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MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 JAMADA ALTHANI 22, 1438 AH www.kuwaittimes.net

Livestock traders warned Min 17º for artificial price inflation Max 24º High Tide 05:08 & 16:03 Low Tide Panel to probe firms halting imports to create shortage 10:20 & 23:31 40 PAGES NO: 17173 150 FILS Rock ‘n’ roll By Sara Ahmed KUWAIT: Government officials issued a stern warning against an alleged plot to manipulate the prices of pioneer Chuck sheep ahead of Ramadan by some traders after news leaked that traders were planning to limit imports of Berry dies at 90 certain livestock in order to inflate prices. On Saturday, concerned authorities including NEW YORK: Chuck Berry, who duck-walked his way Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan, into the pantheon of rock ‘n’ roll pioneers as one of its Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Mohammad Al- most influential guitarists and lyricists, creating rau- Jabri, head of Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) cous anthems that defined the genre’s sound and Bandar Al-Lafi and other senior officials met to discuss heartbeat, died on the problem. Saturday at his Missouri Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Minister of home. He was 90. State for Municipal Affairs Mohammad Al-Jabri con- Police in St Charles demned a number of livestock importing companies County, outside St Louis, which announced intentions to increase the prices of said they were called to Berry’s home by a caretaker meat before Ramadan. The companies have reportedly and found him unrespon- signed an agreement with each other calling for a col- sive. Efforts to revive him lective increase of prices; something that the minister failed and he was pro- described as ‘tampering with food security’ in Kuwait. nounced dead at 1.26 pm “Manipulating food security is a crime that will not local time. Considered one go unaccounted for,” Jabri warned, noting that a special of the founding fathers of committee had been formed to investigate the matter Chuck Berry rock ‘n’ roll, Charles Edward and that companies found to be engaged in price Anderson Berry was present at its infancy in the manipulation would face severe penalties. 1950s and emerged as its first star guitarist and song- The Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish writer - a nearly 30-year-old black performer whose Resources (PAAFR) also warned that legal action would style electrified young white audiences and was emu- be taken against companies trying to establish a lated by white performers who came to dominate monopoly over the [livestock] market. In a statement American popular music. Although Elvis Presley was published by KUNA, PAAFR noted that such maneuvers called the king of rock ‘n’ roll, that crown would have are illicit and prohibited by law, referring to tactics in fit just as well on Berry’s own carefully sculpted pom- which some companies dupe consumers into purchas- padour. — Reuters (See Page 36) ing food commodities at inflated prices. KUWAIT: A herd of sheep is moved to a livestock market in Kuwait. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Continued on Page 13

White House Assembly panel debates security boosted anti-corruption laws By B Izzak MP Mohammad Al-Dallal said the dis- after arrest cussion also comes after Kuwait’s position KUWAIT: National Assembly legal and in the international Corruption Perception WASHINGTON: The US Secret Service bolstered legislative committee yesterday dis- Index (CPI) has dropped and following a security at the White House late on Saturday after a cussed a number of draft laws for fight- challenge to the constitutional court call- man was arrested after making threats at one of its ing corruption in light of the dispute ing that judges should not be subjected checkpoints, an official said. CNN reported that the within the Anti-Corruption Authority, to the Anti-Corruption Authority. man made a threat claiming he had a bomb in his head of the panel said. Continued on Page 13 car, and that he was immediately arrested and the car in which he was travelling seized. President Donald Trump was away in Florida at the time “On March 18, 2017 at approximately 11.05 pm, TOULOUSE: People attend a memorial ceremony in Toulouse yesterday dedicated to an individual drove a vehicle up to a Secret Service the three children Arieh and Gabriel Sandler, and Myriam Monsonego who were killed checkpoint located at 15th Street and E Street NW,” a outside a school in a murderous spree in the French city of Toulouse in 2012. — AFP Secret Service spokesman said in the latest of a series of White House security concerns. “Upon con- French police probe tact with the individual, US Secret Service Uniform Division Officers detained the individual and declared his vehicle suspicious. In accordance with motives of attacker proper protocols, Secret Service personnel increased their posture of readiness,” he added. Just hours ear- PARIS: French investigators were yester- capital’s second-busiest airport and the lier, a person was arrested after jumping over a bike day trying to establish whether the man cancellation of dozens of flights. rack in an apparent bid to reach the fence outside shot dead after holding up a soldier at By yesterday morning the situation the White House, the Secret Service said. Orly airport in Paris had planned the had nearly returned to normal. Ben The individual was detained immediately and attack or acted on impulse. Saturday’s Belgacem, who was born in France to criminal charges are pending, the agency said in a assault by 39-year-old Ziyed Ben Tunisian parents, said he wanted to “die statement, without identifying the suspect. KUWAIT: Vehicles move slowly on a rain-soaked highway yesterday. Sporadic rains Belgacem caused a major security scare, for Allah” and that others too would die Continued on Page 13 accompanied by gusty winds and lightning lashed many parts of Kuwait yesterday leading to the temporary closure of the Continued on Page 13 prompting motorists to drive cautiously on slippery roads. — KUNA

20 LOCAL MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Interior His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah and the newly appointed officials. —KUNA photos meets with the newly appointed officials.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah meets with members His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Sabah meets with Malta’s Foreign Minister Dr George Vella. of the diwans’ association. Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with the Malta’s Foreign Minister Dr George Vella. Amir stresses efforts to maintain Kuwait’s security

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- His Highness the Amir urged them to work hard Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received Deputy Prime to serve the nation and maintain Kuwait’s security Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al- and rule of law. The senior officials later met with Sabah at Bayan Palace yesterday. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al- During the meeting, the minister introduced Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah in his new Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al- capacity as Chairman of the Directorate General of Civil Hamad Al-Sabah. Aviation, retired Lieutenant General Suleiman Fahad Al- Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir received the Fahad in his new capacity as the Advisor of the Deputy Republic of Malta’s Foreign Minister Dr George Vella, on Premier and Interior Minister, Sheikh Mubarak Salem Al- the occasion of his visit to the country. First Deputy Ali Al-Sabah, the Chief of the State External Security Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Apparatus, Major General Mansour Al-Awadhi, Khaled Al-Sabah attended the meeting. The visiting Assistant Undersecretary for Security Border minister also met with His Highness the Prime Minister. Checkpoints, Major General Sheikh Salem Nawaf Al- In other news, His Highness the Amir received mem- Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Assistant Undersecretary for bers of the diwans’ association. The hosted members Administrative Affairs, on the occasion of their are Abdulrahman Al-Me’jel, Issa Mohammad Al-Mazidi His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with the newly appointed appointments. and Raja Al-Hujailan Al-Mutairi. —KUNA officials. Kuwait, Malta ink cultural, art deals

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and his Maltese counterpart Dr George Vella sign one of the agreements. —KUNA photos

KUWAIT: Kuwait and Malta yesterday signed an agree- Adwani, along with senior Foreign Ministry officials. ment to boost cultural and artistic cooperation between Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled held talks earlier with his both nations. Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Maltese counterpart which focused on strategies for Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al- closer bilateral ties. The meeting also tackled issues of Sabah and his Maltese counterpart Dr George Vella were mutual concern, in addition to regional and internation- the signatories of the deal. al developments. The proceedings were attended by Deputy Foreign Separately, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled met with US Minister Ambassador Khaled Al-Jarallah, Assistant Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman. The meet- Foreign Minister for European Affairs Ambassador ing was attended by Deputy Commander of the US Waleed Al-Khubaizi, Assistant Foreign Minister for the Central Command’ Operations and Intelligence and affairs of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Combined Joint Task Force Major General Scott A Minister’s office Ambassador Sheikh Dr Ahmad Nasser Kindsvater. During the meeting, they discussed coordi- Al-Sabah, Assistant Foreign Minister for the affairs of the nation over several issues pertinent to the latest region- Deputy Foreign Minister’s office Ambassador Ayhem Al- al and international developments and issues of mutual Omar and Kuwait’s Ambassador to Malta Faisal Al- interest. —KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah meets with US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence Silverman. —KUNA LOCAL MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

Legalese

Location, branding and govt support for SMEs

By Attorney Fajer Ahmed

fter the success of my previous articles regarding starting of a business in Kuwait, I Adecided to continue answering your ques- tions regarding establishing a business in Kuwait. I have to say I am really proud of the amount of tal- ent in Kuwait and the GCC, we have really moved forward in the past 10 years, in different sectors. I know that the legal process can be confusing at times, but it is becoming simpler by the day, so please don’t be discouraged. So many people have obtained licensing in Kuwait and have succeeded and we all have something special to offer and unique that we can share with the community. I have mentioned this before but I think it is impor- tant to get the information out there, since a lot of people still don’t know about it. Please visit Kuwait KUWAIT: Officials attend a panel discussion held as part of the forum. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Business Center if you are thinking of starting a business they are there for your support. KIPCO hosts partnership forum Physical space Question: If I am starting a business and the operations are going to be entirely online. Do I Faten Omar experts will give presentations that will experiences, which reflects on the quali- is about being clear and honest in order to require a physical space to obtain a commercial help non-profit organizations in develop- ty of products or projects. achieve maximum benefit and face the chal- license under Kuwaiti law? What do I need to know KUWAIT: The Kuwait Projects Company ing the society,” she added. lenges ahead,” she explained. before renting a space? (KIPCO) kicked off the third Sharakah (part- Meanwhile, Minister Sabeeh talked Evolution Dr Adnan Shihab-Eldin, Director General Fajer: A physical location/space is a requirement nership) Forum and Workshops at Salwa Al- about the ‘New Kuwait 2030’ vision, say- Defining the meaning of ‘Sharakah,’ Faisal of Kuwait Foundation for the advancement of to obtain a license under Kuwaiti law, even for non- Sabah Ballroom yesterday, under the ing that it is a vision where the civil soci- Hamad Al-Ayyar, Vice Chairman of KIPCO, sciences (KFAS), said that “the importance of commercial licenses a physical space is required. patronage and the attendance of the ety, government and private sectors are said that the civil society has evolved. “We partnership is what we are seeking today in Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and participating in the evaluation of gov- can see nowadays the evolution of partner- this forum; which provides a solid infrastruc- Like I said in my previous article, the Kuwaiti gov- Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind ernment’s projects. “This year, all parties ship between the government and the civil ture to build good ideas. Like we do in KFAS, ernment is trying to encourage SMEs by possibly Al-Sabeeh. The event is held in cooperation will participate in projects that will society. We made sure today to get all par- we choose special people to be our partners. allowing them to start home businesses in Kuwait with the Kuwait Foundation for the develop the State of Kuwait,” she said. ties involved to discuss ideas and better We are very proud to be leading the way in soon, with a draft law being discussed currently. I Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). “Many non-profit organizations offered serve the community.” this arena, and hope to be able to contribute hope that in the future there will be a new law that The forum gives opportunity to compa- good ideas that will be taken into con- Sheikha Al-Zain Al Sabah, the Ministry of effectively to emphasize the role of partner- allows companies that operate entirely from the nies and state departments to meet and sideration at the Ministry of Economic State for Youth Affairs’ Undersecretary, noted ships in development.” Two panel discussions world wide web to not need a physical location in discuss cooperation on potential partner- Affairs.” Minister Sabeeh affirmed that that partnership, either locally or globally, were featured at the forum, addressing cross- order to obtain a commercial license. ship projects, said Abeer Al-Omar, Group real partnership happens when all par- means to participate to achieve the main col- sector partnerships and sustainable develop- CSR Manager at KIPCO. “International ties involved can share their ideas and lective goals. “Partnership between two sides ment as a driver for innovation. Branding Question: Can someone else own my branding? How do I ensure that other companies do not use Kuwait partakes my branding? Fajer: If you have copyrighted your branding, i.e. in Arab conference your trademark, slogan and so on, then even if someone else does use your branding you can pre- KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al- vent them from continuing to do so and ask for Ghanem, accompanied by a delegation of the parliamen- compensation should any damages occur to your tary caucus, headed for the Moroccan capital Rabat on business. In May 2014, a new GCC Trade Mark law Sunday to partake in the 24th conference of the Arab Inter- was promulgated so now you can trademark your Parliamentary Union (AIPU) due to kick off later today. logo in the GCC and not just Kuwait. You can also Al-Ghanem’s delegation was seen off at the airport by trademark your logo in different regions around the Deputy Speaker Essa Al-Kanderi, Moroccan Ambassador to world but you should know that there will be a dif- the State of Kuwait Jaafar Hakim and the assistant secre- ferent cost for every region and it could get expen- tary general for sessions, Essa Al-Loghani. sive for SMEs. The speaker will take part in a consultative meeting of To register your trademark in Kuwait you can visit the Arab parliaments’ chairmen, scheduled later today, and https://www.e.gov.kw/sites/kgoEnglish/Pages/Hom will address the Kuwaiti delegation statement at the con- ference on Monday. ePage.aspx for more information or the Ministry of Moreover, he is scheduled, along with his companions, Commerce. to proceed to Sweden, on Tuesday, on a two-day official visit, in response to an invitation from his Swedish counter- Social Security part, Urban Ahlin. Speaker Al-Ghanem, during his stay in Question: As a Kuwaiti that owns a business, the European nation, will also meet senior officials namely can I still get Social Security payments? King Carl XVI Gustaf. Fajer: Yes, you can register under section num- The delegation includes Undersecretary of the ber five according to Public Institution for Public Parliamentary Caucus, Rakan Al-Nisf, Caucus Secretary Dr Security. You will have to pay your own social secu- Odah Al-Ruwaiee, Treasurer Walid Al-Tabtabaei, members rity insurance every month since you are the owner of the Caucus Executive Committee Omar Al-Tabtabaei and of the business but you can still receive monthly Yousef Al-Fadhalah in addition to MPs Safaa Al-Hashem, Al- support through the Manpower and Government Humaidi Al-Subaiee and Ali Al-Deqbasi. Restructuring Program. There are different amounts Also in the escort are National Assembly General for different specialization or degrees. Secretary Allam Al-Kanderi, Assistant General Secretary for I hope the above has helped. If you have any fur- Media and Public Relations Abdulhakim Al-Sabti and ther questions or you would like to know more KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem, accompanied by a delegation of the par- Assistant General Secretary for the National Assembly please email me at [email protected]. liamentary caucus, leave for the Moroccan capital Rabat yesterday. —KUNA Guards’ Affairs, Khaled Al-Wqait. —KUNA Bedoon nurses, ambulance Car thieves arrested Charity market for drivers to get extra allowances gifted Kuwaiti students By Hanan Al-Saadoun Police arrested the prime suspect first, KUWAIT: Sheikha Fadia Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, the By Meshaal Al-Enezi Al-Ajmi citizenship case returned then apprehended his accomplices. They chair of Al-Saad Charity Foundation for Knowledge and In other news, a Kuwait court of appeal KUWAIT: Police arrested multiple sus- were sent to the proper authorities to Scientific Research, KUWAIT: Bedoon nurses and ambulance annulled a sentence passed by the court of pects yesterday on charges of stealing face charges. announced plans to drivers will now receive an additional KD first instance concerning the withdrawal of cars from Shuwaikh. Detectives had iden- organize its first charity 70 per month as extra allowances for Saad Al-Ajmi’s citizenship and decided to tified one of the suspects during investi- Fish destroyed market at the late infection risk and hazard pay. According return the case to the lower court. Al Ajmi, gations in several theft cases reported Kuwait Municipality inspectors confis- Shiekha Mariam Saad Al- recently. Investigations had revealed that cated and destroyed 110 kilograms of fish to Marzouq Al-Rashidi, assistant under- a former spokesman for the opposition Abdullah Al-Salem Al- secretary for administrative affairs at the Popular Action Movement and a former the man and his partners used tow trucks from the fish market yesterday, after it was to steal cars left in open spaces for repair. found to be unfit for human consumption. Sabah’s Hall in Qadisiya, Ministry of Health, the Civil Service correspondent for Al-Arabiya news chan- and that from the 25th to Commission approved the request to pro- nel, had his citizenship revoked in 2014. He the 31st of March 2017. vide the extra allowances for Bedoon staff was deported to Saudi Arabia. Though Hosting this event reflects in the nursing and ambulance roles. The born in Kuwait, Ajmi was one of nearly 20 the charity’s keenness on allowance includes KD 35 per month for people who had their citizenship revoked developing the skills of infection risk and KD 35 per month hazard during the period of political upheaval in female Kuwaiti students pay. The allowances will be retroactively Kuwait from 2012 to 2014. and encouraging them to paid from August 9, 2016. Bedoons are take part in social devel- stateless Arabs who live in Kuwait but do Espionage case adjourned opment, she said. The not hold Kuwaiti nationality. Thousands of The court of cassation yesterday market will be held under these stateless residents work in the pub- adjourned hearing a case filed against a auspices of Sheikha Hala lic sector including in the ministries of number of citizens over charges of espi- Sheikha Fadia Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah Bader Mohammad Al- health, interior and other ministries. onage for Iran and Hezbollah plus the pos- Ahmad Al-Sabah, she session of weapons and explosives ( The said, adding that the revenues of the market would be Automated boarding Abdali cell case) to another hearing on allocated for supporting gifted and creative female Director of the Directorate General of March 26. Twenty-five Kuwaiti citizens and Kuwaiti students doing scientific research. Civil Aviation (DGCA), Yousif Al-Fouzan one Iranian national were charged in 2015 announced that automated boarding and with spying for Iran and Hezbollah when check-in services for passengers without authorities uncovered a huge cache of luggage would be launched soon at weapons at a farm in Al-Abdaly, in north- Kuwait International Airport though nine ern Kuwait near the border with Iraq. No new dramas ticket machines. Fouzan added that the Several of the accused were alleged to electronic parking fee payment machines have received military training in Lebanon. to help cut costs were already in use at the airport with Two were sentenced to death, including the aim of reducing crowds and long the Iranian (in absentia) and almost all the By A Saleh queues. “Those two services are designed others were found guilty of various crimes to serve the public and help develop the and given varying jail terms. The men have KUWAIT: The information ministry is not expected Kuwait airport to match airports in denied the charges. All have appealed to produce any new drama for Kuwait TV (KTV) or advanced countries,” he said. Fouzan also their convictions. Al-Qurain TV Channel; a historical channel noted that two special lounges were launched on February 25, and instead will settle opened for transit passengers and for the Mosque abolition to be investigated with showing works from KTV archives. Informed MOI to receive arrivals on visit and other Kuwait Municipality said that Minister of sources said that this decision is expected to take visas. Further, Fauzan said that DGCA Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Minister of State effect starting from April, adding that it came after would soon sign a contract to build a for Municipal Affairs Mohammed Al-Jabri surveying social media to gauge the public reac- third three kilometer long runway with a referred for investigation the demolition of tion to the programs broadcasted at the new consortium including a local company a mosque and Awqaf ministry employees channel, including feedback from former media and an international one. In addition, residence in Sulaibiya, to the public prose- icons. Since the information ministry owns an Fauzan said that 30 percent of the con- cution bureau. Notably, the investigations abundance of historical works that date back to struction works in the new airport has were ordered upon a letter from the Awqaf KTV’s creation in 1961, it decided to suspend pro- been completed so far and that construc- ministry undersecretary reporting that a ducing new shows as a cost-cutting measure, the tion was scheduled to be concluded by manager in a Jahra municipality depart- sources explained. November 2017. ment ordered the demolition. MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 LOCAL Photo of the day

KUWAIT: Children play by a fountain at Shaheed Park in Kuwait City. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Hawalli Governor Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (center) and Warba Bank’s CEO Shaheen Hamad Al-Ghanim (left) inaugurate the new branch. — Photos by Joseph Shagra Warba Bank opens its 11th branch in Shuhada

KUWAIT: In line with Warba Bank’s vision of strategic expansion in the most dynamic and distinctive areas of Kuwait, the bank estab- lished a new branch in the Shuhada area to provide the best pioneering sharia compliant banking services and solutions that are specif- ically designed to meet the needs of the bank’s customers. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by Hawalli Governor Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah, Warba Bank’s CEO Shaheen Hamad Al-Ghanim as well as a large number of local dignitaries of the Shuhada area and a number of the bank’s senior officials. With the inauguration of this new branch, Warba Bank now has 11 branches throughout Kuwait allow- Hawalli Governor Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah tours the branch. ing it to reach as many customers as possible. The new branch is characterized by its wide area and distinctive designs that are in line with the vision of the bank. It is equipped with the latest amenities and technology providing its diverse customers with a distinctive, high- class banking experience. The new branch pro- vides all banking services using high technolo- gy, based on its five-year strategic plan to develop the bank’s technical structure and to design banking tools that cope with techno- logical developments, adding high value to the bank’s branches. Warba Bank also offers its clients with special needs a great deal of care and attention. It offers them a range of banking services, including opening accounts, issuing bank cards and personal finance solutions. Warba Bank officials pose for a group photo in front of the new branch. Moreover, the staff at the new branch has been order to provide women with more privacy primarily for those clients. To confirm Warba trained on sign language for hearing impaired while performing their banking transactions. Bank’s expansion plan, Ghanim said, “the bank and printing Braille contracts for the blind. The highly professional bank staff will pro- management has taken the decision to open Furthermore, the new branch provides them vide all its various sharia-compliant services the Shuhada area branch as a strategic step to with special entry platforms to facilitate their and products to all its customers, including: serve the bank’s customers wherever they are, access to the branch. In addition, it includes a opening savings accounts, current accounts, and to strengthen its local branch network by special needs ATM in order to provide them personal finance services, and transfers, just to opening more branches in different areas of with more convenience and speed when con- name a few. Priority will be given to Al-Safwa Kuwait. This enhances our presence in the ducting cash withdrawals. The bank also pays Account customers in completing all transac- Islamic banking sector in the Kuwaiti market, attention to its female clients and it has created tions as a bank employee has been dedicated and enables us to expand our clientele and a female-only section within the new branch in attract more customers.” “Thanks to its structure and services, the Shuhada branch represents the new model that Warba Bank plans to adopt in other exist- ing and future branches to be established in the framework of our five-year expansion plan. We will offer a unique model that provides con- venience and an integrated banking experi- ence for our customers so as to meet their expectations and help them carry out their transactions smoothly,” Ghanim added. The opening of the new branch is a comple- mentary step to the bank’s strategic plans, which are constantly striving to improve the level of banking and financial services offered to customers and to develop them according to the highest standards. That the new branch is located in Block 4, next to Shuhada KUWAIT: Warba Bank’s newest branch in Shuhada area. Cooperative Society. LOCAL MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 Amir starts official visit to Turkey today

KUWAIT/ANKARA: His Highness the Amir cable to President Erdogan to congratulate ious levels and many agreements were Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah him on the failure of the coup attempt and signed in a number of areas. will start an official visit to Turkey today. the victory of democracy and will of Turkish During his visit, His Highness the Amir will people. The Kuwaiti-Turkish relations are not Agreements hold talks with Turkish President Recep new but deeply-rooted. The State of Kuwait In 2008, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tayyip Erdogan over efforts to boost bilateral had initiated its diplomatic ties with Turkey Sabah Al-Ahmad paid his first visit to Turkey. relations and cooperation in various in 1969 where the first diplomatic relations During this visit, seven agreements were domains. between the two countries were established signed for beefing up mutual cooperation in His Highness the Amir’s visit to Turkey is through coordination with the Embassy of various domains including economy, science, the second in less than a year as he led the Republic of Turkey in Beirut and then arts, manpower, and health. Moreover, a joint Kuwait’s delegation to the World moved to the Embassy of Turkey in Kuwait ministerial committee for cooperation was which was opened in 1971. formed. In 2013, His Highness the Amir visit- Kuwaiti-Turkish relations have been char- ed Turkey again and during his visit eight acterized by mutual respect over time, but agreements of cooperation in the domains have developed rapidly after the supportive of diplomacy, civil aviation, air transport, stance taken by Turkey in response to the higher education and scientific research, Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, in addition health, animal resources, defense industries, to its contribution along with the coalition and culture and artistic were inked. Both forces in the liberation of Kuwait, and put- sides also agreed on entry-visa exemption ting its military bases at the disposal of the for diplomatic and special passport holders. coalition forces to oversee the monitoring of In 2014, then Turkish president Abdullah the no-fly zone in northern Iraq. Gul visited Kuwait and his visit witnessed the Since the first hours of the Iraqi invasion, signing of several agreements for military Turkey had condemned this barbaric act and training and marine transport cooperation. considered it an act of aggression and The two countries hammered out two proto- assault on international law and the principle cols for cooperation in the fields of media Turkish Presidential Spokesman of international legitimacy, and declared its and journalism and manuscripts. Moreover, solidarity with Kuwait to demand the return both sides have signed a memorandum of Ambassador Ibrahim Kalin ANKARA: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is pictured of sovereignty and independence to it. understanding for military training and joint with the former Turkish president Abdullah Gul during a previous visit to Turkey. — KUNA Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May After liberation of Kuwait, His Highness maneuvers, and an agreement for supplying 2016. The Turkish President also paid a state the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al- a Turkish refinery with Kuwaiti crude. foodstuff, carpets, jewelry, vehicles, steel, entire region is confronted with grave chal- visit to Kuwait in April 2015. The repeated Jaber Al-Sabah visited Turkey in November Economic cooperation between Kuwait medicine, construction materials to Kuwait. lenges like terrorism and armed conflicts will visits and meetings between the two leaders 1991 and expressed the appreciation of and Turkey have been evolving quickly in the Turkey is one of top tourist destinations offer an opportunity to exchange views on showed the remarkable and accelerated Kuwait and personal gratitude for Turkey’s past years. The Kuwait Investment Authority for Kuwaiti travelers. The number of Kuwaiti how best we can address them. The two progress in relations between the two friend- stance towards the Iraqi invasion and its soli- has huge investments in real estate, shop- visitors to Turkey jumped from 20,000 in countries enjoy very close partnership in vari- ly countries over the past years. darity with the just right of Kuwait. ping centers, banking sector, stock markets 2010 to 70,000 in 2014. Trade exchange ous fields including trade, investments, His Highness Sheikh Jaber had said dur- and air transport in Turkey. In 2015, official surged from $700 million to over $2 billion. tourism and military cooperation share a Difficult times ing the visit that the Turkish people had cul- statistics estimated Kuwaiti investments in common will to develop their relations even The strength of the ties was reflected minated the close and well-established ties Turkey at $5 billion. Landmark visit further. I believe that the visit by His Highness clearly in difficult times. Thus, when the binding the two countries for many years Furthermore, Kuwaitis ranked third on the His Highness the Amir’s landmark visit to will be very fruitful in that respect. The agree- foiled coup attempt was carried out in July and opened a new chapter in the construc- list of foreign investors in Turkish real estate Turkey will crown our brotherly relations, ments to be signed during the visit on a wide 2016, Kuwait was one of the first countries to tive and fruitful cooperation for the best sector, according to an official report issued Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ambassador range of areas are manifestation of our close express support to the Turkish government interest of both peoples. After that, visits in January 2017. Turkey imports plastic and Ibrahim Kalin said yesterday. He added that partnership and will open up new avenues of and people. His Highness the Amir sent a between the two sides had continued at var- chemical materials from Kuwait and exports the visit is taking place at a time when the cooperation, Kalin added. — KUNA Kuwait, Turkey cooperate to alleviate suffering of Syrian refugees: Ambassador ANKARA: Kuwait and Turkey share similar stances of several political issues and cooperate effectively in addressing humanitarian consequences of the Syrian crisis, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Turkey Ghassan Al-Zawawi has stated. “Kuwait, under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has been playing a pivotal and decisive role in deal- ing with the humanitarian repercussions of the Syrian conflict,” Zawawi said. Kuwait hosted three consecutive international conferences for Syria donors and financed the establishment of a village for Syrian Kuwait’s Ambassador to refugees in the southern Turkish city of Turkey Ghassan Al-Zawawi Kilis, he added. He pointed out that Kuwaiti govern- and their Turkish counterparts, and a cere- ment and non-government humanitarian mony for signing a number of cooperation and relief agencies have been exerting agreements in the fields of defense, Islamic relentless efforts to help Syrian refugees in Affairs and tourism as well as agreements Turkey and relieve the heavy burden on between the Kuwait Fund for Arab the back of Turkish government is this Economic Developments and Turkish insti- regard. He argued that Turkey bears the tutions for financing several development burden of hosting three millions of Syrian projects in various Turkish governorates. refugees and providing them with their Zawawi stated that Kuwait and Turkey Kuwaiti Army’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant General basic needs. have a “very good” relations at all levels, Mohammad Al-Khoder On His Highness the Amir’s visit, especially in economy. There are huge Zawawi noted that Turkish government Kuwaiti investments in Turkey in various and people are delighted by the expected sectors especially banks, real estate, Kuwait-US military visit of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al- Tourism, he said, adding that there are Ahmad. On the visit agenda, the ambassa- great opportunities for increasing such exercises kick off dor clarified that it includes a summit investments in the future, he pointed out. meeting between His Highness the Amir He reiterated Kuwait’s support for stability KUWAIT: The military exercise, “Eagles Resolve and Turkish President Recep Tayyip in Turkey and condemnation of the terror- 2017” is one of the most monumental drills at both Erdogan, high-level talks between the ist attacks and the recent foiled coup regional and international levels, the Kuwaiti Army’s accompanying senior Kuwaiti delegation attempt. —KUNA Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mohammad Al- Khoder said yesterday. In a speech during a prelimi- nary meeting to set the stage for the exercise, Khoder said that the drill aims to boost defense cooperation between the Gulf region and the United States. Moreover, he noted that senior offi- cials from across the defense spectrum will partake in the exercise, where meticulous preparations have been in place for a year due to the enormity of the event. Meanwhile, Director of the Operations and Planning Unit General Mishaal Abdullah revealed that the exercise is made up of various phases, not- ing that as the host of the military drill, Kuwait will stand to gain from the defense knowhow that the event will exhibit. The annual military drill brings together the armies of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and the US.

Martyrs’ children In other news, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah ordered concerned personnel to examine a proposal to enroll in the ministry sons of martyrs and those who had taken part in ‘Arab wars’ as well as the war for the liberation of Kuwait. The ministry said in a statement that the propos- al concerns sons of personnel who had served for 30 years and registered in the 1965 census, in appreciation for their devotion and sacrifices for serving the homeland. The proposal has been introduced “due to cur- rent circumstances and new projects that require additional manpower,” the ministry statement said. This issue has been considered at a meeting of top officers-chaired by the Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled. Chief of the National Service Authority Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Salem Al-Omairi briefed partici- pants about Law 20/2015 concerning the national military services, to be effective on May 10th. Meanwhile, the assistant chief of staff for man- power, Major General Khaled Madhi Al-Shemmari, presented information about the army manpower, combat readiness and statistical figures about applicants for the service over the past three years. In this respect, the minister has given instructions to “remove all obstacles” to pave way for execution according to schedules, as stipulated by relevant laws. -— KUNA MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 From the Arabic press

Crime Al-Anbaa Report Youngsters fight Camels and sheep in famous cafe

KUWAIT: Several young men were detained in Salwa By Saleh Al-Shayeji police station after a violent fight in a famous cafe. The men caused extensive damages inside the place. do not know how to describe the effect this piece of Preliminary investigations indicate that the fight started news had on me when I first heard it from a friend. I when one person confronted another for allegedly ‘staring Itried to verify it through many sources and friends in provocatively’ at him, and the two were soon joined by various countries and unfortunately, they confirmed it. their respective friends. The news says that the so-called Islamic Schools in Europe and America have banned teaching music. I do not know if the ban is also applied in all non-Muslim Scam countries, though I know it is most likely done. Investigations are underway to arrest a con artist who The reason for my shock is how far ignorance and scammed a citizen into paying money for pieces of land bad ideas that tend to get tougher, darker and uglier that he never provided. In her statements to police, the in life are controlling us and even spreading to the woman said that she was drawn to an ad promoting countries of light, liberty, science, art, beauty and all pieces of land that can be used to build residential com- pounds on. She contacted the number given, and arranged to meet the advertiser. She agreed to pay a What makes me furious deposit after checking the land she intended to buy. Achievements However, the man never transferred ownership over the land as promised, and refused to return back the money when is that those countries she asked him to do so, therefore she filed a case with police.

Al-Anbaa allow such a thing to happen Assault Juveniles prosecution ordered the arrest of two Juveniles, Somali and Yemeni, for assaulting an Egyptian teenager in virtue of good and peace. I do not care who founded Khaitan. The victim obtained a medical report from those schools because they are more money oriented Farwaniya Hospital showing injuries he said that he sus- than they are concerned with spreading science and tained during the assault as he filed a case with local police. religion. What makes me furious is that those countries Al-Anbaa allow such a thing to happen and be silent about ban- ning music; which purifies souls and make children Absconding happier in schools operating on their own soil and Police arrested two Ethiopian women who were March 21st under their supervision. reported absconding by their employers. The two who How will these countries portray us and Islam as a worked for a beauty shop in Salmiya were stopped late religion if the owners of the schools and those funding night by police as they left the shop. Police checked By Dr Nermin Al-Houti them convey this message that teaching music is their civil IDs and discovered that they were reported Haram in Islam? This question is to all the hypocrite absconding over six months before. They were arrested n a few days it will be March 21st. This day is celebrat- ings and invite friends and relatives for a ‘social show’ to jugglers and religion enemies and to the countries and sent to concerned authorities. ed as ‘Family Day,’ ‘Mother’s Day’ and ‘Childhood Day.’ reflect their family’s cohesiveness. But in reality, some funding them: Doesn’t every Muslim country have a IWe try to interpret the meaning behind those names, families in our society are contrary to what they show. National Anthem played by army, police or other Suicide and imagine the meanings they hold, as we convey our They live like strangers under one roof, and do not bands? Are such anthems played with musical instru- An Asian man hanged himself to death inside a laundry feelings through gifts - regardless of their value. This day remember that they are a family except on March 21st. ments or with swords, daggers and pots? shop in Mahboula in an apparent suicide. His body was is not to be celebrated through parties or conference, On ‘Childhood Day,’ and although children do not Aren’t the thousands of TV and Radio stations in recovered by the coroner as police are investigating the case. but rather in memories held in our hearts and mind enjoy their childhood despite what people say about your countries filled with songs and music? Don’t they every day. it in arenas and conference, those same children have show ‘disgusting scenes of half-naked women?’ Why Some people may think that I am among those to appear with a smile on this day in order to com- then would you deprive future generations from learn- Harassment who reject celebrations and reviving memories, but plete the ‘media show’ through which state depart- ing music? Are you, by doing this, not replacing Halal Detectives are looking for three persons who on the contrary; I am among the supporters of cele- ments claim that children receive their full attention. with Haram and beauty with ugliness? harassed a female citizen in Fintas. The woman was near bration, because a human being without feelings is It is true that the child receives attention in the Arab I am also amazed at those parents who left their a restaurant in the area when the three approached her lifeless. I would like to shed light today on some World, but that only happens on March 21st. Mother’s home countries and settled in the West. How come and made indecent remarks towards her. The three then groups of people who use these occasions as a means Day, what a beautiful day, and how sublime is the they still have the same ideas pulling them back- chased her when she ignored them, and forced her to to add to their personal interests while ignoring the meaning. A mother used to mean everything for peo- wards? Ladies and gentlemen, if you are so keen and stop. She then screamed for help which prompted core meaning of this day. ple in the past, but today, she is only ‘March 21’ for proud of your habits and traditions, then why not them to escape, according to her statements to Translated from the Arabic press On ‘Family Day’ as it is called by some people, many some people. stay in your original country herding camels and police. — family members buy gifts, holdi lunch or dinner gather- —Translated by Kuwait Times milking sheep? — Translated by Kuwait Times Official praises KFH participation in GCC’s Unified Traffic Week 2017

KUWAIT: Assistant Undersecretary for the official authorities’ efforts while sectors for the sake of urging drivers Traffic Affairs Major General Fahad Al- participating in the society-oriented and pedestrians to adhere to traffic Shuwaie praised efforts of Kuwait activities as part of its corporate social rules and respect the law, which Finance House (KFH) in successfully responsibility and pioneering role in highlights the country’s civilized concluding the Gulf Cooperation serving the society. face. Moreover, the bank hails the Council GCC’s Unified Traffic Week The event took place from 12-17 efforts of the Ministry of Interior, 2017. He applauded the bank’s com- March. It is aimed at increasing the underscoring the key role of police- mitment towards assume the social awareness and achieving safety and men in minimizing traffic conges- responsibility, yet hailed its sponsor- security for the residents and citizens tions and achieving the highest lev- ship to the GCC’s Unified Traffic Week of the GCC countries as safety and els of traffic security. 2017 for the 8th consecutive year. security traffic is important factor in The GCC traffic week is filled with Shuwaie’s statement was made achieving development and prosperi- activities that encompass workshops, during his speech on the occasion of ty in any country. seminars, distributing leaflets and the Week’s closing ceremony. KFH’s KFH has firm belief in the impor- awareness brochures for road users in sponsorship comes in line with its tance of synergy and concerted collaboration and coordination with endeavors and keenness to support efforts of both private and public ministries and official bodies. Zain organized 15th annual ‘Employee Omrah Trip’

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company rituals of Omrah as well as aspects of the history of the in Kuwait, recently organized the 15th Omrah trip for Islamic civilization. Dr Al-Hajraf’s participation added value employees and their families to visit the Sacred House in to the trip, enriching the informative aspect of it. Mecca. This annually held trip aims at enriching bonding Zain was keen to diversify the content of the trip, as it and closeness between Zain employees out of the office was not only restricted to the religious aspect. Many activi- atmosphere. ties were organized that included historic and cultural pro- Zain organizes this spiritual trip on an annual basis to grams as well as a visit to the Kaaba Kiswa Factory in reflect its keenness in supporting and enhancing the spiri- Mecca. In addition, cultural contests were held to test the tual aspects of its human recourses. The trip saw a large participants’ knowledge and add a joyful flavor to the trip. number of Zain employees and their families visiting the The company considers its employees the main pillar of Sacred House in Mecca, and it came in line with the com- its overall success, and thus caters to the many different pany’s continuous efforts to enrich communication with its aspects of their lives. This annual initiative comes as part of own staff in one family atmosphere. Zain’s CSR commitment towards its human resources, espe- The travelers were accompanied by Sheikh Dr Badr Al- cially after the positive feedback it received previously. Zain Hajraf, who was present throughout the whole trip to share will always put the development of the cultural and spiritu- his experiences through lectures and seminars about the al aspects of its employees at the forefront of its priorities.

ABK sponsors sports day at Hope School for Special Needs

KUWAIT: In line with its Corporate activities such as basketball, volley- support and all outstanding students Social Responsibility (CSR) focus, Al- ball, hockey and shooting the target. were presented with medals in recog- Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) recently The event was held in an effort to pro- nition of their efforts and enthusiasm. sponsored Sports Day at Hope School mote sports and healthy living among ABK is keen to make a difference in for Special Needs where a total of 250 individuals with special needs. the lives of individuals with special students engaged in a two day sports The two day event was concluded needs, by raising awareness of this program. The event was held at the with an honoring ceremony, where segment and supporting events and Kuwait Disabled Club in Hawally, on Sahar Al-Therban, Senior Manager activities that promote equality and the 15th and 16th of March, 2017. Corporate Communications at ABK, grant these individuals with the fair The students from Hope School for received a trophy on behalf of the chance to experience and lead Special Needs took part in various Bank as a token of appreciation for its healthy and active lives.

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

West Mosul battle looks to be deadliest Trump escapes the Beltway as challenges mount yet for Iraqis Page 10 Page 9

LUCKNOW: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second right and Yogi Adityanath, in saffron robes, greet with folded hands as Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah, center and others wave to the audience after Adityanath was sworn in as Uttar Pradesh state chief minister in Lucknow, India, yesterday. —AP Is Modi moving towards a Hindu India? BJP wins biggest majority in 40 years

NEW DELHI: A saffron-robed Hindu holy man was Don’t prejudge sworn in yesterday to lead India’s most populous Adityanath, elected five times to the federal par- state, sealing what appears to be a shift in course liament from Gorakhpur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Clashes in Syria capital by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that could rede- has been magnanimous in victory, pledging to fine the world’s largest democracy as a Hindu uphold Modi’s slogan of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ nation. The choice as Uttar Pradesh chief minister of (‘all together, development for all’). “Everyone who is after surprise rebel assault Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand Hindu ascetic with a prejudging the decision is doing it at their own peril BEIRUT: Heavy clashes rocked eastern districts of the Syrian “These are not intermittent clashes-these are ongoing history of agitation against minority Muslims, - these arguments were also used in the case of capital yesterday as rebels and jihadists tried to fight their way attempts to advance,” he said. The Observatory said the rebel stunned observers who said it marked a departure Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” BJP spokesman into the city centre in a surprise assault on government forces. assault sought to relieve allied fighters in the nearby districts of from the platform of development for all on which Nalin Kohli said. “Almost three years down the line The attack comes just days before a fresh round of UN-brokered Barzeh, Tishreen and Qabun. “Nine regime forces and at least 12 Modi rose to national power in 2014. there is no departure from ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’; peace talks in Geneva aiming at ending Syria’s six-year war. Islamist rebels were killed” in those districts over the past 24 hours, “Modi is saying India is a Hindu country and there is no let up in providing governance and Rebels and government forces agreed to a nationwide cessation the monitor said. In recent months, the Syrian regime has sought shall remain so,” veteran journalist and commenta- improving delivery to the poorest; and there can be of hostilities in December, but fighting has continued across to secure territory around the capital with renewed offensives on tor Shekhar Gupta said. “Hindus will rule, so you no distinction between citizens on the basis of their much of the country, including in the capital. besieged rebel towns along with local “reconciliation” deals. had better behave.” A spokesman for Modi’s faith, region or identity.” Kohli also dismissed sug- Steady shelling and sniper fire could be heard across Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) however said the gov- gestions that Adityanath’s election would under- Damascus as rebel factions allied with former Al-Qaeda affiliate Israel threatens defense systems ernment did not make any distinction between citi- mine the secular basis of Indian democracy. Fateh al-Sham Front launched an attack on regime positions in Under such agreements, the government agrees to end zens on the basis of religion. Adityanath, 44, was There are precedents for Hindu devotees taking the east of the city. The attack began early in the day “with two bombardments and stop besieging towns in exchange for a elected by state lawmakers on Saturday, a week high office, he said, including Uma Bharti, a former car bombs and several suicide attackers” in the Jobar district, rebel withdrawal. Yesterday, dozens of rebels and civilians who after the BJP won a landslide victory in Uttar chief minister of Madhya Pradesh state who is now said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for had been bused out of the last opposition-held district of Homs Pradesh by mobilizing the Hindu vote. The BJP won Modi’s water resources minister. A source close to Human Rights monitoring group. Rebels seized several build- city reached northern Aleppo province. An AFP photographer the biggest majority for any party in the state legis- the powerful Hindu nationalist umbrella group to ings in Jobar and advanced into the nearby Abbasid Square saw men, women and toddlers peeking out from behind cur- lature in 40 years. which the BJP belongs, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak area, seizing part of a large bus station and firing a barrage of tains as the buses headed to Jarabulus, a town on the Syrian- He took the oath of office at an open-air cere- Sangh (RSS), said Adityanath would undergo a rockets into multiple neighborhoods, Abdel Rahman said. Turkish border. mony in the state capital Lucknow yesterday, complete image makeover to repackage him as a Regime warplanes have targeted rebel positions with more More than 320,000 people have been killed and millions before shaking hands with Modi and other BJP moderate reformer. than 30 air strikes since the morning, he added. State media have been displaced since Syria’s conflict erupted six years ago elders who attended. After the ceremony, Modi denied that rebel groups had entered the Abbasid district, how- with protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule. After a said in a tweet: “Our sole mission and motive is Love jihad ever, reporting that the army had successfully “blocked an government crackdown, the uprising turned into an all-out war development. When UP develops, India develops.” Adityanath has in the past accused Muslim men attack by terrorists on military points and residential buildings that has drawn in world powers on nearly all sides. —AFP The BJP fielded no candidates from the Muslim of waging “love jihad”, or a love war, to entrap in Jobar”. State television aired footage from Abbasid Square, minority that makes up 19 percent of the popula- Hindu women and convert them to Islam. He drew typically buzzing with activity but now empty because the army tion in a state with a population of 220 million a reprimand from the election authorities for had ordered residents to stay inside. that is home to 15 percent of the worlds poor. If it exhorting Hindus to convert 100 Muslims for every were a country, Uttar Pradesh would be the Hindu that adopted Islam. Further, he disclosed in Army sends in reinforcements world’s fifth-most populous. his 2014 election affidavit that he faced criminal AFP correspondents in Damascus said army units had sealed India’s 1.3 billion people are about 80 percent cases including attempted murder; intimidation; off the routes into the square, where a thick column of smoke Hindu and 14 percent Muslim, with the rest made promoting religious enmity; defiling a place of wor- rose into the cloudy sky. The few people out on the street up of Christians, Sikhs and other minorities. It is ship; rioting; and trespassing on burial places. moved quickly between buildings, but many stayed in their officially a secular nation, but the BJP has for Such cases are common in India’s rough-and- homes in fear of stray bullets and shelling. Several tanks were years fought elections on a Hindu nationalist tumble politics. Although judges have taken cog- seen entering east Damascus as reinforcements ahead of a pos- agenda, with party members in the past being nizance of three cases against Adityanath, no for- sible counter-offensive. Several schools in the capital accused of making anti-Muslim statements to mal charges have been filed. As the month-long announced they would stay closed today. polarize Hindu voters. “Modi and the BJP had Uttar Pradesh poll progressed, the rhetoric used by Control of Jobar-which has been a battleground for more promised the poor of India good times to come,” Modi and his campaign chief Amit Shah struck an than two years is divided between rebels and allied jihadists said Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, editor of the increasingly harsh tone: In one speech Modi said and government forces. According to the Observatory, the Economic & Political Weekly. “When they fail to villages with graveyards should have crematoriums Islamist Faylaq al-Rahman rebel group and the Fateh al-Sham create jobs, revive the economy or lift investment, too - a veiled reference to the different burial prac- Front-known as Al-Nusra Front before it broke ties with Al- AL-BAB: Rebel fighters and Red Crescent members wait for they are going to fall back more on the majoritari- tices of Muslims and Hindus. Qaeda-have a presence in the area. Government forces have busses of Syrians who were evacuated from Waer, the last an agenda.” Modi, in his victory speech after the One of India’s most prominent Muslim politi- long sought to push the rebels out of Jobar because of its prox- opposition-held district of Homs, to arrive in the northern Uttar Pradesh triumph, had called for the creation cians, former Jammu and Kashmir state chief minis- imity to the city centre. But with Sunday’s attack, Abdel Rahman Syrian town of al-Bab yesterday, under a controversial of a “New India” by 2022, effectively staking a ter Omar Abdullah, said in a tweet that Muslims in said, “rebels have shifted from a defensive position in Jobar into Russian-supervised deal to bring Syria’s third city under full claim to a second term at the general election Uttar Pradesh “must be terrified of what the future an offensive one”. government control.—AFP that is due to be held in two years. has in store for them.” —Reuters MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 INTERNATIONAL

Turkey slams German spy chief for Gulen coup link skepticism

ISTANBUL: Turkey lashed out yesterday In an interview with Der Spiegel pub- in Europe,” Kalin told CNN-Turk television increase doubts about Germany and launched by “a part of the military” after Germany’s intelligence chief said he lished on Saturday, Germany’s foreign of Kahl’s claims. give rise to the question ‘was German who expected trouble from govern- was unconvinced by Turkish assertions intelligence chief Bruno Kahl said Ankara And Isik told Kanal 7 television that intelligence behind the coup?’” he said. ment purge which was already under US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah had repeatedly tried to convince Berlin Kahl’s remarks were a “most unfortunate Isik said German politicians must address way beforehand. Tensions are already Gulen was behind the failed coup of July that Gulen was behind the coup “but statement”. Some Turkish officials moot- the matter or risk questions arising over running high between Berlin and 15. Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin they have not succeeded”. Turkey accus- ed the idea that Western powers could Berlin’s possible role in the coup. Ankara after German authorities said Europe was seeking to “whitewash” es Gulen of heading a group called the have been involved in the coup and Isik Following the putsch, Ankara refused to allow some Turkish minis- Gulen’s group, while Defense Minister Fethullah Terror Organization (FETO) suggested Kahl’s comment would raise launched an unprecedented purge of ters to campaign in the country for a Fikri Isik said the comments raised ques- which masterminded the coup with the questions about Germany’s role. “The alleged Gulen supporters, with some “yes” vote ahead of the April 16 refer- tions about whether Berlin itself was aim of ousting Erdogan from power. fact that the head of German intelli- 43,000 people jailed and awaiting, or endum on handing Erdogan an execu- involved in the putsch. “This is an operation to whitewash FETO gence made such a statement will on, trial. Kahl said that the coup was tive presidency.—AFP

Turkey’s referendum campaign unfair, Erdogan opponents say

ANKARA: Opposition figures in Turkey say detentions by police. Sinan Ogan, a “no” they have faced threats, violence, arbitrary campaigner who broke away from a detentions, a lack of TV airtime and even nationalist party that backs Erdogan, was sabotage in the campaign for a referen- interrupted in mid-speech this month at a dum on expanding the president’s powers. university in Istanbul by a man who ran on The complaints come even as Turkish the stage and knocked down the podium, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself sparking scuffles in the hall. has slammed European countries for not letting his ministers campaign on their soil Vote ‘yes’ for the April 16 vote on giving his office “It’s either our electricity cut (during ral- more power. Politicians campaigning lies) or leaflets torn apart, or (the rally ven- against the constitutional changes pro- ue) is being restored at the last moment, or posed by Erdogan also say the state of the podium is attacked, or there is an inter- emergency in Turkey since a failed coup ruption attempt so that we cannot speak,” attempt in July prevents them from get- he said. “And even if you do speak, no TV ting their message out ahead of the vote. station will air it.” His political ally, Meral “Those who advocate for a ‘no’ vote are Aksener, was forced to hold a campaign faced with a series of obstructions,” said event in the dark after the electricity at her Utku Cakirozer, a former journalist who is venue in the city of Canakkale was cut off. now a lawmaker for the opposition Erdogan, who called the Dutch and Republican People’s Party, or CHP. While German governments Nazis and fascists he, too, criticized moves by Germany and for barring Turkish ministers from cam- the Netherlands to stop Turkish ministers paigning in those countries, has said those from campaigning to Turkish citizens who oppose the constitutional changes abroad, Cakirozer said “our democracy bar include terrorists and coup-plotters. has been lowered a great deal and needs “That is why I believe my citizens, my to be raised rapidly.” At stake are changes brothers, will vote ‘yes,’” he said. Turkey’s that would usher in an executive presiden- state of emergency allows the government tial system, merging the powers of the to rule by decree and to suppress demon- prime minister and the president. strations and gatherings. Some 41,000 Erdogan argues that a strong presidency people have been arrested and tens of will make Turkey better equipped to deal thousands of others dismissed from public with economic and security challenges. sector jobs for alleged links to the coup Critics say it would give Erdogan too much attempt or alleged ties to terror groups. control and further erode the democratic Those in jail include some 150 journalists separation of powers in the country. With and a dozen legislators from Turkey’s pro- opinion polls suggesting the outcome of Kurdish party, which also opposes the con- MOSUL: Iraqi forces, consisting of the Iraqi federal police and the elite Rapid Response Division, hold a position as they advance the tight race could be determined by yet- stitutional changes. in the Old City in western Mosul yesterday, during the offensive to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. —AFP undecided voters, “no” campaigners say A decree issued under the emergency they face an uphill battle because Turkey’s powers has eliminated the High Electoral TV channels are either pro-government or Board’s ability to slap fines on TV stations West Mosul battle looks to refrain from broadcasts critical of the gov- that don’t devote equal campaign time to ernment for fear of reprisals. opposing sides. During a visit to Ankara last month, German Chancellor Angela ‘No’ campaigner Merkel called for election observers to be be deadliest yet for Iraqis Erdogan and members of the govern- allowed to monitor the vote. European ment have dominated the airwaves, hold- institutions have also expressed concerns ing twice-daily campaign speeches that are over the campaign process, including the televised live in their entirety on all chan- restrictions on the freedom of expression More than 300 killed over the last month nels. Inauguration ceremonies and state- and the right to assembly. funded official trips also frequently turn “If a constitutional referendum must MOSUL: As Iraqi forces pushed into southwest- Once beautiful, now a battle ground “This area used to be so beautiful,” said into “yes” campaign events. Meanwhile, the absolutely be held during a state of emer- ern Mosul, four Islamic State fighters moved into The Pentagon, which has yet to release casu- Mohammed Ali of the Federal Police, which have pro-government media largely ignore cam- gency, restrictions on political freedoms Omar Khudair’s home and took up positions on alty figures from the last month, has acknowl- been battling their way up the Tigris along what paign rallies by the “no” camp. Even state- have to be lifted,” the Venice Commission, a the roof. The 17-year-old, his parents and siblings edged 220 civilian deaths from coalition used to be a scenic riverside boulevard, leaving owned media, which is obliged to be neu- legal advisory body of the Strasbourg, took cover in his aunt’s house next door, and for airstrikes in Iraq and Syria since the US cam- behind mangled park benches and shattered tral, cuts away early from speeches deliv- France-based Council of Europe, said in a the next half hour they huddled in a back room paign against IS began in 2014. Of the nearly flower boxes. Ali, who hails from a town just out- ered by CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. recent report. “If the restrictions may not as the battle raged overhead. Then the airstrikes 300,000 people who have fled Mosul since the side Mosul, remembers spending time on the Ibrahim Kalin, Erdogan’s spokesman, dis- be repealed, the constitutional referendum came, blowing up a cluster of houses, killing operation to retake Iraq’s second largest city cornice as a teenager. “Families and girls would puted claims of an uneven playing field, should be postponed until after the state not only the fighters, but 18 members of began in October, more than 100,000 have left come here,” he said, laughing. “We used to follow saying the opposition was allowed to cam- of emergency.” Khudair’s extended family. The teen was one of in the past month alone, according to the the girls, but they never gave us any attention.” paign freely. The Sozcu newspaper, one of the few the few to survive, left covered in burns and United Nations. Many are fleeing because they “Just because the president and the remaining outlets critical of the govern- shrapnel wounds. have no more food, said Azher Adnan, a local Disregard of human life prime minister’s rallies attract more num- ment, said in a front-page article The fight for the western half of Mosul could pharmacist volunteering as a medic at a clinic US Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, the com- bers and it looks like only ‘yes’ campaign- Wednesday that what the Netherlands the deadliest yet for civilians. Iraqi forces have just south of the city. mander of coalition ground forces in Iraq, said ing, that’s not true. It’s a misperception,” he did was “wrong,” but questioned what increasingly turned to airstrikes and artillery to “Every one of my patients, the first thing they the coalition is “probably” launching more told journalists last week. The CHP says it was going on at home. “The country’s clear heavily populated, dense urban terrain, and say when they approach my clinic is ‘I’m hun- airstrikes in western Mosul than in the east has counted more than 100 incidents of system of governance is changing but residents running out of food and supplies are gry,’” he said. Civilians who have escaped said because more coalition troops have been obstructions to the “no” camp, ranging those who say ‘no’ are given no space to fleeing their homes at higher rates than previ- food began to run low in October as the authorized to approve air support for Iraqi from physical assaults and death threats to breathe,” it wrote. —AP ously seen in the Mosul operation. More than 750 wealthy hoarded what they could. By January, forces. “We’re going to strike ISIS wherever we civilians have been killed or wounded since the grocery store shelves were completely bare. can so that the Iraqis can be successful,” Martin fight for western Mosul began a month ago, “The population of Mosul’s west is different said, referring to the extremist group by another front-line medics say, a number they expect to from the east,” Adnan said. “Here you have more acronym. He said changes to the US rules of spike as Iraqi forces push into the old city. people in poverty, they couldn’t afford to pre- engagement are allowing the coalition to strike They spoke on condition of anonymity in line pare for the siege.” faster and more accurately. with regulations. By comparison, some 1,600 In eastern Mosul, most militants withdrew in Martin said Iraqi commanders are still trying civilians were killed or wounded during the 100 the face of the assault, leaving small contingents to preserve infrastructure and minimize civilian days of fighting to recapture Mosul’s less densely of four of five fighters to pin down troops in casualties - but that the militants have other populated east, according to reports from nearby urban combat. But Lt. Gen. Sami al-Arathi, of ideas. IS has fired at least 4,284 mortars, rockets, hospitals. Mosul’s east was declared fully liberat- Iraq’s special forces, said the fighters cornered in and artillery rounds “indiscriminately” in western ed in January. Airwars, a London-based group west Mosul have nowhere to run. “Now, they are Mosul since January, showing “complete disre- that tracks civilian deaths from airstrikes target- forced to fight to the death,” he said. Faced with gard of human life,” he said. Humanitarian organi- ing IS in Iraq and Syria, estimates the number of heavier resistance in more dense urban terrain, zations warn that the destruction, displacement casualties to be much higher, claiming more than Iraqi forces are relying even more on airstrikes and civilian casualties are likely to spike as Iraqi 300 civilians have been killed in western Mosul and artillery, heightening the risk to civilians and forces push into Mosul’s old city, where streets over the last month. leaving scenes of devastation in their wake. are the width of alleyways. Arab Israeli MP resigns after Two given death penalty for Gaza drug smuggling jail phones plea bargain GAZA CITY: A Hamas military court yesterday sentenced two JERUSALEM: An Arab Israeli lawmaker who Palestinians to death for drug smuggling in the Gaza Strip, in the admitted to smuggling mobile phones to Iraq premier visits first punishment of its kind in the enclave. “The Gaza military Palestinian prisoners resigned yesterday, a parlia- US as forces press ISTANBUL: In this photo, a Turkish man supporting the ‘NO’ vote for the court announced the death penalty for two civilians from Rafah, ment statement said. Basel Ghattas had said he in the southern Gaza Strip, for selling narcotics,” the Hamas-con- would step down after striking a deal with prose- anti-IS assault upcoming referendum holds a Turkish flag and a placard, reading in Turkish: cutors that saw him plead guilty to handing ‘No to unemployment’ as he chants slogans in central Istanbul. —AP trolled interior ministry said in a statement. It said a third sus- pect was sentenced to hard labor. phones and SIM cards to Palestinian detainees in BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al- Authorities have seized drugs with a street value of around return for a reduced sentence. “I decided (to Abadi left for Washington yesterday to Three US soldiers wounded $1 million (900,000 euros) over the past few months, the min- accept) after consultation with my lawyers and meet President Donald Trump as his forces istry said. They seized 1,250 packets of cannabis and 400 pills of taking into account my personal and family situa- press an assault to recapture west Mosul in Afghan insider attack Tramadol-a powerful opiate-based painkiller-in January alone, it tion,” he said on Friday. from the Islamic State jihadist group. The said. Until yesterday, only people guilty of spying for Israel or Ghattas, who could have faced up to 10 years in premier’s office said Abadi would also murder had received the death penalty in Gaza, controlled by prison, applied instead for a two-year term. Israeli meet Vice President Mike Pence and KANDAHAR, Afghanistan: Three American An Afghan soldier was also killed in the media have reported that 12 mobile phones were Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, without troops were wounded yesterday when an shootout, provincial spokesman Omar Zwak Islamist Hamas since 2007. All Palestinian death sentences in theory have to be found on two separate prisoners in searches after giving specific dates. On Wednesday, the Afghan soldier opened fire in southern said. The Pentagon has said it would deploy Ghattas visited the high security Ketziot prison in prime minister is to take part in a ministeri- Helmand province, officials said, in the first some 300 US Marines this spring to Helmand approved by president Mahmoud Abbas, but Hamas has long refused to accept his legitimacy. The Palestinian Centre for December. The 60-year-old Christian allegedly used al meeting of the 68-nation coalition lined known “insider attack” on international forces province, where American forces engaged in his parliamentary immunity to avoid being up against the Islamic State group. this year. No insurgent group has so far heated combat until they pulled out in 2014. Human Rights (PCHR) said Sunday’s sentences were a “serious precedent” and that bringing civilians before a military court was searched. One of the prisoners is serving time for Iraqi authorities in October launched an claimed responsibility for the attack in Camp The Marines will head to the poppy-growing the kidnapping and murder of an Israeli soldier in offensive to retake the northern city of Antonik in Washer district, which highlights province this spring to assist a NATO-led mis- a breach of Palestinian law. It said that one of the two men was condemned to death by hanging and the other was to hang. 1984, the Ynet news website reported. Mosul from IS with the support of US-led long-simmering tensions between Afghan and sion to train Afghan forces, in the latest sign Ghattas said in an earlier statement his action coalition air strikes. They retook the east foreign forces. that foreign forces are increasingly being The PCHR said in an English-language statement that to car- ry out the sentences would be “extra-judicial killing, and those was motivated by his “humanitarian and moral posi- side of Mosul in January before setting “Three US soldiers were wounded this drawn back into the worsening conflict. tions towards prisoners and he is ready to assume their sights on the more densely-populat- afternoon when an Afghan soldier opened So-called insider attacks-when Afghan (who) participated or contributed to issuing them should be held accountable on grounds of extra-judicial killing and abuse full responsibility for it”. Lawmakers of the Joint List, ed west of the city, the last major urban fire on them at a base in Helmand province. soldiers and police turn their guns on their the third largest bloc in parliament with 13 seats, centre held by IS in Iraq. The Iraqi govern- Coalition security forces on the base killed colleagues or on international troops-have of power”. “Applying this penalty in drugs cases is very danger- ous, particularly in absence of fair trial guarantees and presence frequently clash with Israeli authorities. Arab Israelis ment earlier this month welcomed its the soldier to end the attack,” a spokesman been a major problem during the more than make up some 17.5 percent of the country’s popu- nationals’ exemption from a revised travel for US forces in Afghanistan said. “The US sol- 15-year-long war. In May last year, gunmen of many reports exposing widespread use of torture during the interrogation period, especially in drugs crimes,” it added. The lation and are descended from Palestinians who ban drawn up by Trump as an “important diers are receiving medical treatment at this wearing Afghan military uniforms shot dead remained on their land after the creation of Israel in step” that strengthens ties between time and we will release more information two Romanian soldiers in neighboring centre said that around a dozen death sentences have been passed down in Gaza since the start of 2017. —AFP 1948. They hold Israeli citizenship but most see Baghdad and Washington. —AFP when available.” Kandahar province. —AFP themselves as Palestinians. —AFP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Travel ban fight personal for Hawaii’s scholarly gentleman

HONOLULU: Growing up in Washington mayor was out of town) and a prosecu- from a people perspective. He sees it Muslims: Invisible minority Church of Christ, a nondenominational state, Douglas Chin says he was the tor. People who know and worked with from people who are suffering.” Chin eventually moved to Honolulu in Christian church that meets in rented stereotypical “smart Chinese kid that got him say he is nice, smart and a fast walk- US District Judge Derrick Watson on 1989 as part of a job transfer with IBM, spaces at the university or an elementary straight As.” His parents taught him not er. Some, however, criticized him for Wednesday blocked the federal govern- and was exposed to Hawaii’s diversity. school. At church, Chin arranges music to stick out too much and used to say challenging the travel ban. ment from enforcing its ban on travel “All of a sudden I wasn’t in this place and sings acapella - he has perfect pitch, “don’t poke the lion.” So when Chin, now “Let’s allow the big states with more from six mostly Muslim countries and its where I felt invisible anymore so that was he notes sheepishly. the Hawaii attorney general, was decid- resources to fight this issue,” Republican suspension of the nation’s refugee pro- really empowering,” he said. Chin’s career He found the time to go to Sunday ing on whether to challenge the Trump state Rep. Gene Ward said in a statement. gram. The judge agreed with Hawaii that after IBM took him to the University of services the week of the Honolulu hear- administration’s latest travel ban, he “My sense is that the people of Hawaii the travel ban amounts to discrimination Hawaii law school and then various stints ing. After the hearing, Chin stopped at his understood those who said that it wasn’t would rather see potholes fixed rather based on nationality and religion. Trump in the Honolulu prosecutor’s office and office and then to Waikiki where he was the state’s fight. than trying to lead the nation against an called the ruling an example of “unprece- private practice. hosting a meeting of the Conference of But the Stanford University-educated executive order.” Those who have worked dented judicial overreach” and called his On a bookshelf in Chin’s office is a Western Attorneys General because he’s lawyer stepped into the spotlight, mak- with Chin say the reason he is fighting new travel ban a watered-down version newspaper front page from a murder the group’s chairman. Chin has also spent ing Hawaii the first state to challenge the ban is simple: He’s kind. Jean Ireton of the first one. He said the order was a conviction he won in 2010. A 15-year-old a lot of time giving interviews to news President Trump’s revised travel ban - was a fellow Honolulu prosecutor with necessary measure to prevent terrorists boy who was tried as an adult and con- organizations nationwide about his law- and convince a federal judge to tem- Chin, who started out in traffic court. He from entering the country. victed of murdering his 51-year-old suit. Part of the reason he does that is to porarily block it before it took effect. His had “some of the toughest, most god- For Chin, the issue of immigration is a neighbor is one of Chin’s most memo- educate - even those who live in Hawaii. motivation was personal, he said. Chin awful trials that we had there,” she said. personal one. He is named after the rable cases. Near the shelf are portraits of “It’s a no-brainer why we have to said he felt as if he was invisible during Christian missionary doctor who spon- Chin’s children and wife, who is white and object to this. I totally know how there’s his time in an overwhelmingly white Humanity at its worst sored his Chinese parents’ immigration to from New York. He describes his daughter, another segment of the population suburban Seattle high school, and want- Those kinds of cases showed her the Washington state, where Chin was born. 18, and son, 16, as “hapa,” a Hawaiian term that to them it just doesn’t connect,” he ed to fight for an invisible minority in worst in humanity, she said, but Chin His middle name Shih-Ging means that locals use for mixed-race people. said. “What does the Middle East have Hawaii: Muslims. didn’t see them that way: “He’s just a “scholarly gentleman, which is weird,” Former Honolulu prosecutor and for- to do with Hawaii?” The answer, he said, “It really hits home with me,” he said. kinder person than I am. I don’t have as Chin said. “I think that’s where you proba- mer mayor Peter Carlisle recalled first is Hawaii’s some 5,000 Muslims are the “It worries me about this society and much faith in people as he does.” Ireton bly can catch a spark of a personal sense meeting him at Chin’s church while invisible minority and Chin knows first- what’s happening.” Before his appoint- and Chin have differing views on the of duty about this whole travel ban,” he Carlisle was campaigning. Carlisle said he hand what that feels like. “People in ment as attorney general, Chin, 50, was travel ban. “I do have a problem with the said, describing his parents emigrating in was so impressed with Chin’s public Hawaii don’t know how to process a Honolulu’s managing director (who amount of vetting they’re able to do in 1957 at a time when US immigration pol- speaking, he told him to look him up if he Muslim other than what they see on would serve as acting mayor when the those countries,” she said. “Doug sees it icy still imposed nation-based quotas. ever needed a job. Chin attends Oahu TV,” he said.—AP Trump escapes the Beltway as challenges mount Trump to pass new health care plan NASHVILLE: US President Donald On the trip back to Washington that working citizens of our country,” he Trump’s campaign committee, which Trump is returning to the road, rallying night, Trump bounded back to the told the crowd. maintains an active operation. supporters to recapture the enthusiasm press section of Air Force One to share Executive director Michael Glassner of his campaign and reassuring them his excitement. “Quite an event, huh?” Rally stage: Natural habitat said that Trump’s rise was driven by his about his tumultuous early days in the he said, appearing without warning, He’d spoken earlier to an enthusias- ability to draw consistently large White House. It’s a welcome distraction with no staff in tow. “It was a big crowd. tic audience of auto workers at a rally crowds. “If your candidate - and now for a president whose first months in Great crowd. That was a great crowd. not far from Detroit, and passed by your president - has the ability, and his office have been dominated by self- Great people, great spirit.” He said he throngs of people lining the streets as supporters have the desire and the inflicted controversy and roadblocks, plans to continue the events, holding he drove through Nashville. He’ll be in drive to see him in the way that you can courtesy of federal courts and a divided rallies every two weeks. Throughout Louisville, Kentucky, for another rally stage events like this, why would you Congress. “We have done far more, I the campaign, Trump relied on his ral- Monday night. “It’s good for all of us to stop?” he asked. “It energizes the presi- think maybe more than anybody’s lies to speak directly to his supporters. get out of the bubble and remind our- dent, it energizes the supporters.” done in this office in 50 days, that I can Networks often carried the events live, selves it’s a huge country out there, and Glassner said that while the cam- paign runs the rallies, the White House BUDAPEST: A cook job advertisement is seen in front of a restaurant in determines their locations. But White Budapest. —AFP House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the rallies are planned, coordinated and executed by the cam- Labor drought in Europe’s paign, not the White House, and declined to comment further. So far, the locations have raised some eye- east as workers go west brows. The decision to visit Louisville, Kentucky, appears part of an effort to BUDAPEST: A decade ago, business was boom- “We don’t know what to do anymore to pressure state lawmakers, including US ing for Hungarian construction firm owner Geza attract new recruits,” said Ionela Danet, who Sen. Rand Paul, to support the GOP Borgulya. He was making an annual profit of runs a hospital in the city of Curtea de Arges in health plan. But some feel he’d be bet- some five million euros ($5.4 million) and had southern Romania. She has been trying to hire ter served spending time in the dis- around 60 staff including surveyors and brick- at least 20 doctors. “We have state-of-the-art tricts of vulnerable Democrats or layers. Now, the 44-year-old has barely a dozen equipment, we’re on a tourist route, the region Republicans at risk of someone run- employees left. “I’m glad if I make a million in is beautiful and not far from Bucharest. Yet no ning against them in a primary. earnings,” he told AFP in the central town of one’s applying,” Danet said. The exodus from the Rackeve. Borgulya largely blames the decline on region has “exacerbated shortage” of labor and Outstanding job Hungarian workers heading to neighboring “lowered potential growth” in workers’ home Conway disagreed: “Nobody’s think- Austria where wages are significantly higher. countries, the IMF found in a report last year. It’s ing about political campaigns,” she said, “Those who work in western Europe easily also forced companies to bump wages, increas- noting that Tennessee was a state earn 70 euros a day, we can’t keep up with that ing costs without boosting productivity. where consumers have few health care here,” said Borgulya. Once an eldorado of cheap Although eastern and central states have the exchange options. Trump’s supporters labor, companies in eastern and central Europe EU’s fastest-growing economies and unemploy- appreciate the visits nonetheless, and are struggling to fill thousands of jobs as work- ment rates are relatively low, employers fear that thousands waited for hours Wednesday ers up sticks and head to wealthier EU nations. the labor shortage will soon turn into a serious in a line that stretched more than a A staggering 20 million people have moved obstacle for foreign investment. While the Czech mile. Many say they remain true believ- from the region to western Europe since the Republic has 140,000 vacant jobs primarily in ers and think the president is delivering early 1990s, many of them headed for Germany the manufacturing sector, car-making hub on his campaign promises, including and Britain, according to the International Slovakia needs technicians while Bulgaria is des- getting tough on illegal immigration, Monetary Fund (IMF). perate for engineers. “Large companies are wor- NAHSVILLE: In this file photo, US President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Nashville, Tennessee. —AP saving American jobs and repealing The exodus, coupled with low birth rates ried that if the issue isn’t resolved, it will create... and replacing “Obamacare.” The rallies, and rapidly ageing populations, has left gap- insuperable problems for their future projects,” tell you,” Trump said to cheers from giving Trump what were essentially it’s filled with people who support the they say, are a way for Trump to talk ing holes in job markets across the region. Bulgaria’s economy ministry warned this month. thousands of supporters at a campaign free 50-minute infomercials watched president and are rooting for his suc- over a mainstream media that many From healthcare and computer technologies rally in Nashville, Tennessee. by millions. cess,” said Kellyanne Conway, a top view with disdain. “What he’s doing is to manufacturing and food industries, few sec- Brexit anxiety In Trump’s rally telling things in The events also energized Trump, Trump aide. Conway said the rally stage he’s going directly to the people,” said tors have been exempt from the drought. The To remedy the situation, corporations are Washington are going great. He’s been who thrives on the rush of perform- has “always been a natural habitat” for Jim DeVellier, a 68-year-old pathologist Diaspora, which began with the fall of the Iron trying to lure back workers with generous cracking down on illegal immigration, is ing to adoring crowds. On Trump, giving him a platform to take his from Roxboro, North Carolina. DeVellier Curtain, was exacerbated by ex-communist perks. In Hungary, burger giant McDonald’s is “way ahead of schedule” on his south- Wednesday night, he seemed trans- case directly to his people. “That’s says Trump is doing “an outstanding job” countries’ accession to the EU and the financial offering free accommodation to out-of-town ern border wall and is on the verge of ported back to the campaign - a time always been where he’s most comfort- and fulfilling campaign promises, crisis. Some 400,000 Hungarians have emigrat- staff, while cashiers can earn close to 1,000 passing a new health care plan that of promise and fewer responsibilities. able,” she said. including nominating a conservative to ed from the nation of 10 million since 2008, euros at German budget supermarket chain “does so much for you.” He railed against The event had all the trappings of his The distraction is especially impor- sit on the US Supreme Court. “It’s as if he official figures show. Lidl-a salary equivalent to that of an expert in a federal judge for once again stymieing rallies of old: the eclectic soundtrack, tant for a president whose anger can made a checklist of items for the people chemical engineering. Meanwhile Polish com- what he called a “watered-down ver- the chants of “Lock her up,” aimed at lead to tweets - and self-inflicted politi- of the United States, and he’s going Perks and problems panies have turned to foreign workers from sion” of his travel ban an hour before he former rival Hillary Clinton, who has cal wounds. The ramp-up comes as down that checklist of his promises and “I have lost at least twelve people over the Ukraine to help fill the void left by the recent took the stage, but assured supporters long since faded from the headlines. staffers have worked to keep Trump he’s saying, ‘Ok, I’ve done this. I’m work- past three years, who have gone to England, departure of some 2.4 million nationals. he’d take the case to the Supreme Court “There’s no place I’d rather be than away from critical television programs ing on this, and how’s this going?’ And I Austria and Sweden,” said a restaurant owner An estimated one million Ukrainians are and win. The crowd roared. with you here tonight, with the hard- that work him up. The events are run by appreciate that,” he said. —AP in Budapest, who did not want to be named. residing in Poland, making up a large chunk of The situation is even more acute in neighbor- restaurant and shop employees in the capital ing Romania, the EU’s second-poorest country Warsaw. “Without the Ukrainians, the Polish after Bulgaria. Three million Romanians, or 15 economy would be in deep trouble, particularly Theo Lacy: Feared US jail for percent of the population, have left in recent regarding less skilled positions,” said Maciej years, with a majority of working age. Hospitals Witucki, president of Work Service, one of undocumented immigrants are particularly hard hit. Poland’s largest employment agencies.—AFP Haiti president promises probe at ORANGE, United States: In fluorescent uniforms, and Customs Enforcement. ICE is set to become more of jail before he came to the attention of immigration dozens of inmates blink in the afternoon sun as they powerful under President Donald Trump, who took officials, who decided his record made him a candidate funeral for 38 bus crash victims line up in the yard for lunch, the low murmur of their office in January after campaigning to deport an esti- for deportation. The 33-year-old Mexican spent 100 chatter punctuated suddenly by a solitary plaintive mated 11 million illegal immigrants. days in Theo Lacy in 2013 before being released on bail, GONAIVES, Haiti: Haitian President Rara parades, which usually take place cry. “This is horrible!” the voice cries out, before The Detention Watch Network, a national coali- although he still faces deportation. Jovenel Moise on Saturday told the grief- around Easter, are groupings of musi- another quickly follows: “We aren’t criminals!” The tion of watchdogs, slammed Theo Lacy in 2012 for Jesus is deaf and, as a result, found himself stricken relatives of 38 people killed in a cians playing traditional instruments two inmates are among 524 undocumented immi- alleged verbal and psychological abuse, medical housed on a wing for the mentally deficient, where bus collision last week that he would who are often joined by passers-by. After grants in the Theo Lacy Facility in the Californian city neglect and racism against immigrants. DWN’s he says he was unable to sleep, afraid and plagued bring order to the country’s roads, vow- being released from custody, the bus of Orange, which AFP visited this week on a tour for organizing director Danny Cendejas says things by paranoia. Among his jail mates, he says, were ing to carry out an investigation into the driver fled, and remains a fugitive, police journalists. The visit was organized after inspectors haven’t changed. “It’s one of the worst jails for immi- killers and rapists, among them Scott Dekraai, who crash. Speaking at an emotional mass say. At the service on Saturday, people found illegal immigrants were being subjected to grants,” he told AFP, indicating that the problems are shot and killed eight people at a beauty salon in Seal funeral in the northern city of Gonaives, close to the victims slowly filed into the severe punishment and rotten food. longstanding and feared to be getting worse with Beach, Orange County, in 2011. Inmates were “bang- attended by roughly 2,000 relatives, square, where flags for Haiti and “We treat them seriously,” said head guard Jason Trump’s crackdown plan. ing my glass wall,” he said, adding that he experi- friends and local politicians, Moise Gonaives hung at half-mast. Some Park, underlining the rigid discipline but respectful enced panic attacks when he was sleeping, reading pledged to investigate the incident and stopped to see the white and gold cas- treatment inmates can expect at the jail, which can Killers and rapists or using the bathroom. He remains on medication. bring justice to those affected. kets, all labeled with the name of the per- house more than 3,000 prisoners. He ushered jour- Some of the immigrant detainees-who are mostly “We will bring order to the traffic of son inside and decorated with wreaths of nalists into the giant facility stretching over 11 acres, from Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador-are finishing Tour vs. report Haitian streets,” Moise said, promising to white, red and yellow flowers. where everything was clean, in order and quiet. Park sentences for non-immigration crimes and hope to Theo Lacy’s objective for the media visit was to install vehicle inspection points Victims’ loved ones mostly wore black barred reporters from talking to the inmates, who be deported. Others have violated US immigration show inconsistencies in the Department of throughout the country. “We must know and white, while others wore T-shirts passed by, hands behind backs, dressed in yellow if laws. The prisoners are triaged according to risk, Homeland Security’s report, such as the finding that how this vehicle was able to kill people bearing tributes to the deceased. Some they were detained undocumented immigrants, or some placed in blocks with no individual cells. The disciplinary action did not comply with ICE detention and how the driver was able to flee jus- attendees writhed on the ground, otherwise in orange. most dangerous are held in cells that lead into a com- standards. Park showed off what appeared to be the tice.” The incident occurred late last screaming tearfully. “He wasn’t ready! He Theo Lacy, located about 30 miles south of Los munal locked area, resembling a guarded fishbowl. exemplary solitary confinement cell complete with Saturday evening when a bus, traveling wasn’t ready!” one woman yelled. Quico Angeles, is named after a 19th century rancher AFP witnessed one inmate pressing a sheet of Bible, comb and a folder containing legal docu- from Cap Haitien to the capital Port-au- Bien-Aime had come to mourn the death turned sheriff who was the chief lawman when paper on which he had scrawled “HELP” against the ments-in a block in which five immigrants without Prince, hit two people in a town outside of his brother, Dupito. “It was the music Orange County arrested its first murderer. Operated window in his door. ICE officers noticed the protest and papers were being kept. He wasn’t able to explain Gonaives, killing one. The driver then he loved,” Bien-Aime said, referring to his by the Sheriff’s Department of Orange County, the rushed to his cell. The average detention for a migration what they had done to end up in solitary, but their fled and crashed into three “rara” younger brother’s love of rara. “He loved jail serves as a detention center for the US case is 121 days. Former inmate Jesus-his family name time there is expected to be more comfortable than parades in nearby Mapou. music a lot.” —Reuters Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration is concealed for security reasons-had been in and out the average inmate’s. —AFP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 INTERNATIONAL

Germany’s Schulz to set out plan for taking down Merkel BERLIN: Martin Schulz will yesterday for five years, and run to lead Germany will be held in Saarland on the French become something of a social media from a program of labor market reforms officially become Chancellor Angela has given the Social Democrats a new border on March 26. phenomenon, inspiring a raft of affec- known as Agenda 2010 and passed by Merkel’s chief challenger in Germany’s lease of life since party leader Sigmar tionate hashtags and viral videos among the last SPD chancellor, Gerhard September general election and lay out Gabriel asked him to take the reins in Fired-up fans his fired-up fans. Schroeder, who lost to Merkel in 2005. his plans for unseating the world’s most January. “It’s been encouraging to see The Social Democrats, junior partners The unpopular measures were successful powerful woman. The bearded Social in the last few weeks that people are in Merkel governments for nearly eight Heal the divisions in driving down unemployment but also Democrat, already credited with giving hopeful again that the Social of the last 12 years, long withered in Schulz’s unique life history-he wanted a key factor in the party’s bitter and last- his ailing party a strong shot in the arm, Democrats have a shot,” Schulz told Merkel’s shadow. But Gabriel, now to be a professional footballer, didn’t fin- ing gulf between centrists and leftists. will be anointed SPD leader and stan- Berlin public radio RBB this week. Germany’s foreign minister, told support- ish high school, beat alcoholism before Schulz, stressing his humble roots, dard bearer at a one-day congress in “My intention to pursue policies that ers this month that Schulz’s entry into opening a bookstore and taught himself has pledged to soften some of its key Berlin. German media predicted he could make the lives of hard-working people a the race as a Berlin outsider appealed to five languages-gives him a common planks, including lengthening the period garner more than 90 percent of the vote little better is apparently finding a lot of many SPD voters who are tired of the touch. He has faced attacks by conserva- of time the jobless are entitled to full from the country’s oldest political party. support.” Opinion surveys have recorded “grand coalition”. “He embodies the feel- tives that he has adopted a “populist” benefits. Meanwhile Merkel, a frequent In a speech to the SPD rank and file, a 10-point jump for the SPD in recent ing of Social Democracy, in his head and tone but he dismisses the charges as elit- winner of Forbes magazine’s most-pow- Schulz will attempt to harness his weeks and some polls put it ahead of above all in his heart,” Gabriel said. ism. “I speak in a way so you can tell me erful woman ranking, said she was not momentum against Merkel, whose con- the conservative bloc of Merkel, who is For his part Schulz, 61, attributes his apart from my rivals, and I try to make troubled about the wind in the SPD’s servatives just a few months ago had trying to win a fourth term. The con- surge to a sharpened focus on their clas- complex ideas understandable for my sails, noting that there had always been an apparently invincible lead in the gress will fire the starting gun for the sic bread-and-butter issues including audience,” he insists. potential in its “very meager poll ratings”. polls. Schulz’s decision to leave the national election campaign and the race wealth redistribution, free education and Party members are hopeful Schulz “Competition enlivens things,” she told European Parliament, which he headed for three state polls, the first of which gender equality. He has in the process can help heal the divisions stemming Friday’s Saarbruecker Zeitung.—AFP French vote seen from abroad: Le Pen steals the limelight Election reflects battle between politics and populism LONDON: Marine Le Pen’s far-right rhetoric, Francois Fillon’s survival tale and Emmanuel Macron’s novel style: The ups and downs of the French presidential election have captured inter- national attention. The main focus: The rise of populism.

Who can beat Le Pen? In Brexit Britain, the French electoral cam- paign is being closely-watched. Many, from the media to leaders and Londoners still stunned by the result of the referendum on European Union membership, wonder whether Le Pen could actually come out on top. Ian Bond, director of policy at the Centre for European Reform think tank, said the election reflects “the battle between mainstream politics and populism”. WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel It will reveal whether populism “will take shake hands after a press conference in the East Room of the White House in another step forward or if it has reached its peak, Washington, DC.—AFP and if more reasonable politicians will be able to reassert themselves in Europe,” he said. The UK Independence Party’s former leader Nigel Trump did not refuse Farage, a leading campaigner for Brexit, said that an election victory for Le Pen and her far-right to shake Merkel’s hand National Front (FN) would “bring down” the European Union. METZ: French far-right Front National (FN) party candidate for the presidential election Marine BERLIN: Donald Trump’s spokesman has Office, Merkel’s suggestion of another In Germany, the prospect of a Le Pen victory Le Pen delivers a speech during a campaign rally in Metz, eastern France.—AFP denied that the US president refused to handshake went unheard or ignored by is worrisome and a “real danger” according to Macron: France’s answer to Trump shake hands with German Chancellor Trump-an awkward moment in what are Sigmar Gabriel, the minister for foreign affairs. Fillon: A question of ethics Macron is often found intriguing and, some- Angela Merkel as they say side-by-side in usually highly scripted occasions. “The only question that matters, is who can beat The other candidate to find favor in Russia is times, charming. German media praise “the the White House last week. “I don’t think he German media pointed to the incident Marine Le Pen,” the weekly news magazine Der Francois Fillon. The right-wing presidential blue-eyed boy who reads Goethe”-a recent heard the question” posed by Merkel when as another marker of the meeting’s gener- Spiegel wrote. In the United States, where many hopeful, charged for misusing public funds, is headline from the liberal Frankfurter Allgemeine she suggested they shake hands, in full al icy mood between the cautious focus on whether the “Trumpism” wave will grow described as the “victim of persecution” by Zeitung. The left-wing Tagesszeitung is more view of press cameras, spokesman Sean German chancellor and impulsive US or fizzle out, Marine Le Pen’s name is the only Vesti Nedeli. But his “Russian friendships” could critical, describing Macron as “the elites’ candi- Spicer told German weekly Der Spiegel president. In a frequently awkward joint one to really stand out. end up working against him, the state news date” but also as “the last defense against the published yesterday. The quote was trans- press conference in the East Room, Trump However, as the Richmond Times-Dispatch agency RIA Novosti said. Elsewhere, the for- National Front”. In London, where he met with lated into English from Der Spiegel’s online and Merkel showed little common ground highlighted, there are differences between the mer PM’s continued candidacy is a source of Prime Minister Theresa May and held a rally for German website. as they addressed a host of thorny issues US President and the aspiring French candidate, incredulity and ridicule. “ thousands of supporters, his liberal views are The veteran German chancellor had including NATO, defense spending and most notably, her “constancy and coherence,” I can’t see that in the UK,” Bond said, adding: attractive. The daily Independent newspaper arrived for her first meeting with Trump at a free trade deals. which Trump lacks, according to the newspaper. “If such a case arose, senior figures in any polit- said: “It is Emmanuel Macron, not Marine Le Pen, snowy White House hoping to reverse a For most of the 30 minutes, Merkel was As the CNN journalist Anderson Cooper pointed ical party would give him a bottle of whisky who will come to be known as France’s answer chill in relations after Trump’s incendiary stony-faced as Trump ripped into out, Le Pen is a “professional politician”. In Russia, and a revolver”. “Apparently, he drank the to Donald Trump.” Unsurprisingly, Russia election rhetoric, in which he called Washington’s NATO allies for not paying for Le Pen is the clear media favorite and her mani- whisky and gave them the gun back”. In expresses little love for him. The Kremlin-backed Merkel’s acceptance of refugees a “cata- their “fair share” for transatlantic defense festo is presented as the best. Yesterday, the pop- Germany, where politicians’ ethics are under Sputnik, which aims to gain a foothold in strophic mistake” and suggested she was and demanded “fair and reciprocal trade” ular “Vesti Nedeli” television show hailed her anti- strong public scrutiny, Fillon’s persistence has France, denounced what it views as the French “ruining Germany.” The visit on Friday deals. Yesterday, Germany’s biggest-selling immigration policies before delving into allega- caused shock. Der Spiegel said the Fillon “saga” media’s “favorable” treatment of Macron. It also began cordially, with the pair shaking daily Bild said that throughout the White tions about moderate candidate Emmanuel not only affects the political elite but also seri- said the “satanic trio” of NATO, the European hands at the entrance of the White House. House meeting, not once did Trump look Macron’s assets. The show labeled him President ously damages “the reputation of the republic Central Bank and the European Union want to But later, sitting side-by-side in the Oval her in the eye.—AFP Francois “Hollande’s creature”. and its institutions”. “impose their Macron”.—AFP French teens charged over school shooting GRASSE, France: A 16-year-old boy school in the hillside town of Grasse, who opened fire at his school in was carrying a small arsenal of southern France, slightly wounding weapons as well as a homemade four fellow pupils and a teacher, was explosive device in a bag. charged over the attack Saturday Authorities have not detailed their along with an alleged accomplice. The evidence against the 17-year-old heavily armed teen appears to have alleged accomplice, and he refused been motivated to launch Thursday’s to speak to investigators. However, assault by “bad relationships” with his his parents recently reported him to classmates and aimed to kill up to 14 authorities for writing a letter to an of them, authorities said. American prisoner in the state of The shooter, who has not been Ohio who is serving a sentence for named because he is a minor, was committing three murders at a high charged with attempted homicide, school. The head teacher and four and an accomplice was charged with pupils wounded in the attack were helping him. Both are behind bars. not the intended targets of the Investigators said the boy, a student shooter, said local prosecutor at the Alexis de Tocqueville high Fabienne Atzori.—AFP

PARIS: Members of the RAID, (Research, Assistance, Intervention and Deterrence), France’s elite police force, leave Orly airport, south of Paris.—AP Row erupts over mystery France’s defense a key issue break-in at S Africa court JOHANNESBURG: South African politi- to catch the criminals. The burglars for country’s next president cians traded accusations yesterday over a reportedly only took computers from mysterious break-in at the Johannesburg the human resources department, leav- PARIS: France’s presidential election campaign is and more jets, ships and armored vehicles. in 2015. The Orly Airport patrol that was offices of the country’s top judge a day ing other computers and valuables taking note of an attack on a military patrol at Independent centrist candidate Emmanuel attacked Saturday by Ziyed Ben Belgacem - who after his court severely criticized the ANC behind. The theft occurred hours after Paris’ Orly Airport by a suspected Islamic extrem- Macron, as well as conservative candidate was shot and killed after taking a soldier hostage government. Burglars targeted Chief the Constitutional Court, which is head- ist who was shot dead by soldiers. Most notably, Francois Fillon and the Socialist Benoit Hamon, - was part of the Sentinelle force. It can mobilize Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s offices early ed by Mogoeng, delivered a scathing the party of far-right National Front candidate have vowed to keep the number of troops sta- up to 10,000 troops but is costly in terms of men on Saturday, stealing 15 computers con- ruling against the ANC government Marine Le Pen sought to make political hay from ble. France’s military currently has about and equipment. Macron says the operation will taining sensitive information about 250 over welfare payments. It criticized the Saturday’s attack, accusing previous administra- 200,000 soldiers. have to be “adapted” according to the threat lev- judges, officials said. Senior opposition “extraordinary conduct” of ministers, tions and Socialist President Francois Hollande’s el. Fillon proposes a re-think of Sentinelle to Democratic Alliance (DA) lawmaker John saying they had shown no interest in current government of being weak in the face of European defense vs. French defense allow the army to focus on operations abroad Steenhuisen accused State Security solving a contractual dispute that put at security threats. With Britain’s upcoming exit from the 28- rather than on French soil. Minister David Mahlobo of being behind risk payments to millions of South France’s military is on the front line of the nation European Union, France will remain a the break-in. Africa’s poorest citizens. fight against terrorism - one of the biggest chal- major military force in the bloc. Le Pen wants What about a draft? “My money’s on Mahlobo... Intimidation Yesterday, the State Security Agency lenges for the country’s next president. French France to be militarily independent and to leave France abolished compulsory military service of judiciary,” Steenhuisen wrote on Twitter, issued a statement dismissing “the base- troops are engaged in operations against Islamic NATO’s command to avoid being “drawn into for men in 1996. Yet some presidential candi- vowing to fight against “corruption and less accusations made by some insinuat- extremism in Syria, Iraq and Africa’s Sahel region, others’ wars.” Far-left presidential candidate dates are talking about bringing it back, in abuse of state power.” “It is highly suspi- ing our involvement” in the break-in. The as well as on its own territory since terror attacks Jean-Luc Melenchon also wants to completely revised forms, in the wake of attacks that have cious that the break-in occurred the day burglary “should be a concern to all and leave the NATO alliance. Fillon and Hamon, how- killed more than 235 people in France since in 2015. Here’s a look at the defense proposals of after the Constitutional Court handed not a matter of ridicule,” it added. major candidates in France’s two-round, April- ever, suggest France should get financing from 2015. Le Pen wants to establish a 3-month mini- down a damning judgment,” a party President Jacob Zuma’s ANC government May presidential election: European partners to help pay for its security mum military service to “unite French youth.” statement said. has been hit by multiple corruption scan- operations abroad, while Macron is pushing for a Macron proposes a one-month mandatory Boosting defense spending European defense. service for all young men and women -about The ruling ANC accused the DA of dals and court setbacks. Leading presidential candidates are propos- 600,000 people per year- to help improve rela- “wild allegations (and) frivolous conspir- The party, which led the struggle ing increasing the French defense budget to at Troops on the streets tions between France’s military and its citizens. acy theories” and called for police to against apartheid, came to power in 1994 least 2 percent of GDP by the mid-2020s, up France’s Sentinelle operation that put military Melenchon wants to make some military service track down the thieves. The radical leftist under Nelson Mandela but has lost sup- from 1.78 percent now - in line with NATO tar- patrols on the country’s streets and public sites possible, but not compulsory. The first round of EFF party also alleged Mahlobo was port in recent years, posting its worst gets. Le Pen promises a more “substantial” finan- was launched two years ago after Islamic France’s presidential vote will take place on April involved in the burglary. election results in local polls last year. cial effort to reach 3 percent of GDP, adding extremists attacked the satirical magazine 23, and the top two vote-getters then will go Police described the break-in as “an South Africa holds its next general elec- 50,000 more soldiers, a second aircraft carrier Charlie Hebdo in Paris and a kosher supermarket into a presidential runoff on May 7.—AP attack on the judicial system” and vowed tion in 2019.—AFP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 INTERNATIONAL Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets the press

n 8 March 2017, the fifth session of the with both risks of growing instability and the see that the heads of state and government With protectionism and unilateralism on the Wang Yi: Let me tell you at the outset that 12th National People’s Congress held a promise of peace. from over 20 countries, the leaders of over 50 rise, the Belt and Road Initiative is a common China-Russia relations are in excellent shape Opress conference, where Foreign In China’s view, to nudge the regional situa- international organizations, over 100 ministe- cause where the participating countries roll up and we have great confidence in this relation- Minister Wang Yi answered questions from tion in the right direction, three things are of rial-level officials and around 1,200 delegates their sleeves and pitch in together. The initia- ship. We have a comprehensive strategic part- domestic and foreign media on China’s foreign crucial importance. First, we need to maintain from different countries and regions partici- tive will help to rebalance economic globaliza- nership of coordination not because it’s con- policy and external relations. the important consensus on fighting terrorism. pating in the forum. tion and make it more inclusive and equitable. venient; it’s a strategic decision reached by Second, we need to adhere to the right goal of In addition to the Leaders Roundtable, It also represents an important attempt at both sides on the basis of our fundamental Wang Yi: Friends of the press, good morning. seeking a political settlement of the regional there will also be a High-Level Dialogue and building a community of shared future for all interests. The relationship has stood the test of Every year, the NPC schedules my press confer- issues. And third, we must put the UN in the six parallel panel discussions on the connec- humankind. We hope the forum will accom- international vicissitudes. It is as strong as it’s ence for 8 March. This gives me an opportunity driver’s seat of the Middle East peace process. tivity of policy, infrastructure, trade, finance plish three things. ever been and our mutual trust has reached a to extend festive greetings in person to all the The Iranian nuclear agreement is a fine and people. Beijing will once again be the First, review and build consensus, enhance historic high. female journalists in this room. example of settling disputes by political and center of global attention; the Belt and Road the complementarities of countries’ develop- The relationship will not be affected or weakened by any external factor. We welcome Indeed, I want to wish all women, happi- diplomatic means. The relevant parties should Initiative will continue to be a hot topic ment strategies and set the goal of combining any improvement in Russia-US relations, ness and good luck. I also want to say a big all honor their commitment, fulfill their obliga- around the world. The Belt and Road is China’s their strengths and achieving common pros- which will be an important piece of good thank-you to all members of the press. You tion and effectively implement that agreement. initiative, but it belongs to the world. The idea perity. Second, examine key areas of coopera- news for the world. This year, the Presidents of have made an important contribution by The issue of Palestine is an open wound in the came from China, but the benefits will flow to tion and identify a number of major projects China and Russia will have multiple face-to- building a bridge between the Chinese diplo- Middle East. Peace may be delayed, but justice all countries. concerning physical connectivity, trade and face meetings, which will take our relationship macy and the public at home and abroad. cannot be denied. China firmly supports the In the over three years since President Xi investment, financial support and people-to- to new heights. China and Russia will also Thank you for a job well done. Now I’m ready two-state solution and will continue to do what announced the initiative, the idea has caught people exchange. Third, announce medium- to improve strategic coordination on interna- to take your questions. we can to help restart the peace talks. on and cooperation has flourished. It has long-term initiatives, explore the establishment tional and regional issues and act as a stabiliz- Xinhua News Agency: In May, China will become the most popular public good and of an effective cooperation mechanism and er in the otherwise turbulent world. As for the Al Jazeera: The situation in the Middle East host the Belt and Road Forum for International the international cooperation platform with build a closer and result-oriented network of China-US-Russia relationship in the new era, it is becoming ever more complicated. As a per- Cooperation. Why does China want to hold the the brightest prospects. The Belt and Road partnerships. should not be “a seesaw game”. The three manent member of the UN Security Council, forum at this moment in time and what does Initiative has been so successful because it countries should work with rather than against what role will China play on the regional China hope to achieve? meets the partner countries’ urgent desire for TASS: After Trump became US President, each other. We should pursue win-win rather issues? more mutually beneficial cooperation and the world has made a lot of commentary on than zero-sum outcomes. The three countries Wang Yi: In about two months’ time, we’ll follows the open and inclusive principle of Russia-China-US relations. Do you think can develop a positive and healthy relation- Wang Yi: Once again the situation in the hold the Belt and Road Forum for planning together, building together and there will be any change in the triangular ship, so that we can jointly fulfill our responsi- Middle East has reached a crucial crossroads International Cooperation in Beijing. We fore- benefiting together. relationship? bilities for world peace and development. Toxic mystery behind Kim Jong-Nam’s assassination

KUALA LUMPUR: More than a month after Kim Jong-Nam was murdered in Kuala Why are experts confounded? Lumpur, experts are struggling to make Experts have expressed skepticism sense of Malaysia’s findings that the lethal about Malaysia’s findings, with one UK- nerve agent VX was used to kill him without based scientist telling AFP that “there are apparent harm to anyone else. Malaysian aspects of this that do not ‘add up’.” Simon police have released virtually no forensic Cotton, a specialist in molecular chemistry evidence connected to the high-profile at the University of Birmingham, added: “I assassination of the estranged half-brother cannot see how the accused women would of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un. have administered a fatal dose of VX direct- Scientists are confounded by how VX-a ly to the victim without sustaining corre- toxin so deadly it is classed as a weapon of sponding life-threatening injuries them- mass destruction by the UN-was deployed selves.” “There is also no report of any trace in an international airport without causing of VX - or of any cloths or containers carry- serious injury to the assailants, first respon- ing traces of it - at the ‘crime scene’.” der medics or other travelers. “We are building speculation upon speculation” to So VX wasn’t deployed? explain what happened, said Jean-Pascal Not so fast. Some experts have put for- Zanders, an expert on disarmament who ward a hypothesis that the killing was car- focuses on chemical and biological ried out using a binary version of VX known weapons. as VX2. In that case, the assassins would Airport CCTV footage on February 13 have separately applied two chemicals to shows two women approaching the 45-year- his face, using a precursor which is not old victim and apparently rubbing his face severely toxic on its own but lethal once with a cloth. He died minutes later, according combined with sulphur. The theory would to police, who found traces of VX on his face. also explain why two women were used for BEIJING: Rex Tillerson, Xi Jinping, Margaret Peterlin, Yang Jiechi US State of Secretary, Rex Tillerson, center left, attends talks with China’s Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi the attack. “The simplest explanation is that President Xi Jinping, center right, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, yesterday.—AP Huong, 28, from Vietnam, have since been it was binary,” said Matthew Meselson, a charged with his murder and have told professor at Harvard University and mem- diplomats they were duped into believing ber of the national advisory board at the Xi, Tillerson seek stronger ties as they were participating in a TV prank show. US-based Center for Arms Control and Non- Police have rejected those claims but have Proliferation. As the two chemicals com- North Korea hails rocket progress not released any evidence to explain how bined on Kim’s face to create VX, the the women were able to handle one of the assailants would have been unharmed world’s deadliest toxins without suffering while the delayed reaction would have US to take possible military action against N Korea severe harm. Here are some key questions allowed him to continue walking as shown and answers about the attack: in the CCTV footage. It is also easier to BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping and US will achieve a greater understanding that will diers and scientists at the site and hugging and transport VX across borders when it is bro- Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pledged in talks lead to a ... strengthening of the ties between giving a piggy-back to an aged soldier who What is VX? ken down into two seemingly innocuous yesterday to work to strengthen a relationship China and the United States and set the tone for appeared to be bursting into tears in joy. VX is an organophosphate compound components. strained by disputes over North Korea and trade. our future relationship of cooperation,” he told Xi. KCNA said the new engine could be used to that strikes the nervous system, over-stimu- Xi met Tillerson in Beijing just hours after Earlier yesterday North Korean state media said launch satellites, but rockets are easily repur- lating glands and muscles till they tire and Why use VX instead of other toxins? nuclear-armed North Korea tested the US-China the isolated regime had tested a powerful engine posed to carry warheads. North Korea is banned stop working. People exposed to high dos- Experts believe Pyongyang made a con- relationship anew by announcing a provocative hailed by leader Kim Jong-Un as a “new birth” for by the international community from pursuing es of the toxin experience seizures, heart sidered decision to use VX instead of the rocket engine trial, and with delicate negotia- its rocket industry, which experts view as cover nuclear and missile programs but has defiantly failure and a shutdown of the respiratory more commonly deployed Sarin. “Sarin tions under way for a Xi summit with President for developing intercontinental ballistic missiles. ploughed ahead. It staged its two latest nuclear system. Since it evaporates slowly, it can kills indiscriminately-there’s a heavy risk of Donald Trump. tests last year and recently fired off missiles potentially contaminate areas for long peri- collateral damage. To use it in a foreign Xi told Tillerson that he and Trump had Rocket rebirth which it described as practice for an attack on ods of time. country would have been an act of war,” resolved in a phone call last month “to make The announcement’s timing appeared US bases in Japan. Kim said the successful A global treaty signed by more than 160 said Vipin Narang, an expert on nuclear joint efforts to advance China-US cooperation intended to sour Tillerson’s China visit. On engine test signified “a new birth” of North countries that went into force in 1997 pro- strategy at the Massachusetts Institute of and we believe that we can make sure the rela- Saturday Tillerson said after talks with his Korea’s rocket industry. hibits the production, stockpiling and use Technology. Unlike Sarin, which evapo- tionship will move ahead in a constructive fash- Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that tensions on of VX. North Korea, which is not among the rates quickly whether deployed as a gas or ion in the new era.” “I’m confident that as long as the Korean peninsula had reached a “dangerous Summit in the works signatories to the treaty, has been blamed liquid, VX vaporizes slowly, giving authori- we can do this the relationship can surely move level”. Tillerson and Wang pledged to work Xi met Tillerson as the two sides haggle by Seoul for Kim’s assassination, with the ties time to cordon off affected areas in the right direction,” Xi said. En route to Beijing, together to denuclearize Kim’s rogue regime, behind closed doors over a summit with Trump, South saying the regime’s leader wanted to before large numbers of people are Tillerson visited US allies Japan and South Korea but offered no clear way forward. Wang, howev- a frequent China critic. A successful meeting eliminate a potential rival. exposed to it. —AFP where he declared Washington would drop the er, chided Tillerson over his recent tough talk, could be crucial in setting the tone for the rela- “failed” approach of “strategic patience” with saying “we hope all parties, including our friends tionship between the world’s two largest Pyongyang-adding that US military action from the United States, can size up the situation economies in coming years. Officials who spoke against the North was possible. in a cool-headed” fashion. It was not clear on condition of anonymity have said that Trump That marked a sharp break with China, which whether Xi and Tillerson discussed North Korea. has tentatively agreed to host Xi at his Mar-a- favors careful diplomacy over heated rhetoric. The North’s state news agency KCNA said Kim Lago resort in Florida in early April. Relations have also been strained by China’s oversaw the rocket engine test and “emphasized But they said the plan was running up fierce opposition to a US missile defense system that the whole world will soon witness what against differences over North Korea, what being rolled out in South Korea and Trump’s eventful significance the great victory won “deliverables” can emerge, and anger over leaks Twitter accusation on Friday that China was not today carries”-a possible veiled warning to about the planning. It remained unclear doing enough to control Pyongyang, its neigh- Pyongyang’s adversaries. Ruling party newspa- whether Tillerson’s apparently cordial Beijing bor and historic ally. Trump has also repeatedly per Rodong Sinmun splashed photos across its visit would now pave the way. Tillerson men- accused China of unfair trade practices. But front page showing a beaming, baton-wielding tioned “the opportunity for a visit in the future” Tillerson has made nice while in Beijing. Kim looking on as flames roared out of the but otherwise gave no further details. He left “We know that through further dialogue we engine. State TV also showed Kim meeting sol- China without speaking to media. — AFP Bridge name makes troubled KUALA LUMPUR: A Royal Malaysian Police vehicle is parked inside the forensics wing of the Hospital Kuala Lumpur, where the body of Kim Jong-Nam is being held, in waters for Myanmar’s Suu Kyi Kuala Lumpur yesterday.—AFP

YANGON: Thousands of people Many of those protesting yester- can do whatever proposal as they what the local ethnics want.” Saw protested in eastern Myanmar yester- day said locals felt their wishes to like,” demonstrator Lin Htet, 34, Kyaw Moe, who hails from the near- Bangladesh clears execution day against plans to name a bridge keep the old name were being said. “But for us and for all ethnic by Karen ethnic group, was part of after Aung San Suu Kyi’s father, the ignored. “The NLD is powerful in people, we value many things in a contingent of protesters who for top extremist leader latest flashpoint between her admin- the parliament and nowadays they our culture and they should listen joined in support of the Mon. DHAKA: Bangladesh’s highest court yes- such precedent of an Islamist extremist istration and the country’s restless terday rejected the final appeal by a top being granted clemency in Bangladesh. ethnic minorities. The issue highlights Plagued by insurgencies extremist leader to overturn his death The trio were sentenced to death for some of the deep distrust among He said many minorities felt sentence, all but paving the way for his masterminding a 2004 grenade attack Myanmar’s patchwork of minorities Suu Kyi’s government was deaf to execution within weeks. The Supreme that killed three and injured scores more, towards the Bamar ethnic majority their wishes. “The MPs should lis- Court upheld a 2008 order to execute including then British high commissioner from which Suu Kyi and most of the ten to the wishes of the people Mufti Abdul Hannan and two associates (ambassador) Anwar Choudhury. political establishment hail. who appointed them as MPs but for an attack on a shrine that left three It was among the most high-profile Thousands hit the streets of now they don’t listen the voices of dead and injured the British high com- attacks orchestrated by the Harkat-ul eastern Mon State yesterday, the the people,” he said. The fight over missioner at the time. The decision Jihad Al Islami (HuJI) group, headed by biggest rally yet against plans to the bridge’s name is seen as more comes just weeks after armed militants Hannan, across Bangladesh in the mid- rename the local Thanlwin bridge than just a symbolic designation, attempted to free Hannan in a daring 1990s. By the time Hannan was arrest- spanning the wide Salween River. but part of a larger fight for ethnic ambush as police transferred the high- ed in late 2005 more than 100 people Lawmakers from Suu Kyi’s National self-determination. Suu Kyi’s profile extremist between prisons. had been killed in attacks by HuJI on a League for Democracy (NLD) party father Aung San is regarded as a The appeal dismissal leaves Hannan church, secular gatherings and have proposed calling it the national hero, especially among and his associates no further legal mosques used by Islam’s minority sects. Bogyoke Aung San bridge. Aung the Bamar majority. avenues to escape the gallows and they His supporters attempted to free their San was Suu Kyi’s father, seen as the But many ethnic groups see him could be hanged within a week, said influential leader in early March by founder of post-colonial Myanmar as a more controversial figure who Attorney General Mahbubey Alam. “They hurling hurl bombs at police vans who was assassinated before the failed to deliver on promises of can still beg for their lives to the presi- transporting Hannan, but failed to country won its independence YANGON: Monks and ethnic Mon shout slogans during a rally in greater autonomy and federalism dent,” he told AFP, though there is no secure his release. —AFP from Britain. Mawlamyine in Myanmar’s Mon State yesterday.—AFP for them. — AFP NEWS MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

French police probe motives of attacker Continued from Page 1 Belgacem’s body yesterday to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor. after grabbing a female soldier, putting a gun to her Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said he appeared to head and seizing her rifle. have become caught up in a “sort of headlong flight The attack comes with France still on high alert fol- that became more and more destructive”. The shooting lowing a series of jihadist attacks that have claimed took place on the second day of a visit to Paris by more than 230 lives in two years. Security is one of the Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate, which was key issues in France’s two-round presidential election unaffected. on April 23 and May 7. Ben Belgacem’s father insisted Ben Belgacem’s standoff with the security forces the assailant-who had spent time in prison for drugs began at around 6.30 am (0530 GMT) in the gritty and armed robbery and been investigated for links to northern Paris suburb of Garges-les-Gonesse, where he radical Islam-was “not a terrorist” and was acting under lived. After spending the night in a bar, he was pulled the influence of drink and drugs. over by police for speeding. Ben Belgacem drew a gun The father was released from custody late Saturday and fired at the police, slightly injuring one officer. after being questioned. Investigators were continuing His father told Europe 1 his son phoned him shortly to quiz Ben Belgacem’s brother and cousin for clues as after the confrontation “in a state of extreme agitation”. to whether the gunman had planned a terror attack or “He said to me: ‘Daddy, please forgive me.” whether the airport attack was the unhinged epilogue Ben Belgacem then drove to Orly airport, stopping to a shooting spree. off first in a bar where he had been drinking hours earli- ‘Drink and cannabis to blame’ er and firing more shots and then stealing another car. “My son was not a terrorist. He never prayed and he On the departures floor of the airport, he grabbed a sol- drank,” his father, whose first name was not given, told dier patrolling with two colleagues under the Sentinelle Europe 1 radio, blaming “drink and cannabis” for his anti-terror operation that has mobilized thousands of son’s actions. An autopsy was to be carried out on Ben troops since January 2015. — AFP White House security boosted after arrest Continued from Page 1 walked around the grounds of the executive mansion for 16 minutes before being arrested. That time Trump PALM BEACH: US Coast Guard patrol watches Lake Worth Lagoon as President Donald Trump returns to his Mar- A Secret Service official speaking on condition of was inside the building. a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla yesterday. Trump and his family are spending their weekend at his resort in anonymity said the person was not found to be carrying The White House has seen a string of high-profile Palm Beach, Florida. —AP any weapons. The arrest came about a week after a trespassing incidents in recent years. In one notable more serious incident that called into question security incident in 2014, while Barack Obama was president, an outside the White House. army veteran described as mentally disturbed made it Assembly panel debates anti-corruption... Just before midnight on March 10, a man scaled into the White House grounds, sprinted across the lawn three barriers outside the White House-a perimeter and entered the building with a knife in his pocket Continued from Page 1 Also, Deputy Speaker Issa Al-Kandari called on the fence, a vehicle gate and then another fence-and before being tackled and arrested. — AFP justice minister to stop interfering in the affairs of the The lawmaker said the committee discussed draft laws anti-corruption authority, saying that the minister has on conflict of interests to deal with the illegal bank repeatedly pressured officials at the authority to step Livestock traders warned for artificial... deposits and draft laws related to transparency and dis- down. Kandari said the minister’s actions represent a closures. The committee must complete its discussion and flagrant interference in the affairs of the Authority and Continued from Page 1 raising prices or controlling amounts of meat at mar- present its report to the assembly by April 7, Dallal said. urged the prime minister to intervene. kets. He urged consumers not to hesitate to send com- The meeting was attended by head of the Anti- In the meantime, the financial and economic affairs False shortage, inflated prices plaints to the ministry if there is a rise in prices, promis- Corruption Authority and a board member who spoke committee yesterday approved a draft law to lower the The government noted that already it seems some ing that he would follow up the implementation of law about the previous experiment of the Authority retirement age for both male and female government companies have halted imports of ‘certain goods’ in to make sure that prices are stable in the holy month of which has been experiencing a bitter division employees. efforts to create an artificial shortage and push prices Ramadan. Live sheep prices often skyrocket during between its top officials. The draft law stipulates that female employees can higher, a measure the statement slammed as completely Ramadan and especially during Eid Al-Adha. It was also attended by Justice Minister Faleh Al-Azeb have retirement after serving for 20 years provided their illegal and a threat to national food security. According The Kuwait Livestock Transport and Trading and representatives of civil societies dealing with cor- age is above 45 and that male employees can go on to official statistics, around 1.5 million sheep are import- Company (KLTT) reassured the public that it has com- ruption, said Dallal, adding that the committee is con- retirement after a 25-year service provided they have ed annually by some 30 companies, while PAAFR raises pleted preparations for the upcoming holy month of sidering whether to have one or several laws on the reached 50 years of age. around 450,000 cattle to buoy food security. Ramadan by importing more than 200,000 head of live issue and whether the conflict of interests law should The government had rejected such laws in the past Minister Al-Roudhan submitted an official request to sheep to cover market needs. be part of the anti-corruption law or the penal code. because of their heavy financial cost on the country’s Consumer Protection Agency to investigate the alleged CEO Osama Khaled Boodai said the company is fully up In the meantime, MP Riyadh Al-Adasani criticized social security institution. monopoly plan and fine violators, reported KUNA. Al- to its responsibilities towards providing local markets with Dallal for refusing to discuss the conflict of interests MP Safa Al-Hashem yesterday submitted a proposal Roudhan also directed concerned parties in the min- needs of meat. Boodai also stressed that KLTT was ready draft law, which he submitted, as a standalone bill and calling to advance the clock in Kuwait by two hours istry to follow up periodically amounts of available live- to provide extra amounts of meat if needed. He also not as part of other legislation. Adasani had submitted starting from April 1 and until end of September every stock, and chilled and frozen meat, and submit a report explained that KLTT provides all kinds of fresh, cooled, the draft law to close legal loopholes that prevented the year. She said the proposal will help the population in on the matter. frozen and processed meats and that sheep prices start at prosecution of current and former MPs who were the summer months when temperature hits above 50 He asked CPA to receive complaints and prevent con- KD 35 per head at KLTT butcheries and through home accused of receiving millions of dinars of bribes. Degrees Celsius. sumers from being exploited by traders through either delivery service and mobile phone application. MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 ANALYSIS

THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961

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Focus Syrian refugees avoid sea, head to Italy ‘pronto’

By Maya Gebeily

ust before midnight in a sleepy district of Beirut, dozens of Syrian refugees huddle in small groups Jaround bulging suitcases, clutching their pinging cellphones and one-way tickets to Italy. “Torino! Pronto! Cappuccino!” They practice random Italian words in a schoolyard in the Lebanese capital’s eastern Geitawi neighborhood, waiting for the buses that will take them to the airport, and onwards to their new lives in Italy. Under an initiative introduced last year by the Italian government, nearly 700 Syrian refugees have been granted one-year humanitarian visas to begin their asylum process in Italy. The program is the first of its kind in Europe: a speedy third way that both avoids the lengthy United Nations resettlement process and provides refugees with a safe alternative to crammed dinghies and per- Greek islands turning into ‘prisons’ ilous sea crossings. Compared to fervent calls for “extreme vetting” of refugees most famously made by US President Donald Trump, this “humanitarian corri- By Ulrich Von Schwerin, which had mushroomed into a combustible long been plagued by poor living stan- ing to Greek police figures. Even people dor” is like a godsend. Catherine Boitard political and social issue in Europe. Turkey’s dards and overcrowding, have improved, entitled to international protection gave “Turin is the city I’ve been dreaming of,” says omali refugee Abdulaziz says he is pledge, in exchange for more aid, visa-free said Achilleas Tzemos, a field coordinator up, lawyers said, because they didn’t under- Mohammed, 24, a Syrian refugee who has lived in “suffocating” in an overcrowded travel and the speeding up of Ankara’s long- with Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The stand the procedural mechanisms, or southern Lebanon for five years and is travelling to the Scamp on the Greek island of Lesbos, stalled EU accession talks, was also aimed at relocation of the most vulnerable, includ- because they needed to escape the misery northern Italian city with his pregnant wife. After por- where he shares a tent with a dozen other deterring migrants from making the per- ing unaccompanied migrant children and of the camps. “Information is essential” for ing over pictures on Google, Mohammed says Turin Africans. The 30-something resident of the ilous sea crossing in the first place, knowing torture victims, has accelerated with at refugees, said Philip Worthington, a project looks like a “beautiful” industrial hub where he hopes to Moria camp had been hoping to reach they could be sent back. least 10,000 moved elsewhere, according coordinator at the European Lawyers asso- work. “This trip is a leap into the future. I can build my Germany when he set off on his journey, Some 1,183 migrants were returned to to the UNHCR. But those who stay suffer ciation in Lesbos. life anew,” he says as he fires off updates by phone to but instead is stuck on this Greek island off Turkey in the year ending in January, Greek with uncertainty at the very least. “Not During one asylum interview, he said relatives anxious to hear about his journey. “The most Turkey’s western coast waiting for his asy- police figures show. But, along with a series knowing what awaits them subjects them an Iraqi exile highlighted his qualities as important thing we packed? Baby clothes.” lum claim to process. of border closures in the Balkans and east- to a great deal of fear,” Tzemos said. a truck driver rather than the persecu- “It’s like a prison here... I’m suffocating,” ern Europe last year, the EU-Turkey deal has According to MSF there has been a tions he suffered because of his Christian ‘Safe and legal’ said Abdulaziz who has been languishing transformed the Greek islands into vast “sharp increase” in self-mutilations and religion. The EU is starting to cope with For 34-year-old Soha and her toddler Angelo, Italy in the camp for the past eight months. holding pens for refugees and migrants. suicide attempts. The United Nations chil- the situation, which refugees’ rights will be an escape from the trauma of Syria’s six-year war. “There is always someone screaming, Many of the camps are overcrowded and dren’s agency on Friday said the EU-Turkey organizations have criticized as a human- “Four years ago a rocket hit our house and killed both always fights,” said Abdulaziz, who was there are frequent clashes, with those agreement had increased suffering itarian scandal. Rising tensions between my sons, Antoine and Michael... We want to start a new injured in the leg while fleeing from Turkish inside tired of the long wait for asylum notably among children, despite curbing residents and migrants, media images of life. This is all for my son,” Soha says. Another refugee, police. He is just one of the thousands of papers and fearful of being returned to migrants flows. flimsy tents crushed under heavy snow Michel, was smuggled into Lebanon earlier this year migrants and refugees stranded on Greek Turkey. On Lesbos, there are nearly 5,000 “While there has been a major decrease falls, and the deaths of three migrants at after being shot in the chest and shoulder in Syria. islands a year after Turkey signed a land- people in camps nominally built to hold in the overall numbers of children on the the Moria camp in January, for reasons “I’m going to Rome. I’m looking forward to a new life mark agreement with the European Union 3,500, according to government figures. move into Europe since last March, there still unclear, have galvanized Greek there, far far away from the difficult lives we’ve led so to substantially reduce migrant flows. The Greek immigration ministry has has been an increase in the threats and dis- authorities. far,” he says. Tapping his foot nervously as the airport Ankara and Brussels forged the deal on refused to permit large-scale relocation tress refugee and migrant children endure,” The war of words between the EU and buses pull in, Michel admits he is relieved to be flying March 18, 2016. In the agreement, which from the islands to the mainland, fearing UNICEF’s migrant crisis coordinator Afshan Turkey over the migrant deal has escalated directly to Italy because “I don’t have to get smuggled took effect two days later, Ankara pledged that such a move could jeopardize the EU- Khan said in a statement. in recent days after Ankara blasted again and be humiliated”. to take back all illegal migrants landing in Turkey agreement that has helped stem Germany and the Netherlands for prevent- Hundreds of thousands of people landed last year Greece in order to help stem migrant flows further arrivals to the continent. ‘Information is essential’ ing Turkish ministers from campaigning on Europe’s shores after crossing the Mediterranean, to the EU. The deal helped put the brakes on In the past year, 851 people whose asy- ahead of a key April referendum. The EU but some 4,500 also died trying. A country of just four a massive influx of migrants and refugees, ‘Uncertainty and fear’ lum claims were rejected or who simply said it expects Turkey to honor the deal million people, Lebanon hosts more than one million especially from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, Conditions at Moria, a camp that has gave up, were returned to Turkey, accord- after Ankara threatened to bin it. —AFP Syrian refugees. For members of Mediterranean Hope, the four-person team coordinating Italy’s resettlement efforts from Lebanon, “humanitarian corridors” are the future of resettlement. The group interviews refugees Fear and optimism among US Muslims many times before recommending them to the Italian embassy, which issues humanitarian visas for a one- By Nova Safo according to the FBI. Those numbers may be going up, ‘Rapidly mobilizing’ year stay during which they begin the asylum process amid increasing reports of new incidents. Last month, an One evidence of the growing support was a gathering for permanent resettlement. n a sprawling banquet hall, Ahmed Rehab walked to a arson fire damaged a Florida mosque, and a Kansas man at Chicago’s Grace Place Episcopal Church, where about 30 “It’s safe and legal. Safe for them, legal for us,” says lectern facing a glittering group of diners and launched was accused of shooting two Indian immigrants who he people-many community activists for various other causes- Mediterranean Hope officer Sara Manisera. “After peo- into a searing speech excoriating the Donald Trump perceived as Middle Easterners, killing one. This week, the attended a presentation billed as a teach-in about ple cross the Mediterranean on the journey of death, I administration. “This fight is not just our fight, it is Islamic Center of Tucson reported that a vandal had scat- Islamophobia. Sofia Sami, dressed in the traditional Muslim they are put into centres for months while they wait. America’s fight,” Rehab told the packed room of 1,200 tered ripped up copies of the Quran, Islam’s holy text, head covering known as the hijab, stepped in front of a But with this program, there are no massive centres, it attendees - mostly American Muslims at a fundraiser for around the mosque. projection screen to help lead the group. costs less, and refugees can keep their dignity,” she said. the Chicago chapter of the Council on American Islamic They watched samples of news coverage, discussed ‘Best of America’ Relations (CAIR), which Rehab heads. their own perceptions, and considered ways rhetoric ‘Cross over into life’ But there has also been a rallying response from Muslim “As you look at those who are trying to ban good peo- shapes policies. Two hours later as people cleared out, The initiative is co-organized by Italy’s Catholic groups and supporters, as Muslim-Americans have felt more ple from coming to this country,” Rehab continued, “people Sami reflected on how American politics are changing. “A Community of Sant’Egidio, the Federation of scrutiny and threats. During his speech at the banquet hall, who’ve committed no crime whatsoever other than in their lot of people who aren’t Muslims are watching the news Evangelical Churches and the Valdese Evangelical minds the crime of being Muslim... we will have none of it.” Rehab pointed to new allies in the room-non-Muslim Church. Mediterranean Hope says it wants people to lawyers who helped travelers during Trump’s ill-fated first and seeking ways to support,” said the 24-year-old first The room broke into applause. generation American of Indian descent. CAIR, Rehab’s stop looking at refugee resettlement through the lens- The president’s efforts to institute a ban on travelers attempt at a ban that triggered chaos at American airports group, has expanded its capacity in Chicago to take on es of security and counter-terrorism. from certain Muslim-majority countries have been met until it was halted by US courts. “My friends, you are the best On Wednesday, a federal court in Hawaii halted hundreds of new volunteers, grown its network of schools, with a strong response from Muslim Americans and their of America,” he said. Other attendees echoed that optimism. Trump’s reworked travel ban, which again sought to bar mosques and community centers and held know-your- supporters. But there is also fear that Islamophobia is on “The negative could be turned into a positive, and I think all refugees from the US for 120 days and halt visas for rights training sessions. the rise, and that the Trump administration may still target that’s what we’re seeing now,” said Akif Ali, a 36-year-old 90 days for nationals of six Muslim-majority countries. Muslims. “There’s a real dread of what’s coming next, born in Houston. “The best part is that the American public “These are definitely times that are rapidly mobilizing And earlier this month, Hungary voted to systemati- what’s going to happen, who will be targeted,” said Louise themselves have become very generous to us,” added Saqib the Muslim community, or co-strugglers of color and allies,” cally detain all asylum-seekers. “Of course we can con- Khan, a US-born lawyer of Pakistani descent. said CAIR spokeswoman Hoda Katebi.— AFP tinue to build walls as Hungary and the US are doing, Cainkar, president of the Arab American Studies but the cost will be much higher for everyone. Which Association, and author of a book that examined how Arab kind of world do we want to live in?” asks Manira. At and Muslim Americans were affected by policies following Beirut airport, Mohammed Khalaf can hardly believe he the September 11 attacks. “There’s a sense that they’re will start a new life in Rome in just a few hours. going to once again go after civic organizations, possibly “Honestly, it’s indescribable. I was in one country, doing surveil mosques, things that have been done in the past,” everything possible to leave, and suddenly I’m going to she said. What is different now, she said, is that Muslim and be in another,” says the slight 21-year-old from Arab groups have established ties with other communities- Damascus. Khalaf is travelling alone. While he is open and demonstrations against Trump’s rhetoric now draw a about his weeks-long detention in two of Syria’s most mix of people from various faiths and backgrounds. “This is notorious prisons, he grimly refuses to talk about what new, and this is really energizing people,” she said. happened to his family. — AFP ‘It’s just scary’ At the banquet hall, those listening to Rehab’s speech had mixed reactions some concerned, others optimistic All articles appearing on these pages because of the sense of cooperation with outside groups. “My kids are all American citizens,” explained Fraheen are the personal opinion of the writers. Hashmi, a 36-year-old pharmacist with four young chil- Kuwait Times takes no responsibility dren. “It’s just scary to raise them in this environment,” she said, worried that they might grow up embarrassed of for views expressed therein. Kuwait their heritage or afraid to identify as Muslim. Zayna Times invites readers to voice their Saadeh was worried, too. The 59-year-old Palestinian immigrant has lived in the United States for 40 years. But opinions. Please send submissions via now, she keeps the front door of her clothing store locked for fear of xenophobic attacks. She unlocks only when email to: [email protected] or someone rings the doorbell. via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, “We’re not stranger(s),” in the United States she said, but”that’s how we feel a lot of times right now.” Advocacy Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to groups have reported a sharp rise in hate crimes. Anti- edit any submission as necessary. Muslim groups nearly tripled last year, according to an annual census by the Southern Poverty Law Center. And in CHICAGO: Sofia Sami (24) conducts training on Islamophobia at Chicago’s Grace Place Episcopal Church on February 2015, hate crimes against Muslims increased 67 percent, 15, 2017. “A lot of people who aren’t Muslims are watching the news and seeking ways to support,” she said.—AFP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 SPORTS

Schumacher Jnr eyes Srisaket upsets Tour de France loses driving licence unbeaten Gonzalez another former champion NEW YORK: Thailand’s Srisaket Sor Rungvisai captured the WBC super fly- BERLIN: He’s already been a star behind the wheel in Formula Four, but Michael PARIS: The Tour de France has lost its third former weight title Saturday with a stunning majority decision over Roman Schumacher’s teenage son Mick turns 18 on Wednesday-and can finally qualify Gonzalez at Madison Square Garden. Fighting on the undercard of the for a driving licence. Michael Schumacher, the seven-times Formula One world champion in as many months with the death aged 77 yesterday of 1967 winner Roger Pingeon. Pingeon suc- Gennady Golovkin-Daniel Jacobs card, the former star muay champion, continues to recover at the family home on Lake Geneva, Thai fighter continued his amazing boxing run by handing Switzerland, from the serious head trauma he suffered in a skiing cumbed to a heart attack at his home in the Ain region, local mayor Georges Gouly told AFP. On December 30 Gonzalez the first loss of his star-studded career. Srisaket accident in December 2013. But his son, who is studying for his has now won 41 or his last 42 fights as he improves to 42-4 driving test, is looking forward to finally being old enough to Switzerland’s 1950 Tour de France champion Ferdi Kubler died at the age of 97, then on February 7 Roger overall with one drawn and 38 knockouts. Nicaragua’s get his licence in Switzerland, despite already having a Gonzalez, who goes by the nickname “Chocolatito”, is con- Formula Four career. “I can hardly wait for the day when I Walkowiak, the 1956 winner, passed away aged 89. “He was a man of great humility... this year he was celebrat- sidered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the can put my foot down not just on the race track,” the 17- world and was a heavy favourite going into the 12-round year-old told German daily Bild. Once he passes his test, ing the 50th anniversary of his triumph,” Gouly said of Pingeon. Two years after his greatest triumph Pingeon fight. He suffered a couple of cuts over his right eye which Schumacher Jnr will be able to drive himself to appoint- bleed profusely throughout much of the fight and ham- ments and races. According to Bild, Mick Schumacher is set finished second in the Tour to Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx, but as consolation he won that season’s pered his vision. Gonzalez, who dropped to 46-1, for a junior ambassador’s role with Mercedes Benz. immediately left the ring after the decision was Following a successful stint in karting he finished second in Vuelta in Spain. The deaths of Pingeon, Kubler and Walkowiak leave 23 surviving winners of cycling’s blue announced without making any comments. last year’s Formula Four Drivers’ championship, a big Former WBC champion Srisaket’s only loss since improvement from 10th in 2015, and seems destined to riband, the celebrated group led by 88-year-old Federico Bahamontes, the 1959 champion. —AFP 2010 came three years ago when he fell to be a future Formula One star. —AFP Mexico’s Carlos Cuadras.—AFP

Tigers outfielder JD Martinez sprains foot, out several days

DETROIT: Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. out three and walked two. Jake Bauers con- Martinez sprained his right foot making a nected off Latos for his fourth home run this shoestring catch Saturday and is expected to spring and is hitting .423. Chase Whitley be sidelined for several days. X-rays were neg- struck out four in four shutout innings, allow- ative. Martinez left the Tigers’ complex in ing two hits and a walk. Lakeland, Florida, in a protective boot for pre- cautionary purposes. “We’ll see about it ASTROS 5, NATIONALS 4 tomorrow,” he told reporters. “I know as much Charlie Morton gave up two unearned about it as you guys do. It’s good that I’m able runs on three hits over four innings, striking to move on it.” Martinez will likely be out of out seven for Houston. Trea Turner hit an RBI the lineup until late next week. Martinez hit single and scored on the same play after .307 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs in 120 three Astros errors. Joe Nathan, trying to games last season. The 29-year-old right field- make the Washington bullpen at 42, pitched er was hurt as he came running in for a fly ball a perfect inning. against Miami. Martinez said he rolled his foot, causing him to tumble. The Tigers said PIRATES 13, PHILLIES 8 the sprain was in the mid-foot area and that Tyler Glasnow went four innings and he will be re-evaluated Saturday. allowed a run on four hits and two walks, strik- ing out five. Eury Perez, who has not homered ACROSS THE GRAPEFRUIT in 156 career plate appearances, and John AND CACTUS LEAGUES Jaso homered for Pittsburgh. Maikel Franco hit TIGERS (ss) 5, MARLINS 4 a grand slam and Aaron Altherr drove in three Detroit starter Justin Verlander pitched runs for the Phillies. Starter Jeremy Hellickson five shutout innings, giving up four hits and was tagged for eight runs - five earned - on striking out four. Alex Presley, who replaced nine hits and a walk over five innings. the injured Martinez, hit a solo home run. Miami’s Dan Straily allowed a run on three RED SOX 12, TWINS 5 hits and struck out six over five innings. AL Cy Young winner Rick Porcello gave up Miguel Rojas went 3 for 3 and Moises Sierra five runs on nine hits and three walks over had a solo homer. four innings in his third appearance of the spring. Pablo Sandoval hit two home runs for TIGERS (ss) 7, BRAVES 5 Boston, Mitch Moreland doubled twice and Nick Castellanos hit an RBI double and Dustin Pedroia had two hits. Brian Dozier got two-run single for Detroit. Mike Pelfrey went three hits for Minnesota. Starter Ryan SAN DIEGO: Venezuela infielder Rougned Odor, top, throws to first for the double play as Puerto Rico’s Angel Pagan (16) slides in late to second 3 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on five Vogelsong gave up two runs on four hits and base during the sixth inning of a second-round World Baseball Classic baseball game Saturday, in San Diego. Puerto Rico’s Enrique Hernandez hits and two walks. Bartolo Colon was two walks in three innings. was out at first on the play. —AP roughed up for six runs on eight hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. RANGERS (ss) 8, INDIANS (ss) 4 Texas starter Dillon Gee gave up three BASEBALL ORIOLES 5, YANKEES 4 runs on six hits and two walks over 3 1/3 Dylan Bundy gave up three runs on four innings. Indians starter Mike Clevenger hits and three walks over four innings while walked four and gave up a hit and three runs Puerto Rico wins 6th straight Chris Johnson and Pedro Alvarez homered for in 1 1/3 innings. Baltimore. CC Sabathia went four innings and allowed three runs on three hits and a walk, BREWERS 13, CUBS (ss) 7 striking out five. Gary Sanchez had a two-run Milwaukee catcher Manny Pina hit a three-run in WBC, routs Venezuela 13-2 double. Ernesto Frieri, picked up earlier this homer and Travis Shaw had three hits. Anthony week off his stint for Colombia’s WBC team, Rizzo homered and singled for the Cubs. SAN DIEGO: Carlos Correa, Carlos Beltran and Starter Jose De Leon pitched 2 2/3 scoreless some of his reserves coming through. “No one is gave up a homer to minor leaguer Aneury Team Puerto Rico are heading up the freeway in innings for the win. Martin Perez took the loss. here on vacation. Everyone has role and under- Tavarez in the ninth. INDIANS (ss) 4, ROYALS 4 fine shape. Already assured a spot in the World “That’s the first time I had seen Jose pitch live,” stands their role.” Aviles’ two-out single pushed Royals starter Travis Wood gave up two Baseball Classic semifinals, Puerto Rico beat Rodriguez said. “I am very impressed with his Puerto Rico to a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Correa, who METS 5, CARDINALS 4 runs on five hits and a walk, striking out four Venezuela 13-2 Saturday for its sixth straight fastball and his secondary pitches. He will be had walked for the second time, scored on the Tim Tebow hit an opposite-field single off a in five innings. Alex Gordon drove in a run tournament win. Mike Aviles got four hits and pitching in the big leagues this year, I am confi- hit. Correa doubled in the third and scored an 95 mph fastball from Cardinals star Michael with a double. Shawn Morimando went three drove in three runs to pace the team’s 17-hit dent of that.” unearned run when T. J. Rivera’s slow roller to Wacha. Kevin Plawecki and Juan Lagares innings for the Indians, allowing three hits attack at Petco Park. the right side was fielded cleanly by first base- homered for New York. Robert Gsellman went and a run in three innings. “Ever since we started practicing in Arizona, ‘NO ONE IS HERE ON VACATION’ man Hernan Perez, who made an errant throw to five innings and allowed a run on four hits and we have visualized doing what we need to do,” Venezuela lost to Puerto Rico for the second Martin Perez at first. a walk. Wacha gave up three runs on five hits CUBS 6, JAPAN 4 Puerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez said. “We time in this year’s WBC. It fell 11-0 in an abbrevi- Venezuela loaded with the bases loaded and and a walk, striking out four over four innings. John Lackey went five innings and need to complete the uncompleted task from ated first-round game shortened because of the one out in the second. Hernan Perez lifted a allowed one run on three hits and a walk, 2013.” Puerto Rico, runner-up to the Dominican mercy rule. shallow fly ball to left, but Victor Martinez was RAYS 3, BLUE JAYS 2 giving up Ryosuke Kikuchi’s first-inning Republic in the 2013 WBC, will play the “I think we didn’t play the baseball that I late returning to third base to tag up. Martinez Journeyman Mat Latos, trying to make the homer. Jason Heyward had two hits and Netherlands on Monday night at Dodger expected or that people expected,” Venezuela attempted to score, but he was an easy out at Blue Jays his seventh team in four seasons, drove in two runs for the Cubs. Ben Zobrist Stadium. manager Omar Vizquel said. “Sincerely, we the plate on Pagan’s throw. allowed one hit over 3 2/3 innings. He struck hit an RBI triple.—AP “We’re focused to do what we are here to do,” thought we were going to play better ball.” It was another indicator things weren’t going Rodriguez said. “We’ve done our celebrating and Puerto Rico put the game out of reach with a to go Venezuela’s way. “Clearly the group I led now we go to LA.” five-run seventh after Venezuela pulled to within was extraordinary,” Vizquel said. “They allowed GOLF Kennys Vargas hit a two-run homer and 5-2 on Rougned Odor’s two-run homer in the me to do my job, and obviously, things didn’t Angel Pagan added a double and two singles. A sixth. “One of the qualities of the team is the pro- turn out the way we wanted to.” day earlier, Correa, Beltran and Yadier Molina found commitment it has,” Rodriguez said. “They Rodriguez is surprised the way Puerto Rico McIlroy charges but US helped Puerto Rico hold off the United States 6- played well and showed off quite a bit. That is has shined during the tournament. “I expected 5. “I feel super great,” said Vargas, who was the beauty of our team.” us to do well, but the level of competition here is among the backup Puerto Rico players getting a Reymond Fuentes’ RBI double and Pagan’s very high,” he said. “I knew we were going to duo leads at Bay Hill chance on Saturday. “It’s great to help the team run-scoring single made it 5-0 in the sixth. have a good team but I don’t know if I expected offensively so we can obtain our goal.” “Everyone has a role,” Rodriguez said about us to do this well.” — AP MIAMI: Rory McIlroy made a charge into needed to be. “If I can continue to do that contention but Charley Hoffman closed then hopefully I do have a good chance.” with a 70-foot birdie putt to match Kevin Warmer and calmer conditions compared Kisner for the lead after Saturday’s third to the first two days helped McIlroy go low. VIVA Real Madrid Soccer Academy round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “Conditions changed a little bit,” he said. Hoffman curled in the shot of the tour- “You’ve gone out the last couple days, it nament at the US PGA event on Orlando’s was a little bit cold. It was breezy, tough to announce the 16 winners soon famed Bay Hill course to cap a closing run scoring conditions. I thought the guys that of three consecutive birdies to join his US got up to like 10-under, they did really well. KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-grow- compatriot on 11-under 205 through 54 “But today it presented us with an ing and most developed telecom holes. McIlroy, preparing his bid for a opportunity to go low, not much wind, operator, VIVA, concluded tryouts to Masters win next month that would give warmer, the golf course played a little choose elite players who will have the him a career Grand Slam, fired a seven- shorter as well. You could take it back and chance to participate in “VIVA Real under par 65 to stand on 210 in a share of reach it at the par-5s. “I just played better. I Madrid Soccer Academy” in Madrid, for eighth after a 74-71 start to the week. gave myself a lot of looks and holed some the third year in a row. “At least I’ve given myself a decent putts, which was nice to see.” The tryouts focused on different chance,” McIlroy said. “At least I’m in with a technical aspects, such as dribbling, shout and if I get off to a fast start I can be ‘NO PROTECTING A LEAD’ short passing, turning and finishing. right in there. Kisner missed the green to bogey at the Kuwait Football Associated certified “Hopefully the wind starts to get up and par-3 second but answered with four coaches shortlisted 32 players among I can be somewhere close to the lead birdies over the next six holes, his longest 400 participants and 16 players were tomorrow.” And it was a good sign as he birdie putt in the run from 18 feet at the selected (to be announced soon) looks toward a possible fifth major title and third. Kisner opened the back nine with based on their skills and fitness to go quest for a first green jacket in just three another birdie and added another at the to Real Madrid Soccer Camp for weeks at Augusta National. par-5 16th but missed a seven-foot par putt world-class training in Spain during “It’s sort of a score I was waiting for,” in bogeying the 18th. the summer. McIlroy said. “I felt like it was in there. It was “There’s no protecting a lead out here,” Real Madrid Football Club is one of just a matter of putting it all together and Kisner said. “You’ve got to go out there and the most successful football clubs in today it did that.” After short birdie putts at keep making birdies and that’s what I’m the world, and has received many the par-5 fourth and sixth holes, McIlroy going to attempt to do tomorrow. accolades, including: The best club of roared into the hunt with three consecutive “It’s almost a perfect combination of the 20th Century FIFA Trophy, 10 birdies to begin the back nine, the last of playing tough but you can still have it if Champions League, 3 Intercontinental them a 20-footer at the par-5 12th. you can keep it in the fairway.” cups, 32 Spanish La Liga titles, 2 World number three McIlroy closed his Kisner’s last-hole mishap opened the European Super cups, 2 Super bogey-free round with a 15-foot birdie putt door for Hoffman, who opened with back- European cup, amongst others. at 17 and a 12-foot birdie putt at 18. “I can to-back bogeys and added another pair at To find out more about VIVA’s part- take a lot from today,” McIlroy said. “I put it 14 and 15 before ending with a seven-foot nerships, latest offers and promotions, in the right positions. I drove it better, gave birdie at 16, a 12-footer at 17 and his shock- visit one of the 73 VIVA branches, or myself a lot of looks, was smart when I er at 18.—AFP the VIVA website at www.viva.com.kw MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 SPORTS Pakistan’s captain Misbah wants life bans for fixers

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test captain League. The case, which is being investi- rankings and rose briefly to number one quently awarded the International desperate for a turnaround after suffer- Misbah-ul-Haq yesterday called for life gated by a judicial commission, has last year. Speaking about the latest sus- Cricket Council’s Spirit of Cricket award- ing whitewashes in their last two series. bans on anyone found guilty of fixing, revived memories of a 2010 scandal pensions to reporters yesterday, he said: testament to the high regard in which “It will be a tough series and we will adding that an investigation into five that involved the national team and “Obviously it’s disappointing and there world cricket holds him. not take West Indies lightly because players threatened years of work to deprived it of three top players includ- should be a law that once you have “We did our best to clean the game they gave us a tough time in all three clean up the country’s image. ing paceman Mohammad Amir, who done something wrong you should not up and the seven years of hard work Tests last year,” said Misbah of Pakistan’s The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has has since made a comeback. return to this field again.” Pakistan’s and our image is now spoilt to a great 2-1 win in the United Arab Emirates. provisionally suspended Sharjeel Khan, Misbah was appointed captain in the rehabilitation on the international cir- extent. You cannot afford this again and “The conditions there will be tough Khalid Latif, Mohammad Irfan, Shahzaib aftermath of that tainted series in cuit had appeared to be complete last again,” he said. Earlier this month and the ball will spin so you can’t relax,” Hasan and Nasir Jamshed on charges England, and set about rebuilding the year when Misbah led the team on its Misbah shelved plans to retire and will he added. Pakistan will play four linked to spot-fixing and failure to team with an ethos that emphasised first tour of England since the 2010 now lead his team in next month’s Twenty20 and three one-day interna- report approaches by bookmakers dur- discipline and integrity. scandal, in a series praised for its sports- three-match Test series in the West tionals against West Indies before the ing the recently-held Pakistan Super His team steadily climbed world manship. The 42-year-old was subse- Indies starting on April 22. Pakistan are Tests. — AFP Pujara, Saha put India on top in third Test

RANCHI: Cheteshwar Pujara said yesterday the pitch),” said Pujara. The day belonged to the spinners should win the third Test for Pujara (202) and Saha (117), who put on 199 India after his double century and a marathon for the seventh wicket to frustrate an partnership with centurion Wriddhiman Saha Australian bowling attack that failed to take a put the hosts on top against Australia. After wicket in the first two sessions. Pujara record- declaring their first innings on 603 for nine ed his third Test double-century in his 47th late in the final session on day four in Ranchi, match and Saha posted a career-best Test the hosts rattled Australia with two strikes knock to take India way past Australia’s first including the key scalp of David Warner (14). innings score of 451. Pujara, who resumed the Ravindra Jadeja disposed of both Warner day on 130, hit 21 boundaries in an otherwise and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (2) in an sedate innings which lasted for 525 balls-the absorbing final session of play. longest innings by an Indian Test player in The tourists, 152 behind on the first terms of balls faced. “I have the experience of innings, ended the day on 23-2. Before bam- scoring big runs in domestic cricket,” said boozling the Australian batsmen with his left- Pujara, who recently scored a century during arm spin, Jadeja also scored an unbeaten 54. a 300-plus stand with Saha in the final of a “I am very confident our spinners domestic competition. “Experience matters a (Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja) will bowl lot. When I was batting, I thought we just really well. There is rough, there are cracks (on wanted to get close to their total... I could have played more shots but I had to control myself.” The 29-year-old-whose top Test score is 206 not out against England in 2012 — got to his double century with a flick to square leg off Nathan Lyon. He pumped his fist in a rare show of emotion as his teammates cheered from the balcony. COLOMBO: Bangladesh cricketer Sabbir Rahman (R) plays a shot past a fielder as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella (C) looks on dur- But he was out in Lyon’s next over, lobbing ing the fifth and final day of the second and final Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at The P. Sara Oval Cricket Stadium in a catch to midwicket. He walked back to the Colombo yesterday.— AFP pavilion to a standing ovation and a few handshakes from the opposition players. Saha, who hit seven fours and a six, soon fol- CRICKET lowed his overnight partner after falling to left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe. “This is the best among the three (Test hundreds) I have,” Bangladesh pull off Saha told reporters. “We badly needed a part- nership. Pujara has so much patience... he is always at the top of his game,” said Saha, adding that “every Indian bowler would be effective” come day five. historic win over Lanka

PLAN TO COMBAT JADEJA Jadeja came in at number nine and played COLOMBO: Opener Tamim Iqbal top-scored a useful cameo, putting on 54 for the ninth with 82 runs in the second innings as SCOREBOARD wicket with Umesh Yadav (16). Bangladesh pulled off a historic four-wicket win Pat Cummins claimed four wickets while over Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo COLOMBO: Scoreboard at the end of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at the P. Sara Oval left-arm spinner O’Keefe took three. yesterday. The rare win for Bangladesh-just their Stadium in Colombo yesteday. RANCHI: India’s batsman Cheteshwara Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann said Steven fourth away from home and first against Sri Pujara (L) is watched by Australian wick- Smith’s side has the mettle to last three ses- Lanka in 18 attempts-ended the two-Test series Sri Lanka 1st innings 338 (D. Chandimal 138, Mehedi Mustafizur 23-3-78-3, Shakib 36.2-9-74-4, Mosaddek 3- etkeeper Matthew Wade (C) as he plays a sions against the Indian spinners. in a draw after the visitors endured a 259-run Hasan 3-90) 0-10-0, Taijul 11-1-38-1. Bangladesh 1st innings 467 (Shakib Al Hasan 116, shot over a close fielder during the “Going to have to come up with a plan to loss in the opener in Galle. Chasing a target of Mosaddek Hossain 75, Soumya Sarkar 61, Mushfiqur Bangladesh 2nd innings 191, teenage batsman Mehedi Hasan hit the fourth day of the third Test cricket combat Jadeja, but we’ve worked on that and Rahim 52; R. Herath 4-82, L. Sandakan 4-140) Tamim Iqbal c Chandimal b Perera 82 match between India and Australia at you’ll probably see it tomorrow, I would winning run after an anxious half hour in the Sri Lanka 2nd innings (overnight 268-8) Soumya Sarkar c Tharanga b Herath 10 The Jharkhand State Cricket Association think,” said Lehmann. “Once the ball gets a lit- final session on the fifth day, getting Bangladesh D. Karunaratne c Soumya b Shakib 126 Imrul Kayes c Gunaratne b Herath 0 (JSCA) Stadium Complex in Ranchi yes- tle bit softer it plays pretty well so there’s no across the line in 57.5 overs. Tamim laid the U. Tharanga b Mehedi 26 Sabbir Rahman lbw b Perera 41 terday. — AFP real demons in the track.— AFP groundwork with his 22nd Test fifty, teaming up K. Mendis c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur 36 Shakib Al Hasan b Perera 15 with Sabbir Rahman who made 41 runs and D. Chandimal c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur 5 Mushfiqur Rahim not out 22 shared 109 for the third wicket with the left-han- A. Gunaratne lbw b Shakib 7 Mosaddek Hossak c Dickwella b Herath 13 der. Sri Lanka struck in phases through spin- D. de Silva c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur 0 Mehedi not out 2 SCOREBOARD N. Dickwella c Mushfiqur b Shakib 5 ners Dilruwan Perera and skipper Rangana Extras (b4, lb1, w1) 6 D. Perera run out 50 Total (six wickets; 57.5 overs) 191 Herath, who grabbed three wickets each, but R. Herath lbw b Taijul 9 RANCHI, India: Scoreboard at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test between India and Australia in Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Soumya), 2-22 (Imrul), 3-131 lacked the cutting edge to deny Bangladesh S. Lakmal c Mosaddek b Shakib 42 in Ranchi yesterday. (Tamim), 4-143 (Sabbir), 5-162 (Shakib), 6-189 from celebrating their 100th Test match in style. L. Sandakan not out 0 Australia 1st innings 451 (S. Smith 178 not out, (Kohli), 4-276 (Rahane), 5-320 (Nair), 6-328 Bangladesh began looking nervous when Extras (b4, lb8, w1) 13 (Mosaddek) G. Maxwell 104; R. Jadeja 5-124, U. Yadav 3-106). (Ashwin), 7-527 (Pujara), 8-541 (Saha), 9-595 Tamim-who faced 82 balls and hit seven fours Total (all out; 113.2 overs) 319 Did not bat: Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Subashis Roy India 1st innings (overnight 360-6; Pujara 130 (Yadav) and a six-hoisted a catch to Dinesh Chandimal Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Tharanga), 2-143 (Mendis), 3-165 Bowling: Perera 22-1-59-3, Herath 24.5-2-75-3, de Silva not out, Saha 18 not out) Bowling: Hazlewood 44-10-103-1, Cummins 39- off Perera just before the tea break. (Chandimal), 4-176 (Gunaratne), 5-177 (de Silva), 6-190 2-0-7-0, Sandakan 6-1-34-0, Lakmal 2-0-7-0 (w1), L. Rahul c Wade b Cummins 67 10-106-4, O’Keefe 77-17-199-3, Lyon 46-2-163-1, Gunaratne 1-0-4-0 Perera then removed Sabbir through a suc- (Dickwella), 7-217 (Karunaratne), 8-238 (Herath), 9-318 M. Vijay st Wade b O’Keefe 82 Maxwell 4-0-13-0. Result: Bangladesh won by four wickets cessful review after the bowler’s initial appeal for (Perera), 10- 319 (Lakmal) C. Pujara c Maxwell b Lyon 202 Bowling: Roy 16-4-36-0 (w1), Mehedi 24-0-71-1, Series result: Two Test series 1-1 draw V. Kohli c Smith b Cummins 6 Australia 2nd innings a leg-before was rejected, giving Sri Lanka an A. Rahane c Wade b Cummins 14 D. Warner b Jadeja 14 outside chance for a win. K. Nair b Hazlewood 23 M. Renshaw not out 7 Mushifiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan got in the morning thought to have given Sri Lanka duck. Perera and Suranga Lakmal frustrated R. Ashwin c Wade b Cummins 3 N. Lyon b Jadeja 2 Bangladesh through to the tea break with 35 some control once he picked up two wickets in Bangladesh for more than an hour with the bat W. Saha c Maxwell b O’Keefe 117 Extras 0 runs still needed, but Herath got a lucky break- two balls to leave Bangladesh struggling at 38-2 as Sri Lanka added 51 runs to their overnight R. Jadeja not out 54 Total (2 wickets; 7.2 overs) 23 through soon after the resumption as Shakib at the lunch break. 268-8 before finishing up for 319 in their second U. Yadav c Warner b O’Keefe 16 Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Warner), 2-23 (Lyon) dragged a ball to stumps on 15. Herath claimed his first wicket when opener innings. Perera hit his fourth Test fifty off 174 I. Sharma not out 0 Bowling: Ashwin 4-0-17-0, Jadeja 3.2-1-6-2 Soumya Sarkar, charging down the pitch, was balls while tail-ender Lakmal smashed 42 off 48 Extras (b14, lb5) 19 Still to bat: S. Smith, S. Marsh, P. Handscomb, G. Mushfiqur remained unbeaten on 22 to take Bangladesh home with some support from deceived by a turn and lofted a catch to Upul balls. The duo shared 80 runs for the ninth wick- Total (9 wickets dec; 210 overs) 603 Maxwell, M. Wade, S. O’Keefe, P. Cummins, J. Tharanga at mid-off for 10. Imrul Kayes edged et before Bangladesh separated them through a Fall of wickets: 1-91 (Rahul), 2-193 (Vijay), 3-225 Hazlewood debutant Mosaddek Hossain, who made 13 runs during the crucial period. Skipper Herath earlier the next ball to slip fielder Asela Gunaratne for a run out. — AFP Curry scores game-high 28 pts NBA results/standings Golden State 117, Milwaukee 92; Houston 109, Denver 105; Chicago 95, Utah 86; Memphis 104, San Antonio 96; LA Clippers 108, as Warriors beat Bucks 117-92 Cleveland 78; Charlotte 98, Washington 93; Portland 113, Atlanta 97; Oklahoma City 110, Sacramento 94. Eastern Conference OAKLAND: Stephen Curry scored 28 points the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 5 which had won 11 of its previous 13 games, ter to 16 percent for the Hawks (37-32) Atlantic Division with six 3-pointers and the Golden State seed in the Western Conference. Jamal got 22 points from Kawhi Leonard and 21 while going up 40-18. Ersan Ilyasova, start- W L PCT GB Warriors overcame a sluggish start to beat Crawford also had 13 points while Chris from LaMarcus Aldridge. ing for the Hawks (37-32) in place of Paul Boston 44 25 .638 - the Milwaukee Bucks 117-92 on Saturday Paul was held to five points on 0 of 8 shoot- Millsap, had 23 points. Millsap experienced Toronto 40 29 .580 4 NY Knicks 27 42 .391 17 night. Draymond Green added eight ing. Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue decided to BULLS 95, JAZZ 86 left knee tightness warming up and was a Philadelphia 25 43 .368 18.5 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists, Klay sit LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Jimmy Butler scored 23 points and dis- late scratch. Brooklyn 13 55 .191 30.5 Thompson scored 21 points and Matt Love against the Clippers to rest them. tributed seven assists to help Chicago end a Central Division Barnes made back-to-back 3-pointers to However, all three are expected to play two-game losing streak. Bobby Portis THUNDER 110, KINGS 94 Cleveland 45 23 .662 - Indiana 35 33 .515 10 spark a big run in the second quarter and Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers. scored 22 points in 30 minutes off the Thunder guard Russell Westbrook Milwaukee 34 35 .493 11.5 help the Warriors complete a season sweep bench for the Bulls. Rookie Denzel Valentine scored 28 points to go along with 10 assists Detroit 33 36 .478 12.5 of the Bucks. Golden State improved to an ROCKETS 109, NUGGETS 105 joined Portis off the bench to post his first and eight rebounds, leaving him two Chicago 33 37 .471 13 NBA-best 55-14 with its second straight win James Harden had 40 points, 10 career double-double, with 11 points and rebounds shy of his 36th triple-double. Southeast Division by 25 points or more. It was also the rebounds and 10 assists, notching his 19th 12 rebounds. George Hill led the Jazz with Doug McDermott came off the bench to Washington 42 27 .609 - Atlanta 37 32 .536 5 Warriors’ third consecutive victory overall triple-double in the Rockets’ victory. 18 points to go along with seven rebounds. score 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting for the Miami 34 35 .493 8 following a season-high, three-game losing Harden has 11 games of 40 or more points Gordon Hayward added 14 points on 5-for- Thunder, which won its fifth straight game. Charlotte 30 39 .435 12 streak. The win came on the heels of news and did it this time after scoring 41 on 16 shooting. Utah (43-27) lost for the sec- Georgios Papagiannis led the Kings with 14 Orlando 25 45 .357 17.5 that All-Star Kevin Durant, out since sprain- Friday. Clint Capela had 16 points for the ond straight game and the third time in the points and 11 boards. Western Conference Northwest Division ing a knee ligament on Feb. 28, has pro- Rockets (48-22), who won despite a season- past five contests. The Jazz were swept by Utah 43 27 .614 - gressed to taking jump shots, an encourag- low in 3-point attempts (24) and makes the Bulls in a two-game season series. HORNETS 98, WIZARDS 93 Oklahoma City 40 29 .580 2.5 ing sign for a team trying to hold on to the (five). Gary Harris had 17 points, Nikola Cody Zeller scored 19 points on 8of-10 Denver 33 36 .478 9.5 top spot in the West. Jokic 16 and Jameer Nelson 15 points and TRAIL BLAZERS 113, HAWKS 97 shooting, and the Hornets snapped a Portland 31 37 .456 11 11 assist for the Nuggets, who now lead The Trail Blazers snapped a five-game three-game losing streak. The Hornets Minnesota 28 40 .412 14 Pacific Division CLIPPERS 108, CAVALIERS 78 Portland by 1 1/2 games for the No. 8 seed. losing streak to the Atlanta Hawks as they trailed at halftime but built the lead up to Golden State 55 14 .797 - Blake Griffin scored 23 points and col- continued their quest to overtake the as many as nine midway through the LA Clippers 41 29 .586 14.5 lected eight rebounds in three quarters, as GRIZZLIES 104, SPURS 96 Nuggets for the final playoff spot in the fourth quarter and then held on down the Sacramento 27 42 .391 28 the Los Angeles Clippers snapped a three- Mike Conley scored 19 points, Zach Western Conference. Portland led by 23 stretch. The Wizards got as close as three in Phoenix 22 47 .319 33 LA Lakers 20 49 .290 35 game losing streak with a victory over the Randolph added 18 and Marc Gasol fin- points just 10 minutes into the game and the final 20 seconds, but the Hornets’ Southwest Division short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers on ished with 16 as Memphis extended its rolled to victory behind 27 points from Marvin Williams hit two free throws with San Antonio 52 16 .765 - Saturday at Staples Center. DeAndre Jordan winning streak to four games. The Grizzlies Damian Lillard and 22 from fellow guard CJ 9.6 seconds left and two more with 7.3 sec- Houston 48 22 .686 5 had 13 points and 17 rebounds and J.J. (40-30) led for all but 48 seconds in the sec- McCollum. The Trail Blazers, who are 7-2 in onds left. John Wall led the Wizards with 19 Memphis 40 30 .571 13 Redick scored 16 points for the Clippers ond half to hand the Spurs (52-16) their March, made 13 of their first 15 from the points and eight assists, but he was just 5 Dallas 29 39 .426 23 New Orleans 28 41 .406 24.5 (41-29), who have a half-game lead over ninth road loss this season. San Antonio, floor and shot 76.2 percent in the first quar- of 16 from the field. — Reuters MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 SPORTS MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 SPORTS

TENNIS Federer, Wawrinka to meet in all-Swiss Indian Wells final

INDIAN WELLS: Roger Federer and Stan out of their highly anticipated quarter- three, as he sealed the contest on his a bit more complicated, but it was defi- faced just one break point, against Wawrinka set up an all-Swiss showdown final. Federer, who had trounced old foe first opportunity. “I think I definitely nitely a good feeling to get through in Nadal. The closest Sock got was a deuce for the ATP Indian Wells Masters title on Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-3 in the fourth round, played great in the first set, came out two sets.” Sock said he had little to regret in the eighth game of the second set, Saturday with straight-sets semi-final picked up right where he left off as he and really saw the ball well,” Federer said. in the loss to the player he considers the and Federer quickly dispersed the whiff victories. Federer, who won his 18th raced through the first set in 21 minutes. “I think Jack didn’t have his best first greatest of all time. of danger with two forehand winners. Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, But Sock, winner of two titles already set, but I found a way to take advantage “I didn’t play my service games really Federer has won 19 of 22 career meet- subdued 17th-seeded American Jack this year at Auckland and Delray Beach, of that quickly, hardly made any mis- the way I wanted to in the first,” said the ings with Wawrinka, including a semi- Sock 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) to earn a crack at a raised his game in the second set, saving takes and was able to press. “The second 24-year-old, who was in the first Masters final win at the Australian Open in record-equalling fifth Indian Wells title. a break point in the seventh game as it set was more like what I expected the semi-final of his career. “But I gave January. Wawrinka’s path to the final, just US Open champion Wawrinka, past went on serve to the tiebreaker. first set to be. It was hard to break and myself chances in the second. his fourth at the elite Masters level, the quarter-finals in the California desert The American energized US fans on return well off Jack’s heavy serve. I “The room for error is so little,” he said included a close shave against lucky los- for the first time, knocked out Spain’s Stadium Court when he zinged a back- maybe dropped my level just a bit, as of the challenge posed by Federer. er Yoshihito Nishioka in the fourth round Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2. Federer hand winner past Federer for a 3-1 lead well, as he lifted his. “Especially on his serve, he doesn’t give and a third-set tiebreaker against rising went into his clash with Sock well-rested in the decider. But Federer won six of “I had to rely a lot on my second you anything.” Federer hasn’t been bro- Austrian talent Dominic Thiem in the after ailing Aussie Nick Kyrgios pulled the next seven points, including the last serve. I’m happy it was there. Things got ken in the tournament, and in fact has quarter-finals.—AFP

NHL Talbot makes 33 saves, Oilers blank Canucks

EDMONTON: Vancouver Canucks came to point that avoided traffic and beat Price Edmonton on a five-game losing streak low on the glove side. and were 18 points behind the Oilers in the standings, but it didn’t seem to matter CAPITALS 5, LIGHTNING 3 much when the puck dropped. They gave Justin Williams and John Carlson scored the Oilers all they could handle and then third-period goals to break a tie as some but still fell on Saturday at Rogers Washington became the first team to clinch Place. After Connor McDavid broke open a a playoff berth. T.J. Oshie registered a hat scoreless tie late in the second period, the trick and added an assist and Nicklas Oilers couldn’t exhale until Mark Letestu Backstrom had four assists for the Capitals. scored on a power play with 4:38 left. Cam Braden Holtby stopped 26 shots as the Talbot, appearing in his 11th straight game, first-place Capitals maintained their two- posted his sixth shutout of the season. The point lead over Columbus in the win lifted Edmonton (38-24-9) out of the Metropolitan Division. Nikita Kucherov had first wild-card spot and past the Calgary two goals and Alex Killorn scored for the Flames in the Pacific Division playoff race. first time in a month for Tampa Bay, which lost in regulation in consecutive games for DUCKS 2, SHARKS 1 the first time since Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Andrei The Anaheim Ducks appear determined Vasilevskiy finished with 30 saves. to make it a race for the Pacific Division. Never mind that the visitors played the BLACKHAWKS 2, MAPLE LEAFS 1 (OT) night before while the hosts were idle. The Ryan Hartman scored at 4:43 of over- Ducks came into a sold-out SAP Center and time to lift Chicago to its fourth straight dictated play en route to victory over the victory. John Hayden scored his first career San Jose Sharks. Anaheim moved to within NHL goal for the first-place Blackhawks, four points of San Jose after completing a who increased their lead to five points over 3-0-2 series domination. Backup goal- Minnesota in the Central Division. Corey tender Jonathan Bernier continued his stel- Crawford stopped 25 shots for Chicago. LONDON: Southampton’s Irish striker Shane Long (L), Tottenham Hotspur’s English midfielder Harry Winks (C) and Southampton’s Sepanish lar work with injured John Gibson on the Auston Matthews scored for Toronto, which midfielder Oriol Romeu run for the ball during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at sideline. He made 33 saves while his team- maintained its one-point lead for the sec- White Hart Lane in London, yesterday. — AFP mates provided just enough support. ond wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Frederik Andersen made 37 CANADIENS 4, SENATORS 3 saves and kept the Maple Leafs in the game SOCCER Alexander Radulov’s shootout goal gave during spells of the third period. Montreal a 4-3 victory over Ottawa in a bat- tle for first place at Canadian Tire Centre on RANGERS 3, WILD 2 Saturday night. The victory allowed Oscar Lindberg had a goal and an assist, Spurs beat Southampton Montreal to increase its lead to two points and Antti Raanta made 25 saves as New York over Ottawa atop the Atlantic Division. won for the seventh time in its last eight Andrew Shaw, Phillip Danault and Brendan road games. Brady Skjei also scored, and to keep up Chelsea chase Gallagher scored for the Canadiens. Carey Jimmy Vesey recorded the winning goal late Price made 28 saves. Derick Brassard, Ryan in the second period for the Rangers, who Dzingel and Erik Karlsson each had goals lead the NHL with 26 road victories. They since they won 14 in a row in 1987. Tottenham’s Southampton striker Manolo Gabbiadini was for the Senators. Craig Anderson, who have won 19 of their past 23 away from 59 points is their best performance after 28 inches away from an equaliser with a shot that missed the previous two games with a low- home. Eric Staal and Matt Dumba scored for games of a top-flight season since they won the skimmed the side-netting but the Italian limped er-body injury, stopped 29 shots. Danault Minnesota, which has lost a season-high Tottenham 2 league and FA Cup double in 1960-61. off shortly afterwards with a groin injury. and Gallagher scored 31 seconds apart in four games in a row. Devan Dubnyk stopped Impressive as they are, Tottenham’s hopes of As he was trudging off in the 30th minute the third period to give Montreal a 3-2 lead. 27 shots for the Wild, who returned home reeling in Chelsea look slim although they are Dele Alli was fouled in the area by Southampton Karlsson tied the game with 4:57 left in reg- after a 1-4-0 trip and lost for the sixth time in seven points above fifth-placed Manchester skipper Steven Davis and Alli picked himself up ulation, taking a low wrist shot from the seven games. — Reuters Southampton 1 United and nine ahead of bitter north London to stroke home a penalty to put Spurs two up. rivals Arsenal in the battle for a top-four finish. It was no cruise though for the hosts as “I think it was a great opportunity today,” Southampton halved the deficit six minutes Allegri erupts as Cuadrado LONDON: Second-placed Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino told reporters. after the break when former Saints defender kept up the distant chase of Premier League “Yes, you will always miss your main striker but Toby Alderweireld failed to cut out Nathan leaders Chelsea with a hard-earned 2-1 victory what we can do if he is injured is to win the Redmond’s cross and Ward-Prowse prodded a saves Juventus blushes over Southampton to cut the gap to 10 points game and score goals. (It) was fantastic to keep shot past Hugo Lloris. yesterday. our place in the table.” Tottenham were edgy after that as MILAN: A first-half header from Juan pounced on a Karol Linetty error. Tottenham coped well without injured 19- Questions had been asked about how Southampton sensed a route back in but despite Cuadrado delivered a 1-0 win for a jittery But the 27th minute loss of Dybala, who goal striker Harry Kane with Christian Eriksen’s Tottenham would cope without Kane, who their prodigious work-rate the visitors could not Juventus at Sampdoria yesterday during hit the winner from the spot over Porto on superb 14th-minute shot putting them ahead injured his ankle in the 6-0 FA Cup win over carve out many goalscoring chances. Substitute which infuriated coach Massimiliano Allegri Tuesday, due to a muscle problem upset before Dele Alli stroked home a first-half penalty. Millwall last week, but they were answered after Vincent Janssen nearly calmed Tottenham’s jit- kicked kit bags on the touchline. Juve’s 24th Juve’s plans. Bruno Fernandes’ volley tested James Ward-Prowse pulled a goal back after 14 minutes when Mousa Dembele found Eriksen ters with a ferocious blast that Forster beat away league win of the campaign moved the Gianluigi Buffon in the Juve net while at the the break but Tottenham held on for a 10th suc- and the Dane looked up and flashed a low shot while at the other end Sofiane Boufal rifled a champions 10 points clear of Napoli after other end Puggioni flew to fingertip Pjaca’s cessive home league victory- their longest run beyond Fraser Forster. shot just wide in the last minute. — Reuters their earlier 3-2 win at Empoli, while Roma angled drive around the post on the stroke of can restore an eight-point deficit with a half-time. home win against Sassuolo later in the day. If Allegri hoped for improvement, he was But, days after sealing a mouthwatering to be left disappointed by a messy second BOXING Champions League quarter-final match-up half. Former Juve striker Fabio Quagliarella with Barcelona following a 1-0 win over tested Buffon five minutes after the interval, Porto, it was a far from trademark Juventus and at the other end Higuain was offside performance at the Luigi Ferraris stadium. when he volleyed over over from six yards. Golovkin edges Jacobs Cuadrado rose to meet a great delivery from Allegri’s nerves were frayed when Kwadwo Asamoah after just seven minutes Asamoah panicked while under pressure in to put Juve ahead, but after losing playmaker the area, Samp regaining possession for a Paulo Dybala to injury early on the Turin cross that saw Buffon forced into action at his in unanimous decision giants laboured for the remainder. Injuries in far post. On the counter, Luis Muriel cut midfield and defence forced Allegri to ring inside Daniele Rugani to unselfishly slip the changes, Claudio Marchisio and Alex through for Patrik Schlick, who tripped as he NEW YORK: Gennady Golovkin earned a unani- because Jacobs declined to attend the Saturday and it wasn’t that bad,” Jacobs said. Sandro joining defenders Giorgio Chiellini on battled for possession with Asamoah. mous decision over Daniel Jacobs on Saturday morning weigh in. Jacobs needed to be within Jacobs is nicknamed “Miracle Man” after his the bench while Leonardo Bonucci was rest- The errors were piling up for Juve in to retain his middleweight belts but not before 10 pounds of Friday’s official weigh-in weight or career was almost ended in 2011 because of ed to avoid a ban ahead of an upcoming attack too, Higuain collecting Pjaca’s ball boxing’s knockout king was taken the distance lose the chance to fight for the IBF title. The 30- osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He clash with Napoli. from the left only to overhit his pass for for the first time. year-old Jacobs decided the extra weight in the made a full recovery but spent 19 months out of Asamoah started at left-back, and the Cuadrado. Cuadrado was replaced moments Golovkin was forced to go 12 rounds as ring was more important than fighting for all of the sport while battling and recovering from Ghanaian seized the day with a great delivery later by Mario Lemina, whose first task was to Jacobs gave the middleweight superstar all he Golovkin’s titles and the gamble almost paid off. cancer. Jacobs felt he won the fight but said the that Cuadrado rose to head confidently past head clear a dangerous Quagliarella ball into could handle in front of a boisterous crowd of He dropped to 32-2, with 29 knockouts. “At times judge’s favoured the champion. “Daniel Jacobs Christian Puggioni. Stepping in for suspend- the area. Allegri was growing more frustrat- 19,000 at Madison Square Garden. I stood toe-to-toe with him to see what the pow- got X-ed out,” he said. “I won the fight by at least ed Samp ‘keeper Emiliano Viviani, Puggioni ed, and erupted 12 minutes from the end Golovkin retained his WBC and WBO belts as er was like, what everybody was talking about, two rounds.” —AFP made amends by stopping Gonzalo Higuain when Dani Alves came off worst in a fair chal- two of boxing’s pre-eminent punchers put on an from close range after the Argentine lenge with Vasco Regini. — AFP entertaining show against the best opponents of their respective careers. “I couldn’t destroy him,” said Golovkin. “He is a very clean, very good fighter. It is my first test for 12 rounds.” Judges Don Trella and Steve Weisfeld both scored the fight 115-112 and Max DeLuca had it 114-113 for Golovkin. Cancer survivor Jacobs was an underdog going in but he used his 10- pound weight and reach to his advantage and possibly provided the blueprint for Canelo Alvarez to use against the 35-year-old Kazakh in a future title fight. Golovkin, who improved to 37-0, floored Jacobs early in the fourth round with two rapid fire overhand rights to record the only knockdown of the fight. Golovkin denied suggestions that he should have thrown more punches in the early rounds. “This is sport. I am a boxer, I am not a killer. I respect his game,” Golovkin said. Golovkin had won 33 of his previous 36 fights by knockout as his 23 fight knockout streak, which dated back to 2008, came to a halt. He has a 92 percent GENOVA: Juventus’ Gabonese midfielder Mario Lemina (C) controls the ball during knockout rate, the best ratio of any mid- the Italian Serie A football match Sampdoria versus Juventus yesterday at the Luigi dleweight in boxing history. NEW YORK: Gennady Golovkin, of Kazakhstan, celebrates after winning a middleweight boxing Ferraris stadium in Genova. —AFP Golovkin’s IBF title was not on the line match against Daniel Jacobs, left, early yesterday, in New York. — AP Puerto Rico wins Golovkin edges 6th straight in Jacobs in WBC, routs unanimous Venezuela15 13-2 decision MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2016 18

Bangladesh pull off historic win over Lanka Page 16

MIDDLESBROUGH: Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini, left, scores his side’s first goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England, yesterday. — AP United moves up as Fellaini strikes

week stay in sixth by climbing a place. pair engaged in an angry clinch, but punches Mata’s cross, before recovering to block the fol- only the third time this season neither had fea- Their latest victory as they became the first appeared to be thrown afterwards in the players low-up from Valencia. tured on the team-sheet. United made light of Middlesbrough 1 club to record 600 Premier League wins puts tunnel a both sides left the pitch. their absence as Lingard doubled the lead in spec- them a distant 17 points behind leaders Chelsea United were last beaten in the league at the ASTUTE tacular style in the 62nd minute. The England but two points ahead of their nearest rivals end of October, a record which rarely looked The former Barcelona keeper had already international picked up possession just inside the Arsenal and Everton in seventh, boosting their under threat once they took a deserved 30th denied Rashford with a fine block after the forward Middlesbrough half, and as Bernardo stood off Man United 3 hopes of a top-four finish in the race to qualify minute lead through Fellaini. The Belgian inter- out-paced his marker Bernardo to Valencia’s astute inviting the midfielder to advance, he did just that for a place in next season’s Champions League. national midfielder had scored his previous through-ball. to send an unstoppable shot into the top corner Middlesbrough pulled a late goal back league goal in a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth in David De Gea was called into action just once from 20 yards. Negredo went close with two sec- MIDDLESBROUGH: Marouane Fellaini scored through substitute Rudy Gestede, but they December 2015, but had few problems in ending before the break, saving well from Gaston Ramirez, ond-half headers, before Gestede made the most his first Premier League goal for 15 months as remain second-bottom, five points adrift of safe- that barren run with his third goal of the season. who along with Stewart Downing and Alvaro of an error from Chris Smalling to reduce the Manchester United extended their unbeaten ty after an 11th league game without victory as Ashley Young cut in from the left to send over Negredo was restored to the starting line-up by arrears from close range with his first league goal Premier League run to 18 games to move up to caretaker manager Steve Agnew tasted defeat in a searching cross to the far post, and as Valdes Agnew, the trio having previously fallen out of since a move from Aston Villa in January to end his fifth with a 3-1 victory at relegation-threatened his first match following the departure of Aitor and former Manchester United defender Fabio favour with Karanka. The injured Wayne Rooney side’s eight-and-a-half hour wait for a league goal. Middlesbrough yesterday. Karanka. Gestede initially appeared to bite hesitated, Fellaini was left with the simple task of was again unavailable for the visitors as Mourinho It gave the hosts hope of salvaging a point in Jesse Lingard added a stunning second and defender Eric Bailly in a stoppage time melee on heading the ball into an unguarded net from made seven changes from the midweek Europa the final 13 minutes, but Mourinho’s side held out Antonio Valencia a stoppage-time third after an the edge of the visitors’ area in an altercation close range. Valdes had kept his side in the con- League victory over Rostov. without further alarm, Valencia pouncing on a slip embarrassing mistake by former United keeper missed by referee Jon Moss and his assistants. test with a stunning double save to keep out a With Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended and Paul by Valdes to walk the ball into an unguarded net to Victor Valdes as Jose Mourinho’s side ended a 19- Replays showed there was no contact as the point-blank Marcus Rashford effort from Juan Pogba ruled out by a hamstring problem, it was embellish the margin of victory. —AFP Sergio Aguero leveller keeps Liverpool at bay

targeted the flanks, Leroy Sane on the left and ex-Liverpool man Raheem Sterling on the right whipping a succession of low, pacy Man City 1 crosses across Simon Mignolet’s six-yard box. Twice, Aguero felt he had been unfairly impeded as he tried to get on the end of them, first by Joel Matip and then Ragnar Klavan. The latter incident, in the 43rd minute, also saw Sterling taken Liverpool 1 out by a despairing Milner as the pair stretched for David Silva’s low cross, with Fernandinho sliding the ball wide at the back post. City’s clearest opening of the half saw Silva thrash the ball inches wide of the left-hand post after Mignolet had jutted out MANCHESTER: Sergio Aguero netted a 69th-minute equaliser in his left foot to fend off a drive from Sane. a gripping 1-1 draw with Liverpool yesterday to prevent Manchester City losing ground in the battle for a top-four Premier League finish. Liverpool looked poised to leapfrog City LALLANA MISSES KICK But the best chances of the first period were all Liverpool’s. into third place after James Milner silenced the boos from fans of An under-hit John Stones back-pass let in Sadio Mane, only his former club to give the visitors the lead with a penalty early in for an authoritative sortie by goalkeeper Willy Caballero, allied to the second half. But Aguero’s strike kept City a point above their a subtle tug from Nicolas Otamendi, to save the day. Philippe rivals, who have played a game more, and provided a moment of Coutinho bent a shot just over, Matip headed wide at a free-kick solace after their mid-week Champions League elimination at and Caballero showed agility to claw away a Roberto Firmino Monaco’s hands. Both sides had chances to win the game in a curler and touch over a thumping Lallana volley. breathless finale, Kevin De Bruyne hitting a post for City and After Mane had seen a shot blocked by Stones, Liverpool Adam Lallana horribly miscuing with only the goalkeeper to beat. went ahead in the sixth minute of the second half. Pep Guardiola had come in for criticism after City’s 3-1 loss at Gael Clichy was penalised for a high, untidy challenge on Stade Louis II, but his side will approach back-to-back trips to Firmino as the Brazilian chested down Emre Can’s flighted pass Arsenal and Chelsea on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run and Milner swept the penalty into the bottom-left corner. in the league. While Jurgen Klopp failed to become the first man- Firmino looked poised to double the visitors’ lead from ager to do a league double over Guardiola, his Liverpool team are Coutinho’s measured through ball, but Caballero stood up now unbeaten in 10 games against their fellow top-six sides this well to save. Eight minutes later it was all square as De season. A rain-slicked pitch and two attack-minded teams made MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s French defender Gael Clichy (R) fouls Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Roberto Firmino to Bruyne’s brilliantly measured cross from the right was unerr- for a furious first half at the Etihad Stadium, characterised by City give away a penalty during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad ingly dispatched by Aguero.—AFP possession and Liverpool counter-attacks. City unambiguously Stadium in Manchester, north west England, yesterday. — AFP

NBK Weekly Report Page 22 Inside the deadly world of Venezuela’s illegal mines Business Page 23 MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 Ooredoo presents achievements Tax hike, stagnant wages spark protests in Beirut during general meeting Page 25 Page 23

RAWANG: A motorcyclist rides under the floating umbrella decorations at commercial business park in Rawang outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. —AP India hunts hidden cash in corruption blitz Hundreds of suspicious bank accounts under investigation

NEW DELHI: Mansions owned by maids, gardeners Those caught out could have their wealth while, was busted spiriting black money into shell and drivers until now have aroused little suspicion seized, face a seven-year jail term and pay hefty companies ostensibly owned by a day labourer, in India, where the wealthy have long hidden for- fines equivalent to 25 percent of the asset’s value. local media reported. “Even within families, people tunes in the names of lowly-paid staff to avoid pay- Government officials say 235 suspicious accounts want to hide their assets from others so will pur- ing tax. But as the government broadens its crack- were under investigation for alleged benami chase it in someone else’s name,” said Abhishek down on corruption, a new law promises to end the activity in mid February, with more than half Goenka from tax and audit firm PwC India. widespread practice and hundreds of suspicious frozen and properties seized. But Modi, who was One businessman bought a sprawling man- bank accounts are under investigation. elected in 2014 on a pledge to wipe out corrup- sion in a swish Delhi postcode and registered the “There’s been an overnight change in the sys- tion and kickstart the economy, has promised deed under a company whose CEO also hap- tem,” real estate lawyer Naresh Gupta told AFP, more scalps as the dragnet widens. “It has some pened to be his maid. A young couple meanwhile describing the new rules as “very draconian”. very tough provisions. Those holding such prop- purchased a $1.2 million house under someone “Investigators can question anyone and ask any erty should start consulting their (accountants),” else’s name to avoid explaining how two civil ser- government department for information about sus- he said in a February speech. vants could afford such a place, a person close to pects.” The law banning so-called “benami” transac- the transactions told AFP. tions, making it illegal for assets to be hidden in ‘They will go after everything’ “By registering the property in someone else’s another’s name, came into effect in November as The law was in step with November’s contro- name, unaccounted income gets accounted for,” part a twin strike by the government to flush out versial “demonetization”, which forced Indians to said Goenka. “If at a later date it’s then sold on to a undeclared “black money” hoarded by tax evaders. turn in their old, devalued banknotes in exchange benami buyer, the cycle perpetuates.” There is no It followed a shock decision by Prime Minister for new ones. Those declaring suspiciously-large hard data on what percentage of transactions in Narendra Modi to withdraw high-value bank notes sums were red flagged for audit by the tax depart- India are benami and could fall foul of this law. But from circulation, compelling millions to join the ment, which often uncovered complex and experts agree the practice is rife and long overdue formal banking sector for the first time. Previously, implausible webs of benami holdings. In one case, for scrutiny. “After the note ban, this was the natural around 90 percent of everyday transactions in the department said 33 million rupees ($500,000) next step,” said Uday Ved, a Mumbai-based tax advi- India were in cash. Holding real estate in someone were hidden in the name of a woman who wasn’t sor and former KMPG head of tax, in reference to else’s name has been a particularly popular avenue even aware the account existed. the Modi government’s anti-benami blitz. “Now the for those seeking to legitimize black money and In another instance, $9 million was spread across law is in effect they will go after cash, real estate, NEW DELHI: In this photograph taken on January 12, 2017, Indian lawyer Naresh dodge their tax dues. 20 fictitious accounts. A network of jewellers, mean- gold, everything.” —AFP Gupta walks from a recently constructed building. —AFP Scots weigh uncertainty of independent future

ABERDEEN: The prospects for Scotland’s economy three years after the last independence referen- ment to proceed. Alex Kemp, head of the after Brexit are at the heart of the battle between dum in which Scotland voted to remain a part of Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy its pro-independence first minister and British Britain by 55 percent. Sturgeon’s announcement Economics and Finance, said Scotland “comes Prime Minister Theresa May, who wants Britain to last week of her plans for a referendum generates out quite well” in economic comparisons to stay united as it leaves the EU. Nicola Sturgeon has “continued uncertainty and it’s just a matter of European Union countries, particularly to poorer warned that leaving the bloc’s single market will fact that business doesn’t like uncertainty,” said Eastern Europe. cause tens of thousands of job losses in Scotland, James Bream, research and policy director at while May has said she will aim for the “best possi- Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Budget deficit ‘for sure’ ble deal” with Brussels-for Scotland too. But Bream said he was not surprised by the Scotland’s gross domestic product per capita Going it alone raises a host of doubts about announcement since “the argument about of $41,239 (38,360 euros) is roughly equivalent Scotland’s economy including what currency it independence has never gone away” despite to that of Belgium or Finland, and higher than would use and how it could reduce a budget the result of the 2014 plebiscite. The unionist the British average, according to data reported deficit of 9.0 percent of gross domestic product- campaign in that vote was heavily focused on on the Scottish government’s website earlier this worse than crisis-hit Greece. But the future of the the economic benefits of being a part of the month. The comparison members of the world’s North Sea oil sector-centered on the city of United Kingdom. leading economies group, the Organisation for Aberdeen, where Sturgeon’s Scottish National The argument emphasized the “broad shoul- Economic Co-operation and Development, took Party held its conference this weekend-is the key ders” of the union, which can cushion Scotland into account “a geographic share of offshore oil concern. World oil prices have declined in recent from shocks such as a financial crisis or oil price and gas output” for Scotland. years and the offshore stocks are depleting. Deirdre crash, as well as raising doubts about Scotland’s But the data is from 2014 statistics and in Michie, head of Oil & Gas UK, the leading associa- ability to manage on its own. As Scots face up to many ways Scotland is now in a worse position. tion for the North Sea industry, told AFP the sector the prospect of a new referendum-the argu- The oil price fall has blasted a hole in its public was going through “quite a sustained downturn”. ments on both sides are being rehearsed. finances, creating a major deficit. “As things The oil industry employs around 330,000 people Sturgeon has said she wants to prevent stand at the moment, the Scottish economy across the UK, including around 38 percent based Scotland, which voted strongly to remain in the would have a budgetary deficit for sure,” Kemp in Scotland-many of them in Aberdeen. European Union in last year’s Brexit vote, being said. “We have modeled the oil tax revenues, and “dragged out” against its will. She is widely for some years ahead they are really quite mod- ABERDEEN: Scottish National Party (SNP) leader, and Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola ‘Continued uncertainty’ expected to get the Scottish parliament’s sup- est and the only thing that would change that Sturgeon makes her closing speech during the Scottish National Party (SNP) Spring Aberdeen’s business community is wary port for her quest in a vote on Wednesday but would be a major, and really quite unexpected, Conference. —AFP about another constitutional confrontation just still needs the agreement of the British govern- increase in the oil price”. —AFP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 BUSINESS The Fed delivers a dovish hike

n a highly anticipated move, the FOMC raised interest On the monetary policy front, the Bank of England kept rates last week pushing fed rates to a range of 0.75 to WEEKLY MONEY MARKET REPORT its interest rate at a record low of 0.25% by an 8-1 vote and I1%. With only two more rate hikes expected this year, made no changes to its asset purchases as the committee and despite the fact that hiking interest rates tightens debates on how to tackle rising inflation. Furthermore, monetary policy and reduces liquidity, markets took it as the central bank upgraded its growth projection for Q1 the greenlight to extend the rally despite moving on only 2017 from 0.5% to 0.6%. However, the MPC expects a hopes of accelerated corporate earnings accompanied by slowdown in aggregate demand in 2017 as household falling oil prices, higher borrowing costs, and a strong US demand declines in response to lower real income dollar. In a volatile reaction to the less aggressive Fed com- growth due to higher inflation. In recent weeks, a sign of ments, equities rose, bond yields fell, and the dollar tum- consumer spending slowdown compounded by this bled as investors digested Yellen’s remarks and chased an week’s data shows a further squeeze on real income and a already extended bull market cycle. slowdown of the economy during the uncertainty During the press conference, Yellen mentioned that the England is facing during Brexit. economy continues to grow moderately, with the labor force expanding at an average of 200,000 a month. Fed ASIA officials also kept 2017 growth projection at 2.1%, but Chinese Data sending mixed signals increased 2018 estimates by 0.1% to 2.1%. Longer-run China’s industrial production grew more than anticipat- growth estimates remained at 1.8% while the personal ed at 6.3% in February compared to last year’s 6% boosted consumption expenditure index now stands at 0.1% away by stronger data from imports, credit, coal production, from the Fed’s target of 2%. construction equipment, property sales and from last On the economic front, global activity gained momen- year’s fiscal and monetary stimulus policies. Investment in tum as the accelerating inflation in other blocks such as the infrastructure also surged more than expected to 8.9% in Euro zone has increased the probabilities of higher rates February 2017 from last year’s 8.1%. Moreover, investment globally. With monthly PMI data reporting improving glob- in the private sector increased to a one year high of 6.7%, al activity, investors feel a greater degree of confidence which constitutes 60% of the total investment. about the world economy since the beginning of the year. A weaker report showed on the other hand retail sales In a parallel move, global Central Banks responded to the falling dramatically over the year to 9.5% in January and Fed hike by raising their respective interest rates. China February, the lowest figures recorded since May 2003 due raised its short term interest rate, as well as Central Banks to the increase in taxes on small engine cars. In conclusion, in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and the Chinese economy continues to experience a solid start Bahrain tightening their monetary policies. of 2017 supported by strong bank lending, high govern- On the currency front, the US dollar index started the ment infrastructure spending and a revival in private week at 101.24 and appreciated to a high of 101.79 as Mixed US data continues to support Fed hikes 2% in February, up from 1.8% in January. This compared to Wholesale inflation continues on the rise increasing by last year’s figures at -0.1%. The jump in costs was largely investment. China’s economy however continue to face speculation of a March rate hike fueled the buying spree. challenging times ahead with high corporate leverage, However, the index reacted negatively to the dovish mes- 0.3% in February on the back of rising services costs. On a due to higher energy and food prices. In details, oil prices yearly basis, producer price index jumped 2.2%, the account for 60% of the increase, while food costs account debt to GDP ratio at 277% and most importantly fears of sage as investors expected the central bank to reveal a protectionism under US President Donald Trump. more hawkish stance towards more interest rate hikes this strongest reading since March 2012. Excluding energy and for 25%. On the core front, excluding food, energy and food, PPI rose by 0.1% to 0.3%. In parallel, consumer’s infla- tobacco, annual inflation held at 0.9% for three consecutive year. The Index tumbled to a low of 100.16 and ended the BoJ remains in negative territory week at 100.30. tion rose at the fastest rate in five years moving up by 0.1% readings. The ECB concluded that inflation was still weak in February, placing the yearly inflation growth at 2.7%. The and there was still no evidence of a sustained increase in Bank of Japan monetary policy remained in an expan- The Euro had a more positive week despite the rising sionary mode with the board voting 7-2 to keep its target interest rates differential compared to the USD. After rise in CPI was mainly attributed to higher energy prices, inflation data. housing costs, and prices of medical treatment. Core CPI has purchases for the 10-year Japanese government bond to depreciating to a low of 1.0597, the currency reversed it keep yields at around the zero bound. The BoJ also kept losses on the back of the Netherlands elections results also been on the rise since February 2015 and continued to Political uncertainty clouding Germany’s outlook edge up in February by 0.2% after a 0.3% gain in the previ- Germany’s economic outlook in the month of March the short term interest rate at minus 0.1% and will contin- where the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte ue to buy Japanese government bonds at an annual pace managed to win more seats than the populist politician ous month. Yearly, core CPI increased by 2.2% in February. slightly improved, however missed market expectations. In The latest data continue to point to higher inflationary details, the ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment rose by of around 80 trillion yen. Geert Wilders. With the currency trading mostly on the During their press conference, Prime Minister Abe stat- back of political uncertainties, the defeat of the pop- pressure not just due to higher energy prices but also in a 2.4 points to 12.8 in March well below the long term aver- sign of a stronger economy. On a different front, US con- age of 23.9 and the expected level of 13.0. In addition, ed “I don’t see the need to raise our yield target just ulist front had a more positive impact than the FED’s because a central bank of another country raises rates ... hike. The pair reached a high of 1.0782 and closed the sumers decreased their spending in the month of February industrial production and exports witnessed a positive Currency rates move on various factors, not just on interest week at 1.0738. and recorded their smallest gain in six months. According to development while figures for incoming orders and retail analysts, the delay in tax refunds and rising inflationary sales were less favorable. In summary, data continue to rate differentials.” In conclusion, the Japanese economy is The Japanese Yen opened on Monday at 114.87 and pressures were the main reasons for the weak retail spend- show a mix picture in Europe as the political uncertainties gaining positive momentum supported by a weaker Yen. traded in a narrow range until Thursday’s Bank of Japan ing in February. In summary, retail sales came in line with resulting from the upcoming elections in Germany, France, However, economic growth and stable inflation still remain meeting. Although Governor Kuroda said that an uptick in expectations of 0.1%, while core retail sales expanded 0.2% and Italy have been clouding consumers’ sentiments. far from the levels promised by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe inflation towards 1% will not immediately trigger an inter- versus expectations of 0.1%. Last but not least, the Federal and the Bank of Japan. est rate hike, markets interpreted the news as the BoJ back- Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s monthly outlook index on The UK starts to feel the “Brexit “effects” ing away from the extreme monetary policy that Japan regional manufacturers has gained positive momentum for 8 As the UK develops its plan to leave the European New Zealand GDP misses estimates pursued during the past couple of year. USDJPY dropped consecutive readings and remains relatively high. The index Union, the unemployment rate fell by 0.1% to 4.7% in New Zealand GDP expanded by 0.4% in the final three to a low of 112.57 to end the week at 112.70. in March dropped from a 33 year high of 43.3 to 32.8 versus a February, marking the lowest level since 1975 and months of 2016 against estimates of 0.7% and down from On the commodities front, having witnessed increasing forecast of 30. The survey showed 44% of the businesses sug- employment remained steady at a record of 74.6%. In 0.8% in Q3 2016. The figures were the weakest quarterly prices throughout the past six months despite the global gest further expansions in activity, while 11% reported addition, the number of citizens claiming jobless benefits expansion since June quarter of 2015. Growth was under- bleak demand compared to the increasing supply, oil decreases in business activities. The Philly Fed stated the sur- fell more than expected by -11.3k from -41.4K. On the mined by weak manufacturing and agricultural sectors prices were under heavy pressure at the start of last week vey’s future indicators continued to improve and indicates other hand, the workforce suffered a fall in real wages for with exports declining by 6.0%, the largest quarterly fall on concerns those supplies have outweighed demand. strong optimism about future growth in manufacturing. the first time in more than two years in January as inflation since 1992. The weakness was partly offset by an increase With the Fed delivering a dovish hike and after US crude oil is rising faster than wage growth. In the three months to of 2.1% in services exports, leaving overall exports of inventories fell to a 10-week low, crude prices changed EUROPE & UK January, wage growth slowed from 2.6% to 2.3%, the low- goods and services down by 3.8%. Annual GDP growth for momentum and closed the week at $48.78. The Euro zone final estimates of annual CPI came in at est level recorded since 2014. 2016 came in at 3.1%. GCC benchmark interest rate rises

he Federal Reserve (Fed) raised the fed funds rate for the second time in three KAMCO REPORT Tmonths and for the first time in 2017, by 25bps on 15-March to a range of 0.75%-1.00%, interbank rates also rose for Saudi Arabia, UAE, ther tap into the international market sooner from a range of 0.50% - 0.75%. The Fed Kuwait and Qatar. than later in order to take advantage of lower acknowledged that economic activity has borrowing costs. Apart from shoring up budget- expanded at a moderate pace and labor mar- Focus shifts back to oil price ary finances, we believe that international bond ket conditions have strengthened. The current The USD cooled off post the FOMC Meet on sales also make GCC credit default spreads (CDS) dot plot retains the pace of rate hikes in 2017, 15 March -2017 following the dovish stance now more relevant as a measure of credit risk. from their Dec-2016 expectations. The stance from the Fed. Nevertheless, KAMCO Research Kuwait’s 5-Yr CDS dropped by 47.6% on 14-Mar- was broadly less hawkish than what was expects fresh long positions in the USD to 2017 from 108.95 bps, following its international expected, given the strength of economic data build up again, in anticipation of more policy bond sale, and could move lower from its cur- to the lead up of the FOMC meeting. action and a more hawkish stance at the rent spread of 54.70 bps, given its strong state FOMC meet in June-2017, and taking into finances and since it currently has the lowest fis- Hike rates to keep currency peg account the Fed’s rate differential path as com- cal breakeven price of oil in the GCC. GCC states barring Oman also raised rates pared to other major central banks. The Fed through the same policy tools used in Dec- alluded to liquidity conditions being comfort- Oil price environment becomes relevant and USD 4.5 Bn 10-year sold at a yield of 2.8% and reaffirming their optimism of forecasts for real 2016, given their currency pegs to the USD. able, which drove emerging market (EM) equi- GCC interbank rates rose broadly following the 3.6% respectively, even as the issue witnessed an GDP, employment and personal consumption Saudi Arabia raised the reverse repo rate to ties (+2.1%) and GCC equities (+1.1%) as fund rate hike by the Fed and respective central equally strong USD 29 Bn of bids reportedly. expenditures (PCE) inflation. 1.00%, while keeping the repo rate unchanged flows to EMs are expected to remain positive. banks. Nevertheless, a host of measures adopt- Given the backdrop of slowing credit growth Post 2017, the Fed kept expectations of yet again at 2.0%, after raising the reverse repo However, the focus now shifts back on oil ed by SAMA have reined in interbank rates in prevalent in the GCC, with likely more tightening benchmark rates in the US reaching above rate in Dec-2016 to 0.75%. The Central Bank of prices and its impact on sentiment towards Saudi Arabia from Q4-2016, as SAIBOR tight- on the cards, we expect the development of oil 3%, unchanged to an upper end of the Kuwait (CBK) lifted the discount rate by 25bps GCC equities, given slowing credit conditions ened until March-2017. Oman’s government price and oil revenue receipts in the near term to range of 3.4% by as early as 2018, as was from 2.50%-2.75%, while the UAE raised rates and a mixed earnings season. took the international funding route and raised become more relevant for GCC countries until the case for expectations of longer term on its certificates of deposits by 25 bps to USD 5 Bn through their single bond issuance in diversification measures take effect. rates post 2019, which remained at 3.8% on 1.25%. Borrowing costs for Kuwait are likely to Kuwait 5-Yr CDS drops 47% post bond sale 5yr, 10yr and 30yr tranches, covering 90% of its the higher end. Real GDP growth range on rise by about 10%, according to our calcula- Oman (USD 5 Bn) and Kuwait (USD 8 Bn) borrowing plan for 2017, as order books for the Forecasts for US broadly unchanged the other hand was revised downwards on tions. Bahrain and Qatar also raised key inter- issued their bonds in 2017 on better terms prior issue were closed to USD 20 Bn reportedly. The Fed broadly retained its economic pro- the upper end of the range by close to est rates by 25bps. As a result, the 3-month to the rate hike. GCC sovereigns are likely to fur- Kuwait raised USD 8 Bn with USD 3.5 Bn 5-year jections over 2016-19 and for the longer run, 10bps for 2017. EXCHANGE RATES

Chinese Yuan Renminbi 44.665 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Swiss Franc 308.570 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000018 0.000024 Australian Dollar 238.640 Thai Bhat 9.660 Japanese Yen 0.002631 0.002811 US Dollar Buying 304.750 Turkish Lira 82.215 ASIAN COUNTRIES Kenyan Shilling 0.003056 0.003055 Japanese Yen 2.715 GOLD Korean Won 0.000260 0.000275 Indian Rupees 4.672 20 Gram 251.710 BAHRAIN EXCHANGE COMPANY WLL Malaysian Ringgit 0.065330 0.071330 Pakistani Rupees 2.916 10 Gram 128.770 Nepalese Rupee 0.002960 0.003130 Srilankan Rupees 2.011 5 Gram 65.230 CURRENCY BUY SELL Pakistan Rupee 0.002668 0.002958 Nepali Rupees 2.920 Philippine Peso 0.006000 0.006300 Singapore Dollar 219.080 Europe Hongkong Dollar 39.405 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd British Pound 0.372232 0.382232 Sierra Leone 0.000038 0.000044 Bangladesh Taka 3.814 Czech Korune 0.004182 0.016182 Singapore Dollar 0.212504 0.222507 Philippine Peso 6.099 Danish Krone 0.040248 0.045248 South African Rand 0.018062 0.026562 Rate for Transfr Selling Rate Thai Baht 8.760 Euro 0. 322837 0.331837 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001656 0.002326 US Dollar 306.000 Norwegian Krone 0.031992 0.037192 Taiwan 0.009788 0.009968 GCC COUNTRIES Canadian Dolla 228.325 Romanian Leu 0.084736 0.084736 Thai Baht 0.008439 0.008989 Saudi Riyal 81.641 Sterling Pound 375.055 Slovakia 0.009162 0.019162 Qatari Riyal 84.087 Euro 327.605 Swedish Krona 0.030720 0.035720 Arab Omani Riyal 795.080 Swiss Frank 309.850 Bahraini Dinar 812.940 Swiss Franc 0.300121 0.311121 Bahraini Dinar 0.804437 0.812937 Bahrain Dinar 811.180 UAE Dirham 83.354 Turkish Lira 0.078468 0.088768 Egyptian Pound 0.011655 0.020908 UAE Dirhams 83.705 Iranian Riyal 0.000085 0.000086 Qatari Riyals 84.925 ARAB COUNTRIES Australasia Iraqi Dinar 0.000197 0.000257 Egyptian Pound - Cash 20.050 Saudi Riyals 82.525 Australian Dollar 0.227224 0.239224 Jordanian Dinar 0.425578 0.434578 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 16.789 Jordanian Dinar 432.760 New Zealand Dollar 0.207932 0.217432 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.229 Egyptian Pound 17.483 Lebanese Pound 0.000152 0.000252 Tunisian Dinar 135.980 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.021 Jordanian Dinar 431.010 America Moroccan Dirhams 0.020111 0.044111 Indian Rupees 4.625 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 2.040 Canadian Dollar 0.223519 0.232519 Nigerian Naira 0.000396 0.001031 Pakistani Rupees 2.918 Syrian Lira 2.182 Georgina Lari 0.138094 0.138094 Omani Riyal 0.787735 0.793415 Bangladesh Taka 3.846 Morocco Dirham 31.029 US Dollars 0.301650 0.306050 Qatar Riyal 0.083170 0.084620 Philippines Pesso 6.078 US Dollars Mint 0.302150 0.306050 Saudi Riyal 0.080447 0.081747 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Cyprus pound 168.040 Asia Syrian Pound 0.001297 0.001517 US Dollar Transfer 305.950 Japanese Yen 3.665 Bangladesh Taka 0.003496 0.004080 Euro 331.960 Tunisian Dinar 0.130578 0.138578 Syrian Pound 2.430 Chinese Yuan 0.042903 0.046403 Sterling Pound 381.520 Turkish Lira 0.078468 0.088768 Nepalese Rupees 3.885 Hong Kong Dollar 0.037336 0.040086 Canadian dollar 230.300 UAE Dirhams 0.081820 0.083520 Malaysian Ringgit 69.675 Indian Rupee 0.002691 0.004788 Turkish lira 84.930 Yemeni Riyal 0.000994 0.001074 MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 BUSINESS

Board members attend general assembly meeting Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani Ooredoo presents achievements during general meeting

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait, a member of the Successful marketing strategies international Ooredoo Group, has presented Meanwhile, Ooredoo’s CEO and General its achievements and financial results for 2016 Manager expressed his pride in the company’s during its annual general meeting and performance in the past year, saying: “We extraordinary general meeting, which were acquired FASTtelco in 2016, an internet service held at the company’s headquarters in Kuwait provider with a comprehensive portfolio of City yesterday. The meeting was attended by offerings to the market in different segments. the company’s Chairman, Sheikh Saud bin We have also launched a data center offering a Nasser Al Thani, board members and General variety of cloud-based services for customers. Manager and CEO, Sheikh Mohammed bin This aims to be a one-stop shop for customers Abdulla Al Thani and witnessed an atten- from all sectors.” dance of 93.33% of the shareholders. The In Algeria, the 6% growth in customer base Chairman of the Board of Directors declared was supported by successful marketing strate- that the Board agreed to distribute cash divi- gies, network upgrades and deployments. dends to the Company Shareholders valued With the launch of 4G and continued expan- 85% of the nominal value of share, which is sion of the 3G network, Ooredoo Algeria cov- equivalent to 85 Fils. ered a vast majority of the population by the In a statement made to the press, the end of the year. Due to continued currency Chairman of the board Sheikh Saud bin Nasser depreciation and challenges associated with Al Thani reiterated that success of Ooredoo in the slowdown of tourism, Ooredoo Tunisia the past year, noting that the company fared saw a slight decrease in Revenue. well despite challenge sin the market. He said: Despite these challenges, Ooredoo main- “During the year 2016, Ooredoo consolidated tained its market leadership and grew its cus- its leading position across key markets, with tomer base by 6% to 8 million at the end of customer base increasing 6% to reach more 2016.In local currency terms Revenue actually than 25 million. Ooredoo maintained a stable increased by 4% year on year. Ooredoo EBITDA of KWD 240 million for the year ended Maldives increased Revenues by 33% to reach 2016.In a highly competitive market, Ooredoo KWD 32 million and showed significant growth Kuwait cemented its position as a leading ICT in profitability, EBITDA increased 56% to KWD company with the acquisition of FASTtelco, a 17 million in 2016. Ooredoo Maldives is well Kuwait based ISP, through which it can expand positioned to continue delivering growth as it its offer of advanced fixed broadband and is preparing for the public listing in 2017 on mobile services.” He added: “Ooredoo Kuwait the local stock exchange. Wataniya Palestine delivered a 5% increase in Revenues and also strengthened its market position, growing maintained a healthy EBITDA of KWD 51 mil- customer numbers by 10% number serving lion. A significant development for the year, now more than three quarters of a million cus- Ooredoo Kuwait deployed more LTE sites and tomers. Wataniya Palestine maintained prof- by the end of 2016 it had successfully covered itability and delivered Revenues of KWD 25 the entire populated area of Kuwait.” million for the year ended 2016.

The Federal Reserve Inside the deadly world of Venezuela’s illegal mines

reassures investors EL CALLAO: Barefoot and shirtless in the cavernous belly of an illegal gold By Hayder Tawfik mine, Ender doesn’t flinch when a piece of rock falls through the darkness t last the Federal Reserve decided to make its and breaks the silence. Working in the long-awaited move and raised its benchmark dangerous and violent underworld of Alending rate by 0.25%. Its chairwomen Janet illegal mining in eastern Venezuela, the Yellen offered investors some assurance that the skinny teenager is used to taking his Federal Reserve move is going to be gradual and well life in his hands every day. measured as not to tilt the fine balance that has been The narrow mine shaft is filled with pursuing for a quite a while. puddled water and the smell of gases, The Federal Reserve understands the new US and the handmade wood supports President would like to see US economic growth dou- staving off a collapse look precarious at bles in the next few years. To achieve this, the Federal best. But Ender Moreno is unfazed. At Reserve has a big and difficult job on its hand. That is why Janet Yellen 18 years old, he has already been doing offered its assurance to investors, that itslatest interest rate increase wasn’t a this job for eight years. “I’m not afraid,” paradigm shift to a trigger-happy policy driven by fears of faster inflation. he said as he climbed through the She also said that the Federal Reserve is willing to tolerate inflation tem- pitch black, his headlamp lighting the porarily overshooting its 2 percent goal and that it intended to keep its poli- way through the hazardous maze 30 cy accommodative for some time. meters (100 feet) underground. “I’ll In their first forecasts in three months, Fed policy makers penciled in two probably do this till I die.” more quarter-point rate increases this year and three in 2018, unchanged The inside of the mine is no scarier from their projections in December. Investors have been speculating for a than the outside. There is a bloody while that the Federal Reverse will mount an aggressivetightening policy to mafia war raging for control of the unli- EL CALLAO: Ender Moreno looks for gold at La Culebra gold mine in El Callao, Bolivar state, southeastern Venezuela. — AFP counter any risk of higher inflation. The expectations were further fueled by censed, artisanal gold mines in the news of rising inflation. Venezuelan state of Bolivar. Miners reg- Gold fever name for fear of reprisals. “This place Others sleep on site in malaria-ridden Stocks rose and bond yields fell as investors viewed the statement from ularly turn up dead, their bodies muti- The head of the Venezuelan Mining belongs to one group. The others have camps built with sheets of black plastic. the Federal Open Market Committee and Yellen’s remarks afterward as a sign lated or riddled with bullets. Shootouts Chamber, Luis Rojas, estimates that 90 to keep their hands off it. Each group They make somewhere between that the Fed isn’t in a hurry to remove monetary stimulus. The US economy with assault rifles are common curren- percent of the gold produced in the has its territory,” said miner Argenis 260,000 and one million bolivars a has mostly met the central bank’s goals of full employment and stable cy in the region. Two weeks ago, three South American nation comes from ille- Tarazona. “Whoever breaks the rules, month ($95 to $360 at the black-market prices, and may get further support if President Donald Trump delivers young men Ender knew were killed in gal mines. In a country where a crushing whoever robs, they kill him or beat him exchange rate), they say-far higher than promised fiscal stimulus. A US economy that is growing and with the his neighborhood of El Callao. economic crisis has fueled an epidemic up,” added Tarazona, 47. minimum wage. Federal Reserve continue having an accommodative monetary policy can The day before, he had been danc- of violent crime, such mines are “primar- He left his five children three years “I’ve got no other choice. I was work- only be good for equity investors. Investor and business confidence has ing with them at the annual carnival ily in mafia hands,” he said. At the nearby ago to try his luck as a gold miner, after ing as a porter, but I couldn’t support soared since Trump won the presidency in November, buoyed by his vows to celebrations in the city, the cradle of a Nacupay gold mine, workers dig the finding he could no longer support my three kids,” said Gilberto Urrieta, 32, cut taxes, liftinfrastructure spending and ease regulations. gold rush that started in 1870 and has earth from the bed of a contaminated them on his salary as an industrial who arrived four months ago. “Now I recently intensified. “They were miners, river as others pour mercury into pans mechanic. Tens of thousands of send them 150,000 bolivars a month.” Forecast inflation but they started running around with of extracted sediment. The open-pit Venezuelans from across the country After riding a worn green rope back to The potential risk for the Federal Reserve is in waitingfor more concrete gangsters,” he said. Ten months ago, his mine is known as one of the most vio- have flocked to this region as President the surface, Ender contemplated his policy plans to emerge from the Trump administration before adapting mon- boss at the mine was killed. The miners lent and polluting in the region. Few Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government future during a short break. “My mom etary policy in reaction. There is great uncertainty about the timing, the size say it is because he refused to let mob- people are willing to talk openly about has struggled with a three-year reces- says this is no kind of life. But I can’t and the character of policy changes that may be put in place,” Yellen said. If in sters take over the business. Two the “vaccines,” or extortion money, that sion, spiraling inflation and food short- stop because I need the money to help the coming months inflation behaves the way, the Federal Reservewishes to months before that, 28 workers were miners and shopkeepers have to pay ages. Workers are bused in to the mines her,” the teenage miner said. “I’m young see then the waiting is worthwhile. However, the risk could shift to investors massacred at a nearby mine, in what their mafia overlords in this lawless area. every morning, their pickaxes and shov- and I want to enjoy life. But when your sentiment and that might take a negative view of the market. authorities called a turf war between “It’s like a parallel government,” said els slung over their shoulders and their time is up, it’s up. Everyone has to die Policy makers forecast inflation will reach 1.9 percent in the fourth quar- rival gangs. one miner, who asked AFP not to use his pans perched on their heads like hats. sometime.” — AFP ter this year, and 2 percent in both 2018 and 2019, per quarterly median esti- mates released with the Federal Open Market Committee statement. The Fed’s preferred measure of inflation rose 1.9 percent in the 12 months through January, just shy of its target. Core inflation is the one that Janet Japan PM leaves for EU for security, trade talks Yellen is monitoring closely. Core inflation continues to run somewhat fur- ther below 2 percent. That rate, which strips out food and energy costs, TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister three of the four missiles launched to Tokyo on Wednesday after meeting Gentiloni, chair of this year’s Group of stood at 1.7 percent in January. The Fed’s new forecast for the core rate at the Shinzo Abe headed yesterday for a earlier this month falling in the Sea of with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Seven industrialized countries. — AFP end of this year edged up to 1.9 percent, from 1.8 percent in December. four-day trip to Europe, hoping to dis- Japan (East Sea) off Akita prefecture. In the short term, a gradual increase in the Federal Reserve’s official rates cuss security issues and make “I want to exchange opinions could mean losses for bond investors or at least a cap on higher bond prices, progress on trade as regional ten- openly with G7 leaders,” Abe told as higher rates drive bond prices down. This has happened over the past sions soar over accelerating North reporters at a Tokyo airport before his couple of weeks as markets have adjusted. However, over the coming Korean threats. Abe’s trip, which will departure. “We hope to closely coop- months, higher rates allow reinvestment to generate better returns, so the take him to Germany, France, Belgium erate with the EU on issues the inter- impact may be minimal. My advice for bond investors is to have a diversified and Italy, comes a few days after US national community is facing such as bond portfolio with shorter maturity duration. Higher rates could mean that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited the problems on North Korea and bond investors are finally could see higher returns in the long term. Tokyo for talks on North Korean free trade,” he said. Abe’s itinerary Investors should remember that, higher rates are, in fact, a positive sign nuclear and missile threats. includes a visit to technology show for both the economy and the stock market. Of course, there is going to be The top US diplomat also travelled CeBIT in Hanover followed by a sum- some volatility and possible turbulence ahead, but the goodfundamentals to Seoul and Beijing after Tokyo. mit with German Chancellor Angela remain positive, and the Fed’s decision to raise rates only ratifies that fact. Japan has been on edge over North Merkel and a meeting with French As for the stock market, higher rates should mean lower stock prices at Korean launches since a mid-range President Francois Hollande in Paris. least in theory and that does happen eventually. Early in a rate increase ballistic missile flew without warning Abe will hold talks with European cycle, however, higher rates are good for the stock market. This is because over the northern part of the country Commission head Jean-Claude rising rates, early on, signal an improving economy, and the faster growth and into the western Pacific in 1998. Juncker and freshly re-elected more than compensates for the higher rates.Equity investors should feel The pace of the North’s missile devel- European Union President Donald HANOVER: People stand at the stand of Japan in one of the exhibition positive that gradual increase in the Federal Reserve rates will not weaken opment has intensified and its projec- Tusk in Brussels as the EU aims to halls of the upcoming IT trade fair CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, Sunday, economic growth and can only be positive for the stock market. tiles have since last year been landing close a free trade deal with Tokyo this March 19, 2017. Japan is this year’s partner country. The five-day event ever closer to Japan’s coast, with year. The Japanese premier will return will have over 3000 exhibitors from 70 countries. — AP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 BUSINESS G20 wording a setback for Germany

BADEN-BADEN: The failure of the world’s finan- tribution of trade to their economies. “The weak Felbermayr said. The future would probably that ‘America First’ will also mean a loss for porting free trade and open markets in a cial leaders to agree on resisting protectionism wording on trade is a defeat for the German G20 bring a weakening of the World Trade us. So instead of a win-win situation, there separate document adopted by policymak- and support free trade marks a setback in the presidency,” Ifo economist Gabriel Felbermayr Organization (WTO) and a more aggressive use will probably be a lose-lose situation.” ers in Baden-Baden. G20 process and poses a risk for growth of told Reuters. “This is particularly true in the light of protectionist policies, he added. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel The list of principles summarizes reform export-driven economies such as host Germany, of the fact that Germany is one of the world’s has suggested that the European Union recommendations for governments to economists said yesterday. Acquiescing to an strongest export nations and relies on open Warning shot should refocus its economic policy toward boost the resilience of their economies increasingly protectionist United States after a markets to maintain its prosperity like hardly any The Association of German Chambers of Asia, should the Trump administration pur- against future shocks, including the advice two-day meeting in the German town of Baden- other country.” Commerce and Industry (DIHK) said the token sue protectionism. German Finance to strengthen policy frameworks to reap Baden, the finance ministers and central bank Private consumption and state spending have reference to trade was a serious setback for the Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble tried to play the benefits of open markets. governors of the 20 biggest economies dropped become the main growth drivers of Europe’s multilateral trade order. “The result is a warning down the lack of a clear rejection of protec- A senior G20 official said the resilience a pledge to keep global trade free and open. biggest economy, but exports still account for shot for every trading nation and this means tionism on Saturday, saying some delega- principles were probably more important Instead, they only made a token reference to roughly 45 percent of its gross domestic product. also for the German economy,” DIHK foreign tions did not have a mandate to support far than the main communique because the trade in their main communique by saying the “The lack of a rejection of protectionism is a clear trade economist Volker Treier told Reuters. “The reaching commitments on commerce. list would also be adopted at the G20 G20 would work together to strengthen the con- breach of tradition. Now everything is possible,” German economy has to adapt itself to the fact US President Donald Trump has already leaders summit in Hamburg in July while pulled out of a key trade agreement and Baden-Baden was only a “snapshot of proposed a new tax on imports, arguing today”. “The German G20 presidency is that certain trade relationships need to be not over yet. Now it’s up to the state reworked to make them fairer for U.S. work- and government leaders at the G20 ers. Germany managed to rescue some of summit in Hamburg to send a clear sig- the previously common G20 language sup- nal,” Treier said. — Reuters

TOKYO: People are reflected on the electronic board of a securities firm. — AP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 BUSINESS Beijing shuts last coal power plant in switch to natural gas

BEIJING: The last large coal-fired power have remained between 200 and 330 plant in Beijing has suspended operations, micrograms per cubic meter-well above with the city’s electricity now generated by the World Health Organization’s recom- natural gas, the state news agency report- mended maximum average exposure of ed as smog enveloped the Chinese capital 25 micrograms per cubic meter in a 24- this weekend. The shuttering of the hour period. Huangneng Beijing Thermal Power Plant The pollution often vanishes during comes on the heels of China’s annual leg- prominent events like the legislative ses- islative sessions, where Premier Li Keqiang sions and the 2008 Summer Olympics as promised to “make our skies blue again” in authorities order factories to halt activity his state-of-the-nation speech. and force cars off the road. During the According to Xinhua, Beijing has 2014 gathering of the Asia-Pacific become the country’s first city to have all Economic Cooperation in Beijing, this clear its power plants fuelled by natural gas, an air phenomenon was dubbed “APEC blue.” objective laid out in 2013 in the capital’s During the one-week-and-a-half period of five-year clean air action plan. The the NPC, average PM2.5 levels hovered Huangneng plant is the fourth to be closed between 50 and 80, despite exceeding 200 and replaced by gas thermal power centers micrograms per cubic meter just one day between 2013 and 2017, cutting nearly 10 before the opening of the parliamentary million tons in coal emissions annually. sessions on March 5. Xinhua reported the move the night before In response to a reporter’s question municipal authorities issued a blue alert for about this disparity at his annual press con- heavy air pollution yesterday. Smog has ference last Wednesday, Li repeated his cloaked the capital for several days and is pledge to target coal-burning and vehicle expected to continue through the week. emissions. “We may not be able to control Since last Wednesday’ closing of the the weather, but we can adjust our behav- National People’s Congress, the annual ior and our way of development,” he said. meeting of China’s rubber-stamp parlia- “Blue skies should no longer be a luxury, ment, PM2.5 (harmful particulate) levels nor will they be.” —AFP

WROTHAM: Workers plant salad crops in a field in Wrotham, south east England. —AFP In pro-Brexit Kent, farmers counting on EU workforce Resentment about the scale of immigration lingers

MAIDSTONE: The accusation that immigration drives 52 percent. The anger of local residents, who have been British people were “fed up being branded as lazy”. “It’s down wages is one that irritates Gabriela Szomoru, a 31- particularly concerned about arrivals of undocumented unfair to those people who sometimes put in 60 or 70 year-old Romanian who has worked her way up to an immigrants who have crossed the Channel from job applications and don’t even hear back from the office job at a farm in southeast England. Szomoru came France, is still palpable nine months after the referen- employer,” he said. “Some jobs are only advertised in to Britain 10 years ago and started out picking strawber- dum. “I don’t like people jumping on lorries and com- the countries where the (migrant) workers are coming ries before being promoted to her current job at a 600- ing over here working illegally. That needs to be sorted from,” he said. James Bish, an 18-year-old Briton work- hectare salad farm just outside Maidstone, the main out. It drives wages down,” said Valerie Fuller, 80, a ing at the Costa coffee chain, disagreed, saying that his town in the county of Kent. retired teacher. compatriots were “too lazy”. “Driving wages down? No, we don’t offer less than In a country whose 4.7 percent unemployment rate “Migrants are coming to do the jobs the British SEOUL: In this March 16, 2017 photo, a visitor walks by signs displaying for- the minimum wage. If the government decides this is is the envy of its European neighbors, the argument that people don’t want to do,” he said. “It is quite easy to eign currency exchange rates between South Korea and China, center and the pay rate, we just follow,” Szomoru said. “It’s a very immigration weighs on wages was widely used by pro- get a job as long as you’re determined enough and other Asia countries. —AP hard job. You start at five o’clock in the morning, up to Brexit campaigners. The theory, however, often does not you’re looking in the right places,” he said. “The immi- 10 hours every day, six days a week.” Szomoru is mar- stand up to scrutiny. “The short answer is no. It doesn’t grants I do know are some of the hardest working ried to a tractor driver from Hungary. The two see their have any effect on wages at all,” said Jonathan people I know.” Nick Ottewell, the director of the farm Money transfer firm may take future in Britain and are planning to buy a house in the Wadsworth, a senior research fellow at the London where Szomoru works, said he had received insults for area, even as the government prepares to implement School of Economics. making comments about the need for immigrants in on Orange mobiles in Africa last year’s Brexit vote. He said it could have a “very, very small” effect on the local press. Resentment about the scale of immigration helped low-skilled jobs, amounting to a decline of just one per- Ottewell said sectors like farming, healthcare and determine the result in Kent, known as the “Garden of centage point or less. “The big falls in wages after 2008 construction “wouldn’t function” without them. At his DAKAR: When Senegalese money trans- including 40 in Africa, with a particularly England”, where many of the seasonal workers in the are due to the global financial crisis and a weak econom- farm, seasonal workers get the minimum wage of £7.50 fer firm Wari agreed to buy the local strong presence in Senegal and its West sprawling orchards and fields come from eastern ic recovery, not to immigration,” Wadsworth said. an hour (8.60 euros, $9.15) and can live in caravans with mobile arm of Luxembourg-based African neighbours. Europe. At the farm where Szomoru works, all 150 sea- showers and kitchenettes that rent for £42 a week, Millicom International Cellular last Orange, formerly France’s national sonal workers and 15 of the 30 permanent employees Britons ‘too lazy’ including water and electricity. Ottewell, whose farm month, it set the stage to challenge network France Telecom, has dominated are non-British-for a total proportion of 92 percent. Local farmers in Kent say they rely heavily on for- produces 9,000 tons of salad a year, said he once took Orange’s hold on mobile phones in telecoms in Senegal and other former eign workers because they cannot find enough Britons part in a government scheme to hire 10 people from French-speaking West Africa. Wari plans French colonies in Africa for years. It is ‘Drives wages down’ willing to do the required jobs. But Eddie Powell, a busi- the local unemployment office. “I ended up with one to list on the West Africa stock exchange still expected to stay the market leader In Kent, about 59 percent voted for Britain to leave ness owner in Kent and a local representative for the person turning up on the farm, and he ended up caus- (the BRVM) in Ivory Coast this year, after for home internet and fixed line phones the European Union-higher than the national figure of anti-establishment UK Independence Party (UKIP), said ing me problems,” he said. —AFP the $129 million deal to buy mobile which Tigo does not offer. But experts operator Tigo from Millicom is done, its say it could lose ground in mobile CEO told Reuters in an interview. phones. “Orange should be worried,” said Wari is Senegal’s top money transfer West Africa IDC analyst service, a low-cost alternative to Oluwole Babatope. “The market is Western Union that allows customers to changing. You need to be very strategic transfer cash and pay bills at gas sta- and understand the terrain.” Orange’s tions, banks and even roadside stands. mobile market share fell from 56 to 52 The deal will give Wari the capability to percent in 2016, according to the transfer money on mobile phones, a Senegalese telecoms regulator, while rapidly-expanding service that is domi- Tigo’s grew from 22 to 26 percent. A third nated in the region by French company player, West African company Expresso, a Orange. Orange has nearly 8 million subsidiary of Sudan’s Sudatel, also mobile users in Senegal, twice as many gained ground. A deputy Orange CEO as runner-up Tigo. told Reuters last month that revenue While the deal will only give Wari a growth had halved last year across the telecoms license in Senegal, it could use Middle East and Africa and he expects it as a starting point for a push for slow growth this year. Nevertheless, the greater competition in other French- company is still growing in Africa. speaking countries in West Africa such as Orange completed its rebranding of Mali, Guinea and Ivory Coast. “For the last Bharti Airtel’s mobile business in mile, we needed to be able to connect Burkina Faso last week after buying it the population. This is where the idea last year. It also completed an acquisi- came from of looking for a telecom vehi- tion of Tigo in the Democratic Republic cle, and we found (it) ... with Tigo,” Wari of Congo last year. Chief Executive Kabirou Mbodje said. He brushed off a question about Orange. ‘Wari me money’ “At the end of the day what’s impor- Orange highlights Orange Money, the tant is do we offer the best services to rival to Tigo Cash, as a new business driv- the population, do we meet their er. It was almost 30 percent of turnover needs, do we design the service to be growth for its West African partner firm the most cost-effective. These are the Sonatel in 2016, Sonatel’s latest report kind of things we’re thinking about, not says “it is not thinking about a telco in competition, and then the public will terms of voice and data. They see mobile decide,” he said. An Orange spokesman money as where the growth is,” said declined to comment about competi- Moussa Dabo, a Dakar-based investment BEIRUT: A Lebanese woman raises her fist as she shouts slogans during a protest in downtown Beirut against the Lebanese tion in West Africa. officer at AFIG Funds. He said Orange’s Parliament’s newly approved taxes. —AFP Mobile money is a sector with deep hold on the market will be hard to beat potential: millions of people in West because it has better infrastructure even Safat Home launches Tax hike, stagnant wages Africa lack bank accounts and use cash though Tigo will likely be strengthened transfers or mobile money for everything by the acquisition. biggest Sanitary from utility bills to receiving pension Adding to its challenges, Orange spark protests in Beirut payments and receiving remittances Money had to suspend transfers and Tiles campaign BEIRUT: Demonstrators in downtown Beirut Wednesday. The government is paralyzed over a from families abroad. The number of between France and three West African pelted Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s car budget proposal that would hike over a dozen mobile money transaction points in West countries in February, when West Africa’s KUWAIT: Safat Home, Kuwait’s leading home furnishing with water bottles yesterday as protests against tax rates to fund a salary increase for teachers Africa grew twice as fast in 2015 as in any central bank said it was not authorised to retailer, launched the biggest Sanitary and Tiles campaign new taxes and a stagnant public wage scale jolt- and civil servants. Parliament has not authorized other region in the world. Mbodje esti- transfer money outside the currency in an event held today at its showroom in Shuwaikh and ed the city. Hariri got out of his armored convoy a new budget since 2005. mated the company will be worth “a cou- zone, the bank said this week. Mbodje attended by special guests and local press, announcing behind the police line at the demonstration fac- The demonstrations are the latest display of ple of billion dollars” when listed, a said the Wari brand will be Tigo’s main valuable offers and a fully accommodated trip for two to ing the government’s headquarters but could mounting discontent with Lebanon’s political Rome to be won during the duration of the campaign. process he said he has started. An official strength. “Wari me money” is a common get no closer as protesters began throwing bot- elite. The politicians, many of whom led the mili- Customers have until March 31st to spend at least KD 350 phrase in Senegal, where many profes- tles and harrying him with cries of “Thieves!” tias that tore the country apart in the 1975-1990 at the BRVM told Reuters it had not yet on tiles and/or sanitary to automatically enter a draw to received an application. The Tigo deal, sionals send money back home to poorer With water bottles falling around him and civil war, are widely seen as corrupt and out of win two tickets to the city of ceramics, Rome, offered in his bodyguards shielding him with their arms, touch. Demonstrators poured into the streets in announced last month, must still be rural relatives. partnership with Alghanim Travels. The winner of the draw approved by Senegalese authorities. Boubacar Ndiaye, a 45-year-old taxi Hariri told TV cameras: “It’s true there is waste 2015 to protest a collapse in the country’s waste will be announced on April 2nd. and corruption in the country, but we will fight management sector that left trash piling up driver in Dakar, said he uses both Orange Redecorating its showroom in an Italian theme, Safat Changing market Money and Wari for money transfers in it.” He then left the area on foot. Thousands of across the capital district. Home aims to attract visitors to the quality products it people came to the city center to protest a Yesterday’s demonstration was called by the Mbodje has a relevant background for the capital, but Wari is the only one pres- offers, including renowned brands such as Kludi, KludiRak trying to capture some market share ent in his home village. “Orange is the broad tax hike they say is unfairly targeting the Communist and Phalangist parties, and joined and TOTO for sanitary ware and Sintesi Ceramica and working class. by civil activists campaigning against corruption. from Orange. He studied telecommuni- good network,” he said. But when he Ceramica Portinari for tiles, amongst many international Demonstrators said the government has “We are going to topple any unjust government,” cations in France and then launched sev- learned that Tigo was Senegalese- brands. Customers can explore the many options and squandered public funds through shady public- vowed Naamat Badreddine, an activist with the eral digital start-ups before creating Wari owned, he said he would buy a sim card ranges available at one of the Safat Home showrooms, private contracts and should plug the budget group We Want Accountability. The parliament in Senegal in 2008. Wari has grown rapid- and use both. “A man has to be proud of located in the Shuwaikh area near Yusuf A. Alghanim deficit by addressing corruption instead. has twice extended its own term over disagree- ly and now operates in 62 countries his country,” he said. —Reuters Service and Maintenance Center. Parliament approved some tax hikes on ments on how to hold elections. —AP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 business

Nissan Al-Babtain launches new crossover ‘Kicks’ in showrooms

KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz AlBabtain Nissan Intelligent Mobility. Nissan Intelligent the MOD system detects a moving object - a Ride Control and Active Engine Brake, is a tures established Nissan design signatures Company (AABC), the authorized dealer of Mobility uses smart, relevant technology to pedestrian, for example - a warning is truly outstanding feature. Active Trace such as the V-motion grille which dominates Nissan vehicles in the State of Kuwait, has make the driver’s life easier while also mak- sounded to alert the driver to the hazard Control is an innovation that intervenes dur- the car’s front end. Also present are the launched the All-New Nissan Kicks compact ing advances towards Nissan’s long term and prevent a potential accident. ing driving through corners to ensure the boomerang head and taillights, and the crossover in its showrooms, its latest addi- goal of zero emission and zero fatality Technology-loving Kicks owners will rel- intended trajectory is maintained by dis- “floating” coupe-style roof with a “wrap- tion to the crossover segment. motoring. Nissan Kicks targets young people ish the convenience and simplicity of the creetly applying brakes to wheels individual- around visor” look to the windscreen and On this occasion Mohammed Shalaby - who are early adopters of such technology suite of systems that are accessible via the ly. This has the effect of preventing a sudden side glass. The spacious interior too, is Chief Operating Officer for Al-Babtain Group and who appreciate and embrace the way it centrally mounted 7-inch color touch loss of grip or stability. instantly recognizable as a Nissan design said: “The arrival of the All-New Nissan Kicks can both simplify urban driving and connect screen. These functions include navigation, Similarly, Active Ride Control, applies the thanks to the “gliding wing” shape stretching to the Kuwaiti market is an added value, as it them more easily to what matters. The audio, and Bluetooth phone connections. brakes for a split-second after the car has the width of the dashboard. Underlining the combine surban driving environments and Intelligent Mobility technology present in Complementing the touch screen, and ideal- encountered large undulations in the road, car’s crossover stance and inherent strength combines a robust exterior and elevated Kicks aims to reduce stress for drivers ly located in front of the driver, a further to reduce the “bounce” effect on the suspen- is its generous ground clearance (200mm), driving position with compact dimensions through innovations such as the Around screen in the main cluster of dials relays sion. This simple, effective solution is lighter which helps provide a commanding driving for agile performance and maneuverability. View Monitor (AVM) and the Moving Object information from the on-board drive com- and less complex than expensive and heavy position and a high eye point for excellent This is in addition to fuel efficiency, thanks Detection system (MOD). puter, audio system and navigation systems, adaptive damping systems. To counter the all round visibility. Nissan Kicks has class- to its engine developed capacity of 1.6 liters as well as displaying warnings. Vehicle set- “coasting” effect often associated with auto- leading fuel efficiency thanks to its along with lightweight to combine driving Abundance of tech tings can be easily adjusted using the four- matic and CVT gearboxes, Kicks is equipped advanced 1.6-liter engine and lightweight comfort and savings for all groups.” The Using four cameras, placed at the front way selector on the steering wheel. with Active Engine Brake. When the acceler- platform. Power is rated at 88kW (118HP) body features an advanced aerodynamic and rear of the car and in both door mirrors, Among a host of comfort and safety tech- ator is released, typically approaching a cor- and torque of 149Nm. For more information design, which optimizes fuel consumption AVM creates a bird’s eye 360-degree view of nologies included in Kicks, its chassis con- ner, engine braking is applied to stabilize about the All-New Nissan Kicks, you can visit and minimizes noise. Nissan Kicks is also one the car which can be displayed on the cen- trol, supported by advanced electronic sys- the speed. the Nissan Al-Babtain showroom in Al Rai of the first models to realize the concept of tral monitor and used as a parking aid. When tems known as Active Trace Control, Active In terms of its visual appeal, Kicks fea- and Ahmadi. AUB gives customers chance to win GBK announces its third cash back with AUB Credit Cards Red account draw date KUWAIT: Ahli United Bank (AUB) tomers are required to spend KD 500 emergencies anywhere around the announced today the launch of its or above during one month. In addi- world when using their Ahli United KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced yester- have the opportunity to win a Fiat 500c- “Edfa3ly,” an international internet shop- new 100%+50% cash-back campaign tion, customers wishing to partici- Bank credit cards to purchase their day that the third red(tm) account draw Model 2017 at the annual car draw, ping services company that provides mail with a maximum amount 1500 KD to pate in the 50% draw must spend KD airline tickets. is due to be held on Thursday 30 March upon transferring their allowance! Also, boxes for internet shopping from their be paid to each winner. The new 150 and above in the same time peri- The Pearl Awards program also 2017! Three new winners will be noti- movie tickets at all Cinescape theatres website: https://kw.edfa3ly.co/GulfBank. campaign offers customers the od. Customers spending KD 500 and provides a wide range of valuable fied of their prizes and welcomed into will be available for only KD 2 seven days Gulf Bank invites all young students to chance to win a range of valuable above in any month during the cam- instant discounts for the Bank’s cus- Gulf Bank’s head office to meet with the a week by simply being a red(tm) account take part of the red(tm) draw on 30 prizes through monthly draws, allow- paign will be eligible to enter both tomers that cover multiple sectors, in Bank’s team and receive their gifts per- holder; not to mention the exclusive March 2017, as they may be the lucky ing 13 winners every month and 39 draws and have chances to win up to line with customer needs. The Pearl sonally. Each month, an iPhone 7, an shopping offers from the USA and US by winners. winners through the 3 months cam- KD 1,500.” For each draw, customers’ Awards Program reflects the Bank’s iPad Pro, and an Apple Watch will be paign. Three customers could win chances are calculated based on the desire to develop and deliver new gifted to three lucky winners. The draws 100% cash-back of their total credit statement cycle over the period of products and services. The new will run until January 2018 and the next X-cite awards 2017 Honda card spend, and 10 customers could one month. For every KD 50 spent on instant Pearls Award discount pro- draw dates are as follows: win 50% cash-back of their total their credit cards, customers will earn gram delivers real value for the Bank’s - April 24, 2017 Civic car for ‘Celebrate spend, during the month. one chance in the draw. credit card and prepaid card holders - May 22, 2017 Kuwait’ competition winner AUB said in a press release , “We Alongside this great new cam- who will receive discounts and - June 29, 2017 - July 24, 2017 are excited to launch our new cam- paign, customers will continue to rewards without being tied to a spe- - August 21, 2017 KUWAIT: X-cite by Alghanim Electronics, Kuwait’s largest electronic retailer, paign, which aims at creating the earn travel rewards through the cific limit on purchases from major - September 28, 2017 announced the lucky winner of a 2017 Honda Civic car in its nationwide best value proposition for our card- “Pearl Awards” program, which is retailers across Kuwait. - October 23, 2017 “Celebrate Kuwait” competition which was launched on their social media plat- holders. Anyone using AUB’s credit offered to AUB’s credit card The customers will enjoy unique - November 20, 2017 forms to mark the Liberation Day and in an aim to give back to customers and cards is eligible to become a winner holders.They will receive 3 pearl benefits and discounts. Offering the - January 11, 2018 the active online community. in the new campaign. The new cam- points against every 1 KD spent in best deals and rewards, AUB’s cam- Gulf Bank’s red(tm) is an account for Rewarding its customers and fans regularly and always aiming to exceed cus- paign reflects our underlying com- any of the establishments participat- paigns continue to be popular with high school students, college and uni- tomer satisfaction by continuously improving its services and providing value to the mitment towards rewarding our cus- ing in the discounts program around customers. The Bank’s credit cards versity students aged between 15 and customer, X-cite invited its followers to guess the number of balls that were placed tomers and to delivering innovative the world. These points can be con- provide convenience and flexibility 25. Eligible customers will get the inside the Honda Civic car. Over 21,000 followers participated in the competition, initiatives that add value to their verted to air miles and used at Kuwait for customers in their day-to-day chance to enter the draw automatically with 1,500 followers answering correctly. The correct answer was 1991, the year that overall banking experience.” Airways, Qatar Airways or Gulf Air. transactions at shopping malls, and on a monthly basis, upon transfer- marked the Liberation Day. Receiving his 2017 Honda Civic, the winner, Amr Abdoh The Bank added, “To become eligi- Customers may also receive free trav- restaurants any time including holi- ring their student allowances. In addi- Mohammad Alabtah, said, “I am so happy to have actually won a car! I never thought ble for the 100% cash-back draw, cus- el and medical insurance during days abroad. tion to the Apple prizes, students will I would have with all the participants in this contest.”

Great offer from Infiniti Al-Babtain Sylhet welcomes flydubai ‘the symbol of class and elegance’

KUWAIT: Dubai-based flydubai’s inaugural flight to Sylhet landed yesterday the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Civil KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al- clients to benefit from this promotion and was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute. Upon arrival, a fly- Aviation Authority and local members of Parliament. A traditional ceremony Babtain Company, the authorized dealer through visiting its showroom in Al-Rai. dubai delegation led by Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President took place as the delegation disembarked the aircraft. of Infiniti vehicles in the state of Kuwait Infiniti’s QX60 continues to deliver in Commercial for GCC, Subcontinent and Africa, was met by HE Rashed Khan The flight marks the start of a four times weekly direct service kicked off with its new March campaign spades on the technology front. Forward Menon, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, along with local officials from between Dubai and flydubai’s third destination in Bangladesh, which will for its loyal clients. The amazing offer Emergency Braking (FEB) with Pedestrian increase to six flights a week from 16 May 2017. The operation to Sylhet entails a bundle of gifts including: two- Detection. When combined with the Osmani International Airport is in partnership with Bangladesh carrier night stay in the Presidential Villa at already existing industry first features like Regent Airways. Hilton Kuwait, 1 year comprehensive Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Speaking at a press conference held at the airport, Sudhir Sreedharan insurance, window tinting and body pro- Backup Collision Intervention and Around said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bangladeshi tection, free maintenance up to 5 years or View Monitor, it makes for one of the authorities for their support. We began operations to Dhaka and Chittagong 50,000 Km, 5 years warranty and a 250 safest 7 seat crossovers in its segment in 2011 and have seen a strong demand for flights since. We are confident KWD voucher. from a technology perspective. that our passengers from Sylhet will benefit from our direct and convenient The Q50 is available in two versions; Infiniti is considered to be one of the flights to Dubai and beyond, via Dubai’s efficient aviation hub connecting the first is the 4-cylinder 2.0 liter tur- leading, luxurious, elegant and attractive over 200 destinations worldwide.” bocharged petrol engine producing 208 car brands all over the world. Infiniti “We thank Regent Airways for their cooperation, and we look forward to horsepower, or the second V6 engine uti- vehicles are also known for their power the start of this partnership,” he added. Since it began flights to Bangladesh, lizing 3.7 liters achieving a net system rat- and leading technology, which makes flydubai has carried more than 1.5 million passengers between the two ing of 326 horsepower. The sports design them one of the smartest and most countries. The new service will see flydubai provide up to 27 flights a week of the slinky sedan Q50 attracted new developed. All these values are por- to Bangladesh. Flights can be booked from flydubai’s website generation of young clients who seek the trayed in the Infiniti showroom by (flydubai.com), 45, flydubai Travel Shops or through travel partners. Further elegance of Infiniti, which combines Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain, information and details of the carrier’s car rental and travel insurance servic- strong performance with comfortable which gives our unique VIP customers a es can also be found on flydubai.com. spaciousness. Infiniti Al-Babtain invites its very lavish experience. technology MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

Now businesses can sleep easy by optimizing operations on the cloud

By Haider Salloum, SMB Director, believed cloud solutions would help with their provider. The ability to restore data Microsoft Gulf growth. But researchers also discovered in case of failure or accident is vital to a that a massive 94% of SMBs regard back- small business, whether it is a product echnology has had an undeniably up and disaster recovery to be of key rel- pioneer or part of a hyper-competitive, profound effect on the way business evance to their business. pre-existing market. Tin the Gulf region is conducted. The very nature of cloud allows small Even before the time of cloud, almost Artificial intelligence, machine-learning, businesses to add value very quickly. It is every business used IT systems that were 3D-printing, big data, virtualization, easy, for example, for a hometown retailer mission-critical. An airline’s ability to track mobility and cloud - all have helped shape to leverage the cloud’s cost-effectiveness flights; an insurance company’s ability to a bright new landscape. and flexibility, to create apps for e-shop- manage policy applications and claims; These technologies have been around ping, to complement their brick-and-mor- and the financial systems relied upon by for many years, but as they have become tar operations. Customers benefit from accountants in all businesses - if any one more affordable, they have become even time saved travelling and hunting for of these points fails, operations grind to a more pervasive. Businesses of all sizes, parking spots. With the right service, prod- halt. It is only prudent, therefore, to con- from all industries, at every point in the ucts and price, previous adopters of this sider the operational and financial supply chain, are using such tools to rein- kind of setup have seen sales increases of impacts of downtime and plan for a don’t- vent operational models, products, servic- up to 400%. Digital transformation thus panic contingency. For critical workloads, es and delivery methods. While internal enables smaller, nimbler companies to disaster recovery systems and regular efficiencies and cost-effectiveness have rethink their go-to-market strategies and backups act as a kind of insurance policy certainly been boons in the era of digital tweak cost and operational efficiencies to against the lost business opportunities transformation, customer care has enhance market share, while larger enter- and mega-dollar costs that can arise in er cutting staff, because this will lead to a The economies lie in providers’ use of arguably been the greatest beneficiary. prises can use the new framework to pre- their absence. Disaster Recovery and data decline in service. Instead, the focus has virtualization technology. Expensive phys- Enterprises are now able to delve deeper dict and tackle disruptive trends. backup packages can cost SMB owners as been on doing more with less. ical hardware is consolidated into banks of than ever before into what makes their little as a few hundred dollars per month, The cloud economy is made for this powerful servers running countless virtual customers tick, devising all-new ways of Growth vs Unexpected Interruptions and ensure they can get back online in challenge. On-premises infrastructure, machines. SMBs see a marked difference personalizing experiences. However, to make good on these minutes if an outage should occur. such as storage and servers is very expen- in their IT costs, providing the same sys- Perhaps the greatest challenge faced growth promises, firms must consider the sive to install, configure, operate and tems to employees using less expensive by smaller companies is the delivery of all-important elements of business conti- The cloud economy: more with less maintain. SMBs can hand over all that hardware, with a reduction in operational 100% uptime, as this goes hand in glove nuity and security. Small and medium- The global decline in oil prices, along equipment, and the daily personnel bur- overhead, and with security and business with transformative customer experi- scale enterprises are especially vulnerable with currency fluctuations, and their den associated with it, to trusted cloud continuity baked in. At the same time, ences. A survey conducted by industry to unexpected interruptions, data loss impact on regional revenues, has led to a providers, which run them in scale-ready they enjoy enhanced agility and access to analyst firm Tech aisle, among IT and and security threats. For them, a welcome renewed focus across the GCC on optimiz- data centres. Business costs can drop by the innovative measures delivered by digi- line-of-business decision makers, side effect of cloud computing is the ing operational costs. If serious about 20 to 30%, as clients benefit from tal transformation. In other words, they showed 87% of midmarket managers automation of backup and security from competing, no business leader will consid- providers’ economies of scale. can do more with less. Secrets from smart devices find path to legal system

WASHINGTON: An Ohio man claimed he toasters to bed sheets, light bulbs, cameras, was forced into a hasty window escape toothbrushes, door locks, cars, watches and when his house caught fire last year. His other wearables,” which “are being packed pacemaker data obtained by police showed with sensors and wireless connectivity.” otherwise, and he was charged with arson “The audio and video sensors on IoT and insurance fraud. In Pennsylvania, devices will open up numerous avenues authorities dismissed rape charges after for government actors to demand access data from a woman’s Fitbit contradicted her to real-time and recorded communica- version of her whereabouts during the 2015 tions,” the report said. John Sammons, a alleged assault. Marshall University professor of digital Vast amounts of data collected from our forensics and a former police officer, said connected devices-fitness bands, smart this new abundance of evidence can be refrigerators, thermostats and automobiles, good for law enforcement if investigators among others-are increasingly being used can find relevant data. in US legal proceedings to prove or dis- “You have to be aware it’s even there,” he prove claims by people involved. In a recent said. “Most police officers would not even case that made headlines, authorities in think to look at a Fitbit or a thermostat.” Arkansas sought, and eventually obtained, Another problem is the sheer volume of data from a murder suspect’s Amazon Echo data and computing resources needed to speaker to obtain evidence. obtain specific data, often requiring weeks The US Federal Trade Commission in of computing time. Sammons presented February fined television maker Vizio for research on use of connected cars this year secretly gathering data on viewers collect- at the American Academy of Forensic MIAMI: In this, Monday, Dec 12, 2016, photo illustration, a woman types on her laptop. —AP ed from its smart TVs and selling the infor- Sciences, saying newer vehicles with mation to marketers. The maker of the improved connectivity offer “a significant smartphone-connected sex toy We-Vibe new source of potential evidence” for both How to elude Russian hackers meanwhile agreed in March to a court set- criminal and civil litigation. tlement of a class-action suit from buyers who claimed “highly intimate and sensitive Privacy in the cloud? data” was uploaded to the cloud without Privacy activists meanwhile worry that with decent password security permission-and shown last year to be vul- these devices can unleash new kinds of sur- nerable to hackers. veillance without the knowledge of users, NEW YORK: Details from the Department of making your base password stronger. The more random passwords for your other accounts - and and that the legal system must define limits Justice indictment of Russian hackers on complicated and lengthy a password is, the hard- will remember them for you as well. “It’s more ‘Privacy is dead’ for constitutional protections against Wednesday show that many people are still not er it will be for hackers to guess. The downside: secure and it makes your life easier,” said Jamie Trying to come to grips with data col- unreasonable searches. Jay Stanley of the taking routine precautions to safeguard their Tougher passwords are also harder to remember. Winterton, director of strategy at the Global lected, stored and analyzed by all these American Civil Liberties Union’s Speech, email accounts - and hackers are exploiting But there are some ways around that. Don’t Security Initiative at Arizona State University. devices can be daunting. “When one looks Privacy, and Technology Project, said gath- that. The Russian hackers didn’t have to work include your kids’ names, birthdays or references at the expectation of privacy today it is radi- ering data from connected speakers such as very hard to break into people’s email accounts, to any other personal details. Hackers routinely Multifactor authentication is a must cally different than it was a generation ago,” the Amazon Echo should face the same even those belonging to government officials troll Facebook and Twitter for clues to passwords The next line of defense is two- or multifactor said Erik Laykin, a digital forensics specialist standard as wiretaps, which need a warrant or powerful executives. Here’s a look at a few like these. Obvious and default passwords such authentication, which asks users to enter a sec- with the consultancy Duff & Phelps and from a judge based on probable cause of a simple ways to help safeguard your email as “Password123” are also bad, as are words com- ond form of identification, such as a code texted author of a 2013 book on computer foren- crime, rather than a more streamlined law account from hackers. monly found in dictionaries, as these are used in to their phone, when they log in. It’s now com- sics. “Privacy is dead.” enforcement subpoena. programs hackers have to automate guesses. monplace for many email and social media Laykin has consulted or testified in cases “In your house you should have absolute Don’t reuse passwords You can make your own strong passwords accounts. That way, even if hackers manage to of insurance fraud, divorce and other legal privacy,” Stanley said. One gray area in the Many online break-ins result when people with randomly capitalized nonsense words inter- get your password they still need your phone proceedings where digital evidence can be law is that conversations recorded on home have reused a password across, say, their email, spersed with numbers and characters-like, say, with the texted code. “Having another way for relevant. He said the “always on” nature of speakers may be sent to the cloud; in that social and financial accounts. If it’s compromised “giLLy31!florp.” (Just don’t use that one now that that account to say ‘Hey, is that really you?’, and “internet of Things” devices means huge case the holding of the data by a “third par- at any one of those services, the others are sud- it’s appeared in this story.) So long as you’re mak- give veto authority is really important,” amounts of personal information is circulat- ty” may wipe away constitutional privacy denly vulnerable. One simple way to avoid this ing up the words yourself, these are difficult for Winterton said. ing among companies, in the internet cloud protection. “We think there needs to be problem is to start with a base password you can hackers to crack - and they’re easier to remember and elsewhere, with few standards on how jurisprudential and legislative means of remember, and then add on letters and num- than you might think, though you might want to Keywords matter the data is protected or used. addressing these issues,” Stanley said. “The bers that reference where you’re using it. If your practice them a few times. According to the indictment, the Russian “The net result of these technologies privacy invasions are so significant.” base password is “greatsurfer2017” (which isn’t hackers searched email accounts for keywords is that we are forgoing our personal pri- Jules Polonetsky, chief executive of the particularly secure; more on that in a moment), Have your passwords managed for you like “passwords” to find people’s passwords for vacy and our personal autonomy and non-profit Future of Privacy Forum, said you could make “greatsurfer2017Y” your Yahoo Of course, you can make things easier on other accounts. They also searched for “credit even sovereignty as humans and relin- that while legal issues are still being debat- password, and “greatsurfer2017G” your Google yourself by using a password-manager service card” “visa,” among other terms. So think twice quishing that to a combination of state, ed, “you should always know if you have a password. If you can’t be bothered to do more, such as LastPass or DashLane, which keep track before you use common key words that can harvesters of big data, omnipresent insti- device that is sending data elsewhere.” this is a base level of security that can help of multiple complex passwords for you. Some serve as a road map to sensitive information for tutions and systems.” Polonetsky said it’s important to set a legal shield you from the most obvious threats. But web browsers such as Apple’s Safari and Google’s hackers. And don’t save passwords in old emails. A report last year from Harvard’s and constitutional privacy framework to it’s still only a baby step. Chrome also have built-in password managers; “There’s not one single thing out there that can Berkman Klein Center for internet studies reassure consumers. “It’s critical we get the these work if you switch devices, but not if you keep you perfectly safe,” Winterton said. “But pointed out the range of new connected balance between data utility and law Pick a stronger password switch browsers. After you create a strong pass- there are a lot of different things out there that devices that can yield evidence for law enforcement access right,” he said, “or peo- You can make things harder for attackers by word for your password manager, it can create can keep you almost perfectly safe.”— AP enforcement, “ranging from televisions and ple won’t trust these devices.” — AFP Telecom policy tilts in favor of industry on Trump’s FCC

NEW YORK: Trumpism is slowly taking hold on aiming for right now,” said Matt Wood, the pol- in support, of course). A federal appeals court your phone and computer, as newly installed icy director of consumer group Free Press, upheld the rules in June. This may explain why federal regulators begin chipping away at referring to the Republicans now in power at the FCC has so far opted for a piecemeal attack hard-fought protections on privacy and com- the FCC. The agency has five commissioners - an approach that may continue for a while. petition. These protections, put in place dur- appointed by the president and oversees ing the Obama administration, had upset the internet services and the broadcast industry. Nibbling around the edges phone and cable industries. The new regime at A broad attack on the landmark 2015 net the Federal Communications Commission says Death to net neutrality neutrality rules is expected. But under Pai, the consumers win if businesses face less regula- It’s no secret President Donald Trump’s FCC has made only some tweaks to the tion and have more incentives to invest. But hand-picked FCC chief, Ajit Pai, wants to cut agency’s approach. These rules have barred consumer advocates worry these changes give regulations that he believes are holding back broadband providers from blocking and slow- broadband providers that own media busi- faster, cheaper internet. Pai takes special aim ing some websites and creating faster access nesses more power to favor their own services, at net neutrality rules, which regulate broad- for their own services. But the rules also gave among other things. band as a utility and bar providers from play- the FCC broader powers to stop telecom com- The changes are small and easily over- ing favorites by offering speedier access to, panies from hurting competition and con- looked. But they’re the first shots in what say, their own streaming-video services. Pai sumers in other ways that weren’t spelled out. could turn into a full-fledged war over Obama- considers these rules a mistake that slows When Barack Obama was president, the FCC WASHINGTON: This June 19, 2015, file photo shows the Federal Communications era “net neutrality” rules, which were designed investment in internet infrastructure. His goal used those broader powers to go after “zero- Commission building. — AP to keep phone and cable giants from favoring is to expand internet access, especially in rural rating” plans, which give subscribers free data their own internet services and apps. areas where choices are limited. so long as they stick with their carrier’s own off. After Pai took office, the FCC reversed that long promotional rates last and whether serv- Overturning these rules would also likely But an aggressive overhaul of net neutrality streaming-TV service, like AT&T’s DirecTV Now . stance and gave a thumbs-up to AT&T and oth- ices capped monthly data usage. Until the FCC reverse a privacy measure meant to keep could be politically and legally difficult. For a Zero rating may be popular with consumers - er carriers with zero-rating policies. or Congress goes full-bore on net neutrality, broadband providers from using and selling telecom policy, net neutrality is popular with hey, free data! - but the FCC under Obama had The agency also exempted additional the agency will likely “stand down” from customer data without permission. consumers, drawing attention from comedian argued that letting internet providers play smaller broadband providers from a net neu- enforcing it unless there’s a “really extreme” “Death by a thousand cuts is a constantly John Oliver and spurring people to flood the favorites undermines streaming-video compe- trality regulation that required companies to violation, said Marc Martin, technology and overused cliche, but that’s sort of what they’re FCC with roughly 4 million comments (not all tition and ultimately leaves consumers worse spell out their pricing, such as specifying how telecom attorney with Perkins Coie. —AP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE

US communities crumbling under an evolving addiction crisis

WASHINGTON: Of the 2,900 babies born last year cent from 2014. That equated to a record 10 over- the present and future costs of the crisis. “What we’re pharmaceutical industry for years has encouraged in Cabell County, West Virginia, 500 had to be dose deaths for every 100,000 people — 10 times asking for is not only to hold them responsible for the overuse of addictive painkillers,” he said. weaned off of opioid dependence. In Ohio, counties the level in 1971, when the US government blatantly violating federal and state laws, but to fix are renting refrigerated trailers to store the mount- declared its “War on Drugs” after a surge in over- the damage they caused, so that we stop creating From prescription drugs to heroin ing number of bodies of drug overdose victims. In doses. But whereas six years ago four out of five another generation of addicts,” Farrell said. The surge in deaths follows a shift in the nature New Hampshire, hospitals have so many overdose overdose deaths came from prescription of the crisis. After the DEA last year ordered a 25 patients they have to treat them in operating rooms painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, now Hundreds of millions of pills percent cutback in the distribution of prescription and neonatal nurseries. heroin and heroin-fentanyl deaths account for How prescription opioid producers and distribu- opioids, addicts turned to heroin. But that drug is And in Palm Beach County, Florida, where US about half. In Cabell County, the overdose death tors fed the crisis is made clear by previously unre- frequently cut with extremely potent fentanyl, caus- President Donald Trump spends his weekends, 10 rate was about 30 per 100,000, not even the high- leased US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) data ing even more overdoses. “Everybody is starting to people died of overdoses on Friday alone, likely est in West Virginia, the state hit hardest by the reported in December by the Charleston (West see a slowdown of prescription opiates. As you see from a batch of heroin tainted by fentanyl, a pow- addiction crisis. Lawyer Paul Farrell last week filed Virginia) Gazette-Mail. It showed that from 2007 to supply drop, what we are seeing is an equal rise of erful, synthetic opioid pain medication. After a suit for Cabell and a neighboring county, 2012, those companies sold 780 million opioid heroin,” said Farrell. “We are going to see an all-time decade and hundreds of thousands of deaths, the Kanawha, seeking damages from drug companies painkillers in West Virginia, 421 extremely addictive high transition to heroin abuse in the next five years. US opioid addiction crisis is entering a new phase. for dumping massive amounts of addictive opi- pills for every man, woman and child in the poor To raise funds to deal with it, cities and counties are With the government finally cracking down on the oids into the state, fueling the addiction epidemic. eastern state. suing manufacturers like Purdue Pharma, which free flow of prescription pain killers fueling the cri- “My community is dying on a daily basis,” he said. Every state is feeling the impact. On March 1, makes OxyContin, the most prevalent of the opioid sis, addicts are turning to heroin pouring in from Every sixth baby born Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared the painkillers; mega-drug wholesalers McKesson, Mexico. And towns, cities and states are being Locally suffers from neonatal abstinence syn- addiction crisis a “state of emergency,” allowing him Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen; and phar- overwhelmed. drome, in which a mother’s addiction is passed on to to draw on funds normally appropriated for natural macy operators like Rite Aid and Walmart. New her child. “The hospital has to rock these babies 24 disasters to deal with the problem. Two weeks ago, Hampshire, the New England state which rivals West Overdose deaths surging hours a day as they scream their way through addic- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a Virginia for the rate of overdose deaths, has sued More than 33,000 people across the country tion,” Farrell said. He said counties like his had little sweeping new campaign to cut addiction, after the Purdue. “Last year we had 450 overdose deaths” in a died in 2015 from opioid overdoses, up 15.5 per- choice but to sue to force drug companies to pay for city’s overdose death toll hit 1,075 last year. “The state of 1.3 million, Senior — AFP For many older Americans, costs rise under health plan ‘A lot of people just won’t be able to afford to pay it’

NEW RINGGOLD, Pennsylvania: Among the Affordable Care Act enrollees are 55 or older, eat up all my reserves and my house and all that I groups hardest hit by the Republican plan to more than 10 points higher than the national own,” she said. replace the Affordable Care Act is one that average. A 60-year-old making $30,000 annually swung for Donald Trump during last year’s presi- here will pay roughly $8,750 more per year for Government subsidy dential race - older Americans who have not yet coverage under the Republican plan moving The Affordable Care Act didn’t work for Wendy reached Medicare age. Many of those who buy through Congress, according to the AP analysis. Kline, a hairstylist in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, their own health insurance stand to pay a lot “When it comes to food or insurance, it’s going who voted for Donald Trump. Kline tried buying a more for their coverage. That is especially true for to be an easy choice,” said Matt Strauss, a health policy on the federal exchange but found she the nearly 3.4 million older Americans who have insurance broker in New Ringgold, some of made a little too much money to qualify for a enrolled through the government marketplaces, whose customers voted for Trump. Older government subsidy. So she was stuck paying BRAZIL: Darci de Almeida, right, receives the vaccine against yellow fever as her hus- many of whom receive generous federal subsi- Americans on both ends of the political spec- the market rate. Her policy jumped this year from band Antonio da Silva holds a piece cotton on his right arm after being vaccinated, in dies through the health care law enacted under trum say they are worried about what the future $630 to $929 a month. As a result, the 61-year- Casimiro de Abreu, Brazil — AP photos former President Barack Obama. holds. Here are some of their stories: old isn’t able to save much for retirement. “I try to Health care experts predict those older adults Trump supporter and longtime Republican put as much away as I can, but my health insur- will end up buying skimpier plans with lower Robert Ruscoe, who runs a Florida liquidating ance is $30 less than my mortgage payment,” coverage and higher deductibles because that’s business with his wife, said he is not feeling said Kline, who works two jobs. all they will be able to afford. The Republican “warm and fuzzy” about the GOP health care The GOP plan is a mixed bag for people like plan replaces the subsidies in the Affordable Care plan. He went about five years without insurance Kline. It gives some higher-income consumers Act, which mostly benefit low- and middle- because it was financially out of reach. When the ability to get tax credits for coverage pur- insurance became available through the chased off the exchange, but it also gives insurers Affordable Care Act, the couple was able to get a the right to charge older customers like her more policy for about $350 per month, after a $700 than they can under the current law. Kline voted monthly subsidy from the government. “It’s nice for Trump hoping he would be able to work with to be able to go the doctor whenever something Congress “to make it affordable for everyone, comes up. It gives you a peace ... especially when across the board.” you get close to 60,” said Ruscoe, 57, of West Palm She said she still has hope, but is increasingly Beach. He said he didn’t hesitate to sign up skeptical. “I’m so tired of the whole thing,” she through the Affordable Care Act, a program his said. “When they talk, I turn the television down party spent years vowing to dismantle. because it just drives me crazy.” Retired factory worker Bob Melton, 63, said the projected cost Big difference increases for older Americans mean he and his “It doesn’t matter who came up with it. It’s a wife Tammy, 58, would be unable to continue to good thing to be supporting across party lines,” afford coverage. They now pay $225 a month he said. Worried about losing coverage, Ruscoe after the subsidies they receive through the considered voting for a Democrat for the first Affordable Care Act. He was staggered by a pro- time last November. But he ultimately placed jection that the couple’s premiums could go up his trust in Trump and the GOP. “Obamacare is by nearly $17,000 under the GOP plan. BRAZIL: Tais da Silva Almeida comforts her 5-year-old daughter as a health worker eventually going to have to be fiscally sound. prepares to inject her with a yellow fever vaccine in a field hospital in Casimiro de Otherwise it’s not going to stay,” Ruscoe said. “I Manufacturing jobs Abreu, Brazil. figured (a replacement) was coming, anyway.” “It’ll put me and my wife out - out of insurance. He said he wants Trump to know that having There’s just no way,” he said. Melton saw a doctor Small Brazil city on edge after NORMAN, Oklahoma: Anna Holloway poses for access to insurance matters. “That coverage for the first time in 12 years after he and his wife a photo at her home in Norman, Okla. — AP made a big difference in a lot of people’s lives, bought a policy through the federal health insur- man dies from yellow fever just like me,” he said. ance exchange in 2014. After three appointments income earners, with a flat tax credit that does Anna Holloway of Norman, Oklahoma, who and blood tests ruled out more serious ailments, CASIMIRO DE ABREU, Brazil: This small 12 million doses to reach a 90 percent vac- not take into account income or local insurance takes daily medication for an auto-immune dis- Melton said he learned the nagging pain he suf- city in the state of Rio de Janeiro is on cination rate by year’s end. The vaccina- prices. On top of that, the GOP plan allows insur- ease, said she is fearful the GOP plan will price fered in his hands was caused by arthritis. The high alert after authorities confirmed the tions come as cases continue to be con- ers to charge older people five times what they her out of the market for health insurance. “I am Meltons live in Morganton, North Carolina, about death of one man by yellow fever and said firmed in several areas nationwide. Brazil’s charge younger customers, compared to three conscious of just how desperate this is,” said 75 miles northwest of Charlotte, in a county that they were investigating several other pos- Health Ministry says that at least 424 peo- times under Obama’s health care law. Holloway, 60, fighting back tears. “I try not to let has seen an exodus of manufacturing jobs. Trump sible cases. Health authorities this week ple have been infected with yellow fever myself feel this way, but to live this way with real won more than two-thirds of the vote here. Bob confirmed that 38-year-old Watila Santos in the largest outbreak the country has Disproportionately affected terror, real fear that the universe is going to fall Melton himself used to be a staunch Republican. died from the illness on March 11. A seen in years. The Republican plan is still evolving, and apart around me.” She takes home about $1,150 Now he blames Republicans in North Carolina for neighbor of Santos, Alessandro Valenca Of those, 137 have died, and more than many GOP lawmakers have said they want to see per month working four part-time jobs. That’s what he views as efforts to obstruct the Couto, was infected and sent for treat- 900 other cases are under investigation. changes that reduce the impact on older con- only $250 more than the monthly premium for a Affordable Care Act from working as intended, by ment to a hospital in the city of Rio de The vast majority of confirmed cases and sumers before they can support it. Based on the health care plan that includes Holloway and her refusing to expand Medicaid coverage. Janeiro, where he is recovering. deaths have been in the southeastern state current plan, an Associated Press analysis of data 23-year-old daughter. Without the government “There’s no justification for it except for spite. Authorities are investigating possible of Minas Gerais, which borders the state of from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows older subsidy that makes the policy affordable, she That’s just the way I feel about it,” said Melton, cases involving four relatives of Santos, Rio de Janeiro. In Casimiro de Abreu, health consumers, defined as those age 55 and older, would have to drop it. who voted for Clinton. Although he’s grateful for including a 13-year-old and a 9-year-old. In workers visited houses in rural areas and would be disproportionately affected. They could The Kaiser analysis estimates a family plan in his federally subsidized plan, Melton’s experi- the city center and rural areas of Casimiro inspected stagnant water, where mosqui- lose thousands of dollars per year in government Norman under the current Republican proposal ence highlights the diminishing options that de Abreu, about 93 miles (150 kilometers) toes lay eggs. The state also sent experts to subsidies for health insurance. The AP analysis would cost as much as $20,000 more for some- have plagued those trying to buy health insur- from Rio de Janeiro, a large tent has been nearby parks and reserves with monkey also found that on average, the counties with the one in Holloway’s income and age bracket. “I’d go ance on the government exchanges established set up to vaccinate people. Authorities say populations to monitor the situation with strongest Trump support will see costs for older without health care. I would get sicker, and that under the Obama reforms. Last year, Melton’s around 30,000 of the city’s 42,000 people the primates, which are a primary reservoir enrollees rise 50 percent more than the counties would make it more difficult to work. I would coverage cost only about $37 after subsidies have been vaccinated in recent days. “I’m of yellow fever. Meanwhile, in a group of that had the least amount of support for Trump. eventually have to stop working,” said Holloway, through Coventry Health Care, a division of really scared,” said Tais da Silva Almeida, a houses near a lush jungle area a few miles “A lot of people just won’t be able to afford to a registered Democrat who voted for Hillary Aetna Inc, but the company has since dropped mother of two who arrived Friday to get (5 kilometers) from downtown, relatives of pay it. A lot of people are going to drop out of Clinton. Holloway said she has contemplated the exchange offerings in the state. His current vaccinated. “If adults can’t deal with the ill- Santos wait for news about the four mem- the market altogether,” said Kaiser’s Cynthia Cox. possibility of selling her home and moving in insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North ness, imagine the children.” bers of the family who may be infected. That includes older voters who helped put with a family member in Virginia. She acknowl- Carolina, is the only choice available, and his Yellow fever is transmitted by mosquito Walace Santos, the younger brother of the Trump into office. Take Schuylkill County, edges sometimes feeling hopeless when she monthly premium is up nearly $200. Kennedy and causes fever, body aches, vomiting man who died, said he took solace in Pennsylvania, an economically struggling former considers how losing her health care would reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and and sometimes jaundice. Rio de Janeiro’s knowing that the death raised alarm bells coal-mining center where the New York billion- affect her life. “I’m not suicidal, but there are Hoyer from Washington, DC Sean Murphy in state Health Department has announced that could save others. “Wherever he is aire won 70 percent of the vote in November. times that I think of the damage that could be Oklahoma City, and Emery Dalesio in Raleigh, plans to vaccinate its entire population as now, he knows that because he died a lot About 40 percent of Schuylkill County’s done to my daughter and her future if I have to North Carolina, contributed to this report. — AP a preventative measure. It says it will need of lives were saved,” said Santos. — AP Rags, not riches, defining Africa’s urban explosion

BAMAKO: Anarchic architecture, unchecked long before they chance upon what residents having low costs of living, true across much of pollution and high costs of living are the lot of have nicknamed Lafiabougou Hill, a pile of stink- Asia, does not hold true for Africa, where some African city dwellers, experts warn, as living ing rubbish that at one point loomed 20 meters of the world’s most expensive cities are popu- standards fail to keep pace with rapid urban tall in the city centre. lated by some of the planet’s poorest people. growth on the continent. The Bamako Forum, a Lacking fuel to transport the trash to depots As a result, manufacturing and services, driven pan-African think tank, recently considered the on the city’s edges, Lafiabougou Hill has become by consumer spending, are all too often phenomenon of African urbanization against a pungent reminder of the municipality’s inabili- absent. “Twenty-three percent of land in Ho the backdrop of a city living the results of rural ty to provide basic services to its rapidly expand- Chi Minh City is taken up by industrial and flight clashing with poor urban planning. At 1.8 ing population. “We have protested, burnt tyres, commercial activity, compared with 5.9 per- million inhabitants Bamako is far from Africa’s blocked off roads, because this affects the health cent in Nairobi and 1.1 percent in Addis largest city. But its 5.5 percent growth rate is the of the people living in this area,” said Djiri Ababa,” Lall emphasised. fastest on the continent, outstripping that of Nimaga, head of a local youth group that held A World Bank report entitled “Africa’s Cities: established African megalopolises like Cairo, protests last year aimed at rousing action from Opening Doors to the World”, released in Kinshasa or Lagos. the authorities in the ACI 2000 commercial dis- February, said deep-rooted problems with the One billion Africans will live in a city by 2040, trict. Until now Lafiabougou has not killed any- way land was bought and sold, a lack of invest- according to World Bank estimates, compared one directly, but at least 113 people were killed ment in infrastructure and an absence of regula- with almost half a billion today. “Such growth in a giant landslide at Ethiopia’s largest rubbish tion constrained African cities. “Closed to region- has never been seen globally, and probably nev- dump last weekend, including several children. al and global markets, trapped into producing er will be again,” said Somik Vinay Lall, the bank’s only locally traded goods and services, and limit- BAMAKO : This file photo shows garbage scavengers looking for reusable or recycla- top urbanization expert, speaking at the forum. Vicious circle ed in their economic growth,” is how the report ble material through a dump in Bamako. — AFP Visitors to Bamako’s dusty streets don’t have The Western perception of poor countries characterized cities such as Bamako. — AFP MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 HEALTH & SCIENCE How do insurers decide what medicines to pay for?

NEW YORK: How do insurance companies decide patients, but it’s not a factor considered by an inde- ing drug, Repatha, that costs $14,000 a year, treatments Sovaldi and Harvoni from Gilead what medicines to pay for and when to pay for pendent committee used by Express Script to deter- because of the restrictions. Insurers largely use Sciences debuted a few years ago, Express Scripts them? Insurers and other payers look first at how mine coverage of a new drug, Chief Medical Officer pharmacy benefits managers to set up the lists that had to include them. They cost more than $80,000 well the drug works - not its cost - when they decide Dr Steve Miller said. That committee - 15 doctors determine how much a patient ends up paying. for a course of treatment, but the drugs essentially whether to cover the latest treatments, according to and a pharmacist - reviews the information that fed- Some lists are divided into tiers, with drugs on the cure a debilitating disease and they had no compe- the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits manager, eral regulators used to approve a drug and then bottom generally being generic or least expensive. tition. But once the drugmaker AbbVie produced a Express Scripts. The price patients eventually pay decides whether it should be covered. Those on the highest tier might include specialty third option, Viekira Pak, with a similar cure rate, gets determined later, when an insurance company Some payer coverage decisions come with qual- medicines that could cost the patient hundreds of Express Scripts was able to negotiate a price dis- or pharmacy benefits manager decides where a ifications like a requirement that patients meet spe- dollars even with coverage. count and switched to covering only Viekira Pak. drug fits on a list of covered treatments called a for- cific criteria or try other treatments first. That can Whether a drug even gets on the list can The nation’s two largest pharmacy benefits man- mulary. The cost of prescription drugs has become a limit patient access. Doctors say some patients depend on whether a similar medicine is already in agers, Express Scripts and CVS Health Corp., both growing source of concern with doctors and have had trouble getting a new cholesterol-lower- the market. When the ground-breaking hepatitis C say they cover Repatha. — AP

Czech energy group bucks green trend with bet on coal

PRAGUE: Bucking a trend set by its based brokerage and investment firm European peers to divest from coal, the Cyrrus. “The energy sector is currently divid- Czech energy group EPH is buying coal-fired ed into two completely different streams power plants across the continent to the with capital intensive ‘old energy’ on the one dismay of environmentalists lobbying for a hand and ‘new energy’ on the other, that is phase-out of fossil fuels. Its annual produc- more modern, less capital intensive and with tion of more than 100 million megawatt- a lot of room for renewables,” he told AFP. hours in its plants in Britain, the Czech “This division is putting huge pressure Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy and on companies and regulators,” Hatlapatka Slovakia-enough to power around 30 mil- said, adding that it is forcing giants like E.ON lion homes-makes EPH the seventh largest or RWE to sell off their fossil fuel-based power producer in Europe. Set up in 2009, assets at “relatively low prices reflecting the EPH (Energeticky a Prumyslovy Holding) risk.” But there are investors, like EPH, who relies on coal for more than half of its pro- see opportunities afforded by the low prices duction capacity. It’s owner, Czech billion- of these assets and have been snapping aire Daniel Kretinsky, is undeterred by glob- them up, regardless of the uncertainty. Last al efforts under the 2015 Paris Agreement to year the Czech holding acquired German curb global warming by switching from car- lignite assets from Sweden’s Vattenfall. It bon-intensive fossil fuels like coal and oil to also bought three coal-fired plants and five clean energy, especially solar and wind. mines in eastern Germany and a 50-percent “From the practical and moral point of stake in the Lippendorf power station near view, we believe it’s wrong to reject using the German city of Leipzig, accounting for resources that are necessary to meet the 8,000 megawatts of power in all. fundamental needs of European citizens,” EPH’s Castvaj insisted that EPH only buys EPH spokesman Daniel Castvaj told AFP of coal-fired plants in markets where they are the company’s lack of qualms about coal. “indispensable to cover the needs of the The EPH controls about fifty companies with population and industry. “Germany’s with- FRONT ROYAL, Virginia: In this file photo, animal keeper Vicki Snoberger carries containers with three black footed ferrets at the National Zoo’s 25,000 employees. Dirty-burning brown drawal from nuclear energy necessarily conservation center in Front Royal, Va, after she and her team rounded-up 26 ferrets for shipment to Fort Collins Colo. — AP photos coal, also known as lignite, accounts for 30.5 implies a temporary use of coal,” he added, percent of EPH’s capacity, while cleaner but declined to confirm how much money burning black coal makes up 21.7 percent. EPH has poured into its recent acquisitions. To aid ferrets, vaccine treats Kretinsky, the sixth wealthiest Czech accord- ing to the Forbes magazine, controls 94 per- Environmentalists cry foul cent of EPH. It earned 1.64 billion euros According to Petr Kalas, head of the ($1.73 billion) in gross profit in 2015 after Czech government committee for renew- planned for prairie dogs taking in 4.57 billion euros in consolidated able energy, EPH has “an alternative strategy revenue. Kretinsky also owns the Czech which is not exactly in line with the Paris CHEYENNE, Wyoming: Feeding peanut butter Fish Department deputy director who chairs Canada and Mexico. But plague, which is spread branch of German-Swiss publishing group Agreement on climate, but is still an option kibbles to millions of prairie dogs - by flinging Black-Footed Ferret Friends, a group working with by fleas, remains a threat to the prairie dog Ringier Axel Springer Media AG and the top- for the market.” “It’s an investment opportu- the treats from four-wheelers and dropping the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the project. colonies where ferrets live, said Fish and Wildlife flight football club Sparta Prague. nity for two or three decades,” said Kalas, them from drones - could be the next big thing At a rate of 40 to 50 pellets per acre, spokesman Ryan Moehring. who served as the environment minister in to help a spunky little weasel that almost went Emmerich figures they will need 1 million or Biologists often treat the colonies with insecti- Alternative strategy 2006-2007. “Coal will lose its importance, extinct. Slinky with a robber-like black mask more pellets for the job. A US Department of cide to combat fleas. Plague vaccine likewise EPH has been on a shopping spree, snap- but at present it can still be useful to some across its eyes, the endangered black-footed fer- Agriculture supply depot in Pocatello, Idaho, that would need to be applied regularly - once a year, ping up coal-fired electricity plants from extent,” he added. EPH’s takeover of ret is a fierce predator. The up to 2-foot-long also makes rodent poison for farmers will manu- because prairie dogs typically don’t live more European energy giants like E.ON, Enel or Vattenfall assets in Germany sparked an out- weasel feeds almost exclusively on prairie dogs, facture the pellets. Plague, which killed millions than a few years, and new ones are born every RWE, which they are happy to sell. Given the cry among Czech environmentalists. “Along rodents that live in vast colonies regularly deci- of people in medieval Europe, wasn’t a problem year. But the vaccine could require a lot less work, global push to decarbonise “there’s a great with the mines and power stations, EPH also mated by plague outbreaks. The disease keeps for prairie dogs until it arrived in the US over a especially if drones are used. An estimated 300 deal of uncertainty about the future of coal, bought some massive resistance from the threatening the food supply of ferrets bred in century ago. The disease now routinely cycles black-footed ferrets now live in the wild. Getting gas and nuclear power,” according to Marek public,” said Jan Rovensky, spokesman for captivity and reintroduced on the landscape. through prairie dog colonies across the ferrets’ them off the endangered list would require estab- Hatlapatka, an analyst with the Prague- Greenpeace’s Czech branch. — AFP Biologists are increasingly optimistic that feed- 12-state historical range. lishing 3,000 or more breeding adults on half a ing plague vaccine to prairie dogs can improve million acres - 780 square miles - of prairie-dog the ferrets’ success rate. Captive-breeding program colonies, according to Fish and Wildlife. — AP Starting this fall, they hope to ramp up recent Habitat loss to farming and poisoning by plague vaccination experiments to cover as much ranchers also has taken a toll on prairie dogs - and as 40 square miles of prairie dog colonies in sever- by extension the black-footed ferret, which lives al states in the West. “We’re not attempting to in the rodents’ burrows. The ferrets were believed eradicate it. That would be very, very difficult at extinct until a ranch dog brought home a dead this point. We’re just trying to manage it on one near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981. selected colonies,” said Tonie Rocke, who Beginning in the 1990s, efforts to breed black- researches animal diseases with the US footed ferrets at a facility near Fort Collins, Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Colorado, and release them into the wild have Center in Madison, Wisconsin. been successful in the sense that the black-foot- They plan to treat prairie dog colonies with ed ferret is no longer teetering on the brink. blueberry-sized vaccine pellets made with peanut Black-footed ferrets recently have been intro- butter, using a specially made “glorified gumball duced at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National machine” to fling the pellets from all-terrain vehi- Wildlife Refuge near Denver and to the COMMERCE CITY, Colorado: A black-footed cles. They might also drop pellets from drones to Meeteetse ranch where scientists collected the ferret belts out warning during a release of 30 avoid trampling the countryside. “Prairie dogs last known wild ferrets to start the captive-breed- ferrets by the US Fish and Wildlife Service at PRAGUE: Czech group EPH has been bucking the green energy trend by buying up love it. They gobble it up as fast as they can,” said ing program. Descendants of those ferrets have the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife coal-fired plants in Europe. — AFP John Emmerich, a retired Wyoming Game and been reintroduced at 28 sites and eight states, Refuge in Commerce City, Colo. — AP WHAT’S ON MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

Matthew Lodge, British Ambassador to Kuwait speaks during the event. Grant Butler, Country Director of British Council. Suzanne Jones, Gulf science innovation and Knowledge Economy — Photos by Joseph Shagra Program Director at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. British Council hosts Alumni Gala Dinner

By Faten Omar Furthermore, he announced that the British Council Gulf - inspire the next generation of leaders. This year, the British Universities. Meanwhile, Suzanne Jones praised the UK UK Alumni Network is now live on LinkedIn. “UK education Council launched the ‘Gulf UK Alumni online’ imitative in government’s commitment to having a successful long- he British Council of Kuwait organized its annual goes beyond graduation - alumni networks are all about partnership with LinkedIn that will see 5,000 alumni across term relationship with Kuwait through communicating Alumni Gala Dinner recently at the Movenpick lifelong learning and a community of people that are pas- the GCC digitally connected by the end of 2017. with Kuwaiti students in UK’s universities. She added that THotel. More than 180 guests including UK sionate about contributing to the development of the UK This new online networking group connects UK alumni the British Council in Kuwait would like to connect with Universities’ alumni, various representatives from UK and the Kuwait,” he said. from the GCC, helping them connect with each other, seek anyone who has studied in the UK to join the group of Universities and several guests of honor across various Last year the British Council, together with the British out opportunities, as well as connect with business and alumni. At the end of the event, the British Council offered sectors attended the event. Embassies in the Gulf, created the first network of UK-GCC trade opportunities between countries in the Gulf and the a variety of activities and games that allowed the alumni to The evening featured Grant Butler, Country Director of alumni, which offers networking session, skills development UK. Membership to the Network is open to all Kuwaitis and communicate with each other. British Council Kuwait, as the host. The event started with workshops, volunteering and mentorship opportunities to expatriates in Kuwait who have graduated from UK UK alumni networks were set up all across the GCC Mais Montazar, Deputy Director of Partnerships and under the ‘Next Generation’ program to provide opportuni- Programs at British Council Kuwait, who welcomed the ties for its members to meet and exchange experiences; to guests and speakers, including Matthew Lodge, British learn and develop their careers; to support and mentor Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, and Suzanne Jones, recent graduates and to inspire the next generation of Gulf science innovation and Knowledge Economy Program leaders in their countries. The Alumni Gala Dinner is an Director at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. exclusive event for the Kuwait UK alumni network mem- “Communication is important to improve the relation- bers as part of this program. ship between people and take it to another level,” The British Council is the UK’s international organization Ambassador Lodge said in his speech. “The connection for cultural relations and educational opportunities. They between the United Kingdom and Kuwait goes back for create friendly knowledge and understanding between the years, and we are committed to help Kuwaiti students people of the UK and other countries. Using the UK’s cul- maintain friendship with their British friends.” tural resources we make a positive contribution to the Lodge added that the UK seeks to invest in the relation- countries we work with - changing lives by creating oppor- ships between countries worldwide through the global tunities, building connections and engendering trust. The language: English. “The UK and Kuwait have an important, British Council works with over 100 countries across the long-standing relationship, strengthened through the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, strong individual connections that many Kuwaitis cherish education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 mil- since they attended UK academic institutions, and we are lion people face-to-face and more than 500 million people making sure that relationship will keep growing through online, via broadcasts and publications. It founded in 1934, the next generations for 100 years,” He said. it is a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK pub- Meanwhile, Butler noted that more than 40 popular UK lic body. They have been working in the Gulf for over 60 universities and colleges participated at the Education UK years and operated in Kuwait since 1955. Exhibition (EDUKEX 2017) that took place late last week. A general view of the audience. Tang Chao Chinese Restaurant launches new menu

s it is known for their passion to offer everything that delights the guests, Holiday Inn Kuwait - Salmiya Aannounced launching the new menu at Tang Chao Chinese Restaurant that will enrich the guests culinary expe- rience by offering the most authentic Chinese dishes as well as to the chef’s modern fusion creations. The new menu at Tang Chao featuring flavorful new sal- ads, appetizers, main courses and desserts that suits all tastes and tempt all cravings. As for the quality, our chefs are keen on using premium quality products and fresh meats to ensure providing a taste that satisfies every guests. Tang Chao restaurant is known for its beautiful decora- tion that is inspired by the great history of the Tang dynasty of China as well as to its specious capacity that seats up to 150 persons, private dining areas and a terrace overlooking the Hotel’s garden, and to further enhance the overall expe- rience, our highly trained service team are dedicated to offer the highest standards of hospitality to make sure that each guest enjoys a memorable time.

Medical Camp conducted by MES-Malabar Gold and Diamonds

undreds of underprivileged people including released by the Ambassador of India and the first copy supervision of Medical wing convenor Nasaruddeen versus from Holy Quran. MES President Sadiq Ali wel- from the labor camps in various parts of Kuwait received by Afsal Khan - Regional Manager, Malabar and hundreds of patients from various nationalities comed the audience while Medical Wing Convenor Hattended the free medical screening camp organ- Gold and Diamonds. including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Pakistan, Nasaruddeen proposed vote of thanks. The felicitations ized by Muslim Educational Society (MES) - Malabar Gold Experts from various medical specialties including Nepal ect. and from different walks of life benefited for the camp were given by Dr AbeyPatwar - President IDF, and Diamonds in association with Indian Doctor’s Forum Orthopaedics, ENT, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, from this noble event. Dr SayedRahman - IDF, Dr PrathapUnnithan - IDAK, Dr (IDF), Indian Dentists’ Alliance, Kuwait Heart Foundation, Diabetes, Cardiology, General Medicine, Paediatrics, MES conducts medical camps every year and this is the AmeerAhamed (former President - IDF), Ashraf Ayyur - Kuwait Medical Association on Friday 10th March 2017 at Dermatology and Dental examined the patients. In addi- 16th camp organized for the community. IDF arranged Badr Al Samaa Medical Center, ShanmukhaSundaran - Pakistan Excel English School Abbasiya. Malabar Gold tion, many patients utilized the services of ECG, more than 50 doctors, which is the largest contingent till Aster Pharmacy. and Diamonds was the Main Sponsor of the event along Mammography and Scanning. date for such a camp, covering almost all specialties. MES General Secretary Arshad, former president with Badr Al-Samaa Medical Center and Aster Pharmacy. The dedication and hard work put in by the MES vol- Around 40 skilled para-medical staff assisted the doctors Mohamed Rafi, Treasurer Dr Mustafa Keyi, Khaleel Adoor, The camp was inaugurated by Ambassador of India to unteers helped the participants to avail camp facilities for the preliminary check-ups. Blood sugar tests were also SalehBatha, Zubair MM, Ibrahim, Ashraf PT, Shaheer, O.J. Kuwait Sunil Jain. easily. Large quantity of medicines Sponsored by arranged for the public in addition to the blood choles- Usman, Advt Gafoor, Mujeeb, Noufal, RameesSaleh, The theme of this year’s medical camp was “Care Saudi Pharmaceutical Company, Al-Hajeri Group, Bader terol test done by Kuwait Heart Foundation. RayeesSaleh, Firoz, Neslin actively coordinated this and Aware” and a booklet based on the topic was Sultan and Aster Pharmacy was distributed under the The brief inaugural ceremony started with recitation of unique program. WHAT’S ON MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 Marriott Hotels in Kuwait celebrate Mother’s Day

other’s Day is the perfect their lives. Guests can enjoy up to 35 to all tastes and moods. occasion for family get- percent discount in the newly A superb dining experience can Mtogethers. It is a day to show opened ‘Crossroads’ Restaurant and also be enjoyed at The Terrace Grill the most important women in your Atrium Restaurant, on March 21st restaurant at JW Marriott Kuwait, lives how much they are loved and during dinner time. known to be one of the best steak- appreciated. It is a day to celebrate Crossroads restaurant at the JW houses in Kuwait. The restaurant and create unforgettable memories. Marriott Kuwait features a wide range offers an extensive menu of the finest On the occasion of Mother’s Day, of distinctive cuisines, including meat cuts and seafood. Other inter- the JW Marriott Kuwait and Courtyard Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian and esting cuisines can be tried at the by Marriott Kuwait have prepared Mediterranean, all under one roof. Japanese Kei restaurant offering sushi special treats for guests who want to And the open kitchen allows guests and Teppanyaki. The much-celebrated say ‘a huge thank you’ to the excep- to watch Marriott’s talented chefs Indian restaurant Soul and Spice in tional and extraordinary women in perform their mastery while creating Courtyard by Marriott is well known gastronomic delights that are second for serving flavorsome Indian dishes, to none. Moreover, Atrium restaurant in addition to Sushi restaurant which at Courtyard Kuwait offers a wide offers a wide array of mouth-watering range of international buffets to cater Japanese delicacies.

Sadu House organizes Children’s Heritage Festival

By Faten Omar

he Sadu House organized the Children’s Heritage Festival ‘Turathi’ on Friday. The Tevent was organized with support from the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, and held as part of a youth festival organized by the state. Workshops, games and learning activities for kids were held during the event, said Ksenija Graovac, a volunteer at ‘Turathi.’ In addition to children aged between five and 12 years, adults were also invited to join the fun. “We aim to promote and celebrate Kuwait’s cultural and textile heritage,” she said. Graovac added that the Sadu House pre- pared a variety of activities such as reading to children, cooking traditional Kuwaiti dishes, as well as traditional Kuwaiti games, where experts taught children how to play. “We have a photo booth, where you can take photos with traditional Kuwaiti customs for your chil- dren,” she said. Graovac further noted that the children also participated in making crochet hats to be donated to children of Syria and Yemen. “We Photos by Joseph Shagra offer a program of educational courses and workshops on the techniques of traditional Chairperson of Dhuwa Al-Yaddah Center, told can be found inside the house today, such as children to know more about Kuwaiti old she added. “One of the players throws a piece weaving, dying and textile arts and design by Kuwait Times that in the past, children made televisions, video games, computers and games,” she said. of stone in one square and jumps to it, moving some of our weavers and art instructors,” she their toys from simple materials of discharged ready-made toys. “Dhuwa Al-Yaddah Centre is a “Today we chose a few games for both boys it to the next square. Each square successfully added. “Classes are open to all.” objects. They would find them in the house voluntary organization that aims at preserving and girls to play, such as ‘Al-Haila’ where the reached is considered her own, until she owns Meanwhile, Wafa Baker Al-Baker, Deputy and streets. But many means of entertainment the Kuwaiti heritage. Today, we will try to get girls will be drawing six squares on the ground,” all the ‘houses.’”

LAPA presents ‘Sabiliyat Ismael’

The Loyac Academy for Performing Arts (LAPA) prepares to present ‘Sabiliyat Ismael,’ a monodrama based on the novel ‘Sabiliyat’ by veteran Kuwaiti novelist Ismael Fahad Ismael. The performance takes place on the 25th and 26th of March, 2017 at Al-Dasma Theater, starting from 7:30 pm. MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 TV PROGRAMS

21:00 Gold Rush 07:55 Hitler And The Occult 21:50 Everest Rescue 08:25 Nazi Underworld 22:40 Killing Fields 09:20 Mega Breakdown 23:30 Fast Nʼ Loud 10:15 The Border 11:10 Highway Thru Hell 01:45 Shark Lake 00:50 Gator Boys 12:05 Mine Kings 03:45 Double Team 01:45 In Too Deep 00:10 Hank Zipzer 13:00 Nazi Underworld 06:00 Dracula Untold 04:00 Escape To Chimp Eden 00:35 Binny And The Ghost 14:00 Inside: 21st Century Warship 07:45 Licence To Kill 04:25 Escape To Chimp Eden 01:00 Violetta 16:00 The Border 10:00 Navy Seals: The Battle For 06:02 In Too Deep 01:45 The Hive 17:00 Highway Thru Hell New Orleans 06:25 In Too Deep 01:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 18:00 Mine Kings 12:00 Spooks: The Greater Good 00:05 Keeping Up With The 06:49 Gator Boys Teenage Witch 19:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 14:15 Dracula Untold Kardashians 07:36 Call Of The Wildman 02:40 Hank Zipzer 20:00 The Border 16:00 Black Rose 01:50 E! News 08:00 Call Of The Wildman 03:05 Binny And The Ghost 20:50 Highway Thru Hell 18:00 Con Air 02:50 Hollywood Cycle 08:25 Preposterous Pets 03:30 Violetta 21:40 Mine Kings 20:00 Ant-Man 05:30 Fashion Bloggers 09:15 Biggest And Baddest 04:15 The Hive 22:30 Mega Factories: Supercars 22:00 I Am Number Four 06:00 Just Jillian 10:10 Escape To Chimp Eden 04:20 Sabrina Secrets Of A 23:20 80s: The Decade That Made Us 10:35 Escape To Chimp Eden 06:55 E! News Teenage Witch 11:05 Tanked 07:10 Just Jillian 05:10 Hank Zipzer 12:00 Preposterous Pets 08:10 E! News 05:35 Binny And The Ghost 12:55 Bondi Vet 09:10 Rob & Chyna 06:00 Violetta 13:50 Biggest And Baddest 12:00 E! News 06:45 The Hive 00:00 My Man Is A Loser 14:45 Gator Boys 12:15 Celebrity Style Story 06:50 The 7D 00:00 Damien 02:00 Camp Nowhere 15:40 Escape To Chimp Eden 12:40 Celebrity Style Story 07:00 Jessie 01:00 Scandal 03:45 After The Ball 16:05 Escape To Chimp Eden 13:10 So Cosmo 07:50 Tsum Tsum Shorts 02:00 Code Black 05:45 Parenthood 16:35 Tanked 14:05 So Cosmo 07:55 The Zhuzhus 03:00 Scream Queens 08:00 Camp Nowhere 17:30 Ten Deadliest Snakes With 15:00 E! News 08:20 Elena Of Avalor 04:00 Prison Break 10:00 After The Ball Nigel Marven 15:15 WAGs 08:45 Bunkʼd 05:00 The Night Shift 12:00 Parenthood 18:25 Village Vets 19:00 E! News 09:10 Stuck In The Middle 06:00 Good Morning America - 14:00 Indian Summer 18:50 Village Vets 20:00 Celebrity Style Story 09:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place Weekend 16:00 Accidental Love 19:20 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet 20:30 Celebrity Style Story 10:25 A.N.T. Farm 07:00 Agent X 18:00 The Rewrite 20:15 Tanked 21:00 Revenge Body With Khloe 11:15 Good Luck Charlie 08:00 The Family 20:00 Bill & Tedʼs Bogus Journey 21:10 Escape To Chimp Eden Kardashian 12:05 Shake It Up 09:00 The Night Shift 22:00 Please Give 22:05 Village Vets 22:00 Revenge Body With Khloe 12:55 Disney Mickey Mouse 10:00 Prison Break 23:00 Dr. Dee: Alaska Vet Kardashian 13:00 Welcome To The Ronks 11:00 This Is Us 23:55 Gator Boys 23:00 E! News 13:15 Gravity Falls 12:00 Agent X 23:15 Botched 13:40 Hank Zipzer 13:00 The Family 14:05 Star Darlings 14:00 Live Good Morning America 14:10 Austin & Ally 16:00 The Night Shift 00:00 Two Mothers 14:35 Jessie 17:00 Prison Break 02:00 The Help 15:00 Bunkʼd 18:00 This Is Us 04:30 Healing 19:00 Rosewood 06:30 The Search For Freedom 00:00 Killers: Behind The Myth 15:25 Kirby Buckets 20:00 Criminal Minds 08:00 Memories 01:00 The Haunting Of... 15:50 Sunny Bunnies 00:20 Battle 360 21:00 Homeland 09:45 Ordinary People 02:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 15:55 The Zhuzhus 01:10 Pawn Stars 16:20 Miraculous Tales Of Ladybug 12:00 The Help Camera 01:35 Pawn Stars Best Of 14:30 Boychoir 03:00 The Real Bronson And Cat Noir 02:00 Storage Wars: Barryʼs Best 16:45 Elena Of Avalor 16:15 Wildlike 04:00 Killers: Behind The Myth Buys 18:00 Rudderless 05:00 The Haunting Of... 17:10 Stuck In The Middle 02:50 Storage Wars 17:35 Descendants Wicked World 20:00 War Book 06:00 My Ghost Story: Caught On 03:15 American Pickers 22:00 True Confessions Camera 17:40 Girl Meets World 04:05 Pawn Stars 18:05 Bizaardvark 00:00 Wrecked 07:00 The First 48 05:00 Mountain Men 08:00 Deadly Wives 18:30 Bunkʼd 00:30 Community 06:00 American Restoration 18:55 Best Friends Whenever 01:00 Community 09:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 06:50 Shipping Wars 10:00 Homicide Hunter 19:20 Disney Mickey Mouse 01:30 Saturday Night Live 07:15 Shipping Wars 19:25 The Next Step 03:00 The New Adventures Of Old 11:00 Crimes That Shook Australia 07:40 Counting Cars 00:45 The Gambler 15:00 Deadly Wives 19:50 Austin & Ally Christine 08:05 Counting Cars 20:15 Star Darlings 03:30 The New Adventures Of Old 02:45 While You Were Sleeping 16:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 08:30 Pawn Stars 04:30 Make Your Move 17:00 Homicide Hunter 20:20 Shake It Up Christine 08:55 Pawn Stars 20:45 Backstage 04:00 Malibu Country 06:30 Win A Date With Tad 18:00 Killers 09:20 Storage Wars Texas Hamilton! 19:00 It Takes A Killer 21:10 Liv And Maddie 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 09:45 Storage Wars Texas 21:35 Cracke Jimmy Fallon 08:15 Orange County 20:00 The First 48 10:10 American Pickers 10:00 Barely Lethal 21:00 Crimes That Shook Britain 21:40 Dog With A Blog 05:30 Cougar Town 11:00 Pirate Treasure Of The 22:05 Best Friends Whenever 06:00 George Lopez 11:45 Steve Jobs 22:00 Deadly Wives Knights Templar 14:00 A Lot Like Love 23:00 Homicide Hunter 22:30 Jessie 06:30 Galavant 11:50 Time Team 22:55 Tsum Tsum Shorts 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 16:00 The Ladykillers 12:40 Swamp People 23:00 Kirby Buckets 08:00 Malibu Country 18:00 Twister 13:30 Ax Men 23:25 Sabrina Secrets Of A THE GAMBLER ON OSN MOVIES HD 08:30 Cougar Town 20:00 Everest 14:20 Mountain Men Teenage Witch 09:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 22:00 127 Hours 15:10 Shipping Wars 08:50 I Almost Got Away With It 23:45 Swordfish 23:50 Sabrina Secrets Of A 20:30 Miles From Tomorrow 10:00 Superstore 15:35 Shipping Wars 09:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron Teenage Witch 21:00 Unbungalievable 10:30 Galavant 16:00 Counting Cars Hall 21:05 Goldie & Bear 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 16:50 Pawn Stars 10:30 Blood Relatives 00:05 Destroyed In Seconds 21:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jimmy Fallon 17:15 Pawn Stars 11:20 Murder Comes To Town 00:30 Prototype This 22:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 12:00 George Lopez 02:10 Dirty Jobs 17:40 Storage Wars: Barryʼs Best 12:10 I Am Homicide 00:20 Zoo Confidential 12:30 Malibu Country 03:50 Bear Grylls: Born Survivor Buys 13:00 The Locator 01:10 Extreme Animal Babies 13:00 Cougar Town 01:00 Garfield 06:20 How Itʼs Made 18:30 Pawn Stars 13:25 The Locator 02:00 Lion Warrior 02:30 Ghatothkach - Master Of 00:20 Henry Hugglemonster 13:30 Galavant 07:00 Dick ʻnʼ Dom Go Wild 18:55 Pawn Stars Best Of 13:50 I Almost Got Away With It 02:50 Maneater Manhunt 14:00 The New Adventures Of Old Magic 07:25 Awesome Adventures 19:20 Mountain Men 00:35 The Hive 14:40 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 03:45 Bear Nomad 04:30 Pim And Pom: The Big 00:45 Loopdidoo Christine 07:50 Bondi Vet 20:10 American Pickers Hall 04:40 Extreme Animal Babies 14:30 The Last Man On Earth Adventure 08:40 How Itʼs Made 21:00 The Curse Of Oak Island 01:00 Henry Hugglemonster 06:00 Gravity Falls 15:30 Blood Relatives 05:35 Lion Warrior 06:00 Mamma Moo And Crow 01:15 Calimero 06:25 Counterfeit Cat 15:00 Superstore 09:30 Prototype This 21:50 Hunting Hitler 16:20 Murder Comes To Town 06:30 Maneater Manhunt 15:30 Community 07:30 Moomins And The Comet 10:20 Mythbusters 22:40 Ronnie OʼSullivanʼs 01:30 Art Attack 06:50 Atomic Puppet 17:10 Evil Online 07:25 Bear Nomad Chase 01:55 Zou 07:15 Star vs The Forces Of Evil 16:00 Community 11:10 Bondi Vet American Hustle 18:00 The Locator 08:20 Extreme Animal Babies 16:30 George Lopez 09:00 Rugrats Go Wild 12:00 Bear Grylls: Born Survivor 23:30 American Pickers 02:05 Loopdidoo 07:25 Danger Mouse 18:25 The Locator 09:15 Freaks & Creeps 10:45 Garfield 02:20 Henry Hugglemonster 07:40 Supa Strikas 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:50 How Itʼs Made 18:50 I Almost Got Away With It 10:10 Snakes In The City 18:00 The New Adventures Of Old 12:30 Ghatothkach - Master Of 13:40 Dirty Jobs 02:35 Calimero 08:10 K.C. Undercover 19:40 California Investigator 11:05 Predator Fails Magic 02:50 Zou 08:35 Star Wars Freemaker Christine 14:30 Dick ʻnʼ Dom Go Wild 20:05 California Investigator 12:00 Australiaʼs Deadliest: Shark 18:30 The New Adventures Of Old 14:15 Memory Loss 14:55 Awesome Adventures 03:05 Art Attack Adventures 20:30 Blood Relatives Coast 16:00 Rugrats Go Wild 03:30 The Hive 09:00 Lab Rats Christine 15:20 Mythbusters 21:20 Murder Comes To Town 12:55 Cheetah: Fatal Instinct 19:00 Dr. Ken 18:00 Bee Movie 16:10 Prototype This 03:40 Loopdidoo 09:25 Lab Rats 22:10 Deadline: Crime With Tamron 13:50 Hunter Hunted 20:00 Bolts And Blip 00:00 Mystery Diners 03:55 Henry Hugglemonster 09:50 Danger Mouse 19:30 The Mindy Project 17:00 Kids Do The Craziest Things 01:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives Hall 14:45 Baby Animals In The Wild 20:00 Wrecked 21:45 Memory Loss 17:50 Pick A Puppy 04:10 Art Attack 10:20 Supa Strikas 23:00 Obsession: Dark Desires 15:40 Extreme Animal Babies 23:30 Moomins And The Comet 02:00 Man Fire Food 04:35 Loopdidoo 10:45 Supa Strikas 20:30 Wrecked 23:50 How (Not) To Kill Your 16:35 Wild Australia 21:00 Community Husband 17:30 Snakes In The City 21:30 Community 18:25 Predator Fails 22:00 Itʼs Always Sunny In 19:20 Baby Animals In The Wild Philadelphia 20:10 Extreme Animal Babies 22:30 Itʼs Always Sunny In 21:00 Wild Australia Philadelphia 00:20 Married By Mum And Dad 21:50 Snakes In The City 01:10 Return To Amish 22:40 Predator Fails 02:00 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 00:10 The Chase 23:30 Australiaʼs Deadliest: Shark 02:25 Say Yes To The Dress: 01:00 Emmerdale Coast Bridesmaids 01:30 Coronation Street 02:50 Love, Lust Or Run 02:30 The Jonathan Ross Show 03:15 Cake Boss 03:25 Midsomer Murders 01:00 Herbie Fully Loaded 03:35 Designer Darlings 05:15 Broadchurch 03:00 Chilly Christmas 04:20 Little People, Big World 06:10 The Chase 05:00 The Tigger Movie 05:10 Toddlers & Tiaras 07:05 The Jonathan Ross Show 07:00 A Bugʼs Life 06:00 Ultimate Shopper 08:00 Midsomer Murders 00:10 Wicked Tuna 09:00 Underdog 06:50 Say Yes To The Dress UK 09:35 Callie-Anne Cooks Into The 01:00 Map Of Hell 11:00 The Tigger Movie 07:40 Cake Boss Wild 02:55 Mine Kings 13:00 Cars 08:30 Little People, Big World 10:00 Broadchurch 03:50 Wicked Tuna 15:00 The Amazing Wizard Of 09:20 Kate Plus 8 10:55 The Chase 04:45 Mega Breakdown Paws 10:10 Love, Lust Or Run 11:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 05:40 80s: The Decade That Made 17:00 Hannah Montana Movie 10:35 Cake Boss 12:45 Emmerdale Us 19:00 Confessions Of A Teenage 11:00 My Big Fat Fabulous Life 13:15 Coronation Street 06:35 Human Lampshade: A Drama Queen 11:25 Say Yes To The Dress: 14:15 The Chase Holocaust Mystery 21:00 The Last Flight Of Noahʼs Ark Bridesmaids 15:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 07:30 Hitler The Junkie 23:00 The Amazing Wizard Of 11:50 Ultimate Shopper 16:00 Murdoch Mysteries 16:55 Him 17:50 Broadchurch 18:45 Emmerdale 19:15 Coronation Street 19:45 Coronation Street 20:10 The Jonathan Ross Show 21:00 Murdoch Mysteries 21:55 Him 22:50 Emmerdale 23:15 Coronation Street 23:40 Coronation Street

SHARK LAKE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION HD

18:40 Destroyed In Seconds 03:00 Chopped 04:50 Calimero 11:10 Counterfeit Cat 19:30 How Itʼs Made 04:00 Guyʼs Grocery Games 05:05 Art Attack 11:35 Pair Of Kings 00:15 Charlie Luxtonʼs Homes By 19:55 How Itʼs Made 05:00 Barefoot Contessa: Back To 05:30 Henry Hugglemonster 12:30 Future-Worm! The Med 20:20 Mythbusters Basics 05:45 Zou 12:55 Lab Rats: Bionic Island 01:05 Testing The Menu With Nic 21:10 Kids Do The Craziest Things 06:00 The Kitchen 06:00 Art Attack 13:45 Atomic Puppet Watt 21:35 Kids Do The Craziest Things 07:00 The Pioneer Woman 06:30 Henry Hugglemonster 14:10 Disney Mickey Mouse 01:30 Dog Whisperer 22:00 Pick A Puppy 08:00 Sibaʼs Table 06:45 Loopdidoo 14:15 Counterfeit Cat 02:20 Carnival Eats 22:25 Pick A Puppy 09:00 Anna Olson: Bake 07:00 Zou 14:40 Supa Strikas 02:45 Carnival Eats 22:50 Destroyed In Seconds 10:00 The Kitchen 07:15 Calimero 15:05 Lab Rats 03:10 Home Strange Home 23:15 Destroyed In Seconds 11:00 The Pioneer Woman 07:30 Loopdidoo 15:30 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty 04:00 The Wine Show 23:40 Bear Grylls: Born Survivor 12:00 Sibaʼs Table 07:45 Henry Hugglemonster Much Everything 04:50 Valentine Warner Eats 13:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:00 Minnieʼs Bow-Toons 15:55 Right Now Kapow Scandinavia 14:00 Chopped 08:05 Sheriff Callieʼs Wild West 16:25 K.C. Undercover 05:20 One Man & His Campervan 15:00 The Kitchen 08:15 Jake And The Neverland 16:50 Future-Worm! 05:45 Poh & Co 16:00 Anna Olson: Bake Pirates 17:15 Gravity Falls 06:15 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita 17:00 Chopped 08:30 Miles From Tomorrow 17:40 Lab Rats 06:40 David Roccoʼs Dolce Vita 18:00 Guyʼs Grocery Games 08:45 Goldie & Bear 18:05 Disney Mickey Mouse 07:10 Testing The Menu With Nic 00:20 Street Outlaws 19:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 08:55 The Lion Guard 18:10 Mighty Med Watt 01:10 Snaketacular 20:00 Man Fire Food 09:20 PJ Masks 18:35 Right Now Kapow 07:35 Dog Whisperer 02:00 Fukushima: On The Frontline 21:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 09:35 Jake And The Neverland 19:00 Atomic Puppet 08:30 Carnival Eats With Joel Lambert 22:00 Iron Chef America Pirates 19:25 Gamerʼs Guide To Pretty 09:00 Carnival Eats 02:50 Legend Of Croc Gold 23:00 Diners, Drive-Ins And Dives 09:50 Doc McStuffins Much Everything 09:25 The Wine Show 03:40 Fast Nʼ Loud 10:00 Goldie & Bear 19:55 K.C. Undercover 10:20 Home Strange Home 04:30 Storage Wars Canada 10:15 PJ Masks 20:20 Kickinʼ It 11:15 Valentine Warner Eats 05:00 How Do They Do It? 10:30 Minnieʼs Bow-Toons 20:45 Mighty Med Scandinavia 05:30 How Do They Do It? 10:35 The Lion Guard 21:10 Danger Mouse 11:45 One Man & His Campervan 06:00 Outback Truckers 11:00 Sofia The First 21:40 Disney Mickey Mouse 12:10 Poh & Co 06:50 Street Outlaws 11:30 Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital 21:45 Marvelʼs Avengers Assemble 12:40 Testing The Menu With Nic 07:40 Fast Nʼ Loud 00:15 Close Encounters 11:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:10 Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man Watt 08:30 The Island With Bear Grylls 03:10 Mythbusters 12:20 My Friends Tigger & Pooh vs The Sinister 6 13:05 Dog Whisperer 09:20 Storage Wars Canada 08:00 How Do They Do It? 12:50 Sheriff Callieʼs Wild West 22:35 Boyster 14:00 Carnival Eats 09:45 How Do They Do It? 08:26 Kings Of Construction 13:15 Gummi Bears 14:30 Valentine Warnerʼs Wild 10:10 How Do They Do It? 09:14 Mythbusters 13:40 Sofia The First Table 10:35 Wheeler Dealers 10:02 Close Encounters 14:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 15:50 The Wine Show 11:25 Diesel Brothers 10:27 Close Encounters 14:35 PJ Masks 16:45 One Man & His Campervan 12:15 Street Outlaws 10:50 How Do They Do It? 15:00 My Friends Tigger & Pooh 17:15 One Man & His Campervan 13:05 How Do They Do It? 11:14 Food Factory 15:30 The Lion Guard 17:40 Street Food Around The 13:30 Storage Wars Canada 11:38 Food Factory USA 15:55 Unbungalievable 00:40 A Crime To Remember World 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 12:03 Food Factory USA 16:00 Sofia The First 01:30 Kindred Spirits 18:10 The Witch Doctor Will See 14:20 Alaska: The Last Frontier 12:26 Kings Of Construction 16:30 Doc McStuffins 02:20 A Haunting You Now 15:10 The Island With Bear Grylls 13:14 Mythbusters 16:55 Goldie & Bear 03:10 The First Kill 19:05 Valentine Warnerʼs Wild 16:00 Outback Truckers 14:02 How Do They Do It? 17:20 The Lion Guard 04:00 Long Island Serial Killer: Table 16:50 Fast Nʼ Loud 14:26 Food Factory 17:50 PJ Masks People Magazine... 20:00 The Wine Show 17:40 Street Outlaws 14:50 Close Encounters 18:15 Sofia The First 04:48 Blood Relatives 20:55 One Man & His Campervan 18:30 How Do They Do It? 15:15 Close Encounters 18:40 Doc McStuffins 05:36 Blood Relatives 21:20 One Man & His Campervan 18:55 How Do They Do It? 15:38 Kings Of Construction 19:05 Jake And The Never Land 06:24 Blood Relatives 21:45 Street Food Around The 19:20 The Island With Bear Grylls 16:26 Mythbusters Pirates 07:12 Blood Relatives World 20:10 Storage Wars Canada 17:14 Mythbusters 19:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:00 The Locator 22:10 The Witch Doctor Will See 20:35 Storage Wars Canada 18:02 Close Encounters 20:00 Miles From Tomorrow 08:25 The Locator You Now ORDINARY PEOPLE ON OSN MOVIES HD FESTIVAL Classifieds

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (16/03/2017 TO 22/03/2017)

SHARQIA-1 VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 1:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 12:00 PM VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 3:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2:30 PM VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 5:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 5:00 PM HAMAH - Kuwaiti Film 7:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:30 PM LOGAN 9:15 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 10:00 PM VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 12:05 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:30 AM FANAR-2 SHARQIA-2 SLEEPLESS 12:15 PM VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 11:30 AM SLEEPLESS 2:15 PM ACCOMMODATION CHANGE OF NAME BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 1:30 PM SLEEPLESS 4:15 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 4:00 PM SLEEPLESS 6:15 PM Partition for rent shuon, I, FRANK CORNELIUS GON- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 6:30 PM SLEEPLESS 8:15 PM Hawally, Tunist st. Only for SALVES holder of Indian BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 9:00 PM SLEEPLESS 10:15 PM Filipino. Ph: 55195488. Passport No. G3303149, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 11:30 PM SLEEPLESS 12:15 AM (C 5287) hereby change my Father SHARQIA-3 FANAR-3 name JOSEPH to JOSE SAN- Accommodation available TANA ARQUIMEDES GON- KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:30 PM SLEEPLESS 12:45 PM for a Catholic bachelor at SALVES and Mother name VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 2:45 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 4:00 PM Abbassiya near Unique ROSE to ROSARIA GON- SLEEPLESS 4:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 6:30 PM store No. 2, opp Best Bakers SALVES. SLEEPLESS 6:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 9:00 PM (C 5284) VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 8:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 11:30 PM from 1st of April 2017. SLEEPLESS 10:45 PM Contact: 66110593 or FANAR-4 24313908. (C 5286) I, Dadi Setty Venkata VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 12:45 AM 19-3-2017 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 12:00 PM Ramana S/o Subbaiah, MUHALAB-1 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2:30 PM Passport No. N8640361 and URGENTLY WANTED SLEEPLESS 11:45 AM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 5:00 PM SITUATION VACANT Civil ID No. 271081603624 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 1:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 7:30 PM has changed my name to KONG: SKULL ISLAND 4:15 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 10:00 PM Lady maid is needed to Gobburu Sivaiah S/o KONG: SKULL ISLAND 6:45 PM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 12:30 AM work as a part-timer in a Chinna Subbarayudu, here- Kidney donation KONG: SKULL ISLAND 9:15 PM house located in Salmiya. inafter in all my dealings FANAR-5 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:45 PM Salary is KD 100 and total and documents I will be KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:15 PM working hours (20-24 HRS). known by name of MUHALAB-2 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 2:45 PM Call 66417504. (C 5283) Gobburu Sivaiah. O+ blood type BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 12:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 5:15 PM 17-3-2017 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 7:45 PM I, Dadi Setty BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 5:30 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 10:15 PM Nagarathnamma W/o Dadi 16 years old girl SLEEPLESS 8:00 PM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 12:45 AM Setty Venkata Ramana, SLEEPLESS 10:15 PM Passport No. P1092521 and SLEEPLESS 12:15 AM MARINA-1 PRAYER TIMINGS Civil ID No. 274061210819 in need of kidney BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 1:00 PM has changed my name to MUHALAB-3 SLEEPLESS 1:30 PM Fajr: 04:33 Gobburu Nagarathnamma due to kidneys failure. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 11:30 AM BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3:30 PM wife of Gobburu Sivaiah, Shorook: 05:53 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 2:00 PM SLEEPLESS 6:00 PM hereinafter in all my deal- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 4:30 PM SLEEPLESS 8:00 PM Duhr: 11:56 ings and documents I will Doner age should be BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 7:00 PM LOGAN 10:00 PM be known by name of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 9:30 PM SLEEPLESS 12:45 AM Asr: 15:23 Gobburu Nagarathnamma. between 21 and 40 yrs. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 12:05 AM (C 5285) Maghrib: 17:59 MARINA-2 17-3-2017 FANAR-1 KONG: SKULL ISLAND 11:45 AM Isha: 19:16 VENGEANCE: A LOVE STORY 11:45 AM KONG: SKULL ISLAND 2:15 PM Cont: 99042250

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

Arrival Flights on Monday 20/3/2017 KAC 614 Bahrain 13:30 Departure Flights on Monday 20/3/2017 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time KAC 564 Amman 13:40 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 KAC 776 Riyadh 00:20 KNE 231 Riyadh 13:55 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Chennai 00:05 FDB 076 Dubai 14:05 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 672 Dubai 14:00 JAI 573 Mumbai 00:30 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 QTR 1078 Doha 14:10 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 KAC 693 Muscat 14:30 THY 772 Istanbul 00:55 FDB 059 Dubai 14:20 FDB 072 Dubai 00:40 KNE 382 Taif 14:50 KAC 102 London 00:55 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 BBC 044 Dhaka 01:30 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 FDK 803 Damascus 01:00 KAC 692 Muscat 14:30 FDK 804 Damascus 01:55 FDB 060 Dubai 15:10 KAC 742 Dammam 01:00 KAC 414 Bangkok 14:35 KAC 417 Manila 02:00 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:15 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 GFA 221 Bahrain 14:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:25 PAL 669 Manila 15:20 QTR 1086 Doha 01:15 KAC 542 Cairo 14:45 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:55 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:25 THY 764 Istanbul 01:50 KNE 529 Jeddah 14:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:35 QTR 1079 Doha 15:40 DLH 635 Doha 01:55 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 15:15 UAE 854 Dubai 03:45 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 PGT 858 Istanbul 02:00 OMA 645 Muscat 15:35 OMA 644 Muscat 03:55 KNE 530 Jeddah 15:55 UAE 853 Dubai 02:30 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 KKK 6505 Istanbul 03:55 KAC 619 Doha 16:00 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:50 THY 765 Istanbul 04:00 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 16:20 KKK 6506 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 154 Istanbul 15:55 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:10 KAC 357 Kochi 16:20 OMA 643 Muscat 02:55 SAW 705 Damascus 16:00 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:30 FDB 069 Dubai 03:05 QTR 1072 Doha 16:10 QTR 1077 Doha 04:40 OMA 646 Muscat 16:35 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 FDB 051 Dubai 16:25 CEB 0019 Manila 05:20 SAW 706 Damascus 16:55 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 KAC 788 Jeddah 16:30 QTR 1087 Doha 05:50 JZR 240 Amman 17:15 CEB 0018 Manila 03:15 KAC 662 Abu Dhabi 16:35 FEG 954 Asyut 06:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:25 QTR 1076 Doha 03:30 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 JZR 560 Sohag 06:05 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 KAC 358 Kochi 03:30 KAC 118 New York 17:00 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 KAC 363 Colombo 17:40 KAC 418 Manila 04:25 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 KAC 153 Istanbul 06:50 KAC 343 Chennai 17:40 FEG 933 Sohag 05:00 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 THY 771 Istanbul 06:50 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 JZR 503 Luxor 05:10 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:45 KAC 165 Rome 06:55 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:20 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 354 BLR 05:20 FDB 063 Dubai 18:10 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 KAC 331 Trivandrum 18:00 KAC 332 Trivandrum 05:45 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 KAC 541 Cairo 07:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 KAC 353 BLR 18:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:55 KAC 502 Beirut 18:45 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 KAC 384 Delhi 06:05 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 KAC 163 Paris 07:25 KAC 283 Dhaka 18:30 KAC 364 Colombo 06:05 ABY 123 Sharjah 19:25 KAC 773 Riyadh 07:30 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 206 Islamabad 06:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 FDB 5062 Dubai 07:55 KAC 563 Amman 08:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:05 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 674 Dubai 19:45 KAC 617 Doha 08:00 JZR 124 Bahrain 19:15 PAL 668 Manila/Dubai 07:00 KAC 620 Doha 19:50 BAW 156 London 08:40 UAE 876 Dubai 19:30 FDB 5061 Dubai 07:15 FDB 057 Dubai 19:50 FDB 054 Dubai 08:55 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 KAC 284 Dhaka 07:35 KAC 166 Rome 19:55 KAC 691 Muscat 09:00 ABY 124 Sharjah 20:05 FDB 053 Dubai 07:50 KNE 381 Taif 19:55 KAC 743 Dammam 09:00 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 694 Muscat 20:00 KAC 117 SNN/New York 09:00 KAC 383 Delhi 20:30 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 OMA 647 Muscat 20:10 KAC 671 Dubai 09:15 FDB 058 Dubai 20:35 KAC 382 Delhi 08:45 QTR 1088 Doha 20:35 KAC 101 London 09:35 KAC 775 Riyadh 20:45 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:05 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:45 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:45 KNE 232 Riyadh 20:55 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:05 FDB 5053 Dubai 21:00 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 1543 Cairo 21:00 KAC 352 Kochi 09:10 OMA 648 Muscat 21:10 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:15 KAC 613 Bahrain 10:10 QTR 1070 Doha 09:30 KAC 205 Islamabad 21:25 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:20 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:10 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 KAC 345 Ahmedabad 21:30 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 411 Bangkok 10:30 IRA 667 Esfahan 10:00 QTR 1089 Doha 21:35 ALK 229 Colombo 21:25 VIZ 205 IQA 10:30 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 DLH 634 Doha 21:35 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 SYR 341 Damascus 11:00 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 787 Jeddah 10:40 KAC 774 Riyadh 11:05 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 QTR 1082 Doha 22:00 QTR 1071 Doha 10:40 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:10 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 KAC 501 Beirut 10:45 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 JZR 125 Bahrain 22:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:25 IRA 666 Esfahan 11:00 KAC 618 Doha 11:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 JZR 528 Asyut 22:25 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:25 FDB 5054 Dubai 22:30 SYR 342 Damascus 12:00 KAC 744 Dammam 12:10 JZR 241 Amman 22:45 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:05 MSC 401 Alexandria 12:30 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi/Bahrain 22:45 KAC 381 Delhi 22:45 KAC 661 Abu Dhabi 12:05 FEG 953 Asyut 12:35 KAC 164 Paris 22:55 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:45 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:10 JZR 561 Sohag 12:40 JAI 574 Mumbai 23:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:55 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 FDB 075 Dubai 12:50 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:05 MSC 402 Alexandria 13:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 KAC 285 Dhaka 23:20 FEG 934 Sohag 13:35 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 BBC 143 Dhaka 23:55 QTR 1083 Doha 23:20 stars34 MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

CROSSWORD 1553 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) Showcase your talents and abilities as often as possible in order to encour- You may want to take a class or join a club in order to learn something new age creative problem solving and satisfy the need to be helpful. Using the creative parts or enjoy a previous interest. If you are looking to volunteer, you should check all aspects of of you encourages a balance in body-mind-spirit. Co-workers are around today because a project or program to find out where your energies can be best applied. You feel invigor- of some special gathering. This may mean an award dinner or perhaps a fun social gath- ated and ready to conquer the world. You also may find yourself guiding someone ering. Whatever the case, this is one of those days when your mouth hurts from smiling younger than you in matters of importance. This is a very nice day, perhaps filled with so much. You won’t get away by yourself for long, so buckle down and be the best social renewed appreciation for all that is beautiful and fine. Your sense of value and valuing is blender that you can be. One helpful hint-suggest fun activities and get them started in strong this evening and you may find yourself encouraged to lavish affection on those the busy fun. It is in taking chances that you will see big rewards. Lovers, children and near you. This may mean a night out at the movies or dinner away from home. Whatever other people or things dear to your heart are emphasized tonight. the case, this evening provides the opportunity to express appreciation to others.

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

A worry or two on your mind will dissolve quickly this morning. Difficult A secret admirer may slip and let his or her identity be known. This could people seem to be in a good frame of mind today. You may be surprised at the way happen in some group gathering like some activity with friends. Unusual ideas and fresh things develop. The planned activities of this day go along smoothly and difficult con- ways of expressing yourself plays a bigger than usual part in your life. You will soon be an versations are quite productive. Generally, everything seems to go along rather well. You active participant in the community or in a presentation to the community, such as a per- have certainly become more interested in all sorts of things lately. You may come up formance of some sort. You are most often involved in community activities and many with some new method or invention and find others accepting and encouraging. Finally, times these activities are because of a benefit. Have you ever thought of working for a you may feel that you are in touch and in harmony with people that have become very charity group to help the charity to grow and be more useful in the attempt to help soci- important to you. Ideals and a sense of belonging to something bigger than the merely etyyou would be an excellent part of any such group. You may also be skillful in introduc- personal become more important in your life at this time. ing a new transportation technology for your area.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Someone could be watching you today. You have a lot of energy to pour A domestic problem has eased somewhat. You may, however, find yourself into your life and are creative as well as practical. Young and old watch and a bit impulsive. Your thoughts and ideas may seem repressive and limiting learn from you as you manage your family and home with an open mind and kindness. so you consider what it might mean to think outside the box, so to speak. You may decide ACROSS Arabia or North Africa. No person in your family wants to disappoint you so it is important for you to be approv- to shop a little this afternoon and find something special for a loved one’s birthday or 1. Made from residue of grapes or apples 3. Located in or toward the back or rear. ing and appreciative as much as possible. Today there are some wonderful surprises that some other type of gift. You also may consider a day in the future when you will be travel- after pressing. 4. Water buffalo of the Philippines. come as recognition. Later today, your concentration may be on writing, studies, classes ing-it is something that you and a loved one would enjoy. This afternoon you may decide 5. Common black-and-gray Eurasian bird 5. A tall Brazilian feather palm with a termi- and conferring with close kin and neighbors. Someone in the family or in your close circle to do a little research of different areas of the country from a comfortable library chair. noted for thievery. of friends will take on a more communicative way of interacting with you. You could be Although you can become quite involved with whatever holds your interest, you are to be nal crown of very large leathery pinnatisect congratulated for your conscious effort to keep family close. 12. (Roman mythology) Goddess of abun- leaves rising from long strong stems used most influential and expressive in your instructions and the way you communicate. dance and fertility. for structural purposes. 15. A particular geographical region of 6. Any of various forms of aluminum oxide indefinite boundary (usually serving some occurring naturally as corundum. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) special purpose or distinguished by its peo- 7. 4-wheeled motor vehicle. ple or culture or geography). 8. A fabric made by knitting. The challenges you face at this time are survivable and negotiable. You A new phase dawns for you involving the pursuit of social or political power 16. Russian ballet dancer (1910-1998). have a clear-minded insight into your own plans and methods. Tactfulness and status. This all has a way of pulling you in a fascinating direction and you 9. A very small circular shape. is the key activity for this day, especially when pointing out someone’s mistakes. should let nothing stand in the way as you are influential and progressive and will carve 17. Committee formed by a special-interest 10. A new embodiment of a familiar idea. group to raise money for their favorite Companionship with others is most rewarding at this time and you should take every out positive directions for many. The domestic scene gains new appeal and you enjoy tak- 11. (of the moon) "after full moon comes political candidates. opportunity to be with them. This afternoon would be a good time to begin a new and ing the time to dive into your hobbies and possibly tending to a few personal affairs. There the waning moon". regular exercise program to build your strength and stamina. Extreme exercising and is a lot of energy and drive available for whatever you want to accomplish. Some form of 18. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was 12. A translucent mineral consisting of overeating can be threats to your health, however. Learn ways in which to keep a positive safety in the home has your attention later today and you may decide to schedule a fire or formed by an explosion. hydrated silica of variable color. frame of mind. Negative thoughts and feelings, especially if you are having any difficulties, police inspection of your home next week to make sure everything is up to standard or if 19. Morally rigorous and strict. could have serious consequences for your peace of mind. Recognize the balance. anything needs to be secured. You give family your attention. 20. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- 13. Especially one side of a leaf. cially in Turkey). 14. Any of a number of fishes of the family 21. The first of the Old Testament patriarchs Carangidae. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) and the father of Isaac. 22. The (prehensile) extremity of the superi- 23. Turned or stirred by plowing or harrow- or limb. Your personal charm is most impressive to others this month. There can be Try a new approach with your creative project today. Lady luck seems to be ing or hoeing. 24. A battle in World War II. a key to increased attention if you are in business for yourself. Your ideas for advertising on your side where money is concerned. This is a good thing, as you seem to spend mon- ey faster than it comes into your life. Ideas of less financial burdens are helpful and putting 25. A dyed fabric. 26. Something considered choice to eat. are superb. If you have a business in the city, you might think of branching out through the internet. Your energy is high and the creative juices are flowing, ready to be applied to new plans into effect will help you get better monetary stability. This may involve a move 28. Italian violinist (1782-1840). 27. A room or establishment where alco- or an extra job but you will be accountable and take pride in your accomplishments with- 31. A sock knitted or woven with a dia- holic drinks are served over a counter. whatever you have set before you. If you give your best effort now, considerable success will certainly follow; you may have instinctively helped a close friend through your efforts. in a short time. Others value you for your independence and unique qualities. Young peo- mond-shaped pattern. 29. Of or relating to or characteristic of the ple come to you when they need guidance. Taking control of your life in the many ways Lovers, children and other people or things dear to your heart are emphasized at this time 35. King of Judea who (according to the you have planned will create an opportunity to help others learn and grow wise. Perhaps prehistoric Aegean civilization. in your life. Being appreciated and admired for your gifts and talents are powerful needs. a good book or movie can be enjoyed this evening. New Testament) tried to kill Jesus by order- 30. A long narrow furrow cut either by a Taking chances can bring big rewards. ing the death of all children under age two natural process (such as erosion) or by a in Bethlehem (73-4 BC). tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph 36. Type genus of the Aceraceae. record). Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 38. The quality of a person's voice. 32. Someone (physician or clergyman) who 39. Gone by. substitutes temporarily for another mem- Long-term projects around the house can begin to wind down and As usual, you want to accomplish great things, and that is where your mind 41. Unknown god. ber of the same profession. become completed. You have an appreciation for responsibilities and duty. Keep an eye navigates back to from time to time today. This is natural on your birthday and you adjust 44. Skintight knit hose covering the body 33. Related on the mother's side. on the plumbing and follow up on any problems that could get out of hand. Any prob- your plans to widen your scope of goals. You have done well and you want to shine when from the waist to the feet worn by acrobats 34. Of superior grade. lems now are valued for the lessons they represent, rather than perceived as obstacles. it comes to personnel reviews in your work. A planning folder has been working well as you take time to add new dimensions. The desire to excel in your work is commendable and dancers and as stockings by women 37. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. You may be sought after for your advice and counsel regarding very personal and emo- and girls. tional issues this afternoon. A good conversation with those you love is most reassuring- and is promising. Get your calendar out and plot your path-you will be pleased with the 40. According to need (physicians use PRN 49. A member of the Shoshonean people of you encourage lighthearted conversations. Find a movie or some other activity that results. You have the positive energy working in your favor to succeed at whatever you set in writing prescriptions). Utah and Colorado and New Mexico. everyone can enjoy. A feeling of being at peace and stable on the emotional level comes out to accomplish in your home and in the workplace. You are also in tune to the comedy 42. (anatomy) A structure that resembles a of life. Your humor is kind. 50. A port in eastern Georgia near the into play at this time. Music is likely to play an important role for you this evening. mouth of the Savannah river. shell in shape. 51. Relating to anemia or suffering from 43. A loose sleeveless outer garment made anemia. from aba cloth. Wordsearch Puzzle Yesterday’s Solution 53. Administer an oil or ointment to. 45. A fine grained mineral having a soft 54. Possessing or using or characteristic of soapy feel and consisting of hydrated mag- or appropriate to supernatural powers. nesium silicate. 56. A New England state. 46. Not having or producing echoes. 57. Being ten more than one hundred nine- 47. A barrier constructed to contain the ty. flow or water or to keep out the sea. 58. The part of a missile or torpedo that car- 48. A flat wire hairpin whose prongs press ries the explosive charge. tightly together. 61. British violinist (born in the United 52. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. States) who began his career as a child 55. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic prodigy in the 1920s (1916-1999). element. 65. A mask with a filter protects the face an 59. The compass point midway between lungs against poisonous gases. east and southeast. 68. The mission in San Antonio where in 60. (Irish) Chief god of the Tuatha De 1836 Mexican forces under Santa Anna Danann. besieged and massacred American rebels 62. English essayist (1775-1834). who were fighting to make Texas inde- 63. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agri- pendent of Mexico. culture and patron of scribes and schools. 69. Having come or been brought to a con- 64. A word that can be used to refer to a clusion. person or place or thing. 72. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which 66. Someone who works (or provides work- the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar. ers) during a strike. 73. Support resembling the rib of an animal. 67. God of love and erotic desire. 74. New World lizards. 70. British informal term. 78. The 19th letter of the Greek alphabet. 71. The compass point midway between 79. An abstract or general idea inferred or northeast and east. derived from specific instances. 75. Functioning correctly and ready for 80. A small cake leavened with yeast. action. 76. A highly unstable radioactive element DOWN (the heaviest of the halogen series). 1. Informal terms for a mother. 77. The blood group whose red cells carry 2. An Arabic speaking person who lives in both the A and B antigens.

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Afghanistan 0093 Lithuania 00370 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Luxembourg 00352 Algeria 00213 Macau 00853 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Macedonia 00389 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Angola 00244 Madagascar 00261 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Anguilla 001264 Majorca 0034 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malawi 00265 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Malaysia 0060 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Maldives 00960 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Mali 00223 Austria 0043 Malta 00356 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Azerbaijan 00994 Marshall Islands 00692 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Adaliya 22517144 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Kaifan 24849807 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 DAAYY: 6XXQQGD\  99DDOLG )URP  $0 7R  30 Shuwaikh 24814507 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Expected WeWeather for the Next 24 Hours Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Nuzha 22526804 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 %< '$$<< 8QVWDEOH ZLWK  PRGHUDWH  WR IIUUHVK  VRXWK  HDVWHUO\  ZLQG  ZLWK  VSHHG  RI NPKK FDXVLQJ  UDLVLQJJ GGXXVW  ZLWK  D Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 FKDQFHIIRRU UDLQ  WKDW  PLJKW  EH WKXQGHUU\\ DW WLPHV Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Qadsiya 22515088 %< 1,*+7 &ORXG\ WR SDUUWWO\ FORXG\  ZLWK OLJKW WR PRGHUDWH IIUUHVKHQLQJ  JUDGXDDOO\  DW WLPHV VRXWK HDVWHUO\ FKDQJLQJ  WR Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 QRUUWWK ZHVWHUO\  ZLQG  ZLWK VSHHG  RI    NPK FDXVLQJ  UDLVLQJ GXVW ZLWK D FKDQFH IIRRU UDLQ WWKKDW PLJKW  EH Dasmah 22532265 Chad 00235 N. 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Wind 6(  km/h Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 Isha TOTTAALL RAINFFAALLL IN 24 HR.  mm Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Hungary 0036 Togo 00228 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. 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This file photo taken on December 31, 2010 shows Chuck Berry performing at the Congress Theater in Chicago, This official White House file photo taken on June 22, 1997 shows the US President Bill Clinton (left) and British Illinois. — AP/AFP photos Prime Minister Tony Blair (right) posing for photographers with blues guitar legend Chuck Berry after the Summit of the Eight meetings in Morrison, Colorado. Chuck Berry The greatest rocker of all time

huck Berry, rock ‘n’ roll’s founding guitar Roll Music” was a guidebook for all bands that to New Orleans/Way back up in the woods would make it, and make it big. A fan of blues, 15 when he went on stage at a high school hero and storyteller who defined the followed (“It’s got a back beat, you can’t lose it”). among the evergreens”) and the downpour of swing and boogie woogie, Berry studied the review to do his own version of Jay McShann’s Cmusic’s joy and rebellion in such classics “Back in the U.S.A.” was a black man’s straight- guitar, drums and keyboards amplifies every very mechanics of music and how it was trans- “Confessin’ the Blues.” Berry would never for- as “Johnny B Goode,” “Sweet Little Sixteen” and faced tribute to his country at a time there was call of “Go, Johnny Go!” The song was inspired mitted. As a teenager, he loved to take radios get the ovation he received. “Long did the “Roll Over Beethoven,” died Saturday at his no guarantee Berry would be served at the in part by Johnnie Johnson, the boogie-woo- apart and put them back together. encouragement of that performance assist me home west of St Louis. He was 90. Emergency drive-ins and corner cafes he was celebrating. gie piano master who collaborated on many in programming my songs and even their responders summoned to Berry’s residence by “Everything I wrote about wasn’t about me, but Berry hits, but the story could have easily been Autobiography delivery while performing,” he wrote in his his caretaker about 12:40 pm found him unre- about the people listening,” he once said. Berry’s, Presley’s or countless others’. Using a Nick Manoloff guitar chord book, autobiography. “I added and deleted accord- sponsive, police in Missouri’s St Charles “Johnny B. Goode,” the tale of a guitar-playing Commercial calculation made the song univer- he learned how to play the hits of the time. He ing to the audiences’ response to different County said in a statement. country boy whose mother tells him he’ll be a sal: Berry had meant to call Johnny a “colored was fascinated by chord progressions and gestures, and chose songs to build an act that Attempts to revive Berry failed, and he was star, was Berry’s signature song, the archetypal boy,” but changed “colored” to “country,” rhythms, discovering that many songs bor- would constantly stimulate my audience.” pronounced dead shortly before 1:30 p.m., narrative for would-be rockers and among the enabling not only radio play, but musicians of rowed heavily from the Gershwins’ “I Got police said. Berry’s core repertoire was some most ecstatic recordings in the music’s history. any color to imagine themselves as stars. Rhythm.” He began his musical career at age three dozen songs, his influence incalculable, “Chances are you have talent,” Berry later from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to vir- Commercial calculation wrote of the song. “But will the name and the tually any group from garage band to arena Berry can hardly contain himself as the light come to you? No! You have to go!” act that called itself rock ‘n roll. words hurry out (“Deep down Louisiana close Johnny B Goode could have only been a gui- tarist. The guitar was rock ‘n’ roll’s signature instrument and Berry’s clarion sound, a melt- ing pot of country flash and rhythm ‘n blues This file photo taken on drive, turned on at least a generation of musi- April 15, 2013 legendary US cians, among them the Rolling Stones’ Keith singer and composer Chuck Richards, who once acknowledged he had Berry, one of the pioneers “lifted every lick” from his hero; the Beatles’ of rock-and-roll, performing George Harrison; Bruce Springsteen; and the during a concert in Who’s Pete Townshend. Montevideo Uruguay. When NASA launched the unmanned Voyager I in 1977, an album was stored on the craft that would explain music on Earth to extraterrestrials. The one rock song included was “Johnny B. Goode.” Charles Edward Anderson Berry was born in St. Louis on Oct. 18, 1926. As a child he practiced a bent-leg stride that enabled him to slip under tables, a prelude to the duck walk of his adult years. His mother, like Johnny B. Goode’s, told him he

In this April 4, 1980 file photo, guitarist and This file photo taken on July 10, 1981 shows singer Chuck Berry performs his “duck walk” US rock singer Chuck Berry performing in as he plays his guitar on stage. Nice, France during the “Grand Jazz Parade”.

This file photo taken on July 10, 1981 shows US rock singer Chuck Berry perform- ing in Nice, France during the “Grand Jazz David Banks, of St Louis, Missouri, poses for a photo next to a statue of singer and musi- Parade”. cian Chuck Berry.

“Just let me hear some of that rock ‘n’ roll Meanwhile, his troubles with the law began, music any old way you use it I am playing I’m in 1944, when a joy riding trip to Kansas City talking about you. God bless Chuck Berry turned into a crime spree involving armed rob- Chuck,” Beatles drummer Ringo Starr tweeted, beries and car theft. Berry served three years of quoting some lyrics from a Berry hit. While Elvis a 10-year sentence at a reformatory. A year Presley gave rock its libidinous, hip-shaking after his October 1947 release, Berry met and image, Berry was the auteur, setting the tem- married Themetta Suggs, who stayed by his plate for a new sound and way of life. “Chuck side despite some of his well-publicized indis- Berry was a rock and roll original. A gifted guitar cretions. Berry then started sitting in with local player, an amazing live performer, and a skilled bands. By 1950, he had graduated to a six- songwriter whose music and lyrics captured the string electric guitar and was making his own essence of 1950s teenage life,” The Rock & Roll crude recordings on a reel to reel machine. On Hall of Fame said in a statement. New Year’s Eve 1952 at The Cosmopolitan club Well before the rise of Bob Dylan, Berry wed- in East St. Louis, Illinois, Johnson called Berry to ded social commentary to the beat and rush of fill in for an ailing saxophonist in his Sir John popular music. “He was singing good lyrics, and Trio. “He gave me a break” and his first com- intelligent lyrics, in the ‘50s when people were mercial gig, for $4, Berry later recalled. “I was singing, “Oh, baby, I love you so,’” John Lennon excited. My best turned into a mess. I stole the once observed. Berry, in his late 20s before his group from Johnnie.” first major hit, crafted lyrics that spoke to the teenagers of the day and remained fresh Berry’s 60th birthday decades later. “Sweet Little Sixteen” captured Influenced by bandleader Louis Jourdan, rock ‘n’ roll fandom, an early and innocent ode to blues guitarist T-Bone Walker and jazz man the young girls later known as “groupies.” Charlie Christian, but also hip to country music, “School Day” told of the sing-song trials of the novelty songs and the emerging teen audi- classroom (“American history and practical ences of the post-World War II era, Berry signed math; you’re studying hard, hoping to pass...”) with Chicago’s Chess Records in 1955. and the liberation of rock ‘n’ roll once the day’s “Maybellene” reworked the country song “Ida final bell rang. Red” and rose into the top 10 of the national “Roll Over Beethoven” was an anthem to A woman enters the doorway to the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill, where singer and musician Chuck Berry often played, in University City, pop charts, a rare achievement for a black artist rock’s history-making power, while “Rock and Missouri, on March 18, 2017. at that time. lifestyle MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 MUSIC & MOVIES

Joe Albanese and Diana Kim replace an old mural with a new painting that will feature the album cover of a new Chuck Berry album at Delmar Loop in St Louis on Saturday, March 18, 2017.

According to Berry, label owner Leonard Chess was taken by the novelty of a “hillbilly song sung by a black man,” an inversion of Presley’s covers of blues songs. Several hits fol- lowed, including “Roll Over Beethoven,” “School Day” and “Sweet Little Sixteen.” Among his oth- er songs: “Too Much Monkey Business,” “Nadine,” “No Particular Place To Go,” “Almost Grown” and the racy novelty number “My Ding- A-Ling,” which topped the charts in 1972. Berry also appeared in a dozen movies, doing his dis- tinctive bent-legged “duck-walk” in several teen exploitation flicks of the ‘50s. Richards organized the well-received 1987 documen- tary “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll,” a concert at St Louis’ Fox Theatre to celebrate Berry’s 60th birthday. It featured Eric Clapton, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, who recalled being told by his own mother that Berry, not he, was the true In this Oct 17, 1986 file photo, Chuck Berry performs during a concert celebration for his king of rock ‘n’ roll. 60th birthday at the Fox Theatre in St Louis, Mo. Country, pop and rock artists have record- ed Berry songs, including the Beatles (“Roll Act, which barred transportation of a minor Over Beethoven”), Emmylou Harris (“You across state lines for “immoral purposes.” An Never Can Tell”), Buck Owens (“Johnny B. all-white jury found him guilty in 1960, but the Goode”) and AC/DC (“School Days”). The charges were vacated after the judge made Rolling Stones’ first single was a cover of racist comments. Berry’s “Come On” and they went on to per- Flowers are placed on Chuck Berry’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star. A trial in 1961 led to his serving 1 1/2 years form and record “Around and Around,” “Let it album in 38 years in 2017, titled simply: shaped swimming pool, restaurant, cottages of a three-year term. Berry continued to record Rock” and others. Berry riffs pop up in count- “Chuck.” The announcement said it would be and concert venue. He declined to have a reg- after getting out, and his legacy was duly hon- less songs, from the Stones’ ravenous “Brown comprised primarily of new, original songs ular band and instead used local musicians, ored by the Beatles and the Stones, but his hit- Sugar” to the Eagles’ mellow country-rock bal- written, recorded and produced by him. In willing to work cheap. Springsteen was among making days were essentially over. “Down lad “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” 2000, Johnson sued Berry over royalties and those who had an early gig backing Berry. from stardom/then I fell/to this lowly prison credit he believed he was due for the songs cell,” Berry wrote as his jail time began. Tax Guitar-shaped swimming pool they composed together over more than 20 Big mistake charges came in 1979, and another three-year Some stars covered him too well. The Beach years of collaboration. The lawsuit was dis- Burned by an industry that demanded a prison sentence, all but 120 days of which was Boys borrowed the melody of “Sweet Little missed two years later, but Richards was share of his songwriting credits, Berry was suspended. Some former female employees Sixteen” for their surf anthem “Surfin’ U.S.A.” among those who believed Johnson had been deeply suspicious of even his admirers, as any- later sued him for allegedly videotaping them without initially crediting Berry. The Beatles’ cheated, writing in his memoir “Life” that body could tell from watching him give in the bathroom of his restaurant. The cases “Come Together,” written by John Lennon, was Johnson set up the arrangements for Berry Richards the business in “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ were settled in 1994, after Berry paid $1.3 mil- close enough to Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me” and was so essential to the music that many of Roll.” For the movie’s concerts, he confounded lion. “Every 15 years, in fact, it seems I make a This file photo taken on February 25, 2012 to inspire a lawsuit by music publisher Morris Berry’s songs were recorded in keys more suit- Richards by playing songs in different keys and big mistake,” Berry acknowledged in his mem- shows Paul Simon (left) and honoree Chuck Levy. In an out of court settlement, Lennon ed for the piano. tempos than they had been in rehearsal. oir. Still, echoing the lyrics of “Back in the Berry during the 2012 Awards for Lyrics of agreed to record “You Can’t Catch Me” for his Openly money-minded, Berry was an entre- Richards would recall turning to his fellow U.S.A.,” he said: “There’s no other place I would Literary Excellence at The John F Kennedy 1975 “Rock n’ Roll” album. preneur with a St Louis nightclub and, in a musicians and shrugging, “Wing it, boys.” rather live, including Africa, than America. I Presidential Library And Museum in On his 90th birthday last year, Berry dis- small town west of there, property he dubbed Berry’s career nearly ended decades earlier, believe in the system.” Suhr reported from Boston, Massachusetts. closed that he would release his first new Berry Park, which included a home, guitar- when he was indicted for violating the Mann Kansas City, Missouri. — AP Actor-director Alice Lowe on

Hiroyuki Sanada, from left, Ryan the mother of all movies Reynolds, director Daniel Espinosa, wo things stand out immediately about Olga Dihovichnaya, British actress, filmmaker and rising star Rebecca Ferguson, Alice Lowe that make her an unusual Ariyon Bakare and T subject in the rarified but often pretentious Jake Gyllenhaal, world of celebrity interviewing. The first is the arrive for the world venue-a pleasant but utterly run-of-the-mill premiere of “Life” at early 20th century bungalow she has rented to the ZACH Theatre receive journalists in suburban Los Angeles- during the South by and the second is that she is breastfeeding. Southwest Film “We could have gone to a restaurant but I Festival on didn’t want to be somewhere where I’m like Saturday in Austin, ‘stay in your pram and don’t fall into the wait- Texas. — AP er,’” she says, cradling infant daughter Della, who was bawling but has suddenly adopted the blissed out expression of a yogi. Lowe’s lack of airs could be explained by the fact that Bromance between Gyllenhaal she’s hardly A-list yet outside of the British TV comedy circuit. But you get the feeling that she’d be as down-to-earth with an Oscar on the bathroom shelf. and Reynolds filming ‘Life’ Her profile has been on the rise, in any case, with a starring role and writing credit on here’s a bromance brewing between authentic that it would be nearly impossible Their discovery- the first evidence of extrater- Ben Wheatley’s exquisite serial killer comedy actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan for another actor to duplicate. “We sort of restrial life on Mars_turns out to be a threat “Sightseers” (2012) and parts in Edgar Wright’s TReynolds. The Hollywood stars say they grew up in this business together without not only to the crew but to all life on Earth. But “Hot Fuzz” and “The World’s End” as well as hit it off so well during the filming of their new knowing each other until very recently,” even with the backdrop of a sci-fi heart Paul King’s “Paddington.” Lowe, 39, is doing the sci-fi thriller called “Life” that a genuine friend- Gyllenhaal said. “It’s hard in a business where ... pounder, Gyllenhaal says he and Reynolds Hollywood publicity merry-go-round to pro- ship has blossomed. The movie, about a team a lot of times we’re pretending to get closer to found some levity throughout the filming. mote “Prevenge,” a horror comedy she wrote of scientists aboard the International Space the truth and to find somebody who you feel “This experience of what’s happening right and directed, not to mention appearing in every scene, during an intense 11-day shoot This file photo taken on January 18, 2015 Station who find an alien life form from Mars, is genuine. I feel that way about him, so we’re now was consistent to what it felt like while we shows British actress Alice Lowe at the is premiering Saturday at the South by friends.” were shooting,” Gyllenhaal said in between while she was heavily pregnant. Another deli- ciously deadpan bloodbath, “Prevenge” fol- 35th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards in Southwest festival in Austin. The “Brokeback The movie plot draws some notable paral- puns served as answers to questions. “We had lows delusional Ruth as she embarks on a London. — AFP Mountain” and “Deadpool” stars were mostly lels to Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic “Alien,” track- really scary situations in the movie and scenes bloody antenatal assassination mission she and there’s this one-size-fits-all attitude that all jokes during rounds of press interviews pri- ing a team of scientists on a spaceship who that were really tense, but we were laughing believes is being commanded by her unborn you’re a mum ... and you’re going to feel this or to the film’s premier, answering most ques- encounter an alien life form that wreaks havoc. constantly and it was so much fun.” — AP fetus to avenge the death of its father. way or that way.” tions with a back-and-forth comedy shtick. But Lowe also wanted to challenge the tenden- they turned serious when asked about the In the club cy of TV and cinema to reduce pregnant connection formed on set. If the premise sounds outlandish, Lowe’s women to nothing more than their baby “You do these films and get to work with directorial debut-which is released March 24 bump-and the inclination to worry about really amazing people, really talented people in limited theaters and the horror streaming whether female characters in general are sym- and you think ‘oh I’m going to hang out with service Shudder-has been lavished with criti- pathetic. “No one watches ‘Taxi Driver’ and these people afterward and see them again,’” cal acclaim. She was approached to make it thinks this is a terrible representation of men, or said Reynolds. “You don’t most of the time while six months pregnant, and realized her taxi drivers. You do the same with women and because you go on living your life. But with initial hesitation was no more than an uncon- everyone goes ‘oh, she was so horrible, such a this guy, we’ve stayed friends. That’s a lucky scious attempt to conform to how society terrible representation of women,’” she says. thing. It doesn’t always happen.” Some of the expects pregnant women to behave. She end- Far from being worn out, Lowe felt “super- first signs of the newly-forged bond came ear- ed up making a movie that on one level is a human” during the shoot, which includes a lier this week when Reynolds gave high praise natural heir to the revenge genre exemplified Halloween night out on the streets of the noto- to Gyllenhaal on Good Morning America, call- by Park Chan-wook’s 2003 noir smash-hit “Old rious Welsh party capital Cardiff, where real ing him one of the most interesting actors cur- Boy,” but one that explores the way society drunken revelers took the place of paid extras. rently working in Hollywood. Reynolds said patronizes pregnant women while at the same “I had guys coming up to me and shouting in Saturday that his co-star is “one the greatest time limiting their life choices. my face ‘I’m not scared of you!’ and I had to say, actors of this generation.” “One of the main things I wanted to say is ‘I am actually pregnant, you know. This is a real “I loved working with this guy,” he said. “I that women are individuals and pregnant pregnancy bump,” she recalls. “I saw some loved spending time with this guy. It’s not women are individuals. Everyone is different. crazy things that night. We walked past a often you get this experience.” Gyllenhaal was That’s one of the things you feel you’re losing group of about 30 people standing around a equally complimentary, saying Reynolds’s role when you become pregnant,” she says. “It’s fight between three men, one of whom was in last year as a foul-mouthed superhero is exact- Ryan Reynolds, left, and Jake Gyllenhaal arrive for the world premiere of “Life” at the ZACH like you’re joining a group, some kind of club a wheelchair. It was insane.” — AFP ly what he strives for -a performance so Theatre during the South by Southwest Film Festival. — AP lifestyle MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 FEATURES

In this file photo, visitors walking past Angels Flight Railway in Los Angeles. — AP photos Photo shows a pedestrian walking past a street mural in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Real places that inspired scenes in Oscar-nominated films

diner in Miami, a house in Pittsburgh film’s star and director, Denzel Washington, appearance along with spots in Moriarty and and a pier in Los Angeles: All of them and told The Associated Press that she felt like Tucumcari. The Route 66 Casino Hotel in Aare real places where Oscar-nominated she was “inside August Wilson’s world ... It was Albuquerque was among the locations. movies were filmed. Part of “Moonlight” was just such a feeling that August’s words had shot in Jimmy’s Eastside Diner in Miami. Scenic become three-dimensional.” Wilson’s actual 20th century women spots around Los Angeles featured in “La La childhood home, is about 2 miles away at This movie about a mother and her Land” included the Hermosa Beach Pier. And in 1727 Bedford Ave, and is listed on the National teenage son set in 1979 included many loca- Pittsburgh, “Fences” was filmed in a house that Register of Historic Places. tions in the Santa Barbara, California area. perfectly evokes playwright “August Wilson’s Fans will also want to visit the August Among them: East Beach, West Beach, world,” according to his widow. Wilson Center, a multi-use performing arts Miramar Beach and Ganna Walska Lotusland Other movies with connections to real center in Pittsburgh with a theater, art gal- garden and historic estate in Montecito. An places include “Manchester by the Sea,” filmed leries and more. An exhibit with video inter- area near Gaviota Pier at Gaviota State Park, in coastal towns near Boston, and “Hidden views, costumes and props from the movie with a scene driving through the Gaviota Figures,” about African-American women who runs Jan 28-March 10. The Pittsburgh History & worked for NASA in Virginia, where several Landmarks Foundation publishes a guidebook attractions may be of interest to fans. Here are called “August Wilson: Pittsburgh Places in His some details. Life and Plays” and various walking tours are available of the city’s historically African- La La Land American Hill District. This musical love letter to Los Angeles includes shots of many recognizable destina- Hidden Figures tions around the city. Among them: Griffith This movie tells the story of African- Observatory, the Hermosa Beach Pier and American women who worked at NASA nearby Lighthouse Cafe, the Hollywood Walk Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, Photo shows visitors walking along on the Hermosa Beach pier in Los Angeles. of Fame mural, Angels Flight Railway, Grand in the early 1960s. Their work helped put John Central Market and the Smoke House restau- Glenn into orbit. The movie was mostly filmed A new exhibit called “When the Computer can also learn more about the work done at rant. There’s even a scene staged amid traffic in Atlanta, but Hampton offers several attrac- Wore a Skirt: NASA’s Human Computers” just Langley at the Virginia Air & Space Center, on a freeway overpass. tions worth visiting. opened at the Hampton History Museum. Fans which is hosting a talk by Margot Lee Shetterly, author of the book “Hidden Figures,” Moonlight on March 7 at 7:30 pm EST. A bench dedicated Much of this story of a young black man to one of the women featured in the movie, coming of age was set and shot in and around Katherine Johnson, is located directly across Miami’s Liberty Square housing project. One from the Air & Space Center in Carousel Park. of the most tender scenes depicts the protag- onist as a child being taught to swim by a drug Manchester By The Sea dealer who serves as a father figure. That The movie was filmed in parts of Cape Ann and the North Shore of Massachusetts. scene was shot on Virginia Key beach, a black- Photo shows the Route 66 Casino outside only beach during the segregation era on the Gloucester served as the backdrop for a num- ber of scenes, including the pivotal tear-jerk- of Albuquerque, NM, along the historic Rickenbacker Causeway that connects main- Route 66. land Miami to Key Biscayne. “Moonlight” is ing scene between Michelle Williams and structured in three parts. The final segment Casey Affleck. Tunnel on Highway 101, was also included. Central Street in downtown Manchester centers on a reunion shot in a real restaurant, Skateboarding scenes were shot on Ashley was also in the film, and cemetery scenes were Jimmy’s Eastside Diner, where fans can grab Road at East Mountain Drive and San Leandro filmed in the Rosedale cemetery. Local spots breakfast or lunch. Lane near Crane School in Montecito. like the Willow Rest on Holly Street in Gloucester and Fibber McGee’s in Beverly also Fantastic Beasts Fences figure in the movie locations. This magical romp through 1920s New York “Fences,” a movie adapted from the August City shows many famous landmarks, including Wilson play, was set and shot in Wilson’s Hell or High Water the Woolworth Building and the Statue of hometown, Pittsburgh. Many of the scenes This movie is set in West Texas but was Liberty. But many of the places shown in the were filmed in a small brick house at 809 Photo shows the home at 809 Anaheim Street in the Hill District of Pittsburgh that was filmed in New Mexico. Bank robbery scenes film look very different today, including Times Anaheim St Wilson’s widow, Constanza used in the filming of “Fences,” the film directed by and starring Denzel Washington in the were shot in Clovis and Portales, and Quay Square, the Central Park Zoo and the Lower Romero, visited the house, escorted by the adaptation of a Pulitzer Price winning play by Pittsburgh born playwright August Wilson. County’s Caprock Escarpment also makes an East Side. — AP Gulf Bank compliments mothers on their special day

Showcasing the Bank’s offerings to its priority customers

Open invitation to Greece ow a days Greece is considered Greece will also be presented at this the most dynamic and the safest Event. Greece includes top tourist inter- Ntourism destination in Europe. A national destinations that combine Greek Tourism Workshop is going to be exclusive archaeological sites, unique held on March 22, 2017 at the Kuwait beaches, excellent nature environment, Sheraton Hotel to highlight the interest marvelous hotels for luxury tourism, lots in this new destination to the Kuwaiti of activities for families with children, market now that a direct flight operation shopping centers and nightlife in sever- is going to start this summer linking al places and islands such as Mykonos, Greece to Kuwait. Santorini, Crete, Athens, Thessaloniki, This event is held under the auspices Peloponnese etc. ulf Bank launched a special campaign on benefit from the wide array of privileges and Relationship Manager is assigned to manage cus- of the Ministry of Tourism of Greece, As the Greek Organizers highlighted : Mother’s Day for its Priority Banking cus- choose opulent gifts tailored to suit all tastes. Gulf tomers banking requirements in the comfort of with the kind support of the Greek “Greek Tourism Workshop is unique in its Gtomers who indulged in a wide selection of Bank also made sure to top the offer with a com- dedicated private floors. National Tourism Organization. way of promoting the Destination and international luxury brands from Korloff and memorative souvenir for its clients, as a token of In addition, they will receive a branded ATM The initiative of this workshop is developing the touristic trends of the Omega Boutiques. The Bank also hosted a priority appreciation to all mothers in Kuwait. card that recognizes their status across Gulf Bank based on launching the direct flights of Kuwaiti market “. The Greek delegation event to showcase its offerings in both boutiques Gulf Bank is committed to offering its Priority Network, premium credit cards with exclusive priv- Aegean Airlines from Kuwait to Athens will consist of strictly selected partners that are located in 360 Mall, on 15 March 2017. Banking customers with selective privileges ileges, discounted fees and waivers on banking and also on the demand of the Kuwaiti of the Greek tourism industry, who The campaign, which runs from 15 March until 22 matching their Life style as well gives access to transactions and added value benefits through market for the famous upcoming Greek would like to meet the elite of the March, provides the Bank’s Priority Customers with renowned local concierge services from Peacock our premium partner merchants. destinations which are attracting more Kuwaiti travel agents who are really offers and exclusive discounts on collections in Concierge. With Gulf Bank Priority Banking, cus- To find out more about the Bank’s promotions and more visitors from Kuwait every interested in the Greek tourism product”. Korloff and Omega boutiques. tomers enjoy a personalized and preferential and offers customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s year. Upon the request of local authori- For more information please visit the By only using their premium credit including treatment coupled with a suite of Banking and 56 branches, for assistance and guidance. They ties in Kuwait, the Health Tourism in site www.greektourismworkshop.com Visa Infinite, MasterCard World, Visa Signature, Visa investment products and services designed to can also log on to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Platinum and MasterCard Platinum, customers meet their financial goals. A dedicated Bank’s bilingual website. lifestyle MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017

FEATURE

Family and friends of a newlywed couple pull on ribbons attached to a flower bouquet during the A newlywed couple gets ready to pose for formal portraits during their wedding reception at the couple’s wedding reception at the Al-Meroz hotel in Bangkok. — AFP photos Al- Meroz hotel in Bangkok. Tourism to food, Buddhist Thailand hunts halal gold

A groom (third right) prays with elders before his bride is called onstage to A guest watches a couple get married at the Al-Meroz hotel in Bangkok. finalize the wedding ceremony at the Al-Meroz hotel in Bangkok. Employees packing butter at a halal dairy in a biscuit factory in Bangkok. rom hotels with segregated swimming to be from a seaweed source,” she said. pools to jelly made from seaweed Thailand’s junta has set the goal of turning the Finstead of pig bones, Buddhist Thailand country into one of the world’s top five halal is chasing halal gold as it welcomes Muslim exporting nations by 2020. Some outsiders visitors and touts its wares to the Islamic might be surprised to see an overwhelmingly world. Inside the cavernous dining hall of the Buddhist nation embrace halal. But Dr Winai five-star Al Meroz hotel in a Muslim suburb of Dahlan, founder of the Halal Science Centre at Bangkok, an elderly man with a wispy beard Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, says recites verses of the Quran as a nervous-look- Thailand was well placed to make the change. ing groom awaits the arrival of his bride. The Five percent of its population is Muslim young man bursts into a smile as his soon-to- and-outside of the insurgency plagued south- be wife appears, clad in a brilliant white dress ern border region-is well-integrated within the with matching headscarf. Buddhist majority. It was local Thai Muslims The ceremony is one of dozens of mar- who first began asking for the country’s halal riages held over the last few months at the Al- testing center, a business that scours products Meroz-the city’s first entirely halal hotel. for any banned substances and has since Thailand has long been a draw for the world’s boomed. “Fifteen years ago there was only 500 sun-seekers and hedonists, drawn to its par- food plants that had halal certification. Now ties, red-light districts, cheap booze and tropi- it’s 6,000,” Winai told AFP as female lab techni- cal beaches. But it has also seen a huge influx cians in headscarves tested food products for of visitors from Muslim countries, part of a qui- traces of pork DNA. et but deliberate strategy by the Southeast Over the same period the number of halal Asian nation to diversify its visitor profile. certified products made in Thailand has gone “Considering there are 1.5 billion Muslims from 10,000 to 160,000, he added. It’s paid off. around the world, I think this is a very good The government estimates the halal food market,” explains Sanya Saenboon, the general industry is already worth $6 billion a year. As manager of the hotel, one of a growing num- Thailand has quickly learned, there’s gold at Guests choose food items during a wedding reception at the Al-Meroz hotel in Bangkok. ber of businesses serving a boom in Islamic the end of the halal rainbow. — AFP tourists. The hotel opened its doors last year, from China, skyrocketing from just 949,000 middle classes. He estimates the number of setting itself apart with its attention to all arrivals 10 years ago to 8.7 million visitors in Muslim travellers has surged from around 25 things Islamic. 2016. But Muslim countries are also sending million a year in 2000 to 117 million in 2015. For a start there is no alcohol on sale, while their citizens. An AFP analysis of government But it is not just at home that Thailand has the top floor swimming pool and gym has figures shows visitors from key majority gone halal. specific times for when men and women can Muslim nations in the Middle East and Asia use the facilities. Everything in the building have risen from 2.63 million in 2006 to 6.03 Food gets halal makeover has been ticked off against stringent checklist million last year. From chicken and seafood to rice and for practicing Muslims, from bed linen washed “Thailand was ahead of the curve,” says canned fruit, the country has long been one of in a particular way, to ensuring toiletries are Fazal Baharden, founder of the Singapore- the world’s great food exporters. Now a grow- free of alcohol or animal fat — making every- based Crescent Rating, which rates which ing numbers of food companies are switching day goods “permissible” for the faithful. Sanya, countries are most welcoming to Muslim trav- to halal to widen their customer base. who is Muslim, says such checks give visitors ellers. Thailand routinely places in the top two Against a backdrop of humming machines “peace of mind” so clients never have to ask for non-Muslim majority nations alongside churning out butter, Lalana Thiranusornkij, a themselves “can I eat this?” Singapore in Crescent Ratings’ annual survey Buddhist, explains how her family turned their of halal destinations. “They’ve really recog- three factories-under the KCG Corporation ‘Ahead of the curve’ nized the Muslim consumer market is worth banner-halal to access markets in Indonesia, Despite a decade of political turbulence, tapping into,” he explains, adding medical Malaysia and in the Gulf. Thailand has seen an explosion in tourist tourism, shopping and high quality hotels are But going halal sometimes required some arrivals, from 13.8 million annual visitors in the primary draws. clever workarounds, such as how to avoid ani- 2006 to a record 32.5 million last year. Baharden says the Islamic travel market is mal based gelatin to make jelly. Western arrivals have largely remained a con- one of the world’s fastest growing thanks the “In the past we used gelatin from pork but... A newly married couple enter a wedding hall during their wedding reception at the Al- stant. The biggest increase in arrivals comes growth of cheap flights and booming Muslim we changed our gelatin from the pork source Meroz hotel in Bangkok.

Pastry chefs adorn a wedding cake before a wedding reception. Guests and family members of a newlywed couple take photos of them during a wedding reception at Al- Meroz hotel in Bangkok. Chuck Berry: The greatest rocker of all time

MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 36 RIP Chuck Berry

This file photo taken on April 15, 2013 legendary US singer and composer Chuck Berry, one of the pioneers of rock-and-roll, performing during a concert in Montevideo Uruguay. — AFP Discount winter getaways at West Virginia resorts

he sky faded toward cobalt over the rolling Chocolate bars afternoon, we walked out on the boardwalk that horizon and its bare hardwood forest, the The downstairs restaurant and tavern were crosses part of the lake, heading toward the Tfaux street lamps in the foreground light- busy. The bartender said she had only two kinds marina and the campground already booked ing the outdoor walkway and swimming pool. of moonshine at the moment - peach and coffee solid for the summer. We decided against a One man lingered in the adjoining Jacuzzi flavored - and poured the peach into a small cor- longer walk on trails through the woods. despite the 30-degree chill that blew mist off the dial glass. Several small distillers produce ver- Instead, we drove 15 minutes to see the sprawl- heated water. The moon gradually cast a narrow sions of the liquor in West Virginia, where it tradi- ing, gothic Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in shimmering line across the lake. I sat at high bar tionally came from corn mash in Prohibition-era Weston. Built in the 1800s as a sanctuary for the table sipping peach moonshine watching stills. The winter cold had driven me and my mentally ill, it housed 2,500 patients in the 1950s through picture windows as winter dusk fell in companion in from the outdoor fire pit, where and closed in 1994. It’s now a national landmark. the Appalachian Mountains. more wood was burning. Fixings for s’mores We didn’t take the tour. The state of West Virginia owns this resort, were offered: chocolate bars, marshmallows and called Stonewall, along with other upscale graham crackers. The s’mores were gratis, like Golf course resorts with golf courses, indoor pools, the upgrade we got to a lakeside room, though Stonewall’s golf course with Arnold Palmer’s Adirondack-style lodges and miles of scenic hik- we’d actually booked an ordinary room at a $40 name on it was empty except for a few swans, ing trails for laid-back getaways in the offseason. discount for $129. The resort was half-full on the the golf shop and its restaurant closed until Thanks to offseason bargains, a stay can be had weekend with about 200 people. Staff couldn’t spring. The lodge’s health spa was open, taking for as little as $50 a night. The wood fire in the have been friendlier. Desk clerks checked us in appointments for facials and massages, discount- large stone hearth threw heat into Stonewall’s four hours early. Taxes and a resort fee added ed to $50 on Thursdays in March. The resort is a high-ceilinged lodge. Guests drifted in and out, $30 to the bill. Heading to our room later, we about two-hour drive south from Pittsburgh. warmed at the fire, or lounged on the sofas. Soft saw families still playing in the indoor half of the That was also the cost of a winter room at West jazz played in the background. A couple nestled pool and its adjoining Jacuzzi, kept at 88 and Virginia’s Twin Falls Resort State Park, where we in the dark-paneled library next door reading in 103 degrees, respectively, same as the water stayed in February, after the desk clerk knocked club chairs under lamps. outdoors where we swam earlier. In the sunny $25 off our reserved low winter rate and upgrad- A man walks past ‘Mao’ by US artist Andy Warhol, 1973, an acrylic and silkscreen ed our room. It’s located up a winding road in ink on canvas, during a pre-auction preview by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. — AFP southern West Virginia’s coal country, on a moun- taintop surrounded by its own golf course and hiking trails through forests that are a nature pre- Warhol Mao portrait goes under serve. There were few other guests midweek in February. We saw three at breakfast. The lodge the hammer in Hong Kong has 47 rooms and an indoor pool. n Andy Warhol portrait of former nomic policies blamed for mass starvation West Virginia has eight other resorts in the Chinese leader Mao Zedong will be and the political witch hunts of the 1966-76 state system, all with lodges, most with cabins or auctioned in Hong Kong in a land- “Cultural Revolution”, left a bitter aftertaste cottages and campsites to rent as well. A mark sale that could fetch $15 million-but and depictions of him otherwise remain According to state officials, the parks had about mainland buyers may be wary of putting in strictly controlled. Sotheby’s said it hoped 7 million visitors last year and nearly 700,000 a bid. The classic 1973 screen print by the Warhol’s artistic merit would outweigh any overnight guests. Discounts include golf passes legendary US pop artist will go under the political concerns. “We hope people won’t for any of the four resort courses, a $50 rate for hammer at Sotheby’s next month with the be stopped by any political issues...we are any standard room at any lodge in January and highest estimate the auction house has talking about serious art,” Sotheby’s Isaure package offers updated monthly. A West Virginia ever seen for a painting in Asia. It comes as de Viel Castel told AFP, as the portrait was friend recommended Pipestem Resort State demand grows among collectors in the unveiled Friday for the first time in Hong Park, in the state’s southeastern corner, which region for a wider variety of high-profile Kong ahead of the sale. has two lodges, one open year-round with bal- works, driven by appetite in China. Castel, senior director of modern and conies and views of the Bluestone Canyon The auction house describes the event contemporary art for Asia, described the gorge, and a second lodge open from May to as the first “significant” sale of Western con- work as a “masterpiece”. Warhol made hun- October and reachable only by an aerial tram. temporary art in semi-autonomous Hong dreds of vibrant images of Mao, using a Photo shows The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. — AP photos Room rates start at $75. — AP Kong, which was handed back to China by portrait of the leader from the “Little Red Britain in 1997. But while buyers from Book” of his thoughts and sayings as a tem- mainland China have developed massive plate. The prints piled colour onto Mao’s market clout, Warhol’s images of Mao have face, adorning him with rouge, eye shadow drawn controversy there. A major touring and lipstick in an irreverent take on China’s retrospective of his works removed pictures totalitarian propaganda. The 127cm x of the former leader when it visited 107cm silkscreen portrait to be auctioned Shanghai and Beijing in 2013. by Sotheby’s on April 2 overlays his face Organizers at the time said it was a with a blurred sphere of yellow and daubs mutual decision after concerns were raised his shirt orange. Chinese artists have also by the institutions displaying the show. depicted Mao in their works, including There is also general sensitivity about any painter Li Shan, who shows the leader with use of Mao’s image in China, where he a lotus flower in his mouth. remains a controversial figure. Warhol himself visited China in 1982, His legacy as Communist China’s found- five years before his death. China’s econom- ing father makes him inseparable from offi- ic slowdown, a corruption crackdown by cial propaganda extolling the party’s ruling Beijing and global instability have affected legitimacy, and his huge portrait still over- art markets. But auctioneers have always looks vast Tiananmen Square and appears remained optimistic that the highest quali- on Chinese bank notes. ty pieces would find homes among the Yet his mistakes, such as disastrous eco- superrich. — AFP This photo shows the lodge at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WVa. Photo shows hearth in the lodge at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke.