Car Insurance Transfer Fees Raised 100 Percent

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 RABI ALTHANI 29, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Car insurance transfer Min 12º Max 25º fees raised 100 percent High Tide 12:08 & 23:10 Some companies hike charges without ministry approval Low Tide 05:48 & 17:33 40 PAGES NO: 16437 150 FILS By Meshal Al-Enezi and Faten Omar

KUWAIT: Some car insurance companies in Kuwait have Saudi king, Qatar emir discuss ties increased transfer fees despite not having approval from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. When a RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman held talks in driver transfers insurance from one car to another (for Riyadh yesterday with Qatar’s emir, in what an analyst instance in the case of buying a new or used vehicle), sees as part of a regional effort to strengthen ties insurance companies typically charge a fee of KD 3 for against the Islamic State (IS) group. Qatar’s Sheikh the transfer. Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is the latest Gulf leader to Now, however, several companies have upped this visit Riyadh this week, after Abu Dhabi Crown Prince fee 100 percent to KD 6. They have done so without pri- Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and HH the Amir of or approval from the commerce ministry. “The union of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He and the insurance companies agreed to increase the transfer fee Saudi monarch discussed the enhancement of their to KD 6 [from KD 3] as the fee for the issuance of new relations, as well as international developments, the documents,” explained a manager at a local car insur- official Saudi Press Agency said. ance company who asked that his name be withheld. A Saudi official said yesterday’s talks between King “Yes, we have increased the service fees to KD 6, Salman and Sheikh Tamim also focused on the Shiite because there is no specified price set by the Ministry of rebel takeover of Yemen’s government, which Saudi Commerce,” the manager told Kuwait Times. He noted Arabia sees as a threat to its own stability and as that “There was no coordination between the union of regional interference from rival Iran. insurance companies and the ministry of commerce.” Anwar Eshki, chairman of the Jeddah-based Centre But two other car insurance companies told Kuwait for Strategic and Legal Studies, said the visits continue Times that they have not yet raised the fees from KD 3 efforts begun under Saudi King Abdullah, who died to KD 6 because there was no circular from the ministry last month, to reconcile Egypt and Qatar amid the ris- of commerce or the General Traffic Administration at ing IS threat. “I believe they are trying to push Qatar the Interior Ministry to change the scheduled fee. and Egypt to talk together,” he said. Saudi Arabia, the Several citizens and residents were surprised by the UAE and Kuwait are the main financial backers of RIYADH: Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (left) meets Saudi King Salman at Riyadh airport unexpected price hike. The commerce ministry did not Continued on Page 13 yesterday. — AP immediately comment on the issue. US hides spying software deep within hard drives

SAN FRANCISCO: The US National Security Agency has onage operations. figured out how to hide spying software deep within Kaspersky said it found personal computers in 30 hard drives made by Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba countries infected with one or more of the spying pro- and other top manufacturers, giving the agency the grams, with the most infections seen in Iran, followed means to eavesdrop on the majority of the world’s com- by Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Mali, Syria, puters, according to cyber researchers and former oper- Yemen and Algeria. The targets included government atives. That long-sought and closely guarded ability was and military institutions, telecommunication compa- part of a cluster of spying programs discovered by nies, banks, energy companies, nuclear researchers, Kaspersky Lab, the Moscow-based security software media, and Islamic activists, Kaspersky said. maker that has exposed a series of Western cyberespi- Continued on Page 13 News in brief Raids turn

MEW denies naming, Sisi into key shaming defaulters KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water yesterday strongly denied in a statement allegations on social anti-IS ally media about the ministry’s intention to publish the names of consumers with unpaid water and electricity bills. CAIRO: By targeting the Islamic State group with air strikes in Libya, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, having crushed Islamist opponents at Chopper crash kills home, has become a key ally of the West against four Saudi soldiers jihadists, experts say. His warplanes bombed IS RIYADH: A Saudi military helicopter crashed dur- camps and weapons stores in the Libyan city of ing a night training exercise in an area near the Derna hours after the Sunni extremists released a kingdom’s border with Iraq and Kuwait late on gruesome video showing masked jihadists Monday, killing its four-member crew, the defence beheading 21 Egyptian Christians on a Libyan ministry said. The short ministry statement issued beach. early yesterday and carried by the official Saudi The raids were the first time Egypt has Press Agency did not offer a cause for the crash of announced military action against Islamist targets the US-made Black Hawk helicopter in a training in its western neighbour, having previously denied zone west of the King Khaled military base in Hafr it targeted militants there. “The air strikes in Libya Al-Batin. It said authorities already have launched are an important new factor,” said Zack Gold of the an investigation to determine the cause of the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security crash. The ministry identified the dead crew mem- Studies. “Egypt and President Sisi have emerged as bers as Lt Col Ali Al-Arfaj, 1st Lt Majid Al-Fifeefi, 1st a key ally of the West in the fight against IS.” Lt Jadie Qablan and technician Raed Al-Jahni. Egypt had steered clear of a direct fight with IS outside of the country, although US officials say Cairo previously allowed the United Arab Emirates Indian millionaire to use its air bases to bomb Islamists in Libya. Sisi charged with murder has regularly said Cairo is fighting its own “war on NEW DELHI: An Indian millionaire has been charged terrorism,” in the restive Sinai Peninsula, where an with murder in the southern Indian state of Kerala after Islamist insurgency has killed scores of policemen police said he rammed his SUV into his security guard and soldiers. Officials blame the blacklisted Muslim he accused of being too slow. Mohammed Nisham Brotherhood of president Mohamed Morsi, who slammed his Hummer into the guard and hit him with was ousted by then army chief Sisi in July 2013, for an iron rod after pinning him against a wall as the gates deadly attacks in the country. These attacks have were slow to open when the businessman returned been claimed by jihadist groups such as IS-linked home late one night two weeks ago, police official Biju Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis. Kumar said yesterday. The 50-year-old guard, K The Brotherhood has been a target of a brutal Chandrabose, died Monday after being in a hospital on crackdown overseen by Sisi since Morsi’s ouster. life support. Nisham was in custody in a jail near the More than 1,400 people, mostly Morsi supporters, town of Thrissur where he lives, Kumar said. Nisham has have been killed, thousands imprisoned and hun- had several police cases filed against him, including one dreds sentenced to death after speedy trials which for allowing his 9-year old son to drive a Ferrari on a the United Nations says are “unprecedented in public road in 2013. Nisham has a thriving tobacco and recent history”. Global rights groups have con- real estate business in Kerala. When he was charged demned the crackdown against the Brotherhood, with allowing his son to drive the car, police records which made strong electoral gains after the 2011 showed that he owned 18 high-end cars worth an esti- revolution that ousted longtime autocrat Hosni mated $4 million, including a Bentley and a Mubarak. Lamborghini. Continued on Page 13 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 LOCAL

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives a gift from MP Dr Abdullah Al Turaiji, chairman of the Arab Scout Organization (ASO). The historical picture, taken circa 1939, shows (from left) Sheikh Khaled Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and HH the late His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives a book from Kathem Haji Marefi, Abdulelah Mohammad Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Marefi, Mohammad Taqi Marefi, and Abdulfatah Mohammad Marefi. —KUNA photos Amir receives Arab Scout Organization delegation PM highlights youth education to face challenges, shun extremism KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah becoming an easy prey to extremist groups potential of youth to contribute to society- Mohammad Rafee’ Ma’rafi,’ and ‘National then received Dr Majed Meseihij Mefarrej Al- Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at and ideologies. building. He warned that extremism is a seri- Private School: history full of achievements”, Delmani who presented him with a copy of Bayan Palace yesterday a delegation from the For their part, the delegation members ous threat to the security and the stability of and ‘March of Struggle.’ his doctoral thesis entitled ‘Emotional Arab Scout Organization (ASO), which is cur- briefed HH the Amir on the ASO activities and the region. HH the Amir and HH the Crown Prince also Intelligence With Teachers and Its relations rently visiting Kuwait to partake in the organi- the outcome of the 21st session. They lauded received Dr Abdullah Yusuf Al-Ghoniem and with Summer Problems.’ HH Sheikh Nawaf zation’s 21st session. The delegation included HH the Amir’s unlimited support to Arab join Amir, Crown Prince receive books Ali Gholam Al-Raes who handed him two also received Dr Faleh Husayan Mohammed the ASO Chairman and Kuwaiti MP Dr action. They also congratulated Kuwaiti lead- Meanwhile, HH the Amir HH the Crown books, in addition to Mahmoud Abdelkhaleq Al-Dossari who presented HH with a copy of Abdullah Al Turaiji and ASO board members ership and people on the national days’ cele- Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Al-Nouri, Nouri Abdlelkhaleq Al-Nouri and his doctoral thesis entitled ‘Management of Jawad Hamdan from Morocco and Qassem brations. Sabah separately received Kathem Haji Marefi, Hazem Hamad Al-Nouri, who gifted them a Energy-Saving Projects.’ bin Hani from Jordan. The ASO delegation later met HH the Abdulelah Mohammad Marefi, Mohammad book on the biography of scholar Sheikh Separately, HH the Amir and HH the Crown During the meeting, HH the Amir under- Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- Taqi Marefi and Abdulfatah Mohammad Mohammad Al-Nouri. Prince received HH Sheikh Nasser Al- lined the importance of the ASO in harnessing Hamad Al-Sabah, who called for providing Marefi. They presented HH the Amir and HH Meanwhile, HH the Crown Prince received Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Meanwhile, Arab youth skills and engaging them in seri- Arab youth with required knowledge and the Crown Prince a number of books, titled retired Colonel Ali Shaye’a bu Sheiba who pre- HH Sheikh Nawaf received Minister of Public ous and constructive activities. He urged ASO skills to be able to face the negative phenom- ‘Leader of International Humanity for 2014 HH sented him with a book titled ‘The Works and Minister of Electricity and Water members to do all in power to protect this ena and threats facing the region. He also the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Geographical, Historical and Strategic Abdulaziz Abullatif Al-Ibrahim, as well as important category in the Arab societies from underlined the importance of employing the Sabah,’ ‘Life Story of a Thinker: Abbas Importance of the Gulf region.’ His Highness Mohammad Jassem Al-Saqer. —KUNA Zain awarded ‘Best Mobile Operator’ in Kuwait

KUWAIT: For the third time, Zain, the lead- ing telecommunication company in Kuwait, was awarded the ‘Best Mobile Operator’ from Service Hero, the creators of Kuwait’s only customer satisfaction index. The com- pany ranked first among the telecommuni- cations sector in achieving the highest cus- tomer satisfaction scores by providing the best quality service standards. An awards ceremony was held at Symphony Style Hotel, with the attendance of many private sector leaders including senior Zain management. The award was received after an in-depth evaluation by an independent advisory council, which rec- ognized Zain’s role in launching advanced MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto programs and exceptional promotions for welcomes Kuwaiti Ambassador to Mexico Sameeh its customer base, as well as playing a lead- Johar Hayat. — KUNA Photo ing role in the development of the telecommunications sector. Zain received the ‘Best Mobile Operator’ Mexican President award for achieving high rates of customer satisfaction in eight criteria: confidence in reiterates desire the product, speed of service, quality, price versus value, company’s ranking, and to visit Kuwait behavior of staff, call center and the useful- ness and functionality of the website. MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto Commenting on the occasion, Omar Al- providing its customers with the highest maintain a customer centric strategy to the values of its brand. The company is stressed yesterday his sincere desire to consolidate and Omar, Zain’s Chief Executive Officer said: levels of service. Our team’s dedication, deliver an ultimate telecommunications motivated to continue its pledge in provid- strengthen bilateral relations between his country and “Receiving the ‘Best Mobile Operator’ innovation and focus on customer service experience to our customers.” ing exclusive services to meet the needs of Kuwait. He also stressed keenness to answer the official recognition from Service Hero for the third were key ingredients to us winning this Omar pointed out that this award rein- its customers as well as to facilitate their invitation extended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh time demonstrates Zain’s commitment in award and we will continue to strive to forces Zain’s commitment in maintaining personal, professional, and business needs. Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to visit Kuwait in the near future. This came during the President’s reception of Kuwaiti Ambassador to Mexico Sameeh Johar Hayat at the National TEC takes part in Palace. The ambassador participated in the 45th anniver- sary of signing the Tlatelolco Treaty that provided the pro- ‘Humanity Leader Parade’ hibition of nuclear weapons in Latin American and the Caribbean region. KUWAIT: The Touristic Enterprises val scheduled during the National and Ambassador Hayat during this meeting also conveyed Company (TEC) recently took part in the Liberation Days anniversary celebrations. greetings of His Highness the Amir to the Mexican preliminary meeting preparing for the The ceremony will start with the carnival President and looked forward for further development and ‘Humanity Leader Parade,’ due to be held march towards Kuwait Towers after Asr prosperity to achieve both sides’ interests in all fields. under the auspices of His Highness the (afternoon) prayer. Kuwait Towers will be The Mexican President in his speech stressed that Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- illuminated with images of His Highness Mexico, 48 years ago, had played a pivotal role in the Sabah on February 25, 2015 along the Gulf the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Liberation of Latin America and the Caribbean from the Road. TEC was represented in the meeting and Kuwaiti flags after Maghreb (sunset) nuclear threat through intensive negotiations that ended by Chairman of Board Ahmed Al-Tahous. prayers. The other side of the road will be by signing the Tlatelolco Treaty. The President said that the Along with many government and pri- allocated for public use transporting to the history was the biggest testament to the success of this vate bodies, TEC will take part in the carni- carnival area and also for the ambulances. Treaty and struggle is still goingon in order to reach full prohibition of nuclear weapons around the world. — KUNA

CBK promotes ‘Your Prize, Your Choice’ at Gate Mall

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait private jet plus a superb stay in The Atlantis (CBK) recently announced its participation Dubai Hotel. The first winner was already for three days at the Gate Mall to promote announced through the Marina FM Radio its ‘Your Prize, Your Choice’ offer made to program ‘Al-Diwaniya’. the holders of its Base Account, which pro- Holders of the account who transfer vides youth with many privileges that help their salaries of KD 750-1999 to CBK would them achieve dreams and aspirations. be granted the option to choose between The offer includes a monthly draw from two unique card designs, get a free January to June, 2015, selecting one win- Titanium credit card, free local concierge ner every month who, for the first time in service for credit card holders and free Kuwait, would be given three free choices access to selected Airport lounges across to select their prizes from a 2015 model the Middle East in addition to a free pre- Lexus IS 250, a KD 1,000 monthly salary for paid visa card and many discounts at sever- a year or a luxury family trip to Dubai on a al restaurants, shops and retail stores. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 LOCAL Crime MPs slam assault on police, Report Blogger sentenced Watan wins another ruling to three months By Hanan Al-Sa’doun Interior minister briefs panel on arms collection law KUWAIT: Kuwait Court of Misdemeanors yesterday sen- tenced blogger Rania Al-Saad to three months with labor and a KD 200 fine to suspend the verdict, in a case filed by By B Izzak ministries of commerce and information in revoking Al- prevent him from carrying out his duties. Liberal MP Faisal Sheikha Fraiha Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, who accused Al-Saad Watan’s licenses were in line with the law. Today’s ruling is Al-Shaye termed the assault as “regrettable” because it has of threatening her. Case papers indicate that the defendant KUWAIT: Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled not final but the court could allow the daily to resume pub- happened in a “state of institutions”, adding that the law had threatened Sheikha Fraiha on Twitter for criticizing Al-Sabah and some MPs yesterday criticized what they lication until the case is completely resolved. must be applied on all equally and those who have any people Saad described as ‘rebels.’ called a verbal assault by the editor of Al-Watan daily objection should do so through the channels of the law. Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Sabah against a senior police officer. Country of institutions The incident took place on Sunday as Maj Gen Abdulfattah Responding to a question about the incident at Al- Firearms collection Hashish caught at Saudi border Al-Ali and Sheikh Khalifa exchanged insults as Ali was try- Watan, the interior minister stressed that Kuwait is a coun- In another development, the interior minister said he A Pakistani man arriving from Saudi Arabia was recent- ing to shut a printing house owned by the daily whose try of institutions and that the law will be implemented has briefed the interior and defense committee of the ly arrested at Nuwaiseeb land border exit with posses- commercial and media licenses have been revoked by the and there is no difference between “small and big” people. National Assembly on the mechanism for implementing a sion of six bars of Hashish he had hidden inside a government. Sheikh Khalifa protested that the police He said that the ministry will not accept the dignity of law to collect illegal firearms and explosives. Head of the Saudi-made oil shipment brought to Kuwait. A case action was illegal since the daily had a court ruling allow- police officers to be undermined. The interior ministry said committee MP Maayouf said the minister told them the was filed and the suspect was referred to relevant ing it to resume publishing, while Ali insisted that he had on Monday that it had filed three lawsuits against Sheikh law will be published in the official gazette on Sunday and authorities. government orders to shut the printing house. Khalifa for insulting, resisting and slandering a senior based on the law, it will become effective four months lat- Al-Watan yesterday won another court ruling from the police officer. Head of the interior and defense committee er. Maayouf said the ministry plans to launch an awareness emergency judge who rejected the government’s objec- MP Abdullah Maayouf said the minister briefed the com- campaign regarding the implementation of the legislation. Drug dealer arrested tion for allowing the daily to resume publication until the mittee about the incident at Al-Watan. He however Under the law, all those who voluntarily surrender illegal Another Pakistani man was also arrested with possession administrative court issues its ruling today. The administra- expressed surprise at the behavior of a member of the rul- firearms before the law is effective will not be penalized. of 50 grams of heroin, 60 grams of ICE and 300 Roach pills. tive court is scheduled to rule whether the actions by the ing family of insulting a police officer and attempting to Violators under the law face several years in jail. Case papers indicate that narcotics detectives had been tipped off concerning the suspect’s activity in selling drugs. His house was raided and a search revealed the hid- den drugs. The suspects admitted to possessing the drugs Fire directorate announces Fireman Day for trade purposes. Fire statistics shows KD 10.6 million loss in 2014

By Nawara Fattahova

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) held a press conference yesterday at it premises to announce the upcoming celebration of the ‘Fireman Day’, which will be held from March 5 - 7, 2015 at Souq Sharq. This is the 13th celebration of the ‘Fireman Day’, which is held annually due to its success. “This year we have added special activities for the disabled. The disabled or their fam- ilies will be able to register at our system, so we will be aware that there is a disabled person in a particular house and the type of his disability so we will know how to deal with him in case of emergency before the teams reach his house. We have started in this project about four month ago and we hope we can reach between 40-50 thousand disabled persons to register,” said Head of the PR Department at KFSD Colonel Khalil Al-Amir during the press conference.

‘Challenge Championship’ More activities will also be held during these three days event. “The ‘Challenge Championship’ will be held during this event and four institutions will be participating. We held this championship last year for the first time and this will be the second version of it. In addition, the Secretary KUWAIT: Colonel Khalil Al-Amir (left), and Brigadier General Khalid Al-Mikrad at the press conference. — Photo by General of the World Organization for Civil Defense will be Yasser Al-Zayyat attending this event,” he added. held for all the firefighters and not just those of the direc- Fires increased “Many institutions will be participating with us in this torate. “It’s a moral awarding and honoring for them for He also mentioned some statistics of fire accidents which the event including the Ministry of Defense, National Guard, their hard work during the year. They are the anonymous KFSD dealt with. “We noticed that the accidents dropped by about and Kuwait Oil Company. Also the sponsors will be partici- soldiers who scarify their lives for the safety of others,” he three percent in 2014, while the number of fires of all types pating and they will be awarded during this event. This pointed out. increased about five percent. This includes a four percent increase event will be held during the weekend so the families will “The celebration this year coincides with honoring HH in fires in residential areas, while in the non-residential areas the have a chance to visit and enjoy the activities,” concluded the Amir as the Humanitarian Leader, and awarding Kuwait number increased by 34 percent. Also, Farwaniya Governorate Amir. as the Center of Humanitarian Work by the United Nations. ranked first in number of fire incidents. The top reason for fires is The focus will be on this issue to highlight the reason of short circuit. The number of fire accidents is more in the evening. Hard work this honoring and awarding, he said. “Also, we have chosen The loss of materials in 2014 is estimated at KD 10,600 million. The drug dealer pictured with the drugs found in his Deputy General Director of KFSD and Human Resources Souq Sharq very suitable and we appreciate their coopera- Injuries among firefighters dropped by 26 percent in 2014, and for- house. Brigadier General Khalid Al-Mikrad said that this event is tion with us,” stressed Mikrad. tunately there were no death among them,” explained Mikrad. Kuwait’s Sulaibiya Plant to set new global benchmark Upgraded with GE’s advanced water reuse technology

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Sulaibiya Wastewater and ultrafiltration membrane-based water shorten membrane element life. The mem- Treatment and Reclamation Plant is set to purification, also provided by GE. Through this branes require fewer cleaning cycles com- become the world’s largest-of-its-kind facility expansion, we are taking our facility to the pared to conventional brackish membranes, that uses membrane technology following an next level by continuing to use the most-mod- and can benefit from increased time between agreement to drive expansion. ern technologies available.” cleanings by up to 50 per cent. They feature a GE will provide ZeeWeed 1000 submerged unique coating technology that improve hollow-fiber membranes and AG LF low-foul- Model through investments cleaning cycles, reducing pressure and friction ing reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for the Heiner Markhoff, President and CEO-Water on the surface of the membranes, making plant that will enhance its production capacity and Process Technologies for GE Power and them resistant to organic fouling. from 375,000 to 600,000 cubic meters per day, Water said: “Kuwait today is serving as a model making it the largest such facility in the world. by meeting its water requirements through Long-term relations Kharafi National will undertake the expansion investments in water infrastructure, headlined Apart from its partnership on the world’s works. by the Sulaibiya plant. With demand for water largest wastewater treatment plant in Dr Ibrahim Al-Ghusain, Corporate Director, increasing at an estimated 6 per cent annually Sulaibiya, GE has established long-term busi- Kharafi National said: “Sulaibiya Wastewater and Kuwait having one of the world’s largest ness relations in the healthcare, aviation, ener- Treatment and Reclamation Plant leverages per capita consumptions of water, KN is gy and oil and gas sectors in Kuwait for nearly the world’s most advanced technologies to focused on strengthening wastewater treat- eight decades. The company is also focused on accelerate our operational efficiency and ment capacity to meet water reuse goals in driving the competencies of the Kuwaiti pro- strengthen production capacity. This is led by non-potable and industrial applications, allevi- fessionals through dedicated training and our commitment to support the country in ating the pressure on more pristine desalinat- knowledge transfer programs. meeting its growing water requirements. In ed water supplies. The new expansion of the GE has partnered with the Sabiya site, the 2004, when the project was commissioned, it Sulaibiya plant using GE’s advanced technolo- country’s largest combined cycle power plant, was the world’s largest to use reverse osmosis gies will scale up its wastewater treatment to expand capacity by 2,000-megawatt (MW), capacity significantly with greater efficiency as well as provided advanced F-technology and reduced environmental footprint.” media filter retrofits and pretreatment for RO. tional wastewater treatment systems. power generation equipment for the 800-MW GE’s immersed ZeeWeed 1000 ultrafiltra- It brings a high efficiency design with low cap- The AG LF series proprietary thin-film RO Shuaiba North power project. Recently, GE tion (UF) membrane system that will be ital, operating and lifecycle costs. The water membrane elements are characterized by high organized a ‘Powering Efficiency’ forum in installed at the Sulaibiya wastewater treat- produced meets stringent water standards, flow, high sodium chloride rejection and low Kuwait City, which showcased the company’s ment facility is ideal for retrofits and large while using lesser chemicals, reducing the fouling surface properties. They help resist newly enhanced 9FA gas turbine, its advanced plants. The technology is applicable in direct environmental footprint and producing less degradation from water containing bacteria, FlexEfficiency 60 Portfolio and the new Heavy filtration, coagulation, tertiary filtration, multi- residual waste compared to typical conven- colloids and other materials that foul and Fuel Oil combined cycle plant. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 LOCAL

Al-Qabas Al-Qabas Wait, you are I am a terrorist! CORRUPTION a terrorist!

By Mubarak Al-Abdulhadi By Abdellatif Al-Duaij ome people separate the Islamic State (IS) from other terrorist groups, which is part of es, most of those who attempted, with good Sthe excuses some politicians use to glorify intentions or deliberately, to turn the crime of terrorism according to their own rules, twisted YNorth Carolina into Christian or American ANTI ideas and justifications to hide the truth about CORRUPTION extremism and terrorism are outright terrorists, trying other terrorist groups. This simply happens to instigate against others, and at the same time justi- because they wish to hide the truth that criminal fy the crimes of religious extremism and terrorism IS followers are but part of the party founders, being carried out by some Muslims, particularly Al- Qaeda and Islamic State (IS). those pretending to follow the Muslim Most of those who protested the killing of Muslims Brotherhood and others who hide behind religion did not pray for them, did not feel sad and no one to justify their actions - they are actually the ones expressed sorrow or sympathy with the victims and who kill Muslims and openly serve Israel’s objec- their families. Rather, the news was accompanied by tives. questions about why the foreign media kept silent What is even worse is the Iranian scheme that is and ignored the issue, with indications that what took being supported by all these parties and groups Al-Jarida place was with the American or Western society’s using black flags and make secret deals with ter- agreement. rorist radical groups, be them IS, Hezbollah or oth- As is the habit of extremism and terrorism that is ers, because they are part of and the biggest sup- dormant in the Arab and Muslim mentality, there were porter of them. Al-Rai efforts to use the victims as a means to justify extrem- ism and to support and strengthen terrorism, exactly Today, the Kuwaiti society probably suffers from as the case in supporting the “children” of Syria and such radical ideas because some people still use Forget him, remember his message shedding tears for the victims of violence there. The the slogans made by these groups and publicly goal, despite the availability of lots of good intentions, boast using terrorist logos. Some people sympa- goes towards supporting the revolutionaries, or rather thize with IS while others are still held captive with By Nadine Al-Bdear terrorism, and confronting the Syrian regime and top- ‘colonial’ ideas and slogans like ‘Victory is Ours’, any studies on love show that the ‘chemistry’ Why are we afraid of bringing our love stories to the pling it. ‘We Will Crush Them’ and ‘We Will Exterminate attracting a man and a woman to each other open? We do we ban love? Why a lady in love is disre- There is no true care in the prosperity and lives of the Syrian human being, otherwise why isn’t the Them!’ while they are actually hiding in shelters, fades and dies out within three years after spectfully looked down upon in Arab societies? Why M donation collection process not separated from the leaving innocent people pay the price as usual and their first meeting. This explains why most couples did we women learn to walk around with very stern Syrian regime’s condemnation, and why do not the innocent youth victimized by their crimes. lose the flare of love that brought them closer togeth- faces? Why do we get angry if someone smiles at us on When will peoples ever wake up? If some peo- two sides, the regime and those who revolted against er by time, leaving habit alone to help them continue the street and consider it an insult and molestation, it, be held responsible for the tragic situation that “piz- ple wish to justify their terrorism as supporting their life together. Well, the main question here is what while if a man does the same with us in the West, we za eaters” are claiming to be sad for and work towards religion, let them at least unite with their various can they do, then? understand it is only out of courtesy of dealing with alleviating. religious and ideological beliefs to fight Israel, but Wait, I have decided not to go on writing about ladies. We have been taught about romantic poetry in It is difficult for person controlled by the disease of this will never happen because they are part of the these scientific studies about love because scientific Arabic literature, learning poems full of love stories hostility against others and even fear to play the role Israeli game! Real Islam advocators and Muslims debate is considered a luxury in our societies. Also, and the sufferings of lovers losing their beloveds at of the victim or even impersonate the humanity have become terrorists, while Israel and groups love is socially unacceptable in the first place. Why, the very same school where we were taught that love image, because real motives dominate and overcome subjugated to it or those in favor of cheers and then, should we bother talking about what might hap- is haram and that coeducation is haram during reli- acting and claims. The animosity spirit towards others nationalist slogans are the innocent party. pen within three years?! The world celebrated gion lessons. We have even been taught that the word and the wish to use the tragic circumstances for the Nothing proves this more than our current situ- Valentine’s Day a few days ago and we had the same love is the peak of immorality! victims and their families is clear from the start with ation, particularly what the Deputy PM and annual controversy about it, as usual. How can I understand that the Arabs, after having those who came forward to cry for the victims of Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled “Who is St Valentine?” “This celebration is haram, immortalized some beloved women, mentioning their North Carolina, and the crying itself was not isolated said in parliament about the presence of some how can you celebrate a Christian feast?” “Valentine names in love poems proudly recorded in history, from the clear wish to use the incident. radical ideas amongst some Kuwait University aca- allows unchaste relations.” Poor Valentine! All his fault demolish those immortalized names later in resent- demic staff members. However, and despite this was that he urged people to exchange roses and gifts ment of the ‘terrible’ thing (love) they did? serious warning, nothing has been done and and to look for their loved ones and congratulate them Our history is full of famous love stories between nobody ever raised this topic afterwards, especial- on the occasion. However, religious extremism and couples like Antar and Abla, Orwa and Afra, Qais and Crime ly when those professors boldly boast before their anti-emotion groups never stop howling and roaring Laila, Jameel and Buthaina and Amr and Hind. Our gifts Report students that they support such venomous ideas ‘No for love!’ In addition, social, radical groups who used to be poetry and prose. Feeling ashamed of love is had never experienced sentiments and emotions new to us because of some terrible setbacks. Our innate and groups that include many other parties declare Valentine as an enemy because he is associat- feelings and origins are what make many of us cele- besides IS! ed with things they had been deprived off. They have brate despite religious incrimination and attempts to A case of wife Well, if concepts are actually reversed and real no time except to wage war on each and every red spread hatred and the concept that men are ‘wolves’ Islam advocators are terrorists while real terrorists rose and every emotional relationship that reminds and women are ‘seducers’ who would take us all to hell. swapping hiding behind religion are innocent, then I am a them of their cruelty and the arid life they have been Well, Valentine is dead. Forget about him and try experi- terrorist! leading. encing love, even for a single day! KUWAIT: A woman filed a complaint with local police against her husband for suggesting a ‘wife swap.’ According to local Arabic daily, Al-Rai, policemen in 25,000 expats Kuwait were shocked when a woman registered a case against her husband alleging that he had told her to deported in 2014 have sex with his friend. When the husband was called KUWAIT: Well-informed security sources said 25,000 expats for questioning, he admitted the allegations and not- belonging to various nationalities were deported from Kuwait ed that he agreed to the arrangement because he in 2014. The sources explained that 26,000 expats had been wanted to have sex with his friend’s wife. When police arrested and sent to the deportation center, locally known as called the ‘friend’ to investigate further, he also admit- Talha prison, where 25,000 of them were deported. Five hun- ted the ‘wife swapping’ plan. The first wife has since dred people were released after legalizing their stay in Kuwait withdrawn the complaint, fearful that her husband and 500 are still in prison pending deportation. The sources said that deportees belonged to ten nationali- could be deported otherwise. The husband has signed ties with Bangladeshis on top of the list followed by an undertaking not to engage in ‘wife swapping’ in the Ethiopians, Sri Lankans and Indians. “Though the prison can future and released. The foreign couple are newly mar- accommodate only 800, quick deportation procedures helped ried with the wife only recently arrived in Kuwait. reduce pressure on its cells,” stressed the sources, noting that the prison has two travel offices to book flight tickets for deportees at competitive prices compared to other agencies, Vice charges dismissed which makes things easier for sponsors and deportees’ rela- In a non related second vice incident, a married tives. “Deportation used to be restricted to Kuwait Airways woman and 12 other suspects won an appeal and flights in the past, which slowed down the process,” added the were acquitted on charges of sending indecent pic- sources, noting that the carrier restriction is now annulled. tures and messages that included encouragements to commit vice acts. The Court of Appeals for Improved services Misdemeanors upheld a lower court ruling dismissing In addition, the sources said that services provided in the the case. Talha prison have improved a lot, especially in terms of the The accused woman’s husband told police that she quality of meals and opening for visits most weekdays. contacted the persons and sent them indecent pic- Responding to a question about overburdening the prison tures and messages. Her phone was sent to criminal capacity at some times, the sources explained that this usually evidence and was proved that some indecent pictures happens when some concerned embassies do not show were there as well as videos and messages with some enough cooperation pertaining issuing travel documents if of the accused. Detectives’ investigations revealed the violators do not posses valid passports, nor do they pay that the woman had suspicious relations with some the airfare for their deported citizens if the sponsor does not. young men through social media including “In addition, some prisoners cannot be deported if they are Instagram. But a lawyer for the suspects proved to the detained over financial claims,” the sources remarked. court that his clients had nothing to do with the Moreover, deportees with contagious diseases such as woman. AIDS and other diseases are usually detained in isolated cells to prevent infections amongst other prisoners while some get immediately discharged from the infectious diseases hospital to the airport, the sources explained. Gulf national beats wife Mubarak Al-Kabeer detectives arrested a Gulf nation- Government projects al for beating his wife and hitting her with a 4WD vehi- On a different concern, the Manpower Public Authority cle while with his two friends in Sabah Al-Salem area, director Jamal Al-Dousary said that 580 files of government then hid the car at a Kabd jakhoor (livestock farm). A projects that are completed but whose executors had not security source said that a citizen told police that her ex settled their labor statuses, had been suspended. Dousary husband attacked, beat then hit her car with a 4WD added that the concerned files had been referred to investi- while two other persons were with him. Detectives gation and immigration detectives. He also urged all con- called the divorced husband who denied his estranged cerned sponsors to settle and legalize the status and stay of wife’s claims adding that he does not own a 4WD vehi- workers. —Al-Qabas and Al-Anbaa cle. Detectives were able to reach his two companions through telephone lists, but they also denied any Kuwait may participate knowledge. However, one of the two men later con- fessed and confirmed the woman’s allegations, and led in Yemen operations police to where the car was hidden in Kabd. The car was found reported stolen on the same day of the incident. KUWAIT: Well-informed sources at Kuwait’s foreign min- All involved were sent to the public prosecution. istry did not exclude the possibility of Kuwait’s participa- tion in the military operations in Yemen. He stressed that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states would continue Alleged police abuse efforts to get a resolution issued in this regard under UN’s An officer at the Drugs Control General Seventh Chapter to authorize using military force on the Department refuted accusations by an alleged drug Yemeni soil. user that the officer beat him during his arrest. The “Kuwait will be committed to Security Council resolu- officer noted that the suspect resisted arrest. tions authorizing direct military interference in Yemen,” stressed the sources noting that Kuwait’s contribution Egyptian thief caught might also be limited to logistic and humane assistance Adan detectives arrested an Egyptian who stole KD the way it carried out in dealing with the international 2,000 from the store he works at in Abu Al-Hsaniya area alliance against the Islamic State (IS). before hiding in a daily rental flat in Mahboula. The man Further, the sources stressed that it was still too soon to was also caught in possession of shabu (powered confirm that Kuwait would take part in military attacks in methamphetamines), which is an illicit substance in view of the difficult topographic and social nature of Kuwait. The suspect was taken to Adan detectives’ office Yemen. —Al-Rai for further legal action. LOCAL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Municipality director slammed over embezzlement comments

By Mesh’al Al-Enezi tor. In addition, the sources condemned the silence of some coun- (MEW) and the Public Authority for Housing Welfare to immediate- cil members concerning such accusations and stressed that mem- ly work on solving the problems of the owners of houses in sector KUWAIT: Municipal sources have expressed surprise at statements bers should defend each other. “Each official should watch what he N2 in Jaber Al-Ahmed residential area. Sour added that 1,475 by Kuwait Municipality Director Ahmad Al-Subaih made on states to the media,” demanded the sources. house owners urged the officials to intervene to solve the problem Monday during a Municipal Council meeting, where he said that of not handing over their houses though the constructions have “like many other state establishments, the municipality has cases Home owners already finished as power supply has not yet been connected. of forgery and embezzlement.” The sources stressed that such Municipal council member and the head of Farwaniya commit- Some of them have already stopped receiving rent allowance statements should not have been made by the municipality direc- tee Nayef Al-Sour urged the Ministry of Electricity and Water while still houseless. Ahmad Al-Subaih Gulf Bank partakes in National Fund’s SME Debt Program Bank helps developing entrepreneurship ecosystem

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has announced that it is taking part in the ments, the file will be sent to the National Fund for review and National Fund’s SME Debt Program; a program which has been final approval. The bank then disburses the loan based on the developed by the Kuwait National Fund for SMEs Development approved product program, and will act as an agent for the (National Fund), established under law 98/2013, to encourage an National Fund’s portion of the credit extended to the borrowers.” entrepreneurship ecosystem in Kuwait through providing differ- “This program, and other future ones, are designed in-line with ent forms of support to small-and medium-size enterprises the country’s direction to encourage the private sector in partici- (SMEs). pating further in the economic development of Kuwait.” The National Fund identified that one of the ways of helping it to achieve its objectives is by partnering with Gulf Bank and other National initiative local banks to leverage on the existing financial infrastructure and Omar Kutayba Alghanim, Gulf Bank’s Chairman, said: “We are expertise to assist in providing growth capital in the form of debt. proud to be the first to take part in this important national initia- tive, to give direct and tangible support for Kuwait’s entrepreneurs Competitive loans and SME owners. SMEs and entrepreneurs are key drivers to diver- Dr Mohammad M Al-Zuhair, Executive Chairman of the Board sifying Kuwait’s economy and ensuring a prosperous and stable at the National Fund for SMEs Development, said: “While the Fund future.” envisages supporting the small and medium size enterprises in “This is also a great opportunity to showcase our tailored SME the areas of finance, education/training, legal, infrastructure, and services, as well as share ideas and help encourage young busi- other strategic/technical guidance, it has also identified that one nesses to grow. We look forward to rolling this program out, with a of the means to achieve its goals is by partnering with local banks fully trained and dedicated staff ready to receive loan applications to leverage on the existing infrastructure and expertise.” from entrepreneurs and SMEs for swift processing using the “The Fund, in collaboration with banks, will support SMEs by National Fund’s procedures.” offering competitive loans to meet their full financing require- Gulf Bank’s participation reflects its strategy to assist Kuwaiti ments. The banks will assess each business case on the basis of a nationals and promote Kuwait’s business community. It also reaf- list of eligibility criteria set out by the law, and agreed on with the firms the Bank’s dedication to encouraging new ideas and devel- National Fund. Once a bank is satisfied with the credit require- oping a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Omar Kutayba Alghanim, Gulf Bank’s Chairman, and Dr Mohammad M Al-Zuhair, Executive Chairman of the Board at the National Fund for SMEs Development, during the contract signing.

Snow and ice hit US South, Mid-Atlantic

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Ukraine truce fades as fighting rages

DONETSK: A pro-Russian separatist kisses the forehead of a killed comrade during a funeral at a cemetery in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. — AFP

Kiev and separatists stall on pulling back big guns NIKISHINE: Pro-Russian rebels bombarded government Monitors from the OSCE security group were expected to troops encircled in east Ukraine yesterday and a plan for both try to reach the besieged town after Germany said it had sides to pull back their heavy guns stalled, pushing a fragile agreed steps with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to ensure peace deal closer to collapse. A Reuters witness near the front they had “free access” in the east. But a new call by Berlin for line said artillery rounds rocked the town of Debaltseve every peace and for the withdrawal of heavy weapons to start as five seconds and black smoke rose skywards, despite a truce scheduled yesterday under the peace deal, reached at all-night that has eased fighting in many areas since the European-bro- talks in the Belarusian capital Minsk on Thursday, fell largely on kered deal took effect on Sunday. deaf ears. “We do not have the right (to stop fighting for The rebels said they had captured parts of Debaltseve, Debaltseve). It’s even a moral thing. It’s internal territory,” said which sits on a strategic railway junction, and that some Denis Pushilin, a senior separatist representative, setting the Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered, but Kiev denied this. “At goal of “destroying the enemy’s fighting positions”. the moment there is fierce fighting on the outskirts of the The leader of one of the two rebel-held regions in the east, town. There are clashes around the station. But our forces are Luhansk, said separatist fighters had started withdrawing holding their positions and they are completely within their heavy weapons. But there was no sign of this in areas held by rights to open fire in response,” Ukrainian military spokesman separatists in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. Andriy Lysenko said. Hopes that the deal reached last Thursday “We will not do anything unilaterally. That would make our sol- would end a conflict that has killed more than 5,000 people diers targets,” Pushilin told Reuters in the city of Donetsk. were always low after a rebel advance in January scuppered an Ukraine’s military reiterated in Kiev that its forces could not pull earlier truce. back their big guns until there was a total truce. “In the last 24 hours there has been firing so there is no Withdrawal of big guns ceasefire and so there is no precondition for a pull-back of But the ferocity of the fighting at Debaltseve was unexpect- heavy weapons,” Lysenko said. The European Union kept pres- ed and has heightened concerns in Kiev and the West that the sure on Russia and the rebels by announcing a new list of sep- separatists and Russian President Vladimir Putin want to aratists and Russians targeted with sanctions on Monday. cement the latest rebel gains before peace takes hold. Military Moscow promised an “adequate” response. The United States trucks and tanks came and went in the largely destroyed vil- said it was “gravely concerned” by the fighting at Debaltseve lage of Nikishine as the rebels pounded nearby Debaltseve and that it was monitoring reports of a new column of Russian with Grad rockets, heavy artillery and mortar bombs. Palls of military equipment heading to the region. “We call on Russia smoke hung over Debaltseve, which has a peacetime popula- and the separatists it backs to halt all attacks immediately,” US tion of about 25,000 and has been under fire for weeks. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. Russia denies sending arms or troops to back the rebels in mainly Russian-speaking areas of east Ukraine despite what Kiev and the West say is clear proof. The separatists said soon after the ceasefire came into effect they had no intention of observing it at Debaltseve, where they have been advancing since January. Fighting began in east Ukraine after the over- throw of a Moscow-backed president in Kiev a year ago and Russia’s annexation of the Crimea peninsula a month later. Several hundred thousand refugees have fled the conflict, which has devastated Ukraine’s already struggling economy, and relations between Russia and the West are at their worst since the Cold War. The West fears Putin, who has called parts of Ukraine “New Russia”, wants the conflict to fester for years so that Kiev cannot control east Ukraine and is prevented from joining NATO, while Russia can retain influence in the industrial east. Moscow accuses the West of waging a proxy war in Ukraine to seek “regime change” in Moscow and “contain” Russia. Western countries reserve the option of expanding economic sanctions on Moscow over the crisis, hoping growing financial problems in Russia will force Putin to use his influence with the rebels to DEBALTSEVE: A Ukrainian soldier takes position not far stop the fighting. Washington has also held out the threat of from Debaltseve, Donetsk region. — AFP giving Kiev lethal weapons if peace moves fail. — Reuters Military chiefs gather in Saudi over Islamic State

RIYADH: Military chiefs from around the world will gath- had deployed fighter jets in the kingdom to support the er in the Saudi capital today to assess the battle against anti-IS air campaign. Also Monday, the state news Islamic State extremists, diplomatic sources said. The agency in the United Arab Emirates said its Jordanian- two-day meeting, a followup to earlier talks, will gather based warplanes hit oil refineries run by the jihadists. The “all the countries that are involved” in the United States- same day, Egypt carried out its first announced military led fight against IS, including Gulf nations, one of the action against IS in Libya, after the militants released a sources said. “I think it’ll be sort of a general appraisal of video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic where we’re at, what needs to be done,” added the Christians. source, who asked for anonymity. Another diplomatic Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia has since source said the meeting is “more an exchange of infor- September been participating in the air strikes against IS mation” and a chance for co-ordination, rather than a in Syria. The Pentagon announced last month that the forum for major decisions. The talks among defense first of nearly 1,000 US military personnel would soon chiefs and their deputies coincide with the rise of IS in begin deploying to Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. They Libya, which has heightened concerns in the region after will train moderate Syrian rebels to take on IS. Among the group seized parts of Iraq and Syria last year. Western nations, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Arab states have intensified their bombing of IS tar- Denmark, France and the Netherlands have carried out gets since the jihadists in early February claimed to have air strikes against IS in Iraq, alongside the United States. burned alive the Jordanian fighter pilot Maaz Al- Germany said in December it would send about 100 sol- Kassasbeh, whose plane went down over Syria last year. diers to northern Iraq to train Kurdish peshmerga fight- Jordan’s information minister on Monday said Bahrain ers battling the extremists. — AFP p8_Layout 1 2/17/15 9:22 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 INTERNATIONAL

Jobless and desperate, Egyptians risk all in perilous Libya Almost 30 Egyptian workers abducted in recent months AL-OUR: Facing grim economic gers. It started during the 1969-2011 rule two rival governments vie for power. men to give up on the state and join mili- as a plumber was costly. In December, he prospects at home, desperate young of Muammar Gaddafi when Libya was Some Libyan oilfields continue to pro- tant groups in the past. was kidnapped on his way back to Egypt. Egyptians are seeking jobs in Libya - a more stable and allowed them to estab- duce crude for export despite the near Jobless men sit beside a canal filled He was one of the 21 Egyptians whom country sliding into lawlessness where lish communities and networks that they anarchy, though Egyptian migrants are with stinking, stagnant water. Samuel Islamic State militants beheaded, accord- armed groups battle for control and ing to a video released earlier this week, dozens of their compatriots have been and which prompted Egypt to carry out kidnapped. Tackling unemployment in an air strike on militant targets in Libya Egypt - where half of the rapidly growing on Monday. population is under 25 - is one of the toughest challenges facing President ‘How can people eat?’ Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. “I want my son. He went to support his He rules a country that has seen two children. He did nothing wrong,” said presidents deposed in the past four years. Alham’s weeping mother, when Reuters The 2011 popular uprising that toppled spoke to her in January, a few weeks autocrat Hosni Mubarak was fuelled in before the video was released. He was part by anger over joblessness. Affording among 27 Egyptians - low-paid workers - a home and getting married is still diffi- who had been abducted in Libya since cult under Sisi for many young men August, 13 of them in January alone. unable to make a living. The political and Militants claiming allegiance to Islamic social unrest since Mubarak was ousted State, the group that has seized swathes has scared foreign investors and tourists of Iraq and Syria, said they were responsi- away from Egypt, the world’s most popu- ble for the kidnappings of 21 of the “cru- lous Arab nation with 90 million people. saders”. The fate of the remaining six is This has exacerbated the job crisis, and unknown. On Monday, thousands of trau- the unemployment rate has climbed from matized mourners gathered at the Coptic 8.9 percent to 13 percent in that time. A handout picture released by the Egyptian Ministry of Defense on February shows an Egyptian air force fighter jet land- church in al-Our, struggling to come to Thousands of Egyptians have travelled ing at an undisclosed location in Egypt following air strikes in Libya. — AFP terms with the fate of their compatriots, to neighboring Libya in search of work 13 of whom were from al-Our. since 2011, despite their government have been tapping into since, despite the not to known to have jobs in this highly Alham lived with his wife and three chil- Al-Our is in Minya Province, a tradition- advising against going to one of the most increased risks. skilled sector. In the Egyptian village of dren, his three siblings and their children, al bastion of the Muslim Brotherhood. Sisi dangerous countries in the region. They can be seen working on building Al-Our, about 200 km south of Cairo, it is and his elderly parents in a small cement has cracked down hard on the Desperate for work, Egyptians, many from sites, in factories, restaurants and shops easy to see why young men take the risk. house. Like many young Egyptians, he Brotherhood since, as army chief, he top- impoverished villages in the south where in cities across Libya even as it has There are no paved roads, clean drinking dreamed of one day buying a small plot pled President Mohamed Morsi - a top underdevelopment has been a problem descended into chaos since a revolt top- water or adequate health care - the kind of land to build his own home. The 30- Brotherhood figure - in 2013 after mass for years, flock to Libya despite the dan- pled Gaddafi four years ago and where of conditions that have driven young year-old’s decision to go to Libya to work protests against Morsi’s rule. — Reuters

History, politics drive Israeli calls to the Jews in Europe

JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin upcoming election campaign did not give Netanyahu’s calls for Jewish emigration Netanyahu carte blanche to “make just any after anti-Semitic attacks have riled statement.” Danish Prime Minister Helle European leaders but come as no surprise Thorning-Schmidt said Denmark “wouldn’t given Israel’s history as a refuge and a be the same without the Jewish communi- looming election, analysts say. Netanyahu ty,” and Netanyahu’s comments did not go seized on the killing of a Jewish man in down well in Germany and Austria either. Denmark on Sunday to urge mass migra- tion to the Jewish state. “To the Jews of ‘It explains our existence’ Europe and to the Jews of the world I say But despite the offence caused in that Israel is waiting for you with open Europe, the Israeli premier’s position is arms,” he said in a statement. He said his nothing new and should come as no sur- government would adopt a $45 million prise, foreign ministry spokesman (39.5 million euro) plan “to encourage the Emmanuel Nahshon said. “Netanyahu is absorption of immigrants from France, leader of a country which sees itself as the Belgium and Ukraine”. “Israel is your home. nation state of the Jewish people, and We are preparing and calling for the which is essentially built as a refuge, most absorption of mass immigration from recently for Jews of the former Soviet Europe,” Netanyahu said. Union or Ethiopia,” he said. “We urge Jews A month earlier he made similar calls in the world over to come, but it must be a Paris after an Islamist gunman shot dead personal choice,” he said. four Jews at a kosher supermarket. Europe’s He said there was renewed urgency leaders have reacted with a mixture of out- because “it has never been so difficult to be rage and efforts to reassure their Jewish a Jew in France” or the rest of Europe since populations. French President Francois 1945, with figures showing that anti- BENGHAZI: A Libyan policeman directs traffic in a street of the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi yesterday. — AFP Hollande said he would no longer accept Semitic acts in France have doubled over calls which could “make people think Jews the past year. “Aliya”-Jewish immigration to no longer have a place in Europe.” French Israel-enabled the establishment of the Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Israel’s Jewish state in 1948 although it stretched Fear, silence in Libya back more than half a century before that. Roughly three million Jews have emigrated to the state of Israel to avoid persecution or in the name of Zionism. The French and the Danish, therefore, “shouldn’t be shocked,” as divisions deepen said Esther Schely-Newman of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University. “Israel opening its arms to the world’s Jews basically explains our existence. But should Jews come now? Two rival governments operate in divided Libya That’s another question,” she said. ‘Mr Security’ TRIPOLI: On the surface life looks normal in the where they say they faced persecution. “I didn’t feel though they avoid dealing in public with the non- In 2004, then prime minister Ariel Libyan capital. Cafes are bustling with customers comfortable any longer,” said a journalist who was recognised government. Some foreign business- Sharon riled Paris by calling French Jews to sipping cappuccino, while well-stocked shops sell based in Benghazi until September. “You can’t criti- men stayed, but there is little activity as money emigrate “immediately” because of what he anything from Italian underwear to French cheese. cize Haftar or you get framed as an Islamist.” transfers out of Libya are very difficult. The central called “rampant anti-Semitism”. Israel-based But as in the days of Muammar Gaddafi, many resi- bank is trying to conserve its depleted dollar politics professor Denis Charbit said the dents prefer to avoid talking politics in Tripoli, Political graffiti reserves due to a loss of oil revenues because of same message had been conveyed to Jews where a self-declared government has ruled since With people avoiding talking about politics, the the fighting. “I have little to do those days,” said of the Soviet Union, Syria or Iran. It is not a an armed faction called Libya Dawn seized the cap- debate in Tripoli has shifted to walls, where both Mohamed, head of a company which helped for- question of politics, he said. “Both left and ital by expelling its rivals in August. sides attack each other with graffiti-a legacy from eign investors with their paperwork. Adding to a right share the Zionist belief that Jews have Across Libya to the east, where the internationally the 2011 uprising against Gaddafi when scared res- sense of isolation is the departure of foreign air- the right to return to their homeland. The recognized government operates and a former gen- idents sprayed slogans at night. “No to Karama”, is lines-the few foreign connections run by Libyan right is simply just a little more assertive” in eral is battling Islamist militants, many Libyans are written on one wall, referring to Haftar’s campaign carriers are booked out for weeks. its calls for immigration. Former Israeli just as wary, fearing any criticism will see them against Islamists. Someone else has overwritten More foreigners left last month after gunmen diplomat and Labor party lawmaker branded as traitors or worse. The oil-producing the “no” and added “yes”. Yet another spray-can stormed the luxury Corinthia hotel, killing nine Colette Avital attributes Netanyahu’s timing nation is now effectively split in two with the interna- artist added “Libya Dawn” next to “Haftar”. Focus people including an American and a Frenchman. to a general election scheduled for March tionally recognized Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni points for Karama graffiti are the central district of The hotel had been the main venue for delegations 17. “I’m not sure Israel can offer all the secu- confined to the east since losing control of Tripoli Fashlum and the Tajoura suburb, areas which still visiting Tripoli. The other main hotels, the Rixos SARRE UNION: People walk in the rity in the world” to Jews, she said. and a rival administration controlling the capital and revolted early against Gaddafi. But there is also no and Radisson Blu, had already closed. Police have Jewish cemetery of Sarre Union eastern “Normally, Netanyahu might have been its surroundings. Both governments are backed by shortage of graffiti supporting Libya Dawn or shown a more robust presence in Tripoli since the France, following a ceremony with more diplomatic. But in this electoral peri- former rebel brigades who united to topple Gaddafi Islamist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood attack, but many residents prefer to stay home at French President Francois Hollande yes- od, he is projecting the image of a strong in 2011 but have since turned their guns on each and Ansar al-Sharia, which is branded a terrorist night with shops closing early and people staying terday. —AP man, that of ‘Mr Security’.”—AFP other as Libya slides toward a wider civil war. organization by Washington. off the streets. “I don’t go out much at night any The heavily armed groups have been fighting Tripoli’s new rulers are trying hard to show that more to visit my friends,” said a Libyan government on different fronts for territory and control of oil life is normal, inviting foreign journalists to visit. employee. “Either I sleep at a friend’s place or I ports. Hundreds of civilians have been killed and Some African and Asian diplomats have returned leave very early.”— Reuters Syrian army makes rapid 400,000 displaced inside Libya since the summer, according to the United Nations. With the country advance north of Aleppo polarized between the two rival factions who dis- miss each other as traitors, terrorists or war crimi- Shiite militias rush to BEIRUT: The Syrian army backed by allied ment forces had long been expected to try to nals, many Libyans explain that, as in the Gaddafi militia have captured several villages near encircle it completely, aiming to drive away era, it’s best to say little and avoid trouble. “I keep defend oil-rich Kirkuk Aleppo in battles aimed at encircling the rebels. “It is very important, because if they politics at home,” said an entrepreneur who gave northern city and cutting off insurgent supply continue like this they will completely cut the his name as Mahmoud. Like other Tripoli residents KIRKUK: Shiite prayers billow from a mosque who will ultimately get control of the city. lines, a monitoring group said yesterday. The supply lines for the future. The Syrian regime interviewed he preferred not to use his full name loudspeaker at a sprawling Iraqi military base on The Shiite fighters, officially known as the advance on Aleppo is the second major is moving forward there,” the Observatory’s for fear of reprisals. the fringes of the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk Popular Mobilization Forces, were instrumental in offensive by pro-government forces in a founder Rami Abdulrahman said. “You don’t want to get into trouble criticizing as Shiite militiamen, most of them in mismatched helping the Iraqi military - which dissolved in the week. The army and allied combatants from More than 210,000 people have died in the government or armed groups,” he said, sitting military fatigues, shuttle back and forth to nearby face of the militants’ initial onslaught in northern Lebanon’s Hezbollah group have also the Syrian conflict, which will enter its fifth with family members in the large reception room front-lines, eager for a taste of victory against the Iraq - stall the IS push outside Baghdad. They launched a large-scale assault in southern year next month, the Observatory has esti- of their Tripoli home. “In Libya the political atmos- Islamic State group. When the IS militants blitzed have also teamed up with Kurdish peshmerga Syria against insurgents. mated, with clashes between numerous fac- phere is now you are with me or against me.” across northern and western Iraq last year, tens of fighters in a number of battles, breaking the siege The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for tions regularly flaring across the country. Diplomats and foreign companies have mostly thousands of Shiite men answered a call-to-arms of the northern Shiite-majority town of Amirli in Human Rights said heavy battles north of Fighting in southern Syria has killed scores of pulled out of Tripoli since the summer when Dawn by the country’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah August, and recently, driving Islamic State mili- Aleppo had blocked a road leading towards combatants in the past week in one of the forces battled rival armed groups to drive them out Ali Al-Sistani, to defend the nation against the tants out of a string of towns in Diyala province, the Turkish border that rebels use as a supply last areas where mainstream rebels opposing of the city in weeks of rocket fire and shelling that Sunni extremists. northeast of the Iraqi capital. route. The army also took villages including President Bashar Al-Assad have a foothold. In destroyed the airport. Human rights activists, jour- Now the Shiite militiamen have arrived in But their arrival in Kirkuk, 290 kilometers north Bashkuwi and Sifat, while fighting raged in Aleppo province, villages and towns have nalists and supporters of Thinni or of an armed Kirkuk, long one of Iraq’s most hotly disputed ter- of Baghdad, has provoked deep-rooted sensitivi- Hardatain and Ratain, said the Observatory, passed between rival combatants while insur- group from Zintan, which was expelled by Dawn, ritories, and have made a string of bases just 10 ties. Kurdish forces claimed control of Kirkuk just which tracks the Syrian conflict using sources gent-held districts in the divided city have have fled the capital after facing threats or attacks, kilometers (six miles) from the city their home. A days after the Islamic State group swept across on the ground. It added that at least 18 insur- come under heavy air force bombardment. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch marriage of convenience has since emerged with northern Iraq, seizing major cities, including gents were killed. Syrian state television said yesterday five have said. Iraq’s strained Kurdish forces, which had been Mosul and Tikrit. Kirkuk, located along the fluid Aleppo is Syria’s second city and is at the people had been killed and 18 wounded in Rights groups have also documented similar exclusively in charge of the city since last year line that separates Kurdish northern Iraq from the forefront of clashes between pro-government Aleppo by insurgent rocket fire. The cases in the east, where Thinni has allied himself when they repelled IS advances. As they face a rest of the country, is home to Arabs, Kurds and forces and a range of insurgents, including Observatory reported battles between pro- with Khalifa Haftar, a former general who has used common enemy, the unexpected and often Turkmen, and all have competing claims to the Islamist brigades, Al-Qaeda’s hardline Syria government fighters, Nusra Front and war planes to attack civil airports in his self- uncomfortable alliance between the Kurdish and area. The Kurds have long wanted to incorporate wing Nusra Front and Western-backed units. Islamic battalions in at least six neighbor- declared battle against Islamists. Fearing for their Shiite rivals is on display. The friction is feeding the city into their semi-autonomous region, but A UN mediator has been struggling to broker hoods, including Old Aleppo and Jamiat Al- security, supporters of Libya Dawn have escaped to the combustible inter-ethnic competition over Arabs and Turkmen oppose this.—AP a ceasefire in Aleppo for months and govern- Zahra.—Reuters Tripoli from Benghazi and other eastern cities WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 INTERNATIONAL Snow and ice hit US South, Mid-Atlantic Winter storm leaves thousands without power

GREENVILLE: A snow and ice storm blasted drive, deliveryman Vincent Nash was out parts of the Mid-Atlantic and the South yes- trying to work. “You have to be careful. terday, creating treacherous road condi- People don’t know how to drive in this tions and leaving hundreds of thousands weather,” he said. His advice: ‘Go slow. Don’t without power. Officials urged people to be in a hurry’ stay off the roads in several states, but James and Mary Campbell also were wrecks were reported along slick streets. among the few out driving, searching for an School and offices closed for the day, out- open spot for breakfast. They weren’t too ages hit especially hard in the Carolinas and worried, saying it would warm up soon, but Georgia, and hundreds of flights were can- Mary had one concern: that the flowers that celed. were starting to come up in her yard would In Washington, Brenda Lane, 55, used a die. “I can’t wait until spring,” she said. The broom to brush off her car. She expected it storm had initially moved across Arkansas would take about an hour to free it from the and Kentucky, dispersing snow, sleet and 4 inches of snow that had blanketed it by freezing rain that prompted power outages, about 5 am. “My car’s small. I’ll take my time fender benders and other woes. In central and let it warm up,” said Lane, who planned Kentucky, home to the state’s signature to drive to work at a grocery store about 6 thoroughbred industry, horses kept warm miles away in suburban Maryland. “There’s by galloping through deep snow, pausing no sense getting mad at it,” she said. “I deal occasionally to shake it off from their thick with what the Lord sends my way.” winter coats. Ned Toffey, general manager The federal government closed its of Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, said the Washington-area offices for nonemergency horses enjoy running in the snow because it personnel. The closure - the first of the win- gives them a nice cushion as opposed to ter - was expected to keep tens of thou- the packed earth. But many folks weren’t sands of commuters off the roads and rails. quite ready for the winter blast. Parts of the Washington area saw 2 to 6 RL Doss said he used his truck to rescue inches of snow, and the storm was the several people and their cars on the hills worst of the season, said Andy Woodcock, a surrounding Frankfort. Cars were fishtailing meteorologist with the National Weather and sliding off the slick roads. “I look at it MARACAY: Julio Delgado instructs fellow bodyguards in a training session, in Maracay, Venezuela. Soaring crime has given Venezuela the sec- Service. “It certainly pales in comparison to this way. Everybody is trying to get out, to ond-highest homicide rate in the world, outside of a warzone, according to the United Nations. — AP anything happening in Boston, but it’s the get their last bit of food and stuff, getting most snow that we’ve seen here in one home from work and people leaving for shot,” he said. In northeastern North work and stuff, and it happens,” he said, Dangerous work, low pay Carolina, about a quarter inch of snow and shivering in tan overalls pulled over a ice was expected in the central part of the hooded sweat shirt. Freezing rain fell as far state. Up to 3 inches of snow and sleet was south as Mississippi. In Virginia, more than forecast for northeastern North Carolina. 500 wrecks were reported, and Gov. Terry for Venezuela bodyguards A winter weather advisory was in effect. McAuliffe declared a state of emergency. Officials hoped to avoid a disastrous repeat West Virginia also was hit hard by the of last year’s February storm, when rush- snowstorm when a train carrying crude oil CARACAS: Julio Delgado spends his days in his forced to take greater risks to guard their ing his motorcycle home, he got into a rolling hour traffic and a thin coating ice combined derailed about 30 miles from Charleston. At employer’s armored SUVs and fortified mansion. employers and to protect themselves from ban- gun battle with bandits eager to grab his gun to leave people stuck in their cars or aban- least one tanker went into the Kanawha Each night, he returns to his concrete home out- dits who covet their weapons and vehicles. and means of transportation. He escaped, but doning vehicles as they walked home in River and nearby house caught fire. It side the capital, where he lives exposed to In 2014, more than 100 government-affiliated was badly injured in the fight. Guards with Atlanta and Raleigh, North Carolina. In wasn’t clear if the winter storm had con- Venezuela’s stew of violence. Delgado, who bodyguards were killed in Caracas, according to a steady jobs, albeit modest salaries, are seen as Greenville, a place unaccustomed to nasty tributed to the crash. Next, the storm was directs security for the family of a powerful auto- tally kept by a major newspaper. The dead relatively well-off by thieves. Delgado, for one, winter weather, the roads were coated with poised to head up the winter-weary East mobile importer, is among the private body- included at least six members of Venezuela’s earns $250 a month, twice what an average a half inch of ice. Despite warnings not to Coast.— AP guards who are becoming more common - and presidential guard, most slain in apparent rob- bodyguard might earn and six times more than increasingly targeted - as Venezuela is hit by an beries gone wrong. The bodyguard of a Venezuelan working for minimum wage. The epidemic of crime. With the country’s oil-based Venezuela’s first lady was among them. Many salary enabled him to leave the hillside shanty- economy crumbling, the number of poor is more bodyguards already have been killed in town where he grew up and move with his wife growing, as is the gap between those barely 2015, including the men guarding a governor, a into a concrete home in the village below. His scraping by and the wealthy who hire guards to minister and a mayor. “This is an ungrateful pro- neighborhood of steep, broken streets is dotted protect themselves from thieves and kidnappers. fession that leaves you with scars,” he said. with makeshift shacks. The threat of robbery is Guards like Delgado make a precarious living. The 36-year-old Delgado came close to being pervasive; iron bars guard windows even on the Both on the job and off, bodyguards now are among last year’s fatalities. One night while rid- third stories.—AP

LEXINGTON: Daniel Mattingly cleans the snow off his car, which had accumulated while he was at work in Lexington, Ky. —AP US federal judge stalls Obama’s executive action on immigration

HOUSTON: A federal judge in South Texas Take Care Clause has temporarily blocked President Barack “We will continue getting immigrants Obama’s executive action on immigration, ready to apply for administrative relief,” he giving a coalition of 26 states time to pur- said in a statement. The nonprofit says it sue a lawsuit that aims to permanently stop promotes social and economic equality for the orders. US District Judge Andrew low to moderate income Texans. The coali- Hanen’s decision late Monday puts on hold tion of states, led by Texas and made up of Obama’s orders that could spare from mostly conservative states in the South and deportation as many as five million people Midwest, argues that Obama has violated who are in the US illegally. the “Take Care Clause” of the US Hanen wrote in a memorandum accom- Constitution, which they say limits the panying his order that the lawsuit should scope of presidential power, and that his go forward and that without a preliminary executive actions would be difficult to undo injunction the states would “suffer irrepara- once immigrants started to apply for ble harm in this case.” “The genie would be deferred action. They also say Obama’s impossible to put back into the bottle,” he order would force increased investment in wrote, adding that he agreed that legaliz- law enforcement, health care and educa- ing the presence of millions of people is a tion. “virtually irreversible” action. In a statement Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton yesterday, the White House defended the called the decision a “victory for the rule of executive orders issued in November as law in America” in a statement late Monday. within the president’s legal authority, say- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who led the state ing the US Supreme Court and Congress into the lawsuit when he was the state’s have said federal officials can establish pri- attorney general, said Hanen’s decision orities in enforcing immigration laws. “rightly stops the President’s overreach in its tracks.” Hanen, who’s been on the federal Young immigrants court since 2002 after being nominated by “The district court’s decision wrongly President George W Bush, regularly handles prevents these lawful, commonsense poli- border cases but wasn’t known for being cies from taking effect and the Department outspoken on immigration until a 2013 of Justice has indicated that it will appeal case. In that case, Hanen suggested that that decision,” the statement said. An Homeland Security should be arresting par- appeal would be heard by the 5th US ents living in the US illegally who induce Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. their children to cross the border. The first of Obama’s orders - to expand a Congressional Republicans have vowed program that protects young immigrants to block Obama’s actions by cutting off from deportation if they were brought to Homeland Security Department spending the US illegally as children - was set to start for the program. Earlier this year, the taking effect today. Republican-controlled House passed a The other major part of Obama’s order, $39.7 billion spending bill to fund the which extends deportation protections to department through the end of the budget parents of US citizens and permanent resi- year, but attached language to undo dents who have been in the country for Obama’s executive actions. The fate of that some years, was not expected to begin House-passed bill is unclear as Republicans until May 19. Joaquin Guerra, political direc- in the Senate do not have the 60-vote tor of Texas Organizing Project, called the majority needed to advance most legisla- ruling a “temporary setback.” tion.—AP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Kosovo’s joy now ‘despair’ on anniversary of independence PRISTINA: Jubilant throngs gathered streets of Pristina twice last month as stone- around gigantic letters spelling “NEWBORN,” throwing anti-government protesters when Kosovo declared independence from clashed with police who fired tear gas and Serbia seven years ago. Today, there’s a new rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. The national symbol: The bus stop where hun- government blamed the unrest on opposi- dreds of people gather every day to flee a tion parties wanting to stage a coup. But country they’ve given up on. High hopes Ramush Haradinaj, an opposition leader have turned to despair as Kosovars mark the who backed the protests, said the dissatis- anniversary of their dream of nationhood faction is due to stalled economic and social coming true yesterday. Tens of thousands of progress. people, including at least 5,000 schoolchild- ren, have already fled on the nightly bus EU membership journey through Serbia and into the “People are not satisfied merely by the European Union. most basic rights,” Haradinaj said. “They The mass movement of people - which want to know when Kosovo can join the EU, some describe as an exodus - is a sign of in what time frame? When will it no longer simmering discontent with the governing suffer from corruption? We are not talking elites in Europe’s youngest, poorest and about the Kosovo citizen who just wants to most isolated country. The departures, cou- be free. We are talking about a citizen that pled with violent January protests, threaten has higher expectations.” Kosovo came to export Kosovo’s economic and social under NATO control in 1999 after the troubles beyond its borders. “I am so disap- alliance bombed Serbia for 78 days to make pointed with my own place, I just want to it end its onslaught on ethnic Albanians. leave,” said Bislim Shabani, an ethnic Since breaking away from Serbia, Kosovo Albanian heading to Germany with his wife has been recognized by 108 countries. and four children. Kosovo’s recent membership in sports Shabani said he worked in a company organizations such as the International that went bust in a botched privatization, Olympic Committee has been welcomed as leaving many workers mired in debt: “They a major victory in its road to full-fledged owe me 12 months of wages. I couldn’t pro- statehood. vide for my family any longer.” Lured by But Serbia’s rejection of Kosovo’s inde- MABASS: A Cameroonian soldier holds a position near the village of Mabass, northern Cameroon. — AFP promises of a secure future abroad, many pendence has prevented further recogni- are happy to turn their backs on a country tions and helped to isolate it internationally. with rampant unemployment and corrupt The country’s 1.8 million inhabitants are Cameroon soldiers kill officials - who critics say enjoy the protec- subject to strict visa requirements and can tion of a justice system that caters to the only travel visa-free to a handful of coun- elite. Mirsad Muliqi waved goodbye to his tries, mainly neighboring Albania and brother and his family boarding a bus to Turkey. Kosovars are able to flow into Serbia 86 Boko Haram fighters Serbia, then said: “They just want to get out under an EU-brokered deal for Serbia to rec- of this filthy place.” The unemployed Muliqi ognize Kosovo-issued identification papers said he would follow as soon as his brother without recognizing its statehood. settles down in Germany. Militants widen attacks into neighboring nations Europe’s richest country has borne the Religious extremists brunt of the flow of refugees, with some The ease of travel to Turkey has also YAOUNDE: Cameroon’s army says it has killed 86 The aim of Monday’s discussion was to come up military operation spearheaded by highly coordi- 18,000 Kosovars entering since the begin- encouraged hundreds of Kosovo Muslims to Boko Haram militants and detained 1,000 people with “an agreed solution” on the fight against the nated air assaults have completed the mission of ning of the year. Official figures in Kosovo join the ranks of Islamic militants in Iraq and suspected of links to the Islamist group, as central extremists, a source close to the Cameroonian gov- clearing terrorists from Monguno and environs this show that at least 30,000 Kosovars have Syria. Alarmed at the prospect of ending up African leaders held talks on how to combat its ernment said. Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria morning,” defense spokesman Chris Olukolade said. sought asylum, mostly in Germany, since with battle-hardened religious extremists, bloody insurgency. Five Cameroonian soldiers were have formed a military alliance to combat the With his country’s troops actively engaged in com- August. The figure, however, does not Kosovo lawmakers passed legislation to jail also killed during the clashes in the Waza region notoriously brutal militants, who are fighting to bating Boko Haram, ECCAS chairman Deby called include migrants that stay illegally and do returning fighters for up to 15 years and near the border with Nigeria, defense ministry create a hardline Islamic state. on nations in the economic group “who have not not register with the authorities. Hungarian rounded up over 50 suspected radicals, spokesman Didier Badjeck said. Nigeria-based A Cameroonian army official announced that yet been struck” by the insurgency “to show their police say over 23,000 migrants have been including imams. Political analyst Dukagjin Boko Haram has widened its attacks into neighbor- more than 1,000 people suspected of being affiliat- solidarity”. “We also call on the international com- detected crossing their border in 2015 Gorani blames the simmering troubles on ing nations, notably Cameroon and Chad, in a con- ed with Boko Haram were being held in the town munity to provide its support-in equipment, diplo- alone, the vast majority coming from former rebel leaders who steered the flict estimated to have claimed a total 13,000 lives of Maroua, in the country’s Far North region, where macy, finance, logistics and humanitarian aid-to Kosovo. Almost none has any chance of province to independence from Serbia - but since 2009. more than 2,000 Cameroonian soldiers have been the efforts made by ECCAS,” Deby said. receiving asylum, German authorities say, have become detached from their compatri- Representatives of 10 nations, meeting in the deployed since August last year. “At the moment, After previous talks in Yaounde, Nigeria’s imme- because they are not considered political ots. He said they are now moving Kosovo Cameroonian capital Yaounde on Monday under the prison of Maroua is holding more than 1,000 diate neighbors, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin refugees. The usual fate of those who toward “social revolt and political discon- the aegis of the Economic Community of Central Boko Haram (suspects),” said Colonel Joseph announced on February 7 that they would mobilize receive a rejection letter: deportation. tent.” “Kosovo has ... been systematically African States (ECCAS), urged the international Nouma, commander of a local operation to combat a regional force of 8,700 men to fight Boko Haram. robbed and enslaved in the name of libera- community to provide more support in the fight- the Islamist militants. The detentions came as Operational plans for the regional force have yet to Unemployment tion,” Gorani said, referring to officials from back against the Islamists. “We have to eradicate police in Niger said they had arrested more than be submitted to the Peace and Security Council of To stem the flow, German border patrols the Kosovo Liberation Army who fought the Boko Haram,” said Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 160 people suspected of having links to Boko the African Union for approval before being sent to have been deployed to secure the border separatist war and are now in leading posi- as attendees pledged to create a 76-million-euro Haram in the country’s Diffa region, a border area the United Nations Security Council, according to a between Serbia and Hungary and help with tions. A European Union police and justice ($86-million) fund to fight the group. Biya declared with Nigeria which was attacked by the Islamist statement released after the regional talks. In a passport controls of people from Kosovo. mission that helped local authorities fight that Boko Haram’s utter disregard for human digni- group this month. statement read in Yaounde on his behalf, UN Unemployment in Kosovo stands at 30 per- corruption has launched a series of indict- ty meant “a total impossibility of compromise”, but Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that “a cent, according to official statistics. It is high- ments and investigations against senior offi- added that the fight against terrorism was not a ‘Solidarity’ purely military solution” would not suffice to deal est among young people aged 15 to 24 - at cials. But no sentences have been handed “crusade against Islam”. Nigeria, which has been most affected by Boko with Boko Haram. The fight called for a “multidi- a staggering 56 percent. Some 30 percent of down - triggering claims that the accused Nigeria, where elections have been postponed Haram violence, meanwhile announced its troops mensional approach... that will meet the chal- the population lives in poverty. have strong-armed the fledgling legal sys- by six weeks until late March because of Boko had recaptured the strategic garrison town of lenges of stabilization in the long term,” the UN President Atifete Jahjaga toured Kosovo tem. Gorani said the situation could explode Haram activity in swathes of the northeast, was Monguno in the northeast, which had fallen into chief said, referring to the region’s economic and cities recently in a bid to halt the exodus. In into unrest at any time. “You know how it is absent from the talks as it is not an ECCAS member. Boko Haram hands late last month. “Troops in a social challenges. — AFP some towns she was met by hostile crowds with the Balkans,” he said. “It is always a pow- accusing politicians of getting rich at the der keg and at the heart of which Kosovo expense of citizens. Anger boiled over in the remains with a very short fuse.” — AP Gambia at 50: Isolated and berated for rights abuses

BANJUL: As Gambia marks its 50th year of the government has publically accused independence today, critics say the mile- human rights defenders of being “foreign stone is tainted by the dismal human rights agents” spreading “nothing but lies”. record of an increasingly isolated regime. Jammeh has woven an aura of mysticism President Yahya Jammeh, an outspoken mil- around himself, dressing in billowing white itary officer and former wrestler, has ruled robes, carrying a Koran everywhere with the former British colony with an iron fist him and heaping derision on criticism from since seizing power in a bloodless coup in the West. But opponents say he has 1994. The regime of the man who says he become increasingly paranoid, regularly can cure AIDS is often berated for human reshuffling his ministers and keeping only a rights abuses, enforced disappearances, tiny circle of trusted allies close to him. extra-judicial killings, torture and the muz- The presidential guard on December 30 zling of journalists. put down a bid to seize power blamed Elections in November 2011 were boy- mainly on ex-servicemen from the Gambian Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cotted by observers from the main west and US armed forces while Jammeh was in African bloc which reported “an unaccept- Dubai. Jammeh has since reshuffled his able level of control of the electronic media government twice in less than two weeks, Four activists by the party in power ... and an opposition with high profile culls at the justice, foreign and electorate cowed by repression and affairs, information, and transport min- arrested for PRISTINA: Kosovo Albanians stand in front of letters covered with graffitis on the 7th intimidation”. Amnesty International pub- istries. There has also been a wave of insulting Erdogan anniversary of Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia yesterday. — AFP lished a report towards the end of last year arrests, detentions and harassment across stating that Jammeh’s opponents were the country targeting family members of being subjected to daily rights violations those suspected of involvement, relatives ISTANBUL: Turkey has stepped up arrests of activists accused of and detailing a crackdown by authorities on and right groups have said. personally insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, detaining at Nigeria’s Obasanjo quits the media. least four people in the last four days on charges of slandering the “The rights to freedom of expression and Arbitrary arrests Turkish strongman, reports said yesterday. The opposition accuses PDP in blow to Jonathan assembly are seriously curtailed as the gov- The feared National Intelligence Agency the authorities of setting up a cult of personality around Erdogan, ernment keeps a tight control of the media, and the police routinely carry out arbitrary who moved to the presidency in August after over a decade as LAGOS: Former Nigerian President Olusegun Progressives Congress (APC), a former military and journalists and human rights defenders arrests, say critics, holding “suspects” unlaw- prime minister. Obasanjo has quit the ruling People’s ruler in the 1980s seen as tough on security continue to be arbitrarily arrested, detained fully for weeks without charge. Jammeh has All of the latest arrests were related to nationwide demonstra- Democratic Party (PDP) that he helped found, and corruption. In 2013, Obasanjo wrote an and subject to enforced disappearance,” it also made numerous public statements tions on Friday, when secular Turks boycotted schools and took to in a blow to President Goodluck Jonathan six open letter to Jonathan urging him not to seek said. “The government unlawfully interferes attacking gay rights, including at the United the streets to demand a secular education, the Dogan news weeks before an election. Obasanjo, a heavy- a second elected term, likening his tenure to with the independence of the judiciary, and Nations General Assembly in 2013. In agency reported. Onur Kilic, 25, the organizer of the demonstra- weight in regional politics and godfather of that of General Sani Abacha, whose five years the culture of impunity, in particular among February last year, he stated that “we will tion in the western city of Izmir, was arrested on Friday for alleged- many a Nigerian politician, had long of military rule in the 1990s were marred by law enforcement officials, is widespread.” fight these vermin called homosexuals or ly chanting “thief, murderer Erdogan”, referring to corruption alle- expressed dismay over Jonathan’s handling of human rights abuses and the looting of funds gays the same way we are fighting malaria- gations against the president and his inner circle. “I was told that I the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency and cor- from Africa’s biggest oil producer.—Reuters Aura of mysticism causing mosquitoes”. He enacted a law in had been arrested for insulting the president but I haven’t insulted ruption scandals in the oil sector. “Henceforth The Gambian constitution guarantees October creating the crime of “aggravated anyone. I was just telling the truth” Kilic, who faces up to four years I will only be a Nigerian. I am ready to work the rights of its citizens, yet Jammeh has homosexuality” which carries a sentence of in prison, was quoted as saying by Dogan. with anybody regardless of his or her political “on several occasions denounced human up to life imprisonment, according to critics Amnesty International on Monday called for “urgent action” to affiliation,” he said in a statement printed in rights as a ‘Western notion’”, Amnesty said. of the regime. On Monday last week three release Kilic and called on the government to end all prosecutions the local press yesterday. Lawmakers recently passed several pieces Gambian men were among the first to be and detentions under a law that criminalizes insulting the presi- He tore up his party membership card at of legislation restricting the right to free- charged with the offence, which critics say dent. It said such prosecutions “violate the right to freedom of his home in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria, late dom of expression. These include an targets people with HIV, and remanded at expression”. Another protester, Kadir Yavas, was arrested on the on Monday, local media reported. “Without amendment to the criminal code which the notorious State Central Prison in Banjul. same charge during a protest against Kilic’s arrest, Dogan said. Arif Nigeria there will be no PDP anymore ... What places harsher punishments on acts of Opposition leader Omar Jallow Bugra Aydogan, a 20-year-old student, was arrested Monday after some of us should be concerned about is public disorder, such as “singing abusive described the crackdown as “another police raided and searched his home in the town of Gebze in how to make Nigeria stronger,” Obasanjo, 77, songs” and cross-dressing. The Information attempt on the part of this government to Kocaeli province east of Istanbul. a former mentor of Jonathan, said. PDP and Communication (amendment) Act divert public attention on... human rights He was charged with insulting Erdogan after chanting slogans spokesman Olisa Metuh said the party was 2013 allows up to 15 years’ imprisonment violations, the problem of rule of law, youth against him during the protest in Gebze. Another student, 24- “deeply saddened that Chief Obasanjo, whom for criticizing government officials online unemployment, poverty and economic year-old Safak Kurt, was also arrested on Monday after police the PDP offered the platform to rule our and targets people who spread “false news” stagnation”. An academic based in Banjul, found a video showing him shouting “Thief, murderer Erdogan!” nation for eight years, could decide to aban- about the government. In a pervading cli- who asked to remain anonymous, said during the protest in the southern province of Manisa. Meanwhile, don this party at this critical point in time”. mate of fear, most journalists in the nation Jammeh deserved credit for establishing a 17-year-old student, named only as HUC, was handed a seven- Obasanjo’s decision to dump the party that of 1.8 million practice self-censorship, yet the country’s only university, a state televi- month suspended sentence in the southern city of Antalya on helped smooth Nigeria’s transition from the government regularly closes down sion service, hospitals and roads linking charges of “insulting a public official” in a 2014 anti-Erdogan decades of military dictatorship to democra- media outlets deemed critical of govern- Banjul to the countryside. “He has however speech, the Hurriyet daily reported. cy when he took power as a civilian president ment policies. made a lot of impetuous decisions such as In power since 2003, Erdogan has been accused by critics of in 1999 was no great surprise. Amnesty has documented numerous withdrawing from the Commonwealth, sev- being increasingly authoritarian and intolerant of criticism. In an interview with the Financial Times last cases of journalists being arrested and ering ties with Taiwan and openly declaring Protesters as well as journalists have in recent years found them- week, Obasanjo endorsed Jonathan’s rival Former Nigerian President Olusegun detained without charge and having their that he has cure for HIV/AIDS,” the source selves facing criminal lawsuits or jail time after being accused of Muhammadu Buhari of the opposition All Obasanjo passports withheld on release. Meanwhile said. — AFP insulting of slandering Erdogan. —AFP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 India’s ‘Charlie’s Angels’ take on capital’s mean streets NEW DELHI: As dawn breaks over the Indian capi- tal, a group of police women are already hard at work practicing their punches, on a mission to rid the city’s streets of sexual predators. Dressed in white karate kimonos, the constables knee and kick their imaginary attackers with aggression, honing their skills in preparation for their debut assign- ment to protect women and the vulnerable. Following a string of high-profile attacks that has seen New Delhi branded the rape capital of India, police chiefs decided to form an all-women squad specially trained in martial arts. “We won’t tolerate any bad behavior,” leader Bharti Wadhwa told AFP after an intense two-hour session with her 40-strong team, dubbed Charlie’s Angels by their trainers. “It can start from a simple cat call which then leads to stalking and then rape. We will nip such antics in the bud,” said Wadhwa. After months of such sessions, the women are almost ready. Wearing plain clothes instead of uni- forms to blend in, they are set to be deployed in coming months at busy bus and metro stations, outside colleges and other areas where women are thought vulnerable.

‘Fearless and fearsome’ Trainer Vishal Jaiswal, a blackbelt in Japanese Shotokan-style karate, is all praise for his proteges. “In fact, I feel a great sense of responsibility while training these cops. I feel like a warrior on a mis- sion,” he said. “And my mission is to make them like Charlie’s Angels, fearless and fearsome,” he said with a smile. Delhi, a sprawling city of some 16 mil- lion, came under the spotlight just over two years ago when thousands took to the streets, enraged NEW DELHI: Indian policewomen practice kicks during a self-defense class in New Delhi. — AFP about violence suffered by women. The tipping point was the horrific fatal gang-rape of a 23-year- suffering in silence, despite the stigma attached to girls and women must feel assured that these about their safety fears. Women commuters hailed old student on a moving bus in the capital. The sex crimes in deeply patriarchal India. guardian angels are there to take care of them at all the constables as “much needed” when AFP tagged attack and the subsequent protests shook the Police have adopted a range of controversial ini- times.” along on one of their recent runs.”I use the bus to go country and led to a wave of policing and legal tiatives to try to throw off the “rape capital” tag, Women rights activists laud the initiative but are to college and often men stare or give you dirty reforms. including holding self-defense classes for Delhi’s sceptical of what a unit numbering just 40 can really looks,” said Sakshi Sharma, 19, as she browsed Since then however, attacks on women in Delhi female residents. The all-women karate unit has achieve in a city teeming with millions. “They must through a pink police booklet offering tips on how have showed few signs of slowing. Last month been championed by Delhi police chief Bhim Sain extend this training to enroll more police women,” to stay safe in the city. “I used to feel helpless but I women’s safety again made headlines when an Bassi. Known as ‘Charlie Papa’ on police radio, he Mriganka Dadwal, executive director of non-profit am glad to know that now women cops will be Uber taxi driver was charged with raping a woman has stressed women’s safety as a priority since tak- group SLAP (Street-level Awareness Program) said. around to protect us from lecherous men. It’s a great passenger as she returned home from dinner in the ing the top job in 2013. “After some more training, “The message should go out loud and clear to sex start by the police.” Sitting alongside her, Chhaya city. Some 2,069 rapes were registered with police the karate unit will be deployed in plain clothes offenders that they are constantly being watched Aggarwal, a 25-year-old software professional, was in Delhi in 2014 against 1,571 the previous year, an near metro stations and outside schools and col- wherever they may be.” more enthusiastic. “Now our fathers and brothers increase of 31.6 percent. Experts say women are leges, spots which are most vulnerable,” police In test runs, the karate unit has fanned out across need not worry about us when we are out, thanks to coming forward in increasing numbers, instead of deputy commissioner Varsha Sharma said. “Young the city to patrol public buses and talk to passengers this women’s army out on the streets.” — AFP Modi vows to protect all religious minorities India PM slams religious violence after church attacks

NEW DELHI: India’s Hindu national- Mahatma Gandhi would have been ist Prime Minister Narendra Modi “shocked” by religious attacks in yesterday promised a crackdown India. Modi was for years shunned on religious violence and freedom by Western countries after more of worship for all faiths after a series than 1,000 people were killed in of attacks on churches. Modi has communal violence in Gujarat been heavily criticized for not when he was the state’s chief minis- speaking out earlier against reli- ter in 2002. Most of the victims gious violence, especially after the were Muslims. While members of attacks on at least six Christian his right-wing Bharatiya Janata buildings, mainly churches, in the Party (BJP) continue to face accusa- capital New Delhi since December. tions of trying to push a pro-Hindu HERAT: An Afghan boy plays on the remains of a old Soviet tank in the city of Herat But in a speech at a conference agenda, the prime minister said he province, west of Kabul. — AP organized by Christian groups, had equal respect for all religions. Modi condemned religiously moti- “Mine will be a government that 26 Afghan police killed vated violence and promised that gives equal respect to all religions. his government had equal respect India is the land of Buddha and for all faiths in a country that is offi- Gandhi,” he said. “Equal respect for Army begins anti-Taleban drive cially secular. NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, listens to a speaker all religions must be in the DNA of “I condemn violence against any as he attends a function to mark recent canonization of two Indians every Indian.” Delhi’s Archbishop religion. We will act strongly Anil Joseph Thomas Couto hoped KANDAHAR: At least 20 Afghan policemen Waziri. Experts and Afghan military officials by the Vatican in New Delhi yesterday. — AP against such violence,” Modi said. Modi’s comments would “send the were killed yesterday in a Taleban attack near anticipate a surge in Taleban violence with the “My government will not allow any right kind of signals” to right-wing Kabul, bringing to 26 the number of officers to start of the traditional spring and summer Modi has also faced flak for only in religious tolerance but we group belonging to majority or hardliners. “They (attacks on die since the start of an army offensive aimed fighting season in April or May. Some remaining silent about a recent accept all religions as true,” he said. minority to incite hatred against churches) had not stopped because at weakening the insurgents. The assault saw observers have warned that unusually early spate of mass “re-conversions” of Around 80 percent of India’s 1.2 bil- others, overtly or covertly,” he said. the PM had not spoken. We were Taleban gunmen and suicide attackers strike warm weather this year may have already Christians and Muslims to lion population is Hindu but it is Church leaders in India welcomed always talking about the silence on police headquarters in Puli Alam city, south of encouraged militants to venture out of their Hinduism. In his speech, the prime also home to large numbers of the comments as long overdue, the part of the prime minister,” Kabul. Provincial police chief Abdul Hakim hideouts in the rugged mountainous area minister said everyone should be Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. saying religious hardliners had felt Couto told the NDTV news net- Ishaqzai told AFP that in addition to those along the border with Pakistan. free to practice any faith. “My gov- emboldened to push on with their work. “It’s the first time that he has killed, nine were wounded. ernment will ensure complete free- Obama warning attacks because Modi had failed to chosen to speak and speak very The attack came as police and troops, in ‘2015 will be a trying year’ dom of faith,” he said. “Everyone has US President Barack Obama speak up. Priests, nuns and parish- clearly his mind. And I am sure he their first major assault since US-led NATO Highlighting the dangers to Afghan forces, at the undeniable right to retain or warned on a visit to New Delhi last ioners clashed with police earlier has sent the right kind of signals to forces ended their combat mission last least 20 policemen were killed in yesterday’s adopt the religion of his or her month that India’s future success this month as they staged a protest all the (Hindu nationalist organiza- December, began targeting militants on attack in Puli Alam. Niaz Mohammad Amiri, act- choice without coercion or undue was dependent on avoiding splin- in Delhi against police and govern- tions) that whatever they are doing Monday in restive Helmand province, a hotbed ing governor of Logar province where the attack influence,” Modi added in com- tering along religious lines. Obama ment inaction over the vandalism it’s not correct and not in the spirit of the Taleban insurgency and a hub for drug took place, confirmed the provincial police chief’s ments seen as condemning the then raised further eyebrows when and arson attacks since December. of the constitution.” — AFP trafficking. The defense ministry said 76 insur- toll. Taleban militants also carried out an ambush mass conversions. “We believe not he said that independence icon gents were killed on Monday, the first day of at an abandoned building in the Maiwand the operation, which will also target militants province of southern Kandahar Monday night, in six districts in neighboring Kandahar, Farah, killing six policemen after luring them to the site Bomb attack in Lahore kills five and Uruzgan provinces. by setting off a bomb. “They fired as (police) The offensive is designed to hurt the arrived at the house. Unfortunately six police LAHORE: A suicide bomber killed five people near suicide attack on a Shiite mosque in the northwest- on the death penalty. Doctor Usman, also known Taleban before the start of the so-called “fight- were martyred,” provincial police spokesman Zia police headquarters in the eastern Pakistani city of ern city of Peshawar. as Aqil, was one of the first to go to the gallows. He ing season”. “This is a totally Afghan-planned Durrani said. The US and its allies have reduced Lahore yesterday, an attack claimed by a Taleban The main TTP group claimed responsibility for was convicted for an attack on the army headquar- and Afghan-led operation. It will continue until their military presence in Afghanistan to a contin- faction as revenge for the execution of their com- Friday’s attack in Peshawar, saying it was revenge ters in Rawalpindi in 2009 and was arrested after success is achieved,” said General Abdul Khaliq, gent of about 12,500 who are mainly focused on rades. The blast hit just meters from an entrance to for a militant known as Doctor Usman who was being injured. who commands the operation, The Taleban’s training and support for the 350,000 Afghan the police headquarters in the heart of the city, hanged in December. In claiming Friday’s attack, the TTP vowed to spokesman was not immediately available for troops and police. Many have warned that the sending a column of black smoke rising above Pakistan has stepped up its fight against mili- continue their campaign of violence. Since June comment. The defense ministry said the NATO withdrawal will embolden the Taleban to buildings. Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city and tants since Taleban gunmen massacred more than last year the army has been waging a major cam- assault, code-named “Zolfiqar”, was the first in beef up their insurgency, still resilient more than Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s powerbase, has 150 people, most of them children, at a school in paign against strongholds of the TTP and other a planned series of large-scale operations by 13 years after the US-led invasion ousted them largely escaped the worst of the Islamist violence Peshawar in December. Following the massacre, militants in the North Waziristan tribal area close to Afghan forces after NATO ended its combat from power in Kabul. “We know it, the Americans that has engulfed the country in the last decade. Prime Minister Sharif ended a six-year moratorium Peshawar. —AFP mission in December. know it, they have said that the Taleban will Shuja Khanzada, home minister for Punjab “This is not the first and will be not be the intensify their attacks this year, now that most province of which Lahore is the capital, said a last operation against the Taleban and their Western military forces have left,” retired Afghan policeman and four civilians were killed and 17 allies,” said ministry spokesman General Dawlat army General Atiqullah Amarkhail said. —AFP people were wounded. City police chief Amin Wains told reporters the police HQ complex, known as police lines, was the intended target. Baby survives birth “The bomber wanted to enter inside the police lines but exploded prematurely,” he said. “Police lines was the target but the bomber did not suc- through train toilet ceed to enter inside.” Television footage showed several vehicles on fire after the explosion, which JAIPUR: A Indian baby survived a shocking Most Indian trains have western-style left the street littered with broken glass and debris birth when he slipped down a train toilet and squat toilets with filthy chutes that from nearby buildings. and landed on railway tracks just moments empty directly onto the tracks. The train had after his mother delivered him, police said already left for Hanumangarh by the time Revenge attacks yesterday. The 22-year-old woman fainted in the woman’s family members found her The hardline Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of the the tiny toilet cubicle on Monday after giv- unconscious in the toilet. A local guard spot- Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) said they were ing birth on the train, which had briefly halt- ted the newborn crying on the tracks and behind Tuesday’s attack. Spokesman Ehsanullah ed before reaching Hanumangarh station in informed the police, who admitted the baby Ehsan said the group dedicated the bombing “to all western Rajasthan state. “The woman... felt to a nearby hospital. “When the woman and the martyrs who were dragged out of prison and acute labor pain, so she went to the toilet to her husband found their newborn alive and killed or hanged”. “We want to make it clear to the relieve herself and gave birth to a baby boy safe, they were very happy,” another police rulers that we will take revenge for the blood of who slipped down through the toilet bowl official Ram Singh said. “They had not innocent Muslims-our operations will continue till and fell on the tracks,” senior railway police expected that the newborn would be Islamic system is imposed,” Ehsan said in an official Subhash Vishnoi said by phone. alive.”— AFP emailed statement. Yesterday’s bombing comes LAHORE: The bodies of Pakistani victims of a bomb attack lie beside burnt-out vehicles near just days after 22 people were killed in a gun and the police headquarters in Lahore yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 North Korea ‘unworried’ by ICC threat

NEW YORK: North Korea said it is not worried about a means our request was denied.” threat to refer the country to the International Criminal Asked about the North Korean request, a Court for crimes against humanity, because it is not spokesperson for the US State Department said it was a guilty and wants to attend a US meeting on its rights sit- privately organized event, while adding: “The wide uation to defend itself. The United Nations General range of participants from around the world reflects the Assembly urged the UN Security Council in December international community’s continued concern with the to consider referring North Korea to the ICC after a UN dire human rights situation in North Korea.” Conference inquiry detailed wide-ranging abuses in the hermit chair Victor Cha, the head of the CSIS Korea program, Asian state comparable to Nazi-era atrocities. “We are said the meeting was open to the public and the think not worried at all because at every move we can strong- tank generally does not issue specific invitations. North ly respond to such a move and we are not guilty of any Korean diplomats at the United Nations need State crime,” North Korea’s UN ambassador, Jang Il Hun, told a Department permission to travel outside of New York news conference at the country’s mission to the United City, Cha said. Nations. Scheduled speakers at the conference include “We totally reject and categorically deny all those Michael Kirby, head of the UN Commission of Inquiry claims,” he said. China, a strong ally of Pyongyang, is into rights abuses in North Korea; Marzuki Darusman, likely to veto any Security Council bid to refer North the UN special rapporteur on human rights in North Korea to the ICC, diplomats say. Jang also said he asked Korea; and Robert King, the US special envoy for North the United States to scrap a conference on human Korean human rights issues. “This event is a futile rights in North Korea to be held at Washington’s Center attempt on the part of the United States and South for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank. Korea to give credibility to the Commission of Inquiry SEOUL: Protesters stage a rally denouncing the United States’ policy against North Korea near US “We also demanded that in case the conference is report amid increasing skepticism ... the report was Embassy in Seoul, South Korea yesterday. North Korea says it will respond “very strongly” to a con- enforced as scheduled then we had to participate ... as a based on fabricated forced testimonies,” Jang said. A ference in Washington yesterday about its widespread human rights abuses and says the United party directly concerned,” he said. “I sent a formal North Korean prison camp survivor last month recanted States ignored Pyongyang’s offer to attend and defend itself. Puzzled conference organizers said the request to my counterpart in the State Department and key elements of his account of torture and subsequent event was open to the public. — AP he responded that it’s not a US government event. So it escape from a North Korean prison camp. — Reuters Thousands shelter in monastery as Myanmar army battles rebels

LASHIO: Fugitives from the escalating vio- Lashio said. “We don’t know where to go or lence gripping northern Myanmar yesterday what to do,” he said. described fleeing airstrikes and gun battles between the army and ethnic rebels, as the Don’t give an inch country’s president vowed “not to lose an inch” It is unclear what sparked the resurgence of of territory. Clashes between Myanmar’s army conflict with Kokang rebels, which has under- and Kokang rebels in northeastern Shan state cut government efforts to agree a nationwide have uprooted tens of thousands in the past ceasefire with the country’s patchwork of eth- week, with Beijing saying it has stepped up its nic armed groups. Myanmar’s President Thein border controls after some 30,000 fled into Sein said the military was “protecting sover- southwestern Yunnan province. A monastery eignty and ensuring territorial integrity”, the in the Shan town of Lashio, some 140 kilome- Global New Light of Myanmar reported yester- ters south of the conflict zone, has become a day. The former junta general “vowed not to makeshift shelter for thousands who have fled lose an inch of Myanmar’s territory” during a the violence, most with little more than a few visit to wounded soldiers in hospital, the plastic bags of belongings. Many are tempo- report said. rary workers who have returned to their Myanmar authorities have blamed local homes in other parts of Myanmar. Kokang rebel leader Phone Kya Shin for stoking But at least 200 people are seeking refuge the violence and called on Beijing to rein in any in the monastery’s cramped dormitary after local officials who might be helping the group fleeing intense fighting in the Kokang town on its side of the border. Beijing yesterday said of Laukkai, a now near-deserted border town it was providing relief to the more than 30,000 and the epicenter of the fighting. “We con- people that have already fled into Yunnan stantly heard the noise of firing-both from province, and was also stepping up “patrolling guns and big weapons. It was so loud. and management of the border area”. Chinese Sometimes I thought the bullets were flying foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying by my head,” Win Thaung Tun said. The 28- called on conflicting parties in Myanmar to year-old Mandalay construction worker said “prevent the situation from escalating and he had lived in Laukkai for five years, attract- maintain security and tranquility of the border ed by the higher wages paid in Chinese cur- area”. “In particular they should avoid affecting rency, before fleeing the town on Friday. the security of the Chinese side of the border,” Clashes between the ethnically Chinese Hua told a briefing in Beijing. The Kokang Kokang and government forces erupted on region has been relatively calm since 2009, LASHIO: People who fled from conflict areas near the Myanmar and Chinese border arrive on a truck at a temporary refugee camp ata February 9, shattering six years of relative when a huge assault by Myanmar’s army monastery in Lashio, northern Myanmar. — AFP calm in the region. against the Kokang rebels saw tens of thou- The Myanmar military has launched a sands of people flood over the border into counter-offensive against rebels who tried to China. The latest fighting has drawn in rebels capture Laukkai in a series of brazen assaults from other nearby armed groups including the Indonesian anti-corruption chief that left nearly 50 government soldiers dead. Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)and the Dozens have now been killed on both sides in powerful Kachin Independence Army (KIA), named suspect in tit-for-tat feud raging street battles as the military moved to which are both battling the government’s retake the town and flush out rebel holdouts, forces in other areas of Shan and nearby Kachin although ascertaining exact casualty figures is states. Myanmar, which has over 130 recog- Widodo’s anti-graft credentials questioned difficult. “We saw two helicopters and air- nized ethnic minorities, has been plagued with planes shooting... the situation got worse sporadic conflicts in its border regions since every day,” Thein Htike Soe, 33, who fled with independence in 1948, in what is now the JAKARTA: Indonesian police named the head of Samad has been named a suspect for falsifying a doubt on the agency’s neutrality. Samad’s his wife from their home near Laukkai to world’s longest civil war. — AFP the anti-graft agency a suspect in a corruption document,” Endi Sutendi, spokesman for South deputy, Bambang Widjojanto, was named as a case yesterday, the latest twist in a tit-for-tat feud and West Sulawesi police, told reporters. Samad suspect by police last month in a 2010 perjury between the rival organizations that has present- told reporters he would respect the legal complaint. Widjojanto has offered to resign tem- Thailand fails to tackle human ed the new president with his biggest challenge process, but said he did not understand why he porarily, but that has yet to be approved by to date. Hostilities between the police and had been named a suspect. Widodo, the popular Samad or Widodo. trafficking, rights abuse: TRFN Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have former governor of the capital, narrowly won a Police had earlier threatened to name the gone unchecked by President Joko Widodo, July election with the promise to jaded voters of agency’s four most senior commissioners as sus- BANGKOK: Thailand’s efforts to combat human who have escaped or been rescued from modern- whose perceived indecisiveness has dented his bringing clean, effective government. pects in various criminal cases. Under trafficking in its multi-billion dollar fishing industry day slavery, EJF said, citing its interviews with vic- popularity and raised questions about his anti- But a survey published by a local pollster this Indonesian law, police can name individuals as have been “wholly inadequate”, and it has failed to tims who described threats at gunpoint and graft credentials in one of Asia’s most corrupt month showed just 45 percent of Indonesians suspects without detailing charges. end officials’ involvement in trafficking and labor severe injuries from beatings by staff at govern- countries. The two most senior KPK officials have were satisfied with Widodo’s performance, down The moves against the KPK are widely seen abuses, a rights group said. The US State ment shelters designated to protect victims. EJF Department last year downgraded Thailand to its pointed to media reports over the past year detail- now been identified by police as suspects in dif- drastically from 72 percent in August. “If we hope as retaliation for the agency’s decision last “tier 3” list of worst offenders - alongside 22 other ing Thai and Burmese trafficking victims being ferent criminal cases, casting doubt over the to attract large private investment in the current month to name police chief nominee Budi countries including North Korea, Iran and Central rescued, buying their freedom and swimming future of the agency. conditions, with corruption rampant, will it be Gunawan a suspect in a bribery case, which African Republic - in its annual ranking of countries ashore after escaping from fishing boats. It cited After questioning more than 20 witnesses, successful?” said John Rachmat, head of research forced Widodo to delay his appointment indefi- by their counter-trafficking efforts. While Thailand’s the Thai-language newspaper Thai Rath reporting police said they had enough evidence to name at local brokerage Mandiri Sekuritas. Samad has nitely. But a court this week invalidated the military-backed government said last month it was in November a case of two Thai children, 13 and KPK head Abraham Samad as a suspect in the fal- also faced accusations in parliament of taking KPK’s decision, claiming it had no legal basis. “confident” it had met the minimum standards to 15 years old, being rescued from forced labor sification of a passport back in 2007. “Abraham part in politics while serving as KPK chief, casting The KPK has yet to respond. — Reuters improve its ranking, the London-based aboard a vessel operating out of Ambon, Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) said on Indonesia. Tuesday that the country was still failing to prevent A month later, Thai Rath reported that exploit- trafficking and rights abuses in the fishing industry. ed workers aboard a Thai-owned fishing vessel in China man gets $189,000 “Nothing that we have seen or heard in the last Iran had contacted journalists to request govern- year indicates that Thailand has taken meaningful ment help to return home. EJF said Thailand has action to address the root causes of trafficking also not addressed the unregulated industry of and abuse,” EJF executive director Steve Trent said labor brokers, whom the private sector has cited for 6 years on death row in a statement. “The Thai government must take as the main facilitators in trafficking and abuse of clear, significant and sustained steps to prevent migrant workers. “Based on these failures and the and suppress human trafficking in the fishing ongoing occurrence of systematic trafficking and BEIJING: A Chinese man who was freed defendants often do not have an effective family planning policy”, it added, without pro- industry.” EJF said in a briefing paper that Thailand abuse in the fishing industry throughout the last after six years on death row following a defense in criminal trials, leading to regular viding details. China has been easing its one- was failing to enforce laws and crack down on cor- year, EJF strongly recommends that Thailand wrongful murder conviction was paid miscarriages of justice. China has occasionally child policy but many curbs still remain and rupt officials involved in trafficking, and to identify remain on tier 3 in 2015,” EJF wrote in the paper, $189,000 in compensation, state media said exonerated wrongfully executed convicts large fines can be levied on those who break victims of trafficking and forced labor aboard fish- calling for the government to implement substan- yesterday, amid anger at the flawed legal after others came forward to confess their the rules, which officials, in particular, expect- ing vessels, even though it launched inspections tive action and reforms. Thai officials contacted by system. Nian Bin, a former food-stall owner crimes, or in some cases because the sup- ed to follow rigorously. Zhu has been expelled at sea last year. phone and email did not immediately comment The government is also not protecting victims on the report. — Reuters who was convicted of poisoning two chil- posed murder victim was later found alive. from the party and handed to legal authori- dren and condemned to death in 2008, was The Communist Party is attempting to allay ties for prosecution, the watchdog added. finally freed after a court quashed his con- public anger over injustices by lessening the Two other senior officials elsewhere in China viction last August. A court awarded him influence of local officials over some court face prosecution on corruption allegations, 1.14 million yuan ($189,000) for loss of per- cases, and reversing verdicts in some high- the commission said in separate statements. sonal freedom and mental suffering, the offi- profile cases. Wang Min, the former Communist Party cial Xinhua News Agency reported. boss of Jinan city, capital of the northern His case went through multiple appeals, Official to be punished coastal province of Shandong, has been with lawyers arguing that the evidence In another development, China will prose- accused of bribery and abuse of power, it against him was insufficient and saying police cute a former senior provincial official sus- said. Wang attracted notoriety when an had tortured him to obtain a confession. Nian pected of crimes such as breaking the strict investigation into his activities was first applied in December for 15 million yuan ($2.4 family planning laws, graft and abuse of pow- announced in December, after state media million) in compensation from the govern- er, the government said yesterday. Zhu said he had vigorously and publicly backed ment at a court in the eastern province of Mingguo was former head of the top political President Xi Jinping’s high-profile fight on Fujian which had upheld his death sentence advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political corruption. Identical accusations of bribery three times, the China Daily reported at the Consultative Conference, in the southern and abuse of power face the third official, time. He also requested the court make a export powerhouse province of Guangdong Chen Chuanping, the former party boss in public apology through the media, it added. that borders Hong Kong. the northern city of Taiyuan, the capital of Acquittals in China’s Communist-controlled The ruling Communist Party’s graft-fight- Shanxi, a top coal producing province on the court system are extremely rare 99.93 percent ing Central Commission for Discipline frontlines of Xi’s graft fight. Its party leader of defendants in criminal cases were found Inspection said an investigation found he had was replaced in September amid what a top guilty last year, according to official statistics. accepted a “huge amount of bribes” in the official called big problems with its “political The use of force to extract confessions selection of officials and management of ecology”. None of the men could be reached BANGKOK: A man with a leg prosthesis plays flute as he begs for money on an elevat- remains widespread in the country and companies. He also “seriously violated the for comment.— Agencies ed walkway in Bangkok. — AFP NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

The aurora borealis, or the northern lights as they are commonly known, are photographed over Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland, England, yesterday. — AP US jails sell e-cigarettes to inmates

CINCINNATI: E-cigarettes keep popping up for sale at Many jail officials say the benefits of e-cigarettes them and don’t see any need for them,” Hall said, cigarettes, but safer doesn’t necessarily mean safe,” county jails around the country even as some govern- outweigh any potential problems or health risks. They adding that he’s not seen any significant withdrawal said Dr Otis Brawley, chief medical officer for the ment officials, schools and health experts urge tighter say e-cigarettes calm agitated inmates, decrease tra- problems with inmates coming off tobacco, especially American Cancer Society. He and other health experts control over the devices, especially in public build- ditional cigarette contraband and bring in more rev- compared to what those addicted to alcohol or drugs worry about e-cigarettes and believe much more ings. Electronic cigarettes, growing in popularity since enue for the jails. With most jails and prisons banning go through. Hall said e-cigarettes would complicate research is needed. A California Department of Public their US introduction about a decade ago, are show- tobacco-burning cigarettes, inmates who smoke often things for his officers trying to enforce regulations in Health report last month said e-cigarettes emit can- ing up at jails in more than a dozen states, including suffer nicotine withdrawal and become agitated and the county’s smoke-free jail. “Their jobs are hard cer-causing chemicals and can hook users on nicotine. Ohio, Illinois, South Carolina and Texas. The battery- short-tempered, said James Frye, chief deputy of the enough, without having to sort out what kind of Richard Lichten, a jail procedures consultant in Los powered, smokeless devices heat liquid nicotine solu- Shelby County Sheriff’s Office in Sidney in eastern smoke or vapor they may see,” Hall said. Angeles, said “no good” can come from selling e-ciga- tions to produce inhalable vapor. Ohio. “We’ve seen a big improvement in behavior, Rock Island County Sheriff Gerry Bustos in Illinois rettes to inmates. with less arguments and fights,” he said. doesn’t want to sell e-cigarettes in his jail either but “Why would you hand someone a tool that can be Thomas Borland, jailed in Shelby County since said he will review the issue at the local government’s made into a weapon?” Lichten said. Jail officials say October on a driving infraction, said he is grateful he request. Among his concerns, Bustos said, is an appar- the e-cigarettes they sell are made of soft plastic can buy e-cigarettes. “They help calm me down,” said ent lack of knowledge about the effects on users and designed to prevent their use to hurt someone. They the longtime smoker, who hopes the devices will help those around them. also don’t expect to see the bartering once common him quit tobacco cigarettes. Other jails, including the Lawmakers in several states and cities have pro- with traditional cigarettes. Jails sell e-cigarettes one at Darlington County Detention Center in South posed adding e-cigarettes to existing bans on smok- a time and stamp them with the inmate’s name or Carolina, cite similar results with providing inmates e- ing in restaurants, hospitals, buses and other public serial number to prevent trading. Inmates also must cigarettes. “Our main goal, though, was to cut down places, and a growing number of schools are prohibit- return their e-cigarette for a thorough check before on people sneaking in cigarettes and loose tobacco, ing them. buying another. “Those abusing the privilege lose it,” and we’ve seen a tremendous reduction there,” said “Some people say they are safer than combustible Frye said. — AP Maj Mitch Stanley, the center director. But the managing editor of Prison Legal News, which advocates for inmate rights, doesn’t see any US hides spying software deep within... justification for e-cigarette sales in the prisons. He says the jails are just taking advantage of inmates Continued from Page 1 Seagate Technology Plc, Toshiba Corp, IBM, Micron addicted to tobacco. Technology Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. “Jails that allow these devices don’t do it for some The firm declined to publicly name the country Western Digital, Seagate and Micron said they had no altruistic reason but because they are making money behind the spying campaign, but said it was closely knowledge of these spying programs. Toshiba and off it,” Alex Friedmann said. Jails don’t deny the sales linked to Stuxnet, the NSA-led cyberweapon that was Samsung declined to comment. IBM did not respond to bring in money but say they use the proceeds to buy used to attack Iran’s uranium enrichment facility. The requests for comment. uniforms, food and other inmate supplies at a savings NSA is the US agency responsible for gathering elec- to taxpayers. The Titus County jail in Texas has sold as tronic intelligence. A former NSA employee told Reuters Getting the Source Code many as 90 devices a week at $6 each, and Ohio’s that Kaspersky’s analysis was correct, and that people Raiu said the authors of the spying programs must Shelby County collected over $17,000 in a year’s time still in the spy agency valued these espionage programs have had access to the proprietary source code that from the sale of $15 e-cigarettes. as highly as Stuxnet. Another former intelligence opera- directs the actions of the hard drives. That code can tive confirmed that the NSA had developed the prized serve as a roadmap to vulnerabilities, allowing those Complications technique of concealing spyware in hard drives, but who study it to launch attacks much more easily. “There In Tennessee, Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall CLEVELAND: This Feb 12, 2015 photo shows said he did not know which spy efforts relied on it. is zero chance that someone could rewrite the [hard objects to the sale of the devices. “We don’t allow CrossBar brand electronic cigarettes. — AP NSA spokeswoman Vanee Vines said the agency was drive] operating system using public information,” Raiu aware of the Kaspersky report but would not comment said. Concerns about access to source code flared after on it publicly. Kaspersky on Monday published the tech- a series of high-profile cyberattacks on Google Inc and Raids turn Sisi into key anti-IS ally nical details of its research on Monday, a move that other US companies in 2009 that were blamed on could help infected institutions detect the spying pro- China. Investigators have said they found evidence that Continued from Page 1 Iraq and Syria where the group has captured swathes of grams, some of which trace back as far as 2001. The dis- the hackers gained access to source code from several territory, escalated its air campaign after the jihadists closure could hurt the NSA’s surveillance abilities, big US tech and defense companies. claimed the murder of a Jordanian pilot captured in “The creation of the Islamic State... has helped the already damaged by massive leaks by former contractor It is not clear how the NSA may have obtained the Egyptian narrative that this was not just a threat to Iraq Syria in December. A gruesome video released this Edward Snowden. Snowden’s revelations have upset hard drives’ source code. Western Digital spokesman and Syria, but this was a threat from violent extremism month by IS showed jihadists burning pilot Maaz Al- some US allies and slowed the sales of US technology Steve Shattuck said the company “has not provided its to the Sinai, to Yemen,” said Gold. “The United States is Kassasbeh alive in a metal cage. “With strikes in Libya, products abroad. source code to government agencies.” The other hard now more willing to accept Egypt’s position that its own Sisi’s stature will definitely rise in the West and also at The exposure of these new spying tools could lead to drive makers would not say if they had shared their transition is going to be a slow one and that its own home,” where he already enjoys popularity, said greater backlash against Western technology, particu- source code with the NSA. Seagate spokesman Clive internal issue is not open to international debate.” Mustapha Kamel al-Sayyid, a Cairo University political larly in countries such as China, which is already draft- Over said it has “secure measures to prevent tampering Weeks after police raided two pro-Morsi protest professor. ing regulations that would require most bank technolo- or reverse engineering of its firmware and other tech- camps in Cairo on Aug 14, 2013 at the cost of hundreds “Although he has been building new allies by speak- gy suppliers to proffer copies of their software code for nologies.” Micron spokesman Daniel Francisco said the of lives, Washington suspended its annual $1.5 billion ing to Russia, China and France, the Libyan operation inspection. Peter Swire, one of five members of US company took the security of its products seriously and military aid to Cairo, citing human rights concerns. It will also help lift the rest of US sanctions imposed on President Barack Obama’s Review Group on Intelligence “we are not aware of any instances of foreign code.” warmed up to Cairo only in recent months by unfreez- Egypt when the military aid was frozen.” On Monday, and Communications Technology, said the Kaspersky According to former intelligence operatives, the NSA ing the aid, and it offered Apache helicopters to the Egypt signed a €5.2 billion ($5.9 billion) deal to pur- report showed that it is essential for the country to con- has multiple ways of obtaining source code from tech Egyptian army to fight militants in Sinai. Bombing IS tar- chase 24 French Rafale warplanes - a show of support sider the possible impact on trade and diplomatic rela- companies, including asking directly and posing as a gets in Libya will now show Sisi’s resolve to counter a for Sisi who wants to break a US monopoly over Egypt’s tions before deciding to use its knowledge of software software developer. If a company wants to sell products wider Islamist threat in the region, said H A Hellyer, Arab arms supplies. Hellyer said air raids in Libya would flaws for intelligence gathering. “There can be serious to the Pentagon or another sensitive US agency, the affairs expert at Washington-based Brookings Institute. silence some critics of Sisi’s government. “There remain negative effects on other US interests,” Swire said. government can request a security audit to make sure “In this case, he probably sees the Egyptian action as those critical of Egypt due to human rights concerns the source code is safe. “They don’t admit it, but they do comparable to the Jordanian military retaliation after and curbing of civil liberties, but against the backdrop Technological Breakthrough say, ‘We’re going to do an evaluation, we need the the killing of their pilot,” said Hellyer. of Daesh or ISIS, that’s likely to take a back seat,” he said According to Kaspersky, the spies made a technolog- source code,’” said Vincent Liu, a partner at security con- Jordan, a member of US-led coalition fighting IS in referring to IS with its other names. — AFP ical breakthrough by figuring out how to lodge mali- sulting firm Bishop Fox and former NSA analyst. “It’s cious software in the obscure code called firmware that usually the NSA doing the evaluation, and it’s a pretty Saudi king, Qatar emir discuss ties launches every time a computer is turned on. Disk drive small leap to say they’re going to keep that source firmware is viewed by spies and cybersecurity experts code.” Continued from Page 1 a US-led coalition against IS in Syria and Iraq. Last year as the second-most valuable real estate on a PC for a The NSA declined to comment on any allegations in UAE warplanes went into action from Egyptian bases in hacker, second only to the BIOS code invoked automati- the Kaspersky report. Vines said the agency complies Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s government, an abortive attempt to prevent Tripoli’s fall to Islamist- cally as a computer boots up. “The hardware will be able with the law and White House directives to protect the having pledged around $12 billion to it since he came to backed militia, On Monday, Egypt carried out its first to infect the computer over and over,” lead Kaspersky United States and its allies “from a wide array of serious power. announced military action against IS in Libya, after the researcher Costin Raiu said in an interview. threats”. Kaspersky called the authors of the spying pro- Diplomatic relations between Egypt and Qatar soured militants released a video showing their beheading of Though the leaders of the still-active espionage cam- gram “the Equation group”, named after their embrace after the Egyptian army deposed Islamist president Egyptian Christians. paign could have taken control of thousands of PCs, giv- of complex encryption formulas. The group used a vari- Mohamed Morsi in 2013 and launched a crackdown on Under King Abdullah last year, Saudi Arabia, the UAE ing them the ability to steal files or eavesdrop on any- ety of means to spread other spying programs, such as his Doha-backed Muslim Brotherhood. That triggered a and Bahrain withdrew ambassadors from Qatar, citing it thing they wanted, the spies were selective and only by compromising jihadist websites, infecting USB sticks crisis between Qatar and its Gulf neighbours Bahrain, as a move to protect their security in the face of Doha’s established full remote control over machines belong- and CDs, and developing a self-spreading computer Saudi Arabia and the UAE but the three nations have support for organizations that threaten the Gulf’s stabili- ing to the most desirable foreign targets, according to worm called Fanny, Kaspersky said. since reinstated their envoys to Doha. ty. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have branded the Raiu. He said Kaspersky found only a few especially Fanny was like Stuxnet in that it exploited two of the The rise of IS in Libya, on Egypt’s western border, has Brotherhood a terrorist organization. Saudi Arabia and its high-value computers with the hard-drive infections. same undisclosed software flaws, known as “zero days,” heightened concerns after the group seized parts of Iraq Gulf neighbors agreed to reinstate ambassadors to Qatar Kaspersky’s reconstructions of the spying programs which strongly suggested collaboration by the authors, and Syria last year. “The Gulf wants Egypt to be a partner, eight months later in November after several rounds of show that they could work in disk drives sold by more Raiu said. He added that it was “quite possible” that the allied against the terrorists in the area,” Eshki said. Saudi high-level talks and months of pressure that forced Doha than a dozen companies, comprising essentially the Equation group used Fanny to scout out targets for Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, are all part of to expel several Brotherhood figures. — Agencies entire market. They include Western Digital Corp, Stuxnet in Iran and spread the virus. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 ANALYSIS

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Issues Patriotism, fear as Ukraine draftees train for frontline

By Dmytro Gorshkov

italiy Karpunets crawls under barbed wire before jumping over a smoking bonfire into a trench as Vhe fires off his Kalashnikov at an imaginary ene- my. At a military training centre some 60 km north of Kiev, Karpunets, 40, and some 5,000 other recruits are being put through their paces. The men are part of the latest wave of mobilisation that Ukraine is carrying out, calling up some 100,000 men to bolster its struggling armed forces locked in a 10-month conflict with pro- Russian rebels in the east. Karpunets, who did his compulsory military service in the early 1990s, is one of roughly 4,000 who signed up voluntarily. He left his wife and two-year-old daugh- Israel vs US admin over Iran nuke deal ter at home convinced that he needed to enlist to fight an insurgency that Kiev says is armed by Moscow and often made up of regular Russian troops. “You need to By George Jahn result in “enough time to detect and disrupt” any Iranian effort fed into centrifuges for enrichment. The amount of gas Tehran be a man and fight back the enemy if needs be,” to work on a bomb. In any case, the option of pressing Iran would be allowed to store would depend on the number cen- Karpunets, his face black with soot and breathing heavi- he US and Iran are inching toward a nuclear deal that’s toward total dismantling seems unrealistic. In a world where trifuges Iran keeps. Second, Iran could commit to shipping out ly, tells AFP. not as good as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin the US has no stomach for another Middle Eastern military most of the enriched uranium it produces leaving it without For the vast majority of those now entering the army TNetanyahu wants - but not as bad as he says it is shaping involvement, and Russia and China are unlikely to join a total enough to make a bomb. the decision was made for them when they received up to be. Israel says any pact short of totally dismantling embargo on the Iranian economy, proponents of the possible A third possibility is reconfiguring the setup of the cen- their call-up papers. Senior Ukrainian official Oleksiy Iranian programs with weapons-making potential is deeply deal see it as the least bad option. trifuges. The machines are set up in series, called cascades, to Pokotylo says that since the fresh draft - the fourth flawed. Netanyahu’s planned speech to the US Congress spin uranium gas to increasingly higher concentrations of wave so far - began in mid-January some 105,000 men March 3 - just a few weeks before the target date for a general What’s the Main Dispute and who’s Ahead? enriched uranium, and reconfiguring the cascades can signifi- with military experience have been sent summons. Of agreement - gives him a high-profile soapbox to make his With only a few weeks left until the March deadline, Iran - cantly reduce the amount of enriched uranium produced at them, he says, some 70,000, or roughly 66 percent, have case. which insists it does not want nuclear arms - seems to be their tail end. headed to their local recruitment office and over 22,000 Washington’s approach is to degrade Iran’s programs in ahead in pushing the other side to compromise. The main dis- Will a Deal Leave Iran on the Nuclear Weapons Threshold? are already undergoing training. order to extend the time Iran would need to make a nuclear pute is over the size and potency of Iran’s uranium enrichment The US administration continues to insist that it will not weapon from the present few months to at least a year. US program, which can make both reactor fuel and the fissile core accept any deal that does not extend the time Iran could ‘Only Idiots Aren’t Scared’ officials say that would give the international community of a weapon. The US, along with Russia, China, Britain, France make a nuclear bomb to at least a year. Kimball, of the Arms Taxi driver Sergiy Prokopchuk says there were no enough reaction time to do what it takes to stop Tehran. and Germany, came to the table demanding that Tehran dis- Control Association, says that there is no alternative to the US second thoughts about answering the call but admits Ahead of the next round of negotiations this week, a look at mantle 80 to 90 percent of the nearly 10,000 centrifuges now approach. Hopes that Iran will substantially bend on cen- that the idea he could be on the frontline is a few weeks any potential agreement and how effective it may be. turning out enriched uranium along with all of the 8,000 or so trifuge numbers after more than a decade of resistance are “a is scary. “Only an idiot isn’t afraid,” the well-built 30-year- other machines set up but not working. dangerous illusion,” he says. Olli Heinonen, a former head of old says. “But the brave must overcome their fear and Good Deal or Bad Deal? But faced with Iranian resistance, diplomats now say the the Iran file at the UN nuclear agency, says the mix could go to defend their motherland.” Ukraine’s President Relying on an inspection regime seems dicey considering US is prepared to accept 4,500 operating centrifuges - per- work, but only if Iran agrees to run no more than 2,000 to Petro Poroshenko said on February 9 that 1,432 troops the history of nations the world over - including Israel itself - haps more - if Tehran agrees to constraints on their efficiency. 4,000 centrifuges - something Tehran says it will not accept. have been killed since April. Some of the fiercest fight- acquiring nuclear weapons through deceit. And an Iranian Washington has also compromised on initial demands that “The killer is the number of centrifuges,” says Heinonen. ing has raged since he announced that toll. nuclear weapon would further tilt the already unstable Middle constraints on Iran’s nuclear program last 20 years or more. David Albright of the Institute for Science and Security in Faced with the danger, reactions to the latest call-up Eastern strategic equation. “It is one thing to try and verify Diplomats say it is now ready to accept 10 to 12 years. Washington notes that - even if such a deal is sealed - it have by no means been unanimous. Earlier this month, that they are not bypassing you and it is another to verify that becomes difficult to monitor because of all the moving parts. Ukrainian authorities in the western region of Ivano- there is nothing to verify,” Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Can the Deadlock be Skirted? “The more elements you add, the more Iran can break individ- Frankivsk arrested journalist Ruslan Kotsaba on suspi- Steinitz told AP. Diplomats familiar with the talks say the US may be pre- ually,” he says. And he says that even destroying all of Iran’s cion of treason after he posted a video online urging But defenders of such a deal say that such an evasion pared to accept higher centrifuge numbers if their potential to centrifuges, as Israel demands, would probably leave Tehran in people to dodge the draft. “I would prefer to go to would be very difficult. Daryl Kimball of the Washington- enrich uranium is reduced. One idea being discussed with Iran a position to rebuild enough to make a bomb within two years prison than to participate in this fratricidal war,” Kotsaba based Arms Control Association says tough monitoring would would limit the size of its stockpiles of uranium gas, which is in a “crash program” applying decades of expertise. — AP said in the footage, which was viewed more than 300,000 times. “I refuse to be drafted and call on every- one who is called up to refuse,” he said in the video posted Jan 17. Kotsaba was ordered held in jail for 60 days as the security services probed the allegations. He Geopolitics vs politics in Greek drama faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. But among those undergoing training ahead of a By Paul Taylor radical government additional funds on easier terms with fewer the United States at best, it could be Russia, it could be China or possible deployment to the east there appeared to be conditions and less intrusive oversight. Tsipras has promised to roll other countries.” no such doubts. Oleksandr Grabovsky’s wife saw him off n the tug-of-war over Greece’s debt crisis, geopolitics and back spending cuts that have cast hundreds of thousands of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias visited Moscow on the eve of with tears in her eyes when he left for training two domestic politics are pulling in opposite directions. Greece’s Greeks into poverty and shrunk the economy by 25 percent, and last week’s meeting of euro zone finance ministers, and Tsipras has weeks ago. The newly-enlisted soldier, who has been Istrategic location and ties to Russia give its new leftist-led gov- to raise the minimum wage, rehire sacked public service workers accepted an invitation to go there in May. Some EU diplomats, irri- assigned to a mechanised division, is now trying to for- ernment some leverage in its struggle to make European Union and restore collective bargaining. tated that EU documents concerning Russia seem to find their get the emotion of parting and focus on preparing for creditors ease up on austerity and give Athens more time to repay Governments in Spain, Portugal and Ireland that have pushed way to the Kremlin before European ministers have even dis- the war. “They’re feeding us well and we’ve got every- its mountain of debt, if it ever does. The outcome of this latest through painful austerity plans in return for aid, and face elections cussed them, have long suspected Greek and Cypriot officials of thing we need for our training,” Grabovsky says. round of Europe’s Greek drama may also determine whether the in the next year, are determined not to see him win a discount acting as Moscow’s “Trojan Donkeys”. Grabovsky did his military service only a few years back euro currency is irreversible, as its founders proclaimed, or if it will that would embolden their own political opponents. If Greece Some EU ministers clearly have the geopolitical stakes in mind and said he now felt he owed it to his country to serve. unravel. failed to reach a new deal with its European creditors and ended in the debt negotiations. Italian Economy Minister Pier Carlo “If you’ve got to go to defend your homeland, then If the weakest link were to fall, EU officials and analysts say up defaulting and leaving the euro zone, some in Athens would Padoan said after Athens agreed last week to “technical” talks with you’ve got to go,” he said. — AFP markets would immediately focus on which country might be like to turn to Moscow for financial help. its creditors that “the risk of a Greece outside Europe and in the next to follow Greece out of the 19-nation single currency area, orbit of Russia is moving further away.” It is also far from clear that piling damaging pressure on Cyprus and perhaps Portugal. For Russian Card Greece has a realistic Russian alternative to euro zone funding. decades, Greece’s Western partners turned a blind eye to flawed Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, a rightwing ultranational- President Vladimir Putin has not rushed out his chequebook governance and fiscal incontinence in Athens, pouring in money ist in coalition with Tsipras’s hard left Syriza party, has openly either now or earlier in the debt crisis when a previous Greek gov- to help keep the country out of Moscow’s clutches. In 1947, sought to play the Russian card to press Berlin to make conces- ernment took exploratory soundings in Moscow. Russia may be President Harry Truman proclaimed the doctrine that the United sions. “If we see that Germany remains rigid and wants to blow interested in Greek energy and infrastructure assets, but with its States would aid “free peoples” against “totalitarian regimes” in the apart Europe, then we have the obligation to go to Plan B. Plan B is own economy hard hit by sanctions and falling oil prices, it shows midst of a Greek civil war in which Washington funded the defeat to get funding from another source,” he said last week. “It could be no inclination to bankroll Athens. — Reuters of Soviet-backed communist insurgents. Greece joined the US-led NATO military alliance in 1952 and was part of an arc of authoritarian states with Turkey and Iran that guarded the southern flank of the Soviet bloc. Many Greeks still angrily resent US support for the military junta that ruled their country from 1967 to 1974. After a democratic Greece joined the EU in 1981, it received net transfers equivalent of 4 percent of GDP per year from the community budget for its economic develop- ment over the two decades until it joined the euro in 2001. Holding the euro area together was the main motive for two Ukrainian government soldiers sit on top of their EU/IMF bailouts worth Ä240 billion granted in 2010 and 2012 in armored vehicle driving on a road stretching away return for harsh spending cuts, tax increases, privatisations and from the town of Artemivsk towards Debaltseve structural reforms that were only partially implemented. The yesterday. — AP geopolitical arguments for helping Greece may be as strong as ever, with Western powers locked in confrontation with Russia over its role in Ukraine, and Eurosceptical populists of the far left and extreme right on the rise in many EU countries. But domestic All articles appearing on these pages politics in Greece - where public opinion is exasperated by austeri- are the personal opinion of the writ- ty and foreign supervision - and in euro zone partner countries, determined not to give the Greeks a free ride, makes that support ers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibil- ever harder to sustain. ity for views expressed therein. Kuwait Neither German Chancellor Angela Merkel nor other European Times invites readers to voice their leaders want to have to tell their parliaments that the money they opinions. Please send submissions via lent Greece will not be coming back. That would appear to pre- clude a straightforward debt write-off of the kind that the new email to: [email protected] or Greek authorities initially sought. Besides, after a small repayment via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, hump to the IMF this year, Greece is not due to start reimbursing Kuwait. The editor reserves the right most of its official debt until after 2030, and it has a 10-year inter- to edit any submission as necessary. est payment holiday on euro zone loans. Creditors such as Germany, Finland and Slovakia could face A tourist jumps in front of the ancient Parthenon temple on the Acropolis hill in Athens yesterday. — AP parliamentary resistance to granting Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s p15_Layout 1 2/17/15 9:24 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS

Merlo loses Colon job Asian Cup was free Kwiatkowski aims for brace BUENOS AIRES: Reinaldo Merlo has lasted just one Argentine first division from match-fixing LISBON: Poland’s Michal Kwiatkowski (Etixx-QuickStep), the 2014 world championship match as coach of promoted Colon, parting company with road race champion, heads to the south of Portugal today to defend his the club by mutual accord on Monday after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at San SINGAPORE: The Asian Football Confederation gave itself a proud pat on the Tour of the Algarve title. Kwiatkowski’s main rival in the five-stage-race, Lorenzo. back yesterday after declaring that January’s Asian Cup in Australia was free of which runs until Sunday, is his own team-mate Tony Martin. The German Merlo, who had a statue erected outside Racing Club’s Cilindro stadium match-fixing. time-trialist, who already claimed victories in the Algarve in 2011 and 2013, after memorably steering them to their first league title for 35 years in 2001, “It is extremely encouraging to see that the detailed integrity planning and hopes to wear the Tour de France yellow jersey for the first time earned Colon promotion back to an extended 30-team top collaboration for our premier tournament, the AFC Asian Cup, was a success,” in 2015. This year’s Algarve edition will see a total of 20 teams, flight in December. AFC general-secretary Alex Soosay said in a statement. “This would not have including eight from the World Tour, compete alongside “Club Atletico Colon informs that by mutual accord been possible without the support and focused efforts of each stakeholder and Richie Porte’s Sky and Tony Gallopin’s Lotto Soudal. The 41st with the coaching staff headed by Reinaldo Carlos Merlo, in particular Australian law enforcement and Sportradar, who worked hand-in- running of the Tour of the Algarve features a summit finish it has been decided to end their contractual link with the hand with AFC’s Integrity Unit throughout the tournament. on Saturday and one individual time trial on Friday. club,” Colon said on their website (www.clubcolon.com.ar). “The effective implementation of this action plan could be a blueprint for Stages: Directors and players of the Santa Fe-based club crit- other Asian sporting events and sports governing bodies,” the Malaysian Wednesday: Lagos - Albufeira (166,7 km); Thursday: icised Colon’s performance in their opening match at added. A large bulk of the 47 members in the AFC have been hit with match- Lagoa - Monchique (197,2 km); Friday: Vila do; Bispo - San Lorenzo’s Nuevo Gasometro ground with former fixing scandals in recent years, with fixers targeting low-paid players in various Cabo de S. Vicente, Sagres (19 km); Saturday: Tavira - Alto Velez Sarsfield midfielder David Ramirez particularly leagues such as Australia, Lebanon, South Korea, China, Vietnam and do Malhao, LoulÈ (218,3 km); Sunday: Almodovar - scathing.—Reuters Singapore.—Reuters Vilamoura (184,9 km). —AFP

NHL results/standings NY Rangers 6, NY Islanders 5; Carolina 6, Ottawa 3; Montreal 2, Detroit 0; Winnipeg 5, Edmonton 4 (SO); Colorado 5, Arizona 2; Calgary 4, Boston 3 (OT); Vancouver 3, Minnesota 2; Los Angeles 3, Tampa Bay 2. Western Conference Pacific Division WLOTLGFGAPTS Anaheim 35 15 7 169 160 77 Vancouver 32 21 3 158 147 67 Calgary 32 22 3 166 147 67 San Jose 29 21 8 164 165 66 Los Angeles 26 18 12 155 150 64 Arizona 20 31 7 131 194 47 Edmonton 16 32 10 135 196 42

Central Division Nashville 38 12 6 170 131 82 St. Louis 37 15 4 178 137 78 Chicago 35 18 4 172 131 74 Winnipeg 30 19 10 165 157 70 Minnesota 28 21 7 155 152 63 Dallas 26 22 8 175 179 60 Colorado 24 22 11 149 161 59

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Montreal 37 15 4 150 123 78 Tampa Bay 35 18 6 191 159 76 Detroit 31 14 10 160 141 72 Boston 28 20 8 147 145 64 Florida 24 19 12 135 153 60 Ottawa 22 23 10 155 158 54 Toronto 23 29 5 160 175 51 Buffalo 16 37 3 104 193 35

Metropolitan Division NY Islanders 37 19 1 184 162 75 NY Rangers 34 16 5 174 136 73 Pittsburgh 32 15 9 161 141 73 Washington 30 17 10 168 145 70 Philadelphia 24 22 10 151 162 58 Columbus 24 27 3 142 170 51 New Jersey 21 26 9 124 154 51 Carolina 20 28 7 126 150 47 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings UNIONDALE: Derek Stepan No. 21 of the New York Rangers heads for the net as John Tavares No. 91 of the New York Islanders defends at the Nassau Veterans Memorial and are not included in the loss column (L). Coliseum. —AFP Rangers stun Islanders, King march

UNIONDALE: Kevin Klein scored with 4:32 early in the third period to help Los Angeles FLAMES 4, BRUINS 3 Larsson and Mark Arcobello scored for Minnesota. Henrik Sedin, with a goal and an left, and the New York Rangers overcame a defeat Tampa Bay for its fifth straight victory. TJ Brodie scored with 2 seconds left in Arizona, which did not manage a shot on goal assist, and Bo Horvat also scored for the pair of two-goal deficits and netted three Jeff Carter added a goal in the third, Anze overtime, and Calgary rallied from a three- in the second period. It was the first time in Canucks. Eddie Lack made 20 saves in the win. third-period goals to stun the New York Kopitar scored the tying goal in the second goal deficit to beat Boston. As Brodie cut franchise history Colorado held an opponent Nino Niederreiter scored twice for Minnesota, Islanders 6-5 on Monday night. and Jonathan Quick stopped 21 shots for the down the wing, he sent the puck toward the without a shot in a period. which got 26 saves from Devan Dubnyk. After falling behind 11 seconds in, the Kings, who are on their longest winning streak net. It deflected off a Bruins stick, fluttered Mike McKenna made 29 saves in his first Former Canucks forward Jordan Schroeder Rangers completed their game-long, uphill since taking six in a row from Oct. 12-26. The high in the air and over goalie Tuukka Rask. start of the season for the Coyotes, who have had two assists for the Wild, who entered 8-0-1 fight and beat the Islanders for the first time in defending Stanley Cup champions are fighting The buzzer sounded and, after a brief period lost four in a row. The 9 seconds between in their past nine games and lost in regulation four tries this season. They trail the for a playoff berth after slumping in recent of uncertainty, video review confirmed the goals for Colorado tied a club record, accom- for the first time since Jan. 19. Metropolitan Division-leading Islanders by months. goal. plished twice before. The last time was Jan. 23, two points and have two games in hand. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves for the Boston led 3-1 after 40 minutes. The victory 2002, against Edmonton. Holden scored JETS 5, OILERS 4 Defenseman Ryan McDonagh had the first Lightning, who were playing the second half marked the NHL-best 10th time the Flames Colorado’s first power-play goal in 12 games, Blake Wheeler scored the only goal in a two-goal game of his career, and Chris Kreider, of a back-to-back. Nikita Nesterov scored his have come back to win when trailing after two ending an 0-for-32 stretch. shootout to lift Winnipeg over Edmonton. Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis also scored first NHL goal for Tampa Bay. The Lightning periods (10-16-1). Anaheim is second with Wheeler scored on the first shot of the for the Rangers, who completed a 4-0 road got a late goal from Tyler Johnson with 36 sec- seven. HURRICANES 6, SENATORS 3 tiebreaker, causing goalie Viktor Fasth to trip. Stepan and St. Louis scored 1:37 apart in onds left to cut it to 3-2. Jiri Hudler had two goals and David Jones Andrej Nestrasil had a goal and two assists stretch out and injure himself. He left the ice the third to tie it. Cam Talbot made 38 saves also scored for Calgary, which has won six of in Carolina’s victory over Ottawa. Nathan and was replaced by Richard Bachman. and improved to 5-1-1 while filling in for CANADIENS 2, RED WINGS 0 eight. Brad Marchand, Zdeno Chara and Torey Gerbe, Jeff Skinner, Jay McClement, Michal Michael Hutchinson stopped 18 shots in injured goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Tomas Plekanec snapped a scoreless tie Krug scored for the Bruins, who are 0-3-1 in Jordan and Chris Terry also scored for the the victory and has won all four shootouts he’s The Islanders appeared headed for their with 2:30 remaining and Carey Price made 25 their last four. Hurricanes. been in this season. Fasth made 42 saves. fifth straight win, but they couldn’t hold a 3-1 saves in his fifth shutout of the season, pro- Erik Condra, Mike Hoffman and Cody Ceci Bryan Little scored a pair of goals and lead in the second period or a 5-3 edge in the pelling Montreal past Detroit. Plekanec’s slap AVALANCHE 5, COYOTES 2 had goals for the Senators. After taking four added an assist for Winnipeg, which improved third. shot got past Jimmy Howard for his 17th goal Cody McLeod and Matt Duchene scored 9 one-goal leads over the first two periods, the to 4-1-0 in its past five games. Andrew Ladd Ryan Strome scored twice, and John of the season. Max Pacioretty, who assisted on seconds apart early in the first period, Jarome Hurricanes got a two-goal cushion when also had a goal and defenseman Tyler Myers Tavares, Frans Nielsen and Johnny Boychuk the first goal, added an empty-netter in the Iginla had two assists and Colorado beat Jordan scored his first NHL goal at 2:33 of the scored his first with the Jets after being also had goals for the Islanders, who dropped closing seconds with an assist from Plekanec. slumping Arizona. third period. Terry made it 6-3 at 9:49 with the acquired in a trade last week with Buffalo. to 18-3 against Metropolitan opponents and Howard, making his second start since missing Gabriel Landeskog, Tyson Barrie and Nick Hurricanes’ third power-play goal of the game. Toby Enstrom and Wheeler each had a pair of 11-1 at home. five weeks with a groin injury, stopped 27 Holden also scored for the Avalanche. Semyon assists. Edmonton got a pair of goals from Nail shots as the Red Wings dropped their third Varlamov faced only five shots through the CANUCKS 3, WILD 2 Yakupov. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Anton KINGS 3, LIGHTNING 2 straight. They have lost all three games against first two periods before giving way to backup Alex Biega scored the winning goal in his Lander also scored as the Oilers finished a 2-3- Jordan Nolan scored the go-ahead goal the Canadiens this season. Reto Berra to start the third. Oliver Ekman- first NHL game to help Vancouver defeat 1 road trip. —AP Love III to be chosen US Ryder Cup captain PALM BEACH: Former US PGA Champion Davis Northern Irishman Darren Clarke, who won appears to have the backing of most of the team Love III will be appointed United States Ryder the British Open in 2011, is expected to succeed that beat the United States in Scotland in Cup captain next week for the 2016 matches at Ireland’s Paul McGinley as Europe captain for September including world number one Rory Hazeltine, the Golf Channel reported on Monday. 2016 having played in five editions and served as McIlroy. The 50-year-old will be officially named on vice-captain in 2010 and 2012. Four-times major winner McIlroy said last Feb. 24 at the headquarters of the PGA Of A five man European selection panel, which month that Clarke would be a perfect fit in the America in Palm Beach, Florida, the outlet said. includes McGinley, Olazabal and 2010 winning US where he is a popular figure. It would be the second time Love has led the captain Colin Montgomerie, will meet on The 2011 British Open champion has tasted team after he oversaw the 14.5/13.5 defeat to Wednesday to decide upon the skipper. defeat just once in the seven times he has been Europe in 2012 when Jose Maria Olazabal’s side Meanwhile, it would be a major surprise if involved in the Ryder Cup, when the US won at stormed back from 10-6 down on the final day at anyone but former British Open champion Brookline in 1999, and he appears to tick the Medinah. That loss is one of eight that the Darren Clarke was appointed Europe’s new Ryder right boxes in terms of experience and support Americans have suffered in the last ten editions Cup captain today. from the players. of the biennial team event, which prompted the A five-man selection panel is due to make an Media reports have incorrectly suggested in PGA of America to appoint an 11-person Ryder announcement on Paul McGinley’s successor recent days that only the three former captains Cup task force, which Love sits on. after meeting at the European Tour’s Wentworth will have a vote, with O’Grady and Howell step- Tom Lehman, who captained the US to a headquarters on the outskirts of London. ping in if the trio cannot decide on their choice. heavy 18.5/9.5 defeat in 2006, and Steve Stricker, Clarke is one of three candidates for the 2016 The tour, however, has been at pains to point a winner of 12 PGA Tour events, also sit on the role, along with Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez out that each member of the panel has an equal task force and are likely to hold roles in Love’s and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, and the Northern vote. The successful candidate is likely to be 2016 team, the Golf Channel said. Irishman is the odds-on favourite with the book- going head-to-head with Davis Love III at Love, who won his sole major in 1997, played makers to land the coveted role. Hazeltine, Minnesota next year after the Golf in six consecutive Ryder Cups from 1993. He tast- It seems almost inconceivable that McGinley, Channel reported on Monday that the 1997 US ed victory twice, on his first appearance and in 2012 captain Jose Maria Olazabal, 2010 skipper PGA Championship winner would be named 1999. Colin Montgomerie, tour chief executive George American skipper next week. Europe’s won last year’s matches 16.5/11.5 O’Grady and former Ryder Cup player David It would be the second time Love, 50, has led with five-times major winner Phil Mickelson Howell will not opt for Clarke. The 46-year-old, the team after he oversaw the “Miracle of scathing of the approach used by American cap- who played in the biennial team event five times Medinah” defeat in 2012 when Olazabal’s side tain Tom Watson after another defeat. and was a vice-captain in 2010 and 2012, stormed back to win from 10-6 down. —Reuters Davis Love III p16_Layout 1 2/17/15 9:13 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS FIS head laments drop in recreational skiers BEAVER CREEK: Sitting on a terrace on Colorado resorts of Vail/Beaver Creek come from their ski-mad nation. lost at the current rate. It is trend right champions the worlds were viewed as a a bluebird day overlooking the Birds of were projected to provide a $130 mil- But the numbers Kasper and other across Europe’s alpine arc with the sport chance to put skiing in the American Prey finish line, International Ski lion two-week jolt to the local economy. industry leaders are fixated on are the gaining ground in some areas and los- sporting spotlight. Gold medal perform- Federation (FIS) chief Gian Franco As advertised, the event delivered plen- participation figures that will ultimately ing traction in others. ances from Ted Ligety in the giant Kasper scanned the horizon for recre- ty of thrills and spills on the slopes and impact the FIS portfolio of world cham- “What is most interesting is the num- slalom and 19-year-old ski darling ational skiers that never appear. “Even in an adequate apres-ski buzz in Vail but pionships: alpine, nordic, freestyle, ber of new nations that are now becom- Mikaela Shiffrin were dramatic. the cold countries like Switzerland and for a large part was greeted with a snowboard and ski jumping. ing active within skiing, as an example But with the championships sand- Austria the number of kids being shrug. we now have Kazakhstan who are now wiched between the Super Bowl and involved in skiing goes down,” Kasper Vacancy signs flashed at hotels and LOSING TRACTION bidding for the Olympic Games,” said FIS the NBA All-Star weekend and qualify- told Reuters during a piste-side inter- resorts around the Vail valley while A federation that relies on snow as its general secretary Sarah Lewis. “Where ing for the Daytona 500, Kasper worried view. “The main thing is the youth, restaurant and bar staff expressed sur- lifeblood, FIS has been feeling the heat there are concerns are in terms in num- that exploits of U.S. skiers were appreci- young people, we need to bring them prise at the lack of business. created from a perfect storm of global bers who are actually taking up the ated more in Europe than at home. back into snow. The television images from 200 cam- warming, vanishing pistes and waning sport. “We had some bad experiences in “I am not speaking about competi- era positions were spectacular and interest. “We’ve really tried to engage not just the past (in the US). I’m still not very tive skiing. We measure our success in organisers estimate that close to The problem of rising temperatures is through the national associations but happy with how the American people the number of tourist skiers, that is the 130,000 took in the action on the hill. compounded by the soaring cost of a with the resorts, tourist organisations, treat their champions, the interest (in most important thing. FIS declared the event a success and ski vacation that has resulted in many with ski schools, with everyone who has ski racing) is very low,” said Kasper. “We have had a few bad years in said the bar had been raised for the next families finding other ways to spend a stake in the sport to try and create “But the only thing that counts is the regards to snow so the kids they worlds, to be hosted by St. Moritz in their leisure time. activities to make skiing fun so they number of skiers on the slopes and I couldn’t train, so they look for another 2017. A recent report by the Denver develop a love and passion for the think these championships will help sport because they like sport but there Certainly Austria were impressed Business Journal said 57.1 million peo- sport.” out in the USA. “They don’t care much was no skiing possibilities. having combined for nine medals, ple hit the slopes across the United Alpine skiing rarely grabs American in the US the name of the skiers but “Those generations we have lost.” The including five gold, on the Birds of Prey States last season, a figure that could interest outside of the Olympics but they see it and think it is fun and alpine world championships at the posh and Raptor tracks ensuring a hero’s wel- drop to 45.3 million by 2030 if skiers are with a US team packed with potential maybe will try it.” —Reuters

Aussies eye team pursuit gold

FRANCE: Australia will be going for a fifth Olympic champions Laura Trott and Joanna men’s team pursuit gold in six years when Roswell. the Track Cycling World Championships Britain, whose team includes Katie begin near Paris today. Archibald and Elinor Barker, are bidding for To help boost their efforts, Jack a fifth consecutive gold medal in the event. Bobridge is taking a break from road They also won the only two rounds of cycling to try to claim gold on the track. It the World Cup they started. Australia, will be the 25-year-old’s first return to the Canada and the United States are likely to track pursuit team since the Australians provide the competition but perhaps will were eclipsed by Great Britain in 2012. merely be battling out for the minor The Brits also pipped them to the medals. Olympic title in London. Bobridge comes Roswell will also be defending her indi- into the event just two weeks after a failed vidual pursuit title and is likely to face attempt to break the world hour record on strong competition from American Sarah track, when he fell 500-metres short of the Hammer, who pipped Trott to omnium mark set by Austrian Matthias Brandle, gold last time out. although fellow Aussie Rohan Dennis has Germany are likely to come to the fore since taken the record. Australia’s main in the sprint disciplines with Kristina Vogel competition is set to come from the leading the way. The Kazakhstan born ath- Olympic champions and Denmark. lete won three gold medals last time out Britain recently claimed victory in the and will again be favorite in the individual World Cup series ahead of Australia and sprint and keirin. have picked a mix of youth and experience She and Miriam Welte, the women’s for their world championship tilt. 500m timetrial champion, are the reigning London Olympic gold medallist Steven world and Olympic champions in the team Burke has made a rapid recovery from a sprint and will be a tough pair to beat yet broken collarbone to take his place along- again. side Ed Clancy and Andy Tennant while Frenchman Francois Pervis will be the youngster Matt Gibson could ride one of star draw at the national velodrome in the early rounds. Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines. The 30-year-old Denmark, who took silver last year in won the individual sprint, timetrial and Colombia, are likely to put up a strong chal- keirin in Cali. lenge with Rasmus Christian Quaade and However, he will face tough competition SLOVENIA: Sarah Hendrickson from the US competes at the Ski Jumping World Cup women’s event in Ljubno in this file photo. —AP Casper von Folsach surviving from that from triple Olympic champion Jason Kenny quartet. of Britain, the 2012 world sprint champion, New Zealand, bronze medallists in 2012 Germany’s 2013 world champion Stefan and last year, and Russia could also put in a Boetticher and Russian Denis Dmitriev, a Norway expected to dominate medal challenge but it is the medallist at the last two worlds. Commonwealth Games champions Nineteen gold medals will be decided Australia, who beat an England squad fea- over the five-day event, although the cross-country skiing at worlds turing Bradley Wiggins in Glasgow last year, main focus just over 18-months out from which will begin as favourites, particularly the Rio Olympics will be the Games disci- SWEDEN: Even by cross-country skiing stan- mer overall World Cup winner - are getting a bit and five in ski jumping, including a mixed team given the boost of Bobridge’s return. plines of men’s and women’s team pur- dards, there may be an unusually high number fed up. “Norwegians love cross-country skiing competition. In the women’s team pursuit, Britain will suit, individual sprint, team sprint, keirin of Norwegians climbing the podium in the com- more than anyone in the world, but at the same Here are some things to know about the oth- be looking to defend their title led by and omnium. —AFP ing two weeks. time they are killing the sport,” Kowalczyk wrote er events: Going into the Nordic skiing world champi- in a column for Polish newspaper Gazeta this onships that start tomorrow in Falun, Sweden, season. “It’s not possible to compete at their lev- WOMEN’S SKI JUMP Norway is dominating its national sport like el any longer.” Defending world champion Sarah Hendrickson rarely before, winning two-thirds of the World The Norwegian success does cause a problem of the US seems to be getting back to her best at Cup events so far this season. It’s getting to the for the sport. TV ratings for cross-country events just the right time. Hendrickson beat Japanese rival point where some other nations are openly wor- in Germany, Italy and France have all dropped in Sara Takanashi for the world title two years ago in ried they can’t compete with the Scandinavian recent years, while winter sports like Alpine ski- Italy, but her chances of becoming the sport’s first powerhouse anymore, and Norway monopoliz- ing and biathlon have become more popular. female Olympic champion were ruined when she ing the podium at the worlds would certainly While American Kikkan Randall has been one of blew out her knee in a training crash. She has yet to not go down well with the host - its skiing archri- the top sprinters in recent years, the sport win a World Cup competition since returning to fit- val Sweden. remains peripheral in the US. ness but was boosted by two straight third-place But the Norwegians, led by six-time Olympic One of the only non-Norwegian stars is finishes at this past weekend’s meet in Slovenia. champion Marit Bjoergen on the women’s side Switzerland’s Dario Cologna, who again will be a “I’m really happy about my podiums this week- and the brash Petter Northug on the men’s, are medal favorite in Falun. One of the few women end,” Hendrickson said. “I have had such a hard keen to ruin the party. who could challenge the Norwegians is time mentally trusting myself and believing in “Championships are always special and in this Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla, who blew away her myself. This just broke down that wall.” case it’s extra special because it’s in Sweden,” rivals in a 10-kilometer freestyle event in the last said Northug, a nine-time world champion who World Cup meet before the worlds. She beat NORDIC COMBINED always enjoys stoking up the rivalry with his Bjoergen by more than 30 seconds in that race - Eric Frenzel of Germany remains the man to Scandinavian neighbors. And the next two the first time in five years that the Norwegian beat in any Nordic combined event and is expect- weeks could become very painful for the home lost a 10K freestyle World Cup race. ed to add to a trophy collection that already fans if recent trends continue. In 30 World Cup “It’s always good to get a wake-up call, and a includes two world titles, an Olympic gold from events this season - not including stage races - reminder that you can’t just go there and collect Sochi and two overall World Cup titles. He was Norway has 20 wins, 18 second-place finishes medals,” Bjoergen told Norwegian newspaper unstoppable in January, winning five straight and 14 thirds. The second-best teams, Sweden Verdens Gang. World Cup events. Jason Lamy Chappuis of France, and Russia, have three wins each. In all, there are 12 cross-country medal who won three gold in Val di Fiemme in 2013, has No wonder skiers like Justyna Kowalczyk of events at the worlds - six each for men and had a quiet season so far but can never be counted Poland - a two-time Olympic champion and for- women - four Nordic combined competitions out at big events. —AP Guardini strikes first in Oman Chris Froome in action in this file photo. AL WUTAYYAH: Italy’s Andrea Guardini (Astana) sprinted to victory in yester- Contador faces Froome in day’s opening stage of the 2015 Tour of Oman. Guardini crossed the line first in early season showdown the mass sprint to claim his first win of the season ahead of Belgium’s Tom MADRID: Former Tour de France winners “Obviously, when you plan something it is Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) and Italy’s Alberto Contador and Chris Froome will go because you want to win. I don’t settle and I Matteo Pelucchi (IAM Cycling). head-to-head in their first outing of the 2015 wouldn’t sign for anything other than first “My time finally came. I was really season in the five-stage Ruta del Sol in place in both. It doesn’t mean I am going to good in Qatar. I’ve been in good shape Andalucia starting today. win or that it will be easy, to win one will be since the start of the season in Dubai Spain’s Contador announced on Monday really difficult, much less both of them.” when I came close to a win,” said the that he intends to retire after two more sea- Kenyan-born Froome has also stressed Italian, who finished second twice in the sons at the top. that the Tour de France remains his priority Emirate and grabbed second and third- However, he also hinted that date could after he too had to retire just five stages into place finishes in Dubai. be moved forward should he succeed in the defence, of the race he won in 2013, last “The team worked for me perfectly. becoming the first man since Italian Marco year. Last year’s Giro champion Nairo We were a bit behind on the last turn but Pantani in 1998 to win both the Giro d’Italia Quintana misses out after crashing at the with the headwinds and a false flat climb and the Tour de France in the same season. Colombian national championships last week in the end, it was the perfect setting for a Contador was too good for British rider and his Movistar teammate Alejandro comeback. I followed Boonen’s lead and Froome as he stormed to a third Tour of Spain Valverde is skipping the event despite win- went full throttle in the last hundred triumph in September, but is desperate to ning in Andalusia for the past three years. metres. This time, the timing was per- make up for the disappointment of having to The race should therefore provide an early retire during the 10th stage of last year’s Tour season pointer as to which man is in better fect.” de France after suffering a broken leg in a shape with Contador and Froome expected Guardini will wear the leader’s red jer- heavy crash. to battle it out for the general classification sey after his victory in the 161km stage “I start my season in two days and I am victory. from Bayt Al Naman Castle to Al desperate to get going, I have trained a lot,” A split stage today will provide the first Wutayyah. Today’s stage two runs from Contador said on Monday. “I am a rider that test with a short 118km stage followed by an Al Hazm Castle to Al Bustan over a dis- likes to compete. We will see what shape I am, 8.2km individual time trial. However, the real tance of 195km. Due to time bonuses, perhaps I will be a little slower than last year intrigue will come on stages three and four Guardini leads Boonen by four seconds with this great Giro-Tour challenge I have with steep mountain climbs to the finish on with Austria’s Patrick Konrad (Bora-Argon AL-WUTAYYAH: Tinkoff-Saxo’s team leader Slovakian Peter Sagan (center) rides during the first stage of planned. Friday and Saturday. —AFP 18) third overall at five seconds.—AFP the 2015 Tour of Oman, between Bayt Al-Naman castle and Al-Wutayyah (161 kms) yesterday. —AFP p17 2.e$S_Layout 1 2/17/15 10:03 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS

DUBAI: Belinda Bencic of Switzerland serves the ball to Venus Williams of the US during the second day of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. —AP Venus defeats player half her age Hantuchova overcomes Barthel in Dubai DUBAI: Defending champion Venus Williams “This is where the love for the sport comes Venus, in her finest form since turning 30 care of myself.” Venus’ willingness to discuss I don’t work on it. So I’m constantly working beat an opponent half her age on Monday, in,” Hantuchova said. “Yes, I’m tired, but it’s the more than four years ago, is hoping her revival the reasons for her accelerating improvement on my agility and my movement.” winning 6-1, 6-2 against 17-year-old Belinda best feeling in the world.” can help her retain the title at the Dubai Open well into her 30’s indicates she believes she But can she enjoy it as a 34-year-old as Bencic of Switzerland in the first round of the Playing on her fourth continent in the last this week. can again make a strong challenge to retain much as when she was 17? “At a young age I Dubai Tennis Championships. Despite the age four weeks, Karolina Pliskova of the Czech The seven-time Grand Slam champion the Dubai title and perhaps win it for a fourth just expected it,” she said. “Now it feels good difference, the 34-year-old Williams looked Republic also advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 win attributes her widely welcomed revival at least time. The benefits of not playing junior tennis getting wins, because everyone is playing so physically fitter than her opponent and domi- over Anastasia Pavylyuchenkova of Russia. partly to a careful schedule, to genetics, and to all those years ago have been reinforced by well.” nated throughout to earn her 16th straight The 17th-seeded Pliskova reached the third what she did as a teenager. Or more exactly Mary Jo Fernandes, the US Fed Cup captain, Venus’ continued revival probably depends win in Dubai. She won the tournament in round at the Australian Open, then went to what she didn’t do. she said. on her dealing with a rod she made for her 2009, 2010 and 2014, skipping the event the Canada to play for the Czech Republic in the According to the elder of the two sisters, “I was talking to Mary Jo and she said, yeah, own back, she feels, for the steady rise in the other three years. Fed Cup. After that, she reached the semifinals she and Serena Williams now reap the physical if she hadn’t played as many juniors, she could standard of the women’s game is something “At 34, I mean, I’m hitting a little bit harder at a tournament in Belgium and then traveled benefits from not having played junior tourna- have played a bit longer. “So for longevity it is she and her sister as trailblazers helped gener- than most people and playing some offense to Dubai. ments more than a decade and a half ago. important to pace yourself,” Venus said, adding ate. “I guess I made it harder for myself,” she on the run and hitting the ball just as hard,” “In the second set I had a break, and then I Venus also suggested that her decision not another dimension to the theme. “I have never reckoned. “I like to think and hope I’m still part Williams said. “When I was 17, I didn’t think was feeling I’m sleeping a little bit,” Pliskova to join Serena in an emotional return to Indian spent a ton of time on the practice court. Not of the reason the bar is going higher. about what the age was of someone across said. “But then I (came) back and I’m happy Wells-next month should be the first time that I don’t get the work in, but I stopped prac- “Once I’m at home and watching it on TV the net. All you think of is I want to beat them.” that I didn’t go (to) the third set.” either has gone back since their hostile treat- tising twice a day when I was about 20 or 21. one day-and hopefully not commentating-I Bencic broke for a 2-0 lead in the second Also, 11th-seeded Lucie Safarova of the ment from spectators in 2003 — is due to the “It’s not normal to hit, you know, a thou- will be like, man, I can’t keep up with these set but Williams quickly rebounded to wrap up Czech Republic beat Monica Puig of Puerto need to control her schedule and maintain her sand forehands a day.” But how her athleticism girls.” Venus has been attempting to delay that the win in 69 minutes. A sleep-deprived Rico 6-1, 6-4 and 16th-seeded Peng Shuai of remarkable recovery from chronic illness.“I’ve has been maintained may have a different day by working on “hitting clean, to penetrate Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia needed 2 China defeated lucky loser Elena Vesnina of got to stay home. I deserve to go home. I think explanation, Venus believes. more.” hours, 39 minutes to overcome Mona Barthel Russia 7-5, 6-1. they will understand,” she said. “Genetics,” she asserted, raising a laugh by She added: “I think that helped. I know I can of Germany 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3. Hantuchova was CoCo Vandewegh was trailing Elina “I’ve got to go home, and, you know, there’s adding: “Thanks mom, thanks, dad. “I think a get better and more consistent. So I’m trying coming off her Thailand Open victory in Svitolina of Ukraine 3-1 when the American only a little time and then I have to start train- lot of that comes natural, but I have to work on to work on my game out there and do the Pattaya City on Sunday. retired from the match with a shoulder injury. ing again. So I’m going to go ahead and take it. As a tall person it’s easy for me to get slow if right thing.” —AFP

Balotelli agent, Chinese aim to buy Lineker hit out at Sacchi historic French club SOCHAUX: Hong Kong investors said yesterday they want to ‘blacks’ comments buy historic French football club Sochaux from the Peugeot car company for seven million euros, stepping up the Chinese MILAN: The agent of Mario Balotelli national team at under-21 level, march into international sports. Sochaux have been owned by led the growing criticism of former claimed he was not racist because he the Peugeot family for 90 years and spent a record 66 seasons Italy and AC Milan coach Arrigo signed a player like Frank Rijkaard, a in the French first division until they were relegated last year. Sacchi following remarks criticising Dutchman of Surinamese origin, The Tech Pro Technology Development company follow the number of “blacks” playing at when he was coach at Milan. But the Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin in buying into European foot- youth level in Italy. 68-year-old insisted that ‘too many ball. Wang last month bought a 20 percent stake in Atletico Sacchi, a renowned football coach coloured players’ featured for Italian Madrid. and innovator who notably helped youth sides at the famous Viareggio Tech Pro, a Hong Kong listed electrical components manu- Milan to back-to-back European Cups tournament, known in footballing facturer, said it would pay seven million euros ($7.89 million) in 1989 and 1990, has claimed he is circles as the Viareggio Cup World for “all the issued share capital and voting rights.” “not racist”. Football Tournament. “I’m certainly Sochaux president Denis Worbe confirmed to AFP that But comments made on Monday, not racist, as my coaching history Peugeot had received a letter of intent and that the Chinese when he said “too many blacks” demonstrates with Rijkaard,” added were proposing a “credible project for the club.” played in Italy’s under-20 leagues, Sacchi. “But look at the Viareggio He added that “preferential” talks to complete the deal would take several weeks to complete. have attracted widespread criticism tournament. I would say that there Worbe said Tech Pro and its Ledus subsidiary, which makes on social media. are too many colored players, also in LED lights, wants to use Sochaux to promote its expansion in “Italy now has no dignity or pride, the under-20 teams in Italy.” Europe. because we have too many foreign- He later claimed his comments The Chinese firm had been “attracted by the club and its ers playing in the under-20 leagues: were misinterpreted, adding: “I’ve history.” “What is important to us is to have a solid project. It is in our youth sectors there are too been misinterpreted, you think I’m crucial that the long and important history of FC Sochaux in many blacks,” Sacchi said during an really racist? All I said was I saw a MADRID: In this Dec. 23, 2004 file photo, former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi (left) speaks with French football can develop over the long term with share- awards ceremony in Montecatini game featuring a team who fielded journalists during a press conference at the Bernabeu stadium. —AP holders other than the PSA Group,” Worbe said. Terme late on Monday. four coloured players. Sochaux was created by the Peugeot family in 1928. The A growing number of sports per- “I only wanted to underline that eastern French town has a huge Peugeot factory. In its glory sonalities, including former England we are losing our national pride and years, it won the French championship in 1935 and 1938 and international Gary Lineker, hit out at identity.” Italy’s Serie A, once the envy Begu into 2nd round in Rio the French Cup in 1937 and 2007. the comments. of Europe, is currently in crisis and RIO DE JANEIRO: Second-seeded Irina-Camelia Robredo of Spain defeated Elias Ymer of Sweden 6- Probably the best known player who turned out for them But the agent of Italy star Balotelli, the national football team-four-time Begu of Romania advanced to the second round of 4, 6-3. Robredo has won 12 ATP singles titles, but was midfield great Bernard Genghini, a member of the French born to Ghanaian parents but adopt- winners of the World Cup-have failed the Rio Open on Monday, defeating Olivia Rogowska none since 2013. He reached three finals last year, squads that reached two successive World Cup semi-finals ed by white Italians, called Sacchi to make it past the group stage of of Australia 6-1, 6-3 in the outdoor clay event. and lost all of them. (1982/86) and won the 1984 European Championship. “ignorant” and, in ironic tones, said the competition for the past two edi- Another seeded player, No. 5 Johanna Larsson of In two men’s matches, Andreas Haider-Maurer of PSA Peugeot Citroen announced last year that it wanted to the comments had given a bad tions. Sweden, also advanced in the joint WTA-ATP event. Austria defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain 3-6, sell the football club and concentrate on auto racing. The car impression of Italians. Raiola appeared to suggest Italian She defeated Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor when the 6-3, 6-2, and Jarkko Nieminen of Finland ousted company also turned to China when it hit financial troubles “Italian Football too many igno- football is in its current state because Spanish player retired with an injury with Larsson qualifier Marco Cecchinato of Italy 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. last year. It sold 14% stakes to China’s Dongfeng Motor, as well rant people in power so we’re in the of the racism issues which have leading 6(5)-7, 7-6(3), 4-2. No. 4 Madison Brengle of Top-seeded Sara Errani of Italy plays Tuesday. For as the French state. s... Ashamed to be Italian when I plagued the sport, and the country, the United States also advanced after Ana Bogdan the men top-seeded Rafael Nadal also plays Tech Pro are not the first Hong Kong firm to try their luck at hear Sacchi’s declaration. Bella figura for decades. of Romania retired while trailing 6-4, 3-3. However, Tuesday, as does fellow Spaniard and No. 2 David European football. Hong Kong property tycoon Carson Leung (great impression),” said Raiola. He added: “In this world there are No. 8 Chanelle Scheepers of South Africa was beat- Ferrer. Nadal faces Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil and ran English side Birmingham City from 2007 until 2014 when Lineker posted a Twitter comment no foreigners, only people. Sport en by American Grace Min 6-2, 6-1. Two non-seeded Ferrer has fellow Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver. he was jailed for money laundering. Leung remains majority shareholder in the Championship side. yesterday which said: “There are too should be open to everybody, who- women advanced: Lourder Dominguez Lino of Nadal, Ferrer and former Brazil star Gustavo Kuerten Chinese billionaire Wang has taken a key stake in Atletico many racists in Italian football.” ever plays best plays. Italian football Spain and Gabriela Ce of Brazil. On the men’s side in participated Sunday in a downpour in Rio’s famous the combined ATP-WTA event, No. 3 Tommy Carnival parades at the famous Sambadrome. —AP Madrid and last week bought Infront, a major Swiss sports Sacchi, a former director of Italy’s in the sh... because of this.”—AFP marketing group, for 1.05 billion euros ($1.2 billion).—AFP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Shaky New Zealand down brave Scotland

DUNEDIN: New Zealand limped to a three- wicket win over Scotland yesterday, maintaining World Cup momentum only after the minnows gave the co-hosts’ much-vaunted batting line- up a bloody nose. New Zealand skittled Scotland out for 142 after putting them into bat, effectively ensuring there would be no repeat of Monday’s match when Ireland, another non-Test nation, downed the West Indies. While the Black Caps overhauled their target in 24.5 overs, they could have been in trouble if set a stiffer chase after a strong SCOREBOARD effort with the ball saw Scotland take seven wickets. DUNEDIN, New Zealand: Final scoreboard in the World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and A rash of New Zealand batsmen threw away Scotland at University Oval yesterday: their wickets chasing glory with wild shots, showing none of the controlled aggression that Scotland New Zealand has made them one of the tournament favorites. K.Coetzer c Elliott b Southee 1 M.Guptill c Cross b Wardlaw 17 Captain Brendon McCullum said they could C.MacLeod lbw b Boult 0 B.McCullum c Cross b Wardlaw 15 H.Gardiner lbw b Boult 0 not afford to be so wasteful in Wellington on K.Williamson c Cross b Davey 38 Friday, when they face an England side desper- M.Machan c McCullum b Anderson 56 R.Taylor c Taylor b Haq 9 P.Mommsen lbw b Southee 0 ate to bounce back from a 111-run loss to G.Elliott c Cross b Wardlaw 29 R.Berrington c Milne b Anderson 50 Australia. “It was a really good performance with M.Cross c Ronchi b Anderson 14 C.Anderson c Wardlaw b Davey 11 L.Ronchi c Gardiner b Davey 12 the ball-with the bat, we showed glimpses but J.Davey not out 11 we have to improve,” he said. “England will be a R.Taylor st Ronchi b Vettori 4 D.Vettori not out 8 M.Haq c Taylor b Vettori 0 A.Milne not out 1 challenge-they’re hurting, they’ll be tough to I.Wardlaw lbw b Vettori 0 Extras: (lb1, w5) 6 beat and we’ll have to play incredibly well.” Extras: (b1, w5) 6 Total (7 wickets, 24.5 overs) 146 The Black Caps fielded an unchanged line-up Total (all out, 36.2 overs) 142 Did not bat: Tim Southee, Trent Boult from their 98-run win over Sri Lanka, determined Fall of wickets: 1-1 (MacLeod), 2-1 (Gardiner), 3-12 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Guptill), 2-48 (McCullum), 3- not to drop their standards against unfancied (Coetzer), 4-12 (Mommsen), 5-109 (Machan), 6- 66 (Taylor), 4-106 (Williamson), 5-117 (Elliott), 6- opposition. 117 (Berrington), 7-129 (Cross), 8-136 (Taylor), 9- 142 (Haq), 10-142 (Wardlaw) 133 (Anderson), 7-137 (Ronchi) They appeared set for a crushing win in per- Bowling: Southee 8-3-35-2, Boult 6-1-21-2 (4w), Bowling: Wardlaw 9.5-0-57-3 (1w), Taylor 4-0-27-0 fect conditions at Dunedin’s University Oval, Milne 7-0-32-0 (1w), Vettori 8.2-1-24-3, Elliott 2-0- (2w), Davey 7-0-40-3 (2w), Haq 4-0-21-1 claiming early wickets to leave Scotland reeling 11-0, Anderson 5-1-18-3 Result: New Zealand win by three wickets. at 12 for four. Matt Machan (56) and Richie Berrington (50) were the standouts with a 97-run fifth-wicket partnership in a Scottish innings that featured World Cup results and standings five ducks four of them golden. Corey Anderson and Dan Vettori took three Pool A wickets apiece as Scotland folded after 36.2 At Dunedin overs, with Trent Boult and Tim Southee coming Scotland 142 all out in 36.2 overs (Matt Machan 56, Richie Berrington 50) v New Zealand 146-7. close to snatching hat-tricks. New Zealand won by three wickets New Zealand made hard work of chasing 143 on pitch were they scored 360 against Sri Lanka Played won lost tied N/R points run rate last month, with Iain Wardlaw and Josh Davey Pool A both taking three wickets for Scotland. New Zealand 2 2 0 0 0 4 +2.62 The win was not pretty but man-of-the- Australia 1 1 0 0 0 2 +2.22 match Boult said New Zealand “got the job Sri Lanka 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.96 done”. McCullum (15), Martin Guptill (17) and England 1 0 1 0 0 0 -2.22 Ross Taylor (9) all went cheaply, leaving New Scotland 1 0 1 0 0 0 -3.04 Zealand 66 for three early in the innings. Kane Afghanistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Williamson made a good start and reached 38 Bangladesh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 before he too suffered a rush of blood to the head. Pool B Luke Ronchi, who scored an unbeaten 170 India 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.52 against Sri Lanka at the venue last month, man- South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 2 +1.24 aged just 12 before he was dismissed trying to DUNEDIN: New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori sends a delivery down to the Scotland batsman Ireland 1 1 0 0 0 2 +0.62 cart Davey out of the ground. during their 2015 Cricket World Cup match. —AFP West Indies 1 0 1 0 0 0 -0.62 Scotland skipper Preston Mommsen, who Zimbabwe 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.24 was among those dismissed without scoring, what they are capable of, but we couldn’t go on The loss leaves Scotland still searching for a Pakistan 1 0 1 0 0 0 -1.52 said the poor start derailed his side’s chance of from there and were below par,” he said. World Cup win in their third appearance at the UAE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 an upset win. “Unfortunately we couldn’t get the final three tournament. Their next match is against England “Matt and Richie batted well and showed wickets, but I’m very proud of the performance.” in Christchurch on Monday. —AFP Already played Pool A Feb 14 At Christchurch Afghanistan set to debut New Zealand 331-6 (Corey Anderson 75, Brendon McCullum 65, Kane Williamson 57) v Sri Lanka Windies on 233 all out (Lahiru Thirimanne 65). in World Cup tournament New Zealand won by 98 runs sliding scale Feb 14 CANBERRA: Mohammad Nabi has come a Mushin Dadarkara lined up to meet the long way from the refugee camps of central At Melbourne team with his eight-year-old son Baha. “I am of decline Australia 342-9 (Aaron Finch 135, Glenn Maxwell 66, George Bailey 55; Steven Finn 5-71) v England Asia where he, along with other children dis- an Indian supporter, but I love (the) placed by war, whiled away the hours playing Afghanistan team as well,” Dadarkara told 231 all out (James Taylor 98 not out; Mitchell Marsh 5-53). Australia won by 111 runs SYDNEY: Darren Sammy needed treatment on his back, cricket. Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio. “In spite Andre Russell pulled up after bowling an embarrassing The 30-year-old captain of Afghanistan’s of the problems in their country, they have long-hop while fresh-faced captain Jason Holder speared national cricket team knows he will carry the come up (a) long way and they have done Pool B a ball so wide that first slip was placed in immediate peril. Feb 15 expectations of supporters in his war-torn very well in cricket.” homeland today when he leads his lineup Bangladesh captain Masrafe Mortaza said In three crude snapshots, the decline of West Indies At Hamilton cricket was perfectly captured and another miserable low South Africa 339-4 (David Miller 138 not out, JP Duminy 115 not out) v into its first World Cup match in the 50-over his team respected the Afghans as oppo- format. nents, particularly after losing a low-scoring point-defeat by Ireland at the World Cup on Monday- Zimbabwe 277 all out (Hamilton Masakadza 80, Chamu Chibhabha 64). South Africa won by 62 racked up. runs The Afghan team goes into the match as match to Afghanistan at the Asian Cup last underdogs against Bangladesh, which has March. Forty years ago, the West Indies won the first World only been playing among the elite cricket We “have taken them very seriously Cup and then defended it four years later before finishing Feb 15 runners-up in 1983. At Adelaide nations for 15 years. because we respect them not (as) beginners, Just getting to compete on the manicured we respect them all the country,” said Since then, their one-day pickings have been mighty India 300-7 (Virat Kohli 107, Suresh Raina 74, Shikhar Dhawan 73; Sohail Khan 5-55) v Pakistan 224 slim, a Champions Trophy victory in 2004 and a Twenty20 all out (Misbah-ul-Haq 76).India won by 76 runs grass of Manuka Oval in the Australian capital Mortaza, who knows what it’s like to be part Canberra is an achievement against the odds of a team trying to prove itself in the interna- world title in 2012. “We’re watching the death row of West Indies cricket,” Feb 16 for Nabi’s team. It’s half a world away from the tional arena. He made his one-day interna- tweeted Melbourne radio station, SEN 1116 following At Nelson refugee camp where the all-rounder was born tional debut in 2001 - a year after Bangladesh Monday’s four-wicket loss to Ireland in Nelson on New West Indies 304-7 (Lendl Simmons 102, Darren Sammy 89) v Ireland 307-6 in the strife-prone Pakistani city of Peshawar joined the elite test-playing nations - and has (Paul Stirling 92, Ed Joyce 84, Niall O’Brien 79 not out). Ireland won by four wickets.—AFP near the Afghan border during the Soviet war played 11 World Cup matches among his 144 Zealand’s South Island. with Afghanistan. one-day international matches, To others, however, the Caribbean game’s heart Life in the refugee camp was tough, Nabi Moles was happy that the pressure was on stopped beating a long time ago. Clive Lloyd, who skip- recalled yesterday, adding: “You play cricket a Bangladesh as the favorites for the match pered the West Indies to their 1975 and 1979 world titles The long haul pays off lot in refugee camps.” “I’m very happy to rep- today. “We are very much in our infancy,” and is now the head of selectors, believes the bish-bash resent Afghanistan in the World Cup,” he said. Moles said. “But if we play well, do the right but lucrative Twenty20, the sport’s shortest format, has for UAE batsman Khurram “Hopefully I’ll enjoy the whole tournament as things and stay calm, we are capable of play- diluted the talent pool, narrowed concentration and captain.” ing some serious cricket.”—AP diminished skills. AUSTRALIA: Cricket has always been a debut for his adopted country in 2004. By Afghanistan’s British-born coach Andy “The players earn a good wage. They have the choice sport that has rewarded patience, even in the start of 2014, he’d only played four fully Moles said while the squad was considered a to play Test cricket or T20,” said Lloyd. “We are small the souped-up version of the one-day recognised ODI matches, such are the limit- long-shot to beat the biggest teams in crick- islands and if you get a whole host of money, you are a game, but few players at the World Cup ed chances for countries with associate sta- et, the Afghan players expected to do well. king. This T20 competition has messed our cricket up. “We have had to wait longer for their big break tus. Unperturbed, he pressed on and his “First of all, what impressed me about them have contracts, probably not as exorbitant as others, but than the evergreen United Arab Emirates perseverance finally paid off when UAE was their genuine all-around passion for the they are getting good money. It doesn’t seem playing for batsman Khurram Khan. qualified for the 2015 World Cup, largely game and their genuine desire to win games our country is paramount where these players are con- At 43, he and UAE captain Mohammad thanks to his contributions with the bat. of cricket,” said Moles, who became head cerned.” Tauqir are the oldest players in the tourna- Khurram was the leading runscorer at coach in September. “Whoever they play The likes of Chris Gayle, the West Indies’ occasionally ment. Unlike most of the teams at the the World Cup qualifying tournament in against, they go on the field and they gen- devastating opener, has virtually become a batsman for World Cup, the UAE side is made up of New Zealand, piling up 581 runs at an aver- uinely believe they can win a game of cricket.” hire, playing for T20 franchises in India, South Africa, amateur players, who fit their cricket train- age of 72.62. Nabi was not the only player to overcome Australia and even in Bangladesh. ing and matches around their full-time Then in November, he became the old- hardships to find his place in the team. On Monday, Gayle was out for 36 — he has now not jobs. Opportunities are few and far est player to score a ODI hundred, making “It’ been well documented the hardships passed 50 since playing Bangladesh in August and the between and only the most determined an unbeaten 132 against Afghanistan, and that the players and the general public have last of his 21 centuries was against Sri Lanka in June 2013. and dedicated survive. Khurram, who moving to the top of a distinguished list of at home all over Afghanistan,” Moles said. He didn’t feature for South Africa’s Test or ODI tour in works as a flight purser for Emirates airlines, oldest centurions that includes Sanath Cricket “is a unifying sport, it’s a well-received December and January and refused the offer of a central has often flirted with the idea of retiring Jayasuriya, Geoff Boycott and Sachin sport among the population in Afghanistan contract before going on to accuse the West Indies but the lure of playing at the World Cup Tendulkar. and the players know that through good per- Cricket Board of victimisation over their axing of Dwayne proved irresistible. Despite having captained UAE for the formances it will be a massive up-liftment in Bravo and Kieron Pollard from the World Cup squad. There were no guarantees the UAE last decade, the Emirates Cricket Board just the general wellbeing of the country.” Both men had been central to the team’s decision to wanted a locally-born player to skipper the would qualify this time. The only previous The importance of the Afghan players rep- abandon the tour of India last year over a pay dispute. time the UAE had appeared at the World side at the World Cup, so demoted to resenting their country at a major interna- Money-or often the lack of it-has been a key factor in the Cup was almost two decades ago in 1996, Khurram to vice-captain and gave Tauqir tional event is appreciated by many cricket decline and fall of West Indies cricket in recent years. but Khurram rolled the dice and pushed the top job. fans. Supporters mobbed the team during an DHAKA: In this file photo taken In 2009, the majority of senior players went on strike on, keeping himself fit by doing push-ups Unfazed, Khurram said he was just hap- official welcome in downtown Canberra at Saturday, March. 1, 2014, Afghanistan over contracts leaving selectors to name Floyd Reifer, on long-haul flights when he wasn’t py to have realised his lifelong dream by captain Mohammad Nabi celebrates the weekend. Team members signed cricket who last played a Test 10 years earlier, as captain. A 16- attending to passengers. Born in Pakistan, getting the chance to compete at cricket’s during the Asia Cup one-day interna- bats, balls and World Cup tickets for grateful year-old Kraigg Brathwaite was also called up.—AFP he moved to UAE in 1999 and made his ODI greatest spectacle.—Reuters fans. tional cricket tournament. —AP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 SPORTS United to face Arsenal in FA Cup quarter-finals

LONDON: Joint record FA Cup winners City in the last two rounds after coming Manchester United and Arsenal will meet in from behind in both matches. the quarter-finals of this season’s competi- New Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood tion following the draw on Monday. will be looking for two victories in four days United beat League One Preston North over local midlands rivals West Bromwich End 3-1 to set up the last-eight clash with Albion as his side battle against relegation holders Arsenal who beat them in the 1979 and seek a place in the last four. Villa and and 2005 finals. Both clubs have won the West Brom, who contested three FA Cup famous trophy 11 times. finals between 1887 and 1895, will meet at Giant-killers Bradford City of League Villa Park on March 3 in the Premier League One, who caused one of the biggest ever before the Baggies make the short trip FA Cup upsets by beating Chelsea in the back there for the cup clash. The quarter- fourth round before seeing off Premier finals will be played on the weekend of League Sunderland in the fifth, got the March 7-8.—Reuters home tie their manager Phil Parkinson wished for. The third-tier side will face Reading, struggling in 16th place in the Matches on TV Championship (second tier) and have a (Local Timings) good chance of reaching the last four for the first time since 1911 when they won their only FA Cup. The draw was also kind UEFA Champions League to Liverpool, who were paired with mid- table Championship side Blackburn Rovers. Schalke v Real Madrid 22:45 England manager Roy Hodgson, who helped make the draw and has managed beIN SPORTS 1 HD both clubs, did Liverpool the bigger favor. beIN SPORTS 11 HD PRESTON: Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini (left) celebrates with teammate Ashley Young after scoring during the English FA Cup Fifth Brendan Rodgers’s side are in a rich vein beIN SPORTS 13 HD round soccer match against Preston. —AP of form after a sluggish start to the season Basel v Porto 22:45 and will be favourites to reach the semi- beIN SPORTS 2 HD finals for the first time since they lost the 2012 final to Chelsea. beIN SPORTS 14 HD However, Blackburn have beaten beIN SPORTS 2 HD United subdue Premier League Swansea City and Stoke

Espanyol, Osasuna deny matchfixing allegations Preston uprising

MADRID: Espanyol and Osasuna have Osasuna president Luis Sabalza, who was PRESTON: Manchester United survived a scare opponents in the previous two rounds, had also left-wing back and his shot hit Antonio Valencia’s denied wrongdoing after media reports not in charge of the club at the time, told a against third tier Preston North End to reach the refused to buckle against supposedly superior outstretched leg and squirmed past De Gea in said their La Liga game at the end of last news conference on Tuesday the club “was FA Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 3-1 win rivals. One criticism levelled at United under van off the far post. season was being investigated for alleged not aware of matches being bought”. at Deepdale on Monday. Gaal is a lack of panache in attack and the trait Van Gaal waited until the hour mark to make matchfixing. “Osasuna had no benefit because the team Louis Van Gaal’s star-studded side were in was evident in the first half as Grayson’s team the tactical change that shifted the momentum The game at Espanyol’s stadium on the was relegated,” he added. danger of an embarrassing fifth round exit when kept them at bay. of the tie. Falcao was again ineffective and he penultimate matchday ended 1-1, with However, the club did admit that they the unheralded hosts took a shock lead early in Angel Di Maria’s dipping free-kick went wide made way for Ashley Young. Espanyol taking a 21st-minute lead and had been audited by the government the second half through Scott Laird. after John Welsh’s heavy challenge on Radamel Five minutes later, Young set up Herrera Osasuna levelling a minute before halftime. sports council (CSD) at the end of last year Not for the first time this season, United Falcao 25 yards out and that was about as close whose shot under pressure from near the edge Reports said the two rivals had agreed because of unusual payments made in lacked cohesion for long periods of the game, as the visitors came to troubling Preston goal- of the area beat Stuckmann. Fellaini who had beforehand on a draw. Osasuna were sub- cash. but they responded to the indignity of Laird’s keeper Thorsten Stuckmann before the break. been deployed in an advanced midfield role sequently relegated even though they won Osasuna did not say how much money goal with enough composure to finally subdue Promising moments ended when Rooney moved further forward and it paid dividends as at home to Real Betis on the final day, while was in question but local media said it was the underdogs. and Daley Blind overhit final passes, much to the United took the lead. Espanyol finished just above the drop zone more than two million euros ($2.3 million). Ander Herrera’s fortuitous strike levelled the delight of the home fans. Preston’s players were The Belgian saw his header from Valencia’s despite losing 3-1 at Real Madrid. “Right now one thing is certain which is scores just after the hour mark before Marouane also encouraged and they enjoyed attacking cross blocked by Stuckmann but the North End “We want to make it absolutely clear that a sum of money was paid out in cash,” Fellaini put United ahead after 72 minutes. flurries of their own. Joe Garner, Preston’s top goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Fellaini that RCD Espanyol of Barcelona has had no club director Pedro Baile said. Wayne Rooney made the tie safe with a late scorer with 14 goals, hit a low shot straight at from sweeping the loose ball home from inside part in any matchfixing or any irregularity,” “But to conclude that this money was penalty to set up a fascinating last eight tie at David De Gea before heading over from Paul the six yard box. Rafael Entrena, an Espanyol vice president, used for a certain end, that is what needs to home to Arsenal on the weekend of March 7 and Gallagher’s inswinging free-kick. Kyel Reid was one of three substitutes said on the club’s website (www.rcdespany- be proved.” The match is the second to 8. “I was reasonably satisfied. The fights between brought on by Preston in response to United’s ol.com) yesterday. “We defend the purity come under the spotlight in recent months Kevin Davies and the defenders were difficult TACTICAL CHANGE second goal and he saw a snap-shot from the and the sporting nature of the competition, in a league where it has long been suspect- but we didn’t give anything away,” van Gaal said. No team has won this competition more edge of the area flash wide. Preston’s already now and always,” he added. ed that games are manipulated by teams “Preston’s goal was a little bit unlucky but we times than United but their 11th and most faint hopes of reaching the last eight were extin- “RCD Espanyol will collaborate actively trying to avoid relegation. showed an unbelievable team spirit. We recent triumph came in 2004, and none of the guished with two minutes remaining. and resolutely, both with the public prose- In December, Japan coach Javier changed the shape and that was the solution. current squad has won the Cup during their time Stuckmann came racing out of his goal in an cutor and all the sporting authorities, to Aguirre, Manchester United midfielder “We scored fantastic goals. I liked the second at Old Trafford. attempt to reach a through ball but Rooney got take the investigation of these facts to its Ander Herrera, Atletico Madrid captain goal a lot, we have trained that a lot.” There was Yet Preston reached half-time with relative there before him and went down under the chal- conclusion. Gabi and 38 others were named in an little sign of inferiority from Preston in the first comfort and things got even better two minutes lenge. The goalkeeper was booked and his next “And if the investigation shows that alleged case of match fixing involving a La half as they acquitted themselves well, just as after the break when they took the lead. action was to pick the ball out of the net after someone committed any irregularity they Liga match in the 2010-11 season. All deny Yeovil and Cambridge, United’s lower league Garner’s pass found Laird overlapping from Rooney lashed home the penalty. —AFP will have to face the consequences.” wrongdoing.—Reuters

CL Preview CL Preview Real expect return to top form against Schalke

GERMANY: Holders Real Madrid do not expect another goal bonanza at Schalke 04 in today’s Champions League Round of 16 first leg after their big win last season, with midfielder Toni Kroos warning not to underestimate the Germans. Coach Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping his nor- mally formidable attacking trident of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, known collectively in Spain as ‘BBC’, return to top form in time for the trip to Germany. The trio each scored twice in the 6-1 victory at Schalke in last term’s Round of 16 first leg but Ronaldo, in particular, has been off colour since winning a third FIFA Ballon d’Or award last month. The Portugal captain again failed to score in SWITZERLAND: (Foreground left to right) FC Basel’s midfielder Luca Zuffi, forward Saturday’s unconvincing 2-0 win at home to pro- Breel Embolo and forward Derlis Gonzales, practice during a training session on the moted Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga and has eve of the Champions League football match against Porto. —AFP managed only four goals this year. In that time, Real have been knocked out of the King’s Cup by Atletico Madrid while a 4-0 Stepping-stone clubs drubbing at their city rivals in La Liga this month cut their lead over second-placed Barcelona to a point. Basel and Porto clash “We are top of La Liga and the reigning champions in Europe,” Ancelloti said on times in the last 10 season and reached the ZURICH: Basel’s Champions League tie Saturday. “It’s true that we have not been bril- against Porto today pits two clubs who Champions League knockout stages five liant in 2015, but I hope the return of the have mastered the art of nurturing the tal- times. Basel’s model is slightly different as Champions League will bring out the best in us ent of little-known footballers and selling they place more emphasis on generating again.” Another reason for Real’s stumble has them on to Europe’s top teams. Unable to revenue from ticket and hospitality sales been injuries to regular centre backs Pepe and compete with the financial power of the and regard income from transfers as a wel- Sergio Ramos. biggest clubs, both have instead been hap- come extra. Pepe should be available but Ramos is not py to accept a role as stepping-stones for Even so they have an impressive record due to return for about a month and their players hoping to make their way to one of and, in the last few years, have turned the replacements, Raphael Varane and Nacho, have the leading five leagues. Both have been likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and looked far from convincing. highly successful at what they do and have Yann Sommer into Bundesliga material and “What was important was picking up confi- managed to remain competitive despite helped Egypt forward Mohamed Salah earn dence, and now we have to focus on Schalke. allowing a succession of top footballers to a move to the Premier League. This win (Deportivo) is really good for our walk through the exit door. morale,” Real fullback Alvaro Arbeloa said. Twice European champions Porto have LEFT TOO EARLY Improving Schalke, fourth in the Bundesliga, raked in more than half a billion euros The club’s only disappointment is that are desperate to make amends for last season’s ($570.20 million) from selling players, many some of those, such as Shaqiri and Salah, drubbing and hope Dutch striker Klaas-Jan of them bought for a pittance from South left too early and failed to win a regular Huntelaar, who missed training last week with a American clubs, in the last 10 years. The place at their new clubs. virus, will be fit. “He is an ice cold striker and I am likes of Radamel Falcao, Hulk, James Like Porto, the continued departures happy if we have him as an option against Real,” Rodriguez, Raul Meireles, Pepe and have not prevented them from lifting titles. team mate Tranquillo Barnetta told reporters. Anderson all passed through the Dragao They have won the Swiss league for the last “We have nothing to lose. If we continue to Stadium and Porto’s much-acclaimed youth five seasons and reached the Champions play as we have done recently and stick to our academy before heading elsewhere. League last 16 on three occasions, an out- plan then we have the chance to win against However, they have managed to keep standing achievement for a club from a Real. Our aim is to win at home and we firmly replenishing their talent pool and now small country. believe that,” said the Swiss international. Coach boast the likes of Colombia forward Having qualified at the expense of Robert Di Matteo will need to see whether keep- Jackson Martinez in attack and Algeria mid- Manchester United in 2011-12, Basel oust- er Fabian Giefer recovers from injury in time or GERMANY: Schalke’s defender Dennis Aogo and Schalke’s Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar fielder Yacine Brahimi in midfield. ed Liverpool in the group stage this time else hand 19-year-old Timon Wellenreuther his warm up during a training session on the eve of the last 16, first-leg Champions League foot- Porto have won the Primeira Liga seven around.—Reuters Champions League debut.—Reuters ball match. —AFP Shaky New United subdue Zealand Preston uprising down brave Scotland18 19 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Venus defeats player half her age Page 17

PARIS: PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (centre) heads the ball watched by Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta (left) and John Terry during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match at the Parc des Princes stadium in France. — AP Courtois helps Chelsea hold PSG

PARIS: A first-half away goal by Branislav away goals despite losing the first leg 3-1 in onds later to keep out a Zlatan Ibrahimovic wing cross. Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Kevin Mirallas, Ivanovic and some fine goalkeeping by France. header from a Matuidi centre. With their backs to the wall, Paris came De Morgen newspaper reported yesterday. Thibaut Courtois put Chelsea in command Seven points clear at the top of the Ibrahimovic and his fellow forwards were out fighting in the second half and Chelsea The Flemish daily said the Belgian inter- of their Champions League last-16 tie with Premier League, Chelsea are a stronger side afforded little space in the final third and were again grateful to the outstanding nationals have Luxembourg based compa- Paris Saint-Germain as yesterday’s first leg than they were then, while PSG had been they had to wait until after the half-hour Courtois as he saved from Ibrahimovic nies they use to transfer money. ended 1-1. Ivanovic headed in on 36 min- forced to deal with something of an injury mark to trouble Courtois again, Cavani see- before Lavezzi’s follow-up was blocked just Luxembourg taxes are considerably lower utes after Gary Cahill had helped the ball crisis in the build-up to this game. ing his near-post header from Ezequiel in front of the line. than in Belgium. into his path to give Chelsea the lead from With Lucas, Thiago Motta and Yohan Lavezzi’s corner turned behind. Courtois, again preferred to Petr Cech Teenager Divock Origi, who Liverpool their first and only chance of the evening at Cabaye among the players on the sidelines, between the posts by Mourinho, then got have loaned to French side Lille was also the Parc des Princes. Blanc opted to start David Luiz in midfield SUCKER PUNCH his fingertips to a Luiz header from a Lavezzi named in the report. Hazard and Courtois Edinson Cavani replied with a header of against his former club while Marquinhos Chelsea were happy to soak up the pres- free-kick. are team-mates at Chelsea while Mirallas his own in the 54th minute and PSG lined up in central defence despite being a sure and hit Paris with a sucker punch nine PSG’s unbeaten record at home this sea- turns out for Everton. enjoyed the bulk of the chances but doubt ahead of the game. minutes before the interval thanks to a rare son did not appear under threat in the clos- Such practices are legal if the players can Courtois intervened time and again to keep Chelsea were at full strength but their attacking combination between three of ing stages, but they could not get the win- “prove that the company is run from the Premier League leaders on level terms. chief creator, Cesc Fabregas, struggled to their back four, Ivanovic stealing in behind ning goal on the night. Luxembourg, which is naturally difficult (to Jose Mourinho’s side should now fancy make an impact on the match up against Luiz to head home after Cahill had flicked Cavani put a glorious chance wide of the prove)”, according to an expert quoted by their chances of progressing to the quarter- the combative Luiz. on a Terry cross. far post 10 minutes from time and, when De Morgen who added that the players finals when the second leg comes around in In a cagey opening, it was the hosts who However, those defenders hardly cov- Ibrahimovic got a header on target in stop- involved risk penalties. London on March 11, with Paris needing to created what chances there were, with ered themselves in glory as PSG drew level page time, that man Courtois was on hand Last November the ‘Lux Leaks’ scandal score in that game to keep the tie alive. That Blaise Matuidi the first to test Courtois on 11 nine minutes after the restart, leaving yet again to save Chelsea. revealed secret structures used by interna- was something Laurent Blanc’s side failed to minutes with a header from a Cavani cross. Cavani completely unmarked to head home Meanwhile, Belgian tax authorities are tional clients, including major multination- do when the teams met in the last eight a The Belgian goalkeeper was equal to that his 17th goal of the season-his sixth in the investigating Luxembourg bank accounts als, to avoid taxes with tax avoidance year ago, allowing Chelsea to go through on effort and was called into action again sec- Champions League-from a Matuidi left- held by English Premier League stars Eden schemes in Luxembourg. — AFP Bayern, Shakthar in drab draw LVIV: Bayern Munich’s Xabi Alonso was sent off on his Pyatov but did not find the net. 100th Champions League appearance as the German The home team dug in after that and rarely looked side were held to a scoreless draw by Shakthar Donetsk threatened despite allowing Bayern 70 per cent posses- in the last 16 first leg clash yesterday. sion in the opening half hour. Alonso picked up his second booking after 65 minutes After 24 minutes, Alonso picked up his first booking but Bayern comfortably held on to secure a positive and Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer almost fumbled the result in a first leg played out in sub-zero temperatures in free-kick that followed into Douglas Costa’s path. Lviv. Just past the half hour Bayern created another open- The Bundesliga champions will be confident they can ing. Shakhtar coughed up possession cheaply in front of complete the job in three weeks’ time in Munich but Pep their own penalty area, allowing Franck Ribery and Guardiola will be relieved that they survived an ill-tem- Mueller to combine to good effect. Mueller slid in to con- pered encounter in Ukraine. nect with Ribery’s neat cut back but the German interna- Shakhtar Donetsk-who had not played a competitive tional could not steer his strike from the penalty spot on match since the last group game on December 10 — had target. been forced to host this game over 1,000 kilometres from Shakhtar contained the German league leaders until the club’s Donbass Arena due to ongoing violence in the half-time and a scrappy second half only came to life east of the country. when Ribery and Costa were involved in an altercation But they successfully stifled the German visitors, who after a foul by Darijo Srna. had come into the match brimming with confidence fol- Just a couple of minutes later Costa was lucky to lowing an 8-0 win over Hamburg at the weekend. escape with only a yellow card after his elbow caught the Bayern almost got an away goal after only two min- Bayern midfielder flush in the face. utes, when Arjen Robben clipped a ball into Bastian The complete commitment of both sides was illustrat- Schweinsteiger who hooked wide from inside the penal- ed just past the hour when Alonso and Shakhtar’s Luiz ty area. Shakhtar could be forgiven for a slow start since Adriano both called for treatment when they collided they had played their last competitive game 10 weeks near the centre circle. ago in their final group game in the competition. But Alonso’s luck ran out when he was shown a second And after 11 minutes, Robben created another good yellow card for hauling down Alex Teixeira. Six other play- opportunity when his reverse pass picked out the run of ers were booked in a hard-fought game, with Ribery com- Thomas Mueller inside the penalty area. From a tight ing in for particularly rough treatment, but Shakhtar nev- UKRAINE: Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Douglas Costa and Bayern Munich’s midfielder Bastian angle, Mueller prodded the ball past keeper Andriy er looked like taking advantage of the extra man. — AFP Schweinsteiger fight for the ball during a Champions League football match. — AFP NBK the flagship bank in Kuwait: Fitch Ratings

Page 22 Japan’s temporary slowdown Business in inflation not worrisome WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Page 23 Boubyan Bank at top of customer service British inflation hits record low pyramid in Kuwait Page 25 Page 26

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (left) speaks to his parliamentary group in Athens yesterday. Greece is forging ahead with reform measures which break its bailout obligations, with PM Alexis Tsipras saying that parlia- ment would vote on a series of social reform bills at the end of the week. — AFP Greece will not compromise: Tsipras Emergency funding essential for Greek banks: ECB

ATHENS: A combative Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said tion to Greek plans to ditch austerity. He said Schaeuble had Council meets today and will review the provision of so-called cials told Reuters. yesterday his government would not succumb to blackmail “lost his cool” at Monday’s meeting of the Eurogroup but the Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) to Greek banks, as The ECB added money because deposit outflows had from its euro zone partners and was in no hurry to reach a German should not pity people who were holding their heads Greece is at loggerheads with euro-zone governments over picked up and to ensure Greek banks have liquidity while new debt agreement. high. the future of its international bailout, which expires at the end tense talks take place in Brussels, Greek banking sources said He said Greece was working towards a pact but would not Tsipras said, however, that a cartoon in a pro-Syriza news- of this month. on Friday. One banking source said recent daily outflows were compromise. His Syriza party intended to keep its promises to paper depicting Schaeuble as a Nazi did not represent his Provision of the ELA funding is essential to the survival of in the region of 300 million to 500 million euros on average. end the austerity imposed by the European Union and government’s views. Far from seeking to ease tensions with Greece’s banking sector, and hence to the country’s continued ECB Executive Board member Peter Praet said last week International Monetary Fund under Greece’s bailout deals. his euro-zone partners, Tsipras said the Greek parliament membership in the euro-zone. that ELA is “only for very short needs” and stressed the rules on “There has been a custom that newly-elected governments would immediately start working on legislation promised in The ECB stopped accepting Greek bonds as collateral for provision to solvent banks should be applied. Bundesbank act differently from their pre-election promises. I am saying it his election campaign, some of which runs counter to the aus- funding on Feb. 5, shifting the burden of financing its lenders chief Jens Weidmann has called for “strict standards with ELA”. again, we are thinking of actually implementing our promises terity rules imposed by the EU and IMF. “For us it is a moral via ELA to Greece’s central bank. However, the ECB retains Taking a strict approach would leave the ECB in an awkward for a change,” he told parliamentary members of his radical and humanitarian priority to repay the debt to the people control over that ELA funding, which is subject to tight condi- position if Greece failed to agree an extended, or new, bailout left wing party. who suffer, this is our primary debt,” he said. tions. program this week but nonetheless remained in the euro- A meeting of euro zone finance ministers broke up with- The rules stipulate that national central banks can only zone. Greece’s existing program runs out on Feb 28. out agreement in Brussels on Monday after Greece rejected a ECB funding grant such funding temporarily and to solvent banks. “There is Offering a carrot to Greece’s radical leftist government, proposal that would keep its current bailout in place for six The European Central Bank is unlikely to pull the plug on no sudden end of ELA expected this week,” the person familiar Austrian central bank chief Ewald Nowotny also signalled last months. emergency funding for Greek banks this week despite a with the situation said. The ECB raised the cap on ELA for week that if it signed up to a reform program, the ECB could Tsipras took aim in his speech at German Finance Minister standoff between Athens and its international lenders, a per- Greek banks by about 5 billion euros ($5.70 billion) to 65 bil- replace this emergency funding with cheaper direct ECB Wolfgang Schaeuble, who has been unbending in his opposi- son familiar with the situation said. The ECB’s Governing lion euros last week, Greek central bank and government offi- finance. — Agencies Markets consolidate; US homebuilder confidence slides WASHINGTON: US homebuilders say sales prospects and buy- snapped up newly built homes at a faster pace in December, a er traffic fell slightly this month. The National Association of promising sign as warmer months tend to draw out buyers Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released and sales begin to peak heading into summer. Egypt extends loss yesterday slipped to 55 in February from 57 in January. Despite Sales of new homes surged 11.6 percent in December to a the decline, builders remain relatively optimistic a month seasonally adjusted annual rate of 481,000. before the start of the spring buying season. Readings above Only 435,000 new homes were bought last year, a modest MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS 50 indicate that more builders view sales conditions as positive 1.2 per cent improvement from 2013. That is well below a pace DUBAI: Gulf stock markets consolidated yesterday after see- fourth-quarter net profit before Monday’s session, which was rather than poor. Lower mortgage rates, coupled with job of roughly 700,000 new homes selling in the 1990s. While sawing in line with oil prices over the last few days, while Egypt slightly ahead of analysts’ estimates but triggered a bout of gains over the past year, point to stronger sales. home sales are slated to rise this year, economists doubt that pulled back further, having previously outperformed most profit-taking. Another real estate firm, DAMAC, surged 5.7 per- Builders’ outlook for current sales conditions and prospec- they will return their historic pace as builders still seem chas- markets in the Middle East. Brent crude traded near $62 per cent. The stock has fluctuated sharply since listing in Dubai last tive buyer traffic slipped in February, while the expected sales tened by the 2007 housing crash that triggered the worst barrel yesterday as the International Energy Agency warned of month, and it fell 3.7 percent on Monday. DAMAC plans to conditions over the next six months held steady. The latest recession in 80 years. supply risks in the Middle East, although some analysts said issue one bonus share for every 10 existing shares, but has yet reading is consistent with the NAHB’s forecast for the US hous- When builder sentiment was at similar levels in 2006, hous- that prices had risen too far from six-year lows hit in January. to call a shareholder meeting to approve it and set the date. ing market to continue to improve at a gradual pace this year. ing starts were 60 percent higher, said Joshua Shapiro, chief The main Saudi stock index was nearly flat as some stocks Abu Dhabi’s index edged up 0.3 percent. Bank of Sharjah Buyer traffic may have been blunted in February because of economist at MFR, a forecasting firm. “There remains a big dis- fell on profit-taking or negative news. Petrochemicals giant surged 4.4 percent after its board proposed a 0.09 dirham cash winter storms, the NAHB said. connect between what homebuilders are saying and what Saudi Basic Industries fell 1.0 percent, cutting year-to-date dividend for 2014 - lower than 0.125 dirham for 2013 - but also After sluggish real estate sales for much of 2014, Americans they are actually doing,” Shapiro said. — AP gains to 14.3 percent. said it would seek regulatory approval for a buy-back of 4.7 per- Eastern Province Cement dropped 3.4 percent. The stock cent of outstanding shares. had tumbled 8.0 percent on Monday after the company pro- Qatar’s index edged down 0.4 percent, while Kuwait and Mideast militancy ‘challenge’ for oil posed a 2.50 riyal cash dividend for 2014, down from 3.50 riyals Oman were flat. Bahrain’s bourse added 0.7 percent as Bahrain TOKYO: The rise of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and Syria pres- That means “we now have a problem,” Birol said, speaking a year earlier. Meanwhile, two companies focused on real Telecommunications Co (Batelco) jumped 3.0 percent after it ents a major challenge for the investment necessary to pre- to Japan’s gas industry association four days after the IEA con- estate development in the holy city of Makkah, Jabal Omar and recommended a dividend of 25 fils per share for 2014, up from vent an oil shortage in the next decade, the International firmed his appointment to replace Maria van der Hoeven as Makkah Construction and Development, rose 3.8 and 1.7 per- 19 fils in 2013. Meanwhile, Egypt’s stock index, which had been Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) top economist said yesterday. While executive director when her term expires at the end of cent respectively. gaining when oil plunged, extended losses and fell 1.6 percent. the IEA has sounded warnings that Middle East crude produc- August. “The security problems caused by Daesh (IS) and oth- Saudi Arabian newspapers Arab News and Saudi Gazette Ezz Steel tumbled 4.7 percent after posting a third-quarter net tion will need to rise in the 2020s to meet predicted demand, ers are creating a major challenge for the new investments in reported on Monday that senior officials were seeking to speed loss that widened to 285.38 million Egyptian pounds ($37.4 Chief Economist Fatih Birol said there remain “myopic” views the Middle East and if those investments are not made today up the city’s development and would hold an international million) from 84.1 million pounds a year earlier. about the need for investment at a time when the fall in oil we will not see that badly needed production growth around conference on development of its low-income areas. King The company blamed the widening loss on a “sudden dete- prices means energy companies are slashing new drilling. the 2020s,” Birol said. Salman last month reinstated Prince Khaled Al-Faisal as Mecca rioration of the global steel market” which brought on US oil output from shale formations, while expected to “The appetite for investments in the Middle East is close governor, replacing Mishaal bin Abdullah, a son of late King “dumped” imports, as well as energy shortages which were fol- rise in the short term even with the cutbacks in drilling and to zero, mainly as a result of the unpredictability of the Abdullah. lowed by a hike in energy prices and the “severe shortage in investment, will not be enough to meet demand. The tradi- region,” he said. IS extremists have disrupted oil production Dubai’s stock index rose 0.9 percent as major developer foreign currencies in Egypt” - evidence that despite last year’s tional Middle East producers will need to meet the expected in northern Iraq, although output in the south - where most Emaar Properties, which tumbled 3.6 percent on Monday, strengthening of the Egyptian economy, operating conditions rise in consumption, Birol said, with Iraq expected to con- of the country’s crude comes from - has so far been largely climbed 0.8 percent. Emaar reported a 14 percent rise in remain unstable for many companies. — Reuters tribute about 50 percent of the additional oil needed. unaffected. — Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 NBK the flagship bank News in brief

US dollar stable in Kuwait: Fitch Ratings against dinar at 0.295 KUWAIT: The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Kuwaiti dinar was stable yesterday exchanging at KD 0.295, while the euro went down Bank enjoys dominant market share in Kuwait at KD 0.335 compared to Mondays’s exchange rates, said the daily bulletin of the Central Bank of KUWAIT: Fitch Ratings, the international credit rating Income is further diversified by the bank’s strong capital remained sound and above peers for a significant period, Kuwait (CBK). The Sterling Pound exchange went agency, said that NBK is the flagship bank in the Kuwaiti markets division and stable earnings from the bank’s treas- particularly with respect to profitability and asset quality. down to reach KD 0.454, as well as the Swiss Franc sector and measures up to leading regional banks. The ury function. Fitch sees this increased diversification over The bank’s strategy of diversification has largely been suc- which dropped to KD 0.316 and the Japanese yen bank enjoys a dominant market share in Kuwait and is peers as a major contributor to the bank’s sound and stable cessful.” remaining unchanged at KD 0.002. widely thought of as one of the region’s strongest franchis- earnings base. es. Sound Asset Quality In its report published yesterday, Fitch Ratings said: “It is Stable Management The report pointed out that “NBK has maintained sound difficult to compare NBK with domestic peers, due to the Fitch views NBK’s senior management as the most capa- asset quality metrics over a sustained period. This is a Ezz Steel posts Q3 loss of dominance of the bank’s domestic franchise and superior ble domestically. NBK’s senior management team has reflection of the bank’s access to quality transactions and a 285m Egyptian pounds diversification”. The agency added: “We therefore view remained very stable and Fitch considers it to be one of the more diversified balance sheet than peers, whose metrics CAIRO: Ezz Steel, Egypt’s biggest steel maker, NBK’s closest peers as other leading GCC banks that are strongest in the region. Succession planning is well man- have tended to fluctuate more over time. With the operat- posted a third-quarter net loss yesterday that flagship banks within their domicile.” aged as evidenced by the transition following the retire- ing environment set to improve somewhat, good quality widened to 285.38 million Egyptian pounds ment of the bank’s long-standing CEO in 1Q14. growth may cause further improvement in asset quality ($37.43 million) from 84.1 million a year earli- Diverse Business Model metrics.” Fitch affirmed that NBK’s business model is significantly Strategy er. The company said in a statement on the more diverse than peers, geographically and particularly Fitch highlighted that NBK’s strategy has centred on Diversification Egyptian bourse that third-quarter sales fell by activity. Like most banks in the sector, NBK is a universal diversification, especially in light of the lack of government Fitch affirmed that NBK’s earnings metrics are healthy. 4.6 percent to 4.62 billion versus 4.84 billion a commercial bank, with most of its income coming from the capital expenditure in Kuwait, upon which the economy is Earnings are very diversified compared to peers. Islamic year earlier. For the nine months to domestic market. However, NBK has managed to achieve heavily reliant. The rating agency believes that NBK will banking at Boubyan is expected to grow rapidly, with fur- September 30, Ezz posted a net loss of 461 some geographical diversification. continue to consider overseas opportunities on a case by ther contributions from capital markets activities. This million versus a net profit of 218 million a year More importantly, in Fitch’s view, is the diversification case basis, but that this will take less of a priority as capital diversification helps to maintain the bank’s earnings base. earlier. Sales for the period fell 6.9 percent to that NBK has achieved domestically. Its acquisition of expenditure begins to increase domestically. Fitch does NBK enjoys the highest credit ratings by the major inter- Boubyan in 2012 means that NBK is the only bank in not see any major strategic changes as a result of the new national rating agencies: Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and 14.881 billion. Kuwait to offer both conventional and Islamic banking. The senior management team, who have been with the bank Fitch Ratings. In their latest reports, the three rating agen- acquisition has brought synergies and expanded the for a long period. cies affirmed NBK’s credit ratings with a stable outlook. bank’s customer base. From a low base, Boubyan is grow- Fitch added that “NBK has a strong track record of exe- NBK also maintains its position among the 50 safest banks ing rapidly and performance has improved markedly. cution over a sustained time period. Financial metrics have in the world for the ninth time in a row. Noble Energy to supply Egypt with 7 LNG cargoes CAIRO: Noble Energy will supply Egypt with seven LNG cargoes under a two-year deal that begins in April, the oil ministry said yesterday. Once a gas exporter, Egypt is undergoing its worst energy cri- sis in decades, with rising consumption and declin- ing production turning it into an energy importer. It now plans to begin imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the latest deal part of a tender to buy 75 LNG cargoes over a one-year period to help power homes and factories. The president of state- run gas company EGAS said more deals would be signed soon with winners from that tender. The government has tried to bolster its energy sector by reducing subsidies, paying down its debt to for- eign energy firms and negotiating import agree- ments. After finalizing a long-delayed deal for an LNG import terminal, it has reached agreements to receive gas from Algeria and is in talks with Russia and Cyprus regarding gas shipments.

Gold snaps 3-day Oil rises to $62 as rally after Greece Kuwait crude price Mideast risks support talks collapse rises to $54.32pb LONDON: Oil rose to $62 a barrel yesterday, in US oil drilling. It had reached $45.19 on Jan. close to its 2015 high, supported by threats to 13, the lowest in almost six years, down from LONDON: Gold snapped a three-day rally yesterday, losing Middle East supplies and expectations lower $115 in June. The threat to Iraq’s northern almost 1 percent as investors remained cautious after a break- KUWAIT: Kuwait crude oil barrel price period, while the Kuwaiti crude fluctua- prices may prompt a slowdown in US output. exports from the revenue dispute arises as down of debt talks between Greece and euro zone finance went up 42 cents in Monday’s trading tions were at a higher rate which Egypt on Monday bombed Islamic State tar- bad weather has cut Iraq’s southern ship- ministers, while demand from China decreased ahead of the reaching $54.32 compared to $53.90 in caused a gap with Brent. Asia Stock gets in Libya, where violence has reined in ments this month. With risks to Middle East Lunar New Year holiday. Friday’s trading, according to Kuwait Exchange Market, specifically in most oil output, and Iraq’s semi-autonomous supply back on the market’s radar, Spot gold fell 0.8 percent to $1,220.84 an ounce by 1252 Petroleum Corporation (KPC) yesterday. Singapore took the initiative of moving Kurdistan Regional Government threatened International Energy Agency Chief Economist GMT, erasing most of the gains accumulated over the past Oil prices witnessed yesterday a the prices up and down due to many to withhold oil exports if Baghdad failed to Fatih Birol warned the rise of Islamic State in three sessions, when the metal was bolstered by a weaker dol- state of relative stability due to a num- reasons, chiefly the geopolitical factor send its share of the budget. Iraq and Syria presented a major challenge lar and uncertainty around Greece. Investors typically seek ber of negative and positive factors, related to visits of the Russian “The oil price is finding additional support for the investment necessary to prevent an oil safety in bullion during economic uncertainties and when which are both equal in their effect. The President to a number of southeast from renewed greater perception of the risks shortage in the next decade. riskier assets such as equities take a hit. dollar price exchange went up follow- Asian countries, he said. The gas deal at to supply,” said Carsten Fritsch, analyst at “The appetite for investments in the But hopes that a compromise would eventually be reached ing the collapse in the Greek debts the value of $400 billion in May, 2014, Commerzbank. “In the short term, the Middle East is close to zero, mainly as a result between Greece and international lenders deterred investors negotiations, besides the spread of vio- followed by a number of gas pipeline momentum suggests that prices will climb of the unpredictability of the region,” he said. from increasing their exposure to gold. lence in Libya, as well as fears of oil connection deals with India, South further.” Brent crude rose 60 cents to $62.00 a Even so, some analysts see the rally as The metal fell as broader market sentiment was not in pan- exports coming from Kurdistan. Korea and Japan, besides a number of barrel by 1101 GMT. It reached a 2015 high of overblown as the market remains oversup- ic mode, with equity markets outside Greece edging up. Talks Crude Oil Brent (CB) futures prices trade deals and maritime military coop- $62.57 on Monday. US crude was 43 cents plied. Crude inventories in top consumer the between Greece and euro zone finance ministers over the went down three cents to stand at eration also played a significant role in higher at $53.21 a barrel. Oil prices collapsed United States have hit record highs for the country’s debt crisis broke down on Monday when Athens $61.49 pb, while US Light Crude oil that matter, he affirmed. This diversity, in the second half of 2014 on oversupply. The last five weeks. rejected a proposal to request a six-month extension of its price stabilized at $51.87 pb. besides the main partner China, is Organization of the Petroleum Exporting “US refinery outages, through seasonal international bailout package. Oil strategies expert Dr. Abdulsamee attributed to maintaining balance of Countries refused to cut its output, choosing maintenance and industrial action, will weak- Both sides raised the prospect of another attempt to find Behbehani said yesterday that Brent powers among the Asian countries, to defend market share against US shale oil en US crude demand, exacerbating the crude common ground before the end of this week. The European and Kuwait crude prices were fluctuat- thus, prompting a hike in the Brent and other competing sources. stock excess in the near term,” BNP Paribas Central Bank is set to decide on Wednesday whether to main- ing at rates lower than the previous crude price, he added. — KUNA Brent has jumped by almost 40 percent in analysts Gareth Lewis-Davies and Harry tain emergency lending to Greek banks.—Reuters the last four weeks, supported by a sharp fall Tchilinguirian said in a report. — Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.565 Philippine Peso 0.006589 0.006869 Nepalese Rupees 3.975 Sierra Leone 0.000066 0.000072 Malaysian Ringgit 83.445 Singapore Dollar 0.215690 0.221690 ASIAN COUNTRIES CURRENCIES TELEX TRANSFER PER 1000 South African Rand 0.019455 0.027955 Japanese Yen 2.527 Chinese Yuan Renminbi 47.870 Australian Dollar 227.72 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001885 0.002465 Indian Rupees 4.798 Thai Bhat 10.060 Canadian Dollar 243.15 Taiwan 0.009314 0.009494 Pakistani Rupees 2.918 Turkish Lira 120.790 Swiss Franc 322.91 Thai Baht 0.008748 0.009298 Srilankan Rupees 2.217 Euro 341.15 Nepali Rupees 3.002 US Dollar 296.50 Arab Singapore Dollar 219.200 Sterling Pound 458.91 Bahrain Exchange Company Hongkong Dollar 38.133 Bahraini Dinar 0.780011 0.788011 Japanese Yen 2.53 Bangladesh Taka 3.793 Egyptian Pound 0.035956 0.039056 Bangladesh Taka 3.811 Philippine Peso 6.706 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iranian Riyal 0.000082 0.000083 Indian Rupee 4.766 Thai Baht 9.101 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000191 0.000251 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.221 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Belgian Franc 0.007726 0.008728 Jordanian Dinar 0.414149 0.421649 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Nepali Rupee 2.980 British Pound 0.450567 0.459567 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Pakistani Rupee 2.930 Czech Korune 0.004264 0.016264 Lebanese Pound 0.000147 0.000247 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 80.57 Danish Krone 0.041466 0.046466 Moroccan Dirhams 0.022000 0.046000 Saudi Riyal 78.811 Bahraini Dinar 786.95 Euro 0.332804 0.340804 Nigerian Naira 0.001210 0.001845 Qatari Riyal 81.270 Egyptian Pound 38.76 Norwegian Krone 0.035168 0.040368 Omani Riyal 0.764111 0.769791 Omani Riyal 768.650 Jordanian Dinar 421.29 Romanian Leu 0.085049 0.085049 Qatar Riyal 0.080730 0.081943 Bahraini Dinar 785.700 Omani Riyal 768.93 Slovakia 0.008733 0.018733 Saudi Riyal 0.078430 0.079130 UAE Dirham 80.561 Qatari Riyal 81.65 Swedish Krona 0.031279 0.036279 Syrian Pound 0.001269 0.001389 Saudi Riyal 78.98 Swiss Franc 0.313438 0.323638 Tunisian Dinar 0.150684 0.158684 ARAB COUNTRIES Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 Turkish Lira 0.118730 0.125730 Egyptian Pound - Cash 39.065 UAE Dirhams 0.079745 0.080894 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 38.822 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001339 0.001419 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.381 Australian Dollar 0.222280 0.233780 Tunisian Dinar 153.610 New Zealand Dollar 0.215554 0.225054 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Jordanian Dinar 417.130 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 296.250 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.985 America Canadian Dollar 240.710 Syrian Lira 2.108 Canadian Dollar 0.233203 0.241703 Sterling Pound 457.775 Morocco Dirham 31.291 US Dollars 0.292400 0.297100 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Euro 340.055 US Dollars Mint 0.292900 0.297100 US Dollar 295.600 Swiss Frank 275.655 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Euro 334.700 Bahrain Dinar 788.025 US Dollar Transfer 295.700 Asia Pound Sterlng 450.800 UAE Dirhams 81.035 Euro 336.800 Bangladesh Taka 0.003508 0.004108 Canadian Dollar 236.700 Qatari Riyals 82.195 Sterling Pound 445.692 Chinese Yuan 0.046133 0.049633 Indian Rupee 4.765 Saudi Riyals 79.190 Canadian dollar 234.870 Hong Kong Dollar 0.036143 0.038893 Egyptian Pound 38.710 Jordanian Dinar 418.150 Turkish lira 121.540 Indian Rupee 0.004462 0.004863 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.219 Egyptian Pound 38.750 Swiss Franc 321.410 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000019 0.000025 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.222 Bangladesh Taka 3.796 Australian Dollar 231.090 Japanese Yen 0.002418 0.002598 Indian Rupees 4.763 Philippines Peso 6.685 US Dollar Buying 294.500 Kenyan Shilling 0.003285 0.003285 Pakistani Rupees 2.923 Pakistan Rupee 2.925 Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Bangladesh Taka 3.806 Bahraini Dinar 787.100 GOLD Malaysian Ringgit 0.079324 0.085324 Philippines Pesso 6.692 UAE Dirham 80.450 20 gram 238.100 Nepalese Rupee 0.003031 0.003201 Cyprus pound 727.170 Saudi Riyal 79.000 10 gram 121.740 Pakistan Rupee 0.002698 0.002978 5 gram 61.560 Japanese Yen 3.495 *Rates are subject to change BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 German investors shrug off Greek worries, for now

FRANKFURT: Investor sentiment in points to 45.5 points in February, its high- Germany is at it highest level in 12 months, est level since July 2014. buoyed by the feel-good effects of the European Central Bank’s latest policy ‘Grexit’ worries moves and positive growth figures, data Natixis economist Johannes Gareis said showed yesterday. However, concerns over the latest increase in the ZEW barometer an escalation of the crisis in Ukraine and “echoes a growing confidence of financial fears of a possible Greek exit from the euro, investors in the German economy. or “Grexit”, could begin to sour sentiment “However, the weaker than expected out- again, and soon, analysts warned. come for February suggests that investors The widely watched investor confidence do not completely cast off any worries index calculated by the ZEW economic about the current Greek crises and the institute rose by 4.6 points to 53.0 points in increasing risks of a ‘Grexit’,” Gareis said. February, its highest level since February While the expert conceded that the ZEW 2014, ZEW said in a statement. was “usually a poor indicator of the strength “Quantitative easing by the European of the German economic upswing,” he said: Central Bank and unexpectedly high eco- “The fourth consecutive increase in the nomic growth in the fourth quarter of expectation and the current conditions 2014 have improved sentiment among index suggests that the party for the financial market experts,” said ZEW presi- German economy is far from being over.” dent Clemens Fuest. “On the other hand, Indeed, the German economy will continue the intensification of the Ukraine crisis to benefit from the current economic envi- and the collision course of the new Greek ronment, with growth bolstered by low oil government are dampening expectations,” prices, a low euro exchange rate and the he added. ECB’s QE program, Gareis said. Berenberg Analysts had, in fact, been pencilling in a Bank economist Christian Schulz said the stronger increase in this month’s ZEW index renewed rise in the ZEW index “provides evi- to around 55.0 points. Last month, the ECB dence that the Greek crisis is not having announced a massive bond purchase pro- much economic or financial impact on the gram, known as quantitative easing or QE, rest of the euro-zone yet.” Capital Economics in a bid to boost inflation in the 19 coun- economist Jessica Hinds agreed. The further TOKYO: People walk past an electronic stock board of a securities firm inTokyo yesterday. Asian stock markets were mostly higher yesterday tries that share the euro. improvement in sentiment “provides some but gains were tempered after Greek debt talks broke down, raising the prospect Athens might leave the euro currency. — AP And sentiment has also been boosted reassurance that confidence in the German by stronger than expected German eco- economy is holding up despite the ongoing nomic growth of 0.7 percent in the fourth turmoil in Greece,” she said. “However, there quarter of last year. For the survey, ZEW is a clear risk that the improvement in the Japan’s temporary slowdown questions analysts and institutional ZEW seen over the past few months could investors about their current assessment of be short-lived if Greece and the European the economic situation in Germany, as well authorities fail to reach a deal, as is looking in inflation not worrisome as their expectations for the coming increasingly likely,” she warned. months. Showdown debt talks between Athens The sub-index measuring financial mar- and its creditors collapsed on Monday, rais- ket players’ view of the current economic ing fears the country may crash out of the Top official allays fears of BoJ price target situation in Germany jumped by 23.1 euro-zone. — AFP TOKYO: A slowdown in Japanese inflation due government regularly adopts proposals from look unrealistic. “It’s up to the BOJ to decide (the to falling oil prices is not a problem and the Bank Takahashi and other private-sector members on time frame),” said Takahashi. European car sales recovery of Japan does not have to strictly adhere to the the CEFP, which gives them influence over eco- “But generally speaking, you don’t have to two-year time frame for its inflation target, said a nomic policy. The BOJ is expected to keep mon- strictly cut it off at two years.” One of the CEFP’s gains momentum in January member of the government’s top advisory pan- etary policy on hold at a two-day meeting end- tasks is to devise a plan to repair Japan’s public el. It is up to the BOJ to examine its price target ing on Wednesday, but slowing inflation and sur- finances. The plan is due sometime around June. MILAN: The recovery in Europe’s car market sales rose 10.9 percent, Gian Primo and decide whether or not further monetary prisingly tepid gains in consumer spending are a The government has already admitted that it gathered momentum in January, industry Quagliano, president of industry group easing is needed, said Susumu Takahashi, a problem for Japan’s central bankers. will not meet its target of returning to a primary data showed yesterday, as an improvement Centro Studi Promotor, said there was more member of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Takahashi agrees with the BOJ’s base line sce- budget surplus in fiscal 2020, which excludes in consumer confidence, retail incentives upside to Europe’s fourth-largest car mar- Policy (CEFP). nario that inflation will pick up again later this debt servicing costs and bond sales. and new product launches boosted ket. “Things in Italy could improve substan- A gradual decline in the yen will not harm year as companies and households reap the The best way to do so is to focus on spending demand for most brands. New passenger tially through positive boosts to our econo- Japan’s economy because this benefits compa- windfall from a collapse in oil prices. cuts and measures to expand economic growth, car registrations in the European Union and my expected from a drop in crude prices, nies operating overseas, but an excessively rapid Real incomes will start rising after April, Takahashi said. The government will raise the European Free Trade Association trading the depreciation of the euro, the policy of decline is unwelcome, he said. Takahashi’s com- which will also help consumer spending, said nationwide sales tax to 10 percent from 8 per- block rose 6.2 percent during the month to the ECB and improved consumer confi- ments, which come one day before a BOJ policy Takahashi, an academic who is chairman at the cent in 2017, but it must draft its fiscal discipline 1.03 million vehicles from 968,451 in the dence among families and businesses,” he decision, suggest the government is comfort- Japan Research Institute. plan assuming it will not be able to raise taxes same month last year, according to data said. Mass-market and selected premium able with a temporary slowdown in inflation and When the BOJ launched quantitative easing again, he said. from the Association of European brands were big beneficiaries of the pickup relaxed about the yen’s moves in the currency in 2013, Governor Haruhiko Kuroda set a two- Japan’s debt burden is the worst among Carmakers (ACEA). in demand. market. “Falling oil prices are positive for the year time frame to achieve 2 percent inflation to industrialised economies at more than twice the Europe’s car industry is turning the cor- European sales of Volkswagen’s and economy,” Takahashi told Reuters. “A weak yen is prevent Japan from returning to deflation. size of its $5 trillion economy, but successive ner after a six-year slump during which Renault’s namesake brands rose 8.3 percent also a plus. There isn’t much need to worry However, underlying inflation slowed to 0.5 governments have delayed cutting debt in part sales fell to their lowest in decades. “January and 11.4 percent, respectively, while those about the current slowdown in inflation.” Abe’s percent in December, making the time frame because bond yields remain very low. — Reuters was another strong month,” George Galliers, for GM’s Opel/Vauxhall brand increased 15.1 an analyst with Evercore ISI, said in a note. percent. “We remain constructive on the European Fiat Chrysler deliveries grew by 5.8 per- auto market, though note the (comparison cent, thanks to a 164 percent jump in Jeep Russia’s Gazprom ‘unstable data) does get slightly more challenging sales, following the launch of the Renegade, over the coming two months before easing a small model targeting the European mar- through the second quarter.” ket. Improving consumer confidence also partner’: Turkmen official The strength of the January increase par- lifted sales of German premium brands, tially reflects weak figures for the same with registrations of Daimler’s Mercedes month a year ago. New registrations vehicles and BMW cars increasing 12.7 per- ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: An article published unstable partner,” the article stated. Turkmenistan has the world’s fourth largest increased in almost all of Europe’s main cent and 4.9 percent, respectively. on the website of Turkmenistan’s oil and gas min- Gazprom’s vice chairman Alexander known reserves of natural gas but limited export markets in January and were the rise was Porsche deliveries rose 46.1 percent, pri- istry Monday attacked Russia’s energy giant Medvedev said this month that the decision to infrastructure and few reliable partners. Up to 90 particularly strong in Portugal and Spain, marily on the popularity of the Macan com- Gazprom, calling the company an unreliable reduce imports from Turkmenistan and neigh- percent of the country’s exports are hydrocar- where they were up around 28 percent. pact sport utility vehicle which went on sale partner for the reclusive Central Asian state. The boring Uzbekistan in 2015 was based on the bons. The main importer of Turkmen gas is China, Spanish sales benefited from a government in April last year. But sales of Audi, also from article by the state-run Turkmen Institute of Oil company’s own growing production capacity. which now imports 35 bcm annually from the subsidy scheme, which offers price cuts on the Volkswagen family, were roughly flat and Gas comes shortly after Gazprom’s Since a mysterious pipeline explosion in 2009, republic with that figure expected to rise to 65 new low-emission vehicles. In Italy, where year-on-year. — Reuters announcement it would be cutting gas imports Russia has imported roughly 10 billion cubic bcm by 2020. In addition to China and Russia, from the secretive republic by nearly two-thirds, metres of natural gas from Turkmenistan annual- Turkmenistan also exports up to 10 bcm of natu- and Turkmenistan’s 19 percent devaluation at the ly, but this figure will now drop to 4 bcm, ral gas to fellow producer Iran. At the beginning New Year of its national currency, the manat. Medvedev said. Before the explosion, which of the month, state media reported Turkmen “Gazprom and its affiliates periodically violate some industry experts credited to a dispute over President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov as say- agreements at interstate, intergovernmental and prices, Gazprom imported as much as 45 bcm ing the government would take anti-crisis meas- interdepartmental level, leading to the view that from Turkmenistan annually, most of which was ures to deal with depressed hydrocarbon prices, unfortunately the major energy company is an re-exported at a profit to Europe via Ukraine. but did not specify what they would be. — AFP Japan household spending drops fastest in 8 years

TOKYO: Japanese household spending in 2014 declined at its fastest pace in eight years, official data showed yesterday, under- scoring the impact of the country’s first sales tax hike in nearly two decades. The figures come a day after the govern- TOKYO: A Bridgestone signboard is displayed outside the company’s headquarters in ment said Japan’s economy limped out of Tokyo yesterday. Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone yesterday reported a 49 recession in the last quarter of 2014, with a percent jump in net profit in 2014 and expects better results in 2015. — AFP weaker-than-expected 0.6 percent expan- sion between October and December. But Sterling rides out the world’s number three economy posted zero growth over the full year, partly due to inflation’s fall to record low weak private spending which accounts for about 60 percent of Japan’s gross domestic LONDON: Sterling rose against the dollar yes- consumers ahead of Britain’s May election product. terday with a return of some optimism on and gives the Bank of England more room Last year, the average household spent DAYTONA: Goodyear tires surround the Casey Mears car in the garage area during a prac- Britain’s economic prospects helping it to ride to hold off from a demand-cooling rise in 251,481 yen ($2,115) each month, down 3.2 tice session for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona out the lowest inflation numbers on record. interest rates. That should also have impli- percent from the previous year and marking International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida. — AP A dip after the fall in annual inflation to cations for the pound, by lowering the first year-over-year decline since Japan’s only 0.3 percent, and a marginally faster prospective future interest rate returns on quake-tsunami accident in 2011. The drop- than expected 0.9 percent monthly drop in the currency. But after pushing expecta- the biggest percentage fall since 2006 — Goodyear beats Q4 prices, proved short-lived as the pound tions for a first rate rise deep into 2016, the came “partly in response (to a sales tax hike) gained 0.2 percent to $1.5393 in morning market has been pulling those back in and the impact of bad weather in summer,” trade. Against a broadly stronger euro, ster- towards the start of next year. profit forecasts ling lost 0.3 percent to 74.14 pence. Forward interest rates now price in a the internal affairs ministry said. In April, Tokyo raised sales taxes for the “The market sentiment is changing in rate rise in a year’s time. “The forecast for AKRON, Ohio: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co was for earnings of 58 cents per share. Revenue favor of sterling,” said Manuel Oliveri, a cur- UK growth remains strong and with falling first time in 17 years as part of wider efforts to tame a massive national debt. reported a sharp jump in its fourth-quarter net fell 9.1 percent to $4.36 billion in the period, which rency strategist at Credit Agricole in unemployment, rising wages and very low income, thanks to a $2 billion tax credit that off- missed Street forecasts. Analysts expected $4.39 London. “We think the market has been inflation, people have more money in their But hiking the levy to 8.0 percent from 5.0 set unfavorable currency conditions and weak billion, according to Zacks. very much focused on signs of a bounce in pockets now than for quite some time,” said percent slammed the brakes on consumer sales in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company said sales were hurt by $256 the economy. With positioning showing Dennis de Jong, of currency trading web- spending and helped to briefly push Japan Shares of Goodyear rose more than 4 percent in million due to a stronger US dollar and $181 that the market is still short of sterling, site UFX. “There remain plenty of threats into recession. Analysts say wage hikes will premarket trading yesterday. The tire company million due to lower sales in Europe, the Middle there is room for more gains.” Britain’s FTSE out there to global economic stability, but be key to sustaining a recovery, a point reported net income of $2.13 billion, or $7.68 East and Africa. Goodyear shares rose $1.08, or 100 share index inched into positive territo- low levels of inflation will help boost echoed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s gov- per share in the three months ending Dec 31. 4.2 percent, to $26.99 in premarket trading ry after the inflation numbers. growth in the short term. As oil prices stabi- ernment, which has repeatedly called on Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring gains, about a half-hour before the market opened Inflation’s fall to its lowest level since lize later in the year, inflation will start to Japanese companies to raise workers’ pay so were 59 cents per share. The average estimate of yesterday. Its shares have fallen more than 9 records began in 1989 eases a squeeze on pick up again.” — Reuters as to boost spending. — AFP analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research percent since the beginning of the year. — AP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Stocks reverse losses amid Greek debt crisis

LONDON: European stocks reversed early loss- European Central Bank is set to decide yester- percent and then briefly turning positive. points. during the Greek debt negotiations of es yesterday and yields on lower-rated euro- day whether to maintain emergency lending Yields on three-year Greek government Without support from creditors, the 2011,” said Kyosuke Suzuki, director of zone bonds fell as investors reassessed the col- to Greek banks, and the Greek state faces bonds rose 130 basis points to 19.04 percent Greek government and banks face a forex at Societe Generale in Tokyo. “There lapse of Greek debt talks and focused on the some heavy loan repayments in March. and 10-year yields rose 66 bps to 10.58 per- funding crunch. That might lead to are only nine trading days left until the prospects of a deal. The euro also recovered Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen cent. Greece’s becoming the first country to Feb. 28 deadline, but some see that as from early losses to rise against the dollar after Dijsselbloem, who chairs the group of euro- “The risk of a collapse is more elevated now ditch the euro and re-introduce its own enough time. Thus we are not seeing the Monday’s breakdown of talks between Greece zone ministers, gave Athens until Friday to because time is running out,” said Patrick Jacq, currency. euro sold in panic.” and euro-zone finance ministers. Initial request an extension of its current bailout, rate strategist at BNP Paribas. “This is putting The MSCI all-country world stocks In commodities markets, Brent crude declines on equity markets were modest. which would otherwise expire at the end of Greek government bonds under pressure, but index was down 0.1 percent, after touch- extended its recent rally and last traded “For now, we assume that logic will prevail the month. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 contagion effects will remain relatively limited ing its highest since September on at $61.97 a barrel as the International and this movie won’t end in disaster,” said Paul equity index opened lower but was last up just ... Eventually a deal is likely to be reached.” Monday. Japan’s Nikkei share average Energy Agency warned of supply risks in O’Connor, co-head of the multi-asset desk at under 0.1 percent. Yields on lower-rated euro-zone debt and MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific the Middle East, although some analysts Henderson Global Investors. Both sides raised Greek stocks underperformed. The volatile edged lower, suggesting no fear of an immi- shares outside Japan both dipped 0.1 said that prices had risen too far from the the possibility of another attempt to find com- ATG main Athens share index was down 2.8 nent break-up of the bloc. Italian 10-year percent. six-year lows hit in January. mon ground before the end of this week. The percent, after earlier dropping more than 4 bonds yielded 1.62 percent, down 1.8 basis The euro traded weaker against the The crude rally helped support the dollar in early European trade but later Russian ruble, which also benefited from picked up to $1.1388, up 0.3 percent on political efforts to make a ceasefire hold the day but well shy of Monday’s high of in eastern Ukraine, although gains were $1.1429. capped by doubts about whether the “The market has witnessed this ceasefire would hold. — Reuters before-it remembers the brinkmanship

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PARIS: A controversial reform package aimed at on a Sunday?” asked Valls in a recent interview. pepping up the French economy was on a knife- But the Socialist mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, edge yesterday as government rebels threatened is staunchly opposed to extending Sunday open- to torpedo the bill in parliament. The reforms, ing and has described it as a “backward step for which include extending the number of Sundays democracy.” shops can stay open and freeing up certain sec- tors of the economy, have proved extremely divi- Lawyers in the streets sive across the political spectrum in France. Macron’s reform proposals have triggered In rowdy scenes in the parliament, the coun- such passions that he claims to have received try’s energetic and youthful banker-turned-econ- death threats. Among them are plans to open up omy minister Emmanuel Macron passionately white-collar professions such as notarial lawyers, defended his bill, which he sees as vital to ener- who have traditionally received a fixed fee gise the euro-zone’s second-largest economy. regardless of the size of the job. Dozens of lawmakers from the ruling Socialists But the threat of competition also sparked have threatened to vote against the government the unusual sight of these middle-class workers bill or abstain. downing pencils and pounding the streets in President Francois Hollande called an emer- protest. France’s economy is desperately in need gency cabinet meeting just ahead of the vote, as of a boost. It registered a meagre 0.4 percent the government mulls a constitutional move to growth last year and unemployment has refused force the bill through but tying it to a confidence to come down from record highs. vote. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the gov- Hollande is pinning his hopes on the Macron ernment “would do everything” to make the bill reforms, plus a package of tax breaks for business pass “because it is good for the country.” in return for job pledges, known as the A major plank of the reform package is to Responsibility Pact. He has vowed not to seek re- HOVE: A petrol station is seen in Hove, East Sussex, southeast England yesterday. Britain’s annual inflation rate slowed to a record low of 0.3 percent in extend the number of Sundays that shops are election in the next presidential vote in 2017 if he January on the back of plunging oil prices and lower food costs, official data showed. — AFP allowed to open from a maximum of five per fails to reduce unemployment. Most economists year to 12. In certain areas classed as “interna- believe a growth rate of around 1.5 percent is tional tourist zones”-such as in Paris the Champs required to create jobs. British inflation hits record Elysees, the Saint-Germain area and the The reform package has split the two main Boulevard Haussmann where most of the capi- parties in parliament. A left-wing rump of the rul- tal’s department stores are based-shops would ing Socialist party is expected to vote against the be able to open every Sunday. Shops in these reforms, believing them to be too pro-business low of 0.3% in January zones, set also to be created in the French Riviera and right-wing. Christian Paul, one of the rebels, cities of Cannes and Nice, will also be able to stay said “several dozen” Socialist MPs opposed the Data gives consumers pre-election boost open until midnight seven days a week. legislation. Employees working between 9:00 pm and On the other side of the aisle, a handful of LONDON: British consumer price inflation eased Britain’s Office for National Statistics said CPI pushed down by a supermarket price war and low midnight will receive double pay and their trip MPs from the right-wing UMP party, which has last month to its lowest level since records began in models for periods before official estimates were commodity prices, fell 2.5 percent, the biggest drop home, and the employer will also cover any been called to vote against the package, have 1989 and looks set to slow further, lifting voters’ dis- produced showed inflation was last lower in 1960. on record.Last week, BoE Governor Mark Carney said childcare costs. With the reforms, Paris is bidding vowed to vote in favor of the measures. Ahead of posable incomes as national elections approach. Easing inflation could delay a first Bank of England inflation would probably soon fall below zero due to cement its reputation as the world’s number- the vote, the head of the powerful MEDEF busi- Annual CPI fell to 0.3 percent in January, yesterday’s interest rate rise since the financial crisis, though for to tumbling oil prices, but the Bank also forecast a one tourist destination. ness lobby, Pierre Gattaz, said he was disappoint- official figures showed, as expected in a Reuters that to happen the price falls would have to spread rebound to its 2 percent inflation target in about “Do we want millions and millions of tourists- ed that the reforms had been “watered down” in poll, from 0.5 percent in December. beyond food and energy and show signs of becom- two years’ time. Carney has described the oil price notably Chinese-who come to the capital to parliament. “We need five to 10” such reforms to The tumble largely reflected a slide in oil prices, ing self-reinforcing. fall as unambiguously positive for the UK economy. leave us and go and do their shopping in London move forward, Gattaz said. — AFP which last month hit a near six-year low below $45 Crude oil prices paid by British manufacturers fell by a barrel, as well as lower food costs. Finance minis- CORE INFLATION EDGES UP 20.2 percent in January from December - the ter George Osborne welcomed the figures, pub- Thursday’s data offered little evidence of that. sharpest drop since December 2008 and adding to lished less than three months before the election, Stripping out energy and food, prices rose last downward pressure on producer prices. as boosting households’ spending power after years month by 1.4 percent, a three-month high. “There is Factory gate prices fell 1.8 percent in the year to of weak wage growth. certainly no sign of the systemic deflation that took January, the biggest decline since records began in Economists expect data today to show wages a grip on Japan in the 1990s,” said John 1997. The ONS also said house prices in Britain rose rose 1.8 percent in the three months to December, Hawksworth, chief economist at accountancy firm a yearly 9.8 percent in December, slowing a touch which would be the fourth straight month of PwC. “...Domestic demand growth remains relatively from November and adding to signs that the prop- above-inflation increases. buoyant.” Food and non-alcoholic drink prices, erty market is cooling. — Reuters

Greeks in fighting mood warn Regional airlines EU of price to pay if bailout fails merge as Somali ATHENS: “If we carry on like this, Europe is Brussels to wake up to the fact that a Greek doomed!” In the streets of Athens, Greeks euro-zone exit could have untold knock-on airspace draws are clinging to hope of a bailout deal after effects throughout Europe, and boost anti- a dramatic stand-off with Brussels, but EU parties such as France’s National Front competition warn they would not be the only ones to led by Marine Le Pen. “If Brussels doesn’t PARIS: French Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron presents new measures to boost the pay the price of failure. There’s a rush at the listen then Le Pen will be the next Merkel,” NAIROBI: Regional carriers Daallo Airlines and Jubba French economy during a session of the French National Assembly in Paris yesterday. newsstand near parliament, where people Sirivli said in reference to the German Airways profited independently for years in one of the France’s Parliament votes on a hotly debated and potentially landmark bill that loosens on their way to work scan the headlines chancellor, who currently holds the world’s toughest markets, competing on routes to war-torn up some labor rules to boost hiring and notably allows stores to open Sundays and after Monday’s EU negotiation flop. The European purse-strings. Somalia that most avoided. evenings for tourists. — AP papers declare “anxiety after talks ship- Retired 65-year-old Dina Cosse agreed: Yet as the guns fall silent, the rivals face a new battle that wrecked”, but “Greece resisting”. “If it goes on like this, Europe is screwed. It has pushed them to merge: competition from big interna- “I’m feeling pretty anxious after last will be the extreme right which takes over tional carriers such as Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and US oil trains are taking night,” Dimitris Papageorgiou, 47, said, after everywhere.” Tales of betrayal, backstab- flydubai, muscling into Somali airspace. “The odds are Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis refused to bing and bloody-mindedness in Brussels, against us, but that is the reason we are making a merger,” high-stakes risks with lives sign a deal proffered by Greece’s EU credi- where Varoufakis said he had been offered Mohamed Yassin, chief executive officer of Daallo, told tors, leaving the country teetering on the a deal he was ready to sign before it was Reuters. “We are not sitting back. We are trying to put our LONDON: Five hundred and ninety one days edge. abruptly withdrawn, sparked both fury and forces together ... to face the new challenges.” have passed since a train carrying crude oil UNSAFE TANK CARS “I’m afraid there will be some kind of resignation back home. Hardy entrepreneurs running airlines, money transfer derailed and incinerated the town of Lac The problem has been extensively chroni- firms and mobile phone companies innovated and thrived bank run,” he said, though “personally, I’ve Sofia Toli, who is eight months pregnant Megantic in Quebec. In that time, the US cled in accident investigation reports by the in Somalia for more than two decades, keeping Somalis con- Department of Transportation (DOT) has still not NTSB dating as far back as 1992. Unlike the pres- got no money left to take out.” Euro-zone and whose family has struggled after her nected to the world as the state was torn apart by warlords finalized new safety rules on tank car standards sure tank cars used to transport other highly ministers handed Greece an ultimatum father lost his job, said all they could do and Islamist militants. and operational controls for trains carrying high- flammable or poisonous liquids, the DOT-111 Monday night, saying it had this week to was wait and hope for an end to a deep Now Mogadishu’s Western-backed federal government is ly flammable liquids. design tank cars which carry most crude and request an extension to its bailout which social malaise which she claims has seen slowly extending its control and imposing a semblance of DOT started working on new rules in April ethanol cannot reliably contain their load in the expires at the end of the month, or risk “many people commit suicide.” political order, which is also changing the commercial land- 2012 — more than a year before the devastating event of an accident. crashing out of the euro-zone. But so far Her 42-year-old partner, Nikos Vasiliou, scape for firms such as Daallo and Jubba that once had the fire at Lac Megantic in July 2013, which claimed DOT-111 tank cars lack full head shields to Greece has refused to continue with a pro- was furious with Brussels, saying the ulti- market to themselves. Turkish Airlines now offers a daily the lives of 47 people-so the process has so far prevent end-on punctures in the event of a colli- gram it says has wrung its citizens dry, cre- matum meant Greece should declare the service to Mogadishu, while Ethiopian Airlines flies to taken 1,041 days. DOT has now sent a draft to sion. Their tank walls are significantly thinner. ating abject poverty and sky-high unem- negotiations over, for “with an ultimatum Hargeisa in the self-declared state of Somaliland in the the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) There is no requirement for them to have ther- ployment, which now stands at over 50 there is no longer any reason to talk.” north, a destination flydubai plans to serve from March. for final review and revisions but does not mal protection to protect against fire. And many percent among young Greeks. At the same time in some quarters there Kenya-based African Express also serves Mogadishu and expect the final rule to be gazetted until May 12. have fittings which shear off in accidents, In Syntagma square, the scene of violent was bitterness towards new hard-left gov- other Somali cities. Even then, new tank car standards could be according to NTSB (“Rail accidents involving anti-bailout riots in the past, Thomas ernment’s handling of the crisis. Those who Turkish Airlines said it had increased flights to Mogadishu phased in over several years by 2017/18, and oil crude oil and ethanol releases,” April 2014). in January to seven a week from four but said it had “no near shippers are pressing for an even longer transi- NTSB has repeatedly warned DOT-111 tank Argiros was in a fighting mood. “It’s the first voted against the ruling Syriza party in time a government is standing with dignity January’s elections have accused it of dan- future plans” to add other destinations in Somalia. tion period. If the timetable now sticks, it will cars are not suitable for carrying flammable Daallo and Jubba, which offer domestic flights within have taken at least six years to implement new loads like crude and ethanol. Canada has in Europe. We must not always say ‘yes’, nor gerous incompetence in overturning a deal follow a program forced upon us. We must which had led to small signs of economic Somalia but face more competition on international routes, standards for tank cars that were recognized as already mandated their accelerated phase-out will tomorrow launch African Airways Alliance, a merged necessary back in 2012. It is an astonishing following Lac Megantic. But the United States is fight, that is what negotiation means,” the recovery in the debt-laden country. entity owned equally by founders of the former rivals. “We example of regulatory failure. still arguing over who should have primary pensioner said. Varoufakis insisted he had “This is really bad for Greece. Things are trying to attract other carriers to join the alliance to scale This is unacceptably slow. While regulators, responsibility for improving train safety and how “no doubt” a deal would be found over the were getting better and now we’re going the business, to help growth and sustainability,” said Yassin in lobbyists and lawyers for crude shippers have long shippers should be given to phase out next two days and a MARC poll conducted to have to suffer along with the idiots who an interview in Nairobi with one-time rival and now partner, been sparring in Washington over whether new unsafe tank cars. this weekend and published Tuesday voted for this government,” said Yiannis, a standards are necessary, and how long the Jubba Chairman Said Qailie. He said the two airlines would showed 65 percent of electors believe “a jewellery shop owner who didn’t want to still use their Jubba and Daallo brands after the merger. industry should be given to comply with them, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE solution will be found”. give his surname. “The only good thing crude-carrying trains have been derailing and Oil shippers argue the railroads need to do a that could come out of this is if the gov- SEEKING SUPPORT catching fire with frightening frequency. better job of keeping trains and tank cars on the ‘If Brussels doesn’t listen...’ ernment falls and we get rid of Syriza,” he On Monday, a crude-carrying train operated rails, while railroads argue shippers need to use Together, Daallo and Jubba carried about 250,000 pas- Sociologist Anna Sirivli called on said. — AFP by CSX railroad derailed in West Virginia, setting better tank cars that will not catch fire. sengers in 2014 and generated revenues of more than $75 at least 14 tank cars ablaze and forcing the evac- Obviously, the solution requires both. In an million, the airlines said in a statement. By comparison, uation of two nearby towns. ideal world, tank cars should never come off the Turkish Airlines carried 54.7 million passengers in 2014. On the day before, a train operated by rails; the number of derailments has indeed Daallo is the privately owned national carrier of Djibouti, Canadian National Railway and carrying 100 been alarmingly high. But accidents happen and north of Somalia, while Jubba is registered in next door tank cars of crude derailed in a remote part of it is critical that when they do, tank cars should Kenya to the south. There is no official Somali flag carrier northern Ontario and caught fire. Since Lac contain their contents safely until emergency after Somali Airlines halted services in 1991 when war flared Megantic, there have been at least 11 other seri- responders can deal with the situation. up. ous derailments across the United States and Attempts to address the safety problem have Yassin described Somalia as a “home market” for both air- Canada involving trains shipping large volumes become bogged down by fighting over whether lines after they acted as a “lifeline” in the war. of oil, according to a tally published by the crude is really a highly flammable liquid (the But he said the Somali authorities had offered little sup- Congressional Research Service (“US rail trans- answer to that question should be obvious by port for Daallo and Jubba on issues such as flight frequen- port of crude oil: background and issues for now); whether DOT-111 tank cars are up to the cies or capacity of planes used by new entrants, topics typi- Congress”, Dec 2014). Serious incidents involving job (the answer is clearly no); and how quickly cally negotiated in air agreements between two territories. crude-carrying trains posing a significant threat DOT-111 tank cars should be phased out of “They sympathise with us, because we were the lifeline to life, property and the environment are occur- crude service (within three years or up to a for Somalis in the last 20 years,” said 62-year-old Yassin. But ring on average once every seven weeks. decade). Railroad operators have made relatively he said they were not in a position to dictate terms: “If any- Between 2006 and April 2014, there were 16 speedy progress in agreeing new rules and body comes to them, they cannot reject (them).” significant accidents involving high-hazard operating procedures for trains carrying large Yassin said this put the regional carriers at a disadvantage trains carrying crude oil or ethanol. In total 281 volumes of crude and ethanol which went into to bigger international players with larger fleets and access tank cars derailed, nearly 5 million gallons of effect in August 2013 (“Circular OT-55-N: to cheaper financing. “There should be fair competition,” he crude or ethanol were released when the tank Recommended railroad operating practices for said. Former Finance Minister Hussein Halane, who left his cars were breached, and there were 48 fatalities, transportation of hazardous materials”). post when a new cabinet was sworn in this month, said according to the US National Transportation Procedures for “key trains” include lower speed Daallo and Jubba were viewed as Somali airlines that Safety Board (NTSB). So far, most of the derail- limits, heightened safety protocols which give deserved help but the government had limited capacity to ments have occurred in remote areas and small such high-hazard trains priority over all other deal with the demands it faced and Somalia needed major rural communities, lessening their impact, both traffic on the network and require more fre- carriers to boost international links. in terms of physical damage and political sensi- quent track inspections, as well as routing them After the merger, the airlines will operate two newly tivity. But it is only a matter of time before a train around densely-populated urban areas where leased Airbus A321-111s and a Boeing 737-300, a statement derails in a major urban area like Chicago or possible. said. In addition, the firm will use a BAe 146-200, which it Albany, both of which are rail centres handling Crude oil shippers have responded much ATHENS: A boy waits to receive free food from a social kitchen ’The other human’ in central Athens yesterday. In the streets of Athens, Greeks are clinging to hope of a owns, for charter services. By mid-2015, two new turboprop large numbers of oil trains, causing mass casual- more slowly, arguing that crude is not especially ATR aircraft will be introduced for domestic flights.—Reuters ties. No other industry would be allowed to tol- dangerous and they should be given much bailout deal after a dramatic stand-off with Brussels, but warn they would not be the erate such an appalling safety record. longer to phase out DOT-111s.—Reuters only ones to pay the price of failure. —AFP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

All-new Fiat 500L expands Fiat brand’s product lineup

KUWAIT: Expanding on the style, efficiency and driving enjoy- 500L expands the appeal of the iconic 500 while adding two Turbo engine in the all-new Fiat 500L, providing class-leading and greatest joys all together - children, friends, travelling - ment that has made the Fiat 500 an icon for more than 55 more doors and comfortable accommodations for five passen- standard horsepower per litre (117 hp/litre) - for even more thanks to its 3.17 m3 of passenger volume and a spacious, years, the all-new 2015 Fiat 500L expands the Cinquecento’s gers driver precision and control, the Fiat 500L also features a six- regular-shaped boot (up to 455 litres). appeal by offering 42 percent extra interior space with com- LARGE: A Fiat 500 designed on the new “small-wide” vehicle speed Euro Twin Clutch transmission. The 500L Trekking fitted with a 1.4 MultiAir Turbo engine fortable seating for five, engaging driving dynamics, a 165hp architecture with “cab forward” design for 27 inches more boasts the highest specific power, highest absolute power 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine and fuel-saving, six-speed trans- length, plus 6 inches more in height and width, all to deliver an All-new Fiat 500L Trekking (165 hp) and highest torque (250 Nm) in its class. The engine mission, all wrapped in contemporary Italian design. EPA Large Car size interior with comfort, added versatility and Designed with the active and thrill-seeking customer in is combined with an automatic six-speed dual dry clutch The all-new 500L is available at Al-Mulla &Behbahani Motor 42 percent extra interior space. The 500L offers best-in-class mind, the 2015 Fiat 500L Trekking expands the appeal and transmission - an exclusive feature in its segment - which Co showroom at Al-Rai. It was launched at Al-Watan Carnival interior volume, best-in-class front head and shoulder room practicality of the Fiat 500L with distinct, rugged looks; an ath- delivers excellent performance and great driving pleasure, City at Kuwait International Fair. and best-in-class rear cargo space (with the back seats up). letic two-tone interior environment; unique front and rear fas- characteristics that are enhanced by typical European han- “The all-new Fiat 500L expands the reach of the Fiat brand, LOFT: A trendsetting interior environment featuring seg- cia designs; flared wheel arches and larger 17-inch wheels to dling and precise, responsive steering. The 500L Trekking also appealing to customers who like the contemporary Italian ment-exclusive glass from A- to D-pillars that provide nearly support its adventurous personality. “From the fashionable comes packed with high value features. In addition to the style of the Fiat 500 but need more space and functionality to 360-degree panoramic views, while iconic Cinquecento (500) Gucci editions to the high-performance Abarth, the Fiat 500 equipment of the 500L Pop Star, the Trekking offers impor- match their lifestyle needs,” said Jack Rodencal, Managing cues exude contemporary Italian design outside and now the all-new Fiat 500L illustrate the different personali- tant standard features such as an automatic climate control Director of Fiat Chrysler Middle East. “The Fiat 500L offers the LIFESTYLE: The all-new Fiat 500L Trekking model highlights ties and capabilities the Fiat brand can deliver from the same system, electric rear windows, fog lights, CD/MP3 UConnect whole package, with best-in-class interior space, class-leading the perfect blend of rugged styling and versatility, offering cus- basic sheet metal,” said Rodencal. “The adventurous personality radio with 5” touchscreen display. horsepower, exclusive technology features and the style that tomers a Cinquecento that complements their active lifestyle of the Trekking model will attract a wider set of customers A unique two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior only Italians can create.”Since the modern Fiat 500’s global LIGHT: human-friendly innovations like fuel-saving and while keeping intact all the great benefits of the Fiat 500L.” environment continues the Fiat 500L Trekking’s rugged-athletic launch in 2007, more than 1 million of these efficient and city- emissions-reducing MultiAir valve technology, eco:Drive and The Fiat 500L Trekking is the latest development of the 500 theme. At the centre of it all, an all-new Uconnect 5.0 system fea- friendly vehicles have been sold in more than 110 countries Fiat’s first application of the all-new Uconnect 5.0 and 6.5 family with two perfectly fused souls. One is metropolitan for tures an intelligently and intuitively designed touchscreen 5 worldwide. And now with the all-new Fiat 500L, the touchscreen systems, all to provide a “lightness” to improve the breezing through the city, while the other is more adventur- inch interface, handsfree calling and Bluetooth-streaming audio, Cinquecento has grown up to accommodate even more of quality of life ous, perfect for those outdoor adventures that make life as well as voice-command control of the radio and a media hub life’s greatest experiences and emotions all together: children, LITRES: the 500L’s innovative 1.4-litreMultiAir Turbo engine worth living. A range of features come as standard, including for seamless integration of portable devices. For even more friends, journeys, music and community. provides 165 hp, 184 lb.-ft. of torque and up to an EPA estimat- all season tyres that improve the vehicle’s handling on terrain capability, the Fiat 500L Trekking is also available with the premi- ed 27mpg (8.71 L/100 km) highway that offers poor grip. And all of this without compromising on um Uconnect 6.5 system with its larger 6.5-inch touchscreen The letter “L” sums up the six dimensions of the Fiat 500L: Paired with its tight European handling and quick steering, the space and functionality of the 500L, Fiat’s ‘City Lounge’ radio, dealer-activated navigation with intuitive map graphics LEVERAGING: taking the Fiat brand’s DNA, the all-new Fiat the sixth dimension, “Liters,” defines the fuel-efficient MultiAir that is designed to easily accommodate life’s little pleasures and a premium media hub with SD card reader. Boubyan at top of customer service pyramid in Kuwait Bank earns three awards from Service Hero

KUWAIT: Boubyan Bank has reiterated its leader- ship of the Kuwaiti business sector in the field of customer service evidenced by its recent accom- plishments whereby the Bank has received three awards from Service Hero, the international con- sumer-driven customer satisfaction index, for service provided to customers in Kuwait. The most prominent of these awards is the 1st Place in Customer Service in all economic sectors in Oman Air named ‘Best Kuwait, ahead of many well-established & deeply rooted institutions in the private sector. Despite its shorter period of operation com- Airline’ at Chittagong pared to other players in the market, Boubyan Bank has proved that it is the best among Islamic KUWAIT: Officials in Bangladesh have named acclaim at a time when Oman Air has just banks as it has further received the Best Islamic Oman Air as the Best Airline Operating to and launched its ambitious growth strategy. This will Bank in Customer Service Award in addition to from Chittagong. The prestigious award was see us fly more customers to more destinations, maintaining its place atop the pyramid of cus- made on the United Nations International aboard more aircraft, than ever before. As a tomer service by receiving the Best Islamic Bank Migration Day, by the Bureau of Manpower, result many thousands more people will have in Customer Service Award for 5 consecutive Employment and Training Center, part of the opportunity to experience Oman Air’s Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and exceptional comfort, service and convenience. years. Overseas Employment. “As some of our longest-standing interna- Adel Abdul Wahab Al-Majed, Vice-Chairman & The award was presented at Chittagong’s tional services, Oman Air’s flights between Chief Executive Officer, commented on this Shah Amanat International Airport to Oman Air’s Chittagong and Muscat lie at the heart of our accomplishment by stating: “I would like to Airport Services Supervisor at Chittagong, growing network and I would like to express my extend my thanks and appreciation to all the cus- Mohammed Nur-E-Alam, by the Honorable gratitude to all our staff and partners at tomers for their confidence in our Bank, which Commissioner, Chittagong Division. The cere- Chittagong and throughout Bangladesh, for crowned the Bank with such valuable awards.”. mony was also attended by the Deputy Director their superb support. He added: “With the strategic changes that of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and “My heartfelt thanks also go to the airport have been witnessed by the Bank since 2010, the Training Center, Chittagong, and the Deputy authorities at Chittagong, to the police and to Bank has been giving priority to focusing on cus- Commissioner of Police, Chittagong Division. the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and tomers and offering them the best services and Oman Air is the first-ever airline to receive Training Center.” Return flights from products while providing them all with VIP serv- such acclaim. The award recognizes the high Chittagong to Muscat start from 63160BDT ice as this is the kind of service the Bank wants for standards of on-time performance (OTP), pas- per person, including all taxes and charges, its clients.”. senger handling performance and movement of and excellent onward connections are avail- passengers according to legal requirements that able to destinations throughout Oman Air’s Al-Majed further added: “I stressed in various Oman Air achieves on its daily flights between global network. Return flights from Muscat to occasions that the services and products offered Chittagong and the Omani capital of Muscat. Chittagong start from 181.5 OMR per person, by banks are similar, and this makes the level of Oman Air’s General Manager Airport Services, including all taxes and charges. All bookings service provided to customers the deciding fac- Saleem Amanulla, commented: “On behalf of are subject to availability. It is worth mention- tor. Kuwait is a limited market with high competi- Oman Air, I would like to say how pleased and ing that Oman Air has announced its second tion and this comes with challenges for us, push- honoured we are to receive this award. destination in Bangladesh, Dhaka, to be ing the Bank to improve and develop its service “It is particularly satisfying to receive this launched later this year. levels.” On the other hand, Abdulla Al-Najran Al- Al-Tuwaijri receiving the award Tuwaijri, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, stated Al-Tuwaijri also stated that one of the values nificant aspect of the award is that it is granted by that the most important aspect about Service the Bank instills in its employees is “Customer a recognized institution known for its efficiency, Samsung Electronics unveils Hero awards is that they depend solely on the Focus”. He added that since the launch of the new experience, and neutrality in addition to being results of customers’ surveys in a very neutral strategy in 2010, the Bank focused on customer the fruit of studies, public polls, and surveys of a its vision for ‘Living Smarter’ manner and that such surveys measure the cus- service considering that such would be the basis large group of clients from various social groups tomer satisfaction index in an accurate scientific of success side by side with the distinction of the in Kuwait in addition to the Bank’s competition ANTALYA: Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd, show- manner. banking and financing services, products and with several well-established entities deeply root- cased its vision for smarter living at the 2015 Al-Tuwaijri went on adding: “May be it’s easier solutions offered by the Bank in compliance with ed in the state of Kuwait. Samsung MENA Forum in Antalya. Reinforcing its to reach the top performance, but maintaining the noble Islamic Sharia. It’s worth mentioning that the results of leadership of the regional TV market, Samsung is such a level is harder. Five years ago, we managed Al-Tuwaijri added: “Perfection of work and Service Hero are based on a survey that lasted for the entertainment experience to the next level to gain the trust of our customers and receive services is the main pillar of customer service, a whole year open to customers who evaluated with its 88-inch SUHD TV and its new audio solu- such a valuable award, however, it was not easy taking into consideration the increased market companies on a scale of 10 criteria in light of their tions delivering a premium sound experience. to maintain the 1st place five years in a row.”. share of the Bank in the recent years along with expectations of the company’s service level Samsung will introduce clever home appliances “This pushed all the staff of the Bank to contin- its aspirations for more achievements during the before and after experiencing them. The assess- inspired by professional chefs to give home cooks ue providing the highest levels of service, and upcoming period. Our clients always top our pri- ment observed a number of criteria such as the a better experience in the kitchen and superior continuously improve them in order to maintain orities as we always listen and survey their opin- behavior of employees, the location of the com- appliances which deliver exceptional cooling, comfort and hygienic benefits. the trust of our customers and give them an ions; we rely heavily on that in reaching an pany, swiftness of service, trust of the product, Samsung also continues to make its mark in edge, compared with other financial institutions. assessment because customers’ feedback is the quality of service/produce, value for money, the the camera market with the new NX500 camera, The customer service challenges are increasing main driver for any development process adopt- call center, and the website. Service Hero surveys inspired by the performance and features of day by day and this increases the responsibilities ed an institution.”. comply with a strict protocol to verify the identity Samsung’s award-winning NX1 series. In addition, of the Bank’s departments.”, he further stated. Mr. Al-Tuwaijri also stressed that the most sig- of customers who take part in them. Samsung demonstrated its new line up of sleek Galaxy A smartphones, which offer ways of cap- Choong Ro Lee, president of Samsung turing and sharing digital experiences. Middle East and North Africa “Samsung is all about delivering amazing NGOs, Ministries of Education and universities to ‘ABK Advantage’ gets experiences, and we can do this because of our create applications or full content solutions to intense focus on the needs of consumers,” said help provide a better learning experience. Al-Baghli Sponge Onboard Choong Ro Lee, president of Samsung Middle Through these partnerships, Samsung have initi- East and North Africa. “This region has been one ated the Samsung Academy Program which pro- KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait is proud to pants to ‘ABK Advantage’, in order to cater to of growing importance for us over many years, vides high school students to study the technical have Al-Baghli Sponge Manufacturing Co the varying needs of ABK customers. Lockie with a demographic of early adopters for new learning of Samsung products, with the opportu- onboard as a new participant in ‘ABK added, “ Our ‘ABK Advantage’ program offers technology. The MENA region has been a strong nity of internships on graduation. supporter of Samsung and we continue to Lee continued, “Samsung views its communi- Advantage’, a discount program that allows exclusive discounts to ABK customers, from pledge our commitment to delivering innovation ty involvements as completely separate from its ABK customers to benefit from exclusive the chain of participating restaurants, hotels that brings new experiences and enhanced commercial activities and hence looks at deliver- offers at participating retail outlets. and shopping areas some outlets offer up to engagement to their lives.” As part of our growing ing on quality support that can really make a dif- Al-Baghli SpongeManufacturing Co, one of 45 per cent, thus enhancing the added value role in the region, Samsung has also been under- ference rather than spreading our efforts thin the largest companies in its sector is offering of using ABK cards.” taking significant efforts to enhance the IT experi- across many. We tie up with NGOs who under- ABK customers discounts up to 20 per cent on For more information please log on to ence and to support the education for the chil- stand our business objectives and are aligned all its furniture products. Stewart Lockie, www.eahli.com, chat with an ABK representa- dren and youth, through Samsung Smart School with our goal in utilizing technology to drive a ABK’s Retail Banking General Manager said, tive on ‘Ahli Chat’, or call one of our customer Initiatives. Samsung has also collaborated with better, safer and healthier world.” “ABK is always eager in adding new partici- service agents on ‘Ahlan Ahli’ at 1899899. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 technology

Can BYOD and enterprise security truly ho hand in hand?

By Jyoti Lalchandani What started as senior executives Middle East CIOs when I ask them about more conservative experience. Indeed, been on the market) on their approved unofficially pushing the boundaries of BYOD. Some are firmly on board with simply allowing employees to use any device lists until the products have been here can be no doubt that the their organization’s own procedures the concept, viewing it as a positive kind of smartphone for work is a recipe on the market for at least six months. It launch of Apple’s first iPhone back quickly gathered pace, and IT managers development that allows employees to for disaster. IT managers need to set is also important for any formal policy to Tin 2007 was an important agent of were soon left with little choice but to work with the devices they’re most boundaries and limits or risk losing the carefully articulate who owns and con- change for the mobile industry, forcing draw up formal BYOD policies in order to familiar with, thereby improving pro- benefits that mobility can deliver to the trols the corporate content that resides competitors as it did to rethink their protect the integrity of corporate net- ductivity. Others, meanwhile, are much enterprise, and for this reason strongly on a BYOD smartphone. And another very understanding of mobility. Seven works and security of sensitive data. The more skeptical, viewing BYOD as inher- advise them to deploy a white list of issue that is often overlooked is exactly years on and consumers now queue in effect on the market’s composition is ently dangerous. So are such fears justi- approved devices from which employ- who owns the phone number; this the streets to get their hands on the lat- clear to see, with IDC forecasting world- fied, and what - if anything - can be ees can choose. should be clearly defined as part of a est models, but the impact of the iPhone wide shipments of employee-purchased done to assuage them? signed agreement between employer revolution stretches far beyond the smartphones for business use to reach The primary BYOD-related issue fac- Capabilities and employee so as to avoid any dispute home and into boardrooms across the 328.4 million units by 2017, growing by ing IT departments is security, with 72 There are a number of fundamental when the period of employment comes world. Indeed, the emergence of the around 30 percent per annum. In con- percent of CIOs identifying this as their capabilities that any white-listed hand- to an end. iPhone and subsequent introduction of trast, shipments of corporate-liable major concern. Not surprisingly, the set must possess. From a security per- The challenges are seemingly end- the Android operating system have devices will total 88 million, expanding most common company policy regard- spective, these include VPN support, SSL less, and I advise IT managers not to put transformed the way in which business- at a rate of ‘only’ 11 percent per year. ing BYOD relates to the installation of for Web and intranet access, remote all their eggs in the BYOD basket. While es the world over address enterprise device management software, and wipe, and strict password enforcement, it may be the current preferred mobility. Capital expenditure agreements allowing for the wiping of while in terms of user practicality, approach for delivering the advantages Prior to the introduction of the The overwhelming motivation for lost devices are increasingly becoming a Exchange ActiveSync should be avail- of mobility to the enterprise, it is impor- iPhone and Android, organizations typi- organizations looking to embrace the staple of BYOD security policies. And able for email, calendar, contacts, and tant to recognize that the mobile cally required their employees to utilize BYOD trend is a reduction in capital while security will undoubtedly remain tasks. A WiFi client that supports VoIP is ecosystem is rapidly evolving and what one mobile device and service. In the expenditure, with 75 percent of CIOs an ongoing concern, I expect other always a bonus, and support for viewing is relevant today can become less rele- majority of cases, this was the almost- surveyed by IDC asserting that BYOD has issues relating to break/fix procedures, and editing documents, spreadsheets, vant overnight. Given this reality, organi- ubiquitous BlackBerry and its requisite saved them money. However, the con- activation, purchase, and the suitability and presentations is an absolute must zations must remain prudent in regards BlackBerry Enterprise server. But as cept also brings with it some fairly major of a device for enterprise use to take on for any self-respecting business-use to all aspects of BYOD deployment, as BlackBerry handsets fell behind the challenges, so it’s important for organi- greater importance as BYOD adoption phone. Other potential areas to consider the potential for disaster is always lurk- capabilities offered by Apple and zations to fully understand what they increases. are battery life, stylus, and compatibility ing just around complacency corner. Android smartphones, employees are letting themselves in for when they Given the prevalence of these issues, with other devices, including tablets and The columnist is group vice president increasingly began utilizing their own open their doors to employee-owned it is clear that the era of ceding control PCs. and regional managing director for the personal devices for work purposes devices. to the end user is over. While BYOD To further protect themselves, organ- Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at global instead of their corporate-issued Indeed, despite the clear interest that implies that employees have unlimited izations should not allow new smart- ICT market intelligence and advisory BlackBerry. And so began the era of exists from a bottom-line perspective, I freedom in choosing and utilizing their phone designs (as opposed to new ver- firm International Data Corporation ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD). often receive divergent responses from own device, the reality must be a much sions of smartphones that have already (IDC).

EMC unveils hyper-converged infrastructure appliance

DUBAI: EMC Corporation yesterday operations. The VSPEX BLUE Manager also announced availability of the EMC VSPEX simplifies IT management by delivering patch BLUE hyper-converged infrastructure appli- and software update notification that can be ance that delivers compute, storage, network- installed automatically without interruption ing and management powered by VMware or downtime so that the appliance software is EVO:RAIL and EMC software. always up-to-date. The VSPEX BLUE hyper- converged infra- structure appliance enables customers to go VSPEX BLUE Market from power on to provisioning virtual The Market provides customer access to machines in under 15 minutes, offering solutions and technologies that are devel- impressive time to value when compared to oped by EMC and technology partners that other hyper-converged infrastructure offer- are pre-validated for the VSPEX BLUE appli- ings. The VSPEX BLUE scale-out infrastructure ance and then made available to download. provides customers the ability to meet users’ In the first release, EMC has included business changing demands at the speed of business continuity with EMC RecoverPoint for Virtual and freedom from the burden of advanced IT Machines, VMware Data Protection Advanced forecasting. providing disk based de-duplicated backup Comprised of common modular building and recovery that is optimized for virtual blocks, the VSPEX BLUE hyper-converged environments, and access to virtually unlimit- infrastructure appliance offers customers ed hybrid cloud storage via the EMC seamless linear scalability from one to four CloudArray Gateway. 2U/4-nodes and is ideal for infrastructure consolidations, virtual desktops in large EMC Secure Remote Support (ESRS) remote or branch offices and managed serv- The EMC VSPEX BLUE hyper-converged ice providers. infrastructure appliance also provides EMC Secure Remote Support (ESRS) that is built EMC fifferentiation into the interface and provides end-to-end, The VSPEX BLUE hyper-converged infra- consistent support via chat, community or structure appliance simplifies IT configura- phone with a single point of accountability tion, management, and maintenance. EMC is for all hardware and software. With ESRS, EMC delivering an integrated management experi- can periodically monitor the EMC VSPEX BLUE ence for VSPEX BLUE customers. The VSPEX appliance and will be notified of failure BLUE Manager extends the capabilities of the enabling support to take preventative meas- Sixth grade teacher Carrie Young guides her students through an exercise on their laptops as practice for the Common Core State Standards native EVO:RAIL Deployment, Configuration ures to help avoid downtime. When coupled Test in her classroom at Morgan Elementary School South in Stockport, Ohio.— AP and Management (DCM) Engine, delivering a with ESRS, EMC 24x7 Supportis incredibly built-in support experience and Market pro- simple. All appliance issues regardless of viding customers access to select software whether they are hardware or software are titles and solutions from an EMCinterface that handled by EMC. New computerized tests leveragesVMware EVO:RAIL’s clean and intu- itivedesign principles. Partner Ecosystem EMC will focus initially on a select group of VSPEX BLUE Manager world-class EMC Business Partner debut this week in US With the VSPEX BLUEhyper-converged Programdistributors for the EMC VSPEX infrastructure appliance, EMC continues to BLUEappliance including Arrow, Avnet, break new ground, offering for the first time a Networld, TD Azlan and Tech Data.Initial dis- Excessive rigor in tests fuels debate one-stop Market to download value-added tribution partners have an established global software, purchase upgrades and appliances reach, required manufacturing capabilities, STOCKPORT, Ohio: Sixth-grader Kayla Hunter components, written essays and multi-step calcu- have joined a movement to “opt out” of these stan- from EMC and EMC ecosystem partners to and the necessary international certifications considers herself pretty tech savvy. She has a com- lations needed to solve math problems that go dardized tests. Questions also have been raised quickly and easily meet ever-changing busi- and capabilities. puter at home unlike about half her classmates at beyond just using rote memory. Students in some about students’ keyboarding skills and schools’ ness demands. her elementary school. And it matches up well states will take adaptive versions in which ques- computer capacities. In the Appalachian foothills From the VSPEX BLUE Manager, users can Availability with the one she’ll use this week to take a new test tions get harder or easier depending on their where Kayla attends Morgan South Elementary conveniently access electronic services, such The EMC VSPEX BLUE hyper-converged linked to the Common Core standards. Still, the answers. School, administrators and teachers worry that as EMC knowledge base articles, access a infrastructure appliance is generally available perky 11-year-old worries. During a recent practice But there’s been controversy. The tests have they don’t have the bandwidth to provide reliable wealth of community sourced online and real February 17. Customers should contact their exam at her school in Ohio, she couldn’t even log been caught up in the debate playing out in state Internet connectivity on testing day. Both tests time information and familiarize themselves authorized EMC partner to learn more about on. “It wouldn’t let me,” she said. “It kept saying it legislatures across the country about the federal offer a paper option. PARCC officials anticipate with EMC best practices for optimal appliance VSPEX BLUE. wasn’t right, and it just kept loading the whole role in education. Although more than 40 states that about a quarter of students will use the paper time.” have adopted Common Core, which spells out version; Smarter Balanced officials estimate rough- Her state will be the first to administer one of what reading and math skills students should mas- ly 10 to 20 percent will take it on paper. Xiaomi was China smartphone two tests in English language arts and math based ter in each grade, several have decided not to offer Just eight days before the test, the Morgan on the Common Core standards developed by two the tests - known as the Smarter Balanced Local School District in rural southeastern Ohio market leader in 2014: IDC separate groups of states. By the end of the school Assessment Consortium, and Partnership for ordered 200 more Chromebooks, which worked year, about 12 million children in 29 states and the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, best during the practice run. SHANGHAI: Upstart Xiaomi was the top sales of more than 61 million smartphones District of Columbia will take them, using comput- or PARCC. Some states are introducing other new The week before the test, Kayla and her class- smartphone company in China last year with a last year, up 227 percent from 2013. ers or electronic tablets. state standardized tests this year. mates huddled in pairs sharing what devices were 12.5 percent market share, narrowly outpac- Xiaomi could not be reached for comment The exams are expected to be more difficult The Common Core tests fulfill the requirement available at the school. “They’ll be more comfort- ing South Korea’s Samsung, market intelli- yesterday, the day before a week-long public than the traditional spring standardized state in the federal No Child Left Behind law for annual able with the technology, but it is a worry of mine gence firm International Data Corporation holiday in China. US technology giant Apple exams they replace. In some states, they’ll require testing in reading and math in grades three to that, as far as the content that’s on it, there’s still (IDC) said yesterday. did not even place in the top five for market hours of additional testing time because students eight and again in high school. But as Congress stuff I could be doing to prepare for the test,” says Samsung was just behind with 12.1 per- share in China for all of 2014, according to IDC. will have to do more than just fill in the bubble. seeks to rewrite the education law, there’s debate their teacher, Carrie Young. cent market share based on shipments by However, it took second with a 12.3 percent The goal is to test students on critical thinking over whether the tests should be required by Eleven-year-old Colton Kidd says the screens vendor in 2014, slipping from 18.7 percent in share in the fourth quarter of last year-behind skills, requiring them to describe their reasoning Washington, and whether students are being test- on the Chromebooks are too small. Classmate 2013, IDC said in a statement. Xiaomi, found- Xiaomi’s 13.7 percent-helped by the launch of and solve problems. The tests have multimedia ed too much. Parents in pockets of the country Josie Jackson, 12, prefers pencil and paper. But ed in 2010, has excelled in China’s cut-throat its large-screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Liam Montgomery likes computerized tests: “It’s smartphone market by delivering high-perfor- “Apple had a jump to the second position in easier to get the answers down, because I don’t mance products at cheap prices-and more 2014 Q4 (the fourth quarter) as its iPhone 6 have to flip back and forth.” than doubling its market share from just 5.3 and 6 Plus models were only launched in In some places, school administrators and state percent in 2013, according to IDC. China in the last quarter of the year,” IDC said. leaders are only grudgingly moving forward. “Xiaomi’s focus on selling low-cost phones Smartphone shipments for China by all ven- Referencing federal law, Illinois State Board of with decent specifications, as well as the hype dors reached 420.7 million units in 2014, IDC Education officials threatened to withhold funds that it created through its flash sales, helped it figures showed. Apple said in January that its from any district that didn’t administer the PARCC to obtain the top position,” IDC said. previous quarterly profit rocketed to $18 bil- exam. Chicago Public Schools officials cited tech- But critics say the firm has simply copied lion on booming global sales of iPhone mod- nology concerns in announcing they won’t give the look of Apple’s iPhones. Xiaomi claims els, especially in China. — AFP the exam in a majority of its schools. Trisha Kocanda, superintendent of the Winnetka Public Schools in Illinois, told parents that she’s con- cerned about the length of the tests and the China shuts ‘obscene and “excessive rigor.”

Lascivious’ dating websites Evaluation tools BEIJING: China’s Internet regulator has at will to register ... or spread obscene and “We grow wary,” Kocanda said, adding, that shut 65 dating and other match-making lascivious content,” the report said. “The cir- they believe “this test continues the over-empha- websites after accusing them of spreading cumstances were serious and the effects sis on standardized assessments as evaluation obscene content and allowing registration terrible.” State media said last week that the tools for students and schools.” with false names, Xinhua state news regulator would target fraud on dating In Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal’s effort to stop agency said yesterday. websites and other online match-making the PARCC exam was derailed by a state judge Sites closed included ones with names sites. China exercises tight control over the BEIJING: This photo taken on February 16, 2015 shows a taxi driver following another taxi on a who said the governor’s actions were harmful to like “Get a one-night stand” and “Playing Internet, saying that it is needed to ensure street in Beijing. Two popular taxi-booking apps backed by Chinese tech behemoths Alibaba parents, teachers and students. Jindal has said he with you net”, Xinhua said, citing the social stability and morality and to protect and Tencent announced they would merge to create a new company reportedly valued at $6 bil- took the action because he opposes what he Cyberspace Administration of China. “These consumers, brushing off concerns of cen- lion. Kuaidi Dache — part-owned by Alibaba — and Didi Dache — backed by Tencent — togeth- views as federal intervention in the adoption of websites allowed the use of false identities sorship from rights groups. — Reuters er control 99 percent of China’s domestic market for booking taxis by smartphone.—AFP the standards.—AP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE After lobbying push, drugmaker resubmits women’s pill

WASHINGTON: The makers of a twice-rejected pill rights issue. “Women deserve equal treatment when it over the decision, FDA regulators requested the driving drug approvals in conditions uniquely affecting women,” designed to boost female libido are resubmitting their comes to sex,” states an online petition to the FDA organ- study and other details on the drug’s interactions with states a follow-up letter to the agency from leaders of drug to federal health regulators, following a recent lob- ized by one such group, Even the Score, which garnered other medications. the National Organization for Women, the National bying blitz by politicians, women’s groups and consumer almost 25,000 supporters. The group’s corporate backers As Sprout gathered that data, the company also Consumers League and four other groups. advocates aimed at pushing it onto the market. include Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Palatin Technologies enlisted support from influential allies in Washington Then last October the FDA held a two-day meeting at Sprout Pharmaceuticals said Tuesday it is refiling its and Trimel Pharmaceuticals - all companies developing and beyond. Last January four members of Congress, its headquarters to get public input on the problem of application for the drug, flibanserin, adding new infor- drugs to treat female sexual disorders. A spokeswoman including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, female sexual dysfunction and the challenge of develop- mation requested by the Food and Drug Administration for Blue Engine Media, the public relations group for sent a letter to the FDA, urging a careful reassessment of ing treatments. about how the pill affects driving ability. FDA scientists Even the Score, declined to disclose how much of the the drug and lamenting the lack of drug options for low If approved, flibanserin would be labeled for pre- requested that data after their most recent rejection of group’s funding comes from companies. The group’s female libido. menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disor- the drug, in part, due to results showing nearly 10 per- nonprofit supporters include the Women’s Health “There are 24 approved medical treatments for male der, described as a lack of sexual appetite that causes cent of women in company trials reported sleepiness as Foundation, the Institute for Sexual Medicines and other sexual dysfunction and not one single treatment yet emotional distress. Because so many factors affect a side effect. The company studied women’s driving abil- organizations. approved for the most common form of female sexual female sexual appetite, there are a number of other pos- ity the morning after taking flibanserin compared with dysfunction,” states the letter, which was also signed by sible causes doctors must rule out before diagnosing the women taking placebo and a common sleeping pill. Benefits Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-New York, and two other condition, including relationship problems, hormone If approved, Sprout’s daily pill would be the first drug The FDA first rejected flibanserin in 2010 after a panel Democratic congresswomen. disorders, depression and mood issues caused by other for women who report a lack of sexual desire, a market of expert advisers unanimously voted against the drug, drugs like sleeping aids and pain medications. that drugmakers have been trying to tap since the block- saying its benefits did not outweigh its risks. The drug’s Imbalance of drugs Sprout and other drugmakers frequently cite a 1999 buster success of Viagra for men in the late 1990s. But initial developer, Boehringer Ingelheim, abandoned The talking point about the imbalance of drugs for survey in the Journal of the American Medical the drug has already faced a long, winding review at the work on the drug in 2011 and sold it to Sprout, a startup men versus women was picked up by a coalition of sev- Association that found 43 percent of US women had FDA because of lackluster effectiveness and side effects headed by a husband-and-wife team from Raleigh, en women’s and consumer health groups who met with some type of sexual dysfunction. including fatigue, dizziness and nausea. North Carolina. the FDA early last year. While earlier female libido drugs worked on hormone In an effort to break the regulatory logjam, groups Sprout resubmitted the drug with additional effec- “We see this not only as an important unmet levels, flibanserin is the first attempt to increase sexual sponsored by Sprout and other drugmakers have begun tiveness and safety data, but the FDA again rejected the women’s health issue, but an inflection point for the desire by acting on brain chemicals linked to appetite publicizing the lack of a “female Viagra” as a women’s drug in October 2013. After Sprout filed a formal dispute agency to ensure that similar standards are applied for and mood. — AP NAME dental, public health leaders commit for a cavity-free future DUBAI: Joining together yesterday in the Declaration to elevate caries UAE, North Africa and Middle East (NAME) As part of the events at the launch, leaders in dentistry and public health national leaders signed a national declara- launched a regional campaign to stop cavi- tion committing to the goals of the ties, the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future Alliance. Individuals signing the declara- (the Alliance). The NAME alliance calls for tion included members of the Alliance’s national collaborative action to challenge Expert Panel and representatives for vari- leaders and stakeholders in the community ous sectors of the dental and public health to learn the importance of tooth decay by profession, including Prof. Nigel Pitts, recognising that cavities are preventable Chairman of the Alliance for a Cavity Free and in the early stages reversible, and to Future; Prof. Jawad Behbehani, Chairman of develop comprehensive programmes for the NAME Chapter of the Alliance for a prevention and manage mentacross the Cavity Free Future; Prof. Mounir Doumit, region. Coordinator for Levant Countries, NAME Tooth decay is the most common chron- Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity Free ic disease on the planet, affecting five bil- Future; Prof. Abdullah Al Shammery, lion people, or nearly 80 percent of the Coordinator for GCC countries, NAME world’s population. On average, people in Chapter of the Alliance for a Cavity Free the NAME region have 1.9 instances of Future; and Prof. Ihssane Benyahya, DMFT - Decayed, Missing, or Filled Teeth - Coordinator for North Africa countries and each, with some countries’ populations NAME Chapter for the Alliance for a Cavity averaging up to 4.6 DMFT per person. In Free Future. several countries, the number of six year olds with untreated caries is higher than 80 Ongoing Public Health Action percent and as much as 100 percent. Regionally, the NAME Alliance will work “Tooth decay is the most common to implement what the global Alliance has chronic disease in the world,” said Prof. identified as long-term goals: Jawad Behbehani, Dean of the Faculty of * By 2015, 90 percent of dental schools Dentistry of Kuwait University, and and dental associations should have Chairman of the NAME Alliance. “In some of embraced and promoted the “new” our Arab countries more than 90 percent of approach of “caries as a continuum” to 6-12year-olds have untreated tooth decay. improve dental caries prevention and man- The level of resources and intervention agement. ISLAMORADA: Diver Eric Billips holds up an invasive lionfish caught during the Winter Lionfish Derby in the waters off Islamorada, Florida. The from both a public health and clinical per- * By 2020, regional members of the divers hunt the invasive, venomous predators that are rapidly populating the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. — AFP spective is inconsistent in our region, which Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future should means that in some Arab countries, the have integrated, locally appropriate, com- vast majority of children are suffering from prehensive caries prevention and manage- Scuba divers lead charge a problem that we know how to stop. Tooth ment systems and monitoring developed decay deserves greater attention in order and in place. to elevate it as an important health issue,” * Every child born in 2026 should stay against invasive lionfish he added. cavity free during their life time. The lionfish hunt is on

ISLAMORADA: Clad in a gray hooded wetsuit, Eric With 18 venomous spikes that can cause ing lionfish in the waters before and after hunting Billips straps on his scuba tank, grabs a pole spear intense pain, and no natural enemies besides expeditions, and comparing the populations to and nods at his dive buddy as they step feet-first humans, these members of the scorpionfish family areas that have not been hunted. off the boat and disappear with a splash into scare off any would-be predators. Even sharks will She and colleagues are submitting their latest sparkling blue waters off the Florida Keys. not eat them. But lionfish will eat almost anything work for peer-review and publication in the com- Billips, 42, speared his first lionfish six years ago smaller than them, including valuable species like ing months. So far, the news is good. and estimates he has since killed thousands of the red porgy, vermilion snapper, Nassau grouper and “We are finding really strong evidence that vol- invasive, venomous predators, as their numbers fish that consume algae off reefs and keep them unteers can be really effective,” Green says. have exploded across the western Atlantic and healthy. “It is quite alarming that a small popula- “By doing derbies on an annual basis, or possi- Caribbean. tion of lionfish can literally consume millions of bly even more frequently, the hope is that you are But he isn’t sure what he will find in this particu- prey over the course of the year, so that is one of keeping lionfish at very low numbers, low enough lar spot, about four and a half miles (seven kilome- the reasons we are very focused on control,” says that they are not having an impact.” ters) offshore. A fisherman told him he’d snared a James Morris, a leading lionfish researcher at the couple of lionfish on his hook and line there-which National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The winner is... was unusual because they typically stalk their prey (NOAA). After the derby off the Florida Keys, a seaside in the ocean depths and don’t chase bait on a line- party ensues. Reggae music plays, and prizes of and gave Billips the coordinates so he could find Competitive sport cash, stuffed toy lionfish and jars of liquor are the area himself. The first lionfish derby was held in 2009 in the handed out to the winners. The divers descend 135 feet (about 40 meters), Bahamas, according to Lad Akins, director of spe- Akins, who has co-authored a lionfish cook- and see what looks like bridge debris-concrete and cial projects at Reef Environmental Education book, demonstrates for a small crowd how to clean steel girders that someone dropped there long ago Foundation (REEF), a non-profit marine conserva- the fish, cut off the spikes, and slice filets. to create shelter and habitat for fish, and a custom tion group. “Derbies have spread all through the Volunteer chefs make samples of ceviche and fishing hole. region and they are held quite frequently now,” he fried lionfish for the crowd. “It is a really light, flaky In Japan, women Full-grown grouper and snapper are swimming says. What has given divers hope that their efforts fish,” says Michelle Dickerson, a diver from around, along with vast schools of minnows ready are working is an ongoing study being led by Texas. “It tasted really good.” Two of the five amputees step to be gobbled up by the lurking lionfish. Stephanie Green, a marine ecologist at Oregon boats that entered this derby came back empty Billips kneels in the sand and begins to shoot. State University. handed. One team caught just two lionfish, and His weapon is equipped with a three-pronged tri- Her team has found that killing between 75 and another boat snared 11. Billips’ boat, The Life out of the shadows dent tip that impales each lionfish. He pushes the 95 percent of lionfish off reefs in the Bahamas was Aquatic, is the winner with 86. For Billips, it wasn’t speared fish into his shoulder-slung container-a enough to help populations of local fish rebound. the biggest haul ever, but it was still satisfying. TOKYO: When Yoko Sato lost her left leg in amputees train for competition and last narrow barrel with a one-way entry-and pulls the For the past couple of years, Green has been “That probably saved 20,000 little fishies, just our an accident, she fell into despair. The stig- year teamed up with photographer Takao tip out, clean and ready to shoot again. traveling to South Florida, tracking derbies, count- boat today,” he says. “That’s huge.” — AFP ma of amputation in a country that views Ochi to produce “Amputee Venus,” a collec- Twelve minutes later, Billips and his fellow diver disability as something to be pitied added tion of photos featuring 11 young women resurface, grinning and breathless. They slide their to her misery. who have each lost a leg. containers onto the boat, each filled with more Scientists warn against But then the Japanese office worker met “They make you forget about disability,” than a dozen fat, full-grown lionfish. prosthesis maker Fumio Usui, whose artifi- Usui said on the sidelines of the fashion “It’s crazy. These lionfish, they have no fear,” says complacency on Ebola vaccines cial legs let Sato and women like her not show featuring the women profiled in the Billips, who owns the Islamorada Dive Center in the only run, play soccer and execute karate collection. “You don’t notice it.” Florida Keys. Two more divers go down to hunt, LONDON: A team of leading international Research and Policy to monitor global efforts kicks, but also transform some of the The only words in the book, just out in and soon they emerge with their own bounties. A scientists yesterday called for new Ebola vac- on the challenge of developing vaccines in appendages into wearable works of art. English, are the phrase “Ability not cooler fills up with twitching red, orange and cines to be made available in months rather record time. In a new report, the group said: “My main aim is to change the image Disability” and brief biographies. The rest is brown striped fish, some as long as 16 inches (40 than years and warned against complacency “The commercial vaccine manufacturing that disabled people are pitiful,” Sato, just photos of women: running, snow- centimeters). Billips pauses for a quick review of after a reduction in infection rates. model is not a good fit for meeting needs to whose leg was amputated seven years ago, boarding, snorkelling or posing in a black the cooler contents, and counts about 50. Then he “Despite falling infection rates in west rapidly develop and deploy new vaccines.” told Reuters at a photo shoot and fashion bustier - all with artificial legs, sometimes fires up the boat’s engine to bring his team to the Africa, the risk that the current Ebola outbreak It also admitted that recent falls in infec- event on Valentine’s Day. painted with flowers or butterflies, on next fishing spot. may not be brought completely under con- tion rates in the current outbreak made clini- “I want to show that prostheses can be proud display. trol remains,” said Jeremy Farrar, director of cal trials for vaccines “uncertain”, but said they cool and sometimes even cute,” said the 33- “Amputee Venus” and the fashion event A ruthless invader the Wellcome Trust, Britain’s biggest medical should continue to allow for vaccine develop- year-old, posing in a sassy red mini-dress are attempts to change attitudes towards Lionfish were first spotted off Dania Beach, charity. “The accelerated development of can- ment in future. that showed off a prosthetic leg painted the disabled in Japan, which remains Florida, in 1985. The fish are native to the Red Sea didate vaccines... is essential,” said Farrar, who It warned: “The potential for EVD (Ebola with cherry blossoms and gilded Japanese behind much of the West in terms of acces- and the tropical Pacific, and are believed to have co-chairs a group of 26 international experts Virus Disease) to become endemic... is a real fans. “It would be great if people felt that sibility and acceptance. been introduced to the western Atlantic by people on vaccine development. and very concerning possibility”. prostheses could be fashion items,” Sato Onlookers at the event were initially sur- who let their aquarium fish go in the ocean. “We may see an end to this Ebola epidemic The Ebola epidemic has affected mainly added. prised to see prosthetic legs on the cat- Two species of lionfish-Pterois volitans, which is within the year if we continue with the cur- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and has There are an estimated 80,000 people in walk, but there were signs Usui’s efforts to the most common, and Pterois miles-have officially rent remarkable efforts, but we must not be killed nearly 9,000 people since it began more Japan using prosthetic limbs. Some 7,000, give amputees a new lease of life may bear become the first outsider finfish to establish a size- complacent about the inevitable future epi- than a year ago. including Paralympians, have been fitted fruit. “I had never been in contact with peo- able population in the waters off the United States. demics of Ebola and other emerging infec- The Wellcome Trust said earlier this month for prostheses by Usui and his workshop, ple with prosthetic legs,” said Katsuyuki They can now be found in an area covering tious diseases,” he said. that clinical trials it was funding for a new part of an organisation set up in 1932 to Aoki, an office worker. more than 1.5 million square miles (four million The group was set up in November 2014 Ebola treatment in Liberia were halted by help injured railroad workers. “But my impression about prostheses square kilometers) in the western Atlantic, by the Wellcome Trust and the University of pharmaceutical company Chimerix due to a Usui also founded a sports club to help has become positive.” — Reuters Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease fall in new cases. — AFP WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 HEALTH & SCIENCE Oregon minnow is Healthcare leaders from over first fish taken off endangered list 80 countries gather in Qatar GRANTS PASS: It’s official. A tiny minnow that lives only in backwaters in Oregon’s Willamette Valley is the first fish to be formally removed from Endangered Species Act protection because it is no longer in dan- New research into world’s biggest health threats ger of extinction. US Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe was to make the announcement Tuesday afternoon at a DOHA: A roadmap to a healthier world was wildlife refuge outside Corvallis. unveiled today as more than 1000 world The action comes 22 years after the 3-inch-long fish leaders, policy makers and healthcare was first listed as an endangered species, and five experts gathered in Doha today to discuss years after it was upgraded to threatened. new and ground-breaking solutions to the Paul Henson, Oregon director of U.S. Fish and most urgent global health challenges at Wildlife, said the Oregon chub demonstrates that a lot the second World Innovation Summit for of species can be brought back from the brink of Health (WISH). With the spread of Ebola, extinction, if key needs are met, such as a safe place to the continuing rise in heart disease, the live, even in an urban landscape. “This doesn’t mean advancing wave of diabetes, the growing that all of a sudden it’s hands off, and we never need to cost of cancer care, the growth of mental do anything for them,” Henson said. “But we can at illness; there has never been a more press- least put them back in the group of species that need ing time to address these issues and identi- attention, but don’t need to go into the emergency fy solutions for generations to come. room of the (Endangered Species Act).” Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation and Founder of WISH this morning addressed attending dignitaries and delegates with a welcome speech that praised the research teams for their commitment to uncovering vital new solutions to some of the world’s biggest health crises. Her Highness Sheikha Moza said: “The WISH conference helps change our global health reality towards achieving a greater ambition of providing quality health coverage for all. Healthcare and healthcare access go to the heart of human rights. We cannot overcome our healthcare challenges unless we begin to invest in solutions that link health and edu- cation, as they are intrinsically connected. Lord Darzi welcomes delegates to the World Innovation Summit for Health. Innovation in education leads us to research in medicine to maternal health alised medicine and the ethical dilemmas to hear from distinguished keynote speak- innovation in health. It is our wish to pro- and clinical care. this new frontier in healthcare could bring; ers including former White House health mote the causes of both access to basic pri- Engineer Saad Al Muhannadi, President and one taking place tomorrow on advisor Don Berwick and health cover mary education and universal health cover- of Qatar Foundation said: “WISH is a leading Newborn and Maternal Health hosted expert Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna. age.” WISH acts as a melting pot of ideas, influence in global healthcare and I am alongside The Bill & Melinda Gates The Right Honourable Professor the innovations, solutions and action - all very proud of the indispensable contribu- Foundation, Harvard University and Save Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chair of aimed at saving lives and saving money. tion it is making to healthcare systems the Children. Delegates today discovered a WISH, said: “In the face of growing health Following this morning’s welcome speech, OREGON: This April 2008 photo shows an Oregon worldwide. By bringing the world’s leading unique Young Innovators display which has concerns, reducing budgets and increas- delegates were invited to attend the Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist with a innovators to Doha today, WISH is creating invited the next generation of global ingly fluid global borders we face a cross- unveiling of new research, introductions to handful of Oregon Chub from a pond near Dexter, a truly unique opportunity for unprece- experts to showcase their healthcare inno- roads in world health that presents a new innovations, participate in discussion Ore. The tiny fish found only in Oregon has become dented collaboration, promoting innova- vations to attending international experts unique dilemma for us all. We must act panels and share ideas, all aimed at creat- the first fish in the country removed from tions that will form the basis of the health- allowing direct and swift uptake of these urgently to share our experiences, combine ing solutions for growing and costly global Endangered Species Act protection because it no care systems of the future. For me, it is one valuable and grassroots ideas. One such our insights and progress solutions togeth- health issues including Cancer, Diabetes, longer faces extinction. It was put on the endan- of the best examples of how Qatar example is Braci, a simple but highly effec- er. Only through collaboration can we be Dementia and Mental Health. With dele- gered species list 22 years ago. — AP Foundation’s global healthcare initiatives tive app that turns sounds into vibrations sure to find the right answers and only with gates from over 80 different countries in create real benefits for people both here in or images for deaf people to be alerted to innovation can we deliver the outcomes The Oregon chub had practically disappeared from attendance today it was clear the potential Qatar, and in countries around the globe.” reducing the reliance on hearing dogs, car- needed. WISH provides the platform for the Willamette Valley as the swampy backwaters and to share learnings and spur-on action is This year WISH is hosting two special ers and costly in-house emergency sys- such action and I am proud to be welcom- beaver ponds it depends on were drained to control immense. panels; one that will take place today on tems. Offering a truly international per- ing the world’s experts to Doha today to flooding and create farms and cities over the past cen- Today’s summit presents a unique Genomics, looking at the future of person- spective, attendees were given the chance create a healthier future for all.” tury and a half. Those that survived became easy prey opportunity for experts from around the for non-native predators, such as bass and bullfrogs. world to share and explore the best evi- Restoring the chub has focused on working with dence-based ideas in healthcare. Over the private, tribal and public landowners to protect and course of the two-day summit eight major restore ponds and backwaters the fish needs to thrive, reports will be published, examining transplanting fish to expand its range and population, research and case studies from around the protecting them from predators, and altering dam world to provide new learnings and solu- releases to resemble natural river flows. A range of tions to diverse and widespread health state and federal agencies, tribes, conservation groups challenges. and private landowners joined in the work. Meanwhile, WISH is also showcasing Saving the chub faced fewer major obstacles than some of the newest and most ground- higher-profile species, such as salmon, which have breaking health innovations from around been harmed by major economic forces, such as log- the world including virtual surgery, 3D- ging, hydroelectric dams, and urban development. printed prosthetics and mobile apps. Today, John Auer, a financial adviser, said he was initially day one of the summit, saw five forums concerned when Oregon chub were found in a beaver present new research papers on; Diabetes, pond on the 900-acre farm outside Monmouth that Mental Health and Wellbeing in Children, has been in his family since the end of World War II. But Universal Health Coverage, Patient Safety it soon became clear that it was far enough from farm- and Dementia. These papers offer work- ing operations that it would not affect them. He added able, cost-effective and evidence-based that he signed a safe harbor agreement with Fish and solutions for governments to adopt and Wildlife, essentially requiring him not to poison the implement around the world. fish or fill in the pond. WISH supports the aims and ambitions The agency proposed the delisting a year ago after of Qatar Foundation and reinforces Qatar’s establishing 80 different populations around the role as an emerging center for healthcare Willamette Valley. innovation. Qatar has been at the forefront Formal notice the Oregon chub will be removal of healthcare reform in the region with its from Endangered Species protection is to appear in introduction of a visionary national health the Federal Register on Wednesday, Fish and Wildlife strategy. As part of its mission, Qatar spokeswoman Elizabeth Materna said. — AP Foundation has launched a number of ini- tiatives in healthcare - from scientific Young innovators present their ideas at the World Innovation Summit for Health. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

BASF unveils master builders solutions in Kuwait

ASF, the leading supplier of construction chemicals in Holiday Inn Hotel in Salimya, Kuwait. The event was the first of In addition, Julian Pritchard, General Manager, BASF struction systems, and waterproofing and flooring solutions. the GCC, invited more than 300 customers for the offi- its kind in the construction industry, and drew the participa- Construction Chemicals UAE LLC, graced the launch to high- During the event, BASF video streamed its most recent Bcial presentation of its Master Builders Solutions brand tion of key company representatives and customers, as well as light the brand values and benefits of Master Builders projects in construction, including Amiri Airport, Boubyan Sea in Kuwait. of Basil Al Maousherji, Executive Director of Arabi Company - Solutions. BASF also presented tiling and screeds solutions, Port Bridge, Radisson Blu Hotel Renovation and Sabah Al The gala dinner took place on 10 December, 2014 at BASF’s official distributor in Kuwait. along with other technologies such as admixture systems, con- Ahmad Sea City Project.

Charity carnival for Syrian refugees

he Kuwaiti Society of International Law assistance and donations. The event had special contests and games for Club of the Faculty of Law in University of Many volunteers and charity companies par- children, and introduced fun, joy and pleasure to TKuwait organized a charity carnival last ticipated in the carnival, and showed support parents and children’s hearts. Saturday at the waterfront of the Regency Hotel. Syrian refugees. Small businesses’ owners, clubs, With the successful conclusion of the charity The proceeds of the carnival will go to Syrian professional and non-profit companies’ owners carnival, the Kuwaiti youth showed a great refugees. Participants at the event consoled the also participated in the exhibition held as part of example and the true meaning of the country’s stricken and homeless Syrian people, stood by the carnival, through booths for their projects humanitarian role in standing beside their their side and supported them by providing and their business. Syrians brothers and sisters.

Indian journalist ICSK Khaitan shines to address MMF in ‘mind spark’ media conference debate competition he Malayali Media Forum (MMF), Kuwait will hold its annual conference tomorrow from 6:00 pm onwards oung debaters of Indian Community School Kuwait, at the Indian Community School, Khaitan. Well- Khaitan, Mohammed Mishal and Hanan Hashim T brought laurels to the school by winning the 2nd known Malayalam journalist and CEO of Reporter televi- Y sion channel Nikeshkumar will be the chief guest of the and 3rd prizes respectively at the Dr Rajendra Prasad event. Nikeshkumar will deliver a keynote speech on ‘New Memorial Debate Competition -’Mind Spark’ organised by Possibilities in Media World Today’ during the media con- Maurya Kalaparisar. The debate consisted of two rounds ference in which several Indian community representatives and saw the participation of a large number of students are expected to attend. A variety of cultural programs will from various Indian schools of Kuwait. In yet another be presented during the event. The visiting media celebrity remarkable achievement, ICSK Khaitan was awarded the will attend a ‘Face-to-Face’ session with MMF members on ‘Best Participating School’ award by this organization. The Friday morning. competition was held at Rezayat villa in Ras Salmiya on Friday, 19th December, 2015. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Spread the Passion: A army for volunteers

By Faten Omar won several awards, including the first Youth Initiative the volunteer’s likes, what he prefers to do and what his said, adding, “We have 45 organizations participating in Award for the National Project ‘Kuwait hears.’ We have hobbies are before suggesting certain companies or Atahub in a special volunteering mechanism, and there pread the Passion, a non-profit company, celebrat- been given a grant from the US embassy for the program activities that fit his field to volunteer.” is also government support, by the Ministry of ed the fifth anniversary, on Monday in Qortuba. of Spread the Passion. HH Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Information special thanks to Minister of Information S“We celebrate the fifth year of establishing the Sabah honored us for Youth Welfare,” she added. Volunteer acts and Minister of State for Youth Affairs in Kuwait, Salman Spread the Passion institution. We are a non-profit Mosawi also pointed out that Spread the Passion is Spread the Passion has organized many soccer match- Sabah Al-Salem Al-Homoud Al-Sabah. We believe in giv- organization link between volunteers and those compa- recognized at the Arab level and it is on its way to an es, in particular Real Madrid vs Kuwait team. Its other vol- ing and we want that spirit to grow.” nies who needed volunteers. Our motto is ‘Make giving international acknowledgment in March. “We volunteer unteer acts include Bayt Abdullah donations campaign, Fatemah Al-Mosawi is genes doctor. Upon her return part of your living’ and this is what we are trying to in all areas. If any company or institution has the need for hope trip, and Sadu House. to Kuwait after spending 11 years in the United Kingdom encourage the youth to do in Kuwait,” Fatemah Al- volunteers for whatever event, all what they have to do is “Atahub is a website and it is welcome for any compa- she was eager to do something for Kuwait. She started Mosawi, founder of Spread the Passion, said. to contact us and we will coordinate with our volun- ny to search and demand volunteers. The process is that Spread the Passion to allow individuals to volunteer and Spread the Passion has recorded the participation of teers.” the company, after announcing its need for volunteers help others. People can participate at Spread the Passion more than 2,000 volunteers in more than 300 activities “We interview the volunteer who wants to participate put the details about its event. Our volunteers will sign campaign by Hashtaq #all4ata, or by visiting the website and helped more than 30 companies in five years. “We’ve and then define the orientation. We also inquire about to any event they choose through their account,” she www.atahub.org.

ACK congratulates graduates on employment

n a ceremony organized by the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), 4 Diploma and 50 Bachelor’s IDegree students from ACK’s Mechanical and Petroleum Engineering programs were awarded employment at a number of Kuwaiti oil companies such as KOC, Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) and Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC). The selection of ACK graduates came after suc- cessfully passing special skills tests implemented by KOC. With ACK offering a unique mix of vocational and theoretical curriculum, its students are equipped with invaluable technical skills and knowledge which provides them with a competitive advantage when entering the labor market. ACK graduate, Abrar Al-Bahri, expressed her joy on obtaining this opportunity: “Words cannot express my gratitude towards ACK. The College pro- Youth India holds literary award function vided me with the necessary skills and knowledge to t is better to be old-fashioned with belief in God, rather ‘Pravasam’ which was selected for the award. prize to the winner of Youth India Photography competi- take this first step in my career. I am very proud to be than being a modernist without belief in God, said well Youth India Acting President Nisar K Rasheed presided tion Ratheesh Gopi. Shafi PT, CK Najeeb, Hasanul Banna an ACK graduate and wish my colleagues success in known writer from Kerala, M Mukundan, delivering his over the function. Solidarity Youth Movement President, T and CP Naisam spoke at the event. Johnarts presented M their professional path.” I speech after receiving the Third Youth India Expatriate liter- Mohamed Velom delivered the keynote speech. Ayyoob Mukundand and T Mohamed Velom their caricatures. John On this occasion, ACK management would like to ary Award. Kechery of Grand Hyper inaugurated the ‘Better Tomorrow’ Mathew, Abdul Fathah Thayyil, Varghese Puthukulangara, congratulate its students who were accepted by the Kerala Islamic Group President Zubair KA inaugurated project by handing over a bucket of necessities to Youth TV Hikmath, Sakkeer Hussain Thuvoor, SAP Azad, Kuwaiti oil companies, wishing them success and the function which was held at Abbasiya Integrated India Acting President Nisar K Rasheed. Mukundan distrib- AniyanKunju, Lisi Kuriakose, Shabeer Mandoly, Warda prosperity in their careers. School. He presented Mukundan with the ward and certifi- uted the prize for the short story competition winner Anwar, Sajith Kumar, Deepa and Samiya Faisal also attend- cate. PP Abdul Razak presented a critique on the book Nishad Kaattoor and Shabeer Mandoly distributed the ed the event. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 TV PROGRAMS

16:50 How It’s Made 05:15 Murdoch Mysteries 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 02:45 The Happets 17:15 How It’s Made 06:10 Take On The Twisters 18:00 Unforgettable 04:30 Kong Return To The Jungle 17:40 Alaska: The Last Frontier 07:05 Come Dine With Me Ireland 20:00 Marvel’s Agent Carter 06:00 Tiny Heroes 18:30 The Carbonaro Effect 07:30 Endeavour 21:00 The Killing 08:00 Barbie Fairytopia 18:55 The Carbonaro Effect 09:20 The Chase 22:00 Legends 09:45 Back To The Sea 01:45 Call Of The Wildman 19:20 The Big Brain Theory 10:15 Murdoch Mysteries 23:00 The Client List 11:30 Wheelers 02:15 Call Of The Wildman 20:10 The Liquidator 11:10 Emmerdale 13:00 The Happets 02:40 Tanked 20:35 Auction Hunters 11:35 Emmerdale 14:30 Eleanor’s Secret 03:35 The Lion Queen 21:00 The Carbonaro Effect 12:00 Coronation Street 16:00 The Happy Cricket 2 04:25 Call Of The Wildman 21:25 The Carbonaro Effect 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 18:00 Back To The Sea 04:50 Call Of The Wildman 21:50 The Big Brain Theory 13:25 Take On The Twisters 20:00 Hatching 05:15 Roaring With Pride 22:40 You Have Been Warned 14:20 Come Dine With Me Ireland 22:00 Eleanor’s Secret 06:02 Call Of The Wildman 23:30 Alaska: The Last Frontier 14:45 Murdoch Mysteries 23:30 The Happy Cricket 2 06:25 Call Of The Wildman 15:35 The Chase 01:00 Good Morning America 06:49 The Lion Queen 16:30 Midsomer Murders 05:00 Good Morning America 07:36 The Wild Life Of Tim 18:20 Take On The Twisters 10:00 Emmerdale Faulkner 19:10 Coronation Street 10:30 Coronation Street 08:00 The Wild Life Of Tim 19:35 The Chase 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show Faulkner 20:30 Midsomer Murders 15:00 Live Good Morning America 00:00 Lovestruck: The Musical- 00:00 Violetta 08:25 Too Cute! 22:20 Coronation Street 19:00 Drop Dead Diva PG15 00:45 The Hive 09:15 The Lion Queen 22:50 Emmerdale 20:00 Royal Pains 02:00 The Great Ghost Rescue-PG 00:50 Art Attack 10:10 Call Of The Wildman 23:15 Emmerdale 04:00 Vehicle 19-PG15 01:15 Art Attack 10:35 Call Of The Wildman 23:45 Murdoch Mysteries 06:00 Marvel’s The Invincible Iron 01:40 Jungle Junction 11:05 Gator Boys Man-PG 01:50 Jungle Junction 12:00 Too Cute! 08:00 Last Vegas-PG15 02:05 Jungle Junction 12:55 The Lion Queen 10:00 Monsters University-PG 02:15 Jungle Junction 13:50 Roaring With Pride 12:00 Vehicle 19-PG15 02:30 Violetta 00:00 Knuckle 14:45 Call Of The Wildman 14:00 Peeples-PG15 03:10 The Hive 02:00 The Collection 15:10 Call Of The Wildman 04:00 Hunt To Kill 16:00 Last Vegas-PG15 03:20 Art Attack 00:00 The Indestructibles 15:40 Mermaids: The Body Found 06:00 Marvel’s Doctor Strange 18:00 Haywire-PG15 03:45 Art Attack 00:30 The Indestructibles 17:30 The Lion Queen 08:00 Red 2 20:00 I, Frankenstein-PG15 04:10 Jungle Junction 01:00 Caught In The Act 18:25 Roaring With Pride 10:00 Police Story 22:00 Kick-Ass 2-18 04:20 Jungle Junction 02:00 Wild Australia 19:20 Animal Cops Houston 12:00 Hunt To Kill 04:35 Jungle Junction 03:00 Prehistoric Predators 20:15 Tanked 14:00 American Warships 04:45 Jungle Junction 04:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 21:10 The Lion Queen 16:00 Red 2 05:00 Art Attack 05:00 Air Crash Investigation 22:05 Roaring With Pride 18:00 Shanghai Noon 05:25 Art Attack 06:00 Breakout 23:00 Animal Cops Houston 20:00 Police Story 01:00 Super Rugby 05:50 Mouk 07:00 Mad Scientists 23:55 Mermaids: The New 22:00 Recoil 03:00 Champions Tour Highlights Evidence 06:00 Kim Possible 07:30 Mad Scientists 06:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 06:25 Austin & Ally 08:00 The Indestructibles 06:30 Top 14 Highlights 06:50 Girl Meets World 08:30 The Indestructibles 07:00 Golfing World 07:15 Liv And Maddie 09:00 Caught In The Act 08:00 Super Rugby 07:40 Jessie 10:00 Wild Australia 12:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 08:05 Dog With A Blog 11:00 Animal Intervention 00:00 The Collection-18 12:30 Golfing World 08:30 Good Luck Charlie 12:00 Dangerous Encounters 02:00 Hunt To Kill-PG15 13:30 Live Snooker Welsh Open 00:05 As Time Goes By 08:55 Good Luck Charlie 13:00 Rebuilding Titanic 04:00 Marvel’s Doctor Strange-PG 19:30 Inside The PGA Tour 00:30 Eastenders 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 14:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 06:00 Red 2-PG15 20:00 European Tour Weekly 01:00 Doctors 09:45 Sonny With A Chance 15:00 Swamp Men 08:00 Police Story-PG15 20:30 Champions Tour Highlights 01:30 Lark Rise To Candleford 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 16:00 Rescue Ink 10:00 Hunt To Kill-PG15 22:00 Live Snooker Welsh Open 02:20 Saxondale 10:35 Suite Life On Deck 17:00 Science of Stupid 12:00 American Warships-PG15 02:50 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 11:00 That’s So Raven 17:30 Science of Stupid 14:00 Red 2-PG15 03:20 Call The Midwife 11:25 That’s So Raven 18:00 Sea Patrol 16:00 Shanghai Noon-PG15 04:15 The Weakest Link 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 19:00 Swamp Men 05:00 The Green Balloon Club 18:00 Police Story-PG15 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 20:00 Rescue Ink 00:00 Golfing World 05:25 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 20:00 Recoil-PG15 12:40 Hannah Montana 21:00 Science of Stupid 01:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 05:45 Me Too! 22:00 Europa Report-PG15 13:05 Hannah Montana 21:30 Science of Stupid 10:00 Golfing World 06:05 Garth And Bev 13:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 22:00 Sea Patrol 11:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 06:15 The Green Balloon Club 13:55 Wizards Of Waverly Place 23:00 Animal Intervention 16:00 Super Rugby 06:40 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 14:20 Austin & Ally 19:00 WWE Vintage 07:00 Gigglebiz 15:00 Dog With A Blog 20:00 WWE Experience 07:15 The Weakest Link 15:20 Dog With A Blog 21:00 Golfing World 08:00 As Time Goes By 00:00 Schuks! Your Country Needs 15:45 Liv And Maddie 22:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 08:30 Roger & Val Have Just Got In You-PG15 16:10 Violetta 02:00 Bringing Down The House 09:00 Eastenders 17:00 Teen Beach Movie 09:30 Doctors 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 04:00 Three Men And A Baby 18:40 Dog With A Blog 06:00 Son Of The Mask-PG 10:00 Lark Rise To Candleford 19:05 Dog With A Blog Stewart 10:50 The Weakest Link 01:00 Modern Family 08:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 10:00 World Cup of Pool 19:30 Violetta 10:00 Bringing Down The House 11:35 Rev. 20:20 Girl Meets World 01:30 Web Therapy 11:00 World Cup of Pool 12:05 As Time Goes By 02:00 Curb Your Enthusiasm 12:00 Vamps-PG15 12:00 World Pool Masters RIDDICK ON OSN MOVIES HD 20:45 Girl Meets World 14:00 Maid In Manhattan-PG15 12:35 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 21:10 Girl Meets World 02:30 The Boondocks 15:00 Golfing World 13:05 Eastenders 03:00 New Girl 16:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 16:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 16:50 Say Yes To The Dress 23:00 Magic Of Science 21:35 Girl Meets World 18:00 Life Happens-PG15 13:35 Doctors 22:00 Suite Life On Deck 03:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 19:00 Golfing World 17:15 17 Kids And Counting 23:25 Magic Of Science 14:05 Lark Rise To Candleford 04:00 Men At Work 20:00 Mental-PG15 21:00 World Cup of Pool 17:40 Sister Wives 23:50 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 22:15 Ass Backwards-18 14:55 Rev. 22:50 Shake It Up 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 22:00 World Cup of Pool 18:30 What Not To Wear 15:25 As Time Goes By 23:10 Wolfblood Jimmy Fallon 23:00 World Pool Masters 19:20 Oprah’s Master Class 15:55 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 23:35 Wolfblood 06:00 The Goldbergs 20:10 Secret Eaters 16:25 The Weakest Link 06:30 Better Off Ted 21:00 Little And Looking For Love 17:10 Eastenders 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 21:50 Body Bizarre 00:10 Zou 17:40 Doctors 08:00 Men At Work 22:40 Extreme Couponing 00:25 Mouk 01:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 18:10 Lark Rise To Candleford 09:00 New Girl 00:00 NHL 23:05 Body Bizarre 00:35 Jungle Junction 03:00 Hateship Loveship-PG15 19:00 Rev. 09:30 The Simpsons 07:00 Monster Jam 23:55 Little And Looking For Love 00:50 Art Attack 05:00 McCanick-PG15 19:30 Saxondale 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 09:00 The World’s Strongest Man 01:15 Julius Jr. 00:00 Escape Club 07:00 Emperor-PG15 20:00 Frankie 10:30 Better Off Ted 12:00 NHL 01:25 Calimero 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 09:00 Old Stock-PG15 00:40 Scorned: Crimes Of 20:50 Spooks 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 17:00 Bellator MMA 01:40 Henry Hugglemonster 01:25 Kourtney And Khloe Take 11:00 Emperor-PG15 Passion 21:45 The Omid Djalili Show Jimmy Fallon 19:00 NHL 01:50 Zou The Hamptons 13:00 The Good Witch’s Wedding 01:30 Fatal Encounters 22:15 Stella 12:00 The Goldbergs 21:00 WWE Vintage 02:05 Mouk 02:20 Giuliana & Bill 15:00 The Glass Man-PG15 02:20 Disappeared 23:00 Waking The Dead 12:30 Men At Work 22:00 WWE Smackdown 02:15 Jungle Junction 03:15 Christina Milian Turned Up 17:00 Old Stock-PG15 03:10 Who On Earth Did I 02:25 Art Attack 23:50 Waking The Dead 13:30 Better Off Ted Marry? 03:40 Christina Milian Turned Up 14:00 The Michael J. Fox Show 19:00 Inescapable-PG15 00:40 How It’s Made 02:50 Julius Jr. 04:10 E!ES 21:00 Pawn-PG15 01:05 How It’s Made 03:35 Who On Earth Did I 03:00 Calimero 14:30 The Simpsons Marry? 05:05 E!ES 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 22:30 Cloud Atlas-18 01:30 NASA’s Unexplained Files 03:15 Henry Hugglemonster 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take 02:20 Through The Wormhole 04:00 Deadly Sins 03:25 Zou 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 14:30 ICC Cricket 360 04:45 Scorned: Crimes Of Miami Stewart 03:10 How Do They Do It? 03:40 Mouk 15:00 ICC World Cup H/L: IRE v WI Passion 06:55 Keeping Up With The 16:00 Modern Family 03:35 How Do They Do It? 03:50 Jungle Junction 16:00 ICC World Cup H/L: NZ v 05:30 Fatal Encounters Kardashians 16:30 The Goldbergs 04:00 Food Factory 04:00 Art Attack 00:00 Homes Under The Hammer SCO 07:50 Style Star 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 04:24 Food Factory 06:20 Solved 04:25 Julius Jr. 00:50 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 17:30 ICC World Cup H/L: AFG v 04:48 Magic Of Science 07:10 True Crime With 08:20 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 18:00 New Girl 00:00 Kramer vs. Kramer-PG15 04:35 Calimero Taylor BAN 05:12 Magic Of Science 08:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 18:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 02:00 For Greater Glory-PG15 Aphrodite Jones 04:50 Henry Hugglemonster 01:20 Nigellissima 05:36 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 19:00 Community 04:30 Goal II: Living The Dream 08:00 Nightmare Next Door 05:00 Zou 01:45 Masterchef: The 06:24 Weird Connections 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 06:30 The Armstrong Lie-PG15 08:50 Fatal Encounters 05:15 Mouk Professionals 06:48 How Tech Works 11:10 Kourtney And Khloe Take 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 08:45 The Last Harbor-PG15 09:40 Murder Shift 05:25 Jungle Junction 02:15 Nigel Slater’s Simple 07:12 Food Factory The Hamptons Jimmy Fallon 10:30 Robot & Frank-PG15 10:30 I Was Murdered 05:35 Art Attack Suppers 07:36 How Do They Do It? 12:05 House Of DVF 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 12:30 For Greater Glory-PG15 10:55 Stalked: Someone’s 06:00 Julius Jr. 02:40 Antiques Roadshow 08:00 Weird Connections 13:05 Extreme Close-Up Stewart 15:00 All Is Lost-PG15 Watching 06:10 Calimero 03:35 Vacation Vacation Vacation 08:25 How Tech Works 13:35 THS 21:30 Modern Family 17:00 The Insider-PG15 11:20 Forensic Detectives 06:25 Henry Hugglemonster 04:00 Come Dine With Me 08:50 Mega Builders 14:30 Style Star 22:00 Parks And Recreation 20:00 The Prestige-PG15 00:20 Bizarre ER 12:10 Solved 06:35 Zou 04:25 Baking Mad With Eric 09:40 Food Factory 15:00 Keeping Up With The 22:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 22:30 Django Unchained-18 00:45 What Have I Got 13:00 Disappeared 06:50 Mouk Lanlard 10:05 How It’s Made Kardashians 23:00 The Boondocks 01:10 What Have I Got 13:50 True Crime With 07:00 Jungle Junction 04:55 Homes Under The Hammer 10:30 Magic Of Science 16:00 Keeping Up With The 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 01:35 Extreme Couponing Aphrodite Jones 07:10 Art Attack 05:45 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 10:55 Magic Of Science Kardashians 02:00 Body Bizarre 14:40 Who On Earth Did I 07:35 Julius Jr. Taylor 11:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 17:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 02:50 Say Yes To The Dress Marry? 07:45 Calimero 06:15 Vacation Vacation Vacation 12:10 Mythbusters 17:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 03:15 Little People, Big World 15:05 Who On Earth Did I 08:00 Jungle Junction 06:40 Masterchef: The 01:00 She Wants Me-PG15 13:00 Weird Connections 18:00 Fashion Police 03:40 What Not To Wear Marry? 08:10 Zou Professionals 03:00 Grace Unplugged-PG 13:25 How Tech Works 18:30 E!ES 04:30 Cake Boss 15:30 Solved 08:25 Henry Hugglemonster 07:05 Nigel Slater’s Simple 00:00 Covert Affairs 05:00 Turbo-PG 13:50 Mega Builders 19:00 THS 05:00 Sister Wives 16:20 I Was Murdered 08:35 Julius Jr. Suppers 02:00 True Blood 06:45 The Wolverine-PG15 14:40 Food Factory 20:00 Christina Milian Turned Up 06:00 17 Kids And Counting 16:45 Stalked: Someone’s 08:50 Mouk 07:35 Baking Mad With Eric 03:00 The Client List 09:00 Admission-PG15 15:05 How It’s Made 20:30 Christina Milian Turned Up 06:25 Secret Eaters Watching 09:00 Calimero Lanlard 21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 04:00 State Of Affairs 11:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 15:30 Magic Of Science 07:15 Say Yes To The Dress 17:10 Murder Shift 09:15 Art Attack 08:00 Antiques Roadshow 05:00 Criminal Minds 13:00 The Mortal Instruments: City 15:55 Magic Of Science The Hamptons 07:40 Little People, Big World 09:40 Henry Hugglemonster 08:50 Come Dine With Me 06:00 Covert Affairs Of Bones-PG15 16:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist 18:00 Disappeared 22:00 The E! True Hollywood Story 08:05 Oprah’s Master Class 09:50 Doc McStuffins 09:15 Homes Under The Hammer 07:00 Witches Of East End 15:15 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 17:10 How Do They Do It? 18:50 Fatal Encounters 23:00 Giuliana & Bill 08:55 Oprah’s Master Class 10:05 Special Agent Oso: 3 10:05 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 08:00 Unforgettable 17:00 Admission-PG15 17:35 How Do They Do It? 19:40 Forensic Detectives 09:45 Cake Boss Healthy Steps Taylor 09:00 Criminal Minds 19:00 Snitch-PG15 18:00 Through The Wormhole 20:30 True Crime With 10:10 Sister Wives 10:10 Special Agent Oso 10:35 Nigellissima 10:00 State Of Affairs 21:00 Upside Down-PG15 18:50 How It’s Made Aphrodite Jones 11:00 What Not To Wear 10:20 Special Agent Oso: 3 11:00 The Roux Legacy 11:00 Witches Of East End 23:00 Riddick-18 19:15 How It’s Made 21:20 The Will: Family Secrets 11:50 Sister Wives Healthy Steps 11:35 Masterchef: The 12:00 Emmerdale 19:40 Food Factory Revealed 12:40 Secret Eaters 10:25 Special Agent Oso Professionals 12:30 Coronation Street 20:05 Food Factory 22:10 Who On Earth Did I 00:40 The Hungry Sailors 13:30 Sister Wives 10:40 Special Agent Oso: 3 12:00 Delicious Iceland 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 20:30 Magic Of Science Marry? 01:30 Come Dine With Me Ireland 14:20 Brides Of Beverly Hills Healthy Steps 12:25 Antiques Roadshow 14:00 Unforgettable 20:55 Magic Of Science 22:35 Who On Earth Did I 02:00 Emmerdale 14:45 Brides Of Beverly Hills 10:45 Special Agent Oso 13:15 Come Dine With Me 15:00 Covert Affairs 21:20 Ben Earl: Trick Artist Marry? 02:25 Emmerdale 15:10 Cake Boss 11:00 Sofia The First 13:40 Homes Under The Hammer 16:00 Emmerdale 01:00 Barbie As The Princess And 22:10 How Do They Do It? 23:00 True CSI 02:55 Coronation Street 15:35 Little People, Big World 11:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 14:35 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 16:30 Coronation Street The Pauper 22:35 How Do They Do It? 23:50 Solved 03:25 Endeavour 16:00 Hoarding: Buried Alive 11:50 Calimero Taylor 12:05 Jake And The Never Land 15:00 Nigellissima Pirates 15:25 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 12:30 Julius Jr. 16:10 Masterchef: The 12:40 Henry Hugglemonster Professionals 12:55 Handy Manny 16:40 Delicious Iceland 13:05 Justin Time 17:05 Antiques Roadshow 13:20 Sofia The First 18:00 Come Dine With Me 13:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 18:25 Homes Under The Hammer 14:10 New Adventures Of 19:15 DIY SOS: The Big Build Winnie The Pooh 20:10 Nordic Cookery With Tareq 14:35 Henry Hugglemonster Taylor 14:45 Zou 20:35 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 15:00 Special Agent Oso: 3 21:00 Baking Mad With Eric Healthy Steps Lanlard 15:05 Special Agent Oso 21:25 Masterchef: The 15:15 Special Agent Oso: 3 Professionals Healthy Steps 22:25 Bargain Hunt 15:20 Special Agent Oso 23:10 Come Dine With Me 15:35 Special Agent Oso: 3 23:35 The Good Cook Healthy Steps 15:40 Special Agent Oso 15:55 Handy Manny 16:05 Justin Time 16:20 Sofia The First 16:45 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 00:20 Fast N’ Loud 16:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 01:10 Bear Grylls’ Wild Weekend 17:15 Lilo & Stitch 02:00 When Fish Attack 17:40 Adventures Of The 02:50 Survive That! Gummi Bears 03:40 Auction Hunters 18:05 Chip n Dale Rescue 04:05 The Liquidator Rangers 04:30 Auction Hunters 18:30 Ducktales 05:00 How It’s Made 18:55 Art Attack 05:30 How It’s Made 19:20 Sofia The First 06:00 Marooned With Ed Stafford 19:45 Calimero 06:50 Bike Battles 20:00 Doc McStuffins 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 20:10 Jake And The Never Land 08:30 Auction Hunters Pirates 08:55 The Liquidator 20:25 Sheriff Callie’s Wild West 09:20 Auction Hunters 20:35 Zou 09:45 How It’s Made 20:50 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 10:10 How It’s Made 20:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 10:35 Bear Grylls’ Wild Weekend 21:20 Sofia The First 11:25 When Fish Attack 21:45 Adventures Of The 12:15 Survive That! Gummi Bears 13:05 Auction Hunters 22:10 Chip n Dale Rescue 13:30 The Liquidator Rangers 13:55 Auction Hunters 22:35 Ducktales 14:20 Marooned With Ed Stafford 23:00 Minnie’s Bow-Toons 15:10 Bike Battles 23:05 Art Attack 16:00 Fast N’ Loud DJANGO UNCHAINED OSN MOVIES FESTIVAL HD 23:30 Julius Jr. Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

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

SHARQIA-1 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 6:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM SON OF A GUN 8:45 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 11:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 5:15 PM SON OF A GUN 1:15 AM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 7:45 PM FANAR-5 TEMPER (Telugu) 3:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:00 PM TAKEN 3 1:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 6:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:30 AM SHAMITABH (HINDI) 3:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 3:30 PM SON OF A GUN 12:30 PM SHARQIA-2 SHAMITABH (HINDI) 6:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM TEMPER (Telugu) 6:30 PM 360º- 3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 9:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 12:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM TAKEN 3 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 3:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 5:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM MARINA-1 YELLOWBIRD 7:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM YELLOWBIRD 11:30 AM THE GAMBLER 9:45 PM SITUATION WANTED BIG EYES 1:30 PM THE GAMBLER 12:05 AM SHARQIA-3 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:45 PM 12 years experienced pro- BIG EYES 11:30 AM BIG EYES 6:00 PM AL-KOUT.1 BIG EYES 1:45 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 8:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 PM fessional looking for senior YELLOWBIRD 4:00 PM BIG EYES 10:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:30 PM position in finance / YELLOWBIRD 6:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:00 PM accounts. Qualification: CFA TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 8:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:30 PM Level1/CMA (IMA-USA), BIG EYES 10:30 PM MARINA-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:00 PM BCom. Oracle Financials, BIG EYES 12:45 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 1:00 PM Microsoft Dynamics GP. MUHALAB-1 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 3:00 PM AL-KOUT.2 Contact: 60320220. STONEHEARST ASYLUM 11:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 1:00 PM (C 4932) STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:45 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 7:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 1:30 PM 18-2-2014 ROY (HINDI) 4:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 3:30 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 4:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 AM YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM ROY (HINDI) 7:00 PM Need job for a Bachelor Plan B (ARABIC) 7:30 PM (C 4931) TEMPER (Telugu) 7:00 PM MARINA-3 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 9:30 PM degree holder with com- TEMPER (Telugu) 10:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:05 AM 18-2-2015 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM puter diploma with 8 years STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:00 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 experience in Kuwait look- I, Vidya Sam, holder of KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM ing for job as Admin/ Sales Indian Passport No. MUHALAB-2 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 3:15 PM TEMPER (Telugu) 1:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:05 AM executive (Indian license F3899195, Malayatoor JUPITER ASCENDING 5:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:45 PM only). Please contact: STONEHEARST ASYLUM 8:00 PM House, Kozhencherry P.O., YELLOWBIRD 3:30 PM AVENUES-1 66894543, Pathanamthitta Dist., YELLOWBIRD 5:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 11:45 AM JUPITER ASCENDING 10:15 PM BIG EYES 7:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 2:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 12:45 AM (C 4916) Kerala, India, hereby JUPITER ASCENDING 9:45 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:15 PM 14-2-2015 change my name to Vidya BIG EYES 12:15 AM YELLOWBIRD 6:30 PM AL-KOUT.4 Thomas. (C 4928) Plan B (ARABIC) 8:45 PM BIG EYES 11:30 AM 15-2-2015 MUHALAB-3 Plan B (ARABIC) 11:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 1:45 PM CHANGE OF NAME KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:15 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 1:15 AM BIG EYES 4:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:45 PM BIG EYES 7:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:15 PM AVENUES-2 BIG EYES 9:15 PM Thiru Ganesan (Hindu), FOR SALE KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:45 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:00 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:45 PM son of Thiru Rengaiah, born KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:15 PM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 2:45 PM on 10th August 1982 For sale car Ssangyong - KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 5:30 PM BAIRAQ-1 (native district: Corando 2015, white color TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 8:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 11:30 AM with golden color inside, FANAR-1 TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 11:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:00 PM Pudukkottai), residing at TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 12:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 4:30 PM No. 674, Kummankulam, 130 kilometer used only, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 2:45 PM AVENUES-3 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 7:00 PM Pudukkottai Veduthi, price with Agency: KD Plan B (ARABIC) 5:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:30 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 9:30 PM Alangudi Post, Pudukkottai- 6,500. Required price KD Plan B (ARABIC) 7:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 3:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 AM 4800. Tel: 66052541. TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 9:15 PM Plan B (ARABIC) 6:15 PM 622301, holder of Indian Passport No. F6077280, has (C 4929) TESTAMENT OF YOUTH 11:45 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 8:45 PM BAIRAQ-2 JUPITER ASCENDING 11:30 PM YELLOWBIRD 12:30 PM converted to Islam with the 16-2-2015 FANAR-2 YELLOWBIRD 2:45 PM name of Abdul Rahman. JUPITER ASCENDING 11:30 AM AVENUES-4 JUPITER ASCENDING 4:45 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 2:15 PM BIG EYES 12:15 PM YELLOWBIRD 7:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 4:45 PM TAKEN 3 2:30 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 9:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 7:15 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 4:45 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 11:45 PM 112 Plan (ARABIC) 9:45 PM TAKEN 3 7:15 PM JUPITER ASCENDING 12:05 AM BIG EYES 9:45 PM AMERICAN SNIPER 12:15 AM BAIRAQ-3 FANAR-3 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 1:30 PM Prayer timings STONEHEARST ASYLUM 11:45 AM 360º- 1 BIG EYES 3:45 PM BIG EYES 2:00 PM BIG EYES 12:00 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 6:00 PM YELLOWBIRD 4:15 PM BIG EYES 2:15 PM BIG EYES 8:15 PM YELLOWBIRD 6:15 PM BIG EYES 4:30 PM STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:30 PM Fajr: 05:07 BIG EYES 8:15 PM BIG EYES 6:45 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:45 AM Shorook 06:27 STONEHEARST ASYLUM 10:30 PM BIG EYES 9:00 PM BIG EYES 12:45 AM BIG EYES 11:15 PM PLAZA Duhr: 12:02 YELLOWBIRD 3:15 PM Asr: 15:13 FANAR-4 360º- 2 THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 3:30 PM Maghrib: 17:38 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 12:00 PM SON OF A GUN 11:45 AM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 2:30 PM THE ATTICUS INSTITUTE 2:00 PM ANEGAN (Tamil) 7:45 PM Isha: 18:55 KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 5:00 PM SON OF A GUN 4:15 PM KINGSMAN: The Secret Service 10:45 PM

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 18/2/2015 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 Departure Flights on Wednesday 18/2/2015 IRC 527 Mashhad 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 IZG 4167 Mashhad 14:35 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 14:55 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 CLX 792 Luxembourg 15:00 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 OMA 645 Muscat 15:25 SYR 342 Damascus 02:25 IZG 4168 Mashhad 15:35 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:40 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 DLH 637 Dammam 01:15 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 SYR 341 Latakia/KAC 01:25 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 MSC 404 Sohag 03:30 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:05 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 KAC 501 Beirut 16:15 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 OMA 646 Muscat 16:25 MSC 403 Sohag 02:30 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 KAC 1785 Jeddah 16:55 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:30 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 OMA 644 Muscat 04:25 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 CLX 792 Bangkok 17:00 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KAC 545 Alexandria 17:30 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JZR 560 Sohag 05:10 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 IRM 1180 Mashhad 17:35 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 BAW 157 London 06:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 204 Lahore 07:45 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 BAW 156 London 08:45 IRM 1187 Tehran 18:45 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 ABY 122 Sharjah 19:20 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 JZR 552 Alexandria 19:30 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:50 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 KAC 117 New York 10:05 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 OMA 647 Muscat 20:05 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:30 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 OMA 648 Muscat 21:05 IRM 1186 Tehran 10:20 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 20:30 KAC 175 Frankfurt/Geneva 10:40 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:40 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:15 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 IRM 1181 Mashhad 11:30 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:40 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 JZR 561 Sohag 11:45 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:15 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 KAC 103 London 12:20 IYE 826 Sanaa 22:00 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 ETD 920 Dubai 22:25 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 12:00 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:05 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 SVA 9380 Jeddah 12:35 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:05 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 MRJ 4815 Mashhad 12:55 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 IYE 827 Mukalla/Sanaa 23:00 KAC 1786 Jeddah 22:40 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 IRC 526 Mashhad 13:30 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 BBC 043 Dhaka 23:10 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 SVA 2880 Jeddah 13:55 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 MRJ 4814 Mashhad 14:10 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 CROSSWORD 819 STAR TRACK

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

There are universal energies that disrupt business for many of us the next few This period marks a time when many projects come to an end. Seeing the result of days. Your creativity, however, is exalted at this time and this may bring personal or career work you have put your energies into is rewarding. Business dealings may be particularly fruitful gains. There may be a collision of powerful energies in your life just now. You may express now. This is a good time to evaluate your position or profession in the workplace. You should not yourself in whimsical ways. The actions of today will have lasting effects so think before you hesitate to engage in new ideas or undertake unique projects at this time, just as long as all the make decisions. You face tremendous responsibilities in relationship with loved ones and will facts are known. It is a time for original thinking, or perhaps for seeking new or more daring asso- have to give yourself time to think through the decisions that others would like you to make- ciations. You have an easygoing manner with friends and family. Relations with members of the perhaps, too quickly. You should try during this time to loosen up and enjoy your compan- opposite sex are strengthened. Now is a good time to ask for favors from someone close, or do ions without being afraid to voice your true feelings. Rewarding experiences with loved ones something for that person. Make out a grateful list before retiring this evening. are unavoidable.

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

You should experience all the benefits of this most powerful planet. The results This should be one of those very welcome days during which you feel good and of some winter planting and the crisp feeling of the morning puts you and everyone else in a so does everyone else. You feel nothing but warmth, generosity and affection toward everybody good mood. You are ready to put your thinking cap on and get to work. As usual, you give your around you and they in turn reflect it all back to you. Your benevolence extends to strangers as best; as a result you find that considerable success will follow. Your communicative abilities are well and everyone you attract will be in a good mood. You have increased energy for work or accented. This is an outstanding time to give your speeches or arguments and to move people play. Mental stimulation from others is a prompt for you right now. A current project should be a to your way of thinking. Do not turn down any party invitations today. If none have arrived, great success. Your sensitivity to others is heightened. The desire for intimacy and love with a send out a few. It could be a blast! Your charisma rides high! Watch the budget-your expansive- partner is great and there are expressions of affection that are most satisfying to you. Also, this ness could be disastrous while shopping. Companionship is most rewarding at this time. evening is an excellent time for taking part in social activities with friends.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Today you may think you are positively inspired! Thoughts and ideas may be run- This is a good day for making decisions, carrying out plans and communicating ning through your head a mile a minute. A notebook or tape recorder to register to others just where you stand. Your energy is high and you are ready to apply your ideas to your thinking might be easy to use-particularly if you find yourself driving or traveling from one ACROSS on one edge. the work at hand. Make sure the dialogue goes both ways as others have good ideas too. If place to another. Leave any serious planning or heavy concentration for another time, or later you 1. Counting the number of white and red 2. Common Indian weaverbird. you stick to the main subjects and do not become distracted by trivialities, you should do might have to go back to do a recheck. An important message could become lost in the presenta- blood cells and the number of platelets in 1 3. Infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice. quite well with the art of transaction today. You are realistic about your abilities and expecta- tion. Communicate clearly with your peers. Do not leave out any major details. Try not to put tions for success-others learn from your actions. The practical use of your time and energy will cubic millimeter of blood. 4. A health resort near a spring or at the undue strain on any personal relationships at this time. This evening you might want to order a most certainly pay off, bringing good times to all. You effectively communicate with both take-out meal or a food delivery to the house. An early movie and perhaps, early to bed, helps to 4. A port city is southern Indonesia. seaside. friends and colleagues this evening-perhaps a dinner or some social gathering is at hand. replenish your energy. 12. A doctor's degree in dental surgery. 5. Without qualification. 15. An implement used to propel or steer a 6. A curve in a stream. boat. 7. Mottled curly-grained wood of 16. A tooth having two cusps or points. Pterocarpus indicus. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. A groove or furrow (especially one in 8. Be agitated. soft earth caused by wheels). 9. Genus of erect herbs of the Middle East It seems that you could be feeling blocked this morning. It may be that you just This is an easy, relaxing day-especially if you can avoid excesses. You are inclined to keep dropping or spilling coffee or other such frustrations. Laugh . . . It could be worse. Settle your- expect that the world will come to you today, but do not expect too much. There is a line between 18. Type genus of the family Myacidae. having showy flowers. self down with a few deep breaths and just handle the day one project or client at a time. You will relaxation and laziness. Do not push it! Life can be beautiful if you are willing to get out and meet it 19. Relating to or characteristic of Arabs. 10. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of soon gain momentum and after lunch you are more prepared for the difficult. This afternoon you halfway. This is a productive time to be with others and to work together. You may be sought after 20. Jordan's port. the alkali metal group. get many things accomplished. You must listen carefully when someone is telling you a long story . as just the person for a particular job. Your management and directional abilities are in high focus. 22. A small cake leavened with yeast. 11. Made of packed earth or gravel. . . The story will end eventually and you will be glad you listened. You may stay a little late at work You may find a promotion is possible now. In your personal dealings with financial matters, always check your sources and know the presenter’s history. You could save yourself from a financial loss 24. Small arboreal tropical American insec- 12. A creature of Teutonic mythology. this afternoon so that you can feel more accomplished for the day. If you were planning to go to a party this evening, you might just enjoy a quiet evening at home instead. Soon-another party. if you know the person with whom you are dealing. tivorous lizards with the ability to change 13. Port city in the United Arab Emirates on skin color. the Persian Gulf. 25. Someone who eats no animal products 14. A support or foundation. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) at all. 21. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked Leo (July 23-August 22) 26. A drink made of beer and lemonade. on a skewer usually with vegetables. This is a time of much energy and drive, perfect for starting something out or tak- Today is a good day to enjoy the calm and impersonal. One way to achieve this is 28. Like an amoeba (especially in having a 23. Having the leading position or higher ing care of business-very physical too. You may have an urge to push for changes in the work- to maneuver yourself around to an area where people are not easily excitable. Vulnerable issues variable irregular shape). score in a contest. place-perhaps new equipment or new advertising ideas. Friends may want to play this evening may not be a problem but gossip fascinates and calls from across the void-you seek to find change. 30. A very poisonous metallic element that 27. A river in north central Switzerland that and you could enjoy the time with them but there is a list at home you need to check and no may There is a lot of unrest built around this issue today. This is a peak time in the workplace-do not become distracted with gossip. Do not give away too much information for now-keep life simple. has three allotropic forms. runs northeast into the Rhine. be your answer for this time. Other opportunities are available soon. There is no sign of any romantic changes for now, with practical concerns taking precedence over relationships. This Stick as close as possible to your budget; you will find financial changes probable. Put some money 32. Having been taken into the mouth for 29. Canadian writer noted for his analyses afternoon would be a good time to fall into some form of art project. Animals need attention as aside for special needs. A romantic goal seems hazy to you, perhaps because you are not as ready consumption. of the mass media (1911-1980). well. You may find yourself taking care of someone else’s animal later. to make a commitment as you previously thought-relax. 33. Group of people related by blood or 31. The basic unit of money in Israel. marriage. 37. A metallic element of the rare earth 34. A blood group antigen possessed by group. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Rh-positive people. 38. (used of count nouns) Every one consid- Pisces (February 19-March 20) 35. A colorless and odorless inert gas. ered individually. You should enjoy great success and attention through your profession. You may Your sensitivity is heightened-you may be asked to listen to someone else’s prob- 36. Nocturnal badger-like carnivore of 39. Clean or orderly. be in the spotlight today because of your accomplishments. You should, however, realize that it is lems. Your mental faculties are enlivened, making you readily receptive to all thoughts that wooded regions of Africa and southern 40. Disabled in the feet or legs. a good time to be humble and see where your talents can best help others. For on-the-job suc- impinge on you. You have learned a lot about relaxation and eliminating the stress in your life. Asia. 42. A British peer ranking below a Marquess cess, be more open-minded and creative in your thinking. You are able to think of something new Now is a good time to revisit some of those techniques. You are very serene this afternoon with the 41. Tall woody perennial grasses with hol- and above a Viscount. and exciting that will help to bring more revenue into the company-perhaps you are in advertis- tendency to daydream and indulge in art or cinema. If channeled properly, this can be most con- ing. Later, this afternoon, you will have the opportunity to spend time with close friends or rela- structive. This is an excellent time to get to know someone better. Talk among friends is usually low slender stems especially of the genera 43. God of death. tives. Everything around your home looks good to you today. If you are unattached, a special healing at this time. You and your friends will find time to enjoy the afternoon together. You are Arundo and Phragmites. 45. Harmed or injured or spoiled. loved one could become very important to you. There are wonderful surprises at every corner. happy to show a sincere interest in the activities that surround you family, particularly this evening. 44. (computer science) A data transmission 46. An alloy of iron with small amounts of rate (bits/second) for modems. carbon. 47. A Turkish unit of weight equal to about 48. A heavy ductile magnetic metallic ele- WORD SEARCH PUZZLE 2.75 pounds. ment. Yesterday’s Solution 51. Of or relating to chaetae (setae or bris- 49. A republic in Central America. tles). 50. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann. 53. Hoary alyssum. 52. Hard red wheat grown especially in 55. United States writer of hard-boiled Russia and Germany. detective fiction (1894-1961). 54. A unit of weight equivalent to 1000 kilo- 56. (prefix) Indicating difference or varia- grams. tion. 58. A genus of tropical Asian and Malaysian 57. A former copper coin of Pakistan. palm trees. 59. A language unit by which a person or 62. Realistic Norwegian author who wrote thing is known. plays on social and political themes (1828- 60. An Iranian language spoken in 1906). Afghanistan. 63. The capital and largest city of 61. Extremely cold. Bangladesh. 64. A German machine gun. 65. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liv- 69. A soft silvery metallic element of the er cells. alkali earth group. 66. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 70. (of a young animal) Abandoned by its 67. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- mother and raised by hand. cially in Turkey). 71. The father of your father or mother. 68. A stick that people can lean on to help 75. A loose sleeveless outer garment made them walk. from aba cloth. 72. The part of the nervous system of verte- 78. Having undesirable or negative quali- brates that controls involuntary actions of ties. the smooth muscles and heart and glands. 79. Kneading and rubbing parts of the body 73. 10 grams. to increase circulation and promote relax- 74. Inflammation of the urethra of ation v 1. unknown cause. 80. Made by polymerizing butadiene. 76. A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. DOWN 77. A unit of information equal to one mil- 1. A flat device with narrow pointed teeth lion (1,048,576) bytes.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 information

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Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 Chad 00235 N. 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Features

Kanye West calls Kris Jenner ‘mom’

he 37-year-old rapper used the affectionate terminology to ion sense and insisted the ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star’s describe his wife Kim Kardashian West’s mum and sibling in sequined Jean Paul Gaultier gown she wore at the Grammy Tan interview, in which the star revealed he had to make new Awards earlier this month was one of the best red carpet looks of friends when he started dating the raven-haired beauty because all time. He added to Style.com: “I’m biased, but I think the best most of his pals turned their backs on him. Kanye - whose own red-carpet look of all time-if not, one of the top five-was my wife’s mother Donda West passed away in August 2007 - said: “Soon as look at the Grammys. “You know what [Jean Paul Gaultier] just did. we started dating, fashion people were really opposed to the idea He said, ‘F**k the s**t. I’m making real shit. I’m doing perfume and of reality stars. And all the relationships, the somewhat friends couture.’ “And by focusing on that, he delivered ... I just think for that I had somewhat built up, completely turned their backs on me as a person that dresses the most photographed person in the her and me. “They already had their back to her, and now they world, I get bored with ready-to-wear really easily.” turned it to me” “The so-called traction that I was getting in the high-fashion world was completely thrown out the window and I was finally allowed to go to school, where every day I was in my mom [Kris Jenner]’s house, in my little brother’s old room, Rob’s old room, re-tailoring...”Kanye also spoke highly of his wife’s fash-

Christina Aguilera had an ‘immediate’ bond with daughter he 34-year-old singer admits she connected with six-month-old Summer Rain, whom she has with her producer fiance Matt Rutler, the first time she locked Teyes on her and she was bowled over by her beauty and tiny angelic features. Speaking to Australia’s Who magazine, the blonde beauty explained: “She was liter- ally an angel - her features were so feminine and delicate, yet there was a strength about her I can’t really describe in words. We had an immediate calm bond and I felt inexplicably connected to her and her spirit.” The ‘Voice’ star also opened up about the tiny tot’s laid back personality and how she enjoys meeting new people. She said: “Summer is a pretty Zen baby. She loves people. She has these big, blue, soul- ful eyes and really takes you in when meeting someone new. “She laughs a ton and is easy to make smile. She wants to be where the action is! I was worried with the recent move into our new home that she’d have difficulty adjusting to the transi- tion, but she loved all the hustle and excitement. And I notice she already loves trips and travel. She’s very happy, content girl who already makes it clear, letting you know what she wants.” Christina also has seven-year-old son Max with her ex-hus- band Jordan Bratman. Tom Cruise visits cast of a West End musical Sam Smith’s he 52-year-old actor stunned the performers of the ‘Beautiful - The Carole King Musical’ over the weekend after he rocked up to the Aldwych Theatre in London to Tgive the stars a bit of moral support before their opening night next week. The unrequited love hunky US star, who was dressed in dark jeans and a black fitted jumper, grinned from ear-to-ear as he cuddled up to the leading cast members for a cute photograph back- stage. The production, which is directed by Marc Bruni, is based on the early life and career of legendary singer-songwriter Carole King and shows the untold story of her is one of his three journey from school girl to a superstar, including her relationship with husband Gerry Goffin. The show will see Katie Brayben play the title role of Carole King, while Alan Morrissey will portray her spouse Gerry. The theatrical performance will also feature managers some of Carole’s classics as the cast of 26 belt out the lyrics to hits such as ‘So Far Away’, ‘It Might As Well Rain Until September’, ‘Take Good Care of my Baby’ and ‘Will You Love he 22-year-old singer recently revealed his Grammy-winning Me Tomorrow.’ The show will run from February 24 until June 13, with booking prices album ‘In the Lonely Hour’ was inspired by a man he fell in love ranging from £15 to £67.50 depending on the day and time. Meanwhile, Tom is current- Twith but who didn’t feel the same way, and the guy is believed to ly in England’s capital while he hoots scenes for the forthcoming movie ‘Mission: be the married music executive, according to The Sun newspaper. Sam Impossible 5. said: “I feel nothing towards him now. I’ll always love him but I’m not in love with him anymore. I definitely don’t crease on the floor in pain any more. “I was the only one in the relationship. It was in my mind and was something I had to get over. I also made the record so that this doesn’t Tracy Morgan wasn’t happen again. “I don’t want to fall in love again with someone who does- n’t love me back.” Sam and Elvin are now said to be good pals and col- leagues, and the ‘Stay With Me’ hitmaker recently admitted he would ready to be a part of never publicly release the mystery man’s name out of respect. He added to the publication: “It’s really tough to explain. But no, he’s not gay. ‘Saturday Night Live’ “Nothing ever happened between us. I know he loved me too, but not in that way.” At the Grammy Awards earlier this month, Sam picked up four he 46-year-old actor hasn’t made a public appearance since he awards, Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his was seriously injured in a car accident last June and bosses on hit ‘Stay with Me’ and Best Pop Vocal Album for ‘In the Lonely Hour’, and T‘SNL’ - on which he was a regular cast member from 1996 until thanked his unrequited love in his acceptance speech. He told the Los 2003 - asked him to be a part of the milestone programme on Angeles Staples Center audience: “I want to thank the man who this Sunday, but he wasn’t feeling fit enough to appear. A source told the record is about. Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you New York Post newspaper’s Page Six column: “They really wanted got me four Grammys.” him to be there, but when it came down to it, he just isn’t mentally or emotionally ready to appear on TV yet.” Instead, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey paid tribute to Tracy - who suffered a broken femur, broken nose and broken ribs in the crash - during the show. Alec tried to impersonate his co-star while Tina made a heartfelt speech about him. She said: “I wish my friend Tracy Morgan was here tonight. I know he was hoping he would be well enough to be here too. “If he were here tonight I am sure Tracy would remind us that more than anything, he would like to get us all pregnant. See you at the 41st, Tracy. We love you.”

Lindsay Lohan sued by a stylist management company

he ‘Mean Girls’ actress is the subject of a lawsuit from still waiting on the $2,500 fee for their services and are seek- “Nevertheless, Ms. Lohan appeared for interviews and, Exclusive Artists Management, Inc., which claim she ing $77,500 for all unpaid wages, waiting time penalties and according to various reports, looked a lot like her beautiful Thas committed fraud, failure to pay for services ren- interest, and payment of attorneys’ fees. The lawsuit claims pre-rehab self. Many remarked it was the best they had dered and breach of contract. The suit claims it booked a the movie never took off because of the difficulties in land- seen her in years.” hairstylist and make-up artist for the actress “by and ing insurance for the troubled star, who has previously been through” EFO Films, who are co-defendants in the suit, to in rehab six times and endured a number of legal problems. work with her while she was at the Sundance Film Festival It states in one section: “Over a year later, the film appears to in January 2014 to announce she would be starring in a remain ‘in development’ because insuring Ms. Lohan turned movie called ‘Inconceivable’. The company claims they are out to be ‘inconceivable’ for the insurance industry. lifestyle WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018

Features

Pierce Brosnan backed Idris Elba to play James Bond

he 61-year-old actor - who played the has been repeatedly linked to the iconic role fictional British spy in four films from and has admitted he would accept the part of T1994 to 2002 - thinks ‘The Gunman’ star Bond if it was offered to him. During a Q&A would be great in the iconic role and is tip- on website Reddit he was asked if he was ping him as a worthy successor to current 007 interested in portraying the suave spy, to Daniel Craig. When asked if he thought Elba which he replied: “Yes, if it was offered to me, would make a good Bond, Brosnan said: absolutely.” However, Elba, 42, has insisted he “Yeah, he would actually. Colin Salmon also. wouldn’t want his portrayal to be defined by May the best man get the job.” Brosnan also the fact he would be the first “black Bond”. In revealed he’s a big fan of Craig’s interpreta- a previous TV interview, he said: “We don’t say tion of the character and hopes he stays on as ‘white Bond’ we just say ‘Bond’, so it suddenly the star of the franchise beyond his upcom- becomes a black man and he’s a ‘black Bond’; ing fourth outing in ‘Spectre’. Speaking to I hate that phrase.” Radio Times magazine, he said: “Daniel has made his mark gloriously ... May Daniel bring home the bacon for as long as he wants.” Elba

he 29-year-old actress - who announced she was expecting in December - is desperate to lock her lips on Ta margarita cocktail when her pregnancy is over and she Jamie Dornan is particularly disappointed she won’t be able to drink at the Academy Awards next week. The brunette beauty - who is up for the Best Supporting Actress prize for her role in ‘The Imitation Game’ - said: “I can’t drink. I’m up for an Oscar and I uses his ‘body can’t drink at the Oscars. “I went to the doctor - you have to get lots of doctor check-ups when you’re pregnant - and she asked if I had any questions. And I said, ‘Yes! When can I drink? as a gym’ Please! I just want a margarita.’ “ While Keira is unable to get he ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ hunk worked out with Neil her hands on any alcohol at the moment, her husband James McTeggart from Belfast’s IronFit to get in shape to play Righton is more than making up for it but consuming all of kinky businessman Christian Grey in the raunchy movie her free drink himself. Speaking on ‘The Ellen DeGeneres T and used a mixture of yoga, gymnastics and body-building to Show’, the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ actress added: “My hus- hone his physique. Neil told heat magazine: “Jamie was always band’s having a great time. I’m eating for two and he’s drink- a skinny kid, he’s very lean. “We do various workout pro- ing for two. “There’s a lot of free champagne so he thinks grammes, like street work, which focus on body weight.

to rejoice because I’m not drinking the free champagne he has to. So all “Rather than using a lot of equipment, you use your body as of it.” Keira also revealed she has a fear of being peed on if she your gym. “We take the best moves out of things like yoga, gives birth to a boy, but host Ellen was on hand to gift the star gymnastics and bodybuilding. “It’s all about kettle bells, climb- a changing table and a protective face mask to ensure her ing ropes and doing gymnastic rings. Diet-wise, it’s not restric- face stays urine-free. She explained: “Somebody said to me tive. “The great thing about body-weight training is you prac- the other day the problem with boys is - sorry this is horrible - tise and can see yourself getting better and being able to hold but when you’re changing their nappies you can get the wee yourself in a position for longer. “It’s about making you in your face. “Yeah you see? stronger and the body shows it.” Meanwhile, Jamie’s co-star I’ve got a lot of people Dakota Johnson - who plays Anastasia Steele - favoured daily Simon Cowell nodding at me, but I Pilates classes to get in shape for the movie. Pilates teacher wants never knew that before Mari Windsor said: “She does everything - the mat and so it was terrifying.” reformer machine. “She is very co-ordinated and graceful. She likes the leg springs, just like Miley Cyrus.” to have another baby

he 55-year-old music mogul has 12- recently admitted fatherhood had so far been month-old son Eric with his partner a lot easier than he had imagined it would be. TLauren Silverman and Simon admits He said: “I love being a dad. It’s been easy and fatherhood has been such a joyful experience I can’t believe it’s a year already. It’s gone by, he’s considering giving Eric a young sibling. like, snap, but he’s a fantastic little boy ... I had Speaking to the new issue of heat magazine, no idea what it was going to feel like to be a he said: “I wouldn’t rule anything ?out right dad and I was always nervous about babies. I now. Eric’s been adorable, so maybe. I just didn’t know what to do with them. But actu- don’t make plans any more, we’ll see what ally, when you see someone day by day happens.” Simon admits settling down and becoming, you know, more smart and doing starting a family has all been a surprise for different things and recognising you and now him but he’s loved everything about the last talking, I mean ... it’s an incredible feeling.” 12 months. He added: “The last year has been kind of unexpected but good, I’m enjoying it.” The ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge - who celebrat- after she gives birth Keira Knightley ed Eric’s first birthday on Valentine’s Day -

Nick Cannon had a romantic Valentine’s Day with Nicole Murphy he ‘America’s Got Talent’ host and the ‘Hollywood Exes’ star - who was previously married to Eddie Murphy and split from fiance Michael Strahan last August - arrived Tat New York’s Tavern on the Green late on Saturday to celebrate the day of love with dinner. An onlooker said: “The couple showed up at 11 pm, when most other diners were already gone. They were holding hands across the table, and gazing at each other throughout their meal.” The couple were so smitten with one another, they didn’t even notice when a song by Nick’s estranged wife Mariah Carey - with who he has three-year- old twins Moroccan and Monroe - began playing. The source told the New York Post newspaper’s Page Six column: “Neither paid attention. They seemed very happy togeth- er.” The Valentine’s Day date marked the second time the pair have been seen together. Last week, they were spotted dining at Bagatelle with another couple. A source said: “Nick and Nicole and their friends were dressed to the nines and laughing and having a great time.” However, insiders insisted then they were not romantically involved. Nicole - who was with Michael for five years before they split - recently said she was “having fun” being single but admitted she prefers being in relationships. She said: “I am having fun right now being single. “I am not dating anyone special, but I do love being in a relation- ship.” Reps for Cannon and Murphy didn’t get back to us.

Emma Stone has a fascination with death

he 26-year-old actress admits she’s always ported me in my acting plans precisely because wondered what happens after you’ve passed they believe you have to use your time well. That’s Taway and believes her morbid curiosity stems also why my mother moved to Los Angeles with me from her childhood and upbringing. Speaking in when I was 15.” Emma went on to talk about her dis- Australia’s Cleo magazine, the strawberry blonde organised characteristic and how she’s never felt beauty said: “I was always conscious that life is finite 100 per cent confident about herself. She said: “I’m and was interested in really gloomy things like totally the chaotic type and I’m often completely all death, ghosts and cemeteries.” However, the over the place ... There are phases when I feel rela- ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ star insists her dark tively confident, although my self-doubt never thoughts on death have encouraged her to grab seems to disappear completely.” every opportunity with both hands because she’s conscious nothing lasts forever. She explained: “I was just a really crazy child. But there’s also some- thing positive about this attitude: when you are constantly aware that you will die one day, you appreciate life all the more and really live it to the fullest. “I always try to act according to my belief, and my parents see things the same way. They sup- lifestyle WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 Colourful kickoff at Tommy Hilfiger uckily, it was an indoor football game. dressier occasions, in chiffon or velvet. Wong Kar Wai is the exhibition’s artistic LOn a frigid day in Manhattan, guests Hilfiger, ever the showman, came out at the director, and he showed a clip Monday at Tommy Hilfiger’s splashy runway end carrying his own football helmet, jog- about famous films that have influenced show arrived Monday to find the cavernous ging along the field and waving to the perceptions of China: Bernardo Bertolucci’s Park Avenue Armory transformed into a crowd, which included singer Rita Ora. “The Last Emperor,” Kaige Chen’s “Farewell football field. Sure, the turf was artificial, My Concubine,” Zhang Yimou’s “Raise the but that was a small price to pay for not Jocelyn Noveck Red Lantern,” Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, being outside. Yardage was marked out, DONNA KARAN’s NEW YORK AT NIGHT Hidden Dragon,” and Kar Wai’s own “In the with each end zone bearing a huge “HIL- Karan’s New York City never ceases to Mood For Love.” FIGER.” Naturally, the prime seats were at inspire. For fall, she interpreted the tower- All those films and more will play a part the 50-yard line. After a huge monitor ing architecture into sculpted origami in the exhibit - which will also include cos- hanging over the runway - er, field - count- designs and offered sparkly gold lame wor- tumes, paintings, porcelain and other art. ed down the final 30 seconds to kickoff, thy of a really great party. models began streaming out of an entry In metallic brocades and gun metal silk, Why film? marked “Locker Room.” Their attire was a Karan’s signature line shown Monday did “Film is sort of the first portal of entry for whimsical riff on football wear, down to the the glamour of the city’s skyline justice with western designers when it comes to imag- lace-up platform ankle boots that resem- geometric planes of fabric that flowed ining China,” Bolton said. One of the issues bled football cleats. loosely on dresses and coats. Touches of to be examined: The stereotyping of China’s In a collection aimed at channeling what organza danced down the runway against femininity - particularly in the Hollywood the label called “an American Love Story her backdrop of the city at night. films of the 30s and 40s. inspired by Ali MacGraw,” the colors of bur- gundy and navy gave the collection a vin- Jocelyn Noveck tage college football feel. There were CAROLINA HERRERA MAKES WAVES capes, duffel coats, and colorful sweatshirts Carolina Herrera usually makes waves at bearing the number 30 - to mark 30 years of fashion week. This time around, she did it the Hilfiger brand. with a splash. There were fluffy, furry football jackets. Moved by the element of water, Herrera There were varsity-type sweaters and bags sent out dresses Monday that fluttered with with football appliques. Huge furry hats, long metallic droplet embellishment and appropriate for the day’s weather, accom- prints evoking ripples and ocean sprays. A panied many of the outfits. And there were touch of crimson red popped among the skirts and dresses galore, pleated like cheer- muted whites, blues and grays, in a touch of leader skirts - in casual fabrics or, for alligator skin on a multi-textured wide scarf and full-skin short looks for cocktails and day. NY FASHION WEEK FASHION NY

front row. “It’s a problem when you have At show’s end, Von Furstenberg took not things that don’t take into consideration a victory bow but a victory lap, sauntering some curves.” Told of her friend’s observa- up and down the U-shaped runway and tion, Karan added: “I think I dress women blowing kisses to guests, who included with hips. Let’s put it this way, I take care of singer Kesha, Paris Hilton, and of course women’s body parts. At least I try to.” Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Nicole Evatt and Leanne Italie Nicole Evatt and Jocelyn Noveck 50 SHADES OF DVF SOON TO COME AT THE MET: FASHION MEETS CHINA Diane von Furstenberg says it’s a mere “This collection I have been calling coincidence that her runway show took When the Metropolitan Museum’s ‘Making Waves,’ because it’s all about the place on opening weekend of “Fifty Shades Costume Institute holds its annual star- elements of water. It’s the waves. It’s all the of Grey,” but there was nothing coincidental filled gala in May, you can be sure that the form and colors that the water has in differ- Gold glam not your thing? The collection about the “seduction” theme that came glamorous gowns will include endless yards ent aspects. And I love it because it has so was punctuated by tuxedo detailing on sev- through loud and clear on the catwalk. It of gorgeous Chinese embroidery. much movement, and all the materials I eral tops and trousers. And she threw in was all about lace, skin, satin and yes, the That’s because the institute’s spring designed especially with the water in mind,” some warm shearling coats worthy of the color red - which, paired with black, gave exhibit, which always sets the gala’s theme, Herrera told The Associated Press in a back- frigid weather. DVF just the sensibility she wanted for this is called “China: Through the Looking Glass,” stage interview. How does she keep the New York City season. an ambitious examination of how China As if to ease her crowd’s wintery angst in story fresh season after season? “The show is called seduction,” the “has fueled the fashionable imagination for the frigid weather, Herrera paired a cozy “New York for me means the world,” she designer said in a pre-show interview centuries, resulting in highly creative distor- sweater with cashmere pants and fox said in a post-show interview. “It’s about Sunday. “It’s THAT woman. ... During the day tions of cultural realities and mythologies,” gloves. She used a swan motif in embroi- where women are at today. The chaos (of she commands the room, and at night she according to the institute. dery on another cashmere top in black, the) life they live. ... It’s more crazy than it’s inspires fantasy. It’s very seductive.” The museum held a special preview of worn with wool felt pants in ivory. “I like ever been.” the exhibit on Monday to coincide with women to look glamorous,” Herrera said. The designer’s pal, Susan Sarandon, New York Fashion Week. Andrew Bolton, “Why not?” — AP knows a thing or two about glamour and the institute’s curator, spoke afterward fit, Karan-style. “I love the comfort of what about the scope of the new show. she makes, and also anyone that has “I think it’s probably our most ambitious breasts, sometimes people don’t dress for to date,” he said in an interview, “because it breasts,” said the actress, sitting on Karan’s includes both the Costume Institute and also the Asian art galleries, so it’s probably twice the size of the Alexander McQueen exhibition that we did several years ago.” An intriguing twist of the exhibit is the role of film. Famed Hong Kong director lifestyle WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

Scienziato Luminor 1950 Tourbillon, a watch of remarkable technical content

cienziato is one of the many per minute within the small sec- sobriquets earned by Galileo onds dial. The calibre consists of SGalilei in the course of his 277 components and has three long life entirely devoted to barrels, providing a power reserve research into extending the of a good six days. This power boundaries of human knowledge reserve is indicated on the back of through scientific learning. the movement. His discoveries had a revolu- The P.2005/S also has the sec- tionary impact on the develop- ond time zone function, with a ment of mechanical timekeeping, central hand and day/night indi- which would not be as it is today cation on an auxiliary dial at 3 without Galileo’s formulation of o’clock, and the system for the the law of isochronism of the pen- rapid setting of local time, which In this Feb. 9, 2015, photo, Chinese chefs prepare Boston lobsters at the Frank Carlson breaks a claw off a lobster at the Sea Hag Seafood processing dulum. Officine Panerai’s link with enables the hour hand to move in Auspicious Garden restaurant in Pangu Seven Star Hotel in Beijing. — AP plant in St George, Maine. ‘Lo Scienzato’ is founded on this jumps of one hour at a time with- and reinforced by the Tuscan ori- out interfering with the move- gins they have in common. ment of the minute hand or the Now it is expressed in the running of the watch. Florentine brand’s new tribute to Galileo: Lo Scienziato Luminor American lobster: The new 1950 Tourbillon GMT Ceramica, a watch of remarkable technical content with costly finishing, a demonstration of the depth of technical horological knowledge that exists in the Manufacture in Chinese New Year delicacy Neuchtel.

ow on the menu in Beijing for Chinese New Year: lots and lots of American lobster. Exports of US Nlobster to China have rocketed in the past few years, largely to satisfy the appetites of the communist country’s growing middle class, to whom a steamed, whole crustacean - flown in live from the United States - is not just a festive delicacy and a good-luck symbol but also a mark of prosperity. And that’s good news for Maine, far and away the No. 1 lobster state in the United States. The lobster boom has put more money in the pockets of lobstermen and kept shippers and processors busy during the usually slack midwinter months. For Stephanie Nadeau, owner of The Lobster Co., a wholesaler in Arundel, Maine, the demand has meant 14-hour nights spent stuffing wriggling lob- sters into crates so they can reach China in time for the Lunar New Year, which falls on Thursday. She said she sends 100,000 pounds a week to China this time of year. Thanks to the extensive work “There’s lot of orders, lots of demand right now - it is a of skilful skeletonisation and the race to get them there for Chinese New Year,” Nadeau sapphire crystal porthole in the said. On the other side of the world, every morning at 9, back, the P.2005/S hand-wound For the first time, the P.2005/S the Auspicious Garden restaurant in Beijing receives 800 movement with tourbillon calibre is housed in a Luminor lobsters that have just crossed the Pacific aboard a cargo escapement, entirely developed 1950 case with a diameter of 48 plane. In the evening, hundreds of diners fill the two-sto- and produced in the Officine mm, made of black ceramic based ry restaurant in the gigantic Pangu Seven Stars Hotel for Panerai Manufacture, is in full on zirconium oxide, a technically a nearly $80 all-you-can-eat buffet with New England view. The plates, barrels and very advanced material which lobster as the main attraction. bridges have been skeletonised so provides lightness, toughness and Kyle Murdock, owner of Sea Hag Lobster Processing, holds a tray of lobster tails in a refrigerator at his that every internal detail can be corrosion resistance. In line with High-class restaurants plant in Tenants Harbor, Maine. — AP seen, and most of the compo- the history of Panerai, a brand Xu Daqiang, a 35-year-old businessman on a roman- climbed from $2.1 million in 2009 to $90.5 million in which accounts for more 80 percent of all U.S. lobster, nents have been galvanically associated with the sea since its tic date with his girlfriend, said food-safety concerns in 2014, federal statistics show. China took about 12 per- hauled in more than 250 million pounds in 2012-13, the blackened to harmonise perfectly origins, Lo Scienziato – Luminor China make him choose expensive high-class restau- cent of U.S. lobster exports in 2014, up from 0.6 percent highest two-year total in the record books, which go with the colour of the case. The 1950 Tourbillon GMT Ceramica is rants where he can find imported seafood. in 2009. For the Chinese, the preferred way of enjoying back to the 1800s. most fascinating element of the water-resistant and it is tested to Cao Lijun, a 24-year-old Shanghai resident celebrat- lobster is to cook it in plain water and then dip the Chinese New Year is on the verge of becoming P.2005/S calibre, both technically withstand a pressure of 10 atmos- ing her friend’s birthday, alluded to lobster’s reputed pieces in soy sauce and wasabi. Another popular way is Maine’s second-biggest lobster shipping week of the and visually, is the tourbillon cage pheres (about 100 metres). aphrodisiac properties with a laugh: “How to say it? It to braise it with green bean vermicelli noodles in garlic year, behind Christmas week, according to industry offi- which makes two rotations per Lo Scienziato - Luminor 1950 makes my husband healthier. Really, this is what we say, sauce, said Lv Hui, the cook in charge of the daily buffet cials. Lobsterman Gerry Cushman of Port Clyde said the minute on an axis at right angles Tourbillon GMT Ceramica because it is high in proteins.” at the Auspicious Garden. year-round demand from China has helped drive prices to that of the balance, providing (PAM00528) is supplied with a Lobsters and other foods seen as luxuries are popular up, and he is using the extra money to build a new boat. the best possible compensation strap of natural, untreated leather, at Lunar New Year and other festive occasions. The bright Lobsters pupular But so far, Cushman said, the surge has not driven for errors of rate caused by gravi- fastened by an adjustable buckle red of a cooked lobster is considered lucky, as it resem- Wang Kang, a marketing manager at Zhangzidao large numbers of Maine fishermen to go out in the mid- ty. A small disc covered with ecru in blackened steel. The special bles a dragon. China also imports lobsters from Canada, Group, a seafood distributor and processor in Shanghai, dle of winter, a punishingly cold and wet time of year in Super-LumiNova® displays the presentation case in which it is Australia, South Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere, but attributed lobster’s popularity in China to rising incomes. the Atlantic when lobsters head out into deeper, more rotation of the tourbillon on the sold also contains a second black the market for the U.S. variety is exploding, with the “That naturally means that people are buying more for- dangerous waters. Maine’s small number of winter lob- dial side, making two revolutions leather strap and a screwdriver. demand strong year-round, not just at New Year’s. eign luxury goods,” Wang said. New England lobstermen stermen, Cushman said, consists of “stragglers who are American exports of live or processed lobster to China have been recording epic catches in recent years. Maine, stupid like me, or who have kids.” — AP

A Cuban woman (R) dances as the “California Repercussions” band from San Francisco in the United States, per- Members of the “California Repercussions” band from San Francisco in the United States and a Cuban musician form at a park in old Havana, yesterday.US — AFP photos rockers Dead(2L), perform at a park in old Havana.Daisies to make rare Cuba tour

he Dead Daisies, featuring former “With the long overdue changes in diplo- States. Audioslave, the hard rock band head- members of Guns ‘n’ Roses, will tour macy just ahead, it feels like the right time to ed by former Soundgarden singer Chris TCuba this month in a first for a US rock come and hang,” said keyboardist Dizzy Cornell, played before tens of thousands of band since the easing of decades of ten- Reed, who was previously with Guns ‘N’ people in Cuba in 2005. Audioslave’s gui- A member of the “California sions. The hard rockers plan a week of Roses. “It’s been a life long dream of mine to tarist Tom Morello of Rage Against the Repercussions” band from recording sessions with local artists and oth- experience Cuba, so much history and influ- Machine is known for his left-wing politics, San Francisco in the United er events in Havana culminating in a per- ence in this part of the world, and now that although he said that the concert was not States and a Cuban musician formance on February 28 at the Cuba Rocks is about to happen.” Reed said in a statement aimed at making a direct political statement. (R), perform at a park in old for Peace concert at open-air Salon Rosado Tuesday announcing the visit. Superstar music couple Jay-Z and Beyonce Havana. The band is the first music group to visit Cuba de la Tropical. Bassist Marco Mendoza, who grew up in visited Cuba in 2013, leading some conser- since Washington and The band said that the tour would be the Mexico and speaks Spanish, said that he vatives to charge that they were violating a Havana announced last first for a major US act since President looked forward to exploring the island’s her- US ban on tourism to the island. month they were beginning Barack Obama’s landmark announcement in itage, especially the Afro-Cuban culture. But the Treasury Department had the process of restoring December that Washington would seek to Despite the prolonged political animosity approved the couple’s trip, along with diplomatic ties after 50 years repair relations with Cuba and ease decades between their countries, musicians have Audioslave’s years earlier, as a cultural of bitter disagreements and of economic pressure against the commu- long served as a bridge and prominent exchange. Obama has called for easing little to no nist island. Cuban artists have worked in the United restrictions on US travel to Cuba. — AFP communication. — AFP American lobster: The new Chinese New Year delicacy39 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

NEWMardi ORLEANS: Members of the Alcorn State University Band Grasmarch in the Krewe of Proteus Mardi Gras paradein in New Orleans, MondayNew. The day is known as Lundi Gras, the dayOrleans before Mardi Gras. — AP Glitzy balls, then the parades

evelers in evening gowns and tuxedoes danced its inspiration from the Lower 9th Ward, a New Orleans Bentley. Ordinary folks took to dressing up. Friends into the wee hours Tuesday at glitzy balls, kicking district devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. “It all Alexandra Sergutin and Ashley Dornier of New Orleans Roff the annual Mardi Gras bash that spills costumed started down there,” he said of the Louisiana neighbor- said donning elegant gowns for the Carnival balls is one merrymakers into the streets of New Orleans for partying, hood where levees broke and surging stormwaters splin- of their favorite Mardi Gras activities. parades and trinkets tossed from floats. tered wooden homes. But after Katrina, he said, “Life is Al Johnson, singer of the catchy Mardi Gras tune going on.” Celebrities and celebrity watchers are also Celebrations “Carnival Time,” served as grand marshal of the Red Beans around at Mardi Gras and this year was no exception. “It feels good to be a part of that tradition. It really and Rice foot parade, a Monday prelude to the all-out The cast of the CBS crime drama “NCIS: New Orleans” does. It touches your heart,” said Sergutin, draped in col- revelry known as “Fat Tuesday.” He also joined in eating got to experience Mardi Gras firsthand as they rode in the orful beads. “ ... You’re a part of something amazing and spicy traditional fare of red beans and rice before attend- Orpheus parade late Monday, tossing beads to revelers big.” Around daybreak Tuesday, retired clarinetist Peter ing the Orpheus Ball, one of several as the partying lining city streets before heading off to the ball. Their Fountain was to help kick off the citywide party. began in this Mississippi River port. Mardi Gras episode airs Tuesday night at 8 p.m. CST. Now 84, Fountain no longer makes the walk of 10 Johnson told The Associated Press his catchy song - Other celebrities joining in the Orpheus revelry were miles or so of his Half-Fast Walking Club, which he helped now synonymous with the annual Carnival seasons - got comedian Ron White and country music star Dierks found more than half a century ago. And the threat of overcast skies and high temperatures in the 50s - on the cool side for south Louisiana winters - wasn’t expected to Taylor Kinney and Lady Gaga attend the 37th Annual deter revelers coming out en masse - and later thronging Kennedy Center Honors in Washington. Lady Gaga the French Quarter. announced on her Instagram account Monday that she “At least it’s not as cold as last year,” meteorologist Phil and Kinney are engaged. — AP Grigsby said. “Last year was cold and rainy. This year at least will be dry.” The 2014 Mardi Gras was the coldest ever in March, Lady Gaga with a high of 42 degrees, said Robert Ricks, who pre- pared the National Weather Service’s Mardi Gras history webpage. engaged Celebrations also were scheduled throughout south Louisiana and in coastal Mississippi and Alabama, sharing op diva Lady Gaga announced to the world Monday the traditions brought by French Catholic colonists in the that she is getting married-to an actor she met mak- 18th century. In Louisiana’s swampy bayou parishes, cos- Ping a video, in which she wore her mother’s wedding tumed riders on horseback go from farm to farm, collect- dress. The 28-year-old superstar, who has become as ing ingredients for a huge community gumbo. known for her extravagant outfits as for her music, revealed After Fountain’s group early yesterday, parade groups the engagement by showing a simple, heart-shaped ring follow, including the “krewe of Rex, king of Carnival,” who that fiance Taylor Kinney gave her. wears a golden crown and carries a golden scepter. That “He gave me his heart on Valentine’s Day, and I said YES!” group features some of the season’s most wildly fantastic Gaga said in a caption to the picture she shared with her floats. After Rex come two groups of “truck floats” by the 5.5 million followers on Instagram. hundreds flatbed trailers decorated by costumed riders - Gaga met Kinney in 2011 when filming the video for whether families, clubs or other social groups. “You & I” in the open fields of Nebraska. Despite the roman- The parades all wind down late yesterday afternoon tic title, the video was full of disturbing imagery including and outdoor celebrations cease at midnight, when the simulated torture of Gaga. solemn Catholic season of Lent begins. New Orleans In a foreshadowing of the relationship to come, Gaga police ride horseback down the French Quarter’s revealed that she wore her mother’s wedding dress for the Bourbon Street to clear the last tipsy revelers at the end, video. It also showed Gaga-clad as a mermaid-having sex A float rider throws beads from his float during the Krewe of Proteus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. signaling the party is over for another year. — AP with Kinney. Kinney popped the question to Gaga, an Italian American whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, over a Valentine’s Day dinner at the New York restaurant Joanne Trattoria which is owned by her parents, according to celebrity magazine Us Weekly. Kinney, 33, has acted in a range of television shows, such as “Chicago Fire,” and films. He had a recurring role on the television series “The Vampire Diaries” and played a Navy SEAL in “Zero Dark Thirty,” Kathryn Bigelow’s contro- versial thriller about the killing of Osama bin Laden. Gaga started off in the New York underground before her 2008 debut album “The Fame,” with its infectious dance sound and her racy persona, became an unexpected global smash hit. Her success was fueled by the popularity of her song “Poker Face,” in which Gaga hints at her bisexuality and boyfriends’ struggles to understand it. Gaga became known for her sexually charged live shows as well as her outrage-inducing attire, including a dress made of raw meat that she wore to the MTV Video Music Awards in 2010. More recently, Gaga has sought to show herself as more than a sensational persona. She has teamed up with 88- year-old Tony Bennett for an album of jazz standards, “Cheek to Cheek,” accompanied by a tour with little of her Barker Curry, 4, cheers to floats for beads and trinkets, while his cousin Sophia Curry, 3, right, Members of the all-male dance group “The 610 Stompers” pose for a photo with past on-stage theatrics. — AFP looks at one of her trinkets, during the Krewe of Proteus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. parade-goers during the Krewe of Proteus Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans.