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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 RABI ALTHANI 28, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Minister urges Ireland clinch Kuwaiti youth historic to have own win over businesses2 Windies18 Egypt bombs Libya after Min 12º Max 25º IS militants kill 21 Copts High Tide 11:39 & 22:10 Amir sends condolences Cairo signs Rafale jet deal Low Tide • 04:59 & 16:33 40 PAGES NO: 16436 150 FILS CAIRO: Egyptian jets bombed Islamic State targets in Libya yesterday, a day after the group there released a Kuwait hails video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians, drawing Cairo directly into the conflict across its border. Egypt said the predawn strike hit militant camps, train- fast oil rally ing sites and weapons storage areas in neighboring Libya, where civil conflict has plunged the country into KOC to boost rigs near anarchy and created havens for armed factions. While Cairo is believed to have provided clandestine KUWAIT: Oil Minister Ali Al-Omair said yesterday support to a Libyan general fighting a rogue govern- that world crude prices have recovered “faster” than ment in Tripoli, the mass killings pushed President expected and that recent gains will likely hold. “Oil Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi into open action, expanding his prices have improved faster than expected,” Omair battle against Islamist militancy. “And let those near and told reporters. “I think it will last... It started holding far know that the Egyptians have a shield that protects gains now and hopefully, in the second part of 2015, and preserves the security of the country, and a sword we will see better prices,” that eradicates terrorism,” the military said. the minister said. Crude has HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- been on a rollercoaster for Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of condolences to Sisi over the past two weeks after the gruesome crime. HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf prices fell by around 60 per- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister cent between June and Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah also sent January. similar cables to Sisi. After plumbing lows of Egyptian state television aired footage of fighter close to $40 a barrel, inter- planes leaving a hangar with “Long live Egypt” embla- national benchmark Brent zoned on the tails, followed by night-vision aerial North Sea crude for April footage showing bomb explosions and the aircraft Ali Al-Omair delivery rallied to $61.19 returning in early daylight. Libya’s air force also partici- last week. Market sentiment pated in yesterday’s attack, which targeted Derna, an has been bolstered by cuts in output by North eastern coastal city seen as a base for Islamic State American shale producers that have raised expecta- tions of a reduction in the current supply glut. fighters in the oil-rich nation. “There are casualties Omair said that reports from the Organization of among individuals, ammunition and the (Islamic State) the Petroleum Exporting Countries suggested that communication centres,” Libyan air force commander excess supply was being reduced more quickly than Al-AWAR, Egypt: A relative of one of the Egyptian Coptic Christians purportedly murdered by Islamic State Saqer Al-Joroushi told Egyptian state television, adding expected. Surplus production “is definitely lower,” militants in Libya reacts after hearing the news yesterday in this village in Egypt’s southern province of that dozens were killed. Joroushi, who is loyal to Libya’s Continued on Page 13 Minya. — AFP internationally recognised government that set up Continued on Page 13 News in brief Saudi initiative brews business success RIYADH: Lateefa Al-Waalan just wanted Waalan said at the Riyadh plant where Activist jailed for to make Arabic coffee simple: No more she directs operations from her laptop insulting tribes laborious mixing of ingredients and care- and telephone in a spartan office. ‘Cloud’ over Mars KUWAIT: The criminal court yesterday sentenced activist ful attention to boiling. Supported by a Women covered from head-to-toe in and journalist Hamed Buyabes to three years in jail for writ- Saudi program to foster, or “incubate”, black, as is the custom in Saudi Arabia, ing comments on Twitter deemed derogatory to Kuwait’s technology-based businesses with high handle administrative tasks in an adjoin- baffles scientists Bedouin tribes. The sentence has to be implemented growth potential, she developed a ing office while the coffee is roasted and immediately even before the court of appeals begins machine to produce Arabic coffee at the ground on large machines in another PARIS: Amateur astronomers have the study authors wrote. A second was reviewing the case. Buyabes has also been ordered to pay a push of a button - the first of its kind. In room. Her business was driven by one spotted two strange, cloud-like spotted nearby on April 6, 2012, and temporary compensation of KD 5,001. Meanwhile, the the process, Waalan and her Yatooq com- idea: “I love coffee but it’s very complicat- plumes high over Mars, deepening the lasted about 10 days. National Assembly’s interior and defense committee yes- pany became emblematic of efforts to ed. I want to make it simple.” terday approved a government-sponsored law on compul- mystery of what constitutes the Red Their trails were vast, extending sory military service. The law will reintroduce military serv- diversify the oil-dependent kingdom’s John Mercer, an Australian consultant Planet’s atmosphere, a study said yes- between 500 and 1,000 km in north- ice for Kuwaiti males if approved at a parliamentary session economy and employ more Saudis, par- to Badir, calls Waalan’s success story terday. The phenomenon was to-south and east-to-west directions. on March 10. Military draft had been stopped in Kuwait for ticularly women. “quite stunning”. Badir helped Walaan observed on March 12, 2012 over the The “clouds” - if that is indeed what almost two decades. Yatooq is one success story from the create a prototype in its industrial lab “terminator”, the boundary between they were - were seen at high altitude, business incubation program, known as and provided legal, accounting and oth- day and night on Mars. One of the at about 200-250 kilometres, roughly Badir (meaning “to initiate”), but it’s not er advice as well as valuable connections. plumes developed in around 10 hours above Terra Cimmeria, which is part of Cataflam in Kuwait the only one. After hitting the market in Traditional Arabic coffee blends the and lasted for about 11 days, shifting Mars’ rugged southern highlands, safe, readily available 2013 Yatooq has grown to employ 15 ground beans with cardamom and saf- shape from “double blob protrusions” according to the paper. KUWAIT: The anti-inflammatory drug Cataflam has not people with another 75 on contract. “The fron, giving the liquid a yellowish hue. to pillars which merged into a “finger”, Continued on Page 13 been rescinded by the health ministry, an official said factory is completely run by women,” Continued on Page 13 on Sunday, denying rumors circulating on social media of its withdrawal from the Kuwaiti market. This drug being sold in Kuwait is manufactured in Switzerland, MoI files three lawsuits the ministry’s head of drug regulation and supervision Rami Behbehani said in a statement. It is safe and read- ily available, added Behbehani, who said that it has against Al-Watan editor been approved by the ministry of health’s drug regula- By B Izzak tion ministry. The closure is part of a month- tion and supervision department. He called on the long saga and legal battle between Al- Kuwaiti public to disregard information on medicinal KUWAIT: The interior ministry said yester- Watan and the ministries of information drugs distributed by unofficial sources on social media day it had filed three lawsuits against the and commerce which revoked the commer- unless it is confirmed by the ministry of health. editor-in-chief of Al-Watan newspaper cial and media licenses of Al-Watan and Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah for ordered its closure. Kuwait condemns Denmark, resisting and insulting police officers who Al-Watan had challenged the decisions North Carolina shootings wanted to execute orders to shut the news- in the administrative court which is expect- KUWAIT: Kuwait strongly condemns the two tragic shoot- paper’s printing house. The ministry accused ed to issue its verdict tomorrow, but in the ings that took place in Copenhagen and North Carolina, Sheikh Khalifa of resisting and insulting a meantime obtained a decision from the which led to the death of innocent people. A foreign min- public employee while performing his offi- emergency judge to resume publication istry source said yesterday that Kuwait calls for respecting cial duty and also for verbally abusing a sen- until the date of the court verdict. But the all religions and religious symbols and stopping any provo- ior police officer. The ministry said that it will information ministry challenged it, and at cations against Muslims. Kuwait cautioned against the implement the law on all equally and the same time issued a decision to ban Al- increase of these criminal acts which will only lead to more warned that no one is above the law. Watan from printing. The issue began last violence, and hence a lack of security and stability, the Sheikh Khalifa traded insults on Sunday month when the ministry of commerce source added. It reiterated Kuwait’s stance that rejects vio- RIYADH: Lateefa Al-Waalan, a Saudi woman who founded the Yatooq company as a police force came to enforce the clo- revoked the commercial license of the lence and terrorism and calls for unifying international and developed a machine to produce Arabic coffee, pours coffee in a cup at her sure of the second printing house of Al- newspaper on the grounds that it has lost efforts to put an end to this vicious phenomenon. factory in the Saudi capital on Dec 11, 2014. — AFP Watan based on a decision by the informa- more than 75 percent of its capital. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 LOCAL Cabinet condemns brutal killing of Egyptians in Libya

KUWAIT: The cabinet strongly con- emergency as well as the preparation to demned yesterday the brutal and inhu- avoid reoccurrences. man killing of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya by the Islamic State (IS). Saudi visit The cabinet expressed condolences At the onset of the weekly meeting, and sympathy with relatives of the vic- the cabinet reviewed the outcomes of tims and the Egyptian leadership and the recent visit by His Highness the Amir people, said Minister of State for Cabinet Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Sabah to Saudi Arabia, where he met Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah in a press state- with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz on ment following the cabinet’s weekly various issues and inter-GCC cooperation meeting, which was held under the as well as the latest regional and interna- chairmanship of His Highness the Prime tional developments. Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad The cabinet was then apprised of a Al-Sabah at Seif Palace. recent letter sent to His Highness the The cabinet also reiterated that Amir by Albanian President Bujar Kuwait’s firm stance against terrorism Nishani, inviting His Highness the Amir to and all its manifestations. It said that visit Albania. The ministers also reviewed KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Kuwait stands beside Egypt in its fight two recent letters sent to His Highness Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- against terrorism. It also voiced full confi- the Prime Minister from the prime minis- Sabah chairs the cabinet meeting dence in Egypt’s ability to overcome such ters of Mongolia and Albania, inviting yesterday. — KUNA a challenge. him to visit their countries. Earlier, the Minister of Social Affairs Afterwards, the cabinet listened to a International Cooperation Hor Namhong, and Minister of State for Planning and briefing by First Deputy Prime Minister where both sides mulled ways and Development Hend Al-Sabeeh briefed and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- means of promoting and bolstering bilat- the cabinet about the content of the Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the out- eral cooperation in various realms. semi-annual follow up report on the comes of a recent visit to Kuwait by Moreover, the cabinet welcomed a development plan of 2014/2015. The Sudanese Foreign Minister Ahmed Karti, planned visit to Kuwait by Palestinian cabinet asked the minister to refer the where closer cooperation and coordina- Prime Minister Rami Al-Hamadallah, report to the National Assembly. tion in various fields were discussed by wishing him and his party a pleasant Minister of Electricity and Water both sides. stay here. The ministers also discussed Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim made a presenta- The ministers were further kept post- the issues on the agenda of the tion about the electricity outage that hit ed on the findings of a recent visit to National Assembly and the latest devel- KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received His Highness the Crown Prince many parts of Kuwait recently and the Kuwait by Cambodian Deputy Prime and opments on the Arab and international Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Seif Palace yesterday. — KUNA Ministry’s measures to deal with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and arenas. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al- Sabah speaks at the forum. — KUNA Cabinet Minister

urges Kuwaiti KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah with Sabah meets the newly-appointed Ambassador of Nepal to Kuwait Yagya the newly-appointed Ambassador of Hungary to Kuwait Mihaly Bayer. youth to have Bahadur Hamal. — KUNA photos own businesses Crown Prince receives new ambassadors KUWAIT: Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Yagya Bahadur Hamal, and the newly- Chief Sheikh Mubarak Al-Faisal Al-Saud Al- Education Dr Bader Al-Essa, Chief of the Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah called on Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah appointed Ambassador of Hungary to Sabah. National Security Apparatus Sheikh Thamer Kuwaiti youth to serve their homeland through received at Seif Place yesterday the newly- Kuwait Mihaly Bayer. The meeting was His Highness also received Minister of Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and Sheikh Ali launching their own innovative and lucrative small appointed Ambassador of Nepal to Kuwait attended by HH the Crown Prince’s Diwan Education and Minister of Higher Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. — KUNA and medium-sized businesses. Speaking on the second day of the ‘Small Enterprises, Future Ambitions Forum’, Sheikh Kuwait disregards Mohammad underlined that the state attaches great importance to helping young people have their own groundless small and medium enterprises. To achieve this goal, the state has established the National Fund for Small security charges and Medium Enterprises and allocated an amount of against citizens KD 2 billion ($6.7 billion) for the Fund, he said. The Minister noted that the fund offers finance and JEDDAH: Director of the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry’s technical help to young entrepreneurs to boost their International Organizations Department Ambassador role in the development of the national economy. He Jassem Al-Mubaraki said that his country does not take urged Kuwaitis to do their utmost for the progress, account of any charges against its nationals or NGOs in prosperity and prominence of their country through connection with financing for terrorism unless these their work in public and the private sectors. charges are based on well-grounded evidence. There is a plan to set up a special center for major “The State of Kuwait received notifications of sus- government projects to provide students and those pected transactions by limited number of individuals interested in required information about the actual and entities but these accusations proved to be lacking need and qualifications required to manage these in evidence,” Mubaraki told KUNA on Sunday. He made projects, the Minister unveiled. the comments on the sidelines of the emergency meet- ing of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Self-employment Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the ministerial level. He For his part, MP Rakan Al-Nisf said that the led Kuwait’s delegation to the meeting. National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises plays “We cannot track down any individual or charity for a very important role in guiding young people toward sheer suspicions without practical justifications or evi- self-employment. The situation in the coming years dence,” he affirmed. On the meeting of the OIC will be difficult as the government would be required Executive Committee, he said it took place at a time to provide 74,000 jobs in the next 15 years and to when the Middle East region and the Muslim world at jump to 20,000 a year later, he said. “The public sector large are facing unprecedented wave of violence. He will not be able to absorb this huge number,” he added that he told the meeting that the security chal- pointed out. lenges can be addressed by not only the military means Nisf further called on those in charge of the but long-term social, economic and cultural solutions as National Fund to create an attractive environment for well. —KUNA young entrepreneurs through providing plots of land and project incubators as well as to take necessary measures in cooperation with other government bod- ies to protect them from the unfair competition from Kuwait, France the random and unskilled foreign labor. The lawmaker said the success of the idea of the national fund that would reduce the country’s dependence on oil in its mull closer budget, accounted for 94 percent. security ties Positive aspects Under the patronage of His Highness the Prime KUWAIT: Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Suleiman Al-Fahad and French Ambassador in Kuwait the Small Enterprises, Future Ambitions Forum kicked Christian Nakhla discussed here yesterday the necessity off Sunday at the Australian Collage of Kuwait with a of consolidating security cooperation between Kuwait large participation from government officials and and France. During the meeting, they also considered business leaders in the country. the latest regional and international developments that The three-day forum thrashes out the concepts concern both sides, the Interior Ministry’s media office and expertise of projects and young people’s aware- said in a statement. ness as well as promising investment openings. The Separately, Acting National Assembly Speaker Adel conferees also touch upon governmental facilities to Al-Kharafi received yesterday the head of the parlia- youth-run projects and joint work mechanisms with mentary friendship group in the Arabic countries civil society organizations. It features youth-oriented Hennrich Michael and the delegation accompanying training workshops to be held in cooperation with a him. During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilat- number of concerned agencies and under the super- eral relations between the two friendly countries and vision of accredited academicians and trainers. ways of promoting them. They also thrashed out the lat- The forum is primarily intended to encourage est developments on international and regional arenas. young people to carry out small and medium-sized The meeting was attended by the Chairman of KUWAIT: Kuwait Fire Services Directorate (KFSD) yesterday conducted two separate fire drills in Ahmadi and in enterprises and to promote the positive aspects of the Mission of Honor and the Kuwait-Germany parliamen- Mishref, said security sources. In the first drill, conducted in Ahmadi, firemen had to deal with a fire in an under recently adopted law on small and medium-sized tary friendship group MP Askar Al-Enzi, as well as MPs construction building and rescued three construction workers trapped in flames and suffocating with smoke. The enterprises. — KUNA Kamil Al-Awadi, Fares Al-Otaibi and Mohammad Al- second drill was on the sixth floor of the new KFSD building in Mishref. The firemen located and rescued two men Barrak. — KUNA who had been reported missing during the fire. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 LOCAL

In Brief Kharafi’s ruling upheld KFSD inks KD3m deal Former minister honored

By A Saleh KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) KUWAIT: Former minister of health Dr Mohammad hammered out a contract yesterday with a private Al-Haifi expressed pride as he was named by SPMUDA KUWAIT: The Appeals Court upheld a court company to supply it with firefighting equipment at International Organization for Peace and order that commands Al-Watan newspaper to a total cost of KD 3 million ($10.14 million). The Development as an ambassador of goodwill due to pay KD 20 million to Kharafi Group. The group equipment included 11 vehicles used in extinguish- his contributions to humanitarian action and medical had sued the newspaper, demanding the ing aircraft fire, two 32-meter-high rescue ladders, domain. ‘This choice is an honoring to Kuwait and me amount as cost of newsprint printing paper. The and two forklift trucks, the KFSD said in a press state- as well,’ he said yesterday, noting that he looks for- Cassation Court’s ruling, which is final, is set to ment. It added that the equipment would be ward to doing his best to achieve further contribu- be made next month. received within a period of one year. — KUNA tions to humanitarian and medical fields. —KUNA

The Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea So Chang Sik hosted a reception at the embassy on the occasion of the 73rd birthday of the Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il. Senior officials and media personalities attend- ed the reception. — Photos by Joseph Shagra Crime Report Kuwait’s five-year development

Vehicle catches fire after midway rail collision plan achievable: Expert By Hanan Al-Saadoun New laws, regional developments discussed PwC seminar KUWAIT: A fire broke out yesterday morning in a vehicle after it hit the midway steel rail along Wafra Highway, said security sources. Rushing to the scene, firemen from By Ben Garcia Abdullah Port managed to control the fire and rescue the Arab driver who was unharmed and stressed that he lost KUWAIT: Kuwait’s mega development plans for the control and drove into the steel barrier. upcoming five years are achievable since the state has a Meanwhile, Salmiya firemen were dispatched to budget surplus from the time when oil prices were high, Amman Street where a motorbike was on fire, said security an expert said yesterday. sources noting that after controlling the fire, they could “Recently, Kuwait unveiled its five-year development not find the rider who fled the scene. A case was filed and plan and will be spending KD 34 billion over the next further investigations are in progress. five years ($115 billion), most of which will be from oil and gas revenues,” explained Fouad Douglas, Citizen arrested with ICE PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Senior Partner. He A citizen was recently arrested with the possession of made his remarks during a seminar organized by PwC at 160 grams of ICE, said security sources. Case papers indi- Marina Hotel, during which discussion focused on the cate that narcotics detectives had been tipped off concern- new foreign direct investment (FDI) law, the US Foreign ing the suspect’s activities and that an undercover agent Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), economic and was assigned to make a deal with him to buy 10 grams of political changes in the region and new updates in tax the drug. The suspect was arrested red-handed on delivery. regulations in Kuwait. The conference also shed light on how investors can get their license and own 100 percent of their business in addition to obtaining incentives and exemptions and explore innovative tax strategies to help them operate more effectively in the global economy.

Oil dependent KUWAIT: PwC executives just before the start of the seminar. Douglas discussed FATCA, political changes in the region, the fluctuating oil prices in the world market how soon, we don’t know.” The new law and how these things are shaping the business environ- Kuwait is signatory to the new FATCA law enforced Sherif Shawki Abdel-Fattah, PwC Partner, explained ment in Kuwait. In his presentation, Douglas said Kuwait by the US. FATCA is a US federal law that requires the new FDI law. “The FDI law was repealed and is still an oil dependent economy - over 90 percent of American citizens, including those who live outside the replaced by the Foreign Direct Investment Law No 116 Kuwait’s revenues are from the oil and gas sector. And US, to report their financial accounts held outside the of 2013. In June 2013 KFIB was replaced with the Kuwait while he expressed confidence about the country’s abil- US, and requires foreign financial institutions to report Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), which ity to execute major projects, Douglas also warned that to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about their US was essentially created with the same mandate as the the current geopolitical situation in the region could clients. “We are not affected as long as we are not citi- KFIB. The new FDI law addresses flaws in the repealed affect the economy. zens of the United States, who are obliged to report FDI law, encourages more direct investment in Kuwait As to whether Kuwait has a comprehensive taxation their money, while the Internal Revenue Service orders and eases the application process. KDIPA issued execu- law that will protect investors, Douglas said, “Kuwait financial institutions such as banks here to report the tive rules to law no 116 of 2013 through ministerial Firefighters put out the fire. recently introduced a new foreign direct investment money of their American clients. Americans are subject order no. 502 of December 2014. The executive regula- law. Personal tax is not in place yet, and we are lucky to tax wherever they are in the world,” Douglas tions set guidance and definition for the investor,” he unlike many other countries in the world. A comprehen- stressed. noted. sive tax law is being studied and will be introduced, but Abdel-Fattah also clarified that the investment law in Kuwait has been on the books for many years. “The law is very clever in the sense that it promotes diversity and reduces too much dependency on oil and gas. This is the key and the way forward if you are looking at Kuwait’s economy. With the new law, you can now set up huge companies here in Kuwait ‘except’ those relat- ed to the oil and gas sector,” he mentioned. The event brought together an exclusive network of PwC professionals from Kuwait, top management repre- sentatives of international companies, senior officials of the ministry of finance and KDIPA, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, head of the offset depart- ment under KDIPA as well as representatives of the Canadian, British, United States, Japan, French and Chinese embassies. The event was a unique opportunity for investors and government officials to be present under one roof to share ideas, discuss current trends KJA recommends Bahbahani as chairman and developments and informally network with their peers. KUWAIT: Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) held its general as treasurer and Fatima Hussein, Abdul Hameed Al-Da’as, Jassim assembly meeting yesterday. The assembly discussed associa- Kamal and Dehairan Abalkhail as board members. tion’s financial and administrative reports for 2014. It also unani- The general assembly was attended by Ministry of Social mously recommended Ahmad Yosif Bahbahani to head the Affairs and Labor’s representatives, Mohammed Al-Sha’rawi, The suspect with the 160 grams of drugs. board of directors, Faisal Al-Qena’e as secretary, Adnan Al-Rashid Khalid Al-Khaldi and Abdullatif Al-Musairi. NBK opens new airport branch

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) opened yester- tion as the bank of choice for customers. The location of day a new branch at Kuwait International Airport. The the new airport branch has been carefully selected opening of the new branch comes in tandem with the between the departure gates and the transit area to bet- bank’s strategy to strengthen its domestic presence and ter serve travelers. NBK has maintained its leading posi- better serve its customers. The opening was attended by tion in the market by constantly investing in its local net- Sheikh Faisal Al Homoud Al Sabah, The Governor of work to ensure the reach of products and services to a Farwaniya, Fawaz Abdulaziz Al-Farah, President of wider segment of customers. The New Airport Branch is Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), fully equipped to ensure customers are able to carry out Isam Al Sager, NBK Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed their transactions easily 24 hours a day. The multi-curren- Al Khader, NBK’s Deputy General Manager, Consumer cy ATM machines allow NBK customers to withdraw cash Banking Group and NBK officials. amounts in six different currencies; Kuwaiti Dinar KWD, NBK’s new airport branch is located strategically US Dollar USD, Euro, Sterling Pound GBP, Emirati Dirham between the departure gates and the transit area to offer AED and Saudi Riyal SAR. Three machines are located travelers the most convenient banking experience 7 days near Gates 3 and 24, while the other three are located at a week. Also, NBK has recently launched six new multi- the new branch. NBK enjoys the largest banking network currency ATM machines to allow travelers withdraw cash in Kuwait with more than 66 branches. In addition, NBK in the currency of choice, depending on their destination. customers can control their accounts and manage their The opening of the new branch at Kuwait’s finances around the clock, seven days a week via NBK International Airport reflects NBK’s commitment to con- Mobile Banking, NBK online Banking, or by simply calling tinuously develop services and maintain its leading posi- NBK Call Center on 1801801. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 LOCAL Manpower authority continues Zain renews ISO to issue temporary permits certifications Ministry to honor workers for restoring power KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommuni- cations company in Kuwait, announced the successful renewal of three ISO By Mesh’al Al-Enizy commercial and investment buildings, said the technical committee. The committee dis- Certifications for Quality Management, informed sources, noting that some consumers cussed means to conserve water and electricity Environmental Management, and KUWAIT: Well-informed sources at the had not paid their bills for years, and according- consumption in various ministries and suggest- Information Security Management Manpower Public Authority said that the ly, supplies would be stopped without prior ed alternatives to help cut down consumption Systems. The achievement demonstrates authority will continue issuing temporary work notice. On the other hand, some consumers rates by using solar power and LED lights. the company’s application of the highest permits in order to meet the requirements of have filed lawsuits suing MEW for disconnecting internationally certified standards across both employers and employees under the their services without any consideration for the Water strategies its operations. supervision of the work inspection department. buildings’ tenants who mainly comprised of eld- A national workshop was yesterday held at The certifications were renewed follow- The sources added that in case a new employer erly people, children and people with special the Movenpick Bidaa hotel under the title of ing a successful audit conducted by DNV does not want a worker, the inspection depart- needs. ‘GCC Comprehensive Long Term Water GL; a leading global certification body, and ment is notified and the worker’s residency Strategies’ to discuss the challenges GCC states involved field visits to monitor and test the remains on the previous employer. The sources Staff honored meet in view of limited water resources. MEW functionality of mechanisms, infrastruc- also stressed that temporary work permits Informed MEW sources stressed that the assistant undersecretary for technical services ture, and technical operations. require a waiver from previous employers and ministry would hold a special ceremony to hon- Khalifa Al-Fraij stressed that the workshop was The recent renewals certify that the the approval of new ones on condition that or and reward employees who recently man- held in response to direct instructions from GCC company complies with Quality workers hold residency visas valid for at least aged to restore power after a blackout. The leaders. He also noted that the King Abdullah Management System (ISO 9001:2008), one year and that the new employers actually sources added that Minister Al-Ibrahim asked Institute for Research and Consulting Studies Information Security Management System need the workers. The sources explained that various senior MEW officials to make lists with was currently working on a study on developing (ISO/IEC 27001:2013), and Environmental Faisal Abul 100-day temporary work permits are issued so the names of staff members who worked hard a comprehensive unified GCC water strategy for Management System (ISO 14001:2004) that new employers can give new staff a trial during the blackout to honor and reward them the next 20 years and establishing an office to regulations. The Quality Management policies and abide by procedures that period during which they decide whether to in appreciation for their efforts. carry out the strategy’s execution in various System certification verifies that Zain have proven successful to our operations keep the new worker and issue work permits. GCC states. maintains the appropriate standards need- in the past. Maintaining globally certified Energy conservation ed to operate, design, manage, and main- standards highlights our commitment to Excess food MEW Undersecretary Ahmed Khaled Al- Environmental crises tain its mobile network. establishing a culture of professionalism Municipal Council members Abdullah Al- Jassar yesterday presided the 13th meeting of A number of Municipal Council members and quality service that we hope all our Kandari and Hessa Kamal recently suggested the water and power conservation executive stressed that Kuwait Municipality has been fac- Strict procedures various stakeholders benefit from.” building special sites near various wedding halls committee. The meeting was attended by repre- ing seasonal environmental crises for years, Faisal Abul, Zain’s Chief Regulatory, Abul pointed out that Zain takes envi- all over Kuwait where extra food can be collect- sentatives from various ministries and govern- such as gas emissions from 17 landfill sites, used Legal Affairs and Roaming Officer, said: ronmental preservation seriously, and the ed following every ceremony and redistributed ment establishments such as MPW, Awqaf tires in Amghara and getting rid of 2,500 tons of “Zain has been abiding by strict proce- company continues to look into ways to to the needy in collaboration with the munici- Ministry, Ministry of Education, Ministry of daily household waste, without solving any of dures when applying internationally certi- reduce waste and increase recycling by pality. They both stressed that this project Health, Ministry of Interior, Finance Ministry, them. fied standards in all areas of its operations. moderating energy usage and reducing would save tons of food wasted every year. Kuwait Institution for Scientific Research, The members added that the used tires col- This is reflected in the company’s commit- the output of contaminated by-products Ministry of Defense, Kuwait Petroleum lection site in Amghara already includes 7.5 mil- ment to the certification programs, which in its operations. Nonpaying consumers Corporation, the National Guard, Touristic lion and that this number increases by 3000 among other things specifies the mainte- Zain is a community partner, and by Ministry of Electricity and Water’s (MEW) Enterprises Company, Kuwait Fire Services tires on daily basis. They also stressed that some nance of confidentiality and the reduction applying the highest environmental stan- Consumer Affairs Department recently warned Directorate, Civil Aviation, Customs gas emissions are toxic and that they have been of risk information exploitation.” dards throughout its operations reinforces that water supplies for people with huge Department, Kuwait National Petroleum causing serious diseases to many citizens and Abul added “The ISO certifications are a its leadership position as a responsible unpaid pills would be stopped in residential, Corporation, EQUATE, Oil Explorations Co and expats. testament to our efforts to implement Kuwaiti company. Minister lauds GCC nationals’ participation in national holidays

KUWAIT: As national celebrations by the governorate to mark the especially in the newer generations. kicked off in Al-Ahmadi national holidays, Al-Ahmadi National celebrations in Al- Governorate, Minister of Governorate said in a statement Ahmadi governorate will continue Information and Minister of State yesterday. The governorate kicked until February 21. They include exhi- for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman off its celebrations Sunday evening bitions, kiosks for small businesses Sabah Al-Humoud Al-Sabah lauded at its stadium, under the patronage and folkloric music bands from the participation of Gulf of Al-Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Cooperation Council (GCC) coun- Fawaz Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- This year’s national holidays cele- tries’ nationals, which reflects deep Sabah. brate the UN naming of His and brotherly ties amongst the peo- Sheikh Fawaz highlighted the Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- ple in this region. importance of marking national Ahamd Al-Jabar Al-Sabah as a KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Humoud Al- During the celebration, Sheikh days to induce sense of patriotism Humanitarian Leader and Kuwait as Sabah (fourth from right), Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Fawaz Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (fifth from right) and Salman praised the efforts exerted and loyalty toward the country, a Humanitarian Center. —KUNA other officials seen in the audience. — KUNA TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 LOCAL Kuwait National Health Invest companies union Economics Conference takes place next May holds seminar on oil price

KUWAIT: Kuwait Conference and Exhibition making the healthcare bill any less challeng- on National Health Economics is scheduled ing. Fluctuating and pressurized oil prices In cooperation with Kuwait Financial Center (MARKAZ) to be held from 10 - 12 May 2015 at Al- add to the complexity. By 2020, many inter- Baraka Hall of Crowne Plaza hotel in Kuwait. national led studies expect Kuwait’s popula- By Nawara Fattahova rate Kuwait neutral on hydrocarbon factor. We ing nations. Downward trend in oil price can The conference is the outcome resulting tion to jump to 5 million. This increase, along expect that the real GDP growth in Kuwait to be have worrisome results for OPEC nations,” he from the efforts of and cooperation between with the increase in the average life of KUWAIT: The Union of Investment Companies subdued in 2015. The fiscal surplus in Kuwait for stressed. NoufEXPO and Kuwait Advancement (KAD- Kuwait’s people, introduces more challenges (UIC) in cooperation with the Kuwait Financial 2014 is expected to be at 28.8 percent of GDP. Center (MARKAZ) held a seminar titled ‘GCC Overall, economic parameters are positive for About the lecturer CEM). Announcing this event, Dr Reem and, even, more diseases or complexities to Outlook and Oil Price’ yesterday at the Kuwait Kuwait in 2015, thus Kuwait market liquidity Mandagolathur is the head of research at Khalaf Al-Essa, the Executive Director of KAD- deal with. Chamber of Commerce and Industry office. The remains feeble,” he noted. Kuwait Financial Center Markaz, a leading asset CEM, said “I am really pleased since the presentation was addressed by Head of Kuwait Conference and Exhibition on First step Research, Markaz, Raghu Mandagolathur. National Health Economics shall be patron- Commenting on coming up with this The seminar focused on the outlook of the ized by His Highness the conference at this time, the GCC markets for 2015, and the effect of the Prime Minister Sheikh Executive Director of KAD- recent oil prices on the government spending Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad CEM said “all above factors and investment in these markets. The single most defining event in 2014 for the AL-Sabah.” With her lead- and challenges drove me GCC market is undoubtedly a sharp plunge in oil ing role at the conference’s to come up with this idea price, completely unanticipated at the beginning Scientific Committee, Dr to arrange for a specialized of the year. “Oil price plunged by 45 percent on Al-Essa prepared the sci- Health Economics confer- back of rising supplies from non-OPEC produc- entific content that will be ence. I wanted it be a first ers, especially shale oil, stubbornness of OPEC discussed. As well, she step to scientifically look producers to act as swing producers, and sub- managed to attract spe- into Kuwait’s healthcare dued demand growth expectations. S&P GCC Index lost 1% for the year, a benign outcome giv- cialized speakers from all services bill. I believe we en the volatility,” said Mandagolathur during his over the world to enrich can be more efficient in presentation. the conference’s agenda. utilizing our resources to “GCC Governments continued with their This conference comes deliver much better servic- diversification efforts and reform activities sup- KUWAIT: Raghu Mandagolathur, Head of Research at Markaz (right), seen at the aligned with the attention Dr Reem Khalaf Al-Essa es, treatment methodolo- ported by fiscal expansionary policies. If the seminar. —Photos by Joseph Shagra that the political leader- gies, and more useful and recent fall in oil prices persists over a long term, ship and government give to the healthcare secure medications. it could constrain government spending. The associated fall in equities has moderated valua- services provided to Kuwait’s population. Dr El-Essa continued “It is not too late to tion levels and could provide an entry opportu- establish a dedicated center to take care of nity for investors who missed the earlier rally,” he New science Kuwait’s health economics issues. Both added. Commenting on the subjects that will be healthcare specialists and economics spe- discussed, Dr Al-Essa said “Health Economics cialists should take part. We need to be able Stock market is a relatively new science. Accordingly, the to evaluate our staff, methodologies, med- The presenter also touched upon the stock conference shall discuss the best methodolo- ical equipment and systems, and pharma- market performance, long-term performance of GCC markets, the GCC top 10 large-cap, mid, and gies to make use of this science and apply its ceutical products more professionally. small-cap companies, and GCC stock market principles in Kuwait. Health economics help However, we can start by sending specialists assessment. He also provided statistics of hydro- healthcare sector to efficiently utilize avail- and students to follow Health Economics carbon factor including revenues, non-oil fiscal able resources to deliver adequate and effi- studies at international academic centers. balance, fiscal breakeven oil prices, and share of cient healthcare services. Economy and This investment, I believe, will be significant- hydrocarbon GDP in the six GCC counties. health represent the two faces of a coin; they ly rewarding to Kuwait’s government and Mandagolathur also reviewed the historical go together and drive each other.” people. performance of Kuwait Price Index. “This is a chart of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) past and Dr Al-Essa made it clear that Kuwait’s Concluding her statement, Dr Reem Al- present from 1962 up to 2014. It shows that healthcare sector is facing challenges and is Essa thanked His Highness the Prime crude oil initially rallied owning to conflicts in affected by many factors. The increase in Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Libya and Syria owning to supply disruptions Kuwait’s population will, by default, result in AL-Sabah for his patronage. She also and KSE experienced its largest gain in 6 years,” A general view of the meeting. demand for more healthcare services. thanked Dr Ali Al-Obaidi, the Minister of he explained. People, on the other hand, are becoming Health, for his continuous support and lead- He also spoke about the Kuwait Indices with He concluded the presentation with review- management company based in Kuwait with more health aware and demand more ing role as the President of the conference. monthly index performance, and about the ing the oil scenario. “Declining oil prices is one of AUM exceeding $3 billion. He leads the strategic Kuwait Development plan that includes key the most significant events in 2014. OPEC’s share research initiative of Markaz with specific focus sophisticated services. Moreover, the cost of She also confirmed that, in addition to high- projects in various fields such as oil and gas, in world oil production dropped and the US on GCC infrastructure and sectors, economic healthcare services, building more hospitals lighting Health Economics concepts, the housing, power and water, transportation. imports from Saudi Arabia dropped 34 percent challenges and investment strategy. Prior to this and healthcare centers, and meeting the conference shall be a perfect venue to bene- “Kuwait remains excessively reliant on hydrocar- during 2003 - 2013. The oil production in North assignment, he was involved with a wealth man- increasing financial requirements to attract fit from the practical experience of more bon revenues as well as remaining the latest America has led to decline in imports though agement firm based in Bahrain as director of and retain adequate qualified staff are not advanced countries. diversified economy amongst GCC members. We the US is still a minor player among oil produc- investment management. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Jarida Report Fake labor Tweeters, have you Detectives paid your bills? arrest thief By Mudaffar Abdullah KUWAIT: Criminal detectives untangled the mystery was listening to the news about the blackout in of the absconding driver of a money collection vehicle several areas in Kuwait on Wednesday through who allegedly stole KD 58,000. Detectives were able Imy car radio that runs on an independent battery to find the hiding place of the culprit, 48 hours after not connected to the Ministry of Electricity and the theft. He was arrested with KD 41,000 out of the Water (MEW) services. I also followed the news on original amount. A security source said the Indian sus- Twitter through my smartphone that had been fully pect planned to travel to his country, but detectives caught him before his escape. His name is placed on charged before the blackout until the power was the travel ban list and he is under investigation. restored after 3 full hours of hard work. Well, I do have some remarks about this experience. Many citizens have jumped to criticize making up High drama by robber for the lost power with help from Qatar, which Director General of Ahmadi Governorate Ali Al- proved to be a false piece of information and many Haimar ordered the detention of a citizen on the

Al-Jarida people realized that it was the GCC power linkage charges of firing from a weapon, running over a grid, which is a collective project between GCC states policeman and attempting to escape from police that rescued Kuwait. Some people are still very sensi- in Al Riqqa police station, as policemen tried to arrest him over robbery charges. A security source tive about Kuwait receiving GCC assistance, which is said that Riqqa police tried to arrest the suspect in a feeling that ought to come to an end because front of the police station but he pulled a weapon many GCC states are more advanced in many fields and started to fire at the station. A policeman compared to Kuwait. started to fire in the air to scare the suspect as he In addition, MEW should have activated its social approached him, but the suspect ran him over, so media accounts instead of deploying its official in a chase was ordered, ending in his arrest. KISR storms against tree plantation inaction extensive interviews with Kuwait Radio and TV while the power was out in various houses and the prob- Indian sentenced to death KUWAIT: After facing the failure of the local concerned plants that are threatened with extinction, such as boxthorn; lem was actually being followed up by various social authorities and the change of the regional geopolitics, Kuwait whose numbers have increased from 500 to 60,000 plants The penal circuit of the comprehensive court sen- media networks. They should have used social media Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) took the initiative and within years. It is necessary for the government to act quick- tenced an Indian driver to death for killing his friend planted 110 natural plants in recent years in areas where the ly, as Kuwait faces 23 sand storms, on average, every year. It to make the public aware of the latest news. After in Sulaibkhat. Detectives were able to arrest him storms pass. also needs coordination between Kuwait and surrounding what happened, I think it is high time we seriously within hours after finding the body of the victim On that note, KISR said it continues its efforts to protect countries. —Al-Qabas considered operating traffic lights on solar power near Sulaibkhat club. instead of electricity to avoid the confusion and traf- Officials held accountable fic disruptions we experienced when the power was Falcon smuggling out. Public awareness should also be adequately Doha customs officers foiled the attempt to for ‘dereliction’ smuggle seven falcons on a boat coming from addressed over such contingencies, and therefore it Iran. The birds were quarantined. Seven Iranian KUWAIT: The Ministry of Planning has already started following up is high time a full campaign is launched in this regard nationals on the boat were arrested, while a the execution of the annual development plan 2015-2016, and the to teach people how to act during such emergen- source said the birds are worth around KD 20,000. five year plan 2015-2020 that are officially due to commence by cies, especially in terms of having some important the beginning of April. requirements readily available at homes during a cri- In this regard, Minister of Social Burglar drives away with valuables sis. The more aware the people are, the less panicky Affairs and Labor and Minister of they become and more wisdom will prevail. A citizen accused an unknown person of breaking Planning and Development Hind Al- I noticed some political remarks made criticizing into her flat and stealing KD 2,000, gold, four mobile Subaih said that she would hold a what happened, such as tweets that read like ‘See phones, a flash memory that has personal pictures, meeting this week with various bodies five watches and her car along with the German where we have reached’, which is well-deserved. in the presence of respective ministers car’s remote control. In another reported incident, a KUWAIT: Dust covers Kuwait City’s skyline during However, MEW is not responsible for the whole and their senior officials to set time Tunisian woman told Salmiya police that the salon a dust storm last Thursday. Cabinet, of course. In addition, the request made by plans and schedules for the projects she manages was broken into and KD 40 was stolen. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat the concerned minister to postpone the discussion included in the development plans so that they could be held accountable if on the blackout in parliament is unjustified, especial- Diesel theft ly since all the information about the efforts exerted Policeman’s bag stolen from trolley they fail to meet the plan. Further, Subaih stressed that the KUWAIT: A Bangladeshi expat was detained in Jleeb to get the power back on had been already A police officer told Salam police station that his police station for attempted theft. A Farwaniya police expressed on the very same night by the minister bag which was in a shopping trolley was stolen. government was very serious in exe- cuting both plans that have been patrol noticed a man filling jerry cans with diesel from a and other officials who provided detailed informa- He said the bag contained a military ID, three truck that was parked in an open area in Jleeb. The driver bankcards and KD 110. —Al-Anbaa Minister Hind approved by the parliament last tion about the malfunction and how it was fixed. Al-Subaih Wednesday. —Al-Jarida of the truck filed a complaint against the suspect accus- Naturally enough, social considerations and living ing him of theft. —Al-Anbaa standards in Kuwait helped protect various public and private property during the blackout and this rarely happens in many countries, including the US Al-Jarida where many people may take advantage of such sit- uations. Finally, I would like to ask those who made use of the blackout and started spreading rumors, be Parliament: The salt it out of ignorance or on purpose - have you paid that doesn’t heal your electricity and water bills?

By Hassan Jouhar Al-Anbaa hether it threatens or not, whether it discuss- es the suspension of tenders or keeps silent, Love is a Wgrills or withdraws motions, this parliament is next to nothing. It has never moved even the slight- est political ‘straws’ and it will never be able to move festival itself! any minister from his position. Nevertheless, it is such a shame to guide the parliament, a public monitoring device and the nation’s reservoir, into such silly direc- By Saleh Al-Shayji tions. It is historically and morally tragic that, with all its incompetence, failure and corruption, the govern- eople have invented a festival to celebrate ment turns out to be cleaner and more honest that love. Well, my love festival is always on - the parliament, even if this was in issues that are Pevery day, every hour. It is in very sigh and closely related to the state’s and the people’s greater every look or distance my eye covers to reach my good. The current parliamentary behavior and atti- beloved. I have filled each and every heartbeat, tudes have reversed everything. They turned good letter and space with love, whether distances are into bad and bad into good in terms of constitutional short or bodies are far apart...nothing fills such and logical principles. The legislative power is sup- posed to be monitoring the government’s perform- distances like love. We love by our eyes, ears, ance and should stand readily to hold its ministers minds and hearts...it does not matter how we accountable for it rather than turn the parliament’s love or what sense do we use to do so because if dome into an umbrella covering up corruption and love prevails amongst us, souls will come closer suspicions of violating public funds. together as love is a bridge between them. The parliament’s decision to allocate the March 10 There are many sleepless dreams below my session to hold the government accountable over sus- beloved pillow. Dreams that are carefully por- pending some major tenders is becoming a threat to the state’s stability as well as what is left of its prestige trayed with her wonderful eyelashes. Dreams and integrity. Everyone in Kuwait realizes that govern- they will remain, going to sleep and waking up. I ment deals and tenders are full of corruption and once asked her which dream she wanted to profiteering. A lot of previous experiences with mega achieve most. “I like dreams to remain dreams,” projects have proved this definitely. Estimated costs she told me. “I would not want to pollute or con- of such projects have been excessively exaggerated. taminate such dreams with real life. Dreams are There is also an unjustified delay in completing some wingless angels that I nurture, water, and feed projects and flaws in the finished projects. Nevertheless, people know that nobody has been and take care of, fearing they might fly away in ever held responsible or accountable for such clear dismay or get devastated by a storm of real life’s violations! insanity. We are sane as long as we dream and However, when some bodies like the CTC, the get insane the moment we stop dreaming,” she Audit Bureau or the Cabinet exert personal efforts told me. that result in suspending some mistrustful projects, Love is a sane dream that teaches us virtues, such as the new airport project, some lawmakers are closeness, openness and bridging gaps between angry to the extent that they threaten some ministers unless the suspension decision is reversed. This seems souls, lips and eyes. Love is longing for life, peo- to be demoralizing the light hope we had in achieving ple and beautiful things we can never see unless some reform. our eyes are full of love. My love, do not banish I wish the rest of the MPs would demand explana- me outside your heart. I do not necessarily have tions for the cost of government projects compared to remain within your sight nor do you within to other countries rich and poor, democratic and mine because our eyes often make us behold totalitarian. Both the parliament and the government unpleasant scenes while our hearts only store need to work on providing enough information about love in them. They are two solitary confinements. these projects’ finances, schedules and technical spec- ifications and compare them with that of their coun- So, lock me up in your heart and I will lock you terparts in those countries to expose how such viola- up in mine. tions were passed and why such projects are being Love is not a feeling of unconsciousness; it is a delayed. We will, then, support the government’s savior for all those who get lost in life because attempts to achieve reform. Finally, think of other their souls are devoid of love. Love is a shady alternatives to execute the state’s vital projects oasis in life’s barren deserts. No one dies of love according to more transparent channels instead of but many do with hatred. So, my love, here is my this silly play we are witnessing. This situation actually reminds me of the saying: “Salt heals all wounds heart as a red rose to you because love has no except when it turns bad!” festival - love is a festival by itself! TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Europe on edge after India, Lanka leaders eye new era in troubled ties deadly terror attacks

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ANKARA: A Member of Turkey’s Bar Association holds a poster depicting slain Ozgecan Aslan in Ankara yesterday during a march to protest against a law that strengthens the police’s power. — AFP Anger grows in Turkey over student’s murder Activists raise alarm over endemic levels of violence against women ISTANBUL: Anger mounted in Turkey yesterday over the detention centers, it added. Aslan, who went missing on daily, Altindoken confessed to the murder, saying he had would accept whatever penalty I would be given.” But murder and attempted rape of a 20-year-old female stu- Wednesday evening in Tarsus, reportedly resisted sexual stabbed Aslan and then struck the fatal blows with a Bozkir indicated he did not favor reimposing the death dent by a bus driver, as a court placed three suspects in assault and was subsequently murdered. Her body was crowbar after seeing she was not yet dead. penalty, saying it was important to separate personal pre-trial detention over the brutal killing. The killing of then burned to destroy the evidence. Reports said Aslan emotions and actions on a state level. Turkish President Ozgecan Aslan, 20, has within days become a rallying had been the only passenger left in a minibus driven by ‘Bring back death penalty’ - Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two daughters, Sumeyye Erdogan cause for activists campaigning to end the country’s Ahmet Suphi Altindoken, who changed the route of the Turkey’s Family and Social Minister Aysenur Islam, the and Esra Albayrak, paid a joint visit to the grieving family endemic levels of violence against women, with thou- bus when the other passengers got off and attempted to only woman in the cabinet of Prime Minister Ahmet of the victim, Anatolia said. sands taking to the streets to protest over the weekend. rape her.She tried to resist by using pepper spray but he Davutoglu, said after visiting the victim’s family that capi- Erdogan and his wife Emine phoned Aslan’s family on A government minister said the death penalty should then stabbed and clubbed her to death. tal punishment should be considered for the perpetrators. Saturday and condemned the murder. Davutoglu vowed be reinstated for the perpetrators while Turkish women The driver then returned to Tarsus to find his father and “Not as a minister, but as a mother and woman, I think to start a campaign against violence against women shared their own stories of harassment and violence a friend to help him dispose of the body. They burned the punishment for such crimes can be the death sentence... along with his wife Sare. Turkey is already battling shock- under the viral Twitter hashtag #sendeanlat (you tell your body in a wooded area in a bid to hide the evidence but We can put it on our agenda,” she was quoted as saying by ing levels of violence against women. According to the story). A court in the city of Tarsus, in the southern Mersin the corpse was found by police on Friday. She was then Anatolia. Platform to Stop Violence Against Women activist group, region, remanded in custody pending trial suspected laid to rest, the coffin borne only by women, on Saturday, Turkey in 2004 abolished the death penalty, a key req- 294 women were killed by men in 2014. Critics claim that murderer Ahmet Suphi Altindoken and suspected accom- February 14, Valentine’s Day. The head of Mersin Bar uisite for its membership of the European Union. EU the situation is not helped by the ruling Islamic-rooted plices, his father Necmettin Altindoken and Fatih Gokce, Association, Alpay Antmen, said that no member of the Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir added: “If something like Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Erdogan, who the official Anatolia news agency reported. bar in the region would defend the perpetrators in court, this had happened to my daughter I would take a gun declared in November that women were not equal to For security reasons, they have been sent to different the Sabah newspaper reported. According to the Hurriyet and I would punish (the attacker) myself.” “Afterwards I men. — AFP Breaches threaten Ukraine ceasefire Afghan female EU blacklists Russian officials politician killed KIEV: A shaky truce in Ukraine was already “today (Monday) it all flared up again, and and Arkady Bakhin, to its travel-ban and KABUL: A popular female politician in her post last year to teach at university at risk on its second day yesterday with non-stop explosions were heard,” she said. asset-freeze blacklist for allegedly sending east Afghanistan died in hospital yester- and wait for an opportunity to run for par- both the Kiev government and pro-Russian The separatists also said Ukrainian troops Russian troops and materiel in to support day following a bomb attack on her vehi- liament. “When I go to teach at university, separatists accusing each other of attacks had fired on Donetsk airport as journalists the Ukrainian insurgency. Three other cle last week, Afghan officials said, under- I face a very bad, dangerous situation,” holding up an agreed pull-back of heavy were being shown around. No casualties Russians, including two lawmakers, and 14 scoring the growing dangers for women Amin said by telephone. “I am very afraid weapons from the frontline. “There is no were reported. Kiev said five Ukrainian Ukrainians acting as rebel military or politi- in the government. Angiza Shinwari, in that the people sending me threats will question at the moment of us withdrawing troops have been killed and 25 wounded in cal officials in the self-declared republics of her mid-thirties, was at the start of a sec- try to kill me.” Amin said she had appealed heavy weapons” because of persistent rebel the town of Shyrokin, near the coastal city Donetsk and Lugansk, were also blacklisted, ond term as a provincial council member both to Afghan and foreign officials for in Nangarhar and had been transferred to protection without success. “All women attacks, a Ukrainian military spokesman, of Mariupol, since the ceasefire started. along with nine entities. The sanctions were Kabul for treatment. Her driver was killed working in government are in great dan- Vladyslav Seleznyov said. “The withdrawal Under the terms of a European-mediated agreed last month but put on hold while in the explosion and four other people ger. And the situation is especially bad for of military hardware can only happen peace plan agreed last week, two days of a France and Germany worked to secure the injured. provincial council members,” Amin said. under certain conditions and one of them “comprehensive” ceasefire were meant to ceasefire. Russia denies repeated allega- It was the second deadly attack on a No one has claimed responsibility for is a full ceasefire,” Eduard Basurin, a lead to a withdrawal of heavy weapons tions it is sending troops and tanks to sup- female politician in three months, after the attack. Shinwari kept a low profile, spokesman for the defense ministry of the from the frontline, starting at midnight port the pro-Russian rebels. The West outspoken parliamentarian Shukria appearing in public with her face covered self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (2200 GMT) yesterday. Other steps, includ- though has imposed sanctions that, along Barakzai was targeted in November. by a niqab, a Muslim veil leaving only the was quoted as saying by the rebels’ official ing a prisoner swap and negotiations over with the sharp decline in oil prices, are Barakzai survived the suicide bombing, eyes visible. In the more conservative news agency. The main hotspot was increased autonomy for separatist-ruled accelerating the Russian economy’s slide but at least three others were killed. parts of Afghanistan, even this is consid- Debaltseve, a key transport hub located areas, were then to follow. Ukraine’s Foreign into recession. Female politicians are often threatened ered improper and women are pressured between Donetsk and Lugansk, where Minister Pavlo Klimkin said during a visit to The internationally backed peace deal by their families as well as the Taleban, to wear the all-covering burqa, which fighting is unabated. Bulgaria that “the Ukraine armed forces are aims to end the bitter Ukraine conflict that because taking a public role is considered covers the eyes with a fabric grill. The AFP journalists and an OSCE monitoring fully observing the ceasefire regime but has claimed more than 5,480 lives since it indecent in much of ultra-conservative governor of Nangarhar province blamed team near Debaltseve observed shelling in unfortunately in response we have received started in April last year, and has sent East- Afghanistan. Colleagues described Kabul for Shinwari’s death. “Because of the area. They were unable to enter the 112... attacks in the past 24 hours from the West relations to lows not seen since the Shinwari as a determined defender of their carelessness, Shinwari passed away town because of the hostilities between terrorists of Donetsk and Lugansk”. Cold War. Ukrainian President Petro women’s rights in the ultra-conservative after surgery,” he said in a statement. The thousands of government troops inside, Poroshenko has said he could order martial east and an active member of president’s office described Shinwari in a and the rebels who have mostly surrounded Russian officials blacklisted law across the country if diplomacy fails. A Nangarhar’s provincial council. statement as a teacher of Islamic sci- it. A municipal official who fled the town, While tensions rose on the ground, the previous truce agreed in September similar- “She worked very hard, for women and ences, a poet and a national hero. Natalia Karabuta, told AFP that around European Union upped the ante on the ly dampened fighting initially before even- for her own people,” said Muhtarama Shinwari had lost both legs in the attack Amin, a friend and former provincial and doctors were unable to save her after 5,000 civilians were still trapped inside, with diplomatic front, adding two Russian tually falling apart under the weight of con- council member in Nangarhar. Amin left surgery. — Reuters little food and water. After a lull on Sunday, deputy defense ministers, Anatoly Antonov stant breaches — AFP p8_Layout 1 2/16/15 9:28 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Libya PM calls for international strikes on Islamists

BAYDA: Libya’s internationally recog- to the group released a video showing But little progress has been made in logue by including the previous parlia- ion, the use of military force,” he said. nized prime minister called for the West what they described as the beheading of talks as the country is dominated by for- ment, known as General National to launch air strikes to defeat Islamist 21 Egyptians captured in Libya. A Libyan mer rebels who helped oust Gaddafi but Congress (GNC), which was reinstated in Deficit militants who control Tripoli and have air force commander said 40-50 militants now fight each other. “Dialogue is the Tripoli by Libya Dawn. “The redline, what The turmoil has driven the oil exports driven his government out of the capi- were killed in the Libyan-Egyptian only way to save Libya,” Thinni said in an we cannot give up, is the legitimacy of on which Libya depends to feed its pop- tal. Speaking hours before Egypt strikes. Egypt is worried about the rise of interview at his government headquar- the elected House of Representatives,” ulation to less than 200,000 barrels a bombed Islamic State targets in Libya in day, a fifth of levels seen in 2013 and an retaliation after militants said they had even smaller fraction of that seen under beheaded 21 Egyptian Christians, Prime Gaddafi. The state ran a deficit of $19 bil- Minister Abdullah Al-Thinni made a plea lion last year. Thinni, whose control of for Western military intervention in a state revenue and spending is in doubt, country rapidly slipping into chaos. “We said Libya would post a budget deficit have absolutely confirmed information again in 2015 due to sharply shrinking that Al-Qaeda and IS are in Tripoli oil production, but said Libya could get and....near Ben Jawad,” he said, referring foreign loans or ask countries like the to a central town controlled by a faction United Arab Emirates, his main backer, that supports a rival government. for help. “I ask world powers stand by Libya Neither of the two rival parliaments and launch military strikes against these has approved a budget for 2015 but groups,” he said. “This threat will move to Thinni said his government would pres- European countries, especially Italy.” ent a draft by mid-March. The central Thinni, the internationally recognized bank, located in the west in territory premier, has been based in the east of outside Thinni’s control, has sought to the country since an armed group called stay out of the conflict by limiting Libya Dawn seized the capital in August. spending to public salaries and essential Libyan Dawn includes Islamists but imports. Thinni said his government had denies that it has links to al Qaeda or to moved the headquarters of state oil firm fighters that have sworn allegiance to Image made from a video by militants in Libya claiming loyalty to the Islamic State group purportedly shows Egyptian NOC to the east and planned to set up a Islamic State. The North African country Coptic Christians in orange jumpsuits being led along a beach, each accompanied by a masked militant. — AP new central bank unit there. Such moves is in chaos as two rival governments and could be sensitive for foreign oil buyers parliaments allied to separate armed Islamic State, especially in areas near its ters in Bayda, a town some 1,200 km to Thinni said. He warned that a military confused over how to pay for Libya’s oil. factions fight for territory, four years border. It called on Monday for the US- the east of Tripoli. He insisted that talks confrontation was still on option for his They have been paying for oil sales after NATO war planes helped topple led coalition that has been bombing need to be based on the assumption government. The air force of through the NOC and central bank dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Islamic State in Syria and Iraq to confront that one of two rival parliaments, the autonomous general Khalifa Haftar accounts which are out of Thinni’s con- Egypt’s military, joined by jets from the group in Libya as well. House of Representatives elected in allied to Thinni has bombed targets in trol. “We’ve moved National Oil Corp Libya’s own air forces, bombed Islamic With Libya divided by two govern- June and also based in the east, is the western Libya. “We hope the dialogue is completely to Brega,” Thinni said, refer- State targets inside Libya on Monday, a ments, the United Nations has been legitimate assembly. the way out... but if the dialogue fails, ring to an eastern oil town. “This is the day after fighters proclaiming allegiance mediating to avert full-blown civil war. The UN has sought to widen its dia- God forbid, then there is another opin- sole legitimate body.”—Reuters

Italy rescues over 2,000 migrants off Libya coast

ROME: The Italian coastguard launched a Nostrum search and rescue operation. Italy massive operation Sunday to rescue more decided to scale back the mission after its than 2,000 migrants in difficulty between EU partners refused to share running costs the Italian island of Lampedusa and the of around nine million euros ($10 million) a Libyan coast, local media said. The emer- month. gency rescue came on the same day Italy said it was evacuating staff from its Jihadist fears embassy in Libya and suspending opera- Italy has seen a surge in migrants leaving tions there, highlighting the worsening in boats from Libya as the country has sunk security situation in the violence-plagued deeper into chaos. The Italian foreign min- country. istry on Sunday said it was pulling out staff Some 2,164 migrants coming from Libya from its embassy in the former colony. The had to be saved from a dozen boats, Italian ministry said the embassy-the last Western media reported, citing the country’s emer- mission to remain open in Libya-has “sus- gency services. By Sunday evening around pended its activities because of the worsen- 520 migrants were on board an Italian navy ing security situation”. In total, about 100 ship, the TGcom24 television station’s web- Italians were being evacuated by ship from site said. More than 900 other migrants the north African state, foreign ministry were picked up by coastguard and customs sources said. Since dictator Muammar police boats, while the rest were rescued by Gaddafi was toppled and killed in a NATO- various ships in the area, the TV station said. backed revolt in 2011, Libya has been The Italian transport ministry said some plagued by conflict among rival forces bat- of its coastguards had been threatened by tling for control of key cities and the coun- four armed men earlier in the day who try’s oil riches. The notoriously brutal Islamic approached them by speedboat from the State group is now also active in the coun- Libyan coast. The Kalashnikov-wielding try and on Sunday released a video purport- men forced the rescuers to return a boat edly showing the beheading of Egyptian that had been emptied of migrants, the Coptic Christians the jihadists say they cap- ministry said in a statement. Last year, more tured in Libya. than 3,200 people died while attempting to Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti reach Italy by boat from North Africa. The said in an interview with Il Messaggero United Nations has described the sea cross- newspaper Sunday that the risk of jihadists ing as the most dangerous route in the arriving in Italy on boats carrying immi- world. On Friday, some 600 migrants on grants from Libya “could not be ruled out”. TEHRAN: An Iranian man holds a portrait of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei under Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran. — AP board six dinghies were rescued by the She said Italy was ready to lead a coalition Italian coastguard and merchant vessels from Europe and north African states to bat- around 50 miles off the Libyan coast. tle against the advance of jihadists in Libya. But in a major tragedy last week, more “The risk is imminent, we cannot wait any Iran refutes claim Khamenei than 300 migrants died in the longer. Italy has national defense needs and Mediterranean Sea when their overcrowded cannot have a caliphate ruling across the rubber dinghies collapsed and sank in shores from us,” Pinotti said. Italian Prime wrote letter to US president stormy weather. The victims were among Minister Matteo Renzi told public television migrants mainly from sub-Saharan Africa on Saturday that Rome was committed to who had embarked on the perilous journey intervening in Libya, and called for a from a beach near Tripoli. The deaths under- stronger United Nations mission. “We have Weekly banned for criticizing govt ‘concessions’ in nuke talks scored the limited means and scope of told Europe and the international commu- Triton, an EU-run mission which took over in nity that we have to stop sleeping,” he TEHRAN: Iran has denied a report that its acknowledgement in the Islamic Republic of of (Iran’s) reserve of enriched uranium,” the November from the Italian navy’s Mare said.— AFP Supreme Leader wrote a letter to US President such correspondence. However, it was not clear weekly said in January with respect to Zarif’s Barack Obama, the Islamic Republic’s official whether Khamenei wrote the letters himself. US lakeside promenade with US Secretary of State news agency reported, as the country negoti- and Iranian officials held a series of secret meet- John Kerry on the sidelines of the negotiations ates with world powers over its contested ings in 2013 that ultimately paved the way for a in Geneva. Syrian refugees swell ranks nuclear program. The IRNA news agency quoted historic interim nuclear deal in Geneva. Obama That diplomatic stroll raised an outcry among Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham and Iranian President Rouhani also have had a Iranian hardliners deeply wary of Rouhani’s of Lebanon street children as saying the report Saturday by the Wall Street historic telephone conversation, the first direct moves to thaw Iran’s long antagonistic relations Journal was “an unprofessional media game.” communication between the two nation’s lead- with the West, and Zarif was summoned by BEIRUT: Syrian refugees make up the study of children working in the street in “The US president has a record of sending let- ers since 1979. hardline lawmakers to provide an explanation. majority of children living and working on Lebanon, though it did not cover child labor ters and in some cases Iran responded to his let- ISNA said Noh-e Day had also been accused of the streets of Lebanon, with many of them more broadly, which has also increased with ters,” Afkham said Sunday. Neither she nor the Iran bans weekly offending the late founder of Iran’s 1979 Islamic illiterate and surviving by begging, a study the influx of Syrian refugees, more than half IRNA report elaborated on her comments, In another development, Iran has shut down Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeni. The released yesterday said. The survey of 18 of whom are children. though Afkham said Iran had no immediate a hardline conservative weekly for criticizing the United states and its European allies have long areas in Lebanon identified more than 1,500 The research, commissioned by Save the plans to write Obama again. government’s nuclear negotiations with six suspected Iran of covertly trying to develop children living and working on the street, Children, UNICEF, the International Labor The Wall Street Journal report said Ayatollah major powers aimed at ending a decade-old nuclear weapons know-how. Tehran insists its although its authors said the real number Organization and the Lebanese labor min- Ali Khamenei wrote Obama in recent weeks in standoff, the Students News Agency ISNA nuclear program is geared to production of non- nationwide could be three times higher. istry, found 42 percent of street children response to a letter by the US president asking reported yesterday. The broad goal of the talks fossil fuel and scientific research. The study comes as Syrian refugees in were illiterate. A majority had never been Iran to work with an American-led coalition is to restrain Iran’s nuclear energy capacity to China’s foreign minister said during a trip to Lebanon struggle to make ends meet, near- to school and although 40 percent fighting the extremist Islamic State group in remove any concerns it could be put to devel- Tehran that a nuclear settlement would help it ly four years into the bloody conflict in their expressed a desire to learn, just three per- Iraq and Syria. The report said Khamenei out- oping bombs in return for the lifting of sanc- escape from sanctions and allow more efforts to home country. Lebanon has also been cent were attending classes and working lined a series of abuses he said the US commit- tions that have ravaged the Iranian economy. be spent on economic development. stretched by the influx of Syrians, who are on the streets. Nearly 45 percent of the chil- ted against Iran in the last 60 years. However, The Noh-e Day weekly, run by hardline mem- Negotiators failed to meet a self-imposed dead- competing with its four million citizens for dren were involved in begging, with anoth- the report also quoted an unnamed former ber of parliament Hamid Rassai, had repeatedly line in November to clinch a final agreement limited resources. Of the 1,510 children er 37 percent sell items such as chewing Obama administration official suggesting it criticized pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani’s seen as crucial to reducing the risk of a wider identified by the study, 73 percent were gum, flowers and tissues. Working an aver- could signal a potential breakthrough in rela- government for “making too many concessions” Middle East war. They have set a new deadline from Syria, including Palestinians who had age of more than eight hours daily, the chil- tions between the two countries, who have during the nuclear negotiations. “Iran’s press of June 30. Under a Nov 24, 2013 preliminary been living in the war-torn country, the dren reported earning just over $11 a viewed each other with mutual suspicion since watchdog has banned the Noh-e Day weekly for accord with Britain, China, France, Germany, study found. It is the first comprehensive day.—AFP the 1979 Islamic Revolution toppled the US- publishing articles that contradicted the coun- Russia and the United States, Iran halted its backed shah. try’s nuclear policy,” ISNA reported. “Each step most sensitive nuclear activity and took other In November, Iran said it had written back in that (Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad) Zarif steps in exchange for some easing of economic response to letters sent by Obama, the first took during the walk destroyed 100 kilograms sanctions.—Agencies Sudan govt seizes print runs of 13 newspapers

KHARTOUM: Sudanese security officers seized Journalists for Human Rights said that the “rise” in seized. The Sudanese Journalists’ Network said it the print runs of 13 newspapers yesterday in one newspaper seizures “represents an unprecedent- would hold a sit-in outside the government-run of the most sweeping crackdowns on the press in ed escalation by the authorities against freedom press council to protest against the confiscations. recent years, a media watchdog said. The National of the press and expression”. The editor of Al- Sudan ranked near bottom, at 172 out of 180, in Intelligence and Security Service seized copies of Tayar, Osman Mirghani, confirmed to AFP his the Reporters Without Borders 2014 World Press the dailies which included pro-government as newspaper’s print run had been seized. “After the Freedom Index. The newspapers seized were Al- well as independent titles-”without giving any printing was finished, security officers arrived Tayar, Al-Rai al-Aam, Al-Intibaha, Akhir Lahza, Al- reasons,” Journalists for Human Rights said. and seized all printed copies without giving any Ahram al-Youm, Awal al-Nahar, Al-Watan, Al- BEIRUT: A man and a child beg in a street of the Lebanese capital Beirut. Syrian NISS often confiscates print runs of newspa- reason for that,” he said. Sudani, Alwan, Al-Saiha, Al-Mijhar al-Siyasi, Al- refugees make up the majority of children living and working on the streets of pers over stories it deems unsuitable but it rarely There was no immediate word from the Dar, and Hikayat, Journalists for Human Rights Lebanon, with many of them illiterate and surviving by begging, a study said. —AFP seizes so many publications at one time. authorities on why the newspapers had been said.— AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

End-of-life dispute re-emerges as 2016 issue for Bush

MIAMI: Jeb Bush was preparing to Bush’s recently released emails are part woman was worth his time and atten- release the emails he sent and received of his attempt to define himself on his tion. He showed genuine compassion.” as Florida governor when he was excori- terms. Many of the emails deal with the Bush first intervened in 2003 as the ated by a letter-writer to The Miami Schiavo case. “Please know that I respect Schindlers’ legal appeals were coming to Herald. The headline: “Don’t trust Jeb the opinions of those who disagree with an end. A judge’s ruling that Michael Bush with the power of the presidency.” the actions I have taken,” Bush wrote a Schiavo, Terri’s legal guardian, could The subject of many of the emails was constituent in 2005. “This is a heart- remove her feeding tube had withstood Terri Schiavo. The letter-writer was her wrenching case, and I have not taken any years of court challenges. But the gover- husband, Michael. Bush’s effort to stop action without thought, reflection and nor took the unusual step of writing the Michael Schiavo from removing his an appreciation for other points of view.” judge and asking him to assign a differ- brain-damaged wife’s feeding tube was a Friends and advisers to Bush say his ent guardian. defining moment of Bush’s time in office. actions were driven largely by his faith, Bush, a devout Catholic, sided with and they believe his effort to keep 27,000 emails Terri Schiavo’s parents in the end-of-life Schiavo alive - despite wide public disap- “I normally would not address a letter dispute and reached for unprecedented proval - illustrates principled leadership. to the judge in a pending legal proceed- authority to intervene. Michael Schiavo That could help in early presidential vot- ing,” Bush wrote. “However, my office has said his wife did not want to be kept alive ing states such as Iowa and South received over 27,000 emails reflecting artificially. As Bush moves toward a run Carolina, where social conservatives hold understandable concern for the well- for president in 2016, Michael Schiavo significant sway in the nominating being of Terri Schiavo.” His request was has re-emerged, promising to campaign process. “Jeb felt strongly from a personal rejected. On Oct 21, 2003, six days after against Bush and remind voters about standpoint that she should be given a the feeding tube was removed, the GOP- the ex-governor’s role in the matter. “I chance,” said Al Cardenas, former chair- controlled Legislature passed a one-page Jeb Bush will be very active,” Schiavo, a registered man of the American Conservative bill granting the governor the power to Republican, told The Associated Press in Union. Terri Schiavo’s parents, Bob and order the tube reinserted. Bush signed it King, then Florida’s state Senate presi- and Families take custody of Terri an interview. He said he plans to back Mary Schindler, asked Bush for help. They into law, and a police-escorted ambu- dent, said at the time. Nearly a year later, Schiavo, based on allegations that she Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, disputed the diagnosis that she was in a lance moved her from a hospice to a hos- the Florida Supreme Court ruled the law had been abused by her husband and should she run. “chronic vegetative state” and said that pital, where the tube was put back in. “I unconstitutional. Bush appealed to the caregivers. The move was rebuffed by the their daughter, as a Catholic, would not honestly believe we did the right thing,” US Supreme Court, was rejected and presiding judge. On March 31, 2005, Terri A huge apology? want to be taken off life support. Bush wrote a constituent who supported asked Congress to intervene. Lawmakers, Schiavo died. Even after that, Bush raised To Schiavo, Bush “owes the public, “For Mr Bush, it was clearly about the move. including then Sen Clinton, voted to give questions about Michael Schiavo’s along with myself, a huge apology.” doing the right thing,” said David Gibbs, Others weren’t so sure, including Terri Schiavo’s parents legal standing to involvement in his wife’s initial collapse Asked last week about the case, Bush the Schindlers’ lead lawyer. “He knew the some of the Republicans who shepherd- appeal anew in the federal courts, which and asked that a state prosecutor revisit told the Tampa Bay Times: “It’s appropri- easiest thing would be for him to avoid ed the measure through the Legislature. then rejected their case. the case. “Jeb Bush had no right to do ate for people to err on the side of life. the issue and just be the governor. But “I keep thinking, ‘What if Terri Schiavo In a last-ditch effort, Bush tried to what he did,” Michael Schiavo said in his I’m completely comfortable with it.” he felt in principle that one disabled really didn’t want this at all?’” the late Jim have the state Department of Children letter to the newspaper.—AP Oklahoma’s daily quakes raise risk of bigger ones

SAN JOSE: Small earthquakes shaking nuisances and not really threats. But Oklahoma and southern Kansas daily and Ellsworth’s continuing study, which is not linked to energy drilling are dramatically yet published, showed the mere increase increasing the chance of bigger and dan- In the number of tiny temblors raises the gerous quakes, federal research indicates. risk of earthquakes that scientists consider This once stable region is now just as likely major hazards. to see serious damaging and potentially That’s generally above a magnitude 5 harmful earthquakes as the highest risk with older buildings and a magnitude 6 for places east of the Rockies such as New modern ones, Ellsworth said. “The more Madrid, Missouri, and Charleston, South small earthquakes we have it just simply Carolina, which had major quakes in the increases the odds we’re going to have a past two centuries. Still it’s a low risk, more damaging event,” Ellsworth said. A about a 1 in 2,500 years’ chance of happen- 2011 earthquake in Prague, Oklahoma, ing, according to geophysicist William was a 5.7 magnitude, causing some dam- Ellsworth of the U.S. Geological Survey. age and hurting two people. Some studies “To some degree we’ve dodged a bullet said that was a side effect of the drilling in Oklahoma,” Ellsworth said after a presen- process, but other scientists are not con- tation to the American Association for the vinced. Experts at the science session said Advancement of Science. But, he added, Ellsworth’s finding of a higher risk for big “This is not to say we expect a large earth- quakes makes sense. “We are worried quake tomorrow.” During the 90-minute about this, no question about it,” said Rex session on human-induced earthquakes, Buchanan, interim director of the Kansas three quakes larger than 3.1 magnitude hit Geological Survey. northern Oklahoma. Federal records show Not all states with fracking and waste- that since Jan. 1, Oklahoma has had nearly water injections are seeing increased 200 quakes that people have felt. These quakes and not all those with increased quakes started to increase in 2008 and quakes, such as Texas and Ohio, are at a made dramatic jumps in frequency in June higher risk for major quakes, Ellsworth BOSTON: A woman walks through blowing snow in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston. New England remained bitterly cold yesterday 2013 and again in February 2014, Ellsworth said. Arkansas and Ohio, for example, are after the region’s fourth winter storm in a month blew through. — AP said. also now seeing fewer man-made They are mostly in areas with energy quakes, he said. Much depends on geol- drilling, often hydraulic fracturing, a ogy and how the wastewater is injected, process known as fracking. Many studies said Stanford University geophysics pro- have linked the increase in small quakes to fessor Mark Zoback. He said industry and US Northeast hit the process of injecting wastewater deep regulators can be smarter about where underground because it changes pressure they inject wastewater and where they and triggers dormant faults. Until now, do not, and can avoid many of these those quakes were mostly thought of as problems.—AP by blizzards, cold The snowiest month in Boston’s history

BOSTON: The US Northeast struggled to dig out heaped disappointment on retailers who were inches (50 cm) fell on the coastal town of Ipswich from the latest in a series of winter storms that relying on the Presidents’ Day weekend and on Sunday and relentless winds were expected made February the snowiest month in Boston’s Valentine’s Day to make up for subpar sales dur- to pile up dangerous drifts of the lightweight history, while Kentucky and Indiana braced for ing the last three lashings of snow. snow. In Boston restaurants sought to coax cus- heavy snow on Sunday night and yesterday. Massive snowfall from Boston’s fourth major tomers out of hibernation for a meal or drink on Blizzard conditions forced the cancellation of snowstorm in two weeks set a record for the Sunday evening, when the snow was expected to more than 1,800 US airline flights on Sunday, city’s snowiest month since weather records let up. One South Boston eatery added the hash- most of them into and out of airports in Boston were kept, the NWS said. Boston had seen about tag “#cabinfever” to its Twitter messages. “You and New York, where wind gusts of up to 60 6 feet (1.8 meters) of snow since late January and don’t want to stay penned up all day,” said Allie miles per hour (97 kph) were predicted. A had already set a record for accumulations in a Needham, 26, a business analyst at a chemical woman in New Jersey was found frozen to death single week. Bitter cold and huge drifts ham- company, as she walked along an empty street in in the snow near her home on Sunday morning. pered snow removal efforts. “Hopefully, it will Cambridge on her way to meet friends for break- In the Midwest, snow around Lake Michigan stop eventually,” Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said fast. caused a three-dozen-car pileup on a major on Sunday, pleading with drivers to stay off dan- With all public transportation suspended in Chicago expressway, sending 12 people to the gerous roads. Boston on Sunday, Bostonians got creative. In the hospital for injuries. Back Bay neighborhood, a snowboarder hitched CAPE TOWN: Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters, wearing red uniforms, Temperatures are 25 to 30 degrees (14 to 17 Kentucky, Indiana brace for snow a ride from a snowmobile. One resident on clash with security forces during South African President’s State of the Nation degrees Celsius) below normal for the East Coast, While the Northeast dug out, Kentucky and Twitter said it was about time for an entrepre- address in Cape Town. — AFP exacerbated by strong winds, said meteorologist southern Indiana were bracing for a storm. “A sig- neur to start up a dog sled service. Across the Bruce Sullivan of the National Weather Service. nificant winter storm with snowfall totals poten- state, about 600 members of the National Guard SA opposition wants inquiry The temperature at 1 p.m. in Boston was around tially in the double digits ... will impact southern were helping out during the blizzard, said 18 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 8 Celsius), but felt Indiana and central Kentucky” today, the National Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. into parliament ‘censorship’ like zero (minus 18 Celsius) thanks to wind chill. Weather Service said, forecasting 10-15 inches Conditions were so bad in New Hampshire that By yesterday morning, it was like minus 20 across portions of south central Kentucky. Still, the town of Alton called off its annual ice carnival JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s main Zuma began speaking, but the incident (minus 29 Celsius), the NWS said. The latest storm nothing compared with Massachusetts, where 20 this weekend.— Reuters opposition party has called for an investi- revived public concern that the ANC wants gation into why mobile telephone recep- to chill dissent and the DA said it had asked tion was cut in parliament ahead of the Independent Communications President Jacob Zuma’s chaotic State Of Authority for an inquiry into “an orchestrat- US authorities investigating The Nation address last week. The ed strategy” to stop the public seeing what Democratic Alliance (DA) branded the happened in parliament. “The jamming of apparent jamming as “censorship” and the cellular signal was an unprecedented triple homicide in Kentucky denounced the speaker of parliament, contravention of media freedom. All indica- Baleka Mbete, saying she was unfit to con- tions are that the jamming of the signal CORBIN: A 16-year-old boy killed in a shootout the garage after arriving home from work. The cou- daughter, Grace, who was about 12, Campbell said. tinue in office. was illegal,” the DA said in a statement. Saturday with police in Maryland, prompted the ple’s 16-year-old son, Jason Hendrix, fled in his par- The mother was shot twice in the face. The girl was Zuma received a hostile reception on Zuma and Mbete have said they don’t search of his home over 500 miles away in ent’s green Honda Pilot, armed with four weapons shot twice in the head and once in the arm. The Thursday at the opening of parliament know why there was no phone reception. Kentucky, where authorities found the bodies of and a backpack full of ammunition, Campbell said. shooter fired into pillows at close distance, the chief from lawmakers from the far-left Economic Mbete has called for an internal inquiry. his parents and younger sister. Friends and rela- “Right now all the evidence points toward him as said. “He left them where they were and put the pil- Freedom Fighters (EFF), who repeatedly The DA said Mbete was “unfit to lead and tives of Jason Hendrix were struggling to under- being the shooter,” the chief said. lows over their heads,” Campbell said. Jason Hendrix interrupted his speech to challenge him determined to destroy parliament” after stand how the boy, a faithful churchgoer who was Baltimore County Police said Sunday the met up with friends at church that evening and about graft allegations. A visibly angered she told an ANC rally on Saturday that baptized just two months ago, could end up as the teenager shot a police officer Saturday after crash- showed no signs of distress. “They said he was just Mbete, a member of Zuma’s African Malema was a “cockroach” and that Zuma’s suspect in the slayings. Hendrix, a Kentucky high ing the Honda Pilot into a silver sedan. At least six like he usually is,” Campbell said. Police didn’t know National Congress (ANC), ordered the EFF speech was a “beautiful opportunity” to school ROTC student and active church member, officers opened fire on Hendrix, who was pro- why the suspect decided to flee to the East Coast. lawmakers, led by firebrand former ANC “deal with those irritants”. Malema accused was angry at his parents for taking away his com- nounced dead at the scene. Maryland State Police The family had no relatives in Baltimore, Campbell youth leader Julius Malema, to be thrown Mbete of calling for his assassination, puter privileges when he’s suspected of killing his say they initially sought to pull over Hendrix said. “We have no clue why he went up there,” the out of parliament, prompting a brawl according to South Africa’s Sunday Times. family execution-style before fleeing to Maryland, Saturday for a speeding violation. Police found a chief said. Family and friends in this small south- between the EFF and police. Tensions were “If I am killed tomorrow, people must know where he died in a shootout with police, the town’s gas receipt showing that the teen had been in New eastern Kentucky town were struggling to under- running high even before Zuma arrived I was killed by Baleka and the ANC.” Many police chief said Sunday. Jersey on Thursday. The teenager was angry at his stand Sunday how a teenager known for being when guests discovered there was no ordinary South Africans lamented the Police believe the victims were gunned down parents for taking away his computer privileges a polite could be suspected of the killings. Kevin and mobile phone reception inside the cham- shambolic events in parliament last week, late Wednesday afternoon in their home, Corbin couple of days before the slayings, Campbell said. Sarah Hendrix were beekeepers who sold honey in ber, prompting journalists and rowdy law- saying they distracted attention from criti- Police Chief David Campbell said. The father still “The mother had talked to a co-worker and told her the local farmers market, and Grace Hendrix was a makers to chant: cal issues such as severe electricity short- had on his sport coat and tie from work when he that he was really mad about that,” the chief said. middle school cheerleader. A spokesman for Union Bring back the signal! ages, 25 percent unemployment and wide- was shot twice in the head. The mother was The family members found dead Saturday in their College in Barbourville confirmed Sarah Hendrix The signal was restored by the time spread poverty. —Reuters ambushed as she stepped into the kitchen from home were Kevin and Sarah Hendrix and their was a professor at the school.—AP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Photos show the flooded areas. Rain, flood wreak havoc in Albania

KUWAIT: Continuous heavy rainfalls has forced many people Albania informs that the situation is improving now however Cross, volunteers, have been activated in consequence man- request for assistance of Albania and have offered financial to evacuate their homes and caused considerable damage in there were 2143 ha flooded and in addition to abovemen- agement operations. On 13 Feb, a EUCP team was deployed donations and in kind help. Also, donations were offered by Albania. According to the authorities, more than 600 families tioned damages, 324 business facilities were damaged serious- in site in assessing the situation in the affected areas of the neighbor countries like Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Turkey, have been evacuated from the flooded areas and around 1000 ly and about 50, 000 livestock and birds are dead. Southern Albania mainly in Fier and Vlora regions. Bosnia, etc. However, further humanitarian support is needed. families have had their houses damaged. Two human victims Relevant state institutions and operation forces including A number of EU member states including Netherlands, The unstable weather forecast in the upcoming weeks makes were reported. Directorate General of Civil Emergencies in military forces, police, firefighter personnel, Albanian Red France, Italy, Austria and Slovakia have so far responded to the the situation more fragile.

DSK trial revives question of world’s oldest profession Europe on edge after

LILLE: In 19th century France, where sexual services? A trial like this raises prostitution was seen as a societal the question.” The trial has provided a necessity by Napoleon, French men stark array of views on the practice. A deadly terror attacks would take their sons to a legal bordel- brothel owner known as “Dodo the lo to be initiated into matters of the Pimp” shrugs when asked about the flesh by a professional. It was a permis- morality of taking 50 percent of a pros- Denmark charges 2 suspects sive era for a country which, like all titutes’ earnings, saying: “Well I have to societies, has toyed with countless pay tax and electricity.” Strauss-Kahn’s COPENHAGEN: Two men were charged in have been released from prison two weeks ago after stepped up patrols on the streets of the city of one ways of dealing with the world’s oldest friend David Roquet casually refers to Copenhagen yesterday with helping the gunman serving a term for aggravated assault-raising fears he million people. The central area of the capital that is profession, from King Louis IX’s brief “a great massage” from a prostitute to who killed two people in twin weekend attacks that may have become radicalized behind bars. home to both the synagogue and Noerreport station, and chaotic effort in 1254 to expel mean fellatio. have stoked renewed fears of Islamist and anti- Investigators said the man, who was born and raised the country’s busiest rail hub, was cordoned off by prostitutes from cities to modern-day And Paszkowski says he “has never Semitic violence in Europe. Flags were flying at half- in Denmark, had a history of assault and weapons police carrying machine guns. Tearful Danes have laid mast across Denmark after the shootings that offences. flowers and candles at the sites of the killings, while efforts to punish clients. This endless had the feeling” that paying for prosti- stunned one of the world’s most peaceful nations. In a killing spree that bore a striking resemblance the Copenhagen bourse said it would observe a soul-searching over paying for sex is tutes is reprehensible. Many of these The suspected attacker, gunned down by police in a to the Paris attacks, the gunman first fired off a volley minute’s silence in honor of the victims. once again under the spotlight as for- comments provoke laughter. But the pre-dawn shootout on Sunday, was identified as a 22- of bullets outside the Krudttoenden centre on A columnist in the left-of-centre Politiken newspa- mer-IMF chief Dominique Strauss- court falls silent as retired prostitute year-old Dane with a history of violent crime who had Saturday afternoon during a panel discussion about per linked the shootings to the rise of the anti-immi- Kahn stands trial for pimping in the Jade sobs as she tells how she was only been freed from jail two weeks ago. Islam and free speech. Documentary film-maker Finn grant Danish People’s Party in a country were immi- northern French city of Lille. forced to sell herself to feed her two Danish intelligence said the gunman, who killed Norgaard, 55, who colleagues said had a special inter- grants make up about nine percent of the population. The economist denies knowing his young children. Both she and Mounia, two people in attacks just hours apart at a cultural est in the problems of integration in Denmark, was The attacks have revived fears in Europe about friends organized for prostitutes to another prostitute, say they couldn’t centre and a synagogue may have been inspired by killed. In the second attack in the early hours of jihadist violence and anti-Semitic attacks against Jews attend sex parties with him. But never- say no to Strauss-Kahn sodomising last month’s Islamist attacks in Paris. “A new type of Sunday, the gunman opened fire outside the syna- since the bloody events in Paris on January 7-9. Israeli theless they did attend, and their tear- them, because they didn’t have the war,” thundered the right-wing Jyllands-Posten news- gogue during a bar mitzvah, killing a 37-year-old Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately ful accounts of unwanted sodomy, power. Strauss-Kahn himself says the paper, which had itself triggered violent protests Jewish man named as Dan Uzan who was guarding urged European Jews to move to his country after powerlessness and the desperation thought of using prostitutes “horrifies across the Muslim world after publishing cartoons the building. Saturday’s shooting, echoing a similar call made after that drove them to the job has at times him”, apologizing for the way the mocking the Prophet Mohammed in 2005. Two sus- Five policemen were wounded in the two inci- the Paris attacks. frustrated the lawyers whose clients women experienced the act. pects were charged yesterday with helping the dents before the gunman was tracked down to a But France responded icily to his comments, with are charged with pimping. “This Copenhagen attacker get rid of his weapon and giv- working class district of Copenhagen and killed in a President Francois Hollande saying that Jews mustn’t become a trial over prostitu- ‘It isn’t cool, it’s misery’ ing him somewhere to hide, according to the lawyer shootout with police. Police said the gunman was belonged in Europe and “in particular in France” tion. That trial must take place in the The lawyer Daoud believes it is nec- of one of the men, Michael Juul Eriksen said. Police already “on the radar” of the intelligence services and despite anti-Semitic incidents including the defacing National Assembly,” said Karl essary to expose all facets of prostitu- confirmed two men had been charged with aiding that they were investigating if he had travelled to of hundreds of tombstones at a Jewish cemetery. Vandamme, lawyer for one of Strauss- tion to put off women who think it is the gunman but did not confirm the specific allega- conflict zones such as Syria and Iraq. “He may have Four Jews were among a total of 17 people killed in Kahn’s friends, Fabrice Paszkowski, glamorous and easy money, and men tions against them. been inspired by the events that took place in Paris a the Paris attacks on a kosher supermarket and the few weeks ago,” national intelligence chief Jens Charlie Hebdo satirical weekly, which had published who admits bringing prostitutes to the who think it hurts no one. Bernard ‘ Cynical act of terror’ Madsen told reporters Sunday. A photo of the sus- cartoons lampooning Mohammed. World govern- orgies. “We must stop this hypocrisy Lemettre, a representative of an organ- From Tokyo to London, Riyadh to New York, pect showed him wearing a black puffer jacket and a ments reacted with outrage to the Copenhagen because there are two systems clash- ization which helps women leave pros- expressions of sympathy and outrage poured after maroon balaclava and carrying a black bag. killings. British Prime Minister David Cameron con- ing... our system in which we have the titution, Mouvement du Nid, chillingly the shootings described by Danish Prime Minister demned them as an “appalling attack on free speech right to see a prostitute and the forbid- made this point in court. “Repeated Helle Thorning-Schmidt as a “cynical act of terror”. Floral tributes and religious freedom”, while the United States brand- den system of pimping.” penetration has terribly traumatic con- Several media identified the gunman as Omar El- Armed officers raided a Copenhagen Internet cafe ed them “deplorable” and UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Prostitution is legal in France, but sequences for a woman,” he said. “A Hussein, who was said by the Ekstra-Bladet tabloid to in one of a series of operations on Sunday as police there was “no justification” for the bloodshed. — AFP organizing and profiting from prostitu- woman’s body is not made to be pene- tion-for which Strauss-Kahn and 13 trated 10 or 20 times a day.” Referring others are on trial-is punishable by up to these comments, Daoud said: “This to 10 years in prison. “When you know is also the reality of prostitution. It isn’t that prostitution is the third biggest pretty, it isn’t a necessary evil, it isn’t source of revenue for organized crime, cool. It is seedy, it is sordid, it is misery that it is mafia-like, human trafficking and sometimes it has dramatic conse- networks who import hundreds of quences.” He wants France to reconsid- thousands of young women, yes, it is er a controversial law to punish the necessary to have extremely severe clients of prostitution. punishments,” for pimping, said lawyer The bill was passed by the lower Emmanuel Daoud, who is representing house of parliament but was shelved former prostitutes seeking civil com- by the Senate last year after protests pensation in the case. Women from sex workers themselves and crit- enslaved by brutal criminal networks, ics who said it would only push prosti- drugged, their families threatened tution further underground. “If we hit with execution if they leave, “that too demand maybe criminal networks will is prostitution”, Daoud told AFP out- see France as less attractive because side court. there will be fewer clients,” said Daoud. It is unlikely the question that has Stop this hypocrisy haunted humanity for centuries will He said there would be a “before find its answer in one trial, but it hasn’t and after” to the trial, which he hopes left those involved unmoved. “Thank will see society scrutinize how it views you for this moment of humanity, in a prostitution. “Do we want to teach our moment of seediness,” said Henri sons that if you have a sexual need ‘go Leclerc, the 84-year-old lawyer for on, take 100 euros and satisfy it’? Do Strauss-Kahn, in response to Lemettre’s we want to trivialize the purchase of testimony on prostitution. — AFP COPENHAGEN: Policemen survey the area as people with children gather to honor the shooting victims outside the main Synagogue of Copenhagen yesterday. — AFP Hundreds of tombs defaced in French Jewish cemetery

SARRE-UNION: France’s interior minister said Sunday sev- from the 19th century very easily. it was a deliberate act of was later killed in a shootout following a siege at his to the Jews of the world I say that Israel is waiting for you with eral hundred tombs had been defaced at a Jewish ceme- destruction,” he said. French President Francois Hollande apartment by French police. open arms,” Netanyahu said. “Israel is your home. We are tery in the northeast of the country, in what he called “a called the desecration an “odious and barbaric act” while preparing and calling for the absorption of mass immigration despicable act”.”The country will not tolerate this new Prime Minister Manuel Valls, writing on Twitter, described Their place in Europe from Europe,” Netanyahu said in a statement. Valls hit back on injury which goes against the values that all French peo- it as “anti-Semitic and ignoble”. It is not the first time that Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said yes- Monday, saying he “regretted” Netanyahu’s remarks and not- ple share,” said Bernard Cazeneuve of the incident in the a Jewish cemetery in Sarre-Union has been targeted. In terday that Jews were welcome in Europe and France, in an ing the Israeli prime minister was “in the middle of an election town of Sarre-Union in the Alsace region. “Every effort will 1988, around 60 Jewish steles were knocked over, and 54 apparent retort to Israel’s prime minister who urged Jews to campaign”. A former foreign minister, 92-year-old Roland be made to identify, question and bring to justice the per- tombs were wrecked in 2001. News of the latest incident move to Israel after attacks on a synagogue in Copenhagen. Dumas, then sparked uproar by saying that Valls was “proba- son or persons responsible for this despicable act,” he comes just over a month after an Islamist gunman shot Jews “have their place in Europe and in particular in France”, bly” under the influence of his wife, who is Jewish. Valls also added. Police had cordoned off the isolated cemetery late dead four Jews in a kosher supermarket siege in Paris and Hollande said, in reference also to the vandalizing of several urged national “unity” in the face of what he called “Islamo- Sunday as crime scene investigators were sent from less than 24 hours after a fatal shooting at a synagogue in hundred tombs at a Jewish cemetery in the east of the coun- fascism”, a choice of words that has raised eyebrows in France. Strasbourg to the site, an AFP correspondent reported. Copenhagen. try over the weekend. France is home to Europe’s largest Jewish population and “Around 300 tombs have been defaced,” said a source “I am fed up of all these anti-Semitic acts, in their differ- Authorities said Sunday that 300 Jewish tombs had been also largest Muslim population, although it is difficult to give close to the investigation, adding that there had been no ent forms that we saw on January 9 in France, yesterday in defaced in the village of Montry, northeast France late precise figures as secular France does not collect data based reports of anything written on the tombstones. The Copenhagen and today in Alsace,” said Roger Cukierman, Sunday, although nothing was reported written on them. on religion. The country was rocked by a triple attack in region’s police and prosecutor came to the cemetery president of the Representative Council of Jewish Local officials described how Jewish steles (stone or wooden January: on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, a young police- Sunday evening as well the chief rabbi of Strasbourg, Institutions of France. Such “cowardly acts” showed a “lack slabs often used for commemorative purposes) had been woman and a Jewish supermarket. Last month, the country’s Rene Gutman. “It’s an image of desolation,” president of of moral and ethical values” and was an illustration of a knocked down and some slabs at the gravesites had even main Jewish group said the number of anti-Semitic acts dou- the Alsace region Philippe Richert said, describing how failure of France’s national education system, he added. In been lifted. Prime Minister Manuel Valls also said: “France is bled in France during 2014, with acts involving physical vio- Jewish steles, stone or wooden slabs often used for com- another incident in March 2012, a 23-year-old man, wounded with you and France does not want you to leave.” lence leading the increase. Some 851 anti-Semitic acts were memorative purposes, were knocked down and even Mohamed Merah, shot dead three soldiers in Toulouse On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged registered in 2014, compared with 423 the previous year, with some slabs at the gravesites had been lifted. and Montauban, southern France, before killing three stu- European Jews to move to Israel, repeating a similar call after acts of physical violence jumping to 241 from 105, the CRIF “One doesn’t knock over heavy steles like that dating dents and a teacher at a Jewish school in Toulouse. Merah jihadist attacks in Paris last month. “To the Jews of Europe and said. —Agencies TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

No end in sight to ‘slow-burn’ Bangladesh turmoil

DHAKA: Twelve-year-old Rakib Mia was unable to leave her office since January fered serious burns all over his body on his way to scavenge for his family 3 when she called protests to mark the while travelling to gather scraps at a when a petrol bomb exploded on the first anniversary of Hasina’s “farcical” re- vegetable market in Gazipur, north of floor of his bus in Bangladesh, turning election. Hasina and her Awami League Dhaka. him into a human fireball. “What did he enjoyed an effective walkover last Hasina herself broke down in tears do to anyone?”, said his mother Rashida January after the BNP and 19 other par- while meeting victims last week. Asked Khatun after watching her son wheeled ties boycotted a general election over afterwards if she would consider talks off for surgery at Dhaka’s main hospital, rigging fears. with the BNP, she snapped: “With killers overflowing with victims of a lethal Since Zia called a transport blockade who are burning people? There can be standoff between government and to try to force new elections, hundreds no such question.” Information Minister opposition. “He is the one that feeds our of vehicles have been firebombed in Hasanul Haq Inu said the government is family. We can only earn our living with attacks the government say have been not against the principle of talks but not our hands but he can’t even do that carried out by opposition militants. The in the current climate. “Our major priori- now.” BNP blames the ruling party and security ty is to stop the religious militancy The enmity between Prime Minister services. Scores of opposition activists attacks,” he said, referring both to the Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader have also been shot dead. While more BNP and its allies Jamaat-e-Islami, a Khaleda Zia stretches back decades and died in the run-up to last year’s election, banned Islamist party widely suspected violence between their camps is nothing the latest violence is in many ways more of being behind some firebombings. new. But observers fear the latest blood- frightening as it is so random and there Talking to AFP last week, Zia reiterated shed, which has killed more than 80 is no obvious end point with elections demands for Hasina to step aside while a people this year, could become part of not due until 2019. “neutral” government organizes polls everyday life in this country of 160 mil- but said there was room for debate. DHAKA: Bangladeshi residents who suffered burn injuries after a petrol bomb lion. While neither side rules out talks to Molotov cocktails “We’ve not said others have to agree attack during a blockade and nationwide strike called by the Bangladesh resolve a crisis that stems back to Sazzad Khondoker, a surgeon at what we’ve proposed. It should be based Nationalist Party (BNP) are treated at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Hasina’s 2014 re-election, diplomats and Dhaka Medical College’s burns unit, said on the consensus of all parties and Observers fear the latest bloodshed, which has killed more than 80 people this analysts see few grounds for optimism 55 patients were being treated for fire- through talks,” she said by phone. Inu year, could become part of everyday life in this country of 160 million. — AFP as the premier entrenches her position bomb injuries, putting huge strain on countered that Zia had been invited to and Zia is confined to her headquarters. the 100-bed facility where patients on join a unity government ahead of the diplomat, with life in Dhaka carrying on was Bangladesh’s first leader after the “This conflict will continue and burn gurneys now clog the corridors. “The 2014 elections but snubbed the offer. as normal. 1971 independence war while Zia’s slowly... Stability will remain elusive until (molotov) cocktails and petrol bombs Zia’s boycott is widely seen as a blunder, husband was a battlefield hero in the the 2019 elections,” said Dhaka-based have accelerant agents so the fire as polls pointed to a BNP victory. One Zia ‘cornered’ conflict against Pakistan before analyst Ataur Rahman. “Zia must take spreads rapidly and (injuries are) more senior European diplomat said there Another Western diplomatic source becoming head of a military govern- part of the blame for the violence but penetrating,” he said. One ward has been would have been extensive poll moni- said the current violence was in dan- ment. Both men were assassinated, remains hugely popular,” added Rahman, set aside for firebomb victims, many toring and Zia would have had wide- ger of becoming “the new normal” as ensuring their martyr status. Even the who predicted she could spend years with similar tales of how their vehicles spread diplomatic backing had she lost Zia had been “cornered” by her neme- next generation has become mired in under house arrest like Myanmar’s Aung were targeted by youths who are through rigging. The BNP’s efforts to sis Hasina. Their mutual loathing dates the poison, with Zia’s son and heir San Suu Kyi. Bangladesh Nationalist believed to have been paid less than five bring the country to a halt were now back three decades, earning them the apparent Tarique Rahman a govern- Party (BNP) leader Zia says she has been dollars to carry out attacks. Rakib suf- having only a limited impact, added the title ‘Battling Begums’. Hasina’s father ment bete noire. —AFP Singapore PM had a ‘successful’ surgery

SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee said in a statement. Hsien Loong underwent successful surgery The statement quoted Christopher for prostate cancer yesterday and is expect- Cheng, the lead urologist at the Singapore ed to recover fully, his office said. It is the General Hospital who carried out the oper- second bout with cancer for 63-year-old ation, as saying: “The surgery went very Lee, who had also undergone chemothera- smoothly, and he is expected to recover ful- py for lymphoma in 1993 and is now in ly.” Cheng confirmed that Lee’s prostate remission. “Prime Minister Lee Hsien cancer is not linked to his previous lym- Loong’s surgery was successful,” his office phoma, the statement added. Lee, son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, underwent a magnetic reso- nance imaging (MRI) prostate test in January which showed “suspicious lesions” and a subsequent biopsy confirmed the cancer. Lee, who has been prime minister since August 2004, opted for the surgical treatment on the advice of his doctors. News of his illness came amid wide- spread expectations that the next general elections will be held before they are due in early 2017, possibly this year. In the last election, held in May 2011, Lee’s People’s Action Party (PAP), which has governed Singapore since 1959, suffered its worst setback after a large district was wrested by the opposition and its share of the popular vote plunged. After the election, Lee launched reforms to address voters’ gripes NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena arrive for a meeting and delegation-level over the large influx of foreign workers and talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi yesterday. —AFP immigrants into the compact city-state as Singapore’s Prime Minister well as the rising cost of living. Before Lee Hsien Loong entering politics, Lee was a brigadier-gen- eral in the Singapore Armed Forces.— AFP India, Lanka leaders eye China takes down senior leader new era in troubled ties amid anti-corruption campaign

BEIJING: A former top official accused of terday named a new minister for China India seals nuclear energy pact with Sri Lanka taking bribes in return for government Affairs in an attempt to reboot cross- positions has been expelled from the strait relations after a row over espi- NEW DELHI: The leaders of India and Sri Lanka strong relations that span several thousand accord it brokered between Colombo and sepa- ruling Communist party and stripped of onage and growing anxiety about vowed yesterday to strengthen their relationship years,” said Sirisena, whose country lies at the ratist Tamil rebels. But under Rajapakse, China all government positions, a party watch- Beijing’s influence on the island. after a period of tensions and declared their southern tip of India. “The courtesy extended to ploughed huge sums into Sri Lankan infrastruc- dog said yesterday. Su Rong, a former Deputy defense minister Andrew Hsia countries’ fortunes were intertwined as they us on this visit has been very great... this is my ture projects, becoming its biggest foreign fin- held their first summit in New Delhi. After sign- first official visit to India and it has been very ancier and enjoying significant political and provincial party leader and former vice succeeded Wang Yu-chi as the chair- ing a deal on nuclear safety, India’s Prime fruitful. “I can clearly say that our bilateral rela- even military influence. India was reported to chairman of China’s top political adviso- man of the Mainland Affairs Council, Minister Narendra Modi told the new Sri Lankan tions have been further strengthened.” have been furious at the brief appearance last ry body, also will likely face criminal which handles relations between Taipei President Maithripala Sirisena that there was Under the nuclear deal, India will provide year of two Chinese submarines in Sri Lankan charges. Su is one of the most senior and Beijing, after Wang resigned last “unprecedented opportunity” to take ties to a safety training to Sri Lanka where there have waters. officials to have fallen in President Xi week. Wang had accused a former new level. been longstanding concerns about how to han- China has been accused of seeking to devel- Jinping’s sweeping anti-corruption drive. deputy minister at the council, Chang China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka over dle the fallout from a disaster involving the op facilities around the Indian Ocean in a “string Xi has warned that rampant corruption, Hsien-yao, of leaking confidential doc- recent years has been a source of disquiet in Kundankulam nuclear plant in India’s southern of pearls” strategy to counter the rise of its Asian if unaddressed, threatens the party’s uments to Beijing. However prosecu- India, which has long regarded the neighboring Tamil Nadu state. Official sources in Sri Lanka rival India and secure its own economic inter- rule. tors decided not to indict Chang, who island as within its natural sphere of influence. said the cooperation deal was aimed at training ests. While neither leader mentioned China by Last year, the public applauded when has vehemently denied the claims, say- But Sirisena’s victory over long-time ruler local scientists and did not involve a power gen- name, the announcements of memoranda of Xi took down Zhou Yongkang, a former ing there was not enough evidence to Mahinda Rajapakse in elections last month has eration program. “We are not talking about set- understanding between the south Asian neigh- member of the all-powerful standing do so. been seized on by both sides as a chance for a ting up nuclear reactors or anything like that,” a bors on issues such as defense cooperation and committee of the party’s Political An angry Wang ridiculed the deci- reboot in relations, fuelled by the new presi- foreign ministry source in Colombo said. “We energy will have been noted in Beijing. Bureau, over corruption charges. Zhou is sion but resigned his post anyway, say- dent’s decision to make India his first port of call. haven’t even thought of feasibility studies (on Modi said he and Sirisena had “agreed to the highest-ranking official, albert ing he had to accept political responsi- “It’s an honor that you have chosen India as nuclear energy), this is about training our peo- expand our defense and security cooperation” as retired, to be snared in Xi’s campaign. Su, bility. His replacement Hsia had been a your first foreign destination,” Modi said after ple.” well as work together on maritime security. 66, came under investigation last year career diplomat before he was appoint- hosting talks with Sirisena, who is barely five Analysts say the visit’s main significance is as a when he was still serving as vice chair- ed a deputy defense minister in weeks into his tenure. “India is the closest neigh- Sphere of influence signal of intent from Sri Lanka. “This visit is very man of the Chinese People’s Political October 2013. Authorities in both bor and friend of Sri Lanka. Our goodwill and India has long considered Sri Lanka to be significant because it could very well be a turn- Consultative Congress, which makes his Beijing and Taipei have stressed that support will always be with you. I believe that within its strategic sphere of influence, sending ing point,” KG Suresh, senior fellow at the Delhi- our destinies are interlinked.” “We share very troops to the island in 1987 to enforce a peace based Vivekananda International Foundation ouster remarkable. cross-strait ties will not be affected by Before he took the national position, the espionage allegations. Taiwan and Su had served as the provincial party China split in 1949 after a civil war, chief for three provinces - Qinghai, although Beijing still considers the self- Australian ship Gansu and Jiangxi. That position has ruled island part of its territory awaiting more power than that of a provincial reunification, by force if necessary. Ties governor. The Central Commission for between the two have improved Discipline Inspection, the Communist markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the stuck in the ice Party’s top watchdog agency, said yes- China-friendly Kuomintang party came terday in a written statement that Su to power in 2008. He was re-elected in WELLINGTON: An Australian trawler that crew would probably not have survived violated party disciplines by altering 2012 as the president. was trapped in Antarctic pack ice for such an ordeal. “She was beset in ice and decisions arbitrarily. However, the public has grown almost a week was heading for clear water there was no way she was going to break increasingly anxious over China’s influ- yesterday after a US ship steamed to the out of there and she would have had to New China Affairs Chief ence on the island. Taiwan last month rescue. The 63-metre (207-foot) “Antarctic winter over,” he told Radio New Zealand, The commission said Su also took slammed a unilateral move by China to Chieftain” became stuck in ice and dam- referring to the ship. “I doubt she would aged its propeller last Tuesday in the have had the ability to do that because of “huge amounts of bribes” and, in turn, open four new flight routes over the remote Southern Ocean. The US fresh water, food and fuel... When we sought promotions for others and bene- strait between them as “unacceptable”, Coastguard icebreaker “Polar Star” was sent arrived, we represented basically saving fits for businesses. The party agency said saying it risked allowing planes to fly to help and reached the ship over the their (the crew’s) lives.” He said the coast Su’s acts have caused significant losses too close to aircraft on existing routes. weekend, breaking it free and towing it guard’s ship had forced its way through in state assets and that he was responsi- A proposed trade pact with the main- part-way clear of the ice. The icebreaker’s ice up to 10 metres (33 feet) thick. Walker ble for severe corruption in Jiangxi. The land sparked mass student-led protests commander, captain Matthew Walker, said said the trawler was almost out of the ice statement said the party has handed his and a three-week occupation of if his vessel had not arrived in time the fields and sailing under its own power, but case over to judicial authorities, who are Taiwan’s parliament last year. In trawler would have been trapped for the the icebreaker would stay nearby until the likely to indict Su on charges of taking November, the Kuomintang was routed AT SEA: Photo shows the Antarctic Chieftain as the US winter some 900 nautical miles (1,650 kilo- “Antarctic Chieftain” met the New bribes and abusing public power. in local elections seen as a public back- Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star begins breaking up the metres) from the nearest polar base. Zealand-flagged fishing vessel “Janas”, In another development, Taiwan yes- lash over the warming ties.—Agencies ice around the stranded fishing vessel. — AFP Walker said the “Antarctic Chieftain’s” likely tomorrow.—AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Malaysia’s Anwar in ‘deplorable prison conditions’

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian opposition bucket for bathing and a squat toilet,” said prison near Kuala Lumpur to provide a hos- leader Anwar Ibrahim is jailed in Nurul Izzah, 34, an opposition member of pital bed. “We demand a proper bed, a table “deplorable” conditions in a small cell parliament. “We are shocked by the poor jail and chair as the sodomy case is politically equipped only with a thin foam mattress on conditions.” motivated,” she said. Anwar has long com- the floor, a squat toilet and a bucket for Anwar had led a rebirth of a once-down- plained of a back ailment that he said stems bathing, his daughter said yesterday. Nurul trodden opposition that is threatening to from his treatment by authorities after he Izzah said the conditions were inappropri- unseat the regime that has been in power was ousted from the government in 1998 ate for her father, who she called a “political since independence in 1957. His jailing has amid a power tussle. Following his sacking, prisoner”, and could exacerbate a chronic drawn international criticism including from he was jailed for six years on sodomy and back problem and otherwise threaten the the United States, which said it raised ques- corruption charges. That case was widely 67-year-old’s health. tions over judicial independence. Anwar seen as politically motivated, and the Anwar was jailed last week for five years denies the sodomy charge, calling it a “polit- sodomy charge was later overturned. PUTRAJAYA: In this Tuesday file photo, Malaysian opposition leader by the country’s highest court on a sodomy ical conspiracy” by the government to curb Anwar, however, was in “good spirits,” during Anwar Ibrahim (center) arrives at court house in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Less charge, likely ending his career in politics. the opposition’s momentum. Homosexual their family’s first visit to see him-through a than a week after Anwar was jailed for sodomy, his lawyers said he faces a “My father is kept in a cell which is acts are illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia glass panel-last Friday, Nurul said. “He told serious health risk, being kept in a bare cell with just a 2-inch-thick foam deplorable. It is a bare cell with a two-inch but few cases are ever prosecuted. us not to cry. He cheered us by singing mattress on the floor, a bucket for bathing and a squat toilet. — AP (5 cm) foam mattress placed on the floor, a Nurul called on authorities at Anwar’s songs to his grandchildren,” she said. — AFP

East Timor swears in new PM and unity government

DILI: East Timor yesterday inaugurated a new that he’s still there, still keeping an eye on things prime minister at the head of a unity govern- just to make sure it goes smoothly,” Damien ment, as it seeks to hand power to the next gen- Kingsbury, an expert on East Timor at Australia’s eration of leaders more than a decade after Deakin University, told AFP. gaining independence. The change in leader- Araujo paid tribute to his predecessor, who ship came after independence hero Xanana was credited with helping hold Asia’s youngest Gusmao resigned as prime minister this month, nation together during its fraught early years. with his party nominating a replacement from Gusmao led the military wing of East Timor’s the opposition to try to ease the nation’s often campaign against Indonesian occupation which fraught politics. began in 1975, and was imprisoned in Jakarta The former health minister Rui Araujo, a New for several years. He returned to his homeland a Zealand-trained doctor and popular opposition hero after the Timorese voted for independence Fretilin figure, will lead just the sixth govern- in a UN-backed referendum in 1999. Kingsbury ment since East Timor gained independence in described Araujo as a strong and unifying fig- 2002 from Indonesia after a long and bloody ure who can work competently across the aisle struggle against occupation. Araujo promised to avoid political crises, something many his administration would put the interests of Timorese fear from a divided government. East East Timorese ahead of the political differences Timor has suffered bouts of unrest in the past, that have in the past brought the tiny half- although recent years have been largely peace- island nation to the brink. “We can do better by ful, allowing UN peacekeepers finally to leave working together,” Araujo declared yesterday in the country in 2012. the capital Dili. The new administration, which But the new administration faces many chal- will meet for the first time Tuesday morning, has lenges. East Timor remains one of the world’s been trimmed from 55 members to 33 in a bid poorest nations and the government has strug- to slash spending and boost efficiency. gled to improve the livelihoods of its 1.1 million Several ministers embroiled in past corrup- citizens and diversify the economy away from tion scandals and others from the old guard oil and gas. Graft is endemic, with East Timor BANGKOK: Police officers remove fake ballot boxes and a demonstrator (right) outside the Art and Cultural centre during a rallyn i Bangkok. — AFP have been replaced by fresh faces in what ana- ranked 133 out of 175 on Transparency lysts describe as a significant shake-up. Far from International’s corruption index last year. A bowing out entirely, Gusmao-the former guer- number one ranking means the least corrupt. Thai students the ‘last group rilla fighter who served as either president or Araujo said accountability and better service prime minister since independence-will remain delivery would be key priorities of his adminis- a minister in the new government. “I think that tration, which will be put to the test when vot- standing’ in protesting coup would give comfort to many people, to know ers go to the polls in 2017.— AFP Protesters vow to defy ‘tyrannical regime’ BANGKOK: Thai student protesters billing themselves ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and use negotiation, but if they persist with their activities as the “last group standing” in seeking to end military his powerful political family who courted rural voters we will have to hand them over to police,” junta rule said yesterday they would openly defy what one by introducing cash subsidies and free healthcare. On spokesman Winthai Suvaree told Reuters. leader called a tyrannical regime nine months after the other are the traditional Bangkok elite threatened On Saturday, dozens of student activists held a rare the army seized power. Members of the Thai Student by his meteoric rise. The May coup ended months of demonstration in Bangkok and set up mock voting Centre for Democracy (TSCD), who come from differ- street protests aimed at bringing down Thaksin’s sister, tables - a protest against the military government ent political and socio-economic backgrounds, pres- Yingluck. She was removed from office days before which has pushed back an election planned for this ent a quandary for the junta, which has branded pub- the power grab after a court found her guilty of abuse year to 2016. Four activists, including Siriwit Serithiwat, lic protests illegal but wants to maintain its core sup- of power. a student at Bangkok’s Thammasat University, were port, including from Bangkok’s middle class and busi- detained. Siriwit was accused of violating martial law, ness elite. ‘We will use negotiation’ which prohibits public gatherings of more than five Some of the students support the “red shirt” grass- Critics of the coup, including the pro-Yingluck “red people, and of violating the conditions of a document roots movement of ousted prime minister Yingluck shirt” leaders, have largely gone to ground. But despite he was forced to sign last year promising not to partic- Shinawatra, but others sympathize with the establish- strict army surveillance, more than 60 students have ipate in political activities. He was released from nearly ment that makes up the bulk of the junta’s support. A been at the forefront of every public protest since the 12 hours in police custody and had to pay bail of resurgence of public protests could prove destabiliz- coup. All were broken up by authorities and dozens of 40,000 baht ($1,230). He is expected to face trial in a ing for the military rulers, already struggling with eco- students detained and later released. The students say military court. Student Songtham Kaewpanpruek nomic mismanagement. The army says it wants to growing disgruntlement over the economy means likened the current wave of activism to a 1973 upris- negotiate with the students, but at the weekend Thailand is ripe for a new wave of protest. The country, ing and 1976 army crackdown on a left-wing student detained several for holding a public meeting. “A sure highly reliant on tourism, is struggling to regain trac- protest amid lynchings, beatings and shootings. way the junta can mess up is if it slips up on the econ- tion following the coup. It saw 0.7 percent growth in Officially, at least 46 protesters died, pulling the coun- omy, which impacts the people directly,” Jurin 2014, the weakest since devastating floods in 2011. try back to years of military rule. Songtham’s aunt and Laksanawisit, a member of the conservative Democrat “People are starting to get sick of this tyrannical uncle were student activists at Thammasat University, Party, Thailand’s oldest political party, told Reuters. regime, especially how they manage the economy,” a hotbed of political activity in the 1970s. “We’re taking TSCD members say they are prepared to go to jail Than said. Than, who dropped out of university, said the baton from the generation of ‘76,” said Songtham, DILI: East Timor’s new Prime Minister Rui Araujo, (front right) stands beside President Taur to see Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy return the students have “hundreds” of supporters but that who said he had not slept at home in weeks to avoid Matan Ruak (front left) as they pose for a group photograph including former prime minister to democratic rule. “We are the last group standing,” many are afraid to speak out. The junta, formally the army knowing his whereabouts. “There are some Xanana Gusmao (4th row right), who was appointed minister for planning and strategic invest- group member Than Rittiphan, 22 said. Thailand has known as the National Council for Peace and Order, teachers supporting us but because of martial law, ment, after a swearing ceremony in yesterday. — AFP been polarized for over a decade. On the one side is said it wants to negotiate with the students. “We will many aren’t able to reveal their identity.” — Reuters Philippine army seeks to quell coup rumors

MANILA: The Philippine military insisted yesterday it remained affairs chief Lieutenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc told reporters. Corazon led a “people power” uprising in 1986 that saw the throughout his time in office. This had, until last week, ensured loyal to President Benigno Aquino, responding coup rumors “We have no valid reasons to remove our loyalty from the pres- dictator flee into US exile. She then withstood six coup there were no coup rumors. But he has faced public outrage that have swirled since a bungled security operation left 44 ident of the republic.” The coup rumors began to dominate attempts during the first half of her six years in office. One of over the January 25 assault against Islamic militant Zulkifli bin police commandos dead. Aquino is facing the biggest crisis of local media and political chatter last week when a senator told those saw Benigno Aquino shot five times, and he still has a Hir on the southern island of Mindanao. Zulkifli was killed but his nearly five years in office over last month’s assault in which a Senate hearing that unnamed military figures financed by a bullet in his neck from the ambush against his mother’s forces. 44 police commandos also lost their lives after poor co-ordina- the special forces killed a top Islamic militant but also unex- wealthy individual were plotting to overthrow Aquino. Benigno Aquino’s predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, also weathered tion saw them ambushed by Muslim rebels. At least four civil- pectedly came under heavy fire from Muslim rebels. “If there The military has a long history of meddling in the several coup attempts, although the top military leadership ians and 11 guerrillas died as well. Still, political and security are officials who are trying to persuade us into joining coup Philippines’ democratic system, including supporting dictator remained loyal to her. analysts in the Philippines have said Aquino does not face any attempts, we will not follow them. Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s and 1980s. With the support of Aquino, who won the 2010 presidential elections in a land- serious coup threat as he is still relatively popular and contin- They are not part of our chain of command,” military public military figures who abandoned Marcos, Aquino’s mother slide, has enjoyed widespread popular and military support ues to have the support of the military leadership.— AFP N Korean escapee accepts blame for hurting defectors’ credibility

SEOUL: A North Korean prison camp survivor central to a UN time making it to China where he was captured and sent back to campaign against Pyongyang’s rights abuses accepted yesterday the North, and to Camp 14, a much harsher facility, where he suf- that changing parts of his story had tarnished the credibility of fered painful torture. He then says he escaped from Camp 14. In defectors from the country. Shin Dong-hyuk, who shot to inter- his original account, he said he had lived all his life in Camp 14 national fame with the publication of “Escape from Camp 14” by until his escape. “Torture using fire was bearable, now I that I look former Washington Post correspondent Blaine Harden in 2012, back. But what I could not bear was pulling out the fingernails,” last month recanted key elements of his account of torture and Shin said in the interview. North Korea is one of the most secre- subsequent escape from a North Korean prison camp. “Of course tive places in the world and it is extremely difficult to verify the there’s been damage,” Shin told Reuters in his first multimedia accounts of defectors. Shin’s admission last month led to concern interview since he admitted his story was not entirely truthful. in the defector community in South Korea that their credibility “And I know a lot of people are criticizing me. But I did not have a had been damaged. About 25,000 defectors from North Korea choice.” live in the South. Shin, who married recently and said he lives In official propaganda, North Korea has blasted Shin as a liar modestly in Seoul, also said he wants to renew fighting for and a criminal. Shin, in his early 30s, is one of the best known improvement in rights conditions in North Korea, including tak- defectors from the North and a key witness to the UN inquiry that ing part in any future trip by UN investigators to the North. “I have issued an indictment of the North’s rights abuses last year, lead- to be included, because the people who lived through the suffer- ing to a UN resolution urging the referral of Pyongyang to an ing know best.” Harden, in an updated foreword to his book, said international criminal tribunal. Shin said he made a conscious at the weekend the new disclosures may still not be the whole decision in 2006 to omit parts of his story that he wanted to for- truth of Shin’s story. get and hide. He said he had not had the courage to tell the full “It seems prudent to expect more revisions,” Harden said in truth because his memories of torture by prison guards and con- the foreword he posted on his blog and will be printed in future fessions that led to the execution of his mother and brother were editions of the book. Shin said: “There will be no more changes. too painful. “I have heard all of the criticism, and I know I will con- Even if there’s something I am keeping to myself, I won’t be tinue to receive criticism,” he said. “And it was so hard because of changing anything now ... the whole truth will come out when PYONGYANG: North Korean soldiers offer flower bouquets to the statue of late leader Kim Jong-Il at Mansundae hill in that, and that’s why I thought about taking my own life.” history proves everything about the pain suffered by the North Pyongyang to celebrate the 73rd birth anniversary of Kim Jong-Il. — AFP Shin now says he escaped twice from Camp 18, the second Korean people.”— Reuters NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Palestinians take photos of each other as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea at a fishing port in Gaza City yesterday. — AP

‘Cloud’ over Mars baffles scientists Saudi initiative brews business success Continued from Page 1 of the University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, Continued from Page 1 With four incubators throughout the kingdom now, Spain. Alternatively, it could be an aurora, similar to Badir plans to expand and broaden its focus from the cur- Mars is being scrutinized for signs of water and vol- the shimmering light show that develops in Earth’s It takes about 30 minutes to brew in a home kitchen rent sectors of advanced manufacturing, biotechnology canic activity, both of which could theoretically nur- atmosphere when solar particles collide with Earth’s before it can be savoured, typically accompanied by and information technology. Its economic role in the ture some form of life. magnetic field. dates. world’s biggest oil exporter is, for the moment, tiny but Clouds of dust or ice crystals have been spotted Past surveillance by scientific orbiters have sug- Yatooq’s innovation was a type of electric kettle that Badir is focused on longer-term impact, said Mercer. “It’s occasionally over Mars in the past. But they have nev- gested Terra Cimmeria to have a “strip” with a strong uses patented computerised technology to brew with only a small part but it has a massive impact over time,” er been as extensive as the latest two, and they always but localised magnetic field. If correct, the Martian consistent quality a readymade blend of ingredients. “We he said. “Because what you’ve done in incubation is set a formed at an altitude below 100 km. The plumes “aurora” would be a remarkable 1,000 times brighter wanted to make a machine that you can press a button foundation for that company to grow”. The fall by roughly could be made of particles of water or carbon dioxide, than its terrestrial equivalent. But “both explanations and then make the coffee without you needing kitchen 50 percent in global oil prices last year has left Saudi said the paper published in the journal Nature defy our current understanding of Mars’ upper atmos- equipment and so on,” said Waalan, 30, who comes from Arabia projecting its first budget deficit since 2011. This Geoscience by a team led by Agustin Sanchez-Lavega phere,” the scientists admit. — AFP a computer science and information technology back- has emphasised the need for economic alternatives, and ground. She declined to discuss revenues but said the the diversification effort is expected to continue under machine is now available in about 80 percent of electron- new King Salman who acceded to the throne in January. ic retailers, is moving onto the shelves of more supermar- Badir “is probably the best example” of a local effort to Egypt bombs Libya after IS militants kill 21... kets and exported to neighboring Gulf countries as well tap the dynamism of dedicated and talented Saudis, Continued from Page 1 shock. “What will be a relief to me is to take a hold of his as the United States. belying stereotypes which said they are lazy or only want murderer, tear him apart, eat up his flesh and liver,” said Badir is also proud of Ahmed Khalaf and his Stability to work for government, a diplomatic source said. The camp in the city of Tobruk after losing control of Tripoli, Bushra Fawzi in Al-Awar village, as he wept over the loss of Laboratory, which last August became the first private program was set up five years ago by King Abdulaziz City said there would be more strikes today. his 22-year-old son Shenouda. “I want his body back. If lab accredited by Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority for Science and Technology, the national science agency. The rival Tripoli-based parliament, which is supported they dumped it in the sea, I want it back. If they set fire to to test pharmaceuticals, along with other products. His The government has since intensified efforts to bring into by some Islamist groups, said the strike was an assault on it, I want its dust.” licence is posted proudly on the door of his lab at Badir’s the workforce more Saudis - including women who have the country’s sovereignty. Omar Al-Hassi, the premier of The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, biotech incubator on the sixth floor at King Fahd Medical traditionally faced cultural barriers to employment in a the self-declared Tripoli government, said three children, condemned the beheadings. “They were killed simply for City in Riyadh. British-educated Khalaf said Badir gave conservative Islamic country where the sexes are strictly two elderly men and a 21-year-old woman were killed in the fact that they were Christians,” he said at the Vatican. him “full support in many, many things” including idea- segregated and women are not allowed to drive. Millions the attack. It was not possible to confirm either factions’ “It makes no difference whether they be Catholics, development and problem-solving. The Stability of foreigners in Saudi Arabia still do everything from accounts of the number or nature of the casualties. Orthodox, Copts or Protestants. They are Christians!” Laboratory already employs four staff with masters management to construction. Cairo called on the US-led coalition fighting Islamic Egypt’s Coptic Christian pope was one of the public fig- degrees and is turning a profit. Analysts say government efforts have boosted the State in Iraq and Syria to broaden the scope of their opera- ures who backed Sisi when he, as army chief, ousted It is among 82 businesses at various stages of incuba- employment of locals. But Saudi Gazette columnist tions to include Libya, highlighting how the militant Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 after mass tion with Badir, from start-up to revenue-producing. Khaled Almaena has blamed rampant “bureaucracy, red group has expanded its reach around the Arab world. protests against him. Since the fall of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, a The killings put pressure on Sisi to show he is in control Several others including Yatooq have “graduated” and are tape and complacency” for limiting the role that small number of Islamist movements have taken hold in Libya. of national security, even as he makes progress against operating on their own, Mercer said. Incubation also and medium-sized businesses can play. “In most coun- Recently, some have declared ties to Islamic State and Islamist militant insurgents in the Sinai, some of whom includes help for budding enterprises to develop their tries these businesses constitute 80 to 85 percent of the claimed high-profile attacks in what appears to be an have recently pledged allegiance to Islamic State. “It’s swift business models, install the right management teams economy,” though not in Saudi Arabia, he wrote. But intensifying campaign. The US military estimated in and decisive, it’s not about strategy, it’s about containing and get funding. Badir offers free laboratories, office some things are changing, said Waalan, who sees in the December that only around 200 Islamic State fighters anger within Egypt,” said Hassan Hassan, co-author of a space and even support for prototype development from kingdom a growing recognition of business people. were operating in the country. book on Islamic State. “Just like in Jordan, it’s more about its own workshop with three-dimensional printers and “Now more than ever, it’s very cool to be an entrepre- Egypt is not the only Arab nation sucked into con- saving face, saying: ‘You can’t mess with us’. .... It’s likely to more traditional tools like a lathe. neur”, she said. — AFP frontation with the group by the gruesome killings of its evolve into a sustained strategy of helping in the fight citizens. Jordan has taken a leading role in conducting air against ISIS (Islamic State) in neighboring countries.” strikes against the group in Syria and Iraq this month after Fears the crisis in Libya could spill across the border Kuwait hails fast oil rally the militants released a video showing a captured had already prompted Egypt, the Arab world’s most popu- Jordanian pilot being burned alive in a cage. The 21 lous nation, to upgrade its military hardware. France has Continued from Page 1 of next year, up from 80 rigs now, KOC’s Chief Executive Egyptian Coptic Christians were marched to a beach, said Egypt will order 24 Rafale fighter jets, a naval frigate Hashem Hashem said. “We are continuing our program, forced to kneel and then beheaded on video, which was and other equipment in a deal signed in Cairo yesterday than the 1.8 million barrels per day that OPEC and oth- building capacity, especially in the oil and gas program. broadcast via a website that supports Islamic State. worth more than Ä5 billion ($5.7 billion). er agencies had estimated during the past few months, We are not stopping ... We are growing our activities on The victims were among thousands of unemployed Eric Trappier, chief executive officer of France’s Dassault he said. Omair also confirmed that there have been “new the drilling side,” he said. Egyptians desperately seeking work in Libya, despite the Aviation, signed the contract at the presidential palace in oil discoveries”. “We have new wells and fields that are The company wants to add 150,000 barrels of crude risks. Egypt’s foreign ministry said it was banning travel to Cairo in the presence of Sisi and French Defence Minister under assessment currently on their crude volume,” he per day to the current production potential of around 3 Libya and had set up a crisis centre to bring home Jean-Yves Le Drian. “Our two countries are pursuing a said, expressing hope that the necessary technology for million bpd by early 2016, Hashem said. Last year, he told Egyptians. Before the videoed killings, one of the militants common struggle against terrorism,” Le Drian said during extracting oil from the newly discovered sites will be Reuters that the OPEC country was in talks with five stood with a knife in his hand and said: “Safety for you cru- the signing ceremony. “This is a new era of bilateral coop- obtained and employed. major oil companies to help boost crude production and saders is something you can only wish for.” Afterwards, he eration between Paris and Cairo,” said Le Drian. “This con- Meanwhile, Kuwait plans to boost its oil and gas develop some of its oilfields including Burgan, the says: “And we will conquer Rome, by the will of Allah.” tract puts Rafale at the top of the pyramid of combat air- drilling rigs by 50 percent by early 2016 as it seeks to world’s second largest. Yesterday, Hashem said KOC After the release of the beheading video, the tiny craft.” French President Francois Hollande said yesterday boost crude and gas production despite low oil prices, planned to commission the first phase of a water injec- Christian-majority home village of more than half of the that he and Sisi wanted the United Nations Security the head of state-run Kuwait Oil Co (KOC) said yesterday. tion project to maintain reservoir pressure and boost pro- 21 Egyptians was gutted by grief. Inside the village church, Council to discuss Libya and take new measures against The state plans to deploy 120 oil and gas rigs by the start duction from Burgan by the end of March. — Agencies relatives wept and shouted the names of the dead in the Islamic State. — Agencies TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Focus Paul finds 2016 bid rougher ride than the Senate

By Laurie Kellman

en Rand Paul hasn’t yet declared his candidacy for president, but the Kentucky Republican already is finding the cam- Spaign trail to be a more uncomfortable place than the clois- tered, tradition-bound Senate. Out there, it’s a hard-to-control world where every misstep - real or perceived, and even a tele- vised “shush” - rockets around the Internet. What Paul’s supporters see as feisty truth-telling is endlessly inspected for inaccuracies. He’s frustrated by what draws headlines instead of his work in the Senate, which has earned praise from once-wary colleagues in both parties. Paul last week said of his prospective White House run: “Part of the decision making process is, ‘Do you have a chance? Is the mes- sage resonating? Do people believe that you can somehow win this?’ Because it’s not really a lot of fun.” An ophthalmologist and father of three, Paul won election to the Senate in 2010 after defeating a candidate preferred by Washington Republicans in the GOP primary. In the past four years, he’s earned respect for his IS expansion prompts intervention calls work ethic, his willingness to negotiate and his effectiveness as an advocate for his home state of Kentucky. “I think Rand Paul has he chaos in Libya since Muammar Gaddafi’s “And there will be other terrorist operations against developed into a fine United States senator and has evolved over downfall has proven fertile ground for the Libyans and foreigners who live in Libya,” he said, the last four years and is more pragmatic today than he might TIslamic State group, prompting increasing appealing for support from the international com- Switzerland melts cold have been when he entered,” said Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny calls for foreign intervention to uproot the munity. Romain Caillet, an expert on jihadists, said Isakson. “He’s a very thoughtful and pragmatic individual right jihadists. In a video released Sunday, IS said it that IS killed the 21 Egyptians to show that “its image in heat of Rio now.” Said Delaware Democratic Sen Chris Coons, who has worked beheaded 21 Egyptian Christians on a Libyan Libyan branch has now expanded and is the with Paul on privacy issues and ending blindness: “While we don’t beach, in a likely bid to strike fear and show the strongest outside of Iraqi and Syrian territory”. The By Stephen Eisenhammer song, with dancers dressed in costumes ranging from agree on an awful lot of policy, I’ve never doubted that he came to Sunni extremists’ reach now stretches beyond its rise of IS in Libya has heightened concerns in the Albert Einstein to Swiss army knives and singing Washington with certain ideals that he wanted to make progress Iraqi and Syrian strongholds. It comes three weeks region, including Egypt and Tunisia to its east and arnival in Rio de Janeiro usually evokes images about “Switzerland, and your story of inspiration” from on. I do think folks ought to give him more credit for his willing- after IS opened a new front on Western targets in west, and Niger and Chad, southern neighbours of stunning semi-clad women and giant floats floats covered in fake snow. ness to work across the aisle.” Libya when it claimed an attack on the luxurious who insist on the need for international interven- of bursting color, all moving to the heady beat As well as Switzerland itself, sponsors include That’s what Paul, 52, wants to talk about as he explores C Corinthia hotel in central Tripoli that killed nine tion. of the samba drum. This year one samba school is Swiss companies like Syngenta, the world’s largest whether to run for president in 2016, he said in a recent interview. people, including five foreigners. asking you to picture one more thing ... Switzerland. crop chemicals firm, bank UBS, Nestle and knife mak- But the leap from the relative sanctuary of the Senate to the Islamist militants have thrived in Libya since Complex Situation As Rio’s Carnival has grown into a global phenome- er Victorinox. “To defeat clichÈs you have to play with unending scrutiny of the campaign can test Paul’s patience, and at Gaddafi was toppled and killed in the NATO-backed Across the Mediterranean, Italy is struggling to non, competition between schools to win the flag- them,” Andre Regli, the Swiss ambassador to Brazil, times, bring out the prickliest parts of his personality. This past 2011 uprising, with authorities struggling to contain cope with an influx of migrants who set off for its ship samba parade has become fierce and those that told Reuters in a conference room behind a giant week, Paul has been aggressively demanding that Washington dozens of militant groups with diverse motivations shores from Libya, less than 300 km away. Rome want to win need money, lots of it. Schools increas- vault in the Swiss Consulate in Rio. But he conceded it “audit the Fed,” or the Federal Reserve, a calling card issue for him and ideologies. Amid the unprecedented uncertain- yesterday ruled out military intervention in Libya ingly look to sponsors for the cash, and with Brazil an was not easy clinching the deal. “ClichÈs go both as it was for his father, former US Rep Ron Paul. A portrait of father ty in the oil-rich North African nation, two main in the short term, despite its defence minister talk- attractive market for everything from agri-business to ways, and in Switzerland there was a lot of resistance and son hangs in Paul’s office, but he bristled at questions about armed groups are vying for power. The first is led by ing of providing more than 5,000 men for a multi- pocket knives, strange partners have joined the to getting involved in carnival ... For many, carnival his dad, a Libertarian who ran for president as a Republican, and Khalifa Haftar, a former general who is backed by national intervention force which it would lead. parade. was just about topless women.” The Swiss sponsor- what he might take from Paul’s potential run in 2016. Libya’s internationally recognised government and “Italy, whose coastline is very close to Libya, is “When Switzerland knocked on the door with ship accounted for about a third of the 14 million “I think that would be a good question if I were 18 maybe, or whose forces are fighting to drive Islamist fighters most concerned by this threat,” said analyst their proposal ... Well, I had to think about it,” said reais ($5 million) Unidos da Tijuca is spending for the something. I mean, I’ve been an adult and on my own for 30-some out of the country’s east. The other is Fajr Libya Ahmed Mohamed Nouh, explaining the talk of Fernando Horta, president of defending champions contest. odd years, so I guess I’m not really used to thinking about my life in (Libya Dawn), an Islamist-led coalition that emerged intervention. “Europe understands that for it the Unidos da Tijuca, as he sat behind a giant desk in his those terms,” Paul said. “I’ve been a physician, been a surgeon, from the western city of Misrata last summer to problem hasn’t come from Syria or Iraq, but from office rolling a Cuban cigar between his fingers. In the Equatorial Guinea been a leader. ... I’ve been elected to the Senate for four years. I seize control of the capital and install its own gov- Libya which is very close to its shores.” warehouse below people worked around the clock Beija-Flor, a 12-times champion samba school, think I’m pretty much am able to stand on my own two feet and ernment and parliament. While it has regularly An Arab diplomat formerly based in Tripoli said painting the giant floats. While many lament the has turned to Equatorial Guinea this year to help raise be judged for who I am.” denounced “terrorism”, Fajr Libya maintains links any military intervention in Libya would be diffi- commercialization of Carnival and the samba, which a similar amount for its show. Pro-democracy watch- with the radical Ansar Al-Sharia but does not recog- cult because of the complex situation on the has its roots in the arrival of freed slaves in Rio at the dog Freedom House has called the ruler of Equatorial Misstatements nise the Islamic State group’s presence in Libya. ground. “This would be rejected by Fajr Libya end of 19th century, those competing say there is lit- Guinea, Teodoro Obiang, among “the world’s most Controlling that narrative has become a priority for Paul after a which has shady links with moderate Islamist tle choice. “Carnival is like soccer these days. If you kleptocratic living autocrats”, saying he and his family season of misstatements - and, he says, mischaracterizations - on ‘Sleeper Cells’ groups and also radicals,” said the diplomat who want to win you need money for the best choreogra- enjoy riches from vast oil reserves while many of his topics ranging from those in his own profession to public policy. Its parliament, the General National Congress, spoke on condition of anonymity. “This will greatly phers, set designers and costumes ... The best are all people go hungry. Yet one of the lines from the sam- On Thursday, for example, Paul referred to having earned a “biolo- has so far declined to confirm that the beheading of reduce the chances of success of any coalition, professionals now,” Horta said. ba song which describes Equatorial Guinea reads, gy degree” while speaking at a US Chamber of Commerce event. 21 Egyptian Christians claimed by IS took place in even if it is mandated by the United Nations.” But For Switzerland, Carnival presents the perfect “the flame of equality cannot be put out.” For others Critics jumped, noting that Paul doesn’t have an undergraduate Libya. But a spokesman for Haftar’s forces has said another analyst, Mohamed El-Jareh, said the prob- opportunity to try and destroy a few stereotypes as the parade is a chance to raise awareness of social degree. His office pushed back, pointing out that Paul is a graduate that “the Libyan army has engaged in fierce battles lem was no longer one for Libyans alone. “At this well as a chance for some of its companies to tap an issues, and the U.N. has teamed up with Mangueira of Duke University’s prestigious medical school. Paul recently told against IS”. “There are sleeper cells in every town stage, Libyans can no longer decide who can inter- important emerging market. The deal means samba school to promote women’s rights and fight CNBC he had “heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking, nor- who liaise directly with (IS leader Abu Bakr) Al- vene in Libya, and how. Libya is no longer a Libyan Switzerland is the theme of Tijuca’s parade and samba against domestic violence. —Reuters mal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after Baghdadi,” Colonel Ahmed Al-Mesmari told AFP. problem,” he said. —AFP vaccines.” He later said he only meant that vaccinations and disor- ders were “temporally” related, or connected by time. He also sug- gested in October that the Centers for Disease Control was mini- mizing the risk of catching Ebola at, for example, a cocktail party. Many sex offenders killed in Calif prison World health experts have been clear that Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids, particularly blood and By Don Thompson the JFA Institute, a Washington, DC, consulting firm data were available, the rate rose to 15 per 100,000, could peacefully coexist. The report looked at 11 vomit. that works on prison issues. “Until the state gets its according to a report by a federal court receiver, homicide cases that were closed in the first half of Such incidents lead Paul to spend time explaining and clarify- hortly after 2 am on April 6, 2010, a guard at prison population below 100 percent of capacity, though corrections officials said the number of 2014 and found that 10 victims were sensitive-needs ing his own words, rather than talking about what he’d rather dis- Salinas Valley State Prison noticed Alan Ager’s you’re going to have this,” he said. Overall, 162 deaths dropped last year. Department spokes- inmates. Using corrections records, the AP found cuss. That frustration appeared to boil over late last month. He put cellmate trying to stuff something under a California prisoners were killed from 2001 to 2012, or woman Terry Thornton would not comment on the that eight of them were sex offenders. a finger to his lips and “shushed” a female interviewer on CNBC, S mattress. It was Ager, blood trickling from his mouth 8 per 100,000 prisoners - double the national aver- possible reasons for California’s long-term trend of The inspector general recommended the rein- telling her to “calm down” when she challenged him on corporate and a cloth noose tied around his neck. The convict- age over the same time period and far higher than inmate homicides. statement of a policy dropped 15 years ago that tax policy. Paul said he felt interrupted. John Paul Rollert, who ed child molester died 10 days later without regain- that of other large states, including Texas, New York required potential sensitive-needs cellmates to fill teaches about leadership and presidential politics at Harvard ing consciousness, his death earning his cellmate a and Illinois, according to federal statistics. Vulnerable Inmates out a compatibility form before they are housed Extension School, said this is a key period for Paul to test and hone second life sentence. California state prisoners are Officials in Oklahoma mainly blamed gang vio- The problem is most acute with sex offenders. together and that inmates with a history of violence patience and discipline. He’ll need to wait out the issues that bug killed at a rate that is double the national average - lence for giving that state the nation’s highest long- Last fall, the corrections department’s inspector gen- toward cellmates should be housed alone. Thornton him - “no matter how redundant or obnoxious” - long enough to and sex offenders like Ager account for a dispropor- term prison homicide rate, 14 per 100,000, although eral reported that so many homicides occurred in said the report led to an ongoing review of the poli- deliver his message. tionate number of victims, according to an a quarter of its inmate homicide victims in the last the “increasingly violent” special housing units cy of housing most prisoners, including vulnerable “It takes someone nearly superhuman to do that well, and I’m Associated Press analysis of corrections records. decade had convictions for sex crimes. In California, reserved for vulnerable inmates that the depart- inmates, two to a cell. Experts said the state could not convinced that Sen. Paul does that well yet,” Rollert said. “It’s a Male sex offenders made up about 15 percent of from 2012 to 2013, the most recent years for which ment could no longer assume that inmates there better protect sex offender inmates by separating real liability for him, because it’s only going to get worse.” It’s a chal- the prison population but accounted for nearly 30 them into their own facilities. Prison gangs, though lenge of running for president that Paul himself is not eager to talk percent of homicide victims, the AP found in cata- made up of inmates often convicted of heinous about. “To characterize that my life up here for four years has been loging all 78 killings that corrections officials report- crimes themselves, have long made it a practice to about whether or not something’s accurate or inaccurate or con- ed since 2007, when they started releasing slain target sex offenders. troversies, I think, is to miss 99 percent of what I’m doing up here,” inmates’ identities and crimes. The deaths - 23 out of “They’re going to clean up anybody on that yard he said, before adding: “I attempt every day to present my views in 78 - come despite the state’s creation more than a with ‘hot charges’,” said former inmate Todd Siefert, a very honest and forthright way. And I think I achieve that.” —AP decade ago of special housing units designed to referring to any crime against a woman or child, protect the most vulnerable inmates, including sex including a sex offense. The very lowest rung is offenders, often marked men behind bars because reserved for child molesters. Seifert said he was con- of the nature of their crimes. fronted by white supremacist inmates less than a All articles appearing on these In some cases, they have been killed among the half-hour after he arrived at the California Institution pages are the personal opinion of general prison population and, in others, within the for Men in Chino in 2004 and was severely beaten by special units by violence-prone cellmates. Officials a half-dozen fellow inmates for his sex crime involv- the writers. Kuwait Times takes no acknowledge that those units, which also house ing a woman. responsibility for views expressed inmates trying to quit gangs, have spawned their Corrections department spokesmen in Illinois, therein. Kuwait Times invites read- own gangs. Corrections officials blamed a rise in the New York and Texas said the targeting of sex offend- ers to voice their opinions. Please prison homicide rate on an overhaul meant to ers is not considered a problem there. Some states reduce crowding. As part of the effort, the state in have stricter protocols for keeping sex offenders send submissions via email to: opin- 2011 began keeping lower-level offenders in county away from other inmates. Those participating in [email protected] or via snail lockups, leaving prisons with a higher percentage of Maine’s rehabilitation therapy program are housed mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. sex offenders and violent gang members. separately, and none has been injured or killed in The editor reserves the right to edit Violence and homicides won’t decline unless the In this July 8, 2014 photo, Dan Ager holds a graphite sketch showing his the decade it has been in existence, said Dennis state goes well below the prison population level set father Alan Ager and him while standing outside San Quentin State Prison McNamara, executive director of the Counseling any submission as necessary. by the courts - 137.5 percent of the system’s in San Quentin, California. —AP and Psychotherapy Center Inc, which runs the pro- designed capacity, said James Austin, president of gram. p15_Layout 1 2/16/15 9:24 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 SPORTS

Sherwood to keep Villa up AC Milan not for sale Contador hints he may quit LONDON: Tim Sherwood inspired Aston Villa to a 2-1 FA Cup fifth round BANGKOK/MILAN: Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi said on MADRID: Twice Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has hinted win over Leicester City on Saturday and appeared equally upbeat when he Monday he was not interested in selling control of AC Milan, following 2016 may be his last year as a professional cyclist. Tinkoff-Saxo rider met the media on Monday — his first official day as the club’s new manag- reports of an offer being made for the soccer club by a Thai businessman. Contador, who crashed out of last year’s Tour, told El Mundo newspaper he er. Sherwood, watching Villa labour in a drab first half at Villa Park, went into Earlier yesterday local media had said Bee Taechaubol, executive director had always intended to retire while he was still able to compete with the the dressing room at the break and was punching the air in delight as Scott of southeast Asian private equity group Thai Prime Company Limited, had world’s best. “Right now I am very excited about the season ahead but the Sinclair’s late strike put them 2-0 ahead after an improved second half per- offered 1 billion euros ($1.14 billion) for a controlling stake in AC Milan. truth is my dream has always been to retire at the top, winning formance. Their run to the FA Cup quarter-finals has been Villa’s one respite Taechaubol is also a co-owner of the Global Legends Series (GLS) grand tours, and that’s why I only see myself doing this from a terrible league campaign which has seen them plum- Bangkok series of charity matches that feature famous veteran soccer play- year and next,” he said in an interview published yester- met after being second in mid-September. ers. The Bangkok Post said that Bee wanted at least a 50 percent stake in day. “But I don’t want to set an exact date because a lot Manager Paul Lambert paid the price for that slump when the seven-times European champions but not complete ownership. of things could happen,” added the 32-year-old Spaniard he was sacked on Wednesday with Villa 18th in the 20-team Bee was confident of completing a deal within a month, the report who is planning to ride the Tour and the Giro d’Italia this league, deep in relegation trouble with 13 matches to play. added. The businessman could not immediately be reached for comment year. “Imagine I fall in the 2016 Tour, then I wouldn’t want Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Sherwood by Reuters. to retire in that way. But the truth is I don’t see myself con- told reporters: “I know how to win matches in this But Fininvest, the Berlusconi holding company that owns AC Milan, said tinuing for more than two more years.” league. I know how to galvanise players and get in a statement there were no talks about selling the club, which Berlusconi Contador is in the final year of his contract with Tinkoff- the best out of them-all I can do is prepare the has owned since the 1980s. “Fininvest reiterates it is not interested in sell- Saxo and told El Mundo he was not necessarily going to see team to the best of my ability.—Reuters ing a majority stake in AC Milan,” it said. —Reuters out his career with the Russian-owned team.—Reuters

TACK International - IIK presents double wicket championship

KUWAIT: Teams Association of Cricket in as per the guidance of Haider Farman and the Kuwait ended 2014 with a huge bang where chairman of the Kuwait cricket council Emad it collaborated with Huawei Tech. Investment Al Jassam. On the other hand, TACK Co. Ltd and other significant corporate giants International’s focus on corporate leagues, to create a stunning spectacle of lights, Kuwait Kerala Premier League , grooming the music, sound, and entertainment packed future of cricket in Kuwait at the premium International style T20 cricket with 7 world TACK-IIK Children’s Cricket Academy along renowned cricket celebrities including with innovative and unique ways of providing Herschelle Gibbs, Aravinda De Silva, Scott competitive platforms for players in Kuwait Styris, Adam Hollioake, Upul Chandana, Azhar will continue in the form of T-10 Ramadan Mahmood and Yusuf Pathan. League and the much loved and appreciated Local population in thousands flocked TACK-Caesars Independence Day Cup where- with their families and friends to the lush by tape ball cricket was played for the first TACK Entertainment City Cricket Ground in time on such a scale with more than 500 peo- Doha for the TACK-Huawei 4Nations T20 ple attending. Festival between Kuwait, India, Pakistan and Taking the tradition forward, TACK Sri Lanka. Anticipating a bigger turnout than International has come up with yet another 2013, thanks to the presence of international inimitable way of competitive cricket format stars and its official online media partner indi- to celebrate the National Day of Kuwait in col- ansinkuwait.com, the venue was well- laboration with indiansinkwuait.com i.e. equipped for the day’s events with seating Double Wicket Championship. The tourna- arrangements for 7000 people including a ment is called Do Ka Dum - The Power of Two massive corporate guest enclosure along and is going to be played under the patron- with the family and bachelor sections in the age of Sheikh Fahad Khalid Al Ahmad Al form of grass banks. Sabah. This form of cricket, introduced in the TACK has already set benchmarks with late 90’s in the sub-continent region, includes each passing tournament over the past six two teams of two players each who are years, including the finals of its regular pitched against each other for a limited num- domestic leagues, corporate leagues, KPL as ber of overs. A player getting out in this form well as setting up state-of-the-art children’s of cricket does not retire but continues to bat cricket academy, but what happened on but gets penalized a stipulated number of Friday 28th November 2014 was truly breath- runs for each time he gets out. TACK in collab- taking; it was a sporting event the likes of oration with its official online media partner which has never been witnessed in Kuwait indiansinkuwait.com is introducing this novel and had everything an international sporting concept for the first time in Kuwait at a com- event should have from live DJ to live per- petitive level and 30 pairs which equals to 60 formances, from giant LED screens showing players have already confirmed their partici- live action to drone cameras capturing all the pation. action from breathtaking angles and what The tournament will be played on 25th, truly made the event international was of 26th and 27th of February and as the name CHICAGO: Marian Hossa No. 81 of the Chicago Blackhawks passes under pressure from Paul Martin No. 7 of the PittsburghPenguins at the course the presence of 7 superstars repre- suggests, it will involve a number of teams United Center. —AFP senting the four nations. with two players per team. Players are able to Since that historic day, TACK has kick start- register their team online on www.tac- ed its 2015-2016 season under the auspices kuwait.com through TACK’s official online Blackhawks soar over Penguins of Hon. Secretary General of Kuwait Cricket media partner - indiansinkuwait.com home- (ICC & ACC recognized) Haider Farman who’s page until 21st February which is the dead- CHICAGO: Patrick Sharp scored the decisive Logan Couture and Brent Burns scored for the 31, 2009. Nick Bjugstad scored for the Panthers, leadership and vision has allowed new mem- line. As has become the norm for TACK when goal in the shootout as the Chicago Blackhawks Sharks, who lost their fifth straight at home and and Luongo made 32 saves. bers in the council play a vital role for the bet- it comes to rewarding players generously, this beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Sunday. fourth in five games overall. Ben Bishop stopped terment of cricket in Kuwait. Be it the ACC U- double wicket tournament also has fantastic Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane also scored 33 shots as Tampa Bay won in San Jose for the FLYERS 2, SABRES 1 19 Premier Asia Cup which was hosted by prizes up for grabs with the winning pair first time in 12 years. Antti Niemi made 28 saves. Michael Raffl and Matt Read scored for Kuwait in November earlier last year, or the expected to walk away with a cash prize of in the tiebreaker as the Blackhawks earned their Philadelphia against Buffalo. Ray Emery made 21 recently concluded ACC T20 Cup in Dubai in USD $1000 with the entry fees only being 50 second straight win. They have captured six of a BLUES 2, PANTHERS 1 saves as the Flyers ended their two-game skid in which Kuwait came second to Oman, the new Kuwaiti Dinars. possible eight points through the first half of a Jori Lehtera scored the winning goal in the the finale of a four-game road trip. formation of the council and the coming Cricket lovers in Kuwait, fasten your seat- season-high eight-game homestand. fifth round of a shootout to lift St. Louis over Raffl scored the winner on a wraparound with together of the hard working professionals is belts, pull up your socks and get ready for an Nick Spaling scored in the third period for Florida. Vladimir Tarasenko also scored for St. 7:15 left in the third period after Sabres goalie paving the way for quality and more quantity entertaining 3-day cricket bonanza on 25th, Pittsburgh, which had won four of five. Marc- Louis in the shootout, and Brad Boyes converted Michal Neuvirth lost track of the puck behind of cricket in Kuwait. As a result, the Director of 26th and 27th of February at TACK- Andre Fleury made 31 saves through overtime, for Florida. Lehtera beat Roberto Luongo with a the net. Domestic Cricket and Marketing for Kuwait Entertainment City Cricket Ground - Doha, but was unable to stop any of Chicago’s shot between the pads. The Sabres, playing for the first time since Cricket, Sajid Ashraf’s focus is glued to divi- where there will be short & sweet, yet com- shootout attempts. Jaden Schwartz scored in regulation for the trading for defenseman Zach Bogosian and for- sion based domestic tournaments and these petitive matches with rocking music for fami- Thanks to David Perron and Sidney Crosby, Blues, who are 15-3 in their last 18 games. Brian ward Evander Kane on Wednesday, got a goal domestic tournaments will soon be central- lies and children to celebrate the National the Penguins still had a chance for a big road Elliott stopped 40 shots, including 20 in the third from defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Bogosian ized amongst all the leading cricket centers Day of Kuwait. win before Sharp skated in and beat Fleury into the right side for the victory. Fleury slammed his period and two in overtime. started on the blue line in place of Josh Gorges, stick into the post in disgust after the final play. The Blues earned their third consecutive win who was rested. Neuvirth made 28 saves in his and sixth in a row over the Panthers. Florida has- 20th start of the season, but first since the CAPITALS 5, DUCKS 3 n’t defeated St. Louis since a 4-0 victory on Oct. Sabres traded goalie Jhonas Enroth. —AP Alex Ovechkin scored twice in the first period to take over the NHL lead in goals and send NHL results/standings Washington to a victory over Anaheim. Ovechkin also set up two goals by Andre Chicago 2, Pittsburgh 1 (SO); St. Louis 2, Florida 1 (SO); Philadelphia 2, Buffalo 1; Washington 5, Anaheim 3; Tampa Bay Burakovsky. Marcus Johansson got the go-ahead 5, San Jose 2. goal at 3:27 of the second period, and Justin Western Conference Eastern Conference Peters made 30 saves in his ninth start of the Pacific Division Atlantic Division WLOTLGFGAPTS Montreal 36 15 4 148 123 76 season. Tampa Bay 35 17 6 189 156 76 Anaheim 35 15 7 169 160 77 Braden Holtby, who leads all NHL goalies in Detroit 31 13 10 160 139 72 games and minutes played, got the night off fol- San Jose 29 21 8 164 165 66 Boston 28 20 7 144 141 63 lowing Saturday night’s 3-1 loss to the Stanley Vancouver 31 21 3 155 145 65 Florida 24 19 12 135 153 60 Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. Calgary 31 22 3 162 144 65 Ottawa 22 22 10 152 152 54 Andrew Cogliano had two goals and Corey Los Angeles 25 18 12 152 148 62 Toronto 23 29 5 160 175 51 Buffalo 16 37 3 104 193 35 Perry netted his team-high 24th for the two-time Arizona 20 30 7 129 189 47 defending Pacific Division champion Ducks, who Metropolitan Division Edmonton 16 32 9 131 191 41 NY Islanders 37 18 1 179 156 75 lost left wing Matt Beleskey and defenseman Central Division Pittsburgh 32 15 9 161 141 73 Sami Vatanen in the first period due to undis- Nashville 38 12 6 170 131 82 NY Rangers 33 16 5 168 131 71 closed injuries. St. Louis 37 15 4 178 137 78 Washington 30 17 10 168 145 70 Chicago 35 18 4 172 131 74 Philadelphia 24 22 10 151 162 58 Columbus 24 27 3 142 170 51 LIGHTNING 5, SHARKS 2 Winnipeg 29 19 10 160 153 68 Steven Stamkos scored his 30th goal of the New Jersey 21 26 9 124 154 51 Minnesota 28 20 7 153 149 63 Carolina 19 28 7 120 147 45 season in Tampa Bay’s win over San Jose. Alex Dallas 26 22 8 175 179 60 KUWAIT: Hon. Secretary of Kuwait Cricket Haider Farman with Director of Domestic Killorn, Ondrej Palat, Cedric Paquette and Ryan Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the Colorado 23 22 11 144 159 57 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). Cricket & Marketing Sajid Ashraf. Callahan also scored for the Lightning. Snedeker wins at Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH: An emotional Brandt nine consecutive times since his 16th tour vic- much stuff going on in my mind I had to quiet Snedeker ended a 17-month title drought tory in 2010. down. “I got emotional on 18 green because I when he carded a closing five-under-par 67 to Snedeker shed tears after battling back realized how important this win is for me. It win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am by from a winless 2014 season and paid tribute to gets me back on track to where I feel I belong. I three strokes on Sunday. the role his wife Mandy had played in the lean want to be relevant again and I think I’m rele- Snedeker recorded just one bogey in 72 times. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this vant again. I don’t like playing golf not feeling holes to finish at 22-under 265 and win for the feeling. It’s really special,” he said in a greenside like I can compete and win.” second time in three years the storied event interview. “Probably the only time I’ve cried Snedeker’s joy contrasted with Furyk’s dis- played on three courses on California’s walking off 18th green was this week, because appointment. “I really couldn’t have played Monterey Peninsula. everything I’ve done the past year-and-a-half much better the first four holes but I really It was his seventh victory on the PGA Tour I’ve put my wife through. struggled to get the putts to fall (and) then and it earned the 34-year-old from Tennessee “When you’re not playing good, the home when I bogeyed five the round started slipping $1.224 million along with a spot in April’s U.S. life is not always great because you take it out away,” he said. Masters, an event he was not previously somewhere and she’s been a huge supporter “I stood on 11th tee shaking my head exempt for. of everything I’ve been doing.” thinking ‘how did I get to three-over?’.” At Fellow American Nick Watney (69) claimed The victory validated Snedeker for work he least Furyk escaped the course physically second place on 19-under, while overnight has done recently with new coach Butch unscathed, unlike Matt Bettencourt’s caddie leader Jim Furyk (74) missed some early birdie Harmon and he was particularly thrilled to Brian Rush, who fell on rocks looking for a ball chances before fading to equal seventh in qualify for the Masters, where he tied for third at the 18th hole and suffered a broken shoul- PEBBLE BEACH: Brandt Snedeker poses with his trophy on the 18th green of the another final round disappointment. Furyk has in 2008. der, a compound break in his forearm and Pebble Beach Golf Links after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf failed to convert a 54-hole lead into victory “There was so much on the line today, so concussion.—Reuters tournament. —AP p16_Layout 1 2/16/15 9:25 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 SPORTS

T-T tourney ‘Salwa Cup’ a huge success

KUWAIT: The Kuwait International Table Tennis Tournament ‘Salwa Cup’ concluded Sunday night under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the Late Khalid Yousuf Al-Marzouq hall in Salwa Sports Club in Qurain. Representative of HH the Amir, Information Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah attended the closing ceremo- ny along with President of the Olympic Committee Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee Sheikh Duaij Fahad Al-Duaij, Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmad and a large crowd. Sheikh Salman said he is honored to represent the Amir in this dear tournament and expressed pleasure at the international interest to participate in it especially the top ranked players and thanked all those involved in its suc- cess. Meanwhile Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad said said the Salwa tournament began with an idea and reached this stage with a major international presence. He thanked HH the Amir for supporting sports, representative of HH the Amir Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud, Salwa Sports Club Board of Directors, Table Tennis Federation and children of Late Sheikha Salwa. Sheikh Duaij Al-Sabah said the past years made the tournament the first in the world as Kuwait succeeded in attracting the best stars of the game in the world under one roof to compete for the prizes of a dear tournament to us. As expected the Chinese players swept the singles and doubles events where the men’s singles was won by Malong who is number one in the world, while the Taipei team won the doubles which was a surprise. First place in the women’s singles went to Ding Ning while the doubles went to Ding Ning and Xhuo Yu Ling beating the German team. A traditional dance of Arda was performed, then repre- sentative of HH the Amir Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud along with Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmad distributed the winners prizes. @Tijari promotes ‘Become part of the game with Manchester City’ campaign

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait tains before kick-off. 31st, 2015. New account holders will also get (CBK) recently announced its presence at the The package also includes VIP seating in one extra chance on opening the account. Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) to promote the Directors’ Box on the halfway line, a five The offer highly appealed to ACK students its campaign of ‘Become part of the game star dinner with directors of both teams in the who gathered in and around CBK’s booth dur- with @Tijari & Manchester City FC’ that is dedi- Chairman’s Club, introduction to former play- ing the campaign, where the bank had set cated for @Tijari account holders. ers, a Pre-match guided tour of the Etihad special ‘Selfi’ cameras and students took many The campaign was launched in the begin- Stadium and a VIP visit to the Manchester with CBK and Manchester’s logos. ning of the year in a bid to achieve soccer United museum. Notably, @Tijari account for youth aging lovers’ dreams through giving four lucky win- To qualify for the draw due to be held April 15-21 can be only opened with KD 10 in a Super shots and terrific tee-offs ners a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend 5th, 2015, @Tijari account holders will get a bid to help them realize tier dreams. In addi- the Manchester City vs. Aston Villa match, part chance to win per each KD 10 they spend tion, CBK gives university students a KD 50 with Crowne Plaza Kuwait of the English Premier League, on 25 April using the specially-designed account ATM gift on transferring their monthly social at Sahara Kuwait Resort 2015 and present the ball to both teams’ cap- card in the period of January 4th till March allowances to it. KUWAIT: Crowne Plaza Kuwait is proud to With fantastic scores the team of Sarah Kim, announce the continued success of its third KH Kim, HR Jang and JJ Kim won first place. annual Golf Tournament, which was held on The second winning team was made up of Saturday, Feb 07at Sahara Kuwait Resort — an Sunny Kim, HS Seo, JK Choi and Mo Cha. Third 18-hole championship golf course designed by place was claimed by John Rice, Nguyen Hong Peter Harradine and built to PGA championship Thao, the Ambassador of Vietnam, Farouk standards. Waheed and Robert Brandt. A bright sunny morning at the greens The nearest to the pin and longest drive paved the way for a very successful tourna- contests for men, were given to David ment - a fun-filled occasion perfectly matched Waldrop & JK Choi respectively. The nearest to with enthusiastic and spirited play from all the the pin and longest drive contests for women, golfers taking part. Excellent sportsmanship were claimed by Sarah Kim & Fadia Imadi and camaraderie were the highlights of the day respectively. as many golf fans attended to enjoy the action. Ramy Haykal - General Manager of the There was a fantastic turn out featuring over Crowne Plaza - congratulated all participants 114 golfers competing in teams comprised of for showing such keen sportsmanship, and Crowne Plaza officials and their business part- overall for a great day at the golf course. He ners including the Ambassadors of China, also thanked the Sahara Kuwait resort team for Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, Vietnam, their great support in making the event such a Italy, Bangladesh as well as the CEO of Les success. He said, “It is great to see all golf enthu- Thermes Marins de Saint-Malo and many more. siasts enjoying the fun and games at the event The tournament registration opened at 7 and we look forward to hosting the Crowne am followed by breakfast. Crowne Plaza Plaza Tournament again next year making it ensured the day got off to a good start by sur- bigger and better with each coming year.” prising invitees with an unexpected magical Golf has always been considered a game of golf show performed by Mark Reynolds who precision and focus, which is exactly what was specially flown in for the event. He kept his Crowne Plaza Hotel commits to always deliver- guests enthralled for almost an hour! The shot- ing to its guests. The brand helps ensure that gun started at 9 am followed later by a sumptu- patrons of the hotel have a productive and suc- ous lunch at the resort. Throughout the day, cessful stay and assures this by providing ongo- golf aficionados competed for individual prizes ing and consistent staff training, innovative in the closest to the pin and longest drive con- products and services; and above all, maintain- tests, in addition to the many tournament ing a restful and welcoming environment for all prizes. guests — young and old — to enjoy. Gordon takes Daytona 500 pole

DAYTONA BEACH: Jeff Gordon held off team For the first time, drivers vying for spots in the have to try to play that chess match and we mate Jimmie Johnson to take the pole for the 43-car field in next Sunday’s race went out in played it really well.” final Daytona 500 of his career on Sunday. groups rather than single car qualifying. Johnson a two-time 500 winner, knew he had Gordon, a three-time winner of the race, had As a result of the aerodynamic effect of run- a quick time after a lap at 201.135 mph but was announced earlier this would be his final full- ning in packs, Gordon turned a quick lap of not sure he could win the pole. “We knew what time season in NASCAR’s premier series, and he 201.293 mph. It was the first time since 1987 the risks were,” Johnson, who will start next to began the season with a bang. that drivers exceeded the 200 mph in qualifying Gordon, told reporters. “In order to get the pole, “I can’t think of anything cooler than to start for NASCAR’s top event. “This is one of the most you’ve got to take a big chance. We were willing this season, the Daytona 500, my final Daytona gratifying poles here at Daytona that I have ever to take the risk and gamble to be there.” The 500, final full season, on the pole. “ Gordon, who had,” the four-time NASCAR series champion remainder of the 43-car starting grid will be won the race from the pole in 1999, told said. “Not just because my final Daytona 500, but determined after twin 150-mile qualifying races reporters. because you have to try to plan it out and you on Thursday. —Reuters p17 2.e$S_Layout 1 2/16/15 9:48 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 SPORTS Asian Winter Olympics open door to snow business

BEAVER CREEK: With the next two now and organisations and that’s Asia,” top of a World Cup medal podium. and last in the giant slalom opening leg, ment, army people, some rich people Winter Olympics to be staged in Asia, FIS president Gian-Franco Kasper told The Indian ski federation sent a team over 25 seconds back of the leader but had skis, so we made skis ourselves out the International Ski Federation (FIS) will Reuters. “You see it in the financial world of five skiers to the alpine worlds in just ahead of China’s Zhang Xiaosong. of wood. “Now today they are compet- have a rare opportunity to grow snow and it is exactly the same, everything Beaver Creek, all attacking the piste with For Roshan al Thakur, the manager of ing here on world championships.” In a sports in the world’s most populous con- moves eastwards. purpose, but no amount of determina- the India ski team and whose son and small way Asia made an impression in tinent but the seeds they plant are “Of course we don’t have to be every tion could mask a lack of skill as they daughter form the backbone of the Beaver Creek. Japan’s Emi Hasegawa unlikely to bear fruit for generations to time in Asia but I think it is important for snow-ploughed their way to the bottom national squad, the results are not as dis- waved the Asia flag, finishing 18th in the come. us that we have new countries, new ski of the results sheets. appointing as they are encouraging. slalom and 28th in the giant slalom. The 2018 Winter Games set for the resorts. “In Kazakhstan the mountains In the women’s giant slalom, Varsha With a short three-month ski season Korea sent a four-man team and South Korean resort of Pyeongchang are more or less unused and this would Devi finished 96th and last, 53.53 sec- and just three resorts in India, including showed some progress with Jung Dong- and with either Almaty, Kazakhstan or be a great opportunity. “In Beijing you onds behind gold medal winner Anna one in Solang Nala in Himachal Pradesh hyun placing 25th in the slalom and Beijing to be awarded the 2022 Winter are in a newly developed ski area. We Fenninger of Austria while team mate where they train, Thakur prefers to look 40th in the giant slalom, offering hope Olympics, the ski industry will gain an don’t want all Chinese skiing, one per- Aanchal Thakur was 95th, 33.81 seconds at how far the sport has come in India of respectable showings in the alpine entry point into the sporting world’s cent would be enough. “It is a rare back as both failed to qualify for the sec- rather than how far it has to go. competition when they host the Winter most coveted market. opportunity for us.” ond leg. China produced only marginally When he was 12 years old, Thakur Games. New skiers from China and India fill- Like every sport and business, FIS better results with Xia Lina crossing 80th carved his first pair of skis out of a tree “It is three years away, but everything ing chair lifts and resorts sprinkled craves a piece of the Asian pie. India and and Qin Ziyue 89th. and now 36 years later, he stood proudly is in progress and I think we will have a across the Himalayas and seriously chal- China have snow-capped mountains In the slalom, the wooden spoon in the finish area, basking in the accom- very good ski Olympics in 2018,” Korean lenging for medals at Olympics and and billions of potential skiers, but the went to Taiwan’s Wu Meng-Chien, who plishment that his son and daughter coach Byun Jongwoo told Reuters. world championships may be a far-off Asian market remains almost untapped tip-toed his way down the mountain a represented India in a world champi- “Mostly we train at home but we have dream but for FIS, it is the future they are outside of Japan. full 63 seconds back of the leader to onship. “As the economy is growing up, one racer, Jung touring World Cup. “We pursuing today. For the moment it would be easier for place 86th. skiing is also now getting popular slow- have learned a lot here, how to make “It is important there is no question, India’s alpine ski team to scale the sum- It was similar scene for the men, ly,” Thakur told Reuters. “When I was 12 progress and we will put these methods we need new countries that have money mit of Mount Everest than climb to the India’s Himanshu Thakur crossing 70th years old skis were not available, govern- into our system.” —Reuters Late golds give US ideal boost at worlds

BEAVER CREEK: After a surprisingly slow ing in the United States. start to the alpine ski world champi- onships, the United States finished with a LATE MEDALS flurry of two gold medals to captivate Apart from the gold medals won by their home fans and inspire skiers of the Shiffrin and Ligety, the U.S. earned a sil- future. While snow queen Lindsey Vonn ver, through Travis Ganong in the men’s ended a disappointing fortnight with a downhill, and bronzes, from Vonn in the solitary bronze medal, Olympic champi- women’s Super-G and Ligety in the com- on Ted Ligety won his third successive bined, during the first week of competi- giant slalom crown and rising star tion. Mikaela Shiffrin successfully defended Shaw believes the overall team per- her slalom title. formance, watched by boisterous home That gave the Americans a medal haul fans, can only inspire US skiers of the of five, capping two weeks of thrills and future. “The importance of these events spills on the slopes of Beaver Creek and to us is enormous in terms of our (young Veil that brought the sport of alpine ski- skier) pipeline,” Shaw said. “We know for ing to a much wider audience in the sure there were seminal moments in the United States. “It’s been absolutely amaz- stands during these world champi- ing... to be able to show Americans what onships. this sport is about,” U.S. Ski and “There were kids up there who said, ‘I Snowboard Association president Tiger want to be like Lindsey, Ted, Travis, BEAVER CREEK: France’s Jean-Baptiste Grange celebrates after his win in the men’s slalom competition at the Alpine skiing world champi- Shaw told reporters as the world champi- Mikaela.’ The Park City ski team came all onships. —AP onships wound down. “The penetration the way over here from Utah, a seven- and exposure that a lot of people got hour drive. All of that makes a huge dif- through TV, it captures their interest in ference.” Shaw did concede, however, our sport. And very important to us, all that the U.S. development pipeline faced Grange clinches slalom crown the people that participate in skiing in several challenges. the U.S. have been able to really see “We didn’t have five in the top 30 for BEAVER CREEK: Four years of injuries, bitter on Marcel Hirscher of Austria skied out. ing also and then he was behind me and then he what’s happening here. the women’s slalom on Saturday, fortu- struggle and doubts over his alpine skiing future “My last two (World Cup) races, in Kitzbuehel skied out,” said Grange, who had not made a “They’ve had a real inside track and nately we did in the men’s giant slalom ended in unexpected fashion for Jean-Baptiste and Schladming, I finished only in the twenties World Cup podium since placing third in been able to get to know our athletes on Friday,” he said. “I would love to have Grange as he won the men’s world slalom crown so I just couldn’t imagine winning today. Bulgaria in 2011. “It was absolutely incredible much better and see incredible things that ratio in every World Cup. on Sunday. The 30-year-old Frenchman had won “This is a wonderful gift for all this effort over and I had a really hard time to believe what hap- happen on the hill, especially with “We think that’s a possibility. We work slalom bronze at the 2007 worlds in Are, fol- four years-many injuries, bad bib numbers, no pened to me. “ Grange, who won his first World Mikaela doing so well and Ted winning.” as well as we can with what we have, for lowed by gold at the 2011 worlds in Garmisch, confidence sometimes. I feel overwhelmed.” Cup race in 2007 and claimed the overall World The worlds, back on US snow for the example, with the 17- to 23-year-olds. but his career then took a severe downturn after Grange finished 0.35 seconds ahead of sec- Cup slalom title in 2009, said he had contemplat- he suffered back problems in 2012. ond-placed German Fritz Dopfer after a storm- ed quitting the sport last month after his disap- first time since 1999, provided a much And we are making significant changes He contemplated quitting the sport on sever- ing second run down the Birds of Prey piste in pointing finishes in Kitzbuehel and Schladming. needed boost for the sport and the to ensure we have more and more up- al occasions, most recently just three weeks ago, near-blizzard conditions, his first podium finish “I was far off the winner in these two last North American ski industry, which have coming kids who are younger than 17 but that changed at Beaver Creek when he in four years. Having been placed fifth after the races and I was thinking maybe (about retiring) seen younger generations gravitate to now. emerged triumphant in the final event of the morning leg, the Frenchman had to watch four but it’s always like that,” he said. snowboarding and extreme skiing. “Hopefully in about 10 years we are men’s competition held in driving snow. other racers complete the course before he was “When I had bad back pain (in 2012), I also Television viewership worldwide is back here and they are winning medals “I just didn’t expect that today,” Grange said, assured of a medal, and he was dumbfounded thought about it but the body evaluates and we expected to exceed 800 million over the too and Ted and Lindsey will be on the struggling to keep a huge smile off his face after when he saw Hirscher ski out. are competitors. We want to achieve our goals, fortnight with record ratings for ski rac- sidelines watching them.” —Reuters he clinched an upset win as defending champi- “I saw Marcel going really fast, he was fight- and that’s what I did today.” —Reuters West edge East in NBA All-Star Game

NEW YORK: Mixing Broadway and basketball, President Bill Clinton, who had a big night of ence from top to bottom. this NBA All-Star Game was a West Side Story. his own at Madison Square Garden when he was East coach Mike Budenholzer played his four Russell Westbrook scored 41 points, one shy of nominated here during the 1992 Democratic Atlanta Hawks together in the first quarter, Al the All-Star record, and the Western Conference National Convention, got a pair of loud ovations Horford joining Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap and beat the East 163-158 on Sunday night in the when he was shown during Queen Latifah’s per- Korver. highest-scoring All-Star Game ever. formance of the national anthem. “I thought we would all be out there together The Oklahoma City speedster had a record 27 Players were quizzed during comedic skits on quite a bit. We were kind of hand signaling to points by halftime and closed out the scoring New York talk and terms, and fuhgeddaboudit, run a few plays, but you weren’t really running with two free throws, falling one point shy of Pau Gasol had no idea what a stoop was. plays,” Korver said. “It was just up and down. But Wilt Chamberlain’s 42 points in the 1962 game. (Stephen Curry knew it was a porch in the front it was great for the Hawks and for the city of He was voted the game’s MVP at Madison of a building). Atlanta. It was really cool.”—AP Square Garden. Pau won the jump ball against little brother The NBA’s return to New York showed off Marc to begin the first All-Star Game featuring everything about the Big Apple, and by the time two sibling starters, but for a while it looked as if Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” played after that would be the East’s only win of the night. the game, it was clear Westbrook was king of the The West shot out to a 20-point lead, but the hill. East chipped away and cut it to 83-82 before “It’s amazing. It’s a blessing to be here in New pop star Ariana Grande’s halftime performance. York City,” Westbrook said during the MVP cere- It was New York’s first time hosting the week- mony. James Harden added 29 points, eight end since 1998 and a rare journey to the north rebounds and eight assists for the West, which for the NBA, which has preferred to stage the built a 20-point lead in the first half and then festivities in the warmth of the South and West. pulled away after it was tied at 148 with a little Even some of the NBA’s most fashionable had more than 4 minutes remaining. The combined to choose bundling up over dressing up, a con- 321 points surpassed the 318 scored last season, cession to the frigid temperatures they faced and the 48 3-pointers smashed last year’s record during the weekend. But next year might be of 30. worse, when the game heads north of the bor- LeBron James finished with 30 points, but der to Toronto. couldn’t lead the East to the victory in his Carmelo Anthony struggled to 14 points on favorite NBA arena. “Don’t get no better, man. 6-of-20 shooting for the East in what may have You play in the Garden in front of these fans,” been his final game of the season. The Knicks James said. star has been battling a sore knee for much of Harden’s 3-pointer snapped the final tie with the season and may opt for surgery with the 4:02 to play and Chris Paul followed with consec- team owning the NBA’s worst record. utive baskets. Westbrook’s fifth 3-pointer put it But even the Knicks’ misery couldn’t dampen away at 158-149 with 2:22 to go. the spirts for this basketball-rich city. Players on “We just talk about having fun all game long the floor were surrounded by some of New and then at a certain point in the fourth quarter York’s hoops royalty, such as Kareem Abdul- it’s time to win,” Paul said. Jabbar and Julius Erving. There was even time to Atlanta’s Kyle Korver made seven 3-pointers celebrate the Knicks: Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Bill and scored 21 points for the East, while Bradley, Phil Jackson, Earl Monroe and Bernard Washington’s John Wall had 19. King were honored during a break in the action. But right from the start, the players were Tim Duncan had one basket in his 15th All- sharing the stage. Christina Aguilera appeared Star Game, second only to Abdul-Jabbar’s 18. from behind a giant big apple, and belted out Duncan’s first was here in 1998, as was Kobe some New York-inspired numbers to start the Bryant’s. show, joined by the Rockettes. Entertainment’s Bryant had to sit out along with Anthony elite were all over the arena, with players hob- Davis and Blake Griffin, leaving the West without NEW YORK: West Team’s Russell Westbrook, of nobbing with Jay-Z and Floyd Mayweather near three elected starters. But they had more than the Oklahoma City Thunder, holds the MVP NEW YORK: East Team’s John Wall, of the Washington Wizards, dunks the ball during their courtside seats at halftime. But the biggest enough talent left, not surprising in another sea- trophy after the NBA All-Star basketball the first half of the NBA All-Star basketball game. —AP roar came for a star from another sport - politics. son where the West is the more powerful confer- game. —AP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Ireland clinch historic victory over Windies

NELSON: Ireland caused the first upset of the World Cup when an audacious 92 by Paul Stirling paved the way for a four-wicket win over the West Indies at Nelson’s Saxton Oval yester- day. Stirling stood in a match-defining 106-run stand with Ed Joyce for the second wicket as Ireland chased down a 305-run target with 25 balls to spare. Stirling cracked his 92 off 84 balls, Joyce scored 84 off 67 and Niall O’Brien chimed in with an unbeaten 79 off 60 deliveries. It was Ireland’s SCOREBOARD first win over the West Indies in six official matches and the first victory at this World Cup NELSON, New Zealand: Complete scoreboard in the World Cup Pool B match between West Indies and achieved by a team batting second. Ireland at Saxton Oval, Nelson yesterday: The 12th-ranked Irish paid scant regard to the high-profile West Indians and enhanced their West Indies Ireland own reputation as giant-killers after beating oth- D. Smith c Mooney b K. O’Brien 18 W. Porterfield c Ramdin b Gayle 23 er top-tier nations England and Pakistan in the C. Gayle c K. O’Brien b Dockrell 36 P. Stirling c Ramdin b Samuels 92 D. Bravo run out (McBrine) 0 E. Joyce c Bravo b Taylor 84 previous two World Cups. The victorious finish M. Samuels lbw Dockrell 21 N. O’Brien not out 79 was a fitting reward for their spirited start to the D. Ramdin lbw Dockrell 1 A Balbirnie c Bravo b Taylor 9 match when they opted to bowl and rapidly L. Simmons c Dockrell b Sorensen 102 G. Wilson c Gayle b Taylor 1 reduced the West Indies to 87-5. D. Sammy c Dockrell b Mooney 89 K. O’Brien run out (Smith/Roach) 0 “It’s fantastic to win. This sets us up nicely for A. Russell not out 27 J. Mooney not out 6 the next few games,” said Ireland skipper William J. Holder not out 0 Extras (b4, w9) 13 Porterfield. “The belief has been growing within Extras (lb1, w9) 10 Total (6 wkts, 45.5 overs) 307 the squad for a long time and we know what we Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) 304 Did not bat: M Sorensen, G Dockrell, A McBrine are capable of, not just in this game but the oth- Did not bat: K Roach, J Taylor Fall of wickets 1-71 (Porterfield), 2-177 (Stirling), Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Smith), 2-31 (Bravo), 3-78 3-273 (Joyce), 4-285 (Balbirnie), 5-290 (Wilson), 6- er games in the competition as well.” (Gayle), 4-78 (Samuels), 5-87 (Ramdin), 6-241 291 (K O’Brien) West Indies skipper Jason Holder admitted (Sammy), 7-302 (Simmons) Bowling: Holder 9-1-44-0 (2w); Roach 6-0-52-0 that his team’s total of 304 should have been Bowling: Mooney 7-1-59-1 (3w); Sorensen 8-0-64- (1w); Taylor 8.5-0-71-3 (1w); Russell 6-0-33-0 (1w); enough. “It was a tough loss and obviously put- 1 (1w); McBrine 10-1-26-0; K. O’Brien 9-0-71-1 Gayle 8-0-41-1; Sammy 3-0-25-0; Samuels 4-0-25- ting up 300 should have been enough, but it (3w); Dockrell 10-0-50-3 (1w); Stirling 6-0-33-0 1; Simmons 1-0-12-0. wasn’t today,” said the 23-year-old. “I think we (1w) Result: Ireland won by four wickets. just need to be a bit more precise when we set fields. We are just giving away too many bound- aries during the middle overs.” The victory will have boosted Ireland’s hopes World Cup results and standings of being one of the four teams to make the quar- ter-finals from a group that also contains Pool B defending champions India, South Africa and At Nelson Pakistan. West Indies star Chris Gayle again failed West Indies 304-7 (Lendl Simmons 102, Darren Sammy 89) v Ireland 307-6 (Paul Stirling 92, Ed Joyce 84, Niall O’Brien 79 not out). to fire as spinner George Dockrell carved Ireland won by four wickets through the upper order before a dashing cen- tury by Lendl Simmons and a personal-best 89 Played won lost tied N/R points run rate from Darren Sammy put some backbone into Pool A the Caribbean side’s innings. Australia 1 1 0 0 0 2 +2.220 Their power batting lifted the West Indies to New Zealand 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.960 what should have been a respectable 304 but Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.960 they lacked the discipline in their bowling to England 1 0 1 0 0 0 -2.220 defend the total. Afghanistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Holder opened with a first ball that raced Bangladesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Scotland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 wide of slips to the boundary to give Ireland an immediate five runs from extras which started Pool B Stirling and Porterfield on their way to a 71-run India 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.52 first wicket stand. South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.24 With Porterfield’s dismissal for 23, the left- Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 2 +0.62 handed Joyce joined right-hander Stirling to NEW ZEALAND: Ireland’s batsman Ed Joyce plays a shot during the Pool B 2015 Cricket World West Indies 1 0 1 0 0 0 -0.62 continue piling on the pressure. Stirling’s dis- Cup match between Ireland and the West Indies at Saxton Park Oval. —AFP Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.24 missal, caught behind off a Marlon Samuels Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.52 delivery, saw O’Brien arrive to up the tempo fur- and O’Brien was on 38 when he skied a Jerome It was another disappointment for Gayle who UAE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ther with the textbook formula of looking for an Taylor delivery and Holder dropped what should has not passed 50 since playing Bangladesh in Already played early boundary each over and accumulating have been a regulation catch. Taylor was the August and the last of his 21 centuries was Pool A what runs were on offer afterwards. most successful West Indies bowler with three against Sri Lanka in June 2013. Simmons and At Christchurch The West Indies were powerless to contain for 71. Ireland started the day in the best possi- Sammy gave the innings respectability with a New Zealand 331-6 (Corey Anderson 75, Brendon McCullum 65, Kane Williamson 57) v Sri Lanka 233 all the onslaught, going through eight bowlers, as ble fashion, winning the toss and ripping out the West Indies sixth-wicket record stand of 154. out (Lahiru Thirimanne 65) the Irish batsmen clobbered six sixes and 34 West Indies premier batsmen. Dockrell, who fin- Simmons-whose uncle Phil, the former West New Zealand won by 98 runs fours. ished with three for 50, claimed the prized wick- Indies batsman, is Ireland’s coach-was eventually Joyce, on 42, was dropped by Darren Bravo ets of Gayle (36), Samuels (21) and Ramdin (one) dismissed in the last over for 104, his second At Melbourne when he belted Holder towards the boundary, in the space of just eight deliveries. one-day international century. —AFP Australia 342-9 (Aaron Finch 135, Glenn Maxwell 66, George Bailey 55; Steven Finn 5-71) v England 231 all out (James Taylor 98 not out; Mitchell Marsh 5-53) Australia won by 111 runs Preview Pool B Why can’t Pakistan At Hamilton South Africa 339-4 (David Miller 138 not out, JP Duminy 115 not out) v Zimbabwe 277 all out (Hamilton Masakadza 80, Chamu Chibhabha 64) beat India South Africa won by 62 runs in World Cup? At Adelaide India 300-7 (Virat Kohli 107, Suresh Raina 74, Shikhar Dhawan 73; Sohail Khan 5-55) v Pakistan 224 all out ADELAIDE: If Pakistan were looking for answers for its (Misbah-ul-Haq 76) wretched losing streak against arch-rivals India in the India won by 76 runs World Cup, they need to cut to the chase and begin with the captain’s luck with the toss. Still to play: When Misbah-ul Haq called incorrectly before Feb 17 New Zealand v Scotland, Dunedin (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, Feb 16) Feb 18 Bangladesh v Afghanistan, Canberra (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) Sunday’s 76-run defeat at the Adelaide Oval, it was the Feb 19 Zimbabwe v UAE, Nelson (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, Feb 18) fifth time in six World Cup outings that Pakistan had lost Feb 20 England v New Zealand, Wellington (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) the toss to India. Feb 21 Pakistan v West Indies, Christchurch (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, Feb 20) In all those five games, Pakistan failed to chase down Feb 21 Australia v Bangladesh, Brisbane (13:30 local/03:30 GMT) the target. The only time India batted second, at the Feb 22 Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Dunedin (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, Feb 21) Centurion in 2003, the genius of Sachin Tendulkar took Feb 22 South Africa v India, Melbourne (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) Feb 23 England v Scotland, Christchurch (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, Feb 22) the game away from Pakistan. Feb 24 West Indies v Zimbabwe, Canberra (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq is con- Feb 25 Ireland v UAE, Brisbane (13:30 local/03:30 GMT) vinced India’s luck with the toss has played a major role Feb 26 Afghanistan v Scotland, Dunedin (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, Feb 25) in its 6-0 scoreline against the old foes in the sport’s pre- Preston Mommsen Feb 26 Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, Melbourne (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) mier 50-over showpiece. Feb 27 South Africa v West Indies, Sydney (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) Feb 28 India v UAE, Perth (14:30 local/06:30 GMT) “I believe batting first is always an advantage as bats- Feb 28 Australia v New Zealand, Auckland (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) men tend to get under pressure while chasing in big New Zealand wary Mar 01 England v Sri Lanka, Wellington (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, Feb 28) games,” Inzamam wrote in a guest column for the tour- Mar 01 Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Brisbane (13:30 local/03:30 GMT) nament’s official website. Mar 03 South Africa v Ireland, Canberra (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) “I can’t find a suitable word to describe what goes of Scotland Mar 04 Pakistan v UAE, Napier (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) wrong when we chase against India, but it’s more like a Mar 04 Australia v Afghanistan, Perth (14:30 local/06:30 GMT) DUNEDIN: Co-hosts New Zealand face a ly focused, as they were against Sri Lanka, Mar 05 Bangladesh v Scotland, Nelson (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, March 04) mental blockage of players.” On Sunday, after Virat Kohli’s 107 had set up a 301-run target, Pakistan folded potential World Cup “banana skin” against to make sure they do not slip up,” he said. Mar 06 India v West Indies, Perth (14:30 local/06:30 GMT) minnows Scotland in Dunedin today, for- Scotland have displayed impressive Mar 07 South Africa v Pakistan, Auckland (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) up for 224 with only skipper Misbah contributing a mer Black Caps skipper Stephen Fleming form this month in the lead-up to the tour- Mar 07 Zimbabwe v Ireland, Hobart (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) valiant 76 off 84 balls. Mar 08 New Zealand v Afghanistan, Napier (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, March 07) has warned. nament, scoring 310 against the West In previous World Cup games against India, Pakistan New Zealand justified their tag as one Indies and cruising to a 179-run win over Mar 08 Australia v Sri Lanka, Sydney (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) failed to chase down totals of 216 in Sydney (1992), 287 Mar 09 England v Bangladesh, Adelaide (14:00 local/03:30 GMT) of the pre-tournament favorites with a fellow associates Ireland. Mar 10 India v Ireland, Hamilton (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) in Bangalore (1996), 227 in Manchester (1999) and 260 comprehensive 98-run win over Sri Lanka Captain Preston Mommsen said the Mar 11 Sri Lanka v Scotland, Hobart (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) in Mohali four years ago. in their opening match and will be keen to Scots were taking inspiration from Ireland’s Mar 12 South Africa v UAE, Wellington (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) India’s latest win came without the reassuring pres- maintain momentum against Scotland. giant-killing exploits at previous World Mar 13 Bangladesh v New Zealand, Hamilton (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) ence of retired batting superstar Tendulkar, who had The Scots have not won a match in two Cups, when they claimed the scalps of Mar 13 England v Afghanistan, Sydney (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) proved a stumbling block for Pakistan in at least four of previous World Cup campaigns (1999 and Pakistan (2007) and England (2011). Mar 14 India v Zimbabwe, Auckland (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) the five previous encounters. 2007), with bookmakers rating them 12-1 “They’ve found a way to stand up to the Mar 14 Australia v Scotland, Hobart (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) outsiders to upset the in-form New big teams and we’ll be looking to do the Mar 15 West Indies v UAE, Napier (11:00 local/22:00 GMT, March 14) In 2003, Tendulkar tamed a star-studded pace bat- Mar 15 Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide (14:00 local/03:30 GMT) tery of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar Zealanders. same thing,” he said. “We’re not here to fill to fashion India’s six-wicket win with a scintillating 98 But Fleming said the Pool A clash was “a in the numbers.” Quarter-finals off 75 balls after Pakistan had piled up 273-7. Misbah banana-skin type match where, if it was South African-born Mommsen said he Mar 18 Sydney (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) was at a loss to explain another failure on Sunday. allowed, complacency could be a danger”. was part of the best-prepared team to ever Mar 19 Melbourne (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) He pointed out that Scotland, an ICC leave Scottish shores. They are coached by “I don’t know what happened,” he said. “But it is Mar 20 Adelaide (14:00 local/03:30 GMT) associate nation, lost by just one run in former Black Cap Grant Bradburn, assisted Mar 21 Wellington (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) important to forget this loss and look to the future. The October to a New Zealand XI which includ- by gritty ex-England batsman Paul game is gone now, so we have to just concentrate on ed eight of the Black Caps’ World Cup Collingwood, who has helped toughen the Semi-finals the next one.” squad. mental aspects of their game. Mar 24 Auckland (14:00 local/01:00 GMT) Six straight losses will hurt more because Pakistan Only an inspired last-ball run out spared New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said Mar 26 Sydney (14:30 local/03:30 GMT) enjoy a superior overall one-day record over India, hav- New Zealand’s blushes on that occasion shock results were inevitable at the World ing won 72 games and lost 51. Indian captain Mahendra and Fleming said the Black Caps could not Cup and the Black Caps, more accustomed Singh Dhoni had some comforting words for Pakistan, treat their opposition lightly. to being labelled underdogs, were deter- saying the unbeaten run would not stay forever. — AFP “New Zealand will have to be complete- mined not to fall victim to one.—AFP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 SPORTS Cesena hold Juventus

MILAN: Serie A strugglers Cesena kept the Marchisio pounced on a Llorente dummy Italian title race ticking over after holding to fire home from close range. Juventus to a 2-2 draw on Sunday that left Cesena equalised when Franco Brienza the champions seven points clear of title beat Buffon with a low drive from inside challengers Roma. the area after Djuric nodded down a cross. Juventus had the chance to go nine Juventus should won it when Stefano points clear of the Giallorossi after their lat- Lucchini blocked Llorente’s overhead kick est slip-up, a scoreless draw at home to with his hand, but Arturo Vidal’s spot kick basement side Parma-their fifth draw in six flew wide of Leali’s upright. consecutive games. Roma had ended a run of four consecu- But at the Dino Manuzzi stadium, which tive draws with a precious 2-1 win at features an artificial surface, Massimiliano Cagliari last week to close to within seven Allegri’s expensively-assembled side points of Juventus. missed a late penalty and ultimately strug- But after a thrilling encounter at the gled against a Cesena side which has been Stadio Olimpico, Rudi Garcia’s men were fighting to get out of the relegation zone left lamenting a series of missed chances all season. on what was Gervinho’s first game back Roma remain in second place seven since helping Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup points adrift with a five-point lead on of Nations title, alongside new clubmate Napoli after their shock 3-1 loss at Palermo Seydou Doumbia, who made his debut. on Saturday. Ashley Cole, making a rare appearance Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri told in the absence of fellow left-back Jose Mediaset: “We gave them far too much Holebas, had two chances late on to seal space and too many counter-attacks. It was the win, hitting the upright with the first a hard game, but I knew it would be. before he volleyed over the bar in the final “We didn’t underestimate the task, but minute. Garcia hit out at his players when we’re disappointed at not pulling further he told Sky Sport: “If we have any ambi- ahead of Roma.” Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi tions, we should be winning and not hav- Buffon suggested Roma’s earlier setback ing to settle for a result like this. had allowed complacency to creep in. “We only hit the target with four of our “Maybe Roma’s result changed things a 20 shots. We’re not going to score goals like little, but a squad like ours shouldn’t be that.” Genoa, meanwhile, continued to reap affected by results elsewhere,” Buffon told the rewards of signing M’Baye Niang on Sky Sport. loan from AC Milan with the Frenchman “We just weren’t good enough, especial- hitting a brace in a 5-2 drubbing of Verona, ly in the first 20 minutes when we gave as veteran Luca Toni hit a brace for the visi- UKRAINE: Shakhtar Donetsk players run during a team training session at the Arena Lviv stadium. FC Bayern Munich will play against FC away too many counter-attacks.” Fifth- tors. Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League, Round of 16, first leg match today. —AP placed Lazio, who won 1-0 at Udinese, had Inter Milan claimed their second consec- been shocked 2-1 at Cesena two weeks utive win, after last week’s 3-0 rout of CL Preview ago, and Buffon was under pressure from Palermo, in a 4-1 drubbing of Atalanta as the early stages when Gregoire Defrel Fredy Guarin scored a brace.—AFP forced him to block his angled drive at the near post. Cesena saw clear chances by Defrel and Bayern hit form, Ze Eduardo go amiss, while Fernando Matches on TV Llorente-partnering Alvaro Morata up front in the absence of suspended Carlos Tevez- (Local Timings) saw a header go over. The hosts’ efforts finally paid off when a UEFA Champions League misplaced Andrea Pirlo pass in midfield Shakhtar await sparked a counter which saw Defrel cross for Milan Djuric to sidefoot under Buffon on PSG v Chelsea 22:45 17 minutes. beIN SPORTS 1 HD UKRAINE: Bayern Munich are confident they the team is now much better.” training in Brazil in January. Brazilian striker Luiz “It was great to test myself against the have returned to top form just in time for their Guardiola will recall midfielder Xabi Alonso Adriano, who netted nine times in the Juventus defence and to score against beIN SPORTS 11 HD Champions League round of 16 first leg against for the game in Lviv after he was rested on Champions League group stage, believes Buffon was pretty special,” said Bosnian Shakhtar v Bayern 22:45 Shakhtar Donetsk today after their biggest Saturday, while winger Franck Ribery and Shakhtar are well-prepared for the visit of striker Djuric. Bundesliga win in 31 years on Saturday. defender Rafinha are in contention after recover- Bayern. “We have paid a lot of attention to find beIN SPORTS 2 HD Juve were back on level terms on the The German champions’ dress rehearsal ing from injuries in time to play against out their weaknesses,” he said. “We want to know half hour after Morata got his head to beIN SPORTS 13 HD ahead of the trip to Ukraine was a resounding Hamburg. Defender Jerome Boateng will also everything about our rivals so there are no sur- Pogba’s cross to beat Nicola Leali, and took beIN SPORTS 1 HD success as they demolished Hamburg SV 8-0 in a make the trip after sitting out a two-match ban prises during the game as they are not always the lead five minutes later when Claudio flawless performance that saw Dutchman Arjen in Germany. pleasant. Robben continue his impressive form by scoring “Our first task is to win. We would never be two goals. WINTER BREAK content with a draw, even against Bayern.” Victory for Bayern, who had won just one of Shakhtar, hosting Bayern in Lviv as their Shakhtar will be without defensive midfielder the previous three league games before hometown is at the centre of a military conflict, Taras Stepanenko who is banned, while striker Saturday’s drubbing of Hamburg, delighted would have wished for an easier challenge in Bernard is an injury concern with a ligaments coach Pep Guardiola after his side made a stut- their first competitive game after a two-month inflammation. “They are in a different pace, play- tering return from the winter break. “Now we winter break. ing competitive games every three or four days,” can focus on our first Champions League game However, Shakhtar, who are looking for their said Adriano. “But still we are in a great physical this year. I am happy that our playing style is first home win against a German side for over 35 shape. There are a few training sessions left so back,” the Spaniard said. “Obviously the mood in years, filled their lack of domestic action by we will be fully prepared.”—Reuters Boca Juniors defeat Olimpo

BUENOS AIRES: Title favorites Boca Juniors, Olimpo equalised when midfielder being disciplined by coach Roberto Mancini. with new signing Dani Osvaldo watching Jonathan Blanco was left unmarked at a cor- He could make his debut for the team he from the stands, kicked off their Argentine ner and beat goalkeeper Agustin Orion with a supported as a boy in the Libertadores Cup first division campaign with a 3-1 win over sharp header into the roof of the net one Group Five opener away to Chile’s Palestino Olimpo at La Bombonera on Sunday. River minute before the interval. on Wednesday. Plate also won 4-1 at promoted Sarmiento The outstanding Gago might have scored River’s new signing Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez while title holders Racing Club were the only again five minutes into the second half but laid on two first half goals and Colombian big name club to lose on the opening week- goalkeeper Nereo Champagne uncorked a striker Teo Gutierrez, the 2014 South end of the controversial 30-team champi- brilliant reflex save to tip the Boca playmaker’s American footballer of the year, scored twice onship after a 1-0 home defeat by Rosario shot over the bar. in the second as River romped to victory at Central on Friday. Sarmiento, back in the top flight for the first Substitute forward Sebastian Palacios PALACIOS VOLLEY time since 1982. scored two second half goals to secure Boca’s Olimpo almost went in front in the 62nd On Saturday, Libertadores Cup holders San victory after Argentina World Cup midfielder minute when Juan Cobo looked set to score Lorenzo won 2-0 at home to promoted Colon Fernando Gago had put them ahead with a from a corner but Orion scrambled across and Independiente beat Newell’s Old Boys 3-2 29th-minute penalty. goal to save. in Rosario. “I thought we played well overall even if Palacios came on right after Olimpo’s The unprecedented 30-team champi- we were too hurried up front in the first half missed chance and 11 minutes later volleyed onship, brainchild of late Argentine FA presi- and lost concentration (for their equaliser) Boca in front after latching on to a poor clear- dent and FIFA vice-president Julio Grondona, before halftime,” Gago told reporters. ance by Champagne. has gone ahead despite much criticism with Boca were awarded the penalty when The stocky striker made sure of the result 10 teams promoted from the second-tier PARIS: Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas (foreground) during a training session at their train- defender Ivan Furios held Daniel Diaz in a firm when he tapped home winger Federico Primera B Nacional. ing ground in Cobham. Chelsea will play Paris Saint Germain in a Champions League grip around his arms and waist at a free kick Carrizo’s low left cross in the 86th minute. Teams will play each other once in the sea- knock out round of sixteen today. —AP having been warned for taking hold of the Argentine-born Italy striker Osvaldo signed son, at home or away depending on the draw, centre back at a previous set piece in the for Boca on Thursday on loan from along with an extra fixture for derbies or “cla- Olimpo box. Southampton having quit Inter Milan after sicos”. —Reuters CL Preview Injury hit PSG prepare for Chelsea

PARIS: Paris St Germain were never going to that Blaise Matuidi will be fit after picking up start as favorites against Chelsea in their a knock against Caen. Champions League last 16 clash but Last September, PSG beat Barcelona 3-1 Saturday’s catalogue of injuries has dam- while they were without Lavezzi and Zlatan aged the French champions’ chances even Ibrahimovic. Jose Mourinho, Chelsea’s man- further at the worst possible time. ager, remains wary of the Ibrahimovic threat PSG were cruising to a 2-0 victory against even though he has been far from his best Caen in Ligue 1 but a series of injuries meant this season, just like PSG. they finished the game with nine men and The Swede, however, did score only his conceded two late goals in a 2-2 draw that fourth goal from open play this season left them third in the table. Among those against Caen. “Zlatan is a beast,” Chelsea injured were utility back Marquinhos and striker Diego Costa told Sport Magazine. “He forward Lucas, who were set to start the first is among the best strikers in football history. leg against Chelsea at the Parc des Princes David Luiz says playing with Ibrahimovic on Tuesday, a repeat of last year’s quarter- was a major factor in him moving to PSG final which the London club won on away from Chelsea. “Of course Mourinho knows goals. him well from Inter and will have a plan to Gregory van der Wiel and Ezequiel try to stop him but when Zlatan is on form Lavezzi are likely to deputise but manager he is unplayable,” David Luiz told the Mail on Laurent Blanc will also be without the Sunday. Chelsea had an unexpected week- injured Yohan Cabaye and Serge Aurier. end off having exited the FA Cup against These problems only put more pressure third tier Bradford City and the Premier on Blanc, who will feel further heat from League leaders have no major injury con- PSG’s Qatari owners if the club fail to qualify. cerns as they turn their attention to making He is adopting a brave face, though. progress in Europe. Another factor working “We were already in difficulty like this in their favor. “Jose Mourinho is a genius. He before the first game against Barcelona (in lost his Cup game and gave himself one the group stages) and we managed to pull more week to prepare for the return leg,” ARGENTINA: Boca Juniors’ forward Sebastian Palacios (right) strikes to score the team’s second goal against Olimpo during their Argentine First through,” said Blanc, who is at least hopeful Blanc joked with reporters. —Reuters Division football match. —AFP West edge East Bayern hit form, in NBA All-Star Shakhtar await Game

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 201517 19 Why can’t Pakistan beat India in the World Cup? Page 18

DUBAI: Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova returns the ball to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during the 1st Round of the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. — AFP Pliskova enjoys start at Dubai Open

DUBAI:- Czech talent Karolina Pliskova, 22, gave a fur- Pliskova could go on to a last-16 tie with Ana champion from Hubei province. in the second set tie-break when her lob landed on the ther hint of an exciting future to come as she got the Ivanovic, the former world number one from Serbia, and It was nevertheless a very competent opening per- line at six points all. better of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Dubai Open if she were to progress further then a meeting with formance by the 29-year-old from Tianjin. After going a But the ball was wrongly called out and Cornet, who yesterday. Venus Williams, the defending champion, is a possibility. break down in the first set against Vesnina, who not long had already used her allocation of three video reviews, The 17th-seeded Czech with the booming serve and Earlier Peng Shuai, the Chinese number one who is sad- ago was on the verge of the top 20 herself, Peng broke was unable to challenge it. the stridently attacking game won 6-2, 6-4 against the dled with the task of filling the shoes of the legendary Li back immediately. After that the match lasted another up-and-down 70 former world number 13 from Russia, quickly overcom- Na, made skilful progress in dealing with that unwanted That altered the momentum of the contest complete- minutes and Cornet, 25, was still cross about the deci- ing the disappointment of losing a break of serve in the role both on and off the court. The 16th-seeded Peng ly, launching Peng to a winning sequence of 10 of the sion after an emotionally draining victory. second set and closing out the match at the first followed her 7-5, 6-1 first-round win over Elena Vesnina next 12 games and eventually to a second-round tie “You know what I told the chair umpire?” said Cornet, attempt. by adroitly avoiding questions about following the only with Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova. The winner should who lost last year’s final in straight sets to Venus Nominated for the most improved player award after Chinese player to have won a Grand Slam singles title. play the top seed, Simona Halep. Williams. “I told her, ‘when you will see the replay, you two titles and five finals last year, Pliskova has also “Everybody has a different body, different game,” she On Sunday, Alize Cornet, who sensationally beat will think of me, you will think of me’”. enjoyed a fine start to 2015. “It’s a good start but I’m just answered to the comparisons. “Everybody can’t do bet- world number one Serena Williams in last year’s semi- Earlier Flavia Pennetta, the former top 20 Italian, pro- trying to continue the progress of last year,” said the ter than Serena (Williams). final, escaped from danger in one of the Dubai Open’s vided a substantial payback to organisers, who had giv- woman from Prague, who smartly avoided any compar- When the questioner corrected her by saying “Li Na”, longest ever women’s matches. en her a wild card, by recovering dramatically to win her isons with her compatriots Martina Navratilova, the win- Peng retorted: “I know.” She then caused laughter by say- The 15th-seeded Frenchwoman trailed 0-3 in the final first round match. ner of 18 Grand Slam titles, and Petra Kvitova, the reign- ing: “You mean if one day Venus retires, Serena retires, set against Kirsten Flipkens, before winning 6-0, 7-6 Pennetta’s attempts to enter the $2.5 million tourna- ing Wimbledon champion. “I don’t think that helps me,” and everybody say, ‘okay, can I do better than Serena?’” (8/6), 6-3 against the former Wimbledon semi-finalist ment had only happened after the official deadline, and she said. “There are a lot of things I need to improve, This brought temporary relief for Peng, whose satire from Belgium. after getting her belated acceptance the 32-year-old such as my movement, even though I now have my about the 19-time Grand Slam champion implied that The match lasted three hour and 11 minutes, even responded with an emotional 2-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over highest ranking. But it’s really nice to get more attention she cannot reasonably be expected to match the though the first set took a mere 20 minutes and Germany’s Julia Goerges, also a former top 20 player, to - that’s a big help for me.” exploits of the former French and Australian Open although Cornet appeared to have reached match point score her first victory of the year. —AFP

Nishikori grabs Armstrong must pay Memphis title $10M after losing dispute DALLAS: Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong went to court and settled the MEMPHIS: Kei Nishikori extended his ond with a break for a 3-2 lead, coming Armstrong, who was stripped of seven case for $7.5 million in 2006 after swear- Memphis Open reign on Sunday, up with a running backhand down the Tour de France titles for doping, must ing he had won the race without taking defeating Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4 to line passing shot on break point. pay $10 million (8.8 million euros) after performance-enhancing drugs. win his third straight title at the ATP The drama wasn’t done, however. losing an arbitration dispute with SCA Armstrong’s confession of doping in hardcourt tournament. Serving for the match at 5-4, he raced Promotions. The Texas firm announced 2013 prompted SCA to reopen the mat- The top-seeded Japanese cap- to a 40-0 lead, but Anderson held on yesterday in a statement that the arbitra- ter and the arbitration panel conducted tured his eighth ATP crown, and his for deuce. After the South African tion panel punished Armstrong for “an a new hearing. SCA had sought $12 mil- first since he won in Tokyo in pushed a backhand long, Nishikori unparalleled pageant of international lion from Armstrong, including legal October. That was one of two titles sealed the win on his fourth opportu- perjury, fraud and conspiracy.” fees. Nishikori captured late last year after nity, when Anderson went wide with a The award, what SCA said was “This record breaking award was jus- a breakthrough run to the final of forehand. believed to be the largest sanction tified given Armstrong’s outrageous con- the US Open. Anderson, the world number 15 assessed against an individual in duct,” SCA attorney Jeff Tillotson said, This year, the world number five who received a wild card into the tour- American judicial history, was made adding, “the panel of arbitrators deter- hadn’t made it to a final until this nament, fired 12 aces, but was broken public when SCA filed a motion with a mined that Armstrong ‘continued to lie week, but a return to Memphis three times as he endured his sixth Dallas court to have the arbitration rul- to the panel throughout the final hear- proved the tonic he needed. “It feels straight ATP finals defeat. ing confirmed into a judgment against ing even while admitting to prior false- great,” said Nishikori, who became His only titles came at the 2011 Armstrong. hoods and other wrongful conduct.’” the first man to win three straight South African Open and in 2012 at “We are very pleased with this result,” Arbitrators ruled Armstrong “used titles at Memphis since the tourna- Delray Beach, Florida, where he now SCA Promotions president Bob Hamman perjury and other wrongful conduct to ment began in 1975. “I think I’m resides. “He played a really solid said. “It is hard to describe how much secure millions of dollars of benefits” going to move here soon.” match,” Anderson said. “I have to give harm Lance Armstrong’s web of lies from SCA, saying the fallen cycling star His win over the second-seeded credit to him. I had little opportunities caused SCA but this is a good first start committed “perjury on every issue” in Anderson, in 75 minutes, was his most but I just played a few loose games. He towards repairing that damage.” the case and finding Armstrong “intimi- complete performance of the week, came up with the good shots when it Armstrong, 43, received $4.5 million dated and pressured other witnesses to and his first match of the tournament mattered.” in bonus payments from SCA for win- lie” and “used a false personal and emo- in which he captured the opening set. For his third Memphis Open title, ning the Tour de France from 2001-2003 tional appeal to perpetuate” his lies. “I returned really well,” Nishikori Nishikori was awarded a trophy of a under SCA’s deal with the US Postal Armstrong admitted in the hearing said. “I felt a lot of confidence and one-of-a-kind Gibson electric guitar. “I Service team owners. he did not tell the truth about his earlier played a lot of deep balls to put pres- love it,” he said. “I’ve never done before, MEMPHIS: Kei Nishikori, of Japan, looks up at confetti as he is pre- But SCA refused to pay Armstrong a doping but arbitrators wrote that he sure on him. I played almost perfect guitar, but I think I will have to get a sented with a guitar trophy after defeating Kevin Anderson, of South $5 million bonus for his 2004 triumph. “expressed no remorse.” — AFP today.” Nishikori took charge in the sec- lesson.” — AFP Africa, in the championship match of the Memphis Open. — AP UAE banks’ profit growth to dip to 5-6% in 2015: S&P

Page 22 Oil industry seeks Business opportunity in adversity TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Page 25 Japan economy ‘limped out of recession in 2014’ Chery Tiggo SUV to the lucky winner Page 26 Page 23

BRUSSELS: European Central Bank Governor Mario Draghi (center) and European Commissioner for Monetary Affairs Pierre Moscovici left)( arrive for a meeting of eurogroup finance ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels yesterday. — AP Greece battles euro-zone in bailout standoff Negotiators trade barbs over rewriting debt program

BRUSSELS: Greece and its skeptical euro-zone partners all the while keeping the country in the 19-member euro- cated but I am certain that we can agree. The will to agree is The challenge is to find wording that satisfies all sides traded barbs yesterday over rewriting the country’s massive zone. there,” Moscovici said. after an informal Eurogroup finance ministers meeting on bailout program, deepening a bitter standoff ahead of a To meet that promise, Tsipras is asking his euro-zone At the height of the debt crisis in 2011-12 the possibility Wednesday ended in chaos without even an agreed state- make-or-break meeting in Brussels. partners to ditch the current bailout deal and to agree to six that Greece would crash out of the euro panicked world ment. The hard-left government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras months of short-term funding to buy the time to hammer markets, afraid the crisis in Athens would doom the currency “I think today we need a decision of general principle on is trying to win a significant overhaul to the terms of its 240 out a new agreement, this time without austerity conditions. bloc and destabilise the global economy. Analysts say this is whether Greece wants to extend the current program or a billion euro bailout which it says has damaged the Greek “We don’t need money, we need time to realize our reform much less likely now because of changes made to strength- completely new program-or if they want to head on without economy after years of imposed austerity. plans,” Tsipras said on Sunday, two days after his first en the euro-zone’s defenses but markets are still watching any program though I think that is the least probable,” a But influential German Finance Minister Wolfgang encounter with Germany’s austerity champion Chancellor Monday’s talks closely. European source said. Schaeuble set an uncompromising tone ahead of the meet- Angela Merkel at an EU summit. Greece will be represented The Greek stock exchange dropped by more than 3.0 per- The European Union and the International Monetary ing of the euro-zone’s 19 finance ministers, accusing the by new finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, a hard-charging cent ahead of the 1400 GMT meeting, but European markets Fund rescued Greece in 2010 and again in 2012 at a cost of Tsipras government of being irresponsible. “I feel sorry for professor and blogger, who wrote in an opinion piece before were little changed overall, waiting to see what emerged in some 240 billion euros ($273 billion). This included a hugely the Greeks at the moment. They’ve elected a government the talks that Greece was not interested “in playing games”. Brussels. controversial private sector debt write-down worth more which is currently acting irresponsibly,” Schaeuble told “The great difference between this government and pre- than 100 billion euros, the biggest ever. German public radio. vious Greek governments is twofold: We are determined to ‘Decision of principle’ In return, previous Greek governments agreed to a series “My guess is that it’s all a big game of poker for this new clash with mighty vested interests in order to reboot Greece The euro-zone’s 18 other member states widely favour a of deep austerity measures and much-resented oversight by government,” he said, adding that it was up to Greece to and gain our partners’ trust,” Varoufakis wrote in the New straight rollover of the current Greek program which ends the EU, IMF and ECB ‘troika’ to make sure it stuck to the decide if it wanted to remain in the euro-zone and to take York Times. this month and categorically refuse to write-off any more of bailout terms. the necessary steps if so. “We are also determined not to be treated as a debt Greece’s huge mountain of debt. But Athens refuses any The deal kept Greece in the euro-zone but it also left colony that should suffer what it must,” he said. Arriving for extension of the detested current program, a stance that Athens with a debt mountain of 315 billion euros, about ‘Debt colony’ the talks, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre especially infuriates Germany, arguing that it has only made 1.75 times the size of its economy. Athens has said this bur- Tsipras was swept into power after elections last month Moscovici said he believed a deal was within reach despite the problems worse and has been rejected by the Greek den will never realistically be repaid and many analysts on a promise to tear up Greece’s current bailout agreement, the acrimony. “This is a discussion that I know will be compli- people at the polls. agree. — AFP Iraq-Kurdish crude oil Markets retreat on oil, results and dividends export deal in jeopardy BAGHDAD/ARBIL: A deal aimed at resolving a dispute MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS between Baghdad and Kurdish regional authorities over crude oil exports looked fragile yesterday with the semi-autonomous DUBAI: Dubai and Egypt fell yesterday ahead of a in the red. Emaar Properties, the emirate’s largest Profit growth at UAE banks is expected to slow region’s prime minister threatening to withhold exports. new dual listing on both markets by Orascom listed developer, dropped 3.6 percent after post- to 5-6 percent in 2015 as macroeconomic chal- Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a temporary oil Construction and other Gulf stock exchanges ing a 14 percent increase in fourth-quarter profit. lenges and the absence of big improvements in export agreement reached in December, but Kurdish Prime were also weak after an oil rally stuttered. The stock surged 4.6 percent ahead of the earn- asset quality strangle lenders’ earnings, Standard & Minister Nechirvan Barzani cautioned Baghdad against break- Brent crude, which surged at the end of last ings release on Sunday. Emaar’s profit was slight- Poor’s said yesterday. Another factor that may ing its side of the bargain. “If they don’t send the budget, we week, was nearly flat by 1000 GMT when most ly higher than analyst estimates, but Dubai’s have prompted Dubai investors to sell stocks and Gulf markets closed, with an oversupply continu- retail investors may have hoped for a bigger sur- bolster their cash holdings was the upcoming list- won’t send oil,” he said in comments published by Rudaw online ing to weigh on the market despite data showing prise. ing of Orascom Construction . newspaper. Japan had pulled out of recession. But crude Also, according to Naeem Brokerage, Emaar The Amsterdam-listed firm has started proceed- A temporary agreement was reached in December whereby edged up later in the day after Kuwait’s oil minis- reported off-plan sales of only about 1.0 billion ings for the demerger of the company’s units, with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) agreed to export ter said lower supply levels would support prices dirhams in the fourth quarter, down from 1.5 bil- its engineering and construction business to be 550,000 barrels per day of oil from its own fields and Kirkuk in the second half of the year. lion, 3.0 billion and 6.0 billion in the third, second listed on exchanges on Cairo’s Egyptian Exchange through Iraq’s state marketing authority SOMO. In return, Still, the main index on Saudi Arabia’s later- and first quarters, respectively. and Nasdaq Dubai. Egypt’s index dropped 2.0 per- Baghdad would reinstate budget payments to the Kurds, which closing bourse slipped 0.3 percent, giving back “Whilst falling oil prices and a weakening euro cent as Orascom said it would also sell new shares it had cut early in 2014 as punishment for the region’s moves to some of the previous day’s 2.3 percent gain. could be of a concern for the overall UAE econo- in Egypt. Institutional investors’ book building export oil independently. Saudi Electricity Company, which surged its daily my, we do not expect any significant impact on process will take place between Feb. 19-26, while Barzani said Baghdad had only offered to send $300 million 10 percent limit on Sunday, tumbled 7.1 percent Emaar as such,” Naeem said in a note. Almost 75 subscription for retail investors will be between in Sunday’s talks, “less than half of what we agreed on earlier”. and was the main drag on the kingdom’s bench- percent of Emaar’s revenue this year is expected March 1-4. “Obviously we have an agreement with a bankrupt country,” mark. to come from sectors other than Dubai real Juhayna Food Industries, one of Egypt’s largest he said. The December agreement was hailed as a break- Methanol Chemicals Company fell 2.2 percent estate development, Naeem said, while the com- dairy product and juice makers, tumbled 4.1 per- after posting a 55 percent drop in fourth-quarter pany’s tourism business is likely to prosper and cent after it posted a 48 percent fall in full-year net through helping Iraq increase oil exports at a time when rev- profit and proposing no cash dividend for 2014. initial public offers of its hotel unit and Egyptian profit yesterday on higher input prices as well as enues are strained by low global prices and the cost of financ- Eastern Province Cement tumbled 8.0 percent subsidiary could unlock additional value. currency rates. Oman’s market, up 0.3 percent, was ing a war against Islamic State militants in the north and west. after proposing a 2.50 riyals cash dividend for Banking sector stocks fell both in Dubai and the only gainer in the region. Telecom operator The deal enabled Baghdad to pass a budget last month for 2014, down from 3.50 riyals a year earlier. Abu Dhabi as the latter’s main benchmark fell 1.0 Omantel added 0.6 percent after keeping its divi- the first time since 2013. Arez Abdullah, chairman of parlia- DUBAI, EGYPT percent. Dubai Islamic Bank dropped 2.0 percent dend for the second half of 2014 flat despite an 11 ment’s oil and energy panel, said Kurdish officials proposed Dubai’s index fell 3.3 percent with most stocks and First Gulf Bank lost 1.4 percent. percent fall in fourth-quarter profit. — Reuters Baghdad resume initial payments. “They are discussing now ways to reach a compromise,” he told Reuters. — Reuters TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 BUSINESS UAE banks’ profit growth News in brief

US dollar stable to dip to 5-6% in 2015: S&P against dinar at 0.295 KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Kuwaiti dinar was stable yesterday at KD 0.295, Agency sees weaker economy, poor asset quality while the euro went up to reach KD 0.337 compared to Saturday’s exchange rates, said the daily bulletin of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK). The sterling DUBAI: Profit growth at banks in the United Arab However, lower oil prices are expected to feed through growth will not be as much as last year, and credit losses Emirates (UAE) is expected to slip to 5-6 percent in 2015 into reduced economic growth in the Gulf Arab state this might increase slightly,” Engin said. pound exchange went up to reach KD 0.455, while as macroeconomic challenges and the absence of big year, which will reduce demand for new lending from Despite the subdued earnings growth compared with the Swiss franc was stable at KD 0.318 and the improvements in asset quality strangle lenders’ earnings, companies and in some cases will increase default levels recent increases, UAE banks are unlikely to face a similar Japanese yen remained unchanged at KD 0.002. Standard & Poor’s said yesterday. on existing debts, according to a report from the ratings situation to the turn of the decade, when the bursting of a UAE lenders have enjoyed bumper earnings growth in agency. This should trim sector-wide profit growth this real estate bubble and debt problems at Dubai state- recent quarters, aided by buoyant economic conditions year to 5-6 percent from 22 percent in 2014, with return owned companies hammered the local economy and Egyptian pound locally, strong credit growth and the reduction in levels of on average assets dropping by 20-30 basis points from forced banks to set aside billions of dirhams to offset remains steady cash set aside to cover bad debts. the 1.9 percent registered in the first nine months of soured lending. This is because the government compa- In the final quarter of last year the top eight UAE banks 2014, Timucin Engin, the report’s lead analyst, told nies are structurally stronger and have reduced debt lev- CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank kept the pound steady at by assets all reported year-on-year net profit growth of reporters. els. There is also less debt at the developer level in the real 7.53 to the dollar at a foreign exchange auction yester- between 13 percent and 82 percent, building on succes- “It (lower profit growth) comes from two things: the estate sector, which should prevent the level of defaulting day, but the local currency continued to strengthen on sive quarters of strong growth earlier in the year. deceleration of balance-sheet growth, so the revenue seen at the end of the last decade, Engin said. —Reuters the black market, traders said. The central bank has now kept the official exchange rate steady for the past two weeks at its auctions, after letting the pound weaken since Jan 18 in an effort to wipe out black-market trad- Cost cuts help ing. It typically holds auctions every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The decision to stabilize the Batelco maintain currency may be because the bank does not want the profit trend pound to depreciate too far and hopes that other recent measures will have an impact on the black mar- DUBAI: Bahrain Telecommunications Co (Batelco) ket, analysts said. The clampdown on the black market reported a 22 percent increase in fourth-quarter prof- comes alongside government efforts to bolster the it yesterday, upping its annual dividend thanks to economy and burnish Egypt’s image before a major cost cuts and a boost to the bottom line at its domes- investment conference next month. tic and some foreign operations. The former monop- oly, which operates in 14 territories, has now posted rising profits in four of the six quarters since its $570 Qalaa seeking to raise million acquisition of the islands division of Cable & $300m through divestments Wireless. Before that deal, its biggest ever, Batelco’s profit CAIRO: Qalaa Holdings, one of Egypt’s largest invest- fell in 16 of 17 quarters to the three months ending ment companies, is seeking to raise $300 million June 30, 2013. Batelco made a net profit of 8.4 million over the medium term through divestments, the dinars ($22.28 million) in final three months of 2014, company said in a statement on Egypt’s stock up from 6.9 million dinars a year earlier, Reuters calcu- exchange. Qalaa has some $9.5 billion in assets lated based on a company financial statement pub- lished yesterday. under management, including dozens of firms main- SICO Bahrain forecast that Batelco would post ly in Egypt, east and north Africa. quarterly profit of 15.3 million dinars. Batelco’s fourth-quarter revenue was 97.8 million dinars, down from 99.4 million dinars a year ago, TOKYO: A girl drinks tea in front of an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. Egypt issues $1.12bn in Reuters calculated. Domestically, Batelco competes Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 was up 91.41 points from Friday at 18,004.77 as Asian stock markets mostly rose dollar denominated t-bills with units of Kuwait’s Zain and Saudi Telecom as well yesterday after Japan emerged from recession last quarter. —AP CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank said it sold $1.12 billion in as about 10 internet providers. Such fierce competition on an island of about 1.3 one-year, dollar-denominated treasury bills at an aver- million people prompted the state-backed operator age yield of 2.23 percent at its auction yesterday. The to expand abroad, completing the Cable & Wireless Abu Dhabi’s NMC Health minimum yield was 2.2 percent and the maximum yield deal in April 2013, though some parts of its original was 2.25 percent, the bank said. Egypt last sold $971.3 proposal subsequently fell foul of regulators. million in one-year treasury bills at an auction in The company also owns Jordanian telecoms oper- signs $825 million loan January at an average yield of 2.125 percent. The gov- ator Umniah, plus minority stakes in Yemeni mobile ernment has mostly relied on the local money market operator Sabafon and companies in Kuwait and Saudi ABU DHABI: NMC Health, the London- expected to be priced initially at 100 Union National Bank have underwritten Arabia. Batelco’s 2014 annual profit rose 13 percent listed United Arab Emirates (UAE) basis points over the one-month the facility, Prasanth Manghat, deputy to finance its deficit since early 2011, when an uprising year on year to 49.3 million dinars, it said in the state- healthcare provider, has agreed a five- London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), chief executive at NMC told Reuters. unleashed a prolonged period of political and econom- ment. It recommended a dividend of 25 fils per share year $825 million loan with a group of with the dirhams part priced at 70 basis “It is not a purely liquidity-driven ic volatility that deterred many foreign investors. It for 2014, up from 19 fils in 2013, according to Reuters six banks that will be used pay down points about the Emirates equivalent transaction, it shows the confidence of plans to tap international investors for $1.5 billion in calculations. existing debt and fund acquisitions, the (EIBOR). The second tranche of $475 the banks in NMC and in the UAE’s bonds this year. Annual domestic profit rose 6.4 percent to 37.8 company said yesterday. The Abu million is for acquisitions, NMC said, and healthcare sector,” Manghat said. NMC, million dinars despite falling income, while profits at Dhabi-based company said the facility is a delayed draw-down facility priced at founded by billionaire Indian entrepre- its Jordan and Maldives units jumped 41 and 47 per- was divided into two tranches, with a margin over one-month LIBOR/EIBOR, neur B R Shetty, is one of the largest pri- Etisalat’s Egypt unit cent respectively. Batelco attributed the annual both priced in a mix of US dollars and which may fluctuate as per the loan vate sector healthcare providers in the increase to cost cutting across its operations, particu- UAE dirhams, and should save it up to terms. UAE and is expected to see rising signs $120m loan larly in Bahrain, though it warned that “revenues con- $3.75 million a year in interest pay- NMC said it planned to establish cen- demand from a boom in so-called DUBAI: Etisalat’s Egyptian telecom subsidiary tinues to be affected by fierce competition across the ments. tres of excellence in specific, but uniden- “lifestyle diseases” in the Gulf, as higher Etisalat Misr has signed a $120 million three-year group, mainly in voice services”. Batelco’s 2014 rev- The first tranche, for $350 million, is tified, medical fields at its existing hospi- incomes and unhealthy diets create loan with HSBC and National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the enue rose 5 percent to 389.7 million dinars, with an amortizing loan and will be used to tals and also expand its presence in the health problems. parent firm said yesterday. The two banks will each operations outside Bahrain providing 58 percent of refinance existing debts of NMC and its rest of the Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia NMC operates general and specialist the total. The group’s subscriber base rose 6 percent subsidiaries and for general corporate Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, hospitals, pharmacies and medical cen- provide $60 million, Abu Dhabi-listed Etisalat wrote year-on-year to about 9.5 million. —Reuters purposes. Commercial Bank of Dubai, Goldman tres across the UAE with plans to expand in an emailed response to questions from Reuters. The dollar part of this tranche is Sachs, HSBC, Standard Chartered and across the Gulf. —Reuters “The loans come in the context of our desire to diver- sify our sources of funding ... to increase our compet- itiveness,” Etisalat Misr Chief Executive Saeed Al- Al Baraka Bank plans first sukuk for Jordan Hamli said in the statement. The largest listed com- pany in the United Arab Emirates and the country’s MANAMA: Bahrain-based Al Baraka Banking Group is Al Baraka units in Pakistan and Turkey which have allowed regulators introduced long-awaited rules allowing biggest telecom operator by subscribers, Etisalat planning on issuing its first Islamic bonds, or sukuk, for its them to boost regulatory capital as Basel III global bank- both the public and private sectors to issue sharia- owns 66 percent of Etisalat Misr. The Egyptian unit Jordanian unit later this year, chief executive Adnan ing standards are being phased in around the globe. compliant debt. accounted for about - 1.2 billion dirhams ($326.71 Ahmed Yousif told Reuters. In December, Jordan Islamic amended its articles of Al Baraka is also planning a sukuk for its South African million) or 9 percent of Etisalat’s third-quarter rev- Jordan Islamic Bank, the oldest of four Islamic banks in association to allow it to both issue and buy sukuk, as unit this year, said Yousif. This would come on the heels of enue, Reuters calculations showed. The Egyptian unit Jordan and the largest in terms of assets, is planning a 10- well as to establish special purpose vehicles for such a $500 million sovereign deal issued in September, with had 1.48 billion dirhams of debt as of Sept. 30, its year local currency sukuk by year-end, said Yousif, without transactions. Authorities in Jordan have taken steps to South Africa’s National Treasury now considering a retail financial statements showed. giving a size for the transaction. This would mirror deals by facilitate sukuk transactions over the past year: In July, sukuk for 2016. —Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.565 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Nepalese Rupees 3.975 Singapore Dollar 0.215690 0.221690 South African Rand 0.019455 0.027955 ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 83.445 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001885 0.002465 Japanese Yen 2.527 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.870 Taiwan 0.009314 0.009494 Indian Rupees 4.798 Australian Dollar 226.92 Thai Bhat 10.060 Pakistani Rupees 2.918 Canadian Dollar 242.06 Turkish Lira 120.790 Thai Baht 0.008748 0.009298 Srilankan Rupees 2.217 Swiss Franc 323.60 Nepali Rupees 3.002 Euro 341.47 Arab Singapore Dollar 219.200 US Dollar 296.50 Bahrain Exchange Company Bahraini Dinar 0.780011 0.788011 Hongkong Dollar 38.133 Sterling Pound 460.01 Egyptian Pound 0.035956 0.039056 Japanese Yen 2.54 Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Bangladesh Taka 3.793 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Philippine Peso 6.706 Bangladesh Taka 3.811 Iraqi Dinar 0.000191 0.000251 Europe Thai Baht 9.101 Indian Rupee 4.766 Jordanian Dinar 0.414149 0.421649 Belgian Franc 0.007726 0.008728 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.221 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 British Pound 0.450567 0.459567 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Nepali Rupee 2.980 Lebanese Pound 0.000147 0.000247 Pakistani Rupee 2.930 Czech Korune 0.004264 0.016264 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022000 0.046000 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 80.57 Danish Krone 0.041466 0.046466 Nigerian Naira 0.001210 0.001845 Saudi Riyal 78.811 Bahraini Dinar 786.95 Euro 0.332804 0.340804 Omani Riyal 0.764111 0.769791 Qatari Riyal 81.270 Egyptian Pound 38.76 Norwegian Krone 0.035168 0.040368 Qatar Riyal 0.080730 0.081943 Omani Riyal 768.650 Jordanian Dinar 421.29 Romanian Leu 0.085049 0.085049 Saudi Riyal 0.078430 0.079130 Bahraini Dinar 785.700 Omani Riyal 768.93 Slovakia 0.008733 0.018733 Syrian Pound 0.001269 0.001389 UAE Dirham 80.561 Qatari Riyal 81.65 Swedish Krona 0.031279 0.036279 Tunisian Dinar 0.150684 0.158684 Saudi Riyal 78.98 Swiss Franc 0.313438 0.323638 Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 UAE Dirhams 0.079745 0.080894 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.065 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Yemeni Riyal 0.001339 0.001419 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.822 Australasia Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.381 Australian Dollar 0.222280 0.233780 Tunisian Dinar 153.610 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate New Zealand Dollar 0.215554 0.225054 Al Mulla Exchange Jordanian Dinar 417.130 US Dollar 296.250 America Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.985 Canadian Dollar 240.710 Canadian Dollar 0.233203 0.241703 Syrian Lira 2.108 Sterling Pound 457.775 US Dollars 0.292400 0.297100 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 31.291 Euro 340.055 US Dollars Mint 0.292900 0.297100 US Dollar 295.600 Swiss Frank 275.655 Euro 334.700 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Bahrain Dinar 788.025 Asia Pound Sterlng 450.800 US Dollar Transfer 295.700 UAE Dirhams 81.035 Bangladesh Taka 0.003508 0.004108 Canadian Dollar 236.700 Euro 336.800 Qatari Riyals 82.195 Chinese Yuan 0.046133 0.049633 Indian Rupee 4.765 Sterling Pound 445.692 Saudi Riyals 79.190 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036143 0.038893 Egyptian Pound 38.710 Canadian dollar 234.870 Jordanian Dinar 418.150 Indian Rupee 0.004462 0.004863 Turkish lira 121.540 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.219 Egyptian Pound 38.750 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Bangladesh Taka 3.796 Swiss Franc 321.410 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.222 Japanese Yen 0.002418 0.002598 Australian Dollar 231.090 Philippines Peso 6.685 Indian Rupees 4.763 Kenyan Shilling 0.003285 0.003285 US Dollar Buying 294.500 Pakistan Rupee 2.925 Pakistani Rupees 2.923 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Bahraini Dinar 787.100 Bangladesh Taka 3.806 Malaysian Ringgit 0.079324 0.085324 GOLD UAE Dirham 80.450 Philippines Pesso 6.692 20 gram 238.100 Nepalese Rupee 0.003031 0.003201 Saudi Riyal 79.000 Cyprus pound 727.170 Pakistan Rupee 0.002698 0.002978 10 gram 121.740 *Rates are subject to change 5 gram 61.560 Japanese Yen 3.495 Philippine Peso 0.006589 0.006869 BUSINESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Cyprus eyes gas export pipeline to Egypt

NICOSIA: Cyprus signed an energy deal with Egypt yesterday that could see the island supplying its Mediterranean neigh- bor with gas. Cyprus is keen to exploit the Aphrodite field off its southeastern coast but the reserves proven so far are not considered sufficient to make it viable for the island to devel- op onshore export infrastructure of its own. Monday’s deal authorizes the “Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company and the Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company to examine technical solutions for transporting natural gas, through a direct marine pipeline, from the Aphrodite field to Egypt.” “This will optimize the use of the gas infrastructure and achieve an added value for both Cyprus and Egypt,” a joint statement said. The two sides aim to conclude a comprehen- sive agreement within six months. Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab was in Nicosia for the signing of the agree- ment by Cyprus Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis and his Egyptian counterpart Sherif Ismail. The Aphrodite field (Block 12), which was found by US firm Noble Energy in 2011, is estimated to contain between 102 billion and 170 billion cubic metres (3.6 trillion and six trillion cubic feet) of gas. The island needs to find more reserves to make a proposed liquefied natural gas plant at Vassiliko on the south coast financially viable. But France’s Total and Italian-Korean venture ENI-Kogas have yet to find signs of underwater riches in other exploration blocks. — AFP

Oil steadies around $61, Kuwait sees support

TOKYO: A snow-capped Mount Fuji (C) is pictured behind a construction site in Tokyo yesterday. Japan’s economy limped out of recession in the last quarter of 2014, official data LONDON: Oil steadied around $61 a barrel yesterday, showed yesterday, but annual growth was flat and the weaker-than-expected figures were likely to boost calls for more central bank stimulus. — AFP holding gains from last week, after Kuwait’s oil minister said lower supply levels would support prices in the sec- ond half of the year. The recent rally “will start holding gains now and Japan economy ‘limped hopefully in the second half of 2015 we will see better prices”, the minister, Ali Al-Omair, said. Supported by signs of lower industry spending, the price of Brent crude has increased by more than 30 percent in the last four out of recession in 2014’ weeks. In January it hit $45.19, the lowest in almost six years, after collapsing from $115 in June due to oversup- ply. Omair said the current oil surplus was now “definitely lower” than 1.8 million barrels per day. Weaker growth to prompt BoJ to unveil more stimulus Benchmark Brent futures traded at $60.89 a barrel, down 63 cents, by 0920 GMT. US crude was down 55 TOKYO: Japan’s economy limped out of recession in the last Last month, Japan’s central bank slashed its inflation out- and pushed the yen down, a plus for exporters. The tax rise cents at $52.23. Trading volumes were reduced as US quarter of 2014, official data showed yesterday, but analysts look as plunging oil prices dent efforts to end years of defla- from 5.0 percent to 8.0 percent was introduced to help pay markets remained closed for a public holiday. Oil markets said the weaker-than-expected growth would likely press the tion. down Japan’s enormous national debt, one of the biggest rose strongly last week after another drop in the US rig central bank to introduce fresh stimulus measures. But the bank-which holds its next policy meeting this among wealthy nations. count, pushing Brent back above $60 a barrel for the first The 0.6 percent expansion in the world’s number three week-held off expanding its massive monetary easing pro- However, faced with souring economic data, Abe delayed a time since December. “Now we need to watch and see if economy in October-December-or 2.2 percent on an annual- gramme and boosted its growth forecasts, saying the econo- second hike planned for this year to 2017. “Growth was slower $60 can hold as a support line,” said Olivier Jakob, oil ana- ized basis-follows two consecutive quarters of contraction my would expand 2.1 percent in the year to March 2016, up than we had expected but the Japanese economy seems to lyst at Petromatrix in Zug, Switzerland. “I think that’s real- that came as an April sales tax rise hammered consumer from an earlier 1.5 percent forecast. be heading in the right direction,” said Hideo Kumano, chief ly the level to watch on Brent.” spending. But economists had expected a stronger 0.9 per- economist at Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, referring to the Escalating conflicts with Islamic State militants and an cent expansion on-quarter, and over the full year the prelimi- Sales tax pain latest data. attack on an oil pipeline in Libya helped support prices. nary data showed zero growth, compared with 1.6 percent in Japan’s heavy post-Fukushima energy bills-as Tokyo He added that wage hikes will be key to sustaining a recov- Egypt’s air force bombed Islamic State targets inside 2013. Revised figures will be released in the following weeks. switched to expensive fossil fuels following the shutdown of ery, a point echoed by Abe’s government which has repeated- Libya for the first time yesterday, a day after the group By contrast, the US economy grew at its fastest pace in four its nuclear reactors after the 2011 accident-had been lifting ly called on Japan Inc. to boost workers’ pay as a weak yen released a video appearing to show the beheading of 21 years in 2014, expanding 2.4 percent. “While Japan’s economy prices, but oil rates have tumbled by more than half since the helped fatten exporters’ profits. “It’s key that record levels of Egyptians there. Libya’s El Sarir oilfield is still unable to has finally left the tax-related weakness behind, the increase summer. The BoJ’s inflation target is a cornerstone of Tokyo’s corporate profit translate into higher wages,” economy minis- pump oil to Hariga port after a pipeline was attacked and in (fourth-quarter gross domestic product) fell short of expec- broader scheme to turn around years of tepid growth by gen- ter Akira Amari told reporters in Tokyo. “We’re hoping for firm set on fire on Saturday.—Reuters tations and supports our view that the Bank of Japan will erating price rises and prompting firms to boost their hiring pay hikes this year.” — AFP announce more stimulus in April,” said Marcel Thieliant from and expansion plans. Capital Economics. The sales tax rise-Japan’s first in 17 years-slammed the “Today’s result indicates that the Bank of Japan’s view on brakes on consumer spending, plunging the economy into growth is too optimistic, and we still believe that the Bank will recession and throwing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s growth- announce more easing at the late-April meeting.” The news boosting program into question. was welcomed by markets, with the benchmark Nikkei stock Abe’s pro-spending policy blitz-which also calls for major index climbing 0.51 percent to end above 18,000 for the first reforms to the highly regulated economy-had been bearing time since July 2007. fruit since its launch two years ago, as it boosted stock prices

UK watchdog Orascom to split working closely construction, with HSBC fertilizer units

LONDON: Britain’s financial watchdog said it was work- DUBAI: Orascom Construction has started proceedings for ing closely with HSBC and other agencies to make sure the demerger of the company’s units with its engineering and the bank was meeting conduct standards after allega- construction business to be listed on exchanges in Egypt and tions its Swiss unit helped hundreds of people to Dubai, the Amsterdam-listed firm said yesterday. dodge tax. In its first statement on the matter, the The demerger of the engineering and construction busi- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said yesterday the ness from its fertilizers and chemicals’ unit will take place on allegations had served to reinforce the importance of March 7, the company forecast in a statement. firms operating with the right culture across all of their Orascom Construction will re-list on Egypt’s bourse, having operations. been a blue-chip stock on the exchange but forced to delist “The FCA is working closely with the firm and other due to taxes and new regulations introduced by the adminis- agencies which have an interest in this matter to tration of former president Mohamed Morsi. The move could ensure that any questions this may raise in relation to rejuvenate Egypt’s listings market since the popular uprising any current practices and culture of HSBC are in 2011, which has hampered the economy and left it to man- addressed,” the FCA said. HSBC referred yesterday to its age a hard currency crisis that prevented foreign investors 4-page statement published last week which said it was from repatriating profits. cooperating with relevant authorities. The demerger will take place through a $1.4 billion reduc- Europe’s biggest bank apologized to customers and tion in OCI N.V’s share capital whereby OCI N.V. shareholders investors on Sunday for past practices at its Swiss pri- will receive one Orascom Construction share for every two vate bank. Jon Cunliffe, deputy governor at the Bank of shares they own in the fertiliser’s unit as of March 6. The England, HSBC’s other main regulator in Britain, said on record date is subject to regulatory approval. Friday the BoE may look into the tax allegations. Following the demerger, OCI NV will remain listed on Britain’s Serious Fraud Office said on Thursday it was Euronext Amsterdam, while Orascom Construction will be open to discussing the allegations with British tax dually listed on the thinly traded Nasdaq Dubai while return- authority HMRC. Parliament’s Treasury Select ing to the EGX, Cairo’s main bourse. Simultaneously, Orascom Committee are also taking an interest and will grill Construction will offer up to 15.8 million new ordinary shares HSBC Chairman Douglas Flint and CEO Stuart Gulliver representing up to 15 percent of the new shares to be listed in on Feb 25. — Reuters Egypt. —Reuters JetBlue’s CEO battles to appease passengers

NEW YORK: Robin Hayes, the new CEO of JetBlue Airways, is JetBlue story. They are very protective of it,” Hayes says. “I see balancing between passengers and Wall Street. As he takes that as a good thing.” control of the New York-based airline Monday, Hayes faces a Hayes, 48, was chosen in September to replace outgoing difficult task: increase profits without destroying the culture CEO Dave Barger. He is more receptive to investors than Barger, that has made JetBlue stand out from other US airlines. but JetBlue prides itself on doing right by workers and passen- JetBlue, after all, was the first carrier to give passengers free gers. So, following the lead of his predecessors, Hayes flies to live TV at each seat and is still known for its friendly employees. Orlando, Florida every two weeks to welcome new hires at the For years, the airline has resisted charging for a first checked airline’s orientation and training program. And while he’s cram- bag and boasted the most generous legroom in the industry. ming more seats into planes, the passengers sitting in them But, while the airline remained profitable, it lagged behind will be getting larger TV screens and almost three times as competitors. Wall Street demanded change. To appease many channels. Perhaps it helps that Hayes has always had a investors, Hayes recently announced that JetBlue will add a fee love of travel. Growing up in London, the oldest of three kids, this spring for the first checked suitcase - a move estimated to Hayes would create make-believe train timetables.”As a kid, bring in an extra $200 million annually by 2017. It will also add you know about all these places but have never been. It’s just a 15 more seats on most of its jets. That should increase the prof- way of pretending that you are there,” he says. it per flight, but passengers will lose some personal space. Fascinated with the London Underground, Hayes could tell To the airline’s fans, those were jarring decisions. Hayes people the quickest way from one station to another - and sug- stayed up until 3 a.m. personally answering the flood of emails. gest where to stand on the platform to line up perfectly with “People are so passionate about the JetBlue brand and the each station’s unique exit.—AP BUSINESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 World stocks jump before Greece talks

LONDON: Global shares hit their highest country world stocks index, which has risen in there is no deal today,” said Susanne Galler, a that Germany can afford to let Greece Cautious optimism over Greece since September and the euro firmed yester- recent days on prospects for a Greek deal and strategist with Jefferies in London. “The mar- leave the euro zone, and the Greeks helped push core euro-zone government day with investors cautiously optimistic euro after last week’s ceasefire deal for Ukraine, ket consensus is for them to do a deal by the themselves will have to compromise a lit- bond yields higher. Benchmark German zone finance ministers would reach a deal to touched its highest since Sept 22. end of this week. But we think that if there’s tle bit. So I think we’ll reach a half-way 10-year yields rose 0.3 basis points to shore up Greece’s dwindling finances. Tokyo’s Nikkei closed at its highest since no deal today and the clock starts ticking then house compromise,” said Clairinvest fund 0.346 percent. The dollar was broadly The prospect that Greece and its partners July 2007, buoyed by a record close on Friday the euro will look increasingly vulnerable.” manager Ion-Marc Valahu. weaker. It fell 0.2 percent against a bas- will find common ground in talks later in the in the US S&P 500 index and after data The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 stocks Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, ket of major currencies. The yen rose 0.1 day and reach an agreement that would pre- showed Japan emerged from recession in the index was last down 0.1 percent and elected last month on a pledge to scrap percent to 118.60 to the dollar and ster- vent Greece having to leave the euro zone final quarter of 2014, although its 0.6 percent Germany’s DAX, which hit a record high on austerity measures imposed under ling, buoyed by recent policymaker com- helped push low-risk government bonds growth was less than forecast. US financial Friday, was down 0.4 percent. Athens’ volatile Greece’s international bailouts, said on ments viewed as hawkish, hit a six-week yields higher. However, a rise in the price of markets will be closed yesterday for the stocks index fell 4.4 percent, having risen 5.6 Sunday he expected difficult negotia- peak of $1.5440 before retreating. The oil safe-haven gold testified to the uncertain out- Presidents’ Day holiday. The euro rose 0.3 per- percent on Friday. Greek three-year bond tions but was “full of confidence”. price held on to last week’s gains after come. cent to $1.1413 and gained 0.2 percent to yields rose 170 basis points to 17.44 percent, Kuwait’s oil minister said lower levels of The meeting of euro zone finance ministers 135.37 yen. way below last week’s 21.8 percent peak. BENCHMARK BONDS supply would support prices in the sec- is due to begin at 1400 GMT. The MSCI all- “This can quickly turn sour for the euro if “I’m not too worried for now. I don’t think French Finance Minister Michel Sapin ond half of this year. Brent crude was last hinted at a slight easing of euro-zone up 1.3 percent at $62.33 a barrel. Oil opposition to Greek requests for an end topped $60 a barrel last week for the first to austerity and a new debt deal, saying time since December as the number of Europe must respect the political change oil rigs in the United States fell. in Athens. However, German Finance Gold, often sought as a safe haven in Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in a times of market turmoil, rose before the radio interview yesterday he was “very Greek talks and on dollar weakness. skeptical” there would be a deal. Greece’s Spot gold last traded at $1,234.10 an current bailout deal runs out on Feb. 28. ounce. — Reuters

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MUMBAI: India’s wholesale inflation November WPI inflation number to as ing year. A lower number was expected as RBI governor Raghuram Rajan to cut inter- stand how public finances were going to eased 0.39 percent in January, a second drop of 0.17 percent from 0.0 percent ear- India was thought to be struggling est rates by 25 basis points in January, a shape up. The central bank in India is not fall in three months, aided by a drop in lier, but maintained the December num- through its worst economic slowdown in first in 20 months. only the chief monetary authority but is fuel prices, data showed yesterday. The fall ber at 0.11 percent. “The latest numbers more than two decades by growing below Rajan, justified the unexpected action also responsible for ensuring the smooth in the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), the (of WPI) indicate that chances of rate cuts five percent, not enough to create jobs three weeks before a scheduled policy passage of government’s market bor- inflation measure with the biggest basket in April are very much alive,” said Arun needed for its millions of young people. meeting by saying the RBI had promised rowings. of goods, belied expectations of a 0.11 Singh, senior economist at Dun & Dampened economic activity was visible not to keep rates high for “a second “The RBI has indicated its willingness to percent rise as forecast in a Bloomberg Bradstreet. Hopes of significant rate cuts once again in the industrial output data longer” than needed. cut rates. It is now up to the government survey and raised hopes for more interest from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had that pegged production in India’s mines He then refrained from reducing rates to underline how it will deliver fiscal con- rate cuts. faded last week after economic growth, and utilities at 1.7 percent even as con- further during the policy meeting saying solidation while boosting revenue Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right- based on a new formula, came in an unex- sumer prices rose 5.11 percent. the bank wanted to wait for the govern- through the budget,” Singh of Dun & wing government also revised the pectedly robust 7.4 percent in the ongo- The economic slowdown prompted ment’s budget on February 28 to under- Bradstreet said. —AFP Battered oil industry seeks opportunity in adversity Larger players could snap up distressed companies

LONDON: The oil sector is restruc- sees the drop in oil as a source of of the story. “We had an incredible bpd or more this year, after fore- turing after the collapse of oil opportunity, particularly on the year of growth last year, a two mil- casts for 2014 proved too high. prices and opportunities may trading side. “I think it is challeng- lion barel per day “We are all trying to work out emerge for larger players wishing ing for an upstream company like (bpd) of non-OPEC increase in when the US production is going to snap up distressed companies Statoil to cope with these changes,” production... and we are all fore- to slow down,” he said. For now and expand into crisis-hit producer said Rune Bjornson, senior vice casting we are going to get anoth- production is increasing, despite a countries, according to key industry president at the company. “But at er million barrels per day of drop in the rig count in the US. players. An oversupply of oil in the the same time especially on the growth this year,” Taylor said. Production reached 9.226 million market, caused by the boom in market and trading side which is “However the real story that we bpd last week, the highest level crude extracted from US shale rock, becoming more and more impor- are not talking about very much in since 1983. has contributed heavily to crude tant, it gives the market new the industry is the other side of While crude prices have been prices crashing 60 percent in value opportunities.” the equation: demand.” Taylor is stabilising, Hayward of Genel said in the six months to January. unsure whether demand will rise that prices were set to remain In response, the oil sector has Demand side to meet soaring production levels. weak for the next year or two amid begun to reorganize, as it has done For Ian Taylor, head of oil trad- He added that he was not con- market oversupply. “A lot of oil can every ten years on average. Big oil ing giant Vitol, the oil sector may vinced by analysts’ predictions of (still) come to market at less than companies have begun to slash be overlooking the demand side growth in demand by a million $80 a barrel,” he said. —AFP capital spending for the coming year. French multinational Total recently revealed a 30-percent cut in its exploration budget. But the current environment still provides a chance for them to pos- sibly buy smaller struggling rivals at bargain prices, suggested partici- BANGKOK: Street food vendors wait for customers in Bangkok yesterday. pants at the recent International Thailand’s economy slowed sharply in 2014 to grow at its slowest pace for Petroleum Week in London. three years, as political turmoil engulfing the kingdom compounded a fall in agricultural prices and waning exports. —AFP ‘Vultures gathering’ In the United States, small pro- ducers have been hit particularly Thai economy posts weakest hard. “There is an enormous (cash) liquidity squeeze in the US as we growth for three years speak and it will come to a crescen- do in the middle of this year,” said BANGKOK: Thailand’s economic growth billions of dollars into the economy, Anthony Hayward, chief executive slowed sharply in 2014 to its weakest mainly through long-planned infrastruc- of Anglo-Turkish producer Genel pace in three years, as political turmoil ture schemes. But the latest figures will Energy. engulfing the kingdom compounded a heap pressure on the leaders, who have This will mean “a lot of distress” among small operators in US shale, fall in agricultural prices and waning vowed to curb subsidies to agriculture but will create growth opportuni- exports. and called on Thais to wean themselves ties for those with capital and Gross domestic product (GDP) of credit. Thailand is one of Southeast capacity, said Hayward. “The vul- expanded 0.7 percent last year, well Asia’s most indebted kingdoms. tures are gathering.” down from the 2.9 percent recorded in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, Opportunities are also emerging 2013, the National Economic and Social who also heads the junta, said full-year globally, including in OPEC produc- Development Board (NESDB) said in a GDP matched expectations. ers Iraq and Venezuela, which will need funding to bridge the short- statement yesterday. The figure is the “I’m not worried. The figure will be bet- fall in their revenues from collaps- weakest since 0.1 percent in 2011, when ter this year, it should be between three ing oil prices. the country was battered by devastating and four percent,” he said, adding tourism “For the major companies this is CAIRO: A handout picture released by the Cypriot government’s Press Information Office (PIO) floods. Growth was widely expected to had already rebounded despite ongoing now a great time of opportunities, shows Cyprus Energy Minister George Lakkotrypis (left) and his Egyptian counterpart Sherif be dragged by months of political unrest martial law. those who are brave will seize the moment and will be able to acquire Ismail (right) signing an energy deal between the two countries yesterday in the Egyptian capi- that damaged tourist arrivals, slowed for- Analysts have urged the junta to swift- tal, Cairo. The deal authorizes the “Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company and the Cyprus eign investment and paralysed govern- ly embark on the promised spending to very good assets at knocked down prices,” Hayward said. Hydrocarbons Company to examine technical solutions for transporting natural gas, through a ment spending before the army seized galvanise the economy in 2015. “The gov- Norwegian oil major Statoil also direct marine pipeline, from the Aphrodite field to Egypt”. —AFP power in May vowing to restore peace ernment should quickly press ahead with and put zip back in the economy. the investment budget in order to boost However, there were some good signs the economy,” Thanavath Phonvichai at as fourth-quarter growth came in at 2.3 the University of the Thai Chamber of Casino money misses states’ expectations percent on a year-on-year basis, and 0.6 Commerce told AFP. percent on the previous quarter, accord- He also said the government would be HARTFORD, Connecticut: For anyone betting on Projections are developed through so-called gravity “In retrospect, we were guessing,” said Mike Sobul, the Northeast’s casino bonanza, the odds are long models, premised on the concept that bigger casinos who was the tax department’s director of research. ing to the board. wise to ensure Thais are given cheap on projects hitting financial expectations. In the last draw more people from farther away. They are used Sobul said the gravity model run by Ohio officials “The expansion of GDP in this quarter loans to meet their payments while prices several states to open casinos - Ohio, Maryland and by developers and regulators to estimate how a prop- used industry assumptions that were overly opti- was due to an upturn in the non-agricul- for commodities such as rubber and rice Pennsylvania - overall revenue is coming in below erty will perform based on factors including the afflu- mistic, and, more significantly, officials underestimat- tural sector,” a rise in domestic and exter- tumble. baseline forecasts, according to a review of state tax ence of surrounding towns. ed how the recession would affect consumer spend- nal demand and greater investment, the The troubles for the once buoyant data. Officials blame miscalculations of spending The track record shows big margins for error. With ing. Sobul, who tracks the numbers now as a financial board added. economy comes as regional rivals habits and competition, but some also question access to the same data, developers regularly come officer for an Ohio school district, said schools that Over the year, Thailand’s key agricul- Indonesia and the Philippines pull ahead. how much the projected numbers reflected wishful back with higher projections than regulators who run once were expected to receive more than $80 per thinking. the numbers themselves, especially when companies pupil statewide in casino money are now expecting tural sectors-including rice and rubber- “The Thai economy should gain a firmer The casino industry has grown exponentially over are competing for bids. A recent study by Cummings about $51 per pupil. struggled with falling global prices, curb- footing in the coming quarters, but the last decade as revenue-hungry states have Associates, a Massachusetts-based consulting firm, In Maryland, casino revenue has been hundreds ing the amount of crops produced and growth is still likely to disappoint by past moved to claim business that once went across state found that projections done for the same project of millions of dollars short of a December 2008 pro- taking money out of Thais’ pockets. standards,” Capital Economics said in a lines to Atlantic City, New Jersey, or the tribal-owned were, on average, 20 percent apart and, in cases jection by the Department of Legislative Services. The ruling junta has vowed to pump briefing note. —AFP megaresorts in Connecticut. After Nevada, where the casinos were actually built, almost always Even in Pennsylvania, the casino boom’s success story, Pennsylvania has emerged as the country’s No 2 were proved too high. it took the addition of table games in 2010 to bring gambling marketing, overtaking Atlantic City, where Casinos generally remain big moneymakers, and revenue beyond levels projected by a state task force four of 12 casinos closed last year. some projects have far exceeded predictions, but that assumed they would offer only slot machines. Iran parliament downsizes As Massachusetts and New York prepare for a state averages have been below forecasts that set Doug Harbach, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania new round of casino building, they have added new expectations for tax revenue. One of the biggest miss- Gaming Control Board, said the projections were not oil revenues for new budget levels of financial scrutiny, enlisting consulting firms es came in Ohio, where the state Department of badly inflated. to vet revenue projections. But the industry’s growth Taxation weighed in on a proposed constitutional “You have to take into account that the market in TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament has cut by er to around $60. As a result parlia- in the Northeast’s tight geography has made model- amendment in October 2009 with an estimate that surrounding states now has much more competition,” 25 percent projected oil revenues in ment voted to cut by 25 percent oil ing more complex, and experts warn there are no casinos would generate at least $470 million in annu- he said. the draft budget for 2015-2016 to revenues earmarked in the budget guarantees. al tax revenue. In 2014, tax revenue from the casinos reflect the drop in price on the inter- to $18.5 billion but also earmarked “This isn’t a science,” analyst Alan Woinski said. totaled $267.5 million. Tacit show national market, media reported yes- an additional $5 billion to restruc- For all the attention to revenue projections, many terday. ture the budget should prices rise industry insiders say the real test is whether banks, which conduct their own research, will loan money The decision was taken by law- again, media reported. Iran has the for a casino. “If a bank is going to put up a hundred makers as they voted point by point world’s fourth largest proven oil million dollars, that’s a tacit show of feasibility,” said on the draft budget submitted in reserves and currently exports Michael Ross, president of the Innovation Group in December and which must be rati- around 1.3 million barrels per day. Winter Park, Florida, one of many consulting firms in fied by the end of the Iranian fiscal According to the oil ministry, since the forecasting business. year on March 20. January this year Iran has been sell- Where some earlier states were often guided by President Hassan Rouhani admit- ing a barrel of oil at an average of in-house analyses, Massachusetts and New York have ted in an address to parliament in $40. The Islamic republic has been brought in more outside experts to conduct their own market research, assess the numbers from the December that the budget “would among the worst hit oil exporting developers and guide state officials who acknowl- be under pressure” because of the countries because of the sliding edge their limited experience with the gambling fall in oil prices. He said oil revenues price of crude, given that its current industry. earmarked for the 2015-2016 budget budget was based on sales of $100 a Even so, estimates made during a bidding process would be $24 billion, down from barrel. can vary so widely that even rival developers say they $27.5 billion, meaning less than half Media also reported yesterday that are sometimes mystified. The chief executive at of the government’s income would parliament has approved the transfer Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun, which lost out to Wynn come from exported crude. of 20 percent of oil revenues into Resorts in a competition for a Boston-area casino This had been based on oil prices Iran’s sovereign fund, down from 30 license, said the Canadian consulting firm working with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission should remaining at around $72 per barrel. percent in the current budget. have challenged their rival’s projections for spending Between June and late January Next week parliament is expected by international high rollers. “I don’t think enough crude prices plunged 60 percent to to vote on other articles in the budg- questions were asked by the consultants,” CEO Mitchell around $40 per barrel over concerns et, including the exchange rate of BRUSSELS: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (left) arrives for a meeting Etess said. “If you’re in meetings with the gaming com- of a supply glut before edging high- the rial against the dollar. —AFP of Eurogroup finance ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels yesterday. —AP mission, and you get the sense they like Wynn, you’re not going to ask a lot of questions.” —AP BUSINESS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Chery Tiggo SUV to the lucky winner

KUWAIUT: Budastoor Motors - the leading py on the market response for the new generation to over 80 countries and regions, and thus enjoys a Automotive distributor in Kuwait, delivered the of Chery carsî. Rexzcy Williams Brand Manager- global fame. Chery have built three passengers vehi- CHERY TIGGO SUV to the lucky raffle winner at a Chery on his part added, that the new generation cle manufacturing bases in Wuhu, Dalian and Ordos function held at the CHERY showroom in Al-Rai. The Chery Cars come with advanced features on safety, which can turn out 900,000 vehicles, 900,000 car was on raffle at the recent Infoconnect Expo. The luxury, and comfort and are also adapted to the engines and 800,000 transmissions annually. In raffle prize car was given away by Najem Budastoor, local market requirements which makes Chery cars terms of product quality improvement, with the aim MD Budastoor Group, in the presence of Arshad to be one the best choices among budget cars. of building safe, energy-conserving and eco-friendly Mirza, GM Budastoor Group, Rexzcy Williams, Chery products, Chery has gradually been geared to inter- Brand Manager, Sabh Al-Shammari AGM Infocenter national standards, established a set of distinctive and Ramdas Chilamban, Exhibition Manager quality assurance management systems, and passed Infocenter. international quality system certifications such as Giving away the prize car, Najem Budastoor, MD ISO9001 and TUV Rheinland ISO/TS16949. Budastoor Group, said, ìWe are happy to give the Since Cheryís founding, Chery has adhered to new Chery Tiggo to the winner and we extend our independent innovation and endeavoured to congratulations. It was nice joining hands with become a technology-oriented enterprise and has Infocenter at Infoconnect 2015. Chery cars are gain- formed a complete R & D system integrating vehicle, ing attention and traction in the market and we will power train, key parts development, trial-manufac- be adding 4 new models to the Chery range this turing and testing, centring on the Automotive year which will give a variety of choice to our cus- Engineering & Research Institute in Wuhu and sup- tomers. We intend to keep the Chery range, budget ported by research branches in Beijing, Shanghai, friendly without compromising on quality and safe- Italy, Japan and Australia. Chery has achieved break- ty and also assure the best after-sales service, ensur- Founded in 1997, Chery Automobile Co, Ltd have throughs in an array of domestic sophisticated core ing high satisfaction levels to our valued customers.î grown through independent innovation after technologies such as dual variable valve timing he added. Chinaís reform and opening-up. In adhering to inde- (DVVT), turbocharged gasoline direct injection KUWAIT: Najem Budastoor handing the Key to the winner of Chery Tiggo SUV. Ramdas During the occasion Arshad Mirza, GM Budastoor pendent innovation, Chery established a complete (TGDI), continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Exhibition Manager Infocenter, Rexzcy Williams, Brand Manager Chery, Arshad Mirza, Group said ìChery cars are globally known for quali- technical and product R & D system, built a series of new energy, thus driving the technical upgrading of GM Budastoor Group and Sabh Al-Shammari AGM Infocenter look on. ty, performance and reliability and we are quite hap- domestically renowned brands , exported products all series. US shale on more sustainable course after price rally: Expert Number of rigs drilling for oil drops

LONDON: US shale producers have responded taking 328 horizontal rigs out of operation since a simple average of posted prices and WTI, well- even more quickly to lower oil prices than ana- early October. head prices in North Dakota have risen to almost lysts expected, which should ensure shale pro- Horizontal rigs (328) account for almost 60 $45 per barrel. duction hits a plateau by May or June and is sus- percent of all units taken out of service since Wellhead prices are now at or above the tained rather than falling in the second half of Oct. 10 (572), according to Baker Hughes. breakeven levels needed in all four counties at the year. The number of rigs drilling for oil in the The extent of the slowdown comes as no sur- the heart of the Bakken play (Dunn, McKenzie, United States declined by another 84 last week, prise. In December, Continental Resources, one Mountrail and Williams) according to estimates according to oil field services company Baker of the biggest producers in the Bakken, published last month by North Dakota’s Hughes. announced it would cut the number of rigs Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). The oil-directed rig count has now fallen by a operating from around 50 to 34 by the end of These four counties together accounted for total of 553, or 34 percent, since early October, the first quarter (32 percent) and an average of more than 1 million barrels per day of the state’s the fastest decline since 1986. 31 for the whole of 2015 (38 percent). total production of 1.23 million in December. Some analysts have questioned whether the Nonetheless, the slowdown has occurred Wellhead prices are now much closer to the level decline in rig counts will really result in a slow- even faster than expected as ultra-low prices in needed to sustain North Dakota’s output at down in oil output. The most basic lower rigs, January sent a shock through the entire produc- around 1.2 million barrels per day throughout those with the lowest horsepower and depth tion community. the rest of the year and 2016. ratings, capable only of drilling vertically, are The bravado with which shale drillers greeted The same is true in Texas, where wellhead Burgan Bank announces likely to be idled first, leaving more powerful falling prices in October and November, openly prices are close to $50 per barrel in much of the units with horizontal capability still working. challenging to OPEC to do its worst, reminiscent state. winners of Yawmi account And drilling will pull back from speculative of President George W Bush’s “bring ‘em on”, has frontier areas to concentrate on the most pro- evaporated. Now shale producers are focused on SUSTAINING OUTPUT KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday to maintain a minimum amount of KD 500 in ductive parts of well-established plays to maxi- restructuring their operations and conserving Prices have responded faster than the Energy the names of the lucky winners of its Yawmi their account for 2 months prior to draw date. mize new output per well drilled. cash to survive until prices recover. Information Administration (EIA) predicted in its account draw, each taking home a prize of KD Additionally, every KD 10 in the account, will But however the data is analyzed a broad- January Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO). 5,000. entitle customers to one chance of winning. If based slowdown in drilling is now occurring BREAKING EVEN AGAIN EIA forecast Brent prices would gradually The lucky winners for the daily draws took the account balance is KD 500 and above, the across the entire US shale sector. The faster-than-expected response from pro- climb to around $54 by May and end the year at home a cash-prize of KD 5,000 each, and they account holder will be qualified for both the ducers has helped oil prices rise from their mid- $70, with WTI recovering to $51 and $67 respec- are: quarterly and daily draws. BROAD SLOWDOWN January lows to a more sustainable level. Front- tively. The agency’s projected price rebound 1. Naser Abdulaziz Abdullah Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open In two of the Big Three shale plays, Williston month Brent prices are up 31 percent from less underpinned its prediction that crude produc- Alawadhi a Yawmi account and/or increase their deposit and Permian basins, the number of rigs drilling than $47 on Jan. 13 to $62. WTI has risen 20 per- tion would end the year at about the same level 2. Bhavin Pravin Kumar Desai to maximize their chances to becoming a win- for oil has fallen by 34 percent, exactly in line cent from $44 on Jan. 29 to $53. as it began, after dipping between May and 3. Abdullah Mohammad Abdullah ner. The more customers deposit, the higher with the national average. Only the Eagle Ford Plains Marketing posted prices for Bakken September. Alaber the chances they receive of winning. play, where the rig count is down 28 percent, sweet are up 28 percent from just $28 on Jan. 28 In fact, prices have recovered slightly ahead 4. Waleed Saleh Hasan Al-Ali For more information on opening a Yawmi shows a slightly smaller-than-average percent- to more than $36. Texas posted prices have risen of that timetable. Crude prices no longer appear 5. Haitham Mamdouh Altallah account or about the new quarterly draw, cus- age decline. by around 20 percent from $41 to $49 a barrel. severely undervalued or out of line with underly- To further add to the anticipation of Yawmi tomers are urged to visit their nearest Burgan In terms of rig capability, the number of verti- In January, oil prices had fallen to levels at or ing supply and demand. account customers, Burgan Bank now offers a Bank branch and receive all the details, or sim- cal rigs is down by 43 percent and the number of below breakeven levels for even the best parts The faster-than-expected price recovery, if it Quarterly Draw with more chances to win ply call the bank’s Call Center at 1804080 directional rigs is down by almost 41 percent. of the major shale plays and obviously unsus- is sustained, would help support oil production higher rewards, entitling one lucky customer where customer service representatives will be (Directional rigs can drill slanted wells but not tainable. But the rebound should ensure drilling around current levels and ensure it hits a to win KD 125,000 every three months. The delighted to assist with any questions on the fully horizontal ones.) But even the number of in the best properties within the core areas of plateau, rather than declines, over the summer Yawmi Account now offers Daily and quarterly Yawmi account or any of the bank’s products horizontal drilling rigs is down by 24 percent, the Big Three is just about sustainable. Based on months and into the end of the year. — Reuters Draws, the Quarterly Draw requires customers and services. British employers raise growth forecast, house prices rise

LONDON: A British employers group raised its forecasts for percent in the four weeks to Feb. 7, picking up speed from a economic growth this year on the back of low oil prices and a month earlier. separate measure of house prices picked up-a sign that a Rightmove linked the rise to a shortage of properties on housing market slowdown could be bottoming out. The the market which, based on the average number of properties Confederation of British Industry said Britain’s economy now for sale per estate agency, had never been lower at the start of looked set to grow by 2.7 percent this year, up from a previous the year than in the first two months of 2015. forecast of 2.5 percent made in November. Rightmove director Miles Shipside said a change in British “The UK is in good shape compared with other economies, pension rules, which will allow people aged over 55 to cash in with both investment and household spending underpinning their retirement savings from April without paying as much economic growth,” CBI economics director Rain Newton-Smith tax, could push up prices further if savers plough their cash said. “But there are still risks to exports from a shaky euro- into buy-to-let properties. zone.” “Agents are already reporting preliminary enquiries from The Bank of England last week kept its forecast for eco- retirees planning to cash in their pension pots and invest in nomic growth this year at 2.9 percent, but raised its forecasts buy-to-let properties,” he said. for growth in 2016 and 2017, thanks largely to the boost from Britain’s housing market came off the boil in the second lower fuel costs for households and businesses. The relatively half of 2014 after regulators introduced tighter controls on positive outlook could help Prime Minister David Cameron as mortgage lending. But lender Halifax said this month that he prepares for national elections in May. prices jumped by their most since May 2014 in January, and Also on Monday, property website Rightmove said the the number of mortgage approvals rose for the first time since average asking price of houses put on the market rose by 2.1 June. — Reuters China’s Dagong cuts BRUSSELS: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble (right) speaks colleagues during a meeting of Eurogroup finance ministers at the EU Council building in Brussels yesterday. Greece’s radical left government and France’s credit ratings its European creditors headed into new talks yesterday on the debt-heavy country’s stuttering bailout program, but expectations are low despite a fast-approaching deadline for some kind of deal. — AP BEIJING: A Chinese rating agency said yesterday it Dagong, founded two decades ago, remains far has downgraded France’s sovereign credit ratings, less prominent than its long-established Western citing concerns about the country’s debt repayment. competitors, though it has begun making a splash China approves Asian bid China’s Dagong Global Credit Rating Co. said in a in international media. It hit the headlines in August statement it cut both the local and foreign currency 2011 when it cut its main rating for US sovereign sovereign ratings to A from the previous A+ debt from A+ to A, with a negative outlook, after a for Australian food group “The debt repayment environment of France standoff over Washington’s debt ceiling that led to remains stable but still faces many challenges,” fears of a potentially globally destabilizing US SYDNEY: China has given the green light to a Aus$1.34 bil- A shareholder meeting to vote on the consortium’s offer Dagong said, citing increasing pressure from long- default. lion ($1.04 billion) takeover of Goodman Fielder by an of 67.5 cents a share will take place on February 26, term economic sluggishness on government efforts Standard & Poor’s of the US also slapped Asian consortium, the Australian food manufacturer said Goodman Fielder said. to pursue structural reforms. “Weak economic Washington with a credit downgrade that month, yesterday. Shares in the agribusiness company rose 4.69 percent to growth has delayed the fiscal consolidation process,” reducing it one notch to AA+ and denying it a covet- The deal with Singapore-based agribusiness Wilmar 67 cents in early trade yesterday. The announcement came the agency said. “The fiscal deficit and the debt bur- ed AAA rating for the first time. Dagong struck again International and Hong Kong investment manager First a week after the Australian firm, which owns food brands den ratio have climbed up further, which have weak- in October 2013, whittling the US sovereign credit Pacific Company-first announced in July-was granted including Helga’s, MeadowLea and Wonder White, reported ened the government’s debt repayment capability.” rating down to A- after another debt deadlock saw a approval by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce’s anti- a net profit of Aus$28.6 million in the six months to France’s economy, the euro-zone’s second largest, two-week government shutdown. monopoly bureau. December 31, an improvement on the loss of Aus$64.8 mil- expanded by a mere 0.4 percent last year as invest- Dagong has sought to take advantage of global “Goodman Fielder advises that approval from the lion in the previous corresponding period. ment slumped. The government has so far been anger with the so-called big three agencies-S&P, Overseas Investment Office in New Zealand is the last Goodman Fielder said large bread discounts ate into its unable to kickstart much-needed growth in a coun- Moody’s and Fitch-which were widely criticised for remaining regulatory approval yet to be obtained,” said the baking segment, its biggest division, more than halving company which is listed in Australia and New Zealand. earnings. “The baking segment in Australia and New try beset by record unemployment even as President having given their highest ratings to the debt instru- Australia’s foreign investment watchdog and the Australian Zealand remains challenged by significant pricing pressure Francois Hollande has launched a two-pronged ments whose failure helped spark the global finan- Competition and Consumer Commission cleared the bid in the fresh loaf segment leading to reduced net average attack to tackle joblessness and push for growth. cial crisis in 2008. — AFP last year. selling prices during the period,” the company said. — AFP technology TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Europe’s airlines Samsung led market in compact race for Wi-Fi system cameras in 2014: Gfk

BERLIN/LONDON: Europe’s airlines are racing to kind of advertisements you should offer them,” Company achieves 41% market share in 2014 in GCC add Wi-Fi to their planes, eager to attract Internet- said Robin Cole, Vice-President Global Business hungry customers in a cut-throat short-haul mar- Development at Global Eagle Entertainment, ket and potentially add millions of dollars of rev- which provides satellite-based Wi-Fi for airlines DUBAI: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd continues ment. The world’s fastest interchangeable lens enue through entertainment, services and adver- Norwegian and Southwest. to command the Compact System Camera (CSC) camera, the Samsung NX1 gave users the power tising. US airline passengers already have a chance Global Eagle is due to trial a fee-paying system market, with 41 percent market share by valuein to take 28-megapixel photos at 15 frames per of accessing Wi-Fi on 66 percent of miles flown, on two Air France A320s this summer in conjunc- the region, according to figures from Gfk. After second (fps), and added Wi-Fi and NFC connec- against a worldwide average of 24 percent, tion with mobile firm Orange , and believes the the tech giant achieved the highest share ever tivity to speed. according to data from Routehappy, which rates retail and sponsorship opportunities of onboard achieved in the category, Samsung maintained “We know that today’s consumers are visual flights worldwide on amenities such as seats and Wi-Fi could boost industry revenues by hundreds its lead into Q4 2014. communicators who want to take and share entertainment. In Europe, adoption of a ground- of millions of dollars a year. The Samsung NX1 was a major contributor to beautiful photos. That’s why we introduce cam- to-air service such as that in the United States, is the company’s continued growth in the CSC seg- eras that capture moments quickly and in the harder due to the number of countries in the BECOMING A BASIC NEED highest quality,” said Raj Varma, Head of the region, while satellite-based services have been The revenue opportunities are attracting atten- Mobility Sales Group at Samsung Gulf too costly for short flights. tion across the European industry, with low-cost Electronics. “Our sustained leadership in the CSC But with more satellites being sent up, bring- carriers particularly quick to move, said AT Kearney market is the best evidence there is that we are ing costs down, and airlines more aware of the consultant Rene Steinhaus. “There’s a huge logic to meeting consumer demand for high performing money-making possibilities, price is no longer having Wi-Fi on board, even in Europe,” he said. optics, SMART functionality and unique design.” such a stumbling block, industry watchers say. Ryanair will use advertising or other revenue Varma added, “In 2014, we took our capabili- Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, Ryanair and Vueling streams to ensure Wi-Fi access doesn’t add to its ties in digital imaging and intuitive sharing and are some of the major European carriers looking at costs, CEO Michael O’Leary said, adding it had applied them to the Samsung NX1. The result on-board Wi-Fi on short-haul flights, following begun talks with mobile phone companies over was a truly powerful compact camera that could low-cost carrier Norwegian, which offers it for free charges, and with technical companies over fitting rival even the most advanced models on the on 74 of its 76 Boeing 737s. As well as potentially the lightest possible aerials for the lowest cost. market. These figures show that consumers took charging passengers to stream TV shows and In the United States, moves by low-cost carriers notice.” music on their mobile devices during flights of a such as JetBlue to offer basic onboard Wi-Fi servic- The NX1 was the latest addition to Samsung’s Samsung plans to keep its innovations in the couple of hours or less, airlines can use onboard es for free were putting pressure on mainline carri- award-winning NX line, a series known for its category this year, and forecasts that the market connectivity to offer restaurant bookings, shop- ers, Routehappy data research manager Jason combination of connectivity features, crystal will expand by 5 percent in 2015. ping or hotel offers in conjunction with advertisers Rabinowitz said. Britain’s Inmarsat, which partners clear image quality, and durable body. Last Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd inspires the and partners. with Honeywell to offer Internet onboard using its year’sNX30 also let consumers capture hidden world and shapes the future with transformative “Nowhere else in the world do you get that satellites and the US company’s hardware, current- moments in professional quality, owing to a 20.3 ideas and technologies, redefining the worlds of captive audience where you know everything ly has over a 9 percent share of the commercial MP APS-C CMOS sensor, Hybrid Auto Focus (AF) TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, about the people that got on the plane and what cabin connectivity market. —Reuters with Phase Detection, and 1/8000 sec Shutter cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical Speed. Samsung also applied its proprietary equipment, network systems and semiconduc- Tap& Go technology to the NX30 to allow users tors. We are also leading in the Internet of Things to transfer images or videos to a smartphone or space through, among others, our Digital Health Avaya to bring popular tablet by tapping devices together. and Smart Home initiatives. We employ 307,000 technology forum to Dubai Following the success of the NX series, people across 84 countries. DUBAI: Avaya has announced it is hosting its Africa, China, India and Russia. popular Avaya Technology Forum (ATF) at the ATF is a rare opportunity to hear from Atlantis Hotel in Dubai (March 30 to April 1, Avaya experts, channel partners and cus- 2015). ATF is a unique, hands on learning envi- tomers on strategies for migrating, designing ronment, featuring expert workshops, live and implementing innovative customer and demonstrations, and solid recommendations team engagement solutions. More than 70ses- for enterprise and midmarket technology sions will take place over the three-day event. planning. As the first ATF event in the MEA These sessions will cover a number of topics, region, Dubai will host, educate and engage including customer and team engagement, partners and customers from the Middle East, software-defined networking, cloud-based services, virtualization, security and mobility. Additionally, Avaya’s resident experts in unified communications and contact center opera- tions will discuss transformative technologies and trends, from BYOD and mobility to fabric networking and next-generation WLAN. “ATF is the place to experience the next big thing in customer and team engagement technology,” said Fadi Moubarak, Avaya Channel leader for Global Growth Markets. “It’s the meeting place for market and thought leaders from across our region, and we look forward to meaningful conversations on the technologies and trends that will transform how business is conducted today, and in the future.” Avaya is a leading provider of solutions that enable customer and team engage- ment across multiple channels and devices for better customer experience, increased productivity and enhanced financial per- formance. Its world-class contact center and unified communications technologies and services are available in a wide variety of flexible on-premise and cloud deployment Fadi Moubarak, Avaya Channel options that seamlessly integrate with non- leader for Global Growth Markets Avaya applications. BEIJING: Chinese people check on their smartphones on a street in Beijing yesterday. On the Internet, in college classrooms and in corporate offices, the Chinese Communist Party has raised the virtual wall separating the world’s most populous country from the rest of the globe. —AP Carbanak Cyber-gang steals $1bn from 100 financial Tighter online curbs in China institutions worldwide point to wider clampdown DUBAI: Kaspersky Lab, INTERPOL, Europol and activities, the fraudsters used online bank- authorities from different countries have com- ing or international e-payment systems to bined efforts to uncover the criminal plot transfer money from the banks’ accounts to BEIJING: Working out of a Beijing office full of video she said. “But instead of opening up to reforms, we see reportedly require foreign companies to turn over sensi- behind an unprecedented cyber robbery. Up to their own. In the second case the stolen game designers from around the world, Chinese-born the opposite.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman tive intellectual property and submit their products to one billion American dollars was stolen in money was deposited with banks in China Pin Wang and his startup Substantial Games should be Hua Chunying responded to the concerns of foreign security checks. The party has paid especially close about two years from financial institutions or America. The experts do not rule out the the face of the innovative, forward-looking China that businesses by pointing to a U.N. report showing China attention to the microblog Weibo and censored mes- worldwide. The experts report that responsibili- possibility that other banks in other coun- the country’s leaders say they want to build. became the world’s top destination for foreign direct sages that touch on sensitive subjects, said Rogier ty for the robbery rests with a multinational tries were used as receivers. Pin and his team are attracting investors from across investment in 2014. Hua also echoed previous govern- Creemers, a research officer at Oxford University’s gang of cybercriminals from Russia, Ukraine 2) In other cases cybercriminals penetrated China while launching online games full of swords and ment arguments that people online needed to first Programme for Comparative Media Law and Policy. and other parts of Europe, as well as from right into the very heart of the accounting sorcery that they hope will dazzle global eyeballs. But obey Chinese regulations on “healthy” Internet use. “Weibo has become a venue for chaotic discussion, China. systems, inflating account balances before for several weeks, Pin’s team has struggled with a decid- “As long as foreign companies in China observe the and part of the effect it had was it essentially meant the The Carbanak criminal gang responsible for pocketing the extra funds via a fraudulent edly down-to-earth problem that’s hit countless compa- Chinese law and refrain from undermining China’s party had lost the initiative and couldn’t say what got the cyber robbery used techniques drawn from transaction. For example: if an account has nies nationwide: They’re unable to access their email, national security and consumers’ interest, China will into the public sphere,” Creemers said. The latest moves the arsenal of targeted attacks. The plot marks $1,000, the criminals change its value so it shared documents and other online services blocked by protect their legal rights and welcome their business are in line with Beijing’s longtime approach to regulato- the beginning of a new stage in the evolution has $10,000 and then transfer $9,000 to China’s Internet censors. expansion,” Hua said. ry change: It eases control on commercial or other activ- of cybercriminal activity, where malicious users themselves. The account holder doesn’t sus- “Something that should take 15 seconds takes three The tighter controls reflect instability within the par- ity, sees how it develops and then promotes aspects it steal money directly from banks, and avoid tar- pect a problem because the original $1,000 or five minutes, and it screws with the way you flow or ty as President Xi Jinping shakes up the political land- wants while suppressing those it doesn’t. geting end users. are still there. you work,” Pin said. “We don’t have the resources to scape in a much-publicized anti-corruption campaign Since 2013, the criminals have attempted to 3) In addition, the cyber thieves seized control move because we’re a startup. But we talk about it all that’s netted thousands of government officials, said Wider use attack up to 100 banks, e-payment systems and of banks’ ATMs and ordered them to dis- the time.” Chinese controls on information have tight- prominent China scholar Perry Link. The strategy echoes Chinese Internet users, for example, still are avid other financial institutions in around 30 coun- pense cash at a pre-determined time. When ened and loosened over the years, but Pin and others back to the political purges of Mao Zedong, the found- consumers of social media, e-commerce and video tries. The attacks remain active. According to the payment was due, one of the gang’s are feeling what many say is China’s most severe crack- ing father of the People’s Republic of China, Link said. streaming sites, even if the censors are always lurking, Kaspersky Lab data, the Carbanak targets henchmen was waiting beside the machine down in decades on how people learn about the world “Since Xi Jinping has come in, the clampdown has said Dali Yang, faculty director of the University of included financial organizations in Russia, USA, to collect the ‘voluntary’ payment. around them, talk to each other and do business. been stronger and more unidirectional than anything Chicago’s center in Beijing. “This is a society with a Germany, China, Ukraine, Canada, Hong Kong, “These bank heists were surprising because On the Internet, in college classrooms and in corpo- since the Mao era,” Link said. Professor Xia Yeliang was tremendous level of information, people who are very Taiwan, Romania, France, Spain, Norway, India, it made no difference to the criminals what rate offices, the Chinese Communist Party has raised the among the first to feel the consequences when the eco- well educated in terms of actual information and they the UK, Poland, Pakistan, Nepal, Morocco, software the banks were using. So, even if its virtual wall separating the most populous country from nomics faculty of prestigious Peking University voted to know of history going back centuries,” Yang said. Iceland, Ireland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, software is unique, a bank cannot get compla- the rest of the globe. Experts say it reflects a distrust of expel him in October 2013, a month before Xi took Still, while Chinese leaders see the Internet as a Brazil, Bulgaria, and Australia. cent. The attackers didn’t even need to hack outside influences that the party thinks could threaten power after a lengthy, stage-managed transition. Xia source of prosperity and jobs, they are willing to give up It is estimated that the largest sums were into the banks’ services: once they got into the its control on society. had long been an advocate for democratic reforms in commercial gains to enforce political controls. When the grabbed by hacking into banks and stealing up network, they learned how to hide their mali- Companies that have depended for years on virtual China and helped draft Charter 08, a bold call for government clashed with Google, people in the indus- to ten million dollars in each raid. On average, cious plot behind legitimate actions. It was a private networks, or VPNs, to get around Chinese online sweeping changes to China’s political system. try warned that driving out the US search giant would each bank robbery took between two and four very slick and professional cyber-robbery,” said censors and access business tools have seen those hurt China’s development. months, from infecting the first computer at Sergey Golovanov, Principal Security channels squeezed or shut down since the start of the Political doctrine Walling off China’s Internet has allowed some local the bank’s corporate network to making off Researcher at Kaspersky Lab’s Global Research year. Academics who have long helped Chinese authori- Xia said more than 20 professors in China have been websites such as search engine Baidu and Weibo to with the stolen money. and Analysis Team. ties distill foreign ideas into public policy have been told expelled or otherwise disciplined for their political prosper in the absence of foreign competition. Other The cybercriminals began by gaining entry “These attacks again underline the fact that to watch what they say, especially about so-called teachings since Xi came to power. “Through my col- local companies, such as Pin’s startup, chafe at the into an employee’s computer through spear criminals will exploit any vulnerability in any Western ideas that clash with party doctrine. And many leagues, I can sense that the ideological controls are restrictions. Foreign entrepreneurs and companies, phishing, infecting the victim with the system. It also highlights the fact that no sector foreign companies that were welcomed into China’s getting much tighter,” said Xia, now a visiting fellow at meanwhile, are trying to figure out whether the costs of Carbanak malware. They were then able to can consider itself immune to attack and must booming economy have seen their offices raided by the libertarian US think tank the Cato Institute. In that doing business in China outweigh the benefits of tap- jump into the internal network and track down constantly address their security procedures. investigators and been forced to pay record fines in political climate, the government sees the Internet as a ping the world’s second-biggest economy. Rich Chinese administrators’ computers for video surveil- Identifying new trends in cybercrime is one of antitrust investigations. top threat and has responded by building a ubiquitous also are looking to leave the country. A survey by the lance. This allowed them to see and record the key areas where INTERPOL works with Despite Chinese government pledges to create an system for censoring what people in China can see British bank Barclays last everything that happened on the screens of Kaspersky Lab in order to help both the public innovation economy that leads the world, China ranked online. Xi presides over the powerful Central Internet year found that 47 percent of more than 2,000 high- staff who serviced the cash transfer systems. In and private sectors better protect themselves 22nd out of 50 countries, between Ireland and Spain, in Security and Information Leading Group, which formed worth Chinese are hoping to move within five years. The this way the fraudsters got to know every last from these evolving threats,” said Sanjay a global innovation index released this month by three months after he took power. The list of controls poll found that their top reasons were greater educa- detail of the bank clerks’ work and were able to Virmani, Director of the INTERPOL Digital Crime Bloomberg financial news service. grows every month. Late last year, Chinese censors final- tional and economic opportunities for their children mimic staff activity in order to transfer money Centre. “To have the best educational system and the best ly blocked all Google services after the US company and overall economic security. “Beijing is an attractive and cash out. Kaspersky Lab urges all financial organiza- university has nothing to do with how many high-rises refused to cooperate with them in 2010. This month, place to be because of the amazing talent,” said Beijing- tions to carefully scan their networks for the you have and how many good dining halls you have,” officials required that all Chinese blog and chat room based entrepreneur Nils Pihl, who heads the database How was the money stolen presence of Carbanak and, if detected, report said Rowena He, a Harvard University lecturer. “The users register with their real names and promise in writ- startup Traintracks. “But it’s getting harder for us to stay, 1) When the time came to cash in on their the intrusion to law enforcement. most important thing at the core is the intellectual free- ing to avoid challenging the political system. In the and my social feed is full of other CEOs saying they’re dom that makes up life in a university and academia,” coming weeks, new cybersecurity regulations will worried they will have to leave.” —AP HEALTH & SCIENCE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Wild ponies ride to the rescue of unique Czech ecosystem

MILOVICE: Wild ponies vanished from Czech soil thou- After Soviet-led armies occupied Czechoslovakia in sands of years ago but are now making a comeback 1968, the zone was transformed into a giant Soviet gar- thanks to an imported herd that conservationists hope rison. The last Soviet soldier left in 1991, two years after will rescue an unique ecosystem. The 14 light brown the Velvet Revolution ended communism in mares chomp on grass in a small enclosure in Milovice, Czechoslovakia, which then split into the Czech a small town just east of the capital Prague, as they Republic and Slovakia in 1993. recover from a long journey from Exmoor National Park in England. The stocky animals with black-and-tan Natural habitat noses, who stand four feet (1.25 metres) tall, are one of The regular army still exercises on the land, their just a handful of wild horse herds living in Central and movements helping to preserve the natural features of Eastern Europe. Archaeological research shows that the steppe by quashing less robust alien species. “In a groups of wild horses galloped across this part of the way, the activities of the army resembled those of the continent as far back as 4,700-3,700 BC before being wild bison, bovidae and horses of the past,” Dostal said domesticated. with a smirk. The Exmoor pony, which has always lived “It’s the first time the Czech Republic will use ponies in the wild, was chosen for the programme because of to save an ecosystem-a steppe in this case,” says Dalibor its size and pelt, which researchers say are closest to Dostal from the non-profit organization Ceska krajina those of the wild horses that used to inhabit the area. (Czech countryside). Behind him stretches 40 hectares Dostal said the Czech steppe was similar to the of plains covered in grass, plants, bushes and small ponies’ natural habitat 1,000 miles away in southwest trees-all delicacies for the ponies, who happily snack on England. “I’ve been here four or five times and I don’t leaves and branches. Miroslav Jirku from the Czech think there’s any problems, hopefully they’ll go on and Academy of Sciences is betting that the newcomers will breed and do well,” said Richard Caley, the English driver devour the invasive species that are choking rare of the truck that brought the ponies to Milovice. “The indigenous specimens of flora and fauna. “The butterfly MILOVICE: The wild horses are seen in their enclosure in Milovice town, 70 km far from Exmoor kind are a little bit endangered so... they’re and the plant are the indisputable kings and queens of Prague. — AFP moving them away from England and they’re bringing this area,” Jirku told AFP, pointing to the Alcon Blue but- them here, making up a new breeding program. Which terfly and the tiny blue plant Cross Gentian as exam- hadn’t arrived,” Jirku said. Various species of birds, rep- The remains of 5,170 Italians, 521 Russians and 51 is good,” he said. Co-financed by the European Union, ples. tiles and other animals also risk being driven out of the Serbs are buried at a nearby military cemetery. The the project is managed by Ceska krajina in conjunction area should efforts to save the steppe fail, he added. Czechoslovak army took over the zone in 1918 but was with the Czech Academy of Sciences, European Wildlife Steppe steeped in history The ponies’ new home on the plains is a military zone expelled by the Nazis in 1939. German field marshall and several Czech universities. The herd is expected to “These precious organisms would disappear and the established by the Austro-Hungarian army in 1904. Erwin Rommel-nicknamed “Desert Fox” for his Africa grow by dozens of animals after a stud stallion arrives steppe would turn into a forest if the English ponies Milovice housed a prisoner camp during World War I. campaign-trained his Afrikakorps in this sandy area. this spring. — AFP

Vaccine opposition has ebbed and flowed over the centuries

NEW YORK: They’re considered one of the pendulum had swung. Medical science mankind’s greatest medical achievements, yet was widely respected, doctors were consid- people have balked at vaccines almost since ered sages, and one of the nation’s greatest the time of the first vaccination - in 1796, heroes was Dr. Jonas Salk - inventor of the when an English country doctor named polio vaccine. Polio - a crippling and potential- Edward Jenner inoculated an 8-year-old boy ly fatal infectious disease - terrified the nation. against smallpox. In the mid-1800s, people In the early 1950s, outbreaks caused more protested in the streets of Victorian England than 15,000 cases of paralysis each year. after the British government began requiring When researchers in 1955 showed Salk’s citizens to get the vaccination. Many oppo- vaccine worked, the news spurred jubilation. nents mistrusted doctors and were wary of a One medical leader pleaded with adults not medical treatment they didn’t understand. In to grab the limited doses of the vaccine. “Give the early days, the closely related cowpox the children priority,” begged Dr Dwight virus was used to immunize people against Murray, chairman of the American Medical smallpox. Association’s board of trustees. Enthusiasm for “People were afraid that if you got the the polio vaccine persisted even after news cowpox vaccine you would turn into a cow,” surfaced - only weeks later - that some early said Dr Paul Offit, a vaccine researcher at batches had caused polio in children. “If Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia who is an something similar happened today, it’s hard outspoken critic of anti vaccination groups. to imagine a vaccination program going for- More than a century and a half later, there’s ward,” Princeton’s Schwartz said. still an undercurrent of vaccine dislike and dis- The anti-vaccine movement overall kept a trust in the United States as illustrated by the fairly low profile until 1998, when a British measles outbreak that started in December at medical journal published a now discredited Disneyland - likely brought in from overseas study in which researcher Andrew Wakefield as has been the case in recent years. Many of and his colleagues suggested a link between those who got and spread the highly conta- the combination measles-mumps-rubella vac- gious illness hadn’t gotten the childhood cine and autism. It was a small series of obser- shots. vations in just a dozen children, not a full This undated handout photo shows the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico. The world’s largest single antenna, it has a million watt All this despite medical science’s proven medical study. But it exploded in the media, transmitter. Astronomers have their own cosmic version of the single person’s Valentine’s Day dilemma: Do you wait for that interesting successes in wiping out not only the much- and resulted in a big drop in immunization person to call you or do you make the call yourself and risk getting shot down. — AP feared smallpox and polio, but nearly elimi- rates in Britain. The effect was not nearly as nating other serious illnesses like diphtheria, dramatic in the US, but researchers estimate German measles, lockjaw and mumps in the that as many as 125,000 children born in the Should we call the cosmos United States. Through it all, anti-vaccine sen- late 1990s did not get the shots because of timents have ebbed and flowed. “It is fair to the report. say that for as long as we’ve had vaccines, governments have worked to promote those Alarms seeking ET? Or is that risky? vaccines - and segments of the population The United States then was on the verge of have resisted,” said Jason Schwartz, a medical seeing the end of “homegrown” measles - historian who studies vaccine policy at health officials declared that goal accom- Astronomers seeking for alien life Princeton University. In the US, opposition to plished in 2000. Still, the Wakefield study vaccines was most intense in the late 1800s knocked even prominent US vaccine experts SAN JOSE: Astronomers have their own version of assured a crowd of reporters: “There’s no danger of Equation that scientists use to estimate the chances and early 1900s, said Susan Lederer, chair of off balance and emboldened vaccine skeptics the single person’s dilemma: Do you wait by the alien invasion from active SETI.” that other life is out there. More than 40 years ago, medical history and bioethics at the University and some legislators to raise alarms about phone for a call from that certain someone? Or do But as a science fiction author, as well as an astro- Drake and Sagan beamed a message into space to of Wisconsin. vaccines. The years 1998 and 1999 marked a you make the call yourself and risk getting shot physicist, David Brin thinks inviting aliens here is a bad look for aliens, a first for Earth. It was a short message low point for those who championed vac- down? Instead of love, of course, astronomers are idea. Even if there is a low risk of a nasty creature com- from the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, and it lunatic fringe cines, Schwartz said. But the situation soon looking for alien life, and for decades, they have sat ing, the consequences could be extreme. “I can’t bring was aimed at a star cluster called Messier 13. It will That’s when organizations like the Anti- changed. When other researchers did larger by their telescopes, waiting to hear from ET. It didn’t myself to wager my grandchildren’s destiny on unreli- take 25,000 years to get there, Drake said. Vaccination League of America and the and well-designed studies, they found no link happen, and so now some of them want to beam able assumptions” about benevolent aliens, Brin said. “The probability of succeeding is infinitesimally American Medical Liberty League led the to autism. Wakefield’s work was discredited messages out into the void and invite the closest few Brin noted that European explorers brought slaughter small,” Drake said, rolling out calculations about the charge. Some used photos depicting vacci- and his paper retracted. But all this happened thousand worlds to chat or even visit. and disease to less technologically advanced people incredible amount of time it takes messages to go nated children with scars and missing limbs during an era of growing rates of autism diag- Others scientists, including Stephen Hawking, in the Americas more than 500 years ago. He called for back and forth and his estimate that the average civi- and eyes, claiming immunizations were to noses, and an array of parents groups and think that’s crazy, warning that instead of sweet and the science community to put efforts on hold for an lization will last only 10,000 years. So why’d he do it? blame. “For a long time in history, people some celebrities continued to believe vac- gentle ET, we may get something like the planet- ethical and scientific discussion on “why it won’t go Curiosity, Drake said. And it doesn’t matter if our civi- treated anti-vaxers as irrational and anti- cines were the cause. conquering aliens from “Independence Day.” The the same way as between Cortez and the Aztecs.” lization is gone by the time E.T. answers, if he does. progress - kind of a lunatic fringe. But there Overall, vaccination rates for kindergarten consequences, they say, could be catastrophic. But As Brin, Shostak, Vakoch and others sparred at a “We get messages from the ancient Greeks and were good reasons to be leery of vaccines” pupils have held steady across the country, calling out there ourselves may be the only way to news conference, 84-year-old Frank Drake sat in the Romans and Socrates all the time, long since gone. back then, she said. Vaccines sold at the time although health officials have noted certain find out if we are not alone, and humanity may bene- back quietly. Drake, a pioneer in the search for extra- Still valuable,” Drake said. “We’re going to do the were unregulated, and many were not only communities have seen increasing numbers fit from alien intelligence, said Douglas A Vakoch, terrestrial life, created the formula called Drake’s archaeology of the future.”— AP ineffective but also risky because of how they of families who have refused to vaccinate their whose title - for real - is director of interstellar mes- were made or given. Some were not sterile children. The situation sat at a low boil until sage composition at the SETI Institute in Mountain and infected children with other germs, like the Disneyland outbreak. It struck a nerve View, California. Mexican gray wolf population tetanus. with public health advocates, parents who SETI stands for Search for Extraterrestrial But opposition faded. Legal challenges to support vaccination and even comedians. “I’ve Intelligence, and until now it’s been mostly a listen- peaks in American Southwest school-attendance vaccination laws were shot never seen this level of anger at parents ing-type thing. This dispute - which mixes astrono- down by the US Supreme Court. Vaccine mak- who’ve chosen not to vaccinate their children,” my, science fiction, philosophy, the law, mathematics ALBUQUERQUE: There are now more Mexican “We very clearly knew from the very beginning that ers came under more federal regulation, and Offit said. He thinks a large reason is that the and a touch of silliness - broke out Thursday and gray wolves roaming the American Southwest we couldn’t get along strictly with the biology,” he the shots were better and safer. And some of outbreak was launched at Disneyland. “It’s the Friday at a convention in San Jose of the American than at any time since the federal government said. “The social tolerance part is absolutely critical.” the richest and most influential opponents Garden of Eden. And what have we done? Association for the Advancement of Science. And this began reintroducing the endangered predators. Despite the increase in wolf numbers, federal died off. By the end of the 1930s, resistance Brought this virus into the Garden of Eden,” he week several prominent space experts, including An annual survey released Friday by the US Fish wildlife officials are still concerned about ensuring had declined dramatically. And by the 1950s, said.—AP Space X founder Elon Musk and planet hunter Geoff and Wildlife Service shows at least 109 wolves are genetic diversity. Inbreeding can cause a number of Marcy, started a petition cautioning against sending spread among forested lands in southwestern problems, including low survivability among pups. out such messages, saying it is impossible to predict New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. The popu- Officials said 2014 marked one of the most success- whether extraterrestrial life will be benign or hostile. lation is more than double what it was in 2010. ful years, with 38 pups surviving at least through Vakoch is hosting a separate conference Saturday Last year, the survey turned up at least 83 wolves. the end of the year. That’s compared to only 17 in at the SETI Institute on the calling-all-aliens proposal Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director 2013. While biologists documented 19 packs and what the messages should say. The idea is called Benjamin Tuggle described the increase as a mon- between Arizona and New Mexico, there were only active SETI, and according to Vakoch would involve umental milestone that has resulted from a combi- eight breeding pairs. “While overall numbers are the beaming of messages via radar and perhaps nation of management changes made in recent important, this is somewhat worrisome,” said eventually lasers. We’ve been inadvertently sending years, experiments such as cross-fostering pups Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological radio and TV signals out to the cosmos for some 70 among different wolf packs and more social toler- Diversity. “This is a narrow base for the future. years though less now, with cable and satellite send- ance for the animals. Breeding pairs give us insight into the potential for ing shows directly down to Earth. In fact, each day a “We don’t have the total formula. But we have growth of the population.” Jim DeVos, an assistant new far-off planet may be just now catching the lat- what we think are the key elements for success, so director with the Arizona Game and Fish est episode of the 1950s sitcom “I Love Lucy,” said we’re trying to move forward,” Tuggle said during a Department, said the latest survey is good news astronomer Seth Shostak, a senior astronomer at the conference call. A subspecies of the gray wolf, the when considering there wasn’t a single wolf on the SETI Institute. Mexican wolf was added to the federal endangered landscape in 1997. In fact, a Mexican gray wolf had- There have been a few small and unlikely-to-work species list in 1976. It wasn’t until 1998 that the first n’t been seen in the Southwest since 1970. efforts to beam messages out there in the past, captive-bred wolves were released into the wild. “It’s such a tremendous step in the right direc- including NASA sending the Beatles song “Across the The reintroduction effort has been hampered by tion to recovery an iconic species,” he said. “This Universe” into the cosmos in 2008. NASA’s Voyager politics, illegal killings and other factors. Disputes type of recovery in a working landscape is certainly probe recently left the solar system with a “golden over management of the program have spurred incredible and it bodes well for the future.” The pop- record” created by Carl Sagan with a message, and numerous legal actions by environmentalists who ulation now consists of four generations of wild- the space agency’s New Horizon probe will also have want more wolves to be released and by ranchers born wolves. More than half of them are outfitted greetings on it by the time it exits the solar system. concerned about their livelihoods and safety in with collars so managers can track and monitor WASHINGTON: Kelly Moore, Director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s But what scientists are now talking about is a coordi- rural communities. their activities, federal officials said. The numbers Immunization Program, testifies during a hearing before Senate Health, nated and sustained million-dollar-a-year effort with Tuggle pointed to efforts to interact more with are expected to continue growing because the Fish Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. approval from some kind of science or international ranchers, methods for limiting livestock kills by and Wildlife Service recently finalized changes that The committee held a hearing on ‘The Reemergence of Vaccine-Preventable body and a message that people agree on. It’s an wolves and a compensation program aimed at eas- will allow the wolves more room to expand their ing the economic consequences of wolf predation. Diseases: Exploring the Public Health Successes and Challenges.’ — AFP “attempt to join the galactic club,” Vakoch said. He territory, the officials said. — AP HEALTH & SCIENCE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

TSC, CAN raise awareness on cancer prevention Eye-opener: KUWAIT: Driven by its social commitment to effectively Palliative Care Center, covered general information about TSC is further raising awareness on the importance of contribute to the wellbeing of the society while taking all cancer, types of cancer, warning signs and symptoms, eating a balanced and healthy diet that may reduce a per- American necessary initiatives to spread the awareness and guidance known causes, risk factors, effect of lifestyle, diet and can- son’s risk of developing cancer and contributes to a person about serious health matters The Sultan, organized an cer correlation, cancer among women and dangers of overall health and well-being” stated Zantout. In this awareness lecture under the theme of: “Together To Beat tobacco abuse. Bassam Zantout -Commercial and regard TSC has introduced a complete range of natural and teens getting Cancer”, in collaboration with Cancer Aware Nation Operations Director for TSC; said: “TSC has taken this initia- organic products and offers our customers a wide selec- Association (CAN), about the prevention and early detec- tive in collaboration with CANs to organize this lecture for tion of healthy products in which to choose. TSC would like less sleep tion of cancer at TSC Sharq. our customers and the community and to spread aware- to thank CANs, the community and media for attending Attended by a crowd of TSC customers and media, the ness on the importance of prevention, early detection and this event in addressing this health challenge facing the CHICAGO: US teens are getting sleepier: Many lack lecture given by Dr Najlaa Al-Sayid, Physician at the treatment of cancer should it occur. community. even seven hours of shut-eye each night and the problem has worsened over two decades, a study found. More than half of kids aged 15 and older would need to sleep at least two hours more each night to meet recommendations for adequate rest, heightening concerns about the impact on their health and academic performance. That’s according to researchers who analyzed the University of Michigan’s annual “Monitoring the Future” national surveys of youth behavior. The study involved nearly 300,000 teens asked in 1991-2012 surveys if they reg- ularly got at least seven hours of sleep nightly and enough sleep. Results were published in Monday’s Pediatrics. Some highlights:

Eye-openers Experts generally recommend nine or 10 hours of sleep for teens; over half of the 15- to 19-year-olds surveyed in 2012 said they didn’t even get seven hours each night. Declines in nightly sleep were seen in teens of all ages during the two decades. The biggest drop was among 15-year-olds - just over half the kids this age reported at least seven hours night- ly in 1991, versus less than 43 percent in 2012. Also, about 30 percent of 15-year-olds reported getting Satellites help predict what they considered enough sleep in 1991, versus 24 percent in 2012. Reports were slightly better for younger teens and worse for the oldest teens. In most surveys, girls and non-whites were the least outbreaks of disease likely to report seven hours of sleep. What gives? Reasons for the trend are uncertain but lead author Katherine Keyes, a Columbia University public Remote sensing can identify where disease flourishes health researcher, said factors that might have con- tributed include increasing use of social media, SAN JOSE: Satellites can help scientists follow parasites and needs,” Clements said. According to Kenneth Linthicum, direc- people and implement control and mitigation strategies to smartphones and other electronics, and rising rates viruses, and in some cases predict months ahead of time an tor of the US Department of Agriculture Center for medical reduce the impact of the diseases on animals and people,” he of obesity, which has been linked with sleep depriva- outbreak of dengue fever or malaria, researchers said Sunday. agriculture and veterinary entomology in Florida, this said. The risk of coming epidemics are published on the USDA tion. Other research has suggested that early school “Some diseases are highly sensitive to their environment, approach helps government scientists “use environmental website as well as by the World Health Organization and the start times play a role and advocates have been especially parasitic diseases,” said Archie Clements, director of data, particularly global climate data, on a global scale to pre- United Nations’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). For pushing for later times for teens. Kids who don’t get the school of population health at the Australian National dict certain diseases before they occur.” dengue in Africa, scientists have discovered that high heat enough sleep are at risk for mood problems, depres- University in Canberra. Satellite data can be particularly helpful in predicting the and drought often precede an outbreak. “The key is under- sion, memory and learning difficulties and poor “With remote sensing you can identify places where dis- rise of mosquito-borne diseases, he told the conference. His standing the ecology and the transmission dynamics of the grades, said psychologist Daniel Lewin, a sleep spe- ease flourishes,” Clements told the annual meeting of the team has worked on Rift Valley fever, a viral disease transmit- disease,” said Linthicum. “You need to know what is going to cialist at Children’s National Medical Center in American Association for the Advancement of Science in San ted by mosquitoes that is found in Africa and on the Arabian happen before you go to the satellite data.” Washington, DC. He said about 40 percent of US high Jose, California. “This information is useful for decision makers peninsula. The disease primarily affects livestock such as cat- The system doesn’t work quite as well with certain dis- schools start classes before 8 am - early morning to help them ensure scarce resources are targeted to where tle, sheep and goats, killing the animals and wreaking eco- eases, like malaria and chikungunya, with which a variety of hours that are teens’ “optimal sleep period.” they are most needed,” he said, noting that tropical diseases nomic havoc through food shortages and increasing prices on environmental factors come into play. While heat and dry- affect millions of people each year particularly in less devel- the people who rely on those animals for food and income. ness raise the risk of dengue in Africa, in Asia the same risk Solutions oped nations. Each time there were heavy rains that led to homes getting can be seen in times of heavy rain. “But I think in a near The researchers say improving teens’ understand- Scientists use data transmitted by satellite on temperature, flooded, conditions were right for the disease-bearing mos- future we will be able to predict many more of these dis- ing of how much sleep they need, and the conse- precipitation, soil moisture, vegetation type and land use, quitoes eggs to hatch, scientists learned. eases,” said Linthicum. For Clements, the key challenge is quence of not gettinsnanog enough, could help. then analyze that information in a computer model. “The “We are able to predict those outbreaks two to five months getting important resources where they are needed before They also say reversing the trend will require public result is maps that are accessible to countries with limited before they occur and the real key there is by allowing us to disaster strikes. He described resource mobilization as a “crit- health efforts to raise awareness about the impor- capacity for managing disease data, tailored to their local predict disease that far in advance we can actually help warn ical problem.”— AFP tance of sleep for teens. — AP Archaeologists Taiwan’s master of Great find couple locked in millennia-old hug Barrier Reef ship charged SYDNEY: The master of a Taiwanese ship has been Police said authorities in Townsville detected ATHENS: Death did not part them. Archaeologists in charged with failing to take on a pilot to navigate the ship, which was reportedly carrying coal, southern Greece have discovered the grave of a man Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, police said yesterday. shortly after it entered the compulsory pilotage Environmentalists said the incident highlights the area. They ensured it returned to land to take on a and woman buried as they died some 5,800 years ago - risks from shipping to the World Heritage site off the pilot. The master was charged after the vessel still tightly embracing. A senior member of the excava- northeast coast. The Australian Federal Police said the returned to Australia recently, docking in tion team, Anastassia Papathanassiou, says the discov- master of the “China Steel Developer”, a 66-year-old Newcastle on Saturday. Police said sentencing ery - made in 2013 and publicized this week after DNA Taiwanese, had been charged with attempting to would be in Newcastle today, with the maximum testing determined each skeleton’s sex - is the oldest of depart Australian waters on January 1 without a pilot penalty for the offence a Aus$85,000 (US$74,475) on board. fine. Conservationists have long raised fears about its kind in Greece. She says the couple most likely died Pilots with extensive local knowledge are manda- the impact on the Great Barrier Reef, particularly holding each other. Papathanassiou told The Associated tory for travel through parts of the Great Barrier Reef from shipping, from Queensland’s coal and gas Press on Friday that the remains of the couple, estimat- marine park. “The potential environmental, econom- boom. In April 2010 the Chinese-registered coal ed to be in their 20s, were found near the Alepotrypa ic and social consequences could have been severe if carrier Shen Neng 1 foundered, leaking tons of Cave, an important prehistoric site. It’s unclear how they an unescorted voyage had gone wrong,” said the heavy fuel oil and threatening an ecological disas- died and whether they were related, but marine park authority’s general manager Andrew ter. A catastrophe was avoided but the huge ship This undated handout photo shows the remains of a man and woman in Skeat. “We would urge all commercial shipping com- gouged a three kilometer-long scar in the reef and Papathanassiou says further DNA testing should answer their early twenties, buried as they died nearly 6,000 years ago - locked in a panies to abide by the rules and understand they’re was stranded for nine days before salvagers could the latter question. — AP tight embrace in Diros, southern Greece. — AP designed to safeguard a critical ecosystem.” refloat it. —AFP WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

The Regency’s Silk Road Restaurant The main pool The Regency Hotel launches ‘Tastes of Lebanon’ at Silk Road in Feb

ocated on the magical shores of The As a continuation to The Regency’s sive culinary offering “Tastes of Lebanon” Road’s elegant atmosphere. The Lebanese “Tastes of Lebanon” with The Regency’s Arabian Gulf, The Regency Hotel’s Silk efforts to offer guests the opportunity to starting from February 19th until February Cuisine is famous for its hot and cold Mezze Chef “Hussain Musselmani” will start on LRoad restaurant serves nothing but the taste different dishes from all over the 28th prepared by Chef Hussain like Beirutie Hummus, Mujadra, Grilled February 19th, 2015 until February 28th, finest dishes in its international buffet. Silk world cooked by professional chefs, it Musselmani. Halloumi, Stuffed Vine Leaves, 2015 at 7:00pm at The Regency’s Silk Road Road is considered to be one of the finest introduced Australia Week, The Thai Feast, An array of Lebanese dishes with deli- Moghrabyeh, Kishek Shankleesh and much Restaurant. For more information, please restaurants in Kuwait that serves a wide and Spanish Week and much more. And once cious flavors will be presented by Chef more including enticing main dishes and visit the hotel’s website www.theregen- rich variety of foods to entice your taste buds. again The Regency presents a new exten- Hussain and his team, surrounded by Silk desserts. cykuwait.com or call 25766666.

FOSA hosts family workshop by Dr N P Hafiz Mohammad

uwait Chapter of FOSA (Farook College comed the gathering. gulf parents. Many parents are unable to resolve many of their issues like parent child advise parents on the subject. Old Students’ Association) held a work- FOSA honored Dr. N.P. Hafiz Mohammad by resolve many issues with their adolescent chil- conflict, adolescent love affairs, problems in A team of FOSA members, Ahmed Koya KV, Kshop on ‘Parenting is not a Magic but presenting him with a memento from Ayyoob dren, particularly finding it difficult to control goal setting and career guidance. When the Basheer Batha, Imtiaz CEV, Rameez, Ashraf Wonder’ by renowned sociologist, writer and Kacheri, Regional Director of Grand Hyper mobile and internet abuse. Frequent conflicts parents try to get emotionally involved in any Mohammed Vakath, Ashraf Moosa, Subair MM, counselor Dr N P Hafiz Mohammad at Kuwait Market Kuwait. The Felicitation speech was took place when parents interfere in their chil- behavioral problems their child exhibits, the Haneef Mohammed, Dr Mustafa and Kamal Medical Association Hall, Jabriya on 13 delivered by Siddique Valiyakath, President of dren’s online life. situation is worsened. As such expat organiza- Koshani were on at forefront of the family February, 2015. The function started with a FIMA - Kuwait. Moreover, Gulf parents who bring their chil- tions ignore the burning issues and do not meet that filled with fun and games. Asharaf P recitation of the holy Qur’an by Basit Ashraf, Dr Mohammad started the presentation by dren with them fail to build a relationship and organize any effective programs to resolve the T expressed the vote of thanks to the partici- and the inaugural ceremony was presided discussing the present scenario of Gulf parent- consequently are miserable when the children tension. He appreciated FOSA for taking up pants and Grand Hyper Market, Royal City over by Mohammed Rafi, President of FOSA ing with its challenges, and underlined the are sent back to India. In gulf countries, there the challenge by organizing this interactive Clinic and Ashraf and Co, for sponsoring the Kuwait. Riyas Ahmed, General Secretary wel- various problems generally observed among are no efficient intervention programs to session in the workshop, which will guide and program.

ANNOUNCEMENT KEF conducts health seminar

Merger of PIO, OCI Schemes uwait Engineers Forum (KEF), currently in its 25th year The Indian Embassy wishes to inform that Person of Indian Origin is in the midst of an elaborate yearlong celebration to (PIO) card scheme has been withdrawn by Government of India commemorate the Silver Jubilee. It conducted a and has been merged with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card K health campaign for its members and their family recently at scheme w.e.f 9th January 2015. Hence as per Government of India Carmel School, Khaitan. The highlight of the campaign was a Gazette Notification No.11 dated 9th January 2015, all PIO card- free medical check-up for all and a special session on breast holders will be deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India cardholder. cancer followed by a check-up for the ladies of the associa- Therefore, the Embassy of India will no longer be issuing PIO cards. tion. It was conducted by the most renowned medical practi- Fresh applications will be accepted only for Overseas Citizenship of tioner in the field, Dr Susovana Nair. India cards. For any clarification, please contact J S Dangi, Second A series of health talks followed thereafter in a wide Secretary (Consular) at Telephone No 22533315, Mobile No range of topics like neck pain, leukemia, diabetic 97229947 and e mail [email protected] and Shri D K Tripathi, retinopathy, obesity, diet control and cardiology related Consular Wing at Telephone No 22530600 Extn-235. issues by very experienced doctors in Kuwait like Unnikrishnan, Anitha Ramakrishnan, Sebastian Mathew, Bangladeshi Embassy announcement PC Nair, and Vinod Warrier along with Rashida Hatim. All The Bangladeshi Embassy will remain closed on Wednesday and the sessions were interactive in nature and the engineer- Thursday, the 25th and 26th of February 2015, on the occasion of ing fraternity had a lot of questions to ask the experts and National Day and Liberation Day of the State of Kuwait. the specialists were most forthcoming and willing to answer all the queries in a most simple and easily-under- Indian Embassy notice standable manner. To add some humor and relaxation in The Indian Embassy would like to inform that the EdCIL (India) the midst of the serious health discussions, a JAM (Just A Limited, a Government of India Enterprise, formerly known as minute) competition was held for the members. Educational Consultants India Limited (Ed.CIL), has been designat- ed as the “Nodal Agency” to promote Indian education abroad. EdCIL has been assisting NRIs, PIOs and foreign nationals for pursu- ing Under-graduate courses, Post-Graduate Courses and Doctoral Programs in Indian Institutions. Details of assistance provided by EdCIL to Indian Diaspora as well as foreign nationals are available on their website ‘www.edcilindia.co.in’. Those interested may please contact Dr Shaik Suleman, Head, Placement and Secondment, EdCIL (India) Ltd, EdCIL House-18-A, Sector-16-A, NOIDA - 201301, UP (Tel 0091-120-2515281, Fax: 0091-120-2515372, E-mail: ssule- [email protected], [email protected]), for further information.

What’s On - Submission Guidelines

All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone numbers. Articles and photos that fail to meet these requirements will not be published. Please send them to [email protected] aramon Association of Kuwait celebrated a family get together and annual meeting. Association President Lalan Maramon presided over the meet- ing, and it was inaugurated by Varghese Puthukulanagara, Pravasi welfare board member. Thomas Varghese (patron) George Cherian (General MSecretary) Varghese Joseph Maramon (ex-committee member) A M Mammen (Treasurer) and Rachel Oommen (Joint Secretary) were also present. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Movenpick Hotel and Resort Al Bida’a Hosts BSME Students

ovenpick Hotel and Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait was chosen by the British School of Kuwait (BSK) to host visiting teams from dif- Mferent British schools in the Middle East, who came to Kuwait to attend the Annual Under 13 British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) Games from 13 to 17 January, 2015, under the patronage of HE Sheikh Faisal Al Hmoud Al Malek Al Sabah and HE British Ambassador to Kuwait, Matthew Lodge. Students from British Schools travelled from Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to compete in the event, with 300 students representing 12 schools for a weekend of sports, competition and fun. Both students and their teachers were extremely happy with the wide range of five-star facilities available at Movenpick Hotel and Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait and with the professional service provided throughout their stay. “It was our pleasure and honor to be chosen out of all the five-star hotels in Kuwait to host BSME guests”, said Maged Gubr, General Manager of Movenpick Hotel and Resort Al Bida’a Kuwait. “We hope that this will be the start of a long and fruitful business relationship between Movenpick and the British School of Kuwait.”

HMS Dauntless visits Premier Sport Academy

MS Dauntless sailors took some time out during their visit to Kuwait to visit the Premier Sport Academy for a football match against the Everton Under 18s and coaches team. The match proved to be a competitive, keenly contested affair with nothing to choose between the two teams during the first half hour. Eventually the Navy team opened the scoring and then added a second just before half Htime. The Everton boys came back well in the second half and defended resolutely against a very strong forces team, but two further goals late in the second half gave HMS Dauntless a comfortable score line, not truly reflective of a much closer game. Colonel Stephen Kilpatrick refereed the game, which, whilst highly competitive, was nevertheless played in a sporting manner.

ADNEC hosts International Defense Exhibition, Conference

eld under the patronage of His National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). IDEX the Canadian Commercial Corporation, networking events, foreign military dele- allowing it to compete and win amongst Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin is the only international Defense exhibi- and includes 29 Canadian companies, gation tours, commercial tours, and busi- the best in the world. HZayed Al Nahyan, President of the tion and conference in the MENA region 16 Canadian exhibitors and four ness-to-business meetings. 3- As indicated in Economic Action Plan UAE and Supreme Commander of the demonstrating the latest technology Government of Canada departments 2013, the Government of Canada endorses UAE Armed Forces, IDEX 2015 is organ- across land, sea and air sectors of and stakeholders. About Canada’s Defense the use of Key Industrial Capabilities (KICs) ized by the Abu Dhabi National Defense. It is a unique platform to estab- Organized by the Canadian and Security Industry: to leverage military procurement to sup- Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in associa- lish and strengthen relationships with Association of Defense and Security 1- The Canadian Defense and security port Canadian jobs and growth. tion and with the full support of the UAE government departments, businesses Industries (CADSI), the Canada Pavilion is industrial base consists of over 2,000 firms 4- The Defense and security industry Armed Forces .The 12th International and armed forces throughout the region. located in Hall 1, Stand 01-B46and show- across the country. employs 109,000 Canadians and con- Defense Exhibition and Conference Canada’s presence at IDEX2015 is its cases Canada’s leading Defense and 2- Canada’s Defense and Security sector tributed more than $12.6 billion to the (IDEX) will take place from February 22- biggest yet. The delegation is led by security products and services. The is recognized worldwide for the highly spe- Canadian economy in 2011 (2011 figures 26, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, at the ABU Dhabi Martin Zablocki, President and CEO of Canada Pavilion will host a number of cialized products and services it develops, represent the latest data available). TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

19:20 Survive That! 06:10 Take On The Twisters 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 09:00 Good Deeds-PG15 20:10 The Liquidator 07:05 Come Dine With Me Ireland 14:00 Unforgettable 11:00 Grace Unplugged-PG 20:35 Auction Hunters 07:30 Get Your Act Together 15:00 Covert Affairs 13:00 Turbo-PG 21:00 Bear Grylls’ Wild Weekend 08:30 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 16:00 Emmerdale 14:45 The Wolverine-PG15 21:50 When Fish Attack Of Dogs 16:30 Coronation Street 17:00 Good Deeds-PG15 00:50 Shark Attack Survival Guide 22:40 Survive That! 08:55 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 19:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit- 01:45 The Wild Life Of Tim 23:30 Alaska: The Last Frontier Of Dogs 18:00 Unforgettable PG15 Faulkner 09:20 The Chase 19:00 Criminal Minds 21:00 I Will Follow You Into The 02:15 The Wild Life Of Tim 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries 20:00 State Of Affairs Dark-PG15 Faulkner 11:10 Emmerdale 22:00 True Blood 23:00 Lone Survivor-PG15 02:40 Tanked 11:35 Emmerdale 23:00 The Client List 03:35 The Lion Queen 12:00 Coronation Street 04:25 The Wild Life Of Tim 12:30 The Hungry Sailors Faulkner 00:00 Violetta 13:25 Take On The Twisters 04:50 The Wild Life Of Tim 00:45 The Hive 14:20 Come Dine With Me Ireland Faulkner 00:50 Art Attack 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 05:15 Roaring With Pride 01:15 Art Attack 15:35 The Chase 01:00 Oggy & The Cockroaches: 06:02 Call Of The Wildman 01:40 Jungle Junction 16:30 Endeavour The Movie 06:25 Call Of The Wildman 01:50 Jungle Junction 18:20 Take On The Twisters 02:45 Home Alone 3 06:49 The Lion Queen 02:05 Jungle Junction 19:10 Coronation Street 01:00 Good Morning America 04:30 Barbie And The Diamond 07:36 The Wild Life Of Tim 02:15 Jungle Junction 19:35 The Chase 05:00 Good Morning America Castle Faulkner 02:30 Violetta 20:30 Endeavour 10:00 Emmerdale 06:00 A Cat In Paris 08:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 03:10 The Hive 22:20 Coronation Street 10:30 Coronation Street 08:00 Barbie As The Princess And Faulkner 03:20 Art Attack 22:50 Emmerdale 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show The Pauper 08:25 Too Cute! 03:45 Art Attack 23:15 Emmerdale 15:00 Live Good Morning America 10:00 Tiny Heroes 09:15 The Lion Queen 04:10 Jungle Junction 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries 19:00 Drop Dead Diva 11:30 Ploddy Police Car 10:10 Call Of The Wildman 04:20 Jungle Junction 20:00 Royal Pains 13:00 Kong Return To The Jungle 10:35 Call Of The Wildman 04:35 Jungle Junction 14:30 Barbie As The Princess And 11:05 Gator Boys 04:45 Jungle Junction The Pauper 12:00 Too Cute! 05:00 Art Attack 16:00 Wheelers 12:55 The Lion Queen 05:25 Art Attack 18:00 Tiny Heroes 13:50 Roaring With Pride 05:50 Mouk 20:00 The Happets 00:00 Outback Wrangler 14:45 The Wild Life Of Tim 06:00 Kim Possible 22:00 Kong Return To The Jungle 01:00 Animal Intervention 00:00 Safe Faulkner 06:25 Austin & Ally 23:30 Wheelers 02:00 Mega Breakdown 02:00 Universal Soldier: Day Of 15:15 The Wild Life Of Tim 06:50 Girl Meets World 03:00 Car SOS Reckoning Faulkner 07:15 Liv And Maddie 04:00 Hunter Hunted 04:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms 15:40 Tanked 07:40 Jessie 05:00 Alaska Wing Men 05:45 Iron Man 16:35 Rogue Nature With Dave 08:05 Dog With A Blog 06:00 Perilous Journeys 08:00 The Peacemaker Salmoni 08:30 Good Luck Charlie 07:00 The Living Edens 10:15 Flightplan 17:30 The Lion Queen 08:55 Good Luck Charlie 08:00 Outback Wrangler 12:15 Marvel’s Doctor Strange 00:00 Horizon-PG15 18:25 Roaring With Pride 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 09:00 Animal Intervention 14:00 Safe 02:00 Lakeview Terrace-PG15 19:20 Call Of The Wildman 09:45 Sonny With A Chance 10:00 Mega Breakdown 15:45 Iron Man 04:00 Dark Tide-PG15 19:50 Call Of The Wildman 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 11:00 Mad Scientists 18:00 Hunt To Kill 06:00 Legendary Amazons-PG15 20:15 Tanked 10:35 Suite Life On Deck 11:30 Mad Scientists 20:00 Flightplan 08:00 The Great Ghost Rescue-PG 21:10 The Lion Queen 11:00 That’s So Raven 12:00 The Indestructibles 22:00 Red 2 10:00 Lovestruck: The Musical 22:05 Roaring With Pride 11:25 That’s So Raven 12:30 The Indestructibles 12:00 Dark Tide-PG15 23:00 Call Of The Wildman 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 13:00 Caught In The Act 14:00 Marvel’s The Invincible Iron 23:30 Call Of The Wildman 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 14:00 Wild Australia Man-PG 23:55 Mermaids: The Body Found 12:40 Hannah Montana 15:00 Prehistoric Predators 16:00 The Great Ghost Rescue-PG 13:05 Hannah Montana 16:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 18:00 Vehicle 19-PG15 13:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 17:00 Air Crash Investigation 00:00 Universal Soldier: Day Of 20:00 Closed Circuit-PG15 13:55 Wizards Of Waverly Place 18:00 Breakout 22:00 This Is The End-18 14:20 Austin & Ally Reckoning-R 19:00 Prehistoric Predators 15:00 Dog With A Blog 02:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms 20:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 15:20 Dog With A Blog 03:45 Iron Man-PG15 00:25 Eastenders 21:00 Air Crash Investigation 15:45 Liv And Maddie 06:00 The Peacemaker-PG15 00:55 Doctors 22:00 Breakout 16:10 Violetta 01:20 Lark Rise To Candleford 23:00 Mad Scientists 08:15 Flightplan-PG15 17:00 Austin & Ally 01:00 Super Rugby 02:15 Scott & Bailey 23:30 Mad Scientists 10:15 Marvel’s Doctor Strange-PG 03:00 Mistresses 17:25 Jessie 03:00 PGA Tour Highlights 12:00 Safe-PG15 04:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 03:50 The Job Lot 17:50 Liv And Maddie 13:45 Iron Man-PG15 18:15 Girl Meets World 07:00 Golfing World 04:15 The Weakest Link 16:00 Hunt To Kill-PG15 05:00 The Green Balloon Club 18:40 Dog With A Blog 08:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 05:25 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 19:05 Dog With A Blog 18:00 Flightplan-PG15 10:30 PGA Tour Highlights 05:45 Me Too! 19:30 Violetta 20:00 Red 2-PG15 13:30 Live Snooker Welsh Open 06:05 Garth And Bev 20:20 Hannah Montana 00:00 Wilfred 22:00 Knuckle-PG15 19:30 Top 14 Highlights 06:15 The Green Balloon Club 20:45 Hannah Montana 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 21:00 PGA Tour Highlights 06:40 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 21:10 Hannah Montana Stewart 22:00 Live Snooker Welsh Open 07:00 Gigglebiz 21:35 Hannah Montana 01:00 Modern Family THIS IS THE END. ON OSN MOVIES PREMIERE HD 07:15 The Weakest Link 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 01:30 Girls 08:00 Gavin & Stacey 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 02:00 Curb Your Enthusiasm 00:00 Addams Family Values-PG 03:15 Little People, Big World 10:30 Magic Of Science 15:05 Who On Earth Did I 08:30 The Job Lot 22:50 Shake It Up 02:30 South Park 02:00 All American Christmas 03:40 What Not To Wear 10:55 Magic Of Science Marry? 08:55 Eastenders 23:10 Wolfblood 03:00 New Girl Carol-PG15 00:30 Bellator MMA 04:30 Cake Boss 11:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 15:30 Solved 09:25 Doctors 23:35 Wolfblood 03:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 04:00 In A World...-PG15 04:00 Live WWE Raw 05:00 Sister Wives 12:10 Mythbusters 16:20 I Was Murdered 09:55 Lark Rise To Candleford 04:00 Men At Work 06:00 Syrup-PG15 07:00 Super Rugby 05:30 Sister Wives 13:00 Weird Connections 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s 10:50 The Weakest Link 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 08:00 Three Men And A Baby- 10:00 Golfing World 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 13:25 How Tech Works Watching 11:35 As Time Goes By Jimmy Fallon PG15 14:00 WWE Experience 06:25 Secret Eaters 13:50 Mega Builders 17:10 Murder Shift 12:05 Gavin & Stacey 05:30 My Boys 10:00 All American Christmas 15:00 WWE Raw 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 14:40 Food Factory 18:00 Disappeared 12:35 The Job Lot 06:00 The Goldbergs Carol-PG15 18:00 Golfing World 07:40 Little People, Big World 15:05 How It’s Made 18:50 Fatal Encounters 13:05 Eastenders 00:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 06:30 Better Off Ted 12:00 Son Of The Mask-PG 19:00 WWE Afterburn 08:05 Cake Boss 15:30 Magic Of Science 19:40 Forensic Detectives 13:35 Doctors 00:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 14:00 Bringing Down The House- 23:00 Champions Tour Highlights 08:55 Bakery Boss 15:55 Magic Of Science 20:30 True Crime With 14:05 Lark Rise To Candleford 00:55 The Soup 08:00 Men At Work PG15 09:45 Cake Boss 16:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist Aphrodite Jones 15:00 As Time Goes By 01:25 Kourtney And Khloe Take 08:30 My Boys 16:00 Three Men And A Baby- 10:10 Sister Wives 17:10 How Do They Do It? 21:20 The Will: Family Secrets 15:30 Gavin & Stacey The Hamptons 09:00 New Girl PG15 10:35 Sister Wives 17:35 How Do They Do It? Revealed 16:00 The Job Lot 02:20 E! News 09:30 Two And A Half Men 18:00 Maid In Manhattan-PG15 11:00 What Not To Wear 18:00 Through The Wormhole 22:10 Who On Earth Did I 00:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 16:25 The Weakest Link 03:15 Escape Club 10:00 Two And A Half Men 20:00 Vamps-PG15 11:50 Bakery Boss 18:50 How It’s Made Marry? 10:00 World Cup of Pool 17:10 Eastenders 04:10 E!ES 10:30 Better Off Ted 22:00 Not Suitable For Children-18 12:40 Secret Eaters 19:15 How It’s Made 22:35 Who On Earth Did I 11:00 World Cup of Pool 17:40 Doctors 05:05 E!ES 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 13:30 Oprah’s Master Class 19:40 Food Factory Marry? 12:00 World Pool Masters 18:10 Lark Rise To Candleford 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Jimmy Fallon 14:20 Oprah’s Master Class 20:05 Food Factory 23:00 Who On Earth Did I 14:00 Golfing World 19:00 As Time Goes By Miami 12:00 The Goldbergs 15:10 Cake Boss 20:30 Magic Of Science Marry? 18:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 19:30 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 12:30 Men At Work 15:35 Little People, Big World 20:55 Magic Of Science 23:25 Who On Earth Did I 21:00 World Cup of Pool 20:00 Call The Midwife Miami 13:30 Better Off Ted 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 21:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist Marry? 22:00 World Cup of Pool 20:55 Mistresses 07:50 Style Star 14:00 The Michael J. Fox Show 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 22:10 How Do They Do It? 23:50 Deadly Sins 01:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking 23:00 World Pool Masters 21:45 Saxondale 08:20 E! News 14:30 Two And A Half Men Dawn Pt. 2-PG15 17:15 17 Kids And Counting 22:35 How Do They Do It? 22:15 Frankie 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 15:00 Two And A Half Men 03:00 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 17:40 Sister Wives 23:00 Magic Of Science 23:05 Rev. 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 05:00 Atlas Shrugged-PG15 18:30 What Not To Wear 23:25 Magic Of Science 23:35 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Stewart 07:00 Christmas Magic-PG15 19:20 Sister Wives 23:50 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 16:00 Modern Family 20:10 Secret Eaters 09:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 00:00 WWE This Week 12:05 E! News 16:30 The Goldbergs 21:00 Bizarre ER 11:00 Atlas Shrugged-PG15 00:30 NHL 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:25 Bizarre ER 13:00 Grace Of Monaco-PG15 03:00 Bellator MMA 13:35 E!ES 18:00 New Girl 21:50 What Have I Got 15:00 Emperor-PG15 07:00 Monster Jam 00:10 Zou 14:30 Style Star 18:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 22:15 What Have I Got 17:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 08:00 The World’s Strongest Man 00:25 Mouk 15:00 Keeping Up With The 19:00 The Simpsons 19:00 McCanick-PG15 22:40 Extreme Couponing 00:35 Jungle Junction Kardashians 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 09:00 WWE Experience 00:00 Homes Under The Hammer 21:00 Hateship Loveship-PG15 23:05 Body Bizarre 00:50 Art Attack 16:00 Keeping Up With The 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 10:00 WWE Afterburn 00:55 Michela’s Classic Italian 23:00 Side Effects-18 23:55 Bizarre ER 01:15 Julius Jr. Kardashians Jimmy Fallon 11:00 WWE This Week 01:20 Come Dine With Me 01:25 Calimero 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 12:00 NHL 00:40 Scorned: Crimes Of 02:10 Masterchef: The 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 18:00 Christina Milian Turned Up Stewart 21:00 Bellator MMA Passion Professionals 01:50 Zou 18:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 21:30 Modern Family 01:30 Deadly Affairs 03:05 Antiques Roadshow 02:05 Mouk 19:00 E!ES 22:00 Web Therapy 02:20 American Greed 04:00 Come Dine With Me 02:15 Jungle Junction 20:00 Fashion Bloggers 22:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 03:10 Blood Relatives 04:25 Homes Under The Hammer 02:25 Art Attack 20:30 Fashion Bloggers 23:00 The Boondocks 00:40 How It’s Made 04:00 On The Case With Paula 05:20 Michela’s Classic Italian 01:00 Born On The Fourth Of July 02:50 Julius Jr. 21:00 House Of DVF 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:05 How It’s Made Zahn 05:45 Come Dine With Me 03:30 My Piece Of The Pie-PG15 01:00 Live ICC World Cup: NZ v SCO 03:00 Calimero 22:00 Fashion Police 01:30 Deadliest Space Weather 04:45 Scorned: Crimes Of 06:35 Masterchef: The 05:30 Bully-PG15 06:30 Live ICC World Cup: AFG v BAN 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster 23:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 01:55 Close Encounters Passion Professionals 07:30 Goal II: Living The Dream 12:30 ICC World Cup H/L: NZ v SCO 03:25 Zou The Hamptons 02:20 Through The Wormhole 05:30 Deadly Affairs 07:30 Delicious Iceland 09:30 The Armstrong Lie-PG15 13:30 ICC Cricket 360 03:10 How Do They Do It? 06:20 Solved 03:40 Mouk 08:00 Antiques Roadshow 11:45 The Last Harbor-PG15 16:30 ICC World Cup H/L: AUS v ENG 03:35 How Do They Do It? 07:10 True Crime With 03:50 Jungle Junction 08:50 Come Dine With Me 00:00 Covert Affairs 13:30 Too Big To Fail-PG15 17:30 ICC World Cup H/L: SA v ZIM Aphrodite Jones 04:00 Art Attack 01:00 Bates Motel 04:00 Food Factory 09:15 Homes Under The Hammer 15:30 Goal II: Living The Dream 18:30 ICC World Cup H/L: IND v PAK 04:24 Food Factory 08:00 Nightmare Next Door 04:25 Julius Jr. 10:05 Bargain Hunt 02:00 Banshee 17:30 For Greater Glory-PG15 08:50 Fatal Encounters 04:35 Calimero 03:00 Grimm 04:48 Magic Of Science 10:50 Come Dine With Me 00:40 The Hungry Sailors 20:00 All Is Lost-PG15 05:12 Magic Of Science 09:40 Murder Shift 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 11:40 Masterchef: The 01:30 Come Dine With Me Ireland 04:00 Revenge 22:00 Dallas Buyers Club-18 10:30 I Was Murdered 05:00 Zou 05:00 Bones 05:36 Ben Earl: Trick Artist Professionals 02:00 Emmerdale 06:24 Weird Connections 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 05:15 Mouk 12:30 Antiques Roadshow 02:25 Emmerdale 06:00 Covert Affairs Watching 05:25 Jungle Junction 07:00 Witches Of East End 06:48 How Tech Works 13:20 Come Dine With Me 02:55 Coronation Street 07:12 Food Factory 11:20 Forensic Detectives 05:35 Art Attack 13:45 Homes Under The Hammer 03:25 Get Your Act Together 08:00 Unforgettable 12:10 Solved 06:00 Julius Jr. 09:00 Bones 07:36 How Do They Do It? 14:40 Bargain Hunt 04:25 Paul O’Grady: For The Love 01:00 The Hot Flashes-PG15 00:45 Alaskan Women Looking For 08:00 Weird Connections 13:00 Disappeared 06:10 Calimero 15:25 Come Dine With Me Of Dogs 10:00 Revenge 13:50 True Crime With 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 11:00 Witches Of East End 03:00 Peace, Love & Love 08:25 How Tech Works 16:15 Masterchef: The 04:50 Paul O’Grady: For The Love Misunderstanding-PG15 01:35 Extreme Couponing 08:50 Mega Builders Aphrodite Jones 06:35 Zou Professionals Of Dogs 12:00 Emmerdale 14:40 Who On Earth Did I 06:50 Mouk 12:30 Coronation Street 04:45 Struck By Lightning-PG15 02:00 Body Bizarre 09:40 Food Factory 17:05 Antiques Roadshow 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries 06:30 The Great Gatsby-PG15 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress 10:05 How It’s Made Marry? 07:00 Jungle Junction 18:00 Come Dine With Me 07:10 Art Attack 18:25 Homes Under The Hammer 07:35 Julius Jr. 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 07:45 Calimero 20:10 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 08:00 Jungle Junction Taylor 08:10 Zou 20:35 Nigellissima 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster 21:00 Vacation Vacation Vacation 08:35 Julius Jr. 21:25 Masterchef: The 08:50 Mouk Professionals 09:00 Calimero 21:50 Nigel Slater’s Simple 09:15 Art Attack Suppers 09:40 Henry Hugglemonster 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 09:50 Doc McStuffins 23:10 Come Dine With Me 10:05 Special Agent Oso: 3 23:35 Baking Mad With Eric Healthy Steps Lanlard 10:10 Special Agent Oso 10:20 Special Agent Oso: 3 Healthy Steps 10:25 Special Agent Oso 10:40 Special Agent Oso: 3 Healthy Steps 10:45 Special Agent Oso 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 11:00 Sofia The First 01:10 Gold Rush 11:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 02:00 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 11:50 Calimero 02:50 Alaska: The Last Frontier 12:05 Jake And The Never Land 03:40 Auction Hunters Pirates 04:05 The Liquidator 12:30 Julius Jr. 04:30 Auction Hunters 12:40 Henry Hugglemonster 05:00 How It’s Made 12:55 Handy Manny 05:30 How It’s Made 13:05 Justin Time 06:00 Marooned With Ed Stafford 13:20 Sofia The First 06:50 Bike Battles 13:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 14:10 New Adventures Of 08:30 Auction Hunters Winnie The Pooh 08:55 The Liquidator 14:35 Henry Hugglemonster 09:20 Auction Hunters 14:45 Zou 09:45 How It’s Made 15:00 Special Agent Oso: 3 10:10 How It’s Made Healthy Steps 10:35 Gold Rush 15:05 Special Agent Oso 11:25 Gold Divers: Under The Ice 15:15 Special Agent Oso: 3 12:15 Alaska: The Last Frontier Healthy Steps 13:05 Auction Hunters 15:20 Special Agent Oso 13:30 The Liquidator 15:35 Special Agent Oso: 3 13:55 Auction Hunters Healthy Steps 14:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford 15:40 Special Agent Oso 15:10 Bike Battles 15:55 Handy Manny 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 16:05 Justin Time 16:50 How It’s Made 16:20 Sofia The First 17:15 How It’s Made 16:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:30 Bear Grylls’ Wild Weekend RED 2 ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD 17:15 Lilo & Stitch Classifieds

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (12/02/2015 TO 18/02/2015)

SHARQIA-1 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 6:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM SON OF A GUN 8:45 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 11:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 5:15 PM SON OF A GUN 1:15 AM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 7:45 PM FANAR-5 TEMPER (Telugu) 3:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:00 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 6:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:30 AM SHAMITABH (HINDI) 3:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 3:30 PM SON OF A GUN 12:30 PM SHARQIA-2 SHAMITABH (HINDI) 6:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM TEMPER (Telugu) 6:30 PM 360º- 3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 12:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM TAKEN 3 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 3:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 5:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM MARINA-1 YELLOWBIRD 7:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM YELLOWBIRD 11:30 AM THE GAMBLER 9:45 PM BIG EYES 1:30 PM THE GAMBLER 12:05 AM SHARQIA-3 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:45 PM BIG EYES 11:30 AM BIG EYES 6:00 PM AL-KOUT.1 BIG EYES 1:45 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 8:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:00 PM BIG EYES 10:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 6:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:00 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 8:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM BIG EYES 10:30 PM MARINA-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM BIG EYES 12:45 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 1:00 PM MUHALAB-1 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 3:00 PM AL-KOUT.2 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 11:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 1:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:45 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 7:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 1:30 PM ROY (HINDI) 4:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 3:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 4:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM ROY (HINDI) 7:00 PM Plan B (ARABIC) 7:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 7:00 PM MARINA-3 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 9:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 10:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:05 AM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:00 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM MUHALAB-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:15 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 1:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM JUPITER ASCENDING 5:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:45 PM YELLOWBIRD 3:30 PM AVENUES-1 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 8:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 11:45 AM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:15 PM BIG EYES 7:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 2:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:45 AM JUPITER ASCENDING 9:45 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:15 PM BIG EYES 12:15 AM YELLOWBIRD 6:30 PM AL-KOUT.4 Plan B (ARABIC) 8:45 PM BIG EYES 11:30 AM MUHALAB-3 Plan B (ARABIC) 11:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:15 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 1:15 AM BIG EYES 4:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:45 PM BIG EYES 7:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:15 PM AVENUES-2 BIG EYES 9:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:45 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 PM MATRIMONIAL FOR SALE KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:15 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 2:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 5:30 PM BAIRAQ-1 Inviting proposal for For sale car Ssangyong - TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 8:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM FANAR-1 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 11:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM Keralite Orthodox boy aged Corando 2015, white color TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM 29, currently working as a with golden color inside, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 2:45 PM AVENUES-3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM Engineer in a private com- 130 kilometer used only, Plan B (ARABIC) 5:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM pany in Kuwait. Seeking price with Agency: KD Plan B (ARABIC) 7:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 3:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 9:15 PM Plan B (ARABIC) 6:15 PM proposal from God fearing 6,500. Required price KD any Christian girls working 4800. Tel: 66052541. TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 11:45 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 8:45 PM BAIRAQ-2 JUPITER ASCENDING 11:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 12:30 PM in Kuwait or India. (C 4929) FANAR-2 YELLOWBIRD 2:45 PM [email protected] 16-2-2015 JUPITER ASCENDING 11:30 AM AVENUES-4 JUPITER ASCENDING 4:45 PM (C4930) JUPITER ASCENDING 2:15 PM BIG EYES 12:15 PM YELLOWBIRD 7:15 PM 17-2-2014 AMERICAN SNIPER 4:45 PM TAKEN 3 2:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 9:15 PM CHANGE OF NAME JUPITER ASCENDING 7:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 4:45 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 11:45 PM Plan (ARABIC) 9:45 PM TAKEN 3 7:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:05 AM BIG EYES 9:45 PM SITUATION WANTED I, Vidya Sam, holder of AMERICAN SNIPER 12:15 AM BAIRAQ-3 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:30 PM Indian Passport No. FANAR-3 Need job for a Bachelor F3899195, Malayatoor STONEHEARST ASYLUM 11:45 AM 360º- 1 BIG EYES 3:45 PM BIG EYES 2:00 PM BIG EYES 12:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 6:00 PM degree holder with com- House, Kozhencherry P.O., YELLOWBIRD 4:15 PM BIG EYES 2:15 PM BIG EYES 8:15 PM puter diploma with 8 years Pathanamthitta Dist., YELLOWBIRD 6:15 PM BIG EYES 4:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:30 PM experience in Kuwait look- Kerala, India, hereby KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM BIG EYES 8:15 PM BIG EYES 6:45 PM ing for job as Admin/ Sales change my name to Vidya STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:30 PM BIG EYES 9:00 PM Thomas. (C 4928) BIG EYES 12:45 AM BIG EYES 11:15 PM PLAZA executive (Indian license YELLOWBIRD 3:15 PM only). Please contact: 15-2-2015 FANAR-4 360º- 2 THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 3:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 PM SON OF A GUN 11:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:15 PM 66894543, KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:30 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 2:00 PM ANEGAN (Tamil) 7:45 PM (C 4916) KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:00 PM SON OF A GUN 4:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:45 PM 14-2-2015 112

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 17/2/2015 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Departure Flights on Tuesday 17/2/2015 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:40 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 CLX 732 Luxembourg 16:00 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:55 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 18:05 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 CLX 732 Bangkok 18:05 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 THY 6776 Istanbul 05:05 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 THY 6776 Istanbul 06:35 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 TAR 328 Tunis 18:55 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 KAC 416 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 06:45 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 19:25 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 BAW 156 London 08:45 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 104 London 19:55 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 KAC 282 Dhaka 09:20 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 KAC 203 Lahore 22:20 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 12:20 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 PIA 240 Sialkot 23:35 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

CROSSWORD 818 STAR TRACK

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

There are powerful energies spilling into your life now. The decisions This week may bring an end to many projects, especially large ones. You and actions of today will have lasting effects. This is a great day to could be vulnerable to partake in activities that may not contribute to sign contracts, conclude business deals or make future plans. Your sharp mind will success in the workplace. Try to avoid any romantic intrigues and keep your mind on see all aspects from all angles. Any high-level mental pursuits should be reward- your work. Use the time you have this afternoon to take full stock of your accounts ing and stimulating. Welcome all new ideas! Financial ties to other people are and debts so as to find out where you stand. Things may not be as bad as they seem. highlighted-investments may be a focus before the close of this working day. If You take an active interest in improving the home or at least planning on the you find a break in the weather this afternoon you will enjoy some sort of outdoor improvements you may want for the future. This is a good time to try and foster a activity with friends. There are incredibly romantic feelings fostered in you today. sense of togetherness among family members. Try hard at this time to squelch the This evening is not a wildly romantic time, but one where small scale endeavors desire to do everything yourself. Try to keep some sense of reality in your interactions are successful. with friends.

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

Courage and confidence reign today. Others will follow your lead in You will be particularly busy today. There may be many instances when any group effort. Energy is high-perfect for getting some exercise or chopping that you will have to supply a solution to a particularly difficult problem. You cord of wood. Just make sure any new projects are short-term. Your creative think- may need to have a writing tablet available so that others do not interrupt you while ing is ready to be applied to the work of the day. If you give your best effort now, you write out your plans. This afternoon you will receive good news that will help you considerable success will follow. Today you could talk an eskimo into buying a few with future projects. You have several people or co-workers interested in your ice cubes. You have the ability to express yourself with clever arguments and your progress. This is a day when relations with a spouse or business partner are on a solid thinking is most lucid and grasping. You would make a good teacher or tutor. In ground. Your sensitivity is heightened and your physical attractiveness is strong. The some cases you could learn the profession of a legal mediator. You will be able to desire for intimacy and love with a partner is great at this time, with the expression of help with most any emotional problem that people have. With your assurance, you affection being most satisfying to you. Your ability to perceive others’ ideas will bring can help with little effort. pleasant surprises.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You make your way now by using practical vision and common sense. There is a possibility that your work will come under scrutiny-you defi- This is an excellent time to get many things accomplished. You will most nitely need to feel secure in the professional realm of life. Clear thinking likely be full of energy and ready to take on the world. Your heart is as big as all out- and communication are most important with co-workers today. You should not hesi- doors, not only for those close to you emotionally, but for the general public as well. tate in going great lengths to make yourself clear-for this could prove very productive. At this time there may be numerous romantic interests in your life. As such, you may ACROSS fleshy wall or pericarp. You just cannot be angry with anybody. All you want to do is help, protect and nur- ture. From those who perceive this, it will be reflected back to you. You may feel the spend a great deal of time, effort and worry balancing commitments. Also, this may be 1. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle 4. A hinged vertical airfoil mounted at the tail of need to secure your own feelings about yourself through another person. Therefore, a period when you seek intellectual stimulation both in love and in social and leisure where driver sits. an aircraft and used to make horizontal you may try to increase your power of attraction-whether consciously or subcon- activities. Your powers of creativity are great and you could be taking an interest in 4. An electrical device used to introduce reac- course changes. sciously. A job in law enforcement may be the right place for you. A shopping expedi- some form of volunteer work. You may find yourself teaching or helping family mem- tance into a circuit. 5. The compass point midway between north- tion this evening turns lucky! bers that are students. 11. Avatar of Vishnu. east and east. 15. A unit of length of thread or yarn. 6. The elementary stages of any subject (usually 16. Undo the ties of. plural). 17. Used in combination. 7. United States singer and film actor (1904- Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 18. Electrical conduction through a gas in an 1977). You may face criticism from co-workers or your boss, particularly about a This is a good day to clear off your desk. This may be more of a catch-up applied electric field. 8. Genus of tropical plants with creeping root- day for you. Stick to routine tasks and avoid starting new projects or 19. Extract the essence of something by boiling stocks and small umbellate flowers. project or idea of yours. Do not be afraid to hear what sounds like nega- tive remarks-they will help you solve problems. Communication is the key for now heading out in new directions. You could wind up going in circles! Your powers of cre- it. 9. The cardinal number that is the sum of seven and this is a good time to charge your batteries with a two-way flow of ideas! You are ativity are well defined. If you focus in a creative direction, you may be able to come 20. Sorghums of dry regions of Asia and North and one. eager for further interaction and negotiation. If nothing else, write those letters and up with a new technique or pattern of working that will make things move along at a Africa. 10. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element make those phone calls. Parental instincts are strong this afternoon as you work to quicker pace. Use the confidence you feel to get the most pressing projects at work 21. A rechargeable battery with a nickel cathode that resembles manganese chemically and is mollify any frustrations in the home. Also, there is a strong wish to make your sur- completed-this could bring considerable success. You will feel the urge for excitement roundings as pleasant as possible. Do not hide beneath a shell-open up to loved ones. and should consider traveling. Avoid extravagances for now. On many levels it is best and a cadmium anode. used in some alloys. to take it easy and let others have their way. You are gracious and understanding. 23. Any of a number of fishes of the family 11. Long pinkish sour leafstalks usually eaten This is a good day to offer your services or talents to your own family. Carangidae. cooked and sweetened. 25. With no effort to conceal. 12. A sensation (as of a cold breeze or bright 26. Equipped with or connected by gears or hav- light) that precedes the onset of certain dis- Aquarius (January 20- February 18) ing gears engaged. orders such as a migraine attack or epileptic Leo (July 23-August 22) 28. A member of an agricultural people of seizure. There is a surge of intellectual energy. This can help you accomplish a great After a busy weekend, some form of laziness hits this morning and you southern India. 13. Common black European thrush. deal. Do not let competition draw you into any debates, unless the out- may decide this would be a good time to stay home. Unless you 30. A constellation in the southern hemisphere 14. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. come is very important in protecting your integrity. Use restraint. This could be a useful planned to do so earlier and your co-workers or teamwork partners are forewarned, near Telescopium and Norma. 22. An anti-TNF compound (trade name Arava) time to reflect on exactly what principles are important to you. You should take note not you will be happier at the close of this day if you suit up and show up where others to be accommodating to superiors, but enthusiastic to complete a job well done. You are expect to see your smiling face. This is a new birth year and success is near for whatev- 31. The basic unit of money in Finland. that is given orally. er you seek to achieve. Plan to enjoy new accomplishments this year. Find pictures of 35. Speaking a Slavic language. 24. Fallow deer. apt to enjoy considerable success at work now. You have a sense of togetherness with close friends and relatives this afternoon. Interacting with old chums is easy and where you want to be, create some key words that you can post in strategic places so 38. A soft gray ductile metallic element used in 27. Small family of usually tropical butterflies. extremely pleasant. However, this is not the best time to make new friends. If you make you will be reminded of your goals. You will be pleased with the progress you make alloys. 29. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic ele- the effort, you can be of tremendous emotional help to an old friend today. and by this time next year you will find yourself in awe of your own accomplishments. 41. Warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates char- ment. Enjoy. acterized by feathers and forelimbs modified 32. Fishtail palm of India to Malay Peninsula. as wings. 33. An industrial city in southern Poland on the 42. An esoteric or occult matter that is tradition- Vistula. Virgo (August 23-September 22) ally secret. 34. The segment of the public that is easily influ- Pisces (February 19-March 20) 46. A woolen cap of Scottish origin. enced by mass media (chiefly British). You are cheerful and friendly to all, making you popular. Your eager You could have an abundance of mental energy today, inflating your 47. A rapid bustling commotion. 36. Filled with a great quantity. mind learns things very quickly. Your communication skills are sharp and on a more ego-take care to avoid being temperamental. If you channel this ener- 48. Being one more than one. 37. Terminate before completion, as of a com- mundane level-it is an excellent day to accomplish all sorts of projects. When higher- gy, you can be very influential. It’s best to rely on facts rather than feelings during 49. The blood group whose red cells carry both puter process, a mission, etc.. ups want action, it may be a good idea to respond quickly. It is favorable time for this time. Meetings with co-workers, group gatherings and all sorts of conference the A and B antigens. 39. A small cake leavened with yeast. financial dealings to end positively, but you must make sure you have complete infor- or lecturing situations bring people together now. Your emotions should be sailing 52. Read anew. 40. A Russian river. mation before gambling with an investment. It is important during this time to effec- on relatively calm seas, giving you an unhurried chance to sit down and take stock of things. If there is a problem on the horizon, you have a bit of a breather-at least 54. God of love and erotic desire. 43. A person who has lied or who lies repeatedly. tively communicate your ideas to co-workers and those who work under you. You tru- ly desire fun and should not hesitate in getting to know new people and forming new for today. Your understanding of the needs of others is in perfect balance with 56. By bad luck. 44. East Indian tree bearing a profusion of acquaintances this afternoon. Enjoy the evening with your family or friends. knowledge of your own. People are your best friends-surround yourself with them 57. Of or relating to the enteron. intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and enjoy. 59. The sixth month of the civil year. and yielding a yellow dye. 61. North American republic containing 50 45. A white metallic element that burns with a states - 48 conterminous states in North brilliant light. Word Search Yesterday’s Solution America plus Alaska in northwest North 50. A family of Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in America and the Hawaiian Islands in the southeastern Asia. Pacific Ocean. 51. A flourish added after or under your signa- 62. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium. ture (originally to protect against forgery). 64. Sole genus of the family Naiadaceae. 53. Suggestive of the supernatural. 66. A resin used in adhesives and paints. 55. Any of various rotating shafts that serve as 70. A cushion on a throne for a prince in India. axes for larger rotating parts. 72. An anxiety disorder associated with serious 58. Goods (or wreckage) on the sea bed that is traumatic events and characterized by such attached to a buoy so that it can be recov- symptoms as guilt about surviving or reliv- ered. ing the trauma in dreams or numbness and 60. The branch of computer science that deal lack of involvement with reality or recurrent with writing computer programs that can thoughts and images. solve problems creatively. 75. The cry made by sheep. 63. An area in which something acts or operates 76. The first event in a series. or has power or control. 79. Being four more than fifty. 65. An ancient upright stone slab bearing mark- 80. Having the shape of a ring. ings. 82. A workplace for the conduct of scientific 67. The habitation of wild animals. research. 68. (Polynesian) An alcoholic drink made from 83. A period marked by distinctive character or the aromatic roots of the kava shrub. reckoned from a fixed point or event. 69. Living quarters at a college or university 84. City in western Colombia. where students live. 85. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from 71. A small wooded hollow. aba cloth. 73. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike. DOWN 74. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake 1. A loud resonant repeating noise. Chad. 2. The lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk 77. Dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a or eagle). pastry top. 3. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single 78. Being one more than nine. ovary having one or many seeds within a 81. (Sumerian) Goddess personifying earth. Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: INTERNATIONAL Call MSAL hotline 128 CALLS

Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Gossip Liv Tyler’s partner shared the first picture of their son

he 37-year-old actress - who already has son Milo, 10, with ex-husband Royston Langdon - and Dave Garner Twelcomed a baby boy into the world last Wednesday (11.02.15) and now the sports agent has posted a picture of the new arrival’s hand clutching his finger on his Instagram account. He captioned the picture, which he posted on Saturday: “Our little one has arrived...Beautiful baby boy...Happy Valentines Day @misslivalittle (sic)” The little boy - whose name has not been disclosed - is said to be “happy and healthy”, despite being born six weeks early. The actress’ spokesperson said last week: “He’s healthy and everyone is very happy. But he will need to remain in the hospital for some time.” Liv’s rocker father Steven Tyler recently admitted he cried “like a baby” when he learned his daughter had gone into labour. He wrote on his Facebook page, Steven said: “When I got the call that Liv Tyler was going into labor, after crying like a baby myself, I immediately dropped everything and went to the airport to get on the next available flight... “When I landed I kept calling my daughter Mia Tyler who was already helping Liv and she kept giving me minute by minute updates,”HURRY THE BABY IS COMING!” “I made it RIGHT in time before my second grandson entered this world. It was another (God wink) moment of a lifetime for me.”

Kanye West poked fun at himself during a live link he ‘Bound 2’ rapper strode onto the stage at the Grammy Awards last weekend to demonstrate his unhappiness Beck had beaten Beyonce to the Album of the Year Kelly Osbourne wants Tprize - mimicking his 2009 disruption of Taylor Swift’s speech at the MTV Video Music Awards when she also triumphed over the ‘Drunk in Love’ singer - and echoed his antics on the red carpet yesterday when he tried to grab the microphone from NBC host to have a baby Matt Lauer as he closed the coverage ready to link to the broadcast of the main show. Matt said: “Thank you very much for joining us. The ‘Saturday Night Live’ 40th Anniversary Special begins...” Kanye then grabbed the microphone as co-host Savannah Guthrie shouted his name. Matt put his arm round the rapper and asked: “What’s hap- he 30-year-old star has admitted she certainly no baby bump signs for Kelly at pening, man?” After Savannah asked when the show started, Matt pushed Kanye away would love to start a family sooner the show as she wore a long-sleeved black and said: “Right now.” The main broadcast provided a number of highlights, including Trather than later, just a week after she gown complete with a chunky black belt. In performances from Kanye, Miley Cyrus and Sir Paul McCartney, Eddie Murphy returning was forced to deny that she is expecting 2012, Kelly admitted she had “baby fever” to the show for the first time since his departure in 1984, and a touching tribute to Tracy when people started speculating she could after meeting her brother Jack Osbourne’s Morgan - who is still recovering from a car accident last June - from Tina Fey and Alec be pregnant because of how she looked at child Pearl, who is now two years old, for Baldwin. A number of popular sketches were revisited, with Maya Rudolph resurrecting the Grammy Awards. She told the New York the first time and insisted she would be the her portrayal of Beyonce to sing two songs, Will Ferrell revived his ‘Celebrity Jeopardy’ Daily News: “I’d love a baby. That’d be great.” “best mom ever” because she has learnt turn as Alex Trebek and was joined by Kate McKinnon as Justin Bieber, Darrell Hammond However, the ‘Fashion Police’ co-host is not well from her own mother, Sharon as Sir Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin as Tony Bennett, Norm MacDonald as Burt Reynolds, pregnant just yet and she made that per- Osbourne. Despite that comment, Kelly - Taran Killam as Christoph Waltz, Jim Carrey as Matthew McConaughey, and Kenan fectly clear last week by taking to Twitter to who was born in Westminster, central Thompson as Bill Cosby. Mike Myers brought back ‘Wayne’s World’ - which started life as clarify she was not sporting a baby bump London - insisted just a year later that she a ‘SNL’ sketch before making the jump to the big screen in 1992- and also took the under her Christian Siriano gown on the wouldn’t want to bring her kids up in opportunity to mock Kanye’s Grammy interruption. Mike as Wayne Campbell and Dana red carpet at the ceremony, insisting she America, where she now lives, because she Carvey as his sidekick Garth Algar discussed the show’s past musical guests, which have really needed the toilet. Kelly - who is dat- wouldn’t want to be referred to as “mom”. included Beck and Beyonce. Dana said: “I think Beck was one of the best, even better ing British model Ricki Hall - wrote: “NO IM She said: “I don’t mean this in a disrespect- than Beyonce.” As Kanye stood appearing to interrupt, Mike added: “Kanye, sit down.” NOT PREGNANT! I have a back brace on ful way. I love America ... but I couldn’t AND I REALLY NEED TO TAKE”. Kelly clearly stand for my child to call me mom!” Kelly - cannot get enough of Christian Siriano at whose father is rocker Ozzy Osbourne - the moment as she spent her Valentine’s previously dated chef Matthew Mosshart Day checking out his New York Fashion for two years but the pair mutually called Week show with pal Zendaya. She wrote off their engagement in January 2014. on Twitter: “So happy that I got to spend some of Valentine’s Day with my girl @zen- daya at the @csiriano show! “There were

Stevie Wonder picked up women in church

he blind singer - who has nine children with five women and has attending church, giving her piano lessons and even changing the been married twice - is helped by his entourage who steer him words to gospel songs to be about her. She told the New York Post Ttowards attractive females within the congregation. One former newspaper: “He’d change the words and insert my name and his name in girlfriend said: “I mean look, he’s sitting in the pew right behind me. He’s there and he’d even talk about what he thought would be good baby Stevie Wonder. Later, I found out that one of his guys that were with names and how he’d buy the most fabulous of houses and how he knew him told him, ‘Wow, she’s got a nice b..t and a face to match. “But, I I could help him to take care of himself and do his heart right. “So, natu- remember him tapping me on the shoulder, and his pick-up line was rally, it wasn’t hard to fall for.” The 64-year-old singer was first attracted asking me what was it that brought me to church. I said, ‘I’m here every to his 40-year-old fiancee Tomeeka Robyn Bracy because of her scent. A single Sunday because I believe in God’ and he says that he could give source said: “Like he does with all of the other women, they were at the me all of the things God has promised to give me, only I didn’t need to same gathering and he smelled the kind of perfume she was wearing, pray to him.” And another former lover, who dated the ‘Lately’ hitmaker she walked past him and he said she seemed light on her feet so she Jennifer Aniston enjoyed a for nearly five years, says she was wooed by the singer by repeatedly must be a pretty lady.” star-studded birthday dinner Katie Price and Kieran he ‘Cake’ actress turned 46 last week and she and her fiance Justin Theroux Hayler to renew their vows were joined at Hollywood’s Roosevelt Hotel by friends including Courteney TCox, Jimmy Kimmel, Malin Akerman, Amy Adams, Lake Bell, and Ken he couple are planning on walking down the aisle for the third time to reaffirm their Marino, as well as couples Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, John Krasinski and commitment to one another after getting their relationship back on track since the Emily Blunt, and Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Mayer for a celebratory meal. A T27-year-old hunk cheated on her with pals Jane Pountney and Chrissy Thomas last source told E! News: “The party appeared to be over just before 1 am in the morn- year while she was pregnant with their second child, Bunny. A source revealed: “Katie’s ing. “Jennifer and Justin left through a different entrance as the rest of the party ready to move on now. “She feels that Kieran has worked through all of his issues and is grabbed their cars from valet.” One friend who couldn’t make the dinner was now ready to let him back into her life.” The 36-year-old former glamour model - who Reese Witherspoon, but the ‘Wild’ star sent a message to her friend via Twitter. counts Peter Andre and Alex Reid among her previous spouses - originally married the for- Alongside a picture of the pair, she wrote: “All my love to this lady on her b-day!! mer stripper on a beach in the Bahamas in 2013, and followed up the ceremony with a “Her light, grace & humor make the world (& ME) smile! #JenniferAniston #WCW Willy Wonka-themed wedding two months later when they were back in the UK. However, (sic)” It was recently revealed Jennifer and Justin - who have been engaged for Katie - who, as well as Jett, 17 months, and six-month-old Bunny with Kieran, also has chil- over two years - are now focussed on planning their wedding after agreeing dren Harvey, 12, Junior, nine, and Princess, seven, from previous relationships - is keen to terms of a pre-nuptial agreement. A source said: “There’s been a lot of talk forget about their previous weddings because all of the pictures feature her unfaithful among friends that [the wedding] could be at their Bel Air home on May 16. They friends. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “She hates the fact that Jane is in all came to an agreement after Justin scaled down his demands - at one point he their original wedding pictures and wants to have another, big, fancy do that erases every suggested a £1.3 million ‘cheating clause’, but that’s now off the table. “Jen’s for- memory of the friends that have crossed her.” Nevertheless, the ex-pals may still make an tune is considerably greater than Justin’s, but if the marriage ends, she’ll now appearance of some sort at the vow renewal as she previously said her two pet pigs - only pay out £1 million.” named after Jane and Chrissy - would be walking with her down the aisle. She said: “They will be the bridesmaids when me and Kieran renew our vows.” lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 Gossip

Kim Kardashian West hired a make-up artist

he 34-year-old reality TV star and her hip-hop superstar husband Kanye West, 37, have reportedly turned to con- touring expert Jessica Mirdita in a bid to make her breasts as famous as her curvaceous backside. A source told TThe Sun newspaper: “Kim just didn’t want to be known just for her backside so instead she’s focusing on outfits that draw attention to her boobs too. Kanye is on board. “He thinks she has a phenomenal body and every part should be celebrated.” Jessica’s remit includes using bronzer and a highlighter in order to give Kim an “instant boob job”, while she will also consult with Kim’s stylist Renelou Padora on outfits. This comes shortly after Kim revealed that her husband - with whom she has one daughter, 20-month-old North - threw out her clothes when they first met. Kim shared: “I was obsessed with glitter, rhinestone heels and the kind of clothes I now laugh at, and he threw them all out. I said, ‘Well I’m going to save them for my daughter one day.’ And he said, ‘Well if it’s going to be our daughter, she’s never going to wear those!’ “I think he probably thought they were a bit cheesy. “I’d never spent time in London or Paris or seen what style was like around the world, so he wanted to bring in stylists from all over the world to just update my look. And they brought in things like snakeskin that I’d never seen before.”

Lena Headey is pregnant with her second child

he ‘Game of Thrones’ star - who has four-year-old son Wylie with ex-husband Peter Loughran - has confirmed Tshe is expecting another baby in the summer and called for the paparazzi to give her some privacy throughout her pregnancy. The 41-year-old star - who plays Cersei Lannister in the HBO drama series - said in a statement to PEOPLE: “I’m happy to confirm that I’m having my second child this summer. “I only hope that this announcement can help me to regain some of the privacy I have recently lost to prying photographers and ask that they please respect my privacy and let me enjoy this time.” Lena - who will reprise her role as Cersei in the fifth ‘Game of Thrones’ season in April - rarely speaks about her personal life and divorced Peter in 2013 after six-and-a-half years of marriage. The star previous- ly dated fellow actor Jason Flemyng for nine years after meet- ing him on the set of 1994 movie ‘The Jungle Book’ - in which she portrayed Kitty Brydon and he played Lt. John Wilkins - and got a tattoo of his name in Thai during their relationship. What’s more, Lena was also once engaged to ‘The Departed’ star Johnny Cicco.

Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey paid tribute to Tracy Morgan

he former ‘30 Rock’ actors made a special mention of their co-star - who is still recovering from a car accident last June in which he suffered a broken femur, broken nose and bro- Tken ribs - during the late-night sketch show’s three-hour NBC special. Alec tried to imper- sonate the 46-year-old actor and Tina made a heartfelt tribute to him. She said: “I wish my friend Tracy Morgan was here tonight. I know he was hoping he would be well enough to be here too. “If he were here tonight I am sure Tracy would remind us that more than anything, he would like to get us all pregnant. See you at the 41st, Tracy. We love you.” The show also saw Eddie Murphy greeted with a standing ovation as he took to the ‘SNL’ stage for the first time in 40 years and admitted the programme will always be a big part of his life. He said: “Isn’t this an incredible night? This show is a big part of who I am and my life. “I’m so happy to be back here. I feel like it’s going back to my old high school again. I will always love this show.” He was introduced by fellow comedian Chris Rock, who said: “When I was young, I didn’t think comedy was a job. And then I saw Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live and it changed everything.” Bradley Cooper and Betty White shared a smooch during sketch ‘The Californians’, which also featured Kerry Washington and Taylor Swift, who played an actress who chewed on her own hair. Several oth- er big names also made appearances during the programme including Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Sir Paul McCartney, Jimmy Fallon and Chevy Chase.

Jennifer Lopez has a ‘sleepover’ with her kids

he 45-year-old singer and actress has six-year-old twins Maximilian and Emme from her marriage with record producer Marc Anthony, and treats them to a special Tevening with her every Friday night. She revealed: “Every Friday night I let them bring the sleeping bags into my room and we have a sleepover. We watch a movie togeth- er and then they fall asleep with me. That’s ‘our’ night.” While the ‘American Idol’ judge always tries to make time for the weekly occasion, her busy schedule sometimes interferes, which is something she is hoping to minimise because she knows she has to be “careful” in order to stay positive and healthy. She said: “I do work a lot. But as I’ve become older and more mature, I’m very careful about taking care of myself. There’s more power in saying ‘no’ Taylor Swift to be Maid of Honour for her best friend [to work] than there is in ‘yes’. That’s helped in making me not only a happier person for myself, but for my kids too.” And although the ‘I Luh Ya Papi’ hitmaker is a global superstar, he ‘Shake It Off’ hitmaker has agreed to be by the side of her pal Britany Maack when she marries her fiance after receiving a her kids are yet to realise what their mother does as a profession. She told the Sunday touching note from her “sister”. The note sent by Britany read: “Taylor, You are more than a friend, you are more than a best Mirror’s Notebook magazine: “They understand that I work a lot, but they don’t Tfriend. You are my sister. I cannot imagine having any one else by my side on my wedding day... Will you be my maid of hon- understand what the work is. or?” Taylor, 25, posted the note on her Instagram page, alongside a photograph as the two pals when they were children and wrote: They know it pays the “YEAH I WILL. @britmaack.” As well as Britany, Taylor has a number of other close friends and Victoria’s Secret model Karlie Kloss bills.” recently revealed she had previously banned the ‘Out of the Woods’ hitmaker from moving to London and instead convinced her to move to New York City. She said: “She travels a lot. She almost moved to London and I said, ‘Nope, not happening.’ She now lives in New York.” The pair are so close that Karlie even has her own room at Taylor’s apartment in Tribeca, and thinks the blonde beauty is great at decorating. She said: “She’s really good at decorating her house. Her house is really great.” Kourtney Kardashian ‘hibernated’ after giving birth

he ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’ star gave birth to her youngest child Reign nine weeks Tago and spent the first six weeks doing as “little as possible”. Her yoga teacher Leila Johnson said: “One of the tricks for losing weight is spending the first few weeks doing as little as possible, just hiber- nating at home for the first 6 weeks. “She does that every time, her weight comes off so fast. She just does gentle walks and breast feeds.” The mum-of- three - who also has Mason, five and Penelope, two with her partner Scott Disick - has since returned to the gym to perfect her figure and the weight is falling off her. She continued: “She’s past the 6 weeks now and she is starting to get into an exercise rou- tine. She’s doing some cardio now - walking and run- ning.” The 35-year-old television personality is help- ing move her weight loss along by eating lots of “fresh, handmade” treats as well as switching to ghee. Leila told E! News: “Everything she eats is very fresh, handmade, less processed, less garbage. “We make our own roasted trail mixes. We use coconut oil, raw pumpkin seeds and other nuts. “Kourtney is a Ghee goddess! She is obsessed with ghee. It’s clari- fied butter... She cooks with it and you can eat it on an empty stomach.” lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

‘Birdman’ scores another big win at cinematographer kudos

mmanuel Lubezki, the d.p. behind “Birdman” (pictured), Rutkowski for WGN America’s “Manhattan” (“Perestroika” her wide-ranging experience with cinematographers. and Denny Clairmont, president and co-founder of Clairmont walked away with the top prize at the 29th Annual episode), and Fabian Wagner for “Game of Thrones” Streisand reminisced about her collaboration with several Camera. The award is presented to an associate ASC Member EAmerican Society of Cinematographers Awards at the (“Mockingbird” episode). d.p.’s, including Andrej Bartkowiak, who presented her, and who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the society Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on Sunday night. It’s the second Actor Tony Revolori (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”) present- the late Laszlo Kovacs. She expressed special praise for and/or has made a significant contribution to the motion pic- consecutive ASC win for Mexican lenser, who won last year for ed the Television Movie/Miniseries/Pilot award to John Lindley Gordon Willis, who died last year-the d.p. on the “Godfather” ture industry. “Gravity”-for which he also took home the Oscar-and his for “Manhattan.” Lindley earned a previous nomination from and known as the prince of darkness for his somber lenswork. The two longtime competitors bantered on stage. “I can’t fourth overall since 2007. the organization for “Pan Am” in 2012. “He taught me a lot about light - and the beauty of turning it retire till you retire,” said Nemenz to Clairmont, just before the The laurel builds on the momentum leading up to the Also nominated in the Television Movie/Miniseries/Pilot down.” duo walked off to resounding applause. Academy Awards for “Birdman,” which in recent weeks took category were David Greene for Lifetime TV movie “The Trip to “I have a strange face,” said Streisand, joking about how Cinematographer Bill Roe, who’s shot nearly 200 television top prizes from the DGA, PGA and SAG, as well as a number of Bountiful,” David Stockton for the “Gotham” pilot, and Theo some talented d.p.’s were able to capture the best sides of her episides, took home the Career Achievement in Television critics kudos for Lubezki, who was also honored by BAFTA and Van de Sande for Lifetime TV movie “Deliverance Creek” asymmetrical visage and unusual nose. Award, presented by actor Nathan Fillion. will be vying for the Oscar on Feb. 22. “Our members had a very difficult time choosing these In picking up his lifetime achievement award from writer- Also receiving honorary awards were Matthew Leonetti Actor Giovanni Ribisi presented the award to Lubezki. This nominees from such an incredible field of submissions,” said producer-director Lawrence Kasdan, John Bailey, whose cred- (Presidents Award) and Phil Meheux (International Award). marks the first time a cinematographer has won consecutive ASC prexy Richard Crudo. “They have done superlative work in its include “Ordinary People,” “The Big Chill” and “As Good As It Meheux, whose credits include two Bond films-”GoldenEye” ASC Awards in the theatrical category. Lubezki previously won a very challenging medium.” Gets,” regretted that these days “it’s difficult to get non-action and “Casino Royal,” said that despite the onslaught of digital, in 2012 for “The Tree of Life” and and in 2007 for “Children of Among the honorary award recipients, Barbra Streisand films made - the kind I’ve been privileged to work on.” “the romance is still there, and it’s up to all of us to keep it Men.” accepted her ASC Board of Governors Award, following in the Matthew F. Leonetti (“Rush Hour 2,” “Dawn of the Dead”) alive.” — Reuters The other nominees in the feature film category were oft- footsteps of such past designees as Christopher Nolan, Warren was recognized with the ASC Presidents Award for his cine- nominated Roger Deakinette Haellmigk for “Game of Thrones” Beatty, Jodie Foster and Julia Roberts. The actress-producer- matographic contributions. (“The Children” episode), Christopher Norr for Fox’s Batman writer-director, whose multi-hyphenate credits include “Yentl,” ASC’s Bud Stone Award of Distinction was given to Otto origin tale “Gotham” (“Spirit of the Goat” episode), Richard “The Prince of Tides” and “The Mirror Has Two Faces,” talked of Nemenz, founder and CEO of rental facility Otto Nemenz Intl.,

Morid Khawas, (L), a former Afghan Dari literature lecturer displays bridal dresses to a customer at his shop in Afghan national of Tajik origin, Raza Sakhi checks the quality of a bridal dress at his shop. — AFP photos Islamabad. With ballgowns, Western-style bridal wear and cocktail dresses, Afghan tailors driven out of their homeland by the Taleban are carving a niche for themselves in Pakistan’s capital city. Dressmakers bring touch of old Afghanistan to Pakistan ith ballgowns, Western-style bridal wear and it going even under Taleban rule. “I was forced to keep Uncertain future cocktail dresses, Afghan tailors driven out of a beard down to here,” he laughs, pointing towards his There are an estimated three million Afghan Wtheir homeland by the Taliban are carving a chest. refugees living in Pakistan either officially or unofficial- niche for themselves in Pakistan’s capital city. Their “We worked under the Taleban in Afghanistan for ly, most of whom left their country to escape conflict stores stand between rows of animal carcasses and car one year. They saw our catalogue one day and then in the 1980s and 1990s. They have little desire to workshops in Islamabad’s grubby Peshawar Mor arrested me for a day. Then they let me go and told me return to Afghanistan, which despite last year’s elec- neighbourhood-known more as a haven for refugees to stop making these designs.” tion of President Ashraf Ghani to power, remains polit- than a home for glamour. It was then that he decided to heed their warnings ically unstable and still faces an array of daunting In Pakistan, dresses are normally the preserve of a and moved to Islamabad. Others like Morid Khawas, problems, including a fierce and resilient Taliban insur- tiny liberal elite, with most women more likely to be 55, have had a less straightforward route to the busi- gency, widespread corruption, poverty and growing seen in public wearing the traditional baggy shalwar ness. The former Dari literature lecturer took a series of unemployment among the country’s 30 million popu- kameez. Raza Sakhi, a portly 43-year-old of ethnic Tajik manual labour jobs after leaving Afghanistan for lation. Yet the dressmakers and their fellow refugees heritage who fled Afghanistan when it came under Pakistan, before finally deciding to make dresses. “I are viewed with deep suspicion inside Pakistan and control of the hardline Taliban, said those trends are had no choice because there is no market for Dari lec- are routinely accused by authorities of harbouring mil- now slowly changing in Pakistan. turers here,” he said. itants. Those suspicions have sharpened in the after- “I shifted to Pakistan in 1996. I have been here now Many of his customers are Pakistani Christians, math of a deadly Taliban massacre at a school in 19 years. I sell bridal dresses and maxi dresses,” he says, who make up roughly five percent of the population Peshawar in December, leading to an exodus of more Afghan dressmaker Shir Rahim Salimi stands at the entrance to his bridal dress shop. sitting behind a row of mannequins. in the Punjab region, but he also rents out his pieces than 30,000 Afghans since the start of the year-most “Earlier, more of our customers were Afghan, to artist and performers working in theatre and TV, he of their own volition. “If the government of Pakistan Iranian, Egyptians and so on. Now Pakistani sisters are said. Dresses generally range from $50 to $1,000, with decides to throw out Afghans then obviously we’ll be buying our dresses too, around 30 percent of our cus- the lower end of the scale affordable for Pakistan’s forced to pack up and leave since we are also Afghan,” tomers are Pakistani and we’re very proud of that.” For middle class customers. said Sakhi. — AFP Afghans who grew up under the rule of King Zahir Shah, the attire he creates represents a way of life that is now a distant memory. “I became a dressmaker after leaving school, because I was always interested in this,” explained Shir Rahim Salimi. He added that his pieces followed the old ‘Afghan style’-a mix of traditional and Western-styles favoured in the 1960s and 1970s. Pre- Taliban Afghanistan was starkly different to the deeply conservative, conflict-torn country of today-bright blouses and even mini-skirts were the order of the day among fashion-conscious citizens of Kabul. The coun- try saw a period of upheaval starting in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded and violent resistance by the mujahideen, religiously-indoctrinated fighters backed by the United States, began. After the Soviets left, Afghanistan was plunged into bitter civil war, with the Taliban finally emerging to take control in 1996 and impose a harsh interpretation of Islamic sharia law that forced women to remain at home and beheaded criminals in public.

Driven out Sakhi said he kept a small shop in Kabul’s posh Morid Khawas, a former Afghan Dari literature lecturer works at his bridal dress shop. Wazir Akbar Khan district until 1996, and tried to keep Pakistani women walk past an Afghan bridal dress shop in Islamabad. You can be the winner with NIVEA Invisible Black & White Facebook fans can now win signature abayas by Sara Al Madani

uilding on the new partnership between NIVEA Invisible Black & White and Abaya engineer Sara Al Madani, BNIVEA, the leader in deodorantsacross the Middle East, is delighted to announce the launch of its facebook competi- tion granting three winnersabayas designed by Sara Al Madani. To participate in the competition, consumers are request- ed to log on the NIVEA Middle East Facebook page or access the competition onhttp://www.en.nivea-me.com/experi- ence/ext/en-ar-ME/Black-White. The competition, which runs until March 2015, is open to consumers across the GCC. The winners of the competition will be announced in March on NIVEA Middle East Facebook page. NIVEA Invisible for Black & White is the first and the world’s topantiperspirant range of deodorants that protects against yellow stains on white and white marks on black clothes. It protects your skin and your favourite clothes, so black stays NIVEA Invisible for Black & White, you can watch Sara Al black and white stays white while leaving no white marks on Madani’s video on NIVEA’s Facebook page https://www.face- your clothing. It also helps to prevent build-up of yellow stains book.com/NIVEAMiddleEast?ref=br_tf. on white clothes, keeping them white for longer, and offers a 48h anti-perspirant protection. For more information on lifestyle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015

Prabal Gurung Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung

Thakoon Thakoon

Prabal Gurung Thakoon

Prabal Gurung

Asian-born talent lights up New York runway

wo of New York’s hottest Asian-born designers, coats and luxurious fur-trimmed hoods. Inspired by Oscar Wilde past decade. “There are things that I love doing now, like Thakoon Panichgul and Prabal Gurung, lit up the run- Skirts were slashed on one thigh, up both thighs or to Earlier, Thai-born, Omaha-raised fashion designer taking menswear shirting and twisting it for women, that’s Tway on day four of Fashion Week, unveiling sexy and the side, mirroring deep V-necks at the throat. Chunky Thakoon moved into his second decade in the business something that we didn’t do in the beginning. sensuous fall/winter 2015 collections. knitwear and high collars were some of the few nods to Sunday with a bohemian collection for fall/winter 2015 “But as I designed, more and more, I discovered that I The jet-set, models and fashion editors braved one of winter temperatures. inspired by Oscar Wilde. loved all the things like that, taking menswear elements, the coldest days of the year, picking their way through ice “The inspiration was this idea of ease and sensuality “All of the fabrics that I was really loving are all textural, and mixing it with a feminine way,” he said. and huddling in fur coats in 16 degrees Fahrenheit (minus and comfort, and the sensuality and glamour that comes there’s a mohair wool, there’s velvet tapestry and there was Thakoon put handbags on the runway for the first time, nine Celsius) weather outside. with it,” Gurung told AFP backstage. a richness to it that was really reminiscent of Oscar Wilde,” a season after launching them quietly. “These really accom- The Singapore-born, Nepal-raised and New York-trained “I jut wanted to do this beautiful luxurious sportswear he said in an interview. “It was basically taking the idea of pany the clothes really well, there is a personality to them Gurung is marking the sixth anniversary of his eponymous that... spoke about the woman, spoke about the girl. Bohemia but mixing it with 19th century dandy.” that... they don’t scream bags, they scream just a little label, which has dressed the likes of First Lady Michelle “And that’s my vocabulary. What I wanted to do was The New York-based designer, who has also dressed something to add to the collection,” he said. For Thakoon, Obama and Britain’s Duchess of Cambridge. bring the glamour of the evening wear to the sportswear, Michelle Obama and Hollywood star Demi Moore, unveiled fashion is about fantasy. “We all want to dream, there is a He won rave reviews for his latest collection, which and the ease and comfort of the sports wear to the his first collection in September 2004 and is looking fantasy to fashion, that’s why we all love fashion... so it’s mixed sensuous negligee-style cocktail dresses with the evening,” he said. The outfits were matched by delicate, toward his next decade in the trade. really about injecting that every season.” — AFP comfort of sportswear, creating a sexy yet relaxed silhou- stilettos made from snake, suede, lizard and leather, in only “I feel great,” he said. “Ten years, ago my presentation ette. Always inspired by the mountains, this time Gurung Gurung’s second footwear collection. was in a tiny little space. It was jam-packed and we’re able turned to America’s Adirondacks for his muse, as well as “I wanted to do something that has really something to grow organically and it feels really wonderful.” sourcing hand-knit Nepalese cashmere and snow leopard elegant, chic and feminine but that had a little bit of bite, I He says he still keeps in mind the same woman-a femi- printed calf hair. Barely-there dresses were paired with always say that,” Gurung said of the shoes. nine and artistic woman who is refined but also a tomboy- beautifully tailored, fox and astrakan embossed velveteen though his collection has developed substantially over the L’AZURDE’S NEW 2015 COLLECTION SPARKLES IN KUWAIT

’Azurde, the leading diamond and gold jeweler, the tastes of the Kuwaiti market, we take the opportuni- showcased their new 2015 jewelry collection at ty to recognize our partners for the central role they Lthe Marina Hotel in Kuwait. The company invited have played in supporting and enhancing the status of their biggest clients along with important partners and the company’s brand and helping L’Azurde’s collections gold distributers and showed them the latest directions expand across local and international markets,” said and strategies in the world’s gold market. Ayman Al Haffar. “We at L’Azurde are proud of what has The event showcased L’Azurde’s ability to meet the been achieved in the Kuwaiti market. With such part- aspirations of Kuwaiti women in particular and Arab ners, I am confident in our ability to continue this suc- women in general, with the sophisticated and spectacu- cess in the future.” lar designs for which L’Azurde is known. The company The exhibition was a great success and received posi- also highlighted the L’Azurde range of collections: Diva, tive feedback from Kuwaiti partners and customers. Dentelle, Fashion, Symphony, and Shine. Lebanese Al Haffar added, “Once again, at L’Azurde, we have superstar Elissa, who was appointed as L’Azurde’s brand proved our leadership in the production of gold and ambassador last year, will feature in promotional cam- jewelry not only on a local level but across the region. paigns for the collections. This exhibition highlights the latest designs that keep L’Azurde also took the opportunity to honor Mr. Ali Al pace with international fashion while retaining a classic Thalji, the brand’s major distributor in Kuwait, at a spe- feel to show the femininity of the Arab woman and her cial ceremony held on the sidelines of the exhibition. integration with jewelry.” Ayman Al Haffar, the Executive General Manager of L’Azurde, expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by L’Azurde’s partners and their role in enhancing the status of the company’s brand in the GCC markets. “As we launch the latest of our collections to meet Dressmakers bring touch of old Afghanistan to Pakistan

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 38

Revelers of the Grande Rio samba school perform during the first day of carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil yesterday. — AFP photos At Rio carnival, not even downpour dampens show

ens of thousands of people defied a thunder- rain ponchos, watched from viewing stands open carnival was a glue holding the people together. life of the city of more than six million has faded storm Sunday to pack Rio’s Sambadrome as to lightning and driving rain, although by the early “Carnival brings all Brazilians together because into the distance, at least for five days of festivities Telite dance schools paraded in dazzling cos- hours the downpour had virtually stopped. we are a country of deep social division,” the that began Friday and drew more than a million tumes and revelers shed inhibitions at street par- “The rain doesn’t bother me. In fact, it gets us dancer said. people Saturday to “blocos” street parties. ties. going and we crank it up a notch. It was too hot Spectators marveled at the pageantry, including Huge crowds descended on Ipanema Beach to An estimated crowd of more than 72,000, from anyway,” Cleberson Santos, 43, told AFP just ahead Vila Isabel school’s 15-meter-long (50-foot) “octo- watch some of the most popular groups, including great-grandmothers to babes in arms, swayed and of the Viradouro parade. pus” whose tentacles twirled dancers through the Simpatia e Quase Amor (Friendship is Almost Love). cheered on their favorite samba school in hours- Ciro Melo, a 34-year-old dancer from the north- air. Jefferson Kim of the Salgueiro samba school Although the atmosphere has been joyful, Rio long parades in Rio’s annual party to end all parties. ern city of Natal said despite the parlous state of wore only shorts and gold-painted chains around authorities have deployed 15,000 police just in Thousands of people, many wearing disposable Brazil’s economy and rampant political disaffection, his hands and neck in a nod to Brazil’s history of case emotions boil over amid the heat mixed with slavery, the origin of samba. alcohol. “The chains are just a bit of fun-but with a touch of historic conscience,” Kim, 30, told AFP. ‘Carnival has grown so much’ His school’s parade was led by a giant moth Cordao da Bola Preta, Rio’s oldest street group, operated by a dancer, trailed by a huge dinner set- had hoped to attract as many as two million peo- ting replete with 10-meter candlesticks, an enor- ple Saturday. But Globo newspaper reported that mous teapot and what appeared to be a faux roast- only about a million attended, with the venue shift- ed pig big enough to feed hundreds, in a tribute to ed slightly owing to pre-Olympic roadwork. Minas Gerais regional cuisine. “I’m not sure the figures are right-but in recent Sunday and Monday night 12 elite samba years, carnival has grown so much maybe there’s schools each comprising some 5,000 participants nowhere else for it to go,” said Luiz Benevides, a 39- are sashaying well into morning at the year-old drummer with a top bloco who will Sambadrome, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Monday play Beatles songs with a samba flavor. Niemeyer. After Sunday and Monday night’s elite parades, the jurors will elect the winners ahead of next Violence casts its shadow Saturday’s Parade of Champions. Unidos da Tijuca As locals and tourists alike danced their hearts are current title-holders. out, violence cast a tragic shadow on proceedings The rain brought relief from the sweltering heat in three other cities holding their traditional pre- which marked Friday’s opening day and Saturday. Lenten festivities. The first record of carnival celebrations dates So far, at least two people have been killed and back to 1723 — but the first samba school was not several injured across Brazil amid the festivities, formed until 1928. — AFP authorities said. One person was killed in the resort town of Paraty, and a man was stabbed to death in Sao Paulo, local media said. Another shooting saw one person hurt in the northern city of Salvador, which hosts one of Brazil’s most spectacular carnivals. In Rio, the urban violence that so often scars the