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TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 JAMADA ALTHANI 16, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Pilot describes Carlos the Intel buying Kuwait Times the day Sheikh Jackal on trial Israeli car tech infographic: Jaber returned for 1974 firm Mobileye NBA Power to Kuwait Paris attack for $15bn Rankings 2Rouhani10 sends27 letter16 to Min 18º Max 31º Amir in diplomatic stride High Tide 00:12 & 13:35 Low Tide Tehran keen on good ties with neighbors: Larijani 07:35 & 19:42 40 PAGES NO: 17167 150 FILS KUWAIT/TEHRAN: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani sent a letter yesterday to HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- ‘Barrak attacker’ Jaber Al-Sabah, state media reported, a further sign that the two might be trying to defuse tensions between the Islamic commits suicide Republic and the Gulf Arab states. Predominantly Shiite Iran and the Sunni Arab-dominated Gulf countries, notably Saudi in solitary cell Arabia, support opposing sides in conflicts in Syria and Yemen, but in January, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al- By A Saleh Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah paid a rare visit to Tehran. He deliv- ered a message from the Amir to Rouhani, describing a “basis KUWAIT: The interior ministry’s security media and public of dialogue” between Gulf Arab states and Iran. relations department said a 28-year-old non-Kuwaiti inmate Iran’s state news agency IRNA said Rouhani replied to the committed suicide at the Central Jail yesterday using his blan- message in the letter delivered by Iran’s ambassador yesterday. ket. He was being held in solitary confinement. The depart- Kuwait state news agency KUNA said Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled ment said the inmate was doing a two-year sentence for drug received Alireza Enayati, and “during the meeting, a letter was abuse and that relevant security forces are currently investi- delivered addressed to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- gating the matter to find out the motive for the suicide. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah from Iranian President Hassan Further investigations are in progress. Rouhani”. Neither news agency gave details of the letter’s con- According to unconfirmed reports on social media, the tents. Rouhani visited Oman and Kuwait in February on his first deceased was a Syrian inmate who had allegedly attacked visit to the Gulf states since taking power in 2013. He said former opposition MP Musallam Al-Barrak at the prison Kuwait was among at least 10 countries to have offered to last month. Barrak suffered light injuries and was rushed to mediate in Iran’s escalating feud with Saudi Arabia. Farwaniya Hospital. He was later returned to his cell. In a In Tehran, Speaker of Iran’s Shura Council Ali Larijani said Iran post on Twitter, MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa described the pursues peaceful policies with neighboring states based on Syrian’s suicide as suspicious and demanded an investiga- conservative religious principles. In a press conference, Larijani tion, adding “the case had many questions from the begin- referred to Rouhani’s visit to Kuwait and Oman as “positive”. ning”. He called on authorities to increase Barrak’s security Following the visit, it was decided to continue talks with the for- in prison to prevent any possible retaliation. eign ministers of both states, he said. After the assault last month, Interior Minister Sheikh Referring to the ties with Egypt, Larijani said Tehran wel- Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah had ordered an immediate comes all moves that would lead to normalizing ties with investigation into the attack, while member of the Cairo. He highlighted Egypt’s pivotal role amid the current Assembly’s human rights committee MP Mohammad KUWAIT: (From left) National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- events in the region. Ties between Cairo and Tehran strained Hayef said the committee discussed the attack and Jaber Al-Sabah, Education Minister and Public Authority for Applied Education and Training Chairman in the wake of Egypt’s peace pact with Israel in the late 1970s, demanded a full investigation. It also decided to send rep- Mohammad Al-Fares and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah cut the ceremonial but conditions have considerably changed since then, Larijani resentatives to hear the testimony of Barrak on the matter. cake at a ceremony yesterday to honor PAAET’s outstanding graduates for 2015-2016. — KUNA (See Page 2) stressed. He also defended Iran’s nuclear deal with world pow- ers as a “right decision”. — Agencies King Salman, Abe eye boost in ties Saudi deputy crown prince to meet Trump TOKYO: Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed oil company that is being partially priva- yesterday to explore ways to bolster tized, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The two Japanese investment and trade in the countries also will cooperate in promoting Mubarak set Middle Eastern nation, possibly by setting renewable energy as well as seawater up special economic zones there. King desalination by Japanese companies. King to walk free Salman and about a thousand business- Salman met with Japanese Foreign Minister people from Saudi Arabia are in Japan for Fumio Kishida earlier yesterday. CAIRO: Hosni Mubarak, overthrown as president of talks this week focusing on the economy, Separately, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign Egypt in 2011 and the first leader to go on trial in the as the country seeks a less oil-dependent wealth fund and Japanese telecoms wake of the Arab Spring, will walk free this week for growth strategy. Japanese Prime Minister provider Softbank have joined forces in set- the first time in six years. The 88-year-old was cleared Shinzo Abe told King Salman that Japan ting up a $25 billion private fund for tech- of murder charges this month in his final court wants to “vigorously advance its ties with nology investments. Saudi Arabia is one of appearance, having stood trial on charges ranging Saudi Arabia, which is the linchpin of stabil- Japan’s biggest suppliers of crude oil, from corruption to ordering the killing of some of ity in the Middle East”. The visit is the first accounting for about a third of its imports the protesters who ended his 30-year rule. by a Saudi king in 46 years, though Salman of oil from the Middle East. Trade between Mubarak was initially arrested in April 2011, two visited more recently as crown prince. the countries fell last year as oil prices KUWAIT: Cars crawl during a heavy dust storm in Shuwaikh yesterday after wind months after stepping down, and has since been in The two leaders agreed to promote dropped. Japanese imports from Saudi speed hit over 40 km/h and visibility level fell below 500m in some areas in Kuwait. prison and military hospitals. “He will go to his home Japanese investment, research and manu- Arabia totaled 2.1 trillion yen ($18.6 billion) Marine traffic at Shuwaikh Port was suspended due to the conditions, Kuwait Ports in Heliopolis,” Mubarak’s lawyer Farid El-Deeb said, facturing, possibly through special econom- in 2016, mostly oil and gas, compared to Authority said. But the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said aviation referring to the Cairo neighborhood where the main ic zones. They also agreed to seek a possible exports of 546.3 billion yen ($4.8 billion). traffic was normal since wind speed and horizontal visibility were still within safe presidential palace from which Mubarak governed is share listing of Saudi Aramco, the state-run Continued on Page 13 navigation limits at the airport. — Photo by Joseph Shagra also located. Deeb said the ageing former president could be released today or soon after. Mubarak still had one more jail sentence to serve, Hashem defends expat for appropriating funds reserved for maintaining presidential palaces, but time he had spent in deten- tion in connection with the murder charges was sub- medicine ban proposal tracted from it, judicial sources and the state news agency said. Mubarak was originally sentenced to life By B Izzak examination fees to allow them to be seen in prison in 2012 for conspiring to murder 239 by doctors. She said expat patients should demonstrators during the 18-day revolt. An appeals KUWAIT: MP Safaa Al-Hashem said yester- then purchase the prescribed drugs from court ordered a retrial that culminated in 2014 in the day her proposal to ban giving medicines private drug stores. Her proposal was case against Mubarak and his senior officials being to expatriates at public hospitals and clin- harshly criticized as inhuman, especially by dropped. An appeal by the public prosecution led to ics aims at improving health services for online activists. She told a press confer- a final retrial by the Court of Cassation, the highest in Kuwaiti citizens and achieve what she ence held to explain her proposal that it the country, which acquitted him on March 2. described as “social justice”. Hashem, the aims at organizing the medical sector and After the turmoil of the Arab Spring, former only woman in the 50-seat National allowing Kuwaiti patients easy access to Tunisian President Ben Ali fled into exile in Saudi Assembly, proposed a few days ago that the government-run health sector. Arabia, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed the health ministry should stop giving Hashem said that what she proposed is by rebels and former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah expatriates any medicines at public clinics nothing new, as all the five Gulf Cooperation Saleh is fighting a civil war after stepping down. and hospitals. Council (GCC) member states are imple- Bashar Al-Assad still holds the title of president in She said the KD 1 and KD 2 paid by menting it. In those countries, expatriates Syria that lies largely in ruins after years of civil war. expatriate patients at clinics and hospitals are barred from public health services. Continued on Page 13 TOKYO: Saudi King Salman and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands respectively should be considered as Continued on Page 13 before their meeting at Abe’s official residence yesterday. — AP

20 LOCAL TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah poses for a group photo with the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training’s graduates and staff. —Amiri Diwan photos Amir honors PAAET’s outstanding graduates

KUWAIT: Under the patronage and with atten- Self-aware generations by working hard to help in developing their dance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Addressing the ceremony, Minister of nation and addressing challenges it is facing. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Public Education and Minister of Higher Education and Authority for Applied Education and Training PAAET Board Chairman Dr Mohammad Effective element (PAAET) held yesterday a ceremony to honor its Abdullatif Al-Fares highly commended His Meanwhile, PAAET Director General Dr outstanding graduates for 2015-2016. Highness the Amir’s keenness on attending and Ahmad Saleh Al-Athari thanked His Highness the His Highness the Amir arrived at the PAAET’s honoring outstanding graduates. The minister Amir for patronizing and attending the gradua- new building in Shuwaikh where he was vowed to help in creating self-aware generations tion ceremony. He stressed that his authority received by Minister of Education and Minister that strongly believe in strategic plans aiming at attaches much attention to the main societal of Higher Education and PAAET Board Chairman achieving the country’s sustainable develop- segment of young people who are the effective Dr Mohammad Abdullatif Al-Fares and PAAET ment goals. He said the PAAET focuses on study element for building the State of Kuwait and car- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah unveils a Director General Dr Ahmad Saleh Al-Athari, in programs, scientific contents of curricula and rying out its development plans. model for the new building of the Public Authority for Applied Education addition to a number of faculty staff members. continuing assessment of students’ levels, point- At the behest of His Highness the Amir and Training. The ceremony was attended by His Highness ing to upgrading the levels of educational and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- research services. PAAET is always interested in developing curric- Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Undoubtedly, development is mainly cen- ula in order to strengthen the national and Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, Sheikh Jaber Al- tered on human and material elements, he said, human spirit of students, Al-Athari added. Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness arguing that the former is the basis of develop- The PAAET has made much headway in edu- Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al- ment and a catalyst for economic growth by cation in order to keep abreast of educational Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister means of overhauling the educational system. and vocational advancement through perma- Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. In this context, the PAAET plays a major role nent review of its study and training programs Also present at the cermeony were First in the graduation of well-trained and qualified and curricula, he boasted. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister students who can shoulder due responsibility in On behalf of her colleagues, the student Sara Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, various sectors, he boasted. Several additional Ahmad Assad said she and other new graduates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense facilities of the Public Authority for Applied were so happy to see His Highness the Amir, His Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Education and Training, mainly laboratories and Highness the Crown Prince and other top state Sabah, Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs sports complexes, have been completed thanks officials attending the graduation ceremony. Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and Deputy Prime to the continuing support of the country’s wise Finally, His Highness the Amir honored the Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khaled political leadership, the minister noted. Finally, PAAET’s outstanding graduates, while memorial Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, senior state officials and he urged the PAAET’s new graduates to show a souvenirs were presented to His Highness the graduates’ families. high sense of national responsibility and loyalty Amir. —KUNA

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah waves as His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is seen.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other top state officials and guests stand for the National Anthem. Public Authority for Applied Education and Training graduates perform dur- ing the ceremony. Kuwait, Germany ink visa exemption agreement

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry and the German Government have signed a visa-exemption agree- ment for holders of diplomatic and private pass- ports from both countries. The agreement was signed by Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah and the Ambassador of Germany to Kuwait Karlfried Bergner. The signing ceremony was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister for Europe Affairs, Ambassador Walid Al Khebezi, Assistant Foreign Minister for KUWAIT: This March 14, 1991 file photo shows then Amir His Highness Protocol Affairs, Ambassador Dhari Ajran Al-Ajran, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah praying shortly after returning to Assistant Foreign Minister for the Deputy Foreign Kuwait following the state’s liberation from the Iraqi Invasion. —KUNA Minister’s Office, Ambassador Ayham Abdulatif Al- Omar and Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for the KUWAIT: Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah and the Ambassador of Germany First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s Pilot describes the day Sheikh Jaber to Kuwait Karlfried Bergner sign a visa-exemption agreement yesterday. —KUNA Office, Ambassador Saleh Salem Al-Logani. In other news, First Deputy Prime Minister and returned to Kuwait after liberation Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met yesterday with Iranian Ambassador to KUWAIT: Twenty-six years have passed will be part of the significant historical Kuwait Ali Reza Enayati at Bayan Palace. During the since the fateful day when the late Amir His movement to finalize the act of liberation,” meeting, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled received a letter Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Shemmeri reminisced about the moment addressed to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah returned to Kuwait, marking a his- during an interview. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah from Iranian President torical movement in the liberation of the It was a 25-minutes flight from Dhahran, Hassan Rouhani. country from the Iraqi aggressors. Saudi Arabia to Kuwait, “but the sense of The meeting was attended by Assistant for On March 14, 1991, Captain Falah Al- national duty was filling me with pride and Foreign Minister for the First Deputy Premier and Shemmeri - the pilot who flew Sheikh joy,” said the pilot. He added that despite Foreign Minister’s Office Ambassador Sheikh Dr Jaber back to Kuwait on the aircraft the skies being dark because of the Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, Assistant Boubyan - felt and knew he was on a patri- heinous Iraqi act of burning the oil fields in Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Ali otic mission to bring the leader of the Kuwait, he was determined to touchdown First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al- Suleiman Al-Said and several senior officials of the Kuwaiti back home. “I was informed about as soon as possible for the sake of the Hamad Al-Sabah meets with Iranian Ambassador to Kuwait Ali Reza Enayati. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. —KUNA the flight two days prior and I knew that I country and its people. —KUNA LOCAL TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Cabinet instructs energy efficiency

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti cabinet has asked the sincere and national efforts and great sacrifices Ministry of Electricity and Water to work with during the heinous Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. other concerned bodies to put the country’s The ministers were also notified by His energy efficiency program in place. It has also Highness the Amir’s accompanying delega- asked the ministry to send it a bimonthly tions during a visit to Turkey on March 20-22, report on steps and measures taken in this and a visit to Jordan to attend the coming regard, primarily the improvement of air-con- Arab summit on March 28-29. ditioning and lighting technologies nation- The ministers then listened to a briefing wide. This came during a regular cabinet from His Highness the Prime Minister on the meeting held at Bayan Palace yesterday outcomes of a recent visit by Pakistani Prime under the chairmanship of His Highness the Minister Nawaz Sharif to Kuwait, and his offi- KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah chairs the cabinet’s weekly session Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- cial talks with Kuwaiti officials on bilateral rela- yesterday. —KUNA Hamad Al-Sabah. tions as well Arab, Islamic and international Emerging from the meeting, Minister of issues of mutual interest. State for Cabinet Affairs and Acting Minister of First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Information Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Twelve recommendations to Mubarak Al-Sabah said in a press statement Al-Sabah briefed the cabinet on the out- that the cabinet was apprised of a letter sent comes of his talks with New Zealand’s Foreign to His Highness the Amir from Iranian Minister Murray McCully during the latter’s solve demographic imbalance President Hassan Rouhani on the latter’s recent recent visit to Kuwait. visit to Kuwait. They were also informed about Internationally, the cabinet discussed several a letter addressed to His Highness the Amir political reports on the latest Arab and interna- Court orders treatment for expat girl from French President Francois Hollande, con- tional developments, and condemned a recent gratulating Kuwait on the occasion of the attack on a military base in Mali, which left a By A Saleh Charter and appointing the managing director for international National Day, the minister said. number of soldiers killed or wounded. In this The educational affairs director at the Capital edu- operations Fadhel Faraj as managing director in north- Locally, the cabinet mourned the death of context, the cabinet reiterated Kuwait’s unshak- KUWAIT: A study prepared by the research cational zone Laila Al-Shareef stressed finishing the western Europe. In addition, it appointed Nasser bin General Mohammad Abdulaziz Al-Bader last able position based on rejecting all forms and department at the Ministry of State for National preparation of the new primary stage charter. Botain as director of the aviation fuel company and Friday, remembering with all appreciation his manifestations of terrorism. —KUNA Assembly Affairs about Kuwait’ demography Shareef added that the educational zone also started transferred Ayman Al-Qattan from Netherlands back to made 12 recommendations to solve the prob- providing enough teaching staff members to under- the headquarters in Kuwait to work as treasury and lem. They include determining the local market’s staffed schools in collaboration with the Ministry of finance manager. actual need of expat laborers, holding visa traf- Education. Meanwhile, Islamic Studies supervisor Dr fickers and fake companies legally accountable, Jassem Al-Mesbah called for increasing the number Violations exerting more efforts in deporting marginal of Quran lessons taught in the intermediate and sec- Head of the parliament’s committee formed to laborers, and lifting travel bans filed against ondary stages to two per week instead of only one, investigate the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) violations MP people with expired residencies before deport- because the Holy Quran is one of the most important Saadoun Hammad said the committee members ing them. Furthermore, they include linking the subjects students should learn. agreed to travel to the overseas health offices in outcome of education to actual local market Germany, Washington, Paris and London to investigate needs, resolving the problem of illegal residents, Blacklisted companies violations committed in the period of 2013-2017, increasing the percentage of national workers in The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) before summoning the health minister and the Audit the market, making further decisions to encour- announced preparing blacklists of companies faltering Bureau to discuss them. Hammad added that the com- age Kuwaiti youth join technical colleges and in projects they were hired to execute for various MEW mittee would also investigate violations made in nurs- institutes after finishing high school and limiting sectors and submit them to the Central Tenders ing contracts, the Afya retiree health insurance pro- the exaggerated recruitment of domestic Committee (CTC) so that they could be blacklisted and gram, Adan Hospital and Audit Bureau reports. KUWAIT: Jahra firefighters tackled a blaze reported in a Saad Al-Abdallah house helpers. The recommendations also included disqualified for further tenders. The ministry’s Meanwhile, MP Osama Al-Shaheen urged all investiga- yesterday. No injuries were reported in the incident. —By Hanan Al-Saadoun encouraging more citizens to join the private announcement was made in response to inquiries tion committee members to resign from the commit- sector, setting a timetable to stop hiring expats made by the parliamentary budgets. MEW also tee in case of any conflicts of interest. in the private sector and stopping transfers from stressed its keenness on studying each applying com- Five companies compete for government projects to the private sector. pany’s resume, credibility and previous projects. KUNA’s budget The head of the parliament’s budgets and final park maintenance contract Treatment costs Cities’ projects statements committee MP Adanan Abdulsamad said The comprehensive court yesterday passed a The Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) that the committee discussed KUNA’s budget for 2017- By Meshaal Al-Enezi 26 as the deadline for disqualified companies sentence compelling the Ministry of Health finished applying the final touches on preparations 2018 and its final statement for the fiscal year 2015- to file grievances. (MoH) to provide medical treatment to an expat made to attract local and international investors in a 2016. Abdulsamad added that the committee found KUWAIT: Five local companies qualified by the girl who cannot afford the cost of a surgery. The special ceremony it intends to hold next week at a that KUNA had rejected appointing a Civil Service Central Tenders Committee (CTC) are currently Court order upheld court explained that the girl’s case was a hotel to make a presentation about its experience in Commission (CSC) supervisor to monitor recruitment competing to win a tender for landscaping, The court of cassation yesterday upheld an humane one regardless whether she can pay the Jaber Al-Ahmad and Sabah Al-Ahmad cities. affairs. KUNA also exceeded the budget set by the maintenance and irrigation at Al-Shaheed appeals court order which acquitted former MP fees or not. In other news, the constitutional finance ministry by rehiring 20 former retired employ- Park, while 10 other companies were disquali- Saleh Al-Mulla from charges of slandering His court yesterday used a new name for people New directors ees at higher wages and more incentives. Abdulsamad fied for various reasons such as filing incom- Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al- with special needs, describing them as ‘disability Kuwait Petroleum International’s (KPI) CEO Bakheet said that the committee noticed some malfunctioning plete documents, owning small nurseries, not Sabah and Egypt. The public prosecution had challengers’ in a sentence it passed cancelling Al-Rashidi issued an administrative directive reshuffling in funding KUNA’s offices abroad through transferring achieving any projects over the past five years challenged the appeal court’s verdict, but the an article in the law, and ordered paying equal two managing directors to company operation sites funds to some employees personal bank accounts with or lack of experience in doing Amiri Diwan cassation court, whose rulings are final, rejected allowances to ‘disability challengers’ belonging worldwide. The directive included appointing Azzam the excuse that some countries do not allow opening projects over the past five years. CTC set March the challenge. to the same family. Al-Mutawa as the company’s managing director in Italy bank accounts for the agency.

KUWAIT: Acting Undersecretary of the Interior Ministry Major General Mahmoud Al-Dousary met yes- terday with Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular and Egyptians’ Affairs Abroad Ambassador Khalid Rizq and Egyptian Foreign Ministry Advisor Hussein Fahim. The two sides discussed boosting security cooperation between the two countries, the Interior Ministry said in a press statement.

KUWAIT: A heavy dust storm hit Kuwait yesterday caused by winds with a speed of over 40 kilometers per hour, causing visibility levels to drop to 500 meters in several areas around the country. —Photos by Joseph Shagra TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 LOCAL

In Brief IICO helps famine victims Manager meets Training center Yemeni Governors KUWAIT: President of the International Islamic in Tunisia Charitable Organization (IICO) Dr Abdullah Al-Maatouq RIYADH: The Kuwait Patients Helping Fund TUNIS: A Kuwait-financed center for vocational educa- on Sunday announced the launch of a wide-scale cam- Society (KPHFS) Executive Manager in Yemen, tion and training was opened on Sunday in the central paign to help the people affected by famine in Somalia. Abu Ismail Ibrahim Al-Qurashi met with Yemen’s Tunisian city of Gafsa. The center, built by Kuwaiti dona- IICO allocated $500,000 to provide medicine and urgent Governor of Al-Baydah Governorate Nayif Salih tions totaled $1 million, comprises several teaching food supplies, and dig water wells to help counter Al-Qaisi and Governor of Ibb Governorate Abdul buildings, a clinic and a mosque. This is an important draught facing some African countries including Wahab Seif Al-Waeli. The KPHFS said in a press project that would provide youth in the local commu- nity with high-quality education and training in several Somalia, he said. There are 2.9 million people in Somalia, release that they discussed during the meeting including 1.8 million children, who are in dire need of specialities such as farming and electrical training, Kuwait’s humanitarian and relief aid to the Kuwait Ambassador to Tunisia Ali Al-Thufairi said on the food, medicine and water, Maatouq said. — KUNA Yemeni people. — KUNA sidelines of the opening ceremony. — KUNA Photo of the day

KUWAIT: A cattle egret feeds on a fish at a natural reserve in Kuwait. — KUNA photo Ooredoo sponsors NCCAL opens future first Kuwait Air Show generations’ festivals Held at Sheikh Saad Terminal

Ooredoo’s team. KUWAIT: Ooredoo, the fastest network Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. in Kuwait in 2016, proudly announced 25 aircrafts will be participated at the air- the conclusion of its sponsorship of the show, with 6 from Saudi Arabia, 4 from First Kuwait Air Show, an event that the United Arab Emirates, 4 from Kuwait, gathered all aviation enthusiasts within 10 from Qatar, and one from Bahrain. a fun-filled schedule spanning across The aircrafts included Cirrus SR22, two days. The event was held at Sheikh Diamond DA62, Cessna 172, Tecnam Saad Terminal on Friday March 10th and Astore, Piper Archer, Extra 300, Diamond Saturday March 11th and was open to DA42, Diamond DA40, and Beechcraft the public. Baron. There was significant participa- The event succeeded in attracting tion from several important entities, thousands of visitors and enthusiasts such ministries, schools, and universities. from different age groups, and included Ooredoo stated that this sponsorship a number of activities such as entertain- came in tandem with its social responsi- KUWAIT: Assistant Secretary General of the almost three decades testifies to its success and through various activities in collaboration with ment performances and seminars held bility strategy of supporting the passions National Council for Culture, Letters and Arts popularity. The festival is being held under aus- other government and non-government organi- on the sideline to discuss the latest in of its customers, which in turn is based (NCCAL) Mohammad Al-Ass’ousi said Sunday the pices of Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs and zations,” he stressed. the world of aviation. on its core values of Ooredoo, of caring, future generations’ festival became a landmark Acting Minister of Information Sheikh NCCAL believes in the essential role of The event also included a spectacular connecting and challenging. Ooredoo is event in the efforts to promote cultural educa- Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, cooperation with the Ministry of Education in airshow featuring an array of aircrafts looking forward to engaging and meet- tion of the young. who doubles as NCCAL President, at Abdul- working out cultural programs geared to chil- from different countries aside from ing all the aviation enthusiasts who will Speaking during the opening ceremony of Hussein Abdul-Redha Theater. dren, he added. Ass’ousi thanked Sheikh Kuwait, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, be participating in this event. the 28th edition of festival, Ass’ousi said the con- “NCCAL spares no effort in promoting the Mohammad for his kind patronage of the festi- tinuation of the annual chain of the event over cultural education of the young generation val lasts until March 23. — KUNA LOCAL TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Kuwait Financial Forum to be held next month ‘Banking Sector in GCC against a Backdrop of Economic Change’

KUWAIT: Under the patronage of His more technical standards, such as the preparing the program of the Forum, Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Basel III requirements and other which seeks to address all the main Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, upcoming financial standards.” issues over various sessions and come represented by Anas Khalid Al-Saleh, up with practical results that act like Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interactive dialogue platform recommendations and a future Finance, the Kuwait Banking The chairman of the Kuwait roadmap for decision makers them- Association is organizing the Kuwait Banking Association argued that the selves and for the banking leadership Financial Forum on April 4 and 5, 2017 Kuwait Financial Forum acts, against involved in that sector. Still according in cooperation with the Al-Iktissad Wal such a backdrop, as a key interactive to the chairman of the Kuwait Banking Aamal Group. Set to be held at the platform for dialogue among financial Association, “the Forum is to hold on Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait City, this and monetary policymakers on the April 4 an ad hoc session entitled “The event is expected to act as a bench- regional level, including a large swatch Kuwait of Tomorrow: Risks, Challenges, mark item on the agenda of key bank- of representatives of leading Kuwaiti and Strategic Alternatives.” This ses- ing and finance economic figures in and regional banks, in addition to rep- sion, which sheds a light on the Kuwait the region. This is due to the eminent resentatives of global banks involved Development Plan, will discuss the themes it is expected to tackle, in the region banking sector. This goes dangers linked to maintaining the cur- against a backdrop of the current Finance Minister Anas Al-Saleh Kuwait Banking Association without mentioning the key discus- rent economic policies, the future situ- Chairman Majed Al-Ajeel drastic economic changes and their Chairman Majed Issa Al-Ajeel com- sions set to be held among key figures ation, and the role of renewable ener- repercussions on the economic mented on this event: “We are pleased tance, as it is held at a time of drastic in the banking industry, leading gy in securing future energy resources trends adopted by regional govern- to announce that the Kuwait Financial economic changes in the region potentially to a unified vision on how for Kuwait. Other items on the agenda ments and, consequently, by the rele- Forum will be held under the auspices against a backdrop of dwindling oil to deal with many of these technical of this session include the strategic vant private sector institutions, par- of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait prices and the ensuing impact on gov- issues and economic developments.” alternatives to economic activity with ticularly in the banking and financial Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- ernment policies, especially given the Ajeel explained that the Forum is regard to developing local institutions sector. This forum also creates a huge Sabah, and in the presence of Anas Al- trend to curb spending and seek alter- also keen on discussing certain issues and companies, the knowledge econ- momentum due to the quality of the Saleh, Deputy Prime Minister and native sources of financing, including in ad hoc sessions, leading to a deep- omy and the role of the State in sup- audience, as the guest list encom- Minister of Finance.” This event, Ajeel borrowing from international markets. er debate of specific matters, such as porting alternative strategic trends in passes several ministers involved in asserted, acquires a major importance Ajeel went on saying: “These general the Islamic banking industry and the future.” This session, he empha- finance and the economy, in addition due to several reasons, especially as it economic changes coincide with a set some related factors, knowing that sized, acquires a major importance as to key banking figures representing is held under the esteemed support of of technical factors related to the this distinct sector is now achieving it represents an opportunity for the GCC and world-renowned banks. This Kuwait’s political leadership and the banking sector, especially issues per- rapid growth and is linked to some relevant world financial institutions event thus acts as an interactive dia- direct supervision of the Minister of taining to the inevitable compliance specific technical details. and private sector companies in keep- logue platform between government Finance, which underscores the impor- and the means of dealing with legisla- Furthermore, the Forum is set to tack- ing with the efforts made by the gov- actors in Kuwait and the region on tance attached by the various govern- tions that strive to fight money laun- le modern technology, digital services ernment in order to facilitate the busi- the one hand and, on the other, the ment authorities to host similar events dering, tax evasion, and terrorism and the tremendous development ness environment, attract foreign private sector leadership, particularly and to reach practical results, that pro- financing. This comes in addition to occurring in this respect. investments and provide new job banks and financial institutions. mote the joint efforts made in keeping shared financial concerns among GCC opportunities. The Forum also pro- with the current developments on var- countries, including the efforts aiming Available opportunities vides an occasion to highlight success Highest level of support ious levels. The timing of this forum to unify the tax system with regard to These essential factors, Ajeel stories of public-private sector cooper- Kuwait Banking Association also acquires a great deal of impor- some taxes and the development of argued, were the main milestone for ation on various levels. Zain main sponsor of GCC’s Unified Traffic Week 2017 Part of its corporate sustainability, social responsibility strategy

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunica- of Traffic’s services. Additionally, the event and be a productive member of the society. Social Responsibility strategies primarily tions company in Kuwait, announced its will include field visits to students and a cer- The company’s long-term cooperation with focus on the wellbeing of the entire nation. main sponsorship of the Gulf Cooperation emony to recognize the efforts of veteran the Ministry of Interior included launching For this reason, the company has main- Council’s Unified Traffic Week 2017 in collab- traffic officers. SMS awareness campaigns regarding vari- tained its support of numerous initiatives oration with the Ministry of Interior’s Zain will continue to find ways to serve ous issues that are of interest to the society. that spread awareness and help make a dif- General Department of Traffic. The event the community as to foster a better world Zain’s solid Corporate Sustainability and ference to people’s everyday circumstances. takes place from 12-17 March. Zain participated in the opening ceremo- KIB announces strategic ny of the GCC’s Unified Traffic Week exhibi- tion at the Avenues mall, which witnessed partnership with the participation of the Undersecretary of Ministry of Youth Affairs Traffic Affairs Major General Fahad Al Shuwaie as well as a number of representa- KUWAIT: In line with its dedicated commitment to support tives of the GCC’s MOI and Traffic Kuwaiti youth, Kuwait International Bank (KIB) announced its Departments. strategic partnership with the Ministry of State for Youth Zain sponsored this initiative as part of its Affairs as part of the latter’s Kuwait Youth Day celebrations. Corporate Sustainability and Social Kuwait Youth Day - which falls on March 13th of every year Responsibility strategy to serve the commu- - seeks to offer support and encouragement to the country’s nity. The company will always be keen on youth, providing them with a platform to showcase their tal- shouldering initiatives that work towards ents across all fields and areas. The celebrations this year fea- enhancing the society’s welfare in coopera- tured a number of activities and initiatives, including visits to tion with the various ministries and public schools to generate awareness about Kuwait Youth Day authorities. amongst students. The event also included the announce- The GCC’s Unified Traffic Week is an ment of the winners of the Kuwait Award for Youth Excellence annual event that aims at spreading aware- and Creativity. On this occasion, Nawaf Najia, Manager of the ness about traffic safety and traffic laws, Corporate Communications Unit at the Bank, stated: “KIB’s especially within young people. The exhibi- strategic partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs reflects tion features a number of activities about our continuous efforts to support youth initiatives, given that the importance of using seatbelts, the dan- the youth segment is one of the largest within our country’s gers of passing red lights, as well as other population and a main pillar of our local community. We truly traffic-related topics. The exhibition also fea- believe that youth are the foundation on which we can build tured a booth for the General Department our nation’s future. As a Kuwaiti institution, we are especially proud to see Kuwait recognized for its efforts in youth devel- opment and empowerment, being named the Arab Youth Capital for the year 2017.” Najia noted that KIB organized its own booth at the Will Event, which took place at 360 Mall during the period between March 14 and March 16. The event aimed to provide several creative workshops to youth in collaboration with Dawrat.com. He further added: “Kuwaiti youth are renowned for their excellence across all fields and areas. We believe that it is the duty of both public and private sector entities to sup- port and nurture the capabilities of our nation’s younger gen- erations, in order to propel national development and help these young talents fulfill their potential of becoming Kuwait’s ambassadors to the world.” On that note, KIB strongly believes that youth represent the true wealth and future of the nation. Accordingly, the Bank continues to support youth-focused initiatives and activ- ities, making youth empowerment one of the key compo- nents of KIB’s social responsibility program. TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Jarida Report GCC-Iraqi Trio beat up mechanic over repair charges Laws normalization KUWAIT: An Egyptian got three people help him to beat a By Dr Hassan Jouhar mechanic and his brother after they had differences over the repair charges of his car in Khaitan. The victims lodged any analysts considered the Saudi a complaint at the police station. Police are seeking the Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubair’s visit arrest of the attackers. Expat Mto Baghdad as a political surprise that surely had various political indications includ- ing setting a roadmap that might reform the Swindling region, especially after President Trump came A former National Assembly candidate accused a to office. In addition, victories achieved by the well-known designer of swindling him after she took KD Iraqi army in Mosul and destroying the last of 10,000 to establish a beauty shop, but the project did IS strongholds in Iraq would increase not materialize. The former candidate went to the Baghdad’s strategic value and suggest its police station and said he agreed with the designer to return as a regional pivotal power, especially if open a major beauty shop and paid KD 10,000, but after the Iraqi government succeeds in resolving some time discovered the project was a fake one. some barbed domestic issues such as growing sectarianism and achieving political stability. Kidnap foiled Regional sectarian expansion opens wide for Passersby rescued a juvenile from being kidnapped by a Saudi Arabia to have some Iraqi factions take citizen in front of his school in Jahra. The juvenile was sur- greater roles in politics in a way that would prised by the man dragging him, so he cried for help. The enhance security, namely in central Iraqi gover- boy was rescued, but the alleged kidnapper escaped. norates. In addition, Iraqi experience in fighting Detectives are working on the case. terrorism and the data its intelligence owns after Al-Anbaa hunting the leaders of several insurgent groups such as IS, is surely of great interest to both Riyadh and Washington. The other element about the visit concerns Al-Anbaa Iraqi-Iranian relations in a bid to politically and strategically contain Iran, because relations between them are probably the strongest for Who created terrorism? Iraqis, and this might have been the reason behind the relatively cold relations Iraq had with Unlicensed weapon GCC states, namely Saudi Arabia, since the fall of Ahmadi police sent a citizen to concerned authori- By Salah Al-Sayer Saddam Hussein. ties after catching him with a firearm and ammunition. It might be difficult to completely shift the Police stopped the man for speeding on Fahaheel Road, s it enough that clergymen, religious experts and oth- mosque pulpits, satellite TV channels, radio, newspapers, Iraqi compass to the exact opposite direction so but he could not explain why he was doing so, so they er religious men warn of terrorism in order to fight it? schools, co-ops, charities and youth camps right under soon, because Iraqis have their own remarks searched the car and they found the unlicensed IIs it enough that these people sermonize the public the governments’ noses and within the jurisdiction of about some hot regional issues. weapon along with seven rounds. in mosques and through other media about how governments that had turned a blind eye for long and Therefore, regardless of guessing and specu- clement and tolerant Islam is? Is it enough that they greatly contributed in turning Arab communities from a lating about this visit, reason, logic and regional keep arguing that terrorist groups of various Islamic state of clemency into one of hate! situations call for activating the role of diploma- Property damage doctrines do not actually represent true Islam and that Such ugly and terrifying changes happened right cy and opening for more dialogue concerning An Egyptian woman accused the janitor of the building describing others as non-believers, terrifying and before Arab governments that had neglected the impor- regional issues and concerns no matter how where she lives of damaging her vehicle and threatening to assaulting innocent people is not part of Islam? Is it tance of spreading the culture of enlightenment, which complicated and crossed they are. With its deep- harm her. The woman told Salmiya police the ‘haris’ deliber- enough, at a time when ‘violence sheikhs’ are instigating paved the way for extremists to spread their own obscu- rooted strategic significance, Iraq is qualified to ately damaged her luxury car because of previous disputes. youth to join terrorists’ dens and die in the process for rantist ideas. A sheikh promoting violence and tumult regain a pivotal Arab and regional role if it man- Detectives were asked to arrest him for questioning. them, that our sheikhs follow such simple procedures to would never be able to brainwash a well-aware and bal- ages to get over terrorism and manages to politi- restrain the terrorism ‘tsunami’? anced young man enjoying patriotic awareness - one cally build its domestic fronts. Insult Drying up terrorism resources in such a monotonous who had learned the significance of respecting women Therefore, It is for everybody’s good interest An investigator and a policeman lodged a complaint and naive manner, or even blaming the ‘tumult sheikhs’ from his father, learned how to reject hatred and respect to invest in the regional opening to Iraq because against a lawyer for insulting them at the police station. for spreading terrorism is but an attempt to simplify a others from his mother, learned about clemency, values of its relations with Iran for one, and with the aim An argument took place between the investigator and very complicated issue, because ‘terrorism sheikhs’ do and respecting the law at school, got used to listening to of normalizing relations with GCC states, namely the lawyer, so he asked the officer to lodge a complaint not have magic lanterns through which genies come out music and appreciate arts and take part in scout camps its direct neighbor Saudi Arabia, in addition to against the lawyer, but he allegedly insulted them and to spread their ideas amongst people. They have com- without being left alone by the state or his family to fall rehabilitating its relations with Turkey, because lodged a similar complaint against him. — Al-Rai municated with the society and managed to impact victim to terror camps organized by radical organiza- who else knows better about domestic and for- individuals through methods and media such as tions! — Translated by Kuwait Times eign war atrocities? — Translated by Kuwait Times

KUWAIT: Acting Minister of Youth Affaires Khaled Al-Roudhan visits ABK’s booth. ABK participates in the 19th GUST job fair

KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) dents and to share insights on how ABK recently announced the successful conclu- could support them as they embark on this sion of its participation in the Gulf new journey. University for Science and Technology’s ABK’s participation reinforces its com- (GUST) 19th job fair, under the patronage mitment to supporting Kuwait’s youth, of Khalid Al-Roudhan, Minister of which is one of the Banks primary focus- Commerce and Industry and Acting es. It provides fresh graduates with train- Minister of State for Youth Affairs, which ing and career opportunities in the was held at the university campus on the Banking sector and works towards devel- KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) participated as a golden sponsor in the Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) 12th and 13th of March, 2017. oping their skills and knowledge through 19th job fair, which took place on the 12th and 13th of March, 2017 under the patronage of Khalid Al-Roudhan, Minister of Commerce and The ABK Human Resources team was the ‘ABK Academy’ in line with the nation- Industry and Acting Minister of State for Youth Affairs. present at the job fair to engage with stu- alization policy. AUB participates in the GUST 19th career fair

KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank work to the students and provide sat- announced its participation in the isfactory answers to their questions. 19th Career Fair hosted by Gulf AUB will also endeavor to provide University of Science and Technology them with proper guidance to help (GUST), in Kuwait on Sunday 12th them make well-informed decisions. and Monday 13th of March 2017, The bank will hold a comprehen- with an aim to support young people sive presentation about the intern- and attract the most talented to the ship program and allowance, so that Bank. The activities at the Career the students can complete their Fair will take place from 8:30 am till studies more conveniently. Naqeeb 3:00 pm each day to give the new Amin, General Manager, Human graduates a better chance to meet Resources at Ahli United Bank said the different participating compa- “The Bank is always seeking to better nies and greater understanding of understand the aspirations of the the work environment. youth, especially Kuwaiti, and will Through its participation in this offer excellent job opportunities event, AUB hopes to connect with within a great work environment that students and recent graduates across will guarantee professional growth.” various disciplines and provide them AUB is known to regularly partici- with the support they need, and pate in many similar job fairs held by understand their capabilities and government bodies and universities evaluate them in order to be able to in Kuwait, with a commitment and offer them job opportunities that social responsibility that the Bank best suit their ambitions and skills. considers a priority. AUB focuses on With a firm belief that Kuwaiti youth encouraging the youth to find work are the nation’s real treasure, AUB will in the private banking sector, in line be hosting a booth at the GUST with the Bank’s strategy to increase Career Fair, to explain the nature of the national workforce. KUWAIT: Acting Minister of Youth Affaires Khaled Al-Roudhan visits the AUB booth. TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Drought crushes lives of herders in Somalia Abrupt dismissals leave US attorneys scrambling Page 9 Page 8

ISTANBUL: A man reads a newspaper bearing a headline concerning diplomatic tensions between Turkey and The Netherlands, which translates as ìDog of Europeî yesterday. —AFP Turkey-Netherlands crisis deepens

EU warns Erdogan • Ankara ‘should re-evaluate’ migrant deal ISTANBUL: The European Union yesterday avoid further escalation and find ways to calm been seeking to harness the support of an esti- Mark Rutte her full support. pressure to take a hard line against Erdogan as warned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to avoid down the situation,” their statement added. mated 400,000 people of Turkish origin living in he faces the far-right populist Geert Wilders in inflammatory rhetoric as a diplomatic crisis But Turkey’s EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik the country ahead of the April 16 referendum on ‘Lifeline for Erdogan’ general elections tomorrow, said there were no between Turkey and the Netherlands deepened responded by warning that Ankara “should re- constitutional changes giving Erdogan greater The issue risks spiralling into a crisis with the apologies to be made to Turkey. He called for over the blocking of Turkish ministers from hold- evaluate” a key part of a 2016 deal to stem the powers. The Turkish foreign ministry yesterday EU as a whole, which Turkey has sought to join Dutch voters to be the first to stop Europe’s ing rallies to win support for plans to expand his flow of migrants to the European Union. He said summoned the Dutch envoy to Ankara for the for more than half a century in a so far fruitless “trend of populism” but dismissed the idea that powers. Erdogan at the weekend twice accused Turkey should look at its policy on preventing third day in a row, handing two separate protest membership bid. Denmark has also asked Turkey was trying to interfere in the Netherlands NATO ally Netherlands of acting like the Nazis, migrant flows across land borders, although it notes over The Hague’s behavior. The Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim to post- elections. Bringing out the millions-strong expa- comments that sparked outrage in a country would keep halting the illegal and dangerous Netherlands yesterday also issued a new travel pone a visit planned for later this month. triate vote could be key in a referendum that is bombed and occupied by German forces in sea crossings as a matter of human responsibili- warning to Dutch citizens in Turkey, urging Erdogan, who has indicated he may personally expected to be close and potentially a turning World War II. ty, state media said. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg them to stay “alert across the whole of Turkey”. travel to EU states to address rallies - in a move point in Turkey’s modern history. In an escalating standoff that risks damaging also urged Turkey and its NATO allies to “show Turkey has already responded furiously to fellow that could inflame the situation further - said Analysts have said Erdogan is using the crisis Turkey’s already deteriorating relations with the mutual respect, to be calm and have a measured NATO ally Germany’s refusal to give permission Sunday that the West was showing its “true face” to show that his strong leadership is needed European Union ahead of the April 16 referen- approach to contribute to de-escalate the ten- for ministers to hold rallies there, with Erdogan in the standoff. against a Europe which he presents as being dum on constitutional change, Brussels sternly sions”. comparing such action to “Nazi practices”. After He has repeatedly accused the Netherlands innately hostile to Turkey. “Erdogan is looking for warned Ankara to avoid making the situation Erdogan used the same language to scold the of acting like “fascists” and “Nazis”, saying on ‘imagined’ foreign enemies to boost his national- worse. In apparent reference to Erdogan’s com- Envoy summoned three times Netherlands, German Chancellor Angela Merkel Sunday: “I had thought that the era of Nazism ist base in the run up to the April 16 referendum,” ments, EU foreign policy chief Federica The Dutch authorities had at the weekend said on Monday that the comparison was “com- was over but I was wrong.” Deputy Prime Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner prevented the plane of Turkish Foreign Minister pletely wrong” and “banalizes suffering”. “This is Minister Nurettin Canikli described Europe as a Programme at The Washington Institute, told Johannes Hahn called on Turkey to “refrain from Mevlut Cavusoglu from landing and blocked particularly unacceptable directed at the “very sick man”, a nod to the moniker used in the AFP. “By blocking (the rallies), they may have giv- excessive statements and actions that risk fur- Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from Netherlands which suffered so much” under the mid-19th century of the declining Ottoman en Erdogan a lifeline to eke out a victory in the ther exacerbating the situation. “It is essential to holding a rally in Rotterdam. The ministers had Nazis, she added, offering Dutch Prime Minister Empire as the “sick man of Europe”. Rutte, under referendum,” he added. —AFP

Iraqi forces advance in Mosul, search for militants and bombs MOSUL: Iraqi forces said yesterday that they have taken more territory from militants and were searching for mili- tants and bombs on the edge of the Old City as they press an offensive in west Mosul. They are also striking IS with armed drones as part of a renewed push launched on March 5 that has forced the jihadists out of several neigh- borhoods and key sites, including the famed Mosul muse- um. West Mosul is the most-populated urban area still held by the jihadists, followed by Syria’s Raqqa, which is also a key target in the US-led anti-IS campaign. Iraq’s Joint Operations Command announced additional gains on Monday, saying that forces from the elite Counter- Terrorism Service had recaptured west Mosul’s Al-Nafat neighborhood. Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat said that forces from the Rapid Response Division, another spe- cial forces unit, and the federal police were working to search and clear territory on the edge of Mosul’s Old City. The forces are conducting “combing and search operations in the liberated areas of Bab Al-Toub, searching for traps and mines and terrorists hiding among the people”, Jawdat said in a statement. The Old City - a warren of narrow streets and closely spaced buildings where hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to still be living - could see some of the tough- est fighting of the campaign to retake Iraq’s second city. The commander also said that armed observation drones are being used to monitor and strike IS, as Iraqi forces also targeted jihadist defenses and positions with field artillery and rockets. He did not specify what type of drones were being used. More than 68,000 people have fled west Mosul since Feb 25, streaming to camps around the city, according to the International Organization for Migration. But that is only a small fraction of the 750,000 people who were esti- mated to still be in west Mosul at the time the operation was launched. While CTS and Rapid Response are spear- heading the advance inside Mosul, Iraqi army forces and pro-government paramilitaries are fighting IS to the west. Soldiers from the 9th Armoured Division scored an impor- tant victory on Saturday night when they cut the last road out of west Mosul, said Brett McGurk, the US envoy to the international anti-IS coalition. —AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Aleppo dares to dream of end to Syria war ALEPPO: When the army recaptured Aleppo in for almost two months by IS jihadists who controlled the December, Mohammad Baqdul left Beirut and returned main pumping station further east. Government forces with his family to his native city, convinced the end of recaptured the pump at Khafsah last week and have Syria’s six-year war was near. Baqdul fled Syria’s second pledged to repair the lines. For now, residents still queue up city when rebels overran its east in 2012, posing one of at local distributors with tanks to fill up. State electricity is the most serious threats yet to the government of equally rare, and generators are cropping up across the city. President Bashar Al-Assad. But four years later, the tables For Aleppo’s deputy governor Abdulghani Kassab, “reunit- have turned. Assad’s forces have recaptured the whole ing Aleppo is a turning point in the Syrian crisis because it’s city, shattering rebel dreams of toppling the regime and our second city, the economic and cultural capital.” putting the brutal war on a new trajectory. “Residents are full of energy and optimism... Reconstruction “When I heard Aleppo had been secured, I thought will take time, but we will work hard,” he told AFP. the war was on the brink of ending, so I brought my fami- ly back,” says Baqdul, speaking to AFP in the once rebel- ‘Mother of all revolutionaries’ held quarter of Shaar. The devastation in Shaar is striking: For rebels living just outside the city, Aleppo’s fall was its dusty streets are flanked by flattened buildings and indeed a turning point - but instead of a harbinger of sta- piles of rubble. Baqdul stands proudly with his young bility, it was a death knell for their dreams of Assad’s daughter in front of his new brick shop, welcoming resi- ouster. “Aleppo was the mother of all revolutionaries. dents who are buying materials to fix up their homes. Losing her really was like losing our mother,” said Abu Maria, a 30-year-old Islamist rebel. ‘People are tired’ Thomas Pierret, a Syria expert at the University of Syria’s war erupted on March 15, 2011 with peaceful Edinburgh, told AFP that “Aleppo symbolized hope for demonstrations that, after a violent crackdown by gov- the opposition that it could position itself as an alterna- ernment security forces, transformed into an armed tive to the regime”. “It’s this same hope that was shattered uprising. In six years, the multi-front war has become one in December, that reduced the uprising to a peripheral of the most destructive conflicts of the 21st century. ALEPPO: Syrians stand in queue next to a water reservoir in the once rebel-held Shaar neighborhood of this insurrection,” Pierret said. Backed by Turkey, the Gulf and some Western nations, the northern Syrian city on March 9, 2017. — AFP The opposition “dreamt of building an administration Syrian rebels were at their strongest in 2012 and many of the conflict. Aleppo, meanwhile, has become a symbol ‘Reconstruction will take time’ that could compete with Damascus”, said Fabrice thought they would march to Damascus. of the most destructive streak of the war - but some have A larger-than-life portrait of Assad with Russian Balanche, a Syria expert at the Washington Institute. “But But Assad’s powerful allies came to the rescue: Iran found a silver lining. President Vladimir Putin in the background looks over the defeat (in Aleppo) shattered their morale. Around sent military advisers and fighters, Lebanon’s Shiite mili- “I think the war is heading toward an end, because what was once Aleppo’s front line, teeming with military Damascus, the surrenders are multiplying,” he said. tant group Hezbollah joined forces and Russia began a people are tired and they prefer to stay where they are vehicles and Russian soldiers. The municipality is eager to According to Balanche, regime forces now control 36 per- deadly bombing campaign in support of Damascus in instead of being displaced again,” said Ibrahim Amoura, a erase all trace of the former fault line that split the city for cent of Syria’s territory, with IS in second place at 29 per- 2015. That support was key to retaking Aleppo, allowing 35-year-old laborer. He spoke to AFP while working on a years between the government-held west and rebel-con- cent, Kurdish forces at 23 percent and rebels with only 12 the government to consolidate its upper hand by seizing ceiling in the formerly rebel-held district of Karm al-Jabal. trolled east. But the divide is powerful: buildings in the percent. Back in the devastated northern city, Aleppo’s other strategic territory, including from Islamic State For years, residents of Karm al-Jabal had only heard the west were indeed damaged by rebel rockets, but the east municipal council has planted rows of lemon and orange group militants in northern Syria. sounds of gunfire and bombardment. Now, the nearly- has been totally ravaged, reduced to rows of crumbling trees by a bridge. Mohammad Jassem Mohammad, a 43- While swathes of the country remain embroiled in incessant whirring of generators, cement mixers and buildings nearly indistinguishable from each other. year-old municipal employee, is watering them patiently. violence, Syria’s government has decidedly won the crux pounding hammers fill their days. Water remains a precious commodity in Aleppo, cut off “This is the sign that life is returning,” he says. — AFP Car bomb kills 6 near hotel in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU: A suicide car bomber deto- Col. Yusuf Burhan, a Somali military officer. nated near a hotel in Somalia’s capital yes- Somalia’s new Prime Minister Hassan Ali terday morning, killing at least six people Khaire condemned the two attacks, saying and injuring four others, police said. The they were carried out by “bloodthirsty bomber detonated near the Weheliye hotel groups.” on the busy Maka Almukarramah road, Despite being ousted from most of its Capt Mohamed Hussein said. Ambulances key strongholds in south and central rushed to the scene. The Al-Qaeda-linked Somalia, Al-Shabab continue to carry out Islamic extremist group Al-Shabab claimed deadly guerrilla attacks across the country. responsibility for the blast, according to the In the past couple of years it has started to group’s Andalus radio. The group has often target checkpoints and bases of both the targeted hotels in Mogadishu, including a Somali military and the multinational hotel attack in late January that killed at African Union force. Al-Shabab pose a least 26 people. major challenge to Somalia’s new President In a separate blast yesterday morning, a Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who has suicide bomber detonated a minibus laden vowed to make security a priority in this with explosives at the gate of a military Horn of Africa country as the fragile central camp south of the capital. The bomber was government seeks to expand its control killed and two people were wounded, said outside key areas like the capital. — AP

BANDAR BEYLA, Somalia: In this photo taken on March 8, 2017, herder Ahmed Haji, 30, waters his goats using water trucked in by a tanker in a remote desert area in Somalia’s semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. — AP Drought crushes lives of herders in Somalia ‘Dying one by one’ MOGADISHU: Somali security men walk past a body at the scene of a car bomb attack yesterday. — AFP BANDAR BEYLA, Somalia: Ahmed Haji turns fears that effects of a heavy downpour could kill Nations is planning a major animal vaccination from his visibly dehydrated animals and whispers: already weakened animals. With their livestock intervention. Some herders are being given “I am lost.” Trying to flee the worsening drought, gone, herders are ending up in camps with basic training on vaccinating their animals and Morocco court tries 25 he trekked thousands of kilometers with a herd shortages of food, medicine and safe drinking giving oral medications on their own. “Hungry that once numbered 1,200. But hundreds per- water. “Our journey here was so rough. There animals, starving animals are very vulnerable, over W Sahara killings ished during the arduous trip to Puntland, in was no transport or water. We left behind every- very prone to disease,” Trenchard said. northern Somalia, in search of greener pasture. thing. We are here now and we don’t have any Around two million animals are targeted for RABAT: A Moroccan court yesterday resumed exchanged slogans and insults. “No to The land here dried up not long after he arrived, proper shelter or transport,” said Dahiya Ahmed, treatment against parasites, infectious disease the trial of 25 Sahrawis accused of killing 13 impunity for killers!” shouted dozens of vic- leaving his animals weak from hunger and thirst. a 48-year-old mother of eight at a camp in and wounds, said Khalid Saeed, the FAO live- people, mostly Moroccan security forces, in tims’ relatives, waving Moroccan flags and “They are now dying one by one,” the 30-year-old Qardho town. She once herded 200 goats but stock sector coordinator, as he gave medicine to the contested Western Sahara’s Gdeim Izik pictures of soldiers killed. “Freedom for politi- said, shading his face from the scorching sun. His now has just six. “The few of them that are still sick and weakened animals. Somalia is part of a camp in 2010. The killings allegedly took cal prisoners!” shouted a crowd of Sahrawi goats drank water from a plastic barrel and picked alive are too weak and cannot provide us with massive $4 billion aid appeal launched last place during riots that broke out as security activists. dry leaves from plants nearby. milk and meat,” she said. “They are just still alive month for four nations suffering from conflict forces cleared the camp near the city of A military court in 2013 sentenced the 25 “I don’t even think these remaining ones will but cannot benefit us at all.” and hunger. The others are Nigeria, Yemen and Laayoune in Nov 2010. The Court of Appeal in defendants to punishment ranging from 20 survive in the next two months,” Haji said. He left With the rise of disease-related deaths South Sudan, where famine already has been Sale, near the capital Rabat, was packed with years to life imprisonment following a high- his wife and five children behind on his eight- among the remaining animals, the United declared in two counties. — AP lawyers, relatives of victims and defendants, profile legal drama. International NGOs con- day trek, fearing they wouldn’t survive. Now he observers, journalists and security forces as demned the trial as “unfair”, and in July the wonders about himself. Somalia has declared the hearing began. Court of Cassation ordered a new trial in a this drought a national disaster, part of what the British boycott supporter The courtroom was dominated by a giant civilian court. Defense lawyers yesterday said United Nations calls the largest humanitarian cri- screen broadcasting the hearing. Knives, axes, they had little faith that the new trial would sis since the world body was founded in 1945. refused entry to Israel road signs and hard disks were presented as deliver justice. The trial “is taking place in very An estimated 6 million people in this Horn of Africa nation, or about half the population, need evidence. Outside, supporters of the two unfair conditions, but we remain at the defen- JERUSALEM: A British activist who advocates director Ben Jamal said in a statement. Israel aid amid warnings of a full-blown famine. Two camps, separated by a line of policemen, dants’ side,” they said. — AFP boycotting Israel over its occupation of has carried out a campaign against calls to consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, longer in Palestinian territory has been denied entry to boycott the Jewish state over its 50-year occu- some areas, have caused large-scale crop fail- the country, authorities said yesterday. Hugh pation of Palestinian territory. ures, the UN humanitarian agency says. It is not Lanning, head of the London-based Palestine It sees the boycott movement as a strategic clear how many people, or animals, have died so Solidarity Campaign (PSC), was denied entry threat and accuses it of anti-Semitism - a claim far. Animals are central to many in Somalia. The on Sunday night at Ben Gurion airport in Tel activists deny, saying they only want to see the United Nations says more than half the popula- Aviv over his “ongoing actions to promote occupation end. tion is engaged in the livestock industry. The boycotts against Israel”, the immigration Last week, parliament adopted a law bar- drought threatens their main sources of nutri- authority said. He flew back to London yester- ring entry to foreigners who support boy- tion and survival. day morning, authority spokeswoman Sabin cotting Israel, a move denounced by human Many wells have dried up, forcing herders to Hadad said. rights groups and the opposition as “thought risk long treks to remote areas. Water prices have “The organization Mr Lanning heads is one control” harmful to the country’s international spiked, with a single water tanker now going for of the leading anti-Israel delegitimization and standing. “If Israel believes that by introducing $150. The hot wind blows across the vast, barren BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) these draconian undemocratic laws it will land and carcasses of animals. “The sad reality of organisations in Britain, and one of the largest intimidate its critics into silence, it is mistaken,” the drought this severe, this long, this enduring in Europe,” a joint statement from the immi- Jamal said. is we’re starting to see these massive livestock gration authority and the strategic affairs min- Lanning was however not stopped due to deaths, livestock losses. Fifty, 60, 70 percent of istry said. It also accused Lanning of maintain- the new law but instead on the discretion of livestock herds dying, which is an enormous hit ing ties to leaders of Hamas, the Palestinian Interior Minister Aryeh Deri and Strategic for these pastoral families,” said Richard Islamist group that runs the Gaza Strip. Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan, who can bar those Trenchard, the UN Food and Agriculture The PSC condemned what it called an they see as working to harm Israel, Hadad said. Organization representative in Somalia. “undemocratic” decision and called on the Israeli politicians have become more combat- The mass animal deaths, from hunger and British government to intervene. “The PSC will ive against BDS activists under Prime Minister thirst as well as disease, have caused herders to not stop raising its voice to highlight the sys- Benjamin Netanyahu’s current coalition gov- SALE: Supporters of the Western Sahara’s Polisario Front shout slogans during a lose “just about everything”, Trenchard said, tematic violation of Palestinian human rights ernment, seen as the most right-wing in the demonstration outside the court yesterday in support of the 25 Sahrawi suspects on standing beside the carcass of a camel. Even in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel itself,” its country’s history. — AFP trial for the killing of security forces in the Western Sahara in 2010. — AFP though rains are expected in mid-April, there are INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Abrupt dismissals leave US attorneys scrambling Trump tried to call Bharara before firing him

WASHINGTON: Two days before Attorney to go anyway - whether I got 24 hours’ notice, General Jeff Sessions ordered dozens of the or two weeks’ notice, or two months’ notice. It country’s top federal prosecutors to clean out doesn’t really matter,” Neronha said. their desks, he gave those political Whenever there’s a change in presidential appointees a pep talk during a conference administration, he said, “I think it would be call. The seemingly abrupt about-face Friday unwise not to be ready.” left the affected US attorneys scrambling to It’s not clear why the Justice Department brief the people left behind and say goodbye asked the prosecutors to exit so quickly. to colleagues. It also could have an impact on Sessions gave no warning during the morale for the career prosecutors who now Wednesday conference call in which he artic- must pick up the slack, according to some ulated his agenda for fighting violent crime. close to the process. The quick exits aren’t “The attorney general did not mention on expected to have a major impact on ongoing that call, ‘Stay tuned for changes,’” Neronha CLEVELAND: In this July 20, 2016 file photo, Florida prosecutions, but they gave US attorneys lit- said. Much of the public attention since Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at the Republican tle time to prepare deputies who will take Friday has focused on Preet Bharara, the high- National Convention. — AP over until successors are named. profile Manhattan federal prosecutor who “It’s very, very gut-level reaction,” said said he was fired despite meeting with then- Steven Schleicher, a former prosecutor who President-elect Donald Trump and saying he Florida spent left Minnesota US Attorney Andrew Luger’s was asked to remain. office in January and was still in contact with Trump himself did apparently make an $240m on lawyers people there. The request for resignations attempt to speak with Bharara in advance of from the 46 prosecutors who were holdovers the Friday demand for resignations. The presi- TALLAHASSEE, Florida: Gov. Rick Scott and other top from the Obama administration wasn’t shock- dent reached out through a secretary on his Florida Republicans frequently complain about govern- ing. It’s fairly customary for the 93 US attor- staff to Bharara a day earlier but the two men ment spending, but they have quietly spent more than neys to leave their posts once a new presi- never spoke, according to a person told $237 million on private lawyers to advance and defend dent is in office, and many had already left or about the conversation but who requested anonymity. The White House on Sunday said their agendas, an AP investigation has found. Florida tax- were making plans for their departures. Sessions himself was asked to resign as a US NEW YORK: This file photo taken on Nov 30, 2016 shows Preet Bharara, US Attorney for the president reached out to thank Bharara payers also have been forced to reimburse nearly $16 mil- attorney in a similar purge by Attorney the Southern District of New York, speaking briefly to reporters at Trump Tower. — AFP for his service and to wish him good luck. lion for their opponents’ private attorney fees. That means General Janet Reno in 1993. The Justice Department on Friday did say an overall $253 million has been spent on legal fights in from North Dakota who was included on the “But it was handled in a way that was disre- But the abrupt nature of the dismissals - it would not accept the resignations of Dana the last six years, including a water war with Georgia and email chain. Some of those ousted were long- spectful to the US attorneys because they done with little explanation and not always Boente, now the acting deputy attorney gen- losing battles to test welfare recipients for drugs, trim the time prosecutors who had spent their careers were almost treated as though they had done with a customary thanks for years of service - eral, and Rod Rosenstein, the Maryland prose- state’s voter registration lists and ban companies that do coming up through the ranks of the Justice something wrong, when in fact they had not.” stunned and angered some of those left cutor who’s been nominated for the deputy business with Cuba from bidding on government con- Department. John W Vaudreuil, US attorney Peter Neronha, who had served since 2009 behind in offices around the country. Former role. On Sunday, some Democrats con- tracts. for the Western District of Wisconsin, became as US attorney for Rhode Island, said even prosecutors, friends and colleagues immedi- an assistant US attorney in that office in 1980. before Friday he had been preparing for his demned the demand for resignations in high- “A quarter of a billion dollars is a gosh lot of money,” ately started reaching out to each other on a ly partisan comments. said Dominic Calabro, president of Florida TaxWatch, a Another, Richard S Hartunian of the Northern eventual departure and had written a resig- growing email chain to express condolences District of New York, joined the Justice nation statement to be released upon his exit. Maryland Rep Elijah Cummings, the top business-backed group that scrutinizes state spending. and support, commiserating about how Department in the 1990s. “All of these US He said he knew his time was limited but had Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Much of the state’s legal spending doesn’t show up in the unfair they felt the situation was. One US attorneys know they serve at the pleasure of been eager to stay on to see through a major suggested Trump might have fired Bharara to normal process of assembling the state’s $82 billion attorney was out of state on Friday and was the president. No one complains about that,” public corruption prosecution and to speak thwart a potential corruption investigation, budget. Attorney General Pam Bondi oversees a legal forced to say goodbye to his office by a blast said John Walsh, an Obama-era appointee as with students about the perils of opioid and believed the move added to a lack of trust budget of nearly $309 million a year that helps pay for email, said Tim Purdon, a former US attorney US attorney in Colorado who resigned in July. addiction. “When that was done, I was going of the administration. —AP 450 state lawyers, but all that in-house legal firepower hasn’t stopped state leaders from hiring private attorneys, and no one in state government is closely tracking what their hourly rates add up to. Trump adviser says, govt has “We do not have that information and are unaware of a way to capture expenditures for the purchase of outside legal services that would not entail an exhaustive search of documents,” said Whitney Ray, a spokesman for Bondi. many ways to surveil people The AP came up with the figure by analyzing budget doc- uments and the results of public records requests. The AP review found that Florida has spent more than $237 mil- WASHINGTON: Senior White House advis- New Jersey’s The Record newspaper in an lion on outside lawyering since 2011, a figure that aver- er Kellyanne Conway says she doesn’t have interview Sunday. “So we know that that is ages to nearly $40 million a year, plus nearly $16 million any evidence to support President Donald just a fact of modern life.” reimbursing private attorney fees on opposing sides. Trump’s claim that Barack Obama wire- Conway told “Good Morning America” Hiring private counsel in expenditures that fall outside tapped Trump Tower phone lines during that “I wasn’t making a suggestion about the normal budget process seems common in state gov- the election. Instead, Conway is pointing Trump Tower.” She said she was answering ernments around the country, though perhaps not on the to recent revelations about other govern- a question about surveillance “generally,” same scale as during the Scott administration. New York ment surveillance to suggest it was possi- and without specific reference to the cur- has spent more than $86 million since 2012, or about $17 ble Obama used a different technique. Her rent controversy. FBI director James Comey million a year, on outside lawyering, according to that response was unlikely to tamp down criti- has privately urged the Justice state’s comptroller. California’s Democratic leaders recently cism of Trump’s tweets earlier this month. Department to dispute Trump’s claim but approved payments of $25,000 a month to former U.S. The House intelligence committee has has not come forward to do so himself. Attorney General Eric Holder and his law firm to defend the asked the administration to provide evi- Sen John McCain, an influential state’s interests against President Donald Trump’s policies. dence of the allegation by Monday. Republican, said Sunday: “I think the presi- “The answer is I don’t have any evi- dent has one of two choices: either retract ‘Runaway train’ dence and I’m very happy that the House or to provide the information that the In Florida, it was the soaring cost of the state’s water intelligence committee (is) investigating,” American people deserve, because, if his war against Georgia - more than $41 million in the last 18 Conway told ABC’s “Good Morning predecessor violated the law, President months alone - that started to raise eyebrows when the America.” She later tweeted that the Obama violated the law, we have got a Department of Environmental Protection sought more administration is “pleased” with the ongo- serious issue here, to say the least,” the money in January. Rep Carlos Trujillo, a Miami Republican ing congressional investigation and “will Arizona senator said. The House NEW YORK: White House counselor Kellyanne Conway is interviewed by Howard and House budget chief, called the department’s legal comment after”. Trump’s critics have Intelligence Committee’s request for evi- Kurtz during a taping of his “MediaBuzz” program on the Fox News Channel on spending a “runaway train”. His response when told that slammed the president for making the dence by Monday was made in a letter March 10, 2017. — AP the overall state tab for private legal fees is about a quar- explosive wiretapping claim on his Twitter sent to the Justice Department by the pan- ter-billion dollars? “Insane,” Trujillo said. Trujillo said account without evidence. Wiretapping a tor of national intelligence, has said that ers, cellphones and even smart TVs. el’s chairman, Rep Devin Nunes, R-Calif, “nobody is disputing” that defending Florida’s water U.S. citizen would require special permis- nothing matching Trump’s claims had tak- Conway noted that development to justify and its ranking Democrat, Rep Adam rights is important, but “as taxpayers and constituents, we sion from a court, and Trump as president en place. Also this month, WikiLeaks Trump’s claims. “What I can say is there are Schiff, D-Calif, according to a congressional have the right to ask: ‘Is it necessary, are we overpaying?’” would have the ability to declassify that released nearly 8,000 documents that pur- many ways to surveil each other now, official. The aide wasn’t authorized to dis- House Speaker Richard Corcoran, who ordered a leg- information. portedly reveal secrets about the CIA’s unfortunately,” including “microwaves that cuss the request by name and requested islative review, was even more blunt: “We are getting James Clapper, who was Obama’s direc- tools for breaking into targeted comput- turn into cameras, et cetera,” Conway told anonymity. — AP gouged, and that needs to be fixed.” A spokeswoman for Scott, Jackie Schutz, sought to downplay the outside legal costs during Scott’s administration, saying that pri- vate law firms are sometimes necessary “when there are complex legal matters or specific expertise needed.” “It’s no surprise that our office vigorously defends the laws we sign,” she said. The decades-long water dispute took a new and expensive turn when Scott asked the US Supreme Court in 2013 to limit the water Georgia takes from the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint river basin. Florida argues that Georgia has guzzled more than its share of water at the expense of Florida’s oyster industry. Bondi’s office handed the case over to one of the world’s most prestigious firms, Latham & Watkins, whose lawyers charge up to $825 an hour. The firm’s bills to date almost doubled the funding Scott personally requested in late 2014 to repair the Apalachicola Bay watershed. Scott, an attorney and multimillionaire businessman who ran one of the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chains, has backed the use of taxpayer money to bolster the state’s legal team with private attorneys for defending his initiatives, despite the rising costs. “It’s important to make sure that Florida gets the water it deserves,” Scott said. Ryan Matthews, the interim secretary for the Department of Environmental Protection, said last week that his staff “carefully reviews every invoice”. He also said that since July 2015, DEP has denied more than $3 million in legal expenses and hourly charges. A spokesman for Bondi’s office noted that her agency’s lawyers are assigned to duties such as handling criminal appeals and Medicaid fraud cases. Bondi’s office must approve the hiring of outside attorneys by state agencies. Her office keeps a list of outside lawyers hired and hourly fees charged. But no one keeps track of the overall spend- ing. The governor, Legislature and other state elected offi- cials, such as Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, do not have to report their spending on legal fees to the state’s chief legal officer. To capture that total, the AP sought public records on all the firms hired and outside lawyers used. It asked agencies how much they spent. The office of Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater maintains a website where the public can see spending on individual con- tracts, and provided information on legal settlements. Calabro said the state may be hiring outside counsel for good reasons, but the cost of this lawyering “has hardly gotten any attention” by either Democrats or Republicans. — AP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Carlos the Jackal stands trial over 1974 Paris attack

PARIS: Carlos the Jackal, once one of the in the box. In the 1970s and 1980s, the at the French Embassy in The Hague two world’s most wanted criminals, was back in Marxist militant and self-dubbed “elite gun- days previously by the Japanese Red Army a French court yesterday, charged with a man” became a symbol of Cold War anti- militant group. grenade attack on a Paris shop more than imperialism and public enemy number one The US-made hand grenade used in the 40 years ago that killed two people. The for Western governments. Publicis attack came from the same batch as Venezuelan, whose real name is Ilich He sealed his notoriety in 1975 with the three grenades used in The Hague attack Ramirez Sanchez, has been held in France hostage-taking of OPEC oil ministers in and another grenade found in a Paris apart- for 23 years since being captured in Vienna in the name of the Palestinian ment used by Ramirez, they say. Some years Khartoum by French special forces and was struggle, and went on to become an inter- later, in a newspaper interview which previously sentenced to life imprisonment national gun-for-hire with Soviet bloc pro- Ramirez now denies having given, he was for deadly attacks in the 1970s and 1980s. tectors. The press gave him his nickname quoted as claiming responsibility for the In his latest trial, which began in a Paris after a reporter saw a copy of Frederick drugstore attack, saying its aim was to put court yesterday, he faced charges including Forsyth’s “The Day of the Jackal” at pressure on French authorities to wrap up murder over the Sept. 15, 1974 grenade Ramirez’s London flat and mistakenly negotiations with the hostage-takers in The attack on the Publicis drugstore in central assumed it belonged to him. Hague. Speaking to Reuters before the trial, Paris, which also injured 34. Ramirez denies He was convicted in 1997 of murdering Ramirez’s lawyer Francis Vuillemin said the involvement. Ramirez, 67, with receding two French police officers and an informant charges against Ramirez were non-existent. white hair, refused to give his name in court in 1975 in Paris and in 2011 of mastermind- He attacked “contradictory and dishonest” and gave his age as 17 “give or take 50 ing attacks on two trains, a train station and testimony in the case and a procedure he years”. Ramirez, who wore a dark jacket and a Paris street that killed 11 people and PARIS: A court sketch made yesterday shows Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez, known as said had not respected the law. Seventeen metal-framed glasses, was confined in a wounded about 150 more. Investigators say Carlos the Jackal, gesturing during his trial in France for the deadly bombing of witnesses are expected to testify in the trial, glass box, with just an opening to speak they have established links between the the Drugstore Publicis, a busy shop once located in Saint-Germain-des-Pres in which is expected to take until around the through. Three police officers flanked him Publicis case, Ramirez, and a hostage-taking the French capital Paris more than 40 years ago. — AFP end of this month. — Reuters Duterte wants mining ban, links miners to conspiracy President says he’ll do what’s necessary to preserve land

MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday accused some miners of funding efforts to destabilize his government as he talked about a possible plan to impose a ban on mining given the environmental damage producers have caused. Duterte, who has said the Southeast Asian nation can survive without mining, has backed a crackdown on miners by Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez in the world’s top supplier of nickel ore. Duterte said he was looking at a total mining ban “and then we’ll talk”, referring to miners. “When it comes to the preservation of my country, the land...I will do what is necessary,” Duterte told a media briefing. “I know that some of you are giving funding to the other side to destabilize me,” he said, referring to companies in the mining sector he did not name. He did not BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, center, congratulates re-elected say how his government was being destabilized, Hungarian President Janos Ader (front) in the presence of Ader’s wife, Anita only that there could be efforts to make him Herczegh (left) Deputy PM in charge of national politics Zsolt Semjen (back center) “unpopular”. The Chamber of Mines of the and Fidesz faction leader Lajos Kosa (right) during the plenary session of the parlia- Philippines, which groups many large-scale min- ment in Budapest yesterday. — AP ers, said in a statement it was “unaware of any mining company that is supportive of any desta- bilization efforts against the administration”. Hungary MPs re-elect Duterte has supported Lopez’s Feb. 2 order to shut 23 of the country’s 41 mines to protect Orban ally as president watersheds. She suspended another five for environmental infringements and also cancelled MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is surrounded by security after a press confer- 75 contracts for undeveloped mines. ence at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila yesterday. — AP BUDAPEST: Hungarian lawmakers yester- ago, 57-year-old Ader ran uncontested. But “You think you can live with it (environmental one of those who would fund such a destabiliza- lion people who depend on mining for their day re-elected President Janos Ader for a ahead of next year’s general election, the degradation) because of the 70 billion (pesos) or tion effort,” Bravo told Reuters in a text message. livelihood. Lopez defended her decisions in new five-year term, marking a comfortable fragmented left bloc-made up of the because they contributed to campaign funds? Bravo also said while Duterte is considering a Congress last week where lawmakers held a victory for the rightwing government ally Socialist Party and several smaller outfits- Not me,” Duterte said, while showing pictures of mining ban, he believed the president “is a rea- two-day hearing on her appointment. She said over his leftist rival. Ader beat opposition has been trying to set aside its rifts and the environmental harm mining has caused. The sonable man and he’ll follow what’s in the law”. her orders were above board and were made to candidate Laszlo Majtenyi in a second- come up with a common strategy to take mining sector contributes an estimated 70 billion “The current law allows mining, so we’ll have to protect functions of watersheds. Lawmakers will round runoff by 131 votes to 39 in the 199- on Orban, in power since 2010. Philippine pesos ($1.39 billion) a year in revenue. take that as the existing regime which the presi- meet on Tuesday before they vote on whether to seat parliament. His opponents have denounced the Dante Bravo, president of Global Ferronickel dent is mandated to enforce,” said Bravo. confirm or reject her appointment in June last The vote for the largely ceremonial presi- strongman for undermining key democratic Holdings Inc, the Philippines’ No 2 nickel ore Miners have complained about Lopez’s mine year when Duterte took office. In the Philippines, dential role was a mere formality given that institutions in sweeping reforms and stifling miner, said he was surprised at Duterte’s com- closure orders, saying they were baseless, did confirmation hearings can take place long after the ruling Fidesz party of premier Viktor press freedom. “(We need) a return to inde- ments on his leadership. “We’re definitely not not follow due process and would affect 1.2 mil- ministers start work. — Reuters Orban holds close to a two-thirds majority. pendent institutions guaranteeing our con- Despite his defeat however, respected for- stitutional rights,” Majtenyi said in a speech mer ombudsman Majtenyi, 66, nonetheless yesterday. Fidesz currently enjoys a com- managed a rare feat in this election-uniting fortable lead over the Socialists and the rad- Dutch PM in election duel Hungary’s normally warring leftist parties ical right Jobbik party, which both vie for a behind him. In the last election five years distant second place. — AFP with anti-Islam leader New ‘enemy property’ law ROTTERDAM, Netherlands: Dutch Prime Minister targets Indian Muslims Mark Rutte was to go head-to-head with his rival anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders in a key election MUMBAI: A controversial bill that amends right of succession?” said Husain Dalwai, a debate, sharpened by a bitter row with Turkey. a five-decade-old law to deny Indian fami- member of India’s upper house of parlia- Just two days before The Netherlands goes to lies of those who moved to China and ment. “It is against the constitution and it the polls, tensions with Ankara have flared into a Pakistan the right to reclaim “enemy prop- targets Muslims unfairly,” he told the diplomatic crisis, forcing simmering concerns erties” seized by the state unfairly targets Thomson Reuters Foundation. about immigration and integration back to the Muslims, analysts say. The Enemy Property The government has said the amend- top of the political agenda. Monday’s debate, Act of 1968, enacted after the India- ments are in the “larger public interest” and plus Tuesday’s final night round-table with eight Pakistan War three years earlier, gave the will plug “loopholes to ensure that enemy political party leaders, could yet sway Indian government the right to seize assets properties worth thousands of crores (mil- Wednesday’s vote, one analyst told AFP, estimat- of Indian nationals who had moved to lions) of rupees do not revert to the enemy ing that some 60 percent of Dutch voters remain Pakistan or China following wars with the or enemy firm”. undecided. While Wilders has delighted in the two countries. The Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that chaos which erupted over the weekend when Those who left India for Pakistan were legal heirs who are Indian citizens can Dutch riot police moved in to disperse hundreds Muslims, and relations between the two reclaim so-called enemy property, follow- of protestors waving Turkish flags in Rotterdam, countries remain fraught after numerous ing decades of petitioning by the family of Rutte has appealed for calm. conflicts. Pakistan enacted a similar law at the erstwhile Raja of Mahmudabad, who The leader of the Liberal VVD party, Rutte is the time and seized properties of those left India after partition in 1947. But the bidding for a third term, but faces a strong chal- who left for India. The amended law, which amendment - also barring civil courts from lenge from Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV). would apply retrospectively, extends the hearing disputes related to enemy property Tomorrow’s vote “is about one question: in what definition of “enemy” to include legal heirs - was passed late on Friday by the upper kind of country do you want to live?” Rutte said of declared enemies, even when the heir is house, despite a walkout by opposition in a Facebook post yesterday. an Indian citizen, or of a country not members. India’s large Muslim minority, “I want a country where we live together in a deemed to be an enemy. which makes up 13 percent of the popula- normal way... a country that has shown the “When the families are citizens of the tion, lags the national average on land world that we do not fall for false populism.” He country, how can the government consider ownership, and faces bias when buying or has angrily rejected Turkey’s calls to apologize them to be enemies and take away their renting properties. — Reuters for expelling a Turkish minister who tried to attend a pro-Ankara rally in Rotterdam. Instead, he urged Turkish President Recep Defense spending by European Tayyip Erdogan to say sorry for likening the Dutch to Nazis-a jibe that has cut deep in a ROTTERDAM: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte stands in front of journalists during a press NATO allies inches up in 2016 country bombed and occupied in World War II. conference yesterday at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. — AFP ‘Expel ambassador!’ Dutch vote, which is considerable but I think we the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the BRUSSELS: Defense spending by European year stood at 3.61 percent of its Gross While Rutte says he also wants to defuse the should not exaggerate it: It is one out of eight,” Democracy Party D66 is rising as the vote looms. NATO states inched up for the first time in Domestic Product, compared to 3.58 percent crisis with a fellow NATO member, Wilders urged Monika Sie Dhian Ho, director of the Clingendael Most Dutch voters remain preoccupied with seven years in 2016, the military alliance said in 2015. That compares to 1.47 percent for the Dutch government to up the ante. “Erdogan Institute, told AFP. If Wilders emerges as one of issues such as the economy, pensions and health yesterday, but still remained below the NATO’s European allies last year and 1.44 per- repeats we are Nazis + Fascists. He insults Dutch the largest parties in parliament, he may be a care for the greying population, even though the threshold the new U.S. President Donald cent the year before. police. No de-escalation. Expel Turkish difficult voice to ignore even though other par- elections are being closely watched abroad amid Trump said was crucial to achieve. NATO’s overall figure for 2016 stood at Ambassador to NL and entire staff!” Wilders said ties have vowed to snub him, turned off by his the European debate about immigration and Trump made NATO states in Europe nerv- 2.43 percent versus 2.40 percent in 2015. in a tweet yesterday. extreme rhetoric in a country which prides itself integration. Wilders’s “ideology might be nega- ous when he criticized the alliance as “obso- “There has been progress but the job is far The stakes are high, with Rutte’s Liberals on its consensus politics. tive, it’s anti-Muslims, it’s anti-EU, it’s anti-immi- lete” during election campaign and then went from done, we still have no fair burden-shar- (VVD) predicted to return as the largest party in gration, it’s anti-refugees. But it is a clear ideology on to suggest he could make US commitment ing within our alliance,” NATO’s Secretary the 150-seat parliament with between 23 to 27 ‘Here to stay’ that addresses concerns of a substantial group of to their security conditional on them meeting General Jens Stoltenberg said. “It is realistic seats, according to the latest aggregated polls. Wilders has vowed to close mosques, ban the Dutch. So it is there to stay,” said Sie. the alliance’s target of defense spending at that all allies reach the goal of two percent.” That is well down from 40 VVD MPs in the outgo- sales of the Koran and bar Muslim immigrants. These elections have also seen the remarkable two percent of their economic output. Stoltenberg said Romania was due to meet ing lower chamber however, and would leave But his one-page manifesto is glaringly short on rise of the left-wing ecologists GroenLinks and Trump has since reaffirmed support for the target this year, with Lithuania and Latvia him scrambling to cobble together a viable detail. The Dutch are “interested to hear how he’s their charismatic young leader Jesse Klaver, who NATO but insisted Europeans must “pay their expected to follow in 2018. “This is not just coalition which may have to include four to five going to implement that since he’s going could yet become a kingmaker in a fragmented fair share.” His aides have said Trump wants to about a call from the Unites States and parties to reach the 76-seat majority. against the constitution, against many laws that political landscape. “My weapons are hope and see progress on that by the end of this year President Trump... It is in Europe’s best interest After weeks of flirting at the top of the polls, we have in the Netherlands,” said Sie, highlight- optimism,” the 30-year-old Klaver told AFP and that Washington could otherwise “mod- to spend more on defense. We have a long Wilders has seen his ratings slip and may now ing how so far Wilders has snubbed the major Saturday after campaigning in southern erate” its support. way to go but at least after years of decline, we come second with between 19 and 23 seats, debates. The latest polls also suggest support for Eindhoven. “We are building a movement that is NATO said the US defense spending last are now starting to see an increase.” — Reuters polls suggest. “They are now at 13 percent of the traditional Dutch establishment parties such as stronger than any parties in Netherlands.” —AFP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Pakistan to kick off first census in 19 years

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will this week cians concerned about power bases and ple, but has not held a census since 1998, Army escorts The PBS will deploy some 119,000 embark on the enormous task of conduct- federal funding. Fast-growing Pakistan is despite a constitutional requirement for The lack of political will has resulted people, including 84,000 enumerators: ing its first census in almost two decades, the sixth most populous country in the one every decade. in hasty preparations. The Pakistan teachers and local officials who will go after years of bickering between politi- world, with an estimated 200 million peo- The process starts Wednesday and will Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has been door-to-door to count homes and then deploy a team of more than 300,000 peo- primed and ready on the starting blocks individuals. Pakistan’s powerful army ple and involve 55 million forms-a chal- for ten years, but the government only meanwhile announced it would dis- lenge in a country known for corruption gave its green light less than three patch up to 200,000 troops for the exer- and dysfunction. It will be the basis for months ago — a short time to train staff cise, including 44,000 participating revising political boundaries, parliamen- and reassure parties and communities. directly in the census-taking and mak- tary seat allocations and federal funding, “There was very limited time to get ing a parallel count. Asif Bajwa, the while also giving a clearer picture about everybody on board (and) ensure every- PBS’s chief statistician, said the army religious minority numbers in the Muslim- one feels the importance of being would act as ‘observers’ to ensure enu- majority country as well as counting the counted “ said Dr Hassan Mohtashami, merators did not inflate local counting. transsexual population for the first time. of the United Nations Population Fund. “Being a local person, the enumera- The census is a highly charged issue, Many within the country are unhappy tor is susceptible to pressures, because coming one year before national parlia- about how the presence of approxi- everybody knows that a larger popula- mentary elections. “Pakistan is not a coun- mately two million Afghan refugees, tion translates into more jobs, more try with a homogenous population,” said whose nationality is difficult to deter- seats, and more money for the province,” Muddassir Rizvi, head of programs at the mine because of falsified documents, he said, adding each census-taker will Free and Fair Elections Network, “we are could skew the numbers if they get be accompanied by a military counter- multiple ethnicities, more than 80 different counted as Pakistanis belonging to the part. But that has created some disquiet languages are spoken. The count actually Pashtun ethnic group. for the UN who are concerned about the determines the political power of various In Balochistan, the country’s largest army’s role as parallel data collectors. ethnicities.” The mighty Punjab province, province by area but the least populat- “The administration of any kind of for example, could see its political grip ed, a nationalist party has rejected the other questionnaire during the census is weaken as a result of its population not ris- census, calling it tantamount to “sui- (infringing) on the principle of confiden- ISLAMABAD: Commuters struck in a traffic jam in Islamabad yesterday. ing at a similar rate to other provinces. “It is cide” because an influx of Pashtuns- tiality,” said Mohtashami. The first census Pakistan will embark on the enormous task of conducting its first census not a well-received exercise by political both from other parts of Pakistan as phase will take place from March 15 to in almost two decades, after years of bickering between politicians con- actors. It’s only on the orders and insis- well as from Afghanistan-would make April 15, the second from April 25 to May cerned about power bases and federal funding. —AFP tence of the Supreme Court that this exer- the ethnic Baloch a minority in their 25, and final results are expected by the cise is being undertaken,” said Rizvi. own region. end of July. —AFP Myanmar refugees surge into Japan plans to send largest China as conflict escalates NANSAN, China: Within earshot of mortar small and large clashes”, using cannons, warship to South China Sea fire echoing from beyond a ring of hills, a armoured vehicles and heavy weapons over sprawling relief camp in Southwestern China the past two months, according to a state- is swelling steadily after fighting erupted last ment published by the military on March 6 Vietnam demands China stop cruises in disputed waters week between a rebel ethnic army in after the attack. Myanmar and government troops just across Rebel forces who lay historic claim to the TOKYO: Japan plans to dispatch its the border. In a recent Reuters visit to the Kokang region have attacked government largest warship on a three-month tour rugged area in southwestern Yunnan troops with rocket-propelled grenade through the South China Sea begin- province, aid workers and those displaced launchers and other military hardware. In ning in May, three sources said, in its expressed fears of a more violent and pro- an “urgent notice” posted on Sunday on its biggest show of naval force in the tracted conflict than a previous flare-up in official website, the MNDAA said the Kokang region since World War Two. China the Kokang region in early 2015. area was now in a “state of war” as fighting claims almost all the disputed waters “Every day, more people come,” said Li worsened. and its growing military presence has Yinzhong, an aid manager in the camp, ges- On the Chinese side, paramilitary police fuelled concern in Japan and the West, turing at the mostly Han Chinese refugees have sent in battalions of reinforcements, with the United States holding regular from Myanmar’s Kokang region trudging mostly in readiness for disaster relief, accord- air and naval patrols to ensure freedom through the reddish mud earth around rows ing to Chinese officials who spoke on back- of navigation. of large blue huts where they sleep on nylon ground. Reuters saw seven Chinese armored The Izumo helicopter carrier, com- tarpaulin sheets. personnel carriers moving west along the missioned only two years ago, will “We will look after them until they decide hilly road towards Myanmar and the relief make stops in Singapore, Indonesia, the they want to go back.” Blue disaster relief camp sprawled across a muddy wasteland Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka tents provided by the Chinese also dotted the size of 10 football fields. before joining the Malabar joint naval the terraced sugarcane, maize and tea ter- The fresh unrest comes after fighting in exercise with Indian and US naval ves- races flanking the mountainous winding early 2015 and in 2009 involving the sels in the Indian Ocean in July. road to Nansan. The town, close to the MNDAA, both flare-ups displacing tens of It will return to Japan in August, the Kokang region of Myanmar’s Shan State, is thousands of people. Ordnance has occa- sources said. “The aim is to test the providing refuge for a stream of refugees sionally strayed into China, with five people capability of the Izumo by sending it that Chinese authorities estimate number in China killed in 2015 during a round of out on an extended mission,” said one more than 20,000. fighting then. of the sources who have knowledge of The violence is a blow to efforts by This time round, the door to a village the plan. “It will train with the US Navy Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, house was blown out, and the upper floor of in the South China Sea,” he added, ask- BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) is surrounded by delegates for souvenir pho- to reach a comprehensive peace agreement the Anran hotel in Nansan was shelled forc- ing not to be identified because he is tographs before a plenary session of the National People’s Congress held at the Great Hall of the with Myanmar’s ethnic minorities, some of ing its closure, according to local residents not authorized to talk to the media. them in rebellions spanning decades. The and one official. Reuters was unable to cor- People in Beijing on Sunday. —AP conflict is also fraying ties between China roborate these accounts. China has lodged Maritime dispute alliance with the United States, to visit of Beijing’s latest steps to bolster its Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar, which Beijing has hoped “solemn representations” with Myanmar over A spokesman for Japan’s Maritime the Izumo when it visits Subic Bay, claims in the strategic waterway. A Vietnam and Taiwan lay claim to parts could be a key gateway in its multi-pronged its citizens put at risk by the conflict, foreign Self Defense Force declined to com- about 100 km (62 miles) west of Manila, Chinese cruise ship with more than of the sea, through which passes “One Belt One Road” strategy to promote ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a ment. Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the another of the sources said. 300 passengers visited the disputed about $5 trillion of trade a year. economic links between China and Europe. regular news briefing yesterday. Philippines and Brunei also claim Japan’s flag-flying operation comes Paracel Islands earlier this month. Yesterday, Chinese foreign min- Kokang has close ties to China. The “The Chinese will be very angry if it esca- parts of the sea which has rich fish- as the United States under President “Vietnam strongly opposes this and istry spokeswomen Hua Chunying vast majority are ethnic Chinese speaking lates to the level of 2015,” said Sino-Myanmar ing grounds, oil and gas deposits Donald Trump appears to be taking a demands that China respect Vietnam’s told a regular news briefing that she a Chinese dialect and using the yuan as expert Yun Sun, a senior associate with the and through which around $5 trillion tougher line with China. Washington sovereignty over the Paracel Islands had not seen the comments by currency. Stimson Center in Washington D.C. Beijing of global sea-borne trade passes has criticized China’s construction of and international law and immediately Vietnam, but reiterated China’s claim wants the Kokang to be included in the com- each year. man-made islands and a build-up of stop and not repeat those activities,” to the Paracel Islands. Countries com- State of war prehensive peace negotiations that Aung San Japan does not have any claim to military facilities that it worries could be foreign ministry spokesperson Le Hai peting to cement their rival claims The Kokang began fleeing when the Suu Kyi initiated last August, she said. the waters, but has a separate maritime used to restrict free movement. Binh told Reuters. have encouraged a growing civilian rebel Myanmar National Democratic The military has blocked that, saying the dispute with China in the East China “Those actions have seriously vio- presence on disputed islands in the Alliance Army (MNDAA) launched a surprise rebels can only join if they lay down arms Sea. Japan wants to invite Philippine Vietnam call lated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the South China Sea. The first cruises from raid on Myanmar police and military targets first. “The Chinese actually tacitly and pri- President Rodrigo Duterte, who has Vietnam yesterday demanded that Paracel Islands and international law.” China to the Paracel islands were in the town of Laukkai, resulting in the vately support the Kokang being included in pushed ties with China in recent China stop sending cruise ships to the China claims 90 percent of the poten- launched by Hainan Strait Shipping deaths of 30 people on March 6. The the negotiations, but they can’t say that,” months as he has criticized the old South China Sea in a response to one tially energy-rich South China Sea. Co in 2013. —Reuters Myanmar military has launched “56 waves of Sun said. —Reuters

Modi party sees bigger mandate in 2019 after state election NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party expects national elections in 2019 to deliver an even big- ger mandate than in 2014, its leaders said on Sunday, buoyed by a thumping victory in the country’s most politi- cally important state. As well as winning Uttar Pradesh with the biggest majority for any party since 1977, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is moving closer to forming governments in at least two more of the five states that went to polls recently. Federal Defence Minister Manohar Parikar will resign soon to lead the state government of Goa, BJP leaders told a news conference. BJP president Amit Shah said: “In com- ing days BJP’s winning ways will be seen in other states too. We will get a much bigger mandate in 2019 under Modi.” Many investors hope the BJP will embark on a round of new reforms to boost growth and fight endemic corruption. The BJP won the biggest government mandate in three decades in 2014 and the prospect of a tighter grip on pow- er is not something Modi’s critics relish. They say his surging popularity and the lack of a strong opposition could further embolden hardline Hindu factions close to his party and isolate Muslims and other minorities. The state victories are being seen as an endorsement of Modi’s high-risk decision last November to scrap high-value banknotes, an anti-corruption measure that was unpopular which many economists said would hamper growth. The wins vindicated his decision to turn the campaign into a ref- erendum on his own performance since coming to power more than two-and-a-half years ago. With expectations ris- ing high, his biggest challenge now will be to create mil- lions of jobs for the country’s surging population. “We may get things wrong, but we won’t do anything with wrong intentions,” Modi said in a speech at the BJP headquarters, broadcast live by several television networks on Sunday evening. Modi said 2022, the 75th anniversary of independence, would be marked by a “New India”. “We have got five years ... for 1.25 billion of my countrymen to take India forward,” he said, urging Indians to unite, as his supporters chanted “Modi! Modi!”. “The election results have strengthened the resolve to fulfil the dreams of the India of 2022.” —Reuters

NEWS TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Hashem defends expat medicine ban... Continued from Page 1 Hashem called for immediately forcing employers to provide health insurance for their expatriate employees, The lawmaker claimed that expatriate doctors pre- adding this will resolve most of the problem. The law- scribe large quantities of medicine to expatriate maker also claimed that some expatriate visitors who patients and this leads to squandering of public funds. do not hold legal residence permits arrive in Kuwait to “How else can we improve the level of health services in enjoy almost free medical services, while many Kuwaitis the country?” Hashem asked, adding that expatriate are forced to go to the private sector. patients overcrowd public health institutions, thus pre- Hashem said that the health ministry budget soared venting citizens from having good medical treatment. from KD 437 million in 2006 to as high as KD 1,489 mil- Hashem said that what she has proposed has got lion last year, close to fourfold growth. She also said that nothing to do with humanity. “I don’t want anyone to in 2015, as many as 465,000 Kuwaitis visited outpatient ask me where are human factors in my proposal. I am clinics at public hospitals against 331,000 expats, talking about the dignity of citizens ... I did not say don’t adding that the large number of expatriates resulted in give them (expatriates) treatment. I said we should reg- overcrowding. In addition to barring expats from medi- ulate it in order for Kuwaiti citizens to experience social cines, Hashem had also proposed collecting a five per- justice,” she said. “The government is not obliged to pro- cent tax on all foreign money transfers by expats. She vide medical treatment to expatriates. Employers are has also called for charging each expat at least 100 fils obliged to provide such a service,” she added. for walking on roads. King Salman, Abe eye boost in ties Continued from Page 1 official Saudi Press Agency earlier yesterday, said that Prince Mohammed will meet with Trump and a num- The two countries yesterday also signed economic ber of US officials to discuss “the strengthening of cooperation agreements in industry, energy and bilateral relations between the two countries and finance. They also agreed to start a feasibility study regional issues of mutual interest”. The prince, who on vehicle production in the Middle Eastern country. departed for Washington yesterday, is spearheading The Nikkei on Saturday reported that Toyota Motor the kingdom’s economic overhaul to become less Corp is looking into building a plant in Saudi Arabia. dependent on oil and its major investments in US Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kotaro technology firms. Nogami told reporters Abe made the request for sup- He will be the first Gulf Arab royal to meet the port on the Aramco listing to the Saudi monarch, president since his inauguration. Key issues at the top who responded by saying the kingdom would look of the agenda are likely to include global energy into the request because he wants Japanese prices, as well as the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya and investors to buy Aramco shares. Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition backed by The Saudi delegation arrived late Sunday on about Washington has been bombing Iran-backed rebels 10 aircraft. King Salman is on a month-long tour of for nearly two years. Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil Asia to advance his kingdom’s economic and busi- exporter and biggest buyer of American-made arms, The Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain in Bryant Park in New York is covered in ice yesterday as the ness interests. His stop in Japan followed visits to is also part of the US-led coalition bombing cam- weather continues to be below freezing. The northeastern United States braced yesterday for what meteorolo- Indonesia and Malaysia. He is to travel on to Brunei, paign against the Islamic State group in Syria. gists predict could be the worst winter storm of the season, with blizzards feared to dump knee-high snow on China and the Maldives. Salman pledged $1 billion in Saudi relations with Washington cooled under New York. — AFP development finance for Indonesia and closer coop- President Barack Obama after his administration eration in combating transnational crime such as secured a nuclear deal with regional rival Iran. The Mubarak set to walk free human trafficking, terrorism and the drug trade. deal has been heavily criticized by Trump. Obama Separately, the White House confirmed yesterday had also openly criticized Gulf Arab countries, Continued from Page 1 been banned as a terrorist organization. Hundreds of that US President Donald Trump will meet this week expressing frustration at their feud with Iran. In con- Morsi supporters were killed in a single day in August with Saudi Arabia’s second-in-line to the throne in trast, the kingdom has expressed optimism about Many Egyptians who lived through Mubarak’s rule 2013 and thousands were jailed, with the dragnet quickly the highest-level visit to Washington by a Saudi royal rebuilding its alliance with Washington and working view it as a period of autocracy and crony capitalism. widening to include secular activists who were at the since November’s presidential election. In his daily with the Trump Administration to contain Iran’s His overthrow led to Egypt’s first free election, which forefront of the 2011 uprising but opposed Muslim press briefing, White House press secretary Sean reach in the region. In a call between Trump and brought in Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. Morsi Brotherhood rule. Mubarak-era figures, meanwhile, are Spicer said the meeting with Deputy Crown Prince King Salman in January, the two agreed to back safe lasted only a year in office after mass protests against gradually being cleared of charges and a series of laws Mohammed bin Salman, who is also defense minister zones in Syria and Yemen, according to a White his rule in 2013 prompted his overthrow by then limiting political freedoms has raised fears among and King Salman’s son, will take place Thursday at the House statement. The monarch is currently touring defense chief General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who went on activists that the old regime is back. Mubarak has long White House. No other details were provided. Asia in a visit aimed at building alliances with other to win a presidential election in 2014. maintained his innocence and says history will judge him Morsi is in prison and his Muslim Brotherhood has a patriot who served his country selflessly. — Reuters The Saudi royal court, in a statement carried by the partners. — Agencies TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 ANALYSIS

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Focus France likely to become frequent power importer or two straight months this winter, France was a net importer of electricity for the first time in Ffive years, a trend that could continue during periods of peak demand no matter who wins the April-May presidential election. France, usually a net exporter of electricity, imported a record 950 gigawatt-hours of power on a net basis in January, the highest level since 1980, as a cold snap increased demand for heating amid a series of prolonged nuclear outages. Dependence on its neighbors during peak winter demand could accelerate if France fails to develop renewables further or extend the lifespan of its 58 nuclear reactors, while cross-border exchange capac- ity continues to grow. France’s capacity to import electricity from its neighbors increased by 30 percent to 12.2 gigawatts (GW) in the 2016/2017 winter peri- od, compared with winter 2015/2016, French grid Companies struggle with ethics vs profits operator RTE said in its winter outlook. Data from the finance ministry showed France ome multinationals working in conflict zones are school in France and a writer on corporate ethics. She said Libya, because they are less exposed to risks thanks to their spent €290 million ($307 million) on electricity turning to ethically dubious practices to keep their that in the Lafarge case, the company’s ethics statement nationality,” Hollander said, but “the understanding of cor- imports in January, compared with €56.5 million for Sfactories operating, employees working and goods was ambiguous in this respect. “The company says it ruption is not always the same for a Russian, a Turk or a the same month in 2016. France passed an ambi- flowing. French-Swiss cement manufacturer LafargeHolcim wants to be the world leader in its sector and at the same Lebanese.” Moreover, “put under great pressure, mid-level tious energy law in 2015 with a target of cutting the admitted earlier this month that it resorted to “unaccept- time contribute to making the world a better place”, but managers can find themselves tempted to turn a blind eye share of nuclear in its electricity mix to 50 percent able” practices in 2013 and 2014 to keep its Jalabiya plant “permanently striving for economic and financial perform- a bit,” he said. And then, “it is difficult to extract yourself by 2025 from 75 percent currently, while investing in Syria running until it was seized by the Islamic State. In ance inevitably comes into conflict with the desire to take once you’re caught up in the machinery. Once you’ve given in renewables and efficiency to curb consumption practice this amounted to the financing of armed groups. into account the local situation.” two cans of petrol, $1,000, then $100,000, the amount and heat loss. Recent history is full of scandals involving businesses pay- Nicolas Berland, a professor at the business ethics and doesn’t matter any more.” Although the share of renewables has increased ing armed groups and fanning the flames of war. management department of the Paris-Dauphine univer- In the Lafarge case, “the basic mistake is that they failed to about 16 percent, it lags its peers and is well Banana companies paid paramilitary groups in sity, said that while there are “true cynics” who work in to clearly articulate a break point, to identify what are the below the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) aver- Colombia in the 1990s and 2000s, jewellers fed the trade in conflict zones with no regard for the morality of what red lines beyond which these relationships with local part- age of 24 percent, the IEA said in its January review “blood diamonds” in Liberia and Congo and mobile phone they are doing, others find themselves in grey areas. ners become unacceptable,” said David Rodin, an expert in of French energy policies. “Reaching the (50 percent makers are regularly accused of using minerals taken from Trying to honour agreements and protect their workers the ethics of war at Oxford University. In theory the ques- target) will require careful policy guidance, effective mines controlled by armed groups in Africa. But how do in difficult, unpredictable environments “they sometimes tion is “to what extent is Lafarge responsible for the crimes markets and strong measures for renewables and companies get themselves into this? Errors of judgment? try to find a compromise by betting the situation will the armed groups commit,” he added. “The question is then energy efficiency,” the IEA said. Analysts say the situa- Sliding imperceptibly past a point of no return? Too much change rapidly,” he said. at what level were decisions being taken? Was there suffi- tion in December and January was exceptional, responsibility given to middlemen? A fundamental contra- The safest approach is not to get involved in danger- cient oversight and guidance?” blaming prolonged outages of about a dozen diction between profit and ethics? ous areas in the first place, or to pull out as quickly as pos- Two companies with extensive foreign operations listed sible when a crisis blows up. Alexandre Hollander, head of on the Paris stock exchange blue-chip CAC 40 index nuclear reactors for safety checks and low hydropow- Amarante International, a company specialising in securi- declined to make public their guidelines while insisting er output as a lack of rain and snowfall pushed reser- Grey areas, platitudes “Whether it wants to or not, a business working in a ty for international organizations, said: “In a war situation, that the issue of ensuring the security of foreign staff is voir levels to new lows. war zone or a post-crisis zone becomes an economic multinationals generally decide to pull out of the coun- monitored at the highest level of management. “Lafarge, a “However, given the high sensitivity of French stakeholder in a military environment,” said Bertrand try.” French oil giant Total left Syria in 2011 and French company of international standing, approaching such a electricity consumption to cold temperatures and Monnet, a professor in criminal risk management at industrial gas supplier Air Liquide recently quit eastern highly-publicized conflict - shouldn’t it have been extra the fact that the French production fleet has fallen France’s Edhec business school. “And it is not always quite Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists decided to seize vigilant?” said Marie-Laure Guislain of Sherpa, a French law due to coal plant closures, this issue will be present able to manage the challenges that this involves.” Big com- control of businesses. association that protects victims of financial crimes, which every year, maybe not to the extent we saw this win- panies have ethical codes and while “this type of talk is all made a criminal complaint against Lafarge for “financing ter,” said Utomi Odozi of Freepoint Commodities. very well... in reality it’s not enough to cope with the ten- Responsibilities and obligations terrorism”. France has just adopted a law on companies’ sions between economic logic and fundamental rights,” Local officials can also play an ambiguous role. “The obligation to be vigilant on these issues, which could “have Tough Decisions Ahead said Cecile Renouard, a professor at the Essec business fashion is to have ‘cross-expatriates’, such as a Jordanian in real effects” in this sort of situation, she said. — AFP While President Francois Hollande has begun implementing some of the measures in the energy bill, tougher decisions such as shutting nuclear plants and increasing investments in renewables would have to be made by the next government ‘Brand Modi’ gets thumbs up as BJP wins after the April-May election. Independent candidate Emmanuel Macron, the frontrunner to win the presi- ebounding from a self-inflicted banknote crisis to most transactions are cash-based. Indians were forced to supply - a rare luxury in Uttar Pradesh - during the Hindu dency, plans to stop coal-power generation by 2022. deliver his party a stunning victory in state polls, queue for hours to exchange their suddenly worthless festival Diwali, appeasing voters aggrieved at alleged He would keep the 50 percent nuclear target while RPrime Minister Narendra Modi’s dominance mirrors bills, and the poor struggled to buy daily essentials. preferential treatment doled out to Muslims during their launching 26 GW of renewables development. that of India’s early independence leaders and bodes well The anticipated backlash - though encouraged by his holy month. The cornerstone of Macron’s energy plan is 15 bil- for his re-election in 2019, analysts say. Modi’s Bharatiya opponents - never eventuated. Modi turned the disrup- The BJP did not field a single Muslim candidate in the Janata Party won a surprise absolute majority in Uttar tion on its head, tapping into popular anger over corrup- state - despite one in five following Islam - underscoring lion euros of investments with objectives that Pradesh at the weekend, a result not seen in decades in tion and selling the hardship as necessary pain to hit the its “majoritarian outlook”, Thakurta said. Modi assured include immediate help for low-income earners to the northern state that’s home to 220 million people and rich. “He appeals to emotion. The fact he was able to proj- voters he would use this “emphatic win” to deliver his out- renovate about 2 million old homes to cut heat loss seen as a bellwether of national politics. ect demonetization in this manner says a lot about his standing reforms, something his political opponents will and curb consumption. Far-right leader Marine Le It also won a majority in Uttarakhand and despite ability to convert what many would believe would be his be keenly watching as he seeks re-election in 2019. Pen, who is expected to come top in the first round coming second will form governments in Goa and liability into an electoral asset,” Thakurta said. “Earlier parties were scared to fight elections on develop- of the election but lose in the decisive second round, Manipur, the latter a remote eastern state where the By courting the votes of poorer Indians, the BJP broad- ment. The strength of the poor and the aspirations of the wants France to be energy-independent, with state- Hindu nationalist party held zero seats before polling ened its appeal beyond the traders and middle class per- middle class will take India to new heights,” he told sup- run utility EDF at the centre of energy security. day. “A new India is emerging,” Modi declared on Twitter, ceived as its traditional support base. “The reinvention of porters at a massive victory parade in New Delhi. Le Pen has proposed keeping the French nuclear nearly three years after he came to office pledging inclu- the BJP, particularly Modi as a messiah of the poor, is With a favorable parliament in his pocket, and a mas- fleet going as long as watchdog ASN deems the sive government and a “shining India” that would pro- complete,” ran an editorial in India’s Sunday Business sive vote of confidence halfway through his term, Modi reactors safe. She plans to scrap a plan to privatize vide jobs for a growing youth population. Standard newspaper. The BJP - a rightwing Hindu party - looks well-placed to retain India’s stewardship for another French hydropower stations. According to his elec- Instead of fielding a candidate for chief minister in did exploit religious divisions in Uttar Pradesh, painting term, analysts say. “More than the party, this is a victory tion manifesto, conservative Francois Fillon, third in Uttar Pradesh, Modi spearheaded the campaign himself, their opponents as pandering to the state’s sizeable for the Modi brand,” said Sanjay Kumar, from the Centre opinion polls, also wants France to be energy-inde- attending nearly a rally a day for the better part of a Muslim population. Modi promised voters 24-hour power for the Study of Developing Societies. — AFP pendent. He would scrap the 50 percent nuclear tar- month. The 66-year-old banked that his charisma and get, which he has described as absurd. He plans to thundering rhetoric from the rally pulpit, both used to extend the lifespan of the reactors to between 40 spectacular effect in the 2014 general election, would and 60 years with the agreement of ASN, and would sway votes his way again. The risky strategy, which mas- halt the planned shutdown of the Fessenheim sively backfired in Bihar state polls in 2015, paid off: Modi nuclear plant, France’s oldest. floored his doubters as the BJP swept 312 of the state’s But aiming to make France self-sufficient could be 403 assembly seats. costly, according to Fabien Roques, senior vice presi- The party declared Modi the most popular prime dent at FTL.CL Energy consultancy. Roques said the minister since independence, the first leader since focus should instead be on how to include cross-bor- Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi whose force of per- der participation in France’s security of supply and sonality commanded adulation and ensured broad man- capacity mechanism that was launched in January. dates. “Since those days we’ve never seen one individual Capacity mechanisms are used to fund power plants dominate the polity in the way Narendra Modi has been that may not be cost-effective but can guarantee able to,” Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, editor of the Economic supply during peak demand. — Reuters and Political Weekly, told AFP. “This is perhaps the kind of sweeping victory we haven’t seen in India for a very, very long time.” Modi won the first overall majority in three decades in All articles appearing on these pages the 2014 election but his agenda has been hampered in the upper house of parliament, slowing the pace of prom- are the personal opinion of the writers. ised reforms, fostering disillusionment and earning jeers Kuwait Times takes no responsibility from his opponents. But the key victory in Uttar Pradesh will see Modi wield a command over parliament rarely for views expressed therein. Kuwait seen in India’s coalition-based politics, and able to pursue Times invites readers to voice their more controversial measures. It will also embolden him in addressing security con- opinions. Please send submissions via cerns, most notably Pakistan, and burnish his standing on email to: [email protected] or the world stage, particularly as India pushes for a perma- nent seat on the UN Security Council. There was much via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, speculation the state elections would be a referendum on Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to “demonetization” - Modi’s shock decision in November to pull all high-value banknotes from circulation. The policy edit any submission as necessary. was designed to flush out tax cheats but it triggered a In this March 11, 2017 photo, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporter celebrates in New Delhi as the party leads chronic currency shortage and chaos in a country where in state elections in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh states. — AP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 SPORTS

Baumann honoured, sad Stade Francais, Racing No Ranieri grudge, says at replacing Fredericks 92 announce merger plan Leicester’s Shakespeare PARIS: Stade Francais and Racing 92, two leading French LEICESTER: Craig Shakespeare said there were “no grudges” between him- LAUSANNE: Switzerland’s Patrick Baumann said yesterday he was both hon- rugby union clubs both based in the Paris region, self and Claudio Ranieri yesterday after he succeeded the Italian as Leicester oured and sad at taking over as head of the IOC commission monitoring candi- announced plans yesterday to merge. The clubs, which City manager. Ranieri was sacked last month, nine months on from dates for the 2024 Olympic Games following the resignation of Frankie have both struggled this season in France’s premier Top 14 Leicester’s fairytale Premier League title triumph, after the club slid towards Fredericks. Namibian sprinting great Fredericks stepped down last week after league, said in statements on their websites that the com- the relegation zone. Shakespeare took over as caretaker manager and was becoming embroiled in a corruption scandal related to the awarding of the bination would create a new, stronger club that could on Sunday confirmed as manager until the end of the season 2016 Games to Rio. “I’m honoured on the one hand and sad on enjoy a bigger fanbase in the French capital. Star players in following 3-1 wins over Liverpool and Hull City in his first the other because the circumstances aren’t what we would the Racing 92 squad include New Zealand World Cup win- two games. “Of course I’m part of that back-room team, but have wanted,” Baumann, 49, told AFP. Baumann, an ners Dan Carter and Joe Rokocoko, while Stade Francais’ it’s about time we all moved on,” Shakespeare told a press International Olympic Committee (IOC) member since top players feature the likes of French international Pascal conference prior to today’s Champions League last 16 sec- 2007 and general secretary of the International Pape and Italian Sergio Parisse. Wealthy businessmen have ond leg at home to Sevilla. “I bear no grudges, Claudio bears Basketball Federation, was appointed last Tuesday amid a invested large sums of money in recent years into French no grudges. We have to try and move on as a football club.” probe into money Fredericks accepted from a sports rugby clubs, allowing them to sign top players from Shakespeare previously worked as Ranieri’s assistant. Asked if marketing chief accused of corruption. Fredericks, 49, around the world. Racing is owned by French property bil- he had spoken to Ranieri since his appointment as manager strongly denied any wrongdoing in accepting nearly lionaire Jacky Lorenzetti, while businessman Thomas until the end of the season was confirmed, Shakespeare $300,000 (283,000 euros) around the time that Rio de Savare is the current club president of Stade Francais. replied: “We haven’t spoken since. “But I said last Janeiro was awarded the 2016 Olympics. Los Angeles and Racing beat Toulon last year to win the French Top 14 title week, when we spoke he wished me luck. We’ll Paris are the only two cities remaining in the race for the in front of a record crowd of more than 90,000 fans in probably be in contact and I have no problem 2024 Games. — AFP Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium. — Reuters with that.” —AFP

KJA suspends membership with ASJA

KUWAIT: Kuwait Journalist Association Sahli as well as the resignation of five (KJA) Board of Directors decided to other members from the association suspend its membership in the Asian during the meeting that was held in Sports Journalism Association (ASJA) the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur during its meeting held on March 12, during Feb 28 to March 3, 2017, in following the resignation of Kuwait protest of not submitting the financial representative at the executive bureau report along with many financial viola- of the Asian Association Sattam Al- tions at the association.

CYCLING Froome finally backs Brailsford

LONDON: Three-time Tour de France month: “There is a fundamental difference champion Chris Froome finally rallied to between process failures and wrongdoing. the defence of under-fire Team Sky boss Our commitment to anti-doping has been Dave Brailsford yesterday. a core principle of Team Sky since its incep- Brailsford, the man behind Great tion. Our mission is to race and win clean, Britain’s rise as an Olympic cycling super- and we have done so for eight years.” power, has been under intense scrutiny but British anti-doping authorities are inves- has insisted he will not resign from his Sky tigating Sky and British Cycling over a mys- post despite being engulfed in rows over terious package delivered to now retired both doping and sexism. Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France champi- British Cycling was already reeling from on, at the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine. revelations it mishandled the drugs records Questions have also been asked over of star rider Bradley Wiggins, when three “therapeutic use exemptions” or TUEs, TENNIS Brailsford was labelled “untouchable” in a granted to five-times Olympic champion leaked review publish Friday of how the Wiggins in 2011, 2012 and 2013. national governing body handled sexism It has been alleged that the package allegations against a leading coach. contained the banned corticosteroid triam- Over 50 players to be honored Froome’s relative silence had led to sug- cinolone. Wiggins has faced repeated ques- gestions he was trying to distance himself tions since Russian hackers Fancy Bears from Brailsford as the likes of Team Sky col- revealed documents in September which at Kuwait Eighth Tennis tourney league Geraint Thomas offered their sup- showed he received TUEs for triamci- port. But a statement issued Monday saw nolone. TUEs are official waivers allowing Froome, the Tour de France champion in athletes to use otherwise banned sub- By Abdellatif Sharaa 2013, 2015 and 2016, offer his backing to stances for the treatment of legitimate Brailsford. “With respect to Dave Brailsford, medical conditions. KUWAIT: Kuwait Eighth Tennis Open Russia still has work to do he has created one of the best sports teams Wiggins, however, has always denied Tournament will come to a conclusion in the world,” Froome said. “Without Dave B, any wrongdoing and insisted he needed tonight under the patronage of to get ban lifted: WADA chief there is no Team Sky. the treatment to deal with a pollen allergy. President of Arab Tennis Federations, as “He has supported me throughout the Under fire for its medical record-keep- more than 50 players will be honored LAUSANNE: Russia still has “significant work” WADA “has agreed to a road map to ensure last seven years of my career and I couldn’t ing, British Cycling was blasted Friday for its during the closing ceremony. before its scandal tainted anti-doping operation that RUSADA is back in line with the World Anti- be more grateful for the opportunities and “shocking and inexcusable” treatment of Tournament Director Abdelreda regains global recognition, WADA chief Craig Doping Code,” Kolobkov told the symposium. the experiences I’ve had. sexism allegations. Ghareeb called upon fans to attend the Reedie warned yesterday. “Some of the criteria have already been “By his own admission, mistakes have Shane Sutton, Brailsford’s longtime lieu- closing ceremony and enjoy the final The World Anti-Doping Agency chief said achieved and we are working to ensure that all been made, but protocols have been put in tenant and widely regarded as one of world match between Mohammad Siddiq and Russia’s national agency had not proved it was the criteria are met. “The objective is to obtain a place to ensure that those same mistakes cycling’s top coaches, resigned as British Bijorn Renquest against Abdelrahman shielded against “outside interference.” Reedie provisional conformity next May and RUSADA will not be made again. Cycling’s technical director in April last year Al-Awadhi and Abdallah Al-Mukaimi Al- spoke at a WADA symposium in Lausanne as the wants to regain its approval by November,” “I know it will take time for faith to be after rider Jess Varnish alleged he had told Ghareeb thanked all sports clubs for Court of Arbitration for Sport ordered a life ban added Kolobkov. “We have tripled RUSADA’s restored, but I will do my utmost to ensure her to “go and have a baby” following her their participation in the tournament against Russian athletics doctor, Sergei budget and we’ve placed the anti-doping labo- that happens, along with everyone else at failure to qualify for the Rio Olympics and which contributed to its success and Portugalov, one of the alleged masterminds of ratory under the control of the University of Team Sky.” Brailsford, speaking at the subsequent loss of public funding. Russia’s “state-sponsored” doping system. Moscow and no longer under the ministry of Tirreno-Adriatico race in Italy, told Later an independent was launched to made it the largest in Kuwait as far as participation is concerned. He said we The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) sports.” The McLaren report said that as sports cyclingnews.com last week he had no review British Cycling’s performance pro- has been suspended since the eruption of the minister Mutko must have known about the would have accepted more participation intention of standing down. gramme-that has produced a host of scandal over the widespread use of banned sub- “state-sponsored” doping programmes used to “No. My thoughts are about what’s good worldbeating riders-led by British Rowing but the courts limitation kept us from stances in Russian sport in 2014. “There remains help Russian athletes at the 2012 London for the team and what’s right,” he said. “It’s chair Annamarie Phelps. that. He said this tournament will be the significant work to do (for RUSADA). It must Olympics, 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, and the important to make sure that you can look According to the Daily Mail, the review nucleus of tournaments to be held at the demonstrate its processes are autonomous and 2013 world athletics championships held in at yourself and say that there has been no said British Cycling looked to change the New Tennis Center Courts at Sheikh independent from outside interference,” Reedie Moscow. As a result Russian athletes were wrongdoing. “I’m confident of that,” added conclusions of grievance officer Alex Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah told the symposium. barred from competing at the 2016 Rio Brailsford. Russell’s inquiry into Sutton in a bid to International Tennis Complex, because “We continue the work to restore the compli- Olympics after Russia’s suspension by the IAAF. retain the highly-regarded Australian. “The such events are the basis for developing ance of the Russian agency.” WADA has had two Kolobkov, 47, a former Olympic fencing champi- ‘PROCESS FAILURES’ actions of the British Cycling board in that the game, as the player needs at least 50 experts in Moscow “ to ensure this independ- on, took over from Mutko-also chief organiser of However, he had previously accepted regard are shocking and inexcusable,” the matches locally, while it is only 10-20 ence,” Reedie added. RUSADA was declared the 2018 World Cup and Russian deputy prime mistakes were made but said earlier this paper quoted the review as saying. — AFP currently per year. “non-complaint” with the international sports minister-in October 2016. Al-Ghareeb thanked Al-Yarmouk anti-doping code in November 2015 following The CAS, which handles Russian doping cas- Sports Club for hosting the tournament, an inquiry’s findings of state-sponsored, system- es, yesterday ordered a “lifetime period of ineli- adding that the club has 9 courts which atic doping in Russia. gibility” against Portugalov for supplying ath- VIVA Real Madrid Soccer is the largest number among club’s ten- letes with banned substances. nis centers in Kuwait. Meanwhile player NOVEMBER TARGET CAS said that Portugalov, who had served as Academy’s tryouts kick-off Sarah Behbehani won first place in the A report by Canadian lawyer Richard the head of the Russian athletics federation’s women’s singles, defeating Dana Al- McLaren for WADA said the Russian sports min- medical commission, had been found to have KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing unique experience.” Fulaij 6-4, 6-2, and the U-11 boys singles istry organised the doping. The Russian state possessed, trafficked and administered prohibit- and most developed telecom operator, Real Madrid Football Club is one of the Abdelwahah Al-Abdallah defeated has repeatedly denied any involvement. ed substances. WADA recommended in a 2015 Russian sports minister Pavel Kolobkov, who report that Portugalov take no part in any state announced, under the partnership agree- most successful football clubs in the world, Divianesh Tribati 7-5, 6-1. Meanwhile in replaced Vitaly Mutko who was implicated in sports programme after it found he had been ment inked with Real Madrid Soccer Club, and has received many accolades, includ- the U-13 Satyanic Tripathy defeated an open invitation to all youths with soccer ing: The best club of the 20th Century FIFA the McLaren report, said Monday that Russia key to rampant doping among Russian track Hassein Al-Shatti 4-6, 6-4 (3) while in the hoped to be declared compliant by November. and field athletes. — AFP skills between the ages of 12 - 15 years old, Trophy, 10 Champions League, 3 doubles Marlon Olakar and Jarcola to join in “VIVA Real Madrid Soccer Intercontinental cups, 32 Spanish La Liga Chowdry defeated Mohammad Tounaih Academy” tryouts in Kuwait, held on 16 titles, 2 European Super cups, 2 Super and Zoran Dimitrivic with the score of 6- March 2017 from 4 pm to 5 pm at Corner European cup, amongst others. 1, 6-0 in the pioneers doubles event. Soccer field behind the Kuwait Towers. To find out more about VIVA’s partner- In the men’s singles Abdelrahman Al- Participants can register through VIVA’s offi- ships, latest offers and promotions, visit cial website www.viva.com.kw, or upon one of the 73 VIVA branches, or the VIVA Awadhi made it to the final match after arrival at the field. website at www.viva.com.kw defeating Nasser Abdelsalam with the The tryouts will focus on different tech- score of 6-4, 6-3. Also Hassan Al-Mousa nical aspects, such as dribbling, short pass- reached the final by defeating Dawood ing, turning and finishing. Kuwait Football Hashim with a score of 6-4, 4-6 (6). Associated certified coaches will shortlist In the men’s U-17 singles Essa Qaba 32 players, from whom 16 players are Zard defeated Daniel Nammour 6-4, 6-4, selected based on their skills and fitness to while Ahmad Khamees defeated Bader go to Real Madrid Soccer Camp for world- Antar 6-1, 6-3. In the women’s U-18 class training in Spain during the summer. Fareeda Al-Ayat defeated Celena Al- Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Samrani 6-0, 6-1, while Rena Al-Samrani Ayman Salem Al-Mutairi, Senior Manager defeated Ritaj Kareem 6-2, 6-3. In the Corporate Communications at VIVA said: men’s doubles semi final Abdelrahman “VIVA endeavors to embrace the youths Al-Awadhi and Rashed Al-Mukaimi and meet their aspirations to reach their defeated Tamim Al-Hallaq and Ghulam LAUSANNE: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Craig Reedie (R) sits next to WADA goals on global sport scale, thus we were Rasoul 7-6, 6-3, and Mohammad Saddiq eager to organize this academy including Director General Olivier Niggli (L) during the WADA Annual Symposium yesterday in and Bejorn Renquest defeated Hassan Lausanne. — AFP our CSR strategy on annual basis to grant Al-Mousa and Enam Khan 6-1, 6-1. the youths the opportunity to live such TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 SPORTS

KUWAIT TIMES NBA POWER RANKINGS

By Ahmad Jabr

KUWAIT: In addition to its usual coverage of the NBA, Kuwait Times introduces a new feature this year: the NBA Power Rankings. It is a weekly list ranking each team based on its perform- ance during the week. This week, the Wizards took a few steps up the rankings, taking advan- tage of other East teams’ struggles. (For any comments or suggestions, e-mail the writer at: [email protected]) 1- San Antonio Spurs (54 - 14) Last week: 1 - The Spurs have won ten of their 16- Portland Trail Blazers (29 - 36) Last last eleven matches and remain half a week: 20 - ‘Nurkic Fever’ has hit Rip City game behind first place Golden State in after Jusuf Nurkic posted career highs the Western Conference’s standings. It with 28 points and 20 rebounds in remains to be seen whether they can sus- Portland’s win over the 76ers on Thursday. tain success with Kawhi Leonard (concus- His passing skills are also helping facilitate sion protocol) and LaMarcus Aldridge the offense; the ‘Bosnian Beast’ is averag- (minor heart arrhythmia) sidelined. ing more than four assists per game since the Blazers traded for him. 2- Houston Rockets (46 - 21) Last week: 2 - James Harden notched his 16th triple- 17- Detroit Pistons (33 - 33) Last week: double of the season in Sunday’s win 17 - The Pistons overcame LeBron James’ over the Cavs. The Rockets have the best triple-double of 29 points, 13 rebounds and offense in the league in games played 10 assists to beat the Cavs on Thursday; one after the All-Star break. of four wins they recorded in their last five games. They entered Monday in seventh 3- Golden State Warriors (52 - 14) Last place in the East’s standings. week: 3 - Golden State fell to 2-4 since losing Kevin Durant to a knee injury. They 18- Indiana Pacers (34 - 32) Last week: entered yesterday on a three-game los- 18 - In order to keep their playoffs’ hopes ing streak and have lost four of their last strong, the Pacers know that they need six matches for the first time in over three more wins such as those they recorded years (via ESPN Stats and Info). over the Heat and Pistons last week, and avoid losses similar to those suffered at 4- Washington Wizards (41 - 24) Last the hands of the Bucks and Hornets last HOUSTON: Houston Rockets’ James Harden (13) goes up for a shot as Cleveland Cavaliers’ Richard Jefferson (24) week: 7 - The Wizards are 25 - 6 since week as well. and Tristan Thompson, left, defend during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Sunday, in Houston.—AP January 6, the best record in the league in that stretch, which helped them jump 19- Memphis Grizzlies (36 - 30) Last BASKETBALL to second place in the Eastern week: 11 - The Grizzlies are last in the Conference’s standings after starting the league in defensive rating after the All- season on a 16 - 18 record. Star break, which explains their current five-game losing streak and decline in Harden’s triple-double 5- Cleveland Cavaliers (43 - 22) Last the standings. They should feel con- week: 4 - LeBron James recorded his 51st cerned as other Western Conference career triple-double in Saturday’s win playoffs’ contenders make their late regu- over Orlando, which was the team’s only lar season pushes. helps Rockets top Cavs victory in their last five games. Sunday’s loss to the Rockets was the third match 20- Minnesota Timberwolves (27 - 38) HOUSTON: James Harden recorded his apiece. Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade, sixth time in nine games. they played in four nights. Last week: 21 - The Wolves’ three wins in 16th triple-double on the season, and who came in averaging a combined their last five games came against quality the Houston Rockets grabbed a season- 42.6 points per game, were a combined TRAIL BLAZERS 110, SUNS 101 6- Utah Jazz (41 - 25) Last week: 5 - Joe playoff teams: the Jazz, Clippers and high 20 offensive rebounds to claim a 6-of-22 from the floor and had five and Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum Johnson started the season with the Jazz Warriors. Their defense has improved sig- tense back-and-fourth affair with the eight points, respectively. combined for 65 points, and Portland playing mostly at shooting guard and nificantly since the All-Star break, ranking Cleveland Cavaliers 117-112 on Sunday avoided blowing a big lead for the sec- small forward; the two positions he second in the league during that stretch. night. Harden scored a game-high 38 PACERS 102, HEAT 98 ond straight night by beating Phoenix. played mostly throughout his 15-year points and added 10 rebounds and 11 Paul George scored 28 points and Lillard scored 39 points and McCollum career. Derrick Favors’ injury has forced 21- Chicago Bulls (31 - 35) Last week: 16 - assists as Houston split the season series grabbed 10 rebounds to power Indiana had 10 of his 24 points in the fourth coach Quin Snyder to consider starting It has been a very frustrating week for the with Cleveland. His 11-point third quar- past Miami. Myles Turner chipped in 15 quarter, including seven during a late Johnson at power forward, and he has Bulls, who are on a current five-game los- ter helped the Rockets erase a nine- points and eight rebounds for the 13-5 run to put the game away. The thrived in his new position ever since. ing streak. They only made three shots out point halftime deficit and his steady Pacers. The Heat played without leading Blazers blew a 21-point lead at home to of 22 attempts in the first quarter in hand in the final period enabled scorer Goran Dragic, who was sidelined the Washington Wizards in a 125-124 7- Boston Celtics (42 - 25) Last week: 6 - Sunday’s loss to the Celtics, breaking a Houston to pull away down the stretch. due to an orbital contusion in his right loss on Saturday and gave back an 18- Isaiah Thomas keyed a 15-0 run that team record that stood since April 10, 1999. Six Rockets scored in double figures, eye. Hassan Whiteside led Miami with point lead Sunday before regrouping for helped the Celtics beat the Warriors in including Eric Gordon (13 points) and 26 points and 21 rebounds. Dion the win. Devin Booker had 28 points Golden State last Wednesday. His heroic 22- Charlotte Hornets (29 - 37) Last Nene (12) off the bench. LeBron James Waiters added 20 points and Wayne and Eric Bledsoe added 19 for the Suns, play drew ‘MVP!’ chants inside the Oracle week: 23 - The Hornets enter yester- led the Cavaliers with 30 points and Ellington 19 for the Heat. who led twice in the fourth quarter but Arena, home of the last three winners of dayranked eleventh in the East’s stand- added seven rebounds and five assists. couldn’t stop Portland’s backcourt duo. the NBA Most Valuable Player Award: ings, and find themselves in a tough posi- Kyrie Irving chipped in 28 points and NETS 120, KNICKS 112 Stephen Curry (2016 and 2015) and Kevin tion to make the playoffs as they com- eight assists for Cleveland, which lost for Brook Lopez hit his first six 3-point 76ERS 118, LAKERS 116 Durant (2014). pete with surging teams including the the fourth time in five games. attempts and scored 25 points as Dario Saric scored a career-high 29 Pacers, Pistons, Bucks and Heat. Brooklyn stopped a franchise-record, points, and Philadelphia ended a four- 8- Los Angeles Clippers (40 - 26) Last CELTICS 100, BULLS 80 16-game home losing streak with a vic- game losing streak by beating Los week: 10 - The Clippers are regaining 23- New Orleans Pelicans (26 - 40) Last After scoring the first 13 points of the tory over New York. Lopez, who missed Angeles. Saric also had seven rebounds momentum heading towards the post- week: 22 - Many have put the Pelicans in game, Boston cruised past Chicago, his first game of the season due to and five assists. Jahlil Okafor contributed season: they have won four of their last the playoffs picture instantly after the handing the Bulls their season-worst injury Friday, returned from a sprained 23 points and Timothe Luwawu- five games after a five-game stretch in trade that brought DeMarcus Cousins to fifth straight loss. Isaiah Thomas finished right ankle. He became the 12th player Cabarrot added 18 points for the 76ers, which they went 1-5. DeAndre Jordan New Orleans, but it seems that the exper- with 22 points, and Avery Bradley in NBA history to hit at least 100 3- who moved in front for good on T.J. recorded his league-leading ninth 20- iment will likely have to wait for next year scored 17 points and grabbed six pointers and block 100 shots. Carmelo McConnell’s bucket on a drive with 50 rebound game this season in Saturday’s before it bears fruit. One area the team rebounds in the win. The Bulls scored 26 Anthony led the Knicks with 27 points seconds left. Jordan Clarkson matched win over the 76ers. needs to improve in the offseason is the points in the first half and didn’t make and became the seventh player in team his career best with 30 points to pace offense, which ranks dead last in the any noise until late in a 31-point third history to get at least 10,000 points. the Lakers, who lost for the ninth time in 9- Atlanta Hawks (37 - 29) Last week: league since the All-Star break. Kristaps Porzingis added 19 before 10 contests. Julius Randle collected 21 13 - Atlanta won the tie-breaker against quarter. Robin Lopez and Denzel Toronto with their victory over the 24- Phoenix Suns (22 - 45) Last week: Valentine led Chicago with 13 points fouling out as New York lost for the points and 12 rebounds. — Reuters Raptors Friday, which means that if the 24 - The Suns have four game-winning two teams finished with an identical buzzer-beating shots this season. No oth- NBA results/standings record and faced each other in the play- er team has more than two. Devin Booker offs, Atlanta would have home court is the only player with two such games Philadelphia 118, LA Lakers 116; Houston 117, Cleveland 112; Portland 110, Phoenix 101; Brooklyn 120, NY Knicks 112; Indiana 102, Miami advantage. They entered Monday fourth this season (via ESPN Stats and 98; Boston 100, Chicago 80. and fifth in the East’s standings. Information). Eastern Conference Western Conference 10- Miami Heat (32 - 35) Last week: 12 - 25- Philadelphia 76ers (24 - 42) Last Atlantic Division Northwest Division W L PCT GB Utah 41 25 .621 - Since the All-Star break, the Heat are week: 25 - The ‘Rookie of the Year’ debate Boston 42 25 .627 - sixth in the league in offensive rating, is heating up: Dario Saric scored a career- Oklahoma City 37 29 .561 4 Toronto 38 28 .576 3.5 Denver 31 35 .470 10 fourth in defensive rating, and first in net high 29 points in Sunday’s win over the NY Knicks 26 41 .388 16 rating. They stand one game behind Lakers, breaking his previous high of 28 Portland 29 36 .446 11.5 Philadelphia 24 42 .364 17.5 Minnesota 27 38 .415 13.5 Milwaukee for the eighth place in the points recorded in Thursday’s loss to the Brooklyn 12 53 .185 29 Pacific Division Central Division Eastern Conference’s standings. Blazers. He joins teammate Joel Embiid as Golden State 52 14 .788 - Cleveland 43 22 .662 - the only rookies to score at least 25 LA Clippers 40 26 .606 12 11- Milwaukee Bucks (32 - 33) Last points in a game more than once this Indiana 34 32 .515 9.5 Detroit 33 33 .500 10.5 Sacramento 25 41 .379 27 week: 14 - Many people thought season (via Elias Sports Bureau). Phoenix 22 45 .328 30.5 Milwaukee’s playoffs hopes were over after Milwaukee 32 33 .492 11 Chicago 31 35 .470 12.5 LA Lakers 20 46 .303 32 Jabari Parker fell to injury (and especially 26- New York Knicks (26 - 41) Last Southeast Division Southwest Division after Michael Beasley was injured too). But week: 26 - Coach Jeff Hornacek contin- Washington 41 24 .631 - San Antonio 51 14 .785 - the Bucks are rolling; they have won their ues to receive pressure from above to Atlanta 37 29 .561 4.5 Houston 46 21 .687 6 last five games including key victories over emphasize on running the triangle Miami 32 35 .478 10 Memphis 36 30 .545 15.5 the Clippers, Raptors and Pacers. offense, which became evident with Charlotte 29 37 .439 12.5 Dallas 28 37 .431 23 recent comments of Kristaps Porzingis Orlando 24 43 .358 18 New Orleans 26 40 .394 25.5 12- Toronto Raptors (38 - 28) Last week: saying that there is confusion with the 8 - Lack of ball movement is costing the first-year coach’s offensive sets. Raptors important games, as their offense has to rely heavily on DeMar DeRozan’s 27- Orlando Magic (24 - 43) Last week: NBA regular season enters final month heroics in the absence of Kyle Lowry. After 27 - The shakeup to the Magic’s lineup eyeing the second place in the East’s since the Serge Ibaka trade seems to NEW YORK: The marathon that is the ed toward an eventual NBA record for thing that seems settled is the race for standings for much of the season, they have benefited Elfrid Payton a lot. He NBA regular season is headed toward wins last season; now the Warriors the worst record. Brooklyn is eight find themselves currently at risk of losing recorded his second-straight triple-dou- its final sprint. With less than a month aren’t winning at all. Their three-game games worse than anyone else, which home court advantage in the playoffs. ble in Wednesday’s victory over the Bulls, remaining until the final night of the skid and Curry’s slump have left San will almost certainly give the Boston which was also the fifth of his career. season on April 12, the races for MVP Antonio just a half-game back for the Celtics the best shot at the No. 1 overall 13- Oklahoma City Thunder (37 - 29) and Rookie of the Year are wide open, NBA’s best record. pick, because they have the right to Last week: 9 - Russell Westbrook’s triple- 28- Brooklyn Nets (12 - 35) Last week: and there is seemingly no clear-cut swap spots with Brooklyn. double in Saturday’s victory over the Jazz 29 - A recent ESPN article quotes Nets’ favorite to win the championship. INJURY ISSUES was his 32nd of the season, passing Wilt majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov as say- Much was already settled by this Kevin Durant’s loss has left Golden WOBBLY WARRIORS Chamberlain for second-most in a sea- ing that “there is no shortcut to a champi- time last season. Stephen Curry had State vulnerable and Kyle Lowry’s Golden State is on its first three- son. His triple-doubles are also helping onship,” a lesson he learned after initially long since wrapped up what became absence has Toronto reeling. Both could game losing streak in the regular sea- his team win: the Thunder are 26-6 when trying to run his team “in the same way the first unanimous MVP award in NBA return near the end of the regular season, son since Nov. 20-23, 2013, an NBA- he gets one and 11-23 when he doesn’t. I’ve approached my business... throw history, and Karl-Anthony Towns had which could give their teams enough record 297 consecutive games without everything you’ve got at a challenge, and left Kristaps Porzingis behind in the time to mount serious playoff runs. three straight regular-season losses. 14- Dallas Mavericks (28 - 37) Last week: you’re bound to be the victor.” Rookie of the Year chase. The Warriors have a good chance to 15 - Devin Booker’s heartbreaking buzzer- There’s far more intrigue now in a RACES FOR 8TH snap that Tuesday at home against beater on Saturday prevented a perfect 29- Los Angeles Lakers (20 - 46) Last season that began with what seemed a Milwaukee has surged into playoff Philadelphia. week for the Mavs, but there is still a lot to week: 30 - The Lakers have introduced Rob forgone conclusion, that Golden State position in the Eastern Conference with be happy about in Dallas. The team is 6-3 Pelinka, a former agent whose most famous and Cleveland would meet in the NBA six straight wins, with Miami and WONDERFUL WIZARDS since the All-Star break and 17-10 since client is arguably Kobe Bryant, as their new Finals for the third straight year. And Chicago both within 11/2 games of the Washington has won five in a row, Seth Curry became a regular starter. General Manager, officially ushering a new this time, the MVP race could be head- Bucks’ lead for the eighth and last post- the last two in overtime, and can wrap era for the struggling franchise spearhead- ed toward a narrow finish among the season spot. Denver occupies No. 8 in up a 5-0 road trip and a winning record 15- Denver Nuggets (31 - 35) Last ed by Lakers’ great Magic Johnson. likes of James Harden, Russell the West, with Portland, Dallas and for the season with a victory Monday in week: 19 - The Nuggets have won five of Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard and LeBron Minnesota close behind. Minnesota. their last seven games and continue to 30- Sacramento Kings (25 - 41) Last James. Joel Embiid’s season-ending hold on the eighth spot in the West’s week: 28 - The Kings have lost their last injury has put the rookie race up for HOME-COURT HOPES BIG MONDAY MATCHUP standings by a narrow margin over the eight games, and the future does not look grabs, with Philadelphia teammate Toronto is clinging to a one-game The Clippers visit the Jazz on Blazers and Mavericks. Nikola Jukic good. Even if they get a top 10 draft pick Dario Saric and Milwaukee’s Malcolm lead over Atlanta for the No. 4 seed in Monday and certainly don’t want to returned from an illness to help Denver in the 2017 NBA Draft, the 76ers have the Brogdon perhaps emerging as the best the East and home-court advantage in have to do it again in their playoff beat Boston on Friday, and again win on right to swap picks, which they are likely of the leftover candidates - unless vot- the first round. Out West, Utah’s lead opener. A victory would tie them with Saturday against Sacramento. to do if they finish with a better record. ers believe Embiid did enough to win in over the fifth-place Los Angeles Utah for the important No. 4 spot in the just 31 games. Golden State was head- Clippers also is one game. The only West.—AP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 SPORTS

ICE HOCKEY Trading nations for an Olympic ticket

GOYANG: Fidgeting nervously, a steady stream of imports have been step in probably his last chance to fied for the Winter Olympics’ blue riband of players in blue and white uniforms Canadian ice hockey defenceman Alex given new passports and places in the appear on the sport’s biggest interna- event. But as the host nation of emblazoned “KOREA”. Plante cleared his throat and addressed squad, making it one-third white, even tional stage. “It was an opportunity that Pyeongchang 2018 they have an auto- “It’s a different jersey than you grew a roomful of Olympic officials in a halting though the population is around 96 per- we thought could happen,” he told AFP. matic berth and are scrambling to build up looking at and cheering for,” said new language: “I want to represent cent ethnically Korean. “We decided to come here so we invest- a competitive roster to avoid embarrass- Canadian-born defenceman Eric Regan. South Korea.” South Korea is among the Plante, a journeyman in his eighth ed everything that we can.” If his applica- ment. Dual citizenship is generally pro- Never drafted, Regan bounced world’s most racially homogenous non- year of professional hockey, played in tion is approved he will become the sev- hibited in South Korea, but Seoul revised around teams, leagues, and countries island societies but its ice hockey team is the US, Norway, Austria and Germany enth North American on the team. its immigration law to allow “qualified” until he came to South Korea three years becoming unusually diverse as Seoul before coming to South Korea nearly foreign nationals to hold multiple citi- ago to play for one of its three profes- seeks to avoid humiliation at the rink two years ago. Aged 29, his carefully ‘DIFFERENT JERSEY’ zenships. At a practice in Goyang on the sional clubs, and was eventually offered when it hosts next year’s Winter memorised five-line address to the South Korea sit 23rd in the world ice outskirts of the capital, the new South a new passport and a spot on the Olympics. Following a change in the law, Korean Olympic Committee was a key hockey rankings and have never quali- Koreans were easily spotted amid a pack national team.—AFP

SOCCER Rangers determined to shatter Celtic treble bid

GLASGOW: Rangers’ interim manager today.” Clint Hill’s late equaliser denied Graeme Murty believes Sunday’s battling 1- Celtic their fourth straight Old Firm victory 1 draw with Celtic in the Scottish this season on Sunday. Premiership will help shatter their city Stuart Armstrong’s first-half strike had rivals’ hopes of sweeping a domestic treble. Celtic on course for their 23rd consecutive The Glasgow giants will clash for the victory in the league before veteran fifth time this season when they meet in defender Hill bundled home an 88th next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final at minute leveller. Hampden and Murty says Sunday’s stale- It is only the second time the runaway mate will give the Gers a massive boost. league leaders have dropped points this “It should give them loads of confidence season following a 2-2 draw with Inverness because I thought they stood up to the Caledonian Thistle last September. challenge of a very good team who move The result denied Brendan Rodgers the the ball well and they didn’t get rattled and chance to beat Celtic’s club record run of 25 they didn’t lose their discipline,” said Murty, consecutive league victories but his side who will return to head up Rangers devel- remain unbeaten in 35 domestic matches opment squad now that Pedro Caixinha and still hold a 25-point advantage over has been installed as the new Ibrox boss. Aberdeen, who are eight clear of Rangers “So I think any other game that comes in the race for second place. for this group they know that whatever Rodgers was frustrated at being denied happens if they stick together and keep a late penalty when Hill appeared to pull believing they can go and get positive out- Leigh Griffiths back in the box. comes. “It’s always disappointing if you lose it “I think we made it a proper game. The late on in a manner like that but we obvi- players executed some things really well ously should have had a penalty right at and more than that they put a shift in and the death. It was a clear cut penalty,” made it hard for Celtic. Rodgers said. “And that’s something that’s been lev- “It was very frustrating, especially when elled at them recently-that they’re not hard Clint Hill tells me that he got away with it. I to play against, that they’re weak and spoke to him on the pitch afterwards. timid-but I didn’t see that today. “Clint’s a good guy, an honest fellow and “I’m incredibly proud of them. They’ve I know when he said it he knows he got looked at those things that have been said away with one. But probably everyone seen EDMONTON: Leon Draisaitl #29 and goalie Cam Talbot #33 of the Edmonton Oilers protect the net from Alex Galchenyuk #27 of the Montreal about them and put them right a little bit it apart from the referee.” — AFP Canadiens on Sunday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. — AFP

NHL BASEBALL Dominican Republic, Kane, Panarin get Blackhawks US advance in Classic going with win over Minnesota MIAMI: Undefeated Dominican Republic Oscar Mercado was called out at the plate erupted for seven runs in the 11th inning as on a tag by Castillo. CHICAGO: Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin the defending champions beat Colombia Colombia protested the call to no avail scored on Chicago’s first two shots and Corey NHL results/standings 10-3 in the World Baseball Classic in Miami as Reynaldo Rodriguez and outfielder Tito Crawford made 42 saves as the Blackhawks beat San Jose 5, Dallas 1; Anaheim 5, Washington 2; NY Rangers 4, Detroit 1; Montreal 4, Edmonton 1; Chicago 4, on Sunday. Welington Castillo belted a Polo were ejected. Meanwhile, US starting Minnesota 4-2 on Sunday to pull within a point Minnesota 2. bases-loaded, two-run single to break a 3-3 pitcher Danny Duffy notched seven strike- of the Central Division-leading Wild. Trevor van tie and Jean Segura’s double added three outs in four innings, giving up two hits, to Riemsdyk and Marian Hossa also scored for the Western Conference Ottawa 39 22 6 182 173 84 more runs as Dominicans completed first get the win as the Americans blanked Blackhawks, who ended a two game slide and Central Division Boston 36 26 6 190 176 78 WLOTLGFGAPTS Toronto 31 22 14 204 199 76 round play 3-0. Canada. Third baseman Nolan Arenado hit won for the 13th time in their last 16. Kane’s Minnesota 43 18 6 223 163 92 Tampa Bay 32 26 9 186 184 73 They topped Pool C, while the United a three-run home run as the US raced to a goal was his team-leading 30th and 10th in Chicago 43 20 5 204 171 91 States also advanced to the final eight, 7-0 lead after two innings. “I’ve been swing- eight games. Eric Staal scored his 22nd goal and Nashville 33 24 11 200 192 77 Florida 29 27 11 168 193 69 thanks to an 8-0 shutout of Canada. ing the bat well. It was nice to get one out Mikael Granlund got his 23rd for Minnesota, St. Louis 35 27 5 186 189 75 Buffalo 28 29 12 177 203 68 Colombia (1-2) and Canada (0-3) were elim- of there,” Arenado told MLB Network. which has dropped three of four. Minnesota Winnipeg 30 33 6 204 219 66 Detroit 26 30 11 166 202 63 inated. “We are really enjoying this time togeth- outshot Chicago 44-22 for a season high Dallas 27 31 10 189 221 64 Metropolitan Division Colorado 19 45 3 131 221 41 Also on Sunday, undefeated Puerto Rico er and we want to keep going.” allowed by the Blackhawks. Minnesota goal- Washington 44 17 7 218 152 95 Pacific Division (3-0) beat Italy 9-3 to top Pool D, while Much has been made of the decision of tender Devan Dubnyk, looking for his career- Pittsburgh 43 16 8 236 186 94 Mexico edged Venezuela 11-9 in Jalisco, many top US pitchers to skip the tourna- high 37th win, was relieved by Darcy Kuemper San Jose 41 20 7 190 158 89 Anaheim 36 23 10 181 174 82 Columbus 43 18 6 214 157 92 Mexico. The result means Mexico (1-2) and ment, but Arenado praised the pitchers less than five minutes into the game after allow- Calgary 38 26 4 187 182 80 NY Rangers 44 23 2 223 180 90 Italy (1-2) will have a play-in game on who have turned up, including Duffy, Chris ing those early goals. Edmonton 35 24 9 191 181 79 NY Islanders 32 24 11 199 201 75 Monday to join Puerto Rico in the final Archer and Marcus Stroman. Los Angeles 33 28 6 168 168 72 Philadelphia 31 28 8 173 199 70 eight. Venezuela (1-2) are done and dust- “They have been unbelievable,” he said. DUCKS 5, CAPITALS 2 Vancouver 28 31 9 156 195 65 ed. Castillo, the Dominican Republic catch- “They are setting the tone. We are really Corey Perry had two goals and an assist, Ryan Arizona 24 35 8 164 217 56 Carolina 27 27 11 162 189 65 er, also made a key defensive stop with a enjoying this time together and we want to Getzlaf added a goal and two assists, and Eastern Conference New Jersey 25 31 12 153 197 62 tag at the plate to complete a ninth-inning keep going.” Anaheim sent NHL-leading Washington to its Atlantic Division Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the double play that forced extra innings Japan and surprising Israel also are fourth consecutive loss. Ryan Kesler also had a Montreal 39 22 8 189 172 86 standings and are not included in the loss column (L) against Colombia. A novel tournament rule undefeated in the tournament. Japan goal and two assists for the Ducks, who won designed to cut down on long extra inning moved to 4-0 with an 8-6 second-round three of four to move ahead of the Calgary York beat Detroit. Derek Stepan also scored for Oilers. They have dropped three in a row. games helped set the stage for the out- victory over the Netherlands in 11 innings Flames for second place in the Pacific Division. the Rangers. They won their NHL-leading 25th come. Runners were placed on first and in Tokyo. Sho Nakata delivered the winner, Rickard Rakell also scored his 29th goal, and road game of the season and improved to 19-5-1 SHARKS 5, STARS 1 second base to start the 11th under the a two-run single to left field. Israel won Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves. John Carlson this season in games following a loss. Antti Joe Pavelski scored twice, backup goalie rule and after a sacrifice bunt by Mel Rojas their fourth straight with an unexpected 4- and Marcus Johansson scored for the Capitals, Raanta made 23 saves, allowing only Frans Aaron Dell made 29 saves to win his fourth Jr, Colombia intentionally walked Gregory 1 victory over Cuba, also in Tokyo. The 38- who are on the longest skid of their outstanding Nielsen’s goal. straight start, and San Jose beat Dallas. Patrick Polanco to load the bases. year-old Jason Marquis showed he was one season. Alex Ovechkin failed to score a goal in Marleau, Joel Ward and Chris Tierney also scored Castillo then singled to left to drive in still to be reckoned with as the right-han- his 10th straight game. That’s the longest CANADIENS 4, OILERS 1 to give the first-place Sharks their sixth win in Jose Bautista and Carlos Santana. Colombia der allowed just one run and four hits in 5 drought of his 12-season, 907-game NHL career. Paul Byron scored twice and added an assist eight games. San Jose remained seven points could have won the game in the ninth but 2/3 innings for Israel.—Reuters in Montreal’s victory over Edmonton. Max ahead of Anaheim in the Pacific Division with a RANGERS 4, RED WINGS 1 Pacioretty also scored twice, and Carey Price game in hand. Remi Elie scored his first career Ryan McDonagh scored twice and Kevin made 24 saves. The Canadiens have won seven goal for the Stars, who got off to a rough start to Hayes added a goal and an assist to help New of their last eight. Milan Lucic scored for the a four-game road trip. — AP

CRICKET Bangladesh hope to break losing streak in 100th Test

COLOMBO: Bangladesh will be looking to over- games abroad-two against an under-strength important game for us,” Bangladesh Cricket come their recent dismal form as the perennial West Indies and one against Zimbabwe. Board spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP in Dhaka. minnows try to make their 100th Test appear- The Tigers, as they are affectionately called by Former captain Habibul Bashar, who played ance an occasion to celebrate against Sri Lanka their fans, lost 21 consecutive Test matches Bangladesh’s inaugural Test against India in in Colombo. between 2001 and 2004, the worst ever losing 2000, said the team must win more games to Test cricket’s newest entrants have showed run by a team which no other side has even prove their detractors, including former England occasional promise since they were drafted into come close to emulating. player Geoffrey Boycott, wrong. the elite cricket competition in 2000 but have They have improved in recent matches, draw- “The best way to celebrate the (100th Test) mostly embarrassed their loyal fans with a series ing their home series against England before occasion will be winning this game. Bangladesh of below-par performances in the game’s most dragging their last four Tests into the fifth day, need this win more than anything else,” Bashar enduring format. They go into tomorrow’s Test at which many saw as a mark of success. said. “We are now a strong side in limited over the P Saravanamuttu Stadium trailing the two- “We are doing the right thing, that’s why we matches. But in Test cricket we must translate match series 0-1 after last week’s crushing 259- have been competitive in all these games,” coach our potential into match-winning feats.” run loss at Galle-their 76th defeat and the fourth Chandika Hathurusinghe told reporters in Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (Capt), Dimuth in a row in 99 Test matches. Colombo on Sunday. Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, No other Test-playing country has lost so Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela many times in their first 100 Test matches and ‘KEEP THINGS SIMPLE’ Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, the dubious honour highlights Bangladesh’s “Why have you raised your expectations? Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Vikum Sanjaya struggle in the five-day format over the past 17 Because we are doing well, am I right? That’s Bandara, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, years. So far they have won only eight Test what we all expect, and we are asking too much Malinda Pushpakumara. matches, one more than New Zealand, who had of a team that is still finding their team in Test Bangladesh :Mushfiqur Rahim (Capt), Tamim only seven wins in their first 100 Tests, though cricket. It is a fact,” he said. While Sri Lanka Iqbal, Liton Das, Imrul Kayes Soumya Sarkar, the Kiwis managed to eke out 47 draws against Cricket plans to help Bangladesh celebrate their Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir MIAMI: United States’ Buster Posey (28) rounds third base after hitting a solo home Bangladesh’s 15. 100th Test match, including hosting a dinner in Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, run as third base coach Willie Randolph prepares to congratulate Posey in the sev- Five of Bangladesh’s eight wins came at home their honour, the visitors want to focus on the Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mosaddek enth inning in a first-round game of the World Baseball Classic against Canada, including four against fellow strugglers game. “We’re trying to keep things simple Hossain, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Subashis Roy, Sunday, in Miami. The United States won 8-0. — AP Zimbabwe. And they won just three of their 46 because apart from the 100th Test, this is also an Rubel Hossain.— AFP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 SPORTS

PREVIEW City dream big as Leicester wrestle Sevilla

PARIS: Manchester City’s Kevin De the Belgium international told UEFA.com the best eight teams in Europe.” first-leg defeat at Sevilla. The Foxes used after a sickening clash of heads in a 1-1 Bruyne is targeting another deep “It will be very tough against Monaco, Radamel Falcao, who scored twice at a 10-day gap in the fixture list to hold a draw with Deportivo La Coruna 10 days Champions League run, although Pep they’re doing extremely well at the the Etihad Stadium, is set to return to training camp in Dubai ahead of ago. Diego Simeone’s side, runners-up Guardiola’s side must first negotiate a moment, but we are very positive and if the starting line-up on Wednesday after Tuesday’s return leg at the King Power twice in the past three seasons, hold a 4- tricky last 16 second leg against Monaco we beat them we are through to the coming off the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 Stadium. Craig Shakespeare has been 2 advantage going into Wednesday’s this week. City recovered from twice quarter-finals. win over Bordeaux that kept Monaco named as the club’s manager until the clash in Spain. falling behind to outgun the French “After that, the final isn’t that far three points clear at the top. end of the season, and Austrian left-back Captain Gabi and defender Filipe Luis league leaders 5-3 in the opening leg in away,” he added. Guardiola has won all Eighteen-year-old starlet Kylian Christian Fuchs said the trip to the are suspended for Atletico, while Tayfun Manchester, but Monaco’s formidable seven previous last-16 ties with Mbappe has scored nine goals in his last Middle East was a welcome breather. Korkut is the new man in charge for attacking threat could still shatter the Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but City’s eight appearances, including the opener “It was an intense time over the last Leverkusen after replacing Roger Premier League club’s aspirations. recent away form is mediocre at best against Bordeaux, and will have a key couple of weeks. It’s good to come down Schmidt last week. Under Manuel Pellegrini last season with just one victory in their last six role to play if Monaco are to continue and work a little on team spirit. When Porto face a monumental challenge City reached the semi-finals for the first games in Europe. their strong record in two-legged ties you win two games, that’s the best med- to overturn a 2-0 deficit away to 2015 time, losing to eventual champions Real “We’d like to go through, but we can- against English teams, having won four icine for team spirit,” Fuchs told finalists Juventus. The Italian giants are Madrid 1-0 on aggregate, and De not forget the team we are going to play. out of five times. Leicester’s in-house TV channel, with the unbeaten at home since August 2015 Bruyne is confident they can go further Their attack is the best, by far,” Guardiola Premier League champions coming off and extended their incredible 17-month with Guardiola. said after City defeated Middlesbrough SHAKESPEARE APPOINTED back-to-back 3-1 wins over Liverpool winning league run in Serie A as Paulo “I think we can reach the final, but of 2-0 on Saturday to reach the FA Cup Jamie Vardy’s goal in Spain ensured and Hull. Fernando Torres is expected to Dybala scored a controversial last-gasp course the other teams will think the semi-finals. “It will be tough but we’ll try Leicester City remain firmly in the hunt return for Atletico Madrid for their sec- penalty in a 2-1 victory over AC Milan same and that doesn’t make it easier,” to play our game and try to be one of for a quarter-final berth despite a 2-1 ond leg at home to Bayer Leverkusen last Friday. —AFP

Muguruza rallies to beat US teen, Pliskova advances

INDIAN WELLS: French Open champion court, Muguruza said, it was a problem Garbine Muguruza survived a fierce chal- many on the WTA face. lenge from US teenager Kayla Day Sunday “I feel the same,” she said. “When I play to reach the fourth round of the WTA Indian with all those big names and they are older Wells hard court tournament. than me. That’s being very lucky to play The seventh-seeded Spaniard had to dig with your idols.” in to subdue the hard-hitting Californian 3- 6, 7-5, 6-2 and set up a meeting with 10th STREAKING SVITOLINA seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. Muguruza will face a dangerous chal- Day, last year’s US Open junior champi- lenge from Svitolina, a two-time winner on on, had reached the third round with an the WTA tour this year who took her win- upset of Australian Open semi-finalist ning streak to 15 matches with a 6-2, 6-1 Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. She needed little win over Australian Daria Gavrilova. more than half an hour to seize a set from “I’m trying not to think about whether Muguruza, whose progress so far in 2017 this is my best tennis,” Svitolina said. “I’ve has been hindered by injuries. Muguruza achieved a lot of what I wanted, so I’m hap- saved break points in the fifth and 11th py that I’m keeping it going.” games of the second set, finally converting In other women’s matches Sunday, third- her own first break chance to force the seeded Karolina Pliskova, inserted at the third. By then Day was wilting in the baking top of the draw after Serena Williams’s late heat of Stadium Court. Muguruza broke her injury withdrawal, edged Romanian Irina in the second game of the final set and Camelia Begu 6-4, 7-6 (7/2). again in the final game as the left-handed Pliskova next faces Switzerland’s Timea youngster surrendered with a double-fault. Bacsinszky, who beat Kiki Bertens of the “I think she played very good,” Muguruza Netherlands 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (10/8) that pro- said. “She served very well. I think the first duced multiple match points for both play- set I didn’t play good. My level was not ers. Bacsinszky had her first chance to close there. My shots were not there, and right it out with two match points in the second away she took advantage and she won. “I set. Bertens had three match points as she didn’t let that frustrate me. I reset my mind. I served for the contest in the ninth game of think at the time I was playing a little bit the third-and she had a fourth match point CALIFORNIA: Roger Federer, of Switzerland, returns a shot to Stephane Robert, of France, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Sunday, better and better, even though that first set in the tiebreaker before Bacsinszky finally in Indian Wells, Calif. Federer won 6-2, 6-1. —AP was a little bit bad. But I think she played sealed it on her sixth match point. good. “I’m surprised with how she handled France’s Caroline Garcia rallied from a set TENNIS center court,” added Muguruza, who was down to defeat 11th-seeded Briton astonished-and touched-to learn that Day Johanna Konta 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) and book a had named one of her dogs Garbine after meeting with eighth-seeded Russian seeing the Spaniard play at the Australian Svetlana Kuznetsova. Djokovic, Federer, Nadal Open several years ago. If that youthful Kuznetsova downed Italian Roberta Vinci admiration made it harder for Day on the 6-2, 2-6, 6-1. — AFP advance at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS: Novak Djokovic launched his court title drought stretching back to 2014. contrast to the wide-open top half, which lost a bid for a sixth ATP Indian Wells Masters crown The bottom half of the draw also features lot of its lustre on Saturday when world number with a two-set triumph over Kyle Edmund as the fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan, who eased one Andy Murray was stunned by 129th-ranked stars shone Sunday in the California desert. The past Britain’s Daniel Evans 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday. Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil. 46th-ranked Edmund served for the second set But sixth-seeded Marin Cilic, who beat Nishikori “That’s sport, no?” Nadal said. “Yesterday at 5-3, but world number two Djokovic broke in the 2014 US Open final, was an early casualty, probably Andy didn’t play his best match and him en route to a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) triumph. His beaten 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 by 19-year-old American Vasek served very well. So then you go to a reward is a tough third-round clash with former Taylor Fritz. The jam-packed half of the draw is a tiebreak and anything can happen.” — AFP US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, a 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 winner over fellow Argentine Federico del Bonis. SOCCER “I think I played very well in the first set,” Djokovic said. “Second set was obviously up and down. But credit to Kyle for playing some really Juventus focused on aggressive tennis. “He made a lot of winners in the beginning and midway through the second. There was not winning Champions League much wrong I did. I did miss some forehands. INDIAN WELLS: Garbine Muguruza of Spain in action against Kayla Day of the United But other than that, it was a very solid match. MILAN: With a sixth straight Serie A title look- tage in Serie A, and is leading Napoli 3-1 ahead States in their third round match during day seven of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Good, quality tennis, a good test.” Roger Federer ing likely and another Italian Cup final on the of the second leg of the Italian Cup semifinals. Wells Tennis Garden on Sunday in Indian Wells, California. — AFP and Rafael Nadal also reached the third round, horizon, Juventus has become almost obses- So a treble is still possible. Federer flying through with a 6-2, 6-1 victory sively focused on the Champions League. “We are well, physically and mentally,” Alves over France’s Stephane Robert in just 51 min- There is a feeling in Turin that victory in said. “Now the most important part of the sea- Tottenham, Millwall to assist utes. Nadal opened his account with a steady 6- Europe would crown its resurrection from rele- son is coming and the great players work all 3, 6-2 victory over Argentina’s Guido Pella. The gation to Serie B in 2006 following a match-fix- year to be ready for these moments, those in FA with probe into Son abuse three stars are packed together in a remarkable ing scandal. But first, Juventus needs to get which you have to win competitions. bottom quarter of the draw. past FC Porto today in the last 16, already “Together we can have a great end to the holding 2-0 lead from the first leg. season.” Juventus went close to the treble in LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall with harshly of course. It’s a shame to be But Djokovic said he can’t afford to think about a possible quarter-final clash with either “I’m aware of the importance the Allegri’s first year in charge, but the Italian have both promised to assist a Football talking about this. Champions League has for the Bianconeri fam- team lost in the Champions League final to Association inquiry into the racist abuse “We just want everyone to enjoy the of his longtime rivals with del Potro coming up. While Djokovic has won 12 of their 16 career ily and for the history of the club,” Juventus Barcelona. directed towards Spurs forward Son game. It’s wrong in society and wrong in defender Dani Alves said. “I too, like all That was the closest it had got to winning Heung-Min during Sunday’s FA Cup quar- football.” Millwall fans were also accused by meetings, the Argentine handed him a crushing two-tiebreak defeat in the first round of the Rio Juventus fans, want to dream and I’m con- Europe’s premier club competition since it was ter-final. South Korea star Son was taunted Wolves boss Paul Ince of aiming the same vinced that if we continue down our path defeated in the final by AC Milan in 2003. by Millwall supporters during Tottenham’s racist chants at South Korea’s Seol Ki-Hyeon Olympics-a defeat Djokovic avenged in Acapulco this month. “Big guy, big serve, big calmly, with personality, and without fear of Juventus, which was also runner-up in 1997 6-0 victory at White Hart Lane and respond- in a match in 2005. making a mistake ... Then we can get right to and 1998, last won the trophy in 1996. ed to the jibes with a hat-trick against the But Tottenham manager Mauricio forehand,” Djokovic said of del Potro. “Definitely not the draw that you like early in the tourna- the end.” Against Porto, Juventus will be boost- Playing for titles in three competitions third-tier side. Pochettino said Son hadn’t complained ed by the return of Juan Cuadrado from sus- makes for a hectic schedule, however. “There’s He was subjected to chants of “dvd” and about the chants after the match. ment and that you wish for, but it is what it is,” added Djokovic, who is trying to get back to the pension and Mario Mandzukic from illness. The no time for us to rest after Milan and we don’t “three for a fiver”, which were perceived as “No, Son didn’t say anything,” Pochettino two are almost certain to start in Juventus want to,” Alves said. “We want this match to a racial slur against Asians who sell black said. “I didn’t hear (the songs). It’s difficult winner’s circle after a shock second-round exit at the Australian Open and a quarter-final loss to coach Massimiliano Allegri’s innovative 4-2-3-1 come, to aim to pass the round and be in the market films in London. for me to understand the crowd.” Millwall system. Juventus holds an eight-point advan- quarterfinal draw.— AP According to British media reports, the remain under a separate investigation by Nick Kyrgios in Acapulco. FA will consider referee Martin Atkinson’s the FA after Leicester complained about Ninth-seeded Federer, resurgent after a 2016 match report and also seek the observa- the opposition fans’ behaviour following season marred by injury, downed Nadal in an tions of both clubs. the Lions’ surprise victory in the previous epic Australian Open final to secure his 18th A Tottenham spokesman said: “We round. Each inquiry, however, will be treat- Grand Slam title. strongly condemn the use of any racist lan- ed as a separate entity. He hit a speed bump in Dubai this month, guage. “We shall be passing on all of our Millwall, based in south London, failing to convert three match points in a third- footage to the relevant authorities which became notorious for mass acts of fan round loss to Evgeny Donskoy-but he was firing can assist with the identification of anyone violence during the 1970s and 1980s, on all cylinders against the 81st-ranked Robert. responsible for such chanting at yesterday’s leaving the club with a reputation that its “Very happy,” said Federer, who missed Indian game.” Meanwhile, a Millwall statement officials have tried desperately hard to shed Wells last year with a knee injury that required read: “Millwall have led the way on anti-dis- in the years since. —AFP surgery. “Knee is a thing of the past, which is crimination initiatives and will continue to great. I don’t even have to think or talk about it.” do so. “The club is assisting the FA with their investigation and will make no further ‘SOLID’ NADAL comment until that process is complete.” Matches on TV Nadal was pleased with a “solid” opening effort against Pella, made trickier by the oven- After the match, Millwall manager Neil (Local Timings) Harris made it clear such taunts shouldn’t like mid-day temperatures and the fact that Pella, like Nadal, is a left-hander. be tolerated. UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE “Honestly I didn’t hear anything but “I didn’t try to do amazing things. I tried to Juventus v FC Porto 22:45 TURIN: Juventus’ defender Alex Sandro from Brazil (R) and Juventus’ defender Medhi myself and the club, we won’t condone play solid,” the fifth-seeded Spaniard said. “For beIN SPORTS Amine Benatia from Morocco (C) take part in a training session on the eve of the UEFA that if there is,” Harris said. moments I played well. For moments I played a Leicester City v Sevilla 22:45 Champions League football match Juventus Vs FC Porto yesterday at the ‘Juventus “I’m sure it will be investigated and left little bit less well. Important thing, I won, and I beIN SPORTS Training Center’ in Vinovo, near Turin. — AFP to the authorities. We want people dealt won in straight sets.” Nadal knows he’ll have to turn up the intensity if he wants to end a hard TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 SPORTS

Thierry Neuville during the FIA World Rally Championship. Heroes and worms: My Rally Mexico experience with Red Bull TV

By Tavo Vildosola

have had an amazing time as Red Bull TV guest reporter in Mexico! Can I come back Inext time? It is funny: in some ways, the whole experience just underlined what I already admired about the World Rally Championship, and in other ways, it has taught me a lot as well. The sheer amount of organization that goes into a TV production like this is incredible; every second is accounted for. As I said, these are the best drivers in the world, no question. To see their bravery, preci- sion and commitment up close is something that is very special. Then to talk with them afterwards and find out exactly how it felt from their perspective was fascinating. Make no mistake: Mexico is one tough rally. The World Rally Championship is an intense sprint, certainly compared to the off-road races that I do, so the drivers really have to perform under pressure. That pressure is not Tavo Vildosola Red Bull TV seen during the FIA World Rally Championship 2017 in Leon, Mexico. even just from the competition: it is from the heat, the dust, and the rocks as well. You fight the elements in Mexico. To be honest, speaking as a Mexican, I did not actually find it that hot when I was out and about! However, when you are dealing with these very complex cars, built to com- pletely new regulations, the heat was clearly a big issue. The cars were really struggling so it was just about survival, and that was an effect of the altitude as well. If you come from here you tend to take all that for granted, but you can see just how big a challenge it was. As a driver watching a rally, your first is a truly awesome piece of kit. Beside the cars, ously a talented driver, with lots of brilliant remember from the weekend, but one per- Latvala too – what a nice guy! It was not exact- thought is always: ‘I wish I could be doing it a real highlight was meeting so many different insights and has a big future ahead of him. formance that really struck me was from Kris ly the perfect weekend for him. This just under- myself!’ In fact, I often found myself looking at people. Starting with my fellow presenters of Then there were the actual drivers who were Meeke and Citroen. He had a terrible start to lines how difficult Rally Mexico is: the car that the stages and thinking: ‘I wonder what my course: Mike Chen was a real professional, who competing. What can I say? These guys are real the season, so to pick himself back up and do has been second and first on the two previous Trophy Truck would be like round there?’ taught me so much about what to do for TV heroes, yet completely approachable people what he did was remarkable. The biggest tests rallies was struggling a bit here. It was great to However, if the opportunity ever came, I would and the sort of things to talk about. It was at the same time. always come in adversity, so he certainly meet Sebastien Ogier too; a true champion love to have a go in a World Rally Car as well. It amazing to meet Craig Breen too; he is obvi- There are so many things that I am going to passed that one. It was fun talking to Jari-Matti whose achievements speak for themselves.

Mike Chen (GB), Tavo Vildosola (MEX), Craig Breen (IRL) are seen during the FIA World Rally Championship 2017 in Sebastien Ogier during the FIA World Rally Championship 2017 in Leon. Leon, Mexico on March 11, 2017.

Celebrating 50 years of Mercedes-AMG success Page 25

KFH wins 3 awards Business from EmeaFinance TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 Page 26 Gulfsat, Bahrain Info Ministry renew Kuwait’s inflation remains stable at 3.3% TV broadcast deal Page 22 Page 23

MUNICH: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (centre) visits the booth of a leather gloves manufacturer during her visit at the international trade crafts fair in Munich yesterday. — AFP Merkel to meet Trump amid trade tensions German industry bosses to accompany chancellor on US trip

FRANKFURT: Bosses of German companies terday that free trade was important for both home and in their foreign operations, and is par- German-owned engineering firms in the office, saying: “The new American president including engineering group Siemens and car- countries, while a German government ticularly prized in emerging economies, where it United States with almost 30 billion euros in has a style that’s different from what we’re maker BMW will travel with Chancellor Angela spokesman confirmed at a press conference helps German corporations win business. total revenue, while German export successes accustomed to. It worries us, what we see.” Merkel to meet US President Donald Trump this that the two leaders would also meet with Sources of tension between Berlin and the were linked to the high quality of goods, not BMW’s Chief Executive Harald Krueger said week, sources familiar with the matter told German business executives. German chancel- new US administration include an accusation foreign-exchange effects. last week that introducing protectionist meas- Reuters. Faced with Trump’s “America First” poli- lors have a long tradition of taking groups of by a senior Trump adviser that Germany profits As part of a bid to bring jobs to America, ures and tariffs would not be good for the cy and threats to impose tariffs on imported business leaders along with them on trips to unfairly from a weak euro, and Trump’s threat Trump has urged carmakers to build more cars United States. The carmaker is expanding its goods, the captains of industry will stress how important countries. The other business leader to impose 35 percent tariffs on imported vehi- in the United States and discouraged them plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to have a many US jobs are tied to “Deutschland AG”. accompanying Merkel will be the chief execu- cles. The United States is Germany’s biggest from investing in Mexico, where German and capacity of 450,000 vehicles, with 70 percent Trains-to-turbines group Siemens employs tive of ball-bearings maker Schaeffler. trading partner, buying German goods and other carmakers have big plants. Trump’s order for export. It is also building a new plant in more than 50,000 people in the United States, The three chief executives will cross the services worth 107 billion euros ($114 billion) banning citizens of some majority-Muslim Mexico, where it plans to invest $2.2 billion by its single biggest market, where it makes 21 Atlantic for a single scheduled meeting of less last year while exporting just 58 billion euros’ countries from entering the United States, and 2019. Mexico’s lower labor costs and unique percent of its total revenue, while BMW’s South than an hour with Trump. They will brief the worth in return. “The accusations of President a threat to tear up the NAFTA free trade deal free trade position mean it now accounts for a Carolina plant is its largest factory anywhere in president on the German practice of training Donald Trump and his advisers are plucked out between the United States, Mexico and fifth of all vehicle production in North the world. Trump will meet Merkel, Europe’s workers on the job while also sending them to of thin air,” the president of Germany’s VDMA Canada, have also unnerved business leaders. America. “America profits from free trade. We longest-serving leader, for the first time today classes at a vocational school to obtain formal engineering industry association, Carl Martin Siemens chief executive Joe Kaeser are supporters of free trade and not of protec- in Washington. qualifications. Such training is traditionally Welcker, said in a statement yesterday. expressed concern last month about develop- tionism,” Krueger told reporters at the Geneva Merkel told business leaders in Munich yes- offered by large German companies both at He said 81,000 people were employed in ments in the United States since Trump took auto show. — Reuters Scotland seeks independence Europe to tell G20 it will resist protectionism referendum amid Brexit spat BRUSSELS: European Union finance like that one in 2008. “Avoiding a roll- ministers will tell a G20 meeting this back in the financial regulation agenda week that they will resist protectionism is necessary,” the document says. The LONDON: Scotland’s leader delivered a shock twist to forced into a “hard Brexit” that it didn’t vote for. because evidence shows most Scottish voters and that financial rules introduced after document also appears to address Britain’s EU exit drama yesterday, announcing that Britons decided in a June 23 referendum to leave the oppose a second referendum. the 2008 crisis must be kept in place. remarks by Patrick McHenry, the Vice- she will seek authority to hold a new independence EU, but Scots voted by 62 to 38 percent to remain. She said Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party is A document prepared by the EU Chair of the House of Representatives’ referendum in the next two years because Britain is Scotland must not be “taken down a path that we do guilty of “tunnel vision.” Sturgeon spoke in Edinburgh ministers, which appears aimed at the Financial Services Committee, in letter dragging Scotland out of the EU against its will. not want to go down without a choice,” Sturgeon as Britain’s Parliament was on the verge of approving United States, sets out the position of all to Fed Chairman Janet Yellen about the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that she would said. The move drew a quick rebuke from Prime a Brexit bill that will allow the UK to start the formal European delegations for the G20 gath- international role of the Fed. McHenry move quickly to give voters a new chance to leave Minister Theresa May who said a second referendum withdrawal from the EU within days. ering of ministers and central bankers in wrote that the US central bank should the United Kingdom because Scotland was being would be hugely disruptive and is not justified Sturgeon said she would ask the Scottish Baden Baden in Germany on March 17- stop “negotiating international regula- Parliament next week to start the process of calling a 18. “We reaffirm our commitment to tory standards among global bureau- referendum, to be held between the fall of 2018 and keep the global economy open, resist crats in foreign lands without trans- the spring of 2019. She said by then, details of protectionism and keep global eco- parency, accountability, or the authority Britain’s post-Brexit deal with the EU would be clear nomic cooperation on track,” says the to do so”. The European document says: and Scottish voters would be able to make “an paper, seen by Reuters. “International coordination and contin- informed choice.” An early draft communique for the ued participation of all G20 members in The British government must agree before a legal- G20 meeting suggested on March 7 international fora on financial regula- ly binding referendum can be held. It didn’t say yes- that the world’s financial leaders might tion is of fundamental importance.” terday whether it would do so, but said an independ- no longer explicitly reject protection- European Commission Vice ence ballot “would be divisive and cause huge eco- ism, breaking with a decade-old tradi- President Valdis Dombrovskis said in nomic uncertainty at the worst possible time.” tion. Instead, following the change of February that while the United States In a 2014 referendum, Scottish voters rejected administration in Washington, they had every right to redefine its national independence by a margin of 55 percent to 45 per- might promise only to keep an “open interest, Europe was entitled to say that cent. But Sturgeon said that the UK’s decision to leave and fair international trading system”, international cooperation on financial the EU had brought about a “material change of cir- wording which some officials see as a governance was in everyone’s interest. cumstances.” Sturgeon said that she had sought com- way to accommodate the protectionist “We are sensitive to talk of unpicking promise with May’s government, but had been met views of President Donald Trump. The financial legislation which applies care- with a “brick wall of intransigence.” draft communique, however, could fully negotiated international standards Sturgeon has been seeking a deal that will allow change substantially, following discus- and rules,” Dombrovskis said. Scotland to stay in the European single market and sions on March 17-18, G20 officials said. “It is difficult not to notice when the customs union. But she said she has become con- The European Union ministers’ docu- Chair of the Federal Reserve is criticised vinced May is pursuing a “hard Brexit” that would ment also appears to argue against for her approach to negotiating interna- EDINBURGH: Members of the press arrive to attend a speech by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola leave Britain outside those arrangements, which Trump’s plans to roll back US legislation, tional rules and standards, or when an Sturgeon in Edinburgh yesterday. Scotland’s first minister said yesterday she would start the many UK businesses see as crucial. “I am not turning called the Dodd-Frank Act, introduced American President talks about ‘doing a process to request a new referendum on independence before Britain quits the EU in a move that my back on further discussions should the UK gov- to prevent another financial sector crisis big number’ on Dodd-Frank.” — Reuters was quickly condemned by the government. — AFP ernment change its mind,” she said. — AP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 BUSINESS

Kuwait’s inflation remains stable at 3.3% in January NBK ECONOMIC REPORT

KUWAIT: Inflation in consumer prices steadied ment gain momentum in the near-to- decelerate in January; in fact, clothing & at 3.3 percent year-on-year (y/y) in January, as medium term on the back of gains in global footwear prices continued to decline due to inflation across most components remained food price inflation. According to the softer consumer demand, extended seasonal stable or came in unchanged. Local food infla- Commodity Research Bureau, international promotions and a stronger dinar. After jump- tion remained weak as global food inflation prices of commodity foods rebounded and ing in December, inflation in the furnishings & remained soft. Core inflation, which excludes jumped to a multi month high of 2.9 percent household maintenance segment stabilized at food prices, held steady at around 4.1 percent y/y in January following several months of 4.0 percent y/y in January. y/y after witnessing a surge in the aftermath of deflationary prices. The stabilization in inflation in the fur- the fuel price hike in September 2016; this After easing in December in line with some nishings & household maintenance segment came largely on the back of lower inflationary softness in the real estate market, inflation in was reflected in the inflation in services pressures from housing rent. housing services remained unchanged. excluding housing segment. After surging on Inflation is expected to witness renewed Inflation in the housing component, which is higher fees in the household maintenance upward pressures in 2017 from May onward, mostly comprised of housing rents and is segment in December, inflation in services as the government introduces higher electrici- updated quarterly, eased from 7.4 percent y/y excluding housing stabilized at 2.3 percent ty and water tariffs, though the impact is now in 3Q16 to 6.4 percent y/y in 4Q16. y/y in January. thought to be more limited. The government Nonetheless, on a quarter-on-quarter basis Inflation in the transportation sector stood recently approved new tariffs that are well the 4Q16 increase remained surprisingly pat above the 10 percent y/y mark for the below those initially approved in legislation strong at 2.8 percent. fourth straight month in January. After surg- last year. The hikes are now expected at 50- We expect the momentum in this segment ing in September, on the heels of a fuel price 150 percent for the various sectors. As a result, to see some further easing in the near term hike, inflation in this segment has thus far upward pressures could push average inflation on a year-on-year basis before gathering held steady around 10 percent y/y. We may to around 3.5 percent in 2017, up from 3.2 per- pace in the second half of 2017 on the back see some upward pressures in this segment cent in 2016. of utility hikes. in the short to medium-term as transport Inflation in local food prices maintained services readjust their prices to account for its weakness in January, after logging in a Retail sector the fuel price increases. reading of 0.2 percent y/y. Price growth in Inflation in the retail sector continued to But any further upward pressures are likely this component continues to be weighed face downward pressures at the start of 2017. to be at least partly offset by the continued down by soft global food price inflation. Inflation in clothing & footwear and the other decline in car prices, which weigh more heav- However, we may see inflation in this seg- goods & services segments continued to ily on the transportation index. Togo fuel price increases hit household budgets

LOME: Emmanuel Sogadji has a message for the ernment slogans and holding a rally. Security petrol was 425 but is now 468 CFA francs. Jean- government in Togo from people who are being forces watched over the demonstration but it Pierre Fabre, who leads the CAP 2015 coalition, squeezed by fuel price rises: “Enough is enough!” passed off without incident after a previous told AFP on Saturday: “We’re asking for the gov- The consumer group he heads has given the protest in February turned violent, leaving one ernment to simply return to the old prices.” The administration two weeks to put the prices back person dead and several others injured. government has said the hikes are necessary to what they were, as the hike is “hitting house- Motorcycle-taxi drivers blocked major intersec- because the price of crude has gone up on the holds where it hurts”, he said. tions and were dispersed by police. international market, from $38.38 in January “The authorities don’t care about people, who 2016 to $55 in January 2017. At the same time are living in poverty,” he added. The Combat for Knock-on effect the dollar has strengthened. Political Change (CAP 2015), Togo’s main opposi- The government increased the price of fuel by Sogadji called the decision “unfair” and tion grouping, on Saturday organized a “peace about 10 percent on February 27, in the second alleged that the government’s claim of subsidiz- march” in the capital of Lome to demand an end such rise in the space of a month. A litre of premi- ing fuel at the pump was false. Price rises have to the past month’s rises. Thousands of opposi- um petrol jumped from 476 to 524 CFA francs already had a knock-on effect, particularly in the SYDNEY: Tourists ride onboard a cruise ship in the harbor in Sydney yesterday. tion supporters and civil society groups took to ($0.77 to $0.85, or 0.72 euros to 0.8 euros). Diesel home-grown food industry. Items such as corn Australia’s economy rebounded strongly in the December quarter, growing 1.1 per- the streets for several hours, chanting anti-gov- went up from 478 to 526 CFA francs while regular and even firewood have increased because of higher transport costs, he added. cent to dodge a technical recession on the back of buoyant exports, government investment and household spending, data showed last week.— AFP Hyundai signs 4bn euro Calls to cancel Two-thirds of Togo’s nearly eight million peo- ple rely on subsistence farming and more than EU says Gazprom offer to avoid deal for Iran oil project half of the population live in poverty, according SEOUL: Hyundai has signed a deal worth four Iran’s Ahdaf Investment Company which is to World Bank figures from 2015. Unemployment antitrust fines allays worries billion euros ($3.3 billion) to invest in a major partnering on the project, according to the is running at 29 percent, according to some Togolese economists, with young people hit BRUSSELS: Gazprom is ready to comply Gazprom has offered concessions aimed at Iranian oil project, it confirmed yesterday. Shana news agency, which is linked to Iran’s with EU rules to end a five-year antitrust staving off a potential fine of up to 10 per- Hyundai Engineering plans to invest 3.98 bil- oil ministry. especially hard. The west African country, which case and avoid fines, the bloc’s competition cent of its global turnover. EU Competition lion euros in the second phase of the Kangan “The start and execution of this project borders Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso, mainly commissioner said yesterday, signalling a Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who has oil production and refinery project in south- relies on 95 percent of the project’s financing imports its petroleum products. Evariste Ekadji, a thaw in business ties between Moscow and brought actions and levied fines against west Iran, it said in a statement. coming from Korean banks (with) full support 33-year-old taxi driver, said he has had to put up Brussels despite tensions over Ukraine. major US multinationals such as Google, The agreement marks one of the biggest from the Hyundai Engineering Company in his prices, particularly for clients wanting to travel investments since a nuclear accord with world securing those funds,” Arefi told Shana. long distances. “The government should cancel Eight member states in the east, all formerly said Gazprom’s offer allayed worries and powers lifted global sanctions on Iran. The However, a Hyundai Engineering spokesman new pump prices because we are suffering in this dominated by Moscow, now have until May 4 provided “a forward looking solution”. South Korean firm will have nine months to told AFP that 85 percent of the funding would country,” he added to object to the EU executive’s view and “Combined we think that these meas- secure financing for the project-a potential come from Korean lenders, including Export- Anani Ekue, a 27-year-old motorcycle-taxi driver, could try to seek changes in Gazprom’s ures are important improvements to obstacle given the continued reluctance of Import Bank of Korea and the Korea Trade said he has done the same “to avoid losses” while offer. The Russian state gas exporter, which ensure the free flow of gas at competitive international banks to engage with Iran. Insurance Corporation. The second phase of Cossi Djiwan has taken further measures to cut supplies a third of the EU’s gas, has been on prices,” Vestager said. Gazprom has Securing the financing through Korean the deal, involving the construction of four costs. The 42-year-old, who works as an accountant the radar of EU regulators since 2012, culmi- agreed to fixed transparent fees and to banks will be “the most important and most production plants at the Kangan site, is for a security firm, said he has stopped using his car nating in charges in April 2015 that it over- allow clients the right to price revisions difficult step,” said Asghar Arefi, head of expected to take four years. — AFP to get to work every day because of the increased charged customers in Central and Eastern clauses in long-term contracts, EU regula- cost of fuel is eating his budget. — AFP Europe and blocked rivals. Since then, tors said. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.650 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Swiss Franc 304.570 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Australian Dollar 233.520 Thai Bhat 9.640 Japanese Yen 0.002586 0.002766 US Dollar Buying 305.050 Turkish Lira 82.405 ASIAN COUNTRIES Kenyan Shilling 0.003073 0.003073 Japanese Yen 2.671 GOLD Korean Won 0.000257 0.000272 Indian Rupees 4.602 20 Gram 248.010 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Malaysian Ringgit 0.064895 0.070895 Pakistani Rupees 2.919 10 Gram 126.930 Nepalese Rupee 0.002965 0.003135 Srilankan Rupees 2.021 5 Gram 64.310 CURRENCY BUY SELL Pakistan Rupee 0.002673 0.002963 Nepali Rupees 2.875 Europe Philippine Peso 0.005995 0.006295 Singapore Dollar 217.660 Hongkong Dollar 39.443 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd British Pound 0.366221 0.376221 Sierra Leone 0.000068 0.000074 Bangladesh Taka 3.821 Czech Korune 0.004103 0.016103 Singapore Dollar 0.211764 0.221764 Philippine Peso 6.091 Danish Krone 0.039990 0.044990 South African Rand 0.017282 0.025782 Rate for Transfr Selling Rate Thai Baht 8.689 Euro 0. 321908 0.330908 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001659 0.002239 US Dollar 305.900 Norwegian Krone 0.031618 0.036818 Taiwan 0.009820 0.010000 Canadian Dolla 227.830 GCC COUNTRIES Romanian Leu 0.084875 0.084875 Thai Baht 0.008346 0.008896 Saudi Riyal 81.721 Sterling Pound 373.640 Slovakia 0.009185 0.019185 Qatari Riyal 84.169 Euro 328.120 Swedish Krona 0.030026 0.035026 Arab Omani Riyal 795.868 Swiss Frank 310.845 Swiss Franc 0.297035 0.308035 Bahraini Dinar 0.805763 0.814263 Bahraini Dinar 813.740 Bahrain Dinar 810.915 Turkish Lira 0.077230 0.087530 Egyptian Pound 0.012603 0.021856 UAE Dirham 83.435 UAE Dirhams 83.680 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 Qatari Riyals 84.900 ARAB COUNTRIES Australasia Iraqi Dinar 0.000196 0.000256 Saudi Riyals 82.500 Egyptian Pound - Cash 21.500 Australian Dollar 0.223210 0.235210 Jordanian Dinar 0.426284 0.435284 Jordanian Dinar 432.620 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 17.266 New Zealand Dollar 0.206082 0.215582 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.230 Egyptian Pound 17.477 Lebanese Pound 0.000158 0.000258 Tunisian Dinar 134.200 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.022 America Moroccan Dirhams 0.020163 0.044163 Jordanian Dinar 431.430 Indian Rupees 4.615 Canadian Dollar 0.222158 0.231158 Nigerian Naira 0.001270 0.001905 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.042 Pakistani Rupees 2.917 Georgina Lari 0.138321 0.138321 Syrian Lira 2.184 Omani Riyal 0.789033 0.794713 Bangladesh Taka 3.845 US Dollars 0.302150 0.306550 Morocco Dirham 30.934 Qatar Riyal 0.083308 0.084758 Philippines Pesso 6.083 US Dollars Mint 0.302650 0.306550 Saudi Riyal 0.080580 0.081880 Cyprus pound 167.990 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Syrian Pound 0.001299 0.001519 Japanese Yen 3.665 Asia US Dollar Transfer 306.250 Tunisian Dinar 0.130199 0.138199 Euro 329.070 Syrian Pound 2.425 Bangladesh Taka 0.003503 0.004087 Turkish Lira 0.077230 0.087530 Sterling Pound 375.620 Nepalese Rupees 3.870 Chinese Yuan 0.042911 0.046411 UAE Dirhams 0.081956 0.083656 Canadian dollar 228.630 Malaysian Ringgit 69.655 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037400 0.040150 Turkish lira 82.160 Indian Rupee 0.002637 0.004734 Yemeni Riyal 0.000996 0.001076 TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 BUSINESS

KUWAIT: Mohammed Al-Haj, Chairman & CEO, Gulfsat and Abdullah Al-Bloushi, General Director of Technical and Technology Affairs, Ministry of information Affairs KUWAIT: A souvenir shield being presented to Bahraini delegation by Gulfsat Chairman & CEO. in the Kingdom of Bahrain. —Photos by Joseph Shagra Gulfsat, Bahrain’s Info Ministry renew TV broadcast cooperation agreement Partnership plays a key role in media broadcast service across region

KUWAIT: Gulfsat Communications Co (Gulfsat), a leading Gulfsat is also considered a major player in TV broadcast provider of satellite communication services, TV broadcast field, taking into account the broad viewers base benefit- and Contribution, announced the renewal of the coopera- ing from Gulfsat broadcast service over 7/8 degrees orbital, tion agreement with the Ministry of Information Affairs in which ensured a wider viewership in the Arab World. A sig- the Kingdom of Bahrain, confirming the already continued nificant feature which represented a decisive factor in collaboration between both sides started in 2012. strengthening further cooperation with Gulfsat”. Under this agreement, Gulfsat is obliged to provide TV broadcast and satellite Contribution to the official channels Strategic partnership of Bahrain TV affiliate network over course of 7/8 degrees On his part, Mohammed Al-Haj, Gulfsat Chairman & orbital. A remarkable step reaffirming the strategic relation- CEO, said: “ We feel very much pleased to welcome the del- ship that links Gulfsat to Bahrain Ministry of Information egation of the Ministry of information Affairs in the Affairs and opening broader prospects of expansion and Kingdom of Bahrain headed by Abdullah Ahmed Al- development in the future, especially with the interference Bloushi, General Director of Technology & Technical Affairs, free services offered by Gulfsat being a major player of and reconfirm our continued collaboration and extend our broadcasting across the Arab region and North Africa. cooperation agreement previously signed between both The relationship between the two parties has been fur- sides in 2012 “, and added: “ we are also pleased to report ther strengthened by the Ministry’s delegation visit to that great prospects of expansion and growth between Gulfsat head office in Kuwait. The Bahraini delegation pre- both institutions do exist, especially in light of the rapid sented by Abdullah Al-Bloushi, General Director of technological and technical development in TV broadcast Technical and Technology Affairs, Abdulaziz Al-Ashraf, services worldwide, and the pursuit of Gulfsat to keep up Human Resources & Finance Director and Abdullah BuHaji, with these services and have them within the reach of the PR & Marketing Director. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al- official bodies and private TV channels “. KUWAIT: A group photo of Gulfsat Chairman & CEO, senior officials with Bahraini delegation. Khalifa, Bahraini Ambassador to Kuwait lit the gathering “The significant participation of the Bahraini delegation with his historical and traditional talk that added a relaxing represents their clear and solid confirmation of confidence atmosphere to the event accompanied by leading officials and trust in Gulfsat service. Gulfsat shows great interest in of KIPCO, United Networks Co. (Gulfsat parent Company), a cooperating with all specialized authorities, particularly the delegation of Kuwait Ministry of Information, key officials Ministry of information Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain. of private TV channels in Kuwait and representatives of We are very much keen on enhancing and turn our bilater- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). al relation into a solid strategic relationship “, Al-Haj con- firmed. In conclusion, Al-Haj praised the tremendous tech- The perfect technical partner nological and human resources development noticed at In a brief statement, General Director of Technical and the TV channels in the Kingdom of Bahrain, appreciating Technology Affairs of the Ministry of information Affairs in their pursuit to provide their content according to the best the Kingdom of Bahrain, Abdullah Ahmed Al-Bloushi said: “ technical standards of quality and human, stressing that On this occasion, l would like to express my greatest pleas- Gulfsat will always supportive to the efforts exerted by the ure to renew our confidence and cooperation agreement Ministry’s officials. with Gulfsat to includes TV broadcast and Satellite Contribution, taking advantage of Gulfsat owned Uplink Keep abreast of latest technology Stations in countries worldwide, ensuring high quality and On the other hand, Abdullah Ahmed Al-Bloushi praised secure service standards, and reaffirming our strong and the strategy of Gulfsat and their keenness to keep up with solid business relationship existing since 2012 “. the field’s latest developments worldwide, and their “At that time, the Ministry of Information Affairs in the endeavors to provide the same to the customers, including Kingdom of Bahrain has been looking for a technical part- the Bahrain Ministry of Information Affairs, adding that this ner in broadcasting capable of providing safe and secured strategy’s general outlines have been clearly expressed KUWAIT: Ambassador of Bahrain with the attendees of the meeting. services, fortified against interference and signal piracy. though the comprehensive presentation of Gulfsat Chief ing into consideration that such services will go in parallel Gulfsat major developments targeted at upgrading the Gulfsat do represent a technical perfect partner compared Executive Officer, where he has explained the basic ele- to the efforts aiming to ensure a secured and interference- company’s infrastructure and applied technology that to other TV satellite broadcast service providers”, he added. ments of the company’s general directions, saying at the free broadcast service away from the threat of piracy, guar- ensure broadcasting across countries all over the world “Accordingly, Gulfsat has started to provide a wide same time, that this presentation has opened wide doors antee and maintain the intellectual property rights as well. and using fiber- optics communication. range of related services to the Ministry, in light of which, and prospects of future opportunities for cooperation At the same time, Al-Haj presented several models of To wind up, Mohammed Al-Haj, Chairman & CEO - the Ministry’s affiliated channels network have witnessed between both sides, expected to have clear features in the Gulfsat advanced service packages, including the Satellite Gulfsat, has emphasized on the company’s great interest significant development including two channels conver- upcoming phase. TV Cloud service (Cloud Bro) that is directed, in particular, in expanding their methods of TV and media content sion from digital broadcast standard definition to high Further to the discussed issues with the Bahraini dele- to media cities and TV channels. Thanks to this service, streaming, where no longer be restricted to TV broad- quality definition (HD)”, Al-Bloushi elaborated. gation, Al-Haj reiterated that Gulfsat is focused on intro- these institutions will no longer be in need to maintain a cast, but to include expansion over social media, smart To conclude, Al-Bloushi pointed out: “ In addition to the ducing the latest available technology in Satellite commu- huge investment in their infrastructure to be able to phones and tablets in a way that further broadens the highest quality of technical and safe services offered, nications, TV broadcast and Contribution worldwide, tak- stream media content to the public. Al-Bloushi highlighted viewers’ segment.

KIPCO Holding announces partnership Al-Tijari announces winners of ‘Get 100% with KFAS for Sharakah Forum 2017 Cash Back’ campaign

KUWAIT: KIPCO-The Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait announced Holding) held a joint press conference at KIPCO Tower 56th the conclusion of the “Get 100 percent Cash Back” Floor - Chairman’s Club yesterday to announce a partner- Campaign targeting CBK credit and prepaid card- ship with Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of holders that was launched last February. Sciences (KFAS)to promote social responsibility in the State The Bank conducted a draw to select ten lucky of Kuwait, with an emphasis on cross-sector collaborations winners. The draw was conducted in the pres- for social impact. ence of a representative from the Ministry of The partnership will focus on the implementation of Commerce and Industry where the following this year’s Sharakah Forum & Workshops, which will be names were announced as winners in the said held from 19th to 23rd March, 2017 under the patronage campaign : of the Minister for Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Subaih Barrak Al-Subaih. The Sharakah Forum is a yearly platform ● Saqer Ahmed Almaousherji developed by KIPCO to bring together key stakeholders ● Ali Akbar Nareli involved in the field of social responsibility in Kuwait, ● Tayseer Ahmad Al-Sheikh Mohammad with an aim to foster the creation of shared value through ● Shaikha Amal Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah collaboration and capacity building. This year’s forum, ● Hussam Altahan which will be held on March 19th, will include two main discussion panels with leading executives from the pub- ● Abrar Abdullaziz Mohammed Al-Habib lic, private and non-profit sectors such as Faisal Hamad ● Mohammad Salem Mohammad Al-Muteri Al-Ayyar, Vice-Chairman (Executive) of KIPCO, Dr Adnan ● Marios Papacon Tantinou Shihab-Eldin, Director General of KFAS, Sheikha Al-Zain ● Saud Fawzi Yousef Al-Shatti Al-Sabah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of State for ● Mohammad Jamal Ali Sssied Youth Affairs, Khaled Al-Hassan GIG CEO and Dr Samira A The ten winners got back the value of their pur- S Omar Asem, Director General and “Principal Research chases made by using their Al-Tijari credit or pre- paid cards during the month of February with a Scientist” (G.20) at KISR. KUWAIT: (From left to right) Fawzi Al-Musallam, Vice Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Hotels Company (KHC), Abeer maximum of KD 1,000 for each winner. The forum will also include presentations by interna- Al-Omar, Group CSR Manager at KIPCO, and Dr Salam Al-Ablani, Director of Scientific Culture of KFAS during the All credit and prepaid cards were eligible to tional experts, think tank group discussions and network- press conference yesterday. ing opportunities. Fawzi Al-Musallam, Kuwait Hotels enter the draw and the total values of purchases Company (KHC) Chief Executive Officer explained, “ Since in Kuwait in order to take our work in this field to the next workshops offered by KIPCO and KFAS to non-profit organ- made during the month of February in Kuwaiti KHC has been an important and active member of the level and increase our impact and efficiency through izations and social entrepreneurs interested in increasing Dinars or foreign currencies inside or outside community, and as a member of KIPCO group, we believe greater coordination and collaboration. We are very proud their financial sustainability. The workshops will be deliv- Kuwait were calculated to qualify the customer to that hosting such event is the least we can offer to help to be leading the way in this arena, and hope to be able to ered by local, regional and international trainers, and will enter the draw. Kuwait’s leading NGOs with their efforts and initiatives for contribute effectively to The Emir’s New Kuwait Vision for cover the following topics: Introduction to Social Each customer got one chance to enter the draw 2035, which emphasizes the role of partnerships in the Entrepreneurship; Crowdfunding for Non-Profits; Proposal- the benefit of the society.” upon reaching the required usage during the road to development”. Writing; Creating Shared Value Partnerships; “Over 300 representatives of Kuwait’s leading non- month of February. “We are delighted that such significant private and pub- Communicating with Zero Budget for Non-Profits, and governmental organizations (NGOs), Private and public Commercial Bank of Kuwait seize this opportuni- lic sectors representatives have agreed to join this initia- Profits for Non-Profits. The aim of these workshops is to sectors have confirmed their attendance at the event so ty to congratulate the lucky winners and promise far,” he added. tive. Their participation shows that the biggest companies contribute to strengthening the role of local non-profits in Kuwait are aware and responsive to the needs of local and increasing their ability to acquire resources to promote its customers that its endeavors to provide them Abeer Al-Omar, Group CSR Manager at KIPCO, states: with the best offers and reward them with the best “This event builds on the efforts already undertaken by the NGOs. KIPCO group and its operating companies look for- their causes. The Sharakah Forum & Workshops are free of prizes will continue in the future. KIPCO group, as for example in last year’s CSR Forum, to ward to a successful and productive forum”, she adds. charge to all participating organizations, attendance is by bring together key players involved in social responsibility The one-day forum will be followed by four days of invitation only. TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 BUSINESS World stock markets push higher on Fed focus

LONDON: World stock markets mostly rose yes- In a busy week for global monetary policy, stock markets in Asia started the week on a ingly big jump in US stockpiles, increased potential “event risks” this week kept senti- terday following a forecast-busting US jobs the Japanese and British central banks also meet high-tracking all three main Wall Street indices- US shale production and concerns about ment in check. report that looks set to prompt an interest hike this week. “Another rate hike could be just days after the Labor Department said the US econo- implementation of a OPEC-Russia led deal In Europe, Germany’s DAX rose 0.2 per- this week from the Federal Reserve. The pound away, indeed, given the way the Fed’s policy- my created 235,000 new jobs in February, much to cut output. cent to 11,985 while the CAC 40 in France advanced amid speculation that Britain could makers have been talking, it is practically a cer- more than estimated. “For all the somewhat hopeful talk from added 0.2 percent to 5,002. Britain’s FTSE trigger as soon as today the formal process for tainty at this point,” said Chris Beauchamp, chief industry experts about oil inventories run- 100 was up 0.3 percent to 7,362. U.S. stocks exiting the European Union. Sterling held onto market analyst at IG trading group. US flatlines before Fed ning down later in the year, the fact were poised for a steady open with Dow its gains despite the announcement by “Friday’s jobs report reinforced the narrative, US markets opened flat. “US stocks are hover- remains that US shale has come back hard- futures and the broader S&P 500 futures Scotland’s nationalist government of plans for but the key now will be what the statement and ing around the flatline in early action ... amid er, faster and cheaper than anyone could both up 0.1 percent. another independence vote. press conference say.” The dollar wobbled yester- heightened Fed rate hike expectations for have imagined,” said Jeffrey Halley, senior Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock index rose 0.2 In the United States, Friday’s employment day as some traders took out their profits before Wednesday and ramped up political uncertain- market analyst at Oanda trading group. percent to 19,633.75 and Hong Kong’s report reinforced a long-running belief the the Fed meeting. ty in Europe,” said analysts at US brokerage Hang Seng gained 1.1 percent to 23,829.67. world’s top economy was on a strong growth “Markets are already fully priced for a Fed rate Charles Schwab. But oil prices continued to suf- Modest gains South Korea’s Kospi added 1 percent to track and focus is now on the conclusion of the hike on Wednesday,” said Janu Chan, a senior fer following last week’s losses of about nine European stock markets eked out some 2,117.59. The Shanghai Composite index central bank’s policy meeting tomorrow. economist at St George Bank in Sydney. Most percent in both main contracts, hit by a surpris- modest gains yesterday after a strong US climbed 0.8 percent to 3,237.02, while jobs report helped Wall Street end last Australia’s S&P ASX 200 fell 0.3 percent to week on a high note. However a welter of 5,757.30. — Agencies

NEW YORK: An American flag hangs on the front of the New York Stock Exchange. European stock markets eked out some modest gains yesterday after a strong US jobs report helped Wall Street end the previous week on a high note. —AP Big week for markets: Brexit, Fed, elections LONDON: Investors around the world are Fed in focus bracing for a series of events this week US rate-setters are set to sanction that could potentially cause waves in another quarter point interest rate markets. And, for once, they’re not direct- increase at the conclusion of their two- ly about US President Donald Trump. day meeting tomorrow, which will take From the expected launch of Britain’s the benchmark Fed rate up to a range of exit from the European Union to the 0.75 - 1.00 percentage point. That won’t Federal Reserve’s discussion of another be a surprise - it’s a near unanimous interest rate hike, there’s a lot that could opinion among experts in the markets cause volatility and even put a brake on following a raft of positive economic the so-called Trump Bump, the months- news, including last Friday’s stronger long rally in stocks. “This week is most than anticipated payrolls report. unusual from a macro point of view as There will be more interest in what there is a heavy concentration of ‘event Fed Chair Janet Yellen says in her subse- risk’,” said Neil MacKinnon, global macro quent press conference and whether she strategist at VTB Capital. Here are a few of will indicate that there are more hikes to the biggest events. come this year. “The expectations that the Fed will hike three times this year has Brexit begins? been rising in recent weeks and the mar- Brexit could become a binding, irre- ket will be watching the central bank’s versible fact this week. Since Britain vot- statement closely for any signs that ed to leave the EU last June, nothing another move could follow in June,” said happened apart from a sharp fall in the Jane Foley, a senior strategist at pound. But that period of calm is due to Rabobank International. end, with the government expected to The Fed isn’t the only central bank trigger, as soon as today, the formal meeting this week - the Bank of Japan, process by which the country leaves the the Swiss National Bank and the Bank of bloc it’s been part of since 1973. England will all reconsider their mone- Triggering the so-called Article 50 of tary policies, potentially moving markets. the EU treaty begins two years divorce negotiations. They will focus on how Dutch elections Britain leaves the bloc and on creating a In Europe, another key focus will be new trade deal with the EU, its main tomorrow’s general election in the export market. It’s unclear how big the Netherlands, and how well populist anti- market reaction may be to the EU forces do. The vote comes at a time of announcement of the Article 50. Traders acute tension between the country and will have come to expect it to happen Turkey after Turkish ministers were pre- eventually, which could mean the pound vented from campaigning in the doesn’t drop too sharply on the day. In Netherlands regarding a referendum in the longer-term, however, it means Turkey. That prompted Turkish President British markets will be subject to a daily Recep Tayyip Erdogan to claim that barrage of headlines on how the negotia- “Nazism is alive in the West.” tions are going. The question is how the clash will “It will prove challenging for the gov- play out in the election: will it boost ernment to manage expectations over a support for Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s two-year period, and negotiating setbacks conservative party or will it stir up more may be reflected in heightened financial support for the Party for Freedom, the market volatility,” said James McCormack, vehicle of anti-Islam populist Geert Global Head of Sovereign Ratings at Fitch. Wilders, who wants the Netherlands to And complications could arise, as evi- leave the EU? denced Monday by the decision from the Though Wilders is unlikely to be part Scottish government to call for another of any new government due to how the independence referendum from the electoral system works, the level of sup- United Kingdom. That is directly due to port he gets will be a gauge of populist June’s Brexit vote, when Scotland voted sentiment in Europe, where other key overwhelmingly to remain part of the EU. elections are due year. —AP Dollar steadies after 3 day fall; sterling hit

LONDON: The dollar recovered a foothold Friday, the market would take some money yesterday after its worst three days of loss- off the table and that duly occurred,” said es since early December, the impact of Neil Mellor, a currency strategist with Bank higher US market interest rates turning it of New York Mellon in London. “But the fun- positive on the day against both the euro damentals are still behind the dollar. A lot is and a basket of currencies. Sterling, along priced in but when you have a currency that with the Canadian dollar the worst major is outstanding in terms of yield, the selloff performer of the past fortnight against the was always going to be limited.” greenback, rose almost half a percent after By midday in London, the dollar had the devolved Scottish government recovered half a cent from lows hit in Asian demanded the right to hold a new referen- time to trade 0.2 percent higher on the day dum on independence. at $1.0657. The dollar index was also 0.1 But a gain of 0.2 percent for the dollar percent higher on the day at 101.36, some put an end to a wave of profit-taking that way off highs above 102 hit a week ago. has taken hold since last Thursday’s policy In a week expected to see Britain formal- meeting yielded hints the European Central ly lodge its request to leave the European Bank is starting to think more about how to Union, sterling initially fell on Scottish First react to an improving eurozone economy. Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s call for a new ref- Friday’s solid jobs number has still erendum on independence. cemented the case for a rise in US Federal But her timing of it - at earliest the end of Reserve rates this week that will long pre- next year, when Brexit negotiations are date any rise in the European equivalents, expected to be concluded - headed off the and long-term market rates are also far high- chance of another big political risk being er. Belgian central banker Jan Smets also added to what may prove a turbulent 12 told the Wall Street Journal that the ECB had months. “Sturgeon in the end did not say any- not taken a first step towards removing thing that changed what we had assumed stimulus. “There was also always the chance would happen sooner or later,” said a dealer that once we got a good payrolls number on with one bank in London. — Reuters TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 BUSINESS Celebrating 50 years of Mercedes-AMG success Half a century of driving performance MG - worldwide these three letters stand for supreme automotive per- Aformance, exclusivity, efficiency and highly dynamic driving pleasure. In 2017, the company founded by Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher celebrates its 50th anniversary. During the course of this half-century, Mercedes-AMG has recorded numerous successes, both in motor sport and through the development of unique road-going vehicles, thereby repeatedly underlining its position as a highly success- ful sports car and performance brand - and today this is truer than ever.

A flying start AMG - the names behind these three let- ters are at the starting point of the light- ning development from a two-man opera- tion into the global Mercedes-AMG Performance brand. The AMG letters stand for the names of the engineers and the

birthplace of engineer Aufrecht - A as in Aufrecht, M as in Melcher and G as in Gross- Aspach. Their story began in the 1960s: Engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher worked on the 300 SE racing engine in the development department at Daimler-Benz - until the company ceased all motor sports activities. In 1967, they found- quickly became some of the most sought AMG Mercedes 300 SEL 6.8. The heavy luxu- and the highest level of quality right down * Mercedes-AMG S 63 ed the “Aufrecht Melcher Grobaspach after for private racing teams. ry saloon duped the lighter-weight racing to the last detail. * Mercedes-AMG S 65 Engineering Bureau, Design and Testing for In 1971, the 24-hour race of Spa went car competitors - a perfect sensation, and In the framework of the “AMG * Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe the Development of Racing Engines”, based down in the company’s annals as its first the name AMG travelled the world. Performance 50” strategy, every new AMG * Mercedes-AMG S 65 Coupe in a former mill in the neighboring village sporting milestone: Class victory and sec- From the 70s until the end of the 90s model aspires to be the market leader in * Mercedes-AMG GT of Burgstall. The engines reworked there ond place in the overall ranking for the AMG built upon their exceptional reputa- terms of fuel consumption and emission * Mercedes-AMG GT S tion in the field of sports cars, and from levels. Many AMG vehicles are already * Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 there followed years of growth, in which today “best in class” in terms of fuel con- * Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 AMG equipped more and more Mercedes sumption, emissions, top power output * Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 models with performance technology. and torque. * Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Consistent evolution The latest generation of AMG models * Mercedes-AMG GLE 43 Coupe In 1990 a cooperation contract with available in Kuwait include: * Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe DaimlerChrysler AG was signed, followed * Mercedes-AMG A 45 * Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe by the acquisition in 1999 of a 51 percent * Mercedes-AMG C 43 * Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 majority shareholding in AMG, before final- * Mercedes-AMG C 63 * Mercedes-AMG G 63 ly becoming sole owner in 2005. Today, * Mercedes-AMG C 63 S * Mercedes-AMG G 65 Mercedes-AMG GmbH has a staff of over * Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe * Mercedes-AMG C 43 Cabriolet 1100 in Affalterbach. The endeavour to * Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe * Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet reach top performance, precision and effi- * Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe * Mercedes-AMG S 63 Cabriolet ciency is part of the professional self-con- * Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Coupe * Mercedes-AMG S 65 Cabriolet ception of AMG. Every AMG High- * Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 Coupe * Mercedes-AMG SL 63 Performance car promises exceptional per- * Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 S Coupe * Mercedes-AMG SL 65 formance, fascinating driving enjoyment * Mercedes-AMG E 63 S * Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 Oil prices drop Wanda aborts $1bn bid for as hedge funds head for the exit Golden Globes producer LONDON: Hedge funds and other money managers had barely started liquidating their record bullish posi- BEIJING: A $1 billion bid by China’s Wanda new restrictions to curb the outflow of money tion in crude oil futures and options before prices tum- Group for the operator of the Golden Globe into “irrational” investments. Commerce bled on March 8. The critical question is how much awards has been aborted, the US firm’s parent Minister Zhong Shan on Saturday kept up the more of the position will need to be liquidated before has said, following reports that it was sunk by criticism of overseas investments by Chinese the market stabilizes again. a Chinese clampdown on overseas invest- “companies with no strength or experience”. Hedge funds still held a net long position in the ments. The acquisitive Chinese property-to- “Some companies have already paid the three major Brent and WTI futures and options con- entertainment group had announced in price,” Zhong said during a press conference tracts amounting to 874 million barrels at the close of November it planned to buy Dick Clark at the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp business on March 7. Productions, the latest move into Hollywood legislature. “We not only discourage these Fund managers had reduced their net position by by a company from China. kinds of irrational investments, but we will 16 million barrels compared with the previous week But Eldridge Industries, the parent of Dick also be keeping watch on them.” Central bank and by a total of 77 million compared with the record Clark Productions, said in a statement issued governor Zhou Xiaochuan last week blamed of 951 million barrels set on Feb. 21. The net position in the United States on Friday that the deal the foreign investment wave on “overheated has been trimmed in the two weeks ending on March was terminated “after Wanda failed to honour emotions”, saying the government’s measures 7 but only after increasing by 529 million barrels in the its contractual obligations”. Eldridge have been “necessary and effective”. A $1 bil- previous 14 weeks. The net long position is still more Industries added that Dick Clark Productions lion financing deal between Paramount than double the low of 422 million barrels set in mid- is suing Wanda for funds it is contractually Pictures and two Chinese film companies, November before OPEC announced its production- owed upon “failure to consummate the sale”. Shanghai Film Group and Huahua Media, has cutting agreement. Reached by phone yesterday, a Wanda reportedly borne little fruit since it was Fund managers still held an overwhelming bullish spokeswoman declined to comment. Sources announced in January. position at the end of March 7, with long positions told Bloomberg News last week that Wanda December saw the collapse of Chinese outnumbering shorts by a ratio of 7:1. The near-record had struggled to move the money for the copper manufacturer Anhui Xinke New concentration of hedge fund long positions in oil sig- acquisition out of China. “It’s almost impossible Materials’ $350 million bid to buy Voltage nificantly raised the risk of a crowded trade and likely to use the yuan to invest in overseas projects,” Pictures, the producer of “The Hurt Locker”, Zhang Yichen, chief executive and chairman of shortly after it was announced. contributed to the sharp fall in the price of oil starting BEIJING: (FILES) This file photo taken on August 25, 2016 shows Chairman of China’s on March 8. Citic Capital Holdings, told Bloomberg News. Other overseas acquisitions reportedly “To say that capital controls don’t have any Wanda Group Wang Jianlin appearing on a big screen as he delivers a speech at an running into trouble include a Chinese con- The drop in prices started after the cut off for the annual business summit in Beijing. — AFP latest commitments of traders reports issued by the impact-it’s a lie. As a result, yuan funds can sortium’s purchase of Italian football titans AC U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and ICE only give up, and not invest (outside China).” recent “Batman” trilogy and “Jurassic World”, ‘Irrational investments’ Milan, which has been repeatedly delayed. Futures Europe. But the next reports, for the week end- Wanda, headed by one of China’s richest for $3.5 billion. Chinese firms went on a multi-billion-dol- China’s clampdown marks an about-face after ing March 14, are likely to show hedge funds liquidat- men, Wang Jianlin, is a commercial property The Dick Clark Productions deal would lar shopping spree last year, culminating in authorities had long urged companies to ed more long positions when they are published on developer that has diversified recently into have marked its entry into television produc- state-owned ChemChina’s pending $43 bil- seek better returns and technological know- March 17 and March 20. entertainment and sports, partly as a buffer tion. Dick Clark Productions’ eponymous lion bid for Swiss seed giant Syngenta. The how through overseas acquisitions. China’s against Chinese real-estate volatility. Wanda founder made his name presenting “American acquisitions stoked Chinese official concern direct overseas investment plummeted 35.7 Crowded trade bought AMC Entertainment Holdings-owner Bandstand” for more than 30 years. The com- over capital flight, reckless investments, slow- percent year-on-year in January, according to The sharp fall in prices that occurred on March 8 of US-based cinema chain AMC Theatres-for pany also owns the television rights to events ing domestic economic growth and a weak- official data, though the Lunar New Year busi- and continued on March 9-10 is consistent with the $2.6 billion in 2012 and last year acquired ranging from Miss America to the New Year ening yuan currency. ness slowdown during the month may also rush for the exits which occurs when a crowded trade Legendary Entertainment, makers of the countdown in New York’s Times Square. The government began last year to roll out have been a factor. — AFP breaks down (“Predatory trading and crowded exits”, Clunie, 2010). The rush normally starts shortly some- time AFTER prices have peaked and after a small num- Trump budget timeline mixes ber of traders have already started to shift their posi- tions (“Why stock markets crash”, Sornette, 2003). In this case, Brent prices reached a recent peak of deadlines and uncertainty $57.31 per barrel on Feb. 21, and the hedge funds’ net long position also peaked at 951 million barrels on the WASHINGTON: President Donald rowing authority looming, Treasury sion, the government would partially same date. Since then, there has been gentle liquida- Trump’s release of a spending blueprint Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would shut down. Democratic votes are need- tion of hedge fund positions and a barely perceptible for the upcoming budget year will set in use bookkeeping measures to avert a ed to pass the bill through the Senate, downward trend in prices. motion a debate that’s full of uncertainty first-ever government default on U.S. but any measure that satisfies Democrats This gentle exit by a small number of traders turned - and the potential for gridlock, even a obligations such as Social Security bene- is sure to alienate tea party Republicans. into a rush on March 8 in much the same way an ava- government shutdown. There’s also a fits and interest payments. Such “extraor- May: Trump reveals the remainder of lanche picks up momentum. more immediate quandary: What to do dinary measures” will buy time until the his budget, including tax proposals, Critically, some traders seem to have anticipated about the current budget year? None of fall for lawmakers to approve legislation plans for curbing mandatory spending, the market was close to a turning point, with the num- the 12 annual appropriations bills has increasing the debt limit. economic projections - and large deficits. ber of short positions rising from 102 million on Feb. been enacted and a temporary funding Thursday: Trump submits a budget Around the same time, Congress is likely 21 to 144 million on March 7. measure expires next month. Trump’s covering only discretionary spending. to work on its annual budget resolution, The absence of fresh hedge fund buying and the signature is needed on what promises to That’s the $1 trillion-plus portion of the which promises to be very difficult but is emergence of a small band of short sellers created a be an omnibus spending bill with a $1 $4 trillion federal budget that passes a precursor to Trump’s promise to over- liquidity hole and was likely responsible for the abrupt trillion-plus price tag. The path toward through Congress each year. Trump’s haul tax laws. drop in prices which started on March 8. passage may be rocky, given the political plan would boost the Pentagon’s budget Summer-Fall: The Republican-run The next commitments of traders reports, pub- land mines such as the southern border by $54 billion - about 10 percent - while Congress tries to advance spending bills lished on March 17 and March 20, will reveal how wall and a budget-busting supplemental cutting domestic programs and foreign for the 2018 budget year, which begins much of the remaining net long position was liquidat- Pentagon request. aid by an equal amount. Oct. 1. Meeting that deadline is highly ed between March 8 and March 10, and give some April 28: A temporary, government- unlikely, but at some point, budget talks LAWRENCEBURG: Senate Majority Leader Mitch idea of how much more needs to be liquidated before Some key dates in the process: wide funding bill expires. Unless probably will begin - assuming, as many McConnell, of Kentucky, speaks at the Anderson County prices steady again. — Reuters Early March: With Wednesday’s dead- Congress passes and Trump signs a do, that the regular process will have bro- Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the American Legion line to increase the government’s bor- catchall spending bill or another exten- ken down. — AP Post 34 in Lawrenceburg, Ky. — AP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 BUSINESS CREC launches business unit ‘edara’ for managing properties KUWAIT: The Commercial Real Estate their assets. Using expert experience and no Property management, Financial services, properties. Two of our new and most note- Company (Al-Tijaria) is proud to launch matter how small or large your property Policies & Procedures, IT solutions, Legal serv- worthy properties under edara manage- “edara”, our new property management portfolio, let edara help you grow and offer ices, Rent collection etc. Edara, the new ment is Cube Mall and Boulevard. service backed by years of experience and your clients a world class service. strategic business unit of Al-Tijaria backed by Cube Mall is one of the most prominent an exceptional team, it is now available for over 15 years of success, has the market malls located in Salmiya comprising of a all private property owners and commercial knowledge and expertise required empower- total of 79 units of restaurants, office space building owners. ing us to provide our clients with a first class and retail outlets. Boulevard - is amongst A pioneering vision of Abdulfatah M.R. property advisory service. This unique third one of the largest projects in Kuwait located Marafie - Chairman of the Commercial Real party asset management service will handle in Salmiya comprising of a total of 180+ Estate Company specified, “This initiative the day-to-day management and ensuring restaurants and retail outlets, outdoor facili- comes in line with Al-Tijaria’s strategic plan- our clients maximize value and minimize risk. ties such as Football fields, Cricket field, ning for expansion, development and Marafie added that Al-Tijaria has built a Tennis and Basketball courts and a park area investment”. With this new business unit, we distinguished longstanding expertise in for families and kids. aim to create an added value for landlords Edara is a multi-disciplinary practice with managing properties over the years, manag- Edara is available to the entire Kuwaiti and property honors in the State of Kuwait direct access to specialist advice providing ing its properties of more than 1,211 resi- market, offering complete services with full providing them with peace of mind and complete property management services to dential and commercial units. In addition to honesty and trust for property honors to responsibility in following up and managing its clients such as Facility management, managing more than 2,400 units for others Abdulfatah M R Marafie manage their assets. KFH wins 3 awards from EmeaFinance

KUWAIT: The prestigious EmeaFinance Magazine and its leadership in that field. Mandani said that has awarded Kuwait Finance House (KFH) Best the awards are of great importance, since such Islamic Bank in Kuwait, Best local Bank and Best awards affirm the integration of KFH perform- product launch awards, in recognition of its out- ance and the harmony with the value system. standing performance in the field of Islamic finance Emeafinance awarded KFH after editorial team and the distinguished achievement that con- evaluated all submissions received, and consid- tributed to the development of banking industry. ered the content and performance of all entries Group Chief Retail and Private Banking in each category submitted for. The editorial Officer, at KFH, Waleed Mandani stated on the team draws upon third-party information and sidelines of receiving the awards in the award data in the process. ceremony held in Dubai that KFH managed to The team may also review comments and rat- reinforce its role and expand its field of business ings from Moody’s, standard & poor’s, Fitch and in Kuwait and the globe, indicating KFH is the other third party rating agencies. The team seeks first Islamic bank in Kuwait, and it has a proven advice from bankers, research analysts, or other track record of achievements at the local, region- knowledgeable consultants. The awards consider al and global levels. various performance and structural factors, such KFH is eager to establish concrete pillars for as market share, growth in important product Islamic finance based on developing staff, offer- classes, type or size of successful deals closed, ing innovative services and products that meet profitability and corporate strategy. the market requirements, and strengthens the Emeafinance is a bi-monthly magazine dedi- concept of social responsibility. KFH’s perform- cated to the financial community, its customers, ance and professional commitment underscore and suppliers across the EMEA region; Europe, its reputation that is based on its financial status, Middle East, Africa. Honda Alghanim launches offer for Honda car lovers

KUWAIT: Honda Alghanim, the exclusive distrib- utor of Honda cars, motorcycles and marine equipment in Kuwait, launched an exclusive offer on its hero models, giving customers up to KD2,000 cash back, a three-year free mainte- nance contract, free car insurance and registra- tion services when buying the car during the month of March. The March offer enables customers to own the ideal car that suits their lifestyle and needs, giving them performance, style as well as a wide range of features at a competitive price and serv- ice offering. Whether looking for a practical car for everyday use, safety, reliability or design, the offer caters to students, families and profession- als alike. The offer avails on a wide carline range Mandani receiving the awards of Honda’s cars that include the Accord, Pilot UPAC reports earnings of 2017 cars as well as the Odyssey car and more. Accord 2017 the premium features throughout the interior Alghanim showrooms located in Al-Rai and The 2017 Accord has just been named one of and exterior of the vehicle. Shuwaikh. The Honda Alghanim showroom in KD 8.4 million for 2016 Card and Driver’s 10 best for the 31st time. The Al-Rai area operates from 9 am to 10 pm, signature Honda vehicle upholds a legacy that Odyssey Saturday to Thursday, and from 9.30 am until 10 KUWAIT: United Projects for Aviation Services will be a major retail, leisure and entertainment Honda started in 1976. With further design refine- Ranked among the best family cars, the pm on Fridays. The Shuwaikh showroom oper- Company (UPAC), a leading commercial real destination covering two million square feet. ments and even more efficient performance, the Odyssey is known for its safety, value, reputa- ates from 9 am to 10 pm. estate and facilities management company, yes- Accord 2017 is available as either a two-door tion, driving manners, comfort and convenience, The cars service center waiting lounge offers terday reported earnings of KD 8.4 million Company update coupe or a four-door sedan, and continues to cargo versatility, technology, and fit of various entertainment and comfort for customers, digi- (107.52 fils per share) for full-year 2016, an In September 2016, UPAC’s Extraordinary offer four- and six-cylinder engine choices. rear-facing and forward-facing child safety car tal satellite TV, free wireless internet and relaxing increase of 24 percent from the prior year. UPAC General Assembly approved a KD 30 million seats when choosing the vehicles that best meet massage chairs. revenue rose 3.6 percent to KD 13.2 million, increase in the Company’s authorized share capi- Pilot 2017 the needs of today’s families. Honda offers a Alghanim Motors, the exclusive distributor tal. This increase will serve to further boost UPAC’s The Pilot was designed to be stylish, useful larger carline range that caters to the different of Honda automobiles, motorcycles, power liquidity and support planned investments and and trouble-free when driving, with its sporty needs of audiences that can be viewed and test- products, and marine products in Kuwait, is growth opportunities within its core markets. and refined design redefining the modern family driven at the Honda Alghanim showrooms. committed to providing customers with flexi- In February 2017, UPAC’s Extraordinary SUV. The Pilot is built for comfort with seating for General Assembly approved the amendments to Customers can take any of these cars on a ble payment solutions and efficient and cost- its Company’s Articles to include a wider scope as many as eight persons, not compromising on test drive by visiting one of the two Honda effective services. of real estate activities to support its long-term growth strategy.

2016 financial highlights Discover how Ford’s parts depot Net profit:KD 8.4 million, up 24 percent from 2015 Earnings per share (EPS) of 107.52 fils, up 25 distributes from Dubai to Dakar percent from 2015 EBITDA: KD 9.8 million, up 5 percent from 2015 Revenue: KD 13.2 million, up 3.6 percent DUBAI: In 2011, Ford established a regional parts from 2015 distribution centre (PDC) in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone. Before it opened its doors in the UAE, it Outlook could take up to 90 days for a part requested by a UPAC CEO Nadia Akil “Our profits have increased steadily year- Ford dealer from the Middle East, to be handed 42,000 compared with KD 12.7 million in 2015. Growth over-year, and our strong showing in 2016 over. Nowadays, it can take as little as one day - The approximate number of different parts was driven by the company’s income-generating reflects UPAC’s commitment to improving effi- with a same-day emergency delivery service stored at the Dubai PDC. projects in Kuwait, where UPAC manages more ciency and cost in existing operations, as well as available - or up to a maximum of only nine days than 24,000 square meters of commercial space setting the stage for future expansion and for a vehicle to have its replacement part ready at the Kuwait International Airport, Sheikh Saad growth,” said Nadia Akil, CEO UPAC. “Growing to go to work, depending on the location. Terminal, and Discovery Mall. our customer base and expanding our presence Even more impressive is that within two days PartsartP s Distribution CCentreentre UPAC is also developing Reem Mall in Abu in the commercial real estate domain within of a dealer requesting a replacement part, it is 41,000, Dhabi in partnership with National Real Estate Kuwait and the wider GCC continues to be our located, packaged and invoiced, which equates The size in square-metresetr s Company (NREC) and has committed to invest main priority going forward, with the Reem Mall to the quickest turnaround in the region. For an that the PDC up to $224 million to support equity funding project offering an enormous opportunity for emergency order, however, it gets handled with- is expected to into the project. Upon completion, Reem Mall the company’s future growth.” need to house its in three hours, regardless of its final destination. operation within the nextt The approximate 42,000 different part numbers decade, increasing from in the UAE travel as far as the west coast of Africa the 22,000 sq-m it Burgan Bank plans to celebrate - to places like Dakar in Senegal, with a potential occupied in 2011. 85 per cent of those parts having arrived in the Mother’s Day with customers UAE, initially, direct from the affiliates in the KUWAIT: Burgan Banks delighted to The offer was designed to celebrate the United States. The United Kingdom accounts for but also the innovation required to best serve arrive in a cardboard box on a pallet, which is announce a special offer aiming to encour- valuable role of mothers and their contribu- a further 11 per cent, with the final four per cent Ford customers. The end result of these increased then taken from to be stock-kept in the racks or age its customers to honor their mothers on tions, sacrifices, and status in the society. of parts shipped to the UAE originating in efficiencies means most parts at the PDC don’t stored in drawers. Showcasing Ford’s desire to their special day, March 21. The Mother’s The promotion is valid for eight days Thailand, India and South Africa. have much of a literal shelf life. work efficiently, and ‘greener’, 100 per cent of Day offer designed exclusively for its cus- only, starting on March 14th until March On average, seven ocean containers arrive by “When a part is ordered by a dealer, it’s impor- the boxes and pallets are recycled to pack and 21st. This offer enables Burgan Bank cus- truck to Ford’s PDC each day, fully-loaded with tant to know that their technicians will probably redistribute parts to their new destination, prov- tomers to treat their mothers to something parts to be received, shelved, and accounted for. be required to perform some sub-assembly to go ing that corporate responsibility is high on special, such as a gift of Kuwait’s most The same day, an average of 15 trucks, some car- with that part before it is fitted to the vehicle. In Ford’s agenda, and sustainability plays a vital rying full ocean containers depart the facility, authentic aromas and bukhoors. some cases, it could be closer to 20 different role in the company’s plans. ready to distribute Ford service parts region- To avail this offer, Burgan Bank cus- parts, and not just one that might be needed”, Investing in a regional growing parts ware- wide. In 2011, the Ford PDC stood on 22,000 tomers can visit any of Atyab Al- said Erhan Yengulalp, Ford Dubai PDC Manager, house allows manufacturers to better manage its square metres of warehouse space. Currently its Marshoud stores across the country, use Parts, Service and Logistics. supply chain, and brings Ford closer to the cus- floor space is around 27,000 square metres, any Burgan Bank card and receive an “Consider a replacement door for example - tomer, with a keen eye on service. though plans are afoot to increase to an estimat- immediate 20 percent discount on their this one item requires many different component In Kuwait, Genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts ed 30,000 square metres in the next five years. total bill. Burgan Bank continues to parts,” Yengulalp explained. “Therefore the associ- are available at Alghanim Auto, the only importer Within the decade it’s projected that 41,000 engage in partnerships with its customers ated sub-assemblies will need the door panel, contractually authorised by Ford to sell new Ford square metres will be needed to cater for the hinges, door checker, weather strips, mouldings, vehicles, genuine Ford and Motorcraft parts, and that tie together privilege, value and ben- amount of parts passing through Dubai’s distri- door glass, run channels, door run-belts, door provide aftersales support to Ford and Lincoln tomers entitles them to a 20 percent dis- efit to make their journey with the bank bution centre. glass and door handles. Our ability to locate, customers in Kuwait. Customers looking for gen- count at Atyab Al-Marshoud; the renowned more enjoyable; a practice which stems Despite Ford demonstrating an exceptionally pack and invoice all those parts in a region-best uine Ford and Motorcraft parts can visit the Ford collector of the finest traditional Arabic fra- from the bank’s understanding and com- efficient downsizing in unique parts, year-on- time makes the Ford PDC one of the top per- Alghanim Service and Spare Parts Center in the grances and oil and a favorite retailer for mitments its customers’ needs. year regional sales growth of around 13 per cent forming supply chain services in the Middle East Shuwaikh Industrial Area, opposite from the women in general. Burgan Bank, under its To find out more about Burgan Bank’s has dictated the need for growing warehouse and North Africa.” Classical Car Museum and Sirbb Circuit. The consumer driven strategy, aims at nurturing latest promotions and offers, customers are floor space. The sales growth not only highlights The majority of the parts that are delivered Service and Spare Parts Center is open from 7am and highlighting the roles of its customers. urged to visit any of the bank’s branche. the PDC’s importance due to increased demands, to the Ford Parts Distribution Centre in Dubai to 7pm every day except Fridays. technology TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

Don’t tell your boss: How to stream March Madness tournament

NEW YORK: The 67-game March Madness basket- ting cable service might be cheaper. Streaming price either way. Sony’s PlayStation Vue is the your own challenge group with friends, family or ball tournament begins today, with many games devices are OK for watching, but there’s no grace only service to offer both Turner and CBS, but co-workers, or you can join an existing public taking place during the day when you’re, ahem, period. Games also will be available on individual only in selected markets. group. Yahoo, for instance, has groups organized supposed to be working. apps for TBS, TNT and truTV - again with a pass- The availability of CBS stations is impressive, around specific schools. ESPN is offering prizes , Fortunately for you - but not your bosses - all word. On desktops and laptops, the March Madness compared with other networks, but it’s short of including a trip to Hawaii. NCAA Tournament games will be available online. website will have a “boss button” on the upper right what CBS All Access offers. Sony says the 99 CBS sta- The NCAA’s official bracket challenge promises For many of the early round games, though, you’ll corner. One click replaces the game with a fake tions it has through Vue covers 60 percent of the to integrate links to live video streams from the need a password through your cable or satellite TV screenshot of a note-taking or PowerPoint-like app. U.S. population. tournament. There’s also an option to award bonus subscription. The television networks no longer points for correctly picking upsets. offer a stand-alone subscription you can buy with- No passwprd? Keeping up out cable. Consider subscribing to an online television If you subscribe through PlayStation Vue and There’s more package. If you want just the CBS games and don’t have a PlayStation 4 device, you can watch three Westwood One’s radio coverage of all games will Happy streaming have an antenna, you can get CBS All Access start- channels on the same screen at once. This means be available through the March Madness app on The best places to watch: ing at $6 a month. This service is required to watch you can keep up with games being televised simul- phones and tablets and the tournament’s website http://www.ncaa.com/marchmadness or the NCAA CBS games on a streaming TV device. taneously on different channels, or have a talk show on PCs - no password needed. No streaming TV March Madness Live app. All the games will be You can time the free week trial to watch the taking up one of the three streams. You choose devices. This year, live audio is also available on there, regardless of where they are televised. Final Four games on April 1 and the championship which stream gets the audio. If you’re watching Vue Amazon Alexa speakers, such as the Echo. Just ask CBS is televising 24 games, including the nation- on April 3, if that’s all you want. Make sure your on something other than the PlayStation 4, it’s just with a voice command. al championship and the Final Four. These games local station is included. one game at a time. On desktops and laptops, a shot-chart feature won’t require a cable or satellite password through CBS says it has deals covering more than 90 The March Madness app on Apple TV offers two will let you see where players made shots during a the app or website, but they are viewable only on percent of the US population, but that won’t help games simultaneously, one with audio. You can game, updated in real time. It’s an optional graphi- phones, tablets and computers - not streaming if you’re in that 10 percent. For the Turner chan- have multiple browsers open on some devices, or cal overlay over the live video stream, so you won’t devices such as Apple TV, Roku or Fire TV. nels, you can get Sling TV for $25 a month, you can just watch simultaneously on a phone and miss the action. You’ll need a password for the remaining games, DirecTV Now at $35 or PlayStation Vue for $30 or a personal computer. On Apple TV, March Madness fans will get a spe- which are split among the Turner-owned cable $40, depending on the market. All three offer cial navigation tool resembling the traditional channels - TBS, TNT and truTV. There’s a three-hour weeklong trials as well. For Sling TV, get the Raising the stakes NCAA bracket. Just click on the matchup you’re grace period on most devices. You could get some “Orange” package with the “Comedy Plus Extra” If your office isn’t doing a March Madness pool, interested in for stats, highlights and a link to the 40 devices to watch all the games for free, but get- add-on, or sign up for the “Blue” option. Same there are plenty of options online. You can set up full game. — AP Intel buying Israeli car tech firm Mobileye for $15bn

JERUSALEM: Intel will buy Israeli vehicles, with some expecting full car tech firm Mobileye for more autonomy within a few years. than $15 billion (14 billion euros), the companies said yesterday, in a ‘Data centres on wheels’ deal signalling the US computer Mobileye, whose speciality chip giant’s commitment to tech- includes systems for accident nology for self-driving vehicles. avoidance, has concluded an Israeli media reported that the agreement with Volkswagen on deal worth approximately $15.3 bil- road data technology as well. lion was the largest ever cross-bor- The Israeli firm was founded in der acquisition for an Israeli tech 1999. It has developed real-time firm. It comes with Intel and camera systems used to avoid acci- Mobileye previously collaborating dents with the help of algorithms with German automaker BMW to that interpret the data. develop self-driving cars. Its proprietary EyeQ5 computer Intel and Mobileye said they vision processor gets input from Sam Rejoy, H.E. Yeonchul Yoo and Abdull Rahman Al Babtain. expected to combine to become a the 360-degree surround view sen- global leader in “autonomous driv- sors as well as localisation. ing” that could provide the technol- Drivers may be familiar with its LG introduces its family-friendly ogy at a lower cost. system that warns when they are air conditioning solutions with “The combination is expected to approaching too closely to another accelerate innovation for the auto- vehicle or pedestrian. inverter technology for homes motive industry and position Intel Mobileye co-founder Ziv Aviram as a leading technology provider in said of the acquisition that “togeth- KUWAIT: LG Electronics (LG) along with most efficient solution available,” said Yong the fast-growing market for highly er, we will provide an attractive val- Exclusive distributor Al-Babtain Electronics Geun Choi, President of LG Electronics Gulf. and fully autonomous vehicles,” it ue proposition for the automotive has launched across Kuwait its latest state- “As the exclusive distributor of LG in said. “Intel estimates the vehicle industry.” “We expect the growth of-the-art, family-friendly residential air Kuwait, we are proud to bring the latest systems, data and services market towards autonomous driving to be conditioning (AC) solutions, equipped with technologies that LG introduces and make opportunity to be up to $70 billion transformative,” he said in the state- LG’s pioneering technological innovation them available for everyone in Kuwait. With by 2030.” Last year, BMW ment. “It will provide consumers known as ‘inverter technology.’ Now LG the new inverter technology in LG Air announced that it was joining with safer, more flexible, and less introduces the next generation of air condi- Conditioners, our customers in Kuwait will forces with Mobileye and Intel on a costly transportation options, and tioning solutions that ensures optimal cool- be able to enjoy a cool atmosphere in the self-drive project for “highly and provide incremental business mod- ing performance, energy efficiency, cleaner high summer heat of Kuwait,” said Sam fully automated driving” to be com- el opportunities for our automaker JERUSALEM: A combination of pictures taken in Jerusalem yesterday, air and durability unlike any other. Rejoy, Al Babtain Electronics General mercially available by 2021. customers.” The companies said the shows the logos of US computer chip giant Intel (top) and Israeli car During its just concluded two-day Manager. BMW announced in January it transaction, approved by the tech firm Mobileye. Intel will buy Mobileye for more than $15 billion (14 launch event, hosted in the city’s Radisson In a bid to introduce its most family would deploy 40 self-driving vehi- boards of both Intel and Mobileye, billion euros), the companies said, in a deal signalling the US computer Blu Hotel - LG guests included dealers, dis- friendly air solutions, LG showcased its cles for tests in the United States is expected to close within the next chip giant’s commitment to technology for self-driving vehicles. — AFP tributers, clients, ministry engineers and AC DUALCOOL inverter air conditioner that and Europe. nine months. contractors. Notable guests at the event works even up to 65C, thanks to its Dual In August, Mobileye and UK- “As cars progress from assisted work connectivity.” Israeli officials panies are located,” Israeli Economy included: The president of LG Electronics Inverter Compressor of which LG offers a based auto-equipment maker driving to fully autonomous, they were also touting the deal as a sign Minister Eli Cohen told army radio. Gulf - Yong Geun Choi, the General 10-year warranty so users can enjoy the Delphi said they were teaming up are increasingly becoming data of confidence in the country’s Intel has long had operations in Manager of RAC Sales Division, LG benefits of the LG DUALCOOL inverter air to develop an autonomous driving centres on wheels,” the statement high-tech sector-an industry that Israel, opening its first develop- Electronics Gulf - Changho Lee, the Board conditioner for longer periods of time. system which would be ready for said. “Intel expects that by 2020, has given it the nickname the ment centre in 1974. of Director of Al Babtain Group - Abdull Additionally, LG DUALCOOL maximizes vehicle-makers in 2019. autonomous vehicles will generate “start-up nation”. In 2014, the firm announced it Rahman Al Babtain, the Ambassador of the cooling performance, providing 60 percent Nearly all the major global 4,000 GB of data per day, which “What’s important now is that was to invest close to $6 billion in Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kuwait faster cooling and 20 percent more cooling. A automakers are involved in testing plays to Intel’s strengths in high- the production remains in Israel, upgrading its Israeli production - H.E Yeonchul Yoo, the General Manager of leader in energy efficiency, the LG DUALCOOL autonomous or semi-autonomous performance computing and net- where some 300 international com- facilities. — AFP Al Babtain Electronics - Sam Rejoy and the inverter air conditioner saves energy up to 65 Councillor of the Thailand Embassy in percent as compared with conventional air Kuwait - H.E Pisoot Suwanrasami. Guests conditioners. Another key feature the LG experienced first-hand LG’s newest air con- DUALCOOL, is that it offers a ‘Smart Diagnosis’, Rechargeable lithium-ion ditioning solutions and how this global which allows users to remotely and conve- leader in air conditioning is taking the niently check setup, installation, troubleshoot- industry’s first move in introducing inverter ing, and other information directly from a batteries come with risks technology air conditioners for homes smartphone via a SIMs module. across the nation. Additionally, LG DUALCOOL includes “LG always presents solutions with inno- LG’s exclusive Gold Fin coating, which NEW YORK: Rechargeable lithium batteries have vative technology at the core, technology forms a protective shield on the surface of become ubiquitous over the past decade, pow- that is carefully crafted and developed for the heat exchanger, making the surface ering our cellphones, computers and even some what matters most - the family. As we more resistant to corrosion while improv- cars. But they also carry the risk of intense fires, launch LG’s latest air conditioning solutions ing the overall durability of the heat which is a special safety concern when large with our innovative inverter technology in exchanger. Other key features include: numbers of batteries are shipped on planes. Kuwait today, we are proud that our solu- Comfort Sleep, Comfort Air, Dual Protection tions bring the best of LG to families across Filter, Quiet Cooling, Auto Cleaning, and WHY ARE LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES MORE the country. And with the support of our Smart Display, whereby users can check the DANGEROUS THAN OTHER BATTERIES? valued partners, we can continue to ensure status of the air conditioner more easily. Lithium batteries are popular because they families benefit from durable air condition- LG DUALCOOL is now available at all Al pack significantly more energy into a small pack- ers that also cool faster, better, and afford Babtain Electronics showrooms and retail age. But their chemistry makes them more likely the home the cleanest air possible and outlets across Kuwait. to catch fire under certain conditions because, unlike other rechargeable batteries, they contain a flammable electrolyte and are kept pressurized.

WHAT CAUSES THE BATTERIES TO CATCH FIRE? If the batteries have a manufacturing flaw, are damaged, are packed too closely together, are overcharged or are exposed to excessive tem- peratures they can overheat, causing a condition known as “thermal runaway.” That’s a situation in which an increase in temperature causes contin- uous further increases - a kind of uncontrolled positive feedback. If a single battery overheats, it can cause other nearby batteries to overheat and experience thermal runaway as well. The flammable electrolyte can also ignite.

Sam Rejoy, Yong Geun Choi, Abdull Rahman Al-Babtain, H.E Yeonchul Yoo and H.E WHY ARE LITHIUM BATTERY FIRES DIFFI- Pisoot Suwanrasami. CULT TO PUT OUT? Li-on battery fire temperatures have been measured up to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, which is close to the melting point of the aluminum used in aircraft construction. It’s possible to put out flames from battery fires with water, but the water doesn’t stop the thermal runaway and so the flames often return. Halogen fire suppres- sion systems in planes should be able to put out flames from a li-on battery fire, but the flames may return after the halogen gas is expended. Organization, a UN agency that sets interna- will self-ignite. The new rules apply only to Vented gases from the overheated batteries can tional safety standards, agreed last year to ban international flights. Countries must adopt the also cause an explosion capable of disabling the lithium battery shipments as cargo on passen- rules if they wish to extend them to domestic suppression system. ger planes and to require batteries shipped on flights. Battery manufacturers opposed the cargo planes be no more than 30 percent new regulations, saying the risk was overstated WHAT’S BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? charged. Authorities hope that decreasing the and the requirements would disrupt supply H.E Pisoot Suwanrasami, H.E Yeonchul Yoo and Yong Geun Choi. The International Civil Aviation energy in the batteries will reduce the risk they chains. — AP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE

Portuguese start-up aims to revolutionize physical rehabilitation industry LISBON: When Virgilio Bento’s brother Progress reports are sent through the iotherapy required for serious conditions difficult and expensive visits to a physio- form, will cost one tenth of physiothera- had to go to Cuba 20 years ago to cloud to a remote physiotherapist, who like stroke. Alternatives, like robotics, are therapist at a clinic. It has taken years to py. “At the end of each exercise the receive cheap physiotherapy as he can alter the exercises by sending instruc- vastly more expensive. “There aren’t refine and adapt, relying on unique sen- results appear, how many times I did the recovered from a life-threatening car tions back to the tablet for the patient to enough therapists and the numbers sor technology and the latest advances movements, how many medals I won,” crash back home in Portugal, he did not see. “It’s not magic, it’s simple,” said Bento, (who need them) are only going to go in cloud computing. Initial results show said Alvaro, 56, who has used the system know it would inspire an innovation. explaining how his system could mark a up (as populations age),” said Tom 93 percent of patients improved their after hip surgery. “There is virtual com- Now, after developing technology that sea change by dramatically reducing the Paprocki, managing director of the inno- motor performance using the exercises pensation if you do the exercises well, it’s uses body sensors and artificial intelli- cost of physical rehabilitation and making vation and technology center at Direct provided by the system. kind of fun and ends up being a bit of a gence for his doctorate in electronic it affordable to millions. “I saw first hand Supply, America’s leading provider of The yearly estimated cost of treating game as well.” engineering, Bento aims to transform very vividly the challenges that my par- equipment and services to senior homes. and caring for stroke survivors - where Bento won a development grant of 1 the way victims of strokes and accidents ents faced to provide intensive physical “This kind of technology will help bridge Bento has concentrated his research - is million euros from the European Union physically recover. The Stroke Wearable rehabilitation,” he said. “I thought to that gap.” 30 billion euros ($32 billion) in Europe in 2014 under a program for technology Operative Rehabilitation Device myself ‘ok this is a huge challenge that Paprocki has vetted 1,400 technology and 57 billion euros in the US, according models promising to “ultimately disrupt (SWORD) provides an exercise program nobody is looking at, nobody is trying to start-ups in the sector and says Bento’s to a report provided by Bento’s company existing markets.” He has raised 1 million on a tablet computer, which gives solve, I will try to solve it’.” system is in the top five. Bento’s idea is to the European Commission. Bento says euros from private investors and is now instructions to a patient, whose move- The market place for medical technol- simple-to offer patients physical, interac- his system, which gives patients immedi- launching another financing round of 3 ments are monitored by sensors ogy is exploding, but few solutions have tive rehabilitation in the comfort of their ate feedback and a score on the number million euros as he rolls out SWORD in strapped to the body. been designed to aid the intensive phys- own home by getting rid of the need for of right and wrong movements they per- the US market. —Reuters

SANYA, HAINAN, China : Elderly people practice their daily exercises by dancing in Sanya, Hainan province. —AFP photos Sun-seeking retirees flock to ‘China’s Florida’ ‘Here we can breathe, and that warmth is better for our health’

SANYA, China: Blessed by palm- family to join them, creating a “snow- golf courses and luxury residential population doubles in winter. Real- fringed beaches and balmy weather, ball effect,” Huang said. Recreational complexes as local authorities aim to estate costs also have soared as some the island province of Hainan is fast centers with features aimed at the attract both foreign and domestic wealthier pensioners buy apartments. becoming known as “China’s Florida,” elderly, such as mahjong tables, have tourist dollars. The retirees from More than 70 percent of apartment- drawing masses of retirees fleeing the mushroomed. “Ping-pong, billiards, northeastern China do not fit this pro- buyers in Hainan in 2015 did not live biting cold of their hometowns. “At chess, calligraphy, painting or com- file: the overwhelming majority shop on the island, according to official fig- home in Harbin, it (can be) -30 degrees puter science” are among the offer- in local markets rather than in shiny ures. Hospitals are also struggling to (-22 Fahrenheit), it’s unbearable! But ings on display, said the director of new malls, and prefer to play cards cope with an explosion in demand here the climate is perfect,” said a 71- from the ageing “migratory birds.” year-old pensioner who gave only her “The situation has evolved so sud- surname, Wang. Hailing from the capi- denly that we have to allow time for tal of the polluted, frigid, rust-belt local infrastructure to adapt,” said An province of Heilongjiang on the Honglian, director of the Yihe service Siberian border, Wang and her hus- center. The Sanya-based Buddhist band have migrated each winter to the non-profit helps retirees with practi- Hainan resort town of Sanya for the cal problems from plumbing issues past eight years. “Here we can breathe, to health concerns. An said the flood and that warmth is better for our of pensioners to warmer destina- health,” said Qi Ningxia, a 60-year-old tions will only intensify as China’s asthma-sufferer from Heilongjiang, population ages. China has more who joined Wang in waving brightly than 212 million people over the age coloured fans in a group exercise- of 60, who will represent 25 percent dance near the shore of the South of the population by 2030, according China Sea. to the National Bureau of Statistics. “And we find so many people Other southern provinces like here from our province! We are sure Yunnan and Guangxi also are wit- we will not be bored,” Qi said. nessing an increase in the number of Between 600,000 and 700,000 elder- elderly migrants. ly descend on Sanya every winter, Wang, the Heilongjiang pension- almost doubling its population, said one such center who only gave her instead of golf. One-third of the pen- er, is so convinced of the benefits of Huang Cheng, a sociologist at Sanya surname Zhang. sioners who winter in Sanya-many her winter sojourn that she persuad- University. Nearly half of these retired steel, petroleum and mine ed her son and grandchildren to join “migratory birds”, as they are called, Pressure on locals workers-rely on limited monthly her in Hainan for the Lunar New Year come from the northeastern Hainan island itself was once a income of 2,000-3,000 yuan ($290- holiday in late January, overturning a provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin and remote outpost, a place of exile for $435), while one-quarter receive even Chinese tradition of spending it in Liaoning. The trend began in 2000 as criminals and disgraced scholars, and less, according to sociologist Huang. one’s hometown. “But here, there is residents of those provinces began Sanya merely a secluded, backward The influx has put pressure on bracing sea air. It’s good for the SANYA, HAINAN, China: Elderly people practice their daily exercises by buying Sanya apartments, opening fishing village. Today, Sanya is home local residents, who have to contend health of the whole family,” she dancing in Sanya, Hainan province. businesses and luring friends and to a Club Med resort, yacht marinas, with surging food prices when the explained. —AFP

Belgium’s Tigenix says, heart attack stem cell trial successful Paris mayor to spend 1.5m

BELGIUM: Belgian biotech group Tigenix said yesterday its medical trial with a Nepal reports euros for ‘war on rats’ novel treatment for patients at risk of severe H5N8 bird heart failure after a coronary attack was PARIS: The mayor of Paris said ness and waste management...and failure to keep the streets clean was bags designed to avert terror successful. The group said patients treat- flu on farm: OIE Sunday the city would spend 1.5 the situation has improved,” she also a major sticking point for resi- attacks by making it harder to hide ed in its PhaseI/II trial of donor-derived million euros ($1.6 million) to rid the said. “But it is clear that Paris is not dents, as a scathing commentary at explosives in them. expanded cardiac stem cells (AlloCSC) NEPAL: Nepal has reported firmed French capital of rats and install yet perfectly clean.” “I want to speed the time in the conservative daily Le The Republican group on the showed no side-effects and all of them an outbreak of severe H5N8 bird flu more public ashtrays to clean up the up, increase efforts. It is a top priori- Figaro targeting the eco-friendly Council of Paris however scoffed at continued to live after 30 days, six on a poultry farm in the Koshi city’s streets. In an interview with ty,” she said. “In a civilized city, mayor revealed. Hidalgo’s measures. “Anne Hidalgo months and a year. region, the World Organisation for Journal du Dimanche weekly, Mayor cleanliness must be everybody’s “New in the Parisian cityscape: is attempting to short-circuit her Tigenix added that in one subgroup of Animal Health (OIE) said yesterday, Anne Hidalgo unveiled a 10-point responsibility,” she said, calling for a filthy streets because of the total opposition by announcing as of trial patients associated with a poor long- citing a report from the Nepalese plan aimed at making cleanliness a change in the mindsets and habits and persistent disarray in the now certain placebo measures, but term outlook, there was a larger reduction authorities. “priority”. The measures include of residents. “In Tokyo, everything is cleaning services,” wrote author there is absolutely nothing new,” in the size of infarction, tissue death due The virus killed 3,650 of the increasing the number of sanitation clean and yet there are no dustbins and politician Serge Federbusch, said the group. The Republicans to inadequate blood supply. “This is the 6,200 hens exposed, with the workers and health inspectors, because people wait to get home describing the situation as said an investigative commission expanding the hours for garbage before throwing their waste.” “Hidalchaos”. In announcing the will begin to study the city’s cleanli- first trial in which it has been demonstrat- remaining animals culled, the Paris- ed that allogeneic cardiac stem cells can pickup, and urging restaurants and Paris had come under fire in 1.5-million euro anti-rodent cam- ness problem in May, suggesting based OIE said. Nepal had already buildings to provide more ashtrays December for allegedly dragging its paign, Hidalgo said the city would that only then can the city come up be transplanted safely through the coro- reported last month an outbreak of nary tree,” one of the doctors in the trial at entrances and exit points. feet before it launched what has buy new traps for the rats and sur- with the right policies to “know how highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu Municipal workers collect more been dubbed its “war on rats”. Most round some of the city’s 30,000 to remake Paris” into “a clean city”. said. The group said it would now analyze among backyard chickens and than 150 tons of cigarette butts of the criticism was centered on rubbish bins with wooden or The Journal du Dimanche said the data from the trial and decide on how ducks. —Reuters every year in Paris. “We already allot Hidalgo and the city’s environmen- Plexiglass bases. The bins are cur- cleanliness “is the city’s manage- to proceed with its research. —Reuters 500 million euros a year for cleanli- tal health services chief. The city’s rently lined with flimsy plastic ment weak point”. —AFP TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE Humans to blame for bulk of Arctic sea ice loss

PARIS: Natural changes in the environment are induced global warming, has been fiercely debate. findings do not call into question whether human- predict-they underestimated the contribution of nat- responsible for about 40 percent of Arctic sea ice The new study concluded that up to 60 percent of induced planet warming has contributed to Arctic ural drivers. Models for future predictions will have to be loss, while humans are to blame for the rest, a cli- sea ice decline since 1979 was caused by summer- sea-ice loss. adapted, according to the findings published in the jour- mate study said yesterday. The paper, based on time changes in atmospheric circulation. About 70 nal Nature Climate Change. Last month, US government model simulations of different climate conditions, percent of the air flow changes, in turn, were the ‘Not good news’ scientists said Arctic sea ice cover in January was 1.26 was a rare attempt to quantify the relative contribu- result of natural variability, not human-caused cli- “Realizing that humans have caused 50-70 percent million square kilometers (487,000 square miles) — 8.6 tions of humans and Nature to the dramatic decline mate change. of the decline is not good news,” said Twila Moon, a percent below the 1981-2010 average. This was the and could have a major impact on future research Taken together, this meant that between half lecturer in Cryospheric Sciences at the University of smallest January extent since records began in 1979 and into Arctic ice lost. Understanding all causes of the and two-thirds the sea ice decline was attributable Bristol. “Continuing to put carbon dioxide and other 100,000 square miles smaller than the previous low sea ice retreat is crucial for accurately projecting the to climate change, said the American team. Natural emissions into the atmosphere is having a direct neg- recorded in 2016. Sea ice, floating slabs of frozen ocean rate of future loss, and trying to slow it. variability, on the other hand, “dominates the Arctic ative impact on the Arctic, including sea ice,” she said water which grow in winter and melt in summer, pro- Scientists have long accepted that natural summer circulation trend and may be responsible via the Science Media Centre in London. Chris Rapley, vides an essential platform for hunters-humans and changes in the environment, such as atmospheric for about 30-50 percent of the overall decline in a professor of climate science at University College bears alike and helps moderate the climate by reflecting air circulation, were at least partly responsible. But September sea ice since 1979,” they said. London, said the study helped explain why Arctic sea the Sun’s rays. The region is warming at about twice the its relative contribution, and that of human- Commentators not involved in the study said its ice was disappearing faster than most climate models global average rate. —AFP Flipping happy: Coin swallowing Thai turtle on the mend

BANGKOK: A sea turtle dubbed ‘Piggy Bank’ for swallowing nearly 1,000 coins took swimming lessons yesterday as she embarked on a rehabili- tation program following the removal of the treasure trove by Thai surgeons. The hapless rep- tile underwent a seven hour operation in Bangkok last week to remove five kilograms (11 pounds) of coins from her digestive tract-good luck pennies thrown into the pool she swam in. The story of her plight and successful operation went viral, with headlines around the world. Yesterday the 25-year-old turtle, called ‘Omsin’ (Piggy Bank), paddled around a small pool with BANGKOK: Nantrika Chansue (right), a veterinarian in charge of Chulalongkorn relative ease. hospital’s aquatic research center, examines a sea turtle dubbed “Piggy Bank” Nantarika Chansue, a vet in charge of at the Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal Research Center. Chulalongkorn hospital’s aquatic research cen- ter, said she was overjoyed by just how much movement Omsin had gained in her flippers since the operation. “Before this she didn’t use her left side at all, because every time she moved it probably made it painful,” she told AFP, as her patient splashed around. “Look at her now, she’s fully using all the limbs very effective- ly.” The troubled reptile lived for two decades in a small public park in Chonburi Province. Visitors tossed coins into her pond seeking to ‘make merit’ or good luck. Nantarika said the international media reports have had the added BANGKOK : Nantrika Chansue (right), a veterinarian in charge of Chulalongkorn hos- bonus of making Thais think twice about throw- pital’s aquatic research centre, examines a sea turtle dubbed “Piggy Bank” at the ing coins into ponds where animals live. Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal Research Center in Bangkok yesterday, days after “Because of this, all the ponds that I know they she removed coins lodged in her belly. —AP photos are cleaning up their ponds, pulling out all the coins, putting signs up that there is no throwing will teach her how to swim and then how to Asked whether she will know how to swim in the coins,” she said. dive-a task that requires her to build up lung deep blue, Nantarika replied: “Of course. It’s like BANGKOK: A sea turtle dubbed “Piggy Bank” comes up for air while swim- Chulalongkorn vets say they hope Omsin will strength. Then they will take her for swims in us being in prison for twenty years, you know, ming in a small sea water pool at the Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal one day be able to return to the sea given she the ocean using a specially designed “turtle- we still know how to live our lives, so I believe Research Center. could easily live for another 60 years. First they leash” that allows researchers to reel her back in. that the best way is to let her go.” —AFP Scientists race to prevent wipeout of world’s coral reefs

SOUTH ARI ATOLL, Maldives: There were star- halt global warming now, scientists still expect Europe or Australia, you should be concerned,” tling colors here just a year ago, a dazzling array of that more than 90 percent of corals will die by said biologist Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, director of life beneath the waves. Now this Maldivian reef is 2050. Without drastic intervention, we risk losing the Global Change Institute at Australia’s dead, killed by the stress of rising ocean tempera- them all. “To lose coral reefs is to fundamentally University of Queensland. “This is not just some tures. What’s left is a haunting expanse of gray, a undermine the health of a very large proportion of distant dive destination, a holiday destination. This scene repeated in reefs across the globe in what the human race,” said Ruth Gates, director of the is the fabric of the ecosystem that supports us.” has fast become a full-blown ecological catastro- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. And that fabric is being torn apart. “You couldn’t phe. The world has lost roughly half its coral reefs be more dumb ... to erode the very thing that life in the last 30 years. Scientists are now scrambling Medical research depends on - the ecosystem - and hope that you’ll to ensure that at least a fraction of these unique Coral reefs produce some of the oxygen we get away with it,” Hoegh-Guldberg said. ecosystems survives beyond the next three breathe. Often described as underwater rain- Corals are invertebrates, living mostly in tropi- decades. The health of the planet depends on it: forests, they populate a tiny fraction of the ocean cal waters. They secrete calcium carbonate to Coral reefs support a quarter of all marine species, but provide habitats for one in four marine build protective skeletons that grow and take on as well as half a billion people around the world. species. Reefs also form crucial barriers protecting impressive colors, thanks to a symbiotic relation- “This isn’t something that’s going to happen coastlines from the full force of storms. They pro- ship with algae that live in their tissues and pro- 100 years from now. We’re losing them right now,” vide billions of dollars in revenue from tourism, vide them with energy. But corals are sensitive to said marine biologist Julia Baum of Canada’s fishing and other commerce, and are used in med- temperature fluctuations, and are suffering from University of Victoria. “We’re losing them really ical research for cures to diseases including cancer, rising ocean temperatures and acidification, as quickly, much more quickly than I think any of us arthritis and bacterial or viral infections. well as from overfishing, pollution, coastal devel- NEW CALEDONIA: File photo shows coral bleached white by heat stress in ever could have imagined.” Even if the world could “Whether you’re living in North America or opment and agricultural runoff. —AP New Caledonia. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

Celebrate Motherhood at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa Plan the perfect Mother’s Day surprise

umeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, General Manager Hakan Petek said, “Each tic Italian specialties. Pepper Steakhouse Kuwait’s idyllic resort, is treating moth- year, we take this opportunity to honor and offers premium meat cuts and Smoked Jers to a memorable retreat on the occa- express our appreciation for mothers in House Specials and Salt Seafood and sion of Mother’s Day on March 21st. For Kuwait and around the world. We always International Restaurant presents Live bookings of four persons and above in any enjoy celebrating Mother’s Day, and our Lobster Specials with a variety of exquisite of the hotel’s award-winning restaurants, idyllic resort provides the ideal way for dishes. Garden CafÈ offers internationally- mothers will enjoy complimentary dining on guests to commemorate this special occa- inspired cuisines with Turkish Nights every the day. At Talise Spa, a tailored Mother’s sion with their families.” Monday, Southern American Barbeque Renewal Package offers 90-minute of wel- The luxurious resort offers an array of din- every Wednesday, Asian Nights every coming foot ritual, bespoke massage and a ing options: its Italian-inspired dining venue, Thursday, and the Amazing Friday Brunch rejuvenate facial for KD 75. Olio Restaurant, is a great choice for authen- for families.

umeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa welcomes you to celebrate the famous Southern American Barbeque in Garden Cafe Restaurant, with ribs, tantalizing briskets, and steaks all smoked to perfection over oakwood, and that every Wednesday from J7:00 pm to 11:30 pm. It also welcomes you to savor authentic Turkish cuisine from griddled meats to aromatic desserts specially prepared by the hotel’s Turkish chefs, and that every Monday, from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm. Al-Thuraya City appoints new director of sales and marketing

l-Thuraya City Kuwait hotels and Holiday Inn Kuwait Al-Thuraya the position of Director of Sales and have appointed Zaid Mashini as City. Mashini’s appointment is part of a Marketing for Crowne Plaza Muscat. In Aits new Director of Sales and strategic drive to reinforce and this role, he was responsible for han- Marketing. Mashini, a seasoned hote- strengthen Al-Thuraya City hotels com- dling the Sales and Marketing opera- lier, is expected to bring his unparal- mercial initiatives in the increasingly tions. Boasting far-reaching experience leled expertise to the role, as he devel- competitive hospitality market. in the intercontinental hotels, Mashini ops the domestic and international With more than 12 years’ experi- has gained experience at the following sales and marketing strategy for ence in the hospitality industry and 5 prominent luxury brands: Hilton, Zaid Mashini Crowne Plaza Kuwait Al-Thuraya City, years with IHG, Mashini previously held Meridien and Marriott hotels.

Managing Director Engineer Ghosson Al-Khaled Special offer at Palms Beach Hotel and Spa

he Palms Beach Hotel and Spa the Beach Club Promotion, and Kids’ campaign, which succeeded to reach a On the other hand, The Managing ments trained on the major campaign launched an informative hotel facili- Birthday packages additional to orchid wide range of companies, which made an Director Engineer Ghosson Al-Khaled goals. The campaign runs in four days that Tties campaign, targeting the private Spa services. effective role on communicating and assured that this campaign was well enabled the hotel team to visit most of companies stated in Kuwait. The said The Director of Sales and Marketing maintaining the rapport by providing cer- organized; starting by planning the aimed companies located in different gover- campaign includes lot of information Ahmed El Dackrouri applauded with the tain information about the hotel services target, while well informed staffs were norates in Kuwait while supported the about the special room rates, BBQ offer, positive reaction gained by launching the and facilities. prepared from the entire hotel depart- companies with the available packages. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

Costa Coffee - Al-Ghanim joins and sponsors Taste of Q8’s Food Festival

ollowing Costa Coffee’s success at Taste opportunity for Costa Coffee to show off their cheeses, the delicious Granola and Raspberry be representing Costa Coffee. The internation- and coffee that’ll keep you warm at Costa of Q8 Food Festival 2016, Costa Coffee is delicious offerings and genuine hospitality. Compote mix and much more. Pass by for a al award-winning chefs will represent Al- Coffee. We’re more than excited to see you and Fexcited to join the Taste of Q8 Food Not only that, but Costa Coffee has decided to taste of London’s best coffee in the heart of Ghanim’s Food and Beverage Industry and serve you all out there. Festival again this year. The Taste of Q8 Food join the Taste of Q8’s Food Festival as a Gold Kuwait. prove strength amongst other competitor Costa Coffee welcomes you to any of its 33 Festival is the largest ever of its kind in Kuwait. Sponsor alongside some others. During the Festival, there will be a Celebrity brands. Take the chance to meet the best stores across Kuwait to enjoy the ultimate cof- It is all about food, drinks and more food! The Costa Coffee will not only be offering its Chef demonstration happening every 30 min- worldwide chefs out there. fee experience and meet the talented baristas success of the taste of Kuwait has bought in handcrafted coffee’s and flavored latte’s, but utes where live interactive demos will be con- We are proud to announce that we will be behind it. Keep up with Costa’s promotions, about 40,000 attendees in the previous years, also the recently introduced sandwiches ducted. Chef Annabel Karmel, UK’s No.1 chil- hosted by the Boulevard in Salmiya on the launches and all other entertaining and sounds like it’s not another weekend to be including the Halloumi sandwich in Zaatar dren’s cookery author and “mumpreneur”, chef 16th, 17th, and 18th of March 2017 from 10 engaging activities on Instagram, Twitter and missing out on this year! Ciabatta bread, mouthwatering Gourmet Dean Brettschneider an award-winning am to 10 pm. Please come and join us and Facebook accounts at the following: As this is a popular event, it is a great Toastie that comes with a blend of premium author, TV presenter and bakery founder will enjoy the wide variety of delicious sandwiches @costakuwait. Wendy’s - Al-Ghanim joins and sponsors Taste of Q8’s Food Festival

ollowing the years of success, Al- place every 30 minutes where live announce that we will be hosted by Ghanim Industries proudly interactive demos will be conducted. the Boulevard in Salmiya on the 16th, Flaunched the opening of Wendy’s Chef Tarek Ibrahim, a current Chef for 17th, and 18th of March 2017 from 10 in January 2017 where food enthusi- meat and livestock in Australia, and am to 10 pm. Please come and join and asts and fans awaited the grand open- also known as the former Primer Chef be part of our success. ing with anticipation. We aim to fulfill of America will be representing Wendy’s is also happy to welcome our customers’ anticipation by being Wendy’s. you at our flagship location in Salmiya, part of the Taste of Kuwait as it is the Wendy’s will be offering its famous Blajat street to enjoy scrumptious largest festival of it is kind in Kuwait. mouthwatering Dave’s Single and Fries, burgers, mouthwatering appetizers Wendy’s decided to join the Taste of and Frosty to satisfy both your sweet and salads and our famous Frosty. Kuwait with a Chef representative that tooth and kids. Hurry up and try the Follow us @wendyskuwait Instagram will be present at the Celebrity Chef true Aussie beef of Wendy’s if you and Facebook accounts for more demonstration. This program will take haven’t so already! We are proud to details.

Grand Cinemas Kuwait uses the force and rolls out the red carpet for Star Wars legend CP-30 actor honored at glittering ceremony

he force was with Grand Cinemas as the region’s where they posed for photographs and interacted with fastest-growing cinema chain welcomed a fans before heading inside the theater for lunch with a host THollywood A-Lister on the red carpet for the very first of distinguished members of the media. Daniels, who also time In Kuwait! Anthony Daniels, famous for playing the starred in TV spin-offs of the iconic Star Wars movies, was Droid C-P30 in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, was the lead guest honored by ‘HYK Events.’ As a cherry on top, the event was at a star-studded buffet Lunch and screening at Grand sealed with an MX4D screening of the latest Comic block- Cinemas Al-Hamra Luxury Center this Saturday. buster ‘Logan.’ English actor Daniels was joined by actor and director Isaac Fahed, of Grand Cinemas, said: “ Grand Cinemas Johnny Cruz, who starred in 2011 movie ‘Small Timers’ and has always been home of the stars and Celebrities, and 2014 TV series ‘Matador’, alongside the Japanese actor and now we’re thrilled and honored to have a Hollywood Icon producer Gaku Space, known for his roles in ‘Street Fighter: such as Anthony Daniels in our theater. This is a first in Assassin’s Fist’ and ‘Overwatch’ (2016), and addition to a Kuwait, and certainly not the last. Events like these are handful of International Comic celebrities, nation’s Public what make us stay true to our mission and slogan ‘Always Figures and VIPs for the history-writing event at Grand Entertaining,’” Fahed said. Earlier in the day, Daniels, Space Class Lounge. and Cruz attended the Comic Con event, a yearly celebra- The trio walked down the red carpet at the cinema, tion of popular culture and Cosplay in Kuwait. Friends of KDD celebrate their 7th Anniversary

riends of KDD (Kuwait Danish Dairy Company) conduct- ed their seventh Annual Day Celebrations in Farwaniya FIdeal Auditorium and it was inaugurated by Former President of Indian Doctors Forum Dr Ameer Ahmed. The function was presided over by the President V Rasheed. Swanthanam President Raveendran, Badr Al-Samaa Group Managing Director Abdul Latheef, KDD Budgeting and Inventory Manager Krishnan Venkatraman, Production Manager Nayeem Shahzad, Koya Valappil, Navas, and Anvar KPB gave felicitation speeches. CIGI Trainer Afsal Ali presented a class for the members. During the function they launched their souvenir by handing over by Krishnan Venkatram to Dr Ameer Ahmed. General Secretary N Shankarlal presented the annual report and Sunil Kumar presented the financial Report. Raheem C wel- comed the gathering and Mahmood Perumba casted the vote of thanks. TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 TV PROGRAMS

05:05 How It's Made 04:35 Loopdidoo 19:55 K.C. Undercover 19:45 Coronation Street 05:30 Dirty Jobs 04:50 Calimero 20:20 Kickin' It 20:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 06:20 Mythbusters 05:05 Art Attack 20:45 Mighty Med 21:00 Murdoch Mysteries 07:00 Dick 'n' Dom Go Wild 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 21:10 Danger Mouse 21:55 Brief Encounters 07:25 Awesome Adventures 05:45 Zou 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 22:50 Emmerdale 00:00 REC 3 Genesis 07:50 Bondi Vet 06:00 Art Attack 21:45 Marvel's Avengers Assemble 23:15 Coronation Street 01:45 Con Air 08:40 How It's Made 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 22:10 Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man vs 23:40 Coronation Street 03:45 Navy Seals: The Battle For New 09:05 How It's Made 06:45 Loopdidoo The Sinister 6 Orleans 09:30 Prototype This 07:00 Zou 22:35 Boyster 05:30 Ant-Man 10:20 Mythbusters 07:15 Calimero 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA 07:30 I Am Number Four 11:10 Bondi Vet 07:30 Loopdidoo 09:30 Con Air 12:00 Bear Grylls: Born Survivor 07:45 Henry Hugglemonster 11:30 Seventh Son 12:50 How It's Made 08:00 Minnie's Bow-Toons 00:00 Hangar 1: The UFO Files 13:30 Ant-Man 13:15 How It's Made 08:05 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 01:00 Patton 360 15:30 Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV 13:40 Dirty Jobs 08:15 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 02:00 Cities Of The Underworld 17:30 Die Hard 14:30 Dick 'n' Dom Go Wild 08:30 Miles From Tomorrow 00:05 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 03:00 America's Book Of Secrets 19:45 Golden Eye 14:55 Awesome Adventures 08:45 Goldie & Bear 00:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 03:50 Ancient Aliens 22:00 Divergent 15:20 Mythbusters 08:55 The Lion Guard 01:50 E! News 04:40 Pirate Treasure Of The Knights 16:10 Prototype This 09:20 PJ Masks 02:50 Hollywood Cycle Templar 17:00 Guinness World Records 09:35 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 03:45 Hollywood Cycle 05:30 Hangar 1: The UFO Files Smashed New Zealand 09:50 Doc McStuffins 04:40 Hollywood Cycle 06:20 Patton 360 17:25 Guinness World Records 10:00 Goldie & Bear 05:30 Celebrity Style Story 07:10 The Universe Smashed New Zealand 10:15 PJ Masks 06:00 Just Jillian 08:00 Cities Of The Underworld 00:50 Ten Deadliest Snakes With Nigel 17:50 Now That's Funny 10:30 Minnie's Bow-Toons 06:55 E! News 09:00 America's Book Of Secrets Marven 18:40 What Happened Next? 10:35 The Lion Guard 07:10 LA Clippers Dance Squad 10:00 Ancient Aliens 01:45 Bondi Vet 19:05 What Happened Next? 11:00 Sofia The First 08:10 E! News 11:00 Pirate Treasure Of The Knights 02:40 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 19:30 How It's Made 11:30 Doc McStuffins 09:10 Mariah's World Templar 03:35 Tanked 19:55 How It's Made 11:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 10:05 Mariah's World 12:00 Hangar 1: The UFO Files 04:25 Escape To Chimp Eden 20:20 Mythbusters 12:20 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 11:00 Mariah's World 13:00 Patton 360 04:50 Escape To Chimp Eden 21:10 Australia Smashes Guinness 12:50 Sheriff Callie's Wild West 12:00 E! News 14:00 Cities Of The Underworld 05:15 Gator Boys World Records 13:15 Gummi Bears 12:15 Celebrity Style Story 15:00 America's Book Of Secrets 06:02 Ten Deadliest Snakes With Nigel 21:35 Australia Smashes Guinness 13:40 Sofia The First 12:40 Celebrity Style Story 16:00 Ancient Aliens Marven World Records 14:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 13:10 So Cosmo 17:00 Pirate Treasure Of The Knights 06:49 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 22:00 World's Funniest Fails 14:35 PJ Masks 14:05 So Cosmo Templar 07:36 Call Of The Wildman 22:50 What Happened Next? 15:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 15:00 E! News 18:00 Hangar 1: The UFO Files 08:25 Preposterous Pets 23:15 What Happened Next? 15:30 The Lion Guard 15:15 WAGs 19:00 Patton 360 09:15 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 23:40 Bear Grylls: Born Survivor 15:55 Unbungalievable 16:10 WAGs 20:00 Cities Of The Underworld 10:10 Escape To Chimp Eden 16:00 Sofia The First 17:05 WAGs 21:00 The Universe 10:35 Escape To Chimp Eden 16:30 Doc McStuffins 18:00 WAGs 22:00 Ancient Aliens 11:05 Tanked 16:55 Goldie & Bear 19:00 E! News 23:00 Ancient Aliens 12:00 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 17:20 The Lion Guard 20:00 Celebrity Style Story 12:55 Bondi Vet 17:50 PJ Masks 20:30 Celebrity Style Story 13:50 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 18:15 Sofia The First 21:00 Revenge Body With Khloe 14:45 Gator Boys 00:10 Hank Zipzer 18:40 Doc McStuffins Kardashian 15:40 Escape To Chimp Eden 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 19:05 Jake And The Never Land Pirates 22:00 Revenge Body With Khloe 16:05 Escape To Chimp Eden 01:00 Violetta 19:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Kardashian 16:35 Tanked 01:45 The Hive 20:00 Goldie & Bear 23:00 E! News 00:20 Battle 360 17:30 Ten Deadliest Snakes With Nigel 01:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 21:00 Unbungalievable 23:15 Botched 01:10 The Curse Of Oak Island 127 HOURS ON OSN OSN MOVIES HD Marven Witch 21:05 Goldie & Bear 02:00 Hunting Hitler 18:30 Very Good Girls 18:25 Rugged Justice 02:15 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 21:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:50 Storage Wars 19:05 The Best Job In The World 20:00 The Reluctant Fundamentalist 19:20 Catching Monsters Witch 22:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 03:15 American Pickers 19:30 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 22:15 Boyhood 20:15 Tanked 02:40 Hank Zipzer 22:25 Gummi Bears 04:05 Pawn Stars 20:00 World's Best Beaches 21:10 Escape To Chimp Eden 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 22:55 Minnie's Bow-Toons 04:30 Pawn Stars 20:55 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 22:05 Rugged Justice 03:30 Violetta 23:00 PJ Masks 00:00 Mystery Diners 05:00 Mountain Men 21:20 Sara's Australia Unveiled 23:00 Catching Monsters 04:15 The Hive 00:30 Mystery Diners 06:00 American Restoration 21:45 Confucius Was A Foodie 23:55 Gator Boys 04:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 01:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 06:50 Shipping Wars 22:35 Croatia's Finest Witch 01:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 07:15 Shipping Wars 23:00 Raw Travel 04:45 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 02:00 Man Fire Food 07:40 Counting Cars 23:25 Dog Whisperer 01:00 Bee Movie Witch 02:30 Man Fire Food 08:05 Counting Cars 02:45 Bolts And Blip 05:10 Hank Zipzer 03:00 Chopped 08:30 Pawn Stars 04:30 Memory Loss 05:35 Binny And The Ghost 00:20 Street Outlaws 04:00 Guy's Grocery Games 08:55 Pawn Stars 06:00 Rugrats Go Wild 00:40 The Living And The Dead 06:00 Violetta 01:10 Gold Rush 05:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 09:20 Storage Wars Texas 07:45 Ploddy Police Car On The Case 01:35 Line Of Duty 06:45 The Hive 02:00 Everest Rescue 05:30 Barefoot Contessa: Back To Basics 09:45 Storage Wars Texas 06:00 The Kitchen 10:10 American Pickers 09:15 Rugrats In Paris: The Movie 07:00 The Pioneer Woman 11:00 Search For The Lost Giants 00:10 The Border 10:45 Bee Movie 07:30 The Pioneer Woman 11:50 Time Team 01:00 Highway Thru Hell 12:30 Bolts And Blip 08:00 Siba's Table: Fast Feasts 12:40 Swamp People 02:00 Mine Kings 14:00 The Olsen Gang In Deep Trouble 08:30 Siba's Table: Fast Feasts 13:30 Ax Men 02:55 Mega Factories: Supercars 16:00 Rugrats In Paris: The Movie 09:00 The Pioneer Woman 14:20 Mountain Men 03:50 The Border 18:00 Worms 09:30 The Pioneer Woman 15:10 Shipping Wars 04:45 World's Toughest Fixes 19:45 Daddy I'm A Zombie 10:00 The Kitchen 15:35 Shipping Wars 05:40 Access 360 World Heritage 21:30 The Olsen Gang In Deep Trouble 11:00 The Pioneer Woman 16:00 Counting Cars 06:35 Filthy Riches 23:15 Ploddy Police Car On The Case 11:30 The Pioneer Woman 16:25 Counting Cars 07:30 Highway Thru Hell 12:00 Siba's Table: Fast Feasts 16:50 Pawn Stars 08:25 Mygrations 12:30 Siba's Table: Fast Feasts 17:15 Pawn Stars 09:20 World's Toughest Fixes 13:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 17:40 Hunting Hitler 10:15 Monster Fish 13:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 18:30 The Curse Of Oak Island 11:10 Wicked Tuna 01:45 Twister 14:00 Chopped 19:20 Mountain Men 12:05 Air Crash Investigation 03:45 Barely Lethal 15:00 The Kitchen 20:10 American Pickers 13:00 Mygrations 05:30 The Ladykillers 16:00 The Pioneer Woman 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 14:00 Mars 07:30 Everest 16:30 The Pioneer Woman 21:50 Leepu And Pitbull 15:00 Filthy Riches 09:45 Twister 17:00 Chopped 22:40 Swamp People 16:00 Monster Fish 11:45 127 Hours 18:00 Iron Chef America 23:30 American Pickers 17:00 Wicked Tuna 13:30 A Beautiful Mind 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 18:00 Air Crash Investigation 15:45 Gulliver's Travels 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 19:00 Filthy Riches 17:30 Big Fish 20:00 Man Fire Food 20:00 Monster Fish 19:45 The Walk 20:30 Man Fire Food 20:50 Wicked Tuna 22:00 Duplicity 21:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 21:40 Air Crash Investigation 21:30 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 00:15 Carnival Eats 22:30 Filthy Riches 22:00 Guy's Grocery Games 00:40 Valentine Warner's Wild Table 23:20 Access 360 World Heritage 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 01:05 Raw Travel 23:30 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 01:30 Dog Whisperer 02:20 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 00:40 Mythbusters 02:45 Wineroads 01:30 How Do They Do It? 03:10 Miguel's Feasts 01:55 Food Factory SEVENTH SON ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 03:35 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 00:20 Cheetah: Fatal Instinct 02:20 NASA's Unexplained Files 04:00 World's Best Beaches 01:10 Hunter Hunted 03:10 Strangest Weather On Earth 02:00 Original Fight Club 04:00 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 02:35 Ripper Street 06:50 The 7D 02:50 Killing Fields 00:10 The Chase 04:50 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 02:50 Animals Gone Wild 04:48 Mythbusters 03:30 Orphan Black 07:00 Jessie 03:40 Fast N' Loud 01:00 Emmerdale 05:20 Sara's Australia Unveiled 03:45 The Invaders 05:36 How Do They Do It? 04:10 Doctor Who: The Husbands Of 07:25 Jessie 04:30 Storage Wars Canada 01:30 Coronation Street 05:45 Confucius Was A Foodie 04:40 Ultimate Animal Countdown 06:00 Food Factory River Song 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 05:00 How Do They Do It? 02:00 Coronation Street 06:40 Cruise Ship Diaries 05:35 Original Fight Club 06:24 NASA's Unexplained Files 05:05 New Tricks 07:55 The Zhuzhus 05:30 How Do They Do It? 02:30 The Jonathan Ross Show 07:10 Raw Travel 06:30 Animals Gone Wild 07:12 Strangest Weather On Earth 06:00 Casualty 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 06:00 Outback Truckers 03:25 Midsomer Murders 07:35 Dog Whisperer 07:25 The Invaders 08:00 How Do They Do It? 06:55 Doctor Who: The Husbands Of 08:45 Bunk'd 06:50 Street Outlaws 05:15 Broadchurch 08:30 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 08:20 Ultimate Animal Countdown 08:26 Kings Of Construction River Song 09:10 Stuck In The Middle 07:40 Fast N' Loud 06:10 The Chase 09:00 Wineroads 09:15 Wild 24 09:14 Mythbusters 07:55 Father Brown 09:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 08:30 The Island With Bear Grylls 07:05 The Jonathan Ross Show 09:25 Miguel's Feasts 10:10 Survive The Wild 10:02 Strangest Weather On Earth 08:45 Doctor Who 10:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 09:20 Storage Wars Canada 08:00 Midsomer Murders 09:55 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 11:05 Moody Beasts 10:50 How Do They Do It? 09:30 New Tricks 10:25 A.N.T. Farm 09:45 How Do They Do It? 09:35 Callie-Anne Cooks Into The Wild 10:20 World's Best Beaches 12:00 Shark Men 11:14 Food Factory 10:25 Doctor Who: The Husbands Of 10:50 A.N.T. Farm 10:10 How Do They Do It? 10:00 Broadchurch 11:15 Confucius Was A Foodie 12:55 Tiger Queen 11:38 NASA's Unexplained Files River Song 11:15 Good Luck Charlie 10:35 Gold Rush 10:55 The Chase 12:10 Sara's Australia Unveiled 13:50 Animals Gone Wild 12:26 Kings Of Construction 11:25 Father Brown 11:40 Good Luck Charlie 11:25 Everest Rescue 11:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 12:40 Raw Travel 14:45 The Invaders 13:14 Mythbusters 12:15 Doctor Who 12:05 Shake It Up 12:15 Alaskan Bush People 12:45 Emmerdale 13:05 Dog Whisperer 15:40 Ultimate Animal Countdown 14:02 How Do They Do It? 13:05 New Tricks 12:30 Shake It Up 13:05 How Do They Do It? 13:15 Coronation Street 14:00 Valentine Warner Eats Scandinavia 16:35 Wild 24 14:26 Food Factory 14:00 Doctor Who: The Husbands Of 12:55 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:30 Storage Wars Canada 13:45 Coronation Street 14:30 Wineroads 17:30 Survive The Wild 14:50 Strangest Weather On Earth River Song 13:00 Welcome To The Ronks 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 14:15 The Chase 14:55 The Best Job In The World 18:25 Man V. Monster 15:38 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 14:55 Father Brown 13:15 Gravity Falls 14:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 15:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 15:25 Lyndey Milan - Taste Of Australia 19:20 The Invaders 16:26 NASA's Unexplained Files 15:45 Doctor Who 13:40 Hank Zipzer 15:10 The Island With Bear Grylls 16:00 Murdoch Mysteries 15:50 World's Best Beaches 20:10 Ultimate Animal Countdown 17:14 Mythbusters 16:30 I Want My Wife Back 14:05 Star Darlings 16:00 Outback Truckers 16:55 Brief Encounters 16:45 Tripping Out With Alie & Georgia 21:00 Wild 24 18:02 Strangest Weather On Earth 17:05 New Tricks 14:10 Austin & Ally 16:50 Fast N' Loud 17:50 Broadchurch 17:15 Sara's Australia Unveiled 21:50 Survive The Wild 18:50 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 18:00 Doctors 14:35 Jessie 17:40 Street Outlaws 18:45 Emmerdale 17:40 Confucius Was A Foodie 22:40 Man V. Monster 19:40 Mythbusters 18:30 Doctors 15:00 Bunk'd 18:30 How Do They Do It? 19:15 Coronation Street 18:35 Croatia's Finest 23:30 Shark Men 20:30 Sport Science 19:05 Father Brown 15:25 Kirby Buckets 18:55 How Do They Do It? 21:20 How Do They Do It? 20:00 Call The Midwife 15:50 Sunny Bunnies 19:20 The Island With Bear Grylls 21:45 Food Factory 21:00 The Level 15:55 The Zhuzhus 20:10 Storage Hunters 22:10 Strangest Weather On Earth 21:50 Ripper Street 16:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug And 20:35 Storage Hunters 23:00 Sport Science 22:45 Orphan Black Cat Noir 21:00 The Wheel: Survival Games 23:50 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 23:30 Doctors 16:45 Elena Of Avalor 21:50 Running Wild With Bear Grylls 01:00 Confessions Of A Teenage Drama 17:10 Stuck In The Middle 22:40 Ed Stafford: Into The Unknown Queen 17:35 Descendants Wicked World 23:30 Fast N' Loud 03:00 The Last Flight Of Noah's Ark 17:40 Girl Meets World 05:00 Hannah Montana Movie 18:05 Bizaardvark 07:00 Cars 18:30 Bunk'd 09:00 The Amazing Wizard Of Paws 00:20 Married By Mum And Dad 00:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 18:55 Best Friends Whenever 11:00 Hannah Montana Movie 01:10 Return To Amish 01:00 Killers 19:20 Disney Mickey Mouse 13:00 Hercules (1997) 02:00 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 02:00 When Life Means Life 19:25 The Next Step 06:00 Gravity Falls 15:00 Chicken Little 02:25 Say Yes To The Dress: 03:00 Homicide Hunter 19:50 Austin & Ally 06:25 Counterfeit Cat 17:00 The Wild Thornberrys Movie Bridesmaids 04:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 20:15 Star Darlings 06:50 Atomic Puppet 19:00 Emma's Chance 02:50 Love, Lust Or Run 05:00 Killers 20:20 Shake It Up 07:15 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 21:00 D3: The Mighty Ducks 03:15 Cake Boss 06:00 When Life Means Life 20:45 Backstage 07:25 Danger Mouse 23:00 Chicken Little 03:35 Designer Darlings 07:00 Deadly Wives 21:10 Liv And Maddie 07:40 Supa Strikas 04:20 Little People, Big World 08:00 Diabolical Women 21:35 Cracke 08:10 K.C. Undercover 04:45 Little People, Big World 09:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 21:40 Dog With A Blog 08:35 Star Wars Freemaker Adventures 05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 10:00 Homicide Hunter 22:05 Best Friends Whenever 09:00 Lab Rats 06:00 Ultimate Shopper 11:00 Beyond Scared Straight 22:30 Jessie 09:25 Lab Rats 06:50 Say Yes To The Dress UK 12:00 Beyond Scared Straight 22:55 Tsum Tsum Shorts 09:50 Danger Mouse 00:00 Dance Flick 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress UK 13:00 Beyond Scared Straight 23:00 Kirby Buckets 10:20 Supa Strikas 02:00 Indian Summer 07:40 Randy To The Rescue 14:00 Beyond Scared Straight 23:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 10:45 Supa Strikas 04:00 Accidental Love 08:30 Little People, Big World 15:00 Diabolical Women Witch 11:10 Counterfeit Cat 06:00 The Rewrite 08:55 Little People, Big World 16:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 23:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A Teenage 11:35 Pair Of Kings 08:00 Indian Summer 09:20 Kate Plus 8 17:00 Homicide Hunter Witch 12:00 Pair Of Kings 18:00 Killers 12:30 Future-Worm! 10:00 Accidental Love 10:10 Love, Lust Or Run 19:00 It Takes A Killer 12:55 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 12:00 The Rewrite 10:35 Cake Boss 19:30 It Takes A Killer 13:20 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 14:00 A Merry Christmas Miracle 11:00 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 20:00 The First 48 13:45 Atomic Puppet 16:00 Perfect Match 11:25 Say Yes To The Dress: 21:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 18:00 Twins Bridesmaids 20:00 Absolutely Anything 11:50 Ultimate Shopper 22:00 Diabolical Women 00:20 Henry Hugglemonster 14:15 Counterfeit Cat 22:00 The Ladies Man 12:40 Designer Darlings 23:00 The First 48 00:35 The Hive 14:40 Supa Strikas 13:30 Oprah: Where Are They Now? 00:45 Loopdidoo 15:05 Lab Rats 14:20 Iyanla: Fix My Life 01:00 Henry Hugglemonster 15:30 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 15:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 01:15 Calimero Everything 16:00 Little People, Big World 01:30 Art Attack 15:55 Right Now Kapow 16:25 Little People, Big World 01:55 Zou 16:25 K.C. Undercover 00:00 Sunlight Jr. 16:50 Kate Plus 8 00:30 Prototype This 02:05 Loopdidoo 16:50 Future-Worm! 02:00 Rudderless 17:40 Love At First Swipe 01:20 Kids Do The Craziest Things 02:20 Henry Hugglemonster 17:15 Gravity Falls 04:00 Memories 18:05 Cake Boss 01:45 Kids Do The Craziest Things 02:35 Calimero 17:40 Lab Rats 06:00 Boychoir 18:30 Little People, Big World 02:10 Pick A Puppy 02:50 Zou 18:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 08:00 Late Bloomers 19:20 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 02:35 Pick A Puppy 03:05 Art Attack 18:10 Mighty Med 10:00 Wildlike 19:45 Say Yes To The Dress: 03:00 Destroyed In Seconds 03:30 The Hive 18:35 Right Now Kapow 12:00 No God No Master Bridesmaids 03:25 Destroyed In Seconds 03:40 Loopdidoo 19:00 Atomic Puppet 14:00 Oliver's Deal 20:10 Ultimate Shopper 03:50 Bear Grylls: Born Survivor 03:55 Henry Hugglemonster 19:25 Gamer's Guide To Pretty Much 15:45 The Assassination Of Jesse James 21:00 Too Ugly For Love? 04:40 How It's Made 04:10 Art Attack Everything INDIAN SUMMER ON MOVIES COMEDY HD Classifieds

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (09/03/2017 TO 15/03/2017)

SHARQIA-1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 4:00 PM LOGAN 9:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:00 PM LOGAN 11:45 AM THE HOLLOW POINT 5:30 PM LOGAN 12:15 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 9:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 2:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 7:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:05 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 4:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 9:00 PM AVENUES-1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 5:45 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 10:30 PM KIKORIKI 1:00 PM AL-KOUT.2 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 7:15 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 12:05 AM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 1:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 12:15 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 8:45 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 3:00 PM LOGAN 2:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 10:15 PM FANAR-2 KIKORIKI 5:00 PM LOGAN 4:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:15 AM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 12:45 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 7:00 PM LOGAN 7:30 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 3:00 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 9:00 PM LOGAN 10:15 PM SHARQIA-2 THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 5:00 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 11:00 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 1:00 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 12:15 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 7:00 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 1:00 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:45 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 9:00 PM AL-KOUT.3 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 4:15 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 10:45 PM AVENUES-2 THE HOLLOW POINT 12:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 6:45 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 12:45 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND-3D-4DX 1:30 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 2:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 9:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND-3D-4DX 4:00 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 4:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:45 PM FANAR-3 KONG: SKULL ISLAND-3D-4DX 6:30 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 6:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND-3D-4DX 9:00 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 8:45 PM SHARQIA-3 NO FRI+SAT KONG: SKULL ISLAND-3D-4DX 11:30 PM THE DEVIL’S DOLLS 10:45 PM LOGAN 1:30 PM KIKORIKI. 1:45 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 12:45 AM LOGAN 4:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3:30 PM AVENUES-3 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 6:00 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 11:30 AM LOGAN 7:00 PM AL-KOUT.4 LOGAN 9:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 8:30 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 1:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:00 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 3:45 PM LOGAN 12:30 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 3:30 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 6:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 5:00 PM FANAR-4 THE HOLLOW POINT 8:15 PM MUHALAB-1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 6:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:30 PM LOGAN 12:30 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 10:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 8:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 1:30 PM LOGAN 3:15 PM THE HOLLOW POINT 12:45 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 10:00 PM FRI LOGAN 6:00 PM LOGAN 11:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 3:00 PM LOGAN 8:45 PM 360 º- 1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 5:30 PM LOGAN 11:30 PM LOGAN 12:30 PM BADRINATH KI DULHANIA-Hindi 7:00 PM LOGAN 3:15 PM BAIRAQ-1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 10:00 PM MARINA-1 LOGAN 6:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:45 PM LOGAN 8:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D 4:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 1:30 PM LOGAN 11:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 6:30 PM MUHALAB-2 LOGAN 3:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND -3D 9:00 PM LOGAN 1:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 6:00 PM 360 º- 2 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 2:15 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 7:30 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 12:15 PM LOGAN 3:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 9:00 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 3:00 PM BAIRAQ-2 LOGAN 6:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:30 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 5:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:30 PM LOGAN 9:15 PM HIDDEN FIGURES 8:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 3:00 PM LOGAN 12:05 AM MARINA-2 HIDDEN FIGURES 11:15 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 4:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 6:00 PM MUHALAB-3 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 2:45 PM 360 º- 3 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 7:30 PM 112 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 5:15 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 11:45 AM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 9:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 2:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:30 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 10:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 5:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 10:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 4:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:30 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:45 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 6:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 10:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 9:00 PM BAIRAQ-3 Fajr: 04:41 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:30 AM MARINA-3 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:30 PM LOGAN 1:15 PM Shorook: 06:01 LOGAN 1:15 PM KIKORIKI 2:15 PM FANAR-1 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 2:30 PM AL-KOUT.1 LOGAN 4:00 PM Duhr: 11:58 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 11:30 AM FRI KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:30 AM BADRINATH KI DULHANIA-Hindi 6:45 PM Asr: 15:22 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 1:00 PM LOGAN 4:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 2:00 PM LOGAN 9:30 PM Maghrib: 17:55 HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 2:30 PM LOGAN 6:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 4:30 PM LOGAN 12:15 AM Isha: 19:11

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 14/3/2017 KAC 672 Dubai 14:50 MSC 406 Sohag 01:00 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 Airlines Flt Route Time KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 BBC 144 Dhaka 01:30 KAC 561 Amman 15:00 MSC 405 Sohag 00:05 KAC 618 Doha 15:00 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:50 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 JZR 1903 GYD 00:10 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 MSC 412 Asyut 01:55 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:15 KAC 776 Riyadh 00:20 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 PAL 669 Dubai/Manila 15:20 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:25 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:25 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:50 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:55 KAC 513 Tehran 15:25 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 KAC 154 Istanbul 15:55 AXB 396 Kozhikode 02:55 BBC 144 Dhaka 15:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 03:05 QTR 1079 Doha 15:40 MSC 411 Asyut 01:00 FDB 051 Dubai 16:25 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:35 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 16:35 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 KAC 102 London 01:25 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 KKK 6505 Istanbul 03:55 KAC 777 Riyadh 16:00 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KAC 118 New York 17:00 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 KAC 745 Dammam 16:00 DLH 635 Doha 01:55 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 JZR 554 Alexandria 16:10 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 KAC 357 Kochi 16:20 AXB 395 Kozhikode 02:00 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:45 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 02:05 JZR 325 Al Najaf 17:50 KAC 167 Paris 04:25 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:30 KAC 354 BLR 05:20 NIA 251 Alexandria 17:55 QTR 1077 Doha 04:40 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 LMU 5511 Cairo 05:00 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 KAC 344 Chennai 05:35 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 QTR 1087 Doha 05:50 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:45 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 JZR 560 Sohag 06:05 FDB 052 Dubai 17:25 JZR 529 Asyut 05:45 MSR 620 Cairo 18:30 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 KAC 615 Bahrain 17:35 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 343 Chennai 17:40 KAC 364 Colombo 06:05 KAC 746 Dammam 19:10 KAC 153 Istanbul 06:50 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 KAC 384 Delhi 06:05 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 RJA 645 Amman 07:05 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 KAC 346 Ahmedabad 06:25 KAC 502 Beirut 19:30 THY 6376 Tehran/Istanbul 07:05 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 778 Riyadh 19:35 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 07:00 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 KAC 541 Cairo 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15 KAC 514 Tehran 19:50 KAC 787 Jeddah 07:45 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 284 Dhaka 07:35 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 18:30 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KAC 168 Paris 19:55 KAC 171 Frankfurt 07:55 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 563 Amman 08:00 NIA 252 Alexandria 18:55 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 OMA 647 Muscat 20:10 KAC 679 Dubai 08:10 FDB 064 Dubai 19:05 KAC 382 Delhi 08:45 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 BAW 156 London 08:40 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:15 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 KAC 562 Amman 20:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:55 MSR 621 Cairo 19:30 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:45 KAC 791 Madinah 09:00 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 KAC 616 Bahrain 20:50 KAC 691 Muscat 09:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 FDB 5053 Dubai 20:50 KAC 117 New York 09:00 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 SVA 512 Riyadh 10:00 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:15 KAC 101 London 09:35 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 AVV 651 Asyut 10:10 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 361 Colombo 20:35 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 KAC 671 Dubai 10:05 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:00 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 CLX 8675 Luxembourg 21:35 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 MSC 403 Asyut 11:15 KAC 172 Frankfurt 21:35 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 OMA 648 Muscat 21:10 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:25 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 SVA 513 Riyadh 11:00 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 21:30 QTR 8511 Doha 12:00 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 AVV 652 Sohag 11:10 QTR 1089 Doha 21:35 KAC 286 Dhaka 12:25 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:05 KAC 617 Doha 11:10 DLH 634 Doha 21:35 MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:10 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 JZR 561 Sohag 12:40 NIA 151 Cairo 22:10 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 FDB 5054 Dubai 21:50 FDB 075 Dubai 12:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 501 Beirut 11:55 KAC 351 Kochi 22:00 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 AIC 987 Chennai/Hyderabad 22:25 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 680 Dubai 12:55 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 12:05 KAC 203 Lahore 22:15 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 241 Amman 22:45 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 KAC 413 Bangkok 22:15 AXB 393 Kozhikode 13:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 MSC 404 Asyut 12:15 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 KAC 564 Amman 13:40 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 KAC 788 Jeddah 13:45 JZR 555 Alexandria 23:20 QTR 8512 Doha 13:30 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 KAC 792 Madinah 13:50 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:45 BBC 143 Dhaka 14:00 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KAC 381 Delhi 22:45 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 Departure Flights on Tuesday 14/3/2017 TXC 1621 IQA 14:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 KAC 692 Muscat 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 FDB 076 Dubai 14:05 NIA 152 Cairo 23:10 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 AXB 394 Kozhikode 14:10 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:20 KAC 542 Cairo 14:45 ETD 920 Abu Dhabi 00:45 JZR 324 Al Najaf 14:25 PIA 240 Sialkot 23:35 stars34 TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

CROSSWORD 1547 STAR TRACK

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

Tensions, frustrations or generally a busy day can be turned around through You may be especially self-motivated just now. There is a lot of energy and a most pleasurable activity this afternoon: a loving relationship. When you drive available for whatever you want to accomplish just now; you may have an urge to reach home, remember to leave your work, at work. Your interest may be piqued in the move forward too quickly. You feel a love of order and enjoy succeeding at what you set avenue of making money through rational, intellectual processes, rather than brute, physi- out to accomplish. This afternoon you find ways to help a loved one without being too cal action. During this time you will show more interest in cultural or literary affairs regard- obvious. This is one of your better days for money but take care not to overindulge. Find ing the spending of money than just merely collecting material goods. You are apt to time to kick back and relax this evening-this could be the beginning of a busy time and obtain success financially through the power of attraction. You may spend a great deal of finding those deep breath relaxation minutes may be hard to uncover. You might even time interested in beautifying your surroundings. This could mean new paint, a garden or want to schedule in a massage for you and your loved one sometime toward the mid- some other similar work. Neighbors may want your landscape design opinions. dle of next week. Travel for fun will happen as a surprise; patience.

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

Delays at work are likely this morning. You have a good sense of confi- It is important to open your mind to new and positive possibilities in the dence today and may want to review or proof some of your work before presenting workplace. Round-table discussions and new research present mental stimulation your ideas or presentation to others. You may want to invest or use other resources that will help you achieve new ideas and new ways to achieve and grow. A project with which to earn extra money. You are motivated to think about and look forward to should be successful today. Something you thought was lost can be found. A prob- change. One of the most important activities for the next few weeks is the activity of lem is solved. Also, an idea set aside earlier can now be revised and reintroduced for a going-with-the-flow. It is not really your turn to make big changes in the workplace- successful presentation. This afternoon, a future gambling or camping trip could be only changes for yourself right now. A love of music, an appreciation for sensual pleas- planned with friends and loved ones. You have energies around you now that ures, etc., are the signs of the cycle that has begun for you now. Enjoy the social oppor- increase your ability to clear away a recent misunderstanding. You may find yourself tunities that come your way this evening. You may need to only respond to an rsvp. and a loved one watching or looking through some old family pictures this evening.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A feeling of being in harmony with yourself and others is important at You could be gaining quite a bit of attention this morning. Your expert- this time. Stability and permanence satisfy a deep emotional need. ise is of high value and you may find that higher-ups are calling on you often to teach Because you are focused you are able to achieve and move forward regarding sales, and guide-patience. You may find yourself feeling rather proud of your accomplish- customer service and business in general. A worry over relations with a business part- ments this day. It may be advisable to apply for an upgrade in your job. Now you ACROSS DOWN ner, spouse or friend is needless; relax and leave well enough alone! A volunteer could consider the fee or the earned amount for those days you will be teaching. This opportunity arises this afternoon and it is something you believe in strongly . . . 1. A federal agency established to regulate the 1. A small loosely aggregated mass of floccu- is an aesthetic and artistic time to be sure, but it is also practical and materialistic: you Consider giving of your time to this issue. You will be able to make a positive differ- release of new foods and health-related lent material suspended in or precipitated develop a keen appreciation for the value of things, including the money it takes to ence. Music is likely to play a more important role for you than usual this afternoon. If products. from a liquid. buy them. This is a good day for planning your professional life. You may receive some you are not giving music lessons you may decide to begin music lessons this month. 4. Make less visible or unclear. 2. Fallow deer. recognition regarding your skills. Go to new places for socializing this evening. 11. A professional cook. 3. A grant made by a law court. 15. Legal document setting forth rules govern- 4. (Norse mythology) God of poetry and music. 5. The branch of engineering science that ing a particular kind of activity. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Put up in a new or different housing. studies the uses of electricity and the 17. A Loloish language. equipment for power generation and dis- After talking with a friend or co-worker this morning, some past situation Mental stimulation is the key for this day. Your curiosity puts you in a 18. A member of the Siouan people formerly tribution and the control of machines and is better understood. You may be sitting in on a meeting today and decide you can take mood to solve problems today and you will find plenty of opportunities. You cooper- living in the Missouri river valley in NE communication. charge and accomplish things faster or better than the person leading the group now. ate and compromise as much as possible; however, what proves successful just now is Nebraska. 6. Argentinian cariama. Of course, this information would be better kept to yourself. You communicate with your ability to guide or lead others in a group project. Your administration abilities are 20. Without qualification. 7. A globular water bottle used in Asia. feeling and strength. Projects and job responsibilities gain your uppermost attention. in high focus. You may decide to visit friends after work. A feeling of being confident, You work to complete whatever is set before you. Approach the emotional subjects 21. Sweet pulpy tropical fruit with thick scaly 8. Not in. in control and at peace with your own progress in life is positive and you influence 9. The act of using. another time-results will be more positive. Home-based activities are highlighted. You others. You lead and others naturally follow. Romance is possible this evening, espe- rind and shiny black seeds. may work on cleaning out a particular closet or perhaps an area of the garage this 10. The fleshy part of the human body that you cially with your efforts in mending fences. This may literally mean you fix a neighbor's 22. Any plant of the genus Caragana having evening. This is an excellent time to work off some of your excess energy. fence. An announcement this evening puts everyone in a good mood. even-pinnate leaves and mostly yellow sit on. flowers followed by seeds in a linear pod. 11. A cloth used as a head covering (and veil 24. Twist or braid together, interlace. and shawl) by Muslim and Hindu women. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 26. In or associated with the process of passing 12. The (prehensile) extremity of the superior Leo (July 23-August 22) from life or ceasing to be. limb. 13. An organic compound that contains a 29. A chronic progressive nervous disorder The travel urge has kicked in but you might want to wait until next New means of self-expression are possible. This may mean things like hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom some personal item in the cup holder or your name on the panel. You may find your- involving loss of myelin sheath around month, if possible, for a more satisfying trip. Your enthusiasm is contagious; you can which in turn is doubly bonded to another lift spirits around you or teach a class successfully. Matters pertaining to the family, self moving toward the more unconventional and less traditional. Eccentricities and a certain nerve fibers. carbon atom. home or property will require your undivided attention-your finances may be unpre- different manner of presenting yourself may be in order. You should expend great 31. Lower in esteem. 14. Superior to the average. dictable for a while. Some indecision can get in your way. Get rid of any negative zest in moneymaking efforts but show caution in your choice of activities. You are 33. According to the Old Testament he was a usually hard-working and ambitious on the professional level, but it may be hard to 19. Austrian composer who influenced the thinking as this is destructive and unhealthy. This is one of your best overall days. Work on clearing away any emotional baggage. Consider the library as resource for get your attention later this afternoon. It is important to develop a team attitude so as pagan king of Israel and husband of classical form of the symphony (1732- Jezebel (9th century BC). self-help books for positive thinking and merge them into your life. Spring fever will not to alienate fellow workers. Be attentive to your own needs this evening. A nice 1809). be hitting you later this month and you will be ready to escape your routine. long soak in the tub or a massage would be a wonderful way to relax. 37. Plants closely allied to the genera Satureja 23. An associate degree in nursing. and Calamintha. 25. A colorless and odorless inert gas. 40. Brazilian tree with handsomely marked 27. A white soft metallic element that tarnish- wood. es readily. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 42. Food of a ruminant regurgitated to be 28. Wild ginger. chewed again. 30. A device (trade name Aqua-Lung) that lets A long-standing problem with regard to work will be resolved. You will An interview or a story has you really preoccupied this morning. soon feel free to perform better than ever regarding work-related situations. Events line Seeing the world as no other person can see it is an exciting experience 43. Being ten more than one hundred ninety. divers breathe under water. 46. An extension at the end and at right angles up in your favor and push you over the top to succeed. Recognition for your accom- and you look forward to learning more. This could mean anything from a little scuba 32. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB plishments is forthcoming; meanwhile, just work through one project at a time. This diving to exploring a cave or climbing a mountain. These are your thoughts this to the main building. gun. afternoon, you show a great deal of interest in all family matters, particularly concerning morning as you enter the workplace. These thoughts also seem to give you that 47. Assist or encourage, usually in some 34. Characteristic of or relating to winter. the general living environment in the home. You may wish to strengthen the ties with incentive to think outside the box. Reading and learning are always exciting, and you wrongdoing. 35. Wear away through erosion or vaporiza- an older family member this afternoon, not necessarily to prove yourself to that person, should plan to set as one of your goals this coming year to teach others about learn- 49. A state in midwestern United States. tion. but to create an avenue through which you can be assured of that person's welfare. ing through reading. You will find a song, a poem or some saying that will show oth- 50. A soft yellow malleable ductile (trivalent 36. (Norse mythology) God of light and peace Additional responsibilities may be placed upon you in the context of the home setting. ers how much you appreciate them. You hold your good friends close. and univalent) metallic element. and noted for his beauty and sweet 51. A member of a people who have no per- nature. manent home but move about according 38. In the Roman calendar. Word Search Yesterday’s Solution to the seasons. 39. Roman general who commanded the inva- 53. The act of washing yourself (or another sion of Carthage in the second Punic War person). and defeated Hannibal at Zama (circa 237- 55. A soft silvery metallic element of the rare 183 BC). earth group. 41. Anneal or toughen by a process of gradual- 56. Related on the mother's side. ly heating and cooling. 57. Something that baffles understanding and 44. A white metallic element that burns with a cannot be explained. brilliant light. 60. A plaster now made mostly from Portland 45. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake cement and sand and lime. Chad. 64. (astronomy) An indistinct surface feature of 48. A case or sheath especially a pollen sac or Mars once thought to be a system of moss capsule. channels. 52. Moving toward a position ahead. 65. A male monarch or emperor (especially of 54. Release from a clasp. Russia prior to 1917). 58. Ancient Persian god of light and truth. 67. Framework for holding objects. 59. A room or establishment where alcoholic 71. Electrical conduction through a gas in an drinks are served over a counter. applied electric field. 61. After the expected or usual time. 72. Personification of the sky or upper air 62. The brother of your father or mother. breathed by the Olympians. 63. Very large red gum tree. 76. A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol in 66. Give a certain impression or have a certain the blood. outward aspect. 77. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat 68. A river in north central Switzerland that trimmed off. runs northeast into the Rhine. 79. Beyond or deviating from the usual or 69. King of Denmark and Norway who forced Edmund II to divide England with him. expected. 70. God of love and erotic desire. 80. A usually soluble substance for staining or 73. A federal agency established to coordinate coloring e.g. fabrics or hair. programs aimed at reducing pollution and 81. Low stingless nettle of Central and South protecting the environment. America having velvety brownish-green 74. Of a light yellowish-brown color n 1. toothed leaves and clusters of small green 75. A loose sleeveless outer garment made flowers. from aba cloth. 82. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet. 78. Being nine more than ninety.

Yesterday’s Solution

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Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 China 0086 Norway 0047 Shaab 22518752 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Sharq 22465401 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 Jabriya 25316254 Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Bayan 25388462 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 W Hawally 22630786 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Sabah 24810221 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 Jahra 24770319 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 New Jahra 24575755 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 South Jahra 24775066 Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tome 00239 North Jahra 24775992 Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 North Jleeb 24311795 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 N Khaitan 24710044 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Hungary 0036 Togo 00228 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. 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GOSSIP Lorde is 'proud' of new single orde is "really proud" of the lyrics she created for her "It was just this moment of sadness and I remember it so details under wraps for now, she's teased that the songs new single 'Liability'. The 20-year-old singer has just vividly. I was in this cab alone listening to 'Higher' by are "tight." Speaking on Apple Beats 1 Radio, she told Zane Ldropped her latest track on her adoring fans around Rihanna because 'ANTI' had just come out. And I had a little Lowe: "The record is called 'Melodrama'. [On number of the world and has admitted she's really impressed with the cry and I was just like 'it's always going to be this way, at songs on the album] It's tight like my last one, I like to keep work she produced because the story she's telling through some point with everyone it's going to be this way'. "But them small." Lorde is also preparing for her upcoming per- her music will resonate with every listener. She explained: the song kind of ended up turning into a bit of a protective formances and is certain they will be "sick." She said: "It's "I'm really proud of this bit of songwriting. I feel like I got talismans for me. I was like, you know what, I'm always gonna be a big one. It's gonna be so sick. We're working somewhere they hadn't been before, which is always a gonna have myself so I have to really nurture this relation- with the sickest people on the show and doing all these nice feeling as a songwriter. It's interesting because I had ship and feel good about hanging out with myself and lov- festivals and awesome bits of TV. And it's gonna be... oh my this realization that because of my lifestyle and what I do ing myself. "And the tone of the melody, the way it kind of God I can't wait for you to see it. I'm so excited!" for work there's going to be a point with every single per- falls around, it's almost like it's kind of drunk or it sort of son around me where I'm gonna be attacks on them in leans around, it's got this hip hop cadence to it." The some way. If it is having to give up a little portion of their brunette beauty is set to release her new album privacy or their life becoming more difficult or whatever. 'Melodrama' in June and, although she's keeping the The Eagles are set to reunite he Eagles are reportedly set to reform for a two- "The band are still dealing with the issue of replacing date festival in New York and Los Angeles. The Glenn and have secretly held talks with some perform- Trock band previously said they would never per- ers, but they are also discussing the possibility of shar- form together again following the shock death of Glenn ing his duties between them." The Eagles - whose best- Frey in January 2016 - but they have since performed a selling hits included 'Hotel California' and 'Take It Easy' - U-turn and are now preparing to reunite for the Classic are expected to earn more than £4 million for the West and Classic East bash later this year. A source shows. But band member Don Henley previously insist- explained: "The Eagles are getting back together on ed they would not reunite after they performed 'Take It stage." However, the insider has rubbished the sugges- Easy' at the Grammys in February 2016. He said: "It was tion that the band are merely reuniting for money. The very difficult and very emotional. We actually almost source told The Sun newspaper: "It's not a decision they didn't do it. "That was the final farewell. I don't think have taken lightly but their feelings have changed and you'll see us performing again. I think that was proba- they know there's huge demand from fans who want to bly it. I think it was an appropriate farewell." see them. "None of them need the money - they want to make sure the shows are respectful and fitting trib- ute." The Eagles are also still to decide whether they will hire a new singer to replace Glenn. The insider added: Circa Waves' Kieran Shudall isn't a fan of Ed Sheeran

irca Waves frontman Kieran Shudall isn't a fan of is interested in popular television show 'Game of Thrones', "commercial" Ed Sheeran and James Arthur. The 29- and has asked Isaac Hempstead Wright - who plays Bran Cyear-old rocker has no interest in any artists in the Stark in the HBO series - to be in the band's new music charts, including the 'Castle on the Hill' hitmaker and the video for 'Fire That Burns'. And he is hoping the 17-year-old 'Say You Won't Let Go' singer, and has called on fellow rock actor will take his "hints" that himself and his band mates, lovers to support bands who make "honest music" as those Sam Rourke, Colin Jones and Joe Falconer, want to appear topping the charts don't need any help in that depart- on the show. He revealed: "We found out Isaac was a huge ment. He told the Daily Star newspaper: "Bands survive fan so we messaged him on Twitter and asked if he would now by people buying gig tickets, the charts. "I don't like star in the video for 'Fire That Burns'. "He messaged back any of the music in the charts, I don't like Ed Sheeran and I straight away saying he'd love to, I never thought he'd ever don't like James Arthur and the people who see my band even reply. "I absolutely love 'GoT' and we want to be in it don't care about them. "Rock bands will stay strong as long more than anything, I keep dropping hints to Isaac but he as record labels don't care too much about the charts ain't picked up on them yet. They've had that guy from because otherwise we will have too many singers that are Snow Patrol in one so I don't see why we can't." purely commercial. "We need people to still invest in bands and good honest music." While he doesn't pay too much attention to pop stars, the 'T-Shirt Weather' hitmaker Clarke is the new Naomi Campbell is face of Dolce and 'always' nervous Gabbana's The before fashion shows One fragrance aomi Campbell is "always" nervous before she milia Clarke is the new face of Dolce and Gabbana's graces the catwalk. The 46-year-old super- fragrance line. The 30-year-old actress has been model, who was scouted at the age of 15 and Eannounced as the brand ambassador of the luxury N Italian fashion house, which will see the star front the has boasted over 30 successful years at the helm of the fashion industry, has admitted she is always over- campaign for the luxury label's The One for Women scent in September this year. And the brand's co- come with nervous ahead of gracing the runway, and founders Domenico Dolce, 58, and Stefano Gabbana, 54, the star's "super confident" persona is simply a facade. have praised the brunette beauty as being the perfect Speaking openly about her feelings of apprehension embodiment of the "Dolce and Gabbana woman" on ITV's 'This Morning' yesterday, the brunette beauty because she is "radiant and lively". Speaking about the - who has fronted campaigns for designer brands 'Me Before You' star and her latest venture, the creative including Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs and Dolce masterminds said: "Emilia Clarke embodies perfectly the and Gabbana - said: "I've always been [nervous], Dolce & Gabbana woman: she is radiant and lively. Her Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's although I may look like I'm super confident." personality and natural beauty will capture the essence However, the catwalk icon believes a "little bit of fear" of this new campaign: joyful, spontaneous and full of life. is what helps her to do her best work. She continued: She is The One!" The fashion house has taken to social 'secret weapon' is Caudalie's Beauty Elixir "I always think that little bit of fear is something you Salt-N-Pepa: media to further broadcast the news. Alongside a pic- use to make you do your best." The 'Empire' actress - ture of Emilia from the commercial, which was shared on osie Huntington-Whiteley's "secret weapon" is who plays the role of Camilla Marks in the American their Instagram account, they wrote: "Emmy nominated Caudalie's Beauty Elixir. The 29-year-old model has series - has advised budding models to pursue their We're 'here to stay' actress @emilia_clarke will be the face of Dolce& Gabbana The One fragrance starting September 2017, Rrecently partnered with the French skincare compa- dreams regardless of what other people say. She said: alt-N-Pepa say their songs are "here to stay". The hip launching the new Eau de Toilette. #DGBeauty ny, and she has admitted she relies on a variety of cosmetic "Strive for your dreams and don't let anyone change hop trio - consisting of Cheryl 'Salt' James, Sandra products from the brand, including their Masque Creme the way you feel." Naomi is set to hold a fundraising #DGTheOne (sic)." Meanwhile, Emilia's 'Game of Thrones' S'Pepa' Denton, and Deidra 'Spinderella' Roper - were co-star Kit Harington will represent the brand's male ver- Hydratant, Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream and event in Cannes, France, in May this year for the chari- one of the first all female rap groups when they formed in sion of the fragrance, also titled The One, later this year. their Vineactiv Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream, ty she founded in 2005 titled, Fashion for Relief, which 1985, and despite a brief split between 2002 and 2007, the although their part-toner and part-serum product, which will see all proceeds go towards Save the Children Speaking previously about the 30-year-old actor's part- group insist they're not quitting the music business any nership, Domenico and Stefano said: "The British actor helps to achieve a smooth and glowing complexion, is her organization and it's Syria Crisis Appeal. The star has time soon. Pepa, 50, said: "A lot of our fans, they always say #KitHarington will be the new face of Dolce&Gabbana's ultimate favorite. The blonde beauty - who is expecting admitted there is a "wish list" of celebrities she would Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella was the soundtrack to their fragrance line #DGTheOne for Men starting September her first child with her fiancÈ Jason Statham - shared the love to model in the show, and she has hinted the lives ... We're just not going anywhere. Our songs are here 2017 #DGBeauty (sic)." And the fashion designers have news of her essentials on her Instagram Story, which only people she has reached out to in the past have never to stay." The 'Push It' hitmakers are currently embarking on praised the British star for being the ideal figure to repre- lasts for 24 hours on the photo-sharing site. Alongside a refused to take part. She said: "There's always a wish the 'I Love The 90s' festival tour which sees them play sent the brand because he is "young, naturally charming, photograph of a variety of products lined up alongside list, but the thing is no one ever says no. It's so much shows with the likes of Vanilla Ice, Sugar Ray, and Coolio, charismatic" and has a "rich personality". They explained: one another, she wrote: "Just a few of my favorite skincare fun. The one we did with Jane Fonda in Cannes, she and Pepa admits she loves to watch the other acts and rev- "Kit Harington is exactly how we see the Dolce & products @caudalie (sic)." Whilst an image of her clasping gave us all a lesson on how to walk with a trail that el in the nostalgia of the decade that catapulted them into Gabbana man: young, naturally charming, charismatic, at a clear bottle of the Beauty Elixir, read: "My secret long, she skipped down the runway, it was amazing." fame. When asked if they watch the other acts on tour, with a personality rich in traits. "There could be no other weapon for a smooth & glowing complexion! The Beauty Pepa said: "Yeah, I always watch the show. I do love watch- face for The One for Men." Elixir @caudalie (sic)." And the 'Mad Max: Fury Road' actress ing the show. It's fun! And I watch the audience, and I see is "very happy" to have joined forces with the label, which the joy and the happiness-they're really into it. A lot of she has credited as her "favorite natural skincare brand". times they'll even come dressed as the '90s." DJ Alongside a picture of her posing with one of the products, Spinderella, 45, agrees with her band mate, saying the 90s she wrote: "Very happy to be partnering with one of my was an "incredible era" for music. She told Billboard maga- favorite natural skincare brands @caudalie! (sic)." zine: "When you say 'the '90s,' it's just nostalgia. The '90s Meanwhile Rosie, who joined forces with Marks and was an incredible era for music, hip-hop, pop culture - just Spencer in 2012 to launch her lingerie line titled Rosie for everything. People want to go back. And Salt-N-Pepa - we Autograph, is set to unveil her first swimwear collection for were literally in our prime." The artists playing at each date the longstanding retail brand in April. The British star of the tour changes frequently, and so the line-up is con- shared a string of images of her in a one-shoulder bikini stantly evolving. It is unknown how many shows the whilst swimming on her photo-sharing site to confirm the 'Shoop' rappers are set to perform, but Pepa says the festi- news. She captioned the posts: "#RosieForAutograph Swim val as a whole is set to continue into 2018, after having coming April 2017! "Very excited to announce the launch already racked up 100 gigs in 2016. This year will see the of #RosieForAutograph Swim coming April 2017 @mark- festival travel through the US, as well as Canada, Australia, sandspencer! (sic)." and England. TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 lifestyle

GOSSIP Watson had Belle Bootcamp for Beauty and the Beast mma Watson had to go to 'Belle Bootcamp' to learn three or four times a week, singing four times a week, how to ride a horse, sing and dance for her role in dancing three or four times a week. I was manic, I was so E'Beauty and the Beast'. The 26-year-old British actress hectic but I loved it." Even though she had to learn so many spent three months preparing for the part in Disney's live new skills for the part, Emma insists nothing was scarier action remake of their classic animation and another four than having to sing on screen. The 'Harry Potter' star - who months shooting the movie and she admits it was a mas- stars in the fantasy film with Dan Stevens and Luke Evans, sive commitment to get her portrayal of Belle right. In an who play the Beast and Gaston respectively - said: "Oh my interview on ITV daytime show 'Lorraine', she said: "With a god I can't even tell you how nerve wracking it was, there movie like 'Beauty and the Beast' it's like three months were a few moments when I had a real crisis of confidence prep, it's like three or four months shooting, it's in the UK. I ... Once I got into it I just loved it. I want to do a musical had to be there to do that and as I was saying before it's every day for the rest of my life. There is so much joy in it like you can't half-arse a project like this, you know, you're and like the music is just ... I don't know about you but in or you're out. And I was like I've kinda got to be all in when I hear that song 'Beauty and the Beast' I just melt." and so this was really where my heart was and I knew I had 'Beauty and the Beast' - which is based on French author to fully commit and make sure that I did this." On having to Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont's 1740 fairy tale 'La learn new skills for the role of Belle, Emma added: "I've Belle et la Bete' - is in cinemas worldwide this week. never ridden a horse before [making this film] and so I was like, 'OK.' This is what I mean about the prep. I mean I really went in to like essentially a 'Belle Bootcamp'. I was riding Brie Larson: Princess Diana 'saved lives' Kong cast bonded with her dresses

without WiFi rincess Diana "saved lives" with her dresses. The head of design's widower at Catherine Walker & Co, rie Larson and her 'Kong: Skull Island' castmates Pthe late princess' favorite design house, has revealed grew to be really close because they were shooting Diana - who tragically passed away in 1991 after being Bin locations without WiFi. The Oscar-winning actress involved in a car crash in Paris - has revealed the extreme loved shooting the part of the blockbuster - which also lengths they would go to make sure her outfits were stars the likes of Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John respectful to the places she visited around the world. In an C. Reilly and John Goodman - in Vietnam as the remote interview with PEOPLE magazine, Said Cyrus said: "As with location meant the cast were forced to interact more than all our clients who are in the public eye and attend high they would have done elsewhere. Speaking to the new profile events, we worked very closely with Diana to ensure issue of HELLO! magazine, she said: "Vietnam in particular what she was wore was appropriate and she-not the is special because it has never been captured on film clothes-was the star. "My wife and I spent a great deal of before in this way. We tried to get nature in its raw form, its time researching what she wore for official visits abroad, wildness and show the diversity of the island. It did [bring even visiting countries in advance to make sure we had it us closer]. There is no self-service or WiFi when you're so right. We tried to ensure that our designs bridged her deep in the jungle, it's too far away to go back to your trail- ambassadorial role for her own country and also paid er so you're just all in a tent together. I got to be back in respect to each destination. "She will always be remem- touch with nature again, it's not usual to do that at work." bered for her humanitarian work. In the end, she used her And when filming moved to Australia, the group enjoyed a dresses to save lives." Cyrus was speaking in the run up to lot of fun outings, including having a Queensland theme the opening of the new exhibition 'Diana: A Fashion Story park closed specifically for their use. Brie - who along with at Kensington Palace'. The curator of the new event, was her co-stars also filmed in Hawaii - said: "We did a lot of fun once hailed the "Sun Princess of Versailles" by Italian-born things on weekends, like going to Lazer Tag. We went go- Anne Hathaway: French fashion designer Pierre Cardin when she visited the karting lone time, but one of my favorites was when Movie Palace of Versailles in the French capital three years prior to World closed for us and we got to go on the roller coasters hear death in 1994, Lynn said: "[She] was really well as many times in a row as we wanted." The 27-year-old Ocean's Eight received. "The couturier Pierre Cardin was at the event and beauty enjoyed go-karting because she won one race, and said 'We are at Versailles, the home of the Sun King, and maintains she only lost the second because she was at a makes a statement now we have the Sun Princess of Versailles.' Diana was a disadvantage. She said: "I did win first place go-karting and very proud ambassador of British fashion.", recently said then in the next race I didn't. In the larger race I got a nne Hathaway thinks 'Ocean's Eight' has Diana - who had sons Prince William and Prince Harry with c**ppy car - just so everyone is clear. It had nothing to do become a "statement" because of its all- Prince Charles - was a "proud ambassador of British fash- with my skills, it was just that I got a faulty car ... But I'm OK female cast. The Oscar-winning actress ion". She was once hailed the "Sun Princess of Versailles" by the event and said 'We are at Versailles, the home of the A Sun King, and now we have the Sun Princess of Versailles.' about it. I'm not mad. I should have won but it's fine. I think admitted she expects the upcoming heist movie - Italian-born French fashion designer Pierre Cardin when all my years of playing 'Mario Kart' helped. I was focused." which also stars the likes of Sandra Bullock, Cate she visited the Palace of Versailles in the French capital Diana was a very proud ambassador of British fashion." Tom - who plays former SAS Captain James Conrad - previ- Blanchett, Rihanna, Awkwafina, Sarah Paulson, three years prior to hear death in 1994, Lynn said: "[She] ously revealed that Brie is a great go-kart raced but he was Helena Bonham Carter and Mindy Kaling - to attract was really well received. "The couturier Pierre Cardin was at useless behind the wheel. He said: "We're from different a lot of attention because it is seen as a political places in the world, thrown together in the valley of a dor- move not to cast men in major roles. Asked if she mant volcano - you get close pretty quickly. We bonded off worries the film will be seen as political or attract set. Brie organized weekends of activities, we'd go go-kart- harassment in the way the all-female 'Ghostbusters' ing - I was terrible. Brie's actually really good at it." reboot did, she said: "When I'm a second or a third lead in a film-usually the first and second leads are Una Foden wants to act men-my character doesn't feel political. "But when I'm number one on the call sheet, it suddenly na Foden wants to diversify her career and try becomes a 'woman's story' and it's a statement. her hand at acting. The 'What About Us' hitmaker "That's the moment that we're in. In this movie - who found fame as part of girl group The there are eight women starring, so it may well U Saturdays alongside Frankie Bridge, Rochelle Humes, attract that sort of attention. However, the 34-year- Mollie King and Vanessa White - is keen to step in front old star insists the cast won't take any sort of criti- of the camera and give acting a go. She told BANG cism aimed at their gender lightly. She added to Showbiz: "I'd love to try [acting] some time, but I don't Time magazine's Motto: "But good luck to any per- know how to go about it. Maybe a little cameo here or son who tries to take on Sandra Bullock and Cate there might be nice, but yeah I do, I've often thought Blanchett because you're not going to win." Anne - that. But it would have to be the right thing, maybe a who is a UN Goodwill Ambassador advocating for small part - see how it goes. I'd say film - just like a little parental leave - is thankful her first experience part just to see how it goes. TV is such a huge commit- working on a movie since having her and husband ment. But a small little part, yeah." Meanwhile, Una pre- Adam Schulman's son Jonathan 11 months ago has viously admitted she hopes The Saturdays will reunite been very welcoming towards the youngster, as she but she doesn't see it happening for "a few years" yet. knows that isn't always the norm. But she is hopeful She said: "I always say when the nostalgia kicks in, that's change will come about thanks to her co-stars insis- when bands reform and I hope one day we will, but it tence on making their sets family friendly. She said: won't be for a few years. "I really miss the girls and their "I only have one experience so far, and it's a movie company. We're all doing out own thing, but I've got the that stars eight women, four of whom are mothers- guys in the band now. But of course I miss the girls." which is definitely not the norm. "On 'Ocean's Despite this, Una - who has Aoife, four, and Tadhg, two, Eight', kids were welcome on the set. [Before we with her husband Ben Foden - loves being a solo artist Prince Harry to use started] I got an email from Sandra Bullock saying, as it gives her the opportunity to indulge her own spe- 'Hey, listen, we're going to make this a really wel- cific tastes in music. She added: "It's so me, totally. The coming place for kids. I know you're a brand-new whole album is about my life ... now it's unleashed to Princess Diana's tiara mom, so don't be afraid to bring your son. We love the world. I feel I've done a full circle. "I was embarking kids here.' "Change is going to come, but it's going on the path of a singer songwriter. Going around pubs to take people like her with the power to make and clubs, then I joined the Saturdays and it was a huge as engagement ring change to demand it." change for me. It's like being given a second chance to rince Harry is reportedly set to turn Princess Diana's go back to the music I like." tiara into an engagement ring for his girlfriend PMeghan Markle. The 32-year-old royal has been dat- ing the American actress since last year, and it is believed he is now looking at transforming his late mother's emer- ald tiara into a sentimental engagement ring so he can Dan Stevens: Beauty and the Beast pop the question to the brunette beauty later this year. A source said: "Diana's jewelry collection was left in trust for the boys and Meghan apparently loves emeralds. For Harry, like Wills before him, using his mother's gems means explores a classic Disney theme the two loves of his life will forever be linked." Harry is reportedly working on "something incredible" with jewel- ers, so that he can give Meghan, 35, "the same sentiment" an Stevens thinks 'Beauty and the Beast' the value of that kind of parental love." Meanwhile, that his brother Prince William had when he proposed to touches on a "classic Disney theme". The 34- Emma recently admitted a "scheduling conflict" his now-wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, using Dyear-old actor, who stars as the Beast in the with the making of 'Beauty and the Beast' was to Princess Diana's engagement ring. The source added to the much-anticipated new movie, has admitted that the blame for her not taking on the leading role in 'La Daily Star newspaper: "After Diana died, the boys both Bill Condon-directed film is alluring, in part, because La Land'. Emma, 26, was originally attached to the chose a keepsake from Kensington Palace when they of its exploration of the issue of absent parents. He leading role in the musical - which eventually went moved to Charles' rooms in St James's Palace. Prince explained: "It's a classic Disney theme, absent par- to Emma Stone - but she rubbished suggestions William picked his mum's Cartier watch, and Harry picked ents. Dead mothers and fathers all over the place! that her "crazy demands" are the reason she didn't her sapphire and diamond engagement ring. "But they "That really occupies a lot of fairy tales. The absent get the part. Emma recently said: "['Beauty and the had an agreement that whoever got engaged first would parent, and what is that filled with? If you have that Beast'] wasn't a movie I could just sort of step into. I have Diana's ring - and of course that was William and missing element in the equation, what fills that? knew I had horse training, I knew I had dancing, I Kate. Harry wants the same sentiment when he proposes What influences it? For good or ill." Dan, who stars knew I had three months of singing ahead of me to Meghan, so he is working with the jewelers to design alongside Emma Watson in the new movie, said that and I knew I had to be in London to really do that. something incredible." Meanwhile, a source previously the theme is one of the pillars of Disney's success. "This wasn't a movie I could just kind of parachute claimed that Harry would propose to the 'Suits' actress in He told Den of Geek: "It is fascinating. It's what into. I knew I had to do the work, and I had to be the summer, as the pair have openly discussed taking their makes them great family movies that you look at where I had to be. So, you know, scheduling con- relationship to the next step. They claimed: "They will be that dynamic: What is there, what isn't there, and flict-wise, it just didn't work out." — Bang Showbiz engaged by the end of summer. [They] have spoken can- what might be there in the absence? Sometimes a didly about their future. They see a life together." cautionary tale, but also sometimes a reminder of lifestyle TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

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The gallery Al-Riwaq. Artist Dia Azzawi at his retrospective in Doha QM Gallery Al-Riwaq. The Museum of Islamic Art, Doha. CNN celebrates Dia Azzawi as Qatar hosts the largest ever solo exhibition of an Arab artist ia Azzawi is one of the Arab world's most influential and Azzawi is much more than an artist in that sense." This episode When he comes face to face with his most iconic piece to date - versatile artists and is currently being celebrated with a of Inside the Middle East culminates with extensive filming with the Sabra and Shatila Massacre - Azzawi tells CNN: "I exhibited Dlandmark retrospective exhibition of his work in Doha, Azzawi in Doha, where the huge retrospective exhibition, enti- this work in Kuwait in 82-83 and then the Kuwaiti minister of Qatar. This month, to coincide with this 500-piece exhibition, tled 'Dia Al-Azzawi: A Retrospective (From 1963 until tomor- culture kept it for five years as a loan. Then after five years I con- CNN's Inside the Middle East has special access to Azzawi, his row), is taking place. tacted them and asked them if they can send it back to me. collaborators and his admirers. The show films with Azzawi in After I got it from the embassy, three days after that, Saddam London, where he has lived since the 1970s, and speaks to Islamic museum went to Kuwait. So I was so lucky to get the painting." British Museum curator Venetia Porter who tells CNN that he is Talking about his relationship with Qatar and its commit- Azzawi shows CNN that he is working on an artistic reaction "very important as an artist but he's become completely an ment to celebrating art, Azzawi says: "I have relations to Doha to the retrospective exhibition. It will be his largest ever paint- international artist now". We also follow Azzawi to Jordan, from the mid 90s. I helped a lot in building their collection of ing. He says: "This one, I mean huge, I cannot move it. It's a reali- where he is preparing an exhibition and attending a book modern Arab art. I like their commitment to art and culture... ty, sort of a celebration of my exhibition, and my opportunity launch celebrating the life of his friend and cultural icon Rafa The most important space is the Islamic museum. This is the which I got from Doha." More broadly, Azzawi talks to Inside the Nasiri. Speaking of the relationship between these two artists, jewel. And the most important project the last 500 years in Arab Middle East about his approach to art: "I try to create something art critic May Muzaffer says: "They started from the beginning countries, because for any society to without going back to which belongs to me or belongs to my culture, my stand, by bringing the Arab artists together. Dia played a very impor- their history they cannot be better." Filming at the Qatar Art morally, politically, or socially." On his future plans and legacy, tant role in bringing Arab arts together." Center, established by Sheikh Hassan Al-Thani, Azzawi says: "It's Azzawi says: "Historically, I hope somebody will do a research CNN also speaks to Sultan Al-Qassemi, the founder of the become my home, real home, actually. So, always when I'm about my work. He can find my contribution to push the Arab Barjeel Art Foundaton, who says: "Azzawi is a very politicised here, I do my work." On the 500-piece retrospective exhibition, arts to wider step or to open window to be part of the interna- artist. You have to know the history of the Middle East to appre- Azzawi tells CNN: "For me, it's the first time to see my work in tional scenes in art...The title of the exhibition 'Until Tomorrow' ciate the art... When I look at his art I feel a bit of sorrow, sadness 50, 60 years and I can find where's my success and where's my this is what I feel. If you want to stop, to be creative, is dead. I because I know what is reflecting in his work. Dia Azzawi is an failing, I feel privileged to have such space." mean, for me, hopefully I will not be in this position." artist, that is able to transcend specific dates in the past 50 Walking around the retrospective brings back many memo- years... It still looks like a contemporary artist, it doesn't look like ries for Azzawi. Stopping at one piece, he says: "I haven't seen Artist Dia Azzawi a modern artist, that has been frozen in the 1960s and 70s. Dia that piece of artwork since I had exhibition in Beirut in '68."

Even more live streaming entertainment on OSN play Award-winning online catch-up service almost doubles its live streaming channels for even more #newOSN value

SN, the region's premier entertainment com- ing extraordinary value. New channel additions will ue and giving subscribers unrivalled access to con- pany, has nearly doubled the viewing delight include more from National Geographic and Disney, tent both at home and on-the-go." Oof customers, with 14 new live streaming three incredible Discovery Channels, the hugely pop- In addition to 32 live streaming channels, OSN channels added to OSN Play. The online catch-up ular OSN First HD Home of HBO, Comedy Central, Play also features a host of special collections includ- service now features 32 world-class channels, with Nick Jr and Ginx Esports; as well as new Filipino and ing same minute as US event coverage like the recent more to be introduced through the year. Bollywood channels. Oscars screening; and exclusive Disney content, Provided as a free value added service with all Emad Morcos, Chief Content Officer, OSN said: "As including Disney English (a new English learning OSN subscription packs, the award-winning online TV a focus for #newOSN, we continue to build on our product) and Disney Channel Hindi. platform provides access to entertainment across a customer-first strategy. The additional channels that The additional entertainment available on OSN range of devices including laptops, tablets and our customers can enjoy for free on OSN Play adds to Play follows the announcement of new channels for mobile phones. the variety and accessibility of our premium enter- subscribers and new packs and prices, which make OSN Play already offers unrivalled direct stream- tainment, and are a perfect fit to today's online view- premium entertainment accessible to all. ing access to movies series, sports and news, with a ing habits. Now, there is even more to watch, any- line-up of kids, lifestyle and sports channels, deliver- where, anytime, on any device, adding even more val- Residents 'possessed' by voodoo doll Stewart and Assayas find a ver 30 people are thought to be from the culture-bound syndrome grisi sik- "possessed" after finding a voodoo nis, which translates into English as "crazy Odoll in a Central American village. sickness". The contagious syndrome sees its Residents of the small village of Santa victims express symptoms such as nausea, groove in the shadow of celebrity Tomas, close to Waspan in the south of anxiety, dizziness and irrational anger and Nicaragua, are believed to be suffering fear. One member of the Santa Tomas com- munity, known as Marisella, attempted to n the disheveled backroom of an East Village of the complexity of a lengthy texting sequence) become scathing and you're ungrateful and what- help her neighbours by making a home restaurant, Kristen Stewart is sarcastically moti- the movie had "a weird energy." "We struggled for ever. It was nice to be able to speak the truth and remedy for the illness, and upon investigat- Ivating the French director Olivier Assayas for a this film," he says. not be harpooned for it." ing the disease further, believes she has photo shoot. "You're in America now, dude," But Stewart says she channeled the intrusions Yet the former "Twilight" actress, with freshly found the cause of their troubles in the Stewart jokes. "We've got to sell the s--- out of this into her haunted character. "I thought I was being buzzed blonde hair, has deservedly made a reputa- form of a small voodoo doll. movie." Stewart, a blockbuster veteran at 26, is well taken from, and it was good," she says. "It made tion for herself as an unusually forthright and frank She told Central American media: "A acquainted with the demands of movie promotion. me more sensitive. My nerves were very close to star. She has taken part after part, usually in small- doll with black ribbon and a cross marked But with Assayas, she has found a freedom from the surface."In the two films, Stewart has relished er, indie productions ("Certain Women," "Equals," on its face [has been found in a street]. It such concerns. She and the director have forged an the chance to slyly remark on the celebrity indus- "Cafe Society"), with an insatiable urge to work, to suggests that it's affected by dark spells unlikely but formidable bond that has resulted in trial complex. "As an outsider, you're allowed to keep exploring. Stewart also debuted a short film and bad influences. A type of bad spirit." two highly acclaimed movies, both made in comment very honestly about things that are she directed at Sundance this year. Residents of Santa Tomas have reportedly Europe, far outside of Hollywood jurisdiction. undeniably, objectively strange," says Stewart." decided to burn the doll to prevent further They're an odd pair: She, a rebel A-lister from Los But if you're the person who is at the center of Trump and an inspiration "possessions", but it is unknown as of yet Angeles who has become one of the movie's most that, then all of a sudden those comments In a memorable "Saturday Night Live" mono- whether the disease has stopped claiming exciting and uncompromising actors; he, a demure logue earlier this year, she reflected on when victims. — Bang Showbiz Parisian whose layered, cerebral films teeter Donald Trump in 2012 repeatedly tweeted that between reality and fiction. her then-boyfriend Robert Pattinson should What makes them click? They chuckle. "I'm not "dump" her. "It was inconceivable, actually," sure," says Assayas. Stewart nods. "That's the main Stewart says. "At the time, I regarded him as like a question," she says. "I don't know. We like each oth- reality-show star. I was like: Who is this guy?" "To er." Their latest film, "Personal Shopper," is full of be honest, there are so many significant and very Fed up Brits want to quit their busy lives mysteries, too. It's a ghost story, set in a contempo- effecting things that he has said and says all the rary world of texting and Googling. In the film, time," continues Stewart. "This was just a stranger, which opened Friday, Stewart plays a twin whose fascinating one because it's so piddly in terms of ed up Brits want to 'leave it all behind' internet access (57 per cent). 42 per cent brother has just died. Her day job is shopping in what matters. It was worth everyone knowing in favor of a simpler life. According to of respondents said they'd miss going out Paris for a stuck-up celebrity, but she's also a medi- that because it's f------weird." Fnew research, carried out by the Travel for a nice meal. 'Life Below Zero' is broad- um, and a series of strange encounters make her She also, in a rebuke to Trump and an inspira- Channel to mark the new series of 'Life Below cast on Travel Channel Mondays to believe a spirit (her brother?) is contacting her. tion to others, announced, "And I'm like so gay, Zero', 62 per cent of those surveyed said they Thursdays at 10pm. — Bang Showbiz "Personal Shopper" follows their previous dude." "I've really allowed myself to really freely were considering quitting their hectic "Clouds of Sils Maria," also a singularly enigmatic and with no regard to the effect of others live my lifestyles for a quieter, simple life. One in five movie in which Stewart played support staff (an life," says Stewart. "There was just a time where I said the current climate was to blame, with assistant to Juliette Binoche's theatre actress) to a realized that the things you do and say when you 74 per cent claiming the find the future more famous character. (The part earned Stewart a have so many people looking at you, they do affect depressing. While 39 per cent were only Cesar, the first American to win the French award.) others. So I'm really proud of it. But at the same dreaming about escaping, one in 10 were But by stepping into characters out of the spotlight time, I hate that it's such a big deal. It's a fact of life actually planning to move to the suburbs in - and into films outside of Hollywood convention - right now but it's like, whatever. To me, it's not per- the next 12 months. Meanwhile, 13 per cent Stewart has never been so much herself on screen. sonally that big of a deal but I know that it can be had even applied to take part in a TV show to others." Stewart and Assayas may, in many ways, which gave them the chance to live in the 'Personal Shopper' be opposites. But they're both prone to following most isolated spots in the world. "I could be making movies about Kristen being their instincts in unpredictable directions and pur- Phillip Luff, managing director, Scripps a movie star or whatever persona any actress has suing questions they know won't lead to answers. Networks Interactive, UK & EMEA said: "We on social media," says Assayas. "But what interests Whatever the reason, they're a match. "It's a fact have seen a huge spike in viewers tuning in me is the person. So I throw the burden of celebrity that a film like 'Personal Shopper' happens because to escapist programs like Life Below Zero. on someone else, so she can be free of it." "Maybe of Kristen," says Assayas. "The way we function These shows have an ability to transport us for the next one I could play a famous actress," allows me to try, eventually, more daring things. In from our everyday lives and routines - and jokes Stewart. "Try to normalize that!" There were a certain way, she protects me." — AP give us a taster of what life could be like plenty of moments while making "Personal away from our mobile phones, the internet Shopper" where Stewart's fame invaded. Shooting and personal computers." Asked what they on the streets of Paris (Stewart drives a moped Filmmaker Olivier Assayas, left, and would miss most, 52 per cent said seeing through the city in the film), they were surrounded actress Kristen Stewart attend a special friends and family on a regular basis but by paparazzi. Assayas acknowledges for that and screening of ‘Personal Shopper’ at even more admitted they'd miss quick other reasons (a difficult crew, his underestimation Metrograph in New York. — AP lifestyle TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017

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These file photos taken show Maja Kuczynska, 17, making airborne gymnastic moves during her skydiving performance inside a windtunnel in the Polish capital Warsaw on February 19, 2017. — AFP photos Young pioneers push envelope on freestyle indoor skydiving

ressed in a white skintight full body suit and hel- But there are no limits on creative freedom. "It's real- of the Fly Spot vertical wind tunnel in Warsaw. "It's fol- met, Maja Kuczynska spins furiously before div- ly different from, let's say, ice-skating, because it's been lowing the same path as snowboarding, which at one Ding into a fast-moving sequence of airborne gym- around for such a long time that now it's really hard to time was very 'underground' and very independent. "In nastic moves with the elegance of a ballet dancer. create new moves, while in the tunnel I can go in and the end, an agreement was reached and it became an Soaring into yet another spin, she then floats, twists and play and create something nobody has ever seen before. Olympic sport because it gained popularity," he said. backflips in choreographed maneuvers akin to acrobat- "A couple of different people and I are creating this disci- ics or ice-skating suspended in midair. Her expressive pline," Maja adds. Kids too and dizzying two-minute display is enthusiastically Several vertical wind tunnels have popped up in applauded by the crowd seated around the outside of Olympic dreams Poland. They can operate around the clock and are much the wind tunnel. At the age of 17, the Polish high school She won the bronze medal in solo freestyle at a major cheaper and safer than skydiving out of a plane. There is student is one of about 20 top indoor skydiving com- international indoor skydiving competition, the Wind also no age limit. Maja says that when she started six petitors worldwide, who are pioneering the solo Games 2017, last month in Empuriabrava, northeastern years ago, she was among a handful of indoor skydiving freestyle version of a sport they call "flying". Spain. Competitions have rounds involving compulsory children around the globe including two girls in "It's more of an artistic approach to the subject," the moves and others where anything goes. A video posted Singapore and "a couple of siblings in Dubai". "But now, slender and sleepy teen told AFP, at 3:00 am on a Sunday on Facebook of Maja's performance, choreographed to half of the flyers at least, at competitions for freestyle, as she waited to practice at the busy vertical wind tunnel Major Lazer's hit song "Powerful", has gone viral, gather- are kids!" she said. in the Polish capital, Warsaw. "It's such a fast-paced disci- ing 30.5 million views in just over a month. She was only At just nine years old, Polish "flying" competitor pline, right now there's no one to teach me," she adds. outdone by Singapore's 14-year-old indoor skydiving Olga Lubak will head to Montreal in Canada, along with Vertical wind tunnels, where air moves up a column that sensation Kyra Poh, who won gold in the freestyle cate- Maja, in October for the World Indoor Skydiving stands up to 20 meters (66 feet) high, were first devel- gory, and Czech competitor Jakub Harrer, who took sil- Championships. For now, Olga is spending hours in the oped for aerodynamic tests. Their recreational use has ver, according to the Wind Games 2017 official website. wind tunnel to perfect her routine. "I'm really stressed gained in popularity over the last decade among sky- Although there are still just a handful of people out because I'm afraid of being last but I don't think divers seeking a safer alternative to jumping out of a worldwide competing at the top level in the solo that will happen," she told AFP, before being swept up plane. Wind speeds in the tunnel can reach up to 300 freestyle category, there is already talk of the sport mak- in the wind tunnel in another series of "flying" twists, kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour) and, while the ing it to the Olympics. "Indoor skydiving is the only aero- turns and spins. — AFP moves look effortless, staying in control requires enor- batic sports discipline that meets the criteria for being mous strength, flexibility and precision. an Olympic discipline," claims Bartosz Wiecek, manager

100 years on, debate rolls on over Russia's last tsar

aint or playboy, blood-stained autocrat or family man, Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid last month found 33 percent incompetent leader or just a victim of circumstance? A blamed the events on "foreign secret services", but just 15 per- Scentury after he ended Romanov rule, Russia's last tsar cent blamed the tsar's wavering. Nicholas first wanted his ail- still prompts heated debate. Nicholas II abdicated on March ing son Alexei to succeed, but agreed to choose his brother 2, 1917, or March 15 by the current calendar, in the royal train Grand Duke Mikhail, who refused, ending the dynasty. For in the northwestern town of Pskov. "There's no consensus in Romanov descendant Paul Kulikovsky, the moment of society or among historians about Nicholas II," says Boris Nicholas's abdication is a big "what if". Kolonitsky, a history professor at the European University at "It could easily have been avoided," said Kulikovsky, whose Saint Petersburg. Independent polling center Levada last great-grandmother Olga was Nicholas's sister. "He was basical- month found almost half of Russians feel positively about ly isolated and didn't have any family or friends around him at Nicholas II. President Vladimir Putin, despite his Soviet spy this crucial moment." Kulikovsky, 56, is the only Romanov past, has linked his rule to the Romanovs, opening statues and descendant living in Russia. With recognizably Romanov fea- exhibitions and lighting a candle in front of an icon used at tures, he grew up in Denmark but has a Russian wife. He is Romanov coronations. In December he called for the 1917 philosophical about the Romanov legacy, citing a recent poll centenary to bring "reconciliation". finding that only 20 percent want a monarchy. "Even if there is a monarchy, it's not a given that it will be a Romanov one A big 'what if' again and I'm fine with that," he told AFP. Nicholas II abdicated after the February Revolution in Saint Petersburg, when troops mutinied as protestors demanded Romanovs as holy martyrs bread and condemned tsarism. An online poll by After Nicholas's abdication, a provisional government took over but was overthrown by the Bolsheviks in the October Revolution. The new authorities arrested the ex-tsar and his family and moved them to Siberia and Yekaterinburg in the A visitor looks at a Bebe Peugeot (1913) during the exhibition ‘His Emperor Majestry Garage’ of 50 old cars in Moscow. Urals where the Bolsheviks shot them in 1918 and hastily hid Putin's spiritual advisor. Tikhon said he hopes to announce a But Nicholas delayed and by late February, the situation their remains. The Russian Orthodox Church has canonized decision by this summer. "We hope very soon this will be the was "probably irreversible", Solovyov believes. For Kolonitsky, the whole family as holy martyrs, which some believe means end of this chapter," Kulikovsky said. Nicholas "wasn't a good politician." "He didn't want to allow Nicholas II is beyond criticism. A forthcoming film about reforms-which conformed to his beliefs, he was a convinced Nicholas's pre-marital affair with a ballerina, "Matilda" by 'Not a good politician' monarchist," he said. Russia's complex situation "escalated sig- Alexei Uchitel, has angered extreme believers who even Historians are divided on the impact of Nicholas II's reign nificantly" during World War I, he says. "I'm not sure even a threatened arson attacks on cinemas. Monarchists this month and his abdication. Monarchist historian Vladimir Lavrov of good politician could have brought the ship of Russia through announced a bust of Nicholas II in Russia-annexed Crimea was the Institute of Russian History at a recent debate in Moscow those reefs. The challenges were very great." The public often miraculously oozing myrrh-a claim denied by the Church. said the "handover of power was illegal." It followed an "anti- dismissed the tsar as "a fool," he said, but Nicholas was not Nicholas's ambiguous status as a historical figure but also a Russian and anti-Orthodox" revolution," he said. Yet the tsar is stupid. He was an "unusually reserved" man who viewed his saint affects his family, too. Criminal investigators and geneti- still remembered as "Bloody Nicholas". In 1905 his troops shot family as his priority, but also "had the gift to charm people," cists believe bone fragments found in 2007 are the remains of dead hundreds of peaceful protesters, shocking the world. he said. He was "quite stubborn" but not a strong person or a Alexei and his sister Maria. But they cannot be laid to rest Historian Kirill Solovyov of Russia State University for the good judge of those he appointed, Kolonitsky said. "He want- until the Church decides on their fate. Meanwhile they lie in Humanities recalled a Soviet joke that it wasn't Lenin but ed to be an autocrat but he didn't have the character of an boxes in state archives. Other family members were buried in Nicholas II who did most to foment revolution. Solovyov autocrat."— AFP A symbol of Russian tsars is pictured on the Russo- 1998 in Saint Petersburg in a ceremony attended by then- believes a political crisis was inevitable but revolution could Baltiysky K12/20 car (1911) during the exhibition ‘His president Boris Yeltsin. Leading a Church investigation is have been avoided if in 1917 the tsar had agreed to "radical Emperor Majestry Garage’ of 50 old cars in Moscow. Archimandrite Tikhon, a monk said to be President Vladimir changes in power."

Visitors look at a Bebe Peugeot (1913) during the exhibition ‘His Emperor Majestry Garage’ of 50 old cars in Moscow. A visitor looks at a Delaunay-Belleville 35CV car (1912) during the exhibition ‘His Emperor Majestry Garage’ of 50 — AFP photos old cars in Moscow. Young pioneers push envelope on freestyle indoor skydiving

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 2017 39

Indian revelers play with colors during Holi celebrations in Chennai yesterday. The Hindu festival of Holi, or the ‘Festival of Colors’ heralds the arrival of spring and the end of winter. — AFP Priceless remains lie in Unearthing 2,000 years of ruins at Mosul museum history in central Algiers n archaeological treasure trove on the site of a be surprisingly well-preserved, Stiti said. The 3,000- t was once home to priceless archaeological treasures, but Taking the museum was a symbolic victory. In a notori- planned metro station in central Algiers is set to square-metre (32,300-square-foot) site was deemed so these days you get into Mosul museum in Iraq's second city ous video issued in February 2015, the jihadists were seen Abecome a museum, opening a window on 2,000 important that the municipality adapted its plans for the Ivia a gaping hole in the basement. attacking items at the museum with sledgehammers and years of history. The site, close to the Algerian capital's metro station, a move Stiti said was a first in Algeria. The In the darkness lies a pile of rubble-all that remains of two pneumatic drills, destroying priceless pre-Islamic artefacts. UNESCO-listed casbah, has yielded remains from the city's site will now become a museum incorporated into the sta- ancient Assyrian statues of winged bulls, smashed to pieces Today, the museum is in ruins-nothing escaped the attack- Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and French periods. "It was tion, which, in turn, will take up less than half its planned by Islamic State group jihadists. Iraqi forces announced that ers. In a darkened hall, a heap of stones marks the spot spectacular," said archaeologist Kamel Stiti, co-director of 8,000 square meters. The tunnel will go as deep as 35 they retook the building from IS on Tuesday as they pushed where tourists once admired two imposing "lamassu" stat- the excavations. "In one look, you could see two millennia meters (115 feet) in order to work around the remains. into west Mosul as part of a vast offensive to oust the jihadists ues, Assyrian winged bulls with human faces. The two- of Algiers' history." The remains, on the location of a from the northern city. meter-tall monuments weighed more than four tones, Roman port town called Icosium, were discovered in 2009 Metro museum according to Iraqi archaeologist Layla Salih. when the ministry of culture ordered surveys along the The Martyrs Square station is set to open in November, In the rubble, what appear to be the remains of carved planned metro line. part of an extension to the main metro line inaugurated in legs and wings can be seen. Other pieces of smashed stone October 2011. The museum will open shortly afterwards, bear inscriptions in the cuneiform alphabet. Amid the ruins, covering 1,200 square meters and organized chronologi- a hole leads to the basement, where twisted iron bars are cally. Some of the remains will be exposed to a depth of visible in the foundations. From time to time, an explosion over seven meters. "In Rome or Athens, museums present rocks the building, a plain structure of ochre rock, as Iraqi particular periods, whereas here the visitor can embrace forces fire rockets at IS positions. On the first floor, two Iraqi the whole history of Algiers over 2,000 years," Stiti said. snipers huddle behind narrow windows, their weapons "It's a source of pride." He said the project showed that trained. An IS sniper is operating nearby. Assyria, with its archaeology is not incompatible with development. capital Nineveh in the area of present-day Mosul, was a "It gives added value. One accompanies the other kingdom in northern Mesopotamia that became one of the without slowing it down," he said. "So as not to delay the most powerful empires in the ancient Middle East. Assyrian work, which would add costs to the subway project, art is famous for its bas-reliefs showing scenes of war. archaeologists have worked hard, including on public holidays." The National Archaeological Research Centre 'Destroyed on the spot' (CNRA) and France's National Institute for Preventive As well as the two lamassu, the museum housed a Archaeological Research (INRAP) have been working on winged lion of similar proportions, says Salih.The three lost This file photo shows ruins at an archaeological site the dig since 2013. More than 150 people of different sculptures "were among the most valuable pieces in the on Algiers' Martyrs Square. nationalities and specialties have taken part, giving museum", she says. The building had housed 100 objects, Archaeologists have since discovered coins, weapons, a young Algerian archaeologists valuable opportunities to she adds, and all but six of them were originals." Antiquities public building paved with 5th century mosaics and a work on an important excavation. weighing more than four tons were impossible for them to large 7th century Byzantine necropolis containing several Aicha, 70, who lives near the site, said she is looking steal, so they were destroyed on the spot." The second-most dozen graves. They also found parts of the Ottoman-era forward to seeing the museum open. "There will be no important museum in Iraq, the building also housed Es Sayida mosque, which French authorities flattened in more hassle because of the building work, and I'll be able Hellenic objects dating from centuries before the Christian 1831, shortly after their conquest of the North African to travel by subway and visit the museum with my two era. But now, the iron and wood showcases are empty, cov- country. The colonial government put a public square in granddaughters," she said. Said, a 50-year-old high school ered with broken glass. its place and called it King's Square and later, Government history teacher, said he hopes there will be guided visits Labels discarded on the ground bear witness, in Arabic Square. It was re-named Martyrs Square after the country's for young people "so they can take ownership of our city's and English, to inestimable losses: "Two silver goblets found hard-won independence in 1962. several millennia of history." — AFP in the royal cemetery of Ur... dating from 2,600 BC." "Various Experts had believed that few pre-colonial artefacts small objects found in the royal palaces of Nimrud - 9th remained on the site, but many of the ruins turned out to century BC." Others mention pottery, marble or alabaster tablets and a Mamluk-era copper candleholder decorated with floral motifs. IS jihadists seized a string of ancient sites in their lightning 2014 advance across Iraq and Syria. After declaring their supposed caliphate that summer, they plundered and destroyed several of them. The jihadists cast their destruction of artefacts as the religiously mandat- ed elimination of idols, but they have had no qualms about selling smaller pieces on the black market to fund their rule. In one video, they were seen using bulldozers, pickaxes and explosives to demolish Nimrud, a jewel of the Assyrian empire founded in the 13th century BC. At Mosul museum, little survived except two massive, dark coffins decorated with inscriptions from the Quran. Salih says they belonged to 13th century Shiite imams. "A restoration is possible, but it will be difficult to know if we will find all the fragments, or if some are missing," she says. — AFP

A general views show the damage inside the destroyed Thiese file photos show ancient stones at an archaeological site on Algiers' Martyrs Square after part of the museum of Mosul after it was recaptured by Iraqi forces square went under excavation for construction of the Metro. — AFP photos from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. — AFP photos