the Himalayas this weekend was made pos- was opened after two complaints were filed against openly active in 70 percent of sible by a long tradition of climbing that has seen Poles Afghanistan’s districts, fully control- Ramadan, a well-known figure in the Middle East. He become first to reach the summit of most of the world’s is the grandson of the founder of the Muslim ling 4 percent of the country and highest peaks in winter. France’s Elisabeth Revol was fac- demonstrating an open physical pres- Brotherhood movement in Egypt, Hassan Al-Banna. ing death on a Pakistan peak nicknamed “killer mountain” Ramadan took a leave of absence from Oxford last ence in another 66 percent, according when an elite group of Polish climbers scaled part of the to a BBC study published on Tuesday. November after two women filed complaints in 8,125 metre (26,660 foot) Nanga Parbat in darkness early France alleging rape. He has denied the allegations The BBC estimate, which it said was Sunday to rescue her. Poor weather meant Polish duo based on conversations with more and filed a complaint for slander against author Denis Urubko and Adam Bielecki were unable to reach fel- Henda Ayari, one of his accusers.—Reuters than 1,200 individual local sources in low countryman Tomek Mackiewicz, who had been climb- all districts of the South Asian coun- ing with Revol and who she left behind to save her life. try, was significantly higher than the Pakistani climber Karim Shah, who was in contact with most recent assessment by the the expedition, said the rescue effort was unmatched in the Indecent dance party FARAH: An Afghan National Army soldier fires an artillery shell dur- NATO-led coalition of the Taleban’s climbing world, with the team ascending 1,200 meters in ing an ongoing anti-Taleban operation at Farah province. —AFP presence. complete darkness along a treacherous route without a PHNOM PENH: Ten foreigners, charged in Cambodia The coalition said on Tuesday that fixed rope. “It’s the next generation of ‘Ice Warriors’,” said with producing pornography related to indecent the Taleban contested or controlled including four US citizens. Although period, as well as before and after,” Piotr Pustelnik, president of the Polish Mountaineering dancing at a party, have tested negative for drugs, only 44 percent of Afghan districts as the BBC counted 399 districts in the report said. Asked about the Association (PZA), referring to the nickname that Poles police and their lawyer said yesterday. The 10 were of October 2017. Afghanistan has Afghanistan, the NATO-led force BBC’s study, the Pentagon did not acquired in the 1980s after coming up with the idea to arrested on Jan. 25 along with 77 other foreigners in been reeling over the past nine days counted 407 districts. The reason comment directly, but pointed to the tackle the Himalayas in winter. a raid on the “Pub Crawl or Let’s Get Wet” event in from a renewed spate of violence that behind the discrepancy was not latest figures by the NATO-led coali- They invented the sport, and they dominate it. Poles Siem Reap province, home to the ancient Angkor Wat is adding scrutiny to the latest, more immediately clear. The BBC study said tion asserting that about 56 percent were the first to reach 10 out of 13 of the world’s 8,000- ruins. A Cambodian police officer assigned to the aggressive US-backed strategy to the Afghan government controlled 122 of Afghanistan’s territory was under metre-plus peaks during the harsher conditions of the case told Reuters, on condition of anonymity, that bolster Afghan forces battling the districts, or about 30 percent of the Afghan government control or influ- colder months. One summit still remains to be conquered. urine tests had not found any “addictive substance”. Taleban in a 16-year-old war. country. Still, it noted that did not ence. The study by Britain’s public “We had the misfortune of living behind the Iron Curtain, Sourng Sophea, an attorney for the foreigners, who A bomb hidden in an ambulance mean that they were free from broadcaster quoted a spokesman for so we didn’t have the opportunity to conquer the include five Britons, a Dutch citizen, two Canadians, a struck the city center and killed more Taleban attacks. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani play- Himalayas in previous decades like our Western counter- New Zealander and a Norwegian, said police had than 100 people, just over a week “Kabul and other major cities, for ing down the findings. The BBC study parts,” Pustelnik told AFP. “When we were finally able to carried the drug tests at the prison where they are after an attack on the Hotel example, suffered major attacks - also said Islamic State had a presence go there, all the summits had already been conquered. So being held on Tuesday.—Reuters Intercontinental, also in Kabul, which launched from adjacent areas, or by in 30 districts, but noted it did not ful- our friend Andrzej Zawada had the idea of climbing them left more than 20 people dead, sleeper cells - during the research ly control any of them.—Reuters in winter, something no one had done before.” —AFP 10 Established 1961 Analysis Thursday, February 1, 2018

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Davos: Brazil is back By Michel Temer President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

ast Wednesday, I set out on my first 2018 interna- Ltional activity. I participat- ed in the World Economic Forum in Davos in Switzerland. It enabled me to address a glob- al audience comprising political leaders, business men and women and opinion makers at various points during the forum. Once again, I spoke about the reform program which has been transforming Brazil. President Michel Temer We have turned the page of the economic crisis because we were able to say no to populism and acted responsibly. Moved by a long-term vision, our government has been building, through a permanent dialogue with the National Congress and the society, the foundations of an efficient state, which provides its citizens with quality services within a balanced budget. Can Trump follow through talk? These also constitute the foundations for sustainable growth, indis- pensable to advance the development of Brazil and effectively remove n his State of the Union address on Tuesday, US has hung over Trump since the start of his presidency. Any ties toward a comprehensive agreement but also insist- millions of Brazilians from poverty. In a little less than a year and a half President Donald Trump spoke of unifying the country move against Mueller or Rod Rosenstein, a top Justice ing that it include increased border security measures of management, in practical terms we have corroborated our commit- Iand delivering for the American people - and he has Department official who oversees the probe, would likely and changes to restrict legal migration programs. He also ment to fiscal balance. The results are here. Inflation has fallen and it is the opportunity to back up his words with action almost spark a political firestorm. And each day, Trump risks called on Congress to pass a $1.5 trillion infrastructure once again under control. The exchange rate has been stabilized. The immediately. Trump faces a series of policy choices in the undermining any goodwill he builds with an errant tweet bill, one that would need Democratic votes to have any interest rates have shrunk to their lowest historical levels. It was with next few weeks and months that will show whether he is or outburst. chance of survival. achievements and not voluntarism that we succeeded in restoring the sincere in his pledge to “seek out common ground” and Trump’s speech on Tuesday came just a week after he confidence in the Brazilian economy - confidence which has already could also shape his presidency and legacy. gleefully accused Democrats of losing their nerve during a Two Audiences been reflected upon the increasing industrial activity, the vitality of With congressional elections nine months away, brief government shutdown. Now, he is asking them to As the congressional elections approach, Trump foreign trade and renewed job creation. Trump’s course of action could decide whether his “come together” to solve the nation’s problems. The remains mired at about 40 percent approval in polls, a The investor who observes Brazil today is able to see a govern- Republicans maintain control of the US Senate and the address was filled with lofty calls toward a higher duty historic low for a president this early in his tenure. Trump ment working with precise diagnostic, applying solutions which actu- House of Representatives, or if one or both flip to a was, in fact, speaking to two audiences on Tuesday: His ally work. They will note that it is an administration engaged in making Democratic majority, an outcome that would almost cer- passionate base of supporters, and the rest of the country the business environment ever more dynamic. Everywhere, we have tainly derail his policy agenda. Trump faces near-term that has yet to embrace him. Accordingly, he had to talk been removing bureaucratic obstacles, which used to obstruct the deadlines on reaching an agreement to protect young tough on issues such as immigration, trade, foreign policy, pathways for entrepreneurs - it has become easier to start a business, immigrants known as “Dreamers” and on avoiding another and the national anthem, to reassure his base that he was import and export. The modernization of employment law, which has government shutdown. He also hopes to muscle an infra- the same hardliner they elected, while also suggesting to already come into force, is a particularly relevant milestone in our structure bill through a divided Congress. Trump was other voters that he supports helping “Dreamers,” efforts to tune Brazil into the realities of the current economy, without In his address, Trump pushed a hard line on immigra- rebuilding infrastructure, fighting the opioid epidemic and affecting workers’ rights. On our horizon, a tax simplification is still to tion, insisting on a border wall and other concessions from speaking to reforming the prison system. come in order to make tax payments swift and rational. In all of those Democrats, even as he urged lawmakers toward bipartisan Republicans likely will need voters from both those actions, what the trend heralds is a Brazil where there is an ever compromises. “Substantively, he didn’t move the needle on two audiences camps to hold onto the House and Senate. “If he could increasing economic freedom. policy, but the much sunnier and more optimistic tone was give that speech every day for the rest of the year, the Public accounts in good order and a competitive private sector a welcome change,” Michael Steel, a Republican strate- midterms wouldn’t be a problem,” said Alex Conant, a for- are essential for sustainable growth as much as is quality infrastruc- gist, said of Trump’s speech. “Now let’s see if he can and mer top aide to Republican Senator Marco Rubio. But ture, consonant with the vast economic potential of our country. That will stick with it.” Trump’s history suggests he cannot, or will not, do that, is why, in Davos, I presented the various opportunities of the The consistency of Trump’s focus and tone has been a said John Geer, an expert in public opinion at Vanderbilt Advancing Partnerships Program (‘Avancar, Parcerias’), comprising serious issue since his term began. A year ago, he deliv- that transcends party, an ideal that presidents often urge University. “Given expectations, he did well,” Geer said. federal government concessions and privatizations. The model which ered a well-received speech to Congress, only to render in the State of the Union addresses but rarely fulfill. “This “But his tweets get as much coverage as any speech, so he we have instituted offers clearly defined and stable rules, assuring that an afterthought when he began alleging that former is, in fact, our new American moment,” Trump said, adding will likely undermine any gains he might have made within legal security. It is not by chance that it has been attracting attention President Barack Obama had ordered his phones wire- that “all of us, together, as one team, one people, and one 48 hours.” throughout the world. To date, we have completed over 70 projects tapped during the 2016 presidential campaign. As he American family can do anything.” Trump’s constant tweeting could quickly diminish the including roads, ports, airports, power transmission lines, gas and oil looks for wins on domestic policy issues, Trump’s han- Trump and Congress face an early February deadline significance of his State of the Union speech. His recent fields. Investments have been estimated at R$142 billion. In 2018, there dling of a special counsel’s probe of alleged Russian for avoiding another government shutdown over the predecessors, including Obama and President George W. will be another 75 project proposals, which also include railways, like- interference in the 2016 presidential election will be same issues that led to the last one this month: Federal Bush, used the bully pulpit much more selectively. Now, ly to attract over R$130 billion. The reform will strengthen the credi- closely scrutinized. spending and an agreement on a program to protect Americans hear from the president almost every day and, bility of the economy, enabling it to join in an enduring growth cycle. Media reports that Trump last year considered firing hundreds of thousands of Dreamers. Trump devoted the frequently, throughout the day. That puts more pressure Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting the largest portion of his remarks to immigration, saying he than ever less on the president’s words and more on his Changes Russia investigation, drew new attention to a probe that was “extending an open hand” to working with both par- actions. —Reuters The changes which Brazil has been undergoing, which have indeed better prepared it for the 21st century challenges, are not exhausted at the domestic level. In the foreign area, we have acted in the spirit of failure study. The Reuters analysis squares with inde- openness, considering that it is fallacious to think that there can be Crumbling bridges? pendent assessments that US road infrastructure is still development in an environment of a closed economy in the current among the world’s best. America’s road network, which world. Our endeavor in achieving more and better integration begins in includes its bridges, was ranked third among the largest our region, in the Mercosul: jointly with all of the other partners, Brazil Fret not America, advanced economies by company executives, behind has been setting in motion a program, which advances free markets as Japan and France but superior to those of Germany, one of its key pillars. In addition to removing inter-block trade barriers, Britain, Canada and Italy, according to the World we have been fostering a rapprochement with the countries of the Pacific it’s not that bad Economic Forum’s latest global competitiveness report. Alliance. For the first time in twenty years, we have a realistic perspective n his State of the Union address on Tuesday, President The United States comes only slightly behind Japan to conclude the Mercosul-European Union trade agreement - an agree- and France in rankings of overall infrastructure quality. ment which we wish to be wide-ranging and balanced, and which is truly Donald Trump called out the nation’s crumbling infra- structure and called for more spending on bridges and Experts agree boosting public and private investment in able to cater for the interests of the Brazilian society. In addition, we have I infrastructure by $1-2 trillion over the next decade might been opening new negotiation fronts with partners from a variety of roads. “Together, we can reclaim our great building her- itage. We will build gleaming new roads, bridges, high- meet or come close to meeting the growing economy’s quarters. An undeniable fact for those who keep a sense of objectivity is needs. However, the distortion of the debate by Trump that Brazil has already travelled a long way under our government, and at ways, railways, and waterways all across our land,” Trump said, calling for public and private infrastructure invest- and other politicians creates a danger that resources will speed. We have achieved a great deal, always on the basis of dialogue, the be misdirected from more pressing infrastructure needs, raw material of democracy; with a genuine disposition too, aimed at ments of at least $1.5 trillion over 10 years. The details of Trump’s plan are nebulous, so it is unclear such as aged water pipes leaching lead and schools - or US President Donald Trump claps after the State of the bringing alignments closer together and articulating efficient solutions for from projects that will have a considerable regional eco- Union address in the chamber of the US House of the needs of the country. The challenge which remains now, and to how much will go to what projects. But Trump, along with other politicians and lobbyists, has frequently cited nomic impact. Representatives in Washington on Tuesday. —AFP which we are fully committed, is the Social Security reform. At Davos, I “Fixing bridges is fine until unmaintained pipes break ratified my commitment to a fair and sustainable social security system bridges as a danger to people and commerce. Business groups as diverse as the National Stone and Gravel and interrupt your commute,” said Shalini Vajjhala, able to correlate with the demographic evolution of our population. founder of infrastructure design firm re:focus partners. around the structures supporting the ends of the bridge, This is a commitment which I renew, firstly, before the Brazilian people, Association and the American Beverage Association have called for more spending. The American Society of Civil Engineers reckons US said Dennis Heckman, an engineer at Missouri’s trans- and particularly the less privileged; after all, the system as it is, transfers mass transit is in worse condition than any other infra- portation department. While bridges in need of repair income from those who have less to those who need it the least. The However, a Reuters analysis of nationwide bridge data reveals the fretting over the safety of bridges and other structure in terms of its quality and funding. In a 2017 stand a higher risk of collapse they do not necessarily reform will abolish privileges and will ensure the payments of all cur- report, the lobbying group also scored U.S. dams, levees pose an imminent danger. rent and future pensions. It will reinforce the credibility of the Brazilian road infrastructure is overblown and could distract from more serious problems elsewhere: and drinking water facilities as in worse condition than The state had four bridges in the 2017 inventory rated economy enabling it to join in a lasting growth cycle. Bravely and with bridges. as structurally deficient with more than 200,000 daily l About 9 percent of highway bridges were considered renewed resolve, we have been facing the issues with which the histor- crossings. “If they were at a point of being dangerous, ical juncture presents the whole nation. I am left without any doubt structurally deficient in 2017. But only 4 percent of bridges carrying significant traffic, at least 10,000 daily vehicle Shadow of Fee Fee Creek they would be closed,” said Heckman. The fact is, state whatsoever, that once again, the challenges will be overcome and com- America was jolted by infrastructure concerns in 2007 and local governments constantly repair highways and mon good prevail. crossings, were deficient. That does not mean an imminent danger of collapse, just that repairs are needed. when the Interstate 35 bridge over the Mississippi River bridges. Together with the federal government, they Brazil is great country which garners assets of all sorts. It is a in Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour. Thirteen peo- spent $16.4 billion fixing bridges in 2012, according to l For those with more than 200,000 crossings, roughly consumer market with over 200 million people, with abundant natu- ple died, fueling calls for more bridge investment and the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) latest ral resources. Our people are creative and hard-working. We have the nation’s 1,200 busiest bridges, that figure drops to under 2 percent, or fewer than 20 bridges. shaping any discussions of US infrastructure ever since. report detailing public sector highway investments. got a diversified industry, a highly productive agriculture. Our ener- Federal investigators, however, blamed a design flaw Public spending on transportation and water infra- gy matrix is one of the cleanest in the world. We are a country with l The share of all bridges deemed structurally deficient has been falling for decades, down from 22 percent in 1992 rather than deterioration for the collapse. The reality of structure rose modestly in 2009 and 2010 as govern- continental dimensions, located far from geopolitical tensions. These US bridge problems is better reflected where Interstate ments countered the Great Recession, but outlays fell in are the reasons which have always made Brazil an attractive destina- and 12 percent in 2009. Indeed, though an 2014 academic study of bridge fail- 270 crosses Fee Fee Creek outside St Louis. the subsequent four years when taking inflation into tion for investors. In recent times, the problem was that the country That bridge carries about 223,000 vehicles every day account, according a 2015 report by the Congressional had somewhat lost its bearings. Well then, what our government did ures found roughly 120 bridges collapse or partially col- lapse every year, most do so because of floods, fires and and is among the busiest in America, according to the Budget Office. For bridges, increasing spending modestly again was to bring Brazil back on course. From the outset, we were Department of Transportation’s 2017 National Bridge - just enough to keep up with inflation - would cut the clear about the course which we ought to follow: the course of collisions rather than structural decline. And most failed bridges have fewer than 755 daily crossings, with only Inventory analyzed by Reuters. The inventory catalogs share of those needing repairs by about two thirds by responsibility, of openness, of freedoms. And we will not divert from America’s 615,000 highway bridges longer than 20 feet. 2032, the FHWA said in the report, published in 2017. such a course; neither will we divert ourselves from it. This is the about 4 percent involving fatalities. “We the public should feel safe,” said Wesley Cook, a The Missouri state government considers the Fee Fee Governments need to boost spending by about $37 bil- message which I have conveyed to the Brazilian people and which I Creek bridge structurally deficient and has set aside $5 lion a year to sufficiently maintain and expand roads and took to Davos. structural engineer at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology who authored the 2014 bridge million for repairs. The problem is deterioration in and bridges, according to the FHWA. —Reuters Established 1961 11 News Thursday, February 1, 2018

sunken approval ratings, languishing around 40 percent. A Trump appeals for CNN poll released afterward suggested people who watched the address were underwhelmed by it. Seeking to enliven his own base, Trump spoke at length unity, talks tough... on the need for immigration reform, drawing hisses from the Far-right figure opposition as he equated immigrants with criminality and Continued from Page 1 economic tension and spoke of “chain migration”. For embraces Islam decades, he lamented, “open borders” had allowed “drugs to serve,” he said. “Tonight, I want to talk about what and gangs to pour into” the United States. He again called kind of future we are going to have, and what kind of nation for the construction of a border wall that remains unfunded over ‘moral decline’ we are going to be. All of us, together, as one team, one in Congress. “They have allowed millions of low-wage people, and one American family.” workers to compete for jobs and wages against the poorest BERLIN: A member of Germany’s far-right and Trump’s opening tone was uncharacteristically concilia- Americans. Most tragically, they have caused the loss of anti-Muslim Alternative for Germany party (AfD) tory, although it bridged no compromise on his drive to many innocent lives.” who recently converted to Islam has said he did so reduce immigration - which he painted as responsible for a Two couples whose daughters were murdered by MS- in protest at what he sees as the “moral decline” of plethora of social ills. He touched on a range of foreign poli- 13, a Salvadoran gang, were among those joining the first the Protestant church. Arthur Wagner, 48, until cy issues - including, in an emotive moment, offering the lady to watch the address. “The United States is a compas- recently a leading party member in the state of Arthur Wagner spotlight to crippled North Korean amputee defector Ji sionate nation” he said, “but as president of the United Brandenburg, told the Bild newspaper yesterday Seong-ho, who waved his crutches in the air as he received States, my highest loyalty, my greatest compassion, and my that his decision was in part sparked by the church’s when he quit his leadership role in the AfD, a prolonged standing ovation. Trump warned that constant concern is for America’s children, America’s strug- acceptance of same-sex marriage and the presence although he remains a party member. His decision Pyongyang’s “reckless” nuclear drive could “very soon” gling workers, and America’s forgotten communities.” of priests at gay pride marches. has not gone down well in the party, which is threaten the US homeland, while also eyeing the geopoliti- The 71-year-old real estate mogul and reality TV star “One of the reasons (for the conversion) is tied to strongly anti-Islam. One of his local party col- cal challenge posed by adversaries China and Russia. touted a long bull run on Wall Street and improving changes that have taken place in the church, which leagues, Kai Berger, said he was “very disappoint- But Trump’s State of the Union, the third longest on growth rates, something the White House has dubbed a no longer reflects my values,” he told the daily. ed”. “Many members are waiting for him to quit the record at one hour 20 minutes, was overwhelmingly “Trump bump”. “The stock market has smashed one Explaining his decision, he singled out the church’s party. Unfortunately our statutes do not allow us to focused on domestic concerns. Among those looking on record after another, gaining $8 trillion in value,” he said, position “with regard to the AfD, its support for kick him out,” he said. were dozens of cross-armed Democratic lawmakers, some even though that narrative suffered a setback Tuesday marriage for all and the participation of pastors at Wagner told Bild he had received several threats decked in black to honor the victims of sexual harassment when stocks posted their biggest drop in eight months Christopher Street Day, where there are children. since announcing his decision. “Someone told me I and still others wearing butterfly stickers in support of amid fears of a bubble. It’s unacceptable!” Christopher Street Day is an should leave Germany before I start making immigrants - two social issues that more than any others Trump also lifted his economic gaze beyond the United annual gathering of the LGBT community in several bombs,” he said. Wagner later told reporters at an have roiled America in the age of Trump. States, calling for “fair” trade and declaring that “the era of German and Swiss cities. impromptu news conference that he wanted his par- Also in the audience were members of Trump’s own economic surrender is over”. “America has also finally Wagner’s conversion is perhaps all the more sur- ty colleagues to open up a dialogue with Muslims. “I family including the first lady, Melania, who recently can- turned the page on decades of unfair trade deals that sacri- prising given that he formerly held an official posi- call on our conservatives and nationalist conserva- celled a joint trip to Davos, Switzerland and has not been ficed our prosperity and shipped away our companies, our tion within the Protestant church. He converted in tives: Turn on your brains - we have problems, we seen with her husband in public since reports alleged he jobs, and our wealth - our nation has lost its wealth but October but only announced the decision last week, need to talk to each other,” he said. — AFP paid porn actress Stormy Daniels hush money over an we’re getting it back so fast.” affair, which the White House denies. Breaking with tradi- And there was a partisan-tinged focus on terror, which tion, the first couple arrived separately to the Capitol, had been a central message of his campaign. Trump vowed because, according to the first lady’s spokeswoman to keep the Guantanamo Bay prison open - anathema to feet a day currently. Free gas production will reach half a Stephanie Grisham, she was accompanying guests. Democrats and many Republicans. The CNN poll of people Kuwait to spend billion cubic feet in April and one billion cubic feet in Over the years the State of the Union address, a set who watched the speech found 48 percent said they had a 2023, he said. piece of the American political calendar, has lost some of its “very positive” impression of it. That compared to 57 per- Kuwait also produces about 1.2 billion cubic feet a day impact and pizzazz. But the primetime address, watched by cent after Barack Obama’s first State of the Union address, $500bn on oil... of associated gas, which is produced along with crude oil. as many as 40 million Americans, was still a once-in-a-year the network said. Trump’s number was the lowest since CNN Continued from Page 1 The state plans to raise its refining capacity to two million opportunity for Trump to speak to the nation and mend his first started conducting the poll in 1998, it added. — AFP bpd by 2035 from less than 800,000 bpd now, Adsani “KPC is working with fast-changing variables and said. Around 90 percent of Kuwait’s state revenues come challenges locally and internationally, and we continue to from oil. Kuwait amassed around $600 billion in surplus- leave the country. focus on strategies that will transform Kuwait into a bet- es in the 16 years till 2014, when world prices were high. 154,000 illegals in • Newborns that are given residency permits spon- ter position to deal with future challenges,” he said. The For supplier nations, the new energy market poses sig- sored by their family should refer to the residency forum brought together an international audience, nificant challenges and opportunities, while oil and ener- Kuwait; amnesty... affairs department to correct the newborn’s status dur- attracting over 200 delegates from 20 countries including gy companies continue to consider changes in their busi- ing the amnesty period. the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States. ness models and strategies for development. One of the Continued from Page 1 • Those reported to have absconded before Jan 24, Kuwait currently has a crude production capacity of key areas of discussion at the event was what to expect 2018 regardless of the type of residency they have. around 3.1 million bpd, excluding some 250,000 bpd from the oil market in 2018. Will production cuts last and He asked sponsors to hand over violators’ passports • Those who absconded after Jan 4, 2016, whether from the neutral zone with Saudi Arabia which has if so, will they balance the market; the Russian-Saudi so they can leave and take advantage of the amnesty, working in the private or domestic sectors. remained shut since Oct 2014. It plans to raise its output cooperation; what to expect from shale and non-OPEC unless they are wanted in other cases. Hajeri said item 2 of the law says that those wishing capacity to four million bpd by 2020. Adsani said the firm producers, plus other critical issues for the market. Also He said the following categories of violators are to remain in the country must pay fines without being also plans to raise free natural gas production to 2.5 bil- discussed was how to finance energy in a shifting market allowed to leave during the grace period: referred for questioning, then settle their status if they lion cubic feet a day by 2040 from just 200 million cubic and longer-term investment strategies. • Those whose regular or temporary residencies meet the conditions. He added item 4 of the ministerial expired before Jan 24, 2018. decision says expats in violation of residency law who • Those who entered the country on a visit, residen- have administrative or judicial obstacles that keep under-execution on capital spending, overspending is a cy, tourism or transit visa whose stay period expired them from leaving must go to the residency affairs Fiscal strengths risk as rising oil prices push up subsidy costs further, and before Jan 24, 2018. department to discuss the conditions of getting a resi- limiting public sector hiring and wage growth may be • Those whose passports expired before Jan 24, dency permit according to the legal rules set during politically difficult. 2018 but have valid residency permits, and wish to the grace period. mask long-term As Fitch noted when affirming Kuwait’s sovereign rat- Continued from Page 1 ing in October, a generous welfare state and the public sector’s large economic role present long-term chal- The no-confidence motion was filed last week by Kuwait export blend has already averaged $51.7/bbl in lenges to the public finances. We estimate that the public- Court delays expat 10 MPs after a marathon grilling in which the minister the fiscal year to date. Our projected surplus highlights sector wage bill alone could grow by 6 percent of GDP was accused of committing administrative and finan- the fact that, at around $50/bbl, Kuwait has the lowest over the next five years if the trend of absorbing new health charges... cial violations. The minister denied the charges. MPs fiscal break-even Brent price in the GCC. With estimated labor force entrants into the public sector persists,” said who supported Sabeeh yesterday said she has per- sovereign net foreign assets at around 500 percent of Fitch. Continued from Page 1 formed her duties in a good manner and clamped GDP, it also has the largest fiscal and external buffers. “Kuwait’s exceptionally strong balance sheet position, down on visa traders. Her opponents stressed that she Our fiscal forecast still implies a financing need of which reduces pressure to take action, and parliamentary He told the appeals court that the lower court over- has failed to check the influx of expatriate manpower nearly $19 billion in FY18, as the government cannot opposition have led to slower fiscal reform than else- looked his arguments and called for a correction to the into the country. spend most of the KIA investment income and is required where in the GCC. Parliamentary questioning and no- judgement. The Assembly in 1995 issued a decision National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem by law to transfer 10 percent of its revenues (or around 4 confidence motions against ministers are common and led stating that the government cannot raise charges on said yesterday he will be travelling to Geneva with a percent of GDP) to the KIA’s Reserve Fund for Future to the government’s resignation in October 2017. We do public services without a law by the Assembly. That law number of MPs to meet with officials of the Generations. If, as we expect, Kuwait’s parliament not think the Cabinet reshuffle that followed will acceler- did not make exceptions based on nationality. International Parliamentary Union to defend Kuwait approves the new debt law increasing the sovereign bor- ate reform, and do not expect VAT or excise tax to be Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour against complaints by a current and a former MP and rowing cap to KD25 billion ($83 billion), then a significant implemented this year. Hind Al-Sabeeh yesterday comfortably defeated a no- by “Zionists”. He was referring to a complaint filed by part of this could be met through more local and interna- The subsidy system remains largely unreformed. confidence motion by a big margin, with 29 MPs voting MP Shuaib Al-Muwaizri against the jailing of two law- tional bond issuance,” the report said. Petroleum prices were raised in October 2016 but remain in her favor and only 13 lawmakers against. Only elected makers and another complaint by former Shiite MP “The FY19 budget approved by the Cabinet this week the lowest in the GCC, and the immediate fiscal benefit MPs are allowed to vote on no-confidence motions and Abdulhameed Dashti, who has been living abroad since proposes a broadly unchanged total spending allocation has been consumed by rising oil prices. Phased utility Cabinet ministers are barred. The vote came in a special the past two years. Dashti tweeted yesterday state- of KD20 billion (from KD19.9 billion in FY18), with a ris- price hikes came into force in last year, but prices remain session following a brief debate in which two MPs ments against Ghanem and vowed to continue targeting ing allocation for investment and energy subsidies but low and have not directly affected most Kuwaiti house- spoke in her defense, while two others opposed her. him with more complaints. restrained spending elsewhere. However, despite likely holds,” the report concluded. 12 Established 1961 Sports Thursday, February 1, 2018 Greased lightning! Tongan pin-up makes ‘crazy’ Olympics return

Travelled to Brazil as a taekwondo fighter

WELLINGTON: Pita Taufatofua captured mentions on Twitter and the normally staid was all about participation and people global attention as Tonga’s oiled and top- Wall Street Journal hailed “perhaps the coming together.” less flagbearer at the Rio Olympics, but he grandest entrance by any flag bearer in Training in Australia was even more dif- says things didn’t get really weird until he recent history”. Appearances on US talk ficult. “We had to find ways to mimic ski- decided to qualify for the Winter Games in shows followed but Taufatofua said he was ing without having snow or skis, so I’d Pyeongchang. The 34-year-old found him- already looking for his next challenge. strap bits of wood to my feet and run on self strapping planks of wood to his feet to the sand,” he said. “And there were the recreate the rigours of cross-country ski- ‘IT FEELS LIKE A MIRACLE’ roller skis. They’ve got no brakes and are ing in sweltering Australian heat. There was much skepticism when he the worst things ever. I think the Devil He embarked on mad dashes through announced his Winter Games bid. A invented them.” blizzards and across icy roads to reach Norwegian Olympic champion said: “I Chasing his dream full-time, Taufatofua qualification races on the ski-fields of think he looks better covered in oil than relied on a funding website Europe. Pre-dawn training sessions with skis on his feet”. But Taufatofua said https://goo.gl/7KoFnz to help pay for his became the norm as Taufatofua-a self- campaign. After a number of falls proclaimed beach lover-struggled in and equipment failures, he the snow, a substance he had seen appeared set to miss out before only once before. dramatically clinching a place this “It was all just so new to me. I had Training in month at the final qualifying no idea there was wet snow, dry snow, round in Iceland. cold snow, hot snow,” he told AFP. Australia was “It feels like a miracle. It feels “And you need specialised skis for like a gold medal just to qualify,” each of them. I had one pair and here more difficult he said. With his place assured, I was giving myself less than a year to Taufatofua does not expect to qualify for the Winter Olympics.” repeat his topless Rio exploits at He admitted the bid to become a Pyeongchang’s opening ceremo- dual Olympian at times seemed ny, where temperatures will be “crazy”. Taufatofua, Brisbane-born well below freezing and hypother- but fiercely proud of his Tongan heritage, athletes from what he terms “summer mia a real risk. was determined to reach Pyeongchang countries”, including Mexico, Portugal and “My goal is just to participate,” he said. after his Summer Games experience in Rio Colombia, rallied to support their fellow “If that leads to other people trying some- in 2016. He travelled to Brazil as a taek- outsider. thing that everyone else says is impossible wondo fighter, losing in the first round but “We would pool resources,” he said. then it will be worth it.” Bruno Banani was not before making his mark at the opening “We’d share skis and tips on technique. Tonga’s first winter Olympian, appearing ceremony. Bare-chested, torso dripping We’d sleep in a hostel with three beds at the 2014 Games in Sochi where he fin- with oil and wearing only a traditional together and just eat pasta and tuna ished 32nd out of 39 in the men’s luge. ta’ovala mat round his waist, Taufatofua because that was all we could afford. “We But he was by no means the first cross- became an online sensation as he enthusi- drove through blizzards for eight hours in climate athlete. The Jamaican bobsled astically waved the flag of his tiny Pacific Iceland trying to avoid avalanches and team set the standard at the 1988 Calgary RIO DE JANEIRO: File photo taken on August 5, 2016, shows Tonga’s flagbearer Pita nation. raced across Armenia and Georgia. “To us, Olympics and were later immortalised in Taufatofua leading his delegation during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Within hours, he racked up 45 million that was the Olympic creed right there, it the film “Cool Runnings”. — AFP Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. — AFP

have won national ice hockey team places. enough to avoid humiliation when it hosts the Ice hockey sisters But while forward Hannah will play for the Olympics. South Korea has only 319 regis- US at next month’s Games, Seoul restored tered female hockey players of its own, Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah annually, as it face off for rival Marissa’s South Korean citizenship as it according to an International Ice Hockey Tournament of brings memories of one of Kuwait’s sought recruits to bolster its side, and she will Federation survey last year. Marissa was men who gave a lot and had many con- represent the country of her birth. identified as a likely prospect, and invited to tributions to Kuwait’s development. nations at It is a family story that blends issues of try out for the side in 2015. late Sheikh He said the late Sheikh was a leader identity, ethnicity and adoption against a It was the first time she had returned to that cared for the country’s interests, Olympics backdrop of sporting rivalry. As a young her birth country since her adoption, after Abdullah and was committed to the security of Asian girl growing up in an American family, years of distancing herself from its culture Kuwait. Marissa sought to ignore the colour of her and language. “I was excited and curious but Al-Osaimi said the club brings back SEOUL: They were born thousands of kilo- skin, and sought to emulate blonde, pale also nervous and didn’t know what to Al-Mubarak the good deeds of this generous per- metres apart but grew up together, skated Hannah. “I just wanted to fit in and not look expect,” she said. Sailing into the squad, she sonality, so that the young generation together, and went to school together. When different from my sister,” Marissa told AFP. received a South Korean passport the follow- can take it as an example in their lives. they take to the ice at the Pyeongchang ing year, and her jersey is emblazoned “Park begins today He said this tournament comes on Winter Olympics, though, the Brandt sisters NATIONAL PRIDE Yoon-Jung”, the name on her US adoption will once again represent different countries. Sport was one of the ways she did so, papers. “I chose to wear my Korean name on By Abdellatif Sharaa the heels of HH the Amir Seventh International Shooting Grand Prix, that Marissa was given up for adoption soon switching from figure skating to ice hockey to the back of my jersey because that was really follow in Hannah’s blade tracks. “We were my only tie to Korea,” she said. KUWAIT: Tournament of the Late was held in Kuwait from 12/1 until 19/1, after her birth in South Korea, one of hun- always best friends and did everything The past three years have been a journey Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah during which Kuwait shooters made dreds of thousands of children who found together,” said Hannah, 24. They played on of reconnection, and now Marissa loves to go Cup starts today at Sheikh Sabah Al- unprecented achievements as they new families overseas as the country-once the same teams-Marissa is a defender-until out for Korean style beef barbecue bulgogi Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex in competed with well established world known as the world’s top baby exporter- they went to different colleges. and meat dumplings, and cranking up K-pop the Olympic Skeet, Trap and double champions. underwent rapid industrialisation. And their trajectories moved even further music with her teammates in the locker room. trap for men, women and juniors. Al-Osaimi concluded by thanking Aged just four months, Greg and Robin apart when the Korea Ice Hockey Association Now, she says, “I consider myself Korean- Secretary General of Arab and the family of late Sheikh Abdullah Al- Brandt took her home to the frozen lakes of started scouring through colleges across American. Whereas before I would only con- Kuwait Shooting Federations Obaid Mubarak Al-Sabah for their continued Minnesota. Months later Robin gave birth to North America, looking for ethnic Korean sider myself American. “I can finally say that I Al-Osaimi said Kuwait Shooting support of the shooting sport. her sister Hannah. Typically for their state, the players as it scrambled to create a team good am proud to be Korean.” — AFP Sports Club is proud of organizing the He also wished shooters all success girls grew up skating regularly, and now both tournament of Late Sheikh Abdullah during the tournament. Cool runnings too organisation has again blackened the Korean skating host’s sporting reputation. as Malaysia, A short track coach was banned from back on thin ice the sport for life last week after admitting Singapore take up to physically assaulting Shim Suk-hee, one of the country’s top female skaters. ahead of The KSU also came under fire after Winter Olympics speed skater Noh Seon-yeong said she Pyeongchang no longer wanted to compete for the challenge national team due to favouritism in the SEOUL: Four years after the Korea selection process after an “administrative Skating Union (KSU) was supposed to error” almost cost her a place at the KUALA LUMPUR: In tropical Malaysia and have cleaned up its act, allegations of Games. Coupled with the fact that the Singapore, Winter Olympics medals are rarer favouritism and athlete mistreatment have KSU welcomed its former vice chairman than snowflakes-but a dedicated group of again roiled South Korean sport just athletes are hoping to change that as they Jeon back to the organisation last year, weeks ahead of the Pyeongchang Winter make their countries’ debut Games appear- the fresh controversies suggest the post- Olympics. ances. Sochi investigation has done little to fos- Short track powerhouse South Korea A Singaporean speed skater, as well as a ter long-lasting change in Korean skating. KUALA LUMPUR: File photo taken by and released courtesy of photographer Annice Lynn to AFP has won 21 of the 48 gold medals award- figure skater and skier from Malaysia will yesterday shows Malaysian figure skater Julian Yee taking part in a practice session in Kuala ed in the sport since it joined the Olympic compete in the Games, a huge achievement ‘CHRONIC PROBLEMS’ Lumpur on August 25, 2017. — AFP programme in 1992 but stories of for countries better known for palm-fringed A sports ministry official told Reuters destructive rivalries, physical abuse and beaches and year-round heat than winter favouritism have long cast a shadow over the incident involving Shim, who won sports. It is the latest sign of an unlikely, yet sue their dreams. train abroad during school holidays, in China the KSU. Public anger with the organisa- gold, silver and bronze medals in Sochi, growing, interest in ice and snow sports in a When growing up, the only places he and South Korea. tion boiled over in 2014 when Viktor Ahn, showed the KSU had not truly reformed. winterless, steamy region, where tempera- could find to practise were a handful of small, “People said: ‘Are you mad? You’re sacri- who won three gold medals for Korea at “The KSU released a statement after tures rarely drop below 20 degrees Celsius crowded rinks in the shopping malls scattered ficing all this money,’” his mother Irene the 2006 Games, won three more for the Sochi Olympics saying it would (68 Fahrenheit) in most places. around the capital Kuala Lumpur. Figure Cheow told AFP. “We’re looked at differently Russia in Sochi, raising questions about undergo reform in order to fix internal A major milestone for winter sports in the skating on the tiny rinks was “like trying to now.” Yee’s efforts paid off and he won gold what drove him to turn his back on his chronic problems such as factionalism region came last year when they featured for get an A380 (world’s biggest airliner) to land at last year’s Southeast Asian Games, and homeland. and unfairness in selecting athletes,” said the first time at the Southeast Asian Games in on a very small runway”, the 20-year-old told came eighth in the 2017 Asian Winter Games. With then-President Park Geun-hye the official. “But the Shim case shows Malaysia, with ice hockey, figure skating and AFP. But he persevered and began training in His crowning glory was qualification for demanding answers and the Sports those chronic problems are still there,” he speed skating making their debuts. But it was the morning and evening when the rinks were Pyeongchang, alongside Malaysian skier Ministry promising to “review the entire added. “The problem seems to lie in the not without problems-puddles formed on the less crowded. “I skated two times a day, six Jeffrey Webb. Speed skater Cheyenne Goh system,” the KSU’s vice chairman Jeon people who are running the federation, hockey rink during matches, slowing down days-sometimes six-and-a-half days-a has faced similar challenges in neighbouring Myung-gyu, widely reported to be the including the executive team.” the puck and forcing marshalls with week,” he said. Singapore, where even a modest cold snap most powerful figure in the short track The surprising absence of two Russian squeegees to dash onto the ice to mop up the can set the population shivering. This month a set-up, stepped down. skaters from their Olympic contingent has water. Figure skater Julian Yee, who will rep- ‘ARE YOU MAD?’ freak monsoon surge sent the mercury plum- The KSU has enjoyed a period of rela- since allowed speed skater Noh to regain resent Malaysia at next month’s Games, is There were no official programmes or meting to almost 21 degrees Celsius (70 tive calm over the last few years but with her spot at Pyeongchang but she told typical of athletes from the region who have funding for figure skating so Yee’s parents fahrenheit) — chilly by Singapore standards- the eyes of the world trained on Korea local media she was tired of favouritism had to overcome a lack of facilities, limited had to spend huge amounts of their own sending people rushing to the shops to buy ahead of the Feb. 9-25 Winter Games, the and bias at the KSU. — Reuters official support and public scepticism to pur- money on his training. They also sent him to scarves and winter jackets. — AFP Established 1961 13 Sports Thursday, February 1, 2018 Henrique’s two goals help Anaheim earn a 3-1 victory over Boston Pittsburgh defeat visiting San Jose BOSTON: For the first time in nearly two Rantanen had two assists. The Avalanche months, the Boston Bruins lost a game in took their third consecutive loss since the regulation. Adam Henrique had two goals end of their 10-game winning streak. and Jakob Silfverberg also scored to help Making matters worse for Colorado, the Anaheim Ducks earn a 3-1 victory Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s second- Tuesday in Boston, snapping the Bruins’ leading scorer, left in the second period league-best, 18-game points streak. with an upper-body injury. MacKinnon, Anaheim won its third straight game. hurt in a collision with Vancouver defense- Boston had won five straight and entered man Alex Edler along the end boards, went the night 14-0-4 since its last setback in to the dressing room favoring his left regulation, a 5-3 defeat at Nashville on shoulder. Dec. 4. John Gibson stopped all 25 shots he faced in net for the Ducks, but departed PENGUINS 5, SHARKS 2 with 7:25 remaining in the game after being Evgeni Malkin scored three goals, shaken up on a shot from Boston’s Patrice including the tiebreaker in the third period, Bergeron earlier in the period. He was as Pittsburgh defeated visiting San Jose. replaced by Ryan Miller, who finished with The go-ahead goal came when San Jose five saves. goalie Martin Jones tried to clear the puck from behind the cage. However, his pass WILD 3, BLUE JACKETS 2 (SO) went just a few feet, and Patric Hornqvist Zach Parise goal in the fourth round of a picked it off and quickly fed Malkin, who shootout gave Minnesota a 3-2 road victo- put it into the empty cage 6:01 into the ry over third for a 3- Columbus. 2 lead. Bryan Jason Zucker Rust added and Charlie his second Coyle scored Anton Forsberg goal of the COLUMBUS: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets makes a save on a wrap around shot by Joel Eriksson Ek #14 of the Minnesota in regulation game for Wild as Seth Jones #3 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks to clear any rebounds during the third period at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. as the Wild made 42 saves insurance Minnesota defeated Columbus 3-2. — AFP improved later in the their road for Chicago third period, with both the 1993-94 Florida Panthers and over Ottawa. Sebastian Aho tied the game five-on-three power play to net his 12th record to 10- and Malkin 1993-94 Anaheim Mighty Ducks for the earlier in the final period. Hurricanes goalie man-advantage marker of the campaign. 14-1. Panarin completed most wins by a first-year expansion team. Cam Ward stopped 29 shots. Jean-Gabriel Connor netted the game winner just after led the Blue his hat trick Pageau scored in the second period for the another power play expired when he Jackets with with an emp- BLUES 3, CANADIENS 1 Senators, who lost their sixth consecutive buried his second rebound opportunity a goal and an ty-net goal Ivan Barbashev, Patrik Berglund and game. Senators goalie Craig Anderson against Lightning goalie Louis assist in regulation time, while David with 1:13 left for the 5-2 lead. Rust finished Alexander Steen provided the scoring as made 37 saves. Domingue. Savard also tallied for the hosts. The loss with two goals and one assist. St. Louis maintained its momentum in the spoiled a 41-save effort from Columbus first game back from the All-Star break, JETS 3, LIGHTNING 1 BLACKHAWKS 2, PREDATORS 1 goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Minnesota GOLDEN KNIGHTS 4, FLAMES 2 beating visiting Montreal. The Blues have Michael Hutchinson won in his first Vinnie Hinostroza notched a goal and netminder Devan Dubnyk posted 28 saves Eric Haula and Jonathan Marchessault won three consecutive games. Goalie NHL action of the season, and second- an assist while Anton Forsberg made 42 for the win. stunned Calgary with goals 10 seconds Carter Hutton, who started his sixth period goals by Patrik Laine and Kyle saves as Chicago posted a road win over apart late in the third period, and visiting straight game, finished with 34 saves and Connor ignited host Winnipeg to a win Nashville. Chicago handed the Predators CANUCKS 4, AVALANCHE 3 (OT) Vegas scored three times during a 53-sec- was just 1 minute, 7 seconds away from his over league-leading Tampa Bay. just their fifth regulation loss at home this Sven Baertschi’s goal 1:07 into overtime ond span for the win. Moments after Haula third shutout of the year. Carey Price had Hutchinson, who was part of the AHL all- season. Forsberg came up with 22 saves in gave host Vancouver a victory over evened the game 2-2 with 1:45 remaining, 28 saves and took the hard-luck loss for star festivities in Utica, N.Y., on Monday, the third period to guide the Blackhawks Colorado. Bo Horvat, Michael Del Zotto Marchessault potted the winner. David the Canadiens, who have lost three of their took to the net for his first big-league across the finish line, including five on the and Daniel Sedin also scored for the Perron added an empty-netter with 53 sec- past four games. start since last season and provided a Predators’ only power play of the night. Canucks, while Chris Tanev had three onds left to round out the scoring. The 23-save performance to reward Jets He also got some help from the goal post, assists. Gabriel Landeskog led the Golden Knights, who sit atop the Pacific HURRICANES 2, SENATORS 1 coach Paul Maurice on his 51st birthday. which denied Austin Watson a potential Avalanche with two goals, J.T. Compher Division and Western Conference, won for Victor Rask scored on a third-period Laine erased a 1-0 deficit early in the tying tally about five minutes into the supplied a single marker, and Mikko the 33rd time this season, which ties them power play, lifting host Carolina to a win second period by taking advantage of a period. — Reuters NHL results/standings

First McIlroy, Anaheim 3; Boston 1; New Jersey 3; Buffalo 1; Florida 4; NY Islanders 1; Pittsburgh 5; San Jose 2; Carolina 2; Ottawa 1; Minnesota 3; Columbus 2 (SO); St. Louis 3; Montreal 1; Chicago 2; Nashville 1; Winnipeg 3; Tampa Bay 1; Los Angeles 3; Dallas 0; Las Vegas 4; Calgary 2; Vancouver 4; now Malaysia as Colorado 3 (OT).

Eastern Conference Western Conference China’s Li aims Atlantic Division Central Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Winnipeg 30 13 8 167 137 68 Tampa Bay 34 13 3 176 128 71 Nashville 29 12 7 146 125 65 to extend streak Boston 29 11 8 157 119 66 St. Louis 31 18 3 151 131 65 Toronto 28 18 5 162 146 61 Dallas 28 19 4 155 137 60 Florida 20 22 6 136 159 46 Minnesota 27 18 5 147 142 59 KUALA LUMPUR: China’s rising golf sensa- Detroit 19 21 8 126 146 46 Colorado 27 18 4 160 143 58 tion Li Haotong hopes his life-changing win Montreal 20 24 6 130 159 46 Chicago 24 19 7 148 137 55 over Rory McIlroy will pave the way for Ottawa 15 24 9 125 168 39 Pacific Division another title quest at this week’s Maybank Buffalo 14 27 9 115 166 37 Las Vegas 33 12 4 168 130 70 Championship in Malaysia. Metropolitan Division San Jose 26 16 7 145 138 59 The 22-year-old became the first Chinese Washington 29 15 5 150 138 63 Los Angeles 27 18 5 142 121 59 men’s golfer to break into the world top 50 Pittsburgh 28 21 3 156 155 59 Anaheim 25 17 9 144 142 59 after he edged four-time Major winner New Jersey 25 16 8 147 147 58 Calgary 25 17 8 139 139 58 Columbus 27 19 4 133 140 58 Edmonton 22 24 3 135 157 47 McIlroy at the Dubai Desert Classic last Philadelphia 24 17 8 141 141 56 Vancouver 20 24 6 131 162 46 week. Brimming with confidence after out- NY Rangers 25 20 5 153 151 55 Arizona 12 29 9 118 172 33 classing the Irishman, the now 32nd-ranked NY Islanders 25 21 5 173 184 55 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the Li is aiming for another good outing. DUBAI: File photo shows Li Haotong of China plays a shot during the Dubai Desert Classic at Carolina 23 19 8 139 155 54 standings and are not included in the loss column (L) “Sometimes one week can change every- Emirates Golf Club on January 28, 2018, in Dubai. — AFP thing, sometimes it doesn’t happen. My game is pretty solid, and I’ve been putting with Li at the $3.0 million event as he seeks optimistic of another good week after creat- well,” said Li, ahead of Thursday’s opening his first individual victory on Asian soil. ing fond memories at the Maybank round. “Now I would like to get an individual Championship last year. “This week I’ll try to save as much energy victory in Asia, and this is one of the oppor- The 32-year-old carved his name into the and have low scores. It’s a little bit warmer tunities,” said Stenson, 41. record books after becoming the first player out here, but I’ll go out and try to enjoy the “If you’ve got a chance to win a golf tour- in European Tour history to notch nine con- he was not focused. pressure. The key is good tee shots and to nament anywhere in the world these days, secutive birdies. Also in the hunt is Just two years on from attaining his get low scores.” you’ve got to play well and we’ll see if we Paraguay’s defending champion Fabrizio Tomic wants to highest world ranking of 17, Tomic is cur- In Kuala Lumpur three weeks ago, Li can get that going this week.” The world Zanotti, who produced one of the biggest rently 168th, with Davis Cup captain gave Team Asia two-and-a-half points in number 12 is in good form coming into the comebacks of 2017 to win by a single stroke. return to tennis Lleyton Hewitt saying Monday he was their 14-10 defeat to Europe at the Ryder European Tour and Asian Tour event after Joining in the title race are Thailand’s big doubtful the Australian would ever play Cup-style EurAsia Cup. consecutive top-10 finishes at the Abu hitter Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Englishman for the team again. Top-ranked Henrik Stenson, who played Dhabi Championship and Dubai. Lee Westwood, who previously won the SYDNEY: Australian tennis bad boy Tomic’s exit from the show garnered for Team Europe, is expected to contend Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger will also be Malaysian Open. — AFP Bernard Tomic said he had a “huge wake-up call” after taking part in a reali- little sympathy from other Australian ty TV show, leaving the programme early professional sportsmen, who took to to return to the sporting world. Tomic, 25, Twitter to slam his actions, including they play Japan at the National Stadium in encing similar selections, tactics and has been pilloried for his poor attitude neglecting a charity he had supported All Blacks take Tokyo on Nov. 3. preparation. during a season to forget in 2017 where which helps sick children. “We’re delighted to confirm that a “It will be great for the team to prepare he admitted he was bored, and earlier “Ya got millions Tomic so while your Bledisloe Cup Bledisloe Cup test match will be played in in two of the Rugby World Cup cities and this month missed out on the Australian (sic) busy counting it all when you get Japan for the second time in the history of play at the same venues,” Hansen said of Open after losing in the qualifiers. back home how’s bout you donate 10k to this great rivalry,” NZR chief executive the two clashes in Japan. “As well as He then took part in commercial your charity that have missed out on clash to Japan Steve Tew said in a statement yesterday. preparing for a huge Bledisloe Cup test and broadcaster Channel Ten’s reality show much needed $$$,” retired Australian “The last match in 2009 was a fantastic another important test against Japan, it’ll “I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!”, rules footballer Dane Swan tweeted. with eye on 2019 event but this year’s test at the 72,000-seat also give the team a chance to have a really held in South Africa, but pulled out after Veteran Australian NBA star Andrew stadium in Yokohama will be at another lev- good ‘dummy run’ of the facilities, and just three days. “I don’t want to spend Bogut wrote on Twitter that he believed el. “The All Blacks have huge support in experience the unique Japanese culture.” half my time depressed here and thinking Tomic’s TV stint was “all orchestrated”. WELLINGTON: New Zealand Rugby Japan, so the Bledisloe Cup test will be The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe about how I played the last year and “Spin off - The Biggest Loser has (NZR) have confirmed the third Bledisloe important for the team as we build support Cup, the symbol of trans-Tasman where I should be,” Tomic said on the announced contestant Bernie! Can they Cup clash with Australia later this year will ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019.” supremacy, since 2003. The first Bledisloe programme aired late Tuesday as he help get his career back on track.....??? be held in the Yokohama Stadium, the ven- All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said Cup test, which doubles as the opening explained his departure to other partici- The suspense!” ue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. having two tests on consecutive weeks in clash of the Rugby Championship, is in pants. Retired football player Sarah Walsh NZR had already signalled they were Japan would also help the side acclimatise Sydney on Aug. 18, with the second match “And me being here with my thoughts took a different stance, stating on the keen on taking the trans-Tasman clash to for the 2019 World Cup. Hansen conduct- at Auckland’s Eden Park on Aug. 25. After now has just gave me a huge wake-up social media website that Tomic “clearly Japan after announcing in May that they ed a similar exercise in 2014 when he the Japan game, the All Blacks then face call ... I need to be competing and play- needs help not ridicule”. “Simply just a would face the Brave Blossoms before primed the All Blacks for their 2015 World Eddie Jones’s England side at Twickenham ing in what I do best and that’s why I’ve kid that’s battling some form of depres- heading to Europe for the end-of-year tour. Cup-winning campaign by replicating the on Nov. 10, before meeting Ireland in decided to leave.” Tomic blamed himself sion and happens to be good at tennis,” The world champion All Blacks face the final four weeks of the tournament on their Dublin on Nov. 17. They conclude their for his situation over the past year, saying she wrote. — AFP Wallabies on Oct. 27 in Yokohama before end-of-season tour, with the team experi- tour against Italy on Nov. 24. — Reuters 14 Established 1961 Sports Thursday, February 1, 2018 Mominul’s unbeaten ton powers Bangladesh to 374-4 on day one Lakmal claims two wickets off successive deliveries

CHITTAGONG: Mominul Haque hit a towering century SCOREBOARD to help Bangladesh take opening day honours in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Chittagong yesterday. Mominul hit an unbeaten 175 as the hosts reached 374- CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh: Scoreboard at stumps 4 at stumps after electing to bat first at the Zahur on the opening day of the first Test between Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Chittagong yesterday: The left-hander shared a 236-run third-wicket stand with former captain Mushfiqur Rahim, who fell just short of his fifth Test hundred after scoring 92 off 192 Bangladesh first innings balls. Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad, on nine, was batting Tamim Iqbal b D. Perera 52 Imrul Kayes lbw b Sandakan 40 Mominul Haque not out 175 We were very Mushfiqur Rahim c Dickwella b Lakmal 92 Liton Das b Lakmal 0 positive and attacking Mahmudullah not out 9 from ball one Extras (nb 4, w2) 6 Total (four wickets; 90 overs) 374 To bat: Mosaddek Hossain, Mehedi Hasan, Taijul alongside Mominul when stumps were drawn at the Islam, Sunzamul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman start of the two-match series. Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Tamim), 2-120 (Kayes), 3-356 Opener Tamim Iqbal gave the hosts a strong start CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh cricketer Mominul Haque reacts after scoring a century (100 runs) during the first with his brisk 52 and said it was “a fantastic day” for day of the first cricket Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in (Mushfiqur), 4-356 (Liton) Bangladesh. “We were very positive and attacking Chittagong yesterday. — AFP from ball one. It was nice to see.” Bowling: Lakmal 17-3-43-2 (nb2), Kumara 12-1-64-0 Suranga Lakmal struck with the second new ball to (w1), D. Perera 24-4-98-1 (nb2), Herath 20-1-100-0, claim two wickets off successive deliveries and give Sri The 26-year-old posted his fifth Test century and his our part...” he said. Mominul’s masterful display at his Lanka some respite late into the final session. Lakmal, first in more than three years off just 96 balls, with favourite ground came after Bangladesh had lost both Sandakan 13-1-58-1 (w1), Dhananjaya 4-0-11-0 who returned figures of 2-43, forced Mushfiqur to edge back-to-back fours off left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan openers, Tamim and Imrul Kayes, in the morning ses- behind the stumps after he had struck 10 fours in his Sandakan. He then hit Herath for his only six to reach sion. Tamim made 52 off 53 balls, sharing a 72-run relatively sedate innings. 160 and bring up his 2,000 Test runs in his 47th opening stand with Kayes (40), until off-spinner Sri Lanka: D. Karunaratne, D. de Silva, K. Mendis, D. The medium-pacer bowled Liton Das for a duck innings. Dilruwan Perera bowled him with a beautiful delivery Chandimal, N. Dickwella, R. Silva, D. Perera, R. Herath, with the next ball, which swung late to uproot the off- Mominul was the fastest Bangladeshi to achieve the that pitched outside off-stump and spun sharply. stump after the batsman had attempted to leave the feat, overtaking Tamim’s record of 53 innings. Sri Tamim struck six fours, and a sweetly timed six off S. Lakmal, L. Sandakan, L. Kumara. delivery. But Mominul was dominant at the other end, Lankan batting coach Thilan Samaraweera was full of Perera over long-on, in his 25th Test fifty. Sandakan hitting 16 fours and a six off veteran spinner Rangana praise for Mominul, who is nicknamed Mini. “We should trapped Kayes leg-before on the stroke of lunch, end- Herath during his stay, which has lasted 203 balls so far. have bowled better than that. It is 40 runs too many for ing the left-hander’s 75-ball stay. — AFP

one-day or T20 status, barring the isolated kingdom of Nepal’s ‘Shane Bhutan. Lamichhane credits Nepal’s senior players with pop- ularising the sport among young people in a football- Eagles back-up Warne’ keen to mad country. “The senior guys have done something for the new guys who are coming right now into the teams, Foles ready to soak up IPL and their contributions have made our country a crick- et-crazy nation,” he said. Lamichhane’s talent was first noticed by former seize chance experience Nepal national cricket coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who spotted him at a training camp in 2015. The spin- bowling sensation then attracted the attention of MINNEAPOLIS: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback KATHMANDU: Nepal leg-spinner Sandeep Australian great Michael Clarke, when he played along- Nick Foles is one win away from claiming his first Lamichhane says his breakthrough Indian Premier side the former captain in a Hong Kong Twenty20 Blitz Super Bowl crown. Next season, he could be out of League deal will give him the chance to play alongside tournament in 2016. a job. The 29-year-old Texan has confounded the the cricketing elite and promote the sport back at Clarke invited Lamichhane to train at his cricket sceptics since stepping up to start after a serious home. academy in Sydney, an experience the teenager knee injury sidelined rising star Carson Wentz in Lamichhane, 17, became an overnight hero after described as unforgettable. “Playing with a player like week 14 of the regular season. becoming Nepal’s first cricketer to enter the lucrative Michael Clarke is such as a big thing. It was amazing Foles produced an electrifying performance in IPL, with Delhi Daredevils picking him in a mega auc- and sharing a dressing room with him and getting the NFC Championship game on January 21, putting tion Sunday. His name was splashed across front pages experience from him, it was something like a dream the best defense in the league to the sword as the of national newspapers and thousands took to social come true,” he said. Eagles routed the Minnesota Vikings 38-7. media to express their excitement. Prime Minister Sher Yet even if Foles inspires the Eagles to an upset Bahadur Deuba tweeted, “Not just me, but the entire ‘NEW HEIGHTS’ win against the New England Patriots in the Super nation is proud of you.” Lamichhane is currently in Dubai training with Sandeep Lamichhane Bowl on Sunday, he is expected to return to a back- Lamichhane, who has been likened to spin legend Nepal’s national team ahead of the World Cricket up role next season when Wentz returns to full fit- Shane Warne, made the meteoric rise to the IPL just League Division Two tournament in Namibia next ness. Foles is philosophical about what his future two years after being selected for Nepal’s national month. Nepal must finish in the top two to take part in small fry in the cash-rich IPL, which shelled out a total may hold, insisting that for now, all he is thinking team. “If you get the chance to play in the IPL, lots of the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe in March. It has of $70 million for 169 players during the two-day auc- about is this weekend’s shot at glory. players will be there who are very experienced guys never qualified for the World Cup. tion. But back home, many hope his success will revive “I’m grateful to be here, to be part of this organi- and I think I will learn a lot,” Lamichhane, the son of a The sport’s development has been hampered by the the country’s scandal-tainted domestic cricket. zation,” Foles told reporters on Tuesday. railway worker, told AFP in Dubai. country’s turbulent recent history, including a 1996- The controversy had hampered Nepali cricket and “I can’t wait to play the game. After the game, Lamichhane’s Delhi teammates will include 2006 civil war, and endemic corruption. The Cricket young talented players were losing out, said CAN’s that’s where you have time to sort of reflect on the Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and pacemen Association of Nepal (CAN) was struck off by the Chumbi Lama. “(Lamichhane) is a young talented crick- year, and that’s what we’ll do. Trent Boult (New Zealand) and Kagiso Rabada (South sport’s global governing body in 2016 for political inter- eter and an impressive leg spinner,” Lama said. “ If he “I’ll spend time with my family and use that fami- Africa), among others. The teenager is expected to ference. gets good guidance his future is very bright. He will ly time. The future will take care of itself. I’m grate- make Nepal more of a force in international cricket. Lamichhane’s base price contract of $31,499 may be lead Nepali cricket to new heights.” —AFP ful to have signed a two-year deal with the They are the only South Asian nation not to have Test, Philadelphia Eagles and be here. “And I’m excited to watch Carson get healthy and get back on his feet and hopefully being part of him getting back to where he was.” Latif’s appeal ICC probes UAE Unfulfilled promise? Foles’ career had looked set to be one of unful- against league after silly filled promise until this season’s run to the Super Bowl. In his second year in the NFL in 2013, he went 8-2 as a starter, but injuries hampered his spot-fixing ban dismissals go viral development and he was traded to the St Louis Rams in 2015. rejected DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is inves- He was released by the Rams in 2016, heading to tigating a private Twenty20 league in the United Arab the Kansas City Chiefs. After being released by the KARACHI: Former Pakistan opener Khalid Latif yes- Emirates, the sport’s global governing body has said, Chiefs in March, he joined the Eagles as Wentz’s terday lost an appeal against a five-year ban for spot- Khalid Latif after footage of some farcical dismissals went viral on back-up. When Wentz suffered his injury in fixing but had his one million rupee ($10,000) fine social media. December, Foles was thrust into the starting spot. waived, the country’s cricket body said. A match in the Ajman All Stars League, which is not “Anytime you step in for a guy who’s injured it’s Adjudicator Justice Faqir Khokhar upheld the ban, and is therefore harder to detect than match-fixing. sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), saw tough,” Foles said. “You never want to see anyone saying there was “overwhelming” evidence against Sharjeel was also banned for five years-two and a half several batsmen appear to throw their wickets in bizarre get injured. And I worked with Carson every day. Latif, but waived the fine as his career was almost years suspended and his appeal was rejected last fashion, by running themselves out or getting stumped “And we’re people-it is a game but we’re people, over, Pakistan Cricket Board lawyer Taffazul Rizvi told November. without trying to return to the crease, even when the and we care for one another. To step into the huddle reporters in Lahore. Paceman Mohammad Irfan and spinner Mohammad wicketkeeper fumbled. and go out there it takes time.” Latif, who had shown tremendous early promise as Nawaz were banned for one year and two months “There is currently an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit The scale of the task facing the Eagles quarter- a cricketer but failed to make an impact at interna- respectively for not reporting fixing offers. Another (ACU) investigation underway in relation to the Ajman All back when he lines up against five-time Super Bowl tional level, played five one-day internationals and 13 former opener Nasir Jamshed-alleged to have played Stars League held recently in Ajman, UAE,” ACU general champion Tom Brady is highlighted by their age dif- T20Is, the last of which was against the West Indies in a role as coordinator in the PSL fixing deal-was manager Alex Marshall said in a statement. ference. When Brady was winning his first Super Abu Dhabi in September 2016. banned for one year for not cooperating with the “The ICC Anti-Corruption Unit works to uphold Bowl in 2002, Foles had only just turned 13. Foles The scandal surfaced during the second edition of inquiry. integrity in cricket and in keeping with that role, we are however says he can’t remember watching Brady in the Pakistan Super League in February last year when The decision against another international player, talking to players and officials and will not make any fur- a Super Bowl. “Honestly I didn’t watch a lot of foot- Latif was playing for Islamabad United. Latif, 32, was Shahzaib Hasan, was reserved and will be announced ther comment at this time.” The Ajman Cricket Council ball growing up,” he said. “My dad always wanted charged with orchestrating a deal with a bookie that on Saturday. Pakistani cricket has long been tainted by (ACC) has suspended all matches at the Ajman Oval. me to and always wondered why I didn’t. “But I was would see his fellow opener Sharjeel Khan deliberate- allegations of spot-fixing. The most infamous incident “... we found the Ajman Oval breaching the code always out there in the yard playing the game. I ly playing two dot balls — deliveries off which no run came on the 2010 tour of England, when then-captain more than once and hence we have suspended their would come in is scored-in the opening match against Peshawar Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and affiliation,” ACC secretary general Shaji Ul Mulk told and out and watch bits of the Super Bowl but I Zalmi in Dubai. Mohammad Asif were all given prison sentences for ESPNcricinfo. “We have a zero tolerance policy towards always just loved playing the game in the yard. If I Spot-fixing involves determining the outcome of a consiring to bowl deliberate no-balls in the fourth Test corruption and are cooperating with the ICC in their did see them I don’t remember.” — AFP specific part of a match rather than the overall result, at Lord’s. — AFP ongoing investigation.” — Reuters Established 1961 15 Sports Thursday, February 1, 2018 Kylian Mbappe sent off as PSG reach French League Cup final Referee Mikael again turned to video technology

PARIS: Holders Paris Saint-Germain edged into the tacular strikes, broke the deadlock in the 24th minute French League Cup final by beating Rennes 3-2 at with a wonderful finish from the edge of the area. The Roazhon Park on Tuesday, despite seeing Kylian 26-year-old barged his way through a couple of tackles Mbappe sent off on his return from injury. Thomas before flicking the bouncing ball with the outside of his Meunier put the visitors ahead with a magnificent vol- right foot, sending it looping over Diallo and in off the ley, before Rennes winger Wahbi Khazri had a goal far post for his fourth goal of the season. ruled out for handball after a video assistant referee review. Brazilian defender Marquinhos tapped in after KHAZRI GOAL OVERTURNED half-time, before Giovani Lo Celso was gifted PSG’s The hosts thought they had equalised when Khazri third goal by a dreadful mistake from home goalkeeper took advantage of some woeful defending to stab into Abdoulaye Diallo. Mbappe saw red after another VAR the corner, but the referee checked the VAR which decision for a terrible foul on showed that the former Ismaila Sarr, but consolations Sunderland player’s first from Diafra Sakho on his touch had bounced off his Rennes debut and Sanjin arm. Prcic couldn’t prevent PSG Mbappe had the ball in from continuing their bid for I think the the back of the net early in a fifth consecutive League the second half but saw the Cup. “I think the team kept team kept calm goal ruled out for offside, calm and patient in the first with the decision upheld half, and then we made the in the first half after another video review. difference,” said PSG coach The runaway Ligue 1 Unai Emery. “But Kylian’s red leaders did double their tally card gave them some oppor- in the 54th minute as centre- tunities to score and get back Marquinhos was on closer to us... But I’m happy with the way the players hand to tap in after Diallo parried Angel Di Maria’s responded.” shot. Diallo was totally at fault for the third, as the PSG are still on track to complete an unprecedented Senegalese stopper allowed Lo Celso’s tame effort to quadruple of the Ligue 1, Champions League, French slip through his legs and bobble into the net. Mbappe Cup and French League Cup titles, after extending their was given a straight red card in the 63rd minute to give winning streak in domestic cup competitions to 37 Rennes a glimmer of hope. The 19-year-old twice tried RENNES: Rennes’ French forward Thomas Brandon (L) and Rennes’ French defender Joris Gnagnon (R) jump for the ball during matches. The capital club will face either Monaco or to foul Sarr, and succeeded by raking his studs down the French League Cup football semi-final match between Rennes and Paris Saint-Germain at the Roazhon Park stadium in Montpellier, who play at the Stade Louis II, in the final the back of the Rennes midfielder’s leg while making Rennes on Tuesday. — AFP on March 31. Emery made six changes to the team zero attempt to play the ball. Referee Mikael Lesage which thrashed Montpellier 4-0 in the league on again turned to the video technology before giving Saturday, with Mbappe returning from a two-game Mbappe his marching orders. minute. French international Lassana Diarra was intro- minutes for the away side. Although they held on to injury absence and Edinson Cavani rested after break- Sakho, who had come on at half-time for his debut duced for his first PSG appearance since signing last book their spot in the final, Paris will need to improve ing the club’s all-time goalscoring record at the week- after joining Rennes from Premier League outfit West week, but a long-range strike from Prcic slipped before the first leg of their Champions League last-16 end. Belgian right-back Meunier, no stranger to spec- Ham, headed home his first goal for the club in the 85th through Kevin Trapp’s grasp to set up a nervy final two tie at Real Madrid on February 14. — AFP

Swansea stun Arsenal, Higuain, Buffon Liverpool cruise put Juventus on

LONDON: Petr Cech’s howler rocked Arsenal as they brink of Cup final crashed to a shock 3-1 defeat at Swansea, while Liverpool cruised to victory over Huddersfield on Tuesday. Arsenal goalkeeper Cech’s miscued attempt to BERGAMO: Gonzalo Higuain scored after three clear allowed Jordan Ayew to slot home Swansea’s sec- minutes and Gianluigi Buffon saved a penalty as ond goal at the Liberty Stadium. Juventus stayed on track for a fourth straight It was the killer blow for Arsenal, who had already Italian Cup on Tuesday with a 1-0 semi-final, first seen Sam Clucas equalise just one minute after Nacho leg win at Atalanta. Monreal put the visitors ahead from Mesut Ozil’s pass Buffon-making his first appearance in goal since in the 33rd minute. Clucas claimed his second four min- turning 40 and after a two-month layoff with a calf utes from time to finish off Arsenal, who have now won injury-showed he was back at his best as he made just once in their last five league games. his first Cup appearance since 2012. The result leaves Gunners manager Arsene Wenger The holders got on the scoresheet in Bergamo still searching for his first away win of 2018, despite a after just two-and-a-half minutes when Argentine second-half debut for substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan Higuain found a way through the Atalanta defence following his move from Manchester United. and curled into the corner. It was the quickest goal The Gunners are in sixth place, trailing eight points this season for Massimiliano Allegri’s side who are behind fourth-placed Liverpool in the race to qualify sitting second in Serie A behind Napoli. for the Champions League via a top-four finish. The SWANSEA: Arsenal’s Spanish defender Nacho Monreal (L) vies with Swansea City’s English defender Kyle Naughton during the Atalanta thought they would level when the arrival of Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick English Premier League football match between Swansea City and Arsenal at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea.— AFP video assistant referee (VAR) awarded a penalty Aubameyang, set to sign on Wednesday’s transfer deadline day, can’t come soon enough for Wenger. after Medhi Benatia handled in the box, but Alejandro Gomez’s spot-kick was saved by the “We will know more about that tomorrow morning,” Swansea in the league and West Brom in the FA Cup. moments. Overall it was absolutely deserved,” Klopp evergreen Buffon. Wenger said of the Aubameyang move. “I felt defen- said. “It was exactly what we needed. It was not a bril- sively we were very poor and made big mistakes. It’s ‘MATURE PERFORMANCE’ liant performance, but it was very mature and exactly Buffon got down low to hold the Argentine’s better not to talk about the second or third goals. But Jurgen Klopp’s men dominated possession and what we needed at the right moment.” A Mark Noble driven effort to the left. “I am glad we honoured “Swansea were sharp, disciplined and hungry. from the moment Emre Can rocketed home a long- penalty helped West Ham shrug off the disappointment the Italian Cup again this year,” said Juventus Unfortunately I believe we were not good enough, we range opener in the 26th minute the result was never in of their embarrassing FA Cup fourth round defeat at coach Massimiliano Allegri. “It’s an important were not disciplined enough.” doubt. Firmino extended Liverpool’s lead on the stroke Wigan with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Crystal result, although nothing is decided until the second The result also completes remarkable back-to-back of half-time when he somehow squeezed the ball home Palace. leg.” Higuain missed a chance for a second after victories for Swansea over Liverpool and now Arsenal. from the byline after being played in by a clever Sadio Roy Hodgson’s much-improved Eagles grabbed the half an hour with two Blaise Matuidi efforts They are out of the relegation zone and have trans- Mane back-heel. Klopp had left Dutch defender Virgil lead in the 24th minute when Christian Benteke rose to deflected over the bar. Buffon again saved two formed their season with three wins in five league van Dijk on the bench, but the absence of the club- steer an Andros Townsend cross home from close quick-fire attempts from top Atalanta scorer games under new boss Carlos Carvalhal. record signing was hardly noticed as the Reds contin- range. But the Hammers were level just before the break Gomez after the break, tipping over the second. At the John Smith’s Stadium, Liverpool got back on ued in cruise control. after Javier Hernandez was brought down by James “I’m happy for Gigi (Buffon), who hadn’t played track in emphatic fashion thanks to goals from Emre Salah completed the scoring from the penalty spot in Tomkins in the box. Hernandez came closest to a win- in the Italian Cup for five years,” Allegri added. “He Can, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in a 3-0 win. the 78th minute after Can was tripped up in the box. ner when his 51st-minute effort was brilliantly saved by hasn’t forgotten everything he knew just for being The Reds had endured frustrating defeats against “We had to keep the ball and score at the right Wayne Hennessey. — AFP out of action for 45 days. “He had a rest for a few weeks, perhaps he needed to put his feet up, but he’s back now and he’s our first-choice goalkeeper. “Wojciech KIB football team Szczesny did well in his absence and is a champion, but Buffon is Buffon.” completes training Despite beating league leaders Napoli at the San Paolo Stadium to advance to the semi-finals, Atalanta could not find a way past Juventus who for 2018 Kuwait controlled the game. Higuain came close late on and Buffon again saved his team three minutes Banking Club League from time when he blocked Andrea Petagna’s point-blank shot. Allegri’s men now just have to maintain their advantage when they host Atalanta KUWAIT: Within the framework of its social responsi- in the return leg on February 28 in Turin. bility program aimed at supporting sports activities and AC Milan and Lazio face each other in the sec- youth, the Kuwait International Bank (KIB) football ond semi-final at the San Siro. — AFP team recently completed its training for this year’s annual Kuwait Banking Club Football League. On this occasion, Corporate Communications Officer at KIB, Ahmed Alenzi, said: “In preparation for this sea- son’s tournament, our very own KIB team has complet- ed yet another intensive training session. Now ready for a new season, the KIB football team hosts a number of Matches on TV highly-skilled, physically fit players that is sure to land (Local Timings) us amongst this season’s winners.” Alenzi added that the KIB team enjoys the manage- KIB football team. ment’s ongoing support in participating in this thrilling SPAIN COPA DEL REY tournament. In turn, their encouragement will play a ry. At the end, Alezni pointed out that, as part of its focused activities and initiatives. By doing so, the Bank Barcelona v Valencia 23:30 crucial role in boosting the team’s morale, undoubtedly leading social responsibility program, KIB remains aims at promoting increased involvement in sports and beIN SPORTS HD 3 impacting their performance and leading them to victo- dedicated towards supporting youth and sports- healthy lifestyles. Established 1961 Sport

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1، 2018

Greased lightning! Tongan pin-up Mominul’s unbeaten ton powers Kylian Mbappe sent off as PSG 12makes ‘crazy’ Olympics return 14 Bangladesh to 374-4 on day one 15 reach French League Cup final

HOUSTON: Gerald Green #14 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic on Tuesday at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.— AFP Historic night for Harden in Rockets’ win No Love in Cavaliers’ loss, Wizards win without Wall

LOS ANGELES: James Harden scored a franchise-record first quarter. LeBron James led the Cavs with 21 points. the closing minutes, as host San Antonio outlasted Denver. which was playing without leading scorer Rondae Hollis- 60 points while posting a triple-double, almost single- Jamal Murray’s 3-pointer with 31.6 seconds left gave the Jefferson (groin), dropped its fourth game in a row. handedly carrying the short-handed Houston Rockets to a JAZZ 129, WARRIORS 99 Nuggets a final chance, but Will Barton missed from DeMarre Carroll had 13 points to lead five Nets who 114-107 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic on Ricky Rubio scored 23 points and dished out 11 assists beyond the arc with 1.5 seconds to go, allowing the Spurs scored in double figures. Tuesday. Harden shot 19 of 30 from the floor and 17 of 18 while Joe Ingles and Donovan Mitchell each chipped in 20 to escape with the win. Kyle Anderson and Pau Gasol at the line while adding 10 rebounds and 11 assists. With points to lead Utah past Golden State in Salt Lake City. added 18 points each for the Spurs, who have won four of RAPTORS 109, TIMBERWOLVES 104 Houston missing three rotation players, Harden logged a Derrick Favors added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the their past five games. All five Denver starters scored in DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points as Toronto edged season-high 46 minutes. His 60-point triple-double was Jazz, who snapped a five-game losing streak to Golden double figures, led by Jamal Murray’s 18 points. visiting Minnesota. DeRozan produced his 36th game with the first in NBA history. With the game deadlocked at 107- State extending back to the 2017 NBA Playoffs. Utah at least 20 points despite shooting 6 of 18 from the floor 107, Harden nailed a step-back jumper with just under two handed the defending NBA champions their most lopsided KINGS 114, PELICANS 103 and missing 5 of 6 3-point tries. The All-Star guard made minutes left before drilling a 3-pointer through a Mario loss of the season. Klay Thompson scored 27 points to Zach Randolph had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and 10 of 11 free throws and scored eight of his points in the Hezonja foul with 45.4 seconds to play. Harden completed lead the Warriors. Kevin Durant added 17 points while Sacramento pulled away for a win over host New Orleans. fourth quarter. Jonas Valanciunas added 18 points and 11 the four-point play to surpass Calvin Murphy (57 points) Stephen Curry and JaVale McGee chipped in 14 apiece. Kosta Koufos added 17 points and 17 rebounds for the rebounds for his 16th double-double as Toronto beat in franchise annals. Orlando hung tough by placing six in Kings. De’Aaron Fox and Garrett Temple scored 15 each, Minnesota for the 14th straight time at home. Jimmy Butler double figures, led by Hezonja and Marreese Speights with TRAIL BLAZERS 104, CLIPPERS 96 and George Hill had 14. Anthony Davis had 23 points and scored 25 points for the Timberwolves. 17 points apiece. Damian Lillard scored 28 points as Portland held off a 13 rebounds to lead the Pelicans, who fell to 0-2 since los- late surge by host Los Angeles for the win. CJ McCollum ing All-Star forward DeMarcus Cousins to a season-end- WIZARDS 102, THUNDER 96 PISTONS 125, CAVALIERS 114 added 16 points and Jusuf Nurkic collected 14 points and ing Achilles injury. New Orleans had won seven of eight Host Washington responded to some bad news about Stanley Johnson scored a career-high 26 points, and 20 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who have won three in a prior to Cousins’ injury. Jrue Holiday added 21 points, and All-Star John Wall with a spirited victory over red-hot Detroit snapped an eight-game losing streak by defeating row and six of their past seven outings. Lou Williams Ian Clark scored a season-high 20. Oklahoma City. Otto Porter had 25 points while Bradley visiting Cleveland. Johnson also grabbed 10 rebounds, scored 20 points off the bench for the Clippers, who lost Beal added scored 21 for the Wizards, who snapped the while Detroit’s Andre Drummond piled up 21 points, 22 for the fourth in six games. However, Williams was only 5 KNICKS 111, NETS 95 visiting Thunder’s league-best eight game winning streak. rebounds, seven assists, three steals and three blocks. of 26 from the field, missing 16 shots in a row after a 4-of- Kristaps Porzingis had 28 points and Enes Kanter Wall will undergo a procedure on his sore left knee today, Reggie Bullock supplied 22 points, Anthony Tolliver had 20 8 start. added 20 points and 20 rebounds as New York completed and he will be out six to eight weeks. Paul George scored and Ish Smith added 19 points and seven assists for the a season sweep of visiting Brooklyn. The Knicks, who won 20 of his 28 points in the first half and Carmelo Anthony Pistons. Cleveland lost All-Star forward Kevin Love in the SPURS 106, NUGGETS 104 their first three games over the Nets this season by an added 19 for Oklahoma City. Steven Adams contributed 16 early going. Love broke a bone in his left hand after LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points and Manu average of more than 14 points, picked up their second points and 12 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook had 13 Tolliver tried to swipe the ball away from him during the Ginobili added 14, including a 3-pointer and a jumper in straight win following three consecutive losses. Brooklyn, points and 10 assists. — Reuters

driver on the starting grid since the 1970s but is far more Formula One to mixed off the track, with female engineers and mechanics as well as in media and marketing. Two of the 10 teams have had female bosses, including stop using female former champions Williams, and Formula One management has a number of women in senior positions. The use of female models, even if not as scantily-clad as in the past, models on the grid has been increasingly criticised in a sport that is now under US-based ownership following Liberty Media’s takeover last year. Liberty, who ousted former supremo LONDON: Formula One is ending the use of female mod- Bernie Ecclestone a year ago, have been looking to make els who parade and stand with the drivers’ name boards the pre-race show more of a feature with the emphasis on before every grand prix, with immediate effect. The sport entertainment for fans and promotion. “Formula One con- announced the decision in a statement yesterday and said siders the time spent by teams and drivers on the grid the change would also apply to all support series on the before a race as one of celebration, where guests and vari- programme. ous performers can add to the glamour and spectacle of “While the practice of employing grid girls has been a the Grand Prix,” the statement said. staple of Formula One grands prix for decades, we feel this It added that the change would allow promoters and custom does not resonate with our brand values and clear- partners “to showcase their countries and products”. Ross File photo shows Sebastian Vettel, then driving for Infiniti Red Bull, poses with grid girls at 2014’s American GP. ly is at odds with modern day societal norms,” said com- Brawn, Formula One’s managing director for motorsport, mercial manager Sean Bratches. gave notice last December that the use of female models girls and there’s people who feel that it has become a bit and deplored by others. “We don’t believe the practice is appropriate or rele- on the grid was under review for the season starting in dated, so we’re addressing that,” he told the BBC at the That same year, the FIA-sanctioned World Endurance vant to Formula One and its fans, old and new, across the Australia on March 25. time. In 2015, men were deployed in place of the women at Championship announced an end to the practice at the Le world,” he added. Formula One has not had a woman race “There’s a lot of people respect the tradition of the grid the Monaco Grand Prix-a move welcomed by some fans Mans 24 Hours sportscar race. — Reuters Established 1961

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1، 2018 Business China’s young shoppers breathe French supermarket boss Virtual beaus are capturing Chinese 19new life into its luxury markets 19 hauled over Nutella frenzy 22 hearts as female gaming blooms

BEIJING: British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a joint press conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People. — AFP PM May eyes ‘golden era’ with China Batted away critics of her leadership on Brexit, domestic issues

BEIJING: Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday forecast ness deals would be signed during her visit. The two tions “don’t have winter, only spring” and their ties would In a letter to May’s Downing Street office, Patten said a “golden era” in Sino-British relations with deeper trade countries also launched a joint trade and investment not be affected by Brexit. “Brexit is a situation that both Hong Kong was facing “increasing threats to the basic ties after Britain leaves the European Union, but her visit review to “identify priorities” on goods, services and our countries face,” he said. “Our bilateral relationship will freedoms, human rights and autonomy” which its people to China was dogged by Brexit rows at home. As she investment, she said. They also agreed new measures to not change with the changes of UK relations. We will have were promised after the handover. Human Rights Watch embarked on the three-day visit, May batted away critics improve access to the Chinese market and remove trade assessment and discussion on our trade relationship to also urged the British leader to “get tough with China” on of her leadership on Brexit and domestic issues, including barriers, including lifting a ban make our economic and trade rights. But business is the focus of her trip. “The UK and within her Conservative party. on British beef exports to relationship move forward.” China will not always see eye-to-eye,” she wrote in a “First and foremost, I’m serving my country and my China within six months. Financial Times column. “But as partners committed to party. I’m not a quitter and there’s a long-term job to be In a nod to her hosts, May Rights and Hong Kong global free trade we can work together to confront and done,” she told reporters travelling with her. The House of said “we welcome the oppor- May, who will hold talks tackle challenges that affect all of our economies.” Lords is scrutinizing a key piece of legislation on quitting tunities” provided by China’s with President Xi Jinping Britain has said it will leave the EU’s single market and the EU, as a leaked government report shows only eco- cherished Belt and Road ini- We welcome the today and finish her visit customs union so that it can strike its own trade deals with nomic downsides to leaving the bloc. May discussed tiative, a massive infrastruc- Friday in the eastern business countries outside the bloc, making China’s huge market an Brexit with Premier Li Keqiang when they met at the ture project aimed at reviving opportunities hub of Shanghai, was under attractive target. In preparation, a number of British offi- imposing Great Hall of the People, where both leaders ancient Silk Road trade routes pressure to address thorny cials have travelled to China in recent months. Trade min- boasted about their “golden era” of relations and the between East and West and issues with China. Before her ister Liam Fox discussed market access for British potential for better trade ties. creating greater market trip the former British gover- exports, including its key financial services sector. Finance “We are determined to deepen our trading relationship access for Chinese companies. nor of Hong Kong, Chris minister Philip Hammond worked on final preparations for even further and we are ambitious for what our future But she threw in a caveat, saying the two countries would Patten, urged her to address concerns about the political a “stock connect” between the London and Shanghai trade relationship will be,” May said. The British leader continue to work together to ensure that the endeavor situation in the semi-autonomous city, which London exchanges, and mulled the possibility of linking their bond said more than nine billion pounds ($12.7 billion) in busi- “meets international standards”. Li said Sino-British rela- handed back to Beijing in 1997. markets as well. — AFP

Lebanon in December approved a bid by a consor- Israel, Lebanon tium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek for two of the five blocks put up for tender in the country’s much-delayed first oil and gas offshore argue over offshore licensing round. One of the awarded blocks, Block 9, borders Israeli waters. Lebanon has an unresolved Sisi inaugurates maritime border dispute with Israel over a triangular energy block, area of sea of around 860 sq km (330 square miles) Zohr gas field that extends along the edge of three of the blocks. Beirut slams threat “Lieberman’s words about Block 9 are a threat to Lebanon and its right to sovereignty over its territorial CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi yesterday inau- waters,” Aoun said on his official Twitter account. gurated the offshore Zohr gas field, aimed at making the Arab BEIRUT/TEL AVIV: Israel described as “very Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said the coun- world’s most populous country self-sufficient in natural gas by provocative” yesterday a Lebanese offshore oil and try would take up the comments with the “relevant the end of 2018. “We are now entering into the self-sufficiency gas exploration tender in disputed territory on the international bodies to affirm its right to act in its terri- KUWAIT CITY: Lebanon’s President Michel stage... and, God willing, by the end of the year we will have countries’ maritime border, and urged international torial waters”. “For the past few days Israeli officials Aoun attends a gathering with the Lebanese reached self-sufficiency,” Petroleum Minister Tarek Al-Molla firms not to bid. Lebanese President Michel Aoun, have been deliberately sending threatening messages community in Kuwait City on January 23, 2018 said at a ceremony in the northern city of Port Said, broadcast whose country considers Israel an enemy state, to Lebanon,” Hariri said in a statement from his press during an official visit. — AFP live on state television. In December, the oil ministry said it was described the comments as “a threat to Lebanon”. office. Hariri said Lieberman’s words were “blatant starting production from the field discovered in 2015 by Italian “When they issue a tender on a gas field, including provocation”. energy giant Eni with an initial 350 million cubic feet (10 million Block 9, which by any standard is ours ... this is very, The contracts are expected to be officially signed Leviathan and Tamar fields located in Israeli waters cubic meters) a day. Molla, at the ceremony attended by Sisi, very challenging and provocative conduct here,” on Feb 9, the Lebanese Petroleum Administration near the disputed marine border with Lebanon. Israel said Egypt expects it “will be able to stop importing liquefied Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said. said, allowing exploration to begin. The licensing last went to war in Lebanon in 2006, against the natural gas... and therefore save what we import which is $230 “Respectable firms” bidding on the tender “are, to my round was re-launched in January last year after a Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. With tensions rising million per month, or $2.8 billion annually”. The Egyptian gov- mind, making a grave error - because this is contrary three-year delay caused by political paralysis. anew, Lieberman said Lebanon would “pay in full” for ernment is trying to roll back the impact of the 2011 uprising that to all of the rules and all protocol in cases like this,” he Lebanon is on the Levant Basin in the eastern any new Hezbollah attacks on Israel. But he said toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak and led to years of politi- told an international security conference hosted by Tel Mediterranean where a number of big sub-sea gas Israel sought no war, adding: “We try to conduct our- cal, security and economic turmoil. —AFP Aviv University’s INSS think-tank. fields have been discovered since 2009, including the selves determinedly and responsibly.” — Reuters 18 Established 1961 Business Thursday, February 1, 2018 Al-Mulla Industries thanks its partners and customers

By Ben Garcia

KUWAIT: The Al-Mulla Industries, headed by its trans- port and refrigeration department recently organized an event at Jumeirah Beach Hotel along with its partners. The event entitled ‘You and Us, Partners Forever 2018’ was organized to thank its partners for their continuing support and patronage of its products and services. It was attended by its local partners from various compa- nies throughout Kuwait. Gohar Khan, General Manager- Manufacturing welcomed guests especially the new clients and partners. He thanked the Division General Manager Ala’a Al-Ali for his efforts to take Al-Mulla Trading and Manufacturing Group to the next level. “We thank you for choosing Al-Mulla Industries to be a part of your business association because of our mutual passion to remain partners forever. Your passion helps us come together as one and the energy we cre- ate as one allows us to achieve our individual as well as organizations goals,” he said. He went on to present the company’s profile, products and services through a PowerPoint presentation. Al-Mulla Group Holdings is KUWAIT: Al-Mulla General Manager Gohar Khan and Ala’a the umbrella under which all group operating compa- Al-Ali pose for photo during the event yesterday. nies, subsidiaries, and affiliates are held. In 2010, Al-Mulla Group has consolidated its non- automotive trading and manufacturing activities under engineering products, office automation solutions, man- the ‘Trading and Manufacturing Group’. This group also ufacturing division and travel division. Al-Mulla acts as an incubator for all new businesses, provided Industries is a trusted market leader and initiator of such businesses do not compete with or complement best practices in Kuwait’s steel products, transport any of Al-Mulla Group’s other business divisions. Al- refrigeration, air duct and air movement solutions and Mulla Trading & Manufacturing group includes the related market sectors. KUWAIT: Attendees at the ‘You and Us, Partners forever’ event. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Global awarded ‘Best Kuwait Asset Harley-Davidson Manager’ by MENA Fund Manager KUWAIT: Global Investment House (Global), a region- named “Best Saudi Equity Fund”. The fund has outper- outlook on Kuwait was upgraded from neutral last year closes plant as al Asset Management and Investment Banking firm formed the respective benchmark Tadawul All Shares to positive for 2018. Although Kuwait lacks any strong headquartered in Kuwait with offices in major capital Index (“TASI”) reporting 120.8% since inception themes, the market can deliver positive returns driven markets in the MENA region, was awarded “Best Asset (TASI: 50.9%) and 5.8% in 2017 (TASI: 0.2%). by a sustained government spending, strong fiscal shipments slump Manager in Kuwait” and “Best Saudi Equity Fund” by Al-Ghanim said, “We are delighted that MENA position due to lower breakeven oil prices, reasonable the “MENA Fund Managers Performance Awards”. The Fund Manager recognized our achieved and consistent valuations (for selective large and mid-cap companies) MISSOURI: Harley-Davidson Inc said on Tuesday it will awards were presented in an event held on Tuesday 30 performance on various products. We were able to and potential FTSE flows following the upgrade in close a plant in Kansas City, Missouri as it consolidates January 2018 in Dubai and attended by professionals accomplish these results by consistently placing our September 2017. manufacturing operations after its motorcycle shipments from the regional investment and asset management clients’ interests at the forefront and continuously While the team was neutral to slightly positive on fell to their lowest level in six years, sending its shares industry. Bader Al-Ghanim, Executive Vice President seeking to offer optimum quality products and servic- Saudi in 2017, it turned more bullish on the kingdom down more than 8 percent. The Milwaukee-based compa- ny forecast a drop in shipments to dealers this year as it and Head of MENA Asset Management at Global es.” “Our stock selection processes along with the for 2018 on the back of expansionary budget - under- expects retail sales in the United States - the company’s received the awards. investment strategy didn’t only result in outperforming pinned by higher oil and non-oil revenues- and poten- biggest market - to dip. The MENA Asset Management team was named the funds we manage their respective benchmarks last tial index inclusion by FTSE and MSCI. Al-Ghanim Despite generally higher US consumer spending, “Best Kuwait Asset Manager”, thanks to the consistent year, but also on longer periods; the past two years, concluded by thanking the MENA asset management Harley is grappling with an ageing customer base and performance of the managed funds and portfolios as a three years as well as since inception” he added. teams in Kuwait and Saudi for their efforts and hard younger, more price-sensitive buyers hesitant to result of the long-term strategy adopted that focuses Last December, the asset management team at work which have achieved very positive results, with embrace the iconic brand as previous generations have on stocks with potential operational growth and good Global issued their outlook on the GCC equity markets all managed funds outperforming their respective done. Its shares fell 8.5 percent to $50.59 on the New fundamentals while disregards speculative ones. On for the year 2018 with a generally optimistic view benchmarks. It is worth noting that over a 3 years and York Stock Exchange. The stock fell nearly 13 percent in the other hand, Global Saudi Equity Fund, the second ranging from slightly negative to moderately bullish 5 years window, the Fund performance was -7.2% and 2017. Harley said it expects to ship 231,000 to 236,000 largest fund in the Kingdom with assets under man- across the board supported by more accommodative 37.5% respectively compared to -13.3% and 6.3% motorcycles this year after shipping 241,498 vehicles in agement of SAR 502 million (USD 134 million), was fiscal policies and reasonable valuations. The teams’ respectively for TASI. 2017, the lowest number since 2011. That is at the low end of its previous forecast of 241,000 to 246,000 units. In the December quarter, Harley’s U.S. sales declined 11.1 Analytics, said. “Given the strong January job gain, 2018 percent from the year before and overseas sales dipped 7.7 percent. Overall sales in the quarter were down 9.6 US private sector is on track to be the eighth consecutive year in which percent. the economy creates over two million jobs,” Zandi said As it adjusts to lower demand, Harley said it will con- opens year with in a statement. “If it falls short, it is likely because busi- solidate work at its motorcycle assembly plant in Kansas nesses can’t find workers to fill all the open job posi- City, Missouri, into the one in York, Pennsylvania, elimi- tions.” In fact, as the Federal Reserve prepares to con- nating about 800 jobs at the Kansas City plant but big jump in hiring clude its first monetary policy meeting of 2018 later adding 450 at the York facility. Harley said the move Wednesday, the scarcity of workers is a growing con- would result in restructuring costs of $170 million to cern since it could drive faster wage increases that in $200 million through 2019 but would save the company WASHINGTON: Private US employment saw another turn could finally ignite inflation. The Fed is expected to $65 million to $75 million a year after 2020. big jump in January, though slower than December, as a keep the benchmark interest rate on hold, but if central It also announced the closure of its wheel operations large gain in services hiring offset a slower rise in other bankers become more concerned about the threat of in Adelaide, Australia, which will affect 100 employees. sectors, payroll firm ADP reported yesterday. Hiring in inflation they could raise rates faster this year than the “HOG is restructuring the business for the demand reali- the services sector, long a major driver of the US econ- three increases expected. ty,” analysts at RBC Capital Markets in a research note. omy, saw its biggest increase since November 2016, The manufacturing sector added 12,000 workers “A big concern of ours had been that the cost structure according to the report, which is closely watched for this month, slightly less than in December but far weak- NEW YORK: A building under construction is seen in front didn’t seem right-sized for demand.” hints of what is to come in the key government jobs er than January 2017 when the industries hired 30,000, of the Empire State Building. —AFP US President Donald Trump last year praised the report due out Friday. the ADP data showed. The picture was similar in con- motorcycle maker for its US manufacturing presence Total private non-farm employment increased by struction-a sector particularly hard hit by the shortage and blamed global tariffs for making it “very hard” for of workers-which added just 9,000 employees, com- January, after the disappointing 148,000 in the previ- the company to do business overseas. Nevertheless, the 234,000 in the first month of the year, slower than the pared to 30,000 in December and 49,000 in January ous month, and a gain of 175,000 expected for private company is looking overseas for growth this year. “Our 242,000 in December, but far outpacing the consensus employment. The ADP report covers 411,000 firms and assumptions include US retail dealer retail sales to be forecast for an increase of 190,000. The total reflected 2017. Within services, there were strong gains in trade down, partially offset by growth in international retail 212,000 new hires in the services sector and 22,000 in and transportation, education and health services, and 24 million workers and is used as a signal of the overall sales,” Harley’s Chief Financial Officer John Olin told the goods-producing sector which includes manufac- leisure and hospitality. labor market, even while it does not always track the analysts on an earnings conference call. —Reuters turing and construction. “The job market juggernaut The consensus forecast for the Labor Department’s official jobs report faithfully, since the two reports use marches on,” Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s nonfarm payrolls report is for an increase of 180,000 in different data. —AFP

EXCHANGE RATES

Euro 375.860 Japanese Yen 3.765 Asia Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Sterling Pound 429.340 Syrian Pound 1.585 Bangladesh Taka 0.003247 0.003831 Canadian dollar 245.870 Nepalese Rupees 2.960 Chinese Yuan 0.045929 0.049429 ASIAN COUNTRIES Turkish lira 80.660 Malaysian Ringgit 77.900 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036326 0.039076 Japanese Yen 2.764 Swiss Franc 324.810 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.880 Indian Rupee 0.004245 0.004886 Indian Rupees 4.730 Australian Dollar 245.770 Thai Bhat 10.535 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Pakistani Rupees 2.718 US Dollar Buying 299.250 Turkish Lira 79.425 Japanese Yen 0.002674 0.002854 Srilankan Rupees 1.952 Korean Won 0.000270 0.000285 Nepali Rupees 2.957 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.073657 0.079857 Singapore Dollar 231.120 20 Gram 249.070 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Nepalese Rupee 0.002997 0.003167 Hongkong Dollar 38.426 10 Gram 127.450 Pakistan Rupee 0.002528 0.002818 Bangladesh Taka 3.597 5 Gram 64.570 CURRENCY BUY SELL Philippine Peso 0.005862 0.006162 Philippine Peso 5.915 Europe Singapore Dollar 0.223685 0.233686 Thai Baht 9.624 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd British Pound 0.419851 0.427351 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001688 0.002268 Czech Korune 0.006708 0.016008 Taiwan 0.010175 0.010355 GCC COUNTRIES Danish Krone 0.046028 0.051028 Thai Baht 0.009214 0.009764 Saudi Riyal 80.173 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Euro 0. 367349 0.374849 Qatari Riyal 82.575 US Dollar 300.300 Georgian Lari 0.119185 0.119185 Arab Omani Riyal 780.795 Canadian Dollar 243.695 Hungarian 0.001107 0.001297 Bahraini Dinar 0.790382 0.798882 Bahraini Dinar 798.330 Sterling Pound 423.015 Norwegian Krone 0.034887 0.040087 Egyptian Pound 0.014067 0.019785 UAE Dirham 81.878 Euro 372.950 Romanian Leu 0.063202 0.080052 Iranian Riyal 0.000083 0.000084 Swiss Frank 283.360 Russian ruble 0.005313 0.005313 Iraqi Dinar 0.000197 0.000257 ARAB COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 798.610 Slovakia 0.008916 0.018916 Jordanian Dinar 0.419146 0.428146 Egyptian Pound - Cash 19.500 UAE Dirhams 82.165 Swedish Krona 0.034060 0.039060 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.930 Qatari Riyals 83.390 Swiss Franc 0.314931 0.325931 Lebanese Pound 0.000148 0.000248 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.207 Saudi Riyals 80.975 Moroccan Dirhams 0.021870 0.045870 Tunisian Dinar 126.240 Jordanian Dinar 424.830 Australasia Omani Riyal 0.774071 0.779751 Jordanian Dinar 423.770 Egyptian Pound 17.016 Australian Dollar 0.233988 0.245988 Qatar Riyal 0.078236 0.083176 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.003 Sri Lankan Rupees 1.952 New Zealand Dollar 0.215156 0.224656 Saudi Riyal 0.079033 0.080333 Syrian Lira 0.000 Indian Rupees 4.717 Syrian Pound 0.001273 0.001493 Morocco Dirham 33.346 Pakistani Rupees 2.717 America Tunisian Dinar 0.121477 0.129477 Bangladesh Taka 3.642 Canadian Dollar 0.238363 0.247363 Turkish Lira 0.074454 0.084754 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Philippines Pesso 5.842 US Dollars 0.296350 0.300770 UAE Dirhams 0.074454 0.084754 US Dollar Transfer 300.450 Cyprus pound 17.875 US Dollars Mint 0.298850 0.300770 Yemeni Riyal 0.000976 0.001056 Established 1961 19 Business Thursday, February 1, 2018 China’s young shoppers breathe new life into its luxury markets

They are the key demographic for luxury brands

SHANGHAI/HONG KONG: Guo Jiaxi is typical of a ($22.07 billion) in sales last year, about 20 percent new generation in China that is driving a sharp revival higher than the year before. It is by far the steepest in luxury spending: young, female and unafraid to jump in over half a decade of sluggish growth, accord- spend. An accountant in eastern Suzhou, Guo, 24, likes ing to Bain. Luxury goods purchased in China make up Coach and Louis Vuitton, and has bought Acne Studios 8 percent of the global total, while Chinese shoppers - scarves, a Daniel Wellington watch and a Mont Blanc who make three-quarters of their luxury purchases belt as gifts. Of an annual salary of 50,000 yuan overseas - drive 32 percent of sales worldwide. LVMH’s ($7,898), she spends one-fifth on luxury items. chief executive, Bernard Arnault, said China was a “very “Luxury is not a total necessity for me, I suppose, dynamic” market in which the Louis Vuitton brand was but whenever I’ve got enough money to spare, then I’ll doing well. “China has had a good comeback,” he told buy,” she said. Guo and her peer group are behind a reporters last week. The company has seen a slow dramatic spike in luxury spending in China last year, recovery in China since a weak start to 2016. according to consultan- Gucci and cognac cy Bain & Co. They are maker Remy Cointreau the key demographic for are among other well- luxury brands from known companies citing LVMH to Gucci owner stronger growth in the Kering and France’s Make up 8 market. Analysts and Hermes in tapping the industry insiders, howev- world’s top luxury con- percent of the er, said shoppers were sumers. Their willingness widening the range of to spend - often more global total brands they looked at, a than they can afford challenge for some more comes with a note of traditional players. caution. These con- Tapestry Inc’s Coach and sumers are typically less British fashion house loyal to traditional Burberry both reported brands, swayed by shifting trends online and increas- weaker ends to last year. Prada - which had seen sales ingly looking for deals. slump in China - has been building partnerships with “Some of these youngsters, even when they don’t influential internet personalities and launched an online BEIJING: People walk outside a shopping mall. — AFP really have enough funds, they’re still going out and shop in December. buying luxury products,” said Huang Yue, 27, who runs Online retailers like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and less easily won over. “Increasingly what I’m after now is of used luxury goods trading platform www.luxusj.com. the fashion section at the website “Loving Luxury.” JD.com have launched their own luxury platforms and original patterns and designs,” she said, adding that, He said the most popular brands on the site were hand- Yue added that the shift to millenials, those aged lured in brands such as Yves Saint Laurent, Stella like Guo, she sometimes gets help paying for her pur- bags from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Fendi. roughly 20-34, had been dramatic. It spurred the rise of McCartney and Alexander McQueen. “Chinese con- chases. “It’s more about the quality and feel of the Chloe, owned by luxury house Richemont, is popular new areas such as luxury “streetwear” and sporting sumers are going through several changes,” Liao product, so if I can find that I won’t necessarily choose with younger shoppers, while Hermes still has good attire, which Bain said were behind the recent fast Jianwen, chief strategic officer at JD.com, told the a luxury brand.” cachet, he added. growth. “In terms of the impact on the market, it’s really Reuters Global Markets Forum at the World Economic The shift has meant the rise of areas not previously The premium sportswear firm Lululemon, seeing given it a shot in the arm,” Yue said. Forum in Davos, adding that shoppers now want high- seen as being in the same space as traditional luxury, strong demand from China’s youth, is now “focused on quality products at “competitive prices.” including casual wear, “streetwear” and even premium exploring and developing new approaches to capture Buoying the luxury market sports clothing. Shoppers are also more willing to buy this audience,” said Amanda Casgar, Lululemon’s Asia Driven by general optimism, attracted by the ease of Brand new second hand used goods. That means people making new purchases Pacific director of brand & community. Winning over online shopping and helped along the way by parents Even as consumers spend more, they are becoming can sell their goods later, defraying the cost of a big- the parents of young shoppers like Guo could be help- who benefited from the country’s fast growth and rising thriftier. Zhang Xia, 24, an investment professional in ticket item. ful too - they are often a source of funds for a genera- home prices, Chinese millennials are buoying the luxury the southern metropolis of Chongqing, has bought Dior “Because people know that they can sell things on tion increasingly inclined to borrow or use credit. “Of market at home and abroad. Millennial shoppers bags, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari jewellery, and once paid second hand, they’re not so strict with their luxury course my salary is pretty low, so mum and dad do help pushed the Chinese market up to 142 billion yuan 150,000 yuan ($23,695) for a Piaget watch. She’s now budgets,” said Deng Yun, 33, the chief operating officer me out a little,” Guo said. — Reuters Off-grid power push aims to Siemens says light up incomes profits up on

KAKAMEGA, Kenya: Catherine Wakhu knows the value of a lighted room to a child’s education - and also the global upturn expense. The resident of Mayoni, a village in Western Kenya’s Kakamega County, has seven school-age chil- FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German engineering giant dren. Without money to pay for a connection to the Siemens said yesterday that profits jumped in the first electric grid, she used to spend 1,200 shillings ($12) a quarter of its financial year, driven by rising demand month instead on kerosene, half of it to fuel a lantern so for its products in areas ranging from renewable ener- that her children could do their homework in the gy and trains to industrial robots. Siemens, which runs evenings. But for the past year Wakhu has been the own- its business year from October to September, said in a er of two solar-powered lanterns, which enable her chil- statement net profit jumped by 12 percent to 2.2 billion dren to study and save her fuel money. euros ($2.7 billion) in the three months to December. New Light Africa, the company that makes the Underlying or operating profit was also up 12 per- lanterns, accepts payments on installment over a period cent at 2.2 billion euros while first-quarter sales grew of six months, making the cost of 3,000 Kenyan shillings by three percent to 19.8 billion euros. But chief execu- ($29) per lantern more affordable to people like Wakhu, KAKAMEGA COUNTY: Catherine Wakhu hangs a portable solar lantern in her house in Mayoni, a village tive Joe Kaeser warned there was much to do to who might otherwise struggle to acquire the technology. in Western Kenya’s Kakamega County. — Reuters The business is one of a number of enterprises across future-proof the industrial behemoth. “Traditional sub-Saharan Africa that are developing ideas for low- conglomerates don’t have a future. We have to lay the cost, high-quality and affordable clean energy products people using solar-powered shavers, and farmers can foundations now for the next-generation Siemens,” he and services, from lighting to irrigation. irrigate their crops with solar pumps, he said. In Miguye, Competing for cash said. Kaeser’s ambitious plans to restructure the a village north of the Kenyan city of Kisumu, Oliver Bill, The REACT scheme selects companies to support sprawling group include planned factory closures in Improving lives a 24-year-old university graduate, irrigates tomatoes on through competitions. So far, 78 companies across 23 the struggling gas turbine business and a stock market Some have received funding from the Renewable his 1.3-acre piece of land using a portable solar-pow- sub-Saharan African countries have been awarded flotation for the valuable medical devices division. Energy and Adaptation to Climate Technologies ered water pump acquired with a loan from Future grants and interest-free loans to implement their pro- The medical devices unit saw orders, revenue and (REACT) program, part of the Africa Enterprise Pump, another company that is part of the REACT posals, Ndiege said. The companies are required to profits fall back slightly in the first quarter, due to “sig- Challenge Fund, backed by European and other donor scheme. “I decided to take the risk because the repay- make services and products available to rural communi- nificant currency headwinds”, but Siemens said the governments. The clean energy REACT program pro- ment scheme sounded fair enough,” said Bill. He said he ties without requiring full payment upfront, he said. unit remained on track for its initial public offering. In vides up to half the needed funding to private companies expects to have repaid the debt for the pump by March. New Light Africa won the competition in 2016 to the power and gas division, profits fell by almost half trying to develop business models, services and prod- Malayo Abuti, the assistant administrative chief for make and distribute solar lanterns to rural communities and orders and revenue declined as demand for its ucts in renewable energy and energy efficiency that will Ebuhala sub-location in Kakamega County, said busi- through a community-based organisation. “Between 2016 power plant turbines fell away. Siemens announced a improve the lives of the rural poor. ness-oriented funding for clean energy projects is an and 2017, we sold over 59,000 lanterns in Western massive restructuring in November, cutting nearly Under the program, up to 900,000 rural households improvement on handouts and is helping more young Kenya and parts of the Rift Valley,” said Jakob Werner, 7,000 job cuts worldwide in the traditional power across the region can now light their homes with solar people in off-grid villages start their own enterprises to the company’s head of sales. Each lantern comes with a plant building business. lanterns, press their clothes with solar-powered irons or earn an income. “This is a good culture because paying small solar panel and is powerful enough to light one “We are convinced there will be a global market for watch solar-powered televisions, said Victor Ndiege, back the loan gives one a sense of ownership, self room. It is portable, meaning it can also work as a torch, gas turbines, and that is why we are still investing,” who manages the REACT-supported portfolio of busi- esteem and it makes them more responsible than receiv- and it has a port for charging at least three mobile Kaeser said. “But the market will be smaller and won’t nesses. Village barbers also can earn a living shaving ing free tokens from organizations,” he said. phones.—AFP be in Europe, rather in China, the US and in the Middle East.” Other units of the Munich-based giant were in much healthier shape and “taking advantage of the price of a 950-gram pot of Nutella-a favored breakfast global economic upturn,” he added. Orders at French supermarket spread in France-from 4.50 euros ($5.60) to 1.41 euros. Siemens’ wind energy unit surged after a merger with The three-day promotion prompted shoving and even Spanish firm Gamesa was finalised, even if profits full-blown fights in several stores, with one worker likening shrank slightly over the quarter. boss hauled in the scenes to “an orgy”. Intermarche apologized to cus- In the factory automation division, orders and rev- tomers, but it has since continued with aggressive dis- enue jumped, especially in China, although the effects over Nutella frenzy counts on coffee and nappies. The DGCCRF consumer of a recent acquisition sapped profits. The train con- agency on Monday announced it was launching an investi- struction division, which recently announced a tie-up gation into the discounts. Le Maire urged Intermarche to with French rival Alstom, reported a surge in orders, PARIS: The French government has implored supermar- “stop this kind of promotion”, saying that the pushing and revenue and profits after it secured new contracts in kets to refrain from the kind of promotion deals that have shoving seen as customers clamored to get their hands on Europe, Israel and the United States and its latest led to in-store scuffles over cut-price jars of Nutella, a the Nutella tubs must not become “normalizxed”. high-speed trains entered service in Germany. minister said yesterday. Videos of French shoppers jostling He reminded Intermarche’s management that like other Looking ahead to the full year, Siemens was more as they tried to grab heavily discounted tubs of the choco- supermarket chains, it had already “signed a deal to no cautious, saying that continuing headwinds in the late spread in Intermarche stores have gone viral over the longer carry out these kind of promotions. They must energy market and “geopolitical uncertainties” painted past week. keep their word.” Videos of the shopping frenzy have been a more “mixed picture”. It said it was penciling in “I met with the director of Intermarche yesterday,” shared thousands of times on social media, with comedian “modest growth in revenue” and earnings per share Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said, as his government Anthony Joubert racking up 700,000 plays on a song fea- around the same level as in the 2016/2017 business prepared to unveil a bill later Wednesday that will tighten turing the lyrics, “A euro for Nutella, I’d kill a mother or year. Siemens shares added 0.8 percent to trade at rules on supermarket promotions. “I told him that this must father for that.” Ferrero, the Italian company that makes 122.18 euros just after midday in Frankfurt yesterday, be stopped-we can’t have scenes like this every few days Nutella, said the discount decision was taken “unilaterally” SAINT-GREGOIRE: This photo taken yesterday in slightly outperforming the DAX index of German blue- in France,” Le Maire told RTL radio. Intermarche sparked by Intermarche and risked creating “confusion and disap- Saint-Gregoire, near Rennes, northwest France, chip shares which added 0.28 percent. -—AFP the shopping frenzy last Thursday when it slashed the pointment” for consumers. — AFP shows containers of Nutella. — AFP 20 Established 1961 Business Thursday, February 1, 2018 Stocks eye second best start to a year

LONDON: World stocks pulled out of a two- remarkable January performance as a spill over course for its biggest monthly drop at 3.5 per- inflows across all major regions, adding to a (Fed’s) statement upgrades language on activity day dive and were eyeing their second best from 2017 - growth gathering pace, low inflation cent in nearly two years. strong 2017 which saw the region cornering somewhat, which could be viewed as a margin- start to a year ever yesterday, while the dollar and low volatility, and that has accelerated the The day’s most eye-catching move was a 2- over one-third of all global equity fund flows. ally hawkish shift,” analysts at BNP Paribas said came under renewed pressure ahead of the momentum,” said ABN Amro’s Chief Investment 1/2 year low against China’s yuan of 6.3287. It in a note. There was the earnings treadmill too. Federal Reserve’s first meeting of the year. A Officer Didier Duret. “For me this is a prelude to has been the greenback’s heaviest monthly drop Fed ahead US Health insurer Anthem reported a higher- controversy-free State of the Union address the year where the equity market trend is not against the Chinese currency since 1994 having All eyes will be on the outcome of the Federal than-expected quarterly profits ahead of the from US President Donald Trump had helped broken... there will be phases of people coming lost more that 3 percent. Other Asian action saw Reserve’s first meeting of the year later which Wall Street opening bell though there had been Asian bourses steady as bond markets also into the market and then correction phases as the yen briefly slip when the Bank of Japan will also be Janet Yellen’s last in charge. With US some shockers in Europe. calmed after another round of selling had left volatility spikes.” upped its medium-term Japanese government growth humming and unemployment at a 17- British outsourcing group Capita lost 40 per- US Treasury yields at 4-year highs. A market gauge of that volatility - the VIX - bond buys (JGBs) in a move seen as a warning year low rates markets are currently pricing in a cent of its value after its new boss slashed profit Europe’s pan-regional STOXX 600 and Wall perked up to its highest levels since August shot against further rises in its bond yields and little over 80 percent chance of another Fed rate forecasts and set out plans to raise cash to avoid Street futures then followed with modest 0.1 and 2017 and has nearly doubled this month. One of currency. hike in March and between two and three for the the same fate as recently-collapsed builder 0.3 percent gains to bolster the 5.6 percent the big boosts for stocks though, especially in The dollar later pared its gains however and year as a whole. The Fed is due to release its Carillion. Poor results also sent telecoms equip- jump MSCI’s 47-country ACWI index has made emerging markets which have seen the biggest was last trading at 108.82 yen as it also backed policy statement at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) but ment maker Ericsson tumbling over eight percent this month. That puts it neck-and-neck with gains, has been the weakness of the dollar. It fell off to $1.2445 to the euro and $1.4165 to the there won’t be a news conference or new fore- at one point and there were more woes for fash- 2012’s fast start, after which only 1994’s 6.5 per- by a quarter of a percent again yesterday pound respectively. In the opening weeks of casts this month. “In light of the steady stream of ion retailer H&M as it said it would open far few- cent leap would be better. “We can interpret the against a basket of other top currencies on 2018, Europe recorded the highest equity favorable data, it is possible that the FOMC’s er stores in 2018 following a profits hit.—Reuters Established 1961 21 Business Thursday, February 1, 2018 AUB organizes an event on ‘The Investment Outlook for 2018’

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank (AUB) recently held an event for around the continued growth of the equities market and the Private Banking clients which included a lecture entitled ‘The overall link to the reevaluation of assets and potential risks in Investment Outlook for 2018’, as part of its continued efforts in 2018. offering advice and consultancy services on investments to its Medhat Tawfik, General Manager of AUB’s Private Banking current and potential customers. The lecture was held to pro- and Wealth Management, welcomed the attendees in his intro- vide greater awareness of investment opportunities across a ductory address, and said, “We aim to organize such events to number of different markets. The lecture, held in Sheikh Jaber provide the opportunity for our Private Banking clients to Al Ahmad Cultural Center, was delivered to a select group of benefit from an insight into global investment opportunities the Bank’s Private Banking clients, who have been keen to whilst highlighting the various risks associated with invest- attend similar events organized by AUB, to keep abreast of the ments and markets performances.” changing dynamics across the financial and investment sector. “The resources and consultations that AUB provides our The lecture was led by Oliver Rahe, Head of Distribution in clients allows them to better manage their investments in an the Middle East and North Africa and Fahad Al Saif, Executive ever changing global environment,” added Tawfiq. In his clos- Director GCC from Goldman Sachs Asset Management, who ing note, Medhat Tawfiq said: “We are very pleased with the focused on the future of investments in different global mar- outcome of this event. Hosting such sessions reflects the kets shedding light on the general outlook for various Bank’s desire to provide improved services for its clients. AUB economies. Moreover, they answered questions that revolved will to continue to provide first class banking services for its

generate for investors and validates the tremendous opportu- 15 lucky ABK NBK Capital Partners nity for private debt strategies in the region. It builds on our track record that now totals 17 realizations from 29 invest- ments, the highest number of profitable exits by an alternative customers win successfully exits investments firm in the region over the past decade. We remain focused on maintaining this level of success for investors across our private equity, private debt and real 100,000 Skywards pioneering $157m estate interests.” Headquartered in the Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE - with a presence in in Bahrain, Kuwait private debt fund and Turkey - NBK Capital Partners secured funding from miles each prominent regional endowments, pension funds, family offices, HNWIs and affiliates of NBK Capital for the NBK Capital KUWAIT: Under the supervision of the Ministry of Mezzanine Fund I. Commerce, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) held a draw on DUBAI: NBK Capital Partners - an alternative investments Wednesday 11th January 2018, to announce the winners of its firm that advises on providing flexible capital to mid-sized latest promotion, which was launched last month to celebrate companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) - has a 15-year long partnership with Emirates Skywards. The draw The Skywards Miles can be redeemed for reward flights successfully exited its inaugural US$157 million private debt was held at the Bank’s Head Office, and rewarded 15 cus- and upgrades on Emirates, as well as luxury hotel stays, fun- vehicle. Returning a 17% gross Internal Rate of Return (IRR) tomers with 100,000 Skywards Miles each. The 15 winners of filled family days out, or even tickets to a wide range of sport- on investments in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Turkey, the campaign were: ing and cultural events across the globe. With 100,000 NBK Capital Mezzanine Fund I ranks among the top per- 1 Dr Faisal Ali Alhowell, JabriyaBranch Skywards Miles, the lucky winners could book 2 return forming private debt funds in its vintage year. NBK Capital Mezzanine Fund I’s mezzanine debt portfolio 2 Dr Nadia Mohammed Alnaki, University Branch Economy Class tickets from Kuwait to London or stay in Raised in 2009, the region’s included: UAE-based companies such as Eikon, a university 3 Haidar Hasan Khaleel, Farwaniya Branch some of the top hotels in the world with Emirates Skywards first mezzanine fund - a hybrid operator that provides academic infrastructure and related 4 Meysam Zamani Gerashi, Head Office Branch hotel partner Rocket miles. Stays start from only 5,000 of debt and equity financing - services to Heriot Watt University of Scotland; Al Maaref 5 Lahdan Adel Al Lahdan, Al-Andalous Branch Skywards Miles. was a pioneer for flexible long- Private School; and Metito Utilities Limited, the largest pri- 6 Ahmed Farah, Salmiya branch The Skywards Miles can also be used in combination with term direct lending launched in the wake of the global financial vately-owned water and wastewater treatment company in 7 Hamoud Nassar Al Hassini, Jahra Branch cash to redeem flights under Emirates Skywards’ Cash+Miles crisis to meet the financing the Middle East. In Turkey, the fund invested in: Aras Cargo, a 8 George Fouad Khoury, Head Office Branch product. needs of mid-sized firms unable leading courier express and parcel provider; Dem 9 Salman Esam Bin Haidar, Mansouriya Branch The month-long promotion covered all ABK Emirates to secure attractive terms with Pharmaceutical, an importer and marketer of niche pharma- 10 Vibash Gupata Kumar, Head Office Branch Credit Cards through point-of-sale and cash withdrawal banks constrained by regulato- ceutical products; and KiliÁ Deniz, a leading aquaculture 11 Karim Sulaiman Al Mawash, Head Office Branch transactions, and the ABK Emirates Prepaid Card through ry and structural changes. The company. Its remaining two realized investments were Al 12 Abdul Hafeez Mohammed, Khaitan Branch point-of-sale transactions only. In order to be eligible to win, Yaser Moustafa, Senior closure of NBK Capital Rowad Holding, one of the largest private K-12 educational 13 Abdulatif Ahmed Al Sarraf, Mansouriya Branch the cards needed to be issued before the promotion start date Managing Director at Mezzanine Fund I represents operators in Saudi Arabia, and a regional bakery business. 14 Saleh Abdullah Al Ateeqi, Head Office Branch of 1st December 2017, and required a minimum spend of KD the successful exit of eight In 2017, NBK Capital Partners - which has advised on 15 Jumana Fadhel Al Shatti, Galleria 2000Branch 100 during the transaction period. NBK Capital Partners investments in the portfolio for investments exceeding US$1billion - raised $160m for NBK NBK Capital Partners, the alter- Capital Partners Mezzanine Fund II backed by strong demand native investments arm of NBK Capital. from a broad base of regional investors. It will continue to (or Distributed Ledger Technology). But adoption is so rapid Yaser Moustafa, Senior Managing Director at NBK advise on direct lending to firms with a proven track record of Six ways to ‘future across so many industries that experts predict the market will Capital Partners, said: “I am delighted with this milestone, profitability, market-leading positions and strong manage- be worth $20 billion by 2024 . While some firms are already which demonstrates the superior returns that we continue to ment teams. pioneering the technology, every leader should know how proof’ your business blockchain is being applied to their sector, what proof of con- cepts have been developed and if there are any collaborative Every year, leaders from across the globe gather in Davos, ventures they can join. Switzerland to discuss the most pressing issues facing the every working day. However, from April onwards, Al world and plan for the future. But thinking about what’s com- 6. The AI march continues Gulf Bank Danah’s draw line-up will be replaced with weekly draws, in ing next isn’t just the preserve of multinational CEOs. Every Another tech buzzword, Artificial Intelligence (AI), contin- which five-selected winners will receive KD 1,000 each, good business leader thinks about future-proofing their com- ues its march into “business as usual”. It’s predicted that AI every week. This year’s first Al Danah much-coveted quar- pany. They spend hours thinking about how and when to bots (applications performing automated tasks) will underpin Management terly draw offering a prize of KD 200,000 will be held on expand or diversify and where the next opportunity lies. 85% of customer service interactions by 2020, and that this 28 March 2018. In January 2019, the award value will be Sounds easy, but this kind of technology could increase productivity by at least 40% by welcomes Kuwait’s replaced with KD 150,000 horizon gazing is hard. Time is 2035 .The most promising uses for business include customer Gulf Bank’s Al Danah second quarterly draw 2018 for the precious, information is plentiful segmentation, in which advanced analyticscan be used to prize of KD 250,000 will be held on 27 June 2018 and the but not always accessible or identify new customer trends, and segments or clusters of newest and youngest third quarterly draw for the prize of KD 500,000 on 26 reliable, and big change is noto- people who are more likely to be interested in a particular September 2018. The final Al Danah draw for KD 1 million - riously difficult to manage. product. the Guinness World Record acclaimed largest prize linked Listening to the debate in Business leaders who not only understand these trends but Al Danah millionaire to a bank account in the world - will be held on 10 January Davos got me thinking about act on them are more likely to find competitive advantage. 2019, when the Al Danah millionaire will be announced. Gulf KUWAIT: Gulf Bank welcomed Obaid Saad Al-Rishdi, the long-term trends that will That’s because by future-proofing your firm over the long- Bank encourages you to increase your chances by deposit- Kuwait’s newest and youngest Al Danah Millionaire, and his have the greatest impact on the term you win new customers, attract the brightest talent and ing more into your Al Danah account, immediately from any family to the Bank. Obaid won the Bank’s annual and largest businesses I work with. Here anticipate where the best opportunities lie. And that is some- local bank, using the new ePay (Self-Pay) service, which is Al Danah account prize of One Million Kuwaiti Dinars on Noel Quinn, Chief are my top six: thing common to every successful business, from the smallest available on Gulf Bank’s Online and Mobile Banking. January 11th during the big draw event. Executive, HSBC Global start up to the largest multinational. - Article provided by Al Danah also offers a number of unique services Obaid and his family met with a senior group of execu- Commercial Banking 1. Watch out for Gen Z Noel Quinn, Chief Executive, HSBC Global Commercial including: the Al Danah Deposit Only ATM card which tives at Gulf Bank to celebrate his win. Commenting on the Now 70 million strong, Gen Banking helps account holders deposit their money at their con- meeting, Laila Al-Qatami, Assistant General Manager for Z’ers were born between the venience; as well as the Al Danah calculator to help cus- Corporate Communications, said: “We were extremely hap- mid-1990s and the mid-2000s and arethe first generation of tomers calculate their chances of becoming an Al Danah py to meet Obaid and his family to congratulate them. The true digital natives. They’re known for their strong sense of winner. Gulf Bank’s Al Danah account is open to Kuwaiti family opened Al Danah accounts for their children several community and desire to positively influence the world and non-Kuwaiti residents of Kuwait. Customers require a years ago but never anticipated winning the big prize. This through their work. The eldest of this cohort are starting to minimum of KD200 to open an account and the same year Gulf Bank’s Al Danah account is celebrating its ten- enter the workplace and are likely to be managed by millenni- amount must be maintained as for customers to be eligible Brazil economy year anniversary of making millionaires and due to this, als, another group with strong views on job satisfaction. for the upcoming Al Danah draws. If the customer’s meeting with this year’s Millionaire and his family was a Successful brands will respond by developing strategies to account balance falls below KD200 at any given time, a highlight for us, we wish them all the best.” address these groups, as employees and as consumers. And KD2 charge will be made on a monthly basis to the helps Santander Until the end of March, Gulf Bank’s Al Danah eligible those companies which live up to their values and understand account until the minimum balance is met. Customers who customers will continue to have a chance to win in the daily how to do business in the digital age will be at a competitive open an account and/ or deposit more will enter the daily draws in which two winners will be receiving KD1000 each, advantage. For instance, it’s been shown that ethnically diverse earnings draw within two days. companies are 35% more likely to outperform their peers . MADRID: A strong performance in Brazil helped 2. From ‘Like’ to ‘Buy’, we are social shoppers Santander offset weakness in Britain and boost its prof- More people are buying via social media platforms. When its by 7.0 percent last year, the Spanish banking giant these consumers see a product that they like, they want to be said yesterday. The eurozone’s biggest bank in terms of able to buy it there and then. While social shopping is still in market value said its net profit climbed to 6.6 billion its infancy, research suggests it could generate revenues of euros ($8.2 billion) last year, from 6.2 billion in 2016. $165 billion globally by 2021 .Brands seeking to attract these “Throughout the year we have seen strong growth in consumers will need to dialup their social media strategies Latin America, with our businesses in Brazil and Mexico and move from “Like” to “Buy” buttons, putting their prod- performing exceptionally well,” Santander’s chief exec- ucts just a click away from savvy shoppers. utive Ana Botin said in a statement. Greater customer activity in Brazil and a recovery in 3. Green is the new black the exchange rate of the Brazilian real helped the bank Consuming ethically has become more important in recent as the Latin American country bounces back from a years. Many people todaysay they are interested in ethical sharp economic downturn. Profit there jumped 42 per- and environmentally friendly products . It follows that if cent to 2.54 billion euros. Brazil was the leading con- brands want to be commercially successful, they will have to tributor to earnings last year at 26 percent followed by meet these new consumer expectations. Big companies are Britain at 16 percent. Brazil’s economy is projected to acting on this. Smaller firms,too,are looking at their ecosys- grow two percent this year, according to an annual tem of buyers and suppliers to make sure everyone meets report by the United Nations-backed Economic their standards. This isn’t surprising, because if just one com- Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean pany fails consumers, it puts the reputation of allparties at released last month. That is far better than the 0.9 percent growth risk - just like a domino effect. expected for 2017, or the preceding two years when Brazil’s economy was mired in its worst-ever recession. 4. Trade skips borders Santander’s profits in Britain, which until recently was Services such as tourism, finance and education are its main market, fell by 9.0 percent last year to 1.5 bil- expected to account for 25% of global trade by 2030 . Digital lion euros as the drop in the value of the pound after technology makes new markets more accessible and more Britain’s vote to leave the European Union took its toll. and more small firms are expanding overseas virtually, with- In the United States, Santander said its profit fell out ever setting foot abroad. This is a game-changer for trade, by 8.0 percent to 332 million euros. The bank’s with expansion now being as much about a click of a button results in 2017 were marked by the purchase in June as bricks and mortar. of failing Spanish rival Banco Popular for the symbol- ic sum of one euro after the intervention of European 5. Blockchain regulators. —AFP Today just 0.5% of the world’s population use blockchain The youngest Al Danah Millionaire with his parents and CEO of Gulf Bank, Tony Daher 22 Established 1961 Technology Thursday, February 1, 2018 Virtual beaus are capturing Chinese hearts as female gaming blooms A huge potential market for the gaming industry in China

SHANGHAI: With his dashing looks, it’s little wonder fling while sitting on the bus, said Liu Yixuan, a 19-year- that 28-year-old tycoon Li Zeyan has wooed hundreds old university student. “A third of my friends play the of thousands of women across China-not bad for an game and many insist on calling themselves Li’s ‘wife,’” avatar in a mobile game. Li is the most popular character Liu said. “I’m intrigued by the characters’ good looks in “Love and Producer”, a Chinese simulation game that and the graphics, but other ‘wives’ are obsessed with has been downloaded more than 10 million times since talking to their ‘husband’, who will reply with sweet debuting in December, mostly by women seeking steamy words in a deep and attractive voice.” fantasy affairs with its four virtual suitors. Its viral popularity has highlighted a huge potential Game on market for the gaming industry in China, where one in Created by Nikki Games, a developer in eastern four mobile phone gamers is a woman-numbers that are China, it was patterned on Japanese “otome”, or expected to grow. The game, and a separate one also “maiden” games, simulated-romance worlds generally aimed at women in which users can “mother” an intrepid aimed at women. China already is a mobile-gaming frog character, have leader, with internet giant leapt into the top ranks Tencent in particular of China’s most-down- raking in profits from loaded mobile games. games like the hit The frenzy over the “Honour of Kings” in games has focused atten- which players spend on tion on China’s “she econ- Tap into rising things like outfits for omy”-the expanding con- relationship their characters. In “Love sumer power of its hun- and Producer”, the play- dreds of millions of expectations er runs a fictional TV smartphone-wielding production company that women-just as game they must save from developers face slowing bankruptcy, all while dat- growth in the gigantic ing one or more of the market for battle-and- male love interests. BEIJING: This file picture taken on August 30, 2016 shows a woman looking at her mobile phone at the strategy games aimed largely at Chinese men. In “Love and Players complete tasks which allow them to collect entrance of a cinema. —AFP Producer”, players choose from four Prince Charmings- cards that are in turn needed to realise a successful TV business CEO Li, a scientist, a special agent and a famous show-or an eventful “date” with one’s lover. Cards can who regularly play mobile games at 50 percent or high- “Female players are more inclined to share on social singer-attractive “catches” that tap into the rising relation- also be purchased. Steamy embraces occur, though the er, boosted by popular apps like the puzzle game Candy media, including their inner thoughts, and are more loyal. ship expectations of Chinese millennial women. action stops there. In the “real” world, one unidentified Crush. Chinese consultancy iResearch said women They will be the breakthrough point for game compa- China’s huge population of mobile users already fan wished Li Zeyan a happy birthday in a giant illumi- accounted for 24.1 percent of gamers in China in 2016, nies the next two years.” “Love and Producer” was increasingly live through their smartphones, communi- nated message projected on a skyscraper in the south- but that figure is projected to climb. “The overall mobile recently leapfrogged by a Japanese-developed game cating via messaging apps like WeChat, sharing on social ern city of Shenzhen on January 13, a pricey stunt likely game industry faces a bottleneck in user growth, but called “Travelling Frog”, in which players prepare an media, and paying digitally for a range of goods and to have cost tens of thousands of yuan (several thou- female players have been unleashed in terms of playing amphibian avatar for a journey. For a week earlier this services with a tap on their phone screen. “Love and sand dollars). time and their willingness and ability to pay,” said Wang month, it was the top-downloaded app in China in the Producer” now also offers the chance to have a virtual Various estimates put the percentages of US women Guanxiong, an independent industry analyst. iOS Store. —AFP

Nintendo raises In Waymo trial, profit forecast on what fired Uber strong Switch sales TOKYOL Nintendo raised its annual net profit forecast by exec may not more than 40 percent yesterday after its popular Switch console flew off the shelves during the holiday season, fuelled by a cheaper yen. The Kyoto-based video game say could be key giant said it now expects annual net profit of 120 billion yen ($1.1 billion), a 41.2-percent rise from a forecast last SAN FRANCISCO: One of the most dramatic moments in an October when it nearly doubled its previous net profit upcoming trade secrets trial between Alphabet Inc’s Waymo projection. Nintendo now expects to sell 15 million Switch and Uber will likely come when the former chief of Uber’s self- units by March, an increase of one million from the previ- driving car unit takes the witness stand, as he is expected to ous forecast-which was already an upgrade from an earlier repeatedly refuse to answer questions. Waymo sued Uber projection of as many as 10 million units. “For the nine Technologies Inc last year, claiming that former Waymo engi- months ended December 31, 2017, the Nintendo Switch neer Anthony Levandowski downloaded more than 14,000 hardware sold well following the launch and sales volume confidential files before leaving to set up a self-driving truck rose substantially during the holiday season,” the company company, called Otto, which Uber acquired soon after. said in a brief statement. Levandowski, regarded as a visionary in autonomous The company now expects annual sales of 1.02 trillion technology, is not a defendant in the case but is on Waymo’s yen and an operating profit of 160 billion yen, again mark- witness list. Waymo has accused Uber of benefiting from ing sizable increases from earlier estimates. Analysts were Waymo technology that it says Uber acquired through quick to praise the firm, which gave the world Super Mario Levandowski. Uber has denied Waymo’s allegations and has and Pokemon. “Switch is in excellent shape. Its demand argued that the data in the files were not trade secrets. remained strong during the Christmas season,” said Hideki The case hinges on whether Uber used the alleged trade Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Research Institute in Tokyo, TOKYO: This file photo taken on January 14, 2017 shows visitors gathering to play Nintendo’s new Switch game secrets to further its autonomous vehicle program. It may help before the latest figures were announced. “Nintendo has console during a game experience session. —AFP determine who emerges in the forefront of the fast-growing been back in full force,” he told AFP. field of self-driving cars. It is the highest-stakes legal challenge on a list of litigation that Uber’s chief executive, Dara ‘Big hit’ pany said. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold 7.33 million units and customer base. “We want to focus on how Nintendo will Khosrowshahi, inherited when he joined the company in Switch, which can be played both at home and on the Splatoon 2 sold 4.91 million, Nintendo said. During the develop apps for smartphones, which can make up for a August. move, blends Nintendo’s console and handheld device April-December period, Switch’s unit sales marked 12.13 slump when it transfers to new consoles,” Yasuo Imanaka, business with its fledgling mobile gaming strategy, which million, while software sales totalled 47.10 million units. an analyst at Rakuten Securities in Tokyo, told AFP before Biggest case in Uber’s history scored a big brand win with Pokemon Go’s success in the Nintendo also managed to maintain solid sales of other the latest earnings announcement. “This is a case that is the biggest in the history of Uber,” summer of 2016. Since its launch in March last year, Switch key products. “Nintendo 3DS hardware sales did not For the April-December period, Nintendo said net Uber attorney Bill Carmody told the court during a pretrial has become a pillar of the company, also known for its weaken after the launch of Nintendo profit reached 135 billion yen, up 31.3 percent from the hearing on Tuesday. Jury selection in the civil case is set for Nintendo 3DS handheld console as well as the household Switch,” the company said, adding that 3DS sales even same period in the previous financial year. During the nine Wednesday in San Francisco federal court, with testimony Wii console franchise. Among Switch game titles, Super rose in the US during the holiday season. While applaud- months, the firm’s operating profit soared to 156 billion yen expected to begin next week. During a pretrial deposition in Mario Odyssey “has been a big hit with global sales reach- ing Switch’s successes, analysts said Nintendo should also from 26 billion yen in the previous year. Sales during the April, Waymo lawyers questioned Levandowski for hours ing 9.07 million units” since its debut in October, the com- delve further into smartphone operations to broaden its period also more than doubled to 857 billion yen. —AFP about allegations that he took Waymo’s trade secrets. He declined to answer any questions about his time at both com- panies, citing constitutional protections against self-incrimina- coin offering by a Texas company called AriseBank. tion over 300 times, according to a deposition transcript. Facebook bans AriseBank was accused of relying on celebrity endorsers Levandowski has never publicly addressed the allegations of such as boxer Evander Holyfield and social media to cheat taking the documents and law enforcement has not charged investors out of $600 million of its goal of $1 billion for a anyone with their theft. The US Department of Justice is con- ads for currency it called “AriseCoin.” In a blog post announcing ducting a criminal investigation into what transpired, accord- the news, Facebook product management director Rob ing to court filings. Leathern hinted that Facebook may modify the new policy Given the ongoing probe, lawyers for both companies said cryptocurrencies at some point to allow bona fide crypto-related businesses at a hearing in September that they do not expect to advertise again. Levandowski to answer questions if called to the witness WASHINGTON: Facebook says it is banning all ads related “We want people to continue to discover and learn stand at trial. Uber, Waymo and Miles Ehrlich, an attorney for to cryptocurrencies in an effort to fight scams. The social about new products and services through Facebook ads Levandowski, declined to comment. US District Judge William media giant said it is barring ads for “financial products and without fear of scams or deception,” Leathern wrote. “That Alsup issued a ruling this month saying he would likely instruct services that are frequently associated with misleading or said, there are many companies who are advertising binary jurors that they are allowed to draw negative conclusions deceptive promotional practices, such as binary options, ini- options, ICOs and cryptocurrencies that are not currently against Uber should Levandowski take the stand and refuse to tial coin offerings and cryptocurrency.” Initial coin offerings operating in good faith.” “This policy is intentionally broad answer questions. or ICOs are a way for companies to raise funds by selling while we work to better detect deceptive and misleading Elizabeth Rowe, a trade secret expert at the University investors cryptographic assets. advertising practices, and enforcement will begin to ramp of Florida Levin College of Law, said Levandowski refusing Fraud is common in the world of red hot digital curren- up across our platforms including Facebook, Audience to answer questions on the stand, and the judge’s instruc- cies such as bitcoin. This week, for instance, the US Network and Instagram. We will revisit this policy and how PARIS: A person holds a cryptocurrency hardware tions around it, would hurt Uber’s case because it would Securities and Exchange Commission shut down an initial we enforce it as our signals improve,” he added. —AFP wallet at La Maison du Bitcoin. —AFP reinforce Waymo’s arguments that he was deceptive and took their information. To counter Levandowski’s expected refusal to answer questions, Rowe said Uber should tell tech giant to remove 73 LGBT-related applications, online store still had Blued available. Google jurors in opening statements that the company’s actions and Google yanks gay including dating services, from its Play Store, and declined to say whether it would comply with the those of Levandowski are separate, stressing that Uber fired urged people to shun apps that broke with cultural government demand to remove dozens of LGBT- the engineer last May. “They definitely might want to say, norms in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority nation. related apps. ‘Whatever he did, it was for himself, by himself, on his own, dating app from Communications ministry spokesman Noor Iza Homosexuality and gay sex are legal in and we didn’t benefit from it,” Rowe said. Alsup granted confirmed yesterday that gay dating application Indonesia-except in conservative Aceh province, Waymo’s request for a pretrial injunction in May, prohibiting Indonesia online store Blued-which boasts more than 27 million users which is ruled by Islamic law-but same-sex rela- Levandowski from working on Lidar, a sensor technology globally-no longer appeared in the Google Play tionships are widely frowned upon and public dis- for self-driving cars that is the crux of the current litigation. JAKARTA: Google has pulled one of the world’s Store available to Indonesian users. “There was plays of affection between gay couples almost If Waymo persuades a jury that Uber stole its trade secrets, largest gay dating apps from the Indonesian version some negative content related to pornography unheard of. In Aceh at the weekend, police forcibly it said it would seek a permanent injunction to prohibit Uber of its online store in response to government inside the application,” Iza told AFP. “Probably one cut the hair of a group of transgender women and from using them in the future. —Reuters demands, Jakarta said yesterday, amid a crackdown or some members of the application put the porno- made them wear male clothing, sparking protests on the LGBT community. Officials had called for the graphic content inside.” As of yesterday, Apple’s from rights groups. —AFP Established 1961 23 Health Thursday, February 1, 2018 Kifan Cooperative announces discount on leading brands

KUWAIT: Kifan Cooperative announced the launch of beau- Board member and Head of purchase committee, Mubarak ty, cosmetics and food supplements festival at Kifan Jassim Al-Tanyeeb said that Kifan Cooperative will witness Cooperative Pharmacy with a 20-50% discount on the numerous festivals, special offers and competitive prices and world’s leading brands. Cosmetics and beauty experts will be that the marketing policy of the festivals will continue ready in the pharmacy to respond to any queries. throughout 2018.

case is the latest example of how social media has added. The suspects have been charged under Indonesia’s site for wildlife trafficking in the Philippines with thou- Indonesia traffickers become a key online market place for animal traffickers environment law which carries a maximum penalty of five sands of endangered crocodiles, snakes and turtles ille- as conservationists warn that tech giants have not done years in prison. The for-sale animals, including some rare gally traded in just three months. enough to halt the trade on their platforms. species endemic to Indonesia, were brought to the capital Indonesia is one of the world’s most biodiverse coun- sell crocs, pythons The seven suspects, who were arrested at separate Jakarta from the jungles of Java and Sumatra islands, tries making it a lucrative market for the illegal trade in locations in and around Jakarta last week, bought the ani- Yuwono said. During their raids, police said they confis- wildlife, which has brought some endangered species to on social media mals for just 300,000 rupiah each before re-selling them cated two crocodiles, two reticulated pythons, six jungle the brink of extinction, activists say. In November, online for between two million and five million rupiah, cats, a pair of gibbons, two Javan lutungs, a Javan surili, Indonesian police arrested several smugglers who stuffed JAKARTA: A group of suspected animal traffickers have authorities said. “The suspects put the animals up for sale two owls, a brahminy kite eagle, and a slow loris. more than 120 exotic birds into drain pipes. TRAFFIC has been arrested in Indonesia for selling crocodiles, pythons on a Facebook page or via WhatsApp,” said Jakarta police The animals were handed over to Jakarta’s conserva- also warned that the illicit sale of pangolins has seen and other protected species through Facebook and the spokesman Argo Yuwono. “Interested buyers were asked tion agency. Earlier this month conservation watchdog thousands of the critically endangered animals smuggled messaging service WhatsApp, police said yesterday. The to meet and the animals were handed over to them,” he TRAFFIC warned that Facebook had emerged as the top out of Indonesia every year.—AFP 24 Established 1961 What’s On Thursday, February 1, 2018 Ibtikar Al-Kuwait launches educational training course

hairperson of Al-Saad Knowledge and Scientific Research Foundation CSheikha Fadia Saad Al-Abdullah Al- Sabah said courses of ‘Ibtikar Al-Kuwait for female students researches and projects’ aim at polishing skills of innovative students by using scientific methods. “The initiative seeks to achieve its goals through the use of modern technological tools, and develop electronic curricula and use them in a way that helps the educational process,” Sheikha Fadia said on the sidelines Sheikha Fadia Saad of the launch of a training course of Ibtikar Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Al-Kuwait in cooperation with the education ministry. She added that the training programs given by the initiative outside school hours provide a learning environment that allows students to discov- er their own interests in addition to gaining confidence as learners through the use of technology. The creative use of Ibtikar Al-Kuwait initiative pro- grams helps the formation of interests and involvement in researches and projects, as well as making achievements by presenting a safe environment their self-ideas, develop their skills and participate in building their society. for learning after school hours, she noted. She said the initiative has developmental dimensions and seek to elevate Sheikha Fadia emphasized the importance of the courses by providing students’ levels in all Arab countries through the opening of constructive an atmosphere through which students can work with trainers to discover communication windows between them.

IWG members visit Defense Ministry Camp

he Defense Ministry Camp invited the International Women’s Committee, Kuwait Chapter, to visit the winter camp, to see firsthand the social and entertainment programs during the holiday period. Guests were received by Jihad Al-Tukhaim and committee advisor Narjis Al-Shatti. Guests were informed about the importance of the camp for the Kuwait society, Tthen they were served with Kuwaiti traditional desserts followed by a luncheon to get them acquainted with Kuwaiti dishes. Members of the International Women’s Committee, Kuwait Chapter, include spouses of ambassadors and diplomats in Kuwait. Established 1961 25 TV Thursday, February 1, 2018

20:35 Friends 21:50 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 01:50 E! News 11:50 American Restoration 15:00 Rabbids Invasion 21:00 The Daily Show With Trevor 22:15 Bizaardvark 02:50 WAGs 12:40 Big Easy Motors 15:24 School Of Rock Noah 22:40 Stuck In The Middle 03:40 WAGs 13:05 Car Hunters 15:48 SpongeBob SquarePants 21:30 The Opposition With Jordan 23:05 Rolling With The Ronks 04:35 WAGs 13:30 Swamp People 16:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Klepper 23:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 14:20 Swamp People 16:36 The Loud House 00:10 Code Of Honor 22:00 Nightcap And Cat Noir 06:00 Botched 15:10 Mountain Men 17:00 Massive Monster Mayhem 00:10 Moomins And The Comet 02:05 Flight World War II 22:25 Pete Davidson: Smd 23:45 Lolirock 06:55 E! News Middle East 16:00 Forged In Fire 17:24 I Am Frankie Chase 03:45 Standoff 23:15 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 07:10 Botched 16:50 Tbc 17:48 Hunter Street 01:35 Amila’s Secret 05:25 Thor 23:40 The Daily Show With Trevor 08:10 E! News: Daily Pop 17:15 Tbc 18:12 Henry Danger 02:50 Legend Of The Sea 07:25 Jurassic World Noah 09:10 Keeping Up With The 17:40 Big Easy Motors 18:36 Rabbids Invasion 04:15 Catcher: Cat City 2 09:35 Captain America: Civil War Kardashians 18:05 Car Hunters 19:00 School Of Rock 06:00 A Town Called Panic 12:05 The Phantom 10:10 Keeping Up With The 18:30 Mountain Men 19:24 Game Shakers 07:25 Last Wizard 13:55 Thor 00:15 PJ Masks Kardashians 19:20 Forged In Fire 19:48 The Thundermans 08:50 Rock Dog 15:55 Larceny 00:40 PJ Masks 11:05 Keeping Up With The 20:10 American Pickers Best Ofs 20:12 SpongeBob SquarePants 10:30 Free Birds 17:30 The Net 01:05 PJ Masks Kardashians 21:00 The Curse Of Oak Island 20:36 SpongeBob SquarePants 12:00 Moomins And The Comet 19:25 Batman v Superman: Dawn Of 01:30 Art Attack 12:00 E! News Middle East 21:50 Pirate Treasure Of The 21:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chase Justice 00:30 Kids Do The Craziest Things 01:55 Henry Hugglemonster 12:15 WAGs LA Knights Templar 21:24 Sanjay And Craig 13:25 Amila’s Secret 22:00 Assassins Tale 00:55 Kids Do The Craziest Things 02:05 Loopdidoo 13:10 WAGs LA 22:40 Forged In Fire 21:48 Rabbids Invasion 14:40 Monkey King: The Hero 23:40 The Asian Connection 01:20 Mythbusters 02:20 Henry Hugglemonster 14:05 WAGs LA 23:30 Mountain Men 22:12 Breadwinners 16:20 Rock Dog 02:10 Invent It Rich 02:35 Calimero 15:00 E! News Middle East 22:36 Harvey Beaks 18:00 Hocus Pocus Alfie Atkins 03:00 How The Earth Works 02:50 Henry Hugglemonster 15:15 E! News: Daily Pop 23:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 19:25 Ploddy Police Car 03:50 Ultimate Survival 06:00 Art Attack 16:15 Keeping Up With The 23:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 20:50 Monkey King: The Hero 04:40 Tanked 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashians 23:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 22:30 Last Wizard 05:30 How It’s Made 06:45 Loopdidoo 17:10 Keeping Up With The 23:55 Free Birds 00:50 Lone Star Law 05:55 How It’s Made 07:00 Henry Hugglemonster Kardashians 03:00 A Taste Of South Africa 01:45 Treehouse Masters 06:20 Kids Do The Craziest Things 07:15 Calimero 18:05 Keeping Up With The 03:30 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 02:40 Preposterous Pets 06:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 07:30 PJ Masks Kardashians 03:55 The Game Chef 03:35 Escape To Chimp Eden 07:00 Ultimate Survival 08:00 P-King Duckling 19:00 E! News 04:25 The Game Chef 04:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 07:50 How It’s Made 08:25 Jungle Junction 20:00 WAGs Atlanta 04:50 Miguel’s Feasts 00:15 Shimmer And Shine 00:00 Boys Don’t Cry 04:25 Tanked 08:15 How It’s Made 08:40 Special Agent Oso 21:00 WAGs Atlanta 05:20 Miguel’s Feasts 01:01 Max & Ruby 02:00 The Best Exotic Marigold 05:15 Treehouse Masters 08:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 09:00 Handy Manny 22:00 WAGs Atlanta 05:45 What’s For Sale? 01:25 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom Hotel International 09:05 Kids Do The Craziest Things 09:15 PJ Masks 23:00 E! News Middle East 06:15 My Pacific Quest 01:36 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 04:05 I’ll See You In My Dreams 06:02 Mutant Planet 09:30 Tanked 09:30 Puppy Dog Pals 23:15 The Platinum Life 07:10 Places We Go 01:47 The Day Henry Met 05:45 Die Hard 06:49 Lone Star Law 10:20 How The Earth Works 10:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 07:35 Places We Go 01:52 The Day Henry Met 08:00 The Big Year 07:36 Meet The Orangutans 11:10 NASA’s Unexplained Files 10:25 Mickey And The Roadster 08:05 A Taste Of South Africa 01:57 Blaze And The Monster 09:45 My All American 08:00 Meet The Orangutans 12:00 Freaks Of Nature Racers 08:30 A Taste Of South Africa Machines 11:45 Ride Along 2 08:25 Escape To Chimp Eden 12:25 Freaks Of Nature 10:55 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 09:00 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 02:41 Zack & Quack 13:30 Beverly Hills Cop 3 08:50 Escape To Chimp Eden 12:50 How It’s Made 11:20 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 09:25 The Game Chef 02:52 Kid-E-Cats 15:15 The Big Year 09:15 Treehouse Masters 13:15 How It’s Made 11:50 The Lion Guard 09:55 The Game Chef 02:58 Kid-E-Cats 17:00 Dan In Real Life 10:10 Preposterous Pets 13:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 12:15 The Lion Guard 00:00 Chopped 10:20 Miguel’s Feasts 03:04 Shimmer And Shine 18:40 Hail, Caesar! 11:05 Mutant Planet 14:05 Kids Do The Craziest Things 12:45 Sofia The First 01:00 Iron Chef Gauntlet 10:50 Miguel’s Feasts 03:26 Nella And The Princess 20:30 Arachnophobia 12:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 14:30 Tanked 13:10 Sofia The First 02:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 11:15 What’s For Sale? Knight 22:20 The Revenant 12:28 Escape To Chimp Eden 15:20 Ultimate Survival 13:35 PJ Masks 02:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 11:45 My Pacific Quest 03:38 Paw Patrol 12:55 Tanked 16:10 How The Earth Works 14:00 PJ Masks 03:00 Man Fire Food 12:40 Places We Go 04:01 Little Charmers 13:50 Treehouse Masters 17:00 NASA’s Unexplained Files 14:30 Doc McStuffins 03:30 Man Fire Food 13:05 Places We Go 04:13 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom International 17:50 Freaks Of Nature 14:55 P-King Duckling 04:00 Chopped 13:35 A Taste Of South Africa 04:24 Dora The Explorer 14:45 Preposterous Pets 18:15 Freaks Of Nature 15:20 Vampirina 05:00 Guy’s Grocery Games 14:00 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 04:46 Max & Ruby 15:40 Mutant Planet 18:40 Kids Do The Craziest Things 15:45 Sofia The First 06:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To 14:30 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 05:06 The Day Henry Met 00:40 Mythbusters: The Search 16:35 Lone Star Law 19:05 Kids Do The Craziest Things 16:10 Puppy Dog Pals Basics 14:55 Miguel’s Feasts 05:11 Nella The Princess Knight 01:30 How Do They Do It? 17:30 Treehouse Masters 19:30 How It’s Made 16:35 Mickey And The Roadster 06:25 Barefoot Contessa: Back To 15:25 Miguel’s Feasts 05:35 Shimmer And Shine 01:55 Food Factory 18:25 Whale Wars 19:55 How It’s Made Racers Basics 15:50 Miguel’s Feasts 05:59 Wallykazam! 02:20 Secrets Of The Underground 19:20 Whale Wars 20:20 Tanked 17:00 Messages From Miles 06:50 Anna Olson: Bake 16:20 The Game Chef 06:21 Zack & Quack 03:10 Storm Chasers 20:15 Preposterous Pets 21:10 NASA’s Unexplained Files 17:05 Mickey’s Monster Musical 07:15 The Kitchen 16:45 The Game Chef 06:32 The Day Henry Met 04:00 Nextworld 21:10 Escape To Chimp Eden 22:00 Freaks Of Nature 17:50 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 08:05 The Pioneer Woman 17:15 My Pacific Quest 06:38 Blaze And The Monster 04:48 Mythbusters: The Search 22:05 Whale Wars 22:25 Freaks Of Nature 18:00 Goldie & Bear 08:30 The Pioneer Woman 18:10 Places We Go Machines 05:36 How Do They Do It? 23:00 Whale Wars 22:50 How The Earth Works 18:15 Goldie & Bear 08:55 Siba’s Table 18:35 Places We Go 07:00 Rusty Rivets 06:00 Food Factory 23:55 North America 23:40 Ultimate Survival 18:30 Puppy Dog Pals 09:25 Siba’s Table 19:05 A Taste Of South Africa 07:13 Paw Patrol 06:24 Secrets Of The Underground 18:55 Sofia The First 09:55 Cooking For Real 19:30 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 07:37 Dora The Explorer 07:12 Storm Chasers 19:25 Mickey And The Roadster 10:25 Cooking For Real 20:00 Andy And Ben Eat Australia 08:00 Nella The Princess Knight 08:00 How Do They Do It? Racers 10:55 The Kitchen 20:30 Miguel’s Feasts 08:10 Kid-E-Cats 08:26 Nextworld 19:55 Doc McStuffins 11:45 Cooking For Real 21:00 Miguel’s Feasts 08:21 Bubble Guppies 09:14 Mythbusters: The Search 20:10 The Lion Guard 12:10 The Pioneer Woman 21:30 Miguel’s Feasts 08:44 Blaze And The Monster 10:02 Storm Chasers 00:00 Stella 20:35 P-King Duckling 12:35 The Pioneer Woman 22:00 The Game Chef Machines 10:50 How Do They Do It? 00:55 Top Of The Lake 00:50 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 21:00 Vampirina 13:00 Siba’s Table 22:25 The Game Chef 09:07 Paw Patrol 11:14 Food Factory 02:00 New Tricks Hall 21:30 PJ Masks 13:30 Siba’s Table 22:55 My Pacific Quest 09:30 Shimmer And Shine 11:38 Secrets Of The Underground 02:55 Doctors 01:45 House Of Horrors: Kidnapped 22:00 PJ Masks 14:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 23:50 Places We Go 09:53 Nella The Princess Knight 12:26 Nextworld 03:30 Eastenders 02:40 Who Killed Angie Dodge: 22:25 Sofia The First 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 10:15 The Day Henry Met 13:14 Mythbusters: The Search 04:05 Stella Keith Morrison... 22:50 P-King Duckling 15:00 Chopped 10:21 Paw Patrol 14:02 How Do They Do It? 05:00 New Tricks 03:35 Who Killed Angie Dodge: 23:20 Puppy Dog Pals 16:00 The Kitchen 10:44 Rusty Rivets 14:26 Food Factory 06:00 Doctors Keith Morrison... 23:45 Mickey And The Roadster 17:00 Cooking For Real 11:07 Wallykazam! 14:50 Storm Chasers 06:30 Eastenders 04:30 Deadline: Crime With Tamron Racers 17:30 Cooking For Real 11:30 Bubble Guppies 15:38 Nextworld 07:00 The Musketeers Hall 18:00 Chopped 03:00 The Story Of Us With Morgan 11:54 Team Umizoomi 16:26 Secrets Of The Underground 07:55 Stella 05:25 California Investigator 19:00 Guy’s Grocery Games Freeman 12:17 Shimmer And Shine 17:14 Mythbusters: The Search 08:45 Father Brown 05:50 California Investigator 20:00 Tia Mowry At Home 04:00 Breakthrough 12:39 Shimmer And Shine 18:02 Storm Chasers 09:35 Doctors 06:20 I Almost Got Away With It 20:30 Tia Mowry At Home 05:00 The Great Food Revolution 13:01 Max & Ruby 18:50 Nextworld 10:10 Eastenders 07:10 Swamp Murders 21:00 The Big Eat - Middle East 06:00 Lawless Island Alaska 13:25 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 19:40 Mythbusters: The Search 10:40 New Tricks 08:00 California Investigator 00:15 Yukon Men 21:30 The Big Eat - Middle East 07:00 Science Of Stupid 13:47 The Day Henry Met 20:30 How Things Work 11:35 The Musketeers 08:25 True Crime With Aphrodite 01:05 Gold Rush 22:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 07:30 Science Of Stupid 13:52 The Day Henry Met 21:20 How Do They Do It? 12:30 Stella Jones 01:50 Treasure Quest: Snake Island 22:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:00 Fish Tank Kings 13:57 Blaze And The Monster 21:45 Food Factory 13:20 Father Brown 09:15 California Investigator 02:35 Rebel Gold 23:00 Chopped 09:00 Engineering Connections Machines 22:10 Storm Chasers 14:10 Doctors 09:40 California Investigator 03:20 Street Outlaws 10:00 Nazi Megastructures 14:41 Zack & Quack 23:00 Mysteries Of The Missing 14:40 Eastenders 10:10 Nightmare Next Door 04:05 Alaska: The Last Frontier 11:00 Supercar Megabuild 14:52 Kid-E-Cats 23:50 Nextworld 15:15 New Tricks 11:05 I’d Kill For You 04:50 Deadliest Catch 12:00 To Catch A Smuggler 14:58 Kid-E-Cats 16:10 The Musketeers 12:00 The Perfect Murder 05:35 How Do They Do It? 13:00 Lawless Island Alaska 15:04 Shimmer And Shine 17:10 Stella 12:55 True Crime With Aphrodite 06:00 Backroad Bounty 14:00 Fish Tank Kings 15:26 Nella And The Princess 18:00 Doctors Jones 06:45 How Do They Do It? 00:10 Masterpiece With Alan 15:00 Science Of Stupid Knight 18:30 Eastenders 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 07:10 How Do They Do It? Titchmarsh 15:30 Science Of Stupid 15:38 Paw Patrol 19:05 New Tricks 14:45 Swamp Murders 07:35 Alaska: The Last Frontier 01:00 Emmerdale 16:00 Nazi Megastructures 16:01 Little Charmers 01:30 Tiptoes 20:05 Benidorm 15:40 I’d Kill For You 08:20 Backroad Bounty 01:30 Coronation Street 17:00 Supercar Megabuild 16:13 Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom 03:00 The Gift 21:00 Holby City 16:35 Married With Secrets 09:10 Deadliest Catch 02:00 Coronation Street 18:00 To Catch A Smuggler 16:24 Dora The Explorer 04:50 Nothing But The Truth 21:55 New Tricks 17:30 True Crime With Aphrodite 09:55 Gold Rush 02:30 Cash Trapped 19:00 Science Of Stupid 16:46 Max & Ruby 06:30 Noel 22:50 Doctors Jones 10:45 Treasure Quest: Snake Island 03:25 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 19:30 Science Of Stupid 17:06 The Day Henry Met 08:10 Venom 23:20 Eastenders 18:25 California Investigator 11:30 Rebel Gold 04:25 Tutankhamun 20:00 Nazi Megastructures 17:11 Nella The Princess Knight 09:40 First Snow 23:50 Benidorm 18:50 California Investigator 12:20 Backroad Bounty 05:15 Don’t Tell The Bride 20:50 Supercar Megabuild 17:35 Shimmer And Shine 11:20 Wicker Park 19:20 I Almost Got Away With It 13:05 How Do They Do It? 06:15 Masterpiece With Alan 21:40 To Catch A Smuggler 17:59 Wallykazam! 13:15 Bad Santa 20:15 Swamp Murders 13:30 How Do They Do It? Titchmarsh 22:30 Science Of Stupid 18:21 Zack & Quack 14:45 Tiptoes 21:10 I’d Kill For You 13:55 Deadliest Catch 07:05 Cash Trapped 22:55 Science Of Stupid 18:32 The Day Henry Met 16:15 The Congress 22:05 Reasonable Doubt 14:40 Yukon Men 08:00 The Doctor Blake Mysteries 23:20 Fish Tank Kings 18:38 Blaze And The Monster 18:15 The Assignment 23:00 Killer Confessions 15:30 Gold Rush 09:05 Tutankhamun Machines 20:00 Nurse Betty 23:55 Murder Book 16:15 Treasure Quest: Snake Island 10:00 Don’t Tell The Bride 19:00 Rusty Rivets 22:00 Tadpole 00:00 My Haunted House 17:05 Rebel Gold 11:00 Masterpiece With Alan 19:13 Paw Patrol 23:30 Proof 02:00 My Haunted Vacation 17:50 Alaska: The Last Frontier Titchmarsh 19:37 Dora The Explorer 03:00 Psychic Kids: Children Of The 18:40 Deadliest Catch 11:50 Cash Trapped 20:00 Nella The Princess Knight Paranormal 19:25 Yukon Men 12:45 Emmerdale 20:10 Kid-E-Cats 04:00 My Haunted House 20:15 Street Outlaws 13:15 Coronation Street 20:15 Kid-E-Cats 06:00 My Haunted Vacation 21:00 Blowing Up History 13:45 Coronation Street 03:15 Outback Wrangler 20:21 Bubble Guppies 07:00 Homicide Hunter 00:10 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 21:50 Tesla’s Death Ray: A Murder 14:15 Masterpiece With Alan 03:45 World’s Weirdest 20:44 Blaze And The Monster 08:00 The First 48 Witch Declassified Titchmarsh 04:40 Lion Kingdom Machines 00:00 Cedar Cove 09:00 Escaping Polygamy 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 22:40 What On Earth? 15:10 Cash Trapped 05:35 Hyena Coast 21:07 Paw Patrol 01:00 Cedar Cove 10:00 Leah Remini: Scientology And 01:00 Hank Zipzer 23:30 Alaska Monsters 16:00 Inside Windsor Castle 06:30 Monster Croc Wrangler 21:30 Shimmer And Shine 02:00 Mistresses The Aftermath 01:25 Alex & Co. 17:00 Martin Clunes: Islands Of 06:55 Outback Wrangler 21:53 Nella The Princess Knight 03:00 Fashion Star 11:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 01:45 Disney Mickey Mouse Australia 07:25 World’s Weirdest 22:15 The Day Henry Met 04:00 Married At First Sight: The 12:00 Nightmare In Suburbia 01:50 Evermoor Chronicles 17:50 Don’t Tell The Bride 08:20 Lion Kingdom 22:21 Paw Patrol First Year 13:00 The First 48 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 18:50 Emmerdale 09:15 Animal ER 22:44 Rusty Rivets 05:00 Project Runway 14:00 Crimes That Shook Britain Witch 19:15 Coronation Street 10:10 Rescue Ink 23:07 Wallykazam! 06:00 Cedar Cove 15:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 02:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 06:00 Supa Strikas 19:45 Coronation Street 11:05 Lion Kingdom 23:30 Bubble Guppies 07:00 Cedar Cove 16:00 Nightmare In Suburbia Witch 06:25 Milo Murphy’s Law 20:10 Cash Trapped 12:00 Sharkatraz 23:54 Team Umizoomi 08:00 Mistresses 17:00 Homicide Hunter 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 06:50 Right Now Kapow 21:00 Inside Windsor Castle 12:55 Searching For The Snow 09:00 Fashion Star 18:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 03:30 Binny And The Ghost 07:15 Mech-X4 22:00 Martin Clunes: Islands Of Leopard 10:00 Married At First Sight: The 19:00 It Takes A Killer 03:55 Hank Zipzer 07:40 Disney Mickey Mouse Australia 13:50 Monster Croc Wrangler First Year 19:30 It Takes A Killer 04:15 Disney Mickey Mouse 07:45 Walk The Prank 22:50 Emmerdale 14:15 Outback Wrangler 11:00 Project Runway 20:00 Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart 04:20 Hank Zipzer 08:10 Walk The Prank 23:15 Coronation Street 14:45 World’s Weirdest: Animal 12:00 Cedar Cove 21:30 Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart 04:45 Alex & Co. 08:35 Right Now Kapow 23:40 Coronation Street Taboo 00:20 A Sunday Horse 13:00 Cedar Cove 23:00 Fritzl By Fred Dinenage 05:10 Alex & Co. 09:00 Right Now Kapow 15:40 Baby Animals In The Wild 02:10 Coat Of Many Colors 14:00 Mistresses 05:35 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 09:25 Mighty Med 16:35 Animal ER 03:40 Deck The Halls 15:00 Fashion Star Witch 09:50 Mighty Med 17:30 David Attenborough’s Rise Of 05:15 Bonta 16:00 Married At First Sight: The 06:00 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 10:20 Star Wars: The Freemaker Animals 06:45 A Sunday Horse First Year Witch Adventures 18:25 Wild 24 08:35 Coat Of Many Colors 17:00 Project Runway 00:05 Michael McIntyre’s Showtime 06:25 Binny And The Ghost 10:45 Star Wars: The Freemaker 19:20 World’s Weirdest: Animal 10:05 Capture The Flag 18:00 Married At First Sight 01:00 Another Period 06:45 Disney Mickey Mouse Adventures 00:00 How 2 Win Taboo 11:45 Deck The Halls 19:00 Married At First Sight 01:23 Another Period 06:50 Rolling With The Ronks 11:10 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 01:00 Cowboys & Outlaws 20:10 Baby Animals In The Wild 13:20 A Miracle On Christmas Lake 20:00 Mistresses 01:45 Tosh.0 07:00 Jessie Much Everything 02:00 The Colour Of War 21:00 Animal ER 15:20 Pet Pals In Windland 21:00 House Of DVF 02:10 The Opposition With Jordan 07:25 Tangled: The Series 11:35 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 03:00 Hangar 1: The UFO Files 21:50 David Attenborough’s Rise Of 16:45 The Angry Birds Movie 22:00 Married At First Sight: The Klepper 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts Much Everything 03:50 Ancient Aliens Animals 18:25 Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder First Year 02:35 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 07:55 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 12:00 Kid vs. Kat 04:40 Modern Marvels 22:40 Wild 24 19:55 Chilly Christmas 23:00 Project Runway 03:00 The Daily Show With Trevor 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 12:25 Two More Eggs 05:30 How 2 Win 23:30 Sharkatraz 21:25 Pet Pals In Windland Noah 08:45 Bunk’d 12:30 Kid vs. Kat 06:20 Cowboys & Outlaws 22:50 Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder 03:25 Tosh.0 09:10 Stuck In The Middle 12:55 Kirby Buckets 07:10 The Universe: Ancient 03:50 The Opposition With Jordan 09:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 13:20 Kirby Buckets Mysteries Solved Klepper And Cat Noir 13:45 Supa Strikas 08:00 The Colour Of War 04:15 Kroll Show 10:00 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 09:00 Hangar 1: The UFO Files 00:20 Ambulance 04:40 Key And Peele And Cat Noir 14:15 Supa Strikas 10:00 Ancient Aliens 00:12 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 01:05 What Have I Got? 05:05 I Live With Models 10:25 Lolirock 14:40 Right Now Kapow 11:00 Modern Marvels 00:36 Rabbids Invasion 00:15 Stag 01:27 What Have I Got? 05:30 Impractical Jokers 10:50 Lolirock 15:05 Right Now Kapow 12:00 How 2 Win 01:00 Rabbids Invasion 01:50 Preggoland 01:50 Body Bizarre 05:55 Disaster Date 11:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 15:30 Milo Murphy’s Law 13:00 Cowboys & Outlaws 01:24 Sanjay And Craig 03:40 Daddy’s Home 02:35 Iyanla: Fix My Life 06:20 Ridiculousness Arabia Witch 15:55 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 14:00 The Colour Of War 01:48 Sanjay And Craig 05:25 Holiday Joy 03:20 Our Little Family 06:50 Friendszone 11:40 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 16:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & 15:00 Hangar 1: The UFO Files 02:12 Winx Club 07:05 Are We Done Yet? 04:05 Toddlers & Tiaras 07:15 Friendszone Witch Cody 16:00 Ancient Aliens 02:36 Winx Club 08:50 Hearts Of Spring 04:50 Ultimate Shopper 07:40 The Jim Gaffigan Show 12:05 Hank Zipzer 16:25 Lab Rats 17:00 Modern Marvels 03:00 Harvey Beaks 10:20 Breaking The Bank 05:35 Say Yes To The Dress 08:05 Impractical Jokers 12:30 Alex & Co. 16:50 Lab Rats 18:00 The Universe: Ancient 03:24 Harvey Beaks 12:10 Dad’s Army 06:00 Extreme Cheapskates 08:30 Disaster Date 12:55 Alex & Co. 17:15 Mech-X4 Mysteries Solved 03:48 The Loud House 13:55 Are We Done Yet? 06:22 Extreme Cheapskates 08:55 Workaholics 13:20 Lolirock 17:40 Marvel’s Spider-Man 19:00 Cowboys & Outlaws 04:12 The Loud House 15:30 Welcome Home Roscoe 06:45 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 09:20 Kroll Show 13:45 Lolirock 18:05 Supa Strikas 20:00 The Colour Of War 04:36 Breadwinners Jenkins 07:30 Say Yes To The Dress UK 09:45 Key And Peele 14:10 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 18:30 Marvel’s Ant-Man 21:00 America’s Book Of Secrets 05:00 Breadwinners 17:25 Wayne’s World 2 07:52 Say Yes To The Dress UK 10:10 I Live With Models And Cat Noir 18:35 Walk The Prank 22:00 Ancient Aliens 05:24 Get Blake 19:05 Six Dance Lessons In Six 08:15 Our Little Family 10:35 The Jim Gaffigan Show 14:35 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 19:00 Gravity Falls 23:00 Clash Of The Gods 05:48 SpongeBob SquarePants Weeks 09:00 Cake Boss 11:00 Impractical Jokers And Cat Noir 19:25 Milo Murphy’s Law 06:12 SpongeBob SquarePants 20:55 Jeff, Who Lives At Home 09:25 Toddlers & Tiaras 11:25 Disaster Date 15:00 The Zhuzhus 19:50 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 06:36 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 22:20 My Dead Boyfriend 10:10 Obsessive Compulsive 11:50 Ridiculousness Arabia 15:15 K.C. Undercover 19:55 Mech-X4 07:00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 23:55 Everybody Wants Some Cleaners 12:20 Impractical Jokers 15:40 Bunk’d 20:20 Penn Zero: Part Time Hero 07:24 Rabbids Invasion 10:55 Two In A Million: Tiniest 12:45 Friendszone 16:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 20:45 Gamer’s Guide To Pretty 07:48 Get Blake Torso 13:10 Friendszone 16:10 Elena Of Avalor Much Everything 08:12 Harvey Beaks 11:40 Oprah: Where Are They 13:35 I Live With Models 16:35 Bizaardvark 21:10 Kid vs. Kat 00:20 Swamp People 08:36 Sanjay And Craig Now? 14:00 Friends 17:00 Tangled: The Series 21:35 Marvel’s Rocket And Groot 01:10 Swamp People 09:00 SpongeBob SquarePants 12:25 Say Yes To The Dress UK 14:23 Friends 17:25 Descendants Wicked World 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 02:00 American Pickers Best Ofs 09:24 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 00:05 Goodfellas 12:47 Say Yes To The Dress UK 14:45 Workaholics 17:30 Stuck In The Middle 21:45 Lab Rats 02:50 Big Easy Motors 09:48 Henry Danger 02:30 Worlds Apart 13:10 Save My Style 15:10 Key And Peele 17:55 K.C. Undercover 22:10 Lab Rats 03:15 Car Hunters 10:12 Game Shakers 04:30 All The Wilderness 13:32 Save My Style 15:35 Kroll Show 18:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 22:35 Phineas And Ferb 03:40 Billion Dollar Wreck 10:36 Regal Academy 05:50 Jappeloup 13:55 Toddlers & Tiaras 16:00 Friendszone And Cat Noir 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am 04:30 Swamp People 11:00 Winx Club 08:00 Days Of Heaven 14:40 Our Little Family 16:25 Friendszone 18:45 Hotel Transylvania: The Series 05:15 Swamp People 11:24 SpongeBob SquarePants 09:45 All The Wilderness 15:25 Outdaughtered: Busby Quints 16:50 Friends 19:10 Star Wars Forces Of Destiny 06:00 Mountain Men 11:48 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11:05 Worlds Apart 16:10 Cake Boss 17:15 Friends 19:15 Bunk’d 06:50 Forged In Fire 12:12 The Loud House 13:05 The Last King 16:35 Cake Boss 17:40 Disaster Date 19:40 Girl Meets World 07:40 American Restoration 12:36 Rabbids Invasion 14:50 Newsies: The Broadway 17:00 Oprah: Where Are They 18:05 Ridiculousness Arabia 20:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 08:31 Big Easy Motors 13:00 Breadwinners Musical Now? 18:35 Friendszone 20:10 Liv And Maddie 00:10 Keeping Up With The 08:56 Car Hunters 13:24 Massive Monster Mayhem 17:10 Noble 17:50 Obsessive Compulsive 19:00 Friendszone 20:35 Jessie Kardashians 09:20 American Pickers 13:48 Hunter Street 19:00 The Last 100 Days Of Diana Cleaners 19:25 Impractical Jokers 21:00 Tangled: The Series 01:00 Keeping Up With The 10:10 Ax Men 14:12 I Am Frankie 20:40 David Lynch: The Art Life 18:50 Ultimate Shopper 19:50 Real Husbands Of Hollywood 21:25 K.C. Undercover Kardashians 11:00 Forged In Fire 14:36 The Thundermans 22:20 Brick 19:40 Say Yes To The Dress 20:12 Friends 20:10 Cake Boss 26 Established 1961 Stars Thursday, February 1, 2018

CROSSWORD 1824 STAR TRACK

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

Aries, now is the time to go in new directions regarding love and friend- Libra, you may receive some information you have sought for a long time; ship if you find you are unhappy; if you ignore this the situation will only worsen. savor the moment. It could seem that the facts of your life change in the twinkling of an Impetuous action regarding finances is not suggested at this time; watch and learn. eye; hold on for a rocky ride. It is better to halt in the middle of the stream than drown Even so, you will come across opportunities to increase you finances; be careful. A trying to reach the other side, be patient no matter how hard it seems. You find great situation will conclude or enter a sensitive phase of expansion. You will have the enjoyment in your new studies and habits that bring positive outcomes. Hearing from a desire to work with electronic or some type of innovative theories combined with brother or sister will bring warmth and merriment to your day or this could indicate facts. Your energies run effectively toward making yourself felt in the material, per- someone similar to a sibling. You will let someone know your true feelings and this could ceptible outer world. You are not in the most patient of moods and you could cut be a beautiful moment. Your outer beauty will be obvious today and someone will say so. someone off that perhaps you shouldn’t. Let your mind rest tonight, Aries. A lazy evening with thoughts of fantasy induced possibilities for your tonight, Libra.

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

Taurus, you notice changes taking place everywhere you look; this could Scorpio, a new, exciting tool could appear that will support stronger cause you to take another direction in achieving your objectives; the actual objectives communications. Decisions regarding work are clear-cut and everyone could agree; could even change! Now is the time to let go, not accumulate. Research and wisdom enjoy strong team unity throughout the day. A new idea could be polished and deliv- from a trusted mentor will ease anxiety and create confidence. Listen carefully for with- ered to an appreciative client or customer. You could feel some resistance on a per- out appropriate advice you could step into a very negative situation; something you sonal level that might puzzle you; be open to listening and learning. You may uncover may have created. You may face opposition on the home front until you explain what is an unfortunate mistake someone made and did not realize until now. You may need to happening. You could feel unbalanced and trapped with the arrival of some new devel- ask for help later with an issue regarding a vehicle; could be flat tire or dead battery opments. Use your common sense, think carefully and proceed accordingly. Rest and but nothing serious. Think of something restful to do later with someone you care for. relax this evening with a good movie or book; you always land on your feet, Taurus. Tonight, focus on the present and let go of all other concerns for now, Scorpio.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius, your vision is completely opposed to those you are involved Gemini, your social life is prominent now and you may have to reconsider with on certain levels; you may feel your way is the best way for you and changing your some of the people you call friends. Many of your co- not anyone else. Studying new concepts and methods is very important but remember workers look up to you and try to find the secret to your positive frame of mind. Hearing that just because you read something doesn’t mean you buy into it for it is merely some- ACROSS 78. (Hawaiian) A small guitar having four new methods and approaches are at the top of your list. Using research to get the cor- thing to learn about. Education is what separates many cultures and people because our 1. Someone who engages in arbitrage strings. rect details and reaching people clearly with your findings will be prominent; mistakes (who purchases securities in one mar- 79. The state capital of South Australia. experiences are so varied; have faith in making your way to a good, sound finish. You could cause serious setbacks. In many cases it could also mean the way you present will be able to help lots of people and the sharing of answers will be available soon. The ket for immediate resale in another in 81. Having leadership guidance. yourself will help represent the company in a positive way; higher-ups are watching. the hope of profiting from the price 82. The seat within a bishop's diocese desire to travel will continue through the new year and you will have these opportunities You will feel better about yourself and your efforts; this is rare but much needed! You crop up often. Tonight your home is your sanctuary from the masses, Sagittarius. differential). where his cathedral is located adv. are high-minded and technologically superior. Accept compliments and smile, Gemini. 4. The condition of being unable to per- 83. A great raja. form as a consequence of physical or 84. An agency of the United Nations affili- mental unfitness. ated with the World Bank. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 12. A lipoprotein that transports choles- Cancer (June 21-July 22) terol in the blood. DOWN Capricorn, trading email addresses and phone numbers will mark the 15. The longer of the two telegraphic sig- 1. (Old Testament) In Judeo-Christian Cancer, you could be disappointed with someone you thought to be reli- beginning of an important time in your life. Seeing more of family and nals used in Morse code. mythology. able; take time to figure out what happened and make plans to go anoth- friends could provide support you need now. Interesting, cutting edge ideas and prod- 16. An organism (especially a bacterium) 2. Type genus of the Ranidae. er direction. You could think things will work themselves out if you re patient and let ucts hold your attention; you are completely bored with the mundane routines in life. that does not require air or free oxy- 3. God of wealth and love. them be; this is a dangerous chance to take! Things will flow smoothly today toward You want answers to the social state of the world and the causes for it! Take care with gen to live. 4. Stable gear consisting of either of two finishing an important project. Intuition will lead you to look into new medical care; this your search for you will hear many different approaches from across the globe. Keep 17. A unit of surface area equal to 100 curved supports that are attached to could possibly mean new exercise regimen or changes in the food you eat. You could your wits about you and take your time with important thoughts; you could be in a square meters. the collar of a draft horse and that hold find yourself on center stage as superiors or the boss realize the quality of work you do. 18. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. the traces. position to let yourself believe something just to have an answer: beware of this! Enjoy Unpleasant disagreements could come about when someone tries to control what you your evening with art, reading, writing, movies, dance or theater, Capricorn! 19. Marked by extreme anger. 5. A peninsula in southwestern Asia that do or think. Enjoy your evening doing exactly what you feel drawn to do, Cancer. 20. A beverage made by steeping tea forms the Asian part of Turkey. leaves in water. 6. A beta-adrenergic blocking agent (trade 21. A small dynamo with a secondary name Corgard) that is used to treat Aquarius (January 20- February 18) winding that produces a high voltage hypertension and angina. Leo (July 23-August 22) enabling a spark to jump between the 7. A doctor's degree in education. Aquarius, someone seeks you out for your wisdom and guidance in a poles of a spark plug in a gasoline 8. A strong emotion. Leo, this new cycle brings with it the opportunity to let go of denial on engine. 9. Black-spotted usually dusky-colored you have clung to for a long time. Looking at the truth will enable you to difficult situation that could involve someone you love. You eagerly continue your spir- 23. Elinvar is a trademark for a kind of fish with reddish fins. make sensible decisions that will clear the way for growth. If a method is not working itual search: remember not all leaders matters of religion, politics or theories can be nickel-chromium steel used for watch 10. Norwegian mathematician (1802- discard it and find another way. You could feel like freeing yourself of the conventional trusted as they are human and imperfect. There are no simple answers; be patient, springs because its elasticity is con- 1829). thought that you need more things to be happy and fulfilled; you could unload many pray, meditate and listen to your own heart. In business and personal realms be certain stant over a wide range of tempera- 11. A tricycle (usually propelled by ped- old items that are holding you back. Shedding old ways eliminates old, cumbersome you have documentation before you present your case. You may cancel plans for a tures. alling). energy that interferes with evolving of the mind and spirit. Open up for clear thinking. small trip that could be problematic. You may not want to be around anyone tonight 25. A soft yellow malleable ductile (triva- 12. A republic in northeastern Europe on Keep your feet planted firmly upon the ground even if you feel like running away; you and this may offend someone. You may want to put shopping for furnishing, clothes or lent and univalent) metallic element. the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. will see just how much you are needed by someone you care for tonight, Leo. vehicles on hole for now. Surround yourself with beauty this evening, Aquarius. 26. An informal word (abstracted from 13. Depressing in character or appearance. words with this ending) for some 14. Acquire or gain knowledge or skills. unidentified branch of knowledge. 22. Ctenophores lacking tentacles. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 29. A mound of stones piled up as a 24. Submerged aquatic plant having nar- memorial or to mark a boundary or row leaves and small flowers. Pisces, you notice the tiny steps you have taken toward a certain goal will path. 27. Type genus of the Otariidae. Virgo, it seems that today will bring with it an energy of making impres- sive changes to your home by using simple, yet inventive methods. People will compli- make a big showing this year. As a result, home, work and intimate rela- 30. Being ten more than one hundred 28. The act of playing for stakes in the tionships are front and center at this time; one small step at a time is perfect for you! forty. hope of winning (including the pay- ment you on your clever designs and the perfect application of them. You could be rewarded for very good business activity. You could come to the side of a friend to You feel prepared and eager to clear away and solve blockages; your decisions could 32. A globular water bottle used in Asia. ment of a price for a chance to win a have to be remade tomorrow. You may feel upset over the way you have handled some- 33. (Greek mythology) Goddess of the prize). help defend something they believe in; this could involve children with chronic dis- earth and mother of Cronus and the 31. Of a pale purple color. eases or perhaps the homeless, but this will be a most helpful effort on your part. thing but remember love conquers all. Societal issues could be your focus. If you feel Titans in ancient mythology. 35. The arch of bone beneath the eye that Many others will come forward with approval and assistance. Someone who drops by people are siding against you or talking behind your back, relax because everyone who 34. Capital and largest city and economic forms the prominence of the cheek. to show you the results of their new diet could amaze you. Good friends often give us knows you loves you! Plenty of good times ahead as you continue your path toward center of Peru. 37. An associate degree in nursing. silent encouragement just by being next to us in a quiet moment, Virgo. learning and exploring ways to make life better for you and those you love, Pisces. 36. Tropical American tree grown in 39. An African river that flows northwest southern United States having a into Lake Chad. whitish pink-tinged fruit. 40. The capital and largest city of Yemen. Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 38. A soft silvery metallic element of the 42. Tropical starchy tuberous root. alkali earth group. 44. (Greek mythology) Goddess of the 41. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike earth and mother of Cronus and the part of an organism. Titans in ancient mythology. 43. A characteristic sound. 46. An organization of countries formed in 45. The capital and chief port of Qatar. 1961 to agree on a common policy for 47. Food mixtures either arranged on a the sale of petroleum. plate or tossed and served with a 48. Any of various plants of the genus moist dressing. Althaea. 50. The blood group whose red cells carry 49. A famous chief of the Shawnee who both the A and B antigens. tried to unite Indian tribes against the 51. Cooking utensil consisting of a wide increasing white settlement (1768- metal vessel. 1813). 52. A burn cause by hot liquid or steam. 54. A sock with a separation for the big 53. Any of various large keen-sighted diur- toe. nal birds of prey noted for their broad 56. 16 ounces. wings and strong soaring flight. 58. Transparent anterior portion of the 55. A fine grained mineral having a soft outer covering of the eye. soapy feel and consisting of hydrated 60. Having the same or similar characteris- magnesium silicate. tics. 57. Any of various spiny trees or shrubs of 61. A sloping mass of rocks at the base of a the genus Acacia. cliff. 59. A wound made by cutting. 63. An ancient upright stone slab bearing 62. A vehicle carrying many passengers. markings. 65. A Russian river. 64. A member of a North American Indian 66. Elk or moose. people of southeastern California and 68. A unit of weight equivalent to 1000 northwestern Mexico. kilograms. 67. A fraudulent business scheme. 69. The spirit of evil in Zoroastrianism. 70. A pilgrimage to Mecca. 74. English theoretical physicist who 71. A landlocked republic in northwestern applied relativity theory to quantum Africa. mechanics and predicted the exis- 72. In bed. tence of antimatter and the positron 73. A quantity of no importance. (1902-1984). 76. A river in north central Switzerland that 75. A man who serves as a sailor. runs northeast into the Rhine. 77. A loose sleeveless outer garment made 80. An official prosecutor for a judicial dis- from aba cloth. trict.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution ClassifiedsThursday, February 1, 2018

ACCOMMODATION

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7202552:35$<$<(5 7,0(6 RECORDED YESTERDAAYY AATT KUWWAAIT AIRPORT Qibla 22459381 Fajr MAX. Temp. °C   Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Sunrise  MIN. Temp.  °C Zuhr  MAX. RH  % Mirqab 22456536 Asr MIN. RH %   Sharq 22465401 Sunset  MAX. Wind 1:  km/h Isha TOTTAALL RAINFFAALLL IN 24 HR.  mm Salmiya 25746401

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

Arrival Flights on Thursday 1/2/2018 JZR 903 Baku 13:30 Departure Flights on Thursday 1/2/2018 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 774 Riyadh 13:40 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 176 Dubai 13:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 00:05 PAL 668 Manila 14:00 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 FEG 932 Alexandria 13:40 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KNE 231 Riyadh 14:10 JZR 528 Asyut 00:15 FDB 076 Dubai 13:45 KAC 504 Beirut 00:30 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:15 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:50 KAC 618 Doha 14:15 FDB 072 Dubai 00:35 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 KAC 102 London 00:50 KAC 516 Tehran 14:20 PIA 240 Sialkot 00:40 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:15 PGT 858 Istanbul 00:55 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 MSC 412 Asyut 01:00 JZR 124 Bahrain 14:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 QTR 1078 Doha 14:20 JAI 571 Mumbai 01:05 KNE 382 Taif 15:00 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 672 Dubai 14:25 JZR 502 Luxor 01:30 KAC 661 AbuDhabi 15:00 WAN 416 Beirut 01:05 KAC 412 Bangkok 14:35 JZR 142 Doha 01:45 KAC 673 Dubai 15:05 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 KAC 352 Kochi 14:35 KAC 677 Dubai 01:50 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 UAE 853 Dubai 01:45 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 KAC 691 Muscat 15:20 DLH 625 Bahrain 01:45 KAC 304 Mumbai 14:50 THY 773 Istanbul 02:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:25 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 02:30 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 QTR 1079 Doha 15:30 ETH 620 AddisAbaba 02:15 TZS 356 Tbilisi 15:10 DLH 625 Frankfurt 02:45 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 JZR 555 Alexandria 02:15 ETD 303 AbuDhabi 15:15 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:45 QTR 1086 Doha 02:20 JZR 787 Riyadh 15:30 KAC 351 Kochi 03:05 KAC 775 Riyadh 15:50 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 502 Beirut 15:30 ETH 621 AddisAbaba 03:05 KAC 743 Dammam 16:05 KLM 446 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 562 Amman 15:30 UAE 854 Dubai 03:40 PAL 669 Manila 16:10 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 QTR 1087 Doha 03:40 KAC 619 Doha 16:10 KKK 1268 Istanbul 02:55 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 KAC 563 Amman 16:10 MSR 606 Luxor 03:05 QTR 1072 Doha 15:55 KLM 446 Amsterdam 03:55 ETD 304 AbuDhabi 16:20 ETD 305 AbuDhabi 03:10 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 KKK 1269 Istanbul 03:55 JZR 188 Dubai 16:30 MSR 612 Cairo 03:15 ABY 127 Sharjah 16:00 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 QTR 1076 Doha 03:50 KAC 118 NewYork 16:00 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 LMU 510 Cairo 04:00 JZR 535 Cairo 16:05 MSR 607 Luxor 04:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:40 KAC 382 Delhi 04:15 KNE 531 Jeddah 16:05 ETD 306 AbuDhabi 04:05 KAC 615 Bahrain 16:40 KAC 544 Cairo 04:25 JZR 779 Jeddah 16:25 MSR 613 Cairo 04:15 SAW 706 Damascus 16:55 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 FDB 051 Dubai 16:40 LMU 511 Cairo 05:00 KNE 532 Jeddah 16:55 KAC 784 Jeddah 04:35 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 QTR 1077 Doha 05:30 KAC 675 Dubai 17:00 FDB 069 Dubai 04:55 KAC 542 Cairo 17:05 FDB 070 Dubai 05:45 QTR 1073 Doha 17:15 JZR 609 Hyderabad 05:10 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KAC 303 Mumbai 06:05 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JZR 560 Sohag 06:25 JZR 266 Beirut 17:15 JZR 143 Doha 05:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 17:35 DHX 172 Bahrain 06:50 KAC 503 Beirut 17:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:25 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:40 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 283 Dhaka 17:30 KAC 358 Kochi 05:40 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 FDB 052 Dubai 17:40 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 344 Chennai 05:50 JZR 177 Dubai 18:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 KAC 357 Kochi 17:45 KAC 302 Mumbai 06:10 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 KAC 167 Paris 07:35 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 362 Colombo 06:25 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 902 Baku 07:50 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 KAC 678 Dubai 06:30 KAC 744 Dammam 19:10 KAC 501 Beirut 08:00 KAC 343 Chennai 18:00 KAC 284 Dhaka 06:30 KAC 776 Riyadh 19:20 KAC 413 Bangkok 08:10 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 WAN 342 Sohag 06:35 KAC 662 AbuDhabi 19:25 KAC 791 Madinah 08:35 JZR 538 Cairo 18:15 JZR 529 Asyut 06:50 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:35 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:50 RBG 555 Alexandria 19:25 KAC 787 Jeddah 08:40 JZR 184 Dubai 18:30 BAW 157 London 07:10 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 BAW 156 London 08:55 JZR 608 Hyderabad 18:40 KAC 204 Lahore 07:10 KAC 156 Istanbul 19:30 KAC 613 Bahrain 08:55 KAC 381 Delhi 18:50 QTR 8511 Doha 07:35 DLH 8456 Frankfurt 19:35 WAN 133 Doha 09:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:10 NIA 361 Alexandria 19:40 FDB 053 Dubai 07:35 KAC 117 NewYork 09:00 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 KAC 354 Bengaluru 07:35 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 QTR 8512 Doha 09:05 JZR 503 Luxor 07:45 JZR 534 Cairo 09:10 QTR 1081 Doha 20:00 WAN 332 Alexandria 08:00 KAC 616 Bahrain 19:55 TZS 357 Tbilisi 20:00 KNE 381 Taif 20:00 KAC 561 Amman 09:40 KAC 384 Delhi 08:00 KAC 741 Dammam 09:45 RBG 556 Alexandria 20:05 UAE 855 Dubai 08:35 KAC 620 Doha 20:15 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 KAC 101 London 09:45 IRA 667 Esfahan 09:00 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 DHX 172 Bahrain 20:20 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 ETD 301 AbuDhabi 09:05 KAC 692 Muscat 20:40 KAC 671 Dubai 09:45 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 KAC 515 Tehran 10:00 NIA 162 Cairo 20:40 QTR 1088 Doha 20:45 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 20:40 QTR 1070 Doha 09:10 DLH 624 Frankfurt 20:45 UAE 856 Dubai 10:00 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:50 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 JZR 189 Dubai 20:55 IRA 668 Mashhad 10:00 KAC 301 Mumbai 20:50 FDK 803 Damascus 10:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:20 KAC 541 Cairo 10:00 KAC 353 Bengaluru 20:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 ETD 302 AbuDhabi 10:10 IRA 673 Ahwaz 10:10 DLH 8456 Sarajevo/Hong Kong 21:05 ETD 307 AbuDhabi 21:20 KAC 773 Riyadh 10:10 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 168 Paris 21:20 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 KAC 617 Doha 10:15 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:25 QTR 1071 Doha 10:20 WAN 114 Bahrain 11:00 UAE 859 Dubai 21:35 DLH 624 Bahrain 21:30 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 KAC 155 Istanbul 10:25 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:45 KAC 676 Dubai 21:40 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 QTR 1074 Doha 11:20 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 JZR 778 Jeddah 10:40 QTR 1089 Doha 22:00 WAN 116 Bahrain 21:50 RSB 7867 IQA 11:00 NIA 161 Cairo 11:35 KLM 445 Amsterdam 21:50 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:05 WAN 134 Doha 11:45 KAC 564 Amman 22:00 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:10 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1082 Doha 22:05 FDK 804 Damascus 11:00 KAC 203 Lahore 22:10 KAC 614 Bahrain 12:10 ETD 309 AbuDhabi 22:15 IRA 672 Ahwaz 11:10 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 FEG 933 Sohag 12:40 AIC 981 Chennai/Ahmedabad 22:25 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 JZ R561 Sohag 12:45 JZR 241 Amman 22:40 JZR 786 Riyadh 12:00 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 FD B075 Dubai 12:45 JZR 185 Dubai 23:10 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:00 KAC 783 Jeddah 22:35 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:15 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 KAC 383 Delhi 22:40 KAC 742 Dammam 12:50 WAN 836 Sarajevo 23:25 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 KLM 445 Bahrain 22:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 MSC 405 Sohag 23:30 VIZ 202 IQA 12:30 UAE 860 Dubai 23:00 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:15 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:30 QTR 1075 Doha 12:30 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 KAC 792 Madinah 13:20 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 NIA 362 Alexandria 12:35 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 28 Established 1961

Thursday, February 1, 2018 Lifestyle Gossip Zayn appears to gush about Gigi Hadid on new ballad

ayn Malik has shared a preview of a new song the owner of the track on a BMI listing, whilst a host of another song that I’m swapping out with another one. Z which is seemingly about his girlfriend Gigi major songwriters and producer BURNS have been That’s why the album date hasn’t really come yet. Even Hadid being the only woman he needs. The credited for their involvement. Among the names are though the album is pretty much there, and I have the former One Direction star - who has been dat- Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi - who co-wrote Camila material, I’m still changing things here and there. It’s not ing the stunning model for over two years - shared the Cabello’s huge hit ‘Havana’ - Chloe Angelides, known for necessary in my head when I work on a song whether it’s snippet of the track on his Instagram profile on Tuesday. working with Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, and for a new project or whether it’s for this.” Zayn promised On the track, which could appear on the singer’s next Britney Spears collaborator The DJ Burns. The track, fans that a tour is “definitely on the cards” for his second record, Zayn belts: “She’s all the woman I need.” He’s when released, will follow two mega collaborations from album. The ‘Pillowtalk’ hitmaker didn’t head out on the also shared a video of him playing the acoustic guitar on the 24-year-old musician in the form of ‘Dusk Till Dawn’ road in promotion of his debut solo record ‘Mind of the photo-sharing app, with the caption: “jammin (sic)” with Sia and ‘I Don’t Wanna Live Forever’ with Taylor Mine’ in 2016, but now he has more material under his Over the top of the instrument, he sings: “I see you every Swift. Zayn has been keeping his cards close to his belt with the new LP on the way, he’s “excited to start night, always on my mind. Always on my mind/I know chest when it comes to his second record, but admitted rehearsing” his live show. you are mine.” It comes after the ‘Still Got Time’ hitmak- he’s “kind of finalized it”. He said: “This record, I’ve kind er registered a new song called ‘Hurt’. Zayn appears as of finalised it. But there’s always ideas. Every day I find

Justin Bieber to Naughty Boy to finish release new Spanish Cheryl Tweedy track today tune with J Balvin aughty Boy is heading into the studio today to Sande and Sam Smith you understand what real talent is, ustin Bieber has recorded a new Spanish tune N put the finishing touches to his song for Cheryl and it’s not chasing anything, it’s an innate desire for your J with J Balvin and regular collaborator Skrillex. Tweedy. The ‘Runnin’ hitmaker previously music to live.” It comes after Rak-Su were spotted with The ‘Sorry’ hitmaker has been on a break since revealed he teamed up with the former Girls Cheryl and Naughty Boy at the same recording space. axing the rest of his ‘Purpose World Tour’ in Aloud star on a track for her new record, which will be The X Factor champions - made up of childhood friends July due to exhaustion, but while he’s been taking some her first since the arrival of her little boy Bear - whom she Mustafa Rahimtulla, Ashley Fongho, Jamaal Shurland and much needed time off, he’s also been preparing for his has with boyfriend Liam Payne - in March. The 33-year- Myles Stephenson - already collaborated with the pro- comeback. ‘Bonita ‘ hitmaker Balvin, who is known for his old record producer - whose real name is Shahid Khan - ducer and Wyclef Jean on ‘Dimelo’, and were an instant reggaeton style, told The Sun newspaper: “I know he is can’t wait for fans of the ‘Call My Name’ hitmaker to hear hit with Cheryl when they were on the talent show. working right now. We have a song together which is not the “great” track they’ve produced together. Appearing Cheryl last released music in 2014 in the form of her ‘Only out yet. I think it will come soon. We recorded that last on ‘Lorraine’ yesterday he said: “She is a lovely girl. We Human’ album, and to make sure she comes back with a year. “It’s a real dope song, produced by Skrillex, and have recently met and we have written a song for her new bang, Cheryl recruited Naughty Boy. It was previously hopefully it’s going to be on my album.” The track fol- album and we are really happy. “She is her own entity revealed the brunette beauty had kickstarted her return lows Bieber’s remix of smash hit ‘Despacito’, which the and she is in a good place. “People are wanting her to to the music industry when she registered a new song 23-year-old heartthrob - who is back dating his on/off come back and hear what she can do next.” Shahid - who entitled ‘That’s My Song’. Her Girls Aloud bandmate girlfriend Selena Gomez - wanted to sing in the language. has helped launch the careers of Sam Smith and Emeli Nicola Roberts was listed as a songwriter, alongside The track by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee was the first Sande, to name a few - has also revealed he’s on the Triple 8 band member Iain James. And Cheryl has also song that was primarily in Spanish to top the Billboard lookout for the next big star to work with. Referring TV been in the studio with Afro-beat producers Team Salut. Hot 100 since a 1996 remix of ‘Macarena’, and Luis - who talent shows like ‘The X Factor’, he said: “I feel there’s still sings on the track alongside the ‘As Long As You Love someone out there who’s not ready to apply for a TV Me’ hitmaker - previously revealed it was Justin’s deci- show. That’s what I’m ready to hear. “From meeting Emeli sion to use the Spanish version rather than an English one they had recorded. He said: “The funny thing is we actually have a version of the song fully recorded in English, and he knew that. Instead of using that, he decided to use the Spanish version, even though he doesn’t speak Spanish himself and made sure he was Catfish and the Bottlemen and has a fan phonetically pronouncing the words correctly.” Sigrid Meanwhile, Justin skipped the Grammy Awards in New York City last weekend, to spend time with his friends. George Ezra for Boardmasters The ‘What Do You Mean?’ singer was instead spotted in hanging out with his pals and a few fans in Santa Monica, Helen Mirren atfish and the Bottlemen and George Ezra have California. An eyewitness told ‘Entertainment Tonight’ been announced as headliners for igrid can count Dame Helen Mirren as a that Justin was “in a low key, good mood and was very C Boardmasters Festival. Van McCann and co will S fan. The rising Norwegian star has sweet”. In his absence, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee still close the Main Stage at Watergate Bay in revealed the 72-year-old screen legend took the stage with vocalist and Miss Universe 2006 Newquay, Cornwall on Friday August 10, whilst the told her she loves her music when they Zuleyka Rivera to perform a rendition ‘Despacito’. ‘Budapest’ hitmaker will bring the festivities to an end on met on TV’s ‘The Graham Norton Show’ recently. According to Luis, Justin - whose single received three Sunday August 12. The ‘Cocoon’ rockers and the 24-year- Sigrid - whose full name is Sigrid Solbakk Raabe Grammy nominations - declined his invitation to perform. old singer/songwriter join previously confirmed Saturday revealed: “I talked to her backstage and she is very, headliners The Chemical Brothers. Also joining the bill is very cool. She liked my music, apparently she had grime legend Kano - who headlined the music and surf- listened to me before. “It was really nice to meet ing extravaganza’s Unleashed Stage in 2016 - who will her and hang out.” Sigrid - this year’s BBC Music make his UK festival exclusive at Watergate Bay. Also on Sound of 2017 poll winner - has also revealed that the bill are Years & Years - who haven’t released new after topping the charts with her latest single music since 2016 - who look set to make a comeback this ‘Strangers’, she has set her sights on recording a summer. And Rag’n’Bone Man, Rae Morris, Friendly song for the next ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ hopeful Fires, MK and Raye have also been announced, with from her country. She told The Sun newspaper: “I many more acts to be unveiled in the coming months. don’t think I would participate in ‘Eurovision’, but I ‘Galvanize’ hitmakers Chemical Brothers - electronic pio- would love to write a song for it. “I don’t think I neers Ed Simons and Tom Rowlands - will perform on the would do well in ‘Eurovision’ because I don’t think main stage on August 11. The NME Award-nominated jeans and a T-shirt is a thing, you have to wear festival is held between August 8 and August 12, 2018 sequins and a costume. “But it would have to be for across Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay, Norway, obviously. Do it for my country. “It would South West England. Also on the bill are Craig David, be so fun - I want to go to the final. I’m going to Annie Mac, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Declan McKenna, Tom make it happen.” Sigrid became prominent after Walker, Craig David, Sam Fender, The Horrors, The the release of the single ‘Don’t Kill My Vibe’ last Amazons and Bicep Andrew Topham, Boardmasters year, and was “honored” to follow in the footsteps Festival Director, said: “We are delighted to announce of the likes of Jessie J, Ellie Goulding and Adele The Chemical Brothers as our first headline act for who previously won the prestigious BBC poll. Boardmasters 2018. Following another sell-out year Sigrid said previously: “It’s a lot to take in to have which saw the biggest Boardmasters ever this summer, won something as prestigious as BBC Music Sound we are excited to bring more of the most exciting names Of. I feel honored as there are so many other artists in music to Cornwall next August. Boardmasters’ unique I look up to who have won this before me, and hon- fusion of the very best in international surfing and music estly, I’m just really happy and proud of what my helps to keep Cornwall firmly on the map as the festival team and I have achieved together. I’m from a small sees unprecedented growth year on year. We can’t wait town called ?lesund in Norway. “I’m still 21 and it’s to welcome our incredible community for another sum- quite crazy to get this recognition. I’m very excited mer of thrilling surf and music action across two stunning about the year ahead and sharing new music with sites - Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay.” everyone. I want to thank the panel for voting and the team involved in BBC Music Sound Of 2018.”

Jared Leto hints next 30 Seconds to Mars LP ‘could be the last’

Jared Leto has hinted 30 Seconds to Mars’ “The longer you work on a song the longer it takes to A next record could be “their last album” for a finish “New album coming sooooooon! (sic)” He also while. The ‘Suicide Squad’ actor admits the posted two black and white photos of himself, and band leave big gaps between records, and wrote: “Swipe to the see the frontal having a good says fans might have to wait a long time before they put Saturday? Almost done with the next single (sic)” The out a follow-up to their forthcoming fifth studio album. US band’s last release was the single ‘Walk On Water’. According to the Daily Star newspaper, Leto said: Leto previously revealed the record will be “surprising” “We’re really slow at putting albums out. “I don’t mean as it is very futuristic. He said: “The album is, I think, we’re never putting music out again but this may be the going to be very surprising to people. There’s quite a last album at least for a while, until I feel I need a col- lot of different musical styles on the album, it’s a very lection of songs to say something.” The 46-year-old modern album and a break from the past we are incred- hunk recently teased the new album - their first since ibly excited about it. It has a lot of energy and we’ve 2013’s ‘Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams’ - is on the way, spent years working on it, exploring new ideas.” And and they have a new single dropping “soon”. Leto the model admitted that they have “shattered expecta- shared a photograph of his bandmates in their spacious tions” by breaking a few rules.— Bang Showbiz studio on his Instagram Story recently, with the caption: Established 1961 29

Lifestyle Gossip Thursday, February 1, 2018 Sir Ridley Scott to receive BAFTA Fellowship

ir Ridley Scott will be given the BAFTA Tony. Now, the iconic filmmaker joins the likes of Charlie tion of film talent.” Most recently, Scott directed and pro- S Fellowship at this year’s awards. The 80-year- Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean duced the John Paul Getty biopic ‘All the Money in the old filmmaker has had a career spanning more Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony World’ which received a BAFTA nomination for than 40 years and has helmed 25 feature films Hopkins, Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench. Last year, Mel Supporting Actor for Christopher Plummer. He also was including iconic cinema classics ‘Alien’, ‘Gladiator’, Brooks received the prestigious award. Amanda Berry, the executive producer on ‘Blade Runner 2049’ - the ‘Thelma and Louise’ and ‘Blade Runner’. He said: “It is a chief executive of BAFTA, said: “Ridley Scott is a vision- sequel to his cult classic - which received eight BAFTA privilege to have been able to make a career for myself in ary director, one of the great British filmmakers whose nods and five Oscar nominations. The BAFTA awards will this industry and to be honored for my body of work is work has made an indelible mark on the history of cine- take place on February 18. indeed very gratifying.” Although never winning an ma. “His passion and unrelenting pursuit of excellence Academy Award, Scott has been nominated for three of have provided cinema goers with a tantalising range of the prestigious awards and won two BAFTA gongs. Back films, including ‘Alien’, ‘Gladiator’, ‘Thelma and Louise’ in 1992, Scott won BAFTA’s Special Award and three and ‘Blade Runner’, 40 years since his directorial debut, years later, he was awarded the Outstanding British his films continue to cross the boundaries of style and Contribution to Cinema Award alongside his brother genre, engaging audiences and inspiring the next genera- Bill Nighy joins Pokemon movie ill Nighy and Chris Geere are the latest stars stand what the he says - to solve Pokemon-related B to join the cast of ‘Detective Pikachu’. Ryan crimes. ‘Goosebumps’ director Rob Letterman is set to Reynolds is already on board to star in the helm the new movie and has teamed up with Legendary first live-action Pokemon franchise movie, Entertainment to oversee the upcoming movie which along with ‘Inception’s Ken Watanabe, ‘The Get Down’s has been written by ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’s Nicole Justice Smith and ‘Big Little Lies’ star Kathryn Newton. Perlman and Alex Hirsch who has worked on ‘Gravity Now Deadline has reported that ‘Love Actually’ star Bill Falls’, according to Variety. Rather than a standalone and ‘You’re The Worst’ actor Chris have also joined the film it is expected that ‘Detective Pikachu’ will act as a cast. ‘Detective Pikachu’ is set to follow Smith’s teenage launch pad for a new franchise. The Pokemon character Tim Goodman, who has to team up with the Company’s long-standing movie collaborator, Toho, will mouse-like Pikachu in order to find his father who has handle distribution of the film franchise in Japan, as it Michael B. Jordan been kidnapped. Newton is set to star as a journalist. In recently worked in partnership with Legendary on the the movie based on the gaming franchise, Pikachu isn’t reboot for the ‘Godzilla’ franchise. as agile as the normal fan favourite Pokemon, so has to excited to work rely on his intelligence to beat his enemies, and he gets help from Tim - who is the only boy who can under- with Steven Caple back with Jr in Creed 2 Sylvester Stallone ichael B. Jordan is “really excited” to work with M Steven Caple Jr on ‘Creed 2’. The 30-year-old Chuck Berry’s on Expendables 4 actor is set to reprise his role as boxer Adonis Jason Statham “Donnie” Johnson Creed in the upcoming sequel to the 2015 hit movie, and admitted he doesn’t life to be ylvester Stallone has given fans a sneak know when shooting will start. Speaking to Deadline, S peak of the ‘Expendables 4’ set. The 71- Jordan said: “Well, Steven Caple Jr. is going to direct it, year-old actor is reprising his role as Barney and I’m really excited about working with him. Right now, documented Ross in the fourth film in the franchise and we’re in the process of getting the script tight and mak- took to Instagram to reveal a picture of himself ing sure that it’s perfect. Not exactly sure when we’re “blocking” his co-star Jason Statham - who is return- starting, but in the next few months we’ll get back to it huck Berry’s life is to be made into a ing as Lee Christmas. He wrote on Instagram: and try to deliver a solid project in ‘Creed 2’.” Caple is documentary. The music legend passed C “Blocking and Rehearsing a scene with. @jason- said to have been hand-picked by Sylvester Stallone and away at his home in Missouri in March statham from EXPENDABLES... (sic)” Last April, Nu Jordan to helm the motion picture and took over from last year at the age of 90, and now film- Image/Millennium chief Avi Lerner hinted Stallone had Ryan Coogler who helmed the first movie. Coogler is maker Jon Brewer is set to direct and produce a quit the franchise due to creative “disagreements” expected to join the movie in an executive producer documentary based around one of the most with him, but admitted there was still a chance he capacity but a deal has not yet been completed. Last July, influential guitarists in history and rock ‘n’ roll could be involved in the fourth film. He said: “We’ve Stallone teased ‘Creed 2’ would be inspired by ‘Rocky IV’ pioneer. In a statement, Brewer said: “I am very got disagreements with Sly, but we’ve had them for and shared a photoshopped movie poster in which privileged to be able to produce and direct this over a year and a half. Right now, each one has opin- Adonis stands toe-to-toe with Russian boxer Ivan Drago fully authorized and official story of the leg- ion. We agreed on 95 per cent of things, but there are (Dolph Lundgren) who was responsible for killing his endary Chuck Berry.” Berry became an icon for certain things in production we don’t agree on. “I father Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) in the ring in the his hits including ‘Johnny B. Goode’, ‘Roll Over don’t think it’s over, but what write whatever you want. 1985 classic. ‘Creed’ was a spin-off and sequel to the hit Beethoven’ and ‘Maybellene’ as well as his duck- In my opinion, it’s not dead.” Shortly afterwards, ‘Rocky’ film franchise, in which Stallone portrayed heroic walking stage struts and his guitar solos. Cardinal Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted he wouldn’t reprise boxer Rocky Balboa six times. Stallone appeared as the Releasing Ltd signed a deal with Berry’s estate his role as Trench in the franchise without Stallone. He Italian Stallion in ‘Creed’ and was responsible for training and his widow Thelmetta Berry and plan to pro- said: “There is no ‘Expendables’ without Sly. I would Adonis, the son of heavyweight champion Apollo - duce a feature documentary with the current title never do the movie without him, no.” But, earlier this Rocky’s most famous opponent - who was portrayed by ‘Chuck! The Documentary’. Following the docu- month Stallone confirmed he was coming back as Weathers in the first four ‘Rocky’ movies. Just a few mentary, a biopic will be produced. Principal Barney. He posted on Instagram: “BARNEY WILL BE weeks ago, Stallone revealed that the 27-year-old photography has already started, Deadline BACK ! PLUS THE CREW AND A COUPLE NEW Russian boxer Florian ‘Big Nasty’ Munteanu will be play- reports, and the biopic is set to start pre-pro- MEMBERS ... (sic)”. ing Ivan Drago’s son in the upcoming movie. duction this summer after the documentary has been completed. The production company has had a history of music biopics including B.B King, Nat King Cole, Jimi Hendrix and Mick Ronson. Berry has been immortalized in previous Prince’s estate block films already including ‘Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll’ back in 1987 which brought together a number of musicians such as Eric Clapton, Linda Rondstadt, release of new music Julian Lennon, Etta James and Robert Cray. Last year, Berry’s final album was released in June and was his first record since 1979’s ‘Rock It’, and rince’s estate have successfully controlled storage facility in Los Angeles featured a total of 10 tracks, with eight being P won a lawsuit to block the last year, after some of the tapes were written by the ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’ hitmaker. release of unheard music by the found to have deteriorated. Prince, who During his lengthy career, Chuck changed the singer. Producer George Boxill was just 57 when he died, had previously face of the music scene when he released claimed to have a collection of unreleased revealed the existence of the unreleased ‘Maybellene’, which swiftly became a huge hit. songs he worked on with the late musician music in an interview published after his Many hits followed including ‘Promised Land’, - who died in 2016 - between 2006 and death. He said at the time: “I’ve never said ‘Johnny B Goode’ and ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ and 2008 and planned to release them himself, this before, but I didn’t always give the in January 1986, Berry became one of the first even making one track available to buy on record companies the best song. There artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall iTunes briefly last year. But the ‘Kiss’ are songs in the vault that no one’s ever of Fame. singer’s estate filed legal documents heard. There are several vaults; it’s not just threatening to sue Boxill back in April last one vault.” The ‘Little Red Corvette’ year and demanded he return the music to singer is to be honored with a concert them. It was claimed Boxill signed a confi- event called ‘Prince: Live on the Big dentiality agreement when he worked Screen’ that will take place on April 21 with the star which stated all recordings, 2018 at the Target Centre, Minneapolis. Judge dismisses lawsuit “would remain Prince’s sole and exclusive The concert will be part of Celebration property”. The producer is also said to 2018, a four-day event in April to honor have agreed he, “would not use any Prince’s life and legacy and will take place U2 The Fly recordings or property in any way what- at Paisley Park between April 19 and 22. over track soever.” TMZ.com has now obtained legal judge has dismissed a lawsuit The Edge recently shared how he thinks documents which reveal Boxill never A which claimed U2 stole ele- the most “unique” aspect of ‘Songs of responded to the newly filed lawsuit, and ments of a song for their single Experience’ - their 67th studio album - the deadline of January 23 has now ‘The Fly’. Paul Rose claimed and the band in general, is that not many passed. The estate have now requested that U2 copied the 13-second guitar riff in groups have made so much music with the the courts sign off on an injunction, block- his 1989 instrumental track ‘Nae Slappin’ original line-up intact. He said: “I hope ing the release of any of the tracks. This and used it to create a 12-second part of a you don’t need to know anything about comes just days after Prince’s estate guitar solo in ‘The Fly’. And now US U2, or anything about the context, to promised new music would be released District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan enjoy [Songs of Experience]. I think it’s an soon. Estate adviser Troy Carter told has dismissed the case, saying that it was album of just classic songs, great Variety: “I heard some music the other not enough of a “sufficiently substantial” melodies, great hooks, great lyrics. I think night that was pretty mind-blowing and portion of the track, which is three and a there’s very few bands in the history of we’re getting some stuff mixed right now half minutes in length, to be a protectable rock and roll that have been around and ... There will be unreleased Prince music “fragment” of the work. Rose had been made as many albums as we have with the coming soon.” Last year, Universal Music asking for at least $5 million in damages same line-up ... that perspective is unique, Group’s $31 million distribution deal for from Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and you know? On the last record [‘Songs of Prince’s back catalogue was voided over a Larry Mullen Jr as well as UMG Innocence’] we wrote about where we lack of clarity regarding the terms of the Recordings Inc, who releases U2’s records came from. “How this band came together, late singer’s contract with Warner Bros. under their label, Island Records. In the Dublin of the late 70s early 80s, and this Records, the label to which he was signed papers filed, Rose claimed U2 had copied new record is the companion album. But for nearly the first 20 years of his career. the track “virtually note-for-note”, having it’s from this current perspective now ... The contents of Prince’s music vaults got hold of it through Island Records after So many years later, what have we were moved from his former home in he sent the demo for ‘Nae Slappin’ to learned?”— Bang Showbiz Paisley Park, Minneapolis, to a climate- them previously. It comes after guitarist 30 Established 1961 Thursday, February 1, 2018 Lifestyle Features Chadwick Boseman: Why ‘Black Panther’ needed African accent

lack Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman The actor got his break after a decade as an MCU movie, agreed that the messages of the revealed Tuesday doubters had tried to obscure television and indie film actor when movie-which posits Wakanda taking in ‘Bconvince him not to give the superhero Marvel came calling in 2014 with a lucrative refugees and extending its culture and technol- an African accent-and how proud he was to five-picture deal to play Black Panther. His ogy to poorer nations-were particularly topical, prove them wrong. The 41-year-old American appearance in “Captain America: Civil War” but added that most of the script was written 18 stars in the titular role in the 18th movie in the (2016) brought Boseman his first taste of real months ago. Marvel Cinematic Universe-the first black fame and his celebrity looks set to skyrocket superhero to get his own standalone movie. when “Black Panther” opens on February 16, ‘Badass Women of Wakanda’ “There was a time period where people would followed in May by “Avengers: Infinity War.” Coogler and the producers came in for par- ask me questions about ticular praise at the news conference for their whether or not an audience King of Wakanda decision to feature a clique of powerful female could sit through a movie with T’Challa, king and protec- characters dubbed “the badass women of a lead character that spoke tor of the technologically Wakanda” front and center. “I was so pleased with that accent,” Boseman advanced fictional African that this story... that it supported that. In said of the east African inflec- nation of Wakanda, has been African culture, they feel as if there is no king tion he gives the superhero- characterized as the first black without a queen and this story, it highlights the alias King T’Challa. superhero, which is partly queen, the warrior, the general, the young sis- “I became adamant about true. Around 30 black charac- ter,” said Angela Bassett, who plays T’Challa’s the fact that it’s not true,” he ters have donned the lycra for mother Ramonda. “I was so proud to have my added, stressing that none of the big screen since the early daughter and my son there last night, because the naysayers had come from 1990s, including Marvel’s in their faces, in their spirit, they were feeling Marvel itself. “The intonations Falcon (Anthony Mackie since themselves. They stood taller after last night.” and melodies inside an 2014), Wesley Snipes’s titular Gurira (“The Walking Dead”) spoke of her African accent are just as vampire hunter in “Blade” trepidation over having her head shaved to play classical as a British one or a (1998) and Halle Berry’s Okoye, the head of Wakanda’s Dora Milaje spe- European one.” Boseman was Kenyan princess Storm in four cial forces, but how she saw it as “subversive in speaking at a Beverly Hills “X-men” movies. The the right way.” “In theory, it sounded amazing, news conference along with Wakandan royal can claim to Comic book writer Stan Lee (left) and actor Chadwick Boseman attend the world premiere of Marvel and then the day came... It happened. Then you director Ryan Coogler, co- be the first black superhero to Studios’ ‘Black Panther,’ in Hollywood, California. — AFP photos walk into the restroom to wash your hands, stars Michael B Jordan, Lupita land a standalone movie in the Critical and celebrity reactions to “Black Calrissian in the upcoming “Solo: A Star Wars look up like, ‘What the?’ “It took a few days... Nyong’o and Danai Gurira MCU and the first in main- Panther” after Monday’s premiere were about Story,” called it “beautiful” while “Ant-Man” Then the pride started to grow, there’s pride and the rest of the cast the Actor Chadwick Boseman attends stream American comics, hav- as good as could be expected, with reviewers director Peyton Reed said it was “soulful, around it, and the embracing of this symbol of morning after Monday’s glit- the world premiere of Marvel ing been featured in “The hailing the movie as “iconic” and “astonishing.” thoughtful and of the moment.” Marvel Studios power and these women.” — AP tering Hollywood premiere. Studios’ ‘Black Panther.’ Fantastic Four” in 1966. Donald Glover, who is due to star as Lando president Kevin Feige, who produces every Hundreds of thousands mark Hindu festival in Malaysia

Ethnic-Malaysian Hindu devotees dance in a state of trance as they walk towards the Batu caves temple during the Thaipusam festival celebra- tions in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — AFP photos

undreds of thousands of Hindus across lation, including Malaysia and neighboring barefoot up the 272 steps towards the site’s from their skin in an act of penance. The steps Malaysia celebrated the annual Singapore. Most of Malaysia’s roughly 31 mil- limestone hilltop shrine. also take devotees past a statue of Lord HThaipusam festival yesterday, with many lion people are Muslim but it also has ethnic Many carried prayer offerings known as Murugan standing 42.7 meters (141 feet) high- piercing their skin with hooks and skewers to Chinese and around two million ethnic Indians, “kavadi” and balanced milk pots on their heads the tallest figure of the deity in the world. “I just show devotion to the deity Murugan. mostly descendants of laborers brought from with their hands as they ascended. Some car- recently got married so I just went up to say Thaipusam marks the day when the goddess India by former colonial ruler Britain. ried large platforms attached to a harness and thanks to him (Lord Murugan),” Vijeyaletchumy Parvathi gave her son Lord Murugan a powerful Thousands of devotees thronged the Batu decorated with images and idols of Hindu Vimalan, a Thaipusam participant for 25 years, lance to fight demons. It is observed mainly in Caves on the outskirts of the capital Kuala deities. Others pierced their faces with tridents told AFP. — AFP countries with a significant ethnic Tamil popu- Lumpur in the early hours yesterday, walking and rods or hung multiple hooks and chains

Malabar Gold & Diamonds unveils ‘Heart to Heart’ jewelry collection New wave of Iranian to celebrate the season of love globetrotters hits the road

travel frenzy is gripping young Iranians, who are inspiring each other through social media to overcome traditional constraints Aand expand their horizons. The exploits of young Iranian trav- ellers, hitchhiking and backpacking their way around the globe, have become immensely popular on Instagram and Telegram, the most wide- ly used apps in Iran, with some gathering more than 200,000 followers. Iran has long had a globetrotting elite thanks to the large diaspora that fled to the United States and Europe after the 1979 revolution, but now it is the turn of the emerging middle class to stretch their wings, over- coming cultural barriers and parental worries in the process. Sara Louee, 31, grew up thinking that holidays were a family trip to the northern coasts of Iran. But two years ago, she met a group of foreigners through the web- site couchsurfing.com and joined them as they hitchhiked to the ancient city of Yazd. She was unprepared: “I had absolutely no equipment. I was wearing flimsy girly shoes and had borrowed a backpack from a friend,” she told AFP. But her mind was opened to a world of possibility alabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the has also launched a special 3 in 1 diamond and she was soon saving for a 40-day trip around Europe, even if it Young Iranians are inspiring each other through social media to overcome BIG 5 jewelry retailers globally ring which can be worn in 3 different ways. meant battling with her conservative-minded parents. “My family didn’t traditional constraints and go travelling. — AFP launched a special collection of dia- To add more delight to this occasion, the accept it easily or overnight. I went through a lot of pain. But I gradual- M ly proved I could do it with shorter trips and gained their trust,” said the world. Iranians are not welcome everywhere: the United States this mond and 18K gold jewelry named ‘Heart to customers can also avail a branded Daniel Heart’ to celebrate the season of love. ‘Heart Hechter watch absolutely free with this lim- Louee, who now blogs regularly about her travels. “These days, if I stay year banned them from entry unless they have close family, and to Heart’ jewelry collection showcases the ited edition jewelry. These promotional sets home at the weekend, my dad comes over and asks if something is European countries have strict and laborious procedures for tourists exclusive heart shaped jewelry which sym- will be available at their outlets in Kuwait wrong,” she added, laughing. designed to weed out poor people. But much of the rest of the world is bolizes the best way to express your love. until 17th February 2018. welcoming Iran’s tourist boom, with 38 countries now waiving visas for As the demand for heart shaped jewelry Apart from these, Malabar Gold & ‘Strangers in your room?!’ Iranians. They include Georgia, Russia, Turkey and Malaysia, and talks increases during this season of love, the Diamonds also showcase an incredible col- Other young Iranians, particularly women, say they had been taught are reportedly under way with India. jewelry retailer launched the exclusive col- lection of unique designs in gold and dia- that travelling alone was dangerous. “When I told people I stayed in a lection to cater to the customer demand. mond jewelry from Italy, Singapore, Turkey, hostel in Europe, Iranians would be shocked and say ‘You mean there Tech support This unique jewelry collection is a perfect Bahrain, India, etc to suit the tastes and were strangers in your room?! Didn’t they do anything to you?’” said That has helped encourage travel among those outside of the rich gift to express true emotions to your loved budget of its different customers. Mahzad Elyassi, another travel blogger. She only heard about hitch- elite by putting the focus on cheaper countries. “Maybe Iranians don’t ones. With prices starting from KWD 55 to Customers can also choose gifts to their hiking for the first time in 2015 but has since travelled to all 32 of Iran’s have enough dollars or euros to travel to Europe but they can explore KWD 275, there is something to fit every- loved ones from their branded jewelry seg- provinces and 20 countries. “We’ve proven that Iran is really safe for places like southeast Asia,” said Elyassi. Technology has also been cru- one’s budget. ment that includes Era - Uncut Diamond such trips. It’s become a trend. “One woman said she used my cial. “When I started, Google Maps didn’t exist. People couldn’t just Apart from the diamond pendants cus- Jewelry, Ethnix - Handcrafted Designer Instagram page to convince her husband, saying: ‘If she can do it alone, easily travel and share their experiences,” said Reza Pakravan, 43, one tomers can also choose the heart shaped Jewelry, Mine - Diamonds Unlimited, so can we.’” Last year, Iran recorded 9.2 million departures, a 38.5-per- of Iran’s best-known travellers after he broke the world record for beautifully crafted diamond bangles and Precia- Gem Jewelry and Divine - Indian cent increase on the previous year and almost double the numbers a crossing the Sahara on a bike. Alireza Zafari, 38, has spent two years on rings to gift your loved ones. The company Heritage Jewelry. decade ago. The trend has been helped by President Hassan Rouhani, the “Herculean task” of documenting the whole of Iran for travellers, a who came to power in 2013 promising to improve Iran’s relations with project he expects will take another eight years to complete. — AFP Established 1961 31

Thursday, February 1, 2018 Lifestyle Feature

This file photo shows clothes of late dictator Nicolae This file photo Ceausescu and his shows a bathroom wife Elena inside of late dictator the dressing room Nicolae Ceausescu at their former and his wife Elena residence, Palatul at their former resi- Primaverii (the dence, Palatul Palace of Spring) Primaverii (the in Bucharest. Palace of Spring) in — AFP photos Bucharest. Ceausescu auction points to lingering nostalgia among Romanians

trove of objects from the household of Bucharest’s Ghencea cemetery asks: “What ‘Disgusting’ spectacle the former Romanian Communist dicta- dictator?! Are today’s politicians able to do as Those targeted by the regime’s apparatus of Ator Nicolae Ceausescu will go under the much as him? Not at all, all they do is steal.” repression are even more unforgiving. hammer on Wednesday in an auction drawing “Ceausescu established a personal dictator- on the enduring fascination his memory holds ‘Icon of a glorious past’ ship and his regime was based on terror,” 62- amid the country’s current political turmoil. Large crowds have taken to the streets in year-old Radu Filipescu said bitterly. He was Rugs adorned with the face of the “nation’s recent weeks to protest against proposed judi- sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1983 for dis- beloved son”, gifts from other world leaders, as cial reforms that critics say would make prose- tributing leaflets calling on Romanians to take well as clothes and photos are some of the cuting graft more difficult in Romania, consid- to the streets against the regime. Filipescu artefacts on offer. “There is a clear interest in ered one of the EU’s most corrupt states. For remembers the cult of personality around such objects,” said Mihai Ipate from the auction many Romanians, “Ceausescu is the icon of a Ceausescu, which transformed his birthday into house Artmark. “Some buyers are motivated by glorious past, of a Romania where the memory what he calls a “disgusting” spectacle. nostalgia, others want to enrich their collec- of cold and the hunger have been erased,” soci- Nevertheless curiosity continues to surround tion.” That nostalgia for the past and for the ologist Vasile Dancu told AFP. This nostalgia the Ceausescu era. certainties of the past have been in evidence had only increased in the face of rising disen- The enormous palace constructed on his elsewhere in recent days. orders in central Bucharest is home to the The auction comes days after the 100th country’s parliament and one of its most popu- anniversary of Ceausescu’s birth, a date which lar tourist attractions, with 210,000 tickets sold some Romanians felt moved to mark by gather- last year. His former residence, the Palatul ing at his tomb. “I came to do my patriotic duty Primaverii (Spring Palace), has been open to the and light a candle for him, because he is worthy public for almost two years and saw 36,000 of this,” said 79-year-old retired driver visitors in 2017. — AFP Valerian, one of dozens who came to the site A cover of communist ‘FLACARA’ magazine (The Flame) with late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu (right) and with flowers and candles. “They shouldn’t have French President Charles de Gaulle (left) at an auction house in Bucharest. killed him,” he told AFP, glossing over the hard- chantment with the political class, he added. ships of the Ceausescu era: “Everyone had “Ceausescu stills haunts the minds of those work, an apartment, the freezers were full.” who grew up before 1989. The nationalist-com- Rising to the leadership of Romania’s munist discourse is still very present in political Communist Party in 1965, Ceausescu went on debate, while the former leader seems to have to create what historians judge to be one of become acceptable, worthy of respect, a great eastern Europe’s harshest dictatorships. He was patriot,” says historian Armand Gosu. But in A picture showing late dictator Nicolae overthrown after an uprising in December 1989 other ways his legacy still blights the lives of Ceausescu (right) and Cuban leader Fidel Castro and executed three days later along with his many. Mr Gosu points to towns “disfigured” by (left) during his visit to Romania is displayed at wife Elena after a summary trial. An elderly the old regime’s economic policies and an auction house in Bucharest. woman laying flowers at the tomb in Ceausescu’s “illogical decisions”.

Pictures showing late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu are displayed at an auction house in Bucharest.

A tapestry with late The Winter Garden of late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena at Manequins wear clothes of late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena dictator Nicolae their former residence, Palatul Primaverii (the Palace of Spring) in Budapest. at their former residence, Palatul Primaverii (the Palace of Spring) in Budapest. Ceausescu (left), his parents (center) and his wife Elena (Rright), displayed at an auction house in Bucharest.

Physiotherapy room of late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena at their former residence, Palatul Primaverii A car received as a gift from Iran’s Shah is exhibited at the former residence A picture of the three children Nicu (L), Zoe (center) and Valentin (R) is seen on (the Palace of of late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena, Palatul Primaverii (the the bedroom of late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena at their for- Spring) in Palace of Spring). mer residence, Palatul Primaverii (the Palace of Spring) in Budapest. Budapest.

This file photo shows the bedroom Indoor pool of late of Elena, the wife of dictator Nicolae late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his Ceausescu at his wife Elena at their former residence, former residence, Palatul Primaverii Palatul Primaverii (the Palace of (the Palace of Spring) in Spring) in Budapest. Bucharest. Established 1961

Lifestyle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2018

A person poses for a photo as the moon rises over Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California, on January 30, 2018. Many parts of the globe may catch a glimpse on January 31 of a giant crimson moon, thanks to a rare lunar trifecta that combines a blue moon, a super moon and a total eclipse. The spectacle, which NASA has coined as ‘super blue blood moon.’ — AFP There’s a ‘super blue blood Moon’ on the rise

People set up telescopes near Victoria Harbor in the hope of seeing a ‘supermoon’ The moon sets behind the city of Jerusalem early yesterday. The moon rises over a pagoda in Kumal, some 105 kms away from on a cloudy evening in Hong Kong yesterday. Mandalay City yesterday.

targazers in North America, Hawaii, the science buffs brought their own telescopes to America, the last time was in 1866. This time Middle East, Russia, India, and Australia set up on the lawn. The eclipse began around around, viewing will be a challenge for those on Shad the chance to witness a rare “super 3:45 am, as a black shadow began to devour the US East Coast. The eclipse begins just as the blue blood Moon” yesterday, when Earth’s one corner of the gray-white Moon. Moon is setting in the west and the sun is rising shadow bathed our satellite in a coppery hue. An hour later, the lunar surface was plunged in the east. Moon-watching parties for the one- The celestial show is the result of the sun, into darkness, known as totality. Then, rusty hour-16-minute eclipse were advertised up and Earth, and Moon lining up perfectly for a lunar tones began to sheath the Moon, reflecting the down the US West Coast. But people outside the eclipse just as the Moon is near its closest orbit light of all the sunrises and sunsets on Earth at path of totality, or whose view was obstructed point to Earth, making it appear “super” large. the same moment. The extreme east of Africa, by cloudy weather, could follow the event live via It is the second full Moon within the same the Middle East and Asia, Russia, Australia and NASA.gov. If you miss this one, the next blue month, a phenomenon called a “blue” Moon New Zealand could enjoy the spectacle last moon total lunar eclipse will happen on which has nothing to do with its color. night, as the Moon rises there. People in Hawaii, December 31, 2028, though it won’t be quite as The “blood” in the name comes from the Australia and eastern Asia should be able to large since it will not be as close to Earth. reddish brown color the Moon takes on when follow the full eclipse from beginning to end, Another will occur on January 31, 2037. “The red Earth enters between it and the sun, cutting off said NASA. But most of South America, Africa color during a lunar eclipse is very distinctive the light rays that usually brighten the lunar and Europe, where the alignment occurs in the and it’s a rare treat to be able to see a blood red surface. Thousands gathered at Los Angeles’ middle of the day, will miss out on the show. moon,” said Brian Rachford, associate professor Griffith Observatory, which opened its doors at of physics at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 3:30 am (1130 GMT) to a crowd expected to How to watch University. “One of the great things about a reach 2,000. Some had waited in line since The last “super blue blood moon” occurred lunar eclipse is you also don’t need any special 10:00 pm the night before, hoping for a choice on December 30, 1982, when it was seen in This combo image (from top left clockwise) shows the moon during a lunar eclipse equipment to see it. Anyone can go outside and viewing spot. Coffee was on sale, and many Europe, Africa and western Asia. For North referred to as the “super blue blood moon” in Jakarta yesterday. look at the moon.” — AFP

Indonesian gather to view the moon during a lunar eclipse taking place during the The moon is seen during a lunar eclipse referred to as the An Indonesian woman uses a telescope to view the moon during a lunar eclipse “super blue blood moon” phenomenon in Jakarta yesterday. “super blue blood moon”, in Jakarta. taking place during the “super blue blood moon” phenomenon.